Gwriad ap Merfyn (died 873) was the younger brother of Rhodri the Great, the King of Gwynedd during the late 9th century.
Biography[]
In the 870s, Gwriad joined his older brother in his campaigns against the Kingdom of Mercia in England, with each faction contesting for control over Sciropescire. By 874, the two sides fought to a stalemate, with neither able to gain any leverage. Circa 874, however, Gwriad was captured by the Vikings led by Ivarr the Boneless, allowing the Mercians, who had now allied with the Norse through their King Ceolwulf, to gain an advantage. Gwriad's capture greatly angered Rhodri who, desperate for peace, proposed negotiations at the town of Quatford. Gwriad was held captured while Rhodri, along with his wife Angharad and captain Ynyr ap Cadfarch met the Bishop Deorlaf in the church.[1]
The peace talks initially went smoothly but was swiftly put to a halt with the arrival of Ivarr, joined by Eivor Varinsdottir and Ceolwulf's son Ceolbert, who was groomed to be the next ealdorman of Sciropescire. After each faction was given some time to cool off, Gwriad was approached by Eivor, who was given a pouch of silver to help keep the peace. Gwriad spoke out on his inner opinions of his brother to her, assuring his promise to pull out the Britons from Sciropescire if he were to oust his brother as King with the appropriate silver.[1]
During the later stage of the meeting, Ivarr, still harboring a grudge against Rhodri for the scar wound on his face, took a knife and sliced Gwriad's neck, killing him instantly. His death largely put an end to any chance of peace talks between the Britons and Anglo-Saxons.[1]
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