130 EXTINCT BRITISH ANIMALS. 
English borders, was apparently implicated in the 
same offence.” 
Hence it appears the tax was a local fine imposed 
upon these two princes, only that the prince of 
North Wales was made answerable for its due per- 
formance. The tax existed therefore, though but 
nominally, for the space of two-and-thirty years— 
namely, from the time of Athelstane to Edgar—when 
the above recorded commutation of the tribute took 
place, and for the fulfilment of which condition it is 
apparent the prince of North Wales was again made 
answerable. 
That the principality of Wales was, by this salutary 
means, delivered in a great measure from the pest of 
Wolves may be conceived. In this the histories of 
the Welsh agree; but there is some shade of differ- 
ence in their conclusions as to the utter extermination 
of the race; and it is now believed that they were 
not entirely destroyed in Wales till years after. 
Owen, in his “ Cambrian Biography,” says it was not 
till forty-five years after.* 
Drayton, in his ‘‘ Polyolbion” (Song ix.), has thus 
commemorated the wisdom of Edgar’s policy :— 
“Thrice famous Saxon king, on whom Time ne’er shall prey. 
O Edgar! who compell’dst our Ludwall hence to pay 
Three hundred Wolves a year for tribute unto thee ; 
And for that tribute paid, as famous may’st thou be, 
O conquer’d British king, by whom was first destroy’d 
The multitude of Wolves that long this land annoy’d.” 
* “Tago ap Idwal Voel, king of Gwynedd, from a.p, 948 to 979. 
From 948 to 966 he reigned jointly with his brother Jevay. In 962 
Edgar made him pay tribute of wolves’ heads; and in forty-five years 
after, all these animals were destroyed.” 
