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The Earldom of ''Ewias'' and Urtchingfield[e] has placenames still in use today. The name Ewyias derived from the Welsh [[Ewyas|Kingdom of Ewyas]] (c. 5th century) which became part of the [[Kingdom of Gwent]] (South-east Wales). [[Ewyas Lacy]] became a [[Normans|Norman]] [[Hundred (county division)|hundred]] (county) ruled by the [[de Lacy]] family who were Welsh [[marcher Lords]]. The area is now a part of [[Herefordshire]] in [[England]] and is represented by the [[village]] [[Ewyas Harold]] on the [[England–Wales border]]. Nearby in Wales is the [[Vale of Ewyas]] at the [[Black Mountain (range)|Black mountains]] where the ruins of the [[Llanthony Priory]] exist today, first founded by the De Lacy family (c. 1100s).<ref name=Ewyas/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ewyaslacy.org.uk/doc.php?d=nw_ewy_9001|website=ewyaslacy.org|title=A Brief History of Ewyas Lacy|access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/llanthony-priory|website =cadw.gov.wales|title=Llanthony Priory|access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref> In comparison, the placename ''Urtchingfield'' (Irchenfield) is now named [[Archenfield]]. Irtchingfield was once in the surrounding area of a [[Roman fort]] named [[Ariconium]]. Later, Irchenfield became part of the [[sub-Roman Britain|post-Roman]] Welsh [[Ergyng|Kingdom of Ergyng]] from the [[Early Middle Ages|early medieval]] ages. Again, today, the town named Archenfield (Irchenfield) is now a part of the [[Counties of England|English county]] of Herefordshire on the Welsh border.{{#tag:ref|Later explained in the ''[[Book of Llandaff]]''.<ref name= Ewyas/>|group=ab}}<ref name=oct>{{cite book|author=Ifor Williams| trans-title=Breuddwyd Maxen|publisher=Jarvis & Foster|title =Macsen's dream|location=[[Bangor]]|year=1920| page=24}}</ref><ref name= Ewyas>{{cite book| author=Henry Lewis|title =Brut Dingestow|location =[[Cardiff]]|date=1942|publisher=[[Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru]]|pages=228-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4956572|title=Deanery of Irchenfield|date=26 March 1696|accessdate=7 September 2023|via=The National Archives (UK)}}</ref><ref>{{Citation| last = Sims-Williams| first = Patrick| title = Religion and Literature in Western England, 600 &ndash; 800| year = 2005| chapter = The kingdoms of the Hwicce and the Magonsaetan| publisher = Cambridge University Press| publication-date = 2005| page = 45| isbn = 978-0-521-67342-6}}</ref>
The Earldom of ''Ewias'' and Urtchingfield[e] has placenames still in use today. The name Ewyias derived from the Welsh [[Ewyas|Kingdom of Ewyas]] (c. 5th century) which became part of the [[Kingdom of Gwent]] (South-east Wales). [[Ewyas Lacy]] became a [[Normans|Norman]] [[Hundred (county division)|hundred]] (county) ruled by the [[de Lacy]] family who were Welsh [[marcher Lords]]. The area is now a part of [[Herefordshire]] in [[England]] and is represented by the [[village]] [[Ewyas Harold]] on the [[England–Wales border]]. Nearby in Wales is the [[Vale of Ewyas]] at the [[Black Mountain (range)|Black mountains]] where the ruins of the [[Llanthony Priory]] exist today, first founded by the De Lacy family (c. 1100s).<ref name=Ewyas/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ewyaslacy.org.uk/doc.php?d=nw_ewy_9001|website=ewyaslacy.org|title=A Brief History of Ewyas Lacy|access-date=7 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/llanthony-priory|website =cadw.gov.wales|title=Llanthony Priory|access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref> In comparison, the placename ''Urtchingfield'' (Irchenfield) is now named [[Archenfield]]. Irtchingfield was once in the surrounding area of a [[Roman fort]] named [[Ariconium]]. Later, Irchenfield became part of the [[sub-Roman Britain|post-Roman]] Welsh [[Ergyng|Kingdom of Ergyng]] from the [[Early Middle Ages|early medieval]] ages. Again, today, the town named Archenfield (Irchenfield) is now a part of the [[Counties of England|English county]] of Herefordshire on the Welsh border.{{#tag:ref|Later explained in the ''[[Book of Llandaff]]''.<ref name= Ewyas/>|group=ab}}<ref name=oct>{{cite book|author=Ifor Williams| trans-title=Breuddwyd Maxen|publisher=Jarvis & Foster|title =Macsen's dream|location=[[Bangor]]|year=1920| page=24}}</ref><ref name= Ewyas>{{cite book| author=Henry Lewis|title =Brut Dingestow|location =[[Cardiff]]|date=1942|publisher=[[Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru]]|pages=228-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4956572|title=Deanery of Irchenfield|date=26 March 1696|accessdate=7 September 2023|via=The National Archives (UK)}}</ref><ref>{{Citation| last = Sims-Williams| first = Patrick| title = Religion and Literature in Western England, 600 &ndash; 800| year = 2005| chapter = The kingdoms of the Hwicce and the Magonsaetan| publisher = Cambridge University Press| publication-date = 2005| page = 45| isbn = 978-0-521-67342-6}}</ref>


The descendants of Albon became the Welsh pre-Celtic ([[Insular Celts|Goidelic]]) [[Silures]] tribe for a millennium before the Roman occupation of Britain. The tribe later established a home in the [[Malvern Hills]] building [[British Camp|earthworks]] to protect themselves from [[Publius Ostorius Scapula|Ostorius Scapula]] and his [[Roman army]]. However, later in 78 AD, the Silures tribe was defeated by the Romans led by [[Frontinus]] from his nearby camp at the Roman fort of [[Ariconium]] which was inhabited for 300 years.<ref>{{cite book|title=The history of Ewias Harold|url=https://ia904704.us.archive.org/35/items/historyofewiasha00bannuoft/historyofewiasha00bannuoft.pdf|publisher=Jakeman & Carver|chapter=1|date=1861|first=Arthur Thomas|last=Bannister|pages=2-4| access-date=12 September 2023}}</ref>
The descendants of Albon became the Welsh pre-Celtic ([[Insular Celts|Goidelic]]) [[Silures]] tribe for a millennium before the Roman occupation of Britain. The tribe later established a home in the [[Malvern Hills]] building [[British Camp|earthworks]] to protect themselves from [[Publius Ostorius Scapula|Ostorius Scapula]] and his [[Roman army]]. However, later in 78 AD, the Silures tribe was defeated by the Romans led by [[Frontinus]] from his nearby camp at the Roman fort of [[Ariconium]] which was then inhabited for 300 more years.<ref>{{cite book|title=The history of Ewias Harold|url=https://ia904704.us.archive.org/35/items/historyofewiasha00bannuoft/historyofewiasha00bannuoft.pdf|publisher=Jakeman & Carver|chapter=1|date=1861|first=Arthur Thomas|last=Bannister|pages=2-4| access-date=12 September 2023}}</ref>


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Revision as of 05:36, 12 September 2023

See also: List of legendary Kings of Britain, King of the Britons, and Prince of Wales

King of Wales
Brenin Cymru
Welsh dragon, Pendragon symbol
Details
First monarchCamber, King of Cambria (Wales)
Last monarchOwain Gwynedd, King of Wales, Prince of Gwynedd
Formationc.1,000 BC
Abolition1,171 AD

The King of Wales (Welsh: Brenin Cymru) Royal title has origins spanning 3,000 years. Originally established by King Camber (c. 1,000 BC) of Cambria (Wales) during the European Iron Age. The family of Albon (son of Camber) became the Governors of North Cambria (North Wales, UK) for a millennium as Earls of Ewias and Urtchingfild until the Roman occupation of Britain. The medieval Kings of Wales emerged (except Cadell) from the Kingdom of Gwynedd (401 – 1283) and most from their cadet branch, the House of Aberffraw until the establishment of the Prince of Wales title after the Norman invasion of Wales (c. 1300 AD).

The Kingdom of Cambria (Wales) was a sub-kingdom of the Kingdom of Britain. Cambria began with Celtic peoples who settled in Wales and the surrounding British Isles during the late Bronze Age. The first wave of migration to pre-Celtic Europe began c. 1,000 BC which was followed by more between c. 500 BC - 200 BC. The Celts established Wales, England, and Scotland as the countries of Great Britain and were split further into regional Kingdoms based on the tribal territories of pre-Roman Wales.[1][2][3][4][5]

King of Wales was a rarely used title, because Wales, much like Ireland, rarely achieved a degree of political unity like that of England or Scotland during the Middle Ages. While many different leaders in Wales claimed the title of "King of Wales", the country was only truly united under the rule of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn as Prince of Wales from 1055 to 1063.[6][7]

Rhodri Mawr has been suggested by some as the first sovereign of Wales, and the first to unite most of Wales. The native use of the title Prince of Wales appeared more frequent by the eleventh century.

History of the Kingdom of Wales

See also: Prehistoric Wales, List of legendary kings of Britain, and Celts
Iron Age map of Britain
Map of Celtic tribes of Wales (40 AD).[4]

The Welsh Kingdoms established from the post-Roman provinces (c. 400s) have Celtic origins.The original Celtic settlement of the British Isles is from c. 1,000 BC.[8][4]

Welsh Celtic origins

During the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age in Celtic Britain (c. 800 BC) is when Cambria, (Wales) was split into 4 regional tribes. They were, the Ordovices (Mid Wales to North West Wales), the Deceangli (North East Wales, North Wales), the Silures (South East Wales, Mid Wales) and the Demetae (South West Wales).[3][5][9][10] A second wave (c. 500 BC- 200 BC) of migration of Celtic tribes from Eastern Europe emerged in Britain and established stone hut circle roundhouse settlements within or near the previously inhabited hillfort enclosures. Hut circles were used as dwellings until after the end of Roman rule in Britain. During the Roman occupation, another Celtic Briton tribe in Cambria (Wales) was identified as the Gangani (Llŷn Peninsula, North West Wales), they were a tribe with connections to Ireland (Éire).[11][3][4][12]

Establishing the Kingdom of Cambria (Wales)

As a new culture of pre-Celtic Europe began, the mythological title (Welsh mythology), the first King of Britain (Welsh: Brenin y Brythoniaid, Latin: Rex Britannorum), Brutus of Troy was a Trojan who was born generations after the Trojan war (c. 1,184 BC) and had left Troy (present-day Turkey) to settle Great Britain. His Troy ancestor was Prince Aeneas (descendant of Zeus, one of the Olympians). Brutus fled the Greek Kingdom and sailed to the town of Totnes, England where a landmark stone still commemorates his arrival. He defeated Gogmagog the Giant in Britain (Albion) and founded New Troy, today the city of London. The Kingdoms of Great Britain were subsequently divided by Brutus into 3 regions. His sons were each given tribes to rule over. Locrinus is given Loegria (Lloegyr/England), Camber (Kamber) becomes King of Cambria (Wales) and Albanactus, Albania (Alba, now Scotland). Camber's eldest son Gorbonian, became a Duke of Cornwall as well as Chief Governor of Cambria. Albon, the second son of King Camber became Governor of North Cambria as well as the Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild.[ab 1][ab 2][15][16][17][18][19]

Attributed arms of Camber from the Book of Baglan[19]

Brutus' descendants, Kings of Britain

After the founding of the ancient Celtic Kingdom of Cambria (Wales) by the King of Britain, Brutus' descendants would thrive in Britain and Gaul for over a millennium until the Roman foundations of Britain. An example was Leir of Britain (the name given to Leicester, England), he had 3 daughters. Leir was the final direct patrilineal male descendant of Brutus of Troy to be King. Leir's life is dated to the founding of Rome c. 753 BC. Leir's grandson, Cunedagius (Cunedda) next unified the Kingdoms of Britain (after Maddan) as King of Kambria, Lloegyr, and Alba (Wales, England, and Scotland) and ruled for 33 years. Generations later, a descendant of Camber, Prince Dyfnwal Moelmud (Dunwallo Molmutius) wrote the Molmutine Laws for the Kingdom to abide by. When he died, he was buried in Trinovantum (original name of London).[ab 3][22][19][18][23]

The line of British Celtic Kings continued for centuries from c. 500 BC for 700 years into the 2nd century AD when Geta, son of the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus (also a descendant of Brutus of Troy) was given the title, King of Britain.[24]

Descendants of Camber, King of Cambria (Wales)

Lists compiled from several sources regarding the rulers of Cambria (Wales), Britain and a combination of the Kingdoms of Wales (Dyfed, Gwynedd, Powys) and in England. Starting with King Camber, son of Brutus of Troy who ruled the Kingdom of Cambria, now considered Wales, UK. Camber's children shared Cambria (Wales) as the Chief Governor of Cambria and Governor of North Cambria titles in Wales as well as being Kings of Britain and Dukes of Cornwall (Dumnonia).[18][19][25][26]

List of Chief Governors of Cambria (Wales)

A list of the descendants of King Camber's eldest son, Gorbonian as Chief Governors of Cambria (Wales) and Dukes of Cornwall (legendary), UK.[19]

Name Title Notes Year Sources
Gorbonian Duke Son of Camber; Governor of Cambria & Duke of Cornwall[a] (c. 1,000BC) Book of Baglan folios 84, 305
Difnwall Hen Duke Son of Gorbonian; Chief Governor of Cambria, Duke of Cornwall[a] Book of Baglan folios 84, 306
Kingen Duke Son of Difnwall Hen; Governor of Cambria & Duke of Cornwall[a] Book of Baglan folios 84, 306
Aser Duke Son of Kingen; Governor of Cambria & Duke of Cornwall[a] Book of Baglan folios 84, 306
Bledhud (Blaiddyd) Duke Son of Aser; Governor of Cambria & Duke of Cornwall[a] Book of Baglan folios 84, 306; Where Troy Once Stood[18]
Henwin Duke Son of Bledhud; Governor of Cambria & Duke of Cornwall;[a] under King Leir;[b] husband of Leir's daughter Regan[b][a] 899 BC[c] Historia Regum Britanniae; Survey of Cornwall; Book of Baglan folios 84, 306
Chief Governor of Cambria succeeds as the Kings of Britain and the Dukes of Cornwall for millennia.

List of Chief Governors of North Cambria (North Wales) & Earls

The list of King Camber's second son. Albon's descendants as titleholders of the Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild (Ewyas and Archenfield) and also the Governors of North Cambria (North Wales, UK).[ab 4][19][21][25]

The Earldom of Ewias and Urtchingfield[e] has placenames still in use today. The name Ewyias derived from the Welsh Kingdom of Ewyas (c. 5th century) which became part of the Kingdom of Gwent (South-east Wales). Ewyas Lacy became a Norman hundred (county) ruled by the de Lacy family who were Welsh marcher Lords. The area is now a part of Herefordshire in England and is represented by the village Ewyas Harold on the England–Wales border. Nearby in Wales is the Vale of Ewyas at the Black mountains where the ruins of the Llanthony Priory exist today, first founded by the De Lacy family (c. 1100s).[27][28][29] In comparison, the placename Urtchingfield (Irchenfield) is now named Archenfield. Irtchingfield was once in the surrounding area of a Roman fort named Ariconium. Later, Irchenfield became part of the post-Roman Welsh Kingdom of Ergyng from the early medieval ages. Again, today, the town named Archenfield (Irchenfield) is now a part of the English county of Herefordshire on the Welsh border.[ab 5][30][27][31][32]

The descendants of Albon became the Welsh pre-Celtic (Goidelic) Silures tribe for a millennium before the Roman occupation of Britain. The tribe later established a home in the Malvern Hills building earthworks to protect themselves from Ostorius Scapula and his Roman army. However, later in 78 AD, the Silures tribe was defeated by the Romans led by Frontinus from his nearby camp at the Roman fort of Ariconium which was then inhabited for 300 more years.[33]

Name Title Notes Year Sources
Albon Earl Governor of North Cambria (North Wales), Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild,[a] (Earldom of Ewyas & Ergyng)[27] c. 1,000 BC) Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Dingad Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Avyn Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Gridion Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Kereint Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Merion Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Arthe Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Keidio Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Keri Hir Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Parar Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Llŷr Lledaeith[d][e] Earl Son-in-law of King of Britain, Beli Mawr (Heli),[34][b] Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] c. 60 BC[35] Book of Baglan folios 85-86; Historia Regum Britanniae; Mabinogion; Welsh Triads[ab 6]
Brân (the Blessed)[d] Earl Son of Llyr, Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild,[a][e] Castell Dinas Bran in Powys his residence.[37] c. 30 BC[35] Book of Baglan folios 85-86; Mabinogion; Welsh Triads, 9
Karadowc (Caradog ap Bran)[d][e][ab 7] Earl Son of Bran,[e][ab 8] Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild.[a] c. 5 AD[35] Book of Baglan folios 85-86; Mabinogion; Book of Llandaff; Welsh Triads
Endhaf (Eudaf Hen, Octauian / Octavius) King,[b] Earl, Duke[a] King of Britain, Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild, Duke of Westsexe living near Segontium, Caernarfon, North Wales.[30][a][b] Book of Baglan folios 85-86; Mabinogion; Book of Llandaff; Historia Regum Britanniae
Kenan Earl Governor of North Cambria, Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfild[a] Book of Baglan folios 85-86
Elen[d][e] Saint Daugher of Eudaf Hen, cousin of Conan King of Cornwall (ancestor of Cunedda, founder of Gwynedd) married Roman King of Britain Magnus Maximus.[b][a][e][41] c. 4th century[42] Book of Baglan folios 85-86; Historia Regum Britanniae; Mabinogion; Book of Llandaff; Welsh Triads, 5
Governorship of North Cambria and the title of Earl of Ewias and Urtchingfilde ends during Roman occupation

List of Kings of Welsh Kingdoms as King of Britain

The Kings of the Welsh Kingdoms represented their country as King of Britain's post-Roman conquest for a few centuries before the emergence of the King of Wales title. The Kingdoms emerged in the 5th century as successor states to the Roman Provinces which stood in place for nearly 400 years. Both the Chief Governor of Cambria and Governor of North Wales title holder's descendants inter-marry as ancestors to the King of Wales.[19][43][44][45] The Kings of Britain who were also Kings in Welsh Kingdoms in sub-Roman Britain, beginning with Vortigern (founder of the Kingdom of Powys), son-in-law to the Roman Emperor and King of Britain, Magnus Maximus (Welsh: Macsen Wledig, father of Sevira) who through his wife's family was a descendant of the Governors of North Cambria (Wales). This was written on the Pillar of Eliseg in the 9th century.[19][46]

Name Title Notes Year Sources
Vortigern King Founder of the Kingdom of Powys, King of Britain. Son-in-law to Roman Emperor, Magnus Maximus c.420s AD Historia Regum Britanniae; Welsh Triads, 5
King Arthur King Overlord of Wales[47] c. 500 AD Historia Regum Britanniae'; Welsh Triads[ab 9]
Vortiporius King King of Dyfed, King of Britain c. 500 AD Historia Regum Britanniae
Maelgwn Gwynedd King King of Britain, Gwynedd, Descendant of Cunedda of Gwynedd c.520 AD, King of Britain, King of Gwynedd. Historia Regum Britanniae; Welsh Triads[ab 10]
Selyf ap Cynan King King of Powys, King of the Britons c. 616 AD Annals of Ulster[48]
Idris ap Gwyddno (Idris Gawr) King King of the Britons (in 635), King of Meirionnydd[49] ?–635 Annals of Ulster (sub anno 633)[50]
Cadfan ap Iago King Great-great-grandson of Maelgwn, King of Britain, King of Gwynedd. c.600 AD Historia Regum Britanniae; Welsh Triads, 8, 48, 52
Cadwallon ap Cadfan King Son of Cadfan,[e] King of Britain, King of Gwynedd. d.634 AD Historia Regum Britanniae; Welsh Triads[ab 11]
Cadwaladr King Son of Cadwallon, King of Britain, King of Gwynedd. d.682 AD Historia Regum Britanniae; Welsh Triads 12, 43
Rhodri Molwynog King King of Britons, Gwynedd, grandson of Cadwladr. Son Cynan Dindaethwy, first ruler of medieval Kingdom of Wales. d. 754 AD Annales Cambriae[51]
King of Britain title is succeeded by the medieval Kings of Wales

Pendragon

The Celtic Kings of the Britain (Latin: Rex Britannorum) were given the title Pendragon which was similar to the Roman Emperor's title of Caesar. The title started with Uther Pendragon, father of the legendary King Arthur. The Pendragon name is associated with "a great leader; the highest commander". In the Old Welsh language pen meant a "tall hill; headlands or great heights". Pendragon as a Middle English term originated from the Welsh language. In Welsh, 'pen' (English: Head) can be deemed symbolic like a leader. Then, Pendragon- a Dragon is a legendary creature.[ab 12][53][1][54][55] Another example of the use of the title was during the 12th century for the Prince of Gwynedd, Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd.[56]

Welsh post-Roman Kingdoms

See also: List of legendary Kings of Britain, Kingdom of Gwynedd, Kingdom of Gwent, Kingdom of Powys, and Deheubarth

Gwynedd

Eventually, after the 5th century, Wales was unified and ruled again by the Brythonic Celtic tribes who inhabited the lands. The Kingdom of Gwynedd was established in North West Wales during the year 401 by Cunedda Wledig, a Roman soldier who hailed from Manaw Gododdin (Scotland) to pacify the invading fellow Celts from Ireland.[57][58] The rulers of Gwynedd would establish a Kingdom as descendants of the final Kings of Britain. During the age of Cadwaladr (last King of Britain, Prince of Gwynedd c. 660s), his family settled the lands of Southwest Anglesey as patrons of St Cadwaladr's Church, Llangadwaladr, an inscription in Latin is still found in the Church today speaks of his grandfather (Cadfan ap Iago), "the Wisest and Most Renowned of All Kings".[57][59][60][61] The King Rhodri Mawr later established a new dynasty (c. 870s AD) by constructing a royal palace at Aberffraw, it was named after the village it was located at, the House of Aberffraw on Anglesey, then in the Kingdom of Gwynedd.[62][63]

Early medieval use of the title

Map of territories ruled by Rhodri Mawr, "King of Wales"
  Kingdom of Rhodri Mawr

Following the departure of the Roman legions from Wales, the country had become fractured into divided territories, each with its own leaders. The first known person to actually call himself king was Rhodri Mawr (c. 820–878) and being from Wales he was by extension called the King of Wales, although he did not control all of the country. Nonetheless, he did unite much of the land under his power. Though he died in 878,[64][better source needed] the legacy of what he had accomplished was significant enough to act as motivation for future Welsh leaders to aspire to. This would eventually lead to the rule of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn (c. 1010–1063), the first ruler of the whole of Wales.

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn rules all Wales

Map of the kingdom of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn
  Wales

From the smaller kingdoms of Wales eventually emerged four major powers: Powys, Gwynedd, Dyfed/Deheubarth, and Morgannwg. With Wales now developing into a more consolidated entity, it ultimately set the stage for Gruffudd ap Llywelyn in the mid-11th century. Alliances with Anglo-Saxon dynasties and Vikings helped him unite the country, and even conquer land belonging to the English. "In 1055 he absorbed Deheubarth as well, thus becoming in effect King of Wales".[65] John Davies states that Gruffydd was "the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales... Thus, from about 1057 until his death in 1063, the whole of Wales recognised the kingship of and notably peaceful rule by Gruffudd ap Llywelyn.[6] For about seven brief years, Wales was one, under one ruler, a feat with neither precedent nor successor."[66] After his betrayal and death at the hands of his own men, Wales fell into civil war with other leaders seeking to fill the void of power and become king.[citation needed]

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was referred to as King of Wales or Rex Walensium by John of Worcester.[6] He was the last of a long line of paramount rulers among the insular Britons to have the title of King of the Britons bestowed upon him, and possibly the only one to truly rule over all the (independent) Britons. By this time, if not earlier, Wales was the only part of Britain remaining under Brittonic rule.[66]

List of medieval "Kings of Wales" claimants

See also: List of rulers of Wales

The following is a list of those assigned or claiming the title of King or Prince of Wales, including "Sovereigns and Princes of Wales 844–1283".[67] Some sources suggest Rhodri Mawr as the first sovereign of Wales, as well as the first to unite most of Wales.[67][68] While many different leaders in Wales claimed the title of "King of Wales" and ruled majorities of Wales, the modern-day territory of Wales was only fully united under the direct rule of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn for eight years from 1055 to 1063 according to historian John Davies.[69][67]

Depiction Name &

life details

Arms House, Kingdom Welsh Titles Reign Death & cause Source
Cynan Dindaethwy

(Cynan ap Rhodri)

Gwynedd (insecurely from 754)
  • "King of all Wales" (Welsh: "Brenin Cymry oll")
 798–816 Brut y Tywysogion[70]

Annals of Ulster Annales Cambriae

Rhodri the Great

(Rhodri ap Merfyn)

Gwynedd, from 855 also Powys, from 872 also Seisyllwg 843 Brut y Tywysogion[70]

Annals of Ulster

Cadell ap Rhodri Deheubarh
  • "ruled over all Wales" (877 AD)
 877 Brut y Tywysogion[70]
Anarawd ap Rhodri Kingdom of Gwynedd
  • "ruled over all Wales" (900 AD)
 900 Brut y Tywysogion[70]
Hywel Dda(Hywel ap Cadell) Deheubarth (from 920), from 942 also Gwynedd and Powys
  • "King of all Wales" (Welsh: "Brenin Cymry oll"
 942–949/50 Brut y Tywysogion[70]

Annals of Ulster Annales Cambriae

Aeddan ap Blegywryd Kingdom of Gwynedd
  • "acquired all Wales from sea to sea" (1000 AD)
 1000 Brut y Tywysogion[70]
Llywelyn ap Seisyll Gwynedd and Powys; from 1022 also Deheubarth
  • "took the government upon himself...in his time the country of Wales was twelve years without war"
  • "sovereignty of Wales"
 1023 Brut y Tywysogion[70]

Annals of Ulster

Gruffydd ap Llywelyn

1010–1063

Gwynedd and Powys, from 1057 also the rest of Wales
  • Rex Walensium ("King of Wales")[73]
  • King of the Britons (in 1063; in 1058)
  • Had "gained all Wales prior to 1037"[70]
  • Ruled modern day Wales from 1055 to 1063.[74][75]
 The Ulster Chronicle states that he was killed by Cynan in 1064, whose father Iago had been put to death by Gruffydd in 1039.[76] John of Worcester[73]

Annals of Ulster

Brut y Tywysogion

Gruffudd ap Cynan

1055–1137

House of Aberffraw, Gwynedd (insecurely from 1081) 		House of Aberffraw, Gwynedd (insecurely from 1081)
  • "king and sovereign and prince and defender and pacifier of all the Welsh" (in 1136)[77]
 1137 Died in 1137, aged 81–82. Brut y Tywysogion
Owain Gwynedd

1100 – November 1170

Caernarfon

(Retroactively attributed with no evidence of use.)

Gwynedd
  • King of Wales
  • King of the Welsh
  • Prince of the Welsh
  • Prince over the British nation (in 1146)
 1146–1170 Died in 1170, aged 69–70. Brut y Tywysogion; contemporary charters.[78]
Following this period, the title Prince of Wales only was used

King of the Welsh & Cornwall (Dumnonia)

Name & title House, Kingdom Welsh Titles Reign Source
Geraint of Dumnonia, King of the Welsh ?670–c. 710

Dumnonia

  • King of the Welsh (710) (Not mentioned in Brut y Tywysogion, so was likely only King of Welsh in Dumnonia)
 710 (battled against by Ine) Anglo-Saxon Chronicle[79][80][ab 13]

Evolution into Prince of Wales

See also: Prince of Wales
Arms of Wales, showing Llywelyn's coronet (13th century). Drawn in the 16th century by Lewys Dwnn.[81][82]

According to Dr Sean Davies, "in these straitened circumstances, and with outside observers ridiculing the status of Welsh kings, ambitious native nobles adopted the novel title of prince (Welsh: Tywysog, Latin: Princeps), in order to set them apart from their fellow "kings"."[83] However, the title King of Wales was later used by at least one other Welsh ruler, Owain Gwynedd (c. 1100–1170). "In his first two letters to Louis, Owain described himself as "king of Wales" and "king of the Welsh"."[84] His direct rule was, however, limited to Gwynedd. Owain was also the first Welsh ruler to be known as Prince of Wales. He ruled over much of Northern Wales, but a lack of success in military campaigns limited his ability to extend his control. After the death of Owain Gwynedd in 1170, the mantle of paramount Welsh ruler was taken up by Rhys ap Gruffydd (c. 1132–1197), who was called "Head of all Wales" by the Brut y Tywysogion on his death in 1197. His direct rule was limited to Deheubarth. For a list of Welsh rulers upon whom titles such as these were bestowed (leading ultimately to the title Prince of Wales), see King of the Britons.[citation needed]

Llywelyn II

Llywelyn the Last, the last Prince of Wales, was ambushed and killed in 1282. The execution of his brother Dafydd ap Gruffydd in 1283 on the orders of King Edward I of England effectively ended Welsh independence. The title of Prince of Wales was then used by the English monarchy as the heir to the English throne.[85]

Owain Glyndŵr

During the period 1400–1413, following a rebellion against English rule in Wales, there existed a native Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndŵr, and a Prince of Wales appointed by the English monarchy (who later became Henry V of England). Glyndwr a descendant of the final ruling houses from the Kingdom of Wales (and Llywelyn the Great Prince of Wales, via female line) would resort to guerrilla warfare against the English Crown and proclaim himself Prince of Wales from 1400 for over a decade. The native Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndŵr, led Welsh forces against the English Prince of Wales and English rule in Wales. He incited and led what was called the Glyndŵr rebellion and allied Wales with the Kingdom of France and the King of Scotland. In a correspondence to Scotland, he spoke about their royal ancestor, Brutus of Troy the King of Great Britain who founded the Kingdom of Wales (Cambria) in relation to his enemy, the Saxons in England.[1][86][87][88] [89] The eventual defeat of Glyndwr's forces effectively ended Welsh independence. Since the death of Owain Glyndŵr in 1415, the Prince of Wales title has only been held by a non-native heir to the English (and later British) monarchy.[citation needed]

Welsh manuscripts

Listed are some of the Welsh manuscripts which were recopied or translated from original works dating maybe thousands of years:

Part of a series on the
History of Wales
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WALLIA PRINCIPATUS Vulgo WALES
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References

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Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Book of Baglan
  2. ^ a b c d e f Historia Regum Britanniae
  3. ^ Survey of Cornwall
  4. ^ a b c d Four Branches of the Mabinogi
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Welsh Triads
  1. ^ The story of Camber's descendants is attributed to the Book of Baglan compiled around 1600-1607
  2. ^ The story was recorded by the Welsh cleric Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century.[13][14]
  3. ^ Leir of Britain would be made famous by William Shakespeare who wrote tragedy drama in the medieval ages, titled King Lear. People would later assume that to be Llŷr from the Mabinogion, but incorrectly.[20][21]
  4. ^ The list has 15 generations spanning a thousand years, missing potentially dozens of descendants. It is therefore likely the people shown represented a family for a generation as Earl and the title would be passed several generations each time skipping hundreds of years of descendants on the list
  5. ^ Later explained in the Book of Llandaff.[27]
  6. ^ Llyr mentioned in Triads 6, 9, 12, 35, 44, 49, 58[36]
  7. ^ Caratacus is mentioned in Roman history differently, but is connected as Bran's son in Welsh manuscripts.[38][39] Led the Welsh Silures tribe into battle.[27]
  8. ^ Mentioned as 'Caradawc son of Bran' in 'Peniarth MS 54', 12.[40]
  9. ^ Arthur mentioned in Triads, 5, 8-9, 13, 15, 20-21, 23, 25, 46, 49, 56-57[36]
  10. ^ Maelgwn mentioned in Triads 7, 10, 43, 53, 60.[36]
  11. ^ Cadwallon mentioned in Triads, 8, 14, 40-41, 48, 52, 60.[36]
  12. ^ Pen in Welsh:- highest height, like mountain peak.[52]
  13. ^ In the original source Geraint is referred to as Grant
  14. ^ Gwentian Chronicles of Caradoc of Llancarvan version, which was written no earlier than the mid-16th century lists multiple Kings of the Britons as a "King of Wales".
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