626 A
ttack on Ynys Môn
Edwin of Northumbria invaded Ynys Môn (Anglesey) and forced the new king of Gwynedd, Cadwallon ap Cadfan, into exile. On his return to Cymru, Cadwallon defeated Penda of Mercia in battle before forming an alliance with him.
633 Battle of Heathfield
Cadwallon ap Cadfan and Penda of Mercia defeated Edwin of Northumbria at the battle of Heathfield near Doncaster.
634 Battle of Heavenfield
In the following year, however, Cadwallon ap Cadfan was killed by Oswald of Bernicia at the battle of Heavenfield, near Hadrian’s Wall at Hexham.
c.650 Union of Dyfed and Brycheiniog
Cloten ap Nowy of Dyfed married Ceindrech ferch Rhiwallon of Brycheiniog and united the two kingdoms. Early in the 8th century, these kingdoms were reduced in size when Seisyll ap Clydog of Ceredigion invaded Dyfed and created the kingdom of Seisyllwg.
658 Battle of Tren Powys
An Anglo-Saxon army defeated Cynddylan ap Cyndrwyn of Pengwern in battle near Baschurch. This was described in the poem, ‘Canu Heledd’, which was written by his sister to lament his death and the deaths of her other brothers in the battle. Pengwern was eventually absorbed into Mercia.
During the middle decades of the 7th century, the Cymry also had to deal with devastation caused by recurring famines and plagues.
721 Battles of Garthmaelwg and Pen-cwm
Rhodri Moelwynog ab Idwal of Gwynedd led the Cymry in defeating the forces of Aethelbald of Mercia at two battles near the border in Maelienydd.
743 Battles in Ergyng and Anergyng
Ithel ap Morgan of Glywysing and Gwent repelled attacks by Aethelbald and Cuthred of Wessex in south-east Cymru.
760-796 Offa of Mercia
During the latter part of the 8th century, Offa of Mercia fought a number of battles against the Cymry: at Hereford in 760; in De Cymru in 778 and 784; and in battles near Rhuddlan in 795 and 796, where Caradog ap Meirion of Gwynedd and Maredudd ap Tewdr of Dyfed were killed, respectively. Offa was himself killed shortly afterwards, however.
825 Merfyn ap Gwriad (Merfyn Frych)
Hywel ap Rhodri Molwynog of Gwynedd died in 825 and was succeeded by his great-nephew, Merfyn Frych. Merfyn was the first king of Gwynedd not to be descended from the male line of Cunedda, and he formed an alliance with Powys when he married Nest ferch Cadell.
844 Rhodri ap Merfyn
Merfyn Frych died in 844 and was succeeded as king of Gwynedd by his son, Rhodri.
The power of Mercia was declining by this time, and Wessex was increasingly becoming the dominant force on the other side of the border. Cymru had begun a period of growth and more independence during Merfyn’s reign, however, which was then continued by Rhodri.
Rhodri is known for defending the country against a number of Anglo-Saxon and Viking attacks, and he probably took control of both Powys and Seisyllwg during his reign. He was given the epithet ‘Rhodri Mawr’ a few centuries after his death.
