Llywelyn ein
Llyw Olaf

The last leader of a united and independent Wales.

Born:

13th century

Place of Birth:

Gwynedd

Biography:

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.

After the death of his grandfather Llywelyn Fawr (Great Llywelyn) in 1246, Wales again disintegrated 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 self-styled 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.

Yet all this had been achieved without the opposition of Henry III, king of England. When Edward I came to the throne, he took exception to Llywelyn's unwillingness to ingratiate himself to him and invaded Wales. Llywelyn was forced to give way to the treaty of Aberconwy, and concede all the territory he had gained, bar Gwynedd. On December 11 1282 Llywelyn was killed by a chance encounter with an English lancer, and his head was paraded through the streets of London under King Edward I's command. The place where he died is thought to be Cilmeri, and is marked with a memorial to him.

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Jones Australia
I have also read the books by Sharon Penman, found them a very accurate account of the history of that period, she gave one the opportunity to live in that time, for which I thank her. If we had someone in the world today with the courage, spirit, wisdom, farsightedness and conviction of these 2 Llewelyns, how fortunate we would be.
Mon Feb 5 10:02:19 2007

John Alun Davies, Pontypridd
There are actually two plaques at Cilmeri, one in English and the other in Welsh at the roadside in front of the monument to Llywelyn. His grave is at the ruins of Abbey Cwm Hir where the monks of the abbey buried him. I agree that there should be more information available at both the memorial and his last resting place.
Mon Sep 25 10:31:49 2006

Meli
In the geneaology study made for Henry Tudor to prove he was indeed a noble descendant of Ednyfed Fychan (and the great princes of Wales going back to the "original" Briton Brutus) which I found in an appendix of the history of Wales by Dr. Powell (18th century) there is the line of Henry Tudor's great grandmother that traces back to Llewelyn and Elinor apparently via a daughter called Catrin. Does anyone know if this (or where this) has been contradicted? Henry Tudor's ancestors have been linked to Llewelyn the great via his daughter Angharad and also via a daughter of David ap Gruffydd in this same appendix of the book. You will also find copies of official letters from the Llewelyns in this book.
Sat Apr 1 04:58:31 2006

Gaius Demetrius from Saughall Massie
For anyone interested in Llewelyn the Great, I am a 21 year old novelist and my debut novel, which has just been released is all about Llewelyn the Great. It is called Ascent of an Eagle and I have attempted to make it as historicaly accurate as possible.
Thu Mar 16 10:56:23 2006

Sarah
I'm reding a book about Llewelyn the Great and his life now. It's called Here be dragons and by Sharon Penman and I recommend it to anyone.
Tue Aug 30 08:25:45 2005

sue hold from conwy
Llewelyn Fawr - his statue is situated in the town square in Conwy for any who are interested.
Wed Aug 10 10:33:07 2005

Ivor Evans from Ottawa
Anyone with an interest in Llewelyn, Prince of Wales, should read 'The Brothers of Gwynedd Quartet' by Edith Pargeter (Ellis Peters of 'Brother Cadfael' fame). It is a novel but written with such insight and historic sensibility that you might believe you are reading a history book.
Sun May 29 13:17:23 2005

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