The period from 800-1000 AD is an
important period in the history of Wales, in as much as the
constant threat and tension created by the presence of powerful
Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to the east helped define and create a
sense of separate identity and even nationalism - though that
nationalism was often overshadowed by regional interests.
Numerous attempts were made throughout this period to create, if
not a nation of Wales, then at least larger and more powerful
kingdoms within Wales. One of the early leaders of these
tentative movements toward nationalism was Rhodri ap Merfyn,
later to be known as Rhodri Mawr (Rhodri the Great).
Rhodri Mawr brought the kingdoms
of Gwynedd, Powys and Seisyllwg under his control, and fought
the threats of the Anglo Saxons and Vikings. Rhodri Mawr was the
first ruler of Wales to be given the epithet 'Mawr' or 'The
Great', reflecting both his territory and his military
achievements.
He was the son of Merfyn Frych ap
Gwriad, king of Gwynedd and Nest ferch Cadell of the royal house
of Powys. He inherited his father's kingdom in 844, and when
Nest's brother Cyngen ap Cadell died, Powys passed to Rhodri's
control.
His marriage to Angharad, the
sister of Gwgon, king of Seiswllwg became very beneficial when
Gwgon drowned. Another kingdom was handed on a plate to Rhodri.
He is called "King of the
Britons" by the 'Annals of Ulster'. In some later
histories, he is referred to as "King of Wales", although the
title is anachronistic and his realm did not include southern
Wales.
He regularly was forced to defend
his territory, both against the Anglo Saxons across the border
and the marauding Scandinavians. Rhodri Mawr is thought to have
built the first fort at Dinefwr Castle.
In 856, Rhodri fought the Danes
and won a famous victory. The Chronicle of
the Princes records two victories by Rhodri in 872: the
first at a place given variously as Bangolau, Bann Guolou or
Bannoleu, where he defeated the Vikings in Anglesey "in a hard
battle" and the second at Manegid or Enegyd where the Vikings
"were destroyed". Alas, he is thought to have been
killed, in battle, by the Anglo Saxons of Mercia in 878.
His son Anarawd ap Rhodri
continued to rule the combined Powys and Gwynedd kingdoms.
Native
Princes of Gwynedd / Wales |
Monarch |
Birth
|
Reign |
Rhodri
Mawr |
circa
820-878 |
 |
Hywel
Dda |
circa 880
- 950 |
Grufydd
ap Llywelyn |
circa
1007-1063 |
Grufydd
ap Cynan |
circa
1055 - 1137 |
Owain
Gwynedd |
circa
1080 |
1137-1170 |
Llywelyn Fawr (the Great) - Llywelyn ap Iorwerth |
1173 |
1199-1240 |
Dafydd ap
Llywelyn |
1212
|
1240-1246 |
Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf (the Last) - Llywelyn
ap Gruffydd |
circa
1223 |
1246-1282 |
Owain
Glyndwr |
circa
1349 |
1400 - 1404 |
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
http://www.britainexpress.com
|