Constantine Corneu

Constantine "Corneu" (also known as Custennin, Custennyn or Cystennin "Gorneu" or "Gorneau") was a 5th century King of Dumnonia (now the English West Country).

Monarch

Traditionally, Constantine "Corneu" ap Conomor was the son of Conomor (or Cynfawr) ap Tutwal, his epithet meaning "of Cornwall" [http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/constcdm.html Early British Kingdoms: Constantine Corneu.] Retrieved on 2008-02-21.] . He is known from the 12th century Welsh genealogy "Bonedd y Saint" (the Lineage of the Saints) as the father of Saint Erbin [Snyder, Christopher A. "The Britons" Blackwell 2003 ISBN 0-631-22260-6 p166] . He was born in "c."411 and succeeded to the Dumnonian throne after his father in "c."435The History Files: [http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsBritain/BritainDumnonia.htm Post-Roman Celtic Kingdoms: Dumnonia] ] .

He is also identified with Constantine "Fendigaid" (the Blessed), due to the confusion with the Roman Western Emperor Constantine III [ [http://www.britannia.com/history/biographies/constantine.html Britannia: Constantine.] Retrieved on 2008-02-23.] , and other Contantines of the period due to the popularity of the name in the 4th to 6th centuries.

Family

It appears that King Constantine had a brother, Drustan, of which little is known, and three sons Erbin, Digain (or Dygain) and Meirchion (or Merion) [http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/gene/dumped.html Early British Kingdoms: West Country Royal Pedigree.] Retrieved on 2008-02-21.] . He may have been the king who had a daughter (of unknown name) who married King Pepiau Clavorauc (Pebiaw Gladrog) ap Erb of Ergyng [Barber, Chris and Plykitt, David. "Journey to Avalon: The Final Discovery of King Arthur" Weiser Books 1997 ISBN 13-978-1578630240 p249] , although this may have been the later Constantine of Cornwall. When Constantine died in "c."443, the kingdom was probably split, following an apparent Brythonic tradition, with Erbin succeeding to Dumnonia and Meirchion to Cerniw (Cornwall). Erbin and Digain both later became saints.

Arthurian connections

As with many Dumnonian and Cornish royalty, Constantine has Arthurian connections and has been suggested as the father of Uther Pendragon or King Arthur himself [ [http://fabpedigree.com/s028/f864273.htm Fabpedigree: Custennin Gorneu ap CYNFAWR.] Retrieved on 2008-02-21.] , through being identified with Geoffrey of Monmouth's legendary Constantine III of Britain.

References