Читать книгу The Element Encyclopedia of the Celts - Rodney Castleden - Страница 135

A king of South Rheged (Lancashire and Cheshire) who was the son-in-law of King Maelgwn of Gwynedd.

Elidyr landed near Caernarvon in an attempt to take Gwynedd from Rhun, son of Maelgwn, but was killed on the beach. He was apparently not supported by the York or Pennine kings. Instead it was Rhydderch and other northern allies who sailed south to Gwynedd to avenge his death.

Rhun’s half-brother Bridei had become King of the Picts in 555; he was not only Maelgwn’s son but a cousin of Egferth, King of the Bernicians. A kinship alliance of this kind between Gwynedd and Pictland was something of a threat to the security of the Celtic kingdoms in between, Clyde and Rheged.

But Rhydderch’s raid on Gwynedd was unsuccessful and he had to withdraw. Rhun, King of Gwynedd, responded by gathering an army and marching it north, probably by way of York. It was a march of legendary length and duration and the warriors returned to Gwynedd in triumph.