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R. ii 174

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Irrlifnlngia Carahrfcsis,

THB

JOURNAL

OF THB

Camkian Irrjuenbgiwl 3lji0nriatinn.

VOL. I. THIRD SERIES.

LONDON :
J. RUSSELL SMITH, 36, SOHO SQUARE.

IXANDOVEBT: W. UBS& CUESTEB: PKITCHABD, BOBBVTO ft Co.

TEHBT: R. HAfiOIf.

1855.

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i>BR^^

PREFACE.

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. *. . • *♦•••♦

In this First Volume ; of .thq Third-- Series of the
ARCHiEOLUGiA Cambrensis, it is hop^d that the general
collection of papers on the. Antiquities of Wales and
the Marches has been worthily continued and extended ;
for it is the object and the wish of the Association to
uphold the scientific character of its Journal, and to
illustrate the subjects treated of in it, as amply as its
funds will admit.

The Publication Committee desire to express their
sense of the kind manner in which the Officers of the
Association, and the Members generally, have aided
them in their labours. Their thanks are due to
Mr, Love Parry, and Mr. Lee, for contributing, at
their own cost, and with their own pencils, the illus-
trations of Tre *r Ceiri, and Pencoyd Castles, respec-
tively. The Council of the Archaeological Institute
kindlv lent to the Association the wood-blocks of the
Seal of Henry do Lacy, Earl of Lincoln ; while the

IV PREFACE.

Mayor and Corporation of Denbigh obligingly allowed
the ancient Charter, which that Seal illustrates, to be
forwarded to London for transcription by one of our
most active and valuable members, Mr. Albert Way.

The Cambrian Archaeological Association is bound
to congratulate itself on the large increase of its
Members, as well as on the undiminished vigour with
which its Journal is supported, and its affairs con-
ducted.

The Publication Committee have every reason to
expect that the Second and succeeding Volumes of
this Series will contain papers, of at least equal
interest with those which they have already issued.

IrrkHlngia CambrfMis.

THIRD SERIES, No. L— JANUARY, 18fi6.

INTRODUCTION.

In commencing a Third Series of the ArcfuBologia Cam-
brensiSf the President and Committee of the Cambrian
ARCHJEOtOGiCAL ASSOCIATION are desirous of explaining
to Members that, while the principles and objects of the
Society and its Journal remain unchanged, anxious en-
deavours have been made, and proper steps taken, for
increasing the extent, the influence, and the efficiency
both of the Association and of its official organ.

By the earnest exertions, and untiring liberality, of
its most active Members, the ranks of the Association
have received a large addition of Members since the
Meeting at Ruthm ; and means have been placed at the
disposal of the Committee, for the continued publication,
and for the more ample illustration, of the ArcfuBologia
CambrensiSf on a scale worthy of the Association, and of
the time-honoured Remains which it ever seeks to study
and to preserve. In consequence, too, of the increased
ardour for archaeological pursuits, and of the more scien-
tific spirit in which researches are now carried on, not
only are the communications made to the Committee,
from all quarters, greatly increased in number, but they

ARCH. CAHB., THIRD SBRIBS, VOL. I. B

2 INTRODUCTION.

are becoming daily more important in their nature, and
requiring greater means of illustration. The zeal and
knowledge of members have caused, and keep pace with,
the growth of the Association ; and they tend, in con-
junction with the generous aid of individual Members, to
furnish the means for properly recording and representing
the antiquities of the Principality and its Marches. To
perpetuate so desirable a state of things, it becomes the
duty of all Members of the Association to promote with
redoubled energy the examination and study, as well
as the preservation and illustration of the antiquarian
remains, not only of their own districts, but of the
country generally. It is also incumbent on them as
friends of a cause, which must look for its supporters
chiefly among the more intellectual and cultivated classes
of society, to do their best towards procuring the ad-
junction to the Association of as many persons as they
can persuade to take common part with them ; for, the
greater the numbers of those engaged in so honourable
and elevating a pursuit, the more abundant and secure
will be the supply of means for carrying it on. The
nature and constitution of the Cambrian Archjeological
Association raise it above all degrading influences of
party spirit, — secular or religious ; it is a strictly Scientific
Body having only one end in view — and that of very high
intellectual and social value — the study and preservation
of National Antiquities, whether Material or Historical.
By keeping this end steadily in view, and by acting with
the same candid good will that has all along characterized
its proceedings, the Association will be rendering impor-
tant service, not to Wales only, but to the world in
general. A certain portion of the wide field of intel-
lectual research has fallen to its lot ; let that portion be
cultivated with diligence and judgment, in a spirit of
candid and scientific observation; and the Association

INTRODUCTION. d

will win the thanks of all the great and the good among
those, who feel any interest in the past condition or pre-
sent welfare of Cambria, " Ein hen wlad anwyl."

A Sub-Committee has been appointed for the man-
agement of the ArcJuBologia CambrensiSf and all other
publications of the Association.

The entire responsibility of all proceedings, whether
of publication or of illustration, lies with the members
of this Sub-Committee, — subject to the control and sanc-
tion of the President and the General Committee.

It has been decided that in future no person shall be a
Member of the Association unless he is also a subscriber,
and that the Journal shall not be issued, in quarterly
numbersy to any but subscribers ; though, at the end of
the year, the public may have the opportunity of pur-
chasing them, in a volume, at the price of £1. 5s. Only
a small number of copies will be printed, beyond those
required for the supply of Members.

For the greater convenience of conducting the business
of the Journal, the Association has appointed Mr. J.
Russell Smith, 36, Soho Square, London, as its general
publisher and agent. The printing of the Journal will
be conducted in the same excellent manner as before, by
Mr. R. Mason, Tenby ; while the engraving of the illus-
trations, as will be found on reference to those in the
present Number, has been entrusted to the most eminent
English artists.

In consequence of various alterations and new arrange-
ments, which were necessary to be made, the present or
First Number, of the Third Series, has been delayed two
months in its publication ; but in ftiture the Committee
pledges itself to observe the utmost punctuality; and
Members may count upon the Journal being issued,
without fail, on the first day of each quarter.

NOTICES OF SEVERAL EARLY INSCRIBED STONES
RECENTLY FOUND IN VARIOUS PARTS

OF WALES,

The importance of a minute description of the earliest
inscribed monumental remains in any country cannot
be too highly over-rated, especially when all other
national contemporary evidences of equal authenticity
have been destroyed or lost. In France, notwithstan-
ding the political and warlike excitement of the times,
a commission has just been issued to examine, in ntu^
draw, describe, and publish all the Roman inscriptions
existing in that country. Most of our readers need
not to be informed that this is but one of many most
important undertakings of a similar nature authorized
and already executed, or in course of execution, by the
French government, that of the present regime being as
forward in the good work as its predecessors. Another
undertaking of a similar kind was the magnificent work
of Count Bastard upon the Ancient Illuminated Manu-
scripts of France, towards which the government of
Louis Philippe advanced a sum of not less than a million
of francs. Still more recently, the French government
has undertaken the publication of a grand work upon
the inscriptions and drawings of the Catacombs of Rome,
a work of the highest interest, illustrating many of the
earliest relics of Christianity now in existence. In like
manner the Prussian government has just completed
the publication of a noble work upon the Church of
Saint Sophia, at Constantinople, in which many of the
mosaic paintings and ornaments erected in the time of
Justinian have lately been rediscovered, and are now for
the first time given to the world in a style worthy of
the subject; and the Russian government has bestowed
upon the national antiquities of the empire so much
attention as to have published them in seven noble folio
volumes, filled with hundreds of the most costly plates.

Things are done otherwise in England. An amateur
archseologist, for instance, who may have spent years in

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES.

getdne together a series oi facsimiles of the most elabo-
rate illuminated Anglo-Saxon or Irish manuscripts, (and
for elaborate intricacy they are far beyond those of any
other country,) can only hope to find himself a bankrupt,
if he will be rash enough to do, what nobody else will
have zeal to undertake, that is, publish such national
monuments; and in like manner our inscribed Roman
monuments either lie inedited and unregarded in byways
in the country, or piled up beneath staircases in our uni-
versities or museums, whence they are dragged to light
by the zeal of some lover of antiquity, who must either
bear the expense of publishing the record of them, or fall
back upon our publishing associations for the same pur-
pose. Let not the reader suppose these are imaginary cases.

Like the study of natural history, that of antiquities is
made no part either of academical or general education ;
and, consequently, as in that science, it is only acciden-
tally that a love for its investigation is engendered. How
rarely this is the case need not be here told, but we may
safely infer that, until '^ line upon line and precept upon
precept" have been expended in the education of the public
mind, either by means of the proceedings of energetic
local associations, or by making the study of our national
antiquities a branch of education, it will be in vain to
expect that either their preservation, or the publication of
proper descriptions of them, will be undertaKen otherwise
than by private zeal.

That the proceedings of the Cambrian Archaeological
Association have already done some good in this direction,
and that an increased interest has been awakened con-
cerning the relics of former times, in the immediate
neighbourhood of the various places where the annual
meetings of the Association have been held, cannot be
doubted ; and we have the proof before us in the discovery
of several earlv inscribed stones of which no former notice
has been published, and which, having been communi-
cated to me by the Rev. H. L. Jones, and Mr. J. Foster,
I have now the opportunity of laying before the antiqua-
rian public, having received careful rubbings of the several
stones, which have been reduced by the camera lucida.

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES.

The first of these stones contains the fragments of a
Roman inscription, and is at the present time fixed in an
upright position on the lawn at the vicarage at lianriig,
Caernarvonshire. The letters employed in this inscription
are Roman capitals, of a debased form, somewhat ap-
proaching what is termed the Rustic character, but with
several of them evidently reversed.

stone at LLuirag.

The portion of the inscription still remaining appears
to me to require the following reading : —

IMP
QT RO
DECIO
IQV:

: E :

The M in the first line, with the first and last strokes
splayed, is not at all of an uncommon form. The first
letter in the third line must, I think, be considered to be
a reversed D. The first stroke of the fourth line is very
obscure ; the second sickle-like character is a G of a form
of common occurrence in manuscripts, but much rarer in
stone inscriptions ; the third letter, A9 is, I conceive, in-

EARLY INSCRIBED 8TONE8. 7

tended for V or U reversed, and this appears to be fol-
lowed by a very doubtful letter. The only letter in the
bottom une which I can decipher is E. I must leave the
interpretation of this fragment to others better skilled than
I am in the farmuUB of Roman inscriptions. The letters
in the inscription are about three-and-a-half inches high.

Bbone at TstxadgTulaia.

We now come to an early monumental inscription
built into the outside of the east wall of Ystradgynlais
Church, Brecknockshire, in the vale of the Tawe, near to
the south-east angle. Possibly some other portion of the
stone may be imbedded in the walls of the church, or, if
broken, it might be found by a careful examination of
other parts of the edifice. The inscription is simply HIC
lACIT; but several peculiarities merit notice. First, —
It is entirely in good Roman capitals, unless the terminal
T has its down stroke a little angulated to the right at
the bottom, giving it more of an uncial character.
Second, — The A has the bar angulated downwards in the
middle instead of being straight ; and. Third, — The mis-
spelling of the second word, lACIT for lACET. These
several peculiarities indicate a somewhat more recent date
than that of the Roman occupation of the Principality.
The letters in this inscription measure about two-and-a-
quarter inches in height.

At the same place is another inscribed stone, forming
one of the steps of a staircase on the south side of the
exterior of Ystradgynlais Church. The stone measures
four feet long and eight inches wide. The letters are large
and coarsely cut, measuring about three-and-a-half inches
in height. There appears to be a crack across the stone
between the first and second letters. The inscription, in
its entire state, has, as it seems to me, been intended

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES.

to be read ADIUNE; from its standing thus alone, I
take it to be a sepulchral slab, inscribed with a name

stone of Adituie, at Tstradgynlais.

terminating not in the genitive I, as usual, but in E,
probably intended for the dipthong M, and thus indi-
cating a female as intended to be commemorated. The
first stroke of the A and of the V are nearly upright ; the
curved stroke of the D is slightly detached at each end
from the upright first stroke, as are also most of the
strokes of the other letters. I suppose this inscription to
be not much more recent than the fifth or sixth century.
A very interesting inscribed monumental stone has,
within the last few months, been disinterred in part from
the walls of Llanfaglan Church, near Caernarvon, having
been used as the lintel over the doorway, with part of the
inscription hidden in the adjoining masonry » from which
it has now been extracted by the care of the authorities
of the parish, and is carefully preserved within the sacred
edifice. The stone is five feet long and fifteen inches
wide; the inscription, owing to the large size of the
letters (which are about four inches high), occupying
two-thirds of the entire stone, and being enclosed in an
oblong space by incised lines. The reading is clearly

FILI LOVERNII
ANATEMORI

(The body) of the son of Lovemius; Anatemorus; (for I
cannot twist the second line into separate Latin words, as
AN A TE MORi). The first letter mignt be mistaken for a t*
the commencing invocatory contraction used in diplomas,
&c., for IN NOMINE lESu CHRisTi, but I havc no hesitation
in regarding it as a F of a very debased somewhat minus-

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES,

EARLY INSCRIBED STOKES.

»— •
{5

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES. 9

cule-like form, or rather F with the top bar slanting. In like
manner the two L's have the bottom stroke very oblique,
and the two R's have the loop angulated, all the rest of the
letters being good Roman capitals. Hence I think this
inscription must be referred to a century or two subsequent
to the departure of the Romans from this country.

Another interesting stone is found, standing erect, on
the south side of the church, within the church-yard of
Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, near Cardigan. It measures
about eight feet high, by a foot and a half wide, and
about the same thickness. It is formed of the hard green
stone of the neighbouring Preseley hills, and half of its
length was buried in the earth and had to be excavated.
It is to be read, —

TRENEQUS8I FILI
MACUTRENI HIC lACIT

(The body) of Trenegussus the son of Macutrenus lies
here. The letters of the inscription are very irregular
in size, some being two inches, and others as much as
four-and-a-half inches, in height. They are of a mixed
character, the first T being semi-uncial, with the bottom
of the vertical stroke bent towards the right. Every E
has the middle cross bar greatly elongated. The sixth
letter of the upper line is very iaint in the rubbings, but
sufficient is shown to prove I think satisfactorily that it
is intended for a debased minuscule g. The two S's are
also of the minuscule character, as is the F in the word
FILI. The fourth letter in the second line I prefer
reading U rather than LI united, the whole letter beinj
united without a break in the strokes. The H in HI<
is of an unusual shape, and the T at the end of the
inscription is quite minuscule, with a dash for the top
cross stroke. The terminal letters in the second line are
much crowded together, but all are distinct, and not en-
clavSeSf as is often the case where there is a want of space.
On the north side of this stone, that is, on its north-
east edge (for the inscription faces the east), there ap-
pears to be an Ogham inscription all down the edge.
The rubbing which I have received does not exhibit

ARCH. CAMB.^ THIRD 8ERIBS, VOL. I. C

BARLT INSCRIBED ST0KE8.

these incisions very distinctly ; bat there are two groups
of five oblique dashes of equal length near one end, and

stone of TreDBgaaai, irith Oghams.

towards the other end are two similar dashes, preceded
by a single one ; there are traces of another pair still
lower, and the edge of the stone seems to be notched all
the way down, hi the middle of the side of the stone
there appears to have been a cross, with the arms of equal
length, slightly and rudely incised.

J. O. Wjbstwood.

ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES.

No. IV.

If we torn away for a whfle from the northern end of the
Clwydian hillg, and look to the flat country intervening
between Deta and the rising grounds of Flintshire, we
shall find at this, the north-eastern extremity of the Base-
line which we are trying to establish, not less difficulty
than we meet with in any portion of the survey. The
country round Chester has been so long under cultivation,
the natural features of the course of the Dee, and of the
great Saline Marsh, or Traeth, (Saltney^) have been so
changed, that no positive indication of any traces of the
Roman road has hitherto been brought to our notice.
We have, as yet, nothing but probabilities, and circuitous
deductions, to guide us.

If the Romans had a bridge over the Dee where the
old bridge of Chester now stands, (and it was here,
doubtless, if anywhere,) then there is no reason to sup-
pose that, when they wanted to reach the hilly country,
they would take any other line than that afforded by the
dry ground whidb rose nearest the limits of the marsh.
A curved line, going near Dodleston and Kinerton, to-
wards Mold, would be indicated on this supposition ; or
else, one stretching from Dodleston to Caergwrle* But,
if they had no bridge over the Dee at Deva, then they
would go up as high as the nearest ford (at Holt?) be-
fore they crossed the stream.

We may in fairness leave this point to the researches
of our antiquarian brethren at Chester, — they can pro-
bably decide the question whether a bridge existed there
or not. From the form of the city, the intersection of
the four main streets, and from the fact of Bridge Strcet
leading down straight to the water, where there is no
ford, we should ourselves infer that a bridge did exist at
the spot indicated above.

The Romans would most probably (for we must still
talk of probabilities only) make use of the Ime going

12 ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES.

southwards, whether by Bovivm or not, as for as they
could, before they branched off to the south-west for tKe
purpose of entering the hills. Now it does not seem im-
robable, antecedently, that a line of road should have
ed from Deva to Caer Gai, beyond Bala, due south-west
from Chester ; and, if such a line existed, then the most
feasible course for it would be along the line of natural
openings extending from near Caergwrle by Llandegla
and Bryn Eglwys to Corwen. The importance of Caer
Gai induces us to think that such a line of communica-
tion, the straightest and the easiest, did exist ; and we
allude to it in this place, because it gives another argu-
ment, in addition to those adduced by Pennant, for con-
sidering Caergwrle as pointing out the spot where the
road from Deva to Varis first entered the hill country.
The preponderance of probability, and of evidence, more
or less satisfactory, from the discovery of Roman remains
at that place, seems to us to be in favour of Caergwrle.

Whether Bovivm were at Holt, or at Bangor-iscoed,
there is not much difficulty in supposing a road to have
led from thence to Caergwrle.

Near the last named place, towards Treuddyn, we find
a spot called Pen y Street ; and this name is not alto-
gether to be overlooked, though we do not attach much
value to it in this debatable ground of two languages.

Supposing however that the Romans got to the hill-
country of Flintshire from Deva, by some road or other,
the question then occurs as to which would be the most
practicable method (in those days) of getting over that
undulating district to the Clwydian hills ; and in this we
must be, for the present, guided by what we can infer to
have been the natural condition of the ground they had
to traverse. Whether they had to make a new line of
road for themselves, or, which seems to us just as pro-
bable, they followed a line of British road already formed,
we take for granted that all men, on foot or on horseback,
at that day, would seek for dry and open ground, rather
than engage themselves in woods and morasses. For this
reason they would first of all cross the river Alun by the

ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES. 13

easiest ford, and then they would keep on high ground,
instead of following the boggy swamp made by that un-
certain river. If reference be made to the Ordnance map,
it would appear probable that the Romans crossed about
half a mile below Caergwrle, then rounded the first hill
they met, and passed along by Treuddyn to Nerquis ;
thence by Fron towards Cilcen ; so towards Nannerch ;
and so towards Caerwys. A line of old road does trend
in this manner ; and, m the absence of any other indica-
tion, it is not absurd to suppose that vills^es were formed
along lines of frequent communication rather than away
from them. Then the names of the places just mentioned,
added to the existence of an old cross-country road,
whereon few obstacles occur, keeping through a line of
country which, from the nature of the rocks over which it
goes, could not have been thickly wooded, — all this leads
us to look on this upper line of communication as more
probable than the lower one, which coincides with the
road from Caergwrle to Mold. The position of Arthur's
Stone, opposite the Lodge of Colomendy, raay indicate a
point on this line of upper road ; between that spot and
Cilcen we meet with the names of Maes y Groes, Erw
Helen^ and Pant y ffordd.

Beyond Cilcen an obscure line of road may be traced
on the map leading by Pen y rhiw, beyond Minffordd,
over the low hill a mile to the east of Nannerch, towards
Holywell, or Pantasa ; but we see no reason for the Ro-
mans deviating in that direction when they were bound
for Segontivm ; and therefore we should be inclined to
look on the road from Minfibrdd to Caerwys as the most
probable line occurring north of Cilcen.

Nothing but probabilities and indirect inferences have
been here brought forward, and, in the absence of positive
indications, we have nothing better to offer ; though we
cannot but hope that some of the antiquarian residents in
Flintshire may be induced to make researches, and to aid
us in determining this part of the line.

H. L. J.

PRE-HISTORIC ELBMAms IN MONMOCTHSHIRB.

In a late Number of the Journal, two of our excellent
associates have suggested the desirability of the formation
of lists of local antiquities in each county. I cordially
agree with both gentlemen that such lists would be of
great value, but I fear there are very few, who have
leisure or opportunity of giving any account of the whole
of these interesting objects, in any one of the counties
within the scope of our researches. Many of the pre-
historic remains are situate in localities remote from the
great roads of commanication, and are unknown except
to the residents in their immediate vicinity. All that
can be expected is that each member should furnish a
list of those within his own knowledge, and, if possible,
accompanied with sketches or plans, widi a description.

Most of the pre-historic remains in the county of
Monmouth have been noticed in Coxe's Sistorical Tour,
with very accurate plans ; there were, however, a great
number which escaped his researches, and remain uude-
scribed in any work. I will notice a few of these that
have fallen in my way ; at the same time, I must not be
supposed to assert that these are the whole of the hitherto
undescribed remains.

Y Cwt«U FtiiiOM.

PRE^HIBTDRIC RSMAim IN MONMODTHSHIRB. 15

In the parish of Penrose, about five miles from my own
residence, is an earthwork of very singular construction.
It occupies the summit of a small hill of no great eleva-
tion, but sufficiently high not to be commanded by any
of the neighbouring heights. It consists of a tumulus
about 173 feet in diameter at the base, and of considerable
altitude, moated round. On the north is a sort of half-
moon, also moated, and another smaller one on the Qouth;
but, on account of the ground on this side falling off more
precipitately, the ditch is but slight. A trench, or hoUow
way, of equal depth with the moat, issues from its west
side, winds round towards the north, gradually decreasing
in depth till it comes out on a level with the natural sur-
face of the ground. This may have been a road, but if
so, the only means of ascent to the platforms of the half-
moons, or the summit of the mound, must have been 1^
steps. By the neighbouring inhabitants it is called i
Castell ; and certainly, among the patents 35 Henry III.,
1251, is one appointing John de Monmouth custos of the
castle of Penrose, in Wales ; and another in the following
year, whereby William de Gantalupe, lord of Aberga-
venny, was pardoned for having demolished the castle of
Penrose, belonging to John de Monmouth. As there are
no other remains in the parish, to which these entries in
the records can be referred, this may be the place in-
tended ; but the plan is so enturelv different from any of
the strongholds erected by the Anglo-Norman barons,
that I cannot believe it the work of the lord of Monmouth,
although he may have taken possession of it, and thereby,
— ^it being just on the confines of the estates of those two
mighty barons,— excited the ire of his neighbour. It may
be questioned whether it was originally intended as a place
of defence, for the fosse is neither so wide nor so deep as
is usually the case in military works, of which there are
numerous examples all over the county. The plan which
I send herewith will show the arrangement of the parts.

A tumulus, and traces of earthworks, on a lofty hill in
the parish of Skenfrith, partly covered with wood and
plantation, is called Coed Angred, which leads to the in-

16 PRE-HISTORIC REMAINS IN MONMOUTHSHIRE.

ference that it was a druidical work, and that the name
was imposed after the introduction of Christianity.

On the side of the old road from Monmouth to Aber-
gavenny, from which the Roman via between Blestium
and GoBANNiuM could not have deviated very widely,
from the nature of the country, three tumuli are found.
The first of these is in the parish of Wonastow, near the
bridge over the Trothy. It is formed by cutting off the
salient point of a hill bv a deep trench, and was perhaps a
military work, — a small fort to defend the passage of the
river. The next is in Bryngwyn, near Croes-bychan,
which I shall notice again. The third is very large,
moated round, and rendered more conspicuous by its
having been planted with firs and other trees. It stands
on the right bank of the Clawr brook near Rhyd y gravel,
and is called Twyn-y-Crugau. According to Owen,
Grug is a heap, or mound ; but he goes on to say that
^' it was on such round hillocks, as come under this deno-
mination, that the Britons held their bardic and judicial
gorseddau or assemblies ; hence Crug and Gorsedd are
sometimes used as synonymous terms." In this secondary
sense the name is intelligible, and means the mount of the
assemblies, and we may infer that in ancient times the
courts of justice for the district were held here. On the
same stream, about a mile higher up, there was a smaller
mound at the Tump. The whole of this has been re-
moved within these few years. No remains were found
in it.

Bryngwyn, as we are told, was an appellation for a
court of justice, and Rowland (Mona Antigua^ p. 89)
derives it from Brein and Cwyn. Whether this be cor-
rect or not, it is certainly difficult to understand why
this place should be called White Hill, unless in some
secondary sense. About half a mile south of the tumulus
before mentioned, near Croes-bychan, is an oval inclosure,
of about an acre of land, encompassed with a slight ditch
and bank, now onlv known as the Camp; but the defences
are too low, I think, to lead to the inference that it could
ever have been intended for a military post. Admitting,

PRE-HISTORIC REMAINS IN MONMOUTHSHIRE. 17

however, the foregoing explanation of Bryngwyn, this
may have been a court of justice, and given name to the
parish ; and, if so, the tumulus by the side of the great
road was perhaps the Bryn dyoddef, or place of execution.

Another of these ancient remains, which escaped the
researches of Coxe, is in Portscuet, about three quarters
of a mile north-east from the church, on the left of the
road leading to Chepstow, at a place called Harpstone
Brake. It is a tumulus of considerable size. On its
summit are nine upright stones, varying in height from
about four to six feet, viz., one at the east end, two at the
west, and three on each side, inclosing an area of about
nine yards by three. The whole mound is covered with
trees and bushes. There may have been more stones
originally ; three or four would be necessary to fill up the
intervals, supposing the stones placed at equal distances.
It has been suggested that this is a sepulchral memorial
of Earl Harrold's servants, massacred by Caradoc ap
Griffith, in 1064. There is no record or tradition of the
locality of the earl's mansion, destroyed by the Welsh
chieftain ; but the name Harpstone, corruptly for Har-
roldstone, applied to the fields in this neighbourhood,
justifies the inference that it stood in this vicinity. I
cannot however think this mound of so late a date as
the eleventh century. There was certainly a church at
Portscuet at an earlier period, and the bodies of the slain
were most probably buried there.

About a mile north-west of Portscuet, in the parish of
Caerwent, near the ij unction of two small brooks, is a
tumulus, ninety yards in diameter at the base, and thirty
at the summit, and about twelve feet high, moated round,
flanked on either side by mounds and ditches extending
to the brooks, and forming, with them, a triangular inclo-
sure. The earthworks themselves are known as the Berries
(Barrows?) but the adjacent lands are called Ballan.

There are many more tumuli and earthworks in the
county which have not hitherto been described, but I
must reserve them for a future paper.

T. Wakeman.

ARCH. CAXB., THIRD SERIES. D

LIST OF EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

No. III.

MOKA, WEST OF THE MALLDRAETH.

We continue the list of Early British Remains of various
kinds, in that larger portion of Anglesey which is situated
to the westward of the great natural depression in the
surface of the island, once an arm of the sea, called the
Malldraeth.

I. — Camps and Castles {Cestylt).

Pen Bryn Yr Eglwys^ — A fortified hill-top of small
dimensions, perhaps a beacon station, about two miles
north-west of Llanfairynghornwy Church. On the side
of a small valley close by, to the south, is a spot called
Pant yr Eglwys^ where a chapel stood in remote times ;
no traces now visible.

Caerau^ — ^The name of an old mansion north-west of
Llanfairynghornwy Church, where probably one of the
small hill-tops, or eminences, was once fortified.

Castel^ — The name of a small eminence on the hill-
side south-west of Llanfairynghornwy Church.
. CastelU — A small fortified spot on the sea coast at
Forth Wen, two miles and a half north-west of Amlwch.

Dinas^ — Half a mile south-west of Llanfairmathafam
Church.

Castell JRhanyn (or Castell Ronanl Ronan's Castle?)
r-A small circular encampment, about half a mile north
of Llanfairynghornwy Church. This is not improbably
an earthwork hastily thrown up by some maritime in-
vaders, Danes or Saxons, to protect the plunder they had
collected from the surrounding country. It is in a low
and rather marshy position, not more than a mile from
the sea-shore.

Castell and Cestyll^ — Two names of localities on the
sea-coast, due north of the above, near the mouth of a
small stream ; probably indicating hastily fortified posts,
either for, or against, a piratical invader.

£ARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 19

Castell MatvTy — A fortified rock on the west shore of
the Traeth Coch (Redwharf Bay), about two miles north
of Pentraeth Church. Some Koman coins having been
found near this spot, the rumour has got abroad of the
camp or castell having been constructed by the Romans.
It is, however, far removed from a good supply of water,
and it is more probably the result of some piratical in-
vasion, once so common an event on the coast of Mona.

DiiicLS^ — ^A small eminence on the sea-coast, one mile
and a half east-south-east of Llanallgo Church.

Castell-llany — The name of a small eminence, half a
mile north of Gwredog Church.

Y Werthyr^ — A large circular entrenchment, double
in some places, on an eminence, one mile north-north-
east of Llantrisant Church.

Caer HeUn^ — A name given by tradition to a small
eminence on the south side of the great Irish road, three
quarters of a mile north-by-east of Llanfihangel yn
Nhwvn Church. It is considered by the compilers qf
the Ordnance map as a Roman station ; but we are not
aware of any authority for this supposition, beyond the
traditional name of Helen. It lies, however, just in the
line of a road from Moel y Don ferry, on the Menai, to
Holyhead ; and we are inclined to consider the tradition
as worthy of attention. It is rather far from water; and
we have not heard of any traces of Roman construction
having been found here.

Y Werthyr^ — ^A large circular entrenchment on an
eminence on the north side of the great Irish road, one
mile and a half north-east of Ceirchiog Church.

Castell^ — A small fortified post on the sea-shore, near
Trefadog, towards the south, two miles north-west of
Llanfwrog Church.

Caer Oybij — The strongly fortified summit of Holy-
head mountain. Two lines of walls are, in some places
towards the east side, distinctly traceable.

DiTias, — A fortified rock near Penrhos-filo, on the
south side of Holyhead Island, three miles and a half
south-south-west of Holyhead town.

20 BARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

Castell^ — ^The name of a small projecting portion of
Holyhead mountain, on the south-east, between Llyn
Bloeddia (a traditional pool), and the Meini Moelion.

Castell heliy — Near Porth-y-castellj two miles north-
by-west of Rhoscolyn Church, in Holyhead Island, on
the cliffs above the sea.

Dinas fawr^ — ^A small eminence on the edge of the
sestuary, one mile south of Four-mile Bridge.

CcLstelly — ^The name of a spot and farm near the shore
of the eestuary, half a mile south-west of Four-mile
Bridge.

Dinas Trefri^ — ^On a projecting tongue of land above
the sea, two miles south-west of Bodorgan House.

Dinas Llwydj — ^A fortified rock on the west shore of
the sestuary, two miles south-west-by-south of Bodorgan
House.

Castell, — ^The name of a spot to the north of the great
Irish road at Gwalchmai.

Tre castell, — ^The name of a farm near Pen y cnwc,
two miles south of Llanfaelog Church.

Castell, — The name of a small eminence half a mile
south-south-west of the church of Heneglwys.

Dinas, — A fortified point of a hill north of Bodwrdyn,
two miles and a half south-west of Cerrig Cein wen Church.

II. — Tumuli or Carneddau, and Beddau (^Graves).

Cors y gam, and Camau, — Names given to the side
and summit of a hill south-west of the church of Llan-
fairynghomwy, where there are some heaps of stone still
visible, and some foundations of buildings called Muriau.

Bryn saethau, or Bryn-y-beddau, — A small eminence
occupied by a farm-house, south of Uanfairynghornwy
Church. On the surface of the rock, in the farm-yard,
several small graves, with bones in them, have been
found, and the tradition of the neighbourhood indicates
the spot to have been the site of a battle.

Tumulus, — In a field between Llanfechell and Rhos-
beirio Churches. Ancient trenches and another tumulus,
called Gorsedd, are close by.

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 21

Camedd, — ^A spot so called, half a mile east of lian-
faethlu Church.

Tumulus^ — On a farm called Ty Newydd, two miles
and a half south-west of Amlwch.

Gwerthyr, — ^A raised spot so called, close by the last-
named tumulus.

Pen y fynwenU — ^A spot indicating interments, in a
field near the above.

Tumulusy — On a farm called Hafod onen^ near the
above.

Pen Gamedd, — A small eminence, one mile and a
quarter south of Bode wry d Church.

Two Tumulty — Half a mile west of Llanfairmathafam
Church.

Two Tumulty — By the road-side, a quarter of a mile
east-south-east of Llanddyfnan Church.

Cameddau Tre V Beirddy — About one mile north-by-
east of Llanfihangel Tre 'r Beirdd Church, on the west
skirt of Bodafon mountain.

TumuluSy — Near the road, one mile and a quarter
south-west of Llanerchymedd Church.

BeddFronweniJiToiLYfeTi'^ Tomb), — In the marshy land
by the course of the river Alaw, one mile and a half north-
east of liantrisant Church. The cistvaen remains ; the
tomb was opened and the body removed some years ago.
— (See Angharad Llwyd's History of Mona.)

Two CameddaUy — In the SBStuary one mile west of
Llanfair yn NeubwU Church, and half a mile south-east
of Four-mile Bridge. They lie one on each side of the
low water channel, and perhaps indicate an ancient ford
or ferry.

Capel Towyn. — A remarkable sandy eminence, on the
sandy common, three miles and a half south-east of Holy-
head, on the road to Rhoscolyn. It is full of coffins and
bodies, and was probably once surmounted by a chapel.
It has been described in the Archteological Journal.

CUtvaeny — On a small jutting eminence on the sea-
coast, between Yr henborth and Forth y Gwyddel, on the
south side of Holyhead Island, three miles and a half

22 EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IM WALES.

south-west of Holyhead town. The upper stone has
been removed, and it lies quite open.

Cam, — The name of a rocky eminence a quarter of a
mile south-west of the summit of Holyhead mountain,
overhanging the cliff. It appears to have been a beacon
station. The summit is covered with an immense heap
of small stones, with a great depression in the middle.

Camau^ — ^The name of a spot and a farm above a
ford over the aestuary, two miles and a half east-north-
east of Rhoscolyn Church.

Tumulus^ (very large,) — On Towyn-y*Capel ; full of
bodies, supposed to have been slain m a battle with in-
vaders. It has been described in the ArcJuBological
Journal.

Tumuli and Orsedd y person^-- On the sandy common
two miles north-west of Llanfaelog Church.

TumuluSj — On a projecting piece of land above a tradi-
tional spot called Barclodiad y gawras^ near Pen y cnwc,
overhanging the sea, two miles south of Llanfaelog Church.

Bryn Maelgwyn^ — An eminence a quarter of a mile
south of Llanfaelog Church.

Yr Orsedd^ — An eminence two miles north of Llan-
gadwaladr Church.

Tregameddj — The name of an ancient house one mile
and a half south-east of Llangefni. It was so called from
an immense camedd, now nearly all removed by the
ignorant farmers. This carnedd is partially planted over,
a circumstance which will tend to preserve traces of its
lower portions ; it may have been sixty feet in diameter.

Cadmarth, — The name of a rocky eminence north-
north-west of Trefeilir, one mile and a half north-west of
Trefdraeth Church.

TumuluSj^ On the south side of Holyhead road, one
mile east-south-east of Llangristiolus Church.

III. — Erect Stones and Meini Hikion.

Cerrig-lwyd. — The name of this ancient house in Llan-
faethlu parish may have been derived from some erect
stoaes of the Early British period, formerly to be found

BARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 23

here, but not now known ; just as in the Vale of Clwyd,
north of Ruthin, there is a house of the same name, so
called from the remains of a cromlech, or a group of
erect stones, by the road-side, at the corner of a field.

Two MdniHirionj — In the fields by the road-side going
to Cemmaes, three quarters of a mile east of Llanfairyug-
homwy Church. The stones are about eight feet high.

Three Meini Hirion^ — Erect in a field, on a farm called
Cromlech^ half a mile north-west of Llanfechell Church.
They form the points of an equilateral triangle, with sides
eight feet in length ; the stones are of the same height
above the ground.

Maen Arthur^ — An erect stone on a small eminence,
one mile south of Llanfechell Church.

Maen-hir^ — An erect stone by the road -side to the
north, two miles and a half west from Amlwch, going
towards Cemmaes. (This may have been destroyed since
this account was compiled.)

Maen-kir^ — An erect stone in a field two miles and a
half west froto Amlwch, by the road-side to the south,
near the last-named stone. (This too may have been
destroyed.)

Maen-hir, — An erect stone in a field west of Llan-
ddyfnan Church, adjoining it.

Llech Talmouy — An erect stone two miles west of
LJanbedr goch Church. (This may have been destroyed.)

Maen llwyd and Chwarelau^ — The names of two spots,
indicative perhaps of ancient assemblies and sports, near
Nantydd Uchaf, about two miles south-west of Llan-
eugrad Church.

Maen Chwyt^ — On the south side of the road, three
quarters of a mile north-west of Llandyfrvdog Church.

Memi-addwyn^ — Close to lianfihangel Tre 'r fieirdd
Church, on the north.

Maen-eryr^ — On the east side of the road, one mile
and a half north-east of Tregain Church.

Maen-hir, — In a field near Bryn golman, one mile
south-west of Lianfihangel Tre 'r Beirdd Church.

Maen-Mr, — In a field on the east of the road, half a

24 BARLY BRITISH RBMAIN8 IN WALES.

mile south-east of Llanfaethlu Church; a conspicuous
object which can hardly escape the traveller's notice.

Maen-hir.—A few years ago a large maen-hir stood
in a field close to Llechynfarwy Church. It was, how-
ever, thrown down by a stupid tenant, and broken up
for the purpose of mending a wall.

Maen y gored^ — On an eminence one mile and a quarter
south-west of Llantrisant Church.

Two Meini Hirion^ — In a field by the road-side at Plas
Milo, two miles and a quarter south-south-west of Holy-
head.

Maen-hir^ — In a field by the road-side at Tyn y pwU,
one mile east-south-east of Holyhead.

Maen-hir^ — In a field near the road-side at Tref-
Arthur, two miles and a half south-east of Holyhead.

Meini Moelion^ — A group of numerous erect rounded
stones, and a line or wall of others, at the south base of the
precipice beneath the summit of Holyhead mountain. Va-
rious early weapons were discovered near this spot in 1830.

Carreg Iwvdj —The name of a house close to Holy-
head, which may have been derived from some erect
stone or cromlech formerly to be found there.

Cerrig Moelion^ — In a field by the road-side, one mile
and a half south-west of Four-mile Bridge.

Porih Jor^ — On the edge of the sandy common, two
miles north-west of Llanfaelog Church.

Maen-hiry— On the west side of a rocky hill, near
Bodwrdyn, two miles and a half south-west of Cerrig
Ceinwen Church.

Maen-hir, — Near Glan traeth, on the west side of the
Malldraeth Marsh, close by the Holyhead railroad, one
mile south-east of Trefdraeth Church.

The names of two parishes, LUchylched and Cerrig
Ctinwenj seem to indicate the former existence of notable
erect stones in them.

IV. — Cromlechau.

A Cromlech, — Thrown down, and partly injured of
late by blasting, with traces of a camedd of stones sur-

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 25

rounding it, in a field adjoining a farm-house of the same
name, half a mile west of Llanfechell Church.

Cromlech^ — Thrown down, on the hill near a farm
called Bryn-y-felin, half a mile south-east of Llanfair-
mathafam Church*

A Crtnnlech, — ^Of large dimensions, in the grounds of
Llugwy, a quarter of a mile west of Llanallgo Church.

Two large Cromlechs^ — At the south end of Llyn
Lly wean in the grounds of Presaddfed House. One has
partially fallen down, under the other the cattle still
shelter in bad weather. They have been described and
engraved in the ArchtBohgical Journal.

Cromlech^ — In a field on the north side of the great
Irish road, one mile north-east of Ceirchiog Church.

Two Cromlechs, — Connected with each other by the
remains of a stone passage, on a farm two miles south-
east of Holyhead. They have been described in the
ArcfuBological Journal. Some remains of urns and
bodies were found within the sepulchral chambers. They
are in good preservation, and stand close to the line of the
Holyhead railroad, from which they are easily visible.

Cromlech. — The doubtful remains of a cromlech are to
be observed on an eminence in a rocky field, east of the
road leading to Plas Milo, about two miles south-west
from Holyhead.

Cromlech, — In a field near the sea-coast, one mile north-
west of Rhoscolyn Church.

Cromlech, — In a field near the sandy common, one
mile north -north -west of Llanfaelog Church.

Two Cromlechs, (one fallen down,) — In a field by the
road-side, one mile north-north-east of Llanfaelog Church.

Cromlech, — On a projecting piece of land called Pen
y cnwc, overhanging the sea, two miles south of Llan-
ladog Church.

Cromlech, — On the side of a hill north of Bodwrdyn,
two miles and a half south-west of Cerrig Ceinwen Church.

Cromlech, — At Henblas, half a mile south of the house,
and two miles south of Cerrig Ceinwen Church. This is
the most gigantic cromlech in Oreat Britain. It consists

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES. E

26 BARLT BRITISH RSKAIK8 IN WALES.

of three stones, the uppermost of which has fallen off the
the other two to the westward. It was approached by
an avenue of stones from the south-east, which, as we
were informed on the spot, in 1846, by the man who did
it, were buried by him, just as they stood, in order to dis-
encumber the surface of the ground. The stones of the
cromlech are so vast that it may almost be doubted whether
they were ever raised by man ; the uppermost stone being
about 20 feet by 18 feet, and 10 feet thick ; and the side
ones being nearly double of it in cubical content.

V. — Early Buildings and Cyttiau.

LUxn Lleiana. — The nun's church or chapel ; the re-
mains of a small building, probably the retreat of an early
female recluse, on the shore of a wild and most romantic
bay or cove, between Cemmaes and Amlwch.

Ijlys Ceuwallon, — The site of an early building, one
mile south-south-east of Llaneilian Church.

Llangadoc and CapeL — Sites of early religious build-
ings near the head of Traeth Dulas, two miles south of
lianwenllwyfo Church.

Bettws Bwehwdw. — Site of an early building on an
eminence three quarters of a mile south of Parys moun-
tain, towards the western end.

Bryn Colman. — Site of an early building half a mile
west-south-west of Llanddyfnan Church.

Bettws. — The remains of a small building, on the west
side of the road, about one mile and a half north-north-
west of Llanbedr goch Church.

Muriauj — On Bodafon mountain.

Eglwys JSdem. — The site of an ancient chapel or re-
ligious building (the cell of Edem ?) by the road-side,
just to the south of the village of Bodedem.

Cyttiau Gwyddelod. — Numerous remains of circular
habitations, from 10 to 20 feet diameter, on a low island
in the eestuary, two miles north-west of Llan&ir yn
NeubwU Church, and one mile south-west of the Valley
Station on the Holyhead railroad.

Capel y dockwydd^ — ^The traces of a small building a

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS Ilf WALES. 27

quarter of a mile south-west of the summit of Holyhead
mountain, at the foot of the eminence called GarUy and
at the upper end of a most remarkable gully or cleft in
the rocks descending to the sea.

Site of Early buUding, — Near the church of Aberffraw,
to the south-west. This may perhaps indicate the position
of part of the palace of the early Welsh princes.

Fynwent Idanfeirian. — Site of an ancient churchyard
or burial-ground, one mile north of Bodorgan House.

Early buildings^ — Circular and oblong, with traces of
walls, roads and pavements, in the marshy ground near
Plas bach, two miles south-west of Cerrig Ceinwen
Church. These remains are very extensive, and indicate
the site of a chieftain's residence, if not a town, in very
remote periods. Below the turbary much of the ground
is laid or paved with flat stones. No name is attached
to this place. It is approachable only in summer.

VI. — Ancient Roads ; Sarnau.

Ldn-y^Bwhachy — ^An ancient paved road, leading from
lianddyfnan Church to Plas Llanddyfnan. It is not
known whether this road can be traced further, for the
district all around is much cultivated. It has been sup-
posed by some to be part of a Roman road leading from
Beaumaris to Holyhead.

The early inscribed stones extant in Anglesey are not
included in the above list, because thev will form the
subject of a separate work, and will be classified by
themselves, among other similar remains in Wales.

General summary for Mona west of the Malldraeth: —

1. Camps and Castles, 26

2. Tumuli, Cameddau, and Beddau, 30

3. Erect Stones and Meini Hirion, 29

4. Cromlechau, 16

6. Earlv Buildings and Cyttiau, 13

6. Ancient Roads, 1

H. L. J.

RUTHIN CHURCH AND HOSPITAL.

The Collegiate Church of Ruthin, though inferior in
most points to those which have formed the subjects of
my late communications to the Archmologia Cambrensisy
has much to call attention in the Mray of singularity of
construction, and possesses an additional interest, as ex-
hibiting the type common in the small parish churches
of the district, applied to a building of higher ecclesi-
astical rank and of considerable positive dimensions.

General Character. — ^The first appearance of Ruthin
Church is very unpromising, so much so indeed that the
visitor might be easily tempted to pass it by as wholly
modem and worthless. Perhaps I should not say, the
first appearance, because the tower, in a distant view, is a
striking and well proportioned object, and it is onlv on
coming near that it is perceived to have details of the
most meagre Italian character. But the appearance of
the church on a near approach from the town is exceed-
ingly perplexing; not only is the tower seen to be of this
poor character, but the whole south side of the church
also ; and it requires some familiarity with the points of
the compass to discover whether the tower is at the east
or at the west end. The fact is that it is at present at
the east end ; but the process which made it so would
hardly suggest itself until after a visit to the interior.

This process is, in fact, no other than the ordinary one
on which I have already enlarged in a multitude of
instances, of pulling down the choir of a collegiate or
monastic church, and leaving the nave standing. But
in this case the shape of the church, and the recon-
struction of so large a portion, hinders this change from
making itself known so readily as it does at Usk or Leo-
minster. The church at present consists of two equal
bodies, which I have mentioned as the common arrange-
ment of the small churches of the Clwydian vale, and
the tower appears to stand engaged at the east end of
the northern one. The real explanation is that this

RUTHIN CHURCH AND HOSPITAL. 29

northern body is the original nave, though the southern
one at present contains the altar, and that the tower was
originally central, with a choir to the east of it, but
without transepts.

Erection op the Church. — When the key is once
found, the principal phaenomena of the building are
tolerably easy to follow. The church was founded by
Lord Grey, a.d. 1310-15, and designed to be at once
collegiate and parochial. He gave endowments for seven
priests, and it is clear that the fabric was commenced
shortly after, and that the whole both of the church and
the collegiate buildings were erected, gradually doubt-
less, but without any important intermission or change
of design, during the course of the fourteenth century.

The choir being destroyed, the tower forms the ex-
treme eastern portion of the northern body. Though
the upper part has been rebuilt, the arches on which it
rests happily remain unaltered. In these lies the great
singularity of the church. There are not, and never
could have been, any transepts, but still arches, almost
like those of a lantern, are thrown across the north and
south sides. These however are merely constructive or
decorative, as it is clear that they never were open. This
arrangement is exceedingly rare; I do not at this moment
call to mind another instance, except the desecrated
priory church of Woodspring, in Somersetshire. The
existence of the side arches at once distinguishes it from
the familiar arrangement of Iffley and Shirenewton, and
the fact of their being blank distinguishes it equally from
such churches as M agor and Hawarden, which have the
four arches of a regular cruciform church, though no-
thing takes the form of transepts externally, the aisles
being continued along the sides of the tower.

The lantern arches, as we may fairly call them, at
Ruthin are very good specimens of early Decorated
work, and must date not very long after the commence-
ment of the collegiate foundation. They are not how-
ever quite uniform, the eastern and western pair, the
main arches of the church, being somewhat larger and

30 RUTHIN CHURCH AND HOSPITAL.

more elaborate than the blank ones at the sides. The
former, which have some rather singular mouldings, rise
from clustered shafts with floriated capitals, while the
northern and southern arches have mere chamfered edges,
and rise discontinuously and segmentally from the wall,
except the inner order, which is supported by corbels
with octagonal abaci. Beneath these main arches are
smaller segmental ones; that on the north side now
is, and plainly always has been, an external doorway.
That to the south was probably the same, but it is now
blocked, and, if it opened at all, would now open into
the south aisle. Between this and the main arch is a
blocked aperture, looking like a window, but singularly
small and rude for the period. Its appearance is rendered
more perplexing by our finding, nearly opposite to it in
the aisle, an effigy — that of Dean Goodman — placed in a
round-headed niche with a Decorated label. The idea at
once suggests itself that this is the blocked exterior of this
aperture, but the position of the two does not strictly corre-
spond, and I must be content to leave the point unsolved.
The existence of these doorways, and the fact that
there is a piscina in the nave, immediately outside of the
western arch, suggest some inquiries as to the ritual
arrangements of the church. According to the common
rule the choir would form the collegiate church, and the
nave the parochial one; the area of the tower might
form a portion of either, according to the arrangement
employed. Now it is clear that this tower, with one, if
not two external doorways, and with the entrance to the
staircase-turret at its south-east comer, would never have
been occupied by stalls, or have formed any portion of
the choir. But, on the other hand, the position of the
piscina shows that the parish altar was placed west of the
western arch, so that neither could it have been strictly
part of the nave. All this suggests the idea that the
peculiar ground -plan of this church was adopted with a
special view of isolating the parochial and the collegiate
portions of the fabric, being, in fact, very nearly the plan
of Wymondham designed fiom the beginning.

ROTBIN CHURCH AND H08PITAL. 31

The choir then was placed wholly in the part east of
the tower ; and from the general ground-plan one may
feel pretty sure that it had no aisles, and also that no
appurtenance of the nave was designed to reach farther
east than the western arch of the lantern. The nave or
parochial church was next carried on to the west in a
somewhat later and plainer form of the Decorated style.
It was built according to the usual plan of the small
churches of the vale, with the same two equal bodies as
in St Asaph parish church, at Whitchurch, Llanfwrog,
and Uanfair-Dyffryn-Clwyd. It is of five bays; the
pillars are something intermediate between the octagonal
and the clustered form ; the pier being composed of four
(less than) semi-octagons meeting like the four semi-
columns of the quatrefoil section. These unite under
an octagonal capital, but are continued above it in the
form of a stilt, from which the slightly segmental arches
spring ; but the form adopted, which adapts itself to the
section of an arch of two chamfered orders, prevents the
impost being more than barely discontinuous. Otherwise
the stilt approximates to the unsightly forms employed
at Dursley and in one of the churches at Hastings.

The rebuilding of the south side and west end pre-
cludes the existence of any original detail in any part of
the exterior except the north side; and here the collegiate
buildings are attached to the church. They join at right
angles about the centre of the north side, so that there
is room for one or two windows on each side. In the
western portion is a plain external doorway now blocked,
and a very good two-light window with Divergent tracery.

Perpendicular Changes. — ^The same causes, which
hinder us from knowing the exact appearance of the
original structure, preclude also all certainty as to the
exact amount of change effected during the later days
of mediaeval architecture. The roofs are Perpendicular;
that over the nave is of a most enriched and elaborate
character, loaded with devices of various kinds, which it
would be well worth the while of any one, learned in that
particular branch of our studies, to examine and illustrate

32 RUTHIN CHURCH AND HOSPITAL.

in detail. I however am most concerned with the fact
that its construction does not follow any of the types
usual in Wales; it is a specimen of the ordinary low-
pitched roof with tie-beams. In this respect it does not
connect itself with the strictly local architecture of the
district, but rather with the great extraneous works at
Wrexham, Gresford and Mold.

Besides these roofs, I do not think there is anything
Perpendicular in the church, except a single not remark-
able window, inserted on the north side to the east of the
junction with the domestic work. But I cannot help
fancying that it was at this time that the southern body
was prolonged eastward at least to its present extent, and
not improbably alongside of the choir also. Unluckily
the Italian casing forbids us to decide dogmatically. The
east end of this body, adjoining the original tower to the
south, is now employed as the chancel, and it is by no
means impossible but that this change may have taken
place during mediaeval times, in order to obtain more
dignity and distinctness for the parochial place of worship.
We have seen an exactly analogous change in the addition
of the great southern body at Leominster.^

State of the Building. — If any man wishes to renew
declamations against pews and galleries — and there are
parts of the world where such declamations may be
altogether novel — Ruthin will afford him a grand field.
Here, as in many parts of North Wales, the proprietors
of the odious boxes which disfigure the church appear
positively to glory in their shame. The lions, foxes,
eagles, and other devices of the herald-painter give the
poor old minster somewhat the air of Wombweirs Me-
nagerie, and the ostentatious descriptions of various
squires and baronets, who appear to possess a positive
gift of ubiquity, make it discharge the additional function
of a Burke or Debrett to the local dignitaries. All this
is by no means peculiar to Ruthin; but a church of some
architectural pretensions, and which still lays claim to

^ See Archnologia Cambrensis, January, 1858.

aUTHIN CHtmCH AND HOSPITAL. 33

something of the character of a collegiate establishment,
may reasonably be expected to set its humbler neighbours
the example of a ^* godly thorough reformation."

I found, while at Ruthin, that a mistaken, though laud-
able, movement was being set on foot to insert a stained
glass east window, I presume in the southern body. Let
me be allowed to express an earnest hope that anything
of the kind may be postponed sine die. Stained glass in
Ruthin Church would be a positive vareftov trporefwr, or, in
plain English, a setting of the cart before the horse. St.
Guthlac did not build his abbey at Croyland till he had
first expelled the foul spirits; and in like manner the
first thing to be done at Ruthin is to drive out the wild
beasts, and remand the lions, foxes, and other speci-
mens y^^ nature to their appropriate lairs and coverts.
Or if the bestial interest should be found too strong, the
south side afibrds a goodly field for strictly architectural
restoration. Five three-light windows of Flowing tracery,
with an appropriate doorway, would be a better boon
than all the stained glass in the world, and the money
likely to be expended on the latter would go a ^ood way
towards effecting the other far more desirable object.

Again, that Ruthin Church has no proper east end is
part of its history ; it is owing to the destruction of the
collegiate portion of the building. It is a calamity
shar^ with Leominster, Usk, Wsdtham, Fotheringhay,
Shrewsbury, and countless other churches, and is one of
those evils which, as I hold, if they can't be cured, must
be endured. Now the only cure I know of would be the
rebuilding of the choir, which, considering that Ruthin
still claims to he a collegiate church, and has a school
and hospital attached to it, may perhaps seem a less
visionary idea than in the other cases. But to get up an
enriched east end at the present point appears to me a
simple destruction of historical evidence. Far better
undo the mere unmeaning barbarisms which a later age
has inflicted on other portions of the building.

Domestic Buildings. — Ruthin Church, as I have
already implied, has had the great good luck to retain a

ABOH. GAHB., THIRD 8BRIB8, VOL. I. F

34 RUTHIN CHURCH AND HOSPITAL.

considerable portion of the original domestic buildings
of the college. They are still applied nearly to their
original use, forming the residence of the Warden of the
Elizabethan foundation of Ruthin, in which ecclesiastical,
scholastic, and eleemosynary purposes are so curiously
combined. The building, known as the cloisters, a desig-
nation not perfectly accurate, adjoins the church at right
angles on the north side. It consists of a vaulted sub-
structure, similar, on a smaller scale, to those found at
Battle, Anglesey,^ and other instances, with a range of
buildings over it. Some continuation further to the south
has been destroyed. The building has been very much
injured for antiquarian purposes by being cut into rooms,
and having some portions Italianized, and others, still
worse, modern-Gothicized. The main design however
can be readily made out.

The building is long and narrow; the lower stage
consists of a range of five bays of vaulting running north
and south. Its width being only one bay, there is no
expanse ofpillars such as we see in lai^er buildings of
this sort. The mouldings of the ribs have been grievously
tampered with in many places; indeed the only part
where the ancient design is quite perfect is in that which
forms the hall of the present house. The vault is of the
common quadripartite form, with longitudinal and trans-
verse ribs and subordinate arches. At the south end is
a transverse passage with ribbed barrel vaulting ; this
led, by a round-headed doorvray, into a further building
now clestroyed, and has also an external doorway of the
same form towards the east. The east wall is modernized
in imitation of the old work, but I think that another
pointed doorway in the middle is genuine. Over the
vaulted substructure is a range of pointed windows ; I
will not answer for the genuineness of all, but I found
one to be unquestionably ancient, and I am inclined to

< Not tbe North Welsh island and ooanty so called, bat an bomonj-
moQs abbey in Cambridgeshirei explained by Professor Willis daring
the Cambridge Meeting of the Archseological Institate.

RUTHIN CHURCH AND HOSPITAL. 35

accept the whole range. But, whatever their tracery may
have been, that has irretrievably perished.

It will be easily seen that this building is not accurately
spoken of as a cloister. H is not an ambulatory or
passage at all, and has no direct communication with the
church. The building is placed between two doorways,
but has no entrance of its own. Ruthin Hospital cannot
have had any proper cloister. The same mistake is often
made at Battle Abbey, where the vaulted substructure of
the Abbot's house, forming some of the modern rooms,
is commonly spoken of as the cloister, which really ad-
joined it to the east.

These collegiate remains at Ruthin are highly valuable
as a good specimen of ecclesiastical-domestic architecture
of a nearly ascertained date. Though some of the arches
are round, the sections of the labels and strings suffi-
ciently show the whole building to be of the fourteenth
century, erected soon after the commencement of the
foundation. It is but seldom that we find the whole
extent of an ecclesiastical establishment, both church and
domestic buildings, so very nearly of a piece.

The Association in general, and myself in particular,
are much indebted to the present Warden of Kuthin for
the facilities kindly given by him for the complete in-
spection of the domestic buildings.

Edward A. Freeman.

MONA MEDI^VA.
Nc^XV.

PENHON PRIORY.

Since the history of this Religious House was written in
1849, and published in the Fourth Volume of the First
Series of the Arcfueologia Cambrensisj the Church of this
Priory, and part of its adjuncts, have undergone exten-
sive repairs and alterations. The chancel having shown
signs of much dilapidation, it was determined to rebuild
it ; and this led to a more comprehensive scheme of re-
pairing the whole fabric.

With this object in view, a circular was issued in 1 853
by the incumbent, the Rev. P. Constable Ellis, to the
following effect : —

^* The venerable edifice has now become so dilapidated
as to be utterly unfit for the celebration of Divine Service
within its walls, and the congregation has in consequence
been removed to the parish school-room, which was licensed
in the early part of 1852 for that purpose. Plans having
been prepar^ by an experienced architect, and an estimate
made of the expense, it has been resolved to attempt to
raise the required sum (£750) with a view to its restora-
tion. Though the sum is not large, yet the local resources
are so limited as to necessitate an appeal to the friends of
the Church unconnected with the locality by ties of pro-
perty. This will be manifest when it is stated that the
parish comprises but 1052 acres, of which considerably
more than half are owned by Sir R. W. Bulkeley, Bart.,
M.P., who is a liberal contributor; less than 400 acres
are divided between four proprietors, and eight small pro-
prietors own about fifty acres between them ; these last
cannot be expected to give anything. The parishioners,
who consist chiefly of small farmers and labourers, can-
not render much assistance, and the smallness of the living
(£90 per annum) precludes the possibility of a large con-
tribution from the incumbent. Under these circumstances

MONA MEDI^VA.

Eait Ead, Penman Prior; Ch'jrch. I

South 6ide, Peomon Prior; C

M ON A MBDIiEVA. 37

the only alternative, if this ancient fabric is to be made in
any degree worthy of the sacred purposes to which it has
been dedicated ; and indeed, if prayers and praises are
again to ascend to heaven from a spot hallowed by hav-
ing been the resort of worshippers for upwards of twelve
hundred years; is to appeal to friends of the Church, who
may be disposed to help to raise from its present degraded
condition one of the most interesting churches in the
kingdom, and thereby to render possible the return to the
House of God of those now banished from the sanctuary.
It is hoped that many may be induced to contribute, if it
be but a small sum, towards wiping away a reproach of
which we cannot but feel the justice, while God's House
is permitted to lie waste, namely, that we might at least
repair the fabric which our fathers erected."

The result of this judicious appeal was the subscription
of a sum of £340 from various sources, including £150
from Sir R. Williams Bulkeley, to whom the conventual
property belongs, £95 from the Incorporated Society,
£80 from the Bangor Diocesan Society, £30 from the
Bishop of the diocese, £20 from the Trinity House, &c. ;
but there is still a deficiency of £200, for which the in-
cumbent is responsible. This sum has been since swelled
by various charitable contributions, and the work has now
been nearly completed under the superintendence and
from the designs of Messrs. Weightman and Hatfield, of
Sheffield.

There was every reason to suppose that the original
chancel or choir of the church was of the same date as
the rest of the building, and that it had been replaced by
one of the fifteenth century. It would perhaps have
tended to the harmony of the whole architectural compo-
sition if the new chancel had been erected in the same
style as the nave ; but tliere were two reasons in favour
of a contrary decision. Firsts — There it had not been
ascertained now far the original choir had extended;
and. Secondly^ — As the existence of the choir of the
fifteenth century constituted a positive fact in the history
of the building, so the erection of a third chancel in a

38 M ONA MEDIAVA.

Style later than that of the nave would prove another,
and the most recent fact connected with its architectural
existence. The gentlemen intrusted with the framing of
the designs accordingly selected that style which pre-
vailed in Anglesey during the earlier part of the fifteenth
century rather than the later. This gave them the oppor-
tunity of inserting windows of much better character than
those in the second chancel or choir ; but in all the other
parts of the building they have adhered carefully to the
making as few restorations as possible ; aiming rather at
repair and consolidation than at any hazardous recon-
struction. The north transept, however, which had fallen
down within the memory of man, has been rebuilt to cor-
respond with the soutliem one.

As the demolition of the walls of the second chancel
proceeded, fragments were found of the ornamental por-
tions of the first, proving it to have been of exactly the
same date as the nave ; and it also was then proved that
the two buildings, the first and second, were coincident in
size. At a later period of the work, the level of the floor
of the first chancel was arrived at, some five or six feet
at the east end below the floor of the second chancel ; the
original stone altar was found in situ^ though much
damaged, and an enamelled plate of Limoges work, of
the thirteenth century, was discovered lying near it.

The walls enclosing the church-yard have been repaired
and improved, but the conventual buildings have been
allowed for the present to remain untouched. Part of
them the farm-tenant still occupies ; part, the refectory,
is left in an unseemly state of filth and neglect. We
hope however that the same spirit of good taste and proper
feeling which has led to the reparation of the church will
ere long effect something for the conventual buildings.
That portion which adjoins the church might most pro-
perly be converted into a residence for the incumbent,
(there being no glebe-house in the parish,) and the refec-
tory, after being cleaned out and repaired in its cracks,
might be left perhaps to stand as one of the most beautiful
conventual fragments in the Principality.

MONA MEDIiEYA.

We now place on record a detailed account of the altera-
tions and repairs, as given by the incumbent of Penmon : —

"The CThangel. — Three new windows, each of two
lights, have been inserted in the north wall ; two of two
lights and one of a single light in the south wall, and a
new east window. The greater part of the north wall was
taken down as low as the window sills, — the position of
the new windows being different from that of the old, it
was necessary on this account, as well as because of the
defective character of portions of the wall, to do so. Less
of the south wall had to be taken down than of the north ;
but, for a distance of ten feet westward from its junction
with the east gable, it had to be taken down to the ground
level. This portion was wider than the wall thence on-
ward to the tower, which narrowed abruptly about six
inches. The east gable was rebuilt from about the spring
of the window arch. The walls were found to have been
very unequally built, having been well grouted in some
parts, in others merely filled in with rubbish. They were
also of unequal width, as shown on the ground-plan.

Ground- Plan, Penmon Priory Church.

" The pitch of the roof, which is entirely new, was de-
termined by the rise of the old east gable, which was ter-
minated by an old weather-beaten cross. An old stone
altar of rubble work was at the same time discovered
beneath the communion table floor, and near it an
enamelled plate of copper. Against the tower were lines
indicating the junction with it of a roof of sharper pitch,
and covering a narrower building than the present.
This part of the church will be entered by a flight of four

40 MONA MEBIuBVA.

Steps with a porch ; the seats will be all open and free ;
the aisle laid with Yorkshire flags ; the altar raised three
steps, and the floor laid with Minton's tiles.

" South Transept. — The east wall had to be taken
down to the foundation, and also part of the south gable.
A new Norman window has been inserted in the east wall,
and a new plinth, and the roof is to be finished with gable
stones and a Norman cross. The arcades are untouched,
and are to be cleaned and repaired. The old altar was
found to have been constructed of three Norman shafts
that had been once applied to some other purpose, sunk
in the ground, and the projecting portions filled up with
rubble work of a very rude character. Against the tower
were observed buttresses running up to the same height
as the transept walls, against which they were built, seem-
ing to prove that the transepts had been built subsequently
to the tower. There were marks on the tower indicating
the junction with it of a roof anterior to the last, and of
slightly higher pitch. An old man, formerly clerk, re-
members this transept partially covered, with a loft, ap-
proached from the prior's house adjoining by a door in
the gable wall, still visible, but built up. Two curious
leather buttons were found in taking down the wall of
this part of the church.

" The Tower. — The old cross was so corroded by the
action of the weather that a new one had to be made and
fitted into the old receptacle. The old one has been built
into the south transept wall, so as to be visible from the
outside. The ivy, and other plants, which flourished on
the roof of the tower, were ejected, and the spaces between
the stones filled with mortar ; but the work is so rude,
stones from the shore having been used without any
dressing, that the appearance of the renovated roof is not
so satisfactory as could have been wished. The weather
moulding is new, and so also is the string course. A new
window, in imitation of the old one, has been put in on
the south side, on which the window opening had been
built up on the outside, though the arch was perfect inside.
On the west, too, a new window has been put in. The
opening had been widened here, and a rough mulUon

MONA MEDIiEVA. 41

built, SO as to admit of the hanging of two bells, one in
each aperture, the receptacles for the axles of which were
observed to be worn by the friction. The whole tower has
been pointed, and the old windows left just as they were.

" North Transept. — We came upon the walls of this
part of the building, which had been left standing as high
as the plinth, in clearing away the soil along the north
side of the church. They were too poor to build upon,
and so we took them down, and are rebuilding the north
transept on the same foundation. We found the plinth
higher than that of the south transept, and almost level
with that of the nave, and we are restoring it on the same
level as before. We intend to have one window looking
east, — an exact copy of the old arcades ; and two plain
Norman windows in the north gable. The old clerk
recollects this transept used as a sheep-fold !

'* The Nave. — This is to have a new roof, but nothing
is to be done to the doorways and windows. There will
be new gable stones and a cross, and the floor will be laid
with Yorkshire flags. The font will be removed from
where it is, and placed between the two doors, where the
old clerk remembers it, and the floor be raised to the
same level as before. Soil was actually carried out of
this part of the church in former days to deepen the
churchyard ! The plinth is being continued all round
the outside. The ornamental fragments of the old Nor-
man choir found during these repairs have been imbedded
in the new walls, so as to be easily visible.

" In clearing away the old altar floor, we found under-
neath the east window of the church a very rudely splayed
window opening, narrowing very much towards the outer
&ce, but without any traces of it on the external wall.
The sill is about level with the floor on which the com-
munion table stood, and it had been loosely built up and
plastered over. Underneath this window we came upon
an old stone altar, with a clear way of about a foot and
a half between it and the east wall. It is built of nibble
work plastered over, and has been much mutilated, some
One having been buried ages ago right athwart it, a breach

ABCH. GAMB., third SERIES, VOL. I. > G

42 MONA MEDIiBVA.

been made in the altar for the reception of the
coffin. The floor level, on the east side of it, was five
feet, or thereabouts, below. There are steps from the
west to the east side, which accounts for the diflPerence of
height on each side of the altar. There are also steps up
to it from the original floor level, which, by excavating,
we have discovered. It is evident tiiat die church has at
one time been filled in with soil to the depth of five or
six feet, in which so many persons have been buried that
it is a mass of bones. The stone-mason in charge of the
works states that he has found rabbit holes within the
church, which, if true, seems to indicate that this end of
the church has been at one time in ruins.

^* Ph. Constable Ellis.

'^ Beaamaris, January 4, 1854."

It is stated above that an enamelled copper plate was
found near the old altar, upon the floor of the first choir.
This curious relic, — perhaps the only fragment remaining
of the conventual treasury, — has been examined by Mr.
Albert Way, and his account of it is as follows : —

^* The relique is a copper plate of the enamelled work
of Limoges (opus Lemovicensejy of the thirteenth centurv,
of the process of art called champ levh^ because the field
was cleared out, and cavities formed to receive the enamel,
which was fused into them.

'* The subject is a demi-figure of our Lord, having a
red cruciform nimbus around the head, the right hand
upraised in the gesture of the Benediction of the Latin
Cfhurch ; in the left hand is a book, typifying the Gospel.
The colours have been very brilliant. This plate was
attached either to the binding of a Textus, or book of the
Gospels, or fixed by nails on a shrine, usually made of
wood, and covered by such enamelled plates as this ; or it
may have been attached to a large processional cross, of
wood, often found encrusted with sudi ornamental plates,
the evangelistic symbols, and such subjects. Enamels of
this kind have been brought to England in abundance of
late years, but not many have been found which had been
in use before the Reformation.

" Albbrt Way."

MONA UZDIXVA.

RUTHIN CASTLE RECORDS.

The following document has been kindly communicated
by R R. West, Esq., M.P-, President of the Associa-
tion: —

THB LOBDSHIP OF RUTHIN.

Articles toaching the state of the country.

Apod Ruthin xviij^ die Januarii anno Regince Domins nostr»
Elizabethse xvi.

The tenants and freeholders of the Lo (Lordship) of Ruthin
which are agreed to be Petitioners to the Countesse of Warwick,
Ladie and owner of the said Lo (Lordship) dureinge the terme
of her naturall liefe in forme followeinge.

That it may please the said Countesse to be a suitor to the
Queens most excellent ma^'* on the behalf of the great multitude
of the said tenants and inhabitants of the said Lo (Lordship) [ex-
tending to the number of 6000> or 6000 people of all ages] for the
establishinge of the tenures of the said tenants in free soccage
[under the accustomed rents paid heretofore unto her heyheness]
by her Graces letters patent or Charters of and upon their seve-
rall tenancies, which they clayme and hould in fee by force of
anie former estate by custom or otherwise in the nature of free-
hould, &c : (excepting oute of this composition all her majesties
fennes and ferme lands) to be specified under their anciente
measures and limits by survey and veredict.

The entries of their particular tenancies to be comprised in the
said Charters according to the contents of the late survey made
of the ffreehoidd lands of the said Lo (Lordship) in the time of
the late Earl of Warwick and by further particular survey or
veredict to be made of these severall takings.

And the said tenants for obteyininge of the premisses and for
the extinguishing of their annuities after the decease of the said
Countesse are contented to be at the severall charge of so many
years purchase accordince to the rate of the particular ould rents
onelie [as it may be wim best cheape obteyned] of the which
charge parte to be delivered to the Sollicitors to be defrayd in
foUowinge the said suite.

And me residue of the said money to be leavied and paid to
the use of the said Countesse in consideracion of such tytles of
Wardshipps and other rightes as may happen to accrue unto her
dureinge her estate in the said Lo (Lordship) and to answer suche
a fyne to her ma*^* by reason of the said suite as shall happen to
be accepted.
For tne payment of which money, so to be leavied and paid it

44 RUTHIN CASTLE RECORDS.

is agreed by the said tenants that the somme of the said onld
rents for one year to be forthwith collected and annswered [for
the present chardges of the said soUicitors to follow the said
suite] and all the residue of the said money and collection to be
particularly paid and annswered by the said tenants within a
reasonable tyme after the obteyninge of the said suite by meanes
of the said Uountesse as y^ may be concluded upon with the said
Countesse.

The SoUicitors undermentioned are nowe appointed and autho-
rized by the said tenants for the followinge of the said suite
through the direction of the said countesse and have power and
comission from the said tenants to agree and compound with the
said countesse for the obteyninge of the premisses as far forth as
the rate of the charge above mentioned doth extend to onlie.

The said soUicitors to make and deUver unto the said tenants
true account and declaration of all the sommes of money which
shaU be by them received from the said tenants for the suite
aforesaid, and howe much of the same shall be expended and
employed for the compassing and obteyninge of the said suite
and to be answerable unto the said tenants particularlie of aU
such sommes of the said money, as shaU be and remayne in the
bands of the said soUicitors, unbestowed therein.

Robert Salisbury. Solicitor agreed upon by the Countesse

Edw. Thelwall. ,, Edward ThelwaU Esquier.

Ed. Lloyd Hugo Roberts

R. Turbridge Ed. Goodman

John ThelwaU Richard ap John ap • . • •

John Price Ga. Goodman

Humffrey Myddletone Edmund Salisbury

Pyers Mules . Symond ap Thomas

Richard WiUiams E!dw^ Wynn ap Richard

Richard ThelwaU Maurice Oethynne ap Wynne

John Mydleton John Bithel.

In addition to the above names 134 others are added,
but, with the exception of five or six, the signatures are
merely attested marks. Most of these marks belong to

Ersons who distinguish themselves by divers '* aps," the
(t but one attest^ mark being that of " Ithel ap Harry
ap John ap David ap Madocke ;'' so that, with the ex-
ception of the English families, or those who imitated
them, the "ap" was in full fashion in the lordship of
Ruthin at the termination of Elizabeth's reign. Instances
occur where the surname appears to be united with the

LETTER FROM WILLIAM WYNNE. 45

" ap," as in the cases of " Edward Wynne ap Richard,"
and " Maurice Gethynne ap Wynne."

On the back of the document is this note : — " 9 May
95. These then lent to Mr. Henry Mostyn, and to be
returned in a month's time to £dward Thelwall of
Wayniw," — now probably Friniw.

E. L. B.

LETTER FROM WILLIAM WYNNE, THE HISTORIAN,
TO BISHOP HUMPHREYS OF ST. ASAPH.

We are indebted for the following communication to the
Rev. Rowland Williams, M.A. It is interesting, as
showing the value attached by Wynne to Powell's book,
and as indicating the existence of MSS. relating to Welsh
history in depositories little known, probably, by personal
examination, to the majority of Welsh antiquaries.

Oxon, Oct. y* 15«» 96,
My Lord.

I have at last sent you a specimen of y* History of Wales, w**
1 humbly submitt to your Lordship's approbation. It is y" first,
and consequently y* most difficult part of y* whole History, by
reason y* y* subject of those times is more dry and barren ; and
therefore I am apt to flatter myself y* if those few sheets can bear
the test of your JLordship's perusal!, y* whole Book will merit y*
like approbation. The language, I am apt to believe, will be
excused by y* judicious, because it is not so fine and fluent as
could be hoped ; when they consider how brokenly y* Transac-
tions of those times are handed down to us. Your Lordship may
perhaps wonder why I should omitt some of. D^ Powell's Notes
m the lives of Cadwalader and Ivor; w** I reserve for y^ Preface,
it being in my opinion more advisable, to discuss any matter of
controversy there (where I intend to consider the British History
in General!) then to insert it in y* body of y* History. I have
prefixed, as your Lordship will see, a brief account of y" British
affairs before Cadwalader, y^ y* Reader might have a short view
of y* chain of y*" History ; and not, as it were, stumble upon
Cadwalader, without knowing y' least syllable of y" preceding
Kings. As for what Additions are made to y* former Edition, I
shall not pretend y^ they are many; D' Powell having so clearly
gleaned y* English Historians y* there is nothing of moment to

46 LETTBB FROM WILLIAM WYNNE.

be found in them relating to our Nation, but what he has pub-
lished ; But thus much f can assure your Lordship, y^ I have
omitted nothing^ of moment, of what is contained in the former
Edition. M^ K. Vaughan's printed sheets, and his marginall
notes, have afforded- me a good many additions w*^ are scattered
up and down thro'ought the Book, and to all w^ I intend to
prefix his name in the mai^ine. As to his Chronological correc-
tion of D'. Powell, I would desire your Lordship's opinion, w^
I would more advisedly make use of. The Aiticles of Peace
managed betwixt Archbishop Peckham and Prince Llewelyn ap
Gruffyth, w*^ are translated mto English by D^ Powell, I have
some thoughts to print in Latine in y* manner of an Appendix,
they being no where to be found y* I know of, but among y*
Records of Canterbury, and in All Souls College Library, out of
w^ M. S. I have transcribed them. I have found also Beverall
records relating to Llewelyn ap lorwerth, and to his son, David
ap Llewelyn, w^** D** Powell nas not given us: and those I
propose to translate and insert them in Endish in the body of the
History, and to put them in y* originall Latine in y* Appendix,
to w*** I will have reference. The Pedigree of Owen Tudor, w**
King Henry v" Seventh ordered to be drawn, is amon^ the M.S.S.
of M^ Dugdale, in y* Asmolean Museum ; and I judge it not
improper to insert in y* full extent of it, w^^ D^ Powell does but
just mention. When I descend to Heniy the eighth's time, I
think it necessary to add S** lohn Dodderidge his Treatise of y*
Grovemment of Wales, w^ in y*" respect, is questionless y* most
clear and ample account, y* has been given.

These are y* most materiall things, w^ I thought necessary to
acquaint your Loixlship with, and as farr as I can see, I want
nothing to put my finisning hand to the Book (unless your Lord-
ship will do me y* favour to communicate some of your own
remarks) but a Catalogue of y* Lords Presidents of Wales from
D** Powell's time to tins, w^ I do not question but your Lordship
can help me to. If your Lordship does approve of my design
and performances, I hope you will grant me y*" liberty to publis
them under your Lordship's Patronage, w*^ favour shall be
always acknowledged by

your Lorship's most
humble Servant
Will: Wynne.

I desire to hear from your Lordship, as soon as you have perused
these papers ; y* rest are now in M*^ Lloyd of y" Museum s hands
who has taken upon him y* trouble of overlooking them. My
Transcriber has performed his task so very ill, y^ I am afraid
your Lordship can hanUy read these papers.

bfA; FOLN[} Al IM[l^;OR

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.
Bt thb latb Rbt. Jonathan WilliamSi M.A.

INTRODUCTORY NOTICE.

This valuable work was compiled by its learned author
in the early portion of the present century ; and, as we
learn from tne prospectus with whidi it is headed, was
intended to be given to the world in his lifetime. The
manuscript, after his decease, became the property of
his daughter ; and, through the kindness of that Lady
and her Husband, John Jones, Esq., of Gefnfaes, near
Rhayader, late High Sheriff of the county of Radnor,
it has been entrusted to the Cambrian Archaeological
Association for publication.

In undertaking the delicate task of editing a posthu-
mous manuscript, we have endeavoured to reconcile the
reputation of the author, arising from his extensive re-
searches, with the requirements of modern science. Had
Mr. Williams lived till the middle of this century, he
would most probably have been among the foremost of
the archaeologists and naturalists of Wales; he would
have profited by the advantages of general science, and
by the local discoveries made since that period, and
various portions of his work would have been arranged
in a different manner. We think, therefore, that we are
acting as archaeological disciples should do towards one
of their masters, by omitting, or at least postponing, some
inconsiderable portions of his work, which are now ren-
dered superfluous by the greater amount of scientific and
historical knowledge which we have inherited, or other-
wise obtained. Thus a general Historv of Wales and
Siluria ; an Historical Account of the Lords Marchers ;
an Account of the Geography, the Geology, and the
Agriculture of Radnorshire, may, we think, be either left
unpublished, or deferred till the rest of the manuscript
is printed ; because we possess other more elaborate and
more accurate works on the same subjects, written since

48 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

the time of Mr. Williams, and the authority of which
we are confident — judging from the admirable spirit of
candour and careful research pervading his pages — he
would himself have hastened to admit. The portions,
here alluded to, form but a small part of the whole,
and the great body of the work is so valuable to the local
antiquary, so interesting to the Association, and the
archaBological world generally, that we congratulate all
our members on the opportunity thus afforded of be-
coming acquainted with its contents.

If, as Editors, we appear to be too diffuse, we must
plead for excuse our sense of the responsibility lying upon
us to be as careful of our author's thoughts and labours
as of our own. We shall omit nothing except what we
have mentioned above, but shall print the MS. verbatim;
and we shall tnist to the antiquaries of Radnorshire,
and to other members of the Association, for aid in
supplying notes and observations, to illustrate, to am-
plify, and, if need be, to correct the text. We shall
nope, indeed, as the work proceeds, — for we intend to
eo on printing it in consecutive numbers of the ArchcBO^
logia UambrensiSf — to receive numerous communications,
whether of observation or of illustration, from gentlemen
connected with that county ; and we shall endeavour to
embody all such additional matter in a running Com-
mentary, or else in a Supplement.

The MS. is a large one, consisting of 659 closely
written folio pages, the calligraphy distinct, the arrange-
ment clear and methodical ; and its publication in our
pages will extend over a considerable interval of time.

The Association is under a great obligation to the
owners of this document for the very kind and confi-
dential manner in which it has been communicated.

HISTORY OF RADN0R8HIRB. 49

a dtotral Sijtnrt} nf tire Cniratii of Ettirmt.

PROSPECTUS.

It is proposed to publish a general History of the County of
Radnor. To conduct an undertaking:, of this extensive and mul-
tifarious nature, to a desired state of completion, much expense
must be incurred, and great application exerted. A subscription,
therefore, is solicited, as necessary to the support of the projected
work, of which the following sketch, or prospectus, is respectfully
submitted to the consideration of the public, and especially of
the gentry and clergy of Radnorshire.

Besides adverting to those objects of inquiry, which constitute
the subjects of every topographical work, — besides a personal
application to original authorities existing in public libranes, and,
where he may be permitted, in private collections also, — ^the
author's researches will extend to an exact survey of every parish
in the county. Throughout this progress, he will feel grateful to
those respectable and intelligent persons, resident on the spot,
who shall communicate to him the knowledge of interesting
objects, memorable occurrences, the names and snort biographical
memoirs of eminent natives, the genealogies of families, the
transmission of property, the sight of ancient coins and weapons,
the account of curious manners and customs, and the perusal of
authentic manuscripts and memorials. He trusts that the gentry
of his native county vrill, on this occasion, evince a becoming
spirit of liberality, and dlow free access to those stores of origintu
authorities which they may possess, without the least tincture of
absurd jealousy, or mistaken apprehension, of thereby disclosing
secrets, that may be attended with unpleasant consequences.
The impartial administration of the laws of their country opposes
a sufficient bar to any such fears. He likewise respectfully
addresses himself to his brethren, the parochial clergy, whose
local knowledge of their respective districts, as well as intimate
acquaintance with their own parish registers, renders them pecu-
liarly qualified to communicate valuable and useful information ;
particularly the antiquities of their churches, the pedigrees of the
principal families, armorial blazonings, catalogues of incumbents,
curious epitaphs and inscriptions, &c., — such communications
the author will always receive with gratitude.

The struggles which the ancient inhabitants of this district
maintained for the preservation of its independence, in opposition
to its several invaders, will be faithfully recorded; whilst the
errors into which English antiquaries and historians have fallen,

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. H

50 HI8T0RT OF HAIINORSHIRB,

respecting the primaBTal colonization of Britain^ the genius of the
Druidical svstemy the scientific attainments of its professors, and
the campaigns of the celebrated Caradoc^ or Caractacus^ the
renowned sovereign of the kingdom of Silurian of which the
territory^ now called Radnorshire, once formed a considerable
party wiU be corrected and rectified.

An attempt will likewise be made to throw new light on the
original designation and use of Tommenau, CamaUj and Crom^
lechaUf with which this county abounds ; its camps, also, and its
casties, will be enumerated and described, and the different aaras
of their construction, as well as the names of their proprietors,
ascertained.

The nature of the close and peculiar connexion, in which this
county stands related to the sovereign of this United Kingdom,
whereby it has been di^ified with the appellation of the " Hoyal
county of Radnor," will be developed and explained, and the
patrimonial inheritances of the crown of Great Britain, which it
contains, enumerated and described.

To a more complete description than what is to be found in
any book of a similar nature of the vast power and authority of
the Lords Marchers, and of the nature and extent of the juris-
diction of those dread magistrates, to whom the inhabitants of
this district were long subject, will be joined an original account
of the extent, privileges, and powers of the paramount manor or
lordship of Cantref moelienydd. This dissertation will close with
a description of the peculiar constitution of the court of great
session, together with the boundaries, customs, privileges and
liberties of the capital borough, and of its several contributories.

The state of the agriculture of the county, that principal and
most respectable branch of human industry, will be regarded
with peculiar attention ; the number and efficacy of its medicinal
waters will be minutely detailed and described ; the seats of its
gentry, together with the paintings with which they are severally
adorned, will not fail to receive a due tribute of respect; and, under
the cheering influence of encouragement, elegant engravings of
those seats, and of the picturesque natural scenery with wnich
thev are surrounded, will embellish the work.

A new and correct map of the county, taken from actual
survey, will be prefixed to the title-page. The entire text of
Domesday, so far as it relates to any part of it, will be incor-
porated with the work. The late returns of population, and
charitable donations, will be subjoined to the account of every
parish. A catalogue of the reguUf or chieftains, of this district,
of the lords president of the Marches, of the stewards of Cantref
Modienjfddf of the brds lieutenant of the county, members of

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 51

pariiament, sheriflby magistrates^ &c.y will be trensmitted firom
die earliest periods down to the present times.

With respect to the limits of such an undertaking, it is im-
possible, on the outset of the plan, to speak with precision.
Neither the number of engravings, nor the quantity of letter-
press, are at present reducible to accurate calculation. Were
the autlior to call into requisition the amplifying powers which
some of his predecessors, in this walk of literature, have exercised,
two volumes quarto, containing four or five hundred pages each,
might easily start into existence. But he wishes it to oe under-
Btoodj that in the use of the matmals committed to him, his
great objects will be selection and compression ; that the bulk of
Uiis work will never be purposely swelled hy prolix and insigni-
ficant narrative ; that none but subjects which derive an impor-
tance from their antiquity, their picturesque beauty, or toeir
connexion with historical mcts, will be treated of in detail ; and
that every care will be taken to avoid unnecessary expense. As
a conjecture, rather than an assertion, it may be stated, that one
volume quarto, of between six and seven hundred pages, will
probably complete the work, which will be handsomely printed,
on fine royal paper, and delivered to subscribers at £3. 3s., or,
with proof impressions of the plates, at £3. 1 3s. 6d.

A list of the names of the subscribers will be prefixed to the
work, and subscriptions will be received by Messrs. Longman,
Hurst, and Co., London, and by all the booksellers in the county
of Radnor, and in the adjoining counties.

The printing of the work will commence as soon as 300 copies,
or as many as will cover the expenses, are subscribed for.^

July 16, 1818.

DEDICATION.

To the King's most excellent Majesty,

8lRB,

Nodiifig could have so highly exalted your royal character
and virtues in the estimaticm of Europe, — ^nothing could have
so firmly eirthroned your royal person and government in the
hearts of your subjects, as the promptitude and zeal which your
Majesty has upon all occasions displayed in aiding and pro-
moting the cause of literature, and in encouraging and patronizing
works of utility and information.

* No list of subecribon is appended to the MS. — Ed. Abch. C ahb.

52 HISTORY OP RADNORSHIRE.

Having at much labour and expense collected and digested
valuable matter for composing a topographical history of my
native county, viz., Radnor ; and having at length brought my
undertaking to a desired state of maturity, I feel anxious that
the appearance of my book before the eye of the public, should
be, in one respect at least, commensurate with the dignified
nature of its subject, and possess that respectability which the
description of a county long distinguished by the honourable
appellation *^ Royal," contaimng parcel of the ancient patrimony
of your crown, and connected with your Majesty m a very
peculiar manner, so iusUy deserves.

The attainment of this object of my hopes and of my ambition,
depends upon your Majesty s gracious fiivour and condescension.
The prefixmg of your royal name to the list of subscribers to the
history of a ^* royal " county, would be not only an appropriate
ornament and decoration, but also confer upon the work itself
that importance and dignity which would be its best recom-
mendation and surest protection. I therefore humbly petition
your Majesty, that your Majesty will be ^ciously pleased to
take my request into your royal consideration, and to allow me
the permission to make this particular use of your Majesty's royal
name upon this occasion ; an honour which will be as gratefully
remembered, as it is now earnestly desired, by,

Sire,
Your Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subject,

Jonathan Williams.

Leominster.

PREFACE.

In the first contemplation of this work, the author was
not unaware of the many and great difficulties which he
should have to encounter. The attempt is entirely new ;
no regular account of any one part of it having ever
before been submitted to the public. Besides, Radnor-
shire, on a general and transient view, appears little
calculated, either to afford encouragement to the arduous
prosecution, or to furnish materials for the successful
completion, of an undertaking of this extensive and
multifarious nature. Diminutive in size and population,
inferior in the arts of industry and cultivation, devoid of
busy towns, flourishing manufactures, and magnificent

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 53

Structures ; of an aspect if not immediately repulsive and
forbidding, yet generally sterile and uninviting; and
involved in great penury of information; it seems to
possess few attractions to interest the antiquary and
historian, to kindle the flame of curiosity, and to repay
the labour of research. This opinion, however, was
found, on further consideration, to admit, like all other
generalities, of considerable modifications. For a district
which formed a part of the ancient and renowned king-
dom of Siluriaf — the seat of Druidical rites, — the site of
Roman garrisons and encampments,— the scene of much
hazardous conflict for national liberty and independence,
in opposition to the lawless and insatiable ambition of
Romans, Saxons, Danes, and Normans respectively, —
and which abounds in Silurian vestiges, religious and
military, — must necessarily contain and embrace ma-
terials, that only want to be developed, in order to be
known ; and to be known, in order to be felt interesting.
To the celebrity which it possessed in ancient times, may
be added the just claims to public notice and distinction,
founded on the consideration of its present state and
circumstances. For seldom can we behold a more diver-
sified and undulating line of surface; such an assemblage
of picturesque, if not magnificent scenery; so much
sinuosity of valley, and verdure of mountain ; such a
variety of meandering and fertilizing streams, and so
many medicinal springs of approved efficacy and virtue.
These, together with the rapidity of its agncultural im-
provements, the simplicity of manners that still adheres
to many of its inhabitants, as well as its close connexion
with the imperial crown of this United Kingdom, — the
peculiar constitution of its supreme court of judicature, —
the incorporation of its capital borough, — and the cus-
toms and privileges of the several contributories, — supply
a fund of information, not only gratifying to the man of
research and curiosity, but also subservient to historical
purposes.

Such is the general outline of the following work. The
materials of which it is composed have been derived from

54 HISTORY OF RADNORBHIRE.

various sources, -from public libraries and from private
collections, — from the usual printed authorities, and the
obliging communications of the gentlemen and clergy of
the county— particularly the manuscript collections of
Percival Lewis, Esq., of Downton Hall, near New Rad-
nor, embracing a valuable mass of originad information
relative to the most essential parts of the subject, which
that gentleman contributed with a politeness and libe-
rality peculiarly flattering. Considerable aid has been
received from consulting the History of Brecknockshire^
published by the late Mr. Theophilus Jones, a work
which reflects the greatest credit on the perseverance
and abilities of the author. To these and other like
authorities, references will be made in the course of the
work, either in the subjoined notes, or in the appendix.
The topographical division required and obtained the
extension of the author's researches to an exact survey
of every parish in the county; and, in all instances,
wherein it was neocessary to collect the particulars on the
spot, adequate pains have been taken to give a complete
and accurate detail. The state of the agriculture ot the
county has been drawn up partly from a publication of
Mr. W. Davies, and partly from oral information. In
recording the skill and ingenuity with which the Silurian

fenerals selected their encampments, the author has pro-
ted by the perusal of manuscripts left by the late General
Harvey, who, for his health, resided some time at lian-
drindcxl, aiKl amused himself with examining the military
positions of the neighbourhood. In short, there are few
sources from which endeavours have not been used to
glean such hints as bear upon the subject. The numerous
contributors are requested to accept this general acknow-
ledgment of their assistances in the composition ; whilst
it is humbly hoped the candid critic will exercise his
accustomed lenity towards the unavoidable imperfection
of a work undertaken under considerable disadvantages,
and embracing and involving subjects of great variety
and importance.

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 55

CHAPTER I.

GEOaRAPHICAL STATE AND CIRCUMSTANCES, VIZ., SITUATION,
BOUNDARIES, EXTENT, NAME AND ETYMOLOaT.

Section 1. — Situation^ Boundaries and Extent,

Radnorshire is an inland county, situated in that part
of Great Britain called South Wales, and in the dioceses
of St. David's and Hereford, and in the province of
Canterbury; and lying between 61° 67' and 52° 22'
north latitude, and between 2° 46' and 3° 3' longitude
west of London.

It is bounded by the county of Salop on the north-
east, of Hereford on the south-east, of Brecknock on the
south and south-west, of Caerdigan on the north-west,
and by Montgomeryshire on the north.

The boundary line between the counties of Radnor and
Hereford commences at a spot on the left side of the river
Wye, opposite to the town of Hay, in Brecknockshire,
keeping the course of that river to a place called Rhyd-
spence, where it takes a western direction by Cwmyrefor
and Caechiggin to Pant and Cwmyreithin, and north-
wards to little Hill, where it turns abruptly to the east
as far as Wem ; it there crosses the Kington road, and
takes an eastern direction for a mile; it then descends
southwardly to the old mill, tlien by Pentiley, Gwerny-
bach, and Pentre-yr-drain, in a northern direction to
Huntington Hill, where it again turns eastwardly between
Lanybala and Yat, and New Shop to Pentwyr Castle, by
Huntington Park to Rabbar, across Gladestry brook and
the road to Kington, leaving Lanyfelyn Hill on the left.
It ascends by Great Rabbar, Hargest Hill to Cwmgwillim,
thence by Bwkh, between Janter Hill and Whetstone to
Rowbach, and crosses the Radnor road at Stanner Rocks,
which it skirts to the right, and at Lower Harpton crosses
Offa's Dyke and the river Somergill ; it then passes be-
tween Knyll and Burfa Bank, which it skirts, passing on
to the north through Radnor Wood; and, penetrating
through the middle of Radnor Wood, it then turns east-

66 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

wardly through Cwmrosser Green to a place called Folly ;
it then descends a little way to the south, by Gorton and
WignalFs Mill, along the line of the Somergill to Cwm
and Broad Heath, where it takes the course of the Lug
on its left side to the town of Presteigne, where it crosses
that river, and ascends by Boultibrook Mill to Stocking,
Cooke's House, Old Warren, by Carter's Lane, where it
turns to a place called the Cefn, passing by Hill-house,
Oak-hill, Black Venn, in a straight line to Black Venn ;
and, leaving Brampton-Brian to the right, it turns to
Hearts-ease, where it crosses the turnpike road to Knighton,
and so by the turnpike gate it passes on to the river
Teame, the line of which it keeps to the town of Knighton,
where it crosses the river, and insulates a small tract* of
land forming the eastern boundary of that borough.

The said river Teame constitutes the boundary line
which divides the county of Radnor from Shropshire to
a place called Hendr^, where a stream named Ruthyn
Rhiwgantyn separates it from Montgomeryshire. The
boundary line then takes a direction to the west to a
place called Rhiwdan Llwynglas, leaving Gwain-gellu-
telyn considerablv to the right; thence passing on to a
place named Ambo-benwyn, alias Crugain Terfyn, divid-
ing the parishes of Llanbadamfynydd and Llandinam,
near to the beacon called Gam-Vaonce; it then proceeds
to a spring called Nant-y-trefnant, and Esthop, and to
the head of the spring leading to the brook Dulas, then
to a huge stone upon the mountains, on which Gwynne,
the son of Llewelyn, was slain, dividing the parishes of
Llangurig and St. Harmon, where a house or building
formerly stood; then crossing the mountains to Cem
Eliwd, where it takes a southern direction to Cefh-Cen-
narth, where it turns to the west and crosses the river
Wye at a place called Safam-y-coed. It then ascends to
the head of a small brook named Nant-y-damel, in a
northerly direction; afterwards, taking a small circuit, it
arrives at the head spring of the river Talog, which
separates the counties of Radnor and Caerdigan. It
crosses this river at Tu-y-rhos, and then descends south-

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 57

wardly to the head of a small stream called Clarwen, and
follows the course of the said river, which forms the
boundary line between the said two counties, until it
discharges itself into the river Elan.

The boundary line between the counties of Radnor and
Brecknock is the said river Elan, until it comes to a place
called Glyn, about a mile to the south of the town of
Rhayader, where it forms a junction with the Wye.
From the point of this junction the separation of the two
counties is continued by the river Wye, till it arrives at
Glasbury Bridge, where the boundary line crosses the
Wye into Brecknockshire, at a place called Ffordd-fawr,
and passes to liwynbach, about half a mile distant from
that river, towards the south ; it then turns both west-
wardly and eastwardly, and takes a circuit around Glas-
bury church-yard to the left; thence it crosses the
turnpike road to the town of Brecon, and passes through
the Sconces into the river Wye, which it recrosses, and
follows the line of its course to the spot opposite to the
town or bridge of Hay, where it commenced.

A small part of Herefordshire, called Lytton-hill, in
the parish of Caescob, near the town of Presteigne, is
insulated by the county of Radnor.

The extent of Radnorshire from the junction of the
rivers Hendwell and Lug on the east, to the opposite
border Tu-y-rhos on the west, is about 29 miles in length;
and from Uhiwthyn Rhiwgantyn brook on the north, to
Rhyd Helyg, or Sally Ford, on the south, is about 26
miles in breadth. Various, however, and differing from
each other, are the estimated contents of its area. One
gentleman lays it down so low as 385 square miles;
another raises it to 447 ditto; a third to 465, and a fourth
to 510 ditto. Perhaps a middle statement between the
two greatest extremes approximates nearest to the truth.
Its circumference, according to some calculations, exceeds
90 miles, encompassing a territory of 310,000 acres.

(To be continued,)

ARCH. CAMB.| THIRD 6BRIB8, VOL. I. I

The hand of Death has fallen heayilj on the Association since the
Rmthin Meetings and has deprived it of three of its earliest friends and
«apporterB.

Thb Rby. Rowland Williams, M.A., rector of Ysceifiog, and
canon of St Asaph, has died at the advanced age of seventy-five.
His gentleman was one of Ihe earliest promoters, and always ah
active member^ of the Cambrian Archaeological AjBsociation. Few
had a more extensive knowledge of Welsh antiquities and traditions^
and it is to be hoped that his Archseolc^cal Researches will not be
lost to the world. Among his literary works may be mentioned
numerons contributions to the Chvyliedydd^ of which he was at one
time the mainstay, and some smaller ones to the CambnhBfiton^
with a Life of Peter RobertSy the antiquarian, reprinted in the
Cambrian Plutarch^ and a Memoir of Bishop Oriffith, He had
also the honour of being selected as one of the four clergymen who,
about the year 1840, were employed, under episcopal sanction, in
revising the Welsh translation of the Prayer Book.

Thb Rbv. William Jbnkin Rbbs, M.A., rector of Cascob, and
m«bendary of St. David's, has been summoned to another and a
better world, at the advanced age of eighty-three. It would be
superfluous in us to remind members of the antiquarian and literary
labours of our lamented friend. No one ever worked with us more
cordially, w>r entered more fully into the spirit of our pursuits. There
is scarcely any Welsh periodical of honourable distinction that has
not been enriched by the contributions of Mr. Rees ; and his editions
of the Liber Landavenm^ of Lemye l^nmn, of the lolo MSS,, and
of the Lives of the Saints, added to his numerous archseologtcsd
papers of all kinds, testify to the active indastry <yf a long antiquariaa
kfe. In spirit, Mr. Rees was one of the youngest members of our
Association ; his interest in our proceedings, his unabated willingness
to aid in all our doings, was manifested in his correspondence, only a
short time previous to his decease. We trust that hw Papers will be
tsoHected, examined, and edited, with the care they deaerve^

Thb Rbv. Hbnrt Parrt, M.A., vicar of Llanasa, and canon of
l^t. Asaph, has left us at a very great age, — we believe greater than
that of either of his friends noticed above. Mr. Parry was one of the
tnost ardent and best informed antiquaries of Wales. His stores 6f
traditional knowledge were very extensive; and, though the infirmitiaB
of advancing years had loi^ prevented him from assisting thie Asso-
ciation by personal researches, his goodwill and his sympathies were
warmly manifested in its behalf. In his case, too, we must express
the hope that his Literary and Antiqaarian Remains, will be collected
and published.

« BRITANNIC RESEARCHES,''— CORRECTIONS.

To the Editor of the Archmologia Cambrenm.

Sir, — I obflenre in p^ 04 of Mr. Beale Poste's Britannic Semarchu,
the foUowiog paflsage : —

''.••• The Watling-Streel from C»er Segont in Wales, to
Doyer, Lynne and Richborougk in Kent; to this a north-western
branch is freauentl y giyen, extending from Aber south of Chester, to
Catterick in Yorkshire, and thenoe into Seoltand/' &c.

I presume that Mr. Beale Poste, in a work which professes to
contain ** new &ct8 and rectifications of anci^at British Hntorj/' has
not made this statement without some authority. If so, Wekh anti-
quaries, and more especially those who are engaged in the researches
necessary for the ultimate oompihitioii of the Canibria Romana^ will
be glad to hear from him how he has manaeed to trace the Watlins;
Street fhun Dbya to SBeoNTivM , This is the yery point upon which
so much doubt exists ; whereas, if Mr. Beale Poste can proye that
this Watling Street extended eo nomim from the first-named station
to the latter, he will render immense seryice to the cause which is so
strenuously adyocated in the Archaohgia Cambrensis. In fact his
tracing of the line, or even his suggestions as to its course, will be of
yalue, on account either of his ''facts" being supposed new, or his
** rectifications " accurate.

Again, he mentions ''Aber south of Chester;'' now I must say that
if Mr. Beale Poste will be kind enough to point out this place on any
map, he will efiect a reyolution in the ideas commonly entertained
conoeming Welsh geomphy and Roman roads in North Wales. It
cannot but be inferred worn doe context that this branch of the Watling
Street which he starts from "Aber'' is to be understood as not going
throueh Chester; at least so it seems to me. But in any case, 1 am
sure mat, if this line and this "Aber" can be indicated by Mr. Beale
Poete, it will greatly modify the labours of the gentlemen now carrjring
on their inquiries concerning the condition of Sritannia Secunda.

A philol(^cal conjecture, hazarded by the same author at p. 196,
is, I must say, peculiarly infelicitous. Speaking of Arthur's battle
in the wood of Celyddon, he quotes the expression of Nennius, who
says that the name giyen to this battle by the Britons is " Cat coit
CeUdon," Thereupon Mr. Beale Poste giyes the following expU-
nation in a note : —

"That is, the 'Cat^wood Calyddon:' 'Cath' in Cornish beinz a
cat. Probably receiying its name fix>m the mountain cats abounmng
in this dis^ot in fonner times. The marten is still found there.'*

If I am not mistaken^ the meaning of the original expression is
Cad Coed Celyddom, « " the Battle of the wood of Celyddon."— I
maata, <cc., BBiTANNO-RoiiANua.

60 CORRESPONDENCE.

ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETIES.
To the Editor of the Archaohgia CambrensU^

Sir, — I would venture to suggest to the members of our Assoeiatioiiy
through the medium of the Journal, that a regular and constant inter-
change of intelligence and communications should be established
between us as a body, and other antiquarian societies in northern and
western Europe. I allude to such societies as the following, yiz.: —

The Society of Antiquaries of London ;

The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland ;

The Royal Irish Society ;

The Soci^t^ des Antiquaires de la France;

The Soci^t^ des Antiquaires de la Normandie ;

The Association Br^tonne ;

The Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries at Copenhagen ;

The Royal Dutch Antiquarian Society ;

The Society des Antiquaires Beiges ; &c. fcc.

It is certain that all these learned bodies have many points common
to themselves and to us, occurring to their notice from time to time ;
and it b most important for the promotion of scientific archseolosy
that these points snould be inter-communicated and discussed. Ex-
tracts from the publications of these societies would, I am sure, be
highly esteemed oy our Association ; and I cannot but think that our
researches would not be considered valueless if communicated to our
distant brethren. It seems to me that part of the funds of our Asso-
ciation would be well spent in presenting copies of our Journal,
regularly, to each of the above-named societies, as well as to some
other similar bodies; and, from what I know of the kind and courteous
disposition of many among their members, I do not think that they
would be slow in making us some kind of acknowledgment and return.

I observe in our list of officers the title of Secretary for Foreign
Corretpondence, and I would suggest that this gentleman should
undertake the task of entering into communication with these societies,
for the purpose indicated above. — I remain, &c.,

A Mbmbbr of the Cambrian Archaolooical Association.

January 20, 1855.

Our correspondent is thanked for the hint It shall be laid before
the Association. — ^Thb Editor.

CELTIC NAMES OF PLACES IN ENGLAND.
To the Editor of the Archaohgia Cambrensit.

Sir, — It would constitute an useful and agreeable task fi>r some of
your antiquarian friends, if they would try to form a complete list of
all names of places (in any of the forty-one counties, besides the thirteen
of Wales and MonmouUi), which are either Celtic in themselves, or
which retain Celtic syllables. The names of lUl natund featnrei of

ARCHiEOLOGICAL NOTES AND QUERIES. 6 1

England (Lloegr)^ such as mountains, riTere, &c., offer ao ample field
of research ; the March-counties are rich in Webh names of villages ;
and many other names of places, sach as Watlingborough, Henburj,
kcp may possibly be traced to Celtic times. An interesting chapter
of nationaJ historical geography may he added to our ordinary stock
of knowledge by the labours of a few antiquaries, devoted with care
and intelligence to this object — ^I remain, &c.,

Philo-Cambbr.

iilttjiiEnlnguBl MiUi noit dmnin.

Q. 1. — When did the statement concerning the birth of Edward II.
in Caernarvon Castle, first originate ? I have observed the birth of
the Prince, at Caernarvon, mentioned in some of the extracts from
monastic chroniclers quoted in Leland's ColUctanea^ but I am unable
to trace this portion of the fable any further. In my opinion the
first person that gave it currency, so as to make it an article of popular
tradition, was Stowe. It is possible that the prince was actually
bom in the old city of Caernarvon, which then stood where the
vicarage and Hen Walliau now are ; but were it not for the epithet,
^ Edward of Caernarvon,'' being used in books of English History,
it would be more probable that he should have been born at Rhuddlan.

The same query may be made concerning the myth of the presen-
tation of the infant Prince to the Welsh Chiefs.

Popular belief in tradition is so firmly grounded that it is always
difficult to upset it. Nevertheless it has been done in this instance by
the Cambrian Archaeological Association most triumphantlv ; and it
now only remains to try and find out whence the mythic tale arose.

X. Y. Z.

Q^ 2. — Had the poet Gray any authority for putting a bard on
''high on a rock o'er Conway's foaming flood"? Unless the bard
stood under Bennarth there is no spot all along the Conway, from its
mouth to its confluence with the Lledr, where anybody could ''plunge
to endless night " from the top of any rocky prominence washed by
the water. Poetic licence is understood and allowed for ; but the

guery remains, — had Gray any hint firom some older poet to lead
im to this romantic fiction ? X. Y. Z.

Q* 3. — In the Roll of Expenses for the building of Llewelyn's Hall,
in Conway Castle, given by Mr. Hartshome, (^Archmologia CambrennM,
New Series, No. aYII. p. 6.) I observe mention of " lime made and
bought at Aber." Query, — Was this Aberdulas or Abergele ? These
seem to be the only two places, having that prefix, within reasonable
distance of Conway, where lime could, or can, be procured.

And where was the place called Tavemes, the spot where dnders
were made, if 1 interpret " cmduiarum " aright ? B.

62 ARCH^OLOOICAL NOTES AND QUERIES.

Q. 4— Where was PmickesUr (*^Jokanni d$ Pmmttr' "> men^
tioned at p. 11 of the above Roll ? B.

Q. 5. — Can Mr. Hartshoraey or any other member of the AaBocifr*
tion, oblige me with an approximate value in coin, of the preaenl
daji of the total cost of Llewelyn's Hall from the above Roll 7

Q. 6. — It is stated that, witUa the memory of man, penanee in a
white sheet at the church door was performed for bastardy in some
of the mountain villages of Merionetn. Can any correspondent pro-
duce authentic instances of such a laudable custom, so as to fix the
UUut date at which it was maintained in any part of Wales ?

D,D.

Q, 7. — ^What is the exact date of the fint edition of Bishop Mor^
gan's Welsh translation of the Bible 7 H. L. J.

Q. 8. — Can any member of the Association furnish a complete list
of all the lords-lieutenant of Radnorshire 7 H. L. J.

Q. 9. — Much controversy has been raised about the Sam Badrig ;
can anybody, who has actually landed upon it (which nuiy be done
in fine weather at low spring tides), fiivour the Association with an
account of what he observed 7 A.

Q. 10. — It is said that a line may be drawn through Pembroke-
shire, cutting ofiT the Webb-speaking district from the English. Will
somebody favour the Editor with a tracing of this line on a map 7

<2- 11- — I fancy remembering a very tall Maen-hir, perhaps fifteen
feet high, standing in a field on the seaward side of the road from
Fishguard to Newport, about two and a half miles from the former
place ; but last summer I could only find a smaller one, which I also
remembered near the same spot, where it still stands. I should be
much obliged for any confirmation or contradiction of my fancy as to
the first-named stone. H. L. J.

Q. 12. — When were regiments of militia first called out, and when
first embodied, in any of the Welsh counties 7 Miles.

Q. 13. — Hafodtau. — A correspondent, who has observed that
many ancient family mansions in South Wales have Hafodtau, or
summer residences, on the hills belonging to them, wishes to know
whether the same circumstance is observable in North Wales. He
wishes to form a complete list of all known instances. — We believe
the custom to have been general throughout North and South Wales,
and we shall be glad if correspondents will favour us with all the
instances they may have observed.

J&imWutus Jfntitii

Ruthin Church. — We nnderatand that the design for the new
east window in this church has been given by R. &yrke Penson,
Esq. The same gentleman is also making drawings for the complete
re-seating and restoration of the church; and we confidently hope that,
when such excellent productions as are sure to come from his studio
meet the eye of the inhabitants of Ruthin, they will see how advisable
it would be to come forward handsomely at once and make this church
— what it ought to become — one of the best ecclesiastical edifices in
the Yale of CTwvd. We do not suppose that the cost would be great,
but we are quite certain that the amount of accommodation and
comfort gained wouM b« considerable. If any subscription is opened
for this purpose, we shall be happy, as in the case of oihet good
works of this kind, to lend our pages towards its promotion.

RESTORATTOIf OF LlANDUDNO ChURCH, OK GrEAT OrMB'S HeAD.

— ^The ancient Church of Llandudno, an interesting relic of the fifteenth
century, has for some years been lying in a greatly dilapidated con-
dition. It is situated on the higher portion of Oreat Orme's Head,
exposed to the violence of all the storms irom the t>cean, and is now
nearly stripped of its roof, being entirely unfit for Divine worship^
The sum of JEIOO will suffice for putting it into a state sufficient for
the requirements of a mortuary and occasional chapel ; and it is hoped
diat, amongst those who have visited and become acquainted with
Ms remarkable spot, subscriptions to this amount may be raised.
Donations for this purpose will be thankfully received by any of
the following gentlemen : — Rev. Edward T. Evans, perpetual curate
of Llandudno ; J. Williams, Esq., Bodafon, Llandudno ; Rev. H.
LongueviUe Jones, H.M. Inspector of Schools, Privy Council Office.

8UB80RIPTION8 ALREADY RECEIVED.

The Bishop of St. Asaph £2

T. Love D. Jones Parry, Esq., Madryn Park . . 10

Rev. John Parker, Llany blodwel « 1

Rev. Robert Williams, libydycroesau .....«••• 1

R. Kyrke Pen8on,E8C|.^ Oswestry... 10

Rev. H. LongueviUe Jones ••... 1

Abbrdaron Chuhcr, CASRifARVOKSHtRB. — ^It IS with great plea-
sure that we are at length able to announce the intended restoration
t)f this ancient edifice. Our readers will remember that the sulHect
was brought forward at the Caernarvon Meeting of ^ur Association,
and t»nsed considerable discussion. Sinoe then the idea, originally
started by the simple inhabitants of Aberdaron, has been gradually
gaining ground with the public ; and now the good seed, sown long
ago, has brought forth fruit. A public meeting has been held at
rwilfaeli, and a liberal subscription raised. The vicar of Aberdaron
win receive contributions. We odmtd give « hint as to what to do

64 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

with the new church there ; but we do not like to be malicioaSy nor
again to evoke the genius of the storm, as we did at Caernarvon.

Denbigh Castle. — Arrangements having been made with the
Board of Woods and Forests for leasing Denbigh Castle to the in-
habitants of that town, with a view to use the interior of the castle
for public walksy and for preventing anj further dilapidations ; it has
been determined to open a subscription for carrying the above pur«
poses into effect. Tne consolidation of the Great Gateway of the
castle, now in danger of total destructioui will be immediately attended
to, and the other repairs and improvements will proceed as quickly
as the funds will allow. Subscriptions will be received by the Mayor
and Town Clerk of Denbigh, ana the Steward of the Crown Manor.

Early Inscribed Stonb in Caermarthenshirb. — (See vol. Y.
Second Series, p. 303.) — ^The Llech Eidon inscription, here mentioned,
is given correctly in Gough's CamdeUy vol. ii. p. 508. The letters are
ElUdon. Our late friend was not very strong in his readine of the
Welsh stones ; (e» g. on one occasion we remember him turning one
of them upside down and making it out to be Hebrew). His repre-
sentation, therefore, of this inscription, on p. 303, is quite incorrect,
and might be more easily read as El N ION (a name which does occur
at Llantwit) than as El U DON. The stone is beautifully ornamented,
and I made careful rubbings and drawings of it some years since. —
J, O. W.

Collectanea Antiqua ; Etchinqs and Notices of Ancient
Remains, &c. By C. Roach Smith. — ^Vols. I. and II. of this work,
each containing about sixty etchings and many woodcuts, are both out
of print, and when they occur for sale produce prices far exceeding the
cost to the subscribers. It is not the intention of the author to issue
a second edition ; but he engages to furnish copies as early as possible
to such of the subscribers to vol. III. as may require tbero, at the
original prices, viz., vol. I. 24s. ; vol. II. 8Is. 6d. ; the price of vol.
IIL is 24s. Part II. of the third volume is now in the press. It
will include, among other matters, — I. An account of the discoveiy
of a Roman sarcophagus and leaden coffin, in the Minories, in May,
1853, illustrated with two plates, by Mr. F. W. Fairholt, F.S.A.
2. Bronze trumpet of the fifteenth century, found at Romney, Kent,
with a plate, by Mn J. G. Waller, 8. An account of a personal
visit to remarkable antiquities in France, including the Roman theatre,
sculptures, and the bronze figure of Apollo (eight feet in height),
found at Lillebonne ; the Roman castrum at Jublains ; Roman and
Norman sculptures at Evreux, &c., illustrated by numerous engravings
and woodcuts, by Messrs. Fairholt, Waller, Brooke and Pretty. 4^
Excursion in 1853 along the Roman Wall, with etchings and wood-
cuts. Recent and unpublished discoveries at Lincoln, Colchester, and
various other places in England and on the Continent, copiously illus-
trated, will be included in the present volume. Part 1. contains a
full account of the Anglo-Saxon remains discovered at Oxingdl,

ARCHiBOLOOIA CAMBRBNSIS. 66

Thanet; some remarkable Roman architectaral remains found at
Wrozeter; Roman sepalcbral dq)osit found near Dorchester, and
Irish antiquities of the Saxon period, illustrated with twelve engraYines
(two coloured) and eight woodcuts. Subscriptions are to be paid m
adyance to the author, 6, Liverpool Street, Citj Road, London.

Oleaninos amonq the Castles and Coxvents of Norfolk, —
Containing notices of many of the most important remains of antiquity
in the county, — are about to be published by Mr. H. Harrod, Secre-
tary of the Norfolk and Norwich Archseoiogical Society. Among
the castles to be noticed are Norwich, Rising, Castleacre and Bucken-
ham. Norwich Cathedral Priory, Walsinsham, Castleacre, Binham,
Thetfbrd, Yarmouth, and other conventual remains, will also be in-
cluded in this collection. The book will be published by subscription^
at 15s. and 2l8.

ARCH^OLOGIA CAMBRBNSIS.

Notice to Contributors. — As the days of publication
for the Journal of the Cambrian Archseoiogical Associa-
tion are January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October
1st ; and as it is of the utmost importance, for securing
the punctual publication of the Journal, that all the
operations of printing and engraving should be com-
pletely finished by the commencement of the third month
m each quarter, viz., — in the earliest days of March,
June, September, and December, it is necessary that
articles, intended for insertion, should be in the Elditor's
hands not later than February 1st, May 1st, August 1st,
and November 1st, in each quarter. Gentlemen must not
be disappointed, if articles sent in after these dates are
postponed till the succeeding quarter. In all cases the
original MSS. will be forwarded along with the proofs to
contributors ; and it is earnestly requested of gentlemen
that they will return their corrected proofs, to the Editor,
in all cases, within one week from the date of their receipt,
retaining, of course, their MSS. in their own possession.
After the expiration of a week the Editor, if he has not
already received the author's corrected proof, will make
his ovm corrections, and those corrections will he final,

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. K

66 ARCHiEOLOGIA CAMBRENSIS.

without waiting for any others. All revises will be read
by the Editor, and will be referred to the authors only
in the event of any particular difficulties occurring.

Those gentlemen who may contribute drawings are
requested to send them to the Editor, three months before
the time when they are to appear^ viz., — during the last
month of each quarter, or in March, June, September,
and December. Unless this rule be adopted, it is im-
possible to ensure their being executed with sufficient
care, and in proper time. Proofs of drawings when en-
graved will, in all cases, be forwarded to their authors for
their approval.

Gentlemen are seriously reminded that a multiplicity
of corrections renders the task of the Printer not only
very difficult, but also unnecessarily burthensome and
expensive, so as to disturb the conditions of his contract
with the Association. It also causes much trouble and
responsibility, which the Editor, though he cannot avoid,
would willingly decline in reading the revises. It is
therefore to be hoped that as much care as possible will
be taken with the calligraphy of all articles, and that

{iroper names will be always written in capital printing
etters. This, though it may hinder rapidity of writing,
will tend ultimately to promote correctness of typography.
In references to printed books it is requested that the
editions be specified ; and in measured plans or drawings
dimensions should be quoted mfeet and inches.

All communications for the ]&litor are to be addressed,
post-paid^ to the care of Mr. J. Russell SMrrH, 36, Soho
Square, Lcmdon.

Jan. 18, 1855.

HinimB.

NOTBS ON THE ArCHITBCTURE AKD HiSTORY OF CaLDICOT

Castlb, Monmouthshire. By Octayius Morgan, Esq.,
M.P., F.R.S.y F.S.A.y and Thomas Wakbman, Esq. 1 vol.
imperial 8yo. Printed for the Caerleon Antiquarian Associa-
tion. Newport: H. Mullock. 1854.

We have here a valuable contribution to the history of Monmouth-
shire mediseval buildings from the joint pens of two members of our
Association. The historical portions of the work are by the gentle^
men named in the title-page; but the illustratioosi consisting of a
genei-al plan and twelve large etchings, are from the studio of J. E.
Lee, Esq., formerly one of our Local Secretaries for Monmouthshire,
and to whom our Association is indebted for numerous plates, con-
tributed to an early number of the ArchiBologia Cambrenns. It is
by the kindness of those gentlemen that we are now able to present
members with the two admirable plates that accompany this brief
review of their book.

The work is a short one, — shorter than we could desire; it comprises
a lucid historical account of the great families to whom the castle
belonged at various epochs, and abo a critical survey of the archi-
tectural and constructive features of the building itself.

Mr. Wakeman introduces the history thus : —

" There ]« do reasoo to soppofie that any Caatle existed upon this spot previous
to the Norman Conquest. The situation is totally unlike those chosen by our
British ancestors for the sites of their strongholds, which we find placed on the
Bummits of lofty hills, or the spurs of mountains diiiicolt of access, nay often io-
aeoesslble except on one side. An interesting specimen of a British fortress of this
description is situate rather more than a mile above Caerwent, and near three from
this place, upon a lofty knoll on the banks of the Troggy, commanding the pass
through which the river finds its way into the plain. The site is now covered with
underwood, and it escaped the researches of Coze, who has given plans of most
of these Caere. The editor of the Liber Landavmsis has haiarded a conjecture
tliat a place called In that venerable record Castel Coniscuit was Caldicot, merely I
believe, because the territory belonging to it was near the month of the Troggy ;
but an attentive examination of the description, shows it, in my opinion, to have
been on the opposite side of the river." — pp. 5, 6.

" Immediately after the Conquest, William Fitz Osbem was made £arl of Here-
ford, and governor of the Marches, and was not slow in following up the successes
of Harold. He built the Castles of Chepstow and Monmouth, and it may be others,
of which we have no account It is clear however from the entries in Doomsday,
that he made considerable additions to the territory which had been previously
conquered by the Saxons. Of the numerous villa, or manors, enumerated in
Doomsday, very few have names given thena. This shows their recent acquisition ;
the Normans were puzzled vdth the Welsh appellations, which they could neither
nnderstand,. nor pronounce, and therefore made no attempt to write them ; the
name of Caldicot, however, presented no difficulty; and the entry respecting it is
as follows : —

<« < Durand the Sheriff holds of the King, one land in Carwent, called Caldicot.
He ha» in demesne there 3 ploughs, and 15 half villains, and 4 bondmen, and one
knight. All these have twelve ploughs. There is a mill worth 10k The whole is
worth £6 „ „ 0.'

68 REVIEWS.

" This was a oonsldarable estate at that time of day, bnt the greater part of it
moat have been forest, and rough pastare, and probably not above a third or foarth
part was cultivated." — ^pp. 6, 7.

The descent of the castle through the familj of the De Bohans
down to Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, and so on to the
final annexation of the estate to the Duchy of Lancaster, temp. Henry
YIII., occupies the main portion of the historical account, which is
terminated oy a pedigree of the De Bohuns, a document useful to
Monmouthshire antiquaries, and, indeed, to others.

Mr. Wakeman states that since the annexation of the estate just
alluded to, the castle of Caldicot has been let out on long leases to
different persons, and is now believed to be thus held by Charles
Lewis, Esq., of St Pierre, near Chepstow. It is of importance to note
that this is really a cronm castle^ kt out an leaM, because the subject
is one, not only of archaeological, but also of national, importance; and
we hope that, before long, some official inquiry may be instituted into
matters of this kind, with a view to the efficient preservation and repair
of all such buildings, by the persons on whom the duty to do so may
be proved legally incumbent.

We shall probablv be able to publish the terms of the lease of this
castle, and of the other crown buildings throughout Wales, in future
numbers of the ArcJuBologia Cambrensii.

The architectural account of the castle is dearlv and methodically
drawn out by Mr. Octavius Morgan, but would not be very in-
telligible to our readers, unless they were personallv acquainted with
the edifice, or had the whole series of Mr. Lee s clever etchings
before them. Suffice it to say that the enceinte of the castle approxi-
mates to an irregular polygon, longer than broader, running mainly
east and west, with an entrance under a square mass of buuding on
the south, an oblong rounder on the south-east corner, a demi-rounder
at the south-west, another midway in the west curtain, with a sally-
port under it, a large circular tower on a mound at the north-west
angle, and a smaller entrance gateway in the middle of the north side.
Traces of other buildings are to be observed in the court ; and, no
doubt, numerous wooden buildings ran alons the inside of the walls
for the accommodation of the garrison and their horses.

Mr. Morgan considers the round tower on the mound at the north-
west angle to be of the time of Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Here-
ford, and Castellan of England, who acquired the lordship of Caldicot,
together with the above-named titles, by his marriage with Marearet,
daughter and, ultimately, heiress of Miio Fitz Walter. He held this
lordship from about a.d. 1176, to his death, in a.d. 1187. Mr.
Wakeman inclines to conjecture that this tower or keep may have
been erected by Walter Fitz Roger, drca a.d. 1122. Mr. Morgan
appeals to the masonry — ^to the forms of the doorways — ^to the string-
course round the base — and to other architectural peculiarities, m
favour of the date he considers as the true one of its erection.

We have not had the good fortune to visit this castle, and, there-
fore, cannot contravene me supposition of the authors from any

REVIEWS. 69

personal knowledge; but, judging from the etching given by Mr. Lee
(see plate vi.), where the forms of the doorways and of the string-
course in question are delineated, we cannot assent to the position
they wish to establish. On the contrary, these forms would carry us
rather to the fourteenth century, if we are to reason from the analogy
of other instances. The existence of the mound may very well lead
to the inference that here the keep, or ihe original, the first, castle was
erected; but we should rather consider the string-course as a later
addition, and, in fact, we should not be surprized to find evidence of
the whole tower having been rebuilt. It is difficult and dangerous to
hazard an opinion from an examination of plates alone, nowever
carefully executed, but we think it right not to let the date assigned
by the authors pass without protest*

The most striking portion of the castle is the great entrance gate-
way, where part of the battlement rests on corbels, sculptured into
heads, and supporting small pointed arches, instead of the horizontal
stone course usual in most English castles.

Mr. Morgan thinks that the south-east tower was roofed in a manner
common enough in the Rhenish and Swiss castles; that is to say, with
a conical' root covering the tops of the battlements, and leaving the
embrasures like small windows, from whence the warders might shoot
their quarrels and arrows. This is a point of some interest to establish,
because the practise of our greatest castellator, Edward I., seems to
have been to erect a roof restmg on the walls, within the battlements,
and leaving only an open walk round, behind the embrasures, for the
men on guard. Few towers are so perfectly preserved as to admit
of this question being thoroughly examined; and hence the instance of
Caldicot, as illustrated by Mr. Lee, and discussed by Mr. Morgan,
becomes of importance.

We cannot but congratulate the Members of the Caerleon Anti-
quarian Association on their spirit in thus producing so goodly a
volume,~-one that, for its typographical execution and professional
taste, IS highly creditable to the press of Newport.

Ancient and Modern Denbigh. Parts I., II., III. 8vo.
Price 6d. each. Denbigh: J. WiUiams. 1854.

This interesting and meritorious work is the production of Mr. John
Williams, who is also its printer and publisher. It is coming out in
very cheap and well printed parts, and its appearance reflects credit
not only on himself, but also on the town wherein such a publication
is possible. There are abundant materials for a book of this kind in
almost every corporate town in the country, and we hope that thd
example will not be lost on those municipalities which have not yet
possessed an historiographer of their own. In former days almost
every petty city or town of the Netherlands, specially of Holland,
actually appointed and paid a worthy, who rejoiced in this grandi-
loquent title. Why should not even our own towns do sometmng of

70 REVIEWS.

the same kind on a smaller scale 7 When are we to have a read-
able and trustworthy ^'Akcient and Modern Caernarvon/'
'^ Ancient and Modern Haverford"? &c., kc. The task would
not be diffiottlt ; materials abound ; a moderate degree of industr j,
good sense, and a little vovcy — ^this is all that is required. These
excellent qualities are united in Mr. Williams, and the result is one of
the most agreeable bits of local history which we hare met with for
some time past

The illustrations, however, are not equal to the text ; they are quite
unworthy of it. We hope that a second edition will be required, and
then the author can repair this defect. Denbigh is rich not only in
its castellated remains, and in two or three ecclesiastical curiosities,
but it also contains several picturesque *^biU" well deserving of
commemoration.

The greater part of the three numbers that have as yet appeared is
devoted to the History of Denbigh, political and civil, ah initiOf and,
perhaps, even a little before this. We refer our readers to the work
itself for further information upon that point.

What has struck us as the most amusing and most original part is
that which, in Number III., relates to the Trades-Companies of this
once thriving commercial town. We recommend a careful perusal
of the whole, (which, indeed, would have been made more valuable
to the antiquary had the references to the documents cited been more
precise,) but we think that the following extracts cannot but be found
mteresting : —

"The charters gave power to incorporate tradee; hence, we find freqnent mention
of such gailds in the corf)orate records as the following order of the Parliamentarians,
who, headed by Alderman Twistleton, instituted various inquiries with the view of
reforming corporate abuses, &c : —

** * That the Stewards of the severall Companyes in this CorporaQon send in
eoppies of their severall orders at y* next meetinge, of which y* sergeantes are to
give them notic*, 1048.' Charitable bequests were also made to the8e guilds : ' Mr.
Robt. Myddelton, Cittixen and Skinner of London, left 8002. fibr yong beginnen,
att ISd p. pound, from 3 yeares to 3 yeares, to y* Companyes of Mercers, Black-
Smyths and Hammermen, Glovers, Shoemakers, and Weavers ; 40/. to each Com-
panic, to be metelie divided in wUte bread to 15 poore woemen.' On the ' Table
of Benefactions' is added, 'w^ is to be distributed every Saturday evening in
St. Hillary's Chappell.' Other gifts are recorded, as—* Mr. William Myddleton,
sometimes Alderman of y" Town (gave) 1 silver Bowie to the Company of Mercers.'
And again, ' Mr. Foulke Fletcher gave to y* Company of Glovers 1 silver Bowie, in
the year 1671.' These 'bowles or cuppes' were used on the admission of new
members, or some other g^reat occasion, when they ware liberally filled with wine,
and quaffed to the ' helthe of y* Towne and Treade.'

** The five companies mentioned above were the chief guilds, but it is evident
that there were others. ' The Companye of Taylorti,* is expressly mentioned.
This eompany also included breeches-makers. Breeches-making was once a great
trade here. Persons now living recollect orders being execatwi here to supply
' nether garments' for whole regiments.

" It also probable that there was a company of tanners, at one time, distinct from
' the Skinners' Guild,' which included curriers. In after times, the tanners, cur*
riers, and saddlers, became identified with the ' Cormtors* Companye*' A more
Jealous feeling appears to have actuated the company in 1777, when the following
resolution was passed: — * It Is agreed by us the said Company of Cordwainen, that

RBVIEW8. 7 1

no one is to be sdmltted to the said Brotherhood, unless they oany on the tiide in
their own name, and own benefit. Cliektrt for Carrien, or Tanners, are to be ex-
cluded from oar Society, Company, or Brotherhood.'

" It also appears that there was a great number of Mercert, Judging from the
numerous inscriptions on their tombs, and the frequent mention made of the trade
in the corporation records." — pp. 126, 7.

''There existed, at the same time, a Company of Weavert, who, as well as
fhllers, and dyers, also appear to have been numerous, from which we in&r that
textile manufiictnres were carried on to some extent within the borough." — p. 128.

"The Company of Hammemutn is believed to have included blacksmiths, white*
smiths, nailers, tinmen, braziers, and all master-artificers in metal, if not Wrights,
coopers, masogs, &c. We subjoin an order in council, referring to this company,
as it shows the authority exercised by the corporato body over the guilds : — ' 22
Febr. 1678. It is ordered by this Conrte, at the request and desire of £dw. Wynne
of Llwyn, Esq'., that Tliomas Owen, smyth, a burgess of this Town of Denbigh^
who bath undertaken the office of gaoler of the s^ Towne, which would not he sup-
plied by any other of the Burgesses, and was a gveat de&ict like to be p^udiceall to
the s4 Towne, be, and hereby is made free of the Company of Ha'mermen of the
said Towne, and to vse and enjoy the benefit of the said trade of hammerman. In
considereqon thereof, the said Thomas Owen is to Pr the Stewards of the said
Company the summe of Ten shillings, and it is ordered that the Stewards of y* •<*
Company doe, forthwith, restore vuto the said Thomas Owen his implements and
tooles of workmanship.'

" Denbigh was for ages celebrated for the msauiactnre of gloves, but since the
admission of Franch and other foreign gloves, the trade has dwindled away to
nothing."— p. 129.

" The operative glovers, or more properly skinners, formerly kept thisir anni-
versaiy prooessioni and grand ' field-day,' on the Feast of St Clement. It was their
custom to meet St. Clement at the Lower Cross ; that is, one pensonating the saint,
mounted on a stately charger. They still meet yearly for convivial purposes, on
that dey , although they have now no club-house, or funds, except for the reUef of
*<r«mp*.'"— p. 129.

" The Shews were among the most celebrated of the Denbigh glovers of those
times. One of this andeot and respectable family went by the name of ' London
Shaw,' from the fieict that, in 1665, he set out lor the metropolis as a plague doctor,
carrying with him a cart*load of wormwood, as an antidote for the pestilence, by
which he rendered himsdf the laughing-stock of the town ever afterwards. His
skinnery occupied the site of the present residence of 1>t, Lloyd Williams. He
aeems to have been of a rather covetous disposition, from the following record of
the Council in 1671 : 'That Thos. Shaw, the elder, glover, be sum'oiMd to app"
bare next meeting day, &c, to shew cause why he erected a new building over eg*
his house in Uenllan-street, to y* annoyance of y« publick. And to appear also to
produce snch writings as he pretends to have for the erecting of his new house vpon
the com'ons.' However, we find Mm expiating for snch encroachments upon
public rights by bequeathing, at his death, a meadow called Levaria, on the out-
skirts oi the town, to the poor of Denbigh for ever.

"Thos. Shaw, the younger, was alderman in 1692. A beautiful monomeDtal
tablet, at Whitchurch, pe^mtoates the memory of another Thos. Shaw, who was
veoorder of the Lordship and Town of Denbigh for many yeai«. He married
Elixabeth, daughter of Mr. Bobt Griffith of Pendared, and died in 1717. They
wsre also allied to the Myddeltons of Gwaeny nog, the Ueatons, and other respectable
ftmiliea in these parts. The name (commonly pronounced Shah) no longer exists
•t Denbigh. The surviving lepresentativea of this family must be sought in liver-
pool."— pp. 180, 31.

" 27te Cordtoainers Company was in existence until the passing of the Municipal
Reform Act (1835), if not later. By the kindness of some old members of this
defonct fraternity, and their late host, the author was favoured with the perusal of
their muniments and records, which are still kept at the Star Inn, in a small oak
chest or desk, bearing date 1656; and, on the lid, M.P.R.P. STeWardS, 1679. It

72 REYIEWS.

ooniiliis two ordgn^ or eharten, mnted to them by the aldermen^ beillA, and
Town Coondl; the earlieet dated ^8 September, 40th Eliz<>'* 1508.'"— p. 131.

" There were about forty members in 1710, all master tradesmen ean^flng on the
boafaiess as boot and shoemakers within the borongh, of oonrse. The nomber of
operatives most have been large.

" The most cnrions relic is ' ths Company's Shoe,' It is what we should call a
Chinese shoe, with a silver bell suspended from the extremity of the toe, almost
over the instep.

** Bvery guild had its wamer and clerk ; the former delivered all summonses^
and apprised the stewards of all trespasses upon the rights of the company; the
latter recorded their proceedings, and kept their accounts. The Cordwainers
allowed their wamer so numy pidrs of shoes every year, besides Ss. a-day, when on
duty.

** In old times, the guilds, or their re p re s en tatives, attended the 'piygam/ or
matins, every Sunday morning; the wamers carrying torches before them in
winter, especially on Christmas-day. This was a custom ci the cordwainers of
Ruthin as late as 1884, if not afterwards. There was also a morning service at St.
Hilary's every Wednesday, before market, attended by the aldermen, the wamers,
and watchmen of the guilds. The toll of oatmeal was given to the clergyman
officiating. * Quttrieraget* were formerly held on Sunday, not only to secure
better attendance, but that the companies might join the corporate pro c ees i ona, and
attend church, especially on the great festivals. Upon such occasions, the aiders
men wore scarlet robes, and the baiUA, were attired in black gowns, the sergeants
carrying silver maces before them. The following order refers to this andeot
custom :— < ziijst Die Decemb', 1028. Alsoe, it is further ordered, the day and
yere aforesayd, by the assent and consent of the Aldermen, Bayliffes, and the rest of
the Capital B urg es s es, tiiat for e' hereafter, when, and as often as they, or any of
them, shall, vppon the Sundayes and HolUdayes repayier to the church, or chappeU
of St. Hillsjry, in their gownes, orderly, accordinge to the antlent orders and cue*
toms of the sayd towne. And if any of them shall make defeult, and stand In
contempt of his order, he or they so oAndinge shall forfUte, for every such delaulte,
the some of viiid., to be leavied by way of distresse, as is within sp'id.'

** The following order refers to the display made upon lUr days :—

''*That sttsry <me of the Cappitall Burgesses doe, about Ten o'docke In y*
morning, then and there appeare in the Counoell Chamber, in their gownes, and
also bring a watchman to attend the officers with his halbard or other defensive
armes, vpon peine of five shillings to be leavied by order of this house.' The fair
was opened by the aldermen, who read, at the High Cross, or some other appointed
place, those portions of the governing charter, and by-laws, which related to the
holding and regulating of fairs and markets.

** These guilds seldom amassed any considerable amoont of fhnds, or posseased
any property. An old oak chest, containing their muniments, a great ' cnpp,' a
couple of rusty swords, a i^ broken staves, and a tattered banner, may be taken as
a complete inventory of their goods and chattels. It is trae that entrance fees, flneo,
tolls, contributions, and levies, fbrmed a good source of revenue ; but, no doubt,
the greater portion of it was spent upon fe&ve gatherlnp, and such like display,
notwithstanding a good deal was given in charitiee, reliei to decayed and di s tr e ss e d
members, widows, fcc., with some small funeral donations. Large sums were some*
times expended in litigation. Among the records of the Cordwainers' Guild, wa
found a bond for £100 to cover the coets of one law-suit When a ' foreigner'
commenced business within the borough or liberties, without joining the guild,
notice was immediately served upon him that legal proceedings would be institnted,
to defend the andent rights of the trade, and his woikmen were also warned ta
leave his employ, or be banished the borough for a certain length of time, or for
ever."— pp. 137-0.

i i

IrtknlDgia Caibr^nsis.

THIRD SERIES, No. H.— APRIL, 1866.

MONA MEDI^VA.
No. XVI.

LLANFAES FRIARY.

In this parish there are the slender remains of a conventual
House of Franciscans, about a mile from Beaumaris,
towards the east, standing close by the sea-shore, in one
of the loveliest situations to be found within the Isle of
Anglesey. It is commonly known as the " Fryars," and
is the seat of the Williams family, belonging to Sir Richard
Williams Bulkeley, Bart., M.P., whose ancestors have
held it for many generations.

History of the Monastery. — Few events liave been
preserved in historical accounts to attach much interest to
this small religious house. It was founded by Llewelyn
ap lorwerth, as will be seen below, before the conquest of
Wales by Edward L, and therefore, before the castle and
town of Beaumaris existed. It is, indeed, a curious cir-
cumstance that two religious houses, such as this and
Penmon, should be placed in such close proximity to each
other ; for, besides them, there were only two other esta-
blishments of regular clergy in Anglesey, — at Llanddwyn
and Holyhead, — if, indeed, they were not held by secular,
rather than regular, priests. We are not informed of the
circumstances that led to the selection of this spot, or of
arch, camb., third series, vol. I. L

74 MONA MEDIiBVA.

the choice of monks of the Franciscan order, — an order
rare in Wales, there having been only two other houses
belonging to them in what now forms the twelve counties,
viz., at Caermarthen and Cardiff.

Ilie first printed notice of it that occurs is found in
Leland's Collectanea^ i. p. 53, where he briefly mentions
it as " Llanvais coenobium fratrum minorum." The next
is in Camden, p. 672 : —

''Rages Anglise prsecipu^ benefactores turn propter sanctitatem
fratrum, turn quia filia Regis Johannis, Alius Regis Danise, Do.
Clifford et multi Barones, Milites, et Nobiles in Bello Waiiico
caesi ibi tumulabantur."

It appears to have been founded by Llewelyn ap lor-
werth rrince of Wales shortly before his death, a.d. 1240,
in commemoration of his wife Joan, or Jeanne, natural
daughter of John King of England, who died a.d. 1237,
and who is stated . to have been buried here, or rather to
have had herremains transferred hither after its foundation.
It was consecrated by Howell Bishop of Bangor, in the
same year, which also marked his own decease.

The authorities for this will be found cited in Tanner's
Notitia Monastica, and Dugdale's Monasticon. The
former author mentions two documents which we have
not had the opportunity of consulting, though they will
probably be examined and published at a future period,
viz: — "Pat. 9 Ed. I. p. 1. m. pro Fratribus minoribus in
Anglesey," and "Pat. 9 Ed. II. p. 1. m. 7, pro una acra
de terrse in Lamerse concessa per Job. Grey pro manso
elargiendo."

If the titles of these records are correctly transcribed by
Tanner, which as far as the date of the first, 9 Ed. I.
= 1281, and a name in the second, " Lamerse," are con-
cerned, we are inclined to doubt; it may be inferred that
Edward I., on gaining possession of Anglesey, was desirous
of conciliating his newly acquired subjects, and of adding
dignity to his recently founded town of Beaumaris, by
showing favour to their nearest ecclesiastical neighbours,
in confirming the grant of Llewelyn ap lorwerth. This
disposition to befriend the Grey Friars is further evinced

LLANFAES FRIARY. 75

by the confirmation of the small grant of land made by
an English settler, John Grey, the object of the second
document above mentioned. It is most probable that the
name of Lamerse, as printed in Tanner's notes, is due to
a want of palaeographical knowledge on the part of the
transcriber who consulted the original Roll. Errors of
this kind are of very common occurrence, and as the
word Lamerse has no appropriate signification, we should
anticipate that the Roll itself would be found to bear
" Lanvaes " or " Lanvaese.** * Tanner, at the head of his
notice of this monastery, puts down the conjectural name
of Llamausy^ an error arising purely from a fault of tran-
scription. He is more fortunate in his previous reading
of Lhan Vaes, adhering in this pretty closely to the
probable etymology of the name — Llan and Maes — "the
Church of the Battlefield*'? — so called from a bloody
engagement that once took place close by the sea-shore,
near the future site of Llewelyn's foundation.

It may furnish occupation for genealogists to determime
the exact names of the son of the King of Denmark, who
was buried in this monastery ; and it is possible that the
names of others among the illustrious dead here interred
may be discovered ; but, otherwise, we find nothing on
record to distinguish this humble establishment, except
the following charter of Henry V., which we transcribe
from Dugdale and Rymer: —

Charta Regis Henrici V. pro Fratribus Minoribus de Llamaysi
in insula de Anglesey in Wallili. — [^Rym. Feed. torn. ix. p.
147. A.D. 1414, 2 Hen. V. p. 2. m. 29.]

Rex omnibus, ad quos &c. salutem. Monstraverunt nobis, dilecti
nobis in Christo, fratres ordinis Fratrum Minorum, qualiter domus
Fratnim Minorum de Llamaysi infra Insulam nostram d' Anglesey
in Northwallia (in qua quidem domo divinum servitium ab antiquo
honeste factum fuit et usitatum) per rebellionem Wallensium, et
occasione guen*anim, ibidem jam tarde factarum et continuatarum,
totaliter disoluta, et obsequium divinum in eadem diminutum et
substractum existunt, nos, considerantes quod domus prsedicta de

^ If ever a Moncuticon Cambrense is compiled, all the Charters and
Rolls require to be read over again, and all the printed References to
be verified.

76 MONA MEDIJBVA.

fundatioiie prc^enitoram nostronim quondam regum Anglic et
nostro patronatu existit, et similiter quod in eadem domo corpus
tarn filiee regis Johannis progenitoris nostri, quam filii regis Daciae,
necnoQ corpora domini cle ClyfFort, et aliorum dominorum militum
et armigerorum qui in guerris Wallise, temporibus illustrium pro-
genitorum nostrorum, occisi fuerunt, sepulta existunt ac volentes
proinde servitium divinum in prsefata domo manuteneri, et ibidem
de csetero continuari. Concessimus pro nobis et bseredibus nostris,
Quantum in nobis est, quod in e&dem domo sint imperpetuum octo
fratres ibidem divina servitia celebraturi, et Deum, pro salubri
statu nostroy ac carissimorum fratrum nostrorum, et aliorum de
sanguine et progenie nostris, et pro animabus nostris cum ab hac
luce migraverimus, et similiter pro animabus patris et matris nos-
trorum et progenitorum nostrorum, et eorum qui in domo prsedicta,
ut preedictum est, sunt sepulti, et omnium ndelium defunctorum
exoraturi imperpetuum. Quorum quidem octo fratrum volumus
quod duo sint de natione Wallensi, ratione victus sui et aliorum
ad sustentationem sui necessariorum adquirendorum. In cujus etc.
Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, tertio die Julii.
Perbreve de privato sigillo.

We learn from tliis charter that the sepultures mentioned
above were authentic, and also that the monastery had
suffered great damage, probably on account of its tendency
to favour the usurping line of Lancaster, in the Rebellion,
that is to say, in the Wars of wain Glyndwr; like Bangor
Cathedral, it had perhaps been almost destroyed ; and the
sovereign, as some recompense for its fidelity to his family's
cause, seems to have augmented the number of monks to
eight. Two of this number he allows to be native Welsh-
men, and, if we interpret the charter rightly, he permits
them to retain their own national customs as to eating and
other matters, in which they differed perhaps from their
Anglican brethren. We do not remember, however, to
have seen this curious proviso, ^' ratione victus sui et ali-
orum^^ &c., in any other charter connected with Wales ;
and it is a clause worthy of notice by those who are more
thoroughly acquainted with monastic charters.

Nothing more is heard of this house till the time of the
Spoliation, when it appears to have passed into the hands
of the Whyte family, from whom it has descended to that
of Williams.

SOKA MEDIJSVA.

DanfacB Friaiy, ChTttch. Ground- Plan.

LLANFAES FRIARY. 77

We learn from Dugdale's Monasticon^ vol. vi. p. 1545,
that a note as to the surrender, with an inventory of the
goods, is preserved in the Chapter-house, at Westminster;
and we shall probably be able at a future period to print this
and other inedited documents referring to this monastery.

Conventual Buildings. — The only portion of these
buildings which bears traces of having been contemporary
with the original foundation of the house, by Llewelyn
ap Ion.erth in the thirteenth century, is that which, in
the absence of any other, may be conjectured to have
been the Conventual Church, and is now unfortunately
much mutilated, and used as a granary and stable. There
are certain peculiarities about the construction of the
existing portions, or rather there is the absence of certain
ecclesiological marks, which may induce a doubt as to
whether this were its original use ; but on the other hand
there is tradition, orientation due east, and the indication
of a division into nave, tower-space and choir, to lead to
the supposition that the conjectures as to its consecrated
purpose are not on the whole incorrect. It may here be
remarked that no other portions whatever of any of the
conventual buildings remain; unless some parts of the
mansion house of " Fryars," on the north side of the
building just mentioned, are to be accepted as such, in-
stead of, as seems more likely, having been constructed
out of the ruins and materials of the old monastery.

The Conventual Church, — As will be seen by the
plan, consists of a pile of building 108 feet by 32 feet.
At the west end, which is now the stable portion, no
traces of a doorway are now discernible, though there is
a probability of there having been one. In the upper
portion of the gable occur three lofty lancet windows,
fiUing nearly the whole wall-space. The central lancet
is 21 feet 6 inches high, with a splay of 5 to 3 ; the side
ones, somewhat lower, have been mutilated and cut down
by tlie modern roof. The edges are not chamfered, and
there are no mouldings external or internal. This triplet
seems therefore to correspond in style to the date assigned
to the foundation of the monastery. There are no side-

78 HON A MEDI^VA.

aieles to the building; in the northern wall occurs a small
lancet of two orders, with a hollow chamfer on the internal
one; in the southern side there are no openings of windows,
but there is an archway of 17 feet 9 inches wide, of two
orders, with a bowtell moulding bearing a bead, indicating
work of the thirteenth century. On the east side of this
there is a doorway of three orders, with two hollow cham-
fers, and above this, on the outer side, runs a moulded
string-course, all of the thirteenth century. At the east
end, leading, as it were, towards the tower-space and
choir, is a segmental arch of three orders, with hollow
chamfers ; and this, on its eastern face, under what may
have been a tower, bears an expanded flower, which, with
the arch itself, seems to be of the fifteenth century. A
portion of the building which, for want of a better term,
has been called a tower-space, then extends towards the
east, with a small nowel-staircase, perhaps modern, and
another arch exactly similar to the former one opening
into the air now, though the traces of walls below the
turf show that the edifice was prolonged about 18 feet,
and then terminated square without any apse.

In the south wall of this building, on the outside,
and to the westward of the south arch, may be seen a low
square-headed recess, which may have served for a tomb,
or may be the remains of a doorway cut down. Its
mouldings are two simple bow tells on each side, without
any receding from the plane of the external wall.

No part of the ancient roof remains ; the walls seem as
if they had been greatly cut down ; and in short no satis-
factory indications of its use, beyond those mentioned
above, are to be met with.

This building is popularly called the " Church," and
may have been so, for the community was a small one ;
but the existence of the large archway on the south side
of the nave, with its side doorway, is an anomaly not
yet accounted for.

The House of Fryars has walls of enormous thickness,
and was once filled with square-headed windows under
labels, apparently of the sixteenth century, perhaps later.

HONA HEDIiETA.

SiK_\3

nin Lid. UtnfWs Frui7, AogleM;.

LLANFAES FRIARY. 79

A doorway with a circular arch under a square label leads
to it from the stable-yard near the church, and has over
it a shield with the arms of Whyte, the initials r.w.l.b.,
and the date 1623.

According to a popular tradition current in the island,
four fine altar tombs were taken from this monastery at
the time of the Spoliation, and placed one in each of the
following parish churches : viz., Pehmynydd and Beau-
maris in Anglesey, and Llandegai and Llanbeblig in
Caernarvonshire. In the absence of any precise means
of determining the credibility of this tradition, it is safer
to leave these tombs, which are all in tolerable preserva-
tion, to be described when their respective churcnes come
to be commemorated.

There are, however, two coffin-lids which have been
found within the precincts of the monastery, and of which
illustrations are appended.

One is a small slab bearing a cross in a circle and a
twisted device beneath, probably of the twelfth century.
The workmanship is remarkably good and clear, and the
design not commonly to be met with. It is broken into
two portions, and is to be found in the garden near the
central basin. It might well be removed to a place of
greater security.

The other coffin-lid is of the thirteenth century, and is
commonly called that of the Princess Joan, wife of the
founder. It was long used as a watering trough, the
incised part having been turned downwards, and thus
fortunately preserved. Lord Bulkeley had it removed to
the grounds of Baron Hill, and a building erected over
it, where it is now safe from any further injury, and is
easy of examination. Its date would correspond with
the time when the princess must have died. Still it may
be supposed that a royal personage would have been
honoured with a full effigy instead of a small bust, and
it may just as well have been intended to commemorate
some noble lady of that period, whose name has not been
handed down to posterity. In compliance with the

80 MONA MEDI^VA.

popular tradition, which however is not older than the
commencement of the present century, we have styled it
by the designation it has hitherto borne.

It has been said that a sculptured head of St. Francis
was formerly to be seen in one of the outer walls of the
precincts of this monastery, and that it used to be vene-
rated and kissed by the country people. After diligent
search, however, no traces of this relic have been found.

About 300 yards to the north-east of the monastery
is a field said to have been the site of a sanguinary battle
between the Welsh and Saxons, at a period anterior to
the founding of the monastery. The sea is now making
rapid encroachments upon it, and, in the escarpment thus

Produced, just where the pathway from Beaumaris and
^enmon runs along its edge, it is easy to find the remains
of skulls and human bones protruding from the face of
the clayey cliff*, in considerable quantities. We have
not heard whether any weapons have been discovered in
this spot, which is the place alluded to above as having
not improbably given its name to the parish.

Parochial Church. — This edifice has, within the last
ten years, been totally rebuilt. The church, as it stood in
1844, consisted of a nave and chancel, the former containing
work of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the latter
apparently of the fourteenth alone. At the west end of
the nave a tower of three stages had been erected by Lord
Bulkeley, in 1811. This building had however replaced
a much earlier one, a few sculptured fragments of which
were to be seen imbedded in the external face of the south
wall, such as a stone bearing a cross within a circle, and
a rude elongated head, apparently of the twelfth century.
These fragments have been preserved, and may still be
seen in the new church. On the northern side of the nave
the entrance was by a square-headed Edwardan doorway,
with a hollow chamfered edge; the windows were souare-
headed, and were insertions of Perpendicular date, in the
chancel the eastern window, of two lights, with trefoiled
heads, and plain chamfered edges, was of good Decorated

€m6!/ OF JOAN , PRINCESS OF V

LLANFAES FRIARY. 81

character; as was also a smaller two-light window in the
northern side. Traces of two other windows, blocked up,
are observable in the same wall.

Within the chancel a mural monument bore, and still
bears, the armorial shield of the family that formerly-
owned the monastic house and its precincts, and this
shield shows Whyte and Thelwall, per-pale, viz : —

1. Whytb. — SabUy a chevron argent between three fleurs-de-
lys, 2 & 1 of the second.

2. Thblwall. — Gules J a bend argent between three boars*
heads erased, 2 & 1 of the second.

It was considered expedient by the parochial authorities
in 1845 to take down the old church, and erect a new
one on the same foundations, from the designs of Messrs.
Weightman and Hatfield. The lower portion of the tower
was allowed to stand ; but windows to correspond with
the style of the church. Decorated, were inserted in the
place of the actual ones, and a broach spire was added.

The church is under the invocation of St. Katherine;
and its orientation is nearly due east.

Henllys. — This mansion, which stands about a quarter
of a mile south-west of the church, has replaced a much
older one, fragments of which are still discernible in the
lower portions of the offices. There are no means at our
disposal of ascertaining the date of the original building.

H. L. J.

ARCH. CAMS., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. M

ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES IN

MONMOUTHSHIRE.

No. IV.

LLANTHONY PRIORY.*

The course of my Monmouthshire wanderings has at last
brought me to the most wonderful object which the county
contains, the ruined Priory of Llanthony. Its position in
a deep ravine of the Black Mountains, its romantic early
history, and the architectural merits of the building, unite
to invest it with an attraction surpassed by few churches
in any region, and with which in Wales St. David's alone
can compete. The subject is by no means new to the
readers of our own Journal. The first volume of the
ArcJuBologia Cambrensis contained an elaborate paper on
the history of the Priory, from the pen of Mr. Roberts,
which probably exhausts the whole amount of documen-
tary evidence relating to the house. I have benefitted so
much by Mr. Roberts* labours, more especially in this
particular instance, that I am extremely sorry to speak of
them with any degree of disparagement. But Mr. Roberts'
knowledge of strictly architectural technicalities is clearly
by no means in proportion to his profound researches into
documentary antiquities. He has therefore been unfor-
tunately led into very serious errors as to the date of the
building; which have probably obtained the more vogue,
as his paper has been reprinted in a detached form, and
his authority has been followed in Mr. Cliffe's popular
Book of South Wales. Mr. Roberts gives the church,
according to the common tendency of the elder school of

^ It has unfortunately been found impossible to procure an accurate
measured ground-plan of Llanthony. I am obliged to offer as its
substitute the rough one which I took, to assist my own recollection,
while investigating the building. It will be found sufficiently accurate
to explain the general relation of the several portions to each other \
but it pretends to do nothing more, and must be judged accordingly.

The buildings at Llanthony are so nearly of one date that it did not
seem necessary to introduce a variety of tints. — £. A. F.

LLAMTHONY PRIORY.

■nil ■^^--•s-i

I I PARISH CHURCH.

Llanthonj Pnory. Monrootthshue.

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 83

antiquaries, far too early a date. There are, I confess,
great temptations on his side, and some difficulties on
mine, but we must make our election between supposing
that Mr. Roberts has given a wrong date to Llanthony,
and that all other inquirers for some years past have
given wrong dates to all other buildings whatsoever.

But, before I enter upon this question, I will first of all
give a technical description of the building itself. After
dl that Mr. Roberts and Mr. Cliffe have said, I will not
enlarge on its wonderful situation further than to place
on record a passing expression of my own feelings of ad-
miration, as I first approached it on a September evening,
winding my way along the utterly unknown valley, till
the dark mass of ruins burst on me, with the full light of
the moon streaming through its shattered windows, and
bringing it into still more perfect harmony with the scene
around. Tintem is nothing to Llanthony. With less
actually to ofifend, with no actual desecration, it is almost
too perfect, too neat and trim, and bears too palpably the
stamp of a show place. Llanthony, an utter ruin, its
Prior's house an inn, which intrudes into the south-west
tower of the church itself, its cloister a farm-yard, its
chapter-house a calf- pen, seems more, so to speak, in a
state of nature. One can wander in and out unrestrained,
and the fact of being actually lodged in the building
itself adds something to the romantic character of the
whole. One does not grudge the presence of the few
inhabitants; nor does one practically complain that the
palace has been transformed into a caravanserai. One
might however hint that for rustic accommodation and
rustic fare it is hardly equitable to maintain a rate of
charges at which one is less disposed to grumble among
the remains of the Castle of Brecon than among those of
the Priory of Llanthony.

§ I. — THE CHURCH.

General Character. — Llanthony Priory afibrds many
excellent points of comparison with the other great Welsh
churches, St. David's, Llandafi*, and Brecon. Some of

84 LLANTHONY PRIORY.

its points of marked contrast to the latter, as well as
some of its analogies, I have already mentioned while
speaking of Brecon Priory.* No other Welsh church that
1 know, except St. David's, is conceived so completely
on the cathedral type. In its three towers it approaches
still nearer to the character of our greatest churches, but it
lacks the complicated system of chapels which surrounds
the east end of St. David's, having, in fact, a very short
and simple eastern limb. In its general architecture it
resembles LlandafF more closely than any other of the
three, but we shall find a greater number of individual
analogies with Brecon and St. David's, as well as a good
many peculiarities of its own. The special characteristic
of Llanthony is the close reproduction of the features of
a very large church on a comparatively small size. In
this, as I have elsewhere observed, it affords the most
decided contrast to the boldness and simplicity of Brecon.
I do not know any church of the same size which presents
the same complication of parts. For the vast rude bulk
and huge single unadorned tower of Brecon, we find
a long and elaborate nave, three exquisitely designed
towers, and the whole internal arrangement of arcade,
triforium, and clerestory, just as in the vastest cathedrals.
Brecon is more efifective as an expression of individual
character, but Llanthony, though too much like a mere
model of something larger, has far higher artistic excel-
lence. In point of style it is an excellent example of the
local Transition of which I have so often spoken, advanc-
ing in the west front into fully developed Early English.
This style it exhibits in a form less ornate than either of
the cathedrals, but the workmanship is everywhere excel-
lent. With some small alterations, the church is wholly
in this style, and the conventual buildings are, for the
most part, nearly contemporary. Any one familiar with
St. David's and Llandafi* will at once feel the resemblance,
especially in the sections of the smaller shafts, and in the
character of the abaci, which employ all forms, round,

^ Arcbfleologia CambrensiB, July, 1854.

LLANTHOmr PRIORY. 85

square, and octagonal.^ Except in the west front, the
style really comes most nearly to that of St. David's,
bein^ less advanced than that of Llandaff, but, as all the
principal arches are pointed, the general effect has a nearer
resemblance to that of the last mentioned cathedral. The
smaller arches are partly round and partly pointed, the
round form predominating everywhere except in the west
front.

The West Front. — In this front the style may fairly
be called Early English, though one or two round arches,
the use of the square and octagonal abacus, and a general
squareness of section, show that the Romanesque leaven
has not been quite worked out. The aisles are terminated
by two equal towers, which must have been, or at any
rate have been designed to be, at least a stage higher
than at present, as they now reach only to the level of
the clerestory wall. This gives the whole front an ap-
pearance of much greater breadth and massiveness than it
could have possessed in the days of its perfection. The
towers have shallow turrets at the angles, which are sloped
at the basement ; a treatment common enough in rude
half-military structures, but which has a singular appear-
ance in a facade so magnificent as this of Llanthony.

The lowest stage of the central compartment contains
the great western doorway. This is pointed, a circum-
stance somewhat remarkable, for ordinarily the round
arch is preserved in doorways as long as it is preserved
anywhere, as we see very conspicuously in the Early
English work at Llandaff, where the round arch is retained
in the doorways, and nowhere else. This doorway is not
very richly ornamented, its chief decorative feature being
bowtells without capitals, a form which runs through the
whole front, and a tendency to which we shall also find in

> All three forms are used for single shafts; clusters are gathered
under one octagonal abacus. The capital most commonly employed
is the variety of the cushion much hollowed out, as at St. David's.
The characteristic floriated capitals of the two cathedrals do not
occur in the church itself, though they appear in some parts of the
conventual buildings.

86 LLANTHONY PRIORY.

Other parts of the church. On each side of the doorway-
is a large blank arch of analogous character, and two
smaller ones in each of the towers range with them,
there being, as at LiandafF, no doorways in the aisles.
These arches form a kind of niches, being slightly
hollowed.

The great west window is gone, the central compart-
ment being broken down at the string above the doorway.
It is said to have been a triplet ; the width shows that, if
such was the case, the lights must have been far apart,
probably with arches between, as at Llandaff. The quin-
tuplet, as at Berkeley,^ makes a finer composition outside,
but is not so capable of producing a good internal effect,
the transcendant merit of Llandaff. The tall, banded
jamb-shafts of the outer lights still remain, the inner of
the existing orders is single, the outer, which supports
nothing, is clustered ; both have the octagonal abacus.

Two stages of the towers range with the west window ;
the string dividing them ranges with the bands of the
jamb-shafts of the west window, so that the upper stage
is very much the higher of the two. The lower one
contains the west windows of the aisles, which are thus
set very high in the wall : they are round-headed lights,
plain and rather broad, with bowtells instead of shafts.
The southern one has label terminations, the northern has
the label returned. The upper stage is panelled with two
very long and slender blank pointed arches on each side,
resting on shafts with octagonal abaci, except a single
square one to the south. The flat turrets nearest the
centre on each side have two pointed arches from bowtells
in each stage, sharing their respective proportions ; the
outer turrets have merely slits to light the staircase.

The towers at present reach no higher than this, the
belfry stage, if it ever was finished, having been destroyed.
The south tower had, as we shall presently see, domestic
buildings against it up to its present height, but the
northern one, which stands free, is perfectly plain on the

« Ecdedologist, 1854, p. 74.

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 87

north side, having only a single round-headed window,
ranging with those in the second stage, but reaching
higher, the string being carried up to form its label.

The Nave. — The constructive nave, the western limb
of the cross, consists of eight bays, but we shall see that
part of this space belonged to the ritual choir. No part
of the church so strictly exemplifies its character as a
miniature of much larger buildiugs. The bays are very
narrow, not only as compared with the vast breadth of
those at St. David's,^ but even with the more moderate
proportions of LlandafF. All the arrangements of a huge
cathedral are crowded into a diminutive space.

The nave is in a ruinous condition; the northern arcade
is perfect, but the triforium is fragmentary, and the clere-
story almost wholly gone. On the south side, besides
the tower and the bay adjoining it, which are attached
to the domestic buildings, there remain only two arches
at the east end, and those propped by modern buttresses ;
of the others the bases only are preserved.^ The aisle
walls are quite gone.

Arcades. — The pillars are designed on the same gene-
ral principle as those at Llandaff ; i. e. shafts are attached
to rectangular masses with chamfered angles, but further
than this, the two instances do not agree. At Llandaff
the whole is fused into one compound pier; at Llanthony
the pier remains a piece of wall, the only shafts being
attached to the angle of the outer order, and these being
mere bowtells, with bases but without capitals. The pier

* At St. Dayid's, 127 feet is divided into six bays ; at Llanthonj
116 into eight.

^ Mr. John Clarke, author of the Architectural History of Ohu"
cester, has published a ''Popular Account of the Interesting Prior j
of Llanthonj near Gloucester, with notices of its Original Foundation
in Wales." These " notices " contain (p. 57) the statement that " the
south row of nave arches still remains, also the clerestory windows
above them. Of these last there is not a fragment. We might sup-
pose '' south" to be a misprint for '' north/' only Mr. Clarke goes on
to tell us that '' a small portion of the original building on the west
side is used as a church ; " meamng, I suppose, the parish church,
which is a distinct building to the south of the Priory.

88 LLANTHONT PRIORY.

consequently has no capital at all, and presents a perfectly
flat surface to the nave. This arrangement is departed
from in the eastern and in the western pair of arches.
The latter, in order to form a more massive support for
the towers, introduce a third order rising from clustered
and corbelled shafts attached to the inner face ; the flat
fiice of the piers is also naturally wider in order to receive
the east wall of the towers. The eastern pair also have
the same corbelled additions, while the outer order also
is corbelled ofi*, in order to gain a little more width for
stalls, this bay having been part of the ritual choir.

Triforium and Clerestory. — The triforium and clere-
story are, as I have said, very imperfect, but the design
can be pretty well made out from fragments in diffe-
rent parts of the north side. The general arrangement
was the same as at St. David's ; the triforium and clere-
story forming a single stage, and a single rear-arch com-
prizing the openings of both. No bay of the clerestory
IS quite perfect, as unhappily it is not repeated in blank
in the bays occupied by the towers; but it must have con-
sisted of a range of single lights, whether round or pointed
does not appear, their rear-arches being brought down to
the string above the arcades. The triforium had two small
pointed arches, much like those at St. David's, and placed
under a round arch ; but as the round arch is recovered
from one bay, and the two pointed ones from another, the
treatment of the head of the couplet cannot be ascertained.
The arrangement differs from that of St. David's in this,
that, in the latter, the contemplated vaulting being sex-
partite, there are two triforium-clerestory arches over
each pier-arch, while at Llanthony there is but one, and
that a very narrow one, over each bay. Consequently
there is much more blank wall left, and the triforium and
clerestory could never have produced that extraordinary
effect of complicated richness which is so characteristic of
St. David's.

The triforium opened behind into the space below the
aisle roof by a plain round arch in each bay, with flat
pilasters between them. Now as this row of arches is

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 89

pretty perfect, while of the real clerestory there remains
but the merest fragment at each end, in the view from
the north side in the present state of the church, it has
quite the look of a clerestory range, and might very
easily be mistaken for one at a first approach.

Roof. — The nave, I need hardly say, is at present roof-
less. A quadripartite vault was designed, but it is clear
that it never wae added, and over the west arch of the
lantern a semicircular h'ne may be traced in the plaster
which plainly shows that the nave had a wooden roof of
the coved or cradle form, so common in the West of
England and in many parts of South Wales. Mr. Roberts
says :^ —

"Between each arch is a corbel, formed of three clustered
pillars, as before, with plain Norman capitals, and worked off to
a point where the base should have been ; six in number, and
from these, evidently, the vaulted and groined roof sprung."

That is, being interpreted, the roof was to spring from
clustered shafts with octagonal abaci, corbelled off a little
below the string above the arcade, with the exception
however of those in the western towers, which rise direct
from the ground. But the vault was merely traced out,
never added; at the east end there is no mark of it what-
ever, and though the design may be recovered at the
sides, not a fragment rises from the shafts, the lines of
vaulting, which are traced out by labels, not even
springing immediately from their capitals. These lateral
arches are pointed. Mr. Roberts continues : —

** Giraldus tells us, when he saw it, probably some fifty years
after its completion, ' the church was covered with lead, and had
an arched roof of stone, and, considering the nature of the place,
was not inelegantly constructed.'"

Wherever Giraldus saw an arched roof of stone, most un-
questionably neither he, nor any one else, ever saw one
over the existing nave of Llanthony.

Aisles. — In the aisles, on the other hand, the vault
was undoubtedly completed, and a considerable fragment

7 Archeeologta Cambrensis, i. p. 241.

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. N

90 LLANTHONY PRIORY.

remains in the bay adjoining the north-western tower.
It was a pointed quadripartite vault, with plain chamfered
ribs springing from corbels, except where a mass was
required to support the east wall of the tower ; there we
find an arch with a broad soffit, having shafts with octa-
gonal abaci in the angles, these abaci being prolonged in
the capital of the broad arch, with some decorations on its
lower face.

The aisles were extremely narrow, only about ten feet
in width. They are connected with the transepts by
plain and narrow round arches ; they are treated as door-
ways, as at St. David's, having rear-arches to the east.

I have pointed out several ^reements in detail between
Llanthony and other churches, but this nave has a marked
character of its own, especially in its proportions and
general effect. The breadth both positively (*28 feet) and
in proportion to the length, is not great, but it is very
great in proportion to the height. Hence, again, as the
internal height would have been still further diminished
by the contemplated vault, the lantern arches appear extra-
ordinarily low and wide. Perhaps the architects judged
wisely in never adding the vault, which would have made
the lowness most disproportionate, and probably unplea-
sant. But, contemplating the lateral elevation alone, the
effect is decidedly one of great height and slendemess; the
bays are narrow, the pillars tall, and an approach to the
three-fold division is gained in an unusually small space.
In this character of almost disproportionate breadth in
the central space combined with the contrary qualities in
the lateral elevation, Llanthony resembles St. George's,
Windsor, and Bristol Cathedral.® The latter goes still
further in concentrating the whole effect of height in an
arcade without any superincumbent clerestory. Windsor
comes nearer to Llanthony in the combination of numerous
narrow bays with a central space of excessive width.

The destruction of the west window forbids us to judge
of its internal treatment, but it is clear that so far from

> See Someraetshire Society's Proceedings, 1852.

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 91

its being wrought, as at Llandaff, into part of a com-
position even more beautiful than the external facade, the
internal side of the west wall did not even receive the
same measure of care as was bestowed upon it at Berkeley.
Below the window it is left perfectly bare.

Central Tower. — The central tower must always have
had an effect of great breadth and massiveness, which is
much increased now that its upper portion is destroyed.
Its comparative height is not diminished, the other parts
of the building being lowered in proportion, so that the
dimension of breadth gains a remarkable predominance
throughout. It now rises only to a point a little below the
apex of the roof, up to which point it is pretty perfect on
the west and south sides, while of the north and east walls
there are mere shattered fragments attached to the other
two. The roof-line rises a little above thestring, an arrange-
ment evidently original. The tower appears from Mr.
Roberts' account to have originally risen two stages above
the roof, the lower having round, the upper pointed arches.
The lower part of the former still remains, having two,
probably having had three, windows on each side, with a
passage. Three smaller windows, with a door over them,
remain in what was designed to be the space betwen the
vault and the outer roof. This range, as well as that
above it, assumes an ornamental form within the tower ;
the rear-arches of the latter are brought down so as to
take in the door just mentioned. The tower was doubt-
less open to the church as far as the top of the latter,
forming a magnificent lantern. At Brecon we have seen
that this was not the case, but at LJanthony the existence
of western towers, one of which would serve as a campa-
nile, allowed it.

I have mentioned that the lantern arches are low and
broad, rising from corbels. In the eastern and western
arches, the whole mass is corbelled off in a singular
manner, while in the lateral ones the inner order only
springs from a corbelled shaft, the other orders rising
from the ground with continuous imposts. But in the
western and eastern arches, besides the shafts, the rest is

92 LLANTHONT PRIORT.

corbelled off square, so that nothing whatever projects
from the continuous wall on each side, east and west.
The shafts here are clustered of three, with the local
cushion capital under an octagonal abacus.

Choir. — The reason of this difference between the treat-
ment of the western and the lateral arches is doubtless to
be sought for in the fact to which it points ; the position
of the choir. At St. David's, Leominster, and Brecon, we
have found the choir under the central tower, the rood-
screen thrown across the western arch, and the eastern bay
of the nave modified by or for the reception of the rood-
loft. At Leominster and Brecon we have seen this bay left
blank for that very purpose. Here, at Llanthony, there
can be no doubt that, besides the space under the tower,
this eastern bay of the constructive nave formed not
merely an adjunct, but an actual part of the ritual choir.
Both this bay and the western lantern arch are recessed
in the same way, in order to obtain as much width as
possible, and also to secure a continuous space for stalls,
unbroken by shafts or other projections. The shafts here
have cushion capitals of a form more distinctly local than
any others in the church. My readers may remember
how at Llandaff,^ where the nave and choir form one
architectural whole, an increase of width is gained for the
latter by exactly similar means.

The eastern bay of the nave then was part of the choir,
and the screen was thrown across the nave between the
most eastern pair of pillars. The loft would probably fill
up another bay, so that six out of the eight bays of the
western limb would be left to form the true ritual nave.
This arrangement, being provided for in the construction,
is evidently original, but it could hardly have been satis-
factory. It is always better, whatever arrangement is
employed, to make the ritual and the constructive divi-
sions coincide.

Presbytery. — The whole of the eastern part of the
church bears a striking resemblance in its arrangements to

9 Llandaff Cathedral, pp. 24-26.

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 93

that of Brecon Priory, though, in the presbytery at least,
the respective architectural merits of the churches are
entirely reversed. The presbytery at Llanthony, as far as
we can judge of it in its present state, falls as far beneath
the magnificent structure at Brecon, as the western por-
tions of the latter fall, in strictly architectural respects,
beneath the elaborate design and finished execution of
Llanthony. In the changes which some parts have under-
gone, we shall discern a still more remarkable simila-
rity to those which have taken place at Brecon, as well
as a close analogy to Gower*s great reconstruction at St.
David's.

The presbytery at Llanthony is shorter than that at
Brecon, though longer than those of some Norman
churches, as Buildwas and Kirkstall. Like Brecon, it
has no regular aisles, and is divided by a solid wall from
the subordinate chapels on each side. It is very much
broken down, especially on the north side, but it is easy
to see that it formed three bays, of which the eastern one
alone is at all perfect. The east end is square, between
two flat turrets, of the same kind as those in the west
front, and furnished, like them, with a sloping basement.
They are, however, quite plain, not presenting the ar-
cading which adorns the western ones. The east window
was evidently large ; it is described by Mr. Roberts as
having been " a fine pointed window, with tracery in the
head, and having two small Norman lights in the gable
above." It was therefore an insertion; most probably, as
we shall soon find reason to conjecture, of the Decorated
sera. The original jambs however remain, with banded
shafts and round abaci. Only one perfect window now
remains in the presbytery, a long, narrow, round-headed
light on the north side of the eastern bay, which alone
stands free. This has, as Mr. Roberts observes, a very
singular efiect, its arch remaining perfect in the air,
while the whole of the wall above it is destroyed. The
presbytery was vaulted, or designed to be so, from shafts
with cushion capitals, those in the eastern and western
angles having round abaci, those at the sides, though

94 LLANTHONY PRIORY,

single, having a very large capital, like that of a cluster,
under an octagonal abacus.

The presbytery opens to the chapels on each side, not
even by such low arches as at Brecon, but by genuine
doorways with rear-arches; they are round-headed, with
shafts with square abaci.

Transbpts. — Enough is left of the south transept to
determine the general arrangements of this part of the
building. I have already mentioned the side arches of
the lantern and the doorways connecting the transepts
with the nave aisles. The south front is nearly perfect,
except in the loss of its gable, and it rises well over the
remains of the adjoining conventual buildings. It is
flanked by turrets like those of the east end, and contains
one of those compositions in which we may discern the
first rude germ which was afterwards developed into
tracery;* two long, narrow, round-headed lights, with
a circle over them. This is a mark of transition, as it
approaches much nearer to the type of transept fronts
with a composition of lancets, like Brecon, and St. Mary's,
Shrewsbury, than to the old Norman facades, with many
small windows arranged in several lateral and horizontal
ranges. I think we may add that, for windows of this
proportion, the pointed arch is far better adapted. In-
ternally we find vaulting-shafts of the same kind as those
in the angles of the presbytery. The line of vaulting
may be traced out ; it would have cut off* the circle from
the interior.

Chapels East of the Transepts. — These form one of
the most interesting portions of the church, the only one
in which we find any important alterations of later times.
As Mr. Roberts observes, with much truth and simplicity,
" the slight remains of the corbels, from which the roof
sprung, are here more elaborate in their work than in
any other part of the building." It is from them, in fact,
that we are enabled to ascertain its history.

The chapel on the south side extends along the two

1 Essay on Window Tracery, p. 261.

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 95

western bays of the presbytery. It is conspicuously
wider than the nave aisles, reaching southward nearly
the whole length of the transept, so as to leave nothing
beyond it to the south, except a small space containing a
recess under a senlicircular arch, probably designed for an
altar. It is at present entered from the transept by a round
arch, which at once attracts attention by its extraordinary
width, and by the smallness of the light corbelled shafts
with square abaci from which it springs. On entering the
chapel, the walls are seen to be very much broken down;
the east end and part of the south side are gone, while
corbels and vaulting lines seem to be scattered over the
walls in an irregular manner, and traces of windows may
be made out of a very much larger size than in any other
portion of the church. Few appearances could be more
puzzling to one not well versed in architectural minutiae,
but to any one who has seen and compared a good many
old churches, and especially to any one who has the good
luck to come with St. David's and Brecon fresh in his
memory, the explanation is extremely easy.

A little examination will show that two ranges of vault-
ing have been traced out, the upper one being of a later
date. The appearances are in fact identical with those
in the chapel aisles at St. David's.* A system of vaulting,
from very low and slender shafts, was designed when
the church was originally built, but as this system was
never completed, a second one, at a much greater height,
was traced out during the Decorated period, the epoch
when the similar change was effected at St. David's.
Just too as at St. David's, a single specimen of the small
original shafts has been used up again by the Decorated
architects, another of its fellows happily remaining directly
under it, lest any one should dream that the upper one
is in its original position. The new corbels very much
fesemble the plainer ones at St. David's, being triple-
clustered shafts with round capitals, while the original
ones are slender single shafts with an octagonal abacus.

s History of St. David's, p. 152.

96 LLANTHONY PRIORY.

I know of no stronger case of resemblance than the very
remarkable change which has taken place in these two
instances, an exact parallel to which I do not call to mind
elsewhere.

But this is by no means all. I have just remarked
that the slender corbel-shafts, which support the wide
arch leading from the transept, seem marvellously ill
adapted to their position. Those also, ranging with them,
from which the lower vaulting system would have sprung,
are more than merely ill adapted to carry a vault the
whole width of the chapel ; no such vault could possibly
have existed, as its transverse arches would have risen
enormously above the lateral cells, just as the wide arch
does at present. We are driven then to suppose, both that
some otner mode of roofing was intended, and also that
this wide arch, in its present state, is not contemporary
with the original building. There can be no doubt that
the original design was exactly the same as that on the
north side at Brecon,* four bays of vaulting springing
from a central pillar, like the Chapter-House at UandafF.^
This arrangement never having been carried out, the
design was changed, just as at Brecon, into one large
chapel ; the new system of vaulting was traced out at a
much higher level, and large Decorated windows, of
which traces still exist, were inserted in the south wall,
which was doubtless raised for the reception of them and
of the new vault.

Thus far the original design and the subsequent changes
are exactly similar at Brecon and at Llanthony, except
that in the former there are no signs of the second design
for vaulting. But Llanthony has also another marked

gjculiarity of its own. It will be remembered that at
recpn the two arches opening from the transepts into
the two chapels originally designed, still remain un-
touched. But at Llanthony the arches answering to them
must have been very much lower and smaller, and would

' Archaeologia Cambrensis, 1854, p. 171.
« Llandaff Cathedral, p. 39.

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 97

hare formed a still more incongruous approach to the
single large chapel afterwards introduced. An inspection
of the wide arch at present existing will show that its
masonry is not all of a piece ; in lact there can be no
doubt that, when the two chapels were thrown into one,
the arches opening into them were thrown into one also.
The corbel-shaft and the spring of the arch were left on
each side, while the central pier was removed, and the
two low narrow pointed arches, well proportioned to
their slender and delicate decorative supports, were con-
verted into one wide round one, in extreme disproportion
thereto. The old masonry was probably used up as far
as possible, and any new work carefully adapted to it, as
no details of the Decorated sera are introduced.

These changes are, to my mind, singularly interesting,
both from their own nature, and from their striking
analogy with those at St. David's and Brecon. They are
also remarkable as being the only important alteration
which, as far as we can judge, ever took place in the
church of Llanthony. The east window was doubtless
inserted at the same time, to harmonize with these
changes in an adjacent part of the building.

North Transept. — Of the north transept little remains
beyond mere fragments ; still enough is left to show that
the transept itself was, in all essential points, identical
with its southern fellow. It had, apparently, the same
arrangement of windows to the north, the same system
of vaulting-shafts, and the same doorway leading from
the north aisle of the nave. And though of the chapels
to the east of this transept the remains are fragmentary
indeed, yet, as far as any traces are left, they appear to
have followed the same arrangement, and to have been
subjected to the same changes as those to the south. On
the north side of the presbytery externally there is an
original pilaster (a on ground-plan) against which is
buut up what now appears to be a buttress, just to the
west of which is a vaulting-corbel in the angle. This
buttress, from its situation and from the appearance of
its masonry, I conceive to have only assumed that form
arch, camb., third series, vol. I. O

98 LLANTHONY PRIORY.

during some of the repairs undertaken of late years with
the view of preserving the church; it must originally
have heen part of the east wall of the chapeL Now, as
this wall is built up against an original pilaster, it follows
that the chapels in this position must have been lengthened
since their original erection. Again, the vaulting-corbel is
of the original Transitional date, but is placed on a level
with the higher and later range in the southern chapeL
We may therefore fairly conclude that it has been used up
again just like those on the other side, and consequently
that both sets of chapels underwent precisely the same
changes at the same time.

This completes our survey of the church; we will
now extend our researches to the other buildings of the
monastery.

§ II. — THE CONVENTUAL BUILDINGS.

Llanthony has had, like Tintern at the other end of
the county, the great good fortune to retain large portions
of its conventual buildings, and those, moreover, nearly
contemporary with the church. Their examination how-
ever is a good deal impeded by their employment for
domestic and agricultural purposes, from which the church
itself is almost entirely free. They stand on the south
side of the church, a position somewhat more usual than
the north, though the rule is by no means so nearly uni-
versal as has been represented ; witness, to go no farther
off, Tintern, Usk, Leominster, Tewkesbury, and Glou-
cester. They stood round a quadrangle, of which the
nave of the church formed the north side, and which of
course contained the cloister. Large portions of the east
and west sides remain, but of the south side hardly any
architectural features are preserved.

Chapter-House, &c. — Of the buildings on the east
side the Chapter-House was the principal, and, though it
is now in a sad state of ruin and degradation, enough
remains to make out its date and general arrangement.
As was often the case, a vaulted passage lies between it
Idid the south transept, which, whatever were its other

LLANTHONT PRIORY. 99

objects, has the effect of keeping the chapter-house so
far apart from the church, that while the two may group
harmoniously together, they need not disturb one another's
architectural arrangements. This small intermediate
building is, in the present case, one of the most exquisite
portions of the whole fabric, and is in by far the best
preservation of any. It extended east and west as far as
the transept, but was so low that the windows of the
transept could rise above it, and stand free, without being
at all blocked by the chapter-house. A tall doorway
opens into the cloister-court; its shafts, which are clustered
and banded, have capitals floriated in the same style as
some at St. David's, an ornament which we have not seen
in the church; but the whole is united under a single
large octagonal, or rather lozenge-shaped, abacus, like
those in the nave of Berkeley.^ The vault consists of
two quadripartite bays, with moulded ribs, rising from
single corbel-shafts with cushion capitals under octagonal
abaci, like many in the church.

The chapter-house itself runs considerably east of this
intermediate building. Its form is a parallelogram, like
those at Bristol and Oxford ; but, unlike them, it termi-
nates to the east in a three-sided apse. It is at present in
a state of great dilapidation, and is employed as a pen
or shed of some kind. Its west wall is almost wholly
broken down, which is much to be regretted, as one is
curious to know whether it had anything analogous to
the great doorway with a window on each side, so con-
spicuous at Bristol, at Boxgrove, and in the Shropshire
abbeys of Haughmond, Buildwas, and Wenlock. A
vestibule, like that of Bristol, it certainly had not, but
opened at once to the cloister. It consists of three bays
besides the apse. The style is palpably more advanced
than that of the church, being confirmed Early English.
Yet it is so completely broken down in most parts, that
one can hardly say more of it than that it is vaulted — or
designed to be so — from banded shafts, and that the

^ Ecclesiologist, 1864, p. 76.

100 LLANTHOKT PRIORY.

windows, which were most prohahly triplets, had also
detached shafts in their jambs.

In a line with the chapter-house to the south, are the
remains of a very fine and lofty doorway, apparently con-
temporary with the latter, as its abaci are continued from
the string running along its west wall. From this then
we may perhaps form some idea of what the entrance to
the chapter-house itself must have been. It is confirmed
Early English ; the shafts are banded, the abaci round,
but the foliage of the floriated capitals is of the St.
David's type. Only the northern jamb of the doorway,
and a very small portion of the other, is standing, and the
building into which it leads is the merest ruin. Some
parts, at least, of it are of later date, and have been added
to the chapter-house without any regard either to its
windows, which were completely blocked, or to its apsidal
form, which must have been greatly obliterated at the
south-east angle, where the later wall is continued in a
line with the eastern face of the apse. This building was
of two stories, with square fire-places in both, and with
small square-headed windows.

On the south side nothing remains but broken walls,
with fragments of vaults at one point, near the south-west
comer. These ran externally to the cloister, apparently
in a southern direction, towards the parish church. It
would be very desirable to have the whole of these
buildings thoroughly cleared out, and excavations made
where necessary, according to the precedent so success-
fully set at Leominster.

Prior's House. — At the south-west comer of the
quadrangle lay the Prior's house, which, with the ad-
joining tower of the church, now forms the inn. This
building is attached to the west front, forming part of the
same range ; it was evidently built at the same time, the
masonry of the two being continuous. The house, from
west to east, occupies the length of the tower and of one
bay of the nave; its height has been diminished, but, from
the roof-line, we can see that the wall was originally a
little higher than the lowest stage of the west front, while

LLANTHONT PRIORY. 101

the roof, of very steep pitch, had its apex just below the
point where the towers now terminate ; that is, it reaches
to the original height of the clerestory v/all. At a little
distance southwards another building projects to the west,
which seems to contain ancient portions, but they are so
mixed up with common cottage-work that it is difficult
to make anything out.

The architecture of the Prior^s house is of much the
same character as the front of which it forms a part. A
large doorway to the west, a very elegant specimen, retains
the round arch, with its inner order trefoiled and the
spandrils of the cusps occupied with foliage. This opens
into a vaulted passage leading eastward into the cloister.
It consists of three bays of very plain vaulting, without
transverse arches, the vault being pointed, but the cells
round ; they rise from corbels in the form of a perfectly
plain double square abacus. The passage opens into the
quadrangle by a plain segmental-headed doorway. The
architectural features of the upper story of the house have
been nearly destroyed by the lowering of the walls, but
traces of a couplet of lancets are distinctly visible.

Cloister. — Of the cloister itself, which must have gone
round part at least of the inner face of the quadrangle,
not a vestige remains. We can see however, by the roof-
lines and corbels which it has left against the south transept
and the adjoining buildings, that it never possessed, or
even was designed to possess, the finish of a stone vault.
Possibly the whole structure was of timber.

Gateway. — The great gate of the Priory stands at a
considerable distance to the south-west of the other
buildings, and faces north and south. It has undergone
some strange metamorphoses, in order to convert it into
its present state of a barn. The great archway is built
up, and the two ends converted into gables, while the
buildings with which it was connected on each side are
wholly destroyed, proclaiming their existence only by
detached fragments of wall.

The gateway is Decorated ; the great external arch is

102 LLANTHONY PRIORY.

slightly segmental; above it is a large niche between
two small trefoil-headed windows.

§ HI. THE PARISH CHURCH.

A little to the south of the Priory, just outside the
cloister, but within the general precinct, lies the small
parish church of Llanthony. Its existence has caused
some error and confusion. A sage whom I met on the
spot pronounced it to have been built after the Dissolution
out of fragments of the Priory. Mr. Roberts regards it
as the first church of the two anchorites, built in 1108,
" unless it were built in after ages in conformity with the
general style of the monastic church." He adds that
there could not, ^4n that wilderness, be any occasion for a
parochial church to be built in the twelfth century in close
neighbourhood with the conventual church." Whether
there was occasion or not, there it is, according to the
usual practice in such cases. The existence of the monas-
tery involved that of a certain lay population of servants
and retainers, and their presence involved the existence
of a parish and a parish church. A small church is
almost invariably found "in close neighbourhood with
the conventual church;" as may be seen at Malmesbury,
Abingdon, Maxstoke, and, so long as modem improvers
vouchsafe to spare it, in the magnificent juxta-position of
St. Peter's and St. Margaret's at Westminster. That the
presence of rivers and mountains involves no exception
to this rule, is shown by the precisely analogous case of
Tintem, where the curious observer may discover a small
parish church, by no means devoid of interesting details,
placed upon an eminence slightly above the Abbey. The
exceptional case is when a portion of the conventual
church itself formed the parish church, as at Leominster,
Waltham, &c., an arrangement on which, and on the
effects of which, I have already often enlarged. It may
be worth noticing that this last was the case in the town
monasteries of Monmouthshire, at Monmouth, Chepstow,
Usk, and Abergavenny, while in the rural ones of Tintem

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 103

and Llanthony we find the distinct parish church. Had
it been otherwise in these last instances, instead of those
stately ruins in their nearly complete state, we should
have found some comer of the conventual church, pewed,
whitewashed, and ceiled, still retained for divine service,
while the rest would probably have been far more eflfec-
tually destroyed than at present. Such an alternative
would be hardly an eligible one ; Tintern and Llanthony
would surely not exchange conditions with Monmouth
or Chepstow or Abergavenny.

The little church in question is evidently contemporary
with the Priory. It consists of a nave and chancel only,
with a north porch, and a wooden bell-cot at the west end.
As an example of style it may rank among the most
interesting of the smaller buildings of Monmouthshire,
its character being so completely identical with that of
its magnificent neighbour. The two tall round-headed
windows which light its east end proclaim an unmistak->
able affinity with those in the south transept front of the
Priory ; the three on the north side of the nave differ only
in their shorter proportions. There are two similar ones
in the south wall of the chancel, but its northern side is
entirely without light. The only great constructive arch,
the chancel arch, is pointed, according to the precedent
set by the Priory, but it presents the singularity of being,
though of the usual dimensions, treated like a doorway,
with a rear-arch on the east side.

A modem building, one however which possibly con-
tains ancient portions, adjoins the church at the west end,
and one which certainly does so stands at a little distance
to the south. The church must have been quite encircled
by the remoter buildings of the monastery.

§ IV. ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY.

The architectural history, in the ordinary sense, of Llan-
thony Priory lies in a nutshell. Very few churches of the
same importance are so regular in their design, or exhibit
80 few changes of a later date. A church, built gradually
from the eastward during the last years of the twelfth or

104 LL ANTHONY PRIORY.

the first years of the thirteenth century, has had its sub-
ordinate chapels recast during the fourteenth. This is
literally all that I have to recount, a widely different
matter from tracing out the numerous, complicated, and
anomalous remodellings of St. David's or Llandaff, or
even the less perplexing changes which have given a new
form to Leominster and Brecon.

But the question assumes another character, when we
remember, that, as I hinted at the commencement of this
paper, a date, which must be erroneous, has been assigned
to the building, has obtained general credence, and has
been supported by arguments far more plausible than
errors of this kind commonly adduce in their defence.

The history of Llanthony is well known. The Priory,
founded early in the twelfth century, was in a manner
forsaken before that century had half run its course. In
1136 Llanthony near Gloucester was founded, and hence-
forward that became the principal house, the original
establishment sinking pretty much to the level of a cell.
All this is matter of history, and is worked out with much
care, and with many interesting details, in Mr. Roberts'
paper. But Mr. Roberts goes on to infer that the church
first built must necessarily be the church now standing.
Nor is this quite the vulgar error which identifies every
existing building with that which first occupied its site,
which, for instance, believes Rochester Cathedral, Perpen-
dicular west window and all, to have been built a.d. 600.
Mr. Roberts of course supports his case by the supposed
antecedent improbability that anything could have been
built at Llanthony the first after the foundation of Llan-
thony the second. He thus gives his judgment : —

''Llanthony was built between 1108 and 1136, but much
nearer the former date than the latter; for it was abandoned for
Gloucester at the period last mentioned. We know it flourished
in all its glory under Robert de Betun, and we may fairly, all
circumstances considered, fix the date of its completion not later
than the year 1 1 15. The date of the cathedral of Llandaff is A.n.
1120. Sir R. C. Hoare observes: — 'On a careful examination
and comparison of this cathedral (Llandaff) with the abbey of
Llanthony^ in Monmoutbshirei which was built about the same

LL ANTHONY PRIORY. 105

time, (and though richer in its oraaments, bears a sreat resem*
blance to Llandaff as to its general architecture,) we have evident
proofs that the Saxon and Gothic orders, or the round and pointed
arches, were adopted indiscriminately to doors and windows in
the same buildings, about the beginnmg of the twelfth century/
There is no doubt Llanthony is one of the first, if not the very
first instance in this country, of the transition state of Norman
into Early English."^

Now this would be all very well, if Llanthony were the
only church in the world, or if no dated history had been
preserved of any other. But many other churches exist,
and of many of them the dates are certainly known, and,
from a combined examination of buildings and documents,
a succession of distinguished men have worked out a
science of architectural chronology, by which it is easy,
when a recorded date is wanting, to discover an approxi-
mate one within at least a decade or two of years. No
one nine years ago ought to have believed that "the date
of the cathedral of Llandaff ^ is 1 120," or that " Llanthony
is one of the first, if not the very first instance in this
country, of the transition state of Norman into Early
English."

The fact is that Llanthony, as we have seen, exhibits
that transition in a very advanced state, developing in
the west front into nearly confirmed Lancet work. Now
the first stage of the Transition is that in which the
main constructive arches are pointed, while the whole
system of ornamentation remains Romanesque, and the
smaller arches are still round.® This stage is seen in
Malmesbury Abbey, probably the earliest building in
England which has any claim to be called Transitional.
But Malmesbury was commenced about 1135, and the ex-
isting part, the nave, would probably be at least twenty or

^ Archseologia Cambrensis, 1846, p. 238.

7 Of course, as I have shown in my work on that church, Llandaff
Cathedral was begun in 1120, and portions of the structure then com-
menced still remain ; but Mr, Roberts evidently means the cathedral
as a whole, including the part resembling Llanthony, which must be
a century later.

* History of Architecture, p. 923.

AROH. OAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. P

106 LLANTHONY PRIORY.

thirty years later.^ Now a glimpse will show that Llan-
thony IS far advanced beyond Malmesbury. Malmesbury
is still thoroughly Norman in everything except that its
pier-arches are obtusely pointed; Llanthony is Norman
in nothing except that it retains the cushion capital in its
decorative shafts and the round arch in some of its smaller
apertures. Malmesbury retains the massive round pier
which distinguishes the English variety of Norman ; it
has a huge triforium, and both arcade and triforium retain
the strict Norman style of ornamentation. At Llanthony,
the side elevations are thoroughly Gothic in feeling, and
even go far to forestall the late Gothic of the West of
England. Tall slender piers, with continuous imposts,
with' the chamfer and the slender bowtell predominating
in their mouldings, with the triforium and clerestory
thrown into one narrow lofty stage, really carry us a
good way on the course which leads on, through St.
Cuthberht's at Wells, to Bristol Cathedral and St. Mary
Redcliffe.^ There is such an absence of detail of every
kind that an absence of specially Norman detail is neces-
sarily involved ; but at least the long, narrow, shaftless
windows, the elaborately clustered shafts, the octagonal,
and, here and there, even the round, abacus, all betoken
not the " very first instance " of Transition, but one of
the very latest, before the last lingering traces of Roman-
esque were lost in the fully developed Lancet or Early
English style.

IJanthony, as I have observed, belongs to the same
general class of churches as St. David's and Llandaff, and
evidently comes between the two in date. When I say
that Llanthony is clearly more advanced than the nave
of St. David's, I do not mean only, or even chiefly, be-
cause the latter retains the round form in its principal
arches, while those at Llanthony are pointed. That the
architect of St. David's was quite familiar with the use
of the pointed arch, is shown by the western pair of piers

9 Ecclesiolo^t, 1852, p. 165.
^ See Somenetshire Prooeedings, 1852.

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 107

and by the contemplated vaulting ; the use of the round
form was a mere matter of taste or caprice. But at St.
David's the whole system of decoration, though far ad-
vanced beyond Malmesbury, is still to a great extent
Norman; a genuine Romanesque feeling pervades the
whole. Now we know the date of Peter de LeiS.'s church
at St. David's; it was commenced in 1180;' it was
finished not many years before 1220. Llanthony must,
in all reason, be placed after the first of those dates.

Llandafi*, as I have implied, must be later than Llan-
thony. Its style is Early English in its first estate,
worked clear of Romanesque elements, yet not carried
out in its fullest and freest developments. I have given
it elsewhere* the conjectural date of 1220, which I see
no reason to alter. But more, I feel convinced that these
three churches were built, in the order I have mentioned,
by architects, each of whom had diligently studied the
works of his immediate predecessor. Llanthony took
some hints from St. David's, and Llandafi* looks very
like an improvement upon Llanthony. The architect
of Llanthony imitated the St. David's triforium, but in
a design whose proportion must have entirely destroyed
its characteristic efiect. He of LlandafiT retained the pro-
portions of Llanthony, but swept away the triforium,
which was no longer needed, and made a mere passage
under his clerestory windows. He observed also the
Llanthony piers, which had rather overshot their mark,
and, while retaining their general notion of a mass with
attached shafts, he produced a far more graceful and
elaborate design. Llanthony designed a graceful form
of chapel which was never carried out, LlandafiT brought
it to perfection in her chapter-house. St. David's placed
the choir in its old position beneath the tower; Llan-
thony found it convenient to take in also a bay of the
nave; Llandaff caught at the idea, so adapted to her
circumstances, and threw her whole choir into the con-

< History and Antiquities of St. Dayid's, p. 140.
3 Llandaff Cathedral^ p. 64.

108 LLANTRomr priory.

stractiye nave. That liantibony comes after St. David's,
and before Llandaff, can be doubted by qo reasonable
person who compares the three. Instead therefore of
111&, I should give 1200 as a probable approximation to
the date of the existing diurch«

But how then do I deal with all Mr. Roberts' history,
wiUi the desolation of lianthony, and the impossibility of
anything being built there after 1 136? I answer that we
should require documentary evidence of the very strongest
kind to upset the d priori evidence in favour of a date not
very far from that given above, as what is required is in
feet to overthrow the whole science of architectural chro-
nology as now firmly established. But documentary evi-
dence there is none, absolutely none. The minute history
of Llanthony, as given by Mr. Roberts, ends with the year
1 178 ; after that, till the time of Edward IV., he can only
tell us vaguely that it '^fell into contempt and ruin."
Yet it continued to exist down to the Dissolution, and
was only annexed to the Gloucester Llanthony by Edward
IV. There is therefore no evidence whatever against the
rebuilding which architectural science makes absolutely
certain, except a vague notion that such building could
not have been erected in a subordinate house. Why not ?
Leominster, a church of the same class as Llanthony,
was a cell to Reading. If any one answer that Leo-
minster, though a cell, was much better endowed than
Llanthony, at all events Brecon was hardly richer than
Llanthony in its most impoverished state, and occupied
a similar subordinate relation to the abbey of Battle.
Yet Brecon Priory Church is as large as Llanthony, and,
though inferior as a work of art, surpasses it in the
splendour of individual portions. Great Malvern, not
altogether a despicable building, was a cell to West-
minster ; Steyning in Sussex was a cell to Fecamp, yet
there remains there a fragment of the church, mutilated
and disfigured indeed, but enough to show that, when in
its perfection, it must, in size and enrichment, have put
Leominster, Brecon, and Llanthony to the blush.

Again, a change must have taken place in the relations

LLANTHONY PRIORY. 109

between the first and the second lianthony which Mr.
Roberts does not mention. During the twelfth century
we find them, with a single Prior and a single set of
monks, dwelling in one or the other according to circum-
stances. The deed of Edward IV., which, after all, hardly
seems to have taken efiect, sets them before us as distinct
houses, with separate Priors, separate monks, and sepa-
rate property. How did this happen ? I do not know,
but a separation must have taken place sometime, and I
cannot help connecting it with the evident rebuilding of
the church. The old church would be neglected while
the brethren were flitting to and fro between the Severn
and Honddii ; it would be rebuilt when the relations of
the two foundations were finally settled, and when the
Monmouthshire Lianthony became a distinct, if a subor-
dinate, establishment.

Internal evidence then asserts a rebuilding of Lianthony
about the year 1200; documentary evidence does not
contradict it. It is clear that the work was done gradu-
ally, the west front being the last part of the church
finished, and some of the domestic buildings being later
still. Those to the south of the chapter-house must be
far advanced in the thirteenth century.

But, when once completed, the church must have re-
mained untouched, saving the east window and the re-
modelling of the chapel east of the south transept. These
must date from the fourteenth century, and, comparing
them with the wonderfully similar changes at St. David's,
I cannot help asking — ** Is not the hand of Gower in all
this?"

Edward A. Freeman.

110

LIST OF EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

No. IV.

CAERNARVONSHIRE, BETWEEN THE CONWY AND THE SEIONT.

I. — Camps and Castles.

Castelly — A farm so called, at the foot of the hill above
Gloddaeth on the north side, bordering on MorfaRhianedd,
one mile and a half south-east from Llandudno.

Castell Tremlyd^ — A farm so called, on the west side
of the Morfa Rhianedd, one mile north-north-west from
Diganwy.

PenyddinoB^ — A camp, immediately above the modem
town of Llandudno, on the rocks.

Castell Caer Seion^ — British fortified station, on the hill
above Conway, one mile to the west of the town. This
has been described and illustrated in ArcluBologia Cam"
brensisj i. First Series.

Dinas, — A fortified post, on the mountain north of the
pass of Sychnant, half a mile east of Dwygyfylchi.

DinaSj — A large and strongly fortified post, on the
summit of Penraaen Mawr. This has been described in
ArcJuBologia Cambrensisj i. First Series.

Gaerbach^ — On the mountains, three quarters of a mile
south-west from Llangelynin Old Church.

Castellj — ^A mound, on the west bank of the Conwy
river, at the ford of Tal-y-Cafn, one mile and a half north*
north-east of Caer rhun.

Pen-y- Gaer^ — A strongly fortified post, on the mountain
above Llanbedr, one mile west-south-west of the church.
This has been described by Pennant in his Tour in Wales.

Pen y castellj — The name of an eminence, one mile and
a half to the westward of the post just named.

DinaSy — ^A fortified post, on an eminence formed by a
spur of Penmaen Mawr, over a ravine one mile and a
half south-east from Llanfair-fechan.

Maes-y-Gaer^ — Fortified post, on the hill one mile
east-by-south from Aber.

Moundj — In the village of Aber, of uncertain date,

BARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. Ill

but probably belonging, as assigned by tradition, to the
mediaeval castle that once stood in that place.

Pen-y-Gaer^ — A small eminence, above the town of
Glan Ogwen, or Bethesda, one mile and a quarter south-
south-east of lianllechid Church.

Fortified post^ — On the summit of Camedd Llewelyn.
(See ArcJuBologia Cambrensisj iv. First Series.)

Campt — lOne mile west-by-south from Aber, near the
coach road, on the south side. It is not certain whether
the Roman road passed close by this or not. The camp
has the appearance of an inclosure for cattle.

Campj — ^Above Gbrth Point, at Bangor, to the north-
west.

Camp, — On the hill above Bangor, to the south-east.

Camp, — Near Pentir, one mile and a half east-by-north.

Pare Arthur, — ^A fortified post, near Pentir, half a
mile to the north-east.

Castellj — Near a farm called Rhydiau, two miles south-
west of Pentir.

Dinas Dinorwig, — Strongly fortified post, half a mile
south of Llanddeiniolen Church.

Camp, — Close to Tan y Coed and Cae Howel, on the
road from Llanddeiniolen to Llanberis.

Dinas Mawr, — A fortified eminence, close to the above.

Dinas, — Near Felin-heli, on the south side of the
Menai Strait, a small fortified hill overlooking the ferry
where the Romans passed over into M ona, and where
Edward I. attempted to pass over upon a bridge of boats.

II. — Tumuli or Carneddau, and Beddau.

Tumulus, — Near liandrillo vn Rhos, on the marsh by
the sea-shorC) three quarters of a mile north-west of the
church.

Cam, — On Cefn liechan, one mile and a quarter
north-west of Llangelynin Old Church.

Carneddau. — Six carneddau on the skirt of Penmaen
Mawr, near the stone circle and ancient road. (See
ArchtBologia Cambrensis, i. First Series.)

Carneddau, — Two at Bwlch y ddeufaen. (See Archie-
ologia Cambrensis, i. First Series.)

112 EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IK WALES.

Cameddauj — Two on the mountain ridge above Bwlch
y ddeufaen, one mile to the south-west.

Cameddau, — Six, containing cistfeini or tombs, on the
line of the Roman or British Road between Bwlch y
ddeufaen and Aber. (See A rcJuBologia Cambrensisj i.
First Series.)

Camedd^ — On the summit of the Bwlch, or Pass, by the
path from Cwm Eigiau, over Camedd Llewelyn towards
the Ogwen, made from time immemorial by passers by
casting stones on it. (See Archceologia Cambrensisj iv.
First Series.)

Camedd or Beacon, — A little below Camedd Llewelyn,
serving as a Beacon-post, or post of observation; con-
taining several cyttiau. (See ArcluBologia Cambreiuis,
iv. First Series.)

Camy — Above the cascade of Aber, half a mile south-
west.

CarUj — Above the cascade of Aber, one mile and a
quarter west-south-west.

Camedd or Beacon, — On the summit of Camedd Dda-
fydd. (See Archteologia Cambrensis, iv. First Series.)

Camedd or Post of Observation, — A quarter of a mile
below the summit of Camedd Ddafydd to the west-south-
west; containing several cyttiau. (See Archmologia
Cambrensis, iv. First Series.

Cam, — Between the summit of Camedd Ddafydd and
Camedd Llewelyn.

Tumulus, — On the farm of Wig-bach, three quarters
of a mile west-by-south from Aber, near the old coach
road; formerly planted with trees, which however are
now cut down. It is not decided whether the Roman
road did not pass close to this tumulus.

Camau, — Three, one mile south-east above Llanllechid
Church, on the mountain, viz., two on one side, and one
on the other, of the great natural depression in the moun-
tain popularly called Ffos-y-Rhufeiniaid.

Rhiw'Goch, — A tumulus, one mile north-west of Llan-
llechid Church, near the ancient house of Cochwillan.

(Glvder Fawr, — On the summit of this mountain the
rocks nave assumed a position which makes it doubtfiil

&ARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALBS. 113

whether they have been so placed by the hand of nature
or by that of man. As they have not yet been examined
with sufficient care, it is thought right to advert to them
thus briefly, leaving them unclassified till some future
period.)

III. — Erect Stones and Meini Hirion.

Meini Hirion^ — Two, viz., one erect, the other thrown
down, at the summit of the pass of Bwlch y ddeu&en*
(See ArcJuBologia Cambrensis^ i. First Series.)

IV. — Cromlechau.

Cromlech^ — In the meadows, in the line of a hedge,
below the Rhaiadr Porthlwyd, two miles from Caerhun,
on the road to Llanrwst, and very near the road-side.
There are numerous large stones and rocks all about this
spot, thrown down from the cliffs above by natural causes,
which may mislead the observer.

(Cromlech, — ^A large rock, in the pass of Llanberis; so
called apparently from the mere circumstance of its having
rolled down from the mountain above, and been arrested
in its descent by others. The cavity beneath has been
used as an habitation in the memory of man.)

V. — Early Buildings and Cyttla^u.

Capel Trilloy — Near Llandrillo yn Rhos, on the sea-
shore, half a mile north-east of the church.

Gogarth. — Remains of buildings of unknown date,
partly early, partly mediaeval, on the shore, at the south
side of the promontory of Llandudno, or Great Orme's
Head.

Bwlch-y-ddeufaen^ — Early building or enclosure at
the summit of the Pass ; described in ArchxBologia Cam-
brejisis^ i. First Series.

JEarly Building^ — On the mountain side, two miles and
a half from Aber, on the road passing by Bwlch y ddeu-
faen to Caerhun, described and illustrated in Archmologia
Cambrensis, i. First Series.

Traces of Early Buildings or Early Farm-steads^ —

ARCH. CAMS., THIRD 8BRIES, VOL. Z. Q

114 EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

Are to be observed in the valley towards the waterfall,
about two miles south-east of Aber.

Bedd Taliesin, (or more correctly Bod Taliesin^ —
Traces of banks and early buildings, at the northern end
of Llyn Oeirionydd, half a mile west of the church of
Llanrwchwyn, near lianrwst.

Traces of Early Buildings^ — Near the south end of
Llyn Geirionydd, close to the farm of Tyn y bryn, on
the slope of a small eminence.

VI. — Circles.

Circle^ — On the ridge of Penmaen Mawr, one mile
south-east from the summit; described and illustrated in
ArcluBologia Cambrensis, i. First Series.

VII. — Ancient Roads.

Road^ — Crossing over the eastern side of Penmaen
Mawr, and passing by the circle of stones, towards Sych-
nant.

Moadf — Through Sychnant. There is every reason to
suppose this to have been one of the early British track-
ways, though now obliterated by the modem road.

Iloadf — -Leading from Conway, along the mountain
side, up to Caer Seion.

Road, — Leading from Cwm Eigiau, over Camedd
Llewelyn, towards the Ogwen, by Coetmor.

Road, — Over Bwlch y ddeufaen, from Caerhun to
Aber. This has been described in ArcJuBologia Cam-
brensis, i. First Series, as Roman, but it is most probably
coincident with an ancient British trackway.

Summary for Caernarvonshire, between the Conwy
and Seiont: —

1. Camps and Castles, 25

2. Tumuli or Cameddau, and Beddau, .... 28

3. Erect Stones and Meini Hirion, 2

4. Cromlechau, 1

5. Early Buildings and Cyttiau, 7

6. Circles, 1

7. Ancient Roads, 5

H. L* J.

115

THE SEPULCHRAL STONE OF EMLYN.

The inscription which I am now enabled, by the per-
severing care of our Association, when they visited it in
September, 1854, to present to the readers of the ArcfuBO'
logia Cambrensis^ is one which has already received a
considerable degree of attention, owing to the different
readings which have been proposed for it by various
antiquaries.

The stone in question formerly stood on the summit
of Bryn-y-Beddau, near Ruthin, upon a barrow known
popularly as Bedd Emlyn, by the side of another stone
still remaining there. Several druidical and other stones
having from time to time been carried off, Lord Bagot,
about forty-two years ago, removed it for safety to Pool
Park, where it still remains. Considerable diversity of
opinion having arisen as to the precise reading of the
inscription, Mr. Barnwell and Mr. H. Longueville Jones
have, since the visit of the Association, made me a gutta
percha cast of it, which shows that up to the present time
the precise letters of the inscription have never been
correctly read. It enables us to clear up doubts con-
cerning it, and to determine that the opinion that it was
a Roman altar, consecrated to Jove, is entirely ground-
less, and that the reading which asserted it to mark the
grave of a British prince is the true one.

In Gibson's Camden a description is given of the stone
in question, in which the incription is read, —

>EMILiNI
TOVISAC

the second line being there considered as an ancient mode
of spelling the word Tywysog, or prince, i.e., the grave-
stone of Prince ^milinus. But Mr. Rowland Williams
objected to this reading, on the ground that iBmiliani,
and not iBmilini, would have been the true form. —
(^ArctuBologia Cambrensis, 1854, p. 240.) Other anti-
quaries have also considered that tne first letter did not
represent an M. And Mr. Basil Jones thought that the

116 THE SEPULCHRAL STONE OF EMLTN.

old orthography of the word in the second line would
have been Tegvesavc, or something like it. On the other
hand, the late Dr. Markham, the learned Archbishop of
York, read the inscription, —

>EMILINI

JOVI SACCRAVIT]

But such a formula has never yet been found to occur on

any of the ancient Roman altars discovered in this country,

and the inscription itself entirely disproves this reading.

The materials now before me enable me to state that

the inscription is unquestionably, —

AIMILINI
TOVISACI

With the exception of the first two letters in the upper
line, and the first and last letters in the lower line, there
has never been any diversity of opinion as to the reading,
the letters being excellent Roman capitals, about two
inches in height. The first letter in the upper line is
certainly intended for a capital A of a very ancient form,
being entirely destitute of a cross bar. The examples of
the letter A with this peculiarity constitute the sixth
series of this letter in tne great lapidary and metallic
alphabet of the Benedictine authors of the Nouveau Trditi
de Diplomatique^ ii. pi. xx. p. 315, note 2. Their tenth
section of this sixth series, '* donne a ses A la figure d' A
renvers6 ou de lambda qui prend toutes sortes de formes.
Xa plupart de ces A remontent au terns de la ripublique
ou du mains de V empire romain; quoique d'ailleurs cette
fa^on d' A sans traverse soit parvenue jusqu' au gothique."
The second letter of the upper line is certainly an I, the
first of the lower line a T, and the last two in the lower
line CI. We have thus a name formed of two words,
both terminating in the genitive case, in the manner which
18 so common in the early inscriptions in Wales ; and we
should be thence led to translate them as *'the grave," or
"the body, of Aimilinus Tovisacus," were it not that pro-
found Welsh scholars have considered the second word as
titular ; and hence, the late Mr. Aneurin Owen, one of
the most eminent Welsh scholars and archaeologists, con-

THE SEPULCHRAL STONE OF EMLYN.

Inscription on the Bedd Emlyn Stone, Ruthin.

THE SEPULCHRAL STONE OF EMLYN. 117

sidered this stone to be the memorial of a Welsh prince
or leader, Emlyn; and we are informed that he found the
name in a curious MS. romance, in Jesus College, Oxford,
more than 400 years old, entitled the "Friendships of
Emlyn and Amyct/' The tradition also of the death of
the Black Giant of Maes Cadam, or Bryn-y-Beddau, the
exact site of this stone, would seem to give much colour
to the tradition. The objection of Mr. Rowland Williams
against the spelling of the name is, it is true, increased
by the fact that the word is spelt Aimilini, instead of
iEmiliani, or even .Smilini; but I apprehend we must
not be over critical in this respect. The tradition of the
place seems constantly to have been in favour of this
being the grave of a prince or nobleman named Emlyn ;
and it certainly seems to me more natural to suppose that
this name was not derived from the circumstance of a
stone occurring on the spot, with an inscription allowing
such a reading, but that its origin was founded in the
tradition of the place itself, in connexion with the warrior
commemorated by the inscription.

I am not competent to determine the precise meaning
of the word contained in the second line; but, if it be not
a proper name, it must be considered as a circumstance
of the greatest rarity that a titular name, supposing it to
mean prince, should have a genitive termination like the
name itself.

Guided not only by the inscription itself, and by the
form of the letters, but also by the assertion of the Bene-
dictfnes given above, I think there can be no doubt that
this Emlyn inscription is a very early one, and that
it dates from the fifth or sixth century. The Roman
capitals, without any intermixture of uncials or minus-
cules, so usual in Welsh inscriptions of the eighth or
ninth centuries, prove its nearness to the Roman period ;
while its formula and style equally prove it to be sub-
sequent to the departure of the Romans from our island.

J. O. W.

118

PENCOYD CASTLE, MONMOUTHSHIRE.

Pencoyd, or, more correctly, Pencoed, Castle, is in the
parish of Llanmartin, Monmouthshire, and occupies the
summit of a hill, the sides of which are still, to a consi-
derable extent, clothed with wood, whence the name.

As in the case of most other buildings of its class,
neither the era of its construction, nor the name of its
founder, are certainly known. The earliest mention of it
in the records is in the reign of Henry III., when a Sir
Richard de la More was the owner, and in 1270 was

E resented as being entitled to housebote and heybote to
is house at Pencoed, in the forest of Wentwood, by
charter. The first of this family of whom I have found
any account was a Sir Robert de More, or De la More,
who witnessed a charter of William Marshall the younger,
in 1223, and was probably the first subinfeudist, as the
lordship of Caerleon, in which this place is locally situate,
was in the possession of its native Welsh lords tUl within
a very few years of this date, having been acquired by
the Marshalls about the year 1217. To Sir Robert de la
More, therefore, we may with every probability attribute
the erection of this castle, — at least of the earlier portion
of it, — for the habitable part was most probably, from the
style of architecture, the work of one of the Morgans in
the reign of Henry VI L, or that of his successor. The
castle and estate continued in the possession of the family
of De la More about a century, when it passed, by some
means which are unknown, to that of Kemys. Sir Walter
de Kem^s was its lord in 1306 and 1337. He was suc-
ceeded m his other estates, and, I suppose, here, by his
brother Meuric. Nothing is certainly known of the sub-
sequent descent till the reign of Henry VII., when it be-
longed to Sir Thomas Morgan, eldest son of Morgan ap
Jenkin ap Philip of Langston, a branch of the family of
Morgan of Tredegar. How he acquired it is unknown,
but the descent from him is clearly proved from the re-
cords. The grandson of this Sir Thomas Morgan left

WEST FROSJT

P E N C O E D

„_:^-ir^?9^^':^:';-^.

esT TOWE'P^

PEMCOED CATTLE

PENCOYD CASTLE, MONMOUTHSHIRE. 119

three sons, William, Henry and George, and a daughter,
Joan. William was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, at
Bristol, in 1574, but died without issue in 1584. Anne,
the only daughter of his brother Henry, succeeded as
heir-at-law, and married, first. Sir Walter Montague,
and, secondly. Sir John Morgan, descended from a
younger son of the first Sir Thomas of this place ; having
no issue by either husband, upon her decease it became
the property of her cousin, sir Edward Morgan, eldest
son of her uncle, George. This gentleman was knighted
by Charles I. at the commencement of the civil war ; but
from the circumstance that in 1646 the castle was garri-
soned by the parliamentary forces, it may be supposed
that he espoused that party, without however making
himself very conspicuous, as I have not seen his name
mentioned in any document of the period which has
fallen under my observation. He died without issue in
1648. His brother Christopher, who succeeded him, also
died without issue, and the estate passed to George Gwyn,
Esq., son of David Gwyn, by Joan, daughter of George
Morgan, who held it in 1663; his son. Sir Rowland
Gwyn, sold it in 1701 to John Jeffreys, Esq., by whose
son it was again sold, in 1749, to Admiral Matthews.
Thomas Matthews, the grandson of the admiral, conveyed
to Sir Mark Wood, Bart., from whom it was purchased
by the late Sir Robert Salusbury, Bart., who again sold
to Thomas Perry, Esq., and it now belongs to that gen-
tleman's relative and devisee, William Perry Herrick, Esq.

T. Wakeman.

120

PRE-HISTORIC REMAINS IN MONMOXJTHSHIRE.

The three meini-hirion at Trellech, or Trillech, in this
county, standing close to the old turnpike road from
Monmouth to Chepstow, could not fail to attract the
notice of every passing traveller; they have accordingly
been described and figured in various publications. They
have been considered by most people as druidical, as such
remains generally are, but by others as memorials of a
victory obtained over the Welsh by the Saxon Earl
Harold, a short time before the Norman conquest. The
only authority for the latter opinion being a sundial set
up near the church-yard, by Lady Maud Probert, in the
reign of Charles II., upon one side of the pedestal of
which the three stones are represented with the inscription
" Hicfuit Victor Haraldus; " in another compartment,
a large tumulus in the village with '' O quot hie sepuUi.'*
To refute this it is only necessary to observe that the
place is mentioned under the name of Trillech, in a grant
recorded in the Liber Landavensis^ in the seventh century,
ages before the time of Earl Harold ; which, moreover,
proves that these stones were then in existence, and no
more in number than there are at present. The tumulus,
which is moated, and about 450 feet in circumference at
the base, with traces of other intrenchments, had nothing
to do with the stones except the accidental one of being
in the vicinity. It is the site of a castle mentioned in
the records in the reign of Edward I. as then belonging
to the Clares. The mound in all probability was sur-
mounted by the keep.

The three stones stand in a line running nearly east
and west; the largest is on the west, and is about 15 feet
above the ground ; at the distance of 2 1 feet stands the
middle one, 10 feet high; and 15 feet from the last, is
the third, about eight feet high. The two first incline
considerably from the perpendicular, but whether from
design or accident, it is impossible to say. Some have
fancied they could discover traces of a circle on the op-

PUS-HISTORIC REMAINS IN MONMOUTHSHIRE. 121

posite side of the road, but I must confess the appearances
seem to me too equivocal to warrant any such a conjecture,
and the name, as written in the seventh century, Tri-Uech,
not Trellech, justifies the inference that there were no
more than three at that period. Before the inclosure
there was another maen-hir standing on the common,
about a mile and a half north of the village, on a mound
surrounded by a slight fosse ; this has been broken up to
mend the roads, although hundreds of tons, more readily
available for such purpose, encumbered the ground all
around it. The druidical origin of these monuments has
been assumed, without any further inquiry or examina-
tion of the neighbourhood, so as to ascertain the existence
of any other remains, or local names, tending to support
this hypothesis. In this instance there are both, although
hitherto unnoticed. In the first place, I may observe that
a very large portion of the district, comprising Trillech,
and several of the adjoining parishes, down to a com-
paratively late period, was a dense forest, chiefly oak,
called The Forest, or Chase of Wyeswood ; and at the
remote era of the erection of the stones in question, there
can be little doubt that the whole was covered with wood.
The Druids affected such situations, and held the oak in
religious veneration ; the locality therefore is precisely
that in which traces of their works might be expected ;
moreover, they may have been influenced in their choice
of this particular spot, in some measure, by the existence
of a mineral spring, formerly in great repute, in the
immediate vicinity. About a mile south of the meini-
hirion, there is a small intrenchment occupying the summit
of a knoll called Cae'r Hugau — the inclosure of the Gowns.
I know not what gownsmen can be alluded to, unless they
were the Druids, who were distinguished from the laity
by their peculiar robes. This may have been the residence
of those attached to the temple, if it may be so termed, at
Trillech, or the place of assembly — Gorseddau, — or both.
Still further in the same direction stands the little church
of Trellech's Grange, a comparatively modem appellation,
originating from the parish having been a grange belong-

ARCH. CAMS., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. R

122 PRE-HISTORIC REMAINS IN MONMOUTHSHIRE.

ing to the monks of Tintern, but in the manorial records
and other documents, called Cil-wyddon. The Gwyddon,
or sage, whose retreat this was, may possibly have been
the chief Druid, who, here apart from his brethren, passed
his life in religious seclusion. The place is mentioned in
the Liber Landavensis by the name of *^ Llan-maenvon in
Trillech/* and identified by the description of its situation
between the brooks Angidy Vawr and Angidy Vychan.
In another place it is called ^^ Ecclesia Maenvon id est
Villa Gwiton " (Gwyddon). From this name, Maenvon,
it is probable there was here another maen-hir, which has
been destroyed. A place called Twmp, not far from the
church, was possibly its site, although the mound, like
the stone, has now disappeared, the name alone being
retained.

There was another place called Trillech, in the parish
of Llantilio Pertholly, near Abergavenny, now written
Triley, which, there can be little doubt, took its name
from the existence of a similar monument, consisting of
three meini-hirion, at some time there ; nothing of the
sort now remains. As in the former case, a single stone
stood about a mile and a half north of the triad ; so at
this place, about the same distance towards the north, is a
place called Stanton, most probably from a similar monu-
ment, which has disappeared like the others.

The cromlech at Gaer Llwyd, in Newchurch, has
already been described and figured in an early Number
of the Journal ; it is the only one now standing in the
county ; but from the appellation, Gwal y filast, being
given to several such monuments in Wales, it may be
inferred that there formerly was one at a place so called,
in St. Mellon's, of which I believe there are now no
remains.

Numerous small earthworks, dispersed about thecounty,
from their diminutive size, can hardly be considered as,
properly speaking, camps, although very commonly so
called. I should rather suppose them to have been the
intrenched residences of the ancient chieftains of the
district ; their names, where they have any, countenance

PRE-HISTORIC REMAINS IN MONMOUTHSHIRE. 123

this supposition. One in Llanddewi Rhydderch is called
Hendre Hefeid ; another in Llangwm is identified by the
description as the Villa Conuc of the Liber Landavensis.
For the most part, the original names are lost, and they
are only known as Y Gaer, the camp, or Y Castell. One
of these little fortified posts, in Bedwellty, is called Castell
tal y Rhiw, which Coxe, imperfectly catching the sound,
from the rapid pronunciation of his guide, and not under-
standing its meaning, converted into Castell Italorum,
and set down as a Roman work. It is more probable
that it was the residence of some chieftain of the district,
of much later date.

Tumuli and cameddau abound in the mountains; I am
not aware that any of them have ever been opened. Four
of the former are in the parish of Machen ; one, three
quarters of a mile north-east from the church, is called
Towyn y Panteg. Another, a mile north of the church,
on the brow of the mountain, is called Twyn y Certhi,
and was probably, as its name imports, simply a beacon ;
the other two are upon Mynydd bach, a quarter of a mile
apart, and I am not aware tnat they have any particular
names. On the opposite side of the vale of the Sirhowy
is another, near the church of MynyddisUwyn, called
Twyn Tudwr. Two others are in Uanover, a short
distance apart, called Disgwilfau. Twyn Gwynlliw stood
very near the church of St. WoUos ; the extension of the
town of Newport in that direction has, I believe, occa-
sioned its removal. The cameddau have, generally
speaking, no particular name, and I suspect many of
them are natural formations.

T. Wakeman.

124

ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES.

No.V.

It was our intention in this Number to have proceeded
with the examination of the line of road from Deya to
Segontivm, and particularly to have brought to bear on
the question the result of personal examination at Caerwys
and Bodfari, with the view of determining the site of
Varis. The depth of snow, which has covered that part
of Flintshire for so many weeks this winter (1855), has
altogether prevented this purpose from being carried into
effect ; and the further description of this part of the line
must be deferred till a future Number of the Journal.

In the meantime it may be doing good service to many
of those who are aiding to carry on this survey, if we collect
into this present paper, and lay before them for verificaton
and reflection, all the extracts from the Itineraries of
Antoninus and Richard of Cirencester; from Ptolemy;
and from the volumes of the Archceologiay published by
the Society of Antiquaries in London, which in any way
concern the province of Britannia Secunda, that is to say,
Wales and its immediate borders.

We are enabled to do this bv extracting the desired
information from the pages of Mr. J. i . Akerman's
ArchcBological Index, a work of great use in studying
the early antiquites of Great Britain. This book, indeed,
should be in the possession of all practical antiquaries, if
it were merely for the sake of its beautiful and most
compendious plates; it constitutes a kind of portable
museum and hand-book in one and the same form ; and
for further information we would refer directly to its
pages. As far, however, as Wales is concerned, we are
persuaded that the following extracts will not be con-
sidered unacceptable.

We do not express any opinion on the discrepancies
and supposed inaccuracies ot the Itineraries, nor on the
obscure nomenclature of Ptolemy ; we leave all this for
future discussion, doing nothing more now than to print
these extracts j ust as we find them : —

ROMAN RBMAIMS W WAVES.

125

&»

d
o

a> i4 a

0) 0)

^ OJ

• OB

a
8

•.9

M ^ M M

?5 ► 00 ^

i2 M a S 5 P Ojj H H

.Jo* «

► ^ « PQ P

126 ROMAN REMAINS IN WALR8.

THB ITINBRABIBS OF RICHARD OF CIRBNCB8TBR.

Partoflter I.
From ViRiOGONiuM to Sbgontium.
ViRiocomo

BaNCHORIO XXYI M.P.

Dbya COLONIA X „

Fines FlavisB et SecundsB.
Varis XXX M.P.

CSONOVIO • XX „

SbG029TIO XXIY ,,

Iter II.

A Sbgontio Virioconium usque, M.P. lxxiii. sic:

Hbriri Montr xxv M.P.

Mbdioulno xxv „

RUTUNIO XII „

VlRIOCONIO XI f,

Iter XL

Ah AquiSiP^t Viam Juliam, Mbnapiam usqu/e^ sic:

Ad Abonam Yi M.P.

Ad Sabrinam vi ,,

Unde trajectu intras in Britanniam Secundam et stationem.

Trajbctum Ill M.P.

Vbnta Silurum YIII „

ISOA COLONIA IX ,,

Unde fuit Aaron martyr.

Tibia amnb viii M.P.

Bovio

NiDO ..•• XY „

liEUCARO XY „

Ad ViOB88IMT7M XX „

Ad Mbnapiam xix „

Ah hoc urheper M.P. xxx
Navigas in Hybemiam

Iter XIII.
Ah IsoA Urioonium usque^ sic:

BVVTBO YIII M.P.

Gobannio xn „

Magna xxiii ,,

BrANAGBNIO XXIII ,,

UrICONIO • . • XXYII „

ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES. 127

From the Chorographia Britanni® of Havennas (Horsley^
Brit Rom. p. 492).

Mbdiohanum • Maentwrog.. (Tomen y mar ?)

Sbountio CaemarvoD • .

Canubio Conway ....

Mbdiolano • • . Meifod ? . • • • (Mathrafal?)

Sandonio • • . • ? .... (Llanymynach — Clawdd Coch?)

Dbva victrix • Chester ....

It may be as well to point out that some use may be
made of the extracts from Ptolemy, (supposing that his
measurements of longitude and latitude, for so small a
district as Wales, are correct, and remembering that he
measures his longitude from west to east,) if on a good
map of Wales lines be drawn through some positively
determined point or other, so as to pass, according to his
measurements, through others less certain. For instance,
we shall find that the same longitude is assigned to
iViRocoNiuM and Mediolanum; now Viroconium being
known (Wroxeter, near Shrewsbury), if a line be drawn
from this point running due north (not to be confounded
with the magnetic north) it will pass through Mediolanum,
and thus afford one of the two co-ordinates required for
determining the position of this unknown point. We do
not lay any great weight on this method, because either
the MSS. of Ptolemy are exceedingly corrupt, or else his
calculations are in several instances grossly inaccurate ;
as, for instance, when he makes Devana (Chester) to be
east of Viroconivm; still the plan is worth pointing out: —

PTOLEMY.

Extracts from Ptolemy^ s description ofAUnon.

Lon

Hayen of the Setantii 17

.£stuary Belisama 17

.Estuary Seteia 17

Mouth of the river Toisobias 16

Promontory of the Cancani 16

Mouth of the river Stucia 16

Mouth of the river Tuerobius 16

Promontory Octapitamm 14 20 64 30

:tade.

UUtade.

20 ...

... 67 46

30 ...

... 67 20

00 ...

... 67 00

40 ....

... 66 20

00 ...

... 66 00

20 ...

... 66 30

00 ...

... 66 00

128 ROHAN REMAINS IN WALES.

Longltadab Latitude

Mouth of river Tobiufl 16 30 64 30

Mouth of river Ratostathybias 16 30 64 30

^Estuary Sabriana 17 20 54 30

South from these and the Brigantes, but the most western, are
situated the Ordovices, among whom are the following towns: —

Mediolanum 16 45 66 40

Brannogenium 16 00 66 15

More to the east than these are the CcMmavii, and their towns : —

Devana 18 30 65 00

Legio Viobsima Victrix

Virooonium ••... ••• 16 45 65 45

Again, south from the countries before mentioned, but in the
most western part, are the DimetsB, among whom are these
towns : —

Luentium 16 45 55 10

Maridunum 16 30 66 40

More easterly than these are the Silyres, whose town is, —
Bullffium 16 20 66 00

Next them are the Dobuni, and the town, —
Corinium 18 00 54 10

Isca 17 30 62 46

Lboio Sbounda Aug

Good service would be rendered to the survey of Roman
Wales if any gentleman would take the trouble to look
over the papers of the ArchxBologia mentioned in the
following list, and would present us, in a compendious
form, with the results they establish, — the facts they
positively prove. Much time and labour might be saved
thereby to those who are now engaged in the survey.

PAPERS IN THB ^^ ARCHJEOLOGIA ** ON BOMANO-BRITISH

AKTIQT7ITIE8 CONNEOTBO WITH WALES.
VoL Page.

I. 294. — An account of some Roman Remains and other
Antiquities, in and near the town of Breck-
nock : by John Strange.

ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES. 129

Vol. Page.

II. 1. — Observations on the Julia, and on the Roman

Stations, Forts and Camps, in the counties
of Monmouth, Brecknock, Caermarthen and
Glamorgan : by the Rev. William Harris.
IV. I. — A further account of some Roman and other

Remains, in and near the county of Breck-
nock, in South Wales : by John Strange.
V. 33. — Account of some Roman Kemains and other

Antiquities, in Monmouthshire: by John
Strange.
VI. 6. — Remarks on the Rev. William Harris's obser-
vations on the Roman Antiquities in Mon-
mouthshire and the neighbouring counties of
Wales; with an account of some curious
Remains of Antiquity in Glamorganshire:
by John Strange.
VII. 205. — Description of a Roman Hypocaust, discovered

near Brecknock : by Charles Hay.
VII. 410. — Discovery of a Roman Pavement at Caerwent.
VIII. 441. — Notice of Roman Coins, and other Remains,

discovered at Brecknock.
XII. 414. — Notice of a Bronze Stylus, found in the river

Towey.
XIV. 275. — Bronze Vessels, discovered in Flintshire.
XVI. 127. — Account of Roman Antiquities, discovered at

Caerhun, in Caernarvonshire : by Samuel
Lysons.
XVII. 168. — Account of some Roman Remains, near Llan-

drindod : by the Rev. Thomas Price.
XXVIII. 461. — Account of a Brass Vessel, found near Pulford,

Cheshire : by Edward Hawkins.

We shall be glad to receive from Members of the Asso-
ciation, further references to any other papers bearing upon
Roman Wales, which are to be found only in voluminous
works, or in books not likely to be known to the majority
of our readers, or in such as are scarce or difficult of access.

H. L. J.

ARCH. CAMB.y THIRD SERIBS, VOL. I. S

130

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.
Bt the latb Ret. Jonathan Williahb, M.A.

No. II.

(Continued from page 67.)
Section 2. — Its Name and Etymology.

The signification of the name, as well British as English,
which designates this district, is enveloped in such obscu-
rity as hitherto to baffle the ingenuity and elude the re-
searches of modem antiquaries. At a period so remote
from its original imposition, the reader will be content
with such information as a subject so necessarily obscure
and difficult will admit, and will judiciously exercise his
discretion with respect to the preference, which the various
conjectures that have been formed upon it deserve. In
doing this, he will previously reflect that this is the only
county in the Principality to which the British word
Maes is prefixed, and that there must have existed some
reason for this peculiarity.

The late Mr. Theophilus Jones, who is universally
acknowledged to have been deeply skilled in British
history and antiquities, was of opinion that this county
received its name, Maesyfedd^ from a chieftain called
Hyfaidd} Mr. Jones' usual acuteness appears in the
mind of the author to have failed him in this particular.
For, surely, a district occupied by the Silures, and tra-
versed by Roman legions, must have possessed a name
many centuries prior to the existence of a chieftain, whose
father, Caradoc Fraich-frds, was the contemporary only
of the renowned Arthur. Besides, if Mr. Jones' conjec-
ture be correct, this county would have been denominated
Sir Hyvaidd^ and not Sir Faesyfed ; as Brecknockshire^
if his statement be received, is called Sir Frycheiniog^ from
Brychyn^ its chieftain. But there exist strong grounds for
doubting the justness of Mr. Jones' derivation, even of

^ History of Breconshire, i. p. 69.

Ccus'lie Close

NJHW RADNOR.

HaJnoT TariC

SccUe, of Uiairuf

, , , 1

JELcKru-r '<

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIR£. 131

the appellative Brycheiniog, as a reference to the appendix
will evince. This opportunity is favourable for expressing
an unqualified disapprobation of the too general practice
of deducing the British appellations of large and extensive
districts from the names of their respective chieftains, —
a mode of interpretation which has given rise to innu-
merable fictions, and peopled countries with persons who
never had existence. When an author finds himself at a
loss to develope the etymon of the name of a district or
country, he indolently supplies his inability, or his igno-
rance, by the introduction of some imaginary and fabulous
hero, on whom is conferred an appellation corresponding
in sound: thus, Geoffrey of Monmouth^ unable to explain
the signification of the name Britain, falsely imputes its
origin to Brutus, a Trojan, the supposed discoverer and
colonizer of the island. To ascribe the British names of
places to chieftains is a practice pregnant of a thousand
errors, and has occasioned inextricable confusion in history.
Among the ancient Britons a reversed order universally
and unexceptionably prevailed ; and to the territory the
chieftain was beholden for his name, and not the territory
to the chieftain. The Welsh, indeed, as they degenerated
from the virtues, so were they less tenacious of the customs,
of their ancestors, adopted the presumptuous practice of
their arrogant invaders, who, in order to establish a pro-
perty in the lands, the possession of which they had
violently wrested from the natives, called them after
their own names. Thus Mwias Harold, Ewias Lacy,
and Tre-faldwin, were imitated by Powis Fadoc, Powis
Wenwynyn, and Tir-raulph. DiflFerent was the mode
observed by the ancient Britons ; their names of places
are exceedingly significative, appropriate and impressive;
they describe some peculiar and distinguishing feature of
the situation, which is, at the same time, pleasing to the
eye and soothing to the mind ; and it is rather by paying
due attention to these characteristics, than by having
recourse to the creation of imaginary persons, that the
true etymology of the ancient names of places and dis-
tricts in Britain is to be obtained.

132 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

Let this rule be applied to the derivation of Maesyfed^
or Maes y Fed ; for on the mode of its orthography de-
pends its signification. That there existed a chieftain of
the name of Hyfaiddy who resided at Maesyfed, is an
authenticated point of history. But probability prepon-
derates in favour of the presumption that he received his
name from the place, rather than the place from him. If
the former manner of writing the name, viz., Maesyfed^ be
preferred, it becomes susceptible of a twofold etymology.
First, Maesyfed signifies a " field that drinks or absorbs
wet or moisture." This interpretation corresponds with
the quality of the soil that characterizes the district which
lies a little below the town of New Radnor, where the
river Somergill is completely absorbed for a considerable
space, and emerges from its subterraneous course, and
reappears, on encountering, at the distance of about a
mile or more, a dififerent and more tenacious soil.
Secondly, the word Maesyfed implies " a moist or damp
field." This signification accords with the nature of the
soil of the middle, or interior, parts of this county, which
principally consisting of clay, is retentive of wet or
moisture.

If the latter mode of spelling the name be adopted, it is
necessary to attend to a striking peculiarity in the British
language, which requires the iEolic digamma jf^ to be
pronounced as the consonant F, and substitutes the letter
V in the place of B^ as Ved instead of Bed. Now Bed
is a contraction of Bedwj consequently, Maes-y-Fed^ or
Maes-y-Fedw^ or BedWy signifies a field of birch, a species
of tree with which the district of Old Radnor, and indeed
the whole county, even to this day, abounds, and of which
it had anciently large and extensive forests. This tree
was holden in great estimation by three most respectable
personages, viz., the British Druids, Bards, and Ladies.
The latter expressed their acceptance of a lover's addresses
and vows by presenting him with a garland composed of
the twigs and leaves of this delicate tree. On the con-
trary, a wreath of hazel modestly typified the rejection
of his suit. Nor was this elegant and beautiful tree less

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 133

propitious to the inspiration of poetry, tlian of love. For
thus Dafydd ab Gwjllim, the Ovid of Wales, describes
himself: —

" Bodlon wy w 'ir ganiadaeth
Bedwlwyn o'r coed mwyn ai maeth."

'Mid groves of birch, well pleased I sing
The tuneful verse the muses bring.

And it is a well known fact that the British Druids formed
the letters of their alphabet in resemblance of its buds and
sprays. So many, and so varied, were the inducements
which our Radnorian ancestors had for planting and cul-
tivating the waving birch. Accordingly, in no part of
Great Britain doth this delicate tree so frequently occur
as in this county. About two miles west of the church
of Old Radnor, is a grove of wood, called Cae-bedw, and
near the church of Llanvihangel Nantmelan, another of
the same name, — a circumstance that affords no small
confirmation of the etymology now offered, which ap-
pears further entitled to respect from the consideration
of analogy. Maes-y-fedw is by this derivation assimi-
lated with neighbouring places, such as Pengwern, Tre-
ffawydd^ and Celyn^ the ancient names of Shrewsbury^
Hereford^ and CZmw, which were so denominated from
the particular species of trees which once grew in the
immediate vicinage of each, respectively ; the first signi-
fying the " Ridge of Alders," the second, the '* Town of
Beech-trees/' and the third, " Holly."

The Saxon, or English, name of this county is Radnor.
Many and frequent have been the attempts to assign to
this appellation a rational and appropriate etymology.
All have hitherto proved uncertain and dissatisfactory.
The first reflection that occurs, is the great difference
of its two names ; Radnor bearing no assimilation with
Maesyfed, or Maes-y-fed. Our inability to ascertain the
true meaning of the former is the more vexatious from
the circumstance of its comparatively recent imposition ;
for Domesday Book is the first authentic document in
which the name Radenore is recorded. Leaving the

134 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

seDfieless derivation proposed by Camden, (who makes the
word Radnor to spring from Rhayader, and the equally
unappropriate signification, viz., " Red Hills," for there
are none of that description in the county, on the con-
trary, the hills contiguous to the town of Radnor have
their summits clothed with verdure,) to the oblivion in
which they deserve to be ingulphed, the author submits,
with diffidence, a new and unnoticed conjecture. Made
is the Saxon word for road, and iVbre, in the same lan-
guage, signifies narrow. Hence the appellation Made-
nore^ when applied to the town, means the town in the
narrow road, or pass, or defile ; when used to designate
the county, it signifies the county of narrow roads, passes,
or defiles. This etymology of the word Radnor has, at
least) the merit of being characteristic of the county to
which it is applied. For this county, more especially on
its English frontier, abounds more in defiles than any
other county in the Principality of Wales.

Still the name Radnor is susceptible of another, and
very different signification, deduced from the rank and
condition of the people by whom this part of the district
was inhabited. In the Saxon and Norman languages,
certain freeholders of lands, liheri tenentes^ were denomi-
nated iZac/eAenixtrt, who ploughed and harrowed, or reaped
and mowed, at the manor of the lord. There were also
certain men called Rad-knights^ who held their lands by
serving their lords on horseback. Now Radnor may be
an abbreviation or corruption of one or other of these two
words, and Radnor men, in the reign of Edward the Con-
fessor, may have holden their lands, of that king, by the
conditions here specified. This mode of tenure was also
called Socage, the servile part of which was commuted
by paying a small rent to the lord of the soil.

HISTORY OF RADNOR8HIRB. 135

CHAPTER II.

THE ORiaiN OP ITS PRIMITIVE INHABITANTS ; THEIR OHARAOTBR,
RELIGION, OOVBRNMENTy POPULiLTION, kc.; THE NAMES OF
THE ANCIENT DIVISIONS OF THE DISTRICT; ITS ANTIQUITIBS;
ITS TOMMENAUy CARNAU, AND CROMLECHAU ; ITS FORTIFICA-
TIONS AND ENCAMPMENTS; ITS ROMAN PROVINCE, STATIONS^
AND roads; its SAXON AND NORMAN VESTJQES; OFFA'S DYKB;
ITS CASTLES AND MILITARY WEAPONS; ITS RBLIQIOUS BDIFI0BS|
ABBEYSi CELLS AND CHURCHES.

Section 1. — The Origin of its Primitive Inhabitants.

The primitive inhabitants of this district were called,
in the British language, JEssylwyr, and by the Romans,
Silures. They were a tribe of the Britannia or Britons^
and identified with them in their origin, and in their other
characteristics. The question then that offers itself is,
whence did the ancient Britons migrate into Britain?
The generality of English antiquaries espouse the con-
jecture of Tacitus^ the Roman historian, who supposes
that they came hither from Gaul, and, like him, rest
their argument on the contiguity of the two countries^
Gaul and Britain. But if contiguity of situation be ad-
mitted as an argument for determining the sources of the
population of countries, why is the obvious and popular
notion of Ireland having been peopled from Britain, dis-
carded from the creed of every sensible and judicious
antiquary ? The conjecture that the original colony of
Britain migrated from Gaul or Spain, seems to be
founded on the erroneous notion that all ancient migra-
tions were effected on land alone, and that the continent,
having been first filled, emptied its superfluity upon the
bare islands. We are warranted, as well by the authority
of the Roman historian, as by an appeal to universally
received matter of fact, that the reverse was the general
mode of peopling the regions of the earth ; " Nee terra
olim,*' says he, " sed classibus advehebantur, qui mutare
sedes quaerebant." " Emigrants removed by sea, not by
land.'' And it is well ascertained that many parts of the

136 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

continent of Asia, and of Murope^ received their primitive
colonization from the contiguous and adjacent islands.

And the reason is obvious. Islands acquired civiliza-
tion and refinement much earlier than continents. They
presented fewer obstacles to improvement, and are less
subject to the domination of foreign invaders, and to
those violent and retrograde revolutions which impede
and retard the progress of national melioration. Com-
merce and navigation are objects to which islanders are
necessarily attached ; and navigation and commerce pro-
mote and assist the arts of civilization and improvement.
Accordingly, in every age of the world, the inhabitants
of islands have excelled the people of the continent in the
spirit of liberty, in the science of legislation, and in the
cultivation of the fine arts. Such was Crete ; its inhabi-
tants had obtained a considerable degree of civilization
and refinement, when the people of Greece remained in
a state of profound ignorance and barbarity. And such
was the case with Britain in the time of Julius Qesar.
This ambitious invader attests its superiority, and affirms
^^ that the druidical institution originated in Britain, and
passed from thence into Gaul ; so that whosoever aspired
to be complete adepts in this mystical science, were wont
to resort to Britain.'' This decisive testimony justifies
the inference that those historians and antiquaries, who
assert that Britain was indebted for her institutions to
the neighbouring continent, have misrepresented this
subject. The reverse was the fact. The neighbouring
continent received its institutions, and the improvement
of them, from Britain. This obligation the Gallic Druids
always had the grace to acknowledge. It was reserved
to English writers alone to assert the contrary.

The attempt of a modem " Inquirer into the origin of the
inhabitants of the British Islands,*' to identify the Britanni
of Britain with the Britones of Gauly and thereby to
prove that the first settlers of the former country came
from the latter, seems to be one of those stratagems, with
which the framers of hypothetical assumptions endeavour
to support their airy speculations. For no such people

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 137

as the latter existed in Gaul at the period alluded to. In
justice to this correspondent of the Antiquarian Society
of London, it is to be added, that the error appears not to
have been wilfully committed, but to have been occasioned
by a corrupted text of Pliny, which escaped the " In-
quirer's" observation. The true reading is Brixanes^
not Britones. This instance of inadvertence and mis-
quotation, however involuntary, suggests a lesson of
caution against drawing premature conclusions from un-
substantiated premises.

The reason why modern writers are so generally in-
clined to ascribe a Gallic origin to the first population
of Britain seems to have resulted from the accidental
circumstance of the Romans having transferred some of
the names of the petty states of Gaul into this island, and
imposed Gallic appellations on British tribes ; whence, it
has been hastily concluded, that those people of Britain,
who bore Gallic names, were descended from those Gallic
tribes which were designated by those names ; and, con-
sequently, that the original population of Britain arrived
from Gaul. To omit the illogical process of this deduc-
tion, from particulars to universals, let it suffice to observe
that, of all historical blunders, this is the grossest. It has
induced modem historians to ascribe the population of
countries to people who never beheld those countries with
their eyes. The question is, not what names the ignorant
Romans chose arbitrarily, and often without appropriate
meaning, to affix, but now Britons were designated by
Britons. This identity of Roman names doth not ne-
cessarily imply the identity of the two people ; nor were
the Senones of Britain derived from the Senones of Gaul.

Upon the whole, the argument of Tacitus^ derived from
contiguity of situation, and a supposed similarity of feature,
may as well be adduced to prove that the population of
Gaul and Spain was received from Britain, as that this
island was colonized from those countries. The studious
care with which the Britons have preserved genealogical
descents, would certainly have operated in a case of this

AROH. OAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. T

138 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

national and important concern ; and the remembrance
of a Gallic, or of an Iberian, extraction some document,
of tradition, would assuredly have perpetuated.' But, as
nothing of either is known to have existed, or to have
been transmitted, there is every reason to justify the
rejection of an hypothesis which, as it was deemed by
its first framer to be conjectural, remains to this day un-
supported and unconfirmed by his followers.

But, though no national testimony can be adduced to
support the supposition of a Gallic origin, yet there doth
exist at this day, through the whole of the Principality of
Wales, an historical tradition, handed down from time im-
memorial, asserting that the discoverers and first colonizers
of Britain were emigrants from Asia. Let us see what
kind of -evidence may be adduced in support of this
tradition.

In proof of an Asiatic colonization of Britain, we
have, — 1. Presumptions. 2. Arguments. The striking
resemblance of names, opinions and practices, that sub-
sisted among the ancient inhabitants of these two distant
countries, afibrds presumptions; and the testimony of
British Bards and of the Triades, furnishes arguments.

1. From the circumstance of a striking resemblance
between the two people, we derive presumptions in favour
of the tradition, which * ascribes the first population of
Britain to a tribe of emigrants from Asia. In their plan
of education, which committed nothing to writing, but to
the memory alone, and dispensed instruction through the
medium of oral poetry, — in their literary and philosphical
attainments, for what the Magi were in Persia, the same
were the Druids in Britain,-^in their forms of govern-
ment, which were sacerdotal, and founded on the influence
of opinion, — in their religious practices, for, with both
people, the sun and fire were emblems of the Deity, — in
the construction of their sepulchral tumuli, or tomraenau,
or barrows, — in their use of military chariots, — in the
names of distinguished leaders, viz., Husheng and Pkri*
dun, in Asia, and Huysgwn and Prydain, in Britain, —

HISTORY OF HADNORSHIRB. 139

and in various other subordinate particulars, — may , be
discerned in the people of Asia Minor ^ and in the earliest
inhabitants of Britain^ a surprising coincidence and umi-
larity, which it is difficult to account for by the inter-
vention of any casual or fortuitous contingencies. So
exact an identity of thinking and of acting, by two
people so far removed from each other, in the same epoch
of time, cannot be satisfactorily explained, but on the
supposition of the latter people having been connected
with the former, and deriving their origin and their in-
stitutions from them.

Hitherto we have adduced only presumptions in favour
of an Asiatic colonization of Britain. We will now state
our arguments, as furnished by the testimony of British
Bards and. the Triades.

2. The aggregate amount of the information derived
from these authoritative sources is this: — "That the
original colony which migrated to Britain was conducted
hither by a leader named Huysgwn^^ — identified with
Husheng^ an appellation extremely familiar, and common
to celebrated natives oi Asia; — "that the first settlers of
Britain came hither after a long and devious voyage by
sea," — which account agrees with the character of a
voyage from the coasts of Asia, but militates against the
commonly received but Erroneous notion of a short run
from the shores of Gaul; — "that they came from the
Summer-country," — that is, from Asia; — "that they
anciently inhabited Dyffra-banu,'' — a word undoubtedly
substituted by the negligence of a transcriber in the place
of Difffryn-banu^ or Dyffrynralbanu^ that is, the deep
vales or glens of Albania, a country situated* between
the Euxine and Caspian Seas; — "that they were natives
of a country in Asia}"' — and, lastly, "that they came to
Britain from a city called Gaf-isy^ — that is, the lower
Kdf, or the lower Caucasus, a mountain stretching
between the Caspian and Euxine Seas. Cities, towns,
and ' even people, were anciently denominated from the
neighbouring mountains, rivers, &;c. Cav^ca^us being

140 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

both originally, and at the present time, pronounced K&f^
and being divided into higher and lower, is certainly
identified with Gdf-is, that is, the lower Caucasus^ the
British language having the power to convert the initial
letter K into G.

Here then is a climax of evidence, consisting of strong
presumptions and conclusive arguments, mutually sup-
porting and corroborating each other, and confirming
the credibility of an existing tradition, which ascribes to
the original colonizers of Britain an Asiatic origin and
extraction. The only difficulty attending its reception,
that remains to be removed, arises from the consideration
of the distance which separates the two countries, and the
hazard which must have attended such an enterprize in
times of comparative inexperience of nautical affairs. The
force of this objection will be considerably diminished, if
not entirely removed, by recollecting that the art of navi-
gation had made a wonderful progress in the early ages
of the world, — that sea-voyages of considerable length
and difficulty had been performed in a period equally
remote, — that the Atlantic Ocean had been navigated
by Phoenician ships seventeen centuries anterior to the
Cfhristian aera, — that the merchants of Asia trafficked in
British tin as early as the days of Moses, — that the
maritime skill and experience by which the first settlers
of Britain were distinguished, whom Thaliessin calls
"warlike adventurers on the sea," rendered them qualified
for the enterprize, — that the population of Britain could
not have been effected at so early a period as it may be
proved it was, had the emigrants journeyed by land, —
and, lastly, that their voyage to Britain was not performed
at one run, but had its several resting-places, such as
Tan-is, in lower Egypt; Algiers, in Africa; Gadir, in
Spain; Lisbon, in Portugal, &c. When these ascertained
particulars are duly weighed and considered, not only
the reluctance to submit to the attested antiquity of our
island will be relaxed, but also the alleged difficulty of
navigating vessels from the coasts of Asia to the shores

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 141

of Britain, in so remote a period as is contended for, will
appear much abated and diminished.

Whilst time hath drawn its oblivious veil over the four
proud empires of the world, and almost eflFaced the re-
membrance of them from the countries, in which they
once triumphantly flourished, there exist at present in
this island a people, whom neither the revolution of
almost 3000 years, nor the most destructive invasions,
nor bloody wars, nor repeated massacres, have been able
to extinguish; still continuing to speak the same lan-
guage, and to retain many of the customs which dis-
tinguished their Asiatic progenitors; — a spectacle worthy
of the contemplation of the philosopher and antiquary, as
unexampled in the page of history as it is unparalleled
by any nation now subsisting, — that only excepted, whose
preservation constitutes a peculiar object of the regard of
Divine Providence, and is made subservient to the ac-
complishment of His wise and majestic decrees.

(To he continued.)

142

€uni^nhntt.

BADGE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

To the Editor of the Archmologia Camhrensie.

Sir, — I should be glad if you would allow me to call the attention
of members of our Association towards determining with accuracy the
armorial bearings and other devices of the Princes of Wales, and of
royal families connected with the Principality. I have reason to
believe that the subject is attended with some degree of difficulty, and
I remember hearing as much from the lips of our lamented friend the
late Sir S. R. Meyrick.

We use on the title-page of our Journal a coat of arms which is
commonly said to be tne same as that used by the unfortunate Prince
Llewelyn ; but I understand from Sir S. R. Meyrick that there is no
Yery certain authority for this. Some of the members of our body,
who are learned in heraldry, might profitably work out this subject,
and I think that a collection of all the royal shields of Wales would
form most suitable illustrations for the pages of our Journal.

I am anxious however at present to obtain information as to the
origin of the practice of giving an erroneous representation of the
badge of the feathers, as now borne by the Princes of Wales. The
common device, as is well known, is now ordinarily given as three
ostrich feathers springing from within a circlet or prince's coronet,
with the badge Ich Dibn. This device is more or less caricatured
according to the fancy of the sign-painter or engraver who has occa-
sion to use it ; and the motto itself has been ludicrously altered into
** Eich Dyn," in order to suit it to the popular myth of the birth and
presentation of Edward II.

The earliest authority that I know of upon this point is the tomb of
Edward the Black Prince in Canterbury Cathedral, — the very man
who won the motto at the point of his sword.

Round that magnificent monument runs a series of sixteen shields
of brass, each alternate shield bearing the arms of England. The
other alternate shields have each the following armorial bearings, viz. :
— SabUf 3 feathers or, labelled, the tops curving over to the sinister
side ; over the shield, and resting on it, a small label bearing the
words Ich Diene ; whilst over the shield of England is a similar
label with the word Houmont. The crest of the prince's helm is a
lion statant crowned with a circlet of five fleurs de lys labelled of 3
round the neck, or bearing a file of 3 points.

We observe that the feathers are used here, not as a crest, but as an
armorial bearing or badge ; and, from the emblazoning of that bear-

CORRESPONDENCE. 1 43

ing, we should be induced from analogy to assign to it a continental
origin.

The inscription running round the edge of the slab bearing the re-
cumbent effigy is as follows : —

Cy gist le noble Prince Monss Edward aisnez fils da tres noble Roy
Edward Tiers jadis Prince d* Aquitaine et de Gales Due de Corn-
waille et Count de Cestre qi morust en la feste de la Trinite qestoit le
yiii jour de Juyn Ian de grace Mil trois cens septante sisine Lalme de
qi Dieu eit merci. Amen.

May I be allowed to inquire why, if the arms of Wales could be
determined, they should not be borne on the royal shield of England,
the same as those of Scotland and Ireland ? — I remain, &c.,

An Antiquary.

GEORGE OWEN.

To the Editor of the Archesologia Camhrensis.

Sir, — I have seen from time to time several extracts in your pages
from the papers of George Owen. As his name is not to be found
in any of our Cambrian biographies, I shall feel obliged if any of your
readers will inform me who he was, what did he write, and where his
manuscripts are deposited. — I remain, &c.,

Tkoonwy.

STATISTICS OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE.

To the Editor of the ArchtBologia Cambrenns.

Sir, — I venture to suggest a mode in which our active members on
the Marches might occupy themselves with great advantage to the
Society and its objects. I mean the construction of a Linguistic Map
of Wales. Let any gentleman tolerably familiar with the border
counties of the Principality, or again with Pembrokeshire, ascertain
roughly the line of demarcation between the two languages. Let him
write to the clergyman of each parish through which the line appears
to run, and ascertain from him whether it is sharply marked, or
whether it leaves a fringe. In the former case, whether it follows the
course of natural boundaries, as rivers and watersheds, or artificial
boundaries, such as Wat's and Offa's Dykes, — or lastly, whether it is

fmrely arbitrary. Or, supposing it to leave a fringe, what are the
imits of the fringe, — and whether it is marked by an indiscriminate
mixture of the two languages, or by the bilingual character of the
whole population. Further let him ascertain whether the line of
demarcation is fixed or fluctuating, and whether either language has
advanced or receded within the memory of man, or within historical
memory. The disuse of the Welsh language in the churches may be

144 ARCHiBOLOOICAL NOTES AND QUERIES.

taken in evidence of this point. ^ Are there districts in which the use
of the Welsh language is confined to elderly people ? Are there any,
as it is sometimes asserted, in which it has absolutely gained ground ?
Lastly it would be interesting to determine, whether there are places
in which the language is isolated, being surrounded by an English-
speaking population.^ — I remain, ice*,

W. Basil Jones.

iartlittDlngital Sntu niiit dHuMiu.

Note 1. — Maes y Brenhin. — ^There is a field bearing this name on
the left hand of the road leading from Aberystwyth to Machynlleth,
between the sixth and seventh milestones from the former place. It is
said to derive its name from having been the site of an encampment
of the Earl of Richmond (Henry VII.) on his route from Milford to
Bosworth.

N, 2. — TowYN. — ^About thirty years ago, and perhaps still more
recently, it was the custom on Sundays, at Towyn, in Merioneth^
when the congregation (which was a large one) came out of church,
for the crier of the place to mount a horse-block, near the church-
yard, and to give public notice of all fairs, sales, or other public
matters that were to occur in the village during the ensuing week.
This custom bears some analogy to one of mediseval times which
existed in France. There, in certain churches, used to be placed near
the great doorway, an upright iron standard, with long spikes pro-

1 ThuB, A Bermon was preached in the Cornish langua^ce in the parish church of
Menheniot, near Plymouth, temp* Jac. I. E Lhuyd, writing in 1707, says thtit its
use, even there only partial, was confined to about a dozen of the western parishes.
We thus obtain data to determine the rapidity of its decline.

s A year or twu since, in passing through the village of Llanover, in Monmouth-
shire, I was much interested to find that the ancient use of the Welsh hut, although
unknown for many miles round, was invariably preserved among the women. I
cite this as an illustration of my meaning when I speak of the possible isolation of
the Welsh language in particular districts.

[There may be causes for the existence of the Welsh hat at Llanover
not suspected by our correspondent. At the present time (1855) the
use of the high-peaked hat, and, indeed, or hats generally, is fast
becoming obsolete in the six northern counties of Wales ; and in some
districts the head-gear of the women differs in nothing from that used
in England. (See Query 14.) — Ed. Arch. Camb.]

ARCHiEOLOOICAL NOTES AND QUERIES. 145

jecting from it, something in the fashion of a modern hat^tand ; and
,on these spikes used to be stuck written notices of public events,
whether past or future. The public read them as they went into, or
came out from, service. £d. Arch. Cams.

N* 3. — Cindularum Osee Q^ery 3) is the genitive case of cindulmf
or, more correctly, scinauUB, wooden shingles for roofing. T. W.

Modern shingles are of very common use in Montgomeryshire and
Radnorshire. Are we to infer that slates were not used in Conway
Castle ? H. L. J.

N, 4. — ^The memory of several resting-places of Henry VII., along
the western side, or coast line, of Cardiganshire, is still preserved in
that district ; and it is not improbable that a notice of one of the more
important houses, where he once stayed, near Llanarth, may hereafter
appear in the Archteologia Cambrensis, There is a tradition in that
county that the future King of England left other traces of his pro-
gress through that district, and that his blood still circulates in the
veins of more than one family now living there. H. L. J.

Query 14. — When did the custom of wearing high-peaked hats by
women, originate in Wales? Did it arise in the times of the Puritans?
or, as has been supposed, about fifty years ago? We find, in the plates
of the first edition of Pennant^ women represented with small low-
crowned {JimrCrow) hats, but nothing resembling the peaked hat*

Ed. Arch. Camb.

Q. 15.— Are there any leases or other documents extant to prove
the letting of stone quarries, for building, in medieval times, the
position of which in Wales can now be ascertained ?

A Builder.

Q. 16. — Are there any authenticated instances of the use of the
yen> tree, or any other species of the pine tribe, in Welsh churches,
previous to the year 1700? A Builder.

Q. 17. — What is the earliest date of slates having been used in
Wales for roofing purposes? Are there any instances of it in the
original construction or our castles and churches ?

A Builder.

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. U

146

3&\stt[hnnu jgntiria.

80CIBTY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND.

At the last meeting of the recent session the following commnni-
cations were read : —

1. — Notices of Ancient Gaelic Poems and Historical Fragments in a
MS. volume of the early part of the sixteenth century, called
''The Dean of Lismore's Book/' in the Advocates' Library:
by the Rev. Thomas M'Lauchlan, Edinburgh.

This volume appears to have been principally compiled by James
M'Oregor, Dean of Lismore; and as the last date of an obituary
contained in it is 1542, it is believed that the Dean died about this
time. The collection is one of much interest, on account of its age, its
orthographvy and the nature of its contents. It may be held to be the
oldest specimen which we possess of written Scottish Gaelic, and it
has preserved to us many specimens from composers who existed a
couple of centuries before the time of the Dean. The orthography of
the volume, so far as Scotland is concerned, is believed to be unique —
as it is on the principle of phonetic writing — the orthography following
the orthoepy. The poetry in the volume extends to about 11,000
lines, in compositions varying in length from half-a-dozen lines to a
hundred, ana are the productions of about sixty-six different authors.
Portions of these of about 800 lines are in the Ossianic style and
measure, and refer to events in the Fingalian history. The names of
M'Pherson's heroes appear in these fragments, but a peculiarity
regarding the latter is the frequent introduction of St. Patrick, between
whom and Ossian frequent dialogues occur. Mr. M'Lauchlan has
treated in some detail the question of resemblance and identity of
these poems with the Ossian of M'Pherson. Besides the Ossianic
poetry, the volume contains a large selection of the compositions of
later bards — some Scotch, some Irish. The names of a few of these
are Duncan Campbell the Good Knight, Duncan O'Daly, Teague
O'Huggin, Murdoch Albanach, bard to Clanranald, and Red Finlay
the Bard. Several of the pieces are composed by persons known in
history, although not as poets. Four of them are by the Knight of
Olenurchy, who fell at Flodden ; three by the Earl of Argyll ; and
three by Isabella, Countess of Argyll, who afterwards became Countess
of Cassilis. Some of these last are very difficult to read, and of those
which can be made out, the larger number are exceedingly indecent.
Mr. M'Lauchlan concluded an interesting paper by expressing a hope
that more attention would be turned to the examination of the remains
of our Celtic literature than has hitherto been done ; and referred to a
volume of ancient Irish poetry, recently issued by the Ossianic Society,

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 147

which seemed in part to consist of an aggregation of fragments in

** The Dean of Lismore's Book/' which are here ascribed to yarioos

authors.

2. — Notice of the Ancient Die of a Scotch Coin, found near Pittencrieff,

recently presented to the Museum : by W. H. Scott, M.D.
8. — Remarks on some Clay Dagobas, bearing Sanscrit Stamps, ob-
tained in Ceylon : by A. Oswald Brodie, Esq.
4. — Description of Antiquities in Orkney, recently examined ; with
illustrative drawings : by George Petrie, Esq., Kirkwall.
This paper contained most interesting results of various excavations
recently made by Mr. Petrie (partly in company with Mr. Farrer,
M.P. for Durham) in various parts of Orkney. The first object
noticed was a large burg, or round tower, in the island of Burray,
in which many little cells and concealed passages in the thickness of
the wall have been laid open by the excavations set on foot by these
gentlemen. The second discovery was made from digging into some
large tumuli near the ''standing stones" of Stennis~one of them an
elliptical barrow, 112 feet long, and 66 feet broad at its base. In one,
which is known as the " Plumcake Barrow," a cist was found, con-
taining an urn of unusual size, chiselled out of mica slate, which b
now in the Society's Museum. It contained a quantity of calcined
bones. Mr. Petrie recently examined the "Pict's House," on the
holm of Papa- Westray, opened by Lieutenant Thomas, R.N., in 1849,
and described in the Arch€Boloffiaf xxxiv. Certain indistinct cuttings
on stones, there referred to, have now been washed out, and show many
curious carved figures, resembling those in the celebrated underground
chamber at New Grange, in Ireland. A barrow at tlie holm or Papa-
Westray was opened by Mr. Petrie, in September last, and appears to
have been a family tomb, as it contained remains of several human
skeletons, besides bones of the ox, deer, sheep, &c. This valuable
paper was illustrated by sketches made by Mr. Petrie.

Among the articles exhibited were certain antiquities from the col-
lection of Mr. Alexander Watt, Kintore ; an antique bodkin, found
under the flooring, at Holyrood, by Dr. Stark ; and an ancient bronze
sword, dug up in a moss on the estate of Forse, in Caithness, by C.
Lawson, jun., Esq., Edinburgh. Various donations to the Museum
and Library were reported; among the former of which were a portrait
of Kin^ James YI., — supposed to be by Cornelius Jansen, — fit>m
Alexander White, Esq., Leith; bones and other remains, from a
barrow on the holm of Papa-Westray, by George Petrie, Esq., Kirk-
wall; a fragment of coloured glass, from a window in Melrose Abbey,
found there \u 1742, from Messrs. Cross and Carruthers, Edinburgh ;
and three flint arrow-heads, found in the township of Macnab, Canada
West, from the Chief of Macnab.

148 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

'' La Normandib Soittbrraike. By the Abb£ Cochet, Inspoctor
of Historical Monuments in the department of the Seine Inf(§rieure/'
— This is the title of an important work on the Roman and Prankish
cemeteries and interments which are to he found in Normandy. It is
the result of ten years' diligent research, carried on at the expense of
the Council General of the Seine Inf^Srieure, and will give us a com-*
plete account of that most interesting branch of antiquities as developed
in Normandy. Its form will be a compendious octavo, and its price
only 5s. ; it will contain sixteen plates. Subscribers' name are re-
ceivable at Mr. J. H. Parker's, Oxford and London. We have put
down our name for this book at once. So far so good. Now let us
endeavour to realize this kind of thing for our own country, and con-
ceive the astonishment of our antiquaries if they were to meet with
the following advertisement: — ''Subterranean Siluria, by the Rev.
A. B., Inspector of Historical Monuments for the Counties of Mon-
mouth and Glamorgan ; the result of ten years' researches carried on
at the expense of the Grand Juries of the above counties " ! ! Why it
would be better to have a revolution than come to such a dreadful
condition of county expenditure ! True : but in Normandy they are
doing all this eifter three revolutione!

Anglo-Saxon Antiquities* By the Rev. Bryan Faussett.— We
are truly glad to find that the MS. account written by Mr. Bryan
Faussett, of his discoveries among more than 700 Kentish Anglo-
Saxon tumuli, is ^oing to be published. It is to be edited by Mr. C.
Roach Smith, ana will be copiously illustrated by Mr. Fairholt. The
whole we have no doubt owes its birth to the generosity of Mr.
Mayer, of Liverpool, who, when the trustees of the British Museum
had the folly to decline buying this magnificent collection, became
its purchaser. The work is to be published by subscription at two

fuineas ; but we hope that something like an abridgment of it may
ereafler be given to the world, so as to make it a papular book, —
that is to say, one that can be purchased by thotuandSf instead of
ecareSf of readers.

A New History of Kent is about to be published by Mr. A. J.
Dunkin, one of the most indefatigable antiquai*ies connected with that
county. Hasted's History of Kent is now become scarce and dear;
and there is ample room for a new work, which may include the
results of modem archseological science, and may give an account of
recent discoveries made in that interesting county. Mr. Dunkin's
prospectus is in itself a valuable and lengthy archaeological paper,
which, had we room, we should be very glad to transfer to our pages.

Mold Church Rbstorations. — Some excellent work is going on
in Mold Church, the good influence of which, we hope, will be felt at
Wrexham, Gresford, Kuthin, Conway, and other important churches
in North Wales. A small chancel has been added to the east end of

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 149

the central arch, where preparations for makin? one had evidently
existed in the design of the ancient building, tnough never carried
into effect; and the interior is now in process of fitting up with
open oak seats, after the removal of the whole of the pews. The
work is under the direction of Mr. Scott, of London, and is goine
on most satisfactorily. The bench ends, of elaborate design and
thoroughly good workmanship, have been carved at Leicester. The
wood work is all in the best oak, and the effect of the whole is
such as to gratify even those who do not understand the nature of
operations of this description. It is much to be wished that the
monumental slabs affixed to some of the piers of the nave may be
removed to the walls of the church, and that a monument (by Kych
brach ?) which blocks up a rich niche at the south-east end, may be
so placed as not to spoil the harmony that will otherwise prevail
throughout the rich interior. Much stained slass will be required for
the windows, but, in so wealthy a neighbourhood, this will no doubt
be forthcoming in progress of time. These improvements, we under-
stand, have originated with the promoters of a design to raise some
memorial commemorative of their regard for the late vicar, the very
Rev. C. Clough, now Dean of St. Asaph ; and the funds, JS2000,
raised for that purpose, have been applied to their present excellent
purpose, because the restoration of the church was one of the objects
which the Dean had long entertained the hope of effecting, had he
remained in charge of the parish. We believe that the upper portion
of the tower is going to be restored as soon as the interior of the
church is completed.

B01LTH, Brecknockshire. — A late brass (1585) in this church
should be added to the list of those in the Principality.
Inscription, —

HERE LIETH JOHN LLOID OF T . . . TSQ0ER TO THE BODYE
Sc SERUAINT TO O*^ SOFYERAIGNE QUEENE ELIZABETHE
W^ SERUEB HER MA^** FATHER BOTH AT MUTRET &

150

Umiiitts.

JOURXAL OF THE ARCHITECTURAL, ARCHiBOLOQICAL AND HISTORIC

Society of Chester. Part III. 1854.

We are indebted to the Chester Society for a copy of their Trans-
actions, which reach down, as thus recorded, to the end of 1852 ; but
though this volume has very recently made its appearance, we hope
that it will be followed by others, and that the matter contained in
them will be equally interesting. It cannot, however, but be a subjecl
of regret to find a volume of scientific proceedings illustrated in so
very inadequate a manner, — better, indeed, would it be to have no
illustrations whatever, than to insert such as we now find. With
two exceptions, — an etching of St, Nicholatt^s Churchy Chuter^ and
another of the Entrance to a Soman Bath^ in the same city, — there
are no original illustrations in this volume which can be of any service
to the antiquarian or architectural reader. The sum of twenty pounds
spent upon engravings, and forty more upon tetter-press, would sufiice
for the production of a volume more generally attractive, and more
useful in a scientific point of view.

It is a good sign, however, to find a provincial city bringing oat
any work of this kind ; because it is an evidence of a spirit of research
existing there, and it proves that a love for the good cause of Brchaeo*
logy dwells in the miast of the many valuable monuments of all kinds
which that old city contains.

In this volume we find papers on the cathedral, on several churches,
on ancient charters, and a remarkably interesting account of wooden
churches, by the Rev. W. H. Massie, &c., &c.

One of the papers that has proved the most interesting to us, is an
Account of the Records preserved at Chester, up to 1852, by Mr.
Black, of the Record Office, London. It appears from this that there
are some highly important records among them connected with Wales;
and it will be very desirable for our own Association to examine and
to publish them if necessary, whether they remain at Chester, or, as
seems probable, are transferred to Loudon.

'' The priocipal rolls the Lecturer referred to were —

** 1. Plea Roll of Chester, so old as 44th Henry III.; the most aneient and entire
record yet fonod io the muniments of the Caittle ; in excellent condition, consisting
of twelve membranes closely written, and full of curious and instructive matter.
This ouf^ht to have been in the Prothotiotary's office, and is probably the ' one roll
of Henry III.' mentioned in his rep<irt of 184U as not to be found. There were also
some rolls of claims and proceedings in quo warranto of great value, properly
belonging to the same office.

'* 2. A Register of Writs ; an ancient and valuable MS., written in the time of
Richard II. and Henry IV., found in a sad state, tossing about without cover. He
had it cleansed, bound, and lettered ; but afterwards found eight loose leaves
belonging to it, which ought to be inserted. It contains also a calendar.

'' 3. Recognizance Rolls, Ministers' Accounts, Receivers' Accounts, Court Rolla
of divers manors, Rentals, ChmmberUin's Cravings, Memoranda of Bxpenaea in the
Exchequer of Chester, Arrear Rolls, kc

REVIEWS. 151

** The noordt of the Exchequer at Chenoery of the Palatinatey he found scattered
about in all parts of the office, and had only time to sort them in a general way.

" The loquisitionB past mortem were found in much the same state, extending
flrom Edward III. to Charles I. He attributed this to the careless way in which
they had been taken down for examination in causes, and not properly returned to
their places.

'* The judicial records of the Exchequer, as a court of equity, were of great extent,
though he could find at present none earlier than Elizabeth.

''There wore also a great Dumber of ancient deeds, belonging to divers fhmilies,
from the reign of Henry III. to modem times, relative to lands and tenements in
the city and county of Chester, and elsewhere, which seem to have been produced

in suits and left uncalled lor

There were rolls relating to Wales, other than the parts of Flint and Denbigh,
though not many, yet highly interesting : — a roll of Ministers' Accounts of Caer-
narvon, 9^10 Hen. IV., another of Anglesey of the same date, also an establishment
for the Castles of North Wales, showing the extent and expensee Of their garrisons,
apparently of the same age^ in Norman French. A charge for gunpowder as early
as 1404 occurred.

'' In his former leeture, when speaking of the records In Mr. Lloyd's charge, Le,
the eommon law records, Mr. Black stated that the public archives of this county
contain the evidences of its history for at least five cebturles and a half. He had
read some specimens of the contents of these records — not only showing their
ordinary contents, but also exhibiting some most curious and striking illustrations
of ancient manners and customs, and obsolete forms of law. For instance, he ad-
duced a plea roll of 34th Edward I., in which the appeal of murder is fully
illustrated, and the * peine ftrrte et dure,* by the case of one of the Grosvenor
family, of extreme interest. Tbe next entries on the roll contain another curious
scene in the same tragedy, in form of a presentment of the murder of Henry le
Orovenur, committed by Richard, son of Robert de Pulford.

" In one entry on the rolls of the city, 17th Edward I., the Abbot of Chester was
accused of setting up a new court among his tenants, without the Northgate of
Chester, ' to the nuisance of the Lord the King's Court of the city of Chester.' The
presentment of this was made by the twelve (probably the standing inquest of the
dty). In another place, the official of the Archdeacon of Chester is presented, for
extorting money from persons impleaded before them and for proving wills. In
another, the Rector of Holy Trinity is accused of stealing herrings to the value of
one shilling; and other persons for catching salmon fry (salmonculosjf or for being
known thieves. Among other complaints against city officers, it was recorded that
Richard of Shrewsbury, Sergeant of the West(?)gate, took fishes from ships which
came up to that gate, proving that ships had been able to come up to the Water-
gate in the time of Edward !.----( But query ? was this really the Westgate 7 and not
the ShipgateT Examine the roll, though the fiict itself is probably true.)

" From a plea roll of the year 1656, Mr. Black read the proceedings at the trial
of three witches, who were found guilty and executed at Boughton, at the autumnal
session of that year. This record was in English, as all other records of the Com-
monwealth were; before 6th George II. all judicial proceedings at common law,
and most other records, were in Latin. An entry was found by the Rev. Wnu
Maasie of the above case in the registers of St. Mary's : — * This year three witches
were hanged, and buried in the churchyard between the Porch and the Castle Ditch.'

" In the Exchequer Court, the chief officer was ' the Chamberlain ;' there was
also ' the Baron,' who acted as master and registrar ; and the Seal-keeper had the
custody of the seal and of the records. There were — 1st, the financial ; 2odIy, the
Judieifd : under the former are the Remembrance Rolls, containing grants of lands,
offices and liberties, and all instruments issued under the seal of the Palatinate from
Edward II. to Charles II. ; also the Chamberlain's accounts from Edward III. to
Henry VIII., recording all tlie receipts and expenditure of the Palatinate, alms and
annuities to religious houses, expenses of the Castle and garrison of Chester, Flint,
Rhuddlao ; in short, almost the whole public history of the Palatinate. There are
also Court Rolls of like antiquity, and no less than 1,986 Escheator's inquisitions.

162 REVIEWS.

which ftra, for this eonnty, of the same nature and value as thorn among the records
of the Chancery at Westminster and those of the Duchy of Lancaster are for the
rest of England. Among other curious records, he exhibited a return from the
Sheriff of Anglesey to the Court of Chester, under the authority of Henry V., when
Prince of Wales— a file of rolls of the date of Richard II., which had been unopened
from that time till now, and which are most important to genealogists and illus-
trators of family history — a bill in Chancery, with the answer thereto, addressed to
Robert, Earl of Leicester, the celebrated favourite of Queen Elizabeth — some
warrants for the arrest of heretics and contumacious persons, of the dates of 1068
and 1678 — and a legal document bearing the signature of the notorious Judge
JefAries, in the reign of James the Second. There was also a beautiful copy of the
Charter of Henry VII. to the citizens of Chester, prohibiting among other things
the destruction of the fishery and the cutting of ditches or emptying of sewers into
the river, under heavy penalties.

" Mr. Black had again searched for the old < Domesday of Chester,' which
belonged to this Exchequer, and was deemed to be of high authority in the reign of
Henry III. By a record at Westminster of that age it is called 'a roll ;' but a
document of the year 1287, produced by Mr. Black, argued that it was 'a book,' in
which entries continued at that time to be made, though it might still possibly
consist only of such documents bound up together as were now found scattered here
and there. He himself, however, considered it to have been similar to the black
books or red books of the Exchequer at Westminster and Dublin. Sir William
Dugdale said that it had been embezzled; but his own idea was that it had perished
in the same way as many others, from damp, and such like causes. Some old
records of the Palatinate had certainly been cut up to make covers for books ; and
the destruction of this important Cheshire Domesday would have been the more
easy, supposing it had consisted of a number of consecutive and single documents
strung together at one comer.i

** In r^B^ard to the condition of the records, Mr. Black mentioned one chief cause
of the great accumulation of dust, viz., that the ventilation from the Shire-hall and
Courts of Assize was by an opening into the Record Room, and thence through
other openings into the air, — a misdiief easily corrigible by the addition of a tube.
The way to the leads also was through these chambers. If this were cured, there
would be ample room in this part of the Castle, by occupying the fire-proof re-
positories over the portico, for all the records of North Wales, in addition to those
of Chester and Flint, now deposited here."

Evidently there is something here to make Welsh antiquaries on
the alert ; and we will undertake, ourselves, not to lose sight of the
documents thus incidentally brought to our notice.

At page 319, we are informed that ** the Records of North Wales
are now partly at Caernarvon, partly at Ruthin, partly at Pool."

We wonder whether this can be correct; if so, it would be rendering
a most essential service to the Association if some member would
furnish us with catalogues. The Chancery Records of Flint, Denbigh
and Montgomery are stated by Mr. Black to be in the Rolls Office.
Surely they must be worth examining and reporting upon.

1 ** Mr. Ormerod has recently published bis own researches on the subject of the
Cheshire Domesday, and kindly presented a copy to the Society ; and for farther
particulars on various other points, see Mr. Black's first lecture at the Congress of
the Association. He therein states that there are no documents, except one small
fragment, of 28th Henry III., now to be found, earlier than the time when the
Palatinate was annexed to the Crown by Henry III. But the separate judicature
and courts still continued till abolished, with tiiat of other Palatinates, by statute
William IV., chap. 70, in 1830."

I i

I '

.^ ^

■IE ^

*r? «f /ire

Ground-Plan of Ruthin Church and College.

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN WALES.

• .

^ m

Inscribed Stone at Downing, Whitford.

Irrknlngia Caikf nsis .

THIRD SERIES, No. IIL-JULY, 1866.

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN WALES.

In Gough's Camden we find under the head of the parish
of Caerwys, Flintshire, a notice of an early inscribed
stone, of which a facsimile is given, and which is read,

HIC lACIT MtJLIER BO OBIIT. Now the

blank in the latter part of the inscription, followed by the
word "obiit," which is so uncommon, (indeed, I may
say, unknown elsewhere in these early inscriptions,) made
me anxious to learn something more definite respecting
the stone, which, I understood, had been moved to the
grounds at Downing, in the neighbouring parish of Whit-
ford. By the kindness of one of our members, I am now
in possession of a rubbing from this stone, which, with the
assistance of the camera lucida has supplied the accom-
panying engraving, and has enabled me to give the true
reading of the inscription, which it is surprizing that
Gough and his correspondents should have missed. There
is no question that the proper reading is —

HIC lACIT MVLI
ERBONA NOBILKS)

In Gough's figure the fifth letter of the upper line is
formed into two V's united 0, the tips crossing, and the

angle of the lower letter reaching to the bottom of the
line, making it appear like a conjoined A and U ; the T
is made to want the right hand side of the top bar, which

ARCH. CAHB., THIRD SERIES, TOL. I. X

154 EARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN WALES.

is, however, quite conspicuous in my rubbing, and no
traces are represented of the NA N in the middle of the
second line, although portions of each of these letters are
quite distinct. The M in the upper line is of a form
common in the earliest of our national manuscripts,
though rare in lapidary inscriptions. (The reader may
consult an article on the early forms of this letter in one
of my former papers in the Archwologia Cambrensis.)
The I at the end of the upper line, following the L, is
extended below the line, as was very often the case in our
early manuscripts, and some few instances of the same
peculiarity are to be met with in early Welsh inscrip-
tions ; and there appears to be the same irregularity in
the last two letters of the lower line, probably intended
to indicate a monogrammatic conjunction of LIS, there
being no other separate indication of the terminal S.
With these peculiarities, the rest of the inscription consists
of rude Roman capitals. As now deciphered, the inscrip-
tion is one of the most touchingly simple memorials of
the dead which I have ever met with, —

HERE LIES A GOOD AND NOBLE WOMAN.

Simple as are many of the inscriptions in the early
Christian catacombs of Rome, none of them exceed the
one before us in this respect.

Nearly connected, at least by locality, with the stone
bearing the '^ Aimilinvs" inscription, noticed in the last
Number, is a rude stone chair, called Cadair Brenhines,
which used to stand about a mile south-west from the
former, on the same moor, near a circular embankment,
and on a small eminence, and which, even now, has been
placed by its side, within Pool Park, in front of Lord
Bagot's mansion. It had been taken away by a tenant
and used as a horse-block ; and when Lord Bs^ot had it
removed to his park for safety, the tenant, with great
simplicity, went and fetched from the moor another ^^ old
stone'' as he termed it, to serve as a substitute. This
second stone has all the appearance of a stone chair, the

EARLY INSCRIBED STO^ES IN WALES. 155

same as the former, and it stiU stands by the side of the
door at Cefn-du fann.

This is evidently one of those rough memorials of the
past which has its existence on the furthest verge of the
regions of tradition; and the word Brenhines, "The
Queen," conveys the information hy which our conjec-
tures have hitherto been aided. On the same range of
moorland, and at a spot visited hy the Cambrian Archeeo-
logical Association, in September, 1854, is an oblong
embankment, on a lofty spot, commanding a widely
Miread view. This is called Llys Brenhines, " The
Queen's Palace ; " and, very possibly, the same tradition
applies to the rock chair as well as to this inclosure,
though the name of the Royal Personage remains con-
cealed.

No traces of tools have been observed on this chair. It
is of the schistose rock of the country, and is faithfully
represented in the accompanying wood cut.

Ctdair Breiihinea. Kothin.

It is very like the coronation chair of the O'Neils of
Castlereagh, now preserved at Rathcarrick, county Sligo,
{^Dublin Penny Journal, i. 208,) and which onginally
stood on the hill of the O'Neils of Castlereagh, near Bel-
fast. It is made of common whinstonc, the seat lower
than that of an ordinary chair, (a solid block,) and the
back higher and narrower. Such chairs, or sometimes
mere large stones, on which the impression of two feet

156 EARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN WALES.

was sculptured, were placed on some elevated spot in
every lordship or territory, and an allusion to them, as
well as to the mode of electing the chiefs and tanists,
occurs in the poet Spenser's curious View of the State of
Ireland^ from which it appears that the chief, having
been elected by the tribe, was placed upon a stone always
reserved to that purpose, and placed commonly upon a
hill. Another stone chair in which the 0*Neils of Tyrone,
the chief branch of the family were inaugurated, is marked
on some of the old Irish maps as ^' the stone where they
make the O'Neils/'

The memory of this ceremony is preserved in the stone
coronation chair in Westminster Abbey, respecting the
origin of which so much discussion has taken place. A
similar chair, known as " The Druid's Judgment-seat,"
stands near the road leading from Killiney to Bray, by
Shanklin {Dublin Penny Magazine^ ii. 256).

In Wilson's Prehistoric Annals of Scotland^ p. 531,
we find the following observations on "Saint's Chairs:" —

" On the shore below the cave of St Molio, a circular well is
pointed out as St. Molio's bath, and a large block of sandstone,
cut perfectly flat on the top, and surrounded with a series of
artificial recesses, or seats, bears the name of the Saint's chair.
Such relics are by no mesins rare in Scotland. They appear to
have been singularly characteristic of Celtic hagiolo^y. The bath
of St. Cuthbert was once a favourite resort in Stramsay; that of
St. Woloc exists in Strathdeveron ; and that of St. Fillan remains
in the Strath of Perthshire, which still bears his name. St.
Kentigern had once also his 'bath,' 'bed,' and 'chair' near the
Molendinar Burn. The stone chair of St. Maman is still at Aber-
chirdar ; that of St. Fillan was recently preserved at the mill of
Killin ; while another of these singular Celtic relics, placed at a
commanding point, near Achtereachan, Glencoe, where a bend of
the glen enables it to command both views, bears the name of
Cathair Malvina, or the Chair of Malvina, one of Ossian's
heroines.''

The reader may perhaps also recollect the picturesque
" Chaise de Gargantua," on a commanding point of rock
over the Seine, near Rouen, not far from the interesting
ruins of St. Georges at Bocherville.

J. 0. Westwood.

^*i;ar*U~^

i1>

157

MONA MEDI^VA.
No. XVII.

BEAUMARIS.

This town stands within the parish of Llandegfan, of
which it forms a chapelry, and owes its origin to Edward
I., who caused the town to be built at the same time that
he erected its noble castle. It was intended to form a
commercial emporium for this part of Wales, and it long
enjoyed a notable degree of prosperity. To this, its
situation, at the north-east extremity of the Menai Strait,
with a wide and safe channel, and the protection of the
English monarch, fnlly entitled it.

The parish church of St. Mary was erected at the time
the town was built, or soon after ; and, like the town, or
like, indeed, all the architectural and engineering opera-
tions of that day, was planned with great regularity and
harmony of design. It remains nearly the same in the
general plan as at first, only a new chancel was built in
me sixteenth century, and two porches have since been
erected over doorways. The interior, it is true, is sadly
disfigured and blocked up by modem bad taste and
worse judgment; but, on the whole, the architectural
portions are very little disfigured, and this church may
be considered as offering a good model of a parochial
edifice of the end of the thirteenth, or commencement of
the fourteenth, century.

The church consists of a nave, with north and south
aisles ; a tower at the western end ; and a chancel, with-
out aisles, at the eastern. All the lower portions of the
building, except the chancel, the two modern porches, a
modern vestry, and some reparations in the upper stage
of the tower, are of about the same date as the castle, for
it was probably built during the years 1295-1305.

The nave, which is 66 feet long, by 51 feet wide, in-
ternally, including the aisles, consists of four bays ; the

158 MONA MEDI^VA.

piers of the arches are hexagonal ; the arches are of two
orders, under drip-stones ending in heads, with discon-
tinuous imposts. These piers, with their arches, are, in
general character, of a later period than the castle ; but
the mouldings are of that period ; and if they were erected
later, the architect apparently followed the lines of an
earlier date. Over each pier occurs a circular window,
quatrefoiled ; and these form what may be called a clere-
story. The roof is flat, and of a later period, probably of
the same date as that of the chancel. In the aisles, north
and south, are three side windows, of two lights, the
tracery of which is observed in the parish church of Llan-
beblig, at Caernarvon, and nowhere else in Wales, but
the original of which may be found in one of the great
southern windows at Canterbury, where it forms an admi-
rable and a striking feature. {See plate.) The eastern
windows of each aisle are perpendicular insertions of four
lights each. Beneath that in the northern aisle, was, as
is said, the chapel of St. Nicholas ; and beneath that in the
southern, the chapel of the Blessed Virgin. The chancel
arch is of two orders, with a drip of good Early Decorated
character. The heads terminating this drip are of such
good design and execution, with so much character about
them, that they have been engraved in the accompanying
plate.

All the area of the nave and aisles is obstructed and
disfigured with an unsightly assemblage of pews and
galleries, spoiling the architectural effect of what is, in
reality, a beautiful composition, and taking away from
the means of accommodation, which they were errone-
ously supposed to promote. It is to be hoped that good
sense and correct taste will ultimately free the interior of
the nave from all these modem incumbrances, and re-
store it to its pristine beauty.

The pavement is composed of funeral slabs, but no
monument of mediaeval date has yet been perceived
among them ; though the removal of the pews may
possibly bring some to light.

MONA MEDIiEVA.

Decorated.

Oronnd-Pian of BeaumaiiB Chxirch.

HON A MEDIifiVA. 159

The tower is of three stages ; and in the middle one
occurs a small fireplace of excellent, but simple, design,
which will be found engraved in the annexed plate. The
upper stage requires taking down, and rebuilding in its
original style, that of the nave.

The chancel has a large and Late Perpendicular win-
dow, of five lights, with subdivided continuous tracery in
the head, and originally had three windows, each of three
lights, on the north and south sides. It is fitted with
stalls of the fifteenth century, said by local tradition to
have been brought hither from the Friary of Llanfaes, at
the time of the Dissolution; but there is no certain
authority for this supposition. The Miserere seats con-
tain a valuable series of figures in rustic habiliments, and
some with implements, of the period. The bench ends
and poppy heads are much mutilated ; and the whole
of the stall work (there are no canopies) is evidently not
in its original position, being thrust down too much
under the chancel arch, towards the nave.

In the centre of the chancel formerly stood an altar-
tomb, of white alabaster, with recumbent figures of a
knight and lady, said to have been brought from Llanfaes.
It was become so much injured by the bad conduct of
persons frequenting the church, through the carelessness
of the parochial authorites, that it was thought best to
remove it to the vestry, where it is now comparatively
safe from further degradation. It is of the fifteenth
century, the earlier portion, and of admirable execution ;
but no armorial bearings nor inscriptions remain, to show
in memory of whom it was erected, except what appears
to be a lion's head as the crest of the knight's helm, so
much mutilated as to be hardly recognizable. Imbedded
in the wall, on the south side of the altar, is an incised
slab, once, perhaps, forming a table-tomb, commemora-
ting five knights and gentlemen of the sixteenth century,
who were connected with the government of the Lords-
Deputy of Ireland ; and in the northern wall, is imbedded
a small brass, commemorative of the earliest member of

160 MONA MEDIAYA.

the Bulkeley family, who established himself, and rose to
eminence, in Anglesey. Several other tombs and slabs
of late date are affixed to the chancel walls, or placed
within it ; among them, one for the late Baron Bulkeley,
of Baron Hill, and another, a kneeling figure, of the size
of life, to commemorate the late Lady Bulkeley, first
wife of the present head of the family.

The chancel is in a very bad state of repair, and
requires to be almost entirely rebuilt; for the original
work does not seem to have been good ; whereas the nave,
which is two centuries earlier, is sound in all the parts of
its masonry ; but then it was most probably erected by
the skilled builders who constructed the castle.

11. L. J.

TREAGO, AND THE TUUULUS AT ST. WBONARD 8.

161

TREAdO, AND THE LARGE TUMULUS AT

ST. WEONARD'S.

On the old coach road from Hereford to Monmouth,
rather more than ten miles from the former place, and
about seven from the latter, stands the little village of
St. Weonard's, a saint who is, I believe, unknown to the
calendar, though we gather from Leland that he was a
hermit, who had sought retirement in this spot, and that
he was figured in the painted glass which then adorned
the window of the church. In a document, preserved in
the liiber Landavensis^ relating to the territory of Ergyng,
or Archenfield, in which St. Weonard's is situated, it is
called Llan-sant-Gwainerth, St. Gwainerth's Church.
The village is situated on the top of a hill, amid a rich
and varied country, and the tower of the church is a
bold object, from whatever side we approach it. To the
south-west, another hill of about the same elevation, at a
distance of about a quarter of a mile, incloses a valley,
which is partly occupied by the park and mansion of
Treago, the seat of Peter Rickards Mynors, Esq.

Treago, which stands on the lower part of the slopeLpf
the hill opposite that which is crowned by St. Weonards,
is a house of great antiquity, probably of the thirteenth
century, and presents an example of the old fortified man-
sion, resembling no other, with which I am acquainted,
in this country. It forms a square, with a small tower
or tourelle at each corner. The south and north sides of
the house are fifty -four feet between the tourelles, and
the east and west nfty-three feet and a half. The southern
tower was larger and loftier than the others, and its wall
was extremely massive. It had a stone staircase, in a
sort of narrow buttress tower. The upper part of this
tower was taken down a century ago, by Charles Morgan,
Esq., who married the widow of Robert Minors, Esq.,
and came to reside at Treago, and who built in its place a
rather unsightly addition, in the shape of a large circular
smoking room, which now serves as a bedroom. The

AROR. CAXR.| THIRD SRRIR8, VOL. I. Y

162 TREAOO, AND THE LARGE TUMULUS

upper part of this staircase was formed of solid logs of
wood, and part of it still remains. The ground-floor of
this comer of the building appears to have been occupied
by the offices connected with the kitchen, the remains
of which are still very interesting. The site of the oven
is marked outwardly by a bulge in the wall, between the
staircase turret and the present entrance to the house,
which seems to have been originally a door communicating
from these domestic offices with the outward court. The
old hall formed the northern side of the house, now turned
into a kitchen, and was open to the roof, which is of
very early character, and still perfect, though a bedroom
has been inserted between it and the hall. Its timbers
and arches bear a close resemblance to those in West-
minster Hall. The old kitchen, with its two enormous
fire-places, is now divided into two rooms. It adjoined
and opened into the inner court, and communicated
through the court with the old hall. Each of the corner
tourelles had eyelet holes ; and there were on the outside
of the house two rows of small windows, each about one
foot wide, by a foot and a half high, with strong cross-
bars of iron. There was one three-light window, high
up in the south-east face of the building ; and the eastern
tower, which perhaps contained the ladies' " chamber,"
had also three windows of stone, one of three lights and
two of two lights, which were, like the others, strongly
barred. The western and northern tourelles had three
rows of eyelets, with projecting stones internally, as
though to support persons who might discharge arrows,
or other small missiles, at the assailants, in case of an
assault. This side of the house, commanded by the slope
of the hill, was, of course, more exposed than the others.
The entrance porch, in the middle of the north-east
side, is supposed to have been added about the time of
Henry VIII. ; it is built against, and not let into, the old
wall of tlie house, and a door with a new Tudor arch was
made in the wall as an entrance into the old ball, which
communicated with the internal court. The dimensions
of this court were 25 feet, 5 inches, by 25 feet, 9 inches.

AT ST. weonard's. 163

There were four doors from this internal court into tlie
house, all very small and low, not more than two ^^^
feet wide, with angular heads, resembling the dia- ^\^
gram in the margin. It is worthy of remark that
this form of door is found at Goodrich Castle, and perhaps
it may be traced on other buildings in this part of the
border. It may be remarked, also, that there are three
different masons' marks, found severally repeated on all
the facing stones of the building, the surface of which has
not been destroyed, — o. key, a plane, and a square, — which
would seem to imply that there were three master-masons
employed in its erection. It would be interesting to ascer-
tain whether these marks are found in other buildings in
this part of the country . There were two rows of windows,
of larger dimensions than the external windows, and curi-
ously carved in oak, looking into the interior court, from
the rooms above and below. This court contained a good
and deep well, sunk through the rock on which the house
is built, which still supplies a pump. In the interior of
the house there are remains of secret rooms and hiding
places, which, in the unsettled times in which such
fortified edifices were built, were necessary for concealing
property of value and persons, during short periods of
unexpected and unavoidable occupation by an enemy.
The rooms were low and small, and naturally rather dark.
The principal fire-places were very large, about twelve
feet wide, within a round arch, with a strong pointed
one above. The external walls of the house are very
massive, that on the south-east side being still seven feet
thick ; nevertheless it stood within an inclosure, or ex-
ternal court, surrounded by strong massive walls, which
were taken down about seventy years ago, and there are
reasons for believing that it was further protected on the
east by a wet moat.

Such was Treago but a few years ago, when it had
undergone very little change from its original appearance.
It had then been partly occupied for many years as a farm-
house, and was surrounded with the ordinary buildings of
a farm -yard. About ten years ago Mr. Mynors deter-

164 TREAOOy AND TH£ LARGE TUMULUS

mined on leaving his seat at Evancoyd, in Radnorshire,
to reside here, and the house of Treago, the place of his
birth, underwent the necessary repairs and alterations to
fit it for a modem residence, which, unfortunately for its
archaeological character, were unavoidably great. The
interior court was necessarily sacrificed, and all that re-
mains is a small yard. Externally, the alterations were
less considerable, consisting chiefly in the insertion of
substantial windows with stone muUions, and the general
outline of the building has not been changed. The old
entrance on the south-east side of the house has been
formed into a modern principal entrance, and a handsome
terrace has been raised on this side, to form an appro-
priate approach to it. Fortunately, the outward appear-
ance of the house, before these alterations were made,
has been preserved in a drawing by Mrs. Mynors, from
which I am permitted to give the first of the accompany-
ing cuts. The second cut represents the same portion
of the house as it appears at present.

Treago has experienced a fortune of which few houses
in this country, of anything like similar antiquity, can
boast, that of having remained continuously in the pos-
session of the same family since it was built. According
to that document, of worse than doubtful authenticity,
the Roll of Battle Abbey, the head of the English family
of Mynors was a Norman, who came over with the Con-
queror, and fought at Hastings. The name, however,
expressed in Latin by De Mineriis, is rather suspicious,
when we consider its proximity to the Forest of Dean,
for mineriaj minerium, and minera^ were the mediaeval
Latin words for a mine. Treago appears to have been
the original seat of the family of IVlynors, though it, or
branches of it, had possessions, at an early period, at
Burghill, in Herefordshire, and at Westbury, in Glou-
cestershire; and also, at a more recent period, at Duffield,
in Derbyshire, this latter bv grant from Henry VHL
The earliest deeds now at Treago refer to the lands at
Burghill and Westbury. We find in one deed Henry de
Miners granting certain lands in Burghill to Roger fitz

TRBAGO, AND THE TUMULUS AT ST. WEOKARD S,

AT ST. WEONARD^S. 165

Eilaf, the brother of Roger, Dean of Stratton. In another
deed, Henry de Stratton restores these lands to William
de Myners. We learn from a third deed of confirmation
by Isabella de Longchamp, that William de Mynors was
the grandson of Henry de Miners, Richard de Miners,
son of the former, and father of the latter, having inter-
vened. As Richard de Miners passed over to his son
William, in the year 1226, the lands he had received in
Burghill from his father, Henry de Miners, we have thus
three generations of the family, which must have com-
menced as early as the middle of the twelfth century.*

^ The four of these ancient deeds which follow are interesting on
several accounts. We see in them, at this early period, the growing
jealousy in the lords of the soil of the grasping temper of the monastic
orders : —

Sciant presentes et futuri, quod ego Henricus de Mineriis dedi et
concessi Rogero filio Eilaf ', fratri Roberti decani de Stratone, pro
horn agio suo et servitio, decern et octo acras terre in manerio meo de

Burghulle, et quoddam mesuagi in eodem manerio, quod

Willelmus de la Lamese aliquando tenuit, tenendum de me et he • . . . s
roeis, sibi ct heredibus suis, libere et quiete et honorifice, reddendo inde
mihi et heredibus meis, ille et heredes sui, annuatim unum bisantum
ad festum sancti Michaelis, pro omni servitio et exactione quod ad me
vel heredibus meis pertineat vel pcrtinere possit, salvo tamen servitio
regali. £t si forte contigerit quod predictus Rogerus de legitiroa
uxore sua sine herede obierit, statuet quemcunque voluerit heredem,
excepto in religionem. Has vero prenominatas acras, cum mesuagio
et pertinentiis suis, eso predictus Henricus et heredes mei contra
orones homines et femmas predicto Rogero vel cuicunque assignaverit
warantizabimus. Pro hac autem donatione et concessu et waran-
tatione dedit mihi predictus Rogerus quinque marcas argenti. Et

quia vol ratum « . . convulsum permaneat, present!

scripto et sigilli mei attestatione coniirmo. His t Thom*

de Maurdem, Reg* de Tulintune, Henr* filio Rog. (?), Henr' filio
Wim'. Rob' vicario, Will' de Heliun, Ric' de Mineriis, et multis aliis.

(2.)
Sciant presentes et futuri quod e^o Henricus de Stretone relaxavi

et quietum clamavi, pro me et heredibus meis vel assignatis meis im-

perpetuum, Willelmo de Myners et heredibus suis vel assignatis suis

totum jus meum et clamium quod habui vel aliquo jure habere potui,

in uno mesuagio et in decern et octo acris terre cum omnibus suis

utrique pertinentiis in manerio de Borhulle, pro quindecem marcas

quas mihi numeraverit pre manibus. Quod mesuagium et qnas acres

Henricus de Myners aedit et incartavit Rogero filio Eliaph fratri

166 TREAGO, AND THE LARGE TUMULUS

Whether these were Mynors of Treago is not quite clear,
though I am rather inclined to think that they were so, —
at a later period we know that the Burghill estates were
in a branch of the family. Not long after the date of

Roberti decani de Stretone, habeod' et tenend' sibi et beredibus sais
▼el assignatis siiie, libere, integre, bene, et in pace, quibuscunque et
quandocunque dictum messuagium et dictas acras cum Buis pcrtinentiis
aare, vendere, legare, vel assignare volucrit, preterquam domui re-
ligionisy secundum tenorem carte quam Henricus de Myners confccit
predicto Rogero filio Eliaph. Et quia yolo quod bee mea reiaxatio
et quieta clamatio predicto Willelmo et beredibus suia vel assignatis
suis rata et stabilis imperpetuum permancat, huic scripto sigillum
meum apposui. Hiis testibus, domino Giiberto Talebot, Willelmo
Torely Nicholao de Wormel', Roberto de Brunehope, Nicholao de
Hulle, Henrico Wymund, Giiberto de Broy, et aliis.

(3.)
Sciant presentes et futuri, quod ego Isabella de Longocampo
inspexi et audivi cartam quam Ricardas de Mjneriis filius Henrici
de Myneriis fecit Willelmo filio suo de duabus virgatis terre cum
omnibus pertinentiis suis in Burbhulle et in Westbur , in hiis verbis:
Sciant presentes et futuri quod ego Ricardus de Myneriis, filius
Henrici de Myner*, dedi et concessi, et hac presenti carta mea con-
firmaviy Willelmo filio meo, pro servitio suo, duas yirgatas terre, cum
omnibus pertinentiis suis, quas Henricus de Myneriis, pater meus,
dedit micui pro servitio meo, videlicet 'Unam virgatam terre quam
Arnaldus de la Mora et Willelmus de la Lamputte aliquando tenuerunt
in manerio de Burhulle, et aliam virgatam terre quam Eynulf ' Kyng
et Ricardus Loneus tenuerunt in manerio de Westburi, tenendas et
faabendas sibi et beredibus suis, vel suis assignatis, in feodo et here-
ditate, libere et quiete ab omni servitio, reddendo inde annuatim
beredibus Henrici de Myneriis quedam paria calcarium deauratorum
ad pascham, sicut ego facere consuevi, pro omni servitio, exactione,
et demanda, que de terra exeunt vel exire possunt. In cujus rei
testimonium presenti scripto sigillum meum apposui. Hiis testibus,
Ric' de Westbur*, Willelmo de Abbenhale, Rad' de Reddlee, Willelmo
de Helion et Willelmo filio suo, Rad' Thorel, Waltero de Wormesle,
Waltero Koldecoc, Henrico filio Wimund'. Actum fuit anno gratie
m^. cc^. xx^ vi^. Et ego Isabele concessi et confirmavi totas predictas
duas virgatag terre, cum omnibus pertinentiis, habend' et tenend'
eidem Willelmo de Myneriis et beredibus suis, vel suis assignatis, de
beredibus predicti Henrici de Myneriis vel assignatorum suorum, sine
omnibus calumpniis, clamiis, vcxationibus, et impedimentis, mei et he-
redum meorum, imperpetuum* Quod ego Isabela, in propria viduitate
mea et in libera potestate mea, recepi bomagium dicti Willelmi de
Myneriis, quod quid volo, ut bee mea concessio et confirmatio rata
et stabilis permaneat, hoc presens scriptum sigilli mei impressione

AT ST. weonard's. 167

the transaction between Richard de Mynors and his son
William de Mynors, though sufficient to have allowed a
son or a grandson of the latter to come into the estates
and influence of the family, John de Miners, of Treago,
was appointed by Edward 11. keeper of the castle of St.
Briavel and of the Forest of Dean. From this John, the
family of Mynors, of Treago, is traced in direct descent
from father to son, to Robert Mynors, Esq., who died in
1765, without direct heir. The estates and representation
of the family then passed to Peter Rickards, Esq., who
was the descendant of Robert Mynors, Esq., of Treago
(b. 1616, d. 1672), by his daughter Theodosia, and who
assumed the name of Mynors. The present representative
of the family is his son. As might be supposed of a
family of wealth and influence, seated so long in one
place, that of Mynors became in the course of ages allied
with nearly all the great border families, and its quarter-
ings are unusually numerous. Among these the most
illustrious was that of Baskerville, of which the present
possessor of Treago is now the representative.

The church of St. Weonard's is a rather late building,

confirmavi. Hiis testibus, Ric^ de Westbur', Willelmo de Abben-
hale, Rad^ de Redlee, Willelmo de Helion, et Willelmo filio sue,
Rad' Thorel, Waltero de Wormesl', Waltero Koldecoc, Henr' filio
Wymuud', et multiB aliis.

(4.)
A toQz yceux que cest lettre verrount oa orrount Elisabethe de

Pennebrugge, dame de Burghulle, ealutz en Dieu. Sachez moy

avoire done^et graunte k Johan de Bradewardyn la garde et lea plites

de totes les teres et tenementz que sount apeles warres tenementz oue

les apurtenaunces, les quels tenementz sount en ma meyn par resoun

del nounage de Thomas filz et heyr JL Roger le M yners, k avoyre et

tcnyre les avaunditz teres et tenementz oue les appurtenaunces k dite

Johan de Bradewardyn ou k ses atourneys taunqe Tavaundit Thomas

seit de pleyne age, rendaunt k moy et k raes heyrs, ou k mes atourneys,

les rentes et les services que sur les dites teres et tenementz sount dues,

duraunt le terme susdit. Et jeo Tavaundit Elisabete et mes heyrs totes

Tavaundites teres et tenementz oue lour apurtenaunces k dit Johan et

ses heyrs, ou k ces atournes, duraunt le terme susdite encountre toutes

gentz garantyroms. En tesmoygnment de quele chose k cest presentez

j'ay mys moun seal. Don^ k Burghulle, le premere jour de Fevere

du rr. Edward tierce puys le conquest trentbme seoptime«

168

TREAQO, AND THE LARGE TUMULUft

possessing no very remarkable architectural feature. In a
portion of it, called Mynors' Chapel, there are inscriptions
and other monuments to various members of the family
at Treago. But at a short distance from the church, and,
indeed, almost adjoining the church-yard, stands one of
those immense artificial mounds, known here generally
by the name of " tumps," which are found in various
places along the border of Wales. The circumstance,
occurring so often, of the proximity of these mounds to
the parish church,^ leads to the inference that the mounds
themselves were originally regarded with superstitious
reverence, and that the earlier preachers of the Gospel in
these parts resolved on taking advantage of the worship
already paid at the spot, by the erection of a church.

T^ntfU^dtl

The mound at St. Weonard's is of very large dimensions,

* Among the ^eat tumuli thus adjacent to the churches, may be
mentioned, in this immediate neighbourhood, one at King's Capel,
and another at Thruxton. There was one formerly at Wormelow,
and the place is still called Wormelow Tump. There is a very
large tumulus of this kind near the church at Aston, on the northern
border of Herefordshire ; and, in the twelfth century, one stood in the
church-yard at Ludlow. — (See my Hutory of LudUm and the
Border, p. 14.)

AT ST. weonard's. 169

for its diameter at the base is, as near as I could roughly
measure and calculate it, about a hundred and thirty feet,
and its elevation from the ground about, or somewhat
more than, twenty. The summit forms a circular plat-
form, of about seventy-six feet in diameter, levelled in
such a manner that my first impression was that the
tumulus had been truncated. The edge of this circular
platform is planted round with large fir and other trees,
among which is a decayed yew tree, of very considerable
antiquity, and a tall poplar stood exactly in the centre.
I am informed that, until recently, the platform on the
mound was the usual scene of village fetes, that it was
the spot chosen especially for morris-dancing, a custom
which prevailed very extensively in Herefordshire, and
that the poplar in the middle was used as the village
maypole. Nor could a spot have been chosen more
attractive for such purposes ; for, placed itself on a bold
isolated eminence, the height of the mound gives to its
summit a commanding prospect of a most extraordinary
kind, extending in a vast panorama round the whole
circuit of ihe horizon. Beginning with the west, we have
first the bold mountain of the Graig, in Monmouthshire ;
after which follow in succession the hills of Garway and
Orcop, that of Bagwy-Lydiatt, and the one known as the
Saddlebow ; to the north, the wooded summit of Aeon-
bury intercepts our view towards Hereford ; while further
eastward rise the hills of Marcle and Stoke Edith, and
behind them, in greater elevation, the distant Malverns ;
then, in a still more easterly direction, come Mayhill, in
Gloucestershire, Penyard and the heights of the Forest of
Dean, among which the village of Ruardean, and other
well-known spots, are distinctly visible; these are fol-
lowed, as we turn to the south, by the hills on the
Wye, among which we trace Goodrich, Coppet-hill, the
Dowards, &c. ; and finally, the nearer hill of Llanclowdy,
cuts off our prospect in the direction of Monmouth.

The purposes of these mounds have been the subject
of difiPerent opinions, though the careful antiquary never
doubted their being sepulchral monuments. Mr. Mynors

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. Z

170 TREAOOy AND THE LARGE TUMULUS

had resolved, a few years ago, to open the mound at
Treago, and decide this question, and it was finally ar-
ranged that I should pay a visit to Treago, in the Easter
week of the present year, to assist in carrying this design
into effect. Curiously enough, the popular belief of the
neighbourhood is generally in favour of the sepulchral
character of these mounds, and at St. Weonard's it had
been the tradition of some that the hermit himself was
buried there, and of others that some great chieftain had
been interred in this ''tump," and that he lies in a
coffin of solid gold. This latter was the most difficult
to deal with, for it led to the apprehension that when
we approached the centre, the eagerness of the country
people to secure the treasure, might lead to the wanton
destruction of the deposit, during the night, and before
we should have time to examine it.

The mound appears not to have been raised originally
on perfectly level ground, as those who elevated it seem
to have taken advantage of the natural rock which crops
out on the south-west side, and was made to serve as a
support. The earth of which it is composed is the dry
sandy soil of the neighbourhood. The south-eastern
side of the mound was the most open to approach, and,
as it offered less incumbrance from trees, and greater
facility of disposing of the earth to be carried out, it was
determined to begin the excavation there. Accordingly,
on the morning of Tuesday, the 10th of April, the men
began their work at this spot, with a cutting from eight
to nine feet wide. My first notion was to run a tunnel
towards the centre, but it soon appeared that the men
were not accustomed to this kind of work, and it was
found that we should get on more rapidly by continuing
the cutting, although rather deep, and this was done
in the direction marked a a in the above plan. The
manner in which this cutting was carried on, and the
general outward appearance of the mound, are shown in
the accompanying sketch. At about six feet above the
level of the base of the tumulus, there was an evident
difference in the character of the soil, and the appear-

TREAGO, AND THE TllMULirS AT ST. WEONARD S.

AT ST. WEONARD's. 171

ances were strongly in favour of the belief that this was
the original surface of the ground, which must in that
case have been very uneven. Acting on this belief, we
took this as the level of our cutting, which was exactly
fourteen feet deep from the top of the mound. On
Thursday afternoon, when the workmen had arrived
within about fifteen feet from the centre of the mound,
they came upon what appeared to be the base of a heap
of large flat stones (the sandstone of the spot, whicn
breaks up into this form), rudely built up one over the
other, and so completely free of earth within, that we
could thrust our arms in between them. My first im-
pression was that we had come upon a cairn, occupying
the interior of the tumulus, and I thought it advisable to
clear away the earth from above, before removing the
stones, 'this operation occupied the whole of the day on
Friday. We found that, instead of being the base of a
large cairn, the stones formed a small mound, and then
sunk again, but we found also a layer of these large stones
along the level of our cutting, until, near the centre, they
began to rise again, and evidently reached a somewhat
greater elevation than before. It was now thought ad-
visable to carry the cutting to a little distance beyond the
centre, and the poplar tree was sacrificed. It was not
till Saturday night that this operation was nearly com-
pleted, leaving uncovered a great part of the heap of
stones in the centre, which presented the appearance of
the exterior of a rude vault. On Monday, the 16th, the
stones in the centre were cleared away, and within them
appeared a mass of much finer mould than that of the
rest of the mound. This mould also was cleared away to
the level of the cutting, but as yet no indications of a
sepulchral interment presented themselves, although the
workmen were still of opinion that we were on the ori-
ginal hard surface of the ground. But of the accuracy
of this opinion I now became very doubtful, and on the
following morning I directed the men to sink a pit on the
spot which had been covered by the vault of stones.
They had not proceeded far before they came to a mass

172 TREAGOy AMD THE LARGE TUMULUS

of ashes, mixed with pieces of charcoal and fragments of
burnt human bones, which was found to be about a foot
and a half thick, and was apparently about nine or ten
feet in diameter. A piece of the thigh bone, part of the
bone of the pelvis, and a fragment of the shoulder blade,
were picked up here ; and it appeared evident that the
whole of the ashes of the funeral pile had been placed on
the ground at this spot, and that a small mound of fine
earth had been raised over them, upon which had been
built a rude roof or vault of large rough stones. No
traces of urns, or of any other manufactured article, were
met with. Having been thus successful in discovering
the central deposit, our attention was now turned to the
first mound of stones, and it was determined to clear
those away, and dig below our level there also ; and the
result was the discovery of another interment of ashes,
also mixed with human bones in a half burnt state.
This last operation was performed on the morning of
Wednesday, the 18th of April; after which the excavations
were for the present discontinued.

The accompanying diagram, giving a section of the
mound in the direction of our cutting (which is shown in

the shaded part), will give the best notion of the position
of the two deposits at e and f, which represent the two
pits dug through the ashes (represented by the black lines),
to a small depth below. One of the most interesting cir-
cumstances connected with the cutting itself was that of
the regular discolorations visible on the surface, arising of
course from the employment of different kinds of material,
and displaying in a most remarkable manner the mode in
which the mound was raised. These are carefully figured
on the accompanying section. As I have already stated,
the mass of the mound consists of a uniform light-coloured

AT ST. weonard's. 173

sand ; but from the point (i) near where we first fell in
with the stones, a narrow arched stripe occurs of a much
darker mould, as represented in the cut. Beyond this two
or three other bands of a similar description, but thinner,
and of lighter coloured soil, and therefore less strongly
marked, follow each other, until, at ^, we come upon a
narrow band of small stones, also represented in the cut,
and at h, near the summit of the mound, there is another
bed of similar stones. It is evident, therefore, that when the
small mounds roofed with stones had been raised over the
deposits of ashes, a circular embankment was next formed
round the whole, and from this embankment the work-
men filled up the interior inwards towards the centre.
When they began filling in, they appear to have fallen in
with some darker mould, which has formed the band at i,
and this dark band probably defines very nearly the out-
line of the first embankment. The lighter shaded bands
show the successive fillings in towards the centre, until at
last the workmen made use of a quantity of stones and
rubble, taken perhaps from the quarry which fiirnished
the large stones of the interior vaults. This bed of stones
forms a kind of basin in the middle of the mound. They
then went on filling again with the sand, till the work was
nearly finished, when they returned to the stony material
again, which appears at h. The length of our cutting from
ctod was, as near as I could measure it with accuracy, 64
feet 6 inches, and that of the surface, from a to &, was 46
feet 5 inches ; as I have stated before, the height of the
cutting was 14 feet. The distance from a to k was 29
feet 7 inches, making therefore the diameter of the plat-
form on the top of the mound, in the direction of our
cutting, exactly 76 feet. This I found to be rather the
longest diameter, for the circle had not been quite a per-
fect one, though very nearly so.

The result of this excavation has been so far satisfactory,
that it has shown, beyond a doubt, that the mound at St.
Weonard's is a sepulchral monument; but, unfortunately,
nothing was met with, calculated to throw any light on
the period to which it belongs, so that at present it is left

174 TREAGO, AND THE LARGE TUMULUS, ETC.

among that class of works, which, as they are evidently
not more modern than the Roman period, and have no
decidedly Roman character, have been set down indis-
criminately as British. One fragment of pottery turned
up, which, I was assured, was found in the heart of the
mound, which bears considerable resemblance to the
coarse hard-baked earthenware of some of the Roman
cinerary urns, but still, as it is just of that character that
it is very difficult to decide its antiquity per se^ I am by
no means so convinced that it may not have fallen among
the earth from the surface, to venture to form an opinion
upon it. It appears certain, however, that Roman coins
have been dug up in the adjacent church-yard, which are
now in the possession of Mr. Mynors, but having been
accidentally mixed among a considerable collection of
Roman coins, he is no longer able to identify them, or
to ascertain to what emperors they belonged. I am
inclined to suspect that this old road from Monmouth
to Hereford, which is remarkable for its straightness,
and which runs over hills that would now be avoided,
was originally a Roman road from Blestium to Magna;
and I shall not be at all surprized to hear some day
of the discovery of traces of Roman occupation in the
neighbourhood of St. Weonard's. We have reason to
be grateful to Mr. Mynors for having undertaken an
excavation, which has at least set at rest the question of
the sepulchral character of the mound ; and we may still
hope that further researches may bring to light an urn,
or some other object, which will throw light upon its
date. As we have already found two deposits (the
central one was perhaps the principal interment), and it
is hardly likely that in the first cutting we should have
fallen exactly upon the only secondary interment in the
mound, it is possible that discoveries of an interesting
character still remain to be made.

Thomas Wright.

May, 1865.

176

LIST OF EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

No. V.

CAERNARVONSHIRE, SOUTH OF THE SEIONT.

I. — Camps and Castles.

Caer Carreg-y-fran^ — Fortified camp, above Cwm y
Glo, one mile north-west from the lower end of Llyn
Padarn, between Caernarvon and Llanberis.

DinaSj — On a spur of Moel Eilio, one mile west-by-
south from the Dolbadam Inn, at the foot of Snowdon.

Dinas^ — On the spur of the hill, one mile south-south-
west from Castell Dolwyddelan.

Dinas Mmrys^ — Fortified post on a rock, near the south-
west end of Llyn y Ddinas (so called from it), two miles
north-east from Beddgelert, on the road to Capel Curig.
This has been described by Pennant.

Castell^ — On a spur of Snowdon, half way between
Llyn y Ddinas and Lljm Gwynant.

Dinas, — Afortified eminence (traceshardly perceptible),
immediately above the village of Beddgelert, to the north.

Castell Cidwm, — Fortified post on a spur of Mynydd
Mawr, above Llyn Cwellyn ; the Roman road passed
immediatelv beneath it. It is mentioned by Pennant, and
in the Arch(Bologia Camhrensis, First Series.

Pen-y-Gaer, — Eminence, so called, on the mountain,
one mile south-west from Pont Aberglaslyn.

Dinas Dinorthyn, — Three miles from Caernarvon, close
by the road side towards the west.

Gad'lySy — Small fortified eminence, four miles south
from Caernarvon, about a quarter of a mile east from the
turnpike road to Clynnog.

Yr hen castell, — Small fortified mound, four and a half
miles south from Caernarvon, just where the road crosses
the river Carrog.

Dinas-prif, — ^Oblong camp half way between Llan-
dwrog and Llanwnda.

Cae-fridd, — Small fortified mound, five miles south

176 EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

from Caernarvon, near the river Carrog. Described in
the ArchcBologia Cambrensisy First Series.

JDinas Dinllcy — Strongly fortified camp on the coast,
five miles south-south-west from Caernarvon. Described
and engraved in Arckceologia Cambrensisy i. First Series.

Gaerweriy — Summit of mountain, so called, two miles
east-south-east from Llanwnda, near Rhos Tryfan.

Craig-i/'ddinas, — Fortified eminence, one and a half
miles west-by -south from Llanllyfni.

Caer-JEngan^ — Fortified post, half a mile north-east
from Llanllyfni.

Castelly — Fortified eminence, on the mountain side,
three quarters of a mile north-by-east from Dolbenmaen.

Tre V Ceiri, — Great fortified post, on the south-east
peak of the Eifl mountain, above Llanelhaiarn. Visited
by the Cambrian Archaeological Association, in 1848.

Casielli — On the mountain, to the north of Nant
Gwrtheyrn, five miles south-west from Clynnog.

Carreg-y-ddinaSy — Haifa mile south-west from Pistyll.

Castell GwgaUy — Small camp, nearly obliterated, three
miles south from Llanelhaiarn, close by the side of the road
to Pwllheli, on the east.

Castell Mawr^ — Name of a farm, two miles south-east
from Pistyll.

Braich-y'ddinaSy — Three miles and a half north from
Llanfihangel-y-pennant.

Castell y Coedy — Name of a farm, one mile and a half
south-west from Llanarmon.

Perth Dinlleyuy — Fortified post, on the promontory
westward of this harbour.

Castell Caeron, — At the foot of Mynydd y Rhiw, one
mile and three-quarters south-east from Bryncroes.

Castell Odo, — Fortified post, on the summit of Mynydd
Ystum, two miles north-east from Aberdaron.

Cam MadryUy — Fortified post, on the summit of the
mountain of that name, one mile north-east from
Llaniestyn.

Castelly — On the hill, a quarter of a mile south-east
from Llanengan.

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 177

Castellf — On the hill above Pen y groes, two miles
south-by-east from Llanengan, forming part of Mynydd
Cilan.

Castelly — On the east side of Mynydd Cilan, above the
precipice over the sea.

Castellj — On the north side of the harbour of Aber-
soch.

Castell-Marchy — Name of a farm, one mile and a
quarter north-by-east from Abersoch.

Pen-y-gaer^ — Fortified summit of a hill, half a mile
south-east-by-south from Llangian.

NanUy-UastelU — Haifa mile west from Llanbedrog.

Castellj — ^Two miles and a quarter south-west from
Pwllheli, on the road to Penrhos.

11. — Tumuli or Carneddau, and Beddau.

Camedd-weuy — On a spur of Moel Eilio, above the
Olyn slate quarries, on Cefndu, one mile and three
quarters south-west from Llyn Padam.

Tomen, — ^A mound in the valley, one furlong south-east
from Castell Dolwyddelan.

Bryn-y-bedd^ — Close to the village of Dolwyddelan,
west.

Cam-y-parCf — On the hills, one mile and a quarter
east-south-east from Penmachno. (It is doubtful whether
this be not a natural swelling of the hill.)

Bryn^y-grug, — Small tumulus, now a farm of this
name, one mile and a quarter south from Penmachno.

Cameddj — A farm so called on the road-side, one mile
and a half west-south-west from Castell Dolwyddelan.

Cam, — Beacon station, on the summit of Moel Siabod.

Cam, — Beacon station, on the summit of Snowdon,
now obliterated by the heap of stones raised by the
Ordnance Surveyors.

CarUj — Beacon station, on the summit of Moel Hebog.

Caruy — The name of the mountain south of the eastern
exit of the pass of Drwsycoed.

Bryn y Beddau, — Name of a farm, one mile and a half
south-east from Bontnewydd.

arch, camb., third series, vol. I. 2 A

178 EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

Camedd wen^ — The name of a farm, near Waunfawr,
three miles and a half south-east from Caernarvon.

Bedd-gwemaTiy — Remains, a quarter of a mile to the
northward from Llandwrog Church.

Bedd Twrog^ — On Mynydd-y-cilgwyn, two miles east
from Glynllifon Park.

Camedd-gochy — Beacon station, on the summit of a
mountain, above Llyn Cwm dulyn, to the east.

Cbm, — On the top of Llwyd Mawr, one mile south-
east from Llyn Cwm dulyn.

Camedd, — On the mountain top, three miles south-by-
west from Clynnog-fawr.

Cam Pentyrchy — ^Three quarters of a mile north-west
from Llangybi.

Gam,— On the summit of Cam Guwch.

Caruj — On the mountain, one mile north from Cam
Guwch.

Bedd Chvytheyrnj — Large mound, in Nant Gwrtheym,
five miles south-west from Clynnog-fawr.

Tomen, — ^At Dolbenmaen.

Pen-y-gamy — Beacon station, one mile and a half north
from Dolbenmaen.

Tomen, — Near Plas Llecheiddior, two miles west from
Dolbenmaen.

Tometiy — ^At Nevin.

Cam Boduan, — Beacon station, on the summit of the
mountain of that name, one mile and a half south from
Nevin.

Mount y — ^A tumulus, one mile and a quarter north-
west from Llannor.

Tomen-fawry — Large mound, moated, four miles from
Abererch, on the road to Criccieth, near Llanystumdwy.
This may have been a small work of defence.

Several hill tops in the southern parts of this county
bear the name of Cam, or y Gam, from their conical forms.

in. — Erect Stones and Meini Hirion.

Ma^n duy — On the west side of Snowdon, near Moel-
y-Cynghorion.

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 179

Cerrig-y-lladron, — By the road -side between Ffestiniog
and Yspytty Evan, in a portion of Caernarvonshire^ run-
ning into Merionethshire. Traditions attached to natural
rocks.

Meini Hirion^ — On the mountain, four miles north-
north-west from Tremadoc.

Maen-hiry — In Glynllifon Park, six miles and one
furlong south-south-west from Caernarvon, close to the
road-side, just within the park wall of Lord Newborough.

Maen-hir^ — Near the farm of Graianog, three miles
south-by-west from Llanllyfni.

Hirfaen^ — Near Tyddyn y crythor, one mile and three
quarters north- west-by -north from Llanystumdwy.

Meini Hirion, — Near Penprys, three miles south-east
from Nevin.

Maen-hivy — Name of a house, three quarters of a mile
south-west from Bryncroes.

Maen-hivy — One mile from Edem, south-west.

IV. — Cromlechau.

Cfromlechy — On the mountain, four miles north-north-
west from Tremadoc.

Oromlechy — Near the farm of Pen-y-bryn, eight miles
and a half from Caernarvon, on the east side of the road
to Clynnog.

Oromlechy — Farm so called, a quarter of a mile south-
east from the Four Crosses Inn, on the Pwllheli road from
Caernarvon.

Oromlechy — Three quarters of a mile south-west-by-
south from Cefn Amwlch, described and engraved in
ArchcBologia Oambrensisy First Series.

Oromlechy — One mile and three-quarters north from
Abererch, near the road from Pwlhelli to Caernarvon, to
the east.

Oromlechy — Haifa mile south-west from Clynnog fawr,
described and engraved in the Archceologia Oamhrensisy
First Series.

Oromlechy — One mile and three quarters south -by- west
from Dolbenmaen, near the farm of Ystym cegid bach.

180 EARLY' BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

Cromlech^ — Two miles south-west from Dolbenmaen,
near the farm of Gefh-isaf.

V. — Early Buildings and Cytiiau.

Early Building or Inclomrey — Near Yspy tty, two miles
and a half south-east from Caemarvon.

Early Buildings and Inclosures^ — On the banks of
the Llyfni, one mile west from Llanllyfhi.

MuriaUf — Name of a farm one mile south-by-east from
Bryncroes.

Early Buildings^ traces^ ^c, — Near Pen y Oroes, two
miles south-by -east from Llanengan, on the ascent to
Mynydd Cilan.

VI. — Circles.

Circle, — ^Traces of a circle on the west side of Snowdon,
above Llyn du 'r arddu.

Circle^ — On the mountain four miles north-north-west
from Tremadoc.

VII. — Early Roads, Trackways, Sarnau.

Ancient Road, — From Dolwyddelan over the skirt of
Moel Siabod, running in a northerly direction towards
Capel Curig, and branching off near Glyn, on the Holy-
head road, crossing the LJugwy, through the Gwydir
Woods to Llanrwst.

Ancient Road, — Called the Sam Helen, considered to
be the Roman road coming from Tomen y Mur to Caer-
hun. Probably part of this is a British trackway.

Ancient Road, — Through Nant Gwynant, by Llyn y
Ddinas, under Dinas Emrys, towards Beddgelert, coinci-
dent with the old coach and horse road.

Ancient Road, — Through Drws y Coed, from Llyn
Cwellyn to Llyn NantUe.

Ancient Road, — From Dolwyddelan to Ffestiniog, cros-
sing the river Lledr by Pontsam ddu, and ascending the
mountain, due south up to Bwlch y gerddinen.

Ancient Road, — ^Through the pass of Pont Aberglasl^n,
used most probably by both Britons and Romans, being

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 181

the only practicable road from the head of the Traeth
Mawr towards Caernarvon. This road, which has been
traced to the lower end of Llyn Cwellyn as the Roman
Road, was most probably one of the most ancient British
trackways in this part of Wales. See ArcluBologia Cam-
brensis^ First Series.

Ancient Road, — Leading from Clynnog-fawr over the
north-west pass of the Eifl mountain towards Ynys Enlli,
or Bardseye.

It is probable that many other early remains in Caer-
narvonshire might be discovered if an accurate search were
made ; and it is much to be desired that gentlemen resi-
dent in this district may verify and extend the observa-
tions of Pennant and other antiquaries.

Summary for Caernarvonshire, south of the Seiont : —

1. Camps and Castles, 37

2. Tumuli or Carneddau, and Beddau, .... 28

3. Erect Stones and Meini Hirion, 9

4. Cromlechau, 8

6. Early Buildings and Cyttiau, 4

6. Circles, 2

7. Early Roads, Trackways, Samau 7

H. L. J.

ARVONA MEDIjEVA.
No. VIII.

CAPEL TRILLO.

Plsu of Capel Tnllo, CseruBrVDaahire.

On the north-eastern side of the parish of Llandrillo-
yn-Rho8, in Caernarvonshire, and on a grassy slope
closely touching the shingle beach which forms the sea-
shore, is a building called Capel Trillo, so named after
the patron saint of the parochial church. It is a very
small edifice, being only eleven feet long by seven feet
wide internally ; it is built over a spring of water, which
trickles out from the bank near the south-west comer of
the building, is then confined in a small shallow well or
bathing-place, and finally trickles out again from under
the eastern end, and so escapes through the shingle to the
sea. The building is not more than eight feet high to the
crown of the vault internally, and it is vaulted over in
rough stones; most of them, like those of the walls, being
nothing but boulders from the shore, wedged and mor-
tared in so as to form the segment of a circle inside,
though on the outside they rise into a low ridge, now much
damaged and overgrown with weeds. It is lighted by
three small square-beaded loops, without any ashlar stone
work or ornament of any kind. The doorway is broken
through, but it appears to have been arched over —
whether in a pointed or in a circular form, it is impos-

AllVONA HliDI.GVA.

ARVONA MEDI^VA. 183

sible to conjecture. The eastern loop has been repaired
in the head with wood and brick internally ; and by its
side, as well as in the southern wall, are two small square
holes, probably intended to contain articles of devotion,
or of use, for the frequenters of the holy well.

In the neighbourhood a great antiquity is assigned to
this buiding, on account of its vaulted stone roof ; but
this proves little or nothing. The work resembles that
of the stone vaults so common in Pembrokeshire, and it
is very probable that the building, as it now stands, is not
much earlier than the commencement of the sixteenth
century, though it may have replaced one of older date
standing on the same foundation.

Stone vaulting is not common in North Wales : the
earliest vaults being those of some cyttiau in British
stations, which, being still perfect, are too valuable, in the

{)resent state of archaeological taste, to allow of their
ocalities being specified. In these cyttiau the slaty
rocks are wedged in with great strength, but without
much order. The next in point of date are those of the
towers at Penmon, and on Ynys Seiriol, where they are
not vaulted on the wedge principle, but are covered by
concentric layers of stone placed horizontally, and lapping
over each other till they narrow into the low-pitched apex
of the whole. After them come the vaultings of one or two
pieces of early castellated work, as at Dolwyddelan and
Dolbadam; and then the Edwardan castle vaults, all on
the scientific wedge principle. The horizontal over-lapping
layers of stone for vaulting purposes re-appear in the
pigeon-houses attached to many mansions of tne sixteenth
century, in various nooks and comers of Gwynedd and
Mona. The vaulting of Capel Trillo is on the wedge plan,
and resembles the work of Dolwyddelan and Dolbadam;
but there is no evidence to assign so early a date as the
thirteenth century to it, though there is nothing against
that date being admitted. The absence of ashlar stones,
and of any kind of moulding, would be an argument in
favour of an early date ; but the occurrence of brick in

184 ARVONA MEDI^VA.

one of the windows, and of a wooden lintel, calls in the
idea of a more recent erection too forcibly to be resisted.
Buildings like this existed over many holy wells in
Wales; though now, unfortunately, only traces of them
are commonly to be met with. The amiable piety of
former generations led them to ascribe the honour to
God, when a spring of more than usual purity and
abundance gladdened the neighbourhood ; and, in accor-
dance with the habits of thought prevalent in the middle
ages, the name of some holy personage was assumed and
invoked in aid of the prayers offered by those who fre-
quented the sacred fountain. This particular well of St.
Trillo has been in great repute throughout all Rhos from
time immemorial. It holds the best water in the parish ;
and the fishermen come to fill their kegs at it whenever
they put to sea. The history of the parish and its tradi-
tions have been treated of at full length in the excellent
History of Aherconway^ by the Rev. Robert Williams,
M.A. There are few spots more interesting, whether from
scenery or from archaeological and traditionary circum-
stances, than the parish of Llandrillo, and the cantref in
which it is situated.

H. L. J.

CHARTER OF THE CORPORATION OF DCNBlUll.

Scul flQj Countcraca; "f llenrr de Lacy, Ewl of liDColn.

185

ORIGINAL CHARTER PRESERVED AMONGST THE

RECORDS OF THE CORPORATION

OF DENBIGH.*

[H]enri de Lacy, CouDte de Nicole, Conestable de Cestre, Seignur
de Roos et de Kowynioke, A toux ceux qui cest escrit verrount
ou orroDt, salutz. Sachiez nous avoir done et graunte, et par
ceste noire presente chartre conferme, a Williame du Pountfreit
deux burgages en la ville de Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et
deux curtilages en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et deux bovees
de terre od les apurtenaunces en Lewenny. A Adam de Swyne-
more un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage
en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et un bovee de terre od les
apurtenaunces en Astret Canon. A Richard de Sheresworthe un
burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en
Dynebieghe dehors les raurs, et une bovee de terre od les
apurtenaunces en Lewenny. A Williame Pedeleure un burgage
en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apurtenaunces en
Lewenny. A Adam del Banke deux burgages en Dynebieghe
dedenz les murs, et deux curtilages en Dynebieghe dehors les
murs, et deux bovees de terre od les apurtenances en Lewenny.
A Johan de Westmerland un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les
murSy et un curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une
bovee de terre od les apurtenaunces en Lewenny. A Thomas de
Hultone un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un
curtilage od les apurtenaunces en Dynebieghe dehors les murs.
A roeisme celui Thomas un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les
murSy et un curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une
bovee de terre od les apurtenances en Lewenny. A Adam de
Castelford deux Burgages en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et
deux curtilages en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de
terre od les apurtenaunces en Lewenny. A Williame le palefray-
mon un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage
en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les
apurtenaunces en Kilfur. A Pieres le fitz Robert le clerke un
burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en
Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apur-
tenaunces en Lewenny. A Richard de Bemesleghe un burgage
en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apurtenaunces en

* In the following document the words contracted in the original
are given in extenso. In the first word the initial H has been here
supplied, a space appearing obviously left for a rubricated or illumi-
nated initial, which may have become effaced by time.

AROH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, YOL. I. 2 B

186 ORIGINAL CHARTER OF THE

Astret Canon. A Thomas Pye un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz
les mursy et un curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une
bovee de terre od les apurtenaunces en Lewenny. A Anable de
Blakebume un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un
curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre
od les apurtenaunces en Lewenny. A Johan de Swynemore un
burgage en Dinebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en
Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apur-
tenances en Astret canon. A Wautier le fuitz Egline un burgage
en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apurtenances en
Astret Canon. A Johan de Adelingtone un burgage en Dyne-
bieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors
les murS| et une bovee de terre od les apurtenaunces en Lewenny.
A Robert fe fitz Thomas du Pountfreit un burgage en Dynebieghe
dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe od les apur-
tenances dehors les murs. A Williame de Staynebume un
burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en
Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apur-
tenaunces en Lewenny. A Alisaundre de Donecastre un burgage
en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apurtenances en
Lewenny. A Agneyse la fille Richard de Hickelinge un burgage
en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apurtenaunces en
Lewenny. A Thomas le fuitz Thomas du Pountfreit un burgage
en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apurtenances en
Lewenny. A Johan ie fuitz Roger le Qieu un burgage en
Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apurtenaunces en
Lewenny. A Henri le Clerke un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz
les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une
bovee de terre od les apurtenaunces en Lewenny. A Johan de
Wilbreley un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un
curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre
od les apurtenances en Lewenny. A Pieres le Taillour un
burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en
Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les
apurtenances en Lewenny. A Henri du Wyce un burgage en
Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apurtenances en
Astret Canon. A Johan de Symundeston un burgage en
Dynebi^he dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les apurtenances en
Wickewere. A Johan de Mostone un burgage en Dynebieghe

COEPORATION OF DENBIGH. 187

dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors les murs^
et une bovee de terre od les apurtenances en Lewenny. A mesme
celui Johan un burgage od les apurtenances en Dynebieghe dedenz
les murs. A Thomas del Peke un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz
les mursy et un curtilage od les apurtenaunces en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs. A Williame Baskete un burgage en Dynebieghe
dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors les murs,
o4 les apurtenaunces. A Williame le fuitz Griffri un burgage en
Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage od les apurtenaunces
dehors les murs. A Adam de Cathertone un burgage en
Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage od les apurtenances
dehors les murs. A Alayn de Brereleghe un burgage en
Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage od les apurtenaunces
en Dynebieghe dehors les murs. A Johan de Rosse un burgage
en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage od les apurte-
naunces en Dynebieghe dehors les murs. A sire Williame de la
Montaigne,* persone, deux burgages en Dynebieghe dedenz les
murs, et deux curtilages od les apurtenaunces en Dynebieghe
dehors les murs. A meisme celui sire Williame un burgage od
les apurtenaunces en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs. A Kichard
de Dokeworthe un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et
un curtilage en Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre
od les apurtenances en Astret Canon. A Robert de Ecclesale
un burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en
Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les
apurtenaunces en Astret Canon. A Raufe del Peke un burgage
en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilaee od les apurte-
naunces en Dynebieghe dehors les murs. A Richard Pygote un
burgage en Dynebieghe dedenz les murs, et un curtilage en
Dynebieghe dehors les murs, et une bovee de terre od les
apurtenaunces en Beringe. A Robert de Chirche une bovee de
terre od les apurtenances en Lewenny, et a les treis fillies Eynnon
de Lodelowe une bovee de terre od les apurtenances en Lewenny.
A avoir et a tenir a eaux et a lour heirs, et a lour assignez Engleya
demorauntz en lavauntdite ville de Dynebieghe dedenz les murs,
de nous et de noz heirs par les condicions soutzescrites. Cest
assavoir que chescun des avaunditz Burgeis, Williame du Pount-
freit, Adam de Swynemore, Richard de Sheresworthe, Williame
Pedeleure, Adam del Banke, Johan de Westmerlond, Thomas de
Hultone, Adam de Castelford, Williame le Palefreimon, Pieres
le fitz Robert le Clerke, Richard de Bemesleghe, Thomas Pye,
Anable de Blakeburne, Johan de Swynemore, Walter le fitz Egline,
Johan de Adelingtone, Robert le fuitz Thomas du Pountfreiti
Williame de Staynebume, Alisaundre de Donecastre, Agneyse la
fille Richard de Hickelinge, Thomas le fitz Thomas du Pountfreit,

< Or Montaigue?

188 ORIGINAL CHARTER OF THE

Johan le fiiitz Roser le Qieu, Henri le Clerke, Joban de Wilberle,
PieresleTaillour, Henri del Wycey Johan de Symundestone, Johan
de Mostone, Thomas del Peke, Williame Baskete, Williame le
fuitz Griffriy Adam de Cathertone, Alayn de Brereleghe, Johan
de RoBsey Sire Williame de la Montaigne, persone, Richard de
Dokeworthe, Robert de Ecclesale, Raufe del Peke, et Richard
Pygote, et les heirs ou les assignez de chescun de eaux Engleys,
troverount un homme defensable en lavaundite viile de Dynebieghe
dedenz les murs a la garde et al defens de lavaundite ville de
Dynebieghe, pur chescun Burgage et curtilage avauntnomez. Et
eeaux qui tienent fors que bovees soulement ferront les services
qa bovees apendent. £t rendaunt a nous et a noz heirs par an,
chescun des Burgeys avauntnomez et les heirs de chescun de
eaux, ou les assignez de chescun de eaux Engleis avaunditz, un
dener a Noel en noun de Housgable pur chescun des Burgages
et curtilages avaunditz. Hors pris Sire Williame de la Mountaigne
person, qui paera a Noel avauntnome, pur les Burgages et cur*
tilages avaunditz, cesze deners, Johan de Mostone a meisme
le terme pur un Burgage qatre deners, Richard de Dokeworth a
meisme le terme pur un Burgage et un curtilage dusze deners,
Robert de Ecclesale a meisme le terme pur un Burgage et un
curtilage dousze deners, et Raufe del Peke a meisme le terme
pur un Burgage et un curtilage deux soudz. Et ensement
rendaunt a nous et a noz heyrs chescun de eaux avauntditz
qui bovees tienent, et les heirs de chescun de eaux et les
assimez Engleis de chescun de eaux avauntditz, pur chescune
des bovees avauntdites severaument, qaraunte deners par an, Cest
assavoir vint deners a la feste de Pentecouste, et vint deners a la
feste Seynt Michiel, horspris Richard de Shoresworth, Adam de
Kendale, Johan de Westmerlaund, Johan de Adelingtone, Wautier
le fitz Egline, Henri le Clerce, Robert de Ecclessale, et Henri del
Wyce, les quieux rendront a nous et a noz heirs chescun par sey
les deners de housegable avauntnomez par an taunt come il
vyvent, et apres lour deccsser lour heirs ou lour assignez, et les
heirs de lour heyrs, et les heyrs de lour assignez Engleis, chescun
par sei rendront a nous et a noz heirs par an, pur chescune bovee
avauntdite, qaraunte deners a les termes avauntditz, et ja du
maynz pur les Burgages et les curtilages les deners de housgable
avauntnomez al terme avauntdit. Et ensement fait assavoir ae
les heirs et les assignez, et les heyrs de lour assignez Engleis de
trestoux les Burgeis avauntnomez rendrount a nous et a noz heirs
le primier an apres la morte lour auncestres, pur les Burgages et
ur les curtilages un dener en noun de Reliefe. Et les heirs et
es assignez, et les heirs des assignez, de toux ceux qui bovees
tienent, rendront a nous et a noz heirs le primier an apres la
morte lour auncestres pur chescune bovee qaraunte deners en

CORPORATION OF DENBIGH. 189

noun de Reliefe. Hors pris ceo qe les heirs et les assignez de le
avauntdit Sire Williamey et ies heyrs de ses assignez, rendront a
nous et a noz heirs le primer an apres la morte lour auncestres
ur les Burgage et curtilage cesze deners en noun de Reliefe;
es heirs et les assignez Johan de Mostone rendront a nous et a
noz heirs le primer an apres la morte lour. auncestres pur son
Burgage qatre deners en noun de Reliefe; les heirs et les
assignez Richard de Dokeworthe rendront a nous et a noz heirs
le primer an apres la morte lour auncestres pur les Burgage et
curtilage dusze deners en noun de Reliefe; es heirs et les
assignez Robert de Ecclessale rendrount a nous et a noz heirs le

C rimer an apres la morte lour auncestres pur les avauntditz
urgage et curtilage dusze deners en noun de Reliefe, et les heirs
et les assignez Raufe del Peke rendrount a nous et a noz heirs
le primer an apres la morte lour auncestres pur son Burgage et
son curtilage deux soudz en noun de Reliefe. Et si nul des
avauntdites Burgeys ou ses heirs ou ses assignez avauntditz faille
ou faillent de garder et defendre par lui ou par homme defensabie
la dite ville de Dynebieghe sicome est avauntdit, bien lirra a
nous et a noz heirs, et a ceaux qui serrount seignurs du chastel
de Dynebieghe, chescun Burgage et curtilage et bovee de terre
avauntditz en noz mayns [ou] en lour mayns seisir et retenir, par
la ou le servise desus dit ne soit pas pleynement fait, issi qe si
ceaux qui faillent del avauntdit servise, ou certein homme defen-
sabie pur eaux ne veigne ou ne veignent dedenz lan et le jour al
dit servise faire, et assietz faire de les arerages del dit servise
qarere sount, demeurgent les Burgages curtilages et bovees de
terre od les apurtenances a nous et a noz heirs, de faire ent notre
volente a toux jours. Et estre ceo nous avoms graunte pur nous
et pur noz heyrs qe noz Burgeis avauntditz, et lour heirs et
lour assignez avauntditz, eyent housbote, et haybote en le boys
qest appele Cardelewenny, cest assavoir du chemin qui va de
Denebieghe au pount Griffyn jusques a Elewey, par vewe de
noz forestiers. Et estre ceo nous avoms graunte a les avauntditz
Burgeis et a lour heirs et a lour asssignez avauntditz la commune
de pasture a lour propres bestes levauntz et couchauntz en meisme
la ville de Dynebieghe, od fraunke entre et issue en lavauntdit
boys, issi qe eaux en temps vuerte communent od les autrea
fraunks hommes de Lewenny apres bledz et feyns emportez. Et
nous voloms et grauntoms pur nous et pur noz heirs qe chescun
Burgeis qui tient burgage en lavaundite ville de Dynebieghe
dedenz les murs eyt ses pores fraunks de paunage en lavauntdit
boys en temps de paunage, cest assavoir de la feste seynt Michiel
usque la feste seint Martin, et si pluis de pores eyent, paent
come les autres du pays fount. Sauve a nous et a noz heirs
notre foreste, notre garenne, et totes les choses que a foreste et a

190 ORIGINAL CHARTER, ETC.

garrenne apendent, et tote manere de oyseaux qui autres oyseaux
pernent. Et toux les Burgeis manauntz en la ville de Dynebieghe
dedenz les murs et lour heirs et lour assignezavauntditz moudrount
lour bledz et lour brees a noz molins de Dynebieghe et de Astret
al vintisme yassel. £t toux les avauntditz burgeis et lour heirs
et lour assignez avauntditz qui naverount propre fume, fumiront
a notre commun furne dedenz meisme la ville. Estre ceo nous
avoms graunte a les avauntditz Burgeis, et a lour heirs, et a lour
assignez avauntditz, qils soyent fraunks de Tolune et de estalage
par totes noz terres de Gales et Dengleterre. Et qils eyent les
attachementz de lour burgeis dedenz la ville, ensemblement od la
garde de la prison dedenz la ville, sauve a nous et a noz heirs les
pledz, les amerciementz, les Raungouns,' et le Juyse, et totes les
choses qa Juyse apendent. Et nous et noz heirs les avauntditz
Burgages, curtilages, Bovees de tcrre od les apurtenaunces, com-
munes, et paunages, et totes les autres fraunchises avauntdites,
a les avauntditz Burgeys, Willinme, Adam, Richard, Williame,
Adam, Johan, Thomas, Adam, Williame, Pieres, Richard, Thomas,
Anable, Johan, Wautier, Johan, Robert, Williame, Alisaundre,
Agneyse, Thomas, Johan, Henri, Johan, Pieres, Henri, Johan,
Johan, Thomas, Williame, Williame, Adam, Alayn, Johan, Sire
William, Richard, Robert, Raufe, Richard, Robert, et les treis
fillies Eynnon de Lodelowe, et a lour heirs et a lour assignez
avauntditz, warauntiroms et par lavauntdite servise defendroms
autaunt avaunt come notre seignur le Roy Dengleterre et ses
heyrs nous warauntiront noz terres en Gales. En tesmoigne de
quieux choses a la partie de cest escrit cyrograffe demoraunte vers
les ditz Burgeys et lour heirs et lour assignez avauntditz avoms
fait mettre notre seal, et lautre partie demoraunte vers nous et vers
nos heirs, les avauntditz Burgeis pur eaux et pur lour heirs unt
mys lour seals. A ceaux tesmoignes, Monsire Johan de Grey,
Sire Johan Dargenteyn, Sire Robert de Shirlaund, Chivalers,
Sire Williame de Nony, Thomas de Fisshebume, Sire Williame
la persone de Dynebieghe, Robert de Bynecestre, Williame de
Caldecotes, Groii vaccMn, Griffr' ap Rees et autres.

[L.S.]
The seal, now much damaged, appended by two laces of silk,
one red, the other green, forming a plaited cord of four strands ;
the impression is on hard white wax. Obverse. — ^The mounted
figure of Henry de Lacy, the inscription lost, but from other
impressions of his seal it appears to have been, — s' hbnrici db
LACi coMiTis LiNCOLNiE feT constabvlar' ceste'. On the
Reverse is an impression of the secretvm^ on bright red wax
imbedded in the white, — bigillvm sbcrbti.

' In the original the C is written here with the cedUla.

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

Br THE LATE Re7. JONATHAN WiLLIAKS, M.A.

No. III.
{Continued Jrom page 141.)

Aim* of tha Bonmgli of New Atdnor.
NOTES TO CHAPTER I.
Page 55.
Radnorahire lies between 02° & and 52^ 25! north latitude, and
3° 3' and 3° 35' west longitude. The Ordnance sarvey made since the
time of the Rev. Jonathan Williams enables ns to sive the following
corrected account of the limits of Radnorshire: — The boundary line
between the counties of Radnor and Hereford commences at a spot
on the hfi or west side of the river Wye, opposite to' the town of Uaj
in Brecknockshire, and proceeds along the course of that river to the
ferry just above Rhydspence ; thence by Cwmrbefr or Cwm 'r afiir,
Crowther's Pool and Coean to the Red Lane; by Michael church,
Wern, Bnrnt-Bridge, Pentyle, Gwernybwch, Disgwylfa, Huntingdon
Castle and Rabbar ; then across Gladeslry brook and the road to
Kington, leaving Glanfelin Hill on the left; thence by Great Rabbar,
Halves! Hill, Cwmgnilim, Bwlch and Rhiwbach ; then across the
Radnor road and skirting Stannar rocks on the right. At Lower
Harpton the line crosses Offa'e Dyke and the river Somei^ill, nessing
between Knill and Byrfi Bank, which it skirts; thence tnrotign
Radnor Wood, Rossers Wood, by a place called the Folly, Corton
and Wcgnall's Mill, and along the line of the Somergill to Cwm,
Broadbeath and Rosser'e Bridge ; ascending the Lug on its ]efl side
to Presteign, it crosses that river and proceeds by Boultibrook Mill
to Stocking, Old Warren, Reeves' Hill and Cefn, leaving Brampton
Brian on the right; then to Hearts-ease, where it croeses the turnpike

192 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

road to Knighton, and by the turnpike gate on to the river Teame,
which line it keeps to Knighton, where it crosses the river, and in*
sttlatcs a small tract of land, forming the eastern boundary of that
borough. The river Teame constitutes the boundary line which divides
the county of Radnor from Shropshire to a place called Cefn-Bedw.
The line then proceeds onward by Castell Bryn Amlwg, or Castell
Cefn Fron, to the Junction of Nantrhydyfedw and Nant-Rhyddwr.
The former brook divides Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire. After-
wards the line passes by some tumuli and intrenchments to Camnant
Bridge, following the course of that brook ; thence across Llyndwr
Hill to Crugyn Terfyn, dividing the parishes of Llanbadarn Fynydd
and Llandinam, to a spring called Ffynnon Trinant ; thence it follows
the line of the river Tylwch to where the Llanidloes road crosses it ;
then striking off by Cefn-Aelwyd to a huge stone upon the mountains
on which Gwynne the son of Llewelyn was slain, and where a cottage
still stands, called Lluest Llewelyn. From Wain Cilgwyn the line
extends itself to where Nantfach empties itself into the Wye ; thence
down the Wye to the mouth of Dernol brook, which it ascends, and,
taking a small circuit, arrives at the spring of the brook Talog, which
separates the counties of Radnor and Cardigan. Afterwards, down
the Talog into the river Elan to Abergwngy, and upwards along the
Gwngy brook to Llvngwngy. It then descends, enclosing some dis-
puted ground, to Llynfigen-felin, and thence along Nant-y-figen to
the Cmerwen, where Cardiganshire ends. Next down the rivers
Claerwen, Elan and Wye, which divide Radnorshire from Brecknock-
shire, to within about a mile of Glasbury Bridge, and passing through
the great meadows called the Sconces, it crosses the Brecon turnpike
road, passes round Glasbury church-yard, and runs eastwardly. The
boundary then turns abruptly to the north, afterwards to the east,
and then again to the north. It then runs between two farms called
Llwynau bach and Ffordd-fawr, recrossing the Brecon turnpike road,
and rejoins the Wye at a bend some distance above Llowes Church,
thence down that river to the Hay. J. J.

Page 57.

By the statute 7th and 8th Victoria, c. 61, the detached portion
of Radnorshire, on the south-east side of the river Wye, has been
annexed to Brecknockshire for all purposes ; in consequence of which
the river Wye is now the boundary of the county of Radnor from its
junction with the Elan, near Rhayader, to the town of Hay, and the
repairs of Glasbury bridge, which formerly fell on the county of
Radnor, are now done at the joint expense of the counties of Radnor
and Brecknock. The detached portion of Herefordshire, in the parish
of Cascob, has by the same act become part of Radnorshire. W.

The Rev. Walter Davies in his Report of the Agriculture ofWales^
published in 1811, estimated Radnorshire to contain 86,000 acres of
tillage land, 40,000 acres of meadow and pasture, and 200,000 acres
of waste ; total, 826,000 acres.

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 193

NOTE TO CHAPTER II.

Page 138.

Hu Gadarn is said to have brought the race of the Cymry to the
Island of Britain from the land of Haf, which is called Denrobani,
and they came from the place where Constantinople now is. Prydain
the son of Aedd Mawr first established government and laws in* the
Island of Britain. — Historical Triads, 4 j Danies^ Celtic Researches,
p. 154.

Section 2. — Character, Religion, Oovemment, Population, ^c, of

of the Silures,

The character which Tacitus, the Roman historian, has
transmitted of these people, redounds greatly to their
credit. He ranks them among the validissimas gentes^
the most robust and valiant nations, and represents them
as not only inured to hardship and war, but so implacably
averse to, and impatient under, a foreign yoke, that they
were neither to be won by courtesy, nor restrained by
force. Their long and obstinate resistance to the Romans
proves them to have been animated by an unconquerable
spirit, and ardent love of freedom and independence.

The form of government established among the Silures
resembled that which prevailed among the other tribes of
Britain ; at first hierarchical, and preserving peace and
concord, and preventing aggression and outrage, not by
the dread of punishment, but by the influence of opinion.
At a subsequent period it assumed a monarchical form.
For the district or kingdom of Siluria, which compre-
hended, in addition to what has since been called Radnor-
shire, the present counties of Hereford, Monmouth Gla-
morgan and Brecknock, was governed by its own inde-
pendent regulus, or chieftain, who, in conjunction with
the other reguli of the island, was invested with the power
of electing, in seasons of public danger, a supreme sove-
reign, on whom was conferred the title of "Brenhin
Prydain oil," or the king of all Britain. To the Druids
were committed the superintendence of religious cere-
monies, the decision of controversies, and the education of
youth. The jurisdiction of the Silures was simple, and

ARCH. CAHB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 C

194 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

their laws plain and few. Their courts of justice were
holden by the Druids, and by the princes or reguli, in the
open air, and on an eminence crowned with a cairn, that
all might see and hear their judges, and their decisions.
One of these courts was erected in the territories of every
state, perhaps of every clan, or tribe. The Arch-Druid
held a grand assize once in every year, at a fixed time
and place. Their court stood upon an even fair spot of
ground, piled with stones to a considerable height, and of
an elliptical form, opening directly to the west. No laws
could be either enacted or repealed, without the consent
of King, Nobles and Druids, expressed in a general con-
vention.

Their religion was partly patriarchal, and consisted in
the acknowledgment of One infinite, eternal, omnipotent
and self-existing Being, whom they denominated Duw.
The worship of the true God was preserved inviolate by
the British Druids, under every adverse circumstance of
their country, whatever indulgences, in condescension to
the wishes and commands of their proud and intolerant
conquerors, might have been conceded to the vulgar.
They neither erected temples nor carved images. Their
acts of devotion were performed in the face of the sun,
being taught to consider that grand luminary, for its
great benefits to mankind, as a proper representative of
tiie deity ; and were either on the tops of mountains, or
on open plains, whereon were erected for the purpose
plain and unchiselled stones or altars. On every one of
these was kindled a large fire; which, from the beneficial
influence of light and heat, in producing and maturing
the fruits of the earth, the surrounding votaries were
instructed to regard as an emblem of the deity ; " for,"
observed the Druid, ** as God fills all space, so does heat
pervade all things."

The amount of the population of the district under
consideration, during the remote period in which it con-
stituted a part of ancient Silura^ it is impossible at this
day to ascertain. Undoubtedly, it participated in the
prolific increase which charactenzed all the other districts

HISTORY OP RADNORSHIRE. 195

of the island in ancient times. To this increase the divi-
sion of the great landed properties, and the equal distri-
bution of inheritances, effected and secured by the law or
custom of gavelkind^ must have greatly contributed ; and
hence Boadicea was enabled to bring into the field an
army of 300,000 fighting men.

Section 3. — The Ancient DiviHans of this District.

These have been different at different times. Long
prior, as well as subsequent, to the Roman invasion of
oritain, it constituted a part of the renowned kingdom of
Essyllwg^ a word which signifies an open country abound-
ing in prospects, and was denominated by the Romans
Siluria. From the time of their departure from Britain
to the reign of Athelstan, the Saxon king of England;
this district, together with a part of Montgomeryshire, a
part of Shropshire, a part of Herefordshire, and a part of
Gloucestershire, was included in that territory, which went
under the denomination of Ffer-llys^ corruptly written
Fferregs and Ffemex. Ffer-Uys is a compound word,
signifying a country ^^ copious in grass," which Virgil
would have Latinized by the word ''herbosa," and
perhaps Homer would have rendered into his sonorous
tongue by the epithet Tux^toIii. This etymology strikingly
accords with the character and quality of the soil of tibat
country, which lies between the rivers Wye and Severn,
agreeably to the old distich, —

" Blessed is the Eye
Betwixt the Severn and the Wye."

And with the more detailed and beautiful description
given of it in the Shaksperean language of Lear^ a British
sovereign, —

'' With shadowy forests, and with champaigns rich'd,
With plenteous rivers, and with wide-skirted meads."

The abundant fruitiulness and enchanting amenity of
this extensive district, confirm the propriety and justness
of its ancient appellation, Ffer-Uys^ as well as of the
derivation now for the first time given of that appellation.

196 HISTORY OP RADNORSHIRE.

At this time Hereford, the capital town of the territory,
was called Fferley. This, among other proofs that may
be adduced, the following distich evinces, extracted from
the monkish hymn, or elegy, sung in the church of Here-
ford, at the celebration of the funeral of Ethel-
bert, a Saxon prince, who was assassinated by
Offa, king of Mercia, when he came invited to treat with
him concerning the espousals of his daughter: —

** Corpus tandem est delatuni.
In ijerleid tumulatum."

The princely corpse from thence at length convey'd,
With funeral pomp in Fferletfs church was laid.

Hence may be perceived the absurdity of the derivation
ascribed to the word Ffer-llys by English antiquaries, un-
acquainted with the British language, viz., the *' country
of Fern,'* because some ignorant copyist erroneously tran-
scribed it Ffemlys ; and, hence, it may be inferred that
the city now called Hereford had not received that name
at this period ; nor, indeed, was it so denominated until a
considerable time after.

In the reign of Roderic the Great, Prince of
Wales, about the year 880, the district under
consideration belonged to the principality of Powis, or
Mathrafal, which formed the third grand division of
Wales, conferred by the afore-mentioned prince upon his
third and youngest son, Merfyn. By virtue of this

Partition it consisted of three cantrefs, and ten cwmwds.
'he cantrefs were, — 1. Moelienydd; 2. Elfel; 3. Y
Clawdd. Moelienydd comprehended four cwmwds, viz.,
— 1. Cerri; 2. Swydd y gr^; 3. Rhiwyrallt; 4. Glyn yr
Eithon. The cantref of Elfel contained three cwmwds»
viz., — 1. Uwch mynydd; 2. Is m3mydd; 3. Llech Ddyf-
nog. The cantref of Y Clawdd comprehended three
cwmwds, viz., — 1. Dyffryn Tafediad; 2. Swydd Wyn-
ogion; 3. Penwyllt.

About the latter end of the reign of Edward

the Confessor it is supposed that a certain part

of this district first assumed the name of Radenore ; the

other divisions retained their British or Welsh appellations.

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 197

During the reign of the first kings of England of the
Norman race, this district was distinguished as forming
a part of the Marches of Wales, a word that seems to be
derived from mears^ boundaries. This tract, lying con-
tiguous to Ofia's Dyke, became on each side a disputed
frontier, varying as the success of war between England
and Wales preponderated. It was at different times
granted by the kings of the former country to their
nobles, who hence acquired the names of Lords Marchers,
and who instituted a peculiar species of government.

At the complete and final incorporation and union of
Wales with England, in the twenty -seventh year of the
reign of King Henry the Eighth, this district, then dis-
tinguished as a part of the Marches of Wales, was formed
into a distinct and independent county, comprehending
fifty-two parishes, which are arranged in six hundreds,
and including one capital borough, four contributory
boroughs, and four market-towns.

Section 4. — Its TammenaUf Qamau, and Cromlechau.

A tommen, tumulus, or barrow, is a mound of earth
thrown up in a conical form. If there was no other
evidence of the scientific attainments of the British Druids,
the construction of tommenau, or barrows, affords a con-
vincing proof. They are all raised upon an outline struck
with geometrical exactness from a centre, and as true as
if it was drawn with a large pair of compasses. Many
of them reach to the height of about thirty feet; the
circumference measures nearly as many yards, and they
are deeply ditched and moated round.

It is probable that the tommenau, or barrows, were
applied by the Silures, or Britons, to various and different
uses. First, and principally, in them were deposited the
remains of the illustrious dead, and also of warriors slain
in battle in defence of their country. Secondly, they
were used as a temporary resort and defence against the
sudden inroads of their enemies, the circular form of
them enabling the few to repel the many. Hence they
are generally situated in the vicinity of a mansion, or

198 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRB.

church, or village, and constitute the fortifications of those
places. Sometimes they are placed on the tops of high
hills, where they are seen at a great distance, probably
for this reason, — being thus exposed to the sight of every
one, they brought to their remembrance the venerated hero
there interred, and stimulated the spectators to revenge his
death. Taken collectively, they exhibit a complete sys-
tem of vigilatory communicating points. Lastly, they
are supposed to have been the scenes of some druidical
rites, and also used as places of local assemblies.

On the side of the road leading from New Radnor to
Walton are three barrows, one of them of a considerable
magnitude. In the parish of Llanfihangel-Nant-melan
are also three barrows, forming a triangle almost equi-
lateral, the longest side being about a mile. The one
barrow is situated above Blaenedw, on the brow of the
Forest of Radnor ; it is deeply moated round, and also
defended by other trenches cut on the side of the hilL
From it is seen a most extensive, diversified and pictu-
resque view of the country to the south and west.
The name of an adjacent iarm-house being Gwem-yr-
Arglwydd, that is, the Lord's Oris, affords a presumption
that in this tommen was interred the corpse of one of the
reguli, or chieftains, of the district. One is near the
church, adjacent to the turnpike road; and the third
about half a mile distant to the east, on the brow of a
steep precipice, large, and deeply moated round. The
position of these three barrows is such as would fulfil
most of the purposes obtained by the establishment of
telegraphic posts.

In the parish of Llanddewi-ystrad-ennau, on the bank
of the river leithon, is a very considerable tommen, or
barrow, called Bedd y Gre, that is, the grave of the
equerry. But as Bedd is not a Celtic word, its present
orthography is susceptible of doubt; and it has been
suggested that the original writing was Budd-y-Gr^,
which signifies the race of victory, thereby denoting
that the enemy sustained a repulse in his attack on this
barrow and the adjoining camp, which is British.

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 199

Agreeably to the plan adopted and executed by Roderic
the Great, Prince of Wales, of dividing his kingdom
into three principalities, a cwmwd, or habitation, of this
district, assumed the name of Swydd-y-gr^, that is, the
office and jurisdiction of Gr^, who is supposed by some
to have been a chieftain, slain in combating the invaders
and despoilers of his country on the very spot on which
the barrow, or tumulus, that bears his name is con-
structed. The circumstance of the tommen being not of
a sepulchral, but of a military, nature, favours either
supposition, and, in conjunction with other similar works,
proves that the neighbourhood has been the scene of
much conflict. The right interpretation, however, seems
to be this. Gr^ is an abbreviation of Greorion. Now
Greorion are those tenants of the prince who held lands
under him upon the condition of entertaining the keepers
of those live stock and cattle which were to be slaughtered
for the use and provision of the prince's family, or atten-
dants, whilst he resided in their manor, on his royal
progress through his dominions. For which purpose the
prince had a manor-house in every cantref. And each
manor was obliged to provide for his retinue, as long as
he resided in it, and whilst he travelled through it. The
manor of Swydd-y -gr^ was of this sort.

On the common, in the parish of Llandrindod, are
several tommenau, or tumuli, five of which are placed at
a very small distance from each other, a proof that in
ancient times there had been upon this spot a dreadful
carnage. These five have been opened, and were found
to contain human bones, pieces of half-burnt charcoal,
and spear-heads, called celts, &c., covered with a heap
of loose stones.

On the right bank of the river Wye, near the town of
Rhayader, and in front of the church of Llansaintfread
Cwmdauddwr, stands a tommen, or barrow, of very con-
siderable magnitude, deeply ditched or moated round.
It has long been supposed that the bones of St. Fraid,
who flourished in the seventh century, and to whom the
church was dedicated, were deposited in this tumulus.

200 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

But on removing some of its materials a few years ago,
for the repair of the adjacent road, or for laying a
foundation for the contiguous cottages, a silver coin,
about the size of a crown-piece, of most exquisite work-
manship, and in excellent condition, was found, on which
was inscribed in relievo the word "Serais." Now Serais
is a city in Palestine, which, after sustaining a long and
bloody siege, was captured by the army of the Crusaders.
Hence it is conjectured that this silver piece was a medal
cast in commemoration of this signal victory, and that
the person inhumed in this receptacle was not a saintly
hermit, who devoted his days and nights to prayer and
fasting, but a military hero, whose bravery in fighting
against the Saracenic infidels of the Holy Land, and
whose interpidity in mounting the breach of the stormed
Serais, were remunerated with this medal, but whose
name, after diligent inquiry, seems at this distance of
time to be irrecoverable, it is not improbable that, as
the saint and the hero were engaged in the same cause,
— viz., in promoting the Christian faith, — the one by the
spiritual, and the other by the temporal, sword, so after
their deaths the ashes of both were mingled together in
this sacred repository. Close to the bridge of Rliayader
is another barrow of much inferior dimensions, having at
its top a circular hollow, whence it is supposed the hoary
Druid harangued and instructed the surrounding populace,
and who, at a small adjoining eminence, called Bryn, or
the Tribunal, expounded to them the law. About the
half of a mile east of the town of Jlhayader is another
barrow, in a field called Cefn Ceidio, that is, the Ridge
of Ceidio, a saint who lived in the sixth century, and
whose bones, it is supposed, lie there inhumed.

The numerous valleys in which the rivers of this
county, viz., the leithon, Edwy, Teme and Lug, flow,
are studded with these artificial mounds of earth, de-
monstrating at once the strenuous opposition which their
respective invaders encountered, and the slaughter that
preceded the submisssion of the natives. Every inch of
ground therein seems to have been obstinately disputed.

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 201

Nor are these memorials of the courage of the inhabitants
confined to the low grounds ; they also crown the sum-
mits of the hills. On an highly elevated ridge of hills,
in the parish of Aberedwy, stand eminently in view three
tumuli, or barrows. These are not placed in a straight
or direct alignment with each other, but at the angles of
an equilateral triangle, each side of which measures about
a hundred paces. They are all deeply ditched, or moated
round, forming conspicuous objects at a great distance,
and commanding a most extensive and diversified pro-
spect. Their number and their position completely over-
throw the hastily formed conjecture of those tourists
who have erroneously pronounced all such works of the
ancient Britons — rude, indeed, if compared to the modem
improvements in the art of war, but constructed on truly
geometrical and military principles— to be nothing more
than beacons, or specula, erected for vigilatory and
exploratory purposes only; a sentence that accords as
little with a discriminating judgment as it does with the
circumstances of the situation of the country, where
every hill presents a natural watch tawer.

To prevent, therefore, the recurrence of thede and the
like misconceptions, it may not be amiss briefly to notice
the characteristics by which these artificial mounds of
earth are distinguished, and by which their original
designation and use may be ascertained. Those barrows,
then, which, constructed in the simplest manner, form
merely a circular protuberance of inferior dimensions,
without either a fosse or a rampart, were appropriated to
sepulchral purposes, and used as places of interiQent;
whilst such as indicate a more laborious and complete
finish, and are surrounded with a high (igger and a deep
ditch, served as military fortifications, and, indeed, seem
upon the whole admirably adapted to the operations of a
defensive campaign. Of these several uses, however, the
appointment was arbitrary ; and no tommen, or barrow,
was applied to one particular purpose exclusively. The
Britons were a people of too free, a turn of thinking, and
too little controlled in acting, to be enchained to a system,

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2D

202 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

and they designated the same tumulus to many and
various uses, — now as an exploratory speculum, and now
as a military post, — but made all of them indiscriminately
repositories of the dead. This latter was a political ar-
rangement, and seemed calculated to produce a beneficial
effect. For the knowledge that a brave defender of his
country's independence was inhumed in such a tumulus,
or barrow, served to stimulate the survivors to imitate his
valour, to revenge his death upon the enemy, and to
preserve his sepulchre from pollution. No duty was of
inore imperious obligation among the Britons than that
of guarding from hostile insult the sleeping manes of
their respected forefathers.

Section 5, — Its Fortifications and Encampments.

Whoever looks at the Silurian encampments of this
district with a mind divested of prejudice, and with the
discriminating eye of a soldier, will soon have just cause
to doubt the accuracy of those writers whose practice
upon all occasions is to decry the skill and ingenuity of
the ancient inhabitants of this island in general, and to
expose the rudeness and imbecility of their fortifications
in particular. A very different opinion of the latter,
however, ha» been entertained and expressed by military
officers in the British army, of acknowledged merit and
eminence in their profession, who, after a strict examina-
tion of these works, have not hesitated to declare in strong
terms their approbation, — that it is impossible to excel
the judgment with which these fortified posts have been
selected, and that the smallest change of their respective
positions would not prove so well calculated to produce
the desired effects ot a defensive system, to retard the
progress of an invading enemy, and to facilitate and keep
open communications with the besieged. They go on
further, and add that, by the plan of Caractacus, all his
dominions were distributed into spaces comprehended by
equilateral triangles, and that fortified encampments were
placed at each of the angles — all three within the view of
each other, and capable of giving and receiving mutual

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 203

succour and support,— and that an invading force, by
successfully carrying one of these fortified angles, could
make no progress, nor remain secure, in a country pre-
viously exhausted of supplies, unless he also carried all
the three. If this were the case, if such be the character
and disposition of Silurian encampments, — the truth of
which may be verified or disproved by actual examination,
—it is more easy to account for the long opposition which
Caractacus, with an inferior and undisciplined force, was
enabled to make against the conquerors of the world,
aided by several of his own countrymen, than to justify
the unmilitary conjecture whereby some have attempted
to confine the operations of nine years to a short line,
supposed to have commenced at Malvern, and to ter-
minate, alas! at Cox wall,— a space of ground compre-
hending little more than thirty-five miles, — a conjecture
which, if realized, would have left the resources of his
kingdom almost untouched, and rendered his various and
triangular positions unserviceable and useless.

Nor is the configuration of each distinct and separate
encampment less scientific than is th6 disposition of the
whole judicious. It has been a subject of dispute with
military people whether is most eligible, on the principles
of a defensive system of operations, a square camp like
that of the Romans, or the elliptical camp of the Silures,
or Britons. The preference has been awarded to the
latter. It requires fewer men for its defence ; the eye of
the commander embraces the greater part of its circum-
ference ; and the point of attack, whether made in front,
or in flank, is more speedily succoured, and more easily
repelled. Whereas a square camp has four sides to
defend ; it must present a distinct front on each side; the
commander can take a view of only one side at a time ;
and by a false attack on the flanks, the rear and front are
liable to be forced.

That the kingdom of Siluria was anciently distributed
into triangular districts studded with camps, is an assertion
founded not on testimony alone ; the result of a personal
examination will likewise evince its truth ; nay, the in-

204 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

spection of a common map of the territory will suffice.
Even this small district of it presents examples of this
singular and truly military arrangement of its defensive
fortifications. Burfa Bank, Newcastle, and Cwm, or
Wapley, secure its north-eastern frontier, while its south-
eastern boundary is guarded by the several camps of
Brilley, Huntington, and Leonhales. The Silurian camp
of Burfa, which is within the limits of this county, and
Bradnor, a Roman intrenchment, about a mile west of
the town of Kington, and on the Welsh side of Oflfa's
Dyke, occupy the opposite sides of a valley watered by
a river called Hindwell, and stand as if opposed to each
other. Burfa is situated on the south-eastern extremity
of the Vale of Radnor, on the summit of a conical or
pyramidical eminence, as the monosyllable Bur signifies,
and is defended by a triple ditch. The sides of the hill
are steep and almost inaccessible. It stands within view
of the other two intrenched angles, Newcastle and Cwm,
and corresponds in all respects with the camps occupied
by Caractacus, the Silurian commander, whose system
of defence, as described by Tacitus, consisted partly in
fixing the positions of his encampments on the banks of
the rivers opposed to the line of march of the Romans.
Its form is elliptical, its area contains about three acres,
and it commands a very diversified and picturesque view
of the adjacent country. Newcastle camp is situated
about three miles and a half west of the town of Presteign,
almost adjoining the turnpike road leading to the town of
New Radnor. It is quite perfect, and is circular in form.
Its diameter measures about 220 yards, and its circum-
ference about 660 yards.

At a place called Gaer, in the parish of Uanddewi-
ystrad-ennau, is a camp of superior style and strength.
This fortification occupies the summit of a high hill
impending over the Vale of leithon, of an oval form,
defended by two parallel intrenchments, and almost in-
accessible on the side of the river leithon. Various have
been the conjectures formed respecting the original occu-
pancy and property of this distinguished military post.

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 205

From its elliptical form, many have been induced to
adjudge its original construction to the Silures, who

generally preferred positions of that particular shape and
gure. In this opinion we are inclined to coincide, adding
that, from its name, Graer, and from other circumstances,
it appears to have been possessed and occupied by the
Romans, if not as a military station, yet as an explo-
ratory position; and that, in a subsequent period, it was
garrisoned both by the defenders and invaders of this
district, in alternate succession, is a fact not only
extremely probable, but altogether certain ; as well from
the circumstance of this neighbourhood having been the
scene of many bloody engagements between the native
Welsh and Normans, as from the natural and artificial
strength of this post, not to be slighted or overlooked
with impunity by either party. On a hill opposite is the
large mound, or tommen, of earth, inclosed by a small
moat, noticed above.

In the lordship of Stanage, on the declivity of a hill,
and near its summit, is a small camp of a circular form,
and, consequently, of British construction. Its area has
been planted with trees by Charles Rogers, Esq., the
proprietor. Its particular designation is unknown. It
might have served as a place of retreat to tht; discomfited
Britons flying from Coxwall Knoll, or as an exploratory
post. In the same lordship, on the right bank of the
river Teme, in a low situation, is a large barrow, or
tumulus, deeply moated round, and closely connected on
the east side with a level area, resembling in figure a
parallelogram, and surrounded with an agger. The
original designation of the whole it is by no means
difficult to explain. It belonged to the lord, or regulus,
of the district. On the elevated mound stood his palace;
the apartments of his domestics occupied the area below ;
and on each side of the valley, which this fortification
was intended to protect, were placed the scattered habi-
tations of his vassals, all of whom were within the hearing
of the sound of his horn, when danger approached, and
the alarm was given.

206 HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE.

There are many other Silurian intrenchments in the
northern division of the county ; especially one in the
parish of Bugaildu, called Grug-y-Buddair, that is, the
Mount of Ambuscade; contiguous to which is an ancient
Silurian fortification, accompanied with considerable re-
mains of building. Immemorial tradition ascribes remote
antiquity to this dilapidated relic, and records it to have
been the occasional residence of Uthyr Pendragon, the
father of the renowned Prince Arthur. Traditionary
reports contain some truth, mingled with much falsehood.
There is, however, reason to believe that this place be-
longed, if not to the celebrated hero above named, who
was a Silurian, yet to some noted chieftain of the district,
of a more recent era, whose name and whose actions are
equally forgotten. At the foot of Crug-y-Buddair is a
field, still called the ^^ Bloody Field,'* in which it is said
a battle was fought; but neither the year, or the occasion,
can now be ascertained.

We pass on to record some of the principal encamp-
ments that fortify the line of the river Arrow, on the
south-eastern frontier of this district. Here we discern
three of considerable magnitude and respectability ; the
one being dignified with the appellation Gaer, or Gaer,
the usual designation of military stations. This camp,
which is British, occupies the summit of a high and com-
manding eminence, from which a most beautiful prospect
extends to several adjoining counties, both Welsh and
English. The inclosed area is a large corn-field, con-
taining about thirty-one acres. It is situated in the
parish of Michael-church, and, under the denomination
of Upper and Lower Gaer, includes outposts which guard
the fords of the river Arrow, the valley of which is here
studded with numerous tumuli, or barrows, which denote
that this spot has been the scene of much conflict and
carnage. At a short distance to the south is a military
work of the Britons, denominated Pencastle Camp, and
situated in the parish of Llanbedr. This is a camp of
considerable magnitude and strength, and calculated to
serve the purposes for which it was constructed. The

HISTORY OF RADNORSHIRE. 207

third camp, forming the west angle of this triangular
position, is situated about a quarter of a mile to the north-
east of the village of Clascwm, on a farm called Wem,
on a commanding eminence, judiciously selected to guard
the defile leading to the village, as also to check the pro-
gress of an enemy advancing through the narrow vale, in
which flows a rivulet called Clas, which unites and empties
itself into the river Arrow, in the neighbouring parish of
Colfa. It consisted of a double intrenchment, encircling
three-fourths of the summit on which the camp is situated.
Being partly open to the south and south-west, the natural
difficulty of access from those points, and the little appre-
hension of an enemy approaching from that quarter,
rendered the addition of an intrencned work on that side
unnecessary. It is called Clas-gwyr; the dingle leading
to the foot of the eminence is denominated Cwm Twarch.
No traces of building are at present discernible. These
three camps were undoubtedly occupied by the Silures,
and used by them as military posts of defence against
the Romans invading this territory from the side of
Herefordshire.

This part of the county is rendered very interesting by
a number of artificial mounds, fortified posts, cromlechau,
and other vestiges of antiquity, all which will be described
in the historical account of the several parishes in which
they are respectively situated. The security of the re-
maining portion of the district to the south and south-
west seems to have been consigned by the Silures to the
natural fortification of the Wye and of its precipitous
banks, especially on the south side, whilst the river Teme,
in conjunction with the positions of Caer-Caradoc and
Cnwc-las, which latter was originally a camp, subse-
quently a castle, protected its north-eastern quarter.

(To be continued,)

208

CAMBRIAN ARCH^OLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.

The next Annual Meeting of the Association will be held
at Llandeilo Fawr, Caermarthenshire.

For further information Members are referred to the
General Secretaries.

Members intending to be present, or to send in papers,
are requested to give early notice of their wishes to the
Secretaries.

RUTHIN CHURCH AND COLLEGE.

To the Editors of the Arch^eologia Cambrenm.

Gbntlbmen, — I find in my late paper on Ruthin Charch and its
appurtenances, the title I eave it, *' Kuthin Church and CoUege^*
has been altered into '' Ruthin Church and HotpitaV* I know not
how this came about, as I certainly sent ofi* the proof sheets with
College f and not SospitoL

The change, by whomsoever efiiected, is worse than a crime ; it is a
blunder. Lord Grey founded at Ruthin a College or Chantry — words
often used indiscriminately ; of the existing buildings of that College
I write a description. With the Hoepim founded on the same site
by Dean Groodman, after the suppression of the College, my purely
architectural paper has nothing to do. I suppose my anlcnown censor
would not compel me to talk of Ely or Peterborough CathedraUf in
dealing with times earlier than Henry I. and VIII. respectively. And
the case is the same. My paper was one devoted wholly to the
mediaeval College of Ruthin, not to the Elizabethan JSoepUal, and I
called it accordingly. — I am. Gentlemen, vour obedient Servant,

Edward A. Frbbmait.

Trinity College, Oxford,
June 6, 1855.

[The alteration of the title of the article in question, and of the word
''College'' in another portion of it, was imprudentlv made by the
Editor, in compliance with the instructions of one of the officers of
the Association ; and, if Mr. Freeman's obliging correction had not
been received, would have been adverted to in a list of errata for the
annual volume when completed. Mr. Freeman's remarks are quite

CORRBSPONDENCE. 209

coirecti and we offer him our apologies; the more bo because another
of his valuable articles has been accidentally mutilated, we do not
ourselves know how nor when. — £d. Aroh. Cams ]

CURIOUS DISCOVERIES IN OLD CHURCHES.

To the Editor of the Archsohgia Cambrenns.

Sir, — ^The present rage for demolishing our old churches, and
rebuilding them in a style which has so frequently been animadverted
upon, bids fair in a few years to leave us no ecclesiastical edifice of
any antiquity remaining in the country. An improved taste, however,
is beginning to show itself in the architecture of these new fabrics ;
yet the wholesale and reckless destruction of monuments, inscribed
stones, and other objects of archaeological interest, still goes on. I
strongly recommend the members of the Association, living in the
neighbourhood where anything of this sort is occurring, to make
accurate drawings of all such objects before it is too late, and to
narrowly watch the progress of demolition, so that, should anything
worth notice turn up, the particulars may be recorded in the pages of
the Journal. I am more particularly led to make these remarks
from what has occurred in this county. In 1847, the parish church
of Trevethin was demolished ; in doing which a coffer, or chest, was
discovered, built in the centre of the south wall, about eight feet
above the floor. It was divided into two parts, horizontally ; each
compartment contained human bones ; the whole was covered by a
large flag-stone. There was nothing upon the outside or inside faces
of the wall to lead to the inference that there was any deposit within.
The chest was too short for the reception of a body at full length, and
the remains of more than one individual were apparent; it is therefore
inferred that this was a re-deposit in this building of remains, found,
probably, in a similar situation, in an older one ; and this seems in a
measure confirmed by the figures 1300 having been found upon one
of the stones in the middle of the wall near it. If this was intended
for a date, it shows that the building had been erected at a subsequent
period. In 1852, the old church of Risca, being much too small for
the daily-increasing population, was taken down, and was found to
have been erected upon the site of a Roman building. In digging
the foundations for the chancel of the new church, at about six feet
below the surface, a wall was discovered, forming a portion of a circle,
of about twelve feet radius ; the floor of the apartment which it had
inclosed, was formed of Roman tiles, or bricks, marked LEG. II.
AUG., resting upon a bed of concrete, about eighteen inches deep ;
8 snr-base formed of flag-stones, the lower edges of which were
imbedded in the concrete, was attached to the wall. The walh of
the demolished church were composed of dressed stones, Roman
bricks, and lumps of the concrete of the ancient sub-floor. What this
Roman building could have been, it is not easy to determine^ There
is no doubt that the mines of lead and iron in the neighbouring moun-

ARCB. CAMS., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 E

210 CORRESPONDENCE.

tains were worked by the Romans ; two places in the yicinity are still
known as Pont y Mister (Pons Magistri), and Forum Mister (Fomm
Magistri). In the western gable of the church, another discorery
was made of deposits similar to that at Trerethin, and, like that, built
into the substance of the wall, without any outward indications of their
existence. On either side the tower, which was attached to the west
end, were found cists ; the one on the north contained human bones,
very much decayed ; that on the south contained the remains of two
individuals, and a quantity of beads, twenty or thirty, formed of jet or
coal. As at Trevethin, the cists were too small to receive a body at
full length, being about four feet long by two wide; the wooden
coffers, if there ever had been any, were nsduced to powder. They
were about four feet above the level of the floor.

Something of the sort has, I believe, been found at St. Wollos'
Churchy Newport, now being restored, but I have not ascertained the
particulars.

Some, among our associates, may perhaps be enabled to inform us
whether similar deposits have been found in other parts of the country;
and may thus throw light upon the origin of this singular mode of
disposing of the remains of our ancestors, and why they were placed
so nigh above the floor. — ^I remain, &c.,

Thomas Wakbmak.

Graig, Monmouth, 11th April, 1855.

P.S. — Since the above was written, I have found in the Annual
Register^ for 1763, a notice, that in taking down the church of St.
Nicholas, in Bristol, several bodies were found in the walk.

[We remember being present when the church of Montmartre, above
Pans, was repaired, m 1841. The triforium of the nave, on the
south side, had been blocked up and plastered over; and it was
considered advisable to re-open it. On the workmen proceeding to do
so, the triforium gallery was found to be entirely nlled with skulls.
At the church of Presteign, in Radnorshire, there was, until lately, a
sort of receptacle, formed by building a wall between two buttresses
on the east side of the tower. This, thoueh not roofed, was filled with
bones and skulls, and was called *^ The SkuUery.'^ — £d. Arch.
Cams.]

ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES.

To the Editor of the Archwologia Carnbrensis.

Sir, — In the Archmohgia Carnbrensis^ No. II. Third Series, Mr.
Longueville Jones has extracted, from Mr. Akerman's Archtso-
loaical IndeXy a list of the papers on Roman Wales, contained in the
ArchiBologia, endins with vol. xzviii. I beg leave to mention two
papers by myself^ which I think you will be glad to add to the series,
vi«. : —

Archmohgia^ vol. xzix. pp. 5-31. '' A Memoir on Antient
Remains existing in the district adjacent to the confluence of the Wye

CORRESPONDENCE. 211

and the Severn, in the counties of Oloacester and Monmouth : namely,
the probable line of the Akeman Street ; the southern termination of
Offa's Dyke ; the earthworks of Buttendune ; the leaden fonts of
Llancaut and Tidenham ; and an identification of the Estrighrid of
Dom^ay : by Geo. Ormerod, Esq., D.C.L., F.R.S., and F.S.A.''

^'On British and Roman Remains, illustrating communications with
Venta Silurum; Antient Passages of the Bristol Channel, and
Antonine's Iter XIY.: by Geo. Ormerod, Esq., D.C.L., F.R.S., and
F.S.A." — I remain, &c.,

Geo. Ormerod.

Sedbury Park, near Chepstow,
13th April, 1855.

To the Editor of the Archaologia Cambrenm,

Sir, — ^As I perceive that there are some remarks on the Britannic
Researches, p. 94, in No. I. of your present series, by your correspon-
dent, who signs himself '' Britanno-Komanus," I accordingly beg to
address you these few lines in reply. The stricture there made is in
regard to the junction of the so-called northern branch of the Watling
Street with the main line, and your correspondent is undoubtedly right
in his correction of a point of fact ; as it should have been mentioned
as commencing from Chester. This avowal may possibly satisfy
*' Britanno-Romanus,'' who, from the tone of his remarks, appears to
exult in the discovery of a casual error. — I remain, &c.,

Beale Poste.

Bydews Place, near Maidstone.

[We really do not perceive any tone of exultation in the remarks of
our correspondent, " Britanno-Romanus." — Ed. Arch. Camb.]

GAER GYBI, OR HOLYHEAD.

To the Editor of the Archceohgia Camhrensis,

Sie, — I observe a statement in Mr. Beale Posters Britannic
Researches concerning Holyhead which mav lead to some erroneous
ideas, and I am therefore anxious to correct it.

The author, in commenting upon Baxter and his Etymologies, cen-
sures him for assuming the Corsula of Ravennas to be Corguba,
equivalent to the modern Holyhead. This is all very well. Baxter
is not improbably wrong. Mr. Beale Poste then proceeds to say : —

'' Thus, in the foregoing case, there being, in the said island of
Holyhead, an ancient camp, called Caer Gybi, from this circumstance
he is inclined to substitute, and wholly unauthorized, instead of
Corsula, the reading Corguba ; which word he assumes implies in the
Graelic '' Castrum Cohortis," the fort of the cohort. However, as
there is an ancient Welsh church, which stands within the camp,
dedicated to St. Kebius, a Welsh Saint of the fifth century, as is
shown by two ancient inscriptions on the stones of the walls of the

212 CaRRESPONDEirCE.

chmeb, nothing farther is required to show bis mistake, and to
expose his wrong method in this particular. (See the OerUleman^B
magazine^ OctoW, 1789, on this point, where are some observations
by Mr. Lewis Morris, on Welsh Derivations.)"

From the above passage it woold appear uiat the author, whether
he derived his information from Mr. Lewis Morris, or from any other
person, supposes that there is an ancient Welsh churoh standing
within the ancient camp, called Caer Gybi, at Holvhead, &c. But
the facts of the case are tnese: — On the summit of Holyhead mountain,
two miles and a half from the town and church, is the ancient British
fortified post, called Caer Gybi. Like other similar posts, it is
surrounded with a double wall of loose stones, and contains the
remains of several cyttiau, or circular stone houses and huts; but
church there neither is nor was ; for this camp or post was formed,
doubtless, anterior to the Christian epoch. In the town of Holyhead,
on the east side of Holyhead island, stands the ancient Collegiate
and Parochial Church, within the walls of the Roman camp, to which,
however, no name has been assigned. This station was very probably
held by a cohort, or by some detachment from SEOONTrvH. The
Collegiate Church is of the fifteenth century, though parts of the tower
may be older.

when we refer to Mr. Lewis Morris's words in the Oentleman*$
Magazine^ as referred to by Mr. Beale Poste, we find the former
acquainted with the true state of the case, and not bearing out the
sense attributed to him by the latter. He is aware that the church
stands within the castruMf but does not say that it stood within the
caer.

Letter from Mr, Lems Morris, of PenbryUy Cardiganshire^ in th4
" Gentleman's Magazine,* October, 1789.

'^ I shall only mention one thing out of Baxter's Glossary, who,
not content with murdering & dismembering old British words,
murders & annihilates our very saints, men noted in the primitive
Church of Britain for planting our religion. In the word Corguba,
because it sounds like Caer Gybi, he makes Caergybi to be read Caer
Corb, which, he says, is an old Irish word for a cohort, and derives
the very being of a saint of the name of Cybi. But neither is his
Corb nor his Cuba to be heard of any where else. Kebius, called by
the Welsh Cybi, was the son of Solomon, Duke of Cornwall ; all our
ancient MSS. agree in that. He was not only founder of his church,
but of several others in Wales ; Llan Gybi in Lleyn, k, Llan Gybi in
Cardiganshire, Llan Gybi in Monmouthshire, which all exist Are
all these to change their names to please the whim of Baxter? Caer
Gybi was a church so called because within a castrum still existing.
Cybi lived at the time of the dissolution of the Roman Empire m
Britain, & was contemporary, & in great friendship, with St. Seireoel.
What sets the matter beyond all dispute is that there are two ancient
inscriptions upon stones in the wall of the church of Caer Gybi
(Holyhead) where Kebius is acknowledged the patron-saint. There

CORRESPONDENCE. 213

was no such scarcity of saints in Wales in those days to put thorn to
the shift of inventing fictitious names for their ch urches. Fynnon Gyhi,
Eisteddfa Gybi, in Anglesey, & the ancient tradition & proverb to this
day in that island about Seiriol gwyn a Gybi melyn (Jilyn)j are also
evidences of the strongest kind : so that we are so sure there was once
such a man as Cybi, as that Dewi, Tilo, Padarn, Curig, Padrigi &c.y
were once founders or patrons of those churches which bear their
names. When men of as great learning as Camden and Baxter can
advance such incoherent stuff, is it a wonder that every smatterer in
history thinks himself equal to them, & even that witticisms and puns
take place of solid knowledge ; and that etymology hath so little
credit ?"

In p. 1099 of the same volume, a correspondent observes that
Morris's conjecture will equally apply to the parish church of Cybi or
Cuby in Cornwall. — I remain, &c.,

Britanno-Romanus.

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN WALES.

To the Editor of the ArchBohgia Cambrenm.

Sir, — Among the " Notices of several Early Inscribed Stones re-
cently found in various parts of Wales," contributed by Mr. Westwood
at p. 4 of the present volume of the Archaologia Cambrensis, is en-
graved an incised stone now at Llanrug, in Caernarvonshire. 1 think
there can be no difficulty about the three first lines, which read, —

IMP • Q . TRO . aBOIO — IMP(kRATORi) . q(vINTo) . TR(AIAN)o . BBOIO.

With all due deference to so eminent an authority as Mr. Westwood,
I cannot but fancy that the third letter in the fourth line is an A, and
not, as he supposes, a reversed V. I have seen many such A's upon
inscribed stones in this county (Cumberland). The first stroke of the
fourth line may be I, and the last may be part of an L ; which, if so,
would read, — i . oal — iulius . qal ... In the last line, there would
be room in the broken part of the stone for another L ; the first letter
of the same line looks like an I ; the E is very plain ; but it is impos-
sible to say what the last character has been. I would therefore pro-
pose reading the two last lines, — i . oal(l)ie( j ) . iulius . gallienvs.
The entire inscription would then be, —

IMP iMPERATORi To the Emperor

QTRO QVINTO . TRAJANO QUINTVS TRAJANU8
aSCIO DEOIO ; BEOIUS ;

lOAI IVLIVS . QAL- JULIUS QAL-

1 IB i LIENVS LIBNUS

(posviT.) (placed this.)

Decius was slain a.d. 261, after a reign of two years.

I remain, kc*,

W. Wynk Wiluahs.

214 CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Arehmologia Cafnbrenni.

Sir, — In the remarks upon " The Sepulchral Stone of Emlyn/' in
the last Number of the ArchtBologia CamhrensiSf I observe that refe<
rence is made to an old Welsh romance, '* The Friendships of Emlyn
and AmjcU** I have a copy of the original romance now before me,
with an English translation by my late grandfather, Dr. O. Pughe.
It thus commences : — '' In this manner is set forth the friendship of
Amlyn and Amic." You will observe it is here " Amlyn," and not
"Emlyn."

The following are mentioned in the romance : —

Pepin K. of Fringa Earl Arthrig at the Court of
Castell Beriean Charlemayn

Amlyn Earl of Alvem, his son Earl Harbert, ditto

Aml3m Ildegart, Queen of Charlemayn

Lucam, a city Belisant, daughter of K. of France

Pope Constantine Bui^ndy

Hildegarde K. of France Normandy

Germany Albin Bishop of Asso

France Finen mountain

Charlemayn K. of France Desider K. of Lombardy

Paris Clusas, a fortress

Seine river Milan

Monastery of St. Germain St. Eusibius and St. Peter.

It concludes thus quaintly : —

^' This took place in the year one thousand one hundred and twen^ir-
three since Jesus Christ became flesh from the virgin womb of the
Lady Mary, and the fourth day of the calends of April, in the year of
the death of St. Bernard, who was Abbot at Clervos, to the praise and
honour of God and the Church the person whose name be it blessed
for ever be it true amen. And tuus terminates the friendship of
Amlyn and Amic."

I remain, &c.,

William Owbn.
Tan y Gyrl, Denbigh,
April 9, 1856.

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. •

To the Editor of the Archmologia Cambrenm*

Sir, — In the list of ''Early British or Pre-historic Remains*' of
that portion of Mona which lies east of the Malltraeth, given by Mr.
Longueville Jones, in the Archieologia Cambrensis^ 1854, p. 203, he
has omitted one camp or castle, which, from its position, must have been
rather important. It is situated near the south-west termination of
the limestone ridge which runs parellel to the Menai Strait, and is
called Rhyddgar, the etymology of which I believe to be Rhudd-Ghier
(red fort) ; perhaps from the colour of the limestone rock here. The

CORRESPONDENCE. 215

position is well chosen , and commands an extensive view of the bay
and county of Caernaryon. Dinas Dinlle cannot be more than four
miles distant in a direct line ; the stations at Seoontium, and Dinas
Dinorwicy are also distinctly visible ; so that communication with them
by signal would be easy. I have not examined the place very closely ;
but from what I have observed, it appears that the camp was circular,
with a diameter of from a hundred to a hundred and twenty yards.
The part of the rampart facing the north-west is the best preserved. A
house, together with farm-yard and buildings, stands within the area
of the fort. The proprietor, H. Owen, Esq., has told me that several
bronze spear-heads were found there some years back. There is in
front of the house a curious stone vase, more than two feet high,
rounded at the bottom, and becoming gradually wider up to the rim,
which is squared on the outside. A similar one was found at
Segontium, and is now in the possession of Dr. Wynne Williams, of
Caernarvon. A road from hence communicated with the shore of the
strait. The present road from Tal-y-Voel ferry crosses the marsh,
not far from Rhyddgar, upon the track of the old Roman causeway,
which was called Sam Goch (red causeway). The names of many
farms in the immediate neighbourhood seem to indicate the occurrence
of a sanguinary struggle here, at some period or other; unless, indeed,
the epithet Coch refers merely to the colour of the stone. Close to
the Sam we have " Yr Erw Goch," (the red acre) ; " Gelliniog
Goch," (the red hazle grove) ; " Cae Mawr," (the great field, almost
always indicating the site of a battle field). In the early part of the
year 1853, a heap of human remains was discovered on the shore,
between Tal-y-Yoel and the present new landing pier. The skeletons
were found lyine in all directions, some with the legs bent under
them, evidently thrown hurriedly into a trench after some engagement.
Perhaps these may have been slain in opposing the landing of the
Romans. In digging the foundation of Tal Gwynedd, the residence
of the late Mr. Rice Hughes, which adjoins the old road, there was
found a second brass Roman coin in good preservation; Obverse —
laureated head of Augustus; legend — imp. divi. f. ayq. Reverse — a
crocodile chained to a palm tree; legend — col. nem (Colonia Nemau-
sus). I think another road ran from this station in a north-easterly
direction, and joined the road, or sam, which crosses the common, near
Bryn Siencyn, in the parish of Uanidan, where traces of it are still
to be seen. — I remain, &c.,

W. Wtnn Williams.

[We recommend the gentlemen who are conducting the survey
necessary for the compilation of the Cambria Romana, to make a note
of what our correspondent here states concerning old roads near the
Menai Strait. We could hope, indeed, that Mr. Wynn Williams would
himself extend his researches in his own island of Mona ; and would
endeavour to throw some light on the Roman communications between
Sboontivm and Caer Gybi (Holyhead). — £b. Arch. Camb.]

216 CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Arehoiologia Cambrensi^.

Sir, — In vol. i. p. 150, of the Proceedings and Ordinances of the
Privy Council of Englandy edited by Sir Harris Nicholas, is pub-
lished a letter from the celebrated Henrj Percy to the Privy Council.
This lettor is dated at Caernarvon, 4th May, 2 Hen. lY.^ and in it
he refers to the castles of '' Coneway and Rees^ which is among the
mountains.*'

In the list of ** Early British Remains" in the Archteologia Cam^
brensis, at p. 110 of the present volume, which embraces the locality
where I conceive this castell Rhys of Hotspur to have stood, I find
no mention of it by that appellation. Some years ago, on mentioning
the circumstance to Dr. O. O. Roberts, of Bangor, he informed me
that he knew the place well, and I think he said it stood in the moun-
tains, between Caer Rhun and Aber.

It would be interesting to identify the prominence occupied by this
stronghold ; and I presume that, to a person making inquiries on the
spot^ there could be no difficulty in doing so. — I remain, &c.,

William Owen.

P.S. — ^To save yon the trouble of reference, I enclose a copy of
Hotspur's letter, with a translation.

[Bibl. Cotton. Cleopatra, F. iii. \ 16 b., contemporary MS., and
apparently the original. Ihid. Dated at Caernarvon, the 4th May,
2 Henry IV., 1401.]

Re^entz piers en Dieu ^ ?shon>'es |s jeo me recomanc a vo^ Et
voillez sai^ qa le fesance dycestez le pans de Northgalez en quelle jeo
Buy teign^nt mez sessiones est ISn entendantz % obeisant en toutz
poynts a le loy forspris ceux rebell' qi sont deinz le chasteti* de Cone-
way % Rees q est enlez montayns quellez front i&^n cbastiez si Dieu
pleast p la force % gof^nance q moii redoute f' le P*nce y ad envoie
sibn de soii conseiH' come de son retenue p** tenir sege dev^nt lez
rebellez en le dit chastell' quelle sege sil poet estr Qontenue tanq^ lez
ditz rebels soient p% |ra g*und eas ^ pfit a le gov^nance du dit paus
en temps avenir. £t aciEi re^entz piers en Dieux % Vshon^ez fs lez
comons du dit paiis de Northgalez oest assav lez conteez de Camarvan
^ M'yonytii qi ont este dev^nt moy a ^^nt ont humblemet ificie mon
redoute ^^ le P^nce de la g^und t^vaille de sa benigne voluntee qil ad
p'sue a nre so^ain |' le Roi p' lo' g^iouse pdon luy emp^ant humble-
met de son confirmac6ne desontz son seal. Offerant p' lay doner p
lo' bone voluntee outre toutz duetees sanz request dascnn "^ tiel ^ anxi
g^und some come ils ont done a Roi Richard qu^t il fuist lo^ Roi Ht
lo*" P*nce come le porto' dycestez vo^ sceit pleynmet declarer. Et
dauSpt voillez remembrer cement pluiso^'s foitz jay p^sue a vo^ p*^
paymet dez soldeo's du Roi en la ville de Berewyk % s' lestmarche
Denglefre les quellez sont en si g^nt pof^tee qils ne p*'ront porter

CORRESPONDENCE. 217

nendorier p' defaate da paymet. Et per ceo vo^ snpplie dordefi qik
pi^ront est? paiez en mafie come fxiist taille entr le Tres % moy a nre
darrein en?plance si meillo*" paymet ne p*"ray avoir gar au^emet moy
covient venir de^s vo^ p** le dit paymet toutz auPs chosez lessez
Re^entz piers en Dieux ^ Pshon^ez fs auPs ne to say escrier a ^^n^
mez jeo prie le seint Espirit q yo^ maynteigne en tout bono** ^ jay
solonc yrez desires. Escr a CarSvan le iij^ jour de Maij.

Henr' Pcy,
Grardein de lestmarche DenglePre vers Eecoce.

Translation of the above Letter,

Reverend Fathers in God and most honoured Lords^ I recommend
myself to you ; and be pleased to know that, while I am writing, the
country of North Wales in which I hold my sessions, is submissive,
and in every respect obedient to the law : excepting those rebels who
are in the castles of Coneway and Rees, which is in the mountains ;
and who will be very well chastised, if God pleases, by the forces and
authorities which my feared lord the prince has sent there, as well
from his council as from among his retinue, to hold siege in front of
those rebels in the said castles ; which siege, if it should be kept until
the said rebels be taken, will be of great relief and profit to the admi-
nistration of the said country in future. And to the rev. fathers in God
and most honoured lords the commons of the said country of North
Wales, that is to say, the counties of Caernarvon and Meryonyth
have just presented themselves before me, and humbly thanked my
feared lord the prince for his very great kindness in asking our sove-
reign lord the king for their pardon, humbly imploring him to confirm
it under his seal, ofiering to give him of their own will, and without
request, as great a sum as they gave to King Richard, when he was
their king and prince, as the bearers of these letters have fully declared ;
and here I shall beg of you to bear in mind how oflen I have urged
you for the payment of the king's soldiers in the city of Berwick,
and the East Marches of England, who are in such great poverty that
they will not be able to go any longer without payment, and conse-
quently I entreat you to order that they should be paid in manner as
was agreed between the Treasurer and me in our last interview, if
better payment could not be effected. For otherwise I must address
you again for payment, everything else being of minor importance.

Reverend rathers in God and most honoured Lords, I have no
more to state at present; but pray the Holy Ghost to keep you in
honour and joy to the best of your wishes.

Written at Caernarvon, the third day of May.

Henry Percy,

Keeper of the East Marches of England,
towards Scotland.

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SBRIR8, VOL. I. 2 F

218

Inirsnlngual Jlntts aiir ^utm.

Note 6. — ^At page 48 of Archdeacon Williams' Oamer is found a
list of Oaelic names of places, which are formed from Km, Kan and
Ken, the Graelic forms of the Cymric Pen, Might not we add Kent,
KvvfiXioi, Cangif Kintalef and numerous instances from Ireland of the
same prefix? Would the name Cangi throw any light on the vexata
aue stio of the priority in time of the Gaelic or Cymric occupation of
Wales, or certain portions of it? M. N.

N, 6. — Stuart Relics. — A collection is making of anecdotes and
traditions connected with the cause of the Stuarts in Wales and the
Marches, from 1688 to 1746. Information concerning MSS., letters,
portraits, &c., which illustrate this subject, will be gladly receired.
For instance, the large collections in possession of the Powys family
are known ; but there must be similar treasures in the possession of
other families and mdividuals. H. L. J.

Query 18. — In Gibson's Camden is to be found mention of a MS.
of David Morgannius, mentioned by Yossius, relating to the history
and antiquities of Wales. Where is that MS. at present, and has it
been printed ? If so, can any of your readers inform me as to the
name and editions of the printed yolume? With the exception of this
MS., and the Itinerary of Oiraldus^ the only other work on the
subject of Wales, mentioned in the list of archaeological books, is
that of the celebrated George Owen. This MS. was formerly in the
Hengwrt Library. Is it there still? Are not some MSS. of Greorge
Owen in the British Museum ? Have any portions of them been
printed ? M. N.

Q. 19. — Can any of our members supply us with probable deri-
Tations of the names of the Wrekin, and tne Clee Hills, m Shropshire,
or of the Malyem Hills, in Worcestershire ? X.

Q. 20. — ^What are the exact titles of the best historical accounts of
the Lords Marchers of Wales? In what books are accounts of them,
and of their jurisdiction, to be found ? An Antiquary.

Q, 21 — In the " History of Radnorshire," in the April Number
of the ArcJuBologia Cambrentis, there seems to be some doubt as to
the origin bot]i of the Welsh and English names. Sir Faes^ed and
Radnor. Can any antiquary throw any light upon their derivation 7
The word Maetyfed can hardly be derived from Maee-y-fedm,

Q* 22. — Is there any reference in any of the old Court Rolls to
JRadehenistri free tenants, or to Mad knights, who held their lands
by knights' service, which would render it probable that Radnor is
derived from either of these words ? W.

Q. 23. — ^Who was Huysgwn; is he identical with the Hu Gadam
of the Triads ? W.

Q. 24.-*Can any information be given as to the existence of the

BflSCBLLANEOUS NOTICES. 219

MS. of the History of Anglesey^ intended as a continuation to
Rowlands' Mona Antijuaf and written in 1775? The original MS.
of the Mona Antiqua is in the possession of Charles £yansy £0Q-y of
Plas Gwyn, Anglesey, Mr. Rowlands' lineal descendant. W. W,

Q. 25. — In the description of North Wales, by the Rer. J. Eyans,
forming the seventeenth volume of the Beauties of England and
Waleiy p. 221y the exemplification of a charter relatiuj^ to Llanelian,
in Anglesey, is quoted, but no reference is given. Can any of oar
readers inform us of the depository wherein this charter is preserved ?

Arghaologioal Institute. — We understand that the Annual
Meeting of this body will take place at Shrewsbury, on the 22nd of
July.

British AncHAOLoaicAL Association. — The Earl of Perth and
Melfort has been elected President of this Association. The Annual
Congress will be held during the autumn (September ?), in the Isle of
Wight.

Institutb of British Arohitbots. — At a late meeting of thb
Society, Mr. C. C. Nelson, Honorary Secretary, read tne sub-
stance of a work recently published by the Prussian government,
entitled ''Early Christian Monuments of Constantinople, from the
Fifth to the Twelfth Century," by W. Salzenbei^. This folio work
comprises numerous engravings, in line as well as in chromo-litho-
graphy, illustrative of the ancient edifices of Constantinople, and
especially of the church of Sta. Sophia ; and, as the author enjoyed
unprecedented opportunities of examining the latter building, his
account and illustrations of it possess great interest. M. Salzenberg

fives an histonr of Byzantine art as exemplified in Constantinople, —
escribes the foundation and alterations of the Great Mosque, — and
gives for the first time with precise accuracy, the measurement of its
celebrated cupola. The dimensions of this famous dome are as follows :
— diameter immediately over the pendentive arches, 100 Prussian feet
([103 English),— diameter higher up between the ribs forming the
inner surface, 104 Prussian feet, — height from the pavement to the
under side at the apex, 179 Prussian feet, — thickness over the windows,
of which there are forty at the basis of the cupola, twenty-nine inches
— at the crown, twenty-four inches. Mr. M. Digby Wyatt continued
the subject by some remarks on the mosaic and otner internal coloured
decorations of Sta. Sophia. He observed that one class of Byzantine
decorations, as displayed in that church, involved some structural
points, — ^the chief of these being the perforated stone windows round
the dome, which there was every reason to believe were filled originally
with stained glass. '^ The windows are formed of a series of slabs of

220 MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

marble, pierced in apertures of about eight inches by ten, and it
appeared that these apertures were filled in with coloured glass. The
Byzantines were acquainted with all the processes of glass making,
and their enamels were proverbially beautiful. Actual remains prov^
that they were masters of the technicalities of glass-work. Faulus
Silentiarius alludes to the beautiful effect of light and colour in this
building of Sta. Sophia, when seen in the morning ; and Paul the
Hermit, and Fortunatus of Poictiers, in his CamUna^ also describe
this effect, Theophilus, who was a writer on the technical arts a
little before the Conquest, has a treatise upon stained glass, which he
prefaces by stating that he had taken the pains to go to Sta. Sophia,
to examine the effect of the light, coloured by transmission, in order
to qualify himself for writing this section of his book. When it is
remembered that Sta. Sophia was commenced in the year 532, and
completed about 640, it is interesting to haye grounds for the belief
that stained glass was extensiyely used at such an early period. Until
recently the assertion of the Benedictines, that coloured glass was not
known previously to the time of Charlemagne, has been generally re-
garded as correct. Antiquaries have, however, found allusions to its
existence as early as 600 ; and the details now given concerning Sta.
Sophia, afford a corroboration of their views." The mosaic decorations
included the pavement, consisting of large marble slabs, the wall
pannels of inlaid marble, and the glass mosaic, of the more elaborate
and pictorial designs, in the dome, and other elevated portions of the
building. These pictorial mosaics were chiefly upon a ^old ground ;
and a peculiar Oriental character in some of them, might have been
derived from Persia, in the time of Justinian. The principal com-
positions in mosaic included figures of the Greek saints, the greater
and lesser prophets, the evangelists and cherubim, ascending, by
gradual steps, to the cupola, within which was originally a mosaic
painting of the Deity. Mr. Wyatt then adverted to the history of
the art, showing that glass mosaics on a gold ground were common
in Rome and Pompeii. He alluded to the wide diffusion of Byzantine
art, and referred to a painting in the cathedral of Kazan, one of the
oldest cities in Russia, to show the identity of style with that of Con-
stantinople.

Mr. Le Keux, we are happy to find, is preparing for publication,
by subscription, Illustrations of Stone Crosses^ with a descriptive
letter-press, and one hundred plates of sculptured crosses in England.
The subjects are selected from a valuable and accurate collection of
sketches and drawings in his possession, of church-yard, monumental,
and boundary crosses, high crosses, preaching crosses, and market
crosses. To the Eleanor Crosses fifteen plates, five to each cross,
will be devoted. The work will be published in two volumes,
medium octavo, price £2 2s., and will range in size with the publica-
tions of the Archaeological Societies. Each volume will contain fifty
steel plates, and additional woodcuts will be given for crosses of
minor importance, and detaik. We understand that this work will

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 221

be followed by a similar one on Welsh Croues^ by Mr. Le Keux and
Mr. Westwood.

The Topoorapher and Gbnealoqist: Edited by J. G. NigholSi
F.S.A. — We see that two yolumes of this valuable work are now
completed^ and that it is going on with the same promise of success as
at its commencement. It contains a great mass of very curious and
valuable matter, and may be considered a continuation of Mr. Nichols'
other great work, th^ Collectanea Topographica et Oeneahgica^ in
eight volumes. Among the articles that would more especially
interest Welsh antiquaries, we find the following in the first-nam^
work: — *'8(mth Wales, — Inquisition on the Death of Sir Lawrence
BerkroUs, in 1411, and various charters relating to the lordship of
Gower and county of Glamorgan." In the latter work occur papers
referring to Castle Walweyn, Margam Abey, Neath Abbey, Newcastle
and Swansea, as well as an index to the Register of the Church and
See of St. Asaph.

Llanaber Church, near Barmouth. — ^We are glad to see that
a subscription is on foot for repairing and restoring this valuable
specimen of Early Pointed architecture. It is one of toe most curious
parochial churches in Wales, and well deserving of all the money that
the county of Merioneth can spend upon it ; though it is stated that
not more than JS600 will be required. We earnestly hope that the
example may become contagious along the western coast of Wales,
and that it may be felt in and about Aberystwyth.

Ruthin Collegiate Church. — It is with great satisfaction that
we are able to announce the commencement of a subscription for the
general restoration of this edifice, including new seats, &c.; a con-
siderable sum has been already put down. We understand that a
gentleman, with great munificence, has o£Pered to present stained glass
tor the new east window; and we hope to learn tne names of all the
promoters of this good archaeological work.

Llaxdudno Church. — ^We have been informed that William
Henry Reece, Esq., solicitor, Birmingham, has offered to restore this
church at his own sole cost ; so that the subscriptions which we pub-
lished in a previous Number may now be returned to their donors, or
else may be applied to the completion of the wall round the old church-
yard. We shall be glad to receive instructions on this point. Such a
noble example will not be be lost, we are sure, on those to whom it is
made known.

Aberdaron Church. — The sea-wall protecting thb ancient church
is now nearly finished ; it has been constructed by a rate voluntarily
raised among themselves by the inhabitants of the village. We have
reason to know that funds will be forthcoming, when required, for
the complete restoration of the fabric itself. This is another most
cheering instance of the revival of good taste and proper feeling with
regard to ecclesiastical architecture, and archssology.

222

Jknitmi.

The History of Fulk Fitz Warine. Edited from a MS. in the
British Museum, by Thomas Wright, Esq., M.A., F.S.A.,
Member of the Institute of France.

This book is the first production of the Warton Club, for the
members of which, exclusively, it is published: and their intended
series of publications, — MSS. and scarce printed works, relating to
the history and literature of Great Britain, — could not be commenced
more auspiciously. As this work will not come before the public, we
take the opportunity of saying that antiquaries will do well to get
admitted into this Club if any yacancies occur, it being limited to two
hundred members ; otherwise the valuable series of books to be thus
produced, will, in all probability, escape their notice. Meantime our
readers will not be sorry to peruse some extracts from this history of
a Baron of the Welsh Marches, outlawed by King John.

Mr. Wright gives an account of the MS. in his Introduction. He
looks upon it as a prose version of a metrical history composed in
Norman French, before the end of the thirteenth century, and most
probably between 1256 and 1264.

*' Leland/' aays Mr. Wright, " refera in his Colleetaneaf i. p. 230, to the adveo-
tures of the Fitz Warines, and informa ua that he took the greater part of it ' owte
of ao old Englisch boke yn ryme of the geates of Gaarine and hia aonnea/ thus
revealing to us the fact that there was an early English metrical Torsion of the his-
tory I here publish. The language of this English poem was evidently obscurs and
difficult, for we see by a comparison of Leiand's abstract with the history now
published, that he continually misunderatood it, and tliat he fell into groas errors in
the attempt to give its meaning. From one or two passages in Leland's abstract, I
am inclined to suspect that this English poem was written in pure alliterative verse,
like that of Piers Ploughman, a style of poetical composition which seems to have
been popular on the Border."

Mr. Wright afterwards observes : —

" The writer of the history of the Fitz Warines was evidently an Anglo-Norman
trouv^re in the service of that great and powerful family, and displays an extraor-
dinarily minute knowledge of the topography of the borders of Wales, and more
espedsily of Ludlow and its immediate neighbourhood. Whatever historical
mistakes he may have made, he never falls into an error with regard to localities,
and his descriptions are so exact that we never fail to recognize the spot he describes.
The narrative contained in pages 25 to 30 was written by one whose eye was
undoubtedly habituated to the prospect from the towers of Ludlow castle, and he,
no doubt, tells us truly what, in the thirteenth century, were the traditions at
Ludlow of the history of that noble fortress. He repeated, as they were handed
down by memory in the family, the history, or rather histories, of the Fitz Warines,
for they were probably preserved rather as so many tales of the past, than in any
way as a connected narrative."

The whole book, allowance being made for its anachronisms and
errors, which are carefully pointed out and corrected by Mr. Wright
in his notes, — some valuable ones being supplied by Mr. Eaton, the
historian of Shropshire, — is uncommonly well worth reading. The
old French is quite delicious^ — ^the adventures, historic or ronoiantic, are

REVIEWS.

223

told with infinite simplicity, — and as the scenes lie chiefly along the
Border country, and some within the Welsh mountains themselves, they
are sure to he attractive to a Welsh reader. Many facts will be found
which we think are quite unknown to our readers. Several points
occur worthy of exammation, with the object of identifying places and
things; and mention is made of warlike deeds done at Oswestry, Whit-
tington, Ludlow, Bala, Rhuddlan, &c., which have greatly excited our
own curiosity, and which make us regret that such a chronicle should
not have been published at full length in our own pages. It is
altogether a most interesting fragment of border history and romance.
The historical portion commences thus : —

** Lords, yon have heard heretofore
how William the Bastard, duke of Nor-
mandy, came with a great host and
people without number into England,
and conquered by force all the land, and
slew king Harold, and caused himself to
be crowned at London, and established
peace and laws at his will, and gave
lands to divers people who came with
him. At that time Owen Gwynedd waa
prince of Wales, who was a valiant and
good warrior, and the king feared him
much the more. This Owen had rayaged
all the march, and all was waste frotti
Chester Co Mount Gilbert. The king
apparelled himself very richly, and came
with a great host into the county of
Shrewsbury, and found all the towns
burnt between Chester and Shrewsbury;
for the prince claimed all the march for
his own and as belonging to Powys. The
prince retreated, for he dared not await
the king."

It is explained in one of the notes to this passage that ** Mount
Gilbert" was the common name of the Wrekin during the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries. Are our Salopian members aware of this fact ?
Do they also perceive that all the towns from Chester to Salop, —
including therefore Holt, Wrexham, Whitchurch, Oswestry, EUes-
mere, and Wem (?) — were burnt temp. Will. I. ? Thb may throw
light on the history of that part of the Marches. The history proceeds
thus : —

" Seygnonrs, yus avez oy eynz ces
houres qe Willam Bastard, due de Nor-
maundie, yynt ou grant gent e pueple
sants nounbre en Eugleterre, o conquist
k force tote la terre, e ocist le roy
Heraud, e se fist coroner k Loundres, e
si estably p4«s e leys k sa volenti, e dona
terres h, diverse gentz qe ou ly Yyndrent.
Bn ycel temps Tweyn Goynez fust prince
de Gales, e si fust Yailannt e bon guer-
reour, e le roy le dota mont le plus.
Cesty Yweyn out guast6 tote la marcbe,
e tote fust Toyde de Cestre tanqe al mont
Gylebert. Le roy se apparilla mout
richement, e vint ou grant ost en le
counts de Salobiirs, e trova tote les
fiUes arses de Cestre desqe & Salobure ;
quar le prince clama tote lamarche pur
la sue e aportenannte k Powys. Le
prince se retret, quar yl ne osa atendre
le roy."

" Apr^ qe Roger fust dery^, Robert,
son fitz, avoit tote la eount^de Salobure ;
e Emaud, son puysn^ fitz, avoit Pene-
brok. Ceox furent gentz trop demesu-
r6es e trop culvers, e grantment mes-
prlstrent countre lur seignonr le roy
Henr^, fitz Willam Bastard, Irere roy
Willam le Rons ; e parflrent le chastel
de Brugge oontre la defense le roy Henr6 ;
dont le roy Henr6 les desheryta e fist
eziler pur tons jours, et dona lur terres
as oaa ehevalefa. Le ehaalel de Dynan

" After Roger was dead, Robert, his
•on, had all the county of Shrewsbury ;
and Emald, his youngest son, had
Pembroke. These were very licentious
people and very wicked, and greatly
misconducted themselves towarcU their
lord king Henry, the son of William the
Bastard and brother of king William
Rufus; and they completed the castle of
Brugge in spite of king Henry's inhibi-
tion ; for which king Henry disinherited
them and condemned them to perpetual

224

REVIEWS.

exile, and he gave their lands to his
knights. The castle of Dynan, and all
the country round towards the riirer
of Corre, with all the honour, he gave
to sir Joce, his knight j who thenceforth
retained the name of Dynan, and was
called everywhere Joce de Dynan. This
Joce completed the castle wliich Roger
de Belehealme in his time had hegnn,
and he was a strong and valiant knight.
Now, the town was a very long time
called Dynan, which is now called
Ludlow. This Joce caused to be made,
below the town of Dynan, a bridge of
stone and lime, over the river of T6me,
into the high road which goes amid the
march from Chester to BristoL Joce
made his castle of Dynan of three bails,
and snrronnded it with a double foss,
one within and one without."

But we hasten to give the romantic story of Marion de la Bruere,
after reading which eyerj one must look on Ludlow Castle with still
greater interest than ever : —

e tut le pays entour deven la ryvere de
Corve, ou tut Tononr, dona k monsire
Joce, sun rhevaler; e d'eoapr^ retint
le Burnoun de Dynan, e fust ape16 par
tut Joce de Dynan. Cely Joce pai^st
le chastiel qe Roger de Belehealme en
son temps avoit comenc^, e si fust fort e
vaylaunt chevaler. £ si fust la vilie
bien longemoat apell6 Dynan, qe or est
apell^ Ludelawe. Cesti Joce fist fere,
deeouth la ville de Dynan,. un pount de
pere e chaus, outre la ryvere de Temede,
en le haut chemyn qe va parmy la
marche e de Cestre desqe Brustut. Joce
fist son chastiel de Dynan de tree baylles,
e le envyrona de double foss^, une
dedens e une dehors."

** Sire Emalt fust jeuene bachiler e
bel, e grantment fiist suppris de I'amur
Maoioun de la Bruere, une mout gentile
damoiaele, e si fust la mestre chaunbrere
la dame del chastiel de Dynan. Sire
Emalt e la damoisele entreparlerent
Bovent; quar ele soleit chescun jour
venir en la tour ou sa dame, de comforter
sire Water de Lacy esire Emalt. Avynt
qe sire Emalt, quant vey t temps, aresona
la damoysele, e dit qe ele fust la chose
qu'il plus ama, e qe tant est suppris de
8*amour qe repos ne puet avoir jour ne
nuyt si ele ne se asente k ly ; quar ele
ly puet soconrs fere de tous ces anuys.
E, si ele le voleyt fere, yl la freit seuret6
k sa volenti demeyne que Jam^s niille
autre n'amera, sy ly noun; e, al plus
tost qu'il serreit dely vr6s, yl la prendreit
k femme. La dammoisele oy la bele
promesse, e ly grannta fere sa volenti en
totes choses, e prist senret^ de ly qu'il
la tendreit covenaunt de sa promesse.
La damoisele les promit qe ele les
eydereit en tous poyntz priv^ment, qu'il
fussent delyvr^ de prisone. E prist
towayles e lynceles, si porta en la tour,
e les flat contre ensemble, e par els avala
sire Water e sire Emalt de la tour, e lur
pria qu'U tenysent lur lealt6 e la pro-
messe qe enz ly aveynt promya. E yl
la dysent qe lealment se oontendreynt k
ly sauntz fanser nul covenaunt, e la
comanderent k Dieu."

" Sir Amald was a young bachelor
and handsome, and he was greatly over-
taken with the love of Marion of the
Heath, a very pretty damsel, who was
the chief chamber-maid of the lady of
the castle of Dynan. Sir Amald and
the damsel oft^ conversed together;
for she used to come every day into the
tower with her lady, to comfort sir
Walter de Ijacy and sir Amald. It hap-
pened that sir Amald, when he saw an
opportunity, pleaded with the damsel,
and told her that she was the thing which
he loved most, and that he was so much
overtaken with her love, that he could
have no rest day or night unless she
yield to him ; for she could give him
relief from all his sorrows. And, if she
would do it, he would make her a surety
at her own will that never would he love
another but her ; and, as soon as he
should be set at liberty, he would take
her for his wife. The damsel heard the
fair promise, and yielded him to do his
will in all things, and took surety of
him that he wonld hold with her accord-
ing to his promise. The damsel promised
them that she would help them in all
points secretly, that they might be deli-
vered from prison. And she took towels
and sheets, and carried them into the
tower, and sewed them together, and by
means of these she let down sir Walter
and air Amald from the tower, and she
prayed them to keep their ftith and the
promise which they had made her. And

RBVIBWS.

226

they told her that they would behave
faithfully towards her, without breaking
any covenaot, and bid her adieu."

Sir Joce de Dynan, who held the castle of Dynan or Ludlow, was
at enmity with Walter de Lacy, and Ernalt was to get possession of
the castle by strategem, for Joce, with the greater part of the garrison,
had gone away to Hertland : —

** And Marion of the Heath feigned
sickness, and took to her bed, and said
that she was so ill that she could not
move except with great difficulty. And
she remained at the castle of Dynan.
Joce commanded that she should be
carefully attended to. And, for fear of
the Lacy and other people, he took into
his pay thirty knights and seventy ser-
geants and valets, and delivered them
his castle to keep until his return into
the country. When Joce was gone, next
day Marion sent a messenger to sir
Amald de Lys, and prayed him, for the
great friendship that was between them,
that he would not forget the covenants
which were made between them, and
that he come hastily to talk with her
at the castle of Dynan, for the lord and
the lady and the strength of their house-
hold are gone to Hertland, and that he
come to the same place where last he
escaped from the castle. When sir
Amald had heard the message of his
mistress, he immediately sent back the
same messenger, and prayed that for his
love she would measure tfie height of the
window by which he last escaped out of
the castle, and that she should send him
back information by the said messenger
what kind of people, and how many, and
what household their lord had left behind
him. The damsel, who had no suspicion
of treason, took a silk cord, and let it
down through the window to the ground,
and sent information of all the condition
of the castle to sir Amald. Then sir
Arnald sent back to his mistress that on
the fourth day, behn it struck midnight,
he would be at the same window through
which he passed ; and begged that ^e
would wait for him there.

" Sir Amald de Lys caused to be made
a ladder of leather of the same length as
the silk cord which his mistress had sent
him."

This was enough for £mait, who placed his duty as a liege man to
his feudal lord above that of a loyer to his mistress } he concerted
measures accordingly ; and now listen to the end of the story : —

ARCH. CAMS., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 G

'* E Marion de la Bruere se feynist
roalade, e se cocha en son lyt, e dit qe
si malade fust qe ele ne se poeit mover,
si noun k grant peyne. £ demora al
chastel de Dynan. Joce comanda qe
ele fust guards tot k talent. £, pur
doute de le Lacy e autres gentz, soudea
XXX. chevalers e lx. dis serjantz e
vadletz, e les bayla son chastel k garder
tanqe k sim repoyr en la pays. Quant
Joce fust pass6, lendemein manda Marion
son message k sire Ernalt de Lyls, e ly
pria, pur la grant amist^ qe entre eux
fust, qn'ii n'obliaht les covenauntz qe
entre eux sunt affermez e qu*il viegne
hastivement, parler on ly k le chastel de
Dynan, quar le seignur e la dame e la
force de lur mesmage sunt vers Hert-
lande ; e qu'il vienge k meisme le lu oil
dreyn s'en ala de le chastel. Quant sire
Ernalt avoit oy le mandement sa amie,
meyntenant remanda meisme le messa-
ger, e pria pur s'amur qe ele mesurast
la hautesse de la ffenestre par ount yl
issist dreyn de le chastel ; e quele gentz
e quantz e quele meisnie lur seigoour
avoit less6 derere ly, si remandast par le
dit messager. La damoisele, qe nul
suspeciouD de tresoun n'aveit, prist un
fy\ de say, e le vala par my la fenestre
desqu la terre, e tot I'estre del chastiel
maunda k sire Ernalt. Donqe remanda
sire Ernalt k sa amie qe le quarte jour,
avant houre de mie unyt, serreit k\y k
meisme la fenestre par ont yl passa ; e
la pria qe ele ly atendist yleqe.

** Sire Ernalt de Lyls flat fere une
eschiele de quyr de meisme la longure
de le fyl de saye qe s'amie ly maunda."

226

REVIEW8.

'' Sire Eniald appariltan oompaignie,
qe grant fast ; quar yl avoit en sa com-
pagnie, qe chevalen, esqnien, e aer-
jauQtz, pluB qe myl. E vynt al chaatiel
de Dynan par nayt ; e fist partie de sa
compegnie demorer en le boys pr^ de
Whyteclyf, e partie enbncher desouth le
chastlel en les gardyns. La nnyt fust
mout obscure ; quar yl ne farent apar^n
de guey te ne de autre. Sire Emalt prist
un esquier qe porta la eschiele de quyr,
e 8*en alerent k la finiestre oh Marion
lee attent. B quant ele les Yist, unqe ne
fust si 1^ ; si en vala jus nne corde, e
traist sus la escbiele de qnyr, si la ferma
k un kernel de le mnr. E Emalt monta
bien e legorement la tour, e prist sa
amye entre ces bras e labeysa; e fyrent
g^rant joiei e s'en alerent en une autre
chambre, e soperent, e pus alerent
cochier, e si lesserent la eschiele pendre.
L'esquler qe la porta ala por les chevalers
e la grant compaignie qe furent enbuches
en le jardyn le seygnnr e aylours, e les
amena k I'escbiele. £ o. homes bien
arm^ monnterent par I'eschiele de quyr,
e s'en avalerent de la tour de Pendovre,
e s'en alerent par le mur derere la
chapele ; e troverent le geyte somoilant,
quar yl deyynt tut pesant contre la mort ;
e ly pris treat meyntenant, e ly yodreynt
aver ru^ jus de son tour en la profonde
foss^ ; a yl cria mercy, e pria qu'il ly
yodreynt soffryr sifler une note avaunt
qu'il morust E yl ly granterent ; m^s
yl le fist pur ce qe les choTalers de leynz
■e devereynt gamyr. M^ ce fust tut
pur nient. Tant come il sifla, tut le
plus de les chevalers e serjauntz fureut
decouples ; brayerent e crierent en Inr
lytZy qe Dieus poeit aver pit^. M^ les
compiUgnons ^re Eroalt furent santz
pietl ; quar quanqe leynz fust mistrent
it lede morty e meynte lyncele qe fust
blanche & seyr tot fust enrouy de sang.
Al dieyn nierent le guey te en la profonde
fo966, e rompi le col.

" Marion de la Bruere oocha deleez
son amy sire Emalt, e rien savoit de la
treson qe sire Emalt avoit fet; si oy
grant noise en le chastiel, leva del lit
e regarda jus en le chastiel, oyt la uoyse
e le cry de naufrez, e vlst chevalers
armeez e les blanks healmes e haubercz ;
meyntenant apar^ust qe sire Emalt ly
avoit des^u e trahi, si comen^a moat
tentrement k ploure[r]y o dyt pytouse-
ment : ' Alas ! ' fet-ele, ' qe unqe nas-
qny de mere ! quar, par mon forfet, ad
mon seignur, sire Joce, qe suef me norry.

** Sir Amald prepared his company,
which was numerous ; for he had in his
company, knights, squiers, and ser-
geants, more than a thousand. And he
came to the castle of Dynan by night,
and caused part of his company to
remain in the wood, near WhitcUff, and
part to lay in ambush, below the castle,
in the gardens. The night was very
dark, so that they were not perceived
by the watch, or by any one else. Sir
Amald took a squier, who carried the
ladder of leather, and went to the win-
dow where Marion was waiting for them.
And when she saw them, she was never
BO joyful ; and she let down a cord, and
drew up the ladder of leather, and fas-
tened it to a battlement of the wall.
And Amald mounted easily and lightly
the tower, and took his mistress between
his arms and kissed her; and they made
great joy, and went thence into another
chamber, and supped, and then went to
bed, and left the ladder hanging. The
esquier who carried it, went for the
knights and the great company who
were in ambush in the lord's garden
and elsewhere, and brought them to the
ladder. And a hundred men, well armed,
mounted by means of the ladder of
leather, and went down from the tower
of Pendover, and went along the wall
behind the chapel. And they found the
watch sleeping, for he seemed to be
heavy under the presentiment of death ;
and they took him immediately, and
would have thrown him down firam his
tower into the deep foss ; but he cried
for mercy, and begged that they would
suffer him to whistle one note before he
died. And they granted it him; but
he did it in order that the knighto within
should be warned. But it was all in
vain. While he whistled the greater
part of the knights and sergeants were
being cut to pieces ; and they screamed
and cried in their beds that God might
have pity. But the companions of sir
Amald were without pity ; for all who
were therein they put to a foul death,
and many a sheet which was white at
even, was all reddened with blood. At
last they threw the watch into the deep
foss, and broke his neck.

" Marion of the Heath lay in bed
beside her love, sir Amald, and knew
nothing of the treason which sir Amald
had perpetrated ; she heard a great noiae
in the castle, rose from the bed, and
looked down into the casUe, heard the

REVIEWS.

227

perdn ton chastel e la bone gent ; e, ai
je ne usee est^, rien ne fust perdu. Alas I
qe je anqe era cest chevaler t qnar, par
eon losenge, m'ad-yl des<;U| e mon
■eygnur, de cay plua me est.' Marion
tote ploraunte saka I'espeye sire Emalt,
6 dit : ' Sire chevaler, esTeyllez-vus ;
qaar estrange compaignie avez ainen6 en
le ctiastiel mon seignur santz congi6.
M^ qe Tos, sire, erostreesqnier, fusses
par moy berbygez, les antres, qe seyntz
par Tus sunt, ne fureot m^s. E, depus
qe vus me avez des^^u, vus ne me poez
& reson blamer, si je vus renke service
apr^s vostre desert ; m^s jam^s ne vob
avanterez k nulle amye qe vus averez
qe, par ma decey te, avez conquis le chas-
tiel de Dynan e le pays.' Le chevaler
ae dres^a en estant. Marion, de la
espeye qe ele tynt trete en sa mayn, fery
le chevaler par my le cors ; e si morust
le chevaler meynteoant Marion savoit
bien qe, si ele fust prise, ele scrreit lyvr^
k male mort, e ne savoit qe fere ; m^s
ae leeaa cheier k une feneatre devera
Lyneye, si rompy le col."

noiae and cry of the wounded, and aaw
knighta in arma and white helms and
hauberca. Now ahe perceived that air
Amald had deceived and betrayed her,
and began to weep very affectingly, and
aaid piteously: ' Alaal' aaid ahe, 'that
ever I waa bom of mother ; for by my
fault, my lord, sir Joce, who fostered
me tenderly, has lost hia castle and hia
good people; and had I never been,
nothing would have been lost. Alaa!
that ever I believed this knight; for by
his flattery he has deceived me, and my
lord, which is still more to me. ' Marion,
all weeping, drew the swordof sir Arnald,
and said, ' Sir knight, awake ; for you
have brought strange company into the
castle of my lord without leave. But if
you, sir, and your esquier, were lodged
by me, the others, who have come in
through your means, were not And,
since you have deceived me, you cannot
rightly blame me if I render you service
according to your desert ; but you ahall
never boast to any mistreaa you ahall
have, that by my deceit you have gainod
the castle of Dynan and the country.'
The knight raised himself erect. Marion,
with the sword which she held drawn
in her hand, struck the knight through
the body, and the knight died immedi-
ately, ifarion knew well that if she
were taken, ahe ahould be delivered to
an evil death, and knew not what to do;
so she let herself fall from a window
towards Linney, and broke her neck."

Poor Marion ! But our space forbids ; we must close ; reserving
various debatable points for future notice. This old MS. is full of
matter for discussion and research by Cambrian Antiquaries.

The Ulster Journal of Archeology. Numbers I. to YIII.
January, ISd^October, 1854. 4to. Belfast : Archer & Sons.
London : J. Russell Smith.

We have before us the first two volumes of the Journal published
by the archaeologists of Belfast ; and, at a first glance, we perceive the
futility of attempting to jdve our readers any sumciently compendious
or comprehensive idea of their contents within the limits of a single
notice in our own pages. We intend, therefore, confining our remarks
in this first review ofso valuable a series of archaeological papers, to
the first two numbers of the set, — proposing to treat of two or more
in each of our successive Numbers, until the whole shall have been
passed in review.

We must, however, begin by stating an objection to the form of the
publication, — ''small quarto.'' This is an inconvenient size; it ranges

228 REVIEWS.

#ith nothing except the Notes and Queries; and that very work
would have been much more acceptable to its readers had it been
printed in octayo. Archaeological periodical works should be either
in octavo, or large quarto, like the Arckmologia of London, or those
published in France, — the admirable Annales Arch&ologiques for
instance, — or else in folio, to range with the more elaborately illustrated
works on set and fixed portions of archaeological and architectural
subjects. We wish that our Belfast brethren had imitated our friends
of the Archaeological Institute, or of the British Archaeological
Association, or even our own humble selves, in this respect. The
disadvantage of folding plates is, we admit, considerable ; but not so
great as to counterbalance the great convenience of the octavo form.

We next take an objection to the price — ^twelve shillings per annum ;
because we know that as long as this small sum is asked for four
annual numbers of such a work, it must be published at considerable
loss ; and that, th^efore, one of two consequences is to be expected,
— either that the illustrations of the work will dwindle away in excel-
lence and number, or else that the existence of the work itself is not
destined to be of long duration. We would strongly recommend the
Ulster antiquaries to change their practice in this respect, to charge
such a price for their work as may make it fairly remunerative, while it
may not exceed the usual monetary expectations of the archaeological
public \ to raise it to at least twenty or five-and-twenty shillings \ to
illustrate it with spirit and judgment ; and then to trust to the abun-
dant talent shown in its papers &r the power of winning over members
to their cause, and purchasers for their book.

After getting rid of these preliminary criticisms — offered in the most
disinterested spirit — we hasten to the more agreeable and important
work of giving some account of the Journal itself.

The origin of the Journal is well explained in the introductory
prospectus : —

** The remarkable Exhibition of Northern Irish Antiqaitiesand Historical Reliqnea
at Belfast, on the occasion of the meeting, in that town, of the British Association
for the Advancement of Science, has opened up a new and fertile field of Archaeology.
The province of Ulster was already historically remarkable, as being the last part of
Ireland which held oat against the English sway, retaining its ancient customs to a
comparatively recent period ; and for the extraordinary changes of population after-
wards superinduced by a new and extensive colonization. It was also, at an earlier
period, known to have been the battle-field of the native Irish chieftaios, and the
ScandUiavian sea-kings. Other distinct races of men. from time to time, are re-
corded to have effected settlements in the district, whose lineal descendants yet
remain. But until the present Exhibition, it was not suspected that all these varied
events had left vivid and unmistakable traces throughout the whole province. The
correspondence elicited by the Exhibition^ and the objects themselves which were
exhibited, have proved that almost every townland in Ulster retains memorials of
its singulariy chequered history. The mountains still preserve their ancient cairns
and cromlechs of pre-historic times ; the vallies their earthen tumuli, covering
the sepulchres of heroes. The peat-bogs daily give up their ancient treasures of
gold, silver and bronze. Even the modem innovations, the railway and canal, assist
in revealing the singular relics of a former age. Finally, the descendants of the
ancient &milies still retain in their possession many authentic and interesting records
and local traditions. The whole province, in &ct, at this moment, teems wiUi the

REVIEWS. 229

most varied and remarkable memorials of sacceseive phases of society, still acces-
sible and still capable of complete elucidation. The tangled web of Northern Irish
history can yet be unravelled by existing aids ; — but in twenty years more the case
will be different. The men who are now the depositories of family and local history
will be no more, or will have become the denizens of another land ; the manuscripts
will be lost ; the bronzes, the gold and silver, will be consigned to the melting pot ;
and thus a chasm will occur in our historical annals, never again to be filled."

At the commencement of the first Number we find an interesting
essay on the Archaeology of Ulster, the nature of which may be
judged of from the following extract : —

" The numerous wars which for many centuries convulsed this province, (the last
strong-hold of the Irish Chieftains,) and the forcible settlements effected by strangers,
from time to time, among the natives, were unfavourable to the preservation of
written documents. It is known that many Irish families of distinction, dispos-
sessed of their lands, and emigrating to various parts of the continent of Europe,
(and latterly to America,) carried with them their old manuscript papers. Some of
these have occasionally been met with in Belgium, France, Germany and Spain. It
is believed, however, that a number still remain in the province ; and means will be
taken, through this Journal, to elicit as much information as possible respecting
them. Various public and private libraries also, in England and Scotland, as well
as in this country, contain ancient MSS. relating to Ulster, the contents of which
are likely to prove very interesting. Arrangements are made for examining these
documents, and from time to time communicating the most important portions to
the public, with suitable explanatory notes. There are, likewise, individuals in the
province who possess curious family papers, and letters written l)y persons of note,
chiefly of the last two centuries. Several collections of these have been placed at
the disposal of the Editors.

'' Besides the native histories and traditions, there is another source of information
regarding the ancient state of Ulster. The records of Scandinavia, and of Wales,
and still more, the early annals of Scotland, contain frequent allusions to the North
of Ireland ; and, though hitherto little used for the purpose, afford the means of
elucidating many portions of its early history. It will be one object of the con-
ductors of this Journal to turn attention In this direction ; under the persuasion that
such exterior and unbiassed evidence is a most important corroboration of facts
recorded by authorities at home."

We next come upon a paper, continued through two numbers, of
striking ability and interest, from the pen of one of our own members,
the Rev. A. Hume, D.C.L., on '^ The Origin and Characteristics of
the Population in the Counties of Down and Antrim." This paper
contains more of modern statistics than would suit pages like our own ;
but it is full of matter that every antiquary would be glad to be made
acquainted with, and it is written with such admirable spirit and per-
spicacity that it reflects high credit both on its author and on the
Journal itself. Some good maps illustrate it, and we find in it the fol-
lowing curious particulars concerning parishes and townlands : —

** Parishes are also ecclesiastical divisions, though used for civil purposes. In
general they are well known to the inhabitants ; and therefore in the maps which
illustrate this paper, and in others yet to follow, their limits have been carefully in-
dicated. For the sake of giving a definite meaning to the term * parish ' the maps
of the Ordnance Survey have been followed, as in Griffith's * Valuation.'

** Since neither dioceses nor parishes conform to the limits of counties, — ^for reasons
which need not be now examined, — it Is not to be expected that the latter will be
regulated by divisions of a subordinate kind. Accordingly, we find that many
parishes are situated partially in each of two baronies, while others which lie near

230 REVIEWS.

a onion of baronial bonndarios, are, as Dr. Barrett would have Baid, ' quartered
into three halves.'

** The names of parishes are usaally those of townlands within their respective
limits ; each being usually named from that one which contains the church, or
village, or both. The name of the village often supplants that of the ancient town-
land, and sometimes both preserve collaterally a dubious claim to notice. A few
remarks on names may not be uninteresting.

" In the parish of Saintfleld, the old name of Tonaghnieve has disappeared ; but
there can be little doubt that that was the name of the townland originally ;
especially as the fraternal name of Touaghmore still survives. It is not improbable
that the ancient name of Dromore parish was Ballymaganlis, from the townland of
that name ; but the name of the town has naturally superseded it. In Hillsborough
parish, the ancient name Camlin, or Crumlin, has long ceased to possess any official
existence. It is still, however, traditionally known in connection with the ancient
borial-gronnd,! now forming part of the lawn of Hillsborough Castle,^ and its
position is marked by the well-known Kate Rushs tree. The name Shankill, de-
rived from a townland which included a buryin^-place, is more than obsolescent ;
except to the inquirer it may be regarded as obsolete. The town of Belfast con-
stitutes so important a portion of the whole parish that its name has taken prece-
dence ; and instead even of the townland of Shankill we read ' Edonderry.'

" The tovfnlands in Ireland are equivalent to the iow^ahipa in England ; in
Scotland the same purpose is generally served by a minuter naming of farms and
houses. The townlands are civil divisions ; but in one respect they coincide with
the ecclesiastical ; for all parishes are composed of several of them complete. Their
names are very peculiar ; in short the history of their names might almost be made
a history of the country. But we must not anticipate a branch of the subject to bo
treated of hereafter.

'* A curious fact has often been noticed respecting the degree of familiarity with the
names of the townlands. In the districts where population is dense, and especially
in the Presbyterian districts, where ecclesiastical divisions are scarcely heard of, men
are known by the townlands in which they reside ; they date their letters from
them, and speak of them currently as well-known places. Yet they may not be
known beyond the next market town ; indeed the names of parishes, when not con-
nected with towns or villages, are often utterly unknown to the people of the
county. On the contrary, in the districts where fhrms are large and population thin,
or in the districts where churchmen mainly are found, the parishes are the local
divisions that are known almost exclusively. In the parish of Killanoy, in Down,
and elswhere, it would be no difficult matter to find a hundred men of average in-
telligence, not one of whom could tell the name of his parish if he were put to hia
oath. In the union of Magheramesk, in Antrim, it would be easy to find a similar
number, not one of whom could venture to swear to the name of the townland in
which he was ' bred and bom.' "

The article entitled <' The Island of Tory, its History and Anti-
quities/' is dispersed over three numbers, is full of valuable matter,
and is well illustrated ; but as the more purely archseological part of it
occurs in No. III., we postpone making any extract from it until our
next Number. The articles on '* Ogham Inscriptions" by Mr. Windele,
Mr. Macsweeny and Mr. Hitchcock, are well worth reading, although

1 The church was removed to its present position in 1602, but occasional inter-
ments took place in Crumlin burying-ground for nearly thirty years after.

2 Not the fort or ancient castle, but the Marquis of Downshire's residence.

3 An idiotic girl called Kate, who generally amused herself by plaiting rushes
and wandering through the country, hail acquired the familiar soubriquet of ' Kate
Rush.' One day she accompanied a funeral procession to the old burial-ground ;
and on leaving, stuck a green branch, which she carried, at the head of the grave.
It became a Urge spreading tree, and was long regarded with much interest by the
people.

REVIEWS. 231

they raise much matter for controyersy. We recommend the sub-
joined extract from Mr. Windele's opening paper to the notice of
those among our readers, who are acquainted with the '^Coelbren j
Beirdd:"—

" Ogham, then, signifies a secret or mysterious mode of writiag, differing from
the vulgar form. It is peculiar in its principles, and has but little affinity to any
other known system. It is denominated the Ogham Craav, from its having been
constructed in resemblance to a tree, and is evidently the parent of many other
virgular scales modified from it. A main trunk, called a Fleaagy forms a centre
line, from and through which extend and pass vertically and obliquely a number
of simple straight lines, deriving their values from their combinations, which ascend
from a unit to five. Besides this general resemblance to a stem and its branches,
each letter thus formed is named after some specific tree or shrub, as Beth (the
beech), Luis (the quickbeam), Feam (the alder), 5cc.

« This arboretic similitude is carried out still farther in the reading, which com-
mences at the root or lower extremity, and ascends to the top. The trunk, or medial
line, is, in almost all instances hitherto discovered, represented, when found oa
monuments, by the angle of the stone, or by coped elevations in the centre. There
are two instances, however, wherein it is incised on the face of the stone, as at
Callan, in the county of Clare, and Kilcoleman, in the county of Kerry. In other
cases, the Fleasg is only ideal, and intended to be understood, as in the rounded
stones at Ballintaggait and Fort- William, and on the Dallans, at Lomonach, and
Kinnard, Kerry.

** The alphabet consists of sixteen primitive characters and eight dipthongs, besides
the letters H and P, whose antiquity is uncertain. These are classified into five
groups, containing five letters each. The primitives, in all probability, formed the
whole of the original scale, and are so given by 0*Halloran. {History of Irelandy
i. p. 68.) The fiilth or final group, with the exception of the character answering
to ea, must certainly be an after-addition appended by later bards, for none of its
letters have hitherto been found in any inscription.

'* That this was the original scale of the pre-Christian Irish, practised from the
earliest periods by the Druldic priesthood, the repositories of all the learning of
their time, and used by them on monuments and wooden tablets, has been invariably
maintained by the native Seanachles, and later Irish writers. (See Molloy*8 and
MacCurtin*8 Irish OrammarSy &c.)

*^ An ancient tract, preserved in the Boohqf BaUpmote, which is an abstract from
the Uraicept na n-Eges, or Primer of the Bards — a compilation itself made in the
seventh century by Cenfaela the learned, from more ancient treatises by Amergin
and Fcirceirtne— attributes the invention of the Ogham to Ogma, one of the early
princes of the Tuatha de Danaan race. The passage is as follows : — ' In what place,
at what time, by whom and wherefore, was the Ogham invented ? Locus est
Hibemia insula, quam nos Scoti habitamus. The time during the reign of Breas,
son of Blatan, King of Ireland . . by Ogma, a celebrated linguist and philo-
sopher, the Ogham was invented.' The antiquity thus assigned is so remote, that
we are carried back into that misty and nebulous period which the learned annalist,
Tigemach, pronounced ' uncertain ' in the tenth century. The elder Chas. O'Conor,
of Bealnager, deems it a conclusive proof of this high antiquity that the names of the
letters are partly vernacular and partly Phenician ; and, as if to corroborate this,
it is not a little singular that M. Gebelin, a learned foreigner, drew attention to a
resemblance which he was the first to observe, between the Oghams and the
Assyrian cuneiform characters — a remote one, no doubt ; but the simple wedge,
which receives its power or value from its combinations and position, whether
vertical, horizontal, or oblique, confined within long parallel lines, has a nearer
affinity to the Irish score than to any other known character."

The following extract from Mr. J. Huband Smith's article on
*' Ancient Stone Crosses " should be made a note of by Welsh
antiquaries : —

232 REVIEWS.

'* Tlie crosses placed around the powewionsaet apart in Ireland for religiooa pur-
poses, of which a considerable number btill exist, were called Termon crosses, and the
lands received the name of Termon lands, or ' Lands of the Crosse.' Such crosses
were erected in a public manner, and with much solemnity ; and it appears, from
another ancient canon, that the king, the bishop, and the people of the district were
accustomed to assist at the ceremony. The cross-lands, or CrocetB, as they were
called in the old law Latin, soon became numerous and extensive, and the thorough
elucidation of their history would be a task well deserving the attention of an ac-
curate and energetic historical antiquary. Considerable jurisdiction and privileges
were granted to those of Kilkenny, Meath, Kildare, and I<outh ; as well as those of
Navan, Ferns, Carlow, Wexford, I^ighlin, and other places. In later times, when,
by the ill-judged liberality of the English monarchs, grants of royal liberties were
made to some of the most powerful of the English settlers in Ireland, nine pala-
tinates, as they were termed, were erected ; but from these the lands of the cross, or
church lands, within them, appear to have been specially excepted. Sir John
Davis, the Attorney-General for Ireland, in the reign of James I., tells us, that the
king's writ did not run into those counties palatine, but only in the church landa
lying within the same, which where called ' the crosse,' wherein the king made a
^eriff. Thus the eroeea, or church lands, were successively erected into counties,
with civil jurisdiction ; and accordingly, we find in some documents they are so
termed ; as for instance, ' the county of the cross of Tipperary.' Some curious
notices respecting these lands are to be found in the Rolls of the Court of Chancery,
in which mention is made of the subsidies and other burdens imposed upon ' the
commonalty of the church lands.' *'

The " Metropolitan Visitation of the Diocese of Kerry, a.d. 1907/'
shows by its title what an important docament it must necessarily be
to the Irish antiquary. The ** Description of lona'' we consider, be it
said with all due respect, to be a little bit of piratical encroachment on
the territory of the antiquaries of Scotland, — though from the peculiar
circumstances of the case, the cousinship between the two districts of
Ubter and Western Scotia is so close, that probably no objection will
be raised by the parties interested.

''King William's Progress to the Boyne," in two Numbers, is
worked out with much detail; but it does not concern Welsh readers.

All the numbers contain copious ''Notes and Queries," which promise
to be highly useful ; and at the end of No. II. commences the pub-
lication, accompanied by copious notes, of the " Annals of Ulster,"
which will constitute one of the most important features of the whole
work. Reserving, therefore, for future notice the other portions of
this Journal, we congratulate our Ulster brethren on their book, and
ourselves on being able to bring it before our readers' notice.

Irrhspnlngia Cambrfnra.

THIRD SERIES, No. IV.— OCTOBER, 1866.

ON ANCIENT CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS IN

WALES.

A JUDICIOUS selection and record of the many traditions
and customs still to be found in the Principality, especially
in the more retired districts, would neither be useless or
uninteresting. While wisdom is not only lifting up her
voice in the streets of cities, but her march is advancing
with rapid strides into our most unsophisticated nooks and
comers, much of what has been carefully handed down
by former patriarchs, and is still treated with respect by
the elders of the present generation, will probably, as the
rising one (by the assistance of Her Majesty's Committee
of Council) becomes learned in all the mystery of the
" ologies," be treated with supreme contempt, and most
sapiently consigned to an oblivion from which there is no
recovery.

It may be that the local traditions of our more primitive
districts are not of any great historical value ; but still
some faint rays of light may be occasionally shed upon
the manners and thoughts of former generations, (even if
not those of pre-historic or allophylian dates,) from a
well-authenticated and judicious collection of such stories.
In such an undertaking, the general assistance of our
parochial clergy, especially such as are well acquainted
with our more mountainous parishes, would be invaluable,

ABCH. CAHB.y THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 H

234 ANCIENT CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.

both from their personal acquaintance with their flocks,
and more especially with the older members, and also
from their being qualified, by their education and expe-
rience, to judge as to the value and antiquity of the stories
they may hear. For the purpose of more effectually
recording such communications, some two or three pages
of the Archwologia Cambrensis might be devoted, such
communications being more in the form of brief notices
than essays or articles; and if the assistance of the
members in general, and especially of our clerical ones,
were given, it is not unlikely that an interesting collection
might, in due time, be formed.

The late Sir Robert Vaughan, of Nannau, about the
year 1840, informed me that formerly in the neighbour-
hood of Ruthin, at a church, the name of which I have
forgotten, the following curious practice existed : — when
the clergyman came to that part of the Litany where we
pray to beat down Satan under our feet, the congregation,
probably only the male portion of it, spat upon the
ground, and stamped with their feet, as it were expressing
thereby their hearty assent to the petition. I have made
many inquiries since as to this custom, but have not been
able to find any recollection of its existence, at least, in
this part of the country.

In the church of Llangynhafal, near Ruthin, it was
formerly customary for the heads of families, being the
freeholders of the parish, to sit by themselves in church,
in single seats, or chairs, placed in front of the altar.
Their families occupied their proper seats behind, the
fathers sitting in these seats of honour, as described. The
custom has, I believe, ceased, but the seats, or chairs, still
remain in situ.

In Derwen parish, which is also near Ruthin, and where
still is to be seen, in the church-yard, a fine cross, the
matrimonial service has always been performed, from time
immemorial, as the Rubric directs, and not according to
the mode observed in most other churches. The first
part of it is read in the body of the church, but the
Psalm and succeeding portion of the service in the

ANCIENT CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. 235

chancel. The rood-screen, and even the loft, though
subsequently widened into a singing-gallery, still remain
in the church. This practice at Derwen, as well as the
former one of Llangynhafal, may not be uncommon in
our rural parishes; but probably some of our clerical
readers may give us information on the subject.

The following letter on the superstitious customs in
Caernarvonshire, of the sixteenth century, will show that,
even in Queen Elizabeth's time, St. Beuno was in as high
repute as in earlier times: —

Superstitious Practices prevailing in Wales, in the year 1589.

" Beinge occasioned the last yere to travaile into my owne
native country in North Wales, and havinge tarried there, but
a while, 1 have harde by Dyvers of great and abhominable
Idolatrye committed in that Countrye, as that the people went
on Pylgrymage to offer unto Idoles far and nere, yea, and that
they do offer in these Daies not oneley money (and that liberally)
but also Bullocks unto Idoles. And havinge harde this of
Sundrye persones while I was there upon Whitsoundaye last I
went to the place where it was reported that Bullocks were
offered that I might be an eye witnesse of the same. And upon
Monday e in Whitsonne week ther was a yonge man that was
comed .thither the night befor, and had lodged in the same
House wher I dyd Lodge, with whome I had conference con-
ceminge the Maner of the offeringe of Bullocks unto saints (as
they terme them) and the yonge man tould me after the same
sorte as I hade hard of many befor, then did I aske him whether
was there any to be offered that Daye ? He answered that ther
was one which he had brought to be offered. I demanded of
him where it was? He answered that it was in a close harde by.
And he called his hoste to goe with him to see the Buliocke, and
as they went, I followed them into the close, and the yon^e man
drove the Buliocke befor him (beinge about a yere oulde) and
asked his Hoste what it was worth. His host answered that it
was w6rth about a crowne, the yonge man said it was worth
more. His hoste answered, and said thus. Upon Sonndaye was
sennight M^. Viccar bought here a Buliocke about the bigness of
your Buliocke for sixteene groates therefor you are like to have
no more for yours. Then the yonge man said how shall I do
for a rope against anon to tye the Bullock with. His Hoste
answered, we will provyde a Hope : the yonge man said againe.
Shall I dryve him into the Church yarde. His Hoste answered

236 ' ANCIENT CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.

you maye : then they drove the bullocke befor them toward the
Churchyarde. And as the bullocke dyd enter throughe a litle
Porche into the Churchyarde the yonge Man spake aloude
THY HALFE TO OOD AND TO BEYNO. Then did I aske his Hoste,
Why he said the halfe and not the whole ? His Hoste answered
in the yonge man's hering, He oweth me thother Halfe, therefor
he offereth but the one halfe. This was in the parish of Clynnog
in the Bishopricke of Bangor about Fifteene myle from Bangor,
in the yere of our Lord 1589. Yf aney doubte of the truth
hereof, I am ready (by God's help) to stand to the proofe of it,
whensoever I may be called. There be many other things in
that Countrye that are verye grosse and superstitious. As that
the people are of opinion that Beyno his Cattell will prosper
marvelous well, which maketh the people more desirous to buy
ihem. Also it is a common report amongst them that ther be
some bullocks which have haa Beyno his marke upon their
Eares, as soon as they were calved. Moreover the people dare
not jcut down the trees that grow on Beyno his grounde lest
Beyno shoulde kill them or do them some one harme or other.
Also the people do carye Beades openly, and make suche clappings
with them m the church as that a man can hardely here the
minister read for the noise thereof, alledginge that they can read
upon their Beades, as well as others upon their books. And
further accordinge to the number of their Churches and Chappells
in that countrye so is the number of their straunge Gods: for the
people of everye particular Parishe have the saint or Idole (after
the which that Cnurch is named) in suche estimation, as that in
their extremities they do praye unto him for help, for when some
sodayne Daunger do berall them, they do usually say, Beyno,
Kybie, or BroUier as the name is of that saint or Idole after the
whiche the Parishe (where they dwell) is called. But when tliey
have some more deliberation, then they say God and Beyno, God
and lanwg or God and Mary and Michael help us &c. And
above all the signe of the crosse is most superstitiously among
them abused, for when they shut the windowes they will make a
crosse. When they leav their Cattell in the houses or in the
fieldes, they will make a crosse. When they go out of their
houses in the mominge, they make crosses in their Forheads:
they laye crosses upon the dead as they cary them to be buryed,
and when they are buried they lay crosses upon their graves, and
to be briefe yf any thing (otherwise than well) do befall either
any of themselves or of their Cattell, their common sayinge is,
You have not crossed yourself well to Daye or you have not
made the signe of the Roode upon the Cattell as yf they would
attribute the not makynge of a crosse to be the cause of the

ANCIENT CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS. ' 237

hurte or Damage that is befallen them. I know of many other
things which are to be toUerated all which (least that I should be
to tedious unto the Reader) 1 am constrained to pretermit at this
tyme. These things I have sette down for this end, that they
which are in authority (understandinge of them) might not onelye
have some occasion to search further, and to know perfectly what
things be amisse in deede : But also with all expedition labor to
reforme all, least the Lord in his fierie wrath cause the land to
spue out the inhabitants thereof, for committing and sufferinge
fiuche horrible Wickedness."

The above letter is transcribed from a manuscript late
in the library of John Anstis, Esq., Garter King of Arms,
and is printed in the Collectanea of Leland. In two
notes appended, we read that " Beuno is the saint of the
parish of Clynnog, and is the chiefest of all saints. For
he hath raised six from death to life and will raise the
seventh, and when the saints have lost all their Dignitie,
Beyno shall work the first Myracle." In speaking of
the frequent crossings, the commentator notes "that when
they are in the Church, they make crosses upon their
breast, and upon their Forheades."

E. L. B.

238

ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES.

No. VI.

The following remarks may serve to throw light upon
the course of the Roman road from Deva to Varis.

It is erroneous to suppose that Holt is the ford that
first occurs above Deva. Thejirst ford above Chester is
but a short way from the town. It crosses to Boughton
Heath: the next is that by ^Wford {Old ford). To this a
Roman road undoubtedly led ; and many persons have
told me that, when the river is low, the paved road
through it can be clearly seen. But I have not had the
fortune to see it yet. This ford is in the Eaton grounds,
and the old Roman road from Chester to it passed along
the ridge of the hill, I suspect, above Eccleston, and
through the Eaton grounds. Part of these were, about a
hundred years ago, in fields, several of which, as I find
from an old map, went by the name of ^^ pavement hey,'*
strongly corroborative of the course of the Roman road.
This road probably led to Holt. I also suspect that
before it reached Aldford it branched ofi* somewhere in
the direction of Pulford.

The road between the Clwydian range and Chester
must have gone pretty direct, or the mileage given in the
Itinerary cannot be correct. I see on the Ordnance map,
near Rhual (between Mold and Cilcen), the name Ffordd
hir. If Cilcen was on the route, the road might have
passed from Mold in this direction. But until something
can be conjectured respecting the whereabouts of Varis,
nothing can be safely said about the road. When Varis
is ascertained with anything like certainty, we may be
sure that the road took a pretty direct line from thence to
Chester and Conovium. I had overlooked Pen y Palmant
in the Vale of Clwyd, till Mr. Barnwell's remark {vide
ArchcBologia Cambrensis) brought it under my eye. It
argues something in favour of a road from Moel Fenlli
up the vale. There are two places almost in line, of the
name — one by Llandymog, the other by Trefaant, on the

ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES. 239

way to St. Asaph. A third occurs to the right (a little)
of the road between Trefnant and St. Asaph, on a road
leading to Tremeirchion. Has it ever occurred to mem-
bers to fix Varis at St. Asaph ? Reynolds in his Iter
Britanniarum does so, and quoting from Luccombe's
Gazetteer says, "near it are the remains of a large Roman
camp, with an area of 160 paces." I never could hear
anything of this camp. It is however a good position for
one, and such as the Romans liked. I look at present for
the Roman road from Deva either by way of .Buckley,
Mold, Moel Fenlli; or by Hawarden, Worthop, Moelgaer,
Ysceiviog, and Denbigh. In both routes it would first
cross Saltney, which I think it must have done in some
way or other.

Mr. Foster, of our Association, the keeper of the Caer-
narvon Museum, who is a native of Chester, informs me
that he has a perfect recollection of a ford over the Dee
existing about twenty yards below the old bridge; and
that it was approached by a small gateway in the city walls
called the Stiip Gate^ now destroyed. A street leading
down to where it stood, is still called Ship Gate Lane.
This ford is in fact marked on old maps of the city.

I learn from Archdeacon Wickham that Roman coins
have been dug up, during the last few years, within his
grounds at Gresford, which may have been on the line of
the Roman road to the south.

If the distance between Deva and Varis be taken on
Horsley's suggestion (p. 456) to be twenty-two miles,
the course of the road must have been pretty direct from
the one station to the other, for if the distance is mea-
sured on the Ordnance map from Chester to Bodfari in a
straight line, it will be found not to exceed twenty-four
miles. Reynolds (p. 333), who places Varis at St. Asaph,
corrects the distance of the Itinerary to twenty-seven
miles between that station and Deva, and thinks the
course of the Iter lay through Caerwys. Supposing
either of these corrections of the distance between Deva
and Varis to be right, I think the exit of the road from
Deva must have lain across Saltney Marsh, or the Lache.

240 ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES.

Horsley, however, does not seem to have made a personal
inspection of the country through which this Iter passed,
at least I judge so from his language (p. 456); he seems
rather to have drawn his conclusions from the reports of
others; while Reynolds does not seem to have considered
the character of the country intervening between Deva and
the hill country of the Ordovices in the direction of Varis.
Horsley, too, does not appear satisfied {vide "Deva," p.
456) with his correction of the distance between Deva
and Varis, but resigns himself to it in default of a better.
The Iter in question is the eleventh of Antonine. The
total number of miles in it is stated to be eighty-three ;
but the distances between the several stations, when added
together, only make an aggregate of seventy-five miles.
From Segontium to Conovium, twenty-four; Conovium
to Varis, nineteen ; Varis to Deva, thirty-two. Horsley
would make the entire length of the Iter to be only sixty-
seven miles, chiefly because the distance of the river Clwyd
" from Chester is too little for the thirty-two miles in the
Itinerary." That it is so, in the direct line, there is little
doubt ; but if the road from Chester took a circuitous
route, the distance in the Itinerary will be fully accounted
for; and, although all through Antonine's Itinerary there
are frequent inaccuracies in the distances between the
stations, and the numbers cannot altogether be relied upon,
still in the almost total want of other better evidence, and
in the face of the obstacles which Saltney Marsh must
then have presented to the establishment of a permanent
road over it, the distance given in the Iter between Deva
and Varis may be an argument in favour of the road not
havi&g taken a direct course. Supposing this to be so, I
am inclined to think that the road to Varis branched off
from that to Bangor- Monachorum and Wroxeter some-
where about Eaton, and pursued its course by Pulford
to Caergwrle, and from thence to Mold. Pennant speaks
of traces of a Roman road being visible between Mold and
Caergwrle, especially under Plas Teg. Higher upon the
hill, opposite Plas Teg too, there is Croes Street. From
Mold it might have taken a course towards Moel Fenlli,

ROMAN REMAINS IN WAL£S. 241

and thence up the vale. Measuring this course roughly
on the Ordnance map, it does not make quite thirty-two
miles; but I should think that it is in fact quite that
distance. I may mention that there are some fields on
the north side of Belgrave avenue, (one of the entrances
to Eaton Hall,) called the Strettons^ spelt on an old map
"Streatons,'^ which looks like an indication of a paved
road in that direction. An old lane (now an occupation
lane) approaching these fields from the north-east termi-
nates in a gateway leading into one of them. Supposing
it were carried on straight, it would come out somewhere
near the present village of Pulford, where there is what
is called a castle mound. This lane bears no appearance
of a Roman road ; still I think its existence in connexion
with these fields is worth recording for future examination.

W. Wynne Ffoulkes.

ARCH. CAMS., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 21

242

CAERNARVON CASTLE.

The two following Rolls are printed from the originals

f)reserved in the Chapter-House at Westminster. The
brmer one appears to have been written in the sixth year
after Edward II. had assumed the title of Prince, which
would give it the date of 1306.

The second Roll, speaking of him as King, would
consequently belong to the ninth year of his reign, and
relate to the stores existing in the castle in 1316. The
reference it makes to the Eagle Tower will also corre-
spond with the date of its erection, 1316-17; thus afford-
ing additional proof to what I have elsewhere advanced^
that this magnificent portion of the castle was constructed
at that time.

Armatur Dni P*nc invent in CasI de Carn die marP in vig Sci
Laurc? anno. vj®.

Armatur <

iiij. r xij. magnis. qrell'
penna? cu er

xij. r xvj. de minoribj
cu er pennaP.

iij. capett ffee cii vise?
iiij. capeH: fer rotude
xiiij. bacinetS veSes r debit
iiij. paria platar'
iij. aketon

ij. par cirotecar' de baleyne
ij. gorgef. de lineo tet
j. hauberc ^ . y
yj. baubergon J '^^j;^^^

Lane — ix. lane sii cap. — Baleyne — vij. pec integr.

Baliste — . j. balist de viz. de ifo. cii vent* de baleyne r nuc de er

iij. balist de ifo. ij^ pedu.
Comu — vj. baliste de comu. uni^ ped.

xxviij. balist di. ifo. bene repat qV. iij. cu ven? de baleyne

. xiij. balist qV. xj. de ifo. r. ij. de holi. debiles r veSes.

. XV. arc p balist sine tet. un. x. parat. ad ligand et v. no
repati.

. j. coste. ij". ped de novo repat sn^telar.
Baldr — ^vij. baldf nov — ^r v. baudr sn r6t — ^r iiij. pvi valor

CAERNARVON CASTLE.

243

ioPbalibis? /
lil)?aQt''garn

' Wal? de Etune. j. balisP— r j. bald. ^
Thm*8 de la Porte, j. balis? — r j. bald.
Hugoiil de Stddowyt. j. balist — ^r. j. baudr
Thm*8 le Taliour. j. balls? — f. j. baudr
JoKs de Cest'a. j. balls? — r. j. baudr
Ricard de Wicube. j. balls?. — ^r. j. baudr
Wifims de Fenes. j. balls? — ^f. j. baudr
Magis? Ad le Cou. j. balls? — ^f. j. baud?
Ricard Vider. j. balls? — ^r j. baudr

coco

•>

•

oi^.

, o

>•

»^

£2.

•

)Qh

Compot^ pdei Wittl le thwatt tam de diesis garnestuf

rec de Thorn de Cheddeworth nup Camer Ijk ibid ;

stur p ipm Wittm empt p municoe castror^ sbsc'ptor^ in?
fm Sci MicKis anno ix® r fm p %re Reg.

Compot^ d mortuis gamestur in castro d Kaern.

Idem reddit comp de M.DCCC vij pec ferri Wallens et de D. vii.
pec ferri Ispann. rec de pdeo Thorn p indentur de stauro
Castri de Kaerii. Et de iiij. q'ntelt. iiij. pec ferri Ispann
rec de empcoe anno nono q^ntella continente cxij. lib. et de
xlvj, duoden ferri rec de empc anno ^dco. duod cout. vj.

t i XX

pec. Sm* M. M. D. iiij. x. pec ferri et. iiij. q'ntett. iiij. lb
ferri.

De quib3 in opib3 ejusd Cast*. DCIvi pec ferri. et iiij. qUitelt.

iiij. tb. Et in lib fca Edo lynton Camer p inden?.

i
M. DCCCC. xxxiiij. pec ferri Sm* ut sup* Et eq^.

Asceru — Id. r. c5potu de Ixj. ^arbis asceri rec de &dco Thorn p
indentur. Et de j. barello asceri cont. xx. ourch. quodu
burctl cont. vj. garbas et garba cont xxx. gaddes. rec de

empcoe anno nono. — Sm". C.iiij. j. garba.

De quib3 in expJi p ogibj Cast* de Kaerii. iiij. xiiij. garb, xiiij.

gadd. Et in lib fca ^dco Edmo p indentur?. iiij. vj. garb,
xvj. gadd. — Sm* ut sup*. Et. eq.

Clavi— Id r 90. de. M. M. M. M. M. CCC. xvij. clavis ferr rec

ml
de pdco Thorn p ihdentur. quor^. iiij. DCCCC clavi de

244 CAERNARVON CASTLE.

minori spiking^ et CCCC. xvij. clavi de Shyngelnail. Et

mt
de. xviij. D. Clavis de spiking^ rec de empcoe anno ix^. —

mi
Sm*. zxiij. D.CCC. xvij. clavi. Et litt pdco Edo p indentur.

mi
Et etiam libavit eidm Edo. X. DCCC. iij. clavos reptos in
Castro &dco.
Armatur — Id r comp. de. ij. pib3 platear^. x. ve?ib3 aketonib3
rec de pdco Thorn p indentur. Et de. ix. aketonib3 iiij.
jupelt. vj. bacinettis. vj. pib3 Cirotecar^ de plate rec de
empc6e anno. x^. iiij. pibusde gauml)er8. ij. pib^ de genulers

de eod T!i
rec^ p indent pdcam — Et libant* p'dco Edo p indentur.

de eod Tti
Pliibu — Id. r comp. de. CC. ij. pec plubi quadrat rec\ p indent.
Et de. ij. pec reptis in Cast^ £t de. x. magnis plubis. rec
p indentur. Et de. x. magnis pliibis. revX in cast®. S*

XXUlj

CC^ Et lib pd68 Edo p id

Tele plub — Id f de iiij. ix. tet plubi rec de &dco Tlioin p indent.

Et expndut' in cooptura turr Aquilar^

Bord — Id r 9p. de. CC. Ix. thascbbord. DCC xl plaunchebord

rec p indent. Et expn p vices in opib3 Cast^ ^dci et in

cooptura cuj^dam turris sup muru viUe et emendac6e g^nar

1^ r domorf Ift Justic

Fleches — Id r. de. xxvj. duod flecfi rec p indentur. — Et liB

pdco Edo p indent
Maerem — Id r. de. xl. gistis. ij. laces, ij. postis xxiij. pec maer
de eod TK r expn in vtU'

rec^ p indent. Et lib opib3 Cast* r t'ri sup murf^

de eod. Tt!
Virga — Id r comp de. j. virga ^ trebechet rec^ p indentura

Et libat* Magro Rico Ingeniatori
Pipa cii axe — Id r. de. j. pipa plena quarell:. Et de. j. axe <p

de eod T.
injeniis rec^ p ind. Et lib ^dco Edo p ind.

de eod Th.^
Secur — Id. r. de xj. secur cementar rec^ p indent. De q*b3.
lib cementar. v. Et pdco Edo. v. p indentura.

de eod T.
Hokes — Et de. iij. hokes ferr rec^ p indentur. Et lib Ingeniatori
cont* adventii Scottor^

CAERNARVON CASTLE. 245

deeodT.
Bacti — Id r. de xxxviij. bacfis^ arcub3 rec^ g indent. De
qaib3 lib Attiliaton. xiiij. £t pdc6 Edo. xxiiij.

deeodT.
Arc^*^ — Id r. de. xlij. arcub3 rec^ p ind. De qaib3 in frac6&e.
iij. Et litt pdco Edo. xxxix.

Id r. de. Ixix. arc^ p balist rec p ind. 0^ quib3. lib attit.
vij. Et pdc6 Edo. Ixij.

ferr

Id r de. ij. gumph j. vercevett. iij kenett ferr. j. bem^ g

rec de eod Thoin

balancis^ D~ quib3. lib Ingeniatori. iij. kenett ferr. Et

residuQ. ^dco Edo.

Id. r. de. ij. cables, j. hausour iij. ancor. j. ancora, fracta.

deeodT. lib i

rec^ f indent. De quib3 expendit*^ j. cable. Et^ Edo

J. cable
Camer^ j. hausour iij. ancora. Et fabro. j. ancora. fracta
ad fabr
Fabrica — Id. r de. ij. pib3 foliu. iiij, anneltes. iij. bigoiti. iii.
nayltol. ix pib3 tenellor^. iij. martett magnis. iiij. marteil:

de eod T.
manualib3. ij. boltres. rec^ p indentur — Et lib pdco Edmo
P indenS.
Carbofi — Id r de. xviij. qr? carbon lign. Et de xviij dot carbon
deeodT.
mar rec^ p ind — Et expu in opib3 Cast^
Astellaf — Id r de. 1. secuf Cementaf . Ix. chiseles xvi. pickes

rec de eod T.
xvj. malles ix. crowes r j. hausour ferf^ p indentur in astel-
laf — Et lib Sdco Edo p indentuf.
Springald — Id. r de j. hausour. CCC magnis quarett p springald
ere penna?. Et de. iij. springald cu toto apparatu. Et de.

ij. hausurs r ij. cord de eod T
j. springaldo cu apparatu ^ minutas cordas^ rec^ p indent*

et expu p usu ij. hausurs f ij. cord
De q*b3 in lib fca Ingeniatori. CCC. magni quarett^ et residuO
Jpdco Edo p indentura.
Corr . — Id f de. v pec corei tannati rec p indent. Et expn in

fundis ingenior^.faciend
Cord — Id r. de. vj. cord de pilo rec p indent. Et lib Ingeii p

ingen repand
Carra — Id r de. J. carra ad trahend vinu r maef rec p indent.

Et lib.gdco Edo p indenP
Batell: — Id f de. j. veci batett por? pond^. xx. dot cu novo velo.

246 CAERNARVON CASTLE.

ij hausours. vii. rem, ij. ancof. Et de j. veK bateH: ^ opib3
poif pond^. xij. dot. j. ancof v. remis. Et j. veft batello
portanti pond. x. doleor^ sine apparata. Et de. j. veSi batett
p opibu?^. poif . pondus. v. doi cu. j. ancora. iiij. remis. rec
p inden?. Et lib &dco Edo p indent.
Id f de. ij. pateit eneis. ij. telis cinglaif j. veteri cable
de eod T.

rec^ p indent. Et expu in opib3 Cast^
Id f de. Clx. capitibj p gavelokkes rec p inden)^. Et lib

E(to p indentur*
Id f de. Ix. pvis capitib3 p gaynes rec p indent. Et lib

Attiliatori ad repand
Id f de. XX. novis balistis rec p indent. Et de. x. rec de

AtUia?. Et lib ^deo Edo p ind.
Id f de. XX. novis costis de Ispania g arcub3 rec p indent.

Et lib Attiliatori ad construend.
Id f de. CCxj. magnis quareH: p springald ere penaH: rec

p indenS. Et lib pdeo Edo p ina.

rec p indent
Id f de, CCxxviij. ma&^nis capitib^ quarelt Et lib 6^co

E. in sfima de 6. Ixil. _

Et de. xij. capi? lancear^ rec p indent Et de ij. cap rept in

sc^cio. Et lib fi^co Edo.
Et de. XX. barf ierr p fenestris. j. longa vir^. vj. magn

gumptr ij. verceneft. ij. bendes ferr & de j. baner quod

lib p turf ag^lar^. Et totu residuQ pdco Edo p indent.
Et de. iiij. pib^ de gaumbers ij. pib3 de geinelers rec p

indent. Et ub &dco Edo p indentuf
j. martett
Et de. j*. Becuf^ r ij. bottes ferf rec p indent. Et lib arsori

calcis p petf frangend.

f. XX. kevitt ferf p
Et de. iiij. remis r. j. crata^ rec de eod Thorn. Et expii p

usu. £t eq.

Et de. xvij. we^es fenT. iiij. iiij. minu? quarell' p balistis.

CCC. iiij. magn cap quarett rec de eotfm Thorn p indentur~
De quiD3. lib Quarer' xvij. wegg^. Et in pdic6e. iiij.

XX XX

minuti quareft Et lib Edo p indent, iiij. quarett, CCC iiij.
capita magnor^ quarelt.

Charles Henry Hartshorne.

247

WELSH RECORDS AND WELSH MSS. IN THE

BRITISH MUSEUM.

Before much satisfactory light can be thrown on the
mediaeval history of Wales, whether political or social, a
more thorough search must be made among the records
and MSS. belonging to the Principality, and especially
among those contained in the record offices of London,
or in the British Museum.

Ayloffe's (Catalogue is well known; and, we believe,
some additional catalogues have been published by the
Record Commissioners; but there still remains a vast mass
of documentary matter comparatively untouched and
unknown. The catalogue of those Welsh records which
have been examined and classed^ in the Chapter-House at
Westminster alone (including the Caernarvon building
rolls and other similar documents), fills two folio volumes;
and to the greater number of Welsh antiquaries these
volumes, though only the registers of their tools, are alto-
gether unknown. Besides the records in the Chapter-
House which have been examined, there is, in the same
depository — or at least there was three or four years ago
— ^a vast quantity unexamined and unknown. The
Tower of London also contains Welsh records, speciallv
those mentioned by Ayloffe ; and of late the Welsh
records hitherto kept at Chester, &c., have been removed
to the metropolis, by direction of the Master of the Rolls.
It is evident from this that the attention of members of
the Cambrian Archaeological Association might well be
turned towards the valuable collection now concentrated
in London ; and we wish we could hear of gentlemen
undertaking to compile, if only a complete catalogue of
these historical treasures.

To give some idea of the extent and nature of the
Welsh MSS., &c., preserved in the Library of the British
Museum, we reprint from Mr. Sims' very useful work,
Hand-Book to the Library of the British Museam^ the

^ Hand Book to the Libraxy of the British MoBeam, by Richard
Sims. London : J. Russell Smith. 1854.

248 WELSH RECORDS AND WELSH M8S.

foUowiDg particulars of the references to the catalogues
wherein the Welsh collections are to be found. No speci-
fications nor descriptions of the several MSS. are here
given — only general references to the pages of the various
catalogues in which they are entered. Their number
must be very considerable; and as they are perfectly easy
of access, it may be hoped that some of the members of
our Association, residing in London, will try and give us
something in the form of a Catalogue MaisonnS of the
whole ; while others may be disposed to go further into
the matter, and to publish in our pages some of the
more important documents themselves.

Sims, p. 221.

Wales: Wallia (General History).

Sloane Cat., p. 302.

Cotton— Harl. v. IV. pp. 187, 339.

Royal — Lansd. 1, 2.

King's— Add. (1783-1836), (1836-1840), (1841-1846).

Welsh Topography.

Anglesey: Cotton.— Harl. v. IV. p. 97.— Add. (1783-1836),

(183&-1840), (1841-1846).
Bangor: Cotton.— Harl. v. IV. pp. 99, 339.— Add. (1783-1836),

(1841-1846).
Brecknock: Harl. v. IV. pp. 104, 339.— Add. (1836-1840),

(1841-1845).
Caernarvon: Harl. v. IV. pp. 108, 339.— Add. (1836-1840),

(1841-1846).
Caermarthen : Harl. v. IV. pp. 108, 339.— Add. (1783-1836),

(1841-1846).
Conway: Harl. v. IV. p. 119.— Add. (1783-1836), (1841-1845).
Denbigh : Harl. v. IV. pp. 122, 340.— Add. (1783-1836), (1841-

1845).
Flint: Harl. v. IV. pp. 130, 340.— Add. (1783-1836), (1841-

1845).
Glamorgan: Cotton.— Harl. v. IV. pp. 133, 340.— Add. (1783-

1836), (1841-1846).
Llandaff : Cotton.— Harl. v. IV. p. 340.
Merioneth : Harl. v. IV. pp. 167, 340.— Add. (1841-1846).
Neath.— Add. (1836-1840), (1841-1846).
Pembroke : Harl. v. IV. pp. 167, 340.— Add. (1783-1836).
Radnor : Harl. v. IV. pp. 170, 348.
St. Asaph : Harl. v. LV. p. 340.— Add. (1783-1836), (1841-

1846).

WELSH RECORDS AND WELSH MSS. 249

St David's: Harl. v, IV. pp. 179, 340.— Add. (1783-1835),
(1841-1845).

Welsh Cartularies.

County. Monasteries. Number of M8.

Caern. — ^Aberconway Harl M.S. 3725

Caerm. — Alba Landa (excerpta cartar) „ 2101

Flint— Basingwerk (excerpta cartar) „ 2060, 2079,

2099
Caerm. — Caermarthen St John (col-
lectanea) „ 1649

Caern. — Clynnog Vawr (confirmat) . . „ 696

Merion. — Kymmer (carta) „ 696

61am. — \A9JxdsS[ (chronicon) Cott MS. Tit D. xxii.

„ „ (annales) Harl. M.S. 838

Card.— Llanddewi Brefi (carUs) „ 1249

Card. — Llanrwst* (collectanea) „ 67

61am. — Margam (cartes) Harleian Charters

„ „ (excerpta) Harl. MS. 2273

Pemb.— St. David's (cartas) „ 1294

Card. — Strata Florida (carUs) . „ 6068

61am. — Swansea (cartce) „ 1249

Welsh Pedigrees and 6enealooib8.
Harl. V. IV. pp. 415, 429.— Add. (1783-1835).

Welsh Seals.

Sulphur impressions in catalogue of Mr. Doubleday's col-
lection, folio 110.

Welsh Maps, Plans, &c.

Vide Map Catalogue.

Anglesey page324

Brecknockshire 324

Caermarthenshire 324

Caernarvonshire 325

Cardiganshire 326

Denbighshire • 326

Flintshire 327

Clamorsanshire 327

>rga
roke

Pembrokeshire 328

< This isprobably intended for Caernarvon. lianrwst, ue. Maenan
Abbey. — Ej>. Aroh. Camb.

ARCH. OAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 K

250

REMARKS ON AN IRON CELT, FOUND ON THE
BERWEN MOUNTAINS, MERIONETHSHIRE.

Previous to the Meeting of the Association at Ruthin,
in September, 1854, Mr. West, of Ruthin Castle,. kindly
submitted to my inspection a miscellaneous collection of
iron fragments, including cannon balls, old hinges, keys,
&c., the greater part of which were worthless. Among
them, however, was found this very curious celt, probably
unique, which had been left amid this miscellaneous heap
many years, unnoticed, and even unknown. The metal
was so extremely brittle and decayed that, even when
handled with care, it was difficult to prevent considerable
portions peeling off, so that it is not unlikely but for the
accident of the meeting, and the establishing of a tem-
porary museum, this singular curiosity might still have
been overlooked,, and, perhaps, ultimately lost. The
Association therefore will have been the means of its
being rescued from destruction, as it has since been

Erotected from all exposure to the air by varnish, which
as, however, been laid on somewhat too liberally, and
is, by the kindness of its owner, to be consigned, through
the hands of the Earl of Cawdor, to the collection of British
antiquities forming in the British Museum.

The form of this specimen is not of a verv early type,
having within its socket the wooden handle, it fortunately
retains the loophole, the use of which is not altogether satis-
factorily determined, but which in this case may prove it
to have been an implement of war, and not a workman's
chisel. Its approximate date cannot be well ascertained ;
but, considering the wild locality on which it was found,
as well as its workmanship, it is not improbable that it
may have been in use after the introduction of the more
common implements of war, which had probably sup-
planted the ordinary use of the celt in more civilized
districts. I am not aware whether antiquaries have
agreed on assigning any satisfactory date for the disuse
of these primitive implements. If such a date has been

REMARKS ON AN IRON CELT.

REMARKS ON AN IRON CELT. 261

determined, some guess of the age of this specimen might
be made. Its appearance at present is somewhat of a
darker tint than it was before the application of the
varnish, the difference of tint between the wooden and
iron parts having been much more marked than at present.
It was found on the summit of the Berwen Mountains,
in Merioneth, but no particular spot was specified on a
small fragment of paper annexed to it. Nor is it known
how many years ago it was found, beyond that it was
during the lifetime of the late possessor of the castle, the
Honourable Frederick West.

There are three circumstances that attach a singular
interest to this celt. The first is, its retaining a con-
siderable portion of the wooden shaft, or handle, very
few instances of similar examples being known. One or
two specimens have been found in Ireland. In the
Museum of Practical Geology, in London, is a bronze
spear-head, found, I believe, in the bed of the Thames,
not far from Kingston. This also, if my memory is
correct, retains a portion of its wooden shaft. That this
particular celt, which is so curious in other respects,
should also still possess a fragment of its handle, is an
additional feature of interest.

But the two points which distinguish it from all other
known metal celts, and which therefore render it in all pro-
bability unique, are, that it is made of iron, and that that
iron iswrought,notcast. Ironspear-heads,andevenswords,
are in existence, probably of greater antiquity than this
specimen ; but there is no other example at present (gene-
rally ^ at least,) known of an iron celt. All the celts that
we nave, exclusive of stone or flint ones, are of bronze.

These bronze celts also have been made from cast, not
wrought, metal. Many of the moulds used in casting
are in existence, and have been described in most archaeo-
logical publications of the day. The art of working in
metals (independent of those of gold or silver) must have
been well established, when this celt was produced from
the forge, and we must therefore assign to it a later date
than that to the ordinary kind obtained from moulds.

252 ICONA MEDI^VA.

The actual dimensions of this instrument (of which a
very fidthfiil illustration is here given) are as follow : —

Of the wooden shaft, not covered by the iron,—

Greatest length 5 inches

Least ditto 3} ,,

Thickness 1 ,,

Breadth 1 J „

Of the iron portion, —

Greatest length 4 inches

Least ditto 2^ „

Thickness below the loop ^ „

Greatest breadth at extremity 2 ,,

Least at its centre 1| „

In the illustration, the dark shaded upper part might
be mistaken for a continuation of the iron part, but it is
part of the wooden handle.

E. L. B.

MONA MEDI^VA.
No. XVIIL

BEAUMARIS.

Thb town of Beaumaris was built by Edward 1. with the
same attention to geometrical regularity that is to be
observed in all the other towns first founded, or erected,
at that period. This attention to regularity of plan is
to be found in all the Edwardan towns of Aquitaine,
Guyenne, and Poitou; and the circumstance has been
ably treated of by French antiquaries in the Annates
ArcMologiques. It is to be remarked in the Welsh towns
of Caernarvon, Conway, Rhuddlan, Flint, and New
Radnor, and possibly some others, as well as in the pre-
sent instance of Beaumaris, which in plan was nearly
rectangular. There was a tolerably open space whereon
to place the streets and houses ; at the south-west end was
a mrtified eminence, probably Roman, now called Bryn
Briton^ above a stream running down from the woods ;

MONA MEDIifiVA. 253

at the north-east end was a fine marsh — the Beau Marais
— protected by another small hill from the sea ; between
these two hills the ground sloped gently upwards towards
the wooded ridge, now forming the demesne of the
Bulkeley family, but then probably wild. The marsh was
chosen as a site for the castle, being the most easily
defensible, and out of it that fine specimen of the mili-
tary architecture of the thirteenth century arose. This,
too, is on a geometrical plan, its contour being very
nearly a square within a regular hexagon. The town was
cut off from the castle by a wet ditch, running close
under its walls, and was itself surrounded by a line of
curtains and towers. A long main street (Castle Street)
ran from the south-west or Water Gate to the esplanade
of the castle, and was traversed by another at right angles
(Church Street), leading from the strand straight up the
sloping ground, and terminated by a gateway not far
above the church. These streets were wide, well planned
for light and ventilation, and must always have presented
a cheerful appearance. At the intersection of the streets
stood the Cross, though it had disappeared before Speed's
map was published ; its name, however, and the tradition
of the place, still remain unchanged.

If reference be made to the map just mentioned, and of
which ?L fac'simile is appended, the general features of the
town will be well understood, though it is not by any
means so accurate as it ought to be. We give it as a
curious record of what the town was in the sixteenth
century.

A small portion of the old town wall still remains near
the modem pier, and within our own recollection it was
washed by the sea ; but no traces of the tower on the sea
front, nor of that at the north-west corner, now exist.
The spot, where the gateway at the top of Church Street
stood, is easily to be found, from the sudden narrowing of
the thoroughfare, though no architectural details remain.
The Water Gate was destroyed some seventy years ago,
as we are informed ; but the wall between its site and the
church still remains in tolerable preservation. There was,

254 TRE 'r CEIRI, CAERNARVONSHIRE.

no doubt, a gateway or postern in the sea front, at the
south-east end of Church Street, and not improbably
another entry from the beach near the castle.

A suburb extended, perhaps at an early period, as far
as Bryn Briton, and the mill ; if indeed the more ancient
village of Bonover did not exist at this place. We
make this conjecture, for there is reason to suppose that
here was a Roman ferry for the road from Aber towards
Holyhead, coming across the lowlands, then compara-
tively dry, though now replaced by the Lafan Sands,
and houses would most probably be erected where the
passengers would land. A chapel, named after St. Meu-
gan, stood on the edge of the marsh, north from the
castle ; but this was probably destroyed at the time of the
outworks of that strong citadel being pushed inland.

According to the analogy of the continental towns built
by Edward I , a market-place, or square, may be supposed
to have existed in the midst of Old Beaumaris, but no
traces nor traditions of its site have been preserved ; and
we find from Speed's map that the market-house in his
day stood north of the church, behind the old house called
Plas Goch. H. L. J.

TRE 'R CEIRI, CAERNARVONSHIRE.
(Mead at LlandeUo Farcr.)

Of all the remains of those antique fortresses which,
scattered over the lofty and rugged mountains of Wales,
testify to the skill and intrepidity with which our bar-
barian forefathers withstood their Roman, Saxon and
other invaders, none is so curious for the art displayed
in its construction, for the size of its ramparts, and the
extent of ground covered by its works, as Tre *r Ceiri,
on the Eifl mountains, in Caernarvonshire.

This mountain group, consisting of three tall peaks,
the highest of which is 1867 feet above the level of the

' V ^ ^ ^.

> •« "* ^ i s "•

fi -^ G u; ». w" s:

1^1

TRE 'r CEIRI, CAERNARVONSHIRE. 255

sea, divides Lleyn from Arfon, and the fortress of Tre 'r
Ceiri occupies the summit of the most inland of these,
at a height of some 1400 feet, and commands the pass of
Llanelhaiarn, the great gate into Lleyn from Arfon, along
which now peacefully winds the post road from Caernar-
von to Pwllheli,

History makes no mention of Tre 'r Ceiri; and its silence
is the more unaccountable from the importance of its
position, and the conflicts of which it was probably the
scene, in those ^* daies of elde " in which the intestine broils
of the Celtic chieftains contributed, in so fatal a degree,
to their subjugation by external enemies. In none of our
ancient records, in none of our old romances, in none of
those trite and valuable remains of our ancient bards, — so
remarkable for the exactness of their allusions to names
and places, which we find as unchanged in the present
day, and more so than the lapse of time would reasonably
warrant, — ^in none of these have I been able to discover
any hint or allusion to the stupendous fastness of Tre 'r
Ceiri.

The name has been variously interpreted by antiquaries;
but whether it be " Town of Fortresses,*' or " City of
Giants," or what not, there it exists after a period of some
thousand odd years, a monument of the military power
and skill of those remote and early heroes, which cannot
fail to impress the mind of the beholder, and recall to his
imagination dim visions of the time, when down that
mountain path those tottering walls beheld a warlike host
their *^ glittering skirts unfold," and the neighbouring
rocks and the oaks of Snowden forest echoed to the martial
clash of the Cymric Tarian, and the war-cries of the men
of lieyn mingled with the groans of the " Gwyr Arfon,"
whose *' beddau" are so near the scene of their struggles
for supremacy.

This fortress, or fortified town, consists of several groups
of cells, or **cyttiau," surrounded by a wall e e, inclosing
an area of upwards of five acres in extent, being more
than three hundred yards from east to west, and in one
l^aoe upwards of one hundred yards broad from north

256 TRE 'r CEIRI, CAERNARVONSHIRE.

to south. This inner wall has two entrances, or gate*
ways, one to the north c, and one to the west d, and a
sally-port b.

The northern side, being the most accessible, is defended
by a second wall f f, and even by a third wall g g ; the
second being tolerably perfect, and running up and join-
ing the first or inner wall £ £, at the eastern and western
extremes, where the steepness of the mountain renders it
less exposed to attack. The outer wall o g, is very
imperfect, and not easily traced. It abo seems to have
reverted and joined the second wall f f. On the southern
and eastern sides, the mountain is so precipitous that the
inner wall was considered sufficient protection. The two
entrances c and d, on reference to the plan, will be seen to
be very artfully and strongly defended by hornworks and
lunettes, or horse-shoe fortifications, and the sally-port
(which is a square opening through the thickness of the
inner wall, six feet wide and about five feet high), marked
B in the plan, roofed with large flat stones, is protected
by two walls, which run out and join the second wall.

The inner wall, which is very perfect, is, in many places,
fifteen feet high, and in some places sixteen feet broad,
and has a parapet and walk upon it; to use Pennant's
description of it (see Pennant's Tour^ ii. p. 393), ^'it
consists of two parallel and contiguous portions, the one/'
i.e. the outer, '* higher than the other, and serving as a
parapet to the lower, which seems to have had its walks
like that on the walls at Chester."

There are nine large group of cells, besides numerous
smaller ones which nestle closely under the inner wall,
or are scattered over the internal area ; and they are of
various forms, round, oval, oblong, square, and, in some
instances, a combination of a hexagonal chamber, leading
to, or rather joined to, a circular one. Their entrances
are clearly defined in most instances, and, as well as the
interiors of the cells and the walls, are nicely faced with
flat stones. No mark of chisel is anywhere to be observed.
Some of the round cells are fifteen feet in diameter, and
some of the oblong ones thirty feet in length. The walls

TRE 'r CEIRI, CAERNARVONSHIRE. 257

of some of these are still five feet high, and may have
been six or seven when perfect, and no doubt were roofed
with boughs and thatched with heather.

In instances where the entrance of a cell, from the
rubbish and ruins and stones, is not clearly discernible,
or where, from the like causes, the form of the cell is
incomplete, I have copied them just as I found them,
having sketched all on which I could rely, and put nothing
on conjecture.

The square space marked a in the plan, with the comers
cut off and surrounded by cells, is about thirty feet square,
and is conjectured by rennant to have been a sort of
Praetorium. From the summit h a good view of the
whole fortress is obtained, and the sea and the mountains
of Lleyn ; Gam Fadryn and Gam Boduan being promi-
nent, on whose summits are fortresses of a similar kind;
that on the former being superior to the latter, but neither
approaching the perfection and extent of Tre 'r Ceiri.

The pass, or gorge, on the northern side of the fortress,
which separates it from its sister peak, the centre Eifl (or
"Rival" as the name "Yr Eifl" has been corrupted), is
called "Caeau Gwyr Arfon," the fields of the men of
Arfon, and is said by Pennant to be traversed by a
stupendous rampart of stones. This I cannot find any
traces of whatever. There is a modem small stone wall
crossing the gorge, but this would never have been mis-
taken for an ancient work.

On the south-eastern side of the Eifl, next the sea, is a
spot called " Beddau Gwyr Arfon," the graves of the men
of Arfon, where I have excavated, but to no purpose.

T. Love D. Jones Parry, F.S.A.

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 L

268

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN WALES.

NOTICE OF AN INSCRIBED STONE ON CALDY ISLAND,

PEMBROKESHIRE.

, It appears to have been a very prevalent custom among
the early Christians, both in Great Britain and Ireland,
to establish their communities upon small islands adjoin*
ing the coast, where, free from the chances of sudden
attack, they could pursue the quiet objects of their exist-
ence unmolested and undisturbed. The great establish-
ment of Lindisfame on the Northumbrian coast, and various
religious establishments on Ireland's Eye, the Skelleg,
and other small islands on the coast of Ireland, may be
cited as instances of this practice; whilst Bardsey Island,
the Chapel Island of St. Tecla at the mouth of the Wye,
Barry Island on the Glamorganshire coast, Ramsey
Island near St. David's, and Caldy Island near Tenby,
have been more or less celebrated in Wales for the reli-
gious establishments which have existed upon them. On
the last-named island are still the ruins of a priory, the
history of which is not unknown. Here, however, as at
Bardsey, proof of the religious occupation of the island,
at a period long antecedent to any indication afforded by
the architectural peculiarities of the existing ruins, has
been obtained in the discovery of a small inscribed slab
of stone, for an excellent rubbing of which I am indebted
to our publisher, Mr. Mason, of Tenby; and it is here
proper to remark upon the value of these rubbings, since
Mr. Mason informs us that, during the short period which
has elapsed since the rubbing was made, the stone itself
has been rendered much less legible than it then was,
from exposure to weather. It was removed to its present
position, and built into the wall of the chapel, on the sug-
gestion of the Rev. Mr. Graves. The stone is a red sand-
stone, 5 feet 9 inches high, and 16 inches wide; the top
of the incised cross reaches to the top of the stone, and,
with the inscription itself, occupies three feet of the upper

PRO^HIiCr

. |caui5pQHi

mbed Stona, Ctlij laluid, PembrokeBhii

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN WALES. 259

part, leaving the remaining lower portion plain, appa-
rently for the purpose of being affixed in the earth, similar
to the head-stone of a modern grave.

The inscription on this stone is a very remarkable one,
not only on account of its palsBoeraphy, but also of its
orthog/aphy and formula. ^

Its Christian character is at once shown by the plain
Latin cross, a foot in height, incised on its upper portion.
The extremities of the two limbs of the cross, which re-
main perfect, are dilated, and somewhat furcate. The
simple plainness of this cross offers a remarkable contrast
to the usual style in which this sacred emblem is re-
presented, the most elaborate interlaced patterns being
ordinarily employed upon it in stones contemporary with
the one before us. Although offering a certain amount
of regularity to the eye, the letters themselves of the in-
scription are for the most part rudely formed, and about
two and a half inches in height, with very little space left
between the lines. With much trouble I have been en-
abled to read every letter, and beg to offer the following
as the true reading of the inscription : —

^ I f INgnO I CR

ncif I IN I iLLam
Fingfi I rogo
omnibiif I am
iniiLantibxir
Ibl I exorent
pro I axuma
oatuoooni

That is, — Et signo crucis in illam finxi rogo omnibus
ambulantibus ibi exorent pro anima Catuoconi.

Notwithstanding the conjunction ^^Et" at the com-
mencement of the inscription, which might be supposed
to indicate it to be the continuation of a paragraph com-
menced on the other side of the stone, 1 am inclined to

260 EARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN WALES.

think, from the evident faults, both grammatical and
orthographical, in the inscription, that we have before us
the whole, and that the meaning of this peculiar formula
is an entreaty, to all passers-by, in the name both (et)
of the cross itself, and of Him who was fixed thereon,
to pray for the soul of Catuoconus. The word " fingsi"
(finxi), it is true, might be supposed to allude to a figure
of the Saviour sculptured on the cross, as in one or two
rare instances in other parts of Wales, as at liangan ; but
this stone bears the plain cross, and cannot therefore be
supposed to havebeen surmounted by a sculptured crucifix.
We have before us also a very early instance of the sup*
plication of prayers for the soul of the deceased, and the
word employed for that purpose, " exorent," is a very un-
usual one in these Welsh inscriptions. This branch of
the subject ofiers interesting materials for inquiry in con-
nexion with the question of the age of the inscription
itself. Of Catuoconus, the person here recorded, I should
be happy if any of our members, skilled in the early eccle-
siastical history of Wales, could give us any information.
Is it possible that Catuoconus was the Latinized form of
the name of St. Cathan, or Cathen, son of Cawrdaf ab
Caradog Fraichfras, founder of Llangathen, Caermar-
thenshire, and from whom the hundred of Catheiniog in
the same county is supposed to derive its name ?

Independently of the form of the cross, the formula,
orthography, ice, of the inscription, and the name of the
person commemorated therein, as well as the locality of
the stone itself, we have its palseographical peculiarities
to assist us in arriving at the age of the inscription ; and
from these I do not hesitate to consider this stone to be
not more recent than the ninth, and possibly as old as the
seventh, century. With the exception of the simply
formed I, C, R, (in the first line only,) O, and F, which
are Roman capitals, (and even of these the lower oblique
right hand stroke of the R not carried down to the line,
and the upper cross stroke of the F forming an angle at
its origin with the top of the upright stroke, indicate an
approach to the minuscule forms of these two letters,) the

BARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN WALES. 261

whole of the inscription is in that curious mixture of
minuscule and uncial letters, transformed into capitals,
which became general soon after the departure of the
Romans, and which is found in all the oldest native in-
scriptions and manuscripts both in Great Britain and
Ireland.

The conjoined & "et" in the first line, and "ex*' in
the sixth line, are especially interesting from their agree-
ment with such ancient documents ; the a like two 0*8
joined together; the b slightly variable in form, and
sometimes scarcely distinguishable from the g, (the best
formed one being in the fourth line;) the e like aC
with a central cross-bar free at its extremity; the F
almost F-shaped, and not carried below the line ; the g
especially remarkable, particularly in the first line, where
it is reduced in size from the proximity of the foot of the
cross ; the L formed like a L with the angle rounded off,
and the top of the first stroke inclined to the left, although
in the fifth line it almost looks like a C ; the M invariably
m-shaped ; the N either like a capital N, but with the
oblique stroke reversed, or like a H ; the P P-shaped, and
not carried below the line ; the R either R-shaped, or like
a cursive n, with the second stroke carried down obliquely
nearly to the bottom of the line ; the S f-shaped, but not
carried above the line ; the T like a C with a transverse
bar at top, and the U invariably u-shaped. All these
peculiarities indicate the occurrence of a period between
the departure of the Romans and the time when this stone
was sculptured ; but I think, from a comparison of this
inscription with other early monuments, both lapidary
and manuscript, in England, Wales, and Ireland, that we
cannot err in affixing to it the date given above.

J. O. Westwood.

Hammersmith, August 6, 1855.

262

LIST OF EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

No. VI.

DENBIGHSHIRE.

L — Camps and Castles.

Bryn Eurian^ — Strong post on hill, half a mile south
from Llandrillo yn Rhos.

Crorddyn MawVj — Fortified post on the summit of a
hill, one mile and a half south from Llandulas.

Castell Cawr, — Fortified post on a hill, one mile south-
west from Abergele.

Cefn y Castell^ — Name of an eminence, one mile and
three quarters north from Bettws- Abergele.

Parc-y-Meirch^ — Strong post, with cvttiau, one mile
and a quarter west-south-west from St. George.

Y UaeVj — Fortified summit of a lofty hill, one mile
and a quarter north-west from Llanefydd. This is a
remarkable spot, from the form of the work being nearly
a regular pentagon.

Bwrdd Arthur J — Small fortified eminence above the
east bank of the Aled, one mile and three quarters north-
east from Llansannan.

Caer Ddunod, — Camp on the river Alwen, two miles
north from Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr.

Pen-y-Gaer, — Circular intrenched post, one mile and
a quarter south-east from Cerrig-y-Druidion.

CasteUj — Name of a farm on the hill of Llechwedd,
one mile and a half north-north-east from Cerrig-y-
Druidion.

Caer J — Name of a farm on a hill, a quarter of a mile
south from Pentrevoelas.

. Moel Arthur^ — Strongly fortified post on the Clwydian
range of mountains, three miles east-by -north from LJan-
dyrnog, described in the Archcaologia Cambrensis.

Moel-y-Gaer^ — Strongly fortified post on the Clwydian
ran^e, four miles north-north-east from Ruthin, described
in the ArcluBologia Cambrensis.

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 263

Moel Fenlliy — Fortified post on the Clwydian range,
three miles north-east from Rathin, described in the
Arcfueologia Cambrensis.

CcLstellf — Name of a farm on the west side of Moel y
pare, one mile and a quarter east from Bodiari.

Camp^ — ^Oblong inclosure on ridge of hill, one mile
and a half north-by- west from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Tj/n y Castell, — Name of a farm on the Ceiriog, four
miles north-east from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Campy — At liwyn Bryn Dinas, of large dimensions,
one mile and a half west-by-north from Llangedwyn.

MoeUy- Gaer^ — Fortified post on hill, two miles south-
east from Bryn Eglwys.

CaeraUf — Fortified post on limestone ridge above
Eyarth, one mile and a half south-west from Llanfair
Dyffryn Clwyd.

Pen-y-GaeTy — Post on hill, one mile south -south -west
from Efenechtyd.

Pen-dinaSy—Name of a farm on the road, two miles
and a half east from Llandegla.

Nant yr hen gastelly — Name of a ravine, two miles and
a quarter north-east from Valle Cruds Abbey, indicating
an ancient fortified post.

Camp, — Overhanging the Alyn on the line of Wat's
Dyke, one mile and a half south-south-west from Oresford.

Y Garddeuy — Strong circular camp, one mile north by
west from Ruabon, on the Welsh side of Offa's Dyke.

Mount, — Fortified inclosure, with mound, above Mar-
ford, over the river Alyn, one mile and a half north-north-
east from Gresford.

Pen-y- Gaer, — Fortified post on limestone ridge, half a
mile north-west from Trevor Chapel, near Llangollen.

Castell Dinas Bran, — ^Above Llangollen, north-north-
east, site of ancient post, bearing a mediaeval castle.

Craiff y Gadd, — ^Fortified post on mountain, one mile
and a half south-west above Llangollen.

11. — Tumuli or Carneddau, and Beddau.

Tumuli, or Long Mounds^ — ^Two on Bryn Eurian, half
a mile south from Llandrillo yn Rhos.

264 £ARLT BRITTSH REMAINS IN WALB9.

TwmuluBj — In the grounds of Plas Heaton, one mile
north-east from Henllan, described in the Archmologia
Cambrensis.

Bedd Gawr, — ^Two miles and a half north from Henllan.

Bedd Robin Hood, — ^Tumulus on the road to Nantglyn,
two miles and a quarter east-south -east from Llansannan.

Carnedd Oronwy^ — ^On the hill, one mile and a half
south-south-west from Gwytherin.

Tumulu$y — On the mountain road, three miles south-
south-west from Llansannan.

Tumuliy — Two on the hills, three miles south from
Llansannan.

Rhyd y Bedd, — Name of a spot on the mountain road to
Llyn Aled, four miles south-south-west from Llansannan.

Beddy — On the moor, quarter of a mile west from
Hafodty Sion Llwyd, three miles and a half south-west
from Nantglyn.

Beddy — A cistfaen uncovered, with small circle of stones
surrounding it, in valley one mile south from Hafodty
Sion Llwyd, and four miles and a half south-west from
Nantglyn.

Bedd Emlyn, — On the moors, two miles west-south-
west from Clocaenog, described in the ArcluBohgia
Camhrensisy and visited by the Cambrian Archaeological
Association in 1854.

Cam Brysy — On the summit of Copa-Ceiliawg, three
miles east-by-south from Yspytty Evan.

Tumulus J — ^Three quarters of a mile north-by -west
from Pentrevoelas.

Pen-yr-Orsedd, — Two miles and a half north-west
from Pentrevoelas.

Tre-beddau, — Name of a farm, one mile and a quarter
west from Pentrevoelas.

Pen-yr-Onedd, — Name of hill, three miles north-
north-east from Pentrevoelas.

Pen hwlch gamedd, — Name of hill, four miles north-
east from Pentrevoelas.

Moel Giw, — Tumulus, perhaps a beacon station, on
summit of mountain, two miles and a half east-by -south
from Llanrhydd.

EARLY BRITIBH REMAINS IN WALBS. 265

Moel'Si/ch, — Beacon station on the Berwyn range, at
the point where the three counties of Denbigh, Merioneth,
and Montgomery meet.

Tumulus^ — On the side of the hill, half a mile from
Pistyll Rhaiadr.

Cerrig beddau^ — Name of stones, one mile and a half
west from Pistyll Rhaiadr.

Beacon Station^ — On summit of Cadair Ferwyn.

Gamedd'Weny—TnmnlvLSf or beacon station, two miles
south-west from Llanarraon DyflFryn Ceiriog.

Carnedd'j/'fartoynj — One mile and a half north-north-
west from Llanarmon Mynydd Mawr.

Pen-t/^domenj — Tumulus, one mile and a half east-
south-east from Llanrhaiadr yn Mochnant.

Tamen, — ^A mound on the souAi bank of the Tanat,
two miles and a quarter south-east from Llanrhaiadr yn
Mochnant, guarding the ford at Glan Tanat, on the Saxon
side of the river.

Tumuli, — Two on Gwastad Mawr, three miles and a
half north-east from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Cameddj — On Gwastad Mawr, three miles and a half
east-north-east from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Camau, — Two, on the hills two miles north-north-east
from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Moundt— At Pont Sycharth, two miles south from
Llansilin.

Bryn y gwaliauy — Mound, one mile east from
Llangedwyn, on the Welsh side of the Tanat, guarding a
ford.

TumuluSj — On the Welsh side of Offa's Dyke, one mile
and a half west from Selattyn*

Tomen y Meirw, — ^Tumulus on the hill irfde below the
ridge of the Berwyn, two miles and a half west from
Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog, probably marking the site
of a battle.

Mounts — Said to be the site of the fortified reudence
of Owen Glyndwr, on the south bank of the Dee, one mile
east by south from Llansantffraid Glyndyfrdwy.

If this traditional appellation is correct, then the mount

ARCH. CAXB.| THIRD 8BRIBB, YOL. I. 2 M

266 EARLY BRITISH RBMAIN8 IN WALES.

would possibly be of mediseval construction, unless an
earlier mount had been chosen by Owen Glyndwr for the
site of his stronghold. It probably guards an old ford
over the Dee.

Moundy — On the south bank of the Dee, two miles
east-by -south from Llansantffraid Gly ndyfrd wy ; probably
guarding an old ford over the river.

Cam^ — On a hill one mile south from Llanelidan.

Cam, — On a hill two miles and a quarter east from
Llanelidan.

Tamen y Rhodwy, — One mile and a half west-south-
west from Liandegla. Described in the ArcfuBologia
Cambrensisy and visited by the Cambrian Archaeological
Association in 1854.

Tamen y /arrir€,-^Mound at the junction of the
streams at Llanarmon-yn-Ial.

CamaUy — ^Two cams on the hill one mile and a half
south-west from Minera.

CamaUy — ^Two cams on the hill two miles and a half
south-south-west from Minera.

Mounty — On the south edge of the ravine a quarter of
a mile north of Erthig House, one mile and a half south-
by-west from Wrexham.

Tumulusy or Mounds — One mile and a half south from
Ruabon, over the Dee, on the east side, perhaps guarding
an old ford.

Mound, — Site of tower at Nant y Belan, in Wynnstay
Park, over the Dee, on the north side.

CamaUy — ^Two cams on a mountain two miles south-
west from Llangollen.

Cam, — On Berwyn range, four miles west-south-west
from Llangollen.

III. — Erect Stones and Meini Hirion.

Large Stones, — On the moor, in a small valley, one
mile south from Hafodty Sion Llwyd, five miles south-
south-west from Nantglyn. Two stones, one lying
against the other.

Omrig-y-Druidian, — ^The name of this town suggests

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 267

the idea of some early erect stones, or other similar
remains, having formerly existed here.

Stane^ — ^At Bwlch y Maen, two miles and a half west-
by-south from Cerrig y Druidion. (Doubtful.) Another
spot, one mile to the west, bears the name of Bwlch y maen
melin.

Stone^ — In a field on the north side of the road, near
to Llanferres.

Stone^ — ^At the comer of the market-place, in Ruthin,
to which some historical traditions are attached. It now
forms part of the foundation of a house adjoining the
new market-hall, at the crest of the hill.

JSrect Stone, — By the river side, in Nant Rhyd Wilym,
four miles north-west from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

direct Stone^ — ^At Maes Mochnant, one mile and a
half south-east from Llanrhaiadr yn Mochnant.

Erect Stone, — On Moel Lloran, one mile and a half
east-by -north from Llanarmon Mynydd Mawr.

Erect Stone, — One mile north-east-by-north from
Bryn Eglwys.

CerrigMwydj — One mile east-by-south from Llanfair
Capel.

Bwlch y llech, — Pass between Llanarmon and Llanfair
Dyffryn Clwyd, indicating an ancient erect stone (?)

IV. — Cromlechau.

Cromlech, — In a hedge-row bordering a small wood,
on the east bank of the Conwy, one mile and a quarter
south-west from Llansantffraid-glan-conwy.

Cromlech, — Near Pentrevoelas.

Cromlech, — ^At Cerrig Llwydion, one mile south-by-
east from Llandymog. Stones thrown down, and lying
at the entrance of a private road to the farm-house, viz.,
two in the hedge, and one in the field.

V. — Early Buildings and Cyttiau.

Llys Eurian, — Site of early building, now occupied
by a mediaeval one, at the foot of Bryn Eurian, a quarter
of a mile south-south-east from Uandrillo yn Rhos.

268 BARLT BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

Yr Ogofr*-K great cave; early place of refuge, above
the traditional site of a battle-field , in the seaward face
of a cliff, three quarters of a mile east from Llandulas.

Indosure^' — Galled Hen Dinbych, or Hen Eglwys,. on
the moors^ in a small valley half a mile east from Hafodty
Sion Llwyd, four miles south-west from Nantglyn.

Marly InclomreSf — Numerous traces of cyttiau, and
early inclosures, on the moors, stretching west*north-west
between Clocaenog and the road from Nantfflyn to Cerrig
y Druidion; visited by the Cambrian Archaeological
Association in 1854.

Marly Inclosure^ — ^Uys y fenlli, an indosure so called,
on the ascent to Moel Fenlli, two miles and a half north-
east from Ruthin.

Llys*y^Fr€nhine$i — ^Inclosure on the summit of a hill
one mile and a half north-north-west from Clocaenog ;
visited by the Cambrian Archseological Association in
1854.

VI. — Circles.

CErcfey'-'-Of small size, on the moor, in a valley one
mile south from Hafodty Sion Uwyd, five miles south->
south-west from Nantglyn.

Circles^ — Numerous small circles, of which about six
are well defined, on the moors between Clocaenog and
the road from Nantglyn to Cerrig y Druidion, stretching
west-north-west; visited by the Cambrian Archsological

in 1854.

Vn. — Early Roads, Trackways, Sarnau.

ATMent Ford and Road^ — ^At Tal y cafn, one mile
and a half north-west from Eglwys facn. This was, no
doubt, used by the Romans for the line of road from
Deva to Segontivm ; but there is every reason to suppose
that it was an ancient British ford, being one of the very
few over the Conwy, below Llanrwst.

Ancient Moadsy or TraekwaySj — Probable line over
the hills west of Gwytherin, running nearly north and

EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES. 269

south; and also east of Gwytherin, from Llansannan
towards Uyn Aled.

Ancient Moadj — ^At Hen Dinbycb, on the moor, four
miles and a half south-south-west from Nantglyn.

Ancient Moody — Leading from Yspytty Evan south by
Nant y fuddai, to the valley of the Gelyn, on the north-
east side of the Arenig-bach mountain.

Ancient Road^ — Leading from Pentrevoelas towards
Nantglyn, by Pen-bwlch-gamedd and Cerrig Caws, over
the hign moors.

Ancient Road^ — Leading from Mold to Ruthin, by
Bwlch penbarrasy possibly used by the Romans, on the
north side of Moel Fenlli.

Ancient Roady — On the south side of Moel Fenlli, by
Bwlch Agricola (a pass so named ; — erroneously, as is
supposed).

Ancient Roads, — ^There is every reason to believe that
two ancient roads ran, one on the east, the other on the
west, side of the Vale of Clwyd, below the high grounds,
from the upper part of the vale towards the sea, nearly
coincident with the actual lines of road passing througn
the villages and towns.

Ancient Road, — Leading north-west over the ridge of
the Berwyn Mountains, close by the summit, called Cadair
Fronwen.

Ancient Road, — Leading west over the Berwyn, by
Pen y bwlch Llandrillo.

Ancient Road, — Passing from Oswestry, west-north-
west, through Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, to the ridge
of the Berwyn Mountains.

Ancient Road, — Probably leading from Chester to
Bala, by the line of Llandegla and Bryn Eglwys, towards
the valley of the Dee.

Vin. — Intrenchments..

Offals Dyke, — Stretching nearly north and south from
the boundary of Flintshire, one mile north-by-west from
Brymbo, to. the boundary of Salop, at Gorseddwen, one
mile south-west from Selattjrn.

270 EARLY BRITISH REMAINS IN WALES.

WaVs Dyke, — Stretching nearly north and south from
the ravine of the river Alyn, at Gwastad, two miles west-
by-north from Gresford, to the junction of the Dee and
the Ceiriog, two miles north-east from Chirk.

Summary for Denbighshire : —

1. Camps and Castles, 29

2. Tumuli or Carneddau, and Beddau, .... 53

3. Erect Stones and Meini Hirion, 12

4. Cromlechau, 3

5. Earlv Buildings and Cyttiau, 6

6. Circles, 7

7. Early Roads, Trackways, Samau, 14

8. Intrenchments, 2

It should be observed that the moorlands of Denbigh-
shire, along the ridge of the Berwyn, and between Cerrig
y Druidion and Denbigh, have not yet been sufficiently
explored, with a view to ascertaining the archaeological
remains which they may contain. They comprise a large
portion of the county, and there is reason to suspect that
many interesting discoveries are yet to be made amongst
them. The number of early buildings, circles, and roads
given above, must be considered as only an approximation
to the truth, at least for the time being.

H. L. J«

271

ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHERN PEMBROKESHIRE.

The following, by the late Dr. Owen Pughe, I found
in looking over some of his loose papers, and as I do not
think it has ever been published, perhaps it may prove
interesting to the readers of the Arehcsologia Cambrensis.
— W. 0.

The following are some notices of things that claimed my
attention in my walks about Abergwaen, or the efflux of the
river Gwaen, called Fishguard bv the English. And that the
topographical description may be better understood, I assign one
walk to the parish of Fishguard, another to the parish of
Llanllawyr, and the third to the parish of Llanwyndar.

FISHGUARD.

This town is divided by the river Gwaen^ into the upper and
lower town; and the river also is the boundary between the
hundreds of Cemaes and Pebydiog. It obtained its English
appellation on account of the fishery established here, and which
has been of considerable importance during several centuries ;
and it had the franchise of a borough granted it by King John.
The parish Church, dedicated to St. Mary, which is a very mean
edifice for a borough, is situated in the upper town ; as are also
three meeting-houses belonging to so many sects. Placed in an
out-of-the-way comer, not much visited by travellers, the people
are inoffensive, courteous, and honest. On going with a friend
to see a widow lady, the key of the house was observed in the
door on the outside. " Oh," says he, " they are all out." " What,
and the key left thus.?" "Yes, this is the signal here of nobody
being at home," was his reply. I thought to myself that such a
signal would prove an untoward one, particularly in London, and
probably in most other towns. There are, however, symptoms
of civilization among them ; that of illicit loves I was given to
understand was not uncommon; and there are living proofs of
the singular taste of a late neighbouring squire, who sought out
the ugliest women in the town as objects of his partiality.

On the south side of the upper town, extensive founcfations of
old walls have been discovered, which still bear the name of the
Caerau, or the fortifications, and a little westward from thence we
come to a place called Henddinas, or the old fortress. Sepulchral

^ Probably Gwehyn, the out-poorer.

272 ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHERN PEMBROKESHIRE.

uroSy with other remains, have been found in tumuli, about this
spot ; and Roman coins have also been frequently found in turning
up the earth.

At the distance of about a furlong from the west end of the
upper town, called by the mongrel name of Pen y hicne^ or the
beacon summit, and about a furlong down the northern slope,
there is a plain overlooking the port, bearing the name of the
Windy Hal, where are apparently the vestiges of an extensive
circle of the Druids, being Meini Ilerion, or long stones, standing
upright, in four several fields.

Above Glyn amel, on the north, is a commanding plot, whereon
are two upnght stones, seemingly the remains of a Druid circle,
on the lands of Cil savd.

The harbour of Fishguard affords a complete shelter against
storms for shipping, excepting when the wind blows between the
north-west and the north-east ; and a pier running from the Cow
point, opposite the harbour of Anglas point, would avert all
danger also from that quarter, and form one of the finest havens
in Britain.

LLAMLLAWYR.

This parish is on the eastern side of the river Gvraen, and in
the hundred of Cemaes. Proceeding along the river to the
southern extremity of the parish, we come to a mountain called
after it, M ynydd Llanllawyr, whereon are three rocks, appearing
like paps at a distance, and one of which is considerably larger
than the others, being about forty feet in height, beanng the
appellation of Cam Enoch. Most of the high grounds of Pem-
brokeshire are crowned with these protuberances or eruptions,
appearing not unlike boils on the human body, a peculiarity of
character I have nowhere else observed. Descending on the west
side of the mountain, for about half a mile, we come to an elevated
plain, where there is a farm house, called Llwyn Vawr, or the
large grove, but where no wood is to be now found, other than
two or three stunted thorn bushes. From hence we have an
extensive view over nearly the whole county, with its northern
and western coasts and islands, to St. David's Head and St. Bride's
Bay ; and which is such a situation as we generally find to have
been selected by the Britons for their religious and political
conventions, being secluded, and at the same time commanding a
prospect of the country. About two hundred yards up towards
the south, there is a cromlech, supported by one stone, and with
its east end resting on the ground, close to which there is another
stone apparently displaced from under it, and probably it had
other supporters^ wmch have disappeared. Close to the house

ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHERN PEMBROKESHIRE.

'ihuta found at Llaniryndar, Pembrokeshire.

ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHERN PEMBROKESHIRE. 273

there are the remains of another dilapidated cromlech. About
two hundred yards down to the west^ we come to a gentle eminence,
apparently the area of a conventional, or Druid circle, of which
only four stones remain, standing upright, and about nine feet
high, being long four-sided pillars, at regular distances, except
one, over which the road bank is made ; and these stones have
so little of a curve in their positions, that the circle must have
been perhaps four or five feet ('sicj in diameter. There are a
great many large masses of stone imbedded in the raised sides
of the road, which probably once formed this magnificent circle.

LLANWTNDAB.

The western side of the bay of Goodwick, into which the port
of Fishguard opens, is formed by a high ridge, terminating m a
north-east direction, at two islets of rocks, called the Cow and
Calf, and forming the southern limit of this parish, the whole of
which is generally bounded by a continuity of high ground,
running westward to the Carn Vawr, so as to form a plain,
secluded from the rest of the adjoining country, and terminating
upon a bold and rocky shore. The church is dedicated to St.
Gwyndav, and is about three furlongs from the sea, and surrounded
by seven or eight houses of neat appearance. But all the build-
ings about this country produce too glaring an effect upon the
eye, from having their roofs, as well as their walls, overlaid with
lime wash. On the shore, below the church, are shown some
footsteps, imprinted in the rock, which the traditions of the place
say were made by Gwyndav, in escaping from some pirates who
landed there. The saint is said to have been of a very diminutive
size, and the footsteps accordingly correspond. He was also an
irascible Uttle fellow ; for, in riding through the river at Good-
wick, his horse threw him, on being frightened at a salmon that
leaped out of the water, which made the angry saint exclaim
that no salmon should ever come up the river again, and so none
have made their appearance there.

This district abounds more with monuments of primitive times,
probably, than any other spot of equal dimension in the whole of
Wales. Of fortified posts, there are the remains of a fort above
Goodwick, called Caer gawyl, the lar^e triply-intrenched camp
upon the Gam Vawr; there is the tumulus, surrounded by a dyke,
at Trev Asser, under the south base of the Gam Vawr, with
several smaller heaps, either of stones or of earth, in the adjacent
fields. In one of the Caraeddi, or stone heaps, was lately found,
amone sepulchral remains, a brazen instrument, unique in its kind,
none like it having hitherto, to my knowledge, been found else-

ARCH. OAXB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 N

274 anhquities of northern Pembrokeshire.

where, and which is eight inches long, and of the form represented
in the accompanying illustration.

Of those sepulchral monuments, known under the name of
cromlech, on a mountain in the north-east extremity of the
parish there are three perfect ones, and two others have been
demolished for common purposes. Amongst these lies a rocking-
stone, to overthrow which four or five travellers, of Gothic taste,
lately employed some workmen. Down a little to the south of
these are seen several demolished structures ; and, among others,
the vestiges of a conventional circle, wherein there is a cistvaen
remaining unexplored. Standing in this mystic spot, we have a
beautiful view or the bay, and the harbour and town of Fishguard,
with Preselau hilb in the distance.

There is a large cromlech in the adjoining parish, near Trev
Vin, on the coast, westward. There is also one in the parish of
Nevem, called Llech y Drybed; and another, the most magnificent
of the whole, at Pentrev Evan, on the north-west side of the
Preselau. All the monuments here enumerated are in the cantrevs
of Cemaes and Tir Dewi, or Dewi's land, otherwise called Peby-
diog, that is, the Popedom. St. David's, or Menevia, was the
metropolitan see of Wales; and two pilgrimages to it were equal
to one pilgrimage to Rome.

These numerous structures, devoted to Druidic mysteries, may
resolve the reason why Dyved, or Dimetia, had the appellation
in the *' M abinogion,'' and the works of the bards, of Owlad yr hud,
or the land of illusion. And here I shall conclude with expressing
my surprise at the fanciful hypothesis formed by Rowlamls, that
the Isle of Mona was the principal seat of the Druids, merely
from their having retired there to avoid the pursuit of the Romans;
a place where Druidic remains are perhaps more scanty than
most other districts of Wales ; and unquestionably more so than
either Cemaes or Pebydiog, which are but districts of a small
extent, compared with Mona. But Rowlands had never traveled
out of the island, except to Oxford, so that he had no opportuni-
ties of examining for himself as to these matters. If he had
seen Abury and Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, or Stanton Drew, in
Somersetshire, or the works I have briefly noticed as existing in
Dyved, he would never have penned his Mona Antiqua Restoraia.

Idrison.
Medi, 17, 1829.

276

€utnpuhuh

WREKIN— MAE8YFED— HUYSGWN.

To the Editor of the ArcfuBologia Canibrensis.

Sir, — Permit me to reply to the Queries respecting the three words
above given.

Wrekin. — ^Is not the Wrekin hill so named from its proximity to
the Roman station of Uriconium 7 There is a '' high placed city of
Wrecon *' named by Lly warch Hen ; and his translator {EUffieSj p.
95) identifies this with Uriconium (Wrozeter), which he supposed to
be the Caer Owirigion of Nennius, and the Caer Wrygion of Usher
and Dr. Thomas Williams.

Maestfed. — On this point I have no doubt. The Welsh name of
Radnorshire, properly Maeshyvaiddf is derived from that of Myvaidd,
a British chieftain, who held this district towards the close of the
sixth century. (See further Archaohgia Cambrensi^s, Second Series,
ii. 256-8.

HuYsawN. — This has nothing to do with Hisychion or Hu Oadam.
It is not a proper name at all, but a compound epithet, of a class quite
common in thepoems of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. It is
formed from Mu and Ysgwn, just as Su-ysgain^ Hthysgein, Jlth
ysgwr, and Hu-ysgrothVy are formed from Ysgain, xsgmrj and
Ysgwthr ; and its exact significance is shown in the following extract
from Pughe's Dictionary : —

Hu-ysgain — apt to spread out.

Hu-ysgwn — apt to ascend.

Hu-ysgwr — apt to be energetic.

Hu-ysgwthr — apt to tear forcibly.

The word ysgnm, in its simple form, occurs in nearly every page of
the poems of Cynddelw and his contemporaries ; and I have no doubt,
notwithstanding the authorities to the contrary, that Huysgwn is a
compound formed from this root with the prefix I£u, ** Boldly as-
cending" would perhaps be a better rendering than ^* apt to ascend.''

I remain, &c.,

T. Stephens.

Merthyr, July 12, 1856.

EARLY INSCRIBED STONES IN MERIONETHSHIRE.

To the Editor of the Archmologia Canibrensis.

Sir, — I have been recently informed by a local observer that at
Bryn Eglwys, between Towyn and Tal-y-llyn, in Merionethshire, a
large numb^ of inscribed stones have been found, — not at one period

276 CORRESPONDENCE.

only, bat often. Some of them, my informant states^ bear the marks
of an early alphabet, which he calls ** cuneiform." Whether these
stones come from some ancient burial place, as may be conjectured
from the name of the spot, or whatever may have been their origin,
the subject deserves the attention of members of the Association re-
siding in that county. — I remain, &c., L.
Sept. 1, 1855.

PLACE OF BISHOP FARRAR'8 MARTYRDOM,

CAERMARTHEN.

To the Editor of the Arclueologia Cambretms.

Sir, — During the late meeting at Llandeilo, I was informed that,
on the spot where the monument of General Nott stands, a square
stone with a hole in it, as if for the purpose of holding a stake, was
found. As the place appears to have been not unadapted for a public
exhibition, and was probably still more so three centuries ago, it is not
improbable but that this stone might have held the stake at which
Bishop Farrar suffered. Would any of our local antiquaries inform
US if the site of that prelate's martyrdom is accurately known, or
whether any care has been taken of this stone, that has been thus laid
bare in some accidental excavation ?

The good people of Caermarthen have, with great spirit, erected
memorials to two gallant soldiers, one connected with their own town,
the other with a neighbouring county.

Should not one, who prov^ himself at the stake a good and true
soldier of Christ, be honoured also with some memorial ? If some of
the most distinguished gentry of the town and district would commence
the attempt, they would not be left to bear the sole expense of erecting
(if possible, on the scene of his death) a suitable memorial to the
martyr who suffered in Caermarthen. — ^I remain, &c.,

Sept. 10, 1855. M. N.

LORDS MARCHERS OF WALES.
To the Editor of the Archaologia Cambrensis,

Sir, — In answer to Query 20 by "An Antiquary" in your last
Number, I be^ to enclose the titles of some authorities on the Lords
Marchers of Wales. A full and accurate account of them and their
jurisdiction is an historical desideratum, which I hope is now about
to be supplied.

History of Wales, Cornwall, and Chester, by Sir John Dodridge,
Knight (Serjeant to Henry Prince of Wales, 1603 ; Justice of K.B.,
1613; died 1628). 4to, 1630; 8vo, 1714.

A Treatise on the Government of Wales, printed among Documents

CORRESPONDBNCE. 277

connected with the Histoiy of Ludlow. By R. H. C. (Hon. R. H.
Clive). London, 1841 ; from Lansd. MS., 216. (There are copies
of this Treatise among Harl. MSS., 141 and 1220.) The List of
Lords Presidents of the Marches of Wales, printed in the same volume,
is erroneously entitled ^* List of Lords Marchers."

Discourse against the Jurisdiction of the Swing's Bench orer Wales,
by process of Latitat. Printed among Hargrave's Law Tracts. 4to,
1787; and also 8vo. (Written by Charles Pratt, afterwards Lord
Chancellor Camden; 2. Harg. Jurisc. Excer. SOI.) Consult the
case on which the lYact is founded, and the ancient authorities and
Acts of Parliament quoted therein.

Lord Herbert's Life of Henry VIII.

Illustrations of the subject may be found in the Rolls of Parliament
(which work has a good index), and in the various publications of the
Record Commission ; and also in such documents relating to the Lord*
ships, Manors, and Lands, included in the Act 27th Henry VIII., as
are of earlier date than that Act.

With reference to these last-named authorities, I beg to subjoin a
Query.

Previous to that Act, every Lordship Marcher had its own chancery
and exchequer, its own courts, and, it is presumed, its own collection
of legal records and documents. The Act extinguished the indepen-
dent jurisdictions, and thenceforth writs issued and revenue was col*
lected in the king's name. What then became of the ancient records ?
Did the Lords Marchers retain them, or were they placed among the
public archives of the kingdom ? What was the case in those Lord-
ships Marchers which were then in the king's own hands ? I have
searched the Handbook to Public Records for some trace of such
documents, but in vain, unless they are among the still unsorted Welsh
Records. — I remain, &c.,

H. 8. M.

London, July 26, 1855.

[This is a very important Query, and will, we hope, excite the
attention it deserves. — £d. Arch. Cams.]

To the Editor of the ArchnBologia Cambrensis,

Sir, — In answer to Query 20, — " What are the exact titles of the
best historical accounts of the Lords Marchers of Wales ? In what
books are accounts of them and their jurisdiction to be found?" I
wish to send you the following notes of books bearing on the subject : —

British Remains; or, a Collection of Antiquities relating to the
Britons : comprehending A Concise History of the Lords Marchers ;
their origin, power, and conquests in Wales, &c. By the Rev. N.
Owen, Jun., A.M. 8vo. London, 1777.

An Historical Account of the Statuta Wallise ; or, the Statutes of

278 CORRESPONDENCE.

Rhuddlan, which annexed Wales to England. B^ the Rev. Thomas
Pricey in vol. i. of his Literary Remaifu. 8vo. Llandoyery, 1854.

A Treatise on the Goyernment of Wales. (From a manuscript in
the Lansdowne Collection in the British Museumy No. 216.) In
Documents connected with the History of Ludlow and the Lords
Marchers. By the late Hon. R. H. Clire. London, 1841.

In the same volume is a memoir, entitled '' Lords Marchers of
Wales," but it is a list of those who executed the office of Lord President
of the Marches of Wales, commencing with Smyth, Bishop of Lincoln,
temp. Henry VII., and concluding with Charles Gerard, £arl of
Macclesfield ; also, Instructions (16 £liz., 1574) for the Lord Presi-
dent and Council.

The Jurisdiction of the Marches. By Lord Bacon. This relates
to the Presidents and the Council, which, he observes, ''was not
erected by the Act of Parliament (34 Henry VIII.), but confirmed,
for there was a President & Council long before, in £. IV. his time,''
&c.

Churton's laves of William Smyth, Bishop of Lincoln, and Sir
Richard Sutton, Knight, Founders of Brasen Nose College, contains
an account of the Presidency of Wales.

By the statute (34 Henry VIII.) the jurisdiction of the Lords
Marchers was extinguished, as touching the regality thereof, and their
baronies reduced into counties, either before established, or then newly
erected.

Owen's British Remains.

See also Parry's Royal Visits and Progresses to Wales, and the
Border Counties. 4to. London, 1851, pp. 304-307.

I remain, &c.,

T. J., BiBLIOTHECAR. ChBTHAM.

Manchester, August 1, 1855.

LLANDANWG CHURCH, HARLECH.

To the Editor of the ArcluBologia CambrenHs,

Sir, — On occasion of a recent visit to the neighbourhood of Harlech,
I was astonished and grieved to find another instance in the diocese of
Bangor of a parochial church allowed to go to utter decay. The
church of Llandanwg is now entirely abandoned, a considerable portion
of it is unroofed, and in a few years it will become a mere ruin.

Surely there is some fatality, as well as fatuity, haunting this
diocese. Llandudno; Aberdaron; Llanidan; and now Llandanwg
is added to the list! Can it be possible that the bishop and other
ecclesiastical authorities know of these things? Even if tne episcopal
head of the diocese be supposed elevated above the immediate ooe-
nizance of such bad deeds, where is the Archdeacon of Merioneth,

CORRESPONDENCE. 279

that he does not exercise his ecclesiastical authority? Are the
authorities of this diocese so blind to the spirit of the times as not
to know that the splendid liberality and pious gratitude of a layman
is now making up for the shortcomings of the lord of the manor of
Llandudno, and is restoring the old church there, at his own sole cost,
regardless of expense? or that other laymen are joining together, and
are going to restore the old fabric of Aberdaron, which the clerical
authorities had ignorantly condemned and abandoned ? Are they not
aware of the censure now passed on Uanidan, which, I remember,
was fofetold in your Journal at the very moment when the work of
desecration was going on ? Are they satisfied to let it go forth to the
world, that, in the diocese of Bangor, clergy neglect churches, but
laymen rebuild them ?

This abandoning of the old church of Llandanwg is an act of
positiye sacrilege ; it reflects no credit on the parishioners, the incum-
bent, the archdeacon, or the bishop; it shows either extreme parsimony,
or extreme ignorance, — ^as well as an utter want of veneration for the
ancient Christianity of the country, and its time-hallowed objects and
recollections.

We shall probably be told that some newer and more convenient
ecclesiastical edifice has been erected in another part of the parish; — a
measure precisely parallel to that by which one of the North Welsh
dioceses was to have been suppressed, a few years i^o. But, if such
cases as these are allowed to pass without reprehension, we may, ere
long, find the removal of Bangor Cathedral, — dean, archdeacons,
canons, bishop, and all, swallowed by the country, on the ground of
political or local expediency, — and swallowed readily !

The day of retribution will come for Llandanwg, as it has for
Llandudno, and for Aberdaron ; the good feeling of the country will
be awakened ; regret and shame will assume the places now filled by
apathy and sordid stupidity ; and the blame will be laid on the right
shoulders, it is to be hoped, before it is too late. — I remain, &c..

An Antiquary.

August 20, 1855.

280

artliffinlngital Mnin an^ (Siunin.

Note 7. — In answer to Query 7, 1 believe the exact date of the first
edition of Bishop Morgan's Welsh Bible is a.d. 1588. It is a rather
small folio, and, if complete, fetches j£20 in London.

BiBLIOORAPHUS.

N, 8. — In the parish of Trawsfjnydd, Merionethshire, amon^ the
wild mountains to the south-east, there is a house, called Trvr MaeUf
in which, though it has been inhabited all the time, no defth has
occurred during the last hundred and fifVy years. T. D.

N» 9. — ^The continuation, or rather supplement, to Rowland's Mona
AntiquOy respecting which W. W. in the last Number of the Journal
requested information, was printed in 1775, by Dodsley, of Pall Mall,
in a quarto of 59 pages, together with the Memoirs of Omen Glen-
dowr, by Thomas Ellis, Rector of Dolgelle, from a MS. in Jesus
College liibrary, in 26 pages, with notes by the Editor. T. W.

N, 10. — I heard in Fishguard, not long since, of a tradition men-
tioned there by an Irish p^lar woman, that priests were buried with
head to east and feet to west, so that they might face their congregation
when they rose at the last day. A mediaeval stone in Fishguard
church-yard, over a priest (?) b placed upright, facing west, and so
far corroborates the tradition. M. R.

N. 11. — For an answer to Query 19, see Correspondence in the
present Number.

N. 12. — For answers to Query 20, see Correspondence in the present
Number. ______

Query 26. — At Caernarvon, Holyhead, and Barmouth, there are
portions of the town, adjoining the water, called, in each place,
^'Turkey Shore." Can any correspondent give an account of the
origin and meaning of this name ? Ll. T.

Q, 27. — In Holyhead there is a street called '^Street yr luddewn."
Is there any similar instance elsewhere in Wales ? C. W.

Q, 28. — Why do the more notable saints' days, as retained in the
Calendar of the Church of England, fall either on, or yery near to,
the 24th or 25th day of each month in the year ?

EccLESiOLoaus.

Q. 29. — ^What is the exact and ectentiJicaUy determined length of
the Roman Passus? References to books of authority and experiments
are desired. Britanno-Romanus.

Q. 90. — Can any of our readers inform us whether the Early
British monument called '^ Llech yr Ast," which used to stand near
the Cardigan road to Aberaeron, in the parish of Llai^oedmor, is still
in existence ? H. L. J.

Q. 31.— It is stated, in The Beautiee of England and Walee, that
the old name of Hawarden, in Flintshire, was Fennard. Upon what
anthority is this given ? Information is requested on the subject

281

3fiiBtiUaiiintt8 jUntiiBB.

Trawsfyntdd Church. — The ancient parish church of Traws*
fynydd, Merionethshire, has been recently repaired and restored in a
manner highly honourable to the good sense and good taste of the
parishioners, the rector, the Rey. T. Davis, and the architect, H.
Kennedy, Eaq, Instead of destroying and mutilating the old building,
it has IJeen carefully preserved and repaired ; new windows have re-

E laced the mean ones that disfigured the sacred walls; the interior
as been admirably fitted up with uniform seats, instead of the un-
sightly pews, that destroyed not only all comfort, but also all archi-
tectural effect; and the edifice will now probably stand in good conditon
for more than a century to come, if common care be observed. Mr.
Kennedy has in this case showed another cause whence to claim the
gratitude of the diocese for judicious restorations, — so far preferable
to the most gorseous new erections. He has been unfortunate, how-
ever, in his builder; for his designs have been misunderstood. The
mouldings of the side windows are architecturally incorrect (showing
a square recess setting off from the outer wall, instead of a chamfer,
before the usual chamfering begins), and the stonemason has put up
** longs and shorts^* in each jamb (actually cutting straight solid blockiB
of stone into this detestable Italian form VS with truly Chinese obtuse-
ness. We should strongly recommend that the chisel and mallet be
applied to correct these deformities, for the general effect of the
buildine is remarkably good; and the rude materials of the country
are used up in it very judiciously. The old pews have been applied
to a novel purpose, — that of ceiline the under horizontal surface of a
central gutter between the two aisles; and, though strange, yet the
result is most happy. The cost of the whole has been extremely
moderate. It does Mr. Kennedy great credit.

Churches in Castlbmartin Hundred, Pbmbrokeshire. —
The Earl of Cawdor is having several of the churches in this district
repaired and restored, at his own expense, and in the best possible
style. The square sash-windows, the pews, the whitewash, and other
abominations of the last sixty years, are being removed, and the
venerable buildings are assuming an appearance more in accordance
with architectural beauty and archaeological truth. Cheriton and St.
Petrox are finished ; Warren is in progress; preparations are making
with others. We hope this example will be imitated in other parts of
Pembrokeshire.

Llandtbib Church, Caermarthenshire. — ^This church, which
had been greatly disfigured during the last century, has been lately
repaired and restored at the expense of Mr. Du Buisson ; windows of
ffood architectural character have replaced the pagan monstrosities of
former times; the whole has been fitted up with proper seats; and the
church now presents a correct and Christian-like appearance.

ARCH. OAMB.y THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 20

282 MISCELLANEOUS VOTTCES.

Old Church, Llandudno — The restoration of the old church of
Llandudno is in progress, at the sole cost of W. H. Reece, Esq., of
Birmingham ; eyerything is going on satisfactorily there, and the
works are nearly terminated under the superintendence of F. W.
Fiddian, Esq., architect, Birmingham. We propose that the suh-
scriptions, raised before this munificent benefactor came forward, shall
be applied in some suitable manner to the decorating and furnishing
of the sacred edifice.

Ruthin Collegiate Church. — On the 26th of July last a
vestry meeting, which was numerously attended by the inhabitants,
was convened at Ruthin, for the purpose of taking into consideration
the propriety of a complete restoration of the collegiate church; and it
was unanimously resolved that an immediate effort should be made to
carry out so desirable an object. A subscription list has been opened
for this purpose.

Abbbt Cwm Hir. — We understand that this ancient edifice, with
the surrounding land, has been purchased by Sir Joseph Bailey, who
was our Presicknt at Brecon. We hope that effective measures will
be adopted to prevent any further injury being done to the few
portions of the edifice now remaining.

Ceilwart Stone, Barmouth. — This stone, which has an early
inscription, not yet read, but apparently commemorating the name of
Calixtus, had become buried in the sand, and the exact locality of its
hiding place was known to few. Under the direction of a member of
the Cambrian Archeeological Association, it has lately been rescued
from oblivion, as well as probable destruction, — ^for it lay on the sea-
shore, liable to be washed over at spring tides, — and it is to be
removed to the church-yard of Llanaber. It will be engraved and
described in a future number of our Journal.

Ancient Tumulus. — " A short time ago, as Mr. William Fothe-
ringhame was levelling a tumulus on his farm, at Newbigging, above
Corse, in Orkney, he came on a grave, containing two skeletons, which,
on being opened, was found to contain a stone chest, or coffin, con-
structed of four large fiags, and was lying in a direction east and west.
The skeletons were in a remarkable state of preservation. The cover
of the coffin was a large flag, on the top of which, when the first (sic)
tumulus was opened, were found two smaller chests, about the same
. length, divided in the middle by a fiag-partition, but having nothing in
the interior." — We observed this paragraph in a newspaper three
months aso, and have thought it worthy of our readers' notice
for the following reasons : — 1. The circumstance of the two cintfeini
placed above the lower one is uncommon ; and if any similar inter-
ments are found in Wales, they should be carefully noticed and
delineated. 2. The destruction of the tumulus is unfortunately any-
thing but uncommon ; nevertheless we should be glad to learn the name
of the proprietor of the land, in order that we mieht ascertain whether
he has taken steps for preventing similar acts of barbarism in future.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 283

AU instances of the wanton destruction of tamuli, or any other ancient
monuments, should be carefully noted, and recorded for public repro-
bation.

The Annual Meeting of the Archaeological Institute took place at
Shrewsbury on the 6th ultimo, and lasted a week. Among its most
active patrons and promoters were, — The Viscount Hill, Lord-Lieu-
tenant of Shropshire ; The Viscount Dungannon ; W. W. E. Wynne,
Esq., M.P., F.'S. A. ; Sir Stephen R. Glynne, Bart., F.S.A., Lord-
Lieutenant of Flintshire, who are four members of our own body.
Lord Talbot de Malahide was the President. The order of proceed-
ings was as follows: — Monday ^ 6th August, — Inaugural Evening
Meeting. Tuesday, Ithy — Meetings of Sections. Museum of the
Institute at the Free School. Examination of the Churches, remains
of the Abbey Buildings, the Castle, Ancient Houses, the Museum of
the Shrewsbury Natural History and Antiquarian Society, and other
objects of interest in or adjacent to Shrewsbury. Viscount Hill
invited the Membei*s of the Institute to visit Hawkstone in the after-
noon, and partake of luncheon there. Evening Meeting. Wednesday ,
Sthy — Excuraion to Wroxeter and the remains of the Roman city of
Uriconium, Buildwas Abbey, Wenlock Abbey, &c. Robert Burton,
Esq., invited the Members of the Institute to a collation at Longnor
Hall. Thursday^ ^thy — Meetings of the Sections. Short excursions
in the immediate neighbourhood of Shrewsbury. Public Dinner of
the Institute. Friday , lO^A, — Excursion to Ludlow, Stokesay Castle,
&c. Saturday, 11 ^A, — Meetings of the Sections. Excursion to
Battlefield, Sundorne Castle, and Haughmond Abbey. A collation
was offered to the Institute by Andrew W. Corbet, Esq., of Sundorne
Castle. Monday, IS^A, — Meetings of the Sections. Excursion by
Special Train to Park Hall, Oswestry; Chirk Castle; and Valle
Crucis Abbey. Tuesday, \Ath, — Meetings of the Sections. Annual
Meeting of Members of the Institute for Election of Members, &c.
General concluding Meeting.

British ARCH^OLoaiOAL Assoctation. — At the recent Annual
Meeting of this Society in the Isle of Wight, a series of most interesting
excavations among Saxon tumuli took place. We recommend the
members of our own body, who are engaged in similar pursuits, to
make . a note of their excavations, and to compare results, for there
may be many Saxon interments along the line of the Welsh Marches.

Caerleon Antiquarian Assooiation. — Some extensive excava-
tions have been recently made by this Society at the Roman Station of
Venta (Caerwent), in Monmouthshire, under the superintendence of
Mr. J. Y. Akerman, Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries. We
hope that the account of their operations, which were highly successful,
will be published. The Society held a meeting there on the 15th of
August, and it was well attended.

Ancient and Modbrn Denbigh. — The fourth and fifth Numbers
of this work, by Mr. John Williams, of Denbigh, have been published.

284 MISCBLLANEOUS NOTICES.

They brins down the history of Denbigh to the occupation of the town
and castle Dy Cromweirs forces, and, like the preceding Numbers, are
full of interesting matter, with copious quotations of ancient deeds and
records. This book does great credit to its author and compiler, and
should be on the shelves of all antiquaries in North Wales. It is a
pity, however, that the illustrations do not correspond in merit with
the letterpress, and also that the compiler does not quote his authorities
more fully and exactly, — we mean as to volumes, i)age8, &c. We
wish that other books of the same kind were compiled for all our
ancient Welsh towns, — especially Caernarvon, Caermarthen, and
Haverfordwest.

We are glad to find that Mr. J. Y. Akerman has completed his
yaluable work on the Remains of Pagan Saxondom, taken principally
from Anglo-Saxon Tumuli and Cemeteries in England. It contains
forty coloured engravings, in most cases of the actual sizes of the
originals, and is publisheii by Mr. Russell Smith, London.

TheWord'Book of English Dialects, now preparing for publication,
promises to be very acceptable to the Antiquary. This volume, the
result of many years' attention and practical study of the subject, will
contain every provincial word in use in the various districts of England
at the present day. It is published by Mr. Russell Smith, London.

Annals and Legends of Calais. By R. B. Calton. 1 vol.
12mo. J. Russell Smith. — This is a valuable account of one of the
most historic places on the continent. It gives us a detailed narrative
of the mediaeval history of the place; and is remarkably full of
particulars concerning the siege of it by Edward III., the Field of
the Cloth of Gold, &c. At the end is a curious piece of almost
cotemporary biography, being " Memoirs of the more celebrated British
Emigr^ to Calais,'' — Beau Bruromell, Lady Hamilton (who is
buri^ there in a timber yard I), Edith Jacquemont, &c., &c.

Warton Club. — ^Two more of the publications of this society are
now before us, — Early English Miscellanies in Prose and Verse^
edited by Mr. Halliweil, and Latin Themes of Mary Stuart, Queen
of Scots, by M. A. de Montaiglon, — both of them highly interesting,
and very satisfactory to the members.

285

txtmms.

Th£ Ui£ter Journal of Arch^solooy. Noa. 11., III. Belfast:
Archer & Sons. London : J. Russell Smith.

The second Number of this Journal opens with the '^Metropolitan
Visitation of the Diocese of Derry," in a.d. 1397, by Archbishop
Col ton, translated from the original; and, among other papers in the
same Number, we find the second part of the '' Description of the
Island of Tory," treating of its pagan period. From this we make an
extract, containing the following wild story, which shows how many
elements for a poetic imagination to elaborate may be found along the
rocky coasts of the sister isle: —

•«

Dr. O'DonoTan gives the carious legend of Balar, founded on the historical fact
of his having fallen by the hand of his gfandson ; h is contained in a note to his
translation of the Four Masters, and Is here abbreviated and slightly altered in
language. It was taken down on Tory in the year 1895, from the dictation of Shane
O'Dugan, the representative of one of the most ancient island families.

'' * This story/ says the learned historian, ' is evidently founded on facts ; but
from its having floated on the tide of tradition, for, perhaps, three thousand years,
names have been confounded, and facts much distorted.' The resemblance to the
Homeric fable of the Cyclops, and the similarity to several incidents found in
Eastern tales, is not alluded to by Dr. O'Donovan, though very obvious.

'' Three brothers reidded on the main-land opposite Tory : — one a proprietor :
another a smith, who had his forge at Drumnatinne. The former possessed a
wonderful cow, called Glas Oaibhnadn, which he was in the habit of leading about
with him during the day and carefully shutting up at night. Balar coveted the cow
and determined to obtain it— by foul means of course. Once in his possession it
was not likely to be recovered by the owner ; for the pirate is described as having
the advantage of one eye, Cyclopean fashion, in his forehead, and a second in the
hinder part of his skull. * This latter eye, by its foul, distorted glances, and its
beams and dyes of venom, like that of the basilisk, would strike people dead ;' and
for that reason Balar kept it constantly covered, except when he wished to get the
better of enemies by petrifying them with looks ; and hence the Irish to this day
call an evil or overlooking eye by the name * Sail Bhalair ' (Balar eye). A prophetic
warning had been given that the chief should die by the hand of his grandson, and
to avert this calamity he confined his only child, Bthnea, in a tower on the summit
of Tor-more, where she was guarded by twelve trusty matrons. Like all other
heroines, this young lady grew up a paragon of beauty and grace. She was strictly
preserved from any knowledge of the world without, and the only Indication of a
community of feeling, was when she innocently inquired what the beings were that
she observed passing in * curraghs ' through the sea, whoad likenesses also visited
her dreams.

** Balar was fortunate hi all his predatory excursions ; but he still felt dissatisfied
because he did not possess the wonderful cow. This at length became the great
object of his life. ' One fine day,' the legend proceeds, ' HacKineely, the chief of
the tract opposite to the island, repaired to his brother Oavida's forge to get some
swords made, taking with him the invaluable Glas Oaibhnann. At the door, in an
unguarded moment, he intrusted her to the care of bis other brother HacSamhthalnn,
who, it appears, was there also, with his brother the smith, on business connected
with war. Balar watching his opportunity, assumed, (as it seems he had the
power of doing,) the form of an innocent-looking red-headed little t>oy, and
persuaded MacSamhthainn to put the halter into his hand and go into the forge on
bis busineBa. Uaving thus succeeded in his object, Balar immediately carried off

286 REVIEWS.

bit priie to Tory ; and the place is still shown where be dragged the cow up bj the
tail — ' a great memorial of the transaction'— called ' Port-na-Glaise' — the harbour
of the ' Glas or green cow/

** A Dmid satisfied MacKineely that his property coald never be recovered during
Baler's life ; as he would never close the basilisk eye, but would keep it ready to
petrify any man that ventured to approach. The ultimate fate of this troublesome
quadruped is not told ; but it is related that the legal owner had a ' Leannan-sidhe/
or ftmiliar sprite, called ' Biroge of the mountain,' who undertook to put him on a
plan of destroying Balar. Having dressed him in woman's clothes, she wafted him,
on the wings of tbo storm, across the sound, to the airy top of Tormore ; and there,
knocking at the door of the tower, demanded admittance for a noble lady whom she
had rescued from a cruel tyrant who attempted to carry her off by force from the
protection of her people. The matrons fearing to offend a ' Banshee,' admitted both
into the tower, and the daughter of Balar recognised in her guest a countenance
frmiliar in her dreams. MacRiniieely thus becomes the son-in-law of the pirate ;
who in due time understood the extent of his danger, when he found himself
unexpectedly possessed of three grandsons. Self-preservation being the great rule
of his life, he immediately secured the children, and Mut them roUwl up in a sheet
(fastened by a delg or pin) to be cast into a whirlpool. On the way the delg lost
its hold, and one of the children (the first-born of couree) dropped out and waa
nved by the < Banshee.' The seene of this event is called * Port-a-deilg ' — the
' harbour of the pin ' — to this day. The child was intrusted to the care of his uncle,
the smith, to whoM profeision he was educated. Balar revenged himself on Mac-
Kineely, whom he seized near * Knock- na-fola' — Bloody Foreland — and finally
decapitated on a iBrge white atone,— called by the natives ' Clogh-an-beely,'— still
to be seen near the village of ' Falfarragh ' or Cross-roads, where it forms a very
conspicuous otgect ; and, by the red veins through it, confirms the belief in this
deed of blood.

<< Notwithstanding all Baler's efforts to avert bis desthiy, the < Banshee' had
executed the will of the Fates ; for after the decollation of MacKineely, the pirate
was thrown off bis gnard, and frequented the continent without fear. He also
employed Qavida to make his arms. The heir of MacKineely — his grandson — ^in
course of time grew into an able-bodied man, and a good smith ; and, as sucb,
became an especial favourite of Balar, who knew nothing of his history. The other
was well aware of the story of his own birth, and his father's end, and often visited
the blood-stained memorial. One day Balar visited the forge to liave some speaia
made, and the uncle Gavida being from home, the work was in charge of his foster^
son. Balar happened to boast of his victory over MacKineely, and by so doing
roused the slumbering ire of the young smith, who, on the impulse of the moment,
snatching a glowing rod from the furnace, and thrust it into the basilisk eye, and
through the head of the chief; who thus, according to the decree of fate, perished
by his grandson's hand.

The third Number contaiog the '' Ecclesiastical Period of the History
of Tory," with many lUustratioDS.

Farther on in the same Namber occurs a long and carefully com-
posed paper on a new instrument for measuring skulls, as applied to
the study of craniology, connected with the early sepultures of Ireland,
a subject full of interest to all practical antiquaries. The observations
are very minute, and the author shows how the results are to be
tabularized for after-comparison; while the instrument is illustrated
by scientific drawings. It is from the pen of Mr. John Grattan, a
member of the Natural History and Philosophical Society of Belfast.

In this Number we also find the continuation of the Derry Metro-
politan Visitation, and a very curious ''Account of the Andphonary of
the Monastery of Bangor," (Ireland,) preserved in the Ambroaian

REVIEWS.

287

Library, at Milan. Our readers will find the subjoined extract worthy
of perusal: —

" The Commemoration of our Abbots. This poem, oonsUtlng of eight atropbes
of eigbt lines each, is the most valuable in the collection, and by it the date of the
manuscript is determined. The reader will observe that alter the prelatory verse
the lines run in alphabetical order.

Sancta sanctorum opera
Patrum, fratres, fortiasimay
Benchorensi in optimo
Fundatorum ecclesia
Abbatum eminentia
Numerum, tempora, nomina,
Sine fine fulgentia,
Audite, magna merita,

Quos convocavit Dominus

Caelorum regni sedibus.

Amavit Gbristus ComgiUum ;
Bene et ipse Dominum ;
Carum habuit Beognonm ;
Duminum omavit Aedeum ;
Elegit sanctum Sinlanum,
Famosum muodi magistrum,

Quos convocavit Dominus

Caelonim regni sedibus.

Gratum fecit Fintenanum,
Heredem almum inclitum ;
Inlustravit Maclaisreum,
Caput abbatum omnium
Lampade sacra Eseganum
Magnum scriptune modicum,
Quos, &C.

Notos vir erat Beracnus;
Omatus et Cuminenus ;
Pastor Columba congrnus ;
Querela absque Aidanus ;
Rector bonus Baithenus ;
Summus antestea Crotanus,
Quos, kc

Tantis sucoeesit Camanoa,

Vir amabilia omnibus,

Xpo [Christo] nunc sedet suprimna,

Ymnoe eaneoa. Qnlndecimua

Zoen ut carpat Cronanua,

Conaervet enm Dominus,

Quos convocabit Dominus

Caelorum regni sedibus.

Homm sanctorum merita
Abbatum fideliaaima,
Erga Comgillnm congma
Invocamus, altlastma ;
Ut possimus omnia
Nostra delere crimina,
Per Jeaom Cbriatum, aetema
Regnantem in aaacula.

The holy, valiant deeda

Of sacred Fathers,

Based on the matchless

Church of Benchor ;

The noble deeds of abbots.

Their number, times, and namesi

Of never-ending lustre.

Hear, brothers ; great their deserts.
Whom the Lord hath gathered
To the manaiona of hia heavenly kingdom.

Christ loved Comgill,

Well too did he, the Lord;

He held Beogna dear ;

lie graced the ruler Aedh ;

He chose the holy Sillan,

A famous teacher of the world.
Whom the Lord hath gathered
To the mansions of his heavenly Icing^om.

He made Finten accepted.
An heir generous, renowned ;
He rendered Maclaisre illustrious.
The chief of all abbots ;
With a sacred torch [he enlightened] Segene
A great physician of Scripture,
Whom, Sec

Beracnns was a distinguished man ;
Cumine also possessed of grace ;
Columba a congenial shepherd ;
Aldan without complaint ;
Baithene a worthy ruler ;
Cretan a chief priaaident.
Whom, &e.

To these ao excellent succeeded Caman,
A man to be beloved by all ;
Singing praiaea to Chriat
He now aita on high. That Cronaa
The fifteenth may lay hold on life.
The Lord preserve him.

Whom the Lord will gather

To the mansions of his heavenly kingdom.

The tmest merita

Of theae holy abbota,

Meet for Comgill,

Most exalted, we invoke ;

That we may blot out

All our offbnoea.

Through Jeans Chriat,

Who reigna for agea everlaating.

''The harmony which exiata between thia ennmemtion of the first fifteen abbota
and the entriea in the^Iriah annala la very remarkable, and bean moat important

288 REVIEWS*

tetUmony to the fidelity of those reoorda, espeeSally when it ie rem e mbered that th€
Antipbonary has been nearly 1200 years absent from home. A compartive arrange-
ment of the names will show this more distinctly.

" l.^CoMoiLLUB. — Comgall, bom a.d. 517. Chnreh of Bangor foonded a.d«
668. Comgall abbot of Bangor rested in the 01 st year of his age, in the 60th year
and 3rd month and 10th day of his presidency ; on the vi. of Ides of May.

"2. — Bboonous. — 'Beogna, abbot of Bennchor next to Comgall, rested/ a.d.
606, Aug. 22.

'^3.— Abdeus. — His name does not occnr in any of the annals, probably owing
to his short period of office.

" 4.— SiMLANUS. — 'Sillan, son of Gammin, abbot of Benchor, died 28th Feb.*
A.D. 610.

''6.— FiSTTEKAVUB. — 'nntan of Oentrebh, abbot of Benchor, died' a.d. 613.

** 6. — Maclaisrbub. — ' MacLaisre, abbot of Benchor, died 16 May,' a.d. 646.

** 7. — EsBOANUS. — ' Segan, son of UaCuinn, abbot of Benchor, died,' A.D. 663.

'* 8. — Bbracn us. — ' Berachy abbot of Benchor, died,' a.d. 664.

"9.— CUMINBRUB.
" 10.— COLUMBA.

"11. — ^Aidanus.

*' 12. — Baithbnub. — 'A great mortality in the year 667, wherein (bvr abbots of
Benchor died, se. Berach, Cumine, Colam, and Aedh.' The only discrepancy here
is Berach instead of fiaithenus. But in the year 666, according to Tighernach,
* Bai thine, abbot of Benchor, died.' This obit is possibly antedated a year by the
annalist.

" 13.— Grot AN UB.—' Criotan, abbot of Benchor, died,' a.d. 669.

*' 14. — Cam AN US.—' Colman, abbot of Benchor, died,' A.D. 680

" 16. — Cronanub. — ' Cronao, son of Cuchailne, abl>ot of lienchor, died, 6 Not./
A.D. 601.

** This Cronan was alive when the Memoria was written, from which it follows
that its date is some year between 680 and 601."

We shall give fiirther notices of our able Ukter contemporary m
our next Number.

La Normandib Soutbrraine. By the Abb4 CocHETy Inspector
of Historical Monuments in the I)epartment of the Lower Seine.
1 Tol. 8vo. pp. 456. Paris : V. Didron, Rue Hautefeuille, No.
13. 68. 6d.

This highly interesting work, which we briefly alluded to in one of
our late Numbers (No. II. Third Series, p. 148)9 has now taken its
place upon our shelves, and we haye been diving into it at leisure, —
with great eagerness and satisfaction. A goodly volume, full of
illustrations, for 6s. 6d.! This fact, as well as that of an " Inspector
of Historical Monuments," can hardly be realized by the ''most
enlightened nation in the world;" but here it is, well printed, closely
too, brimful of new and most valuable archaeological information,
with woodcuts, rather roush, it is true, compared with those of our
excellent friend and ''collaborator," Jewitt, but still spirited and
respectable, and with eighteen lithographic platei, in the style of the
etcninss in Akerman's ArchBological IndeXf and a clever portrait
of the inspector himself, to introduce his own book to the antiquarian
reader! We say that this fact can hardly be realized in this country;
but we endeavour to account for it by the supposition that the French

REVIEWS. 289

archsological public is not only more numerous, and more in earnest,
than our own, but that it also buys more largely, and reads more
extensively, so that a publisher on the other side of the Channel can
afford to bring out a volume at a smaller cost than on this Rafter
allowance is made for the difference of wages and general prices),
because he is more certain of a remunerative sale. We shall have oc-
casion, perhaps, to mention other wonderfully cheap antiquarian books
from France, but we do not hesitate to say that the Abbe Cochet's
publication could not have been produced in England, in the present
state of the publishing business, under the cost of a sovereign. And,
then, to think of the Council General of the Lower Seine not only
allowing an annual sum of 2000 francs (£80) for the search af\er
antiquities in that department, but actually voting a further sum of
600 francs (j£24) towards the expense of publishing this book !
Thank goodness, we live in a country a little too far north for that!

However, let us be glad that we have got hold of the book, and let
us briefly tell our readers that the best thing they can do is to buy it
likewise ; it will not do much harm to the pocket of any member of
our Association who can read French, and it will furnish him with
matter for excavatory reflection during many a long evening of the
autumn and winter months.

The work is divided into three parts. The first, in three chapters,
treats of excavations, and of ancient interments generally ; the second,
in twelve chapters, is devoted to Roman cemeteries; and the third, in
nine chapters, describes the cemeteries of Frankish origin. The details
of the book do not concern Wales, and, therefore, we shall not go
into them ; but the introductory portion comprises some valuable
hints and observations, which, we know, our friends concerned in
Cambrian ''diggings" will not be sorry to peruse, such as the following,
so admirably descriptive of what the real object of an archaeological
excavation should be : —

'* Let every one take a note of thU : nothing is so fatiguing as an excavation well
done, especially the excavating of a cemetery. There it all depends on the con-
tinuous observation of how the objects lie in the earth. Many people suppose, and
my own workmen themselves share in this opinion, that what I am loolcing for in
the ground is treasure ; they take me for a Californian out of his latitude, who, not
having courage enough to transport himself from France to California, wishes to
transport California to France. I am in their eyes like a magician who has read
among the stars, and in old books or old deeds, of the mysterious existence of treasures
concealed beneath ruins. Others, more numerous and more enlightened, think that
when I thus tear up the bosom of the earth it is to find in it vases, arms, medals, or
objects of value. Now it is nothing at all of the kind that I am in search of. In
good truth when a beautiful object comes out of the ground, when an important
piece of antiquity is revealed by the pickaxe, I am never indifferent to it; but when
it is once drawn out of the earth it loses for me half its value, and when it has been
studied it has no longer any value at all. I deposit it with satisfaction in some
public collection or other, and I could resign myself never to see it again. What I
am looking for in the earth is an idea ; what 1 am in pursuit of at each blow of
the workman's pick is an idea ; what I am ardently desiring to get hold of is, not
so much a vase or a coin, as a line of the past, written in the dust of Time, a phrase
about ancient manners, funereal customs, Roman or Barbaric manufactures; — it is
Truth which I wish to take by surprise in the bed where she has been laid at rest

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 P

290 REVIEWS.

by wftneiwis that are now from flfteen to ef^hteen huDdred joan old. I would
readily exchange all the objects of antiqoity poaaible for a revelation of this kind.
Vases, coins, jewels have no price nor value except in so far as they themselves
disclose the name and the talent of an artist, the character and genius of a people,^
in short, the lost pages of a civilization now extinct It is especially this which I
pursue in the bosom of the earth. I wish to read in it as in a book ; I interrogate
therefore the smallest grain of sand, the most diminutive stone, the most worthless
rubbish, — I ask them to tell me the secret history of ages and men, the life of

nations and the mysteries of a people's religion." *< AH ages, all

people are hidden under the ground. The Gaul is laid thero by the side of the
Roman, and the Roman sleeps there close to the Barbarian. We have nothing
more to do than to make these men speak, and to understand rightly the replies
they give us ; but to do this we must take cara not to confound their tongues. We
must know how to distinguish thoroughly the tones, the shades, the colours, the
physiognomy of each people, of each kind of civilization. I oomprabend clearly that
this is a matter of Instinct, a question of taste, of tact, of discernment ; but this instinct
and this taste are developed by education, are nourished by habit, are strengthened
by exercise. In a word it is a science; and a science that has its niles and its faults,
its successes and its failures. It is the result of long and profound study, of practice,
sure, constant and recurring, of consummate experience. But even the wisest rales
are not infallible, and men of the g^reatest experience are not exempt from error.
In fact, in the whole of Archaeology, nothing is more delicate than this material »
where confusion is easy, shades of colour are imperceptible, resemblance is deceitful,
and in which

'Le vrai pent n*6tre pas quelquefois vreisemblable.*

If taken In this point of view, it is easily understood that an excavation must be
fatiguing and troublesome. It is absolutely necessary to follow the labourer per-
petually, not to let him be out of sight for an instant, to have one*s eyes at the very
end of his spade, and the attention directed to every movement of his hand. This
life of watchfulness, of emotion, of alternatives, of forethoaght, uses one up, and tires
more than standing about, going from one labourer to another, and rescuing with
trouble and minute care the objects brought to view by the spade. If, on the
contrary, you leave the labourer, if you do not perpetually follow him, you obtain
no moral nor intellectual result. The nutn is nothing more than a tool, a blind
instrument, ignorant of what he is doing and why he docs it ; one who does not
nndorstand the object proposed, even when it Is explained to him, and who sees
nothing at all in the layers of earth which he has so much trouble in getting up,
in the position of the objects to meet with which seems to him the result of chance,
— in the thousand details in short, so important, but so fugitive, but which oonstitnte
the whole science of excsvation.'*

We are obliged to pass over the remainder of the first or intro-
dactory part, thoagh full of capital matter; and we take the subjoined
commencement of the second or Roman part, in order to give a
further idea of the author's style : —

" The abode of man is not of ancient date in the north of Gaul. If the human
race inhabited a long time ago this norihern country of Europe, it has at all
events left few traces of Its passage. All discoveries made, down to our own times,
seem to csrry back the existence of man not further than a thousand yean before
our sera. The Celts, If they inhabited these regions during a long period, have left
behind them on the ground only an imperceptible and inappreciable dust ffo
monument has yet occurred to Indicate the existence of remote and primitive races.
The monuments termed Celtic, such as the Alleys of stone, the Dolmens, the Men-
bin (MeinI hirion), common on the Loire, are rare on the Seine. History speaks
of the Oauls, but Archaeology ftuds of their remains only coins, nearly worn away,
clubs of flint, arms of bronze, myi4erious caves, turfy tumuli, sepulchres without
regular forms, rude fragments of pottery,— In short pretty nearly all that a savage
population wovid leave behind it. This Is the whole of the inheritance bequeathed

REVIEWS. 291

to US by a generation, which, according to History, reigned during a long period
over our country. These rude and brolcen remains betray a period of barbarism.
One Hies in tbem a people trying to come out of its state of infancy, but which is
still a long way off from a state of civilization. Then, all at once, the people change ;
in a few year<), in the space of a century, the face of the country is entirely renewed ;
a real miracle is worked; these inanimate stones are changed into civilized men,
and an uncultivated forest-region becomes the garden of a rich agricultural colony.
The granite- world becomes softened by the contact of art, and a high degree of
civilisation sheds forth iU light, where before bad reigned for centuries only a state
of savage wildness

" The Roman Conquest appeared in Gaul as an immense benefaction. It caused
men, who had been much behindhand, to take a gigantic stride in the path of
progress ; it hastened the march of humanity by ten centuries \ it shortened the
work of whole generations. It must have produced on the rude and rustic populations
of Gaol the same effect which Spain produced on the Indiana of the New World ;
or which England did on the savages of Ocecmia ; — the effect in fact which, at the
present day, France is producing on the Arabs of Algeria. The Romans deprived
these generous and savage populations of their fierce untameahle freedom, but gave
them in exchange Arts, Commerce, and Manufectures. It was with chains of gold
that Rome yoked the Gauls to her triumphal chariot. More powerful in Arts than
in Arms, she reigned over those she had conquered by her Baths, her Games, her
Theatres, her Festivities and her Porticos, mucli more than by her Eagles, her
Fasces, her Legions and her Proconsuls. The cross-grained humour of Tacitus
stigmatized the advantages of this conquest ; but we, who find only the cold ashes of
the conquerors and the conquered, cannot but utter, over the half opened tomb, the
decree of justice, or the hymn of thanksgiving. Just as Spain came into America
with manners and a religion all ready formed, so the Romans came among us with
a language, arts and a religion perfectly formed also ; they had nothing to imitate
amongst Barbarians^ whose agriculture, whose costume, and whose mode of life
inspired them with contempL More sagacious than Alexander the Great, who
adopted the manners of the people he conquered, the Caesars brought to subdued
Gaul the manners of vlctorions Rome. They traced military and commercial roads
which were the most active channels of civilization ; instead of the deep muddy
tracks through which the Ganls had difficnlty in dragging along their mstic cars,
they unrolled those magnificent causeways, which seem built for eternity, and which
during fourteen centuries were the only lines of communication for all Frcmce. The
Romans brought everything with them when they came into Gaul, — architects,
sculptors, painters, mosaic- workers, engravers, potters, glass-makers and writers.
Working legions followed the armed legions ; and they are the names of Latin artists
which we read on the bottoms of vases, on the sides of earthern dishes, under the
bandies of amphonSf on the traders' stamps, and on the stones of tombs. Upon the
surface of this land free as the air, amongst men accustomed to independence, like
the inhabitants of the woods, amidst populations conquered, rather than reduced to
submission, the Romans settled themselves in houses which resembled citadels,—
their vUUu wera at one and the same time military posto of observation, seignorial
ch&teaux, agricultural establishments, centres of manufactures, and towns of refuge.
They occupied, it is true, plains and vallies, but, with the exception of the culmi-
nating points of plains, they preferred vallies. Their predilection for vallies is
explained naturally enough by the mildness of the climate, the proximity of water,
and the natural shelter of hills and woods. From tliis cause the basin of each of
our rivers has been the cradle of an ancient population, and each stream is a page
of history.*'

292

Cambrian Irrljatalagiral toariotiati,

NINTH ANNUAL MEETING, LLANDEILO PAWR,

AUGUST 87th to SEPTBMBBR 1st, 1866.

The Right Hon. Lord Dynbvor.

MoNDAYi August 27th.

The General Committee having assembled previously to the meet-
ing of the Association, agreed to the Annual Report, settled the pre-
liminaries of the meeting, and adopted the following resolution : —

'' That all papers communicated to the Association be considered as
offered for publication in the Archmologia Cambrentis, and that their
authors be requested to deliver them to the Secretauies as soon as
possible after they have been read.'

MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATIOK.

In the absence of Frederick Richard West, Esq., M.P., from whom
a letter had been received, expressing his regret at beinff unable to
attend and assist in placing his successor in the chair of the Associa-
tion, the Earl of Cawdor was unanimously called on to inaugurate the
new President.

Lord Cawdor briefly expressed his great satisfaction in having to
present to the meeting one whose qualifications for the office of Presi-
dent were so well known to those whom he was addressing.

Lord Dyncvor, on taking the chair, said he had, at the request of
his noble friend Lord Cawdor, accepted the office of President,
and should rejoice if he could by that or any other means further the
objects of the Cambrian Archaeological Association. He felt great
pnde in the interesting remains in the neighbourhood of Llandeilo,
which now seemed to have attracted the attention they deserved. He
deeply regretted that his residence was in such a state — it having been
for some time undergoing repairs — as to preclude him from offering
to the members of the Association that hospitality which he should
have had so much pleasure in affording them.

Lord Cawdor stated that Lord Emlyn had requested him to express
his regret at being prevented by domestic circumstances from having
the gratification of attending the meeting. Lord Cawdor also read
extracts from a letter fix>m Mr. Johnes to Lord Emlyn, as Chairman
of the Local Committee, expressing the pleasure it would give him to
show the members of the Association the remains of antiquity near

CAMBRIAN ARCHiGOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 293

Doiau Cothy, as well as to receive them at luncheon on the day they
visited his neighbourhood.

The President then called on the Rev. James Allen, as Secretary,
to read the following

Report of the Committee for the Year 1854-^.

** The Committee, in addressing the Association at its Ninth Annual
Meeting, cannot but congratulate its Members on having found, as a
sphere for their present operations, a district so eminently distinguished,
as well by its natural beauties, as by a profusion of those objects which
it is the peculiar province of the Association to illustrate, and to rescue
from injury or neglect.

** Among them are monuments of pre-historic, Roman, and medisBval
power and skill, as remarkable as any this island contains. It is
needless to mention Y Carn Goch, the mines of Gogo&u, and the
castle of Kidwelly. Two of these matchless relics of antiquity have
already been minutely and most ably described in the pages of our
Journal. They will doubtless receive further illustration during the
present Meeting.

'' The Committee would also congratulate the Association on the
encouragement it receives in the warm welcome given it by persons
of high rank and influence connected with this neighbourhood, whose
readiness on every occasion to promote the best interests of Wales
merits the deep gratitude of their countrymen.

'' Your Committee, in reviewing the present condition of the Associa-
tion, have much pleasure in noticing the large increase in the number
of subscribing Members during the past year, amounting to more than
seventy. This most satisfactory state of things must in part be
attributed to the growing interest in the objects of societies of this
nature, which prevails not only in the Principality, but throughout
the United Kingdom, as well as through a large portion of Northern
Europe.

" This addition to our list of subscribers has of course been productive
of financial prosperity.

" It appears by the Treasurer's book that the receipts of the present
year have been ^£285 10s. 4Jd., whereas during the twelve months
immediately preceding they amounted to only jC81 58 4Jd., showing
an increase of JC154 6s. In the latter sum is, however, included an
unusually large proportion of arrears, amounting to JC103, received
since the Ruthin Meeting. For the recovery of the arrears, the Trea-
surer desires to make his best acknowledgments to Mr. Barnwell, who
has rendered him most valuable assistance.

294 CAMBRIAN ARCHf OIX>OICAL ASSOCIATION.

^ SimultaneouBly with this aogmentation of inoome, a large increase
has taken place in the Association's expenditore, and this has been
the necessary consequence of the Editorial Committee's laudable effi>rtB
to render the ArcktBologia Carnbrensis more worthy of the Association,
by making, in the present volame, a considerable increase to the
number of illustrations.

** In adverting to the changes which have taken place in the officers
of the Association^ the Committee cannot but anticipate the happiest
results from the acceptance of the presidential chair by the nobleman
who will fill it when this Report is presented.

'^ On the roll of patrons of the Association, there hare been inscribed
during the year now concluded : — The Earl of Powis; The Earl of
Ellesmere ; The Lord Viscount Hill ; and the Lord Dynevor.

''To the list of Vice-Presidents have been added:— Sir Watkin
Williams Wynn, Bart., M.P. ; and Sir Joseph Bailey, Bart., M.P.

'' In compliance with Rule VI., the following Members will, in con-
sequence of their seniority, retire from the Committee : — Mr. Earle,
Tutor of Oriel College ; Mr. Thomas Wright, Fellow of the Society
of Antiquaries ; and Mr. Albert Way, Secretary of the Archaeological
Institute.

'* The Committee recommend that Mr. William Rees, Mr. Williani
Banks, and Mr. Talbot Bury, be elected to complete the prescribed
number of twelve.

'' These names will remain suspended in the Committee room during
the Meeting, and the election will take place on Friday evening ; it
being competent for any Member to add to the list of candidates
proposed by the Committee the names of any other members of the
Association."

Mr. C. C. Babington moved that the Report of the Committee be
received by the Meeting. It was as gratifying as could be desired,
and the most satisfactory Report presented by the Committee since
the formation of the Association.

Mr. Banks read a paper on CastcU Carreg Cennen, the principal
object of the following day's excursion. This paper was contributed
by the Archdeacon of Cardigan, who was prevented by family en-
gagements from reaching Llandeilo until the following evening. The
paper described this remarkable fortress, to which a British origin was
ascribed by the Archdeacon. It was not confined to the description
of this castle, but embraced many important questions involving the
antiquity of this Cymry section of the great Celtic family, as con-
nected with other branches in Europe and Asia.

The Rev. H. Longueville Jones then read a commtmication from
Mr. Westwood, respecting the inscribed and sculptured stones in

CAMBRIAN ARCH.SOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 295

Caermarthenshire. Mr. .rones prefaced the paper with obeervations
on the importance of these stones in a historical point of view, as they
materially aided in establishing the fact of the existence of Christianity
in this country prior to the arrival of the Saxons, who were pagans.
Mr. Westwood had supplied Mr. Jones with a complete list of all
such stones of which he had met with any description, or had been
informed of by correspondents. A copy of this list was produced
to the meeting, and exhibited in the Museum. Mr. Westwood's
object was to ootain from local antiquaries rubbings, and carefully ad*
measured drawings of the whole, in order, more especially, to obtain
correct readings of their inscriptions. The first stone on the list was
said to have been built into the wall of Dynevor Park, an announce-
ment which was new to the noble President, who however promised
to take some steps, as far as he could, towards ascertaining the truth
of the statement, although, from the great extent of the wall, the
undertaking was of a very formidable character.

The Earl of Cawdor suggested that copies of these inscriptions
should be distributed among the gentlemen of the county, for the
purpose of verification.

The President then explained the objects to be visited in the excur«
sion of the next day, and having expressed his hopes that the evening
meetings and excursions would be well attended, vacated the chair.

Tuesday, August 28th.
excursion.

On this, the first morning of the excursions, a large number of
members of the Association, and others, went forth at an early hour,
headed by the noble President and the Earl of Cawdor.

The first object visited was Maen Llwyd, to the west of the road
over Cefn Cethin. On its eastern face is distinctly, but not deeply,
incised what at first sight would generally be taken for a circular-
headed cross, but which on nearer inspection proves to be the repre-
sentation of a bow, with an arrow notched on the string, and pointed
upwards. The next attraction was Castell Carreg Cennen, which,
perched on a detached and almost perpendicular steep of limestone,
again and again called forth the admiration of those who approached
it along the south bank of the Cennen. The present remains of the
fortress seem to have Jbeen built at one period, and are distinctly
ascertained, both by a portion of the great northern gateway, and by
fragments of windows towards the south-west comer, to be of the age
of Edward II. The purposes to which many of the portions of the
edifice had been originally applied are not easily made out. A pro-
iection on the eastern side, containing the base of what seems to have
been the altar, mav safely be considered the chapel. The venerable
remains are carefully preserved, and the breaches have been judiciously
repaired, so far as is necessary to secure the stability of the walls.
Cautious excavation of the cMnis in some places would be an ad-

296 CAMBRIAN ARCHiEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.

yantagOi pardcalarlj within and around a tower to the west of the
gateway.

Mr. W. Rees read on the spot some interesting historical notes of
successive possessors of the castle.

Eastward of the main ward there rons along the edge of the
northern precipice a vaulted gallery, communicating with a natural
cavern, which perforates the limestone rock to a considerable distance,
and at present terminates at a never failing, but not abundant, spring.
In the masonry which supports the flight of steps connecting the
vaulted gallery with the cavern, are several pigeon holes, the occu-
pants of which had ready communication with the external air through
three square openings close by.

From Castell Carreg Cennen the President and a maiority of those
present went on foot to Cwrt Bryn y Beirdd, having by the way visited
the spot where the Llwchwr issues in a considerable stream from its
subterranean many-cavemed limestone basin . At Cwrt Bryn y Beirdd,
named in the Ordnance map Cwrt Pen y Bane, and standing a little
more than a mile in a south-westerly direction from Castell Carreg
Cennen, are the remains of a considerable mansion, nearly coeval
with the neighbouring fortress. Many of the dressings of the door-
ways and windows, executed in the native red sandstone, as well as
many of the timbers of the roof, are in sufficiently good preservation
to be delineated ; and there is reason to hope that a full report of its
present state will shortly be contributed to the pages of the Archao'
logia CambrentiSf by a member of the Association eminently qualified
to do justice to its interesting details. Some of the party next visited
a field called Towyn Beddau Derwyddon, ''the graves of the Druids;'*
the sides of one cist only remain in situ. Large flat stones, several of
which had undoubtedly formed some of the many others which are
known to have existed, now cover culverts, drains, &c., near at hand.

At LlandyfiSLn, marked in the Ordnance survey ''Welsh Bath," there
is a square basin of quite sufficient area to be used as a baptistery, but
there is nothing in the wall which incloses the water to mark either
Its date or the object for which it was built. In the adjoining chapel,
which has been restored to the church within the present century,
there are two Lancet windows, the cusps of whose foliations are
ornamented with a small flower. At Derwydd, a portion of which
may have been built in the reign of Elizabeth, are heraldic and other
decorations of the seventeenth century, when the name of its possessor
was Vaughan. It afterwards was the residence of the Stepney family.
Talardd, the last object of this day's excursion, has some internal
archways of considerable antiquity, as well as the principals and other
timbers of a rich Perpendicular roof.

EVENING MEETING.

The President called on Mr. Babington to give an account of the
day's excursion.
In compliance with this request, Mr. Babington entered into the

CAMBRIAN ARCHAOLOOICAL ASSOCIATION. 397

disputed qaestion of the age and character of Castell Carreg Cennen*
He was well aware of the delicate nature of the ground on which
he was treading, and of the general opinion hitherto entertained
on the subject; but, as far as his own opinion was concemed| in
which also he was supported by some of the members present, he
had no hesitation in assigning the present structure to a much later
date than was usually attributed to it That from certain details of the
building, as well as from the general character of the edifice, he fuUj
agreed with' what had been stated on the spot, that the castle now
standing could not be assigned to an earlier period than that of the
£dwar&. That the site had been occupied by former structures, and
that those structures had been held from the earliest times as strongs
holds, was also indisputable; but no part of the present building
could be referred to those times. He next proceeded to mention th«
yery remarkable remains of Cwrt Bryn 7 Beirdd, which he belieyed to
be one of the most interesting specimens in existence of a gentleman's
house of about the same date as that of the castle. Though not strongly
fortified, it had been sufficiently defensible to resist any sudden attack
until aid could be brought from the neighbouring castle on the opposite
ridge. The building, as it now stood, bore marKs of numerous aitera^
tions, but many of the original features remained. Among them, a
well-constructed fire-place, and in the same room a yery massiye floors
formed of hewn oak, which might haye been cotemporary with the
completion of the original structure.

Mr. Barnwell suggested that some doubt might exist as to whethef
it had not a collegiate character, as the arrangement of the hall and
dormitories seemed to suggest.

Mr. Penson, howeyer, agreed with Mr. Babing^on's yiew as to the
purely domestic character of the house, and, in confirmation of thia
opinion, stated that no traces of any church or chapel had been
discoyered.

Mr. Moggridee then proceeded to read a paper contributed by hie
nephew, Mr. Talbot Dillwyn Llewellyn, on Cam Goch, in Glamor*

Snshire, situated about four miles west of Swansea. The name of
B tumulus Mr. Moggridge interpreted to mean '' the bloody Cairn.''
It had been opened with extreme caution by his nephew and himself.
The inyestigation of its contents had not been completed, but seyeral
urns had t^en laid bare, the greater part of which were ornamented
with a more complex and decoratiye pattern than is usually found on
sepulchral urns of this character. One circumstance obseryed was,
that all these urns were inclined outwardly, all at the same angle, a
circumstance he ascribed to the pressure of the superincumbent central
mass of stones. An inner circle also existed, not concentric with the
outer one. Smaller urns were discoyered in juxtaposition, which
were supposed to haye contained food for the departed spirits for their
support auring their transit to their new abodes. A great number of
well-executed photographs accompanied the deHyery of the paper,

AROH. OAMB., THIRD 8BRIBB, yOL. I. 2 Q

298 CAMBRIAN ABCH^OLOGICAL ABSOCIATKm*

which were distributed very liberally among the ladies and membem
present.

Mr. BaUngton observed that the position of the nms was usually
inclined, as had been described. It was a part of the system. He
added, that small urns, of the character described, were frequently
found in close proximity to larger ones.

Mr. Joseph, of Brecon, cmncided with Mr. Bal»ngtoa, and men*
tioned a similar case, where the urns were placed exactly in the manner
represented by Mr. Moggridge, and added some reasons which induced
him to think that this arrangement was not the result of accident, bui
of design, on the part of the constructors of the cam. He suggested
that the smaller urns might have contained the ashes of the heart.

Mr. Babingtcm and Mr« Barnwell expressed their opinions that the
urns in question, although so highly ornamented, and apparently so
well executed, were British, and not Saxon.

Mr. H. Hey Knight concluded the discussion by some remarks
upon the importance of arriving at some system by which the line of
demarcation between British and Saxon pottery might be defined, and
the ages generally of such works determined, as far as possible. He
also explained the probable method adopted in filling up the tumuli,
or cams, and remarked that the position of the urns indining from
the centre was probably the natural result of their being deposited
while the mound of earth was in the course of construction.

Mr. Longueville Jones then read a paper written by Mr. Jones
Parry, of Madryn, on Tre 'r Ceiri, an ancient fortress in Caernarvon-
shire, commanding, at an elevation of about 1400 feet, the pass from
Arfon into the promontory of Llevn. This important post, wnich does
not seem to have been previously described, appears to have been
defended by a wall of similar construction and date to those which
encircle Cani Gk>ch in Stratywy, one of the objects of Friday's
excursion. The paper on Tre r Ceiri was illustrated with an accurate
plan, which will be engraved at Mr. Jones Parry's cost, and contributed
with the paper to the Arehwologia Cambrenrit,

Mr. T. O. Morgan read a paper on the divisions, ancient and
modem, of the coun^ of Caermarthen, wherein he set forth the can-
trefs and commots of istrad-Tywy. He concluded with some remarks
on feudal tenure, denying the existence of copyholds in Wales proper.

Mr. Moggridge observed that in that part of Wales with which he
was best acquainted, copyholdings were not uncommon.

Mr. Popkin said he knew of many copyholds in Wales, and
instanced Talley, in the county in which they were assembled.

Mr. Knight said the fact was unquestionable that, so far as Wales
had been occupied by the Normans, it had been completely feudalized.

Nothing seemed to be elicited during the discussion which arose out
of Mr. Morgan's paper, to show that feudal tenure had existed in
those portions of tne Principality which had not been subjected to
Norman ascendancy.

CAMBRIAN ARCHJEOLDOICAL ASSOCIATION. 299

Mr. Longueville Jones oompleted the evenings papers bj a short
notice of the arms of the princes of Wales, showing, on the authority
of T. W, King, Esq., Rouge Dragon Poursuivant at Arms, that the
arms of all Wales were, argent 3 uons passant reguardant with their
tails coming between their legs and turning oyer their backs, gules;
Chat the baring of the 4 Hons quarterly countercharged, eenerallj
assumed as the arms of the Principality, and adopted as such by the
Association, were the arms of Gwynedd, or North Wales only; while
the two other divisions of the Principality had their distinct coats.
The President stated that the arms of the princes of South Wales
were, ^r a lion gulee.

Wednbsbat, August 29ni.

BXCUBSION.

A considerable number of the inhabitants of Llandeilo and its
neighbourhood accompanied the members of the Association this
morning. The first halt took place at a remarkably large maen-hir at
Abermarlais gate, bearing no inscription. Abermarlais itself was not
visited. The modem mansion of the late Admiral Sir Thomas Foley
stands to the south of the site of ''the fair stone house of old Sir Rhys.^^
The chapel at Llanwrda, which at the Reformation was attached to
Talley Abbey, is devoid of architectural interest.

The church of Cyofil Gaio was next visited. Its west end is
furnished with a good tower of comparatively early date. The cill of
the west doorway is an early inscribed stone, partly illegible, which
should be restored to an erect position. It might be fixea against the
internal face of the wall of the tower.

From Cynfil G^io the majority of the party walked over the hill
to Grogofau, where they were met by Mr. Johnes, who, with most
untiring kindness, conducted the members of the Association, and those
who accompanied them, to the most remarkable of the numerous ex-
cavations which intersect the amphitheatre of hills in which they lie.

The object of these gigantic operations is a question not to be solved
without the aid of the geologist and mineralogist; it may therefore be
well here to subjoin some extracts from "A Note on the Gogofau or
Ogofau Mine, near Pumpsant, Caermarthenshire ; by Warrington
W. Smyth, M.A., Mining Geologist to the Geological Survey of the
the United Kingdom.''^

Mr, Smyth says, — "This mine, which has so long attracted the
attention of the antiquary, is situated on the left bank of the Cothy,
forming part of the grounds of Dolau Cothy, the residence of Mr.
Johnes, to whom the survey is indebted for much valuable aid during

1 Sir Rhyi ap Thomis inherited Abermarlais from hi« mother, who was daoghter
and sole heiress of Sir John Griffith.

< Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, and of the Maseum f^
Boenomic Geology la London, i. p. 4S0.

300 CAMBAIAN ARCHJBOIXKIICAL ASSOCIATION.

its pro gwM in that part of Wales. Ha infonna us that the traditions
of tae ooantry point to the Romans as the onginat<M« of these works,
and that they were carried on in search for gold. The remains of
Roman pottery, ornaments, and a bath, afford reason, Mr. Johnes
eonsiders, for presuming that there was a Roman station near this
spot, connected with the mines.

'' It has been a matter of surprise with those who visited the Ogofaa,
that iron pyrites was the only ore visible, and that Urge heaps of
apparently pure quartz, carefully broken to the size of a common nut,
were alone found. The geological surrey discovered, however, a
specimen of free gold in the quartz of one of the lodes, and thus
corroborated the evidence which tended to prove that the mines were
worked for gold.

'' The majority of the workings, extending to a considerable depth
for some acres over the side of the hill, are open to the day^ or worked,
as usual in the early days of mining, like a quarry; and the rock
through which the lodes run, a portion of the lower Silurian rocks, is
in many oases exposed, and exhibits beds much contorted and broken,
though having a general tendency to dip northward. Here and there
a sort of cave has been opened on some of the quartz veins, and in
some oases has been pushea on as a gallery, of the dimensions of the
larger levels of the present day, viz., six to seven feet high, and five
or six feet wide, and among these two of the most remarkable are
kept dear by Mr. Johnes, and, beine easily accessible, allow of close
examination. The upper sur&ce of the hill is at this, the south*
western extremity of tne workings, deeply marked by a trench running
north-east and south-west, similar to the excavations technically called
open coitSy where the upper portions of the lodes were in yery early
times worked away; and wnen it was afterwards found disadvan-
tageous to pursue the lode in this manner, a more energetic and
experienced mind must have suggested the plan of driving adit levels
from the north face of the hill through the barren rock, in order to cut
the lode at a greater depth than it could be otherwise reached ; and
the perseverance exhibited in driving 170 feet through the slate, in
each of the levels in question, was, no doubt, based on a sufficient
knowledge of the continuous nature of a mineral lode."

After some further technical description, Mr. Smyth proceeds:—
'^At an inconsiderable distance from the old workings lies a large
block of sandstone, approximating in form to a four-sided prism, the
feces of which are indented by rudely circular and elliptical hollows
of small depth, evidently caused by artificial attrition. It appears
highly prolMtble that this stone was employed as a mortar, for the
purpose of breaking up, or httekingy the ore, a process still in use in
cases where it is important to pick out valuable portions by hand."

Subsequently follows a parallel between Gk>gofau ** and the extra-
ordinary hill called detate, at Verespatal, in Transylvania," within
the confines of ''Dada Ulterior," when ''the grand arches and roomy

CAMBRIAN ARCH.SOLOQICAL A680CIATI0N. 301

tunneb, wrought in hard sandstone and porphyry, by that enterprizing
people/' the Romans, ** throw into the shade the puny works of their
followers, and prove that the art of extracting gold from quartz —
even when invisible to the naked eye — was then understood/'

After a comment on Pliny's well known description of the three
modes of obtaining gold in use among the Romans, thb interesting
paper thus concludes : —

^'A sentence from Cicero has often been quoted to prove that the
Romans imagined there was no silver in Britain ; but Tacitus, in his
* Life of Agricola,' expressly states the occurrence both of gold and
silver, — 'fert Britannia aurum et arsentum et alia metalla, pretium
victorise.' Whence, knowing that the method of extracting finely
impregnated gold was practised by them, and that this metal was
recorded as a produce of Britain, we need only to recollect that the
flourishing time of Dacia as a colony was under Trajan, and therefore
long before the legions were recallei from this island, to support, on
strong grounds of probability, the assertion that the Ogofau were
Roman gold mines ; and in order to dismiss all doubt on the subject,
we have only to add the evidence which Mr. Johnes has deduced
from the various antiquities found in the vale of the Cothy, from
which it is clear that there existed at this spot a station of soma
importance."

The foregoing extracts give an exact account of the present state of
the Gogofau diggings. The principal points described will be readily
recognized by those who visited them on this occasion. Several of
the members present examined the site of a reservoir on the heights,
also mentioned by Mr. Smyth, which was fed by a water-course still
to be traced for several miles along the tortuous sides of the hills.
The water here accumuUted was probably used for purposes connected
with the mines, as well as for turning Melin y Milwyr, '' The Soldiers'
Mill," the supposed site of which is a little beyond.

From Gosofau the Association was conducted by Mr. Johnes to
the site of what seems to have been a Roman villa. Traces of two
rooms only have yet been uncovered. Beneath the floor of one are
the remains of a hypocaust. Thence, by a pleasant walk through its
beautiful grounds, a very numerous party reached Dolau Cothy house,
where they were most hospitably entertained by Mr. and Miss Johnes.
There were also exhibited various relics of antiquity found in the
neighbourhood, including the gold chain, the wheel-shaped ornament,
and the unfinished intaglio seal sent by Mr. Johnes to the Associa-
tion's Museum at Tenby in 1851 ;3 also, specimens of Samian and
other pottery, tiles, a painter's pallet of stone, a portion of a lar^e
leaden vessel, &c., &c. In front of the house are deposited two early
inscribed stones, mentioned in Camden's JBrUannia as having been al
Pantypolion.

3 ArefasologUi CsmbreDsts» flMond Bmim, tt. p. 886.

302 CAMBRIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.

The late hour at which the Association left Doiau Cothj afforded
but little time for the examination of Tailey Abbev. So much of the
great church has been ruthlessly pulled down, that it would not be
easy, without excavation, to trace its extent. Some of the arches
which supported the central tower still stand. They are of majestic
proportions, but seem to have had little or no decoration. To the
east of the church, which was built about the close of the last century,
stands a solitary yew, near which tradition places the erave of Dafydd
ap Gwilym. Mr. Rees gave some historical details of the abbey,
which it is hoped may ere long appear in the Journal.

EVSNINO MEETING.

The President called on Mr. T. T. Bury to give some account of
the architectural remains they had seen during the morning. Mr.
Bury accordingly, having premised that on that day architecture was
at a discount, proceeded to notice the two churches of Llanwrda and
Cynfil Graio, alluding to the very rude and meagre character of the
buildings, which presented no features of interest whatsoever, except
the stone vaulting of the tower of Cynfil Gaio, and the extension of
the base of its tower, which both added security and effect. As to the
date of the arcade that divided the two portions of the church, the
total absence of all ornamental detail on its mouldings left him
without any means of pronouncing an opinion ; but, however rude the
work was, the masons of that day had done their work honestly. The
quality of the building was what it pretended to be.

Mr. Penson explained that the features to which Mr. Bury had
alluded were very common in the district.

The President stated that, with reference to the unsatisfactory state
of Cynfil Gaio Church, he was glad to announce that a considerable
subscription had been raised for the repairs and rearrangement of the
internal fittings of the building.

Mr. Knight then read some notes relating to the methods employed
by the ancients in working gold mines, as gathered from the accounts
of Pliny and Diodorus Sicuius, which appeared to be three in number,
and that, from the result of their observations at the Gogofau mine
that day, he thought that all three systems had been adopted in the
present case, assuming that these mines had been worked for gold,
which the Archdeacon of Cardigan in the course of the evening denied
could be proved.

The Earl of Cawdor proposed a vote of thanks to J. Johnes, Esq.,
for the great kindness with which he pointed out to the members of
the Association, and others, the various remarkable relics of antiquity
at and around Dolau Cothy and Gogofau, and for the munificent
hospitality with which he welcomed the very numerous party which
had visited him that morning. Lord Cawdor also hoped they might
be permitted to include in the vote a grateful acknowledgment of the
graceful courtesy with which they had been received by Miss Johnes.

CAMBRIAN ARCHiEOLOOIGAL ASSOCIATION. 303

This proposition was most cordially received, and carried by accla-
mation.

Mr. Babington next gave an account of some remarkable British
remains near Llanberis, in Caemarvonsbirey which he had lately
visited. These remains were of Cyclopean character, though not quite
in such good preservation as those of Tre 'r Ceiri, as described by Mr.
Jones Parry in his paper of the preceding evening. In the instance
near Llanberis, the walls could be traced with great ease, and they
still retained the usual outworks at the entrances, and embraced within
their circumference several cyttiau, and other vestiges of the former
inhabitants of the place.

Mr. Longueville Jones read a notice of two upright stones in the
north of Pembrokeshire. These stones had inscriptions of the Ogham
character on them ; there being only one or two (?) other known
instances in the Principality. Mr. Jones accounted for their presence
on Welsh ground by attributing them to Irish invaders, who had tem-
porary possession of the district. It was remarkable that one of the
stones bore another inscription in addition to the Ogham characters.
It would seem that this ancient monument had at some posterior
time been compelled to perform the additional duty of recording the
interment of a British chieftain.

Thursday, August SOth.
excursion.

This morning's route, in compliance with Lord Cawdor's kind
suggestion, lay through Gt>Iden Grove Park. The house built by his
lordship stands on a higher site than that occupied by Lord Carbery,
Jeremy Taylor's patron. After devoting a few minutes to the mag-
nificent prospect from the terrace, some of the party looked at the
church of Llaniihangel Aberbythic, which a few years ago was re-
built under the direction of Mr. G. G. Scott, who was also employed
in the restoration of the noble church of Llandeilo.

At Llanarthney an early inscribed tombstone, two portions of which
are in different parts of the church-yard wall, attracted some attention.

The next object was Dryslwyn, where the fragments of a castle of
considerable extent crown a most picturesque and precipitous site.
By careful excavation much of the plan might probably be made out.
Towards the western end of the south side, a wall, pierced by three
Lancet openings, marks what may very probably have been a part of
the chapel.

The inscribed and richly decorated stone on Glansanan farm bears
a strong resemblance to the cross at Carew. With the exception of
the loss of the summit, which was probably cruciform, it is in excellent
preservation, but requires to be set erect.

Court Henry, once a mediaeval mansion of considerable pretension,
has been entirely modernized. The exterior displays no traces of

304 CAMBRIAN ARCH^OLOOICAL ASSOCIATION.

antiquity. In the chapel, now used at a Bitttng-room, are preserTed
in HtUf within wainscot closets, the piscina, and at the south-west
ang^le a hagioscopic opening, both Early Decorated.

Grongar was pronounced to have probably been a British camp,
subsequently occupied by the Romans, as an intermediate station
between Llan^ir-ar-y-bryn and Maridunum. The earthwork is rec-
tangular on the south side.

Llangathen Church contains a seventeenth century tomb, with
the effigies of Bishop Rudd and his wife, from whose fiimily the
neighbouring estate of Aberglasney descended to that of Dyer, the
poet.

The next object was Dynevor. The noble President led a numerous
train through some most richly wooded glades to the castle. Mr.
Penson had prepared a plan, and explained the various parts so far as
they had been ascertained. The keep is circular : its basement seems
to have been supplied with ventilation and a small amount of light by
three singular openings of small dimensions. The floor above had no
lateral opening whatever. The third or highest story was the subject
of much discussion, but its present form was not satisfactorily accounted
for. The entire fabric is preserved with commendable care. There ia
however no doubt but that the effect of this most interesting object
would be greatly enhanced, both as an ornament to the park itself,
and to a great portion of the Vale of Towy, if some of the trees, which
now almost entirely conceal it on every side, were removed.

From the foot of the hill a drive along the meadows between the
park and the river brought the long cavalcade to Llandefeisant. Here,
as in the majority of churches visited during the week, is the scheme
of two nearly equal bodies, so frequent in the large structures in the
Vale of Clwyd, and in other parts of the Principality ; — Llandingat,
Llandeilo, and St Peter's, Caermarthen, are examples in the Vale of
Towy.

THURSDAY EVENING

was, in pursuance of notice previously given, devoted to the private
business of the Association. The General Committee met in the Town
Hall, at eight p.m.

Mr. Babington having been called to the chair, the minutes of the
Ruthin Meeting were read and confirmed. The following Report from
the Publication Committee was received : —

'' The Committee appointed at the meeting held at Ruthin in 1854,
to superintend the publications of the Cambrian Archseological Asso-
ciation, beg leave to report to the general Committee : —

1. ^* That at their first meeting it was determined that the property
of the Archaoiogia Cambrensis ought to belong to the Association.
Accordingly a negociation was commenced with its proprietor, and a
satisfactory arrangement made, bv which he agreed to give up all claim
to copyright in tSe numbers to be published after the year 1854^ and

CAMBRIAN ARCHiEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 305

all objection to the use of the title of Archaologia CambrenHs by the
Association for its future publications.

2. " That the Rev. H. Longueville Jones undertook the o£Sce of
acting editor of the ArchiBologia CambrensiSf the Committee retaining
a superintending and revising power.

3. " That the Committee have appointed Mr. J. Russell Smith, of
Soho Square, London, the publisher, and Mr. Mason, of Tenby, the
printer, to the Association ; and having now had the experience of the
issue of three numbers of the Archwoh^ CambrensiSy the Committee
beg leave to express complete satisfaction with the manner in which
they have performed their respective duties.

4. '' That the members of the Committee residing in distant parts of
the kingdom, and the necessity of communicating with each other
through the post^ofSce, has caused much delay and some inconvenience;
and it is therefore recommended to the General Committee if it see
fit to appoint a Publication Committee for the ensuing year ; that
thb Committee should consist of a smaller number of members."

Resolved, — ^That the Publication Committee consist in future of three
members.

That C. C. Babineton Esq., Rev. H. L. Jones, and Rev. John
Williams, be the Publication Committee for the ensuing year.

Resolved, — That the following propositions be recommended to the
Association for adoption : —

1. That a Chairman of the Qeneral Committee be appointed for
each year, to preside at any Special Meeting which may be held, and
to authorize any arrangements which the General Secretaries may
think it necessary to recommend, and that the Report of such proceea-
ings be laid before the General Committee for approval.

2. That C. C. Babington, Esq., be the Chairman of the General
Committee.

3. That it be one of the duties of the General Secretaries to collect
all subscriptions in their respective districts, and to remit them to the
Treasurer.

4. That the subscription of members be due in advance on the first
day of January in each year.

6. That the names of no persons, who are not subscribing members,
stand on the lists of Patrons, Vice-Presidents, or of the Committee.

6. That none but subscribing members be appointed Local Secre-
taries.

7. That the names of no persons who are not subscribers, or honorary
or corresponding members, stand on the list of members.

8. That the existing rules of the Association be revised by a Special
Committee, who shall report thereon at the next General Meeting.

9. That the General Meeting for 1856 be held at Welshpool.

10. That the Earl of Powis be requested to accept the o£Sce of
President on that occasion.

11. That the best thanks of the Association be given to Frederick

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 R

306 CAMBRIAN ARCHiEOLOOICAL ASSOCIATION.

Richard West, Esq., M.P.| late President of the Aflsociation, for the
kindness with which he accepted and performed the duties of that
office.

12. That C. R. M. Talbot, Esq., M.P., be elected a Vice-Presi-
dent

13. That the Rer. Dr. Jones, of Beaamans, be elected a Vice-
President.

14. That the Rev. P. C. Ellis be a Local Secretary for Anglesey,
vice Dr. Jones.

15. That the thanks of the Association be given to J. Walters
Philipps, Esq., for his kind and hospitable reception of the Associa-
tion.

Friday, August dlsr.

EXCURSION.

Some little distance after passing the site of Capel Tydist, the
carriages stopped, and the party proceeded on foot to ascend Cam
Goch, accompanied by several equestrians. This great object of the
day's excursion has been in part described (^Arckmologia CamtfrefmSy
Second Series, iv. p. 262) by the Archdeacon of Cardigan, who has
contributed at the present meeting another paper on the subject

The cursory survey of this morning unquestionably proves that the
importance of this ancient stronghold, and the variety of its interesting
features, have not been exaggerated. Its extent seems greater than
that of Catherthun. The width and height of its walls would appear
to be less than those of the northern fortress. Archdeacon Williams
gave, in a very animated address, much of what is contained in his
two papers. That the present extended mounds of stones are the
debris of regularly constructed walls, appears from the remains of two
passages which might have been chiefly intended for sheep, but would
serve for man. That these passages are coeval with the walls apoears
from their construction. Their sides are lined at intervals by large
flat stones firmly fixed on end, the intermediate spaces being faced by
dry rubble walling. The covering is formed partly by large stones
reaching as lintels from side to side, and partly by smaller flat stones
packed so as to overlap from each side to the centre. The lintel
stones placed at intervals contribute to the stability of the covering, as
the upright flat stones are a considerable security to the sides. Near
the site of Uys Brychan, the next spot visited, an misucoessfvl search
for a Roman station was nwde. At Castell Meorig there is a very
precipitous mound, the site probably of a wooden castle, with an out-
work, three sides <^ which are distinctly visible. The church at Llan-
gadock does not present any peculiar Mture. The foundations of an
apse, extending eastwards of the present gable, are said to exist To
the north are remains of the college, removed hence to Abergwili^ and
thenoe to Brecon.

CAMBRIAN ARCHiEOLOOICAL ASSOCIATION. 307

EySNINQ MEETING.

Mr. Longueyille Jones read a paper on the two dykes of Offa and
Wat — prindpallj, howeyer, on the more important one of Offa. He
traced it from its commencement, in FlintshirCi with few interruptions^
as far as its intersection with the Wye, beyond which point much less
was known of it ; and therefore it was very desirable that gentlemen
living near its probable course should use their best endeayours to
discover such traces as might be left. Mr. LongueviUe Jones thought
it was a political line of demarcation, rather than a military boundau^ ;
and that as to the question of its age, whether prior or posterior to tne
Roman occupation of the country, the readiest means of coming to
any conclusion was to examine carefully the points where Roman
roads crossed it In most of the points examined, unfortunately either
the Roman road, or the dyke, or both of them, had disappeared.
Some spots, however, still remained, where the investigation had not
been made.

The Archdeacon of Cardigan read a supplementary paper on Cam
Goch, in which he entered into several important questions connected
with early structures in Britain, the counterparts of which are to be
found in many parts of Europe and Asia, and to which the arch-
deacon ascribed an antiquity of nearly three thousand years. Inte-
resting notices were given of megalithic remains in the Western Islands
of Scotland, in Cornwall, and in Devon.

Some observations were subsequently made on the spoliation to
which these venerable relics of a very remote age were exposed. It
was alleged that stones had been carted from Cam Groch on the
previous day. It appeared that the property was vested in five
gentlemen, one of whom was present, and pledged himself to do his
utmost to put a stop to the mischief. Lord Dynevor, and Mr. Jones,
of Pantglas, promised to use their influence with the other proprietors
to promote the same object. From TrichHig, an eminence a mile and
a half south-west of Cam Goch, two of the three cams which name
the hill have been removed to form a fence.

The Secretary then read the resolutions recommended by the Com-
mittee (see report of proceedings on Thursday Evening), which were
unanimously adopted.

Mr. Babington, Mr. T. O. Morgan, and Mr. W. Rees, were chosen
as the Committee for the revision of the rules.

The following gentlemen were announced as having become members
of the Association during the present meeting: — D. Jones, Esq., M.P.,
Pantgl&s ; J. Walters Philipps, Esq., Aberglasney ; W. Du Buisson,
Esq., Glyn hir ; F. Green, Esq., Park Henry ; D. Prothero, Esq.,
M.D., Llandeilo ; W. Gwynne S. Thomas, ^q., Oak House ; Mr.
Bevan, Llanelly ; Dr. Evans, Llanelly ; W. Bonville, Esq. ; W. E.
Humphreys, Esq^y Wern; J. L. Popkin, Esq., Llandeilo; Rev.
Thomas Davies, Llangadock ; Mr. Mason, Tenby.

308 CAMBRIAN ARCHiBOLOGICAL A8SOCIATIOK.

In proposing a vote of thanks to the Right Hon. Lord Dynevor,
the President of the Association, for the very kind and able manner
in which he had discharged the duties of the office, Mr. Moggridge
congratulated the Association on having as its President, the repre-
sentative of a long line of native princes, many of whom were as
illustrious in council, and for the exercise of peaceful virtues, as for
prowess in war. He also considered it a happy omen that the Asso-
oiation should have assembled to investigate matters connected with
the history of bygone times, under the snadow of the very rock on
which once stood the palace which Rodri Mawr built for one of the
three sons among whom he divided his kingdom.

Mr. Longueville Jones, in seconding the vote, expressed his sense
of the ability and patience with which the noble President had devoted
himself to the proceedings of the Association.

Lord Dynevor, in returning thanks, begged to disclaim all credit
for patience in this instance. He had serv^ a long apprenticeship to
the exercise of that virtue in the House of Commons ; but, in listening
to what he had heard in that Hall during the week, which was now
unfortunately drawing to a close, he had derived very much pleasure,
as well as information. When he heard that the learned body, with
which his neighbours and himself had held so much agreeable inter-
course, had determined to come to Llandeilo, it was natural that he
should wish to be present, and hear what these gentlemen had to tell
them. He believed that such associations were very beneficial ; that
the spirit of inquiry which they produced led to good; and he rejoiced
if he had in any respect been instrumental in promoting the success of
the meeting.

Mr. Babington, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Earl of Cawdor
and the other contributors to the Museum, said that the Museum, which
had been formed on the occasion of their present meeting, contained
many objects of great interest, among which he might instance the
hirlas on the table. He had, during his short visit, seen enough to
assure him that this neighbourhood contained many antiquarian trea-
sures which had not been brought to light. He exhorted all persons
to do their utmost to preserve such relics. He thought Llandeilo
would well afford materials for a permanent Archasological Museum*

Mr. W. Rees seconded the resolution.

Lord Cawdor, in acknowledging the vote, in which his name had
been mentioned, fully agreed with what Mr. Babington had said as to
the value of the contents of the Temporary Museum, and in encou-
raging persons to be very careful of any object of antiquarian interest
which might fall into their hands. However plain its exterior, and
however small its intrinsic value, it might be a most precious relic of
bygone ages. He would strongly recommend that, whenever any-
thing which might possibly answer that description were found, it
shoiud at once ti^ taken to be examined by some person conversant
with such matters. He considered the visit of the Association a sub-

CAMBRIAN ARCH^OLOOICAL ASSOCIATION. 309

ject of great congratulation to all. When that visit was first proposed,
a doubt was suggested whether the neighbourhood of Llandeilo would
afford objects sufficient to employ the Association for a week. All
doubt on that subject had been most satisfactorilj set at rest. Th^
had found no lack of objects of first-rate interest and importance, it
was true that the archaeologists had depreciated some of their most
oherbhed antiquarian treasures. There were the mines of GU>go&U|
that remarkable memorial of the enterprize and perseverance of a
former race. The archseologists had told them tnat, whatever was
the object of those most laborious excavations, it was not gold ; — it
might be copper, — it might be emeralds, — it might be almost any-
thing, — but it was not gold. The ground, however, on which their
argument was based must be noted. It was that no gold is now to be
seen at Gogofau. The same argument might be urged against any
other mineral having been found there ; and the more precious the
object of the search, the more probable was it that every effort should
be made to exhaust the supply. He would, however, turn to another
instance, — his own castle of Carreg C^nnen. They had all been in
the habit of ascribing to it a much higher antiquity than was permitted
by the archaeologists. These gentlemen seemed to him to have better
foundation for their decision in this case than in the former one to
which he had referred. Yet he had no doubt that, if the venerable
archdeacon who now sat near him had been present on Tuesday
morning, the fortress they then visited would not have so readily
capitulated to the Edwardians. For himself, he could only say,
** non nostrum est tantas componere lites.'' Before he sat down, he
would observe that the history of the hom^ which had been noticed
was, that it had been given by Henry the Seventh to a gentleman of
Cardiganshire. The mounting of the horn was obviously modern, but
the stand appeared to be genume. It consisted of the same heraldic
supporters as are found on the tomb of the royal donor in Westminster
Abbey, which was itself a work of high art, executed by Torrigiano,
a cotemporary of Michael Angelo. The age of those great artists
had produced many such works as the specimen before them.

Mr. James Allen, in proposing a vote of thanks to the Local Com-
mittee, expressed the particular obligation the Association was under
to the persevering and successful exertions of Dr. Prothero.

Mr. T. O. Morgan seconded the motion, and, with Dr. Prothero's
acknowledgment of the vote, the proceedings of the evening termi-
nated.

Saturday, September 1st.

According to previous announcement, several members of the
Association visited Kidwelly, before they dispersed to their respective
homes. At the Castle, the noble proprietor, Lord Cawdor, and other

^ ArehiBologia Ctmbrensis* Seoond Series, ii..p. 336.

310 CAMBRIAN ARCH.£OLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.

members of the Association, were met by a nameroos company of
the inhabitants of Kidwelly and its neighbourhood, to whom Mr*
Moggridge read some topographical and historical notes, the tenor
of which corresponded for the most part with Mr. Clark's admirable
description/

The party then proceeded to the church, where Mr. Goring Thomas,
janr., read a portion of a survey of this once most beautiful edifice,
made by Mr. G. G. Scott, with a view to its restoration. The present
condition of the roof, and of the interior, is very lamentable.

MUSEUM.

The Local Museum of Antiquities, formed on this occasion, was
exhibited in a large room in the occupation of the Llandeilo Scientific
Institution, which contained a very valuable and extensive collection
of Silurian fossils. An exceedingly beautiful collection of living ferns
of the neighbourhood was also contributed by Mr. Bundy.

STONE AND BRONZE.

Large stone hammer, pointed at one end, found near Aberystwyth. — ^Tbe pro-
perty of T. O. Morgan, Esq., of Aberystwyth.

Circular stone hammer-head, found at Llanbedr, near Ruthin. — The property of
the Rey. E. L. Barnwell, Ruthin.

Bronze dagger, in perfect condition, but without the rivets. Found fn the peat
at Niwlig, in the parish of Cyffylliog, near Ruthin.— The same.

Bronze celt, of the ordinary character.— T. O. Morgan, Esq.

Another of the same character. — ^The same.

Celt of wrought Iron, with a portion of the oaken shaft fixed in the iron. Found
on the Berwen Mountains, Merioneth.— The property of F. R. West, Esq., M.P., of
Ruthin Castle, who has since given it to the British Museum, through the hands of
the Earl of Cawdor. This article, supposed to be unique, is described in the present
Number of the ArcluBologia Cambrensis,

MEDIEVAL AND MISCELLANEOUS.

The Hirlas horn. (See Arehaologia CambrenHB,) — The Earl of Cawdor.

Richly carved bedstead, probably of the time of Henry VIII. The lower parts
of the posts are more modem. The deep oomioe presents, in spirited relief, a series
of battles, described as those of the wars of the Roses. On the poets of the bedstead
are cut the arms of Rice. — From Derwydd House.

Head of a stone cross, from Llandeilo Churchyard, not later than the tenth
century.

Two ancient oaken chairs from Dynevor Castle. — Lord Dynevor.

Two stirrups, about the time of Henry VIII. — The same.

Small looking glass, in curious shell frame, of Italian work. — The same.

Ancient lead bottle, found in a pond near Dynevor Cai»tle. — The same.

Dagger. — Lord Emlyn.

Short sword, apparently a hunting knife. — ^T. O. Morgan, Esq.

^ ArchsBOlogia Cambrensis, Second Series, iii. p. 1 .

CAMBRIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 311

LoDg sword of eastern character, apparently Tartar or Chinese. — Lord Emlyn.

SiWer ring, found at Kidwelly.

Gold ring, found at Tenby, bearing three fleursHle-Us.

Gold ring, found at Golden Grove.— These three rings are the property of the
Earl of Cawdor.

Brass ring. — T. O. Morgan, Esq.

Arrow bead. — ^Tbe same.

Another of an earlier character. — ^The Earl of Cawdor.

Carved fragmont of alabaster, representing an angel kneeling and offering up a
small box, apparently a pix. Found in IJanllwny Church.— The property of John
Walters Philipps, Esq., of Aborglasney.

Carved head of oak, from the ruins of St. Mary's, Carmarthen. — The property of
R. Goring Thomas, Esq., junr., Iscoed.

Stone mortar, found in Carmarthen many feet under ground. — F. Green, Esq., of
Park Henry.

Beautiful bronze inkstand (cinque cento), said to have been once the property
of Ariosto. A silver hawk, with ermine spots, has been added as a stopper. — R.
Goring Thomas, Esq., junr., Iscoed.

Cannon ball, found at Carreg Cennen. — Richard Lewis, Esq.

Snuff box, with secret portrait of Prince Charles Edwud. — Miss M. A. Jones, of
Ystrad.

Carved box of horn, with head of Charles I. — Nathaniel Davies, Esq.

Very small silver box, with the head of Queen Anne. — ^The Rev. G. G. Williams.

COINS.

Collection of Roman denarii, in good preservation, found in the kitchen garden
of Dynevor Castle.— Lord Dynevor.

Five small Roman brass. — The same.

Three ditto, ditto, found at Carreg Cennen. — W. Du Bnlsson, Esq.

One ditto, ditto, found at the same place. — Richard Lewis, Esq.

Two ditto, ditto.— F. Lloyd Philipps, Esq., of Hafodneddyn.

Collection of sixteen small brass, of the same character, found near Aberystwyth.— >
F. Lloyd Philipps, Esq.

(Briiish and English,)

Three gold British coins, in excellent preservation, of distinct types,-^T. O.
Morgan, Esq.

Penny of Henry II., of the first coinage, found in Rhuddlan Castle, Flintshire. —
Rev. B. L. Barnwell.

Penny of Alexander III. of Scotland. — ^The same.

Groat of Edward I. — Lord Dynevor.

Another specimen. — Richard Lewis, Esq.

Penny of Edward II.— J. L. Popkin, Esq.

Two others. — The Llandeilo Institution.

Groat of Elizabeth.- J. Walters Philipps, Esq.

Shilling of Elizabeth.— The Llandeilo Institution.

Half-groat of Elizabeth. — ^The same.

Groat of James L, and a penny of Charles I. — ^The same.

Groat of Henry V. (Calais).— Rev. £. L. Barnwell.

Engraved medallion of Charles I. and his Queen. — ^The same.

Gun money of James II.— >The same.

Three-halfpenny piece of Elizabeth, found at Carreg Cennen, by Mr. David
Davies, Llandeilo.

Penny of Henry VII.— Mrs. Jones, late of the " Prince of Wales," Llandeilo.

Groat of Elizabeth. — The same.

Shilling and sixpence of Elizabeth.— Richard Lewis, Esq.

Various coins of later date. — ^The same. %

312 CAMBRIAN ARCHiEOLOQICAL ASSOCIATION.

SilTer coin of Qoeen Anne.— Mrs. Williams, " White Hone/' Llandeilo.

Collection of siWer coins, Ttrious, from time of Charles II. — Mr. Traoey, Llandeilo.

Groat of Charles I. — Lord Dynevor.

Collection of silver coins of later dates. — The same.

Small copper token, found at Carreg Cennen. — Mr. Traoey, Llandeilo.

BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS, &o.

Very fine pedigree, with the arms blazoned. — Exhibited by the Earl of Cawdor.

Volume of Gibson's Camden, copiously illustrated with notices and ancient
engravings, many of them very rare, and of great interest — R. Goring Thomas, Esq.

The fint edition of Bishop Morgan's Bible. — Messrs. Joseph Williams and John
Davies.

Black-letter Bible, 1541, very rare.— G. P. Price, Esq.

Ogleby's Britannia.— Lord Dynevor.

Two early editions of Camden.— J. L. PopUn, Esq.

Dngdale's Monasticon.— The same.

Cambria Triumphans. — Dr. Prothero.

Dr. Powell's History of Wales, black-letter, in excellent condition.— J. L. Popkin,
Esq.

Treatise on ilrithmetic : 1686.— Mr. Robert Reevson.

English Chronicles : 1665.— Mr. William Morgan.

New Testament : 1698. Bound hi silver filigree work.— R. Goring Thomas, Esq.,
Junr., Iseoed.

Common Prayer, in Welsh : 1664.— J. L. Popkin, Esq.

Various old deeds, including the Caermarthen charter in the time of Cromwell.— >
Miss Jones, of Ystrad.

Collection of ecclesiological drawings.— E. A. Freeman, Esq.

Collection of rubbings.- Rev. H. Longneville Jones.

iMTge coileeaon of architectural drawings of groat merit— R. Kyrke Penaon,
Esq.

313

ll]i|iahtttal Snitei of €uinis.

VOL. I. THIRD SERIES.

Abbey Cwm Hir, 282.

Aberdaron Church, 221.

Ancient Customs and Superstitions in
Wales, 233.

Anglo-Saxon Antiquities^ 148.

Antiquarian Societies, 60.

ArchsBoIogia Cainbrensis, Notice to
Contributors, 65.

ArchsBoIogical Institute, Notice of An-
nual Meeting, 219.

ArcbcBological Institute, Shrewsbury
Meeting, 283.

Archaeological Notes and Queries, 61,
144, 218, 280.

Arvona MediasTa, No. VII 1. Capel
Trillo, 182.

BeanmariB, 157, 252.

Britannic Researches, Rev. Beale Poste,
Corrections of, 50.

Britannic Researches, Rev. Beale Poste,
Letter from, 211.

British Archa)ological Association, No-
tice of Annual Meeting, 219.

British Arcbssological Association, Isle
of Wight Meeting, 283.

British Architects' Institute, Proceed-
ings of, S19.

Boilth, Late Braa at, 149.

Caar Gybi, or Holyhead, 211.
Caerleon, Antiquarian Association of,

288.
Caermarthenshire, Early Inscribed

Stone in, 64.
Caernarvon Castle, 242.

ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES,

Calais, Annals and Legends of, 284.

Caldicot Castle, Monmouthshire, 67.

Cambrian ArchsBological Association,
Notice of Annual Meeting, 208.

Cambrian Archseological Association,
Llandeilo Meeting, 292.

Capel Trillo, Caernarvonshire, 182.

Castlemartin, Churches in Hundred of,
281.

Ceilwart Stone, Barmouth, 282.

Chester Historic Society, Journal of,
150.

Collectanea Antiqua, C. Roach Smith,64.

Constantinople, Early Christian Monu-
ments, 219.

Denbigh, Ancient and Modem, Review

of, 69, 283.
Denbigh Castle, 64.

Original Charter of, 185.

Eariy Inscribed Stones in Wales, 4, 153,
213, 258.

Early Inscribed Stones in Merioneth-
shire, Bryn Eglwys, 275.

Early British Remains in Wales, No.
III., Mona West of the Malldraeth,
18.

Early British Remains in Wales, No.
IV., Caernarvonshire between the
Conwy and the Seiont, 110.

Early British Remains in Wales^ No.
v., Caernarvonshire South of the
Seiont, 175.

Early British Remains in Wales, No.

VI., Denbighshire, 262.
VOL. I. 2 8

314

ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF CONTENTS.

Early British Remains in Wales, Letter
on, Rev. W. Wynn Williams, 214.

Early British Remains in Wales, Letter
on, W. Owen, Esq., 216.

Bmlyn, Sepolchral Stone o^ 115.
" " •• Letter on,

W. Owen, Esq., 214.

England, C-eltio Names of Places in, 60.

English DialeoU, Word-Book of, 284.

Farrar, Bishop, Martyrdom ot, 276.
Fiiike FiU Warine, RoTiew of, 222.

Hoysgwn, Name of, Deriyation, 276.

Introdnetion, 1.

Iron Celt, Berwyn Moantaina, 250.

Kent, New History of. Notice, 14a

Llanaber Choreh, Bastoration of, 221.
Uandanwg Choreh, Abandoament of,

278.
Uandndno Chucfa, Bastoration of, 08,

221, 282.
Llan&es Friary, 78.
Llanthooy Prioiy, 82.
Lloyd, Late Brass of, Boilth, 140.

Maeqrftd, Derivation of Name, 275.
Mold Church, Restoration of, 148.
Mona MediiBva, No. XV., Penmon

Priory, 36.
Mona Medisva, No. XVI., Llan&es

FMary,7d.
Mona Medtova, No. XVII., Beaumaris,

157.
Mona Medissva, No. XVIIL, Bean-

maris, 252.
Monmouthshire, Prehistoric Remains in,

14, 120.
Monmouthshire, Architectural Antiqui*

Ues in. No. IV., Llanthony Priory, 82.

Nichols' Topographer and Genealogist,

221.
Norfolk, Gleanings among Castles and

Convents o^ Notice, 65.
Normaodie Sonterraine, 148, 288.

Old Churches, Curious Discoveries in,

2t».
Owen, George, Notice of M88., 143.

Pagan Sazondom, J. Y. Akerman,

Notice of, 284.
Parry, Rev. Henry, HJk., Obituary,

58.
Pemhrukeshire, Northern, Antiquities

of, 271.
Pencoyd Castle, Monmoutlishire, 118.
Penmon Priory, 36.
Prince of Wales, Badge of, 142.

Radnorshire, History of. No. 1., 47.
" " No. II., 130.

« " No. III.. 191.

Bees, Rev. William Jenkins, M.A., Obi-
tuary, 58.
Roman Remainsin Wales, No. IV., 11.
« « «« No. v., 124.

« " ** No. VI., 238.

" " " Letter on, O.

Ormerod, Esq., D.C.L., 210.
Ruthin Castle Records, 43.

<< Church, 28, 63, 208, 221, 282.

Scotland, Society of Antiquaries, Pro-
ceedings, 146.

TVawsfynydd Church, Restoration of,
281.

Treago and Tumulus* St. Weonard's,
Herefordshire, 161.

Tre 'r Ceiri, Caernarvonshire, 254.

Tumulus, Newbiggin, Orkney, Destruc-
tion of, 282.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

315

Ulster Joarnal of ArchoBology, Review
of, 227, 285.

Wales, Lords Marchers of, 276, 277.

Warton Club, 284.

Welsh I^aDguage, Statistics of, 143.

Welsh Records and MSB. in British
Museum, 247.

Williams, Rev. Rowland, M.A., Obi-
tuary, 68.

Wrakin, Derivation of Name, 275.

Wynne, WillUm, Letter to Bishop
Humphreys, 45.

Xist of Sllnstrations.

Adluno, Stone of, at Ystradgunlais
Beaumaris Church, Plan of

" " Details

« " Tomb In

" Town, Plan of
Cadair Branhines, near Ruthin
Caldicot Castle, South Front .

« « Details

Caldy Island, Inscribed Stone in
Capel Trillo, Caemarronshiie, Plan of

« " View of

Castell Penrose, Monmouthshire, Plan of
Celt, Wrought Iron
Cilgerran, Inscribed Stone at

« « « with Oghams

Downing, Whitford, Inscribed Stone at
Bmljrn, Sepulchral Stone of •
LlanfiMS Friazy, Oround-Plan of

« << Coffin-Lid at

<< ** Effigy of Princess Joan

Llan&glan, Inscribed Stone at
Lhmrug, Inscribed Stone at
Llanthony Priory, Plan

<< « Corbels

«« " South-West View .

to face page

€1

158

157

((

253

((

252

155

(€

257

182

((

182

250

153

116

FrawHepkce,

316

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

t€

Uanwyndftr, FibttU found at
Peoeoyd Castle, West Front

" " Sonth-West Tower

Penmoo Priory, Plan •

EastBnd
Soath Side
*• Enamelled Plate .
Radnor, New, Town and Castle, Map .
Arms of Borongb
Seal found at
Rathin Church and College, Plan .
Seals of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln
St Weonard's, Tomolus at

« « Openlngof

Treago, View from the East, Old •

" " New

Tre 'r Celrl, CaemarTonshiie, Plan of
Tstradgynlais, Inscribed Stone at

to face page

273

118

»)

130

191

1^3

ia5

168

170

161

164

855

ERRATA.

Page 211, line 4, for " Bstrighrid," read " Estrighoiel."
" S8, for ** Quit OyW," road ** Caer Gybi,'

R. XA80V, PRINTER, HIGH 8TABBT, TBVBT.

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