Dafydd ap Llywelyn

Dafydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1215 – February 25, 1246) was Prince of Gwynedd from 1240 to 1246. He was for a time recognised as Prince of Wales. Born at Castell Hen Blas, Coleshill, Bagillt in Flintshire, he was the only son of Llywelyn the Great by his wife, Joan (daughter of King John). A clause in the agreement signed by Llywelyn and King John in August 1211 contains a clause that implies Llywelyn had not sired an heir by his wife Joan at that time;... more

Dafydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1215 – February 25, 1246) was Prince of Gwynedd from 1240 to 1246. He was for a time recognised as Prince of Wales. Born at Castell Hen Blas, Coleshill, Bagillt in Flintshire, he was the only son of Llywelyn the Great by his wife, Joan (daughter of King John). A clause in the agreement signed by Llywelyn and King John in August 1211 contains a clause that implies Llywelyn had not sired an heir by his wife Joan at that time; the date of Dafydd's birth is now believed to be between this date and early 1215. In his last years Llywelyn went to great lengths to have Dafydd accepted as his sole heir. By Welsh law Dafydd's older half brother, Gruffydd had a claim to consideration as Llywelyn's successor. Llywelyn had Dafydd recognised as his named heir by his uncle King Henry III of England in 1220, and also had Dafydd's mother Joan declared legitimate by the Pope to strengthen Dafydd's position. There was considerable support for Gruffydd in Gwynedd. Although Dafydd... less