Powerful kindreds

Between 13-19 January 1295 Edward I retraced his route from Nefyn to Conwy. Somewhere en route his baggage train was supposedly ambushed and captured by the Welsh.

This incident is reported by two English chroniclers, Trivet and Guisborough. None of the Welsh annals mention it, and the English narratives are far from clear. When JG Edwards combed the records for further information in the 1960s, he came to this thrilling conclusion:

'There is no evidence of panic at Conwy, and no special urgency in the king's commands'.

So much for that. The invaluable Book of Prests contains more information on Welshmen in the king's service over the winter months of 1294-5. For example, p154 lists seven individuals:

Cynwrig Sais received advance wages of 40 shillings at Aberconwy on 30 December.

Cynrig Ddu received 40 shillings on the same place and day.

Madog ap Gruffudd got 30 shillings on the same etc.

Tudur Fychan received 20 shillings at Aberconwy on 4 January, after an initial payment on 26 December.

Hywel ab Tuder got 20 shillings on the same terms.

Gronw ab Llywelyn got 30 shillings on 14 November, and another 20 shillings at Aberconwy.

His brother Llywelyn also got two payments of 20 shillings and 30 shillings at Aberconwy on 4 January.

These were considerable sums, when you consider the average infantryman was on 1 or 2 pence a day. Tuder Fychan and Hywel ab Tuder sound like members of the Wyrion Eden, the powerful kindred that had come to dominate politics in North Wales. They and the other listed men could be classed as 'gentry'; the men Edward I and his heirs needed to keep onside to retain control of Wales.