Brychan facts for kids

Brychan depicted in a window of the church in Brecon, Wales.

Brychan Brycheiniog was a famous king from a long time ago, in the 400s. He ruled a place called Brycheiniog (now known as Brecknockshire or Breconshire) in Mid Wales. People remember him for having many children who became important figures.

What's in a Name? Brychan's Many Titles

Brychan came from Ireland to Wales. His first name was probably Irish. Later, he was called Brychan, which is a Welsh name.

Sometimes people called him Brocanus. This is a Latin version of an Irish name, Broccan. You might also see his name written as Braccan, Brachan, Brecin, or Breccan.

Brychan's Life and Adventures

Stories say Brychan was born in Ireland. His father was Prince Anlach, and his mother was Marchel. Marchel was the princess of a Welsh kingdom called Garthmadrun. Brychan's parents later became rulers of this land.

When his father passed away, Brychan returned to Garthmadrun. He then changed its name to Brycheiniog, named after himself. Some believe his name, Brychan, is a Welsh form of the Irish name Broccán. His grandfather's name, Coronac, might be related to Cormac. A teacher named Drichan helped educate young Brychan.

One old story, the Life of St. Cadoc, tells of a fight. It says Brychan fought against King Arthur, Cai, and Bedivere. This happened because King Gwynllyw took Brychan's daughter, St. Gwladys, from his court in Talgarth.

Remembering Brychan: Art and Stories

Brychan is sometimes called a saint, but old writings usually call him a patriarch. This means he was a respected leader, like a father figure. No churches are named after him.

In a church in St Neot, Cornwall, there is a stained glass window from the 1400s. Some people think it shows Brychan, sitting with eleven children. However, others say it shows God with souls in his lap. Brychan's special day is celebrated on April 6th.

Brychan's Large Family

Christian traditions say Brychan was married three times. His wives were Prawst ferch Tydwal, Banhadlwedd ferch Banadi, and Gwladys. He had a very large family!

Old books mention these wives. The number of children he had changes in different stories. Some say he had twelve, while others say sixty-three. The most common number is twenty-four.

There are two main lists of his children. One is from Wales, and the other is from Cornwall. Many of his children are believed to have traveled from Brecon to share Christian teachings. They went to Cornwall and North Devon, where they are now honored. The lists of his children don't always agree.

Over time, more and more people, both religious and not, wanted to be related to one of the "Holy Families of Britain." This might be why the number of Brychan's children grew in stories. Below are some of his children mentioned in Welsh, Cornish, Irish, and Breton sources.

Children in Welsh Sources

Some of Brychan's sons mentioned in old Welsh writings include Cynog, Rhain Dremrudd, Clydwyn, Arthen, Papai, Dingad, Berwyn, and Rhydog. Other sons like Cynon, Pasgen, Cylflifer, Marthaerun, and Rhun are also listed in some sources. More Welsh stories add sons such as Caian, Cynbryd, Cynfran, Cynin, Dogfan, Dyfnan, Dyfrig, Hychan, Llecheu, Neffei, Rhawin, Llofan, Llonio, Heilin, Afallach, and Gwynnws.

The daughters listed in Welsh sources include Meleri, Hunydd, Gwladys, Ceingar, Tudglid, Nyfain, Gwawr, Marchell, Lluan, Gwrygon Goddeu, Arianwen, Bethan, Ceinwen (Keyne), Cerddych, Clydai, Cynheiddon (who is also Saint Endelienta), Dwynwen, Eiliwedd, Goleudydd, Gwen, Lludd, Tudful, Tudwystl, and Tybie. Other Welsh stories mention more daughters like Beiol (Bilo), Tydieu, Eufail, Hawystl, Edwen, Gwenrhiw, Tudwen, Callwen, Gwenfyl, Gwennan, and Mwynwen.

Descendants in Cornish Sources

The Life of Saint Nectan lists children by Brychan's wife, Gwladys. These include Adwen, Canauc (Cynog), Cleder (Clether), Dilic (Illick), Endelient (Endelienta), Helie, Johannes (Sion), Iona, Juliana (Ilud), Kenhender (Cynidr), Keri (Curig), Mabon (Mabyn), Menfre (Menefrewy), Merewenne (Marwenna), Morewenna (Morwenna), Nectanus (Nectan), Tamalanc, Tedda (Tetha), Wencu (Gwencuff, Gwengustle, also Saint Nennocha), Wenheden (Enoder), Wenna (Gwen), Wensent, Wynup (Gwenabwy), and Yse (Issey).

According to Robert Hunt, many of Brychan's holy children settled in Cornwall. They gave their names to Cornish churches:

• Johannes at St Ive
• Endelient at St Endellion
• Menfre at St Minver
• Tethe at St Teath
• Mabon at St Mabyn
• Merewenne at Marhamchurch
• Wenna at St Wenn
• Keyne at St Keyne
• Yse at St Issey
• Morwenna at Morwenstow
• Cleder at St Clether
• Keri at Egloskerry
• Helie at Egloshayle
• Adwen at Advent
• Lanent at Lelant

Children in Irish Sources

The Book of Leinster lists the following sons by Brychan's wife, Dína, who was the daughter of the King of the Saxons: Mo-Goróc, Mo-Chonóc (Cynog), Diraid, Dubán (Dyfnan), Cairinne (Caian), Cairpre, Iast, Ellóc (Dilic), Paan, Cáemán, and Mo-Beóc.

Children in Breton Sources

Breton tradition says that Brychan married Menedoc, the daughter of Constantine, King of the Scots. They were the parents of Saint Nennocha.