Cynan Dindaethwy: Difference between revisions

Cynan Dindaethwy
Cynan Dindaethwy
King of Wales, King of the Britons
Reign	798-816
House	Gwynedd

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 05:45, 6 January 2023

Cynan Dindaethwy (English: "Cynan of Dindaethwy") or Cynan ap Rhodri ("Cynan son of Rhodri") was a king of Gwynedd (reigned c. 798 – c. 816) in Wales in the Early Middle Ages. Cynan was the son of Rhodri Molwynog and ascended to the throne of Gwynedd upon the death of King Caradog ap Meirion in 798. His epithet refers to the commote of Dindaethwy in the cantref Rhosyr. Unlike later kings of Gwynedd, usually resident at Aberffraw in western Anglesey, Cynan maintained his court at Llanfaes on the southeastern coast.^[1] Cynan's reign was marked by a destructive dynastic power struggle with a rival named Hywel, usually supposed to be his brother.

There is no historical record of Cynan's early years as king, but his reign ended in a combination of natural disasters and military reverses. In 810, there was a bovine plague that killed many cattle throughout Wales. The next year Deganwy, the ancient wooden court of Maelgwn Gwynedd, was struck by lightning.

A destructive war between Cynan and Hywel raged on Anglesey between 812 and 816, ultimately ending with Cynan's defeat and banishment. Cynan and Hywel are said to be brothers in historical works such as Lloyd's History of Wales,^[2] although Lloyd does not cite its source. The Annals of Wales mention the pair only by name, without any title, relation, or patronym.^[3] (In comparison, it takes care to point out the brotherly nature of Elisedd's slaughter of Gruffydd ap Cyngen in Powys around the same time.) The genealogies from Jesus College MS 20 deny Cynan and Hywel were brothers at all, instead making Hywel the son of Caradog ap Meirion^[4] and a distant cousin of Cynan Dindaethwy son of Rhodri Molwynog.^[5] The Harleian genealogies agree with this.^[6] Cynan died within a year of his exile according to the Annals of Wales^[7] and the Irish Annals.^[8]

After Cynan's death, there was a battle at his former court at Llanfaes on Anglesey noted by the chronicles,^[9] but the combatants are not identified.^{[note 1]}

Cynan's daughter Esyllt became the mother of Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad, the first King of Gwynedd (825–844) known not to have descended from the male line of Cunedda.

Notes[edit]

^ Various historical works assume it was an invasion by the Mercians, by Ecgberht of Wessex, or by the Vikings, but there is no authority for those claims. As it took place at Cynan's court, it could as easily have been a struggle between Hywel and remnants of Cynan's supporters.

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

^ Lloyd 1911:232, A History of Wales, Vol I
^ Lloyd 1911:231, A History of Wales
^ Phillimore 1888:163–164, Annales Cambriæ
^ Phillimore 1887:89 — his pedigree is given as: Howel. M. Crada6c. M. meircha6n. M. Howel. M. Runya6n. M. Einya6n. M. Idwm. M. Cadwall. M. meic. M. Ewein. M. Cenlas. M. Ewein danwyn. M. Einya6n yrth. M. Cuneda Wledic.
^ Phillimore 1887:87 — his pedigree is given as: ... Cynan tintaeth6y. M. Rodri mol6yna6c. M. Idwal I6rch. M. Kadwaladyr vendigeit. M. Katwalla6n. M. Kad6ga6n. M. Iago. M. Beli. M. Run hir. M. Maelg6n g6yned ..., and from there back to Cunedda.
^ Owen 1841:xiv, Pedigree of Ywain Son of Hywel, in the Preface of Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales — his pedigree is given as: ... Rotri Map Mermin Map Ethil Merch Cinnan Map Rotri M. Tutgual M. Catgualart M. Catman M. Jacob ..., and from there back through Maelgwn Gwynedd to Cunedda and his ancestors.
^ Phillimore 1888:164 — 816, the Annales Cambriæ
^ Reeves 1857:389, the Chronicon Hyense — year 816, "Conan mac Ruadhrach, rex Britonum, defunctus est"
^ Phillimore 1888:164 — 818, the Annales Cambriæ

Sources[edit]

Davies, John (1990), A History of Wales (First ed.), London: Penguin Group (published 1993), ISBN 0-7139-9098-8
Lloyd, John Edward (1911), A History of Wales from the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest, vol. I (2nd ed.), London: Longmans, Green, and Co (published 1912)
Owen, Aneurin, ed. (1841), Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales, vol. I
Parry, Henry (translator), ed. (1829), "Brut y Saeson", Archaeologia Cambrensis, Third, vol. IX, London: J. Russell Smith (published 1863), p. 59–67 {{citation}}: |editor-first= has generic name (help)
Phillimore, Egerton, ed. (1887), "Pedigrees from Jesus College MS. 20", Y Cymmrodor, vol. VIII, Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, pp. 77–92
Phillimore, Egerton (1888), "The Annales Cambriæ and Old Welsh Genealogies, from Harleian MS. 3859", in Phillimore, Egerton (ed.), Y Cymmrodor, vol. IX, Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, pp. 141–183
Reeves, William, ed. (1857), "Additional Notes (Chronicon Hyense)", The Life of St. Columba, to which are added Copious Notes and Dissertations, Dublin: Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society, pp. 369–413
Skene, William Forbes, ed. (1867), Chronicles of the Picts, Chronicles of the Scots, and Other Early Memorials of Scottish History, Edinburgh: Edinburgh General Register House

Regnal titles
Preceded by Caradog ap Meirion	King of Gwynedd 798 – 816	Succeeded by Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog

[10] Various historical works assume it was an invasion by the Mercians, by Ecgberht of Wessex, or by the Vikings, but there is no authority for those claims. As it took place at Cynan's court, it could as easily have been a struggle between Hywel and remnants of Cynan's supporters.

[1] Lloyd 1911:232, A History of Wales, Vol I

[2] Lloyd 1911:231, A History of Wales

[3] Phillimore 1888:163–164, Annales Cambriæ

[4] Phillimore 1887:89 — his pedigree is given as: Howel. M. Crada6c. M. meircha6n. M. Howel. M. Runya6n. M. Einya6n. M. Idwm. M. Cadwall. M. meic. M. Ewein. M. Cenlas. M. Ewein danwyn. M. Einya6n yrth. M. Cuneda Wledic.

[5] Phillimore 1887:87 — his pedigree is given as: ... Cynan tintaeth6y. M. Rodri mol6yna6c. M. Idwal I6rch. M. Kadwaladyr vendigeit. M. Katwalla6n. M. Kad6ga6n. M. Iago. M. Beli. M. Run hir. M. Maelg6n g6yned ..., and from there back to Cunedda.

[6] Owen 1841:xiv, Pedigree of Ywain Son of Hywel, in the Preface of Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales — his pedigree is given as: ... Rotri Map Mermin Map Ethil Merch Cinnan Map Rotri M. Tutgual M. Catgualart M. Catman M. Jacob ..., and from there back through Maelgwn Gwynedd to Cunedda and his ancestors.

[7] Phillimore 1888:164 — 816, the Annales Cambriæ

[8] Reeves 1857:389, the Chronicon Hyense — year 816, "Conan mac Ruadhrach, rex Britonum, defunctus est"

[9] Phillimore 1888:164 — 818, the Annales Cambriæ

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[note 1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+__NOTOC__{{Infobox royalty
-'''Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri ''' ({{lang-en|Cynan of Dindaethwy, son of Rhodri}}) was King of [[Kingdom of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]] (reigned 798 &ndash; 816). His reign was marked by a destructive dynastic power struggle with his brother [[Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog|Hywel]], and is not otherwise notable.
+| name         = Cynan Dindaethwy
+| title        = King of Wales, King of the Britons
+| image        =
+| reign        = 798-816
+| birth_date   =
+| birth_place  =
+| death_date   =
+| death_place  =
+| spouse       =
+| issue        =
+| house        = [[House of Gwynedd|Gwynedd]]
+| father       =
+| mother       =
+}}
-The descriptive appellation '[[Dindaethwy]]' refers to the ''cwmwd'' ({{lang-en|[[commote]]}}) of that name in the ''[[cantref]]'' of [[Rhosyr]], and the location of Cynan's ''llys'' ({{lang-en|[[royal court]]}}) at [[Llanfaes]] on the southeastern coast of [[Anglesey]].<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Lloyd|1911|pp=232}}, ''A History of Wales, Vol I''</ref>
+'''Cynan Dindaethwy''' ({{lang-en|"Cynan of [[Dindaethwy]]"}}) or '''Cynan ap Rhodri''' ("Cynan son of Rhodri") was a [[king of Gwynedd]] (reigned c.&nbsp;798&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;c.&nbsp;816) in [[Wales in the Early Middle Ages]]. Cynan was the son of [[Rhodri Molwynog]] and ascended to the throne of Gwynedd upon the death of King [[Caradog ap Meirion]] in 798. His [[epithet]] refers to the [[commote]] of [[Dindaethwy]] in the [[cantref]] [[Rhosyr (cantref)|Rhosyr]]. Unlike later kings of Gwynedd, usually resident at [[Aberffraw]] in western [[Anglesey]], Cynan maintained his [[royal court|court]] at [[Llanfaes]] on the southeastern coast.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Lloyd|1911|pp=232}}, ''A History of Wales, Vol I''</ref> Cynan's reign was marked by a destructive dynastic power struggle with a rival named [[Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog|Hywel]], usually supposed to be his brother.
+There is no historical record of Cynan's early years as king, but his reign ended in a combination of natural disasters and military reverses. In 810, there was a bovine plague that killed many cattle throughout Wales. The next year [[Deganwy]], the ancient wooden court of [[Maelgwn Gwynedd]], was struck by lightning.
-Cynan was the son of [[Rhodri Molwynog ap Idwal]] and ascended to the throne of Gwynedd after the death of King [[Caradog ap Meirion]] in 798. Cynan and Hywel are said to be brothers in historical works such as [[John Edward Lloyd|Lloyd]]'s ''History of Wales'', which does not cite its source.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Lloyd|1911|pp=231}}, ''A History of Wales''</ref> Sources such as the ''[[Annales Cambriae]]'' mention them by name only.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1888|pp=163 &ndash; 164}}, ''Annales Cambriae''</ref> The [[Genealogies from Jesus College MS 20|genealogy of Jesus College MS. 20]] gives Hywel as the son of [[Caradog ap Meirion]],<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1887|pp=89}} &mdash; his pedigree is given as: ''Howel. M. Crada6c. M. meircha6n. M. Howel. M. Runya6n. M. Einya6n. M. Idwm. M. Cadwall. M. meic. M. Ewein. M. Cenlas. M. Ewein danwyn. M. Einya6n yrth. M. Cuneda Wledic.''</ref> while it gives Cynan as the son of Rhodri Molwynog,<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1887|pp=87}} &mdash; his pedigree is given as: ''... Cynan tintaeth6y. M. Rodri mol6yna6c. M. Idwal I6rch. M. Kadwaladyr vendigeit. M. Katwalla6n. M. Kad6ga6n. M. Iago. M. Beli. M. Run hir. M. Maelg6n g6yned ...'', and from there back to Cunedda.</ref> as does the [[Harleian genealogies]].<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Owen|1841|pp=xiv}}, ''Pedigree of Ywain Son of Hywel'', in the ''Preface'' of ''Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales'' &mdash; his pedigree is given as: '' ... Rotri Map Mermin Map Ethil Merch Cinnan Map Rotri M. Tutgual M. Catgualart M. Catman M. Jacob ...'', and from there back through [[Maelgwn Gwynedd]] to [[Cunedda]] and his ancestors.</ref>
-[[File:Gwynedd General Map.jpg|thumb|right|220px|A general map of Gwynedd showing the ''[[cantref]]i''.]]
-There is no historical record of Cynan's early years as king, but his reign ended in a combination of natural disasters and military reverses. In 810 there was a bovine plague that killed many cattle throughout Wales. The next year [[Deganwy]], the ancient fortified ''llys'' of [[Maelgwn Gwynedd]] and built of wood, was struck by lightning.
+A destructive war between Cynan and Hywel raged on [[Anglesey]] between 812 and 816, ultimately ending with Cynan's defeat and banishment. Cynan and Hywel are said to be brothers in historical works such as [[John Edward Lloyd|Lloyd]]'s ''History of Wales'',<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Lloyd|1911|pp=231}}, ''A History of Wales''</ref> although Lloyd does not cite its source. The ''[[Annales Cambriæ|Annals of Wales]]'' mention the pair only by name, without any title, relation, or [[patronym]].<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1888|pp=163&ndash;164}}, ''Annales Cambriæ''</ref> (In comparison, it takes care to point out the brotherly nature of [[Elisedd ap Cyngen|Elisedd]]'s slaughter of [[Gruffydd ap Cyngen]] in [[kingdom of Powys|Powys]] around the same time.) The [[genealogies from Jesus College MS 20]] deny Cynan and Hywel were brothers at all, instead making Hywel the son of [[Caradog ap Meirion]]<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1887|pp=89}} &mdash; his pedigree is given as: ''Howel. M. Crada6c. M. meircha6n. M. Howel. M. Runya6n. M. Einya6n. M. Idwm. M. Cadwall. M. meic. M. Ewein. M. Cenlas. M. Ewein danwyn. M. Einya6n yrth. M. Cuneda Wledic.''</ref> and a distant cousin of Cynan Dindaethwy son of Rhodri Molwynog.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1887|pp=87}} &mdash; his pedigree is given as: ''... Cynan tintaeth6y. M. Rodri mol6yna6c. M. Idwal I6rch. M. Kadwaladyr vendigeit. M. Katwalla6n. M. Kad6ga6n. M. Iago. M. Beli. M. Run hir. M. Maelg6n g6yned ...'', and from there back to Cunedda.</ref> The [[Harleian genealogies]] agree with this.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Owen|1841|pp=xiv}}, ''Pedigree of Ywain Son of Hywel'', in the ''Preface'' of ''Ancient Laws and Institutes of Wales'' &mdash; his pedigree is given as: '' ... Rotri Map Mermin Map Ethil Merch Cinnan Map Rotri M. Tutgual M. Catgualart M. Catman M. Jacob ...'', and from there back through [[Maelgwn Gwynedd]] to [[Cunedda]] and his ancestors.</ref> Cynan died within a year of his exile according to the ''Annals of Wales''<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1888|pp=164}} — 816, the ''Annales Cambriæ''</ref> and the [[Irish Annals]].<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Reeves|1857|pp=389}}, the ''Chronicon Hyense'' &mdash; year 816, "Conan mac Ruadhrach, rex Britonum, defunctus est"</ref>
-A destructive war between Cynan and Hywel raged on [[Anglesey]] between 812 and 816, ultimately ending with Cynan's defeat and banishment. He would die in exile within a year, the ''[[Annales Cambriae]]'' noting that King Cynan had died,<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1888|pp=164}} &mdash; 816, the ''Annales Cambriae''</ref> as do the ''Irish Annals''.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Reeves|1857|pp=389}}, the ''Chronicon Hyense'' &mdash; year 816, "Conan mac Ruadhrach, rex Britonum, defunctus est"</ref>
+[[File:Gwynedd General Map.png|thumb|right|220px|A map of Gwynedd showing its traditional [[cantref]]s.]]
-In 817, after Cynan's death, there was a notable battle at his ''llys'' at Llanfaes on Anglesey.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1888|pp=164}} &mdash; 818, the ''Annales Cambriae''</ref> The combatants are not identified.<ref group=note>Various historical works assume it was an invasion by the [[Mercia]]ns, by [[Egbert of Wessex|Ecgberht of Wessex]], or by the [[Vikings]], but there is no authority for those claims. As it took place at Cynan's ''llys'', it could as easily have been a consequence of the dynastic struggle won by Hywel, but now between Hywel and Cynan's supporters.</ref>
+After Cynan's death, there was a [[battle of Llanfaes|battle]] at his former court at [[Llanfaes]] on Anglesey noted by the chronicles,<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Phillimore|1888|pp=164}} — 818, the ''Annales Cambriæ''</ref> but the combatants are not identified.<ref group=note>Various historical works assume it was an invasion by the [[Mercia]]ns, by [[Egbert of Wessex|Ecgberht of Wessex]], or by the [[Vikings]], but there is no authority for those claims. As it took place at Cynan's court, it could as easily have been a struggle between Hywel and remnants of Cynan's supporters.</ref>
+Cynan's daughter Esyllt became the mother of [[Merfyn Frych|Merfyn ''Frych'' ap Gwriad]], the first King of Gwynedd (825–844) known not to have descended from the male line of [[Cunedda]].
+==See also==
+*[[Kings of Wales family trees]]
 == Notes ==
 {{Reflist|group=note}}
-== Citations ==
-{{Reflist}}
 == References ==
+=== Citations ===
-{{Refbegin}}
+{{Reflist}}
-*{{Citation
+=== Sources ===
+{{refbegin}}
+* {{Citation
 |last=Davies
 |first=John
@@ Line 35: / Line 56: @@
 |first=John Edward
 |author-link=John Edward Lloyd
-|year=1911
+|year = 1911
-|date=1911
 |contribution=
-|title=A History of Wales from the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest
+|title = A History of Wales from the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest
 |volume=I
 |edition=2nd
@@ Line 45: / Line 65: @@
 |publication-place=London
 |pages=
-|url=http://books.google.com/?id=NYwNAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover
+|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NYwNAAAAIAAJ
 }}
 *{{Citation
 |year=1841
-|date=
 |editor-last=Owen
 |editor-first=Aneurin
-|editor-link=
 |contribution=
 |contribution-url=
@@ Line 61: / Line 79: @@
 |publication-place=
 |pages=
-|url=http://books.google.com/?id=EzZnAAAAMAAJ&printsec=titlepage
+|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EzZnAAAAMAAJ
 }}
 *{{Citation
-|year=1829
+|year = 1829
-|date=1829
 |editor-last=Parry
 |editor-first=Henry (translator)
-|editor-link=
 |contribution=Brut y Saeson
-|contribution-url=http://books.google.com/books?id=28A1AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA59
+|contribution-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=28A1AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA59
 |title=Archaeologia Cambrensis
 |volume=IX
@@ Line 78: / Line 94: @@
 |publication-date=1863
 |publication-place=London
-|page=59 &ndash; 67
+|page=59&ndash;67
 |url=
 }}
@@ Line 85: / Line 101: @@
 |editor-last=Phillimore
 |editor-first=Egerton
-|editor-link=
 |contribution=Pedigrees from Jesus College MS. 20
 |contribution-url=
@@ Line 93: / Line 108: @@
 |publication-date=1887
 |publication-place=
-|pages=77 &ndash; 92
+|pages=77&ndash;92
-|url=http://www.archive.org/details/ycymmrodor08cymmuoft
+|url = https://archive.org/details/ycymmrodor08cymmuoft
 }}
 *{{Citation
@@ Line 101: / Line 116: @@
 |author-link=
 |year=1888
-|date=1888
 |editor-last=Phillimore
 |editor-first=Egerton
+|contribution=The Annales Cambriæ and Old Welsh Genealogies, from Harleian MS. 3859
-|editor-link=
+|contribution-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aFMrAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA141
-|contribution=The Annales Cambriae and Old Welsh Genealogies, from Harleian MS. 3859
-|contribution-url=http://books.google.com/books?id=aFMrAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA141
 |title=Y Cymmrodor
 |volume=IX
@@ Line 112: / Line 125: @@
 |publication-date=1888
 |publication-place=
-|pages=141 &ndash; 183
+|pages=141&ndash;183
 |url=
 }}
@@ Line 120: / Line 133: @@
 |author-link=
 |year=1857
-|date=1857
 |editor-last=Reeves
 |editor-first=William
 |editor-link=William Reeves (bishop)
 |contribution=Additional Notes (Chronicon Hyense)
-|contribution-url=http://books.google.com/books?id=3mQJAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA369
+|contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3mQJAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA369
 |title=The Life of St. Columba, to which are added Copious Notes and Dissertations
 |publisher=Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society
 |publication-date=1857
 |publication-place=Dublin
-|pages=369 &ndash; 413
+|pages=369&ndash;413
 |url=
 }}
 *{{Citation
-|date=1867
+|year=1867
 |editor-last=Skene
 |editor-first=William Forbes
@@ Line 144: / Line 156: @@
 |publication-place=Edinburgh
 |pages=
-|url=http://books.google.com/?id=4DoUAAAAYAAJ&printsec=titlepage
+|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4DoUAAAAYAAJ
 }}
-{{Refend}}
+{{refend}}
-{{start box}}{{s-reg}}
+{{-}}
+{{s-start}}
+{{s-reg}}
 {{succession box|before=[[Caradog ap Meirion]]|title=[[Kingdom of Gwynedd|King of Gwynedd]]|years=798 &ndash; 816|after=[[Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog]]}}
-{{end box}}
+{{s-end}}
 {{Wales topics}}
-{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
-| NAME              = Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri
-| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
-| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
-| DATE OF BIRTH     =
-| PLACE OF BIRTH    =
-| DATE OF DEATH     =
-| PLACE OF DEATH    =
-}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri}}
 [[Category:8th-century births]]
-[[Category:Monarchs of Gwynedd]]
-[[Category:9th-century rulers in Europe]]
 [[Category:810s deaths]]
+[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
+[[Category:Year of death uncertain]]
-[[br:Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri]]
+[[Category:Monarchs of Gwynedd]]
-[[cy:Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri]]
+[[Category:8th-century Welsh monarchs]]
-[[fr:Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri]]
+[[Category:9th-century Welsh monarchs]]
-[[it:Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri]]
-[[ru:Кинан Диндайтуи ап Родри]]

Latest revision as of 05:45, 6 January 2023

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

Sources[edit]