Hywel Dda

This article is about the Welsh king. For the health board, see Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Hywel Dda
Mid-13th century depiction of Hywel Dda in a Latin copy of the Laws of Hywel Dda
King of Gwynedd, Dyfed and Powys
Prince of Seisyllwg and Deheubarth
Reign942–950
PredecessorIdwal Foel
SuccessorIago ab Idwal
Died950
SpouseElen ferch Llywarch (893-943)
Issue
HouseDinefwr
FatherCadell ap Rhodri
Map of the extent of Hywel Dda's power
  Deheubarth, Hywel Dda's Kingdom
  Combine to form Morgannwg

Hywel ap Cadell, commonly known as Hywel Dda, which translates to Howel the Good in English,[1] was a Welsh king who ruled the southern Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth and eventually came to rule most of Wales. He 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.[2] As a descendant of Rhodri Mawr through his father Cadell, Hywel was a member of the Dinefwr branch of the dynasty. He was recorded as King of the Britons in the Annales Cambriæ and the Annals of Ulster.

Hywel is highly esteemed among other medieval Welsh rulers.[3] His name is particularly linked with the codification of traditional Welsh law, which were thenceforth known as the Laws of Hywel Dda. The latter part of his name (Dda, lit. "Good") refers to the fact that his laws were just and good. The historian Dafydd Jenkins sees in them compassion rather than punishment, plenty of common sense and recognition of the rights of women.[3] Hywel Dda was a well-educated man even by modern standards, having a good knowledge of Welsh, Latin and English.[3]

The office building and original home of the Senedd is named Tŷ Hywel ("Hywel House" or "Hywel's House") in honour of Hywel Dda. The original assembly chamber, now known as Siambr Hywel ("Hywel's Chamber"), 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 was King, also bears his name.[4][5]

  1. ^ Williams 1959
  2. ^ Davies 1999, p. 85.
  3. ^ a b c Davies 1999, p. 86.
  4. ^ "Tŷ Hywel event spaces". senedd.wales. 24 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Hywel Dda University Health Board". hduhb.nhs.wales.