Wales prior to the Norman Invasion of 1066

Prior to the Norman invasion of 1066 Wales was a country in dynastic disarray after the death in 1063 of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, who had been the outstanding Welsh ruler of the 11th century.  He is remembered as "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales" and was described as the shield of his country and the terror of its enemies.

A Timeline of significant events in Wales, in the build up to The Battle of Hastings of 1066;

c. 1007  Gruffydd was born, the son of Llywelyn ap Seisyll, King of Gwynedd and Deheubarth.

1023  The death of his father forced Gruffydd into exile in Powys with his mother and sisters, as Iago ab Idwal siezed the throne of Gwynedd.

1039  Gruffydd kills Iago ab Idwal and takes the throne of Gwynedd.

1055  Gruffydd had become the ruler of Powys and seized Deheubarth, Morgannwg and Gwent. This combined with his alliance with Aelgar of Mercia and their destruction of Hereford put Gruffydd in a powerful position and in exchange for his fealty, King Edward the Confesser of England recognised Gruffydd's claim to sovereignty over the whole of Wales.

1057  Gruffydd married Ealdgyth, daughter of Aelgar.

1061  King Edward and Harold Godwinson attacked Gruffydd's army at Rhuddlan, before withdrawing back to England.

1062  Harold's brother, Tostig, marched on Gwynedd from Chester, while Harold led a large force from Bristol.  Gruffydd was nearly captured, but managed to escape by sea, however, his other ships were destroyed.  Aelgar of Mercia was killed, which further weakened Gruffydd's position.

1063  Harold and  Tostig led armies into Wales, forcing Gruffydd to take refuge in Snowdonia, where he was killed by one of his own men, thought to have been from Cynan ap Iago, the son of Iago ab Idwal, whom Gruffydd had killed in 1039.  Gruffydd's head was sent to King Edward as the price for peace and Wales was divided back into the traditional kingdoms.

1066 (January)  Harold became King of England and married Gruffydd's widow Ealdgyth

1066 (14th October)  Battle of Hastings.

On 13th October 1910, the crew of the St David's lifeboat on board the "Gem" went to rescue three crew stranded in terrible weather aboard Democrat, a coal ship delivering to Ramsey Island.  The rescue was a success, but the sail-assisted rowing boat crashed onto the rocks on the return journey, killing three crew members.  Yet somewhat miraculously given the conditions, the 12 remaining lifeboatmen and the three rescued sailors, survived by clinging to rocks for over 12 hours.  They were eventually rescued when Will Thomas managed to dry out matches sufficiently enough to set fire to his oilskins to alert help from nearby Porthclais harbour.

In the aftermath of the disaster Sydney Mortimer, aged just 16, who had sailed one of the Porthclais rescue boats and saved 10 of the survivors, received the RNLI's Silver Medal.  Two years later he became the youngest coxswain of the St David's lifeboat, aged 18.  The incident was instrumental in the use of petrol motorboats by the RNLI  and also provided valuable lessons in how to improve the cork life jackets of the day.

Born on this day 1976 in Llandrindod Wells.

Carl Robinson - former Wales soccer international, who won 52 caps.   Robinson played the majority of his career with Wolverhampton  Wanderers as a combative midfielder and is currently an assistant coach for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Canada.  He was recently awarded Citizen of the Year in his tome town of Llandrindod Wells.

Adopted Welshman Paul Potts from Port Talbot  was born 13 October 1970 in Kingswood, South Gloucestershire.  He is remembered for winning  the first series of ITV's Britain's Got Talent with his performance of "Nessun Dorma",

His first television audition, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, was remarkable, as judging from Potts's appearance and demeanour, no one watching expected the powerful and emotional rendition that he delivered and brought looks of awe from the judges. Potts received a standing ovation from the audience of 2,000 people and the YouTube video clip from the show has since had more than 105 million views.  His subsequent album "One Chance" went on to top the sales charts in nine countries.

In Wales Potts has become involved with the charity Treat Trust Wales, which is behind ambitious plans to develop a multi-million pound, state-of-the-art rehabilitation and well being centre in the grounds of Morriston Hospital.  Potts recently headed the charity's deputation at a top-level meeting with a Welsh Government minister that could be worth £1.5 million.

On 13th October 1858, 20 men were killed in a mining accident at Lower Duffryn Colliery, Mountain Ash