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Carmarthenshire is in South West Wales.
Around 1165 Rhys Gryg ap Rhys Dinefwr was born to Rhys ap Gruffydd "The Lord Rhys" Dinefwr (age 33) and Gwenllian ferch Madog Mathrafal at Carmarthenshire. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.94%.
Around 1172 Matilda de Braose was born to Reginald de Braose 8th Baron Abergavenny 6th Baron Bramber and Graecia Briwere at Carmarthenshire. There is some doubt as to whether her father was Reginald de Braose 8th Baron Abergavenny 6th Baron Bramber.
In 1833 Edward Cadogan was born at Caerfyrddin Sain Pedr, Carmarthenshire.
In 1492 Henry Gwilym (age 66) died at Dryswyn, Carmarthenshire.
Dryswyn Castle is also in Castles in Carmarthenshire.
On 27th July 1271 Maredudd ap Rhys Gryg Dinefwr died at Dryswyn Castle [Map].
Castles built by the Welsh for the Welsh include Dolbadarn Castle [Map], Dolforwyn Castle [Map], Dolwyddelan Castle [Map], Dryswyn Castle [Map], Ewloe Castle [Map], Castell Dinas Brân [Map], Castell y Bere [Map], Carreg Cennen Castle [Map] and Arnold Arnaullt Castle [Map].
Dynevor Castle is also in Castles in Carmarthenshire.
On 14th March 1793 Cecil Cardonnel 2nd Baroness Dynevor (age 57) died at Dynevor Castle [Map]. Her son George (age 27) succeeded 3rd Baron Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire.
On 8th June 1911 Arthur Rice 6th Baron Dynevor (age 75) died at Dynevor Castle [Map]. His son Walter (age 37) succeeded 7th Baron Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire.
In 1792 Thomas Williams of Edwinsford in Llandeilo died. Bridget Williams inherited Edwinsford.
After 1792 Bridget Williams died. Arabella Williams and her husband James Hammett aka Hamlyn 1st Baronet (age 57) inherited Edwinsford.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
The River Usk rises at Fan Brycheiniog [Map] after which it flows broadly east through Sennybridge [Map], Brecon [Map], then south-east, under Crickhowell Bridge, Monmouthshire [Map], Abergavenny, Monmouthshire [Map], then under the Chain Bridge [Map] at Kemeys Commander, south through Usk, Monmouthshire [Map], under the bridge at Newbridge-on-Usk [Map], past Caerleon [Map] to Newport, Monmouthshire [Map] where it joins the Severn Estuary.
Meini Gwyr, Glandy Cross is also in Prehistoric Wales Stone Circles.
Meini Gwyr, Glandy Cross [Map]. An embanked stone circle, a monument type not common to south Wales. Its occurence here shows that the Glandy Cross area was of exceptional importance in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. The circle consists of a broad, low, roughly circular bank 36.6m in diameter with a narrow entrance on the west. There is no ditch, and excavations by Grimes in 1938 confirmed there had never been one. Two stones of an original 17 still survive on the west side, 1m and 1.7m high respectively, standing 6.5m apart.
Information from Rees, S. 1992, A Guide to Ancient and Historic Wales - Dyfed, Cadw/HMSO, page 38.
For fuller discussion see: T. Kirk and G. Williams, `Glandy Cross: A Later Prehistoric Monumental Complex in Carmarthenshire, Wales?, Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 66 (2000)
Antiquity 2022 Volume 96.2: Waun Mawn, Pembrokeshire. Similar small-scale ceremonial sites have been recorded in the area. At Plas Gogerddan [Map], Ceredigion, 70km to the north, a possible three-stone row (Burl 1993: 256) was associated with a series of pits, a line of three massive postholes (a post row?), and three ring-ditches loosely dated to between the fourth and second millennia BC (Murphy 1992). Parc Maen, Llangollen, 7.5km to the south of Waun Mawn, includes a stone cairn, stone pairs and standing stones (Marshall & Murphy 1992). Rather more extensive is the complex at Glandy Cross [Map], Carmarthenshire, 10km south-east of Waun Mawn, where standing stones, timber post settings, a possible stone row, a small, Class I henge with an internal stone circle, enclosures, burial monuments and pit circles have been recorded (Kirk & Williams 2000). Thus the ensemble of monuments at Waun Mawn fits comfortably into a wider landscape of small-scale ceremonial centres, each with various elements but in no case including a large stone circle.
In 1137 Maelgwn Dinefwr was killed at Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire.
In 1137 Morgan Dinefwr was killed at Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire.
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 1 Chapter 9. Thence we proceeded towards the river Lochor,86 through the plains in which Howel, son of Meredyth of Brecheinoc, after the decease of king Henry I., gained a signal victory over the English. Having first crossed the river Lochor, and afterwards the water called Wendraeth,87 we arrived at the castle of Cydweli [Map].88 In this district, after the death of king Henry, whilst Gruffydd son of Rhys, the prince of South Wales, was engaged in soliciting assistance from North Wales, his wife Gwenliana (like the queen of the Amazons, and a second Penthesilea) led an army into these parts [1136 Battle of Kidwelly]; but she was defeated by Maurice de Londres, lord of that country, and Geoffrey, the bishop's constable.89 Morgan, one of her sons, whom she had arrogantly brought with her in that expedition, was slain, and the other, Malgo, taken prisoner; and she, with many of her followers, was put to death. During the reign of king Henry I., when Wales enjoyed a state of tranquillity, the above-mentioned Maurice had a forest in that neighbourhood, well stocked with wild animals, and especially deer, and was extremely tenacious of his venison. His wife (for women are often very expert in deceiving men) made use of this curious stratagem. Her husband possessed, on the side of the wood next the sea, some extensive pastures, and large flocks of sheep. Having made all the shepherds and chief people in her house accomplices and favourers of her design, and taking advantage of the simple courtesy of her husband, she thus addressed him: "It is wonderful that being lord over beasts, you have ceased to exercise dominion over them; and by not making use of your deer, do not now rule over them, but are subservient to them; and behold how great an abuse arises from too much patience; for they attack our sheep with such an unheard-of rage, and unusual voracity, that from many they are become few; from being innumerable, only numerous." To make her story more probable, she caused some wool to be inserted between the intestines of two stags which had been embowelled; and her husband, thus artfully deceived, sacrificed his deer to the rapacity of his dogs.
Note 86. Lochor, or Llwchwr [Map], was the Leucarum mentioned in the Itineraries, and the fifth Roman station on the Via Julia. This small village is situated on a tide-river bearing the same name, which divides the counties of Glamorgan and Caermarthen, and over which there is a ferry. "Lochor river partith Kidwelli from West Gowerlande." - Leland, Itin. tom. v. p. 23. [The ferry is no more. The river is crossed by a fine railway bridge.]
Note 87. Wendraeth, or Gwen-draeth, from gwen, white, and traeth, the sandy beach of the sea. There are two rivers of this name, Gwendraeth fawr [Map], and Gwendraeth fychan, the great and the little Gwendraeth, of which Leland thus speaks: "Vendraeth Vawr and Vendraith Vehan risith both in Eskenning commote: the lesse an eight milys of from Kydwelli, the other about a ten, and hath but a little nesche of sand betwixt the places wher thei go into the se, about a mile beneth the towne of Kidwely."
Note 88. Cydweli [Map] was probably so called from cyd, a junction, and wyl, a flow, or gushing out, being situated near the junction of the rivers Gwendraeth fawr and fychan; but Leland gives its name a very singular derivation, and worthy of our credulous and superstitious author Giraldus. "Kidwely, otherwise Cathweli, i.e. Catti lectus, quia Cattus olim solebat ibi lectum in quercu facere:- There is a little towne now but newly made betwene Vendraith Vawr and Vendraith Vehan. Vendraith Vawr is half a mile of." - Leland, Itin. tom. v. p. 22.
Note 89. The scene of the battle [1136 Battle of Kidwelly] fought between Gwenllian and Maurice de Londres is to this day called Maes Gwenllian [Map], the plain or field of Gwenllian; and there is a tower in the castle of Cydweli still called Tyr Gwenllian. [Maes Gwenllian [Map] is now a small farm, one of whose fields is said to have been the scene of the battle.]
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The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 1 Chapter 9. Thence we proceeded towards the river Lochor,86 through the plains in which Howel, son of Meredyth of Brecheinoc, after the decease of king Henry I., gained a signal victory over the English. Having first crossed the river Lochor, and afterwards the water called Wendraeth,87 we arrived at the castle of Cydweli [Map].88 In this district, after the death of king Henry, whilst Gruffydd son of Rhys, the prince of South Wales, was engaged in soliciting assistance from North Wales, his wife Gwenliana (like the queen of the Amazons, and a second Penthesilea) led an army into these parts [1136 Battle of Kidwelly]; but she was defeated by Maurice de Londres, lord of that country, and Geoffrey, the bishop's constable.89 Morgan, one of her sons, whom she had arrogantly brought with her in that expedition, was slain, and the other, Malgo, taken prisoner; and she, with many of her followers, was put to death. During the reign of king Henry I., when Wales enjoyed a state of tranquillity, the above-mentioned Maurice had a forest in that neighbourhood, well stocked with wild animals, and especially deer, and was extremely tenacious of his venison. His wife (for women are often very expert in deceiving men) made use of this curious stratagem. Her husband possessed, on the side of the wood next the sea, some extensive pastures, and large flocks of sheep. Having made all the shepherds and chief people in her house accomplices and favourers of her design, and taking advantage of the simple courtesy of her husband, she thus addressed him: "It is wonderful that being lord over beasts, you have ceased to exercise dominion over them; and by not making use of your deer, do not now rule over them, but are subservient to them; and behold how great an abuse arises from too much patience; for they attack our sheep with such an unheard-of rage, and unusual voracity, that from many they are become few; from being innumerable, only numerous." To make her story more probable, she caused some wool to be inserted between the intestines of two stags which had been embowelled; and her husband, thus artfully deceived, sacrificed his deer to the rapacity of his dogs.
Note 86. Lochor, or Llwchwr [Map], was the Leucarum mentioned in the Itineraries, and the fifth Roman station on the Via Julia. This small village is situated on a tide-river bearing the same name, which divides the counties of Glamorgan and Caermarthen, and over which there is a ferry. "Lochor river partith Kidwelli from West Gowerlande." - Leland, Itin. tom. v. p. 23. [The ferry is no more. The river is crossed by a fine railway bridge.]
Note 87. Wendraeth, or Gwen-draeth, from gwen, white, and traeth, the sandy beach of the sea. There are two rivers of this name, Gwendraeth fawr [Map], and Gwendraeth fychan, the great and the little Gwendraeth, of which Leland thus speaks: "Vendraeth Vawr and Vendraith Vehan risith both in Eskenning commote: the lesse an eight milys of from Kydwelli, the other about a ten, and hath but a little nesche of sand betwixt the places wher thei go into the se, about a mile beneth the towne of Kidwely."
Note 88. Cydweli [Map] was probably so called from cyd, a junction, and wyl, a flow, or gushing out, being situated near the junction of the rivers Gwendraeth fawr and fychan; but Leland gives its name a very singular derivation, and worthy of our credulous and superstitious author Giraldus. "Kidwely, otherwise Cathweli, i.e. Catti lectus, quia Cattus olim solebat ibi lectum in quercu facere:- There is a little towne now but newly made betwene Vendraith Vawr and Vendraith Vehan. Vendraith Vawr is half a mile of." - Leland, Itin. tom. v. p. 22.
Note 89. The scene of the battle [1136 Battle of Kidwelly] fought between Gwenllian and Maurice de Londres is to this day called Maes Gwenllian [Map], the plain or field of Gwenllian; and there is a tower in the castle of Cydweli still called Tyr Gwenllian. [Maes Gwenllian [Map] is now a small farm, one of whose fields is said to have been the scene of the battle.]
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On or before 12th April 1640 Walter Mansel 2nd Baronet (age 52) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Kidwelly on 12th April 1640. His son Francis succeeded 3rd Baronet Mansel of Muddlescombe.
On or before 15th March 1670 William Mansel 7th Baronet was born to Richard Mansel 5th Baronet (age 29). He was baptised on 15th March 1670 at St Mary's Church, Kidwelly.
On or before 28th August 1691 Richard Mansel 5th Baronet (age 50) died. His son Richard (age 22) succeeded 6th Baronet Mansel of Muddlescombe. He was buried on 28th August 1691 at St Mary's Church, Kidwelly.
On or before 20th February 1749 Richard Mansel 8th Baronet died. He was buried on 20th February 1749 at St Mary's Church, Kidwelly. His son William (age 9) succeeded 9th Baronet Mansel of Muddlescombe.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
On 13th March 1884 or 24th March 1884 William Charles Fuller was born at Laugharne [Map].
Laugharne Castle is also in Castles in Carmarthenshire.
Laugharne Castle [Map]. Dugdale's England and Wales.
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 1 Chapter 10. Having crossed the river Tywy in a boat, we proceeded towards Caermardyn [Map], leaving Lanstephan [Map] and Talachar [Map]90 on the sea-coast to our left. After the death of king Henry II., Rhys (age 55), the son of Gruffydd, took these two castles by assault; then, having laid waste, by fire and sword, the provinces of Penbroch and Ros, he besieged Caermardyn [Map], but failed in his attempt. Caermardyn91 signifies the city of Merlin, because, according to the British History, he was there said to have been begotten of an incubus.
Note 90. The castle of Talachar [Map] is now better known by the name of Llaugharne.
Note 91. Much has been said and written by ancient authors respecting the derivation of the name of this city, which is generally allowed to be the Muridunum, or Maridunum, mentioned in the Roman itineraries. Some derive it from Caer and Merddyn, that is, the city of the prophet Merddyn; and others from Mur and Murddyn, which in the British language signify a wall. There can, however, be little doubt that it is derived simply from the Roman name Muridunum. The county gaol occupies the site of the old castle, a few fragments of which are seen intermixed with the houses of the town.
Llandovery Castle is also in Castles in Carmarthenshire.
In 1116 Richard Fitzpons (age 36) built at Llandovery Castle [Map].
Llandovery Castle [Map]. Rock& Co., 1850.
On 1st January 1845 Bishop Francis Jayne was born to John Jayne and Elisabeth Haines at Pant-y-beiliau, Gilwern, Llanelli. He was educated at Rugby School and Wadham College, Oxford. He took his BA in 1868 and MA in 1870.
On or before 19th January 1745, the date he was buried at St Elli Church, Llanelli [Map], Thomas Stepney 5th Baronet (age 77) died. His son John (age 52) succeeded 6th Baronet Stepney of Prendergast in Pembrokeshire.
In 1560 Walter Vaughan of Golden Grove was born at Golden Grove, Llanfihangel.
In 1589 Walter Vaughan of Golden Grove (age 29) died at Golden Grove, Llanfihangel.
On 6th May 1634 John Vaughan 1st Earl Carbery (age 59) died at Golden Grove, Llanfihangel. His son Richard (age 34) succeeded 2nd Earl Carbery.
On 23rd July 1890 Francis Williams-Drummond (age 27) and Marguerite Violet Maude Agnew (age 24) were married at Golden Grove, Llanfihangel. An example of a Siblings Marriage.
Around August 1425 Henry Gwilym was born at Llangathen Carmarthenshire.
Llanstephan Castle is also in Castles in Carmarthenshire.
In 1146 Rhys ap Gruffydd "The Lord Rhys" Dinefwr (age 14) was captured at Llanstephan Castle [Map].
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 1 Chapter 10. Having crossed the river Tywy in a boat, we proceeded towards Caermardyn [Map], leaving Lanstephan [Map] and Talachar [Map]90 on the sea-coast to our left. After the death of king Henry II., Rhys (age 55), the son of Gruffydd, took these two castles by assault; then, having laid waste, by fire and sword, the provinces of Penbroch and Ros, he besieged Caermardyn [Map], but failed in his attempt. Caermardyn91 signifies the city of Merlin, because, according to the British History, he was there said to have been begotten of an incubus.
Note 90. The castle of Talachar [Map] is now better known by the name of Llaugharne.
Note 91. Much has been said and written by ancient authors respecting the derivation of the name of this city, which is generally allowed to be the Muridunum, or Maridunum, mentioned in the Roman itineraries. Some derive it from Caer and Merddyn, that is, the city of the prophet Merddyn; and others from Mur and Murddyn, which in the British language signify a wall. There can, however, be little doubt that it is derived simply from the Roman name Muridunum. The county gaol occupies the site of the old castle, a few fragments of which are seen intermixed with the houses of the town.
Patent Rolls. 26th June 1378. Westminster. Inspeximus and confirmation, in favour of Simon de Burley (age 38), the king's knight, of letters patent of the king when prince dated Kermerdyn, 16 June, 51 Edward III., being a grant to him in fee simple of the castle and lordship of Lanstephan [Map], come to the prince's hands by the forfeiture of Robert de Peures; with the addition that he and his heirs hold the same along with the warrens, markets, fairs, liberties, customs and all other things belonging thereto before the forfeiture. By p.s.
Llanstephan Castle [Map]. Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, 1740.
Around 1632 John Powell was born in Pentre Meurig Llanwrda.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 1 Chapter 10. On our journey from Caermardyn towards the Cistercian monastery called Alba Domus [Map],94 the archbishop was informed of the murder of a young Welshman, who was devoutly hastening to meet him; when turning out of the road, he ordered the corpse to be covered with the cloak of his almoner, and with a pious supplication commended the soul of the murdered youth to heaven. Twelve archers of the adjacent castle of St. Clare [Map],95 who had assassinated the young man, were on the following day signed with the cross at Alba Domus, as a punishment for their crime. Having traversed three rivers, the Taf, then the Cleddeu, under Lanwadein, and afterwards another branch of the same river, we at length arrived at Haverford [Map]. This province, from its situation between two rivers, has acquired the name of Daugleddeu,96 being enclosed and terminated, as it were, by two swords, for cleddue, in the British language, signifies a sword.
Note 94. Alba Domus [Map] was called in Welsh Ty Gwyn ar Daf, or the White House on the river Taf. In the history of the primitive British church, Ty Gwyn, or white house, is used in a sense equivalent to a charter-house. The White House College, or Bangor y Ty Gwyn, is pretended to have been founded about 480, by Paul Hen, or Paulius, a saint of the congregation of Illtyd. From this origin, the celebrated Cistercian monastery is said to have derived its establishment. Powel, in his chronicle, says, "For the first abbey or frier house that we read of in Wales, sith the destruction of the noble house of Bangor, which savoured not of Romish dregges, was the Tuy Gwyn, built the yeare 1146, and after they swarmed like bees through all the countrie." (Powel, p. 254.) - Authors differ with respect to the founder of this abbey; some have attributed it to Rhys ap Tewdwr, prince of South Wales; and others to Bernard, bishop of Saint David's, who died about the year 1148. The latter account is corroborated by the following passage in Wharton's Anglia Sacra: "Anno 1143 ducti sunt monachi ordinis Cisterciensis qui modo sunt apud Albam Landam, in West Walliam, per Bernardum episcopum." [In the year 1143, monks of the Cistercian order were led by Bishop Bernard to Vallis Longa, now known as the Vale of Alba, in West Wales.] Leland, in his Collectanea, says, "Whitland, abbat. Cistert., Rhesus filius Theodori princeps Suth Walliae primus fundator;" [Whitland, the abbot. of the Cistercians, founded by Rhesus, the son of Theodore, the first prince of South Wales;] and in his Itinerary, mentions it as a convent of Bernardynes, "which yet stondeth."
Note 95. Saint Clears is a long, straggling village, at the junction of the river Cathgenny with the Taf. Immediately on the banks of the former, and not far from its junction with the latter, stood the castle [Map], of which not one stone is left; but the artificial tumulus on which the citadel was placed, and other broken ground, mark its ancient site.Daugleddeu, so called from Dau, two, and Cled, or Cleddau, a sword. The rivers Cledheu have their source in the Prescelly mountain, unite their streams below Haverfordwest, and run into Milford Haven, which in Welsh is called Aberdaugleddau, or the confluence of the two rivers Cledheu.
Note 96. Daugleddeu [Map], so called from Dau, two, and Cled, or Cleddau, a sword. The rivers Cledheu have their source in the Prescelly mountain, unite their streams below Haverfordwest, and run into Milford Haven, which in Welsh is called Aberdaugleddau, or the confluence of the two rivers Cledheu.
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Newcastle Emlyn Castle is also in Castles in Carmarthenshire.
In 1287 Rhys ap Maredudd (age 37) rebelled and led the capture of most of Ystrad Tywi, the heartland of Deheubarth, including Dinefwr Castle [Map] and Carreg Cennen Castle [Map]. Though the revolt was quelled by the autumn, it broke out again in November, and was only brought to a conclusion after a ten-day siege of Rhys' final stronghold, the castle at Newcastle Emlyn [Map], in January 1288.
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 1 Chapter 10. This ancient city [Carmarthen [Map]] is situated on the banks of the noble river Tywy, surrounded by woods and pastures, and was strongly inclosed with walls of brick, part of which are still standing; having Cantref Mawr, the great cantred, or hundred, on the eastern side, a safe refuge, in times of danger, to the inhabitants of South Wales, on account of its thick woods; where is also the castle of Dinevor [Map],92 built on a lofty summit above the Tywy, the royal seat of the princes of South Wales. In ancient times, there were three regal palaces in Wales: Dinevor in South Wales, Aberfrau in North Wales, situated in Anglesea, and Pengwern in Powys, now called Shrewsbury (Slopesburia); Pengwern signifies the head of a grove of alders. Recalling to mind those poetical passages:
"Dolus an virtus quis in hoste requirat?" ["who would seek for trickery or courage in an enemy?"]
and
"Et si non recte possis quocunque modo rem," ["And if you cannot do it rightly, do it in any way."]
my pen shrinks with abhorrence from the relation of the enormous vengeance exercised by the court against its vassals, within the comot of Caeo, in the Cantref Mawr. Near Dinevor [Map], on the other side of the river Tywy, in the Cantref Bychan, or the little cantred, there is a spring which, like the tide, ebbs and flows twice in twenty-four hours.93 Not far to the north of Caermardyn, namely at Pencadair [Map], that is, the head of the chair, when Rhys, the son of Gruffydd, was more by stratagem than force compelled to surrender, and was carried away into England, king Henry II. despatched a knight, born in Britany, on whose wisdom and fidelity he could rely, under the conduct of Guaidanus, dean of Cantref Mawr, to explore the situation of Dinevor castle, and the strength of the country. The priest, being desired to take the knight by the easiest and best road to the castle, led him purposely aside by the most difficult and inaccessible paths, and wherever they passed through woods, the priest, to the general surprise of all present, fed upon grass, asserting that, in times of need, the inhabitants of that country were accustomed to live upon herbs and roots. The knight returning to the king, and relating what had happened, affirmed that the country was uninhabitable, vile, and inaccessible, and only affording food to a beastly nation, living like brutes. At length the king released Rhys, having first bound him to fealty by solemn oaths and the delivery of hostages.
Note 92. Dinevor [Map], the great castle, from dinas, a castle, and vawr, great, was in ancient times a royal residence of the princes of South Wales. In the year 876, Roderic the Great, having divided the principalities of North and South Wales, and Powys land, amongst his three sons, built for each of them a palace. The sovereignty of South Wales, with the castle of Dinevor, fell to the lot of Cadell. [The ruins of Dinevor Castle still crown the summit of the hill which overshadows the town of Llandilo, 12 miles from Carmarthen.]
Note 93. There is a spring very near the north side of Dinevor park wall, which bears the name of Nant-y-rhibo, or the bewitched brook, which may, perhaps, be the one here alluded to by Giraldus.
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St Clears Castle is also in Castles in Carmarthenshire.
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 1 Chapter 10. On our journey from Caermardyn towards the Cistercian monastery called Alba Domus [Map],94 the archbishop was informed of the murder of a young Welshman, who was devoutly hastening to meet him; when turning out of the road, he ordered the corpse to be covered with the cloak of his almoner, and with a pious supplication commended the soul of the murdered youth to heaven. Twelve archers of the adjacent castle of St. Clare [Map],95 who had assassinated the young man, were on the following day signed with the cross at Alba Domus, as a punishment for their crime. Having traversed three rivers, the Taf, then the Cleddeu, under Lanwadein, and afterwards another branch of the same river, we at length arrived at Haverford [Map]. This province, from its situation between two rivers, has acquired the name of Daugleddeu,96 being enclosed and terminated, as it were, by two swords, for cleddue, in the British language, signifies a sword.
Note 94. Alba Domus [Map] was called in Welsh Ty Gwyn ar Daf, or the White House on the river Taf. In the history of the primitive British church, Ty Gwyn, or white house, is used in a sense equivalent to a charter-house. The White House College, or Bangor y Ty Gwyn, is pretended to have been founded about 480, by Paul Hen, or Paulius, a saint of the congregation of Illtyd. From this origin, the celebrated Cistercian monastery is said to have derived its establishment. Powel, in his chronicle, says, "For the first abbey or frier house that we read of in Wales, sith the destruction of the noble house of Bangor, which savoured not of Romish dregges, was the Tuy Gwyn, built the yeare 1146, and after they swarmed like bees through all the countrie." (Powel, p. 254.) - Authors differ with respect to the founder of this abbey; some have attributed it to Rhys ap Tewdwr, prince of South Wales; and others to Bernard, bishop of Saint David's, who died about the year 1148. The latter account is corroborated by the following passage in Wharton's Anglia Sacra: "Anno 1143 ducti sunt monachi ordinis Cisterciensis qui modo sunt apud Albam Landam, in West Walliam, per Bernardum episcopum." [In the year 1143, monks of the Cistercian order were led by Bishop Bernard to Vallis Longa, now known as the Vale of Alba, in West Wales.] Leland, in his Collectanea, says, "Whitland, abbat. Cistert., Rhesus filius Theodori princeps Suth Walliae primus fundator;" [Whitland, the abbot. of the Cistercians, founded by Rhesus, the son of Theodore, the first prince of South Wales;] and in his Itinerary, mentions it as a convent of Bernardynes, "which yet stondeth."
Note 95. Saint Clears is a long, straggling village, at the junction of the river Cathgenny with the Taf. Immediately on the banks of the former, and not far from its junction with the latter, stood the castle [Map], of which not one stone is left; but the artificial tumulus on which the citadel was placed, and other broken ground, mark its ancient site.Daugleddeu, so called from Dau, two, and Cled, or Cleddau, a sword. The rivers Cledheu have their source in the Prescelly mountain, unite their streams below Haverfordwest, and run into Milford Haven, which in Welsh is called Aberdaugleddau, or the confluence of the two rivers Cledheu.
Note 96. Daugleddeu [Map], so called from Dau, two, and Cled, or Cleddau, a sword. The rivers Cledheu have their source in the Prescelly mountain, unite their streams below Haverfordwest, and run into Milford Haven, which in Welsh is called Aberdaugleddau, or the confluence of the two rivers Cledheu.
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