Rhodri Molwynog

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A map of Gwynedd showing its cantrefi

Rhodri Molwynog ab Idwal Iwrch ("Rhodri the Bald and Grey"; reigned c. 720 – c. 754, died circa 754), also known as was an 8th century king of Gwynedd. He was listed as a King of the Britons by the Annals of Wales.

This era in the history of Gwynedd is very obscure and, given the lack of reliable information available, several serious histories of medieval Wales – including John Davies's<ref>Template:Harvcolnb, A History of Wales</ref> – do not mention Rhodri at all, while others – including John Lloyd's<ref>Template:Harvcolnb, A History of Wales, Vol. I</ref> – mention him only in passing, quoting the undated entry of the Annals of Wales recording his death.<ref name=Philly>Template:Harvcolnb, Annales Cambriæ, Template:Langx.</ref> Phillimore's reconstruction places the entry in the year 754.<ref name=Philly/> The Annals do not mention the death of an earlier king within a reasonable time frame, so the date that he became king is not known, nor is the name of his predecessor.

Rhodri's name also appears in genealogies such as those in Jesus College MS. 20 (where he is described as the son of Idwal Iwrch son of Cadwaladr Fendigiad<ref>Template:Harvcolnb. Template:Langx</ref>) and the Harleian genealogies (where he is described as the son of Tutgual son of Cadwaladr<ref>Template:Harvcolnb, "Pedigree of Ywain Son of Hywel". Template:Langx</ref>). It remains, however, unclear to what extent the genealogies at that point were recording the lineage of the Cuneddion dynasty regardless of their rule or recording the rulers regardless of their connection to the main branch of the dynasty.

The Annals of Wales mention a war in kingdom of Cornwall around 722 without giving the names of the individuals involved.<ref>Template:Harvcolnb, Annales Cambriæ.</ref> The Brut y Saeson Chronicle says that in 721 there was "an extensive war between Rhodri Molwynawg and the Saxons in Cornwall".<ref>Template:Harvcolnb, the Brut y Saeson.</ref> The Brut Aberpergwm also recorded this event but, while it was accepted for a time by the editors of The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales, Thomas Stephens has since shown that it was one of Iolo Morganwg's many forgeries.<ref>Template:Harvcolnb, The Book of Aberpergwm.</ref>

The Rotri appearing in the Annals has sometimes been misidentified as a ruler of Alt Clut (modern Dumbarton Rock), the Brythonic kingdom later known as Strathclyde.<ref name=MacQuarrie>MacQuarrie, p. 11.</ref>

He was succeeded by Caradog ap Meirion.