Conomor facts for kids
Conomor (who lived around 540 AD), also known as Conomerus or Conomor the Cursed, was an early ruler in Brittany. His name means "Great Dog" or "Sea Dog" in an old language called Brythonic. Conomor became famous for being very cruel. He is a legendary villain in Breton culture. Many people think he might be the inspiration for the myth of Bluebeard. He might also be linked to King Mark from the Tristan stories.
Conomor was a king of Dumnonia and a prince of Poher. At this time, Dumnonia was growing. It was taking control of all Brythonic lands in Armorica (which is now Brittany). It's hard to tell the difference between the legendary Conomor and the real historical ruler. Like other early Breton rulers, most of what we know about him comes from stories about Breton saints.
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Conomor's Story in History
The name Conomor appears in old Cornish family trees. He might have come to Brittany after spending his youth in Cornwall. He is mentioned in a book called Historia Francorum by Gregory of Tours. This book describes him as a Breton count in the mid-6th century. He was involved in fights between two Breton counts, Chanao and his brother Macliau.
According to Gregory, Chanao killed his other brothers. Macliau then ran away to Conomor. Conomor "hid him in a box underground." He told Chanao that this was Macliau's grave. When Chanao believed Macliau was dead, Macliau was secretly placed in a monastery. After Chanao died, Macliau returned to rule his brother's land.
Conomor is called a "prefect of the Frankish king" in the story of Saint Tugdual. In the story of Saint Paul Aurelian, he is called a ruler of "different peoples of four languages." This might mean his land included both Brittany and Cornwall.
Conomor is said to have been a count of Carhaix. He became king by causing the death of the previous ruler, Jonas. He married Jonas's widow. But she later ran away from him to the Frankish court with her son Judael.
Conomor later had problems with Waroch I, a count of Vannes. Conomor had married Waroch's daughter, Tryphine, after his first wife died. It is said that Conomor caused the deaths of Tryphine and later their son, Trémeur. Eventually, local bishops were convinced by Saint Samson to remove Conomor from the church.
It's possible that the story of Tréphine and Trémeur is a mixed-up version. It might be about Conomor trying to harm Judael, his step-son. According to Lester K. Little, Conomor was acting as a temporary ruler for a young nephew. This nephew was too young to become king. The main complaint against Conomor was his constant effort to have the boy killed. Many important people, including Saint Hervé and Saint Samson, spoke out against Conomor.
Saint Samson also convinced the Frankish king Childebert I to stop supporting Conomor. He also asked the king to release Judael. After Childebert died, his brother Chlothar I became king. Judael then joined Chlothar on a trip into Brittany. Judael killed Conomor in a battle in the Monts d'Arrée. This place is near Le Relecq, Plounéour-Ménez.
Gregory of Tours describes these events. He says they happened during fights between Chlothar and his son Chramm:
Chramm went to his father, but later he was disloyal. When he saw he could not escape punishment, he ran away to Brittany. There, with his wife and daughters, he lived hidden with Chonoober (Conomor), count of the Bretons... Now King Chlothar was angry with Chramn. He marched with his army into Brittany against him. Chramn was not afraid to face his father. When both armies were gathered on the same plain, and Chramn with the Bretons had prepared his line against his father, night fell. They did not fight. During the night, Chonoober, count of the Bretons, said to Chramn: "I think it is wrong for you to fight against your father; let me tonight rush upon him and destroy him with all his army." But Chramn would not allow this... When they were fighting equally, the count of the Bretons ran away and was killed.
The Cynfawr (Conomor) from old Welsh stories is probably not the same person. This Cynfawr was a less known figure. He was called "Cadgaddug" ("Battle-winner"). He appears in old family trees and one of the Welsh Triads. It is also unclear if Cornish evidence points to the same person as the Breton leader. It might be an earlier relative with the same name. Also, there is no clear proof that a Cornish monument from this time, dedicated to the son of a "Cunomorus," refers to the Conomor who ruled in Brittany.
Conomor in Legends
The Myth of Tréphine and Trémeur
In legends, Conomor's bad deeds include causing the deaths of three wives before Tréphine. Tréphine did not want to marry him because of his reputation. But he threatened to attack her father's lands. So she agreed to marry him to save her father's people.
While Conomor was away, Tréphine found a secret room. It held items belonging to his previous wives. She prayed for their souls. Their spirits appeared to her. They warned her that Conomor would harm her if she became pregnant. This was because a prophecy said he would be killed by his own son.
When Conomor returned, he found out she was pregnant. Tréphine escaped with magical help from the spirits of the dead wives. She gave birth in a forest. She hid her son before Conomor caught her and caused her death. However, Saint Gildas found her and brought her back to life in a miracle. She and her son both lived saintly lives. But after Tréphine's death, Conomor eventually found Trémeur and caused his death.
Both Tréphine and her son Trémeur are considered saints in Brittany. Many churches are named after them. The village of Sainte-Tréphine is named for her. Some people think the story of Bluebeard comes from this myth.
The Myth of Tristan
An old stone in Cornwall has names that some people think include Conomor and Tristan. This has led to the idea that Conomor is the origin of King Mark in the Tristan legend. According to archaeologist Ralegh Radford and Arthurian expert André de Mandach, it reads "Drustanus hic iacit cunomori filius" (here lies Tristan, son of Conomor). However, many older readings of the stone do not support this. They suggest the monument was for someone named "Clusius." The "Drustanus" idea requires reading some letters differently.
The historian Léon Fleuriot believes Conomor likely ruled in both Britain and Brittany:
He is often presented as a helper of Childebert: a prefect, said the Chronicle of Saint Brieuc: "Comorus tyrannus, praefectus Francorum regis." Comonor seems to have been a Briton-Roman. The Life of St. Paul mentions "king Marc," or prince Marc, or, in his full name, Marcus Quonomorius.
The writer Jean Markale expanded on this idea. He suggested that the Tristan legend started in Ireland. But he thought the characters' names came from real people in Cornish history. Their lives involved "the rivalry of a father and son for the same woman." The father would be Conomor/Mark, and the son Tristan. However, others have argued that this Cornish Conomor was probably the Breton leader's great-grandfather.
