The Mystery of Britain’s Irish King: Serygei Wyddel and Cadwallon Lawhir

In the annals of ancient Britain, one peculiar story stands out — the tale of Serygei Wyddel, an enigmatic Irish king who supposedly ruled, fought, and perished on Welsh soil some 1,500 years ago. Known only through fragmented records, his tale has baffled historians and folklorists alike, with a single Welsh Triad and local folklore being the only surviving evidence of his life and death. Despite its obscurity, the legend of Serygei, or “the Irishman,” and his Welsh rival, Cadwallon Lawhir, has persisted through time, shifting locations and acquiring new details with each retelling.

The Battle of Cerrig y Gwyddyl

The story of Serygei begins with his fateful encounter with Cadwallon Lawhir, a Welsh king known for his epithet “the long arm.” While the moniker is sometimes attributed to his stature, it also symbolizes his reach and influence in early Wales. According to the Welsh Triads, the two men met in battle on Ynys Môn (modern-day Anglesey), specifically at a site called Cerrig y Gwyddyl, or “Irishman’s Rocks.” This location has been the traditional site of their clash, marked by its stark landscape and rocky terrain. The Triads mention a unique detail: Cadwallon ordered his men to shackle themselves to their horses before the fight, a strategy intended to discourage retreat and ensure total commitment.

This description is one of the few historical references to Serygei, whose name and title are not documented anywhere else. His epithet, “Wyddel,” directly translates to “the Irishman” in Welsh, highlighting his foreign origins. But the Triad provides little else — only that Serygei was slain, presumably at Cadwallon’s hand, in a violent skirmish that left the Irishman dead and his legacy limited to a few fleeting sentences in Welsh lore.

The Rise and Fall of Cadwallon’s Legacy

The figure of Cadwallon Lawhir plays a prominent role in Welsh heritage, especially as one of the early rulers of the kingdom of Gwynedd, which would later become a dominant force in medieval Wales. However, as Welsh historical narratives evolved, Cadwallon’s role diminished. By the 9th century, the kings of Gwynedd sought to legitimize their rule with a grander figurehead and introduced Cunedda, a legendary ancestor, into their genealogical records. Cunedda’s lineage was embellished with feats such as expelling the Irish from Gwynedd entirely, overshadowing Cadwallon’s more modest accomplishments and his victory over Serygei.

As a result, Cadwallon was relegated to the periphery of historical memory, his battle with Serygei left largely uncelebrated. His achievements were minimized, and his battle against the Irishman was deemed “chronologically impossible” by later genealogists. This revisionism resulted in Cadwallon being reduced to a mere entry in a family tree, while Cunedda became a foundational symbol of Welsh independence and resilience.

A Lost Legacy in Caergybi

Although Gwynedd’s rulers distanced themselves from Cadwallon and his battle with Serygei, one community did keep his memory alive: the people of Caergybi, known in English as Holyhead. This town lies far from the original battle site of Cerrig y Gwyddyl, yet it became the unlikely custodian of the story.

The 16th-century Welsh poet Lewys Môn included a reference to the ancient conflict between Cadwallon and the Irish, but he placed the battle near Caergybi instead of Cerrig y Gwyddyl. This shift may reflect a local adaptation of the tale, moving it closer to the community’s own geography and traditions. Another historical source from 1584, David Powel’s Historie of Cambria, placed the conflict at Llan y Gwyddyl, “the Irish Church,” near Holyhead, further reinforcing the local association with the ancient battle.

The 1700s and New Layers of Folklore

Over the next few centuries, the tale of Serygei and Cadwallon found new life in local Welsh folklore. By the 18th century, Cadwallon’s victory and the legend of Serygei’s grave were embedded in the cultural fabric of Caergybi. A letter from 1733 mentions a landmark known as “Bedd Serigin Wyddel,” or “the grave of Serygei the Irishman,” which had become one of the “marvels of Cybi,” a set of local wonders in Holyhead. This grave, rumored to be in the corner of the ancient Roman fort at Caergybi, provided a physical anchor for the tale, even though no archaeological evidence supports the claim.

In the History of the Island of Anglesey, published in 1766, further details were added, some of which appear to be speculative. Here, the author claims that Cadwallon pursued Serygei and his forces across Ynys Môn, eventually cornering them near Caergybi. Following his victory, Cadwallon allegedly ordered the construction of fortress walls around the church, supposedly referred to as “Mur Cadwallon” or “Cadwallon’s Wall.” Although it is known today that these walls were part of a Roman fort, the detail adds to the evolving folklore, suggesting that Cadwallon’s presence was deeply intertwined with the local history of Caergybi.

A Tale Reimagined: Serygei the Saint?

By the late 18th century, the legend took another unexpected turn. Serygei, once depicted as a fallen king, was now believed by some to have been venerated as a saint. According to a local account, Irish raiders even took his shrine from the church where he was buried. Though this detail lacks historical verification, it illustrates how stories can shift dramatically across centuries. In this version, Serygei’s life and death are recast from a tale of defeat into one of reverence and sanctity.

The chapel itself, known as Eglwys y Bedd, or “the chapel of the grave,” became associated with the name Llan y Gwyddyl. Whether it ever held a shrine to Serygei or simply represented a local adaptation of a forgotten battle, the chapel’s association with Serygei reflects a continued fascination with this elusive figure. The tale had drifted from its original context, with Caergybi becoming the final resting place of a mysterious Irish king who, for reasons unknown, had come to Wales to meet his fate.

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The Legacy of Serygei Wyddel and Cadwallon Lawhir

The story of Serygei Wyddel and Cadwallon Lawhir endures as an example of the flexibility of oral tradition and the way folklore can preserve even the most obscure events. Though Gwynedd’s rulers may have dismissed Cadwallon’s accomplishments in favor of more grandiose narratives, local communities continued to honor these ancient figures in their own ways. In Caergybi, the myth persisted, with each generation adding new details and shifting the narrative to reflect its own perspectives and concerns.

Ultimately, the legend of Serygei the Irishman and Cadwallon the long-armed king reveals the profound impact of local storytelling on historical memory. Though largely forgotten outside of Wales, these figures remind us of the ways in which history can be reshaped, reimagined, and revived through the collective imagination of a community.