I am also greatly indebted to Miss Walker, of Corwen, for several photographic scenes in Glyndyfrdwy, which she most kindly took with an especial view to reproduction in these pages, and to Messrs. H. H. Hughes and W. D. Haydon, both of Shrewsbury, who rendered a like service in the matter of Glyndwr's other residence at Sycherth. [Decoration] [Decoration] CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1 The Romans in Wales--Cunedda--Christianity--Arrival of Saxons--Their Conquest of Severn Valley--The Latin and Welsh Churches--The Three Divisions of Wales--Arrival of Danes--Strathclyde Britons Occupy Vale of Clwyd--Howel Dda and His Laws--Growing Intercourse between Welsh and Saxons--Llewelyn I.--Griffith ap Llewelyn--Harold's Invasions of Wales--Arrival of Normans--William I. and William Rufus in Wales--Norman Conquest of Glamorgan-- The Flemings Settle in Pembroke--Wars between Owen Gwynedd and Henry II.--Howel ap Owen Gwynedd--Dafydd ap Owen Gwynedd--Giraldus Cambrensis on the Welsh--Religious Awakening in the Twelfth Century--Powys and the English Power--Llewelyn the Great, 1195--King John's Invasion of Wales--Llewelyn recognised as Ruler of All Wales--Dafydd ap Llewelyn Succeeds--He Persecutes his Brother Griffith and Makes War on the English--Henry III. in Wales-- Llewelyn ap Griffith, Last Prince in Wales--Long Struggle against Henry III. and Edward I.--Death of Llewelyn and his Brother Dafydd--Final Conquest of Wales--Edward I. Enacts Statutes of Rhuddlan, Builds Castles, and Provides for the Future Government of the Country--Wales between the Conquest and Glyndwr's Rising. CHAPTER II BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE, 1359-1399 82 Owen's Birth and Descent--His Youth--His Connection with Henry IV. and Richard II.--Sycherth--Glyndyfrdwy-- Marriage--Family. CHAPTER III GLYNDWR AND LORD GREY OF RUTHIN, 1400-1401 110 Lord Grey of Ruthin--Anglo-Welsh Towns--Owen's Unsuccessful Lawsuit--Contemptuous Treatment by the English Court-- Bad Faith of Grey towards Owen--Griffith ap David--Grey Appeals for Aid against Welsh Insurgents--Grey's Attempt to Capture Owen--Owen Assumes the Leadership--Iolo Goch--Owen Raids Ruthin--The King Invades Wales but to no Purpose--The Prince of Wales Left in Command at Chester--Owen Winters at Glyndyfrdwy. CHAPTER IV OWEN AND THE PERCYS, 1401 135