Chapter One: Julius Caesar Invades Britain #

¹ About this time, as recorded in the Roman histories, Julius Caesar, having subdued Gaul, came to the coast of the Ruteni. From there he caught sight of the island of Britain and asked those around him what country it was and what people inhabited it. Then, fixing his eyes upon the ocean, as soon as he had been told the name of the kingdom and its people, he said: ‘In truth, we Romans and the Britons share the same origin, since both are descended from the Trojan race. Our first ancestor, after the destruction of Troy, was Aeneas; theirs was Brutus, whose father was Silvius, the son of Ascanius, the son of Aeneas. But I am mistaken if they have not greatly degenerated from us and know nothing of the art of war, since they live beyond the ocean, cut off from the whole world. They may easily be compelled to become our tributaries and subjects of the Roman state. But before the Romans attempt to invade or attack them, we must send word that they are to pay tribute, as other nations do, and submit themselves to the Senate, lest we violate the ancient nobility of our forefather Priam by shedding the blood of our own kinsmen.’ He therefore took care to communicate all this in writing to Cassivellaunus, who, greatly angered, sent him the following letter in reply.

Chapter Two: Cassivellaunus’s Letter to Julius Caesar #

¹ “Cassivellaunus, King of the Britons, to Gaius Julius Caesar. We cannot help but marvel, Caesar, at the greed of the Roman people, since their insatiable thirst for wealth will not leave us alone, even though the dangers of the ocean have placed us, as it were, beyond the world. Yet they have the audacity to covet our possessions, which we have until now enjoyed in peace. Nor, indeed, is this enough: we must also choose submission and slavery to them rather than the enjoyment of our native liberty. Your demand, therefore, Caesar, is shameful, since the same noble blood of Aeneas flows in both Britons and Romans, and one and the same bond of kinship unites us. This ought to form a firm bond of unity and friendship. That is what you should have asked of us, not slavery. We have learned to accept the one, but never to endure the other. We have become so accustomed to liberty that we are entirely ignorant of what it means to submit to slavery. Even if the gods themselves attempted to deprive us of our liberty, we would resist them with all our strength in its defence. Know, then, Caesar, that we are ready to fight for our liberty and our kingdom if, as you threaten, you attempt to invade Britain.”

Chapter Three: Caesar Is Routed by Cassivellaunus #

¹ On receiving this answer, Caesar prepared his fleet and waited for a favourable wind to carry out his threats against Cassivellaunus. As soon as the wind became favourable, he raised his sails and arrived with his army at the mouth of the River Thames. The ships had only just approached the shore when Cassivellaunus appeared, marching against them with all his forces. On reaching the town of Dorobellum, he consulted his nobles about how they might drive out the enemy. Belinus, the commander of his army, was present with him, and the whole kingdom was governed by his counsel. Also present were his two nephews, Androgeus, Duke of Trinovantum, and Tenuantius, Duke of Cornwall, together with three lesser kings: Cridious, King of Albania; Guerthaeth of Venedotia; and Britael of Demetia. Having encouraged the others to fight the enemy, they advised marching directly upon Caesar’s camp and driving the Romans out of the country before they could capture any city or town. For, they said, if Caesar gained possession of any fortified places, it would be more difficult to force him out, because he would then know where to retreat with his men. They all agreed to this proposal and advanced towards the shore where Julius Caesar had pitched his camp. Both armies now drew up in battle order and began the fight, in which bows and swords were employed. The wounded immediately fell in heaps on both sides, and the ground was drenched with the blood of the slain as thoroughly as though it had been washed by the sudden return of the tide. While the armies were thus engaged, Nennius and Androgeus, with the citizens of Canterbury and Trinovantum under their command, happened to encounter the company in which Caesar himself was present. When they launched their attack, Caesar’s cohort was very nearly routed as the Britons fell upon them in a close formation. During this action, fortune gave Nennius an opportunity to confront Caesar. Nennius therefore boldly advanced upon him and rejoiced that he might strike even a single blow against so great a man. Caesar, however, perceiving his intention, raised his shield to meet him and, with all his strength, struck Nennius upon the helmet with his drawn sword. He lifted it again, intending to complete his first blow and make it fatal, but Nennius carefully blocked him with his shield. Caesar’s sword, glancing with great force from the helmet, became so firmly lodged in it that, when the troops came between them and they could no longer continue the encounter, Caesar was unable to pull it free. Nennius, having thus gained possession of Caesar’s sword, threw away his own, drew out the other, and hastened to use it against the enemy. Whoever he struck with it, he either beheaded or left wounded beyond hope of recovery. While he was fighting in this way, he encountered Labienus, a tribune, whom he killed at the very beginning of their clash. At last, when most of the day had passed, the Britons pressed forward in such numbers and fought with such vigour that, by the blessing of God, they gained the victory. Caesar, with his shattered forces, withdrew to his camp and fleet. That same night, as soon as he had gathered his men together again, he boarded his fleet, rejoicing that he had the sea for his camp. When his companions urged him not to continue the war any longer, he accepted their advice and returned to Gaul.

Chapter Four: Nennius, the Brother of Cassivellaunus, Dies After Being Wounded in Battle by Caesar #

¹ Cassivellaunus, rejoicing in this triumph, solemnly gave thanks to God and, calling together those who had shared in his victory, generously rewarded each of them according to how greatly they had distinguished themselves. Yet he was deeply overcome with grief for his brother Nennius, who lay mortally wounded and at the point of death. Caesar had wounded him during their encounter, and the blow he had dealt proved incurable. Fifteen days after the battle, Nennius died and was buried at Trinovantum, beside the North Gate. His funeral rites were performed with royal splendour, and Caesar’s sword, which Nennius had retained after it became lodged in his shield during the combat, was placed in the tomb with him. The sword was called Crocea Mors, meaning ‘Yellow Death’, because it proved fatal to everyone wounded by it.

Chapter Five: Caesar’s Inglorious Return to Gaul #

¹ After Caesar’s flight and his arrival on the coast of Gaul, the Gauls attempted to rebel and cast off his yoke. They believed that he had been so greatly weakened that his forces could no longer inspire terror among them. Moreover, a widespread report arose that Cassivellaunus was already at sea with a vast fleet, pursuing Caesar in his flight. This made the Gauls still bolder, and they began to consider driving him from their shores. Caesar, aware of their plans, was unwilling to enter into an uncertain war with so fierce a people. Instead, he approached all their leading nobles with his treasures laid open before them and won them over with gifts. He promised liberty to the common people, the restoration of their estates to those who had been dispossessed, and freedom to the slaves. Thus the man who had formerly attacked them with the ferocity of a lion and plundered them of everything now, with the gentleness of a lamb, fawned upon them with humble and abject words and was glad to restore all that he had taken. He was forced to stoop to these acts of humiliation until he had pacified them and was able to recover his lost power. Meanwhile, not a day passed without his reflecting upon his flight and the victory of the Britons.

Chapter Six: Cassivellaunus Forms a Stratagem for Sinking Caesar’s Ships #

¹ After two years had passed, Caesar prepared to cross the sea again and take revenge on Cassivellaunus. Having learned of his plans, Cassivellaunus fortified his cities throughout the land, repaired their ruined walls and stationed armed men at every harbour. In the River Thames, up which Caesar intended to sail to Trinovantum, he ordered stakes of iron and lead, each as thick as a man’s thigh, to be fixed beneath the surface of the water so that Caesar’s ships would founder. He then assembled all the forces of the island encamped with them near the coast, awaiting the enemy’s arrival.

Chapter Seven: Caesar Is Vanquished by the Britons a Second Time #

¹ After supplying himself with everything necessary, the Roman general embarked with a vast army, eager to take revenge on the people who had defeated him. He would undoubtedly have succeeded if only he had been able to bring his fleet safely to land, but this he could not do. As the ships sailed up the Thames towards Trinovantum, they struck the stakes and were suddenly placed in such danger that many thousands of men drowned as the pierced ships sank into the river. Caesar therefore exerted all his strength to turn his sails and hastened back towards the shore. Those who remained, having narrowly escaped, landed with him. Cassivellaunus, who was present on the bank, watched with joy as the Romans drowned, though he grieved that the others had escaped. At his signal, his men attacked the Romans, who, despite the danger they had suffered in the river, bravely resisted the Britons once they had landed. Having no defence to rely upon except their own courage, they inflicted considerable slaughter, but suffered even greater losses than they were able to inflict upon the enemy. Their numbers had been greatly reduced by the disaster in the river, while the Britons, whose ranks were increased every hour by fresh recruits, outnumbered them three to one and used that advantage to defeat them. Seeing that he could no longer hold his ground, Caesar fled with a small band of men to his ships and found safety at sea. As the wind was favourable, he raised his sails and steered towards the coast of the Morini. From there he withdrew to a certain tower that he had built at a place called Odnea before this second expedition to Britain. He did not dare trust the fickleness of the Gauls, fearing that they would attack him a second time, just as they had done after his first flight from the Britons, as already related. For that reason, he had built this tower as a refuge, so that he might be able to defend himself against the rebellious people if they rose against him.

Chapter Eight: Evelinus Kills Hirelglas, and Androgeus Seeks Caesar’s Assistance Against Cassivellaunus #

¹ Cassivellaunus, elated by this second victory, issued a decree summoning all the nobility of Britain, together with their wives, to Trinovantum, so that they might offer solemn sacrifices to their guardian gods, who had granted them victory over so great a commander. Accordingly, they all assembled and prepared a variety of sacrifices, for which a vast number of animals were slaughtered. At this solemn ceremony they offered forty thousand cows, one hundred thousand sheep and countless birds of various kinds, as well as thirty thousand wild animals of various kinds. As soon as they had paid these solemn honours to their gods, they feasted upon what remained, as was customary at such sacrifices, and spent the rest of the day and night in various games and entertainments. Amid these diversions, two noble youths—one the king’s nephew and the other the nephew of Duke Androgeus—wrestled together and afterwards quarrelled over who had won. The king’s nephew was named Hirelglas, and the other Evelinus. As they exchanged insults, Evelinus seized his sword and cut off his rival’s head. This sudden disaster threw the whole court into dismay, whereupon the king ordered Evelinus to be brought before him, so that he might undergo whatever punishment the nobility should determine and the death of Hirelglas might be avenged upon him if he had killed him unjustly. Androgeus, suspecting the king’s intentions, replied that he had a court of his own and that any charge brought against one of his men ought to be judged there. Therefore, if the king was determined to seek justice against Evelinus, he might obtain it at Trinovantum, according to ancient custom. Finding that he could not achieve his purpose, Cassivellaunus threatened to lay Androgeus’s country waste with fire and sword unless he complied with his demands. Androgeus, now enraged, scornfully refused to comply. Cassivellaunus, for his part, flew into a great rage and hastened to carry out his threats by ravaging the country. This forced Androgeus to make daily appeals to the king through those who were related or close to him, in an attempt to calm his fury. When he found these efforts ineffective, however, he began seriously to consider how he might resist him. At last, when every other hope had failed, he resolved to seek Caesar’s assistance and wrote him a letter to the following effect:

² “Androgeus, Duke of Trinovantum, to Gaius Julius Caesar: instead of wishing you death, as formerly, I now wish you good health. I repent that I ever acted against you when you made war upon the king. Had I never undertaken such actions, you would have defeated Cassivellaunus, who has become so swollen with pride since his victory that he is now trying to drive me from his lands, though it was I who secured that triumph for him. Is this a fitting reward for my services? I established him in his inheritance, and he is trying to disinherit me. I restored him to his kingdom a second time, and he is trying to destroy me. I did all this for him by fighting against you. I call the gods to witness that I have done nothing to deserve his anger, unless I may be said to deserve it because I refused to surrender my nephew, whom he intended to condemn unjustly to death. So that you may judge the matter more clearly, hear the circumstances. It happened that, in celebration of our victory, we paid solemn honours to our guardian gods. After we had completed the sacrifices, our young men began to amuse themselves with games. Among the others, our two nephews, encouraged by their example, entered the contest. When my nephew had gained the advantage, the other became angry without cause and was about to strike him. My nephew avoided the blow and, seizing the hand that held the sword, tried to wrest it from him. During the struggle, the king’s nephew happened to fall upon the point of the sword and died on the spot. When the king was informed of this, he ordered me to surrender the young man so that he might be punished for murder. I refused, whereupon he invaded my provinces with all his forces and caused me very great trouble. Fleeing, therefore, to your mercy, I ask for your assistance, so that through you I may be restored to my rank, and through me you may gain possession of Britain. Do not let any doubts or suspicions of treachery in this matter hold you back. Be moved by the common instincts of humanity: let past enmity give rise to a desire for friendship, and let defeat make you still more eager for victory.”

Chapter Nine: Cassivellaunus, Put to Flight and Besieged by Caesar, Seeks Peace #

¹ After reading the letter, Caesar was advised by his friends not to go to Britain merely upon the duke’s verbal invitation unless he sent hostages to guarantee Caesar’s safety. Androgeus therefore sent without delay his son Scaeva, together with thirty young noblemen who were closely related to him. Once the hostages had been delivered, Caesar, freed from suspicion, reassembled his forces and, with a favourable wind, arrived at the port of Rutupi. Meanwhile, Cassivellaunus had begun to besiege Trinovantum and ravage the surrounding towns, but when he learned that Caesar had arrived, he raised the siege and hastened to meet him. As soon as he entered a valley near Canterbury, he saw the Roman army preparing its camp, for Androgeus had conducted them to this place so that they could make a sudden assault upon the city. Seeing the Britons advancing towards them, the Romans quickly rushed to arms and arranged themselves in several divisions. The Britons likewise put on their armour and took their places in the ranks. Androgeus, however, lay hidden in a nearby wood with five thousand men, ready to assist Caesar and suddenly fall upon Cassivellaunus and his forces. Both armies now advanced to begin the battle, some armed with bows and arrows and others with swords. Much blood was shed on both sides, and the wounded fell like leaves in autumn. While they were thus engaged, Androgeus burst out of the wood and attacked the rear of Cassivellaunus’s army, upon which the outcome of the battle entirely depended. Between the breach the Romans had already made in their lines and the furious assault of their own countrymen, the Britons could no longer hold their ground and were forced to abandon the field with their shattered forces. Near that place stood a rocky mountain, at the summit of which was a dense hazel wood. Cassivellaunus fled there with his men when he realised that he had been defeated. Having climbed to the summit, he defended himself bravely and killed those enemies who pursued him. The Roman forces, together with those of Androgeus, pursued him in order to scatter his fleeing troops. They climbed the mountain after them and launched many attacks, but with little success, for the rocky terrain and the great height of the summit protected the Britons, while the advantage of the higher ground enabled them to kill great numbers of the enemy. Caesar therefore besieged the mountain throughout the night, which had now overtaken them, and blocked every approach to it, intending to subdue the king by starvation since he could not overcome him by force of arms. Such was the extraordinary courage of the British nation in those days that they were able twice to put the conqueror of the world to flight. Ready to die in defence of their country and liberty, they continued to resist him even in defeat, though the whole world had been unable to withstand him. Hence Lucan, in praise of them, says of Caesar:

² “With pride he sought the Britons, but once found,
He feared their strength and fled the hostile ground.”

³ Two days had now passed when Cassivellaunus, having exhausted all his provisions, feared that famine would force him to surrender himself as Caesar’s prisoner. He therefore sent a message to Androgeus, asking him to make peace with Julius, lest the honour of the nation should suffer through his capture. He also argued that he did not deserve to be pursued to the death for the harm he had caused him. As soon as the messengers had delivered this message to Androgeus, he replied: “A prince who is as gentle as a lamb in war but as cruel as a lion in peace does not deserve to be loved. Gods of heaven and earth! Does my lord now stoop to entreat me, whom he formerly presumed to command? Does he wish to be reconciled and submit to Caesar, from whom Caesar himself once sought peace? He should therefore have considered that the man who was able to drive so great a commander out of the kingdom was also able to bring him back again. I should not have been treated so unjustly, after rendering him such great service then and causing him such great harm now. A man must be mad if he injures or insults the fellow soldiers through whom he defeats his enemy. The victory belongs not to the commander, but to those who shed their blood fighting for him. Nevertheless, I will obtain peace for him if I can, for the injury he has done me has been sufficiently avenged now that he begs me for mercy.”

Chapter Ten: Androgeus’s Speech to Caesar #

¹ After this, Androgeus went to Caesar and, having respectfully greeted him, addressed him in this manner: “You have sufficiently avenged yourself upon Cassivellaunus; now let mercy take the place of vengeance. What more remains to be done except that he submit to you and pay tribute to the Roman state?” Caesar gave him no answer, whereupon Androgeus continued: “My entire agreement with you, Caesar, was only to bring Britain under your power through the submission of Cassivellaunus. Look, Cassivellaunus is now defeated, and Britain has, through my assistance, become subject to you. What further service do I owe you? God forbid that I should allow my sovereign, who appeals to me for peace and has made amends for the injury he did me, to be imprisoned or placed in chains. It will be no easy matter to put Cassivellaunus to death while I remain alive; and if you do not grant my request, I shall not be ashamed to assist him.” Alarmed by these threats from Androgeus, Caesar was forced to comply and made peace with Cassivellaunus on condition that he pay an annual tribute of three thousand pounds of silver. From that time onwards, Julius and Cassivellaunus became friends and exchanged gifts. After this, Caesar spent the winter in Britain and returned to Gaul the following spring. At last, he assembled all his forces and marched towards Rome against Pompey.

Chapter Eleven: Tenuantius Is Made King of Britain After Cassivellaunus #

¹ After seven years had passed, Cassivellaunus died and was buried at York. He was succeeded by Tenuantius, Duke of Cornwall and brother of Androgeus, for Androgeus had gone to Rome with Caesar. Tenuantius therefore assumed the crown and governed the kingdom diligently. He was a warlike man and a strict upholder of justice. After him, his son Kymbelinus was raised to the throne. He was a great soldier and had been brought up by Augustus Caesar. He had formed so close a friendship with the Romans that he willingly paid them tribute when he could very easily have refused to do so. In his days, our Lord Jesus Christ was born, by whose precious blood mankind was redeemed from the devil, under whose power they had previously been enslaved [1 Peter 1:18–19].

Chapter Twelve: Upon Guiderius’s Refusal to Pay Tribute to the Romans, Claudius Caesar Invades Britain #

¹ After Kymbelinus had governed Britain for ten years, he fathered two sons, the elder named Guiderius and the younger Arviragus. After his death, the kingdom passed to Guiderius. This prince refused to pay tribute to the Romans, and for this reason Claudius, who was now emperor, marched against him. On this expedition he was accompanied by the commander of his army, who was called Leuis Hamo in the British language, and upon whose advice the ensuing war was to be conducted. After arriving at the city of Portchester, Hamo began to block its gates with a wall and denied the citizens any opportunity to leave. His intention was either to reduce them to submission through famine or to kill them without mercy.

Chapter Thirteen: Leuis Hamo, a Roman, Kills Guiderius by Wicked Treachery #

¹ When Guiderius received news of Claudius’s arrival, he assembled all the soldiers of the kingdom and went to meet the Roman army. In the battle that followed, he began the attack with great eagerness and killed more men with his own sword than the greater part of his army did. Claudius was on the point of retreating to his ships, and the Romans were very nearly routed, when the crafty Hamo cast aside his own armour, put on that of the Britons and, disguised as a Briton, fought against his own men. He then urged the Britons to press their attack vigorously, promising them a swift victory. He had learnt their language and customs while being educated among the British hostages at Rome. By these means, he gradually drew near to the king and, seizing an opportunity to approach him, stabbed him while he suspected no danger. He then escaped through the enemy’s ranks and returned to his own men with news of his detestable deed. But Arviragus, Guiderius’s brother, seeing that he had been killed, immediately took off his own attire and put on his brother’s. Pretending to be Guiderius himself, he encouraged the Britons to hold their ground. Since they knew nothing of the king’s death, they resisted vigorously, fought courageously and killed a considerable number of the enemy. At last, the Romans gave way and, dividing themselves into two groups, shamefully abandoned the field. Caesar withdrew with one group to the safety of his ships, but Hamo fled into the woods because he had no time to reach them. Arviragus, believing that Claudius had fled with him, pursued him with all speed and did not cease driving him from place to place until he overtook him on a part of the coast which, from Hamo’s name, is now called Southampton. There was a suitable harbour for ships at that place, where several merchant vessels lay at anchor. Just as Hamo was attempting to board them, Arviragus came upon him unexpectedly and killed him at once. Ever since that time, the harbour has been called Hamo’s Port.

Chapter Fourteen: Arviragus, King of Britain, Submits to Claudius and Helps Him Conquer the Orkney Islands #

¹ Meanwhile, Claudius, with his remaining forces, attacked the city mentioned above, which was then called Caerperis and is now Portchester. He soon levelled its walls and, having brought the citizens into submission, went in pursuit of Arviragus, who had entered Winchester. He then besieged that city and employed various siege engines against it. Seeing himself in such desperate circumstances, Arviragus assembled his troops and opened the gates, intending to march out and give battle. Just as he was ready to begin the attack, however, Claudius, who feared the king’s boldness and the bravery of the Britons, sent him a message proposing peace, preferring to subdue them through wisdom and diplomacy rather than risk a battle. To this end, he offered to be reconciled with Arviragus and promised to give him his daughter in marriage, provided that he acknowledged the kingdom of Britain as subject to the Roman state. The nobles then persuaded Arviragus to abandon all thought of war and accept Claudius’s promise. They also pointed out that there was no disgrace in being subject to the Romans, who ruled the whole world. By these and many other arguments, he was persuaded to follow their advice and submit to Caesar. Claudius then sent to Rome for his daughter and, with the assistance of Arviragus, brought the Orkney Islands and the other surrounding islands under his rule.

Chapter Fifteen: Claudius Gives His Daughter Genuissa to Arviragus in Marriage and Returns to Rome #

¹ As soon as the winter was over, those who had been sent for Claudius’s daughter returned with her and presented her to her father. The young woman’s name was Genuissa, and her beauty was so great that everyone who saw her marvelled at it. After her marriage to the king, she gained such influence over his affections that he cared for scarcely anything but her. He therefore wished to honour the place where their wedding had been celebrated and asked Claudius to build a city there as a monument to so great and happy a marriage for future generations. Claudius agreed and ordered a city to be built, which was named Caerglou after him—that is, Gloucester—as it remains to this day. It stands on the borders of Demetia and Loegria, on the banks of the River Severn. Some, however, say that it took its name from Duke Gloius, a son born there to Claudius, to whom the dukedom of Demetia passed after the death of Arviragus. When the city had been completed and the island was enjoying peace, Claudius returned to Rome, leaving the government of the British islands to Arviragus. At the same time, the Apostle Peter founded the Church of Antioch. Afterwards, he came to Rome and served there as bishop, and sent Mark the Evangelist into Egypt to preach the Gospel that he had written.

Chapter Sixteen: Arviragus Revolts from the Romans, and Vespasian Is Sent into Britain #

¹ After Claudius’s departure, Arviragus began to display his wisdom and courage, rebuild cities and towns, and exercise such great authority over his own people that he became a terror to the kings of distant countries. This, however, filled him with such pride that he despised Roman power, refused to remain subject to the Senate and assumed sole authority over everything. On receiving this news, Claudius sent Vespasian either to bring about a reconciliation with Arviragus or to reduce him to submission to the Romans. When Vespasian arrived at the harbour of Rutupi, Arviragus met him and prevented him from entering the port. He had brought so great an army with him that the Romans, fearing he would attack them, did not dare to come ashore. Vespasian therefore withdrew from that port, changed course and sailed to the coast at Totnes. As soon as he had landed, he marched directly to besiege Caerpenhuelgoit, now Exeter. After he had besieged it for seven days, Arviragus and his army overtook him and gave battle. Great destruction was inflicted upon both armies that day, but neither side gained the victory. The following morning, through the mediation of Queen Genuissa, the two leaders were reconciled and sent their men over to Ireland. As soon as winter was over, Vespasian returned to Rome, while Arviragus remained in Britain. Afterwards, when he grew old, he began to show great respect for the Senate and governed his kingdom in peace and tranquillity. He confirmed the ancient laws of his ancestors, enacted several new ones and gave very generous gifts to all deserving people. His fame therefore spread throughout Europe, and he was both loved and feared by the Romans, becoming the subject of their conversation more than any other king of his time. Hence Juvenal relates how a certain blind man, speaking of a turbot that had been caught, said:

² “Arviragus shall from his chariot fall,
Or some captive king shall call you lord.”

³ In war no one was fiercer than he; in peace no one was gentler, more agreeable or more magnificent in giving gifts. When he had finished the course of his life [2 Timothy 4:7], he was buried at Gloucester in a temple that he had built and dedicated in honour of Claudius.

Chapter Seventeen: Rodric, Leader of the Picts, Is Vanquished by Marius #

¹ His son Marius, a man of remarkable prudence and wisdom, succeeded him as king. During his reign, a certain king of the Picts named Rodric came from Scythia with a great fleet and landed in the northern part of Britain, which is called Albania, where he began to ravage the country. Marius therefore raised an army and went in pursuit of him, killed him in battle and gained the victory. As a monument to this triumph, he erected a stone in the province that was afterwards called Westmorland after him, bearing an inscription that preserves his memory to this day. He allowed the conquered people who had come with Rodric to inhabit the part of Albania called Caithness, which had long lain deserted and uncultivated. Since they had no wives, they asked to marry the daughters and female relatives of the Britons. The Britons, however, refused, disdaining to unite themselves with such a people. Having been rejected, they sailed over to Ireland, married the women of that country and increased their numbers through their descendants. But let this suffice concerning them, since I do not intend to write the history of this people or of the Scots, who descended from them and the Irish. After Marius had established perfect peace throughout the island, he began to favour the Roman people and paid the tribute demanded of him. Following his father’s example, he upheld justice, law, peace and everything honourable throughout his kingdom.

Chapter Eighteen: Marius Dies and Is Succeeded by Coillus #

¹ As soon as Marius had reached the end of his life, his son Coillus assumed the government of the kingdom. He had been brought up in Rome from infancy and, having been taught Roman customs, had formed a very close friendship with the Romans. He likewise paid them tribute and avoided offering them any resistance, because he saw that the whole world was subject to them and that no city or country lay beyond the limits of their power. By paying what was required of him, therefore, he enjoyed his kingdom in peace. No king ever showed greater respect for his nobles, not only allowing them to enjoy their possessions undisturbed, but also binding them to himself through his continual generosity and munificence.

Chapter Nineteen: Lucius Is the First British King to Embrace the Christian Faith, Together with His People #

¹ Coillus had only one son, named Lucius, who inherited the crown after his father’s death. He imitated all his father’s virtuous deeds and seemed to his people to be none other than Coillus himself restored to life. Having made so good a beginning, he wished to make an even better end. For this purpose, he sent letters to Pope Eleutherius, asking to be instructed by him in the Christian religion. The miracles performed by Christ’s disciples among various nations convinced him of its truth, and, inflamed with an ardent love of the true faith, he obtained the fulfilment of his pious request. On receiving this devout petition, the holy pope sent him two most religious teachers, Faganus and Duvanus. After preaching about the incarnation of the Word of God [John 1:14], they baptised him and converted him to the Christian faith. Immediately afterwards, people from every part of the country assembled, followed the king’s example and, being washed in the same holy waters of baptism, became partakers of the kingdom of Heaven [John 3:5; Titus 3:5]. After they had almost entirely extinguished paganism throughout the island, the holy teachers dedicated the temples that had been founded in honour of many gods to the one true God and his saints, and filled them with Christian congregations. At that time, Britain had twenty-eight flamens and three archflamens, under whose jurisdiction the other judges and religious officials were placed. In accordance with the apostolic command, the teachers delivered these men from idolatry, appointing bishops wherever there had been flamens and archbishops wherever there had been archflamens. The seats of the archflamens were in the three most distinguished cities: London, York and the City of Legions, which its ancient walls and buildings show to have stood on the River Usk in Glamorgan. These three archbishoprics, now purified of superstition, were given authority over twenty-eight bishops and their dioceses. Deira and Albania were subject to the metropolitan of York, separated from Loegria by the great River Humber. Loegria and Cornwall were subject to the metropolitan of London. The River Severn separates these two provinces from Cambria, or Wales, which was subject to the City of Legions.

Chapter Twenty: Faganus and Duvanus Report at Rome What They Had Done in Britain #

¹ At last, when they had completed the reform of the country, the two prelates returned to Rome and asked the pope to confirm what they had done. As soon as they had obtained his confirmation, they returned to Britain, accompanied by many others, through whose teaching the British nation was soon strengthened in the faith. Their names and deeds are recorded in a book written by Gildas concerning the victory of Aurelius Ambrosius, and what is related in so excellent a work need not be repeated here in a humbler style.