2O8 A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 



immediately amongft the great officers 

 of ftate. Such a precedence was natu- 

 rally given them in a court, generally 

 devoted, as all originally were, and as in 

 all illiterate ages ever will be, to the 

 pleafures of the feaft and the diverfions 

 of the chace. 



In the abfence of the King, the au- 

 thority of the court was vefted in the 

 Domeftic Chaplain, the Steward of the 

 Houfehold, and the Judge of the Palace, 

 conjointly. 



Their different ranks in fociety were, 

 Brenin, or Teyrn, the King ; Twyfog, or 



r- 



Duke; Jarll,orEarl; Arglwydd,or Lord; 

 Barwn, or Baron ; Uchelwr, or Squire ; 

 Gwr-eang, or Yeoman ; Alltud, or Vai- 

 fal; and, laft of all, the Caeth, or Slave. 

 The King had referved to him, the 

 right of commanding every perfon to 

 join his army ; and once a year, if it were 

 neceffary, to go with him out of the 



country ; 



