Caradog ap Gruffydd

Caradog ap Gruffydd (died 1081) was a Prince of Gwent in south-east Wales who made repeated attempts to gain power over all of southern Wales by seizing the Kingdom of Deheubarth.

Lineage

Caradog was the grandson of Rhydderch ab Iestyn who had seized the throne of Deheubarth before his death in 1033. Caradog's father, Gruffydd ap Rhydderch also held sway in Deheubarth for a while before being eventually driven out and killed by Gruffydd ap Llywelyn who eventually ruled most of Wales.

Early career

The family's stronghold was the Kingdom of Gwent, and Caradog appears to have been able to add Morgannwg during his early career. He first appears in the historical record in 1065. Harold Godwinson, after defeating Gruffydd ap Llywelyn in 1063 had begun to build a hunting lodge in Portskewet. Caradog attacked and destroyed it, going on to ravage the district with his forces.

Ambition & Aggression

Caradog now set out to emulate his father and grandfather by adding Deheubarth to his realm. In 1072 he defeated and killed the ruler of Deheubarth, Maredudd ab Owain, in a battle by the Rhymney River.

In 1078 he won another victory over Rhys ab Owain who had succeeded Maredudd as prince of Deheubarth, killing him too.

By 1081 he had forced the new prince of Deheubarth, Rhys ap Tewdwr to flee to the St David's Cathedral.

Welsh Alliance Against Him

However the situation was changed by the arrival from Ireland of Gruffudd ap Cynan, who was aiming to seize the throne of Gwynedd from Trahaearn ap Caradog. Rhys ap Tewdwr and Gruffudd ap Cynan met at St David's Cathedral and made an alliance with the blessing of the Bishop of St Davids.

Killed at the Battle of Mynydd Carn

Caradog countered this by himself making an alliance with the King of Gwynedd, Trahaearn ap Caradog. The two factions met in battle at Mynydd Carn, about a day's march north of St David's. Caradog and his ally Trahaearn were both killed.

Succession

Caradog left a son, Owain ap Caradog, who contented himself with the rule of Gwynllwg and was the founder of the line of the Lords of Caerleon in south east Wales.

References

• John Edward Lloyd (1911) A history of Wales from the earliest times to the Edwardian conquest (Longmans, Green & Co.)