Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-03-25
"PRINCE OF WALES"

he castle CamavOn Is splendid OLD
castle of magnificent feudal structure,
which stands like grand shelter for a
sentry who might therein guard North
Wales from the invaders tread. For
many years, throughout the reign Of many
kings, there had been bitter enmity and
cruel bloodshed between England and
Wales. The Welshmen at last defeated
in South Wales, and the princes of that
region, driven by the conquering hosts
from their strongholds. came up and join
ed their forces to those of the great
Northern hero, Llewcllyn ap Griffith, the
last Prince of his line, and held castle
Camavon, the key of North Wales,
against Edward l., who was one of the
boldest, and, alas, the most revengeful of
the Plantagcnets. Llewellyn was killed
after many terrible days OF battle, fight
ing desperately to the last; and his
brother David was executed by command
Of Edward l., as a rebel The brave
Wclshmen were dislodged, their bards
massacred, their forces overwhelmed and
finally overcome. The conquest of Wales
was finished and the grand old castle was
in the hands of Edward. He rebuilt it
in splendid style, and obliterated every
ravagc of war or time so successfully.
that it still withstands the batteries OF
the elements, and the crumbling of five
centuries still leaves il one of the finest
old buildings in Great Britain.
But the spirit of the Welsh was yet
unbrokcn, their hearts were unsurcnder-
ed. 1t was found necessary to place
there an armed garrison under command
of an officer who was styled the Govern
OF of Camavon Castle. Forces of the
king were also scattered over Wales to
keep the Welsh subordinate to the Brit
ish government. Edward was passion
ate conqueror and might have trampled
this brave people remorselessly in the dust,
but with that fiery nature went a cool
head which calculated every chance. The
Welsh still burning with indignation at
the murder of their bards who had not
borne arms, who had been maSsacred,
forsooth, because they wrote poems COM
memoratiye of Wales and her heroes, be-
cause they sang Of her glory and grand
eur: the Welsh had vowed never to yield
obedience to any sceptre save that of a
Prince of their own nation and tongue.
Edward thought of an expedient by
which he might strengthen his power.
His wife, the beautiful queen, Eleanor of
CASTLE, was making tender preparations
for the advent of her first child. 1t was
in the middle of the seyerest of winter,
when she received the command of her
royal husband to arise and make the per-
ilous journey from England to Canayon
Castle. Obedient as she was fair, she
went without remonstrance at the wish
of her lord.
The entrance by which she passed I'M
der those walls into the land of Wales,
has from that day been call the Queens
Gate" Shortly thereafter she was re-
warded for her wifely compliance by the
safe arrival of an infant to its mothers
arms. King Edward summoned the
Welsh chieftains, far and near, to meet
him. They came. He arose and put
the question to them, if in behalf OF their
people and their own fealty, they could
swear allegiance to Prince who was
born in their own land.
Then every voice was lifted joyfully:-
"Aye, aye; we will,
"You shall have him." cried Edward.
Retiring for brief while, he returned
with an infant in his arms, and holding
him up to the astonished crowd, exclaim
ed:
behold the Prince of Wales, Edward
H., Prince of Wales
The kings scheme was successful.
Although the Welsh were inwardly en-
ragged at the stratagem, Welshman 5
oath is not made to be broken.
There was an indignant silence for some
moments, and then to man, with lifted
sword and barred head, they all cried"long
live the Prince Of Wales"
This promise, won by trick, was
faithfully kept, from stern and unfalter-
ing sense of honor, common to Welsh
men.
Since that day when an innocent babe
of day was accepted as sign of peace
from Carnavon Castle, the eldest son Of
every monarch on the throne of England,
bears the title of the Prince of Wales.