Hywel ap Caradog

Hywel ap Caradog (Welsh for 'Hywel son of Caradog') was King of Gwynedd (reigned c. 816 – c. 825). He rose to power following a destructive dynastic struggle in which he deposed King Cynan Dindaethwy (reigned c. 798 – c. 816). During Hywel's reign, Gwynedd's power was largely confined to Anglesey. It was a time of substantial territorial loss to Mercia.

A general map of Gwynedd showing the cantrefi

Hywel was said to be the son of Rhodri Molwynog on the assumption that he was Cynan's brother, for example as stated in John Edward Lloyd's History of Wales, which does not cite its source, although it may have been drawn from a verbal tradition which may have roots in common with the claim there were four claimants to Gwynedd after the time of Cynan Dindaethwy named Alaythau, Dyfyn, Merfyn and an unnamed personage perhaps Hywel ap Caradog? in the dialogue of Myrddin and Gwenddydd and thus perhaps Hywel ap Rhodri and Hywel ap Caradog later came to be confused with one another due to both being contemporary although such is conjecture.^[1] Sources such as the Annales Cambriae mention him by name only.^[2] The genealogy from Jesus College MS. 20 gives him as the son of Caradog ap Meirion,^[3] while it gives Cynan as the son of Rhodri Molwynog.^[4]

A destructive war between King Cynan and Hywel raged on Anglesey between 812 and 816, ultimately ending with Cynan's defeat and banishment, and Hywel's rise to the throne.^[5] Coenwulf of Mercia took advantage of Gwynedd's weakness in 817, occupying Rhufoniog (see map) and laying waste to the mountains of Eryri (English: Snowdonia), the defensive stronghold of Gwynedd. In 818 there was a notable battle at Llanfaes on Anglesey. The combatants are not identified, but the site had been the llys (English: royal court) of King Cynan.^{[6][note 1]}

Coastal Wales along the Dee Estuary was still in Mercian hands in 821, as it is known that Coenwulf died peacefully at Basingwerk in that year. In 823 Mercia laid waste to Powys and returned to Gwynedd to burn down Deganwy.

Hywel was the last King of Gwynedd in the male line of Maelgwn Gwynedd. He would be succeeded by his brother's grandson Merfyn Frych.

See also

• Family tree of Welsh monarchs

Notes

1. 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 llys, it could as easily have been a consequence of the dynastic struggle won by Hywel, but now between Hywel and Cynan's supporters.