{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.
{143} Llanbadarn Fawr, the church of St. Paternus the Great, is
situated in a valley, at a short distance from the sea-port town of
Aberystwyth in Cardiganshire.
{144} The name of this bishop is said to have been Idnerth, and the
same personage whose death is commemorated in an inscription at
Llanddewi Brefi.
{145} This river is now called Dovey.
{146} From Llanbadarn our travellers directed their course towards
the sea-coast, and ferrying over the river Dovey, which separates
North from South Wales, proceeded to Towyn, in Merionethshire, where
they passed the night. [Venedotia is the Latin name for Gwynedd.]
{147} The province of Merionyth was at this period occupied by
David, the son of Owen Gwynedd, who had seized it forcibly from its
rightful inheritor. This Gruffydd - who must not be confused with
his great-grandfather, the famous Gruffydd ap Conan, prince of
Gwynedd - was son to Conan ap Owen Gwynedd; he died A.D. 1200, and
was buried in a monk's cowl, in the abbey of Conway.
{148} The epithet "bifurcus," ascribed by Giraldus to the river
Maw, alludes to its two branches, which unite their streams a little
way below Llaneltid bridge, and form an aestuary, which flows down
to the sea at Barmouth or Aber Maw. The ford at this place,
discovered by Malgo, no longer exists.
{149} Llanfair is a small village, about a mile and a half from
Harlech, with a very simple church, placed in a retired spot, backed
by precipitous mountains. Here the archbishop and Giraldus slept,
on their journey from Towyn to Nevyn.
{150} Ardudwy was a comot of the cantref Dunodic, in
Merionethshire, and according to Leland, "Streccith from half Trait
Mawr to Abermaw on the shore XII myles." The bridge here alluded
to, was probably over the river Artro, which forms a small aestuary
near the village of Llanbedr.
