Llywelyn ap Seisyll (died 1023) was a King of Gwynedd and of Deheubarth in north-west and south-west Wales, also called King of the Britons by the Annals of Ulster. Also called Llywelyn ap Seisyllt
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Little is known about Llywelyn's father Seisyll, who may not have been of Royal blood. According to some genealogies Siesyll and his son Llywelyn were associated with Rhuddlan, perhaps originally as lords of the Rhuddlan commote in Rhos.[1] Llywelyn's wife Angharad was the daughter of Maredydd ab Owain, who ruled much of both northern and southern Wales for a period.
Llywelyn won control of Gwynedd in 1018 when he defeated Aeddan ap Blegywryd in battle, killing him and his four sons. He later gained control of Deheubarth, defeating Rhain, an Irish pretender who claimed to be the son of Maredudd ab Owain, at Abergwili in 1022.
According to the annals in Brut y Tywysogion, Llywelyn's reign was a period of prosperity, "there was no one needy in his realm, and there was no town empty or deserted". His reign was cut short by his premature death in 1023.
His son, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, though still a youth when his father died, was later able to gain control of almost the whole of Wales.
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Aeddan ap Blegywryd |
King of Gwynedd 1018–1023 |
Succeeded by Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig |
| Preceded by Cadell ab Einion |
King of Deheubarth 1018–1023 |
Succeeded by Rhydderch ap Iestyn |