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Cadwaladr Fendigeidd
A Cymric Hero, also known as Catwaladur: Blessed Battle-leader
Buxenus (Catwaladur) is a Cymric (Welsh) hero known from historical soruces who eventually became a mythologized figure. He was the leader of Gwynedd in the seventh century and led serveral succesful counter-offensives agains the Saxons. As a result he became renowned in battle and became mythologized as a deliverer of the Cymric peoples. |
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Cym: Blessed Battle Leader
As an historical figure Cadwaladr would not normally be included in this list of deities and heroes. However, during the tenth century it seems as if the historical figure of Cadwaladr gained the aspects of the 'Once and Future King' archetype.
The historical Cadwaladr, son of Cadwallon (c. 633 to 682) reigned from c. 655 as head of the house of Gwynedd. His standard being the red dragon, later adopted by Henry VII who claimed descent from this royal line. Cadwaladr's father, Cadwallon ap Cadfan died at the battle of Heavenfield fighting against the Northumbrian forces of Oswald of Berenicia in 633/634 when Cadwaladr was but a child when Cadfael Cadomedd seized the throne of Gwynedd. Cadwaladr was raised abroad (possibly in Ireland or Brittany) until he managed to raise an army around 655 and re-claimed his throne. Then, in 658 Cadwaladr went on to challenge the West Saxons of Somerset and though unsuccesful, this represents the last time a Cymric leader mounted a serious counteroffensive against Saxon forces and this may be why, in his Historia Regium Brittonum Geoffrey of Monmouth chose to end his narrative of native Brythonic kings with Cadwaladr.
After these early military offensives Cadwaladr seems to have devoted himself to establishing several religious foundations in Gwynedd where he gained a reputation as a devout, pious, leader. So much so, indeed, that he came to be regarded as a saint (which explains his epithet of Bendigaidd (blessed)).
In triad 17 of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein Cadwaladr is named as one of the 'three fettered men' of the Island of Birtain, for he was so tall that no horse could hold him and a special saddle had to be constructed which effectively fettered his feet. Cadwaladr is again mentioned in triad 53 where the blow struck by Golydan Fardd upon Cadwaladr the Blessed is one of the 'Three Harmful Blows' of the Island of Britain. The context of this tale has been entirely lost, especially as the Annales Cambriae indicate that Cadwaladr died of plague in 682.
By the time the poem Armes Prydain Fawr (c 930CE) was composed Cadwaladr seems to have become regarded as a deliverer of his people. The prophesied return of Cadwaladr and Cynan being hoped-for to deliiver the Cymry from their Saxon oppressors. The poem also alludes to an emnity between Cynan and Cadwaladr, which must be folk-loric as the two men never co-existed.
It is possible, however, that the figure of Cadwaladr in the Armes should be that of this father, Cadwallon ap Cadfan who freed Môn from the Saxons by defeating and killing Edwin and his son Osfrith, leaders of Northumbria, at the battle of Hatfield Chase, October 12, 633. Thus Cadwallon was the last Brython to win a major campain against the Saxons. Three hundred years later the exploits of Cadwallon and Cadwaladr may have beecome confused with the victories of the father accredited to the son as Cadwaladr became the expected saviour of the Cymry.
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