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Llywelyn ab Iorwerth; Llywelyn Fawr , prince of Gwynedd
(the Great)

Born: c. 1173   Died: 11 April 1240   

Llywelyn was one of the greatest rulers of independent Wales and was at the forefront of Welsh politics for over forty years. He effected considerable change in Wales and paved the way for a single Welsh principality.

Llywellyn was one of just two Welsh rulers to be called 'the Great'. He was a patron of the arts and the Church, and was celebrated as a successful ruler who united much of Wales against England and in so doing helped delay the conquest of Wales. He achieved much through his ambition and ability - both political and military skill.
Llywellyn was buried at Aberconwy having taken the Cistercian habit shortly before his death; his coffin is now in Llanrwst parish church.

Sites associated with this person

Aberconwy 1 Abbey, Conwy (patron; buried at house)

Basingwerk Abbey, Flintshire (patron)

Beddgelert Priory, Gwynedd (patron)

Cymer Abbey, Gwynedd (patron)

Llanfaes Friary, Anglesey (founder)

Penmon Priory, Anglesey (patron)

Puffin Island Priory, Gwynedd (patron)

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

Hurlock, Kathryn, 'Pilgrimage', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: Cardiff, 2013), pp. 119-131

Johnston, Dafydd, 'Monastic patronage of Welsh poetry', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: Cardiff, 2013), pp. 177-190

Maund, Kari, The Welsh Kings (Tempus: Stroud, 2000) pp. 115-29

Stephenson, D., 'Llywelyn Fawr, the Mortimers, and Cwmhir Abbey: the Politics of Monastic Rebuilding', The Transactions of the Radnorshire Society, 80 (2010), pp. 29-41

Stephenson, David, 'The rulers of Gwynedd and Powys', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: Cardiff, 2013), pp. 89-102

Williams-Jones, Keith, 'Llywelyn's charter to Cymer Abbey in 1209', Journal of the Merioneth Historical and Record Society, 3 (1957-1960), pp. 45-78

Web links (open in new window)

Carr, A. D., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online - Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (View website) (Subscription reqd.)

Archival sources

Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, 'Death of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, 1240, with his sons', (Document), (View website)

National Library of Wales, 'Seal of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, the Great', (Document), (View website)