Post-Roman Celtic Kingdoms

Demetia

The British kingdom based on the Celtic tribal territory of the Demetae, and its subsequent Roman civitatus designation, was apparently created in circa.382 by one of the many sons of Magnus Maximus. It certainly bore the Romanised form of its name throughout the fourth and fifth centuries. Its early centre was at Castell Dwyan. Its first king, Antonius, was charged with protecting the southern half of Wales in much the same way as Cunedda was given Gwynedd as king of North Wales. Some of the territory he controlled was passed to younger sons, but which territory is not clear. The core of his holdings, however, was Demetia.

Irish raiders were causing the British widespread problems throughout the fourth and fifth centuries, and to combat this, The homeless Deisi tribe were settled in Demetia by Magnus Maximus. Existing evidence confirms this by suggesting the Roman authorities asked for the help of Aed Brosc in keeping Irish pirates away from the western coast of Britain. When the last British king died without a male heir, the Deisi were on hand to fill the breach.

382

Antonius Donatus Gregorius (Anwn Dynod)

King of South Wales. Son of Maximus.

c.400

Demetius (Ednyfed)

Son.

c.410 - c.421

Clotrius (Clotri)

Last British King of Demetia. Gwledyr was his daughter & heir.

[

Maelgwn

Heir, but predeceased his father.]

c.421

With Clotri's only male heir dead, his daughter Gweldyr is the sole heiress to the kingdom, and, although about 35 years younger, she marries Triphun of the Deisi Irish, who were settled in Demetia to help defend it from Irish raiders. The kingdom is renamed no more than a century later as Dyfed.

Dyfed (of the Deisi)

The Irish Deisi (or Déssi) tribe of the County Waterford region in Ireland, were settled by the existing Roman authorities in the Demetian region by 382. Their leader, Aed Brosc, was one of his people's key figures. His grandfather, Eochaid Allmuir, had been forced to leave his homeland after a bid for independence failed, and was severely crushed by the Irish High King. The descendants of Aed's eldest son, Urb, founded the Kingdom of Brycheiniog between 420-450, while his younger son, Triffyn Farfog, married the heiress of the Demetian kings. Like most Irish Royalty, Eochaid claimed descent from Beli Mawr, the Celtic Sun-God, through his son, Miled.

The name Dyfed (also known as Dyfor) originates from one of the former Roman civitates within the kingdom, and seemed to be more popular for the new Deisi rulers than Demetia. The early Deisi settlers were very receptive to the benefits of the Roman way of life, and gave their children Romano-British names. These were recorded by the Early Welsh in Welsh format, and later rulers became completely Welsh in background as the Roman influence was severed. The Deisi rulers of Dyfed initially used the Roman title of "Protector" (protictoris) instead of the British equivalent of king. This practice continued at least as far as Vortipor, whose memorial stone was discovered at Castell Dwyran.

Beli Mawr (the Great)

m. Don ferch Mathonwy.

Miled

Eremon

m. Tea.

Irial Faidh

Eithrial

Follain

Tigernmas

Eanbrotha

Smiomghall

Fiacha Lamhraein

Aongus Olmucach

Maoin

Rotheachta

Dein

Siorna Saoghalach

Olioll Olchaoin

Gialcadh

Nuadhas Fionnfail

Aedan Glas

Simon Breac

Muireadach Bolgach

Fiacha Tolgrach

Duach Ladhrach

Eochaidh Buidh

Ugaine Mor

Cobthach Caolbhreagh

Melg Molbhthach

Iaran Gleofathach

Conla Caomh

Olioll Casfiachlach

Eochaidh Altleathan

Aongus Tuirmeach Teamrach

Enna Aigneach

Asaman Eamhna

Roighean Ruadh

Fionnlogh

Fionn

Eochaidh Feidlioch

Fineamhas (Breas-Nar-Lothar)

Lughaidh Sriabhn Dearg

Crimthann Niadh Nar

Feredach Fionn Feachtnach

Fiacha Fionn Ola

Tuathal Teachtmar

Felim Rachtmar

Fiacha Suidhe

Cairbre Rigronn

Art Corp mac Mes Cuirb

Eochaid Allmuir (Over-Sea) mac Artchorp

Sometimes named as the first Deisi leader in Demetia.

Corath mac Eochaid

1

fl 382

Aed Brosc

Leader of the Deisi as they settled in Dyfed.

2

c.405

Urb mac Aed

Moved into the Brycheiniog region.

3

c.421-c.445

Triphun (Valerian) (mac Aed)

Triffyn Farfog (the Bearded). m. Gweldyr, heiress of Demetia.

4

c.467

Aircol (Agricola)

Aricol Lawhir (Long-Hand) mac Triffyn.

5

c.495 - 540

Vortipor (Vortiporious)

High King. Vortepor mac Aricol, King or "Protector" of Dyfed.

6

c.550

Cyngar ap Gwrthefyr (Vortipor)

7

c.570

Petr (Pedr) ap Cyngar

8

c.595-c.615

Arthur map Petr

Named after Arthur Pendragon (High King). Born c.570-85.

9

c.625

Nowy Hen (the Old)

King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog.

c.650 - c.720

Ceindrych ferch Rhiwallon, Princess of Brycheiniog, marries her distant cousin, Cloten, King of Dyfed, and for the space of three generations the two kingdoms are united.

10

c.650

Cloten ap Nowy

King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog. Also known as Gwlyddien.

11

c.670

Caten ap Cloten

King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog.

12

c.690

Cadwgan Tredylig (ap Caten)

King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog.

13

c.710

Regin (Rhain) ap Cadwgan

King of Dyfed & Brycheiniog. Brycheiniog passed to brother.

700 - 720

Rhain passes the sub-kingdom of Brycheiniog to a younger brother, Aust. During Rhain's rule, Dyfed is invaded by Seisyll, King of Ceredigion. Ceredigion conquers Ystrad Towy, and Rhain's dual kingdom is  split in two. Both areas appear to have been known for a time as Rheinwg after their king.

14

c.730

Teuder (Tewdos) ap Regin

15

? - 798

Meredydd ap Teuder

798 - 808

Rhein ap Maredydd

808 - c.810

Triffyn ap Rhein

No heir

c.810 - 811

Owain ap Meredydd

Owain was the last male descendent of Aed Brosc.

?811 - 893

Hyfaidd ap Bledrig

Son of Tangwystyl ferch Owain and low-born Bledrig.

893 - 904

Llywarch ap Hyfaidd

No heir. His dau. Elen (893-943) m. Hywel Dda.

904

Rhodri ap Hyfaidd

Beheaded.

904 - 950

Hywel Dda (the Good) ap Cadell

King of Deheubarth (Gwynedd, Powys, & Seisyllwg).

904

Dyfed is merged into Hywel's greater Gwyneddian kingdom as a United Wales. Once Gwynedd becomes detached from the remainder of the territory, former Dyfed provides the heartland along with  Ceredigion of the kingdom of Deheubarth.