Person Page 7

Cosmus ("Duke of Tuscany") Gherardini Duke of Tuscany was born about 925 in Florence, Tuscagne, Italy. He died.

Reginald de Windsor was born about 1070 in Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales. She died.

Agnes de Windsor was born about 1074 in Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales. She died.

Christian de Windsor was born about 1076 in Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales. She died.

Tewdwr Mawr Ap Rhys was born about 1066 in Dynevor Castle, Llandyfeisant, Caernarvonshire, Wales. He died.

Caradog ap Lles was born about 885 in Powys, Wales. He died.

Gwynano Barbsuch Ap Lles Llawuedawc was born about 880 in Powys, Wales.¹ He died.

Gwynano Barbsuch Ap Lles Llawuedawc had person sources.^1,2 He was born about 880.²

Lles Llawuedawc (Llawddeog) Ap Ceidau was born about 850 in Powys, Wales.¹ He died.

Lles Llawuedawc (Llawddeog) Ap Ceidau had person sources.^1,2 He was born about 850.²

Gwynnan Ap Gwynano was born about 900 in Powys, Wales.¹ He died.

Gwynnan Ap Gwynano had person sources.¹

Ceidau Ap Coryf was born about 827 in Powys, Wales.¹ He died.

Ceidau Ap Coryf had person sources.¹

Coryf Eorf Ap Caenawg was born about 785 in Powys, Wales.¹ He died.

Coryf Eorf Ap Caenawg had person sources.¹

Iorwerth Hirflawdd Ap Tegonwy was born about 760 in Arwystli, Montgomeryshire, Wales.^1,2,3 He died.

Iorwerth Hirflawdd Ap Tegonwy had person sources.^1,2,3

Teon Ap Gwinau was born about 680 in Arwystli, Montgomeryshire, Wales.¹ He died.

Teon Ap Gwinau had person sources.^1,2 He was born about 680.²

Caenawg Gawr Ap Tegonwy was born about 765 in Arwystli, Montgomeryshire, Wales.^1,2 He died.

Caenawg Gawr Ap Tegonwy had person sources.^1,2

Tegonwy Ap Teon was born about 720 in Arwystli, Montgomeryshire, Wales.^1,2 He died.

Tegonwy Ap Teon had person sources.^1,2

Bywyr Law Ap Bywdeg was born about 600 in Arwystli, Montgomeryshire, Wales.¹ He died.

Bywyr Law Ap Bywdeg had person sources.¹

Bywdeg Ap Rhun Rhudd was born about 560 in Arwystli, Montgomeryshire, Wales.¹ He died.

Bywdeg Ap Rhun Rhudd had person sources.¹

Gwinau Deufrewddwyd Ap Bywyr Law was born about 640 in Arwystli, Montgomeryshire, Wales.¹ He died.

Gwinau Deufrewddwyd Ap Bywyr Law had person sources.¹

Anwn Dynod ap ("King of Demetia") Macsen King of Demetia was born about 350 in Caer Gloui, Gwent, North Wales. He died.

Also known as Antonius Gregorius.

Macsen ("Emperor of Rome") Wledig Emperor of Rome was born about 320 in Sirmium, Pannonia, Italy. He died in 388, at age ~68.

Some time after Theodosius left a Britain in good Roman order, a Spanish born man named Magnus Maximus became either Governor of the province or a high ranking general in the army in Britain. Whateverhe was, and I prefer the position of Governor, he seems to have been held in great respect in Britain and even comes down to us in Welsh legend as Macsen Wledig.

In AD 383 the army in Britain was probably unhappy with the situation on the continent and declared Magnus Emperor, almost against his wishes. Magnus gathered an army in Britain for an expedition to Gaul to establish himself. Britain and Gaul were almost as one at this time, the western Emperor usually residing in the latter and although Britain was isolated by water it was still controlled from Gaul and the British navy usually patrolled and controlled the channel and the opposite coasts of the two provinces. The emperor of the west at this time was Gratian, who was totally surprised by the invasion from Britain by Magnus and his army. Gratian was too slow to move and was subsequently killed. However, officially, his younger brother Valentinian who was residing in Rome at the time succeeded him as western emperor. There were so many problems in the empire that the eastern emperor, Theodosius and Valentinian could not muster the resources to oust Magnus, so they made a pact with him, recognising Magnus as Augustus of Britain, Gaul and Spain.

This pact lasted until AD 387 when Magnus, for some unknown reason, decided to invade Italy. When news reached Rome, Valentinian, still young and inexperienced, fled east to a warm welcome by Theodosius. The invasion of Italy could not be tolerated and a large army was mobilised by Theodosius, which immediately marched west to meet Magnus and his army. The two armies met north of Italy in AD 388 and Theodosius won the day, Magnus being arrested and executed. Many of Magnus? troops were British and included the 20th Legion from Chester. The British contingent apparently fled to the northwest ofGaul, settling in Armorica which became Brittany (or Little Britain), to be joined later by many refugees from Britain during the ravages of the Anglo-Saxons.

Magnus Maximus, Emperor of the West
(c.AD 340-388)
(Welsh: Macsen; Latin: Maximus; English: Maximilian)

According to Welsh legend, the Emperor Magnus Maximus, known as Macsen Wledig (the Imperator), was a widowed senator living in Rome. Being a minor member of the Constantinian Imperial family, he feltit unjust that the Empire was ruled by the Emperors, Gratian & Valentinian, but there was little he could do about it.

In about 365, Maximus was out hunting one day when he rested beneath a tree and fell asleep. He had a long dream about a palace far away. He entered the palace and encountered an ageing King and two young men playing chess. Turning, his eyes met the most beautiful woman he could ever have imagined, sitting on a golden throne. On waking, Maximus immediately sought out a local oracle who urged him to search out this beautiful maiden. So messengers were sent out across the Empire but, dispite exhaustive searches, all returned empty handed. There was no sign of Maximus' beauty.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the Empire, High-King Eudaf Hen of Britain was getting very old. He decided it was time to appoint his official heir to the British Kingdom. His nephew, Conan Meriadoc, was perhaps the most obvious choice, though the King's direct heir was his only daughter, Elen. Eudaf's chief advisor, Caradoc, the King of Dumnonia, advocated strengthening Roman links by marrying Elen toa man with Imperial connections. The two could then inherit the Kingdom together. He knew of such a steady young man in Rome who would make an ideal husband. Eudaf was intrigued. So had Caradoc sendhis son, Mauric, to seek this Roman out.

Mauric arrived in Rome at the house of Magnus Maximus, just as he had received the unfortunate news that his dream girl could not be found. Glad of the distraction and persuaded by Mauric's suggestionthat he might find support in Britain for his Imperial claims, Maximus gladly agreed to return with him. Comes Theodosius' historical expedition to Britain in order to quell barbarian risings actually brought Magnus Maximus to these shores in 368. Legend tells how the arrival on the island of a large army of men caused quite a stir and, not realising who it was, Eudaf sent Conan with an army to disperse them. Fortunately, Mauric persuaded all of their good intentions and Maximus was able to ride off to Eudaf's court at Carnarfon (Caer-yn-Arfon alias Caer-Segeint).

Upon being introduced to everyone, Maximus was astounded to find that Eudaf was the old man in his dream and Conan, one of the chess-players (some say the other was his son, Cadfan). He was then overjoyed to find that Eudaf's daughter, Elen, was his dream-girl. The two fell in love immediately and were married with great pomp and ceremony.

Eudaf died soon afterward, and Maximus and Elen inherited his Kingdom. Conan was extremely annoyed and rode north to gather an army of Picts & Scots to overthrow them. However, Maximus defeated him and, being magnanimous in victory, the two made peace. Conan became Maximus' dearest friend and also his magister militum.

At this point, we return to more historic details. News reached Britain that Maximus' relative, Theodosius had been elevated to the Eastern Imperial throne. Incensed, Maximus invaded the Western Empire, in 383, along with his son Victorius and 'Prince' Conan. They withdrew troops from Carnarfon (Caer-Segeint) & elsewhere in Britain andhis men quickly proclaimed Maximus as Emperor. His armies marched across the continent, establishing his rule as they went. Conan eventually killed the Western Emperor, Gratian, in battle (being givenBrittany as a reward), and Maximus became sole ruler of the West.

Maximus set up his capital at Trier and ruled well over Britain, Gaul & Spain for four years. He was baptised a Christian, and was recognised as Emperor by Theodosius who was occupied with his own troubles elsewhere. Eventually however, Maximus was forced to make a move against Gratian's younger brother, Valentinian, the Southern Emperor, who threatened his rule from Rome. He invaded Italy, took Milan and for a whole year besieged Rome, before Conan arrived once more and finished the job. Unfortunately though, Valentinian escaped. He soon returned, backed up by the Roman Emperor of the East, Theodsoius. Maximus' forces were twice defeated at Illyricum, before he was finally killed, with his son, at Aquileia.

Sources

Geoffrey Ashe (1990) Mythology of the British Isles.
Gildas Badonicus (c.540) The Ruin of Britain.
Peter C. Bartrum (1993) A Welsh Classical Dictionary.
A.H.M. Jones (1964) The Later Roman Empire 284-602: A Social, Economic, and Administrative Survey.
Geoffrey of Monmouth (1136) The History of the Kings of Britain.
Nennius (c.829) The History of the Britons.
The Red Book of Hergest (14th c.) The Dream of Macsen Wledig .
William Smith & Henry Wace (1877) The Dictionary of Christian Biography.
The White Book of Rhydderch (14th c.) The Dream of Macsen Wledig. Macsen ("Emperor of Rome") Wledig Emperor of Rome was born about 324 in Iberian Peninsula, Spain. He died in 388, at age ~68, in Aquileia, Italy.

Elen ferch ("Princess of Britain") Eudaf Princess of Britain was born about 335 in Caer-Segeint (Caernarfon), Gwent, North Wales. She died.

Victor ap Macsen was born in 354 in Caer Gloui, Gwent, North Wales. He died.

St. Peblig ap Macsen was born about 364 in Caer Gloui, Gwent, North Wales. He died.

Gratiana ferch Macsen Wledig was born about 367 in Caer Gloui, Gwent, North Wales.¹ She died.

Gratiana ferch Macsen Wledig had person sources.¹

Flavius Claudius Custennin Fawr (the Great), in Welch Constantine III Emperor of Rome, was born about 353 in Caer Gloui, Gwent, North Wales. He died about 425, at age ~72.¹

[flavius constantine.ged]

Custennin Fawr (the Great), in Welch. Flavius Claudius Custennin Fawr (the Great), in Welch Constantine III Emperor of Rome, had person sources.¹ He was born about 361.¹