Martin P-L writes:
1067 The other son, Bleddyn, gained supremacy. The two brothers joined in a successful attack on the new Norman castle of Hereford. The next year Bleddyn joined the Earl of Mercia in an abortive revolt against the Normans. Two years later he successfully defended his princedom in the battle of Mechain in Powys, but Rhiwallon was killed.
1075 Perhaps in an attempt to conquer the minor princedom of Deheubarth, Bleddyn was slain, He had made Powys the most powerful princedom of the day, and was one of the few to introduce amendments to the Law of Hywel. According to the Brut y Tywysogion he was the mildest and most clement of kings, and did injury to none save when insulted, nor loved to avenge the insult when it came. To his kinsmen he was gentle; widows and orphans and the weak he defended; he was the support of the wise, the glory and cornerstone of the church, the delight of all lands, open-handed to all; terrible in war, but in peace beloved.
Later Welshmen were always proud to claim descent from Bleddyn. Henley's note about cousin Humfry's inheritance from the time of Bleddyn is just one example.
Bleddyn had five sons, all young at his death. In time three of them, Meredydd, Iorwerth and Cadwgan, aspired to power. We are descended from Meredydd. From Cadwgan was descended Owen Glendower. |