Dyfnwal, King of Strathclyde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dyfnwal |
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Dyfnwal's title as it appears on 29r of Paris Bibliothèque Nationale Latin 4126 (the Poppleton manuscript): "rex Britanniorum".
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| King of Strathclyde | |
| Successor | Owain ap Dyfnwal |
| Died | 908-915 |
| Issue | probably Owain ap Dyfnwal |
Dyfnwal was a king who ruled a place called Strathclyde. He died sometime between the years 908 and 915. We don't know who his parents were, but he was likely part of the royal family that ruled Strathclyde before him.
We only know about Dyfnwal from one old book. This book, written a long time ago, tells us when he died.
Contents
The Kingdom of Strathclyde
The Kingdom of Strathclyde was a powerful realm in what is now Scotland. Before it was called Strathclyde, it was known as the Kingdom of Al Clud. Its main fortress was Al Clud, which means "Rock of the Clyde."
Changes to the Kingdom
Around the 870s, Viking leaders from Ireland, Amlaíb and Ímar, captured the fortress of Al Clud. After this, the kingdom's main city likely moved further up the River Clyde. New important places became Govan and Partick.
Because the capital moved, the kingdom's name also changed. Instead of being named after the fortress of Al Clud, it became known as the Kingdom of Strathclyde. This new name came from "Ystrad Clud," which means "valley of the River Clyde."
Growing Bigger
After losing Al Clud, the Kingdom of Strathclyde started to grow. By the year 927, its southern border reached the River Eamont. This river is near a town called Penrith today.
This growth might have happened because the Kingdom of Northumbria became much weaker. Vikings had conquered parts of Northumbria. The people of Strathclyde, called Cumbrians, might have worked with some of the Vikings. This cooperation could have helped Strathclyde expand.
Evidence of friendly ties between these groups can be seen in the amazing stone carvings found at Govan. These carvings show a mix of Viking and local styles.
Dyfnwal in History
The only record of King Dyfnwal comes from an old book called the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba. This book was written between the 9th and 12th centuries. Dyfnwal's mention in this book suggests he was connected to the earlier kings of Strathclyde.
The chronicle talks about five kings who died during the time of Custantín mac Áeda, King of Alba, a Scottish king. Dyfnwal is listed as the second of these five kings. The book doesn't give an exact date for Dyfnwal's death. However, based on the other kings mentioned, historians believe he died between 908 and 915.
Who Came After Dyfnwal?
Dyfnwal seems to have been the father of Owain ap Dyfnwal. Owain became the next King of Strathclyde after Dyfnwal. Dyfnwal's family continued to rule the Kingdom of Strathclyde into the 11th century.
The name Dyfnwal was common among the kings of Strathclyde. This name is even found in place names today. For example, Dundonald and Dundonald Castle get their name from the old British words *Din Dyfnwal. This means "Fort of Dyfnwal." We don't know which specific King Dyfnwal the place was named after. Another place that might be named after one of these kings is Cardonald.
