Glywys

Glywys or Saint Glywys (Latin: Claudius; English: Claude) was an early 5th century Welsh king who is seen as an important character in early Welsh history. The kingdom of Glywysing is believed to have been named after Glywys, ["The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales". John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, Menna Baines and Peredur Lynch (2008) pg323 ISBN 9780708319536] and is the earliest place name for the land between the Rivers Tawe and Usk. The kingdom of Glywysing would later give its name to the Welsh counties of Glamorgan, an area, which although no longer exists politically is still recognised by the majority of its inhabitants.

Thought to have been born around 415 AD, Glywys was the eldest son of Solor, son of Mor, both kings of the Mid South Wales region. Glywys married Gwawl daughter of Ceredig of Ceredigion and legend states they had twenty two children, all bar one, male. Of all his children, only five are written about to any substantial degree; they are Gwynllyw, Pawl, Merchwyn, Edelig and Pedrog.

Glywys is believed to have become a hermit in his later life and converted to Christianity and at one stage travelled to Cornwall where he founded the church of Penryn. Glywys is sometimes referred to as Glywys Cernyw and the ancient name for the area around Cornwall is Cerniw and this legend gives him this alternative name.

Glywys is sometimes referenced as a source for the Arthurian character Sir Cligès, though it is more likely a weak connection with nothing more than the name.

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