Peredurus

Legendary king of the Britons

Peredurus (Welsh: Peredur) is a legendary king of the Britons in Geoffrey of Monmouth's pseudohistorical chronicle Historia Regum Britanniae. According to Geoffrey, he was the youngest son of King Morvidus and brother of Gorbonianus, Archgallo, Elidurus, and Ingenius.[1] He came to power in 317BC.[2]

Following the return of Elidurus to the kingship of Britain, Peredurus joined with his brother Ingenius and attacked their older brother. They succeeded in capturing him and locked him in a guarded tower in Trinovantum. Instead of fighting over who ruled the island, they split the island giving Cornwall to Ingenius and Albany to Peredurus. He ruled his portion of the island for seven years then Ingenius died and he was awarded with the entire kingdom.[3] He ruled moderately and was considered better than his brothers before him. Few remembered Elidurus locked in the tower until death finally took Peredurus. Elidurus returned once more as king following Peredurus's death. His son Runo later became king of Britain.[1]

See also

  • Peredur

References

  1. ^ a b National Library of Wales, Welsh Classical Dictionary, page 615
  2. ^ Monarchie Nobelesse website, Bretons
  3. ^ Sacred Texts website Histories of the Kings of Britain (Book II), by Geoffry of Monmouth, tr. by Sebastian Evans (1904)
Legendary titles
Preceded by
Elidurus
King of North Britain Succeeded by
Elidurus
Preceded by
Ingenius
King of South Britain
  • v
  • t
  • e
WorksTranslationsCharacters
Topics
  • Wikiquote
  • Wikisource texts