Principality of Wales
![](/Images/godic/202502/04/Flag_of_Gwynedd4442.png")
![](/Images/godic/202502/04/Wales_after_the_Treaty_of_Montgomery_1267.svg4442.png")
![Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn Fawr) ruled Gwynedd and most of Wales from 1195 to 1240](/Images/godic/202502/04/LlywelynFawr4443.jpg")
![Wales c. 1217. Yellow: areas directly ruled by Llywelyn; Grey: areas ruled by Llywelyn's vassels; Green: Anglo-Norman marcher lordships in Wales.](/Images/godic/202502/04/CymruLlywelyn4443.PNG")
The Principality of Wales (Welsh: Tywysogaeth Cymru) existed between 1216 and 1536, encompassing two-thirds of modern Wales during its height between 1267–1277. For most of its history it was "annexed and united" to the English Crown. However, for a few generations, specifically the period from its foundation in 1216 to Edward I's completion of the conquest of Wales in 1284, it was de facto independent under a Welsh Prince of Wales, albeit one who swore fealty to the King of England.