The History of the Worthies of England, County 13
RADNOR-SHIRE.
RADNOR-SHIRE, (in British Sire Maiseveth) in form three square, is bounded on the North-West with Hereford-shire, and on the South side (separated by the River Wye) with Breckneck-shire, and on the North part thereof with Montgomery-shire. Nature may seem to have chequered this County, the East and South parts being fruitful, whilest the North and West thereof (lying rough and uneven with Mountains) can hardly be bettered by the greatest pains and industry of the Husband man. Yet is it indifferently well stored with woods, and conveniently watered with running Rivers, and in some places with standing Meers.
*In his B…it. in this Shire.Mr. Cambden telleth us, that there is a place therein termed Melienith, (from the Mountains thereof being of a Yellowish colour) which stretcheth from Offa Dike unto the River Wye, which cutteth overthwart the West corner of this Shire, where meeting with some stones which impede its motion on a sudden, for want of ground to glide on, hath a violent downfall, which place is termed Raihader Gowy, that is, the Fall or Flood-gates of Wye. *Ibid Ibidem.Hereupon he supposeth it not improbable, that the English men forged that word for the name of this Shire, terming it Radnor-shire.
Princes.
HENRY of MONMOUTH, (so called from that well known Town wherein he was born) hath his Character fixed here, because formerly passed over in its proper place, through the posting speed of the Press. He was Son to King Henry the fourth, (by Mary one of the Daughters and Heirs of Humfrey de Bohun Earl of Herefo…d, and) whom he succeeded on the Throne (being the fifth of that name) and began his raign March 20. Anno 1413.
He cannot be excused from extravagancies in his Youth, seeing the King his Father expelled him his Council, (substituting his younger Brother the Duke of Clarence President in his steed) for the same. Yet as those bodies prove most healthful, which break out in their youth, so was his soul the sounder for venting it self in its younger days: For, no sooner was his Father dead, but he reclaimed himself, and became a glory to his Country, and a constant terror to his Enemies. Yea, he banished all his idle Companions from Court, allowing them a competency for their subsistence.
When the Lord Chiefe Justice (who had secured him when Prince, for striking him for the commitment of some of his lewd Companions) begg'd his Pardon for the same, he not only forgave him, but rewarded his Justice, for distributing it without fear or partiality.
In his raign a Supplication was preferred, that the Temporal Lands given to pious uses, but abusively spent, might have been seized to the King. This was wisely awarded by Chichley Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, by putting the King on the design of recovering France. Yea, this King by his valour reduced Charles the sixth King of France, to such a condition, that he in a manner resigned his Kingdom into his hand.
And here the French men found him as good (or rather worse) as his promise, which he made to the Dolphin (who sent him a Barrel of Paris Tennis-Balls) sending such English Balls, that they proved to their great loss.
He died at Boys S. Vincent in France, the last day of August, Anno 1422. and was brought over with great solemnity, and interred in Westminster Abby.
Prelates.
ELIAS de RADNOR.
GUILIELMUS de RADNOR.
Ijoyn them together for three Reasons; First, because Natives of the same Town, understand it Old Radnor, the new town of that name being built probably since their decease. Secondly, because Bishops of the same See, Landaff. Thirdly, because eminent, being eminent for Nothing, the names and dates of their deaths (the one May 6. 1240. the other June the 30. 1256.) being all that learned Antiquary and their Successour,*In his Ca… of the Bish…ps of L…ndaff. Bishop Godwin, could recover of their memories, which dishear…eth me from …arther enquiry after them. For, let them never look for a crop, who sow that ground, which so skilful an husband-man thought fit to lie fallow.
The Farewell.
It much affected me (and I believe all others whose hearts are of flesh and blood) what I read in an*D…. Powel in his▪ History of VV…les. pag. 387. Author concerning the rigorous laws imposed on the observation of the Welsh. For when Owen Glyndower-dwy (inveigled by some well-skilled in Merlins Prophesies, that the time was come, wherein the Britains through his assistance should recover their ancient freedom and liberty) raised a Rebellion, making war upon the Earl of March (the Heir apparent both to the Crown of England and Principality of Wales) King Henry the fourth (inraged at his proceedings) enacted these ensuing Laws.
First, That no Welshman should purchase Lands, or be chosen Citizen or Burgess of any City, Borough, or Market Town, nor be received into any Office of Mayor, Bayliff, Chamberlaine, &c. or to be of the Councel of any Town, or to bear Armour within any City. Besides that, if any Welsh-man should impeach, or sue an Englishman, It was ordained, he should not be convicted, unless by the judgment of English Justices, verdict of English Burgesses, or by the Inquest of the English Boroughs where the suits lay: Yea, that all English Burgesses who married Welsh Women should be disfranchised of their Liberties. No congregation or Council was permitted to the Welsh-men, but by licence of the chief Officers of the same Seig…ory, and in the* Ibid. Ibidem. presence of the same Officers. That no Victuals should be brought into Walls, unless by the especial licence of the King and his Council. That no Welshmen shou…d have any Castle, Fortress, or House of Defence of his own, or any other m…ns to keep. That no Welsh-man should be made Justice, Chamberla…, Chancellor &c. of a Castle, Receivor, Eschetor, &c. nor other Officer or Keeper o…W Records, & … nor of the Council of any English Lord. That no English man that in time to come should marry a Welsh-woman be put in any Office in Wales, or in the Marches o… the same.
Now as I am heartily sorry that ever the Welsh were bound to the observance of so rigorous Laws, so am I truly glad, that at this day they are (to the happiness both of England and Wales) freed from the same: Yea, I shall constantly pray, that God would be pleased to grant us of the Loins of our Soveraign, one who may be born Prince of the one, and (after the [though late] decease of his Majesty) King of the other.
FINIS.