Rhun Hir ap Maelgwn facts for kids

Rhun ap Maelgwn Gwynedd (died around 586 AD), also known as Rhun the Tall, was a king of Gwynedd in Wales. He became king after his father, Maelgwn Gwynedd, passed away. Not much is known about his time as king because very few records from that early period still exist.

One old story, found in a book of Welsh laws called the Venedotian Code and a poem by Taliesin, says that Rhun fought a war against Rhydderch Hael, who was king of Alt Clut, and other kings from a place called Gododdin. A small village in the Conwy valley called Caerhun is thought to be named after him, but this isn't certain. Rhun also appears in some old Welsh stories and poems. His wife was Perwyr ferch Rhûn and their son was Beli ap Rhun.

Rhun ap Maelgwn is mentioned in old family trees, like the Harleian genealogies. A book called Bonedd y Saint (which means 'Descent of the Saints') says he was an ancestor of Saint Edeyrn.

A Big War in the North

An old book of Welsh laws, put together in the 1200s, talks about a special right for the people of Arfon. They had the right to lead the army of Gwynedd into battle. This right came from their brave actions in a war between King Rhun of Gwynedd and the "Men of the North." These northern warriors came from kingdoms like Alt Clut and Gododdin.

A poem called Marwnad Rhun (which means 'Elegy of Rhun') by the famous poet Taliesin also tells the story of this war and how Rhun died in it. Experts believe this poem is very old and matches what we know about that time.

The old law book explains that a northern prince named Elidyr Mwynfawr was killed in Arfon, close to Rhun's royal home. Elidyr's powerful family in the North were very angry. They invaded Gwynedd to get revenge and burned parts of Arfon. The northern army was led by important leaders like Clydno Eiddin and Rhydderch Hael. It's also believed that Elidyr was married to Rhun's sister, Eurgain.

King Rhun gathered his own army and marched north to the banks of a river called the Gweryd (which is now the River Forth). The old law book doesn't say who won, but Rhun and his army stayed in the North for a long time. However, Taliesin's poem says that King Rhun ap Maelgwn died in this battle. After his death, his son Beli ap Rhun became the new King of Gwynedd.

We don't know why Elidyr was in Gwynedd or exactly how he died. But it's clear his family blamed someone in Gwynedd. Later stories suggest Elidyr might have been trying to take Rhun's throne, but these are just guesses.

Caerhun: Rhun's Fort?

Caerhun means 'Fort of Rhun'. This place was once a small Roman fort called Canovium in the 2nd century. It was located along a Roman road between bigger Roman forts.

It's thought that Caerhun might have been one of Rhun's strongholds, a place he used for defense. While there's no clear proof, old records and archaeological findings suggest this could be true. The fort was important because it guarded a crossing of the River Conwy. This crossing led to a mountain pass that was an entrance to Eryri (Snowdonia), which was a very important defensive area for the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Both defenders and attackers would have seen how important this location was.

Rhun in Old Stories

Rhun appears in several old Welsh stories:

• The Dream of Rhonabwy: This story, written around the 1100s, tells of a character who dreams of King Arthur's time. In the dream, Rhun ap Maelgwn Gwynedd is described as a "tall, auburn, curly-headed man." He is known as someone who gives excellent advice, better than anyone else in Britain.
• Marwnad Rhun: This poem, once thought to be by Taliesin, talks about Rhun's death in the war with the North.
• Welsh Triads: Rhun is mentioned in two of these old Welsh lists. He is called one of the 'Fair Princes of the Isle of Britain' and one of the 'Golden-banded Ones of the Isle of Britain'.

A Small Mix-Up in Stories

Sometimes, old stories can get a little mixed up. One of the Welsh Triads mentions a "Rhun ap Beli" (Rhun son of Beli) who was famous for his military skills. This name also appears in some medieval poems. However, old family trees show that Rhun was the father of Beli, not his son. Experts believe this was a mistake in the stories, and they were likely talking about someone else.

See also

• Kings of Wales family trees