Gwrfoddw facts for kids

King Gwrfoddw (who died around 619 AD) was a ruler of Ergyng. Ergyng was a kingdom in what is now south-east Wales. He lived during the Early Middle Ages, a time long ago. King Gwrfoddw took the throne from Gwrgan ap Cynfyn. This means he became king by taking power from the previous ruler.

Life as King

Gwrfoddw was a successful king. He won battles against the Anglo-Saxons. These were groups of people who came from what is now Germany and Denmark. They settled in England.

Gifts to the Church

After his victories, King Gwrfoddw gave land to the Bishops of Ergyng. These lands were located near the River Wye. He gave these gifts as a way to say thank you. This information comes from an old book called the Book of Llandaff.

When He Ruled

Experts believe King Gwrfoddw ruled for a short time. His reign was likely between about 615 and 619 AD. After he died, his son, Erfig, did not become king. Instead, Gwrgan Fawr, who was King Cynfyn's son, took the throne.

Gwrfoddw and King Arthur

Some old stories suggest a link between King Gwrfoddw and the famous King Arthur.

Gwrbothu Hen

Scholars have noticed that a character named Gwrbothu Hen might be Gwrfoddw. Gwrbothu Hen appears in an old Welsh story called Culhwch and Olwen. This story was written in the 11th or 12th century.

Family Connections

In the story, Gwrbothu Hen was a brother of King Arthur's mother, Igraine. He was said to have been killed by a magical boar named Twrch Trwyth. Later family trees, called genealogies, say that Gwrbothu Hen and his brothers were sons of Amlawdd Wledig.

Time Periods

The legends of King Arthur usually take place in the late 400s or early 500s. This is before Gwrfoddw's time. However, old stories are not always exact with dates. The name "Hen" means "the old" or "the elder" in Welsh. This can mean someone is an ancestor or an important person from the past. So, Gwrbothu Hen might have been an ancestor of King Gwrfoddw.