Guenevere :-"The battle was told to Guenevere, not in the way that it "actually occurred; but they said to her that King Arthur was dead, "and his army defeated and lost. Wherefore being, as it seemed to her, "cut off from all external aid, she fled by night from the city of York, "where she then was, to the convent of St. Julius the Martyr, in the "city of Caerleon, and there she assumed the habit of a nun and ended "her days with those good women, spending the remainder of her life "chastely and in great patience."1

Shortly after, two more battles were fought between Arthur and Mordreth, in the second of which battles both were mortally wounded, each one by the hand of the other, A.D. 517. The editor of John of Wavrin's Chronicles states in his notes, that this date is not authorised by any other writer, and that Geoffrey has 542. The battle where Arthur and Mordreth fell, was near the river Camel in Cornwall. The date assigned for it in the Annales Cambriæ is A.D. 537. Merlin foretold that Arthur's "praise and his glory shall be celebrated and spread forth throughout all nations, even to the end of the world." To these words, the same editor has placed the following remarks :-"The exploits "of King Arthur have been celebrated in every age. Can it be contended "that all that has been written of his wonderful career must be referred "to Geoffrey alone as the inventor of his history? The little that we "know of him from chronicles anterior to Geoffrey will scarcely be "deemed sufficient to justify his high reputation. Many believe that "Geoffrey must have had access to some history or poem now lost. "Wace has incidents, and Layamon too, beyond what Geoffrey has "narrated; but having Geoffrey as a foundation, they may, with a poet's "license, have done nothing more than in their turn invent where they "had so good a foundation to build upon; but what can we say of more "sober historians who have recorded his greatness? Contemporaries of 'Geoffrey would not be likely to be imposed upon by a mere fiction. passed off for genuine history, unless they too had some faith in traditions, or in the existing histories of their time. Alan of Lisle no "doubt had seen Geoffrey's work, but if we may believe what he has "written on this subject, a reputation belonged to Arthur even in his 'day, which it would have required more than 40 years to have "established, such being nearly about the time which had elapsed between "the appearance of Geoffrey's history and the composition of Alan's "work."

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1 "Recueil des Croniques et Anchiennes Istories de la Grant Bretaigne, a present nomme Angleterre," Vol. I., Liv. iii., Ch. xxxvi. By Jehan de Waurin. Edited by William Hardy, F.S.A. Published by the authority of the Lords Commissioners of H.M. Treasury, under the direction of the Master of the Rolls. 3 vols. 1864, 1868, 1879.

2 Ibid, Vol. I., p. 562.

A.D. 600-1080.

Saxons invade Gwent-Meurig, son of Tewdrig, King of Morganwch, defeats them-Tewdrig is slain-His death commemorated by a mural tablet in Matherne Church-Saxons penetrate to Llandaff--They kill Aidan the bishop and many clergy-Churches pillaged-Britons retaliate-Construction of Offa's dyke-Saxons break down all churches and monasteries in GwentMonastery of Caerphilly burnt-Danish invasions-Burning of Llantwit Major and Llancarvon-Arrival of Danes in Gwent-Morgan Hen attacks and defeats them below Caerleon-Caerleon plundered-Gwent and Gwenllwych devastated-Ethelfleda killed in a battle near Newport-The Bishop of Llandaff taken prisoner-Owen, king of Gwent, defeated by AthelstanKing Edgar at Caerleon-Alfere, Earl of Mercia, attacks Caerleon-Edgar again at Caerleon-All churches, abbeys, and houses in Monmouthshire plundered-Howel, King of Gwent, one of the eight kings who rowed Edgar down the river Dee-Danes ravage Caerleon and Gwent-Danish vessel excavated at Alexandra Dock-36 pirate vessels arrive in the Usk-Harold sails from Bristol with ships and comes about Wales-Gruffydd ap Llewelyn put to death and his head sent to King Eadward-A considerable portion of Welsh territory incorporated with the English kingdom-Building of Caldicot castle-English men permitted to marry Welsh women-Harold's mother, sister, and daughter, take refuge on the Holmes-Gildas, the British chronicler, driven by pirates from the Holmes-Harold's sons, with 52 ships, sail up the Bristol Channel, harrying the coast.

At the end of the sixth century, the Saxons invaded Gwent; Meurig at that time being king. Meurig defeated the Saxons in battle and put them to flight, but lost his father Tewdrig (Theodore). The event is commemorated by a mural tablet in Matherne Church; the inscription, supposed to have been written by Bishop Godwin, is as follows:"Here lyeth entombed the body of Theodore, King of Morganwch or "Glamorgan, commonly called St. Theodoric, and accounted a martyr "because he was slain in a battle against the Saxons, being then pagans, "and in defence of the Christian religion. The battle was fought at "Tynterne, where he obtained a great victory. He died here, being on his way homeward, three days after the battle, having taken order "with Maurice, his son, who succeeded him in the kingdom, that in "the same place where he should happen to decease, a church should "be built, and his body buried in the same, which was accordingly "performed in the year 600." Bishop Godwin said that he saw the remains of Theodoric in a stone coffin, and in the skull, after the lapse of 1,000 years, the wound of which he died was conspicuous.

During the two succeeding centuries, Saxon invasions caused much trouble. In 720 they penetrated to Llandaff, pillaged the churches of the diocese, killed Aidan the Bishop and many of the clergy. The Britons retaliated by making incursions into the districts occupied by

1 "Historical Traditions and Facts relating to Newport and Caerleon," Part II., p. 73, 75. Newport: W. N. Johns, 1880.

the Saxons. Offa, King of Mercia (757-794), having planted strong Saxon colonies between the Wye and the Severn, found it necessary for the security of his conquests, and for the protection of his subjects, to cause the making of the celebrated "Dyke" which bears his name. This was a ditch and rampart 100 miles in length, beginning not far from the mouth of the Dee, and ending on the Severn, near Bristol.1 In 831, the Mercian Saxons burnt the monastery of Caerphilly, and in 860, the Saxons broke down all the churches and monasteries in Gwent.3 After intermittent ravages by the Saxons during a period of three centuries, in 877 the Danes put in their appearance, to carry on the like Vandalism. Under Hubba, they invaded the western parts of South Wales, laid waste the country and ruthlessly slaughtered and despoiled the inhabitants. In 891, they appeared in the Bristol Channel, and having landed and burnt Llantwit Major and Llancarvon, they arrived in Gwent. Morgan Hen attacked and defeated them below Caerleon, and thence they went to Ireland. In the following year they returned with a stronger force and attacked and plundered Caerleon. Three years later they devastated Brecheiniog, Morganwg, Gwent, Buallt and Gwenllwg (Wentloog)."

4

In the sixth year of the reign of Ethelfleda, daughter of King Alfred, and wife of Ethelred, Eolderman of Mercia, she sent an army into Gwent, when the native forces were defeated, Brecknock was stormed, and Owain, its king, taken prisoner. It is stated in the "Brut," that in the year 918, the battle of Castell Newydd was fought between Ethelflada, Queen of the Mers, and Morgan, prince of Morganwg. Ethelflada was killed. Some think this battle occurred near the present site of Newport. The Anglo Saxon Chronicle states that Ethelfleda "died at "Tamworth 12 nights before midsummer (June 12th) A.D. 918, in the eighth year from the time she rightfully held the lordship over the "Mercians; and her body lies in Gloucester, in the east porch of St. "Peter's Church." Her death is again recorded in the same Chronicle, as having occurred A.D. 922.

In 915 a naval force came from the south, from the Lidwiccas, and with it two jarls, Ottar and Hraold, and went about until they arrived in the mouth of the Severn, and they harried on the North Welsh everywhere by the sea, where it pleased them; and took Bishop Cameleac (bishop of Llandaff) in Irkenfeld, and led him with them to the ships; and then King Eadweard afterwards ransomed him with forty pounds. Then met them the men of Hereford and Gloucester, and put them to flight, and slew the jarl Hraold, and the brother of Ottar the other jarl.

1 "History of England," p. 77. C. Macfarlane and Rev. T. Thompon. Blackie and Son. 1870.

2 "Historical Traditions and Facts relating to Newport and Caerleon," Part II., pp. 77, 78. Newport: W. N. Johns, 1880.

"Chronicles of the Kings of Britain," Appendix, p. 326. Tysilio.

4 "Historical Traditions and Facts relating to Newport and Caerleon," Part II., p. 86. Newport: W. N. Johns, 1880.

6

5 Brut y Tywysogion.

"Historical Traditions and Facts relating to Newport and Caerleon," Part II., p. 94. Newport: W. N. Johns, 1880.

And the King had contrived so that his force sat opposite to them on the south side of the mouth of the Severn; some stole away to the Flatholme (Steepholme) and many perished from hunger; the remainder went to South Wales, and then out to Ireland.1

In 926, Athelstan marched into Wales, and put to flight Howel, King of the West Britons, and Owen, King of Gwent. These princes subsequently sued for peace; at Hereford they ratified by their oaths a solemn treaty to pay tribute for the future. This Athelstan fixed to be thenceforth, 20 lbs. weight of gold, 300 lbs. of silver, 25,000 head of cattle, with hunting dogs, hawks, &c.

In 962, Edgar, King of England, was at Caerleon, and again five years later, when he had with him a fleet. Three years afterwards, Caerleon was attacked by a powerful fleet sent by Alfere, Earl of Mercia, who was repulsed with great loss. In 972, Edgar again appeared at Caerleon with a large army. All churches, abbeys, and houses were plundered, and Morgan agreed to pay Edgar a tribute of 300 wolves, which tribute was paid annually for 45 years until the wolves were extirpated.2.

The next year, Howel, King of Gwent, did homage to Edgar at Chester, and was one of the eight kings who rowed him down the Dee. Three years later the Danes once more appeared, and ravaged the city of Caerleon and the whole of Gwent.3

The ruthless hands of Saxons and Danes had nearly finished their devastations, for we are told that in 1047, all South Wales lay waste;* nevertheless, 36 ships from Ireland arrived in the Usk and thereabouts did harm in the year 1049; people were gathered against them, there was also Ealdred, Bishop of Worcester, with them, who, according to one account was defeated. Dr. Freeman states that these ships were doubtless Danish pirate vessels, and that they were welcomed by the South Welsh king, Gruffydd ap Rhydderch, who was doubtless rejoiced at the prospect of such allies, alike against the English and against his northern namesake, Gruffydd ap Llewelyn, the North Welsh king, who was then the momentary confederate of England."

An interesting discovery was made in the month of April, 1878, in the course of the excavation of the new timber pond of the Alexandra Dock. About 12 feet below the surface, the workmen came upon the remains of an ancient vessel, which may have originally measured about 70 feet in length, and from 17 ft. to 20 ft. in breadth. These remains were inspected by several gentlemen interested in antiquarian studies, and by desire of Octavius Morgan, Esq., they were carefully examined by Mr. Williams, of Newport, an experienced ship builder, and Mr. William Parfitt, the dock-master. The vessel was of foreign build, and the remains were of Dantzic oak; had been apparently built in the Baltic, and con1 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

3

2 "Siluriana," p. 235. Dd. Lloyd Isaac. Newport: W. Christophers, 1859. Historical Traditions and Facts relating to Newport and Caerleon," Part II., pp. 99-107. Newport: W. N. Johns, 1880.

Brut y Tywysogion.

5 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

6 "History of the Norman Conquest of England," Vol. II., p. 109. Dr. E. A. Freeman.

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structed more for speed than strength. A report of all the facts connected with this discovery was laid before the Royal Archæological Institute by O. Morgan, Esq., who said, "we have in the record of an old chronicler "of the locality, a direct mention of an invasion and warfare with the "Danes on the very spot where the remains of the ship were discovered, "and I think it by no means therefore improbable that this Danish ship may be of that period. If that be so, we get a date of about 900, "when the ship was placed where the fragment was found. The spot is now more than half a mile distant from the river Ebbw, and considerably more than a mile from the Usk. From the time it was "placed there eight feet of solid mud or silt must have been deposited "above the top of it, and the beds and channels of the two rivers and "the shores of the Severn Sea or Bristol Channel have varied accord"ingly, and we can now form some idea of what changes have taken place in that alluvial district in 1,000 years."

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The next distinguished visitor who came to look around the Channel was Harold, the future king of England, and son of the great Earl Godwin, who with his family had been exiled from England by King Eadward the Confessor. Harold came from Ireland with ships to the mouth of the Severn, near to the boundaries of Somersetshire and Devonshire, and greatly ravaged there. Soon after this the differences between King Eadward and Earl Godwin were settled, and the Earl and his family restored to their former earldoms and honours. It was several years after this that Earl Harold, at the Rogation days, May 26th, 1063, started from Bristol with ships, and came about Wales, and the people made peace and gave hostages.

ap

In this same year on the Nones of August (Aug. 5th), Gruffydd Llewelyn, the last victorious hero of the old Cymrian stock, the last British chief whose name was really terrible in Saxon ears, was put to death by his own race, and his head sent to King Eadward. Gruffydd's kingdom was granted to his two brothers, who received the lands as Under-kings of Eadward, but a considerable portion of Welsh territory was now incorporated with the English kingdoms. In the South (where. 18 years previously the territory of Earl Swegen extended to the mouth of the Wye, thence in a north-westerly direction about midway between the Wye and the Usk, crossing the Wye to the west of Hereford), the land of Gwent, or so much of it as lay between the Wye and the Usk, was added to the shire of Gloucester, and became portion of Harold's earldom.3

4

Eadward, King of England, though now growing old, still retained his love of hunting. Earl Harold, to please his sovereign, began to build a house at Portskewet. One of the three great Gemóts of 1 Papers printed for the Monmouthshire and Caerleon Antiquarian Association," A.D. 1882. 2 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

3 Harold married Ealdgyth, the widow of the Welsh king Gruffyd --" Short History of the Norman Conquest." Dr. Edward A. Freeman.

4 The summer and autumn of 1065 were taken up by the building and destruction of Harold's hunting seat in Wales.-" William the Conqueror as a Statesman." Dr. Edward A. Freeman.