Beli Mawr facts for kids
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Beli Mawr ("Beli the Great") is a very important ancestor in old Welsh stories and family trees. He is known as the father of several famous figures, including Cassivellaunus, Arianrhod, Lludd Llaw Eraint, Llefelys, and Afallach. In some old family records, he is even listed as the son or husband of Anna, who was a cousin of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Many royal families in medieval Wales believed they were descended from Beli. The famous Welsh story collection, the Mabinogion, also mentions Penarddun as a daughter of Beli Mawr.
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Who Was Beli Mawr?
Beli Mawr is a legendary figure, meaning he's part of ancient myths and stories rather than a person we know from historical records. His name, "Beli the Great," shows how important he was considered. He is often seen as the main ancestor for many powerful families in ancient Britain.
His children are well-known in Welsh legends:
- Cassivellaunus: A famous British war leader who fought against the Romans.
- Arianrhod: A powerful goddess or queen, often linked to the stars and magic.
- Lludd Llaw Eraint: A king of Britain, known for solving problems in London.
- Llefelys: Another king, brother to Lludd, who helped him.
- Afallach: A figure connected to the mythical island of Avalon.
Where Did His Name Come From?
Historians and language experts have different ideas about where the name Beli came from. It's a bit of a mystery!
One popular idea is that Beli comes from Belenus. Belenus was an ancient Gaulish and Brittonic god. He was often linked to light, healing, and springs. So, Beli might have been seen as a god-like figure.
Another idea comes from a scholar named John T. Koch. He thinks Beli might come from a very old Celtic name like Belgius or Bolgios. This Bolgios was a real Celtic leader. He led a large Celtic army that invaded Macedonia (part of ancient Greece) around 280-279 BCE.
The Belgae Connection
If Beli's name came from this leader Bolgios, it's thought that this great warrior became a legendary ancestor. He might have been seen as the founder of a powerful group of Celtic tribes called the Belgae. The Belgae were a strong group of people living in parts of ancient Britain and Gaul (modern France). Even the famous Roman general Julius Caesar wrote about the Belgae in his war diaries.
Beli in Old Welsh Stories
Beli Mawr appears in many old Welsh books and writings. Sometimes, he can be a bit confusing because other characters with similar names also appear.
Beli Son of Manogan
There's another Beli in old Welsh stories, often called Beli son of Manogan. He first shows up in a 9th-century book called Historia Brittonum. People sometimes mix him up with Beli Mawr.
This Beli son of Manogan might actually come from a real historical king! He is thought to be linked to Cunobeline, a powerful British king who lived before the Romans invaded. Cunobeline had a son named Adminius. Over time, in different old books, the names of Cunobeline and Adminius got mixed up and changed. This led to the creation of "Beli son of Manogan."
So, even though Beli became a separate legendary king, he was often described as ruling just before the Roman invasion. His "son" Caswallawn is believed to be the historical Cassivellaunus, who famously fought against Julius Caesar.
Beli in Other Histories
Other old historians also wrote about Beli.
- The English historian Henry of Huntingdon, in his book from 1129, mentioned a Belinus who was the brother of Cassibellaunus. He said they were both sons of Minocannus.
- Geoffrey of Monmouth, another important historian from the 1130s, wrote about a British king named Heli. This Heli was the son of Digueillus and the father of Lud, Cassivellaunus, and Nennius. He ruled for 40 years. In later Welsh translations of Geoffrey's work, Heli's name was changed back to Beli, and his father was called Manogan.
These different stories show how important Beli was in the legends and histories of ancient Britain. He was a figure that many writers wanted to include in their accounts of the past.
