“In every sense this is a massive achievement. . . . It should be on the shelves of everyone with an interest in medieval history or the history of Wales.”—Montgomeryshire Collections
“In every sense this is a massive achievement. . . . It should be on the shelves of everyone with an interest in medieval history or the history of Wales.”—Montgomeryshire Collections
Acts of the Welsh Rulers, 1120-1283: Second Edition
960
Acts of the Welsh Rulers, 1120-1283: Second Edition
960Hardcover(2nd Edition)
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“In every sense this is a massive achievement. . . . It should be on the shelves of everyone with an interest in medieval history or the history of Wales.”—Montgomeryshire Collections
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780708323830 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | University of Wales Press |
| Publication date: | 09/15/2011 |
| Edition description: | 2nd Edition |
| Pages: | 960 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.60(w) x 9.70(h) x 2.10(d) |
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The Acts of Welsh Rulers 1120â"1283
By Huw Pryce
University of Wales Press
Copyright © 2005 Huw PryceAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-7083-2383-0
CHAPTER 1
ARWYSTLI
HYWEL AB IEUAF
(d. 1185)
1 St Michael's church, Trefeglwys
Notification [that he has received] under his protection the monasterium founded in the township called Trefeglwys to the honour of God and St Michael [and all the land called] Bryn Bedwyn, with the consent and gift of the heirs, namely Ednyfed, Iago and Bleddrws, from the ditch of the cemetery to the Gleiniant, and in addition from his own patrimony [the land of Tregymer] from the cross as far as the Gleiniant and Maes Ysgor-fawr near Nant Carno, free of all claim and without render as a refuge for all who have fled to the aforesaid church or to places pertaining to it. May whoever violates the refuge of the aforesaid church incur the wrath of God and all the saints. Witnesses.
[1143 × 1151]
B = Cardiff County and City Library MS 3.11, pp. 3–4 (incomplete). s. xvi.
C = Oxford, Bodleian Library, Dugdale MS 39, fo. 100v (incomplete). c.1583.
Pd. from B, Pryce, 'Church of Trefeglwys', 52–3 (and trans.); from a Wynnstay MS dated 1640 destroyed in 1858, Williams, 'Wynnstay MSS.', 331.
Cd., H, no. 2.
Heuel rex Arguestli omnibus filiis sancte ecclesie tam modernis quam futuris salutem. Notum sit vobis omnibus [quod ego] monasterium constitutum in villa que dicitur Trefeglus ad honorem Dei et Sancti Mich(ael)is [et totam terram que vocatur] Bren Betguin, ex consensu et dono heredum, scilicet Idneuet, Iaco, Bledrus, a fossa cimiterii usque ad Gelmant, et insuper de feodo meo proprio [terram de Trefgymer] a cruce usque ad Gelmant et Maes Scoruaur iuxta Nant Carno, in mea defensione [suscepi] absque omni calumpnia libere et quiete sine redditu ad refugium omnibus quicunque confugerint ad predictam ecclesiam vel ad loca pertinentia ad eam. Et quicunque predicte ecclesie refugium violaverit iram Dei et omnium sanctorum incurrat. His testibus scilicet: Catel rege Sudgualie etc.
The conjectural readings are mostly those of Pryce, 'Church of Trefeglwys', which provides a full discussion of this charter and argues (at 28–33) that the early modern copies, though abbreviated, derive from an authentic document issued on behalf of Hywel ab Ieuaf.
The dating limits are set by the presence in the witness list of Cadell ap Gruffudd, king of Deheubarth from 1143 but probably incapacitated after he was badly injured by Normans from Tenby in 1151 (BT, Pen20Tr, 58; BT, RBH, 130–3; HW, ii. 502–3). The Peniarth 20 version of the Brut says that Cadell set off on his pilgrimage 'around the calends of winter', i.e. 1 November; Annales Cambriae assign the pilgrimage to 1157=1156, after the death of Maredudd in 1155 (BT, Pen20Tr, 178; AC, 46). For the lands, all of which lay in the vicinity of Trefeglwys (SN 971 906), see Pryce, 'Church of Trefeglwys', 34–7 (with map). For the right of sanctuary granted see further Pryce, Native Law, ch. 7. See also Madog ap Maredudd's charter for Trefeglwys (no. 480 below).
2 Haughmond Abbey
Grant in perpetual alms of all the land of Bryn Bedwyn from the ditch of the cemetery to the Gleiniant, the land of Tregymer from the cross to the Gleiniant and all the land of Cilceirenydd with all the adjacent wood, namely from (?)Nantheilyn (Nantelin) to the river Cerist, to be held freely for ever for the salvation of himself and all his kin. Witnesses.
[1143 × 1151]
B = Shrewsbury, Shropshire Records and Research Centre MS 6001/6869 (Haughmond Cartulary), fos 214v–215r. s. xv ex.
Pd. from B, Cart. Haugh., no. 1214.
Cd., H, no. 1.
Sciant omnes ad quos presens scriptum pervenerit quod ego Hoelus rex Arewestil dedi in perpetuam elemosinam ecclesie Sancti Ioh(ann)is Evangeliste de Haghmon' totam terram que vocatur Brenbedwin a fossa cimiterii usque ad Gleinant et terram de Trefkemer a cruce usque ad Gleinant et totam terram de Kilgrennith [fo. 215r] cum toto nemore adiacente, videlicet a Nantelin usque ad amnem quem vocatur Kerist, habenda et tenenda inperpetuum integre, libere et quiete pro salute anime mee et omnium parentum meorum in bosco et plano, in pratis et pascuis et in omnibus libertatibus. Hiis testibus: domino Mauricio episcopo, Reso fratre eius, Iorvert presbitero etc.
Since the grant is made to Haughmond Abbey, it is later than no. 1 above, which refers only to the monasterium of Trefeglwys, though no later than 1151, for the grant was confirmed by Bishop Meurig (Maurice) in a charter witnessed by Cadell ap Gruffudd (Cart. Haugh., no. 1219). The charter may thus be assigned to a later point in the same date range as no. 1.
3 St Michael's church, Trefeglwys, which Bleddrws built and is subject to Haughmond Abbey
Grant in perpetual alms, for the salvation of the souls of himself, his predecessors and his heirs, with the consent of his heirs, the magnates of his land and those whose patrimony it was, of all the land called Bryn Bedwyn from the ditch of the cemetery to the Gleiniant and to the Trannon, and in addition from his own patrimony the land of Tregymer from the cross to the Gleiniant and whatever is contained from the cross in the opposite direction to Redwastaroth and again from the same cross to the Trannon and whatever is contained below the aforesaid cross and Redwastaroth and waters of the Trannon and the Gleiniant; quittance of pannage for all their pigs in the wood of Pen-prys and all the common pasturage of Tregymer and Penvin for their livestock and horses together with Hywel's wherever the latter have pasture, and a place in these pastures to build a vaccary wherever they wish; and all the land of Cilceirenydd with all the adjacent wood, namely from (?)Nantheilyn (Nanthelin) to the river Cerist and to the hollow (pant) of (?)Trawsbren (Trauspren) and to Cattestan and all the marsh. These are to be held freely for ever with all their appurtenances, liberties, free customs and easements in wood, plain, meadows, pastures, ways, waters, mills and all places without any claim from Hywel or from his heirs in the future. Sealing clause; witnesses.
[1143 × 12 August 1161]
B = Shrewsbury, Shropshire Records and Research Centre MS 6001/6869 (Haughmond Cartulary), fo. 214v. s. xv ex. Rubric: De donatione diversarum terrarum ibidem sub duplici carta.
Pd. from B, Cart. Haugh., no. 1213.
Cd., H, no. 3.
Sciant universi sancte matris ecclesie filii tam presentes quam futuri quod ego Hoel filius Geuaf consensu heredum meorum et magnatum terre mee et eorum quorum patrimonium erat dedi et concessi et hac presenti carta mea confirmavi in puram et perpetuam elemosinam pro salute anime mee et antecessorum meorum et heredum meorum Deo et ecclesie Sancti Mich(ael)is de Treffeglus quam Bletherus edificavit, que est in subiectione Dei et Sancti Ioh(ann)is Evangeliste de Haghmon', totam terram que vocatur Brenbedwin a fossa cimiterii usque ad Gleinant et usque ad Trennon, et insuper de feodo meo proprio terram de Trefgemer a cruce usque ad Gleinant et quicquid equaliter continetur a cruce ex opposito usque ad Redwastaroth, et iterum ab eadem cruce equaliter usque ad Trennon et quicquid continetur infra predictam crucem et dictam Redwastaroth et aquas de Trennon et Gleinant, et quietantiam pannagii ad omnes porcos suos in bosco de Penpres et omnem communam pasturam de Trefgemer et de Penvin averiis suis et haraciis suis cum meis vel ubicumque mea averia et haracia mea adeunt pasturam adeo libere et eorum habeant absque ulla calumpnia ut aliqua pastura liberius et melius in elemosinam dari poterit et in hiis predictis pasturis locum ad faciendum boveriam ubicumque placuerit, et totam terram de Kilgrenuith' cum tote nemore adiacente, videlicet a Nanthelin usque ad amnem qui vocatur Kerist et usque ad pant de Trauspren et usque ad Cattestan et totam moram, habendam et tenendam libere et quiete et honorifice et inperpetuum cum omnibus pertinentiis suis, libertatibus et liberis consuetudinibus et eisiamentis in bosco et plano, in pratis et pasturis, in viis et semitis, in aquis et stagnis et molendinis et in omnibus locis sine aliqua calumpnia de me vel heredibus meis in posterum facienda. Et quoniam volo quod hec mea donatio et concessio perpetuitatis robur optineat presenti scripto sigillum meum apposui. Hiis testibus: Mauric(i)o episcopo, Reso fratre eius etc.
As the charter acknowledges the subjection of Trefeglwys to Haughmond it can be no earlier than 1143 (see note to no. 2 above). The first witness, Bishop Meurig (Maurice) of Bangor, died on 12 August 1161. The charter is probably later than no. 2 since it not only gives the boundaries of the lands in greater detail but also grants pasture rights and quittance of pannage (Pryce, 'Church of Trefeglwys', 41–2). The English place-name Cattestan, lit. 'Cat's stone', has not been identified (cf. Smith, Place-Names of the West Riding IV, 159). Bleddrws is also mentioned as the founder of Trefeglwys in no. 480 below, where he is described as a monk. The rubric in the cartulary suggests that the text was copied from a duplicate copy of the original charter (see DMLBS, 737, s.v. duplex 3).
MEURIG AP HYWELL
(fl. 1185–1208)
4 St Michael's church, Trefeglwys and Haughmond Abbey
Grant confirming in perpetual alms all the land they have at Trefeglwys by the gift of his father Hywel and of other faithful people, namely Bryn Bedwyn from the ditch of the cemetery to the Gleiniant, all the land of Tregymer from the cross to the Gleiniant and all the land of Cilceirenydd, with all their appurtenances in wood, plain, meadows, pastures, ways, waters, mills and easements, to be held for ever free of all secular service and exaction. Witnesses.
[Probably 1185 × c.1208]
B = Shrewsbury, Shropshire Records and Research Centre MS 6001/6869 (Haughmond Cartulary), fo. 215r. s. xv ex.
Pd. from B, Cart. Haugh., no. 1215.
Cd., H, no. 4.
Universis Dei fidelibus tam presentibus quam futuris Meuric filius Hoel de Arwistl salutem in domino. Noverit universitas vestra me concessisse et presenti carta confirmasse Deo et ecclesie Sancti Mich(ael)is de Treffeglus et canonicis de Haghmon' in liberam et perpetuam elemosinam totam terram quam habent apud Trefeglus ex donatione Howeli patris mei et aliorum fidelium, scilicet Brenbedwin a fossa cimiterii usque ad Gleynant et totam terram a cruce usque ad Gleynant de Trefkem(er)e et totam terram de Kilgremit cum omnibus pertinentiis suis in bosco et plano, in pratis et pasturis, in aquis et stagnis et molendinis et omnibus locis et omnibus eysiamentis, tenenda inperpetuum libere et quiete ab omni seculari servitio et exactione. Hiis testibus: Iorwerth filio Howel etc.
This charter is difficult to date with any precision. It was probably issued after the death of Meurig's father Hywel ab Ieuaf in 1185. Morgan proposed a date range of 1185 × 1197 on the assumption that Meurig succeeded Hywel in Arwystli and was in turn succeeded by his brother Owain o'r Brithdir (d. 1197) ('Territorial divisions of Montgomeryshire [I]', 31–2). However, no. 6 below shows that Meurig was still alive in 1208. More persuasively, Rees suggested a date c.1197, shortly after Owain's death (Cart. Haugh., no. 1215, n.).
5 Strata Marcella Abbey
Grant of the land called Cwm Llwyd in perpetual alms, free of all debt and exaction, both secular and ecclesiastical, with all its bounds and appurtenances and all rights of use, including fisheries, above the earth and beneath it, for the salvation of the souls of himself, his father, mother, predecessors and successors, just as previously his brother Cadwaladr gave and confirmed with his seal after receiving 15 marks from the monks. The boundaries of this gift are: from Pennant Bacho to the river Llwyd and on either side of that river with all its bounds and appurtenances. Witnesses.
1198
B = NLW, Wynnstay Estate Records (transcript by William Jones of Dôl Hywel, Llangadfan). 18 July 1795.
Pd. from B, Ystrad Marchell Charters, no. 19.
Universis sancte matris ecclesie filiis tam presentibus quam futuris qui presentem cartam inspexerint Meyrug filius Howel salutem et pacem bonam. Notum facimus universitati vestre nos dedisse et concessisse et presenti carta confirmasse Deo et Beate Marie et monachis de Stratm(ar)chell terram que vocatur Cwm Llwyd in puram et perpetuam elemosinam, liberam ab omni debito et exactione tam seculari quam ecclesiastica, in omnibus finibus suis et terminis et pertinentiis, in bosco et plano, in culto et in inculto, in pratis et pasturis, in moris et pascuis, in piscariis et piscationibus, et in omnibus usibus et utilitatibus, super eandem terram et subter, pro remedio et salute anime mee et patris et matris et antecessorum et successorum meorum, sicut ante me Cadwalader frater meus dedit et sigillo suo confirmavit etiam suscepto pretio quindecim marcarum a prefatis monachis de Stratm(ar)chell. Isti autem sunt termini eiusdem donationis: a loco qui dicitur Pennan Bacho usque ad fluvium qui dicitur Llwyd et ex utraque parte amnis eiusdem in omnibus terminis suis et pertinentiis suis. Facta est vero hec donatio anno ab incarnatione domini mº cº nonagesimo. His testibus: Meredyth monacho, d ... ... eo ... de Strat(march)ell, Madog filio Meuryg.
For the place-names see Ystrad Marchell Charters, 117. Cwm Llwyd was situated in the township of Esgeiriaeth, par. Trefeglwys, Arwystli.
6 Strata Marcella Abbey
Grant, freely and in perpetual alms for the salvation of the souls of himself and his parents, of all the land called Dyffrynmerthyr, from Dengwm to Cwm Llwyd, and Cwm Llwyd with all its bounds and appurtenances on both sides of the river as the Llwyd runs to the Clywedog. Further gift with the same liberty on behalf of himself and his heirs of all the land called Perfedd Fynydd with all its bounds and appurtenances. Sealing clause; witnesses. Strad Dewi, 1208
B = NLW, Wynnstay Estate Records (transcript by William Jones of Dôl Hywel, Llangadfan). 18 July 1795.
Pd. from B, Ystrad Marchell Charters, no. 56.
Sciant tam presentes quam futuri presentes literas inspecturi vel audituri quod ego Meyrig filius Howell dedi, concessi et presenti carta mea confirmavi Deo et Beate Marie et monachis de Stratmarchell [Deo] ibidem in perpetuum servientibus, libere et quiete, bene et integre, in puram et perpetuam elemosinam, pro salute anime mee et parentum meorum totam terram que vocatur Dyffryn Mertyr, a Dengwn usque Cwm Llwyt, et Cwm Llwyt cum omnibus terminis suis et pertinentiis suis, tam in bosco quam in plano, tam in montibus quam in silviis, ex utraque parte amnis et sicut ducit Llwyd usque Clawedawc. Dedi insuper et iisdem monachis in eadem libertate tam pro me quam pro heredibus meis omnem terram que dicitur Perveth Fynydd cum omnibus terminis suis et pertinentiis. Ut autem hec mea donatio rata sit in perpetuum eam tam sigilli mei impressione quam bonorum virorum attestatione munivi et corroboravi anno ab incarnatione domini millesimo ducentesimo octavo apud Strad Dewi. His testibus: Griffino Goche, Cadwalader filio Howel, Meurig filio Griffini cum multis aliis.
All the lands granted are situated in the parish of Trefeglwys, Arwystli (Ystrad Marchell Charters, 124).
CADWALADR AP HYWEL
(fl. 1185–96)
*7 Strata Marcella Abbey
Grant in perpetual alms, for the salvation of the souls of himself and his parents, free of all custom and exaction, of all the land from the stream called Bacho to the river Dengwm, together with the sale for 15 marks of the pasture from the Dengwm to Cwm Llwyd.
[Probably 1185 × December 1196]
Mention only, in a confirmation by Alan, bishop of Bangor datable to 16 April 1195 × December 1196 (Ystrad Marchell Charters, no. 16). The charter was probably issued after the death of Cadwaladr's father, Hywel ab Ieuaf, in 1185 (cf. ibid., 59). The sale of Cwm Llwyd was also confirmed by Cadwaladr's brothers in 1198 (no. 5 above and no. 8 below).
HYWEL AP HYWEL
(fl. 1185–98)
8 Strata Marcella Abbey
Grant of the land called Cwm Llwyd in perpetual alms, free of all debt and exaction, both secular and ecclesiastical, with all its bounds and appurtenances and all rights of use, including fisheries, above the earth and beneath it, for the salvation of the souls of himself, his father, mother, predecessors and successors, just as previously his brother Cadwaladr gave and confirmed with his seal after receiving 15 marks from the monks. The boundaries of this gift are: from Pennant Bacho to the river Llwyd and on either side of that river with all its bounds and appurtenances. Witnesses.
1198
A = NLW, Wynnstay Estate Records, Ystrad Marchell Charters, no. 18. Early modern endorsements; approx. 218 × 94 + 11 mm.; two central horizontal slits, one just above the fold, one in the fold, for a tag (c.6 mm. wide) which exits through a slit in the base of the fold; sealed on tag. Circular seal, white wax, imperfect, originally approx. 60 mm. diameter; equestrian, facing right; legend: SIG ...
Pd. from A, Ystrad Marchell Charters, no. 18.
Cd., Davies, 'Strata Marcella documents', 169 (no. 8).
(Continues...)
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Table of Contents
List of MapsList of Genealogical Tables
List of Tables
List of Plates
Acknowledgements
General Abbreviations and Conventions
Manuscript Sources Cited
Bibliography (including Bibliographical Abbreviations)
INTRODUCTION
THE ACTS
ARWYSTLI
CEDEWAIN
DEHEUBARTH
ELFAEL AND MAELIENYDD
GLAMORGAN
GWYNEDD
GWYNLLWG
POWYS
SENGHENNYDD
Index of Persons and Places
Index of Subjects