Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn facts for kids

Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn was a Welsh nobleman from a very important royal family. He was the son of Dafydd ap Llywelyn, who was the Prince of Wales and the King of Gwynedd from 1240 to 1246. Even though his father was a powerful ruler, Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn was considered an "illegitimate" son. This meant he was born outside of a formal marriage, which was important for who could become king in those days.

Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn is believed to be the ancestor of a family known as the Prys or Price of Esgairweddan. This family proudly used the royal symbols (called "arms") of Gwynedd as their own, showing their connection to the royal line. However, the direct male line of this family is thought to have ended when Robert Price of Esgairweddan passed away in 1702.

Who Was Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn?

Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn was a member of the famous House of Aberffraw, a powerful Welsh royal family. His father, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, was a significant leader who ruled Gwynedd, a strong Welsh kingdom. Being the son of a prince meant he had a special place in society, even if he couldn't inherit the throne.

His Royal Family

His father, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, was the son of Llywelyn Fawr, also known as Llywelyn the Great. Llywelyn the Great was one of the most powerful Welsh princes in history. He made important agreements with King John of England about how the Welsh throne would be passed down. These rules would later affect Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn's future.

The Prys/Price Family Connection

Historians believe that Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn was the start of the Prys or Price family from a place called Esgairweddan. This family carried on the name and traditions connected to the royal family of Gwynedd. They used the same royal symbols, which was a big deal and showed their important heritage.

Why Couldn't He Be Prince?

When his father, Prince Dafydd ap Llywelyn, died in 1246, Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn was likely still very young. This meant he wasn't old enough to try and claim the throne of Gwynedd. Even if he had been an adult, there were rules that made it very difficult for him to become prince.

Rules of Succession

The rules for who could become prince were set a long time ago by his grandfather, Llywelyn the Great, and King John of England. These rules stated that only the legitimate sons of Dafydd ap Llywelyn could become the next ruler. Since Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn was considered an illegitimate son, he was not allowed to take the throne according to these agreements.

Other Claimants to the Throne

Instead of Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn, his cousins, Owain Goch and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, claimed the throne. They were the sons of another prince who was also born outside of a formal marriage, but they were adults and able to fight for their claim. Llywelyn ap Gruffudd eventually became a very famous and powerful Prince of Wales.

The End of a Royal Line

According to old records, like the book Old & Extinct Families of Meirionyddshire, the last known male descendant of Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Llywelyn was Robert Price. He died in 1702. After his death, the direct male line of this branch of the royal family came to an end.