Is the Welsh National Park’s main name change associated with a rapist?
The image above Jack Pease Photography
Bannau Brycheiniog: Campaign to reinstate Brecon Beacons park name
Ashford Price has worked in the Brecon Beacons National Park (BBNP) for over
45 years I have had countless emails and phone calls from furious
tourism operators concerning the rebranding of the Brecon Beacons
National Park to just the Welsh name – Bannau Brycheiniog – (The
Peaks of Brychan’s Kingdom).
Brycheiniog refers to the old kingdom of King Brychan roughly the
same region as the present National Park Authority boundaries..
All the people who have contacted me clearly state that they have
no quarrel whatsoever with using Welsh names. However, if the
National Park had continued to promote both the Welsh and English
translation for the Brecon Beacons National Park most would have
been contented
Wales Tourist Board
Some years ago, the Wales Tourist Board in an extensive national
the survey asked people what were the top iconic names that they
associated with Wales. Snowdonia National Park, Pembrokeshire
National Park, Brecon Beacons National Park, came up as the top
three names most people associated with Wales in this survey.
For the Welsh tourism industry to have the established name of
Brecon Beacons National Park is an ‘iconic marketing tool’ universally
known and without doubt the name attracts the attention of millions
of people who might be thinking of visiting Wales. Even the Prime
Minister has commented that the name is universally known!
This Park authority have always had an uncanny knack of upsetting
local people with their attitude that they are the ‘elite’ and always
knowing what is best for the locals. The decision to change their
name to just Bannau Brycheiniog was done with no tourism
consultation.
The Park Authorities now have a major ‘ modern-day moral dilemma’
In promoting the name Brycheiniog, as in part, it refers to a fifth-
century King of the region called King Brychan and the word
Brycheiniog refers to his Kingdom.
King Brychan was born in Ireland, the son of an Irish Prince in 419 AD,
and had a Welsh mother. Historical records state that he grew up to
be a ruthlessly fierce warrior and would collect his enemies’
dismembered limbs after a battle and display they’re chopped up
remains as trophies!
Welsh history records
However, Welsh history records that King Brychan of Brycheiniog
has really only one very dubious claim to historical fame.
The king was in fact a ‘notorious lecher’ who prayed on the women
of his Kingdom and may have fathered up to 63 children! It is
recorded that he even raped the King of Powys daughter whilst being
held hostage, and had three or four wives, but their fate is not
recorded.
In old age King Brychan abdicated his throne and became a hermit
probably due to being sexually exhausted?
Therefore, promoting the name Brycheiniog as part of the Parks
new rebranded title may not be wise as it is so closely connected
with a sexual predator, and this name may also upset the residents
of the Park as who would want their National Park associated so
closely with a rapist, and a King with such an appalling record
regarding his treatment of women?
Ashford Price Chairman.
Dan Yr Ogof -The National Showcaves Centre for Wales
07989 855 313
