Biography
Cyngen was of the line of Brochwel Ysgithrog and after a long reign as king of Powys went on a pilgrimage to Rome and died there in 855. He is thought to be the first Welsh ruler to visit Rome after the healing of the breach between the Welsh branch of the Celtic Church and Rome over the date of Easter.
Cyngen raised a pillar, originally a round-shafted cross, in memory of his great-grandfather Elisedd ap Gwylog which stands near the later abbey of Valle Crucis. This memorial had a lengthy inscription and is known as the Pillar of Eliseg owing to a typographical mistake by the original carver.
Cyngen was the last of the original line of kings of Powys. He had three sons, but on his death Powys was annexed by Rhodri Mawr, ruler of Gwynedd who claimed it as the son of Cyngen's sister, Nest ferch Cadell.
Cyngen had the following children:
- Elisedd ap Cyngen
- Ieuaf ap Cyngen
- Aeddan ap Cyngen
- Gruffudd ap Cyngen
Read more about this topic: Cyngen Ap Cadell
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