A Chronological of Celtic Wales
(Some dates may be incorrect or a few years out)
AD30
Cunobelinus (the Cynfelyn of Welsh tradition) of the tribe Catuvallauni had brought Essex to Surrey under is control. This kingdom with its coinage had its wheel pottery, its prosperous agriculture and its suggestion of the beginnings of literacy.
AD40
Cunobelinus died around this time his kingdom was inherited by his sons Carapaces and Togodumnus. Their brother Amminius had been exiled by his father and he appealed to Rome to help him gain a share if his father’s territories. His appeal along with the complaints of the tribes which had suffered from the attacks of the Belgae provided the Romans with an excuse to invade the island, although their real motive was their desire to seize the fertile lowlands.
AD43
Romans invade Britain and Wales became under attack in AD48
AD??
Arch son of Merion systemised the art of war beyond that nothing is known of his achievements. Meirion was lord before he became king is land became Merionethshire
AD43
Caradog son of Arch succeeded because of the infancy of Ceri the son of Caid. This Caradog (Caractacus) was the bravest and the most renowned of any in the whole world having evinced pre-eminent valour on all occasions. He vanquished the Romans in many battles but was overcome through treachery and was taken to Rome where he returned eventually to Cambria. This Caradog built a palace after manner of the Romans at Abergwerydwyr called now St Donat’s.
His daughter Eurgain married a Roman chieftain who accompanied her to Cambria. This chieftain had been converted to Christianity as well as Eurgain who first introduced the faith among Cambro-Britons and sent for Ilid a native of Israel from Rome to Britain.
This Ilid is called in the service of his commemoration, St Joseph of Arimathea. He became the principal teacher of Christianity to the Cambro-Britons and introduced good order into the choir of Eurgain which she had established for twelve saints in Llantwit, it was burnt in the time of King Edgar.
After this arrangement Ilid went to Ynys Afallon in the summer county (Somersetshire) where he died and was buried. Ina king of Wessex of that country raised a large church over is grave as a place called Glasinbyri (Glastonbury) in Welsh Aberglaston.
Note:
Caractacus fought the Roman in many battles and was forced to bring his army back into Essex. The word was sent to the Roman Emperor and he came over to Britain with fresh legions and a troop of elephants. A battle took place at Colchester between the two armies, the British charioteers could not drive their chariots as they used to because the horses were afraid of the elephants. In this way the British lost against the Romans and Claudius the Emperor returned to Rome in triumph, there were three famous generals were left behind and Caractacus fought on stubbornly, the struggle last nine years and the battles in this time could not be counted. At last he was defeated, his family fell into the hands of the Romans, but he took refuge in the North with Queen Cartistmandua, she betrayed him to the Roman soldiers he was caught when he was asleep. He was put in chains and taken to Rome; there was great rejoicing when he arrived there were people packed the streets to see him. The Romans said that for a hundred years, Rome had not so brave an enemy as Caractacus, he was then brought in front of the Emperor he bore himself nobly and said “I have had kings for my forefathers, and I might have to Rome as a friend had I had not fought you but I was lord of men and horses, of arms and wealth, what wonder if I would not give the up? You wish to conquer but should we then wish to be conquered? Had I not gone into battle, where would have been your glory? Bid me live then, that your deed of mercy may be remembered.” Such boldness pleased the Emperor, and his life was spared.
AD??
Ceri son of Arch was a remarkably wise man and constructed many ships at the expense of the country and its lords. Hence he was called Ceri of the extensive navy having numerous fleets out to see. He lived at the place called Porth-Kery.
AD47/48
Roman power came under attack from the independent tribes; chief amongst them was Caratacus (the Caradog of Welsh tradition) who fled to the territory of the Silures following the defeat of the Catuvellauni.
AD49
Romans erect a fort for the Twentieth Legion near the place where the city of Gloucester would later be founded and it was linked with smaller forts at Usk, Clyro and other places with the intention on putting pressure on the Silures. Caratacus continued his resistance among the Ordovices (North Wales) and it was in their territory near Caersws perhaps, that he was defeated and his wife and children were captured in 1851. Caratacus himself to the Brigantes, but he was yielded up to the Romans by their queen Cartimandua.
AD51
Around this probably the Twentieth Legion were defeated by the Silures. Conquest of Silures by Ostorius Scapula (around Ynysybwl)
AD55
Around this time the Cambro-Britons received the Christian faith, and believed in God: at which time they also first acquired knowledge of the Latin language.
AD115
King Lucius was born around this time.
AD154
Baptism was first introduced into Britain and churches and bishops were instituted through the endowments of Lucius and pope Elutherius. King Lucius was also known as Lleufer Mawr “the great light”
AD156
St Lucius’s Church in Llandaff is probably the 1st Christian Church in Britain (Where Llandaff Cathedral stands now).
AD167
King Lucius sent Dyfan, Fagan, Medwy and Elvan to see Pope Elutherius to find out more on Christianity.
AD179
King Lucius found the first Christian archbishopric in London, there is a plaque saying that he founded the first church in St Peter’s in Cornhill.
AD180
The church of Llandaff was first founded, Lucius the son of Coel, called also, the Great Luminary being the bishop there to promulgate Belief and Baptism.