- Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd
Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd (Gwenllian, daughter of Gruffydd) (b.c. 1097, d. 1136) was Princess-consort of Deheubarth in Wales, and the daughter of
Gruffydd ap Cynan (1055-1137),prince of Gwynedd , and a member of the princelyAberffraw family of Gwynedd. Gwenllain was the sister of prince Owain I of Gwynedd (d.1170). Gwenllian's "patriotic revolt" and subsequent death in battle at Kidwelly Castle contributed to the Great Revolt of 1136.There are several notable artistic depictions of Gwenllian. However, she is often confused with Gwenllian ferch Llywelyn, who lived two centuries later.
Early life
Gwenllian was the youngest daughter of Gwynedd's prince
Gruffydd ap Cynan and his wife Angharad. She was born in 1097 on Ynys Môn at thefamily seat atAberffraw , and was the youngest of eight children; four older sisters, Mared, Rhiannell, Susanna, and Annest, and three older brothers, Cadwallon, Owain and Cadwaladr. Gwenllian grew to be strikingly beautiful, and after Gruffydd ap Rhys, the prince ofDeheubarth , ventured toGwynedd around 1113 to meet with her father, she and Deheubarth's prince became romantically involved and eloped.Warner, Philip, "Famous Welsh Battles", pg 79, 1997, Barnes and Noble, INC.]Gwenllian joined her husband at his family seat of Dinefwr in Deheubarth. However, Deheubarth was struggeling against the Norman invasion in south Wales, with Norman, English, and Flemish colonists in footholds through-out the country. While the conflict between the Normans and the Welsh continued, the princely family were often displaced, with Gwenllian joining her husband in mountainous and forested strongholds. From here, she and Gruffydd ap Rhys led retalitory strikes against Norman-held positions in Deheubarth.
The Great Revolt 1136
"See also "
By 1136 an opportunity arose for the Welsh to recover lands lost to the Marcher lords when Stephen de Blois displaced his cousin
Empress Matilda from succeeding her father to the English throne the prior year, sparkingthe Anarchy in England.Lloyd, J.E. "A History of Wales; From the Norman Invasion to the Edwardian Conquest", Barnes & Noble Publishing, Inc. 2004, "Great Revolt", "beginings" "Gwenllian" pg 80, "taking Ceredigion, restores Welsh monks, Battle of Crug Mawr", 82-85] Davies, John, "A History of Wales", Penguin, 1994, "the Anarchy, Norman vunerablity in Wales, extends borders, Owestry annexted, capture of Ruddlan, Ystrad Alun, Ial, Tegeingle," 124 ] The usurption and conflict it caused eroded central authority in England. The revolt began in south Wales, asHywel ap Maredudd , lord ofBrycheiniog ("Brecknockshire "), gathered his men and marched to theGower , defeating the Norman and Englishcolonists there. Inspired by Hywel of Brycheiniog's success,Gruffydd ap Rhys hastened to meet with Gruffydd I of Gwynedd, his father-in-law, to enlist his aid in the revolt.While her husband was in Gwynedd seeking an alliance with her father against the Normans,
Maurice of London and other Normans led raids against Deheubarth's Welsh, and Gwenllian was compelled to raise an army for their defense. In a battle fought nearKidwelly Castle , Gwenllian's army was routed, and she was captured and beheaded by the Normans. In the battle her son Morgan was also slain and another Maelgwen captured and executed.Though defeated, her 'patriotic revolt' inspired others in south Wales to rise. The Welsh of Gwent, led by
Iowerth ab Owain (grandson ofCaradog ap Gruffydd , Gwent's Welsh ruler displaced by the Norman invasions), ambushed and slewRichard Fitz Gilbert , the Norman lord who controlledCeredigion .When word reached Gwynedd of Gwenllain's death and the revolt in Gwent, Gwenllian's brothers Owain and Cadwaladr invaded Norman controlled Ceredigon, taking
Llanfihangel ,Aberystwyth , andLlanbadarn .Gwenllian's legacy
Gwenllian's actions can be compared to another Celtic leader:
Boadicea orBuddug . This is the only known example of a medieval age woman leading a Welsh army into battle. The field where the battle is believed to have taken place, close toKidwelly Castle and north of the town, is known as "Maes Gwenllian" (Welsh: Field of Gwenllian) . A spring in the field is also named after her, supposedly welling up on the spot where she was beheaded.For centuries after her death, Welshmen cried-out "Revenge for Gwenllian" when engaging in battle. Additionally, Gwenllian and her husband harassed Norman, English, and Flemish colonists in Deheubarth, taking goods and money and redistributed them among the Deheubarth Welsh who were themselves dispossessed by those colonizers, as a pair of "
Robin Hood s of Wales", wrote historin and author Philip WarnerGwenllian's youngest son went on to become a notable leader,
The Lord Rhys .ources
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