From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Principality of Wales was formed by the Treaty of Montgomery in 1267 between Henry III of England and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd the prince of Gwynedd. Most of the petty lordships and cantrefi of North, West and central Wales paid homage to the Prince of Wales (the title formally given to Llywelyn in 1267) who would then make homage himself to the King of England as his vassal. After the conquest of Wales by England in 1282 the term came to apply to the part of Wales under the direct rule of the King of England prior to the Laws in Wales Acts 1535-1542. Elsewhere in Wales were the domains of the Marcher Lords and not part of the Principality.
The term is sometimes used in a modern sense to denote all of Wales.
