Rhodri Mawr
King of Gwynedd from 844 to 878
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rhodri Mawr ap Merfyn (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈr̥ɔdri mau̯r ap ˈmɛrvɨ̞n]) was a king of Gwynedd in the middle of the ninth century.
| Rhodri Mawr ap Merfyn | |
|---|---|
| King of the Britons | |
A fanciful illustration of Rhodri Mawr from the Historie of Cambria (1584)[1] | |
| King of Gwynedd | |
| Reign | 844-878 |
| Predecessor | Merfyn Frych |
| Successor | Anarawd ap Rhodri |
| King of the Isle of Man | |
| Reign | 844-878 |
| Predecessor | Merfyn Frych |
| Successor | Anarawd ap Rhodri |
| Died | 878 Anglesey |
| Issue | Anarawd ap Rhodri Cadell ap Rhodri Meurig ap Rhodri Merfyn ap Rhodri Tudwal ap Rhodri Gwriad ap Rhodri Gwyddelig ap Rhodri |
| House | Second Dynasty of Gwynedd |
| Father | Merfyn Frych |
| Mother | Nest ferch Cadell |
Early life
Rhodri was born in the 9th century on the Isle of Man. Rhodri was the son of Merfyn Frych, who, under enigmatic circumstances, assumed the kingship of Gwynedd following the death of Hywel ap Caradog in 825.[2] Rhodri ascended to the throne of Gwynedd following the passing of his father, Merfyn, in the year 844.[3]
Reign
Rhodri's reign unfolded against a tumultuous backdrop, as Wales confronted escalating Viking incursions. Among Rhodri's earliest-recorded achievements was his defeat and killing of Gorm, a Danish chieftain, in a battle on Anglesey in 856.[4] This victory garnered international acclaim, reaching the ears of Charles the Bald whose realm Gorm had previously harried.[5]
In that same year, Rhodri finalised his subjugation of Powys following the death of its exiled ruler Cyngen in Rome. In 871, Rhodri expanded his dominion further, into Ceredigion following the death of its King Gwgon.[6]
During the year 873, Rhodri won two more successes against the Vikings by securing victories in the battles of Banolau and Ynegydd on Anglesey.[7]
In 877, a Danish force, aided by their client king Ceolwulf, assailed Anglesey, intent on avenging Gorm's death and securing communication routes with Dublin. They succeeded in defeating Rhodri in the Battle of Sunday and seizing Anglesey, compelling him into exile on Ireland.[8] The subsequent year marked Rhodri's return from Irish exile, winning a battle against the Vikings to retake Anglesey. However, Rhodri and his son Gwriad later perished in a battle against the Anglo-Saxons of Mercia under King Ceolwulf II of Mercia.[9]
Succession
Rhodri's realm remained unified upon his demise, passing to his eldest son Anarawd.[10] However, during Rhodri's exile, Ceredigion was conquered by Hyfaidd ap Bleddri, the King of Dyfed.[11] Subsequently, Anarawd and Rhodri's other sons managed to reclaim Ceredigion and eventually extended their rule to the rest of Dyfed. This expansion established a distinct branch within the Merfynion dynasty, with Rhodri's second eldest son, Cadell, at its helm.[12]
Children
- Anarawd ap Rhodri
- Cadell ap Rhodri
- Meurig ap Rhodri
- Merfyn ap Rhodri
- Gwriad ap Rhodri
- Tudwal ap Rhodri
- Gwyddelig ap Rhodri
See also
Sources
- Powel, David (1584). The historie of Cambria, now called Wales: a part of the most famous Yland of Brytaine, written in the Brytish language aboue two hundreth yeares past. Translated by Llwyd, Humphrey. London: Rafe Newberrie and Henrie Denham. IA historieofcambri00cara.