Ednyfed Fychan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ednyfed Fychan ap Cynfrig
Ednyfed's name in the title of an elegy to his son Goronwy, NLW MS 6680B f. 30r
Distain of Gwynedd
In office c. 1217–1246
Monarch	Llywelyn ab Iorwerth Dafydd ap Llywelyn
Preceded by	Gwyn ab Ednywain
Succeeded by	After the Treaty of Woodstock: Goronwy ab Ednyfed Fychan (for Owain Goch) Gruffudd ab Ednyfed Fychan (for Llywelyn ap Gruffudd)
Personal details
Died	(1246-10-01)1 October 1246
Spouses	Tangwystl ferch Llywarch ​ (died)​ Gwenllian ferch Rhys ​ (died 1236)​
Children	with Tangwystl: Tudur (died c. 1281) and others: Llywelyn Hywel, bishop of St Asaph Rhys Cynwrig Iorwerth y Gwahanglwyfus with Gwenllian: Goronwy (died 1268) Gruffudd (died c. 1256) and others: Gwladus, married Tegwared ap Cynwrig Gwenllian, married Tegwared ap Llywelyn of uncertain mothers: Angharad, married Einion Fychan ab Einion Gwenllian, married Aron ap Rhys Gwrwared ap Gwilym Tudur Gwilltyn
Parents	Cynfrig ab Iorwerth (father) Angharad ferch Hwfa (mother)
Relatives	Ancestor of the Tudors of Penmynydd and thus the House of Tudor

Ednyfed Fychan ap Cynfrig (died 1 October 1246) was a very important Welsh nobleman. He served as a top official called a distain (pronounced dis-tine) in the Kingdom of Gwynedd in North Wales. He held this powerful job for almost 30 years, working for two princes of Gwynedd.

Ednyfed's role as distain changed a lot during his time. It went from being a household manager to being the prince's closest advisor and helper. He helped the prince with many tasks. These included signing important documents, going on diplomatic missions, and making legal decisions. He might have even led soldiers in battle for the prince.

After Llywelyn ab Iorwerth passed away in 1240, Ednyfed continued to serve his son, Dafydd ap Llywelyn. He often traveled to negotiate with Dafydd's brother, Gruffudd, and with King Henry III of England. Ednyfed died in 1246, about eight months after Prince Dafydd.

Ednyfed started a family tradition of serving the princes. His family remained influential for over 30 years after his death. They kept their important positions until Edward I conquered Wales in 1282. His descendants, known as the Wyrion Eden (meaning 'descendants of Ednyfed'), received special land privileges. These privileges made them very wealthy and powerful. Ednyfed's family eventually included Owen Tudor, who was the grandfather of Henry VII of England. This means Ednyfed was an important ancestor of the famous House of Tudor, which ruled England from 1485 to 1603.

Ednyfed Fychan: A Powerful Welsh Leader

Early Life and Family Roots

We don't know much about Ednyfed's early life. He was born into a well-known family connected to the Second Dynasty of Gwynedd. Ednyfed was the oldest son of Cynfrig ab Iorwerth. His family's main lands were around Abergele in Rhos. This area was a cantref (a division of land) in Perfeddwlad.

Ednyfed's mother was Angharad ferch Hwfa. Her mother, Gwenllian, was the daughter of Owain Gwynedd, a king of Gwynedd. This shows that Ednyfed's family had strong connections to important Welsh rulers. The name Fychan means 'small' or 'junior'. It might have referred to his size, as his father did not share the same name.

Ednyfed's Bravery and Coat of Arms

Around 1490, Henry VII of England, a descendant of Ednyfed, had his family history researched. This research showed that Ednyfed fought against King John during the time of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth. It was said that Ednyfed bravely defeated three English lords in battle.

After this victory, Ednyfed showed their heads to Prince Llywelyn. The prince then allowed Ednyfed to use three bloody heads as his family's coat of arms. This symbol was later used by his descendants, including the Tudors of Penmynydd. Historians believe this event might have happened around 1210 or 1211. This was when King John invaded Gwynedd. This act of bravery likely caught Prince Llywelyn's attention. It probably helped Ednyfed start his long career of service.

Serving Prince Llywelyn the Great

Ednyfed's Role as a 'Distain'

Ednyfed Fychan first appears in records as a distain in 1217. A distain was like a seneschal, a very important official. He was the prince's chief representative and advisor. Before Ednyfed, the role was held by Gwyn ab Ednywain. Ednyfed likely took over this position soon after 1209.

Important Treaties and Missions

In 1218, Ednyfed helped Prince Llywelyn sign three agreements with Henry III of England. These agreements, called the Treaty of Worcester, confirmed Llywelyn's control over certain lands. Ednyfed was a key negotiator. He was listed as one of the prince's most important supporters.

Ednyfed also played a big part in talks in 1222. These talks led to the marriage of Llywelyn's daughter, Helen, to John of Scotland. This marriage helped create peace between Llywelyn and John's uncle, Ranulf de Blondeville. King Henry III recognized Ednyfed's importance. He granted Ednyfed special protection for some of his lands in 1229.

Ednyfed also had legal authority. In 1223, he helped settle land disputes for the king and Llywelyn. Records from 1278 show he acted as a "justice of the prince." He also settled a dispute between monks and freemen over a fishing weir in 1234.

In 1231, Ednyfed led a diplomatic mission to King Henry III. This resulted in a truce between Llywelyn and the king. He made two more visits in 1232 with Llywelyn's wife, Joan, to continue negotiations.

In 1233, Llywelyn joined a rebellion against Henry III. Ednyfed and Llywelyn's son, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, negotiated with the king. In 1234, Llywelyn made a lasting peace with England through the Pact of Myddle. Ednyfed was requested to be present when the truce was extended in 1237. He also swore to uphold the truce in 1238.

Around 1235, Ednyfed went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. King Henry III even ordered a silver cup for him as a sign of respect. This shows how highly both Prince Llywelyn and King Henry III regarded Ednyfed.

Supporting Prince Dafydd ap Llywelyn

Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth died in 1240. His son, Dafydd, became the new prince of Gwynedd. Soon after, Dafydd had to sign the Treaty of Gloucester with Henry III. This treaty released Dafydd's brother, Gruffudd, from prison. Ednyfed helped settle land disputes related to this treaty. He was one of four leaders who promised that Dafydd would follow the treaty's terms.

Even though Gruffudd was Ednyfed's stepson, Ednyfed remained loyal to Dafydd. He even represented Dafydd in disagreements with Gruffudd. In 1241, Henry III forced Dafydd to sign the Treaty of Gwerneigron. This treaty took away many of Dafydd's lands. Ednyfed and his son Hywel, who was a bishop, promised that Dafydd would follow these terms.

Gruffudd died in 1244 while trying to escape from the Tower of London. This led to a revolt against royal rule in Wales, led by Dafydd. In 1245, Ednyfed led a group of envoys to negotiate with Henry III. This was his last recorded action for the princes of Gwynedd. Dafydd died in February 1246. Ednyfed also died that same year, likely on 1 October 1246. He was remembered as a "justice of Wales," showing his legal authority.

Ednyfed's Lasting Legacy

The Evolving Role of the 'Distain'

Ednyfed Fychan's time as distain marked a big change for the role. Before him, a distain was mainly in charge of the court's household. However, Ednyfed's actions show that the role became much more important. He was the prince's closest advisor and helper.

He was often present when the prince signed important documents. He also led diplomatic missions and handled legal and military matters. This made the distain a powerful figure, sometimes even rivaling the prince in influence.

Family and Descendants

Ednyfed was married twice. His first wife was Tangwystl ferch Llywarch. She was the mother of his children: Tudur, Llywelyn, Hywel (who became a bishop), Rhys, Cynwrig, and Iorwerth.

His second wife was Gwenllian, daughter of the Lord Rhys. With Gwenllian, he had two very important sons: Goronwy and Gruffudd. Both of them followed in their father's footsteps and became disteiniaid after him. They also had daughters Gwladus and Gwenllian. Ednyfed also had other children, Angharad, Gwenllian, and Tudur Gwilltyn, whose mothers are not certain.

Ednyfed's brothers, Goronwy and Heilyn, also served the princes. Ednyfed's loyalty was rewarded with land grants across Wales. His family received special privileges for these lands. They were exempt from many taxes and duties, except for military service. This helped his descendants become very wealthy and powerful.

The Famous Tudor Connection

Ednyfed Fychan had many important descendants throughout Wales. One of the most famous Welsh poets, Dafydd ap Gwilym, was among them. However, his most politically significant descendants were the Tudors of Penmynydd.

This family line came from Ednyfed's son Goronwy. Goronwy was a distain when Prince Llywelyn was at the height of his power. Ednyfed's immediate family became a wealthy and influential group of officials. Their widespread land holdings and special privileges made them leaders in Wales.

Owen Tudor, who married Catherine of Valois, was a grandson of Tudur ap Goronwy. Owen Tudor was the grandfather of Henry VII of England. This means that Ednyfed Fychan was the founder of the famous House of Tudor. This royal family ruled England from 1485 to 1603.

Llys Euryn and St Trillo's Chapel

Ednyfed Fychan's home was likely at Bryn Euryn or Dinerth. This area overlooks the modern towns of Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea. No buildings from his time survive there today.

In 1230, Prince Llywelyn confirmed Ednyfed's purchase of land around St Trillo's church. Ednyfed had a chapel built next to an older church at Dinerth. This chapel is now dedicated to Saint Trillo. Most of the current church was built in the 1500s. Only two arches from Ednyfed's 13th-century chapel remain.

A stone slab in the church porch was once thought to be for Ednyfed Fychan. However, it actually commemorates another Ednyfed. This other Ednyfed was a parish priest in the late 1200s.

Ednyfed's Successors as 'Disteiniaid'

Ednyfed's sons continued his legacy of serving the princes of Gwynedd. Every distain after Ednyfed until the conquest of Gwynedd in 1282 was either his son or grandson.

His eldest son, Tudur, served Prince Dafydd. Tudur was held captive in the Tower of London for a time. After his release, he swore loyalty to the king.

When Gwynedd was divided in 1247, Ednyfed's sons Goronwy and Gruffudd became disteiniaid. Goronwy served Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd for over ten years. He was recorded as the prince's seneschal in the Treaty of Montgomery. Goronwy died in 1268.

Tudur, Ednyfed's eldest son, then became distain until his death in 1281. Even Dafydd ab Einion Fychan, the last recorded distain of Gwynedd, was Ednyfed's grandson. He died alongside Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282.

Coat of Arms

Arms of Ednyfed Fychan

Notes The earliest descriptions of this coat have an unorthodox colour on colour, a chevron Sable on a field Gules. The chevron seems to have been first changed to Ermine, or Ermines, and then to Argent, perhaps to satisfy the rules of armoury. The arms are also found on the tomb of Ednyfed's descendant Goronwy Fychan and his wife Myfanwy Fychan in St Gredifael's Church, Penmynydd and in the fabric of this same church, as well as on a fifteenth-century baptismal font in Bangor Cathedral. Escutcheon Gules, a chevron Argent between three Englishmen's heads couped at the neck proper.

Ednyfed Fychan's coat of arms featured a red shield with a silver chevron. It also showed three Englishmen's heads. This design was granted to him after his victory against King John's forces. It became a symbol of his family's bravery.

Ancestry

Images for kids

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  Map of Wales showing its divisions during Ednyfed's lifetime.

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  Political divisions of Wales in 1234.

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  The beginning of an elegy for Ednyfed Fychan.

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  An illustration of a distain from a 13th-century manuscript.

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  St Trillo's church, which stands on the site of Ednyfed's chapel.