Conan Meriadoc - Early Evidence

Early Evidence

The earliest undisputed evidence connecting Conan to the foundation of Brittany appears in the Life of Saint Gurthiern, included in the Kemperle Cartulary compiled between 1118 and 1127. This text traces the descent of Gurthiern back to the ancestor figure Beli Mawr, given as a son of Outham Senis (Outham the Old), the figure known in later sources as Eudaf and Octavius. Outham is given another son, Kenan (an Old Welsh spelling of Conan), who is said to have been the founder of Brittany. This reference shows that the Conan story was known in Brittany from a comparatively early date, but certain evidence suggests that it was imported from Wales. The text's compiler, Gurheden, says that his source for the information was one "Iuthael son of Aidan"; while the name Iuthael is a Brythonic name known in both Wales and Brittany, the Gaelic Aidan is not attested in early Brittany, but is known in Wales. Additionally, Gurthiern's genealogy corresponds strongly with the descent elsewhere attributed to the Welsh saint Cadoc, further suggesting a Welsh origin.

Conan Meriadoc also appears in the prologue to the Latin Life of Saint Goeznovius, though the date of this text is disputed. The prologue, the only part of the work still extant, survives in a copy by the French historian Pierre Le Baud (died 1505), but contains a passage claiming it was originally written in 1019 by a certain Guillaume, a servant of Bishop Eudo. This date has been defended by Gwenaël le Duc and Léon Fleuriot. However, Hubert Guillotel has argued that the text dates instead to the mid-12th century.

There is evidence that Conan Meriadoc figured into the Brythonic prophetic tradition as a messianic savior who would return to lead his people in a time of need. A Cynan appears in several prophetic poems, most notably the Armes Prydein, where he is named alongside Cadwaladr as a figure whose return is promised. Geoffrey of Monmouth, whose knowledge of this tradition is evinced in both the Historia Regum Britanniae and the Vita Merlini, specifically identified this Cynan with Conan Meriadoc. Rachel Bromwich suggests that Geoffrey was relying on an older tradition identifying the founder of Brittany with the prophetic Cynan, and argues that this identification is made already in Armes Prydein. At the time Armes Prydein was composed, the Breton nobility under Alan II, Duke of Brittany had forged an alliance with Athelstan, King of England in the face of Viking attacks on their territory. Hywel Dda, then ruler of most of Wales, had also formed similar relationship with Athelstan at that time. In spite of this, the poet repeatedly refers to the men of Llydaw (Brittany) as part of his prophesied pan-Celtic union which will oust the English from Britain for good. Bromwich reads the line "A chymot Cynan gan y gilyd" ("there will be concord between Cynan and his fellow") as a reference to the reunion of the Bretons and their leader Conan Meriadoc with their fellow Britons.