Flintshire Memories: Hawarden historian retraces steps of Welsh prince

By Flintshire Chronicle on Jul 31, 09 02:21 PM in Before 1500

A Hawarden man has travelled to Surrey in his search to trace the Welsh Royal family.

Steve Griffiths visited Tatsfield, where Prince Rhodri ap Gruffydd lived at the end of the 13th century.

Prince Rhodri was the solitary and direct heir to the vacant throne of Gwynedd and Northern Wales when he began a self-imposed exile in the village.

All three of his brothers had died and his nephews and nieces were incarcerated in different locations around the country.

During his visit Steve gave a lecture on the life of the prince, who became known as Sir Roderick de Fitz Griffin of Tatsfield, at St Mary's Church.

He presented the church with a framed history panel depicting the story of the family and a banner bearing the prince's personal coat of arms.

Steve said: "Located near the M25, to the south of London, Tatsfield is a typical English village, but remains largely unaware of its historical link to Wales.

"However, the indelible imprint of Welsh royalty has somehow survived the centuries and we still see the existence of Welsh names in modern day Tatsfield, including Maesmaur Road and Gwynedd Close."

The picture shows Welsh historian Steve Griffiths outside St Mary's Church, Tatsfield, Surrey.