With the death of King Rhys a Cyngor y Rhaglywiaeth (Regency Council) was instituted to ensure the continuation of the Llywodraeth yn alltud (Government in Exile)
The first head of the Council was the aging Cardinal-Archesgob Tyddewi (Cardinal-Archbishop of St Davids)
Banner of the Regency Council
Below is a list of the Heads of the Council during its five year existence.
1750: Tudur Gronwy, Cardinal-Archesgob Tyddewi
1750-1752: Caradog Powys-Fadog, Dug Gwent
1752-1755: Meurig Tomos-Seislyg, Dug Dyfed
Wales During the Regency Period[]
During the Rhaglywiaeth (Regency), Wales continued to be ruled by the Duke of Manchester, Robert Montagu. Following the crushing of the Y Gwrthryfel Pum Mlynedd (Five Year Revolt), Montagu instituted sweeping changes to the government of Wales. Banned were all images of the previous reigns. The Y Ddraig Aur standard, largely unused by Dafydd V and Rhys was banned as were images such as the flag of Neith or Y Pedwar Llewod (the Four Lions). The Roman Church was placed firmly under foot, with all dying priests to be replaced by either Anglican priests or appointed English Roman Catholic priests. The Welsh language was also proscribed with all schools in Wales now forced by law to teach only through the medium of English. Such stringent Anglisation of Wales brought with it an underground resistance. The Ddraig Aur started to be seen as a patriotic symbol, more so than the Pedwar Llewod due to Rhys' inability to invade. Also a new song began to circulate Wales; Mae hen wlad fy nhadau, a song dedicated to the protection of the mother tongue of Wales. Both the hymn and the Ddraig Aur Standard came to be seen as signs of men and families dedicated to the survival of Wales in the face of the ever present Anglo-Scottish onslaught.
Towards the end of the Rhaglywiaeth period, the Duke of Manchester was replaced by Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll. The Duke took over in August 1754 and continued Montagu's persecution of both the Welsh language and the Welsh culture. Campbell made his Governor's seat that of Amwythig, occupying the town's castle. He was to be the Governor who would face Rhisiart when the later made his successful invasion in 1759.
Hail to the King[]
In 1755, after five years of haggling and infighting the council was finally ready to vote on a new King of Wales. All three Princes in exile put their names forward, with the Prince of Morgannwg instrumental in pressing for the Confocasiwn y Nobles (Convocation of the Nobles). The result was a tight race, with all three Princes almost even in terms of support. Then the Prince of Powys pulled out of the race, leaving Gwynedd and Morgannwg as the choices. The late kings record and the abrasive personality of the newly created Prince of Gwynedd left the only choice to be the young Prince of Morgannwg.
| Preceded by: Regency Council |
King of Wales 1750-1755 |
Succeeded by: Rhisiart I |