Doctoral Research Seminar Trinity Term 2026

Genevieve Cain, DPhil Archaeology

The Kingdom of Brycheiniog – Territory and Topography in Early Medieval Wales

Abstract

During the early medieval period (400 – 1100) a mysterious kingdom formed high in the mountainous uplands of southeast Wales under the leadership of an Irish elite known as Brychan – this was the Kingdom of Brycheiniog. Upon commencement of this research, our knowledge of this elusive kingdom was based on fragments of information contained within a handful of medieval manuscripts. To date, the story of Brycheiniog has been told almost entirely via historical narrative – and, as such, has existed largely as an historic construct.

However, by taking an interdisciplinary approach, guided by landscape archaeology, and framed by regional topography and natural environments, this research presents a spatial identity of this early Welsh kingdom for the first time. The Kingdom of Brycheiniog emerges as a resource rich, environmentally varied, and internationally connected upland territory within the early medieval period subject to long-standing patterns of human-environment interaction and kin-based social cohesion.

Student biography

I am passionate about interdisciplinary research, and I particularly enjoy blending my knowledge of geography with landscape and archaeology. After many years abroad, I returned home in 2015 to pursue my interests in landscape and archaeology. In 2016 I undertook the MSc in Landscape Archaeology here in the department (the dissertation for which began my foray into the Kingdom of Brycheiniog [pronounced Bru-kine-e-og]), which I then followed with this DPhil in Archaeology (a much deeper dive into Brycheiniog!). I feel so fortunate to have had this time at Oxford and this has been made possible by the guidance from my supervisors Professor David Griffiths, Dr Andy Seaman, Oxford Lifelong Learning, and the generous support of Kellogg College.

Justin Thomas, DPhil in Evidence-Based Healthcare 

Abstract coming soon.

Michal Krenz, DPhil in Architectural History

Abstract coming soon.

None required.

Friday 19 June 2026, 2-4pm UK time

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When and where

Friday 19 June 2026, 2-4pm UK time (14:00 – 16:00 BST).

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