The first of this ancient family was
called Ponce; he had issue three sons, Walter, Drogo or Dru, and
Richard.
The Conqueror's survey takes notice of the two former, but
from Richard the genealogical line is preserved, who, being called
Richard de Pwns, obtained, as a gift from king Henry I., the cantref
Bychan, or little hundred, and the castle of Llandovery, in Wales;
he left three sons, Simon, Walter, and Richard. The Walter de
Clifford here mentioned was father to the celebrated Fair Rosamond,
the favourite of king Henry II.; and was succeeded by his eldest
son, Walter, who married Margaret, daughter to Llewelyn, prince of
Wales, and widow of John de Braose.
{48} Brendlais, or Brynllys, is a small village on the road between
Brecknock and Hay, where a stately round tower marks the site of the
ancient castle of the Cliffords, in which the tyrant Mahel lost his
life.
{49} St. Almedha, though not included in the ordinary lists, is
said to have been a daughter of Brychan, and sister to St. Canoc,
and to have borne the name of Elevetha, Aled, or Elyned, latinised
into Almedha. The Welsh genealogists say, that she suffered
martyrdom on a hill near Brecknock, where a chapel was erected to
her memory; and William of Worcester says she was buried at Usk.
Mr. Hugh Thomas (who wrote an essay towards the history of
Brecknockshire in the year 1698) speaks of the chapel as standing,
though unroofed and useless, in his time; the people thereabouts
call it St. Tayled.
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