When we think of a medieval king from the 10th century, we often imagine swords, castles, and battles. But Hywel Dda was different. Rather than focusing on war, he focused on law, fairness, and caring for his people – and that is why he earned the name “the Good.”
He created a set of laws to help people live together peacefully. These laws were clear, fair, and surprisingly modern. For example, women at the time had more rights than in many other countries. Everyone knew what was right and what broke the law, helping communities solve problems without fighting.
But Hywel Dda is remembered not just as a historical figure; his influence continues to this day. The Hywel Dda University Health Board is named after him, one of seven health boards across Wales. The health board in southeast Wales is called the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, while the one in north Wales is the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Do you know how these figures have shaped Wales?
Would Hywel Dda recognize Wales today? Some jobs would be familiar to him, no doubt – farming and fishing – but what about modern roles in education, healthcare, tourism, or factories like Airbus in North Wales? Life has changed a lot since the 10th century, but Hywel Dda’s values remain: society works best when people cooperate and treat each other fairly.
So, the story of Hywel Dda teaches us something important: a good leader can make a real difference.
