Llywelyn was the last native of Wales to be consecrated tywysog, that is prince.
Sandde ab Alcwn, fig. 1, was a late 7th c. descendant of Coel Hen and Llywelyn’s patrilineal line of descent goes back to him. Sandde married Celenion ferch Tudwal, great-granddaughter of Merfyn Mawr, who ruled over Ynys Manaw (Isle of Man).
It is likely that through the marriage his descendants became rulers of that island as evidenced by his grandson’s name, Gwriad, appearing on an inscription found on the island, fig. 2. Gwriad married Esyllt ferch Cynan Dindaethwy. This gave their son, Merfyn Frych a claim to the throne of Gwynedd.
Merfyn married Nest ferch Cadell of Powys. HG 27 shows that when Cadell’s son, Cyngen, died in Rome in 854 that Powysian line of descent came to an end.
Cinnen rex pouis . inroma obíít .
AC A, 416.
Powys then came under the control of Merfyn’s son, Rhodri Mawr who married Angharad ferch Meurig. HG 26 shows the Ceredigon line of descent terminating with the death by drowning of Gwgon, her brother, in 871.
Guoccaun mersus est rex cetericiaun .
AC A, 433.
The eldest son, Anarawd, recieved the kingship of Gwynedd and was the founder of the House of Aberffraw. Another of Rhodri’s sons,s Cadell, inherited Seisyllwg, that is Ceredigion and Ystrad Tywi. His descendants belonged to the House of Dinefwr.
Cadell’s son, Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good), married Elen ferch Llywarch and after the death of her father and her uncle, Rhodri, he inherited Dyfed, thus becoming the ruler of most of S. Wales. When Idwal Foel and his brother, Elise, where slain in battle against Edmund, Hywel took over Gwynedd.
Owain ap Hywel Dda inherited Deheubarth and Dyfed. His wife, Angharad ferch Llywelyn was heiress of Powys, a kingdom their son Maredudd inherited. Maredudd’s granddaughter, Marared, marrried Iorwerth Drwyndwn of Gwynedd. Their son, Llywelyn Fawr, was grandfather to Llywelyn ap Gruffudd.
- Kermode, P.M.C., 1907, fig. 49. ˄
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