Click the Map to see Gwynedd's place in Britain

Gwynedd covers most of North Wales and the Isle of Anglesey. The name is pronounced 'Gwineth' and means either 'Desirable Land' or 'Warrior Land'. When the Romans left Britain, it was invaded by the Irish. The British High-King (perhaps Vortigern) is said to have asked a friendly group of Britons living in Pictland to help him get rid of them. A chief named Cunedda and all his sons and their army travelled south to Gwynedd. They fought the Irish and sent them home. Gwynedd had many sub-kingdoms ruled by local kings. They are named after the sons of Cunedda. Cunedda’s descendants ruled here until 1282. That’s over 800 years! Then the English took over. The kings lived at Aberffraw. Their Royal monastery was at Llangadwaladr. The most famous Kings of Gwynedd were: Cadwallon - He lived in the early 7th century. He was a friend of the Saxon King Penda of Mercia. They took a big army North, killed King Edwin of Northumbria and conquered his kingdom. Rhodri the Great - He lived in the Mid-9th century. He ruled Powys and Seisyllwg (Ceredigion) as well. He fought against the Vikings and drove them out of Wales.