The Royal House of Dinefwr was a cadet branch of the Royal House of Gwynedd, founded by King Cadell ap Rhodri, son of Rhodri the Great. Their ancestor, Cunedda Wledig, born in late Roman Britain, was a Sub-Roman warlord who founded the Kingdom of Gwynedd during the 5th century, following the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain. As Celtic Britons, the House of Dinefwr was ruling before the Norman conquest, having to fight with their neighbors such as the Celtics, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, before struggling with the Normans afterwards. Many members of this family were influential in Welsh history, such as Hywel Dda, who codified Welsh law under his rule, and achieved the important title of King of the Britons, or Lord Rhys, Prince of Wales, who rebelled against Richard the Lionheart, and became one of the most powerful Welsh leaders of the Middle Ages.
Painting of Dinefwr Castle, ancient seat of the Royal House of Dinefwr, in Deheubarth
Battle of Bosworth, where Sir Rhys ap Thomas helped secure the victory of Henry Tudor as a Commander
The ruins of Carreg Cennen Castle of Lord Rhys, it later belonged to the Crown under the Duchy of Lancaster
King Hywel Dda proclaiming his laws
The House of Gwynedd is the royal house of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, in medieval Wales. It is divided between the House of Cunedda and the House of Aberffraw, and lasted from c.401 to 1283.
Depiction of king Cunedda, founder of the House of Cunedda
