A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 449 



In 1231 when Henry III. was marching 



againft the Welfh, who jufl before, headed 



by their Prince Llewelyn ap Jorwerth, had 



rifen and attacked the caftle of Montgo~ 



mery, one of the monks of this houfe 



happened to be near, and was questioned 



as to the Situation and force of the Welfh 



army. He determined to befriend his 



country rather than affift an enemy, and 



therefore deceived them fo much in the 



account he gave, as to induce them to 



make an immediate attack. The Welfh 



feigned a retreat to a neighbouring marfh, 



into which the Englilh, who with the in- 



cumbrances of their armour were not fo 



agile as their neighbours, immediately 



plunged after them, but to their deftruc- 



tion, for the Welfh forces returning upon 



them, after a Short conflict came off vip 



torious. This action fo enraged the king, 



that paffing Shortly afterwards near the 



abbey, he burned down the out- offices, 



VOL. i. G g and 



