Batmanghelidjh

BatmanghelidjhCamila Batmanghelidjh, CBE (/kəˈmɪlə bætmænˈɡɛlɨdʒ/; Persian: کامیلا باتمانقلیچ‎‎ Kamylā Batmanghelych; born c. 1963) is an Iranian-born author and charity executive in the United Kingdom. She is best known as the founder of Kids Company, a charity which, until its financial collapse in August 2015,^[1] worked with inner-city children and young people in the UK.

Contents

 [hide] 

• 1 Early life
• 2 Charity work
  • 2.1 Place2B school charity
  • 2.2 Southwark's Urban Academy
  • 2.3 Kids Company
  • 2.4 Recent investigations
• 3 Awards and honours
• 4 Publications
• 5 References
• 6 External links

Early life[edit]

Batmanghelidjh was born in Iran. Her mother was a Belgian, whilst her father was the Iranian doctor Fereydoon Batmanghelidj. She was born two-and-a-half months premature, with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, and she was not expected to survive. Her birth was not registered and the date was not noted.^[2] Batmanghelidh believes that her severe dyslexia comes from her traumatic birth.^[3]
She attended Sherborne Girls School, an independent school in Dorset.^[4] She attended the University of Warwick where she received a first class degree in Theatre and the Dramatic Arts.^[5] At the age of 25 she was employed as a part-time psychotherapist in a project in Camberwell, south London, funded by Children in Need.^[5] She has claimed to have been practising psychotherapy for more than twenty years,^[6] although she has apparently no formal qualifications on or membership in professional self-regulatory organisations with regards to psychotherapy.^[7]

Charity work[edit]

Place2B school charity[edit]

In 1991, Batmanghelidjh was involved in the formation of The Place to Be (now Place2Be), a charity working with troubled children in primary schools.^[8][9] Place2Be had originated from a Southwark Family Service Unit (FSU) "The Place to Be", placing a counsellor in a primary school.^[10] Batmanghelidjh left the charity in 1995.^[9] She was replaced by Benita Refson.^[10] Place2Be now reaches 80,000 children, working in 235 schools across the UK.^[11][11]

Southwark's Urban Academy[edit]

Coordinates: 51°29′51″N 0°04′59″W / 51.4974°N 0.0831°W / 51.4974; -0.0831 The Urban Academy was a post-16 educational and life skills academy at 34 Decima Street in, Southwark, south London. It was founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh and was run by her Kids Company organisation. The college ended on 5 August 2015 due to allegations Kids Company has faced in recent years.^{[12][13][14][15]}

Kids Company[edit]

Main article: Kids Company

In 1996, after leaving the Place2Be, Batmanghelidjh founded Kids Company, a charity that provided care to children whose lives had been disrupted by poverty, abuse and trauma. Originally a single drop-in centre in Camberwell, Kids Company claimed that it helped some 36,000 children, young people and families, although this figure is disputed and the organisation is said to have reached only 1,600 children.^[16] The charity operated through a network of street level centres, alternative education centres, therapy houses and with over 40 schools in London and Bristol as well as a performing arts programme in Liverpool.^[17]
Deborah Orr, in an interview with Batmanghelidgh, reported in 2012 that fifteen independent evaluations of Kids Company had found that 96 per cent of children assisted return to education and employment and an "impact on crime reduction" of 88 per cent.^[5]
In July 2015 a report by Newsnight and BuzzFeed revealed that public funding for Kids Company was to be withheld unless Batmanghelidjh was replaced.^[18] On 3 July it was reported that Batmanghelidjh would step down as chief executive in the next few months and continue in a "presidential" role.^[19][20]
On 5 August 2015, Kids Company closed its operations^[21] less than a week after receiving a government grant of £3,000,000. The charity was given the money against the advice of officials, who had raised concerns about value for money and how it would be spent.^[22] The charity had announced that it was closing down because "it is unable to pay its debts as they fall due”.^[23]
Speaking to the Telegraph newspaper in August 2015, Camila Batmanghelidjh said she hoped Kids Company could make a comeback after some restructuring and once the media storm had died down.^[24]
In mid-August 2015, Batmanghelidjh announced that she would be opening a food bank in Lambeth, south London. She said fifty former staff had volunteered to help run the pop-upKids Dining Room in Loughborough Junction to provide food for up to 3,000 children and young people. Approximately 200 people used the service in August 2015. ^[25][26]

Recent investigations[edit]

As part of a greater investigation by the Charities Commission, the National Audit Office (NAO) and PricewaterhouseCoopers UK (PwC UK) were commissioned by the Commission to investigate the collapse of Kids Company. Mrs Batmanghelidjh was reported to have had a £90,000 salary at Kids Company for 2014-2015.^{[27][27][28][28]} Camilla blamed a media and civil service led smear campaign for the demise of her charity and its "exceptional value".^[28][28]

Awards and honours[edit]

Batmanghelidjh receiving an honorary degree from the Open University in 2008

In 2009 Batmanghelidjh was named Businesswoman of the Year in the Dods and Scottish Widows Women in Public Life Awards.^[29] She has also received Ernst and Young's Social Entrepreneur of the Year award (2006),^{[citation needed]} Third Sector magazine's Most Admired Chief Executive (2007)^{[citation needed]} and the Centre for Social Justice's lifetime achievement award in 2009.^{[citation needed]} Batmanghelidjh has been awarded honorary degrees and doctorates by several universities including York St John University,^[30] the Open University,^[31] Brunel University,^[32] London South Bank University^[33] and Nottingham Trent University.^[34]
In February 2013, she was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom by Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4.^[35] She was appointed an honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to children and young people.^[36] In September 2014 she became an Honorary Fellow of UCL.^[37]

Publications[edit]

• Batmanghelidjh, Camila (2007). Shattered Lives. London: Jessica Kingsley. ISBN 1-8431-0603-5. 
• Batmanghelidjh, Camila (2013). Mind the Child. London: Particular Books, Penguin Random House. ISBN 1-8461-4655-0. 

References[edit]

1. Jump up ^ Rothwell, James (2015-08-07). "Kids Company boss Camila Batmanghelidjh turned HQ into private 'Aladdin's den'". Telegraph. Retrieved 2015-10-16. 
2. Jump up ^ Rayment, Tim. "The Odd Couple". The Sunday Times date=6 December 2015. p. 2. (subscription required (help)). 
3. Jump up ^ Interview by Deborah Orr (3 January 2009). "Colourful character: Camila Batmanghelidjh on her unique approach to charity work – Profiles – People". The Independent. Retrieved 22 October 2012. 
4. Jump up ^ "How to Make a Difference". Howtomakeadifference.net. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2010. 
5. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b c} Deborah Orr, "Colourful character: Camila Batmanghelidjh on her unique approach to charity work" The Independent, Saturday 3 January 2009
6. Jump up ^ "Camila Batmanghelidjh". UK in Albania. Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. 
7. Jump up ^ "QUENTIN LETTS on colourful Kids Company questioning in Parliament". Mail Online. Retrieved 2015-10-16. 
8. Jump up ^ Sally Williams (27 September 2007). "Place2B: It's Goood to Talk". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 September 2014. 
9. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b} "The early years of Place2Be". Retrieved 12 August 2015. 
10. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b} "The early years of Place2Be". place2be.org.uk. 
11. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b} "What We Do". The Place2B. Retrieved 2 September 2014. 
12. Jump up ^ "Mirror Online: The intelligent tabloid. #madeuthink". Icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-31. 
13. Jump up ^ [1]^{[dead link]}
14. Jump up ^ [2]^{[dead link]}
15. Jump up ^ "Kids Company's Camila Batmanghelidjh Paid Greater Proportion Of Income Than Britain's Top Charities". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-31. 
16. Jump up ^ "The inside story of how The Spectator broke the Kids Company scandal". The Spectator. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015. 
17. Jump up ^ "Camila Batmanghelidjh: ‘I chose the vocation’". The Guardian. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2014. 
18. Jump up ^ Chris Cook (3 July 2015). "Kids Company's Camila Batmanghelidjh asked to step down by government". BBC News. 
19. Jump up ^ Patrick Butler (3 July 2015). "Camila Batmanghelidjh to leave Kids Company, citing political 'ugly games'". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 July 2015. 
20. Jump up ^ John Bingham (5 July 2015). "Kids Company under new Charity Commission scrutiny amid fears for its future". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 July 2015. 
21. Jump up ^ "Kids Company: '£3m donation withdrawn amid police probe'". BBC News. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015. 
22. Jump up ^ "Kids Company charity in closure warning – BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-16. 
23. Jump up ^ Oliver Wright (5 August 2015). "Kids Company: Camila Batmanghelidjh lashes out at 'ill-spirited ministers' as she announces the organisation is about to go bankrupt". The Independent. Retrieved 6 August 2015. 
24. Jump up ^ "Kids Company could return after a 'restructure’". The Daily Telegraph. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2015. 
25. Jump up ^ "Camila opens food kitchen as taxpayer faces £25m Kids Company bill". The Sunday Times. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2015. 
26. Jump up ^ "Is-start-Kids-Company-2-0-Volunteers-closed-charity-open-pop-dining-room-handing-food-parcels-150-people.html". The Daily Mail. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2015. 
27. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b} "Kids Company's Camila Batmanghelidjh Paid Greater Proportion Of Income Than Britain's Top Charities". The Huffington Post UK. 
28. ^ Jump up to: ^{a b c d} "Kids Company: Ministers had report on charity's spending". BBC News. 
29. Jump up ^ "Past winners 2009". Womeninpubliclifeawards.co.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2010. 
30. Jump up ^ Haydn Lewis (14 November 2013). "York St John University degree results – Day 2". The York Press. Retrieved 2 September 2014. 
31. Jump up ^ "Honorary Graduates 2008". The Open University. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2014. 
32. Jump up ^ "Camila Batmanghelidjh – 2011". Brunel University London. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2015. 
33. Jump up ^ "Camila Batmanghelidjh Honorary Fellowship". London South Bank University. Retrieved 31 August 2015. 
34. Jump up ^ "Charity leader Camila Batmanghelidjh to receive honorary degree". Nottingham Trent University. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2014. 
35. Jump up ^ "BBC Radio 4 – Woman's Hour – The Power List 2013". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-31. 
36. Jump up ^ "2013 Honours List" (PDF). Gov.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2014. 
37. Jump up ^ "Honorary Fellows of UCL". Ucl.ac.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-16. 

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Camila Batmanghelidjh.

• Interview with biographical information
• Kids Company
• The Guardian articles referencing Camila Batmanghelidjh
• "Colourful character Camila Batmanghelidjh on her unique approach to charity work", The Independent
• BBC News profile
• Business Woman of the Year Award
• Place2Be website

Indian PM Modi arrives in UK

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Indian PM Modi arrives in UK for three day visit

Indian PM Modi arrives in UK for three day visit

Image copyrightPA

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the UK for a three day visit as a guest of his British counterpart, David Cameron.

The first day of the visit will be marked by a Red Arrows flypast before Mr Modi makes a speech to Parliament.

Also during the trip, he will meet the Queen, visit a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and address crowds at Wembley Stadium.

Mr Cameron said the visit marked "a historic opportunity" for Britain and India to help each other prosper.

"It's an opportunity for two countries, tied by history, people and values, to work together to overcome the biggest challenges of our age," Mr Cameron said.

"Prime Minister Modi and I intend to grab that opportunity with both hands."

Image copyrightPA

Image captionMr Modi was greeted at Heathrow by ministers Hugo Swire and Priti Patel

Mr Modi said the aim of the visit was to strengthen "co-operation with a traditional friend".

On arrival, he tweeted: "Reached London. India-UK ties will receive a great impetus. Will attend a wide range of programmes in UK."

BBC News correspondent Christian Fraser said India's growing economy was "crucially important to British industry and trade".

"We're told that around £10bn worth of trade deals will be signed over the course of the next two days," he added.

Indian businesses in the UK

110,000

people are employed by Indian companies operating in the UK

• 13 Indian companies each employ more than 1,000 people in the UK
• 65,000 people work for Tata Group, which owns 5 of those 13 companies
• 28,000 of those work for Tata Motors, which owns Jaguar Land Rover

Source: Grant Thornton India Tracker 2015

Downing Street protests

The visit comes at an unsettled time in India, where Mr Modi's Hindu-nationalist party lost a recent regional election.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered the defeat in the northern Indian state of Bihar, amid concerns over a rise in religious intolerance in India.

His supporters will hope his visit will help him spring back from that defeat.

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.