Glywys
Encyclopedia
Glywys is described in Welsh genealogies as an early 5th century Welsh
king who is seen as an important character in early Welsh history. The kingdom of Glywysing is believed to have been named after Glywys, (although it has been suggested that his name may have been a back formation from the name of the kingdom) and is the earliest place name for the land between the Rivers Tawe
and Usk
. The kingdom of Glywysing would later give its name to the Welsh counties of Glamorgan
, an area, which although no longer exists politically is still recognised by the majority of its inhabitants.
Thought to have been born around 415 AD, Glywys was the eldest son of Solor, son of Mor, both kings of the Mid South Wales region. Glywys married Gwawl daughter of Ceredig of Ceredigion
and legend states they had twenty two children, all bar one, male. Of all his relations, only five are written about to any substantial degree; there is evidence to suggest that they may be Gwynllyw
, Pawl, Merchwyn, Edelig and Pedrog.
Glywys is believed to have become a hermit in his later life and converted to Christianity
and at one stage travelled to Cornwall
where he founded the church of Penryn
. Glywys is sometimes referred to as Glywys Cernyw and the ancient name for the area around Cornwall is Cerniw and this legend gives him this alternative name.
Glywys is sometimes referenced as a source for the Arthurian
character Sir Cligès
, though it is more likely a weak connection with nothing more than the name.
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...
king who is seen as an important character in early Welsh history. The kingdom of Glywysing is believed to have been named after Glywys, (although it has been suggested that his name may have been a back formation from the name of the kingdom) and is the earliest place name for the land between the Rivers Tawe
River Tawe
The River Tawe is a river in South Wales. It flows in a principally south-westerly direction for some from its source below Moel Feity in the Old Red Sandstone hills of the western Brecon Beacons to the Bristol Channel at Swansea. Its main tributaries are the right bank Upper and Lower Clydach...
and Usk
River Usk
The River Usk rises on the northern slopes of the Black Mountain of mid-Wales, in the easternmost part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Initially it flows north into Usk Reservoir, then east by Sennybridge to Brecon before turning southeast to flow by Talybont-on-Usk, Crickhowell and...
. The kingdom of Glywysing would later give its name to the Welsh counties of 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...
, an area, which although no longer exists politically is still recognised by the majority of its inhabitants.
Thought to have been born around 415 AD, Glywys was the eldest son of Solor, son of Mor, both kings of the Mid South Wales region. Glywys married Gwawl daughter of Ceredig of Ceredigion
Ceredig
Ceredig ap Cunedda, , king of Ceredigion, may have been born c. 420 AD in the Brythonic kingdom of Manaw Gododdin , centred on the Firth of Forth in the area known as Yr Hen Ogledd.Little is known of him...
and legend states they had twenty two children, all bar one, male. Of all his relations, only five are written about to any substantial degree; there is evidence to suggest that they may be 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....
, Pawl, Merchwyn, Edelig and Pedrog.
Glywys is believed to have become a hermit in his later life and converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and at one stage travelled to 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...
where he founded the church of Penryn
Penryn, Cornwall
Penryn is a civil parish and town in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated on the Penryn River about one mile northwest of Falmouth...
. Glywys is sometimes referred to as Glywys Cernyw and the ancient name for the area around Cornwall is Cerniw and this legend gives him this alternative name.
Glywys is sometimes referenced as a source for the Arthurian
Matter of Britain
The Matter of Britain is a name given collectively to the body of literature and legendary material associated with Great Britain and its legendary kings, particularly King Arthur...
character Sir Cligès
Cligès
Cligès is a poem by the medieval French poet Chrétien de Troyes, dating from around 1176. Cligès is the second of five Arthurian Romances; Erec and Enide, Cligès, Yvain, Lancelot and Perceval. It tells the story of the knight Cligès and his love for his uncle's wife, Fenice...
, though it is more likely a weak connection with nothing more than the name.