One of the earliest posts on this blog was about St Tydfil. In that post it was stated that Brychan Brycheiniog, Tydfil’s father, had 24 sons and 25 daughters. As is usual with of this period of history, accounts vary, but local historian Carl Llewellyn has provided a list of Brychan’s children based on the best sources available. We start with Brychan’s sons:
CYNOG. A saint of the Fifth Century, he was the reputed son of Brychan by Banadlwedd, the daughter of Banadle of Banadla Powis. Soon after his birth he was put in the care of a holy man named Gastayn. He was murdered by pagans on a mountain called the Van in Breconshire, where a church in memory of his martyrdom was erected over his grave and called Merthyr Cynog.
CLEDWYN. He embraced a military life and distinguished himself by expelling the Scottish Picts who had taken possession of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Cledwyn succeeded his father governing Breconshire.
DINGAD. He founded the churches of Llandingad in Carmerthenshire and Monmouthshire (where he is buried).
ARTHEN. There was once a church dedicated to him in Gwaenllwg, Monmouthshire which was demolished by the Saxons. The hill near Llandovery called Cefnarthen is named after him. He is buried in the Isle of Man.
CYFLEFYR. He is recognised as a son of Brychan, but some sources say he is actually the son of Dingad, and therefore Brychan’s grandson. He was murdered by the Saxons at a place called Merthyr Cyfefyr.
RHAIN. He became a soldier and took over the eastern part of his father’s lands. He was murdered by the Saxons and was buried at Llanfaelog Fach near Brecon.
DYFNAN. He founded the church at Llanddyfnan in Anglesey and was buried there.
GERWYN. He settled in Cornwall and was killed in the Isle of Gerwyn.
CADOG. Some sources say he was actually the grandson of Brychan. He was the founder of several churches and died in 490AD in France.
MATHAIRN. He was buried in Ceredigion.
PASGEN. Son of Brychan by Peresgri of Spain. Lived and died in Spain.
NEFAI. As above
PABIALI. As above
LLECHAU. He founded the church of Llanlechau in Ewyas in Herefordshire.
CYNBRYD. He founded the church of Llandulas near Abergele. He was murdered by the Saxons at Blwch Cynbryd.
CYNFRAN. He was the founder of the church of Llysfraen in Caernarfonshire.
HYCHAN. He founded the church of Llancychan in Clwyd.
DYFRIG. (Also known as Dubricious) He founded a college at Henllan on the River Wye. He was consecrated in 470AD, and became Archbishop of Caerleon in 490. He founded a college at Caerleon, and in 519 he crowned King Arthur. Upon retirement he moved to a monastery in Bardsey where he died in 522. In 1120, his body was moved from Bardsey and re-buried at Llandaff Cathedral.
CYNIN. He founded the church of Llangynin near St Clears, Carmarthenshire.
DOGFAN. He was murdered by the Saxons at Merthyr Dogfan in Pembrokeshire, and achurch was erected in his memory. He is also the patron saint of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant in Denbighshire.
RHAWIN. He settled in the Isle of Man where there was a church dedicated to him. He later returned to Wales and was murdered with his brother Rhun at Pontyrhun, Troedyrhiw by the group of Saxons who went on to murder Brychan and Tydfil.
RHUN. See above
CLEDOG. He founded the church of Clodock in Herefordshire where he was buried.
CAIAN. He was the founder of the church of Tregaian in Anglesey.
To be continued…..
