can Britons
chose this Conan, surnamed Meriedec, king, formed themselves into an
independent state, and maintained their liberty against several
Roman generals in the decline of that empire, and against the Alans,
Vandals, Goths, and other barbarians. Des Fontaines, (Diss. p. 118,)
and after him Dom Morice. demonstrates that Brittany was an
independent state before the year 421. The third transmigration of
Britons hither was completed at several intervals while the Saxons
invaded and conquered Britain, where Hengist first landed in 470.
Brittany was subjected to the Romans during four centuries: an
independent state successively under the title of a kingdom, county,
and duchy, for the space of about eleven hundred and fifty years,
and has been united to the kingdom of France ever since the year
1532, by virtue of the marriage of king Charles VIII. with Anne,
sole heiress of Brittany, daughter of duke Francis, celebrated in
1491. This province was subdued by Clovis I., who seems to have
treacherously slain Budic, king of Brittany. This prince left six
sons, Howel I., Ismael, bishop of Menevia, St. Tifel, honored as a
martyr at Pennalun, St. Oudecee, bishop of Landaff, Urbian or
Concur, and Dinot, father of St. Kineda. Brittany remained subject
to the sons of Clovis, and it was by the authority of Childobert
that St. Paul was made bishop of Leon in 512. But Howel, returning
from the court of king Arthur in 513, recovered the greater part of
these dominions. See Dom Morice, Hist. t. 1, p. 14. Howel I., often
called Rioval, that is, king Rowel, was a valiant prince, and
liberal to churches and monasteries. Among many sons whom he left
behind him, Howel II. succeeded him, and two are honored among the
saints, viz. St. Leonor or Lunaire, and St. Tudgual or Pabutual,
first Bishop of Treguier. See Morice. t. 1, pp. 14. and 729. Howel
III., alias Juthael, recovered all Brittany. King Pepin again
conquered this country, and Charlemagne and Louis le Debonnaire
quelled it when it thrice rebelled. The latter established the
Benedictin rule at Llandevenec. which probably was soon imitated in
others: for the monastic rule which first prevailed here was that of
the Britons in Wales, borrowed from the Orientals. After the
straggles made by this province for its liberty, Charles the Bald
yielded i