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His death more than 730 years ago sealed the fate of ended independent rule in Wales, and making him he last sovereign prince before conquest by Edward I of England.

Now a group of patriots have formed a working party to organise an event to remember the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd – or Llywelyn the Last – who died at the Battle of Orewin Bridge on December 11, 1282.

He was ambushed and cut down by Norman soldiers at Cilmeri, Builth Wells, apparently that morning, and Wales fell under English rule once more, with Edward declaring his own son, Edward II, the new Prince of Wales.

A dedicated group, now called Cofio Llywelyn (Remember Llywelyn), will commemorate the Prince this weekend – and in future years – with a series of events.

This year’s commemoration, on Saturday and Sunday, will also involve laying a wreath to the 4,000 soldiers and their families that were killed at that spot the day after Llyweyln died.

Secretary David Petersen, who has attended commemorations for more than 30 years, said the event was “poignant and emotional”, marking one of the most significant days of Welsh history.

“We meet at 11am at the church in Llanynys, and whilst this might not be the building in which Llywelyn was read Mass to, the morning that he died, we know that some of the stones of the existing church belonged to the one he was in. It sits in the banks of the Yrfon about 100 yards from where he was slain.

“Llywelyn was on his way to a parley, to make a treaty. His entire army was on what is now Builth Golf Course. When his head was cut from his body, it was paraded to the army and camp followers of 4,000 – including women, children and cooks. They were told their leader was dead.

“They promised that if they gave up their arms they would be allowed safe passage back to North Wales, instead every single one of them was killed and buried on the spot.”

The church service on Saturday, will include a choir who sing the Benedictus and Sanctus in Latin.

“Of all the commemorations that is the most moving, to be certainly on the spot, possibly surrounded by the same stone, within a day or two of his death, it is quite extraordinary.”

Mid and West Wales AM William Powell, who is speaking at the commemoration, along with Jill Evans MEP, said the site where Llywelyn was killed is a “vital part of our national story”.

“People from across the political and social spectrum in Wales should be encouraged to recognise this and safeguard the Cilmeri Commemoration for the nation as a whole.

Mr Powell said attending the ceremony was about deepening his understanding of his Welsh identity.

“I am determined to continue playing my part in safeguarding the future of the Cilmeri Commemoration, as well as promoting the physical regeneration and enhancement of this most poignant and Welsh memorials I would urge all Welsh people and others of goodwill to do the same.”

Llywelyn’s death is commemorated by a lone standing stone, erected at Cilmeri in 1956, but Cofio Llewelyn hopes to see a significant investment in upgrading the modest monument.