List of rulers of Wales facts for kids
Prior to the Conquest of Wales, completed in 1282, Wales (Welsh: Cymru) consisted of a number of independent kingdoms, the most important being Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth (originally Ceredigion, Seisyllwg and Dyfed) and Morgannwg (Glywysing and Gwent). Boundary changes and the equal division of patrimony meant that few princes ever came close to ruling the whole of Wales. The names of those known to have ruled over one or more of the kingdoms are listed below. The only person known to have ruled all of Wales was Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1010–1063), a prince of Gwynedd who became King of Wales from 1055 to 1063. However, the princes of the medieval period hailing largely from North Wales, mainly Gwynedd, had such significant authority that allowed them to claim authority beyond the borders of their kingdoms. This allowed many Princes to claim to rule all Wales.
Rhodri Mawr has been suggested by some as the first sovereign of Wales, and the first to unite most of Wales. The modern-day territory of Wales was only fully united under the direct rule of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn from 1055 to 1063 according to historian John Davies. The native use of the title 'Prince of Wales' appeared more frequent by the eleventh century as a 'modernised' or reformed form of the old high kingship of the Britons. The native use of the titles ended following the killing of Llywelyn the Last and his brother, Dafydd ap Gruffydd, and since then the Prince of Wales title has been used by the English and then British monarchy.
Contents
Title of "King of Wales"
Latin versions of King of Wales (Welsh: Brenin Cymru) were titles used on a handful of occasions in the Middle Ages.
Native title of "Prince of Wales"
Evolution from King to Prince
The princes of the medieval period hailed largely from west Wales, mainly Gwynedd. Several felt able to claim authority beyond the borders of their kingdoms. This allowed many Princes to claim to rule all Wales.
End of native Welsh Princes
Llywelyn the Last, the last Prince of Wales was ambushed and killed in 1282. The execution of his brother Dafydd ap Gruffydd in 1283 on the orders of King Edward I of England effectively ended Welsh independence. The title of Prince of Wales was then used by the English monarchy for the heir to the English throne.
During the period 1400–1413, following a rebellion against English rule in Wales, there existed a native Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr and an English monarchy appointed Prince of Wales (who later became Henry V of England). The native Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr led Welsh forces against the English Prince of Wales and English rule in Wales.
| Depiction | Name &
life details |
Personal arms | Kingdom arms | House, Kingdom | Welsh Titles | Reign | Death & cause | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince of Wales title (and King of Wales title) | ||||||||
 |
Gruffudd ap Cynan
1055 –1137 |
House of Aberffraw, Gwynedd (insecurely from 1081) |
|
1137 | Died in 1137, aged 81–82. | Brut y Tywysogion | ||
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Owain Gwynedd
1100 - November 1170 |
Gwynedd (coat of arms is of Caernarfon which is retroactively attributed) |
|
1146–1170 | Died in 1170, aged 69–70. | Brut y Tywysogion; contemporary charters. | ||
| Prince of Wales title only | ||||||||
 |
Rhys ap Gruffydd
(The Lord Rhys) 1132 – 28 April 1197 |
Deheubarth (from 1155) |
|
1184–1197 | Died in 1197, aged 65. | Brut y Tywysogion; contemporary charters. | ||
 |
Llywelyn the Great
(Llywelyn ap Iorwerth) 1173 – 11 April 1240 |
 |
Gwynedd (from 1194), from 1208 also Powys, from 1216 also Deheubarth |
|
1228–1240 | Died in 1240, aged 66–67. | Brut y Tywysogion
contemporary charters |
|
 |
Dafydd ap Llywelyn
March 1212 - 25 February 1246 |
|
Gwynedd |
|
1240–1246 | Died suddenly in 1246, aged 33. | Treaty with England | |
 |
Llywelyn the Last
(Llywelyn ap Gruffydd) 1223 – 11 December 1282 |
|
Gwynedd (from 1246), at times also Powys and Deheubarth
Succeeded Dafydd in 1246 as prince of Gwynedd. |
|
1258–1282 | Killed on 11 December 1282, aged 59.
Killed by English soldiers in an ambush trick under the guise of discussions. His head was paraded in London and placed on a Tower of London spike. |
Brut y Tywysogion
treaty with Scotland treaty with England letters charters |
|
| Dafydd ap Gruffydd
11 July 1238 – 3 October 1283 |
 |
Gwynedd |
|
1282–1283 | Killed on October 3, 1283.
..... His bowels were thrown into a fire as he watched. Finally, his head was cut off and placed on a Tower of London spike next to his brother Llywelyn, and his body cut into quarters. |
Letters | ||
| English rule begins following the execution of Dafydd ap Gruffydd. | ||||||||
 |
Madog ap Llywelyn |
|
Gwynedd |
|
1294–1295
(Not recognised by the English crown.) |
Unknown.
Held prisoner in London (most likely the Tower of London.) |
Penmachno Document | |
 |
Owain
Lawgoch 1330 – 1378 |
 via the Kingdom of Gwynedd |
Gwynedd |
|
Proclamation before 1372
(Not recognised by the English crown.) |
Was killed by an assassin whilst fighting against the English in France, on the orders of the English king. | Contemporary records | |
 |
Owain Glyndŵr
(Owain ap Gruffydd) 1359 –1415 |
via the Kingdom of Gwynedd and Deheubarth |
Northern Powys, by 1404–5 all Wales, by 1409 only Gwynedd |
(From 1400 and technically until his death in 1415 as he never accepted a pardon from Henry IV and V of England.) |
1400 – 1415
(Crowned as Prince of Wales in Machynlleth.) |
1415, aged 55–56, secretly buried. | Contemporary records e.g. coronation ceremony (1404.) | |
Regional Kingdoms of Wales
Deheubarth
The kingdom of Deheubarth was formed by the union of the kingdoms of Ceredigion, Seisyllwg and Dyfed. Ceredigion was absorbed into Seisyllwg and Dyfed was merged with Seisyllwg to form Deheubarth in 909.
Ceredigion
- Ceredig ap Cunedda (424–453)
- Usai (453–490)
- Serwyl (490–525)
- Boddw (525–560)
- Arthfoddw (560–595)
- Arthlwys (595–630)
- Clydog I (630–665)
Dyfed
- Anwn Ddu (Welsh rendering of Antonius the Black). According to Welsh legend, born in Greece, and later appointed to the rule of Demetia (Dyfed) by Magnus Maximus. Also known as Anwn Dynod (rendering Antonius Donatus). Realm included Gwent and Brycheiniog.
- Ednyfed - realm also included the Caer-Went part of Gwent (his brother received the remainder)
- Clotri
- Triffyn Farfog
- Aergol Lawhir (?-c. 515)
- Vortiporius (c. 540)
- Arthur ap Pedr
- Cloten (c. 630) married Ceindrech of Brycheiniog, uniting the two kingdoms of Dyfed and Brycheiniog
- Rhain ap Cadwgan (c. 690-740) - also king of Brycheiniog. On his death, his kingdoms were divided again by his sons.
- Tewdwr ap Rhain
- Maredudd ap Tewdws (c. 740–797)
- Rhain ap Maredudd (c. 797–808)
- Owain ap Maredudd (c. 808–810)
- Triffyn ap Rhain (?-c. 814)
- Hyfaidd
- Llywarch ap Hyfaidd (c. 893-904)
- Rhodri ap Hyfaidd (c. 904-905)
- Hywel Dda ("Hywel the Good") (c. 905-909), an invader from Seisllywg who conquered Dyfed (but later chronicles claim he acquired it by marrying Llywarch's daughter)
Seisyllwg
- Seisyll ap Clydog, prince of Ceredigion (eponym and possibly founder of Seisyllwg)
- Arthen (?-807)
- Dyfnwallon
- Meurig of Seisyllwg
- Gwgon of Seisyllwg (?-c. 870/871)
House Manaw
- Angharad ferch Meurig (?-872) and Rhodri the Great (?–873/877/878) - stewards
- Cadell ap Rhodri, second son of Anghared and Rhodri (872–909)
- Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) (909-920) - he ruled Seisyllwg in 920 and shortly thereafter merged it with Dyfed into Deheubarth
Deheubarth
- Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) (920–950)
- His son, Owain ap Hywel (950–986)
- Rhodri ap Hywel (950–953) and
- Edwin ap Hywel (950–954)
- Owain ap Hywel's son, Maredudd ab Owain (986–999)
- Cynan ap Hywel, prince of Gwynedd (999–1005)
- the sons of Einion ab Owain (brother of Maredudd ab Owain), who ruled jointly:
- Edwin ab Einion (1005–1018)
- Cadell ab Einion (1005–1018)
- Llywelyn ap Seisyll, prince of Gwynedd (1018–1023)
- Rhydderch ap Iestyn, prince of Glywysing (1023–1033)
- Edwin ab Einion's son, Hywel ab Edwin (1033–1044)
- Rhydderch ap Iestyn's son, Gruffydd ap Rhydderch (1047–1055)
- Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, invader and prince of Gwynedd (1055–1063)
- Edwin ab Einion's grandson, Maredudd ab Owain ab Edwin (1063–1072)
- his brother, Rhys ab Owain (1072–1078)
- his second cousin, Rhys ap Tewdwr (1078–1093)
Deheubarth was in the possession of the Normans from 1093 to 1155
- Gruffydd ap Rhys (1116–1137) ruled a portion of Deheubarth with Norman permission
- his son, Anarawd ap Gruffydd (1136–1143)
- his brother, Cadell ap Gruffydd (1143–1151)
- his brother, Maredudd ap Gruffydd (1151–1155)
- his brother, The Lord Rhys (Rhys ap Gruffydd) (1155–1197)
- his son, Gruffydd ap Rhys (1197–1201) who for a time ruled jointly with his brother,
- Maelgwn ap Rhys (1199–1230) who disputed the territory with his brother,
- Rhys the Hoarse (Rhys Gryg) (1216–1234)
From 1234 to 1283, Deheubarth was subject to the princes of Gwynedd
- Rhys the Hoarse's son, Rhys Mechyll (1234–1244) ruled a portion of Deheubarth
- his brother, Maredudd ap Rhys (1244–1271) ruled a portion of Deheubarth
- his son, Rhys ap Maredudd (1271–1283) ruled a portion of Deheubarth
Gwynedd
Kings of Gwynedd
- Cunedda Wledig ap Edern (Cunedda the Imperator) (c. 450–c. 460)
- Einion Yrth ap Cunedda (Einion the Impetuous) (c. 470–c. 480)
- Owain Ddantgwyn (Rhos; late 5th century)
- Cynlas Goch (Rhos) & St Einion (Llŷn) ap Owain (late 5th and early 6th century)
- Cadwallon Lawhir ap Einion (Cadwallon Long Hand) (c. 500–c. 534)
- Maelgwn Hir ap Cadwallon (Maelgwn the Tall) (c. 520–c. 547)
- Rhun Hir ap Maelgwn (Rhun the Tall) (c. 547–c. 580)
- Beli ap Rhun (c. 580–c. 599)
- Iago ap Beli (c. 599–c. 616)
- Cadfan ap Iago (c. 613–c. 625)
- Cadwallon ap Cadfan (c. 625–634)
- Cadafael Cadomedd ap Cynfeddw (Cadfael the Battle-Shirker) (634–c. 655)
- Cadwaladr Fendigaid ap Cadwallon (Cadwallader the Blessed) (c. 655–c. 682)
- Idwal Iwrch ap Cadwaladr (Idwal Roebuck) (c. 682–c. 720)
- Rhodri Molwynog ap Idwal (Rhodri the Bald and Gray) (c. 720–c. 754)
- Caradog ap Meirion (c. 754–c. 798)
- Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri (c. 798–816)
- Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog (814–825)
- Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad (Merfyn the Freckled) (825–844)
- Rhodri Mawr ap Merfyn (Rhodri the Great) (844–878)
- Anarawd ap Rhodri (878–916) (establishes the Aberffraw dynasty, the senior branch of descendants from Rhodri Mawr)
- Idwal Foel ab Anarawd (Idwal the Bald) (916–942)
- Hywel Dda ap Cadell (Howell the Good) (942–950) (Dinefwr dynasty of Rhodri Mawr's descendants usurp from Aberffraw)
- Iago ab Idwal (950–979) (return to the Aberffraw branch)
- Ieuaf ab Idwal (950–969)
- Hywel ab Ieuaf (974–985)
- Cadwallon ab Ieuaf (985–986)
- Maredudd ab Owain (986–999) (return to Dinefwr dynasty)
- Cynan ap Hywel (999–1005) (return to the Aberffraw dynasty)
- Aeddan ap Blegywryd (1005–1018) (usurpation from the Aberffraw dynasty)
- Llywelyn ap Seisyll (1018–1023) (cadet branch of Mathrafal dynasty from Powys usurps from Aeddan ap Blegywryd)
- Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig (1023–1039) (return to Aberffraw dynasty)
- Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (1039–1063) (usurpation from Aberffraw dynasty)
- Bleddyn ap Cynfyn (1063–1075) (Mathrafal dynasty of Powys "receives" Gwynedd from the English King)
- Trahaearn ap Caradog (1075–1081)
- Gruffudd ap Cynan (1081–1137) (return to Aberffraw dynasty)
- Owain Gwynedd ap Gruffydd (1137–1170) (first to style himself Princeps Wallensium)
- Maelgwn ab Owain Gwynedd (1170–1173)
- Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd (1170–1195) (in the east)
- Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd (1170–1190) (in the west)
- Llywelyn Fawr ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) (1195–1240)
- Dafydd ap Llywelyn (1240–1246) (used title Prince of Wales from 1244 onwards)
- Owain Goch ap Gruffydd (Owen the Red) (1246–1255)
- Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last) (1246–1282) (used title Prince of Wales from 1258 onwards)
- Dafydd ap Gruffydd (1282–1283) (not crowned but claimed the title)
- Madog ap Llywelyn (1294–1295) (not crowned but claimed the title)
- Owain ap Tomas ap Rhodri (Owen the Red Hand) (1372–1378) (in exile but claimed the title)
Morgannwg
The kingdom of Morgannwg was formed by the union of the kingdoms of Morgannwg and Gwent. Over time, in a few instances, the kingdoms were separate and independent.
Glywysing
- Eugenius, son of Magnus Maximus
- Marius, son of Eugenius
- Solar, son of Marius
- Glywys, son of Solar (c. 470–c. 480), who gave his name to the kingdom
- Cadoc, son of Gwynllyw, ruler of Gwynllwg (523–580) and Penychen (540–580), died without heirs
Glywysing is ruled by the Kings of Gwent until Rhys ap Ithel
- Rhys ap Ithel/Rhys ab Idwal, son of the Kings of Gwent (c. 755–785), with brothers, Rhodri and Meurig
- Arthfael Hen ap Rhys (Arthfael the Old) (785–c. 825) with Brochfael ap Rhys
- Rhys ap Arthfael, (c. 830–c. 840)
- Hywel ap Rhys, (c. 840–886)
- Owain ap Hywel (886–c. 930)
- Gruffydd ab Owain (c. 930–934) King of Gower
- Cadwgan ab Owain (c. 930–950) King of West Glywysing
- Morgan the Old (Morgan Hen or Morgan ab Owain or Moragn Hen Fawr) (930–974) united the former kingdoms of Gwent and Glywysing in 942 under the name of Morgannwg, but they were broken up again immediately after his death, remaining separate until about 1055
- Morgan the Old's son, Owain ap Morgan (974–c. 983)
- brothers of Owain ap Morgan (Idwallon, Hywel and Cadell) (dates unknown)
- his son, Rhys ab Owain (c. 990–c. 1000) who ruled Glywysing jointly with his brothers
- Ithel the Black, son Idwallon (990)
- Hywel ab Owain (c. 990–c. 1043) and
- Iestyn ab Owain (c. 990–c. 1015)
- his son, Rhydderch ap Iestyn (c. 1015–1033)
- his son, Gruffydd ap Rhydderch (1033–1055)
- Gwrgant ab Ithel the Black (1033 - 1070)
- Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, invader and prince of Gwynedd (1055–1063)
- Gruffydd ap Rhydderch's son, Caradog ap Gruffydd (1063–1081) who was a subject of the King of Gwent and King of Morgannwg Cadwgan ap Meurig before he deposed him and took the kingdom for himself
- Iestyn ap Gwrgan(t) (1081–1091), the last ruler of an independent Morgannwg, which was thereafter in the possession of the Normans and became the lordship of Glamorgan
Gwent
- Anwn Ddu (the same person as ruled Dyfed at this time). Welsh legend claims he was appointed by Magnus Maximus, who later became Roman Emperor (and hence referred to in Welsh as Macsen Wledig - Maximus the Emperor). Some genealogies claim him to be Magnus' son. His realm was divided upon his death between his sons Edynfed and Tudwal.
in Caer-Went
- Edynfed ap Anwn - also ruler of Dyfed
- Ynyr ap Dyfnwal ap Ednyfed, and his wife - St Madrun ferch Gwerthefyr (Welsh rendering of Honorius)
- Iddon ap Ynyr (480 - 490)
- Caradog (Strongarm)
- Meurig ap Caradog and his wife - Dyfwn ferch Glywys
- Erbic ap Meurig ?
in Caer-Leon
- Tudwal ap Anwn
- Teithrin ap Tudwal
- Teithfallt ap Teithrin (Welsh rendering of Theudebald)
- Tewdrig, son of Teithfallt (490 – 493/517) (Welsh rendering of Theodoric). Traditionally, Tewdrig had a daughter - Marchell verch Tewdrig - for whom he carved out Brycheiniog as a dowry.
- Meurig ap Tewdrig King of Gwent (493/517 – 530–540)
- Athrwys ap Meurig King of Gwent (530–540 - 573)
- Frioc ap Meurig, with Idnerth ap Meurig ?
- Ithel ap Athrwys
- Morgan the Great ?
- Morgan the Courteous and Benefactor ? (-654)
- Anthres ap Morcant ? (654-663)
- Morgan the Generous (-730)
- Ithel ap Morgan (710/715 - 735/740/745/755)
- Ffernfael ab Idwal (-774/777)
- Athrwys ap Ffernfael (774-810)
- Idwallon ap Gwrgant (810-842)
- Ithel ap Hywel or ap Athrwys ?(842-848)
- Meurig ap Hywel or ap Ithel ? (848-849)
- Meurig ap Arthfael Hen (849-874)
- Ffernfael ap Meurig (874-880)
- Brochfael ap Meurig (880-920)
- Arthfael ap Hywel (-916/927)
- Owain ap Hywel (920-930)
- Cadell ap Arthfael (930-940/943)
- Morgan the Old, Morgan Hen or Morgan ab Owain or Morgan Hen Fawr (940/943–955) united the former kingdoms of Gwent and Glywysing in 942 under the name of Morgannwg but they were broken up again immediately after his death and remained separate until about 1055
- Nowy ap Gwriad ap Brochfael ap Rhodri ap Arthfael Hen ruled Gwent (c. 950–c. 970) while Glywysing was ruled jointly by brothers of Owain ap Morgan (dates unknown), probably under Morgan the Old
- his son, Arthfael ap Nowy (about 970–983)
- his cousin, Rhodri ap Elisedd (983–c. 1015) who ruled jointly with his brother,
- Gruffydd ap Elisedd (983–c. 1015)
- his cousin (?) Edwyn ap Gwriad (1015–1045)
- Hywel ab Owain's son, Meurig ap Hywel (1045–1055) who ruled jointly with
- his son, Cadwgan ap Meurig (1045–1055)
- Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, invader and prince of Gwynedd (1055–1063)
- Cadwgan ap Meurig (1063–1074) who was also King of Morgannwg, ruling Glywysing through
- Gruffydd ap Rhydderch's son, Caradog ap Gruffydd (1075–1081) who seized Gwent and the Kingdom of Morgannwg
- Iestyn ap Gwrgan(t) (1081–1091)
Iestyn was the last ruler of an independent Morgannwg, which was thereafter in the possession of the Normans and became the lordship of Glamorgan
- Owain ap Caradog (1081-1113/1116)
Powys
Kings of Powys
House of Gwertherion
- Gwrtheyrn (High-King Vortigern), married to Sevira, daughter of Magnus Maximus
- Cadeyern Fendigaid (c. 430–447), reputed to be the eldest son of Gwrtheyrn, blessed by Saint Germanus
- Cadell Ddyrnllwg (c. 447–460)
- Rhyddfedd Frych (c. 480)
- Cyngen Glodrydd (c. 500)
- Pasgen ap Cyngen (c. 530)
- Morgan ap Pasgen (c. 540)
- Brochwel Ysgithrog (c. 550)
- Cynan Garwyn (?–610)
- Selyf ap Cynan (610–613)
- Manwgan ap Selyf (613)
- Eiludd Powys (613–?)
- Beli ap Eiludd (c. 655)
- Gwylog ap Beli (695?–725)
- Elisedd ap Gwylog (725–755?)
- Brochfael ap Elisedd (755?–773)
- Cadell ap Brochfael (773–808)
- Cyngen ap Cadell (808–854) - throne usurped by Rhodri Mawr of Gwynedd and exiled to Rome where the family endured
House of Manaw
- Rhodri Mawr (854–878) of Gwynedd, allegedly inheriting through his mother Nest, according to some manuscripts. Other manuscripts (eg. Mostyn manuscript 117) have his mother as Essyllt ferch Cynan (thought to be the daughter of Cynan Dindaethwy of Gwynedd).
- Merfyn ap Rhodri (878–900) (house of Aberffraw)
- Llywelyn ap Merfyn (900–942) (house of Aberffraw)
- Hywel Dda (942–950) (house of Dinefwr usurped from the Aberffraw line of Manaw)
- Owain ap Hywel (950–986) (Mathrafal dynasty, cadet branch of the House of Dinefwr)
- Maredudd ap Owain (986–999)
- Llywelyn ap Seisyll (999–1023), husband of Angharad, daughter of Maredudd ab Owain
- Rhydderch ap Iestyn (1023–1033)
- Iago ap Idwal (1033–1039)
- Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, invader and prince of Gwynedd (1039–1063)
Mathrafal Princes of Powys
- Bleddyn ap Cynfyn (1063–1075)
- Iorwerth ap Bleddyn (1075–1103 (part))
- Cadwgan ap Bleddyn (1075–1111 (part))
- Owain ap Cadwgan (1111–1116 (part))
- Maredudd ap Bleddyn (1116–1132)
- Madog ap Maredudd (1132–1160)
From 1160 Powys was split into two parts. The southern part was later called Powys Wenwynwyn after Gwenwynwyn ab Owain "Cyfeiliog" ap Madog, while the northern part was called Powys Fadog after Madog ap Gruffydd "Maelor" ap Madog.
See also
- King of the Britons
- Prince of Wales
- Family tree of Welsh monarchs
