Paris are perhaps the most valuable for the
history of Wales and the Marches during the twelfth and thirteenth
centuries. Among modern books, the reader may be referred to Rhys and
Jones, "The Welsh People"; Freeman, "William Rufus"; Thomas Stephens,
"Literature of the Kymry"; Henry Owen, "Gerald the Welshman"; Clark,
"Mediaeval Military Architecture," and "The Land of Morgan"; Newell,
"History of the Welsh Church"; Tout, "Edward I."; and the "Dictionary
of National Biography." Since these Lectures were delivered at least
three books on Welsh history have appeared which deserve mention: Mr.
Bradley's "Owen Glyndwr," with a summary of earlier Welsh history;
Mr. Owen Edwards's charmingly written volume in the Story of the
Nations Series; and Mr. Morris's valuable work on "The Welsh Wars of
Edward I."

The maps are taken from large wall maps which I used when lecturing.
In drawing up the map of Wales and the Marches at the beginning of the
thirteenth century, I had the assistance of my friend and former
pupil, Mr. Morgan Jones, M.A., of Ferndale, who generously placed at
my disposal the results of his researches into the history of the
Welsh Marches.

A. G. LITTLE.

CONTENTS

PAGE

I. INTRODUCTORY 1

II. GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH 27

III. GIRALDUS CAMBRENSIS 51

IV. CASTLES 77

V. RELIGIOUS HOUSES 99

VI. LLYWELYN AP GRUFFYDD AND THE BARONS' WAR 125

MAPS AND PLANS

PAGE

WALES AND THE MARCHES, c. A.D. 1200-1210 2

CASTLES AND RELIGIOUS HOUSES 78

CARDIFF AND CAERPHILLY CASTLES 88

[Illustration: WALES & THE MARCHES, c. A.D. 1200-1210.]

I

INTRODUCTORY

In the following lectures no attempt will be made to give a systematic
account of a political development, which is the ordinary theme of
history. History is "past politics" in the wide sense of the word. It
has to do with the growth and decay of states and institutions, and
their relations to each other. The history of Wales in the Middle
Ages, viewed from the political standpoint, is a failure; its interest
is negative; and in this int