A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 5 



In the fame century it was feized, and 

 almoft demolished by the Danes, who hav- 

 ing been defeated by Alfred the great, 

 had retreated for fafety into this part of 

 the country; but it was foon afterwards 

 reftored by his valiant Daughter Ethelfleda, 

 the wife of Ethelred Duke of Mercia.* 



After the Norman conqueft, William 

 created his nephew, Hugh Lupus Earl of 

 Chefter, and granted to him the fame ju- 

 rifdi&ion in this County, that he himfelf 

 poflerTed in the reft of the liland. By 

 virtue of this granj the Earls held parlia- 

 ment here, confirming of the barons and 

 tenants, which were not bound by the 

 acts of the Englifh parliament, )- and the 

 town of Chefter enjoyed fovereign jurif- 

 didion within its own limits. The Earls 

 were petty princes, and all the land hol- 



* Matt. Weftm. 354. Gibf. Camden, 558. 

 | Gibf. Camd. 567. 



B 3 ders 



