|
Second Edition
Preface to First
Edition
In this work it has
been my endeavour to bring together and to weave into a continuous
narrative what may be fairly regarded as the ascertained facts of
the history of Wales up to the fall of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in 1282.
In a field where so much is matter of conjecture, it has not been
possible altogether to avoid speculation and hypothesis, but I can
honestly say that I have not written in support of any special
theory or to urge any preconceived opinion upon the reader. My
purpose has been to map out, in this difficult region of study, what
is already known and established, and thus to define more clearly
the limits of that "terra incognita" which still awaits discovery.
The task has not been attempted in English since Miss Jane Williams
(Ysgafell) published her History of Wales in 1869, and it cannot be
doubted, therefore, that it was time to undertake it anew.
The enterprise, it
need scarcely be said, has been a laborious one, and, as the
occupation of somewhat limited hours of leisure, has been spread
over a considerable number of years. In some respects this may have
been an advantage, but it has entailed certain drawbacks also. Had
the earlier chapters been written more recently, they might have
owed more than they do to the study of such works as Dr. Holmes'
Ancient BHtain and Professor Bury's Life of St. Patrick. For this
and many other shortcomings I can but crave the indulgence of the
reader.
It has been my
endeavour to indicate, in the footnotes and elsewhere, my
innumerable obligations to other workers in this field of study. But
I should wish here to express my general indebtedness to Sir John
Rhys, Mr. Egerton Phillimore, Mr. Alfred N. Palmer, and the late Dr.
Hugh Williams for the pioneer work which has so greatly facilitated
the scientific study of Welsh history. I owe to them what cannot be
expressed in the debit of citation and reference, namely, outlook
and method and inspiration. For assistance given to me ungrudgingly
during the progress of the work, I desire to thank Principal J. R.
Ainsworth Davis, M.A., Professor T. F. Tout, M.A., Professor J.
Morris Jones, M.A., Professor W. Lewis Jones, M.A., Mr. Edward
Greenly, F.G.S., Mr. Percy G. Thomas, M.A., Mr. O. T. Williams,
M.A., and the Rev. T. Shankland.
Most of the primary authorities used are discussed in some part or
other of the book. The reader may notice, however, that nowhere is
there any full and systematic discussion of the chronicles included
in Annales Cambrice and Brut y Tywysogion. I had originally intended
to include a critical account of these authorities in the work, but
afterwards came to the conclusion that the task was too ambitious
for the present occasion and must be separately undertaken. Let it
suffice here to say that I have throughout treated Brut y Tywysogion
and Brut (or Brenhinedd) y Saeson as two independent translations of
a Latin original partially (but by no means fully) represented in
MSS. B. and C. o^ Annales CambricB.
The Map is intended to be of general service to those who may use
the book, and does not reproduce the political divisions of Wales at
any definite point in its history. For North Wales, however, it is
approximately correct for the year 1 200. Cantrefs are usually
indicated, but in Anglesey, Powys, Ceredigion and Morgannwg,
commotes are shown as there the more important.
In the spelling of Welsh names, I have sought to observe the rules
laid down in 1893 by the Orthographical Committee of the Society for
Utilising the Welsh Language.
My thanks are due to Miss E. M. Samson for the compilation of the
Index.
JOHN EDWARD LLOYD.
Bangor, 1st November, 1910.
Volume 1 |
Volume 2 |
