List of rulers of Gwynedd facts for kids

This is a list of the important rulers of the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Gwynedd was a powerful kingdom in medieval Wales. Many of these rulers were also known as "King of the Britons" or "Prince of Wales". This meant they were seen as leaders of all Welsh people.

The family crest of the Aberffraw family, who ruled Gwynedd. It's linked to Llywelyn the Great.

Meet the Rulers of Gwynedd

This section introduces the kings and princes who led Gwynedd. They came from different powerful families.

The Cunedda Family Tree

This family was one of the earliest known rulers of Gwynedd.

• Cunedda Wledig ap Edern (Cunedda the Leader) (around 450–460). He was a very early leader.
• Einion Yrth ap Cunedda (Einion the Energetic) (around 470–480).
  • Owain Danwyn (Owain Whitetooth) ap Einion (Rhos; late 400s).
  • Cynlas Goch (Rhos) and St Einion (Llŷn) ap Owain (late 400s and early 500s).
• Cadwallon Lawhir ap Einion (Cadwallon Long Hand) (around 500–534).
• Maelgwn Hir ap Cadwallon (Maelgwn Gwynedd) (around 520–547). He was a very famous king.
• Rhun Hir ap Maelgwn (Rhun the Tall) (around 547–580).
• Beli ap Rhun (around 580–599).
• Iago ap Beli (around 599–616).
• Cadfan ap Iago (around 613–625).
• Cadwallon ap Cadfan (around 625–634).
• Cadafael Cadomedd ap Cynfeddw (Cadfael the Battle-Dodger) (634–around 655).
• Cadwaladr Fendigaid ap Cadwallon (Cadwallader the Blessed) (around 655–around 682).
• Idwal Iwrch ap Cadwaladr (Idwal Roebuck) (around 682–around 720).
• Rhodri Molwynog ap Idwal (Rhodri the Bald and Grey) (around 720–around 754).
• Caradog ap Meirion (around 754–around 798).
• Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri (around 798–816).
• Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog (814–825).

After Hywel died, there were no more male family members from Maelgwn Gwynedd. So, Merfyn the Freckled became ruler through his mother, Esyllt. She was the oldest daughter of Cynan Dindaethwy.

The Manaw Family Tree

This family took over after the Cunedda line ended.

• Merfyn Frych (Merfyn the Freckled) ap Gwriad (825–844).
• Rhodri Mawr (Rhodri the Great) ap Merfyn (844–878). Rhodri was a very important ruler who united much of Wales.

The Aberffraw Family Tree

Rhodri the Great's sons had disagreements. This led to the Aberffraw family becoming a separate, very important branch. They were named after their main home.

• Anarawd ap Rhodri (878–916). He started the Aberffraw family line.
• Idwal Foel ab Anarawd (Idwal the Bald) (916–942).
• Hywel Dda ap Cadell (Howell the Good) (942–950). He was from a different family (Dinefwr) and took over Gwynedd for a short time.
• Iago ab Idwal (950–979). The Aberffraw family returned to power.
• Ieuaf ab Idwal (950–969).
• Hywel ab Ieuaf (974–985).
• Cadwallon ab Ieuaf (985–986).

The Dinefwr Family Tree

• Maredudd ab Owain (986–999). This family from Dinefwr took control of Gwynedd.

A Ruler Who Took Over

• Aeddan ap Blegywryd (1005–1018). He was a local lord who took control of Gwynedd from the Aberffraw family.

The Rhuddlan Family Tree

• Llywelyn ap Seisyll (1018–1023). This family from Rhuddlan took over from Aeddan ap Blegywryd.

The Aberffraw Family Tree (Again)

• Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig (1023–1039). The Aberffraw family returned to power.

The Rhuddlan Family Tree (Again)

• Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (1039–1063). Llywelyn's son Gruffydd took power from the Aberffraw family.

The Mathrafal Family Tree

• Bleddyn ap Cynfyn (1063–1075) and Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn (1063-1070). They ruled together. This family from Powys was given Gwynedd by the English King.
• Trahaearn ap Caradog (1075–1081).

The Aberffraw Family Tree (Once More)

• Gruffydd ap Cynan (1081–1137). The Aberffraw family came back to rule.
• Owain Gwynedd ap Gruffydd (1137–1170).
• Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd ruled in 1170. He was killed by his younger brother Dafydd.
• Dafydd I the Usurper (1170–1195). He took power from his older brother Hywel. Later, Llywelyn Fawr took over from him.
  • Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd (1175–1194, 1194-1195). He ruled parts of Gwynedd until he was removed by his nephews.
  • Maelgwn ab Owain Gwynedd (1170–1173). He supported his older brother Hywel's claim to the throne.

Princes of All Wales

These rulers were recognized as leaders of more than just Gwynedd. They were seen as Princes of all Wales.

• Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the Great) ap Iorwerth (1195–1240). He was the first true Prince of Wales.
• Dafydd ap Llywelyn (1240–1246).
• Owain Goch (Owain the Red) ap Gruffydd (1246–1255).
• Llywelyn the Last ap Gruffydd (1246–1282). He was the last independent Prince of Wales before England took full control.
• Dafydd ap Gruffydd (1282–1283). He tried to claim the title after Llywelyn the Last.

Claimants to the Throne

These people claimed to be the rightful ruler, but they were not officially crowned or widely recognized.

• Madog ap Llywelyn (1294–1295). He claimed the title but was not crowned.
• Owain Lawgoch (Owain Redhand) ap Tomas ap Rhodri (1372–1378). He was a great-nephew of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. He lived in exile but claimed the title of Prince.

See also

• List of Princes of Wales
• Family tree of Welsh monarchs
• List of rulers of Wales

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