Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: G8Z3-X7Y

Notes:

First king of Dalriada and the Kingdom of Leinster

Family/Spouse: ingen Loarn, Erca. Erca was born in 370; died in 439. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• House: 5th generation of Colla Uais
• FSID: LCXK-38X
• Birth: 450, Ulster, Ireland
• Appointments / Titles: Between 498 and 501, Argyll, Scotland; King of Dalriata

Notes:

King of Dál Riada and Scotia Minor and Alba

Fergus Mor, son of Erc, another name for Mac Nisse Mor, had one son i. Domangart

Magoo.com: Scots Kings
Birth of Scottish Dál Riada

See 498 CE - Birth of Scottish Dal Riada. "Very little is known about the early Kingdom of Scottish Dal Riada or its first King Fergus. It is believed that Fergus' father Erc MacEochaid and possibly his older brother held the throne before him in Ireland. Erc died in 474, leaving a space of as much as 24 years unaccounted for in the lists of Kings. Some genealogical charts show that Erc, son of Eachach Muinremair and descendant of Cairbre Riada, and father of Fergus, ruled Dalriada in 503 A.D. For example, see the chart in Jim's Two Irish Surnames—Maguire. The Annals of the Four Masters report, however, that Eirc, son of Eochaidh Muinreamhar, died in 474. O'Donovan's notes identify him as "the ancestor of the Dalriadic kings of Scotland."

***************
Fergus Mór mac Erc was a legendary king of Dál Riata. While his historicity may be debatable, his posthumous importance as the founder of Scotland in the national myth of Medieval and Renaissance Scotland is not in doubt. Rulers of Scotland from Cináed mac Ailpín until the present time claim descent from Fergus Mór.

The historical record, such as it is, consists of an entry in the "Annals of Tigernach," for the year 501, which states: "Feargus Mor mac Earca cum gente Dal Riada partem Britaniae tenuit, et ibi mortuus est" (Fergus Mór mac Eirc, with the people of Dál Riata, held part of Britain, and he died there.).

However, the forms of Fergus, Erc and Dál Riata are later ones, written down long after the 6th century. The record in the "Annals" has given rise to theories of invasions of Argyll from Ireland, but these are not considered authentic.

The genealogy of Fergus is found in the king lists of Dál Riata, and later of Scotland, of which the "Senchus Fer n-Alban" and the "Duan Albanach" can be taken as examples. The "Senchus" states that Fergus Mór also was known as "Mac Nisse Mór." These sources probably date from the 10th and 11th centuries, respectively, between 20 and 30 generations after Fergus may have lived.

The "Senchus" and the "Duan" name Fergus's father as Erc, son of Eochaid Muinremuir. A Middle Irish genealogy of the kings of Alba gives an extensive genealogy for Fergus: [Fergus] m. h-Eircc, m. Echdach Muinremuir, m. Óengusa Fir, m. Feideilmid, m. Óengusa, m. Feideilmid, m. Cormaicc, and a further 46 generations, here omitted. While some believe Fergus claimed lineage to King Arthur, the historian John Morris has suggested, instead, that Fergus was allowed to settle in Scotland as a federate of Arthur, as a bulwark against the Picts.

These sources, while they offer evidence for the importance of Fergus Mór in Medieval times, are not evidence for his historical career. Indeed, only one king in the 6th century in Scotland is known from contemporary evidence, Ceretic of Alt Clut, and even this identification rests upon a later gloss to Saint Patrick's "Letter to Coroticus." The existence of the first kings of Dál Riata that are reasonably confirmed are Fergus's grandsons Gabrán mac Domangairt and Comgall, or perhaps his great-grandson Áedán mac Gabráin.

In the contexts of Patrician tradition, legendary accounts and symbolic description, the figure twelve is mentioned with reference to the sons of Ere.

Andrew of Wyntoun's early 15th century "Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland" says that Fergus was the first Scot to rule in Scotland, and that Cináed mac Ailpín was his descendant. In addition, he writes that Fergus brought the Stone of Scone with him from Ireland, that he was succeeded by a son named Dúngal. A list of kings follows which is corrupt but bears some relation to those found in earlier sources.

If Wyntoun's account adds little to earlier ones, at the end of the 16th century George Buchanan in his "Rerum Scoticarum Historia" added much, generally following John of Fordun. In this version, the Scots had been expelled from Scotland when the Romans under one Maximus conquered all of Britain. His father Eugenius had been killed by the Romans, and Fergus, Fergusius II according to Buchanan's count, was raised in exile in Scandinavia. He later fought with the Franks, before eventually returning to Scotland and reconquering the Scottish lands. He was killed in battle against Durstus, king of the Picts, and was succeeded by his son Eugenius. A linked tradition traces the origin of Clan Cameron to the son of the royal family of Denmark who assisted Fergus II in the above restoration to Scotland.

Buchanan's king, James VI, shared the scholar's view of the origins of his line, describing himself in one of many verses written to his wife Anne of Denmark, as the "happie Monarch sprung of Ferguse race." Nor was James VI the last ruler to share this belief. The Great Gallery of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh was decorated with 89 of Jacob de Wet's portraits of Scottish monarchs, from Fergus to Charles II, produced to the order of James's grandson.

James II's Irish partisans welcomed the king at Kilkenny during the Williamite War, declaring, "We conducted a Fergus to Scotland; we welcome in James the Second the undoubted heir of Fergus by the lineal descent of one hundred and ten crowned heads."

-- from Wikiwand: Fergus Mór

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Irish King List - on the origin of Fergus Mor mac Erc.

"In the 20th year of the reign of the monarch Lughaidh, son of Laeghaire, with a complete army, Fergus Mor mac Earca (along with five of his brothers, Fergus Og, Loarn Mor, Loarn Og, Aongus Mor, and Aongus Og) went into Scotland to assist his grandfather, King Loarn (note: his grandmother's name was Earca Loarn), who was much oppressed by his enemies, the Picts; who were vanquished by Fergus and his party, who prosecuted the war so vigorously, followed the enemy to their own homes, and reduced them to such extremity, that they were glad to accept peace upon the conqueror's own conditions; whereupon, on the King's death, which happened about the same time, the said Fergus Mor was unanimously elected and chosen King as being of the blood royal by his mother. And the said Fergus, for a good and lucky omen, sent to his brother, who was then Monarch of Ireland, for the Marble Seat, called "Saxum Fatale" (in Irish, "Liath Fail," and "Cloch-na-Cinneamhna," implying in English, "The Stone of Destiny" to be crowned thereupon; which happened accordingly, for, as he was the first absolute King of all Scotland of the Miesian Race, so the succession continued in his blood and lineage ever since to this day."

-- unknown source

Seeking to obtain land in East and Strathclyde to the South; King of the Scots of Dalriada, Fergus Mor fights both the Picts to the east and the Britons of Strathclyde to the south for land.

Fergus married verch Duach, DuinseachArgyll, Scotland. Duinseach (daughter of mac Tengae, Diu) was born in 448 in Kingdom of Dál Riata, Scotland; died in DECEASED in Kingdom of Dál Riata, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• House: 6th generation of Colla Uais
• FSID: 94LR-HMT
• Appointments / Titles: Between 497 and 507, Argyll, Scotland; King of Dál Riata

Notes:

Senchus Fer n Alban Domangart, moreover, had two sons i. Gabran and Comgell, two sons of Fedelm, daughter of Brion, son of Eocho Mugmedon.

Reign of Domangart, son of Fergus Mor #1, son of Erc (or son of Mac Misi Mor, son of Fergus?) Born in Scotland. He married Fedelmia, daughter of Eochy Mogmedon. Died in 506. Father of Gabhran, #5. (501–507) The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick says that Domangart was present at Patrick's death bed. The Annals of the Four Masters note that, in the year 462, "Domhangort, son of Nissi" died. According to O'Donovan's notes, this Domanghort was King of Alba.

Wikipedia
Domangart Réti was king of Dál Riata in the early 6th century, following the death of his father, Fergus Mór.

He had at least two sons: Comgall and Gabrán, both of whom became kings in succession. The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick states that he was present at the death of the saint, c. 493. Domangart died around 507 and was succeeded by Comgall.

His byname, Réti, appears in Adomnán's Life of Saint Columba, in the form Corcu Réti, perhaps a synonym for Dál Riata. Corcu, a Primitive Irish language term for a kin group, usually combined with the name of a divine or mythical ancestor, is apparently similar to the term Dál. Alternatively, rather that representing an alternative name for all of Dál Riata, it has been suggested Corcu Réti was the name given to the kin group which later divided to form the Cenél nGabráin of Kintyre and the Cenél Comgaill of Cowal, thus excluding the Cenél nÓengusa of Islay and the Cenél Loairn of middle and northern Argyll.

Domangart married ui Briuin,, Feldelmia Foltchain in 485 in Argyll, Scotland. Feldelmia (daughter of mac Echdach, King Briun O'Neil and ingen Cathair, Rossa) was born in 470 in Leinster, Ireland; died in 518 in Argyll, Scotland; was buried in 518 in Argyll, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• House: 7th generation of Colla Uais
• FSID: K4TX-Y9Y
• Appointments / Titles: Between 537 and 559, Kingdom of Dál Riata, Scotland; King of Dál Riata, Ulaid

Notes:

Reign of Gabrán, one of two sons of Domhangart #3. Brother of Congall #4. Married to Ingenach (Lleian) (Luan), daughter of Brychan, King of Brechin or Brecheiniog in Forfarshire (a Pictish kingdom in mid-Scotland). Father of Aedhan #7. When Eochaidh, King of Leinster, was banished to Alba by Niall of the Nine Hostages, Irish Kings #126, Gabhran extended his protection to Eochaidh. Slain in a battle with the Picts under their king Bridei. (538–558) [558 or 560] (535–570) {Dale thinks the Pictish King Drest, son of Girom, whose reign he estimates as from 536 to 538, may be the same person.}

Census of the men of Alba, Gabran, moreover, had five sons i. Aedan, Eoganan, Cuildach, Domnall, Domangart.

Gabrán mac Domangairt (Old Welsh: "Gawran map Dinwarch") or Gabrán the Traitor ("Gwran Wradouc") was King of Dál Riata, Ulaid, in the mid-6th century. He is the eponymous ancestor of the Cenél nGabráin. Gabrán was the son of Domangart Réti.

The historical evidence for Gabrán is limited to the notice of his death in the Irish and Welsh annals. It is possible that Gabrán's death should be linked to a migration or flight from Bridei mac Maelchon, but this may be no more than coincidence.

Gabrán's chief importance is as the presumed ancestor of the Cenél nGabráin, a king group that dominated the kingship of Dál Riata until the late 7th century and continued to provide kings thereafter. Kings of Alba and of Scotland traced their descent through Gabrán to his grandfather Fergus Mór, who was seen as the ultimate founder of the royal house as late as the 16th and 17th centuries, long after the Gaelic origins of the kingdom.

Unlike the "Cenél Loairn," the "Senchus Fer n-Alban" does not list any kindreds within the Cenél nGabráin. However, probable descendants of Gabrán, such as Dúnchad mac Conaing and his many kinsmen, would appear to have disputed the succession with the descendants of Eochaid Buide, grandson of Gabrán, so that this absence of explicit segments in the kindred may be misleading. A genealogy of David I of Scotland in the "Book of Ballymote" notes the following divisions:

. After Áedán mac Gabráin, between the main line, called "the sons of Eochaid Buide" and "the children of Cináed mac Ailpín," and the "sons of Conaing"
. After Eochaid Buide, between the main line and the "children of Fergus Goll" and the "children of Connad Cerr ... or the men of Fife," although modern studies make Connad Cerr a member of the Cenél Comgaill
. After Eochaid mac Domangairt, between the main line and the Cenél Comgaill

The domain of the Cenél nGabráin appears to have been centered in Kintyre and Knapdale and may have included Arran, Jura and Gigha. The title "King of Kintyre" is used for a number of presumed kings of the Cenél nGabráin. Two probable royal sites are known: Dunadd, which lies at the northern edge of their presumed lands; and Aberte (or Dún Aberte), which is very likely the later Dunaverty on the headland beside Southend, Kintyre.

Kilmartin may have been an important early Christian site by reason of its proximity to Dunadd and its dedication to Saint Martin of Tours, as may Kilmichael Glassary. However, there appears to be no religious site of the importance of Lismore in the lands of the rival Cenél Loairn.

-- Wikiwand: Gabrán mac Domangairt. “The Treacherous”, “The Traitor.”

Family/Spouse: verch Brychan, Lleian Ada. Lleian (daughter of ap Brycheiniog, King Brychan and ingen Dyfnwal, N.N.) was born in 500 in Kingdom of Dál Riata, Scotland; died in 550 in Kingdom of Dál Riata, Scotland; was buried in 550 in Kingdom of Dál Riata, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• House: 8th generation of Colla Uais
• FSID: LCRS-D72
• Religion: Celtic Christian Church of the Sacred Kindred of Saint Columba
• Appointments / Titles: Between 574 and 606, Kingdom of Dál Riata, Scotland; King of Dál Riata
• Military: 583, Isle of Man, Dumfries-shire, Scotland
• Military: 599; Battle between Áedán and the Picts in Circinn - Aedan was defeated

Notes:

Áedán mac Gabráin was a king of Dál Riata from about 574 until about 609. The kingdom of Dál Riata was situated in modern Argyll and Bute, Scotland, and parts of County Antrim, Ireland. Genealogies record that Áedán was a son of Gabrán mac Domangairt.

He was a contemporary of Saint Columba, and much that is recorded of his life and career comes from hagiography such as Adomnán of Iona's "Life of Saint Columba." Áedán appears as a character in Old Irish and Middle Irish language works of prose and verse, some now lost.

The Irish annals record Áedán's campaigns against his neighbors in Ireland and in northern Britain, including expeditions to the Orkney Islands, the Isle of Man, and the east coast of Scotland. As recorded by Bede, Áedán was decisively defeated by Æthelfrith of Bernicia at the Battle of Degsastan. Áedán may have been deposed or have abdicated following this defeat. His date of death is recorded by one source as 17 April 609.

The sources for Áedán's life include Bede's "Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum"; Irish annals, principally the "Annals of Ulster" and the "Annals of Tigernach"; and Adomnán's "Life of Saint Columba." "The Senchus fer n-Alban," a census and genealogy of Dál Riata, purports to record his ancestry and that of his immediate descendants. None of these sources are contemporary. Adomnán's work was written in the very late 7th century, probably to mark the centenary of Columba's death. It incorporates elements from a lost earlier life of Columba, "De virtutibus sancti Columbae," by Cumméne Find. This may have been written as early as 640; neither the elements incorporated from Cumméne's work nor Adomnán's own writings can be treated as simple history. Bede's history was written 30 years after Adomnán's. The surviving Irish annals contain elements of a chronicle kept at Iona from the middle of the 7th century onward, so that these too are retrospective when dealing with Áedán's time.

The Rawlinson B 502 manuscript, dated to c. 1130, contains the tale "Gein Branduib maic Echach ocus Aedáin maic Gabráin" ("Birth of Brandub son of Eochu and of Aedán son of Gabrán"). In this story, Áedán is the twin brother of Brandub mac Echach, a King of Leinster who belonged to the Uí Cheinnselaig kindred. Áedán is exchanged at birth for one of the twin daughters of Gabrán, born the same night, so that each family might have a son. "The Prophecy of Berchán" also associates Áedán with Leinster. John Bannerman concluded that "[t]here seems to be no basis of fact behind these traditions." Francis John Byrne suggested that the "Echtra" was written by a poet at the court of Diarmait mac Maíl na mBó, an 11th-century descendant of Brandub, and was written to cement an alliance between Diarmait and the Scots king Máel Coluim mac Donnchada ("Malcolm III"), who claimed to be a descendant of Áedán. A lost Irish tale, "Echtra Áedáin mac Gabráin" ("The Adventures of Áedán son of Gabrán"), appears in a list of works, but its contents are unknown. Áedán is a character in the epic "Scéla Cano meic Gartnáin," but the events which inspired the tale appear to have taken place in the middle of the 7th century. He also appears in the tale "Compert Mongáin."

Áedán additionally appears in a variety of Welsh sources, making him one of the few non-Britons to figure in Welsh tradition. Welsh sources call him "Aedan Bradawc," meaning "The Treacherous" or "The Wily." He may have earned this epithet after the collapse of an alliance with Rhydderch Hael, king of the nearby Brittonic kingdom of Alt Clut; enmity between them is remembered in the Welsh Triads and elsewhere. Another Triad records Áedán's host as one of the "Three Faithful War-Bands of the Island of Britain," as they "went to the sea for their lord." This may point to an otherwise lost tradition concerning one of Áedán's sea expeditions, such as to Orkney or the Isle of Man. Additionally, several Welsh works claim a Brittonic pedigree for Áedán. The "Bonedd Gwŷr y Gogledd" records him as a descendant of Dyfnwal Hen of Alt Clut, though the genealogy is much confused (Gauran is given as his son, rather than father).] The "Cambro-Latin De Situ Brecheniauc" and "Cognacio Brychan" claim his mother was Luan, daughter of Brychan of Brycheiniog in Wales. Though these pedigrees are inconsistent and likely dubious, they are notable in highlighting Áedán's close association with the Britons.

Neighbors
Áedán was the chief king in Dál Riata, ruling over lesser tribal kings. The "Senchus fer n-Alban" records the sub-divisions of Dál Riata in the 7th and 8th centuries, but no record from Áedán's time survives. According to the Senchus, Dál Riata was divided into three sub-kingdoms in the 7th century, each ruled by a kin group named for their eponymous founder. These were the Cenél nGabráin, named for Áedán's father, who ruled over Kintyre, Cowal and Bute; the Cenél Loairn of northern Argyll; and the Cenél nÓengusa of Islay. Within these there were smaller divisions or tribes which are named by the Senchus. Details of the Irish part of the kingdom are less clear.

Looking outward, Dál Riata's neighbors in north Britain were the Picts and the Britons of the "Hen Ogledd," the Brittonic-speaking parts of what is now Northern England and southern Lowland Scotland. The most powerful Brittonic kingdom in the area was Alt Clut, later known as Strathclyde and Cumbria. Late in Áedán's life, the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Bernicia became the greatest power in north Britain.

In Ireland, Dál Riata formed part of Ulster, ruled by Báetán mac Cairill of the Dál Fiatach. The other major grouping in Ulster consisted of the disunited tribes of the Cruithne, later known as the Dál nAraidi. The most important Cruithne king in Áedán's time was Fiachnae mac Báetáin. Beyond the kingdom of Ulster, and generally hostile to it, were the various kingdoms and tribes of the Uí Néill and their subjects and allies. Of the Uí Néill kings, Áed mac Ainmuirech of the Cenél Conaill, Columba's first cousin once removed, was the most important during Áedán's reign.

Reign
Adomnán, the "Senchus fer n-Alban" and the Irish annals record Áedán as a son of Gabrán mac Domangairt (died c. 555–560). Áedán's brother Eoganán is known from Adomnán and his death is recorded c. 597. The "Senchus" names three other sons of Gabrán, namely Cuildach, Domnall, and Domangart. Although nothing is known of Cuildach and Domangart or their descendants, Adomnán mentions a certain Ioan, son of Conall, son of Domnall, "who belonged to the royal lineage of the Cenél nGabráin," but this is generally read as meaning that Ioan was a kinsman of the Cenél nGabráin, and his grandfather named Domnall is not thought to be the same person as Áedán's brother Domnall.

Áedán was about 40 years old when he became king, following the death of his uncle Conall mac Comgaill in 574. His succession as king may have been contested; Adomnán states that Columba had favoured the candidacy of Áedán's brother Eoganán. Adomnán claims that Áedán was ordained as king by Columba, the first example of an ordination known in Britain and Ireland.

In 574, following the account of Conall's death, the "Annals of Ulster" and the "Annals of Tigernach" record a battle in Kintyre, called the Battle of Teloch, or Delgu. The precise location of the battle is unidentified. The annals agree that "Dúnchad, son of Conall, son of Comgall, and many others of the allies of the sons of Gabrán, fell." In 575, the Annals of Ulster report "the great convention of Druim Cett," at Mullagh or Daisy Hill near Limavady, with Áed mac Ainmuirech and Columba in attendance. Adomnán reports that Áedán was present at the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is not entirely certain, but one agreement made there concerned the status of Áedán's kingdom. Áedán and Áed agreed that while the fleet of Dál Riata would serve the Uí Néill, no tribute would be paid to them, and warriors would only be provided from the Dál Riata lands in Ireland.

The reason for this agreement is thought to have been the threat posed to Áedán, and also to Áed, by Báetán mac Cairill. Báetán is said to have forced the king of Dál Riata to pay homage to him at Rosnaree on Islandmagee. Áedán is thought to be the king in question, and Ulster sources say that Báetán collected tribute from Scotland. Following Báetán's death in 581, the Ulstermen abandoned the Isle of Man, which they had captured in Báetán's time, perhaps driven out by Áedán who is recorded as fighting there c. 583. Earlier, c. 580, Áedán is said to have raided Orkney, which had been subject to Bridei son of Maelchon, King of the Picts, at an earlier date.

Áedán's campaigns on the Isle of Man have sometimes been confused with the battle against the Miathi mentioned by Adomnán. The Miathi appear to have been the Maeatae, a tribe in the area of the upper river Forth. This campaign was successful, but Áedán's sons Artúr and Eochaid Find were killed in battle according to Adomnán. This battle may have taken place c. 590 and been recorded as the Battle of Leithreid or Leithrig.

The Prophecy of Berchán says of Áedán: "Thirteen years (one after another) [he will fight against] the Pictish host (fair the diadem)." The only recorded battle between Áedán and the Picts appears to have been fought in Circinn, in 599 or after, where Áedán was defeated. The annals mention the deaths of his sons here. It has been suggested that this battle was confused with the "Battle of Asreth" in Circinn, fought c. 584, in which Bridei son of Maelchon was killed. This battle is described as being "fought between the Picts themselves."

A number of Welsh traditions point to warfare between Áedán and King Rhydderch Hael of Alt Clut, the northern Brittonic kingdom later known as Strathclyde. Hector Munro Chadwick and subsequent historians suggest Áedán was initially in a long-term alliance with Rhydderch and his predecessors, but that it even..

-- Wikiwand: Áedán mac Gabráin

Aedán had seven sons i. two Eochaids i. Eocho Bude and Eochaid Find, Tuathal, Bran, Baithine, Conaing, Gartnait.

Family/Spouse: verch Maelgwyn, Domelch. Domelch (daughter of ap Cadwallon, King Maelgwyn Hir and verch Afallach, Gwallwyn) was born in 535 in Gwynedd, Wales; died in 586 in Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: GZK3-34C

Family/Spouse: of Bretagne, Gwenhwyfar. Gwenhwyfar was born in 550 in Bretagne, France; died in DECEASED. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: GZ6S-7VM

Family/Spouse: ap Brochfael, King Cynan Garwyn. Cynan was born in 544 in Powys, Wales; died in 610 in Powys, Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: G8WY-62L

Family/Spouse: ap Iago, Cadfan. Cadfan (son of ap Rhun, Beli and N.N., Perwyr) was born in 570 in Gwynedd, Wales; died in 625 in Anglesey, Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: G8WY-FL9

Family/Spouse: verch Pybba, N.N.. N.N. (daughter of verch Creoda, Pybba and verch Donnchadh, Princess Feargna) was born in 594 in Kingdom of Mercia, England; died in 615 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Kingdom of Gwynedd, Wales; King
• FSID: G8WY-N47

Notes:

Cadwaladr ap Cadwallon (also spelled Cadwalader or Cadwallader in English) was king of Gwynedd in Wales from around 655 to 682 AD. Two devastating plagues happened during his reign, one in 664 and the other in 682; he himself was a victim of the second. Little else is known of his reign.
Though little is known about the historical Cadwaladr, he became a mythical redeemer figure in Welsh culture. He is a prominent character in the romantic stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth, where he is portrayed as the last in an ancient line to hold the title King of Britain. In Geoffrey's account, he does not die of plague. He renounces his throne in 688 to become a pilgrim, in response to a prophecy that his sacrifice of personal power will bring about a future victory of the Britons over the Anglo-Saxons. Geoffrey's story of Cadwaladr's prophecy and trip to Rome is believed to be an embellishment of the events in the life of Cædwalla of Wessex, whom Geoffrey mistakenly conflated with Cadwaladr. Cædwalla renounced his throne and travelled to Rome in 688.
For later Welsh commentators, the myth "provided a messianic hope for the future deliverance of Britain from the dominion of the Saxons".[1] It was also used by both the Yorkist and Lancastrian factions during the Wars of the Roses to claim that their candidate would fulfil the prophecy by restoring the authentic lineage stemming from Cadwaladr.
The red dragon (Welsh: Y Ddraig Goch) has long been known as a Welsh symbol, appearing in the Mabinogion, the Historia Brittonum, and the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth. Since the accession of Henry VII to the English throne, it has often been referred to as "The Red Dragon of Cadwaladr". The association with Cadwaladr is a traditional one, without a firm historical provenance.

Cadwaladr was the son of a famous father, Cadwallon ap Cadfan, and the successor to King Cadafael. His name appears in the pedigrees of the Jesus College MS. 20[2] (as "Kadwaladyr vendigeit", or "Cadwaladr the Blessed").
Cadwaladr appears to have suffered a major military defeat at the hands of the West Saxons at Pinhoe near Exeter in 658. He is said to have been of a "peaceful and pious" temperament and to have patronised many churches. The church of Llangadwaldr in Anglesey identifies him as its founder.[3]
Cadwaladr's name appears as 'Catgualart' in a section of the Historia Brittonum, where it says he died of a dreadful mortality while he was king.[4] The great plague of 664 is not noted in the Annales Cambriae, but Bede's description[5] makes clear its impact in both Britain and Ireland, where its occurrence is also noted in the Irish Annals.[6] The plague of 682 is not noted by Bede, but the Annales Cambriae note its occurrence in Britain and that Cadwaladr was one of its victims.[7] Both the Annales Cambriae and the Irish Annals note the plague's impact in Ireland in 683,[8][9] as do other sources.[10]
The genealogies in Jesus College MS. 20[11][12] and the Harleian genealogies[13][14] give Cadwaladr as the son of Cadwallon and the father of Idwal Iwrch. Idwal, who fathered the later king Rhodri Molwynog, may have been his successor.

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FSID: G8WY-FLM

Family/Spouse: verch Alain, Angharad. Angharad (daughter of de Bretagne, Alain) was born in 669 in France; died in DECEASED in Cornwall, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Appointments / Titles: Kingdom of Gwynedd, Wales; King
• Appointments / Titles: King of the Bretons
• FSID: G8WY-X4X
• Military: 721, Cornwall, England; War

Notes:

Rhodri "the Bald & Grey" was the son of King Idwal Iwch of Gwynedd and his wife, Princess Angharad of Brittany. There is an old story that Rhodri invaded or conquered Dumnonia - possibly during his youth - but he was forced to return to North Wales by the Saxons. The year of his accession in Gwynedd is variously given as AD 712, 720, 722 or 730. The earliest date seems most likely. He married an Irish princess, Margaret ferch Duplory and had one son, Cynan Dindaethwy. He died in AD 754, when the throne was seized by Caradog ap Meirion.

Rhodri married verch Duptory, Princess of Wales and Ireland Margaret in 721 in Gwynedd, Wales. Margaret (daughter of ap Colman, King Dubh Torran and verch Wempel, Queen of Ireland Vanora) was born in 692 in Wales; died in 745 in Leinster, Ireland; was buried in 745 in Leinster, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]