Monastic Wales.








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Llywelyn ap Gruffudd , Prince of Wales
(Llywelyn the last)

Died: 1282   

The most 'celebrated' of Wales's native princes, Llywelyn was killed by Edward I's troops in 1282 and his head was sent to the King of England. Llywelyn's body was buried at Cwmhir.

Llywelyn had a close relationship with the Cistercians in Wales and in 1275 the abbots of the seven Welsh Cistercian houses wrote to Pope Gregory X defending their prince against the bishop of Asaph's accusations that Llywelyn and his men were exploiting the monasteries' hospitality. They praised the prince who was their protector.
Llywelyn was also a benefactor of the Augustinian priory at Beddgelert.

Sites associated with this person

Bangor Friary, Gwynedd (founder)

Beddgelert Priory, Gwynedd (benefactor)

Cwmhir Abbey, Powys (Buried at house)

Cymer Abbey, Gwynedd (benefactor)

Rhuddlan Friary, Denbighshire (founder)

Valle Crucis Abbey, Denbighshire (Lends money)

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

Bezant, Jemma, 'Travel and communication', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: Cardiff, 2013), pp. 133-145

Maund, Kari, The Welsh Kings (Tempus: Stroud, 2000) pp. 128-45

Web links (open in new window)

Smith, J. B., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online - Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (View website) (Subscription reqd.)

Archival sources

The National Archives, 'Agreement between Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and Maredudd ap Rhys', (Document), (View website)

The National Archives, 'Agreement between Llywelyn, prince of Wales and lord of Snowden, and the prior and convent of Beddge', (Document), (View website)

British Library, 'The death of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, 11 December 1282', (Document), (View website)


 
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