Editing Rhys ap Tewdwr (section)

==Rule==
[[Image:StDavidsCathedral Tower&SouthTransept.JPG|200px|thumb|right|[[St. David's Cathedral]] today]]
In 1081 [[Caradog ap Gruffydd]] invaded [[Deheubarth]] and drove Rhys to seek sanctuary in the [[Monastery of Saint David, Wales|Monastery of St David]].

Rhys, however, made an alliance with [[Gruffudd ap Cynan]] who was seeking to regain the throne of the [[Kingdom of Gwynedd]], and at the [[Battle of Mynydd Carn]] in the same year they defeated and killed [[Caradog ap Gruffydd]] and his allies [[Trahaearn ap Caradog]] of Gwynedd and [[Meilyr ap Rhiwallon]].

The same year [[William the Conqueror]] visited [[Deheubarth]], ostensibly on a pilgrimage to [[St David's]], but with a major show of power as well, traversing the width of southern Wales, and it seems likely he came to an arrangement with Rhys, whereby Rhys paid him homage and was confirmed in possession of Deheubarth.<ref>Pierce, T. J., (1959). RHYS ap TEWDWR (died 1093), king of Deheubarth. Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 22 Aug 2023, from https://biography.wales/article/arc_s-RHYS-APT-1093</ref> Rhys paid William £40 a year for his kingdom, ensuring good future relations with William that lasted until the end of William's lifetime.<ref>Pierce, T. J., (1959). RHYS ap TEWDWR (died 1093), king of Deheubarth. Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 22 Aug 2023, from https://biography.wales/article/arc_s-RHYS-APT-1093</ref> Rhys was content with the arrangement as it meant that he had to deal only with the jealousy of his fellow Welsh princes.

In 1088 [[Cadwgan ap Bleddyn]] of [[Kingdom of Powys|Powys]] attacked Deheubarth and forced Rhys to flee to [[Ireland]]. However, Rhys returned later the same year with a fleet from [[Ireland]] and defeated the men of Powys, in a battle in which two of Cadwgan's brothers, Madog and Rhiryd, were killed.

The [[Brut y Tywysogion|Chronicle of the Princes]] claims that Cedifor ap Gollwyn, a man who traced his ancestry to the original kings of [[Dyfed]] (since the start of the previous century, the usual rulers of Deheubarth had descended from an invader, [[Cadell ap Rhodri]])), commanded substantial authority in Dyfed.<ref>R. R. Davies, ''The Age of Conquest: Wales, 1063-1415'', 2001, [[Oxford University Press]], page 70</ref> When Cedifor died in 1091, his sons demanded that Rhys surrender the throne to Gruffudd ap [[Maredudd ab Owain ab Edwin|Maredudd]], the son of a former king of Deheubarth (and the nephew of Rhys' predecessor).<ref>Dr. K. L. Maund, ''Ireland, Wales, and England in the Eleventh Century'', 1991, page 149</ref> This triggered a revolt, but Rhys was able to defeat the rebels in a battle at [[St. Dogmaels]], killing Gruffudd.