Urien

For other uses, see Urien (disambiguation).
Urien Rheged
Arms of Rhys ap Thomas (d. 1525), attributed to Urien, with whom Rhys claimed kinship.[1]
King of Rheged
Reignc. 550? – c. 572 x 593
PredecessorCynfarch Oer?
SuccessorOwain ab Urien?
Diedc. 572 x 593
Aber Lleu[2]
Cause of deathAssassination
SpouseModron ferch Afallach (legendary)
Issue
  • Owain ab Urien
  • Rhun ab Urien
  • Pasgen ab Urien
  • Elffin ab Urien
  • Rhiwallon ab Urien (legendary)
  • Morfydd ferch Urien (legendary)
  • Various other legendary children
DynastyCynferching (Coeling)
FatherCynfarch Oer
MotherNefyn ferch Brychan Brycheiniog (legendary)

Urien ap Cynfarch Oer or Urien Rheged (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈɨ̞riɛn ˈr̥ɛɡɛd], Old Welsh: Urbgen or Urbagen) was a sixth-century figure who was possibly the ruler of the territory known as Rheged. The evidence for his existence comes from a ninth-century history and eight praise-poems dedicated to him possibly to be dated to his lifetime, attributed to the poet Taliesin. Urien features in medieval literature from Wales as one of the most celebrated figures of Welsh legend down to today. Outside of the Welsh context, he eventually was transformed in Arthurian legend into the figure of king Urien of Garlot or Gore.[3] His most celebrated son, Owain mab Urien, similarly gave his name to the character of Ywain.

  1. ^ Flood, Victoria, 'Political Prophecy and the Trial of Rhys ap Gruffydd, 1530–31', Studia Celtica L (2016), pp. 133–150 (138–141)
  2. ^ See Rowland, Jenny, Early Welsh Saga Poetry: A Study and Edition of the Englynion (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1990), 'Efrddyl', §30–31; henceforth EWSP
  3. ^ Christopher W. Bruce, The Arthurian Name Dictionary, p. 544. Routledge 2013. ISBN 1136755373, 9781136755378.