Merfyn Frych
| Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad | |
|---|---|
A fanciful illustration of Merfyn Frych from the Historie of Cambria (1584) | |
| King of Gwynedd | |
| Reign | c. 826–844 |
| Predecessor | Hywel Farf-fehinog |
| Successor | Rhodri Mawr |
| King of the Isle of Man | |
| Reign | c. 800–844 |
| Predecessor | Gwriad ab Elidyr |
| Successor | Rhodri Mawr |
| Died | 844 |
| Spouse | Nest ferch Cadell |
| Issue | Rhodri Mawr |
| Dynasty | |
| Father | Gwriad ap Elidyr |
| Mother | Esyllt ferch Cynan Dindaethwy |
Merfyn Frych ("Merfyn the Freckled"; Old Welsh Mermin), also known as Merfyn ap Gwriad ("Merfyn son of Gwriad") and Merfyn Camwri ("Merfyn the Oppressor"), was King of Gwynedd from around 826 to 844, the first of its kings known not to have descended from the male line of King Cunedda.
Little is known of his reign and his primary notability is as the father of Rhodri Mawr (Rhodri the Great) and founder of his dynasty, which was sometimes called the Merfynion after him. Merfyn came to the throne in the aftermath of a bloody dynastic struggle between two rivals named Cynan and Hywel – generally identified with the sons of Rhodri Molwynog.
The Annales Cambriae say Merfyn died around 844, the same year in which a battle occurred at Cetyll, but it is unclear whether those were two unrelated events or he fell in battle.