Gwynllyw Fargog, aka Woolos the Bearded ruled a chunk of South Wales at the end of the 5th century and is said to have heralded from a storied Celtic lineage – he was supposedly descended from Macsen Wledig, also known as Roman Emperor Magnus Maximus, on his father’s side and Cunedda, a revered Celtic ruler on his mother’s.
Gwynllyw fell in love with Glwadys, daughter of King Brychan of Brycheiniog, the neighbouring kingdom to the north Gwynllyw’s land. They had a son, Cadoc, who would become one of Wales’ most important saints.
Gwynllyw became the patron saint of Newport whose cathedral – St. Woolos – is named after him.
Return to My Trees 