Hywel of Deheubarth is a character in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series. He is the king of Deheubarth, and later Wealas
Biography[]
The Saxon Stories[]
(To Be Added)
The Last Kingdom[]
Season 4[]
Deheubarth, Wealas; Hywel meets with Pyrlig as he would like to strike a bargain. However, the king doesn’t make treaties with Saxons. Cnut's army are slaughtering all in their path and it will bring a dangerous heathen to Wealas' border. They follow the same God and their faith is now under threat. Pyrlig explains that to take care of Cnut now will save them all bloodshed later. Pyrlig explains that Mercians are gathering in Tettenhall and there are plans for Wessex to join. In return for his help, Hywel wants every last piece of Danish silver. He makes Father Pyrlig swear upon the Bible. ("Episode 4.4")
Tettenhall, Mercia; Uhtred, Æthelflæd, young Uhtred, Finan, Osferth, Sihtric, and Aldhelm arrive at Tettenhall. They are joined soon after by Father Pyrlig and King Hywel and his army.
After the battle, which was won due to the help of Hywel's men, Hywel is approached by Edward. He's made all Christians proud, and Edward is most grateful. Hywel then reveals that Pyrlig offered them the spoils of battle in return for their assistance. Though surprised by this revelation, Edward does not contest it. He proposes this strengthens their union. However, Hywel isn't interested in an alliance. Nor will he be doing anymore favours. ("Episode 4.4")
Deheubarth, Wealas; Brida works as a slave for the Welsh. Hywel approaches her, he refers to her as the lady warrior and can’t believe men died to defeat her. He raises his sword as if to kill her, but decides against it. He doesn’t want to give her the satisfaction. ("Episode 4.6")
King Hywel and the Welsh feast and celebrate. Hywel says to Rhodri that Brochfael of Gwent hasn’t smiled once. Rhodri has Brida bound by chains like an animal. Now that the war is over, Hywel is going on a pilgrimage and he wants Rhodri to rule in his absence. ("Episode 4.6")
Rhodri pulls Brida's chain and tells her to come over. He shows her a blade, claiming it belonged to Cnut, but Brida knows that it doesn't. Rhodri then orders for her to be thrown into the pit. King Hywel tells Rhodri to have some grace in victory. They will melt down all their silver and pay every craftsman in the country to finish the job that King Offa of Mercia started centuries ago. A barrier between them and the Saxons. ("Episode 4.6")
Holywel, Wealas; A Welsh guard travels to Holywell in search of King Hywel. He finds him at the cross and delivers him the head of another Welsh guard, revealing that the kingdom is under attack by Danes. ("Episode 4.7")
Llangadog, Wealas; King Hywel arrives In Llangadog to discover that the villagers have been slaughtered and the village itself nearly burned to the ground. He hears a baby crying and goes to investigate. He sees a young girl holding the child. She reveals to them that they were attacked by Danes. ("Episode 4.8")
Wealas; King Hywel and his men return to Wealas. Their plan to sneak attack the Danes fails as Sigtryggr predicts their arrival. He stands with his men at the other end of the field. As the Welsh charge towards them, Sigtryggr signals his men to fire arrows, which in turns sets the field ablaze, forcing the Welsh to retreat as Sigtryggr and his men fire more arrows, killing many of the Welsh. However, as they attempt to flee, the Danes trap them within the flames, allowing Sigtryggr and his men to finish off what’s left of the Welsh. Hywel and a small number of his soldiers managed to escape the fire, while Sigtryggr and his footmen moved into the trap to slaughter the wounded Welshmen that were left behind. ("Episode 4.8")
Years after the defeat, Hywel is still king and after king Edward's death, he becomes an ally to Æthelstan, after Æthelstan had kidnapped his son. Because of that, Hywel helps Æthelstan in the Battle of Brunanburh. ("Seven Kings Must Die")
Battle Participation[]
This list shows the battles Hywel has participated in:
The Last Kingdom[]
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The Saxon Stories[]
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Appearances[]
The Saxon Stories[]
| Books | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Saxon Stories | ✔ |
The Last Kingdom[]
| Episodes | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | ||||||||||
| Season 2 | ||||||||||
| Season 3 | ||||||||||
| Season 4 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||
| Season 5 | ||||||||||
| Seven Kings Must Die | ✔ |
Trivia[]
- This character has been based on a real historical figure of Hywel Dda.
- Historically, he is known as Hywel ap Cadell or Hywel the Good.
- Hywel was born c.880 and died in 948, at roughly 68 years of age. If the book series followed factual date of Hywel's birth then these are his ages throughout the books:
- In "The Empty Throne", it is 911, he is 31 years old.
- He inherited the whole kingdom of Seisyllwg (parts of modern Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion) in 911. Prior to this, Hywel became the legal heir to the southern kingdom of Dyfed, due to his marriage to Elen, the only child of King Llywarch ap Hyfaidd of Dyfed. From this would Hywel Dda work to form the new Kingdom of Deheubarth, which would form the south-western quarter of modern Wales.
- Hywel is a noble; he was born the prince of Seisyllwg, son of King Cadell, and he succeeded his father as king, with his marriage to Elen he gained Dyfed, with which he created the kingdom of Deheubarth, later he also became the king of Gwynedd and Powys after conquering them.