The Kingdom of Gwent-Glywising

The Kingdom of Gwent-Glywising, capably ruled for many years by Morgan Mwynfawr, son of the famed Athrwys, has long been a stalwart supporter of Cymbrian tradition. The easternmost of the Cymbrian Kingdoms, it was founded early after the withdrawal of the imperial forces from Ynys Prydein. It is bordered on the east by the Saxon Kingdom of Mercia, on the northwest by the fallen Kingdom of Brycheiniog, on the southwest by the Kingdom of Dyfed, and on the south by the treacherous waters of the Saffron Sea.Although Morgan has been generous to the Church in his realms, he has also cultivated the support of the Bardic Fraternity and the Druidical Order. Gwent has stood firm against the encroaching power of Mercia and lent its aid at times to Dumnonia against the aggression of Wessex. It supports the independence of Caer Tewdrig, City of Sages and home to the Bardic Fraternity, and maintains traditional values with a progressive outlook. Currently, Gwent leads the opposition to the growing power of the Dragon Queen of Penllyn and Gwynedd, although how long it will be able to resist is uncertain.
The Kingdom is compromised of Gwent proper, the lowlands of Glywysing in the west, the old kingdom of Ergyng to the east, and the Vale of Ewyas in the northwest. Raids from Mercia continue to trouble Ergyng, and the Vale of Ewyas is now the domain of a mysterious and powerful wizard. The coastal regions of Gwent are separated from the northern reaches of the kingdom by an ancient woodland, inhabited by foresters, and small communities of halflings and gnomes. The port towns of Caerdyf, Caerleon, and Caer Caradog are entries for river trade up the Taff, the Wysg, and the Gwy respectively. The town of Caer Gafenny marks the edge of the kingdom in the northwest, before the high road follows the path of the Upper Wysg Valley to the river's source deep in the goblin-infested Black Mountains.

Structure

The structure of society is as follows:

• The Brenin, the High Lord of Gwent and its dependencies
• The Penteulu, Captain of the Royal Guard and Marshal of the Army
• The Breyr, regional leaders located in important towns
• The Rhyngills, bailiffs serving the Breyrs in smaller towns and villages
• The Uchelwyr, freeborn landowners owing military service
• The Bonheddig, freeborn youth who have not yet come into their inheritance

History

The Bardic Fraternity holds that Anwn the Black, who held sway over much of southern Cymbria from the fortress now called Caer ap Nos, had two sons. Edynfed, the younger, was given the lands to the west, including the Kingdom of Dyfed. The elder son, Tudwal, was given the lands to the east which became the core of the Kingdom of Gwent-Glywysing. The Kingdom continued to be united up through the time of his great-grandson Tewdrig, a follower of Illtyd the All-Knowing who restored the old imperial school on the southern coast of Glywysing. Upon Tewdrig's death, the land was again divided, the eastern portion going to Glywys (who gave his name to the lands) and the western portion to Meurig.
In the next generation, Glywysing was further divided between the sons of Glywys, while Gwent was split between Meurig's son Athrwys, who ruled from Caerleon, and Caradog Strong-Arm, who opposed Athrwys and ruled from Caerwent. Athrwys was eventually able to subjugate the quarrelsome Strong-Arm, thus unifying Gwent. The kingdom was once more combined with Glywysing under Athrwys's son Morgan the Great, who laid claim to the throne of Ergyng in the northeast and restored the old imperial fortress at Caer Gafenny in the northwest, thus simultaneously defining and securing the kingdom's borders. The kingdom has remained relatively stable to this day under Morgan Mwynfawr.

Demography and Population

The population of the kingdom is predominantly human, but there are a number of halfling settlements scattered throughout the country. Gnomes can be found in the more remote wooded and hilly areas, but they are not tributaries. There are rumors of elven settlements, cloaked by strong magic.

Divine Origins

From the earliest days, Cymbrian chieftains were chosen through the Druidical Council and the assent of the Bardic Fraternity. The Brenin was proclaimed Mabon, Son of Brigid and Bridegroom of Rhiannon, who brings the hearth fire. He was armed with weapons forged by Gofannon and blessed by Cernunnos as Lord of the Hunt. As Lord of the Land, he was the embodiment of Nodens and in his might he was the right arm of Beli Mawr. With the coming of the Empire, these ancient practices went underground. The unity of the druids and the bards was broken and the link between the ruler and the land was broken.
In the final days of the Empire, the Light of Amon spread among the folk of the White Isle. The great temples of the Lord of Light developed in the major cities, including Caer Arglwydd (Lordsgate) in the east, Caer Ymyl Corsydd (Edgemoor) in the north, and Caer Legeion (Caerleon) in the west. When the Empire withdrew from the isle, it was the followers of the Light who maintained order. The strongest proponents of the Light in the west were the disciples of Saint Cadoc of the Cowl. They spread the word of Amon throughout the cities of Cymbria, but in carrying their message to the rural places they found it fit to embrace those deities of weal who had long been worshipped by the Cymbrians-Twrog of the Ways, Nienna the Merciful, and Illtyd the Wise. Thus the message of conversion and enlightenment of Amon embraced the messages of journeying, healing, and learning which were the basis of these others communities.
When the rulers of the Cymbrian Kingdoms began to reappear, they were sanctioned by Amon. Although the druids had retreated to the wild places, the ancient practices and rituals of kingship were retained-thus in addition to the Brenin's anointment by the High Priest of the Order of Saint Cadoc, his authority and guardianship of the woodland spaces are affirmed by the druids, while priestesses from the Sacred Order of Rhiannon bless his bride.  In fact, he is not considered legitimate until he has both brought down a stag from the wood and consummated his union with his bride.

Founding Date

CY 406

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom

Official State Religion

The Order of Saint Cadoc

Deities

• Amon, Lord of Light
• Cadoc of the Cowl
• Elen of the Ways
• Illtyd the Wise
• Nienna, Lady of Mercy
• Twrog of the Byways

Controlled Territories

• Bryn Buga, Watcher's Hill
• Caer Ffili, City of Shields
• Caer Gafenny, City of Smiths
• Caer Tewdrig, City of Sages
• Caerleon, City of Legions