Cuneglasus facts for kids

Cuneglasus was a prince who lived in Wales around the year 540 AD. He ruled a place called Rhos, which was part of the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd in North Wales. A famous writer named Gildas criticized Cuneglasus for many things in his book De Excidio Britanniae. In Welsh history, Cuneglasus is often known by another name: Cynlas Goch. Most historians believe these two names refer to the same ruler.

Cuneglasus and Gildas's Criticisms

Cuneglasus is one of five rulers whom Gildas strongly criticized in his book On the Ruin of Britain. This book was written around the early 500s AD. Gildas called these rulers "tyrants" because he believed they were bad leaders.

Gildas said several things about Cuneglasus:

• He called him a "rider and ruler of many."
• He said Cuneglasus "didn't respect God or his rules."
• He described him as a "tawny butcher," which meant he was a harsh ruler.
• Gildas also said Cuneglasus "fought against his own countrymen" and against God.
• He criticized Cuneglasus for some of his personal actions.

One of Gildas's phrases about Cuneglasus is a bit mysterious. He called him a "guider of the chariot which is the receptacle of the bear." Some people think this might be a clever way of talking about a place called Dinerth in Rhos-on-Sea. The name "Dinerth" can mean "bear's fortress." In 1997, archaeologists found an old fortress there with strong walls. This suggests Gildas might have been making a pun about Cuneglasus's main home.

Cuneglasus in Welsh Family Trees

Historians like Peter Bartrum agree that Cuneglasus is the same person as Cynlas Goch from Welsh family trees. These old records, called genealogies, show the family lines of kings in Rhos.

Cynlas Goch is listed as the son of Owain Danwyn and the father of a man named Maig. His nickname "Goch" means "red" in Welsh. These family connections are found in several old Welsh documents.

Cynlas also had several brothers and sisters. Some of his brothers were important saints, like Einion Frenin, Seiriol, and Meirion. His uncle was Cadwallon Lawhir ap Einion. This means that Maelgwn Gwynedd, another famous Welsh king, was Cuneglasus's cousin.

There is also an old township called Cynlas in Llandderfel, which might have been named after him. An old record from 1745 mentions a grave of Cynlas in Bangor Church in Caernarfonshire.

See also

• Kings of Wales family trees