Aeddan ap Blegywryd

Aeddan ap Blegywryd (died 1018) was a Prince of Gwynedd in medieval Wales. He became ruler in 1005 but the circumstances of his accession are unclear as he does not seem to have been closely related to his predecessor, Cynan ap Hywel. Aeddan ap Blegywryd was defeated in battle in 1018 and was killed, along with his four sons.

Background

Idwal ap Meurig had been dispossessed of his lands in Gwynedd but recovered them in 993. However, in 1000, Aeddan ap Blegywryd wrested control of the whole of North Wales and Idwal's son, Iago, fled to Ireland.^[1]

At this time, Cynan ap Hywel was a Prince of Gwynedd, one of the kingdoms or principalities of medieval Wales, ruling from 999 to 1005. After he died in 1005, the throne of Gwynedd fell to Aeddan ap Blegywryd, who was apparently out of the direct line of succession. It is not known whether or not Aeddan seized the throne by force, but his lack of connection to the ruling family of Gwynedd suggests that he did.^[2] It seems that the Welsh at the time were pragmatic in their approach to their leaders. The princes of the house of Anarawd were not beloved by their subjects because of the great cruelties they exhibited; people who opposed them were dispossessed of their belongings, murdered, tortured by having their eyes pulled out and treated unlawfully in other ways. So the Welshmen were prepared to accept new rulers, such as Aeddan ap Blegywryd, without considering them to be usurpers.^[1] Around this time, Iago died in Ireland, but over a period of some years, his son Cynan was helped by Irish Danes to attempt to recover the principality of North Wales. In these efforts he was unsuccessful, but his son Gruffudd ap Cynan was to become King of Gwynedd many years later.^[1]

In 1018, Aeddan ap Blegywryd was challenged for leadership by Llywelyn ap Seisyll, whose ancestry is unknown. A battle took place and Aeddan ap Blegywryd was defeated, being killed along with four of his sons.^[2]

References