| Notes |
- ". . . king Hemeid (Hyfaidd), with all the inhabitants of the region
of Demetia (Dyfed), compelled by the violence of the six sons of Rotri
(Rhodri), had submitted to the dominion of the King (Alfred 'the
Great' of Wessex). . . Helised (Elisedd), also, son of Tendyr (Tewdr),
king of Brecon (Brycheiniog), compelled by the force of the same sons
of Rotri, of his own accord sought the government of the aforesaid
king . . . .
Anarawd, it seems, had entered into an alliance with the Northumbrian
Danes.
. . . . and Anarawd, son of Rotri, with his brother, at length
abandoning the friendship of the Northumbrians, from which he received
no good but harm, came into king Alfred's presence and eagerly sought
his friendship. The king received him honourably, received him as his
son by confirmation from the bishop's hand, and presented him with
many gifts. Thus he became subject to the king with all his people, on
the same condition, that he should be obedient to the king's will in
all respects, in the same way as Ethered (Æthelred) with the Mercians.
Nor was it in vain that all these princes gained the friendship of the
king. For those who desired to augment their worldly power, obtained
power; those who desired money, gained money; and in like way, those
who desired his friendship, or both money and friendship, succeeded in
getting what they wanted. But all of them gained his love and
guardianship and defence from every quarter, even as the king with his
men could protect himself."
In 892 a Danish army invaded England. In 893 the Danes were besieged,
on an island in the Severn, by an alliance of English and Welsh forces
(see: THE DANISH INVASION OF 892»). It seems possible that, after the
siege and ensuing battle, whilst there were English and Welsh troops
together, Anarawd took advantage of his "friendship" with Alfred. The
'Annales Cambriae' has an entry which records that:
"Anarawd came with the Angles and laid waste Ceredigion and Ystrad
Tywi."
The reason for the ravaging of Ceredigion and Ystrad Tywi is not
recorded. Perhaps there was local opposition to Rhodri's sons, or,
possibly, the territory was being contested for by the king of Dyfed.
A couple of years previously, Hyfaidd (king of Dyfed), had died, maybe
his successor (his son, Llywarch) had failed to renew the agreement
that Hyfaidd had made with Alfred, persuading Alfred to assist
Rhodri's sons.
Towards the end of 893, the Danish army escaped from Chester into
Wales. Once in Wales, the Danes disappear from the view of the
'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle' - until, in 894, they return from their
expedition laden with booty. It seems reasonable to suppose that an
entry in the 'Annales Cambriae' refers to this expedition:
"The Northmen came and laid waste Lloegr (England) and Bycheiniog and
Gwent and Gwynllwg."
It is a little odd that, since the Danes would appear to have entered
and left Wales at the northern end (to avoid, as much as possible,
crossing English held territory), the provinces which the 'Annales'
say were plundered are in the south-eastern quarter. This is, though,
the only time that the 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle' mentions that this
particular band of Danes entered Wales. However, towards the end of
895 (after harvest), they built a fortification at Bridgnorth, where
they stayed until the summer of 896. The 'Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'
reports no incidents, but, given the proximity of Bridgnorth to
south-eastern Wales, it is possible that the raids noted by the
'Annales Cambriae' refers to this period.
It would appear that Anarawd's brother, Cadell, established himself as
ruler of Ceridigion and Ystrad Tywi. In 903, Llywarch ap Hyfaidd, king
of neighbouring Dyfed, died. It seems reasonable to speculate that
Cadell took advantage of this and invaded Dyfed. The following year
(904) the 'Annales' note that Llywarch's brother, Rhodri:
". . . was beheaded in Arwystli."
The opposition having been disposed of, Cadell handed control of Dyfed
to his son, Hywel, who then legitimised his authority by marrying
Elen, the daughter of Llywarch.
Elen is certainly a historical figure - her death being chronicled in
928.
Anyway, Cadell died, in 910, and Hywel's brother, Clydog, appears to
have stepped into his shoes. In 918, Hywel, Clydog and their cousin
Idwal (son of Anarawd), who was now ruling Gwynedd (Anarawd having
died in 916), submitted to Edward of Wessex, who was successfully
campaigning against the Danes in England.
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- 910
d. Yes, date unknown