Llywelyn ap Dafydd

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Llywelyn ap Dafydd (c.1260–1287), de jure Prince of Gwynedd (1283–1287), was the eldest son of Dafydd ap Gruffydd the last free ruler of Gwynedd and self-proclaimed Prince of Wales and Elizabeth Ferrers. Nothing is known of his early life, though it is thought he was probably born some time around 1260. It is likely he accompanied his father during periods of exile in England in the 1270s.

Following the death of his uncle Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in late 1282 the governance of Gwynedd was assumed by his father Dafydd ap Gruffudd. Dafydd and his son Owain were captured together near to Cadair Idris on either June 21st or 22nd 1283 and as his father was being escorted out of Wales the light of rebellion passed briefly to Llywelyn.

King Edward I of England now issued urgent orders for the apprehension of the primogeniture of Dafydd ap Gruffudd who was still at large. After about a week on June 29 Llywelyn ap Dafydd was arrested and taken to Rhuddlan to be imprisoned alongside his brother. A force of cavalry and infantry were deployed to escort Llywelyn and Owain out of Gwynedd via Acton Burnell in Shropshire to Bristol before the end of July 1283. After his father was executed for high treason in October 1283 he became the de jure Prince of Gwynedd.

After his arrest the only senior members of the Aberffraw Dynasty who retained their liberty were his uncle Rhodri ap Gruffudd and cousin Thomas ap Rhodri who had formally renounced their rights to the crown.

Llywelyn ap Dafydd died at Bristol Castle in mysterious circumstances in 1287 and was buried in the nearby Dominican church. His brother Owain would "succeed" him in gaol but would linger there for many years until the end of his life.