Editorial note — Page 1 AN ENQUIRY, &c.
Reading edition
[Footnote yy: That the ancient Britons were descended from the Trojans was asserted by several Writers before Jefferey of Monmouth, who wrote about the Year 1152. It is alluded to by Taliessyn, who flourished about the middle of the 6th Century. A Welsh Author, already mentioned, Mr. Theophilus Evans, says, that the first Writer, who questioned the Fact, was William of Newbury, in welsh called, Gwilym bach, about the Year 1192, on this occasion. When Jefferey ab Arthur, (of Monmouth, who was Bishop of St. Asaph) died; William an English-man applied to David ab Owen to succeed him, and was refused. The refusal so mortified him, that he immediately set about composing his Book, in which he abused Jefferey, and the whole Welsh Nation. There is great reason to believe that resentment, upon some account, guided the Pen of William.
See Drych y prif Oesoedd, and the Preface to Jefferey's History.]