Eadric and the Welsh

Eadric 'the Wild' (otherwise called Wild Edric, Eadric Cild and Eadric the Forester) was an Anglo-Saxon thegn of Shropshire and Herefordshire who led a revolt against William the Conqueror. He allied with two Welsh princes, Bleddyn ap Cynfyn and his brother Rhiwallon, as well as English rebels from Cheshire. This post will look at Eadric and his Welsh allies.

Bleddyn and Rhiwallon were half-brothers of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, the only High King of Wales (reigned 1055-1063). After the downfall of Gruffudd at the hands of Harold Godwinsson, the brothers were installed as co-rulers of Gwynedd by the English. Bleddyn also became king of Powys, and his descendents continued to rule as the House of Mathrafal. In exchange, Bleddyn and Rhiwallon submitted to Harold and swore homage and fealty to the king of England, Edward the Confessor. 

This relationship probably explains why they joined successive English revolts against the Normans, after Harold's death at the battle of Hastings. In 1067 they allied with Eadric and helped him to ravage Herefordshire as far as the River Lugg. The following year they joined Earls Edwin and Morcar of Northumbria in their attacks upon the Normans. 

The Welsh kings appear to have linked up with Eadric again, and it was probably this combination of forces that was defeated at Stafford in 1069. Although the chronicle accounts are vague, this appears to have been a replay of Hastings, albeit on a smaller scale, in which the Anglo-Welsh were defeated by William in person. Say what you like about the Conqueror, but he lived up to his nickname.

Sadly, within a few years the brothers were dead, both slain in battle. Rhiwallon was killed at the battle of Mechain in 1070, slaughtered by his own nephews, Idwal and Maredudd, sons of the late High King. His nephews were also killed in the fighting, so it ended in a bloody draw. Bleddyn survived another five years, but was snared and killed by King Rhys ab Owain of Deheubarth, after being betrayed by the princes of Ystrad Tywi. 

It seems their old ally, Eadric, met with a somewhat happier fate. He submitted to William in 1070, possibly after being captured by Ranulph Mortimer, and was taken into the king's peace. Eadric later campaigned for William in Scotland and Maine, as well as (oh the irony!) defending Wigmore castle for the king against Ranulph, after the latter revolted against William. Such was the merry-go-round of medieval politics.