Biography of Dafydd ap Llewellyn Aberffraw Prince of Wales 1212-1246

Paternal Family Tree: Aberffraw

Maternal Family Tree: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy

In 1205 [his father] Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw (age 33) and [his mother] Joan Plantagenet (age 14) were married. She the illegitmate daughter of King John "Lackland" of England (age 38) and Adela Plantagenet.

Around Mar 1212 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Aberffraw Prince of Wales was born to Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw (age 40) and Joan Plantagenet (age 21) at Castell Hen Blas Coleshill Bagillt. He a grandson of King John "Lackland" of England.

In 1230 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Aberffraw Prince of Wales (age 17) and Isabella "Lady of Snowdon" Braose Princess Wales (age 8) were married. They were half fourth cousins. He a grandson of King John "Lackland" of England.

On 02 May 1230 [his father-in-law] William de Braose (age 26) was hanged by [his father] Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw (age 58) for having been found in the bedchamber of his wife [his mother] Joan Plantagenet (age 39). His daughter [his sister-in-law] Eva de Braose (age 3) succeeded 10th Baron Bergavenny (Feudal Creation). William Cantilupe by marriage Baron Bergavenny Feudal Creation.

On 02 Feb 1237 [his mother] Joan Plantagenet (age 46) died at Abergwyngregyn Bangor.

In 1240 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Aberffraw Prince of Wales (age 27) was created Prince of Wales. [his wife] Isabella "Lady of Snowdon" Braose Princess Wales (age 18) by marriage Princess of Wales.

On 11 Apr 1240 [his father] Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw (age 68) died.

After 12 Aug 1241 Humphrey Bohun (age 20) and [his sister-in-law] Eleanor de Braose (age 13) were married at Brecon [Map]. He the son of Humphrey Bohun 2nd Earl Hereford 1st Earl Essex (age 37) and Matilda Lusignan Countess Hereford and Essex (age 31). They were fourth cousins.

Chronica Majora. David (age 29) had, as before stated, sworn to present himself before the [his uncle] king (age 34), saving his person and honour, and the persons and honour of his subjects, at London or elsewhere, as the king should determine; and had, moreover, given hostages to him for the fulfilment of his promise: he accordingly came to the king, at London, on the eighth day after Michaelmas, and after having sworn fealty and allegiance, and all security and good faith, he was dismissed in peace, as he was so near a relation of the king, and allowed to return home. Henry thus, under God's favour, triumphed over his enemies, and subdued Wales without bloodshed, and without having to tempt the doubtful chances of war. Wales, in this case, discovered that the words of our Lord, mentioned in the Gospel, were not without truth; namely, that "every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation."

Before 1246 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Aberffraw Prince of Wales (age 33) gave St Winefrid's Well, Holywell [Map] to Basingwerk Abbey [Map].

On 25 Feb 1246 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Aberffraw Prince of Wales (age 33) died at Abergwyngregyn Bangor.

After 25 Feb 1246 Dafydd ap Llewellyn Aberffraw Prince of Wales (age 33) was buried at Aberconwy Abbey [Map].

Around 1248 [his former wife] Isabella "Lady of Snowdon" Braose Princess Wales (age 26) died. She was buried at Godstow Abbey [Map].

Chronica Majora. Incited by these promises, the [his uncle] king made arrangements to enter Wales, He therefore issued royal letters, ordering all throughout England who owed him military service to assemble at Gloucester, in the beginning of autumn, equipped with horses and arms, to set out on an expedition which he had determined on. He next held a council at Shrewsbury, on the morrow of the feast of St. Peter "ad vincula," and within a fortnight he raised his standard, and turned his arms against his nephew David, as he had discovered him to be a traitor and rebel in every respect, and as he refused to come at any time to a peaceable conference at his, the king's, summons, even under a promise of safe-conduct; for in a stiff-necked and obstinate way he replaied that he would not, on any account, release his brother [his brother] Griffin. The king then led his army, which was numerous and of great strength, in good order, towards Chester, as if about to make war immediately. David, however, feared to encounter his violence, both because the heat, which had continued intense for four months, had dried up all the lakes and marshy places of Wales, and because many of the Welsh nobles, especially the powerfid and prudent Griffin, the son of Madoch, who had become a great ally of the king's, loved Griffin more than him, David, and also because he was lying under an anathema, and feared lest he should become still worse off; he therefore sent word to the king that he would set Griffin at liberty, at the same time informing him with many reasonings, that if he did release him, he would excite renewed wars against him. David also imposed on the king the condition that he should receive him peaceably, on his binding himself by oath, and by giving hostages, and that he would not deprive him of his inheritance. This the king kindly conceded, and David thereupon released his brother Griffin, and sent him to the king, who, trusting to prudent advice, sent him, on his arrival, to London, under the protection and conduct of John of Lexington, to be there kept in the Tower [Map], with some other nobles of Wales, the hostages of David and other Welsh princes. All these events occurred between the day of the Nativity of St. Mary and Michaelmas-day.

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Chronica Majora. During all this time [his brother] Griffin, the son of [his father] Llewellyn, had been detained in prison by his brother David, who had treacherously summoned him to a friendly council. Griffin had gone there under the conduct of Richard, bishop of Bangor, and some other Welsh nobles; on account of which crime the said bishop left Wales, after excommunicating the said David. He now went to the [his uncle] king of England, and laid a severe complaint before him of this base crime, and earnestly entreated of the king to release Griffin, who was thus unjustly detained a prisoner by his nephew David, to prevent the taint of such an iniquitous transaction from reaching distant countries and the court of Rome, to the prejudice of his royal honour. The king, therefore, severely reproached his nephew David for his treachery, and both advised and ordered him to liberate his brother, and thus obtain a restoration of his good name, and absolution from the sentence of excommunication. This, however, David, obstinately refused to do, and told the king for certain, that if he were to release Griffin, Wales would never after enjoy security and peace. Griffin, being informed of this, secretly sent word to the king, that if he would release him from prison, he would in future hold his territory from him, the king; that he would faithfully pay him two hundred marks annually for it, with many thanks for his kind services; and he bound himself by oath to fulfil the same, and giving him at the same time a special hostage; besides this, that he would diligently assist him to subdue the Welsh at a distance, who were rebelling against him and were still unsubdued. Another most powerful Welsh chief, named Griffin, the son of Madoch, also promised the king trusty and unwearied assistance, if he would invade Wales, and make war against David, who was a false man, and acted unjustly to many of them.