Everything about Gruffydd Ap Rhys Ii totally explained
Gruffydd ap Rhys II (died
25 July 1201) was a prince of
Deheubarth in south-west
Wales.
Lineage
He was the son of
Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys) and grandson of
Gruffydd ap Rhys.
Gruffydd was the eldest son of Rhys ap Gruffydd by his wife Gwenllian, daughter of
Madog ap Maredudd prince of
Powys.
Norman Intermarriage
Rhys intended Gruffydd to be his main heir, and in
1189 he was married to Matilda, daughter of
William de Braose, by whom he'd two sons, Rhys and Owain.
Family Feud
In Rhys' last years a feud developed between Gruffydd and his brother
Maelgwn ap Rhys, both supported by some of their other brothers. In 1189 Rhys was persuaded to imprison Maelgwn, and he was given into Gruffydd's keeping at
Dinefwr. Gruffydd handed him over to his father in law, William de Braose. In
1192 Rhys secured Maelgwn's release, but by now he and Gruffydd were bitter enemies. In
1194 Maelgwn and another brother Hywel defeated their father and imprisoned him, though he was later released by Hywel.
Succession By Interview
Rhys ap Gruffydd died in
1197. Gruffydd was recognised as his successor after an interview with
Archbishop Hubert the
justiciar.
Prisoner of His Brother & the English
But Maelgwn used troops supplied by
Gwenwynwyn ab Owain of Powys to attack
Aberystwyth. He captured the town and the castle, and took Gruffydd himself prisoner, later handing him over to Gwenwynwyn who in turn transferred him to the English who imprisoned him in
Corfe Castle.
Released to Mediate
In
1198 Gwenwynwyn threatened the English holdings at
Painscastle and Elfael, and Gruffydd was released from captivity to try to mediate in the dispute. His efforts failed, and in the ensuing battle Gwenwynwyn was defeated.
Lands Regained
Gruffydd retained his liberty and by the end of the year had captured all of
Ceredigion from Maelgwn except for the castles of
Cardigan and Ystrad Meurig. In
1199 he took
Cilgerran Castle. Maelgwn made an agreement with King
John of England, selling Cardigan castle to him in exchange for the possession of the remainder of Ceredigion.
In July
1201 another brother, Maredudd ap Rhys, was killed, and Gruffydd took over his lands.
Death & Burial
However on 25 July Gruffydd himself died of an illness and was buried in
Strata Florida Abbey.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Gruffydd Ap Rhys Ii'.
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