Cylchgronau Cymru

THE REGISTRAR. HISTORICAL GLEANINGS. 45 CAMBRIA. " Here loud cascades—and there the silent dell; On scenes like these the eye delights to dwell. Mountains of tow'ring height—fantastic shape, At whose broad base terrific chasms gape: Hills clothed in gayest verdure smile serene, "Whilst rude and barren rocks contrast the scene.'1 EHUDDLAN CASTLE. (continued pbom paob 34.) David was examined at Rhuddlan and several very curious relics were found upon him; among the rest was one called Groes-enydd* or a part of the real cross of Christ, highly ven¬ erated by the Princes of "Wales, and the crown of the celebrated King Arthur,f which, with several others, were taken from him and delivered to the King. In this deserted situation our Prince requested that he might see the King, but after many solicita¬ tions the indulgence was denied him.J He was imprisoned for a while at this Castle, and afterwards sent in chains to Shrewsbury, where he was condemned to five different punishments, and those cruel in the extreme .§ The death of David closed the sovereignty of the Ancient British empire, which according to the Cam¬ brian records, continued from the first coming of Brutus 1136 years before Christ, to 1282 years after Christ, a period comprising not less than two thousand four hundred and eighteen years ! When we consider this we cannot be surprised at the resolute courage with which they rallied around the standard of their independence; a reflection on their patriotic perseverance even at this distant period, is enough to awaken in our breasts the emotions of syin- • J. Ron's Antiquities of Warwickshire, 262. See Annates Waverliensis, 238. t Nennius says that Prince Arthur brought a part of the real cross from the Holy Land. X J. Ron's Anti quities of Warwickshire, 160 4 See Carte J 95, from the Chronicles of Dunstable, also Parry's Essay .Vol. 2, No. 16.] pathy and regret. The Ancient Britons bravely withstood the army of imperial Rome, and ably resisted the utmost efforts of the Picts, Scots, and Saxons, and through various changes of fortune afterwards suc¬ cessfully resisted the Norman Prin¬ ces. But it is not to their valorous spirit alone, that I would call the attention of the reader; the virtues and hospitality of the people—the simple and unsophisticated manners by which they were distinguished— and an enthusiastic fondness for their national music, are of them¬ selves a sufficient testimony to the nobility of their character. These good qualities were united with an ardent love of liberty, contentment in their situation, and a strong at¬ tachment to their native mountains. Though they had no ambition to add to their own territory, by ag¬ gressions on that of their neighbors, they were forced into a long and unequal contest in defence of their native rights. The King of England having at length reached the height of his am¬ bition, in the final conquest of Wales, annexed it to England, and in order to secure the obedience of the newly subdued country, and rivet the fetters he had put on, Edward introduced English juris¬ prudence, divided North Wales into counties, and appointed proper offi¬ cers to enforce the obedience of his reluctant subjects. In order to ac¬ complish his projects, the conqueror took up his residence at Ehuddlan [November, 1849