Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf
The last leader of a united and independent Wales
- Born:
-
13th Century
- Place of Birth:
- Gwynedd
- Biography:
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Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, or Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf (Llywelyn Our Last Leader) is regarded as being one of the last leaders of Wales as a unified nation.
His grandfather Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the Great) had also been a powerful leader, drawing together the various regions of Wales under one leader. But after his death in 1246, Wales again fell apart as a united nation and fell under English control.
In 1255, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd was declared ruler of Gwynedd and by 1258 the Assembly of Welsh Magnates pledged allegiance to him as the Prince of Wales. He set up the rudiments of a civil service and revenue-raising system, which paid for the upkeep of his Welsh army.
All this had been achieved without the opposition of Henry III, King of England. Under the Treaty of Montgomery, he even recognised Llywelyn's claim to call himself the leader of Wales. It was all change, however, when Edward I came to the throne. The new King took exception to Llywelyn's unwillingness to ingratiate himself with the English court.
Defiance at Dolforwyn
Even though Llywelyn's stronghold was in Gwynedd, he also had bases in Powys - in particular, at Dolforwyn near the town of Montgomery, a castle which he started building in 1273. It was seen by Edward I as a further sign of defiance from the Welsh Prince.
In 1276-77, the new king amassed a huge army at Chester. Llywelyn had no choice but to concede the territory he had gain and retreat to Gwynedd, under the Treaty of Aberconwy. But the story didn't end there.
Relations with Edward 1 came to a head again in March 1282 when Llywelyn's brother Dafydd attacked Hawarden Castle. Llywelyn sided with his brother and led the Welsh rebellion against Edward 1, with several fierce battles between the two sides.
On 11 December 1282, Llywelyn had led a 7,000 strong army to an area near Builth Wells. Somehow, it seems he and a small band of men separated from the rest.
At the small village of Cilmeri, they ran into a chance encounter with English forces and Llywelyn was killed. Only then, it is said, did Edward's soldiers realise who he was.
Llywelyn's head was sent as a present to the King where it was paraded through the streets of London before being left to rot on the railings of the Tower of London.
His body is thought to have been buried at Cwm Hir Abbey near Rhayader. Little remains of the abbey today but Cadw have been carrying out conservation work to preserve the ruins and a plaque marks the spot where the Last Welsh Prince was slain. - Read more about Builth Wells in our town guide.
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