Anian (bishop of Bangor)
Anian (died before 12 January 1307) was a Catholic priest who became Bishop of Bangor. He had been the first Archdeacon of Anglesey and was elected bishop before 12 December 1267. He was consecrated at Canterbury and took possession of the bishop’s lands and income on 5 January 1268.
As bishop, he dealt with Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the Prince of Wales, who was contesting rights over the sees of St Asaph and Bangor and wanted bishops to help mediate with King Edward I of England. Llywelyn soon tried to control church property, so Anian negotiated agreements with him and his brothers: in 1269 with David at Berriw, and in April 1272 with Rhodri.
In 1274 Anian and the Bishop of St Asaph told Llywelyn they disagreed with his treatment of his brother David. The pope, asked by the bishops, condemned Llywelyn. In 1276 Anian drew up complaints against the prince, who was also in dispute with Edward I.
Having sided with the king, Anian lived for ten years at St Albans Abbey in England from 1277, during unrest in Wales. On St Mark’s Day in 1284, he christened the first English Prince of Wales, Edward II, at St Mary’s Chapel. He later traveled with Edward I back to his diocese after Llywelyn’s death. For helping settle North Wales, he received a share of royal tithes at Englefield and other legal rights in the bishopric’s lands.
Gruffydd ap Iorwerth, who followed him as bishop, was consecrated on 26 March 1307.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 16:47 (CET).