History of the Britons (Historia Brittonum) — John Shaqi
History of the Britons (Historia Brittonum)Nennius, active 796
History
History of the Britons (Historia Brittonum)
Nennius, active 796
Britons; Great Britain -- History -- Roman period, 55 B.C.-449 A.D.
Then it was, that the magnanimous Arthur, with all the kings and
military force of Britain, fought against the Saxons. And though there
were many more noble than himself, yet he was twelve times chosen their
commander, and was as often conqueror. The first battle in which he
was engaged, was at the mouth of the river Gleni.(1) The second,
third, fourth, and fifth, were on another river, by the Britons called
Duglas,(2) in the region Linuis. The sixth, on the river Bassas.(3) The
seventh in the wood Celidon, which the Britons call Cat Coit Celidon.(4)
The eighth was near Gurnion castle,(5) where Arthur bore the image of
the Holy Virgin,(6) mother of God, upon his shoulders, and through the
power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy Mary, put the Saxons to
flight, and pursued them the whole day with great slaughter.(7) The
ninth was at the City of Legion,(8) which is called Cair Lion. The tenth
was on the banks of the river Trat Treuroit.(9) The eleventh was on the
mountain Breguoin, which we call Cat Bregion.(10) The twelfth was a most
severe contest, when Arthur penetrated to the hill of Badon.(11) In this
engagement, nine hundred and forty fell by his hand alone, no one but
the Lord affording him assistance. In all these engagements the Britons
were successful. For no strength can avail against the will of the
Almighty.
(1) Supposed by some to be the Glem, in Lincolnshire; but
most probably the Glen, in the northern part of
Northumberland.
(2) Or Dubglas. The little river Dunglas, which formed the
southern boundary of Lothian. Whitaker says, the river
Duglas, in Lancashire, near Wigan.
(3) Not a river, but an isolated rock in the Frith of Forth,
near the town of North Berwick, called "The Bass." Some
think it is the river Lusas, in Hampshire.
(4) The Caledonian forest; or the forest of Englewood,
extending from Penrith to Carlisle.
(5) Variously supposed to be in Cornwall, or Binchester in
Durham, but most probably the Roman station of Garionenum,
near Yarmouth, in Norfolk.
(6) V.R. The image of the cross of Christ, and of the
perpetual virgin St. Mary.
(7) V.R. For Arthur proceeded to Jerusalem, and there made a
cross to the size of the Saviour's cross, and there it was
consecrated, and for three successive days he fasted,
watched, and prayed, before the Lord's cross, that the Lord
would give him the victory, by this sign, over the heathen;
which also took place, and he took with him the image of St.
Mary, the fragments of which are still preserved in great
veneration at Wedale, in English Wodale, in Latin Vallis-
doloris. Wodale is a village in the province of Lodonesia,
but now of the jurisdiction of the bishop of St. Andrew's,
of Scotland, six miles on the west of that heretofore noble
and eminent monastery of Meilros.
(8) Exeter.
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