Rhodri the Great facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rhodri ap Merfyn |
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| King of Gwynedd | |
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| King of Gwynedd | |
| Reign | 844 – 873 or 877 (disputed) |
| Predecessor | Merfyn Frych |
| Successor | Anarawd ap Rhodri |
| King of Powys | |
| Reign | c.856 – 873 or 877 |
| Predecessor | Gorm the Old |
| Successor | Merfyn ap Rhodri |
| King of Seisyllwg | |
| Reign | c.871 – 873 or 877 |
| Successor | Cadell ap Rhodri |
| Spouse | Angharad ferch Meurig |
| Issue | Anarawd ap Rhodri Cadell ap Rhodri Merfyn ap Rhodri Tudwal ap Rhodri |
| House | Gwynedd |
| Father | Merfyn Frych |
| Mother | Nest ferch Cadell |
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Rhodri ap Merfyn (c. 820 – 873/877/878), also known as Rhodri the Great (Welsh: Rhodri Mawr), was a powerful ruler in Wales during the 9th century. He became King of Gwynedd in 844, taking over from his father, Merfyn Frych. Rhodri was very successful in expanding his lands. He added Powys around 856 and Seisyllwg around 871 to his kingdom.
Some old records, like the Annals of Ulster, called him "King of the Britons". Later histories sometimes called him "King of Wales", even though his kingdom did not cover all of southern Wales. He is remembered for uniting a large part of Wales under his rule.
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How Rhodri Gained His Lands
Rhodri was the son of King Merfyn Frych. When his father died around 844, Rhodri became the ruler of Gwynedd. His father's family came from a place called "Manaw," which might have been the Isle of Man or an older Welsh area called Manau.
Rhodri also gained control of other kingdoms through his family. His mother or grandmother, Nest ferch Cadell, was from the royal family of Powys. When her uncle, Cyngen, died around 855, Rhodri took over Powys. This helped Gwynedd become even stronger.
Later, Rhodri married Angharad ferch Meurig. Her brother, Gwgon, was the king of kingdom of Ceredigion. When Gwgon died in 872, Rhodri also gained control of Ceredigion. This meant Rhodri ruled over a very large part of what is now Wales.
Rhodri's Time as King
As the ruler of much of Wales, Rhodri faced many challenges. He had to defend his lands from both the English and, more and more, from Viking invaders. The Vikings were often called "black gentiles" in Welsh writings.
In 854, Danish Vikings attacked Anglesey. But in 856, Rhodri won a big victory against them and even killed their leader, Gorm. This was a very important win for him.
The Chronicle of the Princes, an old Welsh history book, tells us about two more victories Rhodri had in 872. He defeated the Vikings on Anglesey in a tough battle. He also won another battle where the Vikings were completely defeated.
Rhodri died in battle, likely during a Saxon invasion. The exact year is debated, but it was either 873 or 877. He and his brother Gwriad were killed. A few years later, Rhodri's son, Anarawd, won a great victory against the Mercians (a Saxon group) at the Battle of the Conwy. This victory was seen as "God's vengeance for Rhodri."
What Happened After Rhodri Died
Rhodri had six sons, and they divided his lands among themselves. His oldest son, Anarawd, became King of Gwynedd. Anarawd's family later became known as the House of Aberffraw.
Another son, Cadell, was given Ceredigion. Cadell's family later became known as the House of Dinefwr. Cadell's son, Rhodri's grandson, Hywel Dda, later moved their main base to Dyfed. Hywel Dda became a very powerful ruler and united many southern Welsh kingdoms into a large realm called Deheubarth. For a while, this kingdom was even more powerful than Gwynedd.
One of Rhodri's other sons, Tudwal the Lame, was too young to get land at first. He was injured in Anarawd's revenge victory against the Mercians in 881. Because of his injury, he was not able to rule under Welsh law.
Rhodri's Children
- Anarawd ap Rhodri (died 913)
- Cadell ap Rhodri (854–907)
- Gwriad ap Rhodri: He had a son named Gwgawn who died in 955.
- Tudwal ap Rhodri (born 860)
See also
In Spanish: Rhodri el Grande para niños
- Family tree of Welsh monarchs
