Gruffudd ap Nicolas facts for kids
Gruffudd ap Nicolas (who lived around 1425 to 1456) was an important and powerful nobleman in Carmarthenshire, Wales. He is well-known for setting up several bardic eisteddfods in the area during the 1450s. An eisteddfod is a special festival where poets and musicians compete.
Gruffudd's Early Life and Roles
Gruffudd ap Nicolas was likely the son of Nicolas ap Phylip ap Syr Elidir Ddu and his wife, Jennet. We first hear about Gruffudd in 1425. At that time, he was working for the king in the area of Dynevor.
By 1436, Gruffudd had become the sheriff of Carmarthenshire. This meant he was a very important official in the county. A few years later, in 1439, he was managing the Dynevor lordship with his son, John. People at the time described Gruffudd as very smart and clever. He was also known for being ambitious and having a strong, active mind.
Organizing the Eisteddfods in the 1450s
After a long time, a major eisteddfod was held in Wales around 1451. This event took place in Carmarthen and was led by Gruffudd ap Nicolas. Before this, the last big bardic festival was way back in 1176, organized by Lord Rhys.
Gruffudd wanted to bring back the strong tradition of Welsh bards. He probably enjoyed poetry himself. The exact dates and locations of these festivals are a bit unclear. Some say the Carmarthen event lasted two weeks. Others believe it was three months long and happened at Dynevor.
A special prize was given at the eisteddfod: a 'Cadair Arian', which means 'Silver Chair'. This award went to a bard named Dafydd ab Edmwnd from Flintshire. However, another poet, Ieuan Llawdden, suggested that Gruffudd might have been unfairly influenced in choosing the winner.
Gruffudd's Later Years
Gruffudd ap Nicolas was a supporter of King Henry VI of England. King Henry VI belonged to the House of Lancaster. However, the Lancastrians faced a big defeat in 1455. This happened at the First Battle of St Albans, where they lost to Richard of York.
Because of this defeat, Gruffudd lost some of his lands. By June 1456, records suggest he might have been involved in a conflict in Wales. After October 1456, Gruffudd ap Nicolas disappears from historical records. His sons, Thomas and Owen, were given official pardons around that time.
