Their most fertile valleys had all
been turned into deserts, and even on their own hills and among their own
forests, where they had hitherto deemed themselves safe from attack, they
were pursued and hunted down by the now lightly-armed Saxons. From all
parts, therefore, offers to submit were sent in, and as a proof of their
submission and regret for past behaviour, they seized Griffith their king,
killed him, and sent his head to Harold, who thereupon granted them terms,
and ordered his forces to withdraw beyond the border.
The campaign had lasted less than three months, but so terrible had been
the blow dealt to the Welsh that a hundred years passed before they again
ventured to renew their incursions into England. Llewellyn was pardoned,
but great breaches were made in the walls of the fortress facing the hill,
and these he was forbidden ever to repair. His children were taken to
England, to be brought up there, and to serve as hostages for his future
good behaviour. Harold, when he learnt the particulars of the capture and
defence of Porthwyn, expressed his approval in the warmest terms.
"You have performed the greatest and most important feat of the war, Wulf,"
he said. "Yes, it is right that you should give every credit Beorn for his
share in the matter; but I know you both well, and am assured that Beorn
would never have conceived and carried out the attack, and that had he done
so successfully, he and his men would all have been slain by Llewellyn that
night.
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