Cadwgan ap Bleddyn facts for kids
Cadwgan ap Bleddyn (born around 1051, died 1111) was a powerful prince from the Kingdom of Powys in north-eastern Wales. He was the second son of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, who was a king ruling both Powys and Gwynedd.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an old historical record, described Cadwgan as "the finest of all" the Welsh leaders. This shows he was a respected and important figure in his time.
Wales was going through a lot of conflict during the Norman invasion of Wales. Cadwgan's father, King Bleddyn, was killed in 1075 by people from the nearby kingdom of Deheubarth. After Bleddyn's death, the Kingdom of Powys was divided among his three sons: Cadwgan, Iorwerth, and Maredudd.
Contents
Early Conflicts and Rise to Power
Cadwgan first became well-known in 1088. He attacked Deheubarth to get revenge for his father's death. He forced its king, Rhys ap Tewdwr, to escape to Ireland. However, Rhys soon returned with a fleet of ships and defeated Cadwgan's forces. In this battle, two of Cadwgan's nephews were killed.
When King Rhys ap Tewdwr died in 1093, Cadwgan attacked Deheubarth again. But it became clear that the Normans were gaining the most power from these conflicts. Around this time, Cadwgan made an alliance by marrying the daughter of a Norman lord named Picot de Sai.
By 1093, Cadwgan and his brothers had captured Montgomery Castle during a Welsh uprising. They even came close to taking Pembroke Castle.
Welsh Uprising Against Norman Rule
In 1094, a major Welsh revolt against Norman rule began. Cadwgan played a big part in this. He led Welsh forces to victory against the Normans at the battle of Coed Yspwys. Cadwgan also became an ally of Gruffudd ap Cynan, who was the king of Gwynedd.
In 1098, two powerful Norman earls, Earl Hugh of Chester and Earl Hugh of Shrewsbury, invaded to try and take back Anglesey. Cadwgan fought alongside King Gruffydd. However, a Danish fleet that Gruffydd had hired was paid more by the Normans and switched sides. This forced Cadwgan and Gruffydd to quickly escape to Ireland in a small boat.
They returned to Wales the next year. Cadwgan was able to get back some of his lands in Powys and Ceredigion. He agreed to show loyalty to Earl Robert of Shrewsbury. For a while, Cadwgan became stronger.
In 1102, Earl Robert had a disagreement with the king and was defeated. Cadwgan's brother Iorwerth helped the king in this fight. Iorwerth even captured their other brother, Maredudd, and handed him over to the king. However, Iorwerth did not receive all the lands he was promised. Many were given to Norman lords instead. Because of this, Iorwerth broke away from the king. In 1103, he was put on trial and imprisoned. This left Cadwgan as the main ruler of the parts of Powys not controlled by the Normans.
Family Challenges and Final Years
In 1109, Cadwgan's son, Owain ap Cadwgan, caused a big problem. Owain fell in love with Nest, who was married to Gerald of Pembroke. Owain launched a daring attack on Cenarth Bychan to take Nest away. Cadwgan tried to convince his son to return Nest to her husband, but Owain refused.
A Norman official named Richard de Beaumais saw this as an opportunity. He promised lands to other members of the Powys ruling family if they would attack Cadwgan and Owain. Ceredigion was invaded, and Owain had to flee to Ireland. Cadwgan made peace with King Henry I of England, but he was only allowed to keep a small piece of land near the border.
Later, King Henry I allowed Cadwgan to have Ceredigion back. But Cadwgan had to pay a large fine of £100 and promise to have nothing to do with his son Owain in the future.
In 1111, Cadwgan's brother Iorwerth was killed by their nephew Madog ap Rhiryd. Cadwgan briefly took over the rule of all Powys. However, later that same year, Cadwgan himself was also killed by Madog at Welshpool. Madog was able to take some of Cadwgan's lands, while the rest went to Cadwgan's son Owain.
Cadwgan's Descendants: The Lords of Nannau
Cadwgan's son, Madog ap Cadwgan, started the Nannau family line. Madog became the first Lord of Nannau around 1118-1121. He was the only one of Cadwgan's sons still alive by 1116. This family dynasty in Wales lasted for almost 900 years through his descendants.
Cadwgan's grandson later married Gwenllian, the daughter of Owain Gwynedd. This marriage suggests there was an agreement between the King of Gwynedd and Bleddyn's family, even though not many historical records from this time exist. The title of Lord of Nannau continued for many generations. Famous descendants include Hywel Sele, who was a cousin of Owain Glyndŵr. The Nannau, Nanney, and Vaughan families, including the Vaughan baronets, are all part of this lineage. Later, other family branches settled in areas like Cefndeuddwr, Maesypandy, and Llwyn in North Wales.
