Llywelyn had Dafydd recognised as his named heir by his uncle King Henry III of England in 1220, and also had Dafydd's mother Joan declared legitimate by the Pope to strengthen Dafydd's position.
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Dafydd also began diplomacy with Pope Innocent IV, the result of which was a recognition by the Vatican of his right to rule over north Wales.
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Henry thereby gained what could have been a useful weapon against Dafydd, with the possibility of setting Gruffydd up as a rival to Dafydd in Gwynedd, but Gruffydd died trying to escape from the Tower of London by climbing down a knotted sheet, and fell to his death in March 1244.
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Although King Henry III of England had accepted his claim to rule Gwynedd, he was not disposed to allow him to retain his father's conquests outside Gwynedd.
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Undaunted, Henry proceeded as far as the river Conwy, and began building a new castle at Deganwy.
Llywelyn the Last | Gruffydd ap Llywelyn | Llywelyn the Great | Llywelyn | Dafydd Iwan | Dafydd ap Gwilym | Morgan Llywelyn | Madog ap Llywelyn | Llywelyn the Elder ap Maredudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd | Llywelyn Siôn | Llywelyn Bren | Llywelyn ap Dafydd | Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam | David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers | Dafydd Williams | Dafydd Wigley | Dafydd Goch | Dafydd Gam | Dafydd Elis-Thomas | Dafydd Davis | Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd | Dafydd ab Hugh | Dafydd ab Edmwnd |