Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri King of Gwynedd Date of Birth: . Country: Dive

1. Early Life and Reign
2. Inter-Familial Conflict
3. Exile and Death
4. Chronicles and Discrepancies
5. External Invasion

Early Life and Reign

Cyngen ap Rhodri, king of Gwynedd from 798-814, was born to Rhodri ap Idwal when his father was elderly. Rumors spread throughout the kingdom that Cyngen was actually the illegitimate son of the royal forester, Calidig.

Inter-Familial Conflict

Following Rhodri's death, Cyngen's youth prevented him from contesting the throne with his relative, Caradog ap Meirion. After Caradog's demise, a protracted feud erupted between Cyngen and Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog, who was described as either Caradog's son or Rhodri's second son.

In a battle in 813 (or 812 according to the "Chronicle of Princes"), Cyngen was defeated by Hywel. In 814 or 815, Cyngen was expelled from the Isle of Anglesey by Hywel, with many of his forces slain.

Exile and Death

Cyngen fled to the Isle of Man, ruled by Guriad ap Elidyr, who was married to Cyngen's daughter Essillt. Two years later, Cyngen attempted to reclaim his throne but was killed in battle.

Chronicles and Discrepancies

According to the "Gwentian Chronicle," Cyngen Dindaethwy became King of All Wales in 754. The chronicle also mentions conflicts between Hywel the Younger and his brother Cyngen in 810 and 814, with Cyngen described as "King of All Wales" upon his death in 814. However, discrepancies in the timeline suggest that the Cyngen who died in 814 may not have been the same person mentioned earlier.

External Invasion

In 816, according to the "Annals of Wales," the Saxons invaded the mountains of Eryri and the Gwynedd sub-kingdom of Rufoniog, coinciding with Cyngen's death.