Nan_chapter_2-correct.qxp_nan_chap_1 07/02/2016 11:24 Page 2

18. right: A Bishop, possibly St. Peblig, wearing a mitre and holding a crosier - Llanbeblig Book of Hours (f.-3v.) 2 1129-1400 FOUNDATIONS OF THE HOUSE OF NANNAU

ith the demise of Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, Gwynedd. The death of Maredudd ap Cadwgan in Wales had lost a decisive figure in the 1125, slaughtered by his own brother Morgan, was Wfig ht against the Norman invader. The no doubt precipitated by the family’s loss of lands. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle stated that: Madog ap Cadwgan was now the sole Welsh the Welsh … chose many leaders from among survivor of Cadwgan’s sons. He does not seem to themselves, one of them was called Cadwgan, have taken part in the expulsion of Uchdryd ap who was the finest of them. Edwin from Merioneth in 1116; that seems to have been carried out by his brother Einion and his He was the undisputed leader: and architect of the cousin Gruffudd ap Maredudd. The two cousins rebellion against Norman rule certainly, but less shared Uchdryd’s lands, Einion received ‘formidable’ in his ability to curb the family Merioneth and half of Penllyn. Maredudd received violence that plagued the end of his reign. Cyfeiliog, Mawddwy and the remainder of Penllyn. Upon his death in 1124, Cadwgan’s son Einion had bequeathed Merioneth and parts of Powys to his We now enter a period of family history where the brother Maredudd, but enjoyment of his historical record is very limited and one has inheritance was to be short lived as his uncle to resort to careful scrutiny of the genealogical Maredudd ap Bleddyn aggressively annexed his record in an attempt to follow the intrigue and territory. On hearing of Maredudd ap Bleddyn’s subterfuge. No mention is made of Madog ap actions, Gruffudd ap Cynan dispatched a ‘mighty Cadwgan receiving any portion of the spoils after host’ into Merioneth under the command of his the ejectment of Uchdryd, but he is later styled as sons Cadwallon and Owain Gwynedd. Maredudd ‘Lord of Nannau’, whilst his brother Einion is was decisively weakened, but it would take a few ‘Lord of Merioneth’. This attribution effectively more years before Merioneth and the lordship establishes Madog ap Cadwgan as the first Lord of would be back in the hands of the Princes of Nannau.

17. left: Cymer Abbey - thirteenth century arcade with the north aisle beyond 15