Serving two masters

A foot in both camps (1)

Goronwy ap Heilyn was the son of Heilyn Sais ap Cynfrig, a probable brother of Ednyfed Fychan, seneschal or ‘distain’ to Llywelyn the Great. The designation ‘Sais’ would indicate that Heilyn had English connections or sympathies, and was one of the growing number of the ministerial elite in Gwynedd with links to the English crown. At the same time Heilyn acted as an envoy for Llywelyn, held the office of rhaglaw (bailiff) and was important enough to appear as a witness on several princely charters.

Heilyn was in the service of the princes from the years 1222-41. His son Goronwy first appears in 1248, held as a hostage in England. Goronwy and his fellow prisoner, Rhodri ab Owain, were presumably held hostage to ensure the princes of Gwynedd held to the terms of the Treaty of Woodstock (1247). Goronwy vanishes from the record for the next 29 years, only to re-emerge in 1277 as one of the brokers of the Treaty of Aberconwy. He and his kinsman, Tudur ab Ednyfed, were granted powers by Prince Llywelyn to conclude peace with the English: along with a third party, Dafydd ab Einon, they swore “pro se et aliis de consilio” to ensure that Llywelyn surrendered hostages for his observance of the treaty.

For the last five years of his life, Goronwy would attempt to steer a middle course between the rival powers in Gwynedd and Westminster. His aim, to judge from his actions, was to try and bring about peace by serving two masters at once.

Llywelyn the Great

This involved shuttling back and forth as an envoy between Llywelyn and the king. In 1277-8, with the priors of Bangor and Rhuddlan, Goronwy made four trips to Snowdon and Anglesey on the king’s service. He also claimed expenses for journeys to negotiate with Llywelyn about his dispute with Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn, and on 12 September 1278 was granted a fee of £6 a year by the king.