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Most people will have heard the names Joan of Arc or Boudica.

But not many might know about one of history's most fearless and ferocious females - Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd.

Some say she was the original Maid Marian or female Braveheart - but she was the original heroine of Wales.

Heavily pregnant and with children in tow, she, alongside her husband, would ride again and again into battle to protect their land from Norman invasion.

Even after her brutal death, described by one historian as an "insult" to Wales, the words "revenge from Gwenllian" became a battle cry across the country - inspiring its own revolt.

This is her story.

(Image: MILES KELLY)

The daughter of the King of the Gwynedd and his wife Angharad, Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd was born in Anglesey. Growing up, she quickly became known for her intelligence and beauty, but was far from a typical princess.

At 16 years old her father received a visit from two men - Prince Grufydd of Deheubarth, now much of south west Wales, and his brother Hywel.

Immediately, Gwenllian and the prince fell in love, he impressed with her sword fighting skills as much as everything else.

In her book Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, the Warrior Princess of Deheubarth, historian Laurel Rockefeller writes: "In the year eleven fifteen Gwenllian’s hope became reality.

"In a private wedding in the castle chapel she wed her prince at last, cementing in marriage the alliance between Gwynedd and Deheubarth and making both prince and princess the happiest of all men and women in Wales."

From there it wasn't long before children followed - Morgan, Maelgwn, Owain, Maredudd, and Rhys ap Gruffydd.

By the year 1130 the prince and princess had also welcomed twin daughters Nest and Gwladus.

However, with the growing fear of Norman invasion, there was little time to enjoy an idyllic family life in Dinefwr.

Instead, the family were often forced into thick woodlands and mountains, and from there conduct raid after raid on the enemy.

Ms Rockefeller said: "Britain loves to idolise Owain Glyndwr but Owain Glyndwr was by himself with a fair army around him.

"Gruffydd and Gwenllian fought together for 20 years with her children in tow. She would be eight months pregnant.

"That's the strength of a Welsh woman."

(Image: Anna Lewis)

By using a guerilla style campaign, both Gwenllian and Gruffydd were able to attack Norman and Flemish settlements invading the kingdom.

After redistributing the goods and money, it is said that the pair gained a reputation similar to Robin Hood and Maid Marion.

In 1135 the opportunity came for the family to take back control of their lands. After death of King Henry I of England, both his nephew and daughter began fighting for the crown, taking their eyes away from activity over the border.

By the the following year, tension in Wales had begun to rise.

On New Year's Day 1136, Gwenllian and Gruffydd woke to the sound of alarm bells ringing through Dinefwr Castle.

At Carn Goch - six miles away - the battle was already raging as 1,000 Welshman marched up north to take back farms and pastures previously lost to the Normans.

In what became know as the Battle of Llwchwr, it is thought the Normans lost around 500 men, thanks in part to the actions of Gwenllian, Gruffydd and their son Morgan.

(Image: © Cadw, Welsh Government (Crown Copyright))

By January, the people of Deheubarth were preparing for war. Leaving Gwenllian in charge, Gruffydd travelled north to Gwenllian's homeland, ready to help her father rid their land of the enemy.

Meanwhile, Norman survivors, lead by Lord Maurice de Londres, sheltered in Kidwelly Castle.

For two weeks, time passed as Princess Gwenllian continued to rule her kingdom.

One day, however, a messenger arrived with the news - more Normans had set sail headed for west Wales. With Maurice de Londres desperate for revenge, it was only a matter of time before they moved, aided by thousands of men sent from English barons.

It was time to act.

"One week later Princess Gwenllian inspected her forces," Laurel wrote.

"In all of Deheubarth only two to three hundred men and women were strong enough to answer her call the arms.

"The rest of her people were too weak from the bitter winter and the recent famine created by the Normans to be able to assist her.

"Among those before her, most were farmers and shepherds armed only with the most simple of weapons and no armour to speak of.

"Only her sons Morgan and Maelgwn possessed formal training in warfare."

Despite the odds, Gwenllian continued to prepare for battle. She divided her forces - entrusting half her men with Welsh chieftain Gruffydd ap Llewelyn.

However, marching straight to Maurice, the chieftain betrayed his leader and revealed the location of his princess and the army.

With no other choice, Gwenllian felt she had to take action. Along with her sons Morgan and Maelgwyn, she led her army out of the forest to attack the stronghold at Kidwelly Castle.

However, vastly outnumbered, her and her men found themselves overwhelmed.

Helpless, Gwenllian could only watch as her son Morgan was impaled before receiving a blow to the neck.

Ms Rockefeller writes: "A knight broke apart Gwenllian’s shield with his mace, breaking her arm.

"Maelgwn rushed to his mother, blocking with his sword the blow meant to kill her and suffering great injury in the process.

"Finally only Princess Gwenllian and Prince Maelgwn remained among the living."

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With their hands tied behind their backs, Maelgwyn and Gwenllian were lined up in front of Maurice.

Replacing chivalry and custom with a burning need for revenge, a log was brought out to the site where the princess was executed on the spot.

Ms Rockefeller said: "It was against chivalry to kill a woman. When you captured a king you were supposed to ransom them like as happened with Richard the Lionheart.

"But they decided to take a log out of Kidwelly and they beheaded her with an axe. It was just layer upon layer of insult."

According to legend a spring welled up on the spot where Gwenllian died - now known as Maes Gwenllian.

Up and down the country the battle cry went up - "Ddail Achos Gwenllian", or "revenge for Gwenllian".

As news of her death spread, the Welsh vowed revenge, culminating in the Gwent Revolt of 1136.

Before long, armies took back Ceredigion, while Gwenllian's brothers wrestled control of Llanfihangel, Aberystwyth, and Llanbadarn.

Laurel said: "She was a vital part of cultural history, as much as Boudica was.

"She deserves to be known as one of the heroines of Wales."

Gwenllian Ferch Gruffydd, the Warrior Princess of Deheubarth, is available to buy in English and Welsh as part of the The Legendary Women of World History series.

You can find more information here.