All In The Family

      The years between 800 A.D. to 950 A.D. demonstrated the development of many changes among the tribal groups that had clustered together each having their new languages, legends, and traditions. Recognized districts were formed aided by mutual support among the kindred groups. The map that was shown in a previous post (3rd January 2023) has been colored coded showing the major territories as they became called by those who occupied and maintained control of the land. Take a look.

     Gwynedd (colored blue) was generally considered the most stable and prosperous having the highest point (Snowdonia at 3560 ft.), a protected food supply (Mon), and a special religious history dating from the Druids (Holyhead Mountain).

      Powys is colored orange, and had the longest border facing eastward against all comers. It was basically the front door to the mountains, and lots of folks came knocking.  

      Ceredigion and Ystrad Tywi (called Seisyllwg at first) is colored green. It was protected by mountains from those coming from the east, and the sea gave support on two sides.

      Dyfed is outlined pink and almost surrounded by sea. The Irish had a few things to say along the way.

      All this discussion has been given so that a backdrop and context might be helpful in understanding the importance of my own Y-DNA. It was during this column of time that my family had its roots. The following figure matches the color coding shown above. It was the line of descent and marriages that formed the multiple family trees that seem to have survived.

      In 825 A.D., Merfyn became the ruler of Gwynedd (his line shown in blue).  He married Nest the daughter of the ruler of Powys (colored orange). Then, Rhodri (by line of descent) when his father died in 844 A.D., became chief of Gwynedd. Then, 10 years later his uncle-in-law died in 855 A.D., and by marriage (thru his mother) Rhodri could claim ownership to the lands of Powys. Thus, Rhodri (by line of descent and marriage) became the leader of both districts, Gwynedd in 844 A.D. and Powys in 855 A.D. It was also during this time that Rhodri married Anghard of the line of Seisyllwg (outlined green). Some 16 years later it was his brother-in-law Gwgon that died, and Rhodri became chief of  Seisyllwg. Man, how do you like this family tree? The genealogy virus within wanted to see if this family tree could be sorted. 

      Now Rhodri died in 877 A.D., and his son Cadell, had a son named Hywel, who married Elen of the line of Dyfed. Through this marriage Hywel (the grandson of Rhodri) came to rule Dyfed (colored pink). It was the daughter of this Hywel that married into my direct line of male descent. Wow, my own Jones surname way down the line. But hey, it was all in the family.