Keredic (Welsh:Ceredig) was alegendary king of the Britons, as recounted byGeoffrey of Monmouth. The origin of Geoffrey's character is unknown, but he is not depicted as aSaxon. According to Geoffrey, Keredic's rule was so unpopular that the Saxons enlisted the aid of an army ofVandals fromIreland to drive him from his kingdom.[1]
Geoffrey's legendary Keredic may have been a conflation ofCerdic, the traditional founder of Wessex, who, despite his political affiliation with the Saxons, was likely to be half-British himself, and anotherCerdic, who reigned over theCeltic kingdom ofElmet around present-dayLeeds until his defeat at the hands ofEdwin of Northumbria. Whatever the case, Geoffrey places a lengthy interregnum between the expulsion of Keredic and the rise of the next British king,Cadfan ap Iago.
Keredic should not be confused withCeredig, one of the sons ofCunedda and traditional founder ofCeredigion.
| Legendary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | King of Britain | Vacant Interregnum Title next held by Cadfan ap Iago |