vignette from the St. Alban’s Chronicle (MS 6, f. 167v)

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This small vignette from the St. Alban’s Chronicle (MS 6, f. 167v) purports to show the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, last native Prince of Wales, on 11 December 1282.  Although the image shows a formal execution scene with a priest in attendance, the text of the Chronicle relates that Llywelyn was killed in an ambush or scuffle: And when Ƿe prince Lewellin his broǷer Ƿat wist he was sore abashed for he had no power to may[n]teyn werre  And Ƿen he fled & wend wele to haue scapid but Thomas mortymer in a morning wt v. knightes met hym alone & hym clipped round about & toke hym and smote of his hed and it presented to Ƿe king. And Ƿus was Lewellyn hedid & he & his heires disherit for eu[er]more be rightfull Jugement.(f.169).

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