Memorial

Memorial

He was under fourteen in 1136, so was left home when Gwenllian rode out to war, and therefore survived, as his older brothers did not. He became a skilled warrior and diplomat; Henry II made him the justiciar of South Wales in 1172. The title which translates to "The Lord Rhys" was not used in his lifetime, and does not appear in the Brut.

The "greatness" of his rule can in large part be attributed to his ability to not only fight the Anglo-Normans, but make treaties with them, an unusual gift. His agreement with King Henry II (1171), which affirmed his independent status under the Crown, lasted until Henry's death.

In April 1197 Rhys died unexpectedly and was buried in St David's Cathedral. The chronicler of Brut y Tywysogion records for 1197: “ ... there was a great pestilence throughout the island of Britain ... and that tempest killed innumerable people and many of the nobility and many princes, and spared none. That year, four days before May Day, died Rhys ap Gruffydd, Prince of Deheubarth and unconquered head of all Wales." Jones, T., ed. 1941. Brut y Tywysogion: Peniarth MS. 20. University of Wales Press, p. 138.