Huwal of the West Welsh
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Huwal (Welsh: Hywel; modern English: Howell), "King of the West Welsh" was a Celtic monarch of the early-mid 10th century recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. There is some controversy over the location of his kingdom.
This character only appears in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle entry for 927, as one of several kings who signed a treaty at Eamont Bridge accepting King Athelstan of Wessex as their overlord.
He is described as a "King of the West Welsh". The only place ever referred to by the Anglo-Saxons as "West Wales", was Dumnonia or Cornwall, home of the British Celts. However, it can also refer to present day West Wales, then generally known as Deheubarth, and some Welsh and English studies claim that this is a reference to that area's monarch at the time, Hywel Dda.[1][2]
However, some historians believe he was indeed from the Dumnonia and Huwel is "regarded as the last in a line of independent or semi-independent Cornish (Dumnonian) kings" by Professor Philip Payton of the Institute of Cornish Studies[3]
There were three monarchs or princes at that particular point in time, the beginning of the 10thC called Hoel or Hywel,(Howell) in Brittany, Cornwall and Wales. It would be difficult to have confused the Hywel dynasty,in Wales, which lasted over 9 generations and who were buried at Strata Florida Abbey, with any other Prince or king. There may have been a blood tie between all three. Hywel Dda signed at least a dozen charters in England during his life, which are recorded by Cambridge university archivists, one of which was at Isca Dumnoniorum or Isca-Castra. The date 927ad above suggests that it was one of those. The Dukes of Brittany family tree may help understanding the relationships between the three Celtic regions or countries, although this shows no link between Brittany or Dumnonia and Wales, whereas Paul Martin Remfry's Annals of Wales reveals no less than 23 genealogies of ancient medieval, and particularly Welsh kingdoms dating from the 5thC onwards. The List of rulers of Wales may also be helpful in recognizing the identity of the said king of the West Welsh.
[edit] External links
- [1] Hoel of Dumnonia, Brittany, and Wales.
- [2]5th century Hoel of Brittany.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Ann Williams et al. (1991). A Biographical Dictionary of Dark Age Britain. London: Seaby
- ^ Wendy Davies. (1982). Wales in the early middle Ages. London: Leicester University Press
- ^ Philip Payton. (1996). Cornwall. Fowey: Alexander Associates
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