Gruffydd Maelor II (died 1269) was a Prince ofPowys Fadog. He reigned for 33 years and married into theHouse of Stanley. Following the Anglo-WelshTreaty of Montgomery, he submitted toLlywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales.
He was the eldest son of PrinceMadog ap Gruffydd Maelor and inherited his father's lands and title in partial succession along with his four brothers Gruffydd Ial, Maredudd, Hywel andMadog Fychan. The Kingdom of Powys Fadog had previously been unified under one leader but now had five and was subjected to outside forces as well.
His father's policy of alliance with the large and powerful Gwynedd changed over his 33-year reign (12361269); pressure from Gwynedd, and Gruffydd's marriage to the daughter of an English landowner, caused him to seek support from the English king.
However, support from England failed to arrive and in 1258 he was forced to submit toLlywelyn ap Gruffudd. Llywelyn was recognised asPrince of Wales under the terms of the 1267Treaty of Montgomery and Gruffydd was confined to his castle for the rest of his life.
He married Emma (1224 – c. 1278), daughter of LordHenry de Audley and Bertrade Mainwaring, members of theHouse of Stanley. His brother-in-law,Sir James Audley, wasChief governor of Ireland fromDublin Castle, and a companion ofRichard of Cornwall, King of the Romans.[1]
His sister-in-law, Ela Longespée, was the daughter of crusaderWilliam Longespée the Younger, grandson of kingHenry II of England.[1] Longespée's brother, William, also married Maud de Clifford, granddaughter of the prince of North Wales,Llywelyn ab Iorwerth.[2]
He died in 1269 (or 1270) leaving issue:
Powys Fadog was divided, in accordance with Welsh custom, between his sons: