Rhodri Mawr
Template:Short description Template:Infobox royalty Rhodri ap Merfyn, commonly known as Template:Langnf, was a Welsh king whose legacy has impacted the history of Wales. Rhodri rose to power during a tumultuous era, where the fate of Welsh kingdoms was often determined by the power of their leaders.
Early life
[edit]Rhodri was born in the 9th century on the Isle of Man. Rhodri was the son of Merfyn, who, under enigmatic circumstances, assumed the kingship of Gwynedd following the death of Hywel ap Caradog in 825.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Rhodri ascended to the throne of Gwynedd following the passing of his father, Merfyn, in the year 844.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Reign
[edit]Rhodri's reign unfolded against a tumultuous backdrop, as Wales confronted escalating Viking incursions. Among Rhodri's earliest recorded achievements was his defeat and killing of Gorm, a Danish chieftain, in a battle on Anglesey in 856.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> This victory garnered international acclaim, reaching the ears of Charles the Bald whose realm Gorm had previously harried.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In that same year, Rhodri finalised his subjugation of Powys following the death of its exiled ruler Cyngen in Rome. In 871, Rhodri expanded his dominion further, into Ceredigion following the death of its King Gwgon.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
During the year 873, Rhodri won two more successes against the Vikings by securing victories in the battles of Banolau and Ynegydd on Anglesey.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In 877, a Danish force, aided by their client king Ceolwulf, assailed Anglesey, intent on avenging Gorm's death and securing communication routes with Dublin. They succeeded in defeating Rhodri in the Battle of Sunday and seizing Anglesey, compelling him into exile on Ireland.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The subsequent year marked Rhodri's return from Irish exile, winning a battle against the Vikings to retake Anglesey. However, Rhodri and his son Gwriad later perished in a battle against the Anglo-Saxons of Mercia under King Ceolwulf II.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Succession
[edit]Rhodri's realm remained unified upon his demise, passing to his eldest son Anarawd.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> However, during Rhodri's exile, Ceredigion was conquered by Hyfaidd ap Bleddri, the King of Dyfed.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Subsequently, Anarawd and Rhodri's other sons managed to reclaim Ceredigion and eventually extended their rule to the rest of Dyfed. This expansion established a distinct branch within the Merfynion dynasty, with Rhodri's second eldest son, Cadell, at its helm.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Children
[edit]- Anarawd ap Rhodri
- Cadell ap Rhodri
- Meurig ap Rhodri
- Merfyn ap Rhodri
- Gwriad ap Rhodri
- Tudwal ap Rhodri
- Gwyddelig ap Rhodri
See also
[edit]References
[edit]External links
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