Hywel ab Edwin

Who was Hywel ab Edwin?

Hywel ab Edwin was king of Deheubarth in south Wales from 1033.

Hywel was the son of Edwin ab Einion and great-grandson of Hywel Dda. When the previous king, Rhydderch ap Iestyn, who had usurped the throne, died in 1033 Hywel became king of Deheubarth, sharing the realm with his brother Maredudd.

On Maredudd's death in 1035, Hywel became sole king. He came under increasing pressure from Viking raids and from Gruffydd ap Llywelyn who had already seized the throne of Gwynedd. In 1042 Hywel won a victory over a host of Danish marauders near Carmarthen but that year or in 1043 he was driven out of his kingdom by Gruffydd. He returned in 1044 with the aid of a Danish fleet to try to reclaim his kingdom, but Gruffydd defeated them in a battle near the mouth of the River Towy, killing Hywel.