It has been over 700 years since Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last Prince of Wales of direct descent, was betrayed, ambushed and killed by English soldiers. A monument to Llywelyn can be found at Cilmeri, a village famous for being near his final battleground, and serves as the focal point for an annual day of remembrance on the anniversary of his death.
Author of the brand-new novel Llywelyn, however, challenges the conventional idea that the last Prince of Wales was assassinated near Cilmeri, and also offers readers a female perspective of the last years in the life of Llywelyn.
“Brut y Tywysogion (Chronicle of the Princes) is one of the most important primary sources for Welsh history, and I have drawn inspiration for my novel from these Welsh traditions, instead of relying upon the word of English historians,” says author John Hughes.
“A 15th century Welsh poem suggests that Llywelyn was killed ‘at a place called Aberedwy’, coming from a tryst with a girl. This inspired me to write about Llywelyn’s final years from a female’s perspective, as well as challenge the popular idea that he met his end near Cilmeri.
“References to women in Welsh history are lacking, especially during the Middle Ages, and I can’t accept that it’s a true reflection of the times. Women must have had important roles to play in Wales’ history, but somehow, we’ve lost their stories.
“In one way Llywelyn is quite similar to my first novel, Glyndŵr’s Daughter, as it attempts to show the influence of women on Welsh history despite the fact that we have lost touch with the strong and daring female characters that lived during the Middle Ages.”
Set during the final years of Llywelyn the Last, the novel tells the story of Beth, born into a noble family in southern Powys. Much younger than Llywelyn when they meet, she impresses him so much that she is given a home at his royal court of Garth Celyn in Gwynedd, where her love for him develops and matures. She doesn’t abandon him on his marriage to Eleanor de Montfort, and doesn’t desert him when ruling became difficult. When harassed, threatened and attacked by King Edward I, Beth remains loyal throughout his trials and tribulations. She stays faithful to the very end.
Llywelyn is John Hughes’ second novel. He has a PhD in Chemistry and is a retired head teacher of Llanidloes High School after 26 years in office. The author will be signing copies of Llywelyn at The Great Oak Bookshop, Llanidloes on Saturday 14th June, between 11 and 1 o’clock. Llywelyn is priced at £8.95 and is published by Y Lolfa.
