Known as the King of Wales from 1055-1063, Llywelyn had also previously been known as King of Gwynedd and Powys and was related to a number of other Welsh rulers. He is the only person to ever be credited as ruling Wales as a whole.
Quick Facts:
Born: around 1010, Wales
Died: 5th August 1063, Snowdonia, Wales
Reign: 1055-1063
Gruffydd was the son of Llwelyn ap Seisyll, who had ruled both Gwynedd and Powys. On the death of his father, a member of the Aberffraw dynasty become the ruler of Gwynedd and began to raise support in Powys but was killed by his own men, making Gruffydd king. Things weren’t so plain sailing as inheriting the throne, it wasn’t long before his rival from the Kingdom of Gwent expelled him and became king himself. Gruffydd ap Llywelyn then spent several years causing tension along the Welsh border, including attacking Herefordshire and building an army made up of Irish sailors.
As King of Wales
In 1055, Llywelyn killed his rival and recaptured his lands, allying himself with the Earl of Mercia. The pair, with an army, marched on Hereford, burning it to the ground. At this time, Llywelyn, was able to seize a variety of other territories and became recognised as the King of Wales by the English and other countries.
According to historians, the period that Llywelyn claimed sovereignty, Wales was free from internal strife and the various kingdoms lived peacefully alongside each other, something that wasn’t achieved again by his successors.
After his death, the country was divided once again into individual kingdoms.