THE MATTER OF BRITAIN: - damowords

mentioned in the Triad.
12 sherds of Byzantine amphorae were discovered at Dumbarton,
dated to between 470 & 600 AD (Thomas 1959, Alcock 1971),
while at Longbury bank in the parish of Penally (Menevia), we are
told;
The excavations in 1988-89 produced a series of artefacts which provide
evidence of high status; imported meditteranaen pottery, continental
pottery & glass; fine metalworking debris ***
The -bury element of Longbury indicates that it was once fortified,
as were the remaining two sites where Tintagelware was
discovered - Dinas Powys hillfort in South Wales, & South
Cadbury castle in Somerset. The latter is the grandest of all
dark age sites, & its location sets it at the heart of Dumnonia.
It would have been Erbin's capital, whose dynasty would grow
rich & powerful on trade with the east. Instrumental in this
would have been his son, Geraint, who was named as such by
a Welsh Triad;
Three Seafarers of the Island of Britain
Geraint son of Erbin,
and Gwenwynwyn son of Naf,
and March son of Meirchiawn.
By saying he was a great seafarer indicates he undertook great
voyages, perhaps even as far as Byzantium, in order to sell his
Cornish tin so beloved by the Romans. That another of the
seafarers was 'March son of Meirchiawn,' **** whose home was
at Tintagel, reinforces the idea that Dumnonian power was
built on trade.
GWRTHEFYR
Gwrthefyr is the Welsh word for Vortimer. The genealogy known
as Jesus College MS 20 calles him 'Gwertheuyr vendigeit,' i.e.
Vortimer the Blessed, on account of his dealings with Saint
Germanius. The HB tells us he was the son of Vortigern, the