Seisyll ap Dyfnwal facts for kids
Seisyll ap Dyfnwal was a Welsh leader in the 1100s. He was a powerful figure in a part of Wales called Gwent Uwchcoed, which means Upper Gwent.
Seisyll's Family and Home
Seisyll's father was Dyfnwal ap Caradog. His mother might have been Joyce, daughter of Hamelin de Balun. Seisyll was also related by marriage to Rhys ap Gruffydd, a very important Welsh ruler known as 'the Lord Rhys'.
Seisyll owned land in what is now Monmouthshire. This area was once part of the old Welsh Kingdom of Gwent. His main home was Castell Arnallt. This was a strong castle built on a mound, a bit like a small hill, with a fenced area around it. It was located near the River Usk, close to Abergavenny. Today, only a mound remains where the castle once stood.
The Christmas Betrayal
Seisyll ap Dyfnwal is sadly remembered because he was tricked and killed by a powerful Norman lord named William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber. This happened around Christmas Day in 1175 at Abergavenny Castle.
William de Braose invited Seisyll and other Welsh leaders to Abergavenny Castle for Christmas. He said they could talk about their problems and plan for peace after a time of fighting. Some Welsh leaders did not trust de Braose and stayed away. But Seisyll went, along with his oldest son, Geoffrey. Most other leaders also attended, believing de Braose wanted peace. They even left their weapons outside the castle. Once inside, they were attacked and killed by de Braose's armed men.
After this terrible event, de Braose and his men rode to Seisyll's home. There, they found and killed his younger son, Cadwalladr, who was only seven years old. They also took Seisyll's wife, but what happened to her after that is not clear.
Why It Happened
William de Braose did this to get revenge for his uncle, Henry FitzMiles. His uncle had been killed by Welsh fighters earlier that year. It was not known exactly who killed him, but Seisyll was suspected. De Braose wanted to remove all the strong Welsh leaders in the area. He hoped this would make the region weaker and give him more power.
This event caused a lot of anger and distrust between the Welsh and the Normans for many years.
What Happened Next
The de Braose family became known for being dishonest after this. People hated and feared them. William de Braose himself was called the 'Ogre of Abergavenny' because of his cruel actions.
Seisyll's death was avenged in 1182 by Hywel ap Iorwerth, another Welsh lord. During this time, the sheriff of Hereford was killed, and Abergavenny Castle was attacked. Later, William de Braose's own son lost the king's favor and died in another country. William's wife and son might have even been starved to death while held prisoner in castles in 1210.
