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A Llanelli Chronology

The information in this section is an edited version taken from Llanelli - Birth of a Town a CdRom by William and Benita Rees

1100 to 1199

Chronology

1102 Henry I recognised Hywel ap Goronwy as ruler of Ystrad Tywi which included Cydweli and Gower. Cydweli had two Commotes, Cydweli and Carnwallon (Carnwyllion). Llanelli was in the commote of Carnwallon.

1106 Hywel ap Goronwy was murdered and Roger le Poer as Bishop of Salisbury was given the Lordship of Cydweli. Bishop Roger was followed by Richard fitz William

1126 William de Londres died, probably before 1126, and his son Maurice inherited Ogmore and later acquired the Lordship of Cydweli.

1130 Maurice de Londres had acquired the Lordship of Cydweli including Carnwallon. Carnwallon at this time comprised the present day Parishes of Llanelli, Llangennech, Llanedi and Llannon, with the River Llwchwr marking a natural separating boundary.

1135 Most of South Wales was under Norman rule but within a month of Henry I’s death civil war broke out and the Welsh tried to regain their lost territories.

Cydweli Castle was frequently attacked and the commote of Carnwallon, which was never strongly fortified, left Cydweli exposed.

1136 On New Year’s Day the men of Brycheiniog under the leadership of Hywel ap Maredudd, Lord of Brecon, launched an attack on the Normans of Gower. The battle was fought at Garn Goch and much blood was said to have been spilt.

Princess Gwenllian was killed by Maurice de Londres in the fateful battle near Cydweli.

1140 Maurice de Londres was still in possession of Cydweli and Carnwallon.

1154 King Stephen died and Henry II (1154-1189), grandson of Henry I, became the first of the strong-willed powerful Plantagenate kings.

1159 Henry II had restored the Crown’s authority in Wales.

1160 Carnwallon was still in Norman hands when the Lordship passed from Maurice de Londres to his son William de Londres II.

1189 Henry II died and open warfare returned to South Wales giving the Lord Rhys the opportunity to go on the offensive against the castles in South and West Wales. He ravaged the Lordships of Haverfordwest, Pembroke, Gower, Cydweli and Carnwallon.

1190 The Lord Rhys had taken Cydweli and Carnwallon from Williams de Londres and rebuilt the ruined fortress at Cydweli. He probably strengthened the timber castle that is thought to have been built close to the lowest crossing point of the Lliedi near the ancient church dedicated to St Elli.

 Rhys Grug, one of the Lord Rhys’s legitimate sons, probably received William de Londres II’s Lordships and castles of Cydweli and Carnwallon.

1197 The Lord Rhys died and fighting broke out between his feuding sons leading to eventual disintegration of the once powerful and important Kingdom of Deheubarth first created by Hywel Dda circa 950.

1200-1299