A Popular History of the Ancient Britons or the Welsh People; From the Earliest Times to the End of the Nineteenth Century (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1901. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXVII THE ANCIENT BRITONS IN THE TWELFTH AND THIRTEENTH CENTURIES--continued The previous chapter was mainly devoted to the history of South Wales--the conflicts between the Normans and the Britons and among the Britons themselves. The barons w'ere more successful in South Wales than in the north. In the earliest part of the Norman period they established their power in South Wales by the construction of castles on the borders and on the coasts, and from these as strong centres of operations they carried on a continual warfare which ended in the final conquest of the country. North Wales was more compact and united, and maintained independence for a longer period. The kingdom of Gwynedd remained stronger, and became the centre of operations for North Wales and for Powys, and to some extent for South Wales, and was the last to give way to the increasing power of England. Our previous account of North Wales ended with the death of the distinguished monarch of Gwynedd, Gruffydd ab Cynan, whose career came to end in the year 1137. The kingdom of Gwynedd in ancient times was much larger than it was during even the prosperous reign of Gruffydd ab Cynan. It included a portion of Cheshire. Up to the time of Egbert--the ninth century--Chester was its capital. About the year 870 Roderic the Great made Aberffraw, in Anglesey, the capital and one of the three royal residences, changing from Caer Segont, near Caernarvon. The reason of the change was not very apparent, as Caer Segont was amidst the mountainous region of Snowdon, so often the place of defence to which the Welsh retired. The Normans very soon captured and fortified the city of Chester, and Hugh Lupus became its earl. Under this earl the Norman territory in Wales was extended, and Flintshire became part ...