Cadfan ap Iago

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Cadfan ap Iago (c. 580625; reigned from c. 615) (Latin: Catamanus; English: Gideon) was a King of Gwynedd. The son of King Iago, he assumed the crown of Gwynedd probably around 615, shortly after the Battle of Caerllion (today's Chester), during which the forces of Powys were defeated by Æthelfrith of Bernicia.

King Cadfan's gravestone in Llangadwaladr church
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King Cadfan's gravestone in Llangadwaladr church

Cadfan was generally considered to have been a wise and just ruler, noted for his ability to maintain the rule of law and peace during an increasingly hostile period in British history. His memorial stone at Llangadwaladr Church in Anglesey refers to him as "Catamanus rex sapientisimus opinatisimus omnium regum" (="King Cadfan the wisest and most renowned of all kings"). He was succeeded by his son Cadwallon.

He was one of the last of the legendary Kings of the Britons as accounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Preceded by:
Iago ap Beli
Kings of Gwynedd Succeeded by:
Cadwallon ap Cadfan
Preceded by:
Saxon Interregnum
Mythical British Kings Succeeded by:
Cadwallo