Hywel ap Ieuaf facts for kids
Hywel ap Ieuaf was a king who ruled Gwynedd. Gwynedd was a kingdom in north-west Wales. He was king from 979 until his death in 985.
Early Life and Family
Hywel ap Ieuaf was the son of Ieuaf ap Idwal. His father, Ieuaf, ruled Gwynedd with his brother, Iago ab Idwal. But in 969, the two brothers had a big disagreement. Iago captured Ieuaf and put him in prison.
Hywel first appears in history in 973. He went with his uncle Iago to Chester. There, they met King Edgar of England. Many other kings were there too. These included kings from Scotland and Strathclyde. They all promised to be loyal helpers to King Edgar. They would support him on land and at sea.
Becoming King of Gwynedd
In 974, Hywel gathered an army. He fought against his uncle Iago. Hywel managed to drive Iago out of Gwynedd for a short time. Iago soon returned, but he had to share his power with Hywel.
Hywel tried again to take the kingdom from his uncle in 978. He attacked a monastery at Clynnog Fawr. English soldiers helped Hywel in this attack. These troops might have been sent by Aelfhere, a powerful leader from Mercia.
Hywel defeated Iago in a battle in 979. In the same year, Vikings captured Iago. It's possible Hywel paid these Vikings. After this, Iago was no longer a threat. Hywel became the sole ruler of Gwynedd. However, he did not free his father, Ieuaf. His father stayed in prison until 988.
Challenges and Expansion
In 980, Hywel faced a new challenge. Iago's son, Custennin ab Iago, attacked Anglesey. He teamed up with Gofraid mac Arailt, a Viking chief. Hywel fought them in battle. He defeated them, killing Custennin. Gofraid and his men had to run away.
Now Hywel was firmly in charge of Gwynedd. He wanted to make his kingdom bigger. He made another alliance with Aelfhere of Mercia. Together, they attacked Brycheiniog and Morgannwg. They had some success in these areas. But Hywel could not fully take over these kingdoms.
Death
In 985, something unexpected happened. Hywel's English allies turned against him. They killed him. They might have been worried that Hywel was becoming too powerful.
After Hywel's death, his brother Cadwallon ap Ieuaf became king. But Cadwallon did not rule for long. Soon after, Maredudd ap Owain of Deheubarth took over Gwynedd.
