Maelgwn Gwynedd

Maelgwn Gwynedd (died c. 547) was King of Gwynedd (reigned from ? - c. 547). More formally his name was Maelgwn ap Cadwallon, also known as Maelgwn Hir. The evidence suggests that he held a pre-eminent position among the kings in Wales and in parts of northern Britain known as 'The Old North'. Maelgwn was a generous supporter of Christianity, making donations to found churches throughout Wales, far beyond the bounds of his own kingdom. The history of Brythonic Gwynedd begins with the conquest of the Gaelic peoples of northern Wales by Maelgwn's great-grandfather Cunedda, with the conquest finally completed by Maelgwn's father Cadwallon. Maelgwn was the first king to enjoy the fruits of his family's conquest and he is considered the founder of the medieval kingdom's royal family. He is thus most commonly referenced by appending the name of the kingdom to his own: Maelgwn Gwynedd. By tradition, his llys (English: royal court, literally hall) was located at Deganwy, in the Creuddyn peninsula of Rhos. Tradition also holds that he died at nearby Llanrhos, and was buried there.