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| Author | Topic: Origin and meaning of the name GWYNEDD |
| Jean-Claude EVEN |
posted 3/5/05 12:21 AM
Hello, Some say that the name GWYNEDD, country of North-Wales, comes from a tribal name : VENEDOTAE. Is it possible to know more about the origin of that name ? mentions; records, bibliography, etc. Many thanks. Jean-Claude EVEN (Breton of Brittany- France) http://marikavel.org/accueil.htm History of the Britons during the celtic, roman, and midl-age times |
| peter williams |
posted 3/18/05 1:53 PM
how abouit the white kingdom, or whiteness from the Welsh word gwyn (white)? gwynedd is mountainous and often snow covered. |
| Jean-Claude EVEN |
posted 3/19/05 12:37 AM
Hello, Peter, There is no records to a ancien name before the fall of Roman Empire. Ptolemee speaks about tribal names : Deceangli and Ordovices. That makes the question. It would be very easy to record to the Welsh : Gwyn = white. Bur that is not sure ! The name of Venedotae,if it existed, if it is true, himself, dont seems to be built on a root like Welsh gwyn (Breton : gwenn) Hard question ! JC Even |
| Hazel |
posted 3/20/05 6:23 PM
Here is a fast and very short summary of a longer article in "The Oxford Companion to the Literature of Wales" by Meic Stephens. Perhaps you have access to the book? Gwynedd, a kingdom established in the period after the departure of the Romans from Britain. Although it is clear that this was the first of the early kingdoms, little is known of its beginnings. According to the "Historia Brittonum of Nennius", the royal lineage was descended from Cunedda who, it is said, migrated to Gwynedd from Manaw Gododdin in the Old North, but the accuracy of this tradition remains uncertain. Nevertheless, it is certain that a strong kingdom had been established in north-west Wales by the timeof Maelgwn Gwynedd, who ruled over it in the sixth century. The article goes on with a history of the area and those who ruled there. As for the meaning of the name, nothing I have here seems to say. I like Peter's suggestion. Or, perhaps it was simply the name of an early ruler? Hazel |
| Hazel |
posted 3/20/05 6:27 PM
I also just found this from "The Welsh Kings - the medieval rulers of Wales" by Kari Maund. Under the Romans, the kingdom would become the kingdom of Gwynedd. ..... Like Dyfed, Gwynedd was partially settled by Irish colonists in the late Roman period. The early Irish Cormac's Glossary refers to a fort in Britain owned by the sons of Liatháin. This is probably a reference to the Irish tribe. This is also a long article and, considering that he author thinks Wales had kings, I don't know what to say about it. Hazel |
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