Rhun Hir ap Maelgwn

Who was Rhun Hir ap Maelgwn?

Rhun ap Maelgwn Gwynedd, also known as Rhun Hir ap Maelgwn Gwynedd, was King of Gwynedd. He came to the throne on the death of his father, King Maelgwn Gwynedd. There are no historical records of his reign in this early age. A story preserved in both the Venedotian Code and an elegy by Taliesin says that he waged a war against Rhydderch Hael of Alt Clut and the kings of Gododdin or Manaw Gododdin. The town of Caerhun is said to be named for him, though without strong authority. Rhun also appears in several medieval literary stories, as well as in the Welsh Triads. His wife was Perwyr ferch Rhûn "Ryfeddfawr" and their son was Beli ap Rhûn "Hîr".

Rhun ap Maelgwn appears in the royal genealogies of the Harleian genealogies, Jesus College MS. 20, and Hengwrt MS. 202. The Bonedd y Saint says that he is the ancestor of Saint Edeyrn.