Who was Maredudd ap Bleddyn?

Maredudd ap Bleddyn was a nobleman of the late 11th and early 12th century born into an influential ruling family of Powys. While his lineage endowed him with inherent authority and influence, Maredudd’s early years remained shrouded in obscurity, with few historical records shedding light on his activities and ambitions.

Maredudd was the youngest son of the Powysian king Bleddyn ap Cynfyn. He was born around 1065 and was little heard of until his brothers Cadwgan and Iorweth, both powerful rulers, were murdered. Maredudd was not chosen as the next king of Powys but rather Cadwgan’s son Owain. After that, Maredudd became Owain ap Cadwgan’s leader of the Warband and suddenly seemed to become a man of significant influence. When Owain ap Cadwgan was killed in 1116, it was Maredudd who stepped fully out of the shadows and became the ruler of Powys.

Perhaps one of the reasons that Maredudd laid low for so long was that he had been burnt by his involvement in supporting Robert de Beleme, the Earl of Shrewsbury, against Henry 1 in 1102. He and his two brothers pillaged Staffordshire and when Iorwerth and Cadwgan decided to change sides to help King Henry 1 instead, they sent off Maredudd as a hostage to Henry. Maredudd might have been expected to be treated with honour but instead was imprisoned until 1107 when Owain ap Cadwgan helped him to escape.

In the historical fiction ‘The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter,’ I suggest that Maredudd felt he had a debt to Owain ap Cadwgan. Whether or not this is true, what can not be denied is that Maredudd became Owain’s penteulu or head of his warband, in 1113. Maredudd did encourage Owain to make peace with Henry in the campaign against the Welsh in 1114, and it seemed to suit him to manage affairs in Powys when Owain went first to King Henry’s court and then as a knight on a campaign to Normandy.

Imprisonment may well have taken a toll on Maredudd and softened his ambition in the early days. Also cognizant of the precariousness of his family’s position, he is likely to have operated cautiously, observing the ebb and flow of political currents while carefully cultivating alliances that would serve his interests. Such a deliberate approach would ensure that Maredudd remained in the background, consolidating his power and influence away from the glare of public scrutiny.

While his two brothers were murdered, Maredudd went on to have a long life, and that in part can be attributed to his understanding of the intricate web of familial ties, rivalries and shifting alliances and the way he navigated this landscape with patience, astuteness and a keen understanding of human nature.

As Maredudd matured, he recognized the importance of securing his sons’ futures. He honed his diplomatic finesse and navigated the complex landscape of Welsh politics with precision. His rule over Powys after the death of Owain ap Cadwgan not only solidified his own power but also paved the way for his offspring to succeed. Maredudd may have been a late bloomer, but his strategic prowess ensured he wielded significant power in the end.

If you would like to immerse yourself in the time of Wales in the Middle Ages, you might enjoy ‘The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter’ and ‘The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance’.