Beli ap Rhun facts for kids
Beli ap Rhun was a king of Gwynedd, an old kingdom in Wales. He lived a long time ago, from around 517 AD to 599 AD. He ruled as king for about 13 years, from 586 AD to 599 AD. We don't know much about Beli himself. Most of what we know comes from old Welsh family records.
Contents
Who Was Beli ap Rhun?
Beli ap Rhun was an important figure in early Welsh history. He was the son of Rhun ap Maelgwn, who was also a king. When his father's rule ended, Beli became the next king of Gwynedd. After Beli, his son Iago took over as king.
Beli was also connected to Saint Edeyrn. Some old texts say Beli was Edeyrn's father. Other texts suggest he was Edeyrn's grandfather. These family connections show how important Beli was in the royal line of Gwynedd.
What Do We Know About Beli's Family?
Historians learn about Beli from very old Welsh family trees. These records are called genealogies. Important ones include the Harleian genealogies and Jesus College MS. 20. These old documents list Beli as a king, showing his place in the royal family.
Another old text, the Bonedd y Saint, talks about the family lines of Welsh saints. This text also mentions Beli. It helps us understand his connection to Saint Edeyrn. These old writings are like clues that help us piece together history.
Stories and History About Beli
Sometimes, old stories and poems mention people who might be Beli's family. For example, one old Welsh poem talks about someone named 'Rhun ap Beli'. This person was known for being a great warrior. Some poems even compare other heroes to this 'Rhun ap Beli'.
However, historians like Thomas Stephens believe this might be a mistake. They think the poems might be talking about someone else. The main family records don't mention another son named Rhun. So, while the stories are interesting, they might not be completely true history.
See also
- Kings of Wales family trees
