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AP RHODI Cynan
Birth: ABT 720
Death: 816
Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynan_Dindaethwy
Cynan Dindaethwy (English: "Cynan of Dindaethwy") or Cynan ap Rhodri ("Cynan son
of Rhodri") was a king of Gwynedd (reigned c. 798 – c. 816) in Wales of the Early
Middle Ages. Cynan was the son of Rhodri Molwynog and ascended to the throne of
Gwynedd upon the death of King Caradog ap Meirion in 798. His epithet refers to the
commote of Dindaethwy in the cantref Rhosyr. Unlike later kings of Gwynedd, usually
resident at Aberffraw in western Anglesey, Cynan maintained his court at Llanfaes on
the southeastern coast.[1] Cynan's reign was marked by a destructive dynastic power
struggle with a rival named Hywel, usually supposed to be his brother.
There is no historical record of Cynan's early years as king, but his reign ended in a
combination of natural disasters and military reverses. In 810, there was a bovine
plague that killed many cattle throughout Wales. The next year Deganwy, the ancient
wooden court of Maelgwn Gwynedd, was struck by lightning.
A destructive war between Cynan and Hywel raged on Anglesey between 812 and
816, ultimately ending with Cynan's defeat and banishment. Cynan and Hywel are said
to be brothers in historical works such as Lloyd's History of Wales,[2] although Lloyd
does not cite its source. The Annals of Wales mention the pair only by name, without
any title, relation, or patronym.[3] (In comparison, it takes care to point out the
brotherly nature of Elisedd's slaughter of Gruffydd ap Cyngen in Powys around the
same time.) The genealogies from Jesus College MS 20 deny Cynan and Hywel were
brothers at all, instead making Hywel the son of Caradog ap Meirion[4] and a distant
cousin of Cynan Dindaethwy son of Rhodri Molwynog.[5] The Harleian genealogies
agree with this.[6] Cynan died within a year of his exile according to the Annals of
Wales[7] and the Irish Annals.[8]
A map of Gwynedd showing its traditional cantrefs.
After Cynan's death, there was a battle at his former court at Llanfaes on Anglesey
noted by the chronicles,[9] but the combatants are not identified.[note 1]
Cynan's daughter Esyllt became the mother of Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad, the first King
of Gwynedd (825-844) known not to have descended from the male line of Cunedda.
Parents
AP IDWAL Rhodri Molwynog (ABT 690 - ABT 754)
----- ----- ()
Siblings
AP RHODI Cynan (ABT 720 - 816)
Marriage To ----- ----- ()
m.
Notes
Children by ----- -----
VERCH CYNAN Ethyllt (ABT 742 - )
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