Trahaearn Ap Caradog - Conflict With Gruffydd Ap Cynan

Conflict With Gruffydd Ap Cynan

The same year Gruffydd ap Cynan landed on Anglesey with an Irish force, and with the assistance of the Norman Robert of Rhuddlan defeated Trahaearn and gained control of Gwynedd.

However tension between Gruffydd ap Cynan's Irish bodyguard and the local Welsh led to a rebellion in Llyn and Trahaearn took the opportunity to counter attack, defeating Gruffydd at the Battle of Bron yr Erw, also in 1075, and forcing him to flee back to Ireland.

In 1078 Trahaearn was campaigning in South Wales, defeating 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. Rhys was forced to flee, and later the same year was killed by Caradog ap Gruffydd of Gwent. This was hailed in the annals Brut y Tywysogion as "vengeance for the blood of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn".

Trahaearn ruled Gwynedd until 1081, when Gruffydd ap Cynan returned from Ireland with an army of Danes and Irish and made an alliance with Rhys ap Tewdwr who had recently been ousted as prince of Deheubarth by Caradog ap Gruffydd of Morgannwg.