Bonedd y Saint

The Bonedd y Saint ‘Descent of the Saints’ is a list of pedigrees for early Medieval Brittonic saints. The majority of the saints are connected with north and central Wales, but a number of the pedigrees include information relating to northern characters.

Numerous versions of the text exist dating from the 13th to the 18th century, each varying in detail, but the information is believed to have been compiled in the 12th century based on earlier sources. The earliest surviving version comes from Peniarth MS 13, dating to the early 13th century, but the text is incomplete. The text given here is from Peniarth 45, dating to the later 13th century, with some additions supplied from Peniarth 16 and Hafod 16 (c. 1400) given in square brackets [ ] in the text or below.

The accuracy of these pedigrees is open to doubt and, like the Bonedd Gwyr y Gogledd, they may be a product of later medieval attempts to codify earlier traditions and connect disparate people to other known literary or historical figures. It is notable that in #16 of Peniarth 45, the northern figure Dyfnwal Hen is given a descent from Macsen Wledig, as in the Bonedd Gwyr y Gogledd, and not from Ceredig Wledig, as in the earlier and perhaps more accurate Harleian Genealogies. This indicates that the pedigrees have been altered to fit better into broader Welsh traditions.

Nevertheless, the inclusion of the northern pedigrees here is interesting. The pedigrees include northern names which are otherwise unknown, pointing to

Original Text

Peniarth 45

Bonhed Seint Kymry Yssyd Yma

1. Dewi mab Sant mab Kedic m. Keredic m. Cuneda Wledic o Non verch Kynyr o Caer Gaỽch [ym Mynyw] y vam.
2. Dochvael m. Ithael m. Keredic m. Cuneda Wledic.
3. Teilaỽ m. Essyllt m. Hidỽn Dỽn m. Keredic m. Cuneda Wledic.
4. Avan Buellt m. Keredic m. Cuneda Wledic a Thecved verch Tegit Voel o Pe[n]llyn y vam
5. Gwynlleu m. Kyngar m. Garthaỽc m. Keredic m. Cuneda Wledic.
6. Kynvelyn m. Bleidud m. Meiraỽn m. Tybiaỽn m. Cuneda Wledic.
7. Einawỽn Vrenhin yn Lleyn a Seiryol ym Pen[n] Mon a Meiryaỽn yn y cantref meib[y]on Ywein Danwyn m. Einaỽn Yrth m. Cuneda Wledic.
8. Edern m. Beli m. Run m. Maelgỽn m. Catwallaỽn Llaỽhir m. Einaỽn Yrth m. Cuneda Wledic.
9. Catwaladyr Vendigeit m. Catvan m. Jago m. Beli m. Run m. Maelgỽn m. Catwallaỽn Llaỽhir m. Einaỽn Yrth m. Cuneda Wledic
10. Deinyol m. Dunaỽt Vỽrr m. Pabo Post Prydein a Dỽywei verch Leennaỽc y vam.
11. Assa m. Sawyl Pen[n] Uchel m. Pabo Post Prydein a Gwenssaeth verch Rein o Rieinỽc y vam.
12. Kyndeyrn Garthwys m. Ywein m. Uryen a Denyỽ verch Leỽdỽn Luydaỽc o Dinas Eidyn yn y gogled y vam.
13. Gorust m. Gweith Hengaer m. Uryen ac Euronỽy verch Clydno Eidyn y vam.
14. Cadell m. Uryen.
15. Buan m. Ysgỽn m. Llywarch Hen.
16. Lleudaf yn Enlli a Baglaỽc y[n]g Coet Alun ac Eleri ym Pennant a Thegỽy a Thevriaỽc y[n]g Kredigyaỽn Is Coet meibon Dingat m. Nud Hael m. Senyllt m. Kedic m. Dyvynwal Hen m. Idnyfet m. Maxen Wledic a Thenoi verch Leỽdỽn Luydaỽc o Dinas Eidyn yn y gogled y vam.
17. Catvan Sant yn Enlli m. Eneas Ledewic o Lydaỽ a Gwen[n] Teir Bron verch Emyr Llydaỽ y vam.
18. Henwyn m. Gwyndaf Hen o Lydaỽ periglaỽr Catvan a’r seint a vu yn Enlli yn un oes ac wynt Kynan a Dochwy a Mael a Sulyen a Thanỽc ac Ethrias a Llywen a Llyvab a doethant gyt a Chatvan yr ynys hon.
19. Padern m. Petrỽn m. Emyr Llydaỽ kevynderỽ y Catvan.
20. Tedecho m. Annun Du m. Emyr Llydaỽ kevynderỽ y Catvan
21. Trunyaỽ m. Diỽng m. Emyr Llydaỽ kevynderỽ y Catvan.
22. Maeleris m. Gỽydno m. Emyr Llydaỽ kevynderỽ y Catvan
23. Tegei Glassaỽc y Maes Llan a Therillo yn Ros meibyon Ithael o Lydaỽ a Llechit yn Arllechwed chwaer udunt.
24. Kybi m. Selyf m. Gereint m. Erbin m. Custen[n]in Corneu.
25. Padric m. Alvryt m. Goronỽy o Waredaỽc yn Arvon.
26. Catvarch Sant yn Aberech yn Lleyn a Thangỽn yn Llangoet ym Mon a Maethlu y[n]g Carnedaỽr ym Mon meibon Caradaỽc Vreich Vras m. Llyr Marini.
27. Cadỽc Sant m. Gwynlliỽ m. Gliỽys m. Tegit m. Cadell o Lancadỽc y[n]g Gwent.
28. Tessilyaỽ m. Brochvael Ysgithraỽc m. Kyngen m. Cadell Dyrnllỽch o Ardun verch Pabo Post Prydein y vam.
29. Llywelyn o’r Trallỽng m. Tegonỽy m. Teon m. Gwineu Deu Vreudwyt.
30. Gỽrnerth Sant m. Llywelyn o’r Trallỽng.
31. Elhayarn y[n]g Kegitva ym Powys a Llỽchhayarn y[n]g Kedewein a Chynhayarn yn Eidonyd meibon Hygarvael m. Kyndrỽyn o Lystin Wynnan y[n]g Kereinaỽn.
32. Gỽydvarch ym Meivot m. Alarus tywyssaỽc y Pỽyl
33. Styphan m. Mawan m. Kyngen m. Cadell Dyrnllỽch.
34. Tutclyt a Gynodyl a Meirin a Thutno a Senevyr meibon Seithernin Vrenhi[n] o Vaes Gwydno a oresgyn[ws] mor eu tir.
35. Tyvrydaỽc y Mon a Teyrnaỽc yn Dyffryn Clỽyt a Thudur yn Darywein y[n]g Keveilaỽc brodyr oedynt, meibon Awystyl Gloff a Marcell eu chwaer a Thywanwed merch Amlaỽt Wledic eu mam.
36. Keidaỽ m. Ynyr Gwent a Madrun merch Werthevyr Vendigeit y vam.
37. Elen Keinyat m. Alltu[d] Redegaỽc m. Cardudwys m. Kyngu m. Yspỽys m. Catdraỽt Calchvynyd a Thecnaỽ verch Teỽdỽr Maỽr y vam.
38. Elaeth Vren[in] m. Meuruc m. Idno ac O[nn]en Grec verch Wallaỽc m. Lleennaỽc y vam.
39. Dyvnaỽc Sant m. Medraỽt m. Caỽrdaf m. Caradaỽc Vreichvras.
40. Nidan y Mon m. Gỽrvyỽ m. Pasken m. Uryen.
41. Eurgein verch Vaelgỽn Gỽyned m. Catwallaỽn Llawir m. Einaỽn Yrth m. Cuneda Wledic.
42. Llonyaỽ Llaỽhir m. Alan Ryrgan m. Emyr Llydaỽ.
43. Gwynyaỽc a Noethon meibon Gildas m. Caỽ.
44. Gỽrhei m. Caỽ o Penystryweit yn Arỽystli.
45. Garmon m. Ridicus ac yn oes Gỽrtheyrn Gỽrtheneu y doeth y’r ynys hon. Ac o Ffreinc pan hanoed.
46. Dona y Mon m. Selyf m. Kynan Garwyn m. Brochvael Ysgithraỽc m. Kyngen m. Cadell Dyrnllỽch m. Brutus m. Ruduedel Vrych.
47. Eurdeyrn m. Gỽrtheyrn Gỽrtheneu
48. Peblic Sant yn y Caer yn Arfon m. Maxen Wledic Amheraỽdyr Ruvein ac Helen verch Eudaf y vam.

Yma y tervyna bonhed seint Kymry.

Additions from Peniarth 16

2. Douael…
3. Tyssul m. Corun m. Ke[redic] m. Ku[neda] Wledic.
4. Pedyr m. Corun m. Ke[redic] m. Ku[neda] Wledic.
5. Teilyaw m. Ensych m. Hydwn m. Ke[redic] m. Ku[neda] Wledic.
6. Gwinlleu…

10. Catwaladyr…
11. Deinyoel m. Dunaut Vwrr m. Pabo Post Prydein a Guenassed verch Rein o Rieinwc y mam.
12. Assa m. Sawyl Benuchel m. Pabo Post Prydein a Dwywe verch Leennauc y vam.
13. Kyndeyrn…

27. Catuarch…
28. Beuno m. Beugi m. Gwynlliw m. Gliwis m. Tegit m. Cadell a Pherferen verch Lewdwn Lluydauc yny gogled y vam.
29. Kennueu Sant m. Gwynlliw m. Gliwis m. Tegit m. Cadell.
30. Cadwc…

36. Styphan…
37. Pedrauc m. Clemens tywyssauc o Gernyw.
38. Tutclyt…
39. Peris Sant cardinal o Ruein.
40. Bodo a Gwynnin a Brothen Sant meibyon Glannauc m. Helic Voel o Dyno Helic. Gwyr hevyt a oresginnwys mor eu tir.
41. Tyvrydauc…
42. Keidio m Enyr Gwent.
43. Madrun merch Werthevyr vrenhin…

Further Additions from Hafod 16.

3. Tyssul…
4. Carannawc m. Corun m. Keredic m. Kuneda Wledic.
5. Pedyr…

8. Auan Buellt …
9. Kyngar m. Garthauc m. Keredic m. Kuneda Wledic.
10. Kyndeyrn m. Garthauc m. Keredic m. Kuneda Wledic.
11. Kynuelyn …

45. Keidaw…
46. Madrun verch Wertheuyr brenhin yr ynys honn ac Annun lauvoryn idi.
47. Tecuan sant ym Mon m. Carcludwys m. Kyngu m. Yspwys m. Kadraut Calch Vynyd a Chenaf verch Tewdyr y vam.
48. Elaeth Vrenhin…
49. Mechyll m. Echwys m. Guynn Gohoeu.
50. Kowy m. y Mirvinen Hen a Chainell Gureic ovot Angharat yngholemaun y vam.
51. Deunauc Sant m. Kaurdaf m. Kradauc Vreichvras.
52. Collen mab Petrun m. Coledauc m. Guynn.
53. Melangell merch Kyuelch m. Tut dawal Tutclut o Ethni Wydeles y vam.
54. Idloes m. Guidnabi m. Llawrodet Varuauc.
55. Nidan ym Mon…
56. Dwyvael m. Pryder m. Dolor Dyfyr Diefyr a Byrneich yny gogled.
57. Eurgein…

63. Peblic…
64. Elien Keimyad m Alltu Redegauc m. Carcludwys m. Cyngu m. Yspwys m. Cadraud Calchvynyd aThecvan verch Teudur Maur y vam.

Translation

Peniarth 45

Here is the descent of the saints of Wales

1. David son of Sant [Sanctus] son of Cedig son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig by Non daughter of Cynyr of Caer Gawch his mother.
2. Dochfael son of Ithael son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig.
3. Teilo son of Esyllt son of Hyddwn Dwn son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig.
4. Afan Buellt son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig and Tegfedd daughter of Tegid Foel from Penllyn his mother.
5. Gwynllau son of Cyngar son of Garthog son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig.
6. Cynfelyn son of Bleiddudd son of Meirion son of Tybion son of Cunedda Wledig.
7. Einion Frenin in Lleyn and Seiriol in Penmon and Meirion in the cantref, sons of Owain Danwyn son of Einion Yrth son of Cunedda Wledig.
8. Edern son of Beli son of Rhun son of Maelgwn son of Cadwallon Lawhir son of Einion Yrth son of Cunedda Wledig.
9. Cadwaladr Fendigaid son of Cadfan son of Iago son of Beli son of Rhun son of Maelgwn son of Cadwallon Lawhir son of Einion Yrth son of Cunedda Wledig.
10. Deiniol son of Dunod Fwr son of Pabo Post Prydain and Dwywai daughter of Lleenog his mother.
11. Asa son of Sawyl Penuchel son of Pabo Post Prydain and Gwenasedd daughter of Rhain of Rhieinwg his mother.
12. Cyndeyrn Garthwys [Kentigern] son of Owain son of Urien and Denw daughter of Lleuddin Lwyddog of Dinas Eidyn [Edinburgh] in the north, his mother.
13. Gwrwst son of Gwaith Hengaer son of Urien and Euronwy daughter of Clydno Eidyn his mother.
14. Cadell son of Urien.
15. Buan son of Ysgwn son of Llywarch Hen.
16. Lleudaf [= Lleuddad] in Enlli [Bardsey Island] and Baglog [= Baglan] in Coed Alun and Eleri in Pennant and Tygwy and Tyfriog in Ceredigion Is Coed sons of Dingad son of Nudd Hael son of Senyllt son of Cedig son of Dyfnwal Hen son of Idnyfed son of Macsen Wledig and Denw daughter of Lleuddin Lwyddog of Dinas Eidyn [Edinburgh] in the north, his mother.
17. Saint Cadfan in Enlli [Bardsey Island] son of Eneas Lydewig from Brittany and Gwen Deirfron daughter of Emyr Llydaw his mother.
18. Henwyn son of Gwyndaf Hen of Brittany, Cadfan’s priest, and the saints who were in Enlli [Bardsey Island] at the same time and they are: Cynan and Dochwy and Mael and Sulien and Tanog and Ethrias and Llywen and Llyfab, who came with Cadfan to this island.
19. Padarn son of Pedrwn son of Emyr Llydaw cousin of Cadfan.
20. Tydecho son of Annun Ddu son of Emyr Llydaw cousin of Cadfan.
21. Trunio son of Difwng son of Emyr Llydaw cousin of Cadfan.
22. Maeleris son of Gwyddno son of Emyr Llydaw cousin of Cadfan.
23. Tegai Glasog in Maesllan and Terillo in Rhos, sons of Ithael from Brittany, and Llechid in Arllechwedd their sister.
24. Cybi son of Selyf son of Geraint son of Erbin son of Custenin Corneu.
25. Padrig son of Alfryd son of Goronwy from Gwaredog in Arfon.
26. Saint Cadfarch in Aberech [Capel Anelog] in Lleyn and Tangwn in Llangoed in Anglesey and Maethlu in Carneddor [in Llandaethlu] in Anglesey, sons of Caradog Freichfras son of Llyr Marini.
27. Saint Cadog son of Gwynlliw son of Gliwys son of Tegid son of Cadell from Llancadwg in Gwent.
28. Tysilio son of Brochfael Ysgithrog son of Cyngen son of Cadell Dyrnllwch by Arddun daughter of Pabo Post Prydain his mother.
29. Llywelyn from Trallwng son of Tegonwy son of Teon son of Gwinau Deufreuddwyd.
30. Saint Gwrnerth son of Llywelyn of Trallwng.
31. Elhaearn in Cegidfa in Powys and Llwchaearn in Cedewain and Cynhaearn in Eifionydd, sons of Hygarfael son of Cyndrwyn from Llystyn Wynnan in Caereinion.
32. Gwyddfarch in Meifod son of Alarus [Amalarus] the prince of Y Pwyl [Apulia].
33. Steffan son of Mawan son of Cyngen son of Cadell Dyrnllwch.
34. Tutglyd and Gwynhoedl and Merin and Tudno and Senefyr sons of Seithennin Frenhin of Maes Gwyddno whose land was conquered by the sea.
35. Tyfrydog in Anglesey and Teyrnog in the valley of the Clwyd and Tudur in Darowen in Cyfeilliog were brothers, sons of Awystl Gloff, and Marchell their sister, and Tywanwedd daughter of Amlodd Wledic their mother.
36. Ceidio son of Ynyr Gwent and Madrun daughter of Gwerthefyr Fendigaid his mother.
37. Elian Ceiniad [or Ceimiad] son of Alltu Redegog son of Cardudwys [or Carcludwys] son of Cyngu son of Yspwys son of Cadrod Calchfynydd and Tegno daughter of Tewdwr Fawr his mother.
38. Elaeth Frenin son of Meurig son of Idno and Onnen Greg daughter of Gwallog son of Lleenog his mother.
39. Saint Dyfnog son of Medrod son of Cawrdaf son of Caradog Freichfras.
40. Nidan in Anglesey son of Gwrfyw son of Pasgen son of Urien.
41. Eurgain daughter of Maelgwn Gwynedd son of Cadwallon Lawhir son of Einion Yrth son of Cunedda Wledig.
42. Llonio Lawhir son of Alan Fyrgan son of Emyr Llydaw.
43. Gwynog and Noethon sons of Gildas son of Caw.
44. Gwrhai son of Caw of Penystrywaid in Arwystli.
45. Garmon son of Rhyddig? and in the age of Gwrtheyrn Gwrthenau [Vortigern] he came to this island. And he came from France.
46. Dona in Anglesey son of Selyf son of Cynan Garwyn son of Brochfael Ysgithrog son of Cyngen son of Cadell Ddyrnllwch son of Brutus son of Rhuddfedel Frych.
47. Eurdeyrn son of Gwrtheyrn Gwrthenau.
48. Saint Peblig in Caernarfon son of Macsen Wledig [Maximus], Roman Emperor, and Helen daughter of Eudaf his mother.

Here ends the descent of the saints of Wales.

Additions from Peniarth 16

2. Dogfael…
3. Tysulio son of Corun son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig.
4. Pedr son of Corun son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig.
5. Teilo son of Ensych son of Hyddwn son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig.
6. Gwinlleu…

10. Cadwaladr…
11. Deiniol son of Dunod Fwr son of Pabo Post Prydain and Gwenasedd daughter of Rhain of Rhieinwg his mother.
12. Asa son of Sawyl Benuchel son of Pabo Post Prydain and Dwywai daughter of Lleenog his mother.
13. Cyndeyrn…

27. Cadfarch
28. Beuno son of Bugi son of Gwynlliw son of Gliwis son of Tegid son of Cadell and Perfferen daugther of Lleuddin Llwyddog in the north, his mother.
29. Saint Cynfyw son of Gwynlliw son of Gliwis son of Tegid son of Cadell.
30. Cadog…

36. Steffan…
37. Pedrog son of Clement prince of Cornwall.
38. Tutglyd…
39. Saint Peris cardinal of Rome.
40. Bodo and Gwynnin and Saint Brothen sons of Glannog son of Helig Foel of Tyno Helig. Men whose lands were also conquered by the sea.
41. Tyfyrdog…
42. Ceidio son of Enyr Gwent.
43. Madrun daughter of Gwerthefyr Frenin (the king)

Further Additions from Hafod 16

3. Tysulio…
4. Carannog son of Corun son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig.
5. Pedr…

8. Afan Buellt…
9. Cyngar son of Garthog son of Ceredig son of Cunedda Wledig.
10. Cyndeyrn son of Garthog son of Ceredig Wledig.
11. Cynfelyn…

45. Ceidio…
46. Madrun daughter of Gwerthefyr, king of this island and Annun her handmaid.
47. Saint Tegfan in Anglesey son of Carcludwys son of Cyngu son of Yspwys son of Cadrod Calchfynydd and Cenaf daughter of Tewdwr his mother.
48. Elaeth Frenin…
49. Mechyll son of Echwys son of Gwyn Gohoyw.
50. Cwyfan son of Bwrwinen Hen and Cainell (Cóimell) Gwraig of Bod Angharad in Colion his mother.
51. Saint Dyfnog son of Cawrdaf son of Caradog Freichfras.
52. Collen son of Pedrun son of Coleddog son of Gwyn.
53. Melangell daughter of Cyfelch son of Tudwal Tutglyd by Ethni Wyddeles (the Irishwoman) her mother.
54. Idloes son of Gwyddno son of Llawfrodded Farfog.
55. Nidan in Anglesey…
56. Dwyfael son of Pryder son of Dolor Deifr of Deira and Bernicia in the north.
57. Eurgain…

63. Peblig…
64. Elian Ceimiad son of Alltu Redegog son of Carcludwys son of Cyngu son of Ysbwys son of Cadrod Calchfynydd and Tegfan daughter of Tewdwr Fawr his mother.

Pedigrees

Two main groups of northern pedigrees are discernible from the Bonedd y Saint: The first is a group connected with Pabo Post Prydain and the second is connected with Urien Rheged. These are given in basic form below.