| Ebraucus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ebraucus from theGenealogical Chronicle of the Kings of England to Edward IV (c. 1461) | |
| King of Britain | |
| Reign | 1006–967 BC |
| Predecessor | Mempricius |
| Successor | Brutus Greenshield |
| Issue |
|
| Father | Mempricius |
Ebraucus (Welsh:Efrawg/Efrog) was a legendary king of theBritons, as recounted inGeoffrey of Monmouth's pseudohistoryHistoria Regum Britanniae (c. 1136). Later estimations from the dates given in the text place the events of this story around 1040 BC.[1] He was the son of KingMempricius and father ofBrutus Greenshield.
According to theHistoria Regum Britanniae, Ebraucus was the son of KingMempricius, who ruled as a tyrant for twenty years, abandoning his wife and young Ebraucus, "and addicted himself tosodomy". Following the death of his father, Ebraucus became king and reigned for 39 years. He is described as being admired, tall, and remarkably strong. He was the first to wage war on theGauls since the time ofBrutus. By pillaging the cities and shores and slaughtering many men, he became extremely wealthy and enriched the lands ofBritain.
He founded two settlements: Kaerebrauc, the City of Ebraucus (Eboracum), north of theHumber (this later becameYork, whoseWelsh name isEfrog); and Alclud inAlbany (now part ofDunbarton, capital ofStrathclyde).
He had twenty wives who produced twenty sons and thirty daughters, including Galaes "the most celebrated beauty at that time in Britain or Gaul".[note 1] All his daughters he sent to his cousinSilvius Alba inAlba Longa (Italy) to be married to the otherTrojan descendants. Except forBrutus Greenshield, all of Ebraucus's sons, led by Assaracus,[note 2] went toGermany, creating a kingdom there.Brutus Greenshield thus succeeded Ebraucus upon his death.
He founded York, which from him took its name,
Eboracum, and he adorned it well.[2]
Alexander Neckam'sDe laudibus divinae sapientiae (c. 1213[3]) also mentions him, saying "Behold what a city the blessed Ebraucus built!"[4]
Others expanded on the story of Ebraucus, including two chronicles of the Church of York from the fourteenth century.[5] According toPolydore Vergil he "builded the town of Maidens, now called Edinburgh Castle, being planted in the uttermost part of Britain, now called Scotland".[6] TheRegistrum Malmesburiense also says he built the "castle ofMontrose".[7]Giacomo Filippo Foresti claimed he founded many cities and reigned sixty years.[4]
WhenHenry VII reached York on his progress through the country in 1486, he was met by an actor playing Ebraucus, who described himself as "the begynner of the same [citie] callid Ebrauk",[5] who presented Henry with the keys of the city "thenheritaunce [the inheritance] of the said Ebrauk", declared Ebraucus' achievements as conqueror of France, and reminded Henry that Ebraucus, his supposed ancestor, had founded the city, in an attempt to diffuse any potential hostility the king may have felt for its previous support forRichard III.[8]
In York, an ancient statue traditionally said to depict Ebraucus, and called "Old York",[9] stood at the junction ofSt Saviourgate andColliergate, where it served as a boundary marker in the fifteenth century. It may originally have been part of a Roman monument.[10] In 1501, the statue was "taken doun, newe maid and transposed from thens" to theGuildhall, and a tablet was inscribed to mark its original location, saying "Here stood the image of York" (this tablet is now in theYorkshire Museum).[11] According toThomas Gent, the statue was moved from the site ofMansion House to inside the Guildhall during the construction of Mansion House in 1726. This repaired[4] or replacement statue, which depicted a king in armour, crowned, and holding an orb and sceptre, was transferred to a niche atBootham Bar city wall gatehouse in 1738, where it remained until 1834.[9][12]
His daughters were: "Gloigni, Ignogni, Oudas, Guenliam, Gaudid, Angarad, Guendoloe, Tangustel, Gorgon, Medlan, Methahel, Ourar, Malure, Kambreda, Ragan, Gael, Ecub, Nest, Cheum, Stadud, Gladud, Ebren, Blagan, Aballac, Angaes, Galaes, Edra, Anaor, Stadial, Egron."
| Legendary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | King of Britain 1006–967 BC | Succeeded by |