MapDemetia

Demetia (Kingdom of South Wales) This fourth century British kingdom was based on the Celtic tribal territory of the Demetae and its subsequent Roman civitatusdesignation (a civitatus being the Roman equivalent of a modern county, one which was based on the borders of each former tribal territory. This could be broken down further into pagi which were based around towns or major settlements). Initially, it was bordered by its North Wales counterpart, early Gwynedd, and to the east both by the early Pagensis territory, and Mid-South Wales in the form ofCernyw. Demetia was apparently created circa 382 by one of the many sons of Magnus Maximus (although perhaps they were sons only in the sense that Maximus had created their positions and set them up in semi-independent power - it's hard to be at all certain). Demetia certainly bore the Romanised form of its name throughout the fourth and fifth centuries, although it was also known to later chroniclers as the 'Kingdom of South Wales'. Its early centre was at Castell Dwyran (in Carmarthenshire, roughly halfway between Carmarthen and Haverfordwest), but the Demetian tribal centre at Maridunum (Moridunum) probably remained in use as the region's main trading point (this became the Roman basis for modern Carmarthen). Demetia's first 'king', Antonius, was charged with protecting the southern half ofWales in much the same way as Cunedda was set up in Gwynedd as the 'king' of North Wales. Some of the territory he controlled was passed to younger sons, but which territory is not clear. The core of his holdings, however, was Demetia. Irish raiders were causing the British widespread problems throughout the fourth and fifth centuries. To combat this a wandering sept of the Déisi tribe were probably settled in Demetia by Magnus Maximus to act as protectors of the coastline. Existing evidence confirms this by suggesting that the Roman authorities asked for the help of Aed Brosc in keeping Irish pirates away from the western coast of Britain. When the last British king died without a male heir, the Déisi were on hand to fill the breach. By this time they had become Romanised themselves, and soon became indivisible from their Western British (Welsh) subjects. (Additional information by Edward Dawson, and from The Landscape of King Arthur, Geoffrey Ashe, from The Four Branches of the Mabinogi, Will Parker, from Welsh Genealogies AD 300-1400, Peter Bartrum, from A History of Wales, John Davies, 1994, and fromExternal Link: Ancient Welsh Studies.) 382 - ? Antonius Donatus Gregorius / Anwn Dynod 'King of South Wales'. Son of High King Magnus Maximus. 382 Antonius Donatus Gregorius, son of Magnus Maximus (at least, according to later claims), is placed in command of the southern section of Britain's westernmost coast (equivalent to later South Wales) during the reorganisations of Magnus Maximus prior to his expedition into Gaul to claim the imperial title. It also seems to be Magnus Maximus who settles a sept of the the Irish Déisi in Demetia. The act would fit in with a general policy of this period of shoring up Britain's defences by moving entire groups of people to defend the weaker areas - most notably a group of Romanised Venicones to Gwynedd. Aed Brosc seems to be the Déisi leader who is contacted and invited to settle in Demetia, probably in the period between 380-383. The reverse of this coin issued by Magnus Maximus during his reign as co-emperor shows him standing, holding a laburnum and Victory on a globe 388 Upon the death of Magnus Maximus, Antonius appears to be accepted by the Demetae inhabitants of his territory. He retains control of the region, which means that he is also successful in driving off the Irish raiders who have been threatening the coast. Mentioned as a king by later traditional sources, he more probably holds the rank of decurion (also mentioned by some scholars) or a magistrate who is based at Maridunum. He and his successors have been given Welsh names by later chroniclers (Anwn Dynod in his case, Anwn from Antonius and Dynod from Donatus), but it is much more likely that they bear Latinised names and conduct themselves as Romans. fl c.400 Demetius / Ednyfed ap Anwn Son. Established the kingship. Demetrius, son of Antonius, is also accepted by the Demetae as their first hereditary king of the LateRoman period. This is probably not a difficult prospect as Magnus Maximus, his grandfather, is held in such high esteem by the people of western Britain that he is remembered as a founding figure of much of laterWales (which may also be a reflection of his influence - and even his original military rank and posting - in what is to become Wales). According to later tradition, Demetius - in his Welsh form of Ednyfed ap Awn - has at least two sons, Gloitguin (or Gloitgwyn) and Dyfnwal. The name of the former seems at first sight to be the Welsh form of a Latinised name, but there is some difficulty in accepting him because the next ruler of Demetia, Clotrius, is claimed as being the son of Demetrius. Gloitguin is also referred to as the father of Clotrius, so perhaps Gloitguin dies before he is able to govern Demetia himself and is therefore forgotten by some later chroniclers. However, 'Gloitguin' looks like a nickname meaning 'blue-white', and also looks suspiciously similar to the base element of the name of Caer Gloui. Is it a pun? Carmarthen's Roman amphitheatre would still have been largely intact in this period, if perhaps rather scruffy, and the town walls remained standing (in part) as late as the time of Giraldus Cambrensis (twelfth century) As for Dyfnwal, he may govern a sub-unit of Demetia (a pagus), and may be the father of the Honorius (Ynyr Gwent) who marries St Madrun, the daughter of Vortimer (Gwerthefyr), the ruler or magistrate of Gwent. Again though, the name seems suspicious. The first element of Dyfnwal is 'dyfn' (modernised as 'Devon'), which is how the kingdom ofDumnonia comes to be known. The second element, 'wal', means 'wealas', which is a term frequently used byAngles and Saxons to denote the presence of Britons (Welsh), in this case the Britons of Devon. Even the name Demetius is suspect here, being suspiciously close to 'Demetia'. All three have to be treated with great care as they all seem to be created by using the names of places to form identities. c.410 - c.421 Clotrius / Clotri ap Ednyfed Son (or grandson). Last British ruler of Demetia. Maelgwn Son and heir, but predeceased his father. c.421 With Clotri's only male heir dead, his daughter Gweldyr is the sole heiress to the kingdom (but see the fascinating argument by the Ancient Welsh Studies website that Clotri 'himself' is actually a daughter of Demetius rather than a son). Although she may be considerably younger, she marries Triphun of the Romanised Déisi Irish, who have been settled in Demetia to help defend it from Irish raiders. The kingdom's name is retained but is altered by the Irish pronunciation of it so that, within about a century, the accepted pronunciation is Dyfed. Dyfed (of the Déisi) The Déisi (or Déssi or Deisi) tribe of the County Waterford region in Ireland were apparently settled by the existing Roman authorities in the region of Demetia by 382 (probably as an acknowledgement of a situation which already existed). Their leader, Aed Brosc, was one of his people's key figures. His grandfather, Eochaid Allmuir, had been forced to leave his homeland after a bid for independence failed, and was severely crushed by the Irish high king. The descendants of Aed's eldest son, Urb, founded the kingdom of Brycheiniog between 420-450, while his younger son, Triffyn Farfog, married the heiress of the British Demetian kings. Like most Irish royalty, Eochaid claimed descent from Beli Mawr, the Celtic sun god who was also claimed as a second century BC high king of pre-Roman Britain, through his son, Miled. Another branch of the expelled Déisi (pronounced 'day-shee') became the Dál gCais clan of Thomond. The name Dyfed (also known as Dyfor) originates from one of the former Roman civitates within the kingdom, and seems to have been the Déisi pronunciation of the older name of Demetia. The early Déisi settlers were very receptive to the benefits of the Roman way of life, and gave their children Romano-British names. These were recorded by the early Welsh in Welsh format, and later rulers became completely Welsh in background as Roman influence faded. The Déisi rulers of Dyfed initially used the Roman title of 'Protector' (protictoris) instead of the British equivalent of magistrate or princeps. This practice continued at least as far as Vortipor, whose memorial stone was discovered at Castell Dwyran. (Additional information by Edward Dawson, and from The Landscape of King Arthur, Geoffrey Ashe, from The Four Branches of the Mabinogi, Will Parker, from Welsh Genealogies AD 300-1400, Peter Bartrum, from A History of Wales, John Davies, 1994, from De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae (On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain), Gildas, and from Welsh Medieval Law, Arthur Wade-Evans, 1909.) fl c.110 BC Beli Mawr (the Great) High King of Britain. m Don ferch Mathonwy. Linking the well known figure of Beli Mawr of pre-Roman Britain to Miled seems to be totally spurious - little more than a faked claim to have inherited the ancient crown of Britain. A better study of the Déisi pedigree shows that Miled is the mythical Míl Espáine whose Celtic sons led the exodus from Iberia to southern Ireland where they form the kingdom of Munster. These people are probably Celtiberians, a migration that can be accounted for by a look at modern DNA evidence in the Irish. Many of the names found in this list are also claimed as early Milesian high kings of Ireland. This depiction of Celtiberians ambushing Roman soldiers is a glimpse of the bitter Roman battle to control Iberia after the Punic Wars, but just when a group of Celtiberians from the north of Iberia might have migrated to Ireland is unknown, even though it was certainly before this war took place Miled / Melisius / Galamh 'Son'. Eremon / Heremon Son. High king 14 years. King of the Milesians in Munster. m Tea. Irial Faidh Son. Eithrial Son. Follain / Follagh Son. Tigernmas / Tighearnmhas Son. Eanbrotha / Eanbothadh Son. Smiomghall / Smiorgall Son. Fiacha Lamhraein Son. Aongus Olmucach Son. Maoin / Maen Son. Rotheachta Son. Dein / Deman Son. Siorna Saoghalach Son. Olioll Olchaoin Son. Gialcadh / Gaillchadh Son. Nuadhas Fionnfail Son. Aedan Glas / Aedham / Aodhan Son. Simon Breac Son. Muireadach Bolgach / Murchad Son. Fiacha Tolgrach Son. Duach Ladhrach Son. Eochaidh Buidh Son. Ugaine Mor / Augaine Son. Cobthach Caolbhreagh Son. Melg Molbhthach / Melghe Son. Iaran Gleofathach / Irereo Son. Conla Caomh Son. Olioll Casfiachlach Son. Eochaidh Altleathan Son. Aongus Tuirmeach Teamrach Son. Enna Aigneach Son. Subsequent to Enna there may either be three generations missing from this list, or they have been added later. They are Lava 'the Fierce' Luire (Lorc), son of Enna; Beotach (Beothachtach) son of Lava; and Blatact son of Beotach. This is a reconstruction of a typical Irish dwelling in the Bronze Age, at Cullyhanna in County Armagh Asaman Eamhna / Essamain Son of Enna (or Beotach). Roighean Ruadh Son. Fionnlogh Son. Fionn Son. Eochaidh Feidlioch Son. Fineamhas (Breas-Nar-Lothar) Son. Lughaidh Sriabhn Dearg Son. Lewy 'of the Red Circles'. Crimthann Niadh Nar / Criffan Son. Feredach Fionn Feachtnach Son. Fiacha Fionn Ola Son. AD 80 - 100 Tuathal Teachtmar / Teachtmhar Son. High king of Ireland. 104 - 113 Felim Rachtmar / Fedlimid Rechtmar Son. High king of Ireland. Legendary high king of Ireland, Fedlimid Rechtmar, is the father of future high king, Conn Cétchathach (from AD 116 according to Ireland's mythological timeline). Two other sons are Fiacha Suighe and Eochaid Finn, both of whom are mentioned in medieval sources. Fiacha is also claimed as the ancestor of the Dal Fiachrach Suighe, meaning the 'Seed of Fiachra Suighe'. fl 120s/130s Fiacha / Fiachu Suighe / Suidhe / Suidge Son. Brother of High King Conn Cétchathach of Ireland. fl c.150s Cairbre / Cairpre Rigronn mac Fiachach Son. Corp mac Cairpre Son. Mes Gegra mac Cuirb Son. Mes Corp mac Mes Gegra Son. fl c.250s Art Corp / Artchorp mac Mes Cuirb Son. c.240s According to legend, Cormac mac Airt is high king of Ireland ('Ard Ri na Eireann') during the time of Finn mac Cuill (Fionn mac Cumhaill, or Finn MacCool). He is also one of the country's most popular high kings, being mentioned in many tales and poems and also in the Irish annals, the Annals of the Four Masters. He fights many battles, subduing the Ulaid and Connachta and continuing the ongoing struggle to bring Munster to heel. In the story The Expulsion of the Déisi, the great-great-great-grandson of legendary high king of Ireland, Fedlimid Rechtmar (AD 104, according to Ireland's mythological timeline), is Art Corb. His four sons are expelled from Tara following a failed bid to take the high kingship. Cormac mac Airt is also mentioned in the eighth century text when he is blinded by Óengus Gaíbúaibthech of the Déisi. As no high king can remain in place if he bears a physical blemish, Cormac is replaced by Eochaid Gonnat, although a year later he is killed in battle by Cormac's son, Cairbre Lifechair. Art Corb's sons each go their own way. The group led by Eochaid Allmhuir (Allmhuir meaning 'over-sea') settles inDemetia around the start of the fourth century, while another eventually settles amongst the Déisi of southernMunster (the Déisi Muman). These events have been tied to Scotti (Irish) pirate raids along the length of Britain's western and southern coasts in the fourth and fifth centuries, and to the foundation of the Brito-Irish kingdoms of Dyfed and Brycheiniog. Another branch of the expelled Déisi becomes the Dál gCais clan of Thomond. fl 244 - 272 Óengus Gaíbúaibthech Of the Déisi. Killed. During the high kingship of Cairbre Lifechair in Ireland, his sons Fiacha Sraibhtine and Eochaid Doimlen kill Óengus Gaíbúaibthech of the Déisi. In an attempt to heal the breach, Cairbre betroths his daughter, Sgiam Sholais, to a Déisi prince but the the fianna (a form of semi-independent war band) demands a tribute of twenty gold bars. The coast of Pembrokeshire, part of the territory of Demetae and the later kingdom of Dyfed, is a mixture of sandy beaches and daunting rocks (as at Marloes Sands, shown here), but there would have been many places for the Déisi to land and seize some territory Deciding to cut the fianna down to size, Cairbre gathers a huge army from Connacht, Laigin, and Ulaid, with support from Goll mac Morna and his followers from the fianna itself, while the Déisi and Munster side with the fianna. Cairbre is victorious at the resultant Battle of Gabhra, but dies in single combat against Oscar, grandson of his own father-in-law, Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool). Oscar dies of his own wounds shortly after. The only fiannasurvivors are Caílte mac Rónáin and Fionn's other son, Oisín. The subsequent high kings are brothers Fothad Airgthech and Fothad Cairpthech. A year after acceding, one kills the other and the survivor is then killed by Caílte mac Rónáin of the fianna and the followers of Caibre's son, Fiacha Sraibhtine, at the Battle of Ollarba. fl c.270s Eochaid Allmuir (Over-Sea) Son of Art Corp. Sometimes named first Déisi leader in Demetia. Corath mac Eochaid Son. 382 It seems to be Magnus Maximus, the father of Antonius of Demetia, who settles the Irish Déisi within the territory's borders. The act would fit in with a general policy of this period of shoring up Britain's defences by moving entire groups of people to defend the weaker areas - most notably a group of Romanised Venicones to Gwynedd. Aed Brosc seems to have been the Déisi leader who is contacted and invited to settle in Demetia, probably in the period between 380-383. fl 382 Aed Brosc (Ewein Vreisg) Son. Historical leader of the Déisi in Dyfed. fl c.405 Urb mac Aed Son. Migrated into the Brycheiniog region. c.420 Anlach, grandson of Urb mac Aed, marries Marchel, whom Celtic works describe as the 'heiress of Garthmadrun'. The same works give Anlach's father as Cornac or Coronac, who is generally linked to Cormac mac Urb of the Déisi. Given the calculation that the Déisi had arrived in Dyfed around AD 300, this would give them ample time to become integrated into the regional nobility and for their leading sons to marry the offspring of the surviving Brito-Welsh nobility, hence Anlach's marriage to Marchel. Upon Anlach's death, Garthmadrun becomes Brycheiniog. c.421-c.445 Triphun (Valerian) (mac Aed) Brother of Urb. m Gweldyr, heiress of Demetia. First Irish king. Triphun is an Irish version of the Latin 'tribune'. Also shown as Trestin, this is clearly a rank rather than a name. His name seems to be Valerian, making him Tribune Valerian, a Romanised Irish king. As the fourth generation of Déisi to have been raised in Britain, the tribe now has roots in the country and has clearly developed a certain degree of reliability and trustworthiness. By taking a Roman name, Valerian has become part of the British ruling elite, so much so that he is able to marry Gweldyr, the Romano-British heiress of Demetia. In later Welsh works he is Triffyn Farfog ('the Bearded'). c.432 - 436 Aurelius Ambrosius of Caer Gloui is apparently a leader of a British council, which presumably answers to Vortigern. It is his decision to confirm the Irish Déisi as commanders of the Demetia area of the west coast to counter the threat of Irish raiders. Vortigern acquiesces and assigns Ambrosius 'Dinas Emrys and all the western lands', suggesting that Ambrosius becomes the architect for the defence of these western areas. This is motivated by the council's reluctance to depend entirely on Saxon mercenaries, with their constant demands for increased provisions, especially in an area were they would be lightly supervised. The Déisi have already been settled for some time and would be self-supporting. c.440s/450s There is a probable Irish presence at Dunster Castle (Dindraithov or Dindraethou to the Welsh) in the early post-Roman period. This is a fort which overlooks the approaches to Exmoor, four and-a-half kilometres (three miles) south-east of Minehead in Somerset (roughly on the edges of Dumnonian territory). The modern castle may not be the same site as the post-Roman fort, which could be located a little way inland. Irishsettlers are frequenting Somerset at this time, which suggests that they are people who have already been accepted into Britain, such as the Déisi of Dyfed. They are not large in number but they do remain for a long time. Nearby Glastonbury is spoken of as 'Glastonbury of the Gaels' thanks to its shrines of St Patrick and St Brigit. The fort features in the list of twenty-eight cities of Britain in Nennius' Historia Brittonum, appearing as Caer Draithou, and is mentioned in the Life of St Carannog (of Ceredigion). fl c.467 Agricola / Aircol / Aergol Son. Aricol Lawhir (Long-Hand) mac Triffyn. Agricola bears another Romanised name, just like his father, showing that the Déisi kings of Dyfed have become fully-fledged members of late Romano-British society. Later variations of his name include the fully Welsh Aricol Lawhir, the latter meaning 'long-hand'. He holds court at Lis Castell (Lydstep) near Din Bych (Tenby). He is also reputed to be a patron both of the church at Llandaff and of St Euddogwy and St Teilo, the bishops of Glywyssing. Euddogwy is the son of Budic II, high king of the Bretons of Vannetais, whom Agricola takes in after he is expelled from his lands. fl c.460s/480s Cunoricus / Cynyr Ceinfarfog Lord of Cantref Pebidiog. late 400s The minor vassal state of Caer Goch (or Caer Gawch - probably a later form of the name) emerges within the territory of Dyfed. It is held by Cynyr Ceinfarfog (the Welsh form of the name which probably dates to the eighth century or later), otherwise known as Cunoricus (the Latin form of the name, which is much more likely to be the version used by the man himself - the modern form is Kendrick). However, 'Cynyr' can be traced back to the Irishname Connor which is also used in the formation of the name Conchobhar (meaning 'lover of hounds'). The likeliest explanation is that Cynyr is Déisi Irish, and that he adapts his name so that it becomes familiar to Romano-British ears. In Welsh a 'y' can be pronounced in two ways, either as the English 'y' or as a 'u'. In this case it would be a 'u', so that Irish Conner becomes early Welsh 'cunur'. The transition to Cunoricus as a Latinised Connor/Conchobhar is more difficult to accept, thanks to the '-ic' in the middle, although it is still possible. The appellation of 'ceinfarfog' means 'fair bearded', possibly referring to a blonde beard but equally possibly to a black beard, as the Celts (and their modern Welsh descendants) have a well-developed sense of humour when it comes to names. Cunoricus governs cantref Pebidiog from Castell-Coch (Caer Gawch, although there are three places with this name, this one being near Mynyw, close to St Davids). Caer-Gynyr (later known as Caer Cai) near Bala in Penllyn is also claimed as being his - which creates an interesting scenario. By the end of the fifth century Penllyn is apparently part of the sub-kingdom of Rhos, itself a division of Gwynedd. However, it seems unlikely that its first ruler is in place before AD 480, which raises the interesting prospect of Cunoricus being a Romano-British warlord or official who is replaced or succeeded by the newcomers who now rule Gwynedd. It is certainly a sign of the times on Britain's western coastline. Cunoricus is also the Sir Ector of Arthurian legend, who raises the young Arthur as his foster son prior to the latter becoming high king. c.495 - 540 Vortipor / Vortiporious / Voteporix Son of Agricola. High King. King or 'Protector' of Dyfed. c.540 Vortipor is clearly a powerful figure in British history, as noted by his being included in the list of high kings of Britain. Vortipor's name has been recorded in various ways, from the Latinised Vortipor itself, to the Gaulish Voteporix, and the (perhaps) more genuinely original Vortepor mac Aricol. Even this has been recorded as Gartbuir mac Alchoil (in The Expulsion of the Déisi, written in the eighth century), and Guortepir (from an eleventh century pedigree). Towards the end of his life, 'grey with age' and a widower, Vortipor is named by Gildas as the 'tyrant of the Demetae'. He also leaves behind a memorial stone which confirms this epithet. Around 1880 the stone is incorporated into a stile at Castell Dwyran (by now St Teilo's Church). It is later moved to a field in front of Gwarmacwydd House, Llanfallteg, before being donated to the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society. Quite possibly originally associated with a Bronze Age barrow, and also positioned with reference to the Roman road west of Carmarthen, a simple ring cross tops the inscription. 'The use of 'memoria' and the layout of the cross and inscription suggest Christian contacts with the Continent or possibly North Africa. The Vortipor or Voteporix Stone, which is now held by the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society in Carmarthenshire, showing that this king had apparent links to Roman Britain, Dyfed, and also the Irish, almost certainly the Déisi Irish Vortipor is 'Demetarum tyranne Vortipori', which translates as 'Vortipor, tyrant of the Demetae', tyrant in the sense that he had held ultimate authority over the kingdom. The use of the Latin term 'protectoris' suggests a title originally referring to a member of the Roman imperial bodyguard, and may be an hereditary title. It dates to the late fifth or early sixth century, precisely the time of Vortipor. There are remains of an Ogham inscription along the stone's top left edge, this being the early medieval script used to write down the Irish language. fl c.550 Cyngar ap Gwrthefyr Son. fl c.570 Petr / Pedr ap Cyngar Son. c.590 The Bernician Angles successfully destroy the kingdom of The Peak around this time, during a general expansion that also sees the fall of Dunoting around the same time. King Sawyl Penuchel is forced to flee to Wales. There is a story in the Life of St Cadoc that places him at Allt Cunedda near Kidwelly, within Dyfed's territory. However, the name of the location links it to Cunedda of Gwynedd, suggesting that his campaigns to clear Wales of Irish raiders had extended much farther south than is otherwise known. The story about Sawyl in Wales has him and his warband stealing food from Llancarfan Abbey (hard times, clearly, for this dispossessed king). St Cadoc follows them and finds them sleeping under a tree. He cuts off their hair and flees to a bog. When Sawyl and his men follow the bog claims them. It is unclear if this is the same Sawyl, but the approximate dates for the saint coincide with his approximate dates. c.595-c.615 Arthur map Petr Son. Named after Arthur Pendragon (High King). Born c.570-85. fl c.625 Nowy Hen (the Old) Son. King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog. fl c.650 Cloten ap Nowy Son. King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog. Also known as Gwlyddien. c.650 Ceindrych ferch Rhiwallon, princess of Brycheiniog, marries her distant cousin, Cloten, king of Dyfed, and for the space of three generations the two kingdoms are united. fl c.670 Caten ap Cloten Son. King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog. fl c.690 Cadwgan Tredylig ap Caten Son. King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog. fl c.710 Regin / Rhain ap Cadwgan Son. King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog. Brycheiniog passed to brother. 700 - 720 During Rhain's rule, Dyfed is invaded by Seisyll, king of Ceredigion. He takes Ystrad Towy, and Rhain's dual kingdom is split in two. Both areas appear to have been known for a time as Rheinwg after their king, but now Rhain is forced to pass the sub-kingdom of Brycheiniog to a younger brother, Aust (or Awst). c.730 The precise status of the kingdom of Brycheiniog at this time is open to some question. Three of the sons of Rhein ap Cadwgn appear to divide Brycheiniog between themselves (probably following the death of Rhein himself). Some of their immediate descendants are referred to as 'king', but seem more likely to be lords of cantrefi (districts containing a hundred settlements) or commotes (one third or a half of a cantref). It may be the case that Naufedd Hen, Tewdos, and Elisse are in competition to see who comes out on top as the kingdom's ruler. fl c.730 Teuder / Tewdos / Tewdr ap Regin Son. Seemingly also king of Brycheiniog (or part of it). c.745 - 798 Meredydd ap Teuder Son. 798 - 808 Rhein / Rhain ap Maredydd Son. 808 - c.810 Triffyn ap Rhein Son. No heir. c.810 - 811 Owain ap Meredydd Owain was the last male descendent of Aed Brosc. 811 Although some sources suggest Hyfaidd ap Bledrig as the next ruler of Dyfed, a reign of about eighty-two years is clearly implausible. A ruling generation or more seems to have been lost, and it would not have included Hyfaidd's low-born father. Owain ap Meredydd had been the last male descendant of Aed Brosc, so who really succeeds him? Could the kingdom have splintered with several claimants each grabbing a share, to be slowly pulled back together by the end of the century? ? - 893 Hyfaidd ap Bledrig / Bleddri Son of Tangwystyl ferch Owain and low-born Bledrig. 893 - 904 Llywarch ap Hyfaidd Son. No heir. His dau, Elen (893-943), m Hywel Dda. 896 Vikings have been wintering at Quatford (near Bridgnorth in Shropshire, part of western Mercia), but in the spring of this year they ravage the kingdoms of Brycheiniog, Gwent, and the Gwynllg region of Glywyssing. Asser records that Elisedd of Brycheiniog requests help from Alfred of Wessex, but another reason for this may also be due to pressure from Anarawd ap Rhodri, the powerful king of Gwynedd and Deheubarth who is keen on expanding his areas of control. Dyfed's Hyfaidd ap Bledrig may be another southern Welsh king who, during his lifetime, similarly appeals to Alfred for aid and support to ward off Anarawd. The Vikings found quarters at Quatford in Mercia, occupying a commanding position over the valley of the River Severn (just half a mile from the view shown here), and building a burgh which may have formed the basis of the later Norman castle 904 Rhodri ap Hyfaidd Brother. Beheaded. 904 Cadell ap Rhodri of Seisyllwg and his son, Hywel Dda, conquer Dyfed. Hywel is granted control of the kingdom, a position which is an entirely legitimate claim in principle (if not in law) thanks to his marriage to Elen ferch Llywarch ap Hyfaidd. 904 - 950 Hywel Dda (the Good) ap Cadell King of Deheubarth (Gwynedd, Powys, & Seisyllwg). 916 Hywel Dda is the son of Cadell of Seisyllwg. When he accedes to the throne of Deheubarth in 916 he is able to claim to rule a greater South Wales. In 942 he gains Gwynedd and rules a united Wales until his death. Once Gwynedd becomes detached from the remainder of the territory, former Dyfed provides the heartland along with Ceredigion (the former Seisyllwg) of the kingdom of Deheubarth.

wales

Brycheiniog This small kingdom was founded as an offshoot of the Irish Déisi kingdom of Dyfed. It was centred on Garth Madryn in the modern Brecon Beacons with a chief settlement at Talgarth (or Talgar in the twelfth century), and it gained its name from that of its first independent king. Its territory in south-east Wales was neighboured to the north by Powys, to the east by Gwent, to the south by Cernyw (and later Glywyssing), and to the west by Dyfed. The modern word 'Brecon' is the English version of Brycheiniog. As mentioned, the kingdom was named after King Brychen, which was taken from the word 'briych', meaning 'freckled'. The '-iog' suffix is roughly equivalent to the English '-ed', so the people here were roughly (and amusingly) the 'freckled of the freckled' - in other words, Brychen's followers.. Traditionally, Brychen himself was born in Ireland, the son of a minor tribal king named Anlach, and moved with his parents to Wales. This ties in with the settling of the Irish Déisi in south-west Wales who took over command of the British territory of Demetia, although Anlach's pedigree would suggest that he was already in Wales, given that his grandfather had been the son of the leader of the Déisi exodus from Ireland. Instead, Anlach's own 'moving to Wales' should perhaps be seen more in the context of his recent ancestors having moved there and his own grandfather having migrated further east into Garthmadrun (although see an alternative at circa 450, below). When Brychen was made king upon the death of his father, the area of Garthmadrun (or Garth Madrun, both older spellings of the modern Garth Madryn) was renamed Brycheiniog in his honour. This suggests that Anlach himself was not the territory's king. Instead he was probably a sub-king, governing Garthmadrun for the core Déisi to the west. The kingdom's early capital was on a crannog at Llangorse, built by an Irish master builder to display the king's proud Irish heritage. Crannogs were unknown at this time outside Pictland (modern Scotland) or Ireland, and this is the only one of its kind in all of Wales. Luxury goods from around the world were imported here, and the kingdom's treasure was discovered in the waters around the crannog as recently as the 1970s. Unfortunately, the settlement was destroyed by an Anglo-Saxon raid just two decades after being built, and was abandoned (if only temporarily). (Additional information by Edward Dawson, from A Study of Breconshire Place-Names, Richard Morgan & R F Peter Powell 1999, from Llyfr Baglan (The Book of Baglan), from Welsh Genealogies AD 300-1400, Peter Bartrum, from the BBC documentary series, The Story of Wales, first broadcast 3 October 2012, and from External Links: St Catwg's Church, and Catholic Online, and Ancient Wales Studies.)
fl c.405	Urb mac Aed		Son of Aed Brosc, leader of the Déisi in Demetia.
fl c.410	Cormac mac Urb / Cornac		Son. Migrated into Garthmadrun from Dyfed with his father.
c.420	Anlach marries Marchel, whom Celtic works describe as the 'heiress of Garthmadrun'. The same works give Anlach's father as Cornac or Coronac, who is generally linked to Cormac mac Urb of the Déisi. Given the calculation that the Déisi had arrived in Dyfed around AD 300, this would give them ample time to become integrated into the regional nobility and for their leading sons to marry the offspring of the surviving Brito-Welsh nobility, hence Anlach's marriage to Marchel. The fluctuating fortunes of the kingdom of Brycheiniog took place in the dramatic landscape of the Brecon Beacons in south-eastern Wales
	Marchel's Her status as 'heiress' would suggest that Garthmadrun is a parcel of territory that has been assigned to her from a larger territory, most likely the 'Kingdom of Mid-South Wales'.
fl c.420	Anlach mac Cormac		Son. 'King'.
c.450	Anlach has probably not been a king in his own right in Garthmadrun, but a sub-king or regional governor for the core Déisi to the west. His death means that he is succeeded by his son, Brychen, and it is now that the territory seemingly becomes an independent kingdom. Garthmadrun is renamed Brycheiniog to show that it is now firmly the land of Brychen and his followers. Celtic works generally state that Brychen is born in Ireland and that his father brings the family to Wales. While this seems to be more of a generalised remembrance of the Déisi exodus from Ireland six generations previously, at least one large group of Déisi had remained in Ireland. This is the Déisi of southern Munster, and some of those Déisi who had been expelled from Tara joined their southern cousins. It is possible that links survived between them and the Déisi who migrated to Dyfed, and that families could easily pass between both settlements. That would certainly allow Anlach's father or grandfather to return to Ireland and for Anlach, and later Brychen, to be born there and yet still be in Wales at a later date.
c.450 - c.490	Brychen Brycheiniog (St)		Son. Kingdom founder. Daughter married Gwynlliw of Gwynllg.
c.470	It is said that the royal domain at Llangorse, built on a crannog that still survives in Brecenan Mere, is attacked by a Saxon raid and is destroyed. Brychen is forced to abandon it, probably for the better-known Talgarth (although it is later re-occupied by the royal family). However, Saxon raiders this far west in this century are extremely unlikely unless they arrive by sea and venture up the valleys from the direction of the Bristol Channel. The Britons are already fighting a war on the east coast, after losing Ceint, so there is little chance of Saxons being able to roam across the countryside. Much more likely is a raid by Irish warriors, who still roam the coastline picking off unwary victims. Even their raid up into the hills of Brycheiniog would be a considerable effort. (alternatively, this event could be a misremembering or confusion of the Mercian raid of 916 - see below). Whilst the Catholic Church describes Brychen as a saint, relevant literature does not, instead referring to him as a patriarch. Even in the earliest sources he is credited as being the father of at least twelve children, with later sources claiming well over twenty, many of whom become saints with links to Manau or Cornwall.
fl c.480s?	Rein ap Brychan?		Son (?).
	The timeline for the kings of Brycheiniog is largely calculated from a rough approximation of generation succession.  Peniarth Ms 131, 299 contains the second known king, Rhain Dremrydd (or Dremrudd), but specifies him as Rhain son of an unnamed son of Brychen, inserting an extra generation between them. Brychen himself is given dates as variable as AD 400 and AD 490, so there seems to be plenty of room for an extra generation. The researcher and genealogist Peter Bartrum (1907-2000) in his Welsh genealogies had removed this extra generation, thereby supplying the more normally-quoted pedigree for the kingdom. De Situ Brecheniauc does mention a Rein ap Brychan who is usually taken as Rhain Dremrudd but could equally be that Rhain's father, himself the son of Brychen. The appellation 'Dremrydd' could be used to distinguish the son from the similarly-named father.
fl c.495	Rhain Dremrydd (Red-Faced)		First son. Uncle of Cadwg, king of Gwynllg & Penychen.
fl c.510	Rigenew / Rigenau ap Rhein		Son.
fl c.540	Llywarch / Llowarch ap Rigenew		Son.
fl c.580	Idwallon ap Llywarch		Son.
fl c.620	Rhiwallon ap Idwallon		Son. Last male lineal descendant of Brychen.
c.640 - c.650	Ceindrych / Ceindrec ferch Rhiwallon		Daughter. Second marriage to Cloten of Dyfed.
c.650 - c.720	Ceindrych (Ceindrec, modern Catherine) marries her distant cousin, Cloten king of Dyfed, and for the space of three generations the two kingdoms are united. During the mid-eighth century, Dyfed is invaded by Seisyll, king of Ceredigion. He takes Ystrad Towy, and the dual kingdom of Rhein ap Cadwgn is split in two. Rhain is forced to divide the territory and the king's (possible) younger brother is granted Brycheiniog.
fl c.715	Rhein ap Cadwgn ap Caten ap Cloten		King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog.
fl c.720	Awst / Aust ap Cadwgn		Brother? Granted Brycheiniog as his own domain.
fl c.730	Tewdos / Teuder / Tewdr ap Rhein		Second son of Rhein. Same as King Tewdos of Dyfed?
c.730	The precise status of the kingdom at this time is open to some question. Three of the sons of Rhein ap Cadwgn of Dyfed appear to divide Brycheiniog between themselves (probably following the death of Rhein himself). Some of their immediate descendants are referred to as 'king', but seem more likely to be lords of cantrefi (districts containing a hundred settlements) or commotes (one third or a half of a cantref). Cantref Selyf contains the small settlement of Battle, but despite misconception this was not named for the battle between the Norman lord, Bernard de Neufmarché, and three Welsh kings in 1070 but for the bequest of the land to Battle Abbey in Sussex
	Naufedd Hen is known to hold Cantref Selyf and probably also has Cantref Talgarth, these forming the northern and eastern sections of Brycheiniog. Tewdos is more usually shown as the king of Brycheiniog (although in light of this division of territory he may hold no more right to such a grand claim than either of his peers and apparent equals), but may only hold Cantref Mawr, lying to the west of Talgarth and forming southern Brycheiniog. Elisse probably holds his father's manor plus scattered manors within the lordships of his brothers, making him the junior lord out of the three.
fl c.735		Naufedd Hen (the Old) ap Rhein	Brother. Cantref Selyf and probably Talgarth.
fl c.735		Elisse ap Rhein	Brother. Various scattered manors in Brycheiniog.
fl c.735		Elwystl / Elisse ap Awst	Cousin and rival claimant. Murdered by Teuder.
c.735 - c.750	Elwystl is a bit of a problem as he often seems to be confused with an Elisse ap Tewdwr, son of the King Tewdos shown above. There is also an Elisse ap Rhein, brother of Tewdwr, just to make matters even more confused. Which leaves the question of just what is held by Elisse ap Awst. An Elisse is shown in Jesus College MS 20 with a daughter named Sanant, but his father is not shown, meaning that he could be any of the three candidates (although more probably the two elder candidates only). Sanant marries Noe of Powys (born around AD 735), who has also been referred to as Nowy Hen ap Teuder (son of Teuder, or more probably son-in-law, given the marriage just mentioned). Could both instances of an Elisse be one and the same man? This is the most likely explanation given the similarities in their dates. Both would have been old enough in 730 to already have a daughter who could marry the successor of all of the various ruling Dyfed kings and princes of their generation. Under Nowy Hen the kingdom seems to return to a single supreme ruler (if this had not already been the case under the sons of Tewdos, with one of them holding superiority over the others).
fl c.750	Nowy Hen (the Old) ap Tewdr		Son of Teuder. Descendant of Cadell Ddyrnllwg of Powys.
c.770	The son (with reservations - see c.735) of Tewdos ap Rhein, Nowy Hen is a ninth generation descendant from Cadell Ddyrnllwg of fifth century Powys, via his son Cyngen Glodrydd. Nowy has three sons by Sanant ferch Elisse, these being Gryffydd, Tewdos, and Cathen or Caten. The existence of three sons raises again the possibility of them being granted portions of the kingdom although nothing is mentioned in surviving texts. Nowy Hen himself certainly rules in Cantref Selyf and probably in Cantref Talgarth (as long as this isn't a confusion with the earlier Naufedd Hen, his uncle). As Gryffydd is the elder of the sons then he inherits Cantref Selyf and probably Cantref Talgarth (if such a division exists). Tewdos may be lord of Cantref Mawr, with Cathen holding the remaining portions.
fl c.770	Gryffydd / Gruffudd ap Nowy		Son.
fl c.800	Tewdr ap Gryffydd		Son.
c.840 - al.896	Elisedd / Ellis(e) ap Tewdr		Son. Asked Alfred of Wessex for aid against Anarawd Gwynedd.
848	King Ithael of Gwent is killed in battle against Elisedd, perhaps sparking a feud that soon draws in Glywyssing's king, Hywel ap Rhys. The feud develops further in the 850s.
856 - 886	In this period, Hywel ap Rhys of Glywyssing comes into conflict with Elisedd ap Tewdr over the districts of Ystrad Yw (Crickhowell, now in southern Powys but seemingly inside the border of Brycheiniog in the ninth century) and the remnant of Ewyas (adjoining Ystrad-Yw, Gwent had succeeded to Ewyas before its subsequent division as Ercing and then its loss to the Mercians by the ninth century). The territories are claimed by Hywel as the rightful possession of Glywyssing (although the claim seems dubious, as only its eastern neighbour, Gwent, could lay any realistic claim to Ewyas, and Hywel's familial relationship to Gwent's kings should not change this). Brycheiniog has already transferred its claim to those lands to Cadell, the king of South Wales (probably Cadell ap Rhodri of Seisyllwg, who also holds Builth), so Hywel is forced to relinquish his right to them and has to set the boundary of his kingdom at Ystrad Yw. It is here that boundary stones have been raised and the town and castle of Cerrig Hywel (Gerrig Hywel, or 'the stones of Hywel') has been constructed. The latter is later considered to be in Brycheiniog. This forms the boundary between Hywel and Cadell during the former's lifetime.
896	Vikings have been wintering at Quatford (near Bridgnorth in Shropshire, part of western Mercia), but in the spring of this year they ravage the kingdoms of Brycheiniog, Gwent, and the Gwynllg region of Glywyssing. Asser records that Elisedd requests help from Alfred of Wessex, but another reason for this may also be due to pressure from Anarawd ap Rhodri, the powerful king of Gwynedd and Deheubarth who is keen on expanding his areas of control. Hyfaidd ap Bledrig of Dyfed may be another southern Welsh king who, during his lifetime, similarly appeals to Alfred for aid and support to ward off Anarawd. The Vikings found quarters at Quatford in Mercia, occupying a commanding position over the valley of the River Severn (just half a mile from the view shown here), and building a burgh which may have formed the basis of the later Norman castle
fl c.900	Tewdr ap Elisedd		Son.
fl c.910	Gryffydd ap Elisedd		Brother.
916	Having submitted to Alfred of Wessex for help in the late ninth century, Brycheiniog has largely been seen as that kingdom's vassal. Now Deheubarth to the west is on the rise and Brycheiniog finds itself being tugged in both directions. Æthelflaed, lady of the Mercians, now invades and captures the royal domain at Llangorse, on 19 June. The queen and various others are taken, she presumably being the wife of Gryffydd, although precise dates for most of Brycheiniog's kings are unavailable. What happens to the captives is not known. This event could alternatively be placed in the reign of Gryffydd's successor, Tewdr Brycheiniog.
c.920	After being crushed by Mercia, the increasing supremacy of Deheubarth in South Wales forces Brycheiniog to submit some of its power and it effectively becomes a sub-kingdom. Tewdr Brycheiniog still exercises regional power though, being witness to an English charter of 934. There seems to be some confusion about his parentage however. Bartrum calls him the son of Elisse, but it is unclear whether this is the Elisse of the period before 885 or a son or grandson of his.
c.920 - aft 934	Tewdr Brycheiniog ap Gryffydd		Son. Witnessed an English charter in 934.
fl c.950	Gwylog ap Tewdr		Son.
fl c.970	Elisedd / Elisse ap Gwylog		Son.
? - c.1045	Gryfydd / Gruffudd ap Elisedd		Son. Last king of a united Brycheiniog.
c.1045	Upon the death of Gryfydd, his lands are divided between his three sons, as lords of Cantref Selyf, Cantref Tewdos and Cantref Talgarth. The eldest of those sons is, confusingly, named Selyf. Is he named for the cantref or vice versa, and if the latter then what has been the cantref's name until this point? Effectively, these three cantrefi are now part of the kingdom of Deheubarth.
c.1045 - ?	Selyf ap Gryfydd		Son. Lord of Cantref Selyf. Possibly also of Talgarth.
?	Dryffin ap Selyf		Son. Lord of Cantref Selyf?
1055 - 1063	Gruffydd ap Llywelyn of Gwynedd invades and conquers neighbouring Gwent, along with Morgannwg, subjugating them both and drawing them directly under his control along with Deheubarth as part of a united Wales. Following his death, united Wales breaks up, and independent control of Morgannwg and Gwent is re-established.
?	Maenrych ap Dryffin		Son. Lord of Cantref Selyf?
1066?	Apparently ruling at least part of Brycheiniog at this point in time (and quite possibly earlier) is a fairly mysterious 'King Bleddyn' of Brycheiniog. His pedigree as given by Llyfr Baglan shows a descent from the fifth century Caradog Freichfras (or Freich Fras) of Gwent. The presence of someone with links to Gwent is unexplained, but the most reasonable theory is that one or more of the three cantrefi of Brycheiniog has fallen into the hands of Gwent's nobility in the period after circa 1045. Despite the similarity in names, His father and grandfather, Maenrych and Driffin, should not be confused with the Maenrych and Dryffin who are lords of Cantref Selyf in the same century.
1066? - 1070	Bleddyn ap Maenrych ap Driffin		Son of (a) Maenrych. Not paternally related to the former kings.
1070	Earl William FitzOsbern of Hereford invades the kingdom and defeats 'three kings of South Wales', although none of these hail from Brycheiniog. 'King Bleddyn' of Brycheiniog is defeated by Bernard de Neufmarché (Newmark in its English form). It seems from claims made by Bernard in 1088 that he conquers the entire kingdom and sees it as his own domain (and he apparently goes on to slay Rhys ap Tewdwr Mawr of Deheubarth in 1093). The Norman conquest of Britain owed much to good fortune, but once achieved it was enforced by military strength and a prolific castle-building programme
?	Rhiwallon ap Maenrych		Son of Maenrych. Lord of Cantref Selyf?
?	Madog ap Rhiwallon		Son. Lord of Cantref Selyf?
?	Einion ap Madog		Son. Lord of Cantref Selyf?
fl 1095/1100	Trahaearn Fawr ap Einion		Son. Lord of Cantref Selyf.
1088 - 1095	The Normans are gradually increasing their involvement in the affairs of southern Wales. By 1088 they have conquered the cantrefi of Selyf (under its last native lord, Trahaearn Fawr), Tewdos, and Talgarth, signalling the end of Brycheiniog. Talgarth is captured before 1088, although a precise date seems to be unknown. The region's lands and cantrefi are amalgamated into the lordship of Brecknock (the Anglo-Norman approximation of Brycheiniog) which itself is largely subject to the Mortimer family which dominates the Welsh Marches. Castle Dinas is an early Norman fortress which controls entry further into the lordship. Brecknock later forms the larger southern section of the county of Brecknockshire (from 1535), although the Welsh form of its name, Sir Frycheiniog, is much closer to the original name ('sir' being the Welsh form of 'shire', this being the Old English word for the Norman 'county'). The 1974 reorganisation of county councils sees Brecknockshire merged with Powys, although after 1996 it exercises a degree of decentralised regional authority as the borough of Brecknock.

Cado, King of DumnoniaCado

Cado, King of DumnoniaCado, King of Dumnonia

(c.AD 482-537)
(Welsh: Cadwy; Latin: Cadorius; English: Cador)

Cado appears in Arthurian literary sources as Cador, Earl of Cornwall. He is first mentioned in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain (1136); but, by 1457, his title had mistakenly transformed him into King Arthur's elder maternal half-brother, the son of Gorlois, variously called Duke of Tintagel or Earl of Cornwall.

In fact, Cado succeeded his father, Gerren Llyngesoc, as King of Dumnonia. His main stronghold was probably the hillfort of South Cadbury in Somerset where Leslie Alcock has excavated a sub-Roman (5th/6th century) gateway and large feasting hall. The name means "Cado's Fort" and was, no doubt, one of Cado's many palaces, despite the excavators' attempts to link the site with King Arthur's Camelot. Tintagel may have been a more southerly Summer residence.

The ageing Arthur was Cado's maternal cousin as well as his Over-King and, according to literary tradition, the two fought together many times against the Saxons and other enemies, including the famous Seige of Mount Badon.

Arthur visited Cado often in the West Country, usually staying with his friend and subordinate at (Caer or) Din-Draithou, now known as Dunster in West Somerset. It was while here that St. Carannog arrived looking for his floating altar, which he had promised to follow and preach wherever it landed. Arthur would only reveal it's whereabouts if Carannog would rid Dumnonia of a terrible dragon that was terrorising the people of Carrrum (Carhampton). St. Carannog quickly despatched the serpent, and the High-King was forced to hand over the altar which he had been trying to use as a table. Carannog was given Carrum by the two Kings in gratitude for his efforts. Cado was also instrumental in restoring Queen Guinevere to her throne after she had been kidnapped by his love-sick subordinate, Sub-King Melwas of Glastening (what became Somerset).

Cado was great friends with his brother-in-law, King Carodog Freichfras (Strong-Arm) of Gwent (Wales) & Vannetais (Brittany). He was with Caradog when the latter confronted the evil wizard, Eliafres, about his parentage. Eliafres refused to answer Caradog's accusations and caused a serpent to entwine itself around the young man's arm. It took the combined strength of Cado and Caradog's first wife to remove the creature, and henceforth, poor Caradog became known as Briefbras or "short arm"!

Cado probably died at the beginning of the 6th century. Traditionally this was at the Battle of Camlann (AD 537), after which he was buried in the Condolden (or Cadon) Barrow near Camelford in Cerniw.

(c.AD 482-537)
(Welsh: Cadwy; Latin: Cadorius; English: Cador)

Cado appears in Arthurian literary sources as Cador, Earl of Cornwall. He is first mentioned in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain (1136); but, by 1457, his title had mistakenly transformed him into King Arthur's elder maternal half-brother, the son of Gorlois, variously called Duke of Tintagel or Earl of Cornwall.

In fact, Cado succeeded his father, Gerren Llyngesoc, as King of Dumnonia. His main stronghold was probably the hillfort of South Cadbury in Somerset where Leslie Alcock has excavated a sub-Roman (5th/6th century) gateway and large feasting hall. The name means "Cado's Fort" and was, no doubt, one of Cado's many palaces, despite the excavators' attempts to link the site with King Arthur's Camelot. Tintagel may have been a more southerly Summer residence.

The ageing Arthur was Cado's maternal cousin as well as his Over-King and, according to literary tradition, the two fought together many times against the Saxons and other enemies, including the famous Seige of Mount Badon.

Arthur visited Cado often in the West Country, usually staying with his friend and subordinate at (Caer or) Din-Draithou, now known as Dunster in West Somerset. It was while here that St. Carannog arrived looking for his floating altar, which he had promised to follow and preach wherever it landed. Arthur would only reveal it's whereabouts if Carannog would rid Dumnonia of a terrible dragon that was terrorising the people of Carrrum (Carhampton). St. Carannog quickly despatched the serpent, and the High-King was forced to hand over the altar which he had been trying to use as a table. Carannog was given Carrum by the two Kings in gratitude for his efforts. Cado was also instrumental in restoring Queen Guinevere to her throne after she had been kidnapped by his love-sick subordinate, Sub-King Melwas of Glastening (what became Somerset).

Cado was great friends with his brother-in-law, King Carodog Freichfras (Strong-Arm) of Gwent (Wales) & Vannetais (Brittany). He was with Caradog when the latter confronted the evil wizard, Eliafres, about his parentage. Eliafres refused to answer Caradog's accusations and caused a serpent to entwine itself around the young man's arm. It took the combined strength of Cado and Caradog's first wife to remove the creature, and henceforth, poor Caradog became known as Briefbras or "short arm"!

Cado probably died at the beginning of the 6th century. Traditionally this was at the Battle of Camlann (AD 537), after which he was buried in the Condolden (or Cadon) Barrow near Camelford in Cerniw.