Merfyn ap Rhodri (diedc. 900) was a late 9th century prince ofGwynedd of the royalHouse of Aberffraw. He is sometimes credited with ruling the Kingdom ofPowys after the death of his fatherRhodri Mawr (Rhodri the Great) in 878. He was a paternal uncle of Hywel Dda and a grandson ofMerfyn Frych (d. 844) and Nest ferch Cadell ap Brochwel.[1]
Merfyn was a younger son of Rhodri Mawr, son ofMerfyn Frych andAngharad ferch Meurig, daughter of Meurig ap Dyfnwallon of theKingdom of Ceredigion, who was the King ofSeisyllwg in south western Wales.[1] His mother Angharad was a descendant ofCunedda, founder of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, through his son,Ceredig ap Cunedda of Ceredigion through her paternal line.[2] Mervyn's father Rhodri held power over much of Wales. He had at least two full brothers,Anarawd ap Rhodri (d. 916) andCadell ap Rhodri (854–909), although his father Rhodri is recorded in having six sons in some sources. Merfyn may have had a full sister called Nest.[3]
On the death of their father, Anarawd became King of Gwynnedd.[4] Cadell had been installed as King of Seisyllwg in south east Wales after the death by drowning of the brother's maternal uncleGwgon ap Meurig, in either 871 or 872. Gwgon is recorded as dying whilst crossing theRiver Llychwr inGower while fighting "black pagans" interpreted to meanViking invaders. Cadell inherited the throne as Gwgon died without an heir.[5]
Merfyn's inheritance is less clear in the historical record. In the accounts where he is credited as a king, Merfyn is reported to have lost his realm of Powys to an invasion by his brotherCadell,King of Ceredigion, whose expansionist policies built the foundations for the creation of theKingdom of Dehubarth by his sonHywel Dda.[5] Merfyn's death may be connected to the incursion intoAnglesey by the VikingIngimundr in the first decade of the 10th century.[6]
The drowning of Merfyn's son Haearnddur, or "Haardur", was reported by both theChronicle of the Princes[6] and theAnnals of Wales.[7] The first places it in the year 953; Phillimore's reconstruction of the latter's dating would place it in 956.[8]
| Preceded by | King of Powys 878–900 | Succeeded by |