Elystan Glodrydd (or, occasionally,Elstan Glodrydd; diedc. 1010), also known as "Æthelstan the Famous" and "The Renowned," was, according to Welsh genealogical tracts, the founder of the fifthRoyal Tribe ofWales. He was the Prince ofBuellt, and later also of Fferreg (also known as Ferlix); in the century after his death, Fferreg split intoMaelienydd andElfael[1]
Very little is known about Elystan himself, but his descendants, includingCadwallon ap Madog, continued to rule Ferlix, a minor principality in mid Wales, and the main part ofRhwng Gwy a Hafren—the land between theWye and theSevern. An early Welsh genealogical tract links him toGwrtheyrnion,[2] while other descendants of Gwrtheyrnion ruledMaelienydd,Elfael.,[3] andCedewain.[4] These territories lay in an area roughly equivalent to the later counties ofRadnorshire and southernMontgomeryshire, in today's county ofPowys. It has been conjectured by historian Paul Remfry that these territories formed a polity known asCynllibiwg. However, this is not generally accepted.
A Welsh genealogical source makes Elystan the seventh in descent fromIorwerth Hirflawdd,[5] who probably died in the mid 9th century.
Elystan married either Gwenllian, daughter of Einon apHywel Dda, or Gwladis, daughter of Rhyn ap Ednowen, prince of Tegengl. One of his sons, Cadwgan, lord ofRadnor, was the ancestor of theCadogan family.[6]