| House of Gwynedd | |
|---|---|
 Traditional arms of Gwynedd | |
| Parent house | House of Cunedda |
| Country | Wales, Sub-Roman Britain |
| Founded | 401 |
| Founder | Cunedda Wledig |
| Titles | |
| Estate(s) | Kingdom of Gwynedd |
| Deposition | 1283 |
| Cadet branches | House of Aberffraw House of Dinefwr |
The House of Gwynedd is the royal house of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, in medieval Wales. It is divided between the House of Cunedda and the House of Aberffraw, and lasted from c.401 to 1283.
The House of Gwynedd, divided between the earlier House of Cunedda , which lasted from c.401 to 825, was eventually replaced by the later House of Aberffraw , beginning in 844. The first is so named after Cunedda (386-460), the founding King of Gwynedd; and the second after Aberffraw, the old capital of Gwynedd.
This House was the first not being descended from the male line of Cunedda, as king Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog was the last in the direct male line. Through inheritances from the great uncle of Merfyn the Oppressor, the line of Cunedda continued from the maternal side through the House of Aberffraw, and through the House of Dinefwr through Rhodri's son, king Cadell ap Rhodri. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The Senior line of the House of Aberffraw descended from Prince Llywelyn the Great in patrilineal succession and became extinct on the death of Owain Lawgoch in 1378, while the House of Dinefwr was succeeded by its cadet branch, the House of Mathrafal . [5] [6]
From the oldest documented genealogies of Welsh royal families, the House of Gwynedd claimed descent from king Beli Mawr as ancestor figure and head of Gwynedd through the line of Cunedda (b. 386), and appears in the Harleian genealogies and Jesus College MS 20 genealogies. [7] [8] [9] In Welsh legend, Beli Mawr is stated as the father of the historical Cassivellaunus, who led the Celtic defence against Julius Caesar and his invasion of Britain in 54 BC during the Gallic Wars, being featured in Commentarii de Bello Gallico . [10] [11] [12]
Under the laws of king Hywel Dda, which were adapted from the much earlier pagan Molmutine Laws, any son can inherit from his father. This refers even to illegitimate sons if they are acknowledged by their father. The throne cannot be inherited through the female line unless both her father and the ancestry of her spouse were royal. In many examples cousins were inter-married, which made the distinction somewhat academic.
The House of Aberffraw began with the accession of Rhodri Mawr to the throne of Gwynedd. His father Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad had seized the throne of Gwynedd on the death of the last of the old royal line Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog. He was his maternal grandnephew via the former king's niece Esyllt verch Cynan ap Rhodri Molwynog.
| Cunedda Gwynedd | Vortigern Powys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ceredig ap Cunedda Ceredigion c. 450–453 | Einion Yrth Gwynedd c. 470–480 | Cadeyern Fendigaid Powys 430–447 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Usai ap Ceredig Ceredigion 453–490 | Cadwallon Lawhir ap Einion Gwynedd 480–534 | Owain Ddantgwyn Rhos and Powys 480-517 | Rhyddfedd Frych | Cadell Ddyrnllwg Powys 447–460 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Serwyl ap Usai Ceredigion 490–523 | Maelgwn Gwynedd Gwynedd 534–547 | Cuneglasus Rhos and Powys 517-550 | Cyngen Glodrydd Powys c. 550 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boddw ap Serwyl Ceredigion 523–560 | Rhun Hir ap Maelgwn Gwynedd 547–586 | Meig ap Cynlas | Einion ap Cynlas Rhos 540-c. 570 | Brochwel Ysgithrog Powys c. 570 | Pasgen ap Cyngen Powys c. 500 – c. 520 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arthfoddw ap Boddw Ceredigion 560–595 | Beli ap Rhun Gwynedd 586–599 | Cyngen ap Meig | Cynan Garwyn Powys c. 560 – c. 600 | Morgan ap Pasgen Powys c. 520 – c. 540 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arthlwys ap Arthwfoddw Ceredigion 595–630 | Iago ap Beli Gwynedd 599–616 | Cadwallon Crisban ap Cyngen | Selyf ap Cynan Powys c. 600–616 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cadfan ap Iago Gwynedd 616–625 | Idgwyn ap Cadwallon | Eiludd Powys Powys 616–642 | Manwgan ap Selyf Powys 642–655 | Cloten ap Nowy Dyfed 650–670 Brycheiniog 655–670 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clydog ap Arthlwys Ceredigion 630–665 | Cadwallon ap Cadfan Gwynedd 625–634 | Einion ap Idgwyn | Beli ap Eiludd Powys 655–695 | Cadafael Cadomedd ap Cynfeddw Gwynedd 634–655 | Caten ap Cloten Dyfed and Brycheiniog 670–690 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seisyll ap Clydog Ceredigion 665–700 | Cadwaladr Gwynedd 655–682 | Rhufon ap Einion | Gwylog ap Beli Powys 695–725 | Cadwgan ap Caten Dyfed and Brycheiniog 690–710 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arthwyr ap Seisyll Seisyllwg 700–735 | Idwal Iwrch Gwynedd 682–720 | Meirion ap Rhufon | Elisedd ap Gwylog Powys 725–755 | Rhain ap Cadwgan Dyfed 710–730 Brycheiniog 710–720 | Awst ap Cadwgan Brycheiniog 720–735 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dyfnwal ap Arthwyr Seisyllwg 735–770 | Rhodri Molwynog ap Idwal Gwynedd 720–754 | Caradog ap Meirion Gwynedd 754–798 | Brochfael ap Elisedd Powys 755–773 | Tewdws ap Rhain Dyfed 730–760 | Elwystl ap Awst Brycheiniog 735–750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Meurig ap Dyfnwal Seisyllwg 770–807 | Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri Gwynedd 798–816 | Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog Gwynedd 816–825 | Cadell ap Brochfael Powys 773–808 | Maredudd ap Tewdws Dyfed 760–797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ethyllt ferch Cynan | Gwriad ap Elidyr | Rhain ap Maredudd Dyfed 797–808 | Owain ap Maredudd Dyfed 808–810 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gwgon ap Meurig Seisyllwg 808–872 | Merfyn Frych Gwynedd 825–844 | Nest ferch Cadell | Cyngen ap Cadell Powys 808–855 | Triffyn ap Rhain Dyfed 810–814 | Tangwystl | Bleddri | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Angharad ferch Meurig | Rhodri the Great b.820 Gwynedd 844–878 Powys 855–878 | Elisedd ap Cyngen | Hyfaidd ap Bleddri Dyfed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anarawd ap Rhodri Gwynedd 878–916 | Tudwal Gloff | Merfyn ap Rhodri Powys 878–900 | Cadell ap Rhodri b.854 Seisyllwg 878–909 | Llywarch ap Hyfaidd Dyfed 893–904 | Rhodri ap Hyfaidd Dyfed 904–905 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Idwal Foel Gwynedd 916–942 | Alser ap Tudwal | Llywelyn ap Merfyn Powys 900–942 | Hywel Dda b.880 Dyfed 905–909 Deheubarth 909–950 Gwynedd 942–950 Powys 942–950 | Elen ferch Llywarch | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Meurig ap Idwal | Iago ap Idwal Gwynedd 950–979 | Ieuaf ap Idwal Gwynedd 950–969 | Rhodri ap Hywel Deheubarth 950–953 | Owain ap Hywel Deheubarth 950–987 | Edwin ap Hywel Deheubarth 950–954 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Idwal ap Meurig | Hywel ap Ieuaf Gwynedd 979–985 | Cadwallon ab Ieuaf Gwynedd 985–986 | Einion ab Owain d.984 | Maredudd ab Owain Deheubarth 987–999 Gwynedd 986–999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig Gwynedd 1023–1039 | Cynan ap Hywel Gwynedd 999–1005 | Aeddan ap Blegywryd Gwynedd 1005–1018 | Edwin ab Einion Deheubarth 1005–1018 | Cadell ab Einion Deheubarth 1005–1018 | Cynfyn ap Gwerstan | Angharad ferch Maredudd | Llywelyn ap Seisyll Gwynedd 1018–1023 Deheubarth 1018–1023 | Rhydderch ap Iestyn Deheubarth 1023–1033 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cynan ab Iago 1014–1063 | Trahaearn ap Caradog Gwynedd 1075–1081 | Owain ab Edwin | Hywel ab Edwin Deheubarth 1033–1044 | Tewdwr ap Cadell | Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn 1020–1069 | Bleddyn ap Cynfyn Gwynedd 1063–1075 Powys 1063–1075 | Gruffydd ap Llywelyn Gwynedd 1039–1063 Powys 1039–1063 Deheubarth 1055–1063 | Gruffydd ap Rhydderch Deheubarth 1045–1055 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gruffudd ap Cynan b.1055 Gwynedd 1081–1137 | Angharad ferch Owain Deheubarth 1065-1162 | Maredudd ab Owain ab Edwin Deheubarth 1063–1072 | Rhys ab Owain Deheubarth 1072–1078 | Rhys ap Tewdwr Deheubarth 1078–1093 | Gwladys ferch Rhiwallon | Iorwerth ap Bleddyn Powys 1075–1103 | Maredudd ap Bleddyn Powys 1116–1132 | Cadwgan ap Bleddyn Powys 1075–1111 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cadwaladr ap Gruffydd 1096–1172 | Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd 1097–1136 | Gruffydd ap Rhys Deheubarth 1116–1137 | Nest ferch Rhys 1085–1136 | Susanna ferch Gruffydd | Madog ap Maredudd Powys 1132–1160 | Gruffydd ap Maredudd | Owain ap Cadwgan Powys 1111–1116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owain Gwynedd b.1100 Gwynedd 1137–1170 | Cadell ap Gruffydd Deheubarth 1143–1153 | Maredudd ap Gruffydd Deheubarth 1153–1155 | Anarawd ap Gruffydd Deheubarth 1137–1143 | Rhys ap Gruffydd b.1132 Deheubarth 1155–1197 | Gwenllian ferch Madog | Owain Cyfeiliog Powys Wenwynwyn 1160–1197 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd b.1120 Gwynedd 1170 | Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd Gwynedd 1170–1195 d. 1203 | Maelgwn ab Owain Gwynedd Gwynedd 1170–1173 | Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd | Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd 1135–1195 | Gwenllian ferch Rhys | Gruffydd ap Rhys II Deheubarth 1197–1201 | Rhys Gryg Deheubarth 1216–1234 | Angharad ferch Owain Gwynedd | Gruffydd Maelor I Powys Fadog 1160–1191 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iorwerth Drwyndwn 1145–1174 | Marared ferch Madog | Gruffudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd 1150–1200 | Maredudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd 1150–1212 | Tomas ap Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd (see Anwyl of Tywyn family) | Maelgwn ap Rhys Deheubarth 1201–1230 | Gwenllian ferch Rhys | Ednyfed Fychan 1170–1246 | Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor Powys Fadog 1191–1236 | Gwenwynwyn Powys Wenwynwyn 1197–1216 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tangwystl Goch | Llywelyn the Great b.1173 Gwynedd 1195–1240 Powys 1216–1240 | Joan Plantagenet, Lady of Wales | Llywelyn the Elder ap Maredudd | Goronwy ab Ednyfed 1205–1268 | Owain ap Gruffudd | Maredudd ap Rhys Grug d.1271 | Gruffydd II ap Madog Powys Fadog 1236–1269 | Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn Powys Wenwynwyn 1241–1287 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gruffydd ap Llywelyn 1200–1244 | Dafydd ap Llywelyn b.1215 Wales 1240–1246 | Angharad ferch Llywelyn | Maelgwn Fychan | Maredudd ap Llywelyn d. 1255 | Rhys ap Maredudd 1250–1292 | Owen de la Pole 1257–1293 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Llywelyn ap Gruffudd b.1223 Wales 1246–1282 | Owain Goch ap Gruffydd d. 1282 Gwynedd 1246–1255 | Dafydd ap Gruffydd 1238–1283 | Rhodri ap Gruffudd 1230–1315 | Llywelyn ap Maredudd d.1263 | Tudur Hen d.1311 | Maredydd ab Owain | Elen ferch Maelgwn | Gruffydd de la Pole d.1309 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gwenllian of Wales 1282–1337 | Llywelyn ap Dafydd 1267–1287 | Owain ap Dafydd 1265–1325 | Tomas ap Rhodri 1300–1363 | Madog ap Llywelyn claimant 1294–1295 | Goronwy ap Tudur Hen d.1331 | Owain ap Maredydd | Gruffudd Fychan I Powys Fadog 1277–1283 | Madog II ap Gruffydd Powys Fadog 1269–1277 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owain Lawgoch 1330–1378 | Llywelyn ab Owain | Madog Crypl 1275–1304 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tomas ap Llewelyn | Gruffydd of Rhuddallt 1296–1343 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tudur ap Goronwy d.1367 | Marged ferch Tomos | Elen ferch Tomos | Gruffudd Fychan II d. 1369 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maredudd ap Tudur d.1406 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owen Tudor 1400–1461 | Owain Glyndŵr claimant 1400–1416 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| House of Tudor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rhodri ap Merfyn, commonly known as Rhodri Mawr, was a Welsh king whose legacy has impacted the history of Wales. Rhodri rose to power during a tumultuous era, where the fate of Welsh kingdoms was often determined by the power of their leaders.
The Kingdom of Gwynedd was a Welsh kingdom and a Roman Empire successor state that emerged in sub-Roman Britain in the 5th century during the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain.
Cunedda ap Edern, also called Cunedda Wledig, was an important early Welsh leader, and the progenitor of the Royal dynasty of Gwynedd, one of the very oldest of Western Europe.
The Kingdom of Powys was a Welsh successor state, petty kingdom and principality that emerged during the Middle Ages following the end of Roman rule in Britain. It very roughly covered the northern two-thirds of the modern county of Powys and part of today's English West Midlands. More precisely, and based on the Romano-British tribal lands of the Ordovices in the west and the Cornovii in the east, its boundaries originally extended from the Cambrian Mountains in the west to include the modern West Midlands region of England in the east. The fertile river valleys of the Severn and Tern are found here, and this region is referred to in later Welsh literature as "the Paradise of Powys".
Beli ap Rhun was King of Gwynedd. Nothing is known of the person, and his name is known only from Welsh genealogies, which confirm that he had at least two sons. He succeeded his father Rhun ap Maelgwn as king, and was in turn succeeded by his son Iago. Beli was either the father or grandfather of Saint Edeyrn.
Idwal Iwrch, or Idwal ap Cadwaladr, is a figure in the genealogies of the kings of Gwynedd. He was the son of King Cadwaladr ap Cadwallon and the father of King Rhodri Molwynog. William Wynne places Cynan Dindaethwy as his son, but other sources have Cynan as the son of Rhodri. The records of this era are scanty, and Idwal's name appears only in the pedigrees of later kings and in a prophecy found in two 14th-century Welsh manuscripts, which says that he will succeed his father Cadwaladr as king.
Seisyllwg was a petty kingdom of medieval Wales. It is unclear when it emerged as a distinct unit, but according to later sources it consisted of the former Kingdom of Ceredigion plus the region known as Ystrad Tywi. Thus it covered the modern county of Ceredigion, part of Carmarthenshire, and the Gower Peninsula. It is evidently named after Seisyll, king of Ceredigion in the 7th or early 8th century, but it is unknown if he was directly responsible for its establishment. In the 10th century Seisyllwg became the centre of power for Hywel Dda, who came to rule most of Wales. In 920 Hywel merged Seisyllwg with the Kingdom of Dyfed to form the new kingdom of Deheubarth.
Cynan Dindaethwy or Cynan ap Rhodri was a king of Gwynedd in Wales in the Early Middle Ages. Cynan was the son of Rhodri Molwynog and ascended to the throne of Gwynedd upon the death of King Caradog ap Meirion in 798. His epithet refers to the commote of Dindaethwy in the cantref Rhosyr. Unlike later kings of Gwynedd, usually resident at Aberffraw in western Anglesey, Cynan maintained his court at Llanfaes on the southeastern coast. Cynan's reign was marked by a destructive dynastic power struggle with a rival named Hywel, usually supposed to be his brother.
Merfyn Frych, also known as Merfyn ap Gwriad and Merfyn Camwri, was King of Gwynedd from around 825 to 844, the first of its kings known not to have descended from the male line of King Cunedda.
Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog was King of Gwynedd. He rose to power following a destructive dynastic struggle in which he deposed his brother, King Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri. During Hywel's reign Gwynedd's power was largely confined to Anglesey. It was a time of substantial territorial loss to Mercia.
Rhodri is a male first name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the elements rhod "wheel" and rhi "king".
The Royal House of Dinefwr was a cadet branch of the Royal House of Gwynedd, founded by King Cadell ap Rhodri, son of Rhodri the Great. Their ancestor, Cunedda Wledig, born in late Roman Britain, was a Sub-Roman warlord who founded the Kingdom of Gwynedd during the 5th century, following the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain. As Celtic Britons, the House of Dinefwr was ruling before the Norman conquest, having to fight with their neighbors such as the Celtics, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, before struggling with the Normans afterwards. Many members of this family were influential in Welsh history, such as Hywel Dda, who codified Welsh law under his rule, and achieved the important title of King of the Britons, or Lord Rhys, Prince of Wales, who rebelled against Richard the Lionheart, and became one of the most powerful Welsh leaders of the Middle ages.
Nest ferch Cadell was the daughter of Cadell ap Brochfael, an 8th-century King of Powys, the wife of Merfyn Frych, King of Gwynedd.
The House of Aberffraw was a medieval royal court based in the village it was named after, Aberffraw, Anglesey within the borders of the then Kingdom of Gwynedd. The dynasty was founded in the 9th century by a King in Wales whose descendants founded the Welsh Royal Houses. The other medieval Welsh dynasties were the Royal Houses of Dinefwr, Mathrafal.
The Royal House of Mathrafal began as a cadet branch of the Welsh Royal House of Dinefwr, taking their name from Mathrafal Castle. They effectively replaced the House of Gwertherion, who had been ruling the Kingdom of Powys since late Roman Britain, through the politically advantageous marriage of an ancestor, Merfyn the Oppressor. King Bleddyn ap Cynfyn would join the resistance of the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson, against the invasion of William the Conqueror, following the Norman conquest of England. Thereafter, they would struggle with the Plantagenets and the remaining Welsh Royal houses for the control of Wales. Although their fortunes rose and fell over the generations, they are primarily remembered as Kings of Powys and last native Prince of Wales.
Gwriad ap Elidyr or Gwriad Manaw was a late-8th century figure in Wales. Very little is known of him, and he chiefly appears in the historical record in connection to his son Merfyn Frych, King of Gwynedd from around 825 to 844 and founder of the Merfynion dynasty.
Ethyllt ferch Cynan, also known as Esyllt ferch Cynan Dindaethwy, was the daughter of King Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri of Gwynedd.
The plot was carried out (by a Scot) in 1378, and Saint Leger on the banks of the Garonne (opposite Chateau Calon Segur - not a Welsh name, alas) became the burial place of the last of the senior male line of the house of Aberffraw. Following the extinction of that line,...