| Notes |
"It must be said, however, that given the lapse of time between
Merfyn's life and the composition of the pedigree in HG (Harleian
Genealogies), that the connexion via Essyllt ferch Cynan, must at best
be regarded as tradition and may be simple fiction. . . supposed
blood-links to the ancient ruling lines of other kingdoms supplied
later members of the line of Merfyn with a superficial layer of
legitimacy in their attempts to dominate and intrude into neighbouring
kingdoms."
Merfyn's descent on his father's side is traced (Jesus College MS 20)
back, via the legendary late 6th/early 7th century bard Llywarch Hen,
who is associated with Powys (and who, incidentally, was at one time
thought to be the author of the 'Canu Heledd'), along a branch of the
line associated with the erstwhile kingdom of Rheged (north-west
England), to Coel Hen. Further, tradition has it that Merfyn came
"from the land of manaw". That could refer to either Manau Gododdin or
The Isle of Man. Merfyn's father was Gwriad. An inscribed stone on the
Isle of Man, which could date from the 9th century, reads "crux
guriat" (cross of Guriat). Guriat is usually identified with Gwriad.
At any rate, when Merfyn died (844), he was succeeded by his son
Rhodri. According to the genealogies in Jesus College MS 20, Rhodri's
mother was Nest of Powys, sister of Cyngen, king of Powys.
Cyngen is the Concenn who erected Eliseg's Pillar, in memory of his
great-grandfather, Eliseg (Elisedd). Elisedd would probably have been
a contemporary of the powerful Mercian king, Offa (757-796). The
pillar commemorates Elisedd's reclamation of Powysian territory from
the English, and the 'Annales Cambriae' record several campaigns
against the Welsh by Offa. At some point, Offa seems to have decided
that there should be no doubt where the border between the English and
the Welsh lay, and the massive earthwork, known as Offa's Dyke was
constructed. Whether Offa's Dyke was more symbolic than truly
defensive is the subject of debate. Even if it prevented Welsh
incursions into England, it certainly it didn't prevent English
incursions into Wales. 'Annales Cambriae' (822): "The fortress of
Degannwy (Gwynedd) is destroyed by the Saxons and they took the
kingdom of Powys into their own control."
Cyngen died in 854, possibly having been forced into exile by Rhodri.
Powys was subsequently annexed by Gwynedd. How this takeover was
achieved is not recorded, but Powys was ruled as a subsidiary of
Gwynedd until the late 11th century. In 853, the 'Annales Cambriae'
had noted:
"Mon (Anglesey) laid waste by black gentiles."
The phrase "black gentiles" (and variations thereof, e.g. dark
heathens, dark foreigners) means Danish, rather than Norwegian (fair
heathens, fair-haired foreigners), Vikings. The first recorded Viking
attack on Wales actually appears in the 'Annales' three years
previously (i.e. in 850). They were responsible for the killing of one
Cyngen, whose provenance is unknown.
In 856, however, as recorded by the 'Annals of Ulster', Rhodri won a
famous victory against them:
"Horm (Gorm), chief of the dark foreigners, was killed by Rhodri son
of Merfyn, king of Wales."
The 'Annals of Ulster' also provide a reminder that the Vikings
weren't the only external threat that Rhodri had to contend with
(865):
"The Britons were driven from their land by the Saxons (presumably
Mercians) and were placed in bondage in Móin Chonáin (Anglesey)."
Nevertheless, Rhodri's empire building activities continued. Jesus
College MS 20 shows him married to Angharad, sister of Gwgon of
Ceredigion. Gwgon drowned ('Annales Cambriae' - the circumstances are
unrecorded), in 872, and control of Ceredigion was subsequently
acquired by Gwynedd.
Ceredigion is still the term used in 9th century annals, but later
tradition has it that (in the late 7th century) Seisyll, the king of
Ceredigion, added the territory of Ystrad Tywi (literally 'Vale of
Towy' - to the south of Ceredigion), and that the enlarged kingdom was
thenceforth called Seisyllwg in his honour.
In 877, however, the 'Annals of Ulster' note that:
"Rhodri son of Merfyn, king of the Britons, came in flight from the
dark foreigners to Ireland."
And a year later (878):
"Rhodri son of Merfyn, king of the Britons, was killed by the Saxons."
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750 - Yes, date unknown