Mael Maelienydd,
King of Maelienydd
Born c.AD 470
(Latin-Maglus, English-Male)
Mael appears as 'Millo map
Camuir' in the pedigree of
the descendants of Brydw
in the Harleian MS.3859. It is not stated which kingdom the dynasty ruled,
but it would have been somewhere in the Powys region, from where the whole
family originated.
He seems to be identifiable with
Mael, 'Duke' of Maelienydd (in north-east Radnorshire) who appears in the
life of St. Curig Lwyd as granting land to Maelgwn the Monk. The kingdom was
probably named after him, though Bartrum says it is derived from the
personal name, Maelien: perhaps an alternative form of Mael.
It is unclear how long his
descendants remained independent of Greater Powys. They may have eventually
become subordinate to the Princes of Fferreg, established in the same area
by a younger branch of the Royal House of Gwent. Mael's family certainly
appear to have held positions of influence into the early 7th century. He
was succeeded by his son, Cynin.
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