Llywelyn ap Iorwerth

On this day, 11 April 1240, Llywelyn “Fawr” ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great), the longest reigning ruler of Welsh principalities, died in Aberconwy, Gwynedd, Wales. (He was my 23rd and 24th great-grandfather.)

Born circa 1173, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth was the only child of Iorwerth “Drwyndwn” ap Owain and Marared ferch Madog. Llywelyn’s father was the eldest surviving son of Owain Gwynedd, prince of Gwynedd. In 1174, Iorwerth ap Owain died in at the Battle at Pennant Melangell. His mother was the daughter of Madog ap Maredudd, Prince of Powys. Through her, Llywelyn is descended from Rhodri Mawr, king of Wales.

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Henry II of Brabant

On this day, 1 February 1248, Henry II of Brabant passed away. He was my 24th and my 25th great-grandfather.

Born in 1207, in Leuven, Belgium, Henry II of Brabant was the son of Henry I of Brabant and Matilda of Boulogne.

Marie of Brabant

On this day, 12 January 1322, Marie of Brabant (my 23rd great-grandmother) passed away.

Born on 13 May 1254, in Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium, Marie was the youngest child and only daughter of Henry III, Duke of Brabant, and Adelaide of Burgundy. She joined brothers Henry (born circa 1251), John (born 1253), and Godfrey (birthdate unknown).

Land of the Pharaohs

In life’s travels, we often take side trips. Some side trips prove to be integral aspects of our life’s journey, as in higher education, career choices, marriage, and having children. Others prove to be enlightening and exciting diversions.

In this series, Passport to the World, I will revisit the side trips of my own life travels. We have already visited France and Italy. The next stop is the cradle of civilization: Egypt.

Edmund de Mortimer

On this day, 27 December 1381, Edmund de Mortimer passed away. He was my 20th great-grandfather.

Born on 1 February 1352, Edmund was the son of Roger Mortimer, 2nd Earl of March, and Philippa, daughter of William Montagu, 1st Earl of Salisbury, and Catherine Grandison.

When Edmund was only an infant, his father died. At that time, Edmund became a ward of the crown, which indicated that his mother had already died (possibly in childbirth or soon thereafter). Edward III (my 21st great-grandfather through his son Thomas of Woodstock, my 22nd great-grandfather through his son Lionel of Antwerp of Clarence, my three-times 19th and three-times 20th great-grandfather through his son John of Gaunt, and my 20th great-grandfather through his son Edmund of Langley) placed baby Edmund in the care of William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England, and Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel (my 21st great-grandfather through his granddaughter Alianore Holland and my 20th great-grandfather through his granddaughter Margaret Holland).