Cyllin was a legendary, and possibly historical British king of the 1st century AD, early Christian saint and the lastpendragon ofGreat Britain. His existence is based on very limited evidence.[1]Richard Williams Morgan claimed that a reference to him as a son ofCaratacus was found in the family records ofIestyn ab Gwrgant and used this as evidence of early entry ofChristianity to Britain;
Cyllin ab Caradog, a wise and just king. In his days many of the Cymry embraced the faith in Christ through the teaching of the saints of Cor-Eurgain, and many godly men from the countries of Greece and Rome were in Cambria. He first of the Cymry gave infants names; for before, names were not given except to adults, and then from something characteristic in their bodies, minds, or manners.[2]
Reference to Cyllin is also given inIolo Morganwg's "Third series" of forgedWelsh Triads.[3] He is also discussed in the works ofRice Rees,Jane Williams,Sabine Baring-Gould andJohn Williams (Ab Ithel) as brother ofSaint Eigen and father ofKing Coel.[4][5][6][7] He is also noted in a manuscript giving thegenealogy ofTaliesin from the collection ofThomas Hopkin of Coychurch along with one from theHavod Uchtryd collection where he is calledCynan, a name often associated withConan Meriadoc.[8]
Works related toTriads of Britain at Wikisource| Preceded by | King of Siluria | Succeeded by -- |