In preparing his edition of the Acts of Welsh Rulers 1120-1283, Dr. Huw Pryce has also prepared an English paraphrase of the letter. Because the letter is a draft and likely full of errors originally, and because portions are obliterated beyond reconstruction, a full translation would be difficult; however, I believe that Dr. Pryce's paraphrase captures the sense of the thing pretty accurately, and I thank him for allowing me to offer it here. This paraphrase omits the greeting and closing formulae and makes some reasonable guesses at the syntax of some of the passages. Further scrutiny of the document might eventually result in a more accurate or complete translation. If anyone makes such an attempt, please let me know and I can update this page accordingly.
- Paraphrase/Translation
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Letter, enclosing transcripts of letters to be directed to the king from Llywelyn by Ralph Mortimer, and also sending letters to Llywelyn's seneschal Ednyfed from W. fitz (?)Adam, seneschal of the earl of Pembroke concerning the detention of the son of Einion Fychan, who has not been committed to Llywelyn's custody in accordance with Stephen's promise to Llywelyn as conveyed by Mr. Instructus; the earl's bailiffs act in opposition to the king's council. Llywelyn replies that he will not release a single groom or spare any prisoner on account of Einion's son, for he had been given as if he were a foster son to Eva de Braose. Llywelyn will hold those he has in his prison, acting according to the advice of his council. Eva's chaplain excommunicates Llywelyn by name on successive Sundays . . . those seeking a pretext for waging war rashly provoke Llywelyn's anger. The said bailiffs [of the earl of Pembroke] have asked about Madog Fychan and his adherents who take themselves and their belongings from Brecon to Builth. Llywelyn replies that he would make them come to a safe and suitable place to make amends for the matters of which they were accused and would expel them from his land if they refused. If they agreed to make peace with the aforesaid bailiffs, taking with them discrete persons from Llywelyn's side . . . in their land as is customary in Wales . . . Llywelyn informs Stephen of this lest the said bailiffs tell him otherwise. Llywelyn further asks Stephen to persuade the chancellor and [Earl] Warenne to write on Llywelyn's behalf to the king regarding the prince's case. Llywelyn requests that transcripts of these letters are sent to Llywelyn by the bearer of the present letter, and the letters themselves sent as quickly as possibly in order to reach Ralph Mortimer, Llywelyn's envoy, before he crosses the sea.
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