Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio |
|
|---|---|
| King of Arfderydd (sometimes called Prince) | |
| Reign | ??? - c. 573 |
| Predecessor | Ceidio ap Arthwys |
| Died | c. 573 Arfderydd |
| Father | Ceidio ap Arthwys |
Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio (died around 573 AD) was an important king in ancient Britain. He ruled a kingdom called Arfderydd. This area is now parts of southern Scotland and northern England. It was near Hadrian's Wall and the city of Carlisle.
Gwenddoleu lived during a time called the sub-Roman period. This was after the Roman Empire left Britain. Many small kingdoms were formed by the native Brythonic people. Some places, like Carwinley, might be named after him. Carwinley means "Gwenddolau's Fort" in the old Cumbric language.
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Who Were the Men of the North?
Gwenddoleu was part of a group known as the "Men of the North." These were important leaders and families from northern Britain. Ancient family records, called genealogies, connect Gwenddoleu to a legendary figure named Coel Hen.
Coel Hen was a semi-historical leader. Legends say he ruled much of southern Scotland. These old records also mention Gwenddoleu's two brothers, Nudd and Chof.
Gwenddoleu's Family
Gwenddoleu's father was Ceidio ap Arthwys. His brothers were Nudd and Chof. Not much is known about Chof. However, Nudd is often linked to a famous figure in Welsh stories, Lludd Llaw Eraint. Lludd was the father of Gwyn ap Nudd.
Gwenddoleu's uncle was Eliffer Gosgorddfawr. Eliffer was likely a king of Ebrauc. This was an old Roman stronghold, now known as York. Eliffer had two sons, Gwrgi and Peredur. They played a big role in Gwenddoleu's life. It is not known when Arfderydd was founded.
Gwenddoleu's Time as King
We don't know much about Gwenddoleu's reign. It ended in 573 AD. He was killed at the Battle of Arfderydd. The sons of Eliffer, Peredur and Gwrgi, killed him. They were joint kings of Efrog.
This battle was one of many fought between Brythonic kings. They ruled the different kingdoms that formed after the Romans left Britain. One of Gwenddoleu's brothers might have become king after him.
Magical Chessboard
In old Welsh stories, Gwenddoleu owned a special item. It was one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain. This treasure was a magical chessboard, or gwyddbwyll board.
The board was made of gold, and the pieces were silver. If the pieces were set up, they would play by themselves!
Connection to Merlin
Gwenddoleu himself is not part of the famous Arthurian legends. However, his court adviser was a man named Myrddin. Myrddin later became the basis for the wizard Merlin in Arthurian tales.
In a book called Vita Merlini by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Myrddin goes mad. He is filled with sadness after Gwenddoleu's death. He then runs away into the Caledonian forest. The stories of both Gwenddoleu and Myrddin were kept alive in Welsh literature.
