Llywelyn ap Gruffudd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd |
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Death of Llywelyn
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| Prince of Gwynedd | |
| Reign | June 1255 – 11 December 1282 |
| Predecessor | Dafydd ap Llywelyn |
| Successor | Dafydd ap Gruffudd |
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See list
Gruffudd ab Ednyfed Fychan
(c. 1247 – c. 1256) Goronwy ab Ednyfed Fychan (c. 1281 – 1282) |
| Prince of Wales | |
| Reign | 18 March 1258 – 29 September 1267 |
| Reign | 29 September 1267 – 11 December 1282 |
| Predecessor | Dafydd ap Llywelyn |
| Successor | Dafydd ap Gruffudd |
| Died | 11 December 1282 Cilmeri, Builth, Wales |
| Burial | December 1282 Cwmhir Abbey, Maelienydd, Wales |
| Spouse | Eleanor de Montfort |
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| Dynasty | Second Dynasty of Gwynedd |
| Father | Gruffudd ap Llywelyn |
| Mother | Senana ferch Caradog |
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Conflicts
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Barons' Crusade Anglo-Welsh wars Conquest of Wales by Edward I Battle of Bryn Derwin (1255) Battle of Moel-y-don (1282) Battle of Orewin Bridge † (1282) |
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Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (died 11 December 1282) was a powerful Welsh prince. He is also known as Llywelyn the Last (in Welsh, Llywelyn ein Llyw Olaf, meaning "Llywelyn our Last Leader"). He ruled as Prince of Gwynedd from 1255 to 1282. After winning many battles in Wales in 1257, Llywelyn declared himself Prince of Wales in 1258. King Henry III of England officially recognized him with this title in 1267 through the Treaty of Montgomery. Llywelyn held this important position until he was killed in an ambush at Cilmeri in 1282. His death was one of the final events in King Edward I’s conquest of Wales.
Contents
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd: Prince of Wales
Early Life and Family History
Llywelyn was the second of four sons. His father was Gruffudd ap Llywelyn ap Iorwerth. His grandfather was the famous Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, also known as Llywelyn the Great. Llywelyn's mother was Senana ferch Caradog. His older brother was Owain Goch ap Gruffudd. He also had two younger brothers, Dafydd ap Gruffydd and Rhodri ap Gruffudd.
When Llywelyn's grandfather died in 1240, his uncle, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, became the ruler of Gwynedd. Around this time, Llywelyn went on a crusade with Richard of Cornwall, who was King Henry III's brother. Llywelyn's father, Gruffudd, and his brother, Owain, were held prisoner by Dafydd. Later, they were handed over to King Henry III of England. In 1244, Gruffudd died while trying to escape from the Tower of London. The window he used is still visible today. After his father's death, Owain was freed by King Henry III. He was given a part of Snowdonia (Eryri) in 1247.
Becoming Ruler of Gwynedd
Llywelyn and Owain made an agreement with King Henry III in 1247. This was called the Treaty of Woodstock. They were only allowed to rule the lands west of the River Conwy. This area included Snowdonia and Anglesey, which they divided between themselves. The eastern part of Gwynedd, called the Perfeddwlad, was taken by King Henry.
When Llywelyn's brother, Dafydd ap Gruffydd, grew up, King Henry wanted to give him a share of Gwynedd. Llywelyn did not agree with this plan. Owain and Dafydd then formed an alliance against Llywelyn. This led to the Battle of Bryn Derwin in June 1255. Llywelyn won the battle and captured both Owain and Dafydd. This made Llywelyn the sole ruler of Gwynedd Uwch Conwy.
Expanding Control Across Wales
Llywelyn then wanted to expand his territory. Many people in Gwynedd Is Conwy were unhappy with English rule. This area was also known as "Perfeddwlad," meaning "middle land." King Henry had given this land to his son, Edward. In November 1256, Llywelyn crossed the River Conwy with his army. His brother Dafydd, whom he had released, joined him. By December, Llywelyn controlled most of Gwynedd Is Conwy. An English army tried to stop him but was defeated in June 1257.
During 1257, Llywelyn continued to gain more land. He took control of areas in Gwrtheyrnion and Powys. He also helped his relatives in Deheubarth in South Wales against Norman control. Llywelyn's actions led to a truce in 1258. However, some English lords did not fully respect it. The leader of Deheubarth, Rhys Fychan, accepted Llywelyn as his overlord. But this caused new problems with another Welsh leader, Maredudd. Llywelyn eventually jailed Maredudd for a time.
By early 1258, Llywelyn began using the title Prince of Wales. The English king did not recognize this title at first. In 1263, Llywelyn's brother, Dafydd, even sided with King Henry against him. Llywelyn continued to expand his power. He took control of Buellt and later parts of Brecon. These successes caught the attention of the Montfort family in England.
The Treaty of Montgomery: A Time of Power
Llywelyn's influence grew beyond Wales. In England, Simon de Montfort defeated King Henry III in 1264. This led to the Treaty of Pipton in 1265. This agreement created an alliance between Llywelyn and de Montfort. Llywelyn was offered control of the entire Principality of Wales. His right to be the hereditary Prince of Wales would be recognized. However, Simon de Montfort died in battle in 1265.
After de Montfort's death, Llywelyn quickly gained more power. He defeated English armies in North Wales and at Montgomery. With these victories, Llywelyn negotiated with King Henry. In 1267, King Henry officially recognized Llywelyn as Prince of Wales. This was part of the Treaty of Montgomery. All the Welsh princes, except one, accepted Llywelyn as their leader. This treaty marked the highest point of Llywelyn's power. He had to pay a large sum of money to the English crown for this recognition.
Challenges and Conflicts with England
Soon after the treaty, new problems began. Llywelyn had a disagreement with Gilbert de Clare over land in Glamorgan. Gilbert built Caerphilly Castle because of this dispute. King Henry died in 1272. His son, Edward I of England, became the new king. Edward was away on a crusade at the time.
One of Llywelyn's rivals, Roger Mortimer, gained power in England. Mortimer supported Humphrey de Bohun in trying to take back land from Llywelyn. Llywelyn also found it hard to make his annual payments to the English crown. He eventually stopped making these payments. In 1274, Llywelyn's brother, Dafydd, and Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn plotted to kill Llywelyn. The plot failed, and Dafydd and Gruffydd fled to England. They continued to raid Llywelyn's lands with the king's support. This made Llywelyn very angry.
When King Edward asked Llywelyn to come to Chester in 1275, Llywelyn refused. He also angered Edward by trying to marry Eleanor de Montfort. Eleanor was the daughter of Simon de Montfort and King Edward's cousin. Edward had Eleanor captured when she sailed from France. She was held at Windsor Castle until Llywelyn agreed to certain terms.
The Treaty of Aberconwy and Its Impact
In 1276, King Edward declared Llywelyn a rebel. In 1277, Edward gathered a huge army to fight Llywelyn. Edward wanted to take all of Llywelyn's lands. Many smaller Welsh princes who had supported Llywelyn now made peace with Edward. By the summer of 1277, Edward's forces had captured Anglesey. They took the harvest there, which cut off Llywelyn's food supply. This forced Llywelyn to seek peace.
The result was the Treaty of Aberconwy, signed by Llywelyn on 9 November 1277. Llywelyn got back Anglesey and parts of Snowdonia. He would rule these as Prince of Wales, but with fewer lords under him. He had to pay a large fine and give up some rent from Anglesey. His brother Owain received the Llŷn Peninsula. Dafydd ap Gruffudd was given the Perfeddwlad. He was also promised a share of Gwynedd Uwch Conwy if Llywelyn died without an heir.
After the peace agreement, Llywelyn traveled to London. He paid respect to the King of England. Llywelyn met Edward and Eleanor at Worcester. They were married the next year.
Llywelyn enjoyed peace for several years. However, the English continued to try to make Wales more like England. This policy caused problems in different parts of Wales. The Archbishop of Canterbury, John Peckham, tried to make peace. He met with Llywelyn in 1280. Llywelyn reconciled with his brother, Dafydd. Together, they secretly planned another revolt against the English. This time, the Welsh forces were united.
A Royal Wedding and Family Life
Llywelyn married Eleanor de Montfort at Worcester Cathedral on 13 October 1278. It was a small ceremony. The Kings of Scotland and England were present. Eleanor died in childbirth on 19 June 1282. She gave birth to their daughter, Gwenllian. Llywelyn also had a son named Madog.
The Final Fight for Wales
By early 1282, many Welsh princes were unhappy with King Edward's officers. On Palm Sunday, Dafydd ap Gruffydd attacked Hawarden Castle. He then laid siege to Rhuddlan. The revolt quickly spread across Wales. Aberystwyth Castle was captured and burned. Llywelyn said he was not involved in planning the revolt. However, he felt he had to support his brother. A war began, but the Welsh were not fully ready.
Edward's forces captured Gwynedd Is Conwy and Anglesey again. They took the harvest, cutting off Welsh supplies. An English force tried to cross from Anglesey but was defeated. The Archbishop of Canterbury tried to make peace. Llywelyn was offered land in England if he surrendered Wales. Dafydd was to go on a crusade. Llywelyn refused, saying he would not abandon his people.
Llywelyn's Death and Legacy
Llywelyn left Dafydd to defend Gwynedd. He took his forces south to gather more support. On 11 December 1282, at the Battle of Orewin Bridge near Builth Wells, Llywelyn was killed. He was separated from his main army. The exact details of his death are not fully clear. Both accounts agree Llywelyn was tricked away from his army. He was then attacked and killed. One story says a lone lancer struck him down. Another says he was ambushed in a wood. As he lay dying, he asked for a priest. He was then killed and decapitated.
Llywelyn's body was searched. A letter with "treasonable" information and his personal seal were found. Archbishop Peckham wrote to King Edward about these findings. The seals of Llywelyn, his wife Eleanor, and his brother Dafydd were later melted down. They were used to make a chalice in 1284.
Llywelyn's head was sent to King Edward. It was shown to English troops. Then it was sent to London. In London, it was displayed in the city pillory. It was crowned with ivy to mock a Welsh prophecy. The prophecy said a Welshman would be crowned king of Britain in London. His head was then placed over the gate of the Tower of London. It remained there for 15 years.
Llywelyn's body is believed to be buried at Cwmhir Abbey. The poet Gruffudd ab yr Ynad Coch wrote a sad poem about Llywelyn's death. The Welsh records, Brut y Tywysogion, mention that Llywelyn was "betrayed in the belfry at Bangor by his own men." This remains a mystery.
The End of Welsh Independence
With Llywelyn's death, Welsh hope and resistance weakened. Dafydd became the next Prince of Wales. He continued the fight for several months. But in June 1283, he was captured with his family. Dafydd was taken to Shrewsbury. There, a special Parliament condemned him to death. He was executed in a very harsh way.
After this final defeat in 1283, Gwynedd lost all its royal symbols. King Edward Longshanks took great pleasure in taking over the royal home of Gwynedd. He set up his court at Abergwyngregyn in 1284. Edward removed all signs of Welsh royalty. A crown was given to a shrine in Westminster. The seals of Llywelyn, his wife, and his brother Dafydd were melted down. They were made into a chalice for an abbey. The most important Welsh religious item, a piece of the True Cross called Cross of Neith, was paraded through London. Edward was showing the world that the Welsh royal family was gone. He was also showing that Wales was now part of his kingdom. A writer at the time said, "and then all Wales was cast to the ground."
Most of Llywelyn's relatives ended up in prison. His younger brother Rhodri ap Gruffudd was an exception. He lived in England and received a pension. A distant cousin, Madog ap Llywelyn, led a revolt in 1294. He briefly claimed the title Prince of Wales. Llywelyn and Eleanor's baby daughter, Gwenllian of Wales, was captured in 1283. She was sent to Sempringham Priory in England. She became a nun and died in 1337 without children. She likely knew little of her Welsh heritage or language.
Dafydd's two sons were imprisoned at Bristol Gaol. They died there many years later. Llywelyn's older brother Owain Goch ap Gruffudd was imprisoned by Llywelyn himself. Rhodri ap Gruffudd, who had been exiled since 1272, survived. He held lands in England and died around 1315. His grandson, Owain Lawgoch, later claimed the title Prince of Wales.
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See also
In Spanish: Llywelyn ap Gruffydd para niños
