CHAPTER IV



The journey by Coed Grono and Abergevenni


From thence {65} we proceeded through the narrow, woody tract called
the bad pass of Coed Grono, leaving the noble monastery of Lanthoni,
inclosed by its mountains, on our left. The castle of Abergevenni
is so called from its situation at the confluence of the river
Gevenni with the Usk.

It happened a short time after the death of king Henry I., that
Richard de Clare, a nobleman of high birth, and lord of
Cardiganshire, passed this way on his journey from England into
Wales, accompanied by Brian de Wallingford, lord of this province,
and many men-at-arms. At the passage of Coed Grono, {66} and at the
entrance into the wood, he dismissed him and his attendants, though
much against their will, and proceeded on his journey unarmed; from
too great a presumption of security, preceded only by a minstrel and
a singer, one accompanying the other on the fiddle. The Welsh
awaiting his arrival, with Iorwerth, brother of Morgan of Caerleon,
at their head, and others of his family, rushed upon him unawares
from the thickets, and killed him and many of his followers. Thus
it appears how incautious and neglectful of itself is too great
presumption; for fear teaches foresight and caution in prosperity,