294 Aber-Merlyn. 



THE LADYE OF ABER-MERLYN. 

 ' A tale of the times of old the deeds of days of other years." Ossian. 



Not many years after the conquest of England by the Gauls, the 

 great feudal lords whose possessions bordered upon the neighbouring 

 territory made encroachments upon the principality of South Wales, 

 and reduced it to the counties of Caermarthen and Cardigan, which, 

 during the reign of Henry I., were long under the dominion of the 

 English. A considerable portion, however, of the principality of 

 Dynevor was given up by him to a Welsh prince whom he found 

 himself unable to subdue. But if any credence be placed in the 

 chronicles of olden time, he was rather a feudal subject of England 

 than a prince of Wales. During the reign of Stephen and his suc- 

 cessors the Cambrian princes sunk into the character of subjects, and 

 their numerous contests with each other and struggles with the neigh- 

 bouring Normans seemed rather for territory or pre-eminence than 

 the resistance of one nation to the aggressions of another. In the 

 long and continued wars between Henry III. and Llewelyn, prince 

 of North Wales, Caermarthen became the scene of contest. A severe 

 and bloody action was fought at Dynevor Castle, when the English, 

 who were besieging it, were entirely routed by Llewelyn with the 

 assistance of the native chieftains. Thus was South Wales for a time 

 restored to tranquillity and peace. 



It was in the year 1272 that Edward I. mounted upon the throne 

 of his father. At his coronation, Alexander I. of Scotland was pre- 

 sent, and did homage for his kingdom. Llewelyn had been likewise 

 summoned, but in the reviving spirit of his ancestors he refused to ap- 

 pear. So enraged was Edward at this contempt and open defiance, 

 that he gathered a strong force and marched into Wales. A fierce 

 struggle took place at Aber-Honddu* in which the Welsh were re- 

 pulsed with great slaughter. When the king retired into England he 

 left Hugh de Percy lord of the castle, to guard the English posses- 

 sions and keep the natives in awe. 



Urien Reged, the lord of Abergwili, was a descendant of the 

 ancient kings of Cambria, and was one of the chief supporters of 

 Llewelyn, during whose absence he was ever entrusted with the reins 

 of government. In courage and daring none were more excellent, 

 and against his uprightness and conduct not even his bitterest enemies 

 could utter the slightest breath. In council too and policy he was 

 pre-eminent, and it was through his superior guiding that the English 

 were defeated when under Henry III. they laid siege to Dynevor. 

 It was on that blood-stained field that his father had died fighting in 

 defence of his country, and when Urien bent over the dying warrior 

 to staunch his wound, he bequeathed as his last request his only son 

 to his kinsman's protection. The voice of many years had passed 

 away since that ever to be remembered battle, and Hywel had in- 

 creased in strength and wisdom under the daily lessons of his uncle. 

 Urien Reged had an only daughter, rendered doubly dear to him, 



* Aber-Honddu now called Brecon. 



