History |
Idwal was the son of Meuric ab Idwal Voel who, though the rightful heir to the throne, was killed in 986 in the course of one of many struggles for the kingship which characterised the period from the death of Howel Dda in 950 until the time of Gruffyff ap Llywelyn. Idwal, on the death of his father, fled for safety to the collegiate establishment at Llancarvan. Meredydd ab Owain ab Howel Dda then succeeded in usurping the sovereignty of Gwynedd, and a few years later he marched on Glamorgan with an army of Danish mercenaries and laid waste the country; his object was to seize the fugitive Idwal, but in this he was unsuccessful.
By the year 995 the sons of Meuric gathered a sufficient following to return to North Wales, and by defeating Meredydd at the battle of Llangwyn, Idwal at last succeeded to the sovereignty. But the Danes had overrun the country during Meredydd\'s reign: the churches had been despoiled, the people were demoralised, and there was a great scarcity of food. Idwal is eulogised in the _Gwenlian Chronicle_ for his bravery and statesmanship in attempting to repair these disasters. He was killed in 996 or 997 in attempting to expel the Danes who, under Sweyn, the son of Harald, were once more devastating Anglesea. He left an infant son Iago ab Idwal ab Meurig. [1] |