A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 129 



Edward Llwyd fays it's name is taken 

 from the mountain river Bran that runs 

 juft below it, which feems very proba- 

 ble.* 



It was the chief refidence of the 

 Lords of TJale, and it is not unlikely, 

 that it might be founded by one of them. 



In the reign of Henry III. it was the 

 refidence of Gryffydd ap Madoc, who, 

 having married Emma, the daughter of 

 James, Lord Audley, his affections were 

 alienated from his country ; and he took 

 part with the Englifh againft his own 

 Prince, whofe refentment forced him to 

 fecure himfelf in this aerial retreat, and 

 confine himfelf to this caftle, where 

 probably grief and fhame, not long 

 after, put an end to his life.-f 



After the death of his fon Madoc, the 

 guardianflup of his children was given, 



* Cough's Camden, II. 585. 



t Powel, 194. Pennant, I. 216, 297. 



VOL. ii. K by 



