ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a history of the military and political activities of the lords of Dryslwyn, including their forebears and relatives. In the year 1197, Rhys ap Gruffudd, lord of the lands of Deheubarth, known as the Lord Rhys, died. After the death of the Lord Rhys, the feuds between his sons became murderous. Between 1202 and 1209, two of them, Rhys Gryg and Maelgwyn, and their nephews Rhys Ieuanc and Owain ap Gruffudd, were locked in armed struggle for the possession of all the lands and castles of Deheubarth. During Rhys' final years, his numerous sons began to compete for power and for their shares of the inheritance, which would come to them by the Welsh principle of male partibility. Rhys Gryg died at Llandeilo Fawr. His lands, which presumably still comprised Cantref Mawr and Cantref Bychan, descended to his sons, of whom two — Rhys Mechyll and Maredudd ap Rhys — gained substantial inheritances.
