Gruffudd ap Nicolas facts for kids
Gruffudd ap Nicolas (who lived around 1425 to 1456) was a powerful and important nobleman in Carmarthenshire, Wales. He was known for organizing special poetry and music festivals called eisteddfods in the 1450s.
Who Was Gruffudd ap Nicolas?
Gruffudd ap Nicolas was a very influential person in Wales during the 1400s. He was likely the son of Nicolas ap Phylip ap Syr Elidir Ddu and Jennet. We first hear about him in 1425. At that time, he was working for the king in the area of Dynevor. By 1436, he became the sheriff of Carmarthenshire. This meant he was in charge of law and order in the county. Later, in 1439, he managed the Dynevor area with his son, John. His grandson grew up to be a famous knight, Sir Rhys ap Thomas.
Gruffudd was known for being a strong and determined person. An old family history from the 1600s described him as "hot, fiery, and quick to anger." It also said he was "very wise, incredibly clever and cunning, and extremely ambitious." He was a busy person who liked to make things happen.
Organizing Eisteddfods in the 1450s
After a very long time, Gruffudd ap Nicolas brought back a major eisteddfod to Wales. The last big one was held by Lord Rhys in 1176. Around 1451, Gruffudd led a new eisteddfod in Carmarthen. These festivals were important gatherings for bards, who were poets and musicians.
The exact dates and location of this eisteddfod are not fully clear. Some say it lasted two weeks in Carmarthen. Others believe it went on for three months at Dynevor. Gruffudd wanted to be like Lord Rhys. He probably was a bard himself and wanted to make the tradition of Welsh poetry and music strong again. A special prize, a 'Cadair Arian' (Silver Chair), was given to a bard named Dafydd ab Edmwnd from Flintshire. However, another poet, Ieuan Llawdden, suggested that Gruffudd might have been bribed to give the award.
Gruffudd's Later Life
Gruffudd ap Nicolas was on good terms with King Henry VI of England. King Henry was part of the House of Lancaster, a powerful family in England. However, a big conflict known as the Wars of the Roses began. The Lancastrians were defeated by Richard of York at the First Battle of St Albans in 1455.
After this defeat, Gruffudd lost some of his lands and power. By June 1456, he might have been the 'Gruffith Suoh' who was mentioned as being involved in a war in Wales. His sons, Thomas and Owen, received official pardons in October 1456. After that time, Gruffudd ap Nicolas is no longer found in historical records.
