Gwyddno Garanhir facts for kids
Gwyddno Garanhir was a legendary ruler from Wales. Stories say he ruled a land called Cantre'r Gwaelod, which is now believed to be sunken under the sea. He was also the father of Elffin ap Gwyddno. Elffin later became the foster-father of a famous Welsh poet named Taliesin. This story comes from an old tale called Chwedl Taliesin.
The Sunken Kingdom Legend
Gwyddno Garanhir is famous for his kingdom, Cantre'r Gwaelod. This name means "The Lowland Hundred" in English. It was said to be in what is now Cardigan Bay off the coast of Wales. His main fortress was called Caer Wyddno, or "the Fort of Gwyddno." It was thought to be north-west of modern-day Aberystwyth.
This whole kingdom was protected from the sea by special floodgates. These gates had to be closed before the high tide came in. If they were left open, the sea would rush in and flood the land.
Gwyddno's Special Basket
One of the most famous items linked to Gwyddno is his basket. It is known as one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain. These treasures are magical items from old Welsh legends.
About His Kingdom
Stories about Gwyddno's drowned lands might have come from seeing natural underwater ridges. People might have thought these ridges were the remains of old sea walls.
However, some tales say Gwyddno also had a part of his kingdom that was not near the sea. This meant he had a safe place to go if the sea flooded his main lands.
An 18th-century Welsh expert named Iolo Morganwg called Gwyddno the 'King of Ceredigion'. But this expert was known for making up some old stories. So, Gwyddno does not appear in the true old records for that kingdom.
Historians have tried to figure out which real Gwyddno from history might be the legendary one. Many writers from the 1500s thought it was Gwyddno ap Clydno. He was a king of Meirionydd in the late 500s. This king is often seen as the most likely person to be the Gwyddno from the legends.
What His Name Means
Gwyddno Garanhir's name is Welsh. It means "Gwyddno Long-Shanks" or "Crane-Legs." It can also be literally translated as "Tall-Crane." This name likely describes him as a tall person.
