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AP CARADOG Trahaearn
Birth:          ABT 1030 of  Arwystli, Montgomeryshire, Wales
Death:          1081 Battle  Carno, Arwystli, Montgomeryshire, Wales

Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trahaearn_ap_Caradog
Trahaearn ap Caradog (died 1081) was a King of Gwynedd.
Accession[edit]

On the death of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn in 1073, it appears that none of his sons were old 
enough to claim the throne, and Bleddyn's cousin Trahaearn ap Caradog, seized 
power. The family is thought to have originated in Arwystli, on the border between 
Gwynedd and Powys.

Conflict with Gruffudd ap Cynan[edit]

The same year Gruffudd ap Cynan landed on Anglesey with an Irish force and, with 
the assistance of the Norman Robert of Rhuddlan, defeated Trahaearn at the Battle of 
Gwaed Erw in Meirionnydd, gaining control of Gwynedd. However tension between 
Gruffudd ap Cynan's Irish bodyguard and the local Welsh people led to a rebellion in 
Llyn and Trahaearn took the opportunity to counterattack, defeating Gruffudd at the 
Battle of Bron yr Erw at Clynnog Fawr in Caernarfonshire, also in 1073, forcing him to 
flee back to Ireland.[1]

In 1078 Caradog ap Gruffydd (Prince of the Kingdom of Gwent) killed Rhys ab Owain 
of Deheubarth, who had been responsible for the killing of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, in the 
Battle of Gwdig or Battle of Goodwick. Caradog ap Gruffydd wanted to take control of 
Deheubarth, like his father and grandfather had done. However Rhys ap Tewdwr, 
Rhys ab Owain’s second cousin, meanwhile had taken power of Deheubarth becoming 
its king. Rhys ap Tewdwr was forced to flee when Caradog ap Gruffydd invaded 
Deheubarth in 1081. He sought protection in St David's Cathedral at the far 
southwestern corner of his kingdom.[1]

Downfall and death[edit]

Gruffudd ap Cynan returned on a second campaign from Ireland with an army of Danes 
and Irish to become King of Gwynedd. He took his fleet to St David’s and made an 
alliance with Rhys ap Tewdwr who had recently been ousted as prince of Deheubarth 
by Caradog ap Gruffydd of Morgannwg. Gruffudd ap Cynan received additional support 
with backers that came from north Wales. They all agreed to remove Trahaearn ap 
Caradog from controlling Gwynedd and went about the task of doing this. However, 
meanwhile Trahaearn had learned of their plot and secretly formed an alliance with 
Caradog ap Gruffydd and Meilyr ap Rhiwallon. Trahaearn also obtained Norman 
arbalest crossbowmen for additional support for his army. The two enemy armies met at 
Mynydd Carn and the fierce bloody Battle of Mynydd Carn ensued north of St David's. 
Trahaearn, Caradog and Meilyr were killed. Gruffudd was victorious and became King 
of Gwynedd. Rhys ap Tewdwr, Gruffudd's ally, once again became King of 
Deheubarth.[1]

Parents
AP GWYN Caradog (ABT 1000 - )
VERCH GWERYSTAN ----- (ABT 1004 - )

Siblings
AP CARADOG Trahaearn (ABT 1030 - 1081)

Marriage To VERCH GRUFFYDD Nest (ABT 1057 - ) m. Notes Parents AP LLEWELYN Gruffydd (ABT 1011 - 5 Aug 1063) OF MERCIA Ealdgyth (Aldgyth) (Edith) (ABT 1041 - AFT 1086) Children by VERCH GRUFFYDD Nest ABT 1057 -
AP TRAHAEARN Llywarch (ABT 1070 - 1128)
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