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The Principality of Wales in the Later Middle Ages

The Principality of Wales in the Later Middle Ages

Ralph A. Griffiths

(2018)

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Book Details

Abstract

This is a study of royal government in the southern counties of the principality of Wales between the beginning of Edward I’s conquest in 1277 and Henry VIII’s ‘act of Union’. This reprinted edition of the book, first published in 1972, includes a new introduction to incorporate recent writings on the subject. Part I discusses the administrative framework of Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire and the way in which it evolved in response to the political needs and reactions of governors and governed. Part II is a comprehensive biographical calendar of the officers of English kings and princes in south Wales, based on a wide range of published and unpublished sources – their careers, experience and wealth. The book has been of great value to political and administrative historians, not only of Wales but of England too, and it also retains a value for students of Welsh society, and for literary and personal-name scholars. No comparable comprehensive study of the involvement of men (rarely of women) in public service in late-medieval Wales (or indeed England) exists for this level of society and government.


Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Cover Cover C
Title iii
Copyright iv
Preface vii
Contents xi
Introduction xv
A New Introduction xxi
PART I: THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH WALES 1
1. The Royal Counties 1
2. The Justiciar and Judicial Administration 19
3. The Chamberlain and Financial Administration 35
4. Shire Government: Cantrefmawr and Cardiganshire 47
5. Commote Government 59
PART II: A CALENDAR OF THE ROYAL OFFICERS OF SOUTH WALES, 1277–1536 73
Abbreviations 75
1. Justiciars of South Wales 91
2. Chamberlains of South Wales 167
3. The Castle Constables 193
A. Constables of Carmarthen Castle 193
B. Constables of Cardigan Castle 207
C. Constables of Llanbadarn (or Aberystwyth) Castle 227
D. Constables of Dinefwr Castle; Farmers of Dinefwr Town and Castle 241
E. Constables of Dryslwyn Castle; Farmers of Dryslwyn Town and Castle 255
4. Sheriffs 267
A. Sheriffs of Carmarthen 267
B. Sheriffs of Cardigan 272
C. Sheriffs of Carmarthen and Cardigan 277
5. Stewards 279
A. Stewards of Cantrefmawr 279
B. Stewards of Cardiganshire; Steward of Uwch Aeron; Steward of Is Aeron; Stewards of Cardiganshire 283
C. Stewards of Cantrefmawr and Cardiganshire 287
6. Beadles or Bailiffs Itinerant 289
A. Beadles of the English County of Carmarthen; Bailiffs Itinerant of Carmarthen\r 289
B. Beadles of Cantrefmawr; Bailiffs Itinerant of Cantrefmawr 295
C. Bailiffs Itinerant of Cardigan 303
D. Bailiffs Itinerant of Llanbadarn 309
7. Escheators 317
A. Escheators of South Wales 317
B. Escheators of Carmarthenshire 319
C. Escheators of Cardiganshire 325
D. Escheators of Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire 328
8. The Local Officials of Carmarthenshire 331
A. Reeves or Bailiffs of the Town of Carmarthen; Bailiffs of Carmarthen 331
B. Mayors-Escheator of Carmarthen 347
C. Reeves of Llanllwch; Farmers of Llanllwch 353
D. Reeves of Dryslwyn 357
E. Reeves of Dinefwr and Newton 357
F. Beadles of Mabelfyw 358
G. Beadles of Mabudryd 362
H. Caeo 365
I. Catheiniog 371
J. Maenordeilo 376
K. Mallaen 380
L. Constables 385
M. Foresters of Glyncothi and Pennant; Beadles of the Forests of Glyncothi and Pennant 393
N. Beadles of Widigada 400
O. Beadles of Elfed 405
P. Walstottus of Widigada and Elfed 409
Q. Serjeants 412
9. The Local Officials of Cardiganshire 419
A. Reeves of Cardigan; Bailiffs of Cardigan 419
B. Mayors-Escheator of Cardigan 428
C. Reeves or Bailiffs of Llanbadarn (or Aberystwyth) 431
D. Mayors-Coroner of Aberystwyth 436
E. Genau’r Glyn 437
F. Perfedd 447
G. Creuddyn 457
H. Mefenydd 467
I. Anhuniog 479
J. Caerwedros 490
K. Mabwynion 502
L. Gwynionydd Uwch Cerdyn 513
M. Beadles of Iscoed Is Hirwern 522
N. Constables 528
O. Farmers and Reeves of Maenorsilian, Talsarn and Trefilan 543
P. Farmers of Gerardston 547
10. Other Officers 549
A. Royal Attorneys in South Wales 549
B. Royal Pleaders in Welsh Law 553
C. Marshals of the Great and Petty Sessions 553
D. Proclamators of the Great and Petty Sessions and County Courts 554
E. Clerks 555
F. Officers of the King’s Works in South Wales 560
Index 567