Archaeological Evidence Confirms Three Dark Age Kings of Britain
Modern archaeology has uncovered physical proof of three post-Roman British monarchs: Nudd Hael, Conomor, and Ithel. The Yarrow Kirk Stone in Selkirkshire, Scotland, bearing the name 'Nudus' and 'liberalis' (Latin for generous), likely memorializes Nudd Hael, a 6th-century king known from Welsh manuscripts like the Black Book of Chirk and Welsh Triads. The Tristan Stone in Cornwall names Cunomorus, identified with Conomor, a 6th-century tyrant mentioned by Gregory of Tours and in the Life of St Paul Aurelian, who ruled both Brittany and parts of Britain. The Samson Pillar at Llantwit, Wales, mentions King Ithel, likely the 7th-century king of Glamorgan and Gwent from the Book of Llandaff, with supporting evidence from Llancarfan Charters linking Abbot Samson and Teican. These inscribed stones, dating broadly to the 6th–7th centuries, provide rare contemporary evidence for Dark Age rulers otherwise known only from fragmentary literary sources such as Gildas' De Excidio, Bede's Ecclesiastical History, and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
Key facts
- Nudd Hael was a 6th-century king in northern Britain, known from Welsh Triads and Black Book of Chirk.
- The Yarrow Kirk Stone in Selkirkshire, Scotland, bears the name 'Nudus' and 'liberalis' (generous).
- The Yarrow Stone inscription reads: 'This is the everlasting memorial: in this place lie the most famous princes, Nudus and Dumnogenus; in this tomb lie the two sons of Liberalis.'
- Conomor is mentioned by Gregory of Tours as a tyrant in Brittany, overthrown by King Judwal.
- The Tristan Stone in Cornwall names Cunomorus, identified with Conomor.
- The Life of St Paul Aurelian (9th century) refers to King Marc, also called Quonomorius, ruling four language groups.
- The Samson Pillar at Llantwit, Wales, reads: 'In the name of the most high God. Begins the cross of the Saviour, which Samson the Abbot prepared for his own soul and for the soul of Ithel the king and for Arthmail and Tecan.'
- King Ithel ruled Glamorgan and Gwent, likely in the 7th century, and is recorded in the Book of Llandaff and Llancarfan Charters.
Entities
Institutions
- National Library of Wales
- British Library
- Bodleian Library
- National Portrait Gallery, UK
Locations
- Britain
- Scotland
- Selkirkshire
- England
- Wales
- Gwynedd
- North Wales
- Cornwall
- Brittany
- France
- Glamorgan
- Gwent
- Llantwit
- River Loughor
- River Wye
- Arfon