List of rulers in Wales explained

This is a list of rulers in Wales (Welsh: Cymru; and neighbouring regions) during the Middle Ages, between . The rulers were monarchs who ruled their respective realms, as well as those who briefly ruled the Principality of Wales. These former territories are now within the boundaries of modern-day Wales and the neighbouring Welsh Marches in England (both in the United Kingdom).

Before the Conquest of Wales, completed in 1283, Wales consisted of several independent realms, the most important being Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth (originally Ceredigion, Seisyllwg and Dyfed) and Morgannwg (Glywysing and Gwent). Boundary changes and the custom of dividing patrimonies between heirs meant that few princes ever came close to ruling the whole of Wales.

The names of those known to have ruled over one or more areas are listed below. Boundaries changed frequently. The only person known to have ruled all of Wales as a modern territory was Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1010–1063), a Prince of Gwynedd who became King of Wales from 1055 to 1063. However, some Welsh Princes sporadically claimed the medieval title of "Prince of Wales" between the 13th to 15th centuries. The title remains in use but is usually given to heir apparents of English and British monarchs.

History of the medieval kingdoms in Wales

Wales during the medieval age was a land of kingdoms and dynasties. Petty kingdoms, such as Ceredigion and Gwent, were established some time after Britain ceased to be part of the Roman empire in the late 5th century. By the time of the Norman invasion of Wales in the 11th century, most of these realms were combined or incorporated into greater territories, thus making up the four major Kingdoms of Wales. Those Kingdoms were Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth, and Morgannwg. Unlike the others, Deheubarth was formed later by the merging of Ceredigion, Dyfed, and Ystrad Tywi. Some minor (petty) kingdoms stayed independent from the big four kingdoms, only to be taken over by the Anglo-Normans in the 13th century, such as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren, and Meirionnydd, and others. Of the major kingdoms, Powys' 13th century division of Wenwynwyn and Fadog were one of the final surviving Welsh dynasties until after the Edwardian conquest of Wales. Later, Owain Glyndŵr became the final Welsh ruler from royalty in Wales, he emerged in Powys Fadog during the early 15th century as a Prince of Wales.[1]

Welsh Kingdoms (400s–1000s)

Kings of Brycheiniog

See also: Kingdom of Brycheiniog.

Kings and Princes of Ceredigion

See also: Kingdom of Ceredigion, Seisyllwg and Ystrad Tywi.

Kings and Princes of Dyfed

See also: Kingdom of Dyfed.

Kingdom of Gwynedd

See also: Kingdom of Gwynedd.

Kings of Gwynedd

See also: List of rulers of Gwynedd.

Princes of Dogfeiling

See also: Dogfeiling.

Princes of Dunoding

See also: Dunoding.

Princes of Rhos

See also: Rhos (North Wales).

Princes of Rhufoniog

See also: Rhufoniog.

Kingdom of Morgannwg

See also: Kingdom of Morgannwg.

Kings of Ergyng

See also: Ergyng. Kingdom of Ergyng, in Wales and on the border of what is now Herefordshire, England.

Kings of Ewyas

See also: Ewyas. Regional Kingdom of Ewyas (Ewias) in Wales and Herefordshire, England.

Kings of Glywysing

See also: Glywysing.

Prince of Glywysing

Kings of Gwent

See also: Kingdom of Gwent.

Rulers of Gwynllŵg

See also: Gwynllwg. Kings and Lords in the cantref of Gwynllwg, in Glamorgan (Gwent).

Kings of Morgannwg

The Kingdom of Morgannwg was formed by the merging of the two Kingdoms of Morgannwg and Gwent. At times, the kingdoms were separate and independent.

Kingdom of Powys

See also: Kingdom of Powys.

Kings of Powys

See also: List of monarchs of Powys. Legendary descendants of Vortigern

Rhodri Mawr's descendants

See also: Rhodri the Great.

Pengwern

See also: Pengwern. The former petty Kingdom of Pengwern, today located in the Midlands, possibly around the Wrekin, England.[4]

Welsh regional kingdoms

All of Wales

See also: Wales. Overlord of Wales (King of Wales) as a modern territory by 1055.

North Wales

See also: North Wales. Kings and Princes of the Kingdoms of Gwynedd and Powys.[5] [6]

South Wales

See also: South Wales.

Kings and Princes of Buellt and Gwrtheyrnion

See also: Buellt and Gwrtheyrnion.

Ceredigion, Meirionnydd, Gwynedd

King of an enlarged Gwynedd (also Rhos and Rhufoniog), including Ceredigion (Deheubarth), Meirionnydd and Dyffryn Clwyd, making his realm North West and West Wales.

Deheubarth, Gwynedd

Kingdoms in the West and North West of Wales.[10]

Deheubarth, Gwynedd, Powys

North and Mid to South West Wales.[6] [10]

Dyfed, Brycheiniog

Dyfed, Gwynedd, Powys, Seisyllwg

King of all of Wales, except for Morgannwg and Gwent (south and southeast of Wales).[13]

Ergyng, Gwent

Glywysing, Gwent

See also: South East Wales. South East of Wales.[14]

Gwent, Morgannwg

South and South East of Wales.[14]

Welsh Royal Houses (870s–1283)

The three Royal Houses of Wales' regions were first divided by Rhodri the Great in the 9th century. Of his children, two of King's sons began royal dynasties. Anarawd reigned in Gwynedd (Aberffraw), and Cadell founded Deheubarth (Dinefwr), then another son Merfyn reigned in Powys (Mathrafal emerged as a cadet branch of Dinefwr in the 11th century).[12] [17]

Aberffraw

See also: House of Aberffraw.

Aberffraw Kings of Gwynedd

Aberffraw Prince of Anglesey

Aberffraw Princes of Gwynedd

Dinefwr

See also: House of Dinefwr and Deheubarth. The Kingdom of Deheubarth was formed by the union of the Kingdoms of Ceredigion (also known as Seisyllwg) and Dyfed by Hywel Dda in 910.

Dinefwr Kings of Deheubarth

Dinefwr Princes of Deheubarth

Mathrafal

See also: House of Mathrafal.

Mathrafal Princes of Powys

Mathrafal Prince of Powys Fadog
Mathrafal Princes of Powys Wenwynwyn

Welsh Lordships (1000s–1500s)

The Lords of Welsh areas once belonging to monarchies. They were ruled by the direct descendants and heirs of Kings in Wales from around the time of the Norman invasion of Wales (1000s), some of which lasted until after the conquest of Wales by Edward I (c. 1300s), and in a few instances, Welsh baronies lasted later into the Principality of Wales.

Lords of Afan

See also: The Lords of Afan. Listed Lords of Nedd-Avan (Avene, Welsh: Afan), dynasty of Glamorgan, Morgannwg (not the Norman Lordship of Glamorgan).[38]

Lords of Arwystli and Cedewain

See also: Arwystli and Cedewain. The regional territories as a dynasty combining the territories Arwystli and Cedewain. The area was later incorporated into Powys Wenwynwyn.

Lords of Carleon

The rulers of Gwynllwg (Wentloog) and upper Gwent became the Lords of Carleon.

Lords of Ceredigion

Lordship of Ceredigion, from the House of Dinefwr, Deheubarth.

Lords of Mechain

See also: Mechain. Mechain, Powys.

Lord of Menai

Lord of the Menai commote on Anglesey.[49]

Lords of Merioneth

See also: Merionethshire. The vassal Lordship of Merioneth (Meirionnydd) from Gwynedd, also Lords of Eifionydd and Ardudwy. Descendents of King Owain Gwynedd.[50]

Lords of Nannau

See also: Nannau, Wales.

Descendants of Madog ap Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, Prince of Powys. Lordship c. 1118 until the final Lord in the 1500s, before the use of the surname Nanney for the family.[53] [54]

Lords of Oswestry

See also: Baron of Hendwr, Hughes of Gwerclas and Jones of Faerdref Uchaf. Lords of Oswestry (Shropshire, England), from Powys, prior to Baronetcy of Cymmer-yn-Edeirnion (English feudal barony).

Lords of Powys Fadog

See also: Powys Fadog, Lordship of Bromfield and Yale and Ial. Northern Powys, House of Mathrafal.[17] [36]

Lords of Powys Wenwynwyn

See also: Powys Wenwynwyn and Baron Charlton. Southern Powys, House of Mathrafal. The lordship also had lands in Arwystli, Cyfeiliog, Mawddwy, Caereinion.[17]

Rhwng Gwy a Hafren

See also: Rhwng Gwy a Hafren. The region of Rhwng Gwy a Hafren (Radnorshire) between the Rivers Wye and Severn, ruled by Lords. Associated with Brycheiniog and Buellt. Ruled the cantrefs of Maelienydd and Elfael.

Lords of Senghenydd

The Lordship of Senghenydd, then a vassal of Lordship of Glamorgan.

Lords of Tegeingl

See also: Tegeingl. Lordship of Coleshill, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, also considered Princes.

Principality of Wales (1216–1542)

See also: Principality of Wales and Welsh rebellions against English rule.

The late medieval territory of the Principality of Wales and the members of Welsh Royalty who ruled that area or attempted to regain their dynastic inheritances during the Principality. They were titled (official) or claimants (unofficial/pretender) as the Prince of Wales.[66] The territory of the Principality included the Kingdoms of Gwynedd, Deheubarth, and Powys, and also the areas of Ceredigion (Cardigan) and Carmarthenshire. There was the exception of Llywelyn I who ruled most of the territory of the Principality and also Montgomeryshire, but not as a Prince of Wales; by 1230 he styled himself as the Prince of Aberffraw and Lord of Snowdon (Prince of Gwynedd).[67]

Pre Principality, 1165–1197

Welsh rule, 1216–1283

English rule, 1283–1542

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. s-CUNE-WLE-0380. CUNEDDA WLEDIG (fl. 450?), British prince.
  2. s-RHUN-APM-0550 . Rhun Ap Maelgwn Gwynedd, (fl. 550), ruler of north-west Wales . William Hopkin . Davies. 1959.
  3. s-MORG-HEN-0975. Morgan Hen ab Owain (died 975), king of Morgannwg.
  4. Richards . M . 1973 . The 'Lichfield' Gospels (Book of 'St Chad') . The National Library of Wales Journal . 18 . 1.
  5. s12-GRUF-APL-1063 . Gruffudd ap Llywelyn (died 1064), King of Gwynedd 1039–1064 and overlord of all the Welsh 1055–1064 . Benjamin . Hudson . 1959.
  6. Web site: Kingdoms of Cymru, Gwynedd . historyfiles.co.uk. 16 November 2023.
  7. s-BLED-APC-1025. Bleddyn ap Cynfyn (died 1075), prince.
  8. s-RHIW-APC-1070. Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn (died 1070), King of Powys.
  9. s-GRUF-APC-1055 . Gruffudd ap Cynan (c. 10551137), king of Gwynedd . Thomas . Parry . 1959.
  10. Web site: Kingdoms of Cymru, Deheubarth . historyfiles.co.uk. 16 November 2023.
  11. s-LLYW-APS-1023. LLYWELYN ap SEISYLL (died 1023), king of Deheubarth and Gwynedd.
  12. s-RHOD-MAW-0877. Rhodri Mawr ('the Great') (died 877), king of Gwynedd, Powys, and Deheubarth.
  13. s-HYWE-DDA-0950 . Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) (died 950), king and legislator . Stephan Joseph. Williams . 1959.
  14. Web site: Kingdoms of Cymru, Glywysing . historyfiles.co.uk. 16 November 2023.
  15. s-CARA-APG-1081. Caradog ap Gruffydd ap Rhydderch (died 1081).
  16. s-IEST-APG-1045. Iestyn ap Gwrgant (fl. c. 1081–1093), last independent ruler of Glamorgan.
  17. Book: The Royal Families in Europe V. Ulwencreutz, Lars. 2013. 50. Lulu.com . 978-1-304-58135-8 .
  18. s-DAFY-ABO-1203 . Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd (David I, died 1203), king of Gwynedd . John Edward . John Edward Lloyd. Lloyd . 1959.
  19. s-MAEL-ABO-1173. Maelgwn ap Owain Gwynedd (died after 1173), prince of Anglesey.
  20. s-RHOD-ABO-1195 . Rhodri ab Owain (died 1195), a prince of Gwynedd . Thomas Jones . Pierce . 1959.
  21. s-OWAI-APG-1260 . Owain ap Gruffydd, or Owain Goch, (fl. 1260), a prince of Gwynedd . Thomas Jones . Pierce . 1959.
  22. s-HYWE-EDW-1044. Hywel Ab Edwain (died 1044), King of Deheubarth.
  23. s-MARE-ABO-1072. Maredudd ab Owain ab EDWIN (died 1072), King of Deheubarth.
  24. s-RHYS-ABO-1078. Rhys ab Owain ab Edwin (died 1078), King of Deheubarth.
  25. s11-RHYS-APT-1093. Rhys ap Tewdwr (died 1093), King of Deheubarth (1078–1093).
  26. s-GRUF-APR-1090. Gruffydd ap Rhys (c. 10901137), Prince of Deheubarth.
  27. s-ANAR-APG-1143. Anarawd ap Gruffydd (died 1143), Prince.
  28. s-CADE-APG-1175. Cadell ap Gruffydd died 1175.
  29. s-MARE-APG-1130. Maredudd ap Gruffydd ap Rhys (1130 or 1131 – 1155), Prince of Deheubarth.
  30. s-GRUF-APR-1201. Gruffydd ap Rhys (died 1201), prince of Deheubarth.
  31. s-RHYS-GRY-1234. RHYS GRYG (' Rhys the Hoarse,' died 1234), prince; he is also called ' Rhys Fychan'.
  32. s-IORW-APB-1111. Iorwerth ap Bleddyn (died 1111), prince of Powys.
  33. s-CADW-ABB-1111. Cadwgan (died 1111), Prince.
  34. s-OWAI-APC-1116. Owain ap Cadwgan (died 1116), prince of Powys.
  35. s-MADO-APM-1160. Madog ap Maredudd (died 1160), king of Powys.
  36. s-GRUF-APM-1191. Gruffydd ap Madog or Gruffydd Maelor I (died 1191).
  37. s-OWAI-CYF-1130. Owain Cyfeilog (c. 11301197), prince and poet.
  38. Book: Price, Huw . The Acts of Welsh Rulers, 1120-1283 . 2010. 978-0-7083-2387-8 . University of Wales Press. lii.
  39. s-CARA-ABI-1130. Caradog ap Iestyn (fl. 1130), founder of the family of 'Avene' in Glamorgan.
  40. s-MORG-APC-1208. MORGAN ap CARADOG ap IESTYN (died c. 1208), lord of the Welsh barony of Avan Wallia (or Nedd-Avan) in the honour of Glamorgan.
  41. s-MORG-GAM-1241. Morgan Gam (died 1241), lord of the Welsh barony of Avan Wallia (or Nedd-Afan) in the honour of Glamorgan.
  42. s-MORG-FYC-1288. Morgan Fychan (died 1288), lord of the Welsh barony of Avan Wallia (or Nedd-Afan) in the honour of Glamorgan.
  43. s-TRAH-APC-1081 . Trahaern Ap Caradog (died 1081), king of Gwynedd . Thomas Jones . Pierce. 1959.
  44. s-GRUF-APR-1055. Gruffudd ap Iestyn (died 1055), king.
  45. s-CARA-APG-1081. Caradog ap Gruffydd ap Rhydderch (died 1081).
  46. s-MORG-APH-1210. MORGAN ap HYWEL (fl. 1210–1248), Welsh lord of Gwynllwg or Caerleon.
  47. s-MAEL-APR-1170. Maelgwn ap Rhys (c. 11701230), lord of Ceredigion.
  48. s-LLYW-FYC-1277. LLYWELYN FYCHAN ap LLYWELYN ab OWAIN FYCHAN (died c. 1277), lord of Mechain.
  49. s-LLYW-APB-1137. Llywarch ap Bran (fl. c. 1137), founder of one of the 'Fifteen (Noble) Tribes of Gwynedd'.
  50. s-MARE-APC-1212. Maredudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd (died 1212), lord of Eifionydd, part of Ardudwy, and Merioneth and co-founder of the Cistercian house of Cymmer.
  51. s-CYNA-ABO-1174. Cynan ab Owain (died 1174), prince.
  52. s-LLYW-FAW-1200. Llywelyn Fawr and Llywelyn Fychan (fl. early 13th century) lords of Merioneth.
  53. s-NANN-AU0-1200. Nanney (Nannau) family of Nannau, Meirionnydd.
  54. Book: Williams, Philip Nanney . Nannau – A Rich Tapestry of Welsh History . 2016 . 978-0-9955337-0-7 . 17, 20, 35, 50–51 . Llwyn Estates Publications.
  55. s-OWAI-BRO-1160. Owain Brogyntyn (fl. 1160–1188), prince of Powys.
  56. s-MADO-APG-1236. Madog ap Gruffydd (died 1236) lord of Powys.
  57. s-MADO-FYC-1269. Madog Fychan ap Madog ap Gruffydd (died 1269), son and brother to the Princes of Powys Fadog.
  58. Web site: The Ancestry of Owain Glyndwr. ancientwalesstudies.org. 29 November 2023.
  59. s-GWEN-WYN-1216. Gwenwynwyn (died 1216), lord of Powys.
  60. s-GRUF-APG-1286. Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn (died 1286 or 1287), lord of Upper Powys.
  61. s-ELST-GLO-1100. Elstan (or ELYSTAN) Glodrydd, founder of the fifth of the 'royal tribes' of Wales.
  62. s-IFOR-BAC-1158. IFOR BACH (fl. 1158), lord of Senghenydd.
  63. s-LLYW-APG-1317. Llywelyn ap Gruffydd or Llywelyn Bren (died 1317) nobleman, soldier and rebel martyr.
  64. s-EDWI-N00-1073. Edwin (died 1073), prince of Tegeingl.
  65. s-OWAI-ABE-1105. Owain ab Edwin (died 1105), a landowner in Tegeingl (modern Flintshire)..
  66. Huw . Pryce . 1998 . Owain Gwynedd And Louis VII: The Franco-Welsh Diplomacy of the First Prince of Wales . Welsh History Review . 19 . 1 . 1–28.
  67. Book: Insley, Charles. From Rex Wallie to Princeps Wallie: Charters and State Formation in Thirteenth Century Wales. https://books.google.com/books?id=XMg5_qrDJvMC&dq=%22It+saw+the+rise+to+pre-eminence+of+the+Principalities+of%22&pg=PA179 . The Medieval State: Essays Presented to James Campbell . 2000. Bloomsbury. 9780826443496 . 192.
  68. s-OWAI-GWY-1100 . Owain Gwynedd (c. 1100–1170), king of Gwynedd . Thomas Jones . Pierce . 1959.
  69. s-RHYS-APG-1132 . Rhys ap Gruffydd (1132–1197), Lord of Deheubarth, known in history as "Yr Arglwydd Rhys" ("The lord Rhys").
  70. s-LLYW-API-1173 . Llywelyn ap Iorwerth ("Llywelyn the Great", often styled "Llywelyn I", prince of Gwynedd) . Thomas Jones . Pierce. 1959.
  71. s-DAFY-APL-1246 . Dafydd ap Llywelyn (David II, died 1246), Prince . John Edward . John Edward Lloyd . Lloyd . 1959.
  72. s-LLYW-APG-1200 . Llywelyn ap Gruffydd ("Llywelyn the Last" or Llywelyn II), Prince of Wales (died 1282) . Thomas Jones . Pierce . 1959.
  73. s-DAFY-APG-1283 . Dafydd ap Gruffydd (David III, died 1283), prince of Gwynedd . Thomas Jones . Pierce . 1959. .
  74. s-MADO-APL-1294 . Madog ap Llywelyn, rebel of 1294 . Thomas Jones . Pierce . 1959.
  75. s-OWAI-APT-1378 . Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri ("Owain Lawgoch", died 1378), a soldier of fortune and pretender to the principality of Wales . Thomas Jones . Pierce . 1959.
  76. s-OWAI-GLY-1354. Owain Glyndwr (c. 1354–1416), "Prince of Wales".