Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066; Middle Ages -- Sources
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 obtained
the victory, and Cæsar, with his broken forces, retired 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 sea for his
camp. And upon his companions dissuading him from continuing the war any
longer, he acquiesced in their advice, and returned back to Gaul.
CHAP. IV.--_Nennius, the brother of Cassibellaun, being wounded in
battle by Cæsar, dies._
Cassibellaun, in joy for this triumph, returned solemn thanks to God;
and calling the companions of his victory together, amply rewarded every
one of them, according as they had distinguished themselves. On the
other hand, he was very much oppressed with grief for his brother
Nennius, who lay mortally wounded, and at the very point of death. For
Cæsar had wounded him in the encounter, 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 North Gate. His funeral obsequies were
performed with regal pomp, and Cæsar's sword put into the tomb with him,
which he had kept possession of, when struck into his shield in the
combat. The name of the sword was _Crocea Mors_ (Yellow Death), as being
mortal to every body that was wounded with it.
CHAP. V.--_Cæsar's inglorious return to Gaul._
After this flight of Cæsar, and his arrival 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 report was spread among them, that Cassibellaun was
now out at sea with a vast fleet to pursue him in his flight; on which
account the Gauls, growing still more bold, began to think of driving
him from their coasts. Cæsar, aware of their designs, was not willing to
engage in a doubtful war with a fierce people, but rather chose to go to
all their first nobility with open treasures, and reconcile them with
presents. To the common people he promised liberty, to the dispossessed
the restitution of their estates, and to the slaves their freedom. Thus
he that had insulted them before with the fierceness of a lion, and
plundered them of all, now, with the mildness of a lamb, fawns on them
with submissive abject speeches, and is glad to restore all again. To
these acts of meanness he was forced to condescend till he had pacified
them, and was able to regain his lost power. In the meantime not a day
passed without his reflecting upon his flight, and the victory of the
Britons.
CHAP. VI.--_Cassibellaun forms a stratagem for sinking Cæsar's ships._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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