Perfeddwlad facts for kids

Perfeddwlad or Y Berfeddwlad was an old name for a special area in Wales. This land was located between two important rivers: the River Conwy and the River Dee. It included four main areas called cantrefi: Rhos, Rhufoniog, Dyffryn Clwyd and Tegeingl. Because of these four cantrefs, Perfeddwlad was also known as the Four Cantrefs.

Early History of Perfeddwlad

For a long time, this area was known as Tegeingl. This name came from an ancient Celtic tribe called the Deceangli, who lived in North East Wales since the Iron Age. Tegeingl was also the name of the easternmost cantref in the region.

As the Kingdom of Gwynedd grew powerful in North Wales, the area also became known as Gwynedd Is Conwy. This means Gwynedd "below" the Conwy River.

The name Y Berfeddwlad started being used during the High Middle Ages. This was a time when there was a lot of competition between Gwynedd, the Kingdom of Powys, and Anglo-Saxon England (and later the Normans). The name "Perfeddwlad" comes from two Welsh words: "Perfedd" meaning middle or heart, and "gwlad" meaning country. So, Perfeddwlad means heart-land or middle-country. It got this name because it became a central place for many conflicts and battles.

Perfeddwlad in Later Times

After Owain Gwynedd, a powerful Prince of Gwynedd, died, his son Hywel was removed from power. His step-brothers, Rhodri, Maelgwn, and Dafydd, took over. They ruled together for a short time. Soon, the brothers argued, and Maelgwn had to leave. Dafydd and Rhodri then split Gwynedd between them. Dafydd received Angelsey and the Perfeddwlad.

In 1194, Llywelyn Fawr became a very important leader. He was a grandson of Owain Gwynedd. Llywelyn defeated Dafydd in the Battle of Aberconwy and took control of the Perfeddwlad. When Rhodri died the next year, another grandson of Owain Gwynedd, Gruffudd, took over the rest of Gwynedd. When Gruffudd died in 1200, Llywelyn inherited these lands too. This made Llywelyn a very powerful ruler in Wales.

Conflicts and Treaties

Llywelyn Fawr expanded his power by fighting against other lords like Reginald de Braose and William Marshal. He also fought against Powys Wenwynwyn. This led to him becoming the dominant ruler in Wales.

After Llywelyn Fawr died, his son Dafydd became prince. However, Llywelyn's brother-in-law, King Henry III of England, invaded the Perfeddwlad. He wanted to force Dafydd to agree to the Treaty of Gwerneigron. This treaty limited Dafydd's power to only Gwynedd. To make sure Dafydd followed the rules, King Henry took Dafydd's older brother, Gruffydd, as a hostage. In Welsh law, even sons born outside of marriage could inherit, so Gruffydd's freedom was a threat to Dafydd.

A few years later, Gruffydd died by accident while trying to escape. After this, Dafydd formed an alliance against his uncle, King Henry. This led to an English invasion in 1245. Dafydd died the next year without children. Gruffydd's sons continued the war until 1247. They made peace with the King in the Treaty of Woodstock. This treaty gave the Perfeddwlad to King Henry, who then gave it to his own son, Edward. The rest of Gwynedd was divided between Gruffydd's two adult sons, Llywelyn and Owain.

Llywelyn's Return and the Prince of Wales

After ten years, the people of Perfeddwlad felt that Edward was not listening to their complaints. They asked Llywelyn ap Gruffudd for help. Llywelyn was also unhappy because King Henry had promised to divide Gwynedd again when Llywelyn's younger brother, Dafydd, grew up.

So, in late 1256, Llywelyn invaded and captured the Perfeddwlad. The English army faced problems with their supplies and suffered several defeats. They had to stop their campaign to deal with serious conflicts between the King and his barons in England, known as the Second Barons' War.

By 1269, the King's power was weaker, and Llywelyn had gained more land. This led to the Treaty of Montgomery. In this treaty, King Henry recognized Llywelyn's control over the Perfeddwlad. He also recognized Llywelyn's power over the rest of Wales. Llywelyn was officially acknowledged as the Prince of Wales.

End of Welsh Independence

However, trouble arose when Llywelyn married Eleanor de Montfort in 1275. She was the daughter of King Henry's greatest enemy. Edward, who was now King of England, demanded that Llywelyn explain himself in person. Llywelyn refused to go, saying he would not be safe.

So, in 1277, Edward declared Llywelyn a rebel. He attacked Gwynedd with a huge army, planning to remove Llywelyn from power completely. Edward quickly captured the Perfeddwlad and Angelsey. These areas provided much of the food for Llywelyn's soldiers. Llywelyn then sought a peace agreement, which resulted in the Treaty of Aberconwy:

• The Perfeddwlad was divided between King Edward and Llywelyn's brother, Dafydd. Dafydd had sided with Edward in the conflict.
• Llywelyn was allowed to rule the remaining part of Gwynedd, and Angelsey was given back to him.
• The title Prince of Wales became just a name. It no longer gave Llywelyn any real authority over other Welsh rulers. All other Welsh rulers were freed from their duties to Llywelyn.

King Edward kept the coastal cantrefs of the Perfeddwlad. Dafydd received Rhufoniog and Dyffryn Clwyd.

By the end of 1281, the Welsh princes who had supported Edward became unhappy. In early 1282, Dafydd attacked the English castles of Hawarden and Rhuddlan. These castles had been built to strengthen Edward's control of the coastal Perfeddwlad. This attack started other anti-English uprisings across Wales. Llywelyn decided to support his brother.

King Edward reacted very strongly. The revolt was crushed. Llywelyn was killed in battle. Dafydd was captured, put on trial by Edward's parliament, and severely punished. Gwynedd was abolished, and its important items were taken to Westminster. Dafydd's sons were imprisoned for life.

New English Lordships

After these events, the Statute of Rhuddlan was passed in 1284. This law changed how the Perfeddwlad was organized:

• Rhos and Rhufoniog were combined to form the new lordship of Denbigh. This was given to Henry de Lacy, earl of Lincoln.
• Dyffryn Clwyd became the lordship of Ruthin. This was given to Reginald de Grey.
• Tegeingl became the lordship of Englefield. This area became the main part of the new county of Flint. It was controlled by the palatinate of Chester. Tegeingl had only been Welsh for a short time before this, as it was part of Cheshire before the late 13th century.

Images for kids

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  A map showing the area known as Perfeddwlad.