Llywelyn+ap+Iorweth

=**Llywelyn ap Iorweth** =

Llywelyn ap Iorweth, also known as "Llywelyn the Great" or "Llywelyn Fawr" is considered the most famous of the native Welsh Princes . A strategist, diplomat, philanthropist and strong leader, his time as Prince of Wales was long and beneficial to the country. He was in turns defeated and victorious over England and his father-in-law, King John .

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**The Beginning**
Llywelyn ap Iorweth was born around 1173 AD in the Gwynedd region of north Wales.

The death of his father while Llywelyn was still an infant, meant that the region was divided amongst his uncles ; however his uncle Dafydd proved to be a cruel leader and due to fighting amongst Dafydd and his brother Rhodri, once Llywelyn was of age, he was able to rally against them in the final decade of the Twelfth Century, and assume his rightful position as Prince of Gwynedd. At the turning of the century, Llywelyn was able to usurp his cousins Gruffudd and Maredudd, taking the castle at Mold in northern Wales. In the intervening years, Llywelyn became the founder of the abbey at Aberconwy and the friary of Llanfaes in Angelsey.



**Llywelyn the Great and King John of England**
Llywelyn’s ambition to take over the region and become the Prince of North Wales drew the attention of England’s King John. It was during this time that Llywelyn received oaths of fealty from the majority of the other Welsh princes, proclaiming Llywelyn as ‘lord paramount’ based on the Welsh laws that had been set out by Rhodri the Great and Hywel Dda. It was this ambition and the fealty he received from the principalities of Wales, that resulted in King John organising the marriage of his daughter Joan to Llywelyn.

It is through this marriage between Llywelyn and Joan that King John believed he would be able to attain more power by advancing on Wales without much opposition. Llywelyn's position as political manipulator and strategist allowed him to effectively close ranks around British invasion forces, by cutting off John's access to supplies it allowed Llywelyn to hold his position as Lord Paramount and effectively force John into retreat in 1211 AD. John returned within the year however, and Llywelyn utilised his marriage to Joan, sending her to meet with her father in order to bring about peace between England and Wales.

 It was through this ability to utilise his position within certain political circles, that Llywelyn was approached by a majority of baronies to partake in their conspiracy to see John dethroned in 1214 AD, three years after he had sent his wife to call for peace between the King and himself. This action against King John, saw Llywelyn excommunicated. Excommunication however, did not stop Llywelyn from participating in taking up arms against England. 

**Llywelyn's Plan**
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Llywelyn ap Iorweth envisioned a Wales that could be free from the machinations of an English ruling class. He unified Wales by encouraging the continued solidarity of Wales as a whole. He was a strategist who was not afraid to exploit his opponents’ weaknesses in an attempt to bring peace and amity to Wales and England. He was very politically minded, utilizing his position and power to forge alliances with those who needed the support of his armies and his wealth. With a continuing desire to see Wales with an incredibly strong government, Llywelyn – though often siding against English rule – still encouraged amicable relations with England. It is through this quest for peace, independence and his determination for the two that made him a great leader and encouraged his successors to do the same.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**Llywelyn at Rest**
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">His tenure as Prince of Wales was not necessarily a peaceful time, but it was considered a “golden age” for Welsh independence. During his forty-six year reign as Prince of Wales, Llywelyn also became a patron to the arts, the monks and friars and architecture, commisioning the building of many structures, such as the abbey of Aberconwy and the friary in Llanaves in Angelsey. Many of the buildings, though while having been refurbished, are still standing, a testement to Llywelyn’s time forming the foundations of Welsh independence. It was his determination to see all of Wales united and sustaining a seperate government from England, that afforded him his success with both war and governmental policy. It was his ability to balance the demands of a general with the demands of a politician that inspired his English and Norman allies.

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