Archeologia Cambrensis,

Α

RECORD OF THE ANTIQUITIES

OF

WALES AND ITS MARCHES,

AND THE JOURNAL OF

The Cambrian Archæological Association.

aymмRU VI AYMMRIS VYDD

VOL. II., NEW SERIES.

LONDON:

W. PICKERING, 177, PICCADILLY.

TENBY: R. MASON.

1851.

1-2-26 22309

PREFACE TO VOL. II.,

NEW SERIES.

IN presenting another Volume to the public, we are glad to call the attention of Members of the Cambrian Archæological Association, and of Antiquaries generally, to the important nature of its contents.

Some remarkable excavations and examinations of Early British works have drawn forth several articles from the pen of Mr. Wynne Ffoulkes, and especially an elaborate Paper on the Site of the Last Battle of Caractacus. The controversy on this point may now be considered, if not completely settled, yet at least considerably illustrated, as far, perhaps, as the long lapse of time will permit.

Mr. Westwood's remarks on the Early Inscribed Stones of Wales, illustrated by excellent designs, have been continued, and will, we hope, ultimately grow into a work of national importance.

Our readers will find much accurate information, and many valuable critical remarks on the Ecclesiastical Architecture of Monmouthshire in Mr. Freeman's Paper on edifices in that county,-itself one of the richest fields opened to the researches of Members of our Association. We are indebted to this gentleman for the wood

cut of the doorway of Chepstow Church, engraved at

his expense.

Several learned memoirs, illustrative of the early literature and history of Wales enrich this Volume. The dissertations of Mr. Stephens on the Poems of Taliesin are conceived in a spirit of sound criticism, and must be read with interest by all whose attention is turned to such subjects.

The History of Owain Glyndwr, and of the military movements of Llewelyn Bren, have received much elucidation from Mr. T. O. Morgan, and the Rev. H. Hey Knight, respectively, and we hope that these gentlemen will follow up researches so well commenced.

Various Miscellaneous Papers complete the Volume, and, with the hints or facts thrown out by our correspondents, will repay the trouble of careful perusal.

The account of the Meeting at Tenby, one of the most successful hitherto held by the Association, will show that a love for the science of Archæology is penetrating, by degrees, into the mind of the nation; and the long list of valuable objects of Antiquity exhibited in the Local Museum on that occasion indicates what rich collections might be made, if permanent Museums could be established for their reception.

The barrows, which were opened while the Members were at Tenby, give promise of future discoveries of an interesting nature in Pembrokeshire. The illustrations. of the Paper containing the account of those openings have been presented at the cost of the earliest and most generous promoter of this work-James Dearden, Esq., one of our Vice-Presidents.