Editing Rhys ap Gruffydd (section)

===Loss of territory (1155–1163)===

Shortly after becoming ruler of Deheubarth, Rhys heard rumours that Owain Gwynedd was planning to invade Ceredigion in order to reclaim it for Gwynedd. Rhys responded by building a castle at [[Aberdyfi Castle|Aberdyfi]] in 1156.<ref>''Brut y Tywysogion'' pp. 101–102.</ref> The threatened invasion did not take place, and Turvey claims that Owain's intention may have been to test the resolve of the new ruler.<ref>Turvey p. 39.</ref>

[[Stephen, King of England|King Stephen]] had died in October 1154, bringing to an end the long dispute with the [[Empress Matilda]] which had helped Anarawd, Cadell and Maredudd to extend their rule in Deheubarth. With disunity within the realm no longer a problem, the new king of England, [[Henry II of England|Henry II]], soon turned his attention to Wales. He began with an invasion of Gwynedd in 1157. This invasion was not entirely successful, but Owain Gwynedd was induced to seek terms and to give up some territory in the north-east of Wales.{{sfn|Lloyd|1911|pp=496–500}}
<!--
[[File:Deheubarth1.PNG|thumb|upright|In 1158 King Henry stripped Rhys of all his territories apart from Cantref Mawr; the areas in Deheubarth held by various Norman lords are shown in grey.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}]] SEE TALK, uncited, and not easily citeable -->

The following year, Henry prepared an invasion of Deheubarth. Rhys made plans to resist, but was persuaded by his council to meet the king to discuss peace terms. The terms were much harsher than those offered to Owain: Rhys was stripped of all his possessions apart from [[Cantref Mawr]], though he was promised one other cantref. The other territories were returned to their Norman lords.<ref>''Brut y Tywysogion'' p. 104.</ref>

Among the Normans who returned to their holdings was [[Walter de Clifford (died 1190)|Walter de Clifford]], who reclaimed Cantref Bychan, then invaded Rhys's lands in Cantref Mawr. An appeal to the king produced no response, and Rhys resorted to arms, first capturing Clifford's castle at [[Llandovery]] then seizing Ceredigion. King Henry responded by preparing another invasion, and Rhys submitted without resistance. He was obliged to give hostages, probably including his son Hywel.<ref>Turvey pp. 41–42.</ref>

The king was absent in France in 1159, and Rhys took the opportunity to attack Dyfed and then to lay siege to Carmarthen, which was saved by a relief force led by [[Reginald de Dunstanville, 1st Earl of Cornwall|Earl Reginald of Cornwall]]. Rhys retreated to Cantref Mawr, where an army led by five earls, the Earls of Cornwall, [[William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester|Gloucester]], [[Roger de Clare, 3rd Earl of Hertford|Hertford]], [[Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|Pembroke]] and Salisbury, marched against him. The earls were assisted by Cadwaladr, brother of Owain Gwynedd, and Owain's sons, Hywel and Cynan. However they were forced to withdraw and a truce was arranged.{{sfn|Lloyd|1911|pp=510–511}} In 1162, Rhys again attempted to recover some of his lost lands, and captured [[Llandovery]] castle. The following year Henry II returned to England after an absence of four years and prepared for another invasion of Deheubarth. Rhys met the king to discuss terms and was obliged to give more hostages, including another son, Maredudd. He was then seized and taken to England as a prisoner.<ref>Turvey p. 44.</ref> Henry appears to have been uncertain what to do with Rhys, but after a few weeks decided to free him and allow him to rule Cantref Mawr. Rhys was summoned to appear before Henry at Woodstock to do homage together with Owain Gwynedd and [[Malcolm IV of Scotland]].<ref>Warren pp. 162–163.</ref>