Geraint of Dumnonia facts for kids

Geraint (pronounced "GERR-aynt") was a king of Dumnonia who ruled in the early 700s. Dumnonia was an ancient kingdom in what is now southwest England. During his time, Geraint's kingdom often had conflicts with the nearby Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex.

Geraint was the last king of a united Dumnonia that we know about. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a historical record, even called him the "King of the Welsh." After his rule, later kings of Dumnonia governed a smaller area, which eventually became just Cornwall.

Geraint and the Church

A long letter was sent to King Geraint from Aldhelm, the Bishop of Sherborne. This letter was about some disagreements over church practices.

Easter and Haircuts

The letter discussed how to calculate the date of Easter. It also talked about the shape of a monk's tonsure, which is how their hair was cut. At that time, the British people in Cornwall and Devon followed older British church rules for Easter. These rules were different from those of the Roman Catholic Church.

Eventually, King Geraint agreed with Bishop Aldhelm. He decided that Dumnonia would follow the Roman Catholic practices for Easter and tonsure. This was an important step towards uniting the church in Britain.

Battles and Legacy

According to a historian named John of Worcester, King Geraint died in 710. This happened after a series of battles. The West Saxons, led by their king Ine of Wessex, won these battles.

Wessex Expands

It is thought that the region of Devon was taken over by the West Saxons around this time. However, even after Geraint's death, King Ine could not fully control Cornwall. In 722, another historical record, the Annales Cambriae, says that the Cornish people won the Battle of Hehil. This battle was likely fought against Wessex.

A Hero in Poetry?

Some experts believe that King Geraint of Dumnonia might be the brave warrior mentioned in an old poem. This poem, called "Geraint son of Erbin," praises a hero's actions at the Battle of Llongborth. The poem was written much later, between the 10th and 11th centuries.

The poem's title names an earlier Geraint from the 5th century. But some scholars think the poem is actually about King Geraint who died in 710. They suggest the Battle of Llongborth might have been fought at Langport in Somerset.

A Saintly King?

A King Geraint is honored as a folk patron saint in Gerrans, a village near Falmouth. His feast day is celebrated on August 10. It is not certain if this saint is the same historical King Geraint from the 7th-8th centuries, the legendary 5th-century figure, or someone else entirely.