Post-Roman Celtic Kingdoms

Elmet (Elfed)

Descended from the tribe of the Brigantes and centered on Loidis (Leeds). Elmet (or Elmetia in its Latinised form) was a bulwark of the defence of lower Northern Britain. Once it fell, so to did any realistic British hope of holding onto the Pennines. However, once it did fall, its population of Britons might have stayed put (royal family aside) and maintained a strong presence in the area.

Later Anglo-Saxon names such as Barwick (berewic, is Old English for corn farm) survive, in this case as Barwick-in-Elmet, as if the locals were determined to maintain the memory of the fallen kingdom. The Saxons became known as the Elmed Saetna, Elmet Saxons, so it is clear that the name was well enough established with the invading Teutons to survive its own collapse.

Although Elmet's second king, Llaennog ap Masgwid, has been linked by some to the north, the fact that his father has clear associations with the founding of Elmet ties him to this territorum.

(The notes on Elmet's demise have been greatly enhanced by M R Watson.)

c.470

Masgwid (Mascuid) Gloff (the Lame)

Son of Gwrast Lledlwm, King of Rheged.

c.495

Llaennog ap Masgwid

Arthuis ap Masgwid, Prince of Elmet

Often confused with his contemporary, High King Arthur.

c.540 - after 590

Gwallog (Guallauc) ap Llaennog

Identified with Elmet through two surviving poems.

590

After allying himself to his cousin Urien Rheged, a Confederation of British Kings is formed, primarily based and operating in the north. The dispossessed Morcant Bulc of Bernaccia, and Riderch Hael of Alt Clut both joined the confederation in operations against Anglian Bernicia, and are present at the siege of Ynys Metcaut (Lindisfarne) in this year.

c.590 - 616

Ceredig (Ceretic) ap Gwallog

Possible High King.

595

The fall of Dunoting, and probably The Peak at the same time, leaves Elmet surrounded on all sides by enemies.

c.597

The Battle of Catreath is a disaster for the Britons. The flower of the Northern British warrior class is decimated by the superior numbers of the Bernician Angles. Goutodin, as well as the other kingdoms of the North, probably including Elmet, are all fatally weakened by the defeat.

616 - 617

The kingdom falls to Edwin of Deira at a battle fought near Bawtry. Edwin had returned from Bernicia to retake his kingdom and begin a push westwards that would gain him the entire Pennine region. He later subdues the kingdom. Ceretic is expelled and dies in about 619.

617 - 634

High King Cadwallon already held a claim on the crown of Deira as part of his domains. He now apparently includes Elmet, and this is enforced when Cadwallon and Penda kill Edwin in 633 at Hatfield Chase. When Cadwallon himself is killed at Heavenfield in 634 by Oswald of Bernicia, that claim probably dies with him.

634 - 655

Penda of Mercia may have inherited his former ally's claim, but his death at the hands of Oswiu of Northumbria at the battle of Winwaed marks a definite demise for Elmet. Whin Moor near Leeds is the reputed site of the battle with Penda's forces being driven back to the river Air, probably at Woodlesford.