“Normanni, qui in hoc loco Frainc appellantur, erant copiæ quas Henricus Secundus in Monam misit a.d. mclvii. duce Madoco filio Maredudii Powisiæ principe. Hi ecclesias SS. Mariæ et Petri (ut annales nostri referunt) spoliavere. Istæ vero ecclesiæ in orientali Monæ plaga sunt, unde liquet locum Tal Moelvre dictum alicubi in Mona esse, fortasse etiam haud procul ab ecclesiis praedictis: omnes vero qui navibus egrediebantur a Monæ incolis interfecti sunt.” Vide Annales a Powelo editos, p. 206, 207.
It seems by Gwalchmai’s poem to have been a very large fleet, which came partly from Ireland, partly from the Baltic, and the rest from Normandy, to invade the principality. It is plain that its forces were numerous, as they came from so many countries; but it seems they met with a very warm reception from the prince and his sons, and that they were glad to sail away as soon as possible.
[26a] Owain Gwynedd had many sons noted for their valour, especially Howel, who was born of Finnog, an Irish lady. He was one of his father’s generals in his wars against the English, Flemings, and Normans, in South Wales, and was a noted Bard, as several of his poems, now extant, testify.
[26b] It seems that the fleet landed in some part of the firth of Menai, and that it was a kind of a mixed engagement, some fighting on shore, others from the ships. And probably the great slaughter was owing to its being low water, and that they could not set sail: otherwise I see no reason why, when they were worsted on land, they should continue the fight in their ships. It is very plain that they were in great distress, and that there was a great havoc made of them, as appears from the remainder of this very spirited poem.
[27a] Who this lady was is not known at present.
[27b] What country this is I cannot recollect.
[27c] Teivi, the name of a large river in Cardiganshire.
[27d] Elivri, the name of a woman; but who she was, or when she lived, is not clear.
[27e] Cadvan is the saint of Towyn Meirionydd.
[27f] Dysynni is the name of a river that runs by Towyn.