Merfyn (The Freckled) Frych ap Gwriad

Merfyn, known as The Freckled, was born in 0764 in Wales.¹ The Freckled's father was Gwriad ap Elidir and his mother was Esyllt verch Cynan. His maternal grandparents were Cynan (Dindaethwy) ap Rhodri and <Unknown>. He had a brother named Cadrod. He was the older of the two children. He died as a war casualty at the age of 80 in 0844 in Battle of Cyfeil, Ketell, Wales.¹

General Notes
- Merfyn Frych (=Merfyn the Freckled) seized control of Gwynedd in 825 on the death of Hywel Farf-fehinog ap Caradog, though he may have held power in Anglesey since 818. According to bardic tradition, Merfyn came "from the land of Manaw", but it is uncertain whether this refers to the Isle of Man ("Ynys Manaw" in Welsh) or to Manaw Gododdin, the area around the Firth of Forth. He may have had a claim to the throne of Gwynedd through his mother Esyllt, daughter of Cynan ap Rhodri Molwynog.
  Merfyn allied himself to the royal house of Powys by marrying Nest, daughter of Cadell ap Brochwel and sister of Cyngen king of Powys. Despite Danish raids, Merfyn was able to maintain his position and on his death in 844 to hand the kingdom over intact to his son Rhodri the Great.
  (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)