Gerren Llyngesoc, King of Dumnonia
(Born c.AD 448)
(Welsh: Gereint; Latin: Gerontius; English: Gereint)

The eldest son of King Erbin of Dumnonia. Arthurian tradition would have us believe that, after the death of his his wife, Gerren or Gereint spent much time at King Arthur's court, looking for action and adventure. It was supposedly during this period that he encountered the Sparrow Hawk Knight and came to marry Lady Enid of Caer-Teim (Cardiff), a story told in the ancient tales of Erec (alias Gereint) & Enid and Geraint mab Erbin. He inherited the Dumnonian throne around c.497 (or 480) and is recorded through his epithet as one of the great 'Fleet Owners' of post-Roman Britain. His castle was once called Caer-Gurrel or Fort of the Ship. He died fighting the Anglo-Saxons alongside Arthur at the Battle of Llongborth (perhaps Portsmouth) around AD 510. This recorded in a long Welsh poem called the Elegy for Gereint. He was apparently succeeded by his son, Cado.

Records of King Gerren date back to the 10th century. He could well be historic.

 

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