A Chronological of Celtic Wales
(Some dates may be incorrect or a few years out)
AD400
Irish Picts came to Cambria and committed atrocious depredations but at last they were vanquished, slain unsparingly and driven back beyond the sea to their original country.
AD408
Cystennin Gorneu family like Maxen Wledig derived from an usurper of the purple, Constantine the Tyrant 408-411. It was from this family that issued the family of Caw, given it would seem to have supplied Domnonia (Devon & Cornwall) with princes who were called either Constantine of Geraint. The saint of this family that proved most remarkable was St. Cybi unless we prefer the notorious Constantine whom Gildas denounced for his crimes and immoralities, but who was afterwards converted.
Carw of Cwm Cawlwyd in North Britain Cam however was son of Geriant ab Erbin Prince of Devon. Owing to the inroads of the Picts the family of Caw was forced to abandon Arecluda and fly to Gwynedd where they were well received by Cadwallon Lawhir and Maelgwn his son who gave them lands in Mon, but apparently with the proviso that they should enter religion so as not to form any small principalities which might be politically disadvantageous to the interests of the Crown of Gwynedd, to this family which never after its expulsion from the North obtained any secular importance belonged Gildas, the famous abbot Ruys.
AD410
Severe diseases and great mortality prevailed, occasioned by the yellow pestilence, which arose from the dead bodies that remained unburied and had fallen into decomposition over the face of the country.
About this times also the Emperor Theodosius conferred immunities on learning and exalted sciences in Britain and Saint Patrick became the Supreme teacher of the Cambro- British nation under that enfranchisement, but the pike bearing Irish beset the place where he was and bore him away in captivity to Ireland, where he became a saint of the brightest fame in all the world, teaching the Christian Faith to the Irish, who previously were un-baptized pagans.
Also around this time the Romans started to leave Wales.
AD420
Around this time the Island of Britain seemed neither ruler nor proprietor being exposed to all the invasions of enemies and aliens. The Irish at the same period having combined with Lochlynians invaded and oppressed Britain, and one of these ships entered Severn her landed and seized an immense booty in corn, cattle and other movable property, among these were sons and daughters, they also took away St. Patrick from the College of Theodosius (Llantwit Major) to Ireland whence that College became destitute of a principal and teacher for forty years and the place fell into dilapidation.
AD425
St Dyfrig was born around this time and it was he was a disciple of Germanus of Auxerre and that he was therefore heir to the orthodoxy preached by Germanus in Britain in 429 and 442.
AD429
First visit of Germanus.
AD429
Vortigern (the Gwrtheyrn of Welsh Tradition) may have been a native of the borders of Wales and he appears in genealogies as an ancestor of the kings of Powys. If the core of the traditions and the story that he yielded land to the German mercenary soldiers in return for help against the Picts it is reasonable to assume that he had a measure of authority throughout Britannia some time between the years 420-450.
AD430
Irish Picts made a descent on Anglesea and Arvon and were joined by the Irish of those countries in combined hostility to the crown of the Island of Britain. They were opposed by the kings and princes of Cambria, whose cause was espoused by the two saints namely Germanus and Lupus and they prayed to God, who strengthened them against treason and foreigners and made them victorious over their enemies; for which conquest, praise to God in the highest was given throughout the Island, by the Cimbric nation, in defiance of the Romans who had recognized the oppression, treason and foreign aggression.
About this time Caerlleon upon Usk was burnt and Llancarvan (Church of Germanus) was erected which became the first privileged Monastery in the Island, for the College of Theodosius in Caerworgon (Llantwit Major or Bangor Tewdws-college of Theodosius) was not a monastery but rather an enfranchised school to exhibit and teach the distinguished knowledge and exalted sciences that were known in Rome and to the Romans as Caerlleon upon Usk.
At this time a great sea flood took place through which all the marshes of Gwynedd, Dyfed, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Glamorgan and Gwent were lost, together with extensive tracts in the north.
AD431
Palladius visited Ireland with Germanus to combat the Pelagian (Morgan) heresy, Palladius then went to Scotland where he died at Fordoun.
AD436
Saint Dubricius was made Archbishop of Llandaff and Saint Iltutus became head teacher of the college of Theodosius (named after the Emperor Theodosius) which after that was from him called the College of Iltutus but its present names are Llantwit Major, and Llantwit of the Vale.
About this time also a terrible pestilence occurred in Britain in divine vengeance for the sins of the Cambro-Britons and other nations of the Island where upon the Irish Picts came to Cambria, but though the prayers of the saints, they were vanquished, and happy was the deliverance.
AD442
St Patrick was received by Pope Leo the Great; it was known that Pope Leo was concerned about the continuation of the Pelagian heresy in Britain.
AD445
St Illtud was ordained by Germanus Bishop of Auxerre and a few years later established a monastery a Llanilltud Fawr. Illtud came to Wales to fight under a Glamorgan Chieftain, he then got dissatisfied with a soldier’s life and became a monk and his wife became a nun.
AD446
The Pelagian (Morgan) heresy prevailed having been raised among the Britons by a certain eminent clergyman named Pelagius, who nearly subverted by his divers and false opinions, the whole British Nation from following the true faith which it had at first received from Elutherius among other things that man can do what is good without the grace of God, contrary to the saying of our Lord, “Without me, ye can do nothing”.
St Germanus of Auxerre came to Britain to oppose the heresy of Pelagius, this seems to have given the first impetus to the formation of monastic schools. On his second visit he was accompanied by St. Severus who was Bishop of Trier.
AD???
That of Cadell Derynllwg in Powys which sent out a branch into Glywyssing, Cadell became prince of Powys with his seat at Wroxeter or Shrewsbury in the 5th Century in consequence of a revolt of the Romano-British and Christian subjects of Benlli against their prince who favoured paganism. Cadell was grandfather of Brochwel Ysgythrog. This family died out in the male line in Cyngen who was murdered at Rome in 854. The family produced several saints notably St. Tyssilio of Meifod and its branch in Glywyssing afforded the still more illustrious St. Pedrog and St. Catwg.
AD448
Vortimer the Blessed was raised to the throne of Britain and Dubricius was made Archbishop of Caerlleon upon Usk, Saint Teilaw succeeding to the archiepiscopal see of Llandaff.
After this Vortimer the Blessed was killed and Vortigern crowned in his stead; which event became the source of misfortune to the primitive British nation and the ultimate cause of losing the supreme sovereignty of the Island; which till then, had remained in their rightful possession from their first arrival in Britain, which took place fifteen hundred years before the incarnation of Christ.
Germanus, bishop of Auxerre and Lupus bishop of Troyes were sent from their country of Gaul into Britain. They gave consent of Meyrick son of Tewdrig then king of Glamorgan, to build and anew construct one metropolitan see in the district in honour of Apostles Peter and Paul.
AD450
Vortigern brought Saxons to the Island of Britain as his allies against the rightful heir to the crown, namely Uthr Bendragon son of Vortimer the Blessed. Vortigern was frustrated by the campaigns against him by Ambrosius (Wledig of Welsh tradition) who came from a more Romanized background than Vortigern this may have been represented the last stand of the civitates.
AD452
Vortigern divorced his wife and took to him another wife, who was not otherwise than an un-baptized pagan, being in truth Alice Ronwen the daughter of Hengist prince of the Saxons and on her son name Octa the crown of the kingdom was settled, so that in his right the Saxons seized the diadem of the Island, which they have retained by inveiglement to this day, and the severest of all usurping invasions was that of the Saxons in Britain.
AD455
Vortimer (the Blessed) son of Vortigern won a great battle at Epsford where King Horsa one of the Saxon the kings died. After this battle the throne was given back to his father Vortigern became king.
AD460
British chieftains were killed by the Saxons in the Treachery of the Long Knives at Ambrosbury Hill “Hill of Caer Caradog” in the district of Caersallawg where they assembled under the refuge of God’s Peace and national tranquillity. Hengist knowing that Vortigern was not to be trusted decided tall his men to treat the Britons with friendliness and the both sides met together for the feast, the best of both sides where there the Britons unaware that the Saxons had long knives hidden in their clothing. At the signal of the raising of the Hengist’s banner, and the shout of “Take your knives”, the Saxons drew, fell on their unarmed hosts, and massacred them. For hundreds of years later there were many battles between them.
AD462
St Cadoc went to visit several of the famous houses and colleges in Ireland from there he undertook a pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem from there he brought home three altar stones which had touched the Holy Sepulchre. St Cadoc died at Benevenna (Weedon) in Northamptonshire in the beginning of the sixth century, leaving Ellenius as abbot.
AD470
King (St) Tewdic died, he was the grandfather of King Brychan, Tewdic’s father was Teithfallt who was a beneficent, religious and wise. He won many battles against the Saxons; he passed a law that made it imperative on all to contribute a portion of wealth towards religion, the clergy, learning and repairs to the church.
Meurig ap Tewdrig, the ancestor of a line of kings which would rule for over 500 years, material in the book of Llandaff provides ground for believing that Meurig and his descendants extended their power over Erging and Gwent as well as over Glywysing was born around this time. Also St Samson was born in this year.
AD475
St Dyfrig died around this time.
AD??
St Illtud was the sucessor to Dyfrig and a leading figure of Welsh Christians, Illtud was an abbot than a bishop. It is the scholarship, he was a renowned master of the Britons, learned in the teachings of the church in the culture of the Latins abd in the traditions of his own people.
AD480
Around this time St Teilo was born. It was said that he had a fabulous bell, one wonders; which carried peace and healing wherever it went, which excelled every organ in sound, and sounded each hour (like a clock) with out anyone touching it.
AD485
St Samson was born in this year.
AD490
Ambrosius Aurelianus lived around this time.
AD???
King Pabo fled to Wales from Scotland with his wife after being defeated by pagan Picts. He was called Pabo Post Pryden ‘Pabo, Pillar of the Briton’s’ or Pritani. Pabo’s daughter married King Cyngen of Powys. (Pabo’s family can be traced back to Cole Hen “The Aged”. He was welcomed by King Cyngen of Powys who gave him land.
AD490
King Brychan was born around this time, Brecon is named after him. That of Brychan king of Bryncheiniog, his father was an Irish Prince Amlech and his mother was Princess Marcella daughter of King Tewdrig. This family produced an incredible number of saints who are not found only in their native district but also in North-east and East Cornwall.
AD495
Battle of Gwenystrad which was fought around North of the Scottish Border with the Welsh Chief Urien Rheged which he defeated the Saxons. Below is a poem dedicated to it.
In the pass of the ford, I saw, stained in red,
Men hurtling their arms, drop the spear, bow the head,
Before the pale warriors. And when all was lost,
Their hands on the cross, through the stream tramped the host:
To the gravel bank of Granwynion,
Their blood entangling their clothes, they were gone.
Urien of Rheged lived around this time he was king of Strathclyde Britons, he fought with 3 other kings against Hussa who was king of Bernica. In this battle they nearly drove the Saxons into the sea at Lindisfarne on England’s northeast coast. (Rhydderch Hael)
AD497
St Cadoc was born around this time, his mother was supposed to be Gwladys daughter of king Brychan and his father was a prince from Gwent. He founded a monastery at Llancarfan four miles east of the community that Illtud had established around 70 years earlier.