Hywel the Good (The Bretland Trilogy Book 3) - John Broughton

Hywel the Good (The Bretland Trilogy Book 3) by John Broughton

Book excerpt

Pennal, northern Seisyllwg and Carmarthen, Dyfed, A.D. 904-905

Sophistication is the quality of understanding the world and its ways and how people behave. Young Prince Hywel possessed that attribute in rare abundance for his age. Fortunate to have his grandfather, Rhodri the Great, as his family hero and the example to follow, the boy grew up with tales of heroic courage but also of ingenuity and conniving. His father, Cadell ap Rhodri was not the firstborn son and, therefore, did not inherit the throne of Gwynedd when Rhodri fell in battle against the Mercians. That privilege went to Anarawd ap Rhodri, who, at the time, was unmarried. Cadell shrewdly took his new-born son, Anarawd’s first nephew, into his uncle’s embrace. Thenceforth, the soon-to-be King of Gwynedd had a remarkable fondness for young Hywel.

Anarawd was blessed with a strong sense of family ties, which could be appreciated when his attempt to gain the throne of Seisyllwg by suspected execrable means produced a violent reaction. Many nobles were convinced that he had played an underhand role in the drowning of King Gwgon, who died without an heir. Since Anarawd had no legal claim to that kingdom, with one eye on Hywel’s future, he installed his brother, Cadell, as king.

Hywel’s parents shrewdly understood the importance of maintaining Hywel close to his uncle and encouraged his love of Anglesey, allowing him to spend many summers in Anarawd’s court at Aberffraw. A strong bond developed between uncle and nephew, strengthened by Anarawd’s periodic visits to Seisyllwg during the fallow months.

Hywel grew physically strong, following the family tradition of swordsmanship and cure of athleticism from a young age. Cadell had watched his father, Rhodri, train with the imperious warrior, Alun ap Drystan from a young age and wanted Hywel to tread the same path. For this reason, he brought Owain ap Alun to his court to tutor the boy in the art of swordsmanship. Owain had to return to his family in Gwynedd when Hywel was thirteen winters old, but the tutor explained that there was little more he could impart to such a promising pupil. The lad had grown tall and handsome and seemed more like a young man than a boy. Two years later, this physical growth played directly into his father’s hands. In 904, a neighbouring king, Llywarch ap Hyfaidd died, leaving a beautiful daughter, Elen, and no sons.

Cadell took Hywel aside and explained, “The King of Dyfed has died without an heir. That kingdom is now open to adventurers, especially because his daughter is so fair of aspect. There will be many who look past her beauty to the vacant throne. Do you understand my meaning, Hywel?”

“Ay, Father, but why do you not march into Dyfed to protect the princess from villains who wish to seize her patrimony?”

“I have a better idea. Look, you are now on the threshold of manhood and I dare say that you could put many a grown man on his back in a fight. Do you not think that a gracious princess, so becoming of countenance, might make you a suitable spouse?”

“Mother, what do you think?”

Rheingar smiled sweetly at her son. In truth, she saw more of a boy than a man before her, as mothers do, even though he was twenty-four. She had busily informed herself: Elen, the Dyfed princess had only seventeen winters to her name, so the match was feasible.

“I? You have an old head on young shoulders. You will soon learn to govern a kingdom.”

“Nay, Mother, not that. I’m more worried about marriage. How am I supposed to make a husband for a girl I do not know?”

“Oh, that’s easy enough. You have to show her consideration and kindness, and love will blossom sure enough, for you are a good-looking young fellow. You take after your mother!”

“Harumph!” Cadell’s fist struck the table. “It’s decided then, we’ll take a goodly number of men, in case of resistance; thus we’ll take the throne and announce your betrothal.”

“Don’t you think, Father, that Princess Elen will want a say in her betrothal?”

“Stuff and nonsense! She’ll take one look at you and fall head over heels in love; mark my words. You’ll soon both be king and queen.”

“The idea of becoming king appeals to me; I hope that Elen is the beauty you make her out to be.”

“Even if she’s plain, she brings the throne with her. When I’m gone, you’ll be able to unite our two kingdoms. Think of that!”

Hywel puffed out his cheeks. He knew his father was right, but he resented being a pawn in a game he still hadn’t learnt.

***

They rode out from Pennal, Cadell’s capital close to Gwynedd, with two hundred men behind them to follow the west coast as far as Aberystwyth; thence they proceeded overland, rising slowly over a distance of nine leagues until they had to cross the River Teifi by boat.

King Cadell pointed out, “That is an ancient hillfort, Hywel. We shall camp there this evening. Its name is Craig Gwtheyrn, although some call it Vortigern’s Castle after the ancient warlord who lived here many lifetimes ago. Legend tells that Vortigern, fleeing from Saint Germanus, built a castle by this river. A fire brought from Heaven by the saint’s prayers set the castle alight; Vortigern, his family and the other castle inhabitants perished.”

“Let’s hope that we have done nothing to offend the saint, Father.”

“Nay, we can blame Vortigern for the loss of Britain to the pagan Saxons. He fled here, but a tyrant cannot hide from divine justice; remember that, my lad.”

***

The following day they set out on what they knew would be a two-day journey to the capital, Carmarthen. They encountered no obstacles and arrived at the ancient walled town.

“The Romans built these walls. Look at the large dressed stones, and over yonder is an amphitheatre—”

“A what?”

“An arena for fighting to entertain a crowd.”

“I’d have been good at that, Father.”

“Ay, no doubt you would, boy. Let’s see if you can conquer a maiden’s heart, which is the most important challenge for you this day.”

Hywel gave his father a withering look, but it went unnoticed as the king attempted entry into the town.

***

Princess Elen was dressed in mourning, but the sombre cloth did not detract from her beauty since she was raven-haired and her oval face was pale of complexion. Her full lips were cherry red and Hywel found her stunningly attractive. As for the maiden, she lowered her head and peered at the young prince under long eyelashes. Hitherto, she had received no courtiers since her father had deemed her too young and himself indestructible.

She was an intelligent woman and understood why the delegation had come so many miles to her palace. Also, if needed, she had the benefit of her father’s counsellors to advise her. What she saw through the veil of her lashes pleased her. Prince Hywel vaunted an athletic figure, the upper body a pleasing V-shape with broad shoulders, biceps, and pectoral muscles discernible under his tunic. This perfect musculature was offset by blond hair, a high brow with thick eyebrows on either side of a high-bridged nose. She told herself that the prince was a handsome fellow … but would his personality match his looks?