Dafydd ap Llewellyn Prince of Wales 1212-1246

In 1205 [his father] Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw [aged 33] and [his mother] Joan Plantagenet [aged 14] were married. She the illegitmate daughter of [his grandfather] King John of England [aged 38] and [his grandmother] Adela Plantagenet.

Around March 1212 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Prince of Wales was born to Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw [aged 40] and Joan Plantagenet [aged 21] at Castell Hen Blas Coleshill Bagillt. He a grandson of King John of England.

In 1215 Bishop Giles de Braose 7th Baron Braose 5th Baron Bramber died. His brother Reginald succeeded 8th Baron Abergavenny Feudal Creation, 6th Baron Bramber Feudal. He seized his father's lands by force following the death of his brother Giles rousing the anger of Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw [aged 43] whose men attacked de Braose lands in Brecon and Abergavenny and Gower. Abergavenny Castle had to be rebuilt as a result.

In 1219 [his brother-in-law] John "Tadody aka Fatherless" Braose 8th Baron Bramber [aged 22] and [his sister] Margred verch Llewellyn Baroness Clifford [aged 17] were married. They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a granddaughter of King John of England.

On 17th June 1219 David Dunkeld 8th Earl Huntingdon [aged 67] died. His son [his future brother-in-law] John [aged 12] succeeded 9th Earl Huntingdon, 8th Earl of Northampton. [his sister] Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar [aged 1] by marriage Countess Huntingdon, Countess of Northampton.

Before 1220 [his brother-in-law] Walter Clifford 3rd Baron Clifford and [his sister] Margred verch Llewellyn Baroness Clifford [aged 17] were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a granddaughter of King John of England.

On 17th January 1221 Walter Clifford 2nd Baron Clifford [aged 61] died. He was buried at Godstow Abbey [Map]. His son [his brother-in-law] Walter succeeded 3rd Baron Clifford Feudal. [his sister] Margred verch Llewellyn Baroness Clifford [aged 19] by marriage Baroness Clifford Feudal.

Around 1222 [his brother-in-law] John Dunkeld 9th Earl Huntingdon 7th Earl Chester 8th Earl Northampton [aged 15] and [his sister] Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar [aged 4] were married. He the son of David Dunkeld 8th Earl Huntingdon and Matilda Gernon Countess Huntingdon [aged 51]. They were second cousin twice removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a granddaughter of King John of England.

In 1230 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Prince of Wales [aged 17] and Isabella "Lady of Snowdon" Braose Princess Wales [aged 8] were married. She the daughter of William de Braose 9th Baron Abergavenny 7th Baron Bramber [aged 26] and Eva Marshal [aged 27]. They were half fourth cousins. He a grandson of King John of England.

On 2nd May 1230 [his father-in-law] William de Braose 9th Baron Abergavenny 7th Baron Bramber [aged 26] was hanged by Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw [aged 58] for having been found in the bedchamber of his wife Joan Plantagenet [aged 39]. His daughter Eva [aged 3] succeeded 10th Baroness Abergavenny Feudal Creation. William Cantilupe by marriage Baron Abergavenny Feudal Creation. His first cousin John [aged 33] succeeded 8th Baron Bramber Feudal.

On 2nd February 1237 [his mother] Joan Plantagenet [aged 46] died at Abergwyngregyn Bangor.

On 6th June 1237 [his brother-in-law] John Dunkeld 9th Earl Huntingdon 7th Earl Chester 8th Earl Northampton [aged 30] died. Matthew Paris suggests he was poisoned by his wife [his sister] Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar [aged 19]. Earl Huntingdon, Earl of Northampton extinct. Earl Chester merged with the Crown.

In 1240 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Prince of Wales [aged 27] was created Prince of Wales. [his wife] Isabella "Lady of Snowdon" Braose Princess Wales [aged 18] by marriage Princess of Wales.

On 11th April 1240 [his father] Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw [aged 68] died.

Chronica Majora by Matthew Paris. David [aged 29] had, as before stated, sworn to present himself before the [his uncle] king [aged 34], saving his person and honour, and the persons and honour of his subjects, at London or elsewhere, as the king should determine; and had, moreover, given hostages to him for the fulfilment of his promise: he accordingly came to the king, at London, on the eighth day after Michaelmas, and after having sworn fealty and allegiance, and all security and good faith, he was dismissed in peace, as he was so near a relation of the king, and allowed to return home. Henry thus, under God's favour, triumphed over his enemies, and subdued Wales without bloodshed, and without having to tempt the doubtful chances of war. Wales, in this case, discovered that the words of our Lord, mentioned in the Gospel, were not without truth; namely, that "every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation."

Before 1246 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Prince of Wales [aged 33] gave St Winefrid's Well, Holywell [Map] to Basingwerk Abbey [Map].

On 25th February 1246 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Prince of Wales [aged 33] died at Abergwyngregyn Bangor.

After 25th February 1246 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Prince of Wales [deceased] was buried at Aberconwy Abbey [Map].

Around 1248 [his former wife] Isabella "Lady of Snowdon" Braose Princess Wales [aged 26] died. She was buried at Godstow Abbey [Map].

Chronica Majora by Matthew Paris. During all this time Griffin, the son of Llewellyn, had been detained in prison by his brother David, who had treacherously summoned him to a friendly council. Griffin had gone there under the conduct of Richard, bishop of Bangor, and some other Welsh nobles; on account of which crime the said bishop left Wales, after excommunicating the said David. He now went to the king of England, and laid a severe complaint before him of this base crime, and earnestly entreated of the king to release Griffin, who was thus unjustly detained a prisoner by his nephew David, to prevent the taint of such an iniquitous transaction from reaching distant countries and the court of Rome, to the prejudice of his royal honour. The king, therefore, severely reproached his nephew David for his treachery, and both advised and ordered him to liberate his brother, and thus obtain a restoration of his good name, and absolution from the sentence of excommunication. This, however, David, obstinately refused to do, and told the king for certain, that if he were to release Griffin, Wales would never after enjoy security and peace. Griffin, being informed of this, secretly sent word to the king, that if he would release him from prison, he would in future hold his territory from him, the king; that he would faithfully pay him two hundred marks annually for it, with many thanks for his kind services; and he bound himself by oath to fulfil the same, and giving him at the same time a special hostage; besides this, that he would diligently assist him to subdue the Welsh at a distance, who were rebelling against him and were still unsubdued. Another most powerful Welsh chief, named Griffin, the son of Madoch, also promised the king trusty and unwearied assistance, if he would invade Wales, and make war against David, who was a false man, and acted unjustly to many of them.