Keredic facts for kids

Keredic (also known as Ceredig in Welsh) was a legendary king of the Britons. He appears in the old stories written by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Geoffrey was a writer who lived a long time ago and wrote about the history of Britain, mixing facts with legends.

Keredic is not thought to be a Saxon king. The Saxons were a group of people who came to Britain from what is now Germany.

The Story of Keredic

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Keredic was a king whose rule was not very popular. Because people didn't like him, the Saxons decided to get rid of him. They asked for help from an army of Vandals from Ireland. The Vandals were another group of people who were known for being fierce warriors. Together, the Saxons and Vandals managed to force Keredic out of his kingdom.

Was Keredic a Real Person?

Historians aren't sure if Keredic was a real person. Geoffrey of Monmouth's stories often mixed facts with legends. It's possible that the character of Keredic in Geoffrey's book was a mix of two different real people named Cerdic.

Two Possible Cerdics

One of these real people was Cerdic, who is known as the founder of a powerful Saxon kingdom called Wessex. Even though he was linked to the Saxons, he might have been partly British himself.

The other person was another Cerdic, who ruled a Celtic kingdom called Elmet. This kingdom was near where the city of Leeds is today. This Cerdic was defeated by a king named Edwin of Northumbria.

Geoffrey might have combined stories about these two Cerdics to create his legendary Keredic.

What Happened After Keredic?

After Keredic was driven out, there was a long period of time when Britain didn't have a king. This time without a ruler is called an "interregnum." Eventually, a new British king named Cadfan came to power.

Don't Get Confused!

It's important not to mix up Keredic with another person named Ceredig. This other Ceredig was one of the sons of a leader named Cunedda. He is known for founding the region of Ceredigion in Wales.