Chapter I: The Wales of the Princes

Isolated after the battles of Deorham and Chester, mediæval Wales begins to make its own history. The House of Cunedda represents unity, the other princes represent independence. English, Danish, Norman attacks from without.

1. 613–1063. _The struggle between the Welsh princes and
the English provincial kings_. From the
battle of Chester to the fall of Griffith ap
Llywelyn.
(_a_) Between Wales and Northumbria, 613–700; for the
sovereignty of the north. Cadwallon, Cadwaladr v. Edwin,
Oswald, Oswiu.
(_b_) Between Wales and Mercia, 700–815; for the valley of
the Severn. Rhodri Molwynog and his sons v. Ethelbald and
Offa.
(_c_) Between Wales and the Danes, 815–1000. Rhodri the
Great and Howel the Good.
(_d_) Between Wales and Wessex, 1000–1063; for political
influence. Griffith ap Llywelyn v. Harold.
2. 1063–1284. _The struggle between the Welsh princes and
the central English kings_.
(_a_) 1066–1137. _The Norman Conquest_. Norman barons v.
Griffith ap Conan and Griffith ap Rees.
1063. Bleddyn of Powys tries to unite Wales.
1070. William the Conqueror at Chester. Advance
of Norman barons from Chester, Shrewsbury,
Hereford, Gloucester.
1075. Death of Bleddyn; succeeded by Trahaiarn.
1077. Battle of Mynydd Carn. Restoration of House
of Cunedda—Griffith ap Conan in the north;
Rees, followed by his son Griffith, in the
south.
1094. Norman castles dominate Powys, Gwent,
Morgannwg, and Dyved. Gwynedd and
Deheubarth threatened.
1137. Death of Griffith ap Conan and Griffith ap
Rees, after setting bounds to the Norman
Conquest.
(_b_) 1137–1197. _The struggle against Henry II. and his
sons_.
1137. The accession of Owen Gwynedd and of the
Lord Rees of the Deheubarth.
1157. Henry II. interferes in the quarrel of Owen
and Cadwaladr.
1564. The Cistercians at Strata Florida.
1164. Meeting of Owen Gwynedd, the Lord Rees, and
Owen Cyveiliog at Corwen, to oppose Henry
II.
1170. Death of Owen Gwynedd.
1188. Preaching of the Crusades in Wales.
1189. Death of Henry II.
1197. Death of the Lord Rees.
(_c_) 1194–1240. _The reign of Llywelyn the Great_.
1194–1201. Securing the crown of Gwynedd.
1201–1208. Alliance with King John.
1208–1212. War with John.
1212–1218. Alliance with barons of Magna Carta.
1218–1226. Struggle with the Marshalls of Pembroke.
1226–1240. Unity of Wales: alliance with Marshalls.
(_d_) 1240–1284. _The Wars of Independence_.
1241. David II. does homage to Henry III.
1244. Death of Griffith, in trying to escape from
the Tower of London.
1245. Fierce fighting on the Conway.
1254. Edward (afterwards Edward I.) Earl of
Chester.
1255. Llywelyn ap Griffith supreme in Gwynedd.
1263. Alliance with the English barons.
1267. Treaty of Montgomery; Llywelyn Prince of
Wales.
1274. Llywelyn refuses to do homage to Edward I.
1277. Treaty of Rhuddlan; Llywelyn keeps Gwynedd
only.
1278. Llywelyn marries Eleanor de Montfort.
1282. Last war. Battle of Moel y Don. Llywelyn’s
death.
1284. Statute of Wales.
3. 1284–1535. _The rule of sheriff and march lord_.
1287. Revolt of Ceredigion.
1294. Revolts In Gwynedd, Dyved, Morgannwg.
1315. Revolt of Llywelyn Bren.
1349. The Black Death in Wales.
1400. Rise of Owen Glendower.
1402. Battles of the Vyrnwy and Bryn Glas.
1404. Anti-Welsh legislation.
1455. The Wars of the Roses.
1461. Battle of Mortimer’s Cross.
1468. Siege of Harlech.
1469. Battle of Edgecote.
1478. Court of Wales at Ludlow.
1485. Battle of Bosworth and accession of Henry
VII.
1535. Act of Union. All Wales governed by king
through sheriffs.