List of rulers of Wales
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Before the Norman Conquest of Wales was completed in 1282, Wales consisted of a number of independent principalities, the most important being Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth (originally Seisyllwg and Dyfed), Gwent and Morgannwg. Boundary changes and the equal division of patrimony meant that few princes ever came close to ruling the whole of Wales.
The names of those known to have ruled over one or more of the principalities are listed below (those in heavy type ruled over a large portion of Wales).
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[edit] Deheubarth
In 909, Dyfed was merged with Seisyllwg to become Deheubarth. The following is a list of kings of the two former kingdoms, followed by the kings of the combined Deheubarth (beginning with Hywel Dda).
[edit] Dyfed
- Cloten (dates unknown) married Ceindrech of Brycheiniog, uniting the two kingdoms
- Rhain (to 740) also king of Brycheiniog; on his death, his kingdoms were divided again by his sons
- Maredydd ap Rhain (740-797)
- Rhain ap Maredydd (797-808)
- Owain ap Maredydd (808-811)
It is unclear whether kingship passed directly from Owain to Hyfaidd, although the span of time involved suggests that it did not.
- Hyfaidd ap Bledrig (to 893)
- Llywarch ap Hyfaidd (893-904)
- Rhodri ap Hyfaidd (904-905)
- Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) (905-909)
[edit] Seisyllwg
- Seisyll (7th century, eponymous ruler)
- Gwgon (to 872)
- Rhodri Mawr (872-878)
- Cadell ap Rhodri (878-909)
- Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) (909)
[edit] Deheubarth
- Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) (909-950)
- His son, Owain ap Hywel (950-986) the principality being divided for a period between him and his brothers,
- Rhodri ap Hywel (950-953) and
- Edwin ap Hywel (950-954)
- Owain ap Hywel's son, Maredudd ab Owain (986-999)
- Cynan ap Hywel, prince of Gwynedd (999-1005)
- Maredudd ab Owain's son, Edwin ab Einion (1005-1018) who co-ruled with his brother,
- Cadell ab Einion (1005-1018)
- Llywelyn ap Seisyll, prince of Gwynedd (1018-1023)
- Rhydderch ap Iestyn, prince of Gwent (1023-1033)
- Edwin ab Einion's son, Hywel ab Edwin (1033-1044)
- Rhydderch ap Iestyn's son, Gruffydd ap Rhydderch (1047-1055)
- Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, prince of Gwynedd (1055-1063)
- Edwin ab Einion's grandson, Maredudd ab Owain ab Edwin (1063-1072)
- his brother, Rhys ab Owain ab Edwin (1072-1078)
- his second cousin, Rhys ap Tewdwr (1078-1093)
Deheubarth was in the possession of the Normans from 1093 to 1155
- Gruffydd ap Rhys (1116-1137) ruled a portion of Deheubarth with Norman permission
- his son, Anarawd ap Gruffydd (1136-1143)
- his brother, Cadell ap Gruffydd (1143-1151)
- his brother, Maredudd ap Gruffydd (1151-1155)
- his brother, The Lord Rhys (Rhys ap Gruffydd) (1155-1197)
- his son, Gruffydd ap Rhys (1197-1201) who for a time ruled jointly with his brother,
- Maelgwn ap Rhys (1199-1230) who disputed the territory with his brother,
- Rhys the Hoarse (Rhys Gryg) (1216-1234)
From 1234 to 1283, Deheubarth was subject to the princes of Gwynedd
- Rhys the Hoarse's son, Rhys Mechyll (1234-1244) ruled a portion of Deheubarth
- his brother, Maredudd ap Rhys (1244-1271) ruled a portion of Deheubarth
- his son, Rhys ap Maredudd (1271-1283) ruled a portion of Deheubarth
[edit] Gwynedd
For kings/princes of Gwynedd see Kingdom of Gwynedd.
[edit] Morgannwg
- Morgan the Old (Morgan Hen or Morgan ab Owain) (930-974) united the former kingdoms of Gwent and Glywysing in 942 under the name of Morgannwg, but they were broken up again immediately after his death, remaining separate until about 1055
[edit] Glywysing
- Morgan the Old's son, Owain ap Morgan (974-about 983)
- brothers of Owain ap Morgan (dates unknown)
- his son, Rhys ab Owain (about 990-about 1000) who ruled Glywysing jointly with his brothers,
- Hywel ab Owain (about 990-about 1043) and
- Iestyn ab Owain (about 990-about 1015)
- his brother, Rhydderch ap Iestyn (about 1015-1033)
- his son, Gruffydd ap Rhydderch (1033-1055)
[edit] Gwent
- Nowy ap Gwriad ruled Gwent (about 950-about 970) while Glywysing was ruled jointly by brothers of Owain ap Morgan (dates unknown)
- his son, Arthfael ap Nowy (about 970-983)
- his cousin, Rhodri ap Elisedd (983-about 1015) who ruled jointly with his brother,
- Gruffydd ap Elisedd (983-about 1015)
- his ?cousin, Edwyn ap Gwriad (1015-1045)
- Hywel ab Owain's son, Meurig ap Hywel (1045-1055) who ruled jointly with
- his son, Cadwgan ap Meurig (1045-1074) who for a time ruled jointly with
- Gruffydd ap Rhydderch's son, Caradog ap Gruffydd (1063-1081)
- Iestyn ap Gwrgan(t) (1081-1091)
Iestyn was the last ruler of an independent Morgannwg, which was thereafter in the possession of the Normans and became the lordship of Glamorgan
[edit] Powys
For kings/princes of Powys see Kingdom of Powys.
