Maelgwn Gwynedd facts for kids
Maelgwn Gwynedd (died around 547 AD) was a powerful king in Wales during the early 500s. He ruled the Kingdom of Gwynedd in North Wales. Records from that time suggest he was a very important leader among the British kings in Wales and even in the "Old North" (parts of Scotland).
Maelgwn was a big supporter of Christianity. He helped fund and start churches all over Wales, even outside his own kingdom. However, he is also famous because of a very critical book written by a monk named Gildas. Gildas thought Maelgwn was a bad ruler and had taken the throne unfairly.
Maelgwn was the son of Cadwallon Lawhir and the great-grandson of Cunedda, another important leader. Maelgwn is believed to have died from a serious illness, possibly the Plague of Justinian, which arrived in Britain around that time. He was buried on Ynys Seiriol, also known as Puffin Island, near Anglesey.
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What Does His Name Mean?
The name Maelgwn comes from an old Welsh language. It means 'Princely Hound'. In Latin, his name was Maglocunus.
The word 'hound' or 'dog' was sometimes used in old Welsh poems to mean a brave warrior. So, his name could also mean 'Princely Warrior'.
Maelgwn's Time as King
After the Roman Empire left Britain, parts of North Wales were taken over by Irish tribes. Maelgwn's great-grandfather, Cunedda Wledig, started to win back the coastal areas for the British.
Later, Maelgwn's father, Cadwallon Long-Hand, finished the job by removing the last Irish settlements from Anglesey. Maelgwn was the first king to truly enjoy the peace and power that came from his family's victories. He is seen as the founder of the royal family of Gwynedd. That's why he is often called Maelgwn Gwynedd, linking his name to his kingdom.
His royal court, called a llys (which means 'hall'), was traditionally located at Deganwy. Some stories say he died nearby and was buried there. Other traditions say he was buried on Ynys Seiriol (Puffin Island). We don't have old records to confirm exactly where he was buried.
Records from this early time are rare. Maelgwn's death in a "great sickness" in 547 AD is mentioned in the Annales Cambriae, which is a very old Welsh record. People often say he died of the 'Yellow Plague' of Rhos, but this idea comes from much later stories. The old record just says it was a "great sickness," which happened a few years after a major plague started in Constantinople.
Maelgwn was very generous to Christianity across Wales. He gave money to support important religious figures like Brynach, Cadoc, Cybi, Padarn, and Tydecho. He is also linked to the founding of Bangor, though there isn't strong proof for this.
Was He a "High King"?
Some evidence suggests that Maelgwn was a very important leader, perhaps like a "high king" over other regions ruled by the descendants of Cunedda. This doesn't mean he ruled over all of Britain, but he might have had special authority over other kings in Wales.
The monk Gildas called Maelgwn the "dragon of the island." This might refer to the Isle of Anglesey, which was the main base of power for the kings of Gwynedd.
Maelgwn's donations to churches were not just in his own kingdom of Gwynedd. He supported churches throughout North and South Wales, in areas where Cunedda's family had influence. This suggests he felt responsible for these regions beyond just his own kingdom.
Gildas's View of Maelgwn
Around 540 AD, a monk named Gildas wrote a book called On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain. In this book, Gildas strongly criticized five British kings, comparing them to wild animals from a religious text. He called Maelgwn the "dragon of the island" and said he was the most powerful among them.
Gildas made many accusations against Maelgwn, criticizing his behavior and how he gained power. He said Maelgwn had been a monk but then returned to a worldly life. He also mentioned that Maelgwn was tall.
It's not clear why Gildas chose to criticize these specific five kings. He didn't mention other powerful kingdoms of the time. The fact that he focused on kings connected to Maelgwn suggests there might have been a special reason for his anger, perhaps related to Maelgwn's power.
Maelgwn in Other Old Stories
Maelgwn is mentioned in other old Welsh writings:
- In the Historia Brittonum, it says that "the great king Mailcun reigned among the Britons, that is, in Gwynedd." It also mentions that his ancestor Cunedda came to Gwynedd 146 years before Maelgwn and drove out the Irish.
- He appears in the Welsh Triads, which are collections of three related items. One triad describes him as King Arthur's Chief of Elders in Mynyw (St David's). The plague that killed him is also listed as one of the 'Three Dreadful Pestilences of the Isle of Britain'.
- An old song called To Maenwyn mentions Maelgwn.
- The Book of Llandaff (around 1125 AD) says Maelgwn Gwynedd helped the Diocese of Llandaff in its early days.
- In the Black Book of Carmarthen, a famous hound named Dormarch, belonging to a mythical figure, is said to have once belonged to Maelgwn Gwynedd.
Fictional Stories About Maelgwn
Because Maelgwn was a famous king, his name appears in many Welsh legends and stories, some of which are not historically accurate.
Many later writers created their own stories about Maelgwn. For example, Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote a fictional history in the 12th century that included Maelgwn. Other books like the Brut Tysilio and the Iolo Manuscripts also contain made-up stories about him, often mixing facts with imagination.
The Tale of Taliesin is a legendary story where Maelgwn Gwynedd is shown in a negative light, often being tricked or outsmarted. However, the real Taliesin was a poet who lived at the time of Maelgwn's son, not Maelgwn himself.
Some later historians and writers have also incorrectly linked Maelgwn to other historical figures, like the Pictish king Bridei, simply because their fathers had similar-sounding names. These connections are not supported by real historical evidence.
Modern authors sometimes use Maelgwn as a character in their fantasy or historical novels, continuing his legacy in fiction.
His Family
Maelgwn's father was Cadwallon Lawhir, and his mother was Meddyf. Gildas mentioned that Maelgwn had a brother and a nephew, but their names are not known.
He is said to have had several wives, including Nesta, Sanan, and Gwallwyn.
His known children include:
- Alser
- Doeg
- Einion
- Eurgain (a daughter)
- Rhun Hir
It is debated whether the Pictish king Bridei and his sister Domelch were also Maelgwn's children, as their father's name was similar.
Images for kids
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Map of Britain around 540 AD.
