List of kings of Dumnonia facts for kids

The kings of Dumnonia were important rulers in a large ancient kingdom called Dumnonia. This kingdom was in the south-west part of Great Britain, covering areas like modern-day Cornwall, Devon, and parts of Somerset. These kings ruled during a time known as the Sub-Roman and early medieval periods, after the Romans left Britain.

It's quite tricky to make a perfect list of Dumnonian kings. This is because their history often mixes with exciting stories like those of King Arthur. Also, their kingdom had strong connections with rulers in Wales and Brittany (a region in France). Over time, the Anglo-Saxons moved into Britain, which made it even harder to track the Dumnonian kings. So, the information we have should be looked at carefully!

Dumnonian Kings and Their Story

The Dumnonii were Celtic people who lived in the south-west of Britain for a long time. Around AD 55, the Romans arrived. They built a big fortress called Isca Dumnoniorum (which is now the city of Exeter). Even though the Romans took control by about AD 78, the Dumnonii region wasn't changed as much by Roman influence as other parts of Britain.

Exeter, also known as Caer Uisc, was home to Dumnonian Britons until about 936. That's when King Athelstan made them leave. Other places like Tintagel and Cadbury Castle might have also been homes or strongholds for the kings of Dumnonia or Cornwall.

Historians have found different ways to learn about these early kings:

Kings from Old Stories

Some early leaders are known from old stories, like those written by Geoffrey of Monmouth. These are often called 'Dukes of Cornwall' in legends:

• Caradoc (around 290 – 305 AD)
• Donault, who was Caradoc's brother (around 305 – 340 AD)

Kings from Family Trees

Other kings are known because their names appear in the family trees of later rulers. These are thought to be real kings, even if we don't have many details about them:

• Conan Meriadoc ap Gereint, meaning "Conan the Merry" (around 340 – 387 AD)
• Gadeon ap Conan (around 387 – 390 AD)
• Guoremor ap Gadeon (around 387 – 400 AD)
• Tutwal ap Guoremor (around 400 – 410 AD)
• Conomor ap Tutwal (around 410 – 435 AD)
• Constantine Corneu ap Conomar, meaning "Constantine of Cornwall" (around 435 – 443 AD)

Kings in Welsh Records

Some kings are mentioned in old Welsh writings and stories:

• Erbin ap Constantine (around 443 – 480 AD)
• Geraint Llyngesic ab Erbin, known as "Gerren the Fleet Owner" (around 480 – 514 AD)
• Cado ap Gerren (around 514 – 530 AD)
• Custennin ap Cado, who might be "Saint Custennin" (around 530 – 560 AD)
• Gerren rac Denau ap Custennin, meaning "Gerren for the South" (around 560 – 598 AD)

Kings in Other Records

• Gwrgan: A writer named William of Malmesbury wrote that King Gwrgan of Dumnonia gave land to a church at Glastonbury in 601 AD.

Some possible rulers are listed in a book from the early 1600s called the Book of Baglan. They are shown as ancestors of an 'Earl of Cornwall':

• Bledric ap Custennin (around 598 – 613 AD)
• Clemen ap Bledric (around 613 – 633 AD)
• Petroc Baladrddellt ap Clemen, meaning "Petroc Splintered Spear" (around 633 – 654 AD)
• Culmin ap Petroc (around 659 – 661 AD)
• Donyarth ap Culmin (around 661 – 700 AD)

Kings in Anglo-Saxon Records

• Geraint (around 700 – 710 AD)

Native Traditions of Dumnonian Rulers

Historians like Susan Pearce have looked at the Dumnonian rulers from the 4th to 7th centuries. She believes the main ones known from native history are:

• Constantine (in Welsh, Custennin Gorneu), mentioned in an old book called De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae
• Erbin
• Geraint (in Welsh, Geraint fab Erbin)
• Cadwy (Cado)

Pearce connects Constantine to a person mentioned by a writer named Gildas. This helps to place his rule in the 6th century, and the reigns of Erbin, Geraint, and Cadwy after him.

Cornish Kings

King Doniert's Stone, located near St Cleer, Bodmin Moor, remembers King Dungarth/Donyarth/Doniert.

By the late 700s, the kingdom of Dumnonia had shrunk a lot. This was because the West Saxons kept moving further west. The remaining part of Dumnonia became what we now know as Cornwall.

Kings in Old Cornish and Arthurian Stories

Some kings are mentioned in old Welsh documents, stories about saints, and local tales, including those linked to King Arthur:

• King Mark – He is famous from the story of Tristan and Iseult. Cornish folklore says he had his court at Tintagel.
• King Salomon – He was the father of Saint Cybi and probably ruled after King Mark. He is not the same as Salomon, King of Brittany.
• Dungarth – Old records say he drowned in 876 AD. These records call him "rex Cerniu," which means King of Cornwall.

Cornish Earls

After the kings, some leaders in Cornwall were called 'Earl of Cornwall'.

• Conan (around 926–937 AD)
• Rolope ap Alanorus (active around 940s)
• Vortegyn Helin ap Rolope (Vortegyn the High Lord) (active around 960s) – he was called 'Duke of Cornwall and Wessex'.
• Veffyne ap Vortegyn (active around 980s) – also called 'Duke of Cornwall and Wessex'.
• Alured ap Veffyne (active around 1000s) – also called 'Duke of Cornwall and Wessex'.
• Godwyn ap Alured (active around 1010) – also called 'Duke of Cornwall and Wessex', possibly Godwin, Earl of Wessex.
• Herbert FitzGodwyn (active around 1050)
• Condor of Cornwall (before 1066 – around 1068; this person might be legendary).
• Robert, Comte de Mortain (around 1068 – 1084)
• William FitzRobert (around 1084 – 1106)
• Cadoc (active around 1100; this person might be legendary).