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In 1282 this town and neighbourhood were the scene of the " Straggle 

 for "Welsh Independence," to which a period was finally put by the death of 

 the gallant Llewelyn, the last native sovereign of Wales. The story of 

 Llewelyn's fall has been frequently told, but like other memorable events it 

 never palls on the mind : — " After the brilliant success which attended his 

 arms at Menai Straits, he was to hold a conference with some chieftain in this 

 district. Llewelyn for this purpose came to Aberedw, about four miles below 

 this town, where he had a castle or mansion, and there passed the night, 

 having posted a part of his army at Pen-y-coed a'r Irfon, two miles above. 

 During his stay he was alarmed by the approach of the enemy, who had 

 received intelligence of his movements and present situation ; and being nearly 

 surrounded by the forces of the English, under the command of Sir Edmund 

 Mortimer and John GifFard (who had marched from Herefordshire) he, as is 

 commonly stated, cansed his horse's shoes to be reversed in order to mislead 

 his pursuers by the impressions on the saow, which then covered the ground. 

 This stratagem, however, being treacherously discovered to the English by 

 Madoc Goch Min Mawr, the blacksmith whom Llewelyn had employed, a 

 pursuit was commeazed. Llewelyn fled towards Buillt, crossing the bridge 

 over the Wye, which he caused to be demolished before his pursuers came 

 up, who were consequently compelled to return to a ford eight miles lower 

 down on the river, where they effected a passage at Cafan Twm Bach. Mean- 

 while Llewelyn had sought succour from the garrison at Buillt, which being 

 refused either from dread of the presence of an English force, or from 

 treachery, he lead his party westward up the Vale of the Irfon, and crossed 

 that river a little above Llanynis church by a bridge called Pont-y-coed, where 

 he stationed his men. The Eoglish coming up made an unsuccessful attempt 

 to obtain possession of the bridge ; Elias Walwyn, a retainer of Rhys (Lord 

 of Buillt) offering to conduct Giffard by a ford to the very field where 

 Llewelyn waited. The attack was then purposely renewed with fresh fury ; 

 and while this was being carried on, GiSord crossed the river in silence, and 

 under cover of the intervening wood, charged down on the spot where 

 Llewelyn was conversing, unarmed, with his secretary. By what particular 

 hand the Prince fell can only be conjectured. Adam Francton claimed the dis- 

 honour of this murderous act. A friar of a neighbouring monastery (whose 

 opportune presence in the Norman ranks can only be explained on the 

 supposition that the conspirators had been enjoined from the highest quartgr 

 not to stop short of the death of their victim) administered to him the last 

 rites of religion, and received his expiring breath. His head was then cut off 

 and sent with all papers found on his person to Edward at Conway Abbey. 

 The head of the patriot hero was thence conveyed to London, was placed 

 (encircled in mockery with a silver crown) on the highest turret of the Tower. 

 Thus perished, December 22, 1282, in the 48th year of his age, in the words of 

 the learned Seldon, "as great and worthy a Prince as ever the third-part 

 of this island was ruled by." The place where Llewelyn was slain is in the 



