History Daily

Episode: The Execution of the Last Prince of Wales

Host: Lindsey Graham
Date: October 3, 2025

Overview

In this episode, History Daily transports listeners to 13th-century Wales, recounting the dramatic end of Welsh independence through the story of Dafydd ap Gruffydd ("Dafydd ap Griffith")—the last native Prince of Wales. The episode follows the tumultuous final years of the independent Welsh principality, detailing epic battles, familial betrayal, and the brutal execution that marked a turning point in British history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Prelude to Rebellion: The Attack on Hawarden Castle

• [00:26-01:44]
  • On March 21, 1282, Dafydd ap Gruffydd attacks Hawarden Castle in North Wales, breaking years of uneasy peace with England.
  • The English had violated treaties and encroached on Welsh territory, igniting Dafydd’s resolve to resist.
  • Dramatic retelling: Dafydd leads his men, successfully breaching the castle, demonstrating the Welsh commitment to autonomy.
  • Dafydd's victory sets off widespread Welsh revolts against English rule.

"Dafydd is hell bent on kicking them out, starting with Hawarden Castle."
— Narrator [00:50]

2. The Rise and Fall of Welsh Resistance

• [05:00-09:28]
  • November 6, 1282: Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the reigning Welsh prince and elder brother to Dafydd, confronts a new English threat as Edward I ("Longshanks") invades via a bridge of boats from Anglesey.
  • Internal family strife is recounted: Dafydd’s earlier betrayal to the English and eventual return to the Welsh cause after being dissatisfied with English promises.
  • United in opposition to England, Llywelyn and Dafydd execute a successful ambush at the Battle of the Bridge of Boats, causing heavy English casualties and increasing Welsh support.
  • Despite victories, Llywelyn recognizes the daunting odds, seeking alliances with influential border lords—particularly after word of Lord Roger Mortimer's death in the Middle Marches.

"Prince Llywelyn put his doubts aside and joined his brother Dafydd in the fight against the English crown."
— Narrator [06:32]

3. The Betrayal and Death of Prince Llywelyn

• [11:17-13:37]
  • December 11, 1282: Llywelyn is lured into a trap by the Mortimers, now revealed to be loyal to Edward.
  • Ambushed, outnumbered, and cut off from his main host, Llywelyn is killed valiantly fighting.
  • English forces behead and mutilate his corpse as a display of dominance, his head joining others at the Tower of London.
  • The death devastates Dafydd, who reluctantly assumes the principality and remains defiant in the face of impossible odds.

“He then roars that he is the Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Griffith, and he will never be taken alive.”
— Narrator [13:29]

4. The Final Stand and Capture of Dafydd ap Gruffydd

• [13:40-15:19]
  • Dafydd, now Prince of Wales, is besieged by overwhelming English forces and goes on the run after castle strongholds fall.
  • Eventually betrayed and captured by his own men in June 1283, his defeat signals the definitive end of Welsh resistance.

"With Dafydd’s defeat, the war for Welsh independence will come to an end."
— Narrator [15:12]

5. Execution and Aftermath: An Example for the Ages

• [16:33-18:37]
  • October 3, 1283: Dafydd is executed in Shrewsbury in a particularly gruesome manner—hanged until nearly dead, eviscerated alive, beheaded and quartered.
  • His execution sets a legal precedent as he is the first noble executed for high treason.
  • Edward I solidifies his conquest: imposing English law, constructing a ring of castles, and appropriating the title "Prince of Wales" for his heir—establishing a tradition that endures.
  • Edward’s triumph in Wales becomes a prelude to his campaigns against Scotland.

“Dafydd’s execution is long and painful. First he is hanged until almost dead, but then he's cut down and disemboweled while still alive. Finally he is beheaded and his body cut into quarters, one for each corner of the kingdom so all of England can see what happens to traitors.”
— Narrator [17:17]

"Edward takes Llywelyn and Dafydd's title of the Prince of Wales and grants it to his own heir, a tradition that will continue for centuries."
— Narrator [18:18]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Dafydd’s Defiance at Hawarden Castle:
  “Dafydd’s men have already breached the outer wall and are now fighting their way through the courtyard toward the inner gatehouse, the final obstacle to the castle’s fortified corps.” — Narrator [00:37]

• Llywelyn’s Death Scene:
  “He shrugs off his wet cloak, allowing his armor to glint in the fading light of dusk. He then roars that he is the Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Griffith, and he will never be taken alive.” — Narrator [13:23]

• Brutality of Edward’s Justice:
  “Dafydd’s execution is long and painful... His body cut into quarters, one for each corner of the kingdom so all of England can see what happens to traitors.” — Narrator [17:17]

• End of Welsh Independence:
  “The execution of Dafydd ap Griffith marks the end of the war for Welsh independence.” — Narrator [17:58]

Key Timestamps

• 00:26 — Dafydd’s surprise attack at Hawarden Castle
• 05:00 — Context: Anglo-Welsh relations, family betrayal
• 06:40 — The Bridge of Boats battle and Welsh ambush
• 11:17 — Llywelyn’s fatal trap and death
• 13:40 — Dafydd’s succession and fugitive struggle
• 15:19 — Capture and betrayal of Dafydd
• 16:33 — Dafydd’s execution
• 18:18 — Edward's consolidation of Wales and new tradition

Tone & Delivery

Lindsey Graham’s narration is dramatic yet grounded, emphasizing both the heroism and tragedy of the Welsh princes while subtly highlighting Edward’s cold, strategic ambition. The storytelling immerses listeners into medieval Wales, with visceral battle descriptions and poignant emotional beats, maintaining a respectful but riveting tone throughout.

Conclusion

This episode of History Daily offers a vivid retelling of the tragic end of native Welsh rule, illustrating the human cost of conquest and political ambition. Through memorable scenes, rich historical context, and powerful narration, listeners come away with a clear understanding of how Edward I’s conquest shaped not only Wales, but the destinies of Britain’s monarchies for centuries.