His father, Gruffydd Fychan II, was a hereditary prince of Powys Fadog and Lord of Glyndyfrdwy, one of the lines of Welsh lords and princes who traced their royal lineage back to before the Norman ...

He undertook campaigns similar to those of his grandfather. He secured the allegiance of the Lords of Powys Fadog, seized Powys Wenwynwyn and ensured that authority in Deheubarth was in the hands ...

became known as Powys Fadog, the southern part (Montgomeryshire) as Powys Wenwynwyn. Deheubarth was also on the verge of division, for the sons of the Lord Rhys were a quarrelsome brood.

He undertook campaigns similar to those of his grandfather. He secured the allegiance of the Lords of Powys Fadog, seized Powys Wenwynwyn and ensured that authority in Deheubarth was in the hands ...