The Votadini exodus to Wales

[Arturus Uriconium]

Hi Mak,

Not sure if this belongs here or on Arthurnet... :wink:

Gildas tells us that it was Maelgwn's avunculus he "oppressed" in his youth. That is his maternal uncle. So it couldn't be referring to good old Uncle Owein.

Well, technically auunculus can mean maternal uncle or mother's brother, indeed. And Owain was neither of these. But it can also mean mother's sister's husband or great uncle, and it might be possible (after all, we have no detailed knowledge of Maelgwn's family) that Owain Ddantgwn was one of the latter two.

Thanks Robert. Didn't know those other meanings to the word. As you say, it might be possible, but it is so often said as fact, but if it was indeed his mother's brother he oppressed in his youth - and I believe she is said to have been from Arfon - then it changes many things, including the dating for the beginning of his reign and the calculating of Cunedag's 'migration'. :?

Mak