Caradog ap Gruffydd facts for kids

Caradog ap Gruffydd (died 1081) was a powerful Welsh prince. He ruled parts of south-east Wales during a very important time. This was when Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was a strong king and when the Normans started taking over Wales. Caradog worked hard to bring his family's lands in Morgannwg back together. He also tried many times to become the ruler of Deheubarth, a large kingdom in southern Wales.

Caradog's Family and Early Life

Caradog's family came from the areas of Glywysing and Gwent in Wales. His grandfather, Rhydderch ab Iestyn, was a king who even ruled Deheubarth from 1023 to 1033.

Caradog's father, Gruffydd ap Rhydderch, became the Lord of Caerleon in 1031. He also inherited Glywysing and became King of Deheubarth in 1045. At the same time, Caradog's cousin, Cadwgan ap Meurig, became King of Gwent. Both of their families were related to Morgan Hen "the Old". He was the last ruler of a united Kingdom of Morgannwg.

Gruffydd ap Rhydderch was known as a strong king. He fought bravely against attacks from the Danes and from Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. But in 1055, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn defeated and killed Caradog's father in battle. Gruffydd ap Llywelyn then took control of Deheubarth.

Starting His Career

After Gruffydd ap Llywelyn won a big battle in 1056, he became known as the King of Wales by 1057. Around this time, Caradog received control of Caerleon. From his family's base in Gwent, Caradog was able to add his family's lands in Morgannwg to his control.

In 1063, Harold Godwinson defeated Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. This led to old ruling families in southern Wales getting their lands back. Caradog became the ruler of Glywysing. Around the same time, Maredudd ab Owain ab Edwin became the ruler of Deheubarth.

Fighting for Gwent

Harold Godwinson then started building a hunting lodge in a place called Portskewet. In 1065, Caradog attacked and destroyed this lodge. He then raided the area with his army.

After Harold Godwinson was defeated at the Battle of Hastings, the Normans attacked south-east Wales and parts of Gwent. This was because Eadric the Wild had rebelled in Herefordshire, helped by the Welsh prince of Gwynedd, Bleddyn ap Cynfyn.

King Maredudd of Deheubarth chose not to fight the Normans in Gwent. Because of this, he was given lands in England in 1070. A writer named Orderic Vitalis wrote that a Welsh king called "Caducan" (who was Cadwgan ap Meurig) was defeated by William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford.

Fighting for Deheubarth

After this, Caradog decided to try and take control of Deheubarth, just like his father and grandfather had done.

In 1072, Caradog defeated and killed King Maredudd of Deheubarth in a battle near the Rhymney River. In 1074, Caradog took control of what was left of Gwent from Cadwgan ap Meurig. Gwent had been badly damaged by war.

In 1078, Caradog won another victory. He defeated and killed Rhys ab Owain, who had become prince of Deheubarth after Maredudd. By 1081, Caradog had forced the new prince of Deheubarth, Rhys ap Tewdwr, to run away to St David's Cathedral.

However, things changed when Gruffudd ap Cynan arrived from Ireland. He wanted to take the throne of Gwynedd from Trahaearn ap Caradog. Rhys ap Tewdwr and Gruffudd ap Cynan met at St David's Cathedral. They made an alliance with the support of the Bishop of St Davids.

Death at Mynydd Carn

To fight this new alliance, Caradog made his own alliance with the King of Gwynedd, Trahaearn ap Caradog. The two groups met in a big battle at Mynydd Carn. This place was about a day's walk north of St David's. In this battle, both Caradog and his ally Trahaearn were killed.

What Happened Next

Caradog had a son named Owain ap Caradog. Owain chose to rule only Gwynllwg and became the founder of the Lords of Caerleon. After Caradog's death, Iestyn ap Gwrgant became the King of Morgannwg.