In the deeply divided Wales of the12th century, Rhys ap Gruffudd’s main opponents were the Norman Marcher Lords. He successfully reduced their power by capturing Ceredigion, Emlyn and Cantref Bychan. As the grandson of Rhys ap Tewdwr and related through marriage, to Royal House of Gwynedd he was the only southern Welsh leader who desired political independence for Wales.

So complete was his grip on Dyfed that he caused the Normans – in the shape of Richard, Earl of Pembroke - to look for other areas to control . Rhys assisted Richard to seize the throne of Leinster in Ireland - much to the annoyance of Henry II, who wanted Ireland for himself. As Dr John Davies asserts in his book A History Of Wales: “The sorrowful history of English involvement in Ireland has Welsh roots.”

When Henry II came to the English throne, Rhys lost most of the land he had previously gained and rose in rebellion three times. During one campaign in 1162, Henry decided it was time to visit Wales himself. Geraldus Cambrensis, relates how the King came across the ‘Old Man of Pencader’ who, in a celebrated encounter, told the King that he would never conquer his country:

“If it were not for your allies within her/Division and officiousness and blood”.

Rhys proceeded to reclaim his lands until finall Henry realised it was wiser to have him on his own side, appointing him ‘justice’ of south Wales. In 1172, the Rhys demonstrated he was unquestionably the single most powerful figure in the land by holding an eisteddfod in his castle at Cardigan.

After his death, his kingdom was destroyed by his unruly sons. As the the Old Man of Pencader put it : “The weaknesses of my nation makes me an old man/and lose my temper completely.”