http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsBritain/CymruDemetia.

htm

Celtic
Kingdoms
of the
British
Isles
Celts of Cymru

Demetia (Kingdom of South Wales)

This fourth century British kingdom was based on the Celtic tribal territory of the Demetae and its
subsequent Roman civitatus designation (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 of Cernyw.

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 from External Link: Ancient Welsh Studies.)

382 - ? Antonius Donatus Gregorius / Anwn 'King of South Wales'. Son of High
Dynod 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.
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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
later Wales(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?
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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 by Anglesand 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) / Rheinwg

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
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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
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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.

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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, and it is probably safe to assume that the Irish in Demetia initially
produced dwellings that were similar

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'.

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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 southern Munster(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 andBrycheiniog. 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.
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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 fianna survivors 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.
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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. Irish settlers 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 Irish name 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.
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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
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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 toWales.
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 ofIrish 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.

http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsBritain/CymruDemetia.htm

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.
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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.