In 1069 Ithel and Maredudd brought a kingship claim to the battlefield at Mechai...
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In 1069 Ithel and Maredudd brought a kingship claim to the battlefield at Mechain against Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn, who was aided by his younger brother, Bleddyn. In the battle, Ithel was slain as was Rhiwallon. Maredudd fled the field and was pursued by Bleddyn into the mountains, where he subsequently died of thirst and exposure to the elements. Wolcott believes Ithel, being the primary target, was the one who was staking the claim, and that one had to be aged 28 to do so. Maredudd would have been younger and fled the battlefield in order to stake a claim later. Wolcott therefore believes that Ithel turned 28 in 1069 and his younger brother came to the Mechain battle to support his claim. Thus we would date the birth of Ithel ap Gruffudd to the year 1041, with Maredudd being born a year or two later. Darrell Wolcott, Ancient Wales Studies. The Consorts and Children of Gruffudd ap Llewelyn Accessed Jan 6, 2018. jhd