Brychan
Encyclopedia
Brychan Brycheiniog was a legendary 5th-century king of Brycheiniog
(Brecknockshire alternatively Breconshire ) in South Wales
.
ic hagiography
tells us that Brychan was born in Ireland
, the son of a Prince Anlach, son of Coronac, and his wife, Marchel, heiress of the Welsh
kingdom of Garthmadrun (Brycheiniog), which the couple later inherited. Upon his father's death, he returned to Garthmadrun and changed its name to Brycheiniog. Brychan's name may be a Welsh version of the Irish name Broccán and that of his grandfather Coronac may represent Cormac. The Life of St. Cadoc
by Lifris (c. 1100) portrays Brychan fighting Arthur
, Cai
and Bedivere
because of King Gwynllyw
of Gwynllwg
's abduction of his daughter St. Gwladys
from his court in Talgarth
.
instead, and he has no churches named for him. A 15th century stained glass
window in the parish church
at St Neot in Cornwall
, supposedly depicts Brychan, seated and crowned, holding in his arms eleven children. This, however, has been described by a standard modern guide as "God the Father with souls in his lap".
, John Leland and Nicholas Roscarrock. The number of children attributed to him varies from twelve to sixty-three, the number most frequently encountered being twenty-four. There are two main lists however, one of Welsh origin and one of Cornish origin. Most of his children appear to have travelled from Brecon
to evangelise Cornwall
and North Devon
, where they are now venerated, but there is little agreement between the two lists. Some are referred to as being 'in Manau' which has led to associations of Brychan with Manaw Gododdin
in modern Scotland
; although the Isle of Man
seems more likely.
The numbers of children may have grown over time, as more and more seculars as well as saints wished to claim descent from one of the 'Holy Families of Britain'. Listed below are children from Welsh
, Cornish
, Irish
and Breton
sources:
are Cynog
, Rhain Dremrudd, Clydwyn, Arthen, Papai, Dingad
, Berwyn and Rhydog. Also listed, but not in all three, are Cynon, Pasgen, Cylflifer, Marthaerun and Rhun. Other Welsh sources claim the following additional sons: Caian, Cynbryd, Cynfran, Cynin, Dogfan, Dyfnan, Dyfrig, Hychan, Llecheu, Neffei, Rhawin, Llofan, Llonio, Heilin, Afallach, Gwynnen and Gwynnws.
), Cerddych, Clydai, Cynheiddon (identified with Saint Endelienta
), Dwynwen
, Eiliwedd
, Goleudydd, Gwen, Lludd, Tudful
, Tudwystl and Tybie. Other Welsh sources claim the following additional daughters: Beiol, Tydieu, Eufail, Hawystl, Edwen, Gwenrhiw, Tudwen, Callwen, Gwenfyl, Gwennan and Mwynwen.
Adwen, Canauc (Cynog), Cleder (Clether), Dilic (Illick), Endelient (Endelienta), Helie, Johannes (Sion), Iona, Juliana (Ilud), Kenhender (Cynidr), Keri (Curig), Mabon (Mabyn), Menfre (Menefrewy), Merewenne (Marwenna), Morewenna (Morwenna
), Nectanus (Nectan
), Tamalanc, Tedda (Tetha), Wencu (Gwencuff, Gwengustle, name of Saint Nennocha), Wenheden (Enoder), Wenna
(Gwen), Wensent, Wynup (Gwenabwy) and Yse (Issey).
According to Robert Hunt
, of the holy children that settled in Cornwall, we learn that the following gave their names to Cornish churches
lists the following sons by Brychan's wife, Dína daughter of the King of the Saxons: Mo-Goróc, Mo-Chonóc (Cynog), Diraid, Dubán (Dyfnan), Cairinne (Caian), Cairpre, Iast, Ellóc (Dilic), Paan, Cáemán and Mo-Beóc,
Brycheiniog
Brycheiniog was a small independent petty kingdom in South Wales in the Early Middle Ages. It often acted as a buffer state between England to the east and the powerful south Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth to the west. It was conquered and pacified by the Normans between 1088 and 1095, though it...
(Brecknockshire alternatively Breconshire ) in South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
.
Life
CeltCelt
The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
ic hagiography
Hagiography
Hagiography is the study of saints.From the Greek and , it refers literally to writings on the subject of such holy people, and specifically to the biographies of saints and ecclesiastical leaders. The term hagiology, the study of hagiography, is also current in English, though less common...
tells us that Brychan was born in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the son of a Prince Anlach, son of Coronac, and his wife, Marchel, heiress of the Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
kingdom of Garthmadrun (Brycheiniog), which the couple later inherited. Upon his father's death, he returned to Garthmadrun and changed its name to Brycheiniog. Brychan's name may be a Welsh version of the Irish name Broccán and that of his grandfather Coronac may represent Cormac. The Life of St. Cadoc
Cadoc
Saint Cadoc , Abbot of Llancarfan, was one of the 6th century British Christian saints. His vita twice mentions King Arthur. The Abbey of Llancarfan, near Cowbridge in Glamorganshire, which he founded circa 518, became famous as a centre of learning...
by Lifris (c. 1100) portrays Brychan fighting Arthur
Arthur
Arthur is a common masculine given name. Its etymology is disputed, but its popularity derives from its being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur....
, Cai
Sir Kay
In Arthurian legend, Sir Kay is Sir Ector's son and King Arthur's foster brother and later seneschal, as well as one of the first Knights of the Round Table. In later literature he is known for his acid tongue and bullying, boorish behavior, but in earlier accounts he was one of Arthur's premier...
and Bedivere
Bedivere
In Arthurian legend, Sir Bedivere is the Knight of the Round Table who returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake. He serves as King Arthur's marshal and is frequently associated with Sir Kay...
because of King Gwynllyw
Gwynllyw
Saint Gwynllyw Milwr or Gwynllyw Farfog, known in English in a corrupted form as Woolos the Warrior or Woolos the Bearded was a Welsh king and religious figure....
of Gwynllwg
Gwynllwg
Gwynllŵg was a kingdom of mediæval Wales and later a Norman lordship and then a cantref.-Location:It was named after Gwynllyw, its 5th century or 6th century ruler and consisted of the coastal plain stretching between the Rhymney and Usk rivers, together with the hills to the north...
's abduction of his daughter St. Gwladys
Gwladys
Saint Gwladys ferch Brychan or St Gladys , was the Queen of Saint Gwynllyw Milwr and daughter of King Brychan of Brycheiniog. She was the mother of several saints, including Saint Cadoc "the Wise".-Traditional history:...
from his court in Talgarth
Talgarth
Talgarth is a small market town and community in southern Powys , Mid Wales, with a population of 1,645. Notable buildings in the town include its 14th-century parish church and 13th century Pele Tower, located in the town centre, now home to the Tourist Information and Resource Centre...
.
Portraiture and veneration
He is occasionally described as an undocumented saint but the traditional literature does not call him a saint, referring to him as a patriarchPatriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
instead, and he has no churches named for him. A 15th century stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
window in the parish church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
at St Neot in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, supposedly depicts Brychan, seated and crowned, holding in his arms eleven children. This, however, has been described by a standard modern guide as "God the Father with souls in his lap".
Children of Brychan
According to Christian tradition, Brychan married three times: Prawst ferch Tydwal, Banhadlwedd ferch Banadi and Gwladys, and had a very large family. These are mentioned in several manuscripts, including those by William WorcesterWilliam Worcester
William Worcester , was an English chronicler and antiquary.-Life:He was a son of William of Worcester, a Bristol citizen, and is sometimes called William Botoner, his mother being a daughter of Thomas Botoner from Catalonia....
, John Leland and Nicholas Roscarrock. The number of children attributed to him varies from twelve to sixty-three, the number most frequently encountered being twenty-four. There are two main lists however, one of Welsh origin and one of Cornish origin. Most of his children appear to have travelled from Brecon
Brecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
to evangelise Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
and North Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, where they are now venerated, but there is little agreement between the two lists. Some are referred to as being 'in Manau' which has led to associations of Brychan with Manaw Gododdin
Manaw Gododdin
Manaw Gododdin was the narrow coastal region on the south side of the Firth of Forth, part of the Brythonic-speaking Kingdom of Gododdin in the post-Roman Era. Its notability is as the homeland of Cunedda prior to his conquest of North Wales, and as the homeland of the heroic warriors in the...
in modern Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
; although the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
seems more likely.
The numbers of children may have grown over time, as more and more seculars as well as saints wished to claim descent from one of the 'Holy Families of Britain'. Listed below are children from Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
, Cornish
Cornish language
Cornish is a Brythonic Celtic language and a recognised minority language of the United Kingdom. Along with Welsh and Breton, it is directly descended from the ancient British language spoken throughout much of Britain before the English language came to dominate...
, Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
and Breton
Breton language
Breton is a Celtic language spoken in Brittany , France. Breton is a Brythonic language, descended from the Celtic British language brought from Great Britain to Armorica by migrating Britons during the Early Middle Ages. Like the other Brythonic languages, Welsh and Cornish, it is classified as...
sources:
Sons in Welsh sources
The sons listed in the Cognacio Brychan, De Situ Brecheniauc and the genealogies of Jesus College MS 20Genealogies from Jesus College MS 20
The genealogies from Jesus College MS 20 are a medieval Welsh collection of genealogies preserved in a single manuscript, Oxford, Bodleian Library, Jesus College, MS 20, folios 33r–41r...
are Cynog
Cynog ap Brychan
Cynog ap Brychan was a reputed son of Brychan, a powerful Welsh prince of the British Dark Ages. Cynog's mother was reputedly Benadulved, daughter of Benadyl, a prince of Powys, whom he seduced while a hostage at the court of her father...
, Rhain Dremrudd, Clydwyn, Arthen, Papai, Dingad
Dingad of Llandingat
Dingad was a late 5th century Welsh saint and early Christian church founder.He is recorded in all the early 'Brychan documents' as a son of King Brychan, King of the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog in south-east Wales....
, Berwyn and Rhydog. Also listed, but not in all three, are Cynon, Pasgen, Cylflifer, Marthaerun and Rhun. Other Welsh sources claim the following additional sons: Caian, Cynbryd, Cynfran, Cynin, Dogfan, Dyfnan, Dyfrig, Hychan, Llecheu, Neffei, Rhawin, Llofan, Llonio, Heilin, Afallach, Gwynnen and Gwynnws.
Daughters in Welsh sources
The De Situ Brecheniauc lists: Meleri, Hunydd, Gwladys, Ceingar, Tudglid, Nyfain, Gwawr, Marchell, Lluan, Gwrygon Goddeu, Arianwen, Bethan, Ceinwen (KeyneSaint Keyne
Saint Keyne or Cain was a late 5th century holy woman in the West Country, between Liskeard and Looe in SE Cornwall. She is not mentioned as being a saint in the official Catholic encyclopaedia - newadvent.org, so perhaps it's disputable if she is indeed a Catholic saint...
), Cerddych, Clydai, Cynheiddon (identified with Saint Endelienta
Saint Endelienta
Saint Endelienta was a Cornish saint of the 5th and 6th century. She is believed to be a daughter of the Welsh King Brychan, and a native of South Wales who travelled to North Cornwall to join her siblings in converting the locals to Christianity...
), Dwynwen
Dwynwen
Saint Dwynwen, also known as Dwyn, Donwen, and Donwenna, is the Welsh patron saint of lovers. She is also the patron saint of sick animals.Dwynwen is believed to have been a daughter of King Brychan Brycheiniog, who lived in the 5th century...
, Eiliwedd
Saint Eluned
Saint Eluned was a 5th century female Welsh saint from Brecon.-Life:...
, Goleudydd, Gwen, Lludd, Tudful
Tydfil
Saint Tydfil , Standard Welsh Tudful, was a 5th century female saint associated with Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorgan, south Wales....
, Tudwystl and Tybie. Other Welsh sources claim the following additional daughters: Beiol, Tydieu, Eufail, Hawystl, Edwen, Gwenrhiw, Tudwen, Callwen, Gwenfyl, Gwennan and Mwynwen.
Descendants in Cornish sources
Listed in the Life of Saint Nectan are, by his wife, Gwladys:Adwen, Canauc (Cynog), Cleder (Clether), Dilic (Illick), Endelient (Endelienta), Helie, Johannes (Sion), Iona, Juliana (Ilud), Kenhender (Cynidr), Keri (Curig), Mabon (Mabyn), Menfre (Menefrewy), Merewenne (Marwenna), Morewenna (Morwenna
Morwenna
Saint Morwenna was an early 6th century saint from Morwenstow in Cornwall.Her name at Marhamchurch is recorded as Marwenne and she is also the patron saint of Lamorran. Morwenna is said to have been one of the many children of King Brychan of Brycheiniog...
), Nectanus (Nectan
Saint Nectan
Saint Nectan, sometimes styled Saint Nectan of Hartland, was a 5th-century holy man who lived in Stoke, Hartland, in the English county of Devon, where the prominent Church of Saint Nectan, Hartland is dedicated to him.-Life:...
), Tamalanc, Tedda (Tetha), Wencu (Gwencuff, Gwengustle, name of Saint Nennocha), Wenheden (Enoder), Wenna
Saint Wenna
Saint Wenna was a Cornish saint and probably a Cornish queen. She founded the church of Morval. She was known in Wales as Gwen ferch Cynyr, the daughter of Lord Cynyr Ceinfarfog of Caer Goch in Pembrokshire. She married King Salomon of Cornwall and became the mother of Saint Cybi...
(Gwen), Wensent, Wynup (Gwenabwy) and Yse (Issey).
According to Robert Hunt
Robert Hunt (scientist)
Robert Hunt , a scientist and antiquarian, was born at Devonport, Plymouth, in the United Kingdom. He was involved in statistical, mineralogical and other studies. He died in London on 17 October 1887.-Early life:...
, of the holy children that settled in Cornwall, we learn that the following gave their names to Cornish churches
- Johannes at St IveSt IveSt Ive is a village and civil parish in south-east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. St Ive should not be confused with St Ives, the well-known seaside town in the west of Cornwall...
- EndelientSaint EndelientaSaint Endelienta was a Cornish saint of the 5th and 6th century. She is believed to be a daughter of the Welsh King Brychan, and a native of South Wales who travelled to North Cornwall to join her siblings in converting the locals to Christianity...
at St EndellionSt EndellionSt Endellion is a civil parish and village in north Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village and parish church are situated four miles north of Wadebridge.... - Menfre at St MinverSt MinverSt Minver is the name of an ecclesiastical parish, a civil parish and a village in north Cornwall, United Kingdom.The civil parish of St Minver is in Bodmin Registration District and is nominally divided into St Minver Highlands and St Minver Lowlands .The combined parish is bounded on the south...
- Tedda at St TeathSt TeathSt Teath is civil parish and village in north Cornwall, United Kingdom. The village is situated approximately three miles southwest of Camelford and seven miles northeast of Wadebridge. The hamlet of Whitewell lies to the west....
- Mabon at St MabynSt MabynSt Mabyn is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village is situated three miles east of Wadebridge....
- Merewenne at MarhamchurchMarhamchurchMarhamchurch is a civil parish and village in north Cornwall, United Kingdom.Marhamchurch village is situated 1½ miles south of Bude off the A39 road.-History:...
- WennaSaint WennaSaint Wenna was a Cornish saint and probably a Cornish queen. She founded the church of Morval. She was known in Wales as Gwen ferch Cynyr, the daughter of Lord Cynyr Ceinfarfog of Caer Goch in Pembrokshire. She married King Salomon of Cornwall and became the mother of Saint Cybi...
at St WennSt WennSt Wenn is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The village is situated six miles west of Bodmin and nine miles east of Newquay.... - KeyneSaint KeyneSaint Keyne or Cain was a late 5th century holy woman in the West Country, between Liskeard and Looe in SE Cornwall. She is not mentioned as being a saint in the official Catholic encyclopaedia - newadvent.org, so perhaps it's disputable if she is indeed a Catholic saint...
at St KeyneSt KeyneSt Keyne is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The parish lies between the parishes of Liskeard and Duloe.In Victorian times the holywell in St Keyne had the reputation of conferring supremacy to the marriage partner who first tasted it.The church is dedicated to Saint Keyne... - Yse at St IsseySt IsseySt Issey is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately two miles south of Padstow. The parish covers an area of approximately .-History:...
- Morewenna at MorwenstowMorwenstowthumb|Parish Church of St Morwenna and St John the Baptist, MorwenstowMorwenstow is a civil parish and hamlet in north Cornwall, United Kingdom. The hamlet is situated near the coast approximately six miles north of Bude....
- Cleder at St CletherSt CletherSt Clether is a civil parish and village in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The village is situated on the east flank of Bodmin Moor approximately eight miles west of Launceston in the valley of the River Inny....
- Keri at EgloskerryEgloskerryEgloskerry is a village and civil parish in east Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is situated approximately five miles northwest of Launceston....
- Helie at EgloshayleEgloshayleEgloshayle is a civil parish and village in north Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village is situated beside the River Camel immediately southeast of Wadebridge. The civil parish extends southeast from the village and includes Washaway and Sladesbridge.-History:Egloshayle was a Bronze Age...
- Adwen at AdventAdvent, CornwallAdvent is a civil parish on the north-western edge of Bodmin Moor in north Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is named after St Adwenna and lies in the Registration District of Camelford....
- Lanent at LelantLelantLelant is a village in west Cornwall, England, UK. It is on the west side of the River Hayle estuary about 2½ miles southeast of St Ives and one mile west of Hayle....
Irish sources
The Book of LeinsterBook of Leinster
The Book of Leinster , is a medieval Irish manuscript compiled ca. 1160 and now kept in Trinity College, Dublin, under the shelfmark MS H 2.18...
lists the following sons by Brychan's wife, Dína daughter of the King of the Saxons: Mo-Goróc, Mo-Chonóc (Cynog), Diraid, Dubán (Dyfnan), Cairinne (Caian), Cairpre, Iast, Ellóc (Dilic), Paan, Cáemán and Mo-Beóc,
Breton sources
Breton tradition says that Brychan married Menedoc daughter of Constantine, King of the Scots. Together they were the parents of Saint Nennocha.Secondary sources
- Thornton, David E. "Brychan Brycheiniog (fl. c.500)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Further reading
- Wade-Evans, A.W. "The Brychan documents." Y CymmrodorY CymmrodorY Cymmrodor was the annual journal of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, published between 1821 and 1951. It contained essays and lectures on historical and literary topics and Welsh poetry....
19 (1906): 18–50. Available from the Internet Archive.