Rhys ap Gruffudd, Prince of South Wales

See Peter Bartrum, https://cadair.aber.ac.uk/dspace/bitstream/handle/2160/5253/cydifor... (September 27, 2020; Anne Brannen, curator)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhys_ap_Gruffydd ..................................................................................................................................

He was under fourteen in 1136, so was left home when Gwenllian rode out to war, and therefore survived, as his older brothers did not. He became a skilled warrior and diplomat; Henry II made him the justiciar of South Wales in 1172. The title which translates to "The Lord Rhys" was not used in his lifetime, and does not appear in the Brut.

The "greatness" of his rule can in large part be attributed to his ability to not only fight the Anglo-Normans, but make treaties with them, an unusual gift. His agreement with King Henry II (1171), which affirmed his independent status under the Crown, lasted until Henry's death.

In April 1197 Rhys died unexpectedly and was buried in St David's Cathedral. The chronicler of Brut y Tywysogion records for 1197: “ ... there was a great pestilence throughout the island of Britain ... and that tempest killed innumerable people and many of the nobility and many princes, and spared none. That year, four days before May Day, died Rhys ap Gruffydd, Prince of Deheubarth and unconquered head of all Wales." Jones, T., ed. 1941. Brut y Tywysogion: Peniarth MS. 20. University of Wales Press, p. 138.

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The Lord Rhys, in Welsh Yr Arglwydd Rhys

Rhys had at least nine sons and eight daughters.

Three of the sons were named Maredudd

Gruffydd ap Rhys II (died 1201) was the eldest legitimate son. He married Matilda de Braose, the daughter of Maud [or William] de Braose.

Maelgwn ap Rhys (died 1231), who was the eldest son but illegitimate.

Rhys Gryg (died 1233) married a daughter of the Earl of Clare.

Hywel ap Rhys (died 1231) became known as Hywel Sais (Hywel the Saxon, i.e. Englishman).

Maredudd ap Rhys (died 1239) became known as Maredudd Ddall (Maredudd the Blind). He ended his days as a monk at Whitland Abbey.

Another Maredudd (died 1227) became Archdeacon of Cardigan.

Gwenllian ferch Rhys married Rhodri ab Owain, prince of the western part of Gwynedd.

Another Gwenllian (died 1236) married Ednyfed Fychan

Angharad ferch Rhys married William FitzMartin, lord of Cemais.

Other daughters married the Welsh rulers of Gwrtheyrnion and Elfael.

Please see Darrell Wolcott: The Ancestry of Owain Glyndwr; http://www.ancientwalesstudies.org/id200.html. (Steven Ferry, July 7, 2017.)

Please see Darrell Wolcott: Maredudd ap Robert, Lord of Cedewain; http://www.ancientwalesstudies.org/id67.html. (Steven Ferry, May 26,2017.)

Please see Darrell Wolcott: The Other Gwenwynwyn; http://www.ancientwalesstudies.org/id167.html. (Steven Ferry, June 7, 2017.)

Please see Darrell Wolcott: The Floruit of Einion ap Seisyllt; http://www.ancientwalesstudies.org/id48.html. (Steven Ferry, June 9, 2017.)

Please see Darrell Wolcott: The Welsh Ancestry of the Tudor Dynasty; http://www.ancientwalesstudies.org/id217.html. (Steven Ferry, July8, 2017.)

Please see Darrell Wolcott: Gruffudd ap Rhys, the Homeless Prince; http://www.ancientwalesstudies.org/id197.html. (Steven Ferry, July 9, 2017.)

Please see Darrell Wolcott: The Children of Lord Rhys; http://www.ancientwalesstudies.org/id187.html. (Steven Ferry, July 9, 2017.)

Please see Darrell Wolcott: The 'Next Heir' of Morgan of Caerleon; http://www.ancientwalesstudies.org/id214.html. (Steven Ferry, July 13, 2017.)