Elissau ap Gruffyd

Ellis ap Griffith (c.1440-1489) or Elissau ap Gruffudd, was the Baron of Gwyddelwern in Denbighshire, Wales, and the grandnephew of Owen Glendower, Prince of Wales. Following his family defeat during the Glyndwr Rising, his branch inherited the co-representation of the Royal House of Mathrafal, and were immortalized by William Shakespeare in the history play Henry IV. Through his mother Lowrie, he inherited the lordship of his grandfather, Tudor Glendower, and by marriage, the estate of Plas-yn-Yale. By this union, he became the founder of the House of Yale, represented by the Yale family, later known in America as the benefactors of Yale University. Biography Ellis ap Griffith was born circa 1440, in Corwen, Denbighshire, to Griffith ap Einion of Corsygedol and Lowrie ap Tudur of Gwyddelwern, members of the Royal House of Mathrafal and the Ducal House of FitzGerald. His father Griffith ap Einion held the office of Woodward of the commote of Ardudwy, Merioneth, under the Lancastrian Henry V of England, and was proprietor of the Corsygedol estate, in his family since the 13th century. His uncles were Ieuan ap Einion, 5th Baron of Edeirnion, and Howel Sele, of the family of Hywel Sele, 9th Lord of Nannau. His mother was first married to Robin ab Gruffydd, Lord of Rhos. Their family later married with the Lords of the Nannau estate, near Dolgellau, which has been in their possession for over 900 years, allying the descendants of King Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, founder of the House of Mathrafal.