Athrwys ap Meurig
Encyclopedia
Athrwys was a Prince, possibly a King, from Gwent in Wales
, who is generally accepted as having lived in the early 7th century.
, a King of Gwent (and probably Glywysing, now known as Glamorgan
) by his wife, Onbrawst, or Onbraus the daughter of Gwrgan Fawr
, King of Ergyng
(Western Herefordshire
).
His family relationships are recorded in a number of Old Welsh
pedigrees, as well the Book of Llandaff
. From her study of the Llandaff Charters
in this manuscript, Prof. Wendy Davies
has concluded that Athrwys predeceased his father around 655 and never actually ruled in Gwent.
His son was Morgan ab Athrwys
or Morgan Mwynfawr 'Morgan the Benefactor' in the Welsh language
. Morgan was King of Morgannwg, or Gwent and Glywysing, land as far west as the River Towy and also encompassing land beyond the River Wye
, into the old Kingdom of Ergyng
, South Herefordshire
.
He was in turn succeeded by his son Ithel.
, or was even the historical basis
for the legendary king. However, the identification has been challenged on linguistic grounds by most of those who have examined the names.
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...
, who is generally accepted as having lived in the early 7th century.
Lineage
Athrwys (spelled Andres or Andrus [for Archaic Welsh *Antres] in the early medieval Latin Life of Saint Cadoc) was the son of Meurig ap TewdrigMeurig ap Tewdrig
Meurig ap Tewdrig was the son of Tewdrig , and a king of the early Welsh kingdoms of Gwent and Glywysing. He is thought to have lived sometime between 400 and 600 AD....
, a King of Gwent (and probably Glywysing, now known as Glamorgan
Glamorgan
Glamorgan or Glamorganshire is one of the thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It was originally an early medieval kingdom of varying boundaries known as Glywysing until taken over by the Normans as a lordship. Glamorgan is latterly represented by the three...
) by his wife, Onbrawst, or Onbraus the daughter of Gwrgan Fawr
Gwrgan Fawr
Gwrgan Fawr was a king of Ergyng, a south-east Welsh kingdom of the early medieval period....
, King of Ergyng
Ergyng
Ergyng was a Welsh kingdom of the sub-Roman and early medieval period, between the 5th and 7th centuries. It was later referred to by the English as Archenfield.-Location:...
(Western Herefordshire
Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire" NUTS 2 region. It also forms a unitary district known as the...
).
His family relationships are recorded in a number of Old Welsh
Old Welsh language
Old Welsh is the label attached to the Welsh language from about 800 AD until the early 12th century when it developed into Middle Welsh. The preceding period, from the time Welsh became distinct from the British language around 550, has been called "Primitive Welsh".Many poems and some prose...
pedigrees, as well the Book of Llandaff
Book of Llandaff
The Book of Llandaff is a 12th century compilation of documents relating to the history of the diocese of Llandaff in Wales...
. From her study of the Llandaff Charters
Book of Llandaff
The Book of Llandaff is a 12th century compilation of documents relating to the history of the diocese of Llandaff in Wales...
in this manuscript, Prof. Wendy Davies
Wendy Davies
Wendy Elizabeth Davies OBE FBA FSA FRHistS FLSW is an Emeritus Professor of History at University College, London in England.Davies studied for her BA degree and PhD degree in history at UCL. Following positions in Munich and Birmingham, she returned to UCL as a Lecturer in Medieval History...
has concluded that Athrwys predeceased his father around 655 and never actually ruled in Gwent.
His son was Morgan ab Athrwys
Morgan ab Athrwys
Morgan ab Athrwys, also known as Morgan Mwynfawr was a Welsh King of Morgannwg around the year 730 AD in south Wales.- Probable lineage :He was the grandson and probably the successor to King Meurig ap Tewdrig....
or Morgan Mwynfawr 'Morgan the Benefactor' in the Welsh language
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...
. Morgan was King of Morgannwg, or Gwent and Glywysing, land as far west as the River Towy and also encompassing land beyond the River Wye
River Wye
The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the UK and for parts of its length forms part of the border between England and Wales. It is important for nature conservation and recreation.-Description:...
, into the old Kingdom of Ergyng
Ergyng
Ergyng was a Welsh kingdom of the sub-Roman and early medieval period, between the 5th and 7th centuries. It was later referred to by the English as Archenfield.-Location:...
, South Herefordshire
Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire" NUTS 2 region. It also forms a unitary district known as the...
.
He was in turn succeeded by his son Ithel.
Arthurian connection
Due to the similarity of their names, it has been suggested that Arthwys had some connection with King ArthurKing Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
, or was even the historical basis
Historical basis for King Arthur
The historical basis of King Arthur is a source of considerable debate among historians. The first datable mention of King Arthur in a historical context comes from a Latin text of the 9th century - more than three centuries after his supposed floruit in 5th to early 6th century Sub-Roman Britain...
for the legendary king. However, the identification has been challenged on linguistic grounds by most of those who have examined the names.