Ednyfed Fychan facts for kids

Ednyfed Fychan (born around 1170 – died 1246) was a very important Welsh warrior. His full name was Ednyfed Fychan ap Cynwrig. He became the Chief Advisor, also known as the Seneschal, for the Kingdom of Gwynedd in North Wales. He worked for two powerful Welsh princes: Llywelyn the Great and his son Dafydd ap Llywelyn. Ednyfed was an ancestor of Owen Tudor, which means he was also an ancestor of the famous Tudor dynasty of English kings and queens.

People spelled his name in different ways back then, like Vychan, Idneved Vachan, and Edeneweth Vakan.

Ednyfed Fychan: A Welsh Hero

Early Life and Brave Deeds

Ednyfed first became famous as a brave fighter. He fought against the army of Ranulph de Blondeville, 4th Earl of Chester. This Earl attacked Prince Llywelyn because King John of England told him to.

During one battle, Ednyfed showed incredible courage. He cut off the heads of three English lords. He then carried these heads, still bloody, to Prince Llywelyn. Llywelyn was so impressed that he told Ednyfed to change his family's coat of arms. From then on, his family's shield would show three heads to remember this brave act. Ednyfed might have also gone on a crusade to the Holy Land around 1235, but we are not completely sure.

Becoming a Chief Advisor

In 1215, Ednyfed took over as the Seneschal (which is like a Chief Councillor or Prime Minister) of Gwynedd. This was a very powerful job. He was also known as the Lord of Bryn Ffanigl, Lord of Criccieth, and Chief Justice.

Ednyfed played a big part in important talks. He helped with the Treaty of Worcester in 1218. This treaty helped keep peace between Wales and England. In 1232, he even met with the King of England to represent Prince Llywelyn.

His Family and Homes

Ednyfed was married twice and had many children. His first wife was Tangwystl ferch Llywarch. His second wife was Gwenllian ferch Rhys, who was the daughter of Prince Rhys ap Gruffydd from another part of Wales called Deheubarth.

Ednyfed and his family became very wealthy and powerful. They owned land in many places, including Bryn Ffanigl Isaf near Abergele and Llandrillo-yn-Rhos. At Rhos-on-Sea, he had a palace called Llys Euryn on Bryn Euryn hill. This palace was burned down during the Glyndŵr Rising and later fell into ruin.

Another place he owned was Rhos Fynach, which means 'Monks' Moor'. It was given to him around 1230. This place was probably used by monks as a resting spot on their way to Aberconwy Abbey. Old Roman coins have even been found there!

Last Years and Lasting Impact

Gwenllian, Ednyfed's second wife, passed away in 1236. When Prince Llywelyn the Great died in 1240, Ednyfed continued to serve as Chief Advisor for Llywelyn's son, Dafydd ap Llywelyn. Ednyfed himself died in 1246.

One of his sons, Goronwy ap Ednyfed, took his place in the court and worked with the Princes of Gwynedd. Two other sons also became Chief Advisors later on. Ednyfed's son Goronwy was the ancestor of the Tudors of Penmynydd family. This is important because Henry VII, the first Tudor king of England, was descended from this family! Even after Wales was taken over by the English crown, Ednyfed's family remained important.

The Legend of Ednyfed's Song

There's a famous old Welsh story about Ednyfed Fychan. It's called Ednyfed Fychan's Farewell. The story says that Ednyfed wrote a farewell song for Gwenllian before he left for the Crusades. He was away for many years, and his family thought he had died.

According to the legend, Gwenllian decided to marry someone else. On her wedding night, a poor beggar arrived at the house. He asked if he could borrow a harp to play a song for the party. The beggar then sang Ednyfed's Farewell song. As he sang the last part, he took off his hat, and everyone realized it was Ednyfed himself!

He sang:

A wanderer I, and aweary of strife,

Get ye gone, if ye so desire;
But if I may not have my own wife

I'll have my own bed, my own house, my own fire!

Then, Ednyfed told the shocked people:

"This was the tune 'Farewell' to my dear Gwenllian. Hence let her go with her new husband. My faithful harp, come to my arms."

His Children

Ednyfed had many children from his two marriages. Some of his notable children include:

• Sir Tudur ap Ednyfed Fychan, who also became a Chief Advisor of Gwynedd.
• Hywel ap Ednyfed Fychan, who became a Bishop.
• Goronwy ap Ednyfed Fychan, who was a Lord and also a Chief Advisor. He is the ancestor of the famous House of Tudor.
• Gwladus ferch Ednyfed Fychan and Gwenllian ferch Ednyfed Fychan, his daughters.