Rhys ap Gruffydd
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Rhys ap Gruffydd (1132–28 April 1197) was the ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth (South Wales) from 1155 until his death. Rhys was one of the more successful and powerful Welsh princes, but even he was forced to acknowledge English supremacy, and did so by accepting the title of "Lord" rather than "Prince" or "King", becoming The Lord Rhys (in Welsh, "Yr Arglwydd Rhys").
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Early life
Rhys was the second son of Gruffydd ap Rhys, prince of Deheubarth, and Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, a sister of Owain Gwynedd. He was probably born in Ireland. Both his parents died when he was around four years old, Gwenllian as a result of leading her husband's army into battle in his absence in 1136, Gruffydd himself on his return. His elder brother was Maredudd ap Gruffydd, and there were two younger brothers, Morgan and Maelgwn. He also had two older half-brothers, Anarawd and Cadell, and at least two sisters, Gwladus and Nest.
The leadership of the family was now taken up by Rhys' half-brother Anarawd ap Gruffydd. In 1143, when Rhys was eleven, Anarawd was slain by treachery by Cadwaladr ap Gruffydd, brother of Owain Gwynedd. king of Gwynedd. Owain punished Cadwaladr by depriving him of his lands in Ceredigion.
First battles
Anarawd's brother Cadell ap Gruffydd now took over as head of the family. In 1146 Rhys is recorded fighting alongside his brothers Cadell and Maredudd in the capture by assault of Llansteffan Castle, followed by further attacks on the Normans in south Wales and the recapture of Ceredigion from Gwynedd in 1153.
In 1151 Cadell had suffered injuries which left him unable to play an active role, and in 1153 he left on a pilgrimage to Rome. Maredudd took over as ruler of Deheubarth, but he died in 1155 leaving Rhys as sole ruler.
Early reign
About this time Rhys came under pressure from Owain Gwynedd, who was seeking to take Ceredigion back. In response Rhys built Aberdyfi Castle. As ruler, he proceeded to challenge the new king of England, Henry II (reigned 1154–1189). Having successfully held out against Henry for a year or two, Rhys was forced to ask for terms and met the king in 1158. Rhys was stripped of Ceredigion and other territories which were returned to their previous Norman lords.
In 1162, Rhys took advantage of Henry's absence in Normandy to attempt to recover some of his lost lands, and captured Llandovery castle. The following year Henry II led an invasion of Deheubarth. Rhys was obliged to surrender and was forced to give hostages before being taken to England as a prisoner.
After a short period Henry decided to free Rhys and return part of his territorry, the Cantref Mawr. Rhys was summoned to appear before Henry at Woodstock to do homage together with Owain Gwynedd and Malcolm, king of Scotland. However in 1164 all the Welsh princes united in an uprising, leading to an invasion of Wales by King Henry in 1165. The invasion failed, and Henry vented his spleen on the hostages, having Rhys' son Maredudd blinded. Rhys captured and burned Cardigan Castle and reclaimed Ceredigion.
In 1167 he joined Owain Gwynedd in an attack on Owain Cyfeiliog of southern Powys and in 1168 attacked the Normans at Builth, destroying its castle. After the death of Owain Gwynedd in 1170 Rhys was the acknowledged leader of the Welsh princes and called himself "Prince of South Wales".
Peace with King Henry
In 1171 Rhys met Henry II at Newnham and came to an agreement with him. Rhys had to pay a tribute but was confirmed in all his conquests. When Henry's sons rebelled against him in 1173 Rhys sent his son Hywel to aid the king, then in 1174 personally led an army to Staffordshire to help extinguish the rebellion. Rhys was named Justiciar of South Wales, and although there were problems with the Marcher lords, relations with Henry remained good.
Rhys held a festival of poetry and song at his court at Cardigan over Christmas 1176 which is generally regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod. This festival was announced a year in advance throughout Wales and in England, Scotland, Ireland and possibly France. Two chairs were awarded as prizes, one for the best poem and the other for the best musical performance.
Later reign and death
Rhys maintained good relations with king Henry until the latter's death in 1189.Following Henry's death Rhys was again active, revolting against Richard I and attacking the Norman lords surrounding his territory, capturing the castles of St. Clear's, Laugharne and Llansteffan. In his later years Rhys had trouble keeping control of his sons, particularly Maelgwn and Gruffydd, who maintained a feud with each other. In 1194 Rhys was defeated in battle by Maelgwn and Hywel, who imprisoned him in Nevern castle, though Hywel later released his father.
Rhys launched his last campaign against the Normans in 1196 in an attack which led to the capture of a number of castles, including Carmarthen, Radnor and Painscastle. The following year Rhys died unexpectedly and was buried in the St David's Cathedral.
Rhys had nominated his son Gruffydd ap Rhys as his successor, but Maelgwn, who was the eldest son but illegitimate, refused to accept this and a bitter feud developed between the two, with several of Rhys' other sons becoming involved. Deheubarth was split between several of Rhys' sons and was never again to be as powerful as it was under Rhys.
His daughter Gwenllian married Ednyfed Fychan, seneschal of Gwynedd, and through her Rhys became an ancestor of the Tudor dynasty.
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