Principality of Wales

Principality of Wales
Tywysogaeth Cymru
Client state of England (1283–1294, 1295–1400, 1415–1542)
1216–1542
Flag of the House of Aberffraw Arms of Gwynedd
Principality of Wales (1267–1277) illustrating the lands ruled directly by the Prince of Wales.   Gwynedd, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd's principality   Territories conquered by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd   Territories of Llywelyn's vassals   Lordships of the Marcher barons   Lordships of the King of England
Capital		Abergwyngregyn (Aber Garth Celyn)
Languages		Middle Welsh, Welsh
Religion		Christianity
Demonym		Welsh, Cymreig
Government		Principality, Monarchy
Prince
•	1216–1283	Llywelyn Fawr and descendants
•	1301–1542	Edward of Caernarvon and subsequent heirs to the English throne
Historical era		Middle Ages
•	Council of Aberdyfi	1216
•	Treaty of Worcester	1218
•	Treaty of Montgomery	1267
•	Treaty of Aberconwy	1277
•	Statute of Rhuddlan	3 March 1284
•	Welsh Revolt	1294–1295
•	Laws in Wales Acts	1535–1542
Currency		cattle, penny
Preceded by Succeeded by Kingdom of Gwynedd Deheubarth Kingdom of England
Today part of		United Kingdom  ∟ Wales

The Principality of Wales (Welsh: Tywysogaeth Cymru) existed between 1216 and 1536, encompassing two-thirds of modern Wales during its height between 1267 and 1277. For most of its history it was "annexed and united" to the English Crown. However, for a few generations, specifically the period from its foundation in 1216 to Edward I's completion of the conquest of Wales in 1284, it was de facto independent under a Welsh Prince of Wales, albeit one who swore fealty to the King of England.

The Principality was formally founded in 1216 at the Council of Aberdyfi and later recognised by the 1218 Treaty of Worcester between Llywelyn the Great of Wales and Henry III of England. The treaty gave substance to the political reality of 13th century Wales and England, and the relationship of the former with the Angevin Empire. The principality retained a great degree of autonomy, characterized by a separate legal jurisprudence based on the well established laws of Cyfraith Hywel, and by the increasingly sophisticated court of the House of Aberffraw. Although it owed fealty to the Angevin king of England, the principality was de facto independent, with a similar status in the empire to the Kingdom of Scotland. Its existence has been seen as proof that all the elements necessary for the growth of Welsh statehood were in place.

The period of de facto independence ended with Edward I's conquest of the Principality between 1277 and 1283. Under the Statute of Rhuddlan the Principality lost its independence and became effectively an annexed territory of the English crown. From 1301, the crown's lands in north and west Wales formed part of the appanage of England's heir apparent, with the title "Prince of Wales". On accession of the Prince to the English throne, the lands and title became merged with the Crown again. On two occasions Welsh claimants to the title rose up in rebellion during this period, although neither ultimately succeeded.