<P> For most of the post-Roman period, Wales was divided into several smaller states . Before the Norman conquest of England, the most powerful Welsh ruler at any given time was generally known as King of the Britons . In the 12th and 13th centuries, this title evolved into Prince of Wales (see Brut y Tywysogion). In Latin, the new title was Princeps Walliae, and in Welsh it was Tywysog Cymru . The literal translation of Tywysog is "leader" (compare the cognate Irish word taoiseach; the verb tywys means "to lead"). </P> <P> Only a handful of native princes had their claim to the overlordship of Wales recognised by the English Crown . The first known to have used such a title was Owain Gwynedd, adopting the title Prince of the Welsh around 1165 after earlier using rex Waliae ("King of Wales"). His grandson Llywelyn the Great is not known to have used the title "Prince of Wales" as such, although his use, from around 1230, of the style "Prince of Aberffraw, Lord of Snowdon" was tantamount to a proclamation of authority over most of Wales, and he did use the title "Prince of North Wales" as did his predecessor Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd . </P> <P> In 1240, the title was theoretically inherited by his son Dafydd ap Llywelyn, though he is not known to have used it . Instead he styled himself as "Prince of Wales" around 1244, the first Welsh prince to do so . In 1246, his nephew Llywelyn ap Gruffudd succeeded to the throne of Gwynedd, and used the style as early as 1258 . In 1267, with the signing of the Treaty of Montgomery, he was recognised by both King Henry III of England and the representative of the Papacy as Prince of Wales . In 1282, Llywelyn was killed during Edward I of England's invasion of Wales and although his brother Dafydd ap Gruffudd succeeded to the Welsh princeship, issuing documents as prince, his principality was not recognised by the English Crown . </P> <P> Three Welshmen, however, claimed the title of Prince of Wales after 1283 . </P>

When was the title prince of wales created