without payment; and that they, and others that desire it, shall haue a safe convoye for theire person and goods. 8. That the town and Corporacion of Hardlegh shall enioye all their rights and priviledges which formerlie they haue had. 9 and 10. [These articles have been so much obliterated in the original MSS., that the few words still legible are hardly worthy of insertion. They seem to contain further stipulations about property and moveables.] 11. [The commencement of an eleventh article has been here written down, but crossed out.] 12. That in consideration whereof, the Castle of Hardlegh, with all the Ordnance, arms, and ammunition, and provisions of warre, with all magazines and stores thereto belonging, and all goods of any person or persons whatsoever, except such as are allowed in the precedent articles, shalbe delivered to generall Mytton, or whom he shall appointe, in the case they now are, without any waste, spoile, harmes, or embezzellments, for the servis of the parliament, vpon Munday next, by tenn of the clocke, or thereabouts, being the 15th day of this instant March.1 I doe confirme what my Commissioners have herein agreed. THO: EDWARDES. THO: MYTTON. XIII. LETTER FROM EDWARD WYNNE, RELATIVE TO THE DEMOLISHING OF THE CASTLE OF HARLECH. WORSHIPFULL, [From the original at Porkington.] I have receaved orders from the Comittee at Denbigh, requiringe and authorisinge me and Edward Jones to stay all the Matterialls of the Castell of Harlegh, and to see the same demolished, receavinge direction from the sherife of the County, the Justices of the peace, and the rest of the gent: Therefore my request is to yow that yow would be pleased to come as far as Harlech to morrowe morninge, that I may haue your advise herein, and to consider what is best to be done; havinge not els but hopeing to see yow at the place and time, but write my selfe, as alwayes I am, Your affectionate Cosen and servante to doe yow both service, 1 164. EDWARD WYnne. XIV. LIST OF CONSTABLES OF HARLECH CASTLE. [From contemporary records amongst the muniments of the Kingdom, in London, and other evidence, also (excepting in one or two instances where the contrary is shown) contemporary, or authentic.] 21st Oct., 12 Edw. I., (1284). The custody of the castle of Harlech committed to Hugh de Wlonkeslowe, of Wlonkeslowe (now Longslow), in the county of Salop. 3rd Oct., 13 Edw. I., (1285). "De castro de Hardelagh commisso Johanni de Benelared (or Benillarde)." 1 3rd July, 18 Edw. I., (1290). 100 marks received by James de St. George for the custody of the castle of Harlech, which in the 18th year of Edw. I., 2 Agnes, widow of John de Benillarde, had been ordered to deliver to the said James. 28th Dec., 22 Edw. I., (1293). £40 granted to Robert de Staundon, the Kings Justice for North Wales, for the custody of the castle of Harlech. Michaelmas, 3 3 Prince Edw: (1303). Vivian de Staundon was constable of the Castle. The same person occurs as holding the office upon 20th Augt. 1306, and at Michaelmas 1307, at the same festival in 1311, and upon 8th May 1312. 4 Thomas de Empton, it is probable, was appointed Constable of Harlech Castle between the 8th of May, 1312, and sometime in the 12th year of Edw. II.; though the office may have been bestowed upon him some short time before it was held by Vivian de Staundon, and not after the tenure of it by the latter person. 14 Edw. II. 5 The castle of Harlech was committed to Roger de Swynerton. This is probably the same person as Roger de Swynerton, who in the reign of Edw. II., was constable of the Tower, and governor of the town of Stafford, and was summoned to Parliament in the 11th year of Edw. III. Michaelmas, 16 Edw. II., (1322). constable of the castle. de Staundon was Wednesday, within the octaves of Easter, 1 Edw. III., (23rd April, 1327). Thomas de Verdon witnesses a deed as sub-constable of the castle. 1 This appears to have been the same name as Bonville. In an original roll at the Tower, for a period from 14 to 23 Edw. I., it is written Benelard (or Benelare), and de Bono villare. 2 The 18th year of Edw. I., commenced upon the 20th of November, 1289, and ended upon the 20th of November, 1290. 3 The "Minister's Accounts," from which this list is in a great measure compiled, were made up annually, to Michaelmas, or, some of the earlier ones, half-yearly, to Easter and Michaelmas. 4 The 12th year of Edw. II., commenced upon the 8th of July, 1318, and ended upon the 7th of July, 1319. 5 The 14th year of Edw. II., commenced upon the 8th of July, 1320, and ended the 7th of July, 1321. 29th Dec., 6 Edw. III., (1332). Walter de Manny, afterwards Lord Manny, and Knight of the Garter, constituted constable of the castle of Harlech, for life. He died about the year 1372. Michaelmas, 7 Edw. III., (1333). Oillard de Welles occurs as constable of the castle, but he must have been sub-constable under Walter de Manny. 17 Edw. III.1 Bartholomew de Salle is named in a contemporary Roll, as constable of the castle in this year, 2 but he, too, must have been sub-constable to Walter de Manny. Michaelmas, 17 Richard II., (1393). Richard Mascy was constable of Harlech, which office had been granted to him for life, by Edward, late Prince of Wales, "the Black Prince," who died June 8th, 1376. 18th Nov., 1 Hen: IV., (1399). Richard Mascy re-appointed constable of the castle of Harlech, for life, by letters patent of the Prince of Wales, of this date; and the castle continued in his custody at one period during the rebellion of Glyndwr, when the garrison consisted of the constable, with ten men-at-arms, and thirty archers, and his allowance for maintaining the fortress, was £389. 6s. 8d. yearly. 3 1404. Probably upon the 8th of January, 1404, but certainly in the month of January, and in, or immediately about that year, "William Hunte, constable of Harlech castle, came owte of the castel for to treate with the rebell withowte any ostage laed in for hym. And the same tyme Robin of Holond, and other with hym, the whiche toke Jankyn Euor, laede honde opon the same William & lad hym awae, & too zemen with him; one Jak Mercer, & that othir Harry Baker. And" adds the writer, "what thae did with hem I connot sae at this tyme. 14th March, 11 Hen. IV., (1410). Office of constable of the castle of Harlech, granted by Henry, Prince of Wales, to John Salghalle, confirmed to him 17th December, 1 Hen. VI., (1422); and he occurs as constable in February, 1434, and upon the 22nd of May, 1440. 4th March, 1 Edw. IV., (1461). David ap Jevan ap Einion, "gentilman," was constable of Harlech castle, the appointment having been committed to him by King Henry VI., Queen Margaret, and Prince Edward; and he continued to hold the fortress "to their use," undoubtedly till 1464,5 and probably till 1468, about which year, there is good ground for believing, he surrendered it to Sir Richard Herbert.6 In the first volume of Leland's Collectanea, p. 499, amongst some extracts from an old "Chronique," is a statement 1343. 1 The 17th year of Edw. III., commenced upon the 25th of January, 1343, and ended upon the 24th of January, 1344. 2 Probably in August, Ellis's Original Letters, second series, vol. i., p. 14. 4 See ditto, vol. 1., pp. 35-38. 5 Rolls of Parl. vol. v., pp. 486-512. 6 See Pennant's Wales, 4to. edition, vol. ii., p. 132; Life of Lord Herbert, of Cherbury, p. 8; Wynne's History of the Gwydir Family, 8vo. edition, pp. 76-87. from which it would appear that "Syr Richard Tunstall" was the Lancastrian defender of Harlech castle, at a time when, certainly, it was held by the above-mentioned David; and the compiler of this list has seen no authentic record, nor any document, leading him to suppose that the latter person was in any way connected with the castle. Feb. 12, Edw. IV., (1473). An Act of Parliament was passed, confirming Letters Patent whereby, "afore time," the constableship of the Castle had been granted for life, to Sir Roger Kynaston, Knt., of Hordley, in the county of Salop. It was re-granted to him, for the same term, upon the 15th December, 1 Rich. III., (1483); and he continued to hold it at Michaelmas, 1484. Nov. 1, Hen. VII., (1485). Office of constable of Harlech castle confirmed, by Act of Parliament, to Piers Stanley; and he held it in 7 Hen. VIII., and also at Michaelmas, 1520, being then attached to the King's household. Nov., 1 Hen. VII., (1485). Constableship of the castle of Harlech, under the same Act whereby it was confirmed to Piers Stanley, confirmed to Richard Pole, "Squire of the [King's] body;" and he held it upon the 29th of Dec., 1500, being then a knight. It would appear, from the Act referred to, that these persons were colleagues in the office of constable, for neither seems to have been deputy to the other; but it is not improbable that the constableship was granted to them at the same time, to hold in succession.-See such an instance noted in this list, in the appointment of Sir Henry Lee and Owen Cooke, 31 Elizabeth. 2 An Act which was passed in 11 Hen. VII., (1495), 3 probably had the effect of annulling any grant of the custody of the castle to Stanley and Pole; and if so, the office of constable must have been re-granted to them either at the same time, or to one after the other. 21st Sept., 21 Hen. VIII., (1529). In a deed of this date, Edward Stanley is represented as then mayor and deputy constable of the town of Harlech; and he occurs as holding the former office, in a deed of the 23rd of June, 1531. By a provision in the charter of 13 Edw. I., the constable of the castle for the time being, was to be mayor of the town. Stanley, therefore, must at the periods referred to, have been deputy, in both offices, to Sir Francis Bryan, the constable of the castle. 29 Hen. VIII. 4 Sir Francis Bryan, Knt., occurs as constable of 1 The 7th year of Hen. VIII, commenced upon the 22nd of April, 1515, and ended 21st of April, 1516. 2 It should be mentioned, however, that the grant to Lee and Cooke, conferred upon each, the same office; but with respect to Stanley and Pole, to the former were committed the offices of constable of Harlech, and sheriff and escheator of Merioneth ;—to the latter, the constableship and shrievalty, without the escheatorship. See Rolls of Parl., vol. vi., pp. 342-377. 3 See Rolls of Parl., vol. vi., p. 465. 4 The 29th year of Hen. VIII., commenced upon April 22nd, 1537, and ended April 21st, 1538. ARCHEOL: CAMB. VOL. I.] FF Harlech castle, in this year. The office had been committed to him, for life, upon the 5th of July, 13 Hen. VIII., (1521). 26th March, 5 Edw. VI., (1551). Office of constable granted to Edward Stanley. 1558, Sir Anthony Strelley, of the county of Nottingham, Knt., was constable of the castle; also in 1576. 5th Feb., 31 Eliz., (1589). The constableship was granted to Sir Henry Lee, Knt., and Owen Cooke, gent. ; to hold "successive," during their lives, and the life of the survivor, who must have been Sir Henry Lee, as Cooke never held the office. The former died, at a very advanced age, a Knight of the Garter, in 1611. 9. James I. Ralph, Lord Eure, baron of Multon, lord president of the Marches of Wales, who succeeded Sir Henry Lee in the office of constable, occurs as holding it in this year, and probably he continued governor of the fortress until his death, in 1624. Major Hugh Pennant is represented in Pennant's Wales as having the custody of Harlech castle before Colonel Owen, during the civil wars; but the compiler of this list finds nothing to confirm Pennant's statement, though as to a fact so immediately relating to a member of his own family, he may be considered as likely to have been well informed. 6th May, 20 Charles I. (1644). Colonel William Owen, of Porkington, in Shropshire, was constable of the castle, which he did not surrender to the Parliament till August, 1647, and it was the last fortress in North Wales that held out for the Royal cause. Colonel Owen died in 1670. The editor of these curious documents relating to Harlech castle is indebted to William Ormsby Gore, Esq. M.P., and his Lady, Colonel Owen's representative, for permission to make public such of them as are selected from the valuable collection of manuscripts at Porkington. 1670. In or about this year, "Mr. Cornelius Manley was appointed constable." 3d September, 1 James II. (1685). Sir Evan Lloyd, of Bodidris, in the county of Denbigh, Bart., was appointed constable. 29th February, 4 William and Mary, (1692,) the constableship was granted to Charles Nicolas Eyre, Esq. 21st December, 1 Anne, (1702,) the office of constable was re-committed to the same person. 1st July, 3 Anne, (1764,) Richard Vaughan, Esq., (probably of Cors-y-gedol,) was appointed to the constableship. 3d January, 3 George I., (1717,) William Wynn, Esq. (a younger son of the family of Wynn of Bodvean, in the county of Caernarvon,) was appointed to the office of constable. He was afterwards knighted, and died in 1754, representative for the Caernarvon boroughs in parliament. 1 The 9th year of James I. commenced on the 24th of March, 1611, and ended on the 23rd of March, 1612. |