Urien Rheged | |
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King of Rheged | |
Reign | c. 550? - c. 572 x 593 |
Predecessor | Cynfarch Oer? |
Successor | Rhun ab Urien? |
Died | c. 572 x 593 Aber Lleu[2] |
Cause of death | Assassination |
Issue |
|
House | Coeling |
Father | Cynfarch Oer |
Urien ap Cynfarch Oer or Urien Rheged (Welsh pronunciation: [ˈɨ̞riɛn ˈr̥ɛɡɛd]) was a sixth-century ruler of the kingdom of Rheged. His existence is confirmed by a ninth-century history and possibly nine praise-poems to him during his lifetime, attributed to the poet Taliesin. Urien features in medieval literature from Wales as one of the most celebrated figures of Welsh legend. Outside of the Welsh context, he eventually was transformed in Arthurian legend into the figure of king Urien of either Garlot or Gore.[3] His most celebrated son in Welsh literature, Owain mab Urien, similarly was the inspiration behind the character of Ywain.