A Dictionary of British and Irish History

D

DAFYDD AP GRUFFUDD

(b. c.1235; d. 3 Oct. 1283 at Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, aged about 48). Rebellious younger brother of LLYWELYN AP GRUFFUDD (prince of GWYNEDD, NW Wales, 1246–82).

Dafydd revolted three times against Llywelyn: in 1255 (reconciled 1257, after invasion by King HENRY III of England); in 1263, when he fled to England (reconciled after treaty of MONTGOMERY, 1267); in 1274 (reconciled 1277; see ABERCONWY, TREATY OF). On 22 March 1282 he initiated a Welsh revolt against the MARCH OF WALES, provoking invasion (see WALES, ENGLISH CONQUEST OF). After Llywelyn's death (Dec. 1282), Dafydd led the revolt, but was captured (June 1283), tried and executed.

DAFYDD AP GWILYM

(b. c.1320, possibly at Bro Gynin, Cardiganshire, Wales; d. c.1349, aged about 29). A famous early Modern Welsh bard; poet of love and nature; pioneer of the seven‐syllable cywydd metre. Dafydd ap Gwilym introduced the European cult of ‘courtly love’ into Welsh poetry. He died possibly in the BLACK DEATH. See also WELSH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE.

DAFYDD AP LLYWELYN

(b. c.1205; d. Feb. 1246 at Aber, Gwynedd, aged about 41). Welsh prince; son of LLYWELYN AP IORWERTH and SIWAN; ruler of GWYNEDD (NW Wales) 1240–6.

During the 1220s and 1230s Dafydd's father sought recognition from King HENRY III of England of Dafydd as his sole successor (he had an elder half‐brother), so Gwynedd would preserve its unity and its dominance in Wales. After Dafydd's accession, however, Henry compelled him to do homage ...