Cynlas Goch, King of Rhos
(Born c.AD 490)
(Latin: Cuneglasus; English: Coneglass)

Owain Danwyn (White-Tooth)'s eldest son, 'Cuneglasus' alias Cynlas the Red, is mentioned by the early 6th century St. Gildas as one of his contemporary tyrannical usurpers. The saint gives us something of the man's background, revealing that he ruled his Kingdom from Din-Arth, a hillfort above Llandrillo-yn-Rhos: "You Bear, rider of many and driver of the Chariot of Dineirth". This statement, along with the hillfort's suffix, has led to over enthusiastic attempts to connect both Cynlas and his father with King Arthur. St. Gildas further accused Cynlas of inciting civil war, probably in an attempt to throw off the shackles of his cousin and overlord, King Maelgwn Gwynedd. He was also condemned for the abandonment of his wife and marriage to his erstwhile sister-in-law whom he had dragged from her nunnery. Strangely, elsewhere, he is recorded as a patron of the Church and joint-founder of Penmon Priory on Ynys Mon (Anglesey). He was succeeded by his son, Maig, presumably as King of Rhos but how long the family claimed this title is unlcear. Maig was the 6x great grandfather of the 8th century King of Gwynedd, Caradog ap Meirion.

Records of King Cynlas date back to the 6th century. He is generally considered historic.

 

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