Cynog ap Brychan

Cynog ap Brychan (also known as Saint Kynauc) (fl. 492) was a reputed son of Brychan, a powerful Welsh prince of the British Dark Ages. Cynog's mother was reputedly Benadulved, daughter of Benadyl, a prince of Powys, whom he seduced while a hostage at the court of her father.^[1] He is said to have been murdered on the mountain called the Van (Bannau Brycheiniog), and buried in the church of Merthyr Cynawg (English: Cynawg the Martyr), near Brecon, which is dedicated to his memory.

In 1188 Gerald of Wales wrote that there still existed a certain relic purported to be a royal torc that had once been worn by Cynog, presumably as an item of royal regalia. Gerald encountered this relic while travelling through Brycheiniog. He wrote of this relic:

"Moreover I must not be silent concerning the collar which they call St. Canauc's; for it is most like to gold in weight, nature, and colour; it is in four pieces wrought round, joined together artificially, and clefted as it were in the middle, with a dog's head, the teeth standing outward; it is esteemed by the inhabitants so powerful a relic, that no man dares swear falsely when it is laid before him: it bears the marks of some severe blows, as if made with an iron hammer; for a certain man, as it is said, endeavouring to break the collar for the sake of the gold, experienced the divine vengeance, was deprived of his eyesight, and lingered the remainder of his days in darkness."

Gerald of Wales, The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales, Chapter II ^[1]

Since the time of Gerald this item has been lost and it may have been melted down.^{[citation needed]}

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Vision of Britain: Gerald of Wales, The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales, Chapter 2

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