Maredudd ap Bleddyn facts for kids

Maredudd ap Bleddyn (born 1047, died February 9, 1132) was an important prince in Powys, a kingdom in eastern Wales. He later became the King of Powys.

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

Family Life

Maredudd first married Hunydd ferch Einudd. They had two sons, Madog ap Maredudd and Gruffydd ap Maredudd. Later, Maredudd had other sons, Hywel ap Maredudd and Iorwerth Goch ap Maredudd, with Cristin ferch Bledrus.

Maredudd's Early Life and Challenges

At first, Maredudd seemed to have less power than his brothers. The three brothers ruled their lands under the authority of Robert of Bellême, 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury. In 1102, Earl Robert rebelled against King Henry I of England.

All three brothers supported Robert and fought for him, even raiding areas like Staffordshire. However, King Henry I sent William Pantulf, a powerful lord, to convince Iorwerth to switch sides. Iorwerth was the strongest of the brothers. William offered Iorwerth a lot of land if he helped the King.

Iorwerth agreed. He led a large Welsh army to help King Henry defeat Earl Robert. After that, Iorwerth captured his own brother, Maredudd, and handed him over to the King.

Gaining Power in Powys

Maredudd managed to escape from being held captive in 1107. But he didn't immediately gain much power. In 1113, he worked as a captain for his nephew, Owain ap Cadwgan, who was then the prince of Powys.

In this role, Maredudd captured Madog ap Rhiryd. Madog had killed Maredudd's brothers, Iorwerth and Cadwgan, in 1111. Maredudd sent Madog to Owain, who punished Madog for killing his father.

In 1114, King Henry I invaded Wales. Maredudd quickly made peace with the King. However, Owain allied with Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd to fight against the invasion.

Maredudd's position began to grow stronger after Owain was killed in 1116. He then became the ruler of Powys. In 1116, Maredudd sent 400 men to help Hywel ab Ithel. Hywel ruled Rhos and Rhufoniog, lands protected by Powys. Hywel was fighting against his neighbors.

Hywel won a battle in 1118 at Battle of Maes Maen Cymro, near Ruthin. But he was badly wounded and died six weeks later. This allowed the sons of Gruffudd ap Cynan to take over these lands for Gwynedd. Maredudd was not able to stop them.

Challenges and Legacy

In 1121, Maredudd led raids into Cheshire. This made King Henry angry, and he invaded Powys. Maredudd retreated into Snowdonia and asked Gruffudd ap Cynan for help. But Gruffudd did not want to challenge the King for Maredudd.

So, Maredudd had to pay a large fine of 10,000 cattle to make peace with the King. Gwynedd continued to put pressure on Powys. The sons of Gruffudd ap Cynan, Cadwallon and Owain Gwynedd, took more territory in 1124.

In 1132, Cadwallon was killed in a battle near Llangollen against the men of Powys. This stopped Gwynedd from taking more land for a while. Maredudd did not fight in this battle.

Maredudd died in the same year, 1132. The old Welsh chronicles, called Brut y Tywysogion, remembered him as "the beauty and safety of all Powys and her defender." His son, Madog ap Maredudd, became the next ruler of Powys.