Ynyr ap Cadfarch (died c. 874) was a Briton captain who served under King Rhodri the Great during the 9th century.
Biography[]
Incursions into England[]
A trusted advisor to Rhodri, Ynyr accompanied his king during the Britons invasions into Sciropscire in Western England, then controlled by the Kingdom of Mercia.[1] Under Ynyr 's command, the Britons controlled the hamlet of Wesberie, Wenlocan Outpost and the Dhustone Quarry, the latter two used to house the Anglo-Saxon prisoners. When Mercia came under Viking domination in the early 870s, the Britons also came to combat against the additional Norse Vikings. After Rhodri's brother Gwriad was captured by the Viking leader Ivarr the Boneless, Ynyr and Rhodri's wife Angharad ferch Meurig accompanied the king to Quatford to negotiate peace in exchange for Gwriad's safety and return.[2]
At the church in Quatford, the Britons met with the Bishop Deorlaf, who was appointed as a stand-in following the death of the shire's previous ealdorman. The meeting was soon joined by the shieldmaiden Eivor Varinsdottir, Ivarr and Ceolbert, the son of the Mercian king Ceolwulf. Due to Ivarr's heated rivalry against Rhodri, peace in the church was barely contained between the Britons and the Saxons. After an attempt by Eivor to try and disfuse the situation with a sack of silver given by Deorlaf, Ivarr went on to slit Gwriad's throat, killing him and putting an end to any possible means of peace. Ynyr, Rhodri and Angharad then departed as the Britons were commanded to eliminate everyone in the church and town.[2]
Death and aftermath[]
Ynyr clashing against the trio in combat
Ynyr then returned Wesberie where he remained until he was given commands by King Rhodri. Seeking to push the Britons to giving in to peace talks, the trio consisting of Eivor, Ivarr and Ceolbert attacked and torched Wesberie, drawing Ynyr out to confront them. Ynyr and his men fought against the trio, eventually falling to their blade. His own spear, given to him by his father as a heirloom, was then taken into Eivor's possession.[3]
Sure enough, Ynyr's death along with the fall of other Briton-controlled locations in Sciropscire led the Britons to push for peace. Angharad herself met with Eivor and Deorlaf to negotiate for a peaceful departure from the shire once more.[3]
Equipment and skills[]
Ynyr was a noteworthy and capable soldier. His position of captain within Rhodri's army as well as being his most trusted advisor was a testament to his skills. In combat, Ynyr wielded his father's heirloom spear and a longsword which he used in his fight against Eivor, Ceolbert and Ivarr.[1]
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – War Weary
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Bloody Path to Peace