Jump to content

Kingdom of Wales: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Undid revision 1136369031 by IagoHughes (talk) See previous conversations and talk page. DO NOT REVERT THIS UNTIL FURTHER DISCUSSION
Tags: New redirect Undo Reverted
IagoHughes (talk | contribs)
292 edits
Undid revision 1136370885 by Eejit43 (talk) This edit and page contains copied content from [[<King of Wales>]]; see that page's history for attribution.
Tags: Removed redirect Undo Reverted
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Historic sovereign kingdom in the British Isles (1055–1063)}}
#REDIRECT [[King of Wales]]
{{About|the historical kingdom|the country in its current form|Wales}}

{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{Redirect category shell|
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{R from move}}
{{Infobox former country
{{R with history}}
| conventional_long_name = Kingdom of Wales
| native_name = {{Native name|cy|Teyrnasoedd Cymru}}
| common_name = Wales
| era = [[Middle ages]]
| life_span = 1055–1063
| year_start = 11th century (1055)
| image_map = File:Wales_1039-63_(Gruffudd_ap_Llywelyn).svg
| image_map_caption = Map of the Kingdom 1055-1063 (green)
| national_motto = {{Plainlist|
* {{Native phrase|cy|"Cymru am Byth"|italics=off}}
* "Wales Forever"
}}
| capital = [[Aberffraw]]
| common_languages = {{ubl|[[Welsh language|Welsh]] (Cymraeg)|[[Medieval Latin]]}}
| today = {{Plainlist|
* [[United Kingdom]]
* &nbsp;'''∟''' [[Wales]]
}}
}}
| government_type = [[Monarchy]]
| title_leader = [[Monarch]]
| leader1 = [[Gruffydd ap Llywelyn]]
| year_leader1 = 1055-1063 (first)
| currency = [[Ceiniog]]
| religion = [[Christianity]]
| demonym = [[Welsh people|Welsh]] (Cymry)
}}

The '''Kingdom of Wales''' ({{Lang-cy|Teyrnasoedd Cymru}}) was a [[sovereign state]] on the island of [[Great Britain]] in northwest [[Europe]], founded in 1055 by King [[Gruffydd ap Llywelyn]] when he united all of the [[Welsh kingdoms]], and conquered parts of [[England]].<ref>Davies (1994) p. 100</ref> While many different leaders in Wales held the title of "[[King of Wales]]", the entire country was only truly united as one kingdom under the rule of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn from 1055 to 1063.<ref name="Maund1991">{{cite book|author=K. L. Maund|title=Ireland, Wales, and England in the Eleventh Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nja0RSLWq-AC&pg=PA216|year=1991|publisher=Boydell & Brewer Ltd|isbn=978-0-85115-533-3|pages=64–67}}</ref>

During the [[Early Middle Ages]], Wales, much like [[Gaelic Ireland|Ireland]] and [[Anglo-Saxon England]] rarely achieved a degree of political unity, and was usually divided into several smaller kingdoms. In the 11th century there were four [[Welsh kingdoms]] in Wales. These were namely [[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]], [[Kingdom of Deheubarth|Deheubarth]], [[Kingdom of Powys|Powys]] and [[Kingdom of Morgannwg|Morgannwg]]. By this time Wales was now developing into a more consolidated entity, and it ultimately set the stage for [[Gruffudd ap Llywelyn]] in the mid-11th century, who united the four kingdoms under his rule, and even conquered land belonging to the English. "In 1055 he absorbed [[Deheubarth]] as well, thus becoming in effect King of Wales".<ref>{{cite book |last=Fletcher |first=Richard |title=Who's who in Roman Britain and Anglo-Saxon England |publisher=Shepheard-Walwyn |year=1989 |isbn=0-85683-089-5 |pages=245 |authorlink=Richard A. Fletcher}}</ref> [[John Davies (historian)|John Davies]] states that Gruffydd was "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales... Thus, from about 1057 until his death in 1063, the whole of Wales recognised the kingship of and notably peaceful rule by [[Gruffudd ap Llywelyn]].<ref name="Maund1991" /> "For about seven brief years, Wales was one, under one ruler, a feat with neither precedent nor successor."<ref name="Wales Hist 1">{{cite book |last=Davies |first=John |title=A History of Wales |publisher=Penguin |year=1993 |isbn=0-14-014581-8 |location=London |pages=100 |authorlink=John Davies (historian)}}</ref> After his betrayal and death at the hands of his own men, Wales fell into civil war with other Welsh leaders seeking to fill the void of power and become king.

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was referred to as King of Wales or ''Rex Walensium'' by [[John of Worcester]].<ref name="Maund1991" /> He was the last of a long line of paramount rulers among the insular native Britons to have the title of [[King of the Britons]] bestowed upon him, and possibly the only one to truly rule over all the (independent) Britons, as by this time, if not earlier, Wales was the only part of Britain remaining under native [[Britons (Celtic people)|Brittonic]] rule.<ref name="Wales Hist 1" />

== History ==
=== Before Welsh Kings ===
{{See also|King of the Britons}}
Prior to the King or Prince of Wales title, the title [[King of the Britons]] was used to describe the King of the [[Celtic Britons]], ancestors of the Welsh.<ref name="Kari Maund 20002">{{cite book |author=Kari Maund |title=The Welsh Kings: The Medieval Rulers of Wales |publisher=Tempus |year=2000 |isbn=0-7524-2321-5}}</ref> The [[Brut y Tywysogion]], Gwentian Chronicles of Caradoc of Llancarvan version, which was written no earlier than the mid-16th century lists multiple Kings of the Britons as a "King of Wales".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archaeologia Cambrensis (1846-1899) {{!}} BRUT Y TYWYSOGION: GWENTIAN CHRONICLE 1863 {{!}} 1863 {{!}} Welsh Journals - The National Library of Wales |url=https://journals.library.wales/view/2919943/3012605/3 |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=journals.library.wales |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Caradoc |first1=of Llancarvan |url=http://archive.org/details/brutytywysogiong00cararich |title=Brut y tywysogion: the Gwentian chronicle of Caradoc of Llancarvan |last2=Iolo |first2=Morganwg |last3=Owen |first3=Aneurin |date=1863 |publisher=London : J.R. Smith [etc.] |others=University of California Libraries}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WALES |url=https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/WALES.htm#_ftnref182 |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=fmg.ac}}</ref>

=== Early use of the title ===
[[File:Wales_844-78_(Rhodri_the_Great).svg|right|thumb|240x240px|Map of territories ruled by [[Rhodri the Great|Rhodri Mawr]], "King of Wales"{{legend|#87de87|Kingdom of Rhodri Mawr}} ]]
Following the departure of the [[Roman legions]] from Wales, the country had become fractured into divided territories, each with its own leaders. The first known person to actually call himself king was [[Rhodri Mawr]] (c. 820–878) and being from Wales he was by extension called the King of Wales, although he did not control all of the country. Nonetheless, he did unite much of the land under his power, thus demonstrating that it could be possible for Wales to exist as a unified political entity. Though he died in 878,<ref>"GO BRITANNIA! Wales: Royals Families of Wales." Accessed February 1, 2013. http://britannia.com/wales/fam1.html.</ref> the legacy of what he had accomplished was significant enough to act as motivation for future Welsh leaders to aspire to. This would eventually lead to the rule of [[Gruffudd ap Llywelyn]] (c. 1010–1063), the first true Welsh king.

=== Gruffydd ap Llywelyn rules all Wales ===
[[File:Wales_1039-63_(Gruffudd_ap_Llywelyn).svg|thumb|240x240px|Map of the kingdom of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn{{legend|#87de87|Wales}}]]
From the smaller kingdoms of Wales eventually emerged four major powers: Powys, Gwynedd, Dyfed/Deheubarth, and Morgannwg. With Wales now developing into a more consolidated entity, it ultimately set the stage for [[Gruffudd ap Llywelyn]] in the mid-11th century. Alliances with Anglo-Saxon dynasties and Vikings helped him unite the country, and even conquer land belonging to the English. "In 1055 he absorbed [[Deheubarth]] as well, thus becoming in effect King of Wales".<ref>{{cite book |last=Fletcher |first=Richard |title=Who's who in Roman Britain and Anglo-Saxon England |publisher=Shepheard-Walwyn |year=1989 |isbn=0-85683-089-5 |pages=245 |authorlink=Richard A. Fletcher}}</ref> [[John Davies (historian)|John Davies]] states that Gruffydd was "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales... Thus, from about 1057 until his death in 1063, the whole of Wales recognised the kingship of and notably peaceful rule by Gruffudd ap Llywelyn.<ref name="Maund1991" /> For about seven brief years, Wales was one, under one ruler, a feat with neither precedent nor successor."<ref name="Wales Hist 1">{{cite book |last=Davies |first=John |title=A History of Wales |publisher=Penguin |year=1993 |isbn=0-14-014581-8 |location=London |pages=100 |authorlink=John Davies (historian)}}</ref> After his betrayal and death at the hands of his own men, Wales fell into civil war with other leaders seeking to fill the void of power and become king.

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was referred to as King of Wales or ''Rex Walensium'' by [[John of Worcester]].<ref name="Maund1991" /> He was the last of a long line of paramount rulers among the insular Britons to have the title of [[King of the Britons]] bestowed upon him, and possibly the only one to truly rule over all the (independent) Britons. By this time, if not earlier, Wales was the only part of Britain remaining under [[Britons (Celtic people)|Brittonic]] rule.<ref name="Wales Hist 1" />

=== Evolution into Prince of Wales ===
{{See also|English rule in Wales}}The native use of the title "Prince of Wales" appeared more frequent by the eleventh century as a "modernised" or reformed form of the old high kingship of the Britons. The Welsh had originally been the High Kings of the Britons up until the claim to be high king of late Romano-British Britain was no longer realistic after the death of [[Cadwaladr]] in 664.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kessler |first=P. L. |title=Kingdoms of Cymru Celts - Wales / Cymru |url=https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsBritain/CymruPrinces.htm |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=www.historyfiles.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> Cadwaldr was also heavily associated with the symbol of the Red Dragon of Wales.<ref>Hughes, Jonathan, "Politics and the occult at the Court of Edward IV", ''Princes and Princely Culture: 1450–1650'', Brill, 2005, p.112-13.</ref><ref name="woo2">D.R. Woolf, "The power of the past: history, ritual and political authority in Tudor England", in Paul A. Fideler, ''Political Thought and the Tudor Commonwealth:Deep Structure, Discourse, and Disguise'', New York, 1992, pp.21–22.</ref>

According to Dr Sean Davies, "in these straitened circumstances, and with outside observers ridiculing the status of Welsh kings, ambitious native nobles adopted the novel title of prince ({{lang-cy|Tywysog}}, {{Lang-la|Princeps}}), in order to set them apart from their fellow "kings"."<ref>"Why Does Wales Have Princes and Not Kings?" ''The History Press''. Accessed February 1, 2013. http://thehistorypressuk.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/why-does-wales-have-princes-and-not-kings/.</ref> However, the title King of Wales was later used by at least one other Welsh ruler, [[Owain Gwynedd]] (c. 1100–1170). "In his first two letters to Louis, Owain described himself as "king of Wales" and "king of the Welsh"."<ref>{{cite book |last=Carpenter |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/struggleformaste00davi |title=The struggle for mastery |year=2004 |isbn=9780140148244 |url-access=registration}}</ref> His direct rule was, however, limited to [[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]]. Owain was also the first Welsh ruler to be known as [[Prince of Wales]]. He ruled over much of Northern Wales, but a lack of success in military campaigns limited his ability to extend his control. After the death of Owain Gwynedd in 1170, the mantle of paramount Welsh ruler was taken up by [[Rhys ap Gruffydd]] (c. 1132–1197), who was called "Head of all Wales" by the [[Brut y Tywysogion]] on his death in 1197. His direct rule was limited to Deheubarth. For a list of Welsh rulers upon whom titles such as these were bestowed (leading ultimately to the title [[Prince of Wales]]), see [[King of the Britons]].

The deaths of the Welsh princes [[Llywelyn ap Gruffudd]] and his brother [[Dafydd ap Gruffydd]] during the [[conquest of Wales]] by King [[Edward I of England]] in 1283 ended [[Welsh independence]] for over a century. The title of Prince of Wales was then used by the English monarchy for the heir to the English throne.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History Press {{!}} Llywelyn the Last |url=https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/articles/llywelyn-the-last/ |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=www.thehistorypress.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite magazine |last=Long |first=Tony |title=Oct. 3, 1283: As Bad Deaths Go, It's Hard to Top This |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/10/dayintech-1003/ |access-date=2022-05-27 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> The use of this title by an English monarch has been described as a "humiliation" of Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-07 |title=Michael Sheen reveals what he said to Prince Charles when he handed back OBE |url=https://nation.cymru/news/michael-sheen-reveals-what-he-said-to-prince-charles-when-he-handed-back-obe/ |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Although [[Owain Glyndŵr]] led the [[Welsh Revolt]] against English rule in the early 15th century, and briefly re-established an independent Welsh state.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OWAIN GLYNDWR (c. 1354 - 1416), "Prince of Wales" {{!}} Dictionary of Welsh Biography |url=https://biography.wales/article/s-OWAI-GLY-1354#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0&manifest=https://damsssl.llgc.org.uk/iiif/2.0/4672503/manifest.json&xywh=879,949,569,459 |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=biography.wales}}</ref><ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|last=Kingsford|first=C.|display=Henry V (1387–1422)|volume=13|wstitle=Henry V. of England|authorlink=Charles Lethbridge Kingsford<!-- |editor-link=Hugh Chisholm-->|mode=cs2|inline=1}}</ref> However, the eventual defeat of Glyndwr's forces effectively ended [[Welsh independence]], and since the death of Owain Glyndŵr in 1415, the Prince of Wales title has only been held by a non-native heir to the English (and later British) monarchy.

== List of "Kings of Wales" titleholders ==
The following is a list of those assigned or claiming the title of King or Prince of Wales, including "Sovereigns and Princes of Wales 844–1283".<ref name=":3">{{Citation |last=Turvey |first=Roger |title=The Governance of Native Wales: The Princes as Rulers |date=2014-06-06 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315840802-5 |work=The Welsh Princes |pages=101–124 |publisher=Routledge |doi=10.4324/9781315840802-5 |isbn=978-1-315-84080-2 |access-date=2022-07-26}}</ref> Some sources suggest Rhodri Mawr as the first sovereign of Wales, as well as the first to unite most of Wales.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://cadw.gov.wales/sites/default/files/2019-04/InterpplanPrincesDeheubarth_EN.pdf |title=The Princes of Deheubarth Interpretation Plan Prepared for Cadw |publisher=Red Kite Environment |year=2010}}</ref> While many different leaders in Wales claimed the title of "King of Wales" and ruled majorities of Wales, the modern-day territory of Wales was only fully united under the direct rule of [[Gruffydd ap Llywelyn]] from 1055 to 1063 according to historian [[John Davies (historian)|John Davies]].<ref name="Maund19912">{{cite book |author=K. L. Maund |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nja0RSLWq-AC&pg=PA216 |title=Ireland, Wales, and England in the Eleventh Century |publisher=Boydell & Brewer Ltd |year=1991 |isbn=978-0-85115-533-3 |pages=64–67}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
{| class="wikitable"
!Depiction
!Name &
life details
!Arms
!House, Kingdom
!Welsh Titles
!Reign
!Death & cause
!Source
|-
! colspan="8" |Prior to the Kings of Wales, the title [[King of the Britons]] was used
|-
|
|[[Cynan Dindaethwy]]
(Cynan ap Rhodri)
|
|[[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]] (insecurely from 754)
|
* "King of all Wales" ([[Welsh language|Welsh]]: "Brenin Cymry oll"
|798–816
|
|[[Brut y Tywysogion]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Archaeologia Cambrensis (1846-1899) {{!}} BRUT Y TYWYSOGION: GWENTIAN CHRONICLE 1863 {{!}} 1863 {{!}} Welsh Journals - The National Library of Wales |url=https://journals.library.wales/view/2919943/3012605/31 |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=journals.library.wales |page= |language=en}}</ref>
[[Annals of Ulster]] [[Annales Cambriae]]
|-
|[[File:Rhodri_Mawr.png|center|frameless|165x165px]]
|[[Rhodri the Great]]
(Rhodri ap Merfyn)
|
|[[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]], from 855 also [[Kingdom of Powys|Powys]], from 872 also [[Seisyllwg]]
|
* "began to reign over the Welsh" (843 AD)
* King of Wales<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Nicholas |first=Thomas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WQ6wkDw8DnUC&dq=cynan+tindaethwy+ruled+all+wales&pg=PR5 |title=Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales |date=1991 |publisher=Genealogical Publishing Com |isbn=978-0-8063-1314-6 |language=en}}</ref>
|843
|
|[[Brut y Tywysogion]]<ref name=":2" />
[[Annals of Ulster]]
|-
|
|[[Cadell ap Rhodri]]
|
|
|
* "ruled over all Wales" (877 AD)
|877
|
|[[Brut y Tywysogion]]<ref name=":2" />
|-
|
|[[Anarawd ap Rhodri]]
|
|
|
* "ruled over all Wales" (900 AD)
|900
|
|[[Brut y Tywysogion]]<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[File:Laws_of_Hywel_Dda_(f.1.v)_King_Hywel_cropped.jpg|center|frameless|188x188px]]
|[[Hywel Dda]](Hywel ap Cadell)
|
|[[Deheubarth]] (from 920), from 942 also [[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]] and [[Kingdom of Powys|Powys]]
|
* "King of all Wales" ([[Welsh language|Welsh]]: "Brenin Cymry oll"
|942–949/50
|
|[[Brut y Tywysogion]]<ref name=":2" />
[[Annals of Ulster]] [[Annales Cambriae]]
|-
|
|[[Aeddan ap Blegywryd]]
|
|
|
* "acquired all Wales from sea to sea" (1000 AD)
|1000
|
|[[Brut y Tywysogion]]<ref name=":2" />
|-
|
|[[Llywelyn ap Seisyll]]
|
|[[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]] and [[Kingdom of Powys|Powys]]; from 1022 also [[Deheubarth]]
|
* "took the government upon himself...in his time the country of Wales was twelve years without war"
* "sovereignty of Wales"
|
|1023
|[[Brut y Tywysogion]]<ref name=":2" />
[[Annals of Ulster]]
|-
|
|[[Gruffydd ap Llywelyn]]
1010–1063
|
|[[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]] and [[Kingdom of Powys|Powys]], from 1057 also the rest of [[Wales]]
|
* ''Rex Walensium ("King of Wales")''<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Maund |first=K. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nja0RSLWq-AC |title=Ireland, Wales, and England in the Eleventh Century |date=1991 |publisher=Boydell & Brewer Ltd |isbn=978-0-85115-533-3 |pages=27 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''King of the Britons'' (in 1063; in 1058)
|
* Had "gained all Wales prior to 1037"<ref name=":2" />
* Ruled modern day Wales from 1055 to 1063.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The National Archives - Exhibitions - Uniting the Kingdoms? |url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/utk/wales/welsh.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Wales - History - Themes - Welsh unity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/periods/dark_ages05.shtml}}</ref>
|The Ulster Chronicle states that he was killed by Cynan in 1064, whose father Iago had been put to death by Gruffydd in 1039.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davies |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogTq2KRuu9IC |title=A History of Wales |date=2007-01-25 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-0-14-192633-9 |pages=100 |language=en}}</ref>
|John of Worcester<ref name=":1" />
[[Annals of Ulster]]

''[[Brut y Tywysogion]]''
|-
|[[File:Gruffydd_ap_Cynan.jpg|frameless|171x171px]]
|[[Gruffudd ap Cynan]]
1055–1137
|[[File:Gryffydd_ap_Cynan,_King_of_Gwynedd.svg|center|frameless|143x143px]][[House of Aberffraw]], [[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]] (insecurely from 1081)
|[[House of Aberffraw]], [[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]] (insecurely from 1081)
|
* "king and sovereign and prince and defender and pacifier of all the Welsh" (in 1136)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brut y Tywysogion |url=http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/brut_y_tywysogion.html |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=www.maryjones.us}}</ref>
|1137
|Died in 1137, aged 81–82.
|''[[Brut y Tywysogion]]''
|-
|[[File:Owain_Gwynedd_(PB02299).jpg|frameless|179x179px]]
|[[Owain Gwynedd]]
1100 – November 1170
|[[File:Coat_of_arms_of_Owain_Gwynedd.svg|center|frameless|139x139px]][[Caernarfonshire|Caernarfon]]
(Retroactively attributed with no evidence of use.)
|[[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]]
|
* King of Wales
* King of the Welsh
* Prince of the Welsh
* ''Prince over the British nation'' (in 1146)
|1146–1170
|Died in 1170, aged 69–70.
|''[[Brut y Tywysogion]]''; contemporary charters.<ref>{{cite book |last=Carpenter |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/struggleformaste00davi |title=The struggle for mastery: Britain 1066&ndash;1284 |year=2003 |isbn=9780140148244 |url-access=registration}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="8" |Following this period, the title [[List of rulers of Wales|Prince of Wales]] only was used
|}

== Other uses ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Name &
life details
!House, Kingdom
!Welsh Titles
!Reign
!Source
|-
|[[Geraint of Dumnonia|Geraint]]
|?670–c. 710
[[Dumnonia|Dumonia]]
|
* King of the Welsh (710) (Not mentioned in Brut y Tywysogion, so was likely only King of Welsh in Dumonia)
|710
|''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/657/pg657.html |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=gutenberg.org |language=en}}</ref>
|}
{{History of Wales}}

==See also==
* [[List of rulers of Wales]]
* [[King of the Britons]]
* [[Prince of Wales]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Welsh monarchs| King of Wales]]

Revision as of 01:26, 30 January 2023

This redirect is about the historical kingdom. For the country in its current form, see Wales.

Kingdom of Wales
Teyrnasoedd Cymru (Welsh)
1055–1063
Motto: 
  • "Cymru am Byth" (Welsh)
  • "Wales Forever"
Map of the Kingdom 1055-1063 (green)
Map of the Kingdom 1055-1063 (green)
CapitalAberffraw
Common languages
Religion
Christianity
Demonym(s)Welsh (Cymry)
GovernmentMonarchy
Monarch 
• 1055-1063 (first)
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn
Historical eraMiddle ages
• Established
11th century (1055)
CurrencyCeiniog
ISO 3166 codeGB-WLS
Today part of

The Kingdom of Wales (Welsh: Teyrnasoedd Cymru) was a sovereign state on the island of Great Britain in northwest Europe, founded in 1055 by King Gruffydd ap Llywelyn when he united all of the Welsh kingdoms, and conquered parts of England.[1] While many different leaders in Wales held the title of "King of Wales", the entire country was only truly united as one kingdom under the rule of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn from 1055 to 1063.[2]

During the Early Middle Ages, Wales, much like Ireland and Anglo-Saxon England rarely achieved a degree of political unity, and was usually divided into several smaller kingdoms. In the 11th century there were four Welsh kingdoms in Wales. These were namely Gwynedd, Deheubarth, Powys and Morgannwg. By this time Wales was now developing into a more consolidated entity, and it ultimately set the stage for Gruffudd ap Llywelyn in the mid-11th century, who united the four kingdoms under his rule, and even conquered land belonging to the English. "In 1055 he absorbed Deheubarth as well, thus becoming in effect King of Wales".[3] John Davies states that Gruffydd was "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales... Thus, from about 1057 until his death in 1063, the whole of Wales recognised the kingship of and notably peaceful rule by Gruffudd ap Llywelyn.[2] "For about seven brief years, Wales was one, under one ruler, a feat with neither precedent nor successor."[4] After his betrayal and death at the hands of his own men, Wales fell into civil war with other Welsh leaders seeking to fill the void of power and become king.

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was referred to as King of Wales or Rex Walensium by John of Worcester.[2] He was the last of a long line of paramount rulers among the insular native Britons to have the title of King of the Britons bestowed upon him, and possibly the only one to truly rule over all the (independent) Britons, as by this time, if not earlier, Wales was the only part of Britain remaining under native Brittonic rule.[4]

History

Before Welsh Kings

See also: King of the Britons

Prior to the King or Prince of Wales title, the title King of the Britons was used to describe the King of the Celtic Britons, ancestors of the Welsh.[5] The Brut y Tywysogion, Gwentian Chronicles of Caradoc of Llancarvan version, which was written no earlier than the mid-16th century lists multiple Kings of the Britons as a "King of Wales".[6][7][8]

Early use of the title

Map of territories ruled by Rhodri Mawr, "King of Wales"
  Kingdom of Rhodri Mawr

Following the departure of the Roman legions from Wales, the country had become fractured into divided territories, each with its own leaders. The first known person to actually call himself king was Rhodri Mawr (c. 820–878) and being from Wales he was by extension called the King of Wales, although he did not control all of the country. Nonetheless, he did unite much of the land under his power, thus demonstrating that it could be possible for Wales to exist as a unified political entity. Though he died in 878,[9] the legacy of what he had accomplished was significant enough to act as motivation for future Welsh leaders to aspire to. This would eventually lead to the rule of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn (c. 1010–1063), the first true Welsh king.

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn rules all Wales

Map of the kingdom of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn
  Wales

From the smaller kingdoms of Wales eventually emerged four major powers: Powys, Gwynedd, Dyfed/Deheubarth, and Morgannwg. With Wales now developing into a more consolidated entity, it ultimately set the stage for Gruffudd ap Llywelyn in the mid-11th century. Alliances with Anglo-Saxon dynasties and Vikings helped him unite the country, and even conquer land belonging to the English. "In 1055 he absorbed Deheubarth as well, thus becoming in effect King of Wales".[10] John Davies states that Gruffydd was "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales... Thus, from about 1057 until his death in 1063, the whole of Wales recognised the kingship of and notably peaceful rule by Gruffudd ap Llywelyn.[2] For about seven brief years, Wales was one, under one ruler, a feat with neither precedent nor successor."[4] After his betrayal and death at the hands of his own men, Wales fell into civil war with other leaders seeking to fill the void of power and become king.

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was referred to as King of Wales or Rex Walensium by John of Worcester.[2] He was the last of a long line of paramount rulers among the insular Britons to have the title of King of the Britons bestowed upon him, and possibly the only one to truly rule over all the (independent) Britons. By this time, if not earlier, Wales was the only part of Britain remaining under Brittonic rule.[4]

Evolution into Prince of Wales

See also: English rule in Wales

The native use of the title "Prince of Wales" appeared more frequent by the eleventh century as a "modernised" or reformed form of the old high kingship of the Britons. The Welsh had originally been the High Kings of the Britons up until the claim to be high king of late Romano-British Britain was no longer realistic after the death of Cadwaladr in 664.[11] Cadwaldr was also heavily associated with the symbol of the Red Dragon of Wales.[12][13]

According to Dr Sean Davies, "in these straitened circumstances, and with outside observers ridiculing the status of Welsh kings, ambitious native nobles adopted the novel title of prince (Welsh: Tywysog, Latin: Princeps), in order to set them apart from their fellow "kings"."[14] However, the title King of Wales was later used by at least one other Welsh ruler, Owain Gwynedd (c. 1100–1170). "In his first two letters to Louis, Owain described himself as "king of Wales" and "king of the Welsh"."[15] His direct rule was, however, limited to Gwynedd. Owain was also the first Welsh ruler to be known as Prince of Wales. He ruled over much of Northern Wales, but a lack of success in military campaigns limited his ability to extend his control. After the death of Owain Gwynedd in 1170, the mantle of paramount Welsh ruler was taken up by Rhys ap Gruffydd (c. 1132–1197), who was called "Head of all Wales" by the Brut y Tywysogion on his death in 1197. His direct rule was limited to Deheubarth. For a list of Welsh rulers upon whom titles such as these were bestowed (leading ultimately to the title Prince of Wales), see King of the Britons.

The deaths of the Welsh princes Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and his brother Dafydd ap Gruffydd during the conquest of Wales by King Edward I of England in 1283 ended Welsh independence for over a century. The title of Prince of Wales was then used by the English monarchy for the heir to the English throne.[16][17] The use of this title by an English monarch has been described as a "humiliation" of Wales.[18]

Although Owain Glyndŵr led the Welsh Revolt against English rule in the early 15th century, and briefly re-established an independent Welsh state.[19][20] However, the eventual defeat of Glyndwr's forces effectively ended Welsh independence, and since the death of Owain Glyndŵr in 1415, the Prince of Wales title has only been held by a non-native heir to the English (and later British) monarchy.

List of "Kings of Wales" titleholders

The following is a list of those assigned or claiming the title of King or Prince of Wales, including "Sovereigns and Princes of Wales 844–1283".[21] Some sources suggest Rhodri Mawr as the first sovereign of Wales, as well as the first to unite most of Wales.[21][22] While many different leaders in Wales claimed the title of "King of Wales" and ruled majorities of Wales, the modern-day territory of Wales was only fully united under the direct rule of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn from 1055 to 1063 according to historian John Davies.[23][21]

Depiction Name &

life details

Arms House, Kingdom Welsh Titles Reign Death & cause Source
Prior to the Kings of Wales, the title King of the Britons was used
Cynan Dindaethwy

(Cynan ap Rhodri)

Gwynedd (insecurely from 754)
  • "King of all Wales" (Welsh: "Brenin Cymry oll"
 798–816 Brut y Tywysogion[24]

Annals of Ulster Annales Cambriae

Rhodri the Great

(Rhodri ap Merfyn)

Gwynedd, from 855 also Powys, from 872 also Seisyllwg
  • "began to reign over the Welsh" (843 AD)
  • King of Wales[21][25]
 843 Brut y Tywysogion[24]

Annals of Ulster

Cadell ap Rhodri
  • "ruled over all Wales" (877 AD)
 877 Brut y Tywysogion[24]
Anarawd ap Rhodri
  • "ruled over all Wales" (900 AD)
 900 Brut y Tywysogion[24]
Hywel Dda(Hywel ap Cadell) Deheubarth (from 920), from 942 also Gwynedd and Powys
  • "King of all Wales" (Welsh: "Brenin Cymry oll"
 942–949/50 Brut y Tywysogion[24]

Annals of Ulster Annales Cambriae

Aeddan ap Blegywryd
  • "acquired all Wales from sea to sea" (1000 AD)
 1000 Brut y Tywysogion[24]
Llywelyn ap Seisyll Gwynedd and Powys; from 1022 also Deheubarth
  • "took the government upon himself...in his time the country of Wales was twelve years without war"
  • "sovereignty of Wales"
 1023 Brut y Tywysogion[24]

Annals of Ulster

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn

1010–1063

Gwynedd and Powys, from 1057 also the rest of Wales
  • Rex Walensium ("King of Wales")[26]
  • King of the Britons (in 1063; in 1058)
  • Had "gained all Wales prior to 1037"[24]
  • Ruled modern day Wales from 1055 to 1063.[27][28]
 The Ulster Chronicle states that he was killed by Cynan in 1064, whose father Iago had been put to death by Gruffydd in 1039.[29] John of Worcester[26]

Annals of Ulster

Brut y Tywysogion

Gruffudd ap Cynan

1055–1137

House of Aberffraw, Gwynedd (insecurely from 1081) 		House of Aberffraw, Gwynedd (insecurely from 1081)
  • "king and sovereign and prince and defender and pacifier of all the Welsh" (in 1136)[30]
 1137 Died in 1137, aged 81–82. Brut y Tywysogion
Owain Gwynedd

1100 – November 1170

Caernarfon

(Retroactively attributed with no evidence of use.)

Gwynedd
  • King of Wales
  • King of the Welsh
  • Prince of the Welsh
  • Prince over the British nation (in 1146)
 1146–1170 Died in 1170, aged 69–70. Brut y Tywysogion; contemporary charters.[31]
Following this period, the title Prince of Wales only was used

Other uses

Name &

life details

House, Kingdom Welsh Titles Reign Source
Geraint ?670–c. 710

Dumonia

  • King of the Welsh (710) (Not mentioned in Brut y Tywysogion, so was likely only King of Welsh in Dumonia)
 710 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle[32]
Part of a series on the
History of Wales
Red Dragon of Wales
WALLIA PRINCIPATUS Vulgo WALES
Chronology
Medieval kingdoms
Rulers
Law
Polities
Local history
Topics

See also

References

  1. ^ Davies (1994) p. 100
  2. ^ a b c d e K. L. Maund (1991). Ireland, Wales, and England in the Eleventh Century. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. pp. 64–67. ISBN 978-0-85115-533-3.
  3. ^ Fletcher, Richard (1989). Who's who in Roman Britain and Anglo-Saxon England. Shepheard-Walwyn. p. 245. ISBN 0-85683-089-5.
  4. ^ a b c d Davies, John (1993). A History of Wales. London: Penguin. p. 100. ISBN 0-14-014581-8.
  5. ^ Kari Maund (2000). The Welsh Kings: The Medieval Rulers of Wales. Tempus. ISBN 0-7524-2321-5.
  6. ^ "Archaeologia Cambrensis (1846-1899) | BRUT Y TYWYSOGION: GWENTIAN CHRONICLE 1863 | 1863 | Welsh Journals - The National Library of Wales". journals.library.wales. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  7. ^ Caradoc, of Llancarvan; Iolo, Morganwg; Owen, Aneurin (1863). Brut y tywysogion: the Gwentian chronicle of Caradoc of Llancarvan. University of California Libraries. London : J.R. Smith [etc.]
  8. ^ "WALES". fmg.ac. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  9. ^ "GO BRITANNIA! Wales: Royals Families of Wales." Accessed February 1, 2013. http://britannia.com/wales/fam1.html.
  10. ^ Fletcher, Richard (1989). Who's who in Roman Britain and Anglo-Saxon England. Shepheard-Walwyn. p. 245. ISBN 0-85683-089-5.
  11. ^ Kessler, P. L. "Kingdoms of Cymru Celts - Wales / Cymru". www.historyfiles.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  12. ^ Hughes, Jonathan, "Politics and the occult at the Court of Edward IV", Princes and Princely Culture: 1450–1650, Brill, 2005, p.112-13.
  13. ^ D.R. Woolf, "The power of the past: history, ritual and political authority in Tudor England", in Paul A. Fideler, Political Thought and the Tudor Commonwealth:Deep Structure, Discourse, and Disguise, New York, 1992, pp.21–22.
  14. ^ "Why Does Wales Have Princes and Not Kings?" The History Press. Accessed February 1, 2013. http://thehistorypressuk.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/why-does-wales-have-princes-and-not-kings/.
  15. ^ Carpenter, David (2004). The struggle for mastery. ISBN 9780140148244.
  16. ^ "The History Press | Llywelyn the Last". www.thehistorypress.co.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  17. ^ Long, Tony. "Oct. 3, 1283: As Bad Deaths Go, It's Hard to Top This". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Michael Sheen reveals what he said to Prince Charles when he handed back OBE". Nation.Cymru. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  19. ^ "OWAIN GLYNDWR (c. 1354 - 1416), "Prince of Wales" | Dictionary of Welsh Biography". biography.wales. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  20. ^  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Kingsford, C. (1911), "Henry V (1387–1422)", in Chisholm, Hugh (ed.), Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 13 (11th ed.), Cambridge University Press
  21. ^ a b c d Turvey, Roger (6 June 2014), "The Governance of Native Wales: The Princes as Rulers", The Welsh Princes, Routledge, pp. 101–124, doi:10.4324/9781315840802-5, ISBN 978-1-315-84080-2, retrieved 26 July 2022
  22. ^ The Princes of Deheubarth Interpretation Plan Prepared for Cadw (PDF). Red Kite Environment. 2010.
  23. ^ K. L. Maund (1991). Ireland, Wales, and England in the Eleventh Century. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. pp. 64–67. ISBN 978-0-85115-533-3.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h "Archaeologia Cambrensis (1846-1899) | BRUT Y TYWYSOGION: GWENTIAN CHRONICLE 1863 | 1863 | Welsh Journals - The National Library of Wales". journals.library.wales. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  25. ^ Nicholas, Thomas (1991). Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales. Genealogical Publishing Com. ISBN 978-0-8063-1314-6.
  26. ^ a b Maund, K. L. (1991). Ireland, Wales, and England in the Eleventh Century. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-85115-533-3.
  27. ^ "The National Archives - Exhibitions - Uniting the Kingdoms?".
  28. ^ "BBC Wales - History - Themes - Welsh unity".
  29. ^ Davies, John (25 January 2007). A History of Wales. Penguin UK. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-14-192633-9.
  30. ^ "Brut y Tywysogion". www.maryjones.us. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  31. ^ Carpenter, David (2003). The struggle for mastery: Britain 1066–1284. ISBN 9780140148244.
  32. ^ "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle". gutenberg.org. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kingdom_of_Wales&oldid=1136376180"