Teudric, King of Cornouaille & Penwith
(Born c.AD 490)
(Welsh: Tewdrig; Latin: Theodoricus; English: Theodoric)

Teudric or Teudur was the eldest son of King Budic of Cornouaille in Brittany. His father and family appear to have been ousted from their kingdom and fled to Britain, probably when Tewdwr was a young boy. Upon Budic's triumphant return to Cornouaille several years later, he entered into a pact with King Macliau of Broerec whereby, whichever died first, the other would look after his heirs. However, after Budic's death, Macliau reneged on the deal, invaded Cornouaille and Teudric was forced to flee again to Britain where he wandered from place to place.

Teudric should probably be identified with King Teudur (sometimes Theodoric), a king with no traditional ancestry who appears in several locations in Cornish legends but appears to have chiefly established himself at Carnsew on the Hayle Estuary. He was presumably as the ruler of the district of Penwith. This area may have previously been held by his grandfather, Daniel Dremrudd. It was there that he gained himself an ungodly reputation for turning away Irish saints; even having some of them killed. He eventually managed to put together his own invasion force and took back his rightful inheritance in Cornouaille. Macliau and his eldest son, Jacob, were thoroughly defeated and killed in a great battle. Magnanimous in victory though, Teudric allowed Macliau's younger son, Waroc, to remain in power in Broerec. Teudric seems to have been succeeded by his brother, Meliau.

Records of King Teudric in Brittany date back to the 6th century & he is generally considered historic.
However, records of King Teudur in Cornwall only date back to the 11th century & he is generally considered legendary.

 

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