Everything about Urien totally explained
Urien, father of
Owain mab Urien (later known as
Ywain), was an historical king of
Rheged in northern
England and southern
Scotland during the
6th century. He became the 'King Urien of Gore' of
Arthurian legend.
Little of Urien’s history is known for sure. He was the son of a certain
Cynfarch Oer and seems to have fought against the rulers of the
Angle kingdom
Bernicia. Early on the relationship between Rheged and its neighboring
British kingdoms was erratic, but Urien joined with other northern princes and defeated the rising Angles in several battles. His power and his victories, including
Gwen Ystrad and
Alt Clut Ford, are celebrated in the
Book of Taliesin, the supposed
author of which served as his bard. According to the
Historia Brittonum, he was assassinated at the command of his ally
Morcant Bulc who was jealous of his success. The
Welsh Triads called him a
battle leader of Britain. He had four sons, named Owain, Riwallawn, Run and Pascen, the eldest of which succeeded him.
The legend
Urien remained a popular figure in
Wales over the centuries, and he and his son Owain were incorporated into
Arthurian legend as it spread from Britain to continental Europe. His kingdom was eventually transferred to the mythical land of Gore, and Kings
Lot of Lothian and Auguselus of Scotland are sometimes said to be his brothers. During the reign of
Uther Pendragon he marries Arthur’s sister (often
Morgan le Fay, but sometimes another sister is named). He, like the kings of several other lands, initially opposes
Arthur’s ascendance to the throne after Uther’s death. Urien and the others rebel against the young monarch, but upon their defeat, the rebels become Arthur’s allies and vassals.
In the legends his marriage to Morgan isn't portrayed as a happy one, however, as in one story Morgan plots to take
Excalibur, kill Urien and Arthur, and place herself and her lover
Accolon on the throne. He is always said to be the father of Ywain (Owain), and many texts give him a second son,
Ywain the Bastard, fathered on his seneschal's wife. The Welsh attribute to him a daughter named
Morvydd.
Thomas Malory sometimes spells his name "Urience", which has led some (for example
Alfred Tennyson) to identify him with King
Rience.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Urien'.
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