Urien

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Urien, father of Owain mab Urien (later known as Ywain), was an historical king of Rheged in northern England and southern Scotland during the 6th century. He became the 'King Urien of Gore' of Arthurian legend.

Little of Urien’s history is known for sure. He was the son of a certain Cynfarch Oer and seems to have fought against the rulers of the Angle kingdom Bernicia. Early on the relationship between Rheged and its neighboring British kingdoms was erratic, but Urien joined with other northern princes and defeated the rising Angles in several battles. His power and his victories, including Gwen Ystrad and Alt Clut Ford, are celebrated in the Book of Taliesin, the supposed author of which served as his bard. According to the Historia Brittonum, he was assassinated at the command of his ally Morcant Bulc who was jealous of his success. The Welsh Triads called him a battle leader of Britain. He had four sons, named Owain, Riwallawn, Run and Pascen, the eldest of which succeeded him.

[edit] The legend

Urien remained a popular figure in Wales over the centuries, and he and his son Owain were incorporated into Arthurian legend as it spread from Britain to continental Europe. His kingdom was eventually transferred to the mythical land of Gore, and Kings Lot of Lothian and Auguselus of Scotland are sometimes said to be his brothers. During the reign of Uther Pendragon he marries Arthur’s sister (often Morgan le Fay, but sometimes another sister is named). He, like the kings of several other lands, initially opposes Arthur’s ascendance to the throne after Uther’s death. Urien and the others rebel against the young monarch, but upon their defeat, the rebels become Arthur’s allies and vassals.

In the legends his marriage to Morgan is not portrayed as a happy one, however, as in one story Morgan plots to take Excalibur, kill Urien and Arthur, and place herself and her lover Accolon on the throne. He is always said to be the father of Ywain (Owain), and many texts give him a second son, Ywain the Bastard, fathered on his seneschal's wife. The Welsh attribute to him a daughter named Morvydd.

Thomas Malory sometimes spells his name "Urience", which has led some (e.g. Alfred Tennyson) to identify him with King Rience.