Glywys, King of Glywysing
(Born c.AD 415)
(Latin: Claudius; English: Claude)

Traditionally, Glywys was the eldest son of Solor, a king in Mid-South Wales.  His name may indicate he was born in Caer-Gloui (Gloucester - Roman Glevum). In the mid-5th century, he apparently became the first king to really leave his mark on that region: so much so that his kingdom became named Glywysing in his honour. It has been suggested that his name is the original of the Arthurian literary character, Sir Cligés, who exiled himself to the court of King Arthur when he fell in love with his uncle's new wife.

Glywys married Gwawl, the daughter of King Ceredig of Ceredigion, and legend gave them a vast family of twenty sons and one daughter, Dyfwn the wife of Meurig ap Caradog, King of Gwent. Following British tradition, Glywysing was divided, probably before his death, between his sons, though possibly only between the four or five likely historical ones: including Gwynllyw, Pawl, Merchwyn, Edelig and Pedrog. The others appear to be back-formations from the names of modern South Welsh cantrefs.

Glywys is sometimes identified with another character called Glywys Cernyw (of Cornwall). He is said, in his twilight years, to have became a hermit at Merthyr Glywys (Clivis, Glamorgan) and may be the holyman mentioned on an inscription at Ogmore and on a memorial stone at Merthyr Mawr. He is also said to have travelled to Cornwall where he founded the church of Penryn near Falmouth, hence his epithet. His feast day is on 3rd May. However, Glywys Cernyw may be a separate or even an apocryphal character.

Records of King Glywys date back to the 11th century. He is generally consistered apocryphal.

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