RHODRI MAWR ('the Great') (died 877), king of Gwynedd, Powys, and Deheubarth

Name: Rhodri Mawr
Date of death: 877
Spouse: Angharad ferch Meurig
Child: Cadell ap Rhodri Mawr
Child: Anarawd ap Rhodri Mawr
Parent: Nest ferch Cadell ap Brochwel
Parent: Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad
Gender: Male
Occupation: king of Gwynedd, Powys, and Deheubarth
Area of activity: Politics, Government and Political Movements; Royalty and Society
Author: Thomas Jones Pierce

Son of Merfyn Frych by Nest, daughter of Cadell ap Brochwel of Powys. He succeeded his father as king of Gwynedd in 844. In 855, on the death of his uncle, Cyngen, he became king of Powys, and in 872, when Gwgon, king Seisyllwg (Ceredigion and Ystrad Tywi) and brother to his wife, Angharad, died, the southern realm came under his rule. There was thus created for the first time a loose union of at least three major Welsh provinces, and though dissolved at Rhodri's death, this temporary association gave birth to an aspiration which coloured the outlook of successive generations of Rhodri's descendants as rulers of Deheubarth or Gwynedd down to the loss of Welsh independence.

In his life-time Wales was gravely menaced by the Danes, and evidence exists pointing to bold and vigorous leadership during this crisis.

It would appear that he died in battle against the Saxons, leaving six sons of whom two became founders of medieval dynasties, Anarawd of the house of Aberffraw, and Cadell, father of Hywel Dda, of the house of Dinefwr.

Author

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/

The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.

Find out more on our sponsorship page.