Revenge for Gwenllian

In December 1135, Henry, King of England, died in Normandy. His death led to civil war in England and a period that became known as 'The Anarchy'.The Welsh took this opportunity to revolt and attempt to reclaim the lands that had been lost to the English, Normans and Flemish.Gwenllian's husband, Gruffedd, was away visiting Gwenllian's father in North Wales, trying to persuade him to support Gruffedd against the English and the Normans in South Wales. While he was away, a large Norman force sailed into Deheubarth to reinforce Maurice of Londres and proceeded to ravage the whole of the countryside. Gwenllian, in her husband's absence, managed to raise an army to defend Deheubarth. A fierce battle took place here in Kidwelly, and the Deheubarth army was heavily defeated. Gwenllian was captured and beheaded by Maurice of Londres, and, so the legend goes, her ghost is still seen in Kidwelly. However, that is only a small part of the story of Gwenllian ferch Gruffudd.