Iestyn ap Gwrgant facts for kids

Iestyn ap Gwrgant (born 1014, died 1093) was an important Welsh ruler. He was the very last king of a Welsh kingdom called Morgannwg. This kingdom covered areas that are now known as Glamorgan and Monmouthshire in Wales.

Iestyn's Family History

Iestyn ap Gwrgant was the last ruler from the royal family of Morgannwg. This family had been in power for over 500 years! Their history went all the way back to a ruler named Tewdrig, who lived around 500-520 AD.

The rulers of Morgannwg were connected to other royal families in Wales through marriages. They were even descendants of the famous Welsh king, Rhodri Mawr. It's believed that Iestyn ap Gwrgant's main home was at Dinas Powys, which is southwest of Cardiff.

The Norman Takeover

Iestyn likely ruled Morgannwg for about ten years, from around 1081 to 1090. During his time, he is thought to have built castles in areas like Cardiff and Kenfig.

A popular story says that Iestyn had a disagreement with another leader, Einion ap Collwyn. To solve this problem, Iestyn supposedly invited a Norman lord named Robert Fitzhamon and his twelve knights to help. However, once the Normans arrived, they decided to stay!

Around 1090, Iestyn was removed from power by Robert Fitzhamon. Fitzhamon was a powerful Norman lord from Gloucester. He set up his own rule in Cardiff and soon took over the lowlands of Glamorgan, known as the Vale of Glamorgan. He then divided this land among his followers.

The mountainous parts of Glamorgan, however, remained under Welsh control. Iestyn ap Gwrgant's oldest son, Caradog ap Iestyn, was the only Welsh lord who kept his lands in the Glamorgan lowlands after Fitzhamon's takeover. Caradog kept the land between the River Neath and the River Afan. He and his family became known as the "lords of Afan." Some families today, like the Williams family of Aberpergwm, are thought to be his descendants.