Cadwgan ap Bleddyn

Cadwgan ap Bleddyn (1051–1111) was a prince of the Kingdom of Powys in north eastern Wales. who was king of both Kingdom of Powys and Gwynedd.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle stated: "the Welsh ... chose many leaders from among themselves, one of them was called Cadwgan, who was the finest of the all". Bleddyn, Cadwgan's father was killed in 1075 in the 'battle of Gwdig' (Goodwick) by the neighboring kingdom of Deheubarth and Prince Rhys ab Owain with the nobles of Ystrad Tywi; his family avenged his death when his cousin Trahaearn ap Caradog retaliated in the battle of Goodwick. After this, the Kingdom of Powys was divided between three of Bleddyn's sons: Cadwgan, Iorwerth and Maredudd. In 1094 a Welsh revolt against Norman rule broke out, and Cadwgan played a part in this, defeating a Norman force at the battle of Coed Yspwys. Bleddyn was now an ally of Gruffudd ap Cynan, king of Gwynedd, A Danish fleet hired by Gruffudd was offered a higher price by the Normans and changed sides, forcing Cadwgan and Gruffudd to flee to Ireland in a skiff.

They were able to return to Wales the following year, and Cadwgan was able to reclaim part of Powys and Ceredigion, on condition of doing homage to Earl Robert of Shrewsbury. For a while Cadwgan was able to strengthen his position.