Anarawd, King of Gwynedd
(c.836-916)
(Latin: Anarodus; English: Anred)

Anarawd was the son of King Rhodri Mawr of Gwynedd, Powys & Seisyllwg. Rhodri was killed in battle fighting against the Anglo-Saxons in AD 878 and, in accordance with his Welsh tradition, his dominions were divided among his sons, Anarawd, Merfyn and Cadell. Anarawd succeeded to Gwynedd, apparently with authority over his brothers, Merfyn and Cadell who obtained Powys and Seisyllwg respectively. Rhodri's conflict with the Anglo-Saxons was continued by Anarawd. When King Aethlered II of Mercia and his army made a daring incursion deep into Gwynedd in AD 880, Anarawd completely defeated them at Cymryd, on the west bank at the mouth of the River Conwy. This Battle of Conway was generally referred to as the 'Avenging of Rhodri'. Subsequently, an old story tells how many of the British aristocracy of Strathclyde, being expelled by either the Scots or the Anglo-Saxons, were received into Wales by Anarawd, who granted them the land between the Dee and the Conwy, on the condition that they expel any Anglo-Saxons there. In 895, according to the 'Annales Cambriae', Anarawd "with the English" devastated Seisyllwg, that is the territory of his brother Cadell, for the purpose probably of enforcing payment of tribute due from the younger to the elder. Anarawd's died in 916 and was succeeded as King of Gwynedd by his son, Idwal Foel (the Bald).

Records of Anarawd date back to the 9th century. He is an historic personage