Cynfyn ap Gwerystan
Cynfyn ap Gwerystan (born c. 990[1]) — sometimes spelled Kynvyn, Kynwyn, Cynvyn, or Kynfyn — was a Welsh nobleman,[citation needed] principally known on account of his son Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, who established the House of Mathrafal over Powys as a consequence of a Saxon invasion in 1063.[citation needed]
Interim King of Powys
His father was Gwerystan ap Gwaithfoed and his mother Nest ferch Cadell[2], the daughter of Cadell ap Brochfael, penultimate king of Powys from the traditional line). Gwerystan ap Gwaethfoed was a patrilineal descendant of Cynwrig, the younger brother of Iorwerth Hirflawdd who ruled Arwystli. Legendary accounts locate Gwerystan's father Gwaithfoed in Englefield, and describe him as a friend of King Edgar (while the latter was in Chester); evidently Cynfyn's grandfather was a significant nobleman.
Cynfyn married Angharad ferch Maredudd, daughter of Maredudd ab Owain, king of Dyfed, Gwynedd, and Powys;[citation needed] crucially, she was also the widow of Llywelyn ap Seisyll, who had succeeded Maredudd as king of Gwynedd and Powys. Wolcott argues that Cynfyn acted as caretaker ruler of Gwynedd and Powys, until Gruffydd ap Llywelyn came of age and took the kingship[citation needed] in the late 1030's.
Children
With an unnamed Irish princess, daughter of Sitric Silkbeard c. 960 he had the following issue:
- Eva ferch Cynfyn, who married Llewelyn ap Coel
- Nest ferch Cynfyn, who married Ithel ap Coel, brother of Llewelyn
- Iwerydd ferch Cynfyn
After the death of his first wife, possibly in childbirth, he married Angharad (daughter of Maredudd ab Owain), widow of Llywelyn ap Seisyll and had the following issue:
- Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn (died 1070), killed at the Battle of Mechain
- Bleddyn ap Cynfyn (died 1075), King of Gwynedd and Powys
- Gwerfyl ferch Cynfyn, married Gwrgan ap Ithel Ddu of Glamorgan, and was mother to Iestyn ap Gwrgan.