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 he 6th Century was a time of turbulence in Europe. Stability ended
with the fall of Rome. Demographic pressure led the Saxon invaders into the south of England from the
continent. The Celts, noted for their ferocious defense, held their homelands to the west in
Cornwall/Wales and to the north in Scotland.
It was in the rough southwestern hill country called Cornwall that King Arthur and the Knights of the
Round Table battled and ultimately defeated the English leading to some stability between Cornwall
and the English as the 6th century began. There was less stability however between Cornwall and
Brittany (across the channel in a northwest peninsula of what is now France). These lands were
often united under one leader - and just as often fought over. The wider struggle between England
and France would last another 1000 years.
Not only was the beginning of the 6th century a hotbed of geopolitical turmoil - but the new religion
of Christianity contended with the old gods for the spirit of the people.
It is impossible today to look at the world through the same eyes that looked on 6th Century
Brittany. Nations did not exist; fealty was to one's lord and tribal leaders. Fairy's, demons,
ghosts, and mystery were present everywhere and in everything.
King Conomor was a real king ruling over Cornwall and Brittany. He was born approximately 480 AD.
He was known then as Cono-mark, most records of his life come from Gregory of Tours in
his "History of the Franks" written approximately 100 years later. Triffina (known then as
Triphine, and later St. Triphine), daughter of King Waroc was to be his bride.
Much of what is known of the old English kings was maintained for hundreds of years only by oral
tradition before finally being written down. As such these stories are full of exaggeration and
fantasy.
The official history is told here: Mark, King of Cerniw & Prince of Poher (born c.480)
The story of Conomor is quite fantastical to modern eyes, in much the same way as the true history of King Arthur.
In the typically understated way of the British, Brittania.com says of his story - "Generally considered legendary".
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