I am admittedly a novice to the early Welsh ruling families -- which seems
to be understandably confusing even to those who have studied it for years,
but ...
Why is Bleddyn ap Cynfyn sometimes called the Prince of Deheubath?
Some genelogical sources indicate that Bleddyn ap Cynfyn ap Gwerstan was
known as "Prince of Deheubath". Seemingly reliable historians suggest that
on the death of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn (d. 5 Aug 1063), Deheubarth passed into
the hands of Hywel, Maredudd and Rhys, sons of Owain ap Edwin, not Bleddyn
ap Cynfyn. Powys and Gwynedd passed to the brothers Bleddyn and Rhiwallon,
and eventually solely to Bleddyn. Bleddyn appears to have been a relatively
strong king of these northern kingdoms (ruled 1063-1075). While Bleddyn
attempted to gain control over Deheubath, and may have had some influence
over Ceredigion, I have not found evidence that he ever fully controlled,
ruled, or had a "special" hereditary claim to Deheubath; in fact, he was
killed on an invasion attempt.
If this be so, why would Bleddyn be given the title "Prince of Deheubath"
rather than "King of Gwynedd"? Given the early Welsh naming conventions, is
there perhaps some confusion between this Bleddyn ap Cynfyn and another
prince of the same name?
John Deitz
mailto:deitz@prometheusli.com
http://prometheusli.com/