Only two known historical documents mention Dyfnwal. A tenth-century genealogy in the British Library (Harley MS 3859) identifies him as the grandson of Coel Hen, and ancestor of Morcant Bulc.[1] A fifteenth-century genealogy in Jesus College, Oxford (MS 20)[2] also identifies him in the same way.[1]
Legend
In Geoffrey's account, Dyfnwal was the son of Cloten, the King of Cornwall, and he restored order after the "Civil War of the Five Kings".[3] His family was a cadet branch of the dynasty of Brutus, the dominant line having ended with Porrex I before the civil war. The Book of Baglan expands on this by making Dyfnwal descend directly through the male line of Camber via his eldest son, Gorbonian.[4]
Dyfnwal was the King of Cornwall during the war created in the power vacuum left by Porrex I. He was braver and more courageous than all the other kings in the war. He defeated Pinner, the king of Loegria. In response, Rudaucus, king of Cambria, and Staterius, king of Albany, allied together and destroyed much of Dyfnwal's land. The two sides met in battle and were stalemated. Dyfnwal then took 600 of his men and himself and dressed themselves in the armour of the dead enemies. They led a charge deep into enemy lines where they killed the two kings. After this battle, Dyfnwal destroyed the remaining defences of the kings and pillaged their lands.
Following the defeat of the rival kings, Dyfnwal created a crown like that of his predecessors and claimed the throne of Britain. He created a set of rules for the kingdom called the Molmutine Laws, which nearly ended robbery within his kingdom and lasted for many centuries. The Book of Baglan also makes him the founder of Bristol.[5] He reigned in peace and prosperity for forty years then died and was buried in the Temple of Concord, a tribute to his laws, which resided in Trinovantum. His death sparked another civil war between his two sons, Belinus and Brennius.
Stacey, Robin Chapman (23 September 2004). "Dyfnwal Moelmud ap Garbanion [Dumngual Moilmut ap Garbaniaun]". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/18872. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
Williams, John (1910). Bradney, Joseph Alfred (ed.). Llyfr Baglan, or, The Book of Baglan, compiled between the years 1600 and 1607. London: Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke. hdl:2027/uiug.30112086070007.
"Jesus College MS. 20". Medieval Manuscripts. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
dyfnwal, moelmud, welsh, dyfnwal, bald, silent, latin, dunvallo, molmutius, accounted, early, king, lawmaker, among, welsh, credited, with, codification, their, standard, units, measure, also, figures, legendary, king, britons, geoffrey, monmouth, pseudohistor. Dyfnwal Moelmud Welsh for Dyfnwal the Bald and Silent Latin Dunvallo Molmutius fl c 450 470 1 was accounted as an early king and lawmaker among the Welsh credited with the codification of their standard units of measure He also figures as a legendary king of the Britons in Geoffrey of Monmouth s pseudohistorical History of the Kings of the Britons Contents 1 History 2 Legend 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Citations 4 2 BibliographyHistory EditOnly two known historical documents mention Dyfnwal A tenth century genealogy in the British Library Harley MS 3859 identifies him as the grandson of Coel Hen and ancestor of Morcant Bulc 1 A fifteenth century genealogy in Jesus College Oxford MS 20 2 also identifies him in the same way 1 Legend EditIn Geoffrey s account Dyfnwal was the son of Cloten the King of Cornwall and he restored order after the Civil War of the Five Kings 3 His family was a cadet branch of the dynasty of Brutus the dominant line having ended with Porrex I before the civil war The Book of Baglan expands on this by making Dyfnwal descend directly through the male line of Camber via his eldest son Gorbonian 4 Dyfnwal was the King of Cornwall during the war created in the power vacuum left by Porrex I He was braver and more courageous than all the other kings in the war He defeated Pinner the king of Loegria In response Rudaucus king of Cambria and Staterius king of Albany allied together and destroyed much of Dyfnwal s land The two sides met in battle and were stalemated Dyfnwal then took 600 of his men and himself and dressed themselves in the armour of the dead enemies They led a charge deep into enemy lines where they killed the two kings After this battle Dyfnwal destroyed the remaining defences of the kings and pillaged their lands Following the defeat of the rival kings Dyfnwal created a crown like that of his predecessors and claimed the throne of Britain He created a set of rules for the kingdom called the Molmutine Laws which nearly ended robbery within his kingdom and lasted for many centuries The Book of Baglan also makes him the founder of Bristol 5 He reigned in peace and prosperity for forty years then died and was buried in the Temple of Concord a tribute to his laws which resided in Trinovantum His death sparked another civil war between his two sons Belinus and Brennius See also EditWelsh unitsReferences EditCitations Edit a b c Stacey 2004 Medieval Manuscripts 2019 Lloyd 1894 Williams 1910 pp 82 245 246 Williams 1910 p 134 Bibliography Edit Stacey Robin Chapman 23 September 2004 Dyfnwal Moelmud ap Garbanion Dumngual Moilmut ap Garbaniaun Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 ref odnb 18872 Subscription or UK public library membership required Lloyd John Edward 1894 Moelmud Dyfnwal In Lee Sidney ed Dictionary of National Biography Vol 38 London Smith Elder amp Co Williams John 1910 Bradney Joseph Alfred ed Llyfr Baglan or The Book of Baglan compiled between the years 1600 and 1607 London Mitchell Hughes and Clarke hdl 2027 uiug 30112086070007 Jesus College MS 20 Medieval Manuscripts 23 January 2019 Retrieved 26 April 2022 Legendary titlesPreceded byCloten King of Cornwall Succeeded byBelinus South Britain Brennius North Britain Preceded byYmner King of LoegriaPreceded byRudaucus King of KambriaPreceded byStaterius King of AlbaniaVacantCivil WarTitle last held byPorrex I King of Britain Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dyfnwal Moelmud amp oldid 1102287310, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
