Brycheiniog was an independent kingdom in South Wales in the Early Middle Ages. It often acted as a buffer state between England to the east and the south Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth to the west. It was conquered and pacified by the Normans between 1088 and 1095, though it remained Welsh in character. It was transformed into the Lordship of Brecknock and later formed the southern and larger part of the historic county of Brecknockshire. To its south was the Kingdom of Morgannwg. The main legacy of the kingdom of Brycheiniog is etymological. It has lent its name to Brecknockshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog, the shire of Brycheiniog) and Brecon (known as Aberhonddu in Welsh). History Origins Brycheiniog belonged to the Demetae in pre-Roman times. In Welsh tradition, it was given by the Roman governor of Brittania, Magnus Maximus (Macsen Wledig in Welsh), to a Greek named Antonius the Black (Anwn Ddu). Some Welsh legends describe Antonius as Maximus' son, and name him the father of Saint Gwen, the triple-breasted, one of many saints he supposedly fathered. Following Antonius' death, the realm was divided between his sons, Tudwal receiving the eastern portions, and Edynfed the western (a part of which became Dyfed). Historical sources of a much later date, such as the 12th century Book of Llandaff, name the next three generations of rulers of the eastern part — the descendants of Tudwal — as: Teithrin ap Tudwal Teithfallt ap Teithrin Tewdrig ap Teithfallt During this era, Irish raiders had begun to invade various western parts of Britain, with the Triffyn Farfog (son of , a Deisi magnate) already having taken over Dyfed from Edynfed's heirs. Traditional Welsh accounts claim that Triffyn had gained his power by peaceably marrying Edynfed's heiress (they do not indicate whether this was under duress). The power of Irish raiders, particularly the Uí Liatháin, grew increasingly strong, and was not weakened until it was reduced by the sons of Cunedda, as reported in the Historia Brittonum. Traditionally, Tewdrig carved out from his lands the region around Talgarth (Garth Madrun) as a dowry for his daughter, Marchell, when she married Brychan mac Anlach, the grandson of Triffyn's fraternal nephew, Cormac mac Urb, in the mid 5th century. The remainder of Tewdrig's lands — Gwent — was inherited by Tewdrig's son. Unfortunately, Brychan's life is shrouded in legend, but in any case, Brychan established a kingdom from the