When all the brothers were dead there was, if desired, a re-division, so as to make equality between the co-heirs, who were now first cousins.
When all the first cousins were dead there might be still another re-division, to make equality between the co-heirs, who were now second cousins.
to second cousins.
But no one beyond second cousins could claim equality; and if a man died without heirs of his body, and there were no kindred within the degree of second cousins, the land reverted to the chief who represented the tribe.[229]
Great-grandfather the common ancestor.
The great-grandfather was thus always looked back to as the common ancestor, whose name was still given to the family holding of his co-heirs. The family tie reached from him to his great-grandchildren, and then ceased to bind together further generations.[230]
The Gwely or family couch.
We have seen that even in the twelfth century the household all used one couch, extending round the wall of the single room of the house; this couch was called the 'gwely.' The 'tir gwelyawg' was thus the land of the family using the same couch; and the descendants of one ancestor living together were a 'gweli-gordd.' [231] As late as the fourteenth century, in the Record of Carnarvon, the holdings [p195] are still called 'Weles' and 'Gavells.' They are essentially 'family' or tribal holdings.[232]
And now as to the tenure upon which these holdings of the free tribesmen were held.
The Gwestva or food rent.