Rhodri ap Merfyn , commonly known as Rhodri Mawr ( Welsh for 'Rhodri the Great'), was a Welsh king whose legacy has impacted the history of Wales. Rhodri rose to power during a tumultuous era, where the fate of Welsh kingdoms was often determined by the power of their leaders.
21-513: Baron Dinevor , of Dinevor in the County of Carmarthen (usually spelt Dynevor or Dinefwr), is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain . It was created on 17 October 1780 for William Talbot, 1st Earl Talbot , with remainder to his daughter, Lady Cecil, wife of George Rice , a member of a prominent Welsh family. On Lord Talbot's death the earldom became extinct because he left no sons to succeed to it, while
42-638: A battle against the Vikings to retake Anglesey . However, Rhodri and his son Gwriad later perished in a battle against the Anglo-Saxons of Mercia under King Ceolwulf II. Rhodri's realm remained unified upon his demise, passing to his eldest son Anarawd . However, during Rhodri's exile, Ceredigion was conquered by Hyfaidd ap Bleddri , the King of Dyfed. Subsequently, Anarawd and Rhodri's other sons managed to reclaim Ceredigion and eventually extended their rule to
63-611: A ridge on the northern bank of the Towy, with a steep drop of one hundred feet to the river. Dinefwr was the chief seat of the Dinefwr dynasty of the Kingdom of Deheubarth . The castle is a Grade I listed building. The present castle is entered via a fortified entrance protected by a restored length of battlement . The short path from the car park gives an extensive view of the Towy valley. The door admits
84-617: Is now partially owned by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (who do not charge for entry) and is managed by Cadw but lies within Dinefwr Park , which is owned by the National Trust . Visitors who wish to see the castle and are driving there, may park in the town and walk up to the Castle using the free Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales access route. If visitors walk or park in
105-456: Is recorded to have been burnt during the rebellion of Llywelyn Bren in 1316. In 1317 it was given to Hugh Despenser , the king's favourite . It was unsuccessfully besieged by the forces of Owain Glyndŵr in 1403. Towards the end of the 15th century the castle was held by Sir Rhys ap Thomas , who carried out extensive rebuilding. In 1531 his grandson Rhys ap Gruffydd was executed for treason and
126-441: Is thought to have rebuilt the castle. Giraldus Cambrensis tells a story about a plan by King Henry II of England to assault the castle during a campaign against Rhys. One of Henry's most trusted followers was sent on reconnaissance, guided by a local Welsh cleric, who was asked to lead him to the castle by the easiest route, but instead took the most difficult route he could find, ending the performance by stopping to eat grass with
147-591: The Great Rhodri was born in the 9th century on the Isle of Man . Rhodri was the son of Merfyn , who, under enigmatic circumstances, assumed the kingship of Gwynedd following the death of Hywel ap Caradog in 825. Rhodri ascended to the throne of Gwynedd and following the passing of his father, Merfyn , in the year 844. Rhodri's reign unfolded against a tumultuous backdrop, as Wales confronted escalating Viking incursions. Among Rhodri's earliest recorded achievements
168-587: The National Trust site and are not National Trust, Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales or Cadw members there is a site entrance charge. There is a small free car park near the castle for disabled badge holders, but it can only be reached by a rough track through a field. Permission can be gained at the National Trust office to drive over the field up to the castle, weather and conditions permitting. 51°52′36″N 4°01′06″W / 51.8768°N 4.0184°W / 51.8768; -4.0184 Rhodri
189-517: The barony of Talbot also held by him was inherited by his nephew. The barony of Dynevor passed according to the special remainder to his daughter, the second holder of the title. In 1787 Lady Dynevor (Cecil Rice) assumed by Royal licence the surname of de Cardonnel in lieu of Rice. Her son, the third Baron, George Talbot Rice, represented Carmarthen in the House of Commons and served as Lord Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire . In 1793 he assumed by Royal licence
210-562: The battlement walk. Details such as the well and several garderobes are visible in the structure. There is a path around the base of the main structure to the north. Tradition relates that a castle was first constructed on this site by Rhodri the Great , but no archaeological remains have been dated from this period. Dinefwr later became the chief seat of Rhodri's grandson Hywel Dda , first ruler of Deheubarth and later king of most of Wales . Rhys ap Gruffydd , ruler of Deheubarth from 1155 to 1197,
231-466: The castle was confiscated by the crown, though the family were later able to recover it. In 1660 Newton House was built nearby and the castle keep modified as a summer house. The remains of the large windows can be seen at the top of the keep, but it burned down in the 18th century. The castle is now owned by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and managed by CADW on their behalf. The castle
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#1732872294408252-589: The castle. Llywelyn however had it restored and held it until his death in 1240. In 1255 Llywelyn the Last gave Dinefwr to Rhys Fychan , then later gave it to Maredudd ap Rhys before later returning it to Rhys Fychan. Maredudd now allied himself to King Edward I of England , and his son Rhys ap Maredudd helped Edward capture Dinefwr in 1277. This Rhys had apparently been promised Dinefwr in return for his help, but Edward did not keep his promise and had Rhys executed in 1291. The castle now came into English hands, though it
273-593: The death of its King Gwgon . During the year 873, Rhodri won two more successes against the Vikings by securing victories in the battles of Banolau and Ynegydd on Anglesey . In 877, a Danish force, aided by their client king Ceolwulf , assailed Anglesey , intent on avenging Gorm's death and securing communication routes with Dublin . They succeeded in defeating Rhodri in the Battle of Sunday and seizing Anglesey , compelling him into exile on Ireland . The subsequent year marked Rhodri's return from Irish exile, winning
294-426: The explanation that this was the diet of the local people in times of hardship. The planned attack was duly abandoned. Rhys ap Gruffydd also built the spectacular castle at Carreg Cennen , about four miles away to the south. It is not visible from Dynefwr, but Dryslwyn Castle can just be seen on a hill blocking the Towy valley to the south-west. Rhys also founded two religious houses during this period. Talley Abbey
315-560: The fatal blow to Richard III . The heir presumptive is the present holder's second cousin Robert David Arthur Rhys (b. 1963). The heir presumptive's heir apparent is Robert's son Edward (b. 2002). Dinefwr Castle Dinefwr Castle ( Welsh : Castell Dinefwr ; also known as Old Dynevor Castle ) is a ruined castle overlooking the River Towy near the town of Llandeilo , Carmarthenshire , Wales . It lies on
336-619: The fifth Baron. He was the second son of the Very Reverend the Hon. Edward Rice, second son of the second Baroness. His grandson, the seventh Baron, represented Brighton in Parliament as a Conservative and served as Lord Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire. In 1916 he assumed by Royal licence for himself and his issue the surname of Rhys in lieu of Rice. His son, the eighth Baron, was a Conservative Member of Parliament for Romford and Guildford . As of 2010
357-498: The surname of de Cardonnel, but in 1817 he resumed by Royal licence the surname of Rice. George Talbot Rice (Talbot-Rice) was succeeded by his son, the fourth Baron. He also sat as Member of Parliament for Carmarthen. In 1824, on inheriting the estates of the Trevor family of Glynde in Sussex, he assumed by Royal licence the additional surname of Trevor. He was succeeded by his first cousin,
378-451: The title is held by his grandson, the tenth Baron, who succeeded in 2008. The Rhys and Talbot Rice (Talbot-Rice) family can claim descent from the fifteenth century Rhys ap Thomas who had been granted extensive lands throughout west Wales as a reward for his leading role in the campaign that led to Henry VII 's victory at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. He or his men may even have delivered
399-405: The visitor to the main space enclosed by the walls, from which there are several stairs to the main battlements and towers. A narrow spiral staircase leads to a high tower, which gives extensive views of the deer park to the north and the Towy valley to the south and west. The castle keep is entered via the cellar at its base, but access to the circular walkway at the top can only be made via
420-509: Was his defeat and killing of Gorm, a Danish chieftain, in a battle on Anglesey in 856. This victory garnered international acclaim, reaching the ears of Charles the Bald whose realm Gorm had previously harried. In that same year, Rhodri finalized his subjugation of Powys following the death of its exiled ruler Cyngen in Rome . In 871, Rhodri expanded his dominion further, into Ceredigion following
441-505: Was the first Premonstratensian abbey in Wales, while Llanllyr was a Cistercian nunnery, only the second nunnery to be founded in Wales and the first to prosper. On Rhys ap Gruffydd's death the castle passed to his son Rhys Gryg , and the earliest parts of the present castle are thought to derive from this period. Llywelyn the Great of Gwynedd was now extending his influence to this area, and Rhys, finding himself unable to resist, dismantled
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