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- BIOGRAPHY
Cadfan ap Iago (Catamanus), king of Gwynedd, was the son of Iago ap Beli, king of Gwynedd. He assumed the crown of Gwynedd probably around 615, shortly after the Battle of Caerllion (today's Chester), during which the forces of Powys were defeated by Aetheolfrith of Bernicia. Cadfan was generally considered to have been a wise and just ruler, noted for his ability to maintain the rule of law and peace during an increasingly hostile period in British history. He is one of the last of the legendary kings of Britain as accounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth, who calls him Cadvan and makes him king of the North Welsh, later king of all the Britons.
Cadfan ap Iago's tombstone survives at Llangadwaladr Church, Anglesey and is inscribed 'Catamanus rex sapientisimus opinatisimus' (King Cadfan, most wise, most renowned). He died about 625 and was succeeded by his son Cadwallon ap Cadfan.
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