Rhys ap Gruffudd, Prince of Deheubarth c.1132 – 1197

Family and background

Rhys ap Gruffudd came from two of the most important families in medieval Wales.

His father was Gruffydd ap Rhys.

The Normans took control of Deheubarth in 1093. Gruffydd ap Rhys believed he had the right to reclaim and rule the kingdom, as his father had done before him. He fought against Norman rule and worked to recover his family's land. Although he only regained part of Deheubarth, he kept his family's claim to the kingdom alive.

Rhys's mother was Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd ap Cynan.

As a princess of the house of Gwynedd, Gwenllian brought very important connections to the family. She actively supported the Welsh resistance to Norman rule and was killed leading forces against the Normans at Kidwelly in 1136.

Rhys ap Gruffudd was linked to both the rulers of Deheubarth through his father and to the powerful royal house of Gwynedd through his mother. These connections strengthened his status as a leader among the Welsh people and other Welsh princes.

Rhys’s relationship with his brothers was also important. After his father’s death, the responsibility for defending their lands and regaining the rest of Deheubarth from the Normans, fell to each of Rhys’s older brothers in turn. Their military successes created the foundation on which Rhys later built his rule.

• Anarawd led early campaigns to recover Deheubarth but was killed in 1143, depriving the family of an important leader.
• Cadell won back more territory by leading successful military campaigns against the Normans. He also mentored and helped Rhys when he was young.
• Maredudd continued the family's successes after Cadell was badly injured. He ruled Deheubarth until 1155.

Rhys became ruler of Deheubarth in 1155 after the death of his brother Maredudd. He inherited a kingdom that had been largely rebuilt by his brothers' campaigns against the Normans.

Rhys ap Gruffudd’s marriage

Rhys married Gwenllian ferch Madog ap Maredudd, daughter of the Prince of Powys. This created an important political connection and increased his importance among the Welsh princes. The marriage linked the ruling families of the Deheubarth, Gwynedd and Powys, strengthening Rhys's position as one of the leading rulers in Wales. Rhys and Gwenllian had many children, which helped to secure his dynasty.

Warfare was common and important in Wales in the 12th century. Rhys ap Gruffudd was involved in conflict both before and after he became leader of Deheubarth in 1155.

Importance of warfare to regain Deheubarth

Deheubarth was one of the major Welsh kingdoms, covering much of south-west Wales, including Dyfed, Ceredigion, and the Tywi Valley.

Rhys ap Tewdwr, King of Deheubarth, died fighting the Normans in 1093. Following his death:

• Norman lords occupied large areas of Deheubarth
• castles were built in important locations such as Cardigan and Pembroke to secure Norman control
• much of Deheubarth was divided among Norman lords, reducing Welsh rule to a few areas

In 1116, Gruffydd ap Rhys, the son of Rhys ap Tewdwr, returned from exile and tried to recover his father's kingdom of Deheubarth. He gained support from other Welsh rulers, including the princes of Gwynedd, who launched attacks against the Normans. However, Gruffydd was unable to end Norman control completely. Although his campaign had limited success, it kept alive the goal of restoring Deheubarth.

A more successful attempt took place in 1136. Welsh forces led by Gruffydd ap Rhys and the princes of Gwynedd won the Battle of Crug Mawr. This victory allowed the Welsh to regain large areas of territory and halted Norman expansion in west Wales.

Fighting between the Welsh and the Normans continued after 1136. Gruffydd ap Rhys's sons, Anarawd, Cadell, Maredudd, and later Rhys ap Gruffudd, led further military campaigns to resist Norman control and strengthen Welsh rule in Deheubarth.

Relations with Gwynedd

At times, rulers of Deheubarth and Gwynedd worked together against the Normans, such as in the Battle of Crug Mawr in 1136. However, rulers of Deheubarth often faced competition from the rulers of Gwynedd, which was the most powerful Welsh kingdom. Rivalry over control of Ceredigion was a major cause of conflict between Deheubarth and Gwynedd.

• In 1137 and 1143, Owain Gwynedd, the leader of Gwynedd, destroyed Carmarthen Castle. In 1146 Rhys and his brother, Cadell, captured Carmarthen Castle.
• In 1153, Rhys and his brother, Maredudd, had successfully regained control of Ceredigion from Gwynedd.

Conflict with England

• In 1154, Henry II became King of England.
• In 1158, Henry led a campaign into Wales to strengthen English control and reduce the power of Rhys ap Gruffudd.

At first, Rhys accepted Henry's authority and swore loyalty to him. In return, he was allowed to keep some of his lands, but he also lost territory. When Henry failed to protect him from attacks by Norman lords, conflict broke out again.

• 1159-1163: Rhys attacked Norman-held lands and regained some territory.
• 1163: Henry invaded Deheubarth and forced Rhys to submit once more. He also took hostages, including Rhys's son Maredudd.
• 1164: Rhys joined other Welsh princes in a major rebellion against Henry II.
• 1165: Rhys and Owain Gwynedd successfully resisted Henry's invasion of Wales.
• After Henry's defeat, Rhys regained Ceredigion and other lands.
• Following the death of Owain Gwynedd in 1170, Rhys became the most powerful Welsh ruler in Wales.

The relationship between Rhys ap Gruffudd and Henry II improved after 1171. Rhys swore loyalty to Henry, while Henry wanted peace and stability in Wales and had other matters to deal with elsewhere in his kingdom.

As the most powerful Welsh ruler, Rhys helped maintain order in Wales. In 1172, Henry appointed him Justiciar of South Wales, meaning that Rhys acted on the king's behalf in the region. He was responsible for keeping peace and enforcing the king's authority. This appointment recognised Rhys as the leading ruler in south Wales.

Rhys also attended royal councils at Gloucester and Oxford, showing that he was trusted by Henry II and played an important role in the government of the kingdom.

Castle building

From 1171, Rhys rebuilt and strengthened Cardigan Castle using stone. This became the centre of his government, although Dinefwr Castle was his ancestral home. Rhys also rebuilt other castles to try to defend Deheubarth from Marcher lords.

In 1176, Rhys held what many consider as the first Eisteddfod in Cardigan Castle. Poets and musicians were invited to take part for prizes. Many argue that it showed that Rhys was a leader of Welsh culture and learning. This began the tradition that developed into the National Eisteddfod.

Religion in Wales

Religion played an important role in Rhys ap Gruffudd's rule. By supporting the Church, he strengthened his authority as ruler of Deheubarth and enhanced his reputation as a supporter of religion and learning.

Rhys was a major supporter of Strata Florida Abbey.

• He gave the abbey land, money, and protection.
• Strata Florida became an important centre of Welsh religion and learning.
• The abbey became the burial place of Rhys and his family.

In 1188, Rhys welcomed Gerald of Wales and Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, to Cardigan Castle during their tour to recruit support for the Third Crusade. Although Rhys supported their efforts, he did not go on crusade himself.

Conflict with King Richard I

After Henry II died in 1189, his son Richard I became King of England. Relations between Rhys ap Gruffudd and the new king soon became strained.

• Rhys began attacking lands held by the Marcher lords along the borders of Deheubarth. He launched attacks on Norman-controlled areas such as Pembroke, Haverfordwest, and Gower, and captured the castles of St Clears, Laugharne, and Llansteffan.
• Hoping to maintain peace, Richard sent his brother John to negotiate with Rhys. It was agreed that Rhys and Richard would meet at Oxford, but the meeting never took place.
• Richard's failure to meet Rhys was seen as an insult and damaged relations between the two rulers.
• In December 1189, Richard left on the Third Crusade, leaving a regency council to govern England in his absence.
• With the king overseas, Rhys renewed his attacks on Marcher lands and captured Nevern Castle in 1191.

These events marked a return to conflict between Rhys and the English crown after many years of cooperation with Henry II.

Rhys’s final campaign

Rhys’s final campaign in 1196 was highly successful, resulting in the capture of the castles at Carmarthen, Colwyn and Radnor, and the defeat of the army led by Roger de Mortimer and Hugh de Say at Radnor.

• Rhys took control of Carmarthen Castle and burned the town, attacking an important Norman centre in south-west Wales.
• The castle at Colwyn surrendered to Rhys and was destroyed.
• Rhys advanced into the Welsh Marches and captured Radnor, extending his influence close to the English border.
• After the capture of Radnor, the Marcher lords Roger de Mortimer and Hugh de Say attempted to challenge Rhys's army. Rhys quickly gathered his forces, defeated them, and forced their army to retreat.

Rhys was successful because the English were busy fighting elsewhere, giving him the chance to attack Norman castles. He also used effective military tactics, including siegesto capture enemy strongholds.

This final campaign was the high point of Rhys's power. By capturing important castles and defeating powerful Marcher Lords, he strengthened Welsh control and weakened Norman influence. It was his last major success, before his death in 1197.

Rhys’s death and legacy

In his later years, Rhys ap Gruffudd faced serious problems within his own family. He had several sons, some from his marriage to Gwenllian, and others born to his mistresses.

Rhys had an especially difficult relationship with his son Maelgwn. There were also many disagreements over who would succeed him.

• In 1189, Rhys and his eldest son Gruffudd imprisoned Maelgwn because of his behaviour and ambitions.
• After being released, Maelgwn joined his brother Hywel Sais in a rebellion against their father, Rhys in 1194.
• In 1194 Maelgwn and Hywel Sais imprisoned Rhys, but soon released him.
• In 1195, Rhys imprisoned two other sons, Rhys Gryg and Maredudd. They had taken control of Dinefwr Castle, challenging their father's power.

Rhys ap Gruffudd died in April 1197. The exact cause of his death is unknown, although some historians believe he may have died from an infectious disease. Although he died while excommunicated, meaning he was officially excluded from the church, he performed penance before his death. After his death, his body was scourged which allowed him to be buried at St David's, one of the most important religious sites in Wales.

His death created a power struggle among his sons, who fought over control of Deheubarth. Rhys had chosen Gruffudd ap Rhys as his successor, but his other son Maelgwn ap Rhys challenged this decision. This led to conflict and division within the kingdom. The conflict weakened Deheubarth and reduced its ability to resist outside pressure. As a result, Deheubarth gradually lost its independence and came under the influence and protection of the rulers of Gwynedd.