Legends from the Lost Kingdoms | Players in the Battle of Arfderydd (573 CE)

The Battle of Arfderydd took place early in the reign of Rhydderch Hael (c. 518-603 CE), the Christian king of Ystrad Clud, later known as Strathclyde. This was an early Brythonic-speaking kingdom, part of what is now southern Scotland and northern England. Hael was the patron of St. Kentigern (518-614 CE) and was the brother-in-law of Myrddin, later known as Merlin. The early Middle Ages was a time when fact and fable interweaved, making it difficult to separate the two, as there was still much in oral tradition.

Pagan warlord Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio (c. 520–573 CE) ruled the area around Hadrian’s Wall and Carlisle in modern-day southwest Scotland and northwest England. His stronghold was the Roman fortress of Castra Exploratorum in Netherby. Many believe that Netherby Hall, a 16th-century mansion, was built on top of the ruins. Genealogies claim Gwenddoleu descended from Coel Hen, the ruler Yr Hen Ogledd, which comprised southern Scotland and the borders following the Roman withdrawal in 383 CE. Either Gwenddoleu was an heir to one of Coel Hen’s successor states, or an usurper claiming descent from Coel Hen to legitimize his claim. The people of Ebrauc (now York) expelled Gwenddoleu and his father, Ceidio, after being accused of murder. Scholars consider Gwenddoleu, a pagan ruler who clung to the old ways. He also was a patron of poets and the cyfarwydd (storytellers). Gwenddoleu’s father, Ceidio, carved out a kingdom for himself in the borderlands between northern Rheged and southern Ystrad Clud (Strathclyde). Rydderch Hael, as a zealous Christian, wanted to destroy the pagan ways, as well as usurp their lands into the kingdom of Cumbria or Strathclyde, as well as destroy their culture. 

Peredur and Gwrgi were either princes of either Ebrauc (modern York) or cousins of Gwenddoleu. They both died fighting the Northern Angle in c. 580 CE. Peredur may have founded the town of Pickering in the North Riding of Yorkshire.

In next week’s blog post, I will be sharing the details of what led to the Battle of Arfderydd, the actual battle, and its aftermath.