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Biographies

Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, c. 1010 – 5 August 1063

Gruffudd ap Llywelyn was the only Welsh king to unite all of Wales, from 1055 to 1063. He was relentlessly warlike, and could be ruthless. By 1039, he was ruler of Gwynedd and Powys, killing Iago ap Idwal. He contended for the throne of Deheubarth, finally taking control in 1055 after killing his rival. Within a couple more years he had seized Morgannwg, driving out its ruler and by so doing, ruled all of Wales.

Gruffudd’s ambition brought him into both alliance and conflict with the English. He surprised a Mercian army at Rhyd y Groes near Welshpool and defeated it in 1039. But In 1045, he allied with Earl Swein, son of Godwine, to dislodge Gruffudd’s rivals in the South, and in 1055 allied with Ælfgar, son of Leofric, earl of Mercia and took war into England, forcing King Edward to make a deal – Gruffudd exchanged giving fealty to the King, in return for recognition of all his possessions. The writer of the ancient chronicle the Brut praised him as ‘the head and shield of the Britons’.

But in the end he paid the price for his influence and significance to English politics, when in 1063, a surprise attack was launched  by Earls Harold and Tostig was killed.

Why vote for Gruffudd ap Llywelyn?

• The only king to unite all of Wales
• Made substantial territorial gains from the English, and he held greater influence in English affairs than any other Welsh ruler of the 11^th century

Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys), 1132 –1197

Rhy was the ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth in south Wales from 1155 to 1197. After i9nitially being involved in a revolt against Henry II, he took a new approach to establish his power and influence; after 1171 he made his peace with Henry II. Over time Henry recognised Rhys’ power and authority, and created him Justiciar of South Wales.

Meanwhile, we was determined to halt the Noman advance in the south and Dyfed, taking Ceredigion from the Clare family as they were distracted in Ireland. After Henry’s death, he rebelled against Richard I and maintained his independence.

Despite periodic conflict, Rhys was very much part of an integrated Norman Welsh elite society, mixing easily with Norman Marcher lords as well as Welsh elites.

Rhys had a rich cultural influence too; he supported the introduction of the Cistercians into Wales, and with Gerald of Wales made a bid to create an Archbishop for Wales, away from the influence of Canterbury. Historian John Davies believes that these actions created a growing clarity and acceptance of Wales as different and distinct to the rest of Britain. Rhys’ reign saw the work of the poet prince Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd, who used the word Cymro rather than Brython,  a Welsh nation rather than Brythonic Prydein.

And finally, it is in Rhys’ reign that the very first Eisteddfod was recorded in 1176. Although its roots may lie much earlier Rhys at very least encouraged a tradition that remains an important place in Welsh culture.

Why vote for Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys)?

• Extended the power of and territory of Deheubarth as part of an integrated Anglo Welsh political nation
• A strong cultural heritage in religion, poetry and music which encouraged a clarity of Wales as a place apart

Owain ap Gruffydd  (Owain Glyndŵr) 28 May 1354 – 20 September 1415

Owain Glyndŵr was a new generation of Welsh leader. Having lived and studied in England, he was intimately connected with the ways of English law and politics. A legal dispute with a neighbour, who was of a Marcher lordship family, led to Owain rising in revolt. He quickly gained support, and expanded an independent Wales to cover nearly all of modern Wales. He held parliaments and established the trappings of what was then a modern state. He sent ambassadors to France, and indeed persuaded the King of France to send French troops to assist the battle for independence in Wales.

Ultimately, he could not sustain the momentum, and the tide of battle went to the English crown. He lost the lands he had taken, and after a period of guerilla fighting, was reported to have been killed, although he may have been given shelter by relatives and lived out his life in peace.

Why vote for Owain Glyndŵr?

• His military genius took him from a small local landowner to ruler of a country very quickly, inspiring great loyalty from his followers and supporters
• He offered a genuine prospect of Wales building a modern, independent state.