Cadwallon ap Madog
Encyclopedia
Cadwallon ap Madog was the son of Madog ab Idnerth who had died in 1140, while Idnerth was a grandson of Elystan Glodrydd
who had died in around 1010 and had founded a dynasty in the Middle Marches of Wales, in the area known as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren
(Between Wye & Severn).
and his younger brother Einion Clud ruled Elfael
. The two fell out and Cadwallon is recorded as having seized Einion and handed him over to Owain Gwynedd
, who in turn handed him over to Henry II. But Einion was later free, joining with his brother to rally under the banner of Owain Gwynedd at Corwen in 1165.
In the summer of 1175 Cadwallon and Einion followed Rhys ap Gruffudd to Gloucester
where he made a peace treaty with King Henry II
, buying recognition from the king for his holding the land of Maelienydd
. The Brut y Twysogion records this with the words: And then the Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd prepared to go to the king’s court at Gloucester. And he took along with him, by the king’s counsel, all the princes of the South who had been in opposition to the king, to wit: Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, his first-cousin [i.e. Rhys’s cousin], and Einion Clud of Elfael...
Cadwallon also seems to have been responsible for building or fortifying several castles in the Middle Marches. He fought at least one battle at Ednol and was 'the renowned possesser of Cymaron' and its castle. It seems he built Crug Eryr Castle
and brought destruction to the English Marches of Herefordshire and Shropshire. In 1176 he profited most from the death of his brother Einion Clud when he annexed his brother's lands. The next year he was described as "king" of Elfael
by an English court official.
he was met by men owing allegiance to Roger Mortimer of Wigmore
and was cut down and killed on 22 September. The king was outraged as Cadwallon was under a royal safe conduct. Mortimer was imprisoned in Winchester
for two years and his associates who did the killing were in turn hunted down, some turning to outlawry, others to exile and some being executed.
Prince of Powys (last to rule over a united Kingdom of Powys) as his wife. She was living in 1176. By her he appears to have had at least five children, Joan ferch Cadwallon, Maelgwn ap Cadwallon (d.1197), Hywel ap Cadwallon (d.1212), Llywelyn ap Cadwallon (mutilated), Owain Cascob ap Cadwallon (d.1198).
Elystan Glodrydd
Elystan Glodrydd was, according to Welsh genealogical tracts, the founder of the fifth Royal Tribe of Wales....
who had died in around 1010 and had founded a dynasty in the Middle Marches of Wales, in the area known as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren
Rhwng Gwy a Hafren
Rhwng Gwy a Hafren was a region of medieval Wales, located in the Welsh Marches between Powys to the north and Brycheiniog to the south. It was bounded by the rivers Wye and Severn , hence its name. It covered approximately the same territory as Radnorshire, now part of the county of Powys...
(Between Wye & Severn).
Prince of Maelienydd
After the death of Madog ab Idnerth, there was clearly a great deal of conflict in the Middle March between his family and the Norman Marcher lords. Madog is known to have had at least five sons of whom Hywel ap Madog and Cadwgan ap Madog were killed in 1142 by Helias of Say the Lord of Clun. Another son - Maredudd ap Madog - was killed by Hugh Mortimer in 1146. This left two surviving sons, who ended up in control of the two principal divisions of their father's lands in Rhwng Gwy a Hafren: Cadwallon ap Madog ruled MaelienyddMaelienydd
Maelienydd, sometimes spelt Maeliennydd, was a cantref and lordship in east central Wales covering the area from the River Teme to Radnor Forest and the area around Llandrindod Wells. The area, which is mainly upland, is now in Powys...
and his younger brother Einion Clud ruled Elfael
Elfael
Elfael was one of a number of Welsh kingdoms occupying the region between the River Wye and river Severn, known as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren, in the early Middle Ages. Later in the Middle Ages it became a cantref. After the Laws in Wales Act of 1535, it became part of the new county of Radnorshire. ...
. The two fell out and Cadwallon is recorded as having seized Einion and handed him over to Owain Gwynedd
Owain Gwynedd
Owain Gwynedd ap Gruffydd , in English also known as Owen the Great, was King of Gwynedd from 1137 until his death in 1170. He is occasionally referred to as "Owain I of Gwynedd"; and as "Owain I of Wales" on account of his claim to be King of Wales. He is considered to be the most successful of...
, who in turn handed him over to Henry II. But Einion was later free, joining with his brother to rally under the banner of Owain Gwynedd at Corwen in 1165.
In the summer of 1175 Cadwallon and Einion followed Rhys ap Gruffudd to Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
where he made a peace treaty with King Henry II
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
, buying recognition from the king for his holding the land of Maelienydd
Maelienydd
Maelienydd, sometimes spelt Maeliennydd, was a cantref and lordship in east central Wales covering the area from the River Teme to Radnor Forest and the area around Llandrindod Wells. The area, which is mainly upland, is now in Powys...
. The Brut y Twysogion records this with the words: And then the Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd prepared to go to the king’s court at Gloucester. And he took along with him, by the king’s counsel, all the princes of the South who had been in opposition to the king, to wit: Cadwallon ap Madog of Maelienydd, his first-cousin [i.e. Rhys’s cousin], and Einion Clud of Elfael...
Cadwallon also seems to have been responsible for building or fortifying several castles in the Middle Marches. He fought at least one battle at Ednol and was 'the renowned possesser of Cymaron' and its castle. It seems he built Crug Eryr Castle
Crug Eryr Castle
Crug Eryr Castle was a motte and bailey-style castle located atop a hill adjacent to the A44 about 2 miles northwest of Llanfihangel Nant Melan, near New Radnor in Powys, Wales...
and brought destruction to the English Marches of Herefordshire and Shropshire. In 1176 he profited most from the death of his brother Einion Clud when he annexed his brother's lands. The next year he was described as "king" of Elfael
Elfael
Elfael was one of a number of Welsh kingdoms occupying the region between the River Wye and river Severn, known as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren, in the early Middle Ages. Later in the Middle Ages it became a cantref. After the Laws in Wales Act of 1535, it became part of the new county of Radnorshire. ...
by an English court official.
His death
In September 1179 he appeared in the royal court to answer charges of waging war against the king's peace. In this he appears to have been successful, but on returning home to ElfaelElfael
Elfael was one of a number of Welsh kingdoms occupying the region between the River Wye and river Severn, known as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren, in the early Middle Ages. Later in the Middle Ages it became a cantref. After the Laws in Wales Act of 1535, it became part of the new county of Radnorshire. ...
he was met by men owing allegiance to Roger Mortimer of Wigmore
Roger Mortimer of Wigmore
Roger de Mortimer was a medieval marcher lord, residing at Wigmore Castle in the English county of Herefordshire.He was the son of Hugh de Mortimer and Matilda Le Meschin. He was born before 1153.-Early life:...
and was cut down and killed on 22 September. The king was outraged as Cadwallon was under a royal safe conduct. Mortimer was imprisoned in Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
for two years and his associates who did the killing were in turn hunted down, some turning to outlawry, others to exile and some being executed.
His descendants
Ancient pedigrees show Efa ferch Madog, the daughter of Madog ap MareduddMadog ap Maredudd
Madog ap Maredudd was the last Prince of the entire Kingdom of Powys, Wales and for a time held the Fitzalan Lordship of Oswestry.Madog was the son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn and grandson of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn. He followed his father on the throne of Powys in 1132...
Prince of Powys (last to rule over a united Kingdom of Powys) as his wife. She was living in 1176. By her he appears to have had at least five children, Joan ferch Cadwallon, Maelgwn ap Cadwallon (d.1197), Hywel ap Cadwallon (d.1212), Llywelyn ap Cadwallon (mutilated), Owain Cascob ap Cadwallon (d.1198).
External links
- Cymaron Castle
- www.elystan.co.uk - website dedicated to the dynasty of Rhwng Gŵy a Hafren, founded by Elystan Glodrydd