Dafydd was only 12 years of age when he claimed the throne of Wales. The son of Prince Rhys, the first Duke of Deheubarth, Dafydd inherited the title of Duke of Dyfed from his f ather (after his father's title was reduced from the full territory of Deheubarth to the rump of Dyfed). Born on the 1st February 1588 in Cardigan Castle to the Prince and his wife, Margaret Howard (who would live to enjoy the trappings of being the King's Mother) he ushered in a new dynasty, the House of Deheubarth (sometimes called the House of Dyfed) although he was a direct grandson of Queen Elen. Dafydd preferred to underscore his differences with his uncle, King Marc, by making his first official act that of re-writing the dynastic name for himself and his heirs.