Gwrfoddw

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Gwrfoddw Hen
Gorbotonus, Corboton
King of Ergyng
Reign c. 615 - c. 619
Predecessor Cynfyn
Successor Gwrgan Fawr
Issue Erfig
Father Amlawdd Wledig

King Gwrfoddw Hen (also, in Latin, Gorbotonus, and in English, Corboton) (died c. 619) was the King of Ergyng, a Welsh kingdom of the early medieval period. He usurped the throne from Gwrgan, the son of Cynfyn.

[edit] Life

Gwrfoddw is said to have fought against the Saxons (presumably the Mercians) and to have granted land on the Wye to Bishop Ufelfyw of Ergyng in thanksgiving for his victories. He also appears in a number of charters listed in the Book of Llandaff, which Dr. Wendy Davies takes to be genuine and dates to around 615-619.

He was the son of Amlawdd Wledig and maternal uncle of King Arthur, who may have supported him in taking Ergyng. He supposedly died on a wild boar hunt in Brittany. Gwrfoddw had a son named Erfig, but he did not succeed to the throne of Ergyng. Instead, it was quickly retaken by King Cynfyn's son, Gwrgan Fawr.

[edit] Source

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