Principality of Morgannwg (Welsh History Post Glyndwr)

The Princes of Morgannwg were created as the junior level of the Tripartite principality system introduced by King Owain V.

In 1487, by the Statute of Harlech, the three principalities of Gwynedd, Powys and Morgannwg were brought back to political life. The case for Gwynedd and Powys were clear. The King needed a strong base to provide financial security for the crown. To that end, historic Gwynedd was the obvious choice. Powys, being the ancestral principality of the Glyndwr family was brought back and entrusted to the kings son, Prince Maredudd. Morgannwg was not the obvious third principality. Dehubarth had an older, more respected claim, and again, the King had an ancestral link to that House. However, the most successful invasions of Wales had all followed the same route. That route being through South Wales. A strong lord would not only aid the king in providing strong control over the entire kingdom, but would also act as an initial bulwark should the English invade. The only question remaining to Owain was, to which family should the honour of Morgannwg be bestowed.

The House of Bren
In the end, Owain opted for the Lords of Senghenydd. The family had long held the lands around Caerphilly and Lord Iolo Bren (1380-1443) had fought alongside Owain Glyndwr in the 1st War of Independance. The House of Bren descended from Meurig Senghenydd who held land in the north of the area. Meurig was one of the last truly independant Morgannwg lords, with his son Ifor Bach continuing this independant line. Iolo Brens Great-Grandfather, Llywelyn Bren (1267-1318) was the last of the Southern Lords to mount a serious challenge to the English (during the reign of Edward II). It was this streak of independance along with the actions of Iolo during the 1st War of Independance which secured from the king the Grant of Honour which raised the family to the Principality of Morgannwg.

List of Lords of Senghenydd

 * 1) Meurig Senghenydd
 * 2) Ifor Bach
 * 3) Gruffudd ap Ifor Bach
 * 4) Rhys ap Gruffudd ap Ifor Bach
 * 5) Gruffudd ap Rhys Bach
 * 6) Llywelyn Bren
 * 7) Gruffudd ap Llywelyn Bren
 * 8) Meurig Bren
 * 9) Rhys Bren
 * 10) Iolo Bren
 * 11) Gwillym Bren
 * 12) Gwillym Bren