Gwalchmai ap Morgan - The Village Sergeant

The life of a Village Sergeant

The Sergeant at Arms in a village such as Cosmeston often performed two roles. The first was military and involved looking after the security of the manor, commanding it's few professional soldiers and ensuring that the manor house was well stocked with weapons and armour which could be handed out to the men of the village in times of trouble.

The Sergeant could also perform the many different aspects of a policing role. He would organise the pursuit and arrest of those who allegedly broke the law. Then he would arrange their trial before the lord and if found guilty he would ensure that they received their just deserts, which could be a fine, branding, maiming or even death. Imprisonment was rarely used as it was simply too expensive. Medieval justice was very keen on the short sharp shock!

Gwalchmai's story...

Born in the township of Cardiff, Gwalchmai is descended from the Morgan family, dispossessed lords of Tredegar and St. Clare. From an early age Gwalchmai joined many other dispossessed Welshmen and took service with the Despenser family

When the Despensers fell, he continued in the service of the lords and protectors of Glamorgan, first William Lord Zouche, followed by Roger Mortimer of Wigmore. Turbulent times continued! Gwalchmai managed to keep his head literally and was rewarded with land in Senghenydd and command of a company of archers.

In 1332, back in the retinue of Lord Zouche and his wife Lady Eleanor de Clare, Gwalchmai accompanied them on pilgrimage to the shrine of St James de Compostella. During this pilgrimage Gwalchmai met Lord Hugh Despenser [son of Hugh Despenser the Younger] and joined his retinue, fighting in Scotland, Brittany and at the battles of Sluys and Le Crotoy.

In 1349 Hugh Despenser died. The new lord, Edward Despenser [nephew of Hugh] is but a youngster so Gwalchmai now wears the colours and takes the coin of Bartholomew de Burghersh. Lord Burghersh is Edwards guardian and soon to be father in law .

After his years of service, Gwalchmai has been made Sergeant at Arms, at the manor of Cosmeston. He makes sure that the villagers are trained and able to undertake any military duties required of them as members of the milites de la mere. This is a force that protects the coast from any attacks by the French or Barbary pirates. At a moments notice all of the men between the ages of 16 to 60 must rush to the manor with their bows, where Gwalchmai will provide them with swords, helms and armour.

Gwalchmai is also the manorial Sergeant of the Peace. He arrests fines and punishes wrongdoers and organises the hunting down of brigands, malcontents, gossip mongers and n'er do wells.