The province of Penbroch adjoins the southern part of the territory
of Ros, and is separated from it by an arm of the sea. Its
principal city, and the metropolis of Demetia, is situated on an
oblong rocky eminence, extending with two branches from Milford
Haven, from whence it derived the name of Penbroch, which signifies
the head of the aestuary. Arnulph de Montgomery, {110} in the reign
of king Henry I., erected here a slender fortress with stakes and
turf, which, on returning to England, he consigned to the care of
Giraldus de Windesor, {111} his constable and lieutenant-general, a
worthy and discreet man. Immediately on the death of Rhys son of
Tewdwr, who a short time before had been slain by the treachery of
his own troops at Brecheinoc, leaving his son, Gruffydd, a child,
the inhabitants of South Wales besieged the castle. One night, when
fifteen soldiers had deserted, and endeavoured to escape from the
castle in a small boat, on the following morning Giraldus invested
their armour bearers with the arms and estates of their masters, and
decorated them with the military order. The garrison being, from
the length of the siege, reduced to the utmost want of provisions,
the constable, with great prudence and flattering hopes of success,
caused four hogs, which yet remained, to be cut into small pieces
and thrown down to the enemy from the fortifications. The next day,
having again recourse to a more refined stratagem, he contrived that
a letter, sealed with his own signet, should be found before the
house of Wilfred, {112} bishop of St. David's, who was then by
chance in that neighbourhood, as if accidentally dropped, stating
that there would be no necessity of soliciting the assistance of
earl Arnulph for the next four months to come.
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