Post-Roman Celtic Kingdoms

Caer Gloui

Based on its capital at Caer Gloui (Roman Glevum, possibly British Glouvia, modern Gloucester), this territory apparently encompassed much of the mouth of the Severn, and its fall is noted, alongside Caer Baddan and Caer Ceri, in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The incoming Hwicce who took control of the area, maintained what is assumed to be the sub-Roman name of the city, no doubt mispronouncing it in their very individual Teutonic language, so that it survives today, Roman-British Glou becoming Saxon gloe added to -cester from the Latin castrum (fort).

Vortigern has a claim on the region as a power base until his fall in the mid-fifth century. After that, it seems highly likely that Caer Gloui was the centre of operations for Ambrosius Aurelianus during his battles against the Saxons in the south. It is possible that his father also called this territory home.

Descendants of the two men seem to have based their claim on the kingdom on this, if Ambrosius himself didn't specify their continued rule in the city, which is a possibility. Originally, the entire area encompassing the three cities, Gloui, Baddan and Ceri, may well have formed a single kingdom (called Guenet by Nennius). This seems to be partially borne out in that Gildas infers that Aurelius Caninus is ruling his kingdom as a single political entity instead of one of three minor states.

c.410 - c.443

Aurelianus Ambrosius (the Elder)

Roman senator and pro-Roman.

1

?455 - c.480

Ambrosius Aurelianus

Son. High King of Britain.

441 - 446

In the early 440s (following the Saxon foederati revolt) Caer Ceri's defences are repaired, flood prevention work is carried out on the Verulamium gate, and the piazza of the forum is kept clean. But in 446 serious plague hits southern Britain and unburied bodies are to be found in the streets. The town contracts to some wooden huts inside the amphitheatre.

At the same time as the Anglo-Saxon mercenaries in the east revolt in 450, the amphitheatre's entrance is reduced in size to make it easier to defend, and life continues, as evidenced by fifth and sixth century pottery.

c.455 - c.496

Ambrosius (and perhaps Arthur after him) seem to base themselves in the territory of Caer Gloui. Amesbury (which in a Saxon charter of about 880 is spelt Ambresbyrig, 'the stronghold of Ambrosius'), located on the territory's eastern borders, is perfectly suited to be the focus of Ambrosius' operations. It also seems likely that the Wansdyke is constructed around this time.

Saxon groups from the Thames Valley appear to force their way into the western end of neighbouring Cynwidion while further Saxon groups from the Middil Engle push through the Vale of Aylesbury to complete the encirclement, exposing Caer Ceri's eastern border in the process.

All repairing and creating of new major defensive works probably comes to an end with the British victory of Mons Badonicus in c.496.

2

3

4

fl 540

Aurelius Caninus

High King. Named by Gildas. Still ruled the united three cities?

c.550

Around this time, either upon the death of Aurelius or his successor, the unnamed fifth king, the single kingdom based at Caer Gloui divides into Caer Baddan, Caer Ceri and Caer Gloui. This is probably as a result of the Celtic habit of dividing territory between sons.

5

6

? - 577

Conmail / Cynfael

Killed fighting the West Seaxe.

577

Caer Gloui, together with Caer Baddan and Caer Ceri, falls to the West Seaxe. The Hwicce take over the territory and eventually push its borders north into Worcestershire, at the expense of the British of Pengwern.