Gwenllian of Wales

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Gwenllian ferch Llywelyn (July, 1282-1337) was the only child of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, prince of Wales. She is sometimes confused with Gwenllian ferch Gruffudd, who lived two centuries earlier.

Gwenllian was born in the royal home Garth Celyn, Aber Garth Celyn (now known as Pen y Bryn Abergwyngregyn) near Bangor, Gwynedd on or about June 19, 1282. Her mother was Llywelyn's wife, Eleanor de Montfort, who died giving birth to the baby.

Just a few months after Gwenllian's birth, on 11 December 1282, with north Wales encircled by the massive army of Edward I of England, her father Llywelyn, lured into a trap, was put to death. Her uncle, Tywysog Dafydd ap Gruffudd, assumed guardianship of the baby, but in June 1283 he and his family were captured at 'Nanhysglain', a secret hiding place in a bog by Bera mountain in the uplands above Garth Celyn. Tywysog Dafyfdd, 'severely injured' was taken to Edward, then moved under guard to Shrewsbury, where he was later executed.

Gwenllian, together with the daughters of Tywysog Dafydd were confined for life in remote, secluded Priories in Lincolnshire. Gwenllian was placed in the Gilbertine Priory at Sempringham, where she was held behind its high walls until her death 54 years later. In committing her to a convent, Edward's aim was not only to prevent her marrying and having children who might claim the principality, but he sought to hide her from the outside world. He chose the Gilbertines in Lincolnshire both because of their remote location and because they were an order with large communities, where the children would not stand out so much. It has been speculated by archaeologists involved in the excavations at Sempringham that the girls may have been taken there by sea rather than land; Sempringham at that time was close to the coast. (This would have reduced the risk of ambush or kidnap by supporters of the princes of Gwynedd.)

Edward III of England, Edward I's grandson, endowed Gwenllian with a pension of £20 per year, the sum needed to pay the priory for her board and lodgings. Her death was recorded by the priory's chronicler Piers Langtoft.

Dafydd's two young sons, direct heirs to the Principality / Kingdom of Wales, were taken to Bristol Castle where they were held prisoner; Llywelyn ap Dafydd died there in 1287 and was buried in the Dominican Church; Owain ap Dafydd survived his brother; the King of England ordered a cage made of timber, bound with iron, in which to hold the prince Owain ap Dafydd, more securely at night. Owain was never released from imprisonment.

Edward took the title of 'Prince of Wales' for the crown, bestowing it upon his son Edward who was crowned in Caernarfon in 1301 aged 17 years. Hence the title passed as a grace title bestowable by the English, and later British, monarchy.

[edit] Prime Source References

  • Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1281-92, 321 ((Inquiry of 1289 concerning the custody of the Welsh royal children)
  • Calendar of Papal Letters, ii, 185, 273
  • Calendar of Memoranda Rolls, 1226-7, no. 2160
  • Calendar of Close Rolls, 1327-30, 65, 175, 273, 322, 438
  • Public Record Office, London E101/351/9 (Letter, noting provision made for the needs of the Welsh royal children, 11 November 1283)
  • Calendar Ancient Petitions, 458 (letter from Gwenllian)
  • Robert Manning (a canon at Sempringham then at Sixhills) see The Works of Thomas Hearne, 4 vols (London, 1810)
  • Annales Prioratus de Dunstaplia,293-4
  • Accounts of Bristol Castle

[edit] External links

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