Rhys ap Gruffydd (1132–97) ruled the kingdom of Deheubarth in south Wales and was one of the most successful and powerful Welsh princes. His grandfather, Rhys ap Tewdwr, was king of Deheubarth, but most of Deheubarth was taken over by the Normans after he was killed in 1093. Rhys's father, Gruffydd ap Rhys, became ruler of a small portion, and Rhys's brothers won back more territory. He became ruler of Deheubarth in 1155, but was forced to submit to King Henry II of England in 1158. Henry invaded in 1163 and took Rhys prisoner for a few weeks, leaving him only a small part of his holdings. Rhys made an alliance with Owain Gwynedd and after Henry's failed invasion of Wales in 1165 Rhys was able to win back most of his lands. In 1171 he made peace with Henry, but following Henry's death he revolted against Richard I and attacked the Norman lordships surrounding his territory. In his later years Rhys had trouble keeping control of his sons, particularly Maelgwn and Gruffydd, who maintained a feud with each other. Rhys launched his last campaign against the Normans in 1196 and captured a number of castles. The following year he died unexpectedly and was buried in St David's Cathedral.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhys_ap_Gruffydd
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1565:
Rio de Janeiro was founded by the Portuguese as São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro
1781:
The Articles of Confederation, the first governing constitution of the United States, was ratified, legally uniting what were originally several independent states into a new sovereign federation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation
1811:
Muhammad Ali Pasha (pictured), Wāli of the Ottoman province of Egypt, killed the leaders of the Mamluk Sultanate to seize power, founding a dynasty that would last until 1952. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_of_Egypt
1896:
Ethiopia defeated Italy at the Battle of Adwa, ending the First Italo-Ethiopian War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Adwa
1947:
The International Monetary Fund began its financial operations. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Monetary_Fund
1962:
American Airlines Flight 1 crashed shortly after takeoff from New York International (Idlewild) Airport, killing all 95 people aboard. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines_Flight_1
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
fons honorum: A person who, by virtue of sovereignty, holds the exclusive right to create and confer legitimate titles of nobility and orders of chivalry. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fons_honorum
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
A =POPE= is someone who is not under the authority of the authorities. --Principia Discordia https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Principia_Discordia