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MEMORIALS
OF
THE SEE AND CATHEDRAL
OF
LLANDAFF.
DERIVED FROM
THE LIBER LANDAVENSIS, ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS IN
THE BRITISH MUSEUM, H.M. RECORD OFFICE,
THE MARGAM MUNIMENTS, Etc.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
BY
WALTER DE GRAY mRCU,
Hon. Corr. R.A. (Turin and Seville) ; LL.D. (Glasgow) j F.S.A. (London) j
Late of the British Museum ; Librarian and Curator to the Marquess of
Bute J Author of the ''^History of Margam Abbey"; the '■'■ History
of Neath Abbey" j Editor of the Cartularium Saxonicum";
the " Liber Vita'- " of Hyde Abbey, Winchester j the
" Catalogue of the Penrice and Margam Abbey
Manuscripts'' ; the " Royal Charters of the
City of Lincoln" etc.
^
JOHN E. RICHARDS,
NEATH.
1912,
\\3kF\1'^\
TO THE
RT. REV: JOSHUA PRITCHARD HUGHES, D.D.
LORD BISHOP OF LLANDAFF,
A WORTHY SUCCESSOR
OF
DUBRICIUS, TEILO, OUDOCEUS, URBAN, WfLLIAM MORGAN,
AND FRANCIS GODWIN,
THESE MEMORIALS
OF
THE EARLY HISTORY OF LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL
ARE DUTIFULLY DEDICATED WITH PERMISSION
BY
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
List of Illustrations . . . viii
Preface . . ix
CHAPTER I.
The Book of LLandaff — Life of the Hermit Elgar
CHAPTER IL
St. Samson of Dol
CHAPTER III.
First State of the Church of LLandaff— The City of Rome— The
Persecutions of the Early Christians
CHAPTER IV.
Life of St. Dubricius ...
CHAPTER V.
The Charters of the Time of St. Dubricius
CHAPTER VI.
The Latin Life of St. Teiliavus or Teilo
CHAPTER VII.
The Old English Metrical Life of St. Teilo or Telyou
CHAPTER VIII.
The Privileges of St. Teilo ....
CHAPTER IX.
The Charters of the Time of Archbishop Teilo
CHAPTER X.
Life of St. Oudoceus the Archbishop
CHAPTER XI.
The Charters of the Time of St. Oudoceus .
CHAPTER XII.
Bishops Ubelviu, Aidan, and Elgistil
26
32
45
61
72
76
86
95
117
vl Contents.
CHAPTER XIII. PAGE
Bishops Junabui, Comeregius, Arguisti!, Guruan, Guodloiu, Edilbiv,
Grecielis . . . . . . -123
CHAPTER XIV.
Bishop Berthguinus . . . .136
CHAPTER XV.
Sede vacante — Bishop Trychan . -155
CHAPTER XVI.
Bishops Elvogus and Catguaret . . .166
CHAPTER XVII.
Bishops Cerenhir and Nobis . 172
CHAPTER XVIII.
Bishop Nobis and the Book of St. Chad at Lichfield . 177
CHAPTER XIX.
Bishops Pater, Gulfrit, and Nud 182
CHAPTER XX.
Bishops Ciueilliauc, Libiau, and Gucaunus . 193
CHAPTER XXI.
Bishops Marchluid, Bledri, and Joseph 207
CHAPTER XXII.
Bishop Herwald 224
CHAPTER XXIII.
Bishop Urban . . . 236
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Dispute between Bishop Urban and the Bishops of Hereford and
St. David's •••... 242
CHAPTER XXV.
Bishop Uchtryd . 21:8
CHAPTER XXVI.
The alleged Bishop Godefridus or Geoffrey. Bishop Nicholas ap Gurgant 262
CHAPTER XXVII.
Bishop William of Saltmarsh . 272
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Bishop Henry of Abergavenny . . „
Contents. vil
CHAPTER XXIX. page
Bishops William of Goldclive and Elias of Radnor . . 287
CHAPTER XXX.
The supposed Bishop William of Christchurch, Bishops William of Bury,
John de La Ware and William of Radnor . 296
CHAPTER XXXI.
Bishop William de Brewys. Bishop-Elect Philip of Stanton . 304
CHAPTER XXXII.
Bishop John of Monmouth . .312
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Later Bishops, a.d. 1323-1389 . . . . 325
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Later Bishops, continued, a.d. 1389-1496 . . 339
CHAPTER XXXV.
Later Bishops, continued, a.d. 1496-1574 . . 353
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Later Bishops, continued, A.D. 1 575-1636 . . . 363
CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Seals of the Bishops and the Cathedral . 373
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
The Cathedral of LLandaff . . 384
Appendix . 395
Index . . 415
Errata . ... 424
X Preface.
Cardifif Public Library ; Mr. Edwin C. Pole, of Neath ;
Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Jones, of Fforest Legionis, PonU
Neath- Vaughan, Neath ; Mr. J. S. Corbett, of the Bute
Estate Office, Cardifif; Mr. F. C. Price, and others, is
here gratefully acknowledged by the author, who feels
that some apology is due to those who have waited long
for this work, — a delay in great part occasioned by the
difficulty experienced in gathering together many of the
historical and topographical details.
MEMORIALS OF LLANDAFF.
CHAPTER I.
THE BOOK OF LLANDAFF.— LIFE OF THE HERMIT ELGAR.
THE most important Memorial of Llandaff, both as regards
age and contents, is, without doubt, the well-known Liber
• Landavensis, or Book of Llandaff. The history of this record has
been written by the Rev. W. J. Rees in 1840, and more recently
in the edition by Mr. J. G. Evans, with co-operation of Professor
Sir John Rhys, in 1893, the publication of which is largely due
to the liberality of the late Marquess of Bute. The manuscript
belongs to Mr. Philip Bryan Davies-Cooke, of Gwysaney, Flint-
shire. Rees' edition was based not on the manuscript itself but
on transcripts of it, and its readings in many places, although not
always important ones, differ from those of the archetype.
These discrepancies may be due to Rees or to the transcriber
whom he employed in some cases, and to the faults of the
mediaeval transcripts in other cases, and it would seem that the
proper names and the old Welsh sentences in which the boundaries
of land are written are more often errant in this particular.
Mr. Evans gives a detailed history of the life of the manuscript,
from which we learn the vicissitudes to which it has been subjected
during its eight centuries of existence, but as it is not the inten-
tion of devoting much space in this work to facts recently printed
it is sufficient to point out where these details may be studied.
The British Mu.seum copy among the Cottonian Manuscripts, under
reference of Vitellius C.X., written out in 1610, is perhaps the
most easily available text for the general student, and the edition
of 1893 already mentioned, which claims to have been "for the
first time reproduced diplomatically," has, on the whole, been
fairly well executed, although it is not immaculate in its readings
or extensions of abbreviated words.
B
2 Memorials of Llandaff.
The book contains eighty-four leaves of vellum, with writing
of more than one period. The oldest handwriting has been
conjectured by some to be that of the celebrated Geoffrey of
Monmouth, by others it is ascribed to the period of Urban's
episcopacy. Mr. Evans puts it at about A.D. 1 1 SO, and gives
Bishop Urban credit for having probably collected the old
charters which have been copied into the book during the course
of his contendings with the occupants of the adjacent sees of
Hereford and St. David's. The unfinished state of the text
seems to furnish a corroboration of the belief in Geofifrey's
authorship, as it is known that he died suddenly in A.D. 1154.
Taking the contents of the book, not in order as they occur, but
in order of chronology as given by Mr. Evans, the first article is
The Life of ^lgar the Hermit,
the handwriting of which has been attributed to a period between
A.D. II 54 and 1 175. It is written in Latin, with some of the.
words run together, as was the fashion of those times, when
prepositions are employed. Abridging and occasionally altering
the translations made by Rees in his above-mentioned edition,
the following is the Memorial of this Saint. It is not difficult
to say what close connection the Hermit ^Elgar had with Llandaff.
Although in Glamorgan, as in other places in very early times,
numerous hermit pioneers of the Christian faith took up their
abode among the Pagans or indifferents of the age, there is no
reason to suppose that .^Igar ever inhabited the district, but
the author or compiler of the book had good reason to include
yElgar among the quasi-missionaries of the diocese ; and the
vision or ecstatic presence of St. Dubricius, St. Daniel, St.
Paternus, and other holy persons, formed a quite sufficient reason
for translating his remains to Llandaff, and for including the life
of ^Igar in a book dealing with the earliest history of that
church, notwithstanding the large interval of distance between
the Isle of Enli in North, and the city of Llandaff in South
Wales.
The man Elgar, a native of England, born in Devonshire, in
his infancy taken prisoner by a fleet of pirates, was as u.sual
conveyed to Ireland, in captivity, where for some time he led a
servile life. At length on the death of his master he was released
from captivity, and came into the possession of the king, when he
was again obliged to bear the yoke of servitude, and so' far that.
Life of j^lgar the Hermit. 3
during the reign of King Reotri, tlie grandson of Conchor, he
performed with his own hands, the office of executioner on those
who had been condemned to death by the judgment of the regal
court. Greatly dissatisfied, and leading a life contrary to his
inclination, in grief and sorrow, among his enemies, he hoped for
the mercy of God to release him by death, but at length obtained
his liberty. Having performed penance suitable to his state, he
left the country altogether, and being mindful of his misfortunes
took ship, and suffering shipwreck landed on the isle of Enli
(now better known as Bardsey), a place, which according to the
British custom, was called the Rome of Britain, on account of the
dangerous passage to it by sea, and its distance, being situated at
the extremity of the kingdom, and for its sanctity and dignity ;
sanctity because there were buried therein the bodies of twent}'
thousand holy confessors and martyrs ; dignity because it was
surrounded on all sides by the sea, having a lofty promontory on
the eastern side, its western coast was plain and fertile with a sweet
flowing fountain. It was partly maritime and abounded with
dolphins ; was completely free from serpents and frogs, and no one
died therein in the life time of a brother who was older than
himself. Whereas he had a knowledge of the fertility, and
especially of the sanctity of the place, he commended the sailors
to Christ, and resolved to lead the life of a hermit, and being
uninstructed from his having been brought up without education,
he daily reaped improvement. After spending the space of seven
years with a religious community of brethren, and sometimes in
solitude, he led a holy, glorious, and chaste life with scant food,
slight clothing, and an emaciated countenance. During the
following seven years, when all Guenedotia, i.e. North Wales, was
desolated, he dwelt in the desert, and had nothing for his main-
tenance, except the support which he received through the
providence of God, from ministering creatures, from the fish of
the sea, and what the eagles, or, as we may say, angels, brought
to him.
On a certain day, the Master Caratocus came to see whether
the brother were alive or dead ; and, to his joy, finding the
servant of God, living, said to him, " O beloved ! who has main-
tained thee, being so completely separated from all mankind ?
No one, I am certain, from our country, which is desolated, and
for a long time estranged from thee through want of com-
munication by sea." These and other enquiries having been
made, the good man, who was the most learned of all Gualia,
B 2
4 Memorials of Llandaff.
i.e. Wales, being skilled in the knowledge of both kinds of law,
ancient and modern, descended from a noble family, and emment
in secular learning, with bended knees before the holy person,
and with sighs, and the shedding of tears, strongly intreated him
to give him an account of his life, which was unknown to man
and known only to God. Thus prevailed on at length by intreaty,
he related to him the particulars of his solitary life, as to his lord
and master. " Now, dearly beloved Father, I will make known to
thee the mercy that has been shown to me, not on account of my
very inconsiderable merit, but through the bounty and goodness
of God, who has always given comfort to me ; holy Spirits
assuming to themselves, with divine concurrence, the likeness of
corporeal substance according to the belief supported by Scripture,
which testifies that a Spirit hath not flesh and bones, do constantly
day and night administer to me, as to one poor and infirm and
suffering shipwreck ; through whose care I know not the lack of
joy and prosperity nor the presence of penury and poverty. They
always declare to me what is true and always promise what is
right, describing to me the present life to be as a flower of the
field, and the future as the odour of balm, comforting me that I
may not faint in the way, whereas having vanquished the enemy,
I should be rewarded with a heavenly crown. Although separated
from me when they meet together, I know them by our frequent
intercourse with each other, to be r3ubricius. Archbishop of
Western Britain, Daniel, Bishop of the Church of Bangor, St.
Paternus, and many others, whose bodies are buried in this
island. One of them said to me at one time or other, ' Go
to-morrow to the cave of the confessor Greit, and when there,
fatigued by the journey, and intent on prayer, lie down and God
will give thee wherewith in those days thou mayest sustain thy
body, and thus on every third day in the morning God will give
thee a fish from the rock, although it be apart from the sea, and
elevated many paces above it.' The fish, which was sent me in
this manner, at length became distasteful and disagreeable, and
my appetite failing, owing to the meagre and watery nature of its
daily food, it was taken away in consequence of the complaint
which I made.
" Another time, I was told, ' Go to the harbour, and thou wilt
have a sea fish of great size, wherewith thou mayest be main-
tained ; ' and I pierced, with a small knife, the side of the fish
I found, which feeling the wound, leaped, and precipitated
itself into the sea, completely escaping out of my hands.
Life of j^lgar the Hermit. 5
Reflecting on my hasty and hostile act, I repented having
inflicted the wound, and returned unprovided to my sheltering
place. After some time, my appetite inciting mc, I sought for
aid as usual. On the following night the holy persons appeared,
and said, ' O thou incredulous person ! Why wert thou so
hasty ? What God has sent to thee, he will not take away ;
what he has taken from thee to-day, he will restore to-morrow.
Go to the same place, and there thou wilt find the said fish
dead, and also the knife.' And it was so.
" Another time, when hunger was pressing me, the accustomed
persons said, ' Go thy usual road ; ' and I went and found
a large white stag, and I said, ' What need have I of so much
food, and of which I have not been accustomed to partake?'
I returned to the oratory, and as usual, they said to their servant
' The Lord will give thee nothing else for food this time, besides
what thou hast found to-day,' and returning to the harbour,
I found the stag again, which was food for me for some con-
siderable time. Sometimes the eagles administered to me, by
divine appointment, of the fishes of the sea in the usual manner,
and as was necessary, with some herbs, likewise, and water,
and small sea-fish."
These and many other particulars having been related,
Master Caratocus hastened to the harbour, and said to his
brother, " O pious one ! O beloved one ! Leave the solitude,
that thou mayest be comforted, and restored to thy former
state, and thou shalt receive from me for some time the comforts
of food, and clothing." Having heard these words, he hastened
to the oratory, and having received an answer from the holy
persons, said, " O Father, I have not so much hberty, nor
rashness, as to follow thee any more in this life. Depart,
Brother, with great speed, while the wind is favourable, on
giving to thee my small blessing, and receiving from thee thy
large one." After these things, he led his present life to the
Lord, and unknown to man, and having prepared a grave for
himself in the oratory, he lay down close by it, and expired.
While the body was yet warm, some sailors came to the place,
and buried what they found there ready for sepulture.
On Friday, the 7th of May, in the year one thousand one
hundred and twenty, being leap year, his teeth were removed
from the island, on the same day that the relics of St. Dubricius
were translated to Llandaff by Urban the Bishop, with the
consent of Ralph, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the assent of
6 Memorials of Llandaff.
David, Bishop of Bangor, and Grifud, King of Guenedotia, and
the applause of all the clergy and people, and on Sunday, tenth
of the kalends of June (23rd May) they were received into the
Church of Llandaff
From the foregoing narrative it is clear that some of the
relics of Elgar reposed among the Sanctuaria of Llandaff, which
were held in the highest religious esteem during the middle
ages. For this reason the account of his life rightly occupies
a foremost place in the book, and after leading the life of a
hermit during which he experienced the supernatural events
here related, after death the translation of his teeth, a favourite
portion of saintly remains, are recorded to have been effected
on the same day as the relics of a still more exalted patron,
St. Dubricius, by a ceremony the dignity of which was enhanced
by the presence of Bishop Urban, and the consent of the
Archbishop of Canterbury, the bishop of the diocese in which
the abiding place of the Saint was situated, and the assent of
the King of North Wales, supported by the applause of popular
sentiment. The custom of preserving the relics of departed
Saints is as old as Christianity itself, and it appears to have
been a favourite theme of early mediaeval church historians to
draw up lists of such relics and the places where they repose.
One of the most interesting is perhaps that contained in the
Liber VitcB of New Minster in Winchester.^
This interesting account of the hermit Elgar, whose relics were
conveyed to Llandaff in A.D. 1120, is followed by
The Life ok Saint Sanson, or Samson,
whose connection with Llandaff is of a far more intimate character
than that of Elgar. The handwriting of this article somewhat
resembles that of the foregoing, and has been referred to a
similar period, viz., between A.D. 11 54 and A.D. 117S, but Mr.
Evans has not identified it with the same writer as the scribe of
the Elgar notice. Rees's tran.'ilation of this Life is here given,
with a few alterations of diction which do not affect the meaning
of the writer.
■ Hampsh. Record Soc, pages 147-153. The new edition of the
Monasticon mentions other instances. The destruction of such relics was
■A prominent feature of the havoc wrought in religious houses at the Dissolution.
The mystical element in the notice is in accordance with the spirit of the
times.
CHAPTER II.
ST. SAMSON OF DOL.
THERE was a certain man named Amon/ descended from
a royal family, of the district of Methia, or Meath, whose
wife was Anna,^ and whose younger brother, Umbrafeles,^ married
his wife's sister, Afifrella, who had three sons, but Anna remained
for a long time childless. Both Amon and his wife grieved much
at her long barrenness,^ and were apprehensive lest after their
death the inheritance of the head of the family would be lost
without remedy so as not to be by any means recovered ; old
age, and the time of their sepulture also fast approaching, and
being almost without hope of offspring, they said to one another ;
" Did not barren Elizabeth become the mother of the great St.
John (Baptist) after she was hopeless of children ? Is not the
Lord, who has created all things, always the same throughout
ages, both adorable and wonderful, and to whom all things are
possible, and all things which are conceived and effected by
thought, word, and deed, are manifest, and our past, present and
future to us, are all present to him, and who of his good will hath
redeemed mankind from their sinful state and ancient corruption ?
He, the same in all things, will deliver us sinners from this childless
state. Let us, therefore, have recourse to fasting, prayer, and
almsgiving, and he who delivered the three youths, Shadracb,
' Also called Ammon in this narrative.
^ Saint Anna was daughter of Uthyr Bendragon and mother of Gynyr
of Caer Gawch ; and afterwards became the wife of Amwn Ddu, King of
Graweg in Armorica and also of Bangor Illtyd, by whom she had a son
Samson of Illtyd's College. — lolo MSS., p. 505.
^ Umbrafeles is a difficult name. The names of several persons in this
article are apparently Greek in idea if not in form. Affrella is a diminutive of
affra, a heifer ; affrella may be a cow calf, and a term of endearment, like
the "Cae'd lamb" of Lincolnshire. Umbrafeles may possibly be a compound
of Latin Umbra and Gr&tk phzlos, unless the first part has to be co-ordinated,
after the Welsh manner of permutation, with some other word of which I am
ignorant.
* Barrenness was among the ancients considered a grevious misfortune.
Cf. Ecclesiasticus, xlii, 10.
8 Memorials of Llandaff.
Meshach, and Abednego, from the furnace, and from prison, will
release us from sin, and cause us to rejoice in our offspnng
and heir." Prayer having been made, together with fasting, they
entreated St. DUBRICIUS,1 Archbishop of Western Britain, and
Ildutus.^the Abbot, that by their supplication the great Creator and
Governor would give them offspring, and they vowed to God, that
should he grant this, they would especially dedicate the child
to him for the acquisition of learning and the performance of holy
offices.
These things being done, they went with presents to a certain
learned man, who lived at a considerable distance northwards,
and had prophesied what was true to many persons, to visit
whom they proceeded, and at whose residence they arrived the
third day. Receiving them kindly and with hospitality, he
mentioned to them the cause of their journey, and said [to Amon],
" I know the occasion of your coming ; make a silver rod, equal
in height to thy wife, and bestow alms on poor Christians, and
thou shalt obtain offspring, and the objects of thy wishes." Which
Amon hearing, said, " I will give three rods equal in height to
her." On the following night the blessed Anna saw in a dream
an angel, who said unto her, " The Lord hath deigned to comfort
thy sorrow, and thy tears shall be turned into joy, for thou
shalt bear a son, and call him SANSON, one worthy of Episcopal
office, and he shall be seven times whiter than that silver which
thy husband gave for thee to God." All the things which she
heard from the angel she truly related to her husband. The
learned man rising in the morning, spoke to Anna, saying, " The
Lord revealed to me this night respecting thee, and thy offspring,
that he will be such as Britain has never yet produced nor ever
will produce." And as it is said, " The Lord is wonderful among
his Saints," by the supplication of the holy men, the woman
conceived, and bore a son ; and the name of Samson was given
him by St. Ildutus, who uplifted him at the sacred font, and
baptized him.
On his return to his father's residence, the child increased daily
in bodily comeliness and stature, and when he attained some
growth, his countenance was lovely, and his form pleasing, not
only to his family, but also to strangers, for, as ho increased in
^ The date of St. Dubricius, also called Dubritius in this record, is only
known conjecturally. One record puts his archiepiscopate in A.D. 477. Lib.
Land. Ed. Evans, p. 303.
''■ Also called Eltutus and Eldutus in this narrative.
Liife of St. Samson of Dol. 9
stature, he also increased in wisdom and discretion. When he
spoke, he was heard with great attention on account of his
intelligence, so that the clergy and people said, "This boy will
become to us a man who will be the comfort and hope of all the
country, a man of wonderful reflection and great prudence, and
as is said of a good son, the joy of all his family."
His father Ammon, when sleeping one night, was affrighted,
and suddenly awakened by a fearful vision ; and speaking aloud,
said " How terrified am I ! How I tremble ! O ! how feeble I
perceive myself! I am scarce able to raise my hand, or move my
foot." His wife hearing his cry, and observing his stupor said to
him, " O, good man ! O, my husband ! you cry out ; why do you
cry ? You mourn ; what is the cause of your mourning ? Have
you seen anything unpleasant in a dream, or before it?" For it is
usual, that when anything is thought of before sleep, the same vifill
engage the mind during sleep. He said, " I was thinking of my
only son, and noticed his eminent qualities in all things, and
suitable for a regal court, as became his family, and fit only for
governing the people with the sword and civil law, to which
improper thought, impiously and unjustly occupying my mind,
I did not assent, because God had given him, at a particular time,
that I might be comforted, and because I had promised to him
before the time of conception, and after birth engaged the same
to him, and to my exalted father Dubricius, and patron Ildutus,
and could I, in his early age, take him away? For he whom I
proposed to be an heir in this world, will shortly be an heir in
paradise, and we shall be partakers together of eternal happiness
and glory." Both the father and mother agreeing to the same
thing, they voluntarily brought up their only son for the per-
formance of what was good ; and although he was but of small
appearance, yet, with very much joy wished to go again and visit
Ildutus, who, having their son entrusted to him for ever when he
was five years old, taught him, so that he excelled in learning those
of his age ; and he who was a scholar, became forthwith, in a
wonderful manner, both master and scholar at the same time. His
lord and master, St. Ildutus, so loved him, that at all times he held
him dearer than all the other scholars, and he performed with him
more often the service of the church.
St. Ildutus labouring that he might obtain rest, and living by
labour that he might procure a livelihood, had a cornfield, to keep
which in autumn, he sent his scholars by turns, that they might
prevent the sparrows from devouring the barley, as they were
lo Memorials of Llandaff.
accustomed to do. At length, the employment came to the turn of
Samson, who with great joy undertook the office. He collected
together, like a flock of sheep, all the white sparrows that were
flying about, and brought them to the barn, and having shut the
door, he returned to the corn and as there was not a sparrow there,
he slept for some time. His associates wondering at the delay of
Samson, and being seized with envy, at length said, " Let us go, and
see, for we do not know what the favourite boy may be doing,"
And finding him asleep ; being glad, they came to the master, and
said, " Him whom thou lovest we have found sleeping, lazy, and dis-
obedient," and together witli him they returned to the boy. When
they came to him they awoke him, saying, " Boy ! are the sparrows,
thine and our enemies, asleep? or hast thou killed them all with
thy sling?" And he at length deliberately and without any warmth,
said, " I found the plunderers in the corn, and with the aid of God,
I keep them in prison for the common benefit of both us and you,
and while they are all confined in the barn, we shall not any more
have occasion to take care of, and keep watch over them." And
thus it was done.
The Abbot Ildutus, disciple of St. Germanus, skilled in human
and divine learning, of noble birth, and foreknowing future things,
gave thanks to God, and looking towards heaven said, " God has
been pleased to send to us this Samson to be a light to the country.
Lo ! a venerable head of us all, and eminent priest, who will greatly
benefit the church of God. Lo ! an excellent Minister. Lo ! the
most skilful founder of churches since the Apostles." Charity and
wisdom increased in him in so wonderful a manner, that in a few
years he seemed to excel his master in knowledge, with whom he
led for a length of time, a holy, excellent and honourable life, and
the longer he remained with him, the more he gained improvement ;
what he spoke with his mouth, he believed in his heart, and what
he believed afforded him delight. On a certain day, he and his
master meeting with an abstruse question, which they could not
understand, St. Samson had recourse to fasting, and watching, and
sought to obtain from the Lord what he could not through his
master. In the third night of fasting, he heard a voice saying unto
him, " Fatigue thyself no more ; those things, and whatsoever thou
wilt ask of God, thou shalt obtain."
On another time, in the summer, when the brethren went to
work at the harvest, a serpent gliding suddenly from a bush, bit one
of the brethren in the groin, who being about to draw his last
breath, St. Samson set the mark of the cross on the bife of the
Liife of St. Samson of TDol. i i
serpent, and giving him water mixed with oil, restored him in health
to the brethren. St. Eltutus observing St. Samson to increase in
performing miracles, caused him to be ordained a deacon, and
when Bishop Dubricius, together with Eltutus, celebrated the mass
of his ordination, he saw a dove sent from heaven resting on
St. Samson in a wonderful manner ; and when the Bishop lifted up
his hands to him, the dove descended to his right shoulder, and
remained there as long as the Bishop performed the office. Not
many years after these things took place, he was ordained a priest,
and a dove from heaven descended upon him as before, and by
its innocence marked him to be elect of God.
This Eldutus had in his monastery two nephews, who were
cousins, of whom, one was a cleric and the other, who was without
a degree, was his cellarer. The cleric was desirous of possessing the
monastery after the death of his uncle, but fearing lest St. Samson
should be unanimously cliosen Abbot on account of his virtues, and
by that means he should be deprived of the monastery, he with his
brother, entered into a deadly design. The brethren of that place
having a custom of drinking a potion of herbs after mass, the
cellarer by the advice of his brother, prepared poison, and having
skilfully proved it to be mortal, he poured it into the cup of
St. Samson ; which he, by the Holy Spirit, understanding to be the
case, blessed the cup, drank it all up, and felt no ill effects from it.
On the same day after dinner, St. Samson had some familiar dis-
course with the cellarer. " My dear brother," said he, " may God
heal thee of every disorder, because the cup which thou didst give
me to-day has produced great benefit to my body." Hearing these
things, being repentant, he sighed, and admonished his brother, the
instigator of the crime, to repent, but he refused.
On the following Sunday, when the same cleric received the
Holy Communion from the hands of St. Samson, he was that
instant seized by the Devil, becoming pale, and tearing himself
forthwith, and gnashing with his teeth, he said to those who were
standing by, " Why do ye stand here ? If I did not see Samson
my master present, I should care nothing for you.'' Ildutus, when
he saw this, ordered him to be bound, and led out, but his brother,
hearing these things, confessed the crime to both, and besought
pardon of St. Samson, and St. Samson being affected with grief,
wept, and having blessed water and oil, directed them to be given
him to drink, and thereby he released him from the influence of the
Devil. Therefore it came to pass, by the just judgment of God,
that the headship, which the offender wickedly sought for, he could
never obtain.
1 2 Memorials of Llandaff.
There was not far from this monastic establishment, a certain
island, in which was a monastery built by one named Piro, to that
place St. Samson went speedily, God conducting him and the
master favouring the proceedings, and there he led a glorious and
angelic life, amiable in his manners, intent on good works, and
constant in his devotions. After these things, one winter, the
father of St. Samson being afflicted with severe illness, was
admonished by his neighbours, that, as was usual, he should
receive the holy Communion, but he strongly affirmed that he
should not taste of death, nor receive the Sacrament, nor recover
health before he saw his son Samson, and that on his account he
should receive the health of his body, and of his soul, at the same
time.
His relatives therefore sent messengers to him, requesting that
he would visit his father, who was lying at the point of death ;
but Samson affected with grief said, " God is able without me to
heal the sick." At length, being prevailed on by the entreaty of
the Abbot, he sent back the messengers, and consented that he
would come. In the morning, therefore, having received the
blessing of his Abbot, he commenced his journey with a young-
deacon, and when they had passed through a great desert, they
heard a dreadful voice near them. The deacon becoming
frightened by this voice left his horse, and throwing off his cloak
betook himself to flight, when the hairy and horned (witch)
Theomaca,^ who had a three-pronged lance, and was flying
through the woods, prostrated him half dead. But St. Samson
proceeded intrepidly, and seeing Theomaca escaping at a distance,
called after her, saying, " In the name of Jesus Christ, stop, and
speak to me, and he asked her, " Who art thou .' " She answered,
" I am Theomaca ; my parents have always been enemies to )^ou,
and no one of my kindred has dwelt in this wood except myself.
I have eight sisters, and a mother, who are still living, and dwell
in the further wood, and I was given to my husband in this
desert, but because he is dead I cannot depart from this wood."
To whom St. Samson said, " Canst thou restore to life the brother
whom thou hast smitten, and desist from evil ? " She answered,
" I cannot either cure him, or become better, for from my infancy
I have always led a wicked life." St. Samson said, " In the name
of Jesus Christ, I command thee that thou no longer injure
' Rees translates this " a witch," Evans places her name in his Index.
The name is composed of two Greek words, and would signify " Fight against
God."
Life of St. Samson of DoL i 3
mankind, and that thou very quickly depart from this life." She
then immediately gave a precipitous leap, fell down, and expired,
St. Samson returning to his brother, who was nearly dead, after
the manner of Elishai applied his mouth, and limbs to those
same parts belonging to him, and so restored him to health.
They then proceeded on their journey, and on the third
day came to Ammon, who when he saw them, said with great
joy, " Lo the remedy for my body, and soul, which the Lord
was pleased to show me in a dream ; " for on that day he was, by
the blessing of St. Samson, healed of his disease, and by his
earnest request, he, with his brother Umbrafeles, was induced
to take the monastic habit, and both the venerable Anna, and
her sister Affrella, were consecrated by his blessing. Of his
property, he gave part to the poor, part for the building of a
monastery, and part for the use of his mother and brothers.
All things being set in order by the favour of the Holy Spirit,
he took with him his father, and uncle, and returned to the
monastery by a road, different from that by which he came
In the same road also he found a serpent of wonderful size,
which by his word alone he destroyed.
When he returned to the monastery, he found Bishop
Dubricius remaining there, the season of Lent having commenced.
The Bishop called the deacon to him, and being informed by
him of all things that had been done on the road, received St.
Samson and his companions with very great honour, and on that
day appointed St. Samson to be cellarer of the place.
He, therefore, and as if divinely directed, administered to the
brethren with great diligence, and gave to the poor, as far as
he was able, but a brother who had been before him in the
same office, envying his good works, said that St. Samson
expended all things wastefully and had improperly emptied
the vessels that had been filled with mead. Which the Bishop
hearing, and being desirous of knowing the truth, went into
the cellar, of which Samson being informed by the Holy
Spirit, marked the vessels that had been emptied with the sign
of the cross, and the Bishop found them full. And the Bishop
wondering believed him to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and
adjudged him to be worthy of a higher office. After these things,
and an interval of a few days, the death of Piro took place, and
St. Samson was unanimously elected Abbot of the monastery,
1 Helisei, MS.
14 Memorials of Llandaff.
and he obeying, but not willingly, held the government of that
congregation three years and a half.
Afterwards, some very learned Scots' returning from Rome,
came to him, whom, on examination, he discovered to be eminent
persons, with the consent of the Bishop, he therefore, went with
them to their country, where sojourning for a short time, he was
received by all religious persons as an angel. He restored sight
to the blind, cleansed the lepers, cast devils out of men, and to all
shewed the way of salvation. After he had remained sometime in
the district, he was desirous of returning to his own country, and
finding a ship ready for the purpose, he was entreated by the
sailors to go on board it, to whom he answered " We must do the
works of God before we sail from this province." The sailors
being provoked to anger, hoisted their sails, but he answered, '' Go
in peace, and return to-day, to-morrow we shall set out together."
When they departed lo ! one came to him, requesting that he
would visit the neighbouring monastery and saying, " Our Abbot
desires to see thee for the Devil has seized him, and holds him
bound." St. Samson went and found him so circumstanced, who
on meeting him, cried with a loud voice, " Lo ! him whom I have
always sought ; lo ! him, whom I have with great devotion desired
to see." On the praying of St. Samson, the demoniac was restored
to health, and leaving the monastery followed him. Having
blessed the brethren in the monastery, he departed and found the
ship returned to the harbour as he had predicted. In the morning
he and his companions went into the ship, and the wind being
favourable, he arrived the next day at the island wherein he had
first dwelt.
On entering the monastery, he found his father, and uncle,
excelling in conduct all others who lived there, on which account
he gave thanks to the Almighty. Therefore he took his uncle
Umbrafeles, who now performed the office of priest, and sent him
to be Abbot of the monastery in Hibernia, wherein he had liberated
the former Abbot from the Devil. St. Samson, with Ammon and
the aforesaid Abbot, and a certain brother who was a priest,
entered into a very large wilderness, and found therein, near the
river Severn,^ a cottage in which was a most delightful fountain,
and there he placed the brother and his two companions. Pro-
ceeding into the interior of the wilderness, he found a very secret
cave, having its entrance towards the east, with which he was much
' Scothi, i.e., Hibernicans.
'^ " Juxta Habrinum flumen.''
l^ife of St. Samson of T)oi. \ 5
pleased, as though prepared by God, and therein, by his prayers
he caused a fountain to spring up; in this place he devoted his
time to God without intermission, and did not fear the snares of
the world, being accustomed to the discourse of angels. He
commended himself to the Most High, and on every Sabbath day
he visited and held intercourse with his three brothers, whom he
had placed in the wilderness.
Now, when a Synod was held, and the chief persons of the
district enquired where St. Samson resided, one came forward,
who said that he knew the cave wherein he led a heavenly life,
and being with others, sent to him, he was brought to the Synod,
where, on beholding him, he was received as an angel, and was,
against his inclination, appointed Abbot of the monastery that
had been built by St. Germanus. In this monastery they had,
out of reverence. Bishops to sit in the chair of St. Peter, when
they assembled together. It happened that on one annual festival
of the Bishop, in the night he saw himself surrounded with very
numerous persons clothed in white, and three eminent Bishops
adorned with golden crowns, standing before him, and about to
enter with them into the church to pray, whose names, and the
cause of their coming, he delicately and humbly enquired, and
the prince of the vision said, " I am Peter, the apostle of Christ,
and these are James and John the Evangelist, the brothers of
the Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ has pre-elected thee, to be
a Bishop, and has sent us to consecrate thee." Then they vanished
out of his sight. And the Bishops coming on the appointed day,
brought with them two persons to be ordained, yet they were
desirous to ordain three, in honour of the Holy Trinity, but whom
they should choose, they did not know. On the following night,
therefore an angel of the Lord stood by St. Dubritius, and
directed him to ordain St. Samson to be Bishop, and St. Dubritius,
with joy, on account of the heavenly vision, caused the brethren
of the congregation to be assembled together, and he related
to them, rejoicing, what he had heard from the angel ; therefore,
they all with acclamation gave thanks to God, and placed him
with the others in the episcopal chair. All who were present, saw
a dove sent from heaven resting steadfastly on him whilst he was
consecrated, and on that day, as St. Samson was celebrating
the holy mysteries, St. Dubritius with two monks, saw a stream
of fire to proceed glittering from his mouth, and at all times
of his life, when he celebrated mass, angels were seen to assist
him in performing the service of the altar.
1 6 Memorials of Llandaff.
On a certain eve of the Resurrection of our Lord, as he
watched, and prayed in the church, an angel of the Lord, in
great brightness stood by him, and that he might not fear, com-
forted him saying, " Samson, dearly beloved of the Lord act
manfully, and depart from our land and thy kindred, for thou
art predestined by God to be a magnificent founder of monasteries
beyond sea, and a glorious governor among the people." These
and similar things, the angel throughout the night, congratulating
him, predicted to the holy man, and in the morning, he called
the clergy and people together, and not resisting, but rather
obeying the heavenly vision, with the greatest love, said, "O father
by the laying on of whose holy hand I, although unworthy, am
exalted, an angelic vision compels me to leave my native country,
and to go speedily beyond sea, and expressly to proceed to
the Armorican lands of the British race." Having heard these
things, the blessed Archbishop Dubritius hesitated not to permit
him to go among the Britons, because he was acquainted with
their language, and knowing him to be endued with divine power,
and adorned with good morals and sanctity said, " Be a strong
man, contend in battle, the prayers of Britain will attend thee
hence with joy and alacrity." And so, having received the
blessing of the Father Dubricius, and of the Abbot Eldutus,
and of all the clergy and people, he departed! Now having
completed the office of the Paschal solemnity, and prepared
a ship, he took some brethren with him, and went on this side
the Severn^ sea, where he visited his country, and mother, and
consecrated the church built by her, and also in those parts
restored many sick persons to health. After he had fully
instructed his mother, and other relatives, in the words of the
Lord, the Almighty leading him, he crossed over the Anferrean^
sea. When they passed through a certain town which was called
Tricurrium,^ he saw there men revelling with profane rites, and
worshipping a certain image ; which St. Samson seeing, he sighed,
and admonished them with prayers, and intreaties that they
' Abrinuni mare. Sabrina, Severn, cf. Sabranach, separatio, the dividing
boundary between the Britons and their eastern enemies.
2 Anferreum mare. Perhaps Austferry over the Severn. Evans (Index
has Auferreum vel Austcium mare, but this does not occur among the
marginaha, and I cannot find the authority for the variant form of the name.
The name is evidently a Greek compound, barbarously spelled; it should be
amphirrhoean, i.e., circumfluent.
^ Perhaps Trigg, in co. Cornwall.
Life of St. Samson of Do/. \n
should forsake the idols, which were inimical to mankind, and
worship the one true God, who was in heaven. To whom their
Count Gedianus answered, " The God whom you preach we
know not, but the gods whom our parents adored, those we
worship."
While he spoke these things a certain boy on horse-back,
riding rapidly around the image, fell to the ground and having
broken his neck, lay dead. As they all wept, St. Samson said
to them, "You see that your image cannot restore life to this
dead youth, if you will destroy your idols, and believe in my
God, on calling on the name of the Lord, I will cause your
dead one to arise." As they agreed tliereto, St Samson having
poured out prayers restored him to life openly before them all, and
being astonished at this wonderful, and unheard-of sight, they
all unanimously destroyed their idols, and believing in Jesus the
Son of God, were baptized.
In the same province there was a serpent of vast size, which
by its deadly breath had nearly destroyed two districts, and
St. Samson being informed thereof, was grieved at the misery
of the people, and taking with him the boy whom he had lately
restored, Count Gedianus with all the people accompanying him,
he went to the cave where it was known the serpent lay hid.
On the next day, as the sun shone, they described, beyond
a certain river, the cave, wherein was the serpent, and having there
left Count Gedianus and people, he went with the boy, whom he
had lately restored, beyond the river. When he came near the
mouth of the cave, he ordered the boy to remain at some distance ;
and being armed with the sign of the Cross he immediately
went into the cave, and tied about the neck of the serpent a
linen girdle, wherewith he was girt ; and drawing him out, threw
him headlong from a certain high eminence, and commanded
him, in the name of the Lord to live no longer And the boy
ran back, and related to Count Gedianus and all the people, what
he had seen ; therefore they all rejoiced at this great sight, and
uttered abundant prayers to God and St. Samson from their very
hearts, and Samson directed them to build a monastery near
the cave, and he, in the mean time, applied himself to fasting
and prayer in the cave where by his prayers a fountain sprang,
which continues to flow to this day. And when the people had
completed the monastery, and St. Samson consecrated it, he placed
his father Ammon, and with him his cousin in the same, but
he, God leading him, sailed with his companions to Brittany.
c
1 8 Memorials of Llandaff.
When he came into the harbour, and descended from the ship,
he saw a cottage, and therein a certain unhappy person, miserably
wailing, and frequently looking towards the sea, to whom Samson
said, "Brother, why wailest thou?" And he answered him, "I
have in this house a wife afflicted with the leprosy, and a daughter
who is a demoniac, whom the Lord promised to heal, by some one
from beyond the sea, and whom I have been three days expecting,
with the hope that lie will come into this harbour." On hearing
these things St. Samson went with him to his house, and praying
with supplication, restored them to health.
In the same district he found a very suitable place, wherein he
built an honourable monastery, which to this day is called DOL,
where he performed many remarkable miracles, and throughout
the provinces he built many monasteries.
In those days Count Commotus, a foreigner, and a cruel and
tyrannical person governed all Brittany, having slain Jonas the
native Count of the Bretons, and caused his son luduaP to be kept
captive by King Hildebert and the queen. St. Samson was grieved
at their misery, and quickly went to King Hildebert, desiring to
redeem ludual^ from confinement, and to deliver the people from
a foreign ruler. When Samson entered into the King's palace,
he found a certain Count, that was a demoniac, whom he anointed
on the face and breast with consecrated oil, and thereby liberated
him from the devil. The King hearing this, and that he came to
supplicate for ludual,^ and having consulted his nobles, received
St. Samson with suitable honour and invited him to dine with
him, the Queen however, as she held ludual* bound in captivity,
would not release him, and by rejecting the entreaties of- St.
Samson, and abusing him with reproachful expressions, irritated
him, and that she might destroy him, she prepared a deadly drink
for him.
When the King and the blessed Archbishop sat down to dinner,
and all who were present, congratulated him on his arrival, the
Queen at the instigation of the evil one, mixed poison with wine
in a glass, and through her servant offered it to St. Samson to
drink. But he, being divinely inspired, made the sign of the Cross
upon the glass, which thereby broke in four parts, and the poison
being shed on the hand of him who held it, the flesh and skin, in
the sight of all present, were corroded to the very bone. Then St.
Samson said "this drink is not fit to be drunk," and the King
1 Indiialum, Evans. 2 uidualum, Evans.
2 Pro nidualo, Evans. * NiducUum, Evans.
Life of St, Samson of 'Dol. 1 9
being disturbed, and all the people wondering, St. Samson marked
the hand of him who had been hurt, and completely restored it.
When the repast was finished, St. Samson, with the permission
of the King, hastened to the place where ludual was kept, to meet
whom, the Queen sent a furious horse to destroy him, but the
chosen of God marked him with the Cross. Saddled, and mounted,
the animal became so mild as if he had been tamed by the King of
Heaven under his soldier. Having her heart still hardened, she
commanded a fierce lion, with its keepers, to meet and seize him,
but the right hand of God protected his elect, and struck, as it were,
with a stake, it betook itself to flight ! but St. Samson looking after it,
said " 1 command thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, that thou hurt
no one any more, and that thou speedily die." When it imme-
diately leaped headlong and expired. And the King beholding so
many miracles performed by the holy man, brought forward ludual
released from his chains, and gave him up to him. The Queen
likewise, with her favourites, prostrate at his feet, asked pardon of
the holy man.
Which being done, and all being pardoned by the grace of
God and greatly rejoicing, the King said to St. Samson, " There
is a serpent in this province, which afflicts all who dwell around,^
and because we see thee to shine with miracles, we request that
thou wouldst vouchsafe to deliver us from it." To whom St.
Samson said, " Find me a guide for the way, and in the power of
God, I will expel it from your parts." A guide therefore being
found, he took with him two brethren, and leaving the others with
ludual in the place, being confident and always exulting in the
Lord, he quickly set out upon his journey, and when he came to
the cave in which the serpent was, he there, with bended knees,
prayed to the Lord, took the serpent by the neck, brought it out,
and commanded it to swim beyond the river called Sigona,^ and
there remain under a certain stone, and soon after, by his word
alone, he drowned it in the sea. And in the same place he built a
monastery, and placed therein brethren who should serve Christ.
Lastly, King Hildebert greatly loved St. Samson for having per-
formed such great miracles, and freely gave him valuable gifts,
namely in gold, and silver, in precious vessels, in farms, and
various possessions, and commended himself to his prayers.
Taking with him ludual, he went to Lesia^ and Angia,* and
^ Cirivm guoque, Evans, but perhaps for circumquaque.
2 For Sequana, the River Seine in France.
5 Lisieux, Evans. * Anjou, Evans.
C 2
20 Memorials of Llandaff.
there collected an army, and returned with it to Brittany, St.
Samson praying and fasting, and ludual^ fighting with the army
against Commotus : ludual, by the prayers of the holy man at
one blow overcame his enemy, and from that time, he and the
successors of his family, held the government of Brittany. Soon
after, ludual was triumphantly received by his countrymen, and
elected Governor over all Brittany, and he rendered himself, and
all who belonged to him, subject to St. Samson, and devoutly
commended himself to his prayers. " Let the Governor return
thanks to the Redeemer, and the people rejoice, being committed
to the care of such a Pastor." Whence the government of all
Brittany is observed to belong justly to DOL unto this day. For
what great miracles the Lord, on this side the sea, and beyond it,
has by him performed, how much his learning shone, the eloquence
of no writer, or doctor doth relate.
Perfect in life, and in age, and adorned with all virtues, he was
attacked by severe illness in the monastery of DOL, and surrounded
by the clergy he yielded his body to the earth, and his soul to
heaven. The clergy buried his body with unguents, and in their
hearing, the heavenly host with hymns and praises conveyed his
soul to Christ. A proof of his blessedness we have, in those
miracles which the Lord daily performs by him to the praise and
glory of his name, who with God the Father, and Holy Spirit, lives
and reigns throughout infinite ages of ages. Amen.
' Uidiialo^ Evans.
CHAPTER III.
FIRST STATE OF THE CHURCH OF LLANDAFF.— THE CITY
OF ROME. — THE PERSECUTIONS OF THE EARLY
CHRISTIANS.
T
HE earliest record in point of expressed date (which is
strangely inaccurate), is entitled : —
Concerning the First State of the Church
OF LlANDAFF, AND THE LiFE OF DUBRICIUS
THE Archbishop.
Rees's translation being followed in the main, the following is
its text : —
In the year of our Lord, 156, Lucius, King of the Britons, sent
his ambassadors, Eluanus and Meduuinus, to Eleutherius the
twelfth. Pope of the Apostolic See, imploring, according to his
admonition, that he might be made a Christian, which request was
granted to him, for giving thanks to God, because that nation, which
from the first inhabiting thereof by Britons had been heathens, so
ardently desired to embrace the faith of Christ, he with the advice
of the elders of the Roman city, was pleased to cause the ambassa-
dors to be baptized, and on their embracing the Catholic faith,
Eluanus was ordained a Bishop, and Meduuinus a Doctor. Through
their eloquence, and the knowledge which they had in the Holy
Scriptures, they returned preachers to Lucius in Britain, and
by their holy preaching, Lucius, and the nobles of all Britain,
received baptism, and according to the command of St. Eleutherius,
the Pope, he constituted an ecclesiastical order, ordained Bishops,
and taught the way of leading a good life. Which faith of the
Christian religion, they preserved free from any stain of erroneous
doctrine until Pelagian heresy arose, to confute which, St. Ger-
manus, a Bishop, and Lupus,' were by the chief clergy of Gaul, sent
to Britain. For the Britons had often previously sent messengers
to them, requesting aid against such dreadful danger, dissapproving
of, but unable to confute, the wicked doctrine of the heretics.
^ Bishop of Troyes.
2 2 Memorials of Llandaff.
After the aforesaid illustrious persons had extirpated the
Pelagian heresy, they consecrated Bishops in many parts of the
island of Britain : and over all the Britons of the southern part
they consecrated the eminent doctor St. Dubricius, who was elected
by the King and the whole district to be Archbishop. Having
received this dignity from Germanus and Lupus, they granted to
him, with the consent of King Mouricus, and of the princes, clergy,
and people, the Episcopal See, which was founded in the district of
Lanntam,^ i.e., Llandaff in honour of St Peter the Apostle, with
these boundaries — From Henriu gunua to Riu finion, and from
Gungleis to the sea, the whole district between the Rivers Taf and
Elei, with their fish, and wears for fisheries, and its dignity free
from all service, regal and secular, except only daily prayer, and
ecclesiastical service for his soul, and for the souls of his parents,
kings and princes of Britain and of all the faithful deceased, and
with this privilege, without any governor, or deputy governor,
without attendance at public courts either within or without the
district, without going in military expeditions, without keeping
watch over the country, in, or out of it, and with free commonage
to the inhabitants of the whole diocese, in field and in woods, in
water and in pastures, with its court fully complete within itself,
free and entire as a regal court, with its refuge, not for any limited
time, but to be perpetual, that is, that the fugitive might remain
safe under its protection, as long as he should wish, and with the
bodies of the kings of the whole diocese of Llandaff, given and
committed to it for ever. The diocese to have five hundred wards, of
the bay of Severn, Ercic, and Anercyc, from Mochros on the banks
of the river Guy, as far as the island Teithi. And on account of
the sanctity and excellent preaching of the holy pastor, and his
royal parentage, many churches, with their endowments, tithes,
oblations, burying places, territories, and free commonage, and
their aforesaid dignity were given to him, and to the Church of
Llandaff, and to all his successors, by the Kings and Princes of
all the country of Southern Britain. For the privilege of that
Church, granted to it with apostolical authority, is that it shall
with its dignity remain for the time to come free, and quit of all
burden of secular service. And whatsoever shall belong to it by
the grant of bishops, the liberality of princes, the oblation of the
faithful, or through any other just means, shall be preserved to it
firm, and entire, for the time to come. And besides, whatsoever it
' Possibly an error of transcription for Lanntaui.
First State of the Church. 23
shall in future, by the gift of God, justly, and canonically obtain,
shall always remain to it peaceably, and undisturbed.
Also, it is decreed that it shall not, by any means, be lawful for
any one rashly to disturb the aforesaid Church, or take away any
of its possessions, or retain such as may have been taken from it,
or diminish it, or harrass it with vexatious proceedings : and all
things, with the boundaries of the diocese, are to be preserved to it.
If any ecclesiastical or secular person, therefore, shall in future
attempt to act rashly against it, and being admonished twice, or
thrice, if he will not amend, with giving due satisfaction, he shall
be deprived of the dignity of his power and honour, feel conscious
that he is guilty and liable to the divine judgment for the crime
committed, not be allowed to partake of the most holy body
and blood of the Lord God our Redeemer Jesus Christ, and be
subject to severe punishment at the final judgment. With respect
to all who shall preserve to the Church its just property, may the
peace of our Lord Jesus Christ cause that whilst they are here
they may reap benefit, arising from their good conduct, and from
the righteous Judge receive the reward of eternal peace.
After these things the King arose, and went round the whole
territory, carrying the Gospel on his back, with the clergy bearing the
crosses and relics in their hands, and sprinkling holy water, together
with the dust of the pavement of the Church, on all the borders of
the territory, he perambulated the whole : pronouncing a blessing
on all those who should keep the alms with the aforesaid dignity
of privilege and refuge, and a curse on all who should in any
degree violate it, either great or small, as aforesaid.
And St. Dubricius observing the great number of worthy
persons which flocked to him, divided therefore the church which
had been committed to his care, among his disciples. He sent
some of them to the churches which had been given to him, and
for others he founded churches, and having settled matters agree-
ably to his wishes, and constituted dioceses, he consecrated Bishops
throughout Southern Britain : — Daniel to be Bishop in the city of
Bancor ; and many other Abbots and Priests with inferior orders.
Ildutus to be Abbot of the place, called after him Llannildut.
The place called Mochros, on the banks of the river Guy, where
formerly the blessed man Dubricius first dwelt, was by the gift and
grant of King Mouricus and the princes, given to the Church of
Llandaff, and its pastors for ever, and that the former place, with
all its territory and liberty, should serve the latter, free from all
regal service for ever.
24 Memorials of Llandaff.
The date of the writing of this record has been placed between
A.D. 1160 and 1 185.
This is followed by the text of ten Charters or grants made to
Llandaff during the episcopate of Dubricius before the Life of that
Saint was entered in the book, but it will be convenient to deal
with the Life before taking up any consideration of these
charters.
There is a further reference to Pope Eleutherius in an earlier
part of the Book, which contains a short statistical notice of
the City of Rome, giving the number of towers, castellated turrets,
and pinnacles on its walls ; its gates, posterulae or doors, the extent
of its circuit, and the names of its principal churches. These have
no particular connection with Llandaff, except that it is possible
it was drawn up for use by Urban, Bishop of Llandaff, when he
performed or was about to perform one of his journeys to the City
in connection with the great work he had undertaken in regard to
the recovery of the rights and possessions of his See. Looked at
in this light, these slight and probably inaccurate memoranda
become endowed with much interest. It is curious that the titles
of the Cardinal Priests are described as " Tituli Cardinalium
presbiterorum Sancti Pauli," by an error of punctuation. They
are the Cardinals of St. Paul, St. Savina, St. Prisca, St. Sixtus,
SS. Nereus and Achilles, St. Marcellus, St. Balbina, St. Susanna,
St. Mary the greater, St. Eusebius, St. Lucia in Ardea, St. Vitalis,
the Saints Apostles, St. Clement, St. Potentiana, St. Ciriac in
Thermis, SS. Marcellinus and Peter, and Jerusalem.
The age of the original entry of this article has been attributed
to between A.D. 1160 and 11 85.
The next article, which is to be referred to a similar date, deals
with the principal features of the life of Pope Eleutherius XII., the
most important of which, so far as concerns our own history is the
statement that he received an epistle from Lucius, King of Britain,
desiring to be received into the Christian faith. ^ " Hie accepit
epistolam a Lucio Britannio rege ut christianus efficeretur per ejus
mandatum." The Latin is obscure in its phraseology, and a sub-
sequent paragraph describing the sepulture of the Pope, states in
words that are difficult to understand, if Evans's reading is accurate,
" sepultus est juxta corpus beati Petri in nauaticauum." The
corresponding passage in the transcript among the Cottonian MSS.
is in Vatic[ano], i.e. in the Vatican.
Yet a third article, the date of which belongs to the same period
' See next chapter.
Persecutions of Early Christians. 25
as the two foregoing notices, deals with the persecutions of the
Christians by " Dioclitianus " in the East and " Maximianus
Herculius " in the West, in A.D. 286, in the course of which Britain
was raised to the highest glory and St. Alban suffered martyrdom,
of whom Fortunatus the Priest is recorded in this place to have
said or sung : —
" Albanum egregium fecunda Britannia profert."
I am unable to translate the sentence which precedes this
sentence. " Siquidem in ea passus est sanctus Albanus de quo
presbiter Fortunatus in laude virginum cum beatum martirum
quidem toto orbe venirent ad Deum, mentionem faceret ait."
Whether this jumble of words is an accurate transcript of the text
in the Liber Landavensis or not I am unable to say. The cor-
responding passage in the medieval copy in the Cottonian Library,
Vitellius C. X. fol. is quite different, and Rees reads . . . "beatorum
martyrum qui de" .... etc.
This article goes on to record the martyrdom of Julius and
Aaron with many other martyrs in the Civitas Legionum supra
huisc sitam, that is, in Caerleon, co. Monmouth, described in an
ancient gloss in the MS. as " at Kayrlyon upon Uske juxta
landaviam."
The life of St. Dubricius is dealt with in the next chapter.
CHAPTER IV.
LIFE OF ST. DUBRICIUS.
DUBRICIUS or Dubritius, as would be naturally supposed,
occupies a prominent position in the Book of Llandaff.
The record of his life is given under the title of Lectiones, and the
following, with a few unimportant changes is the translation given
of the life of St. Dubricius by the editor Rees.
There was a certain King of the region of Ercych (Archenfield)
of the name of Pepiau, called in the British language Clauorauc,
and in Latin, Spumosus, who undertook an expedition against his
enemies, and returning from thence he ordered his daughter EbrdiP
to wash his head, which when she endeavoured to do, he perceived
that she was pregnant. The King, therefore, being angry, ordered
her to be put into a sack, and cast headlong into the river, to
be carried where chance might take her, which, however, happened
contrary to what was expected, for as often as she was placed in
the river, so often was she through the guidance of God, impelled
to the bank. Her father then being indignant, because he could
not drown her in the river, resolved to destroy her with fire. A
funeral pile was therefore prepared, into which his daughter was
thrown alive.
On the following morning, the messengers who had been sent by
her father to ascertain whether any of the bones of his daughter
remained, found her holding her son in her lap, at a spot where a
stone is placed in testimony of the wonderful nativity of the boy
and the place is called Matle, because therein was born the holy
man. The father hearing this, ordered his daughter with her son
to be brought to him, and when they came, he embraced the infant
with paternal affection, as is usual, and kissing him, from the rest-
lessness of infancy, he touched with his hands the face and mouth
of his grandfather, and that not without divine appointment, for by
the contact of the hands of the infant, he was healed of the incu-
' Ebrdil, with r underlined for omission, M.S.
Liife of St. T)ubricius. 27
rable disease wherewith he was afflicted, for he incessantly emitted
foam from his mouth, which two persons, who constantly attended
him, could scarcely wipe off with towels.
Who, when he knew that he had been healed by the touch of the
infant rejoiced greatly, like one who had come to a harbour after
having suffered shipwreck. And he who at first was as a roaring
lion, was now turned to a lamb, and began to love the infant above
all his sons and grandsons, and of that place, Matle (that is, Mat,
good, \q, place, and whence Matle, a good place), he made him heir
and also of the whole island, which took its name from his mother
Ebrdil, that is, Inis Ebrdil, which by others is called Mais mail
lochou. And from that hour he increased in growth, and know-
ledge, being sent to a seminary of learning, he proceeded cheer-
fully, and with great devotion ; and although a child in age, he was
soon a man in maturity, with great prudence and eloquence in
imparting knowledge.
And when he became a man in growth, age, and wisdom, and
skilful in both the modern and ancient law, his fame extended
throughout all Britain, so that from all parts, not only scholars
who were uninstructed came, but also learned men and doctors
flocked to him for the sake of study, particularly Teiliaus,
Samson his disciple, Ubeluius, Merchguinus, Elguoredus, Gunui-
nus, Congual, Arthbodu, Congur, Arguistil, lunabui, Conbran,
Guoruan, Elheharn, ludnou, Guordocui, Guernabui, Louan, Aidan,
Cinuarch. And with those he retained two thousand clergy for
seven successive years at Hennlann on the banks of the Gui, in
the literary study of divine and human wisdom, setting forth to
them ill himself an example of religious life and perfect charity.
And during another space of time, he remained with his
numerous disciples for many years, directing their studies, in his
native district, namely, Inis Ebrdil, having found a place convenient
for wood and fish, in a corner of that island, on the banks of the
Gui, giving it the name of Mochros, that is, Moch, of a hog, ros, a
place : Mochros in the British language signifying the Place of
Hogs. And rightly was it so called, for, during the preceding night,
an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said, " See
that thou, on the morrow, go all round the place which thou hast
proposed and chosen, and when thou wilt see a white sow lying with
her pigs, there lay a foundation, and build in the name of the Holy
Trinity a habitation, and an oratory." The man of God having
awakened from his sleep, and being mindful as usual of the angelic
precept, immediately went round the place with his disciples, and as
28 Memorials of Llandaff.
the voice of the angel had promised to him, a white sow, with her
young pigs, got up before them, and there immediately founded
and constructed an oratory and an habitation, where for many
years he regularly lived, preachi,ng, and giving instruction to the
clergy and people his doctrine striving throughout all Britain, as a
candle or a candlestick, and the whole British nation preserved the
true faith without any stain of false doctrine.
As the holy man shone in the doctrine granted to him, and also
in noble parentage, and was eminent in eloquence, virtue increased
in his country and a more abundant entrance of the people into
paradise. As the labours of his body increased, the more he rejoiced
on account of the greatness of the burden, excepting a recompense
in a mansion of the heavenly country. The sick were healed, and
cured of various disorders by the lying on of his hands, and that I
might relate some out of many things, Dubricius of blessed memory
visited the residence of St. Ildutus, in the season of Lent that he
might correct what wanted amendment, and confirm what should
be observed, for there resided at the place many very holy persons,
and also many who were affected with envy.
Among those that lived there was brother Samson, the son of
Amon, who obtained from the said father, that at the episcopal seat,
on the day of his ordination, first, a deacon, secondly, a priest,
and thirdly, a bishop, a white dove should descend on his head,
which was seen by the holy Archbishop, and by the Abbot Ildutus,
during the whole time of his ordination. The business of the house
of St. Ildutus was divided between the brethren, the ecclesiastical
affairs were performed by such persons as they best suited, and the
offices were distributed among the brethren. The care of the cellar
was, by his advocates, granted to St. Samson, who day and night,
served the clergy to their satisfaction, and also pleased the common
people. On a certain day, when he had filled the cups of the
guests, and all the vessels of the cellar were become empty, on the
occasion of such great joy as the visit of St. Dubricius and his
family, it was mentioned by an envious person that the cellarer had
altogether wasted the drink for having enjoyed the same ofifice, and
being deprived of it, he envied the brother Samson, because of his
bountiful hand.
Hearing the murmuring of the congregation against him, and
being ashamed of so much complaints, he came to St. Dubricius
and related to him all things in order, saying, " Holy father, flower
of thy country, give me thy assistance." St. Dubricius, on hearing
his request, prayed to God, that with respect to the distress which
Liife of St, 'Dubricius. 29
Samson suffered, he might liberate him, and being induced by-
fatherly affection, he went to the cellar, in company with Samson.
And as it is said, " The Lord is wonderful among His saints," he
raised his hand, and pronounced a blessing, which being uttered,
marvellous relation ! immediately the vessels overflowed afresh, as
if they had been that hour filled with liquor as usual and the evil
effort of envy being got rid of, they were renewed, and what was
given away by bestowing bountifully was restored by prayers as a
remuneration.
As the people were, according to custom, flying for succour to
St. Dubricius, and recovering the health of their souls and bodies,
there came a certain wealthy man, descended from royal ancestors,
named Guidgentiuai, beseeching him on bended knees, that he
would release his daughter Arganhell, who was possessed by a
demon, and was so far afflicted, that when her hands were bound
with cords, one could hardly hold her from being drowned in the
river, or burnt in the fire, or from destroying everything about her
with her teeth. O, how excellent a thing it is to serve God, who
holds all things by his government, and subjects them to his will !
The pious father having heard his entreaty, prayed to the Lord, and
falling to the ground with flowing tears, besought God that by the
intercession of St. Peter the prince of the apostles, and of all the
saints, he would succour the diseased. Forthwith, in the presence
of her father and relatives, the cords were broken, the evil spirit
completely left her, her health and entire reason were recovered,
and she received her former state anew, and in every respect
improved. She then forthwith acknowledged her own weakness,
and being filled with the Holy Spirit, renounced the world ; and
having preserved the chastity of virginity and remaining under the
protection of the holy man, she led an improved life until she died.
The holy man observing that his life was not sufficient for him-
self and the people, and being weary through infirmities and old
age, resigned the laborious office of a Bishop, and for many \'ears
lived solitarily, leading the life of a hermit, with many holy men
and his disciples, who lived by the labour of their hands, in the isle
of Enli and there he gloriously ended his life.
And as his survivors had venerated him, and considered him as
a father, when corporeally with them, so they afterwards applied to
him, as an intercessor with God, and the defender of all the saints
of the whole island, and of the whole country. A few miracles
only, out of many, are recorded in writing, because they have
been consumed by the fires of the enemy, or carried away to
30 Memorials of Llandaff.
a far distance in the fleet of citizens when banished. But what
were afterwards discovered and obtained from the monumental
tombs of old persons, and the writings of very ancient authors,
in what situation he was buried, in the time of what princes.
Pope, Emperor, Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of Enh', he
was from thence removed to Llandaff, we commit to writing and
memory. It was in the time of Calixtus, Pope ; Henry, Emperor of
the Romans ; Ralph, Archbishop of Canterbury ; Henry I, King of
England ; David, Bishop of Bangor ; Urban, Bishop of Llandaff.
On the 14'h day of November, in the year of our Lord, 612,
St. Dubricius, Bishop of the church of Llandaff, migrated to the
Lord. On Friday, the 7* day of May in the year 11 20, being
leap year, he was removed from the isle of Enli, by Urban, Bishop
of the same church, with the approbation and consent of Ralph,
Metropolitan of the church of Canterbury, and the assent of David,
Bishop of the church of Bangor, and in his presence likewise, and
of Griffith, King of Guenedocia, i.e. North Wales, and with the
applause of all the clergy and people, and on Sunday, the 23rd day
of May, he was received into his church of Llandaff, when there
was a procession, and the holy cross, with abundance of relics, was
carried, and on whose arrival there was plenty of rain, which was
much wanted by the people, for it had not rained even a drop for
seven weeks .and upwards throughout the district of Glamorgan.
On Wednesday the second day of June, the aforesaid Bishop
of good memory, after the labour undergone, and on account of
the obtaining of so great joy to himself and the church for having
procured so great a portion, and fasting and prayer having been
made, called together his canons, and his brother Esni, who was
Dean of the same Church, and a man of chastity, and very good
prudence, and also his chaplain, named Isaac, a man of great
shrewdness and ability. And the sacred relics of St. Dubricius^
being laid on the ground, were placed together that they might be
prepared, the dust separated, and be washed with water after so
long a journey. Being put with their own hands, out of reverence
towards so great treasure and the whole country, into three basons
before the altar of Peter the Apostle, and the holy confessors Dub-
ricius, Teiliauus, and Oudoceus, immediately by the touch of the
' But compare the following note : —
" The bones, as was supposed, of the Saxon St. Dubritius were discovered
buried in his cell at Guy's Cliff, near Warwick, as appears from the authority of
Sir W. Dugdale." — Eugene Aram's Defence, in Paris and Fonblanque's Medical
Jurisprudence, 1823, vol. iii, p. 315.
Liife of St. TDubricius. 31
holy relics, the water bubbled on all sides in a marvellous manner,
as if a great red-hot stone had been thrown into it. And they did
not only wonder, being amazed at the various ebullitions through-
out the whole bason, but also because they perceived the water to
be very hot. Not only for a short time, or the space of a moment^
but also, as long as they were alternately moved by them in
common in the water, so long the water increased in heat to the
end of the ablution, and not only the sight and touch perceived
this miracle, but the hearing likewise, for the sound of the bubbling
of the heated liquid was heard.
Those things having been seen, heard and felt as the " Lord is
wonderful among His saints," the Bishop took a bone of the arm,
and handling it, for great joy put it into the water, and when it was
at the bottom of the water, it moved itself there for the space of
more than an hour, no one moving it but the power of God.
Which he alone having at first seen, he called the Dean to him who
was near, that he might see the moving of the bone, and water,
and also the Chaplain, as every testimony should be in the mouth
of two or three witnesses, and they returned thanks to God for so
great a miracle. Which being seen, the relics of St. Dubricius
were, for the praise and exaltation of the church of God, placed in
a tomb suitable for the purpose, and in the old monastery before
the altar of St. Mary, toward the North side. And the aforesaid
prelate, of good memory, observing the small size of the place being
in length 28 feet, in breadth 15 and height 20, and with two aisles,
one on each side, of very small size and height and a porch, of a
round form, 12 feet in length and breadth, with the advice of Ralph,
Archbishop of the Church of Canterbury, and all the clergy and
the people of the same, began to build a greater monastery in
honour of Peter the Apostle, and of the holy confessors, Dubricius,
Teiliauus, and Oudoceus, on Wednesday the 14'^ day of April, in
the year 11 20, and having received for himself and his church
letters of the Lord Archbishop, with a blessing and pardon for all
who would give their assistance, the work was commenced.
The archbishop's letters, granting remission of a fourth part
of any penance enjoined upon contributors to the building of the
Cathedral follows here in the Liber Landavensis.
The date of the writing of this article has been attributed by
Evans and Rhys to between 11 36 and 11 54.
CHAPTER V.
CHARTERS OF THE TIME OF ST. DUBRICIUS.
NO less than nine grants of land to the See of Landafif during
the episcopate of Dubricius are recorded in the Liber
Landavensis. Rees printed them for the first time, in Latin,
with an English translation, in 1840, and in the later edition of
Evans, of 1893, the Latin text is given with a palaeographical
minuteness, which did not enter into the scope of the earlier
edition.
I. The first charter relates to the grant of Lann Custenhinn-
garth-benni in Ercicg, or Ergyng, a site called in other places
Garth Benni, and Gurit Penni. Evans identifies it with " * Welsh
Bicknor, counties of Monmouth and Hereford." The star placed
by that Editor before the place-name indicates that this identifica-
tion has been contributed by Mr. Egerton Phillimore, whose general
assistance in many ways Mr. Evans gratefully acknowledges in his
preface. Of this site Rees says that the church was in Hereford-
shire, but its situation is not known, as it has become ruinated or
changed its name. The document runs practically as follows,
omitting some of the unnecessary verbiage which is so typical of
those early diplomatic instruments : —
Lann Custenhinngarthbenni.
Be it known to us that King Peipiau son of Erb, granted
Mainaur Garth benni, as far as the black marsh between the wood,
and field, and water, and the spear-throw of King Constantine, his
father-in-law, beyond the river Guy, to God, and Dubricius, Arch-
bishop of the See of Llandaff, and to Junapeius his cousin, for his
soul's health and the writing of his name in the Book of Life, with
all its liberty, without any earthly payment, and overlordship, small
and moderate, except to God, and to St. Dubricius, [and those] who
serve in the church of Llandaff for ever. And Peipiau held the
written deed upon the hand of St. Dubricius, that the house of
prayer and penance, and the episcopal residence might belong to
the Bishops of Llandaff for ever. And in testimony thereof, he
consecrated the church, and left there three of his disciples.
Grant of Lann Cerniu. 33
The witnesses are,
of the clergy : —
Dubricius.
lunapeius,
Arguistil.
Conuran.
Vbeluiu.
Goruan.
louann.
Of the laity :—
King Peipi
iau.
Condiuill.
Custenhin.
Guidgol.
Guourir.
Clem.
Dihiruc.
The document closes with a conventional paragraph of bene-
diction on the upholders, and anathema on the destroyers, of the
grant.
There are many points of great interest in the text. Thejaculus
of the king clearly points to the very ancient custom of claiming so
much land as could be included by the throw of a javelin, which
obtained in many other countries, and probably still exists in
uncivilised parts of the earth. The gift specifically made for the
soul's health of the giver, that is, in return for prayer and inter-
cession by the clergy on behalf of the future state of the grantor
who thereby exchanges earthly possessions for heavenly benefits ;
the writing of the grantor's name in the Liber Vitce, a book generally
kept on the high altar of the church, thereby indicating that the
person whose name was therein inscribed was specially included
in the prayers of the clergy : the holding of the document by the
grantor upon the hand of Dubricius, and the resultant consecration
of the church : are all details which throw a deeply significant light
upon the manners and customs of this far-off age, which the student
of ancient Welsh history will recognise and gratefully add to his
store of recorded incidents.
2. The tenour of the second document is as follows : —
Lann Cerniu.
Be it known to all Christians, that King Peipiau gave Lann
Cerniu, with an uncia of land, to God, and Dubricius, and the
church of Llandaff, and to all who shall serve in it, with all its
liberty, without any payment to any mortal man, except to St.
Dubricius, and his successors in the episcopal See of Llandaff
for ever.
The boundaries are recorded in the ancient language of South
Wales : — " Or nant dylicat nant y reguic . Onant ireguic . cehit
D
34 Memorials of Llandaff.
inant . dirheith tirrud ini perued . ircoit behit pen a nir halmelen .
ynhiaun behet pan cuid inlost irinis. O lost irinis hit bronn iralt,"
which may be translated thus : — From the brook nant (or hollow)
to the spring of Nant yr Ewic. From Nant yr Ewic, the length
of the nant to the Heith-Tir-Rhud at its middle . the wood until it
reaches to the yellow moor, or Hal-nielen . straight on until it goes
down to the tail of the island, or Lost-yr-Ynys . From Lost-yr-
Ynys to the breast of the steep, or A tit.
The witnesses are (of the clergy) : —
Elgistil. Cenguarui.
lunabui. Merchuit.
Of the laity :—
King Peipiau.
CoUbiu. Centiuit.
The usual paragraph expressing blessing and anathema of
excommunication occurs at the end.
The identification of Lann Cerniu, which Evans unites with
" Cenubia Cornubium" of a charter granted in the time of Bishop
Berthguinis, has been conjecturally placed by that Editor as the
site of Abbey Dore on the River Dore. In that document we read
" Lann Cerniu super ripam Dour." Rees, who calls the place
Llangerniw, finds the precise situation unknown, but says : — " It is
not improbable that it was founded by Cystennin Gorneu or his son
Digain to whom the foundation of Llangerniw in Denbighshire is
attributed." The uncia, a square measure of land, is equivalent,
according to some, to twelve modii, each of which equals twelve
French arpents, or nearly nine English acres : hence the uncia here
granted would amount to about one hundred and eight acres. But
considerable uncertainty attaches to the exact superficial area which
is represented by many early definitions of land measure. The
Parish of Coedcernew is probably a completely different site, and the
Rev. C. A. H. Green, Vicar of Aberdare, in his Notes on the Churches
in the Diocese of Llandaff-^ has given details of the later history of
this property which appear to point to another locality altogether
unconnected with this grant.
3. The third document which belongs to the period of Dubricius
is as follows : —
Lann Iunabui.
King Peipiau being penitent, with a humble heart, and mindful
of all his evil deeds, and changing his life for the better, gave in
I P. 16.
Grant of ]i,ann lunabui. 3 5
exchange for the heavenly kingdom, the mansion {poduni) of
JUNABUI, with an uncia of land, to St. Dubricius, and his successors
in the church of Llandaff, with all its liberty, without any payment
to mortal man, except to St. Dubricius and the church of Llandaff.
The boundaries of the property are : — " Or rit diuch ilan . dirguoiret
huch irguduit dir bronn ir alt . recte trus ircecg . usque dum descendit
guar irhennrit . issid arifrut . inircoit maur . per silvam recte diguar-
tham campull . Or rampull recte usque Guy." That is : — From
the ford above the church downwards above the honeysuckle to the
breast of the steep . straight over the Cecg until it descends above
the old ford that is on the stream in the great wood . through the
wood straight on to Guartha Campull or Cambwll (the crooked
creek) . From the Cambwll straight on as far as the river Wye.
The witnesses are, of the clergy :—
Arguistil. Cimmeired.
lunabui, priest. ludnou.
Cinguarui. Elharnn.
Of the laity :—
Peipiau. Guobrir.
Cinuin. Guodcon.
Colt. Cintimit.
Arcon. Cingint.
With a concluding paragraph of peace and malediction.
Rees identifies the podum Junabui, with a possible connection
with that at present called Llandinabo, about six miles and a-half
N.W. from the town of Ross in Herefordshire, but with considerable
prudence observes that Bishop Godwin had, as long ago as 1615,
declared " the names of the lands given are in continuance of time
changed in such sort as now by these names we cannot discern them."
Evans, on the other hand, suggests Bredwardine in Herefordshire,
as the locality referred to in this grant. The difficulty which
occurs in studying the present position of places mentioned in
charters of this age and nature is to discriminate between what
designations are purely places and names, and what are merely
descriptions of natural conditions of the locality, because at this
age the description of the appearance was gradually merging into
a hard and fast unalterable place-name which became indelibly
attached to the actual site, and was only varied by gradual cor-
ruption of speech in the slow mutations of centuries.
4. Next follows a short grant to the following effect : —
P 2
36 Memorials of Llandaff.
Cum Barruc.
Know all persons, that the two sons of Pepiav, namely Cinuin
and Guidci, have given three uncias of land at CUM Barruc, to
St. Dubricius, and to all his successors in the church of Llandaff,
for ever, with all its liberty, without any payment to any mortal
man, except to St. Dubricius and his household, and attendants,
and with all surrounding commonage in field and in waters, in
wood and in pastures.
The boundary here is : "A valle usque adleeh . longitudo lati-
tude delech usque ad petram crita." i.e. From the valley as far as
Lech, or the stone, the length [and] the breadth from Lech, the
stone, as far as the petra (? boulder) crita.
Rees finds Cum Barruc in the Vale of Dore, or the Golden
Valley, co. Hereford, and apportions the three uncias to be about
three hundred and twenty-four acres, according to the measurements
already calculated in a previous document. Evans, however, is
content to place it indefinitely in Valley Dore.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Arguistil. Elheiarun.
lunabui. Cimmareia.
Cinguarui.
Of the laity :—
Guoidci. Collbiu.
Cinuin. Arcon.
The deed ends with an execration on those who disturb the grant.
5. The next deed relates to Lann Bocha, and its terms are as
follows : —
Lann Bocha.
Be it known to us that Britcon and Iliuc have given for their
souls health, Lann-MOCHA with all its liberty in field and in wood,
in pastures and in waters, to God and to St. Peter the Apostle, and
to St. Dubricius, the Archbishop of the Archmonastery at Llandaff,
and to all his successors for ever, with the approbation and consent
of King Mouric, and also by the grant of the sons of Guoleiduc,
namely Caratauc and Cincu, without the overlordship and dominion
of anyone over it, except of the bishops of Llandaff. Whoever,
therefore, shall separate it from the church of Llandaff, and its
pastors, may he be punished with perpetual excommunication.
The boundary of i\\\s podum is : — " De fossa ad Castell merych .
exhinc tendit ad vallem lembi usque ad vallem Cilcirch recte
Grant of TLiann Bocha. 37
tendit in longitudinem vallis usque ad baudur . deinde in longi-
tudine vallis eclin usque ad caput silvae, deinde medium silvte
usque ad caput nan pedecon . et inhit dirtnou guinn usque ad vadem
rufum Sata tinnu hue dirauallen hendreb iouoniu deinde exit ad
rubum saliculum et descendit in primam fossam ubi inceptus est
finis agri istius podii."
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Num. ludon.
Simon. loubiu.
Sciblon. Guoren.
Araun. Cinguan.
Blainrit.
" and many others whose names are not entered here." Of the
laity : —
Britton. Biuonui.
Iluic. Lilli.
Gloiu. Cimuireg.
With a paragraph declaring that the grantors placed this endow-
ment before them all upon the four gospels for ever, without any
heir except the church of Llandaff ; and the usual expression of
blessing and cursing which always accompanies the diploinata of
this period.
Rees finds in Lann Bocha, the site of Llanvocha, a chapel
formerly in the parish of Llangattock Vibon-Avel in Monmouth-
shire, six miles N.W. from Monmouth. Evans, however, identifies
the site with St. Maughan's, co. Monmouth, and the latter place
appears to be the most likely. In support of this theory, Castell
Merych is shown to be perhaps Newcastle in St. Maughan's ; but most
of the other points in the boundaries are either place-names or cannot
be identified with any. existing sites. The Rev. C. A. H. Green,
Vicar of Aberdare and Rural Dean, gives in his Notes on Churches
in the Diocese of Llandaff sova^ account^ of the Parish and Manor
of Llangattock Vibon-Avel in respect of its later history.
6. The charter of Cil Hal is the next in order of entry in the
Liber. Its tenour is as follows : —
CiL Hal.
Erb, King of Guent and Ercic, observing that ambition, and the
power of this world were of a perishable nature, took a site of land,
his inheritance, called CiL HAL, and devoutly gave it to St.
^ pp. 102, 103.
^S Memorials of Llandaff.
Dubricius, Archbishop of the arch-monastery of Llandaff, and to his
successors, with all its liberty and commonage, in field and in
pastures, in wood and in waters, without any heir, except according
to the will, and in the power, of the Bishop of Llandaff, without any
payment to any mortal man, either great or moderate. The afore-
said King placed his hands upon the four gospels whilst St. Dub-
ricius held them with the aforesaid site.
The boundary of the land is from the great marsh " a palude
magno," or pwll mawr as far as " arganhell." The spring of argan-
hell, " Licat arganhell" occurs in a later document of the time of
Bishop Grecielis, and it is there identified by Evans with the
boundaries of Lann Tipallai, the Parsonage Farm, west of St.
Maughan.
Neither Rces nor Evans offer any identification of the site.
The usual clause of blessing and cursing follows : " May bless-
ing attend the posterity of those who keep this grant, and may
whoever violates it and separates it from the church of Llandaff
be cursed and sent into eternal fire."
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Archbishop Dubricius. Guordocui.
Elhearn. Guernabui.
ludner.
Of the laity :—
King Erb. Mabon.
Pepiau. Condiuill.
Gurtauan.
7. This is followed by a short charter, of which the contents are
as follows : —
CONLOC.
King Pepiau, son of Erb, confirming the Scripture which
declares, " Give and it shall be given to you," gave for his soul's
health and the remuneration of a future reward, four uncias of land
at CoNLOC, on the banks of the river Gui, below the island Ebrdil,
as far as " Cwmbarruc ynis stratdour," without any payment to
mortal man except to [Dubricius], Archbishop of Llandaff, and his
successors, for ever.
There is no paragraph of boundaries, but Evans suggests
Eaton Bishop, co. Hereford. Ynis Stratdour refers to the Golden
Valley in Ergyng, S.W. Herefordshire ; the Dour, which originally
signified Water, having been corrupted in Norman times into
Grant of Forth Tulon. 39
D'or, which the Vale adopted according to Rees, as the name was
pleasing and it became " The Golden Valley." The Welsh subse-
quently retranslating it literally into " Dyffryn Aur."
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Archbishop Dubricius. lunapeius.
Arguistil. Conuran.
Uuelbiu. Guruan.
louan.
Of the laity :—
Pepiau and his sons Cinust and Guidci.
The heirs of Conloc. Congual, etc.
The deed ends with the expression of execration on those who
sacrilegiously interfere with the grant.
8. The charter of Forth Tulon follows : —
Forth Tulon.
During the reign of Merchguinus son of Gliuis, Guorduc sur-
rendered by consecration his virgin daughter Dulon, to Dubricius,
Archbishop of the Church of Llandaff, whom he consecrated to be a
nun, and gave to him four modii of land in perpetual consecration
without any payment to mortal man, except to God, and the Arch-
bishop of Llandaff, and with all its dignity and liberty, and complete
commonage of the district of Guhiri {i.e. Gower), in field and in
woods, in water and in pastures.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Archbishop Dubricius. Merchguinus.
Vbeluiuus. Cuelinus.
Of the laity :—
King Merchguinus. Lugobi.
Matauc. Luuaet,
Garu. And " numberless others."
With the customary clause, threatening excommunication of
those who separate this grant from the Church of Llandaff. Mr.
Evans suggests an identification of the site with (?) Caswell chapel
in Bishopston, Gower. Rees, also, follows Bishop Godwin who
placed it at Bishopston, and there does not appear to be much
doubt that these authorities are accurate as to their findings.
The acreage of four modii (of nine acres each) is thirty-six.
40 Memorials of Llandaff.
The consecration of the Virgin Dulon or Tulon was in accord-
ance with the known practice of the Church. As the daughter was
dedicated to a life of virginity it is not improbable that the land
was that which would have constituted her gwaddol or marriage
portion had she been given in marriage.^
9. The last document entered in the Liber as belonging to the
period of Dubricius is that of: —
Penn Alun.
NOE son of Arthur, fulfilling the command of the Apostle, who
said, " Give, and it shall be given unto you"; (and elsewhere it is
said, "A bountiful hand shall not be indi "gent,") gave for the
exchange of a heavenly kingdom, in the first place, Pennalun,
with its territory, without any payment to mortal man, except to
God, and to Archbishop Dubricius, and [the Church of] Llandaff
founded in honour of St. Peter, and all his successors ; and also
Lann maur, on the banks of the Tyui, with its two territories, where
Teiliaus (Teilo), the pupil and disciple of St. Dubricius dwelt ; and
likewise the territory of the Aquilentes, on the banks of the river
Tam : Noe placed his hand upon the four Gospels, and committed
to the hand of Archbishop Dubricius this alms for ever, with all its
refuge, and all its liberty, in fields and in woods, in water and in
pastures, and with its dignity,^ under a perpetual anathema on those
who from that day forwards should separate the said lands from
the church of Llandaff. Amen.
The witnesses are, of the laity : — •
Noe, only, with numberless others (not specially named).
Of the clergy : —
Archbishop Dubricius. Guoruan.
Arguistil. Elhearn.
Ubelbiu. ludnou.
louann. Gurdocui.
lunabui. Guernabui.
Conbran.
After the paragraph of blessing or cursing comes the detailed
1 Cf. H. Lewis, Ancient Laws of Wales, p. 12.
^ The words ''et cum sua dignitate" have been written by the scribe out of
place, just before the final Amen, but they evidently belong to the place where
Rees has translated them.
Grant of Penn Alun. 41
statement of the boundaries. In the document of Penn Alun there
are two distinct estates : —
1. The boundary of the territor}' of the church of the Aquilenses,
whom Rees calls Aquilensians, and Evans, Water-men/ and in
another place' he refers the " Ecclesia Aquilensium" to Lanndyfr-
guyr,^ and Landyvuyrguyr, Lanndibrguir, and a later Landyfwrwir,
identifying it with Llan Ddowror in co. Carmarthen, " Maliduc
guern iduon intaf. traus * iminid inhiaun ipenn nant eilon . nant
eilon nihit di cehir . O cehir iuinid dinant bachlatron maliduc nant
bachlatron iuinid intraus digirchu blain nant duuin maliduc nant
duuin ditaf . oapernant duuin maliduc taf dirguairet diaper guern
iduon ubi incepit."
This may be rendered into English as follows : — Along the
Guern Iduon (where the elder-trees grow) on to the river Taf, across
the mountain straight to the head of the brook Eilon. The brook
Eilon to the Cehir. From the Cehir upwards to the brook Bach-
ladron (of the little thief). Along the brook Bachladron upwards and
across making towards the source of the brook Duuin (or Duvyn).
Along the brook Duuin to the river Tif From the influx (aber)
of the brook Duuin along the Taf downwards to the influx (aber)
of Guern Iduon where the boundary commenced. It is difficult to
identify these places with modern sites, but the brooks probably
remain as they were when the charter was written.
2. The second site, called Lann maur in the text, and Lann
Teiliau maur in the original paragraph of boundaries, but LLandeilo
fawr by Rees, and Llann Deilo Vowr by Evans, a Carmarthenshire
locality, has its boundaries thus defined: — "Yfinnaun ida ypenn
yglaspuU . artyui . arpenn arall nir hytyr melin . Or hytyr melin
hit yn euyrdil . Euirdil nihit bet indubleis . O dugleis hit icimer .
Ycimer ynniaun bet i nant luit . Onant luit icecyn meryrc . O cecin
meirch nihit bet icruc petill bechan . O dina hit irhebauc mein . Or
hebauc mein yndugleis bisgueiliauc . O dugleis bis gueiliauc bet
nant ireilin . O nant ireilin bet ichruc cust . O cruc cust icruc
corncam . O dina bet imblain isceuiauc . isceuiauc nihit bet aruei-
thini iniaun irhen alt. O dina icil ir adar ilicat tauern iniaun ibistill
deui nihit bet igueithtineuur . O gueithtineuur dirgairet bet inletuer
cell artyui."
From Ffynnon Ida to the head of the Glasbwll on the river
Tyui (Towy) and to the other end at the Hytyr Melin. From the
1 P. 364. 2 p_ 386. 3 p. 128.
* trans, Evans ; traus, Rees.
42 Memorials of Llandaff.
Hytyr Melyn to the [brook] Euyrdil ^ (a tributary of the Diwlas)
along it to the river Dubleis (or Diwlas). From the Dugleis (or
Dubleis) to the Cimer.^ From it straight on to Nant-luit (Nant-
Lwyd, the grpy brook). From it to Cecin Meryrc or Meirch
forward as far as Cruc-Petill Bechan. From there to the Hebog-
Vein (the hawk stone, Rees). From it to the Dugleis bisgueliauc.
From it to the brook yr Eilin. From it to Chruc Cust. From it
to Cruc Corn Cam. From thence to the source of the Isceuiauc
(or Isceviog) forward to the Meithini direct to the Hen Allt.
From thence to the Cil Ir Adar to the spring of the Tavern, straight
to Pistil! Dcwi forward to Gueith Tineuur (or the works of Dyne-
vor). From thence downward as far as Letuer Cell on the river
Tyui (Towy.)
This charter has many points which should be noticed. The
Penn Alun is now Penaly, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, the town,
Llandeilo fawr in Carmarthen, still flourishes. Its two territories
are conjecturally placed by Rees as Llandeilo Villa and Llandeilo
Patria. The Church of the men of the water is Llanddowror on
the banks of the river Taf, Carmarthenshire. Noe alone is named
as lay witness, where we should expect to meet other names also,
in obedience to the rule governing the diplomata of this period.
The place-names are difficult to equate with modern appellations.
The "tavern," mentioned towards the end of the boundaries, is
probably not a tavern in the modern sense of the word, but a cabin
or cottage, and calls for its classical signification as inthe"pau-
perum tabernas " of the classic poet.
The Liber Landavensis here introduces Lessons or Readings
concerning the Life of St. Dubricius, already given above. The
reconciliation of all the conflicting statements respecting St.
Dubricius, which abound in the ancient records, is hopeless.
They must be taken by students at their value according to the
standard of worth which each record possesses in the mind of the
individual antiquary. The lolo Manuscripts, for example, state
that^ Emyr Llydaw was sent to the Island of Britain to restore
Christianity. That race came in two congregations to the Island.
The first was that of Germanus, a saint and bishop, son of Ridigius,
a saint of the land of Gaul, and mother's brother to Emyr Llydaw.
In the time of Cystcnnyn Llydaw he came here, and he founded one
college in Llancarvan, and placed Dubricius there as principal, while
he himself became the bishop ; another in the neighbourhood of
^ Enyrdil, Rees. ^ Cwier, Rees. ^ pp_ ^^3, 534.
^aint l^uhricius. 43
Caerworgorn, where he placed lUtyd as principal, and St Lupus
to be chief bishop. Afterwards he placed bishops in Llandaff and
made Dubricius Archbishop there, placing St. Cattwg, the son of
Gwynlliw in the College of Llancarvan in his stead, and appointing
the Archbishop of Llandaff to be his bishop there.
In another place in the lolo Manuscripts it is recorded as
follows : —
" Dyvig, the son of Brychan, was confessor to Germanus, the
son of Ridigius, and was principal of his college in Llancarvan, and
afterwards Archbishop of Llandaff, and St. Cattwg, the son of
Gwynlliw, was appointed in his stead in Llancarvan. His mother
was Eurbrawst, the daughter of Meyrig, the son of Tewdrig, king
of Morganwg."
At this place we find an interesting note,^ that : " A different
account of the parentage of St. Dubricius is given in the Liber
Landavensis, where it is stated that he was the son of Eurddyl,
a daughter of Pepiau, the son of Erb, a regulus of the district
of Erging." His father's name, however, is not there mentioned.
From the similarity of the names Pepiau, Papai, and Pabiali, it
has been conjectured that the above Pepiau, and Pabiali or Papai,
the son of Brychan, were the same person, which would make
St. Dubricius to be a great-grandson of Brychan ; but would
place rather too great a distance between the respective eras.
Whatever relationship, if any, that Dubricius bore to Brychan,
it is clear that his mother could not have been the daughter of
Meyrig, the son of Tewdrig ; as it can be satisfactorily proved
that Meyrig died in 575, at the age of ninety, and that St.
Dubricius was born in A.D. 475, consecrated bishop in A.D. 505,
and died in A.D. 560, aged 85 years.
The kings of Glamorgan, who were contemporary with Dubri-
cius and his successors, are thus marshalled father and son, in
unbroken succession, in an ancient record.^ And from this we learn
incidentally that an early bishopric had been established at Margam
which appears to have been removed to, or merged in, that of
Llandaff, probably in the time of Teilo : —
I. Morgan Mwynfawr, who gave his name to the County, erected a Court
- at Margam, a place which he raised to a bishopric. Five bishops were
here in succession, out of the eight whose names are known as bishops,
or perhaps more accurately " Chorepiscopi," viz. : i. Morgan, son of
Adras, bishop and king ; 2. Ystyphan ; 3. Cattwg; 4. lago ; 5. Cawan ;
6. Tyfodwg ; 7. Cyfelach ; 8. Mabon. The life of this king, and
1 lolo MSS., pp. 518, 519. 2 /fo-^.^ p, 357.
44 Memorials of Llandaff.
a description of the state of Glamorgan during his period, form a
very interesting part of Williams's edition of the lolo Manuscripts.
\
II. Einydd, his son, who caused the Church of Teilo, or Llandaff,
I to be embellished.
III. Rhys.
I
IV. Arthfael
I
V. Meyryg.
VI. Brochfael.
I
VII. Gweirydd.
I
VIII. Arthfael II.
I
IX. Rhys II.
I
X. Howel.
I
XI. Morgan.
I
XII. Owen.
I
XIII. Ithel.
I
XIV. Gwrgan.
I
XV. lestyn, the last native king, of whom more will be read
herein further on.
Of Cyfelach, the seventh bishop or Chorepiscopus mentioned
above as possibly one of those having a see at Margam, it is
recorded^ that he became Bishop of LLandaff, and was slain by
Morgan, the first king in the above list. His Church is Llangyfe-
lach in Gower, and he had another in Ewyas. He could only
have been, if the Editor of the lolo MSS. is accurate, a suffragan
bishop in Llandaff. His name occurs in a list of Bishops of
Glamorgan given as a note in the Liber Landavensis.
1 lolo MSS., p. 505.
CHAPTER VI.
THE LATIN LIFE OF SAINT TEILIAVUS, OR TEILO.
TEILIAVUS, Telyou, or Teilo stands out pre-eminently in the
early memorials of Llandaff, and in his time it is that we first
begin to get any definite idea of the chronology of the events
which are connected with the history of that see. His Life, as
given in the Liber Landavensis, is a somewhat difficult document to
deal with, for in it facts of history are involved with effusions of
sentiment and piety. The text printed and translated by Roes,
and again printed by Evans, shows that it possesses the general
character of other Lives of Saints, where the miraculous is blended
with the matter-of-fact, and the paucity of real material is supple-
mented by the introduction of episodes from which very little
substantial help may be obtained. Such as it is, however, it
possesses a great value in our eyes as a record of one who occupied
the See of LLandaff at a period of which very little is really well
known.
It is mentioned in the lolo MSS} that Teilo was the son of
Enllech, the son of Hydwn, and his churches are Llandaff,
LLandeilo-Vawr, LLandeilo-Cresseni, LLanddeilo-Verwalt, LLan-
deilo-Abercowin, LLandeilo-BerthoIeu, and LLandeilo-Glyn-
LLychwr. The Editor of that work, however, appends a note
relating to this last church that he was of opinion that this name
had been added by lolo Morganwg,z>., Edward Williams, to supply
an apparent deficiency. On the other hand, another record (also
preserved among the Edition of the lolo MSS.), which deals with
"the names of those who founded churches and chairs in Glamor-
gan," states^ that, " Lies the son of Coel, founded Llandaff and
Rhath Vawr, and many others of which the names are now
unknown.'' The same says-"* that " Saint Teilo founded Aes Vawr
and Llandeilo Verwallt in Gower and it was called LLandeilo
Vaenor."
Following Rees for the most part and abridging ■ him in
1 P. 496. ^ P. 635. 3 P. 637.
46 Memorials of Llandaff.
places, we obtain the ensuing biographical memoir of Saint
Teilo.
Browne Willis, writing of Llandaff in the early years of the
eighteenth century states^ that St. Dubricius having resigned the
bishopric in A.D. 512 was succeeded by St. Teleiau, who held the
See until his death on V. Id. Feb., i.e. Febr. 9th, A.D. 540, a date
for which he gives an authoritative reference. The Cathedral is
said to have borne his name for some time " tho' it has been since,
with better recollection, consecrated to St. Peter, to whom it is said
to have been dedicated by Dubritius, whom some accounts style the
Founder thereof" The tutelary patronage of Teilo was, in Willis's
day, only remembered by a fair called DiLO Fair, yearly celebrated
on 9th February, his anniversary. In the South Aisle, between the
two pillars next above the bishop's throne, Willis finds a stone
Effigy of a bishop, said to have been erected to his memory. That
Bishop Teilo's body lies in the Cathedral is reasonably clear, and
in a niche in the wall at the place referred to, Willis found the
effigy of a bishop in a recumbent posture, carved in free-stone.
" They told me," he says,^ " it was St. Teilaw's tomb, but the work
does not seem to be above four hundred years old ; and, besides, the
present church was built several ages after St. Teilaw's death.
However, 'tis very probable it might be erected to his honour by
some of his successors, and that here might have been an ancient
monument." But, in disagreement with this. Canon Holmes, in his
second edition of Stubbs's Registrmn Sacrum^ states that Teilo,
•Metropolitan of Llandaff, '' succeeded to the dignity in A.D. 542.
He was consecrated at Jerusalem with St. David. He retired into
France during the prevalence of the icterica pestis, and returned in
596; died 604." The reader must undertake to reconcile these
dates for himself
The Life of Saint Teiliavus, or Teilo, Archbishop
OF THE Church of Llandaff.
This holy man, was from his infancy, a worshipper of God, nor
is it wonderful, for before his infancy, God had predestinated him to
be his servant. The man of God carried on his warfare by being
urgent in his prayers to God, and by giving to the poor all that he
possessed. He was an eminent confessor, who on account of his
virtues, had nothing to confess, for in infancy he was good, in
1 P. 39. 2 P. 17.
^ p. 218, quoting the authority of Ussher,
Ljife of Saint Teilo. 47
youth he was better, in advanced age he was best of all. But that
there may not be silence with respect to the race of so great a man,
as if it were not known, we know that he was descended from noble
parents, and the nobility of his mind, was likewise acceptable to
God. After he grew up in age, virtue and wisdom, he was called
b}' intelligent persons by the suitable name of Elios ; and Elios,
in Greek, is interpreted in Latin by SoL (the Sun), for his learning
shone as the sun by illustrating the doctrine of the faithful. But
illiterate men corruptly pronouncing the termination of the word,
it came to pass, in course of time, that he was called not Elios, but
EliuD. We read that he was, in his childhood, instructed in the
Holy Scriptures, by St. Dubricius, the Archbishop (whose successor
he was), until at length he saw him a boy of such talent, that he
not only believed himself to be inferior to him in knowledge, but
that with the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, he succeeded better
than any other in explaining to him the obscure passages of the
Scriptures. This St. Dubricius observing, who hitherto had been
his master, and understanding that he could not teach him, he uas
desirous that he should succeed him in the mastership because he
exceeded him in learning and talent.
But so much modesty accompanied him and such zeal for the
study of sacred literature excited him, that he who was now able to
become a master to others yet sought a master for himself, as well
because he had rather be under the discipline of another than live
without constraint, as because he wished to understand the myste-
rious and obscure passages of the Scriptures, not after the manner
of foolish philosophers, that he might confound others, but that he
might confute the errors of heretics, and therefore he confuted the
heresies and corrected the errors of many.
He benefited the faithful by his simple and general mode of
reasoning more than any philosopher ever did by his subtle argu-
ments, for they seeking the way, always deviated from it, he never
passed by the way of truth, but travelled along it, as if a candle
preceded him, and no one hindering him, he went to Him who was
the true light. For he travelled through Him who is the way, and
was taught by Him who is wisdom.
Then hearing the fame of a certain eminent man named
POULINUS,^ he went and abode with him for some time, that by
conversing together on the obscure parts of the Scriptures, which he
did not comprehend, they might understand all as truly explained.
^ Poulinus, or Paulinus, founded the monastery of Tygwyn ar Daf or Whit-
land, CO. Carmarthen, and to him Teilo and others resorted for instruction.
48 Memorials of Llandaff.
And he had there for a companion St. DAVID, a man of most
perfect life, to whom he was united by so much love, and the grace
of the Holy Spirit, that in their transactions, they both had the
same thought with respect to what was to be done and what to be
left undone.
In the days of those holy men, a certain people, of Scithia, who,
from their painted clothes, or the colour of their eyes, were called
PlCTS,^ came in a very large fleet to Britain, and being seized with
a desire of enjoying the land on account of the plenty of the good
things, with which it then, above all islands, abounded, invaded the
country of the Britons, more through means of treachery than force,
and for some time exercised very great tyranny over them, nor is
it wonderful that it was overcome by it, for the nation of the Picts
were crafty, and trained in many engagements by sea and land,
and the other, although endued with strength of body, was artless,
and peaceable, and not having been by any one attacked, and
ignorant of war, was the more easily subjugated. If any one should
be desirous of having a more full account, he will find it in the
History of Gildas, the Historian of the Britons.
And when a certain prince^ of that impious nation had arrived
from the seaport, and murdering the unfortunate inhabitants, and
burning the houses and churches of the saints, proceeded as far
as (Minuensem Civitatem) the city of St. Davids ; he here stopped,
and built himself a palace. And when he beheld the probity of the
life of St. Teilo, and St. David, and of other servants of God, who
lived with them, he not only envied them, as it is always the custom
of the wicked to envy the good, but also because he saw them
so attentive to the service of God, said many reproachful things of
them that he might separate them from Christ, and as he could
not effect what he wished by threats, and schemes, and thought
that it could not be better effected than by the blandishments of
women. He therefore ordered his house-keeper to send her female
servants to the holy man, and offer themselves to their sight, that
by their immodest deportment, and their meretricious blandish-
ments, they might endeavour to withdraw the minds of the holy
men from their holy purpose. And whilst they executed the orders
of their mistress, and counterfeited madness, they became really
mad. Which the aforesaid persecutor, and all his family observing,
they by the favour of the servants of God, received the catholic
faith, and were baptized by them in the name of Christ. He
1 Cf. Picti Geloni, Virg. Georg., ii, 115.
2 Rees calls him Boia, a chieftain of the Gwyddyl Ffichti, or Irish Pictg.
Life of Saint Teilo. 49
therefore was blessed, who persecuted the just knowingly to become
just ignorantly, who tempted holy persons so as to become holy,
who quarrelled with men to become reconciled to God, who despised
the humble so as to take delight in humility.
After God had punished those immodest women with incurable
disgrace, he adorned those holy persons by another marvellous
work, and worthy of being mentioned. For when the blessed
Teliaus and Maidocus^ read in the courtyard of the monastery, not
the fictions of the poets, or the histories of the ancients, but the
Lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah, that they might be the
more warmed with the love of the heavenly country, a certain
servant came, and said to them that wood was wanting, wherewith
the supper of the brethren was so prepared. And this they con-
sidered vexatious, not because they were slow to obey the brethren
but because they could not return in time from the wood for pre-
paring their supper. They therefore went to the wood in great
haste, being very anxious to return soon, and bring as much as
would be sufficient for the need of those who prepared the food for
several days, that afterwards they might the longer remain in holy
reading, and in prayer. Two very tame stags yoked together met
them and offering their necks to be harnessed by the direction of
God, afforded them their service, as if they said, " God seeing your
anxiety, has deprived us of our wildness, and made us tame animals,
in order that we might perform the labour which you have under-
taken." And when they had been harnessed, St. Teiliaus and
Maidocus praised the Lord, saying, " Blessed be God, and the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has mercifully regarded his
servants labouring for the brethren, by making tame animals of the
wild beasts of the woods, that they might sustain the burden of our
labour."
And when the holy men had loaded their vehicle, and were
returning home, they did not, as is the usual custom, goad on the
loaded stags, that they might proceed the faster, but went a great
way before them, and the stags, no one driving them, followed.
And that their praying might not be any more interrupted by
business of the kind, the same wild animals, for a long time after,
by the direction of God, brought wood to them, and what things
were necessary for the use of the holy men. Who therefore doubts
that those persons were holy, to whom God caused the stags thus
to minister .■" Others may indeed kill the wild animals, but they
cannot so tame them. When they approached their residence, all
1 Perhaps the same as Matauc.
E
50 Memorials of Llandaff.
the inhabitants of the place met them and said, " O divine brethren,
how manifestly have ye been distinguished this day by divine grace
for the irrational brutes have become your servants, we therefore
are unhappy persons, who have not obeyed the saints until we are
admonished by the brute animals to obey them." In the mean-
time, St. David going out of his tent, found before the door thereof
a book open, which had been ignorantly left by the brethren, and
although it rained vehemently, it was altogether uninjured by the
rain. Which he admiring, said, " God is wonderful among his
saints, and holy in his works." And that a good thing might not
be lost in oblivion, but widely spread abroad, he immediately called
the elders of the people, that beholding the wonderful works of
God, they might render prayers and vows to the Lord, and publish
to men the sanctity of their brethren because God had preserved
their book from the rain.
That those persons might be more distinguished by miracles
through the faith of Christ, as God caused water to flow from the
rock for the thirsty Israelites, so he ordered fresh fountains to arise
for the thirsty saints, and as we have heard from old inhabitants of
the place, they who drank of those fountains, asserted that they did
not drink water, but wine, so pleasant was its taste. For those
wonderful works, which the divine virtue performed for them, they
were very soon celebrated everywhere as good and meritorious per-
sons. God, therefore, seeing that they were adorned with so many
virtues adjudged that they should be promoted to ecclesiastical
dignities, and he sent his angel to the holy men to inform them
that they were to go to the holy city of Jerusalem, and there receive
the rewards of their warfare.
The holy men, namely, Teliaus and David, being in all things
obedient to their God durst not resist the divine appointment, but
associating with them Paternus,^ one dear to God, the three, in the
name of the Holy Trinity, commenced the appointed journey, but
not as many travellers do, with the preparation of much money, but
without staff or scrip, trusting rather to Him who "giveth fodder
to the cattle, and feedeth the young ravens that call upon him."
Nor did they trust in vain, for God, through means of his faithful
servants, gave seasonably all things that were necessary for them.
They were adorned with the light of heavenly grace, so that their
arrival was welcome to all, and their presence procured health to
the sick, they therefore, through various provinces, left traces of
' Paternus, or Padarn, son of Pedrwn, came to England from Armorica in
A.D. 516, and founded a religious Society at Llanbadarn Fawr, in co. Cardigan.
Life of Saint Teilo. 5 i
their sanctity, by healing the disorders of all that came to meet
them, who asked for a remedy for their infirmity in the name of
Christ, and hoped by his power that they should recover their
health. When robbers met them in the way, they not only peace-
ably gave up to them their property, but if they thoughtlessly left
any portion of their plunder behind, they reached it forth to them
with a cheerful countenance. And they seeing the good simplicity
of the holy men, asked pardon for what they had done, and not
only restored to them their own, but guarded them until they were .
in a place of safety, thus by unknown persons they became known,
and robbers became their greatest friends.
Having at length completed so long a journey, they did not
request soft beds, on which they might take rest, but lying on the
bare pavement of the church, they continued their prayers for they
were altogether unmindful of what were earthly. In the mean
time, all the clergy attentively watched which seats, when the prayer
of the holy men was concluded, they should choose, for by the
choice of the seats, they should know as they had been informed
beforehand by an angel from heaven, which of them before the
others, they should constitute a bishop. For there were in the
church from ancient times three seats appointed by the elders, two
whereof were made of divers metals, and with skilful workmanship,
the third was cedar, and had no outward ornament besides what
nature gave to it. Which, being humble, the humble Eliud chose for
his seat, giving up the more costly ones to his brethren ; which being
seen, all who were present fell on their faces before St. Eliud,
saying, " Hail, Holy Teliauus, and grant that thy prayers to the
Lord may be beneficial to us ; because today thou are exalted
above thy fellow-brethren, for thou hast sat in the seat of our Lord
Jesus Christ, in which he preached the kingdom of God to our
fathers." The holy man on hearing this, arose with great astonish-
ment, and prostrating himself on the ground, said, " Blessed is the
man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood
in the way of sinners, and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.
And blessed be the Saviour, who chose that a seat for him should
be made of wood, who, through means of wood should succour
a perishing world." So being humble, he humbly adored the seat,
yea Him, who had sat therein, because he being a creature, con-
sidered it to be the seat of the Creator.
Wherefore it happened that they requested that he would, for
instructing them in virtue, speak to them a word concerning Christ,
and as he had imitated Him in sitting in the chair, he would imitate
E 2
52 Memorials of Llandaff.
Him in preaching. Observing them to be warmed with divine love,
the Saint was perplexed in a surprising manner, not because he
did not know what to teach, but he doubted with respect to what
they requested, and what was suitable for them, since he was alto-
gether ignorant of their language. Yet the holy man, that he
might satisfy the supplicating people, began to explain the Scrip-
tures, so that every one of them who stood around, heard him
speak in their own language. And all who heard him preaching,^
were so pleased with the sweetness of his discourse, that the longer
they heard, the more they were desirous of hearing him. At length
after they were all refreshed by his salutary doctrine, lest it should
seem that he was presumptuous in executing the ofiRce of preaching,
if he alone preached, he said to the people, " Hear now the words
of life from my brethren, who are of more perfect life than I am in
conduct, and more advanced in learning." Therefore St. David
and the very humble servant of God, Paternus, arose, and preached
to the people, trusting in the Lord who said, " When ye come
before kings and rulers, do not meditate beforehand, how and what
ye shall speak, for it will be given to you in that hour what ye shall
say." So the holy men, by the minds of the hearers, and if any of
them wavered in the faith, they were induced, by the grace of the
preaching of the holy men to hold very steadfastly the faith of the
Holy Trinity.
After these things they were elected by all the people and
raised to the episcopal dignity, as had been foretold by the angel,
Teliaus in the room of Peter, David in that of James. And in
testimony of the grace they there received, the Lord bestowing it,
three valuable presents were given according to each one's need,
to Paternus a staff, and a choral cap, made of very valuable silk,
because they observed he was an excellent singer. To David was
given a wonderful altar, it not being known to any one of what
material it was made, nor was it given to him without a reason for
he celebrated more cheerfully than the others. Last of all the holy
1 Cf. Brit. Mus., MS. Cotton, Tiberius E. i, part I, fol. 39, col. i, at the foot
the verses : —
" Thehae presul egregie,
Pastor gregis, doctor egregie,
Funde preces ad regem glorie,
Pro salute tue famihe.''
This expression tue can only refer to Llandaff, and seems to indicate that
the MS. itself belonged to Llandaff Cathedral Library at an early time, perhaps
even had its origin in the scriptorium of the monks there, as it is in the same
handwriting as the body of the text.
Life of Saint Teiio. 53
prelate Teliauus had his gift, which, however, was not the least,
a bell that was more famous than great, more valuable in reality than
appearance, because it exceeded every organ in sweetness of sound,
it condemned the perjured, it healed the sick, and what appeared
most wonderful, it sounded every hour, without any one moving it,
until being prevented by the sin of men, who rashly handling it
with polluted hands, it ceased from such sweet performance. Nor
was he presented with such a gift unsuitably, for like as a bell
invites from the depth of sleep and slothfulness to the church, so
the eminent prelate Teliaus, being made a preacher to Christ, by
incessant preaching, invited them to heaven. Being presented with
these glorious gifts, and a blessing received of both sides, they
returned with the greatest prosperity to their own country.
Teliaus received the pastoral care of the church of Llandaff, to
which he had been consecrated, with all the adjacent diocese, that
had belonged to his predecessor Dubricius, in which however, he
could not long remain, on account of the pestilence, which nearly
destroyed the whole nation. It was called " The Yellow Pesti-
lence," because it occasioned all persons who were seized by it, to
be yellow and without blood, and it appeared to men as a column
of a watery cloud, having one end trailing along the ground, and
the other above, proceeding in the air and passing through the
whole country, like a shower going through the bottom of the
valleys. Whatever living creatures it touched with its pestiferous
blast, either immediately died, or sickened for death. If any one
endeavoured to apply a remedy to the sick person, not only had
the medicines no effect, but the dreadful disorder brought the
physician, together with the sick person to death. For it seized
Mailconus,^ King of Guenedotia, and destroyed his country, and
so greatly did the aforesaid destruction rage throughout that nation,
that it caused the country to be nearly deserted.
In the mean time, while this disorder raged not only against
men, but also against beasts, and reptiles, Teliaus cried to the Lord
in fasting, and lamentation. The anger of the Lord, through means
of his prayers, and those of other holy persons, being appeased for
a time, he was admonished from heaven, and with those who were
the residue of the nation departed into distant countries some of
whom went into Ireland, but many, he leading them, removed into
France, until God should intimate to them to return to their
country. And an angel thus spoke, and ordered Teliaus, saying,
' Maelgwn Gwynedd succeeded his father Caswallon as King of N. Wales
in A.D. 517, and succeeded King Arthur as King of the Britons in a.d. 546.
54 Memorials of Llandaff.
" Arise, and go beyond sea, and gather the remains of thy nation,
that they may follow thee, until God, full of mercy, seeing the
misery of thy nation and thee, a servant of God labouring for the
nation in prayers and fasting, will grant on the removal of the
persecution from them and you, that you should return from
banishment, and be free from danger of this kind for ever." And
again the angel said. " Go without hesitation, for an angel of the
Lord will accompany thee, both in going and returning, and will
again bring thee back with thy followers, to thy country with
prosperity.
Therefore St. Teliaus arose, and took with him some of his
suffragan bishops, and men of other orders, with persons of both
sexes, men and women, and came, first of all, to the country of
Cornwall, where he was well received by Gerennius, King of the
district, who treated him and his people with great honour. And
in an interval of his hospitality, King Gerennius addressed the
Bishop, familiarly, saying into him, " I request and desire that thou
wilt receive my confession, and be my confessor in the Lord."
And the Bishop consenting, received his confession and promised
him, saying with confidence, that he should not see death before he
received the body of the Lord, which he should consecrate. These
things being done, the holy man with his companions went to the
Armorican people, and was well received by them. Samson, Arch-
bishop of the church of D61, hearing of the arrival of his co-brother
in the country, met him with joy, for they were born in the same
district and had the same language, and were taught at the same
time by St. Dubricius, the Archbishop, by the laying on of whose
hands St. Samson was consecrated ^ Bishop, as is related in his life.
And he requested St. Teliaus to live with him, and he assented,
and resided with him a long time, and there left some beneficent
proofs of his sanctity, that is, the salutiferous fountain called Cai,
which he obtained from the Lord to flow. And besides the
recoveries, which the sick obtained from it in the name of God,
and Teliauus, a remarkable miracle remains until this day. For the
sailors of that people of Armorica, in order for their obtaining the
accustomed wind for their ships, to enable them to sail direct in
whatever course they intended, had a custom of cleansing that
salutiferous fountain, and often, through the intercession of the holy
Bishop, the Lord granted their request that is, the wind for the
' It is interesting to observe that the French Archbishop was consecrated in
Wales, and the Welsh goes to Fiance for consecration at this period.
Life of Saint Teiio. 55
sails of their ship, whereby they sailed pleasantly on the smooth
sea, where they would.
Also he left there another testimony of his patronage, for he
and the aforesaid St. Samson planted a great grove of fruit-bearing
trees, to the extent of three miles, that is, from D61 as far as Cai,
and these woods are honoured with their names until the present
day, for they are called the groves of Teliauus and Samson. And
from that time forth, the Bishopric of D61 is honoured and cele-
brated by the testimony of all the Armorican Britons, on account
of the conversation and reverence of St. Teliauus.
In the meantime, whilst these things were taking place it
happened that Christ, through his mercy, ordered that the aforesaid
pestilence, called the Yellow, should depart and vanish from the
whole island of Britain. Which the faithful leader, Teliaus, having
heard, greatly rejoiced, and being summoned by the Holy Spirit, he
sent messengers both into P'rance, and beyond the Alps into Italy
wherever it was known to him that his countrymen had fled, and he
collected them together, that as the pestilence was extinguished,
and peace effected in every respect, all might return to their own
country. Therefore he prepared three very great ships for the
numerous people to pass over. The holy man came to the sea-
port, as they were weeping and mourning on account of the
departure of so great a father, and while they waited for a prosper-
ous wind for their voyage, lo ! Budic,^ the King of the district came
to meet him with a large army of Armoricans. And immediately
the King and his whole army, knelt down before him, and on his
asking what this meant, the King answered him, " We bend our
knees for this purpose, that thou mayest beseech God, for me and
my country, on account of the calamity which we at present sus-
tain, for a huge viper has lately appeared, which has nearly destroyed
the third part of my kingdom.
The holy Bishop for some time hesitated, and dreaded to go
with him, for terrible things were related of the viper, and suddenly
an angel of the Lord appeared to him, and comforting him, said,
" Fear not to go with them, for the power of Christ will be present
with thee, which will destroy the viper under thy hands, and on thy
account the Redeemer and Saviour will save and deliver all the
country." The holy Prelate, following the advice of the angel
dared to approach the flying and winged dragon, and being
^ Biidic appears later in the life of Teilo's successor Oudoceus. He was
the son of Cybrdan, native of Cornwall, and particulars of him will be found
at the beginning of the life of Oudoceus.
56 Memorials of Llandaff.
inspired from heaven, he immediately tool< off one of his vestments
and tied it round its neck, and ordered him, by the Lord's command-
ment, to follow him as far as the sea, and cease to emit his poison
and pernicious blasts of breath. And lastly, the pestiferous beast,
according to the commandment of the Bishop, having become mild
and gentle, did not lift up his wings to terrify, nor shew his teeth to
gnash with them, nor put out his tongue to emit his fiery breath.
And immediatelythe pious Prelate went towards the sea,leading after
him the enormous monster by the portion of his vestments, where-
with he had tied him, and immediately, in the name of the Lord,
fixed him to a great rock in the midst of the sea. And the
Armoricans seeing this, entered into counsel with St. Samson, and
said to him. " Holy father, take care of us, for if that man of God
leaves us, the serpent will come again and destroy us and our
country, be pleased therefore to keep him with us, and earnestly
intreat him to consent to remain, so that we may not die from that
calamity." And the pious father hearing that St. Samson and
King Budic, with the people, had consulted that they might retain
him by their intreaty for some time, was displeased and resolved in
himself not to do what they agreed on and proposed. And, lo ! an
angel of the Lord appeared to him in that night, and said, " Do not
hesitate to remain with them, for through means of thee, the
country shall receive protection and assistance and this will be a
proof to thee that I am sent from the Lord ; to-morrow the King
and the aforesaid Prelate with a numerous attendance of people
will come to thee, and suppliantly intreating, will strongly offer to
thee the episcopal care and privilege of all Armorica, and consenting
to them according to my advice, accept what they offer to thee for
sometime. In the meanwhile shall be collected thy countrymen,
who are still dispersed on all sides, and say unto them, I will
remain with you as long as may please God whilst waiting for the
assembling of all my exiled countrymen."
And again the angel said, " Lo ! another proof will be shewn
to thee from God through me. To-morrow the Prelate and King
with a large company of people will meet thee, that they may lead
thee honourably, and gloriously, to the episcopal seat, and then
they will zealously offer to thee the best of their horses for thee to
ride thereon, do not thou consent to receive it at all from them, for
thou shalt immediately have, as a testimony of the divine per-
mission, a most excellent steed sent to thee from God through me,
and mounting him cheerfully and triumphantly, thou shalt go with
them to the bishopric of D61, which has been prepared and predes-
tinated by God for thee."
Life of Saint Teilo. 57
All these things, therefore, took place the following day, as the
angel had promised for the King, and Prelate, with a multitude of
people met him, that they might conduct him with due honour to
the episcopacy of D61, and exalt him unto the episcopal seat, and
lo ! suddenly, as the heavenly messenger had predicted, when they
offered to him one of their best horses, and he refusing to receive
it from them, there appeared near him a most beautiful steed, sent
by God to him. And mounting him, he went with them to D61 ;
and there, as he had been commanded by God, he consented to
remain, until the time afore-appointed of God the Father. And at
that instant of time, he called to King Budic and with the bestow-
ing of much blessing on him, gave him the aforesaid horse. Before
all the people, the Bishop St. Teliaus, requested of God, and sup-
pliantly, prayed, that the soldiers of Armorica might excel in horse-
manship, all other nations, and thereby defend their country, and
avenge themselves victoriously on their enemies. And that privi-
lege which St. Teliaus obtained from the Lord to be conferred by
him, remains until this day, according to the testimonies and
historical accounts of all the old men of that country. For the
Armoricans are seven times more valiant as horsemen than as foot
soldiers.
In the mean time, whilst these things were performed, the
Bishop St. Teliaus, called to him his family, that is, the common
people of his country, and conversing with them familiarly, at last
said to them, "Know ye, my little children, that our King Gerennius
is afflicted with a serious disorder, and I believe, as an angel has
informed me, that he will die of this illness ; when I came to
that country passing through his territories, I visited him, and he
honourably received me and my companions, treating us hospitably
for some days. And I engaged to him, promising in the Lord,
that he should not see death, nor his last day, until he received
from me the body of the Lord, and that then he should depart
from the world. Prepare therefore for us our ship, that through
means of knowledge divinely communicated, we may return to our
native country, which has been a long time desired, and divinely
promised to us." A large ship being therefore prepared, and seven
years and seven months expired, during which St. Teliaus had
resided in the country of the Armoricans he entered into it with
many doctors ; and some other bishops, by whose sanctity the
British nation should be refreshed after the pestilence. And then
he enjoined his companions, saying, " Take with you this sarco-
phagus, that the body of Gerennius may be buried therein." And
^S Memorials of Llandaff.
they wondering, declared that they could not obey the command,
on account of its great size ; " for," said they, " ten yoke of oxen
can scarcely move it from its place.'' But he, trusting in the Lord,
and the prayers of his bishops and people, directed that it should
be cast into the sea before the prow of the ship and that through
the power of God it would be brought to the bank without using an
oar, which was accordingly done. And as they sailed in the middle
of the sea, another ship met them, and the sailors coming together
conversed with each other, and a bishop sent by King Gerennius
mentioned that the King was dying, but expected the arrival and
coming to him of Teliauus. Sailing together from thence, they go to
a harbour called Din Gerein, and, lo ! immediately the aforesaid
stone [sarcophagus], that had been thrown into the sea, having
arrived appeared between the two ships, and according to the faith
of the holy pastor of Christ, manifested the glory of his majesty.
St. Teliaus coming to the King found him, still living, and having
received the body of the Lord from his hand, joyfully migrated to
the Lord and his body was carefully buried in the aforesaid sarco-
phagus, and by his holy confessor committed to God.
After these things, the holy man went to his own episcopal see,
with a great number of the clergy and people who accompanied
him, and there he remained to the end of his life, holding supre-
macy over all the churches of the whole of southern Britain,
according to the appointment of the fathers who consecrated him
at Jerusalem, as before mentioned. And the nation, although
consisting of a few persons, very soon increased into a large multi-
tude, and this, indeed, because they were obedient to every order
of the holy man. So the holy church, which had been dispersed
for a long time, was exalted by the coming of Teliauus, the most
holy of holy persons ; to whom came those who had been disciples
of St. Dubricius ; viz. lunapeius, Gwrmaet, Cynmur, Toulidauc,
luhil, Fidelis, Hismael, Tyfhei, Oudoceus, and many others, that
they might imitate him in conduct and doctrine. Of whom he
consecrated Hismael to be a bishop, and sent him to take charge
of (Ecclesia Minuensis) the church of Menevia, now deprived of
its pastor, for St. David had migrated to the Lord, and many
other persons of the same rank he likewise raised to the episcopacy,
sending them through the country, and giving dioceses to them to
suit the convenience of the clergy and the people.
Now the miracles we know to have been performed by him,
we commit to writing and memory, for by being silent with respect
to the miraculous power of God, and the saints, we are grievously
Liife of Saint Teilo. 59
deficient in duty ; but by publishing it, we obey. He had three
pack horses, who without any one attending them, went to the
wood, and when loaded by the woodmen, returned in a similar
manner without a driver, and thus served the brethren daily. It is
said that he raised one from the dead on the river Couin, who was
named Distinnic ; that one sick of the palsy was by him healed in
the church of Radh,^ before all the people, on the Sabbath day, and
with what ever disorder the sick were afflicted, they were healed of
it by the laying on of his hands. But they, who in any way injured
him, either were long tormented, or immediately died, as an auda-
cious woman, who offended him, expired before all the people.
Also a certain regulus named Guaidan, violated his refuge in one
of his churches commonly called Lanteliau bechan, and as he was
raging there and committing this act of violence, he immediately
in the same cemetery, vilely lost his life, but those who acknow-
ledged their crimes, immediately recovered their health, and were
pardoned through means of his prayers.
On the night of his decease, there arose a great dispute between
the clergy of three of his churches each asserting its authorities
and privileges for obtaining his body, one of which was Pennalun,^
and which claimed because it was there his ancestors had been
buried, and therefore, the proper place by hereditary right ; the
second church, situated on the banks of the river Tyui (Towy)
claimed it because it was the place of his residence, where he lived
retired and because he there gloriously ended his life ; the third
was Llandafif and urged its claim on account of its having been his
episcopal see, of its privileges and dignities, its consecrations and
obedience, and of the unanimous voice of all the diocese, and
especially because of its former state, and the appointment of
St. Dubricius and other fathers. But at length, attending to the
advice of discreet men, they had recourse to fasting and prayer,
that Christ, the great judge, who is the true authority and privilege
of holy persons, should declare by some manifest sign, to which
of them He would be pleased to commit the holy body of the Saint.
And in the morning, a certain elder, looking towards the place
where the body was, spoke with a loud voice, saying. "Our prayer,
brethren, has been heard by the Lord, who deprives no one of his
reward. Arise, and behold what things have been done by Christ
the Mediator between God and man, that our dispute might be
settled, and as in the life so in the death of the holy confessor
Teliauus, miracles should be performed." For, lo ! they saw there
' Probably Roath, adjacent to Cardiff. '■ See p. 40.
6o Memorials of Llandaff.
three bodies, to which there was the same dimensions of body, the
same beauty of countenance, (what more ?) they had the lineaments
of the whole frame without any difference.
So peace being restored, each with their own burden returned
homewards, and they buried the different bodies in those several
places with the greatest reverence.
It was, however, known to all the people, by the great number
of miracles, and the accounts of ancient writers, that he was
certainly taken to Llandaff, for at the tomb of this eminent prelate,
the sick were most frequently healed of their diseases, sight given
to the blind, and hearing to the deaf
These, and more than these, the divine miraculous power
performed for the most holy confessor Teliauus, wherefore cele-
brate the festivity of so great a man with all the affection of
your mind, frequent his church, and according to the ability of
each of you, bestow of your substance on the poor in his name,
who accepts great things for small, and small things for great,
as he received a cup of cold water from the woman of Samaria, as
if she had given a thousand talents of gold ; that by imitating him
in good works, ye may deserve to be glorified with him in seats
above, by the aid of our Lord Jesus Christ, who always lives,
and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
During the life [of this Saint] the Church of Llandaff, through
his sanctity in conduct as well as in doctrine, increased in churches,
and territories, which were given to it, with all their liberty, dignity
and privilege, by his contemporary Kings, Teudirie, son of Teith-
pall, Idon, son of Ynyr Gwent, Gwrcant Maur, Mailcun, Aircol
Lauhir, Catgucaun, Tredecil, Rein, and many other Kings and
Princes of southern Britain or the Brythons, and this was done
by naming the churches with their territories and endowments,
the description of their boundaries, and the attestation of authorized
persons.
The few charters of Llandaff which are contemporary with
Teilo record further details of the Saint's life-history, and they will
be found in the description of the documents which are given
later on.
CHAPTER VII.
THE OLD ENGLISH METRICAL LIFE OF ST. TEILO
OR TELYOU.
THERE is an old English poetical Legend of Bishop Telyou
in the British Museum, Manuscript Department, among the
Egerton MSS., with numeration 2810, folios 94-99, which does not
appear, so far as my researches have carried me, to have been
printed hitherto. The following is the text of it : —
Legend of Bishop Telyou.
Seynt telyou ]>e hyssop . )jat was of moche pris
Was ibore in Wales . also ich wene iwis
Of |:'e grestes lordinges . ofal )?at syde
Of his grete godnesse . me telle]? sui)7e wide
And Jjc} ]>er nis no clerc . ich wene in none londe
];at al J)e godnesse of is lif . conne vnderstonde
C Vor his holinesse . sone yshewed was
]?o he was icristned . J^at was a wounder cas
He was icleped Elyos . andl[>at was Scheie and ri3t
In tokne after of his lif . ]?at was goed and hTi}t
C Elyos an englis . ]?e sonne icleped is
)?at sshinejj suij^e bri3te . so dede his lif iwis.
at noujie Jjur} lewede men . telyou is his name
al his lif was gode and clene . and wi}»outem blame.
C Euere as |7es child'^ wax . bettre he was and bettre
\o he was of elde . his vrendes him sette to lettre.
God him 3af ]70 grace . yno} to vnderstonde
Vor al was Jje childes }»03t . to fle senne and ssonde.
C To workes of merci . he dede at his wille
And help \dX neode hadde . bojie loude and stille
him self he made poure . \e. poure he made riche.
Ich wene in \\=, centre . bie|? vewe children suche.
Vor of l^is worldes god . ne kepte he ri3t no3t.
At heuene vor to habbe . euere was in his ]703t.
1 MS. has did.
62 Memorials of Liandaff.
C Lo wi)7 wat chaffare . Jje child ladde his Hf
Vor to winne reste . he vorsoke wordliche strif
Wijj J>inges ]7at faile]? sone . ichote he bo3te also
l;e he3e ioie of heuene . ]?at laste)? euere mo.
C ]?is ilke marchaundise . is of moche pris
and woso vse]? suche oker . he de]? a]? \ie wise.
C I'us liuede ]?is gode child . to his lifis ende
So Jxzt dubrice )7e erchebissop . aftir him gan sende.
He hym tau3te of holy Writ . )»e child so vnderstod
|?ur3 grace ]7at he hadde . his wit was so god.
]7at bettere he couj^e vnderstonde . jjing \ai men hym sede
)?an eni maistgr mi3te . to hym in boke rede
CT \o dubrice J^is ise3 . glad he was and blijje.
And bisou3te telyou . ofte and mani shij'e.
]iat he hym ssolde elleswar . 6\)er maist^r seche
Vor he nas no3t wor}?i . lengere hym to teche
And seide ^s} ich ssol . ouer ojjere maister be
Ichot ich am vnworj^i . vor to teche \>e
C Aft^r ]>e bissopes rede . Jiis 3ungeman ginne}? werche
Nolde he nou3t vnboxum be . to Ipe pr^lat of holi cherche.
and J?e3 he mi3te ouer o|jere be maister in teching^
3Ut he hadde leuere . be scoler and vnderVmge
And ^dit nas nou3ht ]?ur3 prude . to habbe gret maistrie
At was ]?ur3 boxumnesse . to ssende heresie.
C Heresie is icleped . among vus valse bileue
fjat al to moche regnej> among men . amorwe and aneue
Jjerof hadde |>is holi man . suijje moche reu})e
Vor he wolde holden up . cristendom in tru]?e.
C[ He hurde telle of a man . ]7at paulyn icleped was.
In ];e contre Jjat he wonede . non so wis ]?er nas
Vor )?e grete godnesse . J^at he hurde of Paulyn.
He wente to ];is godeman . and bed of hym ];at in.
C Paulyn hym answerde . Welcome mote ])0\x be
And^e wile Jji wille is . hro\ei duel her wi)? me
]>er duelde telyou . wi]? paulyn J>e gode
And talkeden of holy Writ . wij? suij>e milde mode.
So ]7at alle )?inges . jjat to telyou were vncoujje
Wi]? here tweyre speche . hie worJ>en suij^e cou];e
C J'ere funde telyou . a sui)?e trewe fere
Dauid was is ri3t name . so ich 3U telle here
bitwene ];ise twe 3unge men . ]>er ne twemde no3t
Vor hi were bo]7e . of owil and o Jjojt,
Legend of Bishop Teiyou. 63
And hi hym louede yuere . so vvel alle bo.
)?at hii nolde hor uelausip . uor nojjing dele atwo
j^er hii duelde iuere al hor wil was on
In ]?is such uelaussij) . nou ne finde ich non
€1 It biuel in jjullc time . J^at a strong man
A swi)?e gret lordling . J^at moche wonder bigan
After gret mansla3t . and manie robberie
]>at he hadde ydo in Wales ]nir3 his wikked maistrie
After brenning of churchen . and o]?er moche wo
to )?e toun of meneue . wi]? is verde gan go
C j'er he him made a palais . of noble wort and riche
in al ]7ulk contre nas non his yliche
J»er wonede jjis luj^er man . ]?at voile of enuie
And herde telle of paulyn . and of is C077tpa.ms
C ]>ls luj»er man in herte . anon gan byjienche
3ef he mi3t in eni wise . hor godnesse assrenche
C A ltd 'pO}t ]7at he wolde . asaye wi]? lecherie
3ef he mi3t ouer ho;« . winne wij) maystrie
And wiy wille of fol wimmen . her holinesse vndo
Jfis was ]>e best consail . fat J^is lu]?er man funde |'o
C He cluped his wiues bourwi;«men . and bed he/w go
wel ri3t
to paulin and is veren . and fonde wi]> al hor mi3t
3ef hii wi)? fol semblaunt . o]7er wi]? fol dede
Mi3ten |7is god holi men . ut of godnesse lede
C Vor]7 went )?is fol wiwmen . ]>at hii com wel ri3t
to paulines hous . |7at to God was ydi3t
touor him and is veren . hi;;/ hii gon goi
And wi]> semblaunt and wi]> speche . J^er hii verdenso
ri3t as hii wer wode . hii speke of uelenie
Ajid askede of lj>is gode men . ]?e dede of lecherie
C teliou was ofssamed sore . and his ueren echon
Ac zkesu crist of heuene . on hom ))03t anon
And uor to witie is sergau^s god so wel byhedde
Jiat alle ]'is fol wi;/^men . in hor folie awedde
C ]>o }iis wikkede man . herde of f»is ]?inge
he wente to |?is gode men . ne duelde he no]:>inge
mercy he hom biso3t . of alle is fol dede
^«^seide fat he wolde amendi him . and heter lif )7er
after lede
C j'is gode men wer bli|?e . of )7is tiding echon
And cristned him and his men , in cristes name anon
64 Memorials of Llandaff'.
So \a.t he and al his . euere wi]; hor mi3t
Serued god to wille . bo]?e day and ni3t
C After yaX in a tyme . hit biuel bi cas
]7at teliou wi]? ano]7er . stiward of us was
Madoc he3t ]7e bro]7er . lj>es two most mete di3t
to alle her oj^er brej^eren . so it fel wi]> ri3t
C Ac in a day hit biville . |?at wode nadde hie non
teliou and madoc . to wode gonnen gon
Homward uor to spede . gode wille hi hadde
Ac hou ]>e wode ssolde be hom ybro3t . sor hii wer of dradde
C Vr louerd \Aesu crist . ne ne uor3et 30m no3t
lj>o hor wode was yhewe . and into ]>e cart ybro3t
C ]?er come two hertes wilde . hii hom milde and tdLvne
]>es gode men hem 3okede . so it wer in game
And wenten hom vorJ>wade . ]>e hertes uair and stille
Arowe« after Jjat wode . wi)? wel gode wille
nas }?er noman ]?at hom drof . ne ]7at hom bed gon
]7is wildes best hom seruide . 3eres manion
C )7is was a gret wonder . and a gret help also
jjat god uor seint telyous loue . wolde on erjje do.
C telyou in anojier stede . wi]? dauit and padarn
Hadden gret defaut of water . so ich 3U telle can
telyou kneled adoun . and bed godis grace
a uair welle gan springe . anon in Jjulk place
men segge]? of J»e countre . ]jat Jie well is in
hit na]? no sauour af water . ac a]? sauour of win
C telyou dauit and padarn . ]?es ]?re men so hende
Wer yhot ]?ur3 angel . to ]>e hoH londe to wende.
]7ur3 ])£ angeles best hii dede hem . uorjjward in ]>e weye
manie miracle god ded uor hem by ]>e countreye.
C to ward ]>e toun of ierusa/em . hii com goinge
Al ]>e bellen of J)e toun . to 3ens hom goun ringe
WiJ^out mannes honde . al ]?ur3 godis mi3t
men wenten to 3ens hom . uor hit skele and ri3t
C nas noman Jiat wist wy . J^is ringinge mi3t be
]>o hii com wi]Jout toun . hii se^e come men ]>ie
]>o hii he;« ise3e . hii understode echon
lj>a.t hit was a tokninge . to 3en hom uor to gon
uair hem underuenge . ]>e men of J>e cite
O wille was on hem alle . 'pe} J»er were bodies bre
C J'eruor seide ]>e pople . so ich 3U telle con
l^at J)er was come J?e trinite . uor )?re J>at wer in on
Legend of Bishop Teiyou. 65
C l?e pople to )7e temple . suijie uair horn bro3t
l^ri hii knelede adoun . and god\s help byso3t
\q pople sette |>re chayres . biside bi \q wal
}?at on was of cedre . \e two gode metal
C Al ]?e uolk biside stode . ]?at was wis in witte
and lokede in Jje chayr of cedre . wich of hem wolde go sitte
\o hii wer aris up . al j^at uolk in pes
teiyou ]?e chair of cedre . boxomliche ches
uor hit nadde non honour . he dede hit treuliche
and to is velawes he lette . Jje ojjer chaires riche
]>o \e pople Yis yse3 . adoun hii uelle akne
and seide godes halewe teiyou . welcom mot J?u be
C sui]je gret honour to day . god ]>e gon teche
in yis chayr he sete him self . ur vadres to preche
]7eruor we ]^e bidde]? . uor ih^ju crist is sake
}>at today of holi writ jju us preching make
C so ]?at hit be ur soul help . and ]?e uende to ssame
teliou se3 hor gode wille . and yonkede godis name
and wi|i wel gode wille . graunted hor bidding
Ac nou 36 mou yhure a sui]7e wonder )'ing
C Alle l^e clerkes ]?at weren Jjerin
}703t is predicacioun was . al pur latyn
and alle |>e lewede men 3unge . and olde of age
]'03t ]7at he preched . in hor owen langage
C So |?at euerich man of wat londe he were
mi3te his predicacioun . wel unde[r]stonde ]?ere
)>us prechede J)is gode man of \& trinite
l^at al \e. londe afterwarde . mi3te Jje betere be.
C god sent Jjis gode men . 3eftes sui]?e riche
ich wot hii come uram heuene . ne bej' horn non iliche
Eueriche hadde is 3eftes . so it to him byfil
J^erbi me understode . hii wro3t bi godis wil
teiyou hadde a belle . J»at 3af murie soune
uor he hadde \e grace . of predicatioune
C bi yis ilk belle . a wonder telle ich may
hem sef it wold ringe . eche tide of J>e day
Ac ]70 godes hondework . jjerupon was uor suore
]7ulk ringinge anon . ye belle adde uorlore
C Dauit hadde an auter ston . Jjat was swij^e riche
uor in deuocioun of masse . he nadde non iliche
C Padarn hadde an staf . and a cantercope
uor ouer alle ]>e ojjer . he songe best bi note.
F
66 Memorials of Llandaff.
\o \\s gode men hadde . J»es 3eftes yre
towar hor countre . hii goune wende a3e
Hit biuel opon a time . ];at jjorst him com opon
Alle hii were so of ]?oi-st . hii mist wat to don
hii come hi a water . |?er a maide clene
clansede her boter . bi a welles streme
C Sein telyou her bed . him 3uf drink anon
360 ansvverde leue sire y nabbe . waron in hit don
C Nlm seint telyou sede . ]?e boter in ym honde.
and of godis suijje wel . ]?u understonde
Mak ]7erof an disse . al wijjout swinke
And ]7ur3 godis grace . we ssolle]? ]?erof drinke
C y^ maide nom \s boter . ne duelde 3eo no3t longe
And in fourme of a belle . j^e boter togader clonge
So }»at jjese god men . dronk her uelle
Of l?e uayr water . Jjat com out of ];e welle
^ And ich 3U may telle . \e. ri3t so}? i wis
in ]?e churche of landaf . ];ulk uessel is.
po telyou was hom ycom . )7e bissop of landaf was dede
]7e clerkes and \e hej, men . nom hom to rede
and choson teliou to bissop . so Jjat ysacred was
]>o song \e uolc . vor ioye d^o gracias
Nu is telyou bissop . and loue]; lutel plawe
And 'penchelj) bo]7e ni3t and day . Jiat vole to gode drawe
And jiurT/Ut al is bissopriche . he fondede in eche ende
Wi)? gode predicacioun . uals bileue to ssende
€1 so ]?at uor mannes sinne . sente a wonder cas
A suijje gret tempest . J^at flaue ycleped was
Flaue in ur langage . bloc is ycluped and wan
Alle I'at Jje tempest smot . suche wer uor];an
and drou toward de]; anon . ar it wer eue
So ]7at in ]>e countre . ne derst no man bileue
An angel com to telyou . and bed him Jiat he ssolde
Wend bito anoj^er londe . woder so he wolde
He and al }7at o]?er uolk . ]7at wolde aliue be
teliou ]7onked god . and clupede al is meine
C And hed hii ssolde warnie . hd^e ureind and sibbe
to wenden out of |jat londe . al Jjat wolde libbe.
Som hii wente into yrlonde . ]>er uor to be
And son vlowe elleswider . into oJ)er contre
C Seint telyou and is clerkes . al l^e lond uorsoke
and in toward fraunce . ]?e ri3t weie hii toke
Legend of Bishop Teiyou. 6 J
In sein telious uelausip . wer oj^er bissopis mo
)7at uor drede of |?e tempest . )7e lond uorsoke also
C Sein teiyou and is velawes . hom spedden so lucre
ri3t into cornwayle . Jjat hii ycome were
As }>is gode men went . iuere j?ur3 J7e contre
hii founde ]?e king gereme . ]7at hende was and fre
Gereme hem uayr underueng . and wile hii wolde bileue
founde hom ]7«t neode was . amorwe and aneue
C Of seint teiyou he was yssriue . and seint teiyou him sede
ich \e segge sire kinge . naue ]?u no drede
]?u ne ssalt no3t deye . he duelle ich no so longe
uort ]7U haue of min honde godes bodi undcruonge
C And seint teiyou hem bihet . he helde euerich del
So 36 ssol herafterwarde . yhure swi]?e wel
uorJ» went seint teiyou . J^e wey |?at god him sende
to )?e cite of toleuse . ]?e ri3t wei hii wende
C )?e erchebissop Sampson . |7at wardede ]>& clergie
SuiJ»e uair hom underuenge . and^aX was cortesie
in o contre hii were ybred . andhxmede boJ>e yuere
under dubrice j^e erchebissop . \o hii togader were
C }>eruor he him founde . al J»at him nede was
And dede to him and to his . suijjc gret solas
Sampson louede teiyou . and al is ifere
uor hii wer boJ>e . of sinne suij^e skere
Manie wer )7e miracles . )jat god dede {^ere
uor \& loue of seint teiyou . and uor is yuere.
C Seint teiyou herde telle . Jjat ye tempest was ago
J>at hadde biuor in Wales . ydo wel moche wo
he ]703t ]?at he wolde . al is ueren of sende
and J>at hii wolde yuere . to hor contre wende
Ac l^e godnesse of seint teliou . spronge about wide
So J^at it come to a rlche kinge . ]?at woned j^er biside
C yis kinge went to seint teiyou . wij^ moche of is mene
and yo he com biuor him . adoun he uel akne
and bad him help and c<?«sayl . por seynt charite
Of a wikked dragoun . ]?at ssende al \& contre
Seint teiyou was agast . to \e. dragou« he wende
lest bis foul best . lest hit wolde him habbe assende
Ac an angel him bade . wende in godis name
uor ye worme he ssolde him do . nofier harm ne ssame
C yo seint teliou yherd y'ls . uorJ> he gan him gon
so ]?at he founde . j^is foule best anon
F 2
68 Memorials of Llandaff.
behet it anon ri3t . ich segge 3U uor soj^e
]7at he ssolde no mane misdo . wi]? blast of is toj^e
C I'e dragoun wax al milde . and lay sui|^e stille
Seint teliou her uast bonde . and dede wi]? here is wille
to a roche of ston . bi Jje see side
he bonde her vvel uaste . \er uor to bide
)7at he ne ssolde j^erafter . nanne man do ssame.
Al \c uolc Jiat ];is yse3 . hered godis name
C Ac 3Ut hom dradde sore . lest )?e best at ]?e last
Wolde breke is teyles . and hom alle agast
And hede Sampson \e erchebissop . por seint charite
]?at he bede seint teliou . lengere \vi\i hom be
at \& leste uort hii wiste . ]?at \e dragoun dede were
3ef he nold amonges hem . no lenge duelle j^ere
C Seint telyou answered he nolde in none wise
duelle ac he wolde wende hom . to do godis seruise
Ac angel eom ani3t . and seide to him jjus
ich J»e segge telyou . urom ur louerd \hesiis
C I'at \w most her bileve . and chaungi )?i \o^X.
uort al l^i C(77«panie . be togader ybro3t
And Jjerof ]?u ssalt tomorwe . haue gode tocninge
to ]?e ssol com erliche . ]?e bissop and ]7e kinge
C ]'e pople and )?e clergie . and bidde por charite
]?at |7U duelle awile wi(; hem in ]7at contre
hii ssoUe]? beden \& an hors . )7at ssal be bro3t biside
Jjat |?u ssalt . j^eron to toleuse ride
Here bone \\x ssalt graunte . and ]?e pr^saunt uorsake
uor \hesus crist ssal Jje anojjer . purueance make
C ri3t as J^e angel sede . amorwe it biuille
And seint telyou J^e bissop . grauntede al hor wille
\& wile l;at he ];er duelde . he of sente is mene
uayn hii wolde wende . towarde is contre
C ]'o hii wer togadere ybro3t . and )?e dragoun was dede
homward uor to wende . al was hore rede
hii nome hor leue . and di3ten hom to wende
Seint telyou to hem seide . wordes suij>e hende
C 3e wete]; \o we wente ]7ur3 cornewayle . hou geremie ]?e
kinge
God hit him uor3elde . us 3af gode gustninge
We us mote spede . and wende wij; ]7e winde
And loke 3ef we mowe him . jut aliue finde
Legend of Bishop Telyou. 69
C Seint telyou wel understode . wat he byhet Jje kinge
]7eruor he sede to is mene , ich wot ]?is ilk j'inge
to )?e see stronde . hii wenten hem anon
And ]70 hii were ]?uder ycome . hii founde a \iro} of ston
C Suijje heuie and suijje grete . }>at wonder hit was to se
Seint telyou seide J>is ilk )7rou3 . 36 mote lede wi]^ me
C Vor )je kinge geremie . wan ]?at he dede is
in J)is ilk stone , ssal ben ybured ywis
Alle his men awondred . bo)^e mest and ];e leste
and s&xdQ uor heuinesse of |ie ston . hii ne mi3t no3t don
his heste
Vor 3ef he were in hor ssippe . so heuie was J^e ston
J»at he wolde uor heuiede . adrenche hom echon
C Seint telyou biso3t God . an orisoun wel stille
J>at he ssolde of ];e ston . graunte to habbe is wille
He aros up trestiliche . and bade hem sui]?e uaste
Jjat hii ssolde )7e heuie ]?ro3 . into }>e water caste
biuore ]>& ssip and bed gode . uor his cortesie
J7at he ssolde ]7e heuie ]?ro3 . wi]? hem to lond gwye
C Anon is wil was ydo . hii hadden weder gode
And wel sone com ouer . Jiat salt flode
C \o hii come ne} ]7e londe hii ysei} anon
Hou ye see hadde ycaste alonde . \e |?ro3 of ston
alle hii Jionkede god . j^at were in Jjulk plas
and seiden wi]; gode wille . deo gracias
C seint telyou went him alonde . and his ueren bliue
And founde geremie ];at kinge . J»«t he was aliue
.Seint telyou him ssrof . and houslede also
]7e kinge geremie deide anon . ]70 hit was ydo
C Seint teliou dede ]>e. seruise . and bured him ari}!
in \e grete J>ro3 of ston . J>at was to him ydi3t
C yo he hadde ]?is ydo . uair he nom his leue
uor he nolde in cornewayle . yo no leng bileue
C Se]?J>e he went to landaf . ]?an ri3t way
J»er he wetede ]?e bissopriche afterward mani a day
Welle he helde up holi churche . boj^e day and ni3t
.^;?(a? sustened cristedom . euere wi); alle his mi3t
C J>eruor God uor his loue . wile he aliue was
Wro3te her on er|?e . manie wonder cas
biside y& water of cowin . a dede man suij^e bliue
]7or3 seint telious bone . aros urom dejje to Hue
70 Memorials of Llandaff.
C in \& churche of radure . he helde a paraletik
touor al ]7e pople . ]7at long hadde ybe sik
A fol womnan . ]7at hadde him missede
biuor ]7at uolk was . sodeinliche dede
C ]?e franchise of J^e churche of lanteHou . a kinge sonn time
binom
And into ]7e churchey . anon so he com
uor he spac unhendeliche . anon he wax wod
And dslde wiJ»out ssrifte . his endinge nas no3t god.
C ]>o hit com to time . J»at seint telyou ssolde uare
to ]>e blisse of heuene . ut of yis wordles care
He sent after is clerkes . and tolde hem al lj>at ende
Hou his soul most . uram is bodi wende
C He hem custe echon . and bede hem alle god day
]>e soul passed to god . J)e bodie stille lay
C ]>o J>is gode man was dede . gret strif ]>er aros
bytwene men of J»re contres . wer }?ur3 manie agros
uor eueriche of hom wolde habbe . Ipe bodie to is contre
And neuer on hit nolde soffri . wi]? o)7er uor to be
And seiden bot hii ]>at bodie . in pes habbe mi3t
Hii wolde lok wo hit ssolde . habbe wip strengj> of fi3t
C ]>e: wise men by]703t . Jjat ilk rede nas no3t
uor so ssolde moche of Jiat uolc . to dej^e ben ybro3t
And seide we ssolle wakyen . al ni3t in ])is place
And hidde midde gode wille . ihesu crist is grace
]7at he us sende tidinge . wo ]?is bodi habbe mawe
So Jiat godis hondework . ne de jjeruor aslawe
€1 to ]7is ilk rede . alle hii be]; at on
hii dude hom in to orisounes . anon euerichon
Hii wepen wiy or e3en . and beden hor bone
]>e he}c kinge of heuene . herde hom suijje sone
C ]>o hit dro3 to ]>e dawinge . alle hii uelle aslepe
nas jjer none )7at urom slepe . ]>o him mi3t kepe
po hit was day hii awoke . and hii seie bodies ]>re
Iliche moche . iliche uayr . and alle of on ble
C l^er nas no man of hom . Jjat wist wuche was wiche
bote eueriche ]?03t seint telyou . ]7is was gret verliche
]7us was ]>e strif aleyde . and )7e contres in pes
uor eueriche of ]>e contres . to his wille ches
and bered uor]? and bered hit . in sui|7e uair place
in eueriche of Ipulk stedes . god haj? ssewed grace
Legend of Bishop Telyou. 7 i
C Ac into )?is ulk day . meste miracle at landaf is
Jjeruor ich understonde . J>at he lij? \e.x ywis
bidde we god of heuene . J^at his us aboue
]7at he us heipe and rede . uor seint telyous loue
C Ase wis as he made . of his bodie ];re
he us graunte grace . sinne uor to fle
And ];at we mote here . so ur lif amende
)7at we mou alle come . to Jje blis wi)?out eiende . Amen.
This poem appears to be derived from the Latin life, of which
a translation is given in the preceding chapter.
John of Tinmouth gives in the Nova Legenda Angliae a short
life of St. Theliaus in Latin, and the Cotton MS., Tiberius E. I.
Part I, fol. 39, has the Latin text also.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE PRIVILEGES OF ST. TEILO.
THE Life of St. Teilo, recorded in the Liber Landavensis, is
followed immediately by three paragraphs which deal with
the privileges granted by the rulers of Britain to him and his
successors.
These privileges appear to have been acted on from the time of
their promulgation to the time when the statutes and other ordi-
nances were revised about the time of Henry VHI., and regulated
the proceedings of the Cathedral authorities almost, if not quite, to
the present day.
I. The first paragraph sets forth the rules which were to apply
in regard to the connection between the See and the people of the
land. Its terms and provisions are as follows : —
Privilege of Teilo granted to the
Church of Llandaff.
The privilege of St. Teilo, and his Church of Llandaff, is
granted to him and to all his successors for ever by these Kings
and Princes, and confirmed by Apostolic authority, with all its laws
fully complete to themselves, and its territories free from all royal
service without a governor {consul^, or deputy governor {proconsul),
without compulsory attendance at public courts, in or out of its
jurisdiction, without compulsory going on military expeditions,
without keeping watch over the country ; with its own laws alto-
gether respecting thief, and robbery, rapine, homicide, incendiarism,
brawling, shedding of blood, violation of refuge everywhere within
the territories of the Saint, assaults in the roads, and out of the
roads, in giving judgment, and suffering it, with regard to all the
people of St. Teilo, in the Court of Llandaff, respecting common-
age of water and herbage, field and wood for the people of the
Church of St. Teilo ; with a market and a mint at Llandaff, with
the free entry of ships everywhere throughout the territories of
St. Teilo, free from claim of kings, and all persons, except the
Church of Llandaff and its Bishop.
Privileges of St. Teilo. 73
And respecting every reproach, and injury which the King of
Glamorgan and his men shall do to the Bishop of St. Teilo and his
men, the said King of Glamorgan and his men shall render justice
to the Bishop and his men, and receive judgment in the Court of
Llandaff. Every law which may be in the regal Court, shall be
likewise fully recognised in the episcopal Court at Llandaff.
2. The second paragraph deals with the position of the See of
Llandaff in regard to its property and powers bestowed on it by the
authorities of the Church, the nobles, and its faithful benefactors,
which are to be for ever enjoyed quietly and without hindrance or
diminution by anyone. An excommunication is threatened to
those who venture to oppose these privileges, unless due satisfaction
be given, and to those who forward and preserve them the reward
of an eternal blessing is promised,
Now, the statutory privilege of that Church ordained by Apos-
tolic authority is, that it shall, with its dignity, remain to posterity
free and quit from all burden of secular service.
Whatsoever things, therefore, which by the concession of pon-
tiffs, the liberality of princes, or the offering of the faithful, or by
other just means may belong to it, shall be preserved to it firm and
entire for ever. Whatsoever it may in future by divine bounty
justly and canonically obtain, shall always remain to it quiet and
undisturbed. For it is decreed that it shall not be lawful for any
man whatsoever rashly to disturb the aforesaid Church, or take
away its possessions, or retain such as have been taken away from
it, or weary it with vexatious proceedings, and that all things
together with the boundaries of the diocese, be preserved to it. If
any secular, or ecclesiastical person shall therefore, in future, rashly
attempt to act against it, and being two or three times admonished,
will not amend, with rendering due satisfaction, let him be deprived
of the dignity of his station, and know that by divine judgment he
is guilty of the perpetrated crime, and not partake of the most
holy body and blood of God and the Lord our Redeemer Jesus
Christ, and undergo severe punishment in the last judgment. But
to all who shall preserve them to the said Church, may the peace of
our Lord Jesus Christ effect that here they may enjoy the fruit of
their good conduct, and from the righteous Judge receive the
reward of eternal peace.
Relying on the injunctions set forth in the above Statute, the See
of Llandaff has preserved for many hundred years its episcopal
authority and its temporal property and possessions.
74 Memorials of Llandaff.
3. The third paragraph deals with the laws affecting the temporal
position of the Church. It is written in ancient Welsh, and the
original text is one of the most interesting specimens of the early
indigenous language of South Wales that has been preserved to
this day. But of its literary and linguistic value we cannot here
take further notice. Rees gives a translation into English, which I
have, in the main, followed ; and Evans gives a photographic
facsimile of the manuscript, and a translation which has been
revised by the Rev. C. Plummer, of Corpus Christi College, Oxon.
The later translation does not differ very materially from the
earlier version.
This is the law and privilege of the Church of Teilo, of Llandaff,
which these Kings and Princes of Wales granted to the Church of
Teilo, and to all its Bishops after him for ever ; and was confirmed
by the Popes of Rome.
To enjoy all its laws, and its lands and territories free from all
regal and secular service, without a Mayor,^ without a Chancellor,
without attendance at public courts of litigation either in the
district, or out of it, without going on military expeditions, without
arrest, and without keeping watch and ward ; to have complete
legal cognizance of robber, and robbery, of rapine, of homicide,
of intimidation (or waylaying), of incendiarism, and contention
with bloodshed and without it ; of all penalties for crimes therein
committed, of violating the privilege of refuge, either in the church,
or out of it, of opposition, either in a forest, or out of it, and of
assaults of every kind on the land of Teilo, and its men. And
judgment belongs to the court house {Gundy) of the Church of
Teilo, at Llandaff, without exception with respect to commonage
of water and of herbage, of wood and of field.
There belongs to Teilo a Market ^ and a Mint at Llandaff, and
a right for the approach of ships to the territory of Teilo, without
obstruction from Kings, or any other persons, except from Teilo,
and the Church of Llandaff, and its Bishops.
And with respect to any disgrace, insult, injury, or damage
which shall be committed by the King of Glamorgan {Morgannwg)
' Steward. — Evans.
2 " The tutelary patronage of St. Teleiau is, at present, only remembered here
by a Fair, called 'Dilo Fair,' yearly celebrated on his anniversary, the 9th of
February." — B. Willis, Survey of the Cathedral Church of Landaff, p. 40. Sir
H. Nicholas places under 9th February, the day of St. Telcan, bishop and
confessor, by a strange error of spelling. — Chronology of History, 1835,
pp. loi, 162.
Privileges of St. Teiio. 75
or by his man or servant to the Bishop of Teilo and his man and
servant, the King of Glamorgan is to come to the court house
{Gundy) of Teilo, at Llandaff, to render what is just and lawful, and
receive judgment for the injury done to the Bishop of Teilo and his
man and servant ; and that his lands and territories, and military
arrangements, be subject to his own control (exempt from expedition,
from burdens, from service) ; and every right belonging to the King
of Glamorgan {Morgannwg) in his court shall wholly belong to the
Bishop of Teilo in his court likewise. And that they, and their
children after them, who shall break and diminish this privilege be
cursed and excommunicated, and he and his children be blessed,
who will honour this privilege, and observe it. Amen.
Perhaps the most important of these constitutions is that it
became incumbent on the king of the land " to plead and be im-
pleaded," as the phrase of a later period has it, in the Bishop's
Court at Llandaff. But the institutions of a market and a mint,
and the enjoyment of numerous other benefits enumerated in this
instrument, were of boundless benefit to the See.
In a vacant space at the end of these entries a later hand has
introduced a curious note that a " great sentence of excommunica-
tion by St. Teliaus which was obtained from the Roman Court
against those who infringed the liberties and privileges of the
Cathedral Church of Llandaff, was read and promulgated on the
Saint's day, in the year 1410, and within a few days' time after
seven persons who had thus transgressed became furiously insane,
and so remained all their lives. This is a valuable note for the
psychologists of the present day.
CHAPTER IX.
THE CHARTERS OF THE TIME OF ARCHBISHOP TEILO.
SEVEN charters of the time of St. Teilo are set forth in full length
in the Liber Landavensis. As in the case of the documents
attributed to the time of St. Dubricius, so here it is to be deeply
regretted that no originals have been preserved to our day, when
the skill and experience of palaeographers would not have found it
very difficult to determine the actual period of their publication.
There are those who are inclined to doubt their genuineness and
who suggest that they are the productions of a later age. On the
the other hand, the characteristic style of the compositions, in
other words their external appearance as diplomata, contrasts very
well with that of other Cambro-Britannic documents which cer-
tainly have never been questioned as belonging to the period. The
Cartulary of Redon, in Brittany, published in \.\\z Archives Nationales
of France, by M. Courson, contains the texts of several very early
charters which may be compared, for composition of their several
clauses, with these early records of Llandaff ; and the names of the
persons — grantors, incidentally mentioned people, and witnesses —
possess a considerable amount of resemblance to those names
which figure in the pages of the Liber Landavensis.
I. Taking the seven documents in the order in which they are set
out in the record, the first is that of : —
Lann Garth.
King Idon, son of Ynyr Guent, for the exchange of an eternal
fatherland, sacrificed one of his mansions, viz., Lann Garth, and all
its territory, which had formerly belonged to St. Dubricius, Arch-
bishop, with all its liberty, and sanctuary of the Church of St. Peter
at Llandaff, to Archbishop Teilo, and all his successors, without any
earthly payment, great or small, except to God, and the Church of
Llandaff, and with complete commonage within and without, in
field and in woods, in water and in pastures. And the King going
round the whole territory, and carrying the Gospel on his back, with
Lann Garth. L,ann Maur. "j"]
the clergy bearing crosses in their hands, and sprinkling holy water
and the dust of pavement and holy sepulchre, in all its boundaries,
perambulated the whole, — an especial curse and excommunication
being unanimously pronounced on all those who should separate
that place, with the territory, and the undermentioned boundaries,
from the Church of Llandaff, and its pastors for ever ; and a bless-
ing on those who should keep it in peace.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Archbishop Teliaus. ludon.
Arguistil. Guordocui.
Elguoret. Gurmoi.
Conguarui. Gurhal.
Conbran.
Of the laity :—
ludon. Freudubur.
Morguid. Erbic.
Merchion. Guinabui.
The boundary of that estate {podum) is Clougur, or the Clawr,
along the high road to the hillock Ffrutmur, from the hillock
Ffrutmur straight to the ditch, as far as the stone at the four
boundaries. From the stone to the end of the ridge, as far as the
top of the ditch. From the top of the ditch as far as the black
fountain, from the fountain through the wood to the Clawr, onward
to the end of the ditch as far as the Clouuric, to the Clawr.
The site has been identified with Llan Arth, in Monmouthshire,
and the river Clawr.
2. This is followed by the charter of Lann Maur, otherwise
called Lann Teliau Forth Halauc, which Evans identifies with Llan
Tilio Pertholey, co. Monmouth. The translation of the text as
given in. the Liber is as follows : —
Lann Maur, that is, Lann Teiliau Forth Halauc.
The same King Idon granted in alms for the health of his soul,
and the souls of his ancestors. Kings and Princes, to God, and
St. Peter,^ and to Archbishop Teilo, and all his successors in the
Church of Llandaff, Lann Maur, that is, Llan Teliau Port Halauc,
where Bivan lies with his four companions, with all its territory,
and all its dignity and sanctuary, and with all its liberty, and com-
^ Perhaps in reference to Rome, but the Cathedral of Llandaff was dedicated
to St. Peter.
78 Memorials of Llandaff.
monage for the inhabitants, in field and in woods, in water and in
pastures, and with the undermentioned boundaries, and the attesta-
tion of lawful persons, clergy and laity, without any payment,
great or small, to any mortal man, except to the pastors of the
Church of Llandaff, for ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Archbishop Teliaus. Elguoret.
Arguistil. Conguarui.
Of the laity :—
King Idon. Merchion.
Morguid. Guinabui.
A blessing being pronounced on those who should preserve the
alms in peace, and an unanimous curse, with excommunication, on
those who should violate it.
These are the boundaries : — From the source of the Cubi ^
across over Mailvannon to the source of the Diwffrwd, or Diufrut,
along Diufrut downwards to the Gevenni,^ through it to the influx of
Nantmaur ; following Nantmaur upwards to its source in the Skirrid,
or Skyryd Mawr, across over the Skyryd to the source of the Mor-
duc, along the Morduc downwards through the wood to the Julen ;
along the brook Morduc to the Gevennf, along the Gevenni down-
wards to the ford of Lechauc, or Llechawg, from the ford to the
grey stone at the hillock Brawd to Gwern y Drution(diguern idrution)
to the pool of Crecion, to the Cubi, following the Cubi upwards
to its source, where the boundary began.
Evans finds the Cubi stream flows through Aber Gevenny ;
Mailvannon, or Mail Vanon, is now Pen y Val ; and other sites
mentioned in these boundaries can be identified on the maps. The
parish is situated in the Lordship of Abergavenny, and a short
account of it is given by Mr. Green. ^
3. The next charter deals with the site of Lann Teiliau Cress-
inych, or Llan Tilio Crosseny in Monmouthshire. The translation
of the documents is as follows : —
Lann Teiliau Cressinych.
In the time of the aforesaid King Idon, the Saxons came into
his country to plunder, and he with his army pursued them, and
on his way came to St. Teliaus, who then remained with his clergy
1 This rises on the Sugar Loaf Mountain, near Abergavenny.
Tributary of River Usk, ^ jsfotes, p. 25.
Lann Teiiiau Cressinych. 79
at his mansion {poduin) of Lan Garth, and strongly entreated him
and his clergy that they would pray to God in behalf of him, and
his whole army. And St. Teliaus came with him to a mountain
in the middle of Crissinic, near Trodi,' where he stood and prayed
to Almighty God that he would succour the plundered people ;
and his prayer was heard, and a great victory was obtained ; the
enemy being put to flight, and the plunder taken from them. The
King returned with plunder obtained, and granted three iiiodii of
land about that mount to St. Teliaus, and the Church of Llandafif,
with all its commonage to the inhabitants, in field and in woods, in
water and in pastures. And excommunication was pronounced on
all those in common, who should, from that day forwards, separate
the alms from the Church of Llandafif, and on the other hand an
absolution on all those who should preserve it in peace.
The boundary : —
From the confluence of Ciuerdived and the Carvan ; along Civer-
dived to the influx of Guaech ; from the influx of Guaech to
Guber Bychan ; along it to the end of the dyke Etern ; along it to
the ditch of Cinahi; along it to the influx of the Grenin ; along the
Grenin to its Spring ; from the Spring of Grenin straight across
to Carn Gunstan ; from Carn Gunstan to Castell Mei ; from Castell
Mei to the influx of the Carvan into the Civerdived.
The parish of Llantilio Crosseney comprised ^ the manors
" Episcopi," " Regis," Cefn-yr-Groes, and Hengwrt, all under the
Lordship of Whitecastle.
To this charter is appended, although it does not appear that
there is any connection between them, a list of churches prefaced
by the statements that : —
These churches were given with all their endowments and terri-
tories, and all their dignity and privilege, liberty and sanctuary, and
all commonage for the inhabitants in field and in woods, in water
and in pastures ; and by the aforesaid King to St. Teliaus and all
the Bishops of the Church of Llandaff. A curse was pronounced
on those who contravened, and a blessing with peace, and so forth
(on those who maintained the gifts) for ever. Evans and Rees
identify some of these sites.
(i) Lann Teliau nant Seru. The Vill only in Cantref maur
upon the bank of the Cothi.
(2) Lann Teliau garth teuir. The Vill only on the bank of the
1 The river Trothy, which falls into the river Wye, near Monmouth.
''■ Green, Notes, p. 2^.
8o Memorials of Llandaff.
Cothi (Bron Deilo, Caio, co. Carmarthen). (Rees says it is now a
farmhouse called Brondeilo, near Caio.)
(3) Lann Teliau bechan in Difrin teiui. The Vill only.
(4) Lann Teliau tref icerniu.
(5) Lann Toulidauc icair (in Carmarthenshire). (Llandeuly-
dog, a church once so-called in the southern part of Pembroke-
shire.)
(6) Lann Teliau aper Couin. (Llandeilo Aber Cywyn, near
Laugharne, where the Cywyn falls into the Taf.)
(7) Lann Teliau Penntyuinn. (Pendine, co. Carmarthen.)
(8) Lann Teliau luin gaidan. The Vill only in Euelfre. (Llwyn
Gwadan, Llandewi Velvre, in Pembrokeshire.)
I Pennbro. Perhaps this is not a site, but simply signifies In
Pembroke, and refers to the following places : —
(9) Lan Rath ha Lann Cronnguern, with the three territories
of Amrath. Their boundaries are from Frut Gurcant to Glann
rath. (Amroth, in Pembrokeshire.)
(10) Trem Carn. The Vill only, without the church. (Near
Tenby, Pembrokeshire.)
(11) Laithti Teliau, upon the bank of Ritec. The Vill only,
next to Pennalun.
(12) Menechi arglan ritec, next to Pennalun.
(13) Pull arda, next to Mainaur Pir, The Vill only. (Manor-
beer, formerly Maenor Bir, co. Pembroke.)
(14) Luin Teliau. The Vill only. (Tre-Llwyn, Tenby, co.
Pembroke.)
(15) Eccluis Gunniau. The birthplace of St. Teliaus. (? Penaly,
CO. Pembroke.)
(16) Porth Medgen. The Vill only. (? Cheriton, co. Pem-
broke.)
(17) Porth Menach Mainaur, in Amithieil. (Mouncton, or
Monkton, near Pembroke.)
(18) Din guennham, in Lonion. The Vill only. (Lonion, near
Pembroke Dock.)
(19) Lann Teliau Litgarth, in Dou Cledif Mainaur. (Llan
Deilo Llwydarth, in Dun-Gled-dy, co. Pembroke.)
(20) Lann Teliau Cilretin, in Emlin. (Kilrhedin, cos. Car-
marthen and Pembroke.)
(21) In Ros, Lann Issan Mainaur. (St. Ishmael's, in Rhos, co.
Pembroke.)
Mainaur Brunus. Tref Cam. 8i
(22) Brodlan. (Omitted ^ by Rees.)
(23) Lann Gwrfrit.
(24) Lann Ceffic, in Talacharn, with one hundred and five acres
of Land. (Cyffig, a parochial chapelry under Laugharne, Car-
marthenshire.)
4. This is followed by the charter of : —
Mainaur Brunus and Telichclouman, Tref canus.
Margetud son of Rein, King of the region of Dyfed {Demetica
regid), being excited by excessive rage and cruelty, killed Gufrir,
one of the men of St. Teliauus, in the Sanctuary which belonged to
God and to him, whilst he was before his altar. Thereafter, due
penance being required of him, and pardon granted on account of
promised amendment, in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, with
promise of reformation in every respect, he gave to God and St.
Teliauus, and the Church of Llandaff and to all its pastors for ever,
the manor of Brunus, with its church, and fish, and woods, and
likewise TELICHCLOUMAN and Trem CANUS ; which lands were
to be free of all royal service and with all their dignity, and the
privilege of St. Teliauus granted in all things, and complete com-
monage for the inhabitants in field and in woods, in water and in
pastures, for ever, a curse being pronounced on the violators, and a
blessing on the preservers.
This text contains neither boundaries nor the names of any
witnesses. In this respect it partakes of the character of a
Narrative Grant, of which several Anglo-Saxon examples belong-
ing to later ages are recorded.^ The site is considered to be
Llandeilo Rwnws, an extinct chapel in the parish of Llanegwad,
CO. Carmarthen. Rees finds Llanteliau Brunus in a Talley Abbey
charter.
5. To this succeeds the charter of: —
Tref Carn. Laith ti Teiliau. Menechl
When AlRCOL Lauhir, son of Tryfun, was King of the region
of Dyfed, and in his turn held his court at Liscastell, which was the
metropolis of the whole region, it happened every night when the
stewards of the King served him with meat and drink, that by the
instigation of the devil, through excess of liquor, one of the soldiers,
or of the family of the King, was always killed. And when the
1 P. 364. 2 Cartularium Saxoniaim, passim.
G
82 Memorials of Llandaff,
King observed the frequent murders, he knew that it could not be
by any means prevented except by alms-giving, fasting, and the
prayers of holy persons.
Fasting and prayer having been made, the King commanded
that as St. Teliaus then resided in this mansion at Pennalun, he
should quickly come to him, that he might bless him and his court,
so that the accustomed murder should not take place any more
therein. .A.nd after St. Teilo came to him, he blessed him and his
court, and sent two of his disciples, louil and Fidelis, that they
might serve the court by distributing meat and drink to all by
measure and in sufficient quantities ; and by the grace of the Holy
Spirit, no murder was committed that night, nor afterwards in his
court, as had been usual.
The King knowing that it was by tneans of the prayer of St.
Teliauus he was liberated from that danger, granted to him, of his
own inheritance, three vills, that is, (i) Tref Carn ; its boundary is
from the mountain Garthon to the source of the brook Brat down-
wards to Ritec : on the other side from the mountain Garthon to
the brook of Clauorion, to Ritec. (2) Laith TY Teliau, from
Carn Baclan to Cil Meiniauc to Ritec. (3) Menechi, from Tref
Eithinauc to the brook Hirot Guidou, to Ritec : on the other side
from Tonou Pencenn to the source of the brook of Castell Cerran,
to Ritec ; with all their liberty in field and in waters, in wood and in
pastures, within and without, free from any payment to any mortal
man, only to God and Teliauus the archbishop and the church and
his successors for ever.
These being witnesses : — ■
King Aircol with his princes.
Of the clergy : —
St. Teliaus. Fidelis, his disciple,
louil.
The usual formula of blessing and cursing concludes the docu-
ment.
Trefgarn is probably not far from Tenby, and the other places
are in proximity, on the Ritec.
6. Another narrative charter follows : —
CiL TUTUC AND PENNCLECIR.
It happened on a certain day that the pigs of a certain man of
Pennalun got into the cornfields of a rich man, named Tutuc, who,
Ciltutuc. Pennclecir. Mainaurmathru. 83
when he saw the loss which he sustained, sought the swineherd, that
he might be revenged on him. But he did not find him until he
came to Pennalun, and there he met with him, and desiring to
smite him with a lance, a certain infant named Typheus (or
Typhei), a nephew of St. Teliauus came in the way, and the swine-
herd defending himself the cruel man pierced the infant with the
lance and he died. And afterwards repenting of what he had done,
he sought pardon of St. Teliaus, and with the leave and consent of
King Aircol, gave himself, with the villages of CiLTUTUC and Pen-
CLECIR, and all his progeny, with great devotion in perpetual service
to the church of Llandaff and its pastors for ever, with all their
liberty, without any payment to any mortal man except to God,
and the church of Llandaff.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Teliaus the archbishop, with his disciples louguil
and Fidelis.
Of the laity: —
King Aircol. Ina.
Liuathru. Rec Douid.^
Letclit.
The boundary of the land, which is near Penaly, Tenby, co.
Pembroke, is from Castell Cerran to Nant Torry Gar, or the brook
Torricair as far as to the Locuhty, or Lochnty f on the other side,
from the brook of Castell Carran, or Cerran, as far as into the
Ritec.
7. The last of the charters which are to be attributed to the
period of Archbishop Teiliaus is in form of a narrative, and
entitled : —
Mainaurmathru and Cenarth Maur.
There was a man of the name of Cynguaiu, of Doucledif,
who was born of a noble family, yet was poor ; and his wife being
prolific, he had a son every year in succession ; and the more they
ought to have rejoiced, the more they grieved on account of poverty,
and having so many children. He and his wife possessed so much
simplicity that they sought the advice of St. Teliaus respecting
their numerous children and poverty, and enquired what was best
' Evans considers Rec Oouid = Theodore, or Deiis-dedit.
2 Evans, p. 366.
G 2
84 Memorials of Llandaff.
to be done in future. Teliaus, hearing their querulous complaint,
said, " I see no means whereby you will avoid having a numerous
family, but by continence." Which, having heard, they considered
it to be very excellent advice, and led a celibate life during seven
years. This having taken place, they had no expectation of hav-
ing any more offspring, and broke through the restraint. The wife
then conceived, and brought forth seven sons, and when yet unbap-
tized, they carried them towards St. Teliaus, and said, "We received
the advice of the Saint with bad luck, and are also unfortunately
burdened ; let us drown them in the water, or let us give them up
to him if he will take care of them."
As by chance St. Teliaus was passing on his way, he found
their father at Rytsinetic, on the river Taf, by the instigation of the
devil, plunging his sons one by one in the river on account of his
indigence and poverty. St. Teliaus beholding such cruel work,
received them all half alive, and with the giving of thanks bap-
tized them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Having taken away the seven sons from the unfortunate father,
the very pious man brought them up, sent them to study literature,
and placed them on his estate of Lannteliau,so that the place received
from some persons the name of Llandyfrguyr, because, on account
of their religious life, they had no other food than fishes ; which,
according to their number (seven), were sent by God to them daily,
on a certain stone in the river Taf, called in consequence. Lech
meneich, that is, the Monk's Stone. And again, they were called
Dyfrgwyr, because they were found in the water, and had escaped
from the water : Dybrguyr, in the British language, signifying,
" Men of the water."
At a certain time, St. Teliaus, who had frequently visited them,
with his disciples, came that he might enjoy their conversation ; and
one of the brothers, according to custom, went to the water for the
fishes, and found on the aforesaid stone seven fishes, according to
the number of the brothers, and also an eighth, of larger size than
the seven, all of which he brought home. And the brothers were
therefore amazed, as it is said, " The Lord is wonderful among his
saints," because they well knew that on account of their patron and
master, St. Teliaus, becoming their guest, the Creator of all things
had increased the number of the fishes.
And after they had resided there a long time, living religiously,
and passed much other time in the society of St. Dubricius, he sent
them to another place of his called Marthru, in Pepitiauc, and there
they were named " Seith Seint Matkru" the Seven Saints of Mathru.
Mainaurmathru and Cenarth Maur. 85
And after they remained there for another space of time they came
to Cenard maur, where they continued until the end of their lives.
And they granted all their land of Mathru, and Cenarth MAUR,
to their holy Patron and Master, Teliauus, and to the Church of
Llandaff, and all its pastors for ever, with the approbation and con-
sent of King Aircol and his Princes, with whom he gave those
lands, on account of their sanctity, in eternal consecration, without
any payment to any mortal man, besides to God and to the holy
brethren, and St. Teliauus, with all their liberty in field and in
woods, in water and in pastures, excommunication having been
pronounced by all unanimously on those who should separate these
lands from the Archmonastery of Llandaff and its pastors for ever,
and a blessing on all who should preserve them. Amen.
Doucledif has been identified with Dun-Gled-dy, co. Pembroke ;
Landyfrguyr with Llan Ddowror, co. Carmarthen ; Lech meneich,
in the same county ; Pepitiauc with Pebidiog, or Dewi's Land,
CO. Pembroke ; Marthru with Mathry in the same county ; and
Cenarth or Cenard mawr is in Pepitiauc ^ according to a document
of the time of Bishop Joseph.
' Lib. Land., p. 255 (Ed. Evans).
CHAPTER X.
LIFE OF ST. OUDOCEUS THE ARCHBISHOP.
THIRD member of the thaumaturgic triad of the Church of
Llandaff, the Blessed OuDOCEUS next claims our attention.
His Life and miracles have been written in the Liber Landavensis,
and there are many incidental notices of him in the old writers,
and the hagiologists. Like Dubricius and Teliaus or Teilo, his
predecessors, Oudoceus lived to long old age, and, as in their case,
so in his, the chronology of his occupation of the See is uncertain.
Willis records that in his time several synods were held at Llandaff.
and the proceedings thereat are to be read in Spelman's Coftcilia,
Over one, to which the date of A.D. 563 is attached, Oudoceus is
said to have presided, and if this be a genuine date, it throws some
additional light on the possible dates that we must concede to
Dubricius and Teilo. On the other hand, the date A.D. 604 has
been attributed by Ussher, and A.D. 700 by Prynne to his consecra-
tion. Le Neue cautiously avoids giving a date. Willis, with some
show of sarcasm, criticises the remarks of one annalist by whom it
is stated that, during the times of these three bishops, already
mentioned, so much riches had been bestowed on Llandaff " that
if it enjoyed the tenth part of that which it had been endowed
with first and last, it would be one of the wealthiest in Christen-
dom, whereas it hath now (1717) hardly sufficient to repair itself;
and the Bishoprick is grown unto that low Ebb, that divers Benefices
in the Diocess yield more Profit unto their Incumbents than that
unto the now Bishop." The Life of the Prelate, which in some
respects resembles a narrative charter in Latin, in the Liber Landa-
vensis, has been translated into English by Rees, and the following
has been derived from it.
The Life of Oudoceus, and Extent of the
Diocese of Llandaff.
There was a certain man named Budic, the son of Cybrdan, a
native of Cornugallia, who, being expelled from his country, came
with his fleet to the Demetic region, in the time of Aircollauhir,
Liife of Saint Oudoceus. 87
King thereof, who, while he remained in that country, married
Anauued, the daughter of Ensic, whose mother was Guenhaf,
daughter of Liuonui, from which Anauued there were born to him
Ismael, and the martyr Tyfei, who lies buried at Pennalun. While
he remained in the country, messengers were sent to him from his
native region, Cornugallia, requesting that he would come, with all
his family, without delay, and by the aid of the Britons, obtain the
kingdom of the Armorican nation, whose King being dead, they in
a council called by them, had unanimously expressed their wishes
for him to succeed, as he was born of royal progeny. The message
having been heard, and affectionately received, he took his wife,
and all his family, and with a fleet he went to his country and
reigned throughout the Armorican region, which in his time
extended as far as the Alps. His wife bore him a son, who was
named Oudoceus, whom afterwards, when he arrived at a proper age,
he sent to study literature, for he had before promised St. Teliauus
in Britain, that if he should have a son, he would commend him to
God, as he had before commended his two brothers, of whom we
have spoken. And St. Oudoceus from his infancy began to excel
in learning and eloquence so far as to surpass his contemporaries
and companions in morals and sanctily.
After a very long time the " Yellow Pestilence " came to Greater
Britain. It was called "Yellow " because it occasioned all persons
who were seized by it to become of a yellow hue and very pallid.
It appeared to men as the column of a watery cloud, having an
end trailing on the ground, and the other above proceeding in
the air, and passing through the whole country like a shower going
along the bottom of the valleys. All living creatures touched
with its pestiferous blast, either immediately died, or sickened for
death. If anyone endeavoured to apply a remedy to the sick per-
sons, not only had the medicine no effect, but the dreadful disorder
brought the physician, together with the sick person, to death.
And after a long space of time it ceased by the prayer of St.Teliauus,
and the holy men of Britain. And that the ancient nation should
not all be destroyed, a divine voice came to St. Teliaus directing him
to go, together with his clergy and people, to Cornugallia, which
afterwards was called Cerniu budic, and there he found his nephew
Oudoceus, who was eminent, gentle, and learned in both kinds of
law, shining as a candle on a candlestick.
After receiving these directions, St. Teliaus, Archbishop of
Llandaff, the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, returned to his
native country, accompanied by his nephew, who so far increased in
88 Memorials of Llandaff.
goodness and knowledge, that by the election of the clergy and
people, he succeeded to the Bishopric of the Church of Llandaff,
being chosen by the clergy, Merchguinus, and Elgoretus, and
Gunnuinus, and three Abbots, Catgen, Abbot of Ildutus, Concenn,
Abbot of Catmailus, Cetnig, Abbot of Docgunni, and by the
laity. King Mouricus, and his sons Athruis and Idnerth, Guidgen
and Cetiau, Brocmail, Gendoc, Louhonerd, Catgualatyr, and all
the Princes of the whole diocese. St. Oudoceus was sent with his
aforesaid clergy, Merchui, Elguoret, and Gunnbiu and the messen-
gers of the three Abbots, and of the King and Princes, to the
blessed Archbishop, at the city of Canterbury, where he was conse-
crated Bishop of the Church of Llandaff, founded in honour of
St. Peter.
King Mouricus with his two sons, and his wife Onbraus, daughter
of Gurcant the Great, and the Abbots of the three monasteries,
with all the Princes of his kingdom, and all the family of St.
Dubricius, and St. Teliauus, of the Church of Llandaff, received him
with joy, giving and confirming the same privilege as had before
been given to St. Dubricius, St. Teliauus, and to their successors,
with all its dignity and liberty, and they went round the whole,
with the King holding the four Gospels in his hand, and confirming
the endowment of the holy Church, the holy Cross preceding, and
holy Choir following, with the chief Pastor, singing, " May peace be
within thy walls, and plenteousness within thy palaces. Glory and
riches shall be in his house, and the righteousness endureth for
ever."
And with the sprinkling of holy water on all the boundaries, he
confirmed the same privilege as had been before given to St. Dubri-
cius, that is, without governor or deputy governor, without attending
forensic meetings either within or without, without going on military
expeditions, without keeping watch over the district either within
or without, and with its Court complete ; free, and entire as a royal
Court, with its refuge, in whose asylum the fugitive might remain
safe without human protection, not for a limited time only, but with-
out end, and as long as he would, and with the bodies of the Kings
of Southern {dextralis') Britain granted and committed to Llandaff
for ever. And as the Church of Rome has dignity above all
the churches of the Catholic faith, so the Church of Llandaff
exceeds all the churches of Southern {dextralis) Britain in dignity
and in privilege, and in excellency, and with complete common-
age to be enjoyed by the present and future inhabitants in field
and in waters, in wood and in pastures.
Boundary of the TDiocese. 89
The boundaries are : — From Gungleis within Taf, and Elei, the
whole territory as far as the sea. And for some time he held in
peace the whole diocese, from Mochros to the island Teithi, until
King Catguocaun on a certain time, by the instigation of the evil
one, wounded one of the clergy of Bishop Oudoceus, and thus a
spark of mischief arising, the King was moved by anger, and was
desirous to expel the holy man from his country, beyond the river
Tyui ; St. Oudoceus, therefore, left the country under a curse, and
from that time the diocese remained divided into two Bishoprics
by the river Tyui, which had before divided the two kingdoms, that
of Mouricus on one side, and of Catgucaun on the other.
After an interval. King Catgucaun repented of what he had
done towards Oudoceus and his family, and seeking for pardon, sent
to him, and restored the lands of the Church of Llandaff, namely,
Pennalun, Lannteiliau maur, and Lanndyfuyrguyr, which had before
belonged to Archbishop Dubricius, and from the time of Noe,
son of Arthur, and also the churches with their lands which before
belonged to St. Teliauus, and all their dignity, and privilege, and
perpetual liberty. In his time, plundering, and laying waste by the
Saxons with respect to southern {dextralis) Britain took place, and
especially on the borders of his diocese, so far that by the violence
of the invading nation of the Saxons they plundered his diocese
from Mochros on the banks of the Guy, on one part, as far as the
river Dor, on the other, and as far as Gurmuy, and to the mouth of
Taratyr at the river Guy.
These plunderings on both sides having been effected, this is
its division : —
The record of the life of this saint here proceeds to give in
detail the boundary of the diocese of Llandaff at the period.
Evans states, that this boundary is well defined except between
Aper pyscotuc and the source of the river Uysc, i.e., Aber
Pyscottwr and the source of the Usk. Change of name also
makes it difficult to trace the line between the source of the
Guyragon, or Gurangon, and that of the Frut y guidon, or Ffrwd y
Wydon. The division between the Usk and Haldu is nearly that
between the counties of Carmarthen and Glamorgan and Gla-
morgan and Brecknock, as far as the head of the river Rumney.
From the estuary of the Tyui, or Towy, to where the Pyscotuc,
or Pyscottwr, falls into the Tyui.
From the Pyscotuc to Teir Guernen Buell, the three alder trees
of Buell.
From Teir Guernen Buell apwards along to Castell Teirtut (the
QO Memorials of Llandaff.
castle of the three outlooks or districts, Trecastle, co. Brecon), that
is to say, Cantref Bychan, and Cantref Selif and Buell.
From Castell Teirtut upwards along to Douluyn Helyc, or
Pendoulwyn — perhaps now Wenn-Ddu.
From Douluyn Helyc to Blain Uysc, the source of the river
Usk, to Mynyd Du, the Black Mountain.
From the Black Mountain to Blain Twrch, the source of the
river Twrch (which rises on the Bannau Sir Gaer, and falls into the
Tawy near Ystradgynleis, twelve miles from Swansea). Follow-
ing the Twrch downward to the Tauuy.
From the Tauuy to the Cingleis, Cynles, or Cynlais.
Along the Cingleis to its source.
From the source of Cygleis to Allun guernenn, or Hal un
Guernen, i.e., the One-alder Moor.
From Hal un Guernen to the source of the Peurdin, or
Purdin.
From the Peurdin to where it falls into the river Ned, or
Nedd.
Along the Nedd upwards^ to the Melltou, or Mellte.
Along the Melltou upwards to the Hepstur- (small rivers falling
into the Nedd).
The Hepstur upwards to the Guyragon, or Gurangon.
The Gurangon to its source.
The source to Gauanhauc, or Gavannog.
From Gauanauc to Deri Emrys.
From Deri Emrys to Cecin Clysty (perhaps Mynyd y Glog, in
Penderyn).
Along Cecycin Clysti to the source of the Frut yguidon, or
Ffrwd y Wydon.
Along it as far as the Taf Maur, or Tav Vawr, the river Taff.
The Taf Maur downwards as far as Cymer (the confluence
below Ceven Cod Cymer).
From Cymer upwards along Taf Bechan, or Fechan (which
falls into the Taff at Cefn-coedcymmer, one mile to the N.W.
of Merthyr-Tydfil).
Along the Taf Bechan to Ryt y Cambrenn, or Rhyd y Cambren
(probably near Pont Sticcill).
From Ryt y Camprenn to the Hal Du, or Black Moor (at or
near the head of the river Rumney).
^ Downwards. — Evans.
^ Now called Sychryd, or Sychnant, etc.
Boundary of the Diocese. 91
From the Hal Du to the Hir Cemyn, the long Cemyn, or Geuen
(a ridge) ; to the brook Crafnant (now called Crawnon, a river in
Brecknockshire falling into the Usk above Llangynnidr).
Alongi (the Crafnant brook to the) Crafnell, until it falls into
the Uysc, or Usk.
Across or through the Uysc to Cilydris, to the Alt Luyt, or
Allt Lwyd, to Lech Bychlyt, a stone on Mynyd Buckland, to
Cecyn Pennypyn march, to Guornoyd, to Rytnant, to the middle
of Din March-lythan (or Castell Dinas), to 01 y Gabr, to Bron
Cateir Neueni (Cadair Arthur, Arthur's seat, the loftiest point of
the Black Mountains), to L[ic]at-guerinou, the source of the Gueri-
nou, or Grwyneu fawr, to the top of Buch, to the Vincul (or
Bwlch y Fingul, a pass at the head of the Lanthony Valley), to the
Brydell, to Hal Ruma, to Maen y Bard, in the spring of the Nant
y Bard.
Along the Nant y Bard, downwards until it falls into the river
Dour, or Dore (co. Heref).
Along the Dour, downwards, until it falls into the Guormuy, or
river Worm (near Kenderchurch, co. Heref).
Along the Guormuy, upwards to its source.
From the source of the Guormuy to Cayr Rein.
From Cayr Rein to the source of the Taratyr.
The Taratyr, along it until it falls into the Guy, or Wye.
The Guy, until it falls into the Hafren, or Severn.
Along the Hafren, by the island of Echni, to the estuary of the
Tyui (about four miles below Chepstow).
St. Oudoceus, after the time of his maturity, having visited
the thresholds of St. Peter, and received the privilege of St.
Dubricius and St. Teiliauus, with the apostolic dignity which was
confirmed to his posterity for ever, was desirous to visit the places
where holy persons resided, and with great devotion sought the
residence of St David, on account of his veneration for him, and
the daily mention of him in his prayers, and as he wished to take
with him holy relics, he took them) and carried them with him with
great veneration ; and he also took with him from his place of
residence at Lan Teliaumaur some of the relics of the disciples of
his maternal uncle, St. Teliauus, and placed them together in
a chest convenient for the purpose.
And as he travelled through his diocese, towards his Church
of Llandaff, his attendants reverently carrying the relics, and sing-
' Evans thinks there is an error in the text at this place.
92 Memorials of Llandaff.
ing psalms with praises, and the holy cross going before, when they
came to the road of Pennalt in Cetgueli (or Kidwelly), there came
some persons from the rock of Pennalt who had ill will against the
holy man, and said, " Shall those clergy, who are loaded with gold
and silver, and as we may say, with the treasures of St. David, and
St. Teliauus, escape from our hands ? No, let them be taken ; and
having got all their wealth from them, we shall be enriched with
great weight of metal in gold and silver." And being full of envy
and covetousness, they attacked, with great fury, those who carried
the chest, but when they reached forth their hands, and held their
lances against the holy man and his attendants, their eyes, which
sinned against them, lost their sight, and their arms, which were ready
to shed the blood of the just person, became stiff so that they could
not bend them towards themselves, nor by any means extend them.
St. Oudoceus beholding the privation and death of the offenders,
began to pray to God with bended knees in their behalf, performing
the divine command and saying, " I have no pleasure in the death
of the wicked, but rather that he turn from his way and live," And
on the other part, the afflicted persons acknowledging their crime
and asking pardon, and the prayer of the holy man, being also
heard, they recovered their sight, and resumed their restored senses,
and having performed the penance enjoined on them suitable to
their crime, promised in fasting prayer and almsgiving, perpetual
obedience to the holy man, and his successors, and to the Church
of Llandaff, and an amendment of life.
St. Oudoceus being thirsty after undergoing labour, and more
accustomed to drink water than any other liquor, came to a fountain
in the vale of Llandaff not far from the Church, that he might
drink, where he found women washing butter^ after the manner of
the country, and sending to them his messengers and disciples,
they requested that they would accommodate them with a vessel,
that their pastor might drink therefrom. But they, ironically, as
daughters of iniquity, said, " We have no other cup besides that
which we hold in our hands, naniely, the butter ! " And the man of
blessed memory, taking it, formed one in the shape of a small bell,
and he raised his hand so that he might drink therefrom, and he
drank, and it remained in that form, that is, a golden one, so that
it appeared to those who beheld it to consist altogether of the purest
gold, which by divine power is from that day reverently preserved
in the Church of Llandaff, in memory of the holy man, and it is
said that by touching it health is given to the diseased.
^ Cf. p. 66, where a similar story is told of St. Teilo.
Ljife of Saint Oudoceus. 93
When Enniaun, King of Gleuissic, hunted among the rocks and
woods of the river Guy, as he was accustomed to do, he wondered
how and what course the stag was taking, as it was pursued by the
•dogs with the noise of horns and huntsmen through the valleys ;
but the divine protection preserved it throughout, until it reached
the pallium of St. Oudoceus, when lying, it rested and recovered its
breath, and was safe, as one who had succeeded to joy after
sorrow. The huntsmen remained afar off with the dogs, mute and
stupefied, and being astonished, they now with knees bent to the
Lord regarded as a neighbour and friend him whom they had
before pursued as an enemy.
St. Oudoceus, a man fiall of age and discreet maturity, who
served God on the brook Caletan, near the river Guy, without his
cloak, on which the stag lay, and which procured him safety and
protection, had regard to the gentle beast, which the power of God
had tamed ; and King Enniaun and the hunters, with great astonish-
ment, and with bended knees, and hand lifted up towards heaven,
asked pardon of the Lord and St. Oudoceus, with great devotion,
as if they had committed some crime. First of all the King gave
him quiet possession of the stag, afterwards he gave all the territory
which he had gone round the whole day, following the track of the
stag, to God, and to St. Dubricius, St. Teliauus, and St. Oudoceus,
the Bishop, and to all the Bishops of Llandaff for ever, the afore-
said track over mountains, brooks, and rocks, marking out for ever
the territories of the Church.
The holy man, after the land, with its boundaries was granted
to him, and which had the name of Lann Enniaun, increased in
virtue, and the situation being retired, and abounding in fish and
honey, he there built a place of residence and a convenient oratory,
and there resided with his family, having resigned the honour of
the pastoral care of Llandaff, not because he did not satisfy the
people, but because he did not satisfy himself in his charge. Having
therefore given up the pastoral care, he wished to lead a religious
life in retirement ; and calling to him some brethren, he lived in
communion with them during many years,leading a holy and eminent
life, which from day to day advanced in improvement and as many
as came to him for advice were refreshed by his paternal assistance.
Nor was he at any time sparing of labour, indeed the common
people came to him from every direction, that by means of his
opinion, with respect to bearing affliction patiently, which they
usually received, they might obtain safe protection from him, which
was desirable to widows and orphans of every description. He
94 Memorials of Llandaff.
who was illustrious in outward appearance, was also illustrious in
virtue, he shone in doctrine, and was eminent in reputation.
When he was engaged in prayer, intermixed with tears and sigh-
ing, one of the brethren came to him, and said, " O ! good father !
come out that thou mayest see the timber which is prepared for thy
buildings." Which as he saw, lo ! the good and just man, and the
Historian of all Britain, Gildas the Wise, as he is named in
histories, who resided at that time in the island of Echni, leading
the life of a hermit, passed over the middle of the river in a boat,
bringing with him the said timber as his own, having found it in
the middle of the wood, without any owner, and far from the
habitation of men. When St. Oudoceus saw him, he called to the
brother to throw his building timber for him on the ground, or in a
brotherly manner suppliantly obtain pardon from God and man for
his unlawful conduct. Being unmindful of his admonition and
having uttered a prayer, he passed over in the boat ; and as if with
some indignation, brother Oudoceus took an axe, not that he
should strike him, but that the power of God through him might
appear in a creature of God for ever. The axe descended on a
stone which was whole, and completely divided it, as if it had been
done artificially by hand, nor are those stones to be avoided by any
one who passes that way, for being near the bank of the river Wye,
they are always in sight, appearing as cut by the wonderful blow,
and immovable. Only a few out of the many miracles of this holy
man, for blessed memory, are committed to writing, because the
accounts have been either burnt, or were carried far off in the fleet
of exiled citizens. What therefore have been since discovered and
obtained from early monuments of old men, or the most ancient
writings are committed to memory and to writing. And his holy
and glorious life being completed, with acquiring many lands to
himself, and to his Church of Llandaff, he rested in the Lord on
the Sixth day of the Nones of July.
CHAPTER XI.
THE CHARTERS OF THE TIME OF ST. OUDOCEUS.
T
WENTY-ONE charters of the time of Archbishop Oudoceus
are recorded in the Liber Landavensis.
I. The first mentioned is that of: —
CiLCIUHINN, AND SiX MODII OF THE LAND OF CONUOI
AND LANNGEMEI.
Be it known to us^ that Mouric, King of Morcanhuc, son of
Teudiric, and his wife, Onbraust, daughter of Gurcantus the Great,
have restored to God, and to the Bishop Oudoceus, and to his holy
predecessors, TeHauus and Dubricius, and all his successors in the
Church of Llandaff, three modii of land at CiLCYUHYNN, and six
modii of land at CONUOY, that is Lann Gemei, and also LAN
Teiliau Talypont which formerly belonged to it, for their souls'
health, and the souls of their relatives, free from all royal service,
with all their dignity and liberty, sanctuary, and free commonage
to the inhabitants, present and future, in field and in woods, in
water and in pastures, in perpetual consecration.
The witnesses are, of the laity : —
King Muricus.
His wife, Onbraust.
His sons, Athruis and Idnerth.
Condaf.
Louheithi.
Catgual.
Of the clergy : —
Oudoceus, the Supreme Bishop.
Jacob, Abbot of St. Catocus,
with his Elders.
Catgen, Abbot of St. Ildutus,
with his Company.
Eutigirn, Abbot of Docguinni.
Catleu.
Riacat.
Conbrinun.
Merthyr.
Gurcon.
Conbran.
Conueon.
Conguare.
Maiuc, doctor (or teacher).
Gunbiu, master.
'^ Nobis, but probably a scribe's error for nobis, to you.
g6 Memorials of L/andaff.
The boundaries are : —
Lann Gemei :—Fvom the ridge of the mountain dividing wood
and plain to the sea, and as far as the source {oculus) of Diugurach,
following it down to the sea.
Lanteliav Talypont : — From the influx of the Morcleis to the
bottom of the glade of Onniu, or Llannerch Onnvyw. Across it to
the Guyth lunguyd,to the Cam-Guili (Gwili is a small stream in co.
Carmarth., which falls into the LLwchwr near Llandeilo Talypont
Church). Across the Cam-Guili to the Hytir Melyn. From the
Hytir Melyn straight on to the river LLwchwr on the other side along
the LLwchwr upwards as far as the Camfrut or Camffrwd ; along this
on the side of the church to its source ; to Allt Minchei (or Ceven
Drum^). Along the Allt to the Dubleis ; through the Dubleis (a
brook which falls into the LLwchwr at Pontarddulais^), as far as
Dinas Cynlyuan. Along the side as far as opposite the source of
the Cynbran. Along the Cinbran as far as the LLwchwr.
Neither Rees nor Evans determine the actual position of these
sites, but the names mentioned in the boundaries sufficiently indicate
that they are on the river Loughor or Llwchwr. Evans equates
Lann Gemei with Lann Genvei, and terra Convoi.
2. The second document, which has no title or headline, relates
to a grant by King Teudiric of land at Mathern, co. Monmouth.
The translation of the text is as follows : —
Mathern.
King Teudiric when he was in his kingdom, preserving peace
and administering justice with his people, had less regard for tem-
poral than eternal power, and accordingly gave up his kingdom to
his son Mouric, and commenced leading a hermitical life among the
rocks of Dindyrn (or Tintern). When he was there resident, the
Saxons began to invade his land against his son, so that unless he
individually would afford his assistance, his son would be altogether
dispossessed by foreigners. Concerning which, Teudiric said that
while he possessed the kingdom, he was never overcome, but was
always victorious ; so that when his face was seen in battle, the
enemy immediately were turned to flight. And the angel of the
Lord said to him on the preceding night, " Go tomorrow to assist
the people of God against the enemies of the Church of Christ and
the enemy .will turn their face in flight, as far as Pwll Brochuail ;
and do thou, being armed, stand in the battle. Seeing thy face and
.1 Evans, p. 368, 2 Rees, p, 383.
Mat hern. 97
knowing it, they will, as usual, betake themselves to flight, and
afterwards for the space of thirty years they will not dare, in the
time of thy son to invade the country ; and the natives, and other
inhabitants will be in peace ; but thou shalt be wounded by a sin-
gle stroke in the district of Rit tindyrn and in three days die in
peace.''
So, rising in the morning, when the army of his son Muric
came, he mounted his horse, and went cheerfully with them, agree-
ably to the commandment of the angel ; and being armed, he stood
in the battle on the banks of the Guy, near the ford of Tindirn ;
and on his face being seen, the enemy turned their backs, and
betook themselves to flight ; but one of them threw a lance, and
wounded him therewith, as had been foretold to him ; and therefore
he rejoiced, as if spoil had been taken, he requested his father to
come with him, who thus said, " I will not depart hence until my
Lord Jesus Christ shall bring me to the place which 1 have desired,
where I shall desire to lie after death, that is, in the island of Echni."
And early in the morning, two stags yoked, and ready with a vehi-
cle, were before the house where he lodged, and the man of God,
knowing that God had sent them, mounted the bier, and wheresoever
they rested there fountains flowed, until they came to a place near
a MEADOW^ towards the Severn. And when they came there, a
most clear fountain flowed, and the bier was completely broken,
he then immediately commended his spirit to God, and ordered
the stags to depart ; and having remained there alone, after a
short space of time, he expired.
■ His son Meurig being informed of the death of his father, built
there an oratory and cemetery, which were consecrated by St. Oudo-
ceus ; and for the soul of his father he granted the whole territory,
to Bishop Oudoceus, and the Church of Llandaff
The boundary : — From the influx of pull Muric, or Merrick,
upwards to the pull, to the stone of Lybiau. From the pull to the
stone, to the rise of the higher ground, or the Ardyr. From this
along it to the spring of Elichguid, upwards along the brook to the
spring of Cruc Leuyrn. From the spring of Cruc Leuyrn over
against the mouth of Nant Byuguan. Along this nant as far as
the pullou, or pools, of Rinion to the two pools. Along the two
pools straight downwards to the Carn. Along the Carn downwards
to the ditch on the ridge of the mountain. From the ditch towards
' Rees and Evans identify the site with Mathern on the banks of the PwU
Meurig or Merrick, near the junction of the rivers Wye and Severn.
H
98 Memorials of Llandaff.
the East transversely across the rise of the hollow of Nant Ruisc.
Along the dyke to the Carn of Perth yr Onn. Downwards to the
Macyrou, or ruins, to the pool. Along the pool to the influx of the
pull Neuynn into the Guy. Along the Guy and the Hafren (or
Severn), with its carets or weirs and ships' landing-places as far as
the influx of the Muric, or Merrick brook.
The final paragraph as usual, contains a blessing on the up-
holders and a curse on the disturbers of the grant.
3. The Church of Guruid is granted in the next docu-
ment : —
After an interval of time King Mouric, with approbation and
consent to his heir Lilian, and likewise as his gift, granted the
Church of GURUID, with its Jand to God, and St. Dubricius, and
St. Teliauus, and the Church of Llandaff, and to St. Oudoceus, who
was present, and his successors for ever, with all its dignity and
liberty, and all its commonage in field and in woods, in waters and
in pastures, without any payment to any mortal man, except to
God, and St. Peter, and the Church of Llandaff, and its pastors,
with a perpetual curse on whomsoever should separate it from the
Church of Llandaff.
The witnesses are, of the laity : —
Mouric. Conbroin.
Conuelin. Catleu.
Tutir. Briauail.
Loubran. Guinoc.
Abrgen. Mathus.
Anuin. Conuonoc.
Unhu.
Of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus.
Jacob, Abbot of Catoc.
Catgen, Abbot of Ildutus.
Eutigirn, Abbot of Docunni.
The boundary begins at the black marsh, as far as the seat
of Cetiau and from Hescenn ludie as far as the trees of Foton.
Rees does not give any opinion as to the locality of the site ; Evans
suggests " ? Howick," and the Church of St. Wormetus in Nether
Went.
L,ann Cingualan. 99
4. The next document records the grant of four churches : —
Lann Cingualan, and Lann Arthbodu.
Lann Conuur, and Lann Pencreic.
It is clearly known that Bishop Oudoceus acquired as his own
land the estate of CINGUALAN, land indeed of St. Dubricius in the
country of Gahyr, or Gower, which St. Oudoceus lost from the
fatal time of the yellow pestilence, until the time of Athruis, son of
Mouric. And after great strife between Bishop Oudoceus and
Biuon, Abbot of Illtyd, who declared that the land was his, the
aforesaid land was at last, by true judgment, adjudged to St. Oudo-
ceus, and the Altar of Llandaff, in perpetual inheritance. The cell
of Cyngualan with all its land, and the cell of Arthuodu, and Con-
guri, and Penncreic. And St. Oudoceus received from the hand of
Athruis, the grandson of Gurcant the Great, the aforesaid three
little cells in perpetual consecration, and with all their dignity and
all commonage in field and in woods, in water and in pastures,
under a perpetual curse against him who should separate the afore-
said churches from the Monastery of Llandaff, and whoever will
keep them, may the Lord keep him. Amen.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus. Jacob, Abbot of the altar of St.
Catgen. Catoc.
Biuan, with his family. Eutigirn, Abbot of Docunni, with
his clerks.
Of the laity :—
King Mouric, on behalf of Arthcumanu.
his son Athruis. Oguhyr.^
Conuonoc. Gurdilic.
Guallonir. Gurguistil.
Morcenou. Arguiret.
Eithin. Abel, with the priests —
Conuetu. Conhaii.
Gueithgen, son of Brochmail. Conhibrit.
Gindoc. Guethgno.
Matuc.
The boundary of Lann Cyngualan is within the two ditches to
the sea, and following up the two ditches to the mountain, along it
to the Cecyn, or ridge of the boundary of Lann Gemei.
' Or perhaps Arthcumanu of Guhyr or Gower.
H 2
lOO Memorials of Llandaff.
Lann Cyngualan is probably in Gower, where Evans places
Lann Arthbodu. Lann Conuur is conjectured to be the same as
cella Conguri, or Bishopston in Gower. For this site Rees suggests
Llangwyner, a chapel under Llanrhidian in Gower, near Penycraig.
Lann Arthbodu may perhaps be Penarth, a Gower parish adjoin-
ing to Bishopston mentioned above.
5. To this there follows the document granting land at : —
Lann Merguall.
Morcant, King of Morcannhuc, son of Athruis, on Christmas
Day claimed quiet possession of the Church of Cyngur TroSGARDI,
which heretofore belonged to St. Teliauus, and at the same time,
for his oblation, restored it to the supreme pontiff, Oudoceus, and to
St. Teliauus, and St. Dubricius, and all the pastors of Llandaff
for ever, with all its territory, and boundaries, and with Merguald,
prince of that Church under the Bishop, and its territory, to the
inhabitants there ruling and dwelling for ever ; without governor
or sub-governor, with refuge, without attending warlike expeditions
either within the country or without, not keeping watch either by
day or night, and with all commonage for the inhabitants in field
and in woods, in water and in pastures.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus. Saturn, Abbot of Dochou.
Sulgen, Abbot of Nant Gurhaual, Abbot of Lannildut.
Carban. Guencat, Prince of Lann Cynuur.
Of the laity :—
King Morcant. lunet.
Guedguen. Guidnerth, son of Gullonar.
Briauail.
With the customary final imprecation.
The boundary of this land, which is identified with Llan Deilo
Verwallt, or Bishopston in Gower, also called in an earlier docu-
ment Porth Tulon, is from the influx of the spring of Canthed into
the sea, along the hollow upward to the pools, to the cam of
Cymlyr, then to Main Dyastur, and from that to the ridge of the
hill ; across the hill to the moor of Brechmil, to the rise of the
Hytyr. From this to the brook. Along it to the DubJeis (or Dowlas),
so on to the Ryt i deueit (? Sheep's ford). Then to the small brook,
and along it towards the left hand to Penn Luhin Latron, or the
head of the thieves' wood ; from this to the brook, and along the
brook to the Hafren, or Severn, sea, i.e., the Bristol Channel.
Liann Cors. Kiu Graenauc. lol
6. The grant that follows relates to Lann Cors.
Know all Christians, that Agustus, King of Brecheinniauc, and
his sons, Eliud and Riuallauii, on account of the Lord, and out of
personal friendship, have given in alms, in addition to their bodies
for burial, Lann Cors, to Bishop Oudoceus, and all his successors
in the Church of Peter the Apostle, and St. Dubricius, and St.
Teliauus of Llandaff, and with its fish, and fisheries for eels, and
with all its territory, in form of an endowment for ever, and with all
its liberty in field and in woods, in water and in pastures, and with
its refuge, and privilege, without a governor or sub-governor, without
attending warlike expeditions either in the country or without, in a
similar manner.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus. Conlec, son of Conluip.
Sedoc. Bran.
Conbran. King Agust, with his sons, Eliud
Conocan. and Riguallaun.
Conueon.
The text closes in the customary manner. Let God guard him
who keeps this. Let him who disturbs this be separated from the
company of the angels.
Lann Cors, or LLangors is a parish in co. Brecknock, about six
miles E.S.E. from Brecknock.
7. Next comes the charter of Riu Graenauc, near Llan Sannor,
in Glamorgan ; Nadauan, and Gurberth, places contiguous, or
identical in site. It is the record of proceedings at a Synod.
Riu Graenauc, Nant Auan, Villa Gurberth.
King Mouric and Cynuetu met together at Llandaff in the pres-
ence of Bishop Oudoceus, and swore before the relics of the saints
that there should be firm peace kept between them. But although
the oath had been taken, after an interval the King deceitfully
killed Cynuetu ; and afterwards Bishop Oudoceus convoked all his
clergy from the mouth of Taratyr, in Guy, to the Tyui, and with
his three Abbots, Concen, Abbot of Carvan valley; Catgen, Abbot of
Ildutus ; Sulgin, Abbot of Docguinni ; and in full SYNOD excommu-
nicated the King on account of the murder, and of the agreement
made in his presence and upon the altar of St. Peter the Apostle
and St. Dubricius, and St. Teliauus being broken, and by laying
the crosses on the ground, together with the relics of the saints, he
I02 Memorials of Llandaff.
debarred the country from baptism and Christian communion, and
cursed the King with his progeny, the synod confirming the same,
and saying, " May his days be few, may his children be orphans,
and his wife a widow." And the King, with the whole country,
remained for the space of two years and more under the excommu-
nication. After these things, the King seeing the perdition of his
soul, and the condemnation of his kingdom, could not any longer
sustain an excommunication, which had continued so long, and
sought pardon from Oudoceus at Llandaff, with shedding of tears
and bowing down his head. And before the three Abbots, Bishop
Oudoceus put on him the yoke of penance suitable to the quality
and magnitude of the crime, and recommended him to shew his
amendment towards God, and the Church of Llandaff in three
ways, that is, by fasting, prayer, and alms-giving.
The King having accepted the yoke of penance, gave for the
redemption of his soul, and for the soul of Cynuetu, four vills to
the Church of Llandaff, and in the hand of Oudoceus, the Bishop
and to all his successors, with all their liberty, free from all service,
for ever, and all commonage throughout the country, to the persons
who abode on those lands, in field and in wood, and in pastures and
in water. I. Riugrenauc ; 11. Nantauan ; III. That in which
Cynuetu was killed, beyond Nadauan ; IV. Beyond where the
King's son fell away from what was right, from the Marsh of Elleti
as far as Nadauan, that is the Vill of Gurberdh. The four contained
four-and-twenty modiio{ land.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus. Sedoc.
Concen, Abbot of Carbani-vallis. Cynuur.
Catgen, Abbot of Ildutus. Cetcu.
Sulgen, Abbot of Docunni. Lyggessauc.
Conbran. Gunguare.
Of the laity :—
King Mouric, with his son Frioc, and nepos Morcant, son
of Athruis.
Cunblus. Guedgen.
Briauail. Guengarth.
Gendic.
After the imprecatory clause follows the boundary of Riugrae-
nauc : from Nadauan, following the ditch lengthwise, upwards to
the Red Lake, where the three mountain paths meet.
Villa Guilhiv. 103
8. To this follows a short document dealing with the Vill of
Guilbiu, conjecturally located by Evans near Llan Sannor. Rees
is silent as to the site.
Villa Guilbiv.
King Morcant, son of Athruis, with his heir Gurhytyr, granted
the Vill of Guilbiu for the soul's health of his grandfather, Mouric,
son of Teudiric, to Oudoceus the Bishop, and to the Church of
Llandafif, and its pastors for ever, without any payment to mortal
man, and with its liberty and the whole commonage.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus. Trycan.
Concen, Abbot of Carbani-vallis. Berthguin.
Colbrit, Abbot of Ildutus. Catguare.
Confur.
Of the laity :—
King Morcant. Guaidnerth son of Guallonir.
Guinan son of Ilud. Brocuail.
ludic son of Cetuur. Rihoithil.
lunet son of Letric. Guengarth.
Gindoc.
The boundary sets out from that of the vill wherein Mouric
killed Cynuetu to a heap of stones, then on to another heap, and
then as far as Naudauan. The document ends in the usual solemn
manner.
9. The Podum of Liuhess, or Llowes, co. Radnor, near Hay,
CO. Brecon, in Eluail, or Elvel, the southern portion of Radnor-
shire is the subject of the next record.
PoDUM Liuhess in Eluail.
King Morcant' gave the podum of Liuhes in alms to Bishop
Oudoceus, and the Church of Llandafif, and all his successors for
ever, without any payment to any mortal man, and with all its
liberty, in field and in woods, in water and in pastures, and on the
sepulchre of his grandfather. King Mouric, lying in Llandafif, before
proper witnesses.
Of the clergy :— .
Bishop Oudoceus.
Concen, Abbot of Carbani-vallis (now Lanncarvan).
1 Meurig, Rees.
I04 Memorials of Llandaff.
Colbrit, Abbot of Ildutus.
ludhurb, Abbot of Docunni.
Guencat, Prince of Penaly (aluni capitis).
Sedoc. Clemens.
Guorceniu. Conueon.
Conoc. Cetiu.
Conbran. Saturn, Prince of the City
of Tav.
Of the laity :—
King Morcant. lunet son of Letric.
Briauail son of Lumarch. Guaidnerth son of Guallonir.
Gindoc son of Isael. Guidgen son of Brochuail.
The text closes with the customary solemn invocations.
10. Porthcasseg, a ruinous chapel in the parish of St. Arvans,
to the north-west of Chepstow, co. Monmouth, has its earliest
record here in a document entitled :
PORTH CASSECC.
King Mouric, and ludic son of Nud, granted to God, and the
Church of Llandaff and to St. Dubricius and Teliauus, and in the
hand of Bishop Oudoceus, and to all his successors for ever,
the land of PORTHCASSEC with all its liberty, and with its two
wears for fisheries, and commonage in field and in woods, in water
and in pastures.
The witnesses are, of the laity : —
King Morcant. Morclas.
ludic hereditary son of Nud. Dallon son of Guoidgar.
Eluoid. Eliud son of Guerith.
With the concluding invocations as usual.
11. The record is next given of the grant of a site, not identified
by Rees or Evans. There is no mention of a boundary by which
the locality can now be ascertained.
TiR HiERNIN AND TiR ReTOC.
Let catholic men know that ludic son of Nud, and Cinan son of
Cinuedu— both being Kings— have granted for their souls' health to
the chief Bishop, and to St. Dubricius, and to St. Teliauus, and all
the pastors of the Church of Llandaff, in perpetual consecration,
two farms iagros), Redoc, and HiERNIN, with all their liberty in
field and in woods, in water and in pastures, without any payment
to any mortal man, besides to the Church of Llandafif.
Coupalua Penniporth. 105
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Chief Bishop Oudoceus.
Cunuaret, priest.
Cunbran.
Gurceniu, priest.
Cunueon.
Of the laity :-
-
Kings Judic
and Cinan.
Conuoet.
Elgued.
Cinuoc.
Atoc.
Protec.
Milgen.
Aerthirn.
Haiuoen.
Loudoce.
Hirel.
The usual invocations conclude
the record.
12. The Vill of Coupalua Penniporth, etc., forms the subject of
the next grant : —
Coupalua penniporth . Villa Gregurii , i.e. , Villa
FiLIORUM . V. OURDEVINT ON THE BANK OF
THE TaM.
It came to pass that Bishop Oudoceus received the Vill of
Gregury which is called CouPALUA on the bank of the Taf, that
is, Penn y Porth, from Guedgen, son of Brochmail, for his soul,
and in exchange for the heavenly kingdom, with all its land, three
modu, with all its liberty, and all commonage, without any payment
to any mortal man, besides to the Church of Llandaff.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus.
Concen, Abbot of Ca,rbani-vallis.
Colbrit, Abbot of Ildutus.
ludhubr, Abbot of Docunni.
Of the laity :—
The King alone. Guidgen with his men.
The customary ending concludes the diploma.
No boundaries beyond the river Taff are given, by which the
site might be identified. Rees and Evans compare Gabalva, near
Llandaff. Rees points out that the word Ceubalva signifies a ferry,
and as this must be on the river Taff, it should not be difficult to
locate the actual position of the land of the five sons of Ourdevint,
or, as Rees translates, " the Village of Flowers towards Durdevint
on the banks of the Taff."
io6 Memorials of Llandaff.
13. Another brief record, without notice of any boundaries,
introduces us to the Vill of Lath, the site of which has not been
identified by either of the editors of the Liber Landavensis.
Villa Lath.
Be it known to all who dwell in southern Britain {dextralis
Britannia) that King Morcant, son of Athruis, granted to the
Church at Llandaff of St. Peter and of St. Dubricius, and St.
Teliauus, and to St. Oudoceus the Bisliop, and to all his successors
for the exchange of a heavenly kingdom, the Vill of Lath, with all
its liberty, without any payment to mortal man, besides to the
Church of Llandaff.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
The blessed Bishop Oudoceus.
Concen, Abbot of Carbani-vallis.
Colbrit, Abbot of Ildutus.
Sulgen, Abbot of Docguinni. With their households.
Of the laity :—
King Morcant. Briauail son of Luuarch.
Guonocatui, Prince of Penaly. Gendoc son of Ismaej.
Sadoc, priest. lunet.
Gurceneu, smith. Rioidyl.
With a concluding solemn adjuration.
14. The convention between King Morcant and his uncle
F'rioc ; the treacherous murder of Frioc by the King ; the appeal
of Oudoceus in Synod, the penitence of the murderer, and his vow
in favour of the religious institutions of his realm, form the subject
of a formal document introduced into the Liber Landavensis at
this place, among the charters of the time of this bishop. The
gravity of the crime was undoubtedly the cause of the holding of
the Synod : it was expiated by the confirmation of the privileges of
the See.
Synod.
It is hereby recorded, that St. Oudoceus, with his congregation,
and Concen, Abbot of St. Catoc ; Sulgen, Abbot of Docunni ; and
Congen, Abbot of Ildutus ; with all their congregations, and King
Morcant, and Frioc, his uncle, came together to the podum of St.
Ildutus, and .both King Morcant and Frioc, all the rest being
present, and the holy relics placed on the altar of St. Ildutus, swore
that they should maintain firm peace towards each other without
^y7tod of Ljann Carvan. 107
deceit, and with this agreement, that if one should kill the other, or
deal treacherously with him, that he should not by any means
redeem himself, either with land or money, but he should resign
his kingdom, and pass his whole life in pilgrimage. But after a
long time, King Morcant, by the instigation of the evil one,
treacherously killed his uncle Frioc ; and having killed him, he
came to Bishop Oudoceus, at the Church of Llandaff, seeking
pardon for the perjury and murder committed by him. And
Bishop Oudoceus having heard his petition, commanded the said
three Abbots, with the clergy from the mouth of Taratyr yg
Guy, or the Wye, as far as the mouth of Tyui, to be assembled
together in a holy SYNOD. And the King, accompanied by the
elders of Morcannuc, came to meet them at the podum of LLan
Carvan, to receive judgment for his crime, and to render satisfaction,
and the full synod adjudged in the presence of Bishop Oudoceus,
that on account of the destitute state of the kingdom, that it might
not be left without the protection of its natural lord, he should by
means of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, redeem his pilgrimage,
together with his perjury and murder. And King Morcant, with
the assent of the seniors of Morcanhuc, placed his hand on the
four gospels and the relics of the saints, St. Oudoceus holding them,
and promised, first, that he would amend and clear himself of the
aforesaid crime, as before mentioned, by fasting, prayer, and alms-
giving, and also that he would never do the like again , and that
he would act mercifully in dispensing regal justice to all. Penance
having been enjoined on him, suitable to the measure of his crimes,
and his own quality, wealth, and power, and the Holy Communion,
of which he had been heretofore deprived, being administered to
him by Bishop Oudoceus, he granted to God, and to St. Dubricius,
St. Teliauus and St. Oudoceus, and all their successors, the three
congregations of Catoc, Ildutus, and Docunni, free from all royal
service, and with all their dignity, and the privilege of St. Dubricius
[and] St. Teliauus, in perpetual consecration to the Church of
Llandaff ; and the vessel of honey, and the iron cauldron, which
the Church of St. Illtyd ought to render to him, he gave up
for ever.
And the King vowed to God and to Oudoceus, in the presence
of the Synod, that he would never for the future exercise any
government in the three congregations, nor in their possessions,
nor in violating their places of refuge, nor knowingly ever take
away a single clod of their territories either by violence or evil
device, and free from any payment to any mortal man, great or
lo8 Memorials of Llandaff.
small, with a curse pronounced on those who would violate it, and
a blessing on those who should preserve it in peace.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus.
The Abbots Concen, Sulgen and Congen, with their clerics.
Conuoge. Conoc.
Gurcenou. Sulgen.
Coilbrit. Conbran.
Of the laity :—
King Morcan. lunet.
Guidgen. lurthur.
Gindoc. ludic.
luthel. ludguallon.
With a large number of clergy and laity whose names are not
recorded, as well within as without the Synod.
15. The Liber Landavensis then proceeds to take up again the
series of territorial records, and deals with the restoration of Lann
Guruaet, which Rees identifies with Llandilo'rfan, co. Brecon.
Lann Guruaet.
August, King of Brecheiniaun.^ and his sons Eliud and Riu-
allaun, restored to God, and to St. Teliauus, and St. Dubricius,
and in the hand of the chief Bishop Oudoceus, and to all the
Bishops of Llandaff in perpetual consecration, Lannguruaet,
which formerly belonged to St. Dubricius and St. Teliauus, with all
its territory, and without any payment, to any mortal man, great or
small, except to the Church of Llandaff, and with its Sanctuary,
and all the dignity and privilege of St. Dubricius and St. Teliauus,
and full commonage to the inhabitants for ever, in field and in
woods, in water and in pastures, and with its boundaries ; a curse
being pronounced on those who should violate it, and a blessing
on those who would preserve it.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus. Bran.
Sedoc. Conlouern.
Conbran. Gellan.
Conocan. Atgar.
Conueon. Guengarth.
Conlec.
» Becheiniaun, Evans, but the MS. must be wrong if it reads thus ; Brechei-
niaun, Rees.
Lann Guruaet. l^ann Cyncyrill. 109
Of the laity:—
King August.
His sons Eliud and Riuallaun, with many others.
The boundary, given in the ancient Cambro-Britannic language
of Glamorgan and Breconshire, may be thus translated : —
Beginning at the rise of Ethrim, along it to the cecin, upwards
along it to the Carn Erchan, then to the old road, along it to the
gate of Dorcluit (the door of hurdles) ; along the cecin to the rise
of the brook Dincat ; along this brook to its influx into the brook
Cilieni ;i along this downwards as far as the influx of the brook
Iren,^ along it as far as theCruc (or hill) of Hisbernn ; from this
along the mountain cecin to the shaft of the Cross of Guerion ;
downwards as far as the moor of the three boundaries to the brook
Cenou ; along the brook as far as the Cilieni, along this to the
influx of the Postdu or Ffosddu,^ from it to the Cloutac f along this
to its source, to the meadow swamp ; across the mountain upwards
to the Brin Buceilid, or shepherd's hill ; along the hill to the
source of the brook Mauan f from it upwards to the source of the
brook Ethrim, where the boundary began.
16. Next follows the charter of land at Lann Cyncyrill, a place
for which Evans gives no identification, but the occurrence of the
Glamorganshire river Ely points to the site.
Lann Cyncyrill.
King Morcant son of Athruis for the soul of Ffrioc son of
Mouric, whom he slew, and for the redemption of his own soul,
having taken the yoke of penitence in fasting, prayer, and
almsgiving, gave to the chief Bishop Oudoceus, and St. Dubri-
cius, and St. Teilo, or Teliauus, Lann Cyncirill, and the land
of Cynfall, with all their liberty, and complete commonage in
field and in woods, in water and in pastures, to all the inhabitants
for ever.
1 Rees says that the brook falls into the river Usk about seven miles west
of Brecknock.
2 Nant^rhen, Ffosddu, Cleudach, Mawan, and Ethrin, are brooks in and
near Llandilo'rfSn, or Llandeilo ar Fawan Church, on the bank of the brook
Mawan. Evans proposes to read Mawan for Ethrim, and vice versa, in order
to make a proper perambulation of this parochial boundary. These two brooks
are tributaries of the Cilieni.
r lo Memorials of Llandaff.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus.
The three Abbots, Concen, Congen, and Sulgen, as before.
Maloc. Colbrit.
Sulgen.
Of the laity:—
King Morcant. Samuel.
Grucinan. Titgual.
Guedgen. Bleidcu.
Elcu. Citoc.
Petyr. Guelbiu.
Rihedl.
After the usual paragraph of adjuration follow the boundaries.
Begin at Cepetic Trican, that is, from the red ford on Rudlan Elei,
the red bank of the river Ely ; thence upwards through the wood
above the acclivity thereof as far as the Cruc or mound of Cynfall
the Scot ; thence following the dividing of the ditch up over the
mountain to the spring ; thence downwards for a space to the head
of the claud of Trycan in the valley following the ditch to the
mountain ; descending down along the ditch lengthwise to Talpon
Brinan ; to the broad road along the road, following the line of
the ditch to the Ely.
17. To this follows the grant of Lann Oudocui, thought by
Rees to be perhaps Llandogo, in Monmouthshire, not far from
Monmouth, in a south-westerly direction.
Lann Oudocui.
Morcant King of Gleuissic, for the exchange of a heavenly
kingdom, granted with great devotion, and a humble and contrite
heart, to Bishop Oudoceus, and to St. Dubricius, and St. Teliauus,
and to the Church of Llandaff founded in honour of St. Peter,
Lannenniaun, that is, Lann Oudocui, with all its dignity, and
liberty, and all commonage in wood and in fields, in water and in
pastures, with its four whirlpools, and weirs for fisheries, and
woods, without any payment to any mortal man, except to God
and the Church of Llandaff, for ever, and with its sanctuary, and
free on all sides, like an island in the sea.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus. Conbran.
Sulgen, Abbot of Carbani-vallis. Berthguin.
Gurthauar, Abbot of Ildutus.
Saturn, Abbot of Docguinni.
Lann Oudocui. The Church ofElidon. 1 1 1
Of the laity :—
King Morcant. Guengarth.
Eifest. Biuan.
Conuiu. lunet.
Ihuc. Ceriau.
ludic. Rihedl.
To this podum, or estate, the following boundary belongs : —
From the Ciuilchi to the stone of Oudoucui to the summit of
the cliff or Allt, along the upper side to the ford as far as the
Caletan or Cledon ; along the Cemn, or Cefen, as far as the Guoun,
or Weun (meadow), to the middle of the mountain, to the red pool,
as far as the Ylui, or Olway brook (which rises near Trelach,
CO. Monmouth, about two miles distant from Llandogo) ; thence
from Guenfrut, or the White-brook, as far as little Trylec, or group
of three Druidical stones. The final part of the boundary should
be, according to Evans, from Trilech Vechan to the White-brook,
otherwise the boundary cannot be followed out.
1 8. The Church of St. Lythan's, about six miles in a south-
westerly direction from Cardiff, and the adjacent Vill of Guocob,
Gucof, or Guocof, probably Wenvoe, form the subject of the next
document.
The Church of Elidon, and Gucof.
King ludhail son of Athruis, when riding on a certain day
through the land of Guocob, fell to the ground, owing to the
stumbling of his horse ; and rising unhurt, he gave thanks to God,
and looking towards the Church of Elidon, he said with hand up-
lifted to God, " I give that church which I behold with all its land
and the Vill of GuocOF, wherein I stand, to Almighty God who
preserved me unhurt in danger." And calling to him Bishop
Oudoceus, with the three Abbots mentioned below, gave it to
Bishop Oudoceus, and to all his successors in the Church of St.
Peter, and to St. Dubricius, and St. Teliauus, at Llandaff, with all
its liberty and all commonage to the present and future inhabitants
perpetually in those lands, in field and in woods, in water and in
pastures, everywhere throughout the region of Gleuissic.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
(Bishop Oudoceus.
The three Abbots, Concen, of Carbani-vallis.
Colbrit, of Ildutus.
ludhubr, of Docunni.)
I I 2 Memorials of Llandaff.
Trychan. Conguean.
Satuc. Conlec.
Cinbran. Oran.
Cinuchan. Conuin.
Of the laity :—
King Ithail. Adgar.
Rrochmail. Guncar.
Gellan.
The boundary of these two sites, apart from purely descriptive
words, includes the spring of the Gurrimi, or Gurunni, or Little
Rumney ; Pant Ciu ; the Carn ; the Allt ; Pant Golych, now
Dyffryn Golich (Golych brook, about a mile distant from St.
Lythan's) ; Lotre Elidon ; the spring of Golych ; Powisva Dewi ;
and Carn Ynys Teir-erw. It is to be observed that this is the first
document of the time of King ludhail or Ithail.
19. Next follows the grant of land in the ancient district of
Gwent Iscoed in Monmouthshire.
Emricorua in Gwent is coit on the bank of
THE River Guy.
King ludhail son of Morcant, and his sons Fernuail, and Mouric,
and likewise with them Gurdocius, the son and heir of Catdem, gave
to God, and to St. Dubricius, and St. Teliauus, and St. Oudoceus,
and all their successors in the Church of Llandaff for ever, three
uncias or about three hundred and twenty-four acres of land, full of
the navigation of the river Guy, with all their weirs for fisheries
and with complete commonage in field and in woods, in water and
in pastures.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus.
Dagan, Abbot of Carbani-vallis.
Eluoid, Abbot of Ildutus.
Saturn, Abbot of Docunni.
Of the laity : —
King Ithail, and Guruodu.
His sons Fernuail and Mouric. Nud.
Gabran. Arcon.
Elfin. Tutnerth.
Guinan. Etelic.
Mabsu. Datlon.
Guallonor. Conocan.
L,ann Emrdil. Lann Menechi. i 1 3
After the imprecation follows the boundary : The Valley of
the Annuc on the banks of the Guy. This Emricorua is identified
by Evans with the town of Chepstow. The boundary of Lan-
cinuarch, or St. Kinmark, on the other side, is comprised between
the pant of the Annuc and the river Guy, with its weirs.
20. We next find the grant of the site of Lann Emrdil, or
Llanardil, on the banks of the brook Olway, not far from the town
of Usk, in Monmouthshire, in direction of the north-east.
Lann Emrdil.
King Ithael sacrificed to God and to St. Dubricius, and St.
Teliauus, and in the hand of the chief Bishop Oudoceus, and to
all his successors in the Church of Llandaff, Lann efrdil in
Brehes, with all its territory, and all its liberty, and all commonage
for the inhabitants, in field and in woods, in water and in pastures,
with its boundaries, and with law-worthy persons as witnesses ;
a curse being pronounced on those who should violate it, and a
blessing on those who preserve it in peace to the Church of
Llandaff.
No witnesses are recorded as attesting the grant. The boundary
starts from Rit i main (or Rhyd y Maen), the stony ford of the
river Ilqui or Olway, upward to the source, to the raven's height,
or (allt ircic-bran) Allt y Cigvran, to the hawk brook, nant ir
hebauc, or hebog, till it falls into the Guefrduur, now the Gwen-
dwr, as it leads downwards to the Olway ; along the Olway to
the stony ford where it began.
21. The last document of the series connected with Bishop
Oudoceus is that of Lann Menechi, or Villa Meneich, which Evans
equates with " ? Monachdy, Gabalva, LI. Dav." Rees, however,
offers no identification of the site.
Lann Menechi.
Brochmail son of Guidgentiuai, sacrificed the village of Meneich,
and six inodii oi \?ind to God, and to St. Dubricius, and St. Teliauus,
and in the hand of Bishop Oudoceus, and to all his successors in
the Church of Llandaff, for his soul's health, and in alms, with all
its liberty, and all commonage in field and woods, in land and in
pastures.
I
I 14 Memorials of Llandaff.
The boundaries, which precede the attestation, include the Vill
of Giurgius on the other side, which the same Brochmael had
similarly given to the Bishop. The boundary of Mencich, to the
north Tref irgillicg, anciently called Tref ircil. The said ]5rochuail
again gave to the bishop in one day, three modii — twenty-seven
acres — at Nuc Bacan. The boundary runs from the high road
leading from Port Halan as far as Riu finion, along the margin
of the mountain as far as Riu Tinuiu,' that is Henriu ; again by a
circuitous wa}' as far as the highway leading to Riu finion.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Oudoceus.
Concen, Abbot of Carbani-vallis.
Colbrit, Abbot of Ildutus.
ludhubr. Abbot of Docguinni.
Of the laity :—
Brochmail with his men.
The usual clause of blessing and cursing concludes the
deed.
The Memorials of Bishop Oudoceus may be fitly closed with
the ancient notice which Rees, in the Appendix to his Edition of
the Liber Landavensis^\\3S put on record. This is an extract from
a Cottonian MS., Titus D., xxii, i, entitled a "Chronicle of the
Church of Llandaff," written in the year 1439, wherein is contained
an article : —
" Of the original Construction and Building of
THE Church of Llandaff."
In the year of the incarnation of our Lord 447, two venerable
persons, Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre, and Lupus, of the city of
Tours, were sent from Gaul to Britain, to confute and extirpate
the heresy, which by the disputations and preaching of the said
persons, was completely done away with and destroyed. They
gave orders with the assent and consent of Meurig the son of
Tewdrig, then King of Glamorgan, to build and construct anew a
Metropolitan See on the side of that which had been erected in
honour of the apostles St. Peter and St. Paul.
' Tinum, Rees. 2 p. 521.
Original Construction of the Church. 115
And after the work was completed, the said King liberally
endowed it with divers territories, privileges, and rents, as is fully
to be found in the MS. Book of St. Teilo, that is, the Liber Landa-
vensis, and therein the said religious persons consecrated Dubricius,^
a holy person, and likewise an eminent doctor, to be an Archbishop
and the Primate of Southern Britain. In the year of the incar-
nation of our Lord 506, Dubricius, Archbishop of Llandaff, crowned
the most celebrated King Arthur in the City of Cirencester, in the
fifteenth year of his age. And after the fame of his liberality and
probity was spread abroad to the furthest parts of the world, and
he had subdued divers nations by sanguinary wars and toil, he
caused the Archbishops, Bishops, Kings, Princes, and Leaders sub-
dued by him, to assemble at the City of Legions, that is Caerleon,
in Monmouthshire, and there solemnly celebrate the great festival
of Whitsuntide ; who being sent for, and having arrived, all were
called who performed obedience to him on account of his honours,
and he liberally endowed every one with certain possessions and so
leave having been asked and obtained, all and every one returned
home with joy.
And Dubricius feeling himself burdened with old age, took
leave of the brethren, and resigned the office of Archbishop. In
a certain island, situated in the Irish sea, distant from the land
about five miles, called in Welsh, Ynys Enlli, and in English
Bardsey, within which twenty thousand bodies of saints are
buried, he led a heremitical life in watching, fasting and prayer,
to the day of his death, and after the course of his life, he was
there honourably buried, and at first numbered among the saints.
In the year of the incarnation of our Lord 612,'^ he departed to the
Lord.
And in the year 1 120, he was removed from the island of Bard-
sey, by Urban, Bishop of Llandaff, to his Church at Llandaff, on
the 23rd day of May.
' In 436 Saint Dubricius was made Archbishop of Llandaff. — lolo MSS.,
p. 423.
In 448 Vortimer the Blessed was raised to the throne of Britain, and
Dubricius was made Archbishop of Caerlleon upon Usk, Saint Teilaw succeed-
ing to the archiepiscopal See of Llandaff.— /isfo MSS., p. 423.
2 The Editor has here a note that this date, which also occurs at the end
of the Life of St. Dubricius, is considered much too late. Godwin puts the
date of the death of Dubricius 522 ; and a MS. in the Cottonian Library
Vespasian A., xiv, places it in 512.
I 3
Ii6 Memorials of Llandaff.
And after the said Dubricius, the illustrious Priest Teilo was
promoted to be Pastor and Bishop of the Church of Llandaff,
whose virtues and laudable actions are related in histories.
The Rev. Louis Nedelec has written an excellent review of the
lives of Dubricius, Teilo, and Oudoceus.^ principally from the
religious and missionary points of view, and discusses the object of
several of the documents which form the subject of the preceding
pages.
^ Cambria Sacra ; or, The History of the Early Cambro-British Christians,
1879, pp. 289-375.
CHAPTER Xll.
BISHOPS UBELVIU, AIDAN, AND ELGISTIL.
ST. OUDOCEUS was succeeded by Ubelviu, whom Browne
Willis calls Ubylwinus. His real date is as obscure as those
of his immediate predecessors. Holmes, editing the new edition
of Bishop Stubbs's Registrinn, calls the prelate Ubilwyn or
Berthgwin, and notes that Rees has styled him a chorepiscopus.
This Ubelviu, who seems to be disregarded^ as a bishop by the
Editors of the Liber Landavensis, first appears among the Clerici in
two charters of King Pepiau in the time of Archbishop Dubricius,^
one of King Merchguin son of Glivis,^ and one of Noe son of
Arthur.* He appears as Vbeluius, a scholaris, or disciple, of
Dubricius,'' and as bishop in three other charters.
The lolo MSS. relate of this bishop : —
" Uvelwyn^ the son of Cenydd, the son of Aneurin y Coed Aur,
was bishop in Llandaff, and had a church in Morganwg, and this is
the manner in which his descent is traced from BrS.n the son of LLyr
Llediaith, namely, St. Uvelwyn, the son of Cenydd, the son of
Euryn Coed Aur, the son of Caw of Cawlwyd, the son of Geraint,
the son of Erbin, the son of Cystennyn Goronog, the son of Tudwal
Mwynvawr, the son of Cadvan, the son of Cynan, the son of Eudav,
the son of Caradoc [Caractacus], the son of Bran the Blessed, the
son of LLyr Llediaith."
The same authority speaks, in another passage of " Uvelwyn,''
the son of Cennyd, the son of Gildas, the son of Caw of Cwm
Cawlwyd, Bishop of Llandaff."
Lann Sulbiv.
The first of these documents records that King Mouric gave,
for the redemption of his soul, to God and Saints Dubricius and
Teliau, the" Podum Lann Suluiu, identified as Llan Sillo^ and Llan
' Liber Lattdavensis, p. xxiii, n. ^ Ibid., p. 72, 76.
3 Ibid., p. 77. * Ibid., p. 76.
■5 Ibid., p. 80. " P. 517-
' P. 540. Ibid., p. 409.
I I 8 Memorials of Llandaff.
Silow^ in CO. Hereford, with all its cultivated land {tellus) into the
hands of Bishop Vueluiu and his successors for ever free of tax."
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Vueluiu.
Abbot Cu and John with his clergy.
Of the laity:—
King Mouric. Eicon.
Cinuin.
The boundaries of this land run from the head of Claud Ismael
on Nant y Galles, along the Claud through the wood to the open,
and so to the Spring {finnanaun) Guualon, along the Guualon to
Nant Grcitiaul,and along the latter to the river Mingui or Monnow
along the Monnow to the junction {aper) of Nant y Galles, along
this Nant as far as the head of Claud Ismael where the perambula-
tion began.
BOLGROS.
The second deed- is a notification to all the d^vellers in the
right hand part {in dextera parte), of Britain that Guruodius, King of
Ercycg, in gratitude for a victory over the Saxons, rendering thanks
to God, and yielding to the prayers of Bishop Vueluiu and his
clergy, granted to him and his successors at the sanctuary of Du-
bricius and Teliau for ever, the land called BOLGROS, identified as
Belly-Moor,^ in Madley, co. Hereford, on the bank of the River
Guy, or Wye, opposite {eniinus) to Mochros, with valuation of three
unciiV. " And the alms having been given after the manner of an
endowment Vueluiu the Bishop with his cleigy perambulated round
the whole area, sprinkling holy water, and preceded by a holy cross
with holy relics and attended by the King and his ministers ; and
in the midst thereof he founded a church in honour of the Holy
Trinity and St. Peter and Sts. Dubricius and Teliau ; and thus the
whole land free from all tax was dedicated to God and the present
Bishop of Llandaff and all his successors, with full common in plain
and in woods, in water and in meadows."
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Vuelbiu.
Meilic the reader, son of Merc[h]uiu.
Deui son of Circan the priest.
Uuelauc son of Guordbrit the equonimus or steward.
Gurdauau son of Leliau.
1 Liber Landavensis, p. 371. 2 Ibid., p. 161. ^ /^^-^^^ p_ ^gs.
Lann Guorboe. 119
Of the laity:—
Guruodu. Leuhaiarn son of Louniic.
Eruic his son. Circan son of Samauel.
Guorbur son of Eifcst. Conhoe son of Louri.
Elionor son of Gurbud. Congual son of Catguc.
The boundaries of this gift have not been preserved in the
book.
Lann Guorboe.
The third charter^ records that the same King, here called
Guoruodu, gave an other piece of land, valued at one uncia, for
religion's sake, to God and St. Dubricius and his servants and his
church in the dexter side of the Island of Britain, and into the
hands of Bishop Vuelbiu and all his successors for ever, and with
all common in plain and in woods, in water and in meadows ; and
the Bishop, perambulating the area preceded by a holy cross with
holy relics and by the sprinkling of blessed water, founded in the
midst thereof a church {locus) to the honour of the Holy Trinity,
placing therein his priest Guoruoe, appointed the same to serve it
and occupy it for the advantage of the Church. The site is
identified^ by the title prefixed to the text "Lann Guorboe," and
Garway in Herefordshire.^
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Vueluiu.
Deui, head priest, son of Circan.
Meilic the reader, son of Merchuiu.
Guruol the priest, son of Merchion.
Of the laity :-
Guruodu, King of Ercicg, and Eruic his son.
Guebrgur son of Eifest. Cuelin son of lacob.
Morheb son of Moriud. Elisail son of Gurdaual.
Crican son of Samuel. lunet son of lumail.
The record of Bishop Ubelviu is, therefore, as we see, very
scanty. The notices are meagre, but there is sufficient evidence to
indicate that he carried on the rule of the Church in the same way
as his predecessors had done, although the gifts of land were not
so liberally made during his occupation of the See. It may be that
his rule was not very long, or that civil dissensions had blocked for
' Liber La>idave7isis. p. 162. ^ Ibid., p. 162. ^ Ibid.., p. 408.
I 20 Memorials of Llandaff.
a time the charitable piety of the princes and landowners towards
the Church.
The Rev. Price Rees, in his Essay on the Welsh Saints, or the
Primitive Christians, usually considered to have been the Founders
of Churches in Wales, 1 836, states^ that Ufelwyn, or as he is styled
in Latin, Ubilwynus, the son of Cenydd ab Aneurin y Coed Aur,
was the founder of a church in Glamorgan called Llanufelwyn, the
situation of which seems to correspond with St. George's near
Cardiff, as in the division of the county upon the settlement of the
Normans, the lordship of St. George, which was granted by Robert
Fitz-Hamon to John Fleming is sometimes called the lordship of
Llanufelwyn ; that Ufelwyn succeeded St. Oudoceus as Bishop of
Llandaff, and it is not known who was his successors, as, according
to the Chronicle of Caradog, Aidan, the next bishop in Godwin's
list, was slain by the Saxons in the year 720, a full century after the
age of Ufelwyn, but the lists of the bishops are very corrupt
between the sixth and ninth centuries.
If we may be guided by the sequence of the documents set out
in full in the pages of the Liber Landavensis, Bishop Vueluiu, or
Vbelviv, was succeeded by : —
AlDAN,
who is also discredited as a bishop by the Editors of the New
Edition of the Liberr He was one of the scolares or pupils of
Dubricius.^
Mafurn.
One charter alone belongs to his period. It is the record of
a grant by King Cinuin, son of King Pepiau, to God, and Saints
Dubricius and Teliau of Mafurn,* a place not identified beyond
its lying on the River Dore, in co. Hereford, which was given
into the possession of Bishop Aidan for the redemption of the
soul of the grantor to be held for ever by the Bishops of Llandaff
with freedom from tax and common in plain and in woods, in
water and in meadows.
The witnesses are, of the
clei
■gy :—
Bishop Aidan.
Guern.
Guenopoui.
Eloc.
Lilli.
ludnerth.
Gurguarui.
1 P. 276. 2 P. xxiii, ;/.
3 Ibid.,
p.
80.
■* Ibid., p. 162.
Bishop Eigistii. i 2 I
Of the laity :—
King Cinuin. Coluiu.
Guidci his brother, sons of Peipiau. Aircot.
Clavorauc. Cintunt.
The boundaries are not translated by the Editors of the Lib.
Land. They begin from Mafurn downwards as far as the Allt
or steep place of Rudlan, the Dour, or river Dore, in Hereford-
shire. Is it possible that this place is no other than Malvern",
in Worcestershire, close to the boundary of Herefordshire, not far
from the river Wye, and dominated, as is well known, by a long
range of heights, in which are comprised the Worcestershire and
the Herefordshire Beacons, and the double-peaked hill of Ragged-
stone, one point of which is in the one county and the other point
in the other?
Bishop Aidan, whose tenure of the episcopal dignity at Llan-
daff must have been very short, judging by the scanty docu-
mentary evidence handed down to us by a single charter, was
succeeded in the bishopric by : —
Elgistil,
who was perhaps also a scolaris of Dubricius. The Editors of the
Liber Landavensis deny him the episcopate.^ He appears as
Elgistil and Arguistil,^ a clerk, in the time of King Peipiau and
Dubricius. Arguistil is the more frequent form of the name, but
the arrangement of the documents in the Liber Landavensis seems
to show that he must not be confused with the later Bishop
Arguistlus, or Arguistil, unless indeed the two personages were
really one and the same, a matter scarcely capable of solution by
the internal evidence of their respective charters. There is but
one deed which records him as the Episcopal grantee. In it King
Cinuin and his brother Guidci confirmed to God and Bishop
Elgistus three uncias, or ounces' worth of cultivated land (ager)
called
Cum barruc,
not identified, but apparently in the Dore Valley and on the Lech,^
or Leach, in a set of boundaries introduced into an earlier charter,
of the time of Dubricius, which may be compared with this in
many respects.
1 P. xxiii, n. ^ P. 73. ^ P. 74.
122 Memorials of Llandaff.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Elgistus the Bishop. Cinguariu.
lunabui. Elhearn.
Of the laity—
Cinuin and his brother Guidci.
Colluiu.
Aircol.
Cintiuit, who is the Cintunt of the preceding deed where
the form is probably erroneous, because these are
cognate names, Condiuit^ and Conteuit,^ Cintimit^
and Centiuit.^
It is important to observe that the charter of Cum Barruc,
introduced by i\\Q Liber Landavensis among the documents belong-
ing to the time of Dubricius, has much in common with the details
of the Cum Barruc charter of Bishop Elgistus. Cinuin the King
and Guidcu his brother, the sons of Pepiau,are the grantors in each
instance ; in the former deed the land is given to St. Dubricius, in
the latter to Bishop Elgistus : the amount of the value, three uncicB,
is the same in each case ; in the latter text it is especially declared
that " in a former time " St. Dubricius, archbishop of " dextralis
Britannia'' and of the See of Llandaff, received the land from
Peibiau, King of Ercicg ; whereas in the former deed it is the two
sons of Pepiau who are the grantors ; and the witnesses are, in the
first instance, the clerks, Arguistil, lunabui, Cinguarui, Elheiarun,
and Cimmareia, as contrasted with Bishop Elgistus, lunabui, Cin-
guariu, and Elhearn, of the later instance ; and the lay persons,
Gi oidci and Cinuin, Collbiu and Arcon, are in like sequence, con-
trasted with Cinuin and Guidci, Colluiu, Aircol, and Cintiuit. It is
clear, therefore, that Bishop Elgistus must have been fairly rear in
point of date to Dubricius, but there is an interval indicated by the
expression " in priori tempore" (in a former time), and this weakens,
if it does not altogether destroy, the suggestion that Elgistus was
but a chorepiscopus or suffragan.
' Pp. 171, 176. 2 p^ jg,^ 3 p, 72,
CHAPTER XIII.
BISHOPS JUNABUI, COMEREGIUS, ARGUISTIL, GURUAN,
EDILBIV, GRECIELIS.
T
O tlie short tenuie of Elgistus, succeeded another short episco-
pate, that of: —
lUNABUI, OR JUNAPEIUS.
He was a presbyter or clericus in the time of Dubricius, and a
disciple of Dubricius and Teilo.^ He is also called, by some
strange confusion of the scribes, Lunapeyus, or Lunapeius, in
ancient lists.^ There are but two charters of his time in the Liber
Landavensis.
I.ANN LOUDEU IN ERCYCG.
The first^ records that Gurcant, King of Ercicg, that is, Archen-
field in Herefordshire, son of Cinuin, granted to lunapeius the
Bishop and Sts. Dubricius and Teliau and the Church of Llandafif
for ever the poduin LoUDEU, or Lann Loudeu, in Ercycg, now
identified with Llan Loudy in Herefordshire, with three uncim of
cultivated land, all free of tax, large or small, except to the Church
of Llandaff and its Bishops, and with common in plain and in
woods, in water and in meadows.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop lunapeius.
Comereg [Abbot of] Mochros.
ludnou. Abbot of Boleros.
Helhearn, Abbot of Lannguorboe.
Guordoe, Abbot of Lanndeui.
Bithen, Prince of Lanndougarth.
Guenuor, Abbot of Lanngarthbenni, and his scholar
{alumnus) Gurguare.
' Liber Landavensis^ p. 115.
2 Ibid., pp. 303, 311. =* Ibid., p. 163.
i 24 Memorials of Llandaff.
Of the laity :—
King Gurcant, and his sons Morcant and Caratauc.
Gubruc. Guidcon son of Gurhauar.
Guruthon son of Mabon. Conuc.
Gurtauau son of LeHaii. Guorguol son of Clemuis.
No boundaries are recorded for this territory.
Lann Budgualan.
The second charter of this age records that King Gurcant,
sitting on the tomb of Iiis father Cinuin, and for his father's soul's
health, granted to God and Sts. Dubricius and Teliau into the
hand of Bishop lunapeius the podum Sancti Budgualan, Lann
Budgualan, or Ballingham in Herefordshire, with two uncice, or
ounces, and a half uncia of land circumjacent, free of all tax except
to the Church of Saints Dubricius and Teliau of Lanndavia
for ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Junapeius.
Comereg, Abbot of Mochros.
ludnou, Abbot of Bolgros.
Guordocui, Abbot of Lanndeui.
Master Anauoc.
Bithen, Prince of Lanndougarth.
Guernabui, Prince of Garthbenni, and his scholar
Gurguare.
Of the laity:—
King Gurcant. Gurtauaui son of Leliau.
Uebrersel son of Eifest. Gurcon son of Gurgauarn.
Guordoi son of Mabon. Conoc son of Condiuil.
The boundaries are : — From the ford Selinan,i to , across
as far as to the large river near the stream Circhan, about the river
Guy, or Wye. The whole corner (angulus) is given to God, Dubri-
cius, and Bishop lunapeius.
lunapeius, or Junabui, may be traced in several parts of the
Liber Landavensis. He was presbiter,- disciple of Dubricius,^ and
of Teliau.* Lann Junabui, his eponymic church, has been identified
with Bredwardine.^
' Selina;«, Liber Landavensis^ p. 165, but Selina^z, p. 419.
2 Pp. 72, 74, 76, 76. s p. 80,
* P- II5- *P. 408.
Bishop Comeregius. 125
To this Bishop succeeded yet another prelate, whose reign, if
we conjecture rightly, was as short as those of his immediate
predecessors.
Comeregius,
who first appears as Abbot of Mochros,^ succeeded as Bishop.^ He
is also called Gomergwynus and Gomeregwyus in ancient lists,^ and
Comegern by Willis. Only one charter of his period has been
recorded.*
Lann Cinmarch, Lann Deui, Lann Iunabui, Lann
GURBOE, PODUM MaKURN, LANN CaLCUCH, AND
Lann Cerniu.
In this is shown how Athruis, King of the Guent region, granted
to God and Saints Dubricius and Teliauus into the hands of Come-
regius the Bishop, the Church of Cynmarch (or Lann Cinmarch,
identified as Chepstow, St. Kinmark's), the disciple of Saint Dubri-
cius, with its appurtenant lands, viz., Manaur Tnoumur and Lann-
deui, or Dew-church, co. Hereford ; Lann Iunabui, or Bredwardine ;
Lann Guoruoe, or Gurboe, i.e., Garway, in the district of Malochu,
or Madley, co. Hereford ; the Podum Mafurn, co. Monmouth, per-
haps Malvern ; Lann Calcuch ; and Lann Cerniu, thought to be
the site of Dore Abbey, with all its appurtenant land to the exclu-
sion of his heirs except by assent of the Bishops of Llandaff, and
with all liberties and commons in plain and in woods, in water and
in meadows for ever. And King Athruis walked the entire bound-
aries of the gift of the land, sprinkling dust taken from the
cemetery of the said Saint Cinuarch (Cinmarch) the disciple,
preceded by a holy cross and sprinkling holy water, attended by
Bishop Comeregius with all his clergy. The King bore a book
of the Gospels on his back, confirming the alms thus made for the
health of the soul of his father Mouric for ever. After pronouncing
the benediction and absolution, he commended himself, both body
and soul, to the Bishop and his successors in the See.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Comeregius.
ludon. Abbot of Bolgros.
Elhearn, Abbot of Lann Guruoe.
Gurdocoe, Abbot of Lanndeui.
^ Liber Landaiiensis, p. 164. ^ Pp. 165, 166.
3 Pp. 303, 3". * P- 165-
126 Memorials of Llandaff.
Guernapui [Prince of] Guritpenni or Garth Benni.
Guruarui of Lann Enniaun.
Bithen of Lann Ceuid.
Of the laity :—
King Athruis.
Gruediau.
Giirguol and his land {i.e., serfs or followers).
Catrgueidan.
ludguallaun.
Morgon.
The boundaries are : — Mainaur tnoumur from the rift of the
valley Annuo to the Guy or Wye ; up along the valley to the ditch
in the valley ; and keeping along the ditch next to the broadway
lengthwise to Pull Mouric; up midway the Pull to the Pant Mawr ;
along Nant Catguistil upwards to the track of the Sow ; to the
Taranpull, or Taran-bwll ; to the tauc ; to the mound of the
yew tree ; through the wood ; downward to the clawd, or dyke ;
along it to the Wye, with its weirs ; downwards as far as Pant
Anhuc, or Annwg, where it began. ^
Arguistil,
or Arguystil, or Arguystyl, the succeeding Bishop, is first met with
as a cleric,^ then as a disciple of Dubricius,^ and finally as Bishop,
during whose occupation of the See only one charter has been
recorded in the Book of Llandaff. I am inclined to think that he is
the same as the antecedent Elgistus, or Elgistil, but as the Liber
Landavensis introduces Bishops Junabui and Comeregius between
them, it is better to treat these two separately.
Lann Coit.
King Idon, recognising the corruptibility of human nature, and
penitent for his misdeeds, having become enamoured of the divine
injunction and desirous of attaining to the joys of paradise after
the closing of his earthly career, declared one day in the presence
of his nobles : — " I dedicate to God and to Saint Peter and to
Saints Dubricius and Teliau, in the presence of Bishop Arguistlus
and all his successors in the See of Llandaff for ever, Lanncoit,
with three uncice of land and with all its liberty in wood and in
waters, in field and in meadows, and with a hawk, free of all taxes
except to the Church of Llandaff and its pastors for ever.
' Liber Landavensis, pp. i66, 372.
- Il>id., pp. 72, 74, 76, jy. 3 pp_ go^ ,2,^ ,22^
Bishop Gin~uan. [27
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Arguistil. Adguen.
Conan. Conuran.
Elguaret.
Of the laity: —
King Idon. Biuan.
Gurhai. Gurgal.
louan. Guinan.
Biuoc.
No boundaries are recorded, and the diploma ends with the
customary invocations. Neither Rees nor Evans have offered an}-
identification of this site.
Bishop Arguistil, or Arguistlus, whose date has not been fixed
with any degree of accuracy, probably had but a short period of
enjoyment of the Episcopate of Llandaff, unless the records which
dealt with his time were not available to the literary hand which
compiled the Liber Landnvensis. He was succeeded, if we may
follow the sequence of the book, failing other reliable sources,
by:-
GURUAN, OR GURUANNUS,
whose times are as meagrely illustrated by charters as his prede-
cessor's. Rees, following his eclectic tastes, calls him Gwrwan. He
appears as a cleric in the charter of Tir Conloc,^ of the time
of Dubricius, as Goruan in that of Lann Custenhinn-garthbenni,-
of the same period, as Guoren, in that of Lann Bocha,^ also of
that time, and as Guoruan in the contemporary charter of Penn
Alun.^ In the Life of St. Dubricius mention is made of him as a
disciple or scolaris, sapiens, et doctor. In late lists of Bishops^ he
is Goruannus.
The solitary charter which is attested by the Bishop in the
Liber is that of : —
Lann Mihacghgel Trefceriav in Brechenniauc,
which Evans equates with Lann Mihachgel meibion Gratlaun of
the later time of Bishop Libiav, and Llan Vihangel Tal y LLyn,
CO. Brecknock. Rees considers the site as supposed to be Llanfi-
hangel or St. Michael's Cwmdu, about four miles from Crickhowel
west by north, and the occurrence of the brook Tauguel, or Rhi-
1 See p. 39. '^ See p. 33. ^ See p. 37. * See p. 40.
'' Liber Landavensis, Ed. Evans, pp. 303, 311.
128 Memorials of Llandaff.
angoll, in the boundary paragraph, which runs through the parish
appears to favour this view. The grant of this site is a penitentiary
almoign, arising, according to the narrative preamble of the record,
in the following way : —
The Kings Teudur, son of Rein, and Elgistil, son of August,
confirmed their mutual friendship^ by oaths on the altar of St.
Dubricius, with specify penalties for non-observance. Afterwards
King Teudur slew Elgistil, or Elgist, whereupon Bishop Guruan
excommunicated him for his crimes of murder and perjury. To
obtain pardon the King granted Lann MlHACEL Tref ceriau
to the See with the usual privileges.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Guruann. Cuan.
Eluid. Concu.
Of the laity:—
King Teudur. Eluiu.
Conurit son of Concolen. Bacuc.
Petran.
After the customary invocations follows the boundary. From
the highway, lying to the south, through the thorns spinney as far
as the brook Tauguel, lying on the north ; thence through the
brook towards the east as far as the spring Ceneian ; thence
through the dry valley leading upwards as far as the said high-
way, where it began.
GUODLOIU, OR GUIDLOUIUS,
succeeds Guruan in the episcopal roll, called Gwydlonius in the
later lists of the Liber Landavensis} and Gwyddlon by Rees.^ He
is not mentioned as a disciple in the antecedent texts of the book.
The lolo ^ MSS. call this Bishop Gwodloyw, son of Glywys
Cerniw, and state that he was previously a confessor to the Saints
in the College of Cattwg. Here again there is but one charter
recorded in which he attests as Bishop. It relates to the Vill of
HiRPANT,
of the site of which Rees offers no identification, and the charter
itself equates it with " Villa Vallis," which does not give much
help. As no boundaries are given it would be difficult to locate
the exact situation of the land. The text declares that Cuchein,
1 Pp. 303, 311- ''■ P. 415- ^ P- 532.
Bishop Edilbiv. 129
son of Gloiu, gave the " Vill of the Valley'' with three modii, to God,
and Saints Dubricius and Teliauus, into the hands of Bishop
Guodloiu, and gave also Guingualus and his offspring, to be a serf
of the Church of Llandaff and its pastors for ever, with the usual
privileges or appurtenances.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Guidlouius. ludguoret.
Auner. Leui.
Scituc. Guingual.
Edilfred. Gurcinnif
Conan. Dofran.
Of the laity :—
Cuchein son of Gloiu. Gurdocui.
Dofngarth. Eudeat.
Reu. Abraham.
The text ends with the customary invocations. The gift of the
serf along with the land, of which he was undoubtedly the respon-
sible cultivator, is of interest at this early date. Later, of course;
such a proceeding was natural and frequent enough.
Edilbiv, Hedilbiu, or Hediluiu,
was the successor of Guidlouius, and is called Edylbiuus, and Edil-
biuus in the later lists of the Liber Landavensis} There are no
preliminary notices of this prelate, but there is a curious reference
to Luch Edilbiv in the later charter of Maerun, or Marshfield, in
Monmouthshire, of the time of Bishop Berthguinus, which may be
eponymous of this Edilbiv. Rees calls him Ediifyw. The sole
charter of this time is a confirmation (by attestation) of the gifts
by Gurcant of a piece of tilled land "across the road," for his soul's
health to God and St. Dubricius, into the hands of Bishop Hediluiu,
and for all his successors in the Church for ever ; and by Bonus of
another piece out of his own uiicia of land, just as Gurcant had
done. No boundaries are mentioned, and there are no means of
identifying the localities.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Hedilbiu, with his clerics.
Of the laity : —
Gurcant. Cuchein.
Bonus. Eicon.
1 Pp. 303, 311.
K
I 30 Memorials of Llandaff.
The text ends with the usual solemn formula. To this prelate
succeeded Grecielis, also called in a late list in the Liber Landa-
vensis^ GrecIELUS.
I. In the days of this prelate six charters appear to have been
worthy of record. The first relates to Kilpeck in Herefordshire,
and the church is called Lann de Gui Cilpedec in another record.^
CiLPEDEC IN ERCICG.
It is to be known by all Christians dwelling in the southern
part of Britain, and chiefly those between the Guy and the Tyui,
that Fauu son of Benjamin gave the Church of CiLPEDEC, with its
circumjacent land, for his soul's health, to God and St. Dubricius,
into the hands of Bishop Grecielis. And thus Fauu quitclaimed^
it, and Gedeon also, with approval of King Mouric, who ordered
a settlement of the churches in his realm more agreeable to the law
of God.
The witnesses are, of the
clergy : —
Bishop Grecielis.
Portur.
Nud, reader.
Loguanaul,
Canan.
ludiu.
Guoruoe.
Merchion.
Apis.
ludon.
Conguoret.
loubiu.
Of the laity :—
King Mouric.
Fauu and his son Enniaun, and Gedeaun.
Concum. Bonus.
Guincum. Nir.
Cinum. Aircol.
There is no record of boundary, and the usual invocation con-
cludes the document. The Church of Kilpeck is one of the archi-
tectural glories of Herefordshire. It is very ancient, and possibly
in its foundations still preserves some part at least of the fabric of
the church mentioned in the text. With the usual ending.
1 P. 311- 2 P. 275.
3 " Clamavit earn quietam ab omni re." The use of this phrase, which
belongs to a much later age of diplomatics, is distinctly suspicious, and raises
doubts as to the genuineness of the text, but it may arise from an attempt of the
scribe to introduce a more modern term for some older formula of equal value
which he found in the original text when it was before him. See also p. 158.
Cum Mo uric. 131
2. Cum Mouric in Ercicg.
This is a narrative charter, and sets forth that Guinncum
freed the Church of CUM MoURiC according to the word and com-
mand of King Mouric, and restored it to God and St. Dubricius
into the hands of Bishop Grecielis free with its lands from all fiscal
tribute. The boundary is from the brook Iguern to the ascent.
To this, Morgen, by way of augmentation, in like manner gave
some part of his vill across the road, free in every respect, in
obedience to the word and consent of the king, with all common-
age in the usual appurtenances and privileges.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Grecielis. Portur.
Nud, Lector, or reader. Loguonaul.
Conan. ludio.
Guruoe. Merchion.
Apis. ludon.
Conguaret. loubiu.
Of the laity :—
King Mouric. Bonus.
Guincum. Nir.
Conuin. Aircol.
The diploma terminates in the usual solemn manner. Evans
identifies the site with Morraston, Little Dewchurch, Herefordshire.
Rees is silent.
3. [Land on the bank ok the Meinbui]
forms the subject of the next document, which has no distinctive
title. The Meinbui is thought by Rees to be the Monnow, or
Mynwy, in Monmouthshire, which gives its name to the county,
although Evans does not corroborate this view. By this deed
Gulferi, Cinuin, and Nir, sons of Gurcan, and Bonus and his sons,
grant in the terms with which we are now conversant from their
occurrence in previous charters to God, St. Dubricius, St. Teliauus,
and Bishop Grecielis, land, with its two modii, or about eighteen
acres, in the desert upon the bank of the Meinbui, with the accus-
tomed privileges.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Grecielis. loubu.
Nud. Guordoc.
Cinan. Riceneu.
ludon. Condiuit.
K 2
132 Memorials of Llandaff.
Of the laity :—
Gulferi, Rubunren.
Cinuinon, and Lilli.
Nir, sons of Gurcant. Guinalan.
Bonus. Morhed.
Calancan. Coll.
Guruan.
The usual solemn termination concludes the text.
4. The Six [Seven] Churches : I. Lann Budgualan on the
Mouth of the Crican upon Guy ; II. Merthyr Cyn-
FALL ; III. Lannmocha ; 1 1 II. Lann Tvpallai ; V. Lann-
DINIUL ; VI. Mafurn ; VII. Mable.
This is a long and important document, notifying to all Christians
that Britcon Hail son of Deuon, dedicated, that is, confirmed, six
churches on the same day, to God and St. Dubricius, for his soul's
health, into the hands of Bishop Grecielis and his successors in the
Church of St. Dubricius and Teliauus, with the customary appur-
tenances : I. The Churches of Lannbudgualan, which formerly
belonged to St. Dubricius, at the mouth of the Circan, which Rees
considers to be probably Ballingham, dedicated to St. Dubricius,
about eight miles to the south-east of Hereford ; II. And Merthir-
chinfall, with all its lands, consisting of three modii, or twenty-
seven acres, and the land given by ludhail ; also an additional land
given by Biuon to the Church ; III. Britcon and Iliuc gave after
similar manner Lann BOCHA, with its appurtenances, after the
word or order of King Mouric.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Greciel. Blainrit.
Nud. ludon.
Simon. loubiu.
Isciplan. Gurou.
Araun. Cincuan.
Of the laity :—
King Mouric. Biuonui.
Britcon and Iliuc. Lilli.
Gloiu. Cimuireg.
The boundary begins at the ditch as far as Castell Meirch,
perhaps Newcastle, St. Maughan's ; then to the Valley of Lembi,
as far as the valley of Cilcirch, straight along the valley as far as
The Seven Churches. 133
Baudur ; then along Eilin as far as the head of the wood, through
the middle of the wood to the head of Nant Pedecou, or Pedecon ;
then to Tnouguinn, as far as the red ford, next to Tinnu ; then
to the appletree of Henntre iguonui ; then towards the brake of
the willows it goes down into the first ditch, where it began.
This portion of the document ends with the usual solemn pro-
nunciation.
IV. The Churches of TiPALLAl ; V. DiNiUL ; VI. Mafurn ;
and VII. Mable, to which belong six modii, or about fifty-four
acres, with wood and field. The boundaries are : (VII) for Mable,
or Llan Vapley, in Monmouthshire, from the glaswern to the deep
black brook ; then obliquely between the stream of lacob and
Brinn Cornou, again through the wood it goes down to the stream
Manach, now known as the Mynachty brook, which feeds the
Trothy about two miles below Llanfabley Church ; straight on to
the Halannauc, right through the wood to the Oncir, as far as
the further spring, and passing under an ash tree it goes straight
between two castles to its long island until it passes down into the
Trodi brook; IV. For Lanntipallai, perhaps The Parsonage Farm,
west of St. Maughan, according to Evans, the spring of Arganhell
across the wood, along the ditch to Luch Ir Eilin, as far as the pant,
along it to Cestill Meirch (see above), straight to Cil Fotul, across
the field, and along the dyke, as far as to Duuir indair (Dwr
Tudair, Rees), along the pant through the wood, up to the spring
of Argannel, where it began; V. For Lann Cinfall, or Llan Gynvil,
CO. Monmouth. The Cirn Cinfall to the head of the ditch, along
the ditch to the exit of the Efrdil spring, along its Guuer, as far
as the river Mingui, or Monnow, along this to the red pool upwards
as far as the tail of the hill, downwards to Lech Forch, or Forked
stone, to Aper Gefiat, along this to the tail of the Aithnauc to the
right of the All[t], along the ditch to Cirn Cinfall, where it began ;
VI. For Lann Diniul (perhaps Lann Deiniol, Welsh name of Itton,
CO. Monmouth). The Mouric or Merrick pool to the mouth of Pant
pull penhic, through the middle as the pant goes upwards to the
high road ; from the pull downwards as it leads into the pant
Trefguid on the right, to the earn, to the road, along the road ;
Cilliuen ; through the wood, through the road to the Mouric at the
Sich pull ; along the Mouric leading upwards to the mouth of
Pant pull pennic, where it began ; VII. For Mafurn, to the top of
Alt rudlan dour, or, as Rees has it, to the back of the woody
acclivity of Rudlan dour.
I 34 Memorials of hlandaff.
Lann Cum.
5. Or Llangwm, a parish in co. Monmouth, about three miles
east of Usk, with its uncia of land of three modii, is the subject of a
grant or confirmation by Cinuelin, to God, St. Dubricius, and St.
Teliauus, and to Bishop Grecielis and the Church for ever, for his
soul's health, with the usual appurtenances.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Grecielis. Seitir.
Conguas. Idnerth.
Nud. Clutis.
Balcas. Guor(o)u.
Ruid.
Of the laity :—
Cinuelin. Gurci.
Gloiu. Gefci.
ludnov.
With the usual solemn adjuration.
The boundary : From the outflow of Nant Bis imich, or (on the
Bich) as the nant leads upwards to the mountain, to its source, to
the road, from the road to the Ard, along the Ard towards the
west, as far as the ridge, or Cecin, of the Alt ; then downwards to
the ford of the ash-trees of Nant Broueni, along it as far as Nant
foss pluum, so on to Istrat hafren,i from the height of this to
the Cecin, along it as far as the road, to the Ard ; along it to the
issue of the spring ; along it downwards to the Bic ; down the Bic
to the outflow where the boundary began. It is probable that this
Lann Cum is identical with Villa Vallis^ granted in the time
of Bishop Guidlouius by a charter which records no boundaries.
This latter site is also stated to be of the same extent, three
modii, as Lann Cum.
[Land on the Bank of the Amhyr].
6. The last document, which belongs to the period of Bishop
Grecielis, grants land of three modii, or twenty-seven acres to God,
Dubricius, Teliauus, and Bishop Grecielis, on the bank of the river
Amhyr, free of all charges, without specific designation, by Main-
erch, son of Milfrit, and Guiner, son of lacuan. The boundary
begins at the ford of Pallan ; to the ditch ; and following the ditch
' This place is the subject of the next charter but one.
^ See p. 128.
Bishop Grecieiis. 135
to the grey cairn, and from this away as far as the river Amyr, or
Gamher, in Herefordshire, with part of the woodland of Mam i let,
which is probably a low wooded hill. The Gamher, which locates
the gift, rises a little to the northward of LLanywern, and runs into
the Garan about a mile from Llangaran Church.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Grecieiis. Elfin.
Canan. loubiu.
Nud. ludon.
louanaul. Gefci.
Dissaith. Cian.
Of the laity : —
Mainerch. lacann.
Guinier. Guodnis.
Canna. Lemenic.
Ciuann.
With the customary invocation, at the end.
CHAPTER XIV.
BISHOP BERTHGUINUS.
BERTHGUINUS succeeded Grecielis in the See of Llandaff,
and during his occupation of the episcopal chair twenty-six
documents received places in the collection of the Liber Landa-
vensis. This may point to one of two things, either that his
occupation of the See of Llandaff was of longer duration, or that
the compiler of the record has been able to obtain a larger number
of original grants and documents belonging to this prelate's period.
I. The first we find relates to —
The Church of Ystrat Hafren,
called by Evans ISTRAT or Strat Havren, and not located by
that author nor by the pioneer Rees. The text is simple: a mere
statement or notification that Morcant, son of Athruis, gave the
church of Istrat Hafren, with an uncia, or about a hundred and
eight acres of land, to God, and Saints Dubricius and Teilo, and
into the hands of Bishop Berthguinus. Its Latin boundary runs
from the wood to the sea as far as the podum of Ceuid, with the
usual privileges. A second vernacular paragraph states that the
boundary is from the upper part of Luin Hi, the Hi grove, to the
sea, and from Glasguern, or the green alder meadow, to Louern.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Trycan.
Master Samuel.
Of the laity :—
King Morcant. Conuin son of Hiubilin.
ludhail. Bace.
Biuhearn. Guruithon son of Eicon.
The customary final invocation is here followed by a notice
that at a subsequent time King Ithaii, son of Morcant, on the
occasion of the robbery of this estate by a lay invasion, restored
Bishop Berthguinus. 137
it to the same bishop and his successors for ever, with its liberties
and its weirs on all sides, in the presence of the same witnesses.
2. The next grant bears no title, but the description points to
the town of Monmouth. It is a notification that Ilias gave 3.podum,
and four modii or about thirty-six acres of land, to Llandaff under
the usual designation of dedication, at
Aper Mynuy,
with assent of Ithail and his sons Fernuail and Mouric, with the
usual liberties appurtenant.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Dagan, Abbot of Carbani-vallis.
Saturn, Abbot of Docunni.
Eluoed, Abbot of Ildutus.
Trican the reader.
Of the laity :—
King ludhael, with his sons Fernuail and Mouric.
Ilias. Dounerth son of ludic.
Elcun. Ceriau.
Mabsu. ludnoe.
ludnerth son of ludgualon.
The customary warning ends the text. No. i6, lower down in
this series, is a variant form of the grant
3. Villa Conuc
is the subject of the next grant, which, like those already described
as belonging to the period, is very laconic. The text relates that
Conuilius, son of Gurceniu, with assent of Morcant and his son
Ithail, gave to Llandaff Cathedral, under its customary dedicatory
appellation, the vill which contains the sepulchre of Gurai, that is
Villa Conuc, with the usual privileges. The grantor, under the
name of Cormil, also enjoined obedience to the altar of Llandaff,
in regard to the land thus granted, by his son Conuc and his
posterity ; in fact, Conuc stood very much in the condition of
a serf who could not leave the land — named after him — which he
had in all probability reclaimed from its primeval wildness. The
boundary of length is from the summit of the mountain of Gurai
to the stream Euenhi, or Ewenny ; and the breadth from the great
ditch to the ditch opposite the sea. Evans considers the site to be
that of St. Bride's Major, Glamorgan, and the occurrence of the
138 Memorials of Llandaff.
River Ewenny substantiates this opinion. Rees points conjecturally
to a Llangynog chapel near Holt, "but its boundaries do not
correspond with the above."
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus.
Sulgen, Abbot of Carbani-vallis.
Saturn, Abbot of Docguinni.
Gurhaual, Abbot of Ildutus.
Of the laity :—
King Morcant and his son Ithail.
Conuil. Gurhitir.
lunet. Samuel.
Condiuit. ludic.
Cuncuman. Guednerth, brother of
Mabsu. Morcant.
The usual clause of invocation terminates the record.
4. The next charter records the holding of a Synod, rendered
necessary by an act of treachery on the part of one of the rulers of
the country. The title of the document is —
Ager Helic, and Ager Tencu,
that is, the fields or arable lands of Helic and Tancu, places not
identified with any existing sites either by Rees or Evans. The
circumstances attending the bestowal of these properties on the
Church of Llandaff are briefly these : — The Kings Clotri and
ludguallaun had sworn perpetual friendship upon the relics placed
on the altar of the Church of Garth benni, or Welsh Bicknor,
COS. Monmouth and Hereford, with penalty of self-banishment for
breaking the compact. Afterwards, Clotri slew ludguallaun,
whereupon the Bishop convened a Synod at Llandaff of all the
clergy from the mouth of Taratyr on the Wye to the bank of the
river Tyui, or Towy, at which Clotri was excommunicated with his
children and his kingdom, by stripping the holy altars, laying the
crosses on the ground, and forbidding baptism and the Lord's
supper to be celebrated. Clotri could not endure this excommuni-
cation, and desired Bishop Berthguinus, with the three abbots
mentioned in the preceding record, to meet him at the church
of Garthbenni, which they did, and enjoined obedience to his vow.
This he performed, and after a long period of time he returned,
and sought pardon from the Bishop by the intermediation of King
Bishop Berthguinus. 139
Morcant : it was granted, and by way of recompense to the Church
which he had offended by his crimes, he bestowed on Llandaff
Cathedral, under its usual designation, the land of Helic, with three
M««"£^ (324 acres), and of Tencu.with two 2<««',^ (216 acres), with the
usual concomitant privileges.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus, with the three abbots.
Of the laity :—
Clotri. Cuguaret.
Morcant. Catem.
laco. Conuiu.
Guednerth. Lourone.
Elioc. Mordoc.
Gurgauarn. Biuhearn mab Ibleid.
Comereg.
At the end is the usual invocation which marks this manner of
diplomata.
5. A short grant without title follows. Conblus, son of laco,
dedicated land of the dimensions of three modii, or about twenty-
seven acres, on the banks of the river Guy, to Llandaff, under its
contemporary style.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Rioual.
Gurciueith. Confur.
Conuoe.
Jouan son of Meilic.
This was done in the Church of Garthbenni.
Of the laity :—
Conblus. Guorcon.
Conon. Guesinut.
Guoithgual.
The document terminates with a solemn adjuration.
6. Villa Strat.
To this succeeds a very short statement that Elfin gave to the
See the Vill of Strat hancr, for his soul's health, in free per-
petuity; without any notice of attestation or boundary. Evans
appears to consider it as synonymous with Ely, near Cardiff, in
Glamorgan. Rees calls this place Strat haner.
140 Memorials of Liandaff.
7. Villa Guinnonvi
is the subject of the next deed, wherein is recorded that King
Ithail and ludon, hereditary son of Ceriau, dedicated the Vill
of GuiNNOUl, near Pvvll Meurig {Palus Mourici), to the See, with
the usual privileges. No boundaries are mentioned.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Etelic.
Guruodu. Candau.
Tutnerth. ludonai.
Of the laity :—
King luthail. ludon, and the rest.
An invocation concludes the diploma.
8. CvM Cerrvc.
In this deed King luthail, son of Morcant, and his sons, Fernuail
and Mouric, dedicated three uncim of cultivated land in the midst
of CUMCERRUC, after the usual formulae, to the See. There are no
recorded boundaries.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus.
Danoc, Abbot of Carbani-vallis.
Eluod, Abbot of Ildutus.
The Abbot of Docguinni.i
Of the laity : —
King Ithail. Deunerth son of ludic.
Fernuail and Mouric, his sons. Cuii son of ludaltcan.
Mabsu. Agemarhan.
Elfin. ludane.
luthnerth son of ludguellon.
The deed closes with the usual votive sentences.
Rees finds the site probably at Kilgwrwg, in Monmouthshire,
five miles N.W. from Chepstow. Evans refers in his index^ to
" See Kil Gorrock," which he considers^ to be Kil-gwrrwg, Mon-
mouth.
' With a blank space for the name which the scribe of the Liber Landavensis
could not read on the original deed.
' l-'P- 394, 403- 3 p_ 2gj_
Apermenei. \ 4 1
9. In Gwenti Uch Coit, Apermenei, near Frutmur : Boundary
of Mainaur Lann Garth : is the title of the next grant wherein it is
shown that King luthail confirmed Aper Menei to the See which
had previously been granted by King Morcant, with the usual
privileges. There are no boundaries.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus.
Gnouan, Abbot of the altar of Catoc.
Fomre, Abbot of Ildutus.
The Abbot of Docguinni.^
Of the laity :—
ludhail.
Guellerion
Mouric and Fernuail,
his sons.
Ceri.
Gafran, his heir.
Cunuor.
Elfin son of Guidgen.
Gleu.
Gurcant.
Guruodu.
Guallonir.
Gurdoc.
ludnerth.
Arthuo.
Mabsu.
Conocan.
ludic.
Conet.
With the blessing and curse at the end as usual.
[Lann Cetgualatyr.] Synod.
10. We next find record of a SYNOD, at which it is declared
that Lann Catgualatyr, or Llangadwaladyr, now called Bishton
or Bishopston, near Caerleon, co. Monmouth, was granted to Llan-
daff Cathedral under circumstances which have given rise to much
perplexity in those who have essayed to reconstruct the order of
the Episcopal succession. The proem or introductory preamble
shows that Guidnerth killed his brother Merchion in a quarrel,
whereupon St. Oudoceus excommunicated him in a full Synod
convened of the Church from the mouth of the River Guy to that
of the River Tyui or Towy, the crosses placed on the ground, the
bells inverted, to endure for three years. The result was, that the
murderer obtained pardon on condition of performing a pilgrimage
to the Archbishop of Dol in Armorica, selected on account of its
ancient alliance with LLandaff, and because of the identity of the
1 Rees states that " Gwent above the Wood" is an ancient district partly in
CO. Monmouth, partly in co. Hereford. Evans does not identify the site.
^ See note i on p. 140.
142 Memorials of Llandaff.
vernacular language of the two places. He returned, however,
remission with sealed letters being granted to him before the
expiration of the term of penance which had been imposed on
him. The subsequent death of Oudoceus, and the accession of
Berthguinus, whom King Morcant persuaded to pardon the
delinquent, resulted in the gift of this site, with its privileges,
including maritime liberties, as a compensation for his fratricide
in consideration of his reconciliation with the Church.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Conguarui.
Gunuiu, Lector or reader. Torchan.
Confur.
Of the laity :—
King Morcant. . Elioc.
Guednerth. Gabran.
ludic son of Nud. Elfin.
Jacob son of Mabsu. Samuel.
Guengarth.
After the usual imprecatory clause, which appears to be uni-
versally employed in these diplomata, comes the ancient boundary.
From Aber nant Alun into the marsh, that is, the junction of Alun
river and the marsh, as the brook goes upwards to its source, then
over the Cecn straight to the source of the sich-nant, or dry stream,
on another part of the cecyn, along the nant down as far as the
pant or hollow in the wood ; along the nant to the right down as
far as to the ridge of the Allt, near Cestill Dinan,^ the Castles of
Dinan, along the ridge of the Allt to Riu or Rhiw merchiau.
Along this Rhiw or slope, down to the spring of Glible or Gulible,
and so to the marsh, then straight away through the marsh toward
Hentref Merchitir, then to the marulinniou, or dead pools, towards
the west along the ridge of Cethin, through the marsh to Lontre^
tunbulch, then straight through the marsh to Aber nant Alun,
where the boundary was begun.
Rees has a note^ to this document, tending to place Bishop
Berthguinus next in succession to Oudoceus, and conjectures that
the compiler of the Liber Landavensis has misplaced him here.
Names of witnesses appear to establish this view, and if it is
correct the charters of Berthguinus should follow the account of
Oudoceus, but I am content to follow the arrangement of the Liber
1 ? Bishton Castle, Evans. 2 Loutre, Rees. ^ j^^jj^ Land., p. 431.
Tytiuc. Cemeis. 143
after pointing out this criticism, for it may be that some, if not all,
of the prelates placed in the Liber Landavensis between Oudoceus
and Berthguinus, were coadjutors or suffragans, or that they occu-
pied some kind of subordinate position.
The Church of Tytiuc on the bank of the Guy.
11. Judhail gave the podum Henllan, "that is the Church of
TiTUUC", on the bank of the Wye, with four modii of land about
it, to God and the three Saints of LLandaff, into the hand of Bishop
Berthguinus to him and his successors in the Church, with the con-
ventional liberties, commons, and wears. This was given by King
Ithail and Mouric his son in perpetual alms for the soul's health of
his son Athruis. It is bounded by the two brooks Irgudinn as far
as the Wye.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Morheb.
Dillug. Conguare.
Of the laity :—
King ludhail. Melguas.
lunet. Catgueithen.
Guincon. Gurdoc.
ludguoret.
With the terminal invocation as usual. The site has been identified
by Mr. PhiUimore with Dixton, formerly Dukeston, co. Monmouth.
It is mentioned — as Hennlann super ripam Gui — in the life of St.
Dubricius.
Cemeis.
12. This site, now Kemys, in co. Monmouth, on the River Usk,
near Caerleon, was given by Rotri for his soul's health, with assent
of King Morcant, at the mouth of the brook Humri, with two
uncice of land, subject to the same formula as before.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Saturn, Abbot of Docunni.
Sulgen, Abbot of St. Catoc's. Gurhaual, Abbot of St. Ildutus.
Of the laity :—
King Morcant. Ciuaret.
Clodri. Catem.
laco. Louronui.
Guaidnerth. Mordoc.
Eleoc. Biuhearn mab Ibleid.
Gurgauarn.
144 Memorials of Llandaff.
Thus far the charter appears to be a narrative. It proceeds to
declare that after a long time Ouleu freed the land from secular
service and gave it to LLandaff Church under the customary form,
and to Bishop Grecielis for his (the grantor's) soul's health. Again,
after an interval, Fau freed it from similar service, and gave it
to Cerenhir, Bishop of LLandaff, with the customary anathemas.
The boundary is : —
From the influx of the river Humir into the River Usk, or
Uisc, up to the source of the Humir, along the Usk to Aber-nant-
bichan up to the breast of the Allt towards the right, to the Ard,
to the Dou Ciuiu {Doucuini, Rees), so along the Ard to the breast
of the hill, to the source of the Humir, that is, Nant Merthir, where
it began.
IVDBIV.
13. Mabsu gave the Vill of lUDUIU, identified by Mr. Phillimore
as Treaddow or Peterstow, co. Hereford, in the accustomed formulse,
for his soul's health, to LLandaff and Bishop Berthguinus for ever,
and celebrated the gift by a well-arranged banquet — convivium
bene preordinatum — in Ercycg, at which all the principal person-
ages of that district were assembled together, and at which the
grant was reiterated and confirmed.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Conguare.
Torchan. Hi.
Confur.
Of the laity :—
Mabsu. ludnerth.
Guordoc. Mabsu son of Guobeith.
Riataf. Cunhearn.
Condouan. Cuncum.
Oudem. Bledris.
Heuel.
14. GURMARCH,
a place not identified by Rees or Evans, has a considerable
value attached to it on account of the narrative which relates the
circumstances of its donation to LLandaff" Cathedral. This declares
that Riataf, a lay witness of the preceding charter, called Rhiadda
by Rees and Riatam in the attestation clause of this document, had
bought an ?/«««— (about a hundred and eight acres)— of land thus
named from Guedcui and Conuin, sons of Clodri, for twenty-four
Villa Nis. 145
[cows]^ a Saxon woman, probably a female serf attached to the
land, a precious sword, and a powerful horse, with assent of King
ludhail, in whose presence and in the presence of the noble seniors
of Ercycg the property was gifted, with the usual concomitant
privileges, to the Bishop of LLandaff for ever free by the ceremony
of the grantors laying their hands in the bishop's hand.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Gurceuid.
Turchan. Eli.
Guenoc.
Of the laity :—
King ludhail.
Riatam. (The grantor, Riataf, of the text of the deed.)
/Gueidcui and
ICinuor, brothers (the original vendors).
Gurden. Gurceneu.
ludbiu. Pascen.
The inclusion of a Saxon woman, Saxonica mulier, in the original
purchase is of interest, and it illustrates a passage in Lewis's
Ancient Laws of Wales'^ that "there were men" (and, as may be
inferred, women) " in simple personal bondage .... probably
captives taken in war, though there seem to have been cases in
which freemen willingly debased their privileges by becoming
hirelings, and they and others who entered into domestic bondage
by convention and unbought were called adventitious bondmen."
15. Villa Nis,
passed into the possession of the Cathedral in this wise : Conuor,
son of lacob, had slain Catgen, and expiated his crime by making
over to Ilias, .son of Morglas, and brother of the said Catgen, this
vill, an extent of an tincia — 108 acres— the lawful price for the
homicide. Afterwards Conuor and Ilias, for the soul's health of
the dead man, gave the property to LLandaff into the bishop's hand
for ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Canguaret.
Guenoc. Gurcueith.
1 "Vaccis forte supplendum, deest MSS.'— Rees.
2 P. 29.
146 Memorials of Llandaff.
Of the laity :—
Threei brothers, Gistlerh, and Meruin, and two sons of
his brother.
Mabsu son of Guobeith. Dibro.
Teudus son of Conblus. Ludat.
Cleisguith. Gurguin.
[Aper Mynuy.J
16. The next document entered in the Liber Landavensis is
another version of the second in the series of this bishop's charters,
with some variant forms of spelHng and omission or addition of
proper names : as Elguoid, Abbot of Ildutus ; Trican, Lector,
omitted ; Elfin for Elcun ; ludguallaun for ludgualon ; Duinerth
for Dounerth ; Guoruodu and Conhae added before ludnoe.
17. Lann TYSSOI,
now called Llansoy, a Monmouthshire parish, about four miles
eastward of Usk, forms the subject of the succeeding charter, which
is a grant by Conhae of his own inheritance, th.e poduni or mansion
of Saint TlSOl, an alumnus of St. Dubricius, which had formerly
belonged to St. Dubricius himself, with the usual conventionalities
free into the hand of Bishop Bertguinus for himself and his
successors in the Church. The liberties here include, ittter alia, all
its wood free, " cum glandine et ancipitre," with acorn and hawk,
probably equivalent to the later rights of pasture and fowling. In
the early days of these deeds there was a payment for hawks, to
the chief falconer, by the King's villeins — four pence for each — for
the support of the King's hawks, besides other burdens in respect
of the King's falconers.^ In this charter that tax is remitted, but
in what way is not m.ade clear. Similarly, payments were due to
the lord's swineherd for the run of the swine in the oak and beech
woods of the lord,^ which, in a case mentioned by Lewis,* amounted
to six loaves.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Samuel.
Turchan. Deui.
Confur. Morhep.
1 Sic.
2 Lewis, Ancient Laws of Wales, p. 157.
3 lb., p. 236. 4 lb., p. 208.
Penn Hellei. 147
Of the laity :—
King ludhail. Ceriau.
Conhage. ludnerdh.
Gabran. Guruodu.
Mabsu.
After the invariable clause of imprecation comes the boundary :
Between the wood and the plain and within the streams Elgui, or
Olway, and Pill. On the other side : from Elgui to Pill, towards
east from the influx of the Ceninuc into Elgui, along Ceninuc,
upwards to the influx of the Finnaun, or Ffynnon, along this to its
source, then downwards along the hollow to Pill ; along this to
Nant Mum ; along the Mum to its source ; so to the cair Enuin ;
from Tollcoit Cair, as far as the head of Luch Cinahi, as it leads
down to Main Cinahi or the stone of Cinahi to Ilgui ; and so
along to the influx of the Cennichuc or Ceninuc, where it began.
The Pill falls into the Olway not far from the river Usk.
18. Penn Hellei.
Elfin granted to LLandaff for ever the land of Pennhellei,
with its appurtenant liberties and privileges, in the middle of Ser-
gunhid, which may be Senghenydh, the district lying between the
Rivers Tav and Rumney, extending from the head of the latter and
the confluence of the Tav to the sea. It is also called Segenid,^
and Seghenid.^
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Tirchan.
Confur, Priest. Hi.
Conguarui. Deui.
Of the laity :—
Elfin. Eres.
Elcu. Dubron.
Congueithen. Morguid,
Conuin.
And the usual formulation of invocation concludes the grant.
19. TULL COIT.
The " tollcoit" of the preceding charter was granted by Elfin,
a lay witness to that deed, under the name of Estrat agcr,^ called
1 Liber Land., p. 255. ^ lb., p. 256.
^ Agcr, Evans. A marginal note in the MS. identifies this site: "modo
bella aqua." Rees is in error where he reads ager for agcr. See p. 139.
L 2
1 48 Memorials of Llandaff.
by Rees " the land of Ystrad ager, that is Twll Coed," for his soul's
health, with six inodii of land, to the Cathedral, with the usual
formulze of liberties, and with consent of King ludhalus. It is
Twil-cod or Fair water, the Strat han^rr or Villa Strat of No. 6 in
this Berthguin series of deeds.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Confur.
Gunnuiu, Lector. Conguaret.
Of the laity :—
Concar. Conficc.
Guorhoidil. Guorbuth.
Aironbrit. Hinbiu.
The boundary is : — From the eye or spout of the spring toll
coit as far as the foss of the marsh at the top, and from the west
across as far as the hyacinthine stone,^ following the vallum^ or
wall, to the stone of Onnbrit.*
20. Machynys : Synod.
This site, not wholly identified, passed into possession of LLan-
daff Cathedral by way of expiation for infraction of the rules of
marriage by Gurcan, who ruled after the death of his father Guinan.
He had been excommunicated by Bishop Berthguinus in full SYNOD
of clergy from the mouth of the Taratyr to that of the Tyui or
Towy, with ceremony of crosses, holy relics, and inverted bells,
" versis cimbalis," laid on the ground. King ludhail interceded for
the offender, who put away his stepmother, took the daughter
of Elfin for his proper wife, and ceded six modii of land at Mach-
ynys, with its privileges, to the Bishop and his successors at LLan-
daff for ever, and swore upon the altars that he would never
withdraw the gift. St. Peter is included here, as also in the
previous grant of Lann Tissoi, with the three ancient guardian
saints of the Cathedral See, and it is upon the altar of St. Peter,
as well as of the three LLandafif saints, that the oath was sworn.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Conguarui.
Confur. Turchan.
' There is also a "hyacinthine way," in a subsequent document.
2 Valley, Rees.
^ Cf. JMerthir Onbrit of later documents.
Villa Bertus. 149
Of the laity :—
King ludhail. Elfin.
Gurcan. Elguarui.
Gabran.
The usual solemn formula concludes the charter.
Villa Bertvs.
21. The narrative charter recording the gift of this vill, the
site of which is not identified by Rees or Evans, declares that King
ludhail, in the presence of Mouric and the elders of Gleuissicg
(which is approximately the district included between the lower
courses of the rivers Usk and Towy, and glossed Wenthloc, with
variant forms in the Liber Landavensis, as Gunliviuc, Gunlyuch,
Gwenlloc, Guonliviuc^ Wenllwc,), gave the Vill of Bertus to
Bishop Berthguinus and his successors for ever, for his soul's health,
to God and Saints Dubricius, Teliauus, Oudoceus, and Deuius or
Deui, that is, St. David. Rees omits the latter saint's name in his
translation,^ although he gives it in a note to his Latin text as
appearing in the Hengwrt MS. of the Liber.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. Morheb, Abbot of the
Conuor. Podium Deui.^
Guclerion. Daniel.
Heinif. Elhauaid.
Eude. Gurcu.
Of the laity :—
King Ithail. Mouric his son.
22. Maerun,
which appears to be Mersfeld, in the Deanery of Novus Burgus
or Newport, was given by Conuilius, son of Gurceniu, as the vill in
which is the sepulchre* of Gurai. He bought it from King Morcant
and his son ludhail and Ricceneth his son's wife. This, with
assent of the King, he bestowed in almoign on the Bishop Berth-
guinus and his successors at Llandaff for ever, with the usual
liberties and privileges of free land.
1 Evans, at p. 422, has : " See Guinliuiuc," but he has omitted to let this
form appear in his index.
2 P. 440.
^ Evans identifies this place as Dew-church, in Herefordshire.
* See p. 137.
I 50 Memorials of Llandaff.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus.
Sulgen, Abbot of Carbani vallis.
Saturn, Abbot of Docunni.
Guorhauarn, Abbot of Ildutus.
Of the laity :—
King Morcant. Gurhitir.
ludhail his son. Sauuil.
Conuilius. ludic.
lunet. Cenguri son of Gabran.
Conteuit. Gaidnerth son of Morcant,
Mabsu. his brother.
After the invocation comes the boundary : — To the Main brith,
or spotted stone ; to the dyke ; to the pillou bichein ; to the
Dibleis or Dulais brook ; to the Drausguern ; to the penniguern
du, or head of the black marsh, above Edilbiv, along the dyke
to the sea.
GVENNO NOE.
23. ludon, son of Ceriau, bought — so runs the text of this deed
— -the ViU of GUENNONOE, near the marsh of Mouric, of ludhail.
King of Gleuissicg, and his sons Fernuail, Mouric, and Rotri, as a
perpetual purchase, for twenty-two wild horses. This vill, which
formerly belonged to St. Dubricius, he gave free of all taxes or
payments and services to Bishop Berthguinus and his successors
at Llandaff for ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus.
Etelic.
Guoruodu.
Condiuiu,
Tatnerth.
ludne.
Of the laity :—
King ludhail and his sons.
Arthuail.
Ris.
Mouric.
ludon.
Rotri.
No boundaries are recorded, and Rees states that the site is
unknown. Evans quotes Wakeman's identification of the ruins
of this chapel in a brake between Pwll Meurig Village and
Mounton, in Monmouthshire.
Bishop Berthguinus. i 5 i
24. Cum Barruc. Cenubia Colcvch.
Lann Cerniv.
This document partakes more of the character of a narrative
historical memorandum, than of a diplomatic instrument. It has
no preamble, granting clause, attestation, or invocatory termination.
It records that the reigns of Telpaldus and Ithailus, Kings of
Brittania, that is, Wales, were occupied in strife and war with the
Saxons on the borders and in England towards Hereford, and even
beyond the borders, and especially about the river Guy or Wye,
where conflicts by day and by night were frequent. After a time
peace was restored, but depopulation and pestilence followed in the
train of the conflicts. Then King ludhail broughtabout the restora-
tion of the land to its proper owners and replaced Bishop Berth-
guinus in possession of the lands of his See, as they had been held
in time of Archbishop Dubricius, with all their liberties and com-
monage, in plain and in woods, in water and in meadows. In all,
eleven sites in the diocese were thus restored, viz. : —
I. CUMBARRUC, extending to three uncias of land, that is,
Cenubia (for Coenobium, a monastery), in the vale of
the Dore.^
II. COLCUCH,^ three uncias of land.
III. Cenubia, the monastery of CORNUBIUM, that is, Lann
Cerniu,^ on the bank of the river Dour or Dore.
IV. Podum Mafurn.*
V. Lann Guoruoe.^
VI. Lann Iunabui.^
VII. Lann Deui. Mochros.'
VIII. Lann Ebrdil.*
IX. BOLGROS."
X. Lann Loudeu,i"^ in Ercycg.
XI. Lann Garan."
I See p. 121. 2 See p. 125. ^ see pp. 33, 34, 125.
* Seep. 125. ° See pp. 119, 125. " Seep. 125.
' See p. 125. LLandevvi Mochros or Moccas, co. Heref., Rees, p. 443.
Evans makes two sites of this entry. Dew-church, and Swine-moor or
Moccas, both in co. Heref.
« See p. 113. ° See p. 118. '" See p. 123.
" Llangarran is a parish in Herefordshire, not far from Ross, but not
identified by Evans.
I 5 2 Memorials of Llandaff.
25. Narrative of the Martyrdom of
King Clitauc.
At this point in the Liber Landavensis a narrative account is
given of the circumstances attending the foundation of the Oratory
or Church of Clodock, now a parish on the bank of the river
Mynwy, in Herefordshire, about sixteen miles south-west from
Hereford. King CHtauc, son of CHtguin, called by Rees Clydawg
son of Clydwyn.i ^^,^g murdered by one of his companions near
the river Mingui or Mynwy,^ jealous of a noble's daughter who
aspired to the King's hand. The royal funeral procession had to
pass a ford over the river, but it was found impossible to move the
body from a certain part of the water where it stood fast ; there
the sepulture took place, a column of fire was beheld on the tomb
on the following night, and on the advice of the Bishop of LLan-
daff an oratory was built on the spot and consecrated.
It is also recorded that two men went from Lannerch glas with
intent to settle a dispute at the Church of St. Dubricius at Matle,
or Madley, but on their way decided to go to the " place of the
martyr," that is, Clitauc, and confirm their compact of amity on the
tomb. On the return journey, one treacherously killed the other,
and then stabbed himself to death.
Some time afterwards two brothers, Lybiau and Guruann and
their sister's son Cinuur, came from the region of Pennichenn,^
abandoning their native place on account of a quarrel and intending
to lead a hermitical and solitary life at the place where the body
of this martyr rested. There they passed their lives, and by counsel
and help of the Bishop of LLandaff built an improved Church ; to
them all the territory* on both sides of the river Myngui was given
by Pennbargaut,^ King of Morcannuc or Glamorgan, in eternal
consecration, without any payment to mortal man, and with all
^ Rev. Rice Rees, Essay on the Welsh Saints, 1836, p. 145, finds that St.
Clydog was son of Clydwyn, and grandson of Brychan. He suffered martyrdom
on 19th August, 492.
2 An ancient district in co. Hereford, still remembered in the place-names
of Ewyas Harold, and Ewyas Lacy.
■'■ One of the ancient Cantrefs of Glamorgan.
* Terntorium, like tet-ra, signified arable or cultivated land.
'" This word has the appearance of a place-name rather than of a personal
name. There is Bargoed, north of Cardiff, on the Glamorgan bank of the
Rhymney river.
Martyrdom of King Clitauc. 153
commonage to the present and future inhabitants of that territory,
in plain and in wood, in water and in meadows. The brother led
a celibate life, but Cinuur had five^ sons, among whom the land
was divided and always remained so among their posterity. The
following charter relates to this gift.
Merthir Clitauc.
26. ludhail, son of Morcant King of Gleuissicg, with assent of
his sons and heirs Fernuail and Mouric, and of ludhail and Freudur
their heirs, dedicated to God, the Saints Dubricius, Teliauus,
Oudoceus, Clitaucus the martyr, and Bishop Berthguinus and
his successors at LLandaff all the territory of MerthirclITAUC
just as it had been given to the three first grantees Libiau,
Guruan, and Cinuur, after the martyrdom of the Saint, with the
usual and conventional benefits and privileges, " like an island in
the sea," free from charges except with the will, and for the
benefit, of the Bishops and Canons, and with unlimited right
of Sanctuary, refugium, at the will of the fugitive, so long as
he will remain there, just as if he were in the Sanctuary of
LLandaff itself.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Berthguinus. louan.
Dagan, Abbot of Caruani Vallis. Guorcuiidh.
Elgoid, Abbot of Ildutus. Heliguid.
Saturn, Abbot of Docunni. Hi.
Of the laity :—
King ludhail. Mabsu.
Fernuail and Conuc.
Mouric, his sons. Gaudbiu.
ludhail and Gundon.
Freudur, their heirs. Eudom.
Elfin. Guaidnerth.
After the invocation, the boundary : —
The stone in the Guoun breith, or variegated moor on the
Cecin, North End of Hatteral Hill ■;'' along it to Riu i curum, or
acclivity of Curum, Rhiw Gwrw ; to the stone on the summit
of the hill ; along the summit of the Brecon Black Mountain ;-
1 Quinque procreavit filios, MS., but Rees translates, /tf«r jow.
^ Evans.
I 54 Memorials of Llandaff.
upwards as far as the stones opposite Nant Trineint, the Turnant
Brook ; down along it into the rivulet Elchon or Olchon ; so
down to Ynys Alarun ; upwards to Main Tillauc, or Tyllog ;^ to
the Cruc or knoll ; to the other Cruc ; to the Mynui ; through
Mynugui to the infall of Nant Cum Cinreith ; along the nant
as far as Minid Ferdun, or Mynydd Fferddyn (a well-known
mountain near Clodock, now called " Money^ Farthing Hill"!);
above the Allt of the Minid to Luch Ferdun, or Ferdun Loch ;
along the Minid to the source of the Hilin ; along the Hilin to
the Mingui ; along the Mingui down to the inlet of Finhaun bist ;
so along this to its source ; from source to summit to reach the
stone where the boundary began.
This is the last of the series of charters and documents which
belong to the period of Bishop Berthguinus.
' Evans.
CHAPTER XV.
SEDE VACANTE.— BISHOP TRYCHAN.
THE compiler of the Liber Landavensis, having grouped the
charters and other records of Bishop Berthguinus together,
introduces at this place a narrative grant without attestation
clause, which seems to indicate that it originated during a vacancy
in the episcopal succession, sede vacante, as it evidently belongs
to the preceding group of Clodock records : —
[The Meadow on the Mynwy Bank.]
ludhail, son of Ediluirth, and a man of power in Eugias or
Ewyas, with his wife went one Sunday to church at St. Clitauc's,
and on his way in a meadow on the bank of the MiNGUI by
instigation of the devil fell into a fault for the expiation of which
he instructed his companions to proceed to the sepulchre of the
martyr Clitaucus, and on his behalf place upon the altar —
probably by means of a small piece of the turf from the spot —
that meadow which he had unjustly taken away from it by force,
placing their hands together as a surety, the four gospels being
placed upon them, to be free of all service except daily prayer
and services for his soul's health, that by the intercession of the
martyr and the prayer of the clergy he might be delivered from
the consequence of his fault. This was done without delay, and
he was restored before all the people. What he had accomplished
at first by his messengers, the same he ratified himself, placing
his own hands on the altar of the martyr, the holy gospels being
set before them, and with approval of the Kings of Morcanhuc
and the princes, free for ever to the Saints of old, Dubricius,
Teliauus and Oudoceus, and to the martyr Clitaucus, and the
bishops of Llandaff.
[Lechluit, or Lechou Lition.]
The compiler also inserts a record of the gift of LECHLUIT
by the sons of Cinbleidiou to the martyr Clitaucus, or Clydawg,
and the Church of Llandaff. The boundary of Lechou Lition :
156 Memorials of Llandaff.
Mingui on the one side and below two rivulets. The boundary
of Lennic below Myngui, and Mingui to the confluence of Lech
Eneuris on the other side towards the northern parts. Lechou
Lition or Lech Luit, and Lech Eneuris, are not identified either
by Rees or Evans. Lennic, considered by Evans to be probably
a diminutive form of Llann, perhaps is Allt yr Ynys, south of
Clodock. But perhaps this boundary of Lennic belongs to Charter
No. 6 of the series of Bishop Trichan, further on.
Bishop Trichan,
Tricanus, Trichanus, or Tirchanus, appear as attesting thirteen
documentary grants immediately after the last mentioned record,
one grant being confirmed subsequently in the time of Bishop
Cerenhir.
Villa Ellcon.
I. A site on the Dubleis, in Herefordshire, was given free
for ever to the church of Llandafif by Erbic son of Elfin in
consideration of having his name inscribed in the Liber Vitce.
It was placed in the hands of Bishop Trichanus as alms to God,
St. Peter and the three tutelary Saints of the Cathedral. The
Liber Vita of LLandafif is no longer extant, but the character
of such a book may be gathered from the Liber Vitce of Durham,^
in the British Museum, Cottonian MS. Domitian A. VII, and that
of Hyde Abbey, Winchester,^ recently acquired by the Museum
among the Stowe MSS. of the late Earl of Ashburnham, No. 960,
and from other examples. Rees considers that this is probably
Ewyas Harold or Dulas Church, both of which are on the rivulet
Dulas, CO. Hereford. This Dulas falls into the Dore at Pontrilas.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Trichanus. Confur.
Catguaret, Priest. Gurhaual.
Of the laity :—
Erbic son of Elfin. Marchan.
Conglas.
With blessing, and anathema as usual on whoever shall separate it
' Published by the Surtees Society.
''■ Published by the Hampshire Record Society. Edited by W. de Gray
Birch.
Bishop Trichanus, 157
from the Church by violence or crafty lay invasion. It is followed
by the narrative charter of —
Villa Cathouen,
2. which declares that after the gift of the Vill of Ellcun upon
the Dubleis, as before mentioned, the said Erbic gave to the Church
of LLandaff in the usual formulation, and into the hands of Bishop
Trichanus, the Vill of Cathouen, son of Hindec, with all its
revenue and liberty as long as one stone shall stand upon another.
The site has not been identified, but probably it is not far from
that of the previous grant.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Trichanus. Confur.
Catguaret, Priest. Gurhaual.
Of the laity :—
Erbic. Deui.
Cobreidian. Cloibiu.
Seitir.
A blessing is pronounced on him who shall abide by this grant,
and whoever will separate it from the Church may he be thoroughly
uprooted with his progeny.
TiR DiMVNER.
3. Fernuail granted an uncia of land called DiMUNER, not iden-
tified by the writers already mentioned, but here said to be circa
longum lignum, around the long wood, in presence of the elders
of Guent and Ercicg, to God and the three tutelary saints of
LLandaff Cathedral, and into the hand of Bishop Trichanus for
ever, with all its liberty, in reparation of the harm which his family,
generatio, had wrought in Cemeis or Kemys.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Trichanus. Conboe.
Hi. Elecuid.
louan. Guoron.
Guorcueith. Guorhabui.
Of the laity :—
Fernuail. Amann.
Conmor. Heinif son of Conscuit.
Cinuelin.
With usual invocations at the end.
158 Memorials of Llandaff.
Merthir Tecmed.
4. This is a narrative that Brii, son of ludbiu, or, as Rees
calls the grantor, Brug, son of Gwyddbwys, gave for his soul's
health, to God and the three guardian saints, into the hand
of Bishop Trican, and for his successors, the podum of Merthir
Tecmed, identified by Rees as probably LLandegwedd, co. Mon-
mouth, near Caerleon, and by Evans as Lann Degveth, or Lande-
geueth, in the deanery of Usk, with half an uncia of land, free of
tax, with assent of Ceretic and Iodic, the sons of Riderch, and con-
sent of his family, for ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Tricanus. Cosoc.
Congant, Priest. louan.
Confur. Gulecet.
Guorabui.
Of the laity:—
Bledbiu. Conhorget.
Congoet son of Congueithe. Letan.
Biuc.
And the customary clause of imprecation.
Church of Trylec Lann Mainuon.
5. Here again the narrative form is adopted by the compiler,
who appears to have had two documents, or at least one with later
additions, before him at the time of his labours. "Let us thank God
that King Fernuail, in contrition, bestowed as alms on the tutelary
saints of LLandaff and into the hand of Bishop Trichan and his
successors in the See, by eternal consecration, the Church of
Trilecc," identified by Evans, from Wakeman, as Trellechs Grange,
CO. Monmouth, a manor also called Kil Withan, but by Rees as
Trelech, a parish in the upper division of the hundred of Ragland,
CO. Monmouth, about five miles south of the town of Monmouth.
To this belong three modii — 27 acres — of land, with liberty, as free
as an island in the sea. King Fernuail, in his court held in the
midst of Cemeis, on the outflow of the rivulet Humir or Gamber,
in Herefordshire, quitclaimed ^ the gift from all secular service,
excepting only prayer.
■ Clamavit earn qtnetam, a phrase belonging to the \&%a.\ formula of a much
later age, which sufficiently indicates that these records are not in the ipsissima
verba of the times they illustrate, but that they have been modernised, so to
speak, by the compiler of the book. See also p. 130.
Hen Lennic. 159
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Trichanus. Helicguid.
Hi- Guoron.
lauan. Guorabui.
Cueith. Hilin.
Conmoi.
Of the laity :—
Fernuail. Conan.
Conmur. Heinif son of Conscuit.
Eudolan.
Long afterwards Mouricus, son of Arthuail, released this church
from lay power, before his sons Brochuail and Fernuail, and
delivered it free to the saints and Church of LLandaff and Bishop
Cerennhirus for ever.
The witnesses of this delivery are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Cerennhir. Talan.
Nud.i Erchan.
Tuthed.i Siaun.
Of the laity :—
King Mouric,^ with his sons Dunguallaun.
Brochuail and Morbran.
Fernuail. Tutmab.
Samson. Merchbiu.
The boundary lies between two rivers, the Aghiti maur and
Aghiti bichan.
Hen Lenhic. Lann Guern in Ercicg.
6. This is a record that Catuuth, son of Coffro, gave a site
of three niodii, equivalent to a fourth part of an uncia of land, to
God, that is, the Church of Hennlennic (identified by Evans
as Lenniston, Lann Warn, co. Hereford, and called by Rees,
Llanvvarne, or Llanywern, about seven miles and a half south
of the city of Hereford), on the bank of the rivulet Amyr or
Humir, which is Lannguern, with assent of King Fernuail, in
perpetual consecration of the Cross of Christ and to the triad
of tutelary saints of LLandaff, into the hand of Bishop Trichanus
and all the prelates of LLandaff for ever, with its liberty and
commonage in plain and in woods, in water and in pastures.
^ These persons appear as witnesses in charters of Bishop Cerenhir
later on.
i6o Memorials of Llandaff.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Trichanus.
Catguoret.
louhan.
Confur.
Gurhae.
Reu.
Tanet, Priest.
Of the laity :—
King Fernuail. Isaac.
Catuud. Conbresel.
The boundaries are : — Between the Amyr and the hyacinthine
way is its breadth, and its length is ad fossam senenz^, or, to the
old way.
GVRTHEBIRIUC LANNGUNGUARUI UPON THE TRODI.
7. Confur, son of lacoi, bought the Church of GURTHEBIRIUC
with an 7incia and a half of land about it from King Fernuail,
son of ludhailus, for a very good horse worth twelve cows, and
a hawk worth a similar number of kine, with a sporting dog
which used to kill birds with the hawk, worth three cows, and
another horse worth three cows. Thus purchased, he gave the
land free from all service, and with consent of King Fernuail, to
God, St. Peter, and the guardian three, and into the hand of
Bishop Trichanus and all the bishops of LLandaff for ever, with
all its liberty and commonage free from all earthly taxation
except to the Church and its prelates.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Trichan. Conuoe.
Guorcaed. Dilluc.
Eli.
Of the laity :—
King Fernuail.
Conuur.
Meruin.
Elian.
Britcun.
Elias.
Conuin son of Tenci.
After the usual vow of blessing and imprecation, the boundary:
The ford^ on the Trodi or Trothy ; along the high road up as far
' It is difficult to decide if this word senem is a place-name or the latin
adjective for old, in which case antiqtius or vetus is more generally employed
in old documents. Evans, p. 399, has Fossa senis, for which there is no
authority except himself.
2 Ir ford artrodi. Road, Rees.
Uilla Ellgnov. i6i
as the ash-tree ; from the ash-tree across the road direct to the
hawthorn bush between the two lands ; to the spring of Cum
Cetguinn or Cedwin ; along it to the road ; across the road to
Nant imeneich, the monk's brook ; along it to the Trodi ; upwards
along the Trodi as far as the ford^ on the Trodi where it began.
Gurthebiriuc, or Lann Gunguarui, is Wonwarrowstow, now
Wonastow, co. Monmouth.
Villa Ellgnov in Guoronid.
8. Conuc, son of Coniiil, bought the Vill of Breican from King
ludhailus, son of Morcant, which is otherwise called the Vill of
Ellgnou, for two horses, one of which was worth eight cows, the
other three cows, a sword worth twelve cows, a horn worth ten
cows, and another worth fourteen cows. Thus bought free from
all service, he granted it, with assent of King ludhailus, in alms to
God and the triad of guardian saints into the hand of Bishop
Tirchanus, and to all his successors at LLandaff, with the usual
liberties for ever.
The boundary is from the Vill of Guoidhearn in its length to
the Vill of Congint ; and in breadth from the Vill of Conlipan
as far as the Vill of Marchleu.
Breican, the synonym of Ellgnov, has been conjecturally
identified with Breigan in Llan Sannor by Mr. Phillimore, on
the authority of a passage^ in the lolo MSS. that it is an old
mansion in a state of dilapidation, with vestiges of an ancient castle
near it. Guorinid is Groneath in the vale of Glamorgan.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Trichanus. lauan.
Catguoret. Seitir,
Cobreidan. Guorhaboe.
Deuui. Hilin.
Guorhaual. Guarlonir.
Cossoc.
Of the laity :—
King ludhail and his sons Derbiu, and
Mouric and Elgnou, his heir.
Fernuail and Freudur.
Rotri. Eloc.
Conuc. Serguan.
^ Bet ir nV artrodi. ^ P. 375.
M
1 62 Memorials of Llandaff.
Of the laity {continued) : —
Morleu.
Lunbiu,
Concuan.
Bonus.
Deui.
Nir.
Gellan.
Erbic.
Morcleis.
The usual vota complete the document.
Villa Tancuor. Villa Deui. Villa Iliman.
9. Bricon, son of Guincon, bought land of three unciae ; viz., the
Vill of Tancuor, son of Condu, the Vill of Deui, son of lust, and
the Vill of Iliman, son of Samson, from Fernuail and his sons
Mouricus and Gurcant for seven horses worth twenty-eight cows,
the whole apparel for one man worth fourteen cows, a sword worth
twelve cows, a hawk worth six cows, with four sporting dogs worth
fourteen cows, and with all the concomitant liberty consented to by
King Fernuail, free of service as given to God and the three
tutelary saints into the hand of Bishop Tirchanus, and for all
the bishops of LLandaff for ever, with commonage as usually
specified.
The witnesses are, of the clergy :
Bishop Trichanus.
Guorcuheith.
Conuoi.
Of the laity :—
Fernuail, and his sons
Mouric and
Guorcant.
Conuor.
Meruin.
Cron son of Morciuanv.
With the usual invocations.
Morcouanu.
Dincat.
Accipe.
Clotuc.
Guoruone.
Ilbri son of lunet.
Morcu.
Deui.
TVRION.
10. Matoc, son of Guinan, bought an uncia of land called
TURION, an unidentified site, from Fernuail, son of ludhailus, in
the presence of his sons Mouric and Gurcant, for a hawk worth
twelve cows, for two horses worth six cows, a horn worth six
Ti
urion.
Strat E/ei.
163
ounces of silver, and a scripulum^ worth twelye cows, and a cord
of purple, linea coccinea ; thus bought free from all service, he gave
it for the health of his soul, and by consent of the King and his
said sons, to God and the three tutelary saints, and into the
hand of Bishop Tirchanus and all the bishops of LLandaff for
ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Trichanus.
Of the laity:—
King Fernuail, and his sons
Mouric and
Guorcant.
Matoc.
With the usual termination.
Catgueithen, Priest.
Haarnbiu.
Guorcu.
Riuoret son of Anaugen.
No boundary.
Strat Elei.
II. Cors, son of Gabran, granted four modii of land at Strat
Elei, the vale of Ely, near Cardiff, after the usual phraseology of
these charters, into the hands of Bishop Trichanus and his suc-
cessors for ever, free, with common in field and in woods, in water
and in pastures, and with all its fish, by assent of Kings Mouric and
Ris, sons of ludhail. King of Gleuissicg.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Tirchanus. Cobreigen.
Catguoret.
Of the laity :—
King Mouric. Erbic
Ris his brother. Brochuail.
Cors (the grantor). Guallonir.
Gabran. Bledud.
The boundary is in breadth from the unploughed lands of
Cinscuit to the Elei. Cinscuit, called in another place Castell
Conscuit, has not been identified, but appears from a charter of the
time of the later Bishop Ciuelliauc to be in the vicinity of St.
Bride's-super-Ely. The invocation is omitted.
1 The classical meaning of sci'ipulum, which is a form of scrupulum and
scrupulus, signifying the twenty-fourth part of an uncia by weight, or of an
tmcia of land, seems scarcely admissible here. The mediseval scripulus is
a lytyl stone, among the nomina lapidum in Wiilcker's Vocabtdaries, col. 768 ;
cf. Scrupulum = ynca or incan, ib. ; and scrupulus, lytel Stan, yElfric's Vocab.
loth cent. ib. The word may represent in this passage a very small piece
of land.
M 2
164 Memorials of Llandaff.
Villa Procliuh, or Tref Irisceiauc.
12. The word Irisceiauc has the last three letters underlined,
which signifies that they are to be deleted. Rees reads Villa
Procluui, which appears to be erroneous. Conuil, son of Gurgeni,
with his son Gurniuet, bought the vill of the slope or proclivity
near Nadauan (that is, Llan Sannor, or Thaw, co. Glamorgan), from
ludhailus, King of Gleuissicg, son of Morcant, for two horses worth
eight cows, a trumpet worth twenty-four cows, a cloak for the
queen worth six ounces, with a horse four ounces. With assent of
the King he granted it after purchase, in honour of his sepulture, a
phrase signifying that it had been agreed between the parties that
he should be interred in the Cathedral cemetery, to the triple band
of tutelary saints, into the hand of Bishop Trichan and all his
successors for ever, with the four usual privileges.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Tricanus.
Seitir.
Catguoret.
Trecor.
Cobreiden.
Cain.
Deui.
Sulgen, Abbot of Caruani
Gurhaual.
Vallis.
lauan.
Saturnus, Abbot of Docunni,
Gurpoi.
Gurhaual, Abbot of Ildutus.
Of the laity:—
King ludhail.
Gellan.
Freudur.
Guodon.
Eluc.
Lunbiu.
Guinuc.
Bonus.
Morleu.
Erbic.
Deui son of Conglis.
EUgleu.
Pesbiu.
Derbiv.
The usual invocatory sentences conclude the charter. These
sites have not been identified. There is an Isceviauc, which
appears to be Skeio or LLan-Deilo-Vowr, in Mr. Evans' Index,
but this may not be the same site as that which is the subject of
this charter.
Lann Helicon.
13. The last charter of the series gathered up by the compiler of
the Liber Landavensis for the time of this Bishop records that Eli-
vid, Conon, Guoidcen, and Erdtibiu, sons of Euguen, with assent
Lann Helicon. 165
of King Brochuailus granted a church with a castelluvi)- of land
around it, which has not been identified, free from all secular
service, to God and the triad of tutelary saints of LLandaff into the
hand of Bishop Tirchanus and his successors for ever. The Bishop
convened the three abbots and all the clergy of his diocese from
the mouth of the Taratyr on the bank of the Guy as far as the
mouth of the Tyui, and confirmed this gift upon the four gospels,
blessing the donor and his offspring, absolving him after perform-
ance of penance for misdeeds from all taint of sin. This almost
approaches to the action of a Synod, or was at least a diocesan
conference.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Tirchanus.
Sulgen, Abbot of Caruani Vallis.
Saturn, Abbot of Docguinni.
Guorhaual, Abbot of Ildutus.
Of the laity :—
King Brochuail. Trahearn.
Deui. Confur.
The Bishop perambulated the complete bounds of the land with
a holy cross borne before him, accompanied by the ringing of
bells, and sprinkling of holy water, and pronounced the clauses
of blessing and anathema after the accustomed formula which con-
cludes the charter.
' A quantity, Rees. Probably a walled or enclosed churchyard. The
churches of South Wales were provided with powerful towers, prepared to
resist a sudden attack, perhaps also the churchyards were well walled up. One
of the classical meanings of this word is a shelter or refuge^ and the term may
here be equivalent to the refugium^ or sanctuary, with which other lands granted
in these charters were endowed. Cf. Castelluvi^ wic, lytel port, yElfrici Vocab.,
loth cent., Wulcker, 140; port, z'.iJ., 144.
CHAPTER XVI.
BISHOPS ELVOGUS AND CATGUARET.
BISHOP TRICHAN was succeeded, according to the testimony
of the MS., by
Elvogvs,
of whom it states that Bishop Eluogus follows Bishop Turchanus
in the time of Mouric, Ris, Fernmail,i and Rotri, sons of the King
of Gleuissicg. No charters of his period are recorded. He was
succeeded by
Catguaret,
or Catguoret, of whose period nine charters with his attestation
are included in the MS.
The Church of Mamouric, that is, Lann Vuein.
I. Gabran, son of Cors, granted, after the customary formula,
into the hand of this Bishop, for himself and his successors at LLan-
daff for ever, the Church of Mamouric, that is, LanNUUEIN, with
six modii of land about it, with the usual privileges, and by consent
of King Gurgauarn, son of Fernuail.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Catguoret. Lunbrit.
Cibreithan. Riual.
Conmoe. Guerngalui.
Haerngen. lauan.
Gurabui. Guallonir.
Of the laity :—
King Gurgauarn, son of Fernuail.
Cors. Tenbui.
Ceheic. Glesni.
Ilias. Elldoc.
The customary blessing and curse follow these names. The
site of Mamouric^ Church, perhaps the "church of the mother
of Mouric," is not precisely known ; but its synonym, LanN
1 Obiit 763 ; Rees, p. 460.
2 Note the repugnance of the Welsh language to a doubled consonant in
each of the titular names of this charter.
Bishop Catguoret. 167
VUEIN, indicates that it is the same as the Vill and Church of
St. Nuuien, now perhaps Llan Goven, in co. Monmouth.^ The
boundaries are extensive, and include the source of the Betguos ;
the Cehir or Ceir ; the Guuer or Gwver ; Iniscein or Ynys Cein ;
the AUt ; Nant Cein ; Lech melen or Llech velen ; the Mainti,
Maen-ty or stone-house ; Nant Sulcein; the spring of Laguernnuc ;
the appletree or auallen ; and Messur Pritguenn.
Brynn Lyguni and Mathenni.
2. In this charter it is recorded that King Fernuail, son of
ludhail, endowed Ceincair, his wife, with a serf named Crin, son
of Morciuanv, together with his heirs, and all his domestic and
field cattle of BrinNLUGUNI, and with three modii of land at
Mathenni Mustuir Mur, and their liberties. On obtaining
possession of this property, with its inhabitants and their off-
spring, the royal lady declared, with consent of the King, " I
. dedicate them to God, St. Peter, and the Saints" of Llandaff
" into the hand of Bishop Catguoretus and his successors for
ever," with the usual formulae.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Catguoretus.
A blank here represents a name which the compiler
could not decipher, and speaks forcibly for the
belief that he was not inventing these texts.
Of the laity :—
King Fernmail. Cinfic.
His wife Ceincair. Guorciueith.
Elioc. Gualluc.
Aidan. Giducson of Dimell.
The boundaries are not recorded. Brynn Luguni is not iden-
tified. The "Great Monastery" of Mathenni is located by the
next charter.
Mathenni.
3. Mathenni, which Evans identifies with Lann Denny in
Monmouthshire, thus bestowed on Llandaff in the terms of the
preceding charter, was afterwards wrested by lay influence from
the See, but Bishop Catguaretus constantly claimed it, and
eventually Morcimris, that he might not fall under the sentence
^ St. Govein, or Goveinwen, was the wife of Tewdrig, and mother of Mouric.
— Rees, Cambr. Brit. SS., Appx., p. 14
1 68 Memorials of Llandaff.
of excommunication pronounced against him and others who
unjustly occupied it, restored it with three modii of land to the
See of LLandafif, with consent of King Athruis, and in presence
of his witnesses : —
Morcimbris. Morglas.
Moreb.
After the usual imprecation, the boundary is given, which
embraces the area from the spring of the Diuguinid, to the
Guuer, as far as the Henpont, to the Guilca, the pant on the
right side, and so forth to the Diuguinid again.
GuiNNA.
4. Ris, King of Gleuissicg, son of ludhail, together with his
heir Domnguaret, consecrated three modii of land at GuiNNA,
conjectured by Evans to be Llan Wynny, co. Monmouth, to God
and the three Saints of Llandaff into the hand of Bishop
Catguaretus, for ever, with the usual formula.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Catguoret. Conul.
Sulgen. Mabon.
Rubon,
Of the laity :—
King Ris. Merchir.
Guoidnerth. Meic.
Merchion.
The usual invocation concludes the charter.
LOVHAI.
5. This site of three modii (which the authorities who elucidate
the Libe7' Landavensis agree in identifying with TiNTERN Parva,
CO. Monmouth) was bought by Convelin, son of Conuc, from King
Rotri, son of ludhail, for two valuable horses and as many vest-
ments. He bestowed it, free of taxation, with the King's permission,
in the usual formula, and with the customary liberties, into the
hand of Bishop Catguaretus and all his successors at Llandaff
for ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Catguoret. Guraboi.
Samson. Gurhaual.
Tetmic. Dubric.
Guoidel.
Bishop Catguoret. 169
Of the laity :—
Rotri. Saith.
Conuelin. Lunguid.
Pascenn. Mailcon.
Aidan.
After the imprecation, follows the boundary : From the influx
of the Catfrut, now called Cat^ brook or Brook of Battle, which falls
into the Wye at Tintern Parva ; along it upwards opposite to
Drech din dim (Tintern) ; to the allt upwards to Dree din dirn ;
down to the Guy or Wye ; along the Wye with its wears for
fisheries ; to the influx of the Catfrut, where it began.
Cair Riov.
6. King Athruis, son of Fernuail, gave Cariou, with an uncia
of land in the usual formula, and with all its liberty, to the See into
the hand of Bishop Catguaretus for him and his successors for ever.
His heir Leubrit received the land from the bishop and clergy
again on condition of rendering yearly the charge six measures,
modii, of beer, with all their dues of bread and meat, and a sextarius
(about a pint and a half) of honey, to be held at will of the bishop
and chapter of LLandaff by him and his posterity.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Catguoret. Cinuin.
Leubrit. Dubric.
Glodiuiu. Guinarun.
Of the laity :—
King Athruis son of Fernuail.
Loubrit. Guerabne.^
Riaual. Collan.
Serir. Cinin.
The boundary is between the brook Distin (or Dishter, co.
Monmouth) and the Liminan (a tributary of the Trothy), as far as
the valley of Manochi ; from the valley of Morcant to the spring of
Baraliuen ; going upwards to the rivulet Penlucan, to the pwll Rud-
dulin ; and so to the Distin brook again. Cair Riou or Cariou is
called by Rees and by Evans, Chapel Farm, LLan Vannar, co. Mon-
mouth.
1 Evans says this word has nothing to do with the animal Cat. But are not
Cats, the Catti, the Goths, and Goats all fighters, and even Gods, in sense
of active resisters by battle of one's enemies, all connected with Guth, Bellum ?
^ Gwernabwy, Rees.
I/O
Memorials of Llandaff.
Din Birrion.
7. In this short charter Cinuelin, son of Conuc, who had already
granted Louhai, grants DiN BiRRlON, an unidentified locaHty, with
three niodii of land and the usual privileges concomitant with such
a holding, after the usual formula found in these Cambro-British
diplomata. With no blessing, no anathema, and no boundary.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Catguaret. Lulic.
Guodel. Guorapui.
GUERITVC.
8. King Ris himself, in this charter, grants for his soul's health
GuERUDUC, a locality not identified by the writers, with nine
modii of land, after the usual formulae of gift and privilege, making
the place by exercise of his royal prerogative a sanctuary,
refugium, for its present and future in-dwellers and in-comers
for whatsoever cause of their joy or gladness for ever. There
are no boundaries to record.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Catguaret. Gloiubiu.
Samson. Seitir.
Gurtrui. Guodel.
Guengale. Riaual.
Teican. Luling.
Ungust. Dubric.
Of the laity :—
King Ris. Guobeith.
Gurniuet. Gurdaual.
Conbresel. Glesni.
Dauan. Elmare.
lacob. Pascent.
Conuit. Collbiu.
Conbiu.
The usual vota conclude the document.
Merthirmaches.
9. In this charter Cors, son of Erbic, penitent for his misdeeds,
desiring divine pardon by intercession of the saintly triad of
Llandaff, and indulgence and remission of his sins from Bishop
Catguaretus, declared, by word of mouth, this his offering after
Merthirmaches. 1 7 i
the usual formulae of the Church of MERTHIRMACHES, and three
modii of land around it, with the concomitant privileges and free-
dom from taxation, and by assent of King Gurgauarnus, son of
Fernmail.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Catguaret. Lunbrit.
Conbreidan. Riaual.
Mastrut. lauan.
Conuoe. Guallonir.
Of the laity :—
Cors. Tenbui.
Coheic. Glesni.
Ilias. Elldoc.
There are no boundaries in the record which closes after the
accustomed manner. Merthirmaches, or Lann Maucheys, as in
a later part of the MS., is Llan Vaches, or Llanfaches, co. Mon-
mouth. Its eponymic Saint, Maches, was a daughter of Gwynllyw,
and suffered martyrdom at this place. She gave alms to all who
asked, and a pagan Saxon, who appeared before her as a mendicant,
stabbed her to death with a knife.^
' Rev. R. Rees, Welsh Saints, p. 233.
CHAPTER XVII.
BISHOPS CERENHIR AND NOBIS.
' I 'HE prelate who next occupied the See of LLandaff was
-*■ Cerenhir, Cerenhyr,
or Cerennhir. He confirmed^ the charter grant of the Church of
Trylec Lann Mainuon, which dates from the time of his predecessor,
Bishop Trichan, and the compiler of the MS. has recorded four
documents as originating during the time of this Bishop, of which
two are Synodal judgments.
Merthir Buceil, Merthirmimor, and Tir Collov.
I. This charter gives a narrative of the circumstances attending
the notorious quarrel of Gallun, son of Cidrich, with his lord
Houel, King of Gleuissicg, son of King Ris, a contemporary of
Alfred the Great, King of England, and Rhodri the Great, Prince
of Wales, about the year 877. Bishop Cerenhir exhorted them
to make peace. They came to Llandaff with a large following
and swore friendship on the altar of the tutelary saints before the
holy Gospels, in the presence of: —
Elisael, Abbot of St. Catoc. Guerngen.
Elised, Abbot of Ildutus. Ruid.
The Abbot of Docunni. Esne.
Ciuaret, Lector or Reader. Pascen.
And of the laity :—
Mor. ludcant.
Merchitir. Einbresel.
King Houel afterwards broke his oath, and killed Gallun treacher-
ously. Thereupon the Bishop convened a full
Synod
at Llandaff attended by all the clergy of the diocese from the
Taratyr on Wye to the Tiui or Towy ; the crosses being unani-
mously laid on the ground, the bells inverted, the relics of the
^ See p. 158.
Bishop Cerenhir. 173
saints taken from the altar and thrown to the ground, the Bishop
solemnly and formally excommunicated the King from Christian
communion, under which sentence the King remained for nearlj' a
year, but finding this to be insupportable, he sought pardon at
LLandaff with bared feet and profuse weeping for his crimes of
murder and perjury ;i by advice of his uncle King Mouric, promising
amendment, fasting, and almsgiving. Accordingly, he bestowed on
God and the triple sainted patrons of the See, into the hand of
Bisho]) Cerenhir for him and his successors for ever, Merthir
BUCEIL and Merthir MlUOR, with four modii of land roundabout
them, and half a modius of land at TiR COLLOU, with freedom and
liberty as usually expressed, a blessing and a curse being added to
the charter in a final clause. No witnesses are named, but the
presence of all the persons mentioned is declared.
Merthir Buceil is in the vicinity of Merthir Mawr, Glamorgan.
Merthir mimor or miuor is Merthyr Mawr.^ Tir Collou is not iden-
tified, but possibly it is represented now by Colwinston adjacent to
Ewenny. The boundary is as follows : —
From directly opposite the influx of the spring Uanon or
Vannon, on the Euenhi ; to the Cruc or knoll ; to the stones ; to
the Ocmur or Ogmore river; to Pull ilech ; to the mouth of the
pant ; to Pull icolimet ; to the dyke on top of the Allt ; to Sichpull
or Sychbwll, dry-pool ; to the Hitir ; to the dyke ; to the hollow of
Tref Saturn ; down to the hollow of Tir Cinbis ; to the rock
towards the east ; to the pull ; and so on to the bed of broom ; the
end of the linn on the Ocmur ; along Ocmur to Euenhi ; then
upwards to the Aber Finnaun Uanon, where it began. The occur-
rence of Ewenny and the Ogmore enables the locality to be at once
determined.
Villa Gulible.
2. This charter commences with a kind of preamble or intro-
ductory clause, remindful in some measure of those which so fre-
quently occur in early Anglo-Saxon charters. It records that
during the reign of Mouric, King of Gleuissicg, son of ludhail. Hi,
son of Conblus, and Camauc met together at the monastery of
LLandaff, and in presence of Bishop Cerenhirus and his clergy,
confirmed their peace upon the altar of St. Peter and the three
Saints of that Church, with the holy Gospels and relics set before
them. Afterwards, by diabolical instigation, Hi, a member of
1 Homicidii et adtclterii. Lib. Land. ; perjiirii, Rees.
"- But Rees calls this place Merthyr Minor, p. 468.
174 Memorials of Llandaff.
Antichrist, treacherously killed Camauc, whereupon Bishop Ceren-
hir, to whose ears the news of the crime had come, convoked a
Synod
of all his clergy between the mouths of the Taratir on the Guy and
of Tiui, at Llandaff, where he excommunicated the offender out of
the pale of Christendom with ceremonies such as those already
mentioned in the earlier charters. But Hi could not endure this
for long, and with bared feet and copious shedding of tears, he
besought pardon and remission, standing in the midst of the
church, and promised to amend by fasting, prayer, and alms. So,
with approbation of King Mouric, he granted for his soul's health,
to God and the three Saints of LLandaff into the hand of the
Bishop, for him and his successors for ever, the Vill of GULIPLE
MINOR, with its liberty and privileges. No boundaries are recorded,
nor has the place been identified. Rees explains the place-name as
Gwl3'b-le, Wet place.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Cerenhir. Guernonoe and his son
Elisael, Abbot of St. Catoc. Gurdoc.
Elised, Abbot of Ildutus. loubiu.
The Abbot of Docunni. Catguaret.
Nud. Gloiu.
ludnerth. Caratauc.
Conblus.
Of the laity :—
Mouric. Hi son of Manachan.
Hi. Guorfrit.
Alexander. Albrit.
Lann Culan.
3. Cinvin, son of Gurcant, bestowed for ever, with the usual
formulcs, the place called Lannculan (identified by Evans with
Llan Giwa or Lann Gua, co. Monmouth), upon Bishop Cerenhirus
and his successors at Llandaff, with all its land, and with three
modzi, that is, the moiety of half an tmda of land, with assent of
King Brochmail,son of Mouric, with its liberty and its privileges, as
a sanctuary or refuge, without time limit, to its indwellers present
and future and to its fugitives for any crime.
Bishop Cerenhir.
175
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Cerenhir. Seitir.
Nouis. Guoretris.
Nud. Cinblus.
Conan. ludnerd.
Catguoret. Heinif.
Of the laity :—
Brochuail son of Mouric.
Gistlerth.
ludguallaun.
The customary wishes conclude the text
series of charters is that of
Hi.
Aircol.
Elisei.
The last of this
Villa Penn Onn and Sant Tylull.
4. Aguod,son of louaf, came one day to the door of the church,
and there was a quarrel between his party and the Bishop's. He
threw stones at the door, and then fled away under an anathema
unless the misdoers repented. Some few days afterwards he came
and begged for pardon, penitently bestowing, with assent of
Mouric, King of Morcannuc, the Vill of Penn Onn, with its
Church of Lann Tilull (perhaps St. y Nyl, St. y Nill, St.
Bride's-super-Ely), with three modii of land and six measures
of wheat, on the three Saints and Confessors tutelary of LLandaff,
and on Bishop Cerenhirus and all his successors, with sanctuary
and liberty free, but for prayer, according to the accustomed
formula.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Cerenhir.
ludnerth.
Nud.
Guoretris.
Tuthed.
Bleinguid,
Seitir.
Dibran.
Of the laity:—
King Mouric.
Merchbiu.
Auguod.
Illtut.
ludnerth his son.
Blainrit.
His brother Briauail.
Ruid.
Orytur.
Conleu.
ludcant.
The boundary runs from the valley of Brachan ; to the spring ;
to the ford of the Dubleis; from the western part of Nant Brachan,
176 Memorials of Llandaff.
along the foss, straight to the other foss ; to Riu Guorgued ; to
Penniclaud, or head of the dyke, along the claud to the cecin or
ridge ; to Brinn hinn hitian ; to the Dubleis.
Cerenhir was succeeded, according to the course of the charters
in Liber Landavensis, by
Nobis,
who is described as the nineteenth bishop, counting of course from
Dubricius. No charters appear to have been attested by this prelate,
whose tenure of the See may be presumed to have been of very
limited duration. But the book of St. Chad, a very ancient MS.
in Lichfield Cathedral, preserves some contemporary references to
him, which form the subject of the following charter.
CHAPTER XVIII.
BISHOP NOBIS AND THE BOOK OF ST. CHAD
AT LICHFIELD.
REES records an anecdote of a jocular nature respecting
Bishop Nobis,' from a book in the Bodley Library, Oxford.
The copy of the Gospels, in the possession of the Dean and
Chapter at Lichfield Cathedral, commonly called " The BOOK OF
St. Chad," or the " Gospels of St. Chad," demands notice in this
work, as it formerly belonged to LLandaff Cathedral, and contains
many marginal annotations, which appear to refer to the time of
this Bishop. Rees and Evans severally give some account of the
MS. It is, according to tradition, in the handwriting of Gildas.
It has been described and illustrated by the Palaeographical Society.
Rees gives facsimiles of some of its pages, with annotations, oppo-
site pp. 271, 273 of his work, and Evans gives three plates at
p. xliv.
This is an imperfect MS. of the Gospels in Latin, of St. Jerome's
version. It contains the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Mark,
and that of St. Luke as far as chap, iii, v. 9. It is written on stout
vellum, measuring 12 in. by 9 in., and consists of one hundred
and ten leaves, and with twenty lines to a page. The writing,
which is legible, and ornamentation are of Irish character, and
probably of the beginning of the eighth century.
There are various notes in the margins in Welsh, Latin, and
English, written in different periods. The MS. passed, but it is
not certain in what way, into the possession of the Church of
LLandaff in the ninth century ; as appears from a note of that date,
in Latin, at the end of St. Matthew's Gospel, recording its purchase
by Gelhi, son of Arihtiud, from Cingal, in exchange for a horse,
and its subsequent dedication to God and St. Teilo, Patron of
Llandaff. The entries of the name of Winsige, or Winsy, Bishop of
Lichfield in A.D. 973, and of an act in the time of Bishop Leofgar,
who died A.D. 1021, first connect it with the Cathedral dedicated
to St. Chad ; but here again, nothing is known of the cause
• P. 473-
178 Memorials of Llandaff.
of its removal from LLandaff. The MS. has suffered severely
from damp and rough usage.
Its condition make it evident that this venerable book has been
in much use for the administration of oaths in the early days of its
existence. It is probably the book so often referred to in the fore-
going charters, where one of the parties swore in presence of the
Gospels to keep true to his compact.^ Evans writes that " apart
from probability and internal evidence, the marginal and other
entries prove beyond . . . doubt that some sort of record was kept
at LLan Dav at least as early as the ninth century. It also proves
that there was a Bishop Nobis at LLan Dav, and this establishes
in a very satisfactory manner that, when documents had been
taken away or lost, our compiler did not invent, but was content,
as in the case of Elvogus, Nobis, and Marchluid, with merely
registering the Bishops' names."
There was, however, if tradition be correct, a Bishop Nobis at
St. David's, according to the Annates Cambrics, in 840-873, and
Evans thinks probably this is a case of translation from LLandaff
to St. David's rather than of two bishops bearing the same name.
Among the annotations in the Book of St. Chad, the following
are of interest among the memorials of LLandaff : —
I. Note that Gelhi, son of Arihtiud bought this Gospel book
from Cingal, and gave for it a very good horse, and gave it for his
soul's health to God and St. Teliau upon the altar.
»J< Gelhi >^ son of Arihtiud.
>i» Cincenn >J< son of Gripiud. Latin.
Earlier than A.D. 814.
2. Memorandum that Tutbulc, son of Liuit, and son-in-law of
Tutri, claimed the land of Telich, which was in the hand of Elcu,
son of Gelhi. Eternal peace was made on Elcu giving a horse,
three cows, and three newly-calved cows.
>i« Teliau, witness. Sp's, witness. (Spiritus.)
Gurgint, witness. All the family (religious body)
Cinhilinn, witness. of Teliau.
Of the laity:—
Numin map Aidan, witness. Berthutis, witness.
Signou map lacou, witness. Cinda, witness.
1 See pp. 37, 40, 76 (Grantor carrying the Gospel on his back), 107, 184, etc.
Book of Saint Chad. 179
Whoever will keep it shall be blessed ; whoever shall break it
shall be cursed. Latin and Celtic.
Copy of a document of the time of Teilo.
3. This entry (earlier than 840, when Nobis was probably trans-
lated to St. David's) shows that Ris and the family of Grethi gave
Treb Guidauc to God and St. Eliud, i.e., Teilo. Its rent is forty
loaves and a wether sheep in summer, in winter forty loaves, a hog,
and forty dishes of butter. God is witness.
Saturnnguid, witness. Guurci, witness.
Nobis, witness. Cutulf, witness.
Of the laity : —
Cinguernn, witness. Ermin, witness.
Collbiu, witness. Hourd, witness.
Cohorget, witness. Latin and Celtic.
The usual imprecation.
4. This entry (earlier than 840) shows that Ris and Hir
Bracma (or Brechva, co. Carmarthen), as far as Hirmain Guidauc
from the desert of Celli Irlath, as far as Cam dubr. Its rent is
sixty loaves, a wether sheep, and a quantity of butter. God
almighty is witness.
Saturnguid the priest, witness. Gurci, witness.
Nobis, witness. Cutulf, witness.
Of the laity :—
Cinguern, witness. Cohorget, witness.
Collbiu, witness. Ermin, witness.
With the usual vota. Latin and Celtic.
5. The concluding part of a document written on the margin
of an ancient portrait of St. Luke. Record of manumission
that the four sons of Bledri, Guortigirnn, Cimulch, . . . ., and
Arth[r]uis gave liberty to Bleidiud, son of Sulgen, and his offspring
for ever : on payment of four pounds and eight ounces.
The witnesses are, of the laity : —
Riguollaun son of Coffro. Merchguinn son of Salus.
Guen . . . son of .... r. Arthan son of Cimulch.
Guoluic son of. . dan. ludri son of ludnerth.
Ov .... son of Guurcinnim.
N 2
i8o Memorials of Llandaff.
Of the clergy : —
Nobis, Bishop of Teiliav. Saturnbiv Cam Ibiav, and
Saturnguid, Priest of Teiliav. Sulgen, the scholastic, who
Dubrinus and wrote this document.
Cuhelin son of the Bishop.
Whoso keeps this decree ©f the liberty of Bleidiud and his off-
spring, may be blessed, but whoso will not keep it may be accursed
by God and by Teiliav, in whose Gospel it is written ; and let all
the people say : " So be it." This also is of an earlier date than
840, the date of Nobis's translation to St. David's. Latin.
6. This writing shows the nobility of the Manor of Med diminih
and its boundary: Aper^ huer die guid maun ditoldar in guoilaut
clun di rit cellfin di lihomour dibir main in . . erid . . di pul
irderuen di cimer di aper Ferrus dipennant ircaru di boit bahne
di guoun hen lann dir hitir melin dimargles dirit brangui diaper
istil dilicat di pul retinoc diminid diaper hen . . .
End of the eighth century. Latin and Celtic.
7. ij* Mormarch . tutnred . . ►{< gave Allt Guhebric to God
and St. Eliud. Celtic.
8. Late eighth, ninth, and tenth century marginal words and
names, many of which no doubt relate to LLandaff. They are —
Pynsi presul, for Winsige, Bishop of Lichfield, A.D. 964-973
(Stubbs' Reg. Sacr., new Edit., pp. 29, 226) ; not 974-992 (as in
Evans, Lib. Land., p. xlvii).
Melbrea.
►J* ludou ^ urpci . bre.
>J< Sulcene ►J*.
>i< Ceretici ►!< hedonoie.
>J< Hancarate.
>J« Asahail ►{< huilmede.
^ Lunguidi ioutece.
►J< Lunguidi . ioutece merciauni.
Gurgoiui . diesri . morcimei . si gurci.
Cilune cincui.
Uir tuus : ne habre . Ourdolat >J«.
1 Rees reads differently, but very fragmentarily. I have here followed
Evans's reading.
Book of Saint Chad. i8i
<i« Mali.
>J« Guni >J« ser pogusbre ►J< ludoni »J«.
tj« Hunati ►!< bregue ►J^ prerne >J« Oheac b . . .
Ourceine.
•J< Cilune >J< Sibelini ^ Ourdeguein.
►J< Cingureidi ij* Gloiumede.
►J* Teudur . ►J* Ourdol ►J^.
Saturnbiu . cam ibiau »J<.
>{< Teudubrj <J< Elisedi ^ Cidrami.
Bledgur Bledciurit Dimnmede ^.
These names may indicate that for a time at least this copy of
the Gospels served as a Liber Vitcs for Llandafif, and the text of the
Charter, No. 3, on page 189 further on, declares that there was such
a book at LLandaff in the time of Bishop Nud.
CHAPTER XIX.
BISHOPS PATER, GULFRIT, AND NUD.
THE successor in the See of LLandafif after the episcopate of
Nobis is —
Pater,
or Padarn, who is recorded to have succeeded in the year 943, and
died in the year 961. There are but three charters or documents
relating to his time in the Liber Landavensis, and Rees prefers
Godwin's arrangement of the list of Bishops to that which is
followed by the compiler of this manuscript.
Church of Mainuon, that is. Villa Guicon.
I. This grant originated in a penance imposed on King Nougui,
son of Guriat, who slew Arcoit, son of Dissaith in the podum of
Mainuon, in the middle of Trilec, a podum of the three guardian
Saints of LLandaff, that is, one of the estates of that church of
which already notice has been taken,^ in his anger and rage
violating the sanctuary of the saints. Thereupon, Bishop Pater
convened the clergy of all his diocese between Taratir and Tiui to
consider the sacrilegious violence that had been committed. King
Nogui, hearing of the Bishop's coming and the assembling of the
Synod,^
in relation to those misdeeds, sought pardon of the Bishop and the
whole Synod in the Church of Main-uon, and having restored all
things to the Church, with weeping and prostration to the ground,
he obtained pardon with penance enjoined, and granted in alms
after the usual formula, into the hand of Bishop Pater and all the
Bishops of LLandaff, the Vill of GuiDCON (that is, Trellech's
Grange, co. Monmouth), with three modii of land and its con-
comitant privileges.
1 See p. 158.
2 In 943, first year of Bishop Pater. Cf. Nicolas, Chronology, 1833,
p. 222.
Synods. 183
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Pater. Congual, Equonimus.
Dissaith, Lector. Leumarch son of Tuta.
Dimin, Priest. Osulf son of Cinuelin.
Of the laity :—
King Nougui. Edilhirth son of Edrit.
Guoraul son of Brechiaul. Mailseru son of Duta.
The usual conclusion of reward or anathema is given at the end.
Territory of Lann Bedeui.
2. There is a long and tragic narrative prefixed by way of
preamble to this charter, to the following effect : —
In the year 955, indiction Xlll, this deed was perpetrated.
In the days of Nogui, son of Guriat, and of Bishop Pater, on a day
in harvest time, a deacon named Hi, son of Beli, whom the Bishop
had ordained in that year, was passing through the corn crops, when
a rustic named Merchitir met him, and abused him, saying, " What
has such a very timid person as you to do with weapons," and
while they were reproaching one another, Merchitir rushed at Hi,
and in the struggle of getting at his sword, one of Hi's fingers was
cut off. Then the deacon asked him to come and tie his finger, and
while he was so doing stabbed him to death. Thereupon Hi fled
for refuge to the Church of St. Jarmen — perhaps for St. Germanus —
and St. Febric. The friends of Merchitir gathered together in
force, and tried to break open the church. But Bledcuirit,i son of
Enniaun, appeared on the scene, and forbade this attempted crime.
Very soon afterwards six members of Nogui's kindred named
Birtulf, his brother Britilm, Budat, his son Biguan, and two sons of
Cinnilic, named Guodcun and Alia, got into the church and killed
the deacon before the altar of the saints, his blood being sprinkled
on the altar and the walls.
Synod.
When the Bishop heard of this event he was abiding with
Houel, King of Britain, in the region of Brachan or Brecon, and he
convened his diocesan clergy of all degrees together to consult
about the matter, from the mouth of the Taratir ig guy to the
bank of Tiugui or Towy. Thereupon Nougui met the Bishop in
1 Supposed to be the same as Bledgwred, who assisted Howel Dda in
drawing up his Code in 940, and was chief assessor at LLandaff, but this is
conjectural.
1 84 Memorials of Liandaff.
council " in Guentonia urbe" — perhaps Caerwent, in Monmouthshire
— and the result was that the six murderers were taken to the
monastery of St. Teliauus or LLandaff and spent six months
chained in prison. Nogui petitioned that the prisoners might be
brought to the monastery in which the crime had been perpetrated,
and there receive divine judgment. It was also decreed, in the
opinion of the Synod, that each of them should give to the Church
he had polluted his land and all his substance and the price of his
soul, that is, seven pounds of silver. Nor is it to be forgotten that
before the judgment those men Idguallaun, son of Moriud, and
Guinan, lunathan, and Guelfird, three sons of Ceretic, and the
whole land of the family of Guoruot, with field and springs, with
woods and hawks, and with every royal due, were put under the
hand of the Bishop into the powers of the Church of St. Teliauus.
When all these things had been thus determined by divine judg-
ment, the Bishop stood up in the midst and all the assembly about
him holding the Gospel, and he said to Nogui : " Put thy hand
upon this Gospel ;'' and Nogui put his hand on the book, saying :
" Let this land with its inhabitants be dedicated for ever to the
Saints Dubricius, Teliauus, and Oudoceus, and Bishop Pater, and
all the Bishops of LLandaff, free from service, except daily prayer.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Pater.
Luguach, and
Diuin, Priest.
Bruin sons of Duta.
Dissaith, Lector.
Arcoit.
Enim, and
Conblust, and Guinan
Marchi sons of Catgen.
Brein son of Guoreu.
Of the laity :—
King Nogui.
Cinuarch.
Gistlerth.
Hi.
luor.
Bledruis.
After the usual pronouncement, the boundary of Lann Vedeui,
now Penterry, co. Monmouth, is the dyke in the pant. The
boundary of Tonou Mur, that is pibhenn eholch, includes the dyke
of Trostref, Frut iguern, the spring of Guinid aruen, nant Gunos,
and Tralucg Teudus. Glin mannou, Ros ireithin, and Cilcoit so far
as the Acghiti and the boundary of Cil catan belong to Lannuedeui.
Cair Nonov.
3. The last of this series is the charter whereby Bledruis, son of
GuoUguinn, being sick unto death, in return for honourable sepul-
Bishop Gulbrit. 185
ture (in the church precincts), bestowed Cairnonui, an unidentified
site/ with its uncia and a half of land, the moiety of the whole of
the site upon Llandaff Cathedral and Bishop Pater and his suc-
cessors for ever, with all its liberty and its wears for fishery, without
any charge except to the Church of LLandaff, its present and future
inhabitants to have common in field and the other usual privileges
by consent of King Nougui.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Pater.
Guorgonui son of Guruetu, Abbot of the Guentonie urbs,
or City of Gwent.
Diuin, Priest.
Dissait, Lector.
Aircoit, Lector.
Marchi son of Catgen, Abbot of St. Michael's Church.
Loumarch and
Bruin sons of Duta.
Of the laity :—
King Nogui.
Bledruis, holding the Gospels in confirmation of the gift.
Bledcuurit and
Riderch sons of Enniaun.
And the usual vota terminate the text.
Bishop Pater, whose occupation of the See does not appear to
have been very long, was succeeded by —
Gulbrit, Gulfridus, or Gulfrit,
in whose day three charters are recorded, the first of which
relates to —
Tremicarn Pont.
I. Loumarch, son of Catguocaun, plundered Aperguenfrut," in
the territory of the Saints of LLandaff, four miles from Aber-
gavenny, and seized Eicolf, son of Cinhor, with all his property,
furniture, and cattle. Thereupon Bishop Gulbrit convened a
Synod
of all his diocesan clergy within the accustomed limits, at
Lannoudocui,^ or LLan Dogo, co. Monmouth, whereat Loumarch
1 But cf. Rees, Ca7nbro- British Saints, p. 15 of Supplementary Notes, for
suggestions of site.
^ The Gwenfrut divided the counties of Monrnouth and Brecon
5 See p. 110.
1 86 Memorials of Llandaff.
petitioned for pardon, kneeling and weeping before the Bishop
and relics, crosses, and bells, promising to abide the canonical
judgment on his misdeed. He was pardoned, and bestowed
on the Church Treficarn PONT, near Abercarn, in the parish of
Mynyddyslwyn, with three modti of land, into the hand of the
Bishop and all his successors for ever, with its liberty and
commons, with assent of Catell, King of Guent, son of Arthmail.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Gulfridus.
Diuin, Priest.
Diuunguallaun, Abbot of Lann Enniaun, or
Lannoudocui, i.e., Lann Dogo.
Dissaith, Lector. Heinif son of Catgen.
Aircoit, Doctor. Loumarch son of Duta.
Of the laity :—
King Catell son of Arthuail. Gulfre son of Elcu.
Loumarch. Morceniu son of Dull.
Cinuelin son of Branud. Edrit son of Citbresel.
Eugeiii son of Auod.
With the usual invocation at the end.
Villa Segan.
2. In this charter notice is made to all Christians, and especially
those of the right-hand part, or south of Britain, that Asser, son of
Marchiud, by treachery slew Gulagguin, and to make amends to
the family and his peace with God, he and his father Marchiud,
in alms for the soul's health of the slain man, granted the Vill
of Segan, an unidentified place, with nine modii of land to God
and St. Peter, and the triad of LLandaff Saints, into the hand of
Bishop Gulfridus and all his successors for ever, by order and
consent of King Catellus, son of Arthuail, free and with the usual
liberty and common right.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Gulfrit. Cingual.
Diuin, Priest. Heinif
Dissaith, Lector. Tutnerth.
Of the laity:—
King Catell son of Arthuail. Edrit.
Marchiud son of Bledgur and Drim.
Asser his son, the murderer. Conuin.
Merchiaun.
Bishop Nud. 187
After the invocation the boundary, which touches the ford of
the Dubleis ; along the highway to the great rock ; the broad way
and. across the road to the well of Dotei ; to the ditch ; through the
midst of Gronna to the mound of Guian ; so along the ditch to
the long stone ; to the black marsh, until it goes down into the
Dubleis.
Tref Ret, next Merthir Miuor in Marcan.
3. This charter is a simple grant by King Catguocaun, son of
Ouein, for the soul's health, of himself, his father, and all his
relatives, of the Vill of Ret, situated on the bank of the Ogmore,
with three modii of land, after the usual formula, to Bishop Gulfrid,
and all his successors, at LLandaff, with the customary liberty and
common right, for ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Gulfrit. Riuelgur.
Dissaith, the writer. Aircol.
Enim. Dunna.
Cingual. Aidan, Priest.^
Diuin, Priest. Draincun, Lector.^
Tutnerth.
Of the laity :—
King Catgucaun. Cutulf^
Riguallaun. Etrit.
Elstan. March.
Marchi.
The boundary touches Merthir Gliuis to the rivulet Ocmur ; in
breadth, from Tir icair to the Vill of Oufreu (on the Newton
burrows, Glamorgan). Marcan is Margam, between Aberavan and
Pyle, but at this time a larger district than it now is.
The next prelate in the list, as arranged by the compiler of the
Liber Landavensis, is —
Nud, or NuTH,
in whose time nine charters were recorded. The first is entitled : —
De merthir Iv'n and Aaron.
I. The opening narrative or preamble shows how Gulfert,
Hegoi, and Arguistil, sons of Beli, and their kindred, quarrelled
with and eventually fought the family of Bishop Nud, who at the
1 These two names evidently belong to the list of the clergy, but the scribe
has placed them after the layman March.
1 88 Memorials of Llandaff.
time was living at Lanngarth or LLanarth, in Monmouthshire, but
peace was finally made between the parties, and the sons of Beli
restored to the See all the territory of the Saints and Martyrs,
Julius and Aaron, which formerly belonged to St. Dubricius,
free for ever from all taxation, and charged only with the duty
of daily prayer, and to be the proper seat of the Bishop of LLandaff,
with the customary privileges, and with its woodland and maritime
wears for fisheries.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Nud. ludguoret.
Tuted. Sed.
Guerngen. Elguoid.
Guretris.
Of the laity :—
Mouric [King]. Caiaun.
Brochuail and Emris.
Fernuail, his sons. Breichiaul.
Heardur. Clotuc.
Celetir. Ruguallaun.
After the blessing and curse, as usual, the boundary, which
touches the Usk ; the brook Merthir, that is, the Amir ; the nant
Lechou, the source of the brook Bed iralltudion, or Strangers'
Grave ; to Usk ; along the Usk, with its wears. Rees notes that
there were chapels of Julius and Aaron on the east and west sides
of Caerleon, and discusses the difficulties of fixing the site accu-
rately. Evans identifies it with St. Julian's, Caerleon,^ — St. Julien's,
near Chepstow.^
Cair Dvicil.
2. The proem of this charter resembles in some respects the
proems which are found in Anglo-Saxon charters of early date.
Engistil, a rich but stony-hearted man, sick and burdened with his
sins, turned to the Lord, obtained remission of them from Bishop
Nud by intercession of the three Saints of LLandaff, and granted to
them in alms the castellum of DiNDUlCiL, that is, Cairduicil, a
site not identified, with its church and three modii of land by the
circuit of the stronghold on the mountain and below it, with all its
boundary, and its liberty and common right as usual, with consent
of King Hiuel, son of Ris.
' P- 412. 2 P. 377.
Bishop Nud. 189
The witnesses are, of the clergy :—
Bishop Nud. Guinalau.
Bleinguid. Gurgarheru.
Ruid.
Of the laity : —
King Hiuel. Birran.
Engist. Auallguid.
Sauian.
The usual imprecation follows. No boundary is mentioned.
Villa Eliav.
3. Eliav, son of Acheru, granted land of one niodius in extent in
return for the writing of his name in the Liber Vitce, to God, the
three Saints of LLandaff, Bishop Nud, and his successors for ever
free of all service.
; witnesses are, of the cle
rgy :—
Bishop Nud.
Blainrit.
ludnerth.
Sciplan.
Guoidci.
Of the laity :—
King Hiuel.
Lilli.
Eliau.
Ciuguerth.
ludic.
Breichiaul.
The boundary comprises the valley of the Lepers ; the fount or
spring of Cincarui ; to the torrent ; again to the same valley by a
circuit as the land slopes. As usual in these diplomata a blessing
and an anathema concludes the text. The site has not been iden-
tified.
Church of Dincat.
4. Tutmap the penitent, in exchange for a celestial realm,
granted to God, St. Peter, the triad of Llandaff Saints and into the
hand of Bishop Nud and all the pastors of Llandaff for ever, the
Church of DiNCAT, now Dingestow, co. Monmouth, with its three
modii of land, with all its liberty and common rights, for the soul's
health of his father Poul, with assent of King Hiuel, son of Ris.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Nud. ludnerth.
Tutet. Eggoid.
Banugar, Priest.
1 90 Memorials of Llandaff.
Of the laity :—
King Hiuguel. Guidcimarch.
Tutmab. Dunna.
Morci. Guanar.
After the invocation, the boundary, which touches the fall of the
Camfrut or winding brook into the Trodi ;. the spring of Finnaun
i cleuion to Nant ibuch ; the Trodi ; Rit iguein or Yewtree ford on
the Trodi ; and so forth eventually to the influx of the Henglas ;
along this upwards to the influx of the Camfrut again.
Church of Gueithirin.
5. Cors and Moriud bestowed the Church of GUEITHIRIN (now
Llanfetherin, in Monmouthshire, near the river Trothy about five
miles from Abergavenny), with its three niodii of land roundabout
it, and after an interval Cors gave other three modii above the way
with its woodland, claims and liberty, with assent of King Hiuel,
under the usual formula to Bishop Nud and all his successors at
Llandaff for ever, for the soul's health of the king, free in all respects.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Nud. Gurdoc.
Elised, Abbot of Ildutus. Elguoid.
ludnerth.
Of the laity :—
King Hiuel. Guinan son of
Merchiaun. Moruiu.
After the usual clauses of retribution, the boundary. From the
infall of Pull Lyfann on the Trodi ; along the Guuer of the Pull to
its source ; straight over the cecin or ridge to the Cinluin ; to Tref
Petir in the pant or hollow to the right ; along it to Carn litan to
the right ; downwards to Rit ir euic, or Rhyd yr Ewig, the hinds'
ford, on the Atguedauc, from this direct across the Cecin to the
right to the spring of Coluin ; downwards to the grove^ {luin) ; to
the knoll ; to the Trodi ; to the ford ; down the Trodi to Pull Lifan
where it began.
Penncreic in Ercig upon GUI.
6. After a long time King Hiuel, son of Ris, gave for the soul's
health of himself and of his relatives and friends Penncreic with
^ Wood, Evans.
Bishop Nud. 191
all its land and liberty, quit of all lay taxation to God, the three
Saints, and Bishop Nud, and all the Bishops of LLandaff for ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Nud. Elguoid.
Heinif. lohiu.
Of the laity : —
King Hiuel. Merchiaun.
Mouric.
The usual invocation concludes the charter, and no boundaries
are introduced. Penn Creic is to the north of Hereford, on the
Monmouth road, near Ross, on the River Wye.
YSTRAT HaFREN.
7. After a while King Hiuel, son of Ris, gave back to the Church
after the usual formula, into the hand of Bishop Nud and all the
bishops of LLandaff for ever, the Church of Strat HAFFREN, with
its boundary from the summit of the grove or luin, of Hi to the sea,
and from Glasguern to Longuern^ which he had unjustly invaded
for some time. This had been given to the See in the days of
Bishop Berthguinus^ by King Morcant, son of Athruis, and this
restitution is that the site shall be as free as in the time of its
original grant by Morcant, which records a prior invasion and
restitution by King Ithail.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Nud. Merchuiu.
Elised, Abbot of Ildutus. Bledcuurit.
ludnerth.
Of the laity :—
King Hiuel. Gurci.
Merchiaun. Talan, clerk and heir.
Gurbodu.
Blessed be he who keeps this grant ; accursed, who breaks it.
Church of Riv.
8. Guorai, son of ludic, restored to the Church after the usual
formula the Church of Riu, with three modii of land about it,
which had formerly belonged to the See in the time of St. Dubricius,
' Probably an error of reading for Louguern. The earlier charter reads
louern. See p. 136.
^ See p. 136.
192 Memorials of Llandaff.
Archbishop of South Britain, dextralis Britannia^ into the hand of
Bishop Nud for all the Bishops of LLandaff for ever, free of all tax-
ation and with its common rights.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Nud. ludnerth.
Elised, Abbot of Ildutus.
Of the laity :—
King Hiuel. Merchiaun.
With a similar ending of invocation, and no boundaries. This
site has not been ascertained ; perhaps it is the Cair Riou of an
earlier grant.
Villa Branuc,
9. Abraham, of South Britain, in this charter notifies all the
inhabitants of that region that he has granted after the usual terms
into the hand of Bishop Nud and for all his successors in Llandaff
for ever, the Vill of Branuc, a site not identified by the often-
mentioned authors, but probably in Herefordshire, with two modii
of land and its liberty; in addition he gave with it the Monks' field,
near the harvest land at the influx of the Humir, and with its
ploughs at the same place.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Nud. Lutinn of Hennlann titiuc.
Conan. Concum of Lannsuluc.
ludnerth, Equonimus Mailseru of Lann timoi.
or steward. Eithin of Garth benni.
Of the laity :—
King Hiuel son of Ris.
Abraham (the grantor).
Ciuarheru.
Salomon.
Cenpit.
Cenbresel.
Idguallon.
Guorhitir.
ludnerth son of
Auagon.
Meic.
The customary clause minatory concludes the document. There
are no expressed limits.
CHAPTER XX.
BISHOPS CIUEILLIAUC, LIBIAU, AND GUCAUNUS.
THE stream of LLandaff Church history, which has hitherto
been clouded over by reason of uncertain dates, is now
beginning to run more clearly, as we get into the tenth century,
which supplies, by its contemporary and trustworthy chroniclers,
data that can be relied on more firmly. Nud was succeeded by —
CIUEILLIAUC,
whose name appears in many forms as Cimeliauc,i Ciueilliauc,^
Cimeilliauc,^ Ciuelliauc,* Chevelliauc,^ Cimilgeacum,^ Cyfeiliawg,®
Cimeiliauc,^ Camilec,^ Cimelgeacum,^ and Cyfelach.^ Recs finds
that he was consecrated by Ethelred, Archbishop of Canterbury, at
his own house in 872, but Bishop Stubbs^ makes no mention of this
ceremony. In 915 he was captured by the Danes when they
invaded South Wales, but King Edward the Elder ransomed him
soon after for forty pounds. He was slain, according to some
authorities, in battle at Hereford, but the date of his death and the
circumstances attending it are not to be relied on. Nine charters
of the date of this prelate are contained in the Liber Landavensis.
Lann Meiripenn Ro's.
I. Brochmail, son of Mouric, gave for his soul's health the
Church of St. Mary (at Penn Ros on the bank of the River
Minwy), after the usual formula, with three modii^ of land round
about it, which he had formerly dedicated to his virgin daughter
on her taking the veil, that she should live thereon until her death.
But she was deceived by temptation of the evil one, and led astray
by Etgar, son of Leui, and died in giving birth to a son. Subse-
' Evans, p. xlix. ^ lb., pp. 231, 233.
3 lb., pp. 232, 233, 235, 236. * lb., pp. 234, 236.
^ Rees, Lib. Land., p. 490, n. * lb., p. 491, n.
' Reg. Sacr., new Edit., p. 22.
* It is curious to observe how often the gift of a church has an area of this
superficial measure of three modii about it.
O
194 Memorials of Llandaff.
quently a dispute arose about that church and land between
Biochuail and Bishop Ciuelliauc, and the clergy and learned men
who lived between the Tyui and the Guy came together to adjudi-
cate on the matter in a
Synod,
wherein the judgment of the clergy was given in favour of the
Bishop and Church of LLandaff for ever, and Brocuail on oath
confirmed the church and land, after the usual formula, to the
Saints and Bishops of that See for ever, free of taxation and with
common rights.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Cimeilliauc. Guoreu.
Catger, Lector. Nemeit.
Pascenn. Auagon.
Of the laity:—
Brochuail. Duinerth.
Caratguit. Gualchen.
Maildun. Eudius.
The final blessing and anathema follow, but no boundary is
recorded.
TiR Cynir.
2. Nud, son of Gurcinnif, for his soul's health, bestowed the
arable land of CiNiR, an unidentified site, in the usual manner, into
the hand of Bishop Ciueilliauc and ail the Bishops of LLandaff for
ever, with its liberty and common right, with consent of Brochmail,
son of Mouric.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Cimeilliauc.
Guoreu.
Catgen.
Morcimris.
Gualluc.
Duagan.
Of the laity :—
Brocmail.
Eliuc.
Hegui.
Cinncenn.
Caratguinn.
Leui.
A blessing and a curse finish the text, but the boundary has
been omitted.
Tref Lili.
3. Eiset Yr Simus dedicated Tref Ili, an unidentified site,
with three niodii of land, in the usual form, into the hand of Bishop
Synods
195
CimelHauc and all the pastors of Llandaff, with consent of Broch-
mail, with all its liberty and common right.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : — ■
Bishop Ciueilliauc. Auagon.
Catgen.
Of the laity :—
Brochmail. Caratguinn.
Hegui.
No boundary is given. The usual invocation concludes the
text.
Tref Peren, that is, Lann Mihacgel Maur.
4. Discord is declared to have arisen between the family of
Bishop Ciueilliauc and Brochuail, son of Mouric, at LLandaff, and
the Bishop convened all his clergy, even those of the lower orders,
throughout the diocese, between the mouth of the Taratir in Gui
and the mouth of the Tiui at a
Synod,
wherein he desired to excommunicate Brochuail, who had insulted
him with all his kindred in presence of all the people, as the result
of his fault. Brochuail thereupon petitioned for pardon and
indulgence, and the Synod decreed to the Bishop the quantity of
the length and breadth of his face in pure gold,^ to be paid by the
offenders and fitting emendations to the Bishop's kindred. This
King Brochuail could not do, so he redeemed the fine by granting
to the Church of LLandaff, after the usual formula, into the hand
of the Bishop and his successors for ever, the Vill of Tref PEREN,
with six modii of land, with all its liberty and common right.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Ciuelliauc. Pascenn.
Catgen. Auaggon.
Gualluc. Morcimris.
Of the laity :—
King Brochuail. Caratguin.
Conan. Nud.
Gurcant.
^ Rees, p. 494, n., mentions a case in the Welsh Laws where the penalty for
insulting the King of Aberfifraw consisted, in part, of a similar plate of gold as
thick as a ploughman's nail who had served seven years, but I am unable to
find any reference to this in Lewis's Ancient Laws of Wales.
O 2
196 Memorials of Llandaff.
The boundary of this gift includes or touches Riu Timuil ; the
road leading to Merthirgerein (near Caerleon) ; the road to Carncu;
Riu Celli centur ; the valley of Cliduan ; the road from St. Ilien.
The boundary of Perenn is on the sea, and goes from Poll icaith to
the Severn ; and from the town of the twelve acres to Poll erbin ;
the moiety of that land to Tref Perenn, two acres separating it
(from the previous portion). Evans identifies the site with Llan
Vihangcl, co. Monmouth.
5. YscuiT Cyst.
Brochuail, son of Mouric, for the health of the souls of him-
self and his father, gave, under the usual formula, into the hand of
Bishop Cimeilliauc and his successors YSCUIT Cyst, with its fishing
wears in the Severn and in Mouric, on both sides of the bank, with
all its liberty and common right throughout the whole district of
Guent ; with free approach of vessels to the mouth of Pull mouric ;
and with shipwreck on the whole boundary of that land and sea
and things so brought to the shore ; free for ever to the pastors of
LLandaff.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Cimeilliauc. Tuteth.
Catgen. Guinda.
Aceru.
Of the laity : —
King Brochmail. Cinuin.
Branud. Nud.
Iliud. Liugui.
With the usual characteristic conclusion. This site is at the mouth
of Pool-Meyrick, now Portscuet or Portskewit, co. Monmouth, near
Chepstow.
6. Villa Cyuiv.
March, son of Pepiau, for his soul's health, gave the Vill of
Cyuiu, being three modn of land, and a member of the cultivated
land of Merthir Teudiric, with all its conventional liberty, to the
Church of LLandaff and Bishop Cimeilliauc and all his successors,
in obedience to a penance enjoined on him and pardon for homicide
of his kinsman Bortulf.^
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Cimeilliauc. Congual.
Catgen son of Bleinguid. Branud.
Guinda.
1 Hortwlf, Rees.
Castell Conscuit. Rccluis Santbreit. 197
Of the laity :—
King Brocmail. Dull.
Caranguin. Auguod.
Cuchein.
The customary ending follows. The site is conjectured to be
at or near Bishton, and not far from Mathern, possibly the ruined
chapel of Runston.
7. Castell Conscuit and Eccluis Santbreit
together.
In this charter King Brochmail, son of Mouric, himself granted
and restored two churches for the redemption of his soul, the
Ecclesia Castell CONSCUIT, probably Caldicot, near Portscuet,
and Ecclesia Brigidae or St. Bride's, Netherwent, co. Monmouth,
with their six modii of land, after the usual formula, into the hand
of Bishop Cimeilliauc and his successors at LLandaff, for ever free,
with their liberty and commonage ; free approach of vessels to the
mouth of the Taroci or Troggy brook, which falls into the Severn
a little below Portscuet, and its fishing wears.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Ciuelliauc. Tuteh.
Catgen. Guinda.
Aceru.
Of the laity :—
King Brochmail. Nud.
Braniud. Legui.
Iliud. Hesmunt.
Cinuin.
The invocations are followed by the boundary from the influx
of the Taroci along to the hollow ; so to its summit ; to the cairn
in the boundary of Tref-peren^ ; to the right to the other cairn ;
to the Carnou in the said boundary ; so from cairn to cairn, down
to the sea ; along the sea, with its fishing wears, rights of wreck,
and free approach of vessels into the mouth of the Taroci, where it
began. Mr. Evans suggests that, in the passage "cum coretibus
suis et anfractibus naviuni cum applicatione liberal' the word naviuin
is misplaced and should follow applicatione rather than anfractibus,
but in the previous charter of Yscuit Cyst^ the phrase cum nauibus
anfractis seems to combat his conjecture. It may be that Castell
' See p. ig6. ^ See p. 196.
198 Memorials of Llandaff.
in this document has an ecclesiastical rather than a military signifi-
cation, as in a former charter.^ The words of the grant are duas
ecclesias .... ecclesiam castell Conscuit, etc., not ecclesiam at castell.
8. [The Gift of King Hiugel.]
In this charter we have formal record of the royal grant by
King Hiugel or Hywel, son of Ris, to Bishop Cimeilliauc and his
successors at LLandaff of two serfs, Ermint and Catharuc, sons
of Cremic, with all their property, rights, and offspring for ever, in
perpetual servitude to the Church. This was made for the soul's
health of the King's wife Leucu, and of his sons Yuein and Arthuail,
and of the sons (^filioruin) of Ermithridh and Nest. It is very likely
that the word in the text is an error here for filiarum, which, if
adopted, would make Ermithridh and Nest — apparently old forms
of the later female names Ermentrude and Nesta — the King's
daughters thus mentioned in order after his sons.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Ciuelliauc. Bleinguid.
Asser. ludnerth.
Tuthed.
Of the laity :—
King Hiugel. Gucaun.
Merchiaun.
A blessing and a curse conclude the record.
9. Villa Birkan.
The last document recorded in the MS. as attested by this
Bishop, is a grant by King Arthmail for his soul's health, of the
Vill of Cair Birran, with four niodii of land in the formulae
to God, the three Saints of LLandaff, and Bishop Cemeilliaucus and
all his successors in the Church, with common rights for its inhabi-
tants free of all taxation for ever.
The boundary runs from Guorlurch ludgual as far as Frut
Elhaith, or Elhaith water ; and from Brenan Picet to , a blank
here in the MS. as in other examples, indicating that the copyist
could not read the word, or that the original charter was defective.
Blessing and curse being given as usual, the witnesses names
are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Cimeilliauc. Tuteth.
Guinda. ludnerth.
^ See p. 165.
Synod.
199
Of the laity : —
King Arthmail. Teudus.
Gouur. Branud.
Merchiaun. Loudoc.
Here follows a paragraph to the effect that in the year 927
Bishop Cimeilliauc departed to the Lord. He was followed, accord-
ing to the arrangement in the Liber Landavensis, by
LiBIAU, or LiBIAUCH,
who is stated to have been consecrated by Aethelred, Archbishop
of Canterbury. In his short occupation of the See for two years
two documents only are recorded.
Villa Tref Ceriav, that is, Lann Mihachgel
Meibion Gratlaun.
The passing of this property into possession of the See of
LLandaff arose from an insult offered to Bishop Libiau by Teudur,
King of Brecheniauc or Brecknock, the son of Elised, who had
expelled him dishonourably from the monastery of Lan Cors, or
Lann Gors, in Brecknockshire, in the middle of a banquet. On the
morrow, the offended prelate cursed his assailant, and a
Synod
was assembled at LLandaff of the clergy belonging to the usual
diocesan limits, wherein King Teudur was anathematized. The
affair came to the ears of Lunberth,i Bishop of St. David's, and
eventually the two prelates met at Lann Cors, with the result that
it was adjudged that Bishop Libiau should have five times the
value of the parties who were with him in the banquet at the time
of the insult, and seven times the value of the bishop himself— for
every man had his value in those days — namely, seven hundred
mancuses or arm-rings of pure gold. King Teudur could not pay
this sum, so he begged for pardon by the mediation of Lumberth,
and offered tlie Vill of Tref Ceriau to Libiau and his successors
for ever, which was accepted, with all its liberty and common rights,
free of all taxation in the usual terms. The boundary runs from
the highway on the south by the thorny bush ; to the rivulet
' Rees, p. 499, states that Lumberth was also consecrated by Archbishop
Aethelred, and was bishop in 872, but as Libiau's predecessor died m 927,
Lumberth must have been Bishop of St. David's for fifty-five years at least,
which seems improbable. Lunverd, 870^889, Stubbs' Reg. Sacr., new Edit.,
p. 37 ; died 942 or 944, ib.^ p. 217 : still more improbable.
200 Memorials of Llandaff.
Taugeiel,! which is on the north ; then the rivulet on the east
as far as the spring of Cheneian ; along the dry valley leading up
to the aforesaid highway, which is on the south. The site is pro-
bably Llanfihangel or St. Michael's Cwmdu, in Brecknockshire,
conjectured by Evans to be Llan Vihangel Tal y Llyn, in that
county. This deed resembles, in some degree, a charter dealing
with the same site in the earlier period^ of Bishop Guruan.
The witnesses here, however, are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Libiau. Reuelgur.
Bishop Lunberth. Dissaith.
Eneuris, Priest. Henip.
Diuin, Priest. Redun.
Marchiud. Canatan.
Cherenir. Comic.
Of the laity :—
King Teudur. Bran.
Mor. Serus
Sulbrit. Abel.
Elstan. Dauin.
With the customary conclusion.
2. Penn Ibei in Rosulgen.
This is a notification that King Grifud, son of Yugein, granted,
by way of alms, four modii of land called Pennibei, in eternal
dedication to Bishop Libiauus and all the Bishops of LLandaff,
after the usual formula, " free as an island in the midst of the sea,"
without any taxation or payment except to the pastors and clergy
of that Church ; in sign of the amendment of his life, and by way
of recompense for three lapses which he had made against God and
the saints ; by seizing Idmab, son of Idcant, in the monastery
of St. Cingual or Llancynwalan, a church belonging to the See in
Gower, and thereby violating the sanctuary right— by destroying
Ciuarheru, son of Crashaiou, in the monastery of St. Cinuur, that is,
Lannberu[g]all, otherwise called Llandeiloferwallt in Gower — and by
selling Port-Dulon, or Bishopston, also in Gower, which had been
the property of the See from the earliest time,^ without permission
of the Bishop. In amends for these deeds he granted the said land
in Rosulgen, which Evans conjectures to be Rhos Sili in Gower,
having the sea on its boundary, rather than Resolven, co.
1 Rees reads Tangeiel, and identifies it with the river Rhiangoll.
2 See p. 127. 3 See p. 39.
enn
Ibei. 201
Glamorgan, that is sometimes called Rosulgen but an inland parish,
for his soul's health, as aforesaid. The boundary is taken from the
summit of the mountain to the brook Mithri ; in breadth, from the
middle of the wood, which is on the east, to the land of Cingual,
which is on the west, with the two lands of Meinporth, of which lands
the boundary runs from the sea to jacinth rock in breadth, and
from the eastern ditch to the land of the sons of Grucauc, with
their heirs Boduc and Eimin. And the grant was augmented by
one modius of land adjacent to Telich, whereof the boundary lies
from the sea to the port of the Goat, and so between two ditches
lengthwise to the jacinth rock.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Libiau. Marchi.
Cerennhir, equonimus or steward. Guithrit.f
Dibin, Priest. Loumarch.
Dissaith, Writer. Guainint.
Enim. Cmon.
Of the laity :—
Grifud son of Higueid. Elci, Lector.
Bleinbiu. Euilaun.
Beli. Branud.
Grucinan. Marchi.
Mailbrigit, Priest. Conan.
With the customary ending.
Here follows in the MS. of the Liber Landavensis a paragraph
to the effect that Bishop Libiau departed to the Lord in 929, the
third year of his ordination. The date is important, as helping to
give a precise period to the witnesses, some of whom would appear
to have lived to a considerable age, unless they bear names similar
to those of their forerunners. Libiau was followed, if the MS. is
trustworthy in its chronology, by
GUCAUNUS,
to whose period four charters bear witness.
I. Morcant Hen, son of Yugein, King of Morcannuc, contem-
porary with Edgar, King of the English (who died in 975), restored,
by his admonition and by exhortation and recommendatory letters
of Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury (who died on 19 May, 988),
to Gucaunus, Bishop of LLandaff, all the territories of that Church,
with its liberty and privilege, as it was at its best state in the times
202 Memorials of Llandaff.
of Saints Dubricius, Teliauus, and Oudoceus, his predecessors, free
from all service throughout all Wales {Gualia), not only throughout
the realm of King Morcant, who ruled over the seven districts
between the mouths of the rivers Guy and Tyui, but also through-
out the realm of Hiuel Dd, son of Cattell, who reigned over all
Wales. These, namely, are the churches with all their territories : —
The Churches of Machumur.^ namely : —
1. Lann Liuit.2
II. Lann Uannar.^
III. Lann Guoronui.*
IV. Lann Tituil.^
V. Lann Mihacgel cruc Cornou.^
VI. LAN Mihacgel ipull.^
VII. Lann Gunnhoill.^
VIII. Lann Nissien.''
IX. Lann Guern Tiuauc,!" and many others.
This was done with assent of the King's sons Iguein, Idguallaun,
Cattell, Cinuin, and all the notables of the realm of Morcannuc in
presence of numerous clergy.
The boundaries of each of those nine church lands are given in
detail : —
I. Lann liuit Machumur : the Lecha from the W. part along the
pant downwards to the Liman or Lumon brook, a tributary of the
Trothy near Monmouth ; to the pant ; across to His Guaissaf
Liguallann, the Is Guraissaf of Llewellyn, son of Tutbulch ; the
brook to the pant, to another brook ; to the Lecha ; down to the
gorge of the pant, the water of which falls into the Liman where
the boundary begins.
1 Site of a district not identified.
2 Llan LLivvyd or LLanllvvyd, formerly a chapel under Llanfaenor.
3 Llanfaenor or Llan Vaenor, co. Monm., near Monmouth.
■1 ? Rockfield, co. Monm., Evans : probably Garway, co. Heref., seven miles
from Monmouth, Rees.
^ Llwyn Deri, Evans : Caluch or Cilwch, Rees.
^ Llanfihangel-crug-corney, co. Monm., near Abergavenny.
' Perhaps Pwll Meyrick, co. Monm.
8 See p. 132, Llangynfyll, Merthir chinfall.
" Llanishen, co. Monm., near Usk.
w Probably Gwernesney, co. Monm., near Usk, Gwernesy, Rees, pp. 503, 516.
Morcant Hens Charter. 203
II. Lann uannar de Machumur : from the fall of the Distir,
now Distil or Dishter, into the Liman ; upwards to the pant ; to a
small brook ; downwards to the Liman or Liuan ; to the Distir,
where it begins.
III. Lann Guoronoi : the Mingui or Monnow on the one side;
the pant in the ridge towards the W. on the N. side of the church ;
the spring of Dioci ; the Nant Catlan ; the influx of Periron ; the
Monnow ; the pant in the ridge where it began on the Monnow.
IV. Lann Tituill : the ditch on the right hand ; down to the
Trodi ; along the ditch to the Allt ; along the ridge to the head of
the Allt; the ditch Nant Meneich, or the Monks' brook; the Trothy
or Trodi ; the head of the ditch where it begins.
V. Lann Mihacgel cruc cornou : a meadow on the S. to the
Guuer ; the Hodni or Honddu brook ; the influx of the small
spring ; up the Guuer to its source ; over the hill down to the
meadow again.
VI. Lann Mihacgel i pull ; the ridge of the Allt in the rock or
Creic on the W. side of the church to Mouric ; the top of the island
above it ; the head of the allt below it.
VII. Lann Gunnhoill : boundary is not given.
VIII. Lann Nissien : the Ilgui, or Olway, brook; the brook Cich-
man ; the Aghiti maur, or Anghidy Vawr ; the meadow on W. of
the Mainti ; the little Acgiti ; the Allt of Hilguid ; through the
wood to the acclivity ; the breast of the Allt below the Church of
Nissien ; along by the Inis teireru, or Island of three acres ; the
Ilgui where it begins.
IX. Lann Guern timauc^ : the Dubleis or Dulais ; the mouth of
the ditch Ciu f up to the Allt ; the boundary cairn of Penn celli
Guennuc ; along the ditch to the E. ; to its descent to Penn celli
Guennuc ; the pant ; along the ditch to the S. ; the issue of the
spring ; up to the E. ; along the Guuer or rill to the Allt ; the
breast of the Allt to the mountain ; along the Guuer to a stone ;
straight over the mountain to the moor ; to the Guliple or Gulible,
"wet place"; the middle of the moor ; along the Guliple to the N.
part of the great ditch on the ridge of the mountain ; the high road ;
across the way along the ditch ; Guenuin Meirch ; along it up-
wards ; through the wood to its source ; from the source to the W. ;
^ Tunauc, Rees. Perhaps near Wolves-Newton, see Evans's note, p. 380.
^ Cuin, Rees.
204 Memorials of Llandaff.
across through the wood to the Dubleis along Dubleis down
wards to the head of the ditch where it began.
[Grant of Gustin and Ebba.J
2. The next document which belongs to the period of this
Bishop begins with a preamble in praise of our Lord, and con-
tinues, in the first person, to the effect that Merchiaun, son of
Riderch, penitently desiring pardon for his misdeeds, and that he
may thus merit eternal joy in blessed tranquillity, grants for the
souls' health of his wife and of his parents Riderch and Acgarat,
to the three confessors, Dubricius, Teliaus, and Oudoceus, and to
Bishop Gucaunus — adorned with the two precious gems of the
wisdom of Holy Writ, and the nobility of royal pedigree, together
with the dignity of the pontifical throne and hereditary right to the
Abbacy of St. Catocus at Lann Caruania — the two serf brethren
Gustin and Ebba, with their paternal estate and fishing rights,
free for ever of all taxation, and with the usual formula of common
rights, to LLandaff and its pastors.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Gucaunus. Catgen.
Eidef, Lector of the City of Guent. Gurci.
Bledgur. Duna.
Gulbrit.
Of the laity :—
King Arthmail son of Nougui, granting Gurci son of
this alms for ever. Gurcimanu.
Merchiaun, and Malcant.
Gurcant his son. Gunda.
With the customary conclusion of blessing and cursing.
3. Lann Mihacgel lichrit, and Villa Stifilot.
By this document Arthmail, King of Guent, who attests the
previous grant, son of Nougui, having killed his brother Elised, and
consequently incurred the penalty of excommunication at the
hands of Bishop Gucaunus in obedience to the decision of all the
clergy of every rank throughout the diocese of LLandaff in a
Synod,
and having implored pardon, penance, and reconciliation with the
Church, grants, after the customary formulae, to the triad of Saints,
and to the Bishop and his successors, for ever, at Llandaff LanN
Mihacgel lichrit— or Llanfihangel Llechryd, perhaps Earlswood
Bishop Gucaunus.
20S
Chapel, CO. Monm., by conjecture of Mr. Evans — with the third
part of a meadow.
The boundary is embraced by : the ford on the Taroci, or
Troggi ; the pont meiniauc or stony bridge ; through the meadow
to the mouth of the nant ; along the hollow up to the Allt ; along
the Allt Northwards ; to the summit ; to opposite the mouth of
the pant towards W. ; to the spring of the Guuer in the pant ;
along the pant till its water falls into the Taroci ; along the Taroci,
as far as the ford where it begins. With four modii of the town
of Stifilat, from Poll hirguidhuc to Pull higuarac in length, and
from the ashtree of Stifilat to Tref Guascar in breadth.
Catgen son of
Dissaith.
Gurci son of Marchi.
Gorui son of Breint.
Gurci son of
Gurcimanu.
Sigeit, and
Hiueid sons of Albrit.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Gucaunus.
Eidef, Lector of the City of Guent.
Bledgur, equonimus.
Eutigirn, Priest.
Of the laity :—
Arthmail son of Nogui.
Nogui son of Guriat.
Merchiaun son of Riderch.
Brichmar.
4. Villa Sevan.
The last document of the series records that Lavr and his son
Deheueint, in penitence for the murder of Merchi, granted, by way
of penance, to the triple band of guardian saints and to Bishop
Gucaunus and all the prelates of LLandaff, the Vill of Seuan, with
three modii of land, with assent of King Idguallaun, son of Morcant,
with all its liberty and tax free for ever.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Gucaunus.
Dissaith, Lector.
Hergualt.
Sed, Writer.
Hiueid.
Of the laity :—
King Idguallaun.
Aircol.
With the invocations as usual at the end.
At this place the Liber Landavensis introduces paragraphs,
Marchiud.
Eutigirn, Priest.
Run.
Guenerbiu, Cook.
Drich.
2o6 Memorials of Llandaff.
showing that in the year 982 Bishop Gucaunus [died. He]
was consecrated by Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, probably
between 963 and 972/ the pastoral staff being given to him in the
Royal Court by Eadgar, King of the English, in the presence of his
Suffragan Bishops of England, Birthelm, Bishop of Wells (956-
973, May 17); Alfuold, Bishop of Sherborne (958-978); A'Sel-
wuold, Bishop of Winchester (963-984, Aug. i) ; Oswald, Bishop
of Worcester (961-972), .^Ifric, Abbot of St. Augustine's, Canter-
bury^ (956-971) ; ^scwuig, Abbot of Bath^ (965-970) ; the duces
^Ifhere, ^Ifhea, and .(E'Sestan, with many others, both clergy and
laymen. He departed this life after the reception of the Apostolic
dignity, and was succeeded by Marchluid.
^ Stubbs, Registrum Sacrum^ new Edit., 1897, p. 29.
2 W. de Gray Birch, Fasti Monastici Aevi Saxonici, 1872, p. 20.
^ Ibid., p. 30.
CHAPTER XXI.
BISHOPS MARCHLUID, BLEDRI, AND JOSEPH.
MARCHLUID, or Marchiliud, held the See in the time of
Ouein, Idguallaun, Catell, and Cinmin, sons of Morcant.
No charters have been recorded of the time of this prelate, who
was succeeded by
Bledri, or Blethery,
in whose time three charters appear in the Liber Landavensis, with
an intervening one, undated, and one attested by Bishop Joseph,
who follows him in the sequence of the book. Rees, however,
following good authorities, places Marchluid after Libiau and dates
his death in 943, Bledri, according to the same authority, becoming
Bishop in 983 on the death of Gucaunus.
I. The first charter of Bishop Bledri records the grant of Lann-
GURONOI by four disciples of 111, named Elmoin, Nud, Melguas,
and Arguistil. This extended to a modius and a-half of land,
which they gave for their souls' health to the three sainted con-
fessors of LLandaff, with assent of Ris, King of Morcanhuc, son of
Ouein, in perpetual gift, free of taxation, to the Bishops of LLandaff,
into the hand of Bishop Bledri, with the usual common rights.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Bledri. Friauc.
loseb. Priest and Dean of LLandaff Auguinn.
Eli.
Of the laity :—
King Ris son of Ouein. Merchiaun son of
Gurcant son of Merchiaun. Arthbleid.
Bledgur son of Ceretic. Canan son of
Edilm son of Teudus. lacouan.
With a blessing and a curse at the end of the document.
Amen.
The boundary of this property is : From Ryt ycerr to the
Cecyn ; to the spring of Guaidan ; along the Cecgyn to the Tar-
guus ; through it to Dou Ceuiou, or two gullies, transversely to the
spring of the hazel ; transversely to Celli Rudanhint ; along the
2o8 Memorials of Llandaff.
Euen to the Taruus ; to the Tref Gloyiud ; to the Euen ; to the
Minugui or Mynwy, that is the three acres below Rit Deueit, or
the Sheep's ford. These mears do not agree with the boundaries
given at page 203.
2. At this place the MS. introduces two paragraphs to take the
place of a written memorandum which had contained them, nearly
perished by reason of its great age.
I. Let all Christian men know that there are seven cantrefs, or
districts, in the lordship of Morgannuc, and likewise in its bishopric
of the Church of LLandaff, viz. : —
I. BiCAN, identified by Evans with the ancient commote of
Hirvryn, Perved, and Iscennen, now the hundreds of
Perved and Iscennen, co. Carmarthen.
II. GUYR, Caed weli, and Carnwaliaun, in Gower, co.
Glamorgan. Kidwelly and Carnwallion, co. Carmarthen.
III. WURHINIT, or Groneath, co. Glamorgan.
IV. Penychen, CO. Glamorgan.
V. GUNLYUCH and Edelyvon, Wentloog, and Edelygion, co.
Monmouth.
VI. WenysCOYT, Gwent-is-coed, co. Monmouth.
VII. Wenthuccoyt, Ystradyw, and Ewyas. Gwent-uch-
coed, CO. Monm., Ystradyw, co. Brecknock, and Ewyas,
CO. Hereford, which both are always called the two
true sleeves of Went hue coyt, and of Went hue coyt
there are also Ergyn and Anergyn, as in this Book
of Teliau (Gref Teliau), through the whole boundary
of Morgannuc by circuit.
II. Know ye also, moreover, that Huwel Da^ and Morgan Hen
were subject to Eadgar,^ King of the whole of Britain. Morgan
Hen at that time ruled the whole of Morgannuc in peace and quiet,
but Huwel Da sought if possible to deprive him of Ystradiv and
Ewyas. Thereupon, King Eadgar summoned Huwel Ua, Morgan
Hen, and his son Huweyn to his Court, and there in full council
heard the matter between the parties, whereby it was found by just
judgment of the King's Court that Huwel Da had acted wrongfully
against Morgan Hen and Huweyn : and he was deprived of these
1 Rees, to correct the anachronism of this statement, shows that it was not
Huwel Da, but his son and successor Owain, who intruded into the dominion of
Morgan Hen, in 958 or 959. Huwel Da died in 948.
2 959, ob. 975-
Villa Elcu. Villa lunuhic. 209
two districts, namely,- Istradiu and Evwias for ever without re-
covery. And afterwards King Eadgar bestowed upon Huwenus,
son of Morgan Hen, those two districts called Istradiu and Ewias,
comprised in the bishopric of LLandaff, for his own proper inherit-
ance, and confirmed the said districts to him and his heirs by his
charter free from claim by anyone. This was done by common
assent and attestation of all the Archbishops, Bishops, and Abbots,
nobles and barons of all England and Wales ; with a blessing and
a malediction as usual. Amen.
The charter, which was made and written on that day before the
King in full council, was deposited in the Church of LLandaff.
3. [Villa Elcu.]
The charter relating to this grant is attested by Bishop loseph,
who is placed after Bledri, but it is not easy to account for the
position, because it is clear that the arrangement of the text is
faulty at this place. It shows that Mouric, King of Gulat-morcant,
or Glamorgan, son of Hiuel, restored to the Saints of LLandaff,
and to Bishop Joseph and his successors, the Vill of Elcu, an
unidentified site, which had been alienated from the See by lay
usurpation, with its liberty and common right, and with it a niodius
and a-half of land, after the customary formula.
The boundary is from the broadway to Crucglas, the green hill,
and from Tref Marchan to the Guern or swamp of alder trees.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Joseph. Tecguaret, Priest of
Ruid, Priest. ' Docunni.
Bleinguid.
Of the laity :—
King Mouric. Dissaith.
Teudur. Etrit.
An anathema on those who wrest this from the See concludes
the document.
4. [Villa Iunuhic]
The document relating to this site is the record of a Synod
which met in consequence of a litigious feud between the kinsmen
of Etguinus, King of Guent, son of Guriat, and those of Bishop
Bledri, which was carried on with fury and bloodshed on both sides.
The Bishop, in his endeavour to quell the fight, interposed him-
self between the parties, and was wounded to the shedding of
P
2IO Memorials of Llandaff.
his blood by one of the King's men. On the close of the
quarrel the Bishop came to LLandaff, convened a full
Synod,
and caused the King and all his kin to be excommunicated, placing
the country of Guent under a curse, withholding baptism and
depriving it of all Christian communion. When King Etguin
heard of the commotion and excommunication, he sought pardon
at LLandaff, and in full
Synod
he obtained remission and forgiveness for his sins after bringing
the offenders to the feet of the Bishop and delivering them up
to judgment with pardon. After penance and forgiveness. King
Etguin, believing that fasting, prayer, and almsgiving were
necessary to his restoration, granted, after the usual formula, to
Llandaff and to Bishop Bledri, for shedding his blood, the Vill
of lUNUHlC, with three modii of land, and with liberty and
common right, free of all taxation, to the Church of LLandaff
and its Bishops for ever.
The boundary is from Pill Cinguid to Nant Louhelic, and along
to the Pill.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Bledri.^ Cimelliauc.
Gurcant. louann.
Of the laity :—
King Etguin. Gurhi.
Ellgualt. Etern.
The customary invocationis followed by a second boundary :
Nant i Gof on the one side ; on the other, Nant i Guolchetua ; to
the pill ; to the ash tree towards E. ; to the source of the Nant i
Guolchetua ; following it to the pill ; from the ash tree on the
other side to the source of the Guuer or rill ; following it down-
wards to Nant i Gob to the pill. Rees reads lunabic ; Evans
considers lunuhic possibly a mistake for Junnhic, older Junntic,
or Gunntic, apparently now Undy, co. Monmouth.
2. Penn Celli Guennhvcc, next Lisguern.
Rotri and Grifud, Kings of Guent, sons of Elised, dedicated to
Bishop Bledri and all his successors, after the accustomed formula,
1 Bedri, Evans. This Bishop is also called Blethery, ZzA Land., ed. Evans,
pp. 303, 312.
Bishop Bledri, 2 1 1
for the souls' health of his parents, the land of Penn CELLI
GUENHUC, a place already mentioned in the boundary of Lann-
guern timauc/ conjectured by Rees to be Pengelli Gynog, either a
parish called Wolves-Newton, co. Monmouth, five miles E. of Usk,
or the adjoining parish of Llangwm ucha, w^ith all its liberty and
common right, free of all taxation.
The boundary is from the water of the pill through the middle
line of the valley as far as the willows ; to the grove or luin ;
following the valley to the Carnguenn.
The witnesses are, of the clergy :
—
Bishop Bledri.
Riuguallaun,
Dinguallaun.
Of the laity :—
Rotri and
Gurcinnif.
Grifiud sons of Elised.
Gurci.
Morbiu.
The date is imperfectly
F "
entered.
"And
it was done in
of
The boundary of Henlenic cinauc arpill, which does not appear
to be very closely connected with this grant, is given at this
place : From the influx of the Guinnuc to the pill ; following the
Gunnic upwards to the Prid pull oi clay-pit ; to the ridge of the
height ; which is the boundary of the land of Lanngunnhoill ; the
ridge of the height to the W., along the pill ; down to the Gunnic
again. Rees finds ruins of an adjacent church called Llangynog,
which may be the Cinauc of this paragraph, and conjectures that
Lisguern in the title of the charter — which he reads Linguern —
is probably Gwernesy,^ co. Monm., and Llanngunnhoil, LLanfi-
hangel tor-y-mynydd, a parish adjoining Llangynog and Wolves-
Newton. Lisguern is not identified by Evans. Evans equates
" Henlenic Cinauc on the pill" with Llan Gunnock, now in ruins,
CO. Monm., and thinks that W. is an error for E. in the perambulation.
An interesting entry is given here in the MS. to the effect that
in the year 983, election having been made by the Kings of Mor-
cannuc, namely, Ouein and Idguallaun, Catell, and Cinuin, sons of
Morcant Hen, Rotri and Grifud, sons of Elised, and by all the
clergy and people of Morcannuc dwelling between the mouth of
the Taratir in Gui and of the Tiui, Bledri was consecrated Bishop
^ See p. 203.
^ See p. 202, n. ; Rees, p. 516, Gwernesy, for Gwernesney.
P 2
2 I 2 Memorials of Llandaff.
of LLandaff, receiving the pastoral staff in tlie Royal Court from
Adelredus, or ^thelred, supreme King of the English, and Arch-
bishop Albricus, the Metropolitan. There is some anachronism in
this, because Albric, or Elfric, Bishop of Ramsbury, did not succeed
to Canterbury until 995, and Dunstan was Archbishop in 983.
Rees, who understands the paragraph to record the election of,
not, by the six Kings, somewhat naively says that "the Brut y
Tywysogion does not mention anything respecting this election of
Kings of Glamorgan."
The paragraph continues to record that Bishop Bledri departed
to the Lord in 1022, the thirty-ninth year of his ordination. Dr.
Stubbs does not give this consecration a place in his Regisirum
Sacrum. Bledri, the best scholar in Wales, who caused the priests
to educate the people, was succeeded by
Joseph,
whose consecration is the subject of a paragraph in the Liber
Landavensis, wherein it is shown that, on the Kalends of Octo-
ber, in the year 1022, in the first year of the "Ciclus decenno-
venalis," this was solemnised at Canterbury by Archbishop .^Inod,
or ^thelnoth, the Bishop receiving the pastoral staff in the
Court of King Cnut, or Canute, who assented thereto, in accord-
ance with the election of the people and clergy of Llandaff and
the Kings of Britain, namely, Riderch, son of lestyn,^ sole King
of all Wales, and Hiuel,^ subregulus of Morcannuc, within the
above said bounds of the diocese : and the Bishop departed to
the Lord in the twenty-fourth year of his ordination at Agustan,
or Aosta, on his journey to St. Peter's at Rome ; or in the street
of St. Peter the Apostle at Aosta.^
The date of the Consecration of Bishop Joseph is erroneously
given by Canon Holmes in his New Edition of Bishop Stubbs's
Registrum!^ as 1027, and the authorities given for the date include
Rees's edition of the Liber Landavensis. I am quite unable to
explain this. The " cycle of nineteen years" is the Lunar cycle,
commonly called the Golden Number, and marks a recurrent
period of nineteen years, at the end of which time the various
1 King in 1021 : killed ten years later. Rees from \Myv. Arch., ii,
501-6.
^ Howel died 1043, aged no.
^ " In via Sancti Petri apostoli apud Agustan."
' P. 34-
Bishop "Joseph. 213
aspects of the Moon are, within an hour, the same as they were
on the same days of the month nineteen years previously. Sir
Harris Nicolas, in his Chronology of History, 1833, p. 24, says : " To
find the Golden Number, or Number of the Year in the Cycle
of the Moon, .... add i to the year of Our Lord and divide the
sum by 19 ; the quotient will be the number of Cycles of the
Moon which have elapsed since the birth of Christ, and the
remainder will be the Golden Number," etc. By this calculation^
the Golden Number of 1022 would be 16; and of 1027, it would
be 2. The Golden Number i, therefore, does not favour either
year.
Bishop Joseph, like his predecessor, was eminent for his piety
and learning. He restored the celebration of Saints' days by prayer
and almsgivings ; forbade secular work on Sabbaths and Holidays,
and the intervention of the clergy in disputes ; and encouraged
them to read and learn the Scriptures. Eleven documents are
contained in this MS. as belonging to his period, the first of which
relates the declaration of " Riderch, son of lestin. King of Mor-
cannuc, yea of all Wales, except only the island of Euonia," or
Anglesea, held by lacob, son of Idgual. Riderch was a man of
peace, and confirmed the possessions of the clergy and laity. In his
time Wales flourished without desolation in all but three solitary
vills. To Llandaff and its triad of tutelary Saints and to Bishop
Joseph he confirmed its churches and lands, with all their dignities
and privileges, liberties, and common rights, in veneration for the
faith, taking oath on the Gospels — probably like the " book of
St. Chad," already described — in the presence of the holy relics,
that he would never deprive the See of a single clod of its earth, or
of its privileges, that is, freedom of all tax except only prayer and
divine service, freedom from governor, consul, or deputy, proconsul,
from meetings, from watchings, from expeditions ; with full dignity
of its Court as a Royal Court ; disclaiming rule or interference in
its matters or possessions; preserving its right of refuge or sanctuary,
and this was not only to extend to Llandaff, but also to St. David's,
throughout the Demetic, or South Wales regions : Cantref Maur,^
Brecheniauc, and Eluail or South Radnorshire. In regard to the
foregoing, the Church of LLandaff and Bishop Joseph held the
following possessions during the King's reign by the admonition
of Archbishop ./Elno'S and the express approbation of King Cnut,
viz. : —
' Nicolas, /. c, p. 46.
* See p. 214.
2 14 Memorials of Llandaff.
In Cantref Maur (N. Carmarthenshire, Caio and
Catheiniog hundreds).
I. Lann Teliau maur, with its two territories : or Llan-
deilo fawr.
II. Lann Teliau nant Seru : In Caio parish.
III. Lann Teliav garthteuir ; or Brondeilo in Caio
parish.
IV. Lann Teliau mainaur brunus ; or LLandeilo Rwnws.
V. Lann Teliau bechan in difrin teiui.
In Cantref Guartha (W. Carmarthenshire and
part of Pembrokeshire).
VI. Lann Teliau lanndibrguir mainaur ; or Llan-
ddowror.
VII. Lann Teliav treficerniu ; or perhaps Trelech.
VIIJ. Lanntoulidauc ICAIR ; or Llandeulydog, co. Pembroke.
IX. Lann Teliau aper coguin ; or Llandeilo Abercywyn.
X. Lann Teliau penn tiuinn ; or perhaps Henllan, near
Llandewi Felfre, co. Pembroke, according to Rees.
Evans and PhiUimore identify this place with Pendine,
CO. Carmarthen.
XI. Lann Teliau LUIN GUAIDAN, a vill only in Euelfre : or
LLwyngwaddau, near Llandewi Felfre or Velfre, co.
Pembroke.
In Penbro.
XI J. Lann rath : or Amroth.
XI IJ. Lann CRONNGUERN, with the three territories of
Amrath ; or Cronware. Their boundary is from Frut
Gurcant to Glan rath.
XII IJ. Tref CARN, a vill only, without a church ; perhaps St.
Florence, near Tenby.
XV. Laitii ti Teliau, on the bank of the Ritec, a vill only
near Penn alunn : or Penally. Site not identified by
Evans.
XVI. Menechi, on the bank of the Ritec, near Penn alunn ;
perhaps near Gumfreston, or Monachdy.
XVIJ. Pull ARDA, near mainaur pir, a vill only : or Maenor
byr, Manorbeer, near Tenby.
XVIIJ. LuiN Teliau, a vill only; or Tre-llwyn, Tenby.
XIX. ECCLUIS GUINIAU, the birthplace of St. Teliaus ; perhaps
Penally Church. But Rees suggests Gumfreston.
XX. PORTH medgen, a vill only ; perhaps Cheriton.
Possessions of the See. 2 I 5
XXI. Forth MANACH MAINAUR, in amithieil, or Mouncton,
Monkton, near Pembroke. Rees reads Manuthiel for
the last two word.s of this title.
XXII. Din GUENNHAF in lonion, a vill only; perhaps Lanion,
near Pembroke.
XXIIJ. Lann Teliau LITGARTH in fin doucledif ha chemeis .
mainaur : or Llandeilo LLwydgarth, near Maenclochog,
CO. Pembr., on the borders of the hundreds of Dungleddy
and Kemmaes.
XXIIIJ. Lann Teliau CIL RETIN in emlinn ; or Cil rhedin, co.
Carmarthen.
In Ros.
XXV. Lann issan . mainaur ; or perhaps St. Ishmael's in Rhos,
CO. Pembroke.
XXVI. Bronnlann : an unidentified site.
— \bis\. Lanngurfrit (LLangurfrit, Rees), an unidenti-
fied site.
XXVIJ. Telich CLOUUAnI; or Tachloian, near Llan-Deilo vawr,
CO. Carmarthen.
In Penbro.
XXVJII. CiLTUTUC : between Tenby and Pembroke.
XXVI 1 1 J. Penn clecir : near Tenby.
In Pepitiauc; Pebidiog, N.W. Pembrokeshire.
— Mainaur mathru : or Mathry.
XXX. Cenarth maur, co. Carmarthen.
In Brecua (for Brecheniauc, Brecknockshire).
XXXI. Lann guruaet mainaur : or Llandeilo'r fan, but not
identified by Mr. Evans.
In Cantref Selim ; or Selyf, an ancient division
of CO. Brecknock.
XXXII. Lann COIT : or LLangoed, an extinct chapel in the
parish of LLyswen.
In Cantref Talacharn (or Talgarth, co. Breckn.).
XXXIII. LanncorS: or Llan Gors.
XXXIIIJ. Lann mihacgel meibion gratlaun : perhaps Llan-
fihangel Cwmdu.
XXXV. Lann idoudec seith: near Llan Gors.
1 Omitted by Rees.
2 1 6 Memorials of Llandaff.
In elmail (Elfael, rural deanery, co. Radnor).
XXXVI. Lann MEILIC HALYGUESS : or LLowes Church, dedi-
cated to St. Meilig, or Maelog, co. Radnor.^
jXXXVII. Lann Teliau iciHou idrifrinn machagui : or LLan-
deilo y Cih'au, in the valley of the Bachawy, a stream
falling into the R. Wye near Erwood : LLandeilo
Graban, co. Radnor.
2. Penn iprisc Tree eiliau in segenid.
Lanntiuauc in Pennichen.
This second record, the first grant proper made to the Church,
during Bishop Joseph's episcopate, relates in its preamble that
Mouric, King of Gulatmorcant or Glamorgan, son of Hiuel, had
made and sworn peace with Etguinus, son of Guriat, King of
Gueniscoit, upon the relics of the Saints and the Gospel Book,^ to
unite against the men of Brecon and all their enemies, the English
and the southern transmontane Britons, in the presence of Bishop
Joseph and many notables of the realm. But after a time King
Mouricus broke his oath, captured Etguinus, took his kingdom, and
put out his eyes. The Bishop heard of the crime, and cursed the
wicked King and his abettors, at a general assembly of all the
diocesan clergy at LLandaff, which confirmed the canonical
sentence. The King, recognising his unsupportable condition,
and unable to bear the excommunication put on him, besought
pardon at LLandaff and at God's hand by intercession of the triad
of Saints and of the Bishop, which he obtained by penance and
the grant in alms to the Bishops of LLandaff for ever : I. Of the
Vill of Penn iprisc, that is, difrinn anouid, with its liberty and
common right, free of taxation, except to the Church and Bishops
of LLandaff, for ever; also II. The Vill of Tref Eliau in
Seghenid or Senghenydd, co. Glamorgan, that is, the vill of the
sons of Quichtrit, or Uchtrit, in area three modii; and III. Lann
Tiuauc, also embracing land of three modii, with liberty and
common right.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop loseph. Cimeilliauc, equonimus or
Ruid, Priest. steward, son of Bledgur.
loseph, Priest of Ildutus.
1 There is a place in Llowes parish called Croes Feilig, or St. Meilig's
Cross. — Rev. R. Rees, Welsh Saints, p. 231.
''■ See p. 177.
Riv Brein. 217
Of the laity :—
King Mouricus. Cincenn son of Guebric.
Hiugel his father. Breint luguim.^
The boundary of Difrin Annouid comprehends the spring of
Derguist ; the AUt ; Riu Tiuuil ; Pull ir lulenn ; Carn luit ; Cruc
ri dir, or rid ir, Cair ; Annouid ; to Budinn.
The boundary of Tref Eliau is from the guoun or Weun,
meadow, to the sea in length ; from Tref Licotuc to Tref Tecan in
width.
That of Lanntiuauc in breadth between Corricou, or perhaps
Corrwg Vowr and Corrwg Vach, co. Glamorgan ; in length as
far as the long stone, or? Langston, co. Monm.
The deed ends with the usual solemn wishes.
3. Riv Brein.
The preamble of this charter relates that Riuguallaun, son of
Run, fought with Bishop Joseph and his kinsfolk and wounded one
of them, a friend of the Bishop, with a lance. He was, therefore,
expelled from the district and excommunicated for his crime.
Eventually he made up his contention with the Bishop and his
relations, and a penance was set on him for his misdeeds, whereby
he obtained absolution, and, upon renewing his peace with the kind-
red of the wounded man, he granted, by permission of King Hiugel
and liis son Mouricus, his hereditary land of RlUBREIN with its
liberty, and a third part of the woodland of Ynis peithan (unidenti-
fied sites somewhere between Castell Coch and Castell Morgraig,
CO. Glamorgan), to the triple band of tutelary Saints of LLandaff
and to Bishop Joseph and all his successors for ever, with common
rights and free of all charges.
The boundary (of Riubrein) is : the broad ford on Annouid ; to
the Istleidiauc ; to the pull of tin Cincenn ; to Cruc glas ; to the
broad way ; to the foss ; along it to the meadow {guoun guenn) ;
to the grove {luin) of Ina.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop loseph. Tecguaret, Priest of St.
Ruid, Priest of St. Teliau. Docunni.
Sed, Priest of St. Catoc.
1 This may represent one or two persons. Rees transforms the words into
"Breint. LLywineu."
2i8 Memorials of Llandaff.
Of the laity :—
King Hiugel, and Run son of Ceitimor.
His son Mouric. Cincenn son of Huefric.
After the invocations, the boundary of the woodland (of Ynis
peithan) is with the woodland of Inis bratguenn or Ynis Bradwen,
from the influx of the Gungleis, or Ton Guynles, on the river TAv,
as it leads upwards to its source ; across to the source of the Nant-
du ; along it downwards till it falls into the earth before reaching
the Tav ; to the T^v ; along it, with right of fishing therein, down
as far as the influx of the Gungleis where it began.
4. Tref Gynnhill.
Gurcant, son of Ithail, dedicated for his soul's health the Vill of
Tref Ginhill, after the usual formulae, to Bishop Joseph and his
successors for ever. The boundary is from the R. Elei, or Ely, near
Cardiff, keeping to the road as far as the Abrenan, then rising
upwards and transversely until it descends into Elei.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop loseph. Cimeilliauc.
Ruid, Priest. Benedictus.
Of the laity :—
Gurcant son of Ithail. Atrit son of Elfin.
Cincenn son of Caratauc.
Blessed be he who keeps this ; accursed he who violates it.
5. Tref Gulych.
Mouric, King of Gulatmorcant, son of Hiugel, was incensed
against a certain wealthy subject named Seisill, and came to Llan-
daff, where he violated the sanctuary of the three saints and took
away from the church door the said man's wife, by force and
violence, in the presence of the Bishop, wounding one of the
Bishop's family. Thereupon the prelate assembled at a full
Synod
all his diocesan clergy and anathematised the King, or rather the
wicked transgressor of God's commandments. The sentence having
been given and published throughout the diocese, the King peti-
tioned at LLandaff for pardon, offering to restore the captive wife,
to pay the Bishop's wounded man, and fully restore the sanctuary.
And penance being enjoined on him with pardon granted accord-
Bishop Joseph. 219
ing to the measure of the crime, the King restored to the Llandaff
Saints the Vill of Tref GULICI-I, or St. Lythan's, co. Glamorgan
which had formerly belonged to them^ from the time of ludhail,
King of Morcannuc, son of Athruis, with its liberty and common
right.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop loseph. Joseph, Priest.
Ruid, Priest.
Of the laity :—
King Mouricus. Seisill son of Gistlerth.
Caratauc son of Gulbrit. Teudur son of Idguin.
The boundary is not the same, in all respects, as that mentioned
in the previous charter of this place : from the Poguisma, powisva
or resting-place to the Cruc ; to the stone ; along the ditch to Carn
Gistlerth ; to Carn Guocof (near Wenvo Castle) ; to the nant ; to
the Gvvrimmi or Little Rumncy ; to the Gulich ; to Carn teireru ;
to the island opposite Pouisma deui.
With the customary phrases at the end.
6. Villa Fratrus upon Nadauan.
King Mouricus also, in expiation of the already-mentioned
excess, dedicated after the usual formula, to the Church of LLan-
daff and its Bishops for ever, the Vill of Fratrus, with all its
liberty and common right, the grant being attested by the above-
said clergy and laity. He gave also four pounds of silver to Bishop
loseph, many gifts to the Canons, and promised perpetual obedience
to the Church, and that he would be a trustworthy helper and
faithful defender of all its lands. And he blessed Catguocaun and
Ris, his sons, and all his posterity, that they should keep this
grant, and cursed all his survivors who should ever sever the same
from the Church of LLandaff.
The boundary touches Ebirthun or Aberthyn, N.E. of Cow-
bridge, in Glamorgan ; the Carn ; the dyke or wall ; the rise of
the hill ; the slope above the grove ; to the top ; downwards to-
wards the W. to the high road ; across the road to the head of
the dyke ; along it to the nant as far as Nadauan ; along it to
the influx of the Epyrthun ; the high road ; to the ford where it
began.
' See p. III.
2 20 Memorials of Llandaff.
7. Hennriu in Lebinid.1
This charter, which is of the narrative form, supplies another
chapter in the history of the abduction of Seisill's wife. It relates
that Caratauc (the primary form of the later and common name of
Caradoc), son of Riuallaun, one of the nobles of Mouricus, King of
Morcanhuc, had violated the sanctuary of the three tutelary Saints
of LLandaff, by abetting that King in his forcibly taking her
away from the church door, as described in the charter^ of Tref
Gulych. When he had reflected on his evil conduct, and saw that
he could not free himself from the consequences ensuing from the
Bishop's anger and the excommunication he had brought on him-
self, except by fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, with tears he be-
sought the Bishop's pardon, who appointed him a penance befitting
such a sacrilege, and thus, with assent of Catgucaun (an early form
of the later name Cadogan), King of Guent, he granted, after the
usual formulae, to Bishop loseph and all his successors for ever,
Lannpetyr^ in HENNRIU, with its liberty, freedom from tax, and
common right.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop loseph. Gueiluirth, son of Albrit.
Bleinguid.
Of the laity :—
King Catgucaun. Caratauc, and
Grifud son of Eli. Riuguallaun sons of Gulfrit,
Nir son of ludguallaun. louaf son of Riuallaun.
Abraham son of Enniaun.
The boundary touches the Dubleis ; Nant i Gall ; its source ;
the head of the Allt of Coit guent or Went wood ; the ridge of the
Allt upwards to opposite Lannmihacgel, or St. Michael's Church
[of Kemeis Inferior] ; the ford maur or high road ; up through the
Coit along the ridge of the Allt ; down to the eye or spring
of Nant march ; along it to the Dyfleis or Dubleis where it
begins.
The blessing and the curse usually found at the end are omitted
in this text.
1 Lebund in Gwent, Rees. Evans identifies Hennriu as to the N.E. of Lann
Devaud, co. Monm., and Lebinid as a commote in Guent-is-Coet ; but Rees
considers it to be probably Llanbeder, now in ruins, about three miles to the E.
of Caerleon, and this is confirmed by Evans, p. 383.
^ See p. 218.
Bishop "Joseph. 221
8. Villa Carnou, that is, Villa Crucou leuirn,
AND Villa Crucou morgan.
Merchiaun, son of Riderch, and Gurcant, his son, by this charter
granted, in exchange for a heavenly realm, to Bishop loseph and
his successors at LLandaff for ever, with the assent of the King,
the Vili of Carnou, with two modii of land, and the Vill of Crucou
LEUGIRN, with three modii, after the accustomed formulee, with
liberty and common right.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop loseb. Gurcant son of Dunna.
Nobis, Priest.
Of the laity :—
Merchiaun, and Gurcinnif son of Gurci.
Gurcant his son. Gistrerth son of Gallcun.
After the usual blessing and cursing, the boundary of Crucou
Morcant, which impinges upon the following points :— the ford of
the Aruaith on the Mouric ; the road to above the Allt to the right :
to a grove ; a great grove ; across the road to a ditch ; along it up
to Garth Bacat ; the grove on the other side of Garth Bacat ; the
outlook of Nant Hela ; the Pant of the same Nant ; the stone ; the
the road ; the ditch ; along it to Pull Mouric ; a space downwards
along it to Brinn icasseg or Bryn y Gasseg ; Penn i Guern ; the
Manor {iuainaur) ; a ditch ; along it downwards to Pull Mouric ;
along the Aruaith where it began.
9. Lann sant breit in Mainaur Crucmarc.
This charter is of narrative form, and sets forth that Catguallaun,
son of Guriat, in an altercation with Riderch, son of Beli, struck
him in the Court, and in the presence of Bishop loseph at LLandaff,
with his fist and caused blood to flow from his nostrils, whereupon
the Bishop consigned him to prison before his kinsfolk, to wit his
father Guriat, Gurcanus, son of Ithail, his cousin, and others. In
prison the culprit confessed his wickedness, and caused intercession
for pardon to be made to the Bishop, offering to the tutelary saints
and the Bishop the church of St. Brigida, or Llansanffread, i.e.,
St. Bride's super Ely, in Glamorgan, with three modii of land, and a
fitting compensation to the injured man. The Bishop took counsel
with the Canons and law-worthy (or lage-men) men of Llandaff,
and accepted that church, with its land and its liberty and common
right, with assent of Guriat, the grantor's father, and consent of
22 2 Memorials of Llandaff.
Mouricus, King of Morcanhuc, confirmed by perpetual gift, and set
(no doubt by some form of seisin) upon the altar of the tutelary
saints. Cruc Marc in the title of this charter appears to connect
it with Crucou Morcan of the preceding deed.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Joseph. Cimeilliauc, equonimus.
Ruid, Priest.
Of the laity :—
Gurcant son of Ithail. Dissaith.
Guriat and his son Catguallaun. Teudur.
The boundary is in width from Nant Brachan as far as Glesius,
or Glasswg ; in length from the spring of the Liss to the junction
of the two Nants of Brachan. With the usual termination of
blessing and anathema.
lo. Cecin penn ros arguy.
In this short charter it is recorded that Seisill, son of Gistlerth
(whose wife had been carried off by King Mouric^), dedicated, after
the usual formula, to Bishop loseph and (the Church of) Llandafif,
and to the church of Cinfall for ever, Cecin Penn Ros on the
bank of the Mingui or Mynwy, on the other side of Lanncinfall, or
Llangynfall, near Monmouth, with the assent of Grifud, son of
Riderch.
Its boundary touches from opposite the influx of the spring
of Emrdil across the Mingui river ; along the ridge of Pennros
to the right, making for the head of the meadow of Audi ; along it
downwards to the Mingui ; to the influx of the spring where it
began. Mr. Evans conjectures this site to be Perthyr, co. Monm.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop loseph. Clemens, Priest of
Ruid, Priest of Landaff. Lann Cinfall.
Cimeilliauc, equonimus.
Of the laity :—
Grifud, King of Morcanhuc, son of Riderch.
Seisill son of Gistlerth.
Audi, and Guilstan sons and heirs of Sigilm.
Branud Guof, and Gunguas his son.^
Idmab of Lan Cinnfall, the Bishop's Provost.
Riderch, and Seisill sons of Eiuid of Lann mocha,
* See p. 218.
^ Rees reads " Branud, Gwor and his son Gwnwar.""
Bishop Joseph. 223
II. Cecin Pennicelli near Lannbocha.
The last charter of the period of Bishop loseph is, Hke its
predecessors for the most part, of a narrative character, and relates
that Riuguallaun son of Tutbulch, accompanied by his kinsfolk,
came one day to Lann Mocha, or St. Maughan, co. Monmouth,
excited by anger and fury, and pillaged the people of that place ;
and coming with his spoil, the plundered church relics following
in his train, he fell down with a great cry and groan into the
Fount of Oir, or Cold-Well, being overmuch terrified at the sight
of a large fish in the fount, at which his horse started and threw
him to the ground so that his arm was broken. Half dead, he
called to his kinsmen and surrendered^ his spoils, and in that
very spot dedicated to the triad of Llandaff Saints, and to Bishop
loseph and all the Bishops of LLandaff, his hereditary land of
Cecin Penn icgelli free of all tax for ever.
The boundary thereof is : the spring of Finnaun Oir ; down-
wards along the Guuer as far as the PridpuU or Clay pit ; down
to the gorge of the pant on the N. side ; along the pant upwards to
the highroad ; along it on the W. side as far as Finnaun Oir where
it began.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop loseph. Elcu, Priest of
Ruid, Priest, and Lannmocha.
Cimeilliauc, Canons of LLandaff.
Of the laity :—
King Riderch son of Gistin. Euud son of Gloiu.
Riuguallaun. Brechiaul son of
Bynus son of Merchbiu. Guallauc.
Marchiud son of loude, the heir. Nud son of Morgen.
Gucaun. Tutleu.
Seisill son of Elcu of Lannmocha. Bledgur Burr.
Gloiu son of Fermarch.
With the customary blessing and anathema at the end.
1 Quietam clamavit, see pp. 130, 158.
CHAPTER XXII.
BISHOP HERWALD.
TO Bishop Joseph, or loseb, Herwald succeeded in the
Episcopal See. He was also called Hergualdus, and
Hervvallt, and flourished contemporaneously with Edward Con-
fessor and the successive Kings of England to the time of
Henry I. Though a native of Wales, he is reputed to have
spent the earlier years of his life among the English. The
actual date of his consecration is put by Rees^ at about 1056,
which was afterwards confirmed by Cynisi, or Kinsige, Archbishop
of York [1051-1060], in a Synod at London in 1059, during the
week of Pentecost ; but Canon Holmes, in his edition of
Dr. Stubbs's Registrum Sacrum,^ gives the date of 26 May, 1056,
for his consecration, and 6 March, 1104, for his death. In the
same work the historian Ralph de Diceto, is quoted as the
authority for the consecration of Herewald of Llandafif by
Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, but Lanfranc's consecration
did not take place until 29 August, 1070. At his death, on
II. Non. Mart., 6 March, Bishop Herwald had sat for forty-eight
years in the Episcopal chair, and was in his hundredth year of age.^
Herewald had been ordained to the priesthood by Bishop loseph.
Grifidus, King of the Britons, and Mouricus, Son of Houel, with
the prelates, priests, doctors, chiefs, and nobles, unanimously elected
him to be Bishop, and his consecration was made in the presence
of King Edward Confessor. Six documents are contained in the
Liber Landavensis as having been attested by this Bishop, of which
the first relates to
Henn Riv Gunnua.
The narrative preamble of this charter relates that the kinsmen
of Catgucaunus, King of Morcannuc, the son of Mouricus, upon a
certain Christmas day, visited Llandaff with good intent, but the
^ P- 535-
2 P. 36. Godwin states that Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury, conse-
crated him, but this is improbable.
' Evans, Lib. Land., p. 313.
Synod. 225
festivities in which he took part began to be riotous, and
Berthutis, a kinsman and grandson or nephew {nepos) of the
Bishop, was killed. He was a just man, and the physician
of the whole district. As this crime had been committed under
the wings, so to speak, of the three Saints of LLandaff, the
Bishop convened a full
Synod
of all the diocesan clergy at LLandaff, where the crosses and holy
relics were placed on the ground, the bells inverted, the church
doors closed and barricaded with thorn bushes, and so they
remained, without service or pastor, for days and nights, while
the anathema and separation from the faith rested on the King's
family. When the King became aware of the murmuring and
commotion this brought about, he began to weep for this con-
demnation, desiring rather to be at peace with his pastor than to
be a participator in the infliction of the injury. He called, there-
fore, all his nobles together, and besought pardon at LLandaff,
with devotion and tears for the separation of his family from
the company of Christians. His prayer was heard, and pardon
granted after canonical penance performed by the King, who
placed his hands on the altar of the Saints and, before all the
clergy and laity, declared the confirmation of his almsgiving of
HenriuguN'UA (the site of which is not identified) to Landaff
and the Bishop and his successors for ever, free of all taxation
and with its common right.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Hergualdus. Selif
Moruarch and loseph, reader of [St.] Catoc.
Merchuiu, Canons. Aidan, Priest of [St.] Catoc.
Gulbrit. Catguaret, Priest of St.
Tutnerth. Docunni.
Of the laity :—
King Catgucaun. Cinnhor son of Richrit.
Ris his brother. Eithin son of Elfin.
Rotri son of laco. Guabeith son of Elcu.
Caratauc son of Gulbrit. Teudur son of Laur.
After the usual invocation comes the boundary, which touches
the following points :— the head of the Weun or meadow ; the head
Q
2 26 Memorials of Llandaff.
of the ditch ; to the road ; to the ridge of the Allt ; in the Celli ;
along it down to the pull near the edge of a meadow to the E. ;
along the dyke in the pant across the road upwards, along the
pant to the mouth of the Riu on the ridge of the Allt as far as
Henn tref Gucaun ; down through the nant and along it as far as
Willow-grove ; on the N. to the Cruc ; to the other Cruc ; straight
across the road; to Penn celli Gulible; to Guorlurch ludgual;
along it to the Carn ; to the Cruc ; to the Carn ; to the highroad ;
from the plain of the meadow to the head thereof where it began.
2. A General Privilege
forms the subject of the next document, granted, with a religious
proem, by Grifudus or Gruffydd, son of Llewelyn and Prince of
Gwynedd, King of Britain " and, as I may say, of all Wales from
one end to the other," who reigned over Wales from 1032 to 1061,
when he was opposed by Caradoc ap Rhydderch ab lestyn and
treacherously killed. This King — the subject of a somewhat extra-
vagant panegyric — who penitently promising amendment for what
he had perpetrated contrary to divine precepts, by fasting, prayer,
and almsgiving to God, and to widows and orphans, bearing
himself bravely against the barbarous English, who always fled
before him, the Western Irish, the bellicose natives, the seamen of
Denmark, and the men of the Orkneys ; he it was who quit-
claimed^ all the territories of the Church of Llandaff, of St. Peter, the
apostle, and saintly confessors, Dubricius, Teliauus, and Oudoceus,
within the whole of its diocese, from the mouth of Taratir on the
bank of the Gui to the bank of the Tiugui, or Towy, and moreover
its lands of Lann Teliaumaur, or Lanndeilo fawr, and Pen Alun,
or Penally, with many other churches and all their lands, with
many in Brecheniauc, or Brecknock, which are held without the
diocese, in that of St. David's and with all their privileges as best
enjoyed by their predecessors, quit and free from all taxation and
charged only with the duty of daily prayer for the souls' health of
the kings and princes of Britain. The grant was ratified by his
placing the hands upon the four gospels (probably some such book
as the "Book of St. Chad") and into the hand of Bishop Heruualdus
before all his people on Christmas day at Ystum guy, or Stuntaf
(? Whitchurch), with the offering of the Vill of PennroS in the
hand of the Bishop and all his successors at LLandaff for ever.
1 See pp. 130, 158, etc.
'Oilla Miluc.
227
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Heruualdus.
Mormarch \
Merchbiu J- Canons of LLandaff.
Tutnerth j
Benedict, reader.
Of the laity :—
King Grifud.
Margetud his son.
Caratauc son of Riguallaun.
Byrguith.
ludhail son of Teudus.
louanaul
Nouis
Elinui Priests.
Cinon
ludhail
Tathiu.
Abraham, Arch-
deacon of Guent.
Eidniuet.
Fuedlid.
Berdicguent.
Caratauc son of Gulbrit.
With common right to all the inhabitants of Church lands
throughout his realm in field and in woods, in water and in
meadows.
Villa Miluc.
3. The course of the Memorials of Llandaff carries the history
down now to a more precise chronology, and in this charter the
grantor Gistinus. son of Gurcant, or Jestyn ap Gwrgan — a promi-
nent figure in the mediaeval annals of Glamorgan — first comes
upon the scene of our inquiries. The preamble relates how this
prince — a man declared to be of a most untractable and turbulent
disposition, who had succeeded to the kingdom of Glamorgan
about 1043, and about forty-five years later was contending with
his rival Rhys ap Tewdwr in a strife which eventually led to the
winning of his realm by the Normans in 1091 — sent his kinsmen
or retinue to Llandaff in a spirit of aggression. In this company
was a certain Turguert, and a youth named Enniaun, the nepos,
grandson or nephew, of Gistinus. The sanctity of the refugium
of the Saints Dubricius, Teliauus, and Oudoceus, the sanctuary
presided over by Bishop Heruuald, was violated by the aggressors,
and a virgin named Ourdilat, daughter of Cingual, who had fled
to the church when the attack begun, was seized and assaulted
between the y&w tree (a general object in a churchyard, probably,
and one to which especial sanctity was attached and particular
veneration accorded) and the church. In that same hour the
aforesaid youth became deranged in his mind, and the whole of
his life was rendered useless and disgraceful In consequence of
Q2
2 28 Memorials of Llandaff.
this deed the Bishop cursed Gistinus and the criminals, com-
pletely excommunicating them from Christian fellowship. After-
wards Gistinus acknowledged his wickedness towards God and
his pastors, and begged for pardon with tearful devotion at the
hand of the Bishop, who accorded it to him on condition of his
performing a penance ; and having restored the girl whom he had
abducted, and with concord thus effected, Gistin granted the Vill
of MiLUC — thought by Evans to be probably Garth Mailwg, on
the River Ely — to the three Saints of LLandafif and Bishop
Heruualdus and all his successors for ever, with its liberty and
freedom from taxation.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Heruualdus. lonas. Priest.
Mormarch, Priest. Aidan, Priest of St. Catoc.
Merchuiu, Priest. Gurci, Priest of St. Catoc.
Tutnerth. Gurcinnif, Priest of St. Ildutus.
Lifris son of the Bishop, John, Priest of St. Docunni.
Archdeacon and Master
of St. Catoc.
Of the laity : —
Gistinus son of Gurcant. Mouric son of Guronui.
Caratauc son of Gulbrit. Ris son of Brochmail.
Selif son of Cinnor. Cydrich son of Edrit.
Elfin son of Dissaith. Mei son of the Bishop.
With a blessing and perpetual anathema at the end as usual.
Amen.
The boundary reaches from the Cecyn of the Allt ; to the head
of the dyke towards the end ; along the breast of the hill ; towards
the righti to the cruc ; to Penn i celli ; to the dyke ; down to the
road ; across the road to the stone ; to the centre of Lin i gleiniou,
on the Elei ; up as far as below the Rit i main melin, or the ford
of the Yellow Stone ; from the Elei upwards to the Riu ; along it
through the wood above the Allt to the shoulder of the wood ; to
the head of the dyke to the Elei ; across it to the dyke ; to the
road ; along the dyke up to the breast of the Allt where it began.
Tref Rita.
4. Caratocus, King of Morcannuc, son of Rhydderch ab lestyn,
who obtained the sovereignty of South Wales, 1069, and only held
' ad. iiij. dexter am., MS.
Tref Rita. Villa Gunnhucc. 229
it until the following year, took his kinsmen to Lann Mocha,^ a
site belonging to the tutelary saints and Heruualdus, Bishop of
LLandaff, where they partook, without consent of the Bishop, of a
banquet which the latter had prepared in honour of Riderch, son
of Eguid, and the intruders became intoxicated and remained all
night. The Bishop was offended and demanded reparation for the
insult, and the King, acknowledging his fault and desiring pardon
with penitence and a fitting penance, granted, after the usual
formula, to the Saints and Bishops of LLandaff for ever, the Vill
of Tref Rita in the commote of Edelicion — a district in the S.W.
parts of Monmouthshire comprising parts of the hundreds of Usk
and Wentloog — near Merthirtecmed, or LLan Degved, with its
liberty and common right.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Bishop Heruualdus, Gurci, Priest of St.
Lifricus his son. Catoc,
Mormarch, Priest of St. Teliauus. Benedictus, Priest of
Merchbiu, Priest. Bassalec (near New-
Aidan, Priest of St. Catoc. port, in co. Monm.).
loseph. Doctor of St. Catoc.
Of the laity :—
King Caratauc. Berdicguent.
Caratauc son of Gulbrit. Ibirrfuith.
Caratauc son of Riuguallaun. ludhail son of Teudus,
Mouric son of Guronui. Caratauc son of Gistlerth.
louan and Elinui son of Idnerth.
Seisill sons of Arthan. lestin son of Gurcant.
Mei son of the Bishop. Selif son of Cinnor.
A blessing and a curse conclude the deed. Amen.
5. Villa Gunnhucc in Guartha Cum.
This charter partakes also of the narrative form, and owes its
grant to a crime, as, it will have been observed, in the case with
several others of these ancient documents. The author of the
Gesta Stephani} describing Walonia, that is, Wales, and its people,
writes that it is " hoininuni nutrix bestialium, natura velocium,
consuetudine bellantium, fide semper et locis instabilium." This
severity of censure, borne out to some extent by several of the
charters in the Liber Landavensis, may be compared with what is
1 See p. 223. 2 Ed. Sewell, 1846, p. 9.
230 Memorials of Llandaff.
said by Giraldus Cambrensis in his Cambrim Descriptio, cap. viii.
Caratauc, son of Riuguallaun, a witness in the previous record, in
this figures as the grantor, and it is shown that having fallen in
sickness of body he became mindful of the health of his soul, and
becoming filled with remorse for the murder of Cinon, his brother,
by one of his companions, in his presence and in a great degree on
his account, for which he had already visited the Church of St. Peter
— the Church of LLandaff was dedicated to this apostle, and it is
more probable that this church is intended than that of St. Peter's
at Rome — knowing that he could not be saved except by fasting,
prayer, and almsgiving, dedicated to God and the three Llandaff
Saints, and to the four Saints of Lannciim — Mirgint,^ Cinficc,-
Huui,^ and Eruen^ — and to Bishop Heruualdus and all his suc-
cessors, the Vill of GUNNUC* of his own proper inheritance in
Guarthafcum^ with its liberty and common right for ever after
the usual formula;, with assent of the Earl of Herford (Hereford)
and Lord of Guent, Roger, son of William Fitz Osbern, during
the reign of William the father, i.e., the first. King of the English''
and of Wales.
The witnesses are, of the clergy : —
Heruualdus, Bishop of LLandaff.
Abraham, Archdeacon of Guent.
Lifricus son of the Bishop, Archdeacon of Gulat morcant
and Master of St. Catoc's at Lanncaruan.
Elinui, Monk of Lanncum.
louan. Priest of Merthirteudiric.
Edulf, Priest of Lannuedeui.
louan, Priest, son of Run of Cairguent.
1 Mirgint is not mentioned by the Rev. Rice Rees, Welsh Saints, but that
author gives particulars of St. Meugan or Meigant, who may be the same. He
was a son of Gvvyndaf Hen ab Emyr Llydaw and Gwenonwy, daughter of
Meurig, Prince of Glamorgan.
2 Not mentioned in R. Rees's Welsh Saints.
3 Perhaps the same as Hywgi or Bugi, father of St. Beuno. He gave all his
lands for the endowment of his brother's college at Lancarfan, where he spent
the latter part of his life. But Hywyn, who may be the Saint designated, was
a son of Gwyndaf Hen. See above.
* Gunnuc is identified by Evans as possibly Beilie, Llan Gwm, Monmouth-
shire, p. 384 ; and Beilieu, p. 402.
6 Identified by Rees as The Village of Cynog, probably in Llangwm. The
Prebendary of Gwarthaf Gwm is supported in part by the tithes of Llangwm.
Evans considers this site to be the same as Llan Gwm Isa.
" William, father of the King of England, Rees.
Churches of the Diocese. 231
Of the laity :—
Caratauc son of Riguallaun. Berdicguent.
Mouricus son of Enniaun. Nouis son of Laur.
Elinui son of Idnerth. Hueil and louann sons
Ithail son of Teudus. of Eidniuet.
Guasfuith.
The boundary is : from Nant Broeni as far as the pant on the
E. to the ditch which, near the road, leads to Nant March (a brook
which runs through the parish of Llangwm) ; along this nant to
Nant Broeni where it began. The usual clauses of blessing and
anathema are expressed at the end of this, the last land charter
contained in the Liber Landavensis. It is immediately followed by
an enumeration of the churches (many of which have already been
located and described) and their priests in the
Land of Ercycg,
Lann TYDIUC, or Hennlann Titiuc, co. Monm.
Lann meir castell mingui, or St. Mary's, Monmouth.
Lann TIUINAUC, perhaps Whitchurch, co. Heref
Lann martin, or Marstow, co. Heref
Lann CUSTENHIN ; or Llan Gystennyn Garthbenni ; or
Welsh Bicknor, co. Monm. and Heref
Lann Sanfreit, or Bridstow, co. Heref
Lann TIUOI, or Foy, co. Heref
Lann BUDGUAL, or perhaps Ballingham, co. Heref
Lann SULUC, or Sellack, co. Heref
Hennlann dibric, or Henllan Dyfrig, Hentland, co.
Heref, near Ross, with Lann TELIAU in the same
churchyard.
Lann MIHACGEL CIL LUCH, or LLanfihangel Caluch,
St. Michael's Church, near Hereford.
Lann PETYR, or Llanbedr, Peterstow, co. Heref
Lann HUNAPUI, or Llan Junabui, Landinabo, co. Heref
Lann GUERN Teliau ha dibric, or Llanwarne, Llan
Warn, near Hereford.
Lann deui ROS cerion, or Much Dewchurch, co. Heref
Lann DEGUI CILPEDEC, or Kilpeck, co. Heref
Lann CRUC, or Kender-church.
LAN CEIN, or Kent-church, co. Heref
Cum MOURUC, or Morraston, Little Dew-church, co. Heref
Lann SANTGUAINERTH, or St. Weonards, co. Heref
232 Memorials of Llandaff.
Lann CINAUC, or Llan Gunnock, co. Heref.
Lann mihacgel supra mingui, or Garway, co. Heref.
Lann ridol, or Llanrothal, co. Heref.
Lann CINUIL, or Llangynfyll, near Monmouth.
Lann LOUDEU, or Llanloudy, co. Heref.
Lann celinni, an unidentified site.
Lann TISAUUC, also unidentified.
In the time of Etguardus, or Edward Confessor, King of
England, and of Grifud, King of Wales, Bishop Hergualdus
consecrated Hennlann dibric and Lannteliau with one churchyard,
and ordained Enniaun, son of Cincenn, to be priest, the heirs of
the church lands continuing to hold them under the Bishop were
Moridic, .son of Cini ; Morbran, son of Audi, and his brother
Cinhi ; Marcguein, son of Elcu ; and Potin, who all of them
rendered to the Bishop the farm thereof with the episcopal dues.
After the death of the priest Enniaun, he ordained his son^
Joseph to be the priest.
In the days of King Etguardus this Bishop also consecrated
Lanntiuoi, and ordained loseph, son of Brein, to be priest there
and at Lann suluc.
In the time of Harald the King he likewise consecrated
Lannsanbregit or Lann sanfreit, and ordained Guollguinn to be
priest there, and after him his son louann.
In the time of the same he consecrated Lannpetir under the
heir of Cidrich, son of Gunncu, and Catgen, and his sons Gunna
and Eutut, and his sons Merchiaun and Custennhin, and com-
mitted the ecclesiastical cure to the aforesaid priest Guolguinn.
In the time of King William, Earl William, Uualter de Laci,
and Raul de Bernai, Sheriff of Her[e]ford, before the building of
the Castle of Mingui or Monmouth, he consecrated Lanntidiuc, and
ordained Ris to be priest there, and on his death his sons Guriul
and Duinerth.
In the time of the same he likewise consecrated Lannsant-
guainerth, and ordained successively Cinon, son of Gucaun,
Guassauc, and Ris, to be priests there. In the time of the same
1 " The fault which Giraldus most largely dwells on, and which he was most
anxious to correct, was the marriage of the clergy. . . . Roman canon law
required that priests should not marry. The Welsh and English clergy ahke
utterly ignored that law." Rev. E. J. Newell, Hist, of the Welsh Church, 1895,
p. 265.
Ordinations by Bishop Hergualdus. 233
he consecrated Lannguern, and ordained successively Gulcet, son
of Asser, and Simeon, priests there.
In the same period he consecrated Cilpedec, and successively
ordained Morcenoui and his son Enniaun in the time of Catgen Dii,
and Ris, son of Moridic, priests there.
In Garthbenni Lanncusthennin, and successive priests, Arguistil,
son of Sigrlt, Cinon his son, and Merchiaun in the time of Teudus,
son of Marchi, Greir, son of Sigrit, Guabeith, Glesni, and Cinbran,
and previously he consecrated Lann idoudecsent in the same
churchyard in the time of King Harald.
In the same period he consecrated Lann deugui ros cerion, and
ordained Cinan, son of Gritiau, under the heirs Eli Fluch, Glesni
son of louan, son of Guolicet.
Also Lannmihacgel cil luch under the heirs Ceheic and
Melguas, and successively ordained Selif and Hodliu priests
there.
Also Lannguern, and successively ordained Audi, son of
Achess, and Gulcet, son of Asser, and Semion, under the heirs
Custennhinn, son of Catgen, Jouan, son of Hecgni, son of Asser,
son of Assennan.
Also Lanncinitir, Lann icruc, and successively ordained Aircol
and his son Enniaun priests.
Also Ciim Mouruc, and there ordained Pater Turch and
Cinmin priests there under the heir Helias, son of Morbrann.
Also Lan garann, and Bishop Joseph ordained Idmab to be
priest, and afterwards Bishop Hergualdus ordained Tecguaret, son
of Gueir, and after him Cynhi his son, to be priest;- on another
occasion a wooden church was consecrated there under the heirs
Ceheic, son of Elcu ; Cinon, son of Iduab ; Selim Coitgar, son of
Drich, Teudus, Guidir, in the time of King Etguardus.
In Lannsuluc he ordained lacob, son of Amhyr ; in Lann
marthin, Morbiu, and after him Gunna his son.
Also he consecrated Lann guenn aper humur, or LLan warne,
at the mouth of the brook Humir, or Gamber, under the heirs
Teudus, son of Marchci, and Catgucaun, son of Drutguas, and
ordained for its priests lacob, and after him Elgar.
In the time of King William, Earl WiUiam, Uualter de Laci^ and
Raul de Bernhai, Sheriff of Hereford, the Castle of Monmouth,
was built, and Earl William gave the moiety thereof to his three
barons, Hunfrai, Osbernus, and William the scribe. After the
1 Ob. 1084.
2 34 Memorials of Llandaff.
Earl's death Earl Rogierius^ succeeded him, who was by treachery
taken prisoner by the King, and the three barons were cast out
with many others. At a later time the Castle of Gweithenauc
(founder of Monmouth Priory) was granted, and in that period
Bishop Hergualdus consecrated the church of Mingui, or Mon-
mouth, Castle, at which ceremony King Caratocus was present
(who afterwards became a monk, and was succeeded by Randulf
de Coliuil), and on the death of Randulf, William, son of Batrun,^
succeeded.
The land of Ercycg, which contains all these above-mentioned
churches, has always been subject to the Church of LLandafif in
respect of all episcopal subjection, and in the time of the saints who
first established bishoprics throughout Britain, until the time of
Bishop Hergualdus, that Bishop stood seized of that diocese in all
episcopal subjection in the matters of Synod, Chrism, Consecration,
and Ordination, during the reigns of Etguardus, or Edward Con-
fessor, Haraldus, and William, Kings of England, Grifudus son of
Liuelin, Grifudus son of Riderch, Caratocus his brother, and Ris,
likewise, Kings of Wales, and also of Kings Caratocus son of
Grifud, and Riderch son of Caratauc, who reigned during the time
of King William, and so without any claim until by reason of the
Bishop's infirmity, and on account of a discord, he was deprived of
the land, and so it remains from that day to the present, notwith-
standing claim, and unjustly it was retained by the Cathedral
Church of Hereford.
When King William conquered England, Bishop Hergualdus
held the bishopric or diocese of the Church of Llandaff, extending
from the mouth of the River Guy, or Wye, as far as the River
Tygui, or Towy, with all episcopal dignity and authority. In his
day, Catgucaun, son of King Mouricus, reigned in Glatmorcant as
far as the ford of the Truncus, or Trunk, on the R. Tyuui ; King
Caratocus reigned in Ystratyu, Guent uch coit, and Gunnlyuiuc ;
and Riderch in Euyas and Guent iscoit. These three Kings were
vassals of King William, and died during his reign. Their lands,
together with the district of Ercycg, were held by Bishop Hergual-
dus in episcopal jurisdiction.
In this Bishop's time, Sandef the priest officiated in the church
of Lan hardneu or Llanarthney, near Carmarthen, co. Carm.; after
him his son Daniel :
' Roger, son and heir of Milo de Gloucestria, Earl of Hereford, ob. 1154.
2 William Fitz-Baderon, Baron of Monmouth, temp. Will I.
Ordinations by Bishop Hergualdus, 235
Sulurit the priest in Lanncadauc, or Llangadock, co. Carm. ;
after him, Elud.
In Peniibre, or Pembrey, near Kidwelly, co. Carm., Catmor, son
of Mor; after him, Gurhi son of Silli the doctor of Lanniltut, or
Llantwit ; and afterwards, Sed.
In Latm elli, or LLanelly, co. Carm., Umel the priest, then suc-
cessively Uchtrit, lonas, Guasduiu, and Aidan.
In Lann Cinith, or Llangennydd, in Gower, co. Glam., the
successive priests were Byuci, son of Idguinn, Cuelinn, laco coch,
Albrit. Here Bishop Heruualdus ordained Caratocus (perhaps the
King already referred to as having turned monk), a holy and
religious man, to be a monk.
In Lanngeuelach, or Llangyfelach, co. Glam., there were Aggeru
the priest, then Clidno.
In Lann ethrim, on the Clydach, co. Glam., Guidir the priest.
In Lann diuailauc, or Llandyfaelog, co. Carm., Auassei.
These aforesaid churches were consecrated, and priests ordained,
by Bishop Heruualdus ; and in the district of Guhir, or Gower, and
Cetgueli, or Kidwelly, and Cantref bichan, King Catgucaun reigned
for many years until his death, holding as hostages therefor Cetimor
torrauc, Asser mab Riderch, Garui, Selim mab Uuel, Guollguinn
mab Limarch mab Athrem, Auel mab Tristan, Gulbrit mab
Marchan, Mor mab Ceretic.
In Istratyu [Heruualdus] consecrated the churches of St.
Michael, or Llanfihangel Cwmdu, co. Breckn., Lann cetguinn,
Lannpetyr, or Llanbedr Ystradyw, Merthir issiu, or Patricio, in the
same, both near Crickhowel, and committed the ecclesiastical cure
of them to Matgueith and Isaac after him, and then to Beatus the
priest, all of whom the Bishop had ordained to the priesthood and
held fully under his episcopal authority during the time of King
William, Earl William, and Uualter de Laci.
Diceto places Bishop Herewald in 1030: The Chronicle called
Brut y Tywysogion (Ed. Master of the Rolls Series), p. 80, places
this Bishop's death in 1 104, and states that he was succeeded by
Worgan (Urban), who was consecrated in Kent by Archbishop
Ancellin (Anselm).
CHAPTER XXIII.
BISHOP URBAN.
THE text of the Liber Landavensis goes on to record the
death of Herevvald, the energetic prelate, in these words : —
" Herwaldus, Bishop of Llandaff, departed to the Lord, Prid. Non.
Mart, i.e., 6 March (iiof), in the year of our Lord's incarnation,
one thousand one hundred and four ; the forty-eighth j^ear of his
consecration, in the time of Henry \, King of England (5 Aug.,
iioo-i Dec, 113s), and of Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury
(4 Dec. 1093-21 Apr., 1109), and the bishopric was vacant for four
years five months and seven days. And on HI Id. Aug., i.e.,
1 1 August, in the year of our Lord one thousand one hundred and
seven,'^ during the time of the same rulers and by the same metro-
politan, and in the thirty-second year of his age, Vrbanus, Arch-
deacon of LLandaff,^ was consecrated Bishop at Canterbury in the
presence of these English Bishops : —
Girardus, Archbishop of York, metropolitan (1101-21 May,
1 108).
Mauritius, of London (? 5 Apr., 1086-26 Sept., 1107).
Windulf, of Rochester (or Gundulf, 19 Mar., 1077-7 Mar.,
1 108).
Ralph, of Chichester (Luffa, 1091-24 Dec, 1 123).
Robert, of Lincoln (Bloett, 12 Feb., 1094-10 Jan., 1123).
Robert, of Chester (Robert of Limesy, Bishop of Lichfield
and Chester, 1086-1 Sept., 11 17).
Herbert, of Norwich (Losinga, Bishop of Thetford, 1091-
22 July, 1 1 19).
Ralph, of Durham (Ranulph Flambard, 5 June, 1099-5 Sept.,
1 1 28).
John, of Bath (John of Tours, July, 1088-29 Dec, 1122).
1 R. de Diceto. Browne Willis, Survey, p. 45, gives 10 Aug., 1108, as the
date of his consecration.
'^ Not so styled in the document described lower down. Can it be that in
this there is a confusion with Archdeacon Urban of a later date ?
Bishop Urban. 237
The profession of canonical obedience to the Archbishop of
Canterbury made by Urban at his consecration (and believed to be
hitherto unpublished) is contained in a Canterbury Manuscript
among the Cottonian Collections in the British Museum, Cleopatra,
E. i. folio 30, as follows : —
Professio Urbani Clamorgatensis Episcopi.
Ego Urbanus electus et a te consecrandus Clamorgatensis
secclesise antistes quae in Uualis sita est . canonicam oboedientiam
tibi promitto et omnibus successoribus tuis tibi canonice succeden-
tibus o Anselme sanctae Dorobernensis aecclesise archiepiscope et
totius Britannise primas.
And on the same day, at the same time,i [and most probably by
the same prelates, William Giffard, Bishop of Winchester ; Roger of
Salisbury ; William Warelwast of Exeter, and Reinelm of Here-
ford were consecrated.]
Bishop Urban is the central figure, or so to say, the principal
actor in the drama of the Early Memorials of Llandaff. All that
has gone before has led up to the efforts of the Bishop to revive, to
maintain, to extend the claims of his diocese. Indeed, some have
gone so far as to endeavour to show that the whole compilation of
the MS. is a fraudulent attempt to bolster up the claims of LLandaff
against the adjacent dioceses of Hereford and St. David's. Mr.
Evans, on the other hand, shows^ the "unreasonableness of much of
the old criticisms by which the trustworthiness of the Liber Landa-
vensis was impugned." . . . . " The charters,^ pure and simple are, on
the face of them, genuine ; while the Synodical accounts, though
based on facts, are clothed in the words of the compiler and
decorated by certain touches calculated to impress rebellious sub-
jects with a salutary fear of Church discipline." . . . . " The writer
was a divine who took an ecclesiastical, not to say a LLandavian,
view of history It is not without a purpose that Dubricius,
Teilo, and Oudoceus are styled Archbishops rather than Bishops."
The same writer finds confirmation of the " palseographical evi-
dence* that the composition is later than the time of Urban," which
effectually disposes of the criticism that the work was prepared to
1 Here the text concludes abruptly at the end of the book, one or more pages
being lost. The sentence thus cut short appears pretty clearly to have been
continued in the way in which I restore it, the authorities for which are given
by Eadmer, Florence of Worcester, and Simeon of Durham, as noted in the new
Edition of Dr. Stubbs's Registrum Sacrum, p. 41.
^ P. xxiii. 2 P. xxiv. * P. xxvi.
238 Memorials of Llandaff.
push forward the position which Urban had tai^en up against the
neighbouring Sees. Mr. Evans further remarks^ that if none of
these documents in their present form can claim earlier date than the
tenth, or, possibly in some cases, the ninth century, still the bare
facts alleged by them may probably be admitted upon their
evidence and are likely in themselves. But, apart from probability
and internal evidence, the entries in the Book of St. Chad^ prove
conclusively that some kind of record was kept at LLandaff at
least as early as the ninth century. It also corroborates the epis-
copacy of Nobis there, and thus establishes that the compiler was
satisfied to record the names^ of the Bishops when contemporary
documents were not ready to his hand. This is by the way of
refuting the statements given in Haddan and Stubbs's Councils,
vol. ii, that the internal evidence of this MS. is sufficient to prove
that all the earlier charters which it contains were not contemporary
with their professed dates ; the closely parallel charters of the
Abbey of Llancarvan in the Vita S. Cadoci, are of a similar
character. The same lands indeed are in some cases granted by
the same persons and for the same expressed reasons to LLandaff
and to Llancarvan Its details are wholly untrustworthy. . . .
Geoffrey of Monmouth and Giraldus Cambrensis are the first
writers that systematically invent British and Welsh Archbishoprics
respectively.
Be this as it may. Urban, who had spent much of his time in
contentions with the neighbouring Bishops of Hereford and St.
David's, and in long, laborious, and expensive journeys to Rome
with appeals to Popes for justice, was the very man whom one
would naturally expect to be searching into the origin of his tem-
porailities, to be collecting ancient deeds and charters, and drawing
up for himself a kind of portfolio of pieces justificatives on which to
rest his case when the time came for him to lay it before the Papal
Court. That he, or any one, invented these deeds is impossible
to believe ; and they, indeed, carry with them the stamp of truth,
although they are for a great part transformed into a kind ol prkis
rather than reproduced in the actual words of their texts.
The original petition or request made by the clergy and laity
of the diocese of Glamorgan, that is LLandaff, announcing the
election of Urban by popular voice, is preserved among the
Harley Collection of Rolls in the British Museum (No. A. 3.
VII). It is addressed to Archbishop Anselm, and sets out that
^ P. xxvii. 2 See p. 177. ^ See p. 178.
Character of Bishop Urban. 239
" the Ecclesia Clamorgatensis has long been without a pastor, and
that they have elected Urban a priest of the diocese of Worcester"
(Browne Willis, following Le Neve, calls him Archdeacon of LLan-
daff), who is " noble' by birth and manners, imbued with apostolic
and ecclesiastical discipline, catholic in the faith, by nature prudent,
docile, patient, temperate in his manners, chaste in his living,
sober, humble, affable, tender-hearted, literary, learned in God's
law, cautious in his interpretation of the Scriptures, expert in
ecclesiastical dogma, and gifted with sound understanding of eccle-
siastical rules according to the path of the Scriptures, the traditions
of the orthodox and the constitutions of the canons and of the
decretals of the prelates of the apostolic See, one who both teaches
by sound discourse and practices them, embracing that discourse
which is faithful in accordance with doctrine, modestly checking
those who resist, and prevailing in resistance of, and argument
against, those who are opposed to sound doctrine ; hospitable,
modest, a good head of his own household, no neophyte, possessing
a good record in his several grades, ministering in accordance with
ecclesiastical tradition, and prepared to undertake every good work
to the satisfaction of every one requiring the reason of that hope
which is in him," and so forth.
The Rev. E. J. Newell, in his History of the Welsh Church,
probably was unaware of the existence of this original document in
the British Museum, when he writes^ : — " The Church in South
Wales had now finally lost its independence, for Urban of LLan-
dafif, although not imposed so violently upon his diocese as was
Bernard, was apparently equally a nominee of the Normans, and
was consecrated by Archbishop Anselm in 1 107, when he professed
canonical obedience to the See of Canterbury." This profession
has been already noticed.
Mr. G. T. Clark says of Urban that he was thirty-two years old
when consecrated, and his conduct well justified the appointment.
He found the Church of LLandaff a ruin, the See neglected, the
revenues impoverished by the wars and ill-administered. The
result of his appeal to the Popes, of which more will be mentioned
hereafter, was the restoration and enlargement of the Cathedral,
increase in the revenues of the See, and the establishing of an
advantageous convention with his great and close neighbour
Robert, Earl of Gloucester. Much of his energy was directed to
1 Printed in Clark's Cartce, new Edit., p. 41. It is somewliat remarkable
that Urban is not called Archdeacon of LLandafif in this document. But see
p. 236 of this present work. ^ P. 168.
240 Memorials of Llandaff.
the recovery of certain western districts, including Gower and parts
of Carmarthenshire, which, in the centuries preceding the Conquest,
and probably down to that event, appear to have been within the
spiritual jurisdiction of the Bishops of LLandaff. By some means,
however, they had become included within the diocese of St.
David's, and, although the Popes took Urban's view and supported
it strongly, St. David's gained the day, and has ever since extended
over Gower and into Kilvay.
Urban, or, as he is called in the Welsh Chronicles, Gwrfan, and
in a charter^ in the British Museum, Gurganus, was universally
celebrated for his wisdom and liberality, and his munificence to-
wards the Cathedral of LLandaff and the monasteries which had
suffered during the wars of lestyn ap Gwrgan and Robert Fitz-
Hamon. He was an active suppressor of vicious customs, and a
conciliatory arbitrator in all contentions, which resulted in his
diocese becoming more peaceful than any other part of Wales.
His not unnatural desire to regain possession of those lands in the
adjacent dioceses, which he believed, and probably with solid reason,
to belong to Llandaff, was not realised, being cut short by his
death when travelling abroad on his fourth journey to Rome on
these matters in the fifty-seventh year of his age, A.D. 11 33, but he
succeeded in raising the impoverished revenues of his See, brought
about by the negligence and inability of his predecessors, to a
prosperous condition, and he was thereby enabled to rebuild his
Cathedral, which had become little better than a heap of ruins
during the troubled times of the Norman " winning" of Glamorgan.
The old Cathedral Church was only twenty-eight feet long,
fifteen feet broad, and twenty feet high, whereas in Willis's day
(1718), he found the dimensions to be two hundred and sixty-three
feet six inches from E. to W., and sixty-five feet broad.
The documents which are comprised in the next chapter relate
to the disputes with Hereford and St. David's, which were brought
to the notice of the Papal Court. Their actual chronological
position is in some cases difficult to be determined, but in the
main they have been properly placed in the Liber Lmidavensis.
The Rev. E. J. Newell, in his History of the Welsh Church^
writing of this great dispute, says that " St. David's claimed the
country between Towy and Tawe with the Brecon district, and
Hereford claimed Archenfield. Those who take a sceptical view
of the older charters in the Book of LLandaff, say there can be
1 Harley Charter \\i, B. 4. ^ P- i63-
bishop Urban. lA^i
little doubt that we owe these to a desire on the part of the LLan-
daff clergy to support their claim by written evidence But, on
the other hand, some of these early documents are couched in an
archaic Welsh which, it is averred, could not have been written in
the twelfth century, and this is an argument of considerable force.
.... The document, which purports to record the decision of Edgar^
in favour of Morgan Hen, whether it be genuine or not, shows
clearly that the diocesan boundaries were considered the same as
the civil boundaries, and the limits of the different dioceses probably
varied very much from time to time, and thus the dispute arose.
It is certainly probable that matters had been maturing for a long
period before the final great cause of the twelfth century."
^ See p. 208.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE DISPUTE BETWEEN BISHOP URBAN AND THE BISHOP
OF HEREFORD AND ST. DAVID'S.
THE Liber Landavensis, in addition to containing the texts
already taken under consideration, has preserved to us no
less than forty-eight communications which passed with the Papal
Court and the Bishops of LLandaff, Hereford, and St. David's, in
the historical suit relating to the boundaries of their several dioceses,
and records or memoranda touching the same matter, and the
Bishop of LLandaff' s agreements with the Earl of Gloucester. I
have arranged them as nearly as can be in chronological order, and
given a summary of the contents of each. The places mentioned in
Nos. I, 13, and 26, have been referred to in earlier parts of this
book.
I. Letter of Pope Calixtus H [1119-1124] to Bishop Urban,
granting immunity to the Church of LLandaff from secular service,
and the preservation to its uses of whatsoever by the gift of
Bishops, Princes, and the faithful, or by any other just means, is
known to belong to it : among which are especially mentioned the
following : —
Llandaff, with its land — -The churches of Elidon, St. Ylarius,
St. Nisien, St. Teiliauus of Merthir myuor, and St. Teiliauus of
Lann mergualt — Lann Ildut — Lann Petyr — Cula lann — Lann
Cyngualan — Lann Teiliau portulon — Lann Teiliau talypont —
Lann Gemei— Lann Dodei — Cilcyuhinn — Cruch guernen.
The Vills, with their churches, of Lann Catgualatyr with St.
Cyuiu's Church, St. Tyuauc, Henriu, Merthir Teudiric, St. Oudo-
ceus, St. Nuuien,Tynysan, Lann Ciim with its churches, Lannguern
Cynuc, and Merthirdincat.
Lanngarth. Lan helicon.
St. Teiliauus of Porth halauc. Lann Mihacgel maur.
St. Teiliauus of Cressinic. The Vill of Cairduicil, with
The churches of St. Cletau- its church.
cus, and St. Sulbiu. The church of St. Catoc.
The Vill of Penuei, with its Lann Coit.
church. Talpontescop.
Bishop Urban s Appeal to Rome. 243
Languonhoill. Ourdeuein.
Riubrein. Tref main.
Caircastell. Tref mebion qqichtrit.
Penniprisc. Tref rita.
Trefmeibion. Lann diniuil with its church.
With the tithes, oblations, sepultures, lands sanctuaries, and free
commons of each of them : and with a minatory injunction against
any persons who disturb this, and a blessing on those who maintain
it. Amen. This is dated at Soissons by the hand of Grisogonus,
Cardinal Deacon and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church,
xvii kal. Nov., i6 October, Indiction XIII, A.D. 1119. ist year of
the Pontificate.
II. Letter of Pope Calixtus II to Ralph d'Escures, Archbishop
of Canterbury, enjoining him to render justice to the Church of
Llandaff, with respect to those who detain its property, and espe-
cially in regard to [Bernard] Bishop of St. David's (19 Sept., 1115-
1147) and [Geoffrey de Clive] Bishop of Hereford (26 Dec, 1115-
3 Feb., 1119/1120), who are alleged to have unjustly taken the
lands and parishes of the said Church. Dated at Soissons, xvii kal.
Nov., 16 Oct. [11 19].
III. Letter of the Pope to Walter Fitz-Richard, who had
become possessed of Nether Gwent, under Henry I's permission;
Brian, son of Earl Robert of Gloucester ; William, son of Badrun ;
Robert de Candos, or Chandos ; Gefridus de Broi, Paganus Fitz-
John, Bernard de Novo-mercato, Guinbaldus de Badalon, Roger de
Berkele, William, sheriff of Cairti, or Cardiff; William, son of
Roger de Renni ; Robert Fitz-Roger, Robert " cum tortis mani-
bus," and several other nobles in the diocese of LLandaff,
warning them against the consequences of despoiling the Church
of Llandaff, Dated at Soissons, xvii kal. Nov., 16 Oct. [11 19].
IV. Letter of the Pope to the clergy, monks, and laity of the
diocese of LLandaff, notifying his kind reception of Bishop Urban
and desiring them to give him proper reverence and obedience, to
recover the lost property of the See, and to contribute towards the
support of the churches of the diocese. Dated at Soissons, xvii kal.
Nov., 16 Oct. [my].
R 2
244 Memorials of Llandaff.
V. Letter of Bishop Urban to Pope Calixtus II, showing that
the Church of Llandaff, founded in honour of St. Peter the Apostle,
as is shown by the Cyrograph of St. Teilo, the patron of the
Church, had always been of supreme dignity until the time of
Bishop Herwold, his predecessor, and in obedience to the Metro-
politan Church of Canterbury and the King of the English. But
recently, during the reign of King William [11],^ having lost the
greater part of its clergy, the Church was provided with twenty-
four Canons, of whom at the present time not more than two
remain. It has also suffered from spoliation and loss of tithes and
clergy, and by the invasions of the Bishops of Hereford and St.
David's : wherefore he petitions for succour.
There is no date given to this document in the Liber Landa-
vensis, but Browne Willis,^ quoting from the Anglia Sacra^ dates
it at Rheims in 1119, and Rees gives the title " apud Remos" in
his edition.
VI. Letters of Ralph d'Escures, Archbishop of Canterbury,
(26 April, 1 1 14-20 Oct., 1 122), to all the sons of the Church,
requesting them, of their charity, to regard with the eyes of pity
the indigence of the Church of Llandaff, which is proposed to be
rebuilt; and to subscribe something of his possessions, in return for
which a fourth part of the burden of penance imposed by his con-
fessors shall be remitted to each contributor. There is no date to
this document, but it is probably a little later than the preceding
letter of Bishop Urban.
VII. Letter of Pope Calixtus II to Henry I, King of England,
recommended Bishop Urban to him for assistance in defending his
Church. Dated at Rheims, xi kal. Nov., 22 Oct., 11 19.
VIII. Memorandum, that the Council of Rheims, which was
convened by Pope Calixtus II, and at which King Lodguinus, or
Louis VI, of France, and five hundred Archbishops, Bishops, and
Abbots, as well as a large number of clergy and laymen, were
presefit, began on the 20th and finished on the 29th October, 11 19.
Bishop Urban was also present, and the privileges of his Church,
' Rees reads : Willelmo Rufo rege regnante.
2 Survey of the Cathedral Church of Landaff, 1718, p. no.
5 Vol. ii, p. 673.
Bishop Urban and Earl Robert. 245
with all its dignity, were renewed, and a sealed charter granted
with letters of greeting, to the Archbishop, King, and people.
Rees points out that another record puts the date at 19-30 October.
IX. Confirmation by the Pope of the decrees made in the
Council of Rheims, not especially affecting Llandaff, but directed
to the general reformation of the clergy.
X. A.D. 1 1 26: At this period we find in the Liber Landavensis
the terms of the important agreement made between Bishop Urban
and Robert, Consul, or Earl of Gloucester, one of the natural sons
of King Henry I. His mother was Nesta, daughter of Rhys ap
Tewdwr. He married Mabilia, daughter of Robert Fitz-Hamon,
and thereby succeeded to the Honour of Gloucester, and was, by
the King, created Earl of Gloucester. This agreement was made
in settlement of all the claims which Urban advanced against the
Consul and his dependants in Wales, and in regard to the lands
which they would not admit holding from the Bishop.
1. The Earl grants to the Bishop a mill built by William de
Kardi, or Cardiff, and its land, and a fishery in the river Eley,
across the river, and a hundred acres of marsh-land between the
Taf and the Eley, for arable or pasture ; the head thereof to begin
at the Bishop's demesne land and continue along ; and common of
pasture with the Consul's men, and in the Consul's woods, and with
exception of Kybor (a hundred of co. Glamorgan, comprising
Llandaff), timber for the use of Landaff Church, its Bishops and
clergy and tenants, and pannage.^ The Welshmen of the Bishop,
to take with the Welshmen of the Consul,^ and the Normans and
English of the Bishop with the Normans and English of the Consul,^
except Kybor, and Stuntaf Chapel, or Whitchurch, and the tithe of
that town, and the land which the Earl gives to the said chapel
for support of a priest by means of the tithe, provided that the
parishioners visit the Mother Church of Llandaff at Christmas,
Easter, and Pentecost, and burials be made at the said Mother
Church.
2. In consideration of these concessions by the Consul to the
Bishop, the said Bishop remits and quitclaims to the Consul all the
' Paisso, a liberty for hogs to run in forests or woods to feed on mast.
E. Phillips, New World of Words, 1706. Pastio porcorum, Glandes, Diuange.
2 Evans erroneously extends the contracted Latin here into Consulibus,
instead of Consults.
246 Memorials of Llandaff.
claims that he had upon him and his men, about all the lands
which they alleged to be subject to the Consul's feudality.
3. And if any one of his own accord desired to admit that he
holds Church land and wishes to restore it to the Church and the
Bishop, and will have admitted it in the presence of the Consul or
his Sheriff, or the Provost of Kardi, the Consul agrees that he may
restore that land to the Church and the Bishop.
4. The Bishop will so construct the wear of his mill below his
bridge that the road may be passable, unless prevented by rise of
the river or tide of the sea.
5. The Earl will cause the wear of his mill on the Eley to
be abolished.
6. The Earl's men, and any others, may buy and sell food and
drink at LLandaff, and eat and drink there, but carry nothing away
in time of war.
7. The men of the Bishop's feudality to exercise all kinds of
commerce at LLandaff in time of peace.
8. The judgment by ordeal of red-hot iron shall be carried out
at LLandaff; and the trench of the judicial water (for trial by
casting persons accused of special crimes into it) shall be made in
the Bishop's land which lies nearest to Kardi Castle.
9. If any Bishop's man accuse an Earl's man, or a man of one
of his barons, with respect to any matter concerning which there
may be a duel or wager of battle in their courts, sureties shall be
given and judgments declared, and the duel shall take place in
Kardi Castle.
10. If any Earl's man challenge any Bishop's man concerning
any matter wherefore a duel should lawfully be made, sureties shall
be given in the Bishop's court, judgments shall be pronounced, and
the duel take place, in Kardi Castle ; and the Bishop shall have
the same right there in respect of that duel which he would have if
it were carried out at LLandaff.
11. If a duel be demanded between two of the Bishop's men, it
shall be tried and performed in his court of LLandaff.
12. The Bishop is to have his own Welshmen written in his
register by view and testimony of the Consul's sheriff, and they
shall be similarly discharged. The sheriff is to have his counter-
part of his own Welshmen. The Bishop shall, in like manner,
have a counterpart of the register of the Consul's Welshmen.
13. The Consul quitclaims to the Bishop and the men of his fee
the money and all the customs which he claimed against them.
Bishop Urban and Eari Robert. 247
This agreement, or concord, was made at Woodstock in the
presence of King Henry I, these being the witnesses : —
William [of Corbeuil], Archbishop of Canterbury.
Geoffrey, Archbishop of Rouen.
William [Giffard], Bishop of Winchester.
Roger, Bishop of Salisbury.
Rannulf [Flambard], Bishop of Durham.
John, Bishop of Lisieux.^
Oinus [de Cond6], Bishop of Evreux.
Gaufridus, Chancellor.
David, King of Scotland.
Rotrochus, Count of Perche.^
Roger [de Newburgh], Earl of Warwick.'
Brientius Fitz-Count.* Ysaac, Chaplain of the
Robert Doilli.^ Bishop.
Milo of Gloucester.^ Ralph, Sheriff of Kardi.
Edward of Salisbury. Pagan de Turbertiville.
Walter Fitz-Richard. Robert Fitz-Roger.
Pagan Fitz-John. Richard de St. Quintin.
Richer de Aquila.'^ Maurice de Londres.
Robert de Sigillo. Odo Sorus.
Vchtred, Archdeacon of Geoffrey de Maisi.
Llandaff.
And the Sheriff R[alph] has the counterpart of this document.
Mr. G. T. Clark, in the Cartce . . . qum ad Dominium de Glamorgan-
cia pertinent^ states that this remarkable document, witnessed in the
King's presence by the King of Scotland and the principal English
nobles, records an attempt by Robert, the wisest and most moderate
of the Earls of Gloucester, to settle disputes of some standing be-
tween the Bishop of the diocese and the chief temporal Lord herein
styled the Consul. Concessions are made and agreed to between
the parties, and these, it is to be hoped, produced a better feeling
between the temporal and the spiritual chiefs. The ordeal by hot
' Luxoniensi, for Luxouiensi, Evans ; Riconiensi, Richmond, Rees.
2 Pembroke, Rees.
^ Died in 1153.
* Flourished in 1141. He took to a religious life, and the King re-occupied
his Barony.
^ Or D'Oyley, third Baron in 1140.
" Created Earl of Hereford in 1140.
' Ob. 1 1 76. 8 New Edit., p. 56.
248 Memorials of Llandaff.
iron is to take place at LLandaff, and that by water on tlie low
land near Cardiff Castle, and many points which sufficiently explain
themselves are determined. The hundred acres of marsh, referred
to as lying between the Taff and the Ely, are evidently a part of
Canton Moor, which remained a marsh until recently, and is now
occupied with houses, river and railway embankments. Among
the witnesses are many who flit through the pages of early Gla-
morgan history. Kibor, or Kybor, now a hundred, was formerly
Cantref Brenhinol, or the Princely Mansion, because it included
the Royal residence and the borough of Cardiff, and consequently
enjoyed certain j7ira regalia, continued to it by Fitz-Hamon. It
lay between the lower waters of the Taff and Rhymney rivers, and
extended from the crest of the high lands southward to the sea.
Stuntaf, or Ystum Taf, is Whitchurch, a parish attached to LLan-
daff, whose inhabitants had a right of burial there. The Bishop's
bridge was probably on the site of the present bridge, and the wear
that of Cabalva, penning back the river water for working the
Lord's mill at Cardiff The mill on the Ely herein agreed to be
removed, probably kept back the water and flooded the marsh
between the two said rivers.
XI. Letter, or Bull of Pope Honorius II to Bishop Urban,
following pretty nearly the same lines as that of Pope Calixtus of
16 Oct., 1 1 19, and especially mentioning the following: —
LLandaff with its land. The churches of Elidon, St.
Hilarius, St. Nisien, St. Teliauus de Merthirmimor, St. Teliauus of
Lanngeruall, St. Peter, St. Ildutus. The Vills of Lann
Gatgualatir with the church of St. Ciuiu, St. Tauauc with its
church, Henriu with its church, Mertyr teudiric with its churches,
St. Oudoceus with its church, St. Nuuien with its church, Tanasan
with its church, Lann Cum with its churches, Lannguern cinuc
with its church, Merthir dincat with its church, Lanngarth,
St. Teliauus of Porth halauc, St. Teliauus of Crisinic,
St. Cletaucus, The church of St. Sulbiu, The Vills of
Penn iuei with its church, St. Teliauus of Talipont,
Lann helicon, Lann mihaggel maur. The Vill of Cair-
duicil, with its church, The church of St. Catocus, Lann
Coit, Talponescop, Lann gunhoill, Riu brein,
Cair castell, Penn i prise, Tref meibion Ourde-
uein, Tref main, Tref meibion guichtrit, Tref
rita, Lann dineul with its church, Istrat elei, Tref
bishop Urban s Appeal to Rome. 249
ginhill, Treflaur, Tref crintorth, Trefmiluc,
Carn elfin, Merthir onbrit, Inis marchan with its mill
and maritime rights or borders within Taf and Elei, Inis
bratguen, Tref gillie, Inis peithan, Lann dilull,
Penn onn, Lann sanfreit, Tref meibion ambrus,
The church of Penntirch, Merthir cimliuer, Merthir
buceil. Twelve acres, which William de Cantolo unjustly
seized, and finally restored them to the Church, Lann gemei,
Lann cingualan, Cilciuhin, Forth tulon, Penn
iuei, Lanndotei; Culalan, Crucguernen, Guocof,
Nant baraen, Gulich, Luin elidon, Trefbledgur
mab aches, Tref bledgint, Henriugunma, Merthir
ilan, Lann meir penn ros, Lann dipallai, Forth
isceuin, Lann mihagel liclit, Tref iridiouen, Tnou
mur, The Vill of Lann cinmarch, with its meadow and fishing
wears on the Guai, and land beneath Castellguent, Fenn celli
guenuc, Cestill dinan, with wood, meadow, and maritime
rights or borders, and Guorinid penichen, Guonliuiuc, Diu
guent, Euias, Istratour.
With their several tithes, oblations, sepultures, territories, sanc-
tuaries, and free commons. All the above to be free, with anathe-
ma expressed against those who go against this, and blessing of
those who uphold it. Amen.
The Pope's mark and a text in a circle are added at the foot.
Dated xiii kal. Mai., 19 April,^ Indiction VI, 1128, fourth year
of the pontificate of Pope Honorius II.
XII. Letter of Pope Honorius II to William of Corbeuil,
Archbishop of Canterbury, apostolic legate, and the English
Bishops, showing that Bishop Urban had appealed against the
detention of part of his diocese by Bernard, Bishop of St. David's,
and Richard, Bishop of Hereford, but the said Bishops had not put
in an appearance as defendants, he therefore has invested Urban
with the districts of Ergin, Istratiu, Guhir, Cetgueli, and Cantref
bichan, saving the rights of the defendant Bishops, and appoints the
date of mid-lent for the hearing ; Urban to hold the parts in dis-
pute during the meantime, and the Archbishop to prevent the entry
of the said defendants. Dated at the Lateran Palace, xiii kal. Mai.,
19 April [1128].
' 9th April, Rees.
250 Memorials of Llandaff.
XIII. Letter of the same Pope to Henry I, King of England,
notifying his investment of Bishop Urban in the above terms, and
desiring the King to support him out of veneration to St. Peter
and the Papal dignity. The date is the same as that of the previous
document.
XIV. Letter of the same Pope to the clergy and laity of the
parishes of Ergic, Istrat iv, Guhir, Cetgueli, and Cantre bichan,
notifying the above proceedings and enjoining their obedience and
reverence to Bishop Urban. The date is as above.
XV. Letter of Pope Honorjus II, warning Walter Fitz-Richard,
Brianus Fitz-Count, Paganus Fitz-John, Milo de Gloucestria, Batrun
Fitz-William, Winbaldus de Badlon, Rotbert de Candos, Richard
Fitz-Puntius, Robert Fitz-Martin, Robert Fitz-Rogier, Mouritius
son of William de Lundriis, and other nobles of the dioce.se of
Llandaff, against their plundering the Church of LLandaff, and
threatening that he will confirm the punishment which Bishop
Urban will inflict on them if they do not desist and obey him. The
date is the same as that of the preceding letter.
XVI. Letter of the same Pope to the clergy and people of
LLandaff, sending Bishop Urban back to them with letters, and
commanding them to receive him with obedience, and to endeavour
to recover the lost grants and possessions of the See. Dated at
the Lateran Palace, xiiij (for xiii) kal. Mai., 19 April [1128].
XVII. Letter from Pope Honorius II (21 Dec, 1 124-14 Feb.,
1 1 30) to Bishop Urban, commanding him to restore to William,
Archdeacon of St. David's, a certain church not named, which,
though granted and confirmed to him by the Bishop, he had
unjustly taken away. Dated at the Lateran Palace, iiii kal. Mai.,
28 Apr. (? 1 128 or 1 129).
XVIII. Letter of Pope Honorius II to Bishop Urban, notifying
that Winebald de Baeluna — the second Baron, by tenure of the
barony of Baalun, or Baeluna, living in 1126 — had granted, for his
soul's health, the land of Cairlion to the monks of Monte Acuto, or
Montacute, co. Somerset, and desiring him to concede the same.
Dated at the Lateran Palace, kal. Jul., i July^; or xvi kal. Jul.,
' 16 June, Rees.
bishop Urban s Appeal to Rome. 251
16 June (? 1 128 or 1129). This text is found in two places in the
Liber Landavensis}
XIX. Letter of Pope Honorius II to Archbishop William,
notifying that he has appointed mid-lent to be the term for hearing
the parties to the above-mentioned dispute, and desiring him to
help forward the journey of Bishop Urban to Rome on this behalf.
Dated at the Lateran Palace, Non. Oct., 7 Oct. [1128].
XX. A similar letter to King Henry I, with the same date.
XXI. Concerning the first journey of Bishop Urban after making
his appeal. — Record that Bishop Urban, having journeyed to Rome
with the appeal made by him in full Council at London, in presence
of Archbishop William, against the above-mentioned Bishop, and
the complaint having been heard by the Pope and Roman assembly,
he returned seized of the districts of Guhir, Cetgueli, Cantre bican,
and Ercycg, invested by the apostolic hand with a staff given
to him in token of his investiture, and also with a charter of privi-
lege, and letters for the Archbishop, the King, and the inhabitants
of the said diocese, 1128.
XXII. Decree of the Pope, setting out the course of the pre-
ceding events as narrated above, the non-appearance of the defend-
ant Bishops, the depositions on oath to the effect that the districts
in dispute had been held quietly for forty years by Bishop Ervaldus,
Urban's predecessor, made at the hearing by Sapiens, a priest ;
Maius, a layman ; Robert and John, priests ; Gulfredus and Adam,
deacons, and adjudging with common deliberation of the Bishops
and Cardinals that the aforesaid districts shall be held and possessed
by Urban and his successors for ever, without any interruption
by the churches of Hereford and St. David's. With the Pope's
sign manual at the foot. Dated at the Lateran Palace, ii Non.
Apr., 4 April, Indiction VII, 1129, in the fifth year of the ponti-
ficate of Pope Honorius II.
XXIII. Letter of the same Pope to Archbishop William,
announcing the decision above mentioned, and desiring him to
observe it. Same date.
XXIV. Letter of the same to King Henry I, in the same behalf.
Date as before.
• Evans, pp. 30, 53.
252 Memorials of Llandaff.
XXV. Letter of the same to the clergy and people of the above-
mentioned districts, commanding their obedience to Bishop Urban.
Date as before.
XXVI. Letter of Pope Honorius II to Bishop Urban, taking
the Church of LLandaff under protection of the Apostolic See,
confirming its possessions, namely, Cantrebachan, Chedueli, Guoher,
Estrateu, Ercincg, Guoronid, Penn echenn, Gunliuiuc, Diuent,
Euias, and Estrateur, specifying its boundaries, as already given,
but not quite so fully detailed, in the " Life of St. Oudoceus";^ also
confirming the churches, vills, and sites, as detailed in the Letter of
19 April, 1 128, but with variations of spelling, probably owing to the
inability of the papal scribes to grapple with Welsh orthography,
much in the same way as is found in the Domesday Book names
which passed through the hands of the foreign^ compilers of that
record f and threatening those who will injure the Church, and
blessing its helpers. Amen. Amen. Amen.
Dated at the Lateran Palace, by the hand of Aimericus, Cardi-
nal* Deacon, and Chancellor, Non. Apr., S April, Indiction VII,
1 1 29. In the fifth year of the Pontificate of Honorius II.
XXVII. The Exhortation of John [de Crema],^ Presbyter Car-
dinal and Legate of the Roman Church, with a pardon granted by
him to all those who aid the Church of LLandaff, though without
an expressed date, belongs to this period. It is addressed to all
the faithful throughout England and Wales, and notifies that Bishop
Urban has begun to rebuild the church from its foundation, and is
in need of alms for that purpose. Fourteen days of enjoined
penance are remitted to those who comply with this request.
XXVIII. The Summons of Archbishop Wilham to Bishop
Urban, notifying that the above Cardinal has appointed a Council
to be held in London on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed
Virgin, 8th September, must probably be placed in the year 11 29,
1 See pp. 89, 91.
''■ Birch, Domesday Book, S. P. C. K., 1908, pp. 22, 125.
3 Rees gives a footnote relating to the identification of the position of the
Taratyr river or brook, which he finds in the rivulet that divides the parishes of
Horn Lacy and Aconbury from Dynedor, and falls into the Wye four miles
below Hereford. Caer Rein, or Caer Rhun (p. 91), may be the Roman camp
at Aconbury.
4 Cardinals for Cardinalzs, Evans, p. 45. = Crena, Rees, p. 589.
bishop Urban s Appeal to Rome. 253
although it would seem that 1125 is the year attached to it by Sir
Harris Nicolas.^
XXIX. At this place the Liber Landavensis gives the Chapters
of the Council of London held by the above-mentioned Cardinal
John. It is not necessary in this place to deal with these decisions.
The title of the documents, however, declares that the Council was
held in the presence of Archbishop William and all the Bishops
of his province, and in their presence. Bishop Urban, deeply
oppressed by the conduct of the Bishops of Hereford and St.
David's, appealed against them to the Audience of the Council
of Rome.
XXX. Concerning the second joiirney of V. Bishop of
LLandaff. — Here follows a memorandum that Bishop Urban
journeyed to Rome a second time to be present there at the
appointed term of mid-lent with his charters, documents, and
witnesses, to prosecute his appeal ; that the defendant Bishops did
not put in any appearances ; and that he gained his cause, and
returned to his church safely and joyfully, bringing with him
confirmatory documents in his favour, in 11 29. Easter-day in
this year fell on 14 April, mid-lent would therefore occur twenty
days earlier, or about 25 March.
XXXI. Letter of Pope Honorius II to Bishop Urban, infor-
ming him that after his departure from Rome, Bernard, Bishop of
St. David's, arrived with letters from Archbishop William, other
Bishops, the King, and certain barons, and with evidence in support
of his cause ; appointing the next Feast of St. Luke (18 October),
for a hearing of the matter ; and commanding him to come pre-
pared to answer concerning the district of Ewyas and land of
Talabont, which had been the subject of a previous dispute between
the parties. Dated at the Lateran Palace, v kal. Mai, 27 April
[1 129].
XXXII. Letter of Pope Innocent II (15 Feb., 1 1 30-24 Sept.,
1 143) to the clergy and people of the five restored districts, enjoin-
ing on them obedience to Urban as to their father and Bishop.
^ Nicolas lists a Council of London, 8 or 9 Sept., 1125 ; another in 1127 ;
and a third on i August, 1129. None of these agree with that mentioned in
this document.
2 54 Memorials of Llandaff.
Dated at the Palladium,^ or Palace, v kal. Mart, 25 February
[1129-1130]. Although the date of this document preceded the
following, it is quite possible that there is some error, and that it
should really follow it.
XXXIII. Letter of Pope Innocent II to the Prelates of the
Church and all the faithful of God in England, announcing his
election to the Papal Throne, and his excommunication of Petrus
Leonis, or Cardinal Peter de Leon, who had caused himself to be
elected Antipope. Dated at the Palladium, v Non. Mart., 3 March
[1129-1130].
XXXIV. To this period also must be assigned the letter of
Pope Innocent II to Bernard, Bishop of St. David's which has
been entered in two places in the Liber Landavensis , showing that
Bishop Urban had twice visited Rome on the matter of his dispute ;
that Pope Honorius II had appointed St. Luke's day for hearing
the cause ; that Urban had been prevented from attending at that
date owing to ill-health, old age, and poverty, on which account
the case is postponed for three years from this mid-lent ; and
desiring Bernard to come prepared to answer respecting Lannteliau
maur, with its appurtenances, Lanteliau pimpseint, or Pymsent,
CO. Carmarthen ; Kaircaiau, in Caio, co. Carmarthen ; Penntiwin,
or Pendine, co. Carmarthen ; Lannteliau penllitgart, or LLan Deilo
Llwydarth, co. Pembroke ; Lannteliau Kilredin en emelinn, or
Kilrhedin, cos. Carmarthen and Pembroke ; Lanyssan, with its
appurtenances, or ? St. Ishmael's in Rhos, co. Pembroke ; Brodlan,
or Bronlan, a site not identified ; and Lanworfrit, or Lann Gurfrit,
also not identified ; all of which appear to belong, as Urban
asserts, to the diocese of Llandaff. In the second copy this
passage reads " de Lanteliau maur cum pertinentiis suis . et de
Lanteliau pimpseint Kaircaiau . et de Lanteliau mainaur brunuis
cum pertinentiis suis . et de Lanteuledauc in ggair uyrdin . et de
Lanteliau penn tiwin," etc.
XXXV. The next document in this series is a letter of the
same Pope to Henry I, King of England, which has also been
entered in two places, requiring him to support Bishop Urban and
protect him and his Church. Dated at lanua, or Genoa, ii Id. Aug.,
12 August [1130].
' The Palatine, Rees.
bishop Urban s Appeal to Rome. 255
XXXVI. On the same day the Pope wrote from the same
place to Archbishop William — who appears to have administered
the affairs of the diocese of Hereford during the period from the
death of Bishop Richard, 15 Aug., 1127 to the consecration of his
successor, Robert of Bethune, 28 June, 1131 — informing him of the
complaint made by Bishop Urban that he had permitted certain of
his parishoners of Urceneuelde, or Archenfield, to communicate in
the church of Hereford — against whom he (Urban) had pronounced
sentence of excommunication — and was endeavouring to ordain
(consecrate) a certain one of his priors — Robert of Bethune — to be
Bishop of Hereford, commanding therefore that he is to desist
from these doings. There are two copies of this in the MS.
XXX Vn. An undated letter follows in this collection, addressed
by Cardinal John to Bishop Urban, advising him of the delays
which were taking place at Rome in regard to his case, and recom-
mending him to postpone his (third) journey thither until more
certain news should reach him regarding the Pope and the King.
This document evidently appertains to the year 1 130. Two copies.
XXXVIII. Letter, also without date, from Gregory, Cardinal
Deacon of the Roman Church, to Bishop Urban, desiring his
assistance when he visits Urban's diocese, as he on his part has
strenuously supported Urban's cause and will continue to do so.
XXXIX. Letter of Pope Innocent II to Bishop Urban, an-
nouncing the election of Robert de Bethune, Prior of LLantony, to
the See cf Hereford,^ on the death of Bishop Richard, commanding
him to restore to that See the districts in dispute, as held during
the lifetime of Bishop Richard, and promising that the dispute
shall be settled according to law, " for it is not reasonable that if a
Bishop, being summoned to obtain justice, is prevented by death,
the Church on that account should sustain any injury." Dated at
Carnotum, or Chartres, xvi kal. Feb., 17 January [1130/1J.
XL. Letter of Pope Innocent II to Archbishop William, and
his suffragan Bishops, twice entered in this series of documents, in
favour of Bishop Urban, who lately came to the Papal presence
(for the third time), commanding that he is to hold his diocese,
respecting which Bishop Bernard complains against him, in peace
1 Consecrated at Oxford, 28 June, 1131.
256 Memorials of Llandaff.
and quietness, and desiring that Uchtryd, the Archdeacon of Llan-
daff, and Isaac, another member of the chapter, be treated with
good will and favour. Dated at St. Quintin's, or St. Quentin, in
France, ii Id. Mart, 14 March [1130/1].
XLI. Letter of Pope Innocent II to Bishop Bernard, notifying
that the hearing of the cause brought against him by Bishop Urban
is to be taken on the next Feast-day of St. Luke ; that Urban has
also complained of violent proceedings by the Archdeacon of Here-
ford in ejecting him from the parishes in dispute ; and commanding
their restoration to Urban, who is to answer for them at the trial.
Dated at Compendium, or Compiegne in France, vii Id. Apr.,
7 April [1131]-
XLI I. Letter of Pope Innocent II to Bishop Urban, also entered
twice in this series, appointing the next Feast-day of St. Luke,
18 October, to hear him in his cause against Bishop Bernard, in
respect of the claim to the five previously-mentioned districts, as
also in respect to Talebont. Dated at Pirerium, or Periers, v Id.
Mai., II May [1131J.
XLIII. Letter of the same Pope, on the same day, to Bishop
Urban, reminding him of the date appointed for the hearing of the
cause between him and Bishop Bernard ; that the conduct of
Rabel, Chamberlain of Tancaruilla, in ejecting the Bishop of LLan-
daff from the Vill of St. Teliawus of Lanmerwalt, or Llan Deilo
Verwallt, otherwise Bishopston, in Gower, is to be brought by him
(Urban) to the notice of King Henry I, who is not to permit any
injury to the Church of LLandaff, but to restore its rights. Dated
at Compendium, or Compiegne, in France, vii kal. Jun., 26 May^
[1131]-
XLIV. Letter of the same Pope to Bishop Urban, summoning
him to come to the next Council, to be held on St. Luke's-day,
18 October, to answer Bishop Bernard respecting the boundaries of
the diocese, as it is "better that this dispute should be determined
in the Council at Rheims without much fatigue than in Rome with
great labour and outlay.'' (This would be Urban's fourth journey
on this matter.) Dated at Altisiodorum, or Auxerre, ii Id. Aug.,
12 August [1131].
^ 1 1 May, Rees.
'Bishop Urban s Appeal to Rome. 257
XLV. Letter of the same Pope to Bishop Urban, pointing out
that the festival of St. Luke had been appointed for the hearing of
his case, and Bishop Bernard, accompanied by a large body of
clergy and laymen, had put in an appearance, being prepared to
proceed, but Urban's illness, deposed to by three persons on oath,
had prevented it. The Pope thereupon now appoints Archbishop
William, Thurstan, Archbishop of York, and Hugo, Archbishop of
Rouen, to take charge of the case, and bring it to a peaceful con-
clusion ; and Urban is commanded to attend before them, on pain
of losing his case, on the Sunday, when the Gospel, " I am the Good
Shepherd," is read ; that is, the second Sunday after Easter (which
fell on 19 April, in 1131), with his documents and his witnesses.
Dated at Trccae, or Troyes, xi kal. Dec, 21 November^ [1131J.
XLVI. Letter of Pope Innocent II to Bishop Urban, com-
manding him to lay his case before Archbishop William, Thurstan,
Archbishop of York (19 Oct., 1119-5 Feb., 1140), and H., Arch-
bishop of Rouen, for their discussion. Dated at Heliocum, for
Beliocum, or Beaujeu, Macon, in the Beaujolias. Id. Feb.,
13 February [? 1131/2].
XLVII. Letter of the same Pope to Archbishop William, com-
manding him to dismiss in peace Bishop Urban's clergy and
friends, and not to compel them to proceed to judgment until the
case shall be certainly settled. Dated at Valcntia, or Valence,
Non. Mart, 7 March [11 3 1/2].
XLVin. An imperfect letter of the same Pope to Bishop
Urban, consisting of the first four lines only, closes this collection
of documents. The leaf on which the remainder was written is
wanting. The death of Urban, in 1133, on his way to Rome,
whither he appears to have journeyed for the fourth time, notwith-
standing the Papal commands that his cause should be heard in
Rheims- or in England,^ resulted, as has been shown, in the failure
of the endeavour to secure the restoration of the districts in dispute
to the Church of LLandaff in spite of the Papal mandates to that
effect.
1 December, Rees, p. 611. ^ P. 256. ^ See Nos. xlv, xlvi.
CHAPTER XXV
BISHOP UCHTRYD.
AFTER a vacancy in the See, during which the temporalities
were held^ by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, Uchtryd, the
Archdeacon of LLandaff mentioned in the papal letter No. XL of
the preceding chapters, succeeded to Urban in 1140. He is also
called Hutredus, Uttryd, Uhtred, Hustrid, Hustrud, Hicthredus,
and Veredus.
Bishop Uchtryd is spoken of in the Brut y Tywysogion or
Chronicle of the Princes of Wales^ as a man worthy of great praise,
the defender of the Church and the opposer of its enemies. He died,
we are told, in the fulness of his age, in 1147, 1148, or 1149^. Rees
gives a note* concerning him to the effect that "he had a daughter
married to lorwerth ap Owen ap Caradocke, lord of Caerleon-upon-
Uske, a great and mighty man in those parts.''
Among the documents which belong to the period of this Bishop
are the following : —
1. Profession of Bishop Vctredus to Theobald, Archbishop of
Canterbury, who, with Robert, Bishop of Hereford, and Robert,
Bishop of Exeter, were his consecrators.
Professio Vctredi Landavensis Episcopi.
Ego UCTREDUS ad regimen ecclesie Landauensis electus, et a
te reucrende pater Theobalde sanctae Cantuariensis ecclesiae archie-
piscope et totius Britannic primas per gratiam Dei antistes conse-
crandus ! tibi et omnibus successoribus tuis tibi canonice succe-
dentibus debitam subjectionem et canonicam obedientiam per omnia
me exhibiturum fore promitto.
(British Museum, Cotton MS., Cleopatra E. i, fol. 35.)
2. Letter of Robert, the Consul of Gloucester, to Bishop
Wthred, and Robert Norreis his Sheriff of Glammorgan, notifying
that he has granted, for the health of his soul and the souls of his
' Evans, Lib. Land.., p. 314. 2 p_ j^y_
^ Hardy's Le Neve's Fasti. * Rees, Lib. Land., p. 604.
Bishop Uchtryd. 259
Countess Mabilia and his ancestors and successors, in perpetual
almoign, to the church (or abbey) of St. Peter, Gloucester, the
Vill of Treigof with the land of Pennune, the church of Lankarvan,
and other matters.
Witness : the Countess Mabel.
The date is about 1141.
{Chartulary of St. Petei^s, Gloucester, Rolls Sen, il, 10;
Clark, CartcB, new Edit, p. 99.)
3. Letter of Henry, Bishop of Winchester and Apostolic Legate,
to Bishop Uthred, stating that Gilbert, Abbot of St. Peter's, Glou-
cester, is complaining to him of new chapels built in the parish of
his church of Lancarvan ; he therefore forbids Divine services to
be celebrated therein, for he has taken all the Gloucester churches
in the diocese of LLandaff, viz., Lankarvan, and others given by
Maurice de Londonia, that is St. Michael's and St. Brigida's, under
his protection, and they are to be in subjection to Gloucester Abbey.
The date is about II41.
{Chartulary of St. Peter's, Gloucester, Rolls Series, II, 14;
Clark, Cartce de Glamorgan, new Edit., p. 98.)
4. Letter of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, to Bishop
Uthred, on the matter of the chapels at Lancarvan. This was
probably the result, according to Mr. G. T. Clark,i Qf ^„ appeal by
the Abbot of Gloucester, the patron of Lancarvan, whose permission
should have been requested before the chapels were recognised as
places of worship.
The date is about 1141.
{Chartulary of St. Peter's, Gloucester, Rolls Series, li, 14;
Clark, Cart(S, new Edit., p. 98.)
5. The Grant by Maurice de Londoniis, with consent of his wife
Adelais and his heirs, to his Ewenny Priory and his Prior of
Hoggemora of the church of St. Brigida, common of pasture there,
lands and tithes belonging thereto, and among other valuable gifts
the churches of St. Michael of Colewineston, Haneduna, Esegares-
tun, all the churches of Carwathlan, or Carnwyllion Hundred, co.
Carmarthen, Penbrei, St. Ismael's, Landivailoc, and the chapel in
the wood of Hoggemora, for the support of at least thirteen monks
' Carta, new Edit., p. 99.
S 2
2 6o Memorials of JLlandaff.
of the Order of Gloucester, is witnessed by Bishop Utredus, Arch-
deacon Urbanus, and others.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, Carta, new Edit, p. 2265.)
6. Maurice de Londoniis notified to Bishop Veredus (for
Uhtredus) his grants and confirmations to Ewenny Priory. This
charter is remarkable because, although addressed to the Bishop,
the Bishop is also a witness to it. It is also attested by Archdeacon
Urbanus, and others.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, Carts, new Edit., p. 2266.)
7. Charter of Maurice de Londoniis granting and confirming
to Ewenny Priory the foregoing possessions. Attested by : —
Bishop Veredus, Urban and luor the canons, Hernaldus, priest,
and others.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, Cartes, new Edit, p. 2268.)
These charters, Nos. 5, 6, and 7, are recited at length in an
inspeximus by King Henry VIII, under seal of his Duchy of
Lancaster, Sth May, 8 Hen. VIII, 1516.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, Cartce, new Edit, p. 2387.)
8. Charter of Bishop Huctredus made to Roger, Abbot of
Tewkesbury, in the year 1 146, whereby the controversy between
the Bishop and the Abbot is terminated. The Bishop concedes all
tithes, alms, and benefits within the diocese, which have been, or
shall be, given to his monastery, and the Abbot quitclaims the tithes
which he holds of the demesne arables of the Earl of Gloucester
between the Taf and the Ely, two parts (of three) of the tithes of
Malthelemaur, and the tithe of the land belonging to the chapel of
St. John, which the Abbot had claimed to belong to St Leonard's.
The Bishop also adds a concession that persons within his diocese
desiring sepulture at Tewkesbury may be buried there, regard being
first had to the rights of Llandaff. Mr. Clark finds that each
religious house was anxious to make its church a burial place for
persons of importance. Funeral offerings were valuable, and it
was not unusual to found an " obit " or a chantry at which masses
for the soul of the departed were undertaken and paid for. Fine
tombs also, or those of celebrated persons, attracted visitors, and
their descendants often were laid beside them.
(Brit Mus., Cotton MS., Cleopatra A. vii, fol. 685;
Clark, Cartce, new Edit., p. loi.)
9. There was a convention or agreement between the Abbot and
convent of St. Peter's, Gloucester, and Dom Robert Harding (of
'Bishop Uchtryd. 261
whom nothing is known in Glamorgan history beyond this tem-
porary connection with the Lordship), whereby the latter receives
the manor of Tregof in Glamorgan with the land of Pennum, and
the Church of Lancarvan with its houses, curtilages and tithes on
a five years' lease, mortgaged to him for four-score pounds of silver,
by the Abbot. It is attested by William, Earl of Gloucester, and
the whole county of Kairdif. Mr. Clark finds that after the
specified term, Abbot Hameline transferred LLancarvan Church at
a rent of sixty shillings to Urban, Archdeacon of LLandaff, and
Urban surrendered it soon afterwards in presence of Bishop Nicholas.
Still later the lease was surrendered by Archdeacon William to the
Abbot who took seizin thereof. Shortly afterwards Archdeacon
Ralph (occurs in 1171), in presence of the Bishop, holds the church
on condition that if the sixty shillings rent be not punctually paid
the lessor shall have power to take possession, and the incumbent
is to deliver up the key to the Abbot. The date is Michaelmas,
1 146.
{Chartulary of St. Peter's, Gloucester, Rolls Sen, II, 139;
Clark, Carta, new Edit, p. 100.)
10. At this time, or before 1 147, Robert, the natural son of King
Henry I, and Consul of Gloucester, notified formally to Bishop
Uthred and Robert Norres, Sheriff of Glamorgan, his confirmation
to Ewenny Priory of the gifts of Maurice de Londonia and Gilbert
de Turbevilla, adding of his own accord twenty-one acres of arable
land near the Vill of Kenefec, with a burgage in West Street as far
as the black water without the gate of Kenefeke Vill, with sundry
benefits and liberties, and with penalties for molestation. All this
was done for love of St. Michael the Archangel. The document is
attested by Bishop Uthredus, and others.
{Chartulary of St. Peter's, Gloucester, Rolls Ser., II, 135 ;
Clark, Carta, new Edit., p. 103.)
11. William, Earl of Gloucester, notified to the Bishop of
LLandaff and his Sheriff of Glamorgan his confirmation to Margam
Abbey of lands granted by William Seurlag at Langewi ; by William
Scurlag the younger also at Langewi ; by Geoffrey Sturmy and
Roger his son and heir ; of the agreement made between the
abbey and Roger Sturmy; and of the gift of Odo Sorus of houses
of Cauterel in the bailey of Bristol. The witness is : the Countess
Hawisia. The date is between 11 47 and 11 83.
(Margam Charter Roll 544 ; Clark, Carta, new Edit.,
p. 1 09. J
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE ALLEGED BISHOP GODEFRIDUS, OR GEOFFREY.
BISHOP NICHOLAS AP GURGANT.
SOME uncertainty and confusion arises as to the immediate
successor of Bisliop Uchtryd. Browne Willis/ following
Godwin, finds that Geffrey " dy'd possess'd of this See anno 1153,
but this I conceive to be a Mistake for according to Mr. Wharton's
Account of the Bishops of St. Asaph this Geffrey was Bishop of
that See and never of this, which being written Lanelvensis, I
suppose occasion'd this Error." The Brut y Tywysogion^ says that
Geffrey, Bishop of LLandafif, died when celebrating divine service in
1 1 54. Bishop Stubbs's^ Registrum places Bishop Uhtred's death
in 1 148, and the consecration of Bishop Nicholas ap Gurgant on
14 March in the same year, taking no notice of Geffrey as
Bishop of LLandafif, but recording the consecration* of Geoffrey of
Monmouth as Bishop of St. Asaph on 24 February, 1152. The
actual terms of his profession are of interest, as they have never
before been printed. The date of the death of Bishop Godefridus
in 1 1 54, as stated above, agrees with that of Bishop Geoffrey of
Monmouth, Bishop of St. Asaph. In view of these facts, it is
abundantly clear that we must discard this Bishop as having
occupied the See of LLandaff. But in spite of this weight of
evidence Rees^ states that " Galfrid, nephew of Uchtryd, was
appointed to the See, but died at LLandaff in 1 153, before he could
enter on his charge. He was the celebrated Welsh Historian called
Geoffrey of Monmouth and Galffrai and Gruffydd ab Arthur."
Professio Godefridi Laneluuensis*' Episcopl
Ego Godefridus Laneluuensis secclesiae electus et a te uenerande
pater Theodbalde Cantuariensis archiepiscope antistes consecrandus
tibi tuisque successoribus canonice substituendis . canonicam obedi-
entiam me per omnia seruaturum promitto.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS., Cleopatra E. i, fol. ly})
1 Survey, p. 47. 2 p_ jgj (Hardy's Edit.)
3 New Edit., p. 45. 1 New Edit., p. 47. ^ ^^^^ Land., p. 628.
^ Lhan Elwy was the first name of the city of St. Asaph.
"The Alleged Bishop Geoffrey. 263
There is scarcely any evidence of weight that Geoffrey of Mon-
mouth ever became Bishop of LLandaff. On leaving Monmouth
he became Archdeacon of LLandaff, and was consecrated to St.
Asaph — according to Le Neve's authorities cited in his Fasti in
February 1151/2. It does not appear that the author identified
the supposed Geoffrey, Bishop of LLandaff, with Geoffrey of Mon-
mouth. Similarly, there is no evidence that Geoffrey of Monmouth
was the son of an Arthur.^ The historian Wendover calls him
Gaufridus Arthurus. "Eodem anno (nSO Gaufridus Arthurus
factus est episcopus sancti Asaph in Norwallia, qui historiam
Britonum de lingua Britannica transtulit in Latinam." But Mr.
James G. Wood of Lincoln's Inn, to whom I am indebted for
valuable notes on this point of history, writing in 1902, says
that William Parvus declares " Gaufridus hie dictus et agnomen
habens Arturi, pro eo quod fabulas de Arturo honesto historian
nomine pailiavit," and considered it to be a nickname. Mr. Wood
considers there is a strong suspicion that Geoffrey of Monmouth
was so called because, until he became Archdeacon of LLandaff,
he was Prior of Monmouth. Uhtred was Archdeacon of LLandaff
before he became Bishop, and Geoffrey of Monmouth succeeded
him in the Archidiaconate: this may be the solution of the difficulty.
Mr. Wood continues to say that there are three charters to Mon-
mouth Priory in the Record Office, hitherto incorrectly printed in
Dugdale and Madox, bearing names of persons which enable him
to fix their dates as exactly fitting in with that of Geoffrey suc-
ceeding Uhtred as Archdeacon. One may be dated as not earlier
than 1 138 nor later than 1139: Another, practically contemporary,
mentions " Gofredus Monumetensis Prior" : a third, possibly a little
earlier, speaks of " Goffredus Prior."
Bishop Nicholas, or Nicolas ap Gurgant,
was consecrated at Canterbury, according to the new Edition
of Dr. Stubbs's Registrum Sacrum^ by Archbishop Theobald,
Nigel, Bisliop of Ely, Robert of Chichester, Bishop of Exeter,
and Maurice, Bishop of Bangor, on 14 March, 1148, and died
6th July, II 83. This Bishop was the immediate successor^ to
' Chronica, Ed. H. O. Coxe, 1841, vol. ii, p. 250.
2 P. 46.
' Lib. Land., Ed. Evans, p. 314. " Derechef voyda la Eglyse de landaf
par la mort le Eueske Hustrud dont le conte Willame de Gloucestre fiz e heir
le auant dit Robert aueit la garde de la Temporaute de landaf. vacant le See .
iekes a la venue Nichole son proscheyn successotir."
264 Memorials of Llandaff.
Urban, for, says Browne Willis,^ " there never was any Geffrey
Bishop of LLandaff." His death has been placed by Le Neve^
as occurring either on 4th June or 6th July ; Willis dates the
Bishop's death II Non. Jun, or 4th June. He was the first
Bishop ^ of pure Welsh blood since the Conquest, a fact prob-
ably due to the policy of conciliation adopted by Robert Earl
of Gloucester and continued by his son. Among the more
important documents which research among the records of
Glamorgan has brought to light are the following : —
1. The Profession which Nicholas, Bishop elect of the church
of Clammorgan, made at his consecration to Archbishop Theobald
in these words : —
Professio Nicpiolai Clamorganensis Episcopi.
(sive Landauensis.)
Ego NiCHOLAUS Clammorganensis ecclesie ad regimen
electus, et a te uenerande pater . 6 Theob[alde] sancte Cantua-
RIENSIS ecclesie archiepiscope et totius Britannic primas antistes
consecrandus! tibi et omnibus successoribus tuis tibi canonice
succedentibus canonicam subjectionem et obedientiam me per
omnia exhibiturum fore promitto.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS., Cleopatra E. i, fol. 35(5.)
2. This Nicholas was admitted by the Chapter of Llandaff as
Bishop to the Cathedral, installed and appointed diocesan and
canon by authority of the Archdeacon of Canterbury, according
to a memorandum contained in the Liber Landavensis, the trans-
lation of which, the names of the commissioners having been omitted
in the MS., is to the effect that — We, by the authority of the Arch-
deacon of Canterbury, committed on this behalf to us, admit you,
reverend father Dom Nicholas, into the present Church of Llandaff
as Bishop. And you also, aforesaid father, we by the same
authority install, and assign to you a place in the choir. You also,
before-named father, we enthrone as diocesan of the present
Church. And you also, aforesaid father, we admit into our
Chapter house as brother and canon, and we assign to you the
principal place.
3. This is followed in the MS. with the form of the oath to be
taken by the Bishop of LLandaff on the day of enthronisation at
1 Survey, p. 48. ^ Hardy's Edit.
^ Clark, Carta, new Edit., p. 125.
Bishop Nicholas ap Gurgant. 265
his first entry before he goes into the cemetery, that is, at the end
{ord) of the western stair. Herein he promises to maintain and
defend all the rights and liberties of the Cathedral, and to observe
the laudable customs and statutes thereof
4. Then follows the form of tlie Bishop's oath, which is to be
taken in the Chapter house, when he is admitted as canon and
brother, wherein he promises as canon to observe all the laudable
customs of the Bishop and Chapter, as well as the statutes of the
Church ; not to reveal the special counsels and secrets of the
Church and Chapter, and to give faithful counsel and assistance to
the maintaining of the liberties of the Church and all its temporal
and spiritual possessions.
5. After this is given the text of the oath of obedience to be
made to the Bishop by a canon when he is so admitted to be a
canon ; and the oath to be made by a canon in Chapter.
6. Note also that every canon is held to give, or to relinquish
after death, out of his goods, a choral cope^ according to the
Church custom, worth five marks, or five marks towards the orna-
ments or fabric of the Cathedral, at the choice of the Bishop and
Chapter ; that is, if he has not given such a cope during his life-
time, he must be held to give five marks, as aforesaid, at his
death.
The foregoing oaths and note belong probably to the time of
Bishop Nicholas. They occur between the memoranda of his
admission by the Chapter and the statutes made by Bishop William
de Brewys in 1275, which will be noticed further on.
The following charters and deeds relate to matters arising in
regard to the See and Diocese during the time of this Bishop.
7. Notification by Bishop Nicholas, that Urban, Archdeacon of
LLandaff, has received from Hameline, Abbot of Gloucester, the
custody of the church of Lancarvan, with all its appurtenances
saving the tithes of Traygof, and sworn fidelity to the Monastery
of Gloucester.
Date between 1149 and 1179.
{Chartulary of St. Peter's, Gloucester, Roll's Series, II, 12 ;
Clark, Carta, new Edit, p. 1 19.)
8. William de Lundoniis grants and confirms to the church of
St. Michael [Ewenny] land under the rock of Caradoc Maiitor, just
as Goda formerly held it, and the hill which Paganus Grossus held,
^ Or hood, capa choralis, p. 308.
266 Memorials of Llandaff.
and land belonging to Vetus Castellum, or Oldcastle, adjacent to the
stream running down from the land of Decacius, and within the
district belonging to Gillibertus de Turbervilla — in this are twelve
acres, which he grants in the presence of Bishop Nicholas and of
Hamelinus, Abbot of Gloucester. The prior is to supply the
chapel of St. James at Wica, or Wick, thrice a week. All this by
way of an exchange for mountain land. The deed is attested by
numerous notables of Glamorgan.
The date is between 1149 and 1179.
This is inspected by Henry VIII in a charter of 5 May, 1516.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 2269.)
9. Notification by Bishop Nicholas that Urban, his Archdeacon,
has renounced, in favour of the monks of Gloucester, his rights in
the church of St. Cadocus of Lancarvan, which is known to belong
justly to the same monks.
{Chartulary of St. Peter's, Gloucester, Rolls Sen, II, 13 ;
Clark, /. c, p. 121.)
10. Mandate of Bishop Nicholas, addressed to J. (Rural) Dean
of Pennune, and others, commanding them to come on the next
Thursday after Easter to Lankarvan, for Archdeacon William has
surrendered the church of St. Cadocus of Lankarvan into the hands
of the Bishop and the Abbot of Gloucester, and they are to give
seizin thereof in the Bishop's name to the messenger of the Abbot.
{Chartulary of St. Peters, Gloucester, Rolls Ser., IX, 13 ;
Clark, /. c, p. 121.)
11. Notification by William de Londonia to Bishop Nicholas
and others of his confirmation of the gift made by Mauricius de
Londonia, his father, of the church of St. Michael, Ewenny, and
the church of St. Brigida, land along the Ewni stream, wood on
the south of the river Aiun, and other property, with sixty-six acres
of the fee of Colwinestone and the church of St. Michael there, etc.,
{Chartulary of St. Peter's, Gloucester, Rolls Sen, II, 229 ;
Clark, /. c, p. 120.)
12. The charter of Keneithur, son or Herbert, son of Godwinet,
and his brethren, whereby they quitclaim the land of Raneth, which
their father held at a yearly rent of two pence per acre during the
will of the Abbot of Margam, and abjure their holding, is attested
and sealed by Bishop Nicholas ; — Eiglin de Purbica, or Purbeck,
Sheriff of Glamorgan ; Robert de Westbiria, Prior of Cardiff;
Bishop Nicholas ap Gurgant. 267
Roger, Prior of Eweni ; John, son of Kennor ; Urban, Canon of
LLandaff ; Abraham Gubio ; William Traversus ; Rodbert, the
Bishop's chaplain ; Isaac the Dean, and others being witnesses.
The date is about 1151.
(Margam Charter ; Birch, History of Margani Abbey,
p. 26 ; Clark, /. c, p. 128.)
13. William, Earl of Gloucester, notified to Bishop Nicholas
and to his Sheriff of Glamorgan, his gift to Margam Abbey of land
in the mountains bounded from the lower to the upper brow of the
mountains ; to the source of the Kenfig river ; to the source of the
Frudel stream ; to the ford of Kewelthi on the River Avan ; and so
to the sea.
Among the witnesses are : —
The Countess Hawisia. Ralph, Abbot of Neath.
Conan, Abbot of Whitland. William de Bosco, Sheriff.
Richard, Abbot of St. Augus- Robert, Chaplain,
tine's, Bristol. Hervcus, Clerk.
This deed is inspected by Hugh Le Despenser, Lord of Gla-
morgan and Morgan, on 9 October, 12 Edw. Ill, 1338.
(Margam Charter; Clark, /. c, pp. 1214, 2273.)
14. Earl William notified to Bishop Nicholas and to his Sheriff
of Glamorgan his grant and confirmation of the gift which his
father, Earl Robert, and his mother, the Countess Mabel, made to
the monks of Clairvaux, of all the land between the River Kenefeg
and the further River Avan, which lies to the west of the hermitage
of Theodoricus, with numerous other gifts and privileges, con-
firming them to Margam Abbey for ever.
The witnesses include : —
The Countess Hawisia.
Brother Hostus, of St. Omer.
Hamo de Valoniis, and many others.
It is inspected by Hugh Le Despenser on 9 October, 12
Edw. Ill, 1338.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 12 19.)
15. Bishop Nicholas sealed a charter made by Leuuar, son of
Meruit, granting specified lands to Margam Abbey, because the
granter had no seal. The Bishop's seal is still attached to this
document.
(Margam Charter ; Claik, /. c, p. 122.)
268 Memorials of Llandaff.
i6. Bishop Nicholas confirmed the grant of the church of Col-
winestuna, or Colwinston, which Maurice de Lundoniis made to the
church of St. Michael [of Huggomora] and the monks thereof, in the
presence of the Bishop especially called to witness it. This church
was thus given with all its appurtenances free and quit in tithes
and customs, namely, land enclosed by two roads and a water which
had been abstracted from the church. Thereupon the monks
presented to the Bishop two persons of good fame, William the
Priest and Philip, son of Master Ralph, whom, at the requests of the
monks and Maurice aforesaid, he instituted to the cure iimpersonavi)
under condition that they pay yearly one silver mark to the church
of St. Michael of Huggomora and the monks therein, viz., half a
mark at the Annunciation of the Virgin and half a mark at
Michaelmas, and on the death of one the other on paying the full
mark is to hold the said church, and after decease of both the said
church is to remain to the church aforesaid of Huggomora and the
monks thereof. The witnesses are : Ralph and Master John,
canons of LLandaff
On the same day Maurice de Lundoniis and the monks of
St. Michael formally abandoned their claim {disratiocinati sunt) to
tithes of land which Richard Latiinarius held of William de
Lundoniis and Maurice his son, and so that Dom Lefricus and
William and John, his sons, quitclaimed the same land to the
church of St. Brigida and the monks therein.
The witnesses hereto are : Master John, and Ralph de Lan-
carban, Isaac the priest, Harnald the priest, Richard de Marcros.
Gillebert the priest, Oen the knight, Ris Walensis, Edward the
provost, William Travers and William de Lancarban, clerks. No
seal remains. There is no date expressed.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton Charter xi, 24 ; Clark, /. c, p. 124.)
17. Record of a charter whereby Bishop Nicholas confirms to
Tewkesbury Abbey and Roger, the Abbot, all the tithes, benefices,
and churches given, or about to be given, to that Abbey that lie
within his diocese, and permission to give sepulture in that Abbey
subject to the right of the Mother Church of LLandaff; confirming
also the agreement made by Bishop Huctredus, his predecessor,
and LLandaff Cathedral, with Abbot Roger and Tewkesbury
Abbeys, in accordance with the terms of Bishop Huctred's charter.
No date is expressed.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS. Cleopatra A. vii, fol. 69 ; Clark,
/. c, p. 129.)
Bishop Nicholas ap Gurgant. 269
18. Grant and general confirmation by Bishop Nicholas to
Margam Abbey of all the gifts made to it by Rodbert, Earl of
Gloucester, Earl William, his son, and Rodbert, son of the said
William — (who died during his father's lifetime, in 1 166) — set out in
detail in the document. It is attested by : —
Roger, Prior of Eweni. Hugh, the Bishop's monk.
Edwin \ Rodbert, Chaplain.
Adam [-Monks of Gloucester. Germanus, clerk.
Benedict J
The date appears to be between 1153 and 1166.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 131.)
19. Grant and general confirmation by Bishop Nicholas to
Margam Abbey of all the gifts made to it by Rodbert, Earl of
Gloucester, for founding an abbey of monks of the Order of
Clairvaux ; by William, Earl of Gloucester, his son, and by Roger
de Haubertunia. The deed is attested by : —
Bertramnus, Prior of Eweni,
Peter
Hugh
Adam
Edwin
Herewald and
William, canons of LLandaff, and others.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 132.)
20. Record of a charter of Bishop Nicholas, confirming to
Tewkesbury Abbey all the churches and benefices which it holds
within his diocese, herein set out in detail ; power, on vacancy of
rectories, to supply vicars ; tithes and portions of tithes, and other
lands, etc. Mr. Clark considers this to be an exceedingly im-
portant charter, since it not only enumerates the possessions of
Tewkesbury Abbey in Glamorgan, but gives the names of many
places, and especially of chapels, the remembrance of which would
otherwise be lost, and which indeed are not now easily to be
identified. Some of these names appear to be incorrectly written.
No date is expressed, and no witnesses are mentioned.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS., Cleopatra A. vii, fol. 68 ; Clark,
/.<:., p. 133.)
21. Testimonial letter of Bishop Nicholas, certifying the settle-
ment of a dispute or controversy which had arisen between the
Abbot of Margam and Richard of Kardif, concerning the land of
Monks of Gloucester.
270 Memorials of Llandaff.
Blakescerre, now Sker, a parish between Newton Nottage and
Kenfig, on the coast of Glamorgan. Neither date nor witnesses
are expressed. Mr. T. Gray of Port Talbot, in his recent work on
the buried city of Kenfig, gives a view of Sker.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 15 ; Clark, /. c, p. 135.)
22. Chirograph deed of arbitration, addressed by Theobald,
Archbishop of Canterbury, to Bishop Nicholas, adjudicating in the
cause between Job, the Priest, parson of the Church of St. Leonart
of Newcastle, and Master Henry Tusard, of St. James's Church,
Chenefeg, or Kenfig, in respect of parishioners and tithes.
It is attested by : —
Roger [of Pont I'eveque], Archbishop-elect of York.
John, Treasurer of York.
Thomas [? Treasurer] of London.
J[ordan, Treasurer] of Salisbury.
Richard Castel.
Dated at Canterbury (before 10 October), A.D. 11 54.
(Margam Charter, Clark, /. c, p. 138.)
23. Testimonial letter of Bishop Nicholas, certifying that Ralph,
Archdeacon of LLandaff, has undertaken in his presence the charge
of the church of St. Cadoc of Lankarvan, to be held of the Abbot
and Convent of Gloucester as long as he pays the stipulated rent
of sixty shillings yearly to the Abbey, and observes certain condi-
tions ; ratified by the Archdeacon on his oath, in presence of the
Archbishop of Canterbury and Gilbert [Foliot], Bishop of London.
The date is between 1163 and 1183.
Mr. Clark states that evidently great jealousy existed between
the Bishop of LLandaff and the Abbot of Gloucester, for the Arch-
bishop and the Bishop of London were called in to pacify the
parties. Archdeacon Ralph retired, and Bishop Nicholas acknow-
ledged the right of Gloucester Abbey to their general ecclesiastical
property in Glamorgan, and the property so remains.
{Chartulary of St. Peter's, Gloucester, Rolls Ser., II, 11 ;
Clark, /. c, p. 143.)
24. The preceding matter forms the subject of a notification or
testimonial letter under seal by G[ilbert Foliot], Bishop of London,
setting out the state of the case, and ratifying the full assent and
agreement of the two parties. Archdeacon Ralph having, in this
Bishop Nicholas ap Gurgant. 271
behalf, given an undertaking on oath, which is confirmed by the
authority of the Bishop of the diocese.
[Chartulary of St. Peters, Gloucester, Rolls Ser., II, ii ;
Clark, /. c, p. 145.)
25. William de Londoniis granted, for the souls' health of his
father and his ancestors, the chapel of Saint Kehinwehir (Llan-
geinor or Egleskeinur), with adjacent lands, to Clement, a deacon,
in perpetual alms, in the presence of Bishop Nicholas. This is
attested by : —
William, Dean of Grunuhd, or Groneath.
Richard, Priest of Marcros, and others.
No date is expressed.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 C. 30; Clark, /. c, p. 160.)
26. The charter of the sons of Herebert, whereby they grant to
Margam Abbey the land they hold under the Earl of Gloucester
at KillecuUum, on condition of a yearly payment of ten shillings
to them, and they will render the service due to the Earl from the
tenant, is sealed by Bishop Nicholas, Walter, Abbot of Neath, and
John, Abbot of Margam, because the grantors have no seal. For
this concession the Abbey paid five marks to the grantors.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 243.)
27. The composition between the Abbey of Margam and Helias,
clerk of Newcastle, respecting the tithes of the land of Sturmi,
appears to have been settled by means of the testimonial letters of
Bishop Nicholas of good memory, and others, in a manner agree-
able to both parties. It would seem that this was effected after
his death.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 34; Clark, /. c, p. 196.)
CHAPTER XXVII.
BISHOP WILLIAM OF SALT-MARSH.
ON the death of Bishop Nicholas ap Gurgant, which occurred
on 6th July, 1183, the See remained vacant until the con-
secration of William, his successor, on loth August, 1186, at
Lambeth, by Archbishop Baldwine. Canon Holmes's edition of
Dr. Stubbs's Registrum ^ calls this Bishop William Saltmarsh.
Willis^ calls him " William de Salso Marisco, a person of Great
Discretion and Probity." He was probably called " of Salt Marsh,"
as having come originally from a place of that name in Gloucester-
shire, where Margam Abbey^ had property leased in 1338, and
exchanged it with Tewkesbury Abbey for Glamorgan property in
1484-1486. The Liber Landavensis has a memorandum or record
to the effect that : — " Derechef voyda la Eglise de landaf par la
mort le Eueske Nicole Ian del Incarnacion . M . C . Ixxxiij . dont le
Conte Willame auoyt la garde de la Temporaute de landaf . e
morust le Conte Willame mesme eel an. E le proscheyn successour
Nichole ! fust le Eueske Willame de sauz Marreys."
Hardy, in his edition of Le Neve's Fasti, states that he was
previously Prior of St. Augustine's, Bristol. This Bishop died in
1 191, after occupying the Bishopric for about five years.
Several documents belonging to the period of Bishop William
are still extant. The more important among them are the
following : —
I. About the year 1 190, Matildis de Soor, or La Sore — a member
of a prominent Glamorgan family — notified by charter, addressed
to Bishop William, that she has granted and confirmed to Margam
Abbey four acres of land of her dower, on the middle of the slope
of the hill of Karuesdune, or Caruenesdune, by concession of her
superior lady of the land and granddaughter, or niece, Milisant, for
the souls' health of herself, her husband, her son William, and her
ancestors and successors, to be free from all service and taxation.
The charter is declared to be sealed with the seal of the said
^ P- 50. 2 P. 48.
'^ Clark, Carta, pp. 1227, 1725, 1728 ; Biixli, Hist of Mar g. Abbey.
Bishop William of Salt-Marsh. 273
Milisant, because the said Matildis has no seal, and also in proof of
Milisant's concession.
Among the witnesses are : —
Godefridus, Monk of Margam.
William de Bedintune, \
Brother Jordan, and \ Conversi of Margam.
Brother Wittfare, )
Richard, Priest of Bonevill.
Augustine, Chaplain of St. John's, Kaerdif
Osbern, Cellarer of Neth Abbey.
Walter son of the Priest Richard.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 D. 25 ; Clark, Cartes, new
Edit, p. 204.)
2. Hugh, son of Rodbert of Lantcarvan, notifies by charter,
addressed to Bishop William, his grant and confirmation to Maigam
Abbey, with consent of his friends, his wife, and Henry de Hum-
franvill.his lord, of an acre of land for building a chapel in honour
of St. Meuthinus at the Monks' Grange of Lantmeuthin, for the
souls' health of himself, his wife, his lord, his ancestors, and his
successors.
Among the witnesses are : —
Roger, Cellarer of Margam.
Godfrey, Monk of Margam.
Auel, Priest of St. Hilary.
Walter, Chaplain of Lantcarvan.
Brother Witfare, \
Richard Terri, \ Conversi of Margam.
And Walter Rufus, J
Margeria, wife of the grantor.
(Margam Charter; Clark, /. c, p. 182.)
3. Notification by the above Hugh to Bishop W[illiam] of his
grant to Margam Abbey of land at Landmeuthin, with assent
of his lord Henry de Umframville and others. This was ratified
in the Cardiff County Court.
Among the witnesses are: — J., Prior of Margam; R, the
cellarer ; Vincentius and W. de Bedintona, Monks ; Jordan and
Ralph Picard, Conversi ; William, Prior of Goldcliue, afterwards
Bishop of LLandaff 1219-1229. No date is expressed.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 2274.)
T
2 74 Memorials of Liandaff.
4. The same Hugh notified to Bishop William, in a charter, his
grant and confirmation to Margam Abbey of thirty acres of land in
Lantmeuthin, with assent of his lord Henry de Humfranvill, etc.
This resembles in some respects the previous document, but the
witnesses are not quite the same, but among them is William,
Prior of Goldcliue, afterwards Bishop of LLandaff.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 387.)
5. Milisant, daughter and heiress of William Mitdehorguill,
notifies by charter, addressed to Bishop William, her gift and grant
to Margam Abbey of land at Turburnesdune on the west thereof
as far as the high road from Fennebrigge towards Wigetune, and
so forth.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 389.)
6. The same grantor notifies to Bishop William other gifts to
Margam Abbey, and confirms the grant by her mother Milisant to
the same abbey of land at St. Nicholas, etc.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 390.)
7. Bishop William attests a grant and confirmation by Adam,
son of Roger de Sumeri, a member of a powerful Glamorgan family,
of gifts made by Milisant his wife to Margam Abbey of a lease of
meadow at St. Nicholas.
Among the witnesses are : —
Bishop William.
Hamo de Valuniis, Sheriff of Kardif.
Canon Richard.
Wilkinnus de Cantuaria.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 D. 10; Clark, /. c, p. 177.)
8. William Doggeuel notified by charter, addressed to Bishop
William (probably William of Saltmarsh), his grant to Margam
Abbey, out of his freehold, of all his meadow land below Rahat, or
Roath, near Cardiff, in the marsh towards the south, not only that
of his own demesne, but that also which his mother holds in dower,
after her death ; land outside the eastern gate of Kardiff, towards
the N., with a croft ; and one acre where the monks choose to select
it in his land of Lisbonit, or Listallapont : all to be free of royal
or other service, for which the grantor or his heirs will be answer-
able. For all this the monks excused the grantor from a debt of
ten shillings.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 181.)
Seal of Isabella, Countess of Gloucester.
Seal of Milisant, Daughter of, William Mitdehorguill.
Bishop William of Salt-Marsh. 275
9. Memorandum or docket of a charter of Bishop Wilh"am,
confirming to the church of St. Mary, Tewkesbury, and to the
church of St. Mary, Cardiff, all the churches, tithes, and alms
which they hold within his diocese, with their universal liberties,
just as Bishop Huctredus and Nicholas his successor have confirmed
them. Neither date nor witnesses are given.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS., Cleopatra A. vii, fol. 69 ; Clark,
/. c, p. 177.)
10. Memorandum or docket of the charter of Ralph de Sumeri,
made by Alanus, Abbot, and the monks of Tewkesbury, respecting
the gifts of his ancestors, confirming two parts (in three) of all his
tithes in his demesne of Dinaspowis, viz., of sheaves, lambs, pigs,
calves, colts, gardens, orchards, flax and wool, cheese, and all things
renewable yearly, whereof tithe is wont and due to be paid, and of
all increments, essarts, and improvements which have been, or
shall hereafter be, made there subsequently to the aforesaid gifts
of his ancestors.
The witnesses are : —
Bishop William.
Archdeacon Urban.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS., Cleopatra A. vii,, fol. 69 ; Clark,
/. c, p. 200.)
11. Memorandum or docket recording the decision of Bishop
William and of Walter, Abbot of Neath, and W., Prior of Gholclive,
concerning the chapel of Cogan and the two parts (of three) of the
tithes of R. de Sumeri, all of which R. de Sumeri, clerk, his son, by
authority of the Papal letters demanded from Abbot Alan and
the convent of Tewkesbury, and all were adjudged to belong to
the said Abbot and convent. It was also adjudged that the said
chapel belonged to the church of Landochan as its mother church,
and the tithes to the church of Cardiff.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS., Cleopatra A. vii, fol. 69 b; Clark,
/. c, p. 361.)
12. Memorandum or docket recording that there are preserved at
Tewkesbury the letters of Institution granted by Bishop William,
at the presentation, by Abbot Alan and the monks, of R. de
Sumeri, a clerk, to the chapel of Cogan, charged with the yearly
payment of one pound of wax to the mother church of Landochan,
or Llandough-juxta-Cardiff; and on the incumbent's resignation
T 2
276 Memorials of Llandaff.
or assumption of secular habit the chapel is to revert in its integrity
to the mother church and the disposition of the monks of Tewkes-
bury.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS., Cleop. A. vii, fol. 69 b ; Clark,
/. c, p. 183.)
13. Bishop William certifies to the terms of a convention made
in LLandaff Cathedral, in the presence of himself as Bishop, the
Archdeacon, the clerks and the canons, between the monks of
Margam and certain Welshmen named —
Richeredus son of Chenaf. Itellus, and
Ruwatlanus son of Brehenelegan. Ketherech, brethren.
Wasmihaggel son of Cradocus. Ragevarh son of Grifinus.
Abithegwin, and Cradocus son of Bletheri.
These latter abjured upon the altar of St. Theliawus, or Teilo,
in the Church of LLandaff, and the relics of the same Church, and
remised to Margam Abbey for six years, all their claim upon the
land of Bradetune for themselves, their kinsmen, and all Welshmen,
present and future, and warranted the property for a term of six
years against all Welshmen, commencing at Michaelmas the second
year of the Coronation of King Richard I (which took place on
3rd September, 11 89). The Abbot of Margam gave them three
marks to divide among themselves, and they on their part pledged
their Christianity in the hand of the Bishop and Archdeacon {i.e.,
to submit to excommunication if unfaithful) to keep the convention
faithfully giving as pledges or sureties for their fidelity, other
Welshmen, viz. —
Grunu Wirth. Ketherech son of Cradocus.
Keneithur Canterel. Tuthenert.
Gurganus of Peuduuelin, or Pendoylon.
The witnesses to this interesting document are : —
Archdeacon Urban. Habraham Gobio.
Richard, the Bishop's Chaplain. Nicholas Gobio.
William of Deitune. Ralph, Parson.
William of Portesc[uit]. Habraham Bleinwit,
Roger of Newburgh.
and all the members of the Chapter of LLandaff. The date is
1 190. The Bishop's seal is attached to the deed. It is of pointed-
oval shape, in light brown wax, about three inches long and one
inch and three quarters wide. The design is an Qi?igy of Bishop
Bishop William of Salt-Marsh. 277
William in the usual conventional style. On the reverse is a small
oval counterseal, about one inch and a quarter by one inch, bearing
a fine impression of an ancient gem, cracked before the seal was
made, probably from the ring of the Bishop. The subject is an
imperial bust, bearded, and in profile to the right couped at the
neck.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 17 ; Clark, /. c, 203.)
14. Pagan de Turbervilla notifies by a charter, addressed to
Bishop William, his grant and confirmation to Margam Abbey of
all the land which his lord William, Earl of Gloucester, gave him
in Newcastle in Coitkard, free of service. In return the monks of
Margam gave him twenty marks of silver to help him to recover
his land and inheritance in Mersfeld, probably Marshfield, co. Mon-
mouth.
The witnesses include : —
Bishop William.
Archdeacon Urban.
Walter, Abbot of Neath.
Hamo de Valuniis, Sheriff of Kaerdid.
Thomas, the Bishop's chaplain, and many other notables.
There are three copies or forms of this, slightly variant ; the
witnesses are not the same in all cases.
(Margam Charter; Clark, /. c, p. 384, cf 385.)
15. Charter of Bishop William to the archdeacons, deans,
parsons, and vicars of his diocese, announcing that he has taken
Margam Abbey under his special protection.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 16 ; Clark, Carta, I. c,
p. 382.)
For a confirmation charter of Bishop William see No. 1 1 of the
charters of Bishop Elias, further on.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BISHOP HENRY OF ABERGAVENNY.
THE See of LLandaff again became vacant from the death of
Bishop WiUiam of Saltmarsh, in 1191, until the appointment
of his successor, Henry of Abergavenny, who was consecrated
on I2th December, 1193, at Canterbury, by Archbishop Hubert,
died on 12th November, 1218,^ and was buried in LLandaff
Cathedral.^ During this vacancy of the See, John, Count of
Moreton, brother of King Richard I, and afterwards King of
England, had possession of the temporalities as belonging to his
lordship of Glamorgan, to which he succeeded by his marriage
with Isabella, daughter of William, Earl of Gloucester. In this
Bishop's time there were neither canons nor prebends, but he
erected fourteen prebends : " E^ donkes ni aueit il nul Chanoygne
ne nule prouendre en le glyse de landaf . Mes en son tens fist
il les xiiij. prouendres." The same record places Bishop Henry's
death in the year 1218 on the day of the Four Crowned Saints.*
The day of the Four Crowned Brothers and Martyrs is cele-
brated on 8th November, four days earlier than the more usually
accepted date mentioned above. Willis calls him Prior of Aber-
gavenny, and relates that he is said to have ordained Philip of
Poictiers, or Poictou, "to the priesthood after his election to the See
of Durham in 1 195," (consecrated in 1197). He was present in 1199
at the coronation of King John. In addition to his provision
for the fourteen Prebendaries he appropriated separately to him-
self and his successors " what^ they now enjoy, and left the rest
unto the Chapter, which was before his Time undivided from
the Bishoprick."
A considerable number of documents which belong to the
^ Annahs Margam ; Hardy's Le Neve's Fasti ; and Stubbs's Reg. Sacr.
new Edit, but see Note 4. Clark, Carta, new Edit., p. 859.
- Hardy's Le Neve's Fasti.
^ Lib. Land., Ed. Evans, p. 314.
* " Le iour de . iiij. Seyntz coronez."
" Willis, Survey, p. 49.
benefices. 279
period of Bishop Henry are extant, and among them those
mentioned hereafter appear to be the more important : —
I. These are the benefices which were collated to the Church
of LLandajf by Bishop Henry.
The church of Lan Cum, with its appurtenances.
The church of Rokeuile (Rockfield, co. Monm.), every year
at Easter half a mark.
From Cannet' (Canton, near Cardiff) mill at Easter, half a
mark.
From Pola de Merthirmouor, for washing the vestments, two
shillings at Michaelmas.
The oblation received of St. Teliawus's day for lighting the
church.
The oblations of certain nuns yearly for the Bishop's patro-
nage, also for lighting the church.
The tithes arising from Ebbot, or Ebbwy, mill, paid by Dom
Howel of Kairleon.
{Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 284.)
The following record relates to the Prebends established by
Bishop Henry : —
2. These are the values of the Churches to the Commons of
Llandaff.
In the Deanery of Bergeveny.
The church of Lantelyo Porthaloc . viij//. vjj-. viijrf.
Whereof the Chapter receive . iij//. vjj. viijc/.
The church of Lantelyo Cresseny . . xij//.
The church of blessed Caddocus of Penros . iiij/z.
The church of Landinegat . viij//.
The church of Lanhart . . . viij//.
In the Deanery of Vsca.
The church of Lanchouian . iij//. xj.
In the Deanery of Nether- Went.
The church of Martharne with its chapel . xij//.
The church of St. Kynemarchus xijj-. iiij^.
The church of Langeston xx.f.
The church of St. Hillarius . v//.
{Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 284.)
2 8o Memorials of Llandaff.
3. These are the values of the Prebends of Llandaff
Churches.
Prebend of Master Hugh
Prebend of Master Ralph de Novo Castro
Prebend of Master Henry
Prebend of Geofifrey de Novo burgo .
Prebend of Master Peter
The Prebend of the Chancellor
The Prebendi
The Prebendi
The Prebendi
The Prebend of the Archdeacon (in cash)
The Prebend of the Precentor
The Prebend of Albricus
The Prebend of Philip de Beensingt[on]
The Prebend of Master Ralph de Nectone
The Prebend of the Treasure[r]
iiijx.
y\}li.
vlt.
xxd.
XXXV5.
xij/z.
\\]li. xs.
iij//.
v/.
xxiiijj'.
iij//.
Sum of the taxation of Commons
Sum of the taxation of the Prebends
xxxli. xvs.
xxvj//. i]s. mjd.
And it is to be remembered that the churches of Pendeuelin
and Lanedern are not included in this taxation.
(Lib. Land., ed. Evans, PP..284, 285.)
4. Bishop Henry, with consent of the Chapter, granted and
confirmed to Margam Abbey a perpetual lease of all the land from
" PiUa Magna" to the River Thaf, which lies adjacent to the
Bishop's sheep-fold, from wall to wall, at a yearly rent of four
shillings, with covenant that the Abbey is to maintain the wall in
good repair.
The witnesses are : —
Urbanus, Archdeacon.
Nicholaus, Treasurer.
Master Walter.
Walter, Chaplain.
William, Chaplain.
Walter, Precentor.
Audoenus, Dean.
Philip, nephew of Chaplain Walter.
Thomas, the Bishop's Serjeant.
With the seals of the Bishop and the Chapter appended to the
original charter.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 20; Clark, /. c, p. 211.)
1 Blank.
Bishop Henry of Abergavenny. 281
5. Another charter relating to the same matter, and almost in
the same words, sealed only by the Bishop.
The witnesses are somewhat different : —
Urbanus, Archdeacon. Hubert, Vicar.
Nicholaus, Treasurer. Walter, Chaplain.
Master Roger. Abraham, Vicar.
Master Walter. Thomas, Serjeant.
Mathias, Clerk.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 22; Clark, I.e., 212,
2I3-)
6. Bishop H[enry] stands as surety for, and with the whole
Chapter of LLandaff confirms, the grant by Riredus, son of Kenaf,
with assent of his wife Hiwerth, to Margam Abbey of a fourth part
of the land of Bradinctune.
Other sureties are : —
The Sheriff of Kaerdif
Archdeacon Urban and many Welshmen.
The witnesses include several monks of Margam. —
Nicholaus of Penclau, Dean. Master Maurice.
Luke, the Bishop's brother. John, Priest of Kenefec.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 C. 24 ; Clark, /. c,
P- 237.)
7. Bishop Henry and the Chapter of LLandaff record in a
charter the convention made between Margam Abbey and Wastmi-
hangel and other Welshmen^ respecting land at Bradinctune, with
much detail, appointment of Welsh sureties, and attestation of—
Master Maurice. Nicholaus de Penclau, Dean.
John, Priest of Kenefec. Helias, Dean, and others.
The date given is 1199.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 18 ; Clark, /. c,
P- 234.)
8. Grant by Bishop Henry to Margam Abbey of the church of
Kenefec, or Kenfig, with all its chapels, lands, and appurtenances,
with assent and by petition of Tewkesbury Abbey and Walter the
Abbot, charged with an annual rent of ten marks to the said Abbey
of Tewkesbury.
' See No. 13, p. 276.
282 Memorials of Llandaff.
The witnesses are : —
Urban, Archdeacon.
Nicholaus, Treasurer.
Philip, Dean of Gure, or Gower.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 277 ; with a precis or
docket of this charter in Brit. Mus., Cotton MS.,
Cleopatra A. vii, fol. 86 b ; Clark, /. c, p. 225.)
9. Bishop Henry's confirmation to Margam Abbey of the tithes
of Kenefeg, at a yearly rent of ten marks, to Tewkesbury Abbey,
which, however, retains the cure of spirituals, the altarage, and the
right of presenting a vicar to the church, etc., and will be answer-
able for synodals and matters appertaining to episcopal right.
The witnesses include : —
Archdeacon Wrgan. Master Walter the Bishop's Chaplain.
Master Maurice, his son. Master Ralph Mailok.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 226.)
This was confirmed at a later date by Bishop Elias. (Margam
Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 469.)
10. Bishop Henry also attests the charter of grant and con-
firmation by Morgan ap Caradoc— a great name in Glamorgan in
the later half of the twelfth century— to Margam Abbey of all the
land of Rossaulin, or Resolven, lying in the Vale of Neath between
the waters of the R. Wrach and the R. Cleudach-cumkake and
between the water of the R. Neth and the high road over the hills
of Torbethel as far as Glinwrach, with common of pasture over all
his land on the hills between the R. Avan and the R. Neth.
Among the witnesses are : —
Bishop Henry.
Nicholas Gobion.
Helias, Dean of Newcastle.
Richard, Dean of Bonevilla.
Henry, Priest of Brigtune, or Briton Ferry.
Morgan son of Caradoc was the eldest grandson of the cele-
brated Jestyn.
There is no given date.
(Margam Charter; Clark, /. c, p. 179; see also a con-
firmation by Bishop Henry, Margam Charter in
Clark, /. c, p. 356.)
Seals of Morgan ap Caradoc,
Bishop Henry of Abergavenny. 283
1 1. Elias, a later Bishop of LLandafF, confirmed to Margam
Abbey the lands and chapels of Rossaulin, Penhuth, Hauethaloc,
Sturmi, Egleskenwir, and Bonevilestune, with the advowson of the
church there in accordance with the confirmation charters of
Bishops William and Henry. A.D., 1234.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 492.)
12. Certificate or testimonial letters, sealed by Bishop Henry,
declaring that the dispute which had arisen between Margam
Abbey and John Kairus, his heirs, and his son Milo, respecting
a certain pasture, had been settled by the restoration of the
pasture to the Abbey, the said Milo sv/earing on the sacrosanta
to keep the agreement.
The witnesses are : —
Urban, Dean. Ralph of Winchester, Clerk.
Nicholaus, Chaplain. W. of St. Donat's.
Master Maurice. Robert de Berchele.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 23 ; Clark, /. c, p. 214.)
There are two forms of this charter, one of which contains a
more precise account of the property, described as the pasture
of all the grantor's land except crops and meadows which had
previously been granted to the monks for a certain great excess
of which he had been guilty. The witnesses are the same.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 21 ; Clark, /. c, p. 215.)
13. Bishop Henry announces, by sealed charter, his confirma-
tion to Margam Abbey of the grants made to it of all the land
of Langewi, with its church, free of all customs and exactions
except episcopal rights.
The witnesses are : —
Nicholas, Treasurer of LLandaff
Helias, Dean of Newcastle.
Richard, Dean of Bonevileston.
Master Roger de Culne.
Robert of Bergeveni.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 216.)
14. Ralph de Sumeri announces by charter, addressed to
Bishop Henry, that he has confirmed to Margam Abbey a yearly
gift of twenty shillirgs made by A. de Sumeri, his grandfather
284 Memorials of LI an doff.
and his sons, whose heir he is, charged on his mill in the marsh,
to be paid by his bailiffs at his Castle of Dinaspowis ; and
further four shillings payable to the Abbey on St. John Baptist's
day, until he can provide for the Abbey a charge of twenty-
four shillings on land in exchange.
The witnesses include : —
Roger, Abbot of Margam.
Helias, Dean, and others.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75. D. 9 ; Clark, /. c, p. 224.)
15. Gerebert son of Robert announces, by a sealed charter
addressed to Bishop Henry, that with the consent of his over-
lord, Henry de Humframvilla, and his own brothers, Adam and
Jordanus, he has confirmed to Margam Abbey all the gifts made
to it by his brother Hugh, viz., thirty acres in Lammeuthin, and
other lands, etc., lying on the W. side of the high road from
Lantcarvan to the grange of Lammeuthin, and an acre in aid of
the building of St. Meuthinus's chapel.
Among the witnesses are : —
Bishop Henry. Henry de Humframvilla.
Urban, Archdeacon. Sibilla his wife, and others.
Roger, Abbot of Margam.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 C. 48 ; Clark, /. c, p. 217.)
16. Another charter concerning the same lands emanates
directly from Bishop Henry, announcing that Henry de Hum-
framvilla and Gerebert son of Robert have granted to Margam
Abbey the land of Lanmeuthi, as in the previous deed, etc.
The witnesses are : —
Walter, Abbot of Neath. Gerebert son of Robert.
Urban, Archdeacon. Nicholas Gobion.
Urban de Pendiuelin and Henry, Monk of Margam.
William de Lantilwit, Deans.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 19 ; Clark, /. c, p. 219.)
17. Bishop Henry certifies, by sealed charter, the grant by
Philip Marcros to Neht, or Neath, Abbey of land in Marcros,
charged with the annual payment of six silver shillings to Margam
Abbey at Michaelmas for lighting the church on the Feast of
the Purification of the Blessed Virgin.
Bishop Henry of Abergavenny. 285
The witnesses are : —
Oenus, Dean. Walter the Precentor.
Nicholaus, Treasurer of LLandaff.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 24 ; Clark, I.e., p. 221.)
18. King John, by a charter, confirmed to Bishop Henry and his
successors a fair at LLandaff, to last for four days, to wit, the
morrow of Pentecost, or Whit-Monday, and three following days,
and a market to be held every Sunday.
The courtier witnesses are : — -
William, Earl Marshal. Robert de Roppell'.
Earl Albricus. G. de Lucy.
Earl David. Fulconel de Cantilupe.
P. de Stokes.
Dated at Bristol, by the hand of H. de Welles, Archdeacon of
Wells, 9th September, 7 Joh., 1205, "while the Great Seal was in
the King's hands."
(H. M. Record Office, Rotul. Chart, p. 159; Clark, /. c,
p. 293 ; and a memorandum or docket thereof Ex
Archivis in Turn Lond. Cart. 7 Joh. memb. S, from
Willis, Survey, p. 112 ; Clark, /. e., p. 294.)
This fair eventually became a great nuisance, and was
abolished towards the middle of the nineteenth century. — (Clark.)
Willis observes that Sunday fairs were not disused notwith-
standing the Statute of 27 Hen. VI, 1448, prohibiting the keeping
of fairs and markets on Whitsunday, Trinity Sunday, other
Sundays, and Good Friday, "on which last day, to the great
scandal of religion, they are still observed universally throughout
the Kingdom, there being near as many fairs held on that day as
any other."
19. Bishop Henry certifies to Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Glou-
cester and Heortford, that David Scurlag was of full age and had
seizin of his land when he made agreements in presence of the
Bishop with Margam Abbey concerning land in the fee of Lang-
hewi, his full age having been admitted long before the present
time, when he proved his ownership against Reimund his natural
brother in the Cardiff County Court.
Gilbert de Clare is generally dated as first Earl, 1226 to 1230,
but Bishop Henry died in 12 18, which makes the date of this
286 Memorials of Llandaff.
document very difficult to determine. It may be provisionally
placed in 121 8.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 220 )
20. Another charter on the same subject emanated from Gilbert
de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, attested by Bishop
Henry, Master N. Gobiun, canon of LLandaff, and many notables
of the county of Glamorgan.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 B. 37 ; Clark, /. c, p. 432.)
21. .Another, on the same subject, from Nicholaus Poinz to
Earl Gilbert (Margam Charter; Clark, /. c, p. 2329.)
In addition to the foregoing charters. Bishop Henry attested or
confirmed several charters^ to Margam Abbey.
1 Clark, /. c, pp. 159, 211, 225, 232, 269, 270, 323, 325, 341, 398, 1215, 2288,
2289, 2334.
CHAPTER XXIX.
BISHOPS WILLIAM OF GOLDCLIVE, AND ELIAS OF
RADNOR.
THE death of Bishop Henry of Bergavenny made a short
vacancy in the See of LLandaff, which was filled up by the
consecration of William, Prior of Goldclive, or Goldcliff, in Mon-
mouthshire, on the shore of Bristol Channel, not far from Newport,
on the 27th October, 12 19, at Canterbury, by Archbishop Stephen
Langton. Bishop William died on the 28th January, 1229/30, and
Maurice, Archdeacon of LLandaff, and Ivor, Canon of LLandaff,
having announced the death of their Bishop to King Henry HL a
royal licence was issued to the Chapter to elect another Bishop,
23rd February, 1229/30. The Liber Landavensis, in one of its later
additions, contains a memorandum to the effect that : —
" Apres la mort le auant dit Eueske Henry! Gilbert de Clare
Conte de Gloucestre le ael aueit la garde de la temporaute de
landaf vacant le see com aportenant a sa seignurie de Glomorgan .
e la tynt iekes a la venue le Eueske Willame de Goldcliue son
proscheyn successour . a ky il rendy par sa meyn la temporaute"
[i6th July, 1 2 19]. " Derechef Ian del Incarnacion . M. cc . xxix .
e Ian del coronement le Rey Henry . xiij . la quinte kalendes de
ffeuerer [28th January] ! voida le Eglyse de landaf par la mort le
Eueske Willame auant dit."
The Book of Glamorgan Annals in H.M. Record Office, Queen's
Remembrancer's Miscellaneous Books, vol. i, places the consecra-
tion of Bishop William in 12 19, and his death v kal. Febr., 1229.
Bishop William, when Prior of Goldclive, attested charters to
Margam Abbey, described' among those of the time of Bishop
William of Saltmarsh (Clark, pp. 361, 388, 2275).
Pandulph Masca, Bishop-Elect of Norwich, Papal Chamberlain
and Legate of the Apostolic See, wrote to King Henry HI,
reminding him that the Canons of LLandaff had petitioned for
royal permission to elect a pastor, and states that, as the vacancy
had existed a long time already, he has provided William, Prior of
1 Pp. 273, 274, 275. Nos. 3, 4, and 11.
2 88 Memorials of Llandaff.
Goldclive, a prudent and honourable man, and, as he believed, useful
and faithful to the King and his realm, and gives him to them as a
pastor : desiring therefore that the King will grant the royal assent
to this election, and receive from him the oath of fealty according
to the usual custom. This is dated at Shrewsbury, v Id. Jun.,
9 June, 4 Hen. Ill, 1220. There must be error in this date for
1 2 19, as Bishop William received the temporalities on 16 July,
1 2 19, and was consecrated, as already shown, on 27 October in
that year.
[Bundela Brevium in Turr. Land., 4 Hen. Ill, memb. 3 ;
in B. Willis, Survey, p. 113 ; Clark, /. c, p. 381.)
Among the more important memorials which appear to be of
the time of this Bishop William, the following may be noticed : —
1. An Inspeximus by William de Breuse, Lord of Gouher, of a
charter by his father, John de Breuse, wherein is set forth that at
the petition of William the Second, Bishop of LLandaff, he remits
and quitclaims to God and the Church of blessed Thelyaw of
LLandaff, all the services due to him and his ancestors in the Vill
of Bisschopistone in Gower.
The witnesses include : —
John, Abbot of Margam.
Maurice, Archdeacon of LLandaff.
Master Ralph Mayloc.
Maurice, Treasurer of LLandaff.
Ralph of Newcastle, Clerk, Master of Holy Trinity,
and others.
The witnesses to the Inspeximus include : —
Master Simon of Radenor, Archdeacon of LLandaff,
and a long array of Glamorgan lordlings.
The date probably later than 1230.
(H.M. Record Office, Queen's Remembrancer's MSS.
Miscellaneous Book, vol. i, fol. 486 ; Clark, /. c,
p. 478.)
2. Walter Lupellus, or Luvel, notifies the Bishop William —
probably William of Goldclive — his grant to Margam Abbey of
land near the Grange of St. Michael-super-Montem,^ etc.
1 See T. Gray, The Buried City of Kenjig, p. 222.
Bishop Elias of Radnor. 289
The witnesses include : —
Walter Lupellus, his son. Athelewa, his wife.
David, and The whole hundred of Kenefec.
William, his sons.
No date is given, and there is no clue to it.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 529.)
Bishop Elias of Radnor,
called also Helias, and Elys,'- Treasurer of Hereford Cathedral, was
elected, in pursuance of the royal licence issued to the Chapter of
LLandaff, and obtained the King's assent on 30th August, 1230.
Canon Holmes's edition of the Registrum places his consecration
at Merton by Archbishop Richard Le Grant on ist December,
1230.
Gilbert de Clare^ had charge of the temporalities of LLandaff
during the vacancy of the See, and died before the appointment of
Elias. His son Richard, being under age at the time of Gilbert's
death, became a ward to the Crown, and thus the temporalities fell
into the King's hands.
According to Willis, Bishop Elias died on 6th May, 1240, but
according to Hardy's Le Neve, on 13th May in that year. The
Queen's Remembrancer's MS. in the Record Office, vol. i, gives the
date^ of 1230 for the Bishop's death, but this is erroneous.
Among the documents relating to LLandaff Diocese, which
were issued during the time of the Bishop, are the following : —
1. By a charter of Bishop Elias notification is made that
Audoenus, Resus, and Cradocus, sons of Alaythor, have given
and quitclaimed to Margam Abbey, in the presence of the
Bishop, their father's meadow land in the marsh of Avene, and
will pay half a mark yearly in recompense of the grave losses
which they have inflicted on the Abbey. (See also p. 298.)
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 474.)
2. Bishop Elias issued a mandate to the Prior and chaplaiins
of Kairdif, i.e. Cardiff, ordering them to excommunicate, after
three monitions, all those persons who detain payment of their
tithe ; also to excommunicate on the three solemn festivals of
Christmas, Pentecost, and the Assumption of the B. V. Mary,
sorcerers, perjurers on sacrosancta, incendiaries, usurers, ravishers,
' Lib. Land., Ed. Evans, p. 315.
^ Clark, /. c, p. 859.
290 Memorials of Llandaff.
" puplicos," those maliciously impeding the performance of lawful
testaments, and those who retain a pledge under certain circum-
stances ; and such persons are not to be absolved without the
authority of the Bishop or his Official. No date is expressed.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS. Cleopatra, A. vii, fol. 69 ; Clark,
/. c, p, 465.)
3. Bishop Elias declares by his sealed deed that he has
issued an injunction to the Abbot and convent of Margam Abbey
to pull down the chapel, which they have erected without the
court of their grange of Langewi, and to celebrate divine service
in the chapel which, by his authority, has been built within the
court.
The witnesses include : —
William of Lanmays, Dean of Goronid.
Richard, Official.
Master Adam, Dean of Penhechen.
Richard Chamberlain {Kamerarius), Parson of Cogan.
No date is expressed.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 473.)
4. Bishop Elias notified by a charter the terms of arbitration
which he, in conjunction with Morgan Cam, had arranged between
Resus Goh and Margam Abbey respecting the land lying between
the waters of the Garwe and the Uggemore, and the forest rights
thereof The arbitrators, after inspection of charters of W. de
Londonia and Resus the elder and his brethren, and taking oral
examination, found that the land belonged to the Abbey, being,
in this finding, assisted by the Preaching Friars^ Anianus and
Lewelinus, and Master Maurice of Christchurch. With regard to
the claim of forest rights, certain stipulations were laid down for
proof before the claimant Resus should enjoy them. The Abbot
undertakes, in verba Dei, to abide this decision ; Resus, after
beholding and touch the sacrosancta, takes an oath to submit to the
firiding.
Among the witnesses are : —
Master Richard de Karlyon. Ralph of Newcastle [Canon].
Dom William Malet. John, Chaplain.
Dated on the Feast-Day of St. Ambrose, 4th April, 1234.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 25 ; Clark, /. c, p. 499.)
' Black Friars, or Dominicans, who came into England in 1221, and had a
house at Oxford in that year. (Dugdale, Mon. Angl., VI. 1482.)
Bishop Elias of Radnor. 291
5. Bishop Elyas attested a charter by John, Resus, Roger, and
four other sons of Griffin Began, recording their agreement to
quitclaim to Roger Sturmi, their uncle, the moiety of a rent in
Sturmiestune, namely, the moiety of half a mark yearly rent paid
by Margam Abbey, which they had claimed, that the said Roger
granted to Griffin in marriage with his sister, their mother. They
also swear upon the shrine of Saint Teilo {super tumbam. Sancti
Theliawi), and upon all the sacrosancta of LLandaff Church, in the
presence of many lawful men, that they will never trouble the
Abbey in this respect. The said uncle thereupon gave them five
marks sterling, by the hands of the monks, not in regard to the
quitclaim, but because they were his nephews, and he wished to
benefit them.
This was dated in Whitsun week, 1234, in the Church of LLan-
daff, and before Bishop Elias, Archdeacon Maurice, Resus, son of
Griffin ; the Archdeacon and John, Abbot of Margam, being proctors
for Roger Sturmi ; and the seals of the Bishop and Chapter being
appended by desire of the sons of Griffin, and those of the proctors
on behalf of Roger Sturmi.
Among the numerous witnesses, are : —
Bishop Elyas,
Archdeacon Maurice.
Maurice Gobion, Treasurer.
Ralph of Newcastle, Canon.
Master Maurice of Christchurch.
Master Richard of Kerliun.
And many Norman and Welsh notables.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charters 75 B. 8, 9 ; Clark, /. c,
pp. 490, 497.)
6. Another charter relating to the same matters includes Lewe-
lin, son of Griffin Began, among those who quitclaim their rights.
The actual terms are not recorded in the same words, and the
witnesses are not altogether the same.
Among these witnesses are : —
Bishop Helyas.
Archdeacon Maurice.
Henry, Dean of Kaerdif
Maurice Gobyon, Treasurer of LLandaff.
Master Gervasius, Chancellor of LLandaff.
Walter Cantor, i.e.. Precentor of LLandaff.
u 2
292 Memorials of Llandaff.
Yuor of Pendulon, Canon of LLandaff.
Master John Word'.
Master John of Lanririt, Official of LLandaff.
Resus son of Griffin.
And numerous Norman and Welsh magnates.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 B. 6 ; Clark, /. c, p. 496.)
7. Bishop Elias attested a quitclaim by Resus Coh, abjuring
his right in land at Egleskeynur, carrying with it right of pasture
between the waters of the Garwe and the Uggemor, mountain
streams which help to form the modern Ogmore river, made in his
presence, sworn upon the sacroscmcta of the church of Margam by
the said Resu.s, and confirmed by the seals of the Bishop and of
Morganus Cam, the overlord of the said Resus.
The date is given as All Saints' Day, i November, 1234.
Among the witnesses are : —
Bishop Elyas. Master Richard of Kerlyun.
Archdeacon Maurice. John, Chaplain.
William, Dean of Lanmeis. Richard, Bishop's Notary.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 B. 40 ; Clark, /. c, p. 488.)
8. In the same year, 1234, but without closer date, Bishop Elias
notified to the clergy and laity of his diocese his confirmation
of lands to Margam Abbey already described under the account^
given of Bishops William and Henry (No. 11).
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 492.)
9. Bishop Elias, by charter, inspected a confirmation charter by
Bishop Henry, his predecessor, (under seal of himself and his
Chapter), granting to Margam Abbey all their proper tithes in
Kenefeg parish, other church tithes specified, all the chapels of the
church there, all the lands belonging to the said church and
chapels, paying yearly to Tewkesbury Abbey ten marks. The
latter Abbey retains the cure of spirituals, the altarage, the right
of presenting a vicar to the church, and all the appurtenances
thereof except the aforesaid lands and tithes.
The witnesses of the confirmation include : —
Wrganus, Archdeacon of LLandaff
Master Maurice, his son.
Master Walter, Bishop's Chaplain.
Master Ralph Mailoc.
Nicholaus, Treasurer of LLandaff.
' P. 28.^
Bishop Rlias of Radnor. 293
The witnesses to the inspeximus include : —
Maurice, Archdeacon of LLandaff.
Henry, his brother.
Maurice, Treasurer.
William of Lanmeis, Dean [of Groneath].
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 469.)
10. Bishop Elias announces, by a sealed charter, that Dom R.,
Abbot of Tewkesbury, in his presence, has renounced his suit
against Marganti Abbey respecting the tithes and other claims in
Kenefeg parish, brought before S., Prior of Strugull, by order of
Dom Otto, formerly Papal Legate in England.
Dated xiv kal. Jun., 19 May, 1239.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 511.)
11. In the same year, without more precise date. Bishop Elias
signified his permission to Margam Abbey to celebrate divine
service in their Grange of Meles, on the shore of Glamorgan, not
far from Port Talbot and Margam, identified by Mr. Thomas
Gray,i of Underbill, Port Talbot, with the present Cwrt Farm.
The chapel attached to this grange was dedicated to St. Thomas.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 26 ; Clark, /. c, p. 512.)
The Bishop of LLandaff pays yearly^ to the Vicars of the
Cathedral five shillings out of his coffers for solemnly celebrating
the " obit " of Bishop Elyas in the Church.
'■ The Buried City of Kenfig, p. 221.
2 Lib. Land., p. 333.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE SUPPOSED BISHOP WILLIAM OF CHRIST CHURCH,
BISHOPS WILLIAM OF BURY, JOHN DE LA WARE, AND
WILLIAM OF RADNOR.
William of Christ Church.
THE See of LLandaff again became vacant by reason of the
death of Bishop Elias or Elys, as recorded among the later
additions to the Liber Landavensis^ to have taken place, " lendemain
de la saint Johan ante portam Latinam Ian del Incarnacion, M.CC.XL.
Ian del coronement le Rey Henry xxiiij." Le Neve states that
the See remained vacant for four years and no Bishop of LLandaff
is listed in the new edition of Stubbs's Registrum after 13 May,
1240, until William de Burgh on 19 February, 1245. But Willis
says^ " I conceive this " four years' vacancy " a mistake, for on
Bishop' Radnor's death one William of Christ Church, or de Christi
Ecclesia, as I guess, became Bishop, and held this Dignity till the
year 1244, when he resigned the same."
In support of this the late Sir Thomas D. Hardy in his edition
of Le Neve's Fasti gives this William of Christ Church a place in
1240, and states that he "appears to have succeeded Elias of
Radnor, but the date of his election does not appear. He resigned
the See in 1244 and a licence was issued ist July in that year to
elect a Bishop in his room."
No proof of this, however, has been forthcoming. On the
contrary the annalist of the Liber Landavensis^ declares that on the
death of Elias " Gilbert le Mareschald," Earl of Pembroke, had the
charge of the lordship of Glamorgan during the minority of the
heir, and with it the guardianship of the temporalities of LLandaff
as belonging to that lordship, which was in his hands until he
delivered both the lands of Glamorgan and the temporalities of the
See to Richard de Clare, which latter were delivered by Earl
Richard to " Willame de V)0\xxV proscheyn successour le Eueske Elys
auant dit . a ki Willame de Bourk i mesme celuy Richard rendi
la seisine de la temporaute de landaf par sa meyn demeygne."
1 P. 315. 2 P. 49. 3 pp_ 315,316.
William of Christ Church. 295
The site which gives the qiiasi-surname to this Bishop is probably
Christ Church, a little to the east of Newport, co. Monmouth, and
about three miles north of Goldcliff or Goldclive, which, in like
manner, had supplied a previous Bishop to the See of LLandaff.
Both these prelates would be Welsh-speaking men, as indeed they
should be if the diocese was to benefit in any way from their appoint-
ment. With Bishop Henry of Abergavenny we have three Bishops
of LLandaff who derive their appellations from Monmouthshire
towns. Probably they were all of Welsh origin and spoke the
native tongue, without which it would have been almost impossible
to deal with the indigenous clergy under their care.
Among the few memorials still extant which belong to the period
of this Bishop and relate to his episcopate are the following : —
I. There is a record^ respecting the guardianship of the tem-
poralities during the interval showing that Gilbert Marshal, Earl
of Pembroke, was summoned at Westminster on the morrow of
Michaelmas, 25 Hen. HI, 1241, to show what right he has to the
custody of the Church of Llandaff sede vacante, and to exercise it
if he will. The Earl answers that he claims no right in his own
name, but by reason of the lands of Richard de Clare in Glamorgan,
the custody whereof the king sold to him until the majority of the
said Richard, and he has the King's charter for it, and he alleges
that the said Richard and the other barons in that district, during
vacancy of that See, or any others, ought each of them to have
custody of the lands which are held of them, saving only to the
King the dignity of the crozier. Thereupon, order was made for
the rolls to be searched to verify the alleged sale, and if it be so
found the Earl of Pembroke is to enjoy it, but if he has occupied
more than the King granted, a suit is to be instituted against him.
Also, if the King pleases, an inquisition is to be made in the March
by the sheriff and bailiffs of the King to ascertain if the barons of
the March during vacancies ought to have custody of the lands
of the bishopric which are held of them, so that nothing falls to
the King except only the dignity of the crozier. Mr. Clark here^
observes that the circumstances of the conquest of Wales had
invested the early Norman lords with powers not compatible with
royal sovereignty. As the Kings gained strength they were dis-
posed to recover them. One of these was the guardianship of the
Llandaff temporalities, which was claimed and exercised, at first
1 Placitorutii Abbreviatio, 181 1, p. 109. (Rec. Comm.) Rot. 17 in dorso,
Clark, /. f., 518. °- Clark, /. c, p. 519.
296 Memorials of Llandaff.
unchallenged by the Earls of Gloucester for the Manor of LLandaff,
and by the Lords of Gower for Bishopston. King Henry III took
advantage of the minority of Earl Richard to contest his claim,
which was resisted by the Earl Marshal, guardian and custos of his
rights. For the time the Crown did not succeed, but later, as will
be shown, an acknowledgment that he held under the King direct
was made by the Earl.
2. There is a charter which may, perhaps, belong to the period
of this uncertain Bishop William of Christ Church, whereby Joruard,
Gnaythurus, Cradocus, and Johan, sons of Wasmihangel, Meuric
and Joruard, sons of Ruathlan, and Reu, son of Riggeuarhc, or
Rihcevar, quitclaim to Margam Abbey their right to the land of
Bradington, a place not clearly identified, but possibly Broughton,^
near Bridgend, and swear it on the shrine of Saint Theliawus or
Teilo, and the sacrosancta of LLandaff Cathedral, in presence of
the Bishop and Chapter, staking their Christianity on the faithful
observance of this deed. They also undertake to warrant the
abbey against Riered, son of Kenaf, if he molests it. The monks
of Margam, in return for this, give an undertaking that any of the
said quitclaimers shall be buried in the abbey, unless excommuni-
cated or under interdict.
Among the witnesses are : —
Bishop William. Ralph Mailoc,^ -\
Archdeacon Maurice.^ Nicholaus Gobion, >- Canons.
Yuor de Pendiuelin, )
Master John, Parson of Landrierid, and others.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 D. 16 ; Clark, I.e., p. 513.)
The seals of the Bishop and the quitclaimers are still appended.
The witnesses are, indeed, of early date, but the episcopal
seal resembles that of a later Bishop.
Bishop William of Bury.
In continuation of the episcopal succession William de Burgo,
or Burgh, perhaps he may be more accurately called William of
Bury,* Chaplain to King Henry III, according to Willis, was
elected, and obtained the royal assent and restitution of the tem-
poralities on 17th July, 1244.
1 See Birch, Hist, of Margam Abbey, pp. 126, 386, or near LLancarfan.
2 Occurs 1231-1242. 3 Occurs 1217, 1230.
^ Compare the two lists of Bishops in Liber Landavensis, ed. Evans,
pp. 304, 312, where a later Bishop is "Edmundus de Burgo, Monachus
Monasterii de Burgo," in the one, and " Edmundus de Bury, Monachus de
ordine Sancti Benedicti " in the other.
Bishop William of Bury. 297
He was consecrated at Carhowe, or Carrow, an ancient nunnery
near Norwich, on 19th February, 1244/5, but the names of his
consecrators are not recorded in the Registrum of Dr. Stubbs.
This Bishop died on nth June, 1253, a date corroborated by
the Liber Landavensis} " Derechef voida la Egleyse de landaf par
la mort mesme celuy Willame de Bourk i le iour de Seint Barnabe
le apostle Ian del Incarnacion, M . CC . LIIJ e Ian del coronement le
Ray Henry, xxxvii." Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, held
the temporalities until the appointment of his immediate successor,
Johan la Warre, according to the same record.
The following memorials, relating to the See of LLandaff during
the period of the Bishop, are of interest : —
1. A decree of Bishop William and the Chapter of LLandaff
states that, having regard to the religious condition of the
monastery of Goldclive (in South Monmouthshire), they have
granted to the Prior and Convent, for their proper uses, the church
of Portreuestune (or Portown in Nether Went), of which they
possess the right of patronage, saving a competent vicarage and
the dignity and indemnity of the Church of LLandaff for ever,
both in regard to episcopal and archidiaconal right, also reserving
to the church of Magor a payment of ten shillings, which it is wont
to receive yearly from Portreuestune Church.
Dated at LLandaff on the Feast-Day of the Apostles Peter and
Paul, 29th June, 1245.
{Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 291.)
2. Bishop William and the Chapter of Llandaff by charter
notify that they have given, granted, and confirmed to Robert de
St. [Peter] ,^ for his homage and service, all their land appertaining
to the church of Runestune (or Runston,^ co. Monmouth) called
Sladforlang ; land in the same vicinity in Le Menede field between
the lands of W. de St. Peter and Adam Daniel, which stretches
towards the N. on the high road from Kric to Strigull*; and land
between the meadow of N. de Runestune and the meadow of W.
Derneford and Robert de St. Peter, with its appurtenances except
1 P. 316.
■^ Mr. Phillimore suggests Stanton, Evans, p. 355 ; but the surname of
Robert de Sancto Petro in the body of the text appears to warrant the restora-
tion here given.
3 Wrunson, in Cruchley's Map. Rulston, Rev. C. A. H. Green, Notes,
p. 31.
* Le., Crick to Chepstow.
298 Memorials of Llandaff.
a messuage belonging to the chaplain of Runestune, etc., at a yearly-
rent of half a mark, payable at Martherne at the terms of Michael-
mas and Hockeday, and suit of court to the church of Martherne,
for five marks and a half of sterling money.
Among the witnesses are : —
William Mailloc. Robert Borde.
John son of Robert. William Kibio.
Nicholas de Runestune. Henry de Caldicote.
William de St. Peter.
{Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 291.)
3. The powerful Glamorgan landowner, Morgan son of Owen,
by charter notifies his final concord, made in 1246 before Bishop
William de Burgo with Margam Abbey, wherein, in recompense for
the damage he has inflicted on the abbey — estimated at the then
very great sum of one hundred and fifty-three pounds — reduces the
rent of Havothaloch from twenty to two shillings yearly. To
keep this compact he pledges himself and his heirs to submit
without appeal to a sentence of excommunication or interdict, to
be pronounced by the Bishop of LLandaff, and agrees that the
Earl's bailiffs, and especially the bailiffs of Neth and Landtrissen,
may compel observance thereof. This he swears on the sacrosancta
of Margam Abbey. The deed is ratified by the seals of Bishop
William de Burgo, Richard Earl of Gloucester, and the said
Morgan, called in the seal Morgan mab Oein.
Among the witnesses are : —
Bishop William. Stephen Bauzain, Sheriff of
Master Peter, Official. Glamorgan.
Ralph of Newcastle. Leysanus son of Morgan
Nicholas, Dean of Gronnyth. Cham, and many notable
Welshmen.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. S32.)
4. In somewhat similar fashion to the foregoing, Oenus, Resus,
and Cradocus, sons of Alaythur, notify by charter, dated 1246, that
by way of restitution for damage inflicted on Margam Abbey —
estimated to amount to the then very great sum of three hundred
and twenty-four pounds — they have agreed to make certain detailed
payments and to grant certain privileges in their woodlands. The
agreement is sworn upon the sacrosancta of Margam Abbey.
They also undertake not to fish in the water of Neth within the
Bishop William of Bury. 299
monks' boundaries, that is Aber Cleudacli and Aber Wrach. To
secure adherence to this agreement they stake their willingness to
be excommunicated or interdicted, and to be denied the burial of
faithful persons if they break it. They put forward their overlord
Leysan, son of Morgan Cham, as surety, and agree that the Earl's
bailiffs, and especially the bailiffs of the castles of Neth and Land-
guned, shall have power to compel their obedience. The deed is
ratified with the seals of the Bishop, the Chapter, Richard Earl of
Gloucester, and Leysan ab Morgan. (See also p. 289.)
Among the witnesses are : —
Stephen Bauzain, Sheriff of Glammargan.
Nicholas of Liswrini, Dean of Grunith.
Richard, Clerk of Kenefeg.
Resus, Clerk of Landguned, and several important
Welshmen.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 534.)
5. Bishop William notifies his grant to the monks of Margam
Abbey that, whereas they have removed their Grange of Rossaulyn
to a new site, they, and they only, may have a chapel there and
celebrate Divine services as in the former chapel, but they are to
discontinue the use of the old chapel except only on the occasion
of the anniversary solemnities.
The seal of the Bishop is appended to this original charter, and
represents him in embroidered vestments, standing on a carved
corbel, lifting up the right hand in the act of blessing, and holding
a pastoral staff. The background is reticulated with quatrefoil
knots, and there is a crescent in each interstice. The legend is
fragmentary. The reverse of the seal contains a conventional
tableau of the Annunciation of the Virgin, with the ingenious
legend : —
VE . DELENS . PER . AVE . PIA . PER . TE . LIBERER . A . VE .
O thou pious one who hast conquered (original) woe by the " Hail "
(addressed to thee by St. Gabriel), may I by thee be delivered
from (everlasting) woe.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 383.)
6. Cnaytho ab Yago and thirty-five other Welshmen indicated
by name, and some sons, notify that in recompense for the many
and great damages they have inflicted on Margam Abbey at their
grange of Egleskeinwir, amounting to upwards of sixty-six pounds,
300 Memorials of Llan
they are prepared to pay a specified sum of money yearly, and
supply the services of twenty-four men for six years ; and also to
pay for trespassings of their cattle on the abbey lands, according
to a settled scale. This is sworn on the sacrosancta of Margam,
and the culprits agree to submit to excommunication and interdict
without appeal if they break their word. As they have no seals.
Bishop William de Burgo, Master Gobio, Precentor of Llandaff,
and W. de Caneton, Dean, judges subdelegate appointed by the
Pope to hear the cause between the parties, have appended their
seals.
Among the witnesses are : —
Dom Gillebert de Humframvile. Ralph, Rector of Newcastle.
Thomas, Vicar of LLantrissen, Richard, Clerk of Kenefeg.
Chancellor of Llandaff. Pagan, Vicar of Cohyt-
chirche.
The Bishop's seal is appended, a relic of singular elegance and
fine execution.
Dated on St. Donat's day, 7th August, 1247.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 544.)
7. Bishop William, according to a record still in existence,
"came before King Henry III, probably in the Court of King's
Bench, and declared that he holds nothing of anyone in his
bishopric of LLandaff except of the King in chief, and, thereupon,
Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, comes and offers the King
a sore sparrow-hawk (unum austurium sorum), that this appearance
may be enrolled, and it is accepted."
Dated, Michaelmas Term, 34-beginning 35, Hen. HI, 1250.
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS., Vitellius C. x, fol. 177 ; Clark,
/. c, p. 576.)
Reference has already been made^ to this event.
Bishop John de la Ware.
On the death of Bishop William of Bury, a royal licence to
elect a Bishop in his room was issued 13th June, 1253, in pursuance
of which, John de La Ware, Abbot of Margam, was elected, and
received the royal assent 26th July in the same year. The
temporalities were restored to him nth August,^ and he was
consecrated on nth Jan. 1253/4, at Canterbury, by Archbishop
1 P. 295.
2 Hardy's Le Never 12th August, B. Willis.
"John de la JVare. William of Radnor . 30
I
Boniface, Fulk Bassett, Bishop of London, Walter de Cantilupe,
Bishop of Worcester, and William Button, Bishop of Bath ; and
enthroned 26th February following. This Bishop had a very
short period of enjoyment of his See, for he died 30th June, 1256.
The Annals of Glamorgan} however, place the succession of
Bishop John thus : —
" 1253. Obiit Dom. Willelmus de Burgo episcopus Landavensis,
cui successit dom. J. Le Ware quondam abbas de Margam post
festum Omnium Sanctorum." The same record places the death
of this Bishop on the Feast - Day of Sts. Peter and Paul, i.e.,
29th June, 1256. On the other hand, the Liber Landavensis''
records the vacancy as occurring " par la mort mesme celuy Johan
de la Warre ! lendemain de la feste seint piere e seint poul."
The only documentary memorial of LLandaff belonging to this
Bishop's period which I have found is the following : —
Bishop John notifies by a deed that whereas it was uncertain
whether the Prior and convent of Monmouth were bound to bear
the ordinary customary burdens falling upon churches in the
diocese of LLandaff which they hold to their own proper uses, or
that these costs should be born by the vicars of such churches, he
has adjudged that these charges should fall upon the vicars and
their successors.
Dated at Abergavenny, Tuesday after Trinity Sunday, 9 June,
1254.
(Madox, Formulare. Anglicanum, p. 7 ; Clark, /. c, p. 612.)
Bishop William of Radnor.
On the death of Bishop John de La Ware, a cong^ d'dire was
issued 8 July, 1256, in pursuance of which William of Radnor was
chosen by the Chapter. An original document among the muni-
ments at Margam contains the letter written by the members of the
Chapter to King Henry III, setting forth that on the decease of
Bishop John the king had granted to them with his accustomed
clemency letters patent for proceeding to election of a successor,
and that " they had unanimously elected Master William of Radnor,
treasurer of the Cathedral, a discreet and honourable man, pro-
foundly learned, devoted to God and the Church, humbly attached
to your royal majesty, and, by the grace of God, strongly affected
towards the common weal, known to us from his boyhood upwards,
and laudably and continuously taking part with us in the affairs of
our Church which has always considered it right to prefer clerks
1 Clark, /. c, p. 860. '^ Ed. Evans, p. 316.
302 Memorials of Llandaff.
reared in its bosom — provided they show themselves worthy — to
other clerks in matters of ecclesiastical election," and devoutly
begging the king that their delay in replying to his wishes may not
cause him to feel annoyed, but that he will be pleased with this,
their canonical proceeding.
Dated v kal. Aug., 28 July, 40 Hen. Ill, 1256.
( Margam Charter ; Bundela Petitionum et Certiff. anno 40
Hen. HI in Tur. Lond. ; B. Willis, Survey, p. 114;
Clark, /. c, p. 617.)
The happy result of this letter was that the royal assent was
given to his election on 30 July, 1256, but as Willis adds the regnal
year 41 Hen. HI, which would be 30 July, 1257, some error has
arisen in his references.
The consecration of Bishop William took place at St. Paul's
Cathedral, London, by Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury, Walter
de Cantilupe, Bishop of Worcester, and Walter of Kirkham, Bishop
of Durham, on the morrow of the Epiphany, that is, 7 January,
1256/7.
A record charter, issued by Jewan ab Gweyr and his sons
Madoc ab Jewan, Gweyr ab Jewan, and Jewan Vachan, of Egles-
kenwryh, acknowledges their trespasses and injuries inflicted on
Margam Abbey, promises amendment, settles the charge which
they agree to pay for infraction of the country custom in respect
of imparcamentum or impounding, and consents that they may be
excommunicated, interdicted, and denied sepulture in the church-
yard of the Bishop if they break the compact. Bishop William,
for greater security of the promises and because the said sons of
Jewan have no seal, together with the Archdeacon of LLandaff
and William Scurlag, constable of Langunyth, seal the document,
which is attested by several W^elshmen of repute.
Dated on the Feast-Day of Saints Peter and Paul, 29 June
1258.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. <r., p. 624.)
The mandate of B[oniface], Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed
to Bishop J., is still extant, showing that, notwithstanding the
truce made between the King of England and Lewellin [Prince of
Wales], the followers of the latter had invaded England, destroyed
churches and monasteries, and committed other enormities against
the provisions and statutes of the Council of Oxford ; and ordering
the Bishop to excommunicate the offenders until they have made
amends and obtained absolution therefor ; — showing also that the
'Bishop William of Radnor. 303
said Lewellin had invaded the lands and property of Richard de
Clare, Earl of Gloucester, that certain Welshmen had seized the
Castle of Buelt, or Builth, and slain the occupants, although the
Bishop of Bangor had gone to London to settle the terms of peace
between the King and Lewellin, and ordering him to place the
Prince under an interdict, unless the places within his diocese that
have been seized during the truce are restored.
Dated at Lambeth, Feast day of St. Peter ad Vincula,
1st August, A.D. 1260. There is some error in Willis's tran-
scription, because Bishop John de la Ware died 29th or 30th June,
1256; William de Radnor, his successor, died 9th Jan., 1265/6.
Probably the J. should be a W. in the above text.
(B. Willis, pp. 1 16-1 19, from Rot. Pat., 44 Hen. III. P. i. memb.
6 dorso.)
Willis states that the king granted to Bishop William by letters
patent the privilege that whenever he visited London he should
lodge in the cloister of his Hermitage at Charing, " which Hermitage
I take to have been where St. James's House now stands," 8 Feb-
ruary, 47 Hen. HI, 1263.
Bishop WiUiam died, according to a passage punctuated
ambiguously in the Annals of Glamorgan} xi kal. Sept., 22 August,
1265 ; but according to Willis and the Registrum Sacrum on
9 January, 1265/6. The Liber Landavensis" puts the date of
Bishop William's death at " le . iij . iour apres la Thiphainc^ . . .
M.CC.LXV." in the 49th year of King Henry Hi's coronation,
and states that Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, had the
custody of the temporalities until the appointment of the successor
to the See.
• Clark, /. c, p. 860. ^ P- 316.
3 Epiphanie, and Theophania, 6th January.
CHAPTER XXXI.
BISHOP WILLIAM DE BREWYS ; BISHOP-ELECT
PHILIP OF STAUNTON.
Bishop William de Brewys, Braose, or Bruce,
a canon, or prebendary, of LLandaff, was the successor of Bishop
William of Radnor. King Henry III, on the vacancy arising
at the death of Bishop Helyas, committed the temporalities to
Walerandus Teutonicus, a knight, and at the close of the vacancy,
a vacant prebend was given to William of Bur)', treasurer of the
King's wardrobe, another to Aelredus of Fecamp, sub-treasurer
of the same, and the Archdeaconry to Thomas, chaplain of
the late Queen Alienora, the King's mother.^ This Bishop was
elected about mid-Lent, 1265/6; the royal assent was given
on the 28th March, 1266, and he received the temporalities on
the 14th April, Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, having had
the custody of them during the vacancy. He was consecrated at
Canterbury on 19th September, 1266, by Archbishop Boniface,
according to the new edition of the Registrum, but Hardy's Le Neve
dates this consecration as having taken place in the Octaves of
Pentecost, which was on i6th May (the Octaves therefore would
be 23rd May). The Annals of Glamorgan''' contain in a sentence
of doubtful interpretation, the passage " xi kal. Septembr. con-
secratur Willelmus de Breus Laudavensis episcopus," i.e., 22nd
August, 1265. The same record declares, " 1266. In crastino
Sancti Edmundi regis et martyris (22 Nov.) Willelmus de Breus
Landavensis episcopus intronizatur . eodcm die dedicatio ecclesie
ejusdem loci." The incidental note giving the date^ of the dedi-
cation of LLandaff Cathedral is of much interest.
This Bishop died 19th March, 1286/7*, and, according to Willis,
> Willis, p. 133. ^ Clark, /. c, p. 860. 3 Cf. p. 31.
■* " Le proscheyn Maidy deuant le Annunciacion . Ian del Incarnacion .
M . CO. LXXXVIJ . e Ian del coronement nostre seignur le Key Edward le primer
apres la Conqucste." Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 317. In the year 1287 the
Sunday letter is E, and the Annunciation (25th March) fell on Tuesday. The
Mardy deuant therefore would be i8th and not 19th March. But if the ex-
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'Bishop William de Brewys, 305
was buried on the N. side of the High Altar, in St. Mary's Chapel,
called the Welsh Chapel, "where there is yet to be seen his Monu-
ment containing his Effigies lying at full length " in pontifical vest-
ments. The monument is described as being " a black coarse
Marble Grave-stone engraved with a bold Relief roughly drawn
after the manner of the time . . . and over his head is cut in
emboss'd Work :
WILLELMUS . DE . BRUCE . EPS . LAD "
Among the memorials of his episcopate are the following : —
I. Bishop William, after the Church custom obtaining in his
day, issued a charter of indulgence releasing from twenty days
of duly enjoined penance those faithful who proceed to the paro-
chial church of Godalming, in Surrey, diocese of Winchester, and
there recite the Lord's Prayer and the Salutation of the Blessed
Virgin, for the soul's health of Nigel de Burgate and Felicia, his
wife, buried in that churchyard, and of all the faithful departed,
and for the security and peace of the realm of England. Dated
at Stratfeud, or Mortimer Stratfield, Berks and Hants, vii kal.
Apr., 26 Mar., 1270. An imperfect impression of the Bishop's seal
is appended to the document. The deed itself is damaged in
several places, but as it is of a character not very frequently met
with, and has not been printed hitherto, the original text is here
given, as follows : —
Universis Christi fidelibiis presentibus [et futuris] W[lLLELMUS
DE Breousa] miseratione divina Landavensis ecclesie minister
humilis salutem in domino sempiternam. Indultam nobis . . . . tis
humane casui consulere nobis datur es[t] com . . . tam libencius qu . . .
. . ag . . . exhort fecimus salutem nobisque speramus
exinde propiciacionis rep . . are remediu[m]. De Dei igitur miseri-
cordia gloriose virginis Marie bonorumque apostolorum Petri et
Pauli necnon et beatorum confessorum Theliay Dubricii et Oudocey
patronorum omniumque sanctorum meritis confidentes omni-
bus parochianis nostris et aliis quorum diocesani banc nostram
indulgenciam ratam habuerint de peccatis suis vere contritis et
confessis qui ad ecclesiam parochialem de GODALMYNG, de
Wyntoniensi diocese, orandi causa accesserint, et pro animabus
NiGELLI DE Burgate et Felicie quondam uxoris ejusdem ibidem
in cymiterio sepulture traditorum ac omnium fidelium defunctorum
pression Mardy deuant refers to 1286, because it represents a day preceding the
commencement of the year 1287, viz., 25th March, then the preceding Mardy
would be iQth March.
X
3o6 Memorials of Llandaff.
necnon et pro securitate et pace regni Anglie dominicam orationem
cum salutatione beate virginis predicte devota menta dixerint .
viginti dies de injuncta sibi penitentia misericorditer relaxamus.
Datum apud Stratfeud, vij kal. Aprilis, Anno domini, M° . CC°.
septuagesimo.
(Brit. Mus., Add. ch. 19,629.)
2. Statutes for the regulation of the Canons of LLandaff were
made by Bishop William de Brewys, of which there are two copies
preserved in the Liber Landavensis, the second copy bearing the
erroneous date of 1245. The Latin wording is not exactly the
same throughout : —
Here follow the Statutes published and confirmed by Dom
William de Brewys, formerly Bishop of LLandaff, and the Chapter
concerning the state of the Canons resident and not resident, and
concerning the habit and vestments of the same. In the year of
Our Lord MCCLXXV, and in the time of William de Brewys.
tl I. Concerning! the residence of the Canons, it is forsooth
appointed that they be called residentiary who reside in proper
person in the Cathedral of LLandaff.
C 2. So that those making their first residence reside per-
sonally and continuously for thirteen [consecutive and] complete
weeks.
C 3. And thereafter, to wit, after a first residence completed
as is aforesaid, such Canon can reside every year for three months,
namely, for twelve weeks, consecutive or with intervals, according
to his pleasure, provided that he complete his full twelve weeks'
residence every year.
C 4. Moreover, the year in the Church of LLandaff in respect
of such residentiaries always begins on the Feast of the Apostles,
Peter and Paul (29th June), that is, on that very day, and such
year ends on the eve of the same Feast.
[C 5- Moreover, those who desire to attend schools in places
beyond the seas for the sake of study, after craving permission
from the Chapter, may lawfully frequent the schools for a space of
five years, and then they are to be held for residentiaries, provided
that they have previously served at least one term of personal
residence in the Church of LLandaff And this shall be conceded
to them once only in their life.]
' The italic words are not found in the second copy. The words in
brackets are not found in the first copy.
Statutes. 307
C 6. But whatever Canon of the Church of LLandaff [when-
soever he] shall have been absent from the church for any other
reason than as is aforesaid, he is to be held absolutely for a non-
residentiary, and [then] he is to receive out of the small Commons
of the Canons one mark only as a non-residentiary Canon, provided,
however, that he has oncQ previously personally visited the Church
of LLandaff 79-C7W the time of his being admitted as Canon [after the
prebend has been conferred on him], excepting and exempting the
stipend of his vicar in the aforesaid church. [And as for the
remainder of his commons, one moiety thereof is to be surrendered
to the uses of the Canons residentiary, and the other moiety to be
applied to the ornaments or the fabric of the church.]
C 7. It is also appointed that every Canon residentiary wear
dress in decent style, especially in the church and in the presence
of his prelate, and at the meetings of the clergy and in public, that
in this manner a clerk may be distinguished from a layman. That
is. Canons who are priests are to wear close cope^- or hood.ri and
close supertunics, (capis clausis et supertunicis clausis.)
C 8. And the Archdeacon and others appointed to dignities,
and having the cure of souls, are also to wear close hoods or close
supertunics, unless by chance, on account of a journey or other
reasonable cause, they wish to put on and wear some other honest
dress.
C 9. But let him who is found wearing any other habit, as a
supertunic open in front or otherwise inordinately short and above
the middle of the leg (supra mediam tibiam) discard that habit and
let it be given to the vicars.
{Lib. Land., ed. Evans, pp. 298, 308.)
3. There is a record in form of a docket 'of a charter, dated
during the vacancy of the See upon the decease of Bishop William
de Braose preserved among the Kalendars of the Exchequer which
reads thus : — § Charter of Johanna, daughter of King Edward I,
Countess of Gloucester, made to the said King concerning the
advowson of the bishopric of Laiida, given in the fifteenth year of
that King. (20 November, 1286, to 20 November, 1287.)
1 The cope, (ra//a, is figured in H. H[aines] Manual . . . of Afonumcntal
Brasses, 1848, p. xxxii. " It was put on over the surplice and almuce, was semi-
circular, with an orphrey along the straight edge, worn like a cloak, and fastened
across the chest with a morse or brooch. . . The cope was worn in solemn
procession, at vespers, benedictions, by the assistant clergy during mass. . .
The cope derived its name from the hood, ca^pa or capa, which anciently
covered the head."
X 2
3o8 Memorials of Llandaff.
From this it would appear that the Princess Johanna, Countess
of Gloucester, by right of her marriage with Earl Gilbert, exercising
a claim to the appointing of a Bishop by reason of the temporalities
being in the hands of the Earl, surrendered the right to the King.
{Ancient Kalendars of the Exchequer, vol. i, p. 114; Clark,
/. c, 861.)
4. The Bishop has^ the presentation to a perpetual chantry for
one chaplain ordained for celebrating continuously in LLandaff
Cathedral a service for the soul of Bishop William de Brewys, his
predecessors and successors. This chaplain is to follow the choir
in vestments, singing, and reading as the other perpetual chaplains
therein. His support is derived from certain lands and meadows
acquired by the said Bishop William in his day and applied to this
chantry, by confirmation of the Chapter, for the dignity and susten-
tation of the chaplain perpetually celebrating for the souls of the
said Bishops.
Philip of Staunton, Bishop-Elect,
perhaps so-called as having come from Stanton-on-Wye, co. Here-
ford, or Stanton, in N.-W. Gloucestershire, Precentor of Wells
Cathedral, is said to have succeeded to the See on the death of
Bishop William, and being elected, he obtained the royal letters for
the restitution of the temporalities on 7 September, 1287, But the
King refused assent, according to Hardy, because the Chapter had
not certified their election in a deed sealed with the seal of that
body. Willis— who registers the omission by Godwin to enume-
rate Philip in his lists— finds the See vacant in 1292, and that after
Bishop William's death a controversy arose on account of the
Earls of Gloucester and Hereford seizing on the possessions of the
bishopric and disposing of the ecclesiastical preferments.
The Liber Landavensis records^ that from the death of Bishop
William until the appointment of John of Monmouth, Earl Gilbert
had the custody of the temporalities, and makes no mention of
Philip of Staunton. The new edition of the Registrum Sacrum is
also silent as to this Bishop.
I. In connection with this difficulty, Willis supplies the text of a
record consisting of i. A letter of R[obert Burnell], Bishop of Bath
and Wells, addressed to Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, lieutenant of
the King in England, showing that he has been informed how the
prudent and discreet Master Philip of Staunton, Precentor of ^A''ells,
his clerk and well-beloved colleague, has been elected to the See of
1 Lib. Land., p. 332- ^ ^- 3' 7-
T^hilip of Staunton^ Bishop-Elect. 309
LLandaff; that Dom Bogo de Clare had prevented the Chapter's
letter to the King summoning the election from being sealed with
the common seal of the Chapter, but the electors of Master Philip
had sealed the letters to the King with their own private seals, and
the King had thereupon accepted the person thus elected ; but
although he (Bishop Robert) will send to the King the Chapter's
letters on this behalf, yet because the letters were not directly
addressed to the King, and because the common seal of the Chapter
was not appended to them, and he had no information about the
opposition of the said Bogo, except in letters not addressed to the
King but to him (Bishop Robert), therefore the King had deferred
to grant his assent to the said election, "committing it to you (Earl
Edmund) who have notice and knowledge of this fact." Now,
therefore, whereas that assent is entirely in the Earl's hands — as is
shown in the royal letters — he begs as earnestly as possible that
the Earl will, without delay, expedite Master Philip's affairs so far
as relates to the article of royal assent, the royal letters to the
Archbishop of Canterbury, and (after the Confirmation) the resti-
tution of the temporalities in accordance with the royal mandate
which has been directed to him ; and this all the more readily as
the Earl and everyone know the circumstances of the case. But
if Master Philip cannot attend on the Earl in person, he (Bishop
Robert) desires that the Earl will expedite his representative and
supply him with the necessary documents, for since the King has
approved of his person, there is no necessity for him to appear
personally before the Earl.
Dated at Bordeaux, ii. Id., Sept., 12 September, 15 Edw. I, 1287.
(B. Willis, Survey, p. 120, from Bundela Brevium,
IS Edw. I.)
The opposition of Bogo de Clare without doubt was connected
with the contest between the Crown and the Earls of Gloucester in
respect of the custody of the temporalities of the See during
vacancies. 2. A letter of King Edward I to Edmund, Earl of
Cornwall, his Lieutenant, commanding him to admit Bishop Philip
de Staunton to the bishopric and restore to him the temporalities
in due course, notwithstanding the opposition of Bogo de Clare,
Chancellor of Llandaff, who had possession of the seal.
Dated at " Aquis,"i 7 Sept., 15 Edw. I, 1287.
' Perhaps Aqude near Rome, called Aquse Salvise ; or Aquse baths near
Tivoli ; but there were the warm baths of Aquse Cumanse near Naples, much
frequented by the inhabitants of Rome in the Middle Ages.
3IO Memorials of Llandaff.
This is entirely opposed to the statement made in Hardy's
Le Neve, that the King, " though he approved of the election,
refused his assent to it, because the chapter had not certified their
election under the chapter seal. The passage in the King's letter
is : — " Vobis mandamus . . . . gratiam quam prefato electo quod
assensum electionis ejusdem possemus vel deberemus de consilio
vestro facere in hoc casu vice nostra facietis eidem, ita quod ....
ipsius electio non turbetur," etc. " In tantum etiam festinetis
negocium, quod electus ipse de cursu temporis, vel de alio quocum-
que dampnum aliquod non incurrat seu periculum in hac parte."
(Willis, as above, p. 122.)
2. Earl Gilbert, by another docket in the same series of records,
rendered return to King Edward I upon the vacancy of the
bishopric of LLandaff, rendered to him, 18 Edw. I (20 November,
1289, to 20 November, 1290).
{Anc. Kal. of the Exchequer, vol. i, p. 44; Clark, /. c.
p. 866.)
This document is probably the one referred to at p. 130 of
Willis's Survey, as being dated at King's Clipston, Monday after
St. Luke's day, i.e., 18 October, 18 Edw. I, 1290.
3. Petition of Malcolm de Harleigh to the King and the Privy
Council in Parliament, that, after the death of Bishop William de
Brewose, the custody of the bishopric was committed to him, and
he desired to seize the episcopal manors into the King's hands, but
Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, occupied the
manor of Landath, i.e., LLandaff, the manor of Lankaderwader,^
and all the episcopal lands within the demesne of the Earl of
Clamargan, i.e., Glamorgan, and still retains them, the arch-
deaconry of Landath, and the prebends vacant since the death
of the Bishop, although called upon to restore them. And he
alleges that the Earl of Hereford similarly took the vill of Done-
stowe, or Dingestow ; William de Brewose the elder similarly took
the vill of Bishopstone in Gower ; Earl Edmund took from the
tenants of the Bishop's manor of Loncilio Cressenny seventy-five
shillino-s ; the Earl of Norfolk took the manor of Matherne in
1 "1
■ Bishton anciently called Lancadwallader," Willis, p. 53. The Church
of Bishton, or Bishopston, co. Monm., is dedicated to St. Cadwalader.
Bishopston in Gower is dedicated to St. Teilo. The Bishop presents by
himself to the church, or rectory of the church, called Bysschopestone in
Gower, henceforth in the diocese of St. David's, whenever it becomes vacant,
sede plc7ia.—Lib. Land., p. 333, fourteenth-century additions
Philip of Staunton^ 'Bishop-Eiect. 311
Netherwente, but these were surrendered, etc. Thereupon a suit
was instituted the process of which is given at full length, the
result being that the King granted to the said Earl, and Johanna
his wife (the King's daughter), the advowson and custody of the
aforesaid bishopric for their lives, with reversion after their death,
to the Crown. The witnesses to this royal grant are : — R[obert
Burnell], Bishop of Bath and Wells ; William de Valence, the
King's uncle ; Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln ; John de Warren,
Earl of Surrey, and others.
Dated at King's Clipston,i 2 November [19 Edw. I, 1290.J
(Willis, pp. 124-135.)
Another record may probably be dated in the period of this
vacancy, whereby Resus ap Howel ap Cadugan notifies his quit-
claim to Margam Abbey of right in the whole of the land called
Caduganisland, lying between Walteristone and Horegrave, ad-
jacent to the high road from Kenefeg to Kerdif, and the path
(semitd) leading from Tuidekistoue (or Tythegston) to Horegrave.
Ratified by Master Anianus de Powys, Official of LLandaff diocese,
Maurice de Corneli, and Maurice Gramus, who have sealed the
document in the presence of many witnesses.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 C. 18 ; Clark, /. ,:., p. 857.)
^ Clipston, CO. Notts. Here are the ruins of King John's Palace still visible;
and the so-called " Parliament Oak," a memorial of Edward Ps Parliament
held here.
CHAPTER XXXII.
BISHOP JOHN OF MONMOUTH.
THE See was vacant for a long time — if Philip, Bishop elect,
never came into the possession of the episcopate — and it is
significant, as bearing on this question, that no deeds or records are
extant which originated with his episcopal authority. The claim
of the Earl of Gloucester to the custody of the bishopric during
the vacancy of the See, no doubt, hindered the appointment of
a new pastor, and from the death of Bishop William de Breuse,
igth March, 1287, to the consecration of John of Monmouth,
lOth February, 1297, a period of nearly ten complete years,
LLandaff appears to have had no Bishop.
The long vacancy caused Robert of Winchelsea, Archbishop of
Canterbury ( 1 2th September, 1294, to nth May, 1313), to procure a
Bull from Pope Celestine V (29th August, 1294, to 13th December,
1294), dated vi Non. Oct., 2nd October, first year of his Pontificate,
1294, wherein^ it is declared it has come to the knowledge of the
Pope that the Cathedral of LLandaff has been for seven years, and
still is, vacant, and the provision of a new Bishop therefore has
lapsed lawfully to the Apostolic See, in accordance with the statutes
of a General Council, and, in order to remedy this state of affairs, he
has committed the appointment for this time only, hac vice, to the
Archbishop, who is to proceed without delay to give the preferment
to a fitting person.
Dated at Aquila, in Abruzzi Ulterior, Ital}', vi Non. Oct.,
2nd October, ist year.
The period of seven years herein mentioned carries the vacancy
back nearly to the time of Bishop William's death, and definitely
disposes of any claim of Philip, Bishop-elect, to a full tenure of
the See.
Shortly after the issue of this Papal Bull, Archbishop Robert
notifies^ to King Edward I that he had provided "John of Mon-
mouth, canon of Lincoln, doctor in Theology, distinguished by
1 Willis, Survey, p. 137 ; Clark, /. c, p. 897.
2 Willis, Survey, p. 136 ; Clark, /. c, p. 898.
H
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H
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bishop John of Monmouth. 313
the numerous rewards of his virtues, circumspect in spiritual and
temporal matters," and consecrated him Bishop of Llandafif
(lOth February, 1294/5); and requests that the King will cause
the regalia seu temporalia of the Cathedral Church of LLandafif,
which are declared to belong to the Crown during vacancy of the
See, to be delivered to him as Bishop-elect and confirmed.
Dated at Croyndon, or Croydon, iii Non. Mart., 5th March,
1294/5, 1st year of the Archbishop's consecration.
The royal assent was given, and the temporalities were restored
to him on 4th April, 1295.
On account of the abdication of the Pope, 13th Dec, 1294, his
death, 19th May, 1296, and the consecration of his successor,
Boniface VIII, 2nd January, 1294/5, Bishop John did not receive
consecration until loth February, 1296/7, when that ceremony
was performed at Canterbury, by Archbishop Robert, Thomas of
Ingoldesthorp, Bishop of Rochester, David Martin, Bishop of
St. Davids, and Robert, Bishop of Clonfert.
The declaration of Bishop John, accepting his provision to the
See by the Archbishop, is still extant,^ wherein he declares "
provisioni de me . . in episcopum Landavensem per . . . Robertum
. . . Cantuariensem archiepiscopum ac auctoritate sedis apostolicae
.... consentio," etc.
The continuator of the Liber Landavensis^ speaks of Johan de
Monemuwe as the " proscheyn successour" of Bishop William "de
Breusee," and records that Johannes de Monemuta was consecrated
at Canterbury, iiii Id. Feb., loth February, 1296/7, and died at
" Landaf," on Thursday {feria quinta) after the Octaves of Easter
(27th March), a date corresponding to 7th April, 1323. The new
edition of the Registrum, and Willis in his Survey, place the death
of Bishop John on 8th April, 1323.
Willis^ records that this Bishop " was a great Benefactor to his
church, and in all Respects a good Governor thereof He
procured the Parsonage of Newland, co. Glouc, which one of his
Predecessors obtain'd from the Bishoprick of Hereford, to be appro-
priated to his See ; and did several other good Acts." He was
buried in the middle of St. Mary's Chapel, LLandaff, near the
High Altar.
Several deeds are extant which relate to the circumstances of
the appointment of Bishop John of Monmouth, viz : —
' Willis, p. 142, from the Archbishop's Register, fol. 160; see also Atter-
bury's Hist, of Convocations, p. 608.
^ P. 317, ed. Evans. ^ P. 52.
SH Memorials of Llandaff.
1. A writ of King Edward I, addressed to Gilbert de Clare,
Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, notifying that he Jias received
the fealty of Master John of Monmouth, and restored the tempo-
ralities of the See to him ; ordering the Earl therefore to deliver
without delay the temporalities of the said See which are in his
demesne or fee to the same. Witnessed by the King at Aber-
conewey, i.e., Conway, 4 April, 23 Edw. I, 1295.
{Rot. Pat., 23 Edw. I, membr. 15 ; Willis, p. 140; Clark,
/.r., p. 905.)
2. A writ of the same King addressed to Malculm de Harley,
escheator citra Trentam, notifying that he has accepted the fealty
of Master John, and restored the temporalities to him, therefore
the escheator is ordered to deliver the same to him. Witnessed as
above.
{Rot. Pat., 23 Edw. I, membr. 15 ; Willis, p. 143 ; Clark,
/. c, p. 906.)
3. Record of the proceedings of the Privy Council, in respect of
the custody of the temporalities, at Westminster on the morrow of
the Feast of the Decollation of St. John Baptist (25 June, 23 Edw. I,
1295); and Earl Gilbert's undertaking to render seizin of the lands
and tenements belonging to the temporalities of the See, which
were in his custody by the King's grant, to the aforesaid Bishop-
elect, fully and wholly, and to cause him to have them in accordance
with the King's mandate.
(Ryley, Pleadings, 1661, p. 203; Willis, p. 146; Clark,
/. c, p. 908.)
4. A writ of the same King, addressed to Earl Gilbert, again
notifying the facts specified in No. i ; declaring his surprise at the
delay of the Earl in restoring the temporalities to the Bishop, and
commanding immediate performance of the order made in that
behalf. Witnessed by the King at Westminster, 24 August,
23 Edw. I, 1295.
{Rot. Claus., 23 Edw. I, membr. 6, dorso ; Willis, p. 144;
Clark, /. c, p. 907.)
Among the more important memorials of Llandaff during the
tenure of the See by this Bishop are the following: —
I. Memorandum or docket of a suit instituted by the Bishop of
Llandaff [John of Monmouth], before the King, against William
Brewouse, for that he has distrained on the tenants of the Bishop's
The Newland Lawsuit. 315
manor of Bysshopeston, which lies within the precinct of the land
of Gower,^ belonging to the demesne of the said William, to compel
them to perform suit at the Court of William of Swenesawe or
Swansea. Michaelmas Term, 27-28 Edw. I, 1299.
{Placitorum Abbrev. in Rec. Comm., p. 241 ; Clark, /. c,
p. 912.)
2. Bishop John was summoned to Parliament in 28 Edw. I,
1 299-1 300, according to the record in H. Cole's Documents Illustra-
tive of English History : " Brevia de veniendo ad parliamentum J.
Landavensi Episcopo" (Fol. London. Pp. 334, 339).
3. During the episcopate of Bishop John of Monmouth there
was a suit heard in the King's Court to the following effect : —
Gloucester. La Newlonde.
Bishop John was summoned to reply to the King (Edward I)
concerning a plea that he should permit the Bishop to present a fit
person to La Newelonde Church, which is vacant and belongs to
his gift.
Nicholas of Warewyk, attorney for the King, shows that King
Henry III, father of the present King, had presented John of
London, his clerk, thereto, and by the resignation of this said John,
the church is now vacant, and therefore the King has a right to
present, but he is unlawfully prevented, and he claims damages,
and is prepared to prove his case.
Thereupon the Bishop's attorney says that the King has no right
to present to the said church, because the present King (Edward I)
granted and confirmed by charter to the late Bishop, William de
Brewes, the advowson of the said church, to have and to hold to
liimself and his successors, Bishops of LLandaff, with the rights
and liberties thereto appurtenant. And he tenders the King's
charter which proves this, dated at Canterbury, 10 May, 14 Edw. I,
1286: and shows that the present Bishop, on the occasion of a
vacancy in the said church on the death of the said John of London,
had presented one William of Monmouth, his clerk, who was
thereupon admitted and instituted.
The said Nicholas cannot gainsay this, so the Bishop gains his
case.
(Rot. vi, Michaelmas Term, 32 Edw. I (20 Nov., 1303, to
20 Nov., 1304 ; Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 294.)
' See p. 310, n. I. ,
3 1 6 Memorials of Llandaff.
4. By the memorandum of another record entered^ in the Liber
Landavensis, we learn that Walter de Boneuyle, executor of the
will of Dauid le Grand, or Grant, deceased, came before the Barons
of the Exchequer and acknowledged his receipt of xvj/?. xixj.,
which the Bishop of LLandaff, in obedience to the King's writ, had
levied on the ecclesiastical goods of the said Dauid, as to his
church of St. George, within the said bishopric.
{Rot. Placitorum, Hil. T., 33 Edw. I, 1305 ; Willis,
P- 29S-)
5. With regard to the appropriation of the church of Nova
Terra, or Newland, in the Forest of Dene, or Dean, diocese of
Hereford, co. Gloucester, the following document is of interest: —
Charter of the King respecting the Appropriation of the Church
of Nova Terra to the Bishopric of LLandaff. — The King to all, etc.,
greeting. Know ye that we, by the intuition of charity, have
granted and given licence for ourselves and our heirs, as far as in
us lies, to the Venerable Father John, Bishop of LLandaff, that he
may for ever appropriate to himself and his Church of LLandaff
the church of NOVATERRA, in our Forest of Dene {i.e., Newland,
in the Forest of Dean, an extra-parochial place in the hundred
of St. Briavels, co. Gloucester, on the E. bank of the river Wye),
diocese of Hereford, the advowson whereof he has of our gift, and
retain it thus appropriated to himself and his successors. Bishops
of the same place, and have it to his proper uses, without let or
hindrance of us or our heirs. Justices, Escheators, Sheriffs, or any
others our bailiffs or ministers.
In witness, etc. Witnessed by the King at Thetford, 9 February,
33 Edw. I, 1305.
{Rot. Pat., 33 Edw. I, membr. 18 ; Willis, p. 147.)
6. The Royal reply in Parliament to the Bishop of Llandaff
respecting the tithes of the assarts in Dene Forest is contained in
Willis's Survey^ to the effect that : To the petition of the Bishop
of Llandaff, desiring that the King will be pleased to assign to the
Bishop's church of All Saints, in Dene Forest, the tithes of the
new assarts made in the said forest on the Crown land there, it was
thus replied : The King wills that the Bishop may have that which
is without the parish and which the King can grant : and let
1 P. 295. 2 p_ 148.
The Newland Lawsuit. 317
Letters Patent be issued of this grant, and a breve clausum, or close
writ, be sent to J. de Botetourt, warden of the Forest.
{Placita Parliament., 33 Edw. I, 20 Nov., 1304, to 20 Nov.,
1305 ; Willis, p. 148.)
7 The Royal Letters Patent, issued in pursuance of the above
response, and entitled " Charter of the King granting the tithes of
the assarts of Dene Forest to the Bishop of LLandaffl' declare that
for the emendation of the See of LLandaff, which is admittedly
too slenderly provided with means, and towards the support of a
Chaplain celebrating, and for ever to celebrate, divine services daily
for the health of the souls of the King and his ancestors in the
church of All Saints of La Newlande, within the Royal Forest of
Dene, which Bishop John holds appropriated to himself and his
successors, he has granted for himself and his heirs, as far as in him
lies, to the said Bishop, that he and his successors. Bishops of
LLandaff, may receive and have all the tithes forthcoming out of
the assarts within the said forest newly assarted {i.e., grubbed up
out of forest lands), and to be hereafter assarted, to his church of
La Newlande aforesaid, which he wills shall for ever appertain to
the same church without let or hindrance of himself or any of his
heirs or his ministers, provided, however, that the assarts aforesaid
lie without the boundaries of any parish.
Attested by the King at Westminster, 20th March, 33 Edw. I,
1305-
{Rot. Pat., 33 Edw. I ; Willis, p. 149.)
8. In respect of this matter of the tithes of La Newland, a royal
writ was directed to Walter of Gloucester, the King's escheator
beyond the Trent, and to John of Acton, reciting the terms of the
Bishop's petition returned from the Privy Council for a grant of
the said tithes, and showing that the Dean and Chapter of Here-
ford, the Parson of the church of Lydeneye, or Lydney, Master
William of Kyngescote, Parson of the church of Westbury on
Severn,^ John, Parson of the church of Ruardyn, or Ruardean,
Ralph of Habehale, Parson of the church of Bykenore Engleis, or
English Bicknor, John, Parson of the church of Staunton, Henry,
Parson of the church of Dene Magna, and Adam, Parson of the
church of Aure, or Awre, claim these tithes for their churches.
Therefore, the Bishop of LLandaff has requested that the non-
parochial assarts may be definitely located, and the King has
' Willis reads Westbury-super-Z.ai5«n?»z, mistaking the last word which is
Sabrinain.
3 1 8 Memorials of Llandaff-.
appointed the said Walter and John to ascertain by oath of the
foresters and verderers of the said forest, and other worthy and
lawful men of that district, in the presence of the said Dean and
the other claimants, what are the royal assarts of which he has
granted the tithes to the Bishop, and gives orders to Hugh le
Despenser, Justice of the Royal Forest beyond the Trent, to take
the evidence of the verderers and foresters of Dene Forest, and
in like manner to the Sheriff of Gloucester, to take the evidence of
other worthy and lawful men of the county in this behalf, and make
return to the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer within a fort-
night after the Feast of St. John Baptist, etc.
Attested by the King at Carlisle, 6th May, 1307.
{^Rot. Pat., 35 Edw. I, membr. 19; Wilhs, p. 150.)
9. Willis refers to several records concerning the church of
Newland, which will be mentioned in their proper order of date.
There is one entitled : The Bishop of LLandaff concerning the
tithes of the assarts in the Forest of Dene, without the boundaries
of any Parish, granted by the King for the Chantry founded in the
Church of Newland.
{Rot. Claus., 2 Edw. II, 8th July, 1308 - 7th July, 1309,
membr. 15 ; Willis, p. 173.)
10. The result of the enquiry into the actual position of the
assarts thus granted by the King to the See of LLandaff was an
investigation as to the parochial boundaries of the locality in which
the grants were situated. The Dean and Chapter of Hereford, and
the Bishop of Llandaff, each appointed six persons to report on the
boundaries of the parish of Lydney and the Forest of Dene, and a
cyrograph charter embodying the ascertained boundaries in minute
detail was issued in form of a scriptum indentatuni recording the
assent of the parties, dated at St. Briavels, in the parish church,
on 5th May, 13 10. The original, which has escaped the attention
of Willis and other historians of LLandaff, is contained among
the Harleian collections in the British Museum (No. iii, C. 32),
with a memorandum upon it, showing that it was given to the
noble collector by " Dr. John Hudson, of Oxford." The text
follows : —
Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos presentes littere pervenerint ;
Nos Walterus de Nasse . Alexander de Bykenor . Rogerus de
Blytheslowe . Nicholaus le Longe . Ricardus Malemort et Osbertus
Malemort electi seu nominati per dominum Johannem decanum
The Newland Lawsuit. 319
Ecclesie Sancti Ethelberti Herefordie . et ejusdem loci capitulum .
nee non jurati et adjurati sub pena excornmunicationis late aucto-
ritate dyocesani ad declarandum seu assignandum antiquas limita-
ciones parochie Ecclesie de Lydeneye . et Capellarum ejusdem .
Item et nos Willelmus le Wodeward . Ricardus le Wodeward .
Elyas de Aylberton . Rogerus Spore . Willelmus Ely.et Walterus
Kediford . electi seu nominati . per venerabilem patrem dominum
Johannem dei gratia Landavensem episcopum de assensu capituli
sui . nee non jurati et adjurati . in forma predicta ad declarandum
seu assignandum limitaciones predictas . salutem in domino sempi-
ternam ;
Sciatis quod nos potestate et auctoritate legitime nobis com-
missa bona fide procedentes et diligenter advertentes limites predicte
parochie de Lydeneye et capellarum ejusdem nee non et inqui-
rentes ab antiquioribus et fidedignioribus hominibus de FORESTA
DE Dene veras et antiquas limitaciones hujusmodi declaramus et
de consensu partium predictarum assignamus infrascriptos terminos
veros esse limites seu fines parochie memorate et Capellarum
ejusdem ; distinguentes easdem ex parte boreali earum a ceteris
partibus Foreste predicte que sunt extra parochiam memorate
Ecclesie cum Capellis . qui limites fines seu termini incipiunt in
hunc modum . videlicet ab angulo terre Abbatis de Gratia Dei
juxta vetus castrum procedendo inter terram Walteri Hathewy .
per fossatum dicti Abbatis usque ad Stouwebers . Et sic per
fossatum dicti Abbatis usque ad fossatum Osberti Malemort . Et
per eundem fossatum usque ad Longeleye . Et sic per fossatum
Thome le Porter . Osberti Malemort et Ricardi Hurel usque ad le
Portweye juxta le Lymput Et sic procedendo le Portweye usque
ad oueram terre Ricardi Malemort juxta Aylbertonesweye . Et sic
ascendendo per eandem viam usque ad Paylwalleoke . Et sic
descendendo per fossatum Prioris Lanthonie quod est inter terram
dicti Prioris et terram Willelmi Joce usque ad Paylwallebroke . Et
sic descendendo per eundem rivulum usque ad Marleweyesende
juxta Holavvesford . Et sic ascendendo le Marleweye inter solum
domini Rogeri et boscum Comitis Warrewyke usque ad Mere-
broke . Et sic descendendo Merebroke usque ad aquam que
vocatur Newarne . Et de Newarne ascendendo per medium terre
Pagani le Longe per viam que vocatur Orvvey . Et deinde ad Yar-
cleyesmede . Et deinde inter terram Johannis ap Adam et terram
Johannis Waryn usque ad Acchebroke . Et sic descendendo usque
ad boscum Comitis Warrewyke . Et sic per fines et oram seu
oueram ejusdem bosci et bosci domini Regis . usque ad Lones-
broke .
320 Memorials of Llandaff.
In cujus rei testimonium sigiUa nostra present! scripto indentato
duximus apponenda . Et nos Ricardus Dei gratia Herefordensis
Episcopus et Johannes Decanus et Capitulum Herefordensis
Ecclesie i prefatis declaracioni et assignacioni nostrum expressum
adhibentes consensum sigilla nostra huic scripto apposuimus inden-
tato . Nos eciam Johannes Dei permissione Ecclesie Landavensis
Minister . et Capitulum ejusdem Ecclesie eisdem declaracioni et
assignacioni quantum in nobis est plene consencientes nostra sigilla
apposuimus huic scripto similiter indentato . domini Regis jure ut
decet per omnia semper salvo . Datum apud Sanctum Briavellum
in Ecclesia ejusdem ville quinto die mensis Maij . Anno domini
Millesimo Trecentesimo decimo.
Labels for fourteen seals, of which now six only remain.
11. A Royal Licence under Letters Patent was issued to enable
Thomas, Earl of Lancaster (1295-1321), to grant to John, Bishop
of Llandaff, for himself and his successors. Bishops of the same, a
certain piece of land, or place, adjacent to the church of St. Mary-
atte-Strond and the manse of the said Bishop, notwithstanding
the statute of mortmain, and subject to the usual services due to
the chief lords of that fee.
Dated, 23 October, 4 Edw. H, 1310, by the King's Lieutenant.
The King was at Linliscou, or Linlithgow in Scotland at this date.
{^Pat. Rot., 4 Edw. II, membr. 12 ; Willis, p. 159.)
This manse, hospice, or town residence of the Bishops of LLan-
daff, was apparently given by Henry, Earl of Lancaster (? 1327-
1345). Among the miscellaneous notices^ relating to the patronage
of the Bishop, there is a memorandum that he is to pay yearly to
the Vicars two shillings for solemnly celebrating in the church the
" obit" of Dom Henry, formerly Earl of Lancaster, in respect of a
certain hospice in London, which the said Bishop has therein of the
gift of the said Earl, as is shown by the muniments made con-
cerning it.
12. The King, having at length recovered into the power of the
Crown the custody of the temporalities of the See of LLandaff
during vacancies, caused Letters Patent to be drawn up entitled : —
De Teniporalibus Episcopatus Landavensis tempore vacationis
habetidis, reviewing in the preamble — the claim made by King
Edward I against Earl Gilbert to the advowson and custody of the
bishopric, its lands and tenements within the Earl's demesne or
' Lib. Land., p. 334.
The Newland Lawsuit. 321
fee, and the collations or preferments of the prebends and dignities
thereof during vacancies ; — the surrender of the advowson, custody
and collations by the Earl to that King ; — the royal grant of
2 November, 19 Edw. I, 1290, granting to the Earl and the
Countess Johanna, the King's daughter, the custody of the
bishopric and of the lands and tenements within the demesne
or fee aforesaid, and of the said collations, for the term of their
lives with reversion to the Crown, saving the fealty of the incoming
Bishop ; — and the demise of the Earl and Countess ; and proceed-
ing to declare that, having regard to the losses likely to be inflicted
on the Church of LLandaff in the waste and destruction of the
woods and woodlands belonging thereto by escheators and other
custodians during vacancies, contrary to the King's conscience and
will, and willing to provide a remedy to that Church on account of
the especial devotion, which he feels deeply, to the blessed Apostles
Peter and Paul, in whose honour the said Church was founded, as
also on account of the large affection which he bears towards the
venerable father. Bishop John, he has granted to the Bishop and
Chapter the custody, sede vacante, of the bishopric and all the
temporalities which ever at any time, sede plena, belonged to the
same, to hold and dispose of them just as any Bishop can or may
do when in possession (saving to the Crown the knights' fees, and
escheats), the Chapter paying therefor for every vacancy extending
to one whole year, fourscore and thirteen pounds nine shillings and
eight pence- — the amount of the yearly taxation of the bishopric —
and pro rata for every vacancy above or below one year as afore-
said, with immunity : free from interference by the King's escheators
and other collectors, except simple seizin for one day on behalf of
the royal demesne ; and from service due in time of war, with
reservation of service for the knights' fees and the custody of
lands, tenements, or rents hereafter to be acquired in fee by the
Bishops.
Attested by the King at Westminster, 4 March, 4 Edw. II,
131 1, at the instance of Master Th. de Charleton.^ But the
King was at Westminster 4 March, 1310, and at Berwick, 4
March, 131 1. The record may be referring to events of the
previous year.
{Pat. Rot., 4 Edw. II, Part i, membr. 12 ; Willis,
P- 1 530
' Afterwards Canon of York, Bishop of Hereford, 1327, Lord H. Treasurer
of England, 1329.
Y
32 2 Memorials of Llandaff.
13. The Bishop of LLandaff claimed to have the moiety of a
certain wear in the Wye water near St. Briavel's Castle, co.
Gloucester, called Bykeswere, appertaining to his bishopric.
{Pat. Rot, 8 Edw. II, 8 July, 1314-7 July, 1315 ; Willis,
P- I73-)
There is another record relating to the above matter in the
Close Rolls of 15 Edw. 11(8 July, 1321-7 July, 1322); Willis, /.<:.
14. In connection with the episcopal lands at Newland the
Liber Landavensis records in the list of ecclesiastical benefices
which belong to the gift of the Bishop, the following : —
Memorandum of certain ecclesiastical benefices wholly apper-
taining and belonging to the gift of the Bishop of LLan-
daff, without in any way requiring the assent or counsel
of his Chapter.
C I. All the dignities and prebends in the Cathedral when and
so often as they become vacant, sede plena.
C 2. The perpetual chantry of the chaplain celebrating the
Mass of the Blessed Virgin in the Cathedral, when vacant. And
the chaplain, be he who he may, is, and shall be, appointed for life
(yperpetuatus) as Rector of a certain church, with slender stipend,
viz., of Beganestone,^ in the parish of LLandaff, charged with
cure of the souls of the parishioners thereof The same chaplain
ought to follow the choir in the Cathedral at the canonical hours of
night and day similarly in befiting vestments, just as the rest of
the Vicars do in the same. The support of the chaplain consists
in certain lands, meadows, tenements, rents, and tithes in place of a
title of old applied to, and conferred upon, the said chantry.
C 3. This paragraph is dealt with at p. 308, § 4.
C 4. The perpetual chantry of a chaplain following the choir in
vestments and constantly celebrating services in the Cathedral for
the souls of the past and future Kings of England and Bishops of
LLandaff. This chaplain shall receive at the hands of the Bishop
of LLandaff for the time being . . . ^silver marks for his support,
out of the emoluments and other profits which the Bishop receives
from his church and manor at Le Newelond in the Forest of Dene.
C S- The Bishop of himself shall present to the perpetual
vicarage of the church of La Newelond aforesaid whenever it is
1 On the borders of Leckvvith and Caerau ; Rev. C. A. H. Green, Notes,
W- '3) '4- '■' Blank in the original entry.
Statutes. 323
vacant, sede plena, which church stands without the boundaries of
the diocese of Hereford.
C -6. The Bishop has right to present to the Church of
Bassalec by reason of the perpetual farm thereof
which he holds from Glastonbury Abbey.
C 7- This paragraph is dealt with at p. 310, note i.
C 8. This paragraph is dealt with at p. 293, line 21.
C 9- This paragraph is dealt with at p. 324, line 11.
C 10. This paragraph is dealt with at p. 324, line 14.
C II. This paragraph is dealt with at p. 320, line 26.
15. Two copies of the Statutes, made by Bishop John of
Monmouth for the regulation of the Canons, are contained among
the continuations^ of the Liber Landavensis, with the following
title :—
Statutes^ published concerning the state of the Canons resident
or non-resident in the time of Dom John of Monmouth, [late]
Bishop of LLandaff, viz., on the Feast of the Apostles Peter and
Paul, MCCCX;rilj,3 and by the said Bishop and Chapter on the same
feast promulgated and confirmed.
As far as relates to the residences of Canons in the Church of
LLandaff, it is ordained by Dom John of Monmouth, Bishop of
LLandaff, and the Chapter thereof, on the Feast of the Apostles
Peter and Paul, A.D. Mo . CCC° . XVIIJo, that the Canon who has
performed residence in the Church of LLandaff for three months
consecutively or with intervals — provided that the first residence
[be continuous], or in regard to that continuity of residence, there
being a [special] grace (or permit) had which is to be conceded
upon causes evident, necessary, and incumbent on the Canons —
shall receive a full share of what there is to be divided with the
rest of the Canons on the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul
then following.
C And if it happen that the Canon, while performing residence,
after six weeks occupied in such residence — provided he has not
absented himself from the place, but ordered and disposed himself
and his affairs with the intention of serving continuous residence
— dies, let him [nevertheless] receive a full share of what is to be
divided with the rest of the Canons.
^ Pp. 299, 309.
^ The italic words are not found in the second copy. The words in brackets
are not found in the first copy. ' MCCCXVIII, in second copy.
Y 2
324 Memorials of Llandaff.
C And if he die before six complete weeks of residence, let him
receive with the rest of the Canons according to the rate of the
part of residence which he has performed.
C And if a Canon has commenced part of his residence and
departed elsewhere from the Church of LLandaff before completing
his full residence, and dies during that period, and so die before
the residence is finished, that then he is to receive a portion of
what there is to be divided with the other Canons [residentiary]
according to the rate of the part of residence which he had
performed.
The Bishop^ of LLandaff pays yearly to the " ministers" of the
church there two marks for solemnly celebrating the "obit" of
Dom John of Monmouth, formerly Bishop of LLandaff, four times
yearly : and half a mark for distributing bread to the poor on the
anniversary of Bishop John's death, this being taken out of tlie
profits from the church lands of La Newelond in Dene Forest,
which had been acquired by the effort of the same.
1 Lib. Land., p. 333.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
LATER BISHOPS, a.d. 1323 to 1389.
Bishop Alexander of Monmouth.
ON the death of Bishop John of Monmouth, a royal licence
to elect a Bishop in his stead was issued on 31 May, 1323,
according to Hardy in his edition of Le Neve's Fasti, and there-
upon the Chapter elected Alexander of Monmouth, Archdeacon
of LLandaff, who occurs as holding this dignity^ in 1325, and
1336. The royal assent to this election was given on 15 July,
1323, but the Papal authorities rejected it, and by a Bull, dated
xii kal. Jul., 21 June, 1323,
Bishop John of Eglescliff,
or Eclescliff, the other name of Goldclive, co. Monm.,^ a Dominican
or Black Friar, was translated from the See of Bethlehem,^ or
Connor,* in Ireland, about Michaelmas in that year, and came
to LLandaff on the Vigil of Trinity Sunday, or 21 May, 1323.
The temporalities, after some delay, v/ere restored to him on
13 August, 1324. Gams^ calls this prelate Bishop of Bethlehem,
Ephrata, circa 1318 ; translated to Connor in 1322, and LLandaff
in 1323.
Bishop John died at the Episcopal Palace, or Manor of Lan-
cadwallader, otherwise called Bishopston, or Bishton, co. Monm.,
2 January, 1346/7, and was buried, in obedience to the custom
of his Religious Order, in the church of the Black Friars, or
Friar Preachers, within the present grounds of Cardiff Castle," or
" in'' a side Isle of Cardiff Church called the Friers' Isle . . . over his
grave, as is supposed, there are still to be seen the Arms of the
1 Willis, p. 79.
Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 400, col. i., but cf. Birch, Hist, of Neath Abbey,
218. Eaglescliff near Yarm, CO. Durham.
' Hardy. ■> Willis, p. 53.
Gams: Series Episcoporum Eccl.-Cath. 4°. Ratisbonae, 1873.
Willis, p. 53.
' lb., p. 103, Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 317.
326 Memorials of Llandaff.
See cut in the wall in stone-work." A curious stone-built grave,
supposed to be of this Bishop, has recently been discovered.^
Among the records of this Bishop's time are the following
of importance : —
I. Two copies^ of the Statutes made by Bishop John of Egles-
clif, contained among the additions o'i t\v& Liber Landavensis,^\C\c\\,
as in previous cases, do not altogether agree in their precise words,
relating to the residence and stipends of the Canons :
[Declaration of certain statutes made], published in the time
of [and confirmed by Brother] John of Eglesclif [late Bishop of
LLandaff, and the Chapter, on the Feast of the Apostles Peter
and Paul, in the year of the Lord M . CCC . xxvj].
C [Item] On the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul
(29 June), A.D. M . CCC . XXVJ, in so far as concerns the residence
of the Canons, it is declared by Brother John of Eglesclif \¥.g\(t5-
clyf] of the order of Preachers [by God's grace] then Bishop of
LLandaff, and the Chapter of the same, that the Canon who has
made a first continuous residence, that is, for thirteen fully com-
plete weeks, be not afterwards held to reside except for three
usual months, that is, for twelve weeks, in accordance with the
ancient custom.
C Item if a Canon holding a farm decease after having
received the autumn fruits, he is to enjoy and have them, though
his death has supervened. And in his name his executors may
have the benefits of the said farm until the next ensuing Feast
of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
C And if after the Feast of the said Apostles [Peter and Paul],
on which feast the years of the fanners and farms begin in the
Church of LLandaff, he shall have deceased before receipt of the
autumn fruits, then it shall be lawful to the Chapter to dispose and
make orders concerning that farm, and the deceased Canon's estate,
or his executors, shall be answerable to the Chapter for the portion
received by him for the time that he held it after the Feast of the
Apostles Peter and Paul until the time of his death.
C Item it is ordained at the same Feast that the Canons
holding farms of churches appropriated to the Chapter of LLan-
daff, during their farm, be held to maintain and repair the?>
' E. P. L. Brock in the Journal of the British Archaeological Association,
xlix, 306 ; Birch, Hist, of Neath Abbey, p. 220.
2 Lib. Land., ed. Evans, pp. 300, 310. The words in italics are not found
in the second copy. The words in brackets are not found in the first copy.
Bishop John of Eglescliff. 327
Chancels and GrdiViges of their farm properly out of the goods of
the Chapter, provided nevertheless that at first each such farmer
shall pay out of each taxed pound of such church which he hold to
farm according to the taxation of the tithe now current, twelve
pence of his money, and the remainder of the expenses to be applied
about such repair ought to be allowed/?^//)/ to him in the Canon's
account on the Feast of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul then
next ensuing.
2. Another record relating to Newland, the episcopal property
in Gloucestershire, is entitled : The Bishop of LLandafif concerning
Newland Church in the Forest of Dene, together with the tithes of
the new assarts in the said forest, formerly acquired and appro-
priated to the Cathedral of LLandaff by John of Monmouth,
Bishop there, and concerning the chantry and the anniversaries to
be celebrated therein.
{Pat. Rot., 20 Edw. II, 8 July, 1326, to 20 January, 1327 ;
membr. 1 5 ; Willis, /. c.)
3. A charter by the Cathedral Chapter of the Church of
LLandaff whereby they give, grant, and confirm to John of Ireland
a waste site {placeam vasti) with its appurtenances in LLandaff,
lying in length between the high street which leads through the
middle of the town as far as the Castle on the N. head, and a
certain curtilage belonging to Isabella Watekyn on the S. head,
and in breadth over all it measures twenty feet, and so lies between
the tenement of Richard Bufifard on the E. side and a place which
formerly belonged to Richeman Gerebard on the W. side. Also
they give and confirm to the same John an acre of meadow in
Eleyes-mor and a piece of meadow beyond the Taaf with their
appurtenances, which said waste site and meadow are of old time
called St. Theliau's, at a perpetual yearly rent of five shillings to
the fabric of the Cathedral Church in equal portions, at Michael-
mas, Lady Day, and the Feast of the blessed Apostles Peter and
Paul (29 June), for all service, heriet, or any other secular demand.
Sealed with the Common Seal of the Chapter.
The witnesses are : —
Master Alexander of Monmouth, Archdeacon of LLandaff
(the rejected Bishop-elect).
Master Richard de Halton, Treasurer.
Master Richard de Stok, and \ ^
VCanons.
Dom John de Middleton J
328 Memorials of Llandaff.
Philip Sampson 'i
John Bette I
William Top j
Robert Le MasonJ
Dated in the Chapter House, Feast of St. Peter and Paul, 1328.
{Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 293.)
4. There is also a record entitled : — The Bishop of LLandaff
concerning the allocation of tithes of iron mines in Newland,
Forest of Dene. This is sent to the Warden of the said mine.
{Rot. Claus., 6 Edw. Ill, 25 Jan., 1332, to 24 Jan., 1333 ;
Willis, p. 174.)
5. Bishop John issued a decree admitting the title of Margam
Abbey as legally defended by its proctor, Thomas Benet, monk of
that house, to the tithes of its proper labour in the Parish of
Kenefeg, the tithes of the sheaves belonging to the church of
Kenefeg ar^d the chapels thereto appertaining, the tithes of its
proper labour in the parish of the church of Newcastle, the tithes
of the sheaves with all ecclesiastical rights thereto appertaining
and the tithes of the sheaves of the chapels of Laweleston, or
Laleston, and Tegestowe, or Tythegston, acquired from Tewkes-
bury Abbey, after inspection of the instruments and muniments
adduced in support of the claim.
Dated at Worletone, now Duffryn St. Nicholas, a manor
attached to the See of LLandaff, and afterwards conveyed away
by a later Bishop, x kal. Aug., 23 July, 1332.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter, 75 A 27 ; Clark, /. c, p. 1178.)
6. The Liber Landavensis, among its later additions, contains
a memorandum that on Saturday, Feast of St. Stephen the Proto-
martyr, on Christmas morrow, in the year 1332, William Mayloc
and his wife came to Landaff Cathedral and to Master Richard de
Halton, then treasurer, complaining that on Christmas day last
they had not had their mass in their chapel beyond the Taf where
they lived, as they were wont to have yearly on Christmas day and
Easter day as of ancient right granted to them by the Bishop and
Chapter in genuine charters which they declared they held of such
manner of right granted to them in return for certain land which,
as they alleged, had formerly been given by their ancestors to the
church there. And Master Richard, the said treasurer, having no
knowledge of such a privilege of service granted as alleged to
them, and fearing lest a precedent should be created to the burden
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'Bishop John of Eg ks cliff. 329
of the Church of LLandaff by colour of such a custom possibly
practised by especial favour of some of the vicars formerly serving
in the choir, replied : " Whereas you assert that the Church of
LLandaff is under obligation to you at Christmas and Easter
yearly, and this by genuine records which you say you have in this
behalf, I, as the least among the Chapter, appoint you to come on
the next Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul — (the day when the
Canons' year commences) — before the Bishop and Chapter, and
exhibit your alleged muniments, and if they are admitted, you will
be enabled to enjoy your privilege without hindrance, but if you do
not then come, nor exhibit your muniments, you shall never from
that day hereafter claim that the said service should be made for
you by the Church of LLandaff." The said William Mayloc and
his wife, considering themselves quite content with this reply, and
asserting that they would do as the said treasurer advised them
and keep their promises in good faith, returned to their home. On
the next Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul they neither came
hither nor exhibited in this respect any muniments relating to such
right as they alleged.
{Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 289.)
7. A document still extant, illustrating the practice of the times
in regard to the granting of indulgences from penance, records that
Bishop John of Eglescliffe, the Dominican, by charter dated at
Martherne in co. Monmouth, V Kal. Mai., 27 April, 1333, granted
in honour of the B. V. Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Dominic (his
Patron), and Theliauus or Teilo, an indulgence of forty days to all
who would contribute towards the repairs of the Chapel of Mer-
thilwode, in the Isle of Axholme, co. Lincoln, at Melwood, or
Mil wood Park, near Epworth, a Carthusian Nunnery, or Priory,
in the " Wood," where was a chapel of St. Mary of the Priory of
Wode, Prioratus Visitationis B. M, V., Ord. Cartus.^ The text
follows : —
Universis ad quos presentes litterse pervenerint, Frater
Johannes permissione divina Episcopus Landavensis ! salutem
in domino sempiternam.
Vt animos fidelium quasi per premia excitemus ad merita, de
Dei omnipotentis misericordia . gloriosse virginis Mariae . bonorum
apostolorum Petri et Pauli, necnon sanctorum confessorum Domi-
nici et Theliay . omniumque sanctorum meritis et precibus confi-
dentes '. omnibus parochianis nostris et aliis quorum dyocesani
1 Dugdale, Mon. Angl., vi, 26.
330 Memorials of Llandaff.
hanc nostram indulgenciam ratam habuerint pariter et acceptam .
de peccatis suis vere penitentibus . contritis et confessis '. qui ad
constructionem seu reparacionem capellse . de Merthilwode .
in . Insula . de AxHOLME . Lincolniensis dyoceseos ; de bonis sibi
a Deo collatis grata contulerint subsidia caritatis ! quadraginta
dies indulgenciae . domino acceptante . concedimus per presentes.
In cujus rei testimonium ! sigillum nostrum presentibus est
appensum.
Datum apud Martherne . quinto . Kalend . Maij . Anno domini .
Millesimo . ccc^o . Tricesimo tercio.
With a fine but imperfect impression of the Bishop's seal.
(Brit. Mus., Add. Ch. 20,610.)
8. King Edward III caused a mandate to be directed to
William Trussel, Escheator Royal beyond the Trent, showing
that by inquisition it was found that William of Radenore, when
Treasurer of LLandaff (subsequently Bishop), by charter dated
ten years before the publication of the Statute of Mortmain, had
granted a messuage, land in Arcleston, now called' Eccleston,
Ecclesillon, or Arkeston,^ in the Forest of Dene, and the whole
manor of Arcleston, to the Bishop and Chapter to find two chap-
lains who are to be perpetual vicars in the Cathedral, making
continuous residence, and bound to follow the choir at matins, and
to celebrate divine services at all canonical hours daily, for the
health of the souls of the said William and Simon his brother, and
all the faithful departed ; one of whom is to celebrate at daybreak
{in aurora diei), the other before ringing for prime, per medium
spatii, for ever : and that the said messuage and lands are held
of William of Weston at a service rent of twopence yearly at
Michaelmas, and are worth yearly ten shillings:— and commanding
that the Bishop and Chapter are not to be molested or troubled in
this behalf
Attested by the King at Nottingham, 26 September, 10 Edw. Ill,
1336.
{Rot. Claus., 10 Edw. Ill, membr. 15 ; Willis, /. c, p. 161 ;
Clark, I.e., p. 1208.)
9. Willis prints a record from the Patent Rolls, wherein the
King inspects and confirms a charter of Hugh de Audeley, Lord
of Wenthlouk, etc., and Margaret his wife, Countess of Cornwall,
granting to Emeric, or Almaric, de Lucy, Lord of Kayrewent,
licence to give land in Kayrewent, or Caerwent, in a place called
1 Willis, p. 161. '■ Green, Notes, p. 5.
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Bishop yohn of Rglesclij^. 3 3 I
Troballayn, the advowson of the church there, with the chapels
of Lanuayre, Dynan or Dinham,i and St. Nyueyn, to Alexander
of Monmouth, Archdeacon (and rejected Bishop) of LLandaff, and
the Chapter, to be appropriated to the augmentation of the
commons of the Canons residentiary.
Among the witnesses are : —
Sir Roger de Berkerol', Knt.
Sir Robert de Hereford, Knt, Sheriff.
John de St. Maur.
Dated at Tonebrugge, 5 October, 10 Edw. Ill, 1336.
The Inspeximus is attested by the King at Westminster,
8 March, 11 Edw. Ill, 1337. By fine of one hundred shillings at
the instance of Henry de Edenestan and John de Bebury.
{Pat. Rot, II Edw. Ill, Part I, membr. 31 ; Willis, I.e.,
p. 163.)
10. Hugh Le Despenser (son and heir of Hugh Le Despenser
and Alianora his wife). Lord of Glamorgan and Morgan, inspected
and confirmed (i) the charter of William, Earl of Gloucester,
addressed to Bishop Nicholas in favour of Margam Abbey,
already noticed f and (2) the charter of Gilbert de Clare, Earl
of Gloucester and Hertford, confirming to Margam Abbey
numerous detailed lands, services, and rents, in Glamorgan. The
witnesses are : — Dom Henry, Bishop of LLandaff, Dom Clement,
Abbot of Neath, Master Maurice the Archdeacon, Master
Nicholaus Gobion and Master Ralph Mailloke, Canons of Lan-
daff, and others.
Dated "in our Castle of Kaerdif," 9 October, 12 Edw. Ill, 1338,
and attested by : —
Dom John de Eglisclyue, Bishop of LLandaff,
Master Richard de Haltoune, Archdeacon,
Dom Gilbert de Wygetoune"!
Dom John de Miltoune rCanons,
Master Richard de Stoke J
and many laymen of high degree.
This was confirmed by a charter of Edward Le Despenser, the
nephew of the above Hugh, and attested by Dom John Pascal,
Bishop of LLandaff, Dom John de Coventre, Archdeacon, and
many notables of Glamorgan, 13 July, 32 Edw. Ill, 1358.
(Margam Charters; Clark, I.e., pp. 1219, 1299.)
1 Green, Notes, p. 11, Llanfair Discoed, and Dinham. ^ P. 267, No. 14.
332 Memorials of Llandaff.
11. Brother John de Eglescliffe, Bishop of LLandafif, inspected
a Bull of Pope Boniface VIII, dated at the Lateran Palace,
XV Kal. Jan., i8 December, in the eighth year of his pontificate,
1302, granting to Margam Abbey, at the instance of Robert,
Presbyter Cardinal of Saint Potentiana, "promoter assiduus" of
the Cistercian Order, immunity under certain conditions from the
exaction of tithes or first fruits on the lands of the abbey and
Order aforesaid.
Dated at Lankarvan, iii Id. Oct., 13 October, 1339.
The original charter among the Margam muniments bear a
good impression of the Bishop's seal : whereon is an effigy of the
Bishop wearing the mitre and standing on a richly ornamented
bracket or corbel. He is lifting up the right hand in the act of
pronouncing a benediction, and holds in the left hand a pastoial
staff. The background is diapered lozengy with a pierced rose or
six-foil en soleil in each interstice. On the right of the Bishop
is a shield of the arms of England, on the left, his family
arms : a stork. Overhead is an elaborate canopy. The legend is
fragmentary.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 1234.)
12. Brother John, Bishop of LLandaff, also notifies by a
charter that after inspection of muniments, and hearing the
arguments of Hugh Everatrd, monk of Margam Abbey and
proctor of the same, he admits the title of the abbey to the
tithes of sheaves and hay in Rossoulyn, Pennuth upper and
lower, and Porthauoth, in obedience to certain apostolic letters in
this behalf.
Dated at Lank[arvan], iii id. Oct., 13 October, 1339.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 28 ; Clark, /. c, p. 1236.)
13. Willis also prints, somewhat imperfectly, another (a) record
from the Patent Rolls wherein the King inspects and confirms
(6) a confirmation charter of. John de Moubray, Lord of the
Honour of Brembre and Gower, inspecting {c) a charter of William
de Brewosa, Lord of Gower, inspecting {d) a charter of John de
Brewosa, his father, in which, at the petition of William [de
Brewys?], Bishop of LLandaff, he quitclaims to God and the
Church of Blessed Theliaius of LLandaff certain services due
from his men in the Vill of Bishopston in Gower. Witnesses
to {d) : Dom John, Abbot of Margam ; Maurice, Archdeacon
of LLandaff {b) The charter goes on to relate that whereas
Bishop John has complained that notwithstanding this con-
Bishop-Elect yohn of Coventry. 333
cession, his ministers have interfered with peaceable possession
of the Bishop in the said vill, he now quitclaims, ratifies, and
confirms the said grants.
The witnesses are to {b) : —
Sir John de Layburne, Knt. Sir John de Langeton, Knt.
Sir Richard de Peshale, Knt. John de la Bere.
Sir Roger de Weston, Knt. Richard Skurlake.
Sir Robert de Penres, Knt.
Dated at London, Saturday after St. Ambrose's day, 4 April,
14 Edw. Ill, 1340.
(a) Attested by T[homas of Evesham, Master of the Rolls,
Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, and] Gustos of the Realm, at
Andevere, or Andover, 10 October, 14 Edw. Ill, 1340.
(Roi. Pat., 14 Edw. Ill, Part 3, membr. 17; Willis, /. c,
p. 167 ; Clark, /. c, p. 1249. See p. 228 and Glark,
pp. 478 and 479, for the parts omitted by Willis.)
John of Coventry, Bishop-Elect.
On the death of Bishop John of Eglescliff, John of Coventry,
Archdeacon of Llandaff, was elected by the Chapter in the regular
manner. The election was, however, set aside by the Pope, and
John Paschal, or Pascall, Doctor of Divinity, a Carmelite of
Ipswich, and Suffragan Bishop of Norwich, with the titular desig-
nation of Bishop of Scutari in Asia Minor, was nominated by the
same supreme authority. But the new edition of the Registrum}
speaking of this Bishop, finds that the Bishop of Scutari, who, at a
later date, was a Suffragan of Norwich, is called Thomas ; and if
John was a Suffragan as early as 1340 (the date given by Bale^),
the name of his See is unknown. Hardy refers to the election of
John of Coventry, but the Registrum gives him no place at
LLandaff. There are no documents which can be placed in the
time of this Bishop-Elect, but he continued to be Archdeacon
during the time of Bishop John Paschal, as is shown in charters*
dated 13 July, 32 Edw. Ill, 1358; 8 November, 33 Edw. Ill, 1359;
and 14 May, 34 Edw. Ill, 1360.
No documents of importance to the memorials of LLandaff
during the time of John of Coventry appear to have been recorded.
I P. 196.
^ Scriptores, pp. 446, 447. Blomefield, Hist, of Norf., iv, 423.
' Clark, /. c, pp. 1300, 141 1, 1418.
334 Memorials of Llandaff.
Bishop John Paschal
is declared by Willis to have been the scion of " a genteel Family
in Suffolk," and that he was "brought up in the University of
Cambridge by William Bateman, Bishop of Norwich." He had
the reputation of being a very learned man. His nomination to
the See is dated 3 June, 1347 ; and the temporalities were restored
to him on 4 July in the same year. The date of his consecration
is not accurately known. It took place at Avignon.^
The Liber Landavensis? in its later additions, records the
consecration of Friar John Paschal of the Order of Mount St.
Mary of Carmel in the Roman Court in the time of Pope
Clement VI, 1344, and the annulling of the election of Archdeacon
John of Coventry by reason of a reservation made in the same
Court concerning the vacancy expected by the death of Friar John
of Eglesclif. Bishop John Paschal, coming from the Court of
Rome to England, was admitted by the Archbishop of Canterbury
on iii Non. Jun., 3 June, 1347, and died^ 11 October, 1361, at
LLandaff, where he was buried under a marble stone in St. Mary's
Chapel in the Cathedral.
Another authority, quoted by Willis, states that he died of
the plague in 1360. The same authority states that he was suc-
ceeded by John Goodrich, but this does not appear to be cor-
roborated.
In the time of the Bishop there is a record among the additions
to the Liber Landavensis entitled : —
The following matters were promulgated, published, and
declared in the time of Friar fohn Paschal of the Order
of Carmelites, Bishop of LLandaff, viz. : — -
Memorandum that on Tuesday next, after the Sunday on which
the office Quasimodo geniti is chanted (that is, the first Sunday after
Easter), in the year M". CCC°. L° . nij'o in full SYNOD celebrated
by Bishop Paschal, the said venerable father in the Cathedral
Church, with the consent and assent of the whole of the Clergy of
his Bishopric there and then assembled, among other matters
which were transacted on that occasion, put forward in writing a
certain ordinance and statute with the annexed sentence of excom-
munication in the following form : —
In the name of God, Amen. We, Friar John, by Divine per-
mission Bishop of LLandaff, with the counsel and consent of all
1 Registrum, p. 76. 2 Pp. 317, 344. 3 W\\X\%, p. 54.
bishops John Pascall^ Roger Cradoc. 335
our clergy, constitute and ordain that all and singular persons who,
of their own authority, invade or occupy houses, lands, meadows,
feedings, or any other temporalities or spiritualities whatsoever
belonging to our Church of LLandaff or any other church whatso-
ever ; or if they have taken leases thereof for any certain term
from the same churches or their representatives, or have received
them to farm or by way of security, or rashly presume to hold them
beyond the term assigned by the representatives of those churches
in such contracts, beyond or against the will of the said repre-
sentatives, or 10 occupy them, or to conceal the form of the said
contract, and also to usurp, embezzle, divert, or otherwise to inflict
injuries or harm to those churches in this respect ; and any who
give aid, counsel, or favour to such rashly presumptuous persons in
this respect, and those who knowingly buy or receive goods furtively
taken away from any whatsoever ecclesiastical locality of our
diocese, are exposed ipso facto by authority of this present SYNOD
to a sentence of greater excommunication, and we especially reserve
to ourselves the absolution of such persons.
{Liber Landavensis, ed. Evans, pp. 301, 302.)
Bishop John Pascal attests a charter of Edward Le Despenser,
Lord of Glamorgan and Morgan, inspecting grants to Margam
Abbey, 13 July, 32 Edw. Ill, 1358.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, I.e., pp. 1300, 1687.)
Bishop Roger Cradoc,
or Cradock, whom Evans^ calls Rogerius Cradoc, a Friar Minor,
provided at Avignon to be Bishop of Waterford, 3 March, 1350,
and Lismore, was provided or translated to Llandaff by a Bull of
Pope Innocent VI, dated 15 December, 1361. He made profession
of obedience to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Mayfield, ii kal.
Apr., 31 March, 1362.
Bishop Cradoc died about August, 1382.
No documents of the time of this Bishop appear to be extant,
although he occupied the See for upwards of twenty years. A
royal licence to elect a Bishop in his place was issued, 16 August,
1382, but it did not take effect.
There is the docket of a " Confirmation of the Bishop of LLan-
daff for the appropriating Newland Church." But it is not shown
> Pp. 303, 312.
33^ Memorials of Llandaff.
by Willis whether it belongs to the time of Bishop Cradoc or his
successor.
{Rot. Pat., 6 Ric. II, 22 June, 1382, to 21 June, 1383;
Willis, p. 174.)
Bishop Thomas Rushooke.
On the death of Bishop Cradoc, Thomas Rushooke, a Friar
Preacher, or Dominican Black Friar, S. T. P., was appointed to the
See of LLandaff by a Papal Bull dated xvij kal. Feb., 16 January,
1382/3. His election took place on the 2 April, and the temporali-
ties were restored to him on the same day. He professed his
obedience to the King at Otford, co. Kent, 10 April, and was
consecrated on 3 May, 1383, in the church of the Black Friars,
London, by Archbishop Courtenay, and the Bishops of Winchester,
Exeter, and Ely. In April, 1385, Bishop Thomas was translated
to the See of Chichester, and he died in 1388, or 1389.
During Bishop Thomas's tenure of the Bishopric of LLandaff,
the following are among the more important memorials relating to
the See : —
1. Royal Letters Patent were issued to the Bishop of LLandaff,
for having tithe of the iron mines in the parish of Newland in the
Forest of Dean.
{Rot. Pat., 7 Ric. II, 22 June, 1383, to 21 June, 1384;
Willis, p. 174.)
2. The Margam muniments contain the original MS. of a Bull
of Pope Urban VI, addressed to the Bishop of LLandaff, sanction-
ing the appropriation by the " Monastery of Blessed Mary of
Morgan" — i.e., Margam Abbey — which had somewhat impoverished
itself by its ceaseless hospitality, and become also seriously damaged
as to its flocks and herds by reason of encroachment and inundation
by sea, of pestilence by land and other calamities, of the right of
patronage of the parish church of AvEN, or Aberavon, which
belonged to Sir Edward Spenser, Knt., and had been given by him
to the abbey with the object of its being incorporated and annexed
thereto : provided that the abbot and convent increase the number
of monks by adding three to their number, and support three poor
persons and clothe them thrice yearly, reserving, however, from the
profits of that church a sufficient sum for support of a perpetual
vicar who is to be a secular clerk charged with the service therein.
Dated at Tibur or Tivoli, near Rome, xvi kal. Aug., 17 July,
sixth year of the Pontificate, 1383.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 1350.)
bishops Cradoc and Rushooke. 337
3. Connected with the above Bull are the Letters Patent of
King Richard II, setting forth the impoverishment of the abbey
and the grant of the advowson of the church of AvENE in the
demesne of Edward Le Despenser, late Lord of Glamorgan and
Morgan, for the purpose above-mentioned ; and granting the said
advowson to the abbey notwithstanding the contravention of the
Statute of Mortmain which prevented the grant from taking effect
without royal licence.
Dated at Eltham, in Kent, 28 October, 8 Ric. II, 1384, in
obedience to the King's letters sealed with the royal signet seal.
(Public Record Office, Rot. Pat., 8 Ric. II, Part i, membr.
9 ; Clark, /. c, p. 1358.)
4. Another original document preserved among the Margam
muniments was issued by Bishop Thomas, reciting Letters of Pope
Urban VI, wherein the Pope assents to a petition exhibited by
Bishop Roger [Cradoc], predecessor of the present Bishop, showing
the impoverished condition of Margam Abbey from the already
mentioned causes, and the dilapidated state of its buildings, for the
annexing and incorporation of the church of Penlyn, or Pentlyn,
etc., dated at Naples in the " major ecclesia Neapolitana," iii kal.
Mai., 29 April, seventh year of the pontificate, 1384: and incor-
porating and annexing the same in solemn form, dated at the
Royal Castle of Windsor, 22 January, 1384/5 Indiction VIII,
seventh year of Pope Urban's pontificate, in the presence of
Master Richard Suthbury and Master Roger Crok, Canons of
LLandaff, and Thomas Denys, "domicellus" ^ of the diocese of
Llandaff. This document is fortified and corroborated by the
formal attestation of Henry Northlode, clerk, public notary of the
diocese of Chichester, subscribed with his notarial symbol or mark.
The seal of Bishop Thomas is appended to this instrument, in
red wax, appended by a red cord. It is of pointed-oval shape
about three inches long and upwards of an inch and a half broad.
The design is an efifigy of St. Teilo, with jewelled mitre and
pastoral staff, lifting up the right hand in the act of benediction,
seated in a finely-carved niche with canopy overhead and taber-
nacle work at the sides. The inscription .... theleav indicates
the identification of the Saint. In the base part of the seal, under
a round-headed arch with carved mouldings, is an effigy of Bishop
Rushooke, with mitre and pastoral staff, kneeling in adoration of
' Domicellus ; canonicus, camerarius, nobiiior famulus, or urbis pragfectus ;
Ducange.
Z
338 Memorials of Llandaff.
the Patron Saint of the See, between two shields of arms ; dexter,
France, ancient, and England, quarterly ; sinister, diapered with
foliage, a pile, or other heraldic bearing, somewhat indistinct.
(Margam Charter; Clark, /. c, p. 1360.)
S- Robert de la More, Archdeacon of LLandaff, by a deed
still extant in the British Museum, certifies that the church of
AVEN has been formally appropriated to Margam Abbey; that
the incumbency of the said church was vacant by the spontaneous
resignation of it by Walter Lokyngton, clerk, rector of the said
church, into the hands of the Bishop of LLandaff; and that John,
Abbot of Margam, had taken possession thereof, in presence of a
large multitude, on Tuesday next after the Feast of the Purification
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, viz., 7 February, 1384/5, ringing the
bells in token of possession obtained, and receiving oblations.
Dated and performed in the parish church of Aven or Aberavon,
Glamorgan, 5 June, 1385. With the Archdeacon's seal appended.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 33 ; Clark, /. c, p. 1366.)
Bishop William of Bottesham,
Bottlesham, or Botosham, Sacrae Theologiae Doctor, a Dominican
or Preaching Friar, Episcopus Navatensis, possibly of Pavada of
Bethlehem! in 1385, translated to LLandaff in 1386 by papal
authority, had the temporalities restored to him in 21 August of
that year.
He was translated to the See of Rochester on an uncertain
date, but before July.in 1389. No memorials of his time as Bishop
of LLandaff have been recorded.
^ Regisirum, new Edit, p. 197.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
LATER BISHOPS {Continued), A.D. 1389 to 1496.
Bishop Edmund Bromfield,
or Brumfeild, called in the Liber Landavensis Friar Edmund of
Bury, or de Burgo, Sacre Theologie Doctor, a Benedictine monk
of the Abbey of Bury St. Edmund, succeeded on the cession of
William of Bottesham. Willis finds from Rymer's Foedera, that he
was abbot of the monastery of Silva major, in the diocese of
Bordeaux, and master of the divinity school in the Papal palace,
"a very learned man, tho' of a pragmatical Humour." He was
consecrated^ on 20 June, 1389, at St. Gregory's, Rome, by Cosmatus
Migliorati, Bishop of Bologna, I. Verensis episcopus, and Angelo
Correr, Bishop of Castello, afterwards Pope Gregory XII. The
temporalities were restored^ to him on 17 December in that year.
According to Hardy's Le Neve's Fasti he was abbot of Sauterre,
in the diocese of Bordeaux.
The death of this Bishop is variously recorded : by Willis, in
1 391 ; by the Registrum, in June, 1393. He was buried at LLandafif,
but Willis failed to ascertain the actual place in the cathedral.
No important memorial documents of the period of Bishop
Bromfield have been recorded.
Bishop Tideman of Winchcombe.
On the death of Bishop Edmund a cong^ d'ilire was issued on
5 July, 1393, in pursuance of which Tidemannus, or Tidmannus of
Winchcombe, originally a monk of Hales, co. Gloucester, Abbot of
Beaulieu, was elected. This Frater Tideman de Wynchecombe
was a Cistercian monk, and abbot of Savigny^ in the diocese
of Avranches, in 1391. His seal is preserved in Winchester
Cathedral Archives. The royal assent to his election is dated on
9 August, 1393; the assent in Parliament, February, 1393/4; and
the temporalities were restored to him on 3 July, 1394.
1 Reg. Sacr., p. 82. ^ Willis, p. 56.
3 See Birch, Catal. of Seals in Dept. of MSS., Brit. Miis., Vol. V,
No. 18866.
Z 2
340 Memorials of Llandaff.
On 25 January, 1394/5, Bishop Tideman was translated to the
See of Worcester. He died^ on 13 June, 1401.
No important records mark his period of tenure of this See.
Bishop Andrew Baret, or Barret.
The Liber Landavensis gives place in the lists to Master Andrew
Baret, Secretarius, Doctor Legum, and Utriusque juris Doctor,
prebendary of Milton Ecclesia in Lincoln Cathedral, to whom the
temporalities were restored 25 August, 1395, having been conse-
crated at Rome, where he occupied the office of Clericus Camerae
Apostolicae. No express date of the ceremony appears to have
been recorded, and no important memorials are noticed during his
short enjoyment of the dignity. He died^ in May, 1396.
Bishop John de Burghill,
or Bourghill, is described in the Liber Landavensis as Friar John
Burghulle, or Borchul, of the Order of Preaching or Dominican
Friars. He was the King's Confessor. By Papal provision he
was appointed to the See of LLandaff, 12 April,^ and consecrated
on a day subsequent to 10 July, 1396.
Bishop Burghill was translated to the See of Lichfield in 1398,
and died in May, 1414.
The Oaths of this Bishop J[ohn] de B[urghill] as Bishop and
Canon are preserved among the additions to the Liber Landavensis^
entitled : —
Form of the Oath of the Bishop of LLandaff according to the
custom of the Church in his first entry at the end of the
Western stair of the cemetery on the day of his enthrone-
ment.
I, J. de B., by Divine permissione Bishop of LLandaff, will both
maintain and defend the Church of LLandaff, the universal rights
and liberties thereof, to the best of my knowledge, ability, and
power, against all mortals, as often as need shall arise. And also I
will inviolably observe, as far as in me lies, the laudable customs and
statutes of the said Church of LLandaff, published and approved
of old time, and hitherto in use, as well concerning the state of the
said Church, as also of its Canons and the rest of the ministers, So
help me God and these Holy Gospels of God.
' Reg. Sacr., p. 82. Willis places the date of his death as 10 June, 1401.
2 Willis, p. 56. 3 Clark, ist Edit, iv, 305. * P. 306.
Bishop yohn de Burghill. 341
Form of the Oath of the same as Canon, to be taketi in the
Chapter House.
1, J. de B., although by Divine permission Bishop of LLandaff,
in so far, nevertheless, as Canon of the Church of LLandaff, faith-
fully promise that, so far as in me lies, I will inviolably observe all
the laudable customs of the Church of LLandaff approved by the
Bishop and Chapter, also the statutes made and hereafter to be
made concerning the state of the same Church, So help me God and
these Holy Gospels of God.
C Also that I will reveal to no one the especial counsels and
secrets of the Church and this Chapter of LLandaff to their hurt.
C Also that so far as I can advantageously I will both give
and supply faithful counsel and aid to the maintaining and sup-
porting of all the liberties of the Church of LLandaff, and of all
the goods temporal and spiritual belonging to the same.
{Lib. Land., ed. Evans, p. 306. _)
Among the records preserved at Margam in possession of Miss
Talbot is (i) the original deed of inspeximus by the Archdeacon
and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of LLandaff, dated in the
Chapter House, 17 May, 1397, of the confirmation by Bishop John
de Burghill to Margam Abbey of the appropriation of the parish
churches of Penthlyn, Avene, or Aberavon, and Langoneth,
dated at Kenefek, or Kenfig, 12 May, 1397, first year of his con-
secration. The seaP of the Cathedral Chapter is appended to this
muniment.
(Margam Charter; Clark, I.e., p. 1428.)
2. The formal document recording the terms of adjudication by
Bishop John de Burghill for the present repair of the chancel of the
parochial church of Kenfek', now "quasi eversum seu destructum
et ruina collapsum,' at the charges of the abbot and convent of
the monastery of Blessed Mary of Tewkesbury, Worcester diocese,
as being rector of the said church, and its future maintenance by
the vicars of the church, — the abbot and convent of Morgan, i.e.,
Margam, LLandaff diocese, being perpetual lessees of the same.
This decision was arrived at after John Tuder, vicar of Kenfek',
Roger Panter, proctor of Tewkesbury Abbey, and Henry Ware,
proctor of Margam Abbey, had argued the case before the Bishop.
Dated as to his confirmation, ratification, and approbation, in his
palace at LLandaff, 10 July, 1397, first year of his consecration.
1 Described in W. de G. Birch's Catalogue of Seals in the Department
of MSS., British Museum, No. 1890.
342 Memorials of Llandaff.
An impression of the seal of the officiality of LLandaff is appended
to the deed.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 143 1.)
Bishop Thomas Peverel,
or Peverell, S.T.P., is described in the Liber Landavensis as Friar
Tliomas Peverel ; he was a Carmelite or White Friar of Oxford,
Bishop of Ossory in 1397 ; and translated to LLandaff, of which
See he obtained the temporalities on 16 November, 1398. He
was again translated on 4 July, 1407, to the See of Worcester.
Bishop Peverel died 2 March, 1419. No memorials of the short
time during which he held the dignity of Bishop of LLandaff
have come to notice.
Bishop John de la Zouche,
a scion of the noble Glamorgan family of that name, and called
in the Liber Landavensis Friar John Zoche, or La Zouche, Sacrs
Theologise Doctor, of the Order of Minor Friars, succeeded Bishop
Peverel. He was nominated by the Pope, and the temporalities
were restored to him on 7 June 1408. The Registrum^ finds
that he was probably consecrated by Archbishop Thomas of
Arundel, 12 August in that year. His armorial bearings^ were
extant in Willis's day " in divers parts of the only Palace now
belonging to this See at Matherne near Chepstow in Monmouth-
shire which he for the most part edify'd."
This Bishop's death took place before April 1423, the royal
conge d'elire for election of his successor bearing date 28 of that
month. Among the principal memorials of this Bishop's period
are the following : —
I. The appropriation of the parish churches of Penthlyn, Avene,
and Langwneth to Margam Abbey does not appear to have been
altogether agreeable to the Bishop of LLandaff, who required proof
of the abbey's canonical title to certain tithes arising in the
parishes, and a reference of the dispute in this respect between
the Abbey and the See to the Roman Court led to the papal
appointment of Nicholas de Transaquis, Doctor of Decrees, Papal
Chaplain, and especially deputed Auditor of the Causes of the
Sacred Apostolic Palace, who recites in a formal deed the terms
of the commission given to him by Pope John XXIII to adjudicate
the matter between the contending parties Abbot John and Bishop
1 New Edit., p. 85.
■^ See the armorial seal of William La Zouche, Lord of Glamorgan, in
P)irch, Hist, of Margam Abbey, p. 301.
Bishop John de la Zouche. 343
John ; — notifies the appHcation made to him by Master John
Bloduel, clerk of the diocese of St. Asaph, proctor in the Roman
Court and of the Abbot and Convent of Margam to decide the
cause ; — proceeds to cite the Bishop and others to appear in Court
at Rome to defend the action ; — and causes Dominicus, notary
public and scribe hereof, to subscribe and publish this document,
and John de Thomariis of Bologna, Decret. Doct., co-auditor, to
append his seal in testimony thereof
Dated at Rome in the auditor's house " in regione Parionis,"
A.D 141 3, Indiction VI, Friday, 24th March, in or about the hour
of Vespers, third year of the pontificate of Pope John XXIII,
in presence of John Hessen de Weuer, notary public and scribe,
and Nicholas Vfhaoicz, clerk of the diocese of Patebria and Basle,
specially called on to witness. Attested by Dominicus Theuli,
canon of Benevento, public apostolic notary and scribe of the
said auditor Nicholas, and sealed with the seal of the said John
de Thomariis.
The seal still remains, in a fragmentary condition, appended
to the deed,
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 75 A. 3 ; Clark, /. c, p. 1470).
2. In the time of Bishop John de la Zouche, Royal Letters Patent
were issued notifying that in consideration of the sum of ten marks
paid by Father John the Bishop, Thomas [Orewell] the Archdeacon,
and the Chapter of LLandaff, into the hanaper, the King has
granted and given licence to the Abbot and Convent of Bek, in
Normandy, and to the Prior of Golclyve, in Wales [Monmouth-
shire], a cell of the said abbey, that they may give and grant the
advowson of Woody, now Undy, in Netherwent, in Wales [Mon-
mouthshire], Llandaff diocese, which has fallen into the hands of
the Crown by reason of the war with France, to the Bishop, Arch-
deacon and Chapter, and their successors for ever, to be appro-
priated thereto notwithstanding the provisions of the statute of
mortmain, subject to proper provision for the support of the
vicarage there and yearly distribution among the parishioners
according to the ordinance of the Diocesan and form of the statute
thereon published.
Attested by the King at Westminster, 19 May, 10 Hen. IV,
1409, by writ of Privy Seal.
(^Rot. Pat., 10 Hen. IV, Part 2, membr. 22 ; Willis, p. 171.)
3. The Archdeacon and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of
LLandaff, by deed dated in the Chapter-house on the morrow of
344 Memorials of Llandaff.
the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul (that is, on 30 June)
1417, inspected a charter of Bishop John, which they declared not
prejudicial to them, granting and confirming to Thomas Cooke
four acres of land in the episcopal manor of '' Lanke," in the
grantor's demesne lying between the demesne lands and a road
called Thucleue in breadth, and extending from the messuage
formerly belonging to Adam Raye to the road called Cherchewey
in length ; — also four acres of meadow whereof one acre and a half
lie between the meadow lately belonging to Llewelin Giffard on
the one side and that of John Henward the younger on the other
side, and extending in length from the meadow called Brodemede
to the common pasture called Crenemore ; and two acres and a
half of meadow whereof two in a close and half an acre on the one
side and a meadow called Schortmede, lately belonging to Llewelin
Giffard, on the other, and extending in length from a parcel of
pasture called Le Paroke as far as the meadows of Thomas Broun-
feld and John Haddeley, at a yearly rent to the Bishop and his
successors of four shillings at Michaelmas for the four acres of
land with suits of courts and heriots. Dated at the manor of
"Llanwke," on Monday next after the Feast of the Purification of
Blessed Mary (that is, on 8 February), 1 416/7, ninth year of the
grantor's consecration, 4 Hen. V.
With the Chapter seal appended.
(Clark, /. c, p. 1479, from the Fonmon MS.)
4. An original deed, somewhat similar in character to that pro-
mulgated by the Papal Auditor, Nicholaus de Transaquis, already
noticed,^ was directed by John de Oppiczis, Decret. Doct, Papal
Chaplain, and especially deputed Auditor of the Causes of the Sacred
Apostolic Palace, to all the abbots, priors, and other ecclesiastical
personages throughout the city and diocese of LLandaff, reciting
the actual text of a commission or supplication delivered to him
by messenger of Pope Martin V (ii November, 1417, to 20/1
February, 143 1), wherein are set forth the papal instructions to him
to formally cite, on behalf of William Meuruck, Abbot, and the
Convent of Margam — appealing against monitions and citations
issued by Bishop John at the instance of the canons and vicars of
LLandaff Cathedral against Thomas Watkyn, farmer of the grange
or manor of MOREGRAUNGE^ belonging to the abbey, concerning
' P. 342.
^ Moregrange is now known as Grange-Town, practically part of Cardiff,
S.W. of the city, formerly a farm and homestead on the moor between the
rivers Ely and Taff.
'Bishop-Elect John Fulford. 345
its tithes, and against David Apadam and John Ely, chaplains of
the said diocese — the said bishop, canons, and vicars to attend and
defend the cause, which he is to hear and determine.
Dated at Rome in the house of the said auditor, A.D. 1423,
Indiction I, Tuesday, 13 April, sixth year of the pontificate of
Pope Martin V, in presence of John Helling and Thomas Rode,
proctors in the Roman Court, especially called on to witness
Attested by John Reborgelli, clerk of the diocese of Lu^on
(Lucionensis), public Apostolic and Imperial notary and scribe of
the said auditor, John de Oppizis, and sealed with his seal and that
of the said John, which is still appended to the document.
(Margam Charter; Clark, /. c, p. 1501.)
John Fulford, Bishop-Elect.
5. At this point of the history of the See Willis mentions that on
28 April, 1423, a conge d'elire, preserved among the Patent Rolls,
was granted to the Chapter to proceed to a new election, and on
2 May of that year John Fulford, S. T. P., was therefore elected, and
the King gave assent^ thereto on the 12 May, then next following.
On that day letters were directed from the King to the Pope
informing him thereof, but the election not meeting with Papal
approbation, John Fulford, Bishop-Elect, was not consecrated, and
in continuation of the annals of the See, as a formal consequence
resulting on the death of Bishop John de la Zouche, a royal grant
of the temporalities of the See was made to Philip Lowys, Chan-
cellor of LLandaff, and John Davy, Canon, for one year if the
vacancy of the See so long should continue, charged with main-
tenance of the houses, building, and other burdens belonging
thereto.
Attested by the King at Westminster, 20 July, 2 Hen. VI, 1424,
by writ of Privy Seal.
{Pat. Rot., 2 Hen. VI, P. 3, m. 9 ; Brit. Mus., MS. Sloan.
4604, fol. 44; Clark, /. c, p. 15 12).
6. This grant was extended to a second year's tenure by the
abovesaid Philip Lowes and John David (their names slightly
varying in spelling), subject to the same charges as before.
Attested by the King at Westminster, 10 July, 3 Hen. VI, 1425,
by writ of Privy Seal.
{Pat. Rot., 3 Hen. VI, P. 2, m. 9 ; Brit. Mus., MS. Sloan.
4604, fol. 145 ; Clark, /. c, p. 1525.)
1 Willis, p. 58, gives the text of the assent.
346 Memorials of Llandaff.
Bishop John Welles,
called by Willis John Wells, and in the Liber Landavensis Friar
John Wellys, a Minor Friar, Sacrae Theologiae Doctor or Professor,
was provided to the See of LLandaff by Pope Martin V on
vii Id. Jul, 9 July, 1425, according to Hardy's edition of Le Neve's
Fasti, although Willis, following Godwin, places the Bishop's
admission '' about Christmas, the same year as Bishop Zouche
dy'd." The new edition of the Registrum stated that the conse-
cration of John Wells to the See of LLandaff took place in 1425,
without giving a more precise date, and adds that he held the office
of Pope's Penitentiary. Willis, relying on the Patent Rolls of
4 Hen. VI, states that he did not succeed until July 1425, and
that he was not instituted until the See had become vacant by
the death of John Fulford — the Bishop-Elect already mentioned —
after which, on 15 January, he made his Profession of canonical
obedience to the Archbishop of Canterbury, on which same day
Royal Letters Patent for the restitution of the temporalities to
him were directed to the King's Escheators in cos. Derby, Middle-
sex, Stafford, Hereford, Salop, and Gloucester, and the severally
adjacent Marches of Wales of the last three counties. In this
document the King publicly declares that he has accepted the
fealty of, and hereby granted the restitution of the temporahties
to, his beloved John Welles, "insomuch as the same Bishop has
in the royal presence openly and expressly renounced all and
singular the words prejudicial to us and our crown contained in
the Bull directed to us providing the said bishop."
Attested by the King at Westminster, 15 Jan. 1426, by writ of
Privy Seal.
{Rot. Pat, 4 Hen. VI, p. i, m. 12 ; Brit. Mus., MS. Sloan.
4604, fol. 202 ; Clark, I.e., p. 1526.)
The list of Bishops in the Liber Landavensis, p. 311, closes here ;
another list in the same MS., p. 303, carries the names down to
Bishop Feild.
Robert Walsh, armiger or esquire, by his testament in the
Probate Court of Canterbury, Register Laffenham, fol. 8, dated
6 May, 1427, proved before Master J. Lyddefeld, commissary,
l8 May of the same year, with administration committed to
Master John Penthlyne and Dom Thomas Standich, Rector of
Langeryge, two of the executors thereof, bequeathed to the fabric
of the Cathedral Church of LLandaff the sum of vjj. v\\\d. This
testator bequeathed his body to be buried in the chancel of the
Bishop John Welles. 347
parish church of Langryga, Langruge, or Langridge, co. Somerset,
opposite the high altar, and probably was a prominent parishioner
of that place, but also connected with Glamorgan, because his
bequests include x/?. to two chaplains for celebrating services for
one year for his soul's health in Landough Church, xxj. to the
Rector of Landough for forgotten tithes, vji'. VvL]d. each to
the Rectors of Langan and Seintanthan, xb. to Landough
Church, etc.
(Clark, I.e., p. 1530.)
Mr. Clark's new Edition of the Cartes de Glamorgan contains
two curious documents found among the " Ancient Deeds " in the
Public Record Office, C. 1496 and C. 1493, consisting of (i) the
defeasance of a bond whereby William Beuereche, citizen and
grocer of London, and William Wade, chaplain, are bound in the
sum of twenty marks to Master David Lewes, rector of the
church of St. Fagan, Glamorgan, and to William Cantellowe,
citizen and mercer of London, the condition of which is that
Master Thomas Ruggele, clerk, prebendary of the prebend of
Farrewater in Llandaff Cathedral, is to resign his prebend to the
said David for an annuity of ten marks, payable at Michaelmas
in the church of St. Leonard of Estchepe in London ; but as the
said Thomas has received twenty marks— two years' annuity —
beforehand from the said David, if he die before the completion
of the two years the said Beuereche and Wade are to repay to
the said William and David a proper proportion of that money.
Dated 23 September, 1429, 8 Hen. VI ; — and (ii) the defeasance
of a bond of the said David Lewes, William Baslak, chaplain,
and John Button of the "town of Gymyn,^ in the county of Cardyff,"
gentleman, to the said Ruggele, Beuereche, and Wade, in the sum
of twenty marks, if the death of the said Ruggele take place before
Michaelmas, 1480. Date as before.
(Clark, CartcB, I. c, pp. 15 39, 1S40O
The condition of affairs here recorded appears to have reference
to an almost simoniacal transaction, and is probably quite contrary
to the present custom in the Church.
The Archdeacon and Chapter recited and ratified in the
Chapter-house on 3 December, 1432, as in no way to their
prejudice, the lease by Bishop John Welles of the manor of Nasch,
or Parva Fraxino, Little Nash, co. Glamorgan, to Howel Carne, for
fifty years, at a yearly rent of thirty shillings at Michaelmas.
1 Now called " The Kymin " in Penarth, Cardiff, close to the sea.
34^ Memorials of Llandaff.
Witnessed by David, Ludovicus or Louis, and Robert Mathew.i
Dated in our Palace^ of LLandaff, Michaelmas day, 1432, tenth
year of his consecration.
(Clark, /. c, p. 1550, from the Carne MS.)
This manor, as will be seen further on, eventually passed from
the possession of the See to the family of Carne of Glamorgan.
Bishop Nicholas Ashby.
On the death of Bishop Welles, which happened at the begin-
ning of November, 1440,^ or "about* All-Hallbw-tide," 1440, a
congS d'elire issued on 17 November, 1440.
The Archdeacon and Chapter, by letter of 28 February, 1440/1,
reported the death of Bishop Welles to the King, postulating in his
stead Nicholas Assheby, or Ashby, Prior of Westminster Abbey,
and desiring the royal assent thereto. But the Pope had already
provided the same to the vacant See by Bull dated xiii kal. Mart,
17^ February, 1440/1 ; and his consecration took place in that
year, as recorded in the Registrum without precise date. His
profession of canonical obedience to the Archbishop of Canterbury
is dated 24 May in the Register of Archbishop Chicheley, and that
date may be assumed to be very close to the date of the consecra-
tion. The temporalities were restored to him on 15 April, follow-
ing the papal provision, 1441.
The death of Bishop Ashby took place in August, 1458. The
following are the more important memorials of LLandaff during his
tenure of the See :—
I. A formal deed of Inspeximus by Robert Thomas, Vicar-
General in Spirituals in the City and Diocese of LLandaff and
Warden thereof during the absence of Bishop Nicholas from his
diocese, dated at LLandaff, i December, 1403, by error for 1443,
accepting and approving letters, herein set out at length, addressed
to him by Dqm John ap David ap Grono Knaytho, Rural Dean
of Grouneth, and commissary specially deputed by him in respect
of the present matter, reciting (i) the mandate of the said Vicar-
General to him to summon a jury of twenty-four of the elder law-
' Sons of Mathew ap Evan ap Griffith Gethyn of LLandaff, and the first of
that well-known family who used a surname. Sir David, Standard-bearer
of England under King Edward IV, has a noble tomb at LLandaff. — Clark, /. c,
p. 1552.
2 Of this Palace only the strong gateway and a contiguous fragment of wall
now remain. — Clark, /. c, p. 1609, n.
3 Willis, p. 59. * Hardy. ^ peb. 18, Willis.
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'Bishops Nich. Ashby and Joh. Hunden. 349
worthy laymen of the parish of Llanguneth, or LLangonoyd, and
other adjacent parishes, and other ecclesiastics, to make inquest as
to the parochial boundaries of Llanguneth and Kenfek, and as
to the tithes and altarages due to the vicarage of LLanguneth ;
dated at LLandaff, Friday, 29 July, 1443 ;— and (ii) notifying that
on Tuesday, 10 September, 1443, in obedience to the said mandate,
he had summoned to the chapel of St. Cross at Coubrugge, or
Cowbridge, a full jury of ecclesiastics and laymen — all names being
given in full — who on their oath find that all the altarages and
tithes contained between the water of Avan and the water of
Kenfeg, including the said waters as they go down into the sea,
have been paid to the monastery of Margam from time im-
memorial ; and that the boundaries of the said parish [of LLan-
guneth] extend from the water of Avena to the water of Kenfeg,
as above expressed, in accordance with the form and effect of the
charter of Robert, the King's son, first founder of the said monas-
tery. Dated as the above mandate.
(Margam Charter; Clark, /. r., p. 1594.)
2. Bishop Nicholas, by sealed deed, leased to Howel Carne
above-mentioned the manor of " Parva Ffraxino, alias Lytell Nash,"
for a term of sixty years at a yearly rent of thirty shillings at
Michaelmas.
Dated at LLandaff Palace, 10 July, 1448, 26 Hen. VI, seventh
year of his consecration, and witnessed by David, Ludowicus, and
Thomas ap Robert, Mathewe, with others.
(Clark, /. c, p. 1608, from the Carne MS.)
3. Two days later the above lease was inspected, approved,
ratified, and confirmed by the Archdeacon and Chapter of LLandaff
as being in no way prejudicial to them or their successors. Dated
in the Chapter-house of LLandaff, 12 July, 1448.
(Clark, /. c, p. 1609, from the Carne MS.)
Bishop John Hunden.
After the death of Bishop Ashby the Liber Landavensis records
as his successor John Houden,^ preacher, i.e., Preaching Friar or
Dominican, and Sacrse Theologiae Doctor, Prior of King's Langley,
in Hertfordshire, appointed by Papal provision some time after
8 May, 1458. The place and date of his consecration have not
been ascertained, but the new edition of the Registrum finds that
^ Error for Honden, p. 304.
350 Memorials of Llandaff.
the fees for it were paid at Rome on 21 June, 1458. The tempo-
ralities were restored to him on 25 August, 1458. He resigned the
See about June, 1476.
In October, 1473, the Abbot and Convent of St. James, North-
ampton, presented him to the rectory of Little Gaddesden, co.
Hertford, which he held until 1480, when he resigned it, as is said,
on account of his great age. It is believed that he died at
Langley.
By an original document at Margam, Bishop Hunden instituted
Dom Rodricus to the perpetual vicarage of the parish church of
St. Mary of Avene, or Aberavon, to which he had been presented
by Thomas, Abbot of Margam. This presentation followed from
the appropriation of the living to the abbey as already mentioned.^
Dated at Bristol, 20 April, 1460, second year of the Bishop's
consecration.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 1645.)
Among tlie collections of the late Mr. G. G. Francis of Neath
is an old translation by John Stradlynge, certified by Sir Edward
Stradlinge, Knt., on 6 November 39 Eliz. 1597, of a sealed decree
by Bishop John recording that David Tew, farmer to the Prior of
Ewenny and rector of the parish church or chapel of Langynor,
and the parishioners of the said church had brought a dispute
between them before the Bishop sitting judicially in the church
of Ewenny Convent on 8 May, 1466, and an enquiry had been
made by the Bishop's orders by " twelve men of the eldest and
best of credit within the said parish " to ascertain the custom
immemorial in regard to the levying of the tithes there ; and
these depose an oath that they find the parishioners were wont
to pay to the said Prior : — ■
" For every calfe one halfe penny.
The tenth sheaffe of corne.
The tenth lambe.
The tenth fleece of wool!.
The tenth cheese in five monethes of the yeare onely.
The third pigge although they had no more but three, and
yf they had twenty they affirm e that they ought to pay
one.
Kiddes and geese in like manner.
An horse colt one penny.
A mare colt an halfe penny.
1 Pp. 336-338-
Bishops John Smith and "John Marshall. 3 5 i
Of honey the tenth penny.
Of a woman's dowire for every keueue (? cow) two pence.
For hey according to the quantity of the tenement and acres
of meadowe."
The Prior agrees to accept these terms, and the Bishop orders
the parishioners to adhere to these payments henceforth on pain
of excommunication for refusal.
Attested by Master David ap Ricl^erd, LL.B., Sir John ap
Howell, public notary, and Thomas Brampston, M.A., commissary.
(Clark /. c, p. 1672.)
Bishop John Smith.
The Liber Landavensis records John Smyth, S. T. P., Doctor
of Theology, to be the successor of Bishop Hunden. He was
appointed by the Pope, and obtained licence for consecration on
17 July, 1476, without being compelled to go to Canterbury for
that purpose. The actual date of this ceremony is not known.
The temporalities were restored to him on 1 1 September in that
year.
Bishop Smith died iv kal. Febr., 29 January, 1477/8, and was
buried on the N. side of the High Altar in the chapel of All Saints
in Christ Church,' London, which is annexed^ to the church of
the Friars Minor, London.
Bishop Smith decreed, in a sealed charter still extant at
Margam, an exemption in favour of the Margam tenants of the
parish of Langonyth, from a contribution towards the assessment
levied on that parish consequent on the escape of Jevan Glas, a
felon, who had taken refuge on the church steps. The parishioners,
according to the manner and custom of the country, were bound
to watch and ward him for forty days under penalty of one hundred
shillings, but the sanctuaried culprit eluded them.
Dated at LLandaff, 5 July, 1477, first year of the Bishop's
consecration.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 1711.)
Bishop John Marshal.
The next prelate of LLandaff was John Marshal, or Marshall,
Doctor of Theology, formerly Fellow of Merton College, Oxford,
afterwards of Eaton, or Eton, and Canon of Windsor. No date of
appointment is recorded ; he was consecrated^ on 6 September,
1478, and the temporalities were restored to him on 18 September
1 Willis, p. 60. ' Hardy. = Willis, p. 60.
352 Memorials of Llandaff.
in the same year. But the Liber Landavensis records that he was
consecrated in 1479.
Willis^ gives a detailed account of the ornamental work done in
the cathedral in his time, and describes his tomb in the choir.
The Bishop died in 1496.
Among the more important memorials of Llandaff which
belong to the line of Bishop John, is a charter of King Richard III
as " Lord of Glamorgan and Morgan in the parts of Wales,"
addressed to the Bishop and sealed with the King's signet manual
(missing) and also with the seal of his Chancery of Kaerdiff still
appended, though imperfect, to the original document preserved
among the Carne manuscripts. By this deed the King records
that the burgesses and tenants of his vill, or borough, of Kowbrygge
or Cowbridge, intend to provide a chaplain in the church or chapel
of Holy Cross there, to perform the services of the church, and
desire him to order the support of the same to be derived from the
tithes and offerings of the inhabitants, wherefore, assenting to
their wishes, he commands the Bishop to give immediate attention
and favour to the matter, and to put this, his royal command, into
effect.
Dated at Cardiff, 27 February, i Ric. Ill, 1484.
(Clark, /. c, p. 1723, from the Carne MS., with illustra-
tions of the Chancery Seal.)
Some account of the sentence difinitive pronounced by William
Morgan, LL.D., official of Bishop John, whereby the Villani, or
burgesses, of Kenfig are commanded to use the new church at Pyle
as their parish church, 12 August, 1485, will be given under the
date of the Royal Inspeximus of 27 April, 1540.
^ Pp. 19, 20, 6[.
CHAPTER XXXV.
LATER BISHOPS {Continued), a.d. 1496 TO 1574-
Bishop John Ingleby,
called in the Liber Landavensis John Yngilby, next succeeded to the
See of LLandaff, he was a Monk of the Carthusian Order, formerly
Prior of Sheyn, or Shene, in co. Surrey. The temporalities were
restored to him, according to Willis, on 2 September, 1496 ; and
the licence is dated 6 September, for his consecration elsewhere
than at Canterbury, which took place in England, and is marked
(?) 1 1 September of that year, in the new edition of the Registrum.
He died in 1499, probably in November, but certainly at some
time later than 5 July, on which day he executed a lease of the
episcopal manor of Parva Fraxino, alias Lytell Nassh, to Howel
Carne, for the term of ninety years, at the yearly rent of thirty
shillings as before.^ Dated at LLandaff, 5 July, 1499, the third
year of his consecration. This document was inspected, approved,
ratified, and confirmed, as being in no wise prejudicial to them and
their successors, by the Archdeacon and Chapter of LLandaff, on
the following day. Mr. G. T. Clark remarks on this lease that
" Carne has evidently pushed for a long term in the hope of con-
verting his leasehold into a freehold."
(Clark, /. c, p. 1758, from the Carne MS.)
Bishop Miles Salley,
called also in the Liber Landavensis Sawley, a Benedictine monk,
formerly Almoner of Abingdon Abbey and there professed, and
afterwards Abbot of Eynesham, co. Oxon., in 1498 (which office
he held in commendam), obtained licences of consecration on 10
and 13 March, 1499/1500 ; was consecrated by John Morton,
Archbishop of Canterbury, on 26 April, 1 500 ; and received the
temporalities on 12 May, in that year. He died in 15 16. The
precise day of his death has not been recorded, but Willis states^
that "A.Wood says he departed this life in Sept., 1516, tho' I
rather conceive it was in November or December, and so my
' See p. 349. ^ P. 62.
A A
354 Memorials of Llandaff.
Accounts place it." The spiritualities of the See were taken after
the Bishop's death into the hands of the Archbishop, 7 January,
1516/7.
The following memorials appertain to the period of Bishop
Miles :—
Sir David Williams, rector of the parish church of St. John
Baptist of Newton Nottage, co. Glamorgan, bequeathed by his will
dated 16 February, 1504/5, proved before William Philip and John
Spenser, Commissaries of Gronyth to Bishop Miles Sawley, on
29 February, in the same year, " to the fabric of the Cathedral
Church of LLandafif two shillings.''
{ArchcBol. Cambr., new Sen, iv, 179 ; Clark, /. c, p. 2385.)
Bishop Salley consecrated^ John, "Episcopus Aviensis," on
5 December, 15 12, under a commission dated 4 December, directed
to him by William Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury.
The will of Bishop Miles Sawley which Willis^ quotes from
Leland's Collectanea^ does not entirely agree with that form of
it which is contained among the Lansdowne manuscripts in the
British Museum, marked " Ex Registro vocato Holder." The
Lansdowne text is as follows : —
" Testamentum Domini Milonis Landavensis Episcopi.
" In Dei nomine Amen. The xxixth day of November in the
yere of our Lord God MDXVI . I Myles by the grace of God
bysshop of LLandaff beyng of hole mynde and in good memorye
laude be unto Almyghty God make and ordeyne this my present
testament . My bodye to be buryed in the north syde of Our
Lady Chapell before the image of Seynt Andrew at the Gaunts
of BristoU , my herte and my bowells to be buried at the hygh
aulter in the Church of Marthern before Seynt Theodorycke . I
give to the Church of Marthern xx lib . , to my Cathedral Church
of LLandaff my myter and staffes . I wyll that my wryten bokes
in parchment and my bokes of Hugo de Vienna be delyvered to
Ensham."
The will was proved at Lamehith, or Lambeth, on 22 January
1516/7.
(Brit. Mus., Lansdowne MS. 949, fol. 19 d ; Clark, /. c,
p. 2388.)
1 Registrwn, p. 97, from Warham's Register.
' P- 61. 3 Vol. VI, p. 194.
bishop George of Athegua. 355
In this document the " Gaunts of Bristoll " are synonymous
with Gaunt's Hospital, also called Billeswyke hospital, founded by
Maurice de Gaunt in 1229, Willis identifies them with St. Mark's
Church, Bristol. Martherne is now Matherri at the union of the
rivers Severn and Wye, and the Bishop's palace here was called
Monk's Court, and so used until the beginning of the eighteenth
century. Hugo of Vienna, otherwise known^ as Hugo de S. Caro,
Hugues de St. Cher {ob. 1264), whose writings were considered
sufficiently valuable to be bequeathed herein to the Benedictine
Abbey of Eynsham or Egnesham, co. Oxon., was a favourite
author of classic church literature in the Middle Ages.
Bishop Salley is stated to have improved the Palace at
Matherne by building the chapel, hall, dining room and kitchen.
Willis adds that " he appointed a solemn Mass and DiRiGE to be
kept for his soul," but this is not indicated in the above copy of
the Will.
Bishop George of Athegua, or Athequa,
called also George of Attica, and Atigua, Professor of Theology,
of the Order of Preaching or Black Friars, a Spanish Dominican,
Chaplain to Queen Catherine of Aragon whom he accompanied
from Spain to England, was provided to LLandaff by Pope
Leo X, on iii Id. Feb., 11 February, 15 16/7. On the 8 March in
the same year he was consecrated at Blackfriars by Charles Booth,
Bishop of Hereford, John Young, Bishop of Gallipoli (and Suf-
fragan Bishop of London), and Francis " Episeopus Castoriensis."
The temporalities were restored to him on 23- or 27^ April, 15 17.
Willis finds that he took part in the proceedings of Convocation
in 1531. Bishop George resigned his Bishopric in February, 1536/7,
a prudent step in all probability, as his preaching was not
altogether grateful to the Court of King Henry VIII, if we may
judge from the letter addressed to him in 1537 by Thomas
Crumwell, described lower down. A conge d'e'ltre was issued
to elect a Bishop in his stead, 2 March, 1536/7.
Among important memorials of LLandaff during the time
of this Bishop the following must be mentioned : —
I. Bishop George converted the ninety years' lease of the
Manor of Litell Nasshe to Howel Carne into a freehold, or
perpetual lease, subject to a yearly rent of thirty-one shillings
' See Hisi. Lit. de France, xix, 38. He assisted in the Dominican revision
of the text of the Vulgate. 2 Willis. ^ Hardy.
A A 2
356 Memorials of Llandaff.
payable at Michaelmas, by deed dated at Richemownt, or Rich-
mond, in his ospicium, probably attached to Hampton Court
Palace, where he would be in attendance on the Court on
II December, 1521, in the fifth year of his consecration. The
fine which he no doubt received for thus alienating a Manor from
the See has not been recorded.
(Clark, /. c, p. 1823 ; from the Came MS.)
2. This grant was formally inspected, approved, ratified, and
confirmed by the Archdeacon and Chapter of LLandaff as being
in no wise prejudicial to them and their successors. Dated in the
Chapter-house of LLandaff, 7 January, 1521/2.
(Clark, /. c, p. 1823 ; from the Carne MS.)
3. Notice of the formal acceptance by John Vaughan, LL.D.,
visitor in the parts of Wales for the Vicar-General of King
Henry VHI, of the sentence whereby the burgesses of Kenfig are
commanded to use the new church at Pyle as their parish church,
dated 3 May, 1536, will be given under the notice of the Royal
Inspeximus in the year 1540.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 1916.)
4. A letter from Thomas Crumwell, Vicar-General and after-
wards Earl of Essex, to Bishop George warning him about his
preaching, which appears to have been charged with " over manney
nouelties " at a time of religious upheaval, is still extant in the
Cottonian Library of the British Museum. It is dated 7 January,
without year, but most probably 1537. The Bishop resigned his
See in February of that year, not improbably unmindful of the
coming innovations destined to cast the Christianity of England
in a new mould, and taking the veiled threat contained in the
epistle to heart, grown desirous of securing his safety by a judicious
retreat from a dangerous position. No excuse is needed for repro-
ducing this remarkable letter, which is a pattern of political writing,
revealing the hand of steel in the glove of velvet, and throwing an
instructive light on the troubled times of the reformation.
" After my rieght hartey commendations to yo"" lordshipp , ye
shall herwt receive the Kinges hiegnes lettres addressed vnto you
to put you in remembraunce of his hieghnes travaelles and yof
dieutey tochinge orde to be taken for preachinge to thintente the
people male be taught the truthe , and yet not charged at the
bcgynnynge w' over manney nouelties , the publication wherof
onles the same be tempered and quallifyed w' moche wisdome doo
rather brede contention deuision and contrarietey in opinion in the
bishop Robert Holegate. 357
unlerned multitude , then either edifie , or remove from them and
oute of their hartes , suche abuses as by the corrupte and vnsauery
teaching of the bishoppe of Rome and his disciples haue crept in
the same , theffecte of whiche lettres , albeit I doubte not but aswell
for the honestie of the matter as for yo"^ oune discharge ye will so
considre ande put in execution , as shalbe to his graicis satisfactione
in that behaulf , yet fforasmoche as it hathe pleased his maiestie
tappointe and constitute me in the Rome and place of his supreme
and principall mynistre in all matiers that male toche aney thinge
his clergie , or their doinges , I thought it allso my parte for the
exoneracion of my dieutey towardes his hieghnes and the rather to
aunswer to his graces expectacion opinion and truste conceived in
me and in that amonges other committed to my fidellitee , to
desire and praie you in suche substaunciall sorte and manner to
travell in thexecution of the contentes of his graces saied lettres ,
nameli for advoidinge of contrarietie in preachinge of the pronun-
ciation of novellties withoute wise and discrite qualification , and
the repression of the temerite of those that eyther prively or
apertly directly or indirectli wold advaunce the pretendyd autho-
ritie of the Bishop of Rome , As I be nott for my discharge bothe
enforced to complaine further , and to declare what I have nowe
written vnto you for that purpose and soo to charge you with your
oune faulte and to deuise suche remedy for the same as shall
apperteigne , desiringe yo^ lordship taccepte my meanynge herin ,
tending onli to an honest freendli and Christen reformation for
advoidinge of further inconvenience , and to thinke none vnkind-
nes thoughe in this matier wherin it is all mooste moore then
tyme to speake , I write frankli compelled and enforced therunto
bothe in respecte of my private dieutie, and otherwise for my
discharge forasmuche as it pleasithe his maiestie to vse me in the
lieu of a counsaillor , whose office is as an eye to the prince to
forsee and in tyme to prouyde remedy for suche abuses enormyties
and inconveniences as myeght elles wyth a litle sufferaunce en-
gendre moore yvell in his publique weale , then could be after
redoubb'd w' moche labor study diligence and travaille . And thus
most hartely fare you well, ffrom the Roulles the vij th of January.
" Yo'' lordshippis ffreend
"Thomas Crumwell."
(Brit. Mus., Cotton MS., Cleopatra E. iv, fol. 8 ; Clark,
/. c, p. 1902.)
Bishop Robert Halegate, or Holdegate,
otherwise called Robert Holgate, Sacrae Theologije Doctor, Master
of the Order of St. Gilbert (of Sempringham, co. Lincoln), and
afterwards President of the Royal Council of the North of England,
was consecrated in the Lady Chapel, Blackfriars, London, on
25 March, 1537, by John Hilsey, Bishop of Rochester, Robert
Parfew, Bishop of St. Asaph, and Nicholas Shaxton, Bishop of
35^ Memorials of Llandaff.
Salisbury ; and installed Bishop of LLandaff on the Eve of Trinity
Sunday, 1537. He was Prior of Watton, in Yorkshire. Being
active in furthering the King's measures, he was designated to the
See on 25 March, 1537, and the royal assent was given thereto on
29 March following. He held the Priory in commendam until 1540,^
and in 1544,^ or 1545,^ was translated to the Archbishopric of York,
which he held until Queen Mary's accession, when he was deprived
1554 and imprisoned. Licence to elect a Bishop in his room was
issued on 2 March, 1544/5. The Bishop died in 1556, and the
probate of his will* is dated 4 December in that year.
Kenfig Town and Church, now by this time ruined by the
encroachment of the sand blown over the beach between the tides
by the southerly winds of centuries, is probably the original
motive of (i) the Royal Inspeximus, dated 27 April, 31 for 32
Hen. Vni, 1540, of (2) a deed exhibited by the Villani or
inhabitants of Pyle, in the Court of the Augmentations of the
Revenues of the Crown, in Easter Term, 6 April, 31 Hen. VIH,
1540, bearing the seal of John Vaughan, LL.D., Visitor in the
parts of Wales for Thomas, Lord "Crumewell," Vicar-General in
Spirituals, wherein is set forth the ancient contention between the
Villani of Pyle, plaintiffs, and the Burgesses of Kinfig, defendants,
and (3) the text of the ratification, approbation, and confirmation
by William Morgan, LL.D., official of John, Bishop of LLandaff,
of (4) the sentence diffinitive pronounced in a Consistory Court held
at Margam, 12 August, 1485 ; which said ratification (3) is dated
in the Church of Holy Cross, Kowbridge, 23 May, 1536. This
sentence declares that the Villani of Pyle have proved their case,
and it is thereby directed that all and singular the burgesses of
Kynfig are to attend the church of Pyle, newly dedicated, and
accept it as their church under such penalty as the law directs.
(Margam Charter ; Clark, /. c, p. 191 5.)
By the deed which follows. Bishop Robert appointed Sir
William FitzWilliam, ist Earl of Southampton, to be steward of
the Manor of Watton, 18 July, 32 Hen. VHI, 1540 :—
Omnibus Christi Fidelibus ad quos hoc presens scriptum meum
pervenerit ego ROBERTUS Halegate Episcopus Landavensis
salutem.
Sciatis me prefatum Episcopum concessisse et hoc presenti
scripto meo confirmasse Willelmo Fitzwilliam militi Comiti South-
^ Dugdale, Mon. Angl. (,new Edit.), vol. vi, p. 954.
''■ Willis, p. 63. 3 Registru7n, p. 100. ^ Willis, p. 63.
'Bishop Robert Ho legate. 359
amptonie ac domino sigilli privati Officium Senescalli et Senes-
calliae manerij mei de Watton in Comitatu Eboracensi ac
omnium et singulorum maneriorum terrarum tenementorum et
aliorum possessionum et hereditamentorum meorum quorumcunque
in dicto Comitatu Eboracensi seu alibi que nuper Monasterio de
Watton in Comitatu predicto modo dissolute nuper pertinent sive
spectant . ac predictum Willelmum Comitem Southamptonie
Capitalem Senescallum omnium et singulorum Maneriorum Terra-
rum et ceterorum premissorum per presentes ordino facio et
constituo . Excepto tamen et reservato miciii prefato Roberto
Episcopo nominacionem et assignacionem officium (sic) Subsenes-
calli sive Clerici Curie omnium et singulorum premissorum de
tempore in tempus.
Ac insuper noveritis me prefatum Robertum Episcopum dedisse
et concessisse prefato Comiti pro officio predicto exercendo unam
{sic) annualem redditum sive annuitatem decem librarum bone et
legalis monete Anglie exeuntis de predicto Manerio meo de Watton
predicta et de omnibus aliis Maneriis terris tenementis et ceteris
premissis.
Habendum tenendum et gaudendum predictum officium
Capitalis Senescalli et Senescallicie predicti Manerij mei et
omnium et singulorum Maneriorum terrarum tenementorum et
ceterorum premissorum . exceptis preexceptis prefato Comiti
Southamptonie durante vita mei prefati Episcopi ad utendum
et exercendum per predictum Comitem sive per sufficientem
deputatum sive deputatos suos prout melius sibi videbitur ex-
pedire . Ac eciam habendum et percipiendum predictam (sic)
annualem redditum sive annuitatem decem librarum prefato Comiti
durante vita mei prefati Roberti Episcopi annuatim solvendarum
prefato Comiti ad festum Sancti Petri quod dicitur ad vincula
[i- Aug.] tantum.
Et si contingat predictam {sic) annualem redditum sive annui-
tatem decem librarum vel aliquam inde parcellam aretro fore in
parte vel in toto ad festum predictum et non solutum prefato Comiti
aliquo tempore durante vita mei prefati Roberti Episcopi Quod
tunc deinde et tociens quociens bene liceat et licebit prefato Comiti
de et in predicta Maneria terras tenementa et cetera premissa
intrare et distringere et districcionem sive districciones sic inde
captas vel habitas secum abducere effugare asportare et penes
secum retinere quousque de prefato annuali redditu sive annuitate
decem librarum una cum arreragiis ejusdem sic aretro existentibus
plenarie fuerit prefato Comiti persolutum et satisfactum.
360 Memorials of Llandaff,
Et ego vero predictus Robertus Episcopus posui predictum
Comitem in possessione per solucionem decern librarum sterlin-
gorum.
In cujus rei testimonium Sigillum meum apposui . Datum
decimo octavo die Julij anno regni domini Henrici octavi Dei
gratia Anglie et Francie Regis Fidei defensoris domini Hibernie
et in terra supremi capitis Anglicane Ecclesie tricesimo secundo.
[1540].
With the autograph signature " per me Robertum episcopum
landavensem," and the indistinct impression of a signet ring. The
Earl was afterwards K.G., and Admiral of England.
(Brit. Mus., Harley Charter 43 I. 10.)
Bishop Anthony Kitchin,
also called Anthony Kechyn, and by Willis, "alias Dunstan," Sacrae
Theologise Doctor, a Benedictine Monk of Westminster, and after-
wards Abbot of Eynesham, obtained possession of the See on the
eve of Trinity Sunday, 1 545, by the person of John ap Harry, LL.D.,
his chancellor. He was elected on 26 March, 1545, confirmed
2 May, consecrated 3 May, in Westminster Abbey, by Thomas
Thirlby, Bishop of Westminster ; Thomas Chetham, Bishop of
Sidon, Suffragan Bishop of Canterbury ; and Lewis Thomas,
Suffragan Bishop of Shrewsbury. The temporalities were restored
to him, 8 May. He had surrendered his abbey to the King and
received a substantial pension, and was appointed King's Chaplain
before he obtained the bishopric. Willis is severe in his description
of Bishop Kitchin's character, charging him with impoverishing the
See by granting very long leases of almost all its lands, and with
having complied with all the changes of Government, and sworn to
Queen Elizabeth's supremacy, " which, as A. Wood says, no Popish
Bishop in the Beginning of her Reign did besides this Man."
He died at the advanced age of ninety years, 31 October, 1563,^
1565^, or 1566^, and was buried in Matherne Church.
Dean Conybeare, writing his account of LLandaff Cathedral in
1850, is very severe in his denunciation of Bishop Kitchin, as will
be seen from the following extract : —
" The great first cause of the ' decay and dilapidation of the
Cathedral ' in our own case was the infamous episcopate of Anthony
Kitchin, from 1545 to 1566. 'Fundi nostri calamitas,' as his suc-
cessor Godwin justly terms him in his ' History of English Prelates.
1 Registrum, new edit., p. 103. 2 Hardy. 3 Willis, p. 65.
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bishops Anth. Kitchin and Hugh yones. 361
The times in which he lived might well have tried the man even
of real principle and moral resolution, in him they only developed
a congenial spirit of tergiversation and dishonesty. He had acted
as a bigotted and persecuting Papist in the Romanist days of Mary,
and, on the accession of her sister Elizabeth, was the only one of
those Bishops permitted to retain their sees through the previous
reign, who again was ready to resume the Protestant faith, prompt
to assist at Elizabeth's coronation, and to vote for and subscribe
the act for the ecclesiastical supremacy of the queen. He thus
firmly clung to his See, like the ivy to the oak, and for the same
purpose — of absorbing and exhausting its vital nourishment ; for
the one great employment of his episcopate appears to have been
the alienation, for his own benefit, of the episcopal property. The
property of the Chapter also appears to have suffered materially at
the same time, though far less than that of the bishopric. Insuffi-
cient endowments will, I am afraid, under the general condition of
our nation, be found to lead to inefficient administration ; and the
consequence of this destruction of our resources was a long neglect
of our services and our fabric. Browne Willis mentions, in 1720,
that a few pipes, and other fragments of our organ, were, in his days,
scattered over its loft, and that the choral services had been long
discontinued, while the building, in which they should have been
performed, was verging, without an effort made to arrest its pro-
gress, to ruin."
Bishop Hugh Jones,
called, in the Liber Landavensis additions, Hugo Johannes, LL.B.,
Prebendary of LLandaff, and Vicar of Banwell, co. Somerset, the
first Welshman appointed to the See for three hundred years, was
elected 17 April, 1566,^ or 1567,^ in obedience to the cong^ d'elire
of 7 March, 1565/6.^ The confirmation is dated 4 May, and he
was consecrated on 5 May, 1566, at Lambeth Palace* by Arch-
bishop Parker, Edmund Grindal, Bishop of London, and Edmund
Gheast, Bishop of Rochester. The temporalities were restored to
him on 6 Ma}'. Bishop Jones died at Matherne, and was buried
there, 15 November, 1574; his will is dated 5 November.
There is a document in the British Museum relating to this
Bishop, which may be described as a final concord in the Court of
Common Pleas at Westminster on the Octaves of St. Hilary,
1 1 Eliz. [A.D. 1569], before Sir James Dyer, K.B., and other Justices,
1 Hardy, and the Registrum. ^ Willis.
3 Hardy. * Registrum.
362 Memorials of Llandaff.
between Thomas Harrys, plaintiff, and John Thomas, gentleman,
and Katherine his wife, deforciants, concerning twelve acres of
pasture called "the garrog," with the appurtenances in Llantryssen,
CO. Monmouth, whereupon a plea of convention was summoned
between the parties, to wit, that the said John and Katherine
recognise the premises to belong to the said Thomas by their gift,
and they release the same to the same for ever with warrantry.
Thereupon the said Thomas grants to the said John all the
premises to be held to the said John for term of one month ; then
to William son of Anne Hendson, alias William Jones, in tail ;
then to Jane daughter of the said Anne, alias Jane Jones, in tail ;
then Mary daughter of the said Anne, alias Mary Jones, in tail ;
then to Katherine daughter of the said Anne, alias Katherine
Jones, in tail ; then to the right heirs of Hugh [Jones], present
Bishop of Llandaff.
(Brit. Mus., Add. ch. 1834, 1835.)
A record of the time of Queen Elizabeth contains " instruccions
touching the Chaunteryes in LLandaffe " granted to Thomas
Morgan, gentleman, from which it appears that " Morgan's lease
of the Chaunterye landes beareth the date the ixth daye of August
in the xiiith yere of the Q's Majeste's raigne'' [1571], and "he
hath bene in controversie against the churche of Llandaffe for
these chantries the space of iii. or iv. yeares and at laste com-
powndid with the church."
(Brit. Mus., Harley MS. 604, fol. 163 ; Clark, /. c,
p. 21 10.)
Willis describes^ a letter of the Chapter of LLandaff to Lord
Burghley claiming custody of the temporalities of the bishopric
during the vacancy of the See, by virtue of Letters Patent made
to them by King Edward HI, copy of which is enclosed in the
letter. This record is in " The Paper Office." But no date is
given by Willis in his account of it, and there were several
vacancies at LLandaff during the long reign of the queen.
1 P. 174.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
LATER BISHOPS {Continued), a.d. 1575 to 1636.
Bishop William Blethin,
or Blethyn, LL.B., Prsebendary of Oswaldkirk in the Province
of York, Archdeacon of Brecon, " Episcopus Lanuensis," obtained
the royal assent to his election 13 April; was consecrated at
Lambeth, 17th April, 1575, by Archbishop Parker; Edwin Sandys,
Bishop of London ; and Edmund Gheast, Bishop of Rochester ;
the temporalities were restored to him 2 May, 1575, and he was
installed at Llandaff by William Thomas, his uncle, 29 April, 1575,
17 Eliz. Bishop Blethin, in his notice to the clergy, 1575, describes
the Cathedral as being in a state of almost irreparable ruin.^ He
died on 15 October, 1590, and was buried at Matherne in accordance
with his will, dated 6 October preceding.
The Constitutions of Bishop Blethin, in whose time the LLandaff
Cathedral Records begin, issued in January, 1575/6, and the Acts
of the Chapter of LLandaff Cathedral from 1573 to 1666 are to
be edited for a Committee by Rev. C. A. H. Green, Vicar of
Aberdare, Glamorgan. These records, we are told, are all the
more valuable because the Episcopal Registers earlier than 1660
have been lost or destroyed by fire. Therefore, for the century
preceding the Restoration, the Chapter Acts are the primary
authority for the ecclesiastical history of the Diocese. But as
the Chapter, in the administration of the Cathedral estates, had
dealings with all grades of Laymen, whose names are recorded,
the Acts cannot fail to interest every student of that period.
Bishop Gervase Babington,
Doctor of Theology, or S. T. P., succeeded. He was Treasurer of
LLandaff. The election took place on 7^ or 9^ August, 1591 :
confirmation on 27, and consecration on 29 August, in Croydon
Church, by Archbishop Whitgift; John Aylmer, Bishop of London;
and John Young, Bishop of Rochester. On 4 February, 1594/5,
' J. H. James, Hist, and Survey of the Cath. Ch. of LLandaff, 1898.
•'^ Hardy. = Willis.
364 Memorials of Llandaff.
Bishop Babington was translated to the See of Exeter ; and on
4 October, 1597, to that of Worcester. He died 17 May, 1610.
There are no important memorials of the See of LLandaff during
his tenure of the bishopric. In 1594 he granted certain^ rights
of burial in the N. aisle of the presbytery to the family of Mathews,
on condition that the aisle should be kept in good repair. In
making this grant the Bishop says : " Considering the daily seeing,
to their great grief the ruinous and decayed estate; being digged
and delved pits and unpaved, being more like a desolate and
profane place than like a house of prayer and holy exercises, and
no way able with the revenues left unto that Church to repair and
amend it as they wish."
The scattered records of the diocese among the miscellaneous
" Fonmon Manuscripts," contain a formal deed of the annulment
by John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, of the sentence
of excommunication which had been pronounced against Ellinora
Saunders alias Alexander, and Margareta Saunders alias Alexander,
defendants in a cause at the suit of Elizabeth Kemys, plaintiff, of
the diocese of LLandaff, heard before William Awbrey, LL.D.,
Auditor of Causes and Matters in the Canterbury Court of Audience;
and of the restitution of the same to the communion of the Church.
Dated 9 November, 1591.
(Clark, /. c, p. 21 15.)
Bishop William Morgan.
The licence to elect a Bishop in the room of Bishop Babington
having been issued on 23 June, 1595, William Morgan, Doctor
of Theology, was elected on 30 June, received the royal assent
12 July, was confirmed in his appointment on 18^ or 20^ July, and
consecrated 20 July, IS9S, in Croydon Church, by Archbishop
Whitgift ; Richard Fletcher, Bishop of London ; John Young,
Bishop of Rochester ; and William Redman, Bishop of Norwich.
The temporalities were restored to him on 7 August in the same
year. Bishop Morgan was translated to St. Asaph on 17 Sept.,
1601, and died on 10 September, 1604.
Willis characterises this Bishop as a very learned man who
translated the Bible into Welsh, and records of him that he had
been previously vicar of Welshpool, co. Montgomery, 8 August,
1575 ; vicar of LLan rhaiader in Mochnant, diocese of St. Asaph,
1 J. H. James, Hist, and Survey of the Cath. Ch. of LLandaff, 1898.
''■ Willis. 3 Hardy and the Registrum.
Y BEIBL CYS-
SEGRXAN. SEF
YR HEN DESTA-
MENT, A'R NEWYDD.
2r.Timo{h. ^.l/^, 15-.
Eithrarosdiynypethauaddyfcaifl-jacaymclclyried-
wyd i tijgan wybod gan bwy y dyfcaill.
Ac i ti eryn facngen wybod yrfcrythur Ian ^yrhon
fydd abl i'th wneuthur yn ddocth i iechydwria-
eth,trwy 'r ffydd yr hon fydd yng-Hrift lefu.
Imprinted at London hy the Deputies of
Christopher Barker,
Printer to the Queenes moll excel-
lent Maieftie.
Title Page of Bishop Morgan's Welsh Bible. First Edition. {Facsimile by F. C. Price.)
bishop William Morgan. 365
I October, 1578 ; rector of Penant Melange!, 10 July, 1588 ; and
rector of the sinecure of Denbigh, 1594.
Bishop Morgan's period has produced no very important
memorials for our consideration in this book, but transcendant
fame belongs to him personally as the translator of the first
published Welsh Bible, which he dedicated to Queen Elizabeth.
This Bible is now a very rare book and exceedingly scarce.
A copy of it was very recently sold on the dispersal of the Library
consisting of the rarest works collected by the late Mr. Henry
Huth and after him maintained and augmented by his son Mr.
Alfred H. Huth, of Fosbury Manor, Wiltshire. There is an
imperfect copy in the British Museum Library, and another in
the City Library, Cardiff. The title of this monumental work is : —
y Beibl Cys | segr-lan . sef | yr hen desta | ment , a'r newydd . |
2 Timoth . 3 . 14 . 15 . ! {texts) \ Imprinted at London by the
Deputies of | Christopher Barker , | Printers to the Queenes most
excel I lent Maiestie . | 1588 | . Then follow the: Nomina eorum
qui prae caeteris hoc opus promouere conati sunt . Reuerendi
patres Asaphensis^ et Bangorensis^ episcopi libros quos petii mutuo
concessere , et istud opus examinare perpendere , atque approbare
dignati sunt.
Gabriel Goodman^ Westmonasteriensis Decanus , vir rei et
nomine valde bonus , etc.
Sic opem tulerunt non contemnendam.
Dauid Powelus* sacrae Theologize doctor.
Edmundus Priceus^ Archidiaconus Meirion.
Richardus Vachanus^ hospitij diui Johannis^quod est Literurthae'
praefectus.
The translation is prefaced with a dedication to Queen
Elizabeth under this title :— " Illustrissimae , Potentissimae , seren-
issimaeque Principi Elizabethae , Dei gratia , Angliae , Galliae , et
^ Bishop William Hughes, 1 573-1600.
2 Bishop Hugh Bellot, or Bellott, 1585; translated to Chester, 1595;
ob. 1596.
3 Gabriel Goodman of Ruthin, who translated the First Epistle to the
Corinthians in the " Bishops' Bible," 1568. Bishop Morgan lived in his house
while the Welsh Bible was passing through the press.
* Dr. D. Powell, Vicar of Ruabon, ob. 1598.
5 Edm. Price, born 1541, son of John Price of Tyddyn Du, Maenturog ;
Archdeacon of Merioneth, 1576; Cannon of St. Asaph, 1602.
° Dr. Richard Vaughan, a native of Cefn Amlwch in LLeyn, Bishop of
Bangor, i 596 ; Chester, 1597 ; London, 1604 ; ob. 1607.
' St. J ohn Baptist's Hospital, Lutterworth, co. Leic.
366 Memorials of Llandaff.
Hiberniae Reginse , fidei veras , et Apostolicse Propugnat . etc.
Gratiam, et benedictionem in Domino sempiternam ." In it the
translator alludes to the praiseworthy labour of "reuerendus ille
pater Richardus pise memoriae Meneuensis Episcopus (auxiliante
Gulielmo Salesburio , de nostra Ecclesia viro optime merito) annis
abhinc viginti," upon the Welsh Liturgy and New Testament ; and
.of John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, who had encouraged
him in his task. The peroration is as follows : — " Caelestis ille
pater , qui et imbecillitatem humanam , et fcemineum sexum , et
virgineam indolem tam heroicis virtutibus in V. M. ornasse
dignoscitur , vt et miseris solamen , et hostibus terror , et mundi
Phoenix eadem hactenus extiterit , propitius concedat , caelesti
spiritu ita regatur , diuinis donis adornetur , et alls Altissimi
protegatur inposterum ; vt longaeua mater in Israel , pia ecclesiae
nutrix , et ab hostibus semper tuta vitiorum hostis eadem per-
maneat , ad D . O . M . sempiternam gloriam , cui omne imperium ,
honos , et laus in omne aeuum . Amen .
Serenissimse Vestra; Maiestati Omni reuerentia Subditissimus,
GULIELMUS MORGANUS."
The Rev. Dr. J. V. Morgan, in his recent work entitled A Study
in Nationality,^ reviewing the life of Bishop Morgan, says : —
" Among the forces working for progress, the primary place must
be given to the translation of the Bible into the vernacular. This
great work was performed by the Rev. Dr. William Morgan, Bishop
of LLandaff, 1598, and of St. Asaph, 1601. He was the son of
John Morgan of Wybernant, near Penmachno, N. Wales, was born
in 1547, died 1604, buried in the chancel of St. Asaph The
Welsh translation has been pronounced by scholars as a very close
translation of the original."
Bishop Francis Godwin.
The illustrious Bishop William Morgan was succeeded by
Another prelate of exalted literary fame, Francis Godwin, Sacrse
Theologiae Doctor. He was born at Hannington,^ co. North-
ampton, and became a student of Christ Church, Oxford, and
Sub-dean of Exeter. His nomination by Queen Elizabeth bears
date s October, 1601 ; election, 14 October; confirmation,
20 November^; and consecration, 22 November,* 1601, in Henry
Vllth Chapel, Westminster Abbey, by Archbishop John Whitgift ;
1 London, 191 1, 8vo, pp. 106-108. 2 \Yiiiis, p. 67.
3 October, Willis. i Willis, p. 68.
bishop Francis Godwin. ^i^J
Richard Bancroft, Bishop of London ; William Chaderton, Bishop
of Lincoln ; and John Still, Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Bishop Godwin was translated to the See of Hereford, lo Nov.,i
1617 ; and died on 29 April, 1633.
No memorials of importance are recorded during the tenure of
this bishopric by Godwin, but his reputation as a literary writer
rests justly on the compilation he made of a catalogue of the
Bishops of England. This work is very properly praised by
Willis,^ who states that it was written in 1601, and "one or two
Copies coming out imperfectly and erroneously in English gave
Offence to the Author, and occasion'd his publishing it in a correct
Latin Edition, Anno 1616, in quarto, which Edition having been
greatly improved .... it is a great Pity it is not reprinted with
the Additions and correctly translated into English, on Account
that the present English Version, Anno 1614, hath mis-led so
many Authors into considerable Mistakes and Omissions."
There is a letter from Bishop Godwin to the antiquary Camden
respecting the celebrated monolith of Pumpeius Carantorius, near
Margam Abbey, dated 14 July, 1603, among the Cottonian MSS.
in the British Museum, Julius F. VI, fol. 297. (Clark, /. c, p. 2143.)
Other letters of Bishop Godwin to the same antiquary are con-
tained in the same MSS., Julius C. V., fol. 94, dated 27 May, 1608,
wherein he speaks of the Liber Landavensis with much veneration,
and refers to it as in his hands^ ; and fol. 344 (as Bishop of Here-
ford), dated 9 October, 1620.
On the 18 December, 1603, Bishop Godwin made formal and
detailed returns of the ecclesiastical state of his diocese to
Archbishop Whitgift, in obedience to his missive letters, dated
S November in the same year, requiring particulars of the
rectories, vicarages, curacies, impropriations, and values of the
several churches belonging to the See of LLandaff. This return
having been overlooked by Willis, and not being included
among the additamenta in the Liber Landavensis, that of the
Glamorgan Vicarages is given here as follows : —
The Diocese of Landaff,
Cardiff, vicarages of St. John's and St. Mary's. The impropria-
tion is held by Anthony Maunsell, yearly value cli.; vicarages xx/?.
1 Willis, p. 68.
2 . . . " our booke of Landaff called St ; Teylosbooke . It is a very venerable
antiquity , and if euer I come to London agayne , I will bring it with me y' you
may pervse it if you please." . . . . /
368 Memorials of Llandaff.
Lantrissen vicarage with the chapels of Rustrodvodug,
Lantwyt Vayrdrea, Aberdaier, and Lanwonno, the impropriation
held by the same under the Chapter of Gloucester, yearly value
cli. ; vicarage Mi.
Pendoylan vicarage, the impropriation held by Nicholas
Morgan, gent., under the Chapter of LLandaff, yearly value xxiiij/?'.,
vicarage xxv/?. xiijj. \\\]d.
Penmarke vicarage, impropriation held by the above A.
Maunsell under the Chapter of Gloucester, yearly value xx//.;
vicarage xx//.
Lantwyt MAIOR vicarage, impropriation belongs to Henry
Doddington under the Chapter of Gloucester, yearly value di.,
vicarage xiij//. iijj. iiiji^.
Caddoxton juxta Neath, impropriation belongs to Sir Will.
Herbert, Knt., in fee by patent from the King, yearly value Ixxx/?.;
vicarage xxvi/?'. xiijV. \\v\d.
Langonwydd vicarage, impropriation belongs to the said H.
Doddington in fee by patent from the King, yearly value xiij/?. v]s.
v\\]d., vicarage xx//.
St. Lethans vicarage, parsonage belongs to the Archdeacon
of LLandaff, and is held with the vicarage by grant of the Arch-
deacon, yearly value of both, xx markes.
Pentirch vicarage, impropriation held by Alex. Seyse under
Chapter of LLandaff, yearly value \]li. xiij. \\\)d., vicarage x//.
Eggloisilan vicarage with Lanvabon chapel, impropriation
held by Sir Wm. Herbert, Knt, from LLandaff Chapter, yearly
value cxx/?'., vicarage xv/z.
Lancarvan vicarage, impropriation held by Arnold Bassett
from the Chapter of Gloucester, yearly value Ix/z. ; vicarage xx/z".
Penarth vicarage, impropriation held with the vicarage from
Sir Wm. Herbert, patron, under Bristol Chapter, yearly value xxj.;
vicarage iiij/?.
Newcastle vicarage with chapels of Laleston, Tithestow, and
Bettus. Impropriation, yearly value xlij//., one part held by John
Turbill from the King, other part by Anthony Powell and Hopkyn
Appowell from Sir Thos. Maunsell ; vicarage xxx/z.
Lanblethyan vicarage with the chapels of Cowbridge, Welsh
St. Donaddes, impropriation held of Anthony Maunsell under
Gloucester Chapter, yearly value xlviij//.; vicarage xiij/«. vjj. viija?'.
Bishop Godwin s Return. 369
Pyle ani Kexfig, impropriation held by Edw. Gronnow by
lease ~r grant firom the King, \-ear]\' value xx//., vicarage x//.
5t. Mart Hill, impropriation held by Anthony Maunsell in
fee fro™ :'~e King, yearly value xxj., vicarage x//.
GLlXGVr^vOCK vicarage, impropriation held by lease Lewes
Thr—is E^i". To. \Vi">!am and Thos. ap William, by lease from
Sir Th:s. Miu'sel . Knt.. having it in fee from the King, yearly
val^jr xxTT-il xiiy. :::;j'.. vicarage xiiij/z.
57 rJ-irzi Ma vTR, impropriation held in fee by John Carne
f-ccz r:'r Kfrr s^i ^as belonging to Wenny Priory, yearly value
v^y T5:iri_r= xx-Y.
T.^-^r -^^ -~T r;::^r5^e. impropriation belongs to John Carne
in fee, lir: ie!i by ease by the vicar, yearly value iiij//., vicar-
CriZlfriy Tii^ir^e, irzprrprfation belongs to the said J- Carne
h-zz Je£3±£ ri Mirj :ris. ^;i3"s-, yearh* value x//., vicarage x//.
Sr Trx^z Zi^ -rizzr^t. impropriation held by Sir Edvr.
;-_. -"-,j "k — . f^ fsfi j£Er>.- value v;//.. vicarage vj/Y. xiijj'. m]d.
Ti5CI_Tjr^ ^jrs--^^^ in orioriation held bj" Katherine Thomas,
TsiarTT ^ rrjrni zniiL it K-- ^- yearly value xx//.. vicarage viij//.
I_^33;rEaX£ ircirs^e, impropriation one part to Sir Wm.
Hsrbfn. T-rr jx i= rztn the King, the other to Ect. Kemvs from
Lliriiif ri2cr:s: -^srl;- Ta.^e lii'., vicarage x//.
-" ■^-. .ICT xasTnag^e, tithes received for xxx years bj- Chris-
ttotiir r^ itt:i zzznn. ' -vho will not alow any wages at all to any
nr^^ Zizr zzs^ 217 iec~estracion, so the parish hath bene without
5srrji^ tiesi 31 jiirrs arc niore, and the church almost fallen
CT3^rzrHi?^ r^cy IjC'?.:??jatio>-5 ix co. GLAiiORGAN.
^^-i^'^-^C- Inpr-cciarft' ijelo'gs to Hen. Doddingtorj in fee
^ ^-I:"''i2;T> r—prtcriirtr. ite.f bv Sir Ed-.. Leves, Kr.t., and
ToIL xir„'. iTi
- ^,":: t ^J,
^^3T:.S2. r-prtt-rlitiir. b£>.r,gE to Sir Wni. Herbert, Knt,
^ Ji -Vi- :'-- xdi:;'- the .dt-c.- tf Per.arth ser, es the cure.
B B
370 Memorials of Llandaff.
Merther Mawr, impropriation held by Sir Edw. Stradling
from the Archdeacon of LLandaff, yearly value xviij//., curate for
service vj/z.
Radyer, impropriation held by Edmond Mathew in fee from
the King, yearly value x//., curate for service \\\]li.
BONVILSTON, impropriation held by Thomas Bassett in fee
from the King, yearly value xiij/z. vjj. viiji/., curate for service x/?.
or the small tithes.
St. Hillary, impropriation held by M"s Bassett, widow, and
John Mathew by lease from LLandaff Chapter, yearly value x/z.,
curate for service vli.
Wen NY, impropriation belongs to John Carne in fee from the
King, yearly value iiij//. xj., curate for service x//.
Langynour, impropriation now held by Rice Evans, curate
there, by grant from Sir Edw. Stradling, Knt, yearly value xxx/i,
curate for service x/i.
(Brit. Mus., Harley MS. 595, fol. i ; Clark, /. c. p. 2144.)
Bishop Godwin issued a licence on 8 August, 1607, sixth
year of his consecration, showing that whereas Sir Edward
Stradlyng, Knt., lord of Monken Nash a/ias Magna Aish, in the
diocese of LLandaff, and his ancestors had from time immemorial
supported a clerk in Nash chapel for the benefit of the parishioners
and inhabitants, yet had no baptistery nor consecrated cemetery,
now therefore he grants permission hereby to Sir Edward
Stradlyng, of St. Donatts, co. Glamorgan, Knt, subject to his
approval, to have a baptistery in the nave of the said chapel, and
to bury in the said chapel and in the cemetery adjacent. Signed
by the Bishop and Sir Edw. Stradlynge. The two seals are
wanting.
(Clark, /. c, p. 2152, from the Collections of the late
G. G. Francis.)
Bishop George Carleton,
or Carleton, Sacrae Theologiae Doctor, succeeded. The cong^ d'elire
was issued on 27 November, 161 7 ; the election took place on
23 December in the same year, royal assent was dated 20 Feb-
ruary, 1617/8, confirmation took place 11 July, 1618, and on the
following day the consecration was celebrated at Lambeth by
Archbishop George Abbot ; John King, Bishop of London ; John
Buckeridge, Bishop of Rochester ; John Overall, Bishop of Lich-
Bishop Theophilus Field. 371
field ; and George Monteigne, Bishop of Lincoln. Bishop Carleton
was translated on 8 September, 1619, to Chichester, and died in
May, 1628. His short tenure of the See of LLandaff has not
been the occasion of producing any important memorials.
Bishop Theophilus Field,
or Feild, Sacrae Theologiae Doctor, succeeded Carleton at LLan-
daff, being elected, in pursuance of the conge d'^lire of 20 September,
1619, on 25 September, in the same year. Royal assent was given
on I October, he was confirmed on 6 October, and consecrated on
the loth of the same month at Lambeth, by Archbishop Abbot ;
John King, Bishop of London ; John Buckeridge, Bishop of
Rochester; Richard Milbourne, Bishop of St. David's; and George,^
Bishop of Derry. Bishop Field was translated to St. David's in
1627, and to Hereford in 1635. He died on 2 June, 1636.
No memorials of importance occur during the tenure of this
See by Bishop Field.
Here we take leave of the Liber Landavensis, its additions, and
its continuations, a work unique in itself for the many reasons
which have been laid successively before the reader of this book-
This MS. supplies in some degree the want felt by the loss of the
earlier Episcopal and Capitular Registers of LLandaff, and if
similar records had been made and preserved in other dioceses
the history of the Church of England in mediaeval ages could
have been written far more definitely and accurately than is now
possible.
The diocese, before the passing of the Statute 6 and 7 Will. IV,
cap. "jy, contained the greater portion of the Counties of Glamorgan
and Monmouth, and by that Act the whole of these shires was
placed within the See.^
In the Cathedral, before the alterations made by the Eccle-
siastical Commissioners, there were : —
An Archdeacon. Treasurer.
Chancellor. Nine Prebendaries.
Precentor.
' Gams, Series, p. 216, following Ware, H. Cotton, T. Walsh, and Theiner's
Monumenta, lists Roch. MacGeogain a S. Cruce as occurring circ. 1640 — ob.
1641 ; after Redmund O'Gallagher, circ. 1600-1601. The succession of this See
of Derry appears to have been disturbed in the early years of the seventeenth
century.
^ Hardy's Le Nfve, voj. ii, p. 239.
B B 2
372 Memorials of Llandaff.
By Stat. 3 and 4 Vict., cap. 113 §. 19, no appointment was to
be made to vacancies until the number of canons was reduced to
four ; and by Stat. 6 and 7 Vict., cap. yy § 2, the four canonries
were to be in the direct patronage of the Bishop.^
The church plate of the Diocese of LLandaff has been ably
treated by Mr. George Eley Halliday, F.R.I. B.A., Diocesan Sur-
veyor for LLandaff, in his fully-illustrated work entitled Llandaff
Church Plate, 8vo, London, 1901. The cathedral possesses two
handsome silver flagons, twelve inches high, in perfect preservation,
hall-marked 1638. The maker's mark seems to be G . G., with a
mullet beneath them for George Garthorne, inscribed " Deo et
Ecclesiae Landavis"," and round the base "CD. D. Carolus Williams
de LLangvby miles Anno Dom. 1639." This Sir Charles Williams
of Llangibby was High Sheriff in 1626, and M.P. in 1621, and 1640
to 1 641, in which year he died.
The other church vessels are of date later than the scope of this
work.
1 Hardy's Le Neve, vol. ii, p. 239.
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CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE SEALS AND ARMORIAL BEARINGS OF THE BISHOPS.—
THE CATHEDRAL CHAPTER SEALS.
THE charters and other documents which have now been
described contribute many very remarkable and beautiful
specimens of the art of the seal engraver to our notice, and to these
a few detached examples contained in the British Museum may be
added so as to make the series nearly complete.
The Seal of Bishop Nicholas ap Gurgant (1148-1183) is
appended to the Harley Charter 75 A. 30, described at page 271.
The design shows a pointed oval or vesical form, containing a
figure of the Bishop standing upon a small platform or corbel,
attired in episcopal vestments and wearing a mitre of archaic
character. He is lifting up the right hand in the act of pronouncing
a blessing, and in the lelt hand bears a pastoral staff, the curve of
which is turned towards him, a style supposed by some to signify
local and personal jurisdiction over his bishopric. The legend or
inscription is very fragmentary : —
»i< SI NDA PI .
Although the design comprises no armorial bearings, a coat of
gules, three chevronels argent, is attributed to this Bishop in
Bedford's Blazon of Episcopacy, London, 1858, 8vo, a useful book
of reference dealing with the difficult subject of church heraldry.
(See Plate I, Fig. i.)
Bishop William of Salt-Marsh (1186-1191), used a seal with
two distinctly different counterseals. The obverse or principal side
of the seal, appended to the charter (Harley 75 A. 17) described at
page 276, shows a standing figure of the Bishop habited in episcopal
vestments, his attitude not dissimilar to that indicated on the seal
of his predecessor, but the curve of the staff is turned outwards,
perhaps indicating a wider sphere of religious influence than that
enjoyed by Bishop Nicholas.
The legend is very indistinct and imperfect.
374 Memorials of Llandaff.
Bedford's Blazon attributes the arms of argent, crusily, gules,
three cinquefoils of the second pierced of the first, to this Bishop.
(See Plate I, Fig. 2,)
On the reverse is a small oval counterseal as described on
page 277.
(See Plate III, Fig. 4.)
The second counterseal bears the impression of an ancient
Christian gem. It is oval, and the design shows a long cross
between two busts, couped at the breast, facing towards each other
in profile, probably intended for portraits of saints or personages of
exalted rank. The legend when perfect would read : —
IN . [ORE . DVORVM . AVT . TRIVM . TESTIVM .
STABJiT . OMNE . VERBVM .
Compare Deuteron,, xix, 15 I and 2 Cor., xiii, i.
(See Plate III, Fig. 5.)
This impression is appended to the Harley Charter 75 A. 16,
described at page 277.
These two counterseals were probably made from the finger-
rings of the Bishop, which were set in accordance with the taste of
the age with valuable gems of ancient origin, engraved with the
portraits of notable persons.
Bishop Henry of Abergavenny (1193-1218) used two different
seals. The first, appended to the Harley Charter 75 A. 21,
described at page 283, represents the Bishop standing, attired in
his robes, and holding the staff appropriate to his pastoral office,
with the curve turned towards him. The legend is : —
[>J< SJIGILL' : HENRICI : [LANDAJvENSIS : EPISCOPI .
(See Plate I, Fig. 3 ; and Plate II, Fig. i, from a detached
impression in the British Museum, MSS. Department,
xciv, 75.)
The small counterseal, of pointed oval shape, bears the effigy of
the Archangel Gabriel with expanded wings, and holding a cross
or staff. The legend is : —
>^ SECRET' . HENR' . LANDAV' . EPISCOP' .
The letters nr and ND are respectively united as monograms.
(See Plate III, Fig. 6.)
There are other impressions of this seal appended to charters
(Harley 75 A. 18, and 75 A. 23) described in the chapter dealing
with Bishop Henry.
Seals of the Bishops. Plate I.
Seals of the Bishops. 375
The second seal of this Bishop, appended to the Harley Charter
75 A, 20, described at page 280, shows the prelate standing on a
columnar pedestal, lifting up the right hand in blessing, and holding
the pastoral staff in the left hand. The arrangement of the folds
of the vestments differs from that of the previous seal, and indicates
progress in the art of representation. The legend, when perfect,
would be : —
►J« SIGILL' HENRICI . DEI . GRACIA .
LANDAVENSIS . EPISCOPI .
(See Plate I, Fig. 4.)
The small counterseal of this example represents a cherub on a
platform. The legend reads when perfect : —
[►J< SIGIL]l' . H' . D'I . GAA . LAND' . E[PI . ]
(See Plate III, Fig. 7.)
Bishop Henry used the first type of his seal in conjunction with
the cherub counterseal in the charter (Harley 75 A. 22) described
at page 281.
Bishop William of Goldcliffe (1219-1230) indicates in his seal
a further advance in the art of the seal designer. The vestments
worn by the standing ^^^y of the prelate appear to be bordered
with an ornamental orphrey, and the background of the seal is
enriched with a reticulated pattern, having a rosette set in each
interstice. This network is symbolical of the miraculous draught
of fishes, that is, the conversion of the people to the true faith, and
is an elegant allusion to St Peter, to whom the cathedral church
was dedicated. The legend is : —
WILLELMVS : DEI : GRACIA : LANDAVENSIS : EPS .
The illustration is derived from a cast in the MS. Department
of the British Museum. No. XCIV, 77.
(See Plate II, Fig. 2.)
Bishop Elias of Radnor (1230- 1240) continues the artistic
progress of the seal engraver on his beautiful seal appended to the
charter (Harley 75 B. 6) described at page 291. The impression is
fine and clear, but the lower point is chipped. The figure of the
Bishop is standing on a pedestal, with the right hand uplifted to
pronounce a blessing, and the left hand holding a pastoral staff
with curved top turned towards him. The ornament at the breast,
and the long tie at the wrist, are noteworthy. At the sides, in the
field or background, are the crescent moon and the radiant
376 Memorials of Llandaff:
sun-star of six points, indicative of the open air and celestial
realms, a survival of much older Byzantine art.
The legend is preceded by a crescent, and reads : —
ELIAS : DEI : GRACIA : LANDAVENSIS : EPISCOPUS .
(See Plate I, Fig. 5.)
On the reverse is a small pointed oval counterseal, bearing the
conventional design of a right hand of blessing issuing from wavy
lines intended to represent the clouds, with the legend : —
*i* SECRETU[m] : ELIE : LANDAVENSIS : EPISCOPI .
(See Plate III, Fig. 8.)
Other examples of Bishop Elias's seal are appended to the
Harley Charters 75 A. 25 ; 75 B. 8 and 9 ; 75 B. 40, A.D. 1234 ; and
75 A. 26, A.D. 1239.
The supposed Bishop WILLIAM of Christ-Church (1240- 1244)
is credited with a fine seal, which must, however, be received with
some reserve, as it resembles that of another Bishop William in
some respects. The charter (Harley 75 D. 16) to which it is
appended is described at page 296.
The effigy is of the same character as those of Bishops Henry
and Elias, his predecessors, and the legend is : —
•i< SIGILL' : WILL'I : DEI : GRACIA : LANDAVENSIS : EPI .
(See Plate I, Fig, 6.)
There is a smaller pointed oval counterseal, which shows a
figure of the Patron, Saint Peter, standing on a bracket or corbel,
with a book and keys, his customary emblems. The legend is : —
>J« SECRET' . W . LANDAVENSIS : EPI .
(See Plate HI, Fig. 9.)
Casts of another impression are preserved in the British Museum,
Department of MSS., No. Lxxxil, 52.
Bishop William of Bury (1245-1253) used a very interesting
seal, described at page 299. There are two examples of it among
the Margam Charters. The armorial bearings of the Bishop are
blazoned by Bedford, in the work already mentioned, as gules,
seven lozenges, vaire, three, three, and one.
Bishop John de La Ware (1254-1256) does not appear to have
left any seal- extant to illustrate his short tenure of the episcopal
dignity. Bedford derives from the Additional MS. 12,443 i" the
Seals of the Bishops. 377
British Museum the armorial bearings of Bishop J. de La Ware to
be or, seme of crosses crosslet fitch^es a lion rampant.
Bishop William of Radnor (1257-1266) has not contributed
any seal to the series to which I can refer in this place.
Bishop William de Brewys, or Bruce (1266- 1287), has ap-
pended his seal to the Additional Charter 19,629, in the British
Museum, of which a photograph is given at page 305. Only the
central part of this impression remains and shows a standing figure
in the conventional style on a carved corbel, with a field or back-
ground diapered lozengy, enriched with a small leaf in each inter-
stice. Bedford, relying on the Manuscript remains of the antiquary
Cole (No. XXVIII), blazons this Bishop's armorial bearings as :
argent, crusily gules, a lion rampant queue fourchee, of the second.
Other impressions of a variant seal are preserved in the British
Museum, Dept. of MSS., No. Lxxxil, 53, and XCIV, 76, from which
latter the illustration here given is derived. The legend reads : —
S' . WILLELMI DE BRE DEI . GRA . LANDAVENSIS . EPI .
The letters DE, and EN, are respectively united as monograms.
(See Plate II, Fig. 3.)
Philip of Staunton, Bishop-Elect (1287), does not appear to
have left a seal to mark his supposed episcopate.
Of Bishop John of Monmouth (1297-1323), I have been unable
to discover any seal.
Bishop Alexander of Monmouth (1323) although accepted
by the King, was rejected by the Pope, and has left no impression
of any seal as far as can be ascertained.
Bishop John of Eglescliff (1323-1347), had a seal of beautiful
design and execution, as befitted the period of highest art in the
power of the seal engraver to carry out. An imperfect impression
of it is appended to the Additional Charter 20,610, in the British
Museum, described at page 329 ; and another is in the same
national repository, Dept. of MSS. (No. XXXV, 5). The example
among the Margam Charters is described at page 332. Unfortu-
nately, this impression is also far from perfect, but there is left
sufficient to indicate its great excellence above all that had pre-
ceded it. The design consists of a figure of the Bishop, standing on
an elaborately-carved corbel, and habited with embroidered vest-
ments ; lifting up the right hand in the act of pronouncing a bless-
ing ; in the left hand a pastoral staff; overhead is a finely-traced
'}^']^ Memorials of Llandaff.
gothic canopy, with crocketed roof-lines and pointed finials. Over
the canopy is a crescent on the right, the corresponding sun star on
the left is lost. The field of the seal is diapered lozengy, a favourite
enrichment at this period of the art, with a rose en soleil in each
interstice. There are two shields of arms at the sides of the
Bishop, under his right arm, the heraldic dexter side bears a shield
of the Royal Arms of England, but it is difficult to say why the
Bishop of a Welsh See, himself an Irishman, should use the arms
of England on his seal, the arms of the See itself being quite
different : the shield on the sinister side, under the left arm of the
figure, bears a stork statant. This is the family coat of arms, and
it would yield up the secret of the Bishop's surname if it could
be attributed with any degree of certainty to a Monmouthshire or
Irish family.^ The legend is imperfect, but appears to have been
when perfect : —
>J< S' . lOHANNIS . DEI . GRACIA . EPISCOPI . LANDAVENSIS .
(See Plate I, Fig. 7.)
Bishop-Elect John of Coventry (1347) was rejected by the
Pope, and therefore it is very improbable that he ever had an
episcopal seal.
Bishop John Paschal (i 347-1 361), has not left any impression
of any seal for our notice. A manuscript in the College of Arms,
quoted by Bedford in his Blazon, attributes to him the armorial
bearings of: sable, a mitre and zhx&i argent.
In like manner. Bishop Roger Cradoc (1361-1382) contributes
no episcopal seal to the series. Bedford blazons his armorials as :
azure, crusily argent, three boars' heads couped of the second.
Bishop Thomas Rushooke (1383- 1385) has left among the
Margam Charters, appended to a document described at page 337,
a curious seal, which departs from the hitherto style of representing
a personal effigy of the prelate, and in its stead presents to our
view the figure of the Patron, St. Teilo, as the principal motif, ^\\\\^
the Bishop himself occupies the subordinate position of a votary
kneeling in adoration of the Saint, in the base part of the design,
between two shields of arms dexter, France and England quarterly,
for King Richard II, and in this respect assisting us to explain the
presence of the Royal Arms of England in a previous seal : sinister,
an indistinct family coat.
1 The family of Starkie which flourished in several English counties bore
this coat-of-arms.
Seals of the Bishops. 379
Bishop William of Bottishami (1385-1386) has left no impres-
sion of his episcopal seal for our series. His armorial bearings, as
given in the Additional MS. 12,443 in the British Museum, are :
azure, three bird-bolts points in base argent, as reproduced by
Bedford in his Blazon.
Bishop Edmond Bromfield (1389-1393) fails to yield any
impression of a seal. His armorial bearings, recorded in Smith's
Manuscript, formerly in possession of Sir Thomas Phillipps, and
No. 11,282 in the library of that illustrious collector, are: argent,
three fusils in fess between as many cinquefoils gules. Another
authority gives the coat of azure, a lion statant or, to this prelate.
No seal of Bishop TiDEMAN of Winchcombe (i393-i395)
has come down to our investigation. His armorial bearings,
blazoned by Bedford, with the authority of Smith's MS. in the
Phillipps Collection above mentioned, are : azure, on a chevron,
between three birds or, as many cinquefoils of the field, on a chief
of the second three fleurs-de-lys of the first. No example has been
described of the seal of this Bishop as Bishop of Worcester, to which
See he was translated. His seal, as Abbot of the Cistercian Abbey
of Savigny, in the diocese of Avranches, A.D. 1391, is described in
the Catalogue of Seals in the Department of MSS., British Museum,
No. 18,866, vol. v, p. 356.
Bishop Barrett, or Barret, has no recorded seal for his short
tenure of this See (1395-1396). His armorials, as blazoned by
Bedford from the Phillipps MS. described above, are gules, on a
chief indented or, three escallops sable.
The seal of Bishop THOMAS Peverel(i398-i407) is known from
a good matrix, of which there is an impression in gilded gutta-
percha, preserved in the British Museum, Department of MSS.,
No. XXXV, 367. In obedience writh the changed views respecting
the representation of episcopal effigies, this Bishop employed a seal
on which is represented the Holy Trinity, designed after one of
numerous unconventional methods of depicting this subject. In a
niche with trefoiled canopy, adorned w^ith seven tall pinnacles (in
symbolical allusion to the mystic seven of the candlesticks, the
churches of Asia Minor and the gifts of the Holy Spirit), heavily
crocketed and between two wavy sprigs, is the Almighty Father,
with a nimbus around his head and seated on a bench- like throne.
Before him he holds a tau cross, on which is the crucified Saviour,
' Probably an Austin-Canon of Bottisham Priory, near Cambridge.
3 8o Memorials of Llandaff.
so badly engraved as to be scarcely recognisable. Over the left
arm of the cross is a branch of foliage to balance the Dove of the
Holy Spirit, which is over the right arm of the cross. The Bishop's
kneeling effigy takes a subordinate position in base below the
niche. He is wearing a stringed or ribboned mitre, and carries a
pastoral staff curved outwards. Behind him on the left is his
shield of arms : a bend, and in chief a book or billet ; or perhaps
these bearings may be blazoned as a canton and bend. The
armorial bearings placed by Bishop Peverel on his seal as Bishop
of Worcester, to which See he was translated in 1407, are: vair6,
over all a bend, described in the British Museum Catalogue already
referred to, No. 2287, where a different design representing the
Holy Trinity is also employed. Bedford records another coat of
arms for this Bishop : argent, on a saltire gules, five mullets or.
The legend is :
SifltUum : X%tmz : peuereU' : epg : ILaniraufn' .
The workmanship of this seal is very poor, and greatly inferior
to that on the older specimens of this series.
(See Plate H, Fig. 4.)
No seal of Bishop John de la Zouche (1408-1423) is extant, so
far as these investigations have been carried. Bedford blazons his
armorial bearings as : gules, ten bezants in pile, a canton ermine,
found on the gateway at LLandaff, as mentioned by Browne
Willis,^ and refers to Enderbie's Cmnbria Triumphans for his
authority.
Bishop John Wells (1425-1440) contributes no example to this
series of episcopal seals.
Bishop Nicholas Ashby (1441-1458) has left no impression
of a LLandaff seal to mark his tenure of the See. His arms are
blazoned by Bedford as : azure, a chevron ermine, between three
leopards' faces or.
The seal of Bishop JOHN Hunden (1458- 1476) followed the then
fully-established style of representing Divine Personages or Saints.
There are casts in the British Museum, Dept. of MSS., Nos. XCIV,
78 ; and CII, 71, from the matrix, the design of which is interesting,
although the workmanship is debased and the technique execrable.
In a central niche with heavy canopy is a standing figure of the
Patron Saint of LLandaff Cathedral, St. Peter, with radiated
' P. 57.
Seals of the Bishops. 381
nimbus and his emblems the l<eys and a book. On each side is a
niche of two storeys canopied. In the lower storey is St. Paul, with
the sword, his emblem, on the left. Above him a Saint, probably
one of the trias thamnaturga of LLandaff, St. Dubricius, or St.
Oudoceus. In the lower storey of the corresponding niche on the
right is St. Teilo, and overhead the third member of the triad.
Two of these being Bishops wear the mitre, and the effigy of St.
Teilo, who is credited with the pre-eminence of an Archbishop,
holds the long archiepiscopal cross which symbolises that primatial
dignity. Under an arch in base is Bishop Hunden half-length,
with mitre and pastoral staff, praying to the Saints above. On each
side is a shield of arms : that on the sinister bears a key and a
sword, crossed in saltire, the emblems of St. Peter and St. Paul, for
the See of LLandaff That on the dexter is crusily fitch^e, three
hounds' or talbots' heads erased ; a canting coat-of arms by way
of rebus on the Bishop's surname. Bedford blazons a variant coat
of arms for Bishop Hunden ; a fess embattled between three
escallops gules. But the arms on the seal are unquestionably
authoritative. The legend is : —
SiBillum : toj^'is : eptfropt : Eanttaui : ort'ts : p'litcatorti :
(See Plate II, Fig. 5.)
Of Bishop John Smith (1476-1478); John Marshall (1478-
1496); John Ingleby ( 1 496-1 499) ; MiLES Salley (1500-1516);
and George de Athequa (i 5 17- 1 537), I have no record for seals.
Bedford ascribes to BishGp Smith the armorial bearings of:
azure, a saltire ermine, between four fleurs-de-lys argent, from
Addit. MS. 12,443 ;— to Bishop Marshall, per chevron or and
azure, in chief a falcon sable, in base the capital letter M argent, as
in Bottesford Church, Nichols's Leicestershire, and a variant coat
of: per chevron or and vert, in chief a letter M sable, in base a
falcon of the first, from B. Willis ;— to Bishop Ingleby : sable, an
estoile argent ;— to Bishop Salley, or, a fess azure, between three
thistles slipped vert, ilowered gules, from Williment's Parliament
Roll of Henry VIII, also a variant of : sable, on a saltire engrailed
or, a pellet, from the Procession Roll of the Lords, 1 5 1 2, in Cole's
MS. XXX.
Of Bishop Robert Holgate (1537-1545), there is the im-
pression of a signet seal or ring, appended to the Hariey Charter
43 I. 10, described at page 360. It appears to be a bust of Our
Lord, with an imperfectly-rendered legend or text. The armorial
bearings of Bishop Holgate are : or, a bend between two bulls'
382 Memorials of Llandaff.
heads couped sable, on a chief argent two bars gules, surmounted
of a crutch staff in bend azure, as in the grant of arms, in 1541,
from Cole's MS. XXVIII.
The armorial bearings of Bishop Anthony Kitchin (1545-
1565), are given by Bedford, from British Museum, Addit. MS. 5798
(Cole), as : argent, on a pile azure, between two crosses crosslet
gules, a dove displayed in a glory issuing from \k\^ (^\e.{ of the first.
Bishop Hugh Jones's (1566-1574) arms, of which a woodcut
was found by Bedford in the Hanover Edition of Archbishop
Parker's Antiquitates, under the name of "A. Davis, Bishop of
LLandaf," are : azure, a chevron between three pelicans in piety
or, on a chief argent, a rose gules, between two butterflies. (Brit.
Mus., 5798, as above.)
Bishop William Blethin (1575-1590), bore: or, a lion rampant
gules, according to the Brit. Mus., Harley MS. 4181, and : a chevron
between three pelicans in piety, on a chief as many cinquefoils,
according to the Brit. Mus., Addit. MS. 12,443.
Bishop BabingTON (1591-1595), bore : argent, ten torteaux in
pile, a file or label of three points azure. (Brit. Mus., Addit. MS.
20,024.)
Bishop William Morgan (1595-1601), bore for family arms:
argent, \h'c?:& spears' heads embrued sable. The Ashmole MS. 8569
gives a coat evidently in allusion to his translation of the Bible :
argent, a double-headed eagle displayed sable, armed gules, on a
chief aztire, a Bible opened, stringed or.
No seals are available which belong to the succeeding Bishops,
until the time of Bishop Godwin, whose signet is attached to the
document described in page 367, from Harley MS. 595, fol. r.
This Bishop, whose arms are in a window of the Bodley Library,
bears : or, two lioncels passant gules, on a canton sable, three
plates.
There are two seals of the cathedral chapter. Of the first
there are two impressions in the British Museum appended to the
Harley Charters 75 B. 25, and 75 A. 18. The design is a very
remarkable view or elevation of the cathedral edifice, perhaps from
the north side, but the limited knowledge of perspective and of the
art of delineating accurate proportions enjoyed by artists of the
twelfth century makes it impossible to determine exactly the true
^^^^^TO
%
/ 'J K ''''.* <\>
■■' \ 'I K\''
ii
mter-Seals of the Bishops and Chapter Seal,
s. Plate III.
Seals of the Chapter. 383
point of view intended to be represented here. This is, however,
as far as the designer could reproduce it, the new church of Bishop
Urban (1107-1133), built according to historical evidence towards
the latter part of his life. The legend is very fragmentary and
appears to read when perfect : —
^ SIGILLVM . LANDAVENSI.S . ECCLESIE .
(See Plate III, Fig. i.)
The second seal of late twelfth-century workmanship, of which
there are four impressions in the British Museum, appended to
Harley Charters 75 B. 6, 75 A. 20, 75 B. 8 and 9, dating in the
thirteenth century, shows a view or elevation of the cathedral
apparently from the west, and has more distinct details of the
Early Norman architecture, masoned walls, round-headed windows,
central tower, porch, two smaller pinnacled shafts, the transepts
roofed with a lozengy pattern of lead or tiles, and other subsidiary
elements of construction. The legend reads : —
»J< SIGILLVM . CAPITVLI . LANDAVENSIS . ECCLESIE .
(See Plate III, Fig. 2.)
On its reverse is a smaller seal bearing a fine representation of
the Lamb of God, the " Agnus Dei," contourn^, with the long cross
and banner usually associated with the symbolical image of Our
Lord. The legend is : —
►!< SIGILL' CAPITVLI . LANDAVENSIS . ECCLESIE.
(See Plate III, Fig. 3.)
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE CATHEDRAL OF LLANDAFF.
VERY little that is new can be written about the fabric of
the Cathedral. Its architectural history has been minutely
described by many writers. Of the first building there is no
written notice, but, whatever it was originally, it had fallen into
hopeless ruin and decay by the time that Urban succeeded to the
bishopric. Ably assisted by Ralph d'Escures, Archbishop of
Canterbury, who interested himself in the restoration, Urban was
enabled to pull down the miserable ruin into which the Cathedral
Church had fallen, and to erect in its place a new and worthy
church of which we see a view, albeit a somewhat ill-defined one
in regard to detail, depicted upon the first seal of the chapter
represented in Plate III, Fig i. This edifice^ naturally did not
extend beyond a small, though highly-enriched, church, the nave
of which is supposed to survive in the present presbytery, while
the Lady Chapel occupies the site of Urban's chancel.
One of the earliest memorials of LLandaff is given in
J. Speede's Map of Glamorgan, published in 1610, to which is
appended the notice that it was " Performed by John Speede. And
are to be solde in Popes head alley against the Exchange by John
Suilbury and George Humbell Cum Privigio " {sic). In his account
of " Glamorgan-shire," Speede speaks of " the Citie Landaf wherein
is a Castle and Cathedrall Church, dedicated to S. Telean, Bishop
of the same, without any other memorable matter worthy the
speaking of"
Speede's birds'-eye view of the city, which is reproduced here,^
shows the relative positions of the Cathedral, the streets or
roads, the river Taff or Tave, the Bishop's Castle^ or Palace, the
Market Cross, and other buildings. The shield of arms at the
right hand top corner, which must be blazoned as two pastoral
staves crossed in saltire, on a chief three mitres, described by
Bedford from Brit. Mus., Harley MS. 1048, as sable, two pastoral
1 Birch, History of Neath Abbey, -p. 194.
^ See Frontispiece.
^ Described in Willis, p. 30.
Sir Richd. C. Hoare, del. ^,„. Byrne, sc.
Landaf, West Front before the Restoration, 1806.
Cardiff Public Reference Library.
The Cathedral Church. 385
staves in saltire argent, handled or, on a chief azure, three Papal
tiaras of the third, is different to that found on the seal of Bishop
Hunden/ shown in Plate II, Fig. 5. Willis describes^ another
variant : " a sword between two keys in saltire, with three mitres
on a chief," on the tomb slab of Bishop Francis Davies, 1674-5,
better blazoned by Bedford as : two keys in bend sinister enfiled of
a sword in bend dexter, on a chief three mitres labelled,^ and
records that on the tomb-slab of Bishop Hugh LLoyd (1667), which
resembles the figure on Speede's Map.
Willis prints a long account of the Cathedral addressed to him
in a letter from W. Wotton, in 1718. In his Prefatory Epistle
Willis writes : —
" Out of a sad Contemplation lest so glorious a structure as this
Church honour'd by being the ancientest Bishop's See in the
Kingdom (as we have evident authority to shew) rais'd, enrich'd,
and beautify'd, by the Piety of so many noble Founders, should be
utterly destroy'd, and become a woful Spectacle of Ruin, ... I
forthwith (being thereunto excited by the Rumour of a projected
Design to remove the See hence to Cardiff) apply'd to the same
learned Gentleman, that assisted me in drawing up my Survey
of the Cathedral Church of St. David's, and prevail'd with him to
send me a Description of the Church of Landaff also ; which I here
adventure to publish as my Materials have come to Hand."
Wotton's description of the remains is practically correct in the
main, and is sufficiently available to readers to day to excuse
repetition here. It is illustrated with three plates: i. "The
Ichnography of the Cathedral Church of Landaff ;" 2. " The South
Prospect of Landaff Cathedral Church," drawn by Joseph Lord and
engraved by M. Burghers ; and 3. " The West Prospect of Landaff
Cathedral," drawn and engraved by the same persons, there called
Josep Lord and Michael Burg. The concluding paragraph is of
interest to the readers, and the inhabitants of the diocese may be
congratulated that the pious wishes of the writer have now been
carried out : —
" This, Sir, is the best Account I could procure of the Cathedral
Church of Landaff, in which, if there were not Prayers read every
Day, and the Ecclesiastical Courts and Offices thereunto belonging,
constantly held in it, and kept in the Village just by, there would
> See p. 381. 2 p_ i8_
' Willis, p. 20, finds these on Bishop Marshall's monument.
C C
386 Memorials of Llandaff.
be very small Signs of its being the Mother-Church of so wealthy
and populous a diocese. Its Neighbourhood to Cardiff, which is a
Mile off to the East, makes its decay'd Condition the more remark-
able. The Inhabitants of that very elegant Town, have within these
few Years, beautify'd their Church and furnish'd it with an Organ,
at their no small Expence. The Steeple of that once Conventual
Church, which is much the finest in South Wales, casts a Shade
upon Jasper's Tower in the Church of Landaff, whilst the Decora-
tions at the Top of the one, which are very fresh and curious,
reproach the broken Condition of the Battlements of the other.^
It must be own'd the Revenue of this Church is very small ; but in
this Age, in which building and repairing of Churches is more in
Fashion than it has been at any Time since the Reformation, so
near and so laudable an Example, will, I hope, incite those who are
best able, to raise the Mother-Church above its next adjoining
Daughter. And I cannot but believe, if those whose immediate
Concern the World will judge it to be, would set themselves about
It with Vigour and Application, but the Gentlemen of these two
flourishing Counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth, which constitute
the Diocese of Landaff, would, in like manner as their Ancestors
did on the erecting the primary Structure, willingly contribute to
make its ancient Cathedral once more appear with a Lustre equal,
at least, to that which it ever had.
" I am with due Respect, Honoured Sir,
" Your most faithful and most obedient Servant,
"W. WOTTON."
A Portfolio of collected Prints and Drawings preserved in the
King's Library of the British Museum, No. XLVI, contains copies
of the three illustrations in Willis's work : A North Prospect by
Harris ; a North-West View by Buck, 1741 ; a coloured drawing
of the West Front ; and the South Prospect as intended, in the
Italian Style, by (?) John Carter.
The next work descriptive of the Cathedral is that by George
Cooper, entitled ^« Historical Description of the Cathedral Church
of LLandaff, London, 1807, fol. In this the writer says : —
The Cathedral is situated at the bottom of an abrupt declivity,
leading from the village of Llandaff, and terminating at the W.
and S. walls of the church ; the remaining tower of which is nearly
upon a level with the heights of the village above. The river Taff,
1 Damaged in a storm on 27 November, 1 703.— Willis, p. 2.
/. Pritchard, del. 0. Jewitt, sc.
West Doorway, LLandaff.
From Freeman's "Remarks," 1850.
The Cathedral Church. 387
which here assumes a straight and regular course, passes by the
north wall at a short distance, and nearly in a parallel direction.
The whole fabric has been constructed of well-wrought masonry,
and the sculptures with which it has been decorated appear to have
been equally creditable to the age and ornamental to the building.
The west front is of a mixed architecture, Saxon and
Norman Gothic. It had formerly two towers, the most ancient of
which is now destroyed, except a small portion of its north wall.
Its present ruin cannot be entirely attributed to the hand
of time ; its destruction must have been hastened by accidental
force or wanton violence.
The N. tower has escaped desolation, except in its crowning,
which must have been in the style of the most florid
Gothic ; for it equalled the beautiful tower of Cardiff.
The windows of the N. tower may be called stone windows, for
the parts between the mullions are mere perforations, in the form of
ornamental circles and rhomboidal lozenges, similar in style and
design to the beautiful windows in the celebrated church at Batalha,
in Portugal. The tower was built by Jasper, son of Owen
Tudor, and his wife Catherine, daughter of Henry VI, King of
France . .". . . Duke of Bedford in 1485. The space within the
chord of the arch of the W. entrance has an elliptical panel, con-
taining a figure, in very low relief, of St. Dubritius The
slender columns supporting the tracery round the arch are attached
to the walls only by their capitals, and a carved belt in the middle.
Over the W. entrance is an alternation of windows and recesses,
these have slender columns for dressings, from the capitals of which
spring pointed arches of unequal heights. There is also another
series of recesses above, crowned also with arches, and in the centre
of these a window in a Saracenic style. Above this window in
another recess in the same style, inclosing a figure in a sitting
position in alto relievo, supposed to be Henry I, in whose reign
the Cathedral was built. On the S. side of the building is
a doorway in good preservation, which formerly led from
the Consistory Court into the church, a fine specimen of Saxon
origin. The outer circle of this arch is decorated with an
ornament which has become very common in our times, but
appears singular in a composition of this date, and is in reality
of Greek origin. In the interior of the church there is not
that profusion of mouldings generally found in religious buildings
of this era, and the whole composition, though simple, is very
C C 2
388 Memorials of Llandaff.
bold and impressive. The piers which support the nave are
enriched only with columns and angular chasms. The whole W.
part of the building is separated from the rest in connection and
style by an injudicious composition forming a " contre facade," but
is of no decided character, and awkwardly rears its front above the
walls of the ancient structure, and separates them from that part
which is now used as the parish church.
Cooper's illustrations comprise : Plate I. The W. Front ;—
II. The Interior ;i— III. The S. Doorway ;— IV and V. Various
Capitals ;— VI. Corbels, Heads, etc. ;— VII. Corbels, Effigy of
Teilo or Dubricius ; — and VIII. Windows, Plans of Piers, and
Rustic Corbel.
Wotton, in Willis's Survey, p. 30, writing in the year 17 17,
states that "the Bishop's Castle stood, before it was demolish'd.
South East of the church. It was heretofore a very stately
Building if we may judge by the Gate-House which is still
remaining. It was destroyed by Owen Glendower, or Glyn-
dwrdwy, who made great Devastation in this Country, as well
as in North Wales when he rose in Arms against Henry IV.
There is a very high thick Stone-Wall still standing, which
probably enclos'd the Castle, and the out-houses that belong'd
to it. The site of the Castle is now turn'd into a Garden, which
belongs to Thomas Matthew, Esqr.; of the Court of Landaff,
(a House so call'd just adjoining) who is Tenant to a Descendant
of the House of Aradir, now living in Ireland ; which Family
has been in possession of that which was once the Episcopal
House, and the Grounds thereunto adjoining, for some Ages."
The accompanying illustrations at pages 348 and 313 show
the condition of the remains of the Castle or Palace in the years
1775 and 1823.
G. Nicholson, in The Cambrian Travellers' Guide, London, 1813,
describing LLandaff, points out that this city is in the cwmwd of
Cibwyr, cantref of Brenhinol, now called the Hundred of Kibber, a
vicarage not in charge ; the Chapter of LLandaff, patron. The
population of this parish in 1801, including the hamlets of Canton,
Ely, Fairwater, Gabalfa and LLandaff was 860. It has no market
and, except for a few shops, depends on Cardiff. The fairs are
held on 9 February and on Whitmonday when great numbers
1 See Illustration.
Interior of Landaff Cathedral, 1807.
Drawn and Etched by G. Cooper.
The Cathedral Church. 389
of Cattle are sold. It is also celebrated for its vegetable pro-
duce. The parish area consists of 2399 acres.
There are some remarks on the cathedral in Cooke's Topo-
graphical Library, South Wales, 1830; in Rev. Richard Hart's
Ecclesiastical Recoj-ds, 1836; in Samuel Lewis's Topographical
Dictionary of Wales, 1838 ; and in Charles Frederick Cliffe's Book
of South Wales, 1847, and other works.
The Very Rev. W. D. Conybeare, Dean of LLandaff, in his
History and Architecture of the Cathedral of LLandaff, 1850, has
given a detailed account of the cathedral edifice, and described
the desired reparation. This is contained in the ArchcBologia
Cambrensis} in which it is shown that the church although it
can assert no competition in the exquisite richness of architectural
beauty with its English sisters of Salisbury, Lincoln, or Ely, and
still less venture any comparison with the grand amplitude of
Canterbury, York, or Winchester, may still assuredly claim the
supremacy both in elegance of detail and magnitude of scale over
every other cathedral of the Principality. The Dean points out
that the building was commenced in the year 11 20, and a part
of what now stands is of the later half of the twelfth century.
One peculiar feature in the design is the absence of transepts.^
The late Professor E. A. Freeman, in his Remarks on the
Architecture of LLandaff Cathedral, 1850, gives much critical
information about the sacred building, with a valuable plan which
should be contrasted with that included in Willis's Survey. The
Professor criticises Dean Conybeare's estimate of the beauty of
the church, and awards the foremost place in this respect to
St. David's Cathedral. The following extracts are of much
interest : —
"The Cathedral is a building which, in many respects, both
of its history and architecture, stands alone among English
churches. To one who had never visited St: David's, it would
probably appear, in all its circumstances, nearly the most striking
of their number. Elsewhere we are accustomed to find our greater
churches, those especially of cathedral rank, sometimes in the
densest parts of our great cities, but at all events in towns of con-
siderable size, rising as a witness above the diu and bustle of busy
life. But the founders of the Welsh cathedrals would seem, as
1 New Series II, Vol. I, p. 24.
2 Birch, Hist, of Neath Abbey, p. 196,
390 Memorials of Llandaff.
indeed is directly recorded of the greatest among them, almost to
have fled from the presence of men, and to have fixed their dwell-
ings in places adapted rather for retired contemplation than for
any active government of the church, in sites suited rather for
Cistercian abbeys than for cathedral churches. The English Sees
have been, in several instances, after their original seats had fallen
into decay, removed to cities of greater importance; while the
Welsh remain to this day in the small places where they were
originally founded. For there is no reason to suppose that the .
' cities' of St. David's and Llandaff were at any time of greater
intrinsic importance than at present. A somewhat greater amount
of population and industry was doubtless induced in past ages by
the presence of a greater number of resident ecclesiastics, but there
could hardly have been anything beyond what was thus factitiously
introduced. No military or commercial consequence ever belonged
to them.
" This air of desolation and remoteness from man is, however,
much less strongly felt at Llandaff than at St. David's. The greater
size of the latter Cathedral, the immense extent of surrounding
ruins, the character of the countrj' around, produced an effect
infinitely more striking than that of Llandaff. The richer country
around the latter, and the near neighbourhood of a large town, take
away much from its solitary character, and the peculiar outline of
the building helps to diminish the effect. St. David's is eminently
a cathedral in the wilderness. Llandaff might almost pass for a
village church of unparalleled size. With no cathedral character in
any part of its exterior except the west front, with all traces of
collegiate buildings demolished, there is nothing whatever to mark
its peculiar purpose, while the unparalleled neglect which, till
lately, had overwhelmed alike the fabric and its services, has
reduced the whole to a state into which St. David's, with all its
deficiencies, has never fallen.
" In fact, the nearest parallel to Llandaff which I know, is a
building not of cathedral rank at all, at least not for nearly eight
centuries ; the Abbey Church of Dorchester in Oxfordshire. They
are the two greatest village churches existing, and used as such,
that I have seen, and several points of resemblance may be found
both in their architecture and their history. Both exhibit the same
vast length, unbroken by tower or transept, so unusual in churches
of their scale and rank. In both an originally small church, by
enlargement in different directions, has swelled into a vast pile, but
without acquiring, either within or without, many of the distinctive
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The Cathedral Church. 391
features of a large church. Llandaff, however, has acquired far
more of those distinctive features. The individual parts, the nave,
choir, etc., are quite cathedral or abbatial in their character, though
the general effect is not ; at Dorchester even the parts taken singly
exhibit only an exaggeration of the parochial type. Both — though
Llandaff more completely and more disgracefully — have fallen into
utter neglect and decay, both have come in for their share of the
happy spirit of restoration which does so much honour to our
own day.
" Llandaff Cathedral on the whole stands well. The first part
of the building, the beautiful west front, is indeed concealed from
any distant view, but this deficiency is quite counterbalanced by
the singular and striking approach from the ' city' ; the steep
descent coming down almost immediately upon the grand western
portal. The rest of the church stands open, and very good views
from the south, both nearer and at some distance, may be obtained in
a walk across the field from Cardiff. I know of no cathedral, from
which the subordinate buildings have been so completely removed,
in which their loss is so little felt; probably because as the character
of the building does not so distinctly proclaim its rank, the
deficiency is not so painfully forced upon the eye. The castellated
gateway of the old episcopal palace is a fine object, and comes well
into the grouping from several points ; but it has no particular
reference to the Cathedral. The palaces at Wells and St. David's
especially the latter, magnificent in its ruins, could be mistaken for
nothing but what they are ; they are parts of a whole, the largest
and most splendid portion of the collegiate buildings ; but the
remains at Llandaff have nothing distinctly episcopal about them,
they might as well have been the stronghold of any Norman
robber, the lair of the wolf of the flock, rather than the dwelling of
its shepherd."
The illustrations to this writer's account of LLandaff include :
the South View of the Cathedral ; — the Plan ; — the West Front ; — the
Western Doorway ; — Parts of Doorways in the Nave ; — Interior of
the West End ; — Bays of the Nave and of the Choir ; — Part of the
Arch to the Lady Chapel ; — Details of the Lady Chapel ; — Arch
and Window in the Presbytery, etc.
Of the restoration of the Cathedral, a good notice is contained
in a work entitled Some Account of the Condition of the Fabric of
LLattdaff Cathedral, by Dr. Ollivant, Bishop of LLandaff, London,
1857, 8°, but the lateness of the undertaking removes from the
scope of this present work any endeavour to describe it in detail,
392 Memorials of Llandaff.
or to give extracts from the Bishop's account, which may be pro-
cured without difficulty.
Mrs. S. C. Hall, the well-known writer, in her Book of South
Wales, London, 1861, 8°, speaks of LLandaff as follows : —
Llandaff : — About two miles from Cardiff is the ancient and
venerable City of LLandaff, and a pretty and pleasant walk it is
from the town to the city. Though an episcopal See, it is a most
pitiful place — a poor and uninteresting village, with {g^n remains
to indicate its former greatness. The old Cross has been repaired
and the Cathedral is in course of restoration under the direction of
architects . . . aided by ... an admirable carver in wood
and stone. Time and strife had sadly ill-used this venerable
structure ; a few years ago it was in a state absolutely ruinous ;
happily, however, the Bishop, the Dean, and other authorities have
set themselves to the task or renovation, and ere long LLandaff
Cathedral will rank among the most beautiful sacred edifices of the
kingdom. B. Willis represented it as in a most deplorable state of
decay, the storm of 1703 having completed its destruction. In the
middle of the last century a sum of seven thousand pounds was
contributed towards its restoration ; but that sum was expended
.... in debasing the old building so as to render it absolutely
hideous, doing it more serious injury than had been accomplished
by tempest and by time Of the Episcopal Palace at
LLandaff the remains are interesting. The artist has pictured the
castellated gateway, a fine object which comes well into the group-
ing from several points, but has no particular reference to the
Cathedral. The ruins have nothing distinctly episcopal about
them, they might as well have been the stronghold of any
Norman robber.
Thos. Nicholas in his History and Antiquities of Glamorgan-
shire, 1874, relates that in the year 1188 Giraldus Cambrensis, in
company with Baldwine, Archbishop of Canterbury, on their tour
through Wales preaching the Crusades, visited' Llandaff. He says
little about the Cathedral, but incidentally mentions that the church
had then a " high altar," and records that on the morning following
the arrival of the travellers, " the business of the cross being pub-
licly proclaimed at LLandaff, the English standihg on one side and
the Welsh on the other — showing a sharp line of race distinction —
many persons of each nation took the cross, and we remained there
that night with Bishop William of Saltmarsh."
1 Itin., VII.
The Cathedral Church. 393
Mr. John Roland Phillips in his Concise History of Glamorgan,
1879, describes the viscissitudes of the Cathedral's history; the in-
juries inflicted on it by the Danes, and in the struggles between the
natives and the Normans ; and the efforts of Bishop Urban, which
resulted in the erection of a church worthy of the See, which took
sixty years to construct.
The following extract from Hill and Valley; or, Hours in
England and Wales, 1838, by Catherine Sinclair, is worthy of
perusal v —
'^ Llandaff: — The most retired, modest, quiet little city I ever
entered. A charming village green lies in the centre
What remains of the ancient Cathedral is extremely elegant, but
some parts have been .... clumsily repaired aud modernised ....
The beautiful windows are lancet-shaped, light, and graceful ....
The arches are lofty and adorned with .... carved foliage ; and
the doorways seem in perfect preservation, displaying a profusion
of ornament. Over one entrance stands the image of a bishop, and
in another place is an animated figure with a Bible in his hand,
apparently very ancient . . ." (P. 326.)
Mr. J. H. James in his History and Survey of the Cathedral
Church of LLandaff, 1898, remarks that during the Civil Wars
of Charles I the Cathedral was converted by Milles, one of the
Puritans who enjoyed the wanton defacing of the pious work
of former times, into an ale-house, the Choir became a calf-pen,
one part of the building was used as a stable, and another as
a post-office, and the font became a hog-trough.
Among other works containing notices of LLandaff, the follow-
ing may be consulted with advantage : — R. J. King's Handbook to
the Cathedrals of Wales, 1873, and Rev. W. R. Compton Davies's
Historical and Pictorial Glimpses of LLandaff Cathedral, 1895.
The Cathedral was partly destroyed, if tradition be true,
during the rebellion of Owen Glyndwr ; and though Jasper Tudor,
Duke of Richmond, in 1485, embellished it with two towers, of
which only one remains, it was never completely restored. A great
part of it remained in ruins, and in the latter half of the eighteenth
century it was further spoiled by the erection of a so-called Grecian
temple within the walls of the nave. Such was the taste of the age
that the altar was placed under a Greek portico, and the ceiling
1 W. de G. Birch, Hist, of Neath Abbey, pp. 194, 195.
394 Memorials of Llandaff.
was adorned with models and figures in plaster-of-Paris. Fortu-
nately the restoration was confined to the inside of the walls, and
the walls themselves were not injured, and its thorough reparation
was left to more recent times, The work commenced by Bishop
Edw. Copleston and Dean Conybeare, and accomplished by Bishop
Alfred Ollivant and the late Dean Williams, reflects credit on
all concerned. The restoration was well designed and carried
out, and the Cathedral is now worthy of its name. " In March,
1850, the western portion of the building was, as it had been for
127 years, a roofless ruin. The window in the western facade was
dilapidated and unglazed. A lofty fragment of what had once
been a south-west tower frowned upon the desolation below,
threatening still further destruction. Branches of ivy had grown
into the joints of the columns of the arches which had so long been
exposed to the weather. One portion alone of the ancient cleres-
tory had survived : a model of beauty, which in the event of any
future restoration the architect would feel himself constrained to
follow. Beyond the three roofless bays stood an Italian temple,
terminated at the west by a wall which crossed the nave and side
aisles from north to south. Its western front exhibited on its
summit two Grecian urns. The inside of it was lighted with
round-headed windows, plaster rosettes adorned the ceiling. The
choir and stallwork of painted deal were in keeping with the style
of the building. The doorway of the crossing-wall transmitted to
posterity the date (1752) of the completion of the Italian building
which by those who erected it was regarded with intense satisfac-
tion." This is the account given by Dr. Ollivant. Happily, this
incongruity no longer offends the sight : the Italian temple has
been removed, and the ancient Cathedral satisfactorily restored.
The total outlay amounted to thirty thousand pounds.
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APPENDIX.
I.
Life of St. Dubricius.
C De Sancto Dubricio Episcopo et Confessore.
[Anno autem domini centesimoquinquagesimo sexto.^]
LvciUS Britannorum rex ad Eleutherium Papam legates misit ,
scilicet Eluanum et Meduinum , vt iuxta eius admonitionem chris-
tianus fieret . Qui eosdem legates baptizauit , et catholica fide
suscepta ordinauit Eluanum in Episcopum , Meduinum autem in
doctorem . Et propter eloquentiam et scientiam quam habcbant in
scripturis sacris , predicatores ad Lucium in Britanniam reucrsi
sunt , quorum sancta predicatione Lucius , et totius Britannie
primates , baptismum susceperunt ; episcopos ordinarunt , et bene-
uiuendi normam docuerunt . Exorta tandem heresi pelagiana , ad
illam confutandam sanctus Germanus et Lupus episcopi a Gallie
episcopis ad Britannos missi sunt . Qui cum heresim illam extir-
passent , episcopos in pluribus locis Britannie consecrarunt , et
dextralis partis Britannie beatum Dubricium summum doctorem et
archiepiscopum statuerunt , et landauensem ecclesiam , in honore
beati Petri fundatam , sedem cathedralem collocarunt . CoUatis
autem ecclesie Landauensi a rege multis possessionibus et ecclesiis ,
Dubricius discipulos per ecclesias diuisit , quasdam nouas ecclesias
fundauit , Danielem in episcopum bangorensem , et sanctum
Iltutum [in abbatem] in loco ab illo Laniltut , id est 'ecclesia Iltuti '
vocato , ordinauit . — Regulus quidam Cambrie Peibanus nomine
contra hostes in expeditionem profectus , et cum triumpho regressus ,
precepit filie sue Eurdile pro labore peracte pugne caput ipsius
abluere. Que cum iussa patris conaretur implere , ex ipsius
gravitate genitor illam pregnantem animaduertit . Nimia igitur ira
succensus , iussit eam in quodam utre includi et in flumen precipitari .
Quotiens vero in flumen illam proiiciebant , totiens ad ripam illesa
ferebatur. Indignatus ergo pater igne eam comburi sine miseratione
iussit . Parato illico rogo puella immittitur : sed in crastino , missis
I From Cotton MS., Tiberius, E.I.
396 Memorials of Llandaff.
a patre legatis ad videndum si ossa aliqua filie inusta remanerent ,
earn incolumem , et filium quern pepererat in medio ignis in gremio
tenentem inuenerunt , vestibus illius atque capillis ab omni com-
bustione intactis . Baptizatus autem puer , Dubricius vocatur , et
spiritus sancti gratia statim repletur . Quis vero pater eius extiterat ,
ignoratur ; quidam idcirco erronei eum patre carere mentiuntur .
Cum itaque rex miranda signa que dominus erga filiam et ipsius
partum patrauerat cognouisset , filiam cum nata prole confestim ad
se adduci precepit . Cumque infantulum paterno affectu com-
plectens deoscularetur , instinctu divino puer manum sursum
porrlgendo , puerili more faciem ipsius contrectauit : et ex
infantis contactu ab incurabili morbo , quo laborabat , curatur .
Saliua enim ab ore eius incessanter profluebat , quam duo clientes ,
ad hoc deputati , extergere vix poterant . Gauisus ergo rex
recepta salute , paucis annorum elapsis curriculis Dubricium totius
regni sui constituit heredem . Traditur puer litteris imbuendus ; et
iuuenis factus , litterarum scientia et morum honestate in tantum
profecit , vt non solum rudes , sed etiam periti edificandi gratia ad
eum confluebant . Inter quos erant sanctus Theliaus , Sampson ,
Aidanus , et ceteri multi . In nativitatis sue solo . iuxta ripam
Waie fluminis , aptam sibi et discipulorum multitudini sedem
elegit , et pluribus annis ibidem studium rexit . Constructa autem
ecclesia iussu angeli domini , predicabat et populum docebat ; et
manus ejus impositione diversorum morborum languores crebrius
sanabantur , anxii quicunque et debiles leti et incolumes redibant :
— Exorta tandem , vt premittitur , heresi pelagiana , mittitur de
Gallia Sanctus Germanus , cum Lupo episcopo , ad compescendam
eam . Corrupta namque fuit christianitas Britonum , tum propter
paganos Saxones , tum propter pelagianam heresim , cuius vene-
num in ipsis pluribus serpserat diebus . Itaque sancti episcopi
predict! , consenciente rege Ambrosio Aurelio necnon et omni
clero , Dubricium archiepiscopum consecrarunt . Idem autem rex ,
ut memoriale procerum Britannie quos Hengistus , Saxonesque
sui complices , nephanda proditione in Monte Ambrii , qui omne
vulgo " Stanhenges" dicitur , trucidauerat , scilicet quadringentorum
octoginta consulum atque baronum , eternum fieret , pergrandes
lapides qui ibidem in horum memoriam vsque in presens positi
sunt , ab Hibernia cum magna manu germano suo Vther illuc
transmisso deportari fecit . Qui cum allati fuissent , congregati
sunt in Monte Ambrii edicto regis magnates cum clero , vt cum
magno honore dictorum nobilium sepulturam prepararent . Die
autem prefinita impositum est diadema capiti regis Aurelii Am-
Appendix. 397
brosii , et de communi consensu sedem eboracensem contulit
Sampsoni viro sancto , Vrbis vero Legionum archiepiscopatum
inclito Dubricio dedit . Cumque hec et alia in regno suo rite dis-
posuisset , precepit Merlino vati . saxa circa sepulturam erigere
que de Hibernia nauigio attulerat . Et factum est ita . Perempto
tandem veneno Aurelio rege , et regnante paucis annis Vther
fratre eius , Arthurus filius ejus ope Dubricii successit ; qui
Saxones audacter pluribus preliis aggreditur , nee tamen illos a
regno funditus extirpare potuit . Subiugauerant enim sibi Saxones
totam partem insule que a flumine Humbrie vsque ad cathanen-
sium equor protenditur . Ea-propter conuocato Arthurus clero
regnique primatibus , quid potissimum contra paganorum Saxo-
num irruptionem faceret consuluit . Communi tandem consilio
mittit ad Armoricam , id est Minorem Britanniam , ad Howelum
regem nuncios , qui ei calamitatem Brltannie notificarent .
Qui cum quindecim milibus armatorum Britanniam veniens ab
Arthuro et sancto Dubricio honorifice susceptus ; ad vrbem
Lincolniam a Saxonibus obsessam proficiscentes ; commisso bello
sex milia Saxonum vel submersi vel telis percussi perierunt .
Ceteri vero ad nemus Calidonis fugientes , a Britonibus obsessi ,
ad deditionem coacti sunt . Et susceptis obsidibus de tribute
annuatim solvendo , cum solis nauibus eos repatriare permisit .
Elapso parvo inde tempore , peracte pactionis Saxones puduit ,
et viribus reparatis fedus suum irritum fecerunt , vrbemque
Badonis obsidione valiant , que nunc Bathonia vocatur . Quo
audito Arthurus congregato exercitu , conspectis hostium castris sic
suos alloquitur: — " Quoniam " , inquit , " impiissimi Saxones fidem
michi seruare dedignantur , ego fidem deo meo seruans , sanguinem
ciuium meorum vlcisci conabor . Proditores ergo istos viriliter
aggrediamur , quos procul dubio suffragante Christo cum votiuo
triumpho deuincemus . " Hec illo prosequente . sanctus Dubricius
ascenso cuiusdam montis cacumine , excelsa voce exercitum sic
affatur : " Viri Christiana professione insigniti , maneat in vobis
conciuium vestrorum pietas et patrie , qui proditione paganorum
exterminati vobis sempiternum cedent in opprobrium , nisi ipsos
totis nisibus defendatis . Pugnate pro patria vestra , et mortem ,
si superuenerit , sponte patimini pro ea . Ipsa enim victoria est et
anime remedium . Quicunque enim pro fratribus suis mortem
subierit , uiuam hostiam se prestat deo ; Christumque sequi non
ambigitur , qui pro fratribus suis animam ponere dignatus est .
Siquis igitur vestrum in hoc bello mori contigerit , sit ei mors ilia
omnium delictorum suorum penitentia et remissio , dum cam hoc
398 Memorials of Llandaff.
modo recipere non diffugerit . " Percepta itaque sancti benedic-
tione , omnes ad arma currunt , Arthurus etiam humeros suos
clipeo protegit , quo imago sancte Marie dei genitricis depicta
constitit , quam sibi crcbrius in auxilium inuocauit . Et irruens in
Saxonum oiineos , adiutus Sancti Dubricii precibus , multa milia
prosternendo victoriam obtinuit , et paucos qui stragem euaserant
ad deditionem coegit . Dubricius autem monasterium Iltuti
abbatis quodam tempore quadragesime visitauit : et cum Sanctum
Sampsonem ad sacerdotii gradum promoueret , una cum Sancto
Iltuto columbam nive candidiorem celitus missam , quousque
compleretur officium , super caput Sampsonis manentem vidit .
Idem etiam Sampson curam promptuarii habens , cum omnia
pene pocula ob letitiam adventus Dubricii hospitibus erogasset et
egenis , cuiusdam fratris inuidia qui paulo ante eodem officio funge-
batur , delatus est se quicquid in cellario potus habuerat prodiga
manu dilapidasse . Exorto idcirco inter fratres murmure , Sampson
nimis erubescens cum Sancto Dubricio rem gestam retulisset ,
et ejus auxilium in tanto necessitate postulasset ; motus episcopus
orauit dominum vt Sampsonem a cordis amaritudine liberare
dignaretur . Et cellarium comite Sampsone ingressus , extensa
manu et data benedictione , omnia vasa plena reperta sunt .
Confluentibus undique populis ad beatum Dubricium , et egris
meritis eius corporum et animarum salutem reportantibus , quidam
potens , regali prosapia ortus , flexis genibus eum exorauit vt filiam
suam energuminam sua prece a demonio liberaret . Mox vir dei
procidens in terram , facie lachrymis profusa deum precibus
pulsans , puellam sanauit . Que seculo renuncians , doctrinis viri
dei adhesit et deuote deo seruire studuit . Dubricius tandem ,
infirmitatibus et senio grauatus , laboriosum opus episcopi
dereliquit : et heremiticam vitam cum pluribus discipulis , labore
manuum suarum viuentibus , in quadam maris insula solitarie
vixit : Et octauodecimo kal . decembris vitam gloriose finiuit , et in
eadem insula , vt viuens iusserat , sepeliri meruit . Asserunt enim
antique Britonum historic , multa sanctorum martyrum et confes-
sorum milia in ilia insula , nomine Enly , sepulturam habuisse .
Hec enim pauca de multis enucleauimus viri sancti gesta , cum
miracula eius nonnulla et sancte conversationis eius exempla
membranis impressa vel ignibus hostium exusta , seu ciuium exilio
fuerant , ut fertur , deportata . Anno autem domini quingentesimo
duodecimo sanctus Dubricius migrauit ad dominum , et anno
domini millesimo centesimo vicesimo nonis maii ab insula Enly ab
Vrbano landauensi episcopo translatum fuit corpus Sancti
Appendix. 399
Dubricii et quarto kal. iunii in ecclesia landauensi honorifice
reconditum . Eodem vero tempore tota Glamorgancia nimia
siccitate afficiebatur , nam pluribus septimanis in prouincia ilia
pluuia de celo non descenderat ; in adventu sanctarum reliquiarum
pluuia copiosa super terram illapsa incolas letificauit . Cum autem
episcopi duo ossa sancti in pelui lauare inciperent , reliquiis
confestim vnda intinctis ebuUire limpha cepit , ac si lapis ignitus
immissus fuisset . Et quamdiu ossa ab episcopis erant lota , calor
laticis auctus est , et sonus feruentis vnde auditus .
{Nova Legenda Anglics. Ed. C. Horstmann for Clarendon
Press, 1 90 1. Vol. I, pp. 267 to 271.)
II.
Life of St. Teilo.
C De Sancto Theliao Episcopo et Confessore.
Sanctus enim Theliaus ab infantia dei cultor existens , oratio-
nibus et vigiliis deo militauit : seipsum , vt alios pinguesceret ,
macerabat , omnia que possidebat pauperibus errogabat , et
aliorum miserebatur ,ut misericoi'diam consequeretur . Ex nobilibus
parentibus ortus est , vt carnis nobilitas inter homines honestaret
eum , qui iam animi nobilitate apud deum acceptabilis erat . Post
incrementum autem etatis , virtutum et sapientie , congrue nomine
" Helyos " a sapientibus nuncupatus est — " elyos " enim grece ,
latine "Sol" interpretatur : fulgebat enim sicut sol doctrina ejus ,
fidelium illustrando corda . Sed laicis extremum vocabuli corrupte
proferentibus , adoleuit quod non " Elyos " sed " Eliud " appella-
[bajtur . A sancto enim Dubricio episcopo in scripturis Sanctis
eruditus fuit , donee eum tante indolis puerum perpendit , vt spiritu
sancto cooperante scripturarum nodos perfecte explicaret . Tunc
puer sanctus , audita cuiusdam Paulini sapientis viri fama , accessit
ad eum , et scripturarum secreta cum illo conferebat : vbi sanctum
David , perfecte hominem vite , sibi associauit ; quos tanta coniunxit
dilectio et sancti spiritus gratia , quod idem velle et nolle ambobus
esset . In istorum autem sanctorum diebus , quidam populi , qui siue
a pictis vestibus , siue propter oculorum stigmata, "Picti" dice-
bantur , cum innumera classe de Scithia ad Britanniam venerunt ,
et capti amore terre possidende , magis fraude quam viribus
Britannos inuaserunt , et in eos ad tempus miram tirannidem ex-
ercuerunt . Quorum quidam princeps miseros incolas trucidando ,
400 Memorials of Llandaff.
edes et templa comburendo , vsque Mcneviam procedens , palatium
ibi constriixit . Et videns Santi Dauid et Eliud aliorumque sanc-
torum vite et morum sanctitatem , non solum illis inuidit , sed
multa eis obprobria sepe ingessit . Precepitque vxori sue ad sanctos
ancillas suas dirigere et motibus corporum impudicis et blandimentis
sanctorum mentes a proposito peruertere . Que dum domine sue
mandata sequentes , quasi insanas se simularent , insane facte sunt .
Quo viso persequutor ille et domus sua tota fidem Christi suscipi-
entes baptizati sunt . Cum enim Sanctus Theliaus , qui et Elyud ,
et Madocus lectionibus vacarent , superuenit famulus quidam ,
dicens ligna deesse quibus cena fratrum preparari posset . Qui
egre ferentes audita , ad siluam cum festinatione pergebant . Et
ecce duo cervi mansueti occurrentes , quasi ad seruiendum parati ,
colla sua iugo submittebant . Cumque sancti onerato plaustro
redirent , viris longe precedentibus Sanctis , nullo vrgente
cerui velociter eos sequuti sunt : et multo post tempore ligna
et alia necessaria monasterio deferebant . Misit autem domi-
nus angelum suum Sanctis Dauid , Theliao , et Paterno , qui
Hierusalem peregre proficisci , et donatiua ibi recipere eis precepit .
Tunc illi sine pera et baculo , in domino tantum confidentes , iter
arripiunt , et per diuersas prouincias sue sanctitatis vestigia relin-
quentes , occurrentium debilium dolores alleuiabant . Cumque
latrones in via obsisterent , non tantum spolia illis pacifice concede-
bant , sed si quid prede immemores ipsi relinquerent , predatoribus
hilari vultu porrigebant . Illi autem simplicitatem sanctorum con-
siderantes , redditis spoliis veniam de commissis postulabant , et
ad tuta loca eos conducebant . Ingressis autem illis Hierusalem ,
occurrit omnis populus psallens in canticis et hymnis , vsque ad
templum domini eos deducens . Continuatis enim triduo ibi pre-
cibus , adeo supernorum contemplationi vacabant , quod terreno-
rum immemores penitus erant . Expectabat interea totus clerus
attente considerans , quis sanctorum quam sedem sibi oratione
finita eligeret , vt , sicut celitus per angelum docti erant , in sedium
electione notarent quem ceteris illorum prelatum constituerent :
Erant enim in templo tres cathedre senioribus ab antiquis tempori-
bus constitute . Quarum inferiorem et magis humilem Theliaus
eligens , nobiliores fratribus propter reuerentiam dimisit . Quo
viso , omnes qui aderant in facies suas proni cadentes coram viro
dei dixerunt: "Salve sancte dei Theliae ,et vt apud domimum
nobis valeant preces tue propitius concede , quia hodie plus ceteris
confratribus tuis sublimatus es , residens in sede domini nostri
Jhesu Christi , in qua patribus noslris predicabat regnum dei".
Appendix. 401
Hoc audiens vir dei , cum magno stupore surrexit , et se in terram
prostrauit , dicens : " Beatus vir qui non abiit in consilio impiorum
et in via peccatorum non stetit et in cathedra pestilentie non sedit .
Et bcnedictus saluator qui sedem sibi fieri elegit de ligno , qui per
lignum succurrere voluit pereunti mundo" . Rogaverunt ergo eum
omnesquatinus ad instructionem virtutum parabolam eis de Christo
diceret , vt sicut ilium imitatus fuerat in cathedra residendo , eum
imitaretur verbum dei predicando . Qui videns amorem divini
verbi flagrare in cordibus eorum , cum lingue [illorum] penitus
expers fuit , miro modo sollicitudo et angustia premebant eum .
Vt tamen populo supplicanti et illorum voto satisfaceret , sacras
scripturas exponere cepit ; et unu'^quisque astantium ilium sua
lingua loquentem audivit . Cumque omnes tanta dulcedine ser-
monis illius essent affecti , vt quanto eum diutius audirent , magis
ilium audire desiderarent ; ne predicandi officium videretur sumere
si solus predicasset , populo dixit : " Audite iam a fratribus meis verba
vite , qui me perfectiores in vita sunt et diligentiores in doctrina ."
Surrexerunt ergo Sanctus Dauid et Paternus , et predicaverunt
populo , omnibusque in sua lingua perfecte intelligentibus eos .
Post hec vero , admonitione angelica , a clero et populo electi pontifi-
cali dignitate sublimati sunt ; et quasi in testimonium gratie quam ibi
domino largiente susceperant , data sunt eis preciosa tria munera ,
prout cuique competebat : Paterno baculus et capa choralis precioso
serico contexta , eo quod ilium cantorem egregium videbant :
Sancto autem Dauid altare mirificum , nulli bene notum de qua
materia fuerat factum ; nam iocundius ceteris celebrauit , Beato
autem Theliao cimbalum dederunt magis famosum quam sit
magnum , magis preciosum quam pulchrum , quia dulci sono
organum omne videtur excellere , periuros dampnat , infirmos
curat ; et singulis horis nullo mouente sonabat , donee peccatis
hominum exigentibus qui illud pollutis manibus temere tractabant ,
a tam dulci obsequio cessaret . Sicut enim cimbalum a torpore
sompni et inertie cunctos ad ecclesiam inuitat , ita Sanctus
Theliaus , Christi preco factus , incessanter predicando subiectos ad
celum verbo et exemplo incitabat . Sancti itaque dei prospere in
regionem suam reuersi , propter pestilentiam que fere totam
deleuerat gentem , diutius in terra morari non poterant . Pestis
autem ilia "flaua" vocabatur , eo quod flauos et exsangues
vniuersos quos inuasit efficiebat . Que in columpna aquose nubis
hominibus apparebat , vuum caput verrens per terram , aliud sursum
trahens per aerem , et per totam regionem discurrens . Quecunque
autem animantia suo pestifero flatu attigit , aut illico moriebantur
D D
402 Memorials of Llandaff,
aut vsque ad mortem egrotabant . Si quis vero medelam egrotanti
adhibere conaretur , sine medicaminis effectu medicantem cum
egroto atra lues ad interitum trahebat . Seuiente enim in homini-
bus et iumentis ilia paste , Sanctus Theliaus in ieiunio et planctu
clamauit ad dominum , diceus : " Parce , domine , paixe populo
tuo , qui non vis mortem peccatoris , sed vitam , [et] ne des
hereditatem tuam in perditionem" . Ira demum dei eius oratione
aliorumque sanctorum ad tempus sopita , celitus admonitus cum
hiis qui residui fuerant de gente in longinquas discessit regiones ,
donee deus eis reditum in patriam innuere dignaretur . Deus
autem , cuius misericordia plena sunt universa , non tantum gentis
tandem miseriam , sed sanctum pro gente exorantem propitius
respiciens , concessit eis de exilio reuerti , et a periculo penitus
liberari . Vir autem dei , gentis rcliquias colligens , natale solum
repetiit , et principatum super omnes ecclesias occidentaJis Britanie
vsque ad finem vite sue tenuit . Sanctus demum Theliaus , virtuti-
bus et omni sanctitate plenus , in senectute bona , quinto idus
februarii seculum relinquens migrauit ad celum . In nocte autem
depositionis eius inter tres cleros trium ecclesiarum illius magna
oritur dissentio , singulis suas auctoritates de habendo corpore eius
et priuilegia pretendentibus . Discretorum tamen habito tandem
consilio , orationibus et ieiuniis insistere acquiescunt , vt summus
arbiter Christus , qui est vera auctoritas et privilegium sanctorum ,
ostendere dignaretur quibus sancti sui corpus dignius esset com-
mittendum . Mane autem facto , quidam senior , vbi corpus sancti
positum erat inspiciendo considerans , voce magna exclamauit
dicens : " Exaudita est , fratres mei , a domino oratio nostra .
Surgite , et que facta sunt a Christo domino ad vestram sedandam
discordiam respicite , vt sicut in beati confessoris Theliai vita
sanctissima , sic et in eius morte ad honorem et laudem dei fierent
miracula" . Et ecce vident ibi corpora tria , quibus par erat
quantitas in corpore , idem color in facie , et in nullo discrepantia
totius compaginis aut vestium lineamenta possidebant . Sicque
sedata lite singuli cum suo corpore cum gaudio reuersi , et diuersis
in locis cum summa reuerentia sepelierunt . Vnum autem corpus in
landauensi ecclesia , aliud non longe abvrbe Caermerthin , tertium
in Westwallia , in magno honore habetur .
{Nova Legenda Anglim. Ed. C. Horstmann for the
Clarendon Press, 1901. Vol. II, pp. 364 to 367.)
In the Life of Saint David or Dewi, contained in the British
Museum, Cotton MS. Vespasian A. XIV, ff. 60-69, there are some
Appendix. 403
remarkable notices of Saint Teilo or Eliud, with whom he was
contemporary.
III.
Account of St. Teilo.
C The . ix . daye of February "In englond the feest
of saynt Theliaus / that is called saynt Elios / & )?^ comyn people
done call hym saynt Eliud / a noble man borne / & from youth
applyed unto vertue / & whan he was lerned in scripture / he herd
\^ fame of saynt Paulyn in wales / & thyder comyng he fou^de there
saynt Dauid / & they twayne lyued togyder as breder : in theyr
tyme the pictes hethen men entred englond & destroyed many
places & slewe moche people / & a prynce & capytayne of them
went in to wales / Y by this holy saynt was cowuerted / & he had
reuelacyon to go w' saynt Dauid & saynt Paterne unto lerusalem /
where they all thre preched in Y tongue that before they neuer
knewe / as the apostles / & in all languages / & dyd there & by
the waye many grete myracles / & whan they came home / saynt
Dauid was archebysshop of wales / & this saynt a bysshop / &
whan he was deed thre cou;2trees dyd contend & stryue for his
body / & at ]?s last by cou«seyle they fell all unto prayer / & co?«-
mytted the iudgement unto almighty god & our sauyour lesu / &
on Y morowe after they fouwde there thre bodyes / all & eueryche
so lyke unto other / that no difference myght be noted / wherfore
euery of the thre cou^trees praysynge god toke one body / one of
them lyeth at landaf / the seconde at kayrmyrthyn / & the thyrde
in west wales."
(From The Martiloge in Englysshe after the use of
the chirche of Salisbury and as it is redde in Syon.
Ed. F. Procter, M.A., and E. S. Dewick, M.A.
Bradshaw Soc, London, 1893, p. 24.)
IV.
A Prayer to St. Teilo.
The Liber Landavensis has a prayer, written in a fourteenth-
century handwriting, which belongs to a Breviary, or other Service
Book of the church, for use on the Feast of St. Teilo, 9 February.
The allusion contained in it is to the episode described at pages
59 and 70.
D D 2
4O4 Memorials of Llandaff.
" Omnipotens sempiterne Deus qui de beato corpore Sancti
Thelyai confessoris tui atque pontificis tria corpora consecrasti . et
per illud miraculum pacem et concordiam inter inimicos reformasti ,
concede propicius per ejus suffragia pietatis tue misericordiam con-
sequamur . per dominum nostrum etc . " (P. 281.)
V.
Life of St. Oudoceus.
C jDe sancto Oudoceo , Episcopo et Confessore.
Sanctus Oudoceus Christi seruus , ab infantia bonis et Sanctis
meritis deditus , ieiuniis , vigiliis et orationibus pro eterna mercede
assiduus , liminibus beati Petri apostoli visitatis , locum sancti
Dauid adiit et inde per ecclesiam Sancti Theliai diuertens , reliquias
quasdam ibidem acquisitas secum sumpsit ; cumque in itinere con-
stitutus latronibus obuiaret , et illi copiam thezauri eum habere
sperantes , depredari vellent , cecitatem incurrerunt , et penitentes
prece Oudocei oculorum visum receperunt . Cum autem factus
episcopus iter cum suis ageret , de mulieribus quibusdam butirum
lauantibus , aquam de vase sibi porrigi postulauit . Ule vero ironice,
nullum alind vas nisi butirum se habere responderunt . Episcopus
vero , accepto ab eis butiro , et formata ad modum tintinnabuli
nola , inde potauit , et in tali forma remansit , aurea videlicet ,
in tantum quod videntibus apparet esse ex auro purissimo , et ab
illo die in ecclesia landauensi in miraculi testimonium conservatur .
Rex quidam venando cum ceruum insequeretur , et ceruus ad
pallium sancti confugeret , rex cum venatoribus hoc videns mira-
culum , veniam a seruo dei humiliter postulauit , et totum terri-
torium illi concessit . Dimissa tandem vir dei pastorali cura ,
construxit monasterium juxta aquam nomine Weie , et congregata
fratrum magna caterua , in magna abstinentia et sanctitate vite per
multos annos vitam ducens.exempla virtutum et totius sanctimonie
vsque ad mortem fratribus ostendit . Migrauit autem ad Christum
sexto nonas iulii .
{Nova Legenda Anglice. Ed. C. Horstmann for Clarendon
Press, 1901. Vol. II., p. 273.)
Appendix. 405
VI.
Early History of LLantwit.
An old MS. of Sir Edward Stradlings says that " the Saints
of Lantwit Monastery had for their habitation four Hundred
houses and Seven Halls," which must mean, I think, that they lived
in four Hundred seperate habitations or Lodges, like the little
dwellings of the place, that many of them still remains, for we
find no reason to suppose them very large and Sumptuous Build-
ings, which were like our Halls, or, as we may deem them. Colleges.
There is another old book at Landaff, worm-eaten and rotten,
very little of it readable now, but in what of it can be read some
names of Abbots of Lantwit may be seen; these are, Iltutus, Piro,
Isanus, Ceimet, Samson, etc., and many more that cannot be read
now, so Old and decay 'd is the Parchment, which I guess to be
some decree of a Pope, or it may be some Charter of a King to the
Abbots of Iltutus and the Church of Lantwit ; some, I say, of
these names, or what are very much alike them, are amongst the
Bishops of Landaff in those days, and ... it is not unlikely that
some Abbots of Lantwit might be made Bishops of Landaff, for
who Else could be found so proper .... from their learning and
Holiness. The Bishops of Landaff were in those days chosen by
the Clergy and their Congregations out of their own number, and
it should be odd if none of the Abbots of Lantwit should be chosen
to be Bishops of LLandaff ....
(Extract from a manuscript, in possession of the Marquess
of Bute, entitled The Antiquities of Lantwit Major
and Boverton. By Henry Tucker, of Lantwit, 1825.
40. P. 17.)
VII.
Events of the Year 961.
The Book of Aberpergwm, under 961 . . . relates that Padarn,
Bishop of LLandaff, died, and Rhodri, son of Morgan the Great,
was placed in his room, against the will of the Pope, on which
account he was poisoned, and the priests were enjoined not to
marrv without the leave of the Pope, on which account a great
4o6 Memorials of Llandaff.
disturbance took place in the diocese of Teilo, so that it was con-
sidered best to allow matrimony to the priests.
(Rev. E. J. Newel!, History of the Welsh Church. 8°.
London, 1895, p. 164. With a reference to the
Gwentian Brut in Arch. Cambr., 3rd Series, X,
Suppl., p. 28.)
VIII.
Early Notices of Glamorgan.
Towards the Sea : is Catguilia, now Cydweili, a country some-
time possessed by Mauritius of London. Next whom lieth Gwhir,
which ioyneth vnto Morgania, with a Towne at the mouthe of
Tawai, of vs Abertawai, of Englishmen called Swansei. Morgania,
of Englishmen Glamorgan, of vs called Morgan wc and Gwladforgan,
that is to say : the country of Morgan, of one Morgan, which was
there slayne by his Auntes sonne Cuneda, who was King of Lhoegr
more then twoo thousand yeres since: so called. It lieth on the
Seuern Sea, and was alwaies wont to be rebellious agaynst his
Prince. Wherfore, when it refused to obey his true, and lawful!
Prince : by the iust iudgement of God, which allwayes reuengeth
Rebellion, and Treason : it was enforced to come in seruitude vnto
straungers. For aboute the yere of our Lorde, one thousand, foure-
score, and ten, when lestinus, sonne to Gurgantus, Erie of Morgania,
refused to obey Rhesus, sonne to Theodore, Prince of Southwales,
and sent Aeneas sonne to Cediuorus, sometime Lorde of Demetia,
into England, to take muster of Souldiers, and there receaued a
great army vnder the conduct of one Robert, sonne to Hamo, and
ioynynge with other Rebelles out of Wenta and Brechinia : mette
with Rhesus in Black hill and there slew him In this prouince
are, Neth vpon a Riuer of the same name, Pontfayn, that is to say.
Stone brydge, Englishmen falsly call it Cowbridge, Lantwyd,
Wenny, Dynwyd, Townes and Castels, besides Caer Phili, a most
auncient Castle, and Fortresse. Whiche, as reporte goeth, was
erected by the Romans, and Caerdid, the principal! towne of the
shyre, standyng vpon the ryuer Taf, English men terme it Card3'd.
And not far from thence is Landaf, to say : a Churche standynge
on Tauus, ennobled with a Byshops See
(Extract from The Breuiary of Britayne . . . written in
Latin by Huinfrey Lhuyd of Denbigh, a Cambre
Britayne, and lately Englished by Thomas Twyne
Gentleman. Sm. 16°, 1573. Fol. 79.<5.)
Appendix. 407
On the first flyleaf of the copy belonging to the Marquess of
Bute from Lord Amherst's Library is written " This Edit, of the
Breviary of Britain is so Scarce that Mr. Tho. Hearne of Oxford
never could meet with a compleat copy but one in the Earl of
Oxfords Library. Dr. John Moor Bishop of Ely offered to Mr.
Ralph Thoresby for this Copy its weight in Gold, i.e. this
Breviary."
IX.
Election of Bishop Urban, with Account of his
Character.
Venerando sanctse Cantuariensis aecclesiae metropolitano Anselmo
clerus et populus aecclesiae Clamorgatensis debitam subjectionem .
Vestrae paternitati est cognitum quantum temporis est ex quo
accidentibus variis eventibus ecclesia Clamorgatensis suo sit viduata
pastore . ac destituta rectore . quod non solum ad nostrum verum
et ad vestrum ac omnis vestrae dioceseos detrimentum pertinere
dinoscitur . cum totius provintise sollicitudinem metropolitano
constet esse commissam . Propterea elegimus Wigorniensis
aecclesiae presbiterum nomine Urbanum nobis sufficientissime
cognitum . natalibus et moribus nobilem . apostolica et eeccle-
siastica disciplina imbutum . fide catholicum . natura prudentem .
docilem . patientem . moribus temperatum . vita castum . sobrium .
humilem . affabilem . misericordem . litteratum . in lege dei
instructum . in scripturarum sensibus cautum . in dogmatibus
ecclesiasticis exercitatum . et secundum scripturarum tramitem
traditionemque orthodoxorum et canonum ac decretorum sedis
apostolice praesulum constitutiones . sano sensu aecclesiasticas
regulas intelligentem . sanoque sermone docentem atque ser-
vantem . amplectentem eum qui secundum doctrinam est fidelem
sermonem . et cum modestia corripientem eos qui resistunt .
et qui sanae doctrinae adversantur eis resistere . et redarguere
praevalentem . hospitalem . modestum . suae domui bene prae-
positum . non neophitum . habentem testimonium bonum in
gradibus singulis . secundum traditionem aecclesiasticam minis-
trantem . ad omne opus bonum et ad satisfactionem omni pos-
centi rationem de ea quse in illo est spe paratum . Quem nobis
quantotius petimus ordinari pontificem . quatinus auctore domino
regulariter nobis praeesse valeat et prodesse . et nos sub ejus
regimine salubriter militare possimus . quia integritas praesidentium
4o8 Memorials of Llandaff.
salus est subditorum . Et ubi est incolumitas obcedientise . ibi sana
est forma doctrinae.
{Letter of the Clergy of the Diocese of Glarnorgan to Arch-
bishop Ansehn. British Museum, Harley Roll A 3.)
X.
Annals of LLandaff.
1283. David [Walensis] cum duobus filiis . uxore . et filiabus . capti
sunt fraude nepotum .
1286. Combustio domorum apud Stratam - Floridam.
108 1. Edificata est Kerdivia sub Rege Willelmo prime .
1 104. Obiit Herwaldus Landavensis episcopus annorum . C . cui
successit Worganus ab Anselmo archiepiscopo Cantua-
riensi consecratus .
1 133. Robertus cognomine Courtehose . frater primi Henrici Regis
Anglie et comes Normannorum , obiit apud Kerdiviam .
et sepultus est Gloucestriae .
1 147. Fundata est abbatia de Margan a Roberto comite Glouces-
triae . qui construxit castrum et turrim et prioratum beat!
Jacobi Bristolliae qui comes eodem anno obiit et sepultus
est in dicto prioratu .
1 148. Obiit Huctredus Landavensis episcopus .
1 1 58. Willelmus comes Gloucestriae et Hawisia comitissa capti
fuerunt de nocte in castro Kerdivie de Yuoro dicto Parvo
1 183. Obiit Nicholaus Landavensis episcopus ii non . Julii .
1218. Obiit Henricus Landavensis episcopus ii idus Novembr.
1219. Willelmus prior Golclivie consecratur in episcopum Landa-
vensem .
1229. Obiit Willelmus de Golclivia episcopus Landavensis v kal .
Febr .
1230. Obiit Elias episcopus Landavensis .
1 23 1. Lewelinus ap Wereward . circa festum apostolorum Petri et
Pauli . cepit castrum de Neth .
1232. Combusta est Villa de Kenefeg per Morganum Gam .
1236. Abbas et Conventus de Teukesbury concesserunt domino
Eliae episcopo Landavensi et capitulo Landavensi dona .
Appendix. 409
1237. Johannes de Golclivia abbas de Morgan obiit ix kal . Sept .
cui succedit Le Ware .
1242. Obiit Willelmus de Marisco . Captus est insula de Londey .
Pacem habuit Griffinus ap Reys .
1243. Combusta est Villa de Kenefeg [ab] Howel ap Moruduth
contra Ricardum comitem de Clare . Willelmus de Burgo
eligitur in episcopum Landavensem cassata Willelmi de
Christi Ecclesia [electione] .
1245. Interfectus est dominus Herebertus filius Mathei prope
Margan in die beatse Agathae Virginis .
1250. Dompnus J. de Ware cessit ab officio abbatije de Margan in
festo apostolorum Petri et Pauli . cui successit Thomas de
Pertchiwet in festo SS. Martyrum Mauricii sociorumque
ejus .
1253. Obiit dominus Willelmus de Burgo episcopus Landavensis .
cui successit dominus J. Le Ware quondam abbas de
Margan post festum Omnium Sanctorum .
1256. Obiit Johannes Le Ware episcopus Landavensis in festo
apostolorum Petri et Pauli cui successit dominus
Willelmus de Radnore .
1263. Gilbertus de Clara filius dicti Ricardi comitis . xix . annorum
accessit ad terram suam de Glamorgan circa festum beati
Michaelis .
1265. Obiit dominus Willelmus de Radnore episcopus Landavensis .
xi . kal . Sept . consecratur Willelmus de Breus Landa-
vensis episcopus .
1266. In crastino Sancti Edmundi Regis et martyris Willelmus de
Breus Landavensis episcopus intronisatur . eodem die
dedicatio ecclesise ejusdem loci . Eodem anno post
festum Epiphaniae die sabati captus est Griffinus ap Reys
in castro Kerdivie . postea missus ad Kilkenni ad incarce-
randum .
(Extracts from the Queen's Remembrancer's Miscel-
laneous Book, Vol. I, in the Public Record Office.
Cf Clark, Cartce, p. 858.)
4IO Memorials of Llandaff.
XI.
Notice of Bishops Paschal or Pascall, and
Bkomfield.
Of the Bishops of LLandafif in the fourteenth century, Godwin
notes John Paschall, D.D., a Carmelite of Ipswich, and a Suffolk
man, whom the Pope pushed into the See, having set aside the free
and lawful election of the Chapter in favour of John Coventry,
Archdeacon of LLandaff. Bishop Godwin, with scornful deprecia-
tion, says that Paschall was " a man of great learning for those
times." How Edmund Bromefield came to be pitchforked into the
See of LLandaff shows the occasional arising from making oneself
very busy and disagreeable. Bromefield was a learned monk at
Bury, who sorely tried the patience of the worthy fathers of that
Abbey by what Godwin calls "his pragmatical and stirring
humour." So, to get rid of him, the convent sent him to Rome
to act as their agent, having first made him take oath never to
seek preferment in their house without their consent or knowledge.
In process of time the Abbot of Bury died ; the Pope would make
Bromefield Abbot in his place : consequently the oath could not be
kept. The new Abbot went to take possession and found when he
got to Bury another Abbot chosen with the King's approval. The
King's Abbot proved too strong for the Pope's Abbot. Dr. Brome-
field had a cell in the Tower of London, instead of the comfortable
Abbots-Chamber at Bury. Pope Urban VI durst not give him
any support for fear of alienating the King of England, there being
at that time an anti-pope. However, to make up the loss to Dr.
Bromefield, the Pope nominated him to an Irish bishopric, when
just at the nick of time the Bishop of Rochester was gathered to
his fathers ; the Pope and the King, glad of the opening, made up
their differences ; the Bishop of LLandaff [William Bottisham]
was translated to Rochester and Edward Bromefield slipt into
LLandaff. We do not hear any more of " pragmatical and stirring
humour." The mitre quieted him as it has done many others
before and since : though he did not live long to enjoy it, being
consecrated 1389, and dying 1391.
(Extract from Welsh Sketches, Third Series, London,
1853.)
Appendix,
411
XII.
Bishop Godwin's Return for Monmouthshire, 1607.
The return made by Bishop Godwin of the vicarages, chapels,
curateships, etc., belonging to the Diocese of LLandaff, in Mon-
mouthshire consists of the following parishes and sites, and
tabulates the impropriators and patrons : — •
Vicarages.
Christchurch
Goldcliff...
Nashe ...
Lanover, with the Chapels of Tre-
vethyn and Mamhylovv
Dingestowjwith the Chapel ofTregare
Lantylio — Bertholly
Langattock — Clennigg
Lannyhangle — Kylcorny ...
Lanellyn
St. Mellan's
Marshfield
Rumny ...
Ragland...
Lantrissen
Lanthewy-Richerch
Langattock vibon Avell
Carelion...
Vndye ...
Wonastow
Lantilio Gressenny
Carevvent
Mager, with the Chapel of Red wick...
Witeston
Rockfield
Newport, alias St. WoUo, with the
Chapel of Bettus
LangLim...
Trelegg ...
Matherne, with Crick and Runston
Chapels
Chepstow
Basselegg, with the Chapels of Henllis,
Bettus and Ryscha
Lanhyleth
Abergavenny
St. Bride's
College of Eaton.
College of Eaton.
College of Eaton.
LLandaff Chapter.
LLandaff Chapter.
LLandaff Chapter.
The King.
Charles Morgan.
Margaret Morgan.
Bristol Chapter.
Bristol Chapter.
Bristol Chapter.
Wm. Johns, Gent.
Thos. Reynolds, Gent.
Christofer Probert, Gent.
The King.
LLandaff Chapter.
LLandaff Chapter.
Pension to the King.
LLandaff Chapter.
Pension to LLandaff Chapter.
The King.
Half to LLandaff Chapter
and half to Eaton College.
Pension to the King.
The Bishop of Gloucester.
LLandaff Chapter.
Pension to the King.
LLandaff Chapter.
The King.
Bishop of LLandaff.
The King.
Robt. Gunter, Gent.
Sir Wm. Herbert, Knt.
412
Memorials of Liandaff.
Vska ...
... Earl of Pembrook
Lanarth . . .
... Earl of Worcester.
Gresmont
... The King.
Skenfryth
... The King.
Caldicott
... The King.
Parsonages leased.
Bedwasse Rectory
... Sir Edw. Lewes, Knt.
LLanlowell
... Wm. Nicholas, Gent.
Curateshifis.
Lanissen
... Earl of Worcester.
Landynny
... Earl of Worcester.
Trostrey
... John Morgan, Gent.
Kemys Coinauder
... Edw. Morgan, Esq.
Landog-gow
... LLandaff Chapter.
Tyntarne
... Archdeacon of LLandaff.
Lanhenogg
... LLandaff Chapter.
Lanthewy vauch ..
... LLandaff Chapter.
Chappell hill
(belonged to Tintern Earl of Worcester.
Abbey)
Byston ...
... Archdeacon of LLandaff
Langenwyth
... The King.
Trelegges grange
... Earl of Worcester.
Pentirry
... Wm. Powell of Lampill, Esq.
Killgurrock
... Wm. Powell of Lampill, Esq.
Menythustoyn
... Sir Edw. Herbert, Knt.
Bedvvelty
... Sir Edw. Herbert, Knt.
New Church
... Earl of Worcester.
Lanbaddock
... Earl of Pembroke.
Glascott
... Wm. Woolfife, Gent.
Monkeswood
... Andr. Powell, Gent.
Lanweochva
... Edw. Morgan, Esq.
Lannyhangle juxta
Lantarnam ... Edw. Morgan, Esq.
Langoneu
Chas. Jones, Gent.
Pennyclawd
... Chas. Jones, Gent.
St. Aryan's
... Earl of Worcester.
Peterston
... Thos. Morgan, Esq.
Holwick
... The King.
Mownton
... Henry Lewes, Esq.
Lanvayre Escoyd
... Rice Kemys, Esq.
Dynham
... Rice Kemys, Esq.
Lanthonis
... Treasurer of Liandaff.
(British Museum, Harley MS. 595, fol. i, et seg.)
This record is valuable, being different to that in the Liber
Landavensis of an earlier, and that in Willis's Survey of a later,
date. There is a return made by Bishop Anthony Kitchin,
4 Aug., 1563, in the same MS.
App endix . 413
XIII.
Notes on Lanke, p. 344; and Gymyn, p. 347.
Mr. J. S. Corbett of Pwll y Pant, Cardiff, has kindly supplied
me with the following notes : —
Lanke. — I have had great difficulty in coming to a conclusion
as to the meaning of Lanke or " Llanwke," but now think that the
place meant mu.st be Bishton or Llancadwaladr, Monmouth. The
form Lankadawadr', occurs in Lib. Land., Evans's edit. p. 282. It
seems difficult to understand how such words as " Lanke " or
" Llanwke " could be arrived at, but there is no other place in the
district to which this remark would not apply with greater force.
Llancarvan is out of the question, as the Bishops had no property
there. It may perhaps be doubted whether the word is quite
correctly copied from the original. It is probably a contraction.
The property granted (Clark, Cart(E, ist edition, Vol. II, p. 87)
consists of: —
(rt.) Four acres of land bounded by the demesne lands, the
way called Thucleue the messuage formerly of Adam Raye and
the way called Cherchewey.
(b?) One and a-half acres of meadow bounded by the meadow
late of Llewelin Giffard the meadow of lohn Henward the younger
the meadow called Brodemede and a common called Crenemore.
[Now there is at Bishton what was formerly a common, now
inclosed called " Greenmoor " and to the south of it there is a tract
of land called Broadmead.]
(r.) Two and a-half acres of meadow two within and a-half out-
side a close or fence (clausum), bounded by a half acre called
ludasalfacre, the meadow called Schort Mede late of Llewelin
Giffard a pasture called le Parocke and the meadows of Thomas
Brounfeld and lohn Haddeley.
[Not far from Greenmoor and Broadmead there is a tract,
very many acres in extent, called in the old one-inch ordnance
map by the curious name of "the halfacres." This name suggests
that at one time it was divided into, or at least partly consisted
of, several half-acre holdings, of which ludasalfacre and the half-
acre "extra clausum," the subject of the grant, might be two.]
I have not been able to make anything of " Thucleue," " le
Parocke" (perhaps = " Park"), or^ "Cherchewey," but they may be
' The Church and a road leading to it are near.
414 Memorials of Llandaff.
known locally. It is likely enough, however, that they may have
disappeared. " Greenmoor," " Broadmead," and " The halfacres,"
are now subdivided, apparently by ditches, evidently comparatively
modern, so that the state of things is much changed since the
time of the grant.
Gymyn. — "Villa de Gymyn in comitatu Cardyff," I think, means
the Kymin at Penarth. The name " villa," though ordinarily im-
plying a town or village, is found occasionally applied to places
where now only one farmhouse, or little more, exists. Further, this
document, one of the obligees being a citizen of London, may have
been prepared there, or at a distance from this district, by someone
who did not accurately know the status of the Kymin. There is
not anywhere near Cardiff any other place of the same name or
any even remotely resembling it. There was a family of Buttons
living in the neighbourhood (the main line in St. Nicholas parish)
at the period of the document. 1 find no other evidence of any at
Penarth. "In Comitatu Cardyff" means no more nor less than
" in the lordship or county of Glamorgan." There are various
examples of the name Cardiff being used when Glamorgan is
meant. Thus, in the well-known agreement of 11 26 between
Robert Consul and Bishop Urban "the Sheriff of Cardiff" is
referred to. In a document in the CartcB (ist edit.. Vol. I, p. 4)
occur the words " carissimis amicis suis vice-comiti Glamorgansirai
et omnibus baronibus et militibus Comitatus de Cayrdif" In the
same Vol., p. 63, King John directs a mandate "baronibus et
militibus de Honore de Glanmorgan ct de Honore de Kaerdif."
Of course, in fact, there was no "Honour" of Cardiff as distinct
from that of Glamorgan.
INDEX,
WITH A FEW NOTES.
A.
Aberdaier chapel, 368
Aberpergwm, book of, 405
yElfric's Vocabulary, 163 n.
^Igar, the hermit, life of, 2
Ager Helic, charter of, 138
Aidan, bishop, notice of, 120
Aimericus, ? Albericus natione Galkis,
Bellouaci natus, 19 Feb., 1125 —
19 Dec, 1129 (Ciaconius, VilcE
Pontiff., I, 992J, 252
Alexander of Monmouth, bishop,
account of, 325
Alfred the Great, King, 172
AUt Guhebric, grant of, 180
Amhyr, charter of land on the bank
of, 134
Aniithieil, 215
Apermenei, charter of, 141
Aper Mynuv, charter of, 137; Aper
Mynuy, charter of, 146
Aram, Eugene, 30
Archbishop, Dubritius, 16
Archbishop of the archmonastery at
LLandaff, 36, 38
Archbishops of LLandaff, 39, 43. " I)
est probable que le terme etait pure-
ment honorifique et ne signifiait
point archevSque, au sens que I'on
attache actuellement ei ce mot."
(Dom Louis Gougaud, Les Chre-
tientes Celtiques, Paris, 191 1, p. 214.)
Archives Nationales of France, 76
Arcleston, 330
Arguistil, bishop, account and charter
of the time of, 126
Armorica, 7, 16, 397
Arthur, King, 115
Ashby, Nicholas, bishop, 348, 349
, arms of, 380
Austurium, 300. A hawk, cf. austur,
austurcum, a goshawk, austorius,
astur, asturcus, asturco, Lai. accipi-
ter major, Fr. autour, Ducange. For
the sparrowhawk, espervarius or
esperverius, cf. Martin's Record
Inierpreter. These terms are some-
what inaccurately employed in
mediaeval MSS.
Axholme, Isle of, co. Line, 329, 330
B.
Babington, Gervase, bishop, account
of, 363
, arms of, 382
Baldwine, archbishop of Canterbury,
visits LLandaff, 392
Baret or Barret, Andrew, bishop, 340
, arms of, 379
Barrenness a misfortune, 7
Benefices collated to LLandaff by
bishop Henry of Abergavenny, 279,
280
Benefices in the bishop's gift, 322
Bernard, bishop of .St. Davids, 242, et
seqq.
Berthguinus, bishop, account and
charters of the time of, 34, 136, et
seqq.
Bertus, villa, charter of, 149
Bettus chapel, 368
Birch, Hist, of Neath Abb., 326
Birran, villa, charter of, 198
Bishopston, co. Monmouth, 141, 325
Bishton, co. Monmouth, 141, 325
Bishton = Lancadwallader, 310 «.
Bishton castle, 142 «.
Bishopston in Gower, 39, 100, 256,
3io«.,3io
Bledri, bishop, account of, and charters
of his time, 207
, consecration of, 211
- — , death of, 212
Blethin, William, bishop, account of,
363
, arms of, 382
Bolgros, charters of, 118, 151
Bonvilston, value of the curacy, 370
Bottesham, Bottlesham, or Botosham,
Wm. of, bishop, 338, 339
Bracma, land of, 179
Branuc, villa, charter of, 192
Brechenniauc, 127
Brecua, 214
Brewes or Brewys, Wm. de, bishop,
315,332
Britain, kings and princes of, 22
Bromfield, Edmund, bishop, account
of, 339
, arms of, 379
, notice of, 410
4i6
Index.
Bronnlann, 215
Rrydell, the, 91
Brynn Luguni, charter of, 167
Burghill, John de, bishop, 340
, oaths of, 340, 341
Bute, Marquess of, i
Bysschopestone in Gower, 310 n.
Bysshopeston in Gower, manor, 315
C.
Caddoxton-juxta-Neath, value of the
vicarage, etc., 368
Cair Duicil, charter of, 188
Cair Nonov, charter of, 183
Cair Riov, charter of, 169
Calixtus II, Pope, 242-245
Cambro-Britannic documents, 76
Canons, first mention of, 153
Cantref Guartha, 214
Cantref Maur, 214
Cantref Selim, 214
Cantref Talacharn, 214
Cantrefs, the seven, in Morgannuc, 208
Caradog, Chronicle of, 120
Caratocus, King of Morcannuc, 228
Cardiff Castle, 325
, county, 347, 414
Cardiff, value of the vicarages, etc.,
367
Carleton, George, bishop, account of,
370
Carnou, villa, charter of, 221
Castell Conscuit, charter of, 197
Catguaret, bishop, account and
charters of the time of, 166, et seqq.
Catharuc, a serf, ig8
Cathedral, date of dedication, 304
Cathouen, villa, charter of, 157
Caltwg, bishop, 43
Cawan, bishop, 43
Cecin Pennicelli, charter of, 223
Cecin Penn Ros Arguy, charter of, 222
Cemeis, charter of, 143
Cenarth Maur, 215
, charter of, 83
Cerenhir, bishop of, account and
charters of the time of, 172, et seqq.
Chad, St., book of, 177
Chapter, Royal grant of the bishopric
and temporalities of LLandaff to, 32 1
Charters of the Liber Landavensis,
criticism of the, 238-241
Chorepiscopi, 43, 117, 122
Church architecture in S. Wales, 165
Churches, list of, in the diocese, 79,
367,411
Cilciuhinn, charter of, 95
Cil Hal, charter of, 37
Cilpedec, charter of, 130
Cil Tutuc, charter of, 82
Ciltutuc, 215
Cinficc, St., 230
Ciueilliauc, bishop, account of, and
charters of his time, 193
Clamare quietam, phrase, 130, 158
Clare, Gilbert, Earl of Gloucester and
Heortford, 285, 286, 331
Clitauc, King, martyrdom of, 152
Clitaucus, martyr, 153
Cloak for a queen, value of a, 164
Colcuch, charter of, 151
Coleston, value of the vicarage, 369
CoUov, Tir, charter of, 172
Comeregius, bishop, account and
charter of the time of, 125
Conloc, charter of, 38
Conuc, villa, charter of, 137
Conuoi, charter of, 95
Conybeare, W. D., Dean of LLandaff,
his account of the cathedral fabric,
389
Conybeare, dean, 394
Cooper, George, his account of the
cathedral fabric, 386-388
Copleston, Edward, bishop, 394
Cord, purple, value of a, 163
Cornubiufli, charter of, 151
Coventre, Dom John de, archdeacon,
331, 333, 334
, bishop-elect, 333, 334
Coupalva Penniporth, charter of, 105
Courson, M. Aurelien de, 76
Cowbridge chapel, 368
Cradoc, Roger, bishop, 335
, arms of, 378
Crema, John de, presb. cardinal, 252,
253, 255 (Ciaconius, Vitce Pontiff., I,
919)
Crucou Leuirn, villa, charter of, 221
Cruco Morcan, villa, charter of, 221
Cum Barruc, charters of, 36, 151
Cum Cerruc, charter of, 140
Cum Mouric, charter of, 131
Cum Mouruc, 231
Cyfelach, bishop, 43
Cynir, Tir, charter of, 194
Cyuiu, villa, charter of, 196
D.
Daniel, bishop of Bangor, 4, 23
David, bishop of Bangor, 6, 30
Davies-Cooke, Mr. P. B., i
Deui, villa, charter of, 162
Dimuner, Tir, charter of, 157
Din Birrion, charter of, 170
Dincat, charter of the church of, 189
Din Guennhaf, 215
Dog, value of a, 160, 162
Doucledif, 215
Druidical stones, 11 1
Dubricius, Dubritius, or Dubrice, St.,
life of, 26, 42, 395-399
/;
naex.
417
Dubricius, charters of the time of, 32,
et seqq.
, date of his death, 30
, archbishop, 21, 32, 38, 39, 62, 67,
lis, 116, 117
Dulon, a virgin, 39, 40
Durham, Libsr Vike of, 1 56
EaglescUfif near Yarm, co. Durham, 325
Ebba, a serf, 204
Ecckiis Guiniau, 214
Ecchiis Santbreit, charter of, 197
Edilbiv or Hedilbiu, bishop, account
and charter of the time of, 129
Edward I, King, coronation of, 304
,308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 314, 315,
320
Edward III, 330
Egleschf, John of, bishop, 326
Eggloisilan, value of the vicarage, etc.,
368
Elcu, villa, charter of, 209
Eleutherius, Pope, life of, 24
Elgistil, bishop, account and charter
of the time of, 121
Elias of Radnor, bishop, 277 ; account
of and documents of his time, 239,
et seqq.
, seals of, 375, 376
Eliav, villa, charter of, 189
Elidon, charter of the church of. III
Ellcon, villa, charter of, 1 56
Ellgnov, villa, charter of, 161
Elmail, 214
Eluail, 103
Elvogus, bishop, account of, 166
Emlinn, 215
Emricorua in Gvvent is Coit, charter
of, 1 1 2
Epworth Nunnery, 329
Ercicg, 130, 131, 159 ; Ercig, 190 ;
Ercycg, 151 ; Ercycg, land of, 231
Ermint, a serf, 198
Eruen, St., 230
Etguardus, King (Edward Confessor),
232
Excommunication, forms of, 148, 172,
173, 174
F.
Fairs, note on, 285
Feild, Theophilus, bishop, account of,
371
Fitzwilliam, William, Earl of South-
ampton, 358
Fossam senem, ad, 160
Fowling, grant of, 146
Fratrus, villa, charter of, 219
Freeman, E. A., his account of the
architecture of the Cathedral, 389-
391
G.
Geoffrey of Monmouth, 2
George of Athegua or Athequa, bishop,
account of and documents of his
time, 353-357
, letter to, from Th. Ciumwell, 356
, arms of, 381
Gildas, historian, 48 ; Gildas the Wise,
94
Giraldus Cambrensis visits LLandaff,
392
Glamorgan, early notices of, 406
, early Kings of, 43
Glingurrock, value of the vicarage, 369
Gloucester, possessions of the chapter
of, 368
Godalmyng, co. Surrey, 305
Godefridus, Episcopus Laneluuensis,
262, 263
Godwin, Francis, bishop, account of,
35, 39, 115, 120, 262, 308,346, 366,
367
, arms and signet, 382
, Returns for the Glamorganshire
part, 367, and Monmouthshire part
of the diocese, 411, 412
Gold, plate of, fine of a, 195
Golden Valley, co. Hereford, 36, 38,
39
Goodrich, John, supposed bishop, 334
Gos-hawk, a sore, 300
Gospels, price of a manuscript of the,
178
Gospels carried on grantor's back, 76 ;
borne on the King's back, 23, 125
Green, Rev. C. A. H., 34, 37, 78
Gregurii, villa, charter of, 105
Grisogonus, Card., 15 Apr. 11 99 —
16 May, 1 122. Chrysogonus, Pisanus
ex familia Malcondinorum (Cia-
conius, Vitce Pontiff.^ I, 924), 243
Guartha Cum, 229
Gucaunus, bishop, accouut of, and
charters of his time, 201, et seqq.
Gucof, charter of, 1 1 1
Gueithirin, charter of the church of,
190
Guenno Noe, charter of, 150
Guerituc, charter of, 170
Guicon, villa, charter of, 182
Guilbiv, villa, charter of, 103
Guinna, charter of, 168
Guinnonvi, villa, charter of, 140
Gulbrit, bishop, account of, and
charters of his time, 185, et seqq.
Gulible, villa, charter of, 173
Gunnhucc, villa, charter of, 229
Guodloiu, bishop, account and charter
of the time of, 128
Guorinid, 161
Gurberth, villa, charter of, loi
E E
4i8
Index.
Gurmarch, charter of, 144
Gurthebiriuc, charter of, 160
Guruan, bishop, account and charter
of the time of, 127
Guruid, charter of the church of, 98
Gustin, a serf, 204
Guy, charters of land on the bank of
the, 139, 143
Gymyn, town of, co. Cardiff, 347, 413
H.
Hall, Mrs. S. C, her account of
LLandaff, 392
Halegate, or Holegate, Robert, bishop,
account of, and documents of his
time, 357-360
, seal and arms of, 381
Hawk, grant of a, 146
, value of a, 160, 162
Hawking with a dog, 160
Hen Lenhic, charter of, 159
Henllan, podiim, 143
Hennlann Dibric, 231
Hennriu, charter of, 220
Henn Riu Gunnua, charter of, 224
Henry I, King, 30, 243, 244, 24s, 247,
250, 251, 254, 256
Henry HI, King, date of coronation
of, 294
, mention of, 296, 297
, 300, 301
Henry VIII, King, 72
Henry, Emperor of the Romans, 30
Henry of Abergavenny, bishop,
account of, and documents of his
time, 278, ei seqq.
, seals of, 374, 375
Hergualdus, bishop, consecrations and
ordinations by, 232, 233, 234, 235
Herwald, bishop, account of, and
documents of his time, 224, et seqq.
, his extreme age, 408
Hirpant, charter of, 128
Honden, or Hunden, John, bishop,
349-351
Honorius II, Pope, 249-252
Horn, value of a, 161, 162, 163
Horse, value of a, 160, 161, 162, 164,
168
Hunden, John, bishop, 349-351
, seal and arms, 380, 381
Huui, St., 230
Hyde Abbey, Winchester, 156
I. J.
I ago, bishop, 43
Javehn, throw of a, "^i
James, J. H., his description of the
ruined cathedral, 393
Icterica pestis, 46
Iliman, villa, charter of, 162
Ingleby, John, bishop, account of,
353-355
, arms of, 381
Innocent II, Pope, 253-257
John, count of Moreton, afterwards
king, 278
John, King, 278, 285
John de La Ware, bishop, account of,
300, 301
, seal and arms of, 376
John of Coventry, bishop-elect, 333
, no seal extant, 378
John of Eglescliff, bishop, account of,
and documents of his time, 325, et
seqq.
, seal of, yjl, 378
John of Monmouth, bishop, account
of, and documents of his time, 312,
et seqq.
, seal of, 377
Jones, Hugh, bishop, account of, 361,
362
, arms of, 382
Joseph, bishop, account of, and docu-
ments of his time, 212, et seqq.
, consecrations and ordinations
by, 233
Judbiv, charter of, 144
Junabui, bishop, account and charters
of the time of, 123
Junuhic, villa, charter of, 209
K.
Kilpeck, CO. Hereford, 130
Kine, value of, 160, i6r, 162, 163, 164
Kitchin, Anthony, bishop, account of,
360
, arms of, 382
L.
Laith Ti Teiliau, charter of, 81 ; Laith
Ti Tehau, 214
Laleston Chapel, 368
Lanblethyan, value of the vicarage,
etc., 368
Lancadwallader manor, 141, 310, 325,
413
Lancarvan, value of the vicarage, etc.,
368
Lan Cein, 231
Landevodug, value of the vicarage, 369
Lanedderne, value of the vicarage, 369
Langonwyd, value of the vicarage, etc.,
368
Langridge, co. Somerset, 347
Langynor, tithes of, 350, 351
Langynour, value of the curacy, 370
Lanissen, value of the curacy, 369
Lankaderwader, manor of, 310, 325
Lanke, or Lanwke manor, 344, 413
Indi
ex.
419
Lann Arthbodu, charter of, 99
Lann Bedeui, charter of, 183
Lann Bocha, charter of, 36
Lannbocha, 223
Lann Budgual, 231
Lann Budgualan, charters of, 124, 132
Lann Calcuch, charter of, 125
Lann CeHnni, 232
Lann Cerniu, charters of, 33, 125, 151
Lann Cetgualatyr, charter of, 141
Lann Cinauc, 232
Lann Cingualan, charter of, 99
Lann Cinraarch, charter of, 125
Lann Cinuil, 232
Lann Coit, 215
, charter of, 126
Lann Conuur, charter of, 99
Lanncors, 215
Lann Cors, charter of, loi
Lann Cronnguern, 214
Lann Cruc, 231
Lann Culan, charter of, 174
Lann Cum, charter of, 134
Lann Custenhin, 231
Lann Custenhinngarthbenni, charter
of, 32
Lann Cyncyrill, charter of, log
Lann Degui Cilpedec, 231
Lann Deui, charters of, 125, 151
Lann Deui Ros Cerion, 231
Lanndiniul, charter of, 132
Lann Ebrdil, charter of, 151
Lann Emrdil, charter of, 113
Lann Garan, charter of, 151
Lann Garth, charter of, 76
Lanngemei, charter of, 95
Lann Guern, charter of, 159
Lann Guern Tehau Ha Dibric, 231
Lann Guern Tiuauc, church of, 202
Lanngunguarui, charter of, 160
Lann Gunnhoill, church of, 202
Lann Guorboe, charters of, 119, 125
Lann Guoruoe, charter of, 151
Lanngurfrit, 215
Lannguronoi, charter of, 207
Lann Guoronui, church of, 202
Lann Guruaet, charter of, 108
Lann Guruaet Mainaur, 215
Lann Helicon, charter of, 164
Lann Hunapui, 231
Lann Idoudec seith, 215
Lann Issan, 215
Lann lunabui, charters of, 34, 125, 151
Lann Liuit, church of, 202
Lann Loudeu, 232
Lann Loudeu, charters of, 123, 151
Lann Martin, 231
Lann Maur, charters of, 40, 77
Lann Meilic Halyguess, 216
Lann Meir Castell Mingui, 231
Lann Meiripenn Ro's, charter of, 193
Lann Menechi, charter of, 113
Lann Merguall, charter of, 100
Lann Mihacgel Gil Luch, 231
Lann Mihacgel Cruc Cornou, church
of, 202
Lann Mihacgel ipull, church of, 202
Lann Mihacgel Lichrit, charter of, 204
Lann Mihacgel Meibion Gratlaun,2i5
Lann Mihacgel Maur, charter of 195
Lann Mihacgel supra Mingui, 232
Lann Mihacghel Trefceriav, charter
of, 127
Lannmocha, charter of, 132
Lann Nissien, church of, 202
Lann Oudocui, charter of, no
Lann Pencreic, charter of, 99
Lannpetyr, 220, 231
Lann Rath, 214
Lann Ridol, 232
Lann Sanfreit, 231
Lann Sant Breit, charter of, 221
Lann Santguainerth, 231
Lann Sulbiv, charter of, 117
Lann Suluc, 231
Lann Teiliau Cressinych, charter of, 78
Lann Teiliau Forth Halauc, 77
Lann Teliau, 231
Lann Teliau Bechan, 214
Lann Teliau Cil Retin, 215
Lann Teliau Coguin, 214
Lann Teliav Garthteuir, 214
Lann Teliau iciliou, 216
Lann Teliau Lanndibrguir Mainaur,
214
Lann Teliau Litgarth, 2 1 5
Lann Teliau Luin Guaidan, 214
Lann Teliau Mainaur Brunus, 214
Lann Teliau Maur, 214
Lann Teliau Nant Seru, 214
Lann Teliau Penn Tiuinn, 214
Lann Teliav Treficerniu, 214
Lann Tisauuc, 232
Lann Tituil, church of, 202
Lanntiuauc, charter of, 216
Lann Tiuinauc, 231
Lann Tiuoi, 231
Lanntouhdauc icair, 214
Lann Tydiuc, 231
Lann Typallai, charter of, 132
Lann Tyssoi, charter of, 146
Lann Uannar, church of, 202
Lann Vuein, charter of, 166
Lantrissen value of the vicarage, etc.,
368
Lantwitt Vayrdrea chapel, 368
Lantwyt major, value of the vicarage,
etc., 368
Lanvabon chapel, 368
Lanwonno chapel, 368
Lath, villa, charter of, 106
Lavernoge, value of the curacy, 369
420
Index.
La Zouche, John de, bishop, account
of, and documents of the time of,
342-345
, arms of, 380
Lebinid, 220
Lechluit, charter of, 155
Lechou Lition, charter of, 155
Le Despenser, Edward, Lord of
Glamorgan and Morgan, 331-335,
337
Le Despenser, Hugh, son of Hugh and
AUanora, 331
Legionum, Civitas, 25
Lewis, H., Ancient La%vs^ 145, 146
Liber Vita^ 32, 33, 156, 181
of Durham, 156
of New Minster, Winchester, 6,
156
Liber Landavensis described, ■ i
, its genuineness criticised, 237-
.241
Libiau, bishop, account of, and
charters of his time, 199, et seqq.
Lichfield, book of St. Chad at, 177
Lisguern, 210
Lisvaen, value of the curacy, 369
Liuhess, Podum, charter of, 103
Llandaff, sanctuaria of, 6
, first state of the church, 21
cathedral library, 52
market, 74
, church of St. Peter, 87, 88
, boundary of the diocese, 89
, church of, 91, 92
, vale of, 92
, original construction and build-
ing of the church, 1 14
, archbishopric of, 115
, possessions of the See in the
time of bishop Joseph, 214-216
, state of the cathedral in bishop
Urban's time, 239
, fair at, granted, 285
, sede vacante, 320, 321
palace, 341
chantries, 362
cathedral records, 363
cathedral in ruins, 1575, 363
, returns of the ecclesiastical state
of the diocese, 367-369, 411, 412
, extent of the diocese, 371
, account of the church plate, 372
, seals of the bishops, 373-3S2
, seals of the chapter, 382, 383
, arms of the See, 383, 384, 385
, the first church, 383
, various notices of the ruined
state of the cathedral fabric, 385,
ct seqq.
, notices of illustrations of the
cathedral, 386
Llandaff, account of the bishop's castle,
388
, so-called Grecian temple set up
in cathedral, 393
, annals of, 408, 409
Llangadwaladyr, 141
Llantwit, early history of, 404, 405
Llantryssen, land in, 362
London, manse of the bishops of Lan-
daff in, 320
Lonion, 215
Louhai, charter of, 168
Luin Teliau, 214
Lumberth, bishop of St. David's, 199
Lupus, bishop of Troyes, 21, 22
Lydney, boundary of the parish, 318-
320
M.
Mable, charter of, 132
Machumur, churches of, 202
Machynys, charter of, 148
Maerun, charter of, 149
Mafurn, charters of, 120, 132, 151
Mafurn, Podum, charter of, 125, 151
Mainaur Brunus, charter of, 81
Mainaur Crucmarc, 221
Mainaur Mathru, 215
, charter of, 83
Mainuon, charter of, 182
Mamouric, charter of, 166
Manumission, record of a, 179
Marchluid, bishop, account of, 207
Margam, value of the curacy, 369
Marshal, or Marshall, John, bishop,
35i>352
Marshall, Jo., bishop, arms of, 381
Mass of the B. V. Mary, 322
Mathenni, charters of, 167
Mathern, charter of, 96
Med diminih, boundary of, 180
Meinbui, charter of land on the bank
of, 131
Melwood, 329
Menechi, 214
, charter of, 81, 113
Merthilwode, co. Lincoln, 329, 330
Merthir Buceil, charter of, 172
Merthir Clitauc, charter of, 153
Merthir Iv'n and Aaron, 187
Merthirmaches, charter of, 170
Merther Mawr, value of the curacy, 370
Merthirmimor, charter of, 172
Merthir Minor in Marcan, 187
Merthir Teemed, charter of, 158
Merthyr Cynfall, 132
Miluc, villa, charter of, 227
Millwood Park, 329
Mirgint, St., 230
Mochros, charter of, 151
Morgan, an early bishop, 43
Index.
421
Morgan, William, bishop, account of,
364-366
, his translation of the Bible in
Welsh, 365, 366
, arms of, 382
Mynwy, charter of land on the bank
of the, 155
N.
Nadauan, 219
Nant Auan, charter of, loi
Nash chapel, 370
Newcastle, value of the vicarage, etc.,
368
Newell, Rev. E. J., extiact from his
History of the- Welsh Church, 406
Newland, documents relating to, 315,
et seqq.
Nicholas or Nicolas ap Gurgant,
bishop, account and documents of
the time of, 263, 331, et seqq.
, seal and arms of. 373
Nicholas, Thomas, notice of LLandaff
by, 392
Nicholson, G., description by, of
LLandaff, 388, 389
Nis, villa, charter of, 145
Nobis, bishop, account and records of
the time of, 176, et seqq.
Nud, bishop, 181
, account of, and charters of his
time, 187
O.
Oath of bishop, and of bishop as
canon, 265
Ollivant, Dr. Alfred, bishop of LLan-
daff, description by, of the restora-
tion of the Cathedral, 391
, restoration, 394
Oudocess, St., hfe of, 86, 404, arch-
bishop, 95
, charters of the time of, 94
Ounce, value of, 164
Ourdevint, villa filiorum, charter of,
105
Ourdilat, rape of, 227
P.
Padarn, bishop, 405
Paris and Fonblanque quoted, 30
Parsonage Farm, 38
Pascal, Pascal), or Paschal, John,
bishop, 331-333, 334, 335
, arms of, 378
, notice of, 410
Pater, bishop, account and charters of
the time of, 182, et seqq.
Pat emus, 50, 52
Pelagian Heresy, 21, 22, 395, 396
Pembro, 214
Penarth, value of the vicarage, etc.,
368
Penbro, 214
Pendoylan, value of the vicarage, etc.,
368
Penllyne, value of the vicarage, 369
Penmarke, value of the vicarage, etc.,
368
Penn Alun, charter of, 40
Penn Celli Guennhucc, charter of, 210
Penn Clecir, 215
Pennclecir, charter of, 82
Penncreic, charter of, 190
Penn.Hellei, charter of, 147
Penn Ibei, charter of, 200
Pennichen, 216
Penniporth, see Coupalva.
Penn I prise, charter of, 216
Penn Onn, villa, charter of, 175
Pennros, villa, charter of, 226
Pentirch, value of the vicarage, etc.,
368
Pepitiauc, 214
Perambulation of boundaries, 118, 119,
125, 165
Peverel, Thomas, bishop, 342
, seal and arms, 379, 380
Philip of Staunion, bishop-elect, ac-
count of, 30S, et seqq.
, no seal extant, 377
Phillips, J. R., describes the history of
the Cathedral, 393
Plummer, Rev. C, 74
Podum, a mansion or estate, 35, 36,
103, III, 117, 123, 124, 125, 136, 137,
143
Podum Liuhess, 103
Podum Mafurn, 125, 151
Podum of St. Tisoi, 146
Port-dulon or Bishopston in Gov\er,
200
Porth Cassec, charter of, 104
Porth Manach Mainaur, 215
Porth Medgen, 214
Porth Tulon, charter of, 39
Privilege, general, 226
Privileges of .St. Teilo, 72
Procliuii, villa, charter of, 164
Profession of Bishop Urban, 237
Prynne, William, the author, 86
Pull Arda, 214
Pyle, church of, 358
Pyle and Kenfig, value of the vicarage,
369
R.
Radyer, value of the curacy, 370
Regaha seu temporalia, 313
Relics, vaneration of, 6
Relics of saints, loi
Richard I, King, 276, 278
422
Index.
Richard II, King, 337
Richard, Bishop of Hereford, 242, et
seqq.
Riv, charter of the church of, 191
Riv Brein, charter of, 217
Riu Graenauc, charter of, loi
Robert, Consul and Earl of Gloucester,
245-248
Rome, city of, 24
Ros, 214
Rosulgen, 200, 201
Runston, 197
Rushooke, Thomas, bishop, account
of, and documents of his time, 336,
et seqq.
, seal of, 337, 338, 378
Rustrodvodug Chapel, 368
S.
Salley, Miles, bishop, account of, 353
, will of, 354
, arms of, 381
Samson, St., of Dol, archbishop, life
of, 6, et seqq. ; notices of, 54, 55, 56,
67, 68
St. Brides Mawr, value of the vicarage,
369
St. Davids, city of, 48
St. Donaddes, value of the vicarage,
369
St. Hillary, value of the curacy, 370
St. Lethan's, value of the vicarage, 368
St. Mary Hill, value of the vicarage,
369
Sant Tylull, charter of, 175
Scripulum, value of a, 163
Segan, villa, charter of, 186
Segenid, 216
Serfs, grant of, 198
Sevan, villa, charter of, 205
Sinclair, Catherine, her description of
LLandafF, 393
Six-churches, the, 132
Smith, John, bishop, 351
, arms of, 381
Speede, J., bird's-eye view of LLan-
daff, described, 383
Statutes, 1275, 306, 307; 1323, 323;
1326, 326, 327
Stifilot, villa, charter of, 204
Strat Elei, charter of, 163
Strat, villa, charter of, 139
Suffragan bishop, 44
Sword, value of a, 162
Synods, 15, loi, 106, 107, 108, 138,
141, 148, 165, 174, 182, 183, 185, 194,
195, 199, 204, 209, 210, (? 216), 218,
225, 334
T.
Talbot, Miss, of Margam, 341
Talley Abbey, 81
Tancuor, villa, charter of, 162
Teilo, or TeUauus, St., Latin life of, 45
, metropolitan of LLandaff, 46
, verse addressed to, 52
, old English poem concerning, 61
, archbishop, 76, ■]•], 78, 83
, charters of the time of, 76
, book of, 115
, life of, 399-403
, account of in a Martiloge, 403
, prayer to, 403, 404
, privileges of, 72
Telcan, St. (error for Telian), 74
Telich, land of, 178
Telich clouuan, 215
Telichlouman, charter of, 81
Tencu, Ager, charter of, 138
Theodoricus, hermitage of, 267
Theomaca, a witch, 12
Tidmannus, or Tideman, of Winch-
combe, bishop, account of, 339, 340
, arms and seal, 379
Tir Hiernin, charter of, 104
Tir Retoc, charter of, 104
Tithestow chapel, 368
" Toleuse," city of, 67, 68
Treb Guidauc, land of, 179
Tref Canus, charter of, 81
Tref Carn, 214
, charter of, 81
Tref Eiliau, charter of, 216
Tref Gulych, charter of, 218
Tref Gynnhill, charter of, 218
Tref Irisceiauc, charter of, 164
Tref Lili, charter of, 194
Tref Peren, charter of, 195
Tref Ret, charter of, 187
Tref Rita, charter of, 238
Tremicarn Pont, charter of, 185
Trumpet, value of a, 164
Trychan, bishop, account and charters
of the time of, 155
Trylec Lann Mainuon, charter of the
church of, 158
TuU Coit, charter of, 147
Turion, charter of, 162
Tyfodog, bishop, 43
Tytiuc, charter of the church of, 143
U. V.
Ubilviu, bishop, account and charters
of the time of, 116, et seqq.
Ucheloly, value of the parsonage, 369
Uchtryd, bishop, account of, and
documents of his time, 258-261
Vestments, value of, 168
Umbrafeles, 7, 13, 14
Urban, bishop of LLandaff, 2, 24, 30,
115,257
, account of, 236, et seqq.
, profession of, 237
Indi
ex.
423
Urban, character of, 238, 239, 240, 407
, disputes of, with the adjacent
Sees of Hereford and St. David's,
242, et seqq.
, agreement of, with Robert the
consul, 245-248
, first journey, 251 ; second
journey, 253 ; third journey, 255 ;
fourth journey, 256, 257
, letter of the clergy of the
diocese of Glamorgan to archbishop
Anselm, on his election, 238, 407, 408
Ussher, Archbishop, 46
W.
Watton, CO. York, manor of, 358
Welles, John, bishop, account of, and
documents of his time, 346-348
, no seal extant, 380
Welsh people, adverse character of
the, 229
, description of the ancient, 229
Welsh St. Donaddes chapel, 368
Wenny (Ewenny), value of the curacy,
370
Whitecastle, lordship, 79
William, King, 232
William, Earl of Gloucester, 331
Willi:im of Bottesham, bishop, account
of, 33B
, arms of, 378, 379
Willian\ de Brewys, bishop, account
of, and documents of his time, 304, et
seqq.
, seal and arms of, 377
William of Bury or de Burgo, bishop,
account of, and documents of his
time, 296, et seqq.
, seal and arms of, 299, 376
William of Christ Church, bishop,
account of, and documents of his
time, 294, et seqq.
, seal of, 376
William of Goldclive, bishop, account
of, and documents of his time, 287, et
seqq.
— — , seal of, 375
William of Radnor, bishop, account
of, and documents of his time, 301-
303
, bishop, no seal of, extant, 377
William of Salt- Marsh, bishop, account
and documents of the time of, 272,
et seqq.
, seals and arms of, 373, 374
Williams, dean, 394
Winchcombe, Tideman of, bishop, 339,
340
Winsige, or Winsy, Bishop of Lich-
field, 177, 180
Wode, priory of, 329
Wotton, W., account by, of the state
of the Cathedral fabric, 385 ; and
of Bishop's Castle, 385
Wiilcker's Vocabb., 163 «.
Y.
Yellow Pestilence, the, 53, 55, 87, 99,
401
Yscuit Cyst, charter of, 196
Ystrat Hafren, charter of, 136, 191
Ystyphan, bishop, 43
Z.
Zoche, Friar John, bishop, 342
Zouche, bishop, 346
ERRATA AND ADDITAMENTA.
Page 25, line 14, dele "fol.".
33, line 2, and page 39, line 5, for " lunapeius," read " lunapius."
34, line I, for " pen," read " pan.''
45, line 18, for " Verwalt," read " Verwallt."
60, line 26, for " Teudirie," read " Teudiric."
98, line I, after "Nant Ruisc,"a^rf "Along the dyke to the kiln of Lunbiu,
then downwards."
99, line 6, for " Gahyr," read " Guhyr."
loi, line 15, after "Bran," add " Conbau . Conlouern . Gellan . Atgar .
Guengarth."
loi, line 16, for " Eliud," read " Elguid."
loi, line 23, add ''''The boundary : From the Aber of the well of the Twelve
Saints on Lake Syvadon ; the Guuer to its spring ; the head of
Lyuarch Hen's dyke ; the Lyfni ; Pen Brynn Eital ; to the left
across to the hill-top ; the source of the brook Tauel ; along to the
Lyfni ; along to the lake ; along to the Aber where it began."
loi, line 35, for " Sulgin," read " Sulgen."
122, add " GUODLOIU" to title of Chapter after " Guruan."
128, line 5, after "kings," add^''oi Brecheniauc."
135, line 23, for " Gamher,'' read " Gamber."
150, line 29, for "Tatnerth," read "Tutnerth."
161, line 8, yor " Guoronid," ^^arf " Guorinid."
175, line 27, for " ludnerth," read " ludnerdh."
205, line 20, for " Sigeit," read " Sigrit.''
208, line 14, for " Caed weli," read "Caedweli."
234, 276, etc., Bradington, Bradetune, etc., most probably at or near Llan-
veithin, a hamlet in Llancarvan.
266, line 34, for " or," read " of"
268, line 38, for "Abbeys," read "Abbey."
300, line 25, for " sparrowhawk," read "goshawk."
360. Bishop Kitchin's return of the state of the diocese, to the Privy
Council, 1563, is in Brit. Mus., Harley MS. 595, fol. lo.
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