Timeline compiled up to 1256.
1067 The Normans begin to penetrate Wales and the lordships
of the March are created. William Fitzsbern made earl of Hereford.
Bleddyn and Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn in alliance with the Mercian, Edric the
Wild, attack and ravage Herefordshire as far as the Lugg
1068 Bleddyn and Edric attack Edwin and Morcar.
1069 Battle of Mechain between Bleddyn and Rhwallon, sons of
Cynfyn, and Maredudd and Ithel, sons of Gruffydd, (Bleddyn is the only
survivor of the four, Ithel and Rhiwallon falling in the battle and
Maredudd dying of cold in flight). Maredudd ab Owain rules south
Wales.(BYT)
1070 William Fitz Osbern captures most of Gwent and defeats
Maredudd and Rhys ab Owain of Deheubarth and Cadwgan ap Meurig of
Morganwg.
1072 Maredudd ab Owain killed on the banks of the Rhymni, by
Caradog ap Gruffydd ap Rhydderch in alliance with the Normans.(BYT)
1073 Normans in Ceredigion and Dyfedd, Robert of Rhuddlan
established on the banks of the Clwyd. Robert of Rhuddlan stages a
surprise attack on Bleddyn ap Cynfyn who narrowly escapes capture.
Sulien assumes bishopric of Menevia. (BYT)
1074 Caradog drives Cadwgan ap Meurig from Glamorgan and
assumed the kingdom.
1075 Bleddyn ap Cynfyn killed by Rhys ab Owain (*by the
treachery* of the princes of Ystrad Tywi - BYT). Gruffydd grandson of
Iago takes possession of Anglesey. Battle of Camddwr between Goronwy and
Llywelyn, sons of Cadwgan and Caradog ap Gruffudd, Rhys ab Owain and
Rhydderch ap Caradoc. Battle of Bron-yr-erw between Gruffudd and
Trehaerne.
1076 Rhydderch ap Caradog killed by his cousin Meirchion ap
Rhys ap Rhydderch. (BYT).
1077 Battle of *Gweunytwl* between Goronwy and Llywelyn, sons
of Cadwgan and Rhys ab Owain. (BYT)
1078 Battle of Pwllgwdig, Trahaearn ap Caradog, king of
Gwynedd avenges the death of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, his cousin and kills
Rhys ab Owain. Sulien resigns as bishop of St David's.
1079 Rhys ap Tewdr rules south Wales (Deheubarth) (some
sources give 1075).
1080 St David's pillaged and bishop Abraham killed, Sulien
coerced into assuming the bishopric.
1081 Battle of Mynydd Carn, Treheaerne ap Caradog killed
along with Caradog ap Gruffudd. The victory going to Gruffudd ap Cynan
(of Gwynedd) and Rhys ap Tewdr of Deheubarth. King William I visits the
shrine of St David. Shortly after the battle of Mynydd Carn, Hugh the
Fat of Chester captured Gruffydd ap Cynan and held him in prison at
Chester for twelve years, Hugh the Fat's cousin Robert given control of
Gruffudd's kingdom.
1086 Powys under pressure from Roger of Montgomery.
1088 Rhys ap Tewdr defeated by the sons of Bleddyn and flees
to Ireland. He returns with Scottish and Irish mercenaries and kills two
of the sons, Madog and Rhiryd, at the battle of Llech-y-crau. Bernard of
Neufmarche captures Brecon.
1089 The shrine of St David stolen and despoiled.
1093 Rhys ap Tewdr killed attempting to resist the advance of
Bernard of Neufmarche into Ceredigion.
1094 Norman castles destroyed in Gwynedd. Cadwgan ap Bleddyn
defeats Normans at the battle of Coedysbys. All the castles of
Ceredigion and Dyfed destroyed with the exception of Pembroke and Rhyd-
y-gors.(BYT)
1095 Normans invade Gower, Cydweli and Ysrad Tywi. King
William moves an invading force against the Welsh who avoid conflict by
taking to the woods and hills.The Welsh tactic of regrouping to attack
the supply column develops.
1096 Death of William Fitz Baldwin. Rising of the men of
Brecon, Gwent and Gwynllwg. Norman force sent into Gwent but the Welsh
disperse and then regroup to slaughter the Normans at Celli Tarfawg? The
sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan and Gruffydd ap Ifor inflict heavy losses on
the Normans at Aberllech. Uchdryd ap Edwin and Hywel ap Goronwy join
with Cadwgan ap Bleddyn and destroy Pembroke castle.
1097 Gerald de Windsor,castellan of Pembroke castle, harries
the boundaries of St David's. King William brings an army into Wales but
fails to engage a major Welsh force.
1098 Hugh, earl of Chester accompanied by Hugh, earl of
Shrewsbury attacks Gwynedd and invade Anglesey. The Welsh 'move to the
strongest and wildest places' (BYT) and call for help from Irish
'pirates' who are brought off by the Normans. The Normans slaughter the
Welsh families of Anglesey. Cadwgan ap Bleddyn and Gruffydd ap Cynan
flee to Ireland. The men of Gwynedd rise against the French under Owain
ab Edwin who had previously assisted the Normans to invade Anglesey.
1099 Llywelyn ap Cadwgan slain by the men of Brycheiniog.
(BYT). Cadwgan ap Bleddyn and Gruffydd ap Cynan return from Ireland and
after making peace with the Normans Cadwgan is given land in Ceredigion
and Powys and Gruffydd is given Anglesey. Rhygyfarch the Wise, son of
bishop Sulien dies aged 43.
1101 Earl Hugh of Chester dies and his son Roger given his
territory by Henry. Goronwy ap Cadwgan and Gwyn ap Gruffydd die.
1107 Death of Fitz-Hamon, Chief Lord of Glamorgan. (March)
1120 Dewi sant is canonized by Rome as Saint David.
1129 Neath Abbey founded. (Benedictine)
1132 Birth of Rhys ap Gruffydd (younger son of Gruffydd ap
Tewdr)
1136 South Wales rising. Battle of Gower. Fitz-Gilbert slain.
Death of Gruffydd ap Tewdr, Anarwd and Cadell his sons, lead the fight
against Norman rule in South Wales.
1137 Start of the reign of Owain Gwynedd.
1141 Henry the First dies and Wales experiences a resurgence
under the two Llywelyns of Gwynedd. Wales moves toward unity as their
territory is reclaimed and the culture flourishes.
1143 Cistercians found Whitland Abbey.
1147 Margam Abbey founded. (Benedictine)
1148 David Fitz Gerald (son of Gerald de Windsor and Nest the
daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr) appointed bishop of St David's on the death
of bishop Bernard. (This was a compromise appointment as David was half
Welsh).
1149 Madog ap Maredudd gives Cyfeiliog to his nephews Owain
and Meurig to ensure it's continued rule.
1155 Rhys ap Gruffydd succeeds as sole ruler of Deheubarth on
the death of his brother Maredudd. By this date the Clares had been
expelled from Ceredigion and the Cliffords from cantref Bychan and
Llandovery.
1158 Rhys ap Gruffydd submits to Henry II and is deprived of
Ceredigion and a large part of Ystrad Tywi, he also agrees to drop the
title of king and is henceforth known as The Lord Rhys.
1160 Earl William attacks Rhys ap Gruffydd. Death of Madog ap
Meredith.
1161 Rhys ap Guffydd burned the Grange at Margam.
1163 Rhys ap Gruffydd and Owain Gwynedd swear allegiance to
Henry II.
1164 Rhys again seizes Ceredigion and Emlyn. Cardigan castle
betrayed to Rhys and razed to the ground, Robert FitzStephen (another
son of Nest, daughter of Rhys ap Tewdr by Stephen constable of Cardigan
castle), is captured and imprisoned for three years by Rhys.
1167 Bishop David FitzGerald prevails on Rhys for the release
of his half brother Robert. Rhys agrees on the condition that Robert
leads a force to Ireland where King Dermot was seeking assistance to
repossess the throne of Leinster. (JD)
1169 Lords of Glamorgan join the attack on Ireland. They
include the various descendants of Nest ferch Rhys ap Tewdr the 'queen
bee' of the Cambro-Norman swarm. (JD)
1170 Start of the reign of the Lord Rhys over south Wales.
Richard earl of Pembroke (Strongbow), joins Robert FitzStephen in
Ireland. Death of Owain Gwynedd. Dafydd ab Owain recognised as ruler of
Gwynedd by the English.
1171 Strongbow assumes title of king of Leinster. Henry, not
wishing the creation of 'marcher lordships' in Ireland claims the
overlordship of Ireland with the support of the English Pope, Adrian IV.
Wales is now threatened from west and east. (JD)
1172 Henry journeys to Ireland via Cardiff (April 23rd).
Before leaving he recognises the need for a strong deputy in Wales as a
counterpoise to the growing power of the Norman lords in Ireland, he
appoints the Lord Rhys as Justice of south Wales and recognized his
rights to the territories he had brought under his control. (JD)
1173 Birth of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth or Llywelyn the Great son
of Iorwerth Drwyndwn by Margaret daughter of Madog ap Meredith. Possibly
born at Dolwyddelan the royal manor of Nantconwy. His early years were
probably spent in Powys under the protection of his maternal relatives
as he may have been considered a threat to his father's half brothers in
Gwynedd.
1174 Iorworth and Morgan ap Sissylt ap Dynval attack and
destroy Caerleon town and Castle. Dafydd ab Owain marries Emma, the
illegitimate daughter of king Henry's father, Geoffrey of Anjou.
1176 First eisteddfod, Aberteifi/Cardigan in the Lord Rhys's
castle of 'stone and mortar' (JD).
1177 Dafydd ab Owain, brother in law of Henry is alone among
the men of Gwynedd to swear allegiance to the king.
1181 King proclaims an Assize of Arms on Welsh borders.
1182 King's sheriff of Gloucester slain by the Welsh.
1185 Welsh attack Glamorgan, burning Kenfig, Neath and
Cardiff.
1188 Gerald de Barri (Giraldus Cambrensis) accompanies
Archbishop Baldwin on his journey through Wales.
1191 Gruffydd ap Madog dies and north Powys (Powys Fadog),
inherited by his son Madog ap Gruffydd.
1194 Llywelyn ap Iorwerth combines with his cousins, the sons
of Cynan ap Owain and defeats his uncle, Dafydd I and seizes a share in
the government of Perfeddwlad.
1196 Start of the reign of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth as he
achieves full control of Perfeddwlad.
1197 Death of Owain Cyfeiliog, his son Gwenwynwyn inherits
the territory of Powys Wenwywyn, which was later to become Montgomery.
1199 Llywelyn captures Mold at the start of a campaign which
by 1203 he would gain the undivided sovereignty of Gwynedd including
Merioneth and Penllyn.
1200 King John gives licence to William de Breos to seize as
much as he could of the territories of the Welsh rulers.
1205 Llywelyn marries Joan the natural daughter of king John
following John's resolution to follow a course of friendship with
Llywelyn.
1206 Maelgwyn ap Rhys builds a castle at Abereinon.
1208 Gwenwynwyn seized at Shrewsbury and Llywelyn ap Iorwerth
seizes his lands. Maelgwyn ap Rhys razes the castle of Ystrad Meurig and
burns Dineirth and Aberystwyth. Llywelyn Rebuilds Aberystwyth castle.
Rhys Fychan captures the castles of Llangadog and Dinefwr.
1210 Earl of Chester rebuilds the castle of Degannwy and
builds a castle at Holywell. Rhys Fychan makes peace with the king and
with Norman help captures Llandovery castle. Gwenwynwyn recovers
territory with Norman help. Maelgwyn ap Rhys gives allegiance to the
king and with Norman help attacks Penweddig.
1211 Royal expedition into Wales after the breakdown of
relations between Llywelyn and king John, results in the loss of
Perfeddwlad. Llywelyn forced to recognise King John as his heir if his
marriage to Joan fails to produce a son. Welsh leaders submit to king
John with the exception of Rhys and Owain ap Gruffudd. Llywelyn forced
to give hostages to the king. Falkes the sherrif of Cardiff mounts an
attack on Owain and Rhys with the assistance of Maelgwyn and Rhys
Fychan. Owain and Rhys submit and surrender their territories. Falkes
builds a castle at Aberystwyth. Maelgwyn and Rhys Fychan change
allegiance and attack Aberystwyth, Owain and Rhys now reconciled with
king John attack Maelgwyn and Rhys Fychan. Welsh leaders who had chosen
to submit to King John now rejoin Llywelyn as the Kings policies show
his intent to subjugate Wales. Llywelyn in a pact with Gwenwynwyn,
Maelgwyn, Madog ap Gruffydd and Maredudd lays seige to and captures a
number of castles except for Rhuddlan and Degannwy. A number of Welsh
hostages are hanged including the six year old son of Maelgwyn who is
hanged at Shrewsbury by Robert Viuxpont, others include Hywel ap
Cadwallon, Madog ap Maelgwyn and Meurig Barach. The king's accounts
record the payment of six shillings for the heads of the men of
Cadwallon ab Ifor Bach of Senghenydd. Rhys ap Gruffydd seeks help from
king John to regain a portion of his patrimony. Falkes commanded to
drive Rhys Fychan from Ystrad Tywi unless he gave the castle of
Llandovery to the sons of Gruffydd ap Rhys. Rhys Fychan defeated and
takes refuge in Dinefwr and then Llandovery but is later captured in
Carmarthen and imprisoned. Llywelyn captures the castles of Degannwy and
Rhuddlan.
1212 The start of Llywelyn's greatest military triumphs as he
retakes Perfeddwlad, and takes full advantage of the events leading to
the Magna Carta.
1215 Llywelyn attacks Shrewsbury and captures the town and
castle. Reginald de Breos captures the castles of Pencelli,
Abergavenny, White Castle, Grosmont and Skenfrith. The castles of Hay,
Brecon, Builth and Blaenllyfni surrender to bishop Giles de Breos. Rhys
Ieuanc ap Gruffydd and Maelgwyn ap Rhys reconciled and subdue Dyfed.
They burn Arberth and Maenclochog. Rhys Ieuanc moves his forces to
Cydweli and subdues it and the commote of Carnwyllion, then burns the
castle of Loughor followed by Tal-y-bont. He then made for Swansea where
the garrison themselves burned the castle before Rhys captured
Oystermouth and burned the town and castle. Rhys Fychan released from
prison but his son taken as hostage. Llywelyn captures Carmarthen
followed by Llanstephan, St Clears, Laugharne, Emlyn, Cemaes,
Trefdraeth, Cardigan and Cilgerran. The Magna Carta signed. Restores
Welsh lands taken unjustly, and some Welsh laws.
1216 Gwenwynwyn, Llywelyn's greates rival, is exiled after
breaking his oath of allegiance. Llywelyn takes possesion of Powys
Wenwynwyn. The rulers of Deheubarth and Pwys Fadog pay homage to
Llywelyn. Deheubarth shared between the descendants of Rhys ap
Gruffydd.
1217 Reginald de Breos makes peace with the king and Rhys and
Owain ap Gruffydd
1218 The Treaty of Worcester - Llywelyn retains control of
Carmarthen, Cardigan and Montgomery. He is to hold Powys Wenwynwyn until
Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn comes of age.
1218 Llywelyn attacks the Flemings of Rhos and Pembroke
because of their frequent attacks on the Welsh. He captures Cardigan
castle followed by Wizo's castle and traversing between Rhos and
Daugleddau inflicts immense slaughter on the Flemings.
1221 Conflict between Llywelyn and his son Gruffudd after
Gruffudd carries out a retaliatory attack on the cantef of Meirionydd,
Gruffudd submits to his father before conflict. Rhys Ieuanc leaves
Llywelyn after Maelgwyn ap Rhys is given Carmarthen, Rhys aligns with
William Marshal. After reconciliation Ieuanc is promised Cardigan.
1222 Rhys Ieuanc dies.Owain his brother receives part of his
patrimony. The remainder Llywelyn gives to Maelgwyn ap Rhys.
1223 The Marshal family capture Carmarthen, Cardigan and
Montgomery. Hugh de Burgh orders the building of a new castle at
Montgomery.
1224 Dafydd ap Llywelyn recieves homage of the Welsh leaders.
1227 Rhys Gryg seized by his son Rhys Fychan but released in
return for the castle of Llandovery.
1228 Seeking to extend his control in Powys, Hubert and king
Henry are defeated by Llywelyn at Ceri. Hubert gains control of a number
of Marcher lordships. William de Breos captured and ransomed by
Llywelyn.
1229 Llywelyn gains Builth from William de Breos as part of
his ransom. Henry II acknowledges Dafydd ap Llywelyn as succesor to the
exclusion of the older Gruffydd. Dafydd travels to London to do homage
for his future heritance and marries Isabella the daughter of William de
Breos.
1230 Llywelyn recaptures Carmarthen. He hangs William de
Breos for familiarity with Joan after William was caught in Llywelyn's
chamber with Joan, while he was at Llywelyn's court to negotiate his
ransom. Llywelyn's attacks are as a result of Hubert's territorial
expansions.
1231 Llywelyn's army burns Brecon and destroys Neath. Henry
offers Anglo-Irish knights licence to seize lands in Wales. Maelgwyn ap
Rhys dies.Maelgwyn Ieuanc attacks Cardigan and forces the garrison to
leave.
1232 Hubert de Burgh dismissed from his post as justiciar of
England.
1233 Rift between Richard Marshal, earl of Pembroke, and king
Henry. Marshal aligns with the Welsh and attacks Monmouth with Owain ap
Gruffudd. They capture Cardiff, Abergavenny, Pencelli, Blaenllyfni and
Bwlchydinas. Rhys Gryg dies.
1234 Pact of Middle Llywelyn regains the position he held
under John. Richard Marshal dies of wounds in Ireland.
1235 Owain ap Gruffydd dies.
1236 Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor dies.
1237 Death of Joan wife of Llywelyn.
1238 Vassals of Llywelyn swear allegiance to Dafydd at Strata
Florida.
1239 Dafydd ap Llywelyn seizes his brother Gruffydd and
imprisons him at Cricieth.
1240 11 April, Llywelyn dies at Aberconwy. Dafydd pays homage
to king Henry at Gloucester.
1241 King Henry visits north Wales with an army to 'subdue'
the Welsh and receive their homage. Diserth castle is fortified and
hostages taken from Gwynedd including Dafydd's brother, Gruffudd ap
Llywelyn. Dafydd summoned to council in London. Grufydd ap Gwenwynwyn
given his rights in Powys and the sons of Maredudd ap Cynan their
territory in Merionydd. Henry lays down that Gwynedd should pass to the
crown if Dafydd dies without heir.
1244 Gruffydd ap Llywelyn dies reportedly trying to escape
from the Tower on a rope of sheets. Dafydd forms an alliance with
Gruffydd's second son Llywelyn and forges links with the men of South
Wales. Henry reacted violently attacking Gwynedd vigourously. Dafydd
wrote to Pope Innocent IV offering to hold his principality as a Papal
vassal, as this would reduce income to the Vatican from England the Pope
refused
1246 Start of reign of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd after the death
of Dafydd in March. Dafydd buried in Aberconwy with his father. Under
the agreement made in 1241 the king could lay claim to Dafydd's
territories but fails to take up the claim. Llywelyn and his brother
Owain are accepted by Gwynedd as their rulers and their territory is
dividen into two halves. The kind sends Nicholas de Meules, his justice
in Carmarthen, and orders Maredudd ap Rhys Gryg andMaredudd ab Owain to
assist de Meules in dispossesing Maelgwn Ieuanc. Maelgwn flees to
Llywelyn. Hywel ap Maredudd of Glamorgan also flees to Llywelyn after
being dispossedd by the Clares. The king declares war on Llywelyn and
Owain. Ralph de Mortimer dies and is succeeded by his son Roger.
1247 Llywelyn and Owain obtain an armistice and appear before
the king at Woodstock where they are confirmed as lords of Gwynedd in
exchange for the services of 200 soldiers and two dozen knights
effectively reducing the status of Gwynedd to that of a Marcher
lordship. Hywel ab Ednyfed, bishop of St Asaph dies at Oxford and is
buried there.
1248 Owain ap Rhobert given Cydewain, and Rhys Fychan
obtained his castle of Carreg Cennen - which his mother had given the
French- (BYT). The body of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn given to the Abbot of
Aberconwy for burial there.
1251 Gwladus, daughter of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth and wife of
Ralf de Mortimer dies at Windsor. Morgan son of the Lord Rhys dies at
Strata Florida after assuming the habit of the order, (BYT).
1252 Gwilym ap Gwrwared, the kings steward for the former
territory of Maelgwn Ieuanc is ordered to seize property and goods from
the people of Elfael because 'they had used the pastures of Elfed as if
by right'.
1254 Gwenllian ferch Maelgwn dies at Llanfihangel Gelynrhod,
and is buried at Strata Florida
1255 Maredudd ap Llywelyn of Merionedd dies and leaves his
only son by Gwenllian ferch Maelgwn, as his heir. Rhys ap Maelgwn dies
and he is buried at Strata Florida. The sons of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn,
Owain Goch and Dafydd ap Gruffydd rise against Llywelyn and are captured
by him. Llywelyn siezes their lands. Death of Margaret ferch Maelgwn
wife of Owain ap Rhobert. The great bell of Strata Florida bought for 27
marks five shillings and two cows. Thomas Wallis, bishop of Minevia
dies. (BYT)
1256 Prince Edward, in his capacity of earl of Chester,
visits Gwynedd to survey his lands. The Welsh lords 'despoiled of their
liberty and their rights come to Llywelyn and reveal their grevious
bondage to the English and make known to him that they preferred to be
slain in war for their liberty than to suffer themselves to be
unrighteously trampled upon by foreigners' (BYT). Llywelyn accompanied
by Maredudd ap Rhys Gryg takes Perfeddwlad followed by the cantref of
Merionnydd. Edward's lands in Ceredigion siezed and given to Maredudd ap
Owain, Builth given to Maredudd ap Rhys. Gwerthrynion siezed from Roger
de Mortimer and held by Llywelyn.-------Richard de Carew consecrated as
bishop of Menevia by the Pope.
1267 Llywelyn II with the Treaty of Montgomery is recognised
as Prince of Wales, with overlordship of all other Welsh Princes and
Barons.
1276 First war of Welsh Independence.
1277 Treaty of Aberconwy. Llywelyn humiliated.
1282 Second war of Welsh Independence.
1282 Llywelyn II (ein Llyw Olaf) is killed in battle near
Cilmeri, and Wales resurgence comes to an end. Wales falls beneath
Edward the First's advances. Wales becomes an English principality under
the Statute of Rhuddlan. In the future, the eldest son of the English
king is designated Prince of Wales. The building of the *Edwardian*
castles in Wales is started by Edward I.
|