Welsh Journals

The Castle of Caereinion. By B. H. ST. J. O'NEIL. There are two references in Brut y Tywysogion to a castle in (or of) Caereinion. They occur on pages 185 and 205 of the Rolls edition and the writer is greatly indebted to Sir John Edward Lloyd for a fresh translation of the passages and for his comments, which form the basis of most of the historical matter here set forth. The passages are as follows :­- 1. Year 1155 (actually 1156). The Red Book text (the main text) may be rendered-" That year Madawc son of Maredud lord of Powys made a Castle in Kaer einawn close to Kymer." Peniarth MS 20 (Ab Ithel's c) is in substantial agreement. Brut y Saeson runs thus (translated) In that year Madoc ap Maredud prince of Powys made a castle in Gereinawn opposite Kymher." All three are translations of the same (lost) Latin original.1 This is the sole authority for the statement, which is not found in the more summary "Annales Cambriae." 2. Year 1166 (actually 1167). Red Book It was not long after this that Owein Keveilawc and a host of Franci (= Normans) with him came upon the castle of Kaer einiawn which (the) Welsh had previously made. And, having won the castle, they destroyed and burnt it and killed all the garrison." Brut y Saeson It was not long after this that Owein Kyvei- liauc and a host of Franci with him came and destroyed the castle of Kereinaun and burnt it and killed all the garrison." It is to be observed that both forms of Annales Cambriae tell the story somewhat differently. They say that in this year Owain Gwynedd and the Lord Rhys built (Brev. Domesd. says rebuilt) the castle of Caer Einion, driving Iorwerth the Red and Owain Cyfeiliog into England. On their return they got possession of Walwern (= Tafolwern) near Llanbrynmair. It is by no means certain that the events of these two years took 1. See The Welsh Chronicles (J. E. Lloyd) in Proc. Brit. Acad., XIV.