Maredudd ab Owain facts for kids
.svg)
Maredudd ab Owain (died around 999 AD) was an important Welsh king in the 10th century. He was part of the House of Dinefwr, a powerful family in Wales. Maredudd was king of Deheubarth, a kingdom in southern Wales. This area included places like Dyfed, Ceredigion, and Brycheiniog.
When his father, King Owain ap Hywel Dda, died around 988 AD, Maredudd also became king of Gwynedd and Powys. His father had already conquered these northern kingdoms. People at the time, in a book called the Chronicle of the Princes, even called him one of the "Kings of the Britons." This meant he was seen as a very important ruler in Wales.
Contents
Early Life and Rise to Power
Maredudd was the younger son of King Owain ap Hywel Dda of Deheubarth. His grandfather was the famous King Hywel Dda, also known as Hywel the Good. Maredudd became king after his older brother, Einion ab Owain, died around 984 AD.
Around 986 AD, Maredudd took control of Gwynedd from its king, Cadwallon ab Ieuaf. It's thought that Maredudd might have ruled almost all of Wales. The only parts he might not have controlled were Gwent and Morgannwg in the southeast.
Challenges and Viking Raids
Maredudd faced many challenges during his time as king. One big problem was the constant attacks from Vikings, also known as Danes.
Records show that Maredudd attacked settlements in Mercia. Mercia was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in what is now England, bordering Wales. He also had to deal with his own people being captured by Vikings. He paid a ransom of one silver penny for each person to free them.
In 987 AD, a Viking leader named Godfrey Haroldson attacked Anglesey, an island off the coast of North Wales. It's said that a thousand people were killed and two thousand were taken captive. Maredudd reportedly paid a very large ransom to get these hostages back.
After Maredudd's Death
Maredudd died around 999 AD. After his death, the kingdom of Gwynedd went back to the family of Idwal Foel, with Cynan ap Hywel becoming king.
The throne of Deheubarth was taken by a man named Rhain the Irishman. Some people believed he was Maredudd's son. However, later Welsh histories said he was an Irish person pretending to be king. Eventually, the kingdom of Deheubarth was returned to Maredudd's family. This happened through Hywel ab Edwin, who was the grandson of Maredudd's brother, Einion.
Images for kids
-
Map of the extent of Maredudd ab Owain's Conquest
