subiects, so that whosoeuer came within the danger of the laws, was
sure to be condemned; and such as would plaie the promooters and giue
informations against any man for transgressing the lawes, were highlie
rewarded.

In this sixt yeare there chanced such an excessiue raine, and such high
flouds, the riuers ouerflowing the low grounds that lay néere vnto them,
as the like had not béene seene of many yeares before; and afterwards
insued a sudden frost, whereby the great streames were congeled in such
sort, that at their dissoluing or thawing, manie bridges both of wood
and stone were borne downe, and diuerse water-milles rent vp and caried
awaie.

[Sidenote: _Polydor._] Furthermore king William perceiuing that by his
cruell and couetous gouernment, sundrie of his subiects did dailie
steale out of the realme, [Sidenote: A proclamation that none should
depart the realme.] to liue in forreine countries, he published a
proclamation, charging that no man should depart the realme without
his licence and safe-conduct. Hereof it is thought, that the custome
rose of forbidding passage out of the realme, which oftentimes is vsed
as a law, when occasion serueth. Soone after, he went against the
Welshmen, whom he vanquished in battell néere to Brecknocke, and slue
Rees their king, who had doone much hurt within the English borders,
when he was their incamped. [Sidenote: _Ran. Higd._ Rées king of Wales
slaine.] This Rise or Rées was the last king that reigned ouer the
Welshmen, as authors affirme: for afterwards, though they oftentimes
rebelled, yet the kings of England were reputed and taken as supreme
gouernors of that part of the Iland. [Sidenote: _Wil. Thorne._]
Moreouer, to haue the countrie the better in quiet, he did cut downe
their woods, and builded manie castels and piles in places conuenient,