This is a list of rulers in Wales (and neighbouring regions) during the Middle Ages, between c. 400s–1500s. The rulers were monarchs who ruled their respective realms, as well as those who briefly ruled the Principality of Wales. These former territories are now within the boundaries of modern-day Wales and the neighbouring Welsh Marches in England (both in the United Kingdom). Before the Conquest of Wales, completed in 1283, Wales consisted of several independent realms, the most important being Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth (originally Ceredigion, Seisyllwg and Dyfed) and Morgannwg (Glywysing and Gwent). Boundary changes and the custom of dividing patrimonies between heirs meant that few princes ever came close to ruling the whole of Wales. The names of those known to have ruled over one or more areas are listed below. Boundaries changed frequently. The only person known to have ruled all of Wales as a modern territory was Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1010–1063), a Prince of Gwynedd who became King of Wales from 1055 to 1063. However, some Welsh Princes sporadically claimed the medieval title of "Prince of Wales" between the 13th to 15th centuries. The title remains in use but is usually given to heir apparents of English and British monarchs.

History of the medieval kingdoms in Wales

Wales during the medieval age was a land of kingdoms and dynasties. Petty kingdoms, such as Ceredigion and Gwent, were established some time after Britain ceased to be part of the Roman empire in the late 5th century. By the time of the Norman invasion of Wales in the 11th century, most of these realms were combined or incorporated into greater territories, thus making up the four major Kingdoms of Wales. Those Kingdoms were Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth, and Morgannwg. Unlike the others, Deheubarth was formed later by the merging of Ceredigion, Dyfed, and Ystrad Tywi. Some minor (petty) kingdoms stayed independent from the big four kingdoms, only to be taken over by the Anglo-Normans in the 13th century, such as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren, and Meirionnydd, and others. Of the major kingdoms, Powys' 13th century division of Wenwynwyn and Fadog were one of the final surviving Welsh dynasties until after the Edwardian conquest of Wales. Later, Owain Glyndŵr became the final Welsh ruler from royalty in Wales, he emerged in Powys Fadog during the early 15th century as a Prince of Wales.

Welsh Kingdoms (400s–1000s)

Kings of Brycheiniog

Kings and Princes of Ceredigion

Kings and Princes of Dyfed

Kingdom of Gwynedd

Kings of Gwynedd

Princes of Dogfeiling

Princes of Dunoding

Princes of Rhos

Princes of Rhufoniog

Kingdom of Morgannwg

Kings of Ergyng

Kingdom of Ergyng, in Wales and on the border of what is now Herefordshire, England.

Kings of Ewyas

Regional Kingdom of Ewyas (Ewias) in Wales and Herefordshire, England.

Kings of Glywysing

Prince of Glywysing

Kings of Gwent

Rulers of Gwynllŵg

Kings and Lords in the cantref of Gwynllwg, in Glamorgan (Gwent).

Kings of Morgannwg

The Kingdom of Morgannwg was formed by the merging of the two Kingdoms of Morgannwg and Gwent. At times, the kingdoms were separate and independent.

Kingdom of Powys

Kings of Powys

Legendary descendants of Vortigern

Rhodri Mawr's descendants

Pengwern

The former petty Kingdom of Pengwern, today located in the Midlands, possibly around the Wrekin, England.

Welsh regional kingdoms

All of Wales

Overlord of Wales (King of Wales) as a modern territory by 1055.

North Wales

Kings and Princes of the Kingdoms of Gwynedd and Powys.

South Wales

Kings and Princes of Buellt and Gwrtheyrnion

Ceredigion, Meirionnydd, Gwynedd

King of an enlarged Gwynedd (also Rhos and Rhufoniog), including Ceredigion (Deheubarth), Meirionnydd and Dyffryn Clwyd, making his realm North West and West Wales.

Deheubarth, Gwynedd

Kingdoms in the West and North West of Wales.

Deheubarth, Gwynedd, Powys

North and Mid to South West Wales.

Dyfed, Brycheiniog

Dyfed, Gwynedd, Powys, Seisyllwg

King of all of Wales, except for Morgannwg and Gwent (south and southeast of Wales).

Ergyng, Gwent

Glywysing, Gwent

South East of Wales.

Gwent, Morgannwg

South and South East of Wales.

Welsh Royal Houses (870s–1283)

The three Royal Houses of Wales' regions were first divided by Rhodri the Great in the 9th century. Of his children, two of King's sons began royal dynasties. Anarawd reigned in Gwynedd (Aberffraw), and Cadell founded Deheubarth (Dinefwr), then another son Merfyn reigned in Powys (Mathrafal emerged as a cadet branch of Dinefwr in the 11th century).

Aberffraw

Aberffraw Kings of Gwynedd

Aberffraw King of Ceredigion

Aberffraw Prince of Anglesey

Aberffraw Princes of Gwynedd

Dinefwr

The Kingdom of Deheubarth was formed by the union of the Kingdoms of Ceredigion (also known as Seisyllwg) and Dyfed by Hywel Dda in 910.

Dinefwr Kings of Deheubarth

Dinefwr Princes of Deheubarth

Mathrafal

Mathrafal Princes of Powys

Mathrafal Prince of Powys Fadog

Mathrafal Princes of Powys Wenwynwyn

Welsh Lordships (1000s–1500s)

The Lords of Welsh areas once belonging to monarchies. They were ruled by the direct descendants and heirs of Kings in Wales from around the time of the Norman invasion of Wales (1000s), some of which lasted until after the conquest of Wales by Edward I (c. 1300s), and in a few instances, Welsh baronies lasted later into the Principality of Wales.

Lords of Afan

Listed Lords of Nedd-Avan (Avene, ), dynasty of Glamorgan, Morgannwg (not the Norman Lordship of Glamorgan).

Lords of Arwystli and Cedewain

The regional territories as a dynasty combining the territories Arwystli and Cedewain. The area was later incorporated into Powys Wenwynwyn.

Lords of Carleon

The rulers of Gwynllwg (Wentloog) and upper Gwent became the Lords of Carleon.

Lords of Ceredigion

Lordship of Ceredigion, from the House of Dinefwr, Deheubarth.

Lords of Mechain

Mechain, Powys.

Lord of Menai

Lord of the Menai commote on Anglesey.

Lords of Merioneth

The vassal Lordship of Merioneth (Meirionnydd) from Gwynedd, also Lords of Eifionydd and Ardudwy. Descendents of King Owain Gwynedd.

Lords of Nannau

Descendants of Madog ap Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, Prince of Powys. Lordship c. 1118 until the final Lord in the 1500s, before the use of the surname Nanney for the family.

Lords of Oswestry

Lords of Oswestry (Shropshire, England), from Powys, prior to Baronetcy of Cymmer-yn-Edeirnion (English feudal barony).

Lords of Powys Fadog

Northern Powys, House of Mathrafal.

Lords of Powys Wenwynwyn

Southern Powys, House of Mathrafal. The lordship also had lands in Arwystli, Cyfeiliog, Mawddwy, Caereinion.

Rhwng Gwy a Hafren

The region of Rhwng Gwy a Hafren (Radnorshire) between the Rivers Wye and Severn, ruled by Lords. Associated with Brycheiniog and Buellt. Ruled the cantrefs of Maelienydd and Elfael.

Lords of Senghenydd

The Lordship of Senghenydd, then a vassal of Lordship of Glamorgan.

Lords of Tegeingl

Lordship of Coleshill, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, also considered Princes.

Principality of Wales (1216–1542)

The late medieval territory of the Principality of Wales and the members of Welsh Royalty who ruled that area or attempted to regain their dynastic inheritances during the Principality. They were titled (official) or claimants (unofficial/pretender) as the Prince of Wales. The territory of the Principality included the Kingdoms of Gwynedd, Deheubarth, and Powys, and also the areas of Ceredigion (Cardigan) and Carmarthenshire. There was the exception of Llywelyn I who ruled most of the territory of the Principality and also Montgomeryshire, but not as a Prince of Wales; by 1230 he styled himself as the Prince of Aberffraw and Lord of Snowdon (Prince of Gwynedd).

Pre Principality, 1165–1197

Welsh rule, 1216–1283

English rule, 1283–1542