Gruffydd II ap Madog, Lord of Dinas Bran facts for kids

Gruffydd Maelor II was a Welsh prince who ruled a part of Powys Fadog. He died in 1269.

Gruffydd's Family and Rule

Gruffydd Maelor II was the oldest son of Prince Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor. When his father died, Gruffydd and his four brothers shared the land and title. This meant the Kingdom of Powys Fadog, which used to have one ruler, was now split among five brothers. This made it harder to stay strong against other powerful groups.

Gruffydd's father had been friends with the strong kingdom of Gwynedd. But during Gruffydd's time as ruler (1236-1269), things changed. Gwynedd put a lot of pressure on him. Also, Gruffydd married the daughter of an English landowner. Because of this, he looked for help from the English king.

However, the English king did not send the help Gruffydd needed. In 1258, Gruffydd had to agree to follow Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, who was a very powerful Welsh prince. Llywelyn was later officially named Prince of Wales in 1267, as part of the Treaty of Montgomery. After this, Gruffydd had to stay in his castle for the rest of his life.

His Marriage

Gruffydd Maelor II married a woman named Emma. She was born in 1224 and died around 1278. Emma was the daughter of Lord Henry de Audley and Bertrade Mainwaring. Her family was part of the important House of Stanley.

His Children and Legacy

Gruffydd Maelor II passed away in 1269 (some say 1270). He had several children:

• Madog II: He became ruler after his father. Sadly, he was killed in a battle against the English in 1277.
• Llywelyn
• Owain: His daughter, Gweirca ferch Owain, has the oldest known grave marker in Wales.
• Gruffydd Fychan I: He took over from his older brother Madog in 1277 and died in 1289.
• Angharad: She died in 1308. After 1261, she married William le Boteler from Wem in Shropshire. One of their children became a famous baron.
• Margery ferch Gruffydd: She was born in 1261 and married Sir John de Arderne.

After Gruffydd Maelor II died, Powys Fadog was divided among his sons, following Welsh traditions:

• Madog received the area called Maelor.
• Gruffudd received Iâl (also known as Yale) and Edeirnion. This included the area of Glyndyfrdwy.
• The area of Swydd y Waun, which had two smaller regions called Cynllaith and Nanheudwy, was split between Llywelyn and Owain.