List of rulers of Wales

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Before the Norman Conquest of Wales was completed in 1282, Wales consisted of a number of independent principalities, the most important being Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth (originally Seisyllwg and Dyfed), Gwent and Morgannwg. Boundary changes and the equal division of patrimony meant that few princes ever came close to ruling the whole of Wales.

The names of those known to have ruled over one or more of the principalities are listed below (those in heavy type ruled over a large portion of Wales).

Contents

In 909, Dyfed was merged with Seisyllwg to become Deheubarth. The following is a list of kings of the two former kingdoms, followed by the kings of the combined Deheubarth (beginning with Hywel Dda).

  • Cloten (dates unknown) married Ceindrech of Brycheiniog, uniting the two kingdoms
  • Rhain (to 740) also king of Brycheiniog; on his death, his kingdoms were divided again by his sons
  • Maredydd ap Rhain (740-797)
  • Rhain ap Maredydd (797-808)
  • Owain ap Maredydd (808-811)

It is unclear whether kingship passed directly from Owain to Hyfaidd, although the span of time involved suggests that it did not.

Deheubarth was in the possession of the Normans from 1093 to 1155

From 1234 to 1283, Deheubarth was subject to the princes of Gwynedd

  • Rhys the Hoarse's son, Rhys Mechyll (1234-1244) ruled a portion of Deheubarth
  • his brother, Maredudd ap Rhys (1244-1271) ruled a portion of Deheubarth
  • his son, Rhys ap Maredudd (1271-1283) ruled a portion of Deheubarth

For kings/princes of Gwynedd see Kingdom of Gwynedd.

  • Morgan the Old (Morgan Hen or Morgan ab Owain) (930-974) united the former kingdoms of Gwent and Glywysing in 942 under the name of Morgannwg, but they were broken up again immediately after his death, remaining separate until about 1055

  • Morgan the Old's son, Owain ap Morgan (974-about 983)
  • brothers of Owain ap Morgan (dates unknown)
  • his son, Rhys ab Owain (about 990-about 1000) who ruled Glywysing jointly with his brothers,
  • Hywel ab Owain (about 990-about 1043) and
  • Iestyn ab Owain (about 990-about 1015)
  • his brother, Rhydderch ap Iestyn (about 1015-1033)
  • his son, Gruffydd ap Rhydderch (1033-1055)

  • Nowy ap Gwriad ruled Gwent (about 950-about 970) while Glywysing was ruled jointly by brothers of Owain ap Morgan (dates unknown)
  • his son, Arthfael ap Nowy (about 970-983)
  • his cousin, Rhodri ap Elisedd (983-about 1015) who ruled jointly with his brother,
  • Gruffydd ap Elisedd (983-about 1015)
  • his ?cousin, Edwyn ap Gwriad (1015-1045)
  • Hywel ab Owain's son, Meurig ap Hywel (1045-1055) who ruled jointly with
  • his son, Cadwgan ap Meurig (1045-1074) who for a time ruled jointly with
  • Gruffydd ap Rhydderch's son, Caradog ap Gruffydd (1063-1081)
  • Iestyn ap Gwrgan(t) (1081-1091)

Iestyn was the last ruler of an independent Morgannwg, which was thereafter in the possession of the Normans and became the lordship of Glamorgan

For kings/princes of Powys see Kingdom of Powys.

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