Llywelyn the Great facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Llywelyn Fawr
The body of Llywelyn the Great with his sons Gruffydd and Dafydd
Prince of Gwynedd
Reign	1195–1240
Predecessor	Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd
Successor	Dafydd ap Llywelyn
Prince of Powys Wenwynwyn
Reign	1216–1240
Predecessor	Gwenwynwyn ab Owain
Successor	Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn
Born	c. 1173 Dolwyddelan, Kingdom of Gwynedd
Died	11 April 1240 (aged 66–67) Cistercian Aberconwy Abbey, Principality of Wales
Burial	Aberconwy Abbey, Wales
Spouse	Joan, Lady of Wales
Issue	Dafydd ap Llywelyn Gruffydd ap Llywelyn Elen ferch Llywelyn Gwladus Ddu Marared ferch Llywelyn Angharad ferch Llywelyn Susanna ferch Llywelyn
Full name Llywelyn ab Iorwerth
Welsh	Llywelyn Fawr
House	Aberffraw
Father	Iorwerth Drwyndwn
Mother	Marared ferch Madog

Llywelyn the Great (Welsh: Llywelyn Fawr), full name Llywelyn mab Iorwerth), (c. 1173 – 11 April 1240) was a King of Gwynedd in north Wales and eventually ruler of all Wales. By a combination of war and diplomacy he dominated Wales for 45 years.

During Llywelyn's childhood, Gwynedd was ruled by two of his uncles, who split the kingdom between them, following the death of Llywelyn's grandfather, Owain Gwynedd, in 1170. Llywelyn had a strong claim to be the legitimate ruler and began a campaign to win power at an early age. He was sole ruler of Gwynedd by 1200 and made a treaty with King John of England that year. Llywelyn's relations with John remained good for the next ten years. He married John's natural daughter Joan in 1205, and when John arrested Gwenwynwyn ap Owain of Powys in 1208, Llywelyn took the opportunity to annex southern Powys. In 1210, relations deteriorated, and John invaded Gwynedd in 1211. Llywelyn was forced to seek terms and to give up all lands east of the River Conwy, but was able to recover them the following year in alliance with the other Welsh princes. He allied himself with the barons who forced John to sign Magna Carta in 1215. By 1216, he was the dominant power in Wales, holding a council at Aberdyfi that year to apportion lands to the other princes.

Following King John's death, Llywelyn concluded the Treaty of Worcester with his successor, Henry III, in 1218. During the next fifteen years, Llywelyn was frequently involved in fights with Marcher lords and sometimes with the king, but also made alliances with several major powers in the Marches. The Peace of Middle in 1234 marked the end of Llywelyn's military career, as the agreed truce of two years was extended year by year for the remainder of his reign. He maintained his position in Wales until his death in 1240 and was succeeded by his son Dafydd ap Llywelyn.

Images for kids

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  Dolwyddelan Castle was built by Llywelyn; the old castle nearby may have been his birthplace.

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  Seal of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, used on official documents

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  Statue of Llywelyn the Great, Conwy

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  Criccieth is one of a number of castles built by Llywelyn.

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  Wales c. 1217. Yellow: areas directly ruled by Llywelyn; Grey: areas ruled by Llywelyn's client princes; Green: Anglo-Norman lordships.

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  Strata Florida Abbey, the site of the council of 1238