Conan Meriadoc facts for kids

Conan Meriadoc (/ˈkoʊnən/; Welsh: Cynan Meriadog; Breton: Konan Meriadeg) is a legendary Celtic leader. He is famous for supposedly founding the region of Brittany in what is now France. Stories about Conan have been told since at least the early 12th century. These tales became more popular than older legends about how Brittany began.

His story is known from two main ancient texts. One is the Welsh tale called The Dream of Macsen Wledig. The other is Historia Regum Britanniae by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Both stories connect Conan to Magnus Maximus. Magnus Maximus was a Roman leader who took control of the empire from 383 to 388 AD. He was often seen as someone who weakened Britain's defenses. This happened when he took its armies to claim the emperor's throne. Conan's cousin or sister, Saint Elen, is said to have been Magnus Maximus's wife.

Who Was Conan Meriadoc?

The earliest clear proof of Conan's link to Brittany's founding comes from a text. It is called the Life of Saint Gurthiern. This text was put together between 1118 and 1127. It says that Conan was the founder of Brittany. This shows that the story of Conan was known in Brittany quite early. However, some clues suggest the story came from Wales.

Conan Meriadoc also appears in an old Latin text. This is the Life of Saint Goeznovius. The exact date of this text is debated by historians.

There is also a belief that Conan Meriadoc was a special leader. Some thought he would return to help his people when they needed him most. He is mentioned in several old poems. One important poem is the Armes Prydein. In this poem, Conan is named as a figure who is promised to return.

Conan's Story: Two Versions

One of the Mabinogi's tales: The Dream of Macsen Wledig; opening lines from the Red Book of Hergest:
Maxen wledig oedd amherawdr yn Rhufain, a thecaf gwr oedd a doethaf.

The story of Conan is found in several old writings. The most detailed versions are in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae. Another is in the Welsh tale The Dream of Macsen Wledig. Both stories connect Conan and the founding of Brittany to Magnus Maximus.

Geoffrey of Monmouth's Version

In Geoffrey's story, Conan is the nephew of Octavius. Octavius was the King of the Britons. Conan was a possible heir to the throne. But the throne was offered to "Maximianus," who is Geoffrey's version of Magnus Maximus. At first, Conan was against Maximianus. But they became friends after Maximianus married Octavius's daughter.

Later, Maximianus led Britain's armies to march on Rome. He quickly took over a region called Armorica. This is where he made Conan king. He told Conan to create "another Britain" there. Conan did this and fought off many attacks. He also asked for British wives for his soldiers. He was said to be deeply in love with Saint Ursula, the daughter of Maximianus's regent. Later, Maximianus was killed in Rome. His soldiers returned to Armorica and joined Conan's new settlement.

The Dream of Macsen Wledig's Version

The story in The Dream of Macsen Wledig is different. In this version, Conan is the son of Eudaf Hen (Geoffrey's Octavius). He is also the brother of Saint Elen. Maxen Wledig (Magnus Maximus) is shown as the rightful Roman Emperor. He sees Elen and her kingdom in a dream. He then finds her and marries her.

In this story, Conan and his brother become Maxen's loyal helpers right away. They later help him get back the throne of Rome. Because of their help, Maxen lets Conan conquer any land he wants. Conan chooses Armorica. He kills all the men there and replaces them with his own soldiers. He then orders the tongues of all the women to be cut out. This was so their speech would not change the language of the Britons. This strange event is linked to the Welsh name for Brittany, Llydaw. This name supposedly means "half-silent."

Conan's Legacy in Brittany

Detail from the Saint Auta Altarpiece (Lisbon, 1522–25), depicting the marriage of Conan and Saint Ursula

The story of Conan became a very important founding myth for the people of Brittany. This lasted for hundreds of years. Older stories about how Britons settled in Armorica were largely forgotten. This happened after the legend of Conan spread widely.

After Geoffrey's book and The Dream of Macsen, Conan appeared in family trees. Many noble families in Brittany claimed to be descended from him. For example, the Rohans believed Conan was their ancestor.

In the 15th century, the Bretons used Conan's story. They used it to show that their noble families were more important than the kings of France. The story's political importance lessened after Brittany joined France in 1532. However, in the 17th century, the Rohans used their supposed link to Conan. They tried to gain special status at the French court. King Louis XIV recognized their family history. But he did not give them the special status they wanted.

Later, in the 18th century, some historians tried to prove Conan was a real person. But today, he is seen as a mythical figure.

See also

• Gradlon
• Ys