King of Powys. Most of his history is lost, but current scholarship holds that he was descended from Brochwel Ysgrithrog, King of Powys, and his parents were Gwylog ap Beli, King of Powys and Sanant verch Nougoy (or Noe). According to the monument erected in his memory, he retook his kingdom from Mercian invaders: "... joined together the inheritance of Powys...out of the power of the Angles with his sword and with fire." Historically, from the mid-8th century, during the reign of Eliseg, through the 9th century reign of his great-grandson Cyngen, Powys was hostile to Mercia and sometimes actively at war. After the region around Pengwerm was sacked, its royal family slaughtered, and most of its lands were annexed by Mercia, the court of Powys was moved to Mathraful Castle by 717 by Eliseg, who then continued his campaigns against Mercia. His successes led Mercian King, Aethelbald, to build a 40 mile long earthworks called Wat's Dyke, running through the northern Welsh Marches. Eliseg's monument, a Mercian style cross now called Eliseg's Pillar, was erected in Llantysilio-yn-Ial in Northern Powys by his great grandson, King Cyngen, its inscription vaunted his victories against the Saxons and included an exceptional record of the Powysian pedigree. The cross was severely damaged during the Civil War. The remaining part of the pillar was re-erected in 1779 and the inscription transcribed, including the directive: "Whosoever repeats the writing, let him give a blessing on the soul of Eliseg." He was succeeded by his son, Brochwel ap Elisse. His name has also been recorded as Elisedd, Elisetus, Ellis, and Elise.
King of Powys. Most of his history is lost, but current scholarship holds that he was descended from Brochwel Ysgrithrog, King of Powys, and his parents were Gwylog ap Beli, King of Powys and Sanant verch Nougoy (or Noe). According to the monument erected in his memory, he retook his kingdom from Mercian invaders: "... joined together the inheritance of Powys...out of the power of the Angles with his sword and with fire." Historically, from the mid-8th century, during the reign of Eliseg, through the 9th century reign of his great-grandson Cyngen, Powys was hostile to Mercia and sometimes actively at war. After the region around Pengwerm was sacked, its royal family slaughtered, and most of its lands were annexed by Mercia, the court of Powys was moved to Mathraful Castle by 717 by Eliseg, who then continued his campaigns against Mercia. His successes led Mercian King, Aethelbald, to build a 40 mile long earthworks called Wat's Dyke, running through the northern Welsh Marches. Eliseg's monument, a Mercian style cross now called Eliseg's Pillar, was erected in Llantysilio-yn-Ial in Northern Powys by his great grandson, King Cyngen, its inscription vaunted his victories against the Saxons and included an exceptional record of the Powysian pedigree. The cross was severely damaged during the Civil War. The remaining part of the pillar was re-erected in 1779 and the inscription transcribed, including the directive: "Whosoever repeats the writing, let him give a blessing on the soul of Eliseg." He was succeeded by his son, Brochwel ap Elisse. His name has also been recorded as Elisedd, Elisetus, Ellis, and Elise.
Bio by: Iola
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