The Celtic Literature Collective

How Maelgwn Became King

II. [AM DDEỼIS BRENIN.]

i. Gwedy dỽyn coron Lundein ae theyrnwialen y gan genedyl Gymry ac eu dehol o Loegyr y gossodassant [oet] dadleu y edrych pỽy a vei vrenhin pennaf o nadunt. Sef lle y gossodassant, ar draeth Maelgỽn yn Aer Dyui; ac yno y doethant gỽyr Gỽyned agỽyr Powys, a gỽyr Deheubarth, a Rieinỽc a Morgannỽc, a Seisyllỽc. Ac yna y dodes Maelda hynaf mab Unhỽch Vnachen pendeuic Moel Esgityaỽn yn Meiryonhid kadeir winithedic o adaned [cvyredic] y dan Vaelgỽn; a phandoeth y llanỽ: ny allaỽd neb y arhos namyn Maelgỽn ehun, o achaỽs y gadeir. Ac o achaỽs liynny y kafas ynteu bot yn vrenhin pennaf, ac Aberffraỽ yn ben priflys idaỽ; a jarll Mathrafyl, a iarll Dinefỽr, a jarll Kaer [Llion] y danaỽ ynteu; ac yn eir y eir ynteu ar baỽp o nadunt ỽy ; ac yngyfreith yr eidaỽ; ac nyt reit idaỽ ef kadỽ eu kyfreith ỽy. Ac o achaỽs Maelda hynaf y kauas Pennard y breint ae bot yn hynaf kyghelloryaeth



II. [OF CHOOSING A KING.]

1. After the taking of the crown and sceptre of London from the nation of the Cymry, and their expulsion from Lloegyr, they instituted an enquiry to see who of them should be supreme king. The place they appointed was on the Maelgwn sand at Aber Dyvi; and thereto came the men of Gwynedd, the men of Powys, the men of South Wales, of Reinwg of Morganwg, and of d Seisyllwg. And there Maeldav the elder, the son of Ynhwch Unachen, chief of Moel Esgidion in Meirionydd, placed a chair composed of waxed wings under Maelgwn; so when the tide flowed, no one was able to remain, excepting Maelgwn, because of his chair. And by that means Maelgwn became supreme king, with Aberfraw for his principal court; and the earl of Mathraval, and the earl of Dinevwr, and the earl of Caerllion subject to him; and his word paramount over all; and his law paramount, and he not bound to observe their law. And it was on account of Maeldav the elder, that Penardd acquired its privilege, and to be the eldest canghellor-ship.

SOURCE
Miscellanous law texts. Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales, Vol. II. ed. and trans. Aneurin Owen. 1848. pp 48-51