Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd facts for kids

Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd (around 1100 – 1136) was a Welsh princess. She was married to Gruffydd ap Rhys, who was the Prince of Deheubarth. Gwenllian was the daughter of Gruffudd ap Cynan, the Prince of Gwynedd. Her mother was Angharad ferch Owain. Gwenllian belonged to the important Aberffraw family of Gwynedd.

Gwenllian is famous for leading a revolt and dying in battle near Kidwelly Castle. Her actions helped start the Great Revolt of 1136 in Wales. Many artworks show Gwenllian with a sword or riding into battle. People sometimes confuse her with another Welsh princess, Gwenllian ferch Llywelyn, who lived much later.

Gwenllian's Early Life

Gwenllian was the youngest daughter of Gruffudd ap Cynan, the Prince of Gwynedd. Her mother was Angharad. Gwenllian was born on Ynys Môn, at her family's home in Aberffraw. She was the youngest of eight children. She had four older sisters: Mared, Rhiannell, Susanna, and Annest. She also had three older brothers: Cadwallon, Owain, and Cadwaladr.

Gwenllian grew up to be very beautiful. Around 1113, Gruffydd ap Rhys, the Prince of Deheubarth, visited her father. Gwenllian and Gruffydd fell in love and ran away together. They got married shortly after 1116.

Gwenllian's Children

Gwenllian and Gruffydd had several children:

• Morgan ap Gruffydd (born around 1116, died 1136)
• Maelgwyn ap Gruffydd (born around 1119, died 1136)
• Gwladus ferch Gruffydd (born between 1120 and 1130, died after 1175)
• Nest ferch Gruffydd (born between 1120 and 1130, died after 1175)
• Owain ap Gruffydd (born around 1126, died after 1155)
• Maredudd ap Gruffydd (born around 1130/1, died 1155)
• Rhys "Fychan" ap Gruffydd (born around 1132, died after 1197)
• Sion ap Gruffydd (born around 1134, died after 1155)

Gwenllian moved to her husband's home, Dinefwr, in Deheubarth. At this time, South Wales was being invaded by the Normans. Many Norman, English, and Flemish settlers were taking over Welsh lands. Because of these conflicts, Gwenllian and Gruffydd often had to move. They would hide in mountains and forests. From these hidden spots, they led quick attacks, called "lightning raids," against Norman areas in Deheubarth.

The Great Revolt of 1136

By 1136, the Welsh saw a chance to take back their lands. These lands had been lost to powerful Norman lords called Marcher Lords. This opportunity came when Stephen de Blois took the English throne. He pushed aside his cousin, Empress Matilda, who was supposed to be queen. This started a big fight in England called the Anarchy. This conflict made the English government weaker.

The revolt began in South Wales. Hywel ap Maredudd, a Welsh lord, gathered his men. They marched to Gower and defeated the Norman and English settlers there. This battle was called the Battle of Llwchwr. Hywel's success inspired others. Gruffydd ap Rhys quickly went to meet his father-in-law, Gruffudd ap Cynan, in Gwynedd. He wanted to get his help for the revolt.

Gwenllian's Battle and Death

While her husband was away, Normans led by Maurice de Londres attacked Deheubarth. Gwenllian had to gather an army to defend her people. A battle took place near Kidwelly Castle. Gwenllian's army was defeated. She was captured in battle and then beheaded by the Normans. In the same battle, her son Morgan was killed. Another son, Maelgwyn, was captured and later executed.

Even though Gwenllian was defeated, her brave actions inspired many others in South Wales to rise up. The Welsh people of Gwent, led by Iorwerth ab Owain, attacked and killed Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare. He was the Norman lord who controlled Ceredigion.

When news of Gwenllian's death reached Gwynedd, her brothers, Owain and Cadwaladr, invaded Norman-controlled Ceredigion. They captured Llanfihangel, Aberystwyth, and Llanbadarn.

Gwenllian's Legacy

Gwenllian's actions are often compared to those of Boadicea (Buddug), another famous Celtic leader. Gwenllian is also the only woman from the medieval period known to have led a Welsh army into battle. The field where her battle is thought to have happened is called Maes Gwenllian. This means "Field of Gwenllian" in Welsh. It is close to Kidwelly Castle. A spring in the field is also named after her. People say it appeared on the spot where she died.

For hundreds of years after her death, Welsh soldiers would shout 'Dial Achos Gwenllian' (meaning 'Revenge for Gwenllian') when they went into battle. Gwenllian and her husband also fought against the Norman, English, and Flemish settlers. They would take goods and money from the settlers and give them to the Welsh people who had lost their homes. They were like a pair of "Robin Hoods of Wales," as historian Philip Warner wrote.

Gwenllian's youngest son, The Lord Rhys, later became a very important leader of Deheubarth.