People and Characters of The Arthurian Age

Warning! Spoilers may be found ahead . . .

This page is to provide a list of every character — historical, legendary, or invented by me — that appears in the books of, or related to, The Arthurian Age. I’ll mention the books they appear in, a short detail about them (trying to avoid any spoilers) and, by popular demand, my best attempt at the pronunciation of the name. If my pronunciations are off, please let me know! For more on pronunciation, you can read this post. This will be a work in progress, as the series grows.

Key:

* = A character of my own invention with no legendary or historical links.
TRTA = The Retreat to Avalon
TSOC = The Strife of Camlann
TWR = Three Wicked Revelations
HEWB = Hengist: Exile, Warlord, Britain’s First Anglo-Saxon King

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Name	Books	Pronunciation	Information
Adeon	* TRTA	ah-DAY-on	A member of Gawain’s turma.
Aegidius	TRTA	eye-GID-ee-yoos	Magister Militum of the Western Roman Empire. He attempted to maintain a semblance of Roman rule in northern Gaul when the region was cut off from the rest of the Roman Empire by the encroachment of Germanic kingdoms to the south. An opponent of Ricimer, he died mysteriously and was succeeded by his less-capable son, Syagrius.
Aelle	TSOC	ELL-eh	Ælle is recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as the first king of the South Saxons (Sussex). He is also described as the first Bretwalda, or overlord, of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain. He arrived in southern Britain in three ships with his three sons and fought the Britons.
Aergol Lawhir	TRTA TSOC TWR	EYER-gol la-OO-hir	King of Demetia. Historically referred to by Gildas as a “Good King”. Father of Vortipor.
Aesc	TSOC HEWB	ash	Son of Hengist, his birth name was Oeric. His son was Octha.
Aergyn Faen	TRTA	EYER-geen fine	Known in the later Romances as Agravain, he is a brother of Gawain and half-brother of Mordred, joining Mordred in the rebellion against Arthur. In this story, he is Modred’s older brother, assigned as a staff officer to Gwynn. His epithet means “The Rock”.
Afallach	TSOC	a-VA-thlakh	Uncle of Maglocunus through his mother. When Cadwallon dies, the throne goes to Afallach, with dire consequences.
Aine	* TRTA TSOC	EYEN-eh	Gawain’s and Rhian’s first child, she was born while Gawain was in Gaul.
Ajax	* TRTA	Ah-yas	His true name is Tegid. A member of Gawain’s combrogi from a neighbouring village, he earned his nickname due to his immense size and strength. This was to show the familiarity of the locals with at least some classical culture, as stories like The Iliad would have been widely known and popular.
Alan	TSOC	Ah-lan	Alan ‘Ironhand’ is lord of Blestio. He is derived from Alan Fyrgan, mentioned in Welsh Triad #30, a victim of one of “The Three Faithless Warbands of the Islands of Britain”: “And the Warband of Alan Fyrgan, who turned away from him by night, and let him go with his servants to Camlann. And there he was slain.”
Amabilia	* TSOC	ah-mah-BIL-ee-ah	Daughter of Ambrosius Aurelianus.
Ambrosius Aurelianus	TRTA TWR	am-BROH-shee-yoos AH-reh-LEE-ah-noos	A historically attested person referred to by Gildas as a “gentleman” and among the last of the “Romans”. He is said to have led the first successful campaigns against the invading Anglo-Saxons and was in opposition to Vortigern. He does not appear to have adopted any form of kingship or the form of leadership undertaken by Vortigern or Arthur.
Amloth	HEWB	AM-loth	Amloth is the ancestor of Garulf and a ruler of the Jutes who is killed by the king of the Angles. In legend and probably in history, he is called “Amlethus”, is misidentified (according to Tolkien) as a Dane, and his story is placed later in history. Shakespeare uses Amleth’s story as the inspiration for Hamlet. I follow Tolkien’s speculation as the catalyst for the conflict that erupts between Garulf and Hengist.
Amren	TRTA	AM-ren	Son of Bedwyr and a junior member of Arthur’s guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is one of Arthur’s four chamberlains who guard Arthur’s bed and attend him in the mornings.
Andraueit	TSOC TWR	an-DRY-ate	Wife of Cei.
Anthemius	TRTA TSOC TWR	an-THEH-mee-yoos	Western Roman Emperor from 467 to his death in 472, he is considered the last of the effective emperors and might have reversed the fortunes of the Western Empire if not continually thwarted and then killed by his Magister Militum, Ricimer. Anthemius arranged the alliance with Riothamus that this story is built upon.
Arbogast	TRTA	arb-OH-gahst	Comes of Treveris, he ruled a small Roman rump state under much the same circumstances as Syagrius with the help of remaining Roman troops and Frankish foederati. Arbogast was well-educated, and Sidonius praises him as one of the last defenders of the collapsing Western Roman Empire and Roman culture.
Arthur	TRTA TSOC TWR	ar-TUR	Arthur is well-known, though generally more so from the Romances than from the earlier legends or the historical possibilities. This series hopes to change that.
Arvandus	TRTA TWR	ar-VAND-us	Praetorian Prefect of Gaul, he treasonously encouraged Euric to cast aside the treaty with Rome and attack Roman lands, including the Britons north of the Loire, suggesting Gaul should be divided between the Visigoths and the Burgundians. He was tried and convicted, but the efforts of Sidonius and other friends saved him from death and he was exiled.
Atfodla	* TRTA	at-VOD-la	A member of Gawain’s turma, from the Gododdin.
Aunwas	TSOC	EIN-oo-as	Member of Arthur’s Guard. Appears in Pa Gur.
Bachlach	* TRTA TSOC	BAKH-lakh	Scoti warrior of Meirchion Gul’s retinue. He sets the stage for my imagining of how the Gawain and the Green Knight story could have developed from a challenge.
Beatha	* TRTA	beh-AT-a	Gawain’s sister, married to a minor warlord to the south of Alt Clut.
Bedwyr	TRTA TSOC TWR	BED-oo-eer	One of Arthur’s leading warriors, his second closest friend and leader of one of his three legions. Known to most as “Sir Bedivere”, the knight who returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake in Le Morte d’Arthur, he is one of the characters linked closely to Arthur from the earliest legends and may have been a historical person.
Boudicca	TSOC	boo-DIK-a	Queen of the Iceni British Celts, she led a devastating revolt against the Roman occupation until a crushing defeat about 60 A.D. She became a British folk hero.
Bonitus	TRTA	BON-ih-tus	A Gaulish farmer from near Dolens. I used his character to incorporate the historical letter from Sidonius to Riothamus. I also used the incident to include elements of a romance legend known as The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle.
Bracca	* TSOC	BRAK-ka	Lord of a combrogi on the north-western borders of Pollog.
Branwen and Bran	TSOC TWR	bran-OO-en Bran	From the Welsh poems of The Mabinogi, and thought to originate from historical events in the Bronze Age, Branwen is the sister of Bran the Blessed, King of ancient Britain. Her marriage to an Irish king ignites a terrible war. The ending result involves the burial of Bran’s head at the site of the White Mount in London, with serious implications in the Arthurian Age.
Brychan	TRTA	BRUHKH-an	King of Brycheiniog, he was born in Ireland before his parents emigrated to Britain. He married the heiress to the small kingdom and changed its name to his own.
Cadoc	TSOC	KAD-ok	Bishop Cadoc (later sainted) of Llancarfan, was important to the early British church. From various clues, I make him responsible for rebuilding the College of Theodosius.
Cador	TRTA	KAD-or	Son of Gerren “The Fleet Owner”, King of Dumnein, father of Constantine. He took the throne on the death of his father in battle against the Saxons and was a close ally and friend of Arthur.
Cadwal	* TRTA	KAD-oo-al	Cadwaladr; line leader in Gawain’s turma, he is from the Gododdin.
Cadwallon	TRTA	Kad-oo-ATH-lon	ap Einion; King of Gwynedd. He was called “Lawhir”, or “Long Hand”. His grandfather, Cunedda Wledig, is said to have brought his warband from the lands of the Gododdin to north-west Wales to expel the Irish who were colonising the region
Calpornus	* TRTA TSOC	kal-PORN-us	The magistrate of Cair Cerin. The status of various cities and realms is ambiguous in the 5th century. It appears that some developed into kingdoms, while others retained their Roman-styled civil leadership until later.
Carnedaur	TRTA	kar-NED-eyer	ap Gofynion Hen; Leader of Drustan’s Second Cavalry Ala. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as a member of Arthur’s court.
Caw	TRTA TSOC	Ka-oo	A minor warlord within Alt Clut, he is descended from the Picts that used to inhabit the region before the Britons pushed them further north. He is the father of many children, including Hueil, Etmic, Cwyllog and St. Gildas.
Cei	TRTA TSOC TWR	Kay	One of Arthur’s leading warriors, his oldest friend and leader of one of his three legions. Known to most as “Sir Kay”, Arthur’s foster brother in Le Morte d’Arthur, he is one of the characters linked closely to Arthur from the earliest legends and may have been a historical person.
Censurius	TRTA TSOC TWR	ken-SIR-yoos	Bishop of Autissodoro (later sainted); He studied under St. Germanus, who was famous for his visits to Britain in the early 5th century to combat Pelagianism. Illtud is said to have studied under Germanus, but the timing seems off, so I have made him the student of a student of Germanus.
Ceolgar and Balduf	TSOC	CHEH-al-gar BAL-doof	Geoffrey of Monmouth lists Colgrim and Baldulph as Anglo-Saxon foes of Arthur at the Siege of Badon. I have adjusted their names to fit the era. I have also listed them as warlords from the Anglo-Saxon regions of the Humbra.
Ceolmund	* HEWB	CHEH-al-mund	One of the five characters I invented for the HENGIST novella, he is one of Hengist’s men.
Cerdic	TRTA TSOC	CHER-dik	Listed in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as the founder of Wessex, he has a British name, but was said to have a Saxon father named Esla and descent from the Germanic pagan god, Woden. There is a great deal of speculation about Cerdic’s origins and historicity, but my method is to surmise from the context as written, so for The Arthurian Age, I briefly introduced him in The Retreat to Avalon. His father is a Briton, Gwenwyn, and his mother is a Saxon of the Gewisse. His grandfather is Esla. Cerdic would have been considered king of the Gewisse, rather than Wessex, which did not come into existence until the seventh century, and his career suggests the linkage with the Gewisse as correct. With these details, a savvy reader may guess how the story of Cerdic might play out under the circumstances described in this book, and may be explored in a future novel.
Ceretic	HEWB	keh-REH-tik	Ceretic is mentioned in the 9th Century Historia Brittonum (History of the Britons) as Hengist’s interpreter. Ceretic is a Celtic name, so it is almost certain he was a Briton.
Cethtrwm	TRTA TWR	KETH-troom	One of the priests who accompany Arthur to Gaul. Mentioned in Culhwch and Olwen.
Childeric	TRTA TSOC	CHIL-der-ik	Son of the founder of the Merovingian Dynasty of Salian Franks, he allied with Aegidius, and later with Aegidius’ son, Syagrius, against the Visigoths. His son, Clovis, chose to attack Syagrius and put an end to the Roman rump state.
Cissa	TSOC	CHIH-sah	Third son of Aelle of Sussex, he succeeds his father as king of the South Saxons. Chichester is named for him.
Cirigh	* TSOC	KIR-ikh	One of the warriors of Gawain’s combrogi
Clodri	* TSOC	KLOD-ri	Captain of Gwenhwyfar’s Royal Guard, husband of Mariam.
Coel Hen	TSOC TWR	KOIL HEN	British warlord, he is the last Dux Britanniarum under Roman rule, becoming king of the northern region of Roman Britain after the end of Roman rule.
Congar	TRTA	KON-gar	One of the monks at Arthur’s hall, a nephew of Cador. He is later known as St. Congar.
Conn	* TRTA TSOC	CON	‘Old Conn’ was an aged member of Gwyar’s warband who spent his later years as Pollog’s porter.
Constantine	TRTA TSOC	KONS-tan-teen	Prince of Dumnein, son of Cador. He is historically attested as one of the five “tyrants” excoriated by Gildas for committing many adulteries after casting off his lawfully wedded wife. Worse, Gildas says that despite swearing an oath against deceit and tyranny against his subjects, he disguised himself as an abbot and killed 2 royal children with their guardians while they prayed at the altar.
Cors	TRTA	KORS	A member of Arthur’s household guard. Epithet “Hundred-Claws”, in Culhwch and Olwen.
Clovis	TSOC	KHLO-wis	Son of Childeric of the Merovingian Dynasty of Salian Franks, he attacked Syagrius after his father’s death, ending the Roman rump state.
Cradawc	TRTA	KRA-dowk	ap Iaen; a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, said to be Arthur’s kin from Caer Dathal, through Uthur, suggesting Arthur’s origins may have been somewhat north of what is recorded in later legends.
Cunbelin	TRTA	kun-BEH-lin	Son of Dyfnwal Hen, leader of the Alt Clut contingent, later member of Gwynn’s staff.
Cunedda	TSOC	kun-ETH-ah	ap Edern, founder of the Gwynedd dynasty. He is said to have brought his warband from Manau Gododdin to Northwest Wales to drive out Irish invaders in the early fifth century.
Cuneglas	TSOC	kun-EG-las	ap Owain; King of Rhos after his father’s death. Excoriated by Gildas as one of the ‘Five Tyrants’. Gildas calls him a “bear” (leading some today to wrongly confuse him with Arthur), a butcher and a “rider of many”, that he raises war against his own countrymen, and that he drove away his wife and cast his eyes upon her dastardly sister, a widow vowed to chastity.
Cwyllog	TRTA TSOC	koo-UTH-log	Daughter of Caw. Early legends have her marrying Medraut (Modred).
Cymen	TSOC	CHY-men	Eldest son of Aelle of Sussex.
Cyndelic	TRTA TSOC TWR	kun-DEL-ik	“Kyuarwyd”; Arthur’s chief scout. In Culhwch and Olwen, Arthur calls him “as good a guide in lands he had never seen as he was in his own country.”
Cyngen	TSOC	KUN-gen	ap Cadell. Great-Grandson of Vortigern through Catigern, he was a child when his father and brothers died. Becomes king of Paguis. I have identified Cyngen with Aurelius Caninus, a likely pseudonym given by Gildas who castigates him as one of the ‘Five Tyrants’. Gildas describes the early death of Caninus’ father and brothers, and goes on to excoriate him for murders, fornications, adulteries, and spreading civil war.
Cynwyl	TRTA	kun-OO-eel	Leader of Drustan’s First Cavalry Ala. In Culhwch and Olwen he is listed as one of the survivors of Camlann, said to be “the last who parted from Arthur on Hengroen his horse.”
Cynyr	TRTA TWR	KUN-eer	The father of Cei, he is a minor warlord and close ally of Arthur. In the later Romances, he is known as Sir Ector.
Dalldav	TRTA	DATHL-dav	ap Kimin Côv; a member of Arthur’s household guard, he becomes the leader of the guard. In Culhwch and Olwen he is identified as one of the three peers of Arthur’s court.
Defon	TRTA TSOC	DEV-on	A member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen he is identified as “the ninth man that rallied he battle of Camlann.”
Deiniol	* TRTA	DAY-nih-ol	A member of Gawain’s turma.
Dochu	* TRTA	DOHK-ee	One of Gwyar’s elder councillors, father of Teilo.
Drem	TRTA	Drem	One of Arthur’s gatekeepers. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be able to see a gnat flying on the other side of Britain.
Drustan	TRTA TWR	DRUS-tan	One of Arthur’s leading young warriors, and leader of one of his three legions. Possibly a historical person, he is known in later legends as Tristan, such as in the tragic story of Tristan and Iseult.
Dumnagual	TSOC	dum-NAG-ee-al	King of Berneich, grandson of Coel Hen.
Dyfnwal Hen	TRTA TSOC	duv-NOO-al Hen	Dyfnwal “The Old”; a likely historical person, king of the early realm of Alt Clut and the son of Ceretic (the Coroticus of St. Patrick’s Confessio).
Dywel	TRTA	duh-OO-el	ap Erbin; one of Arthur’s councillors. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as the cousin of Cador through Gerren.
Eadwig	* HEWB	AID-wig	One of the five characters I invented for the HENGIST novella, he is one of Hengist’s men.
Eaha	HEWB	AY-ha	In history and legend, the only reference to Eaha is one brief mention in the Finnsburg Fragment, which describes Eaha and Sigeferth defending the door to the hall. In researching my HENGIST novella, I’ve found a fascinating possibility related to the historical Hengist. In HENGIST, Eaha is Hengist’s closest friend and second in command. Eaha is Old English for “Warhorse”, and is a nickname rather than his actual name, Octha.
Ealdræd	* HEWB	AIL-drad	One of the five characters I invented for the HENGIST novella, he is one of Hengist’s men. He demonstrates the Germanic style of poetry that relies on alliteration rather than rhyming.
Echel	TRTA	EHK-el	A member of Arthur’s household guard. Epithet “Mighty Thigh”, in Culhwch and Olwen.
Efrawg	* TRTA TSOC	EV-RA-oog	Pollog’s ironsmith in Book 1 and Peredur’s father.
Eidyol	TRTA	AID-uh-ol	ap Ner; a member of Arthur’s household guard.
Einion	TSOC	AYN-ee-on	ap Mor, great-grandson of Coel Hen. King of Ebrauc.
Eldadus	TRTA TWR	EL-da-dus	Bishop of Cair Gloui, later sainted. He was a strong ally of Ambrosius Aurelianus in the war against the Saxons.
Eli	TSOC	EH-lih	‘Thracmyr’. Member of Arthur’s Guard and his chief huntsman.
Eliman	* TRTA	eh-LIH-man	One of Gwyar’s elder councillors, father of Mabon.
Esla	TSOC	ES-lah	A Saxon nobleman of the Gewisse, he is father-in-law of Gwenwyn and grandfather of Cerdic.
Etmic	TRTA	ET-mik	Son of Caw, junior officer and peer of Gawain.
Eudaf	* TRTA	EYE-dav	An older warrior of Gawain’s combrogi, he is a famed veteran of Arthur’s Battle of the Celidon Wood.
Euric	TRTA TSOC	OO-rik	A Visigoth king. He became king after murdering his brother in 466 and ruled until his death in 484.
Faustus	TSOC TWR	FAWS-tus	Bishop of Riez, thought to be the youngest son of Vortigern, potentially of shady origins. A close friend of Sidonius Appolinaris, who corresponded with him.
Fergus Mór	TSOC	FAHR-gus more	Founder of Irish kingdom of Dal Riada in western Scotland and north-eastern Ireland. This Irish colony would eventually absorb the Britons and Picts of Scotland and their Archaic Irish language would become Scots Gaelic.
Fidach	* TRTA	VID-akh	A member of Gawain’s turma, from the Gododdin.
Finn	HEWB	Finn	Finn Folcwalding (son of Folcwalda) is a powerful king of Frisia. Perhaps the most powerful. At this time, it is unlikely that one “king” controlled all of any particular tribal region. He is one of the subjects of a poem that is referred to in Beowulf, as well as the Finnsburg Fragment. He also appears in an early Anglo-Saxon poem called Widsith, as well as the Historia Brittonum and some Anglo-Saxon pedigrees with different family details. He is thought to have been a historical person.
Frithuwulf	HEWB	FRI-thu-wulf	Son of Finn Folcwalding, he is only mentioned in Beowulf, and not by name. Tolkien’s analysis of other texts led him to believe that Frithuwulf was the son most likely to have perished.
Gallcoyt Govynynat	TRTA	gathl-CO-eet go-vuhn-uhn-at	One of Arthur’s captains who is given command of the infantry during the retreat from Dolens.
Gareth	TRTA	GAH-reth	First appearing in Le Morte d’Arthur as a brother of Gawain, Gareth does not fit into the time frame of characters that I intended to use, but I decided to use his name to evoke an Arthurian atmosphere. Rather than being an actual brother, he is Gawain’s closest friend. He was raised by his mother and uncle, Rhufawn, after his father died.
Garmonion	TRTA	gar-MON-ee-on	Son of Dyfnwal Hen, leader of the Alt Clut contingent, later member of Gwynn’s staff.
Garulf	HEWB	GAR-ulf	Son of Guthulf, he is apparently the instigator of the battle at Finnsburg, leading the attack on the hall, and first to die. He is only named in the Finnsburg Fragment, where his father is called Guthlaf. Tolkien said this was likely a scribal error.
Gawain	TRTA TSOC	GAH-wane	In later legends he is known as Gawain, son of King Lot and Morgause (Morgen), Arthur’s sister. I used a bit of a hybrid approach. The earliest references to Gawain are under the name Gwalchmai ap Gwyar, and I patterned Gawain on those earlier references, where he is considered one of Arthur’s greatest knights, a formidable warrior, educated, courteous, compassionate, loyal, a mentor to young warriors and a defender of the poor and of women.
Geln	* TSOC	Geln	Member of Gawain’s combrogi whose homestead lies on the western borders of Pollog. Father of Turi.
Gildas	TSOC	GIL-das	St. Gildas, Gildas the Wise, he was the son of Caw. His On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain is the only surviving document from Britain from the Arthurian era. It chastises the Britons, and especially picks out ‘Five Tyrants’ for their behaviour, and gives some details of the time, including the Siege of Mt. Badon.
Gladus	* TRTA TSOC	GLAH-dus	The wife of Gwalhafed, mother of Tarran, Anna, and Torri.
Gliguis	TRTA	glih-GEE-is	King of the region that would become known as Glywysing, from a later version of his name, Glywys. Centred on his capital at Cair Teim, the kingdoms of this area seem to have had fluid borders early on, probably due to warfare.
Glyf	* TRTA TSOC	Gleev	Veteran soldier of Cadubrega, and Gawain’s friend.
Greidawl	TRTA	GRAY-da-ool	Leader of Cei’s First Cavalry Ala. Known as Greidawl Galldonyd in Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as one of Arthur’s advisors.
Glyngwyn	TSOC	Glun-GOO-een	Gawain’s and Rhian’s son and second child. I tried to find names more appropriate to the time than the Romance versions associated with Gawain’s children. This one approximates Guinglain.
Gobrwy	TRTA	go-BROO-ee	Cei’s chief of staff; one of Arthur’s advisors from Culhwch and Olwen.
Got	* TRTA	Got	Member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Guin Godybrion	TRTA	GUH-in go-duh-BREE-on	Bedwyr’s chief of staff. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be a sage and a warrior.
Gundgomar	TRTA	GUND-go-mar	Burgundian lord of the town and vale of Avalon. In one of the earliest of the Romances, Erec and Enide by Chrétien de Troyes, the lord of Avalon is Guinguemar, a love of Morgen. I have adapted his name to something closer to Burgundian names of the time for this story.
Gusc	TSOC	Gusk	ap Achen. Member of Arthur’s Guard.
Guthlaf	HEWB		Younger brother of Ordlaf. A Dane, he was a kinsman, probably a cousin, to Hnæf. He appears in Beowulf and the Finnsburg Fragment. Tolkien suggested that their father was Hunlaf, because of a reference to Hunlafing that implies “son (or descendant) of Hunlaf”. The apparent leadership of Ordlaf and Guthlaf among the Danes suggests it was Ordlaf who placed Hnæf’s sword on Hengist’s lap.
Gwadyn	TRTA	GOO-ahd-een	A member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he has the ability to emit flames from the soles of his feet, possibly an allusion to his running speed.
Gwalhafed	TRTA	goo-AL-ha-ved	Brother of Gawain, he appears only as a mention in Culhwch and Olwen, as a Gwalhafed ap Gwyar. For this story, he might be vaguely equated with Gaheris, a brother of Gawain, who first appears in Le Morte d’Arthur.
Gwenhwyfar	TRTA	goo-en-HOO-uh-var	Known in later times as Guinevere, she is the wife of Arthur. Early legends suggest she might have been his second, or even third, wife. As “Lancelot” was a much later character from the Romances, the early legends do not involve a war and Arthur’s death resulting from her infidelity with the fictional knight.
Gwenwyn	TRTA	goo-EN-oo-een	Arthur’s fleet captain. In the early legends, he is recorded as one of the “Three Seafarers of the Island of Britain” with the longer name, Gwenwynwyn.
Gwevyl	TRTA	GOO-ev-eel	Son of Gwestad, he is a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, Gwevyl is said to be able to let his lower lip drop below his waist and turn up the other like a cap upon his head. Hyperbole was common in heroic poetry.
Gwittart	TRTA	GOO-it-tart	Son of Oedd, an Irish chieftain, he is a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, Oedd is described as King of Ireland. Fostering of young warriors in the warbands of other warlords was common in this era. A famous warlord, like Arthur, would draw warriors from far away.
Gwrdinal	TRTA	GOOR-din-al	ap Ebrei; a member of Arthur’s household guard.
Gwrhyr	TRTA	GOOR-heer	Arthur’s chief interpreter. In Culhwch and Olwen it is said that, to him, all tongues were known.
Gwyar	TRTA	GOO-ee-ar	Gawain’s father in my story. Gwyar means “Bloodshed” or “Gore”. Some believe it is a matronymic, which was sometimes used in Briton. I believe that is due to attempts to reconcile later legends making Gawain and Arthur related, so I decided to interpret the name as belonging to a warrior, which seems more appropriate. As other legends suggest that Gawain’s mother was named Anna, I have chosen that name for Gwyar’s deceased wife. His father, Gartnait, was in line for the throne of the Gododdin before dying under suspicious circumstances.
Gwyddawg	TRTA	goo-UTH-ah-oog	ap Menestyr; he is the leader of Cei’s personal guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, it is said he slew Cei, and was slain by Arthur, together with his brothers, to revenge Cei. This early reference to Cei’s death does not explain how or why Cei was killed by a member of Arthur’s own court. This story assumes the passage of time causes some details to be lost, and it is remembered vaguely that Arthur killed Gwyddawg.
Gwydion	* TRTA	goo-UHD-ee-on	A member of Gawain’s turma.
Gwythyr	TRTA	goo-UTH-eer	A veteran member of Arthur’s household guard.
Gwynn	TRTA	GOO-een	ap Ermid; leader of Arthur’s third legion after Drustan was mortally wounded at Namnetis. In Culhwch and Olwen he is listed as the cousin of Cador through Gerren.
Hasdi	* TRTA	HOS-dee	A trader from Arados (Arwad, Syria), part of his character’s role is to demonstrate how, for a time in the Arthurian era, trade links were re-established with the Eastern Roman Empire, and to provide historical background to the narrative.
Hedrek	* TSOC	HED-rek	One of the warriors of Gawain’s combrogi.
Heldric	TSOC	HEEL-drich	Saxon warlord from Germania who allies with the Anglo-Saxons of Britain leading to the Siege of Badon. Geoffrey of Monmouth calls him ‘Cheldric’, but I corrected the name to be more appropriate to the era. He has had dealings with Arthur in the past.
Hengist	TSOC TWR HEWB	HEN-gist	He and his brother, Horsa, are said to be the first Anglo-Saxon warlords to arrive in Britain, serving as mercenaries against the Picts by agreement with Vortigern. He is also associated with Beowulf and The Finnsburg Fragment.
Henwyneb	TRTA	hen-OO-un-eb	Leader of Arthur’s personal guard. In Culhwch and Olwen he is called “Old Face” and is identified as a companion of Arthur.
Hildeburh	HEWB	HIL-deh-buh	Daughter of Hoc, sister of Hnæf, wife of Finn, and mother of Frithuwulf. She appears in Beowulf. She is a “peace-weaver”, the daughter of one royal household married to another in order to cement friendly relations.
Hirerwm	TRTA	HEER-eh-room	A member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he and his brother are distinguished by their ravenous appetites.
Hnaef	TSOC HEWB	hNaf	Danish warlord; Son of Hoc, brother of Hildeburh, he leads the contingent that is attacked in Finn’s hall and is killed, sparking the vengeance of which Hengist plays a part. He appears in Beowulf, the Finnsburg Fragment and Widsith.
Hoc	HEWB	Hok	Father of Hnæf, his descendants would be called Hocings. He is mentioned in Beowulf and Widsith. Stories of Hoc and Hnæf were so widespread that they were included in aristocratic genealogies for centuries.
Hoel	TRTA	Hoil	ap Budig; King of Comberos following his father’s death. Arthur’s close friend and ally.
Horsa	HEWB	HOR-sa	Horsa appears in the Historia Brittonum, Bede’s writings and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, along with his brother, Hengist. They are said to have arrived together at the Isle of Thanet in Kent, beginning the process of the Anglo-Saxon takeover of Britain. Horsa means “horse”, and some claim that these references to animals show that Hengist and Horsa are mythological. However, Tolkien, the foremost Anglo-Saxon scholar, pointed out that animal names were not unknown in Germanic society.
Hrothgar	HEWB	HROTH-gar	Hrothgar is recorded in Beowulf and Widsith, as well as other Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian legends. He is likely, originally, a historical person. It is his hall that is terrorized by the monster Grendel, who Beowulf comes to kill. In HENGIST, Hrothgar shows up near the end with Ordlaf and Guthlaf. It provides an explanation for why the Finnsburg incident is recorded within Beowulf.
Hueil	TSOC	Huh-eyel	Son of Caw, a renowned warrior and formidable raider. He was said to never have submitted to a lord’s hand.
Hunabwy	TRTA	HUN-ah-boo-ee	ap Gwryon; a member of Arthur’s household guard.
Hyfaidd Unllen	TRTA	HIV-aith UN-thlen	“One-Cloak”; he is leader of Cei’s Second Cavalry Ala. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as one of Arthur’s advisors.
Iddog	TSOC	EE-thog	ap Mynio. In The Dream of Rhonabwy, he says he is called ‘The Agitator of Britain’, because as an emissary from Arthur to Modred, he was so eager for battle that he twisted Arthur’s words in the most offensive way possible, and thus ensured the Battle of Camlann.
Iddon	TSOC	EE-thon	ap Ynyr; King of Guent.
Iden	* TRTA	EE-den	A member of Gwyar’s council, his oldest friend and mentor. Father of Keir.
Ider	* TRTA	EE-der	A member of Gawain’s turma.
Illtud	TRTA	EETHL-tud	Line leader in Gawain’s turma, he is known historically as St. Illtud. Also known as “Illtud the Knight” for having been a soldier under Arthur, he later became a monk and an abbot and founded the famed divinity school known as Cor Tewdws, considered to be Britain’s earliest centre of learning. His wife is Trynihid.
Ionafal	* TRTA	ee-ON-av-al	Magistrate of Cair Durnac.
Iudoc	* TSOC	EE-uh-doc	Magistrate of Regin.
Keir	* TRTA	Kayr	Son of Iden; member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Kilcoed	* TRTA	kil-KOYD	Member of Gawain’s turma.
Leofstan	* HEWB	LEH-off-stan	One of the five characters I invented for the novella, HENGIST, he is one of Finn’s ranking soldiers.
Leolin	TSOC	leh-OH-lin	Gawain’s and Rhian’s son and third child. I tried to find names more appropriate to the time than the Romance versions associated with Gawain’s children. This one approximates Lioniel.
Llawnrodded	TRTA	thla-OON-ro-thed	A veteran member of Arthur’s household guard.
Llary	TRTA	THLA-ree	ap Casnar Wledic. He is leader of Bedwyr’s First Cavalry Ala. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as one of Arthur’s advisors.
Lloch	* TRTA	Thlokh	Scout and guide assigned to Gawain’s troop for the operations around Pictavis.
Llysgadrudd	TRTA	THLEES-ga-druth	A member of Arthur’s household guard, nearly as tall as Arthur. Epithet “Red Eyed Stallion”, in Culhwch and Olwen.
Lot	TRTA	Lot	Son of Edor, King of Lothian, the father of Modred in early references, as I have chosen to depict him in this story. There are a number of other early references to Lot that also have become part of this story, such as the murder of his daughter, Taneu.
Mabon	* TRTA	MA-bon	Son of Eliman; a member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Mabon	* TRTA TSOC	MA-bon	ap Tremayne. A warrior of Gawain’s combrogi, he was left behind when Arthur’s army went to Gaul because of falling asleep on duty during training.
Maccus	* TRTA	MAK-kus	ap Lleu; gate guard at Cadubrega.
Madrun	TSOC TWR	MAD-run	Kinswoman of Gwenhwyfar, daughter of Vortimer ap Vortigern, she is the influential wife of Ynyr, king of Guent.
Maglo	* TSOC	MAG-lo	Itinerant iron-smith who settled in Pollog. Skilled craftsmen were in great demand in fifth century Britain.
Maglocunus	TRTA TSOC	mag-lo-CUN-us	Prince of Gwynedd, son of Cadwallon. He is historically attested as one of the five “tyrants” excoriated by Gildas. Later known as Maelgwn Gwynedd.
Magnus Maximus	TSOC TWR	MANG-nus MAKS-ih-mus	While stationed in Britain, he usurped the throne from Western Roman Emperor Gratian in 383, through negotiation with Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius I. He is thought to have helped reorganize the British elite to take over responsibility for Britain before taking most of the remaining Roman troops to Gaul.
Marc	TRTA	Mark	Client-king of Cador, his realm was the southernmost portion of Dumnein, later known as Cornwall. He is remembered in legend as the cuckolded uncle of Tristan in Tristan and Iseult.
Mariam	* TSOC	MAR-ee-am	Wife of Clodri, Captain of the Queen’s Guard. She is an insider for political intrigue.
Mascuid	TSOC	MAS-kuh-id	ap Gwrast; ‘The Lame’, King of Elmetia.
Math	* TRTA TSOC	Math	Only son of Eudaf, his father had taken his place, against his will, in Arthur’s army to preserve the family line.
Mazoe	TRTA TSOC	ma-DZOH-eh	One of Morgen’s ‘sisters’ from the Shrine at Avallon, France. She appears as one of the nine enchantresses, with Morgen, on the Isle of Avalon in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Life of Merlin.
Meliau	TRTA	MEH-lih-eye	ap Deroc; elder prince of Domnoni, one of the two Briton kingdoms emerging in Letavia at this time. He came under the protection of Aergol when his father’s realm was usurped upon his death.
Meirchion Gul	TRTA	MAYR-khee-on Guhl	King of Rheged, great-grandson of Roman Britain’s last Dux Britanniarum, Coel Hen (the origin of the fabled “Old King Cole”).
Melwas	TRTA TSOC	MEL-oo-as	A sub-king of Dumnein, his stronghold is at Ynys Witrin.
Menw	TRTA	MEN-oo	ap Tairgwaedd; he is one of Arthur’s chief councillors and intelligence officers. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be a warrior as well as a magician or shapeshifter.
Modred	TRTA TSOC	MOD-red	Better known from the Romances as Mordred, the incestuous son of Arthur and instigator of the downfall of “Camelot”, I have chosen to use an earlier version of the name, which derives from the oldest example, Medraut. Medraut is a likely historical person (though there is no evidence of his being related to Arthur) as he is mentioned in the 10th century Annales Cambriae in a passage stating, “The strife of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut fell.” There is no mention of who killed whom, or why, or on which side either might have been. In my depiction, I adopt some early mentions of Modred that suggest he had a number of positive attributes, including valour and geniality.
Moren	TRTA	MOR-en	ap Iaen; a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, said to be Arthur’s kin from Caer Dathal, through Uthur, suggesting Arthur’s origins may have been somewhat north of what is recorded in later legends.
Morcant	TRTA	MOR-cant	Arthur’s chief physician; known as Morgan Tud in later legend.
Morgen	TRTA TSOC TWR	MOR-gen	Highly educated, she is Arthur’s half-sister and leader of a community of women at the springs of Avalon. In the Romances, she becomes known as Morgan le Fay, eventually taking on morally ambivalent, if not evil, characterizations. Her earliest mention, in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Life of Merlin, describes her as the chief of nine magical women who use their powers for good. Residing on the Isle of Apple Trees (Avalon), Arthur is taken there to be healed of his wounds following the battle of Camlann.
Morvran	TSOC	MOR-vran	ap Tegid. Member of Arthur’s Guard; said to be so ugly that he was a survivor of Camlann since no one dared to strike him.
Mynio	TSOC	MUN-ee-oh	Leader of a troop of light cavalry helping the Artoriani at the Siege of Mt. Badon. Father of Iddog.
Myrddin	TRTA TSOC TWR	MUR-thin	Known as Merlin from Geoffrey of Monmouth and later, he is a vague legendary figure of confused identity and origin. He is variously thought to have been a seer, a druid or a sorcerer. He was originally associated with Vortigern, though later authors made him an advisor to Arthur and Arthur’s father, Uther. My depiction fills a certain role that could have been anyone, but fits for Myrddin, and I leave it to the reader to determine what that is.
Natan	TSOC	NAH-tan	Husband of Amabilia, son-in-law of Ambrosius Aurelianus. On Ambrosius’ death, he is made magistrate of Cair Guintguic. His name ties in to events described in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle involving the arrival of Cerdic in Britain.
Nerth	TRTA	Nerth	ap Kedarn; a member of Arthur’s household guard.
Noddawl	TSOC	NOTH-ah-ool	Member of Arthur’s Guard; called ‘Boar Beard’.
Nodens	TSOC	Nodens	Celtic pagan god associated with the sea, healing, hunting and dogs. He evolves into, or becomes associated with a legendary medieval Welsh hero called Nudd.
Nonus	* TRTA	Nonus	Wine merchant at Pictavis. He may be more than he appears.
Octha	TSOC TWR HEWB	OC-tha	Son of Aesc, grandson of Hengist. In HENGIST, Octha is Eaha’s true name. In history and legend, Octha was either the son or grandson of Hengist. My series suggests a possible reconciliation of this mystery.
Odoacer	TRTA	OH-do-ay-ker	An enigmatic warlord from an eastern Germanic tribe, he seems to have been a mercenary and raider early in his career, later becoming a leader of Roman foederati. In 476 he led a revolt and deposed the last Roman Western Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, becoming “King of Italy”. This is generally considered the end of the Western Roman Empire.
Oeric	HEWB TWR	Oh-rik	In this series, Oeric is Eaha’s young son. In history and legend, there is an “Aesc who was born Oeric” who is said to be Hengist’s son. Variations in the genealogy of Hengist and his descendants result in some confusion. My series suggests a possible reconciliation of this mystery.
Ordlaf	HEWB	ORD-laf	Elder brother to Guthlaf. A Dane, he was a kinsman, probably a cousin, to Hnæf. He appears in Beowulf and the Finnsburg Fragment. Tolkien suggested that their father was Hunlaf, because of a reference to Hunlafing that means “son (or descendant) of Hunlaf”. The apparent leadership of Ordlaf and Guthlaf among the Danes suggests it was Ordlaf who placed Hnæf’s sword on Hengist’s lap.
Owain	TRTA	OH-oo-ine	ap Einion; King of Rhos. Details on British kingdoms at this time are sparse, but Rhos seems to have existed at this time in the area from around Chester to Rhoson-Sea. It may have been a sub-kingdom of Gwynedd or may have resulted from a division of lands after the death of Einion, following the Celtic custom of lands being divided between all of a deceased ruler’s sons, rather than the eldest son receiving all of the land.
Padern	* TRTA	PAD-ern	A member of Gawain’s turma, brother of Pedr, from Anderida.
Patric	TRTA TSOC	Pat-rik	Bishop Patric is Saint Patrick, a Briton who converted many pagan Irish.
Paulus	TRTA	PAH-ul-oos	Comes commanding Syagrius’s army. Attested historically as being killed at Andecava.
Paulinus	TSOC	PAH-ul-ih-noos	Student accompanying Gildas. He will become St. Paul Aurelian.
Pedr	* TRTA	Pedr	Member of Gawain’s turma, brother of Padern, from Anderida.
Peredur	TRTA	PER-eh-dur	ap Efrawg; known as Percival, the original achiever of the Holy Grail in the Romances. I am using the earlier name and loosely basing the character on the earlier legends, which have him as a very young, inexperienced warrior who is befriended by Gawain and who develops into a great knight.
Piran	* TRTA TSOC	PEER-an	Gawain’s tutor and friend. Piran started as a way for me to tie in one of the few historical documents of the era, the letter from St. Patrick to the soldiers of Ceretic (Coroticus in Latin), to describe events and norms of the time. Much later, I was surprised to find the character fits remarkably into another legend that will appear in the second book.
Pius	* TSOC	PIE-oos	Bishop and Magistrate of Cair Legion.
Presuda	* TRTA	Preh-suh-da	An older veteran of Dyfnwal’s warband, a captain of the Alt Clut contingent and later member of Cei’s staff.
Pwyll	* TRTA	poo-EETHL	A member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Remegius	TRTA	reh-MEG-ee-oos	Lord of Blesum.
Rheiddwn	TSOC	HRAYTH-oon	‘Arwy’ (Hairy). Member of Arthur’s Guard.
Rhian	* TRTA	HREE-an	Gawain’s wise and loving wife. References to Gawain’s wife in later legends are all from French sources in the “Romance” genre, so I have avoided those.
Rhun	TRTA	Hrun	Leader of Bedwyr’s Second Cavalry ala. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as a member of Arthur’s court.
Ricimer	TRTA	RIK-im-er	Magister Militum of the Western Roman Empire from 457 until his death in 472, he effectively ruled the remaining territory of the Western Roman Empire through a series of puppet emperors.
Riocat	TSOC	REE-oh-cat	ap Pasgen ap Vortigern; King of Buellt. A monk in Gaul and friend of Sidonius Apollinaris, he returned to Britain to take up the throne when his older brother was killed in the civil wars following Badon. He also reportedly brought books to Britain from Gaul on behalf of his uncle, Faustus, which I link to the College of Theodosius.
Riwal	TRTA	RIH-oo-al	ap Deroc; younger prince of Domnoni, one of the two Briton kingdoms emerging in Letavia at this time. He came under the protection of Aergol when his father’s realm was usurped upon his death.
Rheu	TSOC	Hray	Member of Arthur’s Guard. Called “Rheu Simple-Strenuous” in Culhwch and Olwen.
Rhyddfedd	TRTA	HRUTH-veth	ap Catigern; King of Paguis. Called “Frych” (freckled). Following the death of his brother and former king, Cadell, he ruled as regent until Cadell’s son, Cyngen, was old enough to ascend to the throne. His grandfather, Vortigern, was the previous High King of the Consilium, vilified for inviting the Saxons to Britain and beginning the influx of Germanic tribes that pushed the Britons to the periphery of their island.
Rothwen	TWR HEWB	ROTH-wen	Rothwen is the daughter of Hengist. She is referred to, but unnamed, in the Historia Brittonum, and called Rowena by Geoffrey of Monmouth in The History of the Kings of Britain. In the Welsh Triads, she is known as Rhonwen, and called the “Mother of the English Nation” with little affection.
Sandef	TRTA TSOC	SAN-dev	A member of Arthur’s household guard, known as “Angel Body”. In Culhwch and Olwen it was said that, because of his beauty, no one attacked him at the Battle of Camlann, believing he was a ministering angel.
Sæwine	* HEWB	Sa-wine	One of the five characters I invented for HENGIST, Sæwine is an old carpenter who helps Hengist build his ship as a youth.
Seisyll	* TSOC	SAY-sithl	Magistrate of Linnuis.
Siawn	TRTA	SIH-ah-oon	ap Iaen; a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he was said to be Arthur’s kin from Caer Dathal, through Uthur, suggesting Arthur’s origins may have been somewhat north of what is recorded in later legends.
Sidonius	TRTA TWR	sih-DON-ee-oos	Sidonius Apollinaris was an aristocratic politician, poet, diplomat and bishop who was deeply involved in Roman affairs of the era. His writings, including a letter to Riothamus, are considered some of the most important documents surviving from the era.
Sigeferth	HEWB	SIH-geh-ferth	In HENGIST, Sigeferth is one of Hengist’s warriors. He appears in the Widsith, and in the Finnsburg Fragment, proclaiming his valour and defending the door with Eaha.
Sol	TRTA	Sol	A member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be able to stand all day on one foot.
Sulyen	TRTA	SUL-ee-en	ap Iaen; a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be Arthur’s kin from Caer Dathal, through Uthur, suggesting Arthur’s origins may have been somewhat north of what is recorded in later legends.
Syagrius	TRTA	sih-AH-gree-oos	Son of Aegidius; he ruled the Roman rump state in northern Gaul that would later be called the Kingdom of Soissons (Suessionum) until his defeat by Clovis I in 486.
Tegyr	TRTA	teh-GEER	Arthur’s standard-bearer. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as Arthur’s cup-bearer.
Teilo	* TRTA	TAY-lo	Son of Dochu; member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Tohodyfn	* TRTA	to-ho-DEEVN	A ironsmith at Cadubrega.
Trysin	TRTA	TRUH-sin	Arthur’s chief bard.
Tudur	* TSOC	TUH-dur	Magistrate of Lundein.
Tutgual	TSOC	TUT-guh-al	King of Nouant, brother of Dyfnwal Hen.
Uchtryd	TRTA	UKH-treed	A member of Arthur’s household guard. Epithet “Cross-Beard”, in Culhwch and Olwen.
Usai	TRTA	UH-sigh	King of Ceredigion.
Viviane	TSOC	vi-vi-AH-neh	Gawain’s and Rhian’s daughter and fourth child. Viviane approximates the Viviane or Nimue character associated with Merlin in the Romances.
Vortigern	TWR HEWB	VOR-tih-gern	First High-King of the Consilium, he is notorious for having invited the Saxons to Britain to defend against raiders from Pictland and bungling dealings with them thereafter. The name is Brittonic for “Overlord”, and while it is unclear if this was his name or a title, for the purposes of this book, it is being used as a title or Regnal name that he adopted, in the same manner as Rigotamos/ Riothamus and Genghis Khan.
Vortimer	TWR	VOR-tih-mer	“The Blessed”. Son of Vortigern, he breaks with his father’s policies involving the Saxons and leads a number of successful battles against them, until killed.
Vortipor	TSOC	VOR-tih-per	ap Aergol; King of Demetia. One of Gildas’ ‘Five Tyrants’, he says Vortipor is foolishly stubborn, full of guile, defiled by various murders and adulteries, “thou worthless son of a good king.” Gildas implies that after Vortipor’s wife died, he violated a “shameless daughter”. This may not suggest incest, as fostering was common and would have held the same connotation.
Wihtlæg	HEWB	WIT-lag	Wihtlæg was a king of the Angles said to be descended, like most Germanic royalty, from Woden. Tolkien suggested that Wihtlæg was the slayer of the Jutish ruler, Amloth, and that this was the source of conflict between Garulf and Hengist. Hengist also claimed descent from Woden, but Wihtlæg does not appear as a name in his genealogy, so I have theorized that Wihtlæg was kin, perhaps brother, to Wecta, who is in Hengist’s claimed genealogy.
Wlencing	TSOC	WLEN-chin	Second son of Aelle of Sussex.
Woden	TSOC HEWB	WUH-den	Woden was one of the principal gods of Germanic paganism. He is known as Odin in the Viking era, which is the source of most surviving information about him. Woden was thought to preside over the hall where the souls of warriors slain in battle would go to feast. Woden is frequently claimed as an ancestor of royal houses (including Hengist’s), and may have originated as a deified historical ancestor. Wednesday is named for Woden’s Day.
Ygerna	TRTA TSOC TWR	uh-GEHR-na	Mother of Arthur, later known as Igraine.
Ynyr	* TRTA	uh-NEER	A member of Gawain’s turma
Ynyr	TRTA	uh-NEER	King of Guent; he married Madrun, the daughter of Vortimer, the son of Vortigern, who had led an early resistance against the Saxons.

233 So far!