Bishop of Glasbury

The Diocese of Glasbury (Welsh: Clas Cynidr)[1] was founded in The Bishops of Glasbury are listed in a 14th-century manuscript. A less reliable list of bishops was recorded by the chronicler-monk Geraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales).[2] Situated approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Llangors,[3] it was the site of an early Christian church from at least the 950s, it may have become a suffragan diocese of St Davids.[4] At least in its early years, the diocese appears to have enjoyed the support of the kings of Brycheiniog, and this enabled Glasbury's bishops to compete with their rivals at Ergyng, such as Euddogwy.[5]

Hec sunt nomina episcoporum Clas Chenedre / Here are the names of the bishops of Clas cynindr
Name Tenure Notes
Brecchert[note 1]
Cynidr
Gwyfan [?Gwrfan]
Gwrfryd
Meilyg
Morgynnydd Mid-10th century Or Morgennic. Mentioned by Gerald as Morgeneu. May have succeeded Rhydderech.[2]
Rhydderch 955 Mentioned by Gerald, but placed too early in his list.[2] May have predeceased Morgynnydd.[6]
David
Wilfred
Ithel
Erwyd [?Erfyn] 1040 Also recorded as Heruit, itself a misspelling of Heruin.[2]
Ælfric
Tryferyn d. c. 1055 Diocese amalgamated with the Diocese of Hereford.[2] Possibly to be identified with Tramerin, also mentioned by Gerald. Known to John of Worcester for his piety. Tryferyn appears to have deputized in Hereford for Bishop Æthelstan, who went blind.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ The history of the early incumbents is confused, and names appear to be either missing or remain just names. For example, one Llifio, is known from his grants to have an episcopal see in the region but whose exact location is unknown.[3]

References

  1. ^ Davies 2007, p. 300.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Davies 2007, p. 301.
  3. ^ a b Lane & Redknap 2007, p. 417.
  4. ^ Davies 2007, p. 303.
  5. ^ Sims-Williams 2019, p. 14.
  6. ^ Davies 2007, p. 301 n.46.

Bibliography

  • Davies, J. R. (2007). The archbishopric St Davids and the bishops of Clas Cynidr. Woodbridge: Boydell. pp. 296–316. ISBN 978-1-84383-322-2.
  • Lane, Alan; Redknap, Mark (2007). Llangorse Crannog: The Excavation of an Early Medieval Royal Site in the Kingdom of Brycheiniog. Oxbow Books. ISBN 978-1-78925-307-8.
  • Sims-Williams, Patrick (2019). The Book of Llandaf as a Historical Source. Boydell & Brewer. ISBN 978-1-78327-418-5.

Further reading