Plautus Delphini,
tom. ii. p. 27. - Actus iv., Scena iv.
{121} Armorica is derived from the Celtic words Ar and Mor, which
signify on or near the sea, and so called to distinguish it from the
more inland parts of Britany. The maritime cities of Gaul were
called "Armoricae civitates - Universis civitatibus quae oceanum
attingunt, quaeque Gallorum consuetudine Armoricae appellantur." -
Caesar. Comment, lib. vii.
{122} The bishops of Hereford, Worcester, Llandaff, Bangor, St.
Asaph, Llanbadarn, and Margam, or Glamorgan.
{123} The value of the carucate is rather uncertain, or, probably,
it varied in different districts according to the character of the
land; but it is considered to have been usually equivalent to a
hide, that is, to about 240 statute acres.
{124} This little brook does not, in modern times, deserve the
title here given to it by Giraldus, for it produces trout of a most
delicious flavour.
{125} See the Vaticinal History, book i. c. 37.
{126} Lechlavar, so called from the words in Welsh, Llec, a stone,
and Llavar, speech.
{127} Cemmeis, Cemmaes, Kemes, and Kemeys. Thus is the name of
this district variously spelt. Cemmaes in Welsh signifies a circle
or amphitheatre for games.
{128} [Cardigan.]
{129} There is place in Cemmaes now called Tre-liffan, i.e. Toad's
town; and over a chimney-piece in the house there is a figure of a
toad sculptured in marble, said to have been brought from Italy, and
intended probably to confirm and commemorate this tradition of
Giraldus.
{130} Preseleu, Preselaw, Prescelly, Presselw.
{131} St. Bernacus is said, by Cressy, to have been a man of
admirable sanctity, who, through devotion, made a journey to Rome;
and from thence returning into Britany, filled all places with the
fame of his piety and miracles. He is commemorated on the 7th of
April. Several churches in Wales were dedicated to him; one of
which, called Llanfyrnach, or the church of St. Bernach, is situated
on the eastern side of the Prescelley mountain.
{132} The "castrum apud Lanhever" was at Nevern, a small village
between Newport and Cardigan, situated on the banks of a little
river bearing the same name which discharges itself into the sea at
Newport. On a hill immediately above the western side of the parish
church, is the site of a large castle, undoubtedly the one alluded
to by Giraldus.
{133} On the Cemmaes, or Pembrokeshire side of the river Teivi, and
near the end of the bridge, there is a place still called Park y
Cappel, or the Chapel Field, which is undoubtedly commemorative of
the circumstance recorded by our author.
{134} Now known by the name of Kenarth, which may be derived from
Cefn y garth - the back of the wear, a ridge of land behind the
wear.
{135} The name of St. Ludoc is not found in the lives of the
saints. Leland mentions a St. Clitauc, who had a church dedicated
to him in South Wales, and who was killed by some of his companions
whilst hunting. "Clitaucus Southe-Walliae regulus inter venandum a
suis sodalibus occisus est. Ecciesia S. Clitauci in Southe Wallia."
- Leland, Itin., tom. viii. p. 95.
{136} The Teivy is still very justly distinguished for the quantity
and quality of its salmon, but the beaver no longer disturbs its
streams. That this animal did exist in the days of Howel Dha
(though even then a rarity), the mention made of it in his laws, and
the high price set upon its skin, most clearly evince; but if the
castor of Giraldus, and the avanc of Humphrey Llwyd and of the Welsh
dictionaries, be really the same animal, it certainly was not
peculiar to the Teivi, but was equally known in North Wales, as the
names of places testify. A small lake in Montgomeryshire is called
Llyn yr Afangc; a pool in the river Conwy, not far from Bettws,
bears the same name, and the vale called Nant Ffrancon, upon the
river Ogwen, in Caernarvonshire, is supposed by the natives to be a
corruption from Nant yr Afan cwm, or the Vale of the Beavers. Mr.
Owen, in his dictionary, says, "That it has been seen in this vale
within the memory of man." Giraldus has previously spoken of the
beaver in his Topography of Ireland, Distinc. i. c. 21.
{137} Our author having made a long digression, in order to
introduce the history of the beaver, now continues his Itinerary.
From Cardigan, the archbishop proceeded towards Pont-Stephen,
leaving a hill, called Cruc Mawr, on the left hand, which still
retains its ancient name, and agrees exactly with the position given
to it by Giraldus. On its summit is a tumulus, and some appearance
of an intrenchment.
{138} In 1135.
{139} Lampeter, or Llanbedr, a small town near the river Teivi,
still retains the name of Pont-Stephen.
{140} Leland thus speaks of Ystrad Fflur or Strata Florida:
"Strateflere is set round about with montanes not far distant,
except on the west parte, where Diffrin Tyve is. Many hilles
therabout hath bene well woddid, as evidently by old rotes apperith,
but now in them is almost no woode - the causes be these. First,
the wood cut down was never copisid, and this hath beene a cause of
destruction of wood thorough Wales. Secondly, after cutting down of
woodys, the gottys hath so bytten the young spring that it never
grew but lyke shrubbes. Thirddely, men for the monys destroied the
great woddis that thei should not harborow theves." This monastery
is situated in the wildest part of Cardiganshire, surrounded on
three sides by a lofty range of those mountains, called by our
author Ellennith; a spot admirably suited to the severe and recluse
order of the Cistercians.
{141} [Melenydd or Maelienydd.]
{142} Leaving Stratflur, the archbishop and his train returned to
Llanddewi Brefi, and from thence proceeded to Llanbadarn Vawr.
