European Kingdoms

Kings of the Bretons (Vannetais / Britanni / Brittany)

Although the principalities of Bro Erech, Cornouaille, Domnonia, Leon and Poher, are mentioned often in Brittany, whenever the Bretons had dealings outside their borders only one king of the Bretons is mentioned. It seems highly likely that these many principalities were the equivalent of the mainland British sub-kingdoms, ruled over by a single monarch in much the same way as the High Kings of Britain ruled.

The colony's first king, Conan Meriadog, ruled Brittany as the kingdom of Vannetais, maintaining the local Gallic tribal name and representing a diminishing of Roman control over the region. The region was named Armorica, a name which originated with the Aremorio tribe of Celts who occupied the eastern part of the peninsula and who were probably still inhabiting it when it was gradually taken over by Britons. The area was 'freed' of Roman control by Magnus Maximus as the first stage of his invasion of Gaul in 383. Conan was placed in command. The area was previously home to the Veneti Celtic tribe, and even the island of Belle-Île-en-Mer (ar Gerveur in Modern Breton, or Guedel in Old Breton) to the south of Brittany was known by the Romans as Vindilis, preserving the link to the Veneti. The usual Celtic practice of dividing territory between sons created the smaller principalities out of Vannetais during the course of the fifth and sixth centuries. The old name of Vannetais appears to have fallen out of use after its last remnant was renamed Bro Erech, and the high kings of the colony simply termed themselves kings of the Bretons, or Brittany.

After circa 600, the kings of Domnonia appear to have gained precedence over the others, always likely as this was Armorica's strongest principality. From Iudicael onwards, the kings of Domnonia were also the kings of the Bretons for as long as Brittany was fully independent.

The pedigree of the kings in the seventh and eighth centuries is not certain, but Jean-Michel Pognat has put forward a believable construction, which to an extent is used here (in plum). Although Brittany extended as far as Blois until 491, the land holdings outside its traditional borders are vaguely described, and may not even have been part of Brittany's accepted territory.

Links established prior to the coming of Rome between south-western Britain and Armorica seem to have been maintained. Migration from Britain into Armorica seems to have picked up noticeably in the mid-fourth century, but it became a flood in the unsettled fifth century. Traditional certainly maintains that the British colony in Armorica was founded before the expedition of Constantine III in 407. People arrived mainly from the south-west of Britain, from Dumnonia and Cornubia, and each group retained its ethnic names (ergo the people in each region knew exactly what they were ethnically or tribally, regardless of who was king over them).

(Additional information by Edward Dawson.)

c.340 - c.387

Conan Meriadoc / Conanus

First king of Vannetais & prince of Dumnonia. Died 421?

383 - 388

Magnus Maximus, high king of Britain, is credited by Geoffrey of Monmouth with setting up Conan Meriadoc as high king of Armorica (he is the rebellious nephew of Octavius, Maximus' predecessor as high king in Britain. That could make Octavius the father of Maximus' wife, as Conan is also her cousin). It may be that the estimated dates use here for Conan, 340-387, are a little adrift, and the earlier date may even represent a date of birth rather than the beginning of his reign, as a reign of forty-seven years seems a little long. By 388, as a result of Maximus' defeat, a large number of his surviving troops appear to return to settle in Armorica.

c.387? - c.400?

Erbin

Son. His half brother Gadion (?Gradlon) ruled Dumnonia.

c.400? - 434

Gradlon Mawr (the Great)

Son. Known by the monk, Wrdisten.

406 - 411

Constantine III

High King of Britain. Constantine III of Rome.

410 - ?

Ivomadus

Probably part of Constantine's army. Occupied Blois.

418

Although still nominally within the Roman empire, Armorica is in a persistent state of revolt and is almost fully independent of Rome.

434 - 446

Salomon I / Selyfan / Selyf

Son of Gradlon Mawr.

Gwidol ap Gradlon

Brother. Became prince of Domnonia.

c.440 - 441

Saxon foederati and laeti (settled on the east coast of Britain take advantage of the unrest and openly revolt. By 441, the Gallic Chronicles report large sections of Britain under German control following Saxon revolt. Communications between Britain and Gaul are disrupted, and the migration of Romano-British towards Dumnonia and Cornubia and from there into Armorica turns into a torrent.

446 - 464

Aldrien ap Selyfan / Aldroenus?

Son. Elder brother of Constantine III, former High King.

Aldrien would appear to be Geoffrey of Monmouth's semi-mythical Aldroenus, king of 'Little Britain, called at that time Armorica or Letavia'. After failing to win support from Rome in their hour of need, the Britons seek help from Aldroenus, fourth king after Conanus. Guithelinus, archbishop of London, is sent to ask the king to take the crown of Britain, but the country has fallen so far from its former magnificence that he declines the offer. Instead he sends his brother, Constantine, with two thousand soldiers. Constantine is raised to the kingship of Britain.

446

Serious plague hits southern Britain and unburied bodies are to be found in the streets of cities such as Caer Gloui. It is this point at which the young Ambrosius Aurelianus and his family are in hiding (traditionally in Armorica), avoiding the vengeful clutches of Vortigern.

451

The almost-fully independent Armoricans send units of troops to fight alongside Rome in order to halt the advance of the Huns at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.

c.464 - c.468

Budig I / Budicus

Son. Named Budicus by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

468 - 469

Riothamus, 'King of the Britons', crosses the Channel to Gaul, bringing 12,000 ship-borne troops. Riothamus (a title rather than a name, which would appear to mean 'supreme king'), remains in the country for a year or more, and advances to Bourges and even further, perhaps reinforced by Armorican Bretons. Gaul's imperial prefect, the deputy of the Western Roman emperor, treacherously undermines him by apparently dealing with the Visigoths.

Caught by surprise by the Visigoths, Riothamus fights a drawn-out battle near Bourges but is eventually defeated when no imperial forces come to his assistance. He escapes with the remains of his army into the nearby territory of the Burgundians, never to be heard of again. A second battle soon follows which involves a combined army consisting of units of Romans, troops from Soissons under Comes Paulus, and Burgundian foederati, but they are also defeated, and Soissons and Armorica are cut off from Rome. The disappearance from history of Riothamus does not rule out the possibility of him successfully returning to Britain, but this would also be a reasonable date for Arthur to take command of Britain's defence as his successor.

c.470

Maxenri * (Méliau) ap Budig I

He & his brother supposedly fled Aircol of Dyfed's court c.480.

c.472

Rhiwod ap Budig

c.472 - 478

Erich ap Aldrien

478 - 544

Budig II (alias Emyr Llydaw) ap Erich

c.490

The powerful Caradog Freichfras is king of Gwent in mid-south Wales, inheriting the throne through his father, Honorius Ynyr Gwent. Following his accession he sails across the Channel to found the kingdom of Bro Erech which forms the heartland of Vannetais and serves as its largest kingdom.

Also around this time, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth, there a new archbishop of Dol in the form of Samson, former archbishop of the British Church at York. The archbishop had been driven out of the city by recent Saxon attacks. Sadly, although the post may have some historical authenticity (the archbishopric of Dol is created in 848), the person probably does not.

511

On the death of Clovis, king of the Franks, the kingdom is divided between his four sons. The Frankish kingdoms of Orleans and Paris are formed on Brittany's eastern border.

531

The Franks of Austrasia conquer the Thuringians. Portions of territory are lost to the Saxons, probably to the Continental Saxons, but there also seems to be a reverse migration of Germanics from the east coast of Britain, where the recent British victory at Mons Badonicus has cut them off from the acquisition of new lands. These returning Angles and Saxons appear to be given land in Thuringia by King Theuderich. However, it is also at this time, in this century, that the migration of Britons from the mainland to Brittany is at its heaviest, weakening the British defensive position for the future.

544?

Hoel I Mawr

Son.

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth's semi-fictitious account of the history of Britain, Hoel is the son of Budicius, former king of Armorica. His mother is Anna, sister of Ambrosius Aurelianus, which makes him the first cousin of Arthur. Hoel aids Arthur in ridding Britain of the Saxon menace, although in reality Hoel is born a generation too late to fight alongside Arthur. His father, however, would have been of an ideal age to do so.

544? - ?

Daniel Unua

Prince of Cornouaille. Grandson of Budig I.

c.560 - 577

Tewdr Mawr (the Great)

King of Brittany & Penwith (northwest Cornubian cantref).

577 - 635?

Alain I

Grandson of Budig II. Son Gradlon was prince of Cornouaille.

? - 612?

Hoel III

Son.

? - c.658?

Salomon II

Son.

c.630

Iudicael

Judicaël, king of Domnonia.

? - 690

Alain II Hir (the Tall) / Urbien

Son.

One of Alain's sons is Budic. Budic's son, Miliau, becomes patron saint of a town in the east of the former principality of Leon which later bears his name - Guimiliau. Miliau himself is beheaded in 792 on the orders of his brother.

c.700

Urbon

Son.

c.730

Judon

Son.

c.760

Custantin

Son.

c.790

Argant

Son.

795 - 826

Frodaldus

Joined by co-rulers?

bef 815 - 818

Morvan / Murman

Not a member of the ruling family.

818 - 826

Wiomarch

Son of Argant.

826 - 837

Lowenen

Son. Father of Roiantdreh, who adopted Salomon.

832

The Abbey of Saint-Sauveur de Redon is founded by Conwoion, a Breton monk, with support from Carolingian Emperor Louis the Pious. Redon is a town in eastern Brittany which has gained its name from the surrounding parish of Riedones. This in turn has been remembered by the Franks and Bretons based on the Celtic tribe which has occupied the region for at least the past millennium, that of the Redones.

837 - 851

Nominoe

Son of Erispoe (Elder). Obscure ruler.

851 - 857

Erispoe (Younger)

Son. Obscure ruler.

857 - 874

Salomon

Adopted by Roiantdreh to ensure continuity of the House.

874 - 888

Brittany is overrun by Vikings.

888 - 907

Alain I the Great

Numbering doesn't seem to account for two earlier Alains.

907 - 922

Brittany is again overrun by Vikings.

922 - 923

Raoul

923 - 936

Brittany is overrun by the Viking-descended Normans.

936 - 952

Alain II

936

By this time, France had finally suppressed a weakened Brittany, and the kings assume the title of Duke of Brittany, although they maintain much of their independence until 1532.

952 - 958

Drogo

958 - 970

Brittany is partially ruled by the Counts of Rennes.

970 - 992

Conan I the Crooked

992 - 1008

Geoffrey / Godfrey I

1008 - 1040

Alain III

1040 - 1056

Eudes / Odo I

1056 - 1066

Conan II

1066 - 1084

Hoel IV / Houel / Huuel

Prince of Cornouaille.

1084 - 1112

Alain IV Fergant

Son.

1112 - 1148

Conan III the Fat

Son.

1148 - 1156

Bertha

1148 - 1156

Eudes II

1148 - 1156

Hoel V

1156 - 1171

Conan IV

1166

Henry II of England controls the duchy.

1171 - 1187

Constance

m Prince Arthur, son of Henry II of England. d.1201.

1181 - 1186

Geoffrey II

1187 - 1203

Arthur I

Murdered by his uncle, John of England.

1203 - 1221

Alice

Dau of Constance.

1213 - 1250

Peter I

m Alice.

1221 - 1286

John I the Red

1286 - 1305

John II

1305

King Edward I of England appoints his nephew, John of Brittany, as guardian of Scotland. The second son of Duke John II, John wholeheartedly shares Edward's aims when it comes to expanding the size and influence of the English kingdom. He is trusted by the English court as a diplomat and negotiator, and his term as guardian of office witnesses no major upsets, while at the same time his brother succeeds to the ducal title in Brittany.

1305 - 1312

Arthur II

Son.

1312 - 1341

John III

1312 - 1341

Charles of Blois

1341 - 1364

War of the Breton Succession.

1364 - 1399

John IV

1399 - 1442

John V

1442 - 1450

Francis I

1450 - 1457

Peter II

1457 - 1458

Arthur III

1458 - 1488

Francis II

Died in a riding accident.

1488 - 1514

Anne

Dau.

1491

Anne, the last duchess of Brittany, is forced into an arranged marriage with Charles VIII of France, following his invasion of the duchy to prevent her marrying the Habsburg HRE, Maximilian I.

1499

Now widowed, Anne marries King Louis XII of France.

1514 - 1524

Claude / Claudia

Dau. Nominally in control.

1532

Claudia marries Francis II of France and the Union Treaty of Vannes is signed, permanently uniting the duchy to France.