The Last King of Wales: Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, c.1013-1063 - Softcover

Davies, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0752464604 ISBN 13: 9780752464602

Publisher: The History Press, 2012

Synopsis

Gruffudd ap Llywelyn came closer than any other man to becoming the figure for the Welsh that Alfred is to the English and Charlemagne is to the French, yet on the 1,000-year anniversary of his birth the would-be nation builder is largely forgotten. Gruffudd united all the territories that comprise modern Wales, conquered land across the border that had been in English hands for centuries, forged alliances with key Anglo-Saxon dynasties and turned the Viking threat to his realm into a powerful weapon in his hands. In 1055, Gruffudd led a great army and fleet against the English border, crushing its defenders, burning Hereford and forcing Edward the Confessor to recognise his status as an under-king within the British Isles, leaving Wales as a united and independent state for the only time in its long history. Having emerged as a war leader, Gruffudd would also prove to be more, a patron of the arts and the church. He had the trappings of a king, including impressive wealth, courts at Rhuddlan and throughout the country, professional ministers, a powerful household and a strong naval presence. At the height of his powers he was described by a native source in imperial terms as 'King Gruffudd, sole and pre-eminent ruler of the British . Gruffudd s downfall was engineered by Harold Godwinesson, while his eventual betrayal and murder at the hands of his own men the forebears of the princes who would dominate Welsh politics through to the Edwardian Conquest narrowed Wales political ambitions and left the country in chaos on the eve of the arrival of the Normans. But the connections between Gruffudd, Harold and the events of 1066 go far deeper than that. The man who would become the last Anglo-Saxon king s victory over his great Welsh rival set Harold on an arrow-like path to his own downfall at Hastings three years later

About this title

About the Author:

Michael and Sean Davies each hold a PhD in mediaeval history, and both have published books and articles on Welsh history. Michael runs a company which gives historical tours of Wales and Sean is a writer and editor for the BBC in Cardiff. They both live in Wales.

About this edition

• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0752464604
• ISBN 13: 9780752464602
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176