Eidyn

Eidyn

Eidyn was the region around modern Edinburgh in sub-Roman and early medieval Britain during the 5th to 7th centuries. It centered on the stronghold of Din Eidyn, believed to have been at Castle Rock, the site of today's Edinburgh Castle. This area was a key part of the Brittonic kingdom of Gododdin and held great importance in the Hen Ogledd, the Brittonic-speaking region covering parts of southern Scotland and northern England today.

The location of Din Eidyn had been occupied since the Bronze Age, serving as a strong fortress for the Votadini during the Roman era and later becoming the main center of the Gododdin kingdom. Eidyn's importance is shown in the medieval poem Y Gododdin, which talks about a war band that gathered there for a raid around AD 600. Eventually, Eidyn was taken over by the Angles in the year 638.

Eidyn left a lasting legacy. It is the origin of the name of Edinburgh in English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic. The area stayed important in Brittonic traditions throughout the Middle Ages. Y Gododdin was copied in many books up until the 13th century. Eidyn also appears in the Welsh Triads and poems, often remembered as the northern border of the Britons. Welsh family histories about the figure Clydno Eidyn may have preserved Eidyn's royal heritage.

Name and location

Eidyn was the area around what is now Edinburgh. It was centered on a strong place called Din Eidyn, thought to be at Castle Rock, where Edinburgh Castle stands today. The name Eidyn might have covered a larger region, possibly including areas south of the Firth of Forth.

The name Eidyn later became the name of Edinburgh in different languages. The Angles called it Edinburgh, while in Scottish Gaelic it became Dùn Èideann. The exact origin of the name Eidyn is still a mystery.

History

Strong, walled places appeared near Edinburgh during the Bronze Age and early Iron Age. Later, when Rome ruled Britain, the land was part of the area controlled by a group called the Votadini. Though mostly free, they felt the influence of Roman ways. Around the year 143, a Roman leader named Antoninus Pius began building a wall called the Antonine Wall north of the Votadini.

After Rome left, the Votadini became known as the Gododdin kingdom. Eidyn was very important to them. An old poem called Y Gododdin tells of warriors from all over gathering at Din Eidyn for a journey to Catraeth, likely Catterick, around the year 600.

By the 7th century, the Gododdin kingdom was weakening. Eidyn might have been a smaller part of it. Records from Ireland mention events in Eidyn around the year 638. Later, leaders from England and Scotland fought over the area. By the 10th century, a noble home was built there, leading to the great castle that would stand in later years.

Din Eidyn

Eidyn’s most important place was the stronghold of Din Eidyn. It started as a small settlement a long time ago. Today, we think the site of Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock was Din Eidyn. People have lived there since very old times and it stayed important for many years.

During the Roman time, Castle Rock was a busy place. Later, Din Eidyn became the main centre for the Gododdin kingdom. Even after other big places were left, Din Eidyn stayed strong.

Legacy

Eidyn stayed important in stories and traditions long after it was taken over by the Angles. Many old works talk about Eidyn as the northern edge of the Britons' land. A poem called Pa gur yv y porthaur? mentions King Arthur and his warriors defending "Eidyn at the border." The poem also has Bedwyr, who is known as Sir Bedivere in later stories, fighting a monster near the "shores of Tryfrwyd."

The story Y Gododdin about Eidyn was told in many books during the Middle Ages. The only version we have today is from a book called the Book of Aneirin. Characters linked to Eidyn, like Clyddno Eidyn and his son Cynon ap Clydno, appeared in poems and stories about King Arthur for many years. Some family history records may show the royal family of Eidyn.