Lord Rhys
De Leia was appointed by King Henry II of England as bishop, despite the preference of the cathedral chapter for Gerald de Barri, better known as Giraldus Cambrensis. Besides his rivalry with Gerald, de Leia had a stormy relationship with Rhys ap Gruffydd, Prince of Deheubarth, whose body he initially refused burial in 1197 on the grounds that he had earlier excommunicated the prince following a dispute over stolen horses.