Budic II of Brittany facts for kids

Budic II (born around 460, died around 550) was a king who ruled a place called Cornouaille in Brittany. Brittany is a region in modern-day France. He lived a long time ago, in the late 400s and early 500s. Budic II was the father of a famous son named Hoel and also had several children who became important saints.

Life of King Budic II

Budic II was born in Cornouaille. He was part of the royal family there. He became king around the year 478. However, one of his cousins took his throne from him. Budic had to leave his home and went to live with King Aircol Lawhir in a place called Dyfed in Wales.

While in Dyfed, Budic married a woman named Anowed. She was the sister of a famous person, Saint Teilo. After the cousin who took his throne died, Budic II went back to Cornouaille to become king again. Later, Saint Teilo joined him. People say that Budic convinced Teilo to help get rid of a scary dragon. This dragon was causing trouble in the countryside. Teilo was able to control the beast and tied it to a rock in the sea.

The exact year Budic II died is not known for sure. Some people think he died in 545. But other stories say that Saint Teilo went to France in 549 to avoid a sickness called the Yellow Plague. These stories say Teilo spent time with Budic in Brittany during that period. After Budic died, his kingdom was taken over by Macliau, who was the king of a nearby group called the Veneti.

Budic's Children

Budic had several children with his wife from Wales. Three of his sons became respected saints in Celtic Christianity:

• Saint Ismael, who was a bishop.
• Saint Euddogwy, who was also a bishop.
• Saint Tyfei, who was a martyr (someone who died for their beliefs).

Another son was Hoel I Mawr. He is sometimes called the "Emperor of Brittany" in old Welsh stories. Hoel's son, Tewdwr, later became king of Cornouaille.

One of Budic's daughters was Saint Gwen the Three-Breasted. She married Saint Fragan and had several children who also became saints: Wethenoc, Jacut, Winwaloe, and Creirwy. Later, she married another man named Eneas Ledewig and had a son named Saint Cadfan.

Budic in Arthurian Legends

You might know about King Arthur and his knights. Budic II is mentioned in some old stories about King Arthur. In a book called History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Budic is linked to Arthur's family.

In these stories, it's a bit confusing:

• Some parts say Budic married a sister of Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon. This would make him King Arthur's uncle.
• Other parts say he married Uther Pendragon's daughter Anna. This would make him Arthur's brother-in-law.

Later stories, like those by Wace and Layamon, also have this confusion. But most later stories say that Budic's son, Hoel, was Arthur's "cousin." In some later adventure stories, a character named King Nentres of Garlot, who might be based on Budic, marries Arthur's half-sister Elaine.