Gruffudd ap Cynan (c. 1055 – 1137), sometimes written as Gruffydd ap Cynan. [1]
The 13th-century History of Gruffydd ap Cynan records that Gruffydd was born in Dublin, son of "Cynan king of Gwynedd and his mother Ragnaillt daughter of Olaf King of the city of Dublin", adding that his maternal grandmother was "Mailcorcre daughter of Dunlang son of Tuathal King of Leinster"[200]. From a chronological point of view, it is possible that Ragnhild´s father was Olav son of Sihtric. [2]
Grufudd ap Cynan was born in 1055. [1]
Gruffudd was born in 1054.
His parents were in Dublin where his father was in exile and his mother was the daughter of the Danish king.
The 13th-century History of Gruffydd ap Cynan records that he was born in Dublin, son of "Cynan king of Gwynedd and his mother Ragnaillt daughter of Olaf King of the city of Dublin"[202]. [2]
Cynan & his wife had one child:
Through his mother, Gruffudd had close family connections with the Norse settlement around Dublin and he frequently used Ireland as a refuge and as a source of troops. He three times gained the throne of Gwynedd and then lost it again, before regaining it once more in 1099 and this time keeping power until his death. Gruffudd laid the foundations which were built upon by his son Owain Gwynedd and his great-grandson Llywelyn the Great.[1]
Unusually for a Welsh king or prince, a near-contemporary biography of Gruffudd, The history of Gruffudd ap Cynan, has survived. Much of our knowledge of Gruffudd comes from this source, though it appears to have been written as dynastic propaganda for one of Gruffudd's descendants. The traditional view among scholars was that it was written during the third quarter of the 12th century during the reign of Gruffudd's son, Owain Gwynedd, but it has recently been suggested that it may date from the early reign of Llywelyn the Great, around 1200. The author is not known.[1]
Most of the existing manuscripts of the history are in Welsh but these are clearly translations of a Latin original. It is usually considered that the original Latin version has been lost, and that existing Latin versions are re-translations from the Welsh. However, Russell (2006) has suggested that the Latin version in Peniarth MS 434E incorporates the original Latin version, later amended to bring it into line with the Welsh text.[1]
Gruffudd's biography says that his mother taught him as a lad of what stock he came and what were his rights -- language which would imply that Cynan died not many years after the birth of his son.[3]
According to the Life of Gruffudd ap Cynan, Gruffudd was born in Dublin and reared near Swords, County Dublin in Ireland. He was the son of a Welsh Prince, Cynan ap Iago, who was a claimant to the Kingship of Gwynedd but was probably never king of Gwynedd, though his father, Gruffudd's grandfather, Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig had ruled Gwynedd from 1023 to 1039. [1]
When Gruffudd first appeared on the scene in Wales the Welsh annals several times refer to him as "grandson of Iago" rather than the more usual "son of Cynan", indicating that his father was little known in Wales. Cynan ap Iago seems to have died while Gruffudd was still young, since the History describes his mother telling him who his father was.[1]
According to Historia Gruffud ab Kenan, Gruffudd's mother was Ragnailt ingen Amlaíb, a granddaughter of King Sigtrygg Silkbeard and a member of the Hiberno-Norse Uí Ímair dynasty.[2] The latter had two sons named Amlaíb: one died in 1013, whilst another died in 1034. Either man could have been Ragnailt's father.[1]
During his many struggles to gain the kingship of Gwynedd, Gruffudd received considerable aid from Ireland, both from the Hiberno-Norse at Dublin and the Isles, but also from those at Wexford, and also from Muircheartach Ua Briain.[1]
The Chronicle of the Princes of Wales records that "Gruffudd son of Cynan fought against the men of Iago and of Mona, and the Gwyneddians killed Cynvrig son of Rhiwallon" in 1073[203]. [2]
Gruffudd first attempted to take over the rule of Gwynedd in 1075, following the death of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn. Trahaearn ap Caradog had seized control of Gwynedd but had not yet firmly established himself. Gruffudd landed on Abermenai Point, Anglesey with an Irish force, and with the assistance of troops provided by the Norman Robert of Rhuddlan first defeated and killed Cynwrig ap Rhiwallon, an ally of Trahaearn who held Llŷn, then defeated Trahaearn himself in the battle of Gwaed Erw in Meirionnydd and gained control of Gwynedd.[1]
Gruffudd then led his forces eastwards to reclaim territories taken over by the Normans, and despite the assistance previously given by Robert of Rhuddlan attacked and destroyed Rhuddlan Castle. However tension between Gruffudd's Danish-Irish bodyguard and the local Welsh led to a rebellion in Llŷn, and Trahaearn took the opportunity to counterattack, defeating Gruffudd at the battle of Bron yr Erw above Clynnog Fawr the same year.[1]
Gruffudd ap Cynan as King of Gwynedd from 1081 until his death in 1137. In the course of a long and eventful life, he became a key figure in Welsh resistance to Norman rule, and was remembered as King of all Wales. As a descendant of Rhodri Mawr, Gruffudd ap Cynan was a senior member of the princely House of Aberffraw.[1][1]
In 1081 Rhys ap Tewdwr, king of Deheubarth, was forced to take refuge at St. David's. Rhys soon received an unexpected ally in Gruffydd ap Cynan, the deposed ruler of Gwynedd. [4]
Gruffydd had sought aid in Ireland and had returned to Wales at the head of a force of Welsh, Irish, and Danish troops, intent on regaining his lost throne. [4]
It was only natural for the two to strike an alliance, especially since Traehaearn ap Caradog, the reigning king of Gwynedd, was marching south to join forces with Caradog ap Gruffydd. The two sets of enemies met at Mynedd Carn, and Rhys and Gruffydd were completely victorious. [4]
The defeat effectively halted Caradog's (Caradog ap Gruffydd ap Rhydderch) climb to power. Rhys gained in prestige what Caradog lost, and by 1081 had emerged as the paramount ruler of the entire region of southwest Wales.[4]
Gruffudd fled to Ireland but in 1081 returned and made an alliance with Rhys ap Tewdwr, prince of Deheubarth. Rhys had been attacked by Caradog ap Gruffudd of Gwent and Morgannwg, and had been forced to flee to St David's Cathedral. [1]
Gruffudd this time embarked from Waterford with a force composed of Danes and Irish and landed near St David's, presumably by prior arrangement with Rhys. He was joined here by a force of his supporters from Gwynedd, and he and Rhys marched north to seek Trahaearn ap Caradog and Caradog ap Gruffudd who had themselves made an alliance and been joined by Meilyr ap Rhiwallon of Powys. [1]
The armies of the two confederacies met at the Battle of Mynydd Carn, with Gruffudd and Rhys victorious and Trahaearn, Caradog and Meilyr all being killed. Gruffudd was thus able to seize power in Gwynedd for the second time.[1]
He was soon faced with a new enemy, as the Normans were now encroaching on Gwynedd. Gruffudd had not been king very long when he was enticed to a meeting with Hugh, Earl of Chester and Hugh, Earl of Shrewsbury at Rug, near Corwen. At the meeting, Gruffudd was seized and taken prisoner. According to his biographer, this was by the treachery of one of his own men, Meirion Goch. Gruffudd was imprisoned in Earl Hugh's castle at Chester for many years while Earl Hugh and Robert of Rhuddlan went on to take possession of Gwynedd, building castles at Bangor, Wales Bangor, Caernarfon and Aberlleiniog.[1]
Gruffudd reappeared on the scene years later, having escaped from captivity. According to his biography, he was in fetters in the market-place at Chester when Cynwrig the Tall, on a visit to the city, saw his opportunity when the burgesses were at dinner. He picked Gruffudd up, fetters and all, and carried him out of the city on his shoulders. There is debate among historians as to the year of Gruffudd's escape. Ordericus Vitalis mentions a "Grifridus" attacking the Normans in 1088. The History in one place states that Gruffudd was imprisoned for twelve years, in another that he was imprisoned for sixteen years. Since he was captured in 1081, that would date his release to 1093 or 1097. J.E. Lloyd favours 1093, considering that Gruffudd was involved at the beginning of the Welsh uprising in 1094. K.L. Maund on the other hand favours 1097, pointing out that there is no reference to Gruffudd in the contemporary annals until 1098. D. Simon Evans inclines to the view that Ordericus Vitalis' date of 1088 could be correct, suggesting that an argument based on the silence of the annals is unsafe.[1]
Gruffudd again took refuge in Ireland but returned to Gwynedd to lead the assaults on Norman castles such as Aber Lleiniog. The Welsh revolt had begun in 1094 and by late 1095 had spread to many parts of Wales. This induced William II of England (William Rufus) to intervene, invading northern Wales in 1095. However, his army was unable to bring the Welsh to battle and returned to Chester without having achieved very much. King William mounted a second invasion in 1097, but again without much success. The History only mentions one invasion by Rufus, which could indicate that Gruffudd did not feature in the resistance to the first invasion. At this time Cadwgan ap Bleddyn of Powys led the Welsh resistance.[1]
He married ([1095]) ANGHARAD of Deheubarth, daughter of OWAIN ap Edwin of Deheubarth (-1161). The Chronicle of the Princes of Wales records that "Angharad daughter of Owain son of Edwin was the wife of Gruffudd son of Cynan" in 1122[210]. The Chronicle of the Princes of Wales records that "Angharad the wife of Gruffudd son of Cynan" died in 1161[211]. [2]
Gruffudd was the husband of Angharad verch Owain —in Gwynedd, Wales
According to the 13th-century History of Gruffydd ap Cynan, Gruffydd defeated "Trahaiarn son of Caradoc and Cenwric son of Rhiwallon, Kings of Powys and all Gwynedd" and, with help from "Robert of Rhuddlan…nephew to Hugh Earl of Chester" imposed himself as king of Gwynedd after prevailing at the battle of "Gwaet Erw"[204]. None of these alleged exploits are recorded the Annales Cambriæ or the Chronicle of the Princes of Wales, and it is uncertain how accurate the History can be given its late date. The Chronicle of the Princes of Wales records that "Cadwgan son of Bleddyn and Gruffudd son of Cynan left the isle of Mona and retreated into Ireland for fear of the treachery of their own men" in 1096[205]. [2]
The Chronicle of the Princes of Wales records that "Cadwgan son of Bleddyn and Gruffudd son of Cynan returned from Ireland" in 1097 and "made peace with the French…[and] retained part of the country…Gruffud obtained Mona"[206]. [2]
In the summer of 1098 Earl Hugh of Chester joined with Earl Hugh of Shrewsbury in another attempt to recover his losses in Gwynedd. Gruffudd and his ally Cadwgan ap Bleddyn retreated to Anglesey, but were then forced to flee to Ireland in a skiff when a fleet he had hired from the Danish settlement in Ireland accepted a better offer from the Normans and changed sides.[1]
The situation was changed by the arrival of a Norwegian fleet under the command of King Magnus III of Norway, also known as Magnus Barefoot, who attacked the Norman forces near the eastern end of the Menai Straits. Earl Hugh of Shrewsbury was killed by an arrow said to have been shot by Magnus himself. The Normans were obliged to evacuate Anglesey, and the following year Gruffudd returned from Ireland to take possession again, having apparently come to an agreement with Earl Hugh of Chester.[1]
With the death of Hugh of Chester in 1101, Gruffudd was able to consolidate his position in Gwynedd, as much by diplomacy as by force. He met King Henry I of England who granted him the rule of Llŷn, Eifionydd, Ardudwy and Arllechwedd, considerably extending his kingdom. [1]
By 1114 he had gained enough power to induce King Henry to invade Gwynedd in a three-pronged attack, one detachment led by King Alexander I of Scotland. Faced by overwhelming force, Gruffudd was obliged to pay homage to Henry and to pay a heavy fine, but lost no territory. [1]
By about 1118 Gruffudd's advancing years meant that most of the fighting, which pushed Gwynedd's borders eastward and southwards, was done by his three sons by his wife Angharad, daughter of Owain ab Edwin of Tegeingl: Cadwallon, Owain Gwynedd and later Cadwaladr. [1]
The cantrefs of Rhos and Rhufoniog were annexed in 1118, Meirionnydd captured from Powys in 1123 and Dyffryn Clwyd in 1124. [1]
Another invasion by the king of England in 1121 was a military failure. The king had to come to terms with Gruffudd and made no further attempt to invade Gwynedd during Gruffudd's reign. The death of Cadwallon in a battle against the forces of Powys near Llangollen in 1132 checked further expansion for the time being.[1]
Gruffudd was now powerful enough to ensure that his nominee David the Scot was consecrated as Bishop of Bangor in 1120. The see had been effectively vacant since Bishop Hervey le Breton had been forced to flee by the Welsh almost twenty years before, since Gruffudd and King Henry could not agree on a candidate. David went on to rebuild Bangor Cathedral with a large financial contribution from Gruffudd.[1]
Owain and Cadwaladr, in alliance with Gruffudd ap Rhys of Deheubarth, gained a crushing victory over the Normans at Crug Mawr near Cardigan in 1136 and took possession of Ceredigion. The latter part of Gruffydd's reign was considered to be a "Golden Age"; according to the Life of Gruffudd ap Cynan Gwynedd was "bespangled with lime-washed churches like the stars in the firmament".[1]
The Annales Cambriæ record the death in 1137 of "Grifinus filius Conani"[207]. The Chronicle of the Princes of Wales records that "Gruffudd son of Cynan" died in 1136[208]. The 13th-century History of Gruffydd ap Cynan records the death of Gruffydd ap Cynan aged 82 [probably exaggerated] and his burial at Bangor[209].] [2]
Gruffydd ap Cynan, king of Gwynedd, died in 1137.[5]
Grufudd ap Cynan died in 1137[1]
Gruffydd ap Cynan was buried in Bangor Cathedral, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gruffudd_ap_Cynan) (http://www.findagrave.com Gruffydd ap Cynan (1055-1137), https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=61943421
The Bangor Cathedral site has been in religious use since about the 6th century and has been a cathedral since then - possibly the only cathedral in the U.K. that has had the title of "cathedral" so long. As a 12th century Norman church, it was destroyed several times by English armies in the 13th century. The present nave was rebuilt in the late 14th century and was later damaged in a Welsh rebellion. Extensive rebuilding occurred in the late 14th century, and was completed in 1532. [6] Gruffudd died in his bed, old and blind, in 1137 and was mourned by the annalist of Brut y Tywysogion as the "head and king and defender and pacifier of all Wales". He was buried by the high altar in Bangor Cathedral which he had been involved in rebuilding. He also made bequests to many other churches, including one to Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin where he had worshipped as a boy. [1]
He was succeeded as king of Gwynedd by his son Owain Gwynedd. His daughter Gwenllian, who married Gruffudd ap Rhys of Deheubarth, son of his old ally Rhys ap Tewdwr, is also notable for her resistance to English rule.[1]
Perwyr Bran is shown in some Ancestry genealogies as a wife of Gruffudd ap Cynan [7] However, Gruffudd ap Cynan is known only to have married Angharad, though he had several mistresses. However, since no children are shown of Perwyr, the connection appears to be doubtful. Day-1904 06:12, 24 January 2016 (EST)
Rhanullt ferch Apphrach is shown in some Ancestry genealogies as a wife of Gruffudd ap Cynan [8] However, Gruffudd ap Cynan is known only to have married Angharad, though he had several mistresses. However, since no children are shown of Rhganullt, the connection appears to be doubtful. Day-1904 06:12, 24 January 2016 (EST)
Gruffydd & his wife had eight children: [2]
Gruffydd had one illegitimate child by an unknown mistress:
The family line of Cynan shows he had many children by several different women.[3] [1]. The following are names of possible other children of Cynan, linked on Wiki Tree, but unsourced.
This person was created through the import of David Rentschler Family Tree_2010-09-30.ged on 01 October 2010. Thank you to Katherine Wall for creating Cynan-20 on 10 Sep 13.
Acadian heritage connections: Gruffudd is 30 degrees from Beyoncé Knowles, 28 degrees from Jean Béliveau, 27 degrees from Madonna Ciccone, 26 degrees from Rhéal Cormier, 28 degrees from Joseph Drouin, 28 degrees from Jack Kerouac, 27 degrees from Anne Murray, 29 degrees from Matt LeBlanc, 27 degrees from Roméo LeBlanc, 28 degrees from Azilda Marchand, 25 degrees from Marie Travers and 28 degrees from Clarence White on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.
A > ap Cynan > Gruffudd ap Cynan
Categories: House of Aberffraw 742-1499 | Wales Project Pre 1500 Managed Profiles | Wales Project Pre 1500 Managed Profiles - 11th Century
If no objection, I'd like to disconnect the profile of Dafydd ap Gruffydd [was David (Wyn) ap Gruffudd], listed under "Other Issue Linked on Wikitree but unsourced" - I believe I have identified him/his wife as the correct pair for a DWB article, married "early 14th cent.", which puts him b about 1270.
See Ap_Gruffydd-46 & WYNN family, of Gwydir, Caerns.