Kingdoms of British Celts - The High Kings


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 circa 1100 BC up to AD 689 and the end of Gwynedd's attempts to regain the territory 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 high-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 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 information taken from The Oxford History of England: Roman Britain, Peter Salway, and also by Mick Baker.)
c.1100 BC	Brutus		Led the Britons to Lloegr (roughly covering modern England).
	Locrinus
	Gwendolen
	Maddan
	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.
c.60 - 48 BC	Cassivellaunus		King of the Catuvellauni. Fought Julius Caesar.
c.20 BC	Bran Fendigaid (the Blessed)/Tenvantius		King of Ewyas / the Silures.
c.AD 1 - 41	Cunobelinus (Cymbeline)		King of the Catuvellauni. Acknowledged by Rome.
43 - 51	Guiderius / Caratacus		King of the Catuvellauni (seized & taken to Rome).

Roman Empire Period From AD 43 to around AD 79 the Romans invaded and conquered the south and east of Britain, although at times their hold on the island appeared tenuous. From there they extended their conquests to cover Wales and the north.
43 - 51	Caratacus fights from 43-51, first in the territories of the Cantii and the Catuvellauni, from where he takes shelter with the Dobunni. He then moves to the Silures and the Ordovices, before being defeated in battle for the last time. Caratacus takes shelter with the Brigantes, but is betrayed and handed over to the Romans. Taken in chains to Rome, the Roman emperor pardons him and his family. They live out their lives in Rome.
70 - 125	A period of intense building work following the Boudiccan revolt takes place in London during the Flavian period in the Roman Empire, doubling the size of the the municipium and turning it into one of the greatest of cities in Britannia.
74 - 125	Marius / Meric/ Merius / Meurig		King of the Silures.
fl 100 - 105	Arviragus / Argiragus		Hostile, chariot-borne British chieftain, mentioned in Juvenal.
c.100 - 105	Argiragus seems to have been a chief of the northern Brigantes who may be responsible for the burning of the Roman auxiliary fort at Corsopitum, as well as others, as the British tribes of lowland Scotland stage a major uprising. By AD 100 the Romans give up Scotland, and fully establish their defences along the Tyne-Solway line.
c.118 - 120	That Britain is the scene of some serious warfare is not in doubt. However, although the weight of evidence points to an invasion from outside the province, this is by no means certain. Emperor Hadrian visits and authorises the construction of a stone Wall along the Tyne-Solway line in 121-122 as part of his defensive reorganisations to divide the barbarians from the Romans. Some forts are maintained to the north of the western section, once the wall is completed in around 127.
125 - 154	Coilus		A puppet High King, according to the Alt Clut exiles.
c.125 - 130	A fairly serious fire occurs in Londinium, presumably from accidental causes. Rapid action is taken to rebuilt the damaged sections of the city.
140 - 143	The Romans move north to the Forth-Clyde line, roughly the southern Pictish boundary, reoccupying Lowland Scotland and beginning construction of the more basic Antonine Wall. Coins announcing a victory are issued in late 142 or early 143 to mark the event.
148	Corvus of the Alt Clut Damnonii apparently announces the creation of the kingdom in 148, raising a following of British patriots. He dies fighting the Romans in 184 but his kingdom remains outside direct Imperial control, one of four such kingdoms. The others are probably those of the Goutodin and Selgovae Britons, and the Novantae Picts.
?154 - 156	Lucius		Reputed to have Christianised Britain.

163	In response to a growing need for troops elsewhere, the Romans seem to abandon the northern Wall, although some outpost forts may remain in use until at least the 180s. Hadrian's Wall itself is certainly still garrisoned, as archaeology has proven.
180 - 185	A serious attack of the northern peoples takes place upon the death of the Roman emperor in 180, either from north of Hadrian's Wall into the province itself (with Alt Clut being an especial candidate), or from beyond the Antonine Wall to attack and devastate Roman forts in Lowland Scotland. Either way, it seems probably that in 184-185 the Roman governor, Ulpius Marcellus, campaigns into Lowland Scotland and beyond the Forth-Clyde line.
193 - 197	Decimus Clodius Albinus		Rival Emperor of Rome.
197	Upon Albinus' defeat, Severus immediately divides the single province of Britannia, probably in a temporary fashion at first, with division being confirmed within two or three years.
198 - 217	Bassianus (Caracalla)		Emperor of Rome. A son of Septimus Severus.
209 - 212	Geta		Joint Emperor of Rome. A son of Septimus Severus.

c.250	Coel (Godhebog)		Lord of Colchester (early Roman capital of Britain), & High King.
260 - 274	The Roman Postumus declares himself emperor in Germany, Gaul, Spain, and Britain. For the next thirteen years the whole of the north-western part of the empire is run as an independent but fully Roman state with its own series of emperors, and is called the 'Empire of the Gallic Provinces' (Imperium Galliarum).
260 - 268	Marcus Cassianus Latinius Postumus		Usurper Emperor of Rome.
268 - 270	Victorinus		Usurper Emperor of Rome.
270 - 274	Tetricus		Usurper Emperor of Rome.
271	Domitianus		Usurper Emperor of Rome. 'Ruled' for four days.
c.275?	Trahern		Semi-mythical brother of Coel Godhebog. Defeated by Octavius.
277	Vandals and Burgundians who had crossed the Rhine to invade the Roman Empire are defeated by Emperor Probus and are resettled in Britannia.
c.283	Octavius / Eudaf Hen		King of Ewyas.
285	Roman emperor Diocletian takes the title of Britannicus Maximus, and it seems reasonable to assume that a military success of some importance had been won in his name in Britannia.
286 - 287	Carausius, a Roman commander of low birth who had been impressive under Maximianus' command, is suspected of collusion with raiding barbarians. When his execution is ordered he proclaims himself emperor and seizes the provinces of Britannia.
286 - 293	Marcus Mausaeus Carausius		Usurper Emperor of Rome.
293	Following the loss of their territories in Gaul to Rome, Allectus assassinates Carausius and assumes command himself.
293 - 296	Caius Allectus		Usurper Emperor of Rome.
296	Allectus is defeated and killed as Rome recaptures Britannia, leaving its commander in charge.
296 - 305	Asclepiodotus		Roman commander who recovered Britain for Rome.
303	St George, an officer of the Roman army, is in Britannia when he hears that Christians are being persecuted by Emperor Diocletian in Rome. He returns to plead their case but is eventually beheaded for refusing to renounce his own belief (George becomes the patron saint of England in the fourteenth century).
305 - 306	Constantius Chlorus		Emperor of Rome. Married Helena.
305 - 306	Britannia's two provinces are subdivided into four by Roman reorganisations. These are named (by no later than 314) as Britannia Prima, Britannia Secunda, Maxima Caesariensis, and Flavia Caesariensis. At the same time, Constantius personally leads a campaign into Caledonia to bring the elusive tribes in the Highlands to battle and ensure a period of renewed peace.
306 - 337	Constantine the Great		Emperor of Rome. Elevated at Eboracum.
314	Three British bishops participate in the Roman Church's Council of Arles: Eborius of York, Restitutus of London, and Adelphius of Lincoln or possibly Colchester.
337 - 343	The death of Constantine, and then his eldest son, Constantine II in battle in 340, proves serious for Britannia. Its early fourth century age of peace and prosperity begins to vanish. Constans makes a sudden visit in early 343, suggesting something had happened in 342 (possibly warfare against the tribes north of the Wall) to bring him to Britannia at a most unusual time for Channel crossings. It is also suggested that the widespread refortification of cities which occurs in this century happens as a result of this visit.
353	Following the rebellion of the Roman usurper Magnentius, a witch hunt is conducted, notably in Britannia, where the feared notarius (imperial notary) Paulus lives up to his reputation by targeting the innocent as well as the guilty. In fact the methods used are so extreme and unjust that the vicarius of Britain, Flavius Martinus, attempts to persuade Paulus to release the innocent, and, failing, threatens resignation. This only results in false accusations against him, so as a final desperate act, Martinus is driven to attack Paulus with a sword. Unsuccessful, he commits suicide.
fl 356?	Carausius II		An unverified usurper between 354-358.
359	Three British bishops participate in the Roman Church's Council of Ariminum. The fact that they have to accept assistance with their travel suggests that as institutions the churches in Britannia are not well-off.
364	According to Ammianus Marcellinus, the Picts, Scotti, Saxons, and Attacotti (possibly the Britons of Alt Clut) attack Roman Britain in what seems to be a serious incursion.
367	The Barbarian Conspiracy sees attacks falling on the island from all sides, although this seems to be the culmination of seven years of largescale trouble on behalf of the Picts, Scotti, Saxons, and the mysterious Attacotti. Roman general Theodosius (the Elder) is sent to salvage the situation. At the same point in time, the evidence points to Roman towns being much poorer, politically inactive, and socially weak, although by no means dead.
372	In an act of imperial favour, an Alamannic king, Fraomar, is sent to Britannia as a military tribune to command a Roman unit of Alemanni cavalry which is already stationed on the island, as recorded by Ammianus.
?c- 378	Octavius		Some confusion about this Octavius and Eudaf Hen of c.283.
378 - 388	Magnus Maximus		Western Roman Emperor 383-388.
382	Although his exact rank is unknown, Magnus Maximus (or Maximianus / Macsen Wledig) is clearly a senior commander and an invasion of Picts is successfully defeated by him.
383	Maximus revolts and invades Roman Gaul with a large army. In preparation, he sets up defences in Wales to protect the west coast from Irish raiders. Some forts are abandoned at this time. Maximus is also credited by Geoffrey of Monmouth with setting up Octavius' rebellious nephew, Conan Meriadoc, as High King of Armorica. From this point on, all of Britain's High Kings originate from within the country, and Maximus selects Coel Hen as his replacement in most of Northern Britain.
383 - 388	Caradocus		Mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Ruled in Maximus' name.
?388 - ?406	Coel Hen, Dux Brittanorum		King of Northern Britain, based at Ebrauc.
c.384 - 390	Warfare flares up with the Picts again, and according to Gildas (the first of his 'Pictish wars'), it lasts 'for many years'. Upon Maximus' death in 388, Emperor Theodosius sends a legion (or a specialist taskforce), probably by 390, to help stop the Pictish attacks once he has promises of submission from the island.
392 - 394	Britannia is again isolated from Rome by the revolt of Arbogast and Eugenius.
398	It is possible that Roman forces defeat Saxons, Irish Scots, and the Picts in fighting which has been linked to the second of Gildas' 'Pictish wars'. This is the probably source of the Britons' appeal for help to Rome around this time, although it seems possible that there was in fact no victory, and Stilicho merely attended to the island's defences before withdrawing more troops.
402	The official import of new coinage in large quantities comes to an end.
404/405	Troops are withdrawn from Britannia to form part of the Roman army that defeats a force of Goths and other barbarians in North Italy. This comes in the same year as further Irish Scotti raids take place on the south coast.
406	The British provinces are relatively isolated and now constantly lack support from the Empire in their fight against barbarian incursions, so from 406 the remaining soldiers raise a series of their own claimants to the throne.
406	Marcus (Dionotus?)		Elevated Roman Soldier. Ruled for a few months.
407	Gracianus Municeps (Gratian)		Urban magistratus or councillor. Ruled for four months.
407 - 411	Constantine (Custennin ap Selyf)		King of Armorica. Usurper Western Roman Emperor.
409	With Constantine having serious problems in Gaul, further Saxon raids convince the British and Armoricans to rebel and expel Roman officials, thus breaking ties with Rome that are never renewed. Records from this point become extremely sparse.
408 - 411	Constans ap Custennin		Son. Caesar. Killed in Gaul.

Post-Roman Period With the expulsion of Roman officials in AD 409, Britain again became independent of Rome and was not re-occupied.
409 - c.425	A period in which central administration apparently breaks down to an extent, with local administrative centres and then rulers beginning to appear. The climb to power of Vortigern seems to reverse this trend, although in some regions he probably has to administer what are in effect kingdoms rather than provinces. Quite possibly, in true Roman fashion, he acquires the title of emperor, perhaps proclaiming himself Emperor of Britannia in order to cement his hold on power.
420	The use of coinage (usually silver coins) as the means of substantial payment seems to die out within ten years of this date. However, a high level of self-sufficiency in both civil service and the army had already become the established norm in Britain for the best part of a century, so this in itself is far from being a sign of the collapse of civilisation.
429	St Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre, and Lupus, Bishop of Troyes, visit Britain to fight the Pelagian 'heresy'. They meet with a still extant Romano-British aristocracy (the principle proponents of the heresy), probably at Verulamium. The following year, in line with standard Roman imperial policy in Gaul, Vortigern brings in Saxon allies to help restore order on the borders.
425 - c.455	Wortigernos / Vitalinus (Vortigern)		King of Powys. 1st Emperor of Britain. Opposed by Ambrosius the Elder. Died in a fire.
c.437/438	Vortigern fights the battle of Guolloppum (Cat Guolph, Wallop in Hampshire) as the rift between Vortigern's pro-Celtic faction and that of the pro-Roman Aurelius Ambrosius (Ambrosius the Elder) erupts into open hostility.
c.440	Taking advantage of the political turmoil, a revolt of the Saxon foederati ravages the island. Migrations of Britons to Gaul take place, especially to British-controlled Armorica, due to the social instability caused by this devastating event.
c.446	St Germanus' second visit to Britain rids the country of the last of the Pelagian heresy when he visits Elafius' subjects. Elafius seems likely to have been the leader of the territory of Caer Gwinntguic. Severe plague hits southern Britain in the same year.
450	Former Celtic tribal associations continue to re-emerge as independent kingdoms develop over the course of the fifth century. However, in the east of the island, a new and more serious foederati revolt sees a loss of territory to Jutes and Angles that is never regained by the Britons. The Jutes form the kingdom of the Cantware. There is evidence of the reuse and refortification of Iron Age hill forts. Cadbury Congresbury in Somerset is producing substantial quantities of Mediterranean pottery, with smaller amounts also coming from South Cadbury as local leaders move their residences to more protected locations.
?c.455	Vortimer (Britu)		King of Gwent. Son of Vortigern. Likely held little national power.
c.455	Ambrosius Aurelianus, and his probable successor, Arthur, seem to lead the fight to preserve the remaining British territory. If Vortigern had titled himself Emperor of Britannia, then it seems reasonable to assume that his successors copy this, but after Arthur even the grounds for this supposition become reduced.
c.455 - c.480	Ambrosius Aurelianus		King of Caer Gloui. Possible 2nd Emperor of Britain.
c.480 - 511	Artorius / Arthur Pendragon		Son of Uthyr/Uther. Possible 3rd Emperor of Britain.
c.496	Arthur commands the defence of Mons Badonicus against a confederation of Saxon tribes invading from Continental (Old) Saxony and led by �lle 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 / Custennin ab Cado		King of Dumnonia.
fl 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 list, 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, with them soon swallowing much of Somerset and Dorset from Dumnonia. 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 western territories.
	Three unnamed tyrants:
549 - 560?		Morgan Bulc	King of Bernaccia (to 547), and Goutodin (c.560 onwards).
552	The West Seaxe conquest of Caer Gwinntguic proves that the southern Saxons have recovered from their massive Mons Badonicus defeat. From this point onwards, the Britons continually lose territory until the modern borders of Wales are decided.
560? - 579		Rhydderch Hen	King of Alt Clut.
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. Claimed the Deiran crown, including Elmet.
634 - 664	Cadwalader		King of Gwynedd. Last High King of Britain.
664	Cadwaladr is probably killed by the great plague that hits the country. There is no obvious candidate to replace him, and such is the extent of the loss of territory over the past century that there is no longer a 'British' Britain over which to claim any high kingship. Instead, the rival Anglo-Saxon Bretwaldaship takes precedence.

Celtic Kingdoms

Celts of Prydein