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A Staggering Historical Revelation Rocks the Cunningham Origins!

KING ARTHUR PENDRAGON, BORN OF FIRE!
Copyright Nigel Dryden Cunningham

BOOK SUMMARY

Name Origin
King Arthur is remembered from the Gaelic version of his name which is Cion Aodha. Cionaodha is the Gaelic version of the Brythonic name Cunedda. Aodha was the ancient Celtic Sun God and God of Fire. Cion and Cun as in Cuning means "King", and it also means "head" as in Ken and Pen. The modern form of Cunedda and Cionaodha is Kenneth. Cunedda and Cionaodha both translate as "head dragon". Dragon is derived from Aodh, the God of Fire. Aodha with an "a" added means the son of Aodh. "Ao" is what is known as a diphthong. "dh" and "dd" as contained in Aodha and Cunedda are pronounced "th". Aodha is therefore pronounced Arthur. The name relates to dragons not bears. The Gaelic and English versions of the name are a perfect match. Einion Yrth ap Cunedda was Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur. Yrth is Uther. Cunedda translates as Pendragon. Uther Pendragon had two sons, Owain Ddantgwyn and Cadwallon Lawhir. The name Cadwallon means Battle Leader and Lawhir means long hand. The Leader of Battles with the long hand was King Arthur of Mt Badon.

Two matching dynasties
The Cunedda dynasty equates to and matches the Arthurian dynasty, on a king by king basis. They are one and the same. The two dynasties are a perfect match both in terms of calendar years and equivalent names, as explained in the book.

Cunedda dynasty                                             Arthurian dynasty (see Geoffrey of Monmouth)
Cunedda Wledig aka Edern ap Padarn        Emperor Constantine 3rd
Cunedda ap Edern                                             Emperor Constans
Eternus ap Cunedda aka Emrys Wledig       Ambrosius Aurelianus
Einion Yrth ap Cunedda                                   Uther Pendragon
Cadwallon Lawhir ap Einion                           King Arthur of Mons Badonicus
Owain Ddantgwyn ap Einion                          King Arthur of Camlann
Maelgwn Gwynedd                                             Mordred

Cunedda Wledig and his son Cunedda ap Edern have been conflated in history. Edern ap Padarn was Cunedda Wledig, and it was Edern who married Gwawl verch Coel, who was the mother of the younger Cunedda, and not his spouse. This is confirmed by the Triads Ynys Prydein edited by Rachel Bromwich. This conflation of the two Cuneddas resulted in the loss of one generation in the Arthurian dynasty and in some versions of Nennius. The correct version of Nennius is the one that refers to Cunedda as Maelgwn's great great grandfather, who is Edern ap Padarn. It is Edern ap Padarn who is Cunedda Wledig. Another version refers to Cunedda as Maelgwn's great grandfather but four generations do not fill the 146 year time frame. The result of this is that the Arthurian dynasty is also collapsed by one generation. Geoffrey of Monmouth records Constans as an older brother of Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon but he is in fact their father. It was Edern ap Padarn who as Cunedda Wledig drove out the Irish from North Wales in 401, which was 146 years before (the end of) Maelgwn's reign in 547. The date of 401 is supported by Prof Charles-Edwards of Oxford University. It was Cunedda Wledig (meaning Imperator) who was elevated by his army in 407 to Western Roman Emperor Constantine 3rd. The Elegy to Cunedda written by the bard Taliesin refers to him crossing the Channel and as "the man who gained sway over the habitable surface of the world."

History by the numbers
Nennius's dating of events is precise, consistent and correct. It all reconciles. Geoffrey of Monmouth's account, which is undated, matches almost perfectly with Nennius's timeframes and event sequence. There are in fact two parallel timeframes given by Nennius which are separated by 18 years. Each of the timeframes commence with the end of Constantine's (Edern ap Padarn aka Cunedda Wledig) reign as King of Britons. His reign ended in 411 but his death (as Edern ap Padarn) is recorded in 429. Constans reigned from 412 until he was overthrown by Vortigern in 425. The alternative but incorrect timeframe is 430 until 443. In the fourth year of Vortigern's reign the Saxons led by Hengist and Horsa came to Britain, which is in 429. The alternative year of 447 given by Nennius is wrong. Bede compounds this error by recording the year as 449. The Battle of Mt Badon was recorded by Bede as occurring 44 years after the Saxon Adventus which according to Bede would be in 493, but this date is according to the second timeframe which is out by 18 years. The correct date is therefore 475. Bede also got the 44 years wrong by using 449 instead of 447. The Battle of Mt Badon occurred in 475 (493) which is 46 years after the Saxon Adventus in 429 (447). We know that 429 is the correct year because that is the same year in which St Germanus came to Britain.

Vortigern was defeated by Ambrosius Aurelianus 12 years after Vortigern usurped the Crown, which was in 437. This dating is provided by Nennius. Ambrosius reigned as King of Britons from 437 until his death in 451, which was the year of Halley's Comet as described by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Merlin (according to Geoffrey of Monmouth's history book) says that the comet heralds Uther's son, who will become Britain's greatest leader. Ambrosius was succeeded by his brother Uther Pendragon. The following Easter (452) Uther held a great celebration, which ultimately resulted in him seducing Ygerna at Tintagel Castle one week later. Uther's seduction of Ygerna led to the birth of King Arthur around New Year 453. This timeframe matches King Arthur with Cadwallon Lawhir, whose name means "Leader of Battles with the long hand". King Arthur was famously referred to as the "Leader of Battles". It was also said that 940 Saxons were killed at the Battle of Mons Badonicus by his hand alone. The Bard Taliesin confirms Cadwallon as being King Arthur when he refers to Arthur as "Hu of the expanded wings". Hugh is a variant name of Aodha/Arthur. Expanded wings refers to Lawhir (long arms). Arthur was crowned King (Regent) at the age of 15, which event can be dated to 468. In 468/469 Riothamus campaigned in Gaul and has been identified as King Arthur by Geoffrey Ashe. Riothamus was not King Arthur but he was Uther Pendragon. Riothamus suffered a crushing defeat in Gaul. He gathered together the survivors of his army and then disappeared, according to a history written by Jordanes. He reappears in Geoffrey's history book as Uther Pendragon "the half dead king", which indicates that he was severely injured in the Gallic campaign but managed to return to Britain. Uther died shortly thereafter in 470. It was a young King Arthur who led the Britons to victory over the Saxons and Franks at Mons Badonicus (Mt Badon) in 475. It was Childeric the King of the Franks who was defeated by King Arthur at Mons Badonicus. Prof Charles-Edwards of Oxford University says that the area of Anglo Saxon settlement expanded up to 475. It can be concluded that King Arthurs victory at Mons Badonicus in 475 permanently stopped the territorial expansion of Anglo Saxon settlement. King Arthur (Cadwallon Lawhir) died in 517 and was succeeded by his brother Owain Ddantgwyn as King of Britons. The Battle of Camlann was recorded by the Annales Cambriae as occurring in 537, but that is according to the second timeframe which is out by 18 years. The correct year is 519. In that year Maelgwn fought and killed his uncle King Owain Ddantgwyn (his name translates as King Arthur the Lesser). Maelgwn Gwynedd the Dragon of Britain then reigned as King of Britons until his own death in 547. Guinevere (her name translates as "wife of King Arthur") was wrongly accused in later centuries of betraying her husband King Arthur, but he had already died in 517, and all she was doing was supporting the succession of their son Maelgwn Gwynedd against his uncle the King. Maelgwn Gwynedd's (aka Maglocunus) name translates as Cunedda ap Cunedda, which identifies his father's (Cadwallon's) name as Cunedda/ Cionaodha/ King Arthur. Cadwallon was a title meaning Leader of Battles.

The Cunningham Clan
Bede in his Ecclesiastical History written in 731 refers to a story about the Cunningas (Cunninghams) of the seventh century. It is clear from his account that the Cunningham district (In Cunningum) in Scotland is named after the Cunningham clan and family. The name of the district means "among the Cunninghams". This information is confirmed by Professor Charles-Edwards of Oxford University. The Cunningham name of the seventh century matches and reconciles with the Cunedda family name of the fifth and sixth centuries, which confirms that it is almost certain that the Cunninghams are descended from Cunedda, and therefore also from King Arthur, either through direct descent from King Arthur's progeny or otherwise through his siblings or uncles and cousins (all of whom descend from King Arthur's grandfather Cunedda ap Edern). The last words of the last chapter of the book are "in Cunningum Cionaodha" which means "among Cunninghams King Arthur."

Anglo Saxon Hoax
The book also uncovers the Anglo Saxon Hoax thereby providing a double whammy against the Anglo Saxonist "history" of Britain.

The Foundation Stone of Britain
Almost every page of the book contains valuable information and evidence, which it is not possible to recount in a short summary. The evidence for the true identity of King Arthur is both conclusive and overwhelming. This book restores the foundation stone of Post Roman Britain from the fifth century to the present day. It is that foundation stone on which Britain was built and still stands. It is the same foundation stone from which Britain's Crown draws its legitimacy and power; the foundation stone on which Britain was created and constituted; the true source of the Once and Future King. Every King or Prince of Wales, and every King of Scotland was descended from King Arthur. All the Kings of Wessex and England claimed descent from Cerdic and his son Cynric. Cerdic was the fifth son of Cunedda, and the brother of Uther Pendragon. The Tudors, the Stuarts, and the present Royal family are all descended from King Arthur. The lineage and lines of descent from King Arthur are disclosed in the book.

King Arthur in Literature
King Arthur is the foundation stone of Britain's history and also of Britain's literature, which combined together constitutes the Matter of Britain. The historical King Arthur is the source and inspiration for the literature. The intrinsic value and the resilience of the literature is derived from its source. The literature cannot be properly understood, studied or evaluated in isolation from its true source.

Book distribution
The Book will be distributed to bookshops in Wales by the Wales Book Council. The appointment of a distributor for other parts of Britain, and for Ireland, is currently in progress. The book will be distributed to bookshops in Australia and New Zealand by Booktopia; and in South Africa by Xavier Nagel which distribution will include Exclusive Bookshops. We are currently negotiating with IPG to distribute the book to bookshops in the USA and Canada. The book will also be able to be ordered from www.asmedia.com.au once the new website is completed. The book will also be available from Amazon and other online sources in due course.

Book dimensions and RRP
The book consists of 320 pages and its dimensions are 234mm x 153mm.

RRP: Australia $45, Canada $40.50, Ireland ?27.80, New Zealand $49.50, South Africa R450, UK �24.75.

Concluding comment
This is a monumental and ground breaking book which repositions, remakes and rewrites, from the ground up, all of British history (from the fifth century of King Arthur to Winston Churchill, and Queen Elizabeth in the twenty-first century). It is therefore desirable and necessary that the book is widely distributed in order to meet the widespread interest and audience which it will inevitably generate.

We apologize for the interruption and any inconvenience caused! ...The Clan Cunningham society in the USA and beyond all borders - Clan Cunningham Global - welcomes Cunninghams, Scots, Irish, Celts and folks from around the world with an interest in Clan Cunningham, to our original web site. We are delighted to have you visit. We hope that you leave feeling like you just discovered a long lost relative, or just made a new friend, and come back and visit often. Clan Cunningham Global has been serving Clan Cunningham interests and our members over the last three decades. We are the original, the largest, and the only Clan Cunningham organization in the world, with the distinction of being formed upon the advice of, which adopted our name at the recommendation of, and with the blessing of, the Office of the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland that was extended to our global Clan Cunningham society in 1984. The spirit of Clan Cunningham continues to flourish through the participation and support of our members, which has grown in number to a world-wide membership of 1,201.

We continually embark on new activities, programs, and projects like the granite monument to our last Clan Chief and 15th Earl of Glencairn, John Cunningham, which we commissioned, placed and dedicated on November 25, 2003 in Edinburgh; like the Civic Reception hosted by the City of Edinburgh for Clan Cunningham that same day to honor the contribution of that monument to Edinburgh by CCG; like the first International Clan Cunningham Gathering in over 250 years at Balgonie Castle on November 27, 2003; like the 11 day Historical Sites Tour of France and the District of Cunninghame, Scotland which we organized and guided in November 2004; like the International Clan Cunningham Gathering at Stirling Castle on November 28, 2004; like the St. Andrew's Night Banquet and Gala at the French Ch�teau de Cherveux built by Robert de Conyngham in 1470, a Captain of the Scots Guard for French Kings Charles VII and Louis XI, where our members gathered with Scots and the French to celebrate the Auld Alliance and the strong Clan Cunningham ties to the ch�teau and the region; just to name a few. These activities over the last several years have made impressive strides in creating awareness that the legacy of Clan Cunningham is well remembered and celebrated by our society in the USA and beyond. We continue to make our presence known by joining in friendship and common cause with Cunninghams from our own neighborhoods, to the land of our ancestors, and those to which they travelled, fought, loved and died. All that we do at Clan Cunningham Global serves to preserve, discover, restore, document, protect and share our rich Celtic history and Clan Cunningham heritage.

Clan Cunningham Global distributes our informative and entertaining quarterly newsletter, packed with full-color original photographs of the District of Cunninghame in Scotland, to current members around the world. We also publish two copywritten books, written and illustrated by member James V. Miller, one on the origins, heritage and traditions of Clan Cunningham and the other a travel guide to Clan Cunningham historical sites in Scotland and Ireland. We also have available a poster size map of the District of Cunninghame as well as a set of three color prints all created by member James V. Miller (For details see Clan Store ). In addition to the establishment of our own historical and genealogical libraries, CCG has chosen the Ellen Payne Odom Genealogical Library in Moultrie, Georgia to act as a repository for those materials meticulously collected over the years. The Odom Library is recognized as a leading repository for Scottish clan organizations across America and contains the genealogy and history of over one hundred clans.

CCG also presented the current owners of Finlaystone with the Glencairn Arms which resides there, thanks to their generosity, as an historical marker at Finlaystone House in Langbank, Scotland. Finlaystone Country Estate was the home of the Earls of Glencairn and the Clan Cunningham Chiefs for over 400 years and is currently owned and inhabited by George MacMillan, Chief of Clan MacMillan and is open to the public.

We ponder the future; and more specifically what's in store for 2021 and beyond. Some items of note are listed below:

1. At Clan Cunningham Society, we are committed to the pursuit of Excellence - a legacy established by our ancestors - and upheld with a legacy of our own in their honor.
2. Our October 15, 2021 quarterly Clan Cunningham Communiqu� newsletter went out to our current members world-wide to include Norway, France, Scotland, Australia, Canada and of course the US of A.

This October 15, 2021 newsletter went out for the 83rd consecutive quarterly issue upon which our members have grown to depend over the past 21 years; and 2021 is no exception.

Another tour of Ireland, France, and Scotland is never out of reach for a future date yet undetermined; and who knows, maybe we can even ressurect that elusive trip to Australia that was well in the works. Like our previous tours it will be packed with unique and interesting Cunningham activities to preserve our history, perhaps discover more on this trip, and maybe even make a little more along the way. Plans for unique and exciting experiences are always being considered!

The last twenty-one years of involvement with the administration of the Clan Cunningham Society with its world-wide membership have been a very satisfying experience. Our new members continue to instill a fresh vitality, initiative, and commitment that sustain our Clan Cunningham spirit. For example, we continue to expand our ever growing online genealogy database with some new and historically significant recent entries from around the world.

One of the principal benefits to our members continues to be our full-color international quarterly Communiqu� newsletter packed with original photographs and artwork of our Celtic homelands, including the District of Cunninghame in Scotland. Over the last twenty-one years, that's 82 consecutive issues, our CCSA quarterly newsletter has arrived faithfully to current Clan Cunningham members with its wealth of interesting, informative, and entertaining information and images.

The Clan Cunningham Society continues its Board of Director approved Strategic Plan goals which includes consistent, timely, and responsive interaction with, and service to the world-wide Glencairn legacy, and our membership, and we continue to broadened our horizons well beyond the shores of America!

We fix our gaze back to when the Cunningham name was treated with great respect, whose chiefs' support and counsel was sought by Scotland's monarchs. With that in mind, we prepare for another journey in the very near future to those places from the past where Cunningham's left their mark centuries ago in Ireland, France, and Scotland! And where we shall endeavor to preserve that heritage, and leave our mark in the doing.

The past twenty-one years have been a dramatic sojourn through a Cunningham era from which we are proud to have descended. We have broadened the scope of our Clan Cunningham Society far beyond the numerous hospitality tents we host at Scottish/Irish festivals and games.

To illustrate, eighteen years ago we were contacted by Fran�ois Redien, the owner of the Ch�teau de Cherveux, built by Robert de Conyngham during the turbulent middle ages! We sent a copy of our first foreign language newsletter, our January 15, 2003 edition, translated into French, to Fran�ois, and featured his chateau in our April 15, 2003 edition which included the letter written in the year 1456 from King James II of Scotland to King Charles VII of France regarding Robert de Conyngham. We worked together with him to research his Cunningham connections and prepared a specially bound French translation of the new edition of our Clan Cunningham Origins, Heritage and Traditions book, with a new chapter dedicated to the Scottish/French "Auld Alliance", as a gift, presented to him in person on November 21, 2003 by our High Commissioner at the St Andrews Gala and celebration dinner which took place at the ch�teau, for display and reference in the Chateau de Cherveux to inform guests of its Cunningham origins. Pascale Hime, pictured at right, was a graduate student at the University of Colorado, Boulder, while she completed the translation, and is a native speaker of both French and English. The book is beautifically bound in leather with the Glencairn Arms in gold-foil stamped on its cover.

Our Clan Cunningham Society, continues to forge ahead into the 21st century with a clear vision for the future of an honorable Clan Cunningham presence in our contemporary era, and with a sharp eye back to the noble Cunningham heritage and esteemed reputation. We welcome you to join Clan Cunningham and be a part of the Clan Cunningham RISING!