User:The C of E/arthfail

Arthfael Hen ap Rhys, also called Arthfael Hen the Old, was the king of the Kingdom of Glywysing (in modern day Wales) between 785 to approximately 825 AD.

History
Arthfael was the second son of Gweirydd ap Brochfael and a descendant of Saint Tewdrig and Meurig ap Tewdrig of the Kingdom of Gwent. As such, he was a prince in both the kingdoms of Glywysing and Gwent as his cousin Arthwyr was king of Gwent. He became King of Glywysing in 785 succeeding his father Rhys ap Ithael. He married the daughter of Braustud ferch Glowd of the Kingdom of Buellt, with whom he had two sons Rhys ap Arthfael and Meureg ap Arthfael. During his reign, he expelled Anglo-Saxons from his Kingdom and defeated them in battle to enforce the edict he had made. Despite this success, historians noted that the Kingdom of Glywysing at the time was subdivided between Arthfael's cousins, nephews and uncles. Each one of them were de-facto monarchs over smaller parts of the Kingdom. While Arthfael was recognised as the senior king, it is unlikely that he had any direct control or authority over his competing ruling family members.

Arthfael died between 815 and 825 and was succeeded by his son Rhys ap Arthfael. In 848, the King of Gwent and Arthfael's cousin Ithael ap Arthwyr died and was succeeded by Meureg ap Arthfael and the two sons of Arthfael ruled both kingdoms together.

Name
Arthfael's name likely came from the legend of King Arthur. The "Fael" part of the name meant servant as people were inspired by King Arthur's deeds that they named their children after him in the same manner they would with a deity.