Ethyllt ferch Cynan

Ethyllt ferch Cynan, also known as Ethil, was the heiress to the throne of Gwynedd, Wales.

Early life

Her father was King Cynan Dindaethwy of Gwynedd, and her mother Matilda of Flintshire. Ethyllt was born in 744, most likely in one of Gwynedd's many castles. Little is known of her personal life, but she probably grew up in privilege and comfort.

Marriage

In 768 she was married to King Guriat of Ynys Manaw (Isle of Man). She probably went to live there and was not present when, after the death of her father in 764, the throne was secured by her uncle Hywel. He traveled from the Isle of Man and brought new stability and a new dynasty to Gwynedd, ending many years of Civil War.

Fall of Gwynedd

Merfyn reigned for 19 years, but was rarely in his kingdom, and left the land weaker, a much easier target for attack. A Hiberno-Viking, Godreg mac Fergus, took over Gwynedd in 836, and the land was not recovered until King Edward I claimed Wales as part of Britain in the 11th century. After Merfyn became king, Ethyllt probably never went back to her homeland. She had one child, her son Merfyn the Freckled, who became king of the Isle of Man upon his father's death.