Cadwy

by Brian Edward Rise

 
A prince of Dumnonia according to Welsh and Breton sources. He is joint ruler with Arthur in the Vitae (“life”) of St. Carannog. Their seat of power is at Dindraithov, usually understood to represent Dunster in Somerset. This may be an echo of an earlier phase of Arthur’s life when he was lesser leader since Cadwy (as Cato) is listed first in the narrative. Geraint is named as Cadwy’s father though this is not the same Geraint son of Erbin from the end of the 6th century that may be mentioned in the Gododdin.

Aneirin

by Brian Edward Rise

 
Northern British bard, mentioned in the Historia Brittonum (one of several). Most likely lived in the sixth- early seventh century. His most renowned work is the Gododdin, a string of laments for the nobles killed at the battle of Catraeth, the culmination of a doomed expedition against the Angles around 600. He claimed to have been with the troops and was spared only because of his fine songs. Though elaborated over time and by scribal addition, the authentic passages are some of the most valuable specimens of Old Welsh poetry that illustrates the style of composition in which Arthurian legend began to take form. The work contains an allusion to Arthur, that if not the result of embellishment, is the earliest know mention of him by name.