Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: 1st King of Isle of Man
• Appointments / Titles: Kingdom of Gwynedd, Wales; King
• FSID: L172-TT3
• Appointments / Titles: Between 825 and 844, Kingdom of Gwynedd, Wales; King of Gwynedd

Notes:

Merfyn Frych seized control of Gwynedd in 825 on the death of Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog, though he may have held power in Anglesey since 818. Merfyn was not a member of the traditional dynasty of Gwynedd, the direct male line of Maelgwn Gwynedd, and his succession marked the start of a new dynasty. His claim was apparently based on the fact that his mother, Esyllt, was the daughter of Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri and the niece of Hywel ap Rhodri. According to bardic tradition, Merfyn came "from the land of Manaw", but it is uncertain whether this refers to the Isle of Man ("Ynys Manaw" in Welsh) or to Manaw Gododdin, the area around the Firth of Forth. It would seem likely that it was the latter on account of the probability he would be a blood relative of Cunedda, the founder of the Gwynedd dynasty, who was a prince of Manaw Gododdin. On the other hand there is an inscription "Crux Guriat" on a cross in the Isle of Man. This cross has been dated to the eighth or ninth century and might possibly refer to Merfyn's father.

Merfyn allied himself to the royal house of Powys by marrying Nest, daughter of Cadell ap Brochwel and sister of Cyngen king of Powys. [Actually, according to The History of The Princes, The Lords Marcher, and the Ancient Nobility of Powys Fadog, Nest verch Cadell is Merfyn's mother, not his wife.] He had a reputation as a patron of scholars; for example the Historia Britonum attributed to Nennius is thought to have been written in Gwynedd during his reign, possibly by request of Merfyn himself. A manuscript found at Bamberg gives a further insight into Merfyn's scholarly interests. Irish visitors to his court were given a cryptogram which could only be solved by transposing the letters from Latin into Greek.

Despite Danish raids, Merfyn was able to maintain his position and on his death in 844 to hand the Kingdom over intact to his son Rhodri the Great. He is said to have died in battle, but the circumstances are not recorded. His descendants came to rule not only Gwynedd but also Powys and Deheubarth and played a major role in Welsh politics until the end of Welsh independence in 1283.

Powys was united with Gwynedd when king Merfyn Frych of Gwynedd married princess Nest, the sister of king Cyngen of Powys, [Actually, according to The History of The Princes, The Lords Marcher, and the Ancient Nobility of Powys Fadog, Nest verch Cadell is Merfyn's mother, not his wife.] the last representative of the Gwertherion dynasty. With the death of Cyngen in 855 Rhodri became king of Powys, having inherited Gwynedd the year before. This formed the basis of Gwynedd's continued claims of overlordship over Powys for the next 443 years.

Family/Spouse: verch Cadell, Queen Nest. Nest (daughter of ap Brochfael, King Cadell and N.N., N.N.) was born in 770 in Montgomery, Montgomeryshire, Wales; was christened in 770; died in 825 in Anglesey, Wales; was buried in 825 in Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. ap Merfyn, King Rhodri Mawr was born in 820 in Caer Seiont, Carnarvon, Caernarvonshire, Wales; died in 878 in Anglesey, Wales; was buried in 878 in Isle of Anglesey, Wales.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: King of Gwynedd
• FSID: LD3L-QC6

Notes:

Gwriad ap Elidyr
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gwriad ap Elidyr (English: Gwriad son of Elidyr) or Gwriad Manaw was a late-8th century figure in Great Britain. Very little is known of him, and he chiefly appears in the historical record in connection to his son Merfyn Frych, King of Gwynedd from around 825 to 844 and founder of the Merfynion dynasty.

Background

Almost nothing is known about Gwriad's background. He married Esyllt ferch Cynan, daughter of Cynan Dindaethwy, King of Gwynedd.

Their son Merfyn Frych later became the first king of Gwynedd known not to have come from the dynasty of its founder Cunedda. Merfyn evidently claimed the throne through his mother rather than through Gwriad, and bolstered this atypical matrilineal claim through his own power and reputation.[1] [2]

According to the genealogies from Jesus College MS 20, Gwriad was the son of a certain Elidyr and was a descendant of Llywarch Hen and Coel Hen, rulers from the Hen Ogledd or "Old North", the Brittonic-speaking parts of what is now southern Scotland and northern England.[2][3 ]

The bardic poetry indicates that Merfyn was "from the land of Manaw", a Brittonic place name applied to several districts, including Manaw Gododdin, the area around the Firth of Forth. This locale in the Hen Ogledd would be consistent with Gwriad's descent from Llywarch's northern lineage.[4] An origin in Manaw Gododdin was supported by scholars such as William Forbes Skene and John Edward Lloyd.[5]

Other scholars connect Gwriad to the Isle of Man, known in Welsh as Ynis Manaw rather than Manaw Gododdin, especially following the 1896 discovery of an 8th- or 9th-century cross on man inscribed Crux Guriat ("Cross of Gwriad").[5][ 6] Lloyd wrote that this discovery "undoubtedly strengthens the case" for a Manx origin.[5]

John Rhys suggested that Gwriad may have taken refuge on the Isle of Man during the bloody dynastic struggle in Gwynedd between Cynan Dindaethwy and Hywel prior to Merfyn's accession to the throne.[7] Still other locations for "Manaw" have been suggested, including Ireland, Galloway and Powys.[1]

Rhys further noted that the Welsh Triads mention a "Gwryat son of Gwryan in the North", counted among the "Three Kings who were the Sons of Strangers", which he suggests is a reference to the father of Merfyn.[7][8] However, this conflicts with the Jesus College MS 20 pedigree, in which Gwriad's father is Elidyr. James E. Fraser suggests that the Gwriad of the Triad is instead to be identified with the King Guret of Alt Clut recorded by the Annals of Ulster as dying in 658.[9]
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Our royal, titled, noble and commoner ancestors

Gwiard, King of Manaw1
Last Edited 4 Apr 2020
M, #9963
Father Elydyr, Prince of Deheubarth
Gwiard, King of Manaw married Eisyllt, Queen of Wales, daughter of Cynan, King of Gwynedd and Matilda of Flint.
Family
Eisyllt, Queen of Wales
Children
Mervin Frych 'the Freckled', King of Gwynedd+ d. 844
Cadrod ap Gwriad+2 b. c 800

Gwriad married verch Cynan, EsylltWales. Esyllt (daughter of ap Rhodri, King Cynan and of Flint, Matilda) was born in 711 in Caernarvonshire, Wales; died in 811 in Anglesey, Wales; was buried in 811 in Anglesey, Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Kingdom of Gwynedd, Wales; Queen
• FSID: LD3L-Q2N

Notes:

While the surviving sources are consistent regarding the parentage of Ethyll, they are contradictory regarding the identity of her husband. The mid-10th century Harleian Manuscript genealogy names the ancestors of Rhodri "Mawr/the Great": "…Rotri map Mermin map Etthil merch Cinnan…" The name of her husband, recorded in the 13th century History of Gruffydd ap Cynan which names "Rodri Mawr son of Mervyn Frych son of Gwryat…," is consistent with this version. [The Gwentian Chronicle provides a different version of events when it records that "[the] daughter [of Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri [King of all Wales] who was his heir married a chieftain of the name of Mervyn the Freckled," a later passage adding that "Mervyn the Freckled and Essyllt his wife began to reign over Gwynedd and Powys" in 818.] It is impossible to judge which version is preferable. Indeed, it is possible that Ethyll was not an historical figure at all but was invented to legitimise the dynastic change in the eyes of successor generations of kings of Gwynedd and their supporters. She married either: GWRIAD a Manx chieftain, son of ---, or: MERFYN ap Gwriad "Frych/the Freckled" King of Gwynedd.

Esyllt Essylt Queen of Wales Heiress of Gwenedd ferch
Conan Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri ap Idwal of Molwynog and Gwynedd
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Our royal, titled, noble and commoner ancestors

Eisyllt, Queen of Wales1
Last Edited 4 Apr 2020
F, #9964
Father Cynan, King of Gwynedd d. 816
Mother Matilda of Flint
Eisyllt, Queen of Wales married Gwiard, King of Manaw, son of Elydyr, Prince of Deheubarth. Eisyllt, Queen of Wales was born at of Gwynedd, Wales.
Family
Gwiard, King of Manaw
Children
Mervin Frych 'the Freckled', King of Gwynedd+ d. 844
Cadrod ap Gwriad+2 b. c 800
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Ethyllt ferch Cynan, also known as Ethil, was the daughter of King Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri of Gwynedd.

Marriage
In 768 she was married to Gwriad ap Elidyr, although it is possible this was a later invention to legitimise the claims to Gwynedd of the descendants of Merfyn Frych. After the death of her father in 816, the throne was secured by her uncle Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Isle of Man, Dumfries-shire, Scotland; King
• Appointments / Titles: Prince of Deheubarth
• FSID: LJR8-YWQ

Notes:

Elydry Or Elidir AP Sandde (King of Isle Of Man)

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: LD3L-Q1S
• Appointments / Titles: Between 798 and 816, Gwynedd, Wales; King of Gywnedd

Notes:

From Dinaethwy and Molwynog

Cynan Dindaethwy was the son of King Rhodri Molwynog of Gwynedd and his wife, Princess Margaret of Ireland, presumably born in the cwmwd of Ynys Mon (Anglesey) which gave him his epithet. His father was probably quite elderly at the time of Cynan's birth, since it appears that the son was too young to take the throne in AD 754, when it was seized by Lord Caradog ap Meirion of Rhos. Perhaps, the people of Gwynedd thought Rhodri too old to father a child, for there were certainly rumours, recorded in the Red Book of Hergest, that Cynan was really the son of the Royal woodsman, Calydigan.

Cynan kept his head down during King Caradog's reign but, upon the latter's death in AD 798, he claimed his father's crown once more. Caradog's son, Hywel Farf-Fehinog, who had expected to inherit the kingdom was not best pleased. He may have been a child at this time for, though Civil War followed, it does not seem to have been very active until AD 813 when the two sides met in battle. Cynan was victorious but, the following year, Hywel was back. He drove poor Cynan from the shores of Ynys Mon (Anglesey) - probably to Ynys Manaw (Isle of Man) where his daughter was Queen - and proclaimed himself King. Cynan tried to retake his throne two years later, but was killed in battle.

Cynan married Mahallt (alias Matilda), daughter of the Lord of Flint, but seems to have had only one daughter, Essylt, wife of King Guriat of Ynys Manaw.
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Cynan Dindaethwy (English: "Cynan of Dindaethwy") or Cynan ap Rhodri ("Cynan son of Rhodri") was a king of Gwynedd (reigned c. 798-816) in Wales of the Early Middle Ages. Cynan was the son of Rhodri Molwynog and ascended to the throne of Gwynedd upon the death of King Caradog ap Meirion in 798. His epithet refers to the commote of Dindaethwy in the cantref Rhosyr. Unlike later kings of Gwynedd, usually resident at Aberffraw in western Anglesey, Cynan maintained his court at Llanfaes on the southeastern coast. Cynan's reign was marked by a destructive dynastic power struggle with a rival named Hywel, usually supposed to be his brother.

There is no historical record of Cynan's early years as king, but his reign ended in a combination of natural disasters and military reverses. In 810, there was a bovine plague that killed many cattle throughout Wales. The next year Deganwy, the ancient wooden court of Maelgwn Gwynedd, was struck by lightning.

A destructive war between Cynan and Hywel raged on Anglesey between 812 and 816, ultimately ending with Cynan's defeat and banishment. Cynan and Hywel are said to be brothers in historical works such as Lloyd's History of Wales, although Lloyd does not cite its source. The Annals of Wales mention the pair only by name, without any title, relation, or patronym. (In comparison, it takes care to point out the brotherly nature of Elisedd's slaughter of Gruffydd ap Cyngen in Powys around the same time.) The genealogies from Jesus College MS 20 deny Cynan and Hywel were brothers at all, instead making Hywel the son of Caradog ap Meirion and a distant cousin of Cynan Dindaethwy son of Rhodri Molwynog. The Harleian genealogies agree with this. Cynan died within a year of his exile according to the Annals of Wales and the Irish Annals.

After Cynan's death, there was a battle at his former court at Llanfaes on Anglesey noted by the chronicles, but the combatants are not identified.

Cynan's daughter Esyllt became the mother of Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad, the first King of Gwynedd (825-844) known not to have descended from the male line of Cunedda.

Cynan married of Flint, Matilda in 768 in Caernarvonshire, Wales. Matilda (daughter of of Flint, Earl and of Flint, Countess N.N.) was born in 739 in Caernarvonshire, Wales; died in 780 in Somme, Picardie, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: L72H-5MZ

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: L13Z-FLM
• Occupation: Prince Of Deheubarth

Notes:

Also known as “Bryd Angel”.

Sandde married verch Tudwal, Queen Celemion. Celemion was born in 675 in Isle of Man, Dumfries-shire, Scotland; died in 730 in Somme, Picardie, France; was buried in 730 in Somme, Picardie, France. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Life Event: Reason marked as not-a-match: Read only connections attached, please do not merge.
• FSID: LZP9-TCH

Notes:

Reason marked as not-a-match: Read only connections attached, please do not merge.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Kingdom of Gwynedd, Wales; King
• Appointments / Titles: King of the Bretons
• FSID: G8WY-X4X
• Military: 721, Cornwall, England; War

Notes:

Rhodri "the Bald & Grey" was the son of King Idwal Iwch of Gwynedd and his wife, Princess Angharad of Brittany. There is an old story that Rhodri invaded or conquered Dumnonia - possibly during his youth - but he was forced to return to North Wales by the Saxons. The year of his accession in Gwynedd is variously given as AD 712, 720, 722 or 730. The earliest date seems most likely. He married an Irish princess, Margaret ferch Duplory and had one son, Cynan Dindaethwy. He died in AD 754, when the throne was seized by Caradog ap Meirion.

Rhodri married verch Duptory, Princess of Wales and Ireland Margaret in 721 in Gwynedd, Wales. Margaret (daughter of ap Colman, King Dubh Torran and verch Wempel, Queen of Ireland Vanora) was born in 692 in Wales; died in 745 in Leinster, Ireland; was buried in 745 in Leinster, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Princess
• FSID: LHTJ-W8V

Notes:

Buried:
Duptory

Died:
Duptory

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: 9CZV-ZDB

Earl married of Flint, Countess N.N. in 781 in Flintshire, Wales. N.N. was born in 775 in Flintshire, Wales; died in DECEASED in Flintshire, Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: MHNM-LJX