OF THE WELSH. 249 



In the tenth century, about two hundred and fifty 

 years previous to the date of the account given by 

 Giraldus Canibrenfis, the royal manfion confiiled 

 only of a hall, parlour, and bed-rooms ; bdtlery, 

 liable, dog-kennel, granary, and bakehoufe *. 



At this period the drefs of the long confifted of 

 a mantle and tunic, fhirt, breeches, flioes, (lockings, 

 and gloves, and a cap made of difFeront kinds of 

 fldns. The queen's drefs did not differ much from 

 this. — No other fuel was ufed than wood. The 

 bed was of fcrav/ : indeed, flraw was continued in 

 the royal bed-cha'm.bers of England, till even towards 

 the conclufion of the thirteenth century. 



There were twenty-four principal ofacers belong- 

 ing to the court. Of thefe, the firfh in rank Vv^as 

 the ' penteulu,' or mayor of the palace. This perfon, 

 was always a prince of the blood ; and he had, Vvith 

 various perquifites, a falary of three pounds a year. 

 One part of his duty was to entertain at his table 

 fuch perfons as had been turned out from the royal 

 board for mifbehaviour, and to intercede for their 

 pardon. The chaplain v/as fecond in rank. Next 

 to him fucceededj:he y?^'i£/<2r<i of the houfehold. The 

 latter provided the meat and liquor. Was mafter of 

 ceremonies, and the tafler. Among his perquifites 

 he v/as allowed as much '' plain ale" from every 

 cafk that he brought in as he could reach with 



* Leges W'al]ic35, lib. i. c. 47 — From thefe laws, founded by 

 Hovvel Dda, Hovjcl ihc Good, about tlie ytar 950, much of the 

 immediately enfuing account has been extiaftcd. 



his 



