Gruffudd ap Cynan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gruffudd ap Cynan |
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Gruffudd ap Cynan escapes from Chester.
Illustration by T. Prytherch, 1900 |
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| King of Gwynedd | |
| Reign | 1081–1137 |
| Predecessor | Trahaearn ap Caradog |
| Successor | Owain Gwynedd |
| Born | c. 1055 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 1137 (aged 81–82) Gwynedd, Wales |
| Burial | Bangor Cathedral |
| Spouse | Angharad ferch Owain |
| Issue | Cadwallon, Owain Gwynedd, Cadwaladr, Susanna, Gwenllian |
| House | Aberffraw |
| Father | Cynan ab Iago |
| Mother | Ragnailt ingen Amlaíb |
Gruffudd ap Cynan (around 1055–1137) was a powerful King of Gwynedd, a kingdom in Wales. He ruled from 1081 until he died in 1137. Gruffudd lived a long and exciting life. He became a key leader in the Welsh fight against Norman rule. People remembered him as a great Welsh king.
Gruffudd was a descendant of Rhodri Mawr, a famous Welsh ruler. This made him an important member of the House of Aberffraw, a royal family. His mother had strong family ties to the Norse (Viking) settlements around Dublin, Ireland. Gruffudd often used Ireland as a safe place and to get soldiers. He gained the throne of Gwynedd three times and lost it again. But in 1099, he won it back and kept power until his death. Gruffudd's actions helped set up the future success of his son Owain Gwynedd and his great-grandson Llywelyn the Great.
Contents
Gruffudd's Life Story
Much of what we know about Gruffudd comes from a special book. It is called The History of Gruffudd ap Cynan. This book was written not long after he lived. Most copies of this history are in Welsh. However, they were likely translated from an original Latin version.
His Family Background
Gruffudd was born in the Hiberno-Norse Kingdom of Dublin in Ireland. He grew up near Swords. His father was Cynan ap Iago, a Welsh prince who wanted to be king of Gwynedd. Gruffudd's grandfather, Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig, had ruled Gwynedd from 1023 to 1039. When Gruffudd first came to Wales, old records often called him "grandson of Iago." This shows his father was not well known in Wales. His father, Cynan ap Iago, likely died when Gruffudd was young.
Gruffudd's mother was Ragnailt ingen Amlaíb. She was a granddaughter of King Sigtrygg Silkbeard. He was a leader of the Hiberno-Norse Uí Ímair family. This family had strong ties to the Vikings in Ireland. Gruffudd received a lot of help from Ireland during his struggles. He got support from Dublin, the Isles, and Wexford. He also got help from Muircheartach Ua Briain. This was because Gruffudd was also related to Brian Boru, a famous High King of Ireland.
First Try for the Throne
Gruffudd first tried to become king of Gwynedd in 1075. This was after Bleddyn ap Cynfyn died. Trahaearn ap Caradog had taken control of Gwynedd. But he had not yet fully secured his power. Gruffudd landed on Abermenai Point, Anglesey, with soldiers from Ireland. He also got help from the Norman Robert of Rhuddlan.
First, they defeated and killed Cynwrig ap Rhiwallon. He was an ally of Trahaearn. Then, Gruffudd defeated Trahaearn himself in a battle called Gwaed Erw. This happened in Meirionnydd. Gruffudd then gained control of Gwynedd. He led his forces east to take back lands the Normans had seized. Even though Robert of Rhuddlan had helped him, Gruffudd attacked and destroyed Rhuddlan Castle.
However, there was tension between Gruffudd's Irish soldiers and the local Welsh people. This led to a rebellion in Llŷn. Trahaearn used this chance to attack back. He defeated Gruffudd at the battle of Bron yr Erw that same year.
Second Try and Capture
Gruffudd went back to Ireland. But in 1081, he returned. He made an alliance with Rhys ap Tewdwr, a prince from Deheubarth. Rhys had been attacked by Caradog ap Gruffudd and was forced to flee. Gruffudd sailed from Waterford with Danish and Irish soldiers. He landed near St David's. This was likely planned with Rhys.
Gruffudd was joined by his supporters from Gwynedd. He and Rhys marched north. They were looking for Trahaearn ap Caradog and Caradog ap Gruffudd. These two had formed their own alliance. They were also joined by Meilyr ap Rhiwallon. The armies met at the Battle of Mynydd Carn. Gruffudd and Rhys won the battle. Trahaearn, Caradog, and Meilyr were all killed. Gruffudd was able to take power in Gwynedd for the second time.
Soon, Gruffudd faced a new challenge. The Normans were moving into Gwynedd. Gruffudd had not been king for long when he was tricked into a meeting. This meeting was with Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester and Hugh of Montgomery, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury. It happened at Rhug, near Corwen. At the meeting, Gruffudd was captured. He was taken prisoner. His biographer said this happened because one of his own men, Meirion Goch, betrayed him. Gruffudd was held in Chester Castle for many years. During this time, Earl Hugh and Robert of Rhuddlan took over Gwynedd. They built castles at Bangor, Caernarfon, and Aberlleiniog.
Escape and Third Reign
Gruffudd escaped from prison years later. He was free by 1094. Gruffudd again found safety in Ireland. But he returned to Gwynedd to lead attacks on Norman castles. One target was Castell Aberlleiniog. A Welsh revolt had started in 1094. By late 1095, it had spread across much of Wales. This made William II of England (William Rufus) get involved. He invaded northern Wales in 1095. However, his army could not force the Welsh to fight. He returned to Chester without achieving much. King William launched a second invasion in 1097. But again, it was not very successful. At this time, Cadwgan ap Bleddyn led the Welsh resistance.
In the summer of 1098, Earl Hugh of Chester joined with Earl Hugh of Shrewsbury. They tried again to get back their lands in Gwynedd. Gruffudd and his ally Cadwgan ap Bleddyn went to Anglesey. But then they had to escape to Ireland in a small boat. This happened because a fleet of ships they had hired from Danish settlers in Ireland changed sides. The Normans offered them a better deal.
King for the Fourth Time
The Normans had to leave Anglesey. The next year, Gruffudd returned from Ireland. He took control of Anglesey again. He had seemingly made a deal with Earl Hugh of Chester. The situation changed when a Norwegian fleet arrived. It was led by King Magnus III of Norway, also known as Magnus Barefoot. He attacked the Norman forces near the Menai Straits. Earl Hugh of Shrewsbury was killed by an arrow. People said Magnus himself shot it.
With the death of Hugh of Chester in 1101, Gruffudd was able to strengthen his rule in Gwynedd. He did this through talking and fighting. He met King Henry I of England. King Henry gave him control of Llŷn, Eifionydd, Ardudwy, and Arllechwedd. This greatly expanded Gruffudd's kingdom. By 1114, he had become powerful enough that King Henry invaded Gwynedd. One part of the invasion force was led by King Alexander I of Scotland. Gruffudd faced a huge army. He had to promise loyalty to Henry and pay a large fine. But he did not lose any land.
Gruffudd's sons, Owain Gwynedd and later Cadwaladr, helped expand the kingdom. By Gruffudd's last years, Gwynedd ruled over many areas. These included Ceredigion, Meirionnydd, Rhos, Rhufoniog, and Dyffryn Clwyd. The areas of Rhos and Rhufoniog were added in 1118. Meirionnydd was taken from Powys in 1123. Dyffryn Clwyd was taken in 1124. Another invasion by the King of England in 1121 failed. The king had to make peace with Gruffudd. He did not try to invade Gwynedd again during Gruffudd's rule. The death of Cadwallon in a battle in 1132 stopped further expansion for a while.
Gruffudd was now strong enough to make sure his chosen person, David the Scot, became Bishop of Bangor in 1120. The church position had been empty for almost twenty years. This was because Gruffudd and King Henry could not agree on a candidate. David then rebuilt Bangor Cathedral. Gruffudd gave a lot of money for this project.
Owain and Cadwaladr, working with Gruffudd ap Rhys of Deheubarth, won a huge victory. This was against the Normans at Crug Mawr in 1136. They then took control of Ceredigion. The last part of Gruffudd's rule was seen as a "Golden Age". The Life of Gruffudd ap Cynan said Gwynedd was "covered with lime-washed churches like the stars in the sky."
Death and Successor
Gruffudd died peacefully in his bed in 1137. He was old and blind. The old Welsh record Brut y Tywysogion mourned him. It called him the "head and king and defender and peacemaker of all Wales." He was buried near the main altar in Bangor Cathedral. He had helped rebuild this cathedral. He also left money to many other churches. This included Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, where he had worshipped as a boy. A poet named Meilyr Brydydd sang a sad poem for him. His wife Angharad lived 25 years longer than him. His son Owain Gwynedd became the next king of Gwynedd. His daughter Gwenllian also stood out. She married Gruffudd ap Rhys and fought against English rule.
Gruffudd's Legacy
According to stories, Gruffudd did more than just fight. He also improved the Welsh bardic tradition. This meant he helped Welsh poets and singers. He made their traditions similar to those of Irish bards. He also supported an Eisteddfod (a festival of Welsh music and poetry) at Caerwys during his reign.
His Children
Gruffudd ap Cynan had many children with different women. With his wife Angharad, he had:
- Cadwallon ap Gruffudd
- Owain Gwynedd (Owain ap Gruffudd)
- Cadwaladr ap Gruffudd
- Susanna, who married Madog ap Maredudd, a prince of Powys
- Gwenllian ferch Gruffudd, who married Gruffydd ap Rhys, a prince of Deheubarth.
