Post-Roman Celtic Kingdoms

Pengwern

Located on the eastern border of Powys, and apparently originating from it, Pengwern stretched deep into the Midlands. Its early capital was probably Caer Guricon (Roman Viroconium, modern Wroxeter), which was also the capital of Powys until the kingdom was divided into two. This is questionable, however, as there is evidence to suggest the abandonment of Viroconium in around 520, perhaps in exchange for a more defendable location.

Although its exact origins cannot be proven, it does appear to have been formed only in the 6th century after the collapse of the Roman central administration. By 600 it seems to have been made up of three sub-kingdoms based on the cities of Caer Luit Coyt, Caer Magnis, and Caer Guricon, and the first two had their own sub-kings. Originally, these would have been tributary to Powys, and then to the king of Pengwern, when it was created from Powys' eastern territories.

Morfael ap Glast, king of Glastenning, secured the eastern capital of Caer-Luit-Coyt (Wall in southern Staffordshire) during his lifetime, and his younger brother secured the remainder of the territory upon the death of their father. The capital was moved to Llys   Pengwern, perhaps for security reasons.

c.570 - 613

?Mawn or Iago ap Brochfael

King of Pengwern. Sons of Brochfael Ysgythrog of Powys.

from 577

Pengwern's southern border comes under some pressure from the Hwicce, as the British kingdoms based around Caer Baddan, Caer Ceri and Caer Gloui fall.

584

Viroconium is sacked by the West Seaxe. Pengwern had very likely already relocated its capital before this event.

613

In one of the bloodiest and hardest fought battles of its time, several British kings form a coalition to halt Ęthelfrith of Bernicia at the Battle of Caer Legion (Chester). Iago of Gwynedd, and Selyf of Powys are both killed, and the battle is a British defeat. Bledric ap Custennin, King of Dumnonia dies at the Battle of Bangor-is-Coed, which follows very soon afterwards. A certain Brochfael is named as the commander of Caer Legion at this time, and, despite this being in the territory of South Rheged, he may have been one of the sons of Powys' Brochfael, also the theoretical first king of Pengwern named above. After that, the Dogfeiling kings appear to move in on Pengwern.

?613 - ?c.620

Cyndrwyn Fawr

King of Pengwern.

- ?613 or c.620

Constantine

King of Caer Magnis. ?Brother of Cyndrwyn.

c.612

Morfael ap Glast

King of Caer-Luit-Coyt (Eastern Pengwern) & Glastenning.

c.620 - 656

Cynddylan ap Cyndrwyn

Brother. Mentioned 642. Son of Dogfeiling & Glastenning king.

656

Caranfael ap Cynddylan

May not have ruled.

656

Overrun by Oswiu of Northumbria, the royal family is destroyed. Mercia, a former ally, eventually absorbs the territory. Saxons moving up from the south form the minor kingdoms of the Wrocenset and Magonset. These in turn are absorbed by Mercia by the 8th century.