Rhys ap Tewdwr

Last king of South Wales

Rhys ap Tewdwr was grandson of Cadell ab Einion ap Owain ap Hywel Dda. Rhys ap Tewdwr was the last king of South Wales (Deheubarth), his then death in 1093 was clearly the beginning in history in when Welsh independence disappeared. Deheubarth (The Southland) six lordships in South Wales these included Brycheiniog (Brecknock) Morgannwg (Glamorgan) Dyfed, Carmarthen, GwentRhys took possession over to Deheubarth on the death of his second cousin Rhys ab Owain who died in a battle in 1077, it is said that he came from Brittany in 1077 to lay claim to the principality at the rightful air of Deheubarth due to his knowledge, wisdom and knowledge of Government.

The same year William the Conqueror made a demonstration of power in South Wales, travelling the land as far as St David’s. It is certain that during the visit the two kings came to an agreement as to their future good relations, which lasted to the end of William’s reign. A few years later it is recorded that Rhys is paying the king £40.00 a year for Deheubarth, thereby becoming a vassal of the Norman Crown and establishing a precedent with lasting consequences on Anglo-Welsh relations.

Rhys had only to contend with the jealousies of his fellow princes and over the next few years began a range of battles fought between him and the princes over South Wales. Here are some dates that these battles took place.

1080 Rhys ab Tewdwr, Prince of Dynevor invaded the territories of Iestyn ab Gwrgan of Glamorgan, and sacked his castles of Dinas-Powis, Llanilltyd, and Dindryvan ; but he had no sooner withdrawn his troops than Iestyn retaliated by ravaging Carmarthenshire and Brecknockshire, where he obtained valuable booty.

1081 He was dislodged by Caradog ap Gruffydd (q.v), but later in the year, with the help of Gruffydd ap Cynan, he was firmly reinstated after the historic battle of Mynydd Carn.

Please find below a poem that was written after the battle by Melyr Brydydd who was the bard attached to the household troops of Trahaearn, and he records the death of his patron-prince and of Meilyr ap Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn, Prince of Powys, both of whom, as well as Caradog ap Gruffydd, Lord of Morgannwg fell in the battle.

                   They should not have come over sea again

                   The wild men of Nanhyver

                   Irish black devils

                   Scots the weak men

                   A battle will be fought on Mynydd Carn

                   And Trahaearn will be killed

                   And the son of Rhiwallon a brave leader

                   Will not return from the conflict

                   On Thursday at the end of three weeks

                   Towards night they will be killed.

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

1087 The death of King William 1 in this year is around the time that his son William 11 took an interest in the lands of South Wales and was waiting for an excuse to invade the valleys.

1088 He was attacked by the young rulers of Powys and was obliged to seek refuge in Ireland, he soon returned with strong forces and Danish help, decisively defeated his opponents (Madog, Rhiryd and Cadwgan ap Bleddyn) at Llychryd Bridge.

1091 Battle at St Dogmaels

He was opposed by a group of his own vassals in Dyfed, who sought to restore the kingship to the senior line of Hywel Dda in the person of Gruffydd ap Maredudd an Owain. Gruffydd and his brother Llundudoch (St Dogmaels) on the Teifi the rebels were defeated and Gruffydd killed.

 Battle at Hirwaun 1090

1093 The area they were in was the old kingdom of Brycheiniog, it was while he was resisting the Norman advance in this all-important approach to his own dominions that Rhys was killed with Bleddin ap Maenarch Prince of old Brycheiniog (Brecon) and brother in law to Rhys ap Tewdwr. There is a well was named after him “Pen Sir Rhys” or the well of Sir Rhys’s.

Rhys ap Tewdwr was the last of the ancient kings of Deheubarth, and it was in a different political setting that the power of the Dynasty was eventually revived by his grandson – Rhys ap Gruffydd. He was survived by two sons Gruffydd ap Rhys and Hywel, and by his daughter Nest.

Gerald Cambrensis (Gerald the Welshman) was a descendant of Rhys through his daughter Nest. Nest was Gerald’s grandmother.

Gerald toured medieval Wales with Archbishop Baldwin; he wrote a book about it called “A mirror of Medieval Wales”. He was also tutor and Chaplin to Richard and John before they became kings. He tried to become Bishop of St David’s Cathedral but was denied by Richard the 11 due to his relationship to Lord Rhys ap Griffydd and other Welsh Princes at that time.