See also
| Husband: | Cynan + AP RHODRI (745-817) | |
| Wife: | Mathilda + of FLINT (750- ) | |
| Children: | Esylit + VERCH CYNAN (770-864) | |
| Name: | Cynan + AP RHODRI | |
| Sex: | Male | |
| Father: | Rhodri + ap IDWAL (690-754) | |
| Mother: | - | |
| Birth | 0745 | Wales |
| Occupation | King of Gwynedd | |
| Title | frm 0798 to 0816 (age 52-71) | King of Gwynedd |
| Death | 0817 (age 71-72) | |
| Name: | Mathilda + of FLINT | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Father: | - | |
| Mother: | - | |
| Birth | 0750 | Wales |
| Name: | Esylit + VERCH CYNAN | |
| Sex: | Female | |
| Spouse 1: | Merfyn + AP RHODRI (859-900) | |
| Spouse 2: | Merfyn FRYCH (764-844) | |
| Birth | 0770 | Caer Seiont, Carnaervonshire, Wales |
| Death | 0864 (age 93-94) | |
Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri (English: Cynan of Dindaethwy, son of Rhodri) was King of Gwynedd (reigned 798 – 816). His reign was marked by a destructive dynastic power struggle with his brother Hywel, and is not otherwise notable.
The descriptive appellation 'Dindaethwy' refers to the cwmwd (English: commote) of that name in the cantref of Rhosyr, and the location of Cynan's llys (English: royal court) at Llanfaes on the southeastern coast of Anglesey.[1]
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 Lloyd's History of Wales, which does not cite its source.[2] Sources such as the Annales Cambriae mention them by name only.[3] The genealogy of Jesus College MS. 20 gives Hywel as the son of Caradog ap Meirion,[4] while it gives Cynan as the son of Rhodri Molwynog,[5] as does the Harleian genealogies.[6]
A general map of Gwynedd showing the cantrefi.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. He would die in exile within a year, the Annales Cambriae noting that King Cynan had died,[7] as do the Irish Annals.[8]
In 817, after Cynan's death, there was a notable battle at his llys at Llanfaes on Anglesey.[9] The combatants are not identified.[note 1]
[edit] Notes