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. 

 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." 



* " lago ap Idwal Yoel, king of Gwynedd, from A.D. 948 to 979. 

 From 948 to 966 he reigned jointly with his brother Jevav. In 962 

 Edgar made him pay tribute of wolves' heads ; and in forty-five years 

 after, all these animals were destroyed." 



