“If you cannot send an army to Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn’s district in the March, send forty or fifty knights with sergeants thither, so that the Welsh who are loyal may see that help is forthcoming, and lest they should cease to be loyal. Prince Dafydd has a strong force between Chester and Diserth castle, and Lestrange cannot without a great force approach the castle to stock it with supplies. He has sufficient money for the moment, but there are not in the three counties thirty men who have horses for use in necessity.”
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| The arms of Powys Wenwynwyn |
Henry’s response was to purchase one horse each for his captains in Wales. These were named as John Lestrange himself, John Monmouth, Gruffydd ap Madog of Bromfield and Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn. The two Gruffydds, therefore, continued in their bitter opposition towards Dafydd. In the south another Marcher army under Robert Chandos and Nicholas Fitz Martin invaded the lands of Maredudd ab Owain of Ceredigion. Maredudd, who would later win the battle of Cymerau, opened talks with the Marchers. He stated his willingness to come to the king’s peace, provided he was given the lands of Maelgwn Fychan, one of his neighbours. This was granted.
In the meantime, Henry took steps to ensure the security of the sons of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, who were in his custody. On 16 July he ordered the sheriff of London to send Owain Goch and his fellows, prisoners in the Tower, to the custody of John Lestrange. Lestrange was then ordered to provide food and clothing for Rhodri, Gruffydd’s third son, held in Chester prison for safe keeping.
Further orders reveal the split loyalties in Wales. Again on 16 July, Henry ordered provison to be made for the men of Englefield or Tegeingl in northeast Wales, who had abandoned Prince Dafydd and crossed the border to join the king’s army. He also told Lestrange to maintain Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn and his men, who had nothing for their subsistence.
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