General Notes

[Direct Linage1.FTW]

In south Wales, after the dust settled from the internal disputes after the death of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, Rhys ap Tewdwr emerged in the prominent position amongst the Wlesh in Deheubarth. He, along with Gruffudd ap Cynan, was the benefactor of the battle of Mynydd Carn. From 1078, he managed to survive for 15 years in that position, despite repeated attempts to ouster him. Rhys also benefitted from an
agreement struck with William the Conquerer in 1081.

William had not played a prominent role in Welsh affairs until 1081. Having more or less completed th e submission of England, Willaim decided to make a show of power in south Wales, not only to impress the natives but also to reaffirm roayl power to the Marcher lords. This was done under the guise of a pilgrimage to St. David's. During William's tour, he met with Rhys, and it seems that an agreement was struck, where Rhys accepted the overlordship of the king in return for recognition of Rhys' rights in
Dehuebarth. However, Rhys was killed in 1093, in battle against the Normans who were establishing themselves in Brechniog, which may have been a breach of the agreement Rhys had made with the king. However, William I had died and been replaced by his son, William Rufus, who apparently was willing to forgo the agreement of his father and allow the Marcher lords to continue their expansion. This stiuation was magnified by Rhys ap Tewdwr's death. The Brut has the following entry for 1093 (1091 in the
Rolls edition):

"One year and one thousand and ninety was the year of Christ when Rhys ap Tewdwr, king of Deheubarth, was killed by the French, who inhabited Brecheiniog; and then fell the kingdom of the  Britons...the French came into Dyfed and Ceredigion, which they have still retained, and fortified
the castles, and seized upon all the land of the Britons."

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