What made the love story of Angharad and Gruffydd special?
The love story of Gruffydd ap Cynan, King of Gwynedd and the beautiful Angharad, daughter of Owain ap Edwin, is often overlooked while their children’s stories are much more familiar. Their daughter, the warrior princess Gwenllian and her elopement with landless Prince Griffith of Dehuebarth is a tale of daring and tragedy, while the love and marriage of their son, the firebrand Owain Gwynedd, for his cousin, Cristin, flouted church law. Gruffydd and Angharad, however, found passion in turmoil, loyalty in a time of challenge and a deep lingering love that stood the test of time.
The last thing that Angharad would have expected was to fall in love with Gruffydd. As a noblewoman whose father was the Welsh authority in Gwynedd for the Normans, she was groomed to marry a Norman lord. Gruffydd was a threat to her father’s authority, being accepted as the rightful heir to the throne of Gwynedd. Her father, Owain ap Edwin, referred to as ‘‘The Traitor’’ or ‘‘Owain Fradwr’’ was accused by the Welsh of supporting the Normans against his own. She must have had her doubts about marriage to a Welsh warrior with Viking blood.
To garner support for his position, Gruffydd may have chosen a bride from the royal houses of a powerful country or one of the other Welsh kingdoms. We know that Angharad was very beautiful and accomplished. She was tall, blonde with genuine compassion and generosity. Meeting such a treasure may well have tipped the balance when assessing the usefulness of alliances.
As fate would have it, their marriage was not just a union of hearts, but a catalyst for change. The marriage won Gruffydd the support of influential factions and consolidated his claim to the throne. More than that, Angharad's upbringing, which emphasized peaceful negotiation, influenced Gruffydd. This, combined with the alliances she brought, led to Gwynedd becoming the most prosperous, prominent and powerful of all the Welsh kingdoms.
Gruffydd and Angharad's love was not just a fleeting passion but a bond that stood the test of time. Their marriage, which produced eight children, continued the dynasty and many of their descendants became significant figures in Welsh history. Yet, what truly touches the heart is that, unlike the norm of the time, when Gruffydd died, he made specific requests in his will to ensure that his loving wife was well looked after. Theirs was a marriage founded on the deepest love and respect, a rare gem in the annals of history.