Eudaf Hen facts for kids

Eudaf Hen (pronounced "EYE-daf Hen") was an important figure in old Welsh stories. His name means "Eudaf the Old." People remember him as a King of the Britons. He was also the father of Elen Luyddog and Conan Meriadoc. You can find his story in old texts like The Dream of Macsen Wledig. He also appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's book, Historia Regum Britanniae. In some old Welsh family trees, Eudaf is even an ancestor of the famous King Arthur.

What Does Eudaf's Name Mean?

The name Eudaf comes from a very old British language. It means "Very Strong in Will." This name shows how important and powerful he was thought to be.

Eudaf's Story by Geoffrey of Monmouth

Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote about Eudaf Hen in his book, Historia Regum Britanniae. Geoffrey called him Octavius. In this story, Octavius was the half-brother of Constantine I, a Roman Emperor.

Becoming King of Britain

After Constantine's father died, Constantine became King of the Britons. Later, Constantine became a Roman Emperor. He left Britain in the care of a Roman leader. Octavius (Eudaf Hen) didn't like Roman rule. He rebelled, killed the Roman leader, and declared himself king.

Fighting the Romans

Emperor Constantine sent three Roman armies to Britain. They were led by his great-uncle, Trahern. Trahern captured a city, forcing Octavius to gather a large army. Octavius fought Trahern near Winchester and won.

Trahern escaped to Alba (which is now Scotland) and started taking things. Octavius followed him. They fought again in Westmorland, and this time Octavius lost. He had to leave Britain.

Returning to Power

Octavius went to Norway to ask King Gunbert for help. Meanwhile, in Britain, Octavius's supporters attacked Trahern and killed him near London. This allowed Octavius to return to Britain. He defeated the remaining Roman forces and took back his throne. He became very rich and respected.

Giving Up the Throne

Later, a leader named Caradocus, the Duke of Cornwall, had an idea. He suggested that Octavius marry his daughter, Helen, to the new Roman Emperor, Maximianus. This would join the British and Roman crowns. Octavius agreed.

However, Octavius's nephew, Conan Meriadoc, didn't like this plan. He almost attacked Maximianus when he arrived. Caradocus helped keep the peace. In the end, Octavius gave up his throne to Maximianus.

Eudaf in The Dream of Macsen Wledig

The Dream of Macsen Wledig is another old Welsh story. It tells a different version of Eudaf's life. Scholars believe this story might be even older than Geoffrey's version.

The Emperor's Dream

Macsen Wledig, the Emperor of Rome, had a dream. He dreamed of a beautiful maiden in a faraway land. When he woke up, he sent his men all over the world to find her.

They finally found the maiden in a rich castle in Segontium (Caernarfon, Wales). Her name was Helen, or Elen Llwyddawc. Everything in the castle was just like Macsen's dream. Helen's young brothers, Cynan (Conan Meriadoc) and Gadeon, were there too. Her father was King Eudaf Hen.

A New Kingdom

Helen accepted Macsen and loved him. Because Helen was unmarried, Macsen gave her father, Eudaf, control over the island of Britain. He also ordered three castles to be built for his new wife.

While Macsen was away, a new emperor took over Rome. Macsen, with the help of men from Britain led by Cynan and Gadeon, marched across Europe. They recaptured Rome. To thank his British allies, Macsen gave them a part of France. This land later became known as Brittany.

Eudaf in Old Welsh Family Trees and Stories

Eudaf Hen appears in many old Welsh family trees, called genealogies. He is also in collections of old sayings, called Triads.

Family Trees from Jesus College MS 20

Old records show Eudaf's family connections:

• Saint Cattwg's Family: Kynan was the son of Eudaf. Eudaf was the son of Custenin.
• Cunedda's Family: The wife of Coel Hen was the daughter of Gadeon. Gadeon was the son of Eudaf Hen.
• Morgan son of Owein's Family: Gereint was the son of Erbin. Erbin was connected through many generations to Gadeon, who was the son of Cynan, who was the son of Eudaf Hen.

Family Trees from Mostyn MS. 117

One very interesting family tree connects Eudaf to a famous legend:

• King Arthur's Ancestry: This record says that King Arthur was the son of Uther Pendragon. Uther was connected through many generations to Eudaf. Eudaf was the son of Kadwr, who was the son of Kynan, who was the son of Karadawc. This means Eudaf was an ancestor of King Arthur!

The North Britain Triads

These old sayings mention Eudaf in a story about leadership:

• One story tells of Stradweul, who was the daughter of Gadean. Gadean was the son of Cynan, who was the son of Eudaf. Eudaf was the son of Caradog. Stradweul was the wife of Coel Godebog.

Eudaf in Old Welsh Poetry

Eudaf Hen is also mentioned in some very old Welsh poems.

The Gododdin

The famous poem Gododdin by Aneirin briefly mentions "the daughter of Eudaf Hir (the Tall)." This suggests Eudaf was a well-known figure even in ancient times. The poem talks about battles and warriors.

Lewis Glyn Cothi

A poet named Lewis Glyn Cothi, who lived in the 1400s, wrote a poem. In it, he compared a woman named Gwenllian to Elen, the daughter of Eudaf. This shows that the story of Elen and Eudaf was still popular many centuries later.