Gruffydd ap Rhys II (died 25 July 1201) was a prince of Deheubarth in south-west Wales.

Contents

1 Lineage

2 Norman Intermarriage

3 Family Feud

4 Succession By Interview

5 Prisoner of His Brother & the English

6 Released to Mediate

7 Lands Regained

8 Death & Burial

9 References

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 had 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.

--------------------

• Gruffudd ap Rhys

born about 1148 Carmarthenshire, Wales

died 25 July 1201 Strata Florida, Caronuwchclawdd, Cardiganshire, Wales

buried Strata Florida, Caronuwchclawdd, Cardiganshire, Wales

father:

• Rhys "Fychan" ap Gruffudd Prince of South Wales

born about 1129 Dynevor Castle, Llandilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales

died after 24 April 1197

buried St. David's, Pebidiog, Pembrokeshire, Wales

mother:

• Gwenllian verch Madog

born about 1130 Montgomeryshire, Wales

siblings:

• Rhys "Gloff" (or "Gryg"?) ap Rhys born about 1150 Carmarthenshire, Wales

died 1233 Dynevor, Llandyfeisant, Carmarthenshire, Wales

buried 1233 St. David's, Pebidiog, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Cadwgan ap Rhys born about 1149 Dynevor Castle, Llandilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Margred verch Rhys born about 1151 Carmarthenshire, Wales

Maredudd "Gethin" ap Rhys born about 1152 Carmarthenshire, Wales died 1210

Nest verch Rhys born about 1156 Dynevor Castle, Llandilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales

• Gwenllian verch Rhys born about 1158 Carmarthenshire, Wales died 1236

Lleision ap Rhys born about 1170 Elfaeluwchmynydd, Radnorshire, Wales

spouse:

• Matilda de Braose

born about 1173 Bramber, Sussex, England

children:

Lleucu verch Gruffudd born about 1193 Of, Carmarthenshire, Wales

• Owain ap Gruffudd born about 1195 Of, Carmarthenshire, Wales died 18 January 1235

Cydifor ap Gruffudd born about 1196 Of, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Rhys "Ieuanc" ap Gruffudd born about 1197 Of, Carmarthenshire, Wales died 1222

biographical or anecdotal information:

source:

LDS

ancestry.com