Llywelyn and his allies remained on general alert, however, the king was slow to react. It wasn't until the summer of 1231 that he and his army advanced up the Wye valley from Hereford. However, except for some light skirmishing there was very little fighting. For eight weeks the English army remained at Painscastle, where they rebuilt the wooden castle with stone.

For two years life and times in Wales was rather quiet, there was some skirmishing here and there. Then in 1233 when Earl Richard retook the castle of Usk, in doing so, destroyed its Royal garrison it sent the border country up in the flames of war. Llywelyn allied himself to the Lord Marshall and the knights of Glamorgan against the forces of the crown

While his allies were defeating the king and John of Monmouth in a pitched battle outside the town, Llywelyn was back at Brecon. For over a month he battered the town and castle with his war engines, finally reducing the town to ash; he failed however to take the castle.

In west Wales Rhys Gryg, Owain ap Gruffydd and Maelgwyn Fychan mounted a major offensive in a bid to retake Carmarthen castle and town. Its effort did not reward them with victory. In March some fifteen hundred men of the king's army landed from the sea and broke the siege, in the process mortally wounding Rhys Gryg who died from his wounds shortly afterwards.

Once again Llywelyn was here there and everywhere as he attempted to hold the coalition of princes together.

Then suddenly in1235 Owain ap Gruffudd died in Deheubarth and was buried in the abbey of Strata Florida next to his brother in the chapter house of the monks. Beginning to feel his age Llywelyn sued for peace.

The king gratefully accepted his offer and returned it with generosity. Llywelyn kept the great fortresses of Cardigan and Builth. He was to be the overlord of Wales and year by year to renew the treaty which said that he would no more wage war against England.

When in February of 1237 the Lady of Wales died, Llywelyn was devastated for he had become reunited with Joan. She was gone, no more would they enjoy hunting in such places as Beddgelert or indeed the splendour of the Palace of Aberffraw. With Wales at peace Llywelyn now threw himself into supporting religious orders throughout Wales.

Time however, was catching up with Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, but throughout villages and towns in the land his name was on everyone's lips. Some talked of his 'bloody' ways of waging war, others of his acts of kindness, however, everyone agreed that he was 'Llywelyn the Great'.

The year was 1240, the place Aberconwy, the deed the death of Llywelyn. The old statesman lost the last battle, that of the one of the march of time. He was buried with the pomp and ceremony that befitted a Prince of Wales there at Aberconwy.

Within the month an English army could be seen advancing upon Cardigan castle and town