Pascent, King of Builth (c.406 - 440)

Britain in 400 AD. Vortigern's powerbase of Powys was divided
into three portions, one for each of his sons. Pascent ruled the
kingdom of Builth in central Wales.

Pascent was the third and youngest son of Vortigern and Sevira, a daughter of Magnus Maximus. His father was probably from a powerful family in Powys and through his mother, he was related to the royal dynasties of Dumnonia, Demetia and Cernyw. 

Sometime in the early fifth century, Vortigern came to power as High-King of Britain and divided the nascent kingdom of Powys into three portions, one for each of his sons. Vortimer, his eldest son, took control of Gwent, his second son, Catigern, was given the Pagenses, and Pascent received the smaller territories of Builth and Gwerthrynion.

Pascent was the only one of Vortigern's sons to outlive his father. His father was overthrown by a Saxon revolt led by Hengist and Horsa in Kent and both of his elder brothers died in battle soon after. Not much is known of his life. Like his father, he has his own set of legends and the Historia Brittonum, written in the twelfth century, records an entirely mythological account of his reign and lifelong enmity with Ambrosius Aurelianus. 

Even though his brothers predeceased him, Pascent seems to have respected their heirs and there is no record of any attempts to overthrow his young nephews or expand his own kingdom. He married a woman whose name has been lost to history and had at least two sons, Braciat and Morgan. He died around 440 AD and was succeeded by Braciat. His younger son, Morgan, may have ruled as a sub-king, as was usual in the Celtic tradition.