Dafydd ap Llywelyn

Dafydd ap Llywelyn was the King of Gwynedd from 1240 to 1246. Gwynedd is a region in North Wales. His reign was a period of intense political struggle and military conflict. He spent much of his life trying to protect his right to rule. This was difficult because of both family rivalries and pressure from England.

Dafydd was born around 1212 at Castell Hen Blas in Flintshire. He was the son of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, known as Llywelyn the Great. His mother was Joan, the Lady of Wales. Joan was the daughter of King John of England. Because of his royal connections, Dafydd had a very high status. However, his path to the throne was not simple. Under Welsh law, his older half-brother Gruffydd had a claim to succeed their father. To prevent this, Llywelyn the Great took several steps. He had King Henry III of England recognize Dafydd as his heir in 1220. He also sought help from the religious leader, Pope Honorius III. The Pope declared Dafydd's mother legitimate to strengthen his legal claim.

As Dafydd grew older, he took on more responsibility. In 1237, Llywelyn suffered a paralytic stroke. This medical event meant Dafydd began to manage government affairs more often. He also lost his mother that same year. Her death meant he lost a major political supporter. Despite this, he kept the support of Ednyfed Fychan. Ednyfed was the Seneschal of Gwynedd. This role gave him great political influence in the region.

Conflict with the English crown defined much of Dafydd's rule. When he officially became king in 1240, King Henry III did not want him to keep all his father's lands. Henry wanted to limit the power of the Welsh rulers. In August 1241, Henry III invaded Gwynedd. This military campaign forced Dafydd to submit to the English King. They signed the Treaty of Gwerneigron to end the fighting. This treaty was very harsh for Dafydd. He had to give up all lands located outside of Gwynedd. He also had to hand over his brother Gruffydd to the King. Gruffydd was kept in the Tower of London. In March 1244, Gruffydd died while trying to escape the tower by climbing down a knotted sheet.

With his brother gone, Dafydd felt more free to act. He formed alliances with other Welsh princes. Together, they attacked English-held territories in Wales. Dafydd saw several military successes in the north. By March 1245, his forces recovered the castle of Mold. They also took back lands in what is now Flintshire. It is also believed his men took the castle of Dyserth in the summer of 1245.

The fighting intensified again in August 1245. King Henry III led another invasion into Gwynedd. The English army moved as far as the River Conwy. They even began building a new castle at Deganwy. During this time, Dafydd used diplomacy to seek support from Pope Innocent IV. The Pope eventually recognized Dafydd's right to rule North Wales. However, the English King worked to reverse this decision. Intense fighting continued at Deganwy castle. The English army eventually ran low on food because the Welsh captured their supplies. A truce was signed in the autumn of 1245, and the English army withdrew.

The war ended unexpectedly due to a sudden death. Dafydd died in February 1246 at the royal home in Abergwyngregyn. He was buried at Aberconwy Abbey alongside his father. A writer of the time called him "tarian Cymru," which means the shield of Wales. A poet named Dafydd Benfras also wrote an elegy, or a poem for the dead, to honor him.

Dafydd's death left a gap in leadership. He had married Isabella de Braose, but they had no surviving children. This meant he had no direct heir to take his place. Because of this, the two sons of his brother Gruffydd took control. These were Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and Owain Goch ap Gruffydd. They divided the rule of Gwynedd between them. They continued to fight against King Henry III until April 1247. Eventually, they had to meet the King at Woodstock to make peace. This peace came at the cost of losing even more territory. Llywelyn and Owain ruled jointly until 1255, when Llywelyn won a battle against his cousin at Bryn Derwin.