Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn facts for kids

Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn was a powerful Welsh lord. He ruled a part of Wales called Powys Wenwynwyn. He lived during a time when England and Wales were often at war. Gruffydd chose to support King Edward I of England during his conquest of Wales. He died around 1286.

Gruffydd's Early Life

Gruffydd was the son of Gwenwynwyn and Margaret Corbet. His father was a Welsh prince. Sadly, Gwenwynwyn was forced out of his lands by Llywelyn the Great. He died in exile in 1216, when Gruffydd was still a child.

Gruffydd spent his younger years in England. The English king helped support him there. He did not return to Wales until after Llywelyn the Great passed away.

Returning to Wales

In 1241, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, who was Llywelyn the Great's son, had to make peace with King Henry III of England. At this time, Gruffydd was given back most of the lands his father once ruled. He promised loyalty to King Henry for these lands. Around this time, he married Hawise Lestrange. She was the daughter of John Lestrange of Knockin.

Shifting Loyalties in Wales

As Llywelyn ap Gruffudd grew stronger in Wales after 1255, Gruffydd continued to support the English king. Because of this, he was forced into exile again in 1257.

However, in 1263, Gruffydd decided to change his loyalty. He agreed to support Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. This agreement was confirmed in 1267 at the Treaty of Montgomery.

A Secret Plan

In 1274, Gruffydd, his wife Hawise, and his son Owain became involved in a secret plan. They worked with Llywelyn's brother, Dafydd ap Gruffydd. The plan was to remove Llywelyn from power.

Owain was supposed to bring armed men on February 2nd to carry out the plan. However, a snowstorm stopped him. Llywelyn did not find out the full details until later that year. Owain confessed the plan to the Bishop of Bangor. He said the goal was to make Dafydd the Prince of Gwynedd. In return, Dafydd would give Gruffydd more lands.

When Llywelyn discovered the details, he sent people to Welshpool. They were to summon Gruffydd to appear before him. But Gruffydd quickly fled to England.

Supporting King Edward I

Gruffydd settled in Shrewsbury, England. From there, he launched attacks on Llywelyn's lands. The English king probably encouraged these actions.

After the war of 1277, Llywelyn was forced to give up lands outside Gwynedd. Gruffydd was given his lands back once more. He then became involved in a disagreement with Llywelyn over lands in Arwystli. Llywelyn wanted the issue settled by Welsh law. Gruffydd wanted English law to be used. King Edward I of England supported Gruffydd in this dispute.

The Final War

Gruffydd supported King Edward in the final war of 1282. By this time, he was an old man. Some people have suggested that his eldest son, Owain, might have been involved in the killing of Llywelyn. This happened at Cilmeri in December 1282.

Changes After the War

At the end of the Welsh War in 1282–1283, the principality of Powys Wenwynwyn was changed. Gruffydd's family became Marcher Lords. They adopted the new surname de la Pole. This name means "of Poole," referring to their family home in Poole, which is now Welshpool.

Because of his loyalty to Edward I, the king allowed Gruffydd to start building or rebuilding Powis Castle. After 1283, his estate was increasingly managed by his son Owain. Gruffydd died sometime between February 1286 and the end of 1287.

He was buried in the Black Friars Priory in Shrewsbury.