11 Facts About Hywel Dda

Hywel ap Cadell, commonly known as Hywel Dda, which translates to Howel the Good in English, was a Welsh king who ruled the southern Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth and eventually came to rule most of Wales.

Hywel Dda became the sole king of Seisyllwg in 920 and shortly thereafter established Deheubarth, and proceeded to gain control over the entire country from Prestatyn to Pembroke.

Hywel Dda's name is particularly linked with the codification of traditional Welsh law, which were thenceforth known as the Laws of Hywel Dda.

Hywel Dda was a well-educated man even by modern standards, having a good knowledge of Welsh, Latin and English.

The original assembly chamber, now known as Siambr Hywel Dda, is used for educational courses and for children and young people's debates.

The local health board of south-west Wales, covering an area roughly corresponding to the kingdoms of Dyfed and Seisyllwg of which Hywel Dda was King, bears his name.

Hywel Dda was the son of King Cadell ap Rhodri of Seisyllwg.

Hywel Dda had a brother, Clydog ap Cadell, who was probably the younger of the two.

Hywel Dda was later reputed to have married Elen ferch Llywarch, the supposed heiress of King Llywarch ap Hyfaidd of Dyfed, which connection was used to justify his family's reign over that kingdom.

Hywel Dda soon joined Seisyllwg and Dyfed into a single realm known as Deheubarth.

Hywel Dda sent Iago and Ieuaf into exile and established himself as ruler over Gwynedd, which probably placed him in control of the Kingdom of Powys, which was under the authority of Gwynedd.