European Kingdoms

Cornouaille / Kernev

Positioned to the southwest of Armorica, and isolated from major events by a long shoreline and the great Brocéliande forest to the southeast, which was never cleared, almost all of Cornouaille's history is legendary. The Cartuliary of Landevennec gives nineteen names (marked *), but no relationships. Its original capital was Caer Ys (now the Bay of Douarnenez, but Gradlon Mur relocated it to Corspotium (Quimper). The region is better known today as Kernew or Kernev. There may be a tribal connection between the original inhabitants of Cornouaille and the Carnonacae of second century Pictland, although it seems much more likely that Cornouaille was populated by Cornubians from the south-western peninsula of Britain.

Due to Cornouaille's isolation behind the Brocéliande, the identities of the princes of the sixth century are highly confused, and some may have ruled in a different order from that shown below, at least up until the reign of Budic. Despite Cornouaille's seclusion, in the fifth and eleventh centuries it actually supplied the rulers of Brittany (which by the latter date was a duchy under nominal French overlordship).

(Additional information by Edward Dawson.)

c.430

Rivelen Mor Marthou *

Mistakenly confused with Cynfelyn ap Arthwyr of Cynwidion?

c.450

Congar *

Probably Congar of Cernyw.

c.400? - 544

Many of the princes of Cornouaille are also the kings of Brittany.

c.500?

Daniel Drem Rud *

c.500?

St Mélar ap Méliau

Son of Maxenri, King of Brittany.

478 - 544

Budic* II

Brother. King of Brittany. Ally of Macliau of Bro Erech.

c.540

Macliau, King of Bro Erech, had previously entered into a reciprocal arrangement with Budic whereby the two kings had promised each other that whichever monarch outlived the other would take care of his son. Upon Budic's death, Macliau forces Budic's son, Tewdwr, to flee the kingdom. Tewdwr returns to kill both Macliau and his eldest son Jacob.

577 - ?

Tewdwr

Son. Forced to flee by Macliau. Was he Tewdwr Mawr of Brittany?

c.590

Iahan Reith *

c.620?

Daniel Unua *

King of Brittany.

c.650?

Gradlon ap Alain / Flam *

Son of Alain I, King of Brittany.

c.690

Concar Cheroenoc *

Nephew of Alain II, King of Brittany.

c.720

Budic Mur * / Judon

Son. Fled overseas with his father in the 6th century.

c.770

Constantine ap Judon

c.812

Argant ap Constantine

c.840

Judael / Fragual Fradeloec *

Son. Different names from two records, but the same man?

c.860

Louvenan

Son. His son-in-law was Diles Heirgour Chebre.

c.890

Gradlon Plueneor *

Probably a monk near Orleans c.900.

c.900

Rivelen

c.910

Gourmaelon

c.930

Ulfret / Aulfret Alesrudon *

Cited in the Cartuliary of Landevennec.

c.946 - c.952

Diles Heirguor Chebre *

Son. Known by the Cartuliary of Landevennec.

c.1008 or 1031

Budic Bud Berhuc *

Died 1008-1031.

Budig Castellin / Binidic *

The dates of his father may in fact be his.

? - 1058

Alan Canhiart / Canhiarh *

Grandson of Budig Castellin.

1058 - 1084

Hoel V / Houel Huuel *

Son. Became Duke of Brittany under French overlordship.

1084

The princes of Cornouaille become rulers of Brittany, dukes by appointment of France.