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Biographies

Cadwallon ap Cadfan, died 634

Cadallon was the king of Gwynedd from 625, at a time when, according to T. M. Charles-Edwards,  the Welsh were edging away from their imperial past towards a Christian culture. He was a powerful, British figure at a time when the possibility still existed on a resurgence of a Brythonic Britain, and turning back the dominance of the Saxon kingdoms.

Cadwallon was a bold and flexible strategist, with the reputation to build an alliance with the powerful but pagan Penda of Mercia. And to carry the fight against the largest and most powerful of the Anglo Saxon kingdoms – Northumbria, who under Edwin had expanded Northumbrian power, conquering Elmet in Northern Britain, and even ravaging Anglesey in Gwynedd. In 633, Cadwallon took revenge for that, defeated and killed Edwin at Hatfield Chase and for two years ruled a kingdom that stretched from the Irish to the North Sea. Until in 634, he was defeated in turn at Heavenfield by Oswald of Northumbria, and in retrospect the hope of a Brythonic British future died with him. Though the dream did not.

Why vote for Cadwallon?

• For the boldness of his vision and ambition, creating a state that stretched from West to East coasts of Britain
• As a strategist and warrior, defeating the most powerful of British kingdoms

Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd c. 1097 – 1136

In a male dominated historical sequence, it’s good to remember the women of mediaeval Wales, especially one of extraordinary bravery. The daughter of a ruler of Gwynedd, and the wife of the ruler of Deheubarth, she would be one of the leaders of a patriotic revolt during the Great Revolt of 1136. Rare among mediaeval women, she would lead troops into battle and conducted military raids opposing the English and Flemish settlements in Deheubarth. Following these raids, she distributed goods from the settlers to the displaced people of Wales. Defeated at the battle at Cydweli (Kidwelly) she would be executed as a rebel. Although she was killed, the revolt continued.
Why vote for Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd?

• She was described as a Robin Hood for Wales
• She led a warrior’s life and died a warrior’s death, her name becoming a rallying cry for Welsh rebels
• She became a symbol of Welsh independence.

Llywelyn ab Iorwerth – The Great c. 1173 – 11 April 1240

Llywelyn dominated Welsh political life for nearly half a century. A King of Gwynedd who expanded his realm at the expense of lesser Welsh lords and Marcher lords alike. He married the King of England’s daughter, and was a canny enough politician take advantage of the weak position of his father-in-law, King John, to gain favourable clauses in Magna Carta. He signed treaties with John, and with Henry III, which established stable Welsh rule over most of Wales. He took steps to initiate a sustainable succession arrangement, moving away from traditional Welsh law in succession towards alignment with the laws of the church. He founded monasteries in Wales, and enjoyed the support of the church. He gained the title ‘the Great’ when so-called by Matthew Parris, shortly after his death.

Why vote for Llywelyn ab Iorwerth?

• He dominated and stabilized rule in Wales for more than 40 years.
• He promoted the institutions of government through treaties and alliances with the Kings of England and the Marcher Lords, and attempted to ensure that stability would last beyond his time.