Cadell Ddyrnllwg, (Catellus Gleaming-hilt) is in the Historia Brittonum the first king of the Powys dynasty and so also appears in some medieval Welsh genealogies.
From the Historia Brittonum[]
The Historia Brittonum account relates that St. Germanus was attempting to urge more Christian behavior on an iniquitous and tyrannical king, named Benli. The king refused to speak to him or to allow him into his fort. Cadell Ddyrnllwg, one of the king’s guards brought word back from Bennlli and then offered Germanus and his companions hospitality in his own home outside the fort.
Cadell had only one cow and its calf, and slaughtered the calf to provide a meal for Germanus and Germanus’ companions. Germanus accepted this gracious hospitality, but forbade any of those who ate of the calf to break any bones. The following morning the calf was found alive and uninjured, standing by its mother.
On that day, Germanus again sought entrance to the fort but was not allowed in. Then Germanus told Cadell that none of Cadell’s friends should remain in the fort that night. So Cadell brought out his nine sons and went with them to his house.
Here St. Germanus ordered them to continue, fasting; and when the gates were shut, “Watch,” said he, “and whatever shall happen in the citadel, turn not thither your eyes; but pray without ceasing, and invoke the protection of the true God.” And, behold, early in the night, fire fell from heaven, and burned the city, together with all those who were with the tyrant, so that not one escaped; and that citadel has never been rebuilt even to this day.
The following day, Cadell, his sons, and all the people of the countryside were baptized by Germanus and Germanus appointed Cadell Ddyrnllwg as king and Cadell reigned until he died, and his descendants reigned over Powys after him.
From the Genealogies[]
Cadell Ddyrnllwg appears as the first king of Powys in the Harleian MS. 3859 Genealogies, being the father of Catigern (Cattegirn). But in other genealogies, the line runs from Vortigern: Vortigern, Catigern, Rhuddfedel, Britu, Paskent, Cadell Ddyrnllwg, Kyngen, Brochfael, Kynan, Selyf. In an alternate tradition on the Pillar of Eliseg also tracing the line to Vortigern, at least where the insciption is visible, Cadell Ddyrnllwg is not mentioned.
Some Name Variations[]
WELSH: Cadell Ddyrnllwg, Catel Dunlurc, Kadell Deernlluc, Cadell Deyrlloch; LATIN: Catell Durnluc, IRISH: Caiteal.