Iago ap Beli facts for kids

Iago ap Beli (born around 540, died around 616) was a king of Gwynedd in Wales. He ruled from about 599 to 616. We don't know much about him or his kingdom from this very early time. Only a few small mentions of him appear in old historical papers.

Iago ap Beli was the son of King Beli ap Rhun. He took over as king after his father. His name is found in old royal family lists, like the Harleian genealogies and another called Jesus College MS. 20. The only other record we have of him is a note about his death. This happened in the same year as a famous battle called the Battle of Chester (which in Welsh is Gwaith Caer Lleon). However, there's no sign that Iago's death was connected to this battle, and no proof that Gwynedd was even involved in it. After Iago, his son, Cadfan ap Iago, became king.

In 1766, a book called Mona Antiqua Restaurata by Henry Rowlands said that old records at the cathedral in Bangor mentioned Iago. These records supposedly said that Iago helped start a special church office there called a deanery. But later, in a very important book called Councils and Ecclesiastical Documents Relating to Great Britain and Ireland, this idea was questioned. It pointed out that the first real proof of a Dean at Bangor was much later, in 1162.

What We Know About His Life

Old Welsh stories called the Welsh Triads tell us that King Iago ap Beli died from an axe hit by one of his own men, named Cadafael Wyllt (which means Cadafael the Wild). But another old record, the Annals of Tigernach, talks about Iago's death using the word dormitat. This word means 'sleep' and was often used as a polite way to say someone died peacefully. It was also often used for religious people. This makes some historians wonder if Iago didn't die a violent death at all. Perhaps he gave up his kingship and lived a quiet, religious life instead.

Fact vs. Fiction: Geoffrey of Monmouth's Stories

A writer named Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote many stories about ancient Britain. These stories are mostly made up, but they use the names of real historical people as characters. He did this to make his tales more interesting. One of Geoffrey's stories uses the names of Iago's son, Cadfan, and other people from that time. It tells how a young man named Edwin spent his time in exile in Gwynedd, growing up with Iago's grandson, who would later become King Cadwallon. There is no real historical proof for this story. Even books about Geoffrey's work admit this.

The Story of Edwin and Cadwallon

Despite this, a "traditional" story grew, mixing Geoffrey's made-up tales with real history. This story suggested that the future King Edwin of Northumbria really did spend his youth in Gwynedd, growing up with Iago's grandson, Cadwallon. This idea might have seemed romantic and appealing.

What Really Happened?

However, what we know from history is quite different. King Cadwallon and Edwin were actually enemies! There's no sign they knew each other when they were young. King Edwin actually attacked Gwynedd and forced King Cadwallon to leave his kingdom. Later, Cadwallon teamed up with Penda of Mercia. Together, they defeated and killed Edwin in 633 at the Battle of Hatfield Chase (called Gwaith Meigen in Welsh).

What history does tell us is that in 588, King Ælla of Deira died. Æthelfrith of Bernicia then took the chance to invade and take over Deira. He forced Ælla's three-year-old son, the future Edwin of Northumbria, into exile. Edwin later joined forces with Rædwald of East Anglia in 616. They defeated and killed Æthelfrith. Edwin then became one of Northumbria's most successful kings. We don't know much about Edwin's time in exile, and there's no historical reason to believe he was in Gwynedd.

See also

• Kings of Wales family trees