ap Cadell, Hywel 1a

Birth Name ap Cadell, Hywel
Nick Name The Good
Gender male
Age at Death 70 years

Narrative

He is listed amongst the kings of Gwynedd. He is remembered as one of the most successful native Welsh rulers prior to the Norman Conquest. As a result of his reign, Wales ended the 10th century with a set of codified laws considerably more sophisticated than those of contemporary England.
Howell was born in around 880, the younger son of Cadell ap Rhodri, himself the son of Rhodri the Great. In 905, Cadell, having conquered Dyfed, gave it to his son to rule on his behalf. Howell was able to consolidate his position by marrying Elen, whose father had ruled Dyfed until his death. Following his father's death in 909, he acquired a share of Seisyllwg, and on his brother's death in 920, he merged Dyfed and Seisyllwg, creating for himself a new kingdom, which became known as Deheubarth. Following the death of his cousin Idwal Foel in 942, he also seized the principality of Gwynedd, becoming ruler of about three-quarters of present-day Wales.
Howell's reign, uncharacteristically for the time, was a peaceful one, and he achieved an understanding with Athelstan of England. Such was the relationship between the neighbouring countries that Howell was able to mint his own coinage in the English city of Chester. He was the only Welsh ruler ever to produce coinage. His study of the English legal system and his visit to Rome in 928 (on a pilgrimage) combined to enable him to formulate advanced ideas about government. (He would possibly have a chance to meet either of the Popes John X, Leo VI and Stephen VIII who were active during that year).

The conference held at Whitland in about 945, was a kind of parliament in which Welsh law was codified and set down in writing for posterity, much of the work being done by the celebrated clerk, Blegywryd. Following Howell's death, his kingdom was soon split into three. Gwynedd was reclaimed by the sons of Idwal Foel, while Deheubarth was divided between Hywel's sons. However, his legacy endured in the form of his enlightened laws, which remained in active use throughout Wales until the conquest.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

 

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 880     2
Death 950     2

Age: 70y

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father ap Rhodri, Cadell861909
Mother Rheingar865
         ap Cadell, Hywel 880 950
    Brother     de Wales, Hywed Dha 887 948
    Brother     ap Cadell, Meurig 889
    Brother     ap Cadell, Clydog 891

Source References

  1. RCKarnes: http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=arciek&id=I10335 Carrie's Family Tree
      • Source text:

        ID: I10335
        Name: *Hywel "the Good" Ap CADELL
        Sex: M
        Name: Hywel "Dda" Ap CADELL
        Name: Howell the GOOD
        Birth: ABT 880 in Dynevor Castle, Llandyfeisant, Carmarthshire, Wales 1
        Death: 950 1
        Occupation: BET 942 AND 950 King of Gwynedd 1
        Occupation: 909 Prince of Seisyllwg 2
        Occupation: BET 909 AND 950 King of Deheubarth 1
        Occupation: BET 942 AND 950 King of Powys 2
        Note:
        He is listed amongst the kings of Gwynedd. He is remembered as one of the most successful native Welsh rulers prior to the Norman Conquest. As a result of his reign, Wales ended the 10th century with a set of codified laws considerably more sophisticated than those of contemporary England.
        Howell was born in around 880, the younger son of Cadell ap Rhodri, himself the son of Rhodri the Great. In 905, Cadell, having conquered Dyfed, gave it to his son to rule on his behalf. Howell was able to consolidate his position by marrying Elen, whose father had ruled Dyfed until his death. Following his father's death in 909, he acquired a share of Seisyllwg, and on his brother's death in 920, he merged Dyfed and Seisyllwg, creating for himself a new kingdom, which became known as Deheubarth. Following the death of his cousin Idwal Foel in 942, he also seized the principality of Gwynedd, becoming ruler of about three-quarters of present-day Wales.
        Howell's reign, uncharacteristically for the time, was a peaceful one, and he achieved an understanding with Athelstan of England. Such was the relationship between the neighbouring countries that Howell was able to mint his own coinage in the English city of Chester. He was the only Welsh ruler ever to produce coinage. His study of the English legal system and his visit to Rome in 928 (on a pilgrimage) combined to enable him to formulate advanced ideas about government. (He would possibly have a chance to meet either of the Popes John X, Leo VI and Stephen VIII who were active during that year).

        The conference held at Whitland in about 945, was a kind of parliament in which Welsh law was codified and set down in writing for posterity, much of the work being done by the celebrated clerk, Blegywryd. Following Howell's death, his kingdom was soon split into three. Gwynedd was reclaimed by the sons of Idwal Foel, while Deheubarth was divided between Hywel's sons. However, his legacy endured in the form of his enlightened laws, which remained in active use throughout Wales until the conquest.
        (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

         

        Father: *Cadell Ap RHODRI b: ABT 861 in Deheubarth, Wales
        Mother: *RHEINGAR b: ABT 865 in Carmarthenshire, Wales

        Marriage 1 *Elen Verch LLYWARCH b: ABT 893 in Dynevor, Llandyfeisant, Carmarthenshire, Wales
        Children
        *Angharad Verch HYWEL b: ABT 912 in Dynevor, Llandyfeisant, Carmarthenshire, Wales
        *Owain Ap HYWEL b: ABT 913 in Dynevor, Llandyfeisant, Carmarthenshire, Wales
        Maredydd Ap HYWEL b: ABT 914
        Rhodri Ap HYWEL b: ABT 916
        Gwenllian Verch HYWEL b: ABT 917
        Rhain Ap HYWEL b: ABT 919
        Dyfnwal Ap HYWEL b: ABT 922
        Edwin Ap HYWEL b: ABT 923
        Cynan Ap HYWEL b: ABT 925
        Einion Ap HYWEL b: ABT 926

        Sources:
        Title: 1Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
        Title: 1Wikipedia

         

      • Citation:

        arciek@juno.com

  2. RCKarnes: http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=arciek&id=I09934&style=TABLE Carrie's Family Tree