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Biographies for Group 2

Cunedda ap Edern, (Cunedda Wledig). Reigned c. 450 – c. 460)

Cunedda is a semi mythical figure, said to have led the migration of the north Britons from Gododdin (southern Scotland), to north Wales. There he expelled the Irish settlers and founded the dynasty that ruled Gwynedd until the early ninth century.

He was father of eight sons, each of which are said to have founded other of the Welsh kingdoms based on their names; for example Meirion founded Meirionydd, Rhufon for Rhufoniog, and so on.

He also therefore has a claim to being not only the founder of the most powerful and long lasting of the Welsh kingdoms, but also creating a central unity between many parts of Wales, which would give support to consolidation.  For example, it can be suggested that Ceredig became Cunedda’s ninth ‘son’ when Ceredigion was incorporated into Gwynedd in 872.

Why vote for Cunedda?

• He expelled Irish Gaelic settlers and established the most powerful of the Welsh Kingdoms.
• The tradition of his sons created a force for Welsh unity and the consolidation in to one nation, and legitimized the growth of Gwynedd

Hywel Dda, ‘The Good’,  d.950

Hywel Dda was the grandson of Rhodri. He became king of Seisyllwg in 920, and from there he established the kingdom of Deheubarth, and went on to bring most of the Welsh kingdoms and regions under his control. By the time, in 942 he expelled Iago and Ieuaf from Gwynedd, he had unified Wales to an extent not even Rhodri had dreamed of; only Morgannwg remained outside his realm.

He was an astute diplomatic operator, maintaining cordial relationships with the English kings Edward and Aethelstan, often visiting their court and signing charters. As expressed in the poem the Armes Pydein, this approach was often not popular with those who still dreamed of an alliance of the Old Britons against the Saxon usurpers.

Hywel was much more than an empire builder. He was respected for his piety, having been to Rome on pilgrimage in 929. His authority allowed him to convene a conference of churchmen to codify the first complete rendition of Welsh law, known as cyfraith Hywel,  the law of Hywel. These laws would be a living, breathing symbol of Welsh unity, constantly updated and developed by later rulers until finally brought to an end by Henry VIII in 1542. And he was the only Welsh ruler to create his own coinage.

However, even he failed to ensure the survival of his united kingdom after his death, with the south being ruled by his sons, and the house of Gwynedd retuning in the north.

Why vote for Hywell Dda?

• A ruler whose reputation and name are still widely known to this day
• A successful empire builder, who came the closest yet to a completely unified Wales
• Created a Welsh law code that formed the core of justice through all the Welsh kingdoms

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, The Last c. 1223 – 11 December 1282

Ein Llyw Olaf – our last leader. Llywelyn inherited Gwynedd after Welsh custom, which didn’t distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate offspring. This, despite his grandfather, Llywelyn the Great’s, efforts to ensure that this Welsh law was ended. Llywelyn was expansionist, taking advantage of the instability in England. He held lands across Wales, and was confirmed in his rule by treaty with the King of England. This carried a financial price, however, which Llywelyn struggled to pay.

His brother Dafydd always sought to undermine him, and was encouraged to do so by the new king in England, Edward !. When Llywelyn refused to give homage to Edward, Edward invaded. Despite some military success, Llywelyn found himself isolated and ambushed by forces loyal to Edward and was killed. This ended the continuous rule of Britain by a native British ruler.

Why vote for Llywelyn ap Gruffudd?

• Llywelyn represented the last chance Wales had to continue its ancient independence, under the ancient laws of Hywel Dda.
• He attempted to maintain the long-lasting, but always precarious, balance, which enabled native Welsh rulers to act independently while acknowledging the power of English arms.