ABT 343 - ABT 420

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• Title	King
  Birth	Abt 343	Pennines, Staffordshire, England   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Birth	Abt 350  [2]
  Crowned	King of Colchester   [1]
  Crowned	King of Northern Britain   [2]
  Nickname	Old King Cole   [2]
  Name	Coel HEN  [3]
  Died	Abt 420  [2]
  Person ID	I15253	Our Family Tree
  Last Modified	16 Mar 2010 19:14:53
  Father	URBAN Tehvant Ap, b. Abt 310, Pennines, Staffordshire, England
  Mother	FEMALE Unk., b. Abt 314, Pennines, Staffordshire, England
  Family ID	F6390	Group Sheet
  Family	GADEON Ystradwel Verch, b. Abt 347, North England
  Married	Abt 373	Pennines, Staffordshire, England   [4]
  Children	> 1. COEL Gwawl Verch, b. Abt 388, Cardiganshire, Wales   2. COEL Garbanion Ap, b. Abt 380, Pennines, Staffordshire, England > 3. COEL Cenau Ap, b. Abt 374, Pennines, Staffordshire, England   4. COEL Dyfrwr Ap, b. Abt 383, Pennines, Staffordshire, England
  Family ID	F5572	Group Sheet

• Notes

  Details of the Ancestry of Coel Hen by David Nash Ford COEL HEN'S ANCESTRY Coels Confused There appear to have been a number of people in Celtic tradition with the name Coel and they have been hopelessly confused over the years: The most well-known was Coel Hen (the Old) - the Old King Cole of nursery rhyme fame - who held sway in Northern Britain in the early 5th century and was probably the last of the Duces Britanniorum. His descendants continued to rule various kingdoms in the region for several generations. Then there was Coel Godhebog (the Magnificent), traditionally a 'dux' of Camelodunum (Colchester); probably a decurion in fact. He supposedly lived in the 3rd century and his daughter, St. Helena of Colchester, married the Roman Emperor, Constantius Chlorus. They may have been the ancestors of Magnus Maximus. Less well known was an earlier Coel ap Mor from the more indefinite realms of mythology. If he existed, he would have lived in the 2nd century. Traditionally, he was the maternal great grandfather of Coel Godhebog's wife, Strada. All are numbered amongst the supposed 'High-Kings' of Britain. The ancestry of Coel Hen (the Old) is given in the pedigree of the Kings of Bryneich in the Harleian MS.3859 as: Beli Beli Mawr (the Great) Aballac Afallach Eudelen Euddolen/Eudos/Eifudd, possible duplicate generations Eudos Ebiud Outigern Eudeyrn/Euddigan, duplicate generations Oudecant Ritigirn Rhydeyrn Iumetel Rhifedel Grat Gratian Urban Urban Telpuil Telpwyll Teuhant Deheuwaint/Tegfan or Tasciovanus, duplicate generations Tecmant Coyl Hen Guotepauc Coel Hen (the Old) It is similarly recorded in the pedigree of the Kings of South Rheged in the Achau Brenhinoedd a Thywysogion Cymru as: Beli Mawr Beli Mawr (the Great) Aflech Afallach, duplicate generations Avallach Enddolev Euddolen/Eudos/Eifudd, possible duplicate generations Endos Eneid Endeyrn Eudeyrn/Euddigan, duplicate generations Endigant Rydeyrn Rhydeyrn Rriuedel Rhifedel Gradd Gratian Vrban Urban Tyddbwyll Telpwyll Deheuwaint Deheuwaint/Tegfan or Tasciovanus, duplicate generations Tegvan Koel Godebawg Coel Hen (the Old) Coel's father is thus shown to have born the native Celtic name of Tegfan. In Latin, this becomes Tasciovanus, a name known to have been in use in Britain during pre-Roman times, at least amongst the Catuvellauni tribe. Telpwyll is an otherwise unknown name, probably Celtic, but the extended ancestry have distinctly Roman names (Urban and Gratian), before descending into corrupt mythology. Coel Hen evidently had a mixed racial background. He spawned a widespread Northern dynasty. SRC: http://www.britannia.com/history/ebk/gene/coelanc.html Coel Hen, King of Northern Britain (c.350-c.420) (Welsh-Coel, Latin-Coelius, English-Cole) Coel Hen or Coel the Old is known to most of us through the famous nursery rhyme: Old King Cole was a merry old soul And a merry old soul was he. He called for his pipe, And he called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers, three. He is also a familiar figure in ancient Welsh genealogies, for most of the Celtic British monarchies claimed descent from him in one form or another. He appears to have lived around the turn from the 4th to the 5th century, the time when the Roman officials returned to Italy, leaving Britain and her people to fend for themselves. Coel's particular association with the north of Britain has led to the suggestion that he may actually have been the last of the Roman Duces Brittanniarum with his headquarters at York. He certainly imposed his power over a great swathe of the country, and can be considered the first King in Northern Britain. (This Coel should not be confused with the legendary Coel Godhebog "the Magnificent", Lord of Colchester, whose daughter, St. Helen, supposedly married the Emperor Constantius Chlorus two centuries earlier.) There is an old story told in the north about Coel's last campaign. What is now Scotland was originally inhabited by the Pictish race. It was during Coel's time that immigrant Irishmen from the Scotti tribe began to settle the Western coast around Argyle. Coel, fearing that the two peoples would unite against the British, sent raiding parties across his northern border to stir up discord between them. The plan, however, backfired for the Picts and the Scots were not taken in. Coel merely succeeded in pushing the two even closer together, and they began to attack the British Kingdom of Strathclyde. Coel declared all out war and moved north to expel the invaders. The Picts and Scots fled to the hills ahead of Coel's army, who eventually set up camp at what became Coylton alongside the Water of Coyle (Ayrshire). For a long time, the British were triumphant, while the Scots and Picts starved. Desperate for some relief, however, the enemy advanced an all-or-nothing attack on Coel's stronghold. Coel and his men were taken by surprise, overrun and scattered to the winds. It is said that Coel wandered the unknown countryside until he eventually got caught in a bog at Coilsfield (in Tarbolton, Ayrshire) and drowned. Coel was first buried in a mound there before being removed to the church at Coylton. The year was about AD 420. After his death, Coel's Northern Kingdom was divided between two of his sons, Ceneu and Gorbanian. SRC:http://www.britannia.com/bios/ebk/coelhnt.html Celtic Britain The Kings of Northern Britain. Compiled by Peter L Kessler, 1999 Coel Hen is a familiar figure in many ancient Welsh genealogies. Most of the Celtic British kings of the north of Britain could trace their descent from him in one form or another, as could many Welsh kings (or at least, these descents were later ascribed to them). In the short time after his life that Central and Northern Britain remained free of the invading Angles, between the start of the fifth century and mid-sixth century, all of the kingdoms that were established were by his sons or grandsons. Although the evidence is typically patchy, he appears to have lived from around AD 350-420, during the time when the last Roman officials returned to the heart of the faltering empire, leaving Britain and her people to fend for themselves. Coel's particular association with the north of Britain has led to the well-founded suggestion that he was the last of the Roman Duces Brittanniarum (Dukes of the Britons). Only one existed at any time. They were selected as generals of the army with direct authority from the governor of Britannia to defend the coast from the increasing barbarian raids). The Roman dux disappear from the Notitia Dignitatum in about 400 and it is not unnatural to presume that Coel assumed or was granted this title. He seems to have made his headquarters at Britain's northern capital of Eburacum (York), and he certainly imposed his power over a great swathe of the country. Coel Hen can be considered by tradition to be the first king in, and of, Northern Britain, and seems to have overseen the transition from direct Roman rule to an independent Britain which took care of its own defence. In the Celtic tradition, because of his dominance, he is known fully as the High King of Northern Britain* (as opposed to other major kings of his generation, such as Cunedda Wledig, who was King of North Wales - later Gwynedd, or Antonius Donatus Gregorius (Anwn), who was King of South Wales - Demetia). From his headquarters Coel Hen governed the territory between Eburacum and Hadrian's Wall (which formed the later British kingdoms of Ebrauc, Deywr, and Bernaccia), and west to cover the area of Rheged, (later North Rheged, South Rheged, Dunoting, Elmet, Caer-Guendoleu, and a kingdom which, to deduce its name from the later Saxon Pecset, was probably called something like the Kingdom of the Peak). According to later claims, he also had a hand in structuring the Goutoddin in the eastern territory between the Walls after the departure of Cunedda Wledig. As a result of the many kingdoms which were inherited by his immediate descendants, Coel became the founding ancestor of what came to be known as The Men of the North (Gwyr y Gogledd). These were the Britons of the surviving kingdoms who were fighting the advancing Angles in the sixth and seventh centuries. They were drawn from the kingdoms of Goutoddin and Rheged, from Strathclyde and various minor principalities, and together they upheld the tradition of battling Celtic warriors, feasting together before riding out with the warband to do battle with the enemy. Their stubborn resistance was dealt a fatal blow at Catreath (Catterick) in around 600, and these events (detailed in The Mabinogion) cemented the reputation of The Men of the North in their glorious, but ultimately futile, efforts of resistance to the Teutonic invaders. Most people today will have heard of Coel Hen (or "King Coel" - with "Hen" the Brito-Welsh word for "old"), even if they don't realise it. He is immortalised in verse: Old King Cole was a merry old soul And a merry old soul was he. He called for his pipe, And he called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers, three The legends of the Northern British were preserved by Rhodri Mawr, when he became King of Gwynedd. One of those legends concerned Coel Hen's last campaign. It was during Coel's time as High King that immigrant Ulstermen from the Scotti tribe of Dalriata (in northeastern Ireland) began to settle the western coast of Pictland, around Argyle. Coel, needlessly worrying that the two peoples would unite against the British, sent raiding parties across his northern border to stir up discord between them. Coel's plan backfired as the Picts and Scots were not taken in and were instead pushed even closer together. They began to attack the British Kingdom of Strathclyde. Coel was forced to declare war against them and moved north to defend Strathclyde. The Picts and Scots fled into the hills ahead of Coel's army, and Coel eventually set up camp at what became Coylton, alongside the Water of Coyle (in modern Ayrshire). For a long time, the British forces successfully held their ground, while the Scots and Picts suffered and starved. Unfortunately, this desperate state forced the enemy to advance in a last-ditch attack on Coel's stronghold. Coel and his forces were taken by surprise, overrun and scattered. Tradition states that Coel wandered through unknown countryside until he was eventually trapped in a bog at Coilsfield (in Tarbolton, Ayrshire) and drowned. Coel's body was first buried in a traditional mound at Coilsfield before being removed to the church at Coylton (date unknown). The year of his death was circa AD 420. Afterwards, Coel's Northern Kingdom was divided between two of his sons: Ceneu (St) assumed control of the kingdoms of the North & Midland Britain, remaining based at Ebrauc. Gorbanian founded the dynasty that ruled over the Kingdom of Bernaccia (Bryneich), which was later taken over by the Angles, who pronounced it Bernicia. Because of Coel's, and his son's, apparently continued use of Eburacum as a base of operations and also as the traditional Roman capital of North Britain, it makes sense to list the Kings of North Britain alongside the Kings of Ebrauc (as the evolving Brito-Welsh language dubbed it). There were only three of the former, with the next in line ruling only half the land of his father, as the rest of it had been inherited by his brother. SRC:http://www.kessler-web.co.uk/History/FeaturesBritain/BritishNorthernBritain.htm Celtic Kingdoms Celts of Prydein PRYDEIN (PRETTANIA / BRITANNIA) Geoffrey of Monmouth in his History of the Kings of Britain, attempted to list all of the kings of Britain reigning between the arrival of Brutus and the Britons (a possible, archaeology-supported, early influx of Continental Celts) in c.1100 BC up to AD 689 and the end of Gwynedd's attempts to regain the land lost to the Anglo-Saxons. Nominal rulers of the British Celtic tribes (starting initially in the south and east of Britain and working northwards), they were probably rulers of their own tribal groups and held at least theoretical over-kingship over the rest. They usually only exercised real authority in this role in times of emergency, such as at the landings of Julius Caesar in 55 and 54 BC. Pre-Roman, heroic age Celtic kingdoms almost always formed the basis of the ancestral heritage of later Post-Roman Celtic kings. Although largely legendary until elements of the Roman and Post-Roman periods, considering the importance that the Celtic warrior class placed on lineage, added to the tradition of being able to recite one's ancestors, these names may well reflect an element of truth. But, because the Pre-Roman Celts left no written records, and the Post-Roman Britons probably lost a large amount of whatever records they possessed after the Adventus Saxonum, very little of this can ever be proved. The dates shown here are rough approximations for the legendary period (lilac-backed), and are calculated back from known High Kings. They should not be taken as being historically accurate. Note: Some later High Kings, accepted as such in other references, are not on Geoffrey's list, and are shown here in maroon text. The listing of most of these British monarchs was derived by the late Lewis Thorpe, PhD from the 1966 translation of The History of the Kings of Britain (1982 edition). Additional text kindly supplied by Mick Baker. c.1100 BC Brutus Led the Britons to Lloegr (roughly covering modern England). Locrinus Gwendolen Maddan SRC: http://www.kessler-web.co.uk/History/KingListsBritain/BritainHighKings.htm Mempricius Ebraucus Brutus Greenshield Leil Rud Hud Hudibras Bladud Leir Queen Cordelia Cuneglasus Rivallo Gurgastius Sisillius I Kimarcus Gorboduc Ferrex and Porrex Five unnamed kings. Dunvallo Molmutius Belinus and Brennius Gurguit Barbtruc Guithelin Queen Marcia Sisillius II Kinarius Danius Morvidus Gorbonianus Archgallo Elidurus Ingenius Peredurus One unnamed king. Marganus Enniaunus Idvallo Runo Gerennus Catellus Millus Porrex II Cherin Fulgenius Edadus Andragius Urianus Eliud Cledaucus Clotenus Gurgintius Merianus Bledudo Cap Oenus Sisillius III Beldgabred Archmail Eldol Redon Redechius Samuil Penessil Pir Capoir Digueillus c.110 BC Heli (Beli Mawr - the Great) m. Don ferch Mathonwy. Daughter m. Llyr, ancestor of Gwent. Beli Mawr is claimed as the founder of the Deisi, later rulers of the kingdom of Dyfed. His eldest son, Aballac, is claimed as the ancestor of Coel Hen, of Ebruac. His second child, daughter Lweriadd, marries Llyr Lleddiarth, who is claimed as the founder of Gwent. c.80 BC Lludd Llaw Ereint (the Silver-Handed) Third child. Began the line of Cunedda Wledig of Gwynedd. ar.60 - 48 BC Cassivellaunos King of the Catuvellauni. Fought Julius Caesar. c.20 BC Bran Fendigaid (the Blessed)/Tenvantius King of the Silures. c. AD 1 - 41 Cymbeline (Cunobelinus) King of the Trinovantes. Acknowledged by Rome. 43 - 51 Guiderius ?Caratacus, King of the Catuvellauni (seized & taken to Rome). Arviragus Marius Coilus - 156 Lucius Geta Bassianus 198 - 217 Sons of Severus Emperors of Rome. Asclepiodotus c.250 Coel (Godhebog) Lord of Colchester (Early Roman capital of Britain), so High King. ar.283 Eudaf Hen King of Ewyas. 305 - 306 Constantius I Chlorus Emperor of Rome. Married Helena. 306 - 337 Constantine I the Great Emperor of Rome. Octavius Trahern Maximianus 383 - 388 Magnus Maximus (Macsen Wledig) Western Roman Emperor 383-388. Selected Coel Hen as his replacement in most of Northern Britain. ?388 - ?406 Coel Hen, Dux Brittanorum King of Northern Britain, based at Ebrauc. 400 The reorganisations of Magnus Maximus and his subsequent withdrawal of troops from Britain virtually signals the end of Roman rule over the island. From this point on, all of Britain's High Kings originate from within the country. 406 Marcus Elevated Roman Soldier. Ruled for a few months. 406 Gracianus (Gratian) Urban magistratus or councillor. Ruled 4 months. 406 - 411 Constantine III (Custennin ap Selyf) King of Armorica. Usurper Western Roman Emperor. 411 - ?425 Constans ap Custennin Son. 425 - c.455 Wortigernos / Vitalinus (Vortigern) King of Powys. Possible 1st Emperor of Britain. Opposed by Ambrosius the Elder. Died in a fire. 450 The former Celtic tribal associations re-emerge as independent kingdoms developing over the course of the fifth and sixth centuries. ?c.455 Vortimer (Britu) King of Gwent. Son of Vortigern. Likely held little national power. c.455 - c.480 Ambrosius Aurelianus King of Caer Gloui. Possible 2nd Emperor of Britain. c.480 - 511 Arthur Pendragon Son of Uthyr. Poss 3rd (Roman-style) Emperor of Britain. c.496 Arthur commands the defence of Mons Badonicus against a confederation of invading Saxon tribes led by Aelle of the Suth Saxe. The British victory grants them a generation of relative peace and consigns the South Saxons to subsequent obscurity. c.530 - c.540 Constantine III (IV) King of Dumnonia. c.540 - 549 By this time, the Saxons have recovered from their massive Mons Badonicus defeat and begin a westwards advance. ar.540 Aurelius Conanus King of Caer Gloui. - 540 Vortiporus King of Demetia. c.540 - 549 Malgo (Maelgwyn Gwynedd) King of Gwynedd. 549 - c.600 Following the death of the powerful Maelgwyn, and given the dearth of information about the Northern British Kings at this time, it is entirely plausible to place the named 'Keretic' and the 'Three unnamed tyrants' below as Kings in the North. It is odd to have such a gap so late in the table but not if those rulers were from the poorly documented North. The Saxon advance in the South also lends weight to this hypothesis (Mick Baker). Their westwards advance becomes much more rapid, swallowing much of Somerset. The Angles also advance, taking large swathes of Central and Northern Britain, and ending any realistic claim of the High Kings of Britain. After 613, the High Kings are dominant only in Wales and surviving British west coast territories. Three unnamed tyrants: 549 - 560? Morgan Bulc King of Bernaccia (to 547), and Goutodin (c.560 onwards). 560? - 579 Rhydderch Hen King of Strathclyde. 579 - 590 Urien King of Rheged. 590 - 613 Keretic / Keredic / Ceredig Probably the same Ceredig as the King of Elmet. 613 - 625 Cadvan King of Gwynedd. 625 - 634 Cadwallo (Cadwallon ap Cadfan) King of Gwynedd. Also claimed the crown of Deira which now included Elmet. 634 - 664 Cadwalader King of Gwynedd. Last High King of Britain.

• Sources

  [S38] A. McQuaid, (Name: afmcquaid@hotmail;), http://www.gencircles.com/users/amcquaid/1/data/117971 [S126] Britannia, http://www.britannia.com/bios/ebk/coelhnt.html [S806] The Scottish Royal Line, Brian Tompsett, (Name: B.C.Tompsett@dcs.hull.ac.uk;) [S38] A. McQuaid, (Name: afmcquaid@hotmail;), http://www.gencircles.com/users/amcquaid/1/data/117968