Biography of Maelgwn Dinefwr 1170-1230

Paternal Family Tree: Aberffraw

Maternal Family Tree: Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd 1065-1162

Around 1155 [his father] Rhys ap Gruffydd "The Lord Rhys" Dinefwr (age 23) and [his mother] Gwenllian ferch Madog Mathrafal were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Madog ap Maredudd Mathrafal Prince Powys and [his grandmother] Susanna Aberffraw (age 18). He the son of [his grandfather] Gruffudd ap Rhys King Deheubarth and [his grandmother] Gwenllian Aberffraw Queen Consort Deheubarth. They were first cousins.

Around 1170 Maelgwn Dinefwr was born to [his father] Rhys ap Gruffydd "The Lord Rhys" Dinefwr (age 38) and [his mother] Gwenllian ferch Madog Mathrafal. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.94%.

The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 2. We slept that night in the monastery of St. Dogmael [Map], where, as well as on the next day at Aberteivi [Map], we were handsomely entertained by [his father] prince Rhys (age 55). On the Cemmeis side of the river, not far from the bridge, the people of the neighbourhood being assembled together, and Rhys and his two sons, Malgon (age 17) and [his brother] Gruffydd, being present, the word of the Lord was persuasively preached both by the archbishop and the archdeacon, and many were induced to take the cross; one of whom was an only son, and the sole comfort of his mother, far advanced in years, who, steadfastly gazing on him, as if inspired by the Deity, uttered these words:- "O, most beloved Lord Jesus Christ, I return thee hearty thanks for having conferred on me the blessing of bringing forth a son, whom thou mayest think worthy of thy service." Another woman at Aberteivi, of a very different way of thinking, held her husband fast by his cloak and girdle, and publicly and audaciously prevented him from going to the archbishop to take the cross; but, three nights afterwards, she heard a terrible voice, saying, "Thou hast taken away my servant from me, therefore what thou most lovest shall be taken away from thee." On her relating this vision to her husband, they were struck with mutual terror and amazement; and on falling asleep again, she unhappily overlaid her little boy, whom, with more affection than prudence, she had taken to bed with her. The husband, relating to the bishop of the diocese both the vision and its fatal prediction, took the cross, which his wife spontaneously sewed on her husband's arm.

In 1189 [his brother] Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr Prince Deheubarth and [his sister-in-law] Maud de Braose were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.

In 1189 Maelgwn Dinefwr (age 19) was imprisoned at Dinefwr Castle [Map].

In 1197 Maelgwn Dinefwr (age 27) was captured at Aberystwyth Castle [Map].

On 28th April 1197 [his father] Rhys ap Gruffydd "The Lord Rhys" Dinefwr (age 65) died. He was buried at St David's Cathedral, Pembrokeshire [Map].

In 1201 Maelgwn Dinefwr (age 31) seized at Cilgerran Castle [Map].

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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On 25th July 1201 [his brother] Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr Prince Deheubarth died. He was buried at Strata Florida Abbey [Map].

In 1230 Maelgwn Dinefwr (age 60) died at Llanerchaeron Ceredigion, South West Wales.