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Hywel the Great
Hywel the Great
Hywel the Great
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King Hoel (Breton: Hoel I Mawr, lit. "Hoel the Great"; Latin: Hoelus, Hovelus, Hœlus), also known as Sir Howel, Saint Hywel and Hywel the Great, was a late 5th- and early 6th-century[1] member of the ruling dynasty of Cornouaille. He may have ruled Cornouaille jointly after the restoration of his father, Budic II of Brittany, but he seems to have predeceased his father and left his young son, Tewdwr, as Budic's heir.[2]

Hywel appears in Welsh mythology and the Matter of Britain as a "king of Brittany." A relative of Arthur, he was one of his most loyal allies (or, sometimes, a Knight of the Round Table) and was said to have helped him conquer "Gaul" (northern France).[1]

Life

[edit]

The historical Hywel was the son of Budic II, king of Cornouaille in northwest Brittany. For all or most of his childhood, a usurping cousin ruled in Budic's place and the family resided in exile with Aergol Lawhir, king of Dyfed in sub-Roman Britain. He was credited with the foundation of Llanhowell (now in Llanrhian) during this time and, as "Saint Hywel", was revered by a local cult as its patron saint.[1] The family was eventually restored to their home in Cornouaille, where Hywel may have ruled jointly with his father. He died shortly before he would have inherited the throne, however,[1] and Budic's attempts to enlist his neighbour Macliau's support for the succession of Hywel's son Tewdwr ended badly. After Budic's death, Macliau invaded and the boy was forced into exile in Penwith.[2]

Legend

[edit]

While early Welsh sources say he was the son of Budic II, in later legend he evolves into the son of Emyr Llydaw and sometimes also the father of Tudwal by Saint Pompeia of Langoat.[1] David Nash Ford was of the opinion that Emyr Llydaw was a title of Budic's—"emperor of Brittany"—eventually mistaken for a name in its own right.[3]

As a son of Budic, he was recorded as a nephew of Arthur. He was said to have visited Arthur's court during his early exile and to have returned to help Arthur against the Saxons after the family's restoration in Brittany. Landing at Southampton, his army was credited with assisting Arthur at the Battle of Dubglas, the Siege of Caer Ebrauc (i.e. York), and the Battle of Cat Celidon Coit. It was then bottled up and besieged in turn at Dumbarton Castle ("Caer-Brithon"). Hoel was also said to have been at the Battle of Badon before conquering France for Arthur, who then moved his court to Paris. Finally returning to Brittany, he was aided by Tristram of Lyonesse in suppressing a civil war.[1]

Hywel was eventually turned into "Sir Howel" of the Round Table. He appears thus in medieval Welsh sources like The Dream of Rhonabwy, Geraint and Enid, and Peredur son of Efrawg.

A conflation of the two appears prominently in Geoffrey of Monmouth's pseudohistorical Historia Regum Britanniae, where Hywel comes from Brittany to help suppress the revolts which arise after Arthur's coronation. A respected ruler and capable general, his relationship with Arthur is uncertain: he first appears as the son of Budic II of Brittany who married a sister of Ambrosius Aurelianus and Uther Pendragon, making him Arthur's first cousin, but appears later as the son of Budic and Arthur's sister Anna, making him Arthur's nephew. (This confusion reappears in Wace and Layamon but most later sources make him Arthur's "cousin".) In Geoffrey, Hywel's niece is raped and killed by the Giant of Mont Saint-Michel; Arthur sets off to slay him with Sir Kay and Bedivere. Arthur returns to fight his traitorous nephew Mordred and leaves Hywel in charge of "Gaul". Hywel later joins the Round Table and leaves his nephew Joseph in charge of his kingdom.[4]

Hywel was later attached to the Tristan and Iseult legend by such poets as Béroul and Thomas of Britain. In these stories, Hywel is duke of Brittany and the father of Tristan's unloved wife, Iseult of the White Hands (Iseut aux Blanches Mains). Hywel takes Tristan in when the young knight has been banished from the kingdom of king Mark of Cornwall, and Tristan later helps him in battle and becomes fast friends with his son Kahedin and his daughter Iseult. Tristan convinces himself to marry this second Iseult, mostly because she shares the name of his first love, Iseult of Ireland. In early versions of the story, Tristan remains in Hywel's land until he dies of poison minutes before Iseult of Ireland, a great healer, arrives to cure him. The Prose Tristan has the hero returning to Britain and to his first love, never to see his wife again. This version was followed by the Post-Vulgate Cycle and by Thomas Malory's Death of Arthur.[5]

Legacy

[edit]
St Hywel's church in Llanhowell

Llanhowell in Llanrhian, Pembrokeshire, Wales, is named in his honour. Llanllowell in Monmouthshire originally was as well, although it is now considered dedicated to Saint Llywel.[6] The present parish church at Llanhowell (Welsh: Eglwys Llanhywel) was largely refurbished in the 1890s but includes sections dating as early as the 12th century. It is listed as a Grade II* protected building.[7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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Hywel the Great

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Hywel the Great (Welsh: Hywel Mawr; Latin: Hoelus Magnus; French: Hoël le Grand), also known as King Hoel or Saint Hoel, was a semi-legendary ruler of Cornouaille in Armorica (modern-day Brittany) during the late 5th and early 6th centuries. He is primarily known through Arthurian legend as a kinsman and staunch ally of King Arthur, providing military aid—including up to 15,000 troops—against Saxon invaders in Britain. (Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae) Little is known of Hywel's historical existence beyond medieval chronicles and hagiographies, but he is depicted as a member of the Breton ruling dynasty, possibly the son of Budic II (Emyr Llydaw), with whom he may have co-ruled Cornouaille around 491–545 CE. Legends describe his exile to amid dynastic strife, his return to reclaim the throne, and his role in Arthur's campaigns, such as the Battle of Mons Badonicus. Hywel's wife was reportedly killed by a giant at Mont Saint-Michel, prompting Arthur's intervention. (from Irish and Welsh referencing similar figures) Venerated as a Christian saint in Brittany and Wales, Hywel is commemorated with churches and place names, such as Saint-Houel in Finistère. His story blends historical migration of Britons to Armorica with mythic elements, influencing medieval literature and modern scholarship on early medieval Celtic kingdoms. He died around 545 CE, succeeded by his son Hoel II.

Historical Background

Origins and Family

Hywel the Great, known in Breton sources as Hoël Mawr, was born around the late 5th century, circa 490–500 AD, as the son of Budic II, a prominent ruler of Cornouaille in northwestern Brittany. According to later hagiographical traditions, Budic II, often described as a king or prince of this Brythonic territory, traced his lineage to earlier Breton nobility descending from British settlers who had migrated to Armorica during the post-Roman period. Hywel's position as heir stemmed from Budic II's first marriage, which produced several sons, including Hywel, his brother Melyan, and others such as Oudoc, Ishmael, and Tewdric; these familial ties positioned Hywel within a dynasty marked by both secular authority and emerging Christian influences. Cornouaille itself emerged as a distinct Brythonic kingdom in the wake of Roman withdrawal from around 400 AD, serving as a refuge for Celtic-speaking migrants from southwestern Britain—particularly and —fleeing the advancing Anglo-Saxon incursions across the Channel. This migration, intensifying from the mid-5th century onward, transformed Armorica into a cultural extension of insular Britain, with Cornouaille retaining strong ties to its namesake region in Britain through shared , customs, and governance structures. Budic II's court, possibly centered at sites like or Quimper, reflected this hybrid identity, blending local Gallo-Roman elements with incoming Brythonic traditions amid ongoing pressures from Frankish expansion to the east. Within this familial and regional context, Hywel's upbringing would have involved preparation for in a fragmented political , where dynastic alliances and saintly were crucial for stability. Budic II's multiple marriages further solidified connections between Cornouaille and the British mainland, underscoring the interconnected elite networks that defined early medieval Breton society. Genealogical reconstructions from contemporary hagiographies portray Hywel as a key figure in this lineage, embodying the continuity of Brythonic rule before later disruptions led to his temporary displacement.

Exile and Settlement in Wales

In the early , Hywel the Great, son of Budic II of Cornouaille in , faced exile due to internal dynastic struggles and power contests within the Breton nobility, possibly exacerbated by Frankish incursions or local usurpations around 510–537 CE. According to these traditions, his father Budic had been ousted by a cousin, prompting the family—including Hywel and his brothers Amwn Ddu, Pedredin, and others—to seek refuge across the Channel in . This displacement reflected broader instability in following the collapse of Roman authority, where rival claimants vied for control amid migrations and invasions. Hywel settled temporarily in Dyfed, southwest , under the protection of local rulers, establishing a foothold that bridged his Breton heritage with Welsh Brythonic society. There, he is traditionally credited with founding Llanhywel (modern Llanhywel in ), a church and community dedicated to his cult as Saint Hywel, serving as a personal religious foundation during his refuge. The site's early medieval origins, evidenced by a 5th- or 6th-century inscribed burial stone reading "RINACI NOMENA," underscore its role as a settlement hub for exiles. Hywel's marriage to Arianwedd, sister of the Welsh , further integrated him into Dyfed's elite, producing sons like Ismael and Tyfei who perpetuated these ties. This exile facilitated early cultural exchanges between Breton and Welsh Brythonic communities, sharing linguistic elements of the P-Celtic branch—evident in mutual influences on Breton and Welsh vocabularies—and religious practices rooted in post-Roman . Place names like Llanhywel and associations with sites such as Cynwyl Gaio reflect Hywel's lasting imprint as a patron . Hagiographical traditions, preserved in Welsh genealogies like Bonedd y Saint and Breton lives such as that of St. Melor, portray Hywel as a protector of , linking him to figures like and Illtyd, and highlighting the fluid movement of and refugees that strengthened insular Brythonic networks.

Reign and Death

Rule in Cornouaille

Hywel the Great, also known as Hoel I Mawr, assumed rule in Cornouaille jointly with his Budic II following their return from exile in around the late . Budic II had been expelled from his position as king of Cornouaille by a usurping relative, prompting the family to seek refuge at the court of Agricola (Aircol Lawhir) in , where Hywel was likely born during this period. Upon their restoration, Hywel participated in governance, helping to reestablish the dynasty's authority in the region. Cornouaille functioned as a semi-independent duchy within the broader peninsula, comprising British settlers from and maintaining Celtic traditions amid growing Frankish influence from the Merovingian kingdom to the east. The duchy faced political challenges from Frankish expansion under kings like , who subdued parts of Armorica by the early 6th century, as well as internal rivalries among Breton princes. Hywel's joint administration focused on consolidating control over Cornouaille's territories, including defense against potential incursions and alliances with neighboring Breton entities like . Hywel's rule was short-lived due to his early death, dated approximately to c. 545 AD, which prevented him from fully succeeding his father upon Budic II's death in 544 or 545. This untimely passing left the succession uncertain, as Hywel predeceased Budic; historical of this period are sparse and semi-legendary, with scholarly over exact timelines and familial relations derived primarily from later 9th- and 10th-century cartularies and hagiographies that reference the dynasty.

Succession and Aftermath

Following the death of Hywel the Great c. 545 CE, predeceasing that of his father Budic II, Hywel's young son Tewdwr (also known as Theodore or Tewdwr Mawr) was positioned as the designated heir to the throne of Cornouaille. Tewdwr, born circa 528 CE, inherited a precarious claim amid the ongoing instability from Budic II's earlier exile and the family's restoration efforts. Immediately after Budic II's death, Tewdwr faced imposed by the rival claimant Macliau, a leader from the neighboring Bro Erech region, who exploited the power vacuum to seize control of Cornouaille. This usurpation forced Tewdwr to seek refuge, likely in Britain, for several decades, during which Macliau's rule fragmented local loyalties and weakened the central dynastic authority in the region. Historical records, including the of Landévennec, preserve genealogical traces of this turbulent transition, though debates persist over the precise timeline due to the scarcity of contemporary accounts. Tewdwr eventually returned around 577 CE, defeating and killing Macliau along with his son Judual (or ), thereby temporarily restoring the dynasty. However, this victory did little to stem the broader fragmentation of Cornouaille, as rival principalities proliferated and external pressures mounted from Frankish expansions under kings like Clovis and his successors. ' History of the Franks documents the increasing Frankish interventions in during the mid-6th century, which eroded Breton autonomy and contributed to the dynasty's long-term decline. By the late 6th century, Cornouaille's ruling line had lost its preeminence, overshadowed by emerging powers in and , marking a shift in Breton political structures that persisted into the . The Chronicle of Nantes later reflects on these events, highlighting how the succession crises following Hywel's accelerated the region's integration into wider Frankish spheres of influence.

Legendary Depictions

Ties to King Arthur

In medieval Welsh and British mythology, Hywel the Great, known as Hoel in Latin sources, is depicted as a close relative of King Arthur, most commonly as his nephew through Arthur's unnamed sister, who married Budic, king of the Armorican Britons (Brittany). This kinship first appears prominently in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136), where Hywel is introduced as the son of Arthur's sister and Budic, establishing him as a key figure in the Matter of Britain. In some Welsh traditions, however, the relationship varies, portraying Hywel as Arthur's cousin, possibly through an alternate lineage involving Arthur's sister Anna, reflecting adaptations in medieval genealogies to align Breton and Welsh royal claims. Hywel's role as a loyal supporter is emphasized in these texts, where he provides crucial to Arthur's campaigns against Saxon invaders and other foes. Upon learning of Arthur's struggles, Hywel dispatches 15,000 Breton troops to bolster British forces, demonstrating his allegiance and the strategic importance of Breton-Welsh alliances in the legendary narrative. He further participates in major battles, such as those against the , fighting valiantly alongside Arthur's kinsmen, which underscores his status as one of Arthur's most steadfast allies. The Welsh translation and adaptation of Geoffrey's work in Brut y Brenhinedd (13th–14th centuries) preserves and expands these depictions, portraying Hywel—often rendered as Hywel Mawr ap Emyr Llydaw—as a high-ranking Breton king whose lineage elevates the interconnected prestige of British realms in Arthurian lore. These variations in genealogies, such as substituting Emyr Llydaw for Budic as Hywel's father, highlight his elevated position within the broader , linking him to Arthur's imperial ambitions. Scholars debate the historicity of these ties, viewing them as 12th-century literary inventions by Geoffrey and subsequent Welsh chroniclers to retrofit Hywel into Arthurian mythology, thereby legitimizing cultural and political connections between Brittany and Wales amid Norman conquests. This retrofitting served to assert a shared Brythonic heritage, transforming a potentially historical Breton ruler into a mythic pillar of Arthur's court without verifiable contemporary evidence.

Role in Broader Mythology

In Arthurian mythology, Hywel (often rendered as Hoel in continental sources) is depicted as a valiant duke or king of who actively participates in key battles alongside , extending beyond mere alliance to direct military contributions. In Geoffrey of Monmouth's , Hywel arrives in Britain with a fleet of ships to aid against internal rebellions and foreign invaders, commanding a significant portion of the British forces in the campaign against the . His troops play a crucial role in victories such as the Battle of the Tribruit River and subsequent engagements in , where Hywel leads the conquest of and other territories, embellishing his historical roots in Cornouaille with epic feats of expansion across and beyond. These narratives portray Hywel not just as a supporter but as a strategic whose Breton warriors bolster 's empire-building ambitions. Hywel's mythological role expands further in the Tristan legend, where he emerges as the of and father of of the White Hands, 's second wife. In the 12th-century romance by Béroul, Hywel shelters the wounded upon his arrival in , offering hospitality and eventually betrothing his daughter to the hero, thereby weaving Hywel into the chivalric web of love, betrayal, and knightly duty central to the tale. This portrayal transforms Hywel from a martial ally into a paternal figure whose domain serves as a refuge and catalyst for 's tragic arc, highlighting themes of familial loyalty amid continental Celtic interconnections. Later prose versions of the Tristan story, such as the 13th-century , reinforce this by naming Hywel as the father of additional children like Kahedin, solidifying his status as a noble patriarch in the broader . The evolution of Hywel's character across medieval sources underscores his adaptation as a quintessential chivalric figure in . In Welsh adaptations like the Brut y Brenhinedd, a translation of Geoffrey's work, Hywel ab Emyr Llydaw inherits the Breton king's exploits, integrating them into native traditions that emphasize heroic kinship and conquest without altering the core narrative of his aid to . French lais and romances, including those influenced by Béroul, further romanticize Hywel by embedding him in courtly episodes of romance and warfare, portraying him as a bridge between insular British lore and continental Breton tales. These embellishments collectively elevate Hywel from a regional ruler to a symbol of transmarine solidarity in the mythic struggle against existential threats to Celtic sovereignty.

Cultural Legacy

Religious and Place Name Commemorations

Hywel the Great is commemorated through the dedication of St. Hywel's Church, known as Llanhywel or Llanhowell, located near Solva in , , . This church is attributed to Hywel's foundation during his exile and settlement in the region around the late 5th or early , serving as a key site linked to his early Christian activities following his departure from Cornouaille in . The structure features elements dating to the 12th–14th centuries, including a western tower and a arch from a small north , though it underwent significant restoration in the to preserve its medieval fabric. It holds Grade II* listed status, recognizing its architectural and historical importance as one of the few churches dedicated to Hywel in . In Welsh , Hywel is venerated as Saint Hywel, a Brythonic saint associated with the early Christian monastic traditions of and , often grouped with figures like St. Tugdual due to familial ties. His cult centered on local reverence, particularly at Llanhywel, where he is regarded as the , reflecting the broader pattern of saintly commemorations among 6th-century Welsh exiles. Traditions mark his feast day on , as recorded in early calendars, though observances appear limited to regional practices rather than widespread liturgical inclusion. The name Llanhywel itself derives from Hywel, signifying "church of Hywel" in , and exemplifies how his exile-era settlements in preserved his memory through place names tied to religious foundations. This underscores the enduring impact of Brythonic migrations on the landscape. Archaeological interest at St. Hywel's Church includes evidence of an early medieval monastic settlement, with an early Christian sculptured stone in the churchyard dating to the 5th or , inscribed possibly with "RINACI NOMENA," suggesting pre-Norman Christian activity. The site's cyclopean foundations and external cuttings indicate high potential for further early medieval artifacts, though no major excavations have been documented beyond the 1890s refurbishments that exposed these features.

Influence in Literature and Modern Scholarship

Hywel the Great, often rendered as Hoel in broader traditions, features prominently in post-medieval as a steadfast ally to , reflecting the enduring appeal of his legendary role in British defense. In Welsh collections of the , such as those drawing on medieval triads and , Hywel appears as a semi-historical figure embodying saintly virtue and kinship ties to , reinforcing his place in narratives of Celtic resilience. In modern scholarship, efforts to historicize Hywel have centered on reconciling legendary accounts with fragmentary evidence from early medieval and . David Nash Ford's reconstructions in Early British Kingdoms (2001) position Hywel as a plausible 6th-century of Cornouaille, interpreting him as the nephew of a semi-historical through analysis of Breton saint-lives and Welsh genealogies, though these sources remain contested. Critiques of Geoffrey of Monmouth's (c. 1136), the foundational text linking Hywel to as the son of Arthur's sister Anna and Budic of , highlight Geoffrey's propensity for fabrication to glorify a unified British monarchy, rendering details like Hywel's alliance and succession unreliable without corroboration. Debates surrounding Hywel's versus underscore significant gaps in the historical record, including the complete absence of contemporary 5th- or 6th-century documents attesting to his existence or dynasty in Cornouaille. Scholars note that medieval Welsh and Breton pedigrees, which trace Hywel's lineage to earlier rulers like Budic II, often incorporate anachronistic or invented elements to legitimize later claims, complicating efforts to distinguish fact from myth. These uncertainties persist due to the scarcity of non-literary evidence, prompting calls for reevaluation of source reliability in Arthurian studies. Hywel's portrayal as a bridge between and bolsters a shared Breton-Welsh , evoking the 5th–6th-century migrations that preserved Brittonic and traditions amid Anglo-Saxon expansion. Genetic research, including analyses of Y-chromosome and autosomal DNA, reveals strong affinities between modern Breton and Welsh populations, with clusters in Cornouaille showing elevated similarity to southwestern groups, affirming the legendary migrations central to Hywel's narrative (as of 2024). To address evidential voids, contemporary scholars urge expanded archaeological surveys of Cornouaille sites and sequencing from early medieval burials to trace the dynasty's origins and test Arthurian connections against empirical data.

References

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  27. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51087-1
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