Plots and snowstorms

In February 1274 Prince Llywelyn of Wales survived a conspiracy against his life. This was hatched by his younger brother, Dafydd, and the eldest son of the prince of southern Powys, Owain ap Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn. Their plan was for Owain and his men to come to Llywelyn's court at night. Dafydd would admit them through a postern gate, and they would go to Llywelyn's bedchamber and kill him. Afterwards, Dafydd would be proclaimed the new Prince of Wales and marry one of Owain's sisters. This would (in theory) end the long feud between the rival houses of Aberffraw and Mathrafal. In the event, their plot was foiled by a snowstorm. When Llywelyn discovered the conspiracy, he had Owain arrested and summoned Dafydd to appear before him. Dafydd refused, and Wales briefly collapsed into civil war. The chancery at Bangor records that Dafydd plundered Llywelyn's lands, while a fragment from the lost Red Book of Asaph notes that Madog ap Gruffudd, lord of Powys Fadog (northern Powys) was absent on campaign at this time. Since Madog was one of Prince Llywelyn's chief supporters, he had probably been summoned to fight Dafydd. Llywelyn also summoned Gruffudd, Owain's father, to explain himself. Yet Gruffudd was never explicitly accused of being involved in the assassination plot. Instead he was made to kneel before Llywelyn in open court and surrender some of his lands for his 'offence'. The nature of his offence is not described; it may be that Llywelyn was unwilling to make a direct accusation without proof. Gruffudd himself always claimed that Llywelyn exploited the plot to invade his territory. Whatever the truth, the outcome was disastrous. Dafydd and Gruffudd fled to the court of Edward I, and gave the king every assistance against Llywelyn. Dafydd would later return to his brother's allegiance, but by then the damage was done. The plot should not be taken in isolation. By 1274 Llywelyn's power was fragmenting: he had lost a war in Glamorgan, the Marcher lords were ganging up on him, and his support among the Welsh was falling away. One can interpret Dafydd's actions in several ways – either he was a traitor (whatever that means) or he was trying to save Wales from Llywelyn's failing rule. Or, he was a typical medieval opportunist, doing what such folk did. Not very successfully, in this case. David Pilling's History Stuff is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Upgrade to paid David Pilling's History Stuff. © 2024 History Stuff 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104