Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd: A Play in Three Acts

By Laurel A. Rockefeller

The inspiring true story of Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, princess royal of the northern Welsh kingdom of Gwynedd and princess regnant of the southern Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth comes to life in this beautiful stage drama based on "Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, the Warrior Princess of Deheubarth." Includes new historical material not included in the regular biography.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laurel A. Rockefeller
• Release date: Oct 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370762224

Laurel A. Rockefeller

Born, raised, and educated in Lincoln, Nebraska USA Laurel A. Rockefeller’s passion for animals comes through in everything she writes. First self-published in 2012 as social science fiction author (the Peers of Beinan series), Laurel has expanded her work into the animal care/guide, history, historical fiction, and biography genres.Find Laurel’s books in digital, paperback, and hardcover in your choice of up to ten languages, including Welsh, Chinese, and Dutch. Audio editions are published in all four available languages for audible: English, French, Spanish, and German.Besides advocating for animals and related environmental causes, Laurel A. Rockefeller is a passionate educator dedicated to improving history literacy worldwide, especially as it relates to women’s accomplishments. In her spare time, Laurel enjoys spending time with her cockatiels, travelling to historic places, and watching classic motion pictures and classic television series.

Book preview

GWENLLIAN FERCH GRUFFYDD

A PLAY IN THREE ACTS

by Laurel A. Rockefeller

Adapted from the biography Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, the Warrior Princess of Deheubarth

by Laurel A. Rockefeller 

© 2016 by Laurel A. Rockefeller

Email: [e-mail]

Table of Contents

PROLOGUE

ACT I

Act I, Scene I

Act I, Scene II

Act I, Scene III

Act I, Scene IV

Act I, Scene V

Act I, Scene VI

Act I, Scene VII

Act I, Scene VIII

Act I, Scene IX

Act I, Scene X

ACT II

Act II, Scene I

Act II, Scene II

Act II, Scene III

ACT III

Act III, Scene I

Act III, Scene II

Act III, Scene III

Act III, Scene IV

Act III, Scene V

Act III, Scene VI

Act III, Scene VII

Act III, Scene VIII

Act III, Scene IX

PRODUCTION NOTES

Character Descriptions

Scene Breakdown: Characters

Scene Breakdown: Settings

ABOUT THIS SERIES

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PROLOGUE

Lights rise to see GWENLLIAN’S GHOST standing downstage in a pale blue bliaut and with a quiver of arrows slung on one shoulder, her Welsh longbow resting gently in her hands.

GWENLLIAN’S GHOST

(to audience)

Cry out for me, my people. Where my blood was spilt, let your voices be heard forever more. Cymru in all your glory: Deheubarth, Gwynedd, Ceredigion, Powys, Dyfed, Ynys Môn where I was born! Let not these conquerors go unanswered. Swear to me you shall never forget. We are Cymraeg. We are forever.

(END OF SCENE)

ACT I, SCENE I

1113. The GREAT HALL of Aberffraw Castle, Ynys Môn. Center stage KING GRUFFYDD AP CYNAN sits on his elaborately carved throne placed on a dais. Behind the king is a banner featuring the royal heraldry of the kingdom of Gwynedd with its four roaring lions. At the king’s right stands his HERALD.

HERALD

(loudly)

The king welcomes into his court Princess Nest ferch Rhys of Deheubarth, baroness of Pembroke!

(PRINCESS NEST ENTERS stage left.)

PRINCESS NEST

(kneeling)

Bore da, f'arglwydd.

KING GRUFFYDD

Bore da f’arglwyddes.

(motioning for the princess to rise)

Sut ydych chi?

PRINCESS NEST

Da iawn, diolch yn fawr. My son Henry Fitzhenry gives his kind regards.

KING GRUFFYDD

(Stepping down from the dais and motioning for Princess Nest to follow him as he meanders downstage)

Your husband does not mind he is King Henry’s son?

PRINCESS NEST

Gerald of Windsor is the king’s man, a baron because King Henry wants him watching over the marches and keeping we Welsh firmly under his control. Henry Fitzhenry is with his stepfather right now in Cernarth along with our children.

KING GRUFFYDD

Has he grown much since I last saw him?

PRINCESS NEST

He’s almost ten now.

KING GRUFFYDD

Tell me my lady, are you here just to visit with old friends or does other business occupy your mind?

PRINCESS NEST

By business do you mean the king’s business or my own?

KING GRUFFYDD

Is there a difference?

PRINCESS NEST

In this case yes; if King Henry were to find out about this errand up north he would be more than a little cross with me, despite his fond memories of me from his youth.

KING GRUFFYDD

What could you say or do to make our liege lord cross?

PRINCESS NEST

I have a favour to ask you.

KING GRUFFYDD

A favour? How expensive a favour?

PRINCESS NEST

My brother Hywel has healed from the injuries he suffered while imprisoned by Arnulf fitz Roger of Montgomery. I’ve kept him with me in Pembroke, but it grows dangerous