The Treaty of Pipton formally recognized Llywelyn ap Gruffudd as Prince of Wales, cementing a Welsh-baronial alliance during the Second Barons' War.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 22 June 1265
- Payment offered
- 30,000 marks marks
- Title recognized
- Prince of Wales
- Betrothal arranged
- Llywelyn and Eleanor de Montfort
- Context
- Second Barons' War
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Simon de Montfort defeated King Henry III at the Battle of Lewes in 1264, capturing the king and Prince Edward. Seeking to consolidate power against the English Marcher Lords, de Montfort needed allies, while Llywelyn ap Gruffudd sought formal recognition of his supremacy over the Welsh princes and lords.
At Pipton, Powys, on 22 June 1265, Simon de Montfort and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd signed a treaty in which Llywelyn offered 30,000 marks for a permanent peace. In return, he was acknowledged as Prince of Wales, with the fealty of all Welsh princes, lords, and chieftains recognized as belonging to him by right of sovereignty.
The treaty secured a formal military and political alliance between Llywelyn and de Montfort, reinforced by a betrothal between Llywelyn and de Montfort's daughter Eleanor. It marked the high point of Llywelyn's political recognition, though de Montfort's defeat and death at Evesham later in 1265 undermined the alliance's practical effects.
Political Outcome
Formal alliance established; Llywelyn recognized as Prince of Wales with suzerainty over Welsh lords in exchange for 30,000 marks and military cooperation.
Llywelyn lacked formal English recognition as Prince of Wales; de Montfort lacked Welsh support against Marcher Lords.
Llywelyn formally acknowledged as Prince of Wales; de Montfort gained a Welsh ally to counter Marcher Lords.