House of Gwynedd

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House of Gwynedd

Traditional arms of Gwynedd
Parent houseHouse of Cunedda
CountryWales,
Sub-Roman Britain
Founded401; 1623 years ago (401)
FounderCunedda Wledig
Titles
Estate(s)Kingdom of Gwynedd
Deposition1283
Cadet branchesHouse of Aberffraw
House of Dinefwr

The House of Gwynedd is the royal house of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, in medieval Wales. It is divided between the House of Cunedda and the House of Aberffraw, and lasted from c.401 to 1283.

History[edit]

Depiction of king Cunedda, founder of the House of Cunedda

The House of Gwynedd, divided between the earlier House of Cunedda, which lasted from c.401 to 825, was eventually replaced by the later House of Aberffraw, beginning in 844. The first is so named after Cunedda (386-460), the founding King of Gwynedd in late Roman Britain; and the second after Aberffraw, the old capital of Gwynedd.

This House was the first not being descended from the male line of Cunedda, as king Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog was the last in the direct male line. Through inheritances from the great uncle of Merfyn the Oppressor, the line of Cunedda continued from the maternal side through the House of Aberffraw, and through the House of Dinefwr through Rhodri's son, king Cadell ap Rhodri.[1][2][3][4]

The Senior line of the House of Aberffraw descended from Prince Llywelyn the Great in patrilineal succession and became extinct on the death of Owain Lawgoch in 1378, while the House of Dinefwr was succeeded by its cadet branch, the House of Mathrafal.[5][6]

Lineage[edit]

From the oldest documented genealogies of Welsh royal families, the House of Gwynedd claimed descent from king Beli Mawr as ancestor figure and head of Gwynedd through the line of Cunedda (b. 386), and appears in the Harleian genealogies and Jesus College MS 20 genealogies.[7][8][9] In Welsh legend, Beli Mawr is stated as the father of the historical Cassivellaunus, who led the Celtic defence against Julius Caesar and his invasion of Britain in 54 BC during the Gallic Wars, being featured in Commentarii de Bello Gallico.[10][11][12]

Under the laws of king Hywel Dda, which were adapted from the much earlier pagan Molmutine Laws, any son can inherit from his father. This refers even to illegitimate sons if they are acknowledged by their father. The throne cannot be inherited through the female line unless both her father and the ancestry of her spouse were royal. In many examples cousins were inter-married, which made the distinction somewhat academic.

The House of Aberffraw began with the accession of Rhodri Mawr to the throne of Gwynedd. His father Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad had seized the throne of Gwynedd on the death of the last of the old royal line Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog. He was his maternal grandnephew via the former king's niece Esyllt verch Cynan ap Rhodri Molwynog.

Family tree of the House of Gwynedd[edit]

Cunedda
Gwynedd
Vortigern
Powys
Ceredig ap Cunedda
Ceredigion
c. 450–453
Einion Yrth
Gwynedd
c. 470–480
Cadeyern Fendigaid
Powys
430–447
Usai ap Ceredig [br]
Ceredigion 453–490
Cadwallon Lawhir ap Einion
Gwynedd
480–534
Owain Ddantgwyn
Rhos and
Powys
480-517
Rhyddfedd FrychCadell Ddyrnllwg
Powys
447–460
Serwyl ap Usai [br]
Ceredigion 490–523
Maelgwn Gwynedd
Gwynedd
534–547
Cuneglasus
Rhos and
Powys
517-550
Cyngen Glodrydd
Powys
c. 550
Boddw ap Serwyl [br]
Ceredigion 523–560
Rhun Hir ap Maelgwn
Gwynedd
547–586
Meig ap CynlasEinion ap Cynlas [br]
Rhos
540-c. 570
Brochwel Ysgithrog
Powys
c. 570
Pasgen ap Cyngen
Powys
c. 500 – c. 520
Arthfoddw ap Boddw
Ceredigion
560–595
Beli ap Rhun
Gwynedd 586–599
Cyngen ap MeigCynan Garwyn
Powys
c. 560 – c. 600
Morgan ap Pasgen
Powys
c. 520 – c. 540
Arthlwys ap Arthwfoddw
Ceredigion 595–630
Iago ap Beli
Gwynedd
599–616
Cadwallon Crisban ap CyngenSelyf ap Cynan
Powys
c. 600–616
Cadfan ap Iago
Gwynedd
616–625
Idgwyn ap CadwallonEiludd Powys
Powys
616–642
Manwgan ap Selyf
Powys
642–655
Cloten ap Nowy
Dyfed
650–670
Brycheiniog
655–670
Clydog ap Arthlwys [br]
Ceredigion 630–665
Cadwallon ap Cadfan
Gwynedd
625–634
Einion ap IdgwynBeli ap Eiludd
Powys
655–695
Cadafael Cadomedd ap Cynfeddw
Gwynedd
634–655
Caten ap Cloten [ru]
Dyfed and Brycheiniog
670–690
Seisyll ap Clydog
Ceredigion 665–700
Cadwaladr
Gwynedd
655–682
Rhufon ap EinionGwylog ap Beli
Powys
695–725
Cadwgan ap Caten [ru]
Dyfed and Brycheiniog
690–710
Arthwyr ap Seisyll
Seisyllwg 700–735
Idwal Iwrch
Gwynedd
682–720
Meirion ap RhufonElisedd ap Gwylog
Powys
725–755
Rhain ap Cadwgan
Dyfed
710–730
Brycheiniog
710–720
Awst ap Cadwgan [ru]
Brycheiniog
720–735
Dyfnwal ap Arthwyr [br]
Seisyllwg 735–770
Rhodri Molwynog ap Idwal
Gwynedd
720–754
Caradog ap Meirion
Gwynedd
754–798
Brochfael ap Elisedd
Powys
755–773
Tewdws ap Rhain [fr]
Dyfed
730–760
Elwystl ap Awst [fr]
Brycheiniog
735–750
Meurig ap Dyfnwal [br]
Seisyllwg 770–807
Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri
Gwynedd
798–816
Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog
Gwynedd
816–825
Cadell ap Brochfael
Powys
773–808
Maredudd ap Tewdws
Dyfed
760–797
Ethyllt ferch CynanGwriad ap ElidyrRhain ap Maredudd
Dyfed
797–808
Owain ap Maredudd
Dyfed
808–810
Gwgon ap Meurig
Seisyllwg 808–872
Merfyn Frych
Gwynedd
825–844
Nest ferch CadellCyngen ap Cadell
Powys
808–855
Triffyn ap Rhain
Dyfed
810–814
TangwystlBleddri
Angharad ferch MeurigRhodri the Great b.820
Gwynedd
844–878
Powys 855–878
Elisedd ap CyngenHyfaidd ap Bleddri
Dyfed
Anarawd ap Rhodri
Gwynedd
878–916
Tudwal GloffMerfyn ap Rhodri
Powys
878–900
Cadell ap Rhodri b.854
Seisyllwg
878–909
Llywarch ap Hyfaidd
Dyfed
893–904
Rhodri ap Hyfaidd
Dyfed
904–905
Idwal Foel
Gwynedd
916–942
Alser ap TudwalLlywelyn ap Merfyn
Powys
900–942
Hywel Dda b.880
Dyfed
905–909
Deheubarth
909–950
Gwynedd
942–950
Powys
942–950
Elen ferch Llywarch
Meurig ap IdwalIago ap Idwal
Gwynedd
950–979
Ieuaf ap Idwal
Gwynedd
950–969
Rhodri ap Hywel
Deheubarth
950–953
Owain ap Hywel
Deheubarth
950–987
Edwin ap Hywel
Deheubarth
950–954
Idwal ap MeurigHywel ap Ieuaf
Gwynedd
979–985
Cadwallon ab Ieuaf
Gwynedd
985–986
Einion ab Owain
d.984
Maredudd ab Owain
Deheubarth
987–999
Gwynedd
986–999
Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig
Gwynedd
1023–1039
Cynan ap Hywel
Gwynedd
999–1005
Aeddan ap Blegywryd
Gwynedd
1005–1018
Edwin ab Einion
Deheubarth
1005–1018
Cadell ab Einion
Deheubarth
1005–1018
Cynfyn ap GwerstanAngharad ferch MareduddLlywelyn ap Seisyll
Gwynedd
1018–1023
Deheubarth
1018–1023
Rhydderch ap Iestyn
Deheubarth
1023–1033
Cynan ab Iago
1014–1063
Trahaearn ap Caradog
Gwynedd
1075–1081
Owain ab EdwinHywel ab Edwin
Deheubarth
1033–1044
Tewdwr ap CadellRhiwallon ap Cynfyn
1020–1069
Bleddyn ap Cynfyn
Gwynedd
1063–1075
Powys
1063–1075
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn
Gwynedd
1039–1063
Powys
1039–1063
Deheubarth
1055–1063
Gruffydd ap Rhydderch
Deheubarth
1045–1055
Gruffudd ap Cynan b.1055
Gwynedd
1081–1137
Angharad ferch Owain
Deheubarth
1065-1162
Maredudd ab Owain ab Edwin
Deheubarth
1063–1072
Rhys ab Owain
Deheubarth
1072–1078
Rhys ap Tewdwr
Deheubarth
1078–1093
Gwladys ferch RhiwallonIorwerth ap Bleddyn
Powys
1075–1103
Maredudd ap Bleddyn
Powys
1116–1132
Cadwgan ap Bleddyn
Powys
1075–1111
Cadwaladr ap Gruffydd
1096–1172
Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd
1097–1136
Gruffydd ap Rhys
Deheubarth
1116–1137
Nest ferch Rhys
1085–1136
Susanna ferch GruffyddMadog ap Maredudd
Powys
1132–1160
Gruffydd ap MareduddOwain ap Cadwgan
Powys
1111–1116
Owain Gwynedd b.1100
Gwynedd
1137–1170
Cadell ap Gruffydd
Deheubarth
1143–1153
Maredudd ap Gruffydd
Deheubarth
1153–1155
Anarawd ap Gruffydd
Deheubarth
1137–1143
Rhys ap Gruffydd b.1132
Deheubarth
1155–1197
Gwenllian ferch MadogOwain Cyfeiliog
Powys Wenwynwyn
1160–1197
Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd b.1120
Gwynedd
1170
Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd
Gwynedd
1170–1195
d. 1203
Maelgwn ab Owain Gwynedd
Gwynedd
1170–1173
Cynan ab Owain GwyneddRhodri ab Owain Gwynedd
1135–1195
Gwenllian ferch RhysGruffydd ap Rhys II
Deheubarth
1197–1201
Rhys Gryg
Deheubarth
1216–1234
Angharad ferch Owain GwyneddGruffydd Maelor I
Powys Fadog
1160–1191
Iorwerth Drwyndwn
1145–1174
Marared ferch MadogGruffudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd
1150–1200
Maredudd ap Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd
1150–1212
Tomas ap Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd (see Anwyl of Tywyn family)Maelgwn ap Rhys
Deheubarth
1201–1230
Gwenllian ferch RhysEdnyfed Fychan
1170–1246
Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor
Powys Fadog
1191–1236
Gwenwynwyn
Powys Wenwynwyn
1197–1216
Tangwystl GochLlywelyn the Great b.1173
Gwynedd
1195–1240
Powys
1216–1240
Joan Plantagenet, Lady of WalesLlywelyn the Elder ap MareduddGoronwy ab Ednyfed
1205–1268
Owain ap GruffuddMaredudd ap Rhys Grug
d.1271
Gruffydd II ap Madog
Powys Fadog
1236–1269
Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn
Powys Wenwynwyn
1241–1287
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn
1200–1244
Dafydd ap Llywelyn b.1215
Wales
1240–1246
Angharad ferch LlywelynMaelgwn FychanMaredudd ap Llywelyn
d. 1255
Rhys ap Maredudd
1250–1292
Owen de la Pole
1257–1293
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd b.1223
Wales
1246–1282
Owain Goch ap Gruffydd d. 1282
Gwynedd
1246–1255
Dafydd ap Gruffydd
1238–1283
Rhodri ap Gruffudd
1230–1315
Llywelyn ap Maredudd
d.1263
Tudur Hen
d.1311
Maredydd ab OwainElen ferch MaelgwnGruffydd de la Pole
d.1309
Gwenllian of Wales
1282–1337
Llywelyn ap Dafydd
1267–1287
Owain ap Dafydd
1265–1325
Tomas ap Rhodri
1300–1363
Madog ap Llywelyn
claimant
1294–1295
Goronwy ap Tudur Hen
d.1331
Owain ap MaredyddGruffudd Fychan I
Powys Fadog
1277–1283
Madog II ap Gruffydd
Powys Fadog
1269–1277
Owain Lawgoch
1330–1378
Llywelyn ab OwainMadog Crypl
1275–1304
Tomas ap LlewelynGruffydd of Rhuddallt
1296–1343
Tudur ap Goronwy
d.1367
Marged ferch TomosElen ferch TomosGruffudd Fychan II
d. 1369
Maredudd ap Tudur
d.1406
Owen Tudor
1400–1461
Owain Glyndŵr
claimant
1400–1416
House of Tudor

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "MERFYN FRYCH (died 844), king of Gwynedd". biography.wales. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
  2. ^ "RHODRI MAWR ('the Great') (died 877), king of Gwynedd, Powys, and Deheubarth". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
  3. ^ Koch, John Thomas,"Celtic Culture: a Historical Encyclopedia", ABC-CLIO, 2006, p 945.
  4. ^ Davies, R. R., 'Native Wales, 1172–1240', The Age of Conquest: Wales 1063-1415, History of Wales (Oxford, 2000; online edn, Oxford Academic, 3 Oct. 2011), https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198208785.003.0010, accessed 17 July 2023.
  5. ^ Davies, John (2007). A History of Wales. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-0-14-192633-9. Retrieved 23 December 2019. The plot was carried out (by a Scot) in 1378, and Saint Leger on the banks of the Garonne (opposite Chateau Calon Segur - not a Welsh name, alas) became the burial place of the last of the senior male line of the house of Aberffraw. Following the extinction of that line,...
  6. ^ Davies, R. R., 'Native Wales, 1172–1240', The Age of Conquest: Wales 1063-1415, History of Wales (Oxford, 2000; online edn, Oxford Academic, 3 Oct. 2011), https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198208785.003.0010, accessed 17 July 2023.
  7. ^ Nicholson, E. Williams B. (1908). "The Dynasty of Cunedag and the 'Harleian Genealogies'". London: Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion. pp. 63–67–105.
  8. ^ Ben Guy (2020). "The Pedigrees of the Kings of Gwynedd". Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  9. ^ "11 The Britons and the Northumbrians, 547-685:The Evidence, by T.M. Charles-Edwards, page 343-380, November 2012". Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  10. ^ Simon Hornblower, Antony Spawforth (2005). Cassivellaunus, The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 ed.), Oxford University Press.
  11. ^ Caswallon. Oxford Reference. Retrieved 3 Nov. 2023, from https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095554448.
  12. ^ E. C. Quiggin Memorial Lectures 9, Erich Poppe, Of Cycles and Other Critical Matters, Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic, University of Cambridge, p. 35