Llewelyn ab Iorweth
2022
Llywelyn ab Iorweth – born in Dolwyddelan, died 1240AD Aberconwy Abbey. King of Gwynedd and ‘Prince of Wales’, he dominated Wales for 45 years.
In 1200 LLywelyn made a treaty with King John and following John’s death in 1216 he concluded the Treaty of Worcester with John’s successor Henry III.
Llywelyn married King John’s daughter in 1205 here at Worcester Cathedral.
Sculptor Barry Davies depicted this 13th Century Welsh leader through extensive and thorough research. Davies modelled the sculpture in plaster later to be cast in bronze showing a variety of elements from his leather boots to his crown all of which are, according to the research, true to the period.
Both Llywelyn and St. David are positioned with geographic reference whereby St. David stands on the South side of the nave of Worcester Cathedral signifying Pembrokeshire, South Wales, and Prince Llewelyn stands on the North side signifying Gwynedd, North Wales. So offering a triple meaning to their presence at the Cathedral, geographic, relating to King John and the Treaty, whose tomb resides here at Worcester Cathedral and Llewelyn’s marriage to Joan, Lady of Wales, King John’s daughter in this precise spot over 800 years ago.
Llewelyn stands here defiant and strong with a greyhound by his side, high on the Gwynedd mountains, now Snowdonia. Davies actually made a mould of a rocky outcrop on the Snowfonia mountains between Dinas Mawddwy and Bala earlier this year, then cadting the mould and incorporating it in the statue itself.
Davies has focused on profoundly capturing the essence of this historical figure, connecting the early 13th century Welsh Prince to modern 21st century viewing.
