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Digiiized by Google Digiiized by Google GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY. THE MONKISH HISTORIANS OF GREAT BRITAIN. This Series of the EARLY ENGUSH CHRONICIiERS, several of which now ap])ear for the first time in an English dress, wall be completed in about Twelve Volumes, of which the following are already published £ #. d, Bbdk's Ecci<xbiastical History, 8vo. . 0 12 o Gild AS and Nbnniub's Histories, 8vo. . .080 KiCUARD OF DSVIZSS' ChRONZCLS i AND RtCHABD OF ClBBNCBSTSn'S DkBCBIPTION OF Britain {haim and EnfflUh) . o 8 o Geoffrey of Monmouth's History, 8vo. . 0 10 o /• tke Pnt*. Bede's Ecclesiastical Biographies, and Minor Works, 8to. William of Malmbsbury's History, 2 Vols. Sto. William op Nbwburgu's History, 8vo. Thb Saxon Chboniclb, 8yo. Assbb's liiFx OF King Alfbbd, 8vo. Historical Collections, and Fragments, 2 Vols. 8vo. All tiie v uiomes are koIiI in half morocco, uncut, with fac-umilies of the Original MSS. 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DAVID S, THIS TRAJiSIATION OF GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH, IS RESFECTFULLY INSCRliiED, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S OBEDIENT AND HVMBLE SERVANT, J. A. GILES. b C O N T E N T S. Epitor'9 Iktrodcctiom Chronological Qutmxr \ ^ f * PAGE BOOK I. Chap. I. — The Epistle Dedicatory to Robert Earl of Gloucester 1 Chap. II. — The first Inhabitants of nHtain . . 2 Chap. III. — Brutus, being banished after the K.ilLiafi; of hia Parentar^ y. goes into Greece ; , . . S 3 ^ Chap. IV. — Bnitua'a Letter to Pandraijua Chap. V. — Brutus falling upon the Forces of Pandraaus by surprise, routs them, and takes Antigonog, the Brother of Pandraaua, with Anacletus, Prisoner . . . Chap. VI. — The Town of Sparatinum besieged by Pandrasus Chap. VII.— -The Besieged ask Assistance of Brutus . . Chap. VIII. — Anacletus. ia fear of Death, betrayatUe Army of the Greeks . . . . . ^ Chap. IX. — The taking of Pandrasus Chap. X. — A Consultatiou about what is to be asked of the captive King ._ ._ ._ Chap. XI. — Pandrasus gives his Daughter Ignoge io marriage to Bnitug, who, after his Departure from Greece, falls upon a Desert Island, where he ia told by the Oracle of Diana what Place he is to inhabit ^ . , ^ Chap. XH. — Brutus enters Aquitaine with Corineus . Chap. XIII.— GofTariua routed by Brutus . - - ....... Chap. XIV.— -Brutus, after his Victory over Goffarius, ravsges Aquitaine with Fire and Sword Chap. XV. — Goffarius'g Fight with Brutus . . Chap. XVI. — Albion divided between Brutus and Corineus ^ Chap. XVII. — ^The Building of New Troy by Brutus, upon the River Thames , , . , Chap. XVIII. — New Troy being built, and Laws made for the Government of it, it is given to the Citizens that were to inhabit it . . : s . BOOK 11. Chap. I. — After the Death of Brutus, his Three Sons succeed him in the Kingdom h 2 1 9 ID U 12 I£ \& 212 22 23 24 25 VI 11 CONTEXT}?. PAGE CuAP. II. — Locrin, haTing routed Humber, falls in Love with Giitrililis ..... 26 Chap. III.— Corineua resents the Affront nut upon his Daughter tb. Chap. IV. — Locrin at last marries Guendolcena, the Daughter of CorineuB ..... 27 Chap. V. — Locrin is killed ; Estrildis and Sabre are thrown into a Rivpr .... ib. Chap. VI. — Guendoloena delivers up the Kingdom to Maddan, her Son, after whom succeeds Menpricius 28 Chap. VII.— Ebraucus, the Successor of Alempricius, conquers the Gauls, and builds the Towns Kaerebrauc, &c. , 29- Chap. VIII. — Ebraucus's Twenty Sons go to Germany, and his Thirty Daughters to Sylvius Alba, in Italy 30 Chap. IX. — After Ebraucus reigns Brutus his Son, after him Leil, and after Leil, Iludibras .... 1*. Chap. X. — Bladud succeeds Hudibras in the Kingdom, and prac- tises l^a?ical Ooerations .... V^^^^V Adrift C^AX^ UvwA^^A'V w 9 9 9 31 Chap. XI. — Leir, the Son of Bladud, having no Son, divides his Kingdom among his Daughters . . . 32 Chap. XII. — Leir, finding tlie Ingratitude of his Two eldest Daughters, betakes himself to bis youngest, Cordeilla, in Gaul 34 i* n a Tj ^hT T T T rT f> la vf^rxf rtti ri 1 w i*f> /^t«i v'<ij1 ri v f Ailitt on/1 . ..VI 11. lie Is Very IlUIlUUruiJiy rLLCaVCii Ujr V^UrUClila ttUil the King of Gaul ..... 36 C!hai> ^T\' - — T^r»ir heinp' rrsforpil to tlip Kinc^flom l)v tlip Hpln of his Son-in-law and Cordeilla, dies . . . 37 Chap. XV. — Cordeilla, being imprisoned, kills herself. Margan, aspiring to the whole Kingdom, is killed by Cunedagius id. Chap. XVI. — The Successors of Cunedagius in the Kingdom. Ferrex is killed by his Brother Porrex, in a Dispute for the Government ..... 39 Chap. XVll. — Dunwallo Molmutius gains the Sceptre of Britain, from whom came the Molmutine Laws 40 X BOOK IIT. Chap. I. — Brennius quarrels with Belinus his Brother, and in order to make War against him, marries the Daughter of the King of the Norwegians . . . .42 Chap. II. — Brennius's Sea-Fight with Guichthlac, King of the Dacians. Guichthlac and Brennius's Wife are driven ashore and taken by Belinus . . . .43 Chap. III. — Belinus in a Battle routs Brennius, who thereupon flees to Gaul . * . . .44 Chap. IV. — The King of Dacia, with Brennius's Wife, is released out of Prison . • . .4.5 fi CONTKNT8. IX PACK Chap. V. — Belinua revives and confirms the Molmutine Laws, especially about the Highways . . 46 Chap. VI. — Brennius, being made Duke of the Allobroges, re- turns to Britain to fight with hia Brother ; 47 Chap. VII. — Belinus and Brennius, being made Friends by the f-\ Mediation of their Mother, propose to subdue Gaul ■ . 48 ^ ^ ' — Chap. VIIL — Belinus and Brennius, after the Conquest of Gaul, j march with their Army to Rome . » 50 Chap. IX. — ^The Romans make a Covenant with Brennina. but afterwards break it, for vfhich reason Rome is besieged and taken by Brennius ; ; . ib. Chap. X. — Brennius oppresses Italy in a most tyrannical Manner. Belinus returns to Britain . . 52 - . Chap. XI. — Gurgiunt B^;abtruc succeeding his Father Belinus^ ' ' reduces Dacia, which was trying to sliake off his Yoke , 53 ^ / / Chap. XII. — Ireland is given to be inhabited by the Barclenses, who had been banished out of Spain . 54 Chap. XIII. — Guithelin reigning after Gurgiunt Brabtruc, the Martian Law is instituted by Martia, a noble Woman ib. Chap. XIV. — Guithelin's Successors in the Kingdom . 55 Chap. XV. — Morvidus, a most cruel Tyrant, after the Conquest of the King of the Morini, is devoured by a Monster ib. Chap. XVI. — Gorbonian, a most just King of the Britons 56 Chap. XVII. — Arthgallo is deposed by the Britons, and is suc - ceeded by Elidure, who restores him again to his Kingdom . 57 Chap. XVIII. — Elidure is imprisoned by Peredure, after whose Death he is a third Time advanced to the Throne . .S8 Chap. XIX. — The Names of Elidure's Thirty-three Successors . 59 Chap. XX. — Heli's Three Sous ; the first of whom, viz. Lud, gives Name to the City of London . . 6'0 BOOK IV, X // Chap. I. — Julius Csesar invades Britain . . . 62 • >^ yX?'/ Chap. II. — Cassibellaun's Letter to Julius Csesar . . 63 Chap. III. — Ceesar is routed by Cassibellaun .64 Chap. IV. — Nennius, the Brother of Cassibellaun, being wounded in Battle by Ceesar, dies . . . .66 Chap. V. — Caesar's inglorious Return to Gaul . . ib. Chap. VI. — Cassibellaun forms a Stratagem for sinking Csesar's Ships •••••• 67 Chap. VII. — Ciesar a second Time vanquished by the Britons . ib. Chap. VIII. — Evelinus kills Hirelglas. Androgens desires Ceesar's Assistance against Cassibellaun . . . 69 _^ ^ a' j / / ^ > X CONTEXTt*. PAtiF. Chap. IX. — Cassibelmnn, being put to flight, and besieged by ViiB8«rt aesires i cacc .... / 1 UHAP. A.,^"Anurogeus b opeecn to Vyfcsar ... Chap. XI. — TenuanUus im made Kini;or Britain after Cassibellaan ib. Chap. XII.— -Upon Guiderius refusing to pay Tribute to the Ro« inauSy v^iauuius v>a!t»or in>auiTS orituin . . • V/HAP. A.1 11*— IjCuis riaiuo, a rvotnan, Dy wicKCu ireacnery kius Guiderius ..... ^/HAP. Alv. — Arviragiis, tving oi Dniain, maKes nis oUDmissiOD t^* t *A.aa*A*j % to Claudius, who with his Assistance conquers the Orkney Islands ..... 77 / t Chap. XV. — Claudius gives his Daughter Genuissa for a Wife to Arviragus, and returns to Rome /8 Chap. XVI.— Arviragus revolting from the Romans, Vespasian is sent into Britain .... lt>. Chap. XVII. — Rodrie, Leader of the Picts, is vantiuishcd by Marius . . , , . 80 Chap. XVIII. — Marius dying, is succeeded by Coillus 81 Chap. XIX. — Lucius is the first British King that embraces the Christian Faith, together with his People ib. Chap. XX. — Faganus and Duvanus give an Account at Rome, of what thev had done in Britain • 8;i BOOK V. Crap. I. — Lucius dies without Issue, and is a Benefactor to the Churches . . . . .84 Chap. II. — Severus, a Senator, subdues Part of Britain: his War with Fulgenius . . .85 Chap. III. — Carausius advanced to be King of Britain . 86 Chap. IV. — Allectns kills Carausius, but is afterwards himself slain in flight by Asclepiodotus . . .87 Chap. V. — Asclepiodotus obtains the Crown. Dioclesian's Mas- sacre of the Christians in Britain . .89 Chap. VI. — An Insurrection against Asclepiodotus, by Coel, whose Daughter Helena Constantius marries . . 90 Chap. VII. — ^The Romans desire Constantine's Assistance against the Cruelty of Maxentius . . , .91 Chap. VIII. — Constantine, having reduced Rome, obtains the Empire of the World. Octuvius, Duke of the Wisseans, is put to flight by Trahern . . . .92 Ch ap. IX. — Maxiniian is desired for a King of Britain . 9.1 Chap. X. — Ma.\in)ian, coming into Britain, artfully declines fight- ing with Cuaun . . , , .95 1 CONTENTS. xi PAGE \yHAP. Ai.^— xnc ivingaoin or nncain is Destowcd on inaximian • 97 v/HAr< A.ii**~~*j]uiujiiu«ia ovcniirowB me ArujoncAllB i ulS opcccu to Conan ..... 98 Chap. XIII. — Redonum taken by Maximian 99 Chap. XIV. — Maximian, after the Conquest of Gaul and Germany, makes Triers the Seat of his Empire 100 Chap. XV. — A Fight between the Aquitanians and Conan 101 Chap. XVI. — Guanius and Melga murder Eleven Thousand Virgins. Maximian is killed at Rome . BOOK vr. Chap. I. — Gratian, being advanced to the Throne, is killed by the common People. The Britons desire the Romans to defend them against Guanius and Melga . . 104 Chap. II. — Guethelin's Speech to the Britons, at the Romans returning Home . . . . .105 Chap. III. — ^The Britons are again cruelly harassed by Guanius and Melga ..... 107 Chap. IV. — Guethelin desires Succours of Aldroen . . 108 Chap. V. — Constantine, being made King of Britain, leaves Three Sons . . . . . .110 Chap. VI. — Constans is by Vortegim crowned King of Britain . Ill Chap. VII. — ^Vortegim treacherously contrives to get King Con- stans assassinated . . . .112 Chap. Vill. — Aurelins Ambrosias andUther Pendragon flee from Vortegim, and go to Lesser Britain . . .115 Chap. IX. — ^Vortegim makes himself King of Britain . ib. Chap. X. — ^Vortegim takes the Saxons that were New-comers, to his Assistance . • • . .116 Chap. XI. — Hengist brings over great Numbers of Saxons into Britain : his crafty Petition to Vortegim . .118 • Chap. XII. — Vortegim marries Rowena, the Daughter of Hengist 120 Chap. XIII. — The Bishops, Germanus and Lupus, restore the Christian Faith that had been corrupted in Britain. Octa and Ebissa are four Times routed by Vortimer . .121 Chap. XIV. — Vortimer's Kindness to his Soldiers at his Death . 123 Chap. XV. — Hengist, having wickedly murdered the Princes of Britain, keeps Vortegim Prisoner . . .124 Chap. XVI. — Eidol's valiant Exploit. Hengist forces Vortegim to yield up the strongest Fortifications in Britain, in consider- ation of his Release . . . .126 Chap. XVII. — Vortegim, after Consultation with Magicians, orders a Youth to be brought that never had a Father . .127 XII CONTENTS. PAOB Chap, XVIII.-^Vortcgirn inquires of Merlin's Mother concerning her Conception of him ._ . 128 Chap. XIX.— Merlin's Speech to the King's Magician, and Advice abont the Building of the Tower . ._ . 129 BOOK VII. Chap. I.-~Geoffrey of Monmottth'fl Preface to Merlin's Prophecy 131 Chap. II. — Geoffrey's Letter to Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln . ib. Chai'. III.— The Prophecy of Merlin . . 132 Chap. IV. — The Continuation of the Prophecy . . 138 ROOK VIII. Chap. I. — Vortegim asks Merlin concerning his own Death . 146 Chap. II. — Aurelius Ambrosias, being anointed King of Britain, burns Vortegira besieged in a Tower . . .147 Crap. III. — The Praise of AureUus's Valour. The Levity of the i' Scots exposed. Forces raised against Hengist . . 149 Chap. IV. — Hengist marches with his Army against Anrelius, into the Field of Maisbeli .... 150 Chap. V. — A Battle between Aurelius and Hengist . .151 Chap. VI.— Hengist, in a Duel with Eldol, is taken by him. The Saxons are slain by the Britons without Mercy . 153 Chap. YIl.— Hengist is beheaded by Eldol . . 154 Chap. VIII. — Octa, being besieged in York, surrenders himself to the Mercy of Aurelius .... ib. Chap. IX. — Aurelius, having entirely routed the Enemies, restores all Things in Britain, especially Ecclesiastical Affairs, to their ancient State ..... 156 Chap. X. — Aurelius is advised by Merlin to remove the Giants' Dance from the Mountain Killaraus . • .157 Chap. XI. — Uther Pendragon is appointed with Merlin to bring over the Giants' Dance . • • . 158 Chap. XII. — Gillomanius being routed by Uther, the Britons bring over the Giants' Dance into Britain . .159 Chap. XIII. — Pascentius brings in the Saxons against the Britons 161 Chap. XIV. — Pascentius, assisted by the King of Ireland, again invades Britain. Aurelius dies by the Treachery of £opa, a Saxon . . . . . , ib. Chap. XV. — A Comet presignifies the Reign of Uther . 163 Chap. XVI. — Pascentius and Gillomanius are killed in Battle . 164 Chap. XVII. — Uther Pendragon is made King of Britain . 165 Chap. XVIII. — Octa and Eosa are taken in Battle . . ib. CONTENTS. XIU PAGB Chap. XIX. — Uther, falling in Love with Igerna, enjoys her b; the Assistance of Merlin's Magical Operations 167 Chap. XX. — Gorlois being killed, Uther marries Igema 170 Chap. XXI. — Octa and Eosa renew the War. Lot, a Consul, marries the King's Daughter 172 Chap. XXII. — Uther, being ill, is carried in a Horse-litter against the Enemy ..... 173 Chap. XXIII. — Octa and Eosa, with a great Number of their Men, are killed ..... ib. Chap. XXIV. — Uther, upon drinking Spring Water that was trea- cherously poisoned by the Saxons, dies 175 ROOK IX. Chap. I. — Arthur succeeds Uther his Father in the Kingdom of Britain, and besieges Colgrin . . .176 Chap. II. — Hoel sends Fifteen Thousand Men to Arthur's Assist- ance . . . . • .178 Chap. HI. — Arthur makes the Saxons his Tributaries . 179 Chap. IV. — Dubricius's Speech against the treacherous Saxons. Arthur with his own Hand kills Four Hundred and Seventy Saxons in one Battle. Colgrin and Baldulph are killed in the same ..... 180 Chap. V. — The Saxons, after their Leader Cheldric was killed, are all compelled by Cador to surrender . . .182 Chap. VI. — Arthur grants a Pardon to the Scots and Ficts, be- sieged at the Lake Lumond . . . .183 Chap. VII. — Arthur relates the wonderful Nature of some Ponds 184 Cuaf. VIII. — Arthur restores York to its ancient Beauty, especi- ally as to its Churches . . . .185 Chap. IX. — Arthur honours Augusel with the Sceptre of the Scots ; Urian with that of Mureif ; and Lot with the Consul- ship of Londonesia . . . .186 Chap. X. — Arthur adds to his Government Ireland, Iceland, Gothland, and the Orkneys . • .187 Chap. XI. — Arthur subdues Norway, Dacia, Aquitaine, and Gaul 187 Chap. XII. — Arthur summons a great many Kings, Princes, Arch- bishops, &c. to a solemn Assembly at the City of Legions . 191 Chap. XIII. — A Description of the Royal Pomp at the Coronation of Arthur ..... 193 Chap. XIV. — After a Variety of Sports at the Coronation, Arthur amply rewards his Servants . . . .195 Chap. XV. — A Letter from Lucius Tiberius, General of the Romans, to Arthur being read, they consult about an Answer to it . . . . • . '6. Xiv CONTENTS. PAGB Chap. XVI. — Arthur, holding a Council with the Kin^, desires every one of them to deliver their Opinions 198 Chap. XVII. — The Opinion of Ho«l, King of Armorica, conceroo ing a War with the Romans .... 199 Chap. Xv III. — The Opinion of Augusel 200 Chap. XIX. — They unanimously agree upon a War with the Komana ...... 20 J Chap. XX. — Arthur prepares for a War, and refuses to pay Tribute to the Romans .... ib. ROOK X. Chap. I. — Lucius Tiberius calls together the Eastern Kings against the Britons . . . . « m Chap. II. — Arthur commits to his Nephew Modred the Govern- inent of Britain. His Dream at Hamo's Port 204 Chap. III. — Arthur kills a Spanish Giant who had stolen away Helena, the Niece of Hoel .... 205 Chap. IV. — Arthur's Ambassadors to Lucius Tiberius deliver Petreius Cotta, whom they took Prisoner, to Arthur 208 Chap. V. — ^The Romans attack the Britons with a very great Force, but are put to flight by them 212 Chap. VL — Lucius Tiberius goes to Lengriae. Arthur, designing to vanquish him, by a Stratagem possesses himself of the Valley of Suesia ..... 214 (.'hap. VIL — Arthur's Exhortation to his Soldiers 215 Chap. VIII. — Lucius Tiberius, discovering Arthur's Design, in a Speech animates his Followers to fight . 216 Chap. IX. — .\ Battle between Arthur and Lucius Tiberius 218 Chap. X. — Hoel and Walgan signalize their Valour in the Fight 220 If 'W • 1_ • l_* I'll 1 a1 • a. t A " i 1 Chap. XI. — Lucius Tibenus being killed, the Bntons obtain the V iciory .«..•• 221 V/HAP. ^iia^~x arv OT loc ivumnns ucc , inc ivesi, ui lucir uwu 223 Chap K11T —The BndieR nf th^ Slnin nrp dpr^ntlv hnrird ^ach in lueir respccuvc v/UuiiLrics ... HOOK XI. Chap. I. — Modred makes a great Slaughter of Arthur's Men, but is beaten, and flees to Winchester 226 Chap. II. — Modred, after being twice besieged and routed, is killed. Arthur, being woanded, gives up the Kingdom to Constantine ..... 228 Chap. III. — Constantine meets with Disturbances from the Saxons and Modred's Sons .... 230 1 ^ CONTENTS. XV • PAGE Chap. IV. — Constantine, after having murdered the Sons of Mo - dred, is himeelf killed by Conan . . . 23Q Chap. V. — Aureliag Conan reigna after Congtantine . . 2il Chap. VI. — Wortiporiag, being declared King, conquers the Sa\Onii , , . . . ih^ Chap. VII. — Malgo, King of Britain, and a most graceful Person, addicts himself to Sodomy .... 222 Chap. YIII. — Britain, in the Flame of a Civil War under King Careticus, is miserably wasted by the Saxons and Africans . iL. Chap. IX. — ^The Author u])braids the Britons . . 2^ Chap. X. — Loegria is again inhabited by the Saxons. The Bri - tons, with their Bishopg, retire into Cornwall and Wales . 2M Chap. XI. — The Britons lose their Kingdom . . 2.tS Chap. XII. — Augustine, being sent by Pope Gregory into Britain, preaches the Gospel to the Angles . . . tA. Chap. XIII. — Edelfrid kills a great Number of the British Monks, but ia at last routed by the Britons . . . 236 ROOK XTT. Chap. I. — Caduan acqaires by Treaty all Britain on this Side of the Humber, and Edelfrid the rest . . . 23fi Chap. II. — Cadwallo breaks the Covenant he had made vfith Edwin , , . . . . 233 Chap. III. — A Quarrel between Cadwallo and Edwin . . 241 Chap. IV. — Cadwallo is vanquished by Edwin and driven out of the Kingdom ; ; ; . Ul. Chap. V. — The Speech of Salomon, King of Annorica, to Cad - w a ll o . . . . . . 243 Chap. VI. — Cadwallo's Answer to Salomon . » 2ii. Chap. VII. — Brian kills Edwin's Magiciaa . . 215 Chap. VIII. — Cadwallo takes Peanda, and routs his Army . 211 Chap. IX.— Cadwallo kills Qsric and Adan in Fight . . 213 Chap. X. — Oswald routs Peanda in Fight, but is killed by Cad- wallo coming in upon him . • • . ib. Chap. XI. — Oswald submits to Cadwallo. Peanda desires Leave of Cadwallo to make War against him . . 249 Chap. XII. — Cadwallo is advi.scd to suffer Peanda to make an In - surrection against Oswin . . . . 250 Chap. XIll. — Peanda is killed by Ot>win. Cadwallo dies . 2il Chap. XTV. — Cadwallader succeeds Cadwallo . . 2h2. Chap. XV^ — The Britons are compelled, by Pestilence and Famine, to leave Britain. Cadwallader*s Lamentation . Ul Chap. XVI. — CudwallaJer with his People goes to Alan. Tlie Saxou:: seLiie all Britain .... 253 XVi ' CONTENTS. PAGE Chap. XVII. — Cadwallader is by the Voice of an Angel deterred from retorninj: to Britain .... 254 Chap. XVIII. — Cadwallader goes to Rome and dies . 255 Chap. XIX. — The two Britons, Ivor and Ini, in vain attack the Nation of the Angles. Athehtan the first King of the Angles ...... 256 Chap. XX. — Geoffrey of Monmouth's Conclusion 257 Indrx ...... 259 INTRODUCTION, The British Histoet, of which we now offer to the public a revised translation, has been to our early dramatic poets what the ill-fated house of (Edipus was to the tragic writers of ancient Greece. Those who have felt pleasure in the Comus of Milton, I^rajton s Polyolhion, and still more in the King Lear of Shakespere, will not be sorry to see the source whence these great poets drew their materials made more accessible to the English reader. It is neces- saiy to state this m the outset. We do not insert the British History in our series of Early English Records as a work contain iag an au- thentic narrative, nor do we wish to compare Geoffrey of Monmouth with Bede in point of veracity. But the fact of his having supplied our early poets so large a portion ot tiieir sub- j^ts, and the universal belief which at one time prevailed as to the authenticity of his history, make it in every respect a question whether he xviii INTHODUCTIOX. ought not to be preserved, whilst ihe ample allu- sions, and| if we may use the expression, the groundwork, on which mauy of the facts are based, enable us indubitably to introduce him into our series as an addition (though secondary in value) to materials which our readers will . find not to be inexhaustible, respecting our early history. The work was translated into English by Thompson, and published in 8vo, in the year 1718.* He followed, for the most part, Comme- iine s edition of the original, Heidelberg, fol. 15S7. Prefixed to the work is a long introduction in which the translator endcavoius to defend his author from the charge of having inserted the narrative which he professes to have translated from the Old British Tongue. It is now, of course, universally admitted that the whole se- ries of British Kings, from Brutus downwards, is a tissue of fables; but it may readily be conceded that Geoffrey did not view the matter in this light ; nor shall we be disposed in thtt * The British History, translated iDto Eagtish from lh» Latin of Jefirey of Monmouth. With a large Preface oon- ceroing the Authority of the History. By Aaron Thompson, late of Queen's College, Oxon. Lond. 8vu. 1718. Digitized by Google IN TltODUCTIOX. Xix present day to deny llie conclusion at which the translator arrives, that the work contains a large quantity of matter which is tiabuious, but that Geoffrey has done no more than fulfil the task which he took upon himself of translating it from the original language. The following are a few of Thompson 8 arguments, which we give by way of specimen : — ]« That, upon its first appearance in the world, the book met with an universal appro- bation, and that too from those who had better opportunities of examining the truth of it, as there were then more monuments extant, and the traditions were more fresh and uncorrupted, concerning the ancient British affairs, than any critics of the present age can pretend to. 2. That, except William of Newburgh, about the end of the reign of Richard I., it met with no opponents even down to the seventeenth century, but was, on the contrary, quoted by all, in particular by Edward I. in a controversy before Boni&ce the Eighth. 3. That we see in this history the traces of venerable antiquity. 4. That the story of Brute, and the descent of the Britons from the Trojans, was universally allowed by Giraldus Cambrensis and others. XX INTRODUCTIOX. and was opposed for the first time by John of Wetbamstede,* who lived in the 15th centary : that Polydore Virgirs contempt for it proceeded from his wish to preserve unimpaired the glory of the Romans, and Buchanan's observations betray his ignorance of the story. 5. That Leland, who lived under Henry the Eighth, Humphrey Lhwyd, Sir John Price, Dr. Cains,' IhrBaiKr^l, and others, have supported the story of Brute, etc. • It will not be necessary to follow them further. Let us then consider the account which Greoffrey himself gives of the work which he oiiered to his contemporaries. This account, in the words of the former translator, and with his additional remarks upon it, is as follows :— " The story, as collecetd from himself, Leland, Bale, and Pitts, is, that Waiter Mapes, alias Calenius, archdeacon of Oxford, who flbiirished in the reign of Henix^I., and of whom Henry of Huntingdon and other historians as well as Geoffrey himself make honourable mention, being a man very curious in the study of antiquity, and a diligent searcher into ancient libraries, and especially after the works of ancient authors, * Nicolson's Eng. Hist. Lit. 2nd ed.F, 1, c. 5, Digitized by Google INTRODUCTION. XXI happened while he was in Arn)orica to light upon a History of Britain, written in the British tongue, and carrying marks of great antiquity. And being overjoyed at it, as if he had found a vast treasure, he in a short time after came over to England ; where inquiring for a proper person to translate this curious but hitherto unknown book, he very opportunely met with Geoffrey of Monmouth, a man profoundly versed in the history and antiquities of Britain, excel- lently skilled in the British tongue, and withal j(considenng the time) an elegant writer both in verse and prose ; and so recommended this task to him. Accordingly, Geoffrey, being incredibly delighted with this ancient book, undertook the translating of it into Latin, which he performed with great diligence, approving himself, according to Matt hew^aris^ faithful translator^ At first he divided it into four books, written in a plain simple style, and dedicated it to Robert, earl of Gloucester, a copy whereof is said* to be at .Beiinet College, in Cambridge, which was never yet published j but afterwards he made some alterations, and divided it into eight books, to wkich he added the Book of Merlin's Prophecies, * Pills, 1. c. Voss, 1. c. xxii INTRODUCTIOK. which he had also translated from British verse into Latin prose, prefixing ta it a Preface, and a Letter to Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln. A great many fabulous and trifling stories were inserted in the History : but that was not his fault ; bis business as a translator was to deliver them faithfully such as they were, and leave them to the judgment of the learned to be discussed. " To. prove the truth of this relation, and to answer at once all objections against Geoffrey's integrity, one needs no other argument than an assurance that the original manu script which Geoffrey translated, of whose antiquity the curious are able to judge in a great measure by the character, or any ancient and authentic copy of it, is yet extant. And, indeed, Arch- bishop Usher* mentions an old Welsh Chronicle in the Cottonian Library, that formerly was in the possession of that learned antiquary, Humfrey Lhywd, which he says is thought to be that which Geoffrey translated. But if that be the original manuscript, it must be acknowledged that Geotiiey was not merely a translator, but made some additions of his own ; since, as that most learned prelate informs us, the account * Brit. Eccl. Prim. Cap. 5. Digitized by Google . INTRODUCTION. Xx'ttl tbmt we have in this History of the British Flaiuens, and ArcbflameDSj is nowhere to be found iii it. BuL besides this, there are several copies of it in the Welsh tongue, mentioned by the late ingenious and learned Mr. Lhywd an hit ' Archaeblogia Britannica.' And I myself have met with a manuscript History of our British AAdrSy written above a hundred years ago by Mr. John Lewis, and shortly to be published, wherein the author says, that he had the original of the British History in parchment written in the British tongue before Geoffrey's time, as he -ooDCtudes from this circumstance, that in his book Geoffrey js Preface was wanting, and the Preface to his book was the second chapter of that published by Geoffrey. My ignorance of the Welsh tongue renders me unqualified for making any search into these matters ; and though the searcli should be attended with never so much satisfaction, to ' those who are able to judge of the antiquity of manuscripts, yet to the generality of readers other arguments would perhaps be more con- vincing'." The above extract informs the English Reader of the date at which Geoffrey lived, and every other particular necessary to be known respecting the history of the work. Digitized by Google XXIV INTttODUCTIOK. In the present edition tbe translation of Thompson has been foliowed^ revised and €or> rected wherever the phraseology appeared to be unsuited to the more accurate ears of the present day. A short Chronology of the History has been added, which may not be thought out of place by the lovefs of Shakspere, Milton, and our early poets. J. A. GILES. WindMam Hailt Nwem^, 1842. Digitized by Google XXV GENEALOGICAL SUMMARY. N.B.-^It is hardly necessary to direct the reader 'b attentiou to the anachronisms in this table. For lattance, between the reigns of Bratas and Lei!, is an interval of 1 56 years ; and yet GeoflFrey makes the cajiture of the Ark contemporaneous with the reign of Bmtas, and the building of Solom«»*» tBBiw with fhat of Lett. Now die interral between tlieee two evottlt CMUMit by any possibility be extended beyond eighty year*. It is, moreover, impofisible to bring the chronology of the British kingt themselves into harmony with the dates before Christ, as there is no mention made of ^ ezaol faitemdl between the takinf of Troy and Brntna's lending in Biitiin. Geoffrey inseribee lile work to Robert, Eari of Gloacester, son of Heniy the Second.— '(1. 1.) Lavliila SfMus (IHceaef lAvlnla) r 1. BrulntattheaieorUkiUsMslithcr. B.I.a. ii«igiM 24 yean. At fhto tline Ell governed ImmA, awl arte was tdMo by the VU- liltiDM, and the son? of Hector reigned In IVoyi and SyMua uncle of Bmtus, iu Italy. B. I. 17. CoriMMiB AllJLacI Kambcr I 2. Locriasfd. Ouendoloena / Lociin by Estrildls has Sabre, who Magdiowaed la the r.lOyia.1 Uff*. I SefCfn, glfca name to thai river. 4. Maddaa At thlathneflanad gowned Isnel«aadHoaMrfloniMicd. 40 jn. r \ 5. Menpilcina Hallm Saul idgna In JTndaea, Bwyaklwiia la : 90 yn. 1 6. F.bntucus Ktag OavM^ylThuLatlnua^aail-'lVadunandAsapli. 4»yn. (or 60^ gum*, B. II. f, 8.) 7. Brutus II,, and 19 other sons and 90 danghtefi. 12yr«. S. Leii Momon— ifeaaen of 8beb»-rS]^v*u* Ep'tus. 35yrt. I .9. Hudibraa Capys — Hajggai — Auiok — Joel— AtarUll. 99yrs. to. Hliulud EtUab. ' . aOyr« I 11. Lclr 4tlM. XXVI GENEALOGICAL SUMMABY. j N 13. G«fio>illa=Maglaunus, D. Be^o s= Uenuinua, D. CSoiddtUlt of Albauia of Cornwall rAgan{i^««»K. orOsnL 18. Ciineiagiua >•«. I 14. BlvaUo ^ Isaiah — IT ,1 ^ c i U rinii" built by Koinuiua and Keuius. 17. lago 10. .Sislllius I 18. Kinmarcus lit. Goriogudo "^^(^ Ferrex Loaf civil Porrex At length arose DunwiUlo Molmatiiu, son of Cloten, King of Cornwall. 20. Duowallo Molnmtfw CooweniM 40 yn. I 21. Belinus Brennius 22. Gurgiunt 2t. oJflieliii Sit Kfinaras 24. SUUliui J S0. Oaaius == Taogutda 37. Horrldns I 28. Qorbonian I 911 Arthgtdlo », sLliue SI. insmfan 82. FMnis ArlhgaUo wm deposed in favour of Bttdnre, wbo, • reign of ftyean, restored his brother, who reigned 10 years afleruarda. EUdure then rdgned a Moand time, but was deposed by Vi. genius aatf PcndiifB: ifk«r wluwe dcatha ht rtigned a third I time. 3ii. Gorbonian's son ^ 84* Mwfm 36. Ennlannns m. GeruntiuB I 39. Catellus 40. CoUIOi 4t. M. Idwdlo 87. ttnutut 43. Fuigeuiua 44. JElLdiu 48. QMHia I 4^. Andragiuc I 40, Urianus 47. EUud 48. Cledauciia 49. Clelonus 60. Gonlntius 68. Gap 64. Oenus W. SiiUUas 61. Meriwitts. 60. Blegahred 87. ArtbmaU Digitized by Gocxgle GBNEAIXMSICAL SUMMARY. xxvii M. Eldol Redloa 60. B«derchiii» 61. SunaUjieiiiMel 62 Pir tt. Capoir M. CUgoeUIw 65. Hell r i ^ M. Lad fl7. Onrilwllwm KcnniaB C wHtf*^ ivvuion look place during CaMllNillMui*s reign. 68. Tenuantius 69. KymbelinuB Jeaus Christ is bora in the reign I of Kymbrilont or Cymteliiic. Clandtas ^ I 70. Guiderius 71. Arv'iragus= Geaui&sa I 72. Marina I 73. Ck>illus 74. Lucius lAchMcmbncM Christian. lly:1i«dlc»A.D. 190. 7h. Severus I 7C. BaKsianus or Caracalla 77. Cai— las 7^- Allectus 79. Asclepiodotus tK). Coel Helena s«8 81. Conatanttna I t. U yn. 82. Constantine, Emperor of Borne. 83. Octavius assumes the crowTa of Britain. (Daughter; = 84. filaximian. Ai this time the Picts and Scots harass tho Britons, who apply to the . Oonatanttne^ Prince of Annodca, cornea to aaalat the Britona. 86. CooBtans 87. Anrelius Ambrosius 88. I'ther Feodragon Igerna W. VortcuSm nrarpa the tbraoc and caila in the SftMHi | Ai thur Anne Hi. Cunstantiue 92. Aureliua Conaii Wortiporius M-i. Malgo 9d. Careticus 86. ^ ' \ Peandn ( ) 97. Cadmllo 98. Cadwalladcr Digiiized by Google Digitized by Google GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTHS BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK I. CHAPTER L THE EPIBTLB DBDICATORT 10 BOBSBt BABL OF QL0UCE8TEB. WniLgT occupied on many and various studies, I hup- Robert E»ri pened to light upon the HiBtoryof the Kings of Britam,aiid ^^^^ of wondered that in the account which Gildas and Bede, in their elegant treatises, had given of them, I found nothing said of those kings who lived here before the Iiicai nation of Christ, nor of i^tihur, and many others who succeeded after the Incarnation ; though their actions both deserved immortal fame, and were also celebrated by many people in a pleasant manner and by heart, as if they had been written. Whilst I was intent upon these and such like thoughts, Walter, archdeacon of Oxford, a man of great eloquence, and learned in foreign histories, offered me a ver y ancient b ook in the British tongue, wliich, in a con- tmued regular story and elegant style, related the actions of them all^froni Brutus the first knig of the Britains^ down to Cadwallader the son of Cadwallo. A t his request, thfiivefore, thbi^h I had not made fine language my sUidy, hf collecting florid expressiona from other authors, > yet eontented with my own homely style, I undertci^ tha translation of that book into Latin. For if I lU^ Digitized by Google 2 QBOFFBKT OF MONMOUTH. swelled the pages with rhetorical iiouridbes, I must have tired my readers, by employing their attention more upon my words than upon Uie history. To you, therefore, Robert Earl of Gloucester, this work humbly sues for the favour of being so corrected by your advice, that it may not be thought to be the poor oflspring of Geoffrey of Monmouth, but when polished by your refined wit and judgment, the production of him who had Henry the glorious king of England for his father, and whom we see an accomplished sdiohir and philosopher, as weU as a brave soldier and expert commander; so that Britain with joy acknowledges! that in you she possesses another Henry. CHAPTER II. TBB Fian INHABITAim OF BRITAIN. DcKTripUon Britain, the best of islands, is situated in the Western Ocean, between France and Ireland, being eight hundred miles long, and two hundred broad. It prodnces every ^ thing that is useful to man, with a plenty that never fails. It abounds with all kinds of metals, and has phuns of large extent, and hills fit for the finest tillage, the richness of whose soil affords variety of fruits in their proper seasons. It has also forests well stored with all kinds of wild beasts ; in its lawns cattle find good change of pasture, and bees variety of flowers for honey. Under its lofty mountains lie green meadovra pleasantly situated, in which the gentle murmurs of crystal springs gliding along dear channels, give those that pass an agreeable invitation to lie down on their banks and slumber. It is likewise well n\ atered with lakes and rivers abounding with fish ; and besides the narrow sea which is on the Southern coast towards France, there are three noble ' rivers, stretching out like three arms, namely, the Thames, the Severn, and the Humber ; by which fore^ commodities from all countries are brought into it. It Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 3 •J* was fonnerly adorned with eight and twenty cities, of - . which Boine are in ruins and desolate, others are still standing, heautified with lofty chiixeh«>towerB, wherein . t religious worship is performed according to the Christian iiistitutiun. It is lastly inhabited by five different ^ nations, the Briiains, Uoinans, Saxons, Picts and Scots; whereof the Britains boiorc the rest did formerly possess f the whole island from sea to sea, till divine vengeance , «^^ punishing them for their pride, made them give way to ^ I the Picts and Saxons. But in what manner, and from - whence, they first arrived here, remains now to be rekted in what foUows. CHAPTER III. BRI7TUS, BEING BAN18HBD AFTBB THE KILLING OF HIS PARENTS, GOES INTO GREECE. ro ^ Aster the Trojan war, iSSneas, flying with Ascanius ^ from the destruction of their dty, sailed to Italy. There ^ he was honourably received by King Latinus, which jj raised against him the envy of Turnus, king of the Rutuli, who thereupon made war against him. Upon j, their engaging in battle, ^^neas got the victory, and g having killed Turnus, obtained the kingdom of Italy, and f with it Lavinia the daughter of Latinus. After his death, Ascanius, succeeding in the kingdom, built Alba nowaiihuw. upon the Tiber, and begat a son named Sylvius, who, in ^ pursuit of a private amour, took to wife a niece of Lavinia. The daiust'l soon alter conceived, and tlie father Ascanius, coming to the knowledge of it, commanded his magicians to consult of what sex the child should be. When they had satisfied themselves in the matter, they told him ^e would give birth to a boy, who would kill ^ his lather and mother, and after travelling over mauy /CtMmtries in banishment^ would at last arrive at the highest pitch of glory. Nor were they mistaken in I B 2 Digitized by Google 4 GKOFFKEY OF MONMOUTH. their prediction ; for at the proper time the woman brought forth a son, and died of his birth ; but the child was delivered to a nurse and called Brutus. At length, after fifteen years were expired, the youth accompanied his father in hunting, and killed him un- designedly by the shot of an arrow. For, aa the servanta were driving up the deer towarda theroy Brutus, in ahoot- ing at them, smote his father under the breast. Upon his death, he was expelled from Italy, his kinsmen being enraged at him for so heinous a deed. Thu.s bauished he went into Greece, where he found the posterity of Helenus, son of Priamus, kept in slavery by Pandrasus, king of the Greeks. For, after the destruction of Troy, Pyrrhus, the son of AehiUes^ had brought hither in chains Helenus and many others ; and to revenge on them the death of his father, had given command that they should be held in captivity. Brutus, finding they were by doR('( lit his old countrymen, took up his abode anions them, and began to distinguish himself by his conduct and bravery in war, so as to gain the affection of kings and commanders, and above all the young men of the country. For he was esteemed a person of great capacity both in council and war, and dgnalized his generosity to his soldiers, by bestowing among them all the money and spoil he got. 1 1 is fame, therefore, spreading over all countries, the Trojans from all parts htgiin to flock to him, desiring under his command to be freed from subjection to the Greeks ; which they assured him might easily be done, considering how much their number was now in- creased in the country, being seven thousand strong, besides womra and diildren. There was likewise then in Greece a noble youth named Assaracus, a favourer of their cause. For he \v:us descended on his mother's side from the Trojans, and placed great confidence in tlieni, that he might be able by their assistance to oppose the designs of the Greeks. For his brother had a quarrel with him for attempting to deprive him of three castles Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 5 which his father had given him at his death, on account of his being only the son of a concubine ; but as the brother was a Greek, both by his father s and niotlier's side, lie had prevailed with the king and the rest of the Greeks to espouse his cause. BrutuSi having taken a view of the number of his men, and seen how Assanusus^s castles lay open to him, complied with their request. CHAPTER IV. BRUTU8*8 LBTTGR TO PANDBA8US. Being, therefore, chosen their commander, he assem- bled the Trojans &om all parts, and fortified the towns belonging to Assaraeus. But he himself^ with Assaractis and the whole body of men and women that adhered to him, retired to the woods and hills, and then sent a letter to the king in these words : — '* Brutus, general of the remainder of the Trojans, to Pandrasus, king of the Greeks, sends greeting. As it was beneath the dignity of a nation descended from the illustrious race of Dardanus, to be treated in your king- dom otherwise than the nobility of their birth required, they have betaken themselves to the protection of the woods. For they have preferred living after the manner of wild beasts, upon flesh and herbs, with the enjoyment of liberty, to continuing longer in the greatest luxury under the yoke of slavery. If this gives your Majesty any offence, impute it not to them, but pardon it ; since it is the common sentiment of evny captive, to be desi- rous of regaming his former dignity. Let pity therefore move you to bestow on them freely their lost liberty, and permit them to inhabit the thickets of the woods, to which they have retired to avoid slavery. But if you deny them this favour, then by your permission and assistance let them depart into some foreign country." 6 GEOFFREY OF MOM MOUTH CHAPTER V. IHUnUS FALLING UPON THE FORCES OF PAXDRASIJS BY BVR- 1'1U8K, K0UT8 THEM, AND TAKFS ANTIGONI S, THE BROTHER OF PANDRASUa, WITH ANACLETU8, PRIfiONEB. Paxdrasus, perceiving the purport of the letter, was beyond measure surj)rised at tlie boldness of snch a mes- sage from those whom he had kept in slavery ; and having called a council of his nobles, he determined to raise an army in order to pursue them. But while he was upon his march to the deserts, where he thought they were, and to the town of Sparatinum, Brutus made a sally with three thousand men, and fell upon hhn un- awares. For liaviiig intelligence of his coining, he had got into the town the night before, with a design to break forth upon them unexpectedly, while unarmed and marching without order. The sally being made, the Trojans briskly attack them, and endeavour to make a great slaughter. The Greeks, astonished, immediately give way on all sides, and, with the king at their head, TheAcbc hasten to pass the river Akalon, which runs near the louB, or, per- * ^ hag^the placc ; but in passing are in great danger froui the rapidity of the stream. Brutus eralls t]i< in in their flight, and kills some of them in the stream, and some upon the banks; and running to and fro, rejoices to see them in both places exposed to ruin. But Antigonus, the brother of Pandrasus, grieved at this sight, rallied his scattered troops, and made a quick return upon the furious Trojans ; for he rather chose to di(^ UKiking a brave resistance, than to be drowned in a muddy pool in a shameful flight. Thus attended with a close body of men, he encouraged them to stand their ground, and employed his whole force against the enemy with great vigour, but to little or no purpose ; for the Trojans had arms, hut the others none ; and from this Digitized by Google BB1TI8H UISTOKT. 7 advantage they were more eager in the pursuit, and made a miserable slaughter; nor did they give over the assault till they had made near a total destruction, and taken Antigonus, and Anadetus hia oompanion, prisoners. CHAPTER VI. THE TOWN OF 8PAKATINUM BEtilEGED BY PANDRA8U8. Brutus, after the victory, rL'iaforccd the town with six himdred men, and then retired to the uoixls, wliere the Trojan people were expecting his protection. In the mean time Pandrasus, grieving at his own flight and his brother's captivity, endeavoured that night to reassemble his broken forces^ and the next morning went with a body of his people which he had got together^ to besiege the town, into which he supposed Brutus had put himself with Antigonus and the lebt of the prisonei-s that he had taken. As soon as he was arrived at the walls, and had viewed the situation of the castle, he divided his army into several bodies, and placed them round it in different stations. One party was charged not to sufler any of the besi^d to go out ; another to tum the courses of the rivers ; and a third to beat down the walls with battering rams and other engines. In obedience to those commands, they laboured with their utmost force to distress the liesieged ; and night coming ou^made choice of their bravest men to defend their camp and tents from the incursions of the enemy, while the rest, who were fatigued with labour^ refreshed them- selves with sleep* . CHAPTER V II. THE BBSIEGED ASK ASSIflTANCB OF BR0TD8. But the besieged, standing on the top of the walls, were no less vigorous to repel the force of the enemies* 8 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. engines, and assault them with their own, and cast forth darts and firebrands with an unanimous resolution to melke a valiant defence. And when a breach was made through the wall, they compelled the enemy to retirey hy throwing upon them fire and scalding water. But being distressed through scarcity of provision and daily labour, they sent an urgent message to Brutus, to habten to their assistance, for they were afraid they might be so weakened as to be obliged to quit the town. Brutus, though desirous of relieving them, was under great per- plexity, as he had not men enough to stand a pitched battle, and therefore made use of a stratagem, by which he proposed to enter the enemies* camp by night, and having deceived their watch to kill them in their sleep. But because he knew this was impracticable without the concurrence and assistance of some Greeks, he called to him Anacletus, the companion of Antigonus, and with a drawn sword in his hand, spake to him after this man- ner: — Noble youth ! your own and Antigonus'^s life is now at an end, unless you will faithfully perform what I com- mand you. This night I design to invade the camp of the Greeks, and fall uj)on them unawares, but am afraid of being hindered in the attempt if the watch should discover the stratagem. Since it will be necessaiy, therefore, to have them killed first, I desire to make use of you to deceive them, that I may have the easier access to the rest. Do you therefore manage this affiur cun- ningly. At the second hour of the night go to the watch, and with fair speeches tell them that you have brought away Antigonus from prison, and that he is come to the bottom of the woods, where he lies hid among the shrubs, and cannot get any further, by reason of the fetters with which you shall pretend that he is bound. Th^ you shall conduct them, as if it were to deliver him, to the end of the wood, where I will attend with a band of men ready to kill them.^ Digitized by Google BBITMH BISTORT. 9 CHAPTER VIII. ANACLETUS, IN FEAB OF DEATH, BBTRATS THE ARMY OP THB OREBKB. ANAfLETrs, seeing tlie sword threatening hira with immediate death while these words were being pro- nounced, was 80 terrified as to promise upon oath, that on condition he and Antigonus should have longer life granted them, he would execute his command. Ac- cordingly, the agreement being confirmed, at the second hour of the night he directs his way towards the Grecian camp, and when he was conic near to it, the watch, who were then narrowly exaniiniiig ail the places where any one could hide, ran out from all parts to meet him, and demanded the occasion of his coming, and whether it was not to betray the army. He, with a show of great joy, made the following answer : — I come not to betray my country, but having made my escape from the prison of the Trojans, I fly hither to desire you would go with me to Antigonus, whom I have delivered from Brutus's chains. For being not able to come with me for the weight of his fetters, I have a little while ago caused him to lie hid among the shrubs at the end of the wood, till I could meet witii some one whom I might conduct to his assistance.^ Whfle they were in suspense about the truth of this story, there came one who knew him, and after he had saluted liim, told them who he was ; so that now, without any hesitation, they quiikly called their absent companions, and followed him to the wood where he had told them Antigonus lay hid. But at ]ength as they were going among the shrubs, Brutus with his armed bands springs forth, and falls upon them while under the greatest astonishment with a most cruel slaughter. From thence he mardtes duectly to the 10 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. siege, and divides his men into three bands, assigning to each of them a different part of the camp, and telling them to advance discreetly, and without noise; and when entered, not to kill any body till he with his company should be possessed of the king*8 tent> and should cause the trumpet to sound for a signal. CHAPTER IX. rut: TAKING OF PANDHASUS. Whbn he had given them these instructions, they fortJi- with softly entered the camp in silence, and taking their appointed stations, awaited the promised signal, which Brutus d< laved not to give as soon as he had got before the tent of Pandrasua, to assault which was the tiling he most desired. At hearing the signal, they forthwith draw their swords, enter in among the men in their sleep, make quick destruction of them, and allowing no quarter, in this manner traverse the whole camp. The rest, awaked at the groans of the dying, and seeing their assailants, were like sheep seized with a sudden fear; for they despaired of life, since they had neither time to take arms, nor to escape by liight. They run up and down without arms among the armed, whithersoever the fuiy of the assault hurries them, but are on all sides cut down by the enemy rushing in. Some that might have escaped, were in the eagerness of flight dashed against roclra, trees, or shrubs, and increased the misery of their death. Others, that liad only a shield, or some such covering for their defence, in venturing upon the same rocks to avoid death, fell down in the hurry and dark- ness of the night, and broke either legs or arms. Others, that escaped both these disasters, but did not know whither to fly, were drowned in the adjacent rivers ; and scarcely one got away without some unhappy acei* Digitized by Google BRITISH niSIORY. 11 dent befalling him. Besides, the garrison in the town, upon notice of the coming of their fellow-soldiers, sallied forth, and redoubled the slaughter. CHAPTER X. A CONSULTATION ABOUT WHAT IS TO BE ASKED OF THE CAPTIVE KING. But Brutus, as was said before, having possessed himself of the king's tent, made it his business to keep him a safe prisoner ; for he knew he could more easily attain his -ends by preserving bis life than by killing him: but the party that was with him allowing no quarter, made an utter destruction in that part which they had gained. The night being spent in this manner, when the next morning discovered to their view so great an overthrow of the enemy, Brutus, in transports of joy, gave full liberty to his men to do what they pleased with the plunder, and then entered the town with the king, to stay there till they had shared it among them ; which done, he again fortified the castle, gave orders for burying the slain, and retired with his forces to the woods in great joy for the victory. After the rejoicings of his people on this occasion, their renowned general summoned the oldest of them and asked their advice, what he had best desire of l^andrasus, who, being now in their power, would readily grant whatever they would request of him, in order to regain his liberty. They, according to their different fancies, desired different things: some urged him to request that a certain part of the kingdom might be assigned them for their habitation ; others that he a\ ould deinand leave to depart, and to be supplied with necessaries for their voyage. After they had been a long time in su^ense what to do, one of them, named Mempricius, rose up, and, having made silence, spoke to them thus : — IS GBOFFlirr OF MONMOUTH. What can be the occasion of your auapenfle, fathers, in a matter which I think so much concerns your safety ! The only thing you can request, with any prospect of a firm peace and security to yourselves and your posterity, is liberty to ck^part. For if you make no better teniLs with Pandrasu^^ lur )iif^ life, than only to liavp sonio part of the country assigned you to live among the Greeks, you will never enjoy a lasting peace while the brothers, sons, or grandsons of those whom you killed yesterday shall continue to he your neighbours. So long as the ^ | memory of thehr fathers' deaths shall remain, they will be your mortal enemies, and upon the least trifling pro- vocation will endeavour to revenge themselves. Nor will you be sufficiently numerous to withstand so great a multitude of people. And if you shall happen to fall out among yourselves, their number wiW daily increase, yours diminish. I propose, therefore, that you request of him his eldest daughter, Ignoge, for a wife for our general, and with her, gold, silver, com, and whatever else ataJl be necessary for our voyage. If we obtain this, we may with his leave remove to some other country." CHAPTER XL PANDRA8US GIVES HLS DAUGHTKR IGNOGK I\ MAUiUAGE TO imUTUS, WHO, AFTEB HIS DEPARTURE FROM GREECE, FALLS UPON A DESERT ISLAND, WHERE HE IS TOLD BY THE ORACLB OF DIANA WHAT PLACE HE IB TO INHABIT. When he had ended his speech, in words to this effect, the whole assembly acquiesced in his advice, and moved that Pandrasus might be brought in among them, and condemned to a most cniel death, unless he would grant thiei request. He was immediately brought in, and being placed in a chair above the rest, and informed of the tortures prepared for him, unless he would do what waa commanded him, he made them this answer : — Digitized by Google BRITISH BISTORT 13 Since my ill fate has delivered me and my brother Antigonus into your Iiands, I can do do other than grant your request, leet a refusal may coet us our liTes, which are now entirely in your power. In my opinion^ life is preferable to all other considerations ; therefore, wonder not that I am willing to redeem it at so j^reat a price. But though it is against my inclination that T obey your commands, yet it seems matter of comt'urt to me, that I am to give my daughter to so noble a youth, whose de- scent from the illustrious race of Priamus and Anchises is clear, both from that greatness of mind which appears in him, and the certain accounts we have bad of it. For who less than be could have released from tbeur chains the banished Trojans, when reduced under slavery to so many great princes ? Who else could have encoumged them tu iiiak(^ liead ao^ainst the Greeks ■ <jr with so small a body of men vanquished so numerous and powerful an army, and taken their king prisoner in the engagement ? And, therefore, since this noble youth has gained so much gloiy by the opposition which he has made to me, I ^ve bun my daughter Ignoge, and also gold, silver, ships, com, wine, and oil, and whatever you shall find necessary for your voyage. If you shall alter your resolution, and think fit to coniiuue among the Greeks, T will grant you the third part of my kingdom for your habitation ; if not, I will faithfully p^orm my promise, and for your greater security will stay as a host^ among you till I have made it good.** Accordingly be held a council, and directed messengers to all the shores of Greece, to get ships together ; w hich done, he delivered them to the Trojans, to the uumber of three hundred and twenty-four, laden with all kinds of provision, and married his daughter to Brutus. He made abo a present of gold and silver to each man according to his quality. When every thing was performed, the king was set at liberty ; and the Trojans, now released from his power, set sail with a fahr wmd. But Ig- noge, standing upon the stern of the ship, swooned GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. away several timas in Brutus's arms, and with many sighs and tears lamented the leaving her parents and country, nor ever turned her eyes from the shore while it was in sight. BrutuB, noieauwhile, endeavoured to asBuage her grief by kind words and embraoes inter- l mixed with kiaaeB, and ceased not from these blandish- ments till she grew weary of crying and fell asleep. During these and other accidents, the winds continued fair for two days and a night together, when at lencfth they arrived at a certain island called Leogecia, which had been formerly wasted by the incursions of pirates, and was then uninhabited. Brutus, not knowing thiSy sent three hundred armed men ashore to see who in- habited it ; but they finding nobody, killed seTeral kinds of wild beasts whidi they met with in the groves and woodis, and came to a dosolate city, in which they found a temple of Diana, and in it a statue of that goddess w'hich gave answers to those that came to consult her. At last, loading themselves with the prey which they had taken in hunting, they return to their ships, and give tiieir oompanions an account of this country and city. Then they advised thcar leader to go to the city, and f^r offering sacrifices, to inquire of the deity of the place, what country wa^s allotted them for their place of settlement. To this proposal all assented ; so that Brutus, attended with Gerion, the augur, and twelve of the oldest men, set forward to the temple, with all things necessary for the sacrifice. Being arrived at the place, and presenting themselves before the shrine with gar- lands about their temples, as the ancient rites required, they made three fires to the three deities, Jupiter, Mer- cury, and l )iana, and offered sacrifices to each of them. Brutus hiiiiseir, holdinof befc^re th(» altar of the goddess a consecrated vessel filled with wiue, and the blood of a white hart, with his hce looking up to the image, broke silence in these words : — / ^ Diva potens nemomm, tenor Bylvestribus apris ; Cai licet amfractus ire per SBthereoe, Digitized by Google BRITIBU BI8T0BT, 15 Infernasque domos,- terrestria jura resolve, Et die quas Icrras uos habitare velis ? Die ccrtam sedem qua te venerabor in sevum. Qua tibi virgineis templa dicabo choris ?" Goddess of woods, tremendous in the chase To mountain boars, and all the savage race ! Wide o'er th* ^ethereal walks extends thy swKy, And o'er th' infernal mansions void of day! Look upon us on eartli I unfold our fate. And say what reg-ion is our destined seat ? "Where shall we next thy lasting temples raise? And choirs of virgins celebrate thy praise i These words he repeated nine times, after which he took lour turns round the altar, poured the wine into the fire, and then laid himself down upon the hart's skin, which he had spread before the altar, where he fell asleep. About the third hour of the night, the usual time for deep sleeps the go^Uees seemed to present herself before him, and foretell bis fhtuie success as fbllowB : — ** Bmtel tub occasum solis trans Gallica regna Insula in oceano Mt undique ckusa man: Inaola in oceano est habitata gigantibus ofim. Nunc deserta quidem, gentibns apta tuis. Hanc pete^ namque tibi aedes erit ilia perennis : Sie fiet natis altera TVoja tula. Sic de prole tua reges naaoentur : et ipeia Tcntina tema anbditoa orbia eiif Brutus ! there lies beyond the Gallic bounds An island which the western sea surrounds. By giants once possess'd ; now few remain To bar thy entrance, or obstruct thy reign. To reach that happy shore thy sails employ; There fate decrcoo lo rai.sc a iiccond I roy, And found an empire in thy ro) al Iiiie, Which time shall ne'er destroy, nor bounds con6ne. Awakened by the vision, he was for some time in doubt with himself, whether what he had seen was a dream, or a real appearance of the goddcab iioraclf, foretelling him f 16 6B0PFREY OF MONMOUTH to what land he should go. At last he called to his companions, and related to them in order the vision he had in his sleep, at which they very much rejoiced, and were urgent to return to their ships, and while the wind favoured them, to hasten their voyage towards the west, in pursuit of what the goddess had promised. Without delay, therefore, they returned to their company, and set sail again, and after a course of thirty days came to Africa, being ignorant as yet whither to steer. From thence they came to the Philenian altars^ and to a place called Salinse, and sailed between Kuscicada and the mountains of Azara, where they unit rwent great danger from pirates, whom, notwithstanding, they vanquiahed, and enriched themselves with their spoils. CHAPTER XII. BBUTU8 ENTEB8 AQUITAINS WITH OOBINEUS. Fbom thence passinor the river Malua, thev arrived at Mauritania, where at last, for want of provisions, they were obliged to go ashore ; and, dividing themselves into several hands, they laid waste the whole country. When they had well stored their ships, they steered to the Pillars of Hercules, where tiiey saw some of those sea- monsters, called Syrens, which surrounded their ships, and very nearly ovci'turned theui. However, they made a shift to escape, and came to the Tyrrhenian Sea, upon the shores of which they found four several nations descended from the banished Trojans, that had accom- panied Antenor in his flight. The name of their com- mander was Corineus; a modest man m matters of coun- cil, and of great courage and boldness, who, in an encounter with any person, even of gigantic stature, would immediately overthrow him, as if he were a child. When thev understood from whom he was descended, thej^ joined company with him and those under his Digitized by Google BBITUB HUTOBT. 17 gOTemment, who from the name of their leader were mfterwards called the Coraiflh people, and indeed were more eervioeable to Brntns than the rest in all his en- gagements. From thence tln j csme to Aqnitaine, and entering the mouth of the Loire, cast anchor. There they stayed seven days and viewed the country'. Goffa- rius Pictiis. who was kin<^ of Aquitalno at that time, having an account brought him of the arrival of a foreign people with a great fleet upon his coasts, sent ambas- Badon to them to demand whether they brought with them peace or war. The ambaasadors, on their way towards the fleet, met CkMrineos, who was come oot with two hundred men to hunt in the woods. They de- manded of hiiTi. who ij^ave liiiii kavc to enter the king's forests, and kill his garae ; (which by an ancient law no- body was allowed to do without leave from the prince). Corineos answered, that as for that matter there was no occasion for asking leave ; upon which one of them, named Imbertus, mahing forwa^, with a full drawn bow leveUed a shot at him. Corineus avoids the arrow and immediately runs up to him, and with his bow in his hand breaks his head. The rest nai rowly escaped, and carried the news of this disaster to Gntrariiis. The Pic- tavian general was struck with sorrow for it, and imme- diately raised a vast army, to revenge the death of his ambassador^ Brutus, on the other hand, upon hearing the rumour of his coming, sends away the women and diildren to the ships, which he took care to be well guarded, and commands them to stay there, while he, with the rest that w^ere able to bear arms, should go to meet the army. At last an assault being made, a bloody fight ensued ; in which atter a great part of the day had been spent, Corineus was ashamed to see the Aquitar mans so bravely stand their ground, and the Trojans maintaanhig the fi^t without vietcny. He therdbre takes fresh courage, and drawing off his men to the right wing, breaks in upon the very thickest of the ene- 18 GfiOFF&SY OF MONMOUTH. mies, where he made such slaughter on every side, that at last he broke the line and put them all to iiight. In this encounter he loat his sword, but by good lortune met with a battle-aKe, with which he dave down to the waist every one that etood in his way. Brutus and every body dae, both friends and enemies, were amaaed at his courage and strength^ for he brandished about his battle-axe among the flying troops, and terrified them not a little with these insulting words. " Whither fly ye, cowards 1 whither fly ye, base wretches ? stand your ground, that ye may encounter Corineus. What, for . shame, do so many thousands of you fly one man I How- ever, take this comfort for your flight, that you are pur- sued by one, before whom the Tyrrhenian giants could not stand their ground, but fell down slaiA in heaps toge- ther.'' CHAPTER XIIL G0FFARIU8 ROUTKD DY llilUTLS. At these words cme of them, named Subardus, who was a consul, letunis with three hundred men to assault him ; but Corineus with his slueld waxds ofi^ the blow, and lifting up liis battle-axe gave him such a strtike upon the top oi his hehnet, that at once he clave iiim down to the waist ; and then rushing upon the rest he made ter- rible slaughtw by wheeling about his battlMze among them, and, running to and fro, seemed more anxious to inflict blows on the enemy than carefiil to avoid those vrtklti they auned at hun. Some had ihenr hands and arms, some their very shoulders, some again their heads, and others tlicir logs cut off by him. All fought with Mm only, and he alone seemed to fiL^ht with all. Brutus seeing him thus beset, out of regard to him, runs with a band of men to his assistance : at which the battle is again renewed with vigour and with loud shouts, and great nvmbers slam on both rides. But now the Tfo- Digitized by Google BiansH HisroBT. 19 jaoB preeently gain the Tictorjr, and put Goffiurius with his Pietaviana to ffight. The king after a narrow escape went to several parts of Gaul, to procure succours among such princes as were related or known to him. At that time Gaul was subject to twelve princes, who vnth equal authority possessed the whole country. These receive him courteously, and promise with one consent to expel the foveignets &fm Aquitaine. CHAPTER XIV. BRUTUS, AFTER HIS YIGTOBT OYER UOFFARIUS, RAVAGES AnurrAWB with fire and sword. Brutus, in joy for the victory, enriches his men with the spoils of thQ slain, and thai, dividing them into seve* ral hodies, marches into the ooontKy with a design to lay it waste, and load his fleet with the spoil. With this view he sets the cities on fire, seizes the riches that were in them, destroys the fields, and makes dreadful slaugh- ter among the citizens and comrion peo|)Ie, being unwil- ling to leave so much as one alive of that wretched nation. While he was making thb destruction over all Aqnitaine, he came to a place where the eity of Toms now stands^ which he afterwards hnilt, as Homer tes- tifies. As soon as he had looked ont a place convenient for the purpose, he pitched his camp there, for a place of safe retreat, when occasion should require. For he was afraid on account of Goflarius's approach with the IdngB and princes of Gaul, and a very great army, which wae now come near the place, ready to give him battle. Having therefore finished his camp, he expected to engage with Goffiurius in two days^ time, pladng the utmost confidence in the conduct and conrage of the young men under his command. 20 aEOFPBBY OF MOKlfOUTH. ^yfl / ^ CHAPTER XV. GOFFARIUs'fi FIGHT WITH BBUTUS. CrOFPABiuB, being infcfnned that the Trojans were in those parts, marched day and night, till he came within a close view of Brutus's camp ; and then with a stem look and disdainful smile, broke out into these expres- sions. ^'Oh wretched fate! Have these base exiles made a camp also in my kingdom ! Ann, ann, soldiersi and maiefa through their thickest nnks: we shall soon take these pitifol fellows like sheep, and disperse them throughout our kingdom for slaves.* At Uiese words they prepared their arms, and advanced in twelve bodies towards the enemy. Brutus, on the other liand, with his forces drawn up in order, went forth boldly to meet them, and gave his men directions for their conduct, where they should assault and where they should be upon the defensive. At the beginning of the attack, the Trojans had the advantage, and made a npid slaughter of tiie enemy, of whom there fell near two thousand, which 80 terrified the rest, that they were on the point of running away. But, as the victory generaUy falls to that side which hart wvy much the superiority in num- bers, SO the Gauls, beiug tliree to one in number, though overpowered at firsts yet at last joining in <a great .body together, broke in upon the Trojans; and forced them to retire to thdr camp with much slaughter. The vie> tory thus gained, they besieged them in theur camp, with a design not to snilhr them to stir out until they should either suiTender themselves |»ris(iner8, or be cruelly starved to death with a long famine. In the mean time, Corineus the night following entered into consultation with Brutus, and proposed to go out that night by by-ways, and conceal himself in an acyacent wood till break of day; and while Brutus should sally forth upon the enemy in the momuig Digitized by Google BRITISH HI8I0RT, 21 twilight, he with his company would suipxiEie them fiiom hehind, and put them to slaughter. Brutus was pleased with this stratagem of Corineus, who according to his engagement got out cunningly ^ith tlirce thousand men, and put himself under the covert of the woods. As 80on as it was day Brutus marshalled his men and opened the camp to go out to fi^t. The Gauls meet lum and begin the engagement : many thousands &U on both sides, neither party giving quarter. There was present a Trojan, named Turonus, the nephew of Ikutus, inferior to none but Corineus in courage and strength of body. He alone with his sword killed six hundred men, but at last was unfortunately slain himself by the num- ber of Gauls that rushed upon him. From him the city of Tours derived its name, because he was buried there, ram, "While both armies were thus warmly engaged, Corineus came upon them unawares, and fell fiercely upon the rear of the enemy, which put new courage into his friends on the other side, and made them exoi-f themf^elves with increased vigour. The Gauls were astonished at the very dhout of Corineus*s men, and thinking their number to be much greater than it really was, they hastily quitted the field ; but the Trojans pursued them, and Idlled them in the pursuit, nor did they desist till they had gained a complete victory. Brutus, though in joy f'nr this great success, was yet afflicted to observe the number of his forces daily lessened, while that of the enemy increased more and more. He was in suspense for some time, whether he had better continue the war or not, but at last he determmed to return to his ships while the greater part of his followers was yet safe, and hitherto victorious, and to go in quest of the island which the godUesb had tuUl him of. So without further delay, with the consent of his company, he repaired to the fleet, and loading it with the riches and spoils he had taken, set sail with a fair wind towards the promised island, and arrived on the coast of Totness. 22 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. I CHAPTER XVI, \'i V 'P- ALBION DIVIDED BETWEEN BRUTUS AND COIUNEU0. Brutus* Thb island was then called Albion, and was inhabited by none but a few c^iants. Notwithstanding this, the Albion. P ' ^ ^ pleasant situation of the places, the plenty of rivers flj^k^ abounding with fish, and the engagiDg prospect of its .J woods, made Bmtus and hia eompany very desiroua to fix their habitation in it. .They therefore pMsed thrm^ ^ aU the provinces, forced the giants to fly into the caves of the mountains, and divided the country among them according to the directions of their commander. After this they becrfin to till the ground and build houses, so that in a little time the country looked like a place that had been long inhabited. At last Brutus called the island after his own name BriUun, and his companioDS . BriUMis; for by these means he dedred to perpetuate the mmory of his name. From whence afterwards the language of the nation, which at first bore the name of Trojan, or rough Greek, was called British. But Corincus, in imitation of his leader, called ihat part of oorawioi. the island which fell to his share, Corinea, and his people Corincans, after his name; and though he had his choice of the provinces before all the rest, yet he pre- ferred this country, which is now called in Latin Cor- nubia, either from its being in shape of a horn, (in Latin Oomu,) or from the'corruption of the said name. For it was a diversion to him to encounter the giants, which , were in {greater number? there than in all the other pro- vinces that fell to the share of his companions. Among the rest was one detestable monster, named (Joemagot, in stature'twdve cubits, and of such prodigious strength, that at one shake he pulled up an oak, as if it had been a hazel wand. On a certain day, when Brutus was hold* ing a solemn festival to the gods, in the port where they Digitized by Google 23 at fint landed, this gknt with twenty move of hk com- pamooB eame in upon the Britons, among whom he made a dreadful daughter. Bat the Britona at but anembling together in a body, put them to the root, and killed them every one but Goemagot. Brutus had given orders to iiavi" liim preserved alive, out t)t n desire to see a combat betNveen him and Coriueus, who look a great pleasure in such encounters. Corineus, overjoyed at this, prepared himwfttf, and throwing aside bis arms^ ehaUeiq^ him to wrestle with him. At the beginniiig of the enoomiter, Corinens and the giant standing front to front, held eadb other strongly in their ann8» and panted alond for breath ; Jmt Groemagot presently grasp- ing Corineus with all his might, broke three of his ribs, two on his right side and one on his left. At which Corineus, highly enraged, roused up his whole strength, and snatching him upon his shoulders, ran with him, as fast as the weight would allow him, to the next shore, and there getting upon the top of a high rock, hnrled down the savage monster into the sea; where fiJling on the sides of craggy rocks, he was torn to pieces, and coloured the waves with lii.s blood. The place where he fell, takini; its name from the giant's fall, is called Lam The Haw, Goemi^t, that is, Goemagot s Leap, to this day. mouth. CHAPTER XVIL THE BjJILDING OP NEW TROY BY BEUTUS, UPON THIS BIVEB THAMSB. BnuTug, having thus at last set eyes upon his king- dom, formed a design of Ituilding a city, and in order to it, travelled through the land to iind out a convenient situation, and coming to the River Thames, he walked along the shore, and at last pitched upon a place very fit for his purpose* Here, therefore, he huilt a city, Lmdoa. wluch he called New Troy ; under which name it cou* 24 GEOFF&EY OS MONMOUTH. *^ tinned a long time aft or, till at last, by the corruption of MowLon. the original word, it came to be called Trinovantum. But afterwank when Lud, the brother of Cassibelkum, # who made war against Julius Cnsar, obiained the go- vemment of the kingdoiii, he suiroonded it with stately walls, and towers of admirable workmanship, and ordered it to be called after his name, Kaer-Lud, that is, the City of Lud. iiut this very thing became afterwards the occasion of a great quarrel between him and his brother Neunius, who took offence at his abolishing the name of Troy in this country. Of this quarrel Gildas the historian has given a full aceonnt ; for which reason I pass it over, for fear of debasing, by my acooimt of it, what so great a writer has so eloquently related. CHAPTER XVIII. NEW TROY BEING BUILT, AND LAWS MADE FOB THE OOVBRN- MENT OF IT, IT IS GIVEN TO TUE CITIZENS THAT WERK TO INHABIT IT. Afteb Brutus had finished the building of the dty, he made choice of the citisens that were to inhabit it, and prescribed them laws for their peaceable government. At this time Eli the priest governed in Judsea, and the ark of the covenant was taken by the Philistines. At the same time, also, the sons of Hector, after the ei^ulr sion of the posterity of Antenor, reigned in Troy ; as in Italy, did Sylvius JSneas, the son of iEneas, the unde of Bnitus, and the third king of the Latins. Digitized by Google GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK ]I. CHAPTER 1. APTKR THB DEATH OF BRDTVfl^ HI0 THBBB 80N8 8I70C8BD HIM DuBiNa these tranaactionBy Bratna had by his wife Ignoge ifaree ftmoua aona, whoae- names were Locrio» Albanaefc, and Kamber. These, after their father's death, which happened in the twenty-fourth year aft^r his arrival, liuried him in the city which he had built, and tlion ha\ ing (hvided the kingdom of Britain among them, retired each to his goTomment. Locrin, the eldest, posseted the middle part of the island, called afterwards from his name, Loegria. Kamber had that part which lies beyond the river Severn, now called cviMa. Wales, bat which was for a long time named Kambria; and hence that people still call themselves in their British tongue Kambri. Albanaet, the younger bro Aib«ni*.or ther, possessed the country he called Albania, no^^ Scot- land. After they had a long time reigned in peace together, Humber, King of the Hmis, arrived in Alba- nia, and having killed Albanaet in battle, forced his people to fly to Locrin for protection. m THE EINOnOM. Digitized by Google 26 UEOFFB£Y OF MONMOUTH CHAPTER il. LOCRIN, HAVINQ ROUTED HUMBER, FALLS IN LOVE WITH ESTHlLDid. LocBiN, at hearing tluB news, joined fab biother Kamber, and went with tiie whole straigdi of the kingi- dom to meet the King of the Huns, near the river now called Humber, where he gave him battle, and put him to the rout. Humber made towards the river in his flight, and was drowned in it, on account of which it has aince borne his name. Locri% after the victory, be- stowed the plunder of the enemy upon hia own men, reaerving for himself the gold and silver which he found in the ships, together with three virgins of admirable beauty, whereof one was the daughter of a king in Germany, whom with the other two Humber had forcibly brought away with him, after he had ruined their coun- try. Her name was Estrildis, and her beauty such as was hardly to be matched. No ivoiy, or new-fallen snow, no lily eonld exceed the ^idttteoees of her tkia, Loerin, smitten with love^ would have ^affiy married her, at which Gorineos was extremely inoensed, on account of the engagement which Locrin had entered into with him to marry his daughter. CHAPTER III. GOmN£US R^ENXa THE AFFRONT PUT UPON HIS DAUGHTER. He went, therefore, to the king, and wieldmg a battle- axe in Ua right hand, vented his rage against him in these words: •* Do you thus reward me, Locrin, for the many wounds which I have suffered nn<U r your father's com- mand in his wars with strange nations, that you must slight my daughter, and debase yourself to marry a bar- Digitized by Google Inriaa! While there m strngUi in Uns figlii bind, thit liM been daeAractive to m mmay gtanto 190B ilw Tyxiiienmn oowta, I vffl new imt 1^ Anil lepMtiog tlnB agiinand agun witk a loiid¥oioe» lie shook his battle-axe as if he was going to strike liini, till the friends of both interposed, and after they had ap- fx^a'^d Conueusy obliged Locrin to perfoiiu hm agree- CHAPT£Ji IV. LOCiUN AT LAST MAKHIEe GUEXDOUSNA, THE DAUGHTBR OF 00IUM£U8. Locilix therefore married Corineus's daughter, named Guendoloeua, yet still retained his love for Estrlhlis, fur whom he made apartments under ground, in which he entertiyned her, and caused her to be honourably str tended. For he was reec^Yed at least to carry on a private amour with her, since he oould not live with her openly for fear of Oorineos. In this nuumer he con- cealed her, and made frequent Tints to her for seven years together, without the privity of aiiy but his most intimate (iometstics ; and all under a pretence of per- forming some secret sacrifices to his gods, by which he impoeed on the credulity of every body. In the mean time Estrildis became vnth ehild, and was deUvoved of a most beantiful daughter, wfamn she named Sabre. Guen* dokena was also with child, and faroo^tlbrth a son, who was named Maddan, and put under the eaie of his grand* &ther Corineus to be educated. CHAPTER V. LOCBiN IB killid; bsthldm and sabbb abi thbown IHTO A BIVXB. But in process of time, when Corincus was dead, Locrin divorced Guendoloena, and advanced Estrildis to 28 OHOFFRBT OF HOSfVOUTB. be Queen. Guendoloena, provoked beyond measure at this, retired into Gomwall} where she assembled together all the forces of that kuigdom, and began to raise dis* turbanees against Locrhi. At last both aimies joined battle near the river Sture, where Loerin was killed hy the shot of an arrow. After his death, Guendoloena took upon her the pfovemment of the whole kingdom, retaining her father's furious spirit. For she com- manded Estrildis and her daughter Sabre to be thrown Th«8mni. into the river now called the Severn, and published an edict through all Britain, that the river should bear the damsers name» hoping by this to perpetuate her memory, and by that the Infiuny of her husband. So that to this day the river is called in the British tongue Sabreu, which by the corruption of the name is in another lan- guage Sabrina. CHAPTER VI. GUENUOLCBNA DEUVBBS UP THE KINGDOM TO MADDAN, HSR SON, AFTBR WHOM SUOCBBDfl MEOTSICIUS. GuENDOLa-:NA reigned fifteen years after the death of Loerin, who had reigned ten, and then advanced her son Maddan (whom she saw now at maturity) to the throne, contenting herself with the country of Cornwall for the remainder of her life. ' At this time Samuel the Prophet governed in Judm, Sylvius JSneas was yet \ living, and Homer was esteemed a famous orator and poet. Maddan, now in possesBion of the crown, had by his wife two sons, Menpricius and Malim, and ruled the , kiiigdum in peace and with care forty years. As soon , as he was dead, the two brothers quarreled for the king* / dom, each being ambitious of the sovereignty of the ^ whole island. Menpricius, impatient to attain his ends, enters into treaty with Malim, under colour of making a compoedtion with him, and, having formed a conspiracy, murdered him in the assembly where theur ambassadors Digitized by Google - BR1T18B RlBTOirr* ' 29 were met. By these means he obtfuned the domuuon of the whole ishmd, over which he ezmiaed ench Qmmy, that he left scarcely a nobleman alive in it, and either by violence or treachery oppressed ever) c»nc that he appre- hended might be likely to succeed him, pursuing his hatred to his whole race. He also deserted his own wife, by whom he had a noble youth named Ebiaucus, and addicted himself to sodomy, preferring mmatual lost to the pleasnres the oonjugal state. At last, in the twentieth year of his reign, while he was hmiting, he retired from his company into a valley, where he was b. c. io#. surrounded by a great multitude of ravenous wolves, and devoured by them in a horrible manner. Then did Saul reiga in Judaea, and Eurystheusiu Lacedemonia. CHAPTER VIL EBAAUCUS, THE SUCCESSOR OF MENPRICIU8, CONQUJSBS TUB OAUU^ AND BUILDS THE TOWNS KAEBEBBAOC, NIC, Menpricius being dead, Ebraucus, his son, a man of great stature and wonderful strength, took upon him the government of Britain, which he held forty years. He was the first after Brutua who invajded Gaul with a fleet, and distressed its provinces by killing their men and laying waste their cities ; and having by these means enriched himself with an infinite quantity of gold and silver, he returned victorious. After this he built a city on the other side of the Humber, which, from his own name, he called Kaerebi-auc, that is the city of Ebraucus, about the time that David reigned in Judsea, rnk. and Sylvius Latinus in Italy; and that Gad, Nathan, and Assph prophesied in lamel. He also built the eity of Alclud towards Albani, and the town of mount Agnecl, called at this time the Caatle of Maidens, or the Mountun of Sorrow. Digilizeu by VoOOgle 30 OEOPfBCT OF MONMOtrrH ' ^ CHAPTER VIIL EBBA17CDB*8 TWENTY BONS OO TO OBBM ANT, AND HIS THIRTY DAUGRTBB8 TO SYLVIUS ALBA, IN ITALY. This prince had twenty sons and thirty daughters by twenty wives, and with great valour governed the kingdom gf BritaiD aixty years. The names of his soub . I ifeye» Brutassomiyped Qroenaliield^ Maigadud, Sigilliiia» 'h'^ (UtrvwiM. MfiCC^i^' Bladnd, Ligon, BodkNin, Kincar, " S|Miden, Oflul, Dafden, Eidad, Ivor, Gangu, Heetor, Kcriii, Ilud, Assarach, BueL The names of bis daughters were, Gioigm', Tcrnogni, Oudas, Guenliam, Gaudid, Angarad, (iucndoloc, Tangustel, G(jro;()ii, Median, Methahel, Oarar, Malure, Kambreda, Kagan* Gael, £cub, Nest, Cheun, Stadud, Gladud, Ebren, Blagan, Aballac, Aiigaes» Gaiaes, (the most celebrated beauty at that time m Britain or Gaul,) Edra» Anaor, Stadia], Egron. All ihese daughters their &ther sent into Italy to Sylvius Alba, who reigned after Sylvius Latinos, where they were mrmied anumg the Trojan nobility, the Latin and Sabine women refusing to asso- ciate with them. But the sons, under the conduct of their brother Assaracus, departed in a fleet to Germany, and having, with the aasiatanee of Sylvius Alba^ sub- dued the people thm, obtained that kingdonu CHAPTER IX. AFTBR B3BU9CUS BBIGNB BBUTU8 HIS SON, AFTEB HIM LBlLy AND AFTER LEIL, HUDIBRAS. But Brutus, snmamed Greenshield, stayed with his father, whom he succeeded in the gOTenun«nt> and reigned twelve years. After him reigned Lefl, his a peaceable and just prince, who, enjoying a prosperous Digitized by Google 31 reign, built in the norUi of fifitein a dij., eaUed by bb name, Kaexleil; at the eame time that Solonion b^gan owutk. w to build the temple of Jerusalem, and the Queen of Sheba eame to hear his wisdom; at which time also Sylvius Epitus succeeded his father Alba, iu Italy. Leil reigned twenty-five years, but tovvai'ds the latter end of his life grew more remiss in his government, so that his neglect of affaurs speedily occasioned a civil dissen- sion in the kingdom. After him reigned his son, Hndifana, tiufirf^iine jean, and oompoaed the eiril disaenaion among his pec^e. He Innlt Kaeriem orctatertair. Canterbury, Kaergoen or Windieeter, and the town wiackMiHv of Mount raladiir, now Sliafttebury. At tliis place an eagle spoke, w bile the wall of the town was beinpf built ; and iiuleed I should have transmitted the speech to posterity had I thon^^t it true, aa the rest of the his- tory. At thia time reigned CSapys,. the son of Epitus ; ' and Haggai, Amoai Joel, and Aariah, were pro^ieta inH CHAPTER X. BLADUD SUCCEEDS HUDIBIU8 tS THE KINODOM, AND PRACTISBS MAGICAL OPERATIONS. Next soeceeded Bhidud, his 0on» and reigned twenty years. He buit Kaerbadm, now Bath, and made hot B»tk. baths in it for the benefit of the pnblie, whidi he dedi- cated to the goddess Minerva ; in whose temple he kept fires that never went out nor consumed to ashes, but aa soon as they began to decay were turned into balls of stone. About this time the prophet Elias prayed that it'^ might not rain npon earth ; and it did not rain for three j years and aix monthe. This ptinoe was a yery ingenioiia man, and tanght neeromaney in his kingdom, nor did he leave off pursuing hk magical operations, till he attempted to fly to the upper region of the aii' with wings which he 32 GBOFFBET OF MONMOITTH. | I had prepared, and fell down upon the temple of Apollo, ^ in tho eity of TrinoTantum^ where he was dashed to | pieees. % I CHAPTER XI. LEIB, THE SON OF BLADUO, HATING NO SON, DIVIDES HX8 | KINGDOM AMONG HX8 DAUGHTEBS. xiDf uv. After this unhappy fate of Bladud^ Leir, his son, was # advanced to the throne, and nobly governed his country sixty yeaxa. He buiH upon the rivor Sore a dty, called in MeHiw. the ^ttthtoi^e»Kaerleir, in the Saxon, Leiroeatie. He was without male issue, but had three dangfaters^ whose ^ names were GonoriUa, Regau, andCordeilla,of whom he was doatingly fond, but especially of his youngest, Cordeilla. When he began to grow old, he had thoughts of dividing his kingdom among them, and of bestowing them on such husbands as were fit to be advanced to the government with them. But to make trial who was worthy to have the best part of his kingdom, he went to each of them to ask, which of them loved him most. The question being proposed, Gonorilla, the eldest, made answer, *^ That she called heaven to witness, she loved him more than her own soul.'' The father replied, " Since you have pre- ferred my declining age before your own life, I will marry you, my dearest daughter, to whomsoever you shall make choice of, and ^ve with you the third part of my king^ dom/ Then Began, the second dau^^ter, willing, aft^ the example of her sister^ to prevail upon her &ther's good nature, answered with an oath, *^ That she could not otherwise express her thoughts, but that she loved him above all creatures." The rieduknis father u\)on this made her the same promise tliat he did to her eldest sister, that is, the choice of a husband, with the third cordctu. part of his kingdom. But Cordeilla, the youngest, un- derstanding how easily he was satisfied with the flbttering ^ expressioiis of her sisters, was deshroua to make trial of Digitized by Google BfUTUm HMTORT. 33 his ftfiection after a diflefent manner. " My father/' said she, Is there any daughter that canloye her father more than dnty requires ? In my opinion^ whoever pre- tends to it, must dis^iisc her real sentiments under the veil of flatter}'. T have alwavs Itjved you as a father, nor do I yet depart from my purposed duty ; and if you insist to have something more extorted from me, hear now the greatness of my a&ction, which I always hear you, and take this for a short answer to all your questions; look how much you hsTe, so much is your ▼alue, and so much do I love you.*^ The father, supposing that she spoke this out of the ahundance of her heart, was liighly provoked, and immediately re- plied, Since you have so far despised my old age, as not to think me worthy the love that your sistm express for me, you shall have from me the like regard, and shall be exchided from any sharo with your sisters in my kingdom. Notwithstanding, I do not say hut that since you are my daughter, I will marry you to some foreigner, if fortune offers you any such husband ; hut will never, I do assure you, make it my business to procure so honour- able a match for you as for your sisters ; because, though I have hitherto loved you more than them, you have in requital thought me less worthy of your afCbction than they."" And, without further delay, after consultation with his nohility, he bestowed his two other daughters upon the dukes of Cornwall and Albania, with half the island at present, but after his death, the inheritance of the whole monarchy of Britain. It happened after this, that Aganippus, king of the Franks, having heard of the fame of Cordeilla's beauty, forUiwith sent his ambassadors to the king to demand her in marriage. The &ther» retaining yet his anger towards her, made answer ; That he was very will- ing to bestow his dane^liter, but without either money or territories ; beeauso he had already given away his kingdom with all his treasure, to his eldest daughters. 34 GEOFFRKT OF MONMOUTH GonorOU and Regau.** When this was told Aganippus, he being ^ery mueh in love mth the kdy, sent again to King Leir, to teU him, That he had money and terri- tories enough, as he poesessed the third part of Gaul, and desired no more than hii, daughter only, that he might have heirs by her." At last the match was concluded, and Cordeilla was sent to Gaul, and married to Aganippus. CIlAriEli XII. LBIB, FINDUVO THE INGBATITUDE OF BIS TWO BLDE8T DAUOBTEB8, BETAKBB HIMSELF TO HIS TOimOEBT, OORDEILLA, IN GAUL. A LONG time after this, when Leir came to be infirm through old age, the two dukes, on whom he had be- stowed Britain with his two daughters, fostered an insur- ^ rection against him, and deprived him of his kingdom, and of all regal authority^ which he had hitherto exer- eiaed with great power and glory. At length, hy mu- tual agreement, Maglaunna, duke of Albania, one of his sons-in-law, was to allow him a maintenance at his own King Lear In housc, together with sixty soldiers, who were to be kept for state. After two years^ stay with his son-in-law, his daughter Gonorilla grudged the number of his men, who began to upbraid the ministers of the court with their scanty allowance ; and having spoken to her hus- band about it, gave orders that the number of her &- ther*s followers should be reduced to thirty, and the rest discharged. The father, resenting this treatment, left Maglaunus, and went to Henuinus, duke of Cornwall, to whom he had married his daughter Kegau. Here he met with an honourable reception, but before the year was at an end, a quarrel happened between the two fiunilies, which raised R^u's indignation ; so that she commanded her father to discharge ail his attendants but five, and to be contented with their service. This second affliction was insupportable to him, and made hiin Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 35 return again to his former daughter, witli hopes that the misery of his conditioii might move in lier some senti- ments of filial piety, and that he, with his family, might find a subfiisteace with her. But she, not forgetting her ra^tment, swore by the gods he should not stay with lier, unless he would dismiss his retinue, and be contented with the att^dance of one man; and with bitter re- proaches, told him how ill his desire of vain-giorious pomp suited his age and poverty. When he found that she was by no means to be prevailed upon, he was at last forced to comply, and, dismissing the rest, to take up with one man only. But by this time he began to reflect . more sensibly with himself upon the grandeur from which he had fallen, and the miserable state to which he was now reduced, and to enter upon thoughts of going beyond sea to his youngest daughter. Yet he doubted whether he should be able to move her commiseration, becau.se (as was related above) he had treated her so unworthily. However, disdaining to bear any longer such base usage, he took ship for Gaul. In his passage, he observed he had only the third place given him among the princes that were with him in the ship, at which, with deep inghs and tears, he hurst forth into the following complaint. ^* O irreversihle decrees of the Fates, that never swerve from your stated course ! why did you ever advance me to an unstable felicity, since the punishment of lost hap- piness is greater than the sense of present misery ? The remembrance of the time when vast numbers of men obsequiously attended me in the taking the cities and wasting the enemy's countries, more de^Iy pierces my heart, than the view of my present calamity, which has exposed me to the deriraon of those ^o were formerly prostrate at my feet. O ! the enmity of fortune ! Shall I ever again sec the day when I may be able to reward those according to their deseils who have forsaken me in my distress? How true was thy answer, Cordeilla, when I asked thee concerning thy love to me, * As much as i>2 36 GBOPPBBY OP HONMOUTR. you have^ ao much is your value, and so much do I love you.^ While I had any thing to give they valued me, heing friends not to me, but to my gifts : they loved me then, but they loved my gifts much more : when my i^ifts ceasfnl, my friends vanished. But with what face sIkiII 1 presume to see you, my dearest daughter, since in my anger I married you upon worse terms f !mn your sisters, who, after all the mighty favours they have received from me, 8u£kr me to be in banishment and poverty ?" As he ivas kmenting his condition in these and the like expressions, he arrived at Karitia, where his daughter was, and waited before the city while he sent a messenger to inform her of the misery he was fallen into, and to desire her relief for a father who suffered both hunger and nakedness. Cordeilla was startled nt the news, and wept bitterly, and with tears asked how many men her lather had with him. The messenger answered, he had none but one man, who had been hb armour-bearer, and was staying with him without the town. Then she took wimt money she thought might bo sufficient, and gave it to the messenger, with orders to cnrry her father to another city, and there give out that he was sick, and to provide for him bathing, dothes, and all other nourish- ment. She likewise gave orders that he should take into his service forty men, well clothed and accoutred, and that when all things were thus prepared he should notify his arrival to King Aganippus and his daughter. The messenger quickly returning, carried Loir to another city, and there kept him concealed, till he had done every thing that Cordeilla had commanded. CHAPTER XIII. HE IS VERY HOirODaABLT BBCtlVED BY OOaUBtLLA AND TRB KINO OP GAUL. As soon as he was provided with his royal apparel, ornaments and retinue, he sent word to Aganippus and Digitized by Google BRiTUH nifirroBY. *^ S7 hk daughter, that he was driven out of his kingdom of Britain by his sons-in-law, and was come to them to procure their assistance for rocoveriug his dominions. Upon ^vlii*Jh they, attended with tlieir chief ministers of state and the nobility of the kingdom, went out to meet him, and received him honourably, and gave into his ^ management the whole power of Gaul, till such time as he should be restored to his former dignity. CHAPTER XIV. LBfR, BEING BB8T0RBD TO THB KINQUOM, BY THE HELP OF HIS SON-IN-LAW AND OORDEILLA, DIES. In the mean time Aganippus sent officers over all Gaul to raise an army, to restore his fother-in-law to his kingdom of Britain. Which done, Leir returned to Britain with his son and daughter and the forces which they had raised, where he fought with his sons-in- law, and routed them. Having thus reduced the whole kiiigdum to his j)o\ver, he (X\v\ in the third year after. Aganippus also died ; and Cordeilla, obtaining the go- ■semraent of the kingdom, buried her fether in a cer- tain vault, which she ordered to be made for him under the river Sore, in Leicester, and which had been buflt King Lear originally under the ground to the honour of the god uu^t^. Janus. And here all the workmen of the city, upon the anniversary solenmity of that festival, used to begin their yearly labours. CHAPTER XV. OORDBILLA, BBINO IMPRISONED, KILLS HERSELF. M ABGAN, ASPiaiNG TO THB WHOLE KINGUOM, IS KILLED BT CUNB* DA6IU8. ' After a peaceal)le poasession of the government for five years, CordeiUa began to meet with disturbances ligitized by Google 38 GeOFFRET OF MONMOUTH* from the two sons of her sisters, being boUi young men of great spirit, whereof one, named Maigan, was bom to Maglaunus, and the other, named Cunedagius, to He- nuinus. Those, after the <leatli of their fathers succeed- ing tbeiii in their dukedoms, were incensed to see ikitain subject to a woman, and raised forces in order to raise a rebellion against the queen; nor would they desist from hostilities, till, after a general waste of her coun- tries, and several battles fought, they at last took her ^ and put her in prison ; where for grief at the loss of Death of ^ her kingdom she killed herself. After this they divided the island between them ; of which the part that reaches from the north side of the ] Fumber, to Cathness, fell to Margan ; the other part ironi the same river westward was Cunedagius^s share. At the end of two years, some restless spirits that took pleasure in the troubles of the nation, had access to Margan, and inspired him irith vain conceits^ by representing to him how mean and dia- gi-aoefbl it was for him not to govern the whole island, which v> Vi6 h'm due by right of birth. Stirred up witli these and the hke suggestions, he marched with an ai'iiiy thruufrh Cuiiedagius's country, and began to bum all before him. The war thus breaking out, he was met by Cunedagius with all his forces, who attacked- Margan, killing no small number of his men, and putting him to flight, pursued him from one province to another, till at last he killed him in a town of Kamhria, which since his death has been by the country people eallud Margan. Margan to this day. After the victory, Cunedagius gained the monarchy of the whole island, which he governed gloriously for three and thirty years. At this time flourished the prophets Isaiah and Hosea, and B.C.TU. Rome was built upon the eleventh of the Calends of May by the two brothers, Romulus and Remus. Digitized by Google BRITIBH niMTORY 39 CIIAriEK XV J. THE BU0CB8B0B8 OP CUNRDAQIVB IN THV KINGDOM. FKRREX 18 KILLED BT HIB BBOTHER PORREX, IN A DI8PUTM FOR TllE GOTEBNMBNT. At last Gimedagitia dying, was succeeded by his son RivaUoy a fortunate youth, who diligently applied himself to the affiurs of the goTeniment. In his time it rained blood three days together, and there fell vast swarms of flies, followed by a g^reat mortality aiuung the people. After him siicepodod ( iurgii.stius his son; aft or him Si- sillius; af ter him J ago, the nephew of Gurgustius; after him Kinmarcus the son of Siaillius; after him Gorbo- gudo, who had two sons, Ferrex and Porrex. When F^mxMd their father grew old, they began to quarrel about the sueceasion ; hut Porrex, who was the most ambitious of the two, forms a design of killing his brother by trea- chery, which the other discovering escaped, and passed over into Gaul. There he procured aid i'roni Suard king of the Franks, with which he returned and made war upon his brother; coming to an engagement, Ferrex was killed and all his forces cut to pieces. When their mother, whose name was Wid^, came to be informed of her son's death, she fell into a great rage, and con- ceived a mortal hatred against the survivor. For she had a greater atilction for the deceased than i'or him, so that nothing less would appease her indignation for his death, than her revenging it upon her surviving son. She took therefore her opportunity when he was asleep, f^n upon him, and with the assistance of her women tore ^ to pieces* From that time a long civil war op- pressed the people, and the island became divided under the power of five kings, who mutually harassed one another. 40 GEOFFKEV OF MONMOtTlJ. S CHAPTER XV 11. DUNWALLO H0L11UTIU8 QAtN8 THB BCBPTRB OF BRITAUr, FBOM VUOM CAilK THB MOLMUTINB LAWS. At length arose a youth of great spirit, named Dim- Moimuuu*. Mohnutitts, who was the son of Cfloten king of Cornwall, and excelled all the kings of Britain in valour and gracefulness of person. When his father was dead, he was no sooner possessed of the government of that country, than he made war against Ymner king of Loe- gria, and killed him in battle. Hereupon Rudaucus king of Kambria, and Staterius king of Albania, had a meeting, wherein they formed an alhanoe together, and marched thence with theur amues into Dunwallo's eonn- try to destroy aU before them. Dunwallo met them with tliirty thousand men, and gave them battle : and when a great part of the day was spent in the tight, and the victory yet dubious, he drew oif six hundred of his bravest men, and commanded them to put on the annour of the enemies that were sUun, as he himself also did, throwing aside his own. Thus accoutred he marched up with speed to the enemy's ranks, as if he was of their party, and approaching the very place where Rudaucus and Staterius were, cuniuianded his men to fall upon them. In this a-ssault the two kings wore killed and many othei-s with them. But Dunwallo Molmutius, fearing lest in this disguise his own men might fidl upon him, returned with his companions to put off the enemy^s annour, and take his own again ; and thw encouia^^ them to renew the assault, which they did with great vigour, and in a short time got the victory, by dispersing and putting to flight the enemy. From lience he marched into the enemy's countries, destroyed their towns and cities, and reduced the people under his obe- dience. \\ hen he had made an entire reductk>& of the Digitized by Google BKITIiH HurroBv. ij^ 41 whole ialaDdf he prepared himself a crown of (^old, and restored the kingdom to its ancient state. This prince established what the Britons call the Muliimtiiuj lawb, which are fauious amonc^ the English to tiiis day. In these, among other things, of which St. Gildas wrote a long time after, he enacted, that the temples of the godS) as also cities, should have the privilege of giving sanctuary and protection to any fugitive or criminal, that should flee to them from his enemy. He likewise enacted, that the ways leading to those temples and cities, as also husbaiidiuen s plouglis, should be allowed the same pri- vilege. So that in his day, the nmrders and cruelties committed by robbers wei-e prevented, and every body passed safe without any violence offered him. At last, after a reign of forty years spent m these and other acts of government^ he died, and was buried in the city of Trinovantum, near the temple of Concord, which he him- self built, when he first established his htws. Digitized by Google GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTHS BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK III. CHAPTER I. BRENNIUS QUARRELS WITH BELINUS HIS BROTHER, AND IN ORDER TO MAKE WAR AGAINST HIM, MARRIES THE DAUGHTER OF THE KINQ OF THE NORWEGIANS. fi«iinusand ApTER this a Yioleiit quaml happened between his Bramfiw. g^j^g Belinus and Brennius, who were both ambi- tious of succeeding to the kingdom. The disj)ute was, which of them should have the honour of wearing the crown. After a great many sharp conflicts that passed between them, the friends of both interposed, and brought them to agree on the division of the kingdmn on these terms : that Belinus should enjoy the crown of the island, with the dominions of Loegria, Kambria, and Cornwall, because, according to the Trojan constitu- tion, the right of inheritance would come to him as the elder : and Brennius, as being the younger, should be subject to his brother, and have for his share Northum- berland, which extended irom the river Humber to Cath- ness. The covenant therefore being confirmed upon these conditions, they ruled the country for five years in peace and justice. But such a state of prosperity could not long stand agahist the endeavours of faction. For Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 43 some lying incendiaries gained aeoesB to Brennius, and addrened him in this manner What sluggish spirit has possessed you, that you can bear suhjection to Belinus, to whom by parentage and blood you are equal ; besides your experience in military affiiirs, wliich you liave gained in several on^anfements, when you so often repulsed Cheulpliub, general of the Alorini, in his invasions of our country, and drove him out of your kingdom t Be no longer bound by a treaty which is a reproach to you, but marry the daughter of Elstngius, king of the Norwegians, that with his assist- ance you may recover your lost dignity.'*' The young man, inflamed with these and the Hke specious sugges- tions, hearkened to them, and went to Norway, where he married the king's daughter, as his flatterers had ad- vised him. CHAPTER II. BBENNIUS'S SEA-FIGHT WITH GUIOUTULAC, KINQ OF THE DACIAMS. GUIGHTHLAO AMD BBBliNIU8'*S WIPB ABK DKIVBN ASHORE AND TAKEN BT BBLINU8. In the mean time his brother, informed of this, was violently incensed, that without his leave he had pre- sumed to act thus against him. Whereupon he marched into Northumberland, and possessed himself of that country and the cities in it, which he garrisoned with his own men. Brennius, upon notice given him of what his brother had done, prepared a fleet to return to Britain with a great army of Norwegians. But wliile he was under sail with a fair wind, he was overtaken })y Guichthlac, king of the Dacians, who liad pursued him. Tliis prince had been deeply in love with the young lady that Brennius had married, and out of mere grief and vexation for the loss of her, had prepared a fleet to pursue Brennius with all expedition. In the sea-fight that happened on this occasion, he had the fortune to Q£OFFR£Y OF MONMOUTH. take tlie \Qry ship in wliich the lady was, and V>roiiij;]it her in among his companions. But during tiic engage- mentf contrary winds arose on a sudden, which bix)ught on a fitorm, and dispersed the ships upon different shores : so that the king of the Daciaos, heing driven up and down, after a course of five days, arrived with the lady at Northumberland, under dreadful apprehensions, as not kauwiiig upon what country this unforeseen casu- alty had thrown him. When this came to be known to the country people, they took them and carried them to Belinus, who was upon the searcoast, expecting the arrival of his brother. There were with Guichthlac's ship three others, one of which had belonged to Bren- nius's fleet* As soon as they had declared to the king who they were, he was overjoyed at this happy accident, while he was endeavouring to revenge himself on his brother. CHAPTER III, UfiLINUS IN A liAlTLK KOUTS URHNNIUS, WHO THEREUPON FLEES TO GAUL. A PEW days after appeared Brennius, with his fleet again got together, and arrived in Albania; and having received information of the capture of his wife and others, and that his brother iiad seized the kingdom of Northumberland in his absence, he sent his ambassa- dors to him, to demand the restitution of his wife and kingdom ; and if he refused them, to dedare that he would destroy the whole island from sea to sea» and kill his brother whenever he could come to an engagement with liiiu. On the other hand, Belinus absolutely refused to comply with his demands, and assemblinf^ together the whole power of the island, went into Albania to give him battle* BrenniuS; upon advice that he had suffered a repulse, and that his brother was upon his march against him, advanced to meet him in a wood called Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 45 Calaterium, in order to attack him. When they were arrived on the field of battle, each of them divided his men into several bodies, and approaching one another, began the fight. A great part of the day was spent in it, because on both sides the bravest men were engaged ; and much blood was shed by reason of the fury with winch they encountered each other. So great was the slaughter, that the wounded fell in heaps, like standing com cut down by reapers. At last the Britons prevail- ing» the Norwegians fled with their shattered troops to their diips, but were puisned by Belinus, and kUled without mercy. Fifteen thousand men fell in the battle, nor were there a thousand of the rest that escaped un- hurt. Breiiiiius with luucli difficulty securing one ship, went as fortune drove him to the coasts of Gaul ; but the rest that attended him, were forced to sculk up and down wherever their misfortunes led them. CHAPTER IV, THB KING OF DACIA^ WITH BRBNNIUs's WIFE, 18 BBUEASfiD OUT OP PRISON, Belinus, after this victory, called a council of his The vaatm nobility, to advise with them what he should do with tolscUinM. the king of the Dacians^ who had sent a message to him out of prison, that he would submit himself and the kingdom of Dacia to hhn, and also pay a yearly tribute, if he might have leave to depart with his mistress. He offered likewise to cuntiiin this covenant with an oath, and the privinnr of hostages. When this proposal was laid before the nobility, they unanimously gave their assent that Belinus should grant Guichthlac his petition upon the terms offered. Accordingly he did grant it, and Guichthlac was released from prison, and returned with his mistress into Dacia. Digitized by Google 46 OBOFFBSY OF MONMOUTH. CHAPTER V- BEUNt70 BEVIVS8 AND 00NFIBM8 THB MOUiUTXMB LAWS^ B8PBCIALLT ABOUT TBS HIOHWATS. Bemntts now finding no body in tlic kingdoiii of Bri- tain able to make head against him, and being possessed of the sovereignty of the whole island from sea to sea, confirmed the laws his father had noade^ and gave cono.- mand for a settled execution of justioe throng his king- dom. But above all tlungs he ordered that eities, and the roads leading to them, should enjoy the same privi- lege of peace that Dunwallo had established. But there arose a controversy about the roads, because the limits determining them were unknown. The king, therefore, willing to dear the law of all ambiguities, summoned all the workmen of the island together, and commanded them to pave a causeway of stone and mortar, which should run the whole length of the iedand, from the sea Grtat roads of Cornwall, to the shores of Cathness, and lead directly to the cities that lay along that extent. He comma nded anotlier to be made over tlie breadth of the kingdom, leading from Menevia, that was situated upon the Deme- tian Sea, to Hamo's Port, and to pass through the inter- jacent cities. Other two he also made obliquely through the island, for a passage to the rest of the cities. He then confirmed to them all honours and privileges, and prescribed a law for the punishment of any injury com- mitted upon them. But if any one is curious to know all that he decreed concerning them, let him read the Moinintiiie Molmutine laws, which Gildas the historian translated from British-into Latin, and King Alfred into English. King Alfr«L Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 47 CHAPTER VI. BBENNIDS, BBINO MADE DUKE OF THB ALLOBROOEB, BBTUBN8 TO BRITAIN TO FIOBT WITH BIS BROTHER. While Belinus was thus reigning in peace and tran- quillity, his brother Brennius, who (as we said before) was driven upon the coasts of Gaul, suffered great tor- ments of mind. For it was a great affliction to him to be banished iirom his country^ and to have no power of returning to retrieve his loss. Being ignorant what course to take, he went among the princes of Gaul, accompanied only with twelve men ; and when he had related his luibfortune to every one of them, hut could procure assistance from none, he went at last to SeginuS} ^c^wmii Duke of the AUobroges, from whom he had an honour- Allobrogea. able reception. During his stay here, he contracted in!d.T ' such an intimacy ivith the duke, that he became the greatest &vourite m the court. For in all affiurs, both of peace and-war, he showed a great capacity, so that this prince loved him with a paternal affection . He was besides of a graceful aspect, tall and slender in stature, and expert in hunting and fowling, as became his princely birth. So great was the friendship between them, that the duke resolved to give him his only daughter in marriage; and in case he himself should have no male issue, he appointed him and his daughter to succeed him in his dukedom of the AUobroges after his death. But if he should yet have a son, then he promised his assistance to advance him to the kingdom of Britain. Neither was this the desire of the duke only, but of all the nobility of his court, with whom he had very much ingratiated himselfi So then without farther dday the marriage was solemnized, and the princes of the country paid their homage to him, as the successor to the throne. Scarcely was the year at an Digitized by Google 48 OBOPFBKT OF MONMOUm. I end before the duke died ; and then Brennius took his , opportunity of engaging those prinoes of the country • firmly In his interest^ whom before he had obliged with his friendship. And this he did by bestowing generously upon them the duke's treasure, which had been hoarded | up from the times of his ancestors. But that which the \ Aliobroges most osteenied hiui for, was his isumptuous | entertainments, and keeping an open bouse for all. I CHAPTER VII. I I BBLINUS AND BRENNIU8 BEING MADE FRIENDS BY THE ME- DIATION OP THEIR MOTHER, PROPOSE TO 8UBDDB QAUL. W HEN he had thus jjained universal affection, he began to consult with liimself how he might take revenge upon his brother Beliniis. And when he had signified his intentions conoeniiflg it to his subjects, they unanimously concurred with him, and expressed their readiness to attend him to whateyer kingdom he {leased to conduct them. He therefore soon raised a vast army, and having entered into a treaty with the Gauls for a IVee passage through their country into Britain, fitted out a fleet Nonnndy. upou the cosst of Kcustna, in which he set sail, and with a fair wind arrived at the island. Upon hearing the rumour of his coming, his brother Belinus, accom- panied with the whole strength of the kingdom, marched out to engage him. But when the two armies were drawn out in order of battle, and just ready to begin the attack, Conwenna, their mother, who was yet living, ran in great haste through the ranks, imj)ati(^nt to see her son, whom she had not seen for a long time. As soon, therefore, as she had with tremblmg steps reached the place where he stood, she threw her arms about his neck, and in transports kissed him; then uncovering h^ bosom, she addressed herself to him, in words inter- rupted with sighs, to this effect : — Digitized by Google BBITISU uitrroBY. 49 ** My Bon, remember these breasts which prave you suck, aad the womb wherein the Creator ot' all tilings formed yon, and from whence he brought you forth mto the world, while I endured the gieateBt anguieh. By the pains then which I suffered for you, I entreat you to hear my request : pardon your brother, and moderate your anger. You ought not to revenge yourself upon him who has done you no injury. As for what you com- plain of, — tliat yo\i were banished your country by him, — if you duly consider the result, in strictness can it be called injustice! He did not banish you to make your condition worse, but forced you to quit a meaner, that you m^t attain a hi^er di^ty. At first you enjoyed only a part of a kingdom, and that in subjectioa to your brother. As soon as you lost that, you became his equal, by gaining the kingdom of the Allobroges. What has he then done, but raised yon from a vassal to a king! Consider farther, that the difference betwixt you begmi not through him, but through yourself, who, with the aesistanoe of the king of Norway, raised an hi- aoneetkm against htm,^ Moved by these representations of his mother, he obeyed her with a composed mind, and putting off his helmet of his own accord, went straight with her to his brolhei-. Belinus seeing him approach with a peaceable counteuADce, threw down his arms, and ran to embrace him; 80 that now, without more ado, they again be- came friends ; and disarming their forces, marched with them peaceably together to Trinovantum. And here, after consultation what enterprise to undertake, they prepared to conduct their confederate army into the provinces of Gaul, and to reduce that entire couutry to their subjection. 50 GBOFFRBX OF MONMOUTH. CHAPTER VIIL BELINU8 AND BRENNIU8, AFT£R TH£ CONQUEST OF GAUL, MARCH WITH TUEHt ARMY TO BOMB. Conquest of TiiEY accordingly passed over into Gaul the year after, and began to lay waste that country. The news of which spreading through those several nations, all the petty kings of the Franks entered into a confederacy, and went out to %ht against them. But the victory falling to BelinuB and Brennius, the Franks .fled with their broken forces ; and the Britons and Allobroges, elevated with their success, ceased not to jiursue them till they had taken- their kings, and reduced them to their power. Then fortifying the cities which they had taken, in less than a year they brought the whole kingdom into subjection. At last, after a reduction of all the provinces, they nuurched with their whole army towards Rome, and destroyed the cities and viUages as they passed through Italy. CHAPTER IX. THE nOMANCI MAKB A OOVBKANT WITH BRENNIU8, BUT AFTBR- WAKDS BREAK IT, FOR WHICH REASON RO.ME IS BESIKOED AND TAKIi^N BY BKENNIUS. In those days the two consuls of Rome were Gabius and Porsena, to whose care the government of the country was committed. When they saw that no nation was able to withstand the power of Belinus and Brennius, they came witli the consent of the senate to tliem, to desire peace and amity. They likewise offered large presents of gol^^ 2iKe**^ and silver, and to pay a yearly tribute, on condition that they might be suffered to eigoy their own in peace. The two kings therefore, taking hostages of them, yielded to Digitized by Google BEITISH HlffTORT. 51 their petition, and drew back their forces into Germany. While they were employii^ their arms in harassing that people, the Romans repented of their agreement, and again taking courage, went to assist the Germans. This step highly enrat!;('d the kings against tliem, who con- certed measures huw to carry on a war with both nations. For the greatness of the Italian army was a terror to them. The result of their council was, that Belinus with the Britons stayed in Germany, to engage with the enemy there ; while Brennins and his army marched to Kome, to reyenge on the Romans their breach of treaty. As soon as the Italians perceived their design, they quitted the Germans, and Jiastcnecl to get before Bren- nius, in his march t^ Rome. Belinus had intelligence of it, and speedily marched witli his army the same night, and poseeesing himself of a valley through which the enemy was to pass, lay hid there in expectation of their coming. The next day the ItallaoB came in full march to the place ; but when they saw the valley glit- tering with the enemy's armour, they were struck with confusion, thinking Brennius and the Galli Senoncs were there. At this favourable opportunity, Belinus on a sudden rushed forth, and fell luriously upon them : the Romans, on the other hand, thus taken by surprise, fled the field, since they neither were armed, nor marched in any order. But Belinus gave them no quarter, and was only prevented by night coming on, from making a total destruction of them. With this victory lie went straiglit to Brcnnius, who liad now be- sieged Rome tliree days. Then joining their armies, iiome be they assaulted the city on every side, and endeavoured to level the walls : and to strike a greater terror into the besieged, erected gibbets before the gates of the city, and threatened to hang up the hostages whom they had given, unless they would surrender. But the Romans, nothing moved }>y the sufferings of their sons and rela- tions, continued lariexible, and resjolute to defend Lliera- E 2 Digitized by Google 52 OBOPFRST OF MONMOUTH. sdves* They theiefoie sometimeB broke the force of the enemy's engines, by other engines of their own, sometimes repulsed them from the walls with showers of darta. This so incensed the two brothers, that they commanded lour and twenty of their noblest hostages to be hanged in the sight of their parents. The Romans, however, were only more hardened at the spec- tacle, and having reoeived a message from Gabius and Porsena, their consuls, that they would come the next day to their assistance, they resolved to march out of the city, and give the enemy battle. Accordingly, just as tliey were ranging their troops in order, the con- suls appeared with their re-assembled forces, marcliing up to the attack, and advancing in a close body, fell on the Britons and Allobroges by surprise, and being joined by the citiiens that sallied forth, killed no smaU number. The brothels^ in great grief to see snch destmctioa made of their feUow soldiers^ b^;an to rally theur men, and breaking in upon the enemy several times, forced them to retire. In the end, after the loss of many thousands of brave men on both sides, the bro- thers gained the day, and took the city, not however till Gabius was killed and Porsena taken prisoner. This done, they divided among their men all the hidden trea- sure of the city. CHAPTER X. BSBIfNIUS OPPRESSBS ITALY IN A MOST TTRANNXCAL MANNBa. BBUK ITS BBrUBNS TO BBITAnr, After this complete victory, Brennius stayed in Italy, where he exercised unheard-of tyranny over the people. But the rest of his actions and his death, seeing that they are given in the Boman histories^ I shall here pass over, to avoid prolixity and meddling with what others have treated of, which is foreign to my design. But BeUnus returned to Britain, which he governed during Digitized by Google BSITISn HI8T0RT. 53 the remainder of his life m peace ; he repaved the cities that were fallmg to miD, and built many new ones. Among the rest he built one upon the river Uske, near the sea of the Severn, which was for a long time called Caerosc, and was the metropolis of Demetia : but after Newport the invasion of the Roinans it lost its first name, and was called the City of Legions, from the Roman legions which used to take up their winter quarters in it. He also made a gate of wonderfbl structure in Trinorantum, upon the bank of the Thames, which the dtiaens call after Ms name Belingsgate to this day. Over it he Biuingigatt. built a prodigiously largt? tower, and under it a haven or quay for ships. He wa.s a strict observer of justice, and re-established his father's laws everywhere throughout the kingdom. In his days there was so great an abun- dance of riches among the people^ that no age before or after is said to have shown the like. At last» witen he had finished his days, his body was burnt, and the ashes put up in a golden um, which they placed at Trinovan- tuui with wonderful art on the top of the tower above- mentioned. CHAPTER XI. GURGIUNT BRAUTRUC SUCCKKI)IN(J HIS FATHER BELINUS, KE- UUCKS DACIA, WUICU WAS TaYIiVQ TO SHAKB OFF UtS YOKB. Hb was succeeded by Gurgiunt Brabtruc, his son, a sober prudent prince, who followed the example of his father in all his actioiLs, and was a lover of peace and justice. When some neighbouring provinces rebelled against him, inheriting with theui the bravery of his father, he repressed their insolence in several fierce bat- tles, and reduced them to a perfect subjection. Among many other things it happened, that the kmg of the Dacians, who paid tribute in his lather^s time, refused DwDuk not only tribute, but all manner of homage to him. This he seriously resented, and passed over in a fleet Digitized by Google 54 GBOPPREY OP MONMOUTH. to Dacta, where he haraaeed the people with a most eruel war« slew their king, and reduced the country to its former dependance. CHAPTER XIL lUELAND IS GIVEN TO HE IXHABITED BY THE BAUCLENSEiS, WHO UAD BEEN UAMdUEO OUT OF SPAIN. At that time^ as he was returning home from his con- Orkncy quest through the Omkey Ishmds, he found thirty ships itiMdi. ^^jj women ; and upon his inquirincj of them the occasion of tJn ir coming thither, their luul< i , named Partholoim, ai)proac]ied him in a respectful and submis- sive manner, and desired pardon and peace, telling him that he had been driven out of Spain, and was sailing round those seas in quest of a habitation. He also de- sired some small part of Britain to dwell in, that they might put an end to their tedious wanderings ; for it was now a year and half since he had been driven from his country, all of which time he and his company had been out at sea. When Gyrgiunt Brabtruc undei-stood that they came from Spain, and were called Barclenses, he granted their petition, and sent men with them to peopled li^kmd, which was then wholly uninhabited, and assigned it to them. There they grew up and increased in num- ber, and have possessed that island to this very day. Gurgiunt Brabtruc after this ended his days in peace, and was buried in the City of Legions, whicli after his fatlier's death he oniamented with buildings and fortified with walk. CHAPTER Xni. GUITHELIN REIGNING AFTEK GURGIUNT BRABTRUC, THE MAR- TIAN LAW 18 INSTITUTED BT MARTI A, A NOBLE WOMAN. After him Guithelin wore the crown, which he en- joyed all his hfe, treating hi» bubjects with mildness and Digitized by Google BRITIBH HISTORY. 55 affection. He had for his wife a noble lady named Mar- tia, accomplished in all kinds of learning. Among many other admirable productions of her wit, she was the anther of what the Britons call the Martian Law. This Martian Law also among other things King Alfred translated, and Snv AUMf called it in the Saxon tongiu; i'a Xajichitle Laje. Upon the death of (iuitlielln, the government of the kingdom remained in the hands of this queen and her son Sisilius, who was then but seven years old, and therefore unfit to take the government upon himself alone. CHAPTER XIV. GUITHBUN^S SUCCESSORS IN THE KINGDOM. Foil this reason tlie mother had the sole management of afi^urs committed to her, out of a regard to her great sense and judgment. But on her death, Sisilius took the crown and government. After him reigned Kimarus his son, to whom succeeded Danius his brother. After his death the crown came toJVforvidus, whom he had by his concubine Tangustela. He would have been a prince of cxtiaordinnvy worth, had he not been addicted to immoderate cruelty, so far that in kis anger he spared nobody, if any weapon were at hand. He was of a grace- ful aspect, extremely liberal, and of such vast strength as not to have his match in the whole kingdom. CHAPTER XV. MORVID178, A MOOT CRUEL TYRANT, AFTER THE CONQUEST OF THE KING OF THE MOBINI, IS DEVOURED BY A MONSTER. In his time a certain king of the Morini arrived with a great force in Northumberland, and began to destroy the country. But Morvidus, with all the strength of the kingdom, marched out against him, and fought hitti. Digitized by Google 56 GEOFFB£Y OF MONMOUTH. In this battle he alone did more tlian the greatest part of his anny» and after the victory, suffered none of the enemy to escape alive. For he commanded them to be brought to him one after another, that he mi^t aatifiify his cra- elty in seeing them killed : and when he grew tired of this, he gave orders that they should be flayed alive and burnt. During these and other monstrous acts of cruelty, an accident happened which put a period to his wickedness. There came from the coasts of tlie Irish sea, a most cr uel mo nster, that was c ontinuall y devour- ing the people upon the sea-eoasto. As soon as he heard of it, iRT^efltnted to go and enoounter it alone; but when he had in vain sp^t all his darts upon it^ the mon- ster rushed upon him, and with open Jaws swaUowed him up like a small fish. CHAPTER XVI. OORBONIAN, A MOST 4UBT KING OF TUB B1UT0N8. He had five sons, whereof the eldest, Gorbonian, asooided the throne. There was not in his time a greater lover of justice and equity, or a more careful ruler of the people. The perfonuance of due worship to the gods, and doing justice to the common people, was his continual employment. Through all the cities of Britain, he repaired the temples of the gods, and built many new ones* In all his days, the island abounded with riches, more than all the neighbouring countries. For he gave great encouragement to husbandmen in their tillage, by protecting them against any injury or op- pression of their lords; and the soldiers he amply re- warded with money, so that no one had occasion to do wrong to another. Amidst these and many other acts of his innate goodness, he paid the debt of nature, and was buried at Trinovantum. J' Digitized by Google BRITISH HIBIOEY. Si CHAPTER XVII. ABTHGAIXO IS DEPOSED BY THE BRITONS, AND 18 8U0CBBDBD BT ELIDDRB, WHO BBBTOBBS HIM AGAIN HU KINGDOM. After him Arthgallo, his brother, was dignified with the crown, and iu all his actions he was the very reverse of his brother. He everywhere endeavoured to depran the nobility, and advance the baser sort of the people* He plundered the rich, and by those means amaned vast tveaflures. Bat the nobility, disdaining to bear his tyranny any longer, made an insarreetlon agahmt luin, and deposed him ; and then advanced Elidure, his brother, who was afterwards sumamed the pious, on account of his commiseration to Arthgallo in distress. For after five years' possession of the kingdom, as he happened to be hunting in the wood Galaterium, he met his brother tiiat liad been deposed. For he had trnvelled over several kingdoms, to desire asaistance for the recovery of his lost dominions, but had procured none. And being now no longer able to bear the poverty to which he was reduced, he returned back to Britain, attended only by ten men, with a design to repair to those who had been formerly his friends. It was at this time, as he was pass- ing through the wood, his brother Elidure, who little ex- pected it, got sight of him, and forgetting all injuries, ran to him, and aflbetionately embraced him. Now as he had long lamented his brother's affliction, he carried hun with him to the city Alclud, where he hid him in his bed- chamber. After this, he feigned himself sick, and sent messengers over the whole kingdom, to signify to all his prime nobility that they should come to visit him. Ac- cordingly, when they were all met together at the city where he lay, he gave orders that they should come into his chamber one by one, softly, and without noise : his pretence for which was, that their talk would b4F^ dis- 58 OBOFFBBT OF MONMOUTH. t turbance to hb head, should they all crowd in together. Thus, in obedience to his commaads, and without the least 8U8pici<m of any design, they entered his house one after another. But Elidure had given charge to his servants^ wlio were set ready for the purpose, to take caeh of them as they entered, and cut off their heads, unless they would again submit themselves to Arthgalio his brother. Thus did he with everyone of them i^rt, and compelled them, through fear, to be reconciled to Arthgalio, At last the agreement being ratified, Klidure conducted Arthgalio to York, where he took the crown from his own head, and put it on that of his brother. From this act of extraordinar) aifection to his brother, he obtained the .suriKiuiL' of Pious. Arthgalio after tliis reigned ten years, and made amends for his former mal-administra- tion, by pursuing measures of an entirely opposite ten- dency, in depressing the baser sort, and advancing men of good birth ; in suffering every one to enjoy his own, and exercising strict justice towards ail men. At last sickness seizing him, he died, and was buried in the city Kaerleir. CHAPTEK XVIII. i ELIDURE IS I.Ml'UISONED HY PKUEDUUE, AFTEU WllOSli DEATH HE IS A TUIUU TIAIE ADVANCED TO THE THRONE. Thbn Elidure was again advanced to the throne, and 1 restored to his former dignity. But while in his govern- ment he followed the example of his eldei?t brother Gor- bonian, in performing all acts of grace ; his two n main- ing brothers, Vigenius and Peredure, raised an ai*my, aiifl made war against him, in which they proved victorious ; 80 that they took him prisoner, and shut him up in the Tower of tower at Trinovantum, where they placed a guard over °' him. They then divided the kingdom betwixt them ; that part which is from the river Huraber westward falling to Vigeiiiubb bhaie, and the remainder with all Albania to Digitized by Google BRITISH HI8T0BY. PeredaWs. After seven years Vigenius died, and so -the whole kingdom came to Peredure, who from that time governed the people with generosity and mildness, so that he even excelled his other brothers wlio had pre- ceded him, nor was any mention now made of Elidure. But irresistible fate at last removed him suddenly, and 8o made way for Elidore's release from priaon, and advancement to the throne the third time ; who finished the course of his life in just and virtuous actions, and after death left an example of piety to his successors. CHAPTEIt XIX. rrUE NAM£S OF ELIDUR£'*S THIRTY-TUREE SUCCESSORS. Elidure being dead, Gorbonian's son enjoyed the crown, and imitated his uncle's wise and prudent govern- ment. For he abhorred tyranny, and practised justice and mildness towards the people, nor did he ever swerve from the rule of equity. After him reigned Margan, the son of Arthgallo, who, being instructed by the examples of his immediate predecessors, held the government in peace. To him succeeded Enniaunus, his brother, who took a contrary course, and in the sixth year of his reign was deposed, for liaving preferred a tyi auiiieal to a just and legal administration. In his room was placed his kinsman Idwallo, the son of Vigenius, who, being admonished by Enniaunus's ill success, became a strict observer of justice and equity. To him succeeded Runno, the son of Peredure, whose successor was Geruntius, the son of Elidure. After him reigned Catellus, his son ; after Catellus, Coillus; after Coillus, Porrex; after Porrex, Cherin. This prince had three sons, Fulgenius, Eldadiis, and Andragins, who all reigned one after anotlier. Then succeeded Urianus, the son of Andra- gins; after whom reigned in order, Eliud, Cledaucus, Gletonus, Gurgintius, Merianus, Bleduno, Cap, Oenus> eo GBOPntET OF ifONMOirra. Sisilius, Blegabred. This last prince, in singing and playing upon musical instrumenta, excelled all the ma- siciaiis thafc had been before hinii bo that he seemed worthy of the title of the God of Jesters. After him reigned Arthmail, his brother ; after Arthnuul, Eldol ; to whom succeeded in order, Redion, Rederchius, Sar niuilpenissel, Pir, Capoir, and Cligueilliis the son of Capoir, a man prudent and mild in all his actions, and who above all things made it his buaine&a to exer- cise true justice among his people* . CHAPTER XX. HBL1*S TUaSK sons; the F1B8T OF WHOM, VIZ. LUD, GIVES NAMB TO THB CTTT OF LONDON. Lad, cmsi- Next to hini siu ce^ ♦!( (i his sun Heli, who reigned forty years. He had three sons, Lud, Cassibellaun, and Nen- nius ; of whom Lud, being the eldest, succeeded to the kingdom after his father's death. He became famous for the buildiDg of cities, and for rebuilding the walls of Tri- novantum, which he also sumnmded with innumenble towers. He likewise commanded the citizens to build liouses, and all other kintk of structures in it, so that no city in all foreign countries to a ^eat distance round could show more beautiful palaces. He was withal a warlike man, and very magnificent in his feasts and public enter- tainments. And though he had many other cities, yet he loved this above them all, and resided in it the greater part of the year; for which reason it was afterwards called Kaerlud, and by the corruption of the word, Oaei^ london ; and iigain by change of languages, in process of Loodoa* time, London ; as also by foreignt rs who arrived here, and reduced this country under their subjection, it was called Londres. At last, when he was dead, his hndy was buried by the gate which to this time is called in the British tongue after his name, Parthlud, and in the Digitized by Goog BUTIBH HUTORT. 61 Saxon, Lud0ag;ata. He had two sons, AndrogeiiB and TenuantituB, who were incapalile of governing on aeoount of their age : and therefore thev uncle Cassibellaun waa preferred to the kingdom in their room. As soon as he was crowned, he began to display his generosity and magnificence to such a degree, that his fame reached to distant kingdoms ; which was the reason that the mon-" archj of the whole kingdom came to he invested in him, and not m hia nephewa. Notwithstanding Caaaibellaun, from an impulse of piety, would not suffer them to he without their share in ihe kingdom, but assigned a large part of it to them. For he bestowed the city of Trino- vantum, with the dukedom of Kent, on Androgens ; and the dukedom of Cornwall on Teniiantius. But he himself, as possessing the crown, had the sovereignty over them» and all the other princes of the island. GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTOrvY. BOOK. iV. CHAPTER I. JULIUS CiGSAR INVADES BRITAIN, About this time it happened, (as is found in tlie ' Roman histories,) that Julius Geesar, having subdued Gaul, came to the shore of the Ruteni. And when from thence he had got a prospect of the island of Britain, he inquired of those about him what country it' was, and wliat people inhabited it. Then fixings his eyes upon the ocean, as soon as he wiib infm ined uf the name of the kingdom and the people, he said : " In truth we Roman55 ' and the Britons have the same origin, since both are ; descended from the Trojan race. Our first father, after the destmction of Troy, was Mneas ; theirsi Brutus, whose father was Sylvius, the son of Ascanius, the son of ^neas. But I am deceived, if they are not very much degenerated from us, and know nothing of the art of war, since they live separated by the ocean from the whole world. They may be easily forced to become our tribu- taries, and subjects to the Koman state. But before the Romans ofifer to invade or assault them, we must send the9i word that they pay tribute as other nations do, mi submit themselves to the senate ; for fear we should Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. | */ 63 violate the aneiont nobility of our father l^riainus, by shedding the blood of our kinsmen." All nhich he aoeordingly took care to signify, by writing to Caasibel- laon ; who in great indignation returned him an answer in the following letter. CHAPTEH II. CASSIBELLAUNDS^S LETTER TO IUUU8 CXBAR. CAfisiBELLAUNy king of the Britons, to Caius Julius Caesar. We cannot but wonder, C^esar^ at the avarice of the Roman people, smce their insatiable thirst for money cannot let us alone, though the dangers of the ocean have placed us in a manner out of the world ; but they must have the presumption to covet our substance, which we have hitherto enjoyed in quiet. Neither is this indeed sufficient : we must also choose subjection and slavery to them, before the enjoyment of our native liberty. Your demand, therefore^ Giesary is scandalous^ smce the same vein of nobility flows from ifineas in both Britons and Romans, and one and the same chain of con- sanguinity unites us : which ought to be a baud of firm union and friendship. It was that, which you should have demanded of us, and not slavery : wc have learned to admit of the one, but never to bear the other. And 80 much have we been accustomed to liberty, that we are perfectly ignorant what it is to submit to slavery. And if even the gods themselves should attempt to deprive us of our liberty, we would, to the utmost of our power, resist them in defence of it. Know then, Caesar, that we are ready to fight ihr that and our kingdom, if, ^ you threaten, you shall attempt to invade Biitain.^^ GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. CHAPTER III. CJESAR IS BOUTBO BT CABBlBBUiAON. On receiving this answer, Oasar made ready his fleets and waited for a fitir wind to ezecttte his threats against Caflsibellaim. As soon as the wind stood fiur, he hoisted his sails, and arrived with his army at the mouth of the ' river Thames. The ships were now just come close to . land, when Cassibellaun with all his forces appeared on his march against them, and coming to the town of | Dm. Dorobellum, he consulted with his nobility how to drive • out the enemy. Tliere was present with lum Belinns, • genml of Ms army , by whose counsel the whole kmgdom was goyenied. There were ako his two nephews, Andro- gens, Duke of Trinovantum, and Tenuantius, Duke of Cornwall, together with three inferior kings, Cridious, king of Albania, (lucrthaeth of Venedotia, and Britael of Demetia, who, as they had encouraged the rest to fight | the enemy, gave their advice to march directly to Caesar s camp, and drive them out of the country before they could take any city or town. For if he should possess himself of any fortified pkoes, they said it would be more difficult to force him out, because he would then know whither to make a retreat with his men. To this pro- posal they all agreed, and advanced towards the shore where Julius Csesar had pitched his camp. And now both armies drew out in order of battle, and began the fight, wherein both bows and swords were employed. Inunediately the wounded fell in heaps on each ade^ and the ground was drenched with the blood of the sikmi, as much as if it had been washed with the sudden return of the tide. While the armies were thus engaged, it happened that Nennhis and Androgens, with the citizens Caaterbary of Canterbury and Trinovantum, whom they commanded, ' had the fortune to meet with the troop in which the Digitized by Google BRITISH HtaroflY. 65 CsBsar himself was present. And upon an aHBOult made, the general's ooiiort was very nearly routed by the Britons fidling upon them in a dose body. During this action, fortune gave Nennius an opportunity of «icountering Ca;sar. Nennius therefore boldly made up U) him, and was in great joy that he could but js^ve so much as one blow to so great a man. On the other hand, Caesar being aware of his design, stretched out his shield to receive him, and with all his might struck him upon the helmet with his drawn sword, which he lifted up agam with an intention to finish his first blow, and make it mortal; but Nennius carefully prevented him with his shield, upon which Caesar''s sword glancing with great force from the helmet, became so firmly fastened therein, that when by the intervention of the troops they could no longer continue the encounter, the general was not able to draw it out again. Nennius, thus becoming master of Caesar's sword, threw away his own, and pulling the other out^ made haste to employ it against the enemy. Whomsoever he struck with it, he either cut off his head, or left him wounded without hopes of recovery. Wliilc he was thus excrt in ti; himself, he was riu?t by Laliiemis, a tribune, whom he killed in the very beginning of the encounter. At last, after the greatest part of the day was spent, the Britons poured in so fast) and made such vigorous efforts, that by the blessing of God they obtMued the victory, and Geesar, ^^^^ with his broken forces, retured to his camp and fleet. The very same night, as soon as he had got his men together again, he went on board his fleet, rejoicing that he had the soa for his camp. And upon his companions di&suading him from continuing the war any longer, he acquiesced in their advice, and returned back to Gaul. Digitized by Google GG <'EOFPRET OF MONMOrTH. CHAPTER IV. NENNIU8, THE Bnonil I. OF CASSIBELLAUX, BEIXG WOUNDED IX BATTLE BY C^AB, DIES. CABBtBESJJkVs, in joy for this triomph, returoecl solemn thanks to God ; and calling the companions of his vie- tory together, amply rewarded every one of tlunii, ac- cording as they had distinguished tliemstlves. Chi the other hand, he was very much oppressed with grief for hia biother Ncnnins, who lay mortally wounded, and at the very point of death. For Ceesar had wounded him in the enconnter, and the blow which he had given him proved incurable; so that fifteen days after the battle he died, and was buried at Trinovantum, by the Koi*th Gate. His funeral exsequies were pei*formed with regal pomp, and Csesar's sword put into tlie tnnib with him, which he had kept possession of, when struck into has shield in the combat. The name of the sword was Crocea Mors (YeUow- Death), as being mortal to every body that was wounded with it. CIIAr XER V. CJBBAB*8 1N6L0BIOUB RETirBN TO 6ADL. AiTEu this flight of Caesar, and his airivai on the Gallic coast, the Gauls attempted to rebel and throw off his yoke. For they thought he was so much weakened, that his forces could be no longer a terror to them. Besides, a general rqtort was spread among them, that Cassibellaun was now out at sea with a vast fleet to pursue him in Iii.s flight; on which accoiiiiL the Gauls, growing stiil more hold, })egan to think of driving him from their coasts. Ca\sar, aware of their designs, was not willing to engage in a doubtful war with a fierce Digitized by Google BRITISH HlflTORT 67 people, but ratlicr chose to go to all their first nobility with open treasures, and reconcile them with presents. To the common people he promiaed liberty, to the dieh posseased the restitntion of their estates, and to the slaves their freedom. Thus he that had msulted them before with the fierceness of a lion, and plundered them of aU, now, with the mildness of a lamb, fawns on them with submissive abject speeches, and is glad to restore all again. To these acts ol meanness he was forced to con- descend till he had pacified them, and was able to regain his lost power. In the mean time not a day passed without 1^ reflectmg upon his flighty and the victory of the Britons. CHAPTER VI. OASSIBBLLADN FORMS A SXaATAQSM FOB SINKING CiBBAB*fl SHIPS. After two years were expired, he prepared to cross the sea again, and revenge hunself on Cassibellaun, who having intelligence of his design, everywhere fortified his cities, repaired tlie ruined walls, and placed armed men at all the ports. In the river Thames, on which Ceesar mtended to sail up to Trinovantum, he caused iron and leaden stakes, each as thick as a man*s thigh, to he fixed under the surface of the water, that Caesar's ships might founder. He then assembled all the forces of the island, and took up his quarters with them near the sea-coasts, in expectation of the enemy's coming. CHAPTER VII. CJBBASt, A SBOOND TIME VANQUISHED BY THE BBITONS. Afteb he had furnished himself with all necessaries, the Roman general embarked with a vast army, eager to revenge himself on a people that had defeated him ; in which he undoubtedly would have succeeded, if he GBOPFBKT OP MONMOtmi. could but have brought his fleet safe to land ; but this he was not able to do. For in sailing up the Thames to Trinovantum, the ships struck against the stakes, which so endangered them all on a sudden, that many thou* sands of the men were drowned, while the ships being pierced sunk into the river. Caesar, upon this, employee! all his force to sliift his sails, and hastened to get back again to land. And so those that remained, ai^r a naiv row escape, went on shore with him. CassibeUaun, who was present upon the bank, with joy observed the disss- tst of the drowned, bnt grieved at the escape of the rest ; and upon his giving a signal to his men, made an attack upon the Romans, who, notwithstanding the dan- ger they had suffered in the river, when landed, bravely witlistood the Britons ; and ha\ing no other fence to trust to but their own courage, they made no small slaughter ; but yet suffared a greater loss themselves, than that which they were able to give the enemy. For their nmnber was considerably diminielhed by their loss in ihe river ; whereas the Britons being hourly increased with new recruits, were three times their number, and by that advantage defeated them. Csesar, seeing he could no longer maintain his ground, fled with a small body of men to his ships, and made the sea his safe retreat ; and as the wind stood fair, he hoisted his sails, and steered to the shoro of the Morini. From thence he r^aired to a certain tower, which he had buOt at a place called Odnea^ before this second expedition into Britain. For he durst not trust the fickleness of the Gauls, who he feared ould iall upon him a second time, as we have said already they did before, after the fii*st flight he was forced to make before the Biitons. And on that account he had built this tower for a refuge to himself, that he might be able to wMantMn his ground against a rebellious people, if they should make insur- rection agsinst him. Digitized by Google BBtTUOi BimBY. ( V 69 CHAPT£K VIII. BTELIKUS KILLS HIRELGLA9. ANDKOOEUS DEaiRBB C^AR*S ASSUTANCB AOAINaT CAflSIBKLLAUN. C Ad:3iBELLAUN, elcvatcd ^ith joy for ilna second victory, publislietl a decree, to siimmun all the nobility of Britain with tlu ir wives to Trinovantum, in order to perform solemn sacrifices to their tutelary goda^ who had given them the victoiy over so great a oomiiiander. Accord- ingly, they all appeared, and prepared a variety of sacri- ficea, for which there was a great daiig^ter of cattle. At this solemnity they ofibred forty thousand cows, and a hundred thousand sheep, and also fowls of several kinds, without number, besides thirty tiiousand wild beaste of several kinds. As soon as they had performed these solemn honours to their gods, they feasted them- selves on the remainder, as was usual at such sacrifices, and spent the rest of the day and ni^t in vaiious phiys and sports. Amidst these diversiona, it happened that two nohle youths, whereof one was nephew to the king, the other to Duke Androgens, wrestled together, and afterwards had a disj)iitc about the victory. The name of the king's nephew was Hirelglas, the other's Eveli- nus. As they w^ere reproaching each oilier, Evelinus snatched up his sword and cut oif the head of his rival. This sudden disaster put the whole court into a con- sternation, apon which the king ordered Evdinus to he broo^t before him, that be migfat be ready to nndeigo 0ach punishment as the nobility should detennine, and that the death of Hirelglas might be revenged upon him, if he were unjustly killed. Androgeus, suspecting the king s intenlions, made answer, that he had a court of his own, and that whatever should be alleged against his own men, ought to be determined there. If, therefore, he were resolved to demand justice of £veUnus, he might 70 GBOPFRBY OF MONVOUTH. have it at Trinovantum, according to ancieut custom. CSasBibellaun, finding he could not attain his ends, threatened Androgeaa to destroy his ooimtry with fire and sword, if he would not comply with his demands. But Androgens, now incensed, scorned all compliance with him. On the other hand, Cafisibellaun, in a great rage, hastened to make good his threats, and ravage the country. This forced Andiogeus to iiiako use of" daily solicitations to the king, by means of such as were related to him, or intimate with him, to divert his rage. But when he found these methods ineffectual, he heg^ in earnest to coiiBider how to oppose him. At last, when all -otfier hopes failed, he reaolYed to request assistance liom Ceesar, and wrote a letter to him to this effect : — ** Andi-ogeus, Duke of Trinovantum, to Caius Julius Cccsar, instead of wishing death as ibrrnci ly, now wishes health. I repent that ever I acted against you, when, you made war against the king. Had I never been guilty of such exploits, you would have vanquished Gas- sibeUaun, who is so swollen with pride since his victory, that he is endeavouring to drive me out of his ooastisy who procured him that triumph. Is this a fit reward for my services ? I have settled him in an inheritance ; and he endeavours to disinherit me. I have a second time restored him to the kingdom: and ho endeavours to de- stroy me. All this have I done for him in fighting against you. I call the gods to witness I have not de- served his anger, unless I can be said to deserve it for refusing to deliver up my nephew, whsm he would have condemned to die unjustly. Of which, that you may be better able to judge, hear this account of the matter. It happened that for joy of the victory we performed solenm honours to our tutelary gods, in which after we had finished our sacrifices, our youth began to divert themselves with sports. Among the rest our two nephews, encouraged by the example of the others, Digitized by Google BSITUIH HimST. \ ^ 71 entered the lists ; and when mine had got the better, the other without any cauae waa incensed, and just going to strike him ; but he avoided the blow, and taking him by the hand that hdd the sword, strove to wrest it from him. In this struggle the king'*s nephew happened to fall upon the sword's point, and died u|)ou the spot. hen the king was informed of it, he commanded me to deliver up the youth, that he might be punished for murder. I refused to do it ; whereupon he invsided my provinces with all his forces, and has given me vezy great disturbance ; flying, therefore, to your clement^, I desire . your assistance, that by yon I may be restored to my dignity, and by me you may gain possession of Britain. Let no doubts or suspicion of treachery in this matter detain you. Be iiiHiu iiced by the common motive of mankind ; let ivcxat enmities beget a desire of &iendship ; and after defeat make you more eager for victoiy.'* CHAPTER IX. CASSIBBLLAUN, BBtNO P0T TO FLIGHT, AND BESIBGEO BY C^AB, DBSIBES PSACC C.-ESAR, havinn^ read the letter, was advised by his friends not to go into Britain upon a bare verbal invitsr tion of the duke, unless he would send such hostages as might be for his security* Without delay, there- fore, Androgeus sent bis son Scssva with thirty young noblemen neaily related to him. Upon deliveiy of the hostages, Caesar, relieved from his suspicion, reassembled his forces, and with a fair wind arrived at the port of Riitiipi. In the iiuantiine Ca-ssibellaun had begun to lUchbo. besiege Trinovantum and ravage the country towns ; but finding that GoBsar was arrived, he raised the siege and hastened to meet hun. As soon as he entered a valley near Dorobemia, he saw the Boman army preparing Dm. theur camp : for Androgeus had conducted them to this Digitized by Google 72 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. p]ac6» for the eonvenience of making a sudden assault upon the city. The Boinans, seeing the Britona advan- cing towards them, quickly flew to their arma, and ranged themselves in several bocUes. The Britons also put on tlieir arms, and placed themselves in their ranks. But Androgeus with five thousand men lay hid in a wood hard by, to be ready to assist Caesar, and spring forth on a sadden upon Cassibellaun and his party. Both armies now approached to begin the fight, some with, bows and arrows, some with swords, so that much blood was shed on both sides, and the womided fell down like leaves in autumn. While they were thus engaged, Androgeus sallied forth from the wood, and fell upon the rear of Cassibellann*s army, iij>uii wliieh the hopes of the battle entirely depended. And now, what with the breach which the Romans bad made through them just before, what with the furious irruption of their own countrymen, they were no longer able to stand their ground, but were obl^jed with their brdcen forces to quit the field. Near the place stood a rocky mountain^ on the top of which was a thick hazel wood. Hither Cassibellaun fled with his men after he fomid himself worsted; and having cliinlird up to the top of the moun- tain^ bravely defended himseii' and killed the pursuing enemy. For the Roman forces with those of Androgeus pursued him to die^mie his flying troops, and dimlMng up the mountain after them nmde many assaults, but all to little purpose; for the rockiness of the mountain and great height of its top was a defence to the Britons, and the advantage of higher ground gave them an opportunity of killing great numbers of the enemy. CsDsar hereupon besieged the mountain that whole night, which had now overtaken them, and shut up all the avenues to it ; intending to reduce the king by &mine, eanoe he could not do it by force of arms. Such was the wonderful valour of the British nation in those times, that they were able to put the conqueror of the Digitized by Google 73 world Iwicp io flight; and being ready to die for the defence of their country and liberty, they, even though defeated, ^^^thstood him whom the whole world could not withstand. Hence Luean in their praise eays of Ceesar, uwmi. "Territa queesitis ostendit terga Britanais." With pride he sought the Britons, but when found* Dreaded their force, and fled the hoetile ground. Two days were now passed, when Cassibellaun having consumed all his provision, feared famine would oblige him to surrender himself prisoner to Csesar. For this reason he sent a message to Androgens to make his peace with Julius, lest the honour of the nation might suffer by his being taken prisoner. He likewise repre- sented to him, that he did not deserve to be pursued to death for the annoyance which he liad given liini. A s soon as the messengers had told this to Androgeus, he made answer : — '* That prince deserves not to be loved, who in war is mild as a lamb, but in peace cruel a& a lion. Ye gods of heaven and earth ! Does my Lord then con- descend to entreat me now, whom before he took upon him to command ! Does he.desue to be reconciled and make his submission to CsBsar, of whom Caesar himself had before desired peace ? He ought therefore to have consi<lerid, tliat he who was able to drive so gi'eat a commander out of the kingdom, was able also to bring him back again. I ought not to have been so unjustly treated, who had then done him so much service, as well as now so much injury. He must be mad who either injures or reproaches his feUow-soldiers by whom he defeats the enemy. The victory is not the Gommander*s» but theirs who lose their blood in fighting for him. How- ever, I will procure him peace if I can, for the injury which he has done me is sufficiently revenged upon him, since he sues for mercy to me."* 74 6E0PFBET OF MONMOUTH. CHAPTER X. ANDBOGBUS'S 8PEIICB TO OfiflAB. Andbogvus after this went to Ceeear, and after a re- spectful salutation addressed him in this manner:— *' You have sufficiently revenged yuurself upon Cassibel- laun ; and now let clemency take place of vengeance. What more is there to be done than that he make his submiagion and pay tribute to the Koman stated To this CsBBUt retuzned hhn no answer : upon which Andio* geus said again ; My whole engagement with you, Ceesar, was only to reduce Britain under your power, by the submission of Cassibellann. Behold ! Oassibellaun is now vanquished, and Britain by my assistance become subject to you. What further service do I owe you? God forbid that I should suffer my sovereign, who sues to me for peace, and makes me satisfaction for the injury which he has done me, to be in prison or in chains. It is no easy matter to put GassibeUaun to death while I have life ; and if you do hot comply with my demand, I shall not be ashamed to giye Inm my assistance.^ CSaesar, alarmed at tliese menaces of A ndrogeus, was forced to ctuwibtiiaun complv, aiid entered into peace with Cassibellaun, on pays tribute . . , - ioc«Mr. condition that he should pay a yearly tribute of three thousand pounds of silver. So then Julius and Cassibel- laun from this time became friends, and made presents to each other. After this, Goesar wintered in Britain, and the following spring returned into Gaul. At length he assembled all his forces, and manned towards Rcmio agauist Pompey. CHAPTER XI. TSNUANTIU8 IS MADE KINO OF BRrTAIN AFTER CASSIBELLAUN. After seven years had expired, CassibeUaun died and Ywk. was buried at York. He was succeeded by Tenuantius, Digitized by Google BBTTliU HUnORT. 76 duke of Ck»rawaU^ and brother of Androgeius: for An- drogens was gone to Bonie with CSeaasr. Tennanthis therefore, now wearing the crown, governed the kingdom with diligence. He was a warlike man, and a strict ob* server of justice. After him Kymbelinns his son was cyoibeune. advanced to the throne, beiiig a gicat ^soldier, and hrought up by Augustus Cresar. He had contracted so great a friendship "with the Romans, that he freely paid them tribute when he might have very well refused it. In his days was bom our L ord Jesus Christ, by whose precious mnh r ,ur - blood mankind was redeemed from the devil, mider which they had been before enslaved. CHAPTER XII. UfON GCrmBmUS^S SSFUfllNG TO PAT TBIBmrS lO TBS ROMANS, CLAUDIUS CJBSAB INYADBI BRITAIN. Ktmbeunus, when he liad governed Britain ten years, cinudiua begat two Bons» the elder named Giiiderius» the other ^tS^Bii. Arviragus. After his death the goyemment fell to Quiderias. This prince refused to pay tribute to the Romans ; for whidi reason Clandins» who was now emperor, marched against him. He was attended in this expedi- tion by the commander of his army, who \v:ls called in the British tongue, Leuis Harao, by whose advice the following war was to be carried on. This man, there- fore, arriving at the city of Portcestre, began to block up the gates with a wall, and denied the citizens all liher^ of paaedng out. For his design was either to reduce them to subjection by fiunme, or kill them without merey. CHAPTER XIII. LHUl^ HXMOf A ROMAN, BY WICKSO TREACHERY KILLS GUIDEUIUS. GuiDERiU8» upon the news of Claudius's comings assem- bled all the sddieiy of the kingdom* and went to meet 76 OGOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. the Eoiiian aruiy. In the battle that ensued, he begao the assault with great eageraesa^ and did more executioD with his own sword than the greater part of his amy. ' Oiaudiiis was now on the point of retreating to Ub ship^ and the Romans very nearly routed, when the en^ Hamo, throwing aside his own armour, put on that of the Britons, and ai> a Briton fought against his own men. Tlieu he exliorted the Britons to a vigoious asc^ult, promising them a speedy victory. For he had learned their language and manners, having been educated among the British hostages at Rome. By these means he ap- proached by little and little to the king, and seizittg an opportunity to approach, stabbed him while under no apprehenmon of danger, and then escaped through the enemy's ranks to return to his men with the news of his Anriragus. detestable exploit. But Arvii-agus, his brother, seeing him killed, forthwith put off his own and put on his brother's habiliments, and as if he had been Guiderius himself, encouraged the Britons to stand their ground. Accordingly, as they knew nothing of the kingfs disaster, they made a vigorous resistance, fou^^t oouxageoualy, and killed no small number of the enemy. At last the Romans gave ground, and dividing theiHselves into two bodies, basely quitted the field. Csasar with one part, to secure himself, retired to hi!=! sliips ; but Hamo fled to the woods, because he had not time to get to the ships. ArviraguSy therefore, thinking that Claudius fled aloi^ with him, pursued him with all speed, and did not leave off haraaaing him from ^lace to place, till he overtook him upon a part of the sea-coast, which, from the name of smfiiHdp. Hamo, is now called Southampton. There was at*'tEe same place a convenient haven for ships, and some mer- chant-ships at anchor. And just as Hamo was attempt- ing to get on board tliem, Arviragus came upon him unawares, and forthwith killed him. And ever since that time the haven has been called Hamo's port. Digitized by Google CHAPTER XIV, AIlVIRAr.rs, KING OP BRITAIN, MAKES HIS SUBMISSION TO CLAUDIUS} WHO WITH HIS ASBIflTANCB OONQUBBS THK ORKNEY ISLANDS. In the mean time, Claudius, with his remaining forces, assaulted the city above-mentioned, which was then called Kjterpens^ now Portfipstre, and presently level- led the walls^ and having reduced the citizens to aobjeetion, went after Arviragus, who had entered Winchester. Afterwaida he beei^ped that city, and wMtfttr. employed a wietj of engines agunst it. Arviragus, seeing himself in these straits, called his troops together, and opened the gates, to march out and give him battle. But just as he was ready to begin the attack, Claudius, who feared the boldness of the king, and the bravery of the Britons, sent a message to him with a proposal of peace ; choosing rather to reduce them by wisdom and policy, than run the hazard of a battle. To this purpose he oifered a reconciliation with him, and promised to give him his daughter, if he would only acknowledge the kingdom of Britain subject to the Roman state. The nobility hereupon persuade <1 him to lay aside thoughts of war, and be content svitli Claudius's promise; represoiit- ing to him at the same time, that it was no disgrace to be subject to the Romans, who enjoyed the empire of the whole world. By these and many other arguments he was prevailed upon to hearken to their advice, and make his submission to Osesar. After which CUiudius sent to Rome for his daughter, and then, with the assist- ance of Arvir^is, reduced the Orkney and the pro via- Orkney cial islands to his power. Digitized by Google 78 OBOFFBBT OF MONMOinV. boUt. CHAPTER XV. CLAUDIUS OIYES HIB DAUOHTBB GENUI88A FOB A WIFE TO ABTIBAOUa, AND BBTDBN8 TO BOMB. Arviragu* As soon as the winter was over, those that were sent dROfhjtCTof for Claudius's daughter returned with her, and presented her to her father. The damaeFs name was Genuissa, and 80 great was her beauty, that it raised the admi- ration of all that saw her. After her marriage with the king, she guned so great an ascendant over his a£fe<^ tions, that he in a manner valued nothing but her alone : insomuch that he ^^as desirous to have the place ho- noured where the nuptials were solpimiizod, and moved Claudius to build a city upon it, for a monument to pos- terity of so great and happy a manriagc. Claudius con- sented to it, and commanded a city to be built, which after his name is called Kaer^^ou, that is Gloucester, to this day, and is situated on the confines of Demetia and Loegrico, upon the banks of the Seyeni. Bat some say that it derived its name from Duke Gloius, a bon that was born to Claudius there, and to whom, after the death of Annragus, fell the dukedom of Demetia. The city being finished, and the island now enjoying peace, Claudius returned to Komc, leaving to Arviragus th^ government of the British islands. At the same time the Apostle Peter founded the Church of Antioch ; and affcerwards coming to Rome, was bishop there, and sent Mark, the Evangelist, into Egypt to preach the Gospel which he had written. CHAPTER XVI. ARVIRAGUS REVOLTING FROM THE ROMANS, VESPASIAN IS SENT INTO BRITAIN. Arm the departure of Claudius, Arviragus began to show his wisdom and courage, to rebuild cities and towns, Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY .jy 79 and to exercise so great authority over his own people, that he became a terror to the kings of remote ciHuitiics. But this so elevated him witli pride that he despised the liomau power, disdained any longer subjection to the senate, and assumed to himself the sole authority in everything. Upon this news Vespasian was sent by CJaudius to procure a reconciliation with Arviragus, or to ^ reduce him to the subjection of the Homans. When, t*^^ therefore, Vespasian arrived at the haven of Rutupi, Al viiagus met him, and prevented his enterinp^ the port. For ho lu rmo-ht so oreat an army along witli liim, ^40^4' y^^%t^i^ that the liomans, for fear of his falling upon them, durst « not come ashore. Vespasian upon this withdrew from J^** ^ that port^ and shifting his sails arrived at the shore of TotnesB. As soon as he was hmded, he marched directly tmmm. to besiege Kaerpenhuelgoit, now Exeter ; and after lying Escter. before it seyen days, was overtaken by Arviragns and his army, who ga\ e him battle. That day great destruction was made in both armies, but neither got the victory. The next morning, by the mediation of Queen Genuissa, the two leaders were made friends, and sent their men over to Ireland. As soon as winter was over, Vespasian returned to Rome, but Arviragus continued still in Britain. Afterwards, when he grew old, he began to show much respect to the senate, and to govern his kinccdom in peace and tranquillity. He confirmed the old laws of his ancestors, and enacted some new ones, and made very ample presents to all persons of merit. So that his fame spread over all Europe, and he was both loved and feared by the Romans, and became the subject of their discourse more than any kit^ in his time. Hence Juvenal relates how a certain blind man, speaking of a tiirbot that was taken, said : — *' Regem aiiquein cnpies aut de temone Britanno Jnveo. S«t. Decidet Arviragus.'* Arviragus shall from his chariot fall, Or thee his lord some captive king shall call. Digitized by Google 80 GEOFFREY OF AfONMOUTU. In war none was more fierce than he, in peace none more mild, none more pleasing, or in his { resents more majrnifict'iit. When he had tininhed hi^ course of life, he Arfixagni Was buried at Gloucester, in a certain temple which he burisuBt GioiMcrtcr. had built and dedicated to the honour of Claudius. CHAPTER XVIL ROUaiC, LEADER OP THE PICTB, IS VAM^UliHED BY M^US. His son Marias, a man of admirable prudence and wisdom, succeeded him in the kingdom. In his rei^ a certain king of the Picts, named Rodric, came from Scythia with a great fleet, and arrived in the north part of Britain, which is called Albania, and began to ravage that country* Marius therefore raising an army went in quest of him, and killed hun in battle, and gained the victory ; for a monument of which he set up a stone in the province, which from his name was afterwards called Westmorc- A\ f'stinoreland, where there is an inscription retaining his memory to this day. He gave the conquered people that came with Rodric liberty to inhabit that part of I. Albania which is called Cathness, that had been a long time desert and uncultivated. And as they had no wives, they desired to have the daughters and kins- women of the Britons. But the Britons refused, dis- daining to unite with such a people. Having suifuicd a repulse here, they sailed over into Ireland, and mar- ried the women of that country, and by their ofi&priug increased their number. But let thus much suffice concerning them, suice I do not propose to write the history of this people, or of the Scots, who derived their original from them and the Irish. Marius, after he had settled the ishmd in perfect peace, began to love the Roman people, paying the trilnite that was demanded of him ; and in imitation of his father s example prac- Digitized by Google 81 tised justice, law, peace, aud every thing that was iiouourable in his kiBgdooi« CHAPTER XVm. UASIUB DTIMG^ Ig 0UOCKEDSD BT 00ILI.U8. > At soon M be had ended his days, his son Ooillus took upon liiai the government of the kingdom. He had been bnmpi^ht up from his infancy at Home, and having been taught the Roman manners, had contracted a most strict amity with them. He likewise paid them tribute, aBd declined making them any oppoeitioii, because he saw the whole world subject to them, and that no town or countiy was out of the limits of their power. By paying therefore what was required of him, he enjoyed liis kingdom in peace : and no king ever showed greater respect to his nobility, not only permitting them to enjoy their own with quiet, but also binding them to him by his continual bounty and munificence, CHAPTER XIX. LUCIUS U THE FIRST BRITISH KING THAT BlISRACliS THS aiRIsnAN PATTHy TOOBTHBR WnH HIS PBOPLB. CoiLLus had but one son, named Lucius, who ulitaining the crown after his £ftther's decease, imitated all his acts of goodness, and seemed to his people to be no other than Ooillus himself revived. As he had made so good a begimungy he was wiUii^ to make a better end : for which purpose he sent letters to Pope Eleutherius, de- siring to be instructed by him in the Christian religion. For the miracles which Christ's disciples performed in several nations, wrought r conviction in his mind ; so that being inflamed with an ardent love of the true faith, he obtained the accomplishment of his pious request. 82 GEOFFREY OP IIONMOUTH. For that holy pope, upon receipt of this devout petition, sent to him two most religioud doctors, Faganus and Duvauus, who, after they had preached concerning the incarnation of the word of God, administered baptism, to him, and made him a proselyte to the Christian faith. Immediately upon this, people from all countries^ assembling together, followed the king^s example, and being washed in the same holy laver, were made par- takers of the kingdom of Heaven. The holy doctors, after they had ahnost extinguished paganism over the whole island, dedicated the temples, that had been founded in honour of many gods, to the one only God and his saints, and filled them with congregations of vChristiaiiB. ^. There were then in Britain eight and S twenty fiameos, as abo three arehflamei^ to whose TjtSmdiction the other judges and enthusiasts were sub- ject. These also, according to the apostolie command, they delivered from idolatry, and where they were tiamens made them bishops, wliei e archflanu n?;, arch- bishops^ v'^he seats of the archflamens were at the three noblest cities, viz. London, York, and the City of I L^ons, jvhich its old walls and buildings show to I been situated upon the river Uske in Glamorganshire. To these three, now purified from superstition, were made subject twenty-eight bishops with their dioceses. To the metropolitan of York were subject Deira and Albania, which the great river Humber divides from Loegria. To the metropolitan of London were subject Loegria and Cornwall. These two provinces the Severn divides from Kambria or Wales, whieh was subject to the City of Legions^ Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY .1^ 83 CHAPTER XX. FAGANUS AND DUYANUB OIYB AN AOOOUNT AT BOMB, OF WHA* THEY HAD DONE IN BRITAIN. At last, when they had made an entire reformation here, the two prelates returned to Rome, and deaired the i^pe to confirm what they had done. As aoon as they had ohtained a confirmation, they returned again to Britain, accompanied wHh many others, by whose doo* trine the Jiriiibh iiaLion w as in a sliort time strengthened in the faith. Their names and acts are recorded in a book which Gildas wiote concerning the victory of Aurelius Ambroeius ; and what is delivered in so bright a treatise, neeSs not to be repeated here ui a meaner style. 1 62 Digitized by Google GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK V. CHAPTER I. LUCIUS DUES WITHOUT ISSUE, AND IS A BENEFACTOR TO THE CHUBGBES. Tn the mean time, the glorious King Lucius highly re- joiced at the great progress which the true £Etith and worship had made in his kingdom, and permitted the posaessioiiB and territories which formerly belonged to the temples of the gods, to be converted to a better use, aiid ai)i>ropriated to Christian churches. And because a greater honour was due to thera than to the others, lif^ made large additions of lands and manor-houses, and ail kinds of privileges to them. Amidst these and other acts of his great piety, he departed this life in the city Kh^Ludoa of Gloucester, and was honourably buried in the cathe- GioiMMter. dral church, in the hundred and fifty-sixth year after onr Lord''s incarnation. He had no issue to succeed him, so that after his decease there arose a dissension among the Bhtous, and the Koman power was much weakened. Digitized by Google BRITISH HlffTOBYk CHAPTER II. 8£V£RUS, A afiNATOR, SUBDUES PART OF BRITAIN : HIS WAR WITH FULaSNIUS. When this news was brought to Rome, the senate Severus. dispatched Severus, a senator, with two legions, to reduce the country to subjection. As soon as he was arrived, he came to a battle with the Britons, part of whom he obliged to sabmit to him, and the other part which he could not subdue he endeavoured to distress in several cruel engagements, and forced them to fly beyond Deira into Albania. Notwithstanding which they opposed him with all their might under the conduct of Fulgenius, and ofleii made great slaughter both of their own coun- trymen and of the Romans. For Fulgenius brought to his assistance all the people of the islands that he could find, and so frequently gained the victory. The emperor, not being aUe to resist the irruptions which he made^ commanded a wall to be built between Deira and Alba- nia, to hinder his excursions upon them ; they accord- ingly made one at the commun charge from sea to sea, which for lung time lundered the approach of the enemy. But Jb'uigenius, when he was unable to make any longer resistance^ made a voyage into Scythia, to desire the assistance of the Picts towards his restoration. And when he had got together all the forces of that country, he returned with a great fleet into Britain, and besieged York. Upon this news being spread through the country, the greatest part of the lii itons deserted Severus, and went over to Fulgenius. However this did Hut make Severus desist from his enterprise : but calling togetlier the Romans, and the rest of the Britons that adhered to him, he marched to the siege, and fou^t with Fulgenius ; but the engagement proving very sharp, he was killed vrith many of his followers : Ful^y;enitts also was mortally wounded. Afterwards Severus was buried at York, winch city was taken by his legions. He left Digitized by Google 86 GEOPFBBY OF MONMOUTH. two fions, Baaaianus and Geta, whereof Geta had a Roman for his mother, hut Bassianns a Briton. There- called Che. fore upon the death of their &ther the Romans made Geta king, favouring him on account of his being a Roman by both his parents ; but the Britons rejected him, aud advanced B^sianus, as being their countryman by his mother's side. This proved the occasion of a * battle between the two brothers, in which Geta was killed ; and ao BaasianuB obtained the aorereignty. CHAPTER III. CARAU81U8 AnVANC£D TO BE KING OF BRITAIN. CMmuaiuf. At that time there was in Britain unr Carausius, a young man of mean birth, who, having given proof of his bravery in many engagements, went to Rome, and solicited the senate for leave to defend with a fleet the maritime coasts of Britain, from the incursions of bar- barians ; which if they would grant him, he promised to do more for the honour and service of the Common- wealth, than by delivering up to them the kingdom of Britain. Thf^ senate, deluded by his specious promises, granted him his request, and so with his commission sealed, he returned to Britain. Then by wicked prac- tices getting a fleet together, he enlisted into his ser- vice a body of the bravest youths, and putting out to sea, sailed round the whole kingdom, causing very great disturiianee among the people. In the mean time lie iiuaded the adjacent ishmds, where he destroyed all before him, countries, cities, and towns, and plundered the inhabitants of all they liad. By this conduct he encouraged all manner of dissolute fellows to flock to him in hope of plunder, and in a very short time was attended by an army which no neighbouring prince was able to oppose. This made him begin to swell with pride, and to propose to the Britons, that they should make him their king ; for which consideration he promised to Digitized by Google BRITISH HUTOBY, 87 kill and banish the Romans, and free the whole ishuid from the invasioos of barbarous nations. Acoordin^y obtaining his request, he fell upon Bassianus and killed him, and then took npon him the government of the kingdom. For Bassianus was betrayed by the Picts, whom Fulgenius his mother s brother had brought with him into Britain, and who, being corrupted by the pro- mises and presents of Carausiiis, instead of assisting BaasianaSy deserted him in the veiy battle, and fell upon his men ; so that the rest were put into a consternation, and not knowing their friends from their foes, quickly gave ground, and left the victory to Caraumus. Then lie, to reward the Picts for this success, gave them a hal itation in Albania, where they continued afterwards mixed with the Britons. CHAPTER IV. Al^CTUd KIIX8 CARAU^ilUa, BUT 18 AFTERWAUDa UlUBELf 0LAIN IN PUOHT BY ASCLEPIODOTUB., When the news of these proceedings of Caransius arrived at liome, the senate commissi omd Allectus, AUeetua. ^th three legions, to kill the tyrant, and restore the kingdom of Britain to the Roman power. No sooner was he arrived, than he fought with Caransius, killed him, and took upon himself the government. After which he miseiably oppressed the Britons, for having deserted the commonwealth, and adhered to Carausius. But the Britons, not enduring this, advanced Asclepiodotus, duke of Cornwall, to be their kintr. and then unanimously marched against Allectus, and challenged him to battle. He was then at London, celebrating a feast to his tute- lafy gods ; but being informed of the coming of Ascle- piodotus, he quitted the sacrifice, and went out vdth all his forces to meet him, and engaged with him in a sharp iight. But Asclepiodotus had the advantage, and dis- 88 GflOFFRBT OP MOMUOUTB persed aod put to flight AllectUBS troopf;, an(? m the purBuit killed many thoiisanda, as also King AUectns himsetf. After this yictoxy, Livius Galliia, the colleague of AUectus, assembled the rest of the Romans, shut the gates of the city, and placed his men in the towers and otherfortificationB,tliiiiking by these means either to make a stand against Asclepiodotus, or at least to avoid immi- nent death. But Asclepiodotus seeing this laid siege to the citv. and sent word to all the dukes of Britain, that he had kiUed Allectus with a great number of his men, and was besieging Gallus and the rest of the Romans in London ; and therefore eamestlj entreated them to hasten to his assistance, representing to them withal, how easy it was to extirpate the whole race of the liomans out of Britain, provided they would all join their forces against the besieged. At this summons came the Dcmetians, Venedotiaus, Deirans, Albanians^ and all others of the British race. As soon as they i4)peared before the duke^ he commanded vast numbers of engines to be made, to beat down the walls of the city. Accordingly every one readily executed his orders with great bravery, and made a violent assault upon the city, the walls of which were in a very short time battered down, and a passage made into it. After these prepara- tions, they began a l)loody assault upon the Romans, who, seeing their fellow soldiers falling before them without intermission, persuaded Gallus to ofifer a surrender on the terms of having quarter granted them, and leave to depart : for they were now all kiOed exc^ one legion, which still held out. Gallus consented to the proposal, and accordingly surrendered himself and his men to Asclepiodotus, who was disjxiscd to give them quarter; but he was prevented by a body of Yenedotians, who, rushed upon them, and the same day cut off all their heads upon a brook within the city, which from the name of the commander was afterwards called in the British tongue Nautgallim, and in the Saxon Gallembome* Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. ^ 89 CHAPTER V. ASCLKPiODOTUS OBTAINS THE CROWN, DI00IiB8IAN 8 MAB8ACBE OF THE €HRIflTIAN0 IN BRITAIN. The Rom.uis ])eing tlms defeated, Asclepiodotus, with the consent of tiie people, i^laced the cro\NTi upon his own head, and governed the country in justice and peace ten years, and curbed the insolence and outrages committed by plunderers and robbers. In his days began the j^et- seeution of the Emperor Diodesian; and Ghristianity, Diociesian's which from the time of King Lucius had continued fixed and undisturbed, was almost abolished over the whole island. Tlii^ Wcus priiicipall) owing to Maximiauus Her- Maximian. culius, troneral of that tyrant's army, by whose command all the churches were pulled down, and all the copies of the Holy Scriptures that could be found, were burnt in the public markets. The priests also, with the beMeveis under their care, were put to death, and vrith emulation pressed in crowds together for a speedy passage to the joys of heaven, as their proper dwelling place. God therefore magnified his goodness to us, forasmuch as he did, in that time of persecution, of his mere grace, light up the bright lamps of the Holy Martyrs, to prevent the fi{>reading of gross darkness over the people of Britain ; whose sepulckres and places of suffering might have been a means of inflaming our minds with the greatest fer- vency of divine love, had not the deplorable impiety of barbarians deprived us of them. Among others of both nm Rng- sexes who continued firm in the army of Christ, and "^y"* suffered, were Alban of Verulam. and Julius and Aaron, both of the City of Legions. 01 these, Alban, out of the See Be<ie*» fervour of his charity, when his confessor, Amphibalus, 1.7.* was pursued by the persecutors, and just ready to be apprehended, first hid him in his house, and then offisred himself to die fmr him ; imitating in this Christ himself, Digitized by Google 90 afiOPPfiSY OF MONMOUTH, who laid down hiB life for hia sheep. The other two, after beii^ torn limb from limb, in a manner miheard of, received the crown of martyrdom, and were elevated up to the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. / CHAPTER VI. AN INaUmiBCTION AGAlNflT ASCLBPT01X>TUB, BY COEL, WHOSE DAUGHTER HELENA CONSlAMlLij JUAiaui:.:i. In ihe meantime Cod, duke of Kaercolvin or Colche s- ter, mad^ an msurrection against King Asclepiodotus, and ill a pitched battle killed him, and took possession of his crown. The senate, hearing this, rejoiced at the king's death, who had given such disturbance to the Roman power : and reflecting on the damage which they had sustained by the loss of this kingdom, they sent Constantius the senator, a man of prudence and courage, who had reduced Spain under their subjection, and who was above all the rest industrious to promote the good of the commonwealth. Coel, having information of his coming, was afraid to engage him in battle, on account of a report, that no king was a])lp to stand before him. Therefore, as soon as Constantius was arrived at the island, Coel sent ambassadors to him with offers of peace and submission, on condition that he should enjoy the kingdom of Britain, and pay no more than the usual tribute to the Roman state. Constantius consented to this proposal, and so, upon their giving hostages, peace was confirmed between them. The month after Coel was seized with a very great sickness, of which he died coMUntiiw within eight days. After his decease, Constantius him- self was crowned, and married the daughter of Coel, whose name was Helena. She suipassed all the ladies of {fie "coGniiy in beauty, as she did all others of the time in her skill in music and the liberal arts. Her father had no other issue to succeed him on the throne ; for which Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTOHY. ^^1^ / 91 reason he was yery careful about her education, that she might be better qualified to govern the kingdoni* Con- stantius, therefore, having made her partner of his bed, had a son by her called Constantine. After eleven years coMtMtiDc. were expired, he died at York, and bestowed the king- duiii upon his son, who, within a few years after he was raised to this dignity, began to give proofs of heroic virtue, undaunted courage, and strict observance of justice tow nrds his people. He put a stop to the depre- dations of robbeis, suppressed the insolence of tyrants, and aideavoured everywhere to restore peace. CHAPTER Vn. TUB ROMANS nieSIRE 00N8TANT1NS^« ASBISTAKCB AGAINST THE CRUELTY OF MAZENTIV8. At that time there was a tyrant at Rome, named nuemiw. Maxentiu8> who made it his endeavour to confiscate the estates of all the best of the nobility, and op- ^ pressed the commonwealth with his grievous tyranny. AV liilst he, therefore, was proceeding in his cruLlty, those that w ere banished fled to Constantine in Jkitain, and were Jionourably entertained by hiin. At last, when a great many such had resorted to him, they endeavoured to raise in him an abhorrence of the t^Tant^ and fre- quently expostulated with him after this manner: — ^ How long, Constantine, will you sufler our distress and banishment t Why do you delay to restore us to our native country ? You arc the only person of our natinii that can restore to us what we have lost, by driving out Maxentius. For what prince is to be com- pared with the king of Britain, either for brave and gallant soldiers, or for large treasures! We entreat you to restore us to our estates, wives, and diildren, by conducting us with an army to Rome." 92 OBOFFBET OP IIONMOUTH. CHAPTER VIII. 00N8TANT1NS, UAVINQ REDUCED SOME, OBTAINS TUB SMPJ&£ OF THB WOBLD. OCTAVXUl, DUKB OP THB WUSBANS, IB PUT TO FUGHT BT TBAHBBN. Co^sTA^TINE, nioved with these and the like speeches, made an expedition to Rome, and reduced it under his power, and afterwards obtained the empire of the whole world. In this expedition he carried along with him three imdes of Helena* viz. Leolin, Tiaheniy and Man riii8» and advanced them to the degree of senatorB. In the mean time Octavius, duke of the Wisseana* rehelled against the Roman proconsuls, to whom the government of the island had been committed, and having killed them, touk pos^session of the throne. Constantine, upon information of this, sent Trahem, the uncle of Helena, with three legions to reduce the island. Trahem came to shore near the city, which in the British tongue is called Kaerperis, and having assailed it, took it in two days. This news spreading over the whole country, King Octavius assembled all the forces of the land, and went to meet him not far from Winchester, in a field called in the British tonp^ue Maisuiiam, where he engaged with him in battle, and routed him. Trahem, upon this loss, betook himself with his broken forces to his ships, and in them made a voyage to Albania, in the provinces of which he made great destruction. When Octavius re- ceived intelligence of this, he followed him with his forces, and encountered him in Westmoriand, but fled, having lost the victory. On the other hand, Trahem, ^vhcn he found the day was his own, pursued Octavius, nor ever suffered liim to be at rest till he had dispos- sessed him both of his cities and crown. Octavius, in great grief for the loss of his kingdom, went with his fleet to Norway, to obtain assiBtance from King Oom- Digitized by Google BBrrisH Rimmr. 93 bert. In the mean time he had given orden» to his meet intimate adherents to watch careliiUy all opportonities of killing Trahern, which accordingly was not long after done by the magistrate of a certain privileged to^Ti, who ha<l a more tluin ordinary love for him. For as Trahem was one day upon a journey from London, he lay hid with a hundred men in the vale of a wood) through which he was to pass, and there fell upon him unawares, and killed him in the midst of his men. This news being brought to Octavius, he retnmed back to Britain, where he dtapenaed the Romans, and recovered the throne. In a short time after this, he arrived to such greatness and wealth that he feared nobody, and j)os- sessed the kingdom until the reign of Gratiau and Va- lentinian. CHAPTER IX. MAXmiAN la lik^lRED lUii A KING OF HUITAIN. At hut, in his 'old age, bdng willing to settle the government, he asked has council which of hiis family they desired to have for their king alter his decease. For he had no son, and only one daughter, to whf^ni he could leave the crown. Some, therefore, advised him to bestow his daughter with the kingdom upon some noble Roman, to the end that they might enjoy a firmer peace. Others were of (pinion that Gonan Meriadoc, his ne- phew, ought to be preferred to the throne, and the daughter married to some prince of another kingdom with a dowry in money. While these things were in agitation among them, tliere eaiiK' Caradoc, duke ofcamdoc. Cornwall, and gave his advice to invite over Maximian the senator, and to bestow the bdy with the kingdom npon him, which would be a means of securing to them a lasting peace. For his father Leolm, the unde of Constantine, ^<mi we mentioned before, was a Briton, but by his mother and place of birth he was a Roman, 94 OnOFFBBT OF MONMOVTB. and by both pajrents he was deeoended of royal blood. And there was a sure proflpect of a firm and aecuie peace under hmi, on aeconnt of the right which he had to Britain by his descent from the emperors, and also from the British blood. But the duke of Cornwall, by delivering this advice, brought upon hiiiiself the dis- pleasure of Conan, the king's nephew, who was very ambitious of succeeding to the kingdom, and pat the whole court into confusion about it. However, Oaradoc, hemg unwilUng to recede from his proposal, sent his son Mauricins to Rome to acqnamt Maximian with what had passed. Mauricius was a person of large and well- proportii iTu (1 stature, as well as great courage and bold- neas, and could not bear to have his judgment contra- dicted without a recourse to arms and duelling. On presenting himself before Maximian, he met with a re- ception suitable to his quality, and had the greatest honours paid him of any that were about him. There happened to be at that time a great contest between Maximian, Maximian and the two emperors, Grratian and Valenti- vaientinian. oian, ou account of his being refused the third part of the empire, which he demanded. When, therefore, Mauricius saw Maximian ill-treated by the emperors, he took occasion from thence to address him in this manner. Why need you, Maximian, stand in fear of Gratian, when you have so &ir an opportunity of wrest- ing the empire from him ! Come with me into Britain, and you shall take possession of that crown. For Kin^ Octavius, being now £rro\vn old and infirm, desires nothing more than to find some such proper person, to bestow his kingdom and daughter upon. He has no male issue, and therefore has asked the advice of his nobility, to whom he should marry his daughter with the kingdom ; and they to his satisfaction have passed a decree, that the kingdom and lady be given to you, and have sent me to acquaint you with it. So that if you go with me, and accomplish this affair, you may with the treasure Digitized by Google BRITISH HiarOBT. ' 95 and forces of Britain be able to return back to Rome, drive out the emperors, and gain the empire to yourself. For in this manner did your kinsman Constantius, and several others of our kings who raised themselves to the empire.'^ CHAPTER X. MAX1.M1AN, COMING INTO UUITAIN, AllTFULLY DECLINES FIGUTLNG WITH CONAN. MAxmuN was pleased with the offi&r, and took his journey to Britain ; but in his way subdued the cities of the 1 raiikh, by which lie amassed a ij-reat treasure of gold and silver, aud raised men for liis service in all parts. Afterwards he set sail with a fair wind, and ar- rived at Hamo's Port ; the news of which struck the king with fear and astoniahment, who took this to be a hostile invasion. Whereupon he called to him his ne- phew Gonan, and commanded him to raise all the forces of the kingdom, and go to meet the enemy. Conan, having made the necessary preparations, iiiiu'ched ac- cordingly to riamo'*s Port, where Maximian had pitched iiis tents ; who, upon seeing the approach of so numerous an army, was under the greatest perplexities what course to take. For as he was attended with a smaller body of men, and had no hopes of being entertained peaceably, he dreaded both the number and courage of the enemy. Under these difficulties he called a council of the oldest men, together with Mauricius, to ask their advice what was to he done at this critical juncture. " It is not for us," said Mauricius, "to hazard a battle with such a numerous and powerful army : neither was the reduction of Britain by arms the end of our coming. Our busi* ness must be to desire peace and a hospitable treatment, till we can learn the king s mind. Let us say that we are sent by the emperors upon an embassy to Octavius, and let us with artful speeches pacify the people." 96 GBOFFRKY OP MONMOUTB. When all had shown themselves pleased with this advice, he took with him twelve aged men with gny haifa, emi- nent beyond the rest for Uieir quality and wisdom, and bearing olive-branches in their right hands, and went to meet Conan. The Britons, seeing they were men of a venerable a^e, and that they bor<^ olive-branches as a token of peace, rose up before them in a respectful man- ner, and opened a way for their free access to their com- mander. Then presenting themselves before Conan Meriadoe, they saluted him in the name of the empersrs and the senate, and told him, that Maximian was sent to Octaviiis npon an embassy from Gratian and Yalen- tinian. Conan made answer ; " \VTiy is he then attended with so <j;T('at a innltitude? This doos not look like the appearance of ambassadors, but the invasion of eaeuiies.^^ To which Maniiciiis replied; ''It did not become so great a man to appear abroad in a mean figare, or with- out soldiers for his guard; especially considering, that by reason of the Roman power, and the actions of his ancestors, he is become obnoxious to many kings. If he had ljut a small retinue, he might perhaps have been killed by the enemies of the commonwealth. He is come in peace, and it is peace which he desires. For from the time of our arrival, our behavioiu: has been such as to give no oflbnce to any body. We have bought necessaries at our own expenses, as peaceable people do, and have taken nothing from any by violence.** While Conan was in suspense, whether to give them peace, or begin the battle, Caradoc, duke of Cornwall, mth. others of the nobility, came to liim, and dissiiafled him from proceeding isx the war after this representation ; where- upon, thou^ much agiunst his will be laid down his arms, and granted them peace. Then he conducted Maximian to London, where he gave the king an account of the whole proceeding. Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. P^it V 9? CHAPTER XL THE KINQDOM OF BRITAIN IS BESSTOWBD ON MAZIMIAN. CMiADoc, after this, taking along with him his son Mauricius, commanded every body to withdraw from tlie king's presencH . and then addressed him in these words. " Behold, that which your more faithM and loyal sub- jects have long wished for, is now by the good proTidenoe of God brought about. You commanded your nobility to give their ad?ioe, how to dispose of your daughter and kingdom, as being willing to hold the goyemment no longer on accoimt of your p^eat age. Some there- fore were for having the kingdom delivered up to Conan your nephew, and a suitable match procured for your daughter elsewhere ; as fearing the ruin of our people, if any prince that is a stranger to our language should be set over us. Others were for gnmting the kingdom to your daughter, and some nobleman of our own coun- try, who should succeed you after your death. But the greater number recommended some person descended of the family of the emperors, on wiiom you should bestow your daughter and crown. For they promibeil theniBelves a firm and lasting peace, as the consequence of such a marriage, since they would be under the pro- tection of the Koman state. See then ! God has vouch- safed to bring to you a young man, who is both a Roman, and also of the royal family of Britain ; and to whom, if you follow my advice, you will not delay to marry your daughter. And indeed, shriidd you refuse him, right could you plead to the crown of Britain against him. For he is the cousin of Constantine, and the nephew of king Goel, whose daughter Helena possessed the crown by an undeniable hereditary right." When Caradoc had represented these things to him, Octavius acquiesced, and with the general consent of his people 98 GBOtFREY OF MONMOUTH. bestowed the kingdom and his daughter upon liim. Coiian Mcriadoc, finding how thmgs went, was beyond expression incenaed, and retiiing into Albania, used all his interest to raise an army, that he might giye d» torbance to Maximiap* And when he had got a great body of men together, he paafled the Hitmber, and msted the provinces on each aide of it. At the news whereof Maximian hastened to assemble his forces against hinif and then gave him battle, and returned with victory. Bat this proved no decisive blow to Conan, who with his re- assembled troops still continue^d to ravaije the provinces, and provoked Maximian to return again and renew the war, in which he had various success, being sometimes victorious, sometimes defeated. At hwt, after great damages done on both sides^ they were brought by the mediation of friends to a reconciliation. CHAPTER XII. MAXUIIAN OVBBTHBOWS THE ARMOBICANfl : BIS flPBHCH TO CONAN. FiYByeais after this, Maximian, prondof the vast trea- sures ihBt daily flowed in upon him, fitted out a great fleet, and assembled together all the forces in Britain. For this kingdom was now not sufficient for him ; he was ambitious of adding Gaul also to it. With this view he set sail, and arrived first at the kingtloui of Ar- morica, now called Bretagne, and began hostilities upou the Gallic people that inhabited it. But the Gauls, under the command Inbaltus, met him, and engaged him in battle, in whidi the greater part being in dan- ger, they were forced to fly, and leave Inbaltus with fifteen Uiousand men killed, all of them Armoricaus. This severe overthrow was matter of the greatest joy to Maximian, who knew the reduction of that country would be very easy, after the loss of so many men. Digitized by Google BRITltH HimRY, 99 Upon this occasion he called Conan aside from the annj, and BDiiling said : — " See, we have already eonqiiered one of the beat kingdoms in Gaul: we may now have hopes of gaining all the rest. Let us make haste to take the citiee and towns, before the mmoor of their danger spread to the remoter parts of Gaul, and raise all the people up in arms. For if we can but get pos- session of this kinpfdoni, I make no doubt of reducinj^ ail Gaul under our power. Be not therefore concerned that you have yielded up the island of Britain to me» notwithstanding the hq>eB yon once had of succeeding to it ; because whatever you have lost in it, I will re- store to you in this country. For my design is to advance you to the throne of thki kingdom ; and this shall be another Britain, which we will people with our own country-men, ami (Irive out the old inhabitants. The land is fruitful in corn, the rivers abound with tish, the woods afford a beautiful prospect, and the forests are everywhere pleasant : nor is there in my opinion any- where a more delightful country." Upon this Conan, with a sulnniaBive bow, gave him his thanks, and pro* mised to continue loyil to him as long as he lived. CHAPTEK XIII. REDONLTM TAKEN BY MAXIMIAN. After this they marched with their forces to Redo- num, and took it the same day. For the citizens^ hear- ing of the bravery of the Britons, and what slaughter they had made, fled away w ith haste, leaving their wives and children behind them. And the rest of the cities amd towns soon followed their example ; so that thei p \\ ns an easy entrance into them for the Britons, who wherever they entered killed all they found left of the male sex, and qfMured only the women. At last, when they had wholly extirpated the inhabitants of all those provincet, h2 100 GBOFFBET OP MONMOUTU* they f^arrlMHicd tho cities and towns with British sol- diers, .'ind made fortifications in several places. The fame of Maximian''s exploits spreading over the rest of the provmeea of Oaul, all their dukea and princes were in a dreadful consternation, and had no other hopes left but in their prayers to thehr gods. They fled everywhere from the villages into the cities and towns, and other places of strencfth and safety. Maximian, findinfir tliat he had struck terror into them, bocrnii to lliiiik of still bolder attempts, and by profusely dintributing presents augmented his army. For all persons that he knew to be eager for plunder, he enlisted into his service, and by plentifully bestowing his money and other valuable things among them, kept them firm to his interest. CHAPTER XIV. MAXiailANT, AFTER THE CONQCTBflT OF OAUt ATTD GERUAmT, MAKES TRIERS Tilt: bJiAT OF Him EMi'iitt. Bt these means he raised such a numerous army, as he thought would be sufilcient for the conquest of all Gaul. Notwithstanding which he suspended his arms for a time, till he had settled the kingdom which he liad taken, and peopled it with iMitons. To this end lie published a decree, for the assembling together of a hundred thousand of the common people of Britain, who were to come over to settle in the country; besidee thirty thousand soldiers, to defend them from hostile Bretagne attsck. As soou 88 the people were arrived accordincr ^^^sh«uiK to his orders, he distributed them through all the coun- tries of Armorica, and made another Britain of it, and then bestowed it on Conan Meriadoc. But he himself, with the rest of his fellow soldiers, marched into the further part of Gaul, which after many bloody battles he subdued, as he did also all Germany, being everywhere victorious. But the seat of his empire he made at Digitized by Google BRITISH H19T0BY. JfyJL / lOl Triers, and feU so furiously upon the two emperors Gratian and Valentjnian, that he killed the one, and forced the other to flee from Rome. CHAPTEE XV. A FiaHT BETWEEN THE AQUITANIAN8 AND OONAK. In the meantime the Gauls and Aquitanians gave dis- turbance to Cionan, and the Armorican Britons, and harassed them with their frequent incursions ; but he as often defeated them, and bravely defended the country committed to him. After he had entirely vanquished tlu 111, ho had a mind to bestow wives on hib Iflhiw sol- diers, by whom they might have issue to kcc[) perpetual possession of the country : and to avoid all mixture with the Gauls, he sent over to the island of Britain for wives for them. In order to accomplish this, messengers were sent to recommend the management of this aflhur to Dianottts, king of Cornwall, who had succeeded his brother Oaradoc in that kingdom. He was a very noble and powerful prince, and to him Maxiuiian liad com- mitted the government, while he was employed in attains abroad. He had also a daughter of wonderful beauty, named Ursuhi, with whom Conan was most passionately in love. CHAPTER XVI. GUANIU8 ANO UBLQA MURDBR ELEVEN THOU8ANO VIB0IN8. HAXIMIAN IS KILLBD AT BOMB. DiANOTus, Upon this message sent him bv Conan, was st. unuia 1 . 1 , 1 , and the very ready to execute his orders, and summoned togetlier *kTen^ttii. the daughters of the nobility from all provinces, to the number of eleven thousand; but of the meaner sort, sixty thousand; and commanded them all to appear together in the city of London. He likewise ordered Digitized by Google 102 OfiOFFIUCT or MONMOUTH. ships to bo brought from all shores, for tlieir transporta- tion to their future husbands. And though in so great a muhitude many were pleaoed with this order^ yet it was diapieaaing to the greater part^ who had a greater afiRdction for their rektionB and native eoimtiy. Nor perhaps were there wanting some, who, preferring vir- ginity to the married state, would have rather lost their lives in any country, than enjoyed the greatest plenty in wedlock. In short, most of them had views and wishes different from one another, had they been left to their own liberty. But now the ships being ready, they went on board, and sailing down the Thames, made towards the sea. At last, as they were steering towards the Armoriean coast, contrary winds rose and dispersed the whole fleet. In this storm the greater part of the ships foundered ; but the women that escaped the danger of the sea, were driven upon strange islands, and by a barbarous people either murdered or made slaves, for they happened to fall into the hands of the cruel army of Guanius and Melga, who by the ccHnniand of Gratian were making terrible destruction in Germany, and the nations on the sea-coast. Guanius was king of the Huns, and Melga of the Plots, whom Gratian had en- gaged in his party, and liad sent into Germany, to hara»B those of Maximian's party along the sea-coa.sts. While they were thus exercising their barbarous rage, they happened to light upon these virgins, who had been driven on those parts, and were so inflamed with tiieir beanty, that they courted them to their brutish embraces; which when the women would not submit to, the Am- brons fell upon them, and without remorse murdered the greatest part of them. This done, the two wicked leaders of the Picts and liuns, Guanius and Mel^^a. beingr the partisans of Gratian and VaJentinian, when they had learned that the island of Britain was drained of all its soldiers, made a speedy voyage towards it ; and taking into their assistance the peofrib of the adjacent Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTOBT 103 islands, arrived m Albania. Then joining in a body, they invaded Uie kingdom, which was left without either goyemment or defenoe, and made miserable destraetion among the common people. For Maximian, as we have already related, had carried away with him all the war- like youth that could be found, and had left behind him only the husbandmen, who liad neither sense nor arms, for the defence of their country. Guanius and Melga, finding that they were not able to make the least oppo- sition, began to domineer most insolently, and to lay waste their cities and countries^ as if they had only been pens of sheep. The news of this grievous calamity coming to Maximian, he sent away Gratian Municeps, with two legions, to their assistance ; who, as soon as they arrived, fought with the enemy, and after a most bloody victor}' over thcni, forced them to fly over into Ireland. In the meantime Maximian was killed at Rome by Gratian *8 friends : and the Britons, whom he had carried with him, were also slain or dispersed. Those of them that could escape, went to thehr oountiy- men in Armories^ which was now called the other Britain. GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK VI. CHAPTEfi I. ORA7IAN, BELNc; ADVANCED TO THE THRONE, IS KILLED BY THE COMMON PEOPLE. THE BRITONS DESIRE THE ROMANS TO DEFEND THEM AGAINST QUANIUS AND MBLOA. BoT Gratian Municeps, hearing of the death of Maximian, seized the crown, and made hiuiscU* king. After this he exercised such tyranny, that the common people fell upon him in a tumultuous manner, and murdered him. When this news reached other countries, their former enemies returned back from Ireland, and Dacianf,f.«. bringing with them the Soots, Norwegians, andDaeiaais, made dreadful devastations with fire and sword over the whole kingdom, from sea to sea. Upon this moat grievous calamity and oppression, ambassadors are dis- patched with letters to Ivunie, to beseech with tears and vows of perpetual sulijcction, that a body of men might be sent to revenge their injuries, and drive out the enemy from them. The ambassadors in a short time prevailed so far, that, unmindful of past injuries, the Romans granted them one legion, which was trans- ported in a fleet to their country, and there speedily encountered the enemy. At last, after the slaughter of a vast multitude of them, they diove them entirely out Digitized by Google BBITISH aiSTOBY. of tlie country, and rescued tlie miserable people from their outrageous cruelty* Then they gave orders for a wall to be built betwe^ Albania and Deira, from one The wau or * Deira sea to the other, for a terror to the enemy^ and safe- guard to the country. At that time Albania was wholly laid waste, by the frequent invasions of barbarous nations ; and whatever ^emies made an attempt upon the country, met with a convenient landing-place there. So that the inhabitants were diliirent in workincf upon the wall, which they finished partly at the public, partly upon private charge. GDBTHBLEN^S SPEECH TO THE BRITONS, AT THE BOMANS BBTUBNINO HOME. TnE Romans, al ter this, declared to the Britons, that they should not be able for the future to undergo the &tigae of such laborious expeditions; and that it was beneath the dignity of the Roman state to harass so great and brave an army, both by land and sea, against base and vagabond robbers ; but that they ought to apply themselves to the use of arms, and to fight bravely in defending to the utmost of their power, their country, riches, wives, children, and, what is dearer than all these, their hberty and lives. As soon as they had given them this exhortation, they commanded all the men of the isknd, that were fit for war, to appear together at Lon- don, because the Romans were about to return home. When, therefore, they were ail assembled, Gruethelin, the metropolitan of London, had orders to make a speech to them, which he did in these words : — " Though I am apiJuinted by the princes here present to speak to you, I find myself rather ready to burst into tears, than to make an eloquent oration. It is a most sensible affliction to me to observe the weak and desti- CHAPTER II. Digitized by Google 106 QBOFPBBT OF MONMOUTH tute state into which you are fallen since Maximian drew away with him all the forces and youth of this kingdom* Yott that were left were people wholly inexperienced in war, and occupied with other employments, as tilling the ground, and several kinds of mechanical trades. So that when yonr enemies from foreign countries came upon you, as sheep wandering without a shepherd, they forced you to quit your folds, till the Jvoman jjow^er restored you to them again. Must your hopes, therefore, always depend upon foreign assistance! And will you never use yourselves to handle anns against a band of robbers, that are by no means stronger than yourselves, if you are not dispirited by sloth and cowardice ! The Romans are now tired ^th the continual voyages wherewitk they are harassed to defend you against your enemies : they rather choose to remit to you. the tribute you pay them, than undergo any longer this fatigue by land and sea. Because you were only the common people at the time when we had soldiers of our own, do you therefore think that manhood has quite forsaken you } Are not men in the course of human generation often the reverse of one another! Is not a ploughman often the father of a soldier, and a soldier of a ploughman ? Does not the same diversity happen in a mechanic and a soldier? Since then in this manner one produces another, I caimot think it possible for manhood to be lost among them. As then you are men, behave yourselves like men: Gall i^n the name of Christ, that he may in- spire you with courage to defend your liberties.^ No sooner had he concluded his speech, than the people raised such a shout, that one would have thought them on a sudden inspired with courage from heaven. Digitized by Google BBITI8H HUTORT. Vl i 107 CHAPTER III. THE BBITONS ARE AGAIN CRUELLY MARAB^ED BY GUAN1U8 AND MRLGA. After tliis the Romans encouraged the timorous people as much as they could, and left them patterns of their arms. They hkewise commanded towers, havmg a profipect towards the sea, to be placed at proper dish tances all along the south coast, where their ships were, and from whence thej feared the mTasioiis of the bArba> rians. But, aecOTding to the proverb, It u etsier to make a hawk of a kite, than a scholar of a ploughman all learning to him is hut as a pearl thrown before swine. Thus, no sooner had the Romans taken their farewell of them, than the two leadei*s, Guanius and Melga, issued forth from their ships, in which they had fled over into Ireland, and with their bands of Scots, Picts, Norwe- gians^ Dadans, and others, whom thej had brought along with them, seized upon all Albania as Ikr as the very waO. Undefstanding, likewise^ thai the Romans were gone, never to return any more, they now, in a more insolent manner than before, begin their devastar tions in the island. Hereupon the country fellows upon the battlements of the walls sat night and day with quaking hearts, not daring to stir from their seats, and readier for flight than making the least resistance. In the mean time the enemies ceased not with their hooks to pull them down headlong, and dash the wretched hei!d to pieces upon the ground ; who gained at least this advantage by their speedy death, that they avoided the sight of that most deplorable calamity, which forthwith threatened their relations and dearest children. Such was the terrible vengeance of God for iliat most wicked madness of Maximian, in draining the kingdom of all its forces, who, had they been present, would have repulsed 108 GEOPniEY OF MONMOUTH. any nation that invaded them ; au evident proof of which they gave, by the vast conquests they made abroad, even in remote coimtries; and also by main- taining their own country in peace» while they continued here. But thus' it happens when a country is left to the defence of country clowns. In short, quitting their high wall and tlieir cities, the country people are forced again to fly, and to suffer a more fatal dispersion, a more furious pursuit of the enemy, a more cruel and more general slaughter than before; and like Iambs before wolves, so was that miserable people torn to pieces by the merciless barbarians. Again, therefore, the wretched remainder send letters to Agitius, a man of great power among the Romans, to this effect. ^To QrjBUiHk Agitius, thrice consul^ the groans of the Britons." And aftei- some few other complaints they add : " The sea drives us to the barbarians, and the baibariaus drive us back to the sea: thus are we tossed to and fro between two kinds of death, being either drowned or put to the sword.^* Notwithstanding this most moving address, they procured no relief, and the ambassadors returning back in great heaviness, decUwed to their countrymen the repulse which they had sulfered. CHAPTEK IV. GUSTRIUN DBBIBSa SUCCOURS OF ALDBOEN. Hereupon, after a consultation together, Ouethelin, archbishop of London, passed over into lesser Britain, called then Armorica, or Letavia, to desue assistance of their brethren. At that time Aldroen reigned there, being the fourth king from Conan, to whom, as has been already related, Maximian had given that kinfr- dom. This prince, seeing a prelate of so great dignity arrived, received him with honour, and inquired after the occasion of his coming. To whom Ouethelin : — Digitized by Google BEITI8H HnrroBT.V 109 " Your Majesty caa be no stranger to the misery which we, your Britons, have suffered (which may even demand your tears,) since the time that Maximian drained our idand of its soldiers, to people the kingdom which you enjoy, and which God grant you may long enjoy in peace. For against us the poor remains of the British race, all the people of the adjacent islands, have risen up, and made an utter devastatiuu in our country, which then abounded with all kinds of riches ; so that the people now are wholly destitute of all manner of sus- tenance, but what they can get in hunting. Nor had we any power or knowledge of military affiurs left among us to encounter the enemy. For the Romans are tired of us, and have absolutely refused their assistance. So that now, deprived uf all other hope, wo cdine to implore yonr clemency, that you would funiibh us with forces, and protect a kingdom, which is of right your own, from the incursions of barbarians. For who but yourself ought, without your consent, to wear the crown of Ck>n- stantine and Maximian, dnce the right your ancestora had to it is now devolved upon you! Prepare then your fleet, and go with me. Behold! I deliver the kingdom of Britain into your hands." To this Aldroen made answer : " There was a time formerly when I would not have refused to accept of the island of Britain, if it had been offered me ; for I do not think there was anywhere a more fruitful countiy while it enjoyed peace and tranquillity. But now, since the calamities that have befallen it, it is become of less value, and odious both to me and all other princes. But above all things the power of the Romans was so destructive to it, that nobody could enjoy any settled state or authority in it, without loss of liberty, and bearing the yoke of slavery under them. And who would not prefer the possession of a lesser country with liberty, to all the riches of that island in servitude! The kingdom that is now under my subjection I enjoy 110 GEOFFREY OF AiONMOUTU. with honour, and without paying homage to any supe- rior ; so that I prefer it to all other countries, since I can govern it without being controlled. Nevertheless, out of respect to the right that my ancestois for many generations have had to yonr island, I deliver to you my brother Conatantine with two thousand men, that with the good providence of Ood, he may free your country team the inroads of barbarians, and obtain the crown for himself. Tor I liave a brother called by that name, who is an expert soldier, and in all other respects an accomplished man. If you please to accept of him, I will not refuse to send him with you, together with the said number of men ; for indeed a larger number I do not mention to you, because I am daily threatened with disturbance froim the Gauls.^ He had scarcely done speaking before the archbishop returned him thanks, and when Constantuie was called in, broke out into these expressions of joy : " Christ conquers ; Christ commanrls; Christ reigns: behold the king of desolate Britain i Be Christ only present, and behold our de- fence, our hope and joy."" In shorty the ships being got ready, the men who were chosen out from aU parts of the kingdom, were delivered to Gnethelin. CHAPTER V. CONflTANTIITS, BEING MADB KINO OP BRITAIN, LBAVES THREE SONS. When they had made all necessary preparations, they •mhariced, and arrived at the port of Totnees; and then without dehy assembled together the youth that was left in the isfamd, and encountered the enemy ; over whom, by the merit of the holy prelate, they obtained the vic- tory. After this the Britons, before dispersed, flocked together from all parts, and in a council held at Silcestre, promoted Constantine to the throne, and there performed Digitized by Google BKITISH HUTOBT. V / 111 the ceremony of his coronation. They also married him to a lady, descended from a noble Eoman family, whom Archbishop Guethelin had educated, and by whom the king had afterwards three sons, named Constans, Aurelius Ambrodus, and Uther Pendragon. Constans, \v}io vviu^ the eldest, he deHvered to the church of Am- phibahis in Winchester, that he micfht there take upon him the monastic order. But the other two, viz. Aure- lius and Uther, he committed to the caie of Guethelin for their education. At last, after ten years were ex* pired, there came a certain Pict» who had entered in his service, and under pretence of holding some private dis- ooviTse with him, in a nurser} of young trees where no- body was present, stabbed him with a dagger. CON8TAN8 IS BT VORTEGIRN CROWNED KING OF BRITAIN. Upon the death of Ccmstantine, a dissension arose among the nobility, about a successor to the throne. Some were for setting up Aurelius Ambrodus; others Uther Pendragon; others ai^aia some other persons of the royal family. At la^st, when they could come to no conclusion, Vortegim, consul of the Gewisseaus, who vortigeni. himself very ambitious of the crown, went to Con- stans the monk, and thus addressed himself to him. You see your fiipther is dead, and your brotiierB on account of thdr age are incapable of the government; neither do I see any of your family besides yourself, whom the people ou^lit to promote to the kingdom. If you will therefore follow my advice, I will on condition of your increasing my private estate, dispose the ])L'opIe to favour your advancement, and free you from that habit, notwithstanding that it is against the rule of your cffder.^ OoDstans, oveijoyed at the proposal, promised, wiih an oath, that upon these terms he would grant him CHAPTEJR VI. 112 GSOPFBBT OF MONMOUTH. whatever he would desu*e. Then Vortegini took him, and investing him in his regal habiliments, conducted him to London, and made him king, though not with the free consent of the people. Archbishop Gruethelin was then dead, nor was there any other that durst perform the ceremony of his unction, on account of his having quitted the monastic order. However, this proved no • hindrance to his coronation, for Vortegim himself per- formed the ceremony instead of a bishop. CHAPTER VIL VOBTEGIBN TREACUKROL.SLY CONTRIVES TO GET KING CONSTANS ASSilBSINATED. CoNGrTANs, beirtg thus advanced, committed the whole ' government of the kingdom to Vortcjrirn, and sur- * rendered himself up so entirely to his counsels, that he did nothing without his order. His own incapacity for government obliged him to do this, for he had learned ' any thing else rather than state affiurs within his cloister. Vortegim became sensible of this, and there* fore began to deliberate with himself what course to . take to obtain the crown, of which he had been before extremely ambitious. He saw thai now was his proper time to gain his end easily, when the kingdom was wholly intrusted to his management ; and Constans, who bore the title of king, was no more than the shadow of ^ one; for he was of a soft temper, a bad judge in matteiB of right, and not in the least feared, either by his own people, or by the nei^bouring states* And as for his two brothers, Uther Pendragon and Aurelius Ambrosius, they were only children in their cradles, and therefore incapable of the government. There was likewise this farther misfortune, that all the older persons of the nobility were dead, so that Vortegim seemed to be the only man surviving, that had crafty policy, and expe- Digitized by Google BHiniH HISTORY, i/ i 113 rience in matters of state ; and all the rest in a maimer children, or raw youtba, who only inherited the honourB of their parents and rdations that had been killed In the former wars. Vort^ini, finding a concorrenee of so many favourable oircumstanoeB, contrived how he might easily and cunningly depose Constans the liiouk, and immediately establish himself in his place. But in order to do this, he waited until he had first well established his power and interest in several countries. He therefore petitioned to have the king's treasures, and his fortified citiee^ in his own custody ; pretending • there was a rumour, that the neighbourii^ islanders designed an invasion of the kingdom. This being granted him, he placed his own creatures in those cities, to secure them for himself. Then having formed a scheme how to execute his treasonable desij^ns, he went to the kinof, and represented to him the necessity of augmenting the number of his domestics, that he might more safely oppose the invasion of the enemy. Have not I left all things to your diiq;KMsal!^ said Constans : Do what you will as to that^. so that they be but fiuthful to me.^ Vortegim replied, ^^I am informed that the Picts are going to bring the Dacians and Nor- wegians in upon us, with a design to give us very great annoyance. I would therefore advise you, and in my opinion it is the best course you can take, that you maintain some Picts in your court, who may do you good service among those of that nation. For if it is true that they are preparing to begin a lebellidn^ you may employ thw as spies upon their countrymen in their plots and stratagems, so as easily to escape them.^ This was the dark treason of a secret enemy; for he did not recommend this out of regard to the safety of Constans, but because he knew the Picts to be a giddy people, and ready for all manner of wirkr<Iiie?;s ; m that in a fit of drunkenness or passion, they might easily be incensed against the king, and make no scruple 114 oaomunr op mohmooth to aMsrinate him. And sncli an acddent, when it should happen, would make an open way for hk accea- mm to the throne, which he so often had in view. HoreujKjn he dispatched messengers into Scotlaml, with an invitation to :i hundred Pictish soldiers, whom ac- cordingly he received into the king's household; and when admitted, he showed them more respect than ail the rest of the domestics, by making them several preaenta, and allowing them a luxnriona table, insomuch that they looked upon him aa the king. So great was the regsffd they had for him, that they made songs of him about the streets, the subject of which was, that Vortegim deserved the government, deserved the sceptre of Britain ; but that Constans was unworthy of it. This encouraged V^ortegirn to show them still more favour, in order the more firmly to engage them in his interest ; and when by these practices he had made them entirely his creatures, he took an opportunity, when they were drunk, to teU them, that he was going to retire out of Britain, to see if he could get a better estate ; for the small revenue he had then, he said, would not so much as enable him to maintain a retinue of fifty men. Then putting on a look of sadnes«i, he witlidrew to his own apartment, and left them drinking in the hall. The Picts at this sight were in inexpressible sorrow, as thinking what he had said was true, and murmuring said one to another, " Why do we suflbr this monk to Hve! Why do not we kill him, that Vortegim may enj ( ) y hia crown ? Who Is so fit to succeed as he! A man so generous to us is worthy to rule, and deserves all the honour and dignity that we can bestow upon him." Digitized by Google BRITIflH HISTORY. CHAPTER VIII. if^^ ^ * A0BEUUS AMBROBIUS AND UTHSB FBNDBAQON FLEE FROM TOBTBOIBN, AMD GO TO LESSER BRITAIN. After this, breaking into Constaas's bed-chamber, they fell upon Imn and killed him, and carried his head to Vortegim. At the sight of it, he put m a moumfiil count^iance, and burst forth into tears, though at the same time he was ahnost transported with joy. How- ever, he summoned together the citizens uf [London, (for there the fact was committed,) and commanded all the assassins to be bound, and their heads to be cut off for this abominable parricide. In the meantime there were some who had a suspicion, that this piece of vil- lany was wholly the contrivance of Vortegim, and that the Picts were only ins instruments to execute it. Others agun as positively asserted his innocence. At last the matter being left in doubt, those who had the care of the two brothers, Aurelius Ambrosius, and Uther Pendragon, fled over with them into Lesser Britain, for fear of being killed by Yortegirn. There they were kindly received by King Budes, who took care to give them an education suitable to their royal birth. CHAPTER IX, TORTBOIBN MAKES HIMBELP KING OF BRITAIN. Now Vortegim, seeing nobody to rival him in the vortegi kingdom, placed the crown on his own head, and thus aSS, gained the pre-eminence over all the rest of the princes. At last his treason being discovered, the people of the adjacent islands, whom the Picts had brought into Albania, made insurrection against him. For the Picts were enraged on account of the death of their I 2 116 GBOFFRKY OF MOVMODTII. fbHow-floldien* who had been Bhin for the murder of Constans, and endeavoured to revenge that injury upon him. Vortegim therefore was daily in great distress, and lost a considerable pai 1 of his array in the war with them. He had likewise no less trouble from another quarter, for fear of Aurelius Ainbrosius, and his brother Uther Pendragon, who, as we said before, had fled, on hia aecount, into Lesser Britain. For he heard it nimonred day after day^ that they had now aitived at man's estate^ and had buOt a vast fleet, with a design to return back to the kingdom, which was thdr midoubted right. CHAPTER X. VORTBGIBN TAKB8 THB SAXONS THAT WSRB ITBW-OOMEBS, TO HIS ASSISTANCE. In the meantime there arrived in Rent three bri- gandines, or long galleys, fall of armed men, under the command of two brothers, Horsns and Hengist. Vor- tegim was then at Dorobcrnia, now Canterbury, which city he used often to visit; and being infornud of the arrival of some tall strangers in large ships, lie ordered that they should be received peaceably, and conducted into his presence. As soon as they were brought before him, he cast his eyes upon the two brothers^ who excelled all the rest both in nobility and graceftilness of person ; and having taken a view of the whole company, asked them of what country they were, and what was the occasion of their coming into his kingdom. To whom Hengist (whose years and wisdom entitled him to a precedence), in the name of the rest, made the following answer Most noble king, Saxony, which is one of the countries of Germany, was the place of our birth ; and the occasion of our coming was to olfer our service to you or some other prince. For we were driven out of Digitized by Google BRITISH HI0XORT. 117 our native country, for no other reason, but that the laws of the kingdom required it. It is custonuiiy amoDg us, that when we come to be oyenstocked with people, our princes from all the provinoes meet together, and command all the youth of the kingdom to assemble before them ; then casting lots, they niake choice of the strongest and ablest of them, to go into foreign nations, to procure themselves a subsistence, and free their native country £n)m a superfluous multitude of people. Our country, therefore, being of late oyerstocked, our princes met, and after having cast lots, made choice of the youth which you see in your presence^ and have obliged us to obey the custom that has been established of old. And us two brothers, Hengist and Ilorsus, they made generals over them, out of respect to our ancestors, who enjoyed the same honour. In obedience, therefore, to the laws so long established, we put out to sea, and under the good guidance of Mereuiy have arrived in your kingdom. The king, at the name of Mercuiy, looking earnestly upon them, asked them what religion they professed. " We worship," replied Hengist, " our country gods, Saturn and Jupiter, and the other deities tliat govern the world, but especially Mercury, whom in our lan- guage we call Woden, and to. whom our ancestors con- secrated the fourth day of the week, still called after his name Wodensday. Next to him we woKship the ^<^^°^^^ poweiful goddess, Frea, to whom they also dedicated aB^nMAy. the sixth day, which after her name we call Friday.^ Vortegim replied, " For your credulity, or rather in- credulity, I am much grieved, but I rejoice at your arrival, which, whether by God's providence, or some other agency, happens very seasonably for me in my present difficulties. For I am oppressed by my enemies on every side, and if you will engage with me m my wars, I will entertain yon honourably in my kingdom, and bestow upon you lands and other possessicHiB." The Digitized by Google 118 OBOFFRST OP MONMOUTB. barbarians readily accepted his offer, and the agree- ment between them being ratified, they resided at his court Soon after this, the PietS) issuing forth from Albania, with a very great army, b^^an to lay waste tlie northern parts of the island. When Vortegim had information of it, he assembled his forces, and went to meet them beyond the I lumber. Upon their engaging, the battle proved very fierce on both sides, though there was but little occasion tor the Britons to exert themselves, for the Saxons fought so bravely, that the enemy, formerly so victorious, were speedily put to flight. CHAPTER XL HEKOIST BRINGS OVER OREAT NUMBERS OF SAXONS niTO BRITAIN: HIS CRAFTT PEnTION TO TOBTBGIBN. VoBTEOiBN, therefore, as he owed the vitetory to them, increased his bounty to them, and gave their general, Uengist, large possessiona of land in Lindeaia, for the suhsistenoe of himself and his fellow-soldiers. Hereupon Hengist, who was a man of experience and subtilty, finding how much interest he had with the king, addressed him in this manner ; — " Sir, your ene- mies Efive you disturbance from all quarters, and few of your subjects love you. They all threaten you, and say, they are going to bring over Aurelius Am- brosius from Armorica, to depose you, and make him king. If you please, let us send to our country to invite over some more soldiers, that with our forces increased we may be better able to oppose them. But there is one thing which I would desire of your cle- mency, if 1 lid not fear a refusal." Vortegirn made answer : Send your messengers to Germany, and invite over whom you please, and you shall have no refusal from me in whatever you shall desire." Hengist, with a low bow, returned him thanks, and said, The pos- * Digitized by Google BRITISH UldTOKY. 11^ seflfflfms wlueh you have gi> en me in land and houses are wry large, but you have not yet done lue that lioiKKii- N\hich becomes my station and biith, Ixu-ausv, among other things, I should have had some town or city granted me, that I might be entitled to grettter esteem among the nobility of your kingdom. I ought to have been made a consul or prince, since my ai^ cestors enjoyed both those dignities." — It is not in my power," replied Vortegim, '*to do you so much honour, because you are strangers and j a^ms ; neither am I yet so far acquainted with your maiujers and cus- toms, as to set you upon a level with my natural born subjects. And indeed, if I did esteem you as my subjects^ I should not be forward to do so, because the nobility of my kingdom would strongly dissuade me from it." — Give your senrant," said Hengist» " only so much ground in the pbMse you have assigned me, as I can encompass with a leathern thong, for to build a fortress upon, as a place of retreat if occasion should require. For I will always be faithful to you, as I have been hitherto, and pursue no other design iu the request which I have made.'' With these words the king was prevailed upon to grant him his petition ; and ordered him to dispatch messengeiB into Germany, to invite more men over speedily to his assistance. Hengist im- mediately executed his orders, and taking a bulTs hide, made one thong out of the whole, with which he en- coMij assed a rocky place tliat he liad caicfully made choice of, and within that circuit began to build a castle, which, when finished, took its name from the thong wherewith it had been measured; for it was afterwards called, in the British tongue, Kaercoirei ; ia. Saxon Thaacastre, that is, Thong Castle. 120 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTII. CHAFTEK XII. VORTEGIRN JllAUtUEd BOWEN, TUK DAUQUTJSR OF URNQIST. In the meantime the meesen^irers reiurned from Germany, with eighteen ships lull of the best soldiers they could iz:et. They also brought along with them Rowen, the daughter of Hengist, one of the most Th« igiy accomplished beauties of that age. After their arrival, Hengist invited the king to his houses to view his new buildings, and the new soldiers that were come over. The king readily accepted of h]» invitation, but pii- vately, and having highly commended the magnificenGO of the sti-ucturc, enlisted the men into his service. Here he was entertained at a royal banquet ; and when that was over, the young lady came (»nt of her chamber bearing a golden cup i'ull of wine, with which she ap- proached the king, and making a low courtesy, said to him, ^'Laverd king wacht heilT^ The king, at the sight of the lady^s lace, was on a sudden both surprised and inflamed vnth her beauty ; and calling to his inter- preter, asked him what she said, and what answer he slioukl make her. " She called you ' Royal lord,' " said the intei |»i oter, and offered to drink your health. Your answer to her niust be Drinc heil ! *" Vortegim accordingly answered " Drinc heil I " and bade her drink ; after which, he took the cup from her hand, kissed h^, and drank himself. From that time to this, it has been the custom in Britain, that he who drinks to any (me says Wacht heil and he that pledges him, answers " Drinc heil Vortegirn being now drunk with the variety of liquors, the devil took this opportunity to enter into his heart, and to make him in love with the damsel, so that he became suitor to her father for her. It was, I say, by the devil's entering into his hearty that he who was a Christian, should fall in love with a pagan. Digitized by Google BBITI8H BUTOBT. 121 By tliis example, Hengist, being a prudent man, dis- covered the king's levity, and consulted with his brother HorsnSy and the other aneient men present, what to do in relation to the king*s request. They unanimously advised him to give him his daughter, and in considera- tion of her to demand the province of Keut. Accord- ingly the daughter was without delay delivered to Vor- tegirn, and the provincii of Kent to Hengist, without the knowledge of Gorangan, who had the government of it. The king the same night married the pagan lady, and became extremely dehghted with her ; by which he quickly brought upon himself the hatred of the nobility, and of his own sons. For he had abready three sons, whose names were Vortimer, Katigem, and Pasceutius. THE BISHOPS, GERMAN US AND LUPUS, RESTORE THE CHRIS- TIAN FAITH THAT HAD BEEN COKRUPTED IN BRITAIN. OCTA AND £BlddA ARE FOUR TIMES ROUTED BY VORTIMEa. At that time came St. Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, ^^^^ and Lupus, bishop of Troyes, to preach the Gospel to the p«»« Britons. For the Christian faith had been corrupted among them, partly by the pagans wliom the king had brought into society with them, partly by the Pelagian heresy, with the poison whereof they had been a long time infected. But by the preaching of these holy men, the tme fiuth and worship was again restored^ the many miracles they virrouglit giving success to their labours. Gildas has in his elegant treatise given an account of the many miracles God wrought by them. The king being now, as we have said, possessed of the lady, Hengist said to him : As I am your father, I claim the right of being your counsellor: do not therefore slight my advice^ since it is to my countrymen yon must owe the conquest of all your enemies. Let us invite over my CHAPTEK XIII. Digitized by Google 122 OBOFFBET OF MONMOUTH. 8on Octa, and his brother Ebissa, who are brave sol- diers, and give them the countries that are in the nor- them parts of Britain, by the wall, between Deira and Albania. For they will hinder the inroads of the hat- barianB, and so you shall enjoy peace on the other side of the Hiimber.^ V ortegum complied with his request, and ordered them to invite over whomsoever they knew able to assist him. Iiniiiediately upon the receipt of this message, came Octa, Kbissa, and Cherdich, with three hundred ships filled with soldiers, who were all kindly received by Vortegim, and had ample presents made them. For by their assistance he vanquished his ene* mies^ and in every ei^gement proved victorious. Hen- gbt in the meantime continued to invite over more and more ships, and to augment hn numbers daily. Which when the Britons observed, tliey were afraid of being betrayed by them, and iiiuved the king to banish them out of his coasts. For it was contrary to the rule of the Gospel, that Christians should hold fellowship, or have any intercourse, with pagans. Besides which, the number of. those that were come over waa now so great, that they were a terror to his subjects ; and nobody could now know who was a pagan, or who a Christian, since pagans married the daughters and kinswomen of Christians. These things they represented to the king, and endeavoured to dissuade him from entertaining them, lest they might by some treacherous conspi- racy prove an overmatch for the ^tive inhabit- ants. But Vortegirn, who loved them above all other nations on account of his wife, was deaf to thdr advice. For this reason the Britons quickly desert him, and unanimously set up Vortimer his son for their king; who at their instigation began to di j\c out the barbsr rians, and to make dreadfui incm'sions upon tliem. Four battles he fought with them, and was victorious in all : TbeDffirani. the first upon the river Derwent ; the second upon the ford of Epif&od, where Horsus and Katigem, another Digitized by Google BBITUH HimRY. 123 son of Vortegirn, met, and after a sharp encounter killed each other ; the third upon the sea-shore, where the enemies fled shamefiilly to their ships, aad betook them- selves for refuge to the Isle of Tbanet. But Yoitimer laie or besieged them there, and daily distressed them with his fleet. And when they were no longer able to bear the aasiiults of the Britons, they sent King Vortegirn, who was present with them in all those wars, to his son Vor- timer, to desire leave to depart, and return back safe to Crermany. And while a conference upon this subject was being held, they in the meantime went on board their long galleys, and leaving their wives and children behind them, returned back to Geimany. CHAPTER XIV. VOBTIMER's KnTDNBSS TO SIB SOLDnSBS AT HIS DEATH. VoRTiMsa, after this great success, began to restore vartincr. his subjects to their possessions which had been tsken from them, and to show them all marks of his affection and esteem, and at the instance of St. Gennanus to re- build their churches. But his goodness quickly stirred up the enmity of the devil ajjainst him, who entering into the heart of his stepniothei- Ivowen, excited her to contrive his death. Jb'or this purpose she consulted with the poiBoners, and procured one who was intimate with him, whom she corrupted with large and numerous pre- sents, to give him a poisonous draught ; so that this briftve soldier, as soon as he had taken it, was seized with a sudden illness, that deprived him of all hopes of life. Hereupon he forthwith ordered all his men to come to him, and having shown them how near he was to his end, distributed among them all the treasure his pre- decessors had heaped up, and endeavoured to comfort them in their sorrow and lamentation for him, telling them, he was only going the way of all flesh. But he Digitized by Google QBOfFREY OF MONMOUTH exborted those brave. and warlike young men, who had attended hiiu in all his victories, to persist courageously in tphe defence of their country against all hostile inva- sion ; and with wonderful greatness of mind, commanded a brazen pyramid to be placed in the port where the Saxons used to land, and his body when dead to be bu- ried on the top of it, that the sight of his tomb might frighten back the barbarians to Germany. For he said lione of them would dare approach the coiintr}', that should but get a siofht of his tomb. Such \\as the admi- rable bravery of this great man, who^ as he had been a twTor to them while living, endeavoured to be no less so when dead. Notwithstanding which, he was no sdcmer dead, than the Britons had no regard to his orders, but ^ buried him at London. « CHAPTER XV. HBNG18T, HAVIKO WICKEDLY MURDERED THE PRINCES OF BRITAIN, KEEPS VORTEGIRN PRISONER. VoRTBaiRN, after the death of his son, was again re- stored to the kingdom, and at the request of his wife sent messengers into Germany to Hengist, -mih an invi- tation to return into Britain, but privately, and with a small retinue, to }>roveut a quarrel between the bar- barians and his subjects. But Hengist, hearing that Vortimer was dead, raised an army of no less than three hmidred thousand men, and fitting out a fleet returned with them to Britain. When Vort^;im and the nobi- lity heard of the arrivsl of so vast a multitude, they were immoderately incensed, and after consultation to- gether, resolved to fight them, and drive them from their coasts. Hengist, being informed of their design by nies- sonfrers sent from his daughter, immediately entered into deliberation what course to pursue against them. After several stratagems had been considered^ he judged, it Digitized by Google BRITMB mSTORY* most feaBible, to impose upon the nation by making a show of peace. With this view he sent ambaaBadon to the king, to declare to him^ that he had not brought so great a number of men, for the purpose either of staying with hhu, or offering any vlolonce to the country. But the reason why he brought them, was because he thought Yortimer was yet living, and that he ahould have .occa- sion for them against him, in case of an assault. Butr now since he no longer doubted of his being dead, he . submitted himself and his people to the disposal of Vor- tegim ; so that he might retain as many of them as he should think fit, and whomsoever he rejected, Hcngist would allow to return back without delay to Germany. And if these terms pleased Vortegim, he desind him to appoint a time and place for. their meeting, and ad- justing matters according to his pleasure. When these things were represented to the kmg, he was mightily pleased, as being very unwillmg to part with Hengist ; and at last ordered his subjects and the Saxons to meet upon the calends of May, which were now very near, at' the monastery of Ambrius, for the settling of the mat- ters above mentioned. The ap| (mitiiK nt being agreed to on both sides, Hengist, with a new design of villany in his head, ordered his soldiers to carry every one of them a long dagger under their garments ; and while the conference should be held with the Britons, who would have no suspicion of them, he would give them this word of command, Nemet oure Saxas ;^ at winch moment they were all to be ready to seize boldly every one his next man, and with his drawn dagger stab him. A ccordingly they all met at the time and place appointed, and began to treat of peace ; and when a fit opportu- nity offered for executing his villany, Hengist cried out, Nemet cure Saxas," and the same instant seized V orw tegim, and held him by his doak. The Saxons, txpon the signal given, drew their daggers, and falling upon the princes, who little suspected any such design, assas- 126 GBOFFRET OP MONMOUTH. Binated them to the number of four hundred and sixty liaions and consuls ; to whose bodies St. Eldad after- gave Christian burial, not far firom Kaercaiadane, flaUiimry. uow Salisbury, in a burying place near the monastery of Arabrius, the abl>ot, wiio was the founder of it. For they all came without armSj havincr no thoughts of any- thing but treating of peace; which gave the others a fiurer opportunity of exerdong their viUanous design against them. But the pagans did not escape un- punished while they acted this wickedness; a great number of them being killed during this massacre of their enemies. For the Britons, taking up clubs and stones from the ground, resolutely defended themselves^ and did good execution upon the traitors. CHAPTER XVL ET-DOl'8 valiant exploit. IIF.N'GTST FORCE!? YORTEGIRX TO YIELD UP THE STRONGEST F0RTIFICATI02ifi IN BRITAIN, IN 00N8IDBBATI02T OF HIS BBLEASE. There ^\a.^ jnesent one Eklol, consul of Gloucester, who, at the sight of this treachery, took up a stake which he happened to find, and with that made liis defence. Every blow he gave carried death along with it; and by breaking either the head, anus, shouldets, or legs of a great numy, he struek no snull terror into the traitors, nor did he move from the spot before he had killed with that weapon seventy men. But being no longer able to stand his ground against such num- bers, he made his escape from them, and retired to his own city. Many fell on both sides, but the Saxons got the victory ; because the Britons, having no suspicion of treachery, came unarmed, and therefore made a weaker defence. After the commkslon of this detest- able villany, the Saxons would not kill Vortegirn ; but having threatened him with death and bound him, de- Digitized by Google BBrrim hirort. 127 manded fak cities and fortified places in conaidemtion of their grantmg him his life. He, to secure himself, denied them nothing ; and when they had made him coiillrni his grants with an oath, they released him from his chains, and then marched first to London, which they took, as they did afterwards York, Lmcoin, and Winchester ; wasting the countries through which they passed, and destroying the people, as wolves do sheap when left by their shepherds. When Vortegim saw the desolation which they made, he retired into the parts of Cttmbria» nol knowing what to do against an barbarous a people. CHAPTER XVIL YOBTEGIRN, ATTEB OONSULTATTON WTTH MAGICIANS, ORDERS A YOUTH TO BE BROUGHT IHAT NEVER HAD A FATllKli. At last he had recourse to magicians for their advice^ and commanded them to tell him what course to take. They advised him to huild a very strong tower for his own safety, since he had lost all his other fortified places. AccdrdincTly he made a progress about the country, to find out a convenient situation, and came at last to Mount Erir, where he assembled workmen from several countries, and ordered them to build the tow^. The huilders, therefore* began to lay the foundation; but whatever they did one day the earth swallowed up the next, so as to leave no appearance of their work. Vortegirn being informed of this, again consulted with his magicians concerning the cause of it, who told him that he iiiiist find out a youth that never had a father, and kill him, and then sprinkle the stones and cement with his blood; for by those means, they said, he would have a firm foundation. Hereupon messengers are forthwith dispatched away over all the provuuses, to inquire out such a man. In their travels they came to 128 OBOFFRRT OF MONMOUTH. a city, called afterwardB Kaermerdm, where they saw some yoiing men, playmg before the gate, and went up to them; Imt bemg weary with their journey, they sat down in the ring, to see if they could meet with what they were in quest of. Towards evening, there hap- pened on a sudden a quarrel between two of the young men, whose names were ^lerlin and Dabutius. In the Mcriin. dilute, Dabutius said to Merlin : You fool, do you presume to quarrel with me ? Is there any equality in oar birth! I am deseeded of royal race, botli by my fitther and mother's side. As for you, nobody knows what you are, for you never had a father.'* At that word the messengers looked earnebtl} upon Merlin, and asked the by-standers wlio he was. They told him, it was not known who was his father ; but that his mother was daughter to the king of Demetia^ and that she lived in St. Peter's Church among the nuns of that city. CHAPTER XVIIL YOWVCmSjatVflBEB OF UtSBMS^S MOTHKa OONCVRNINO HER CONCEPTION OF BIM. Upon this the messengers hastened to the governor of the city, and ordered hun, in the king's name, to send Merlin and his mother to the king. As soon as the governor understood the occasion of their message, he readily obeyed the ordar, and sent them to Vortegim to complete his design. When they were introduced into the king's presence, he received the mother in a very respectful marmf r, on account of her noble birth; and began to inquire of her by what man she had con- ceived. " My sovereign lord," said she, " by the life of your soul and mine, I know nobody that begot him of me. Only this I know, that as I was once with my companions in our chambers, there appeared to me a person in the shape of a most beautiful young man, who Digitized by Google BRITISH HI8TORT. 129 often embraced me eagerly in his arms, and kissed me ; and when he had stayed a little time, he suddenly va- nished out of my sight. But many times after this he would talk with me when I sat alone^ without making any visible appearance. When he had a long time haunted me in this maiuier, he at last lay with me several times in the shape of a man, and left me with child. And I do aiiinii to you, my sovereign lord, that excepting that young man, I know no body that begot htm of me."" The king, full of admiration at this account, ordered Maugantius to he called, that he might satisfy him as to the possibility of what the woman had related. Maugantius, being introduced, and having the whole matter repeated to him, said to Vortegirn ; "In tlic books n{' our philosophers, and in a great many histories, I have found that several men have had the like original. For, as Apuieius informs W in his bode concerning the Demon of Socrates, be- tween the moon and the earth inhabit those spirits, which we call inenbuses. These are of the nature partly of men, and partly of angels, and whenever they please assume human slinpes, and lie with women. Perhaps one of the 111 appeared to this woman, and begot that young man of her.^ CHAPTER XIX. JiERLIN''B SPEECH TO THE KINo's MAGICIANS, AND ADVICE ABOUT THE BI7ILDIN0 OF THE TOWER. Merlin in the mean time was attentive to all that had passed, and then approached the king, and said to him, For what reason am I and my mother introduced into your presence I ^ — My magicians,^* answered Vor* tegim, advised me to seek out a man that had no &ther, with whose Uood my building is to be sprinkled, in order to make it stand.'* — ^ Ordi&r your magicians/* K 130 GBOFFRBT OF MONMOUTH. said Merliii, 'Ho come before me, and I will convict them of a lie." The king was surprised at his words, and presently ordered the magicians to oome, and sit down before Merlin, who spoke to them after this man- ner : ^ Because you are ignorant what it is that hin- ders the foundation of the tower, you liave recommended the shedding of my blood for cement to it, as if that would presently make it stand. But tell me now, what is there under the foundation ? For something there is that will not suffer it to stand.'* The magicians at this began to be afraid, and made him no answer. Then said Merlin, who was also caUed Ambrose, I entreat your majesty would command yomr workmen to dig into the gi'ound, and } uu will find a pond which causes the foundation to sink.'^ This accordingly was done, and then presently they found a pond deep under ground, which had made it give way. Merlin after this went again to the magicians, and said, '^Tell me, ye false sycophants^ what is there under the pond." Bnt they were silent. Then said heagun to the king, C!ommand the pond to be drained, and at the bottom you will see two hollow stones, and in them two dragons asleep." The king made no scruple of believing him, since he had found true what he said of the pond, and therefore ordered it to be drained : which done, he found as Mer- lin had said ; and now was possessed with the greatest admiration of him. Nor were the rest that were pre- sent less amazed at his wisdom, thinking it to be no lees than divine inspiration. Digitized by Google GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK VII. CONCERNING THE PEOPHBCIES OF MERLIN. CHAPTER I. GEOf Fii£Y OP Monmouth's free ace to merlin's prophecy. I HAD not got thus far in my History, when the subject of public discourse happenincr to he concernin)^ Merlin, I was obliged to publish his propliecies at the request of my acquaintance, but especially of Alexander, bishop of Lincoln, a prelate of the greatest piety and wisdom. There was not any person, either among the dergy or laity, that was attended with such a train of knights and noblemen, whom his settled piety and great munificence engaged in his service. Out of a desire therefore to gratify him, I translated these prophecies, and sent them to him with the following letter. CHAPTER XL GBOFFBEy's letter to ALEXANDER, BISHOP OF LINCOLN. " The regard which I owe to your great worth, most noble prelate, has obliged me to undertake the transla- tion of Merlin's prophecies out of British into Latin, K 2 132 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. before I bad made an end of the History, which I bad begun oonceming tbe acts of the British kings. For my design was to have finished that first, and afterwards to have taken this work in hand ; lest by bein^ engaged on both at once, I should be less capable of attenduig witli any exactness to either. Notwithstandinnr, fsinr-e the deference which is paid to your penetrating judg- ment will screen me from censure, I have employed my rude pen, and in a coarse style present you with a translation out of a language witb which you are unacquainted. At the same time, I cannot but won- der at your recommending this matter to one of my low geniuB, when you might have caused so many men of greater learning, and a richer vein of intellect, to undertake it; who with their sublime strains would much more agreeably have entertained you. Besides, without any disparagement to all the philosophers in Britain, I must take tbe liberty to say, that you your- self, if the business of your high station would give you leisure, are capable of fbmishing us with loftier produc- tions of this kind than any niau living. Howerer, since it was your pleasure tliat Geoffrey of Monmouth should be employed in this prophecy, he hopes you will favour- ably accept of his performance, and vouchsafe to give a finer turn to whatever you shall find unpolished, or otherwise &ulty in it."** , CHAPTER III. THE PROPHECY OF MERLIN. Tiw^i^^ie- As Vortegim, king of the Britons, was sitting upon *^ • the bank of the drained pond, the two dragons^ one of which was white, the other red, came forth, and ap*- proachuig one another, began a terrible fight, and cast forth fire, with theb breath. But tbe white dragon had the advantage, and made the other fly to the end of the Digitized by Google fiRlTItsH HimRY. 133 lake. And he, for grief at his flighty renewed the assault The prophe* upon his pursuer, and forced him to retire* After this ° " battle of the dragons, the king commanded Ambrose Merlin to tell him what it portended. Upon which he, bursting into teai-s, delivered what his prophetical spirit suggested to him, as follows : — ** Woe to the red dragon, for his banishment hasteneth on. His lurking holes shall be seized by the white dragon, which signifi^ the Saxons whom you invited over; but the red denotes the British nation, which shall be oppressed by the white. Therefore shall its mountains be levelled as the vallevs, and the rivers of the valleys shall run with blood. The exercise of re- ligion shall be destroyed, and churches be bi<l (){)en to ruin. At last the oppressed shall prevail, and oppose the cruelty of foreigners. For a boar of Cornwall shall give his assistance, and trample their necks under his feet. The islands of the ocean shall be subject to his power, and he shall possess the forests of Gaul. The house of Romulus shall dread his courage, and his end shall be doubtful. He shall be celebrated in the mouths of the people ; and his exploits shall be food to those that relate them. Six of his posterity shall sway the sceptre, but after them shall arise a German worm. He shall be advanced by a sea-wolf, whom the woods of Africa shall accompany. Religion shall be agam abo- lished, and there shall be a translation of the metro- politan sees. The dignity of London shall adorn Doro- bernia, and the seventh pastor of York shall be resorted to in the kingdom of Arniorica. Menevia shall put on the pall of the City of Legions, and a preacher of Ireland shall be diimb on account of an infant growing in the womb. It shall rain a shower of blood, and a raging &mine shall afllict mankind. When these things happen, the red one shall be grieved; but when his fatigue is over, shall grow strong. Then shall mis- fortunes hasten upon the white one, and the buildings Digitized by Google 134 a£OFFREY OF MONMOUTH. The^^ropbe- of his gardens shall be pulled down. Seven that sway ^ the sceptre shall be killed, one of whom shall become a saint. The wombs of mothers shall be ripped up, and infanta be abortive. There shall be a moat grieTOUs puniahment of men, that the nativea may be restored. He that shall do these things shall put on the brazen mail, ciiid upon a brazen horse shall fur a long time guard the gates of London. After this shall the red dragon return to his proper manners, and turn his rage upon himself. Therefore shall the revenge of the Thun- derer show itself, for every field shall disappoint the husbandmen. Mortality shall snatch away tiie people^ and make a desolation over all countries, llie re- minder shall quit their native soil, and make foreign plantations. A })lesscd king shall prepare a fleet, and shall be reckoned the twelfth in the court among the saints. Tliere shall be a miserable desolation of the kingdom, and the floors of the harvests shall return to the fruitful forests. The white dragon shall rise again, and invite over a daughter of Gennany. Our gardens shall be again replenished with foreign seed, and the red one shall pine away at the end of the pond. After that shall the (lerman worm be crowned, and tlie luazen prince buried. He has his bounds aasigned him, which he shall not be able to pass. For a hundred and fifty years he shall continue in trouble and subjection, but shall bear sway three hundred. Then shall the North wind rise against him, and shall snatch away the flowers which the West wind produced. There shall be gilding in the temples, nor shall the edge of the sword cease. The German dragon shall hardly get to liis holes, be- cause the revenpfe of his treason sli.ill overtake hini. At last he shall ilourish for a little time, but the deci- mation of Neustria shall hurt him. For a people in wood and in iron coats shall come^ and revenge upon him his wickedness. They shall reetmre the ancient in- habitants to their dwellings, and there shall be an open Digitized by Google BRITISH HI«rrOK¥. 135 destructiun uf foreigners. The seed of the white dragon tim ^pfac- shall be swept out of our gardens, and the remainder *^ *' of his generation shall be decimated. They shall bear tlie yoke of alayery, and wound their mother with spades and ploughs. After this shall succeed two dragons, whereof one shall be killed with the sting of en\7, but the other shall return under the shadow of a name. Then shall succeed a lion of justice, at whose roar the Gallican towers and the isJand draG;oiis shall tremble. In those days gold sliall be squeezed from the lily and the nettle, and silver shall flow from the hoofs of bel- lowing cattle. The frizied shall put on vaiiouB fleeces, and the outward habit denote the inward parts. The feet of barkers shall he cut off; wild beasts shall enjoy peace : mankind shall be grieved at their punishment : the form of commerce sliall be divided : the half shall be round. The ravenousness of kites shall be de- stroyed, and the teeth of wolves blunted. The lion's whelps shall I^e transformed into sea-fishes; and an eagle shall build her nest upon Mount Aravius. Yene* dotia shall grow red with the blood of mothers, and the house of Corineus kill six brethren. The island shall be wet with night-tears ; so that all shall be provoked to all tilings. Woe to thee, Neu^stiia, because the lion's brain shall be poured upon thee ; and he shall be banished with shattered limbs from his native soil. Pos- terity shall endeavour to fly above the highest places ; but the favour of new comers shall be exalted. Piety shall hurt the possessor of things got by impiety, till he shall have put on his Father : therefore, being armed with the teeth of a boar, he shall ascend above the tops of mountains, and the shallow of him that wears a helmet. Albania sliall be enraged, and assembling her neighbours, shall be employed in shedding blood. There shall be put into her jaws a bridle that shall be made on the coast of Annorica* The eagle of the broken covenant shall gild it over, and rejoice m her third nest. Digitized by Google 136 QBOPFRKT OP MONMOUTH, The proph*. The roaring whelps shall watch, and leaving the woods, cy ot M«rua. y^^^ withui tho walls of cities. They shall make no small slaughter of those that oppose them, and shall cut off the tongues of bulls. They shall load the necks of roaring lions with chains, and restore the times of their ancestors. Then fiuiu the first to the fourth, iiuiu the fourth to the third, from the third to the second, the thumb shall roll in oil. The sixth shall overturn the walls of Ireland, and change the woods into a plain. He shall reduce several parts to one, and be crowned with the head of a lion. His beginniiig shall lay open to wandering affection, but his end shaU carry 1dm up to the blessed, who are above. Fcnr he shall restore the seats of saints in their countries, and settle pastors in convenient places. Two cities he shall invest two palls, and shall bestow virgin-presents upon virgins. He shall merit by this the favour of the Thunderer, and shall be placed among the saints. From him shall pro-* ceed a lynx penetrating all things, who shall be bent upon the ruin of his own nation; for through him Neustria shall lose both islands, and be deprived of its ancient dignity. Then shall the natives return back to the island ; for there slinll arise a dissension among foreigners. Also a hoary old man, sitting upon a snow* white horse, shall turn the course of the river Periron, and shall measure out a null upon it with a white rod. Cadwallader shall call upon Conan, and take Albania into alliance. Then shall there be a slaughter of fo* Feigners ; then shall the rivers run with blood. Then shall break ibi th the fountains of Ai inoriea, and they shall be crowned with the diadem of Brutus. Cambria shall be filled with joy; and the oaks of Cornwall shall flourish. The island shall be called by the name of Brutus; and the name given it by foreigners shall be abolished. From Cbnan shall proceed a warlike boar, that shall exercise the sharpness of his tusks within the Gallic woods. For he shall cut down all the larger Digitized by Google BRITISH HUTORT. V i \ 137 oaks, and shall be a defence to the smaller. The Ara- The prophc- biaiiB and Africans shall dread him ; for he shall puisae °' his furious course to the farther part of Spam. There shall succeed the goat of the Venereal Castle, having goldeii horns and a silver beard, who ^liall lii eathe such a cloud out of his nostrils, as shall darken the whole sur- face of the island. There shall be peace in his time ; and com shall abound by reason of the fruitfulneas of the BoU. Women shall become seipoatB in their gait, and all their motions shall be full of pride. The camp of Venus shall be restored; nor shall the arrows of Cupid cease to wound. The fountain of a river shall be turned into blood ; and two kings shall fight a duel at Stafford for a lioness. Luxury shall overspread the whole ground ; and fornication not cease to debauch mankind. All these things shall three ages see; till the buried kings shall be exposed to public view in the city of Lon- don. Famine shall again return ; mortality shall re- turn ; and the inhabitants shall grieve for the destruc- tion of their cities. Then shall come the board of connnerce, who shall recall the scattered flocks to the pasture they had lost. His breast shall be food to the hungry, and his tongue drink to the thirsty. Out of bis mouth shall flow rivers, that shall water the parched jaws of men. After this shall be produced a tree upon the Tower of London, which having no more than three branches, shall overshadow the surface of the whole island with the breadth of its leaves. Its adversary, the North wind, shall come upon it, and with its noxious blast shall snatch away the third branch ; but the two remaining ones shall possess its place, till they shall destroy one another by the multitude of their leaves : and then shall it obtain the place of those two, and shall give sustenance to birds of foreign nations* It shall be esteemed hurtful to native fowls ; for they shall not be able to fly freely for fear of its shadow. There shall succeed the ass of wickedness, swift against the gold- Digitized by Google 138 GBOFFRBY OP MONMOUTH. Tk« propiie- smiths ; but slow agaiiu^t the ravenousness of wolves. ^ ' In those days the oaks of the forests shall bun, and acorns grow upon the branches of teii trees. The Severn sea shall discharge itself through seven months, and the river Uske bum seven months. Fishes shall die with the heat thereof; and of them shall be en- gendered serpents. The baths of Badoii shall grow cold, and their saluijriuu.s watere engender death, Lon- don shall nunim for the death of twenty thousand ; and the river Thames shall be turned into blood. The monks in their cowls shall be forced to marry, and their cry shall be heard upon the mountains of the Alps.^ CHAPTER IV. THE CONTINUATION OF THE PROPHECY. " Three springs shall break forth in the city of Win- chester, whose rivulets shall divide the island into three parts. Whoever abaH drink of the first, shall enjoy long life, and shall never be aQicted with sickness. He that shall drink of the second, shall die of hunger, and pale- ness and horror shall sit in his countenance. He that shall drink of the third, sliall be surprised with sod- den death, neither shall his body be capable of burial. Those that are willing to escape so great a surfeit, will endeavour to hide it with several coverings : but whatever bulk shall be laid upon it» shall receive the form of another body. For earth shall be turned into stones ; stones into water ; wood into ashes ; ashes into water, if cast over it. Also a damsel shall be sent from the city of the forest of Canute to adaiiiiister a cure, who, after she shall have practised all her arts, shall dry up the noxious fountains only with her breath. After- wards, as soon as she shall have refreshed herself with the wholesome liquor, she shall bear in her right hand the wood of Oaledon, and in her left the forts of the Digitized by Google BBITI0H HIBTOBY. * • 139 walls of London. Wherever she shall go, she shall make The prnphe. sulphureous steps, which will smoke with a double flame. That smoke shall rouse up the city of Ruteni, and shall make food for the inhabitants of the deep. She shall overflow with rueful tears, and shall iill the island with her dreadful cry. She shall be killed by a hart with ten branches, four of which shall bear golden diadems : but the other six shall be turned into buffalo'^s horns, whose hideous sound shall astonish the three islands of Britain. The Daneian wood shall be stirred up, and breaking forth into a human voice, shall cry : Come, O Cambria, and join Cornwall to thy nde, and say to Winchester, the earth shall swallow thee up. Translate the seat of thy pastor to the place where ships come to harbour, and the rest of the nienibers will follow the head. For the day hasteneth, iu which thy citizens sliall perish on account of the guilt of perjury. The whiteness of wool has been hurtful to thee, and the variety of its tinc- tures. Woe to the perjured nation, for whose sake the renowned city shall come to ruin. The ships shall re- juice at so great an augmentation, and one shall be made out of two. It shall be rebuilt by Eric, loaden with apples, to the smell whereof the birds of several woods i^iall flock together. He shall add to it a vast palace, and wall it round with six hundred towers. Therefore shall London envy it, and triply increase her walls. The river Thames shall encompass it round, and the fame of the work shall pass beyond the Alps. Eric shall hide his apples within it, and shall make sub- terraneous passages. At that time sliall the stones speak, and the sea towards tlie Gallic coast be con- tracted into a narrow space. On each bank shall one man hear another, and the soil of the island shall be eniaxged. The secrets of the deep shall be revealed, and Gaul shall tremble for fear. After these things shall come forth a hem from the forest of Calaterium, which shall fly round the island for two years together. Digitized by Google 140 GBOFPfUnr OF MONMOUTH. Tbcpropbe- With her nocturnal cry slie shall call together the ^ winged kind, and assemble to her all sorts .of fowk They shall invade the tillage of husbandmeD^ and deyour all the grain of the harvests. Then shall follow a | famine upon the people, and a grievous mortality upon the iamiiie. I'.ut when this calamity shall )»e over, a detestable bird bliall to the valley of Galabes, and shall raise it to be a high mountain. Upon the top thereof it shall also plant an oak, and build its nest in its branches. Three eggs shall be produced in the nest, from whence shall come forth a fox, a- wolf, and a bear. The fox shall devour her mother, and bear the head of an ass. In this monstrous form shall she frighten her brothers, and makr them fly into Neustria. But they shall stir up the tusky boar, and returning" in a fleet shall encounter with tlie fox ; who at the beginning of the fight shall feign hei-seif dead, and move the boar to compassion. Then shall the boar approach her carcase, and standing over her, shall breathe upon her face and eyes. But she, not forgetting her cunning, shall bite : his left foot, and pluck it off from his body. Then shall ! she lea}» upon him, and snatch away his right ear and tail, and hide herself in the caverns of the mountains. Therefore shall the deluded boar require the wolf and bear to restore him his members ; who, as soon as they | shall enter into the cause, shall promise two feet of the fox, together with the ear and tail, and of these they , shall make up the members of a hog. With this he shall be satisfied, and expect the promised restitution. In the mean time shall the fox descend from the moun- tains, and change hei*self into a wolf, and under pre- tence of holding a conference with the boar, she shall go to him, and craftily devour him* After that she shall transform herself into a boar, and feigning a loss of some members, shall wait for her brpthm; but as soon as thej are come, she shall suddenly kill them with her tusks, and shall be crowned with the head ui a lion. In i Digitized by Google BIUTI8H HISTORY, vn 141 her days shall a serpent be brought forth^ which shall be The prophe- : a destroyer of mankind. With its Iragth it shall enoom*^^^^"""* fmss London, and devour all that pass by it. The moun- tain ox shall take the head of a wolf, and whiten his :. teeth in the Severn. He shall gather to him the flucks of Albania and Cambria, which shall drink the river > Thames dry. The ass shall call the goat with the long beard, and shall borrow his shape. Therefore shall the : mountain ox be incensed, and having called the wolf, ; shall become a homed bull against them. In the exer- j cise of hns eruelt^r he shall devour their fierii and bones, but shall be burned upon the top of Urian. The a-shes : of his funeral-pile shall be turned into swans, that shall : swim oa dry ground as on a river. They shall devour J fishes in iishes, and swallow up men in men. But when t. old age shall come upon them, they shall become sea- )$ wolves, and practise their j&auds in the deep. They » shall drown ships, and collect no innall quantity of silver. ■ , The Thames shall again flow, and assembling together '! ' the rivers, shall })as.s beyond the bounds of its channel. It shall cover the adjacent cities, and overturn the moun- i;^ tains that oppose its course. Being full of deceit and fi wickedness, it shall make use of the fountain Galabes. ii Hence shall arise factions provokmg the Venedotians to war« The oaks of the forest shaU meet together, and t encounter the rocks of the Gewisseans. A raven shall attend with the kites, and devour the carcases of the slniu. An owl shall build her nest upon the walls of (iluQcester, and in her nest shall be brouQ^ht forth an :> ass. The serpent of Malveruia shall bring him up, and r put him upon many fraudulent practices. Having taken I the efown, he shall ascend on high, and frighten the ^ people of the country with his hideous braying. In his s days shall the Pachidan mountains tremble, and the pro- i,\ vinces be deprived of their woods. For there shall come 1 a worm with a fiery breath, and with the vapour it sends '. forth shall burn up the trees. Out of it shall proceed Digitized by Google 142 GBOFFRBY OF MONMODTH. Tbe^^he. seven lions deformed with the heads of goats. With the ^ * stench of their nofitrik they shall corruj^t women, and make wives turn common prostitutes. The lather shall not know lus own son, because they shall grow wanton like hmte beasts. Then shall come the giant of wicked- ness, and terrify all with the sljiarpness of his eyes. Against him shall ai'lsc the dragon of Worcester, and shall endeavour to banish him. But in the engagement the dragon shall be worsted, and oppressed by the wicked- ness of the conqueror. For he shall mount upon the dragon, and putting off his garment shall sit upon him naked. The dragon shall bear him up on hig^ and beat his naked rider with his tail erected. Upon this the giant rousing up his whole strength, shall break his jaws with his sword. At last the dragon sliall Ibid itself up under its tail, and die of poison. After him shall suc- ceed the boar of Totness, and oppress the people with grievous tyranny. Gloucester shall send forth a lion, and shall disturb him in his cruelty, in several battles. He shall trample him under his feet, and terrify him with open jaws. At last the lion shall quairel with the king- dom, and get upon the backs of the nobility. A bull shall come into the quarrel, and strike the lion with his right foot. He shall drive him through all the inns in the kingdom, but shall break his horns against the walls of Oxford* The fox of Kaerdubalem ahiUl take revenge on the lion, and destroy him entirely with her teeth. She shall be encompassed by the adder of Lincoln, who with a horrible hiss shall give notice of his presence to a multitude of dragons. Then shall the dragons encoun- ter, and tear one another to pieces. The winged shall oppress that which wants wings, and fasten its claws into the poisonous cheeks. Others shall come into the quar- rel, and kill one another. A fifth shall succeed those that are shun, and by various stratagems shall destroy the rest. He shall get upon the back of one with his sword, and sever his head from his body. Then throw* Digitized by Googt BRITISH HISrOllY. 143 hvr oft' his jrarment, he shall get iipuii another, and put his right and left hand upon his tail. Thus being naked shall he overcome him, whom when clothed he was not able to deal with. The rest he shall gall in their ftiglit, and drive them round the kingdom. Upon this shall come a roaring lion dreadful for his monstrous cruelty. Fifteen parts shall he reduce to one, and shall alone possess ihe people. The giant of the snow-white colour shall shine, and cause the white peo|)le to flourish. Pleasures shall effeminate the princes, and they shall suddenly be changed into beasts. Among them shall arise a lion swelled with human gore. Under him shall a rei^r be placed in the standing com, who, while he is reaping, shall he oppressed by him. A charioteer of York shall appease them, and having banished his lord, shall mount upon the chariot which he shall drive; With Ilia avvurd unsheathed shall he threaten the East, and fill the tracks of his wheels with blood. After- wards he siiall become a sea-fish, who, being roused up with the hissing of a serpent^ shall engender with him. From hence shall be produced three thundering bulls, who having eaten up their pastures shall be turned into trees. The first shall carry a whip of vipers, and turn his back upon the next. He shall endeavour to snatch away the whip, but shall be taken by the last. They shall turn away their facei? from one anotiier, till they have thrown away the poisoned cup. To him shall succeed a husbandman of Albania, at whose back shall be a seipent* He shall be employed in ploughing the ground, that the country may become white with com. The serpent shall endeavour to diffiise his poison, in order to blast the harvest. A grievous mortality shall sweep away the people, and the walls of cities shall l>e made desolate. There shall he given for a remedy the city of Claudius, which shall interpose the nurse of the fioouTger. For she slmll bear a dose of medicine, and in a short time the island shall be restored. Then shall Digitized by Google 144 GBOFFRKY OF MONMOUTH. Th« prophe- two successivelv sway the scej)tre, whom a huiiied dra- ^ - " gon shall serve. One shall come in armour, and shall ride upon a flying serpent. He shall sit upon his back with his naked body, and cast his right hand upon his tail* With his ciy shall the seas be moTed^ and he diall strike terror into the second. The second therefore shall enter into confederacy with the lion ; but a quarrel hap- pening, they shall encounter one another. They shall distress one another, but the courage of tlie bi ast shall gain the advantage. Then shall come one with a drum, and appease the rage of the lion* Therefore shall the people of the kingdom be at peace, and provoke the lion to a dose of physic. In his established seat he shall adjust the weights, but shall stretch out laSs hands into Albania. For which reason the northern provinces shall be grieved, and open the gates uf the temples. The sign-bearing wolf shall lead his troops, and sur- round Cornwall with his tail. He shall be opposed by a soldier in a chariot, who shaU transform that people into a boar. The boar therefore shall ravage the pro- vinces, but shall hide his head in the depth of Seveni. A man shall embiaoe a lion in wine, and the dansHng brightness of gold shall blind the eyes of beholders. Silver shall whiten in the circumference, and torment several wine-presses. Men shall be drunk with wine, and, regardless of heavon, shall be intent upon the q^urth. From them shall the stars turn away their faces, and confound their usual course* Com will wither at their malign aspects ; and there shall fall no dew from heaven. The roots and branches wfll change their places, and -'•the novelty of the thing shall pass for a miracle.— The brightness of the sun shall fade at the amber of Mer- cur}% and horror shall seize the beholders. Stilbon of Arcadia shall change his shield ; the helmet of Mars shall call Venus. The helmet of Mars shall make a shadow; and the rage of Mercury pass his bounds. Iron Orion shall unsheath his sword : the marine Phoebus Digitized by Google 145 shall torment the clouds; Jupiter shall go out of his lawful paths ; and Venua forsake her stated lines. The nmUgnity of the star Saturn shall &11 down in rsiii, and slay manldnd idth a crooked sickle. The twdve houses of the stars shall lament the inr^ular excursions of their guests; and Gemini omit their usual embraces, and call the urn to the fountains. The scales of Libra shall hang obliquely, till Aries put his crooked horns under them. The tail of Scor])io shall produce li^tning, and Cancer quarrel with the Sun. Virgo shall mount upon the back of Sagittarius, and darken her virgin flowers. The cha- riot of the Moon shall disorder the ndiac, and the Pleiades bresk forth into weeping. No offices of Janus shall hereafter return, but his gate being shut shall lie hid in the chmks of Ariadne. The seas shall rise up in the twinkling of an eye, and the dust of the ancients shall be restored. The winds shall fight together with a dreadful blast, and their sound shall reach the stars* GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTHS BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK VIII. CHAPTER I. VORTBGIBN ASKS MERLIN OONCBRlfING HtB OWN DEATH. Merlin, by delivering these and many other prophe- cies, caused in all that were present an admiration at the ambig^ty of his expressions. But Vortegim above all the rest both admired and appkuded the wisdom^ and prophetical spint of the young man : for that age had produced none that ever talked in sudi a manner before liim. Being therefore curious to learn his own fate, he desired the young man to tell him what he knew concerning that particular. Merlin answered : — " Fly the fire of the sons of Constantine, if you are able to do it : ahready are they fitting out theur ships : akeady are they leaving the Armorican shore : already are they spreading out their saib to the wind. They will steer towards Britain: they will invade the Saxon nation: they will subdue that wicked people ; but they will first burn you being shut up in a tower. To your own ruin did you prove a traitor to their father, and invite the Saxons into the island. You invited them for your safe- guard; but they came for a punidmient to you. Two deaths instantly threaten you ; nor is it easy to detep* mine, which you can best avoid. For on the one hand Digitized by Google BRITISH BISTORT. 1/ ' ' ^ ' 147 the Saxons «hall lay waste your countrj', and endeavour to kill you : on the other shall arrive tbe two brothers, Aurelios AmbroaiuB and Uther Pendiagon, whose buai- 1168B will be to revenge their lftther*s murder upon you. Seek out some refuge if you can : to-morrow they will be on the shore of Totnees. The faces of the Saxons shall look red with blood, iiengist sliall be killed, and Aurelius Ambrosius shall be crowned. He sliall bring peace to the nation ; he shall restore the churches ; but shall die of poison. Uis brother Uther Pendragon shall succeed him, whose days also shall be cut short by poi- son. There shall be present at the commission this treason your own issue, whgm the boar of Cdmwall shall devour.^ Accordingly the next day early, arrived Aure- AnnUa» lius Ambrosius and liis brother, with ten thousand men. CHAPTER II. AURELIUS AMBROSIUS, BEING ANOINTED KING OF BRITAIN, BURNS VORTEGIRN BESIEGED IN A TOWER. As soon as the news of his coming was divulged, the Britons, who had been dispersed by their great calamities, met together from all parts, and gaining this new acces- sion of strength from their countrymen, displayed un- usual vigour. Having assembled together the clergy, they anointed Aurelius king, and paid him the customary homage. And when the people were urgent to M iqnm the Saxcms, he dissuaded them from it, because his de- sire was to pursue Vortegira first. For the treason committed against his father so very much affected him, that he thijught nothing done till that was first avenged. In pursuance therefore of this design, he marched with his army into Cambria, to the town of Genoreu» whither Vortegim had fled for refuge. That town was in the country of Hergin^ upon the river Gania, in the moun- tain cabled Gloarius. As soon as Ambrosius was arrived l2 Digitized by Google 148 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTB. there, bearing in his mind the murder of his Ikiher and hrother, he spake thus to Eldol, duke of Glou- cester. '* See, most noble duke, whether the walls of this city arc able to protect \ ortegim against my sheathing this sword in his bowels. He deserves to die, and you cannot, I suppose, be ignorant his desert. Oh most ▼illanous of men, whose crimes deserve inexpressible tortores! First he betrayed mj father Constantine, who had ddivered him and his country from tlie inroads of the Picts ; aftenvards niy brother Cons tans, whom he made king on purpo&e to destroy him. Again, when by his craft he liad usurped the crown, he introduced pagans among the natives, in order to abuse those who continued steadfast in their loyalty to me : but by the good providence of God, he unwarily fell into the snare, which he had laid for my faithful subjects. For the Saxons, when they found him ont in his wickedness, drove him ii oiu the kingdom ; for which nobody ought to be concerned. But this T think matter of just grief, that this odious people, whom tliat detestable traitor in- vited over, has expelled the nobility, laid waste a fruitful coontiy, destroyed the holy churches, and almost extin- guished Christianity over the whole kingdom. Now, therefore, my countrymen, show yourselves men ; first revenge yourselves upon him that was the occasion of all these disasters; then let us turn our arms against our enemies, and free our country from their brutish ty- ranny." Immediately, therefore, they set their engines to work, and laboured to beat down the walls. But at last, when all other attempts foiled, they had recourse to fire, which vnxh «f meeting with proper fuel, ceased not to rage, till it had vottcgim. jjuj^^ down the tower and Vortegim in it. Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. CHAPTER III. THE PKAitiE OF AUREUUs's VALOUR. Till: LEVITY OF THE SOOTS EXPOSED. FORCES RAISED AGAINST HJBNGIST. Hengist, with his Saxons, was struck with terror at this news, for he dreaded the valour of Aurelius. Such character of was the bravery and courap^e this princti was master of, that while he was in Gaul, there was none that durst encounter with him. For in all encounters he cither difflnonnted his adYersaiy, or broke his spear. Besides, he was magnificent in his presents, constant at his devotions, temperate in all respects, and above all things hated a lie. A hrave soldier on foot, a better on horse- back, and expert in the discipline of an army. Reports of these lil.s noble accomplishments, while he yet con- tinued in Amiorican Britain, were daily brought over into the island. Therefore, the Saxons, for fear of him, retired beyond the Humber, and in those parts fortified the cities and towns; for that country always was a place of refuge to them ; their safety lying in tiie neigh- bourhood of Scotland, which used to watch all oppor- tunities of distressing the nation ; for that country being in itself a frightful place to live in, and wholly unin- habited, had been a safe retreat for strangers. By its situation it lay open to the Picts, Scots, Dacians, Nor- Dadaiu^i.«. wegians, and others, that came to plunder the island. Being, therefore, secure of a safe reception in this country, they fled towards it, that, if there should be occasion, they might retreat into it as into their own camp. This was good news to Aurelius, and made him conceive greater hopes of victory. So assembling his people quickly together, he augmented his aiiny, and made an expeditious march towards the north. In his passage through the countries, he was grieved to see the desolation made in them, but especially that the Digitized by Google loO * GBOFFKEY OF HONMOUTU. churches were levelli d with the croiincl ; and he pro- miaed to rebuild them, if he gaiaed the victory. CHAPTER IV. HENGIflT MABCHB8 WITH HIS ABMT AGAINST AUBELIU8, INTO THE FIBIiD OF MAUtBBU. But Hengist, upon his approach, took courage again, aud chose out the bravest of his men, whom he exhorted to make a gallant defence, and not be daunted at AureUus, who, he told them, had but few Armorican Britons with liim, since their numb^ did noi exceed ten thousand. And as for the native Biitons, he made no account isi them, suioe they had been so often de- feated by him. He therefore promised them the vic- tory, and that they should come oflP safely, considerins: the sui)fcriurity of their number, which amounted to two hundred thousand men in arms. After he had in this manner animated his men, he advanced with them towards Aurelius, into a field called Maisbeli, through which AureUus was to pass. For his intention was to make a sudden assault by a surprise, and fall upon the Britons before they were prepared. But Aurelius per- ceived the design, and yet did not, on that account, delay going to the field, but rather pursued his march with more expedition. When he was come within sight of the enemy, he put his troops in order, commanding three thousand Annoricans to attend the cavalry, and drew out the rest together with the idanders into Ime of battle. The Demetians he placed upon the hills, and the Venedotians in the adjacent woods. His reason for which was, that they might be there ready to fall u[)on the Saxons, in case they should Heo in that di- rection. Digitized by Google BRITISH HIBTORT. V ^ 1 i • 151 CHAPTER V. A BATTLE BEri-WEEN AURKUU8 AND UENGI8T. In the mean time, Eldol, duke of Gloucester, went to the king, and said, This one day should suffice for all the days of my life, if by good providence I could but get an opportunity to engage with Heiigist ; for one of us should die before we parted. I still retain deeply fixed in my memory the day appointed for our peaceably treating together, hut which he viUanoualy made use of to aasasainate all that were present at the treaty, except myself only, who stood upon my defence with a stake which I accidentally found, until I made my escape. That very day proved fatal, through his treachery, to no less than four hundred and sixty barons and consuls, who all went unarmed. From that conspiracy God was pleased to deliver me, by throwing a stake in my way, ^dievewith I defended myself and escaped."" Thus spoke Eldol. Then Aurdius exhorted his eompanions to place all their hope in the Son of God, and to make a brave assault with one consent upon the enemy, in defence of their country. Nor was Hengist kbs busy on the other hand in fonning his troops, and giving them dii'6ctions how to behave themselves in the battle ; and walked himself through their several ranks, the more to spirit them up. At last, both armies, being drawn out in order of battle, began the attack, which they maintained with great braveiy, and no small loss of blood, both of the Britons and Saxons. Aurelius am- mated the Christians, Hengist the pagans ; and all the time of the engagement, Eldol's chief endeavour was to encounter Hengist, but he had no opportunity for it. For Hengist, when he found that his own men were routed, and that the Chnstians, by the especial favour of God, had the advantage, fled to the town called 152 GliOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. Krieiconaii, now Ciinunoreburg. Aurolius ])ursned him, aud either killed or made slaves of all he found in the way. When Hengist saw that he was pursued by Aurelius, he would, not enter the town, but aasembled his tro<qp8» and prepared them to stand another engage- ment. For he knew the town would not hold out against Aurelius, and that his whole security now lay in his sword. At last Aurelius overtook him, and after marshalliniT his forces, began another most furious fight. And here the Saxons steadily maintained their ground, notwithstanding the numbers that feU. On both sides there was great slaughter* the groans of the dying causing a greats rage in those that survived. In short, the Saxons would have gained the day, had not a detachment of horse from the Armorican Britons come in upon tlitni. For Aurelius had appointed them the same station which they had in the former battle ; 80 that, upon their advancing, the Saxons gave ground, and when once a little dispersed, were not able to rally again. The Britons, encouraged by this advantage, ex- erted themselves^ and laboured vidth all their might to distress the enemy. All the time Aurelius was fully employed, not only in giving commands, but encouraging his men by his own example ; for with his own hand he killed all that stood in his way, and pursued those that fled. Nor was Eldol less active in all parts of the held, running to and i'ro to assault his adversaries ; but still his main endeavour was to find an opportunity of en- countering Heiigi8t« Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 153 CHAPTER VI. Wi/ HENGI8T, IN A DVUL WITH FLTX>I , IS TAKEN BY HIM. THE SAXONS AAIS SLAIN BY THE BiUTONS WITHOUT MSBOT. As there wvro therefore several movements niiide by the parties engaged on each side, an. opportunity occurred for thdr meeting, and briskly engaging each other. In this eneounter of the two greatest champions in the field, the fire sparkled with the clashing of their arms, and every stroke in a manner produced both thunder and lightning. For a long time was the victory in suspense, as it seemed sometimes to favour the one, sometimes the other. While they were thus hotly engaged, Gorlois, duke of Cornwall, came up to them with the party he commanded, and did groat execution tqton the enemies* troops. At the sight of him, Eldol, assured of Tictory, seized on the helmet of Hengist, and by main force dragged him in among the Britons, and then in transports of joy cried out with a loud voice, " God has fulfilled my desire ! My brave soldiers, down, down, with your ene- mies the Ambrons. The victory is now in your hands : Hengist is defeated, and the day is your own." In the meantime the Britons failed not to perform every one his part against the pagans, upon whom they made many vigorous assaults ; and though they were obliged some- times to give ground, yet th^ coura^ did not fiul them in making a good resistance ; so that they gave the enemy no respite till they had vanquished them. The Saxons therefore fled whithersoever their constcmation hurried them, some to the cities, some to the woods upon the hills, and others to their ships. But Octa, the son of Hengist, made his retreat with a great body of men to York : and Eosa, his kinsman, to the city of Aldud, where he had a very large army for his guard* Digitized by Google 154 GBOFF&BY OF MONMOUTH. CHAFXEH VII. HENGIST IS BEHEADED BY ELDOL. m^st^ AuBBLnTs, after this Tictory, took the city of Conan aboT^mentioiied, and stayed there three days. During tins time he gave orders for the burial of the slaiii, for curing the wounded, and for the ease and refreshment of his forces that were fatigued. Then he called a council of iiis principal oilicers, to deliberate what was to be done with liengist. There was present at the assembly ^Eldad, bishop of Gloucester, and brother of Eldol, a prelate of very jgr eat wisdom and piety* As soon asSe beheld Hen* gist standing in the king's presence, he demanded silence, and said, Though all should be unanimous for setting hiin at liberty, vol would I cut him to pieces. The pro- phet Samuel is my warrant, who, when he had Agag, king of Amalek, in his power, hewed him in pieces, saying. A s thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. Do therefore the same to Hengist, who is a second Agag."^ Accordingly Eldol took his swordf and drew him out of the city, and then cut off his head. But Aurelius, who showed moderation in all his conduct, cuinmanded him to be buried, and a heap of earth to be raised over his body, according to the custom of the pagans. I . , , CHAPTER VIIL OCTA, BBINQ BE8IE0BD IN TOBK, SUEBENDBRB HIMSELF TO THB MEBOT OF AUREUI78. Ji^BOM hence Aurelius conducted his army to York, to besiege Octa, Hengist's son. When the city was in- vested, Oeta was doubtful whether he should give him any opposition, and stand a siege against such a power- Digitized by Google BRITISH BUnOBT. Y ' 155 tul army. After consultation upon it, he went out with his principal nobility that were present, canying ft chain s i in his hand, and sand upon his head, and presented him- ^* self to the king with tiiis address : ** My gods are van- quished, and I doubt not that the sovereign power is in your God, who has compelled so many noble persons to come before you in this suppliant manner. Be pleased therefore to accept of us, and of this chain. If you do not think us fit objects of your clemency, we here present ourselves ready to be fettered, and to undergo whatever punishment yon shall adjudge us to." Aurelius was moved mth pily at the spectade^ and demanded the advice of his council what should he done with them. After various propobaLs upon this subject, Eldad the bishop rose up, and delivered his opinion in these words: *' The Gibeonites came voluntarily to the children of Israel to desire mercy, and they obtained it. And shall we Christians be worse than the Jews, in refusing them mercy t It is mercy which they beg, and let them have it. The iahmd of Britain is large, and in many places uninhabited. Let us make a covenant with them, and suffer them at least to inhabit the desert places, that th( } may be our vassals for ever." The king acquiesced in Eidad's advice, and sutlered them to partake of his clemency. After this Eosa and the rest that fled, being Bicouraged by Octa's success, came also, and were ad- mitted to the same favour. The king therefore granted them the country bordering up(m Scotland, and made a firm covenant with them. 156 GEOFFRET OF MONMOUTH. CHAPTER IX. AUREMUS, HAVING^ ENTIRELY ROUTED THE ENKMIES, RE- STORES ALL THIN08 IN BBITAIN, £8P£CIALLY ECCLESIAS- TICAL AFFAIRS, TO THBIB ANCIENT STATE. The enemies being now entirely reduced, the king sum- moned the consuls and princes of the kingdom together at York, whore he gave orders for the restoration of the cfaorcbos, which the Saxons had destroyed. He himself Bebuildlnf undertook the rebuilding of the metn^Mditan church of MfaM. that city, as also the other cathedral churches in that province. After fifteen days, when he had settled work- men in several places, he went to London, which city had not escaped the fury of the enemy. Ho 1>eheld with great sorrow the destruction made in it, and recalled the remainder of the citizens from all parts, and began the u> d n" '^^^^^^^'^ Here he settled the affiiirs of the whole kingdom, revived the laws, restored the ri^t heirs to the possessions of their ancestOirB; and those estates, whereof the heirs had been lost in the Lite ID^rievoiis calamity, lie distributed among his fellow sol- diers. In these important concerns, of restoring the nation to its ancient state, repairing the churches, re- establishing peace and law, and settling the administrar tion of justice, was his time wholly employed. From Winchester, hcnoe he went to Winchester, to repair the ruins of it^ as he did of other cities; and when the work was finished there, he went, at the instance of Bishop Eldad, sautbury. to the monastery near Kaercaradoc, now Salisbury, where the cuusulsand j)rinces, whom the wicked Hengist had treacherously murdered, lay buried. At this place was a convent that maintained three hundred friars, situated on the mountain of Ambrius, who, as is reported, had been the founder of it. The sight of the place where the dead lay, made the king, who was of a Digitized by Google BAITISH HISTORY. V^ii^ 167 compassionate temper, shed tears, and at last enter upon thoughts, what kind of monument to erect upon it. For he thought something ought to be done to perpetuate the memory of that piece of ground, which was honoured with the bodies of so many noble patriots, that died for their country. CHAPTER X. AUBELIU8 18 ADTIflBD BT MERLIN TO BBMOVB THB 0IANT*8 DANCE FBOlf THB MOUNTAIN KILLABAU8. Fob this purpose he summoned together several car- penters and masons, and commanded them to employ the utmost of their art, in contriving some new struc- ture, for a lasting monument to those great men. But they, in diffidence of their own skill, refusing to under- take it, Treniounus, arehlilshop of the City of Legions, went to the king, and said, ''if any one living is ahle to execute your commands, Merlin, the prophet of Vorte- giniy is the man. In my opinion there is not in all your kingdom a person of a brighter genius, either in predicting future events, or in mechanical contrivances. Order him to come to you, and exercise his skill in the work which you design." Whereupon Aurelius, after he had asked a great many questions concerning him, despatched several messengers into the countries to find him out, and bring him to him. After passii^ through several provinces, they found him in the country of the Oewisseans, at the £>untaan of Galabes, which he frequently resorted to. As soon as they had delivered their message to him, they conducted him to the king, who received him with joy, and, being cmious to hear some of his wonderful speeches, commanded him to prophesy. Merhn made answer : Mysteries of this kind are not to be revealed but when there is the greatest necessity for it. If I should pretend to utter them either for ostentation or 158 OBOfFBBT OP ICONMDOTH. diveision, the q>irit that instructs me would be sUest, and would leave me when I should have occasion fbr it.** When he had made the saiiie refusal to all the rest pre- sent, the king would not urge him any longer about his predictions, but spoke to him concerning the monument which he designed. " If you are desirous/' said Merlin, to honour the burying-place of these men with an ever- lasting monument, send for the Giant*s Danee^ which is in Killaraus^ a mountain in Irehmd. For there is a structure of stones there, which none of this age could raise, without a pruiound knowledge of the mechanical arts. They are stones of a vast magnitude and won- derful quahty ; and if they can be placed here, as they are there, roimd this spot of ground, they will stand for ever.** CHAPTER XI, OTHER PENDRAOON IS APPOINTED WITH MERUN TO BRING OVER THE GIANT 8 DANGB« At these words of Merlin, Aurdius burst into laugh- i ter, and said, How is it possible to remove such vast stones from so distant a country, as if Britain was not j furnished with stones fit for the work ! " Merlin replied: ! " I entreat your majesty to forbear vain hiughter; for what I say is without vanity. They are mystical stones, and of a medicinal virtue. The giants of old brought them from the farthest coasts oi Africa, and placed them in Ireland, while they inliabited that country. Their design in this was to make baths in them, when they should be taken with any illness. For their me-! thod was to wash the stones, and put theur sick into the) water, which infallibly cured them. With the like suc^ cess they cured wounds also, adding only the application of some herbs. There is not a stone there which has not some healing virtue. ' When the Britons heard . Digitized by Googt BRITISH RUnOBT. V'»' 159 this, they resolved to send for the stonee, and to make ] WW apon the people of Ireland if they should offer to * detain them. And tu accomplish this business, they ' iiiade choice of Uthcr Ff^tlragon, who was to be at- tended with fifteen thounand men. They chose also ' Merlin himself, by wliosc direction the whole afiair was ' to be managed. A fleet beiog therefore got ready, they i set flail, and with a &ir wind arriyed in Ireland. I CHAPTER XIL G1LL0MANIU8 BEENO BOUTBD BY DTBBB, TBB BBnONa BRfNO OVER THE GIANT's DANCE INTO BRITAIN. At that time Gillomanius, a youth of wonderful va- lour, reigned in Ireland ; who, upon the news of the ar- rival of the Britons m his kmgdom, levied a vast army, and matched out against them. And when he had learned the occasion of their coming, he smiled, and said to those about him, " No wonder a cuvvardi) race of people were able to make so great devastation in . the island of Britain, when the Britons are such brutes and fools. Was ever the like folly heard of? What ► m the stones of Ireland better than those of Britain, ^t our kingdom must be put to this disturbance for (hem! To arms, soldiers, and defend your country; while I have life they shall not take from us the least stone of the Giant's Dance."" Uther, seeing them pre- pared for a Ijattle, attacked tbom ; nor \va.s it lon<2; t l o the Britons had the advantage, who, having dispei-sed and killed the Irish, forced Gillomanius to flee. After the victoty they went to the mountain Killaraus, and arrived at the structure of stones, the sight of which filled them both with joy and admiration. And while they were all standing round them, Merlin came up to thciu, and said, " Now try your forces, young men, and siee whether strength or art can do the most towards taking down these stones.'* At this word they all set 160 OBOFFRET OF MONHOlTtH to their ei^^es with one aecord, and attempted the remoTing of the Giant's Dance. Some prepared cables, others small ropes, others hidders for the work, bnt all to no purpose. Merlin laughed at tlieir \ ain efforts, and then beq-an his own contrivances. When he had placed in order the engines that were necessary, he took down the stones with an incredible facility, and gave direc- tions for carrying them to the ships, and placing them therem. Tldsdone^ they with joy set sail again, to return to Britain ; where they anived with a fair gale, and repaired to the burying-place with the stoncis. When Aurelius had notice oi' it, he sent messengers to all parts of Britain, to suiinnon the clergy and people together to the mount of Ambrius, in order to cele- brate with joy and honour the erection of the monu- ment. Upon this summons appeared the bishops, ab- bots, and people of all other orders and qualities ; and upon the day and place appointed for their general meeting, AnreUus placed the crown upon his head, and with royal pomp celebrated the feast of Pentecost, the solemnity whereof he continued the three following days. " In the meantime, all places of honour that were vacant, he bestowed upon his domestics, as rewards for their good services. At that tame the two metropolitan sees York and Legions were vacant; and with the general consent of the people, whom he was willing to please in this choice, he granted York to Sanxo, a man of great quality, and much celebrated for his [)iety ; and the City of Legions to Dubricius, whom Divine Provi- dence had pointed out as a most useful pastor in that place. As soon as he had settled these and other affiiira in the kingdom, he ordered Merlin to set up the stones . brought oyer from Ireland, about the sepulchre ; which he accordingly did, and placed them in the same manner as they had hem in the mountain Killaraus, and thereby ga\ e a manifest proof of the prevalence of art above strength. Digitized by Googl SRirnH HtATORY. 161 . CHAPTER XIII. J^^t PA8CENTIU0 BRINOe IN THE SAXONfl A0AIN8T THB BRITONS. At the same time Pasccntius, the son of Vortegim, S«cond inva- who had fled over into Germany, was levying all the sazooi.iiiMicr forces of that kingdom against Aurelius AmbroeiuSy with a design to revenge his father's death ; and promised his men an immense treasure of gold and sUyer, if with their assistance be conid suooeed in reducing Britain under his power. When he had at last corrupted all the youth of the country with his large promises, lie prepared a vast fleet, and arrived in the northern paiis of the island, upon which he began to make great devas- tations. The king, on the other hand, hearing this news, assembled his army, and marching against them, challenged the enraged enemy to a battle ; the challenge was accepted, and by the blessing<of God the enemy was defeated and put to flight. CHAPTER XIV* PASCENTIUS, ASSISTED BY THE KING OP fBELAND, AGAIN IN- VADES BBITAIX. AUREUUS DIES BY THE THEACHERY OF EOPA, A SAXON. Pascentius, after this flight, dorst not return to Germany, but shifting his sails, went over to Gillo- manius, in Ireland, by whom he was well received. And when he had given him an account of his misfortune, Gillomanius, in pity to him, promised him his assistance, and at the same time vented his complaint of the injuries done him by Uther, the brother of Aurelius^ when he came for the Giant's Dance. At last, entering into confederacy together, they made ready their fleet, in which they embarked, and arrived at the city of Digitized by Google 162 GBarFRST OF HONMOOTH. Menem.* Thia news caused Uther Pendnigon to levy his foicea, and marcli into Cambria to fight them. For his brother Anrelitis then hiy sick at Winchester, and was not able to go himself. When Pascentius, Gillonianius, and the Saxons heard of it, they highly rejoiced, flattering themselves, that lik sickness would facilitate to them the conquest of Britain. While this ooenrrence was the subject of the peopIe^s disoourae, one of the Saxons, named Eopa, came to Pascentios^ and said, What reward will yon give the man that shall kin Aurelttts Ambrosins for you !^ To whom Pas- centius auhwered, " Oh that I could find a man of such resolution ! I would give him a thousand pounda of silver, and my friendsliip for life ; and if by good fortune I can but gain the crown, I promise upon oath to make him a centurion." To this Eopa relied, I have leanied the British language, and know the manners of the people, and haye skifl in physic. If, tiierefore, you will perform this promise, I will pretend to be a Chris- tian and a Briton, and when^ as a j)hysician, I shall be admitted into the king's presence, I will make him a potion that shall dispatch him. And to gain the rea- dier access to him, I will put on the appearance of a devout and learned monk,^ Upon the offer, Pascentius entered Into covenant with him, and confirmed what he had promised with an oath. Eopa, therefore, shaved his beard and head, and in the habit of a monk hastened to WiiK liester, loaded with vessels full of medical pre- parations. As soon as he arrived there, he offered his service to those that attended about the king, and was graciously received by them ; for to them nobody was now more acceptable than a physician. Being intro- duced into the king^s presence, he promised to restore him to his health. If he would but take his potions. Upon which he had his orders forthwith to prepare one of them, into which when he had secretly conveyed a poisonous mixture, he gave it to the king. As soon as Digitized by Google BRITISH BI8T0BY. 163 Aureiius had drunk it up, the wicked Ambron ordered him presently to cover himself close up, and fall asleep, that the detestable potion might the better operate. The king readily obeyed his prescriptionB, and in hopes of his speedy reeoyery fell asleep. But the poison DeKth or An. quickly diffused iteelf through all the pores and veins of his body, so that the sleep ended in death. In the mean- time tlu- ^vicked traitor, havincr cunninpfly withdrawn him- self iii St from one and then from another, was no longer to be found in the court. During these transactions at Winchester, there appeared a star of wonderful mag- nitude and brightness, darting forth a ray, at the end of which was a globe of fire in form of a dragon, out of whose mouth issued forth two rays; one of which seemed to stretch out itself bevond the extent of Gaul, the other towards the Irish Sea^ and ended in seven lesser rays. CHAPTER XV. A COMET FBESIGNJriBS THE ftEION OF UTH£&. At the appearance of this star, a general fear and amazement seized the people ; and even Uther, the king's brother, who was then ujx>n his march with his army into Cambria, being not a little terrified at it, was very curious to know of the learned men, what it por- tended* Among others, he ordered MerUn to be called, who also attended in Hus expedition to give his advice in the management of the war; and who, being now pre- sented before kiin, was coniuianded to discover to him the signification of the star. At this he burst out into tears, and with a loud voice cried out, O irreparable loss ! O distressed people of Britain I Alas ! the illus- trious prince is departed ! The tenowned king of the Britons, Auielius Ambrosias, is dead ! whose death will prove &tal to us all, unless God be our helper. Make haste, therefore, most noble Uther, make haste to M 2 Digitized by Google 164 OBOFFRET OP MONMOVTH, engage the enemy : the victory wQl be yours, and yoU shall he king of all Britain* For the star, and the fiery diagon under it, signifies yourself, and the ray ex- tending towards the Gallic coast, portends that you shall have a most potent son, to whose power all those kingdoms shall be subject over which the ray reaches. But the other ray signifies a daughter, whose sons and grandsons shall successively enjoy the kingdom of Biitam*^ CHAPTER XVI. PASCBNTIU8 AKD GIIX0MANIU8 ABB KILLBD IN BATTLB. Uther, though he doubted of the truth of what Merlin had declared, pursued his march against the enemy, for he was now come within half a day's march of Menevia. When Gillomanius, Pascentius, and the Saxons were informed of his approach, they went out to give him battle. As soon as they were come within sight of each other, both armies began to fomi them- selves into several bodies, and then fidvanced to a close attack, in which both sides suffered a loss of men, as usually happens in such engagements. At last, towards the dose of the day, the advantage was on Uther's side, and the death of OiUonuuuus and Pascentius made a way for complete vietoiy. So that the barbarians, being put to flight, hastened to their ships, but were slain by their pursuers. Thus, by the favour of Christ, the general had triumphant sncpcss, and then with all pos- sible expedition, after so great a fatigue, returned back to Winchester: for he had now been informed, by messengers that arrived, of the kuig*s sad fate, and oi his burial by the bishops of the country, near the con- vent of Ambrius, within the Giant^s Dance, winch in his lifetime he had commanded to be made. For upon hearing the news of his death, the bishops, abbots, and all the clergy of that province, had met together at Digitized by Google « BRITISH BISTORT* 165 Winchester, to solemnize his funeral. And because in his lifetime he had given orders for his being buried in the sepulchre whidi he had prepAred, they therefore carried his corpse thither, and performed his exaeqaiee with royal magnificence. CHAPTEK XVIL UTHER PENDRAQON IS MADE KUiQ OF BRITAIN. But Uther his brother, having aaaembled the clergy ^^'^'^^'n* of the kmgdoin» took the crown, and by univesBal con- cmivMd. sent was adysnced to the kingdom. And remembering the explaiiatioii which Merlin had made of the star above-mentioned, he commanded two dragons to be made of gold, in likeness of the dragon which he had seen at the ray of the star. As soon as they were finished, which was done with wonderful nicety of work- manship, he made a present of one to the cathedral . church of Winchester, but reserved the other for him- self, to be carried along with him to his wars. From this time, therefore, he was called Uther Pendragon, which in the British tongue signifies the dragon's litad ; the occasion of this appellatiou being Merlin s predict- ing, from the appearance of a dragon, that he should be king. CHAPTER XVIII. OGTA AND EOBA ARB TAKEN IN BATTLE. In the meantime Octa the son of Mengist, and his kinsman Eosa, seeing they were no longer bound by the treaty which they had made with Aurelius Ambrosius, began to raise disturbances against the king, and infest his countries. For they were now joining with the Saxons whom Pascentius had brought over, and sending messengers into Germany for the rest. Being theieiore Digitized by Google 166 GEOFFBST OP MONMOUTH. attended with a vabi army, be invaded the northern yn-o- vinces, and in an outrageous manner destroyed all tiie dties and fortified places, from Albania to York. At last} as he was beginning the siege of that city* Uther Pendragon came upon him with the whole power of the kingdom, and gave him battle. The Saxons behaved witli great gallantry, and, having sustained the assaults of the Britons, forced them to fly ; and upon tliis ad- vantage pursued them with slaughter to the mountain Damen, wliich was as long as they could do it with day- light. The mountain was high, and had a hazel-wood upon the top of it, and about the middle broken and cavernous rocks, which were a harbour to wild beasts. The Britons made up to it, and stayed there al) night among the rocks and hazel-bushes. But as it began to draw towards day, Uther commanded the consuls and princes to be called together, that he might consult with them in what manner to assault the enemy. Where- upon they forthwith appeared before the king, who com- manded them to give their advice ; and Gorlois, duke of ComwaU, had orders to deliver his opinion first, out of regai'd to his yeai b and great experience. " There is no occasion,"" said lie, " for ceremonies or speeches, ^vhil(^ we 8€te that it is still night : but there is for boldness and courage, if you desire any longer enjoyment of your life and hberty. The pagans are very numerous, and eager to fight, and we much inferior to them in number ; so that if we stay till daybreak, we cannot, in my opinion, attack them to advantage. Come on, therefore, while we have the favour of the night, let us go down in a close body, and surprise them in their camp with a sudden assault. There can be no doubt of success, if with one consent we fall upon them boldly, while they think themselves secure, and have no eiq»eetation of our coming in such a manner.!' The king and all that were present, were pleased with his advice, and pursued it. For as soon as they were armed and placed in their Digitized by Google BRITISU U18TOBY 167 ranks, they niade towards the enemies' camp, designing a general assault. But upon approaching to it, they Mat or the were disoovered by the watoh, who with sound of tmmp ^ pet awaked thdr eompanioiis. The enemies being here- npon put into confiision and astonishment, part of them hastened towards the sea, and part ran up and down wliitliersoevcr their fear or precipitation tlrove them. The Britons, finding their coming discovered, hastened their march, and keeping stili close together in their ranks, assailed the camp; into which when they had fomid an entrance^ they ma with th^ drawn awoxds upon the enemy; who in this sadden surprise made but a &int defence against their vigorous and regular attack; and pursuing this blow with great eagerness they des- troyed some thousands of the pagans, took Octa and JEk)&a prisoners, and entirely dibpersed the Saxons. CHAPTER XIX. UTHIEB, FALLING IN LOVE WnH IGEBNA, ENJOYS HER BY THE AflSlSTANOB OF MERLIN^S MAOICAL OPEAATIONS. After this victory Uther repaired to the city of Alclud, where he settled the affairs of that province, and restored peace eveiywhere. He also made a progress round all the countries of the Scots, and tamed the fierceness of that zebeUious people, by such a strict ad* ministration of justice, as none of his predecessors had exercised before : so that in his time offen<l( i .s were every\vhere under great terror, since they were sure of being punished without mercy. At last, when he had established peace in the northern provinces, he went to London, and commanded Octa and Eosa to be kept in prison there. The Easter following he ordered aU the nobility of the kingdom to meet him at that city, in order to celtljiate that great festival ; in honour of which he designed to wear his crown. The summons Digitized by Google 168 GBOF¥a£Y OF MONMOUTH. was everywhere obeyed, and there was a great eon- course from all cities to celebrate the day. Bo the king observed the festival with great solemnity, as he had designed^ and veiy joyfully entertained his nobility, of whom there was a very great muster, with their vnvea and daughters, suitably to the magnificence of the ban- quet prepartd toi them. And having been received with joy by the king, they also expressed the same in their deportment before him. Among the rest was [n e- sent Gorlois, duke of Cornwall, with his wife Igoma, the greatest beauty in all Britain. No sooner had the king cast his eyes upon her anuMog the rest of the ladies, than he fell pasEdonatdy in love with her, and little regarding the rest, made her the subject of all his thoughts. She was the only lady that he continually served with fresh dishes, and to whom he sent golden cupe by his confidants ; on her he bestowed all his smiles, and to her addressed all his discourse. The hm- hand, discovering this, fell into a great rage, and re- tired from the court without taking leave : nor was there any body that could stop him, while he was under fear of losing the chief object of his dehght. Uther, there- fore, ,in great wrath commanded him to return back to court, to make him satisfaction for this affront. But Gorlois refused to obey ; upon which the king was highly incensed, and swore he would destroy his country, if he did not speedily compound for his offence. Ac- cordingly^ vdthout delay, while their anger was hot against each other, the king got together a great army, and marched into, Cornwall, tliu citits and towns whereof he set on fire. But Gorlois durst not engage with him, on account of the inferiority of his numbers ; and thought it a wiser course to fortify his towns, till he could get succour from Ireland. And as he was under more concern for his mfe than himself, he Tinuyi put her into the town of Tintagel, upon the sea-shore, which he looked upon as a place of great safety. But Digitized by Google BRITISH HUTOKT, 169 he himself entered the castle of Dimilioc, to prevent their heing both at once involved in the same danger, if any should hi^p^. The king, infonned of this, went to the town where Gorlois was, which he besieged, and shut up all the avenues to it. A whole week was now • past, when, retainincf in mind his love to Igema, he said to one of his cunhtiants, named UUiii de Ricaradoch: My passion for Igerna is such^ that I can neither have ease of mind, nor health of body, till I obtain her : and if you cannot aasiat me with your advice how to aocomr plish my desire^ the inward tonnentt^ I endure will kiU me." — Who can advise you in thie matter,** eaid Ulfin, ** when no force will enable us to have access to her in the town of Tintagel? For it is situated upon the sea, and on every side surrounded by it ; and there is but one entrance into it, and that through a straight rock, which three men shall be able to defend against the whole power of the kingdom. Notwithatanding, if the prophet Merlin would in earnest set about this attempt, I am of opinion, you might with his advice obtain yovar vmhes." The king readily behcved what he was so well inclined to, and ordered Merlin, who was also come to the siege, to be called. Merhn, therefore, being introduced into the king'^s presence, was commanded to give his advice, how the king might accomplish his desire with respect to Igema. And he, finding the great anguish of the kmg, was moved by such excessive love, and said, To accom- plish your desire, you must make use of such arts as have not been heard of in your time. I know Iiow, by the force of my medicines, to give you the exact likeness of Gorlois, so that in all respects you shall seem to be no other than himself. If you will therefore obey my pre« scriptions, I will metamorphise you into the true sem- blance of Gorlois, and Ulfin into Jordan of Tintagel, his familiar friend ; and I myself, bemg transformed into another shape, will make the third in the adventure, nn in this disguise you may go safely to the town where 170 GEOFFHEY OF JiiOXMOUTU. Igcma 15^, ainl have adinittanco tu her.'"'* The king com- plied with the proposal, and acted with great caution in this af&ir ; and when he had committed the oare of the siege to hk intimate friends, underwent the medical applications of Merlin, by whom he was transfomed into the likeness of Gorlois ; as was Ulfin also into Jordan, and Merlin himself into Bricel ; so that nobody could see any remains now of their former likeness. They tlien set forward on their way to Tintagel, at which tliey arrived in the evening twilight, and forthwith signified to the porter, that the oonsnl was come ; upon which the gates were opened, and the men let in. For what room cotdd there be for suspicion, when Gorlois himself seoned to be there present! The king therefore stayed that night with Igema, and had the full enjoyment of her, for she was deceived with the false disguise wliich he had put on, and the aitful and amorous discourses where- with he entertained her. He told her he had left his own place besieged, purely to provide for the safety of her dear self, and tbb town she was in ; so that believiiig all that he said, she refused him nothing which he de- aired. The same night therefore she conceived of the Prince most renowncd Arthur, wiiuse heroic and woink li'ul Arthiir. ' actions have justly rendered his name fsunous to pos- terity. CHAPTER XX. GORLOIS BEINQ KILLED, UTU£R MARRIES IGERNA. In the' meantime, as soon ;is the king's absence was discovered at the siege, his army unadvisedly matle an assault upon the walls, and provoked the besieged count to a battle ; who himself also, acting as inconsiderately as they, sallied forth with his men, thinking with such a amall handful to oppose a powerful army; but happened to be killed in the very first brunt of the fight, and had all his men routed. The town also was taken ; but all Digitized by GoogU BRITISH HI8T0RT. 171 the riches of it were not shared equally among the be- siegers, but every one greedily took what he could get, according as fortune or bis own strength IsYoured him. After this bold attempt, came messengers to Igema, with the news both of the duke's death, and of the event of the siege. But wlien they saw the king in the like- uess of the consul, sitting close by her, they were struck with shame and astonishment at his safe arrival there, whom they had left dead at the siege ; for they were wholly ignorant of the miracles which Merlin had wrought with his medicines. The king therefore smiled at the news, and embracing the countess, said to her: *^ Your own eyes may* convince you that I am not dead, but alive. But notwithstanding, the destruction of the town, and the slaughter of my men, is what very imR-h grieves me ; so that there is reason to fear the king's coming upon us, and taking us in this place. To pre- vent which, I will go out to meet him, and make my peace with him, for fear of a worse disaster." Accord- ingly, as soon as he was out of the town, he went to his army, and having put off the disguke of Gorlois, was now Uther Pendragon again. When lie had a full relation made to him how mattei-s had succeeded, he was 6un y lor the death of Gorlois, but rejoiced that Igerna was now at liberty to marry again. Then he returned to the town of Tintagel, which he took, and in it, what he impatiently wished for, Igema herself. After this they continued to live together with mudi aflfection each other, and had a son and daughter, whose liauies were Arthur and Anne. 172 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH CHAPTER XXL OCTA AND E045A RENEW THE WAR. LOT, A CONSUI^ MARRIES THIB KING^S DAUOHTRR, In process of time the king was taken ill of a lingering distemper; and meauvvhile the keepers- of the prison, wherein Octa and Eosa (as we related before) led a weary lii'e, had Hed over with them into Gennany, and occasioiied great fear over the kingdom. For there was a report of their great levies in Qermanjf and the vast fleet which they had prepared for their return to destroy the island: which the event verified. For they returned in a great fleet, anfl with a prodigious number of men, and invaded the parts of Albania, where they destroyed both cities and inhabitants with fire and sword. Wherefore, ! in order to repulse the enemies, the command of the I British army was conunitted to Lot of Londonesia, who was a ooDsul, and a most valiant knight» and grown up to maturity both of years and wisdom. Out of respect to his eminent monts, the king had given him his daugh- ter A line, and entrusted him with the care of the king- dom, duriiig his illness. In his expedition against the enemies he had various success, being often repulsed by them, and forced to retreat to the cities ; but he oftener routed and dispersed them, and compelled them to flee sometunes into the woods, sometunes to their ships. So that in a war attended with so many turns of fortune, it was hard to know which side had the better. The greatest injury to the Ihituiis was thuir own pride, in disdaining to ohf^y the consurs commands ; for which reason ail their etibrts against the enemy were leas vigorous and successful. Digitized by Google BlimSH HUTOEY. 173 CHAPTER XXII. UTUER, BEING ILL, IS CARRIED l.N A IIORSE-LI'ITKR AGAINST THE ENEMY. The island being by this conduct now almost laid waste, the king, having information of the matter, fell into a greater rage than his weakness could bear, and commanded all his nobility to come before him, that he might reprove them severely for their pride and cowardice. And asaoon as they were all entered into his presence, he sharply rebuked them in menacing language, and swore he himself would lead them against the enemy. For this purpose he ordered a horse-lHter to be made, in which he designed to be carried, for his inrinnity would not suffer him to use any other sort of vehicle ; and he eharged them to be all ready to march against the enemy on the first opportunity. So, without delay, the horse-litter and all his attendants were got ready, and the day arrived which had been ^pointed for their CHAPTER XXIII. OCTA AND BOBA, WITH A OEBAT NUHBEB OF THSm MEN, ARE KILLED. The king, therefore, being put into his Tehide, they einttavtm- nuurehed directly to Verulam, where the Saxons were grievously oppressing the people. When Octa and Eosa had intelligence that the Britons were come, and that the king was brought in a horse-litter, they disdained to hght with him, saying, it would be a shame tor such brave men to fight with one that was half dead. For , which reason they retbed into the city, and, as it were in contempt of any danger from the enemy, left their gates wide open. But Uther, upon information of this, Digitized by Google 174 GBOFFRST OF MONMOUTH. instantly commanded hk to lay siege to the city, and assault the waDs on all sid^ ; which orders they strictly executed; and were just entering the breaches which they had made in ibe walls, and ready to begin a general assault, when the Saxons, seeing the advantages which the Britons had gained, and being forced to abate someuliat of their haughty pride, condescended so far as to put themselves into a posture of defence. They therefore mounted the walls, from whence they poured down showers of arrows, and repulsed the Britons. On both sides the contest continued till night relessed tbem from the fatigue of their arms, which was what many of the Britons desired, though the greater part of them were for having the matter quickly decided with the enemy. The Saxons, on the other hand, finding liow prejudicial their own pride had been to them, and tliat the advantage was on the side of the Britons, resolved to make a sally at break of day, and try their fortune with the enemy in the open field ; which accordingly was done. For no sooner was it daylight, than they marched out with this design, an in their proper ranks. The Britons, seeing them, divided their men into several bodies, and advancing towards them, began the attack first, their part being to assault, while the others were only upon the defensive. However, much blood was shed on both sides, and the greatest part of the day spent in the fight, when at last, Octa and Eosa being killed, the Saxons turned their backs, snd left the Britons a complete ^ctory. The king at this was in such an ecstasy of joy, that whereas before he could liardly raise up himself without the help of others, he now without any difficulty sat upriglit in his hoi-se litter of himself, as if he wai? on a sudden restored to health ; and said with a laughing and merry counte- nance, These Ambrons called me the half-dead king, because my sickness obliged me to lie on a hoise-litter; and indeed so I was. Yet victory to me half dead, is better than to be safe and sound and vanquished. For Digitized by Google BRITISH HiarroRT. 176 to die with honour, is preferable to living with did- graoe/' CHAPTER XXIV. tTTHER, I7P0N DRINKING SPRING WATER THAT WAS TRBA- CBBROUSLT POISONED BY THE SAXONS, DIES. The Saxons, notwithstandiDg this defeat, persisted i>eaih still in their malice, and entering ihe northern pro* vinces, without respite infested the people there. Uthers purpose was to have pursued them; but his princes dissuaded him from it, because his illness had increased since the victory. This gave now courage to the enemy, who left nothing unattempted to make conquest of the kingdom. And now they have recourse to their former treacherous practices, and contrive how to compass the king^s death by secret villany. And because they could have no access to him otherwise, they resolved to take ium oft by poison ; in which they succeeded. For while he was lying ill at Verulam, they sent away some spies in a poor habit, to learn the state of the court ; and when they had thoroughly in- formed themselves of the posture of affaii^, they found out an expedient by which they might best accomplish theur villfmy. For there was near the court a spring of very dear water, whidli the king used to drink of, tirlien hk distemper had made all other liquors nauseous to him. This the det^able conspirators made use of in destruy hini, by so poisoning the whole mass of water which sprung up, that the next time the king drank of it, he was seized with sudden death, as were also a hundred other peraons after him, till the villany was disoov^^, and a heap of earth thrown over the well. As soon as the kmg^s death was divulged, the bishopB and clergy of the kingdom assembled, and carried his body to the convent oi' Ambrius, where they buried it with regal solemnity, close by A melius Ambrosius^ within the Giant's Dance. GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK IX. CHAPTER 1. ABintnt avccBEM irmm ma rxTRni nc im KraanOM OF UUITAIN, AND BESIEGES COLUUIN. XJiHBR Pendragon being dead, the nobility from Be?enil provmces assembled together at Sileeetoe, and proposed to Dubricius, archbishop of Legions, that he should consecrate Arthur, Uther's son, to be their Idng. For they were now in great straits, because, upon hearing of the king's death, the SsuLom had invited over their countrym^ from Germany, and, under the command of Co%rin, were attenqtting to extennmaite the whole Britidi race. They had also entirdy sabdued all that part of the island which extends from the. Humber to the sea of Catlmess. Dubricius, therefore, grieving for the calamities of his country, in conjunc- tion with the other bishops, set the crown upon Arthur's head. Arthur w as then fifteen years old, but a youth of such imparalieled courage and generosity, joined with that sweetness of temper and innate goodness, as gained him universal We* When his coronation was over, he, according to usual custom, showed his bounty and munificence to the people. And such a number of Digitized by Google BRITISH RimRT. ' 177 soldiers flocked to, him upon it, that his treasury was not able to answer that vast expense. Bat such a spirit of generosity, jomed with valour, can never hmg want means to support itself. Arthur, therefore, the better to keep up his munificence, resolved to make use of his courage, and to fall ij{)()n the Saxons, that lie misjht enrich his followers with their wealth. To this he was also moved by the justice of the cause, since the entire monarchy of Britain belonged to him by here* ditary right. Hereupon assembling the youth under his commandy he marched to York, of which, when Colgrin had intelligence, he met him with a very great aniiy, composed of Saxons, Scots, and Picts, by the river Douglas; whore a battle happenefl, with the loss Battle on of the greater part of both armies. Aotwitlistantling, oougiiw. the victory fell to Arthur, who pursued Colgrin to York, and there besieged him. Baldulph, upon the news of his brother's flighty went towards the siege with a body of six thousand men, to his relief ; for at the time of the battle he was upon the sea-coast, waiting the arrival of Duke Cheldric with succours from Germany. And being now no more than ten miles distant from the city, his purpose was to make a speedy march in the nigiit-time, and fall upon the enemy by way of surprise. But Arthur, having intelligence of his design, a&at a detachment of six hundred horse, and three thousand foot, under the command of CSkdor, duke of Cornwall, • to meet him the same night. Cador, therefore, fidling into the same road along which the enemy was passing, made a sudden assault upon them, and entirely defeated the Saxons, and put them to flight. Baldulph was excessively grieved at this disappointment in the relief ' which he intended for his brother, and b^gan to think of some other stratagem to gam access to him; in yMsk if he could but succeed, he thought they might cofieert measures together for their safety. And since he had uu other way for it, he shaved liis head and N Digitized by Google 178 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. beard, and put on the habit of a jester with a harp, and in this disguise wall^r^^i up and down in the camp, play- ing upon his instrument as ii' he had been a har|ier. He thus passed unsuspected, and by a Httle and httle went up to the walls of the city, where he was at last dig- covered by the besieged, who thereupon drew him up with cords, and conducted him to his brother. At thk unexpected, though much desired meeting, they spent some time in joyfully embracing each other, and then began to consider various stratagems for their delivery. At last, just as they were considering their ease des- perate, the ambassadors returned from Germany, and brought with them to Albania a fleet of six hundred sail, laden with brave sddiers, under the command of Gheldric. Upon this news, Arthur was dissuaded by his council from continuing the siege any longer, for fear of hazarding a battle with so powerful and auuierous an army. CHAPTER II. HOKL SEXDS FIFTF.EN THOUSAND MEN TO ARTUUR's ASSISTANCE. Hoel n<;sist« AuTHiTR compHcd wlth thcir advice, and made his re- Arthur with 15.000 men. treat to London, where he called an assembly of all the clergy and nobility of the kingdom, to ask their advice, what course to take against tlie formidable power of the pagans. After some deliberation, it was agreed that ambassadors should be despatched into Armorica, to King Hod, to represent to him the calamitous state of Britain. Hoel was the son of Arthur^s sister by Dubri- eius, king of the Armorican Britons; so that, upon advice of the disturbances his uncle was thi'eatened with, he ordered his fleet to be got ready, and having assembled fifteen thousand men, he arrived with the first fair wind at Hamo's Port, and was received with all suitable honour by Arthur, and most affectionately embraced by him. Digitized by Google BKITIflH lII«rrORT. IX ■ 179 CHAPTER in. ARTHUR MAKES THB SAXONfi HtS TRIBUTARIES. After a few days tliey went to relieve the city Kacr- Arthur rai»e» liudcoit, that was besieged by the pagans ; which being uonii? situated upon a mountain, between two rivers in the pro- vince of Lindisia, is called by another name Lindooo* linum. As toon as they arrived there with all their forces^ they fought with the Saxons, and made a grievous slaughter of them, to the number of six thousand ; part of whom weie drowned in the rivers, part fell by the hands of the Britons. The rest in a {Treat consternatiou quitted the siege and fled, but were closely pursued by Arthur, till they came to the wood of Caledon, where they endeavoured to form themselves into a body again, and make a stand. And here they again joined battle vrith the Britons, and made a brave defence, whilst the trees that were in the place secured them against the enemies' arrows. Arthur, seeing this, eomiuaiided the trees that were in that part of the w ood to be cut dowTi, and the trunks to be placed quite round them, so as to hinder their getting out ; resolving to keep them pent up here till he could reduce them by famine. He then commanded his troops to besiege the vrood, and con- tinued three days in that place. The Saxons, having now no provisions to sustain them, and being just ready to starve with liunger, begged for leave to go out ; in consideration whereof they offered to leave all their gold and silver behind them, and return back to Ger- many with nothing but their empty ships. They pro- mised also that th^ would pay him tribute from Qea> many, and leave hostages with him. Arthur, after eon* sultation about it, granted their petition ; allowing them only leave to depart, and retaining all their treasures, as also hostages for payment of the tribute. But as they N 2 Digitized by Google 180 CHBOFFBSY OF MONMOUTH* were under sail on their return home, they repentod of their bargain, and tacked about again towards Britain, TotneM. and went on shore at Totnees. No sooner were they huidedy than they made an utter doTastation of the coun- tiy aa &r as the Severn aea, and put all the peaaanta to the sword. From thenee they pursued their Ihrious B»ih. march to the town ui' Bath, and kid siege to it. When the king had intelHgence of it, he was beyond measure surprised at their proceedings, and immediately gave orders for the execution of the hostages. And desisting from an attempt which he had entered upon to reduoe the Scots and Picta» he mardied with the utmost expe- dition to raise the si^ ; but Uiboured under very great difficulties, because he had left his nephew Hoe! «ck at Alclud. At length, having entered the province of So- me rs(t, and belield how the siege was carried on, he addressed himself to his followers in these words t Since these impious and detestable Saxons have dis- dained to keep faith with me, I, to keep faith with (rod, will endeavour to revenge the Mood of my countrymen this day upon them. To arms, addiers, to arms, and con- rageoudy fall upon the perfidious wretches, over whom we shall, with Christ assisting us, undoubtedly obtain the victory. CHAPTER IV. Dl imiCIU8*S SPFF.CH AGAINST THE TREACHKHOrS SAXONS. ARTHUR WITH HIS OWN HAND KILLS FOUB UUKDRED AMD SaVENTT SAXONS Ul OKB BATTLE. COLOION ANO BALnULPR A1IB KUXBD IK THB SAME. VN'hkn he had done speaking, St. Dubricius, archbishop -of Legions, going to the top of a hill, cried out with a loud voice : You that have the honour to profess the Christian faith, keep fixed in your minds the love which yon owe to your eountiy and fellow-subjeots, whose suf- ferings by the treachery of the pagans will be an ever^ Digitized by Google SRITUH HUfTOHT. 181 lasting reproach to you, if you do not ooungeouBly ^i^us's defend them. It is your country which you fight for, and for which you should, when required, vohmtarily suffer death : for that itself is yietory, uid the cure of the soul. For he that shall die for his brethren, offal's himself a living sacrifice to God, and has Christ for his example, who condescended to lay down his life for his brethren. If therefore any of you shall be killed m this WBTg that death itself, which is sufiered in so gl<niou8 a cause, shall be to him for penance and absolution of all his sins.^ At these words, all of them, encouraged with the benediction of the holy prelate, instantly armed themselves, and prepared to obey his ordei"s. Also Arthur himself, havinof put on a coat of mail suitable to the grandeur of so powerful a king, placed a golden hel- met upon his head, on which was engraven the figure of a dragon ; and on his shoulders his shield called Priwen ; upon which the picture of the blessed Mary, mother of God, was painted, in order to put him frequently in mind of her. Then girding on his CaHbum, which was an excellent sword made in the Isle of Avallon, he graced his right hand with his lance, named Ron, which waa liard, broad, and fit for slaughter. After this, having placed his men in order, he boldly attacked the jSaxons, who were drawn out in the shape of a wedge, as their manner was. And they, notwithstanding that the Britons fought with great eagerness, made a noble defence all that day ; but at length, towards sun-set- ting, climbed up to the next mountain, which served thom for a camp : for tliey desired 1:0 larger extent of ground, since they confided very much in their numbers. The next morning, Arthur, with his army, went up the mountain, but lost many of his men in the ascent, by the advantage which the Saxons had in theur station on the top, from whence they could pour down upon him with nmch greater speed, than he was able to advance against them. Notwithstanding, after a very hard strug- Digitized by Google 182 GEOFFBET OF MONJIOVTH* gle, the Britons gained the summit of the hiU, and quickly came to a dose engagement with the enemy, who agaio gave them a warm reception, and made a veiy vigorous defence, lu this manner was a great part of that day also spent ; whereupon Arthur, pri A (jked to see the little advantai^e he had yet gained, and that victory still con- tinued in suspense, drew out his Caliburn, and, calling Upon the name of the blessed Virgin, rushed forward with great fury into the thickest of the enendes* ranks; of whom (such was the merit of bis piaym) not one escaped alive that felt 'the fuiy of his sword ; neither did he give over the fiiry of the assault, untfl he had with his Cali- buni aL iiio killed iuur hundred and seventy men. The Britoii.s, .seeini; this, followed their leader in crreat multi- tudes, and made slaughter on all sides; so tliat Colgrin and Haldulph his brother, and many thousands more, fell before them. But Cheldric, in this imminent danger of his men, betook himself to fli^t. CHAPTER V. THE 0AmviS, AFTBK TUEIS LEADER CUELDBIC WAS KILLED, ARE ALL OOMPELLED BY CADOE TO 8UREEKOEB. The victory being thus gained, the king oommanded The Saxons Cador, duke of Cornwall, to pursue them, while he him- CMior. ' self should hasten his march into Albania ; from whence he had advice, that the Scots and Picts were besieging Alclud, in which, as \vc said i)efore, Hoel lay sick. Therefore he Imstened to his assistance, for fear he might fall into the hands of the barbarians. In the meantime the duke of Cornwall, who had the command of ten thousand men, would not as yet pursue the Saxons in their flight, but speedily made himself mas- ter of their ships, to hinder their getting on board, and manned them with his best soldiers, who were to beat back the pagans in eaise they should tiee tliither : Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 183 after this lie hastily pursued the enemy, according to Arthur's eommand, and allowed no quarter to those he could overtake. So that they whose behaviour before was 80 cruel and msoleiit, now with timorous hearts fled for shelter, sometimes to the coverts of the woods, some- times to mountains and eaves, to prolong a wretched life. At last, when none of these places could afford them a safe retreat, they entered the Ible of Thanet with their broken forces; but neither did they there get free from the duke of Comwall^s pursuit, for he still coDtiuued slaughtering them, and gave them no respite till be had killed Cheldric, and taken hostages for the Death of surrender of the rest. CIIAPTEIi VI. ARTHUR GRANTS A PARDON TO THB SCOTS AND PICTS, U£S1£UED AT THE LAKE LUMOND. Having therefore settled peace here, he directed his march to Alclud, which Arthur had relieved from the oppression of barbarians, and from thence conducted, his array to Mureif, where the Scots and Picts were be- sieged ; after three several battles with the king and his nephew, they had fled as far as thia proviiice, and entering upon the hke Lumond, sought for refuge in the ishuids that are upon it. This lake contains sixty Tiwiixiy ishmds, and receives sixty rivers into it^ which empty j^^^^^ theipselv€»s into the sea by no more than one mouth. There is also an equal number of rocks in these' islands, as also of eagles' nests in those rocks, which flocked to- gether there every year, and, by the loud and general noise which they now made, foreboded some remarkable event that should happen to the kingdom. To these islands, therefore, had the enemy fled, thinking the lake would serve them instead of a fortification; but it proved of little advantage to them. For Arthur, having Digitized by Google 184 GBOFFRSY OF MOMHOOTH. got together » fleet, sailed fomid the men, and he- sieged the eoemy fifteen days together, hy mdiieh th^ were so straitened with hunger, that they died by thou- sands. AVhile he was haraj^ing them in this manner, Ouillamurius, king of Ireland, canie up in a fleet with a very great army of barbanans, in order to relieve the hesi^ped. This ohliged Arthur to raise the si^^ and turn his arms sgamst the Irish, whom he dew wiUioiit merqr» and eompelled the rest to retom hack to thdr ooimtry. After this vietory, he proeeeded in his fint attempt, which was to extirpate the whole race of the Scots and Picts, and treated them with an unjuiralleled severity. And as he allowed quarter to none, the bishops of that miserable country, with all the inferior cleigy, met together, and bearing the reliques of the saints and other consecrated things of the church hefore them, harefooted, came to imptoe the king's mmj for "their people. As soon as they were admitted into his presence, they fell down upon tlieir knees, and humbly besought him to have pity on their distressed country, since the sufferings which he had already made it undergo, were sufficient ; nor was there any necessity to cut off the small remainder to a man ; and that he would allow them the enjoyment of a small part of the country, since they were willing to bear the yoke which he dumld impose upon them. The king was moved at the manner of their delivering this petition, and could not forbear expressing his clonieney to them with tears; and at the request of those holy men, granted them pardon. CHAPTER VIL ABTHUn BELATBS THS WONDEBPUL NATUIIB OP 80MB FONM. Tills affair being concluded, Hoel had the curiosity to view the situation of the lake, and wondered to find Digitized by Google BIllTlSH U18T0UY. 185 the number of the nvers, islands, rocks, and eagles Hoei*wta nests, so exactly correspond : and vvlule lie was reiieeting of i ^ fa upon it as something that appeared miraculous, Arthur came to him, and told him of another pond in the province, which was yet more wonderft4« For not &r from thence was one whoae length and breadth were each twenty feet, and depth fiye feet. But whether its square figure was natural or artificial, the wonder of it was, there were four different sorts of fishes in the four several corners of it, nunc of which were ever found in any other part of the pond but their own. He told him likewise of another pond in Wales, near the Severn, called by the country people Linligwan^ into which when the sea flows, it receives it in the manner of a gulf, but so as to swallow up the tide, and never be fiUed, or have its banks covered by it. But at the ebbing of the sea, it throws out the waters which it had swallowed, as high as a mountain, and at la^t dashes and covers the bank» witli them. In the meantime, if all the people of that comitry should stand near with their laces towards it, and happened to have their clothes sprinkled with the dashing of the waves, they would hardly, if at all, escape being swallowed up by the pond. But with their backs towards it, they need not fear being dashed, though they stood upon the very banks. CHAPTER VIII. AUTHUH RESTORES YORK TO ITS ANCIENT BEAUTY, ESPJSCIALLY AS TO ITS CUUBCHES. The king, after his general pardon granted to the • Scots, went to York to cclcbr;ue the feast of Christ's nativity, which was now at hand. On entering" the city, he beheld with grief the desolation of the churches; for upon the expulsion of the holy Archbishop Sanxo, and of all the deigy there, the temples which were half 186 GEOFFREY OF MOMHOUTH. Arthur..'- burnt down, had no longer divine service perio mi ed in churthe/and them I SO Hiuch liad thc impious rage of the pagans pre- logB o£Vork. vailed. After this, in an assemhly of the clergy and people, he i^pointed I'yramus his chaplain metropolitan of that see. The churches that lay level with the ground, he rebuilt, and (which was their chief oinament) saw them fiOed- with assemblies of devout persons of both sexes. Also the nobility that were driven out by the disturbances of the Saxons, he restored to thcii country. CHAPTER IX. arthur honours augu8rl with the sceptre of the scots; urian with that of murbif; and lot with the consulship of londone8ia. Arthur op- There werc there three brothers of royal blood, \ iz. Kbttiry'^ Lot, Urian, and Augusel, wlio, before the Saxons had prevailed, held the government of those parts. Being willing therefore to bestow on these, as he did on others, the rights of their ancestors, he restored to Augusel the sovereignty over the Scots; his brother TJrian he honoured with the sceptre of Mureif ; and Lot, who in the time of Aurelius Ambrosius had mar- ried his sister, by whom he had two sons, Walgan and Modred, ho re-established in the consulsinp of Londo- ncsia, and the other provinces belonging to hhn. At length, when the whole country was reduced by him to its ancient state, he took to wife Guanhumara, de- scended from a noble famOy of Romans, who was edu- cated under Duke Cador, and in beauty surpassed all the women of the island. Digitized by Google BRITISH HlffTORY. 187 CHAPTER X. ARTHUR ADDS TO HIS GOVBKNUISNT IRELAND, ICKLAND, GOTHLAND^ AND THE ORKNEYS. The next summer he fitted out a fleet, and made an Artimr con. expedition into Ireland, which he was deairons to reduce, iaiid, Iceland, Upon landuifiT there, he was met by Kinir GuiUamnriiis and the before mentioned, with a vast number of men, wfao"-^ ttane with a design to fight him ; but at the very be- ginning of the battle, those naked and unarmed people were miserably routed, and fied to such places as lay open to them for shelter. Guillamurius also in a short time w&s taken prisoner, and forced to submit ; as were also all the other princes of the oountiy after the king's example, being under great oonstenution at what had happened. After an entire conquest of Ire- land, he made a voyage with his fleet to Iceland, which he also subdued. And now a rumour spreading over the rest of the islands, that no country was able to withstand him, Doldavius, king of Gothland, and Gun- fasius, king of the Orkneys, came voluntarily, and made their submission, on a promise of paying tribute. Then, as soon as winter was over, he returned back to Britain, where having established the kingdom, he re- sided in it for twelve yeavs together in peace. CHAPTEK XL AUTHUR BUBDUEH NORWAY, DACIA, AQUITAINE, AND GAtTL. Ajter this, having invited over to him all persons whatsoever that were famous for valour in foreign na> tions, he began to augment the number of his domestics, and introdueed siicli i)oliteness into his court, as people of the remotest countries thought worthy of their imi- Digitized by Google 188 OKOrFKEY OF MONMOUTH. HembduM tation. So that there was not a nobleiiian who thought i>eoiD«rk, himself of any coubitleration, unless^ iii^ clotlieb and arms were made in the same fashion as those of Arthur^s knights. At length the fame of Us munificence and valour fipreading over the whole world, he became a terror to the kingjs of other oouDtries, who grievously feared the loss of their dominioiis, if he should make any alt ( nipt upon them. Being much perplexed with these anxious cares, they repaired their cities and towel's, and built towns in convenient places, the better to fortify themselves against any enterprise of A rthur, when oeeasioD should require. Arthur, being informed of what they were doing, was delighted to find how much they stood in awe of him» and formed a design for the conquest of all Europe. Then having prepared his fleet, he first attempted Norway, that he might procure the crown of it for Lot, his sister's husband. This Lot was the nephew of Sichelin, king of the Norwegians, who being then dead, had appointed him his successor, in the kingdom. But the Norwegians, disdaining to receive him, had advanced one Riculf to the sovereignty, and having fortified their cities, thought they were able to oppose Arthur. Walgan, the son of Lot, was then a youth twelve years old, and was recommended by his uncle to the service of Pope Supplicius, from whom he received arms. But to retm-n to the history : as soon as Arthur arrived on the coast of Norway, King Riculf, attended with the whole power of that kingdom, met him, and gave him hattle, in which, after a great loss of blood on both sides, the Britons at length had the advantage, and making a vigorous charge, killed Riculf and many others with liim. Having thus defeated them, they set the cities on fire, dispersed the country peo])le, and pur- sued the victory till they had reduced all Norway, as also Dacia, under the dominion of Arthur. After the con- quest of these countries, and establishment of Lot upon the throne of Norway, Arthur made a voyage to Gaul, Digitized by Google BRiTna msTORY. 189 and dividing his army into several bodies, began to lay lad oaui. waste that country on all sides. The province of Gaul was then committed to FIollo, a Roman tribune, who held the government of it under the Emperor Leo. Upon intelligence of Arthur*s coming, he raised all the forces that were under his comnmnd, and made war against him, but without success. For Arthur was attended with the youth of all ihe islands that he had subdued ; for which reason he was reported to have such an army as was thought invincible. And even the greater part of the Gallic army, encouraged by his bounty, came over to his service. Therefore FloUo, seeing the dis- advantages he lay under, left his camp, and fled with a small mnnlHT to Paris. There having recruitorl his He besieges army, he fortified the city, and resolved to stand another Parts, engagement with Arthur. But while he was thinking of strengthening himself with auxiliary forces in the neigh- bouring countries^ Arthur came upon him unawaresi and besieged him in the city. When a month had passed, Flollo, with grief observing his people perish with hunger, sent a message to Arthur, that they two aJone should decide the contest for the kingdom in a duel : for being a person of great stature, boldness and courage, he gave this challenge in confidence of success. Arthur was extremely pleased at FioUo's proposal, and sent him word back agam, that he would give him the meeting wfai(^ he desired. A treaty, therefore, being on both sides agreed to. they met together in the island without the city, where the people waited to see the event. They were both gracctully armed, and mounted on admirably swift horses ; and it was hard to tell which gave greater hopes of victory. When they had presented themselves sgaanst each other with their lances aloft, they put spurs to their hones, and began a fierce encounter. But Arthur, who handled his lance more warily, struck it mto the upper part of Flollo 's breast, and avoiding his enemy's weapon, laid him prostrate upon the ground. Digitized by Google 190 GBOFFRRY OF MONMOUTR. and was just going to dispatch him with his drawn sword. | But FloUo, starting up on a sudden, met him with his Uiiee oottched) wherewith he mortally stabbed the breast j of Arthur's horse, and caused both him and his rider to fall. The Britons, when they saw their king lying cm the | ground, fearing lie \va.s killed, could hardly be restrained from breach of covenant, and falling with one consent upon tlie Gauls. But just as they were upon rushing into the lists, Arthur hastily got up, and guarding him- self with his shield, advanced with speed against FloUo. And now they renewed the assault with great ragSt eagerly bent upon one another's destruction. At length FloUo, watching his advantage, gave Arthur a blow upon the forehead* which might have proved mortal, had he not blunted tlie edge of hits w capon again.si the helmet. \V hen Arthur saw his coat of mail and shield red with blood, he was inflamed with still greater rage, and lifting up his Cahbum with his utmost strength, struck it through the helmet into Flollo's head, and made a terrible gash. With this wound Fldlo fell down, tearing the ground with his spurs, and expired. As soon as this news was spread through the army, the citizens ran together, and opening the gates, surrendered the city to Arthur. After the victory, he divided his army into two parts; one of which he committed to the conduct of Hoel, whom he ortoed to march against Guitard, commander of the Pictarians ; while he with the other part should endeavour to reduce the other prorinces. Hoel upon this entered Aquitaine, possessed himself of the cities of that country, and after distressing Guitard in several battieSy forced him to surrender. He also destroyed Gascony with fire and sword, and subdued the princes of it* At the end of nine yean, in which time all the parts of Qaul were entirely reduced, Arthur returned back to Paris, where he kept his court, and calling an assembly of the clergy and people, established peace and the just administration of the laws in that kingdom. Digitized by Google RBITMH HinORT. 1.91 Then lie bestowed Neustria, now called Normandy, upon Namuuidr. Bedver, his butler; the province of Andegavia upooAajmi. Caiua» hm sewer; and seyeral other provmocs upon his great men that attended him. Thus having settled the peace of the cities and countries there, he returned hack in the beginning of spring to Britain. CHAPTER XIL AKTHUR SUMMONS A GREAT MANY KINOS, PRINCES, ARCI!- BISHOPS, &C. TO A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY AT THE CITY OF LEGIONS. Upon the approach of the feast of Pentecost, Arthur, Arthur iioidB the better to demuiibtrate his joy after huch triumphant hilTtribuLry success, and for the more solemn observation of that It .s- tival, and reconciling the minds of the princes that were now subject to him, resolved, during that season, to hold a magnificent court, to place the crown upon his head, and to invite all the kings and dukes under his subjec- tion, to the solemnity. And when he had communicated his design to hw fiuniliar friends, he pitched upon the City of Legions as a proper place for his purpose. For besides its great wealth above the other cities, its situa- tion, which was in Glamorganshire upon the river Uske, near the Severn sea, was most pleasant, and fit for so great a solemnity* For on one side it was washed by that noble river, so that the kinga and princes from the countries beyond the seas mi^t have 'the convenience of sailing up to it. On the other side, the beauty of the meadows and groves, and iiiagnificencc of the royal palaces with lofty gilded roofs that adorned it, made it even rival the grandeur of Korae. It was also famous for two churches; whereof one was built in honour of the inartyr Julius, and adorned with a choir of virgins, who had devoted themselves wholly to the serrice of God; hut the.otiher, which was founded in memory of St. Digitized by Google 192 GEOFFBBY OF MO^IMOUTII. Aaron, his companion, and maintained a convent of canons, \va« the third metropolitan church of Britain. Besides, there was a college of two hundred philusuplieii^, who, being learned in astronomy and the other arts, were diligent in obaerving the courses of the stars, and gave Arthur trae predictions of the events that would happen at that tune. In this place» therefore, which MxrM such delights, were preparations made for the enstung festival. Ambassadors were then sent into several king- \ doms, to invite to court the princes both of Gaul and all Names of Ui the adjacent islands. Accordingly there came Augusel, Sb^^ king of Albania, now Scotland ; Urian, king of Mureif ; Cadwallo Lewirh, king of the Venedotians, now called the North Wales men ; Satmr, king of the Demetiaiu» I or South Wales men; CSador, long of Cornwall; also the arehhishops of the three metropolitan sees^ London, York, and Duin k ius of the City of Legions. This pre- late, who was primate of Britain, and legate of the apos- tolical see, was so eminent for his piety, that he could cure any sick person by his prayers. There came also the consuls of the principal cities, viz. Morvid, consul of Glou* cester; Mauzon, of Wofoester; Ananuity <tf Salisbury; Arthgal, of Cargueit or Warguit; Jugein, of Legecester; Cursalen, of Kaicester; Kinmare, duke of Dorobemia; Galluc, of Salisbury"; Urgennius, of Bath; Jonathal, of Dorchester; iioso, of l{i(l(3c, that is, Oxford. Besides the consuls, came the following worthies of no less dig- nity: Danaut, Map papo; Cheneus, Map coil; Peredur, Mab eridur; Guiful, Map Nogoit; Regin^ Map daut; Edddein, Map dedanc; Kincar, Mab bagan; Kunnmre; Gorboroniam, Map goit; Glofaut» Rupmaneton; Kim- bdim, Map trunat; Oathleus, Map eatel; Kinlich, Map neton; and many others too tedious to enumerate. From the adjacent islands came Guillamurius, king of Ireland; Malvasius, king of Iceland; Doldavius, king of Gothland; Gunfasius, king of the Orkneys; Lot^ king of Norway; AschiUius^ king of the Dacians. IPtam the \ Digitized by Google SRITI6TI HlflTORY, 193 parts beyond the seas, came Holdin, king of Ruteni ; Leodegarius, consul of Bolonia ; Bedver, the butler, duke of Normandy ; Borellua^ of Cenomaiiia ; Caiua, the sewer, duke of Andegavia; Guitard, of Pictavia; ako the twelve peers of Gaul, whom Guerinus Oamotensis brought along with him : Hoel, duke of the Armorican Britons, and his nobiHty, who came with snch a train of niulos, liuibets, and ricli furniture, as it is difficult to describe. Besides these, there remaiued no prince of any consideration on this side of Spain, who came not upon this invitation. And no wonder, when Arthur's munificence, which was celebrated over the whole world, made him beloved by all people. CHAPTER XIIL ^ A DESCRIPTION OF THE ROYAL POMP AT THE CORONATION OF AHTHUR. Whkn aU were assembled together in the city, upon the day of the solemnity, the archbishops were conducted to the palace, in order to place the cro\Mi upun the king's Arthur's head. Therefore Dubricius. inasmuch as the court was kept in his diocese, made himself ready to celebrate the office, and undertook the ordering of whatever related to it. As soon as the king was invested with his royal habOimentS) he was conducted in great pomp to the metropolitan church, supported on each ddeby two arch- bishops, and having four kings, viz. of Albania, Corn- wall, Denietia, and Venedotia, whose riglit it was, ]>earing four golden sw^ords l)efore him. He was also attended with a concert of all sorts of music, which made most excellent harmony. On another part was the queen, dressed out in her richest ornaments, , conducted by the archbishops and bishops to the Temple of Virgins ; the four queens also of the kings last mentioned, bearing Digitized by Google 194 GROPFRRY OF BlONMOOTHi before her four white doves according to ancient cus- tom ; and after her there followed a retinue of women^ making all imaginable dmnonstratioiis of joy. When the whole procession was ended, so transporting was the harmony of the miuncal instrmnents and voices, whereof there was a vast variety in both churches, that the knights who attended were in doubt which to prefer, and therefore crowded from the one to the other by tuius, and were far from being tired with the solenuiity, though the whole day had been spent in it. At last, when divine service was over at both churehesy the king and queen put off their crowns, and putting on their lighter ornaments, went to the banquet ; he to one palace with the men, and she to another with the wumen. For the Britons still observed the ancient custom of Troy, by which the men and women used to celebrate their fes- tivals apart. When they had all taken their seats according to preced^ce, Caius the sewer, in rich robes of ermine, with a thousand young noblemen, all in like manner clothed with ermine, served up the dishes. From another part, Bedver the butler was followed with the same number of attendants, in various habits, who waited with all kinds of cujis anfl drinking vessels. In the queen's palace were innumerable waiters, dressed with variety of ornaments, all performing their respective offices ; which if I should describe particularly, I should draw out the history to a tedious length. For at that time Britain had arrived at such a pitch of grandeur, that in abundance of riches, luxury of ornaments, and politeness of inhabitants, it far surpavSsed all other kiiiqf- doms. The knights in it that were famous for feats of chivalry, wore their clothes and arms all of the same colour and fashion : and the women also no less cele- brated for their wit, wore all the same kind of apparel ; and esteemed none worthy of their love, hut such as had given a proof of their valour in three several battles. Digitized by Google BRITKR mSTOAY. 195 Thus was the valour of the men an eneonragement for the women's chastity, and the love of the women a spur to the soldiers' bravery. CHAPTER XIV. APTBR A VARIETY OP SPORTS AT THE CORONATIOX, ARTHUR AMPLY REWARDS 1118 HEKYANTiJ. As soon as the banquets w^ over, they went into the fields without the city, to divert themselves with various sports. Tlie military men composed a kind of divei'^ion in imitation of a fight on horseback; and the kidios, placed on the top of the walls as spectators, in a sportive manner darted their amorous glances at the courtiers, the more to encourage them. Others spent the re- mainder of the day in other diversions, such as shooting with bows and arrows, tossing the pike, casting of heavy stones and rocks, playing at dice and the Hke, and all these inoffensively and without quarrelling. A\ hoever gained the victory in any of tliese sports, was rewarded with a rich prize by Arthur. In this manner were the first three days spent ; and on the fourth, all who, upon account of their titles, bore any kind of office at this solemnity, were called together to receive honours and preferments in reward of their services, and to fill up the vacancies in the governments of cities and castles, archbibhuprics, bishoprics, abbeys, and other posta of honour. CHAPTER XV. A LETTEH FROM LUCIUS TIBERIUS, GENERAL OF THE RO- MANS, TO ARTHUR BEINO READ, THEY CONSULT ABOUT AN ANSWER TO IT. But St. Dubricius, from a pious desire uf leading st. Dubri- a hermits life, made a voluntary resignation of his*^ o2 Digitized by Google 19Q GBOFPftET OF MONMOUTH* archiepiscopal dignity ; aud in his room was consecrated David, the king's unde, whose life was a perfect example of that goodness which hy his docile he taught. In pbce of St. Samson, archhishop of Dole, ' was appomted, with the consent of Hoel, king of the Armorican Britons, Chelianus, a famous priest of Llan- daff, a person highly recommended iur his good life and character. The bishopric of Silcestre was conferred upon Mauganius, that of Winchester upon Diwanius, and that of Aldud upon Eledanius. While he was dis- posing of these prefennents among them, it happened that twelve men of an advanced age, and veneiable aspect, and bearing olive branches in their right hands, for a token that they were come upon an embassy, peared before the king, moving towards him with a slow pace, and speaking with a soft \oice ; and after their compliments paid, presented him with a letter from Lucius Tiberius, in these words : — N Lucius, procurator of the commonwealth, to Arthur, king of Britain, according to his desert. The insolence of your tyranny is what fills me with the highest admi- ration, and tlie injuries you liave done to Rome still increase my wonder. But it is provoking to reflect, that you are grown so much above yourself, as wilfully to avoid seeing this ; nor do you consider what it is to have oflfended by unjust deeds a senate, to whom you cannot be ignorant the whole world owes vassalage. For the tribute of Britain, which the senate had enjoined you to pay, and which used to be paid to the Roman emperors successively from the time of Julius Ctesar, you have had the presumption to withhold, in contempt of their impe- rial authority. You have seized upon the province of the AUoturoges, and all the islands of the ocean, whose kings, while the Roman power prevailed in those parts, paid tribute to our ancestors. And because the senate have decreed to demand justice of you for such repeated Digitized by Google BRITfSH HISTORY. 197 injuries, I command you to appear at Rome before the middle of August the next year, theie to make satisfae* tion to your masters, and undergo such sentence as they shall in justice pass upon you. Which if you refuse to do, T shall come to you, and endeavour to recover with my sword, what you m your madness have robbed us of." As soon as the letter mm read in the presence of the kings and consuls, Arthur withdrew with them into the Giant's Tower, which was at the entrance of tiie palace, to think what answer was fit to be returned to such an insolent message. As they were going up the stairs, Cador, duke of Cornwall, who was a man of a merry dis- position, said to the king in a jocose manner : I have s, oech or been till now under fear, lest the easy life which the JoHi^ Britons lead, by enjoying a long peace, might make ihem cowards, and extinguish the fame of their gal- Isntry, by which they have raised their name aboTe all other nations. For where the exercise of arms is want- ing, and the pleasures of women, dice, and other diver- sions take place, no doubt, what remains of virtue, honour, courage, and thirst of praise, will be tainted with the rust of idleness. For now abnost five yean have passed, since we have been abandoned to these delights, and have had no exercise of war. Therefore, to deliyer us from sloth, God has stirred up this spirit of the Romans, to restore our military virtues to their ancient state." In this maimer did lie entertain them with dis- course, till they were come to their seats, on which when they were all placed, Arthur spoke to them after this manner. Digitized by Google 198 GEOFFRBT OP MONMOUTH. CHAPTER XVI. AUTUUB, UOLDiNG A COUNCIL WITH Til£ KINGS, D£SIR£d KVERY ONE OF THEM TO DBUVER THEIR OPINIONS. " My companions both in e^ood and bad fortune, ^vl l^se abilities both in counsel and war I have hitherto expe- rienced ; the present exigence of affiurs, after the mes- sage which we have received, requires your careful deli- beration and prudent resolutions : for whatever is wisely concerted) is easily executed. Therefore we shall be the better able to bear the annoyance which Lucius threatens to give us, if we uiiaiiiiiiuuiil} ap])ly ourselves to consider how to overcome it. In my opinion we have no great reason to I'ear him, when we reflect upon the unjust pretence on which he demands tribute of us. He says he has a right to it, because it was psud to Julius Caesar, and his successorB, who myaded Britain with an army at the inritation of the ancient Britons, when they were quarrelling among themselves, and by force reduced the country under their power, \Vhen weakened by civil dis- sension. And lit rause they gained it in this uianner, they had the injustice to take tribute of it. For that can never be possessed justly, which is gained by force and violence. So that he has no reasonable grounds to pretend we are of right his tributaries. But since he has the presumption to make an unjust demand of us, we have certainly as good reason to demand of him tribute from Rome ; let the longer sword therefore determine the right between us. For if Rome has decreed that tri- bute ought to be paid to it from Britain, on account of its having been formerly under the yoke of Julius Osssar, and other Roman emperors ; I for the same reason now decree, that Rome ought to pay tribute to me, because my pi'edecessors formerly held the government of it. For Belinus, that glorious king of the Britons, with the Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY * 199 assistance of his brother Brennus, duke of the Alio- brogcs, after they liad hanged up twenty noble Romans in the middle of the market-place, took their city, and kept posaession of it a long time. Likewise Cbnatantine^ the son of Helena, as also Maximian, who were both near of blood to me, and both wore the crown of Bri- tain, plained the imperial throne of Rome. Do not you, therefore, think that we ouglit to demand tribute of the Bomansf As for Gaul and the adjacent islands of the ocean, we have no occasion to return them any answer, since they did not defend them, when we attempted to free them from their power.^ As soon as he had done speaking to this effect, Hoel, king of the Armoricdn Briton.s, who had the precedence of the rest, made answer in these words. CHAPTEK XVII. THE OPINION OF HOKf., KING OF ARMOKICA, CONCEKNING A WAR WITH TU£ B0MAN8. *' After the most profound deliberation that any of i us shall be able to make, I think better advice caiuiot be given, than what your majesty in your great wisdom and policy now offers. Your speech, which is no less wise than eloquent, has superseded all consultation on our part ; and nothing remains for us to do, but to admire and gratefully acknowledge your majesty's firmness of mind, and depth of policy, to wiiich we owe such excels lent advice. For ii' upon this motive you are plea^sed to make an expedition to Rome, I doubt not but it will be crowned with glorious success ; since it will be under- taken for the defence of our liberties, and to demand justly of our enemies, what they have unjustly demanded of us. For that person who would rob another, de- serves to lose his own by him against whom the attempt is made. And, therefore, since the Romans threatened 200 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. U8 with this injury,^ it will undoubtedly turn to their o>vn loss, if we can have but an opportunity of engaging with them. This is what the Britons umveraally demre : this is what we have promised us in the Sibylline pro- phecies, which expressly declare, that the Roman empire shall be obtained by three persons, natives of Britain. Tlie oracle is fulfilled in two of them, since it is mani- fest (as your majesty obser\'ed) that those two celebrated princes, Belinus and Constantine, governed the Roman empire : and now you are the third to whom this so* preme dignity is promised. Make haste, therefore, to receive what God makes no delay to give you ; to subdue those who are ready to receive your yoke ; and to ad- vance us all, who for yuui atl\ini( cintnt will spare neither limbs nor life. And tliat you may aceuiuj^Hsh this, I myself will attend you in person with ten thousand men.^ CHAPTER XVIIL THE OPINION OF AL'GOSEL. Whi n J [oel concluded his speech, Augusel, king of Albania, declared his good affection to the cause after AuguMi's this manner. I am not able to express the joy that has transported me, since my lord has declared to us Ins designs. For we seem to have done nothing by all our past wars with so many and potent princes^ if the Romans and Germans be suffered to enjoy peace, and we do not severely revenge on them the grievous oppressions which they formerly brought upon this country. But now, since we are at liberty to encounter them, I am ovi>rwhelmed witli joy and eagerness of desire, to see a battle with them : when the blood of those cruel oppres- sors will be no less acceptable to me^ than a spring of water is to one who is parched with thiist. If I dball but live to see that day, how sweet will be the wounds which I shall then either receive or give I >S'ay, how Digitized by Google 201 sweet will be even death itself, when siiffei'ed in re- venging the injuries done to our ancestors, in defending our liberties, and in promoting the gloiy of our king I Let us then begin with these poltroons^ and spoil them of all their trophies, by making an entire conquest of them. And I for my share will add to the army two thousand horse, besides foot/* CHAPTER XIX. TUEY UNANlMOUtiLY AGREE UPON A WAR WITH THE ROMANS. To the same effect spoke all the rest, and promised each of them their full quota of forces : so that besides those promised by the duke of Armorica, the iiuiubcr of men tVom the island of Britain alone was sixty thousand, all completely armed. But the kings of the other islands, aa they had not been accustomed to any cavalry, pro- mised their quota of infantry ; and, from the six provin- cial islands, viz. Ireland, Iceland, Gothland, the Orkneys, Norway, and Dada, were reckoned a hundred and tw^ty thousand. From the duchies of Gaul, that is, of the Ruteni, the Portunians, the Estrusians, the Cenomanni, the Andegavians, and Pictavians, were eighty thousand. From the twelve consulships of those who came along with Guerinus Camotensis, twelve hundred. All toge- ther made up a hundred and eighty-three thousand two hundred, besides foot which did not easily fall under number. « CHAPTER XX. ARTHUR PREPARES FOR A WAR, AND REFUSES TO PAT TRIBUTE TO THE ROMANS. King Arthur, seeing all unanimously ready for his service, ordered them to return back to their countries 202 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. with speed, and get ready the forces which they had promised, iiiul to lia^steii to the general rendezvous upon tlio kalends of August, at the mouth of the river IWba, that from thence they might advance with them to the borders of the Allobroges, to meet the Romans. Then he sent word to the emperors by their ambaa- sadors ; that as to paying them tribute^ he would in no wise obey their commands ; and that the journey he was about to make to Rome, was not to stand the award of their sentence, but to demand of them, what they had ju li ially decreed to demand of him. With this answer the auihassadoi^ d( [tailed: and at the samo time also departed all the kings and noblemen, to perlorm with all expedition the orders that had been given them. t Digitized by Google GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK X. CHAPTER I. LUCIUS TIBB1UU8 CALLS TOGBTHBB THE BA8TEBN KINGS AOAINTSrr THE BRITONS. Lucius Tini-Rn s, on receiving this answer, by order of the senate pu))Iished a decree, for the eastern kings to come with their forces^ and assist in the conquest of Britain. In obedience to which there came in a very short time, Epistrophius, king of the Orecians; Mus- tensar, king of the AiVicans; Alifiintinam, kiag of Spain; Hirtacius, king of the Parthians; Boccus, of the Modes; Sertorius, of Libya; Teucer, king of Phrygia ; Serses, Teucerii u i L thus itylcd king of the Itureans; Pandrasus, king of Egypt; JjfJjJ^j^ cipsa, king of Babylon; Pdytetes^ duke of Bithjnia; theorigiiud. Teucer, duke of Phiygia; Evander, of Syria; iEthion, of Bceotia; Hippolytus, of Crete, with the generals and nobility under them. Of the senatorian order also came, Lucius Catelhis, Marius Lepidus, Caius Metellus Cotta, Quint U8 Milvius Catulus, Quintus Canitius, and as many othei-s as made up the number of forty thousand one hundred and sixty. 204 G£OFFR£Y OF MONAIOUTU X CHAPTER II. ARTHUR COMMITS TO HIS NEPHEW MODRRD THE GOVERN- MENT OF BRITAIN. HIS DHEAM AT UAMO's PORT. Aftbr tbe necessary dispositioiis were made, upon the kalends of August, they began their march towards Ikiiaiii, which when Arthur Iiad intelligence of, he cuiii- mitted the government of tiie kingdom to his nephew Modred, and Queen Ganhumara, and marched with his SouUuHiip. army to Hamo*s Forty where the wind stood £ur for him. But while he, surrounded with all his numerous fleet, was suling joyfully with a brisk gale, it happened that about midnight be fell into a very sound sleep, and in a dream saw a bear flying in the «r, at the noise of which all the shores trembled; also a terrible dragon Hviiig from the west, which enlightened the country with the briuluness of its eyes. When these two met, they began a dreadful fight; but the dragou with its fiery breath burnt the bear which often assaulted him, and threw him down scorched to the ground. Arthur, upon this awaking, rekted his dream to those that attended about him, who took upon them to interpret it, and told him, that the dragon signified himself, but tbe bear, some giant that should encounter with him : and that the fight portended the duel that would be between them, and the drai^on s victury the same that would happen to himself, lint Arthur conjectured it por- tended something else, and that the vision was appli- cable to himself and the emperor. As soon as the morning after this night's sail appeared, they found themsdves arrived at the mouth of the river Barba. And there they pitched their tents, to wait the arrival of the kings of the islands, and the generals of the other proviiicey. 1 Digitized by Google BRITISir HISTORY. /\ 205 CHAPTER III. ARTHUR KILL8 A SPANISH filANT WHO HAD STOLEN AWAY U£LENA, THE Ml£C£ OF UOEL. In the meantime Arthur had news brought him, that a giant of monstrous size was come from the shores of Spain, and had forcibly taken aw ay Helena, the mece of Duke Hoel, from her guard, and tied with her to the top of that which is now called MichaeFB Mount ; and st. Mich«ei*t that the soldiers of the country who pursued him were able to do nothing against him. For whether they attacked him by sea or land, he either overturned their ships with vast rocks, or kiUed them with several sorts of darts, besides many of them that he took and de- voured half alive. The next night, therefore, at the second hour, Arthur, taking along with him Caius the sewer, and Bedver the butler, went out privately from the camp» and hastened towards the mountain. For being a man of undaunted courage, he did not care to lead his army against such monsters ; both because he could in this manner animate his men by his own ex- ample, and also because he was alone sufficient to deal with them. As soon as they came near the mountain, they saw a fire buniing upon the top of it, and another on a lesser mountain, that was not far from it. And being in doubt upon which of them the giant dwelt, they sent away Bedver to know the certainty of the matter. So he, finding a boat, sailed over in it first to the lesser mountain, to which he could in no other way have access, because it was situated in the sea. When he had begun to climb up t-o the top of it, he was at first frightened with a dismal howling cry of a woman from above, and imagined the monster to be there : but quickly rousing up his courage, he drew his sword, and having reached the top, found nothing but the fire which Digitized by Google 206 QBOFFRRT OF MONMOUTH. he had before seen at a distance. He discovered also a grave newly made» and an old woman weeping and howling fay it, who at the sight of him instantly cried out in words inteirupted with sighs, « O, unhappy man, what misfortune hrings you to this place ! O the inex- pressible tortures of death that you must suffer t I pity you, I pity you, because the detestable monster will this night destroy the flower of your youth. For that most wicked and odious giant, who brought the duke'^s niece, whom I have just now buried here, and me, her nurse, along with her into this mountain, will come and immediately murder you in a most cruel manner. O deplorable fate ! This most illustrious pruncess, sinking under the ieor her tender heart conceived, while the foul monster would have embraced her, fainted away and expired. And when he could not satiate his brutish lust upon hor, who was the very soul, joy, and happi- ness of my life, being enraged at the disappointment of his bestial desire, he forcibly committed a rape upon me, who (let God and my old age witness) abhorred his embraces. Fly, dear sir, fly, for fear he may come, as he usually does, to lie with me, and finding you here most barbarously butcher you." Bedver, moved at what she said, as much as it is possible for human nature to be, endeavoured with kind words to assuage hor grief, and to comfort her with the promise of speedy help : and then returned back to Arthur, and gave him an account of what he had met with. Arthur very much lamented the damseFs sad fate, and ordered his companions to leave him to deal with him alone ; unless there was an absolute necessity, and then they were to come in boldly to his assistance. From hence they went directly to the next mountain, leaving their horses with their armour-bearers, and ascended to the top, Arthur leading the way. The deformed savage was then by the tire, with his face besmeared with the clotted blood of swine, part of which he had already devoured. Digitized by GoogI BRITISH HISTORY. 207 aiid was i*oasting the renlaiuder upon spits by the fire. But at the sight of them, whose appearance was a sur- prise to him, he hastened to bis dub^ which two strong men could hardly lift firom the ground. Upon this the king drew his sword, and guarding himself with his shield, ran with all his speed to prevent his getting it. But the other, who was not ignorant of Iji.s (lesion, had by this time snatched it np. and gave the king such a terrible blow upon his shield, that he made the sliores Hng with the noise, and perfecUy stunned the king's ears with it. Arthur, fired with rage at this, lifted up his sword, and gave him a wound in the forehead, which was not indeed mortal, hut yet such as made the blood gush out over his face and eyes, and so blinded him; for he had partly warded off the stroke from his forehead w all Ilia club, and prevented its being fatal. However, his loss of sight, by reason of the blood flowing over bis eyes, made him exert himself with greater fury, and like an enraged boar against a hunting-spear, so did he rush in against Arthur's sword, and grasping him about the waist, forced him down upon his knees. But Arthur, nothing daunted, slipped out of his hands* and so bestirred himself with his sword, that he gaye the giant no respite till he had struck it up to the very back through his skull. At this the hideous monster raised a dreadful roar, and like an uak torn up from the roots by the winds, so did he make the ground resound with his fall. Arthur, bursting out into a fit of laughter at the sight, commanded Bedver to cut off his head, and give it to one of the armour-bearers, who was to carry it to the camp, and there expose it to public view, but with orders for the spectators of this combat to keep silence. He told them he had found none of so great strength, since he killed the giant Ritho, who had challenged him to fight, upon the mountain Aravius. This giant hatl made himself furs of the beards of kings he had killed, and had sent word to Arthur carefully to 208 aBOFFRKY OF MONMOUTH. flea off his beard and send it to him ; and then, out of respect to his pre-emiiience over other kings, iiis beaitl should have the honour of the principal place. But if he refused to do it, he cbaliengod him to a duel, ivith this offer, that the conqueror should have the ftiTS, and also the beard of the vanquished for a trophy of his victory. In this conflict, therefore, Arthur proved victorious, and took the beard and spoils of the giant ; and. as lie said before, had met with none that could l>e compared to liini for strength, till his last engagement. After this victory, they returned at the second watch of the night to the camp with the head ; to see which there was a great concourse of people, all extolling this wonderful exploit of Arthur, by which he had freed the country from a most destructive and voracious monster. But Hoel, in great grief for the loss of his niece, commanded a mausoleum to be built over her body in the mountain where she was buried, which, taking the damsel's name, is called Helena's Tomb to this day. CHAPTER IV. AUTHUR^S AMBASSADOR.S TO LUCITS TIBEHIUS DELIVKU PE- TREIUB COTTA, WHOM TUEY TOOK PRISONER, TO ARTHUR. As soon as all the forces were arrived which Arthur expected, he marched from thrice to Augiistodunum, where he supposed the general was. But when he came to the river Alba, he had inteiligeuce brought him of his having encamped not far off, and that he was come with so vast an army, that he would not be able to with* stand it. However, this did not deter him from pursuing his enterprise ; but he pitched his camp upon the hank of the river, to facilitate the hringing up of his forces, and to secure his retreat, if there should be occasion ; and sent Boso the consul of Oxford, and Guerinns Car- notensis, with his nephew Walgan, to Lucius Tiberius, Digitized by Google BRITI8H MISTORV. X 209 requiring- him oither tu retire from the coasts uf (jaul, or come the next day, that they might try their right to that ooimtry with their swords. The retinue of young courtierB that attended Walgan, highly rejoicing at thia opportunityt were urgent with him to find some occasion for a quarrel in the commander's camp, that so they might engage the Romans. Accordin<vly they went to Lucius, and commanded him to retire out of (Jaul, or hazard a battle tlie next day. But while he was answer- ing them, tliat ho was not come to retire, but to govern the coimtry, there was present Caius Quintihanus, his nephew, who said, " That the Britons were better at boa.sting and threatening, than they were at fighting.*" Walgan immediately took fire at this, and ran upon him with his drawn sword, wherewith he cut off his head, and then retreated speedily with his companions to their horses. The Romans, both horse and foot, pursued to revenge the loss of their coiiiitiyiiiaii upon the ambassadors, who fled with great precipitation. But Guerinus Camotensis, just as one of them was come up to hhn, rallied on a sudden, and with his lanco struck at once through his armour and the very middle of his body, and laid him prostrate on the ground. The sight of this noble exploit raised the emulation of Boso of Oxford, who, wheeling about his horse, struck his lance into the throat of the first [man he met with, and dis- mounted hhn mortally wounded. In the meantime, Mar- cellus Mutius, with great eagerness to revenge Qiiiii- tilian's death, was just upon the back of Walii^an, and laid hold of him ; which the other (piickly oblioeJ liim to quit, by cleaving both his helmet and head to the breast with his sword. He also bade him, when he arrived at the in- femal regions, tell the man he had killed in the camp^ That in this manner the Britons showed their boasting and threatening." Then havmg re-assembled his men, he encouraged them to dispatch every one his pursuer in the same manner as he had done ; which accordingly 210 GBOFFBET OF MONMOUTH. they did not fail to accomplish. Notwithstan diner, the Romans continued their pursuit with lances and swords, wherewHh they annoyed the others, though without daughter or uikuig any prlaonefB. But aa they came near a certain wood» a party of six thousand Britons^ who, seeing the flight of the eonmils, had hid themsehrea, to be in readiness for their assistance, sallied forth, and putting spurs to their horses, rent the air ^^th their loud shouts, and being well fenced with tlu ir .shields, assaulted the Komans suddenly, and forced them to fly. And now it was the Britons* turn to puxane, which they did with better aoceesS) for they dismounted, killed, or took sere* ral of the enemy. Pe^ius, the senator, upon this news, hastiened to the assistance of his countrymen with ten thousand men, and compelled the Britons to retreat to the wood from whence they had sallied forth; though not without loss of his o^Ti men. For the Britons, being well acquainted with the ground, in their flight killed a great number of their pursuers. The Britons thus giving ground, Hider, with another reinforcement of five thousand men, advanced with speed to sustain them ; so that they again fheed those, upon whom they had turned their backs, and renewed the assault with great vigour. The Romans also stood their grouiicl, and continued the fight with various success. The great fault of the Hri- tons was, that though they had been very eager to begin the fight, yet when begun they were less careful of the hazard they ran. Whereas the Romans were under better discipline, and had the advantage of a prudent commander, Petreius Cotta, to tell them where to ad- vance, and where to give ground, and by these mesne did great injury to the enemy. When Boso observed this, he drew off from the rest a large party of those whom he kucw to be the stoutest men, and spoke to theui after this manner : ^' Since we have begun this fight without Arthur s knowledge, we muet take care that we be not defeated in the enterprise, For, if we Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 211 should, we shall both very much endanger our men, and incur the king a high diiqaleasuve. Rouse up your cou- rage, and follow me through the Roman squadrons, that with the favour of good fortune we may either Idll or take Petreius prisoner.*' With this they put spurs to their horses, and piercing through the enemies' thickest ranks, reached the place where Petreius was giving his commands, lioso hastily ran in upon him, and grasping bomwmI ^ him about the neck, fell with him to the ground, as he tS^* had intended. The Romans hereupon ran to his deli- very, as did the Britons to BosoV assistance; which oooaaioned on hoth ades great ahuighter, noise, and con- fusion, while one party strove to rescue their leader^ and the other to keep him prisoner. So that this proved the nliarpest part of the \\ ]](ile fight, and wherein their spears, swords, and arrows had the fullest emplo}Tnent. At length, the Britons, joining in a close body, and sus- taining patiently the assaults of the Romans, retired to the main hody of their army with Petreius : which they had no sooner done, than they again attacked th^n, heing now derived of their leader, very mudi weakened, dispirited, and just beginning to flee. They, therefim, eagerly pursued, beat down, and killed several of them, and as soon as they had plundered them, pursued the rest: but they took the greatest nuinber of them pri- soners, being desirous to present them to the king. When they had at last sufficiently harassed them, they retnxned with their plunder and prisonem to the camp ; where they gave an account of what had happened, and presented Petreius Cotta with the other iHnsoners before Arthur, with great joy for the victory. Arthur congratulated them upon it, and prouiised them adv^ce- mont to greater honours, for behaving themselves so gailaatly when he was absent from them. Then he gave his command to some of his men, to conduct the pri- soners the next day to Paris, and ddiver them to be kept in custody there till further orders. The party p2 Digitized by Google 212 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. that were to undertake tliis charge, he ordered to be conducted hy Cador, Bedver, and the two consuls, Borel- his and Richerius, with their servants, till they should be out of ail fear of disturbance £rom the Romans. CHAPTER V. THE ROMANS ATTACK TBB BRITONS WITH A VERY GREAT FORCE, BUT ARB PUT TO FLIGHT BY THEM. Romaiu de- But the Romans happening to get intelligence of their design^ at the command of their general chose out fifteen thousand men« who that night were to get before the others in their march, and rescue their fellow-sol* diers out of their hands. They were to be commanded by Vnlteius Catellus and Quintus Camtius, senators, as also Evander, king of Syria, and Sertorius, king of Libya. Accordingly they began their march tliat very night, and possessed theniselvos of a place convenient for l>ing in ambuscade, through which they supposed the others would pass. In the morning the Britons set forward along the same road with their prisoners, and were now approaching the place, in perfect ignorance of the cunning stratagem of the enemy. No sooner had they entered it, than the Romans, to their great sur- prise, sprang forth and fell furiously upon them . Not- withstanding, the Britons, at length recovering from their consternation, assembled tf ^( tlier, and prepared for a bold opposition, by appointing a party to guard the prisoners, and drawing out the rest in order of battle against the enemy* Richerins and Bedver had the command of the party that were set over the prisoners ; httt Cador, duke of Cornwall, and Borellus headed the others. But all the Romans had made their sally with- out being placed in any order, and cared not to form themselves, that they might lose no time in the slaugh- ter of the Britons, whom they saw busied in marshal- Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 213 ling their troops and preparing only for their defence. By this conduct the Britons were extremely weakened, and would have shamefully lost their prisoneiB, had not good fortune rendered them aaaiBtance. For Guitard, commander of the Pictavians, ha j | h aed to get inforauir tion of the designed stratagem, and was come up with three thousand men, by the help of which they at last p^ot the achaiitage, and paid back the slaughter upon their insolent assailants. Nevertheless, the loss which they sustained at the beguiiiing of this action was very considerable. For they lost Boreilus, the famous consul Several of the Cenomanni, in an encounter with Evander, king of Syria, who struck his hmce into his throat ; besides four nohlemen, viz. Hirelgas Deperirus, Mauridus Cadorcanensis, Aliduc of Tintagel, and Hider his son, than whom braver men were hardly to be found. But yet neither did this loss dispiiit the Britons, but rather made them more resohite to keep the prisoners, and kill the ent . The Romans, now finding themselves unable to maintain the fi^rht any longer, suddenly quit- ted the field, and made towards their camp ; but were pursued with slaughter by the Britons, who also took many of them, and allowed them no respite till they had killed Vulteius Catellus, and £vander, king of Syria, and wholly dispersed the rest. After which they sent away their former prisoners to Paris, whither they were to conduct them, and returned back with those newly taken to the king; to whom they gave great hopes of a complete conquest of their enemies, since very few of the great number that came against them had met with any success. 214 GBOFFBET OF MONMOUTH ^ CHAPTER VL LUCIUS TIBERIUS GOES TO LEtrORIiB. ARTHUB, DESIGNIKG TO VANQUISH HIM, BY A STBATAGSM POSSESSES HIMSELF OF THE VALLEY OF SUE8IA. T11K8F repeated disasters wrought no smaU disturl> ancc in the mind of Lucius Tiberius, and made him hesitate whether to bring it to a general battle with Arthur, or to retire into Augustodmram, and stay till the emperor Leo ^th his forces oonld eome to his assist* ^ Tf^os ance. At length, giving way to his fears, he entered pto. ' Lengnhs with his army, intending to reach the other city the night following-. Arthur finding this, and being desirous to c^ct bel'ore him in his march, left the city on the left hand, and the same night entered a certain valley called Suesia, through which Lucius was to pa^ss. There he divided his men into several bodies, command- ing one legion, over which Morvidy ccmsnl of Gloucester, was appointed genera], to wait dose by, that he might retreat to them if there should be occasion, and from thence rally his broken forces for a second battle* The rest he divided into seven parts, in each of which he placed five thousand five hundred and ilfty-five men, all completely armed. He also appointed different stations to his horse and foot, and gave command, that just as the foot should advance to the attack, the horse, keeping dose together in their ranks, dbould at the same moment march np obliquely, and endeavour to put the enemy into disorder. The companies of foot were, after the British manner, drawn out mto a square, with a right and left wing, under the command of Augusel, king of Albania, and Cador, duke of Cornwall ; the one presiding over tlie right wing, the other over the kit. Over another party were placed the two famous consuls, Guerinus Camotensisy and Boso of Richiden, called in the Digitized by Google BRITISH UlSTOaY. 215 Saxon tongue Oxineford: over a third wero Aschillius, king of the Dacians, and Lot, king of the iSorwegiaiis. The fourth being commanded by Hoel, duke of the Ap- moHcaos, and Walgan, the king s nephew. After these were four other parties placed in iiie rear; the first eommaiided by Caius the sewer, and Bedver the butler; the second by HoldiD, duke of the Ruteni, and Guitard of tlie Pietavians ; the thu^ by Vigenis of Legecester, Jonatlml of Dorchester, and Curs^lleul of Caicester; the fourth by Urbgennius of Bath. Behind all these, Ar- thur, for liiniself and the legion that was to attend near him, made choice of a place, where be set up a golden dragon for a standard, whither the wonnded or fatigued might In case of necessity retreat as into their camp. The legion, that was with him, ckmansted of six thousand ax hundred and sixty-mx men. CHAPXiiR VII. Arthur's exhortation to his soldiers. After he had thus placed them all in their stations, Aiihar*» he made the following speech to his soldiers : — ^ My brave countrymen, who have made Britain the mistress of thirty kingdoms, I congratulate you upon your late noble exploit, which to me is a proof that youi' vakxir is so far from being impaired, that it is rather increased. Though you have been five years without exercise, wherem the 6<^tening pleasures of an easy life had a greater share of your time, than the use arms ; yet all this has not made you degenerate from your natural bravery, whidh you have shown in forcing the Romans to ilee. The pride of their leaders has animated them to attempt the invasion of your liberties. They have tried you in battle, with numbers superior to yours, and have not been able to stand before you : but have basely with- drawn themselves into that city, from which they are 216 OBOFFREY OP MONMOUTH. now ready to march out, and to pass through this valley in their way to Augiistodimum ; 80 that you may have an opportunity of falling upon them unaw ares like a flock of aheep. Certaiiily they expected to find in you tiie cowardice of the £asteni nations, when they thought to make your countiy tributary, and you their slaves. What, have they never heard of your wars with the Dacians, Norwegians, and princes of the Gauls, whom you reduced under my power, and freed from their shaineful yoke I We, then, that have had success in a greater war, need not doubt of it in a less, if we do but endeavour with the same spirit to vanquish these pol- troons. You shall want no rewards of honour, if as faith- ful soldiers you do but strictly obey my commands. For as soon as we have routed them, we will march straight to Rome, and take it; and then all the gold, silver, palaces, towers, towns, cities, and other riches of the van- quished sliall I c >(»urs.'''' He iuul hardly done speaking, before the\ all with one voice declared, that thev were ready to suffer death, rather than quit the iield while he had life. CHAPTER VIIL LUeiUij TIBKRIU.S, I)1S(0VE1UN<T AllIHI h'.s OKsKiN, IX A l»P£ECU ANlMATEd HIS fOLLOW£B(3 TO FiUUT. li. But Lucius Tiberius, discovering the designs that were formed against him, would not fleo, as lie had at first in- tended, but taking in w courage, resohed to march to tlie same valley against them ; and calling- together his principal comn^anders, spoke to them in these words Venerable Fathei^, to whose empire both the Eastern and .Western kingdoms owe obedience, remember the vurtues of your ancestors, who were not afraid to shed* their blood, when the vanquishing of the enemies of the commonwealth required it ; but to leave an example of their courage and military viitues to their posterity. Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORT. K 217 I behaved themselves in all battles with that contempt of death, as if God had given them some security against It. By this conduct they often triumphed, and by triumphing escaped death. Such was the reward of their virtue from Divine Providence, which overrules all events. The incieaBe of the commonwealth, and of their own valour, was owing to this ; and all those vir- tues that usually adorn the great, as integrit) , honour, and munificence, flouriyliing a long time in them, raised them and their posterity to the empire of the whole world. Let their noble examples animate you ; rouse up the spirit of the ancient Romans, and be not afraid to march out against our enemies that are lying in am- bush for us in the valley, but boldly with your swords demand of them your just rights. Do not think that I retired into this city for fear of engaging with them ; but I thought that, as their pursuit of us ^^as rash and foolish, 80 \v(^ niijrht hence on a sudden intercept them in it, and by dividing their main body make a great slaughter of them. But now, since the} have altered the measures which we supposed they had taken, let us also alter ours. Let us go in quest of them, and bravely fall upon them ; or if they shall happen to have the ad- vantage in the beginning of the battle, let iis only stand our ground during the fury of their first assault, and the victoiT will untloubtedly be ours ; for in many battles this manner of conchict has boon attonded with victory.*** As soon as he liad niade an end of spoaking these and other things, they all declared their assent, promised with an oath to stand by him, and hastened to arm themselves. Which when they had done, they marched ^ out of Lengrise to the valley where Arthur had drawn out his foi^ces in order of battle. Then they also began Tbt amy of to marshal their army, which they divided into twelve companies, and a^ording to the Roman manner of bat- tle, drew out each company into tho form of a wedge, consisting of six thousand six hundred and sixty-six Digitized by Google 218 CiEOFFiiUY OF MONMOUTH men. Each company also liad its respective leaders," who were to give direction when to advance, or when to be upon the defensive. One of them was headed by Lucius Catellus the senator, and Alifantinam, king of Spain ; another by Hirtadus^ king of the Parthians, and Marias Lepidus, a senator ; a third by Boccus» king of the Medes, and Oalus MeteHus, a senator ; a fourth, by Sertorius, king of Libya, and Quintus Milvius, a senator. These four companies were placed in the front of the army. In the rear of these were four others, whereof one was commanded by Serses, king of the Itureans ; another by Pandrasus, king of Egypt ; a third by Po- lytetes, duke of Bithynia; a fourth by Teucer, duke of Phi3^gia. And again behind all these four others, idiereof the eonunandeiB vrere Quintus Caruciu8> a senator, Lo^us Hostiensis, Sulpitius Subuculua, and Maurichis Sylvanus. As for the general himself, he was sometimes in one place, sonietimes another, to encou- rage and direct as there should he occasion. For a standai'd he ordered a golden eagle to be firmly set up in the centre, for his men to repau: to, whenever they should happen to be separated from their company. CHAPTER IX. A BATTLE BETWEEN ABTHUR AND LUCIUS TIBERIUS. The battle Axi) now tlic Britons and Konians stood presentino: their arms at one another ; when forthwith at the sound of the trumpets, the company that was headed by the king of Spain and Lucius Catellus, boklly rushed for- ward against that which the long of Sootlsod and duke of Cornwall led, but were not able to make the least breadi in th^Mr firm ranks. So that while these stood their ground, up came Guerinus and^Boso with a body of horse upon their full speed, broke throurrh the party that began the assault, and met with another which the Digitized by Google BBirraa bistort. X 219 king of the Parthians was leading up against AschilliuSy lung of Dacia. After ibis first onset, there followed a general engagement of both armies with great violence, and several breaches were made on each side. The shouts, the slauglitcr, the quantity of blood spilled, and the agonies of the dying, made a dreadful scene of hor- ror. At first, the Jiritoiis sustained a great loss, by having Bedver the butler killed, and Caius the sewer mortally wounded. For, as Bedver met Boccus, king of ihe Medes, he fell dead by a stab of his lance amidst the enemies' troops. And Cains, in endeavouring to re- venge his death, was surrounded by the Median troops, and there received a mortal wound ; yet as a brave sol- dier he opened himself a way with the wing which he led, killed and dispersed the JNIedes, and would have made a safe retreat with all his men, had he not met the king of Libya with the forces under liim, who put his whole company into disorder ; yet not so great, but that he was still able to get off with a few, and flee with Bedver's oorps to the goiden dragon. The Neustnans grievously lamented at the sight of their leaderls man- gled body; and so did the And^vians» when they beheld their consul wounded. Bat there was now no room for coii^plaints, for the furious and ])loody shocks of both armies made it necessary to providi i'or their own defence. Therefore Ilirelgas, the nepiiew of Bed- ver, being extremely enraged at his death, called -up to him three hundred men, and like a wild boar amongst a pack of dogs, broke through the enemies' ranks with his horse^ making towards the place where he had seen the standard of the kmg of the Medes ; little regarding what might befal him, if he could but revenge the loss of his uncle. At length he reached the place, killed the liiwr, brought oft* his body to his couipaiiiuns, and laid it by that of his uncle, where he mangled it in the same manner. Then calling with a loud voice to his country- men, he animated their troops, and vehemently pressed 220 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. them to exert themselves to the utmost, now that their spirits were raised, and the enemy disheartened;, and especially as they had the advantage of them In being placed in better order, and so might the more grievously annoy them. Encouraged with this exhor- tation, they be^an a general assault upon the enemy, which was attciKlcd with a terrible slaughter on both sides. For on the part of the Romans, besides many othei's, fell Alifantinam, king of Spain, Mieijxsa of Ba- bylon, as also Quiutus Milvius and Marius Lepidus, senators. On the part of the Britons, Holdin, king of the Ruteni, I^degarius of Bolonia, and three consuls of Britain, Cursalem of Gaicester, Galluc of Salisbury, and Urbgennius of Bath. So that the troops which they commanded, being extremely weakened, retreated till they came to the army of the Armorican Britons, commanded by Iloel and Walcran. But these, being in- flamed at the retreat of tlieir irjeiids, encouraged them to stand their ground, and caused them with the help of their own forces to put their pursuers to flight. While they continued this pursuit, they beat down and killed several of them, and gave them no respite, till they came to the general's troop ; who, seeing the distress of his companions, hastened to their assistance. CHAPTER X. HOBL AND WALGAN glONALIZB TRSm VALOITR IN THE FIGHT. i )>. hatio And now in this latter encounter the Britons were touimues. ^^^^^^ ^ Kimarcoc, consul of Trigeria, and two thousand with him; besides three famous noblemen, Richomarcus, Bloccovius, and Jagivius of Bodloan, who, had they but enjoyed the dignity ui' princes, wutihl have been celebrated for their valour through all succeedinix ages. For, during this assault which they made in conjunction with Hoel and Walgan, Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTOKY. X 221 there was not an eiK'uiy wltliin their reach that could escape tlie fury of t heir sword or lauee. l^ut upon their falling in among Lucius's party, they were surrounded by them, and suffered the same fate with the consul and the other men. The loss of these men made those matchless heroes, Hoel and Walgan, much moie eager to assault the general's ranks, and to try on all sides vrheste to make the greatest impression. But Wal^n, whose valour was never to he foiled, endeavoured to gain access to Lucius himself, that he ndgat encounter him, and with this view beat down and killed all tliat stood in his way. And 1, not inferior to him, did no less service in another part, by spiriting up his men, and giving and receiving blows among the enemy with the same undaunted courage. It was hard to determine, which of them was the stoutest soldier. CHAPTER XI. LUCIUS TIBERIUS IKEING KtULSD, THB BRITONS OBTAIN THE VICTORY. But Walgan, by forcing his way tlu*ough the enemy's The Briton* troops, as we said before, found at last (what he had ^dki^!''^ wished for) access to the general, and immediately en- countered him. Ludus, being then in the flower of his youth, and a person of great courage and vigour, desired nothing more than to cnrranre with such a one as might ]mt his strength to its i'ull trial. Putting himself, therefore, into a posture of defence, he received Walc5"an with joy, and was not a httle [jroud to try his courage with one of whom lie had heard such great things. The fight continued between them a long time, with great force of blows, and no less dexterity in warding them off, each being resolved upon the other's destruction. During this sharp conflict between them, the Romans, on a sudden, recovering their courage, made an assault Digitized by Google 222 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUJH. upon the Armoricans, and haying relieved their general, repulsed Hoel and Walgan, with their troops, till they found thomst 1\ ( s unawares met by Arthur and the forces under him. For ho. hearing of the slaughter that was a little before made of his men, had speedily advanced with his legion, and drawing out his Calibura, spoke to ihem, with a loud voice, after this manner: What are you doing, soldiers ! Will you sufifer these eflkninate vnretches to escape? Let not one of them get off alive. Remember the force of your arms, that have reduced thirty kingdoms under my subjecticm. Remember your anccstoi*s, whom the Romans, when at the height of their power, made tributaiy. Re- member your liberties, which these pitiful fellows, that are much your inferiors, attempt to deprive you of. I f f none of them escape alive. What are you doings'^ With these expostulations, he rushed upon the en^y, made terrible havoc among them, and not a man did he meet but at one blow he laid either him or his horse dead upon the ground. They, therefore, in astonish- ment fled from him, as a flock of sheep from a fierce lion, whom raging hunger provokes to devour whatever happens to come near him. Their arms were no manner of protection to them against the force with which this valiant prince wielded his Galibum. Two kings, Ser- torius of Libya, and Polytetes of Bithynia, unfortunately felt its fury, and had their heads cat off by it. The Britons, when they saw their king performii^ such wonders, took courage again. With one consent they assaulted the Romans, kept dose together in their ranks, and while they assailed the foot in one part, endeavoured to beat down and pierce tlirough the horse in another. Notwithstanding, the Romans made a brave defence, and at the instigation of Lucius laboured to pay back their slaughter upon the Britons. The eagerness and force that were now shown on both sides were as great as if it was the beginning of the battle. Arthur con- Digitized by Google BRITISH HLSTOKY. \ 223 tinned to do ^reat execution with liis own hand, <and encouraged the Britons to maintain the fight; as Lucius Tiberius did the Romans, and made them perform many memorable exploits. lie hiniscU, in the meantime, was very active in going froni [)lace to place, and suffered none to escape with life. that happened to come within the reach of his Bword or lance. The slaughter that was now made on both sides was very dreadful, and the turns of fortune various, sometimes the Britons prevail- ing, sometimes the Romans. At last, while this sharp disi>ute continued, Morvid, consul of Gloucester, with his legion, which, as we said in fore, was placed between the hills, caine up with speed upon the rear of the ene- my, and to their great surprise assaulted, broke through, and dispersed them with great slaughter. This last and decisive blow proved fatal to many thousands of Ro- mans, and even to the general Lncins himself, who was killed among the crowds wiih a lance by an unknown hand. But the Britons, by long maintaining the fight, at last with great difficulty gained the victory. CHAPTER XII. PART OF THE UOMANS FLEE; THE REST, OF THEIR OWN ACCORD, SUUUEiNDEK THEMSELVES FOB SLAVES. Trb Romans, being now, therefore^ dispersed, betake The Roman* themselves through fear, some to the by-ways and woods, taina pST some to the cities and towns, and all other places, where they could be most safe ; ])ut were either killed or taken and plundered by the Britons who pursued : so that great part of them voluntarily and shamefully held forth their hands, to receive their chains, in order to prolong for a while a wretched life. In all which the justice of Divine Providence was very visible; considering how unjustly ihe ancestors of the Britons were fonneriy Digitized by Google 2U GEOFFRiST OP MONMOUTH. invaded and haraB»e(M>y those of the Komans ; and that these Btood only in defence of that liberty, which the others would have deprived them of; and refused the tribute, which the others had no right to demand. THG BOOIBS OF TUB SLAIN AUR DBCBNTLT BURIED, BACH IN THEIR RBSPECTIVR COUNTRIES. Tiie luKHesof Arthur, after he had coniplctecl his victor)-, gave ^tiMaani sepai&ting the bodies of his nobility from those of the enemy, and preparing a pompous funeral for them ; and that, when ready, they should be carried to the abbeys of tlmr respective countries, there to be hoiiourablv biiried. But Bedver the butler was, with great lamentation of the Neustrians, carried to his own city Bajocfc, which Bedver the tirst, liis great graiid- fatlier, liad built. There he was, with great solemnity, laid close by the wall, in a hurying-place on the south side of the city. But Cheudo was carried, grievously wounded, to Camus, a town which he had himself built, where in a short time he died of his wounds, and was buried, as became a duke of Andegavia, in a convent of hermits, which was in a wood not far from the town. Also rioldin, duke of Ruteni, was carried to Flanders, and buried in hia uwn city Terivana. The other consulsi and noblemen were conveyed to the neighbouring abbeys, according to Arthur'^s orders. Out of his great cle- mency, also, he ordered the country people to take care of the burial of the enemy, and to carry the body of Lucius to the senate, and tell them, that was the only tribute which Britain ought to pay them. After this be stayed in those parts till the next winter was over, and employed his time in reducing the cities of the Allo- broges. But at the beginning of the following summer, CHAPTER XIII. V Digitized by Google BRITI9U HISTORY. ^ 225 as he was on his nansh towards Rome, and was begin- Arthur htm ning to pass the Alps, he had news brought him that his i«iwiiimi. * nephew Modred, to whose care he had entrustt d Britain^ had by tyrnnnical aiid treasonable practices set the crown upon his own head ; and that Queen Guaiihuniai*a, in violation of her iirst manage, bad wickedly married, hini. Digitized by Google GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK XI. CHAPTER I. MODKED MAKES A GREAT ?=LAn(iIITF.R OF ARTHlu'h ME.V, BUT IS BEATEN, AND FLEES TO WINCHESTER. Modi^to Op the matter now to be treated of, moat noble consul, Geoffirey of Monmouth shall be silent ; but will, nevertheless, though in a uu style, briefly rclatg what he found in the Britisli book above mentioned, , ^ and heard from that most learned historian, Walter, ' a;t*cHileacon of Oxford, concerning the wars whicji this wonftwnpii^lfingj tipnn his retuTu to Britain aft er this vietoiy, waged against his nephew. As soon, therefore, as "the report of this flagrant wickedness reached him, he immediately desisted from his enterprise against Leo, king of the Romans ; and having sent away Hoel, duke of the Armoricans, with the army of Gaul, to restore peace in those parts, returned back with speed to Britain, attended only by the kings of the islands, and their armies. But the wicked traitor, Modred, had sent Cheldric, the Saxon leader, into Germany, there to raise all the forcea he oonld find, and return with all speed: and in consideration of this service, had promised him aO that part of the island, which reaches from the Humber to Scotland, and whatever Digitized by Google BRITISH RISTORT. 227 Hengist and Horsus had possessed of Kent in the iAm^ of Vortegirn. So that he, in obedience to his eoiimiaDdfl» had aniTed with eight hundred ships filled with pagan soldiers, and had entered into covenant to obey the traitor as his sovereign ; who had also drawn to his assistance the Scots, Picts, Irish, and all others whom he knew to be enemies to his uncle. His whole army, taking pagans and Christians together, amounted to eighty thousand men ; with the help of whom he met Arthur just after his landing at the port of Rutupi, and joining battle with him, made a very great slaughter oi his men. For the same day fell Augusel, king of Albania, and Walgan, the king's nephew, with innumerable others. Augusel was snooeeded in his kingdom by Eventus, his brother Urian^s son, who allerwards performed many famous exploits in those wars. After they had at last, with much difficulty, got ashore, they paid hack the slaughter, and put Modred and his army to flight. For, by long practice in war, they had learned an excellent way of ordering their forces ; which was so managed, that while their foot were em- |4oyed dther in an assault or upon the defenave, the horse would come in at fall speed obliquely, break through the enemy^s ranks, and so force them to flee. Nevertheless, this perjured usurper got his forces Modred aees together again, and the niglit following^ entered Win- Sr^'^^' Chester. As soon as Queen Guanhumara heard this, Queen Guan* she immediately, despairing of success, fled from York tAn%«m.' to the City of Legions, where she resolved to lead a chaste life among the nuns in the church of Julius the Martyr, and enter henself one of their order. q2 Digitized by Google 22$ OBOFFEKY OF MONMOUTH. CHAPTER 11. MODRED, AFIllR iiKINO TWICK HKSIEGED AND ROUTED, 19 I KILLED. ARTHUll, BEING WOUNDED, GIVES UP THE KING- DOM TO OONSTANTINB. But Arthnr, whose anger was now mueh more in- ilaiued, upon the loss of so maii^ Jiiaidreds of his fellow soldiers, after he had buried his slain, went on the third day to the city, and there besieged the traitor, who, notwithstanding, was unwilling to desist from his enter- prise^ but used all methods to encourage his adherents, and marching out with his troops prepared to fi§^t hi» unele. In the battle that followed hereupon, great numbers lost their liTes on both sides ; but at last Modred's army suffered most, so that he was forced to quit the field shamefully. From hence he made a pre- cipitate fliffht, Mild, without taking any care for the j burial of his slain, marched in haste towards Cornwall, i Arthur, being inwardly grieved that he should so often ! escape, forthwith pursued him into that country as far as the river Cambula, where the other was expecting his coming* And Modred, as he was the boldest of men, aiid always the quickest at making an attack, imme- diately placed his troops in order, resolvmg either to ' conquer or die, rather than continue his flight any longer. He had yet remaining with him sixty thousand men, out of whom he composed three bodies, which contained each of them six thousand six huTKh'ed and sixty-six men : but all the rest he joined in one body ; and having assigned to each of the other parties their leaders, he took the command of this upon himself. After he had made this disposition of his forces, he | endeavoured to animate them, and promised them the estates of their enemies if they came off with victory. Arthur, on the other side, also marshalled his army, Digitized by Google BRITISH HimBT. 229 which he divided into nine square companies, witli a right and left wing ; and having appointed to each of them their commanders, exhorted them to make a total rout of those robbers and perjured viUains, who, being brought over into the island from foreign countries at the in- stance of the arch-traitor, were attempting to rob theiii of all their honours. He likewise told thein that a mixed army composed of barbarous pi ople of so many different countries^ and who were all raw soldiers and inexperienced in war, would never be able to stand against such brave veteran troops as they Were, pro- vided t)iey did their duty. After this encouragement given by each general to his fellow soldiers, the battle on a sudden began with great fury ; wherein it would be as well grievous as tedious to relate the slaughter, the cruel havoc, and the excess of fury that was to Ije seen on bcjth sides. In this manner they spent a good part of the day, till Arthur at last made a push with his company, consisting of six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men, against that in which he knew Modred was; and having opened a way with their swords, they pierced quite through it, and made a grievous slaughter. For in this assault fell the wicked traitor himself, and tad uikd. many thousands with Mm. But notvrithstanding the loss of him, the rest did not flee, but running together from all parts of the field, maintained their ground with an undaunted courage. The fight now LCrew mora furious than ever, and proved £atal to almost all the commanders and their forces. For on Modred's side fell Gheldric, Elasius, £gbrict, and Bunignus, Saxons; Gillapatric, OiOamor, Gistafel, and Oillarius, Iridi ; also the Scots and Picts, wiih almost all their leaders: on Arthur's side, Olbrict, kii^ of Norway ; Aschillius, king of Dacia ; Cador Limenic Gaasibellaun, with many thou.^an (is of others, as well Britons as foreigners, that lie had brought with him. And even the renowned King Arthur himself was mortally wounded ; and being 230 6B0PFBST OF MONMOfmi. carried thence to the isle of Avallon to be cured of hk Ariiiur gives wouiids, lic gftve Up the crown of Britain to his kinsman to^^M^ Constantine, the son of CSador, duke of Oomwa]], in the five hundred and forty-second year of our Lord's incar- nation. CHAPTER III. OONSTANTINB MEETS WITH niflTUBSANGBS FBOH THE SAXONS AND MODREd'b SONS. TheSMUMi Upon Constantine's advancement to the throne, the rebel Saxons^ with the two scms of Modred, made insumction against him, though without success; for after many battles ih^y fled, one to London, the other to Winches- ter, and possessed themselves of those places. Then died Saint Daniel, the pious prelate of the church of Bangor ; and Theon, bishop of Gloucester, was elected archbishop of London. At the same time also died David, the pious archbishop of Legions, at the city of Menevia» in his own abbey; which he loved above all the other mfmasteries of his diocese, because Saint Patrick, who had |iropheticaUy foretold his birth, was the founder of it. For duxii^ his xeeddenee there among his fnars, he was taken with a sudden iDness, of which he died, and at the command of Malgo, king of the Venedotians, was buried in that church. He was succeeded in the metropolitan see hy Kinocus, bishop of the church of Lampatem, who was thus promoted to a higher dignity. CHAPTER IV. 4 CONSTANTINE, AFTER HAVING MURDERED THE SOUB OF MODBED, IS niMSELF KILLED BY CONAN. ConsUtntine • But Constantino pursued the Saxons, and reduced them under his yoke. He also took the two sons of Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 231 Modred ; and one of them, who had fled for sanctiiaiy to the church of St. Amphibalus, in Winchestw, he murdered hefore the altar. The other had hidden him- self in a convent of fnm at London, but at last was found out by him, brought before the altar, and there put to death. Three years after this, he himself, by the con«tantin« vengeance of God pursuing him, was killed by Ck)nan, coiuui. and buried close by Uther Pendragon witliin the struc- ture of stones, which was set up with wonderful art not far from Salisbury, and called in the English tongue smodMmfB. Stanheng. CHAPTER V. AURBLIU8 OONAN R£I6N8 AFTBR 00N8TANTINB. Afier him ijucceeded Aiirclius Conan, his nephew, Aurdiut a youth of wonderful valour ; who, as he gained the monarchy of the whole island, would have been worthy the crown of it, had he not delighted in civil war. He raised disturbances against his uncle, who ought to have reigned after Constantino, and cast him into prison ; and then killing his two sons, obtained the kingdom, but died in the second year of his reign. CHAFTKii VI. WOSTIPORIUS, BEING OBCLABED KIKO, OONaUBBB THB SAXONS. Aftbb Conan succeeded Wortiporius, against whom worti|M»iiM. the Saxons made insuxrectioii, and brought over their countiymen from Germany in a very great fleet. But he gave them battle and came off with victory, so that he obtained the monarchy of the whole kingdom^ and governed the people carefully and peaceably four years. 232 GEOFFRRY OF MONMOVTH. CHAPTER VII. MALGO, KING OF BUITAIN, AXD A MOST GRACEFUL PERSON, ADDICTS HIMSELF TO SODOMY. Maigo. After him succeeded Malgo, one of the handsomest men in Britain, a great scourge of tyrants, and a man of great streni^th, extraoi dinary munificence, and match- less valour, but addicted very nmch to the detestahle vice of sodomy, by which he made himself abominable to God. He ftlso possessed the whole island, to which, after a cruel war, he added the six provincial islands, VIZ. Ireland, Iceland, Gothland, the Orkneys, Norway, and Dacia. CHAPTER Vlll. aaiTAlN, IK THE FLAME OF A CIVIL WAR UKDBR KING CARETIOUa, 18 MISERABLY WASTED BY THE SAXONS AND AFRICANS. citctknw. After Malgo succeeded Careticus, a lover of civil war, and hateful to God snd to the Britons. The Saxons, discovering his fickle disposition, went to Ireland for Gormund, king of the Africans, who had arrived there with a very great fleet, and had subdued that country. From thence, at their traitorous instigation, he sailed over into Britain, which the perfidious Saxons in one part, in another the Britons by their continual wars among themselves, were wholly laying waste. Entering therefore into alliance with the Saxons, he made war upon King Careticus, and after several battles fought, drove hun from city to city, till at length he forced him to Cirecester, and there besieged him. Here Isembard, the nephew of Lewis, king of the Franks, came and msde a league of amity with him, and out of respect to him renounced the Christian faith, on condition that he would Digitized by Googli BlUTUH HliTORT. 233 assist him to gain the kingdom of Gaul from hia unde ; by whom, he said, he was forcibly and unjustly expelled out of it. At last, after taking and burning the city, he had another fight with G^tfeticus, and inade him flee beyond the Severn into Wales. He then made an utter devastation of the country, set fire to the adjacent cities, lay waste the and coiitiiiued these outrages, till he had ahaubt burnt '**^'^* up the whole surface of the island t j om the one sea to the other ; so that the tillage was everywhere destroyed, and a general destruction made of the husbandmen and clergy, with fire and sword. This terrible calamity caused th^ rest to flee whitheraoever they had any hopes of safety. CHAPTER IX. TBB AUTHOa UPBRAIDS THE BBITONS. " Why, foolish nation ! oppressed with the weight of The author's ij'-i • • apostrophe your abominable wickedness, why did you, m your msa- toUwpeopie. tiable thirst after civil wars, so weaken youraelf by do- mestic confusions, that whereas formerly you brought distant kingdoms under your yoke, now, like a good vine- yard degenerated and turned to bitterness, yon cannot d^end your country, nor wives, nor children, against your enemies! Go on, go on in your civil dissensions, little understanding the saying in the Gospel, ' Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to d( solation, and a house divided against itself shall fall.' Since then your kingdom was divided against itself ; since the rage of civil discord, and the fumes of envy, have darkened your minds, since your pride would not sufler you to pay obe- dience to one king ; you see therefore your country made desolate by impious pagans, and your houses falling one upon another; which shall be the cause of lasting soi i'uw to your posterity. For the barbarous lionesses shall see their whelps enjoying the towns, cities, and other possessions of your children; from which they Digitized by Google 234 GKOPFSEY OF MONMOUTH. shall be miserably expelled, and hardly if ever recover their former flourishing state. CHAPTER X. LOEGBIA 18 AGAIN INHABITED BY THE SAXONS. THE BRI- TONS, WITH THEIR BISHOPS, RETIRE INTO CORNWALL AND WALES. But to return to the histoiy ; when the inhuman tyrant, with many thousands of his Africans, had made a devastatioii almost over the whole island, he yielded up the greater part of it, called Loegria, to the Saxons, whose villany had been the occafflon of his anival. The Britonfl Therefore the xemainder of the Britons retired into ^1^^ the western parte of the kingdom, that is, Cornwall and Wales; from whence they centinnally made frequent and fierce irruptions upon the enemy. The three aieh- bishops, viz. the archbishop of Legions, Theon of London, and Thadiorens of York, when they bt Ik Id all the churches in their jurisdiction lying level with the ground, fled with all the clergy that remained after so great a destmction, to the coverts of the woods in Walee^ carrying with them the leliques of the sainte, for fear the sacred hones of so many holy men of old might be destroyed by the barbarians, if they should leave them in that imminent danger, and themselves instantly suffer martyrdom. Many more went over in a great fleet into Armorican Britain ; so that the whole church of the two provinces, Loegria and Northumber- land, had its convents destroyed. But these things I shall relate elsewhere, when I transkite the book con- cerning their banishment. f Digitized by Google BMTIBH SIBTOIIY. 235 CHAPTER XI. THE BRITONS LOSS TUEIA KINGDOM. Foil a long time after this the Britons were dispos- sessed of tlu' cvo^vll oi' tlio kingdom, and the monarchy of the island, and made no endeavours to recover their ancient dignity : but even that part of the country which state of «n. yet remained to them, being subject not to one king, but three tyrants, iras often wasted by civil wars. But neither did the Saxons yet obtain the eiovD, but were also subject to three kings, who harassed sometimes one another, sometimes the Britons. CHAPTER Xll. AUGDSTINB, BEING SENT BY POPE OBBQOBT INTO BBITAIN, PBBACHBB THB GOSPEL TO THX ANGLES. In the meantime Augustine was sent by Pope Siunt St. AuguBtine Gregoiy into Britain, to preach the word of God to r;"'^' °he the Ai^es, who, being blinded with pagan supensti- B^cjU tion, had entirely eittinguished Christianity in that part of the island which they possessed. But among the Britons, the Christian iailli still nourished, and never failed among them from the time of Pope Eleutherius, when it was first planted here. But when Augustine came, he found in their province seven bishoprics and an archbishopric, all filled with most devout prelates, and a great number of abbeys ; by which the flock of Christ was stiil kept in good order. Among the rest, there was in the city of Bangor a most noUe church, in which it is reported there was so great a number of monks, that when the mondlliery was divided into seven parts, having each their priors ovor them, not one of them had less than three hundred monks, who all hved by the Digitized by Google 236 OEOFF9SY or IIONMOCTH. Dinoot, ab- labouT of thdr own hands. The name of their abbot ^f^' was Dmool;» a man adminbly skiUed in the liberal arts ; who, when Augustine required the subjection of the Britisli bisbopsy and would have persuaded them to undertake the work of the Gospel with him among the Angles, answered him with several arguments, that they owed no subjection to him, neither would they preach to their enemies ; since they had tlicir own archbishop, aud because the Saxon nation persisted in depriving them of their country. For this reason they esteemed them their mortal enemies, reckoned their foitb and re- ligion as nothing, and would no more communicate with the Angles than with dogs. CHAPTER XIII. BDBLFIUB KILLS A QRBAT NOIIBER OP THE BRITISH MONKS, BUT 18 AT LAST BODTBD BT THB BBITONB. Therefore Hedelbert, king of Kent, when he saw that the Britons disdained subjection to Augustine, and despised his preaching, was highly provoked, and stirred EdiifHd up Eddfind, king of the Northumbrians, and the other Brturii** petty kings of the Saxons, to raise a great army, and march to the city of Bangor, to destroy the Aljbot Din out, and the rest of the clergy who held thoni in contempt. At his instigation, therefore, they assem- bled a prodigious army, and in their march to the pro- vince of the Britons, came to Legecestcr, where Brocinail, consul of the city, was awaiting their coining. To the same city were come innumerable monks and hermits from several provmces of the Britons, but especially from the city of Bangor, to pray for the safety of thdr people. Whereupon Edelfrid, king of the Northum- brians, collecting all his forces, joifled battle with Broci- nail, wlio, haviniT a less army to witlistand him, at la«?t quitted the city and Hed, though not without having Digitized by Googl 9RITISII HiSTOKY. 237 made a great slaughter of the encray. But Edelfiid, wlien he had takeu the city, and understood upon what occasion the monks were come tliitlier, commanded his men to turn their arms firet agaioBt them ; aad bo two hundred of them were honoured \^ith the crown of martyrdom, and admitted into the kingdom of heaven that same day. From thence this Saxon tyrant pro- ceeded on his march to Bangor; but upon the news of his outrageous madness, the leaders of the Britons, viz. Blederic, duke of Cornwall, Margadud, king of the Demetians, and Caduan, of the Venedotians, came from all parts to meet him, and joining battle with him. He isdefert- wounded him, and forced him to flee; and killed of iusBiitow. army to the number of ten thousand and sixty-six men. On the Britons* side fell Blederic, duke of Cornwall, who was their commander in those wars. Digitized by Google GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH'S BRITISH HISTORY. BOOK XII. CHAPTER I. CADUAN AOQUIBBB BT TRBATT ALL BRITAIN ON TUTS SIDE THB HUMBER, AND BDBLPRID THE RBflT. Tafluan, king Aftbb this all the prineee of the Briions met to- tons, and gether at the city of Legecester, and consented to make divide the Caduan their kmg, that under his command they might SSaSwBi. pursue Edelfrid beyond the Humber. Accordingly, as soon as he was crowned, they flocked together from all parts, and passed the Humber ; of which when Edelfrid received intelligence, he entered into a confederacy with all the Saxon kings, and went to meet Caduan. At last, as they were forming their troops for a battle, their iHends came, and made peace between them on these tenns; that Caduan should enjoy that part of Britain which lies on this side the Humber, and EdelfHd that which is beyond it. As soon as they had confirmed this agreement with an oath made to their hostages, there connnenced such a friendship between them, that they had all things conunon. In the meantime it happened, that Edelfrid banished bis own wife and married another, and bore so great a hatred to her that was banished, that he would not suffer her to live in the kingdom of Northumberland. Whereupon she, being • i Digitized by Google BRITISH HI8TOBY 239 with child, went to Kino- Caduan, that by his medi- ation slie might be restored to her husband. But when Edelfrid could by no means be brought to conaeiit to it, she continued to live with Caduan, till she was deli- vered of the son which she had conceived. A short time after her delivery, Gadnati also had a son boKn to him by ^e queen, his wife. Then were the two boys brought up together in a manner suitable to their royal birth, one of which was called Cadwallo, the other Edwin. When they were nearly arrived at men's estate, their parents sent them to Salomon, kinjr of the Armo- rican Britons, that in his couH they might learn the discipline of war, and other princely qualifications. This prince, therefore, received them graciously, and ad- mitted them to an intimacy with him ; so that there was none of their age m the whole court, that had a free access, or more familiarly discoursed with the king than they. At last he himself was an eye-witness of their ' exploits against tlie eueuiy, in wliich they very much signalized their valour. r CHAPTER II. CADWALLO BKEAKS THE COVENANT HE HAD MADE WiTU EDWIN. In process of time, when their parents were dead, they returned to Britain, where they took upon them the government of the kingdom, and began to form the same friendsliii) as their fathers. Two vears after Edwin and this, Edwin asked leave of Cadwallo to wear a crown, and to celebrate the same solemnities, as had been used of old in Northumberland. And when they had begun a treaty upon this subject by the river Duglas, that the matter might be adjusted according to the advice of their wise counsellors; it happened that Cadwallo was lying on the other side of the river in the lap of a Digitized by Google 210 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH. certain nt})h( w oi his, whose name was Brian. While aiiibaasadors were negociating between them, Brian wept, and shed tears so plentifully, that the king's face and beard were w et with them. The king, imagining that it nuned, Hfted up his face, and aeeiog the young man in tears, asked him the oeeasion of sueh sudden grief. *^ Grood reason/' said he, ** have I to weep oontinuallj, as well as the whole British nation, yAadi has groaned under the oppression of barbarians ever since the time of Malgo, and lia^ not yet got a prince, to ic store it to its ancient flourishing state. And even the little lionour that it liad left, is lessened by your indulgence ; since the Saxons, who are only strangers, and always traitors to our oountiy, must now be permitted to wear the same crown as you do. For when onoe,they shall attain to regal dignity, it will be a great addition to their gloiy in the country from whence they came ; and they will the sooner invite over their countrymen, for the utter extirpation of our race. For they have been ahvajs accustomed to treachcrv, and never to keep faith with any ; which I think should be a reason fur our keeping them under, and not for exalting them. When King Vortegim first retained them in his service, they made a show of living peaceably, and fighting for our country, till they had an opportunity of practising their wicked^ ness ; and then they returned evil for good, betrayed him, and made a cruel massacre of the people of the kingdom. Afterwards they betrayed Aurelius Ambro- sius, to whom, even after the most tremendous oaths of fidelity, at a banquet with him thov c^ave a draught of poison. They also l)etmyed Arthur, when, setting aside the covenant by which they were bound, they joined with his nephew Modred, and fought against him. Lastly, they broke faith with King Caretieus, and brought upon him Gormund, king of the Africans, by whose disturbances our people were robbed of their country, and the king disgracefully driven out.^ Digitized by Google oaOFPRET OF MONMOUTH 24] CHAPTER III. A QUABRBL BBTWB8N CAOWAIXO AND KOWUf. At the mention of these things, Cadwallo repented of Edwin and entering into this treaty, and sent word to Edwin, that vauta!' he could by no means induce his counsellors to consent to his petition. For they alleged that It was contrary to law and the andent establishment, that an island, which has always had no more than one crown, should be now under subjection to two crowned heads. This message incensed Edwin, and made him break off tlie conference, and retirt* mto Northumberland, saying, he would be crowned without Cadwallo 's leave. When Cadwallo was told this, he declared to him by his am- bassadors, that he would cut off his crowned head, if he presumed to wear a crown within the kingdom of Britain. CHAPTER IV. CADWALLO 18 VANQUISHED HY EDWIN AND DRIVEN OUT OF THE KINGDOM. This proved the occasion of a war between them, in cadwiuoto which, after several engagements between their men, they at last met together themselves beyond the Humber, and had a battle, wherein Cadwallo lost many thoimands of his Ibiiowers, and was put to flight. From hence he marched with precipitation through Albania, and went over to Ireland. But Edwin, after this victory, led his army through the provinces of the Britons, and burning the cities before him, grievously afflicted the citizens and country people. During this exercise of his cruelty, Cadwallo never ceased endeavouring to return back to his country in a fleet, but without success; because tu R Digitized by Google 242 OBOFFBST OF MONMOUTH. whatever port he steered, Edwin met him with his forces, and hindered iiis landing. For there was come to him from Spain a very skilful soothsayer named Pellitus, who, hy the flight of birds, and the courses of the stars^ foretold all the disasteis that woidd happen. By these means Edwin, gettmg knowledge of Cadwalla's return, prepared to meet him, and shattered his ships so that he drowned his men and beat him off from all his ports. Cadwailo, not knowing what course to take, was almost in despair of ever returning. At last it came into his head to go to Salomon, king of the Armorican Britons, and desire his assistance and advice, to enable him to zetum to his kingdom. And so, as he was steering to- wards Armorica, a strong tempest rose on a sudden, which dispersed the ships of his companions, and in a short time left no two of them together. The pilot of the king's ship was seized immediately with so groat • a fear, that quitting the stern, he left the vessel to the disposal ol fortune ; so that all that night it was tossed up and down in great danger by the raging waves. The next morning they arrived at a certain island called Gamareia, where with great difficulty they got ashore. CSadwallo was forthwith seized with such grief for the loss of his companions, that for three days and nights together he refused to eat, but lay sick upon his bed. The fourth day he was taken with a very great longing for some venison, and causing Brian to be called, made him acquainted with it. Whereupon Brian took his bow and quiver, and went through the island, that if he could light on any wild beast, he might make booty of it. And when he had walked over the whole iskmd, without finding what he waft in quest of, he was extremely con- cerned that he could not gratify his master's desire; and was afraid his sickness would prove mortal, if his longing were not satisfied. He therefore fell upon a new device, and cut a jiiece of flesh out of his own thia:h, which he roasted upon a spit, and carried to the king lor venison. Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORT* 243 The kin^, thinking it to be real venison, began to eat of it to his great refreshment, admiring the sweetness of it, which he fancied exceeded any flesh he ever had tasted before. At last^ when he fajMl fully aatiBfied his appetite, he became more cheerful, and in three days was perfectly well again. Then the wind standing fair, he got ready his ship, and hoisting sails they pursued their voyage, and arrived at the city Kidaleta. From Goes to the thence they went to King Salomon, by whom they were saiomou. received kindly and with all suitable respect: and as soon as he had learned the occasion of their coming, he made them a promise of assistance, and spoke to them as follows* CHAPTER V. - ^} ^ ^'^^ THE SPEECH OF SALOMON, KING OF ARMORICA, TO CADWALLO. " It is a grief to us, noble youths, that the country of stiom on'a your ancestors is oppressed by a barbarous nation, and that you are ignominiously driven out of it. But since other men are able to defend their kingdoms, it is a wonder your people diould lose so friutlul an ishuid, and not be able to withstand the nation of the Angles, whom t>ur countrymen hold in contempt. While the people of this country lived together with yours in Britain, they boT o s^vay over all the provincial kingdoms, and never could be subdued by any nation but the Romans. Neither did the Romans do this by their own power, as I have been lately informed, but by a dissension among the nobility of the isbmd. And even the Romans, though they held it under their subjection for a time, yet upon the loss and slaughter of their rulersi were driven out with dis- grace. But after the Britons came into this province under the conduct of Maximian and Conan, those that remained never had the liai j dness afterwards of holding an uninterrupted possession of the crown. For though b2 igitized by Google 244 GEOFFREY OF MONMO0TH. many of their princes maintained the ancient dignity of their ancestors; yet their weak heirs that succeeded^ though more in number, entirely lost it, upon the invar mon of their enemies. Therefore I am grieved for the weakness of your people, since we are of the same race with you, and the name Britons is common to you, and to the nation that bravely defends their country, which you see at war with all its neighbours.** CHAPTER VL CADWALLO'S ANSWER TO SALOMON. When he had concluded his speech, GadwaUo, who was a little put to. the blush, answered him after this manner : " Royal Sir, whose descent is from a race of kings, I give you many thanks for youi" promise of assisting me to recover my kingdom. But what you say is a wonder, that my people have not maintained the dignity of their ancestors, since the time that the Britons came to these provinces, I am far from thinking to be such. For the noblest men of the whole kingdom followed those leaders, and there remained only the baser sort to enjoy their honours; who beipg raised to a high quality, on a sudden were puffed up above their station ; and growing wanton with riches, gave them- selves up to commit such fornication, as is not so much AS named among tlie Gentiles; and (as Giklas the his- torian testifies) were not only guilty of tliis vice, but of all the enormities that are incident to human nature. And what chiefly prevailed, to the ^tire overthrow of all goodness, was the hatred of truth with its as- sertorSy the love of a lie with the inventors of it, the embracing of evil for good, the veneration of wickedness for grace, the receiving of Satan for an angel of light. Kings were anointed, not ior the sake of God, hut such as were more cruel than the rest; Digitized by Google BRITISH HUrrORY. and were soon after murdered by their aDointers, witb- out examination, having chosen others yet more cruel in their room* But if any of them showed any mildneaSy or seemed a favourer of truths against him, as the sub- verter of Britain, were all their malice and their weapons bent. In short, things pleasing to God or displeasing, with them had tlie same weight, even if the woi-se were not the weightier. Therefore were all affairs managed contrary to public safety, as if the true physician of all had left them destitute of cure. And thus was every thing done without discretion, and that not only by seciilar men, but by the Lord's flock, and its pastors. Therefore it is not to be wondered, that such a de» generate race, so odious to God for their vices, lost a countrv' which they had so heinously corrupted. For God was \s illing to execute his vengeance upon them, by suffering a foreign people to come upon them, and drive them out of their possessions. Notwithstanding it would be a worthy act, if God would permit it, to restore our subjects to their ancient dignity, to prevent the reproach that may be thrown upon our race, that we were weak rulers, who did not exert ourselves in our own defence. And I do the more fireely ask your assistance, as you are of the same blood with us. For the great Malgo, who was the fourth king of liiitain after Ai tliur, had two sons, named Emiianus and Rimo. Eimiaiius begot Belin; Belin, Jago; Jago, Caduan, who was my fiither. Riino, who, after his brother s death, was driven out by the Saxons, came to this province and bestowed his daughter on Duke Hoe), the son of that great Hoel who shared with Arthur in his conquests. Of her was bom Ahm; of Alan, Hoel your &ther, who while he lived was a terror to all Gaul." 246 OflOFPBBY OF MONMOUTH* ^ ^ CHAPTER VII. BRIAN ILilAM £DWiN''s MAGICIAN. Bdwin's ma. In the meantime, while he was spending the winter SSf with Salomon, they entered into a resolution, that Brian slioiild pass over into Britain, and take some method to kill Edwin s magician, lest he might by his usual art iuibi-m him of Cadwallo's coming. And when with this design he had arrived at Hamo^s Port» be took upon himself the habit of a poor man, and made himself a staff of iron sharp at the end, with which he might kill tiie magician, if he should happen to meet with bim. From thenoe he went to York, where Edwin then re- sided ; and having entered that city joined himself to the poor people, that waited for alms before the king's gate. But ns Ik was j^oinj; to and fro, it happened that his sister came out oi the hall, with a basin in her hand, to fetch water for the queen. She had been taken by Edwin at the city of Worcester, when after Cadwallo's .flight he was acting his hostiiitifiS upon the proTinoes of the Britons. As she was therefore pasnng by Brian, he immediately knew her, and breaking forth into tears, called to her with a low voice ; at which the damsel turning her face, was in doubt at first who it could be, but upon a nearer approach discovered it to be her bro- ther, and was near lalliug into a swoon, for fear that he might by some unlucky accident be known and taken by the enemy. She therefore refrained from saluting hiwi, or altering into £Mniliar discourse with him, but told him^ as if she was talking upon some other subject, the state of the court, and showed him the magician, that he was inquiring for, who was at that very time walking among the poor people, while the alms were being dis- tributed among them. Brian, as soon as he had taken knowledge of the man, ordered his sister to steal out Digitized by Google BRiTlaiH HliJTOaY 247 priyately from her apartment the night following, and come to him near an old church without the city, where he would conceal himself" in expectation of her. Then dismissing her, he thrust himself in among the crowd of poor people, in that part where PeUitua was placing them. And the same moment he got accsess to him, he lifted up his staff, and at once gave him a stab under the breast which killed him. This done, he threw away his staff, and passed among the rest undistinguished and unsuspected by any of the hystanders, and by good pro- vidence got to the place of conceahnont which he liad appointed. His sister, when nigrht came on, endeavoured all she could to get out, but was not able ; because Ed- win, being terrified at the killing of Pellitus, had set a strict watch about the courts who^ making a narrow, search, refused to let her go out. When Brian found this, he retired from that place and went to Exeter, where he called together the Britons, and told them ■what he had done. Afterwards having dispatched a^\ay messengers to Cadw^allo, he fortified that city, and sent word to all the British nobility, that they should bravely defend their cities and towns, and joyfully expect Cad- wallo's coming to their relief in a short time, with aux* iliary forces from Salomon. Upon the spreading of this news over the whole idand, Peanda, king of the Mer- cians, with a very great army of Saxons, came to Exeter, and besieged Brian. CHAPTER VIII. * - ^ ' CAOWALLO TAKES PBANOA, AXD ROCTfl HIS ARMY. In the meantime Cadwallo arrived with ten thousand cad>vaiio men, whom King Salomon bad delivered to him ; and Sege! with them he marched straight to the siege again^ King I*eanda. But, as he was going, he divided his forces into four parts, and then made no delay to advance and Digitized by Google 248 GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH join battle with the enemy, wherein Pean(l;i was forth- with taken, and his army routed. For, finding no other way for his own safety, he surrendered himself to Cad- wallo, and gave hostages, with a promise that he would assist him against the Saxons. Cadwallo, after this suc- cess against him, smmnobed together his nobility, that had been a long time in a decaying state^ and marched to Northmnberland against Edwin, and made continual devastations in that country. When Edwin was ialbrmed of it, he assembled all the petty kings of the Angles, and, meeting the Britons in a held called Hevefeld, pre- sently gave them battle, but was killed, and almost all the people with him, together with Offrid, his son, and Godboldy king of the Orkneys, who had come to their assistance. CHAPTER IX. CABfWAIXO KILLS O0R1O AMD ADAN IN FIGHT. Having thus obtained the victory. Cadwallo inarched through the provinces of the Angles, and committed such outrages upon the Saxons, that he neither spared age nor sex; for his resolution being to extirpate the whole race out of Britain, all that he found he put to extreme tortures. After this he had a battle witli Oaric, Edwin's successor, and kiDed him together with his two nephews, who ought to have reigned after him. He Adan, king of also killed Adan, king of the Scots, who came to thei^ the ScoU, Is . . ■lain. assistance. CHAPTER X. OSWALD ROUTS PEANDA IN FIGHT, BUT IS KILLED BY CADWALLO COMING IN UPON HIM. Oswald d«. Trior deaths made room for Oswald to succeed to the kingdom of Northumberland , but Cadwallo drove him, with the rem that had given liim disturbance, to the very Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTORY. 249 wall, which the Eraperor Se\eius had formerly built between Britain and Scotland. Afterwards lie sent Pe- anda, king of the Mercians, and the greatest part of his army, to the same place, to give him battle. But Oswald, as he was besieged one night by Peanda, in the place called Hevefeld, that is, the Hearaily Field, set up there our Lord*s cross, and commanded hb men to speak with a very loud voice these words : Let us all kneel down, and pray the Almighty, living and true God, to defend us from the proud army of the king of Britain, and his wicked leader Peaiida. For he knows how justly we wage this war for the safety of our people." They all therefore did as he commanded them, and advanced at break of day against the enemy, and> by their faith gained the victory. Cadwalio, upon hearing this news, being iiifluned wHb ii«e, MemUed hfa am^ in pursuit of the holy King Oswald ; and in a battle which he had with him at a plaoe called Bume, Peanda broke in upon him and killed him. CHAPTER XI. OSWIN SUBMITS TO CADWALLO. PEANDA DESIRES LEAVE OF CADWALLO TO MAKE WAR AGAINST HIM. Oswald, with many thousands of his men, being killed, Oflwin auc- his brother Oswin succeeded him in the kingdom ofmid. Northumberland, and by making large presents of gold and silver to Cadwalio, who was now possessed of the government of all Britain, made his peace and submis- sion to him. Upon this Alfrid, his brother, and Oidwald, his brother's son, began an insurrection ; but, not being able to hold out against him, they fled to Peanda, king of the Mercians, desiring him to assemble his army and pass the Humber with them, that he mi(^t deprivet Oswin of his kingdom. But Peanda, fearing to break^ the peace, which Cadwalio had settled through the king- £50 OEOFFIUSY OF MONMOVTM. (loin of Britain, deferred beginning^ any disturbance without liis leave, lill he could soiiic way wuvk him up, either to make war himself upon Oswiii, or allow him the liberty of doing it. At a certain Pentecost therefore, when Cadwallo was celebiating that festival at London, and for the greater solemnity wore the crown of Britain, all the kings of the Angles, excepting only Oswin, being present, as also all the dukes of the Britons; Peanda went to the kin<^, and inquired of him the reason, why Oswin alone \\as wanting, when all the princes of the Saxons were present. Cadwallo answered, that his sick- ness was the cause of it ; to which the other replied, that he had sent over to Germany for more Saxons, to revenge the death of his brother Oswald upon them both. He told him further, ihsA he had broken the peace oi the kingdom, as being the sole author of the war and diss^ifflon among them ; sinee Edelfrid, king of Northumberland, and Oidwald, his brother's son, had been by him harassed with a war, and driven out of their own country. lie also desired leave, either to kill him, or banish him the kingdom. CHAPTER XII. CADWALLO 18 ADYI8BD TO SUFFER PEANDA TO MAKE AN INSUBRECnON AOAINST OSWIN. Marjouiiid's This matter caused the kiiiLT to eriter ujiuii much cudwaUo. deliberation, and hold a private consultation with his intimate fnends, what course to take. Among the rest that offered their {nroposals, Margadud, king oi the Demetians, spoke as follows : — Royal Sb, since you have proposed to expel the race of the Angles horn the coasts of Britain, why do you alter your resolution, and suiler them to continue in peace among us? At least you should permit them to fall out among them- selves, and let our country owe its deliverance to their Digitized by Google BRITI8H HI8T0BY. 251 own civil broils. No liaitU is to be kept with one thai js treacheroiia, and is continually laying snares for him to whom he owes fideUty. Suoh have the Saxons always been to our nation, from the very first time of their coming among us. What fiuth ought we to keep with them? Let Peanda immediately have leave to go against Oswin, that by this civil dissension and destruc- tion of one another, our island may get rid of them.^ CHAPTEil XIII. PEANDA 18 KILLED BY OSWIN. CADWALLO DIEB. By these and other words to the same eflfect, Cad- wallo was prevailed npon to grant the permission de- sired. And Peanda, having assembled a vast army, Peanda's went to the 1 lumber, and la\ inLr \\aste that country, alJliuLt" beffan a fierce war upon the king. Oswin was at last reduced to such extremity, that he was forced to promise him innumerable royal ornaments, and other presents more than one would believe, if he would deost from ruining his eountiy, and return home without ooni- mitting any more hostilities. But when the other could by no entreaties be prevailed upon to do it, the king, in hopes of divine assistance, though he had a less army, however, gave him battle near the River Winned, and having kille<l Peanda and tliirty other commanders, gained the victory. Peanda's son Wulfred, by a grant from Cadwallo, succeeded to the kingdom, and joining with Eba and Edbert, two leaders of the Mercians^ re- beUed against Oswin ; but at last, by Oadwallo^s 43om» mand, made peace with htm. At length, after forty* ei^t years were expired, that most noble and potent king of the Britons, Cadwallo, being gt own infirm with age and sickness, departed thi.s lil'e upon the fifteenth of tlie calends ul December, The Britons embalmed his body, and placed it with wonderful art in a brazen 252 OKOPFREY OF JIONMODTH. statue, which was cast according to the measure of his stature. This statue they set up with complete armour, upon an admirable beautifiil brazen horse, over the western gate of Ijondon, for a monument of the above- mentioned victory, and for a terror to the Saxons. They also built under it a church in honour of St. Martin, in which divine ceremonies are celebrated for him and the oth^ who dcpai'ted iu the faith. CHAPTEE XIV. CADWALLADER SUCCEEDS CAiiW ALLO. ciuivnoiader Hb wbs succeeded in the kingdom Gadwallader, his son, whom Bede calls the youth Elidualda. At fi»t he maintcuned the government with peace and honour ; but after twelve years' enjoyment of the crown, he fell into a fit of sickness, and a civil war broke out among the Britons. His motlier was Peanda's sister, by the same father but a diilereat mother, descended from the noble race of the Genuisseans. For Cadwallo, after his leeonciliataon with her brother, made her the partner of his bed, and had CadwaUader by her^ CHAPTER XV. THE KUTONS AKB OOHPELLBD, BT FB8TILSNCB AND FAMINE, TO LEAVE BBITAIN. CADWALLADEB*8 LAMENTATION. The BritoM DuAiNa hia sickness, the Britons, (as we said before.) Biitein. quarrellmg among themselves, made a wicked destruc- tion of a rich country; and this again was attended with another misfortune. For this besotted people was punished with a grievous and memorable famine ; so that every province was destitute of all sustenance, except what could be taken in hunting. After the famine followed a terrible pestilence, which in a short time Digitized by Google BRITISH HISTOBT* 253 destroyed such multitudes of people, that the living were not sufficient to bury the dead. Those of them that reinamed, flying their conntiy in whole troops together, vent to the eoimtries heyond the sea, and while they were under sail, they with a mournful howling voice sung, ** Thou hast given us, O God, like sheep appointed for meat, and hast scattered us among the heathen.** Also Cadvvallader himself, in his voyage with his niisfM-able fleet to Amiorica, made this addition to the lamentation, " Woe to us, sinners, for our grievous impieties, where- with we have not ceased to provoke God, while wc had space for repentance. Therefore the revenge of his power lies heavy upon us, and drives us out of our native soil, which neither the Romans of old, nor the Scots or Picts afterwards, nor yet the treacherous Saxons with all their craft, were able to do. But in vain have we recovered our country so often from them ; since it was not the will of God that we should perpetually hold the government of it. He who is the true Judge, when he saw we were by no means to be reclaimed from our wickedness, and that no human power could expel our race, was willing to chastise our folly himself; and has turned his anger against us, by which we ace driven out in crowds from our native country. Return, therefore, ye Romans; return, Scots and i'lcts; return, Ambrons and Saxons : behold, Britain lies open to you, being by the wrath of God made desolate, h you w ere never able to do. It is not your valour that expels us ; but the power of the supreme King, whom we have never ceased to provoke."* CHAPTER XVI. CADWALLADBB WFTR HIS PKOPLB GOES TO ALAN. THK SAXONS SEIZE ALL BRITAIN. With these dolorous complaints he arrived at the Th Armorican coast, and went with his whole company to i^ri QEOFFRBY OF MONMOUTH. King Alan, the nephew of Salomon, by whom he was honourably received. So that Britain, beinsj now des- titute of its ancient iiiliabitants, excepting a few iu Wales that escaped the general mortality, became a frightful place eyen to the Bntona themaelTes ibr elevea yem after. Neither was it at the same time more favourable to tiie Saxons, who died in it without inter- missioQ. Notwithstanding the remainder of them, after this raging plague was ceased, according to their old custom sent word over to their countrymen, that the island of Britain was now freed of its native inlial»itants. and lay open to them, if they would come over and in- habit it. As soon as they had received this informal tion, that odious people, gathering together an innume- rable multitude of men and women, arriyed in North- umberland, and inhabited the provinees that lay desolate from Albania to Cornwall. For there was now nobody to hinder them, excepting the poor remains of the Jiritons, who continued together in the thickets of the woods in Wales. From that time the power f>f the Britons ceased in the island, and the Angles began their reign. CHAPTER XVII. CAOWAtLAnKB IB BY THB VOIOB OP AN ANOBL DETBRRBD FROM BXTURNING TO BBtTAIN. Cftdwoiiader After some time, when the people liad recovered is deterred by • ^ mu3ng^ strength, Cadwallader, being mindful of his kingdom^ Britain. which was now free from the contagion of the pestilence, desired assistance of Alan towards the recovery of bis dominions. The king granted his request; but as he was getting ready a fleet, he was commanded by the loud voice of an angel to desist from his enterprise. For God was not willing that the Britons slionld reign any longer in the island, before the time came of which Merlin prophetically foretold Arthur. It also corn- Digitized by GoogI BRirnm msTOitT. 255 manded him to go to Rome to Pope Serous, where, after doing penance, he should be enrolled among the saints. It told him vithal, that the Britons, hy the merit of their faith, flfaould again recoTer the island^ when the time decreed for it was come. But this would not he accomplished before they should be possessed of his reliques, and transport theiii iVum Rome into Briuuii. At the same tune alsw the reh(pu'S of the other saints should be found, which liad been hidden on account of the invasion of pagans; and then at last would they recover their lost kingdom. When the holy prince had received the heavenly message, he went straight to King Alan, and gave him an acoomit of what had been told Him. CHAPTER XVIIL CADWALLADER GOES TO ROME AND DIES. Then Alan had recourse to several books, as the pro- CMiwaiiader phecies of the eagle tliat prophesied at Shaftesbury, and the verses of Sibyl and Merlin ; and made diligent search In them, to see whether the revelation made to Cad« walhider agreed with those written oracles. And when he could find nothing contradictory to it^ he admonished CadwaUader to submit to the divine dispensation^ and laying aside the thoughts of Britain, perform what the angelical voice had comuiaiuk d liim. But he urged him to send liis son Ivor and hi« nej)h(nv Ini over into the island, to govern tiie remainder of the Britons ; lest a nation, descended of so ancient a race, should lose their liberty by the incursions of barbarians. Then Cadwalla- der, renouncing worldly cares for the sake of God and his everlasting kingdom, went to Bome, and was con- firmed by Pope Sergius : and being seized with a sudden illness, was, upon the twelfth of the calends of May, in the six bundled and eighty-ninth year of our Lord's Digitized by Google 256 OEOrFBET OF MONMOUTH. incarnation, freed from the corruption of the flesh, atid admitted into the glories of the hemirenly kingdom. CHAPTER XIX. THS TWO BRITONB, IVOR AND INI, IN VAIN ATTACK THB NATION OP THB ANGLBB. ATRKL8TAN THB FIRST KING OF THB ANGLB8. Atheiitan As soon as Ivor and Ini had got together their ships, Sw^Sgltf they, with all the forces they could raise, arrived in the island, and for forty-nine years together fiercely attacked the nation of the Angles^ but to little purpose. For the above-mentioned mortality and famine, together with the inveterate spirit of faction that was among them, bad made this proud people so much degenerate, that they were not able to gain nin advantage of the enemy. And being now also overrun with barbarism, they were no longer called Britons, but Oualenses, \\ elshinen ; a word derived either from Gualo their leader, or Guales their queen , or from their barbarism. But the Saxons managed al^rs with more pmdence, maintained peace and concord among themselves, tilled their grounds, rebuilt their cities and towns, and so throwmg off the dominion of the Britons, bore sway over all Loegria, under their leader Athelstan, who first wore a crown amongst them. But the Welshmen, being very much degenerated from the nobility of the Britons, never after recovered the monarchy of the island ; on the contrary, by quarrels among themselves, and wars with the Saxons, their country was a perpetual scene of misery and slaughter. Digitized by Google BfttTUIR HISTOBY. 257 CHAPTER XX. GEOFFREY OF MONMOLTh'*. CONCLUSION. But as for the kings that have succeeded among them m Wales, since that time, I leave the history of them to Karadoc of LancanraD, my contemporary ; as I do also the kings of the Saxons to William of Malmesbury, and Henry of Huntinp^ton. But I aflvise them to bo silent concerning; the kiiit/s of the Britons, smce thev Lave not that book written in the British tongue, which Walter, archdeacon of Oxford, brought out of Britain, and which being a true history, published in honour of those princes, I have thus taken care to translate. Digitized by Google Digitized by Google INDEX. Aaron, a British martyr in Dioclesian's persecution, V. 5. Adan, king of the Scots, in assisting the Saxons, is killed by Cadwallo, XII. a, Adelstan, the first king of the Angles that wore a crown, XII. 12, ^ ./Eneas, the Trojan, gains the kingdom of Italy, and marries Lavinia, L 3. Aganippus, king of the Franks, marries Cordeilla, daughter of King Leir, II. LL Agned, Mt., or Maiden's Castle, now Edinburgh Castle, by whom built, II. I. Akalon, river in Greece, L 5^ Alan, king of Armorica, consults old prophecies about Cad- wallader's revelation, XII. lA. Alba, now Albano, in Italy, L 3. Alban, his charity to his confessor, Amphibalus, and martyr- dom, V. . Albanact, a son of Brutus, killed by Humber, II. L Albania, now Scotland, called so from Albanact, II. L Albion, the ancient name of Britain, L l£. Alclud, now Dunbritton, by whom built, II. Z- Aldroen, king of Armorica, his answer to Archbishop Gnethelin's petition, VI. ^ He sends succours to the Britons, ib. ^Alfrid and Oidwald begin an insurrection against Oswin, XII. 1_L ' Alifantinam, king of Spain, is slain in a battle with Arthur, X. Allectus, havang killed Carausius, tyrannizes over the Britons, 4^ Is routed in battle, and killed by Asclepiodotus, ib. . Allobroges, in Switzerland, III. 6^ Ambrius, founder of a famous monastery (of Ambresbury) near iSalisbury, VI. 15* Anacletus is taken prisoner by Brutus, L Is compelled by "him to betray the Grecian camp, L Andegavia, now Anjou, in France. Andragius, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 1^ s 2 260 INDEX. I ^;^ndrogeus is made duke of Trinovantum by CassibelLaun, > III. 2SL His quarrel with Cassibellaun, IV. a. His letter to ! Julius Ceesar, ib. Lies in ambush for Cassibellaun, IV. His answer to Cassibellaun's messengers, ib. Obliges Caesar to a , reconciliation with Cassibellaun, IV. UL Goes to Rome with Caesar, IV. 11. . Antenor, Trojan, L 12- Antigonus, brother of Pandrasus, is taken prisoner by Brutus, L ^ Aquitaine, now Guienne, in France, L 12. Archflamens, in Britain, made archbishops, IV. 1^ Armorica, V. 12. ^ Arthgallo is deposed by the Britons, III. IL His good govern- ' ment after his restoration, ib. Arthmail, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19. Arthur is conceived in adultery by his mother Igerna being " imposed upon, VIII. 1^ Succeeds Uther Pendragon in the king- dom, and is crowned by Dubricius, IX. His munificence and other great quahties, ib. Defeats Colgrin and besieges him in York, ib. Is advised by his council to raise the siege, ib. Sends for assistance to Hoel, king of Armorica, IX. 2. Forces the Saxons to raise the siege of Lincoln, IX. 2. Besieges them in the wood of Caledon, and makes them tributaries, ib. Executes their hostages for breach of treaty, and marches to Bath against them, ib. His speech to his soldiers before the battle of Bath, ib. A description of his armour, IX. 4^ Kills with his own hand 470 men, and overthrows the Saxons, ib. Marches into Albania to relieve Hoel, IX. ^ After thrice defeating the Scots and Picts, besieges them in the Lake Lumond, IX. Repulses Guillamurius, king of Ireland, ib. Pardons the Scots and Picts at the request of their clergy, ib. Relates the wonderful nature of some ponds, IX. 2^ Restores York to its ancient beauty, IX. Disposes of several great preferments, IX. <L Marries Guanhumara, a lady | of a Roman family, ib. Reduces Ireland and the provincial I islands, IX. UL Invites to his court all persons famed for chi- : valry, IX. LL Subdues Norway and Dacia, ib. His expedition into Gaul, and great success there, ib. Besieges Flollo in Paris, and kills him in a single combat, ib. Reduces all Gaul, and divides it among his princes, ib. Summons his great men from all countries to a solemn assembly at Legions, IX. 12. His coro- nation and pompous solemnity there described, IX. 13^ ]A. His speech to his princes upon the Romans demanding tribute, IX. 1^ His answer to the Roman ambassadors, IX. 2£L Commits to Modred and Queen Guanhumara the govern- INDEX. 261 ment of Britain, X. 2. His dream at Hamo'tj Port, ib. Kills a Spauish giant on Mount Michael, X. 1. His message to L. Ti- berius, X. 4. Marshals his army for a general battle with the Romans, X. 6. His speech to his soldiers before the battle, X. His great exploits in this battle, and total overthrow of the Romans, X. LL Gives orders concerning the burial of the slain, X. 13* Upon the news of Modred's practices against him, returns to Britain, XI. L His first victory over Modred, ib. His second victory and pursuit of him to Cornwall, XI. 2* His third vic- tory, ib. He is mortally wounded, and retires to the Isle of Avallon, ib. Gives up the crown to Constantine, Anno Domini^ 542, t*. Ascanius, son of ^neas, builds Alba upon the Tyber, L 3^ Aschillius, king of Dacia, slain in battle, XI. 2. " Asclepiodotus frees the Britons from the Roman yoke, V. 4- I» made king of Britain, V. a. Is killed in battle by Coel, V. fi. Assaracus joins with Brutus against the Grecians, L 2* Assaracus, son of Ebraucus, obtains the kingdom of Ger- jnany, II. Arviragus, by policy, gains a victory of Claudius Caesar, IV. li Kills L. Hamo, ib. By advice of his council makes his sub- mission to Claudius, IV. Li. His fondness for his wife Genuissa, daughter of Claudius, IV. L5. Revolts from the Romans, IV. His battle with Vespasian, and reconciliation with him, ib. His character and death, ib. Augusel is made by Arthur king of Albania, IX. 9- His speech to Arthur, IX. 1&. Is killed in battle with Modred, XI. L Augustin is sent to preach the Gospel to the Angles, XI. 12^ Augustodunum, Autun, in France. Aiu-elius Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon, fearing the cruelty of Vortegirn, fly into Armorica, VI. a. Aurelius returns to Britain and is made king, VIII. 2. Goes against Vortegirn, ib. His resentment to Eldol of Vortegirn's wicked practices, ib. Bums him shut up in a tower, ib. His noble character, VIII. a. Twice defeats Hengist and the Saxons, VIII. ^ Pardons Octa and Eosa upon their surrendering themselves, VIII. His care in repairing the ruins made in Britain, and in restoring things to their ancient state, VIII. 9^ Consults with Merlin about erecting a monument for the massacred Britons, VIII. lo^ UL With great solemnity sets up the stones of the Giant's Dance for their monument, VIII. L2. Is poisoned by the treachery of Eopa, 20*2 IN1»EX. a Saxon, VIII. Is buried by the British clergy within the Giant's Dance, VIII. Avalon, now Glastonbury, in Somersetshire, XI. !L . Azara, Mountains of, in Africa, L LL Badon, Bath, in Somersetshire. Bajocae, Bayeux, in France. Baldulph, in his march to relieve Colgrin, is routed by Cador, duke of Ck)mwall, IX. L By putting on a disguise gets access to Colgrin, besieged in York, ib. Is killed at the battle of Bath, IX. A. Bangor, Banchor, or Bonium, in Flintshire, (not Carnar- vonshire,) its famous church and monastery, XI. 12. Bassianus, having killed his brother Geta, succeeds in the kingdom, V. 2m Is skin in battle by the treachery' of the Picts, V. 3. Bede quoted, L L Bedver is, by Arthur, made governor of Neustria, IX. Per- forms the office of butler at Arthur's solemnity at Legions, IX. Is sent in quest of a Spanish giant, X. ^ Is kiUed in the battle by Boccus, king of the Medes, X. Belinus gsuns the crown by right of inheritance. III. L Seizes upon Northumberland, III. 2. Routs his brother Brennius in battle, III. a. Makes Dacia tributary to him. III. 4. Confirms the Molmutine laws. III. ^ Makes several highways, ib. His reconciliation with Brennius, III. Z- Assists Brennius in the conquest of Gaul, III. 8. Makes the Romans tributaries. III. 2< Surprises the Romans in their march with a great slaughter, ib. Assists Brennius in the taking of Rome, t6. His return to Britain, III. ID. His public buildings, ib. His death and burial, ib. Belinus, general of Cassibellaun's army, IV. 1. Bladud, king of Britain, builds Kaerbadus, and makes the baths there, II. LQ. Being a famous magician he attempts to fly, but falls down dead, ib. Blederic, commander of the Britons, killed in battle by Edelfrid, XI. 13. Bleduno, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19. Blegabred, king of Britain, a famous musician. III. Boccus, king of the Medes, having slain Bedver, is killed by Hirelgas, X. fl, Bolonia, Boulogne, France. L.J INDEX. 263 Borellus, consul of the Cenomanni, killed by Evander, king of Syria, X. 5. Boso's gallant behaviour against the Romans, X. ^ Takes Petreius Cotta, a Roman commander, prisoner, ib. Brennius quarrels with his brother Bclinus, III. L Marries the king of Norway's daughter, ib. Invades Britain, III. a. Is defeated by Belinus and flies into Gaul, ib. Is made king of the Allobroges, III. 6, His return to Britain and reconciliation with Belinus, III. L Assists Belinus in the conquest of Gaul, III. ^ And in the taking of Rome, ill. £. His tyranny in Italy, III. liL Bretagne, V. 12* Brian's speech to Cadwallo upon his treaty with Edwin, XII. 2. His strange entertainment of him in the island of Gamareia, XII. ±^ In a disguise kills Pellitus, Edwin's soothsayer, XII. tt Britael, a king of Demetia, and attendant on Cassibellaun, IV. a. Britain described, L 2. Its inhabitants, ib. When divided under the power of five kings, II. 1^ Its grandeur in King Arthur's time, IX. 13. During a famine and pestilence lays de- solate for eleven years, XII. 1£. Britons destroy the giants that first inhabited this island, L Ifi' Their valour praised by Lucan, IV. Revolt from the Romans upon the death of Lucius, V. L Being distressed by the Picts, are relieved by a Roman legion, VI. L Their distress caused by the folly of Maxiraian, VI. 2. They are most grievously infested by Guanius and Melga, VI. 3< Their letter to Agitius, a Roman consul, ib. Being relieved by Constantine, they make him king, VI. S* Are betrayed by the Saxons, and great numbers of them massacred, VI. 1^ Make Aurelius Ambrosius king, VIII. 2. Keep up the custom of Troy at their public entertainments, IX. 13* Their gallant behaviour against the Romans, X. 4^ 5* Are upbraided for their degeneracy by the historian, XI. Q. Retire in great distress into Cornwall, Wales, and Armorica, XI. 10. They lose the kingdom for a long time, XI. LL Being punished with famine and pestilence, they fly into Armorica, XII. The end of their government in the island, XII. Ifi* The time of their restoration foretold by an angel, XII. H. The reason of their name being changed into that of Welshmen, XII. 1^ Brocinail, commander of the Britons, routed by Edelfrid, XI. 13* Brutus, by his birth, causes his mother's death, L 3. Unde- signedly kills his father in hunting, ib. His banishment into Greece, and acquaintance with the banished Trojans there, ib. r 264 INDEX. Is made general of the Trojans, L 4. His letter to Pandrasas, king of Greece, ib. Defeats Pandrasus by surprise, L ^ With menaces obliges Anacletus to betray the Grecian camp, L 7- Surprises the camp, and takes Pandrasus prisoner, L 2. Marries Ignoge, daughter of Pandrasus, and departs from Greece, L IK Consults the oracle of Diana in the island Leogecia, ib. His voyage at sea, and arrival at Aquitaine, L 12. Defeats Goffarius Pictus, king of Aquitaine, L 1^ Destroys that country with fire and sword, L lA. Is worsted in a second engagement by Goffa- rius, L lh± Gains a victory of the Gauls, ib. Arrives in Britain, ib. Calls this island after his name, Britain, L I^. Builds Trinovantum, L 17. His death, II. L Brutus, sumamed Greenshields, succeeds Ebraucus in the kingdom, II. 9, Budec, king of Armorica, gives a princely education to Aure- lius Ambrosius and Uther Pendragon, VI. Cador, duke of Cornwall, by a sudden assault defeats Baldulf, IX. 1. Pursues the Saxons after the battle of Bath, and forcea them to surrender, IX. His speech to Arthur upon the Romans demanding tribute, IX. LL Caduan being made king, by a treaty with Edelfrid possesses all Britain on this side the Humber, XII. L Cadwallader, after a peaceful enjoyment of the crown, falls into a fit of sickness, XII. His lamentation in his voyage to Armorica, XII. Is forbid by an angel to return to Britain, XII. 17. Goes to Rome to be confirmed, and there dies, XII. li. Cadwallo is educated by Salomon, king of Armorica, XII. L. Upon Brian's representation breaks off a treaty with Edwin, XII. 1. Being routed by Edwin, he flees into Ireland, XII. ^ Meets with a grievous storm at sea in his voyage to Armorica, ib. His strange repast in the island of Garnareia, ib. His speech to Salomon, XII. Returns with forces from Salomon and defeats Peanda, XII. His great success against Edwin, and other kings of the Angles, XII. 8^ a. Celebrates the Feast of Pentecost with great pomp, XII. LL His death and interment in a brazen statue, XII. 13. Caerosc, now Newport, III. liL Caesar, Julius, speech concerning the Britons, IV. L His first invasion of Britain and defeat by Cassibellaun, IV. 1. His en- counter with Nennius, ib. His abject behaviour to the Gauls, IV. The distress of his fleet, and his second defeat by Cassi- bellaun, IV. L His advantage over Cassibellaun by the con^ INDEX. 265 spiracy of Androgeu8, IV. Q. Is compelled, by the menaces of Androgeus, to a reconciliation with Cassibellaun, III. UL His return to Rome, ib. Caius ia by Arthur made governor of Andegavia, IX. LL Per- forms the office of sewer at Arthur's solemnity at Legions, IX. Is mortally wounded in battle with the Romans, X. 2> Calateriura, Galtres, in Yorkshire, III. l^. Caledon, Wood of, according to Higden's Polychronicon, near Celidon Wood, near Lincoln, IX. 3^ though elsewhere it may mean perhaps the Caledonian Wood in Scotland. Calibum, the name of Arthur's sword, IX. ^ Cambula, the river Camel, or Alan, in Cornwall. Camus, or Cadmus, now Caen, in Normandy. Cap, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. l^. Capoir, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19. Caradoc, duke of Cornwall, his advice to Octavius about a suc- cessor to the crown, V. Q. Recommends Maximian to Octavius, Carausius, by wicked practices, gains the kingdom of Britain, V. a. Is killed by Allectus, V. 4. Careticus, king of Britain, is driven into Wales by Gormund, king of the Africans, XI. 8. Carguit or Warguit, probably Warwick. Cassibellaun made king of Britain on account of the minority of his nephews. III. 20. His letter to Julius Csesar, IV. 2. Gains a victory of Caesar, IV. i By a stratagem drowns Caesar's ships, IV. & Defeats and repulses Caesar a second time, IV. L Makes a great sacrifice to his gods for his success, IV. 3. Quarrels with Androgens, duke of Trinovantum, ib. Is by reason of the revolt of Androgeus defeated by Caesar, IV. 2, His message to Andro- gens in his distress, ib. His reconciliation with Caesar, ib. Catellus, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 12. Cathness, II. Catigern and Horsus in an encounter kill each other, VI. Cenomania, Maine, in France. Cheldric brings over a vast fleet from Germany, IX. L Is killed by Cador, duke of Cornwall, IX. L CTieldric, a Saxon leader, assists Modred against Arthur, XI. L Is killed in battle with him, XI. 2. Cherin, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 12. Cheulphus, general of the Morines, repulsed by Brennius, III. L Cirecestre, Cirencester, in Gloucestershire. 266 INDEX. Claudius, city of, now Gloucester. Claudius Caesar invades Britain, IV. 12^ Is defeated by Anri- ragus, IV. L2. Besieges Winchester, IV. lA. Is reconciled to Arviragus, ib. Conquers the Orkney and other islands, ib. Builds Gloucester, IV. 1^ Returns to Rome, ib. Cledaucus, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19. Cletonus, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19. Cligueillus, king of Britain, his good character. III. 1^ Cloarius, a hill on the Wye. Cloten, king of Cornwall, father of Dunwallo Molmutius, II. VL Coel makes insurrection ag-ainst Asclepiodotus, V. (L His sub- mission to Constantius, and death, ib. Coillus, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19. Coillus, king of Britain, his amity with the Romans, and good character, IV. lA. Colgrin, a Saxon commander, defeated by Arthur, and besieged in York, IX. L Killed at the battle of Bath, IX. A. Comet, a, of wonderful magnitude and brightness, appears at the death of Aurelius Ambrosius, VIII. lA^ Conan kills Constantine, and succeeds to the crown, X. 5. Conan Meriadoc being ready to fight Mazimian, grants him peace at the instance of Caradoc, V. UL His war with Maximian, and reconciliation with him, V. LL Is made king of Armorica by Maximian, V. 12. Vanquishes the Gauls and Aquitans, V. Constans, a monk, is by Vortegim made king of Britain, VI. g. His incapacity for government makes him the instrument of Vor« tegim's ambition, VI. ^ Is by Vortegim's contrivance assassi- nated by some Pictish soldiers, VI . a. Constantine the Great, king of Britain, his noble character, V. Is desired by the Romans to assist them against the tyranny of Maxentius, V. ^ Gains the Roman empire, V. Sends Trahern to reduce Britain, ib. Constantine, the Armorican, having routed the enemies of the Britons, is made king, VI. ^ Is assassinated by a Pict, ib. Constantine, Arthur's successor, is disturbed by Modred's sons, XI. 3. He puts them to death in their sanctuaries, XI. 4. Is killed by Conan, ib. Constantius made king of Britain by the marriage of Helena, V. fi. Conwenna's speech to her son Brennius, III. L Cordeilla loses her father Leir's affection for her sincerity, II. LL Is married to Aganippus, king of the Franks, ib. Her great kind- INDEX. 267 ness to her father in his distress, II. 12, Succeeds him in the kingdom, II. 11. For grief at the loss of her kingdom kills her- self, II. 15. Corineus, his character, L 12. Kills Imbertus, the ambassador of Goffarius Pictus, ib. ' His great bravery tigainst the Aquitans, ib. Kills Subardus and many others, L 13. His stratagem against the Gauls, L 1^ Chooses Cornwall for his share of the island, L l£. His encounter with Goemagot, a monstrous giant, ib. His resentment against Locrin for breach of coveiyint, II. ^ Cornish people, so called from Corineus, their leader, L 12. Cridious, king of Albania, and attendant on CassibelJaun, IV. 3. Crocea mors, the name of J. Caesar's sword, IV. ±. Cunedagius kills his brother Margan, and gains the monarchy of the whole island, II. L&. Dabutius reproaches Merlin with his birth, VI. 17. Dacia (Denmark) made tributary to Belinus, III. 4. Daneian wood, the forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire. Danius, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. Li. David, Arthur's uncle, made archbishop of Legions, ix. 1^ His death, XI. a. Deira, a province of Northumberland. Demetia, South Wales, IV. L Diana's answer to Brutus, L LL Dianotus, king of Cornwall, sends Ursula and her virgins for wives to the Armorican Britons, V. 1^ Dioclesian's persecution of the Christians, V. 5. Dinoot, abbot of Bangor, his answer to Augustin, the apostle of the English, XI. 12. Occasions great troubles to the Britons by it, XI. li Dorobellum, probably Deal, in Kent, IV. a. Dorobernia, Dover, III. 2. Doldavius, king of Godland, makes his submission to Arthur, IX. 2. Dubricius is made archbishop of Legions, VIII. 12. At the instance of the British nobility, crowns Arthur, IX. L His speech to the British army before the battle of Bath, IX. A. The efficacy of his prayers towards curing the sick, IX. 12. Has the order- ing of Arthur's solemnity at Legions, IX. La. Resigns his arch- bishopric and turns hermit, IX. LS. Duglas, River, Lancashire. Dunwallo Molmutius kills Ymner, king of Loegria, II, l^. By a stratagem defeats the kings of Kambria and Albania, ib. 268 INDEX. Makes himself a golden crown, and reduces the island again to a monarchy, II. IL Institutes the famous Molrautine laws, ib. Duvanus sent with Faganus to preach the Christian faith to the Britons, IV. 12, Eagle, an, is said to have spoken at the building of the walls of Shaftesbury, II. 2. Ebraucus, king of Britain, his conquests in Gaul, II. I. Builds several towns, ib. His twenty sons and thirty daughters, II. &x Edelfrid, king of Northumberland, having routed the Britons, kills two hundred monks at Legecester, XI. Is in another battle defeated and wounded by the Britons, ib. By a treaty with Caduan possesses all Britain beyond the Humber, XII. L Di- vorces his wife and marries another, «6. Edwin is educated by Salomon, king of Armorica, XII. L De- sires leave of Cadwallo to wear a crown, XII. L Upon his re- fusal, joins battle with him and routs him, XII. ±. Is killed in the battle of Hevefeld, XII. a* Eldad, bishop of Gloucester, buries the British nobility massa- cred by the Saxons, VI. 15. Adnses the Britons to kill Hengist when taken prisoner, VlII. ^ And to show mercy to Octa upon his surrendering himself, VIII. Eldadus, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. L2. Eldol, duke of Gloucester, his noble exploit against the Saxons upon their massacring the Britons, VI. Ifi^ His speech to Aure- lius Ambrosius before the battle with Hengist, VIII. 5. After a sharp encounter with Hengist, takes him prisoner, VIII. fi. And after consultation beheads him, VIII. 1_. Eldol, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. IQ. Eleutherius (Pope), at the request of Lucius, sends Faganus and Duvanus into Britain to preach the Christian faith, IV. Eli, high priest, L lA, Elidure, surnamed the Pious, resigns the crown to his deposed brother, Arthgallo, III. 12, Is a second time made king of Britain, and then imprisoned by his brothers, III. IS, His ad- vancement to the throne the third time, ib. Eliud, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III, in. Elsingius, king of Norway, his daughter married to Brennius, III. L Enniaunus, king of Britain, deposed for tyranny, III. Ifi, Epiffrod, called by Nennius and others Epifford, and thought ])y Camden to be Ailesford, in Kent. Erir, Snowdon, in Wales. INDEX. 269 Estrildis, concubine of Locrin, her great beauty, II. 2- Is, with her daughter Sabre, drowned in the Severn, by Guendoloena'a command, II. ^ Evander, king of Syria, is killed in battle by the Britons, X. 5. Evelinus, nephew of Androgens, kills Hirelglas, IV. a* Eventus succeeds Augusel in the kingdom of Albania, XL L Fag ANUS is sent with Duvanus to convert Britain to the Chris- tian faith, IV, Ferrex is killed by his brother Porrex, II. 16. Flamens, in Britain, made bishops, IV. 1^ Flollo, a Roman tribune, besieged in Paris by Arthur, IX. 1 1. He challenges Arthur to a single combat, and is killed by him, ib. Friday, so called from the Saxon goddess Frea, VI. l£L Fulgenius, one of the ancient kings of Brittdn, III. 15, Fulgenius carries on a war against Severus, V. 2. Goes to Scythia to raise forces, ib. Is mortally wounded in a battle with Severus, ib. Gabius, a Roman consul, taken piisoner by Belinus and Bren- nius. III. Q. Galabes, fountain, VIII. UL Gallus, Livius, and the Romans besieged in London by the Britons, and killed without quarter to any, V. 4. Gania, the Wye. Garnareia, probably Guernsey. Genoreu, a village of the same name, on the Wye, according to Usher. Genuissa, daughter of | Claudius, married to Arviragus, IV. UL Procures a reconciliation between Arviragus and Vespasian, IV. Geoffrey of Monmouth's Epistle Dedicatory to Robert, Earl of Gloucester, L L His Preface to Merlin's prophecy, VII. L His letter to Alexander, bishop of Lincoln, VII. 2. His conclusion of the history, XII. 2£L Gerion, the augur that attended Brutus, L LL German, St., and Lupus restore the Christian faith that had been corrupted in Britain, VI. 12. Geruntius, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 1^ Geta, son of Severus, killed by his brother Bassianus, V. 2. Giant, a, from Spain having stolen Helena, is killed by Arthur, X. a. Gildas, L L iL 270 IXDKX. Gillomanius, king of Ireland, is defeated by Uther Pendragon, VIII. LL Enters into confederacy with Pascentius and invadeg Britain, VIII. Ll. But is a second time defeated by Uther Pen- dragon, VIII. Gloucester, by whom built, and on what occasion, IV. Godbold, king of the Orkneys, killed at the battle of Hevefeld, XII. a. Godlans, Gothland, in the Baltic. Goemagot, a monstrous giant, killed in an encounter with Cori- neus, L 16^ Goffarius, Pictus, king of Aquitaine, makes war against the Trojans, L L2< Is routed by them, L His second and thifd battle with them, L L5. Gombert, king of Norway, V. Ifl* Gonorilla's flattering answer to her father Leir, II. LL Her barbarous ingratitude to him, II. LSL Gorbogudo, one of the ancient kings of Britain, II. 1^ Gorbonian, a very just king of Britain, III. liL Gorlois, duke of Cornwall, advises the Britons to fall upon the Saxon camp by surprise, VIII. ifi. Upon Uther's falling in love with his wife, retires from court, and prepares for war, VIII. 1^ Is killed by Uther^s men at the siege of Dimilioc, VIII. 2£L Gormund, king of the Africans, drives Careticus into Wales, and grievously infests Britain, XI. a. Gives Loegria to the Saxons, XI. IIL Gratian Municeps forces Guanius and Melga to flee over to Ire- land, V. 1^ Seizes the crown of Britain, and is for his tyranny murdered by the common people, VI. 1. Guanhumara, the wife of Arthur, IX. S.. Has, in conjunction with Modred, the government of Britain in Arthur's absence, XI. 2£L Her wicked marriage with Modred, X. 1^ Upon Mo- dred's defeat, retires into a monastery, XI. L Guanius, king of the Huns, and Melga, their cruelty to the virgins that accompanied Ursula, V. lliey invade and griev- ously oppress Britain, ib. Are forced by Gratian Municeps to flee over to Ireland, ib. 'Vhey a second time oppress Britain, and arc driven out by a Roman legion, VI. L They a third time most grievously oppress Britain, VI. a. Guendolcena, wife of Locrin, being divorced, makes war against him and kills him, II. 5. Her cruelty to Estrildis, ib. Guerthaeth, king of Venedotia, an attendant on Cassibellaun, IV. 3. Guethelin, archbishop of London, his speech to the Britons, INDEX. 271 VI. 2± Desires succours for the Britons of Aldroen, king of Ar- morica, VI. His expressions of joy upon his success, ib. Guicthlac, king of Dacia, in a sea-fight seizes the wife of Brennius, III. 2< Is taken prisoner by Belinus, ib. His release, III. 4. Guiderius, refusing to pay tribute to the Romans, occasions the invasion of Claudius Caesar, IV. 12. Is killed in battle by the treachery of L. Hamo, IV. Guillamurius, king of Ireland, attempting to relieve the Scots and Picts, is repulsed by Arthur, IX. (L Is again defeated by him and taken prisoner, IX. ISL Guitard, commander of the Pictavians, is defeated by Hoel, IX. I I. Sustains the Britons against the Romans, X. 5. Guithelin, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 13. Gunfasius, king of the Orkneys, makes his submission to Arthur, IX. HL Gurgintius, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19. Gurgiunt Brabtruc, king of Britain, his character. III. LL He reduces Dacia, that had refused to pay him tribute, ib. His kind- ness to Partholoim and other Spaniards, III. L2. Gurgustius, one of the ancient kings of Britain, II. ISL Hamo, L., commander of Claudius Caesar's army, besieges Portcestre, IV. 12j, Treacherously kills Guiderius, IV. Is killed by Arviragus at Hamo's Port, ib. Hamo's Port, Southampton, III. Hedelbert, king of Kent, stirs up the Saxon kings against the Britons, XI. La. Helena, a most accomplished British lady, wife of Constantius and mother of Constantine the Great, V. ^ Helena, niece of Hoel, is stolen away by a Spanish giant, X. a* Has a mausoleum erected for her upon Mount Michael, ib. Heli, king of Britain, father of Lud, Cassibellaun, and Nennius, III. 2(L Hengist and Horsus arrive with the Saxons in Britain, VI. ISL Hengist gives Vortegim an account of the occasion of their coming, and of the religion of their countrymen, ib. By a crafty petition gets leave of Vortegim to build a castle, VI. LL In consideration of giving him his daughter Rowen, obtains the province of Kent, ib. By his authority over him invites over more and more Saxons, to the terror of the Britons, VI. La. Brings from Germany a vast army of them, VI. L5. By his treachery causes a massacre of the Britons, ib. Encourages his men to stand a battle with Aurelius 272 IXDKX. Ambrosius, VIII. Being overthrown by him, he flees to Kaer- conan, where he loses a second battle, and is taken prisoner by Eldol, VIII. 5^ 6. Is beheaded by Eldol, VIII. 7- Henuinus, duke of Cornwall, joins with Maglaunus to depose Leir, their father-in-law, II. L2. Hergin^ Herefordshire. Hevefeld, probably Haledon, in Northumberland. Hider sustains the Britons when pursued by the Romans, X. 4^ Hirelgas, Bedver's nephew, revenges his death on Boccus, king of the Medes, X. Q. Ilirelglas, nephew of Cassibellaun, killed by Evelinus, IV. a.. Hoel, king of Arroorica, brings forces to assist Arthur against the SfLxons, IX. 2^ By Arthur's command reduces Aquitaine and Gascony, IX. LL His speech to Arthur upon the Romans de- manding tribute, IX. 12- Sustains the Britons when near van- quished by the Romans, X. Q. Holdin, king of the Ruteni, killed in battle by the Romans, X. 2, Horsus, brother of Hengist, killed by Catigern in an encounter, VI. Hudibras, king of Britain, composes a civil dissension, and builds several towns, II. Q. Humber, king of the Huns, kills Albanact, II. I. Is defeated by Locrin, and drowned in the river that bears his name, II. 2. Jagg, one of the ancient kings of Britain, II. Idwallo, a just king of Britain, III. 19. Igema, a wife of Gorlois, her beauty captivates Uther Pendragon, VIII. L^. Being deceived by the false shape he put on, she admits him to her embraces, ib. Marries him after the death of Gorlois, VIII. 20. Ignoge, daughter of Pandrasus, is married to Brutus, II. LL. Her sorrow at departing from Greece, t^, Imbertus, ambassador of Goffarius Pictus, is killed by Corineus, L 12- Inbaltus, commander of the Gauls, killed in battle with Maxi- mian, V. 12. Isembard joins with Gormund, and renounces the Christian faith to gain the kingdom of Gaul, XI. a. Julius, a British martyr in Dioclesian's persecution, V. 5. Ivor and Ini in vain attempt the restoration of the Britons, XII. Ifl, INDEX. 273 Kabrbadus, Bath, built by Bladud, its baths and wonderful fire, 11. 9i m. Kaercaradoc, Salisbury, VIII. 2; Kaercolvin, Colchester, V. 6^ Kaercorrei, Thong Castle, VI. 11. Kaerebrauc, the city of Ebrauc, II. 7. Kaerconan, Conisburgh, in Yorkshire. Kaerglou, Gloucester, IV. 1^ Kaergnen, or Winchester, II. 2. Kaerlem, or Canterbury, II. Q. Kaerleir, or Leircestre, now I^icester, II. 1_L Kaerliudcoit, Lincoln. Kaerleil, in the north of Britain, now Carlisle, II. Kaer-Lud, the town of Lud, now I^ndon, L 17. Kaermerdin, Caermarthen, in Wales. Kaerpenhuelgoit, Exeter, III. Kaerperis, Portcester, IV. 14. Kaicester, probably Chichester. Karitia, perhaps Calais, in France. Killaraus, Mount Kildare, in Ireland, VIII. UL Kamber, son of Brutus, gives name to Kambria, and the Kam- bri, II. L Kiraarus, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 14. Kinmarcus, one of the ancient kings of Britain, II. liL Kinocus is made archbishop of Legions, XI. ^ Kymbelinus, king of Britain, maintains friendship with the Romans, IV. LL In his time our blessed Saviour was born, ib. Labibnus, a Roman tribune, killed by Nennius, IV. 3. Lam-goemagot, Goemagot*8 Leap, the Haw, near Plymouth. Lampatem, Llan-badam-vawr, in Cardiganshire. Legecester, Chester. Legions made an archiepiscopal see, IV. 19. The great magni- ficence of that city, IX. 12. It is chosen by Arthur for the place of his great solemnity, ih. Leil, a good king of Britain, builds Kaerleil, II. Q. Leir, king of Britain, builds Kaerleir, II. LL Having no male issue, he divides his kingdom between his two eldest daughters, ib. His resentment of his daughter Cordeilla's plain dealing, ib. Is deposed by his two sons-in-law, and ungratefully used by bis eldest daughters, II. 12. His grievous distress and complaint, ib. He is honorably received by Cordeilla, II. 13. Regains his king- dom, II. 14. T 274- INDKX. V Leircestre, now Leicester, 11. LL Jjengria, Lsmgje^, in France. Leogesia, island, L LL Lepidus, Marius, a Roman senator, killed in battle with Arthur, X. 1£L Letaira, or Armorica, VL 4* Lindesia, Lincolnshire. Linligwan, the wonders of that pond, IX. Locrin, eldest son of Brutus, gives name to Loegria, IL L Defeats Humber, king of the Huns, II. 2. Falls in love with Estrildis, his beautiful captive, ib. Marries Guendoloena, but car- ries on a private amour with Estrildis, II, ^ Is killed in battle with Guendoloena, L ^ Loegria, the southern and central parts of England, II. L Loire, river in France, L 12^ London, so called from Lud, by whom it was beautified. III. 2SL Is made an archiepiscopal see, IV. 1^ Londonesia, or Lodonesia, Lothian, in Scotland, VIII. 2JL Lot commands the British army against the Saxons with various success, VIII. 2L Is made consul of Londonesia by Arthur, IX. 2. Is advanced by him to the kingdom of Norway, IX. LL Lucius, the first king of Britain that embraced the Christian faith, IV. 12. Is a benefactor to churches, V. L Lucius Tiberiu8*s letter to Arthur, IX. L5^ Summons all the Eastern kings to his assistance against Arthur, X. L For fear of Arthur enters Lengrise with his army, X. &^ His speech to his commanders before bis battle with Arthur, X. 8« Draws out his army in order of battle, ib. His encounter with Walgan, X. LL Is slain in a great battle with Arthur, by an unknown hand, ib. Lud, beautifier of London, and builder of other cities, is buried at Ludgate, III. 20. Lumond, (Lough Lomond,) the wonders of that lake, IX. Gx Lupus, bishop of Troyes, restores the purity of faith when cor- rupted in Britain, VI. 13. Maddan is advanced to the throne by bis mother Guendoloena, n. fi. Magicians foretell the birth and success of Brutus, L 3. Advise Vortegirn to build a tower for his security, VI. 17. Maglaunus, duke of Cornwall, assists in deposing Leu*, his father- in-law, II. 12. Maisuriam, V. a. Malgo, a king of Britain, of great accomplishments, but guilty of sodomy, XI. Z- INDEX. 275 Malim is treacherously murdered by his brother Menpricius, Malva, the river Malvia, in Africa, rising in Mount Atlas, L 12. Malvernia, now Malvern, in Worcestershire. Marcellus Mutius killed by Walgan, X. Margadud, king of Demetia, his advice to Cadwallo, XII. 12. Margan and Cunedagius take Cordeilla prisoner ; they divide the kingdom between them ; Margan is routed and killed by Cunedagius ; gives name to a town in Kambria, II. 5. Margan, king of Britain, his good reign. III. 19. Marius, king of Britain, defeats and kills Rodric, king of the Picts, IV. IZi His good character, ib. Martia, queen of Britain, author of the Martian law, III. 13. Maugantius, a philosopher, his speech to Vortegirn concerning Merlin's birth, VI. IB. Mauritania, now Barbary, in Africa. Mauricius is sent to Maximian to offer him the kingdom, V. Q. His advice to Maximian when in fear of the Britons, \, UL His apology for Mauricius to Conan Meriadoc, ib. Maxentius's tyranny over the Romans, V. L Maximian is invited to take the crown of Britain, V. ^ His policy to prevent a war with the Britons, V. l£L Is made king of Britain, V. LL His war and reconciliation with Conan Meriadoc, ib. Conquers Armorica and gives it to Conan, V. 12. Subdues Gaul and Germany, and gains the empire from Gratian and Valen- tinian, V. l±. Is killed at Rome by Gratian's friend6,V. 1& Maximianus Herculius, a persecutor of the Christians in Britain, V. 5. Mempricius advises the Trojans to depart from Greece, L lH Menevia, now St. David's, in Pembrokeshire, VIII. Menpricius murders his brother Malim, and obtains the go- vernment, II. 6. His tyrannical reign and untimely end, ib. Mercia, Saxon kingdom of. Merianus, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. L2> Merlin's wonderful birth, VI. 17^ LS. His conference with Vortegirn and his magicians, VI. lA. He discovers the reason why Vortegirn's tower would not stand, ib. His prophecy, VII. 3^ 1. He foretells Vortegirn his sad fate, VIII. L. His discourse with Aurelius Ambrosius concerning the Giants' Dance in Ireland, VIII. UL LL By his wonderful skill in mechanics, he removes and brings to Britain the Giants' Dance, VIII. 12. Prognosticates Uther*8 success by the appearance of a comet, VIII. 15. Trans- 276 INDBX. forms Uther Pendragon into the shape of Gorlois to gain him access to Igerna, VIII. 19. Michael's (St.) Mount, on the coast of Normandy. Micipsa, king of Babylon, killed in battle with Arthur, X. 2. Milvius, duintus, a Roman senator, killed in battle with Arthur, X. 2. Modred, Arthur's nephew, is made governor of Britmn by hira, during his wars with the Romans, IX. 2(L He usurps the crown and marries Guanhumara in Arthur's absence, X. 13. Being de- feated by Arthur, he flees to Winchester, XI. L He is a second time defeated by him, and flees into Cornwall, XI. 2. Loses a third battle and is killed, ib. Molmutine laws, first instituted by Dunwallo Molmutius, II. 17± Are revived by Belinus, III. Are translated into English by King Alfred, ib. Morini, now the Boulonnais, in France, or perhaps a tribe so called in Britain, III. LS. Monrid, consul of Gloucester, his great service to Arthur towards the total defeat of the Romans, X. LL Morvidus, a most cruel tyrant of Britain, is devoured by a monster. III. LS^ Mureif, probably Murray, in Scotland. Nautoallim, or Gallemborne, now Walbrook, in London. Nennius quarrels with Lud for changing the name of Trinovan- tum, L LZ* Encounters Julius Csesar, and wrests his sword from him, IV. 2. Kills Labienus and many others, ib. His death and pompous funeral, IV. 1. Neustria, Normandy, in France, III. L OcTA, son of Hengist, after his father's defeat retires to York, VIII. Being besieged there, he surrenders himself to the mercy of Aurelius, VI 11. &^ Raises fresh disturbances and besieges York, where he gains a victory over the Britons, VIII. Is afterwards defeated by a stratagem of Uther Pendragon, and taken prisoner, ib. He and Eosa escaping out of prison, they renew the war with the Britons, VIII. 2L By their contempt of the Britons they let them gain great advantages over them, VIII. 23. Are at last totally defeated and killed by Uther Pendragon, ib. Octavius rebels against the Roman proconsuls, and gains the kingdom, V. &^ His war with Trahem, ib. Consults about his successor in the kingdom, V. Q. Bestows his kingdom and daughter on Maximiim, V. LL INDEX. 277 Odnea, tower of, near Boulogne, IV. 7- Oemis, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. IQ. Olbrict, king of Norway, killed in battle with Modred, XI. 2. Orkney Islands, III. IAm. Osric, king of Northumberland, killed in battle with Cadwallo, XII. a, * Oswald, king of Northumberland, routs Peanda at the second battle of Hevefeld, XII. ID. But is afterwards killed by him in a battle with Cadwallo, ib. Oswin, successor of Oswald, makes his submission to Cadwallo, XII. LL Kills Peanda in battle, XII. Paladur, Mount, Shaftesbury, in Dorsetshire, II. Pandrasus, king of Greece, is by surprise routed by Brutus, L ^ Besieges Sparatinum, L fiu Is taken prisoner by Brutus, L His speech to the Trojans, L LL Furnishes them with neces- saries for their voyage, and is set at liberty, ib. Parthlud, Ludgate, III. 2SL Partholoim, a Spaniard, by leave of Gurgiunt Brabtrue, settles in Ireland, III. 12. Pascentius, son of Vortegim, brings in the Saxons and is de- feated, VIII. LL Enters into alliance with Gillomanius, king of Ireland, and again infests Britain, VIII. 14. Encourages Eopa to poison Aurelius Ambrosius, ib. Is routed by Uther Pendragon, and kiUed, VIII. Ifi. Patrick, St., founder of an abbey at Menevia, XI. 3^ Peanda, king of the Mercians, besieges Exeter, XII. Z* Being routed by Cadwallo, he becomes his auxiliary, XII. Is defeated by Oswald in the battle of Hevefeld, but kills him in another battle, XII. ID. Endeavours to incense Cadwallo against Oswin, XII. IL Is slain in battle by Oswin, XII. 13. Pelagian heresy destroyed in Britain by the preaching and mi- racles of German and Lupus, VI. 11. PeUitUB, a soothsayer, gives Edwin notice of Cadwallo's attempts against him, XII. ^ Is killed by Brian in the habit of a beggar, XII. L Peredure and Vigenius depose Elidure, and divide the kingdom between them. III. L&. By the death of Vigenius, Peredure gains the whole kingdom, ib. Petreius Cotta forces the Britons to retreat when in pursuit of the Romans, X. 4. Is taken prisoner by Boso, ib. Philaenian altars, in Africa, between Carthage and Cyrene, L LL Philistines, L I&a 278 IXDEX. Pictavians, inhabitants of Poitou, L LI. Picts, by permission of Marius* inhabit Albania, IV. 1^ Their treachery to Bassianus, V. 2^ ITiey endeavour to revenge the in- jury of their countrymen on Vortegim, VI. Q. They are defeated by him, VI. HL Pir, one of the ancient kings of Biitain, III. IQ. Polytetes, kin/^ of Bithynia, killed in battle by Arthur's own hand, X. LL Porrex, king of Britain, procures aid of Suard and kills his hro- ther Ferrex, II. Is torn to pieces by his mother Widen, ib. Porrex, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 1^ Porsena, a Roman consul, killed in battle with Belinus and Brennius, III. 2. Portcestre, once a port near Portsmouth. Princes, their names that attended at Arthur's solemnity at Le. gions, IX. 12a Priwen, the name of Arthur's shield, IX. ^ Pyramus, Arthur's chaplain, made archbishop of York, IX. QuiNTiLiANus, for reflecting on the Britons, is killed by Wal- g^n, X. ^ Rbderchius, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 1^ Redion, one of the ancient king^s of Britain, III. 19. Redonum, now Rennes, in France, taken by Maximian, V. LI. Regan's flattering answer to her father Leir, 11. 1 1. Her bar- barous ingratitude to him, II. Riculf, king of Norway, defeated and slain by Arthur, IX. LL Ritho the giant, a ridiculous story of his encounter with Arthur, X. 3. Rivallo, king of Britain, a great mortality happened in his reign, II. Lfi- Robert, earl of Gloucester, his praise, L L, Rodric, king of the Picts, invades Britain, and is defeated and killed by Marius, IV. 17. Romans pay tribute to Belinus and Brennius, III. Q. Are twice defeated by them, ib. Take their farewell of the Britons, VI. 2. After a total overthrow by Arthur, surrender themselves for slaves, X. Li- Rome taken by Belinus and Brennius, III. ^ Ron, the name of Arthur's lance, IX. 4. Rowen, daughter of Hengist, having captivated Vortegim with her beauty, is married to him, VI. 12- Poisons Vortimer, her son- INDEX. 279 in-law, VI. IjL Sends intelligence to her father of the designs of the Britons, VI. liL Rudaucus, king of Kambria, killed in battle by the policy of Dunwallo Molmutius, II. 17. Runno, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19. Rascicada, in Africa, by some thought to be Stora, or Estora, in Tunis, L LL Ruteni, the ancient inhabitants of Rovergue, in Guienne,but Bri< tain cannot be seen from thence, as Geoffrey states, IV. L Also of the city of Rhodes, in France. Rutupi, probably lUchborough, in Kent, III. Q. Sabre, daughter of Estrildis, being thrown into the Severn, gives name to that river, II. 5^ Salinae, in Africa, probably Salines, in Tripoli, L LL Salomon, king of Armorica, his speech to Cadwallo, XII. 5. Samuilpenissel, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19. Sanxo made archbishop of York, VIII. Li. Saxons, their first arrival in Britain, and reception by Vortegim, VI. 10. They assist him in the conquest of his enemies, ib. More of them come over upon Vortegim 's invitation, VI. 12^ L3. After loss of four battles they are driven back by Vortimer into Germany, VI. 13- Their massacre of the Britons, VI. LS^ They seize the fortifications in Britain, VI. l£« Retire beyond the Humber, for fear of Aurelius Ambrosius, VIII. 2. Treacherously poison Uther Pendragon and many others, VIII. Are reduced to be tributa- ries to Arthur, IX. 3. Break treaty with him, and cruelly infest the Britons, ib. Are overthrown by Arthur at Bath, IX. 4. Are defeated by Wortiporius, XI. fi^ Invite over Gormund, king of the Africans, against the Britons, XI. a. Gain the possession of Loegria, XI. UL Possess themselves of the island when it was deserted by the Britons, XII. Their full establishment in the island, XII. ID. Scseva, son of Androgens, sent as a hostage to Julius Csesar, IV. Q. Seginus, duke of the AUobroges, his kindness to Brennius, III. ^ Senones, the Senonais, in Champagne. Scrtorius, king of Libya, killed by Arthur's own hand, X. LL Severus is sent to reduce Britain under the Roman power, V. 2. His war with Fulgenius, ib. Builds a wall between Deira and Al- bania, ib. Is killed in battle with Fulgenius, ib, Silcestre, IX. L. Sisilius, three of this name kings of Britain, II. 16^ III. 14^ III. 280 INDEX. Sore, now the Soar, in Ijeiccstershire, II. LL Southampton, or Hampton, IV. LI. Sparatinum, a town in Greece, besieged by Pandrasus, L (L Stanheng, Stonehenge, in Wiltshire. Staterius, king of Albania, killed in battle by the policy of Dun- wallo Molmutias, II. 17. Sture, river in Britain, II. 5^ Suard, king of the Franks, assists Porrex against his brother Ferrex, II. Ifi, Sylvius, father of Brutus, marries a niece of I^vinia, L 3^ Is accidentally slain by Brutus in hunting, ib. Syrens surround the Trojan ships, L L2. Tbnuantius made duke of Cornwall by Cassibellaun, III. 20- Succeeds Cassibellaun in the kingdom, IV. LL Terivand, now Terouanne, in the Netherlands. Thong Castle, in Lincolnshire, whence so called, VI. LL Tmtagel, in Cornwall, the great strength of that place, VIII. I^ Totness, the place of Brutus's arrival, L Li^ Tours, in France, built by Brutus, L Whence so called, L L^ Trahem, uncle of Helena, sent by Constantine to reduce Octa- vius, V. a. Is killed by a conspiracy, t*. Treroounus, archbishop of Legions, recommends Merlin to Au. relius Ambrosius, VIII. LQ. Triers made the imperial seat of Maximian, V. lA^ Trigeria, perhaps Treguier, in Bretagne. Trinovantum, or New Troy, the ancient name of London, built by Brutus, L 17. Turonus, nephew of Brutus, kills in one day six hundred men with his own hand, L LS. Tyrrhenian Sea, L L2. A doubtful reading ; some read the Pyrenean Sea. Vknedotia, North Wales, IV. L Venedotians (inhabitants of North Wales) make a general slaughter of the Romans in London, V. 4- Verolam,or Verulam, St. Albans, in Hertfordshire, V. 5^ VIII. 2i. Vespasian is sent to Britain against Arviragus, IV. lA His re- conciliation with him, ib. Vigenius and Peredure imprison their brother Elidure, and di- vide the kingdom between them, III. LEL Ulfin of Ricaradoch's advice to Uther Pendragon upon his love to Igerna, VIII. Ifl. INDEX. 281 Vortegim promotes Constans the monk to be king of Britain, VI. 6. His mantigement of him when king, VI. 7. With a trea- sonable design invites some Picts into his service, ib. His crafty speech to incense them against Constans, ib. Is suspected to be the contriver of his assassination, VI. a. Upon the murder of Constans he usurps the crown, and is distressed with fears on every side, VI. His discourse with Hengist and the Saxons at their first landing, VI. 1£L Defeats the Picts by the assistance of the Saxons, ib. After a conference with Hengist, gives him leave to build a castle, VI. LL Being entertained at a banquet by Hengist, he falls in love with his daughter Rowen, VI. 1 2. Displeases his sons and nobility by marrying her, ib. For adhering too much to the Saxons is deserted by the Britons, VI. UL Being restored again to his kingdom, he invites Hengist and the Saxons to return to Britain, VI. Is in a treaty with Hengist betrayed and taken prisoner, ib. Retires into Cambria, VI. Ifi. By the advice of ma- gicians builds a tower for his defence, VI. 12. Discourses with Merlin's mother concerning the birth of her son, VI. Lfi< Inquires of Merlin the time of his own death, VIII. L Is burnt in a tower byAurelius Ambrosius, VIIL 2^ Vortimer, son of Vortegim, gains four victories of the Saxons, and forces them back to Germany, VI. 12m Is poisoned by his stepmother Rowen, VI. 1^ His magnanimity at his death, ib. Urian is honoured by Arthur with the sceptre of Mureif, IX. 9. Urianus, one of the ancient kings of Britain, III. 19.' Ursula, and the virgins with her, in their voyage to Armorica, are all drowned, murdered, or made slaves, V. Ifi. Uther Pendragon routs Gillomanius, and brings to Britain the Giants' Dance, VIII. 12. Gains a complete victory over Gilloma- nius and Pascentius, VIII. Is advanced to the kingdom, VIII. 17. The reason of his being surnamed Pendragon, ib. After being defeated by Octa and Eosa, he gains a victory of them by sur- prising their camp, VIII. His severe administration of justice among the Scots, VIII. 1^ He summons his nobility to a festival at London, where he falls in. love with Igema, ib. His resentment at Gorlois, her husband, and invasion of his provinces, ib. By Merlin's magical operations he is transformed into the shape of Gorlois, and enjoys Igema, ib. Resumes his former shape and re- turns to his army, VIII. 2£L Marries Igema, by whom he has Ar- thur, ib. Falls into a lingering distemper, VIII. 2L. Reproves his nobility for their pride and cowardice, VIII. 22. Is carried in a horse-litter to fight the Saxons, VIII. 22. Besieges them in Ve- u £82 UIDBX* roIuD, VIIL 23. Entirely defisato them, and kills OcU and Eo , ib. Dies upon drinking spring watar poiioned by the Saxons, VIII. 24. Vulteius CateUiii^» a Romia «omm>ndgr» kiUed in baltto by Ihe firitoni, X. 6. Walgan, Arthur's iieplievv, by kilhnfj C. Quintilianus, occa- sions a skirmish between the Britons and lloraana, X. 4. Kills Marcellus Mutius, ib. Ilis noble exploits apfjunst the RoiiKins, X. 9, 10. His eucounter with Lucius Tibenus, X. 11. Is ai&ia in battle with Modred, XI. 1. Wall, a, built between Deiim and Albania for the defenoe of tbe Biitima, VI. I. Walter, aichdeadon of Ozfoidp daairea Qcofirey of Momnootb lo tcanalate the British Hiatoiy, 1. 1, Brought over this History from. Armorica, XII. 20. Wednesday, so ealled from the Saxon god Woden, VI. 10. Westmorland, whence so called, IV. 17. Widen tears to pieces her son PoRe^ II* 16. Winchester, III. U. Winned, supposed to be the river Are, in Yorkshire. Wisseans, or Gewi^seans, perhaps the same as the Wicci^ who inhabited Worcestershire and some adjoining counties. Wulfred, king of the Mercians, by Cadwallo's command makea peace with Oswin, XII. 13. Wortipdrius, king oi i^htain, conquers the Saxons, XI. 6. Ymn£R, king of Loegria, killed in battle by Dunwalio Molmu' tins, II. 17. York Is made anarchiepiscopal see, IV. 19. ERRATA. P. 39, 9 linea Irom the bottom, tonAIbm^ read JJkmSa / p. S4» I. 8, for OrnUjft read Orkiuf, WllUim SInwis, Friatar, Bdl Yaid, Tsnpls Bar. Digitized by Google Digitized by Google 3 kiaS DOS H70 110 STANFORD UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES CECIL H. GREEN LIBRARY STANFORD, CALIFORNIA 94305-6004 (415) 723-1493 All ^^3ls may be recalled after 7 days DATE DUE IOC 4|Ha4f^ Digitized by Google