Thread by @ActualAurochs

@Paracelsus1092
@AncientDays1
@0starkafterdark
So far we have outlined some historical candidates for Arthur who probably contributed to the composite Arthur, but not contemporaries to the Battle of Badon, who could be our Arthur of Badon.

Primer and Premise for this series for any that haven’t read it.

https://twitter.com/ActualAurochs/status/1426184291143258112?s=20

Pt 1. Outlining possible inspiration for candidates that couldn’t have been at Badon

https://twitter.com/ActualAurochs/status/1427313778123755520?s=20

1. Owain Ddantgwyn - Often put forward as Arthur. Contemporary with Badon, only real link is he is the father of the Cuneglasus of Gildas' laments. Gildas describe Cuneglasus as "You bear, you rider and ruler of many, and guider of the chariot which is the receptacle of the bear"

1.a Graham Phillips takes Bear to be a reference to Cuneglasus father Owain, and Bear being a reference for a possible use of Arthur as an epithet. Owain may well have been present at Badon, as well as his son Cuneglasus, but the links to Arthur are few beyond that

2. Caradog Vreichfras - Caradog Strong-Arm Maybe just Caradog, Maybe Cerdic, Maybe Arthur too? Caradog was supposedly a councillor of Arthur (fulfilling a similar role to Cei in later stories)

2.a I find the supposed parallels between Caradog and Arthur to be a little bit of a stretch honestly as he seems to have carved out quite a reputation himself, though it is likely he fought at Badon. Caradog and Cerdic could be a better connection.

3. Cadell of Powys - Cadell has some interesting possibilities around him. Grandson of Vortigern, supposedly destitute (possibly fostered to a poor family) and eventually overcoming his poor state in a rags to riches story.

3.a He is also known as Cadell Ddyrnllwg, or Gleaming Hilt, maybe a reference to Excalibur? supposedly ruled over Viriconium, one of the last large cities at the time, with a proposed site of Badon near by (Caer Faddon) He could definitely be a contender

4. Cadwallon Lawhir - Cadwallon Long Hand King of Gwynedd from roughly 500AD to to his death between 517 and 534. Cadwallon is quite famous in his own right. Fought many battles early in his reign, especially against the Irish

4.a one of which was recorded in the Welsh Triads as “Three Fettered Warbands” Very well could have been at Badon but it seems like conflation so quickly after his death would be unlikely. According to Gildas his son Maelgwyn murdered his uncle to gain his throne.

4.b The earlier mentioned Owain Ddantgwyn has been put forward as this possible murdered uncle (actually Cadwallon’s cousin.)

5. Geraint of Dumnonia - Supposedly a king of Dumnonia in the later 5th early 6th century. Seems mostly legendary or misuse of Geraint of the 8th Century. If he was historical he could have been at Badon and is compared to Arthur in poetry. Features in later tales as Sir Geraint

6. Riocatus of Gwyrtheyrnion - Cousin to Cadell of Powys. Was an Overseerer in the church mentioned by Sidonius. Possibly in his 50’s at the time of Badon. His name could mean “King of Battles”, slight echoes of Arthur as “Dux Bellorum”.

6.a Does not seem to have stepped down from the church to become king but still could have participated at Badon. Seems like he may be a little too old for Arthur. Could be confused easily with Riothamus.

7. Vortipor of Dyfed - King of Dyfed Used a title of “Protector” similar to Coel the Old. Gilda’s seemed to strongly dislike him attributing him “various murders and adulteries” With such a title as “Protector”

7.a one would expect him to be at major battles during his life especially one as pivotal as Badon. Possibly died in battle in northern Ceredigion, a potential place for the Battle of Camlann. Grandson named Artuir, his title in Irish, Gartbuir could be misconstrued for Arthur.

8. Aircol of Dyfed - Aergol, Agricola, or Aircol, King of Dyfed and Vortipor’s father. Likely Still king during Badon and likely to have been present. Gildas seems to have thought highly of Agricola referring to him as a “good king” when speaking of his son Vortipor

8.a “a bad son to a good king” His death does seem to line up with an early date for Camlann, although I think the similarities end there.

9. Arthwys ap Mar - Great grandson of Coel Hen. Poised to strike out at the saxons all along the eastern front from his seat in either Elmet or Ebauc. Father of Ellifer (also Eleuther, does that name sound familiar?) of the Great Host.

9.a Some of his battles do seem to match Nennius 12 battle as well. Is surrounded by other names in Arthurian legend, such as Peredur, and Loth. There seems to be a lost manuscript here that both Nennius and Geoffrey drew on detailing these Northern Wars.

9.b Certainly in the right time and place to be a contender. Could he have been the Arthur that pursued the saxons from Lichfield to finally save the day in Powys?

10. Arthfael ap Einudd - King of Glamorgan who granted Cadog land in “Life of St Cadog”. Arthfael ruled near Mynydd Baidan a place sometimes identified as Badon, and lived during the period the battle would have taken place. Not much more is known about him.

Are any of these the Arthur of Badon? It seems there a quite a few serious contenders in this list. Could Arthur have been a warlord who doesn’t appear in the pedigrees or written history? Could Arthur be completely mythical with no historical basis whatsoever?

I will outline a final conclusion in another post. I would love to hear any theories out there you have as well.