ap Cynfyn, Bleddyn Tywysog Deheubarth 1 2a 3 4a 5a

Birth Name ap Cynfyn, Bleddyn Tywysog Deheubarth
Gender male
Age at Death 50 years

Narrative

Bleddyn was the son of Cynfyn ap Gwerstan of the princely house of Mathrafal, and Angharad, daughter of Maredudd ab Owain of the Dinefwr dynasty of Deheubarth. Bleddyn was married to Hear of Powys. When Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was killed by his own men after being defeated by Harold Godwinson in 1063, his realm was divided among several princes. Bleddyn and his brother Rhiwallon submitted to Harold and from him received Gwynedd and Powys. K.L. Maund is of the opinion that Bleddyn ruled Gwynedd and Rhiwallon Powys. In 1067 Bleddyn and Rhiwallon joined with the Mercian Eadric the Wild in an attack on the Normans at Hereford, then in 1068 allied with Earl Edwin of Mercia and Earl Morcar of Northumbria in another attack on the Normans.

Bleddyn was challenged by the two sons of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, but defeated them at the battle of Mechain in 1070, one being killed and the other dying of exposure after the battle. Bleddyn's brother Rhiwallon was also killed in this battle, and he ruled Gwynedd and Powys alone until his death. He was killed in 1075 by Rhys ab Owain of Deheubarth and the nobility of Ystrad Tywi in South Wales, a killing which caused much shock throughout Wales. When Rhys ab Owain was defeated in battle and forced to become a fugitive by Bleddyn's cousin and successor as king of Gwynedd, Trahaearn ap Caradog in 1078 and killed by Caradog ap Gruffydd of Gwent shortly afterwards, this was hailed as "vengeance for the blood of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn".

He was responsible for a revision of Welsh law in the version used in Gwynedd. After his death Gwynedd was seized by Trahaearn ap Caradog and later recovered for the line of Rhodri the Great by Gruffydd ap Cynan, but in Powys Bleddyn was the founder of a dynasty which lasted until the end of the 13th century.
(Wikipedia)

 

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 1025 Montgomeryshire, Wales   3
Event Note

B:
P: Trefaldwyn, Cymru

Death 1075 Castell Powys, Powys, Cymru   6

Age: 50y

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father ap Gwerystan, Cynfyn9781075
Mother verch Maredudd, Angharad982
    Brother     ap Cynfyn, Rhiwallon 1000 1070
    Sister     verch Cynfyn, Iwerydd 1024
         ap Cynfyn, Bleddyn Tywysog Deheubarth 1025 1075
    Sister     verch Cynfyn, Nest 1027
    Sister     ferch Cynfyn
    Sister     ferch Cynfyn, Gwenfyn Denis

Source References

  1. http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=tjglad&id=I62931
  2. RCKarnes: http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=arciek&id=I11032 Carrie's Family Tree
      • Source text:

        ID: I11032
        Name: *Bleddyn Ap CYNFYN
        Sex: M
        Birth: ABT 1025 in Montgomeryshire, Wales
        Death: 1075 1
        Death: 1072 2
        Occupation: King of Gwynedd and of Powys 1
        Note:
        Bleddyn was the son of Cynfyn ap Gwerstan of the princely house of Mathrafal, and Angharad, daughter of Maredudd ab Owain of the Dinefwr dynasty of Deheubarth. Bleddyn was married to Hear of Powys. When Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was killed by his own men after being defeated by Harold Godwinson in 1063, his realm was divided among several princes. Bleddyn and his brother Rhiwallon submitted to Harold and from him received Gwynedd and Powys. K.L. Maund is of the opinion that Bleddyn ruled Gwynedd and Rhiwallon Powys. In 1067 Bleddyn and Rhiwallon joined with the Mercian Eadric the Wild in an attack on the Normans at Hereford, then in 1068 allied with Earl Edwin of Mercia and Earl Morcar of Northumbria in another attack on the Normans.

        Bleddyn was challenged by the two sons of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, but defeated them at the battle of Mechain in 1070, one being killed and the other dying of exposure after the battle. Bleddyn's brother Rhiwallon was also killed in this battle, and he ruled Gwynedd and Powys alone until his death. He was killed in 1075 by Rhys ab Owain of Deheubarth and the nobility of Ystrad Tywi in South Wales, a killing which caused much shock throughout Wales. When Rhys ab Owain was defeated in battle and forced to become a fugitive by Bleddyn's cousin and successor as king of Gwynedd, Trahaearn ap Caradog in 1078 and killed by Caradog ap Gruffydd of Gwent shortly afterwards, this was hailed as "vengeance for the blood of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn".

        He was responsible for a revision of Welsh law in the version used in Gwynedd. After his death Gwynedd was seized by Trahaearn ap Caradog and later recovered for the line of Rhodri the Great by Gruffydd ap Cynan, but in Powys Bleddyn was the founder of a dynasty which lasted until the end of the 13th century.
        (Wikipedia)

         

      • Citation:

        As everyone says, this is a work in progress. I add new info as I find it, and verify with sources as I have time. Please email me with any errors/corrections.

        arciek@juno.com

  3. http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=tjglad&id=I62931
  4. Arthur E Turner-Thomas: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=aet-t&id=I6739 @ RootsWeb Celtic Royal Genealogy
      • Source text:

        # ID: I6739
        # Name: Bleddyn ap Cynfyn Tywysog Deheubarth
        # Surname: ap Cynfyn
        # Given Name: Bleddyn
        # Suffix: Tywysog Deheubarth
        # Sex: M
        # Birth: in Trefaldwyn, Cymru
        # Death: 1075 in Castell Powys , Powys, Cymru
        # _UID: FA485693E5F14A48978A20E63256562EC6E6 1 2 3 4 5 6
        # Change Date: 2 Mar 2009 at 00:00:00

         

         

        Father: Cynfyn ap Gwerystan o Powys Brenin Powys b: ABT 0978 in Powys, Cymru
        Mother: Angharad ferch Maredudd Brenhines Powys b: 0970 in Deheubarth, Cymru

        Marriage 1 ferch Brochwel

        Children

        1. Has No Children Iorwerth ap Bleddyn

         

        Marriage 2 Haer ferch Cynillin b: ABT 1025 in Gest, Dolbenmaen, Caernarfon, Cymru

        * Married: ABT 1044 in Cymru

        Children

        1. Has Children Maredudd ap Bleddyn Tywysog Powys b: ABT 1047 in Trefaldwyn, Cymru
        2. Has Children Cadwgon Nannau ap Bleddyn Brenin Powys b: ABT 1047 in Nannau, Caernarfon, Cymru
        3. Has No Children Madog ap Bleddyn b: ABT 1050
        4. Has Children Rhirid ap Bleddyn b: ABT 1048 in Powys, Cymru
        5. Has Children Iorwerth ap Bleddyn Tywysog Powys b: ABT 1045 in Powys, Cymru
        6. Has Children Eva ferch Bleddyn b: ABT 1030 in Powys, Cymru

         

        Marriage 3 Unknown

        Children

        1. Has Children Gwenllian ferch Bleddyn b: ABT 1056 in Trefaldwyn, Cymru
        2. Has Children Hunydd Gwladus ferch Bleddyn b: ABT 1030 in Powys, Cymru
        3. Has Children Denis ferch Bleddyn
        4. Has No Children Llywarch ap Bleddyn

         

        Sources:

        1. Title: The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens; Mike Ashley, 1998
        Page: 352-353
        2. Title: The Welsh Kings: the Medieval Rulers of Wales; Kari Maund, 2000
        Page: 69-78, 77, 78, 79
        3. Title: Welsh Genealogies AD 300-1400
        Author: Peter Clement Bartrum
        Publication: 8 Vols. Cardiff, 1974, microfiche edition, 1980
        Page: Rhhydderch ap Iestyn 1. Bleddyn ap Cynfyn 1, p.28
        4. Title: Dictionary of Welsh Biography down to 1940
        Author: John Edward Lloyd & R T Jenkins
        Publication: 1957
        Page: 40-41
        5. Title: Y Bywgraffiadur Cymraig Hyd 1940
        Publication: Anrhydeddus Gymdeithas y Cymmrodorion
        6. Title: A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Welshmen
        Author: Robert Williams M.A.
        Publication: Llandovery: William Rees, MDCCCLII

         

         

      • Citation:

        e-mail: arthur.turnerthomas@live.com

      • Source text:

        # ID: I6739
        # Name: Bleddyn ap Cynfyn Tywysog Deheubarth
        # Surname: ap Cynfyn
        # Given Name: Bleddyn
        # Suffix: Tywysog Deheubarth
        # Sex: M
        # Birth: in Trefaldwyn, Cymru
        # Death: 1075 in Castell Powys , Powys, Cymru
        # _UID: FA485693E5F14A48978A20E63256562EC6E6 1 2 3 4 5 6
        # Change Date: 2 Mar 2009 at 00:00:00

         

         

        Father: Cynfyn ap Gwerystan o Powys Brenin Powys b: ABT 0978 in Powys, Cymru
        Mother: Angharad ferch Maredudd Brenhines Powys b: 0970 in Deheubarth, Cymru

        Marriage 1 ferch Brochwel

        Children

        1. Has No Children Iorwerth ap Bleddyn

         

        Marriage 2 Haer ferch Cynillin b: ABT 1025 in Gest, Dolbenmaen, Caernarfon, Cymru

        * Married: ABT 1044 in Cymru

        Children

        1. Has Children Maredudd ap Bleddyn Tywysog Powys b: ABT 1047 in Trefaldwyn, Cymru
        2. Has Children Cadwgon Nannau ap Bleddyn Brenin Powys b: ABT 1047 in Nannau, Caernarfon, Cymru
        3. Has No Children Madog ap Bleddyn b: ABT 1050
        4. Has Children Rhirid ap Bleddyn b: ABT 1048 in Powys, Cymru
        5. Has Children Iorwerth ap Bleddyn Tywysog Powys b: ABT 1045 in Powys, Cymru
        6. Has Children Eva ferch Bleddyn b: ABT 1030 in Powys, Cymru

         

        Marriage 3 Unknown

        Children

        1. Has Children Gwenllian ferch Bleddyn b: ABT 1056 in Trefaldwyn, Cymru
        2. Has Children Hunydd Gwladus ferch Bleddyn b: ABT 1030 in Powys, Cymru
        3. Has Children Denis ferch Bleddyn
        4. Has No Children Llywarch ap Bleddyn

         

        Sources:

        1. Title: The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens; Mike Ashley, 1998
        Page: 352-353
        2. Title: The Welsh Kings: the Medieval Rulers of Wales; Kari Maund, 2000
        Page: 69-78, 77, 78, 79
        3. Title: Welsh Genealogies AD 300-1400
        Author: Peter Clement Bartrum
        Publication: 8 Vols. Cardiff, 1974, microfiche edition, 1980
        Page: Rhhydderch ap Iestyn 1. Bleddyn ap Cynfyn 1, p.28
        4. Title: Dictionary of Welsh Biography down to 1940
        Author: John Edward Lloyd & R T Jenkins
        Publication: 1957
        Page: 40-41
        5. Title: Y Bywgraffiadur Cymraig Hyd 1940
        Publication: Anrhydeddus Gymdeithas y Cymmrodorion
        6. Title: A Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Welshmen
        Author: Robert Williams M.A.
        Publication: Llandovery: William Rees, MDCCCLII

         

         

      • Citation:

        e-mail: arthur.turnerthomas@live.com

  5. Michael Neuman: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=clcaldwell&id=I027297 @ RootsWeb Caldwell and related families
      • Source text:

        # ID: I027297
        # Name: Bleddyn ap Cynvyn , Prince of Powys 1 2 3 4
        # Sex: M
        # Birth: ABT 1026 in Powys, Montgomeryshire, Wales 1
        # Birth: ABT 1026
        # Birth: ABT 1026 in Montgomeryshire, Wales 2 3 4
        # Death: 1072 in Powys, Montgomeryshire, Wales 1
        # Death: 1072 2 3 4

         

         

        Father: Cynfyn ap Gwerystan , King of Powys b: ABT 976 in Powys, Montgomeryshire, Wales
        Mother: Angharad Verch Maredydd , Queen of Powys b: ABT 982 in Dynevor Castle, Llandyfeisant, Caernarvonshire, Wales

        Marriage 1 Haer Verch Cynyllyn b: ABT 1025 in Gest, Caemarvonshire, Wales

        Children

        1. Has Children Maredydd Powys Ap Bleddyn , Prince of Powys b: ABT 1047 in Powys, Montgomeryshire, Wales
        2. Has No Children Cadwygn Ap Bleddyn , Prince of Powys b: ABT 1050 in Powys, Montgomeryshire, Wales
        3. Has Children Gwenllian Verch Bleddyn b: ABT 1056 in Powys, Montgomeryshire, Wales
        4. Has Children Mael Ap Bleddyn b: ABT 1065 in Powys, Montgomeryshire, Wales
        5. Has Children Hunydd Verch Bleddyn b: ABT 1067 in Powys, Montgomeryshire, Wales

         

        Sources:

        1. Title: gruffydd ap madoc.ged
        Repository:
        Media: Other
        Text: Date of Import: 23 Mar 2005
        2. Title: cynfyn ap gwerystan.ged
        Repository:
        Media: Other
        Text: Date of Import: 24 Mar 2005
        3. Title: gwladys verch llywarche.ged
        Repository:
        Media: Other
        Text: Date of Import: 26 Mar 2005
        4. Title: gwerful verch grgeneu.ged
        Repository:
        Media: Other
        Text: Date of Import: 27 Apr 2005

         

         

      • Citation:

        e-mail: michaelneuman@earthlink.net

  6. Arthur E Turner-Thomas: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=PED&db=aet-t&id=I50636&style=TABLE @ RootsWeb Celtic Royal Genealogy