t should be observed, however, that, according to Sir
R. C. Hoare, Camden is mistaken in placing the scene of Mahel's
catastrophe in the Forest of Dean; Brendlais, or Bynllys, as mentioned by
Giraldus, being a small village on the road between Hereford and Hay,
where a stately tower marks the site of the ancient castle of the
Cliffords, in which most likely this tyrant lost his life.

In this year also, A.D. 1140, the Abbey of Flaxley was founded by Roger,
the Earl of Hereford's eldest son, by whom it was partially endowed, and
who named it "the Abbey of St. Mary de Dene," the site being formerly
included in the precincts of the Forest. The institution of the Abbey
was confirmed by Henry II., who further enriched it by granting
permission to the monks to feed their cattle, hogs, &c., in the Forest,
repair their buildings with its timber, and have an iron-forge there. In
course of years the Fitz-Herbert interest in the Forest and Castle of St.
Briavel's, passing through the families of Henry de Bohun and Bernard de
Newmarch, was released by the former to King John, who granted them at
the close of his reign to John de Monmouth. The 'Itinerary' of this
monarch shows that he often visited the neighbourhood, no doubt for the
diversions of the chase, viz.:--

A.D. 1207, at Gloucester Nov. 14, Wednesday.
St. Briavel's ,, 15, Thursday.
,," ,, 16, Friday
morning.
Flaxley ,, ,, ,, evening.
St. Briavel's ,, 17, Saturday.
Hereford ,, 18, Sunday.
1212, at Flaxley ,, 8, Thursday.
,, ,, 9, Friday.
St. Briavel's ,, 10, Saturday.
,, ,, 11, Sunday.
,, ,, 12, Monday.
Flaxley ,, ,, Monday evening.
1213, at St. Briavel's ,, 28, Thursday.
,, ,, 29, Friday.
Monmouth ,, ,, Friday evening.
,, ,, 30, Saturday.