Brycheiniog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingdom of Brycheiniog
Teyrnas Brycheiniog
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| c.450–c. 1045 | |||||||||||
Medieval kingdoms of Wales.
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| Capital | Talgarth | ||||||||||
| Common languages | British, Irish, Latin, and Welsh | ||||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||
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• c.450-490
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Brychan Brycheiniog | ||||||||||
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• c.650
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Cloten of Dyfed | ||||||||||
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• -c.1045
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Gryfydd ap Elisedd | ||||||||||
| Historical era | Middle Ages | ||||||||||
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• Founded by Brychan Brycheiniog
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c.450 | ||||||||||
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• Death of Gryfydd ap Elisedd
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c. 1045 | ||||||||||
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Brycheiniog was a small, independent kingdom in South Wales during the Early Middle Ages. It existed for about 600 years, from around 450 AD to 1093 AD. This kingdom was important because it helped control a central area of Wales, especially the borderlands (called the Marches) between what would become England and the Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth.
Brycheiniog was eventually taken over by the Normans (people from France who had settled in England) between 1088 and 1095. Even after this, the area kept its Welsh traditions. It was then turned into the Lordship of Brecknock and later became a big part of the historic county of Brecknockshire.
The name Brycheiniog is still remembered today! It gave its name to Brecknockshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog) and the town of Brecon (known as Aberhonddu in Welsh).
Contents
History of Brycheiniog
How Brycheiniog Began
Before the Romans arrived, the area of Brycheiniog was home to a group of people called the Demetae. Welsh stories say that a Roman governor named Magnus Maximus (also known as Macsen Wledig) gave this land to a Greek man named Antonius the Black (Anwn Ddu). After Antonius died, his land was split between his sons.
Later historical writings, like the 12th-century Book of Llandaff, tell us about the rulers who came after Antonius's son, Tudwal. During this time, Irish raiders started attacking parts of Britain.
The kingdom of Brycheiniog was truly established by a man named Brychan mac Anlach in the mid-5th century. He married a princess named Marchell, and her father gave her the land around Talgarth (called Garth Madrun) as a wedding gift. Brychan then created a kingdom from this land, and it became known as Brycheiniog, named after him.
Brychan's eldest son (or grandson), Rhain Dremrudd, started a family line that ruled Brycheiniog for a long time, until the mid-7th century.
Joining with Dyfed
The last direct male ruler from Brychan's family was Rhiwallon. His daughter, Ceindrych, married Cloten, the king of Dyfed. This marriage in the 7th century brought the kingdom of Brycheiniog and Dyfed together. They remained united for about 100 years.
In the mid-8th century, Seisyll, the king of Ceredigion, attacked and took over a region called Ystrad Tywi. This new territory physically separated Dyfed and Brycheiniog. Even though they were apart, Rhain ap Cadwgan, a descendant of Cloten, tried to keep the two kingdoms united. The remaining parts were then called Rhainwg.
Because it was hard to rule two areas separated by another kingdom, Rhain's brother, Awst, became the governor of Brycheiniog. After Rhain and Awst died, Rhain's son, Tewdwr, had a dispute with Awst's son, Elwystl. They agreed to divide Brycheiniog, but Tewdwr later took control of the whole kingdom.
Times of Change
After this period, the records about Brycheiniog's rulers become less clear. It seems the kingdom might have been divided among different family members at times. There were also claims on Brycheiniog from a nearby kingdom called Ferlix.
In 848, a king from Gwent was killed by men from Brycheiniog in a battle. The reason for this battle isn't fully known, but it was seen as a betrayal.
Becoming a Vassal Kingdom
A later king of Brycheiniog, Elisse ap Tewdwr (also known as Elisedd), ruled during the time of King Alfred the Great of England. In the 880s, Viking raids were a big threat. To protect his kingdom, Elisse became a vassal of King Alfred. This meant he promised loyalty to Alfred in exchange for protection. In 896, Brycheiniog was attacked by Norsemen (Vikings).
Around 916, a king of Brycheiniog named Hwgan tried to attack Mercia, a powerful English kingdom. However, Æthelflæd, King Alfred's daughter and a strong leader, fought back. She invaded Brycheiniog and captured the queen and many others. Hwgan then tried to team up with the Danes (another group of Vikings) but died soon after.
Because of Hwgan's actions, his son, Dryffin, had to pay tribute (money or goods) to the English king, Athelstan. Dryffin also lost some land. Even so, records show that Dryffin's family continued to rule Brycheiniog.
After Tewdwr ap Elisse, who ruled around 927-929, there are no more records of kings from his direct family line. It seems Brycheiniog was then divided among three sons of Tewdwr's brother, Griffri.
Later, a man named Bleddyn, a descendant of Dryffin, became king of Brycheiniog. He was ruling when the Normans invaded England. Bleddyn was also related to Rhys ap Tewdwr, the king of Deheubarth.
The End of the Kingdom
Many Welsh princes had been allies of the Saxon kings of England, so they often fought against the Normans after the Norman Conquest. In 1070, William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford, attacked South Wales, but he didn't defeat a king of Brycheiniog at that time.
In 1088, a Norman lord named Bernard de Neufmarché began attacking Brycheiniog. At the same time, other Welsh princes attacked Deheubarth. Bleddyn, the king of Brycheiniog, was defeated in a battle, and Rhys ap Tewdwr of Deheubarth had to flee.
Bernard de Neufmarché started building a new, stronger castle called Brecon Castle in 1093, using materials from an older Welsh fort. Rhys and Bleddyn tried to attack Bernard while the new castle was being built. However, in April 1093, at the Battle of Brecon, both Rhys and Bleddyn were killed. Welsh records clearly state that Rhys was killed "by the French who were inhabiting Brycheiniog," which shows that the kingdom of Brycheiniog had already been taken over by the Normans.
After this, the lands of Brycheiniog became Bernard's Lordship of Brecknock. Bernard allowed Bleddyn's son, Gwrgan, and his brother to keep some lands within the new Lordship.
Later, a descendant of Gwrgan, Rhys ap Hywel, helped capture King Edward II in 1326. Rhys ap Hywel's grandson, Sir Dafydd Gam, was a famous warrior at the Battle of Agincourt.
Images for kids
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Medieval kingdoms of Wales.
