Biography of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd 1055-1137

Paternal Family Tree: Aberffraw

Around 1055 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd was born to [his father] Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd (age 20) and [his mother] Ragnaillt Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd.

Around 1063 [his father] Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd (age 28) died.

Death of King Gruffydd ap Llywelyn

On 5th August 1063 Gruffydd ap Llywelyn King Wales was killed. The Ulster Chronicle states that he was killed by [his father] Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd in 1064, whose father [his grandfather] Iago had been put to death by Gruffydd in 1039.

Battle of Mynydd Carn

In 1081 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 26) and Rhys ap Tewdwr King Deheubarth (age 16) met at St David's at which they agreed to combine forces.

In 1081 the Battle of Mynydd Carn was fought between the armies of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 26) and Rhys ap Tewdwr King Deheubarth (age 16), and the army of Caradog ap Gruffydd Prince of Gwent and Trahaearn ap Caradog (age 46) as part of a dynastic struggle for control of the Welsh kingdoms of Gwynedd and Deheubarth. The result of the battle had a radical effect on the history of Wales.

Caradog ap Gruffydd Prince of Gwent, Meilir ap Rhiwallon (age 46) and Trahaearn ap Caradog were killed.

In 1081 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 26) succeeded King Gwynedd. [his future wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 16) by marriage Queen Consort Gwynedd.

In 1081 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 26) was imprisoned by Hugh of Avranches 1st Earl Chester (age 34) at Chester Castle [Map].

In 1094 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 39) escaped at Chester Castle [Map].

Before 1097 [his son] Cadwallon ap Gruffudd Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 41) and [his future wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 31). He died aged less than one years old.

In 1097 [his son] Cadwallon ap Gruffudd Aberffraw died.

In or before 1100 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 44) and Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 34) were married. He the son of Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd and Ragnaillt Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd. They were second cousin once removed.

Around 1100 [his grandson-in-law] Cadwaladr ap Gruffudd Aberffraw and [his daughter-in-law] Gwerfel ferch Gwrgan Unknown were married. He the son of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 45) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 35).

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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Around 1100 [his grandson-in-law] Cadwaladr ap Gruffudd Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 45) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 35). He married (1) Alice Clare Baroness Percy Topcliffe and had issue (2) his niece Tangwystl ferch Cadwallon and had issue (3) 1100 Gwerfel ferch Gwrgan Unknown and had issue.

Around 1100 [his son] Owain "Great" King Gwynedd was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 45) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 35). He married (1) before 1130 Gwladus Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd and had issue (2) 1145 his first cousin Cristin ferch Goronwy Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd and had issue.

Around 1100 [his daughter] Gwenllian Aberffraw Queen Consort Deheubarth was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 45) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 35). She married 1113 her half second cousin once removed Gruffudd ap Rhys King Deheubarth, son of Rhys ap Tewdwr King Deheubarth and Gwladys ferch Rhiwallon Mathrafal Queen Consort Deheubarth, and had issue.

Around 1113 [his son-in-law] Gruffudd ap Rhys King Deheubarth (age 32) and [his daughter] Gwenllian Aberffraw Queen Consort Deheubarth (age 13) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Deheubarth. She the daughter of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 58) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 48). He the son of Rhys ap Tewdwr King Deheubarth and Gwladys ferch Rhiwallon Mathrafal Queen Consort Deheubarth (age 53). They were half second cousin once removed.

Chronicon ex Chronicis by Florence and John of Worcester. 1120. Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury, retựrned to England on Sunday the second of the nones of January [4th January 1120]; and on Sunday the second of the nones of April [4th April 1120], at Westminster, he consecrated to the bishopric of Banger a venerable clerk named David, who was chosen by king Griffyth (age 65) and the clergy and people of Wales. At this consecration he was assisted by Richard, bishop of London, Robert, bishop of Lincoln, Roger of Salisbury, and Urban of Glamorgan (age 44).

Note. Bishop David the Scot was consecrated Bishop of Bangor.

Before 1130 [his son] Owain "Great" King Gwynedd (age 29) and [his daughter-in-law] Gwladus Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 14) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Gwynedd. He the son of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 74) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 64).

In 1132 [his son] Mareda Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 77) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 67).

1136 Battle of Kidwelly

In 1136 a battle, or skirmish, was fought at Maes Gwenllian [Map] between the Welsh forces of [his daughter] Gwenllian (age 36), wife of [his son-in-law] Gruffydd (age 55), with her two sons, and the Norman force of Maurice de Londres. Gwenllian and her two sons [his grandson] Morgan Dinefwr and [his grandson] Maelgwn Dinefwr were killed.

Before 1137 [his daughter] Susanna Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 81) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 71). She married before 1150 her second cousin once removed Madog ap Maredudd Mathrafal Prince Powys and had issue.

Before 1137 [his daughter] Agnes Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 81) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 71).

Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes

Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.

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Before 1137 [his son] Ranulht Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 81) and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 71).

In 1137 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd (age 82) died. His son Owain (age 37) succeeded King Gwynedd.

In 1162 [his former wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd (age 97) died.

[his father] Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd and [his mother] Ragnaillt Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Gwynedd. He the son of [his grandfather] Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig Aberffraw Prince Gwynedd.

Biography of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd 1055-1137

Royal Ancestors of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd

Royal Descendants of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Ancestors of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd

Biography of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd 1055-1137

Royal Ancestors of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd

Royal Descendants of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of GwyneddNumber after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Ancestors of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd

Royal Descendants of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.