kids encyclopedia robot

Cyngen ap Cadell facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Cyngen
King of Powys
Reign 808 – 854 AD
Predecessor Cadell
Successor Rhodri Mawr
Born c. 790 AD
Died 854 AD
Rome, Italy
Issue Gruffydd
Elisedd
Ieuaf
Aeddan
House Gwertherion
Father Cadell

Cyngen ap Cadell (English: Cyngen son of Cadell) or also (Concenn), was King of Powys from 808 until his death in 854 during a pilgrimage to Rome.

Biography

Cyngen was of the line of Brochwel Ysgithrog, and, after a long reign as king of Powys, he went on a pilgrimage to Rome and died there in 854. He is thought to be the first Welsh ruler to visit Rome after the healing of the breach between the Welsh branch of the Celtic Church and Rome over the date of Easter.

Cyngen raised a pillar, originally a round-shafted cross, in memory of his great-grandfather Elisedd ap Gwylog which stands near the later abbey of Valle Crucis. This memorial had a lengthy inscription and is known as the Pillar of Eliseg owing to a typographical mistake by the original carver.

Cyngen was the last of the original line of kings of Powys of the Gwertherion dynasty. He had three sons, but on his death Powys was annexed by Rhodri Mawr, ruler of Gwynedd. Rhodri was his nephew, as Rhodri's father Merfyn Frych had married his sister, Nest ferch Cadell.

Although, certain later manuscript pedigrees (like Jesus College 20) claim that Rhodri was the son of Cyngen's sister, Nest ferch Cadell, others (like Mostyn 117) claim he was the son of Essyllt ferch Cynan (thought to be the daughter of Cynan Dindaethwy, of Gwynedd). In any case, traditional Welsh law does not seem to allow female inheritance, so Rhodri is presumed to have taken Powys by conquest.

Cyngen had the following children:

See also

  • Kings of Wales family trees
kids search engine
Cyngen ap Cadell Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.