Celtic Kingdoms of the British Isles

Rhos

This was a region in what was still in the process of becoming Wales. Initially Rhos was likely to have been part of the territory of the kingdom of Ceredigion. The origin of the name is obscure, but it may have its basis in the former Roman cantref name. Created as a sub-kingdom of Gwynedd in the late fifth century, after a short period of expansion within Gwynedd, it was later drawn back under Gwynedd's direct control.

(Additional information by Edward Dawson.)

c.480 - 517

Owain Ddantgwyn (White-Tooth)

Youngest son of Einion Yrth of Gwynedd.

517

Owain is murdered by Maelgwyn Gwynedd almost as soon as the latter acquires the throne of Gwynedd.

517 - c.540

Cynlas Goch (the Red) (ap Owain)

Cinglas (Cuneglasus). Mentioned by Gildas.

517

The sense of humour sometimes exhibited by the Welsh (even today) in naming their offspring is evident in Cynlas Goch. Perhaps better known as Cuneglasus in his own time is mentioned in records as ruddy (a redhead), but his name literally means 'blue dog' ('cuno-' meaning dog and 'glasus' meaning blue).

c.540

Einion ap Cynlas (St)

King of Lleyn. Allowed to absorb Afflogion.

c.540

At some point in his lifetime, Einion ap Cynlas inherits the minor territory of Afflogion, on the Lleyn Peninsula, after the death of its last appointed ruler, which may be Afloyg ap Cunedda, but is more likely to be an unknown son or grandson. Allowed to merge this territory with Rhos, Einion now holds eastern Gwynedd and the whole of the Lleyn Peninsula.

The expansion of Rhos to take in the Lleyn Peninsula may have threatened the over-king of Gwynedd as a potential rival

c.560

Rhos loses any autonomy it might possess as over-king Rhun Hir of Gwynedd draws the kingdom under his direct control. Einion's family appear to remain important lords in eastern Gwynedd after they cease to be kings, and a ninth generation descendant of Cynlas became King Caradog ap Meirchion of Gwynedd in the eighth century.

754 - 798

Caradog ap Meirchion

King of Rhos and Gwynedd.

798 - 825

Hywel ap Caradog

Son. King of Rhos. Sometimes incorrectly attributed to Manau.

813/816

Hywel fights Cynan Tyndaethwy for control of Mon (Anglesey). He apparently wins, as he holds Mon for about three years. The Rhos pedigree from Harleian Ms 3859 terminates with Hywel, leaving his successors as a matter of some guesswork, but one theory places the fifth century Caradog Freich Fras of Gwent here as Hywel's son.