Iorwerth ap Bleddyn facts for kids

Iorwerth ap Bleddyn (born 1053, died 1111) was a prince who ruled part of Powys, a kingdom in eastern Wales.

Iorwerth was the son of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn. His father was a powerful king who ruled both Powys and Gwynedd. After Bleddyn was killed in 1075, the kingdom of Powys was divided. It was shared among three of his sons: Iorwerth, Cadwgan, and Maredudd.

Iorwerth and the English King

Iorwerth and his brothers held their lands under the rule of Robert of Bellême, 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury. In 1102, Earl Robert had problems with King Henry I of England. Robert decided to rebel against the king.

A Change of Sides

At first, Iorwerth and his brothers supported Earl Robert. They even helped him by raiding areas like Staffordshire. However, King Henry I wanted to weaken Robert's rebellion. He sent a man named William Pantulf to convince Iorwerth to switch sides.

Iorwerth was seen as the strongest of the three brothers. The king offered him many valuable lands if he would join the royal side. Iorwerth agreed to this offer. He then led a large Welsh army to help the king. They raided Shropshire, which was Earl Robert's territory.

Earl Robert was eventually forced to give up. He was then sent away from the kingdom. Iorwerth even captured his own brother, Maredudd, and handed him over to the king.

Imprisonment and Release

Iorwerth's loyalty to the king did not last long. Many of the lands he was promised were given to other people instead. In 1103, Iorwerth was brought before a royal court in Shrewsbury. He was found guilty of a crime and put in prison.

Return to Power

Iorwerth remained in prison until 1110. He was released after a major event involving his nephew, Owain ap Cadwgan. Owain was the son of Iorwerth's brother, Cadwgan. Owain had caused trouble by taking Nest, the wife of Gerald of Windsor. This event led to new conflicts in the region.

Iorwerth was able to drive Owain out of Powys. For a short time, he became the ruler of his lands again.

The End of Iorwerth's Rule

In 1111, Owain's ally, Madog ap Rhiryd, attacked Iorwerth. Iorwerth was staying in a house in a place called Caereinion. His bodyguards ran away, and the house was set on fire. Iorwerth was forced back into the burning building with spears and died there.

Iorwerth did not have any children to inherit his lands. Soon after, his brother Cadwgan was also killed by Madog. After these events, Owain ap Cadwgan took control of the kingdom.