Gwriad ap Merfyn facts for kids
Gwriad ap Merfyn or ap Rhodri was a prince in Wales during the 800s. He lived in Gwynedd, which was a powerful kingdom in northern Wales. Gwriad is a bit of a mystery in history. Some old records say he was the brother of a famous Welsh king named Rhodri the Great. Other records suggest he was Rhodri's son.
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Who Was Gwriad?
Gwriad was a member of the royal family of Gwynedd. In those days, princes and kings ruled different parts of Wales. Gwriad's exact relationship to King Rhodri the Great is not clear. This makes him an "obscure figure," meaning we don't know much about his life.
Gwriad in Old Records
Historians learn about people like Gwriad from old writings. One important book is called the Chronicle of the Princes. This chronicle tells us about events in Wales.
The Battle of Anglesey
In the year 873, the Chronicle of the Princes mentions a big event. It says:
This record suggests that Gwriad was Rhodri's brother and that they both died fighting against the Saxons. The Saxons were people from what is now England.
Another old book, The Kings of the English, also mentions them. For the year 877, it says "Rhodri and Gwriad his brother..." This also supports the idea that they were brothers.
The Mystery of His Family
Even with these records, there's still some confusion. Other historical writings mention a Gwriad ap Rhodri. The "ap" means "son of." So, this would mean Gwriad was Rhodri's son, not his brother.
Different Family Trees
These other sources say that Gwriad ap Rhodri was the ancestor of certain families. For example, he was linked to the "men of Nant Mawr" in a place called Twrcelyn on Anglesey.
When historians look at old family trees (called genealogies), they sometimes find different names listed as Rhodri's children. It's possible that this Gwriad was added to some family trees later. This might have been done to connect other families to the famous King Rhodri.
So, whether Gwriad was Rhodri's brother or son remains a historical puzzle!
