Brycheiniog

Brycheiniog was a small independent petty kingdom in South Wales in the Early Middle Ages. It often acted as a buffer state between England to the east and the powerful south Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth to the west. It was conquered and pacified by the Normans between 1088 and 1095, though it remained Welsh in character. It was transformed into the Lordship of Brecknock and later formed the southern and larger part of the historic county of Brecknockshire. To its south was the Kingdom of Morgannwg.

The main legacy of the kingdom of Brycheiniog is etymological. It has lent its name to Brecknockshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog, the shire of Brycheiniog) and Brecon (known as Aberhonddu in Welsh).

History

Origins

The kingdom of Brycheiniog was probably founded by Irish raiders in the late fifth century, very likely the Uí Liatháin, whose power had grown great in Wales until they were reduced by the sons of Cunedda, as reported in the Historia Brittonum. Traditionally, it was founded by (and named after) a Hiberno-Welsh prince named Brychan out of the old Welsh kingdom of Garth Madrun (believed to have been centred on Talgarth) in the mid 5th century, though this event is shrouded in legend. Brychan was a son of Anlach, an Irish settler who had peacefully taken control of the area by marrying Marchel, the heiress of Garth Madrun. Tradition says that Brychan fathered an extremely large number of children, many becoming saints in Wales and Cornwall. Brychan's eldest son, Rhain Dremrudd, founded a dynasty which ruled the kingdom uninterrupted until the mid 7th century.

Brycheiniog (journal)

Brycheiniog is an annual historical and archaeological academic journal published by the Brecknock Society and Museum Friends, covering Brecknockshire (modern Powys; the old kingdom of Brycheiniog) in Wales.

The journal was established in 1955 and well received. Museums Journal wrote of the early editions, "The geological history of Brecknock was written for the first volume," and that became the foundation for the historical and archaeological work that followed. A few years later, Glanmor Williams, editor of the Welsh History Review, published an article that praised "the high academic standards of the journal since it first appeared in 1955" and noted it is "lavishly illustrated with photographs, diagrams, and tables."

The journal has been digitised by the Welsh Journals Online project at the National Library of Wales. It has been noted for its usefulness for genealogists, because regular features "include archaeological reports and information on local museums and record offices."

Brycheiniog (disambiguation)

Brycheiniog was a small independent petty kingdom in South Wales in the Early Middle Ages. It can also refer to: