St. Einion, King of Lleyn
(Born c.492)
(Latin: Engenius; English: Engen)

Einion was apparently the second son of Owain Danwyn (White-Tooth). He appears to have managed to persuade his cousin, King Maelgwn Gwynedd, to allow him to rule the old sub-kingdom of Afflogion after his father's murder. He probably extended his Kingdom to cover the whole of the Lleyn Peninsula. Little is known of Einion's life, though he was certainly a patron of the Church. In the early 6th century, he is believed to have become the joint-founder of Penmon Priory on Ynys Mon (Anglesey) and, soon afterward, he persuaded St. Cadfan to help him build the first monastery on Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island). This activity appears to have gained Einion a reputation as a saint and his shrine survived at his church at Llanengen in Gwynedd until the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Records of King Einion date back to the 12th century. He is generally considered legendary.

 

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