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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. |
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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. |
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Beli Mawr (the Great) |
m. Don ferch Mathonwy. |
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Miled |
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Eremon |
m. Tea. |
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Irial Faidh |
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Eithrial |
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Follain |
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Tigernmas |
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Eanbrotha |
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Smiomghall |
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Fiacha Lamhraein |
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Aongus Olmucach |
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Maoin |
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Rotheachta |
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Dein |
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Siorna Saoghalach |
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Olioll Olchaoin |
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Gialcadh |
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Nuadhas Fionnfail |
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Aedan Glas |
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Simon Breac |
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Muireadach Bolgach |
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Fiacha Tolgrach |
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Duach Ladhrach |
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Eochaidh Buidh |
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Ugaine Mor |
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Cobthach Caolbhreagh |
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Melg Molbhthach |
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Iaran Gleofathach |
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Conla Caomh |
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Olioll Casfiachlach |
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Eochaidh Altleathan |
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Aongus Tuirmeach Teamrach |
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Enna Aigneach |
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Asaman Eamhna |
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Roighean Ruadh |
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Fionnlogh |
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Fionn |
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Eochaidh Feidlioch |
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Fineamhas (Breas-Nar-Lothar) |
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Lughaidh Sriabhn Dearg |
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Crimthann Niadh Nar |
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Feredach Fionn Feachtnach |
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Fiacha Fionn Ola |
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Tuathal Teachtmar |
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Felim Rachtmar |
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Fiacha Suidhe |
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Cairbre Rigronn |
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Art Corp mac Mes Cuirb |
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Eochaid Allmuir (Over-Sea) mac
Artchorp |
Sometimes named as the first
Deisi leader in Demetia. |
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Corath mac Eochaid |
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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) |
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7 |
c.570 |
Petr (Pedr)
ap Cyngar |
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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 |
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15 |
? - 798 |
Meredydd ap Teuder |
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798 - 808 |
Rhein ap Maredydd |
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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. |
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