Cadwallon ap Madog facts for kids

Cadwallon ap Madog was an important Welsh leader. He lived in the 1100s. His family ruled a part of Wales called Rhwng Gwy a Hafren. This area means Between Wye & Severn. It was in the middle of Wales. Cadwallon's great-great-grandfather, Elystan Glodrydd, started this powerful family.

A Leader in Maelienydd

After Cadwallon's father, Madog ab Idnerth, died in 1140, there was a lot of fighting. His family battled against the Norman Marcher lords. These lords were powerful Norman rulers on the border of Wales.

Cadwallon had several brothers. Sadly, many of them died in these conflicts. Hywel and Cadwgan were killed in 1142. Maredudd was killed in 1146. This left Cadwallon and his younger brother, Einion Clud.

Cadwallon took control of Maelienydd. His brother Einion ruled Elfael. These were two main parts of their father's lands.

Family Disputes and Alliances

Cadwallon and Einion sometimes disagreed. At one point, Cadwallon captured Einion. He handed him over to Owain Gwynedd, a powerful Welsh prince. Owain then gave Einion to King Henry II of England.

But Einion later became free. He and Cadwallon then worked together. They joined Owain Gwynedd's forces in 1165. This showed they could put their differences aside.

Meeting the King

In 1175, Cadwallon and Einion traveled to Gloucester. They went with another important Welsh leader, Rhys ap Gruffudd. There, they met King Henry II.

They made a peace treaty with the king. This treaty meant King Henry officially recognized Cadwallon. He was allowed to keep his lands in Maelienydd. A old Welsh book, Brut y Twysogion, recorded this event. It said Rhys brought "all the princes of the South" to meet the king. This included Cadwallon and Einion.

Building Castles and Expanding Lands

Cadwallon was also known for building and strengthening castles. These castles helped protect his lands. He fought a battle at Ednol. He was also famous for owning Cymaron and its castle, Cymaron Castle.

It seems he also built Crug Eryr Castle. He caused trouble for the English areas of Herefordshire and Shropshire. In 1176, his brother Einion died. Cadwallon then took control of Einion's lands. The next year, an English official even called him "king" of Elfael.

His Death

In September 1179, Cadwallon went to the king's court. He had to answer questions about fighting against the king's peace. It seems he was successful in explaining himself.

However, on his way home to Elfael, he was attacked. Men loyal to Roger Mortimer of Wigmore killed him on September 22. King Henry II was very angry about this. Cadwallon was under the king's protection when he died.

Mortimer was put in prison in Winchester for two years. The men who killed Cadwallon were hunted down. Some became outlaws, some went into exile, and some were executed.

His Family

Old family records show that Cadwallon's wife was Efa ferch Madog. She was the daughter of Madog ap Maredudd. He was a prince who ruled over a united Kingdom of Powys. Efa was still alive in 1176.