Welsh Kingdoms, with roots dating back to Celtic migrations around 500 BCE, boasted a unique cultural identity. However, their heritage was an amalgamation of Celtic, indigenous Briton, Roman, and other influences—a complex mosaic of history. Each Welsh polity had its own captivating story, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the British Isles.
Powys, once a mighty realm, was governed by Merfyn, a descendant of Rhodri the Great. Following his death in 904, Powys temporarily lost its independence but would later rise again under Bleddyn's leadership.
Seisyllwg, or Ceredigion, had been under Gwynedd's rule since 872, but it reclaimed independence through Hywel the Good, merging with Dyfed to create Deheubarth.
Dyfed, once a powerful kingdom, experienced setbacks and eventual conquest by Ceredigion. The kingdom's possible Irish origins added to its mystique, with its decline culminating in the early 10th century.
Brycheiniog, teetering on the brink of extinction, fell under King Hywel the Good's rule by 900.
Gwent and Glywysing, known collectively as Morgannwg, remained independent in 900. Their lineage traced back to Tewdrig, but Norman invasions in the 1070s ultimately led to their conquest around 1093.
At the heart of this mosaic stood Gwynedd, the most powerful Welsh kingdom in 900. Its lineage traced back to Cunedda, a legendary figure who expelled the Irish. Ruled by Anarawd, Cadell, and Merfyn, Gwynedd experienced fluctuations in independence, bearing witness to the evolving title of 'Prince of Wales.
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