Chapter One: Arthur Succeeds Uther His Father in the Kingdom of Britain, and Besieges Colgrin. #

¹ After Uther Pendragon died, the nobility from several provinces assembled at Silcestre and asked Dubricius, archbishop of Legions, to consecrate Arthur, Uther’s son, as their king. They were now in great distress because, on hearing of the king’s death, the Saxons had invited their countrymen over from Germany and, under the command of Colgrin, were attempting to exterminate the entire British race. They had also completely subdued all that part of the island extending from the Humber to the sea of Cathness. Dubricius, therefore, grieving over the calamities of his country, joined with the other bishops in placing the crown upon Arthur’s head. Arthur was then fifteen years old, but he was a youth of such unparalleled courage and generosity, combined with such sweetness of temper and innate goodness, that he gained universal love. When his coronation was over, he showed his bounty and munificence to the people, according to the usual custom. So many soldiers flocked to him as a result that his treasury could not meet the enormous expense. But a spirit of generosity combined with valour can never remain long without the means to support itself. Arthur, therefore, resolved to use his courage to maintain his munificence and to attack the Saxons, so that he might enrich his followers with their wealth. He was also moved to do this by the justice of his cause, since the entire monarchy of Britain belonged to him by hereditary right. He therefore assembled the young men under his command marched to York. When Colgrin learned of this, he met Arthur by the river Douglas with a very large army composed of Saxons, Scots, and Picts. A battle took place there, in which the greater part of both armies was lost. Nevertheless, the victory went to Arthur, who pursued Colgrin to York and besieged him there. When Baldulph heard of his brother’s flight, he set out for the siege with a force of six thousand men to relieve him, for at the time of the battle he had been on the sea-coast awaiting the arrival of Duke Cheldric with succours from Germany. Now only ten miles from the city, he intended to march swiftly during the night and take the enemy by surprise. But Arthur, having learned of his plan, sent a detachment of six hundred horsemen and three thousand foot soldiers, under the command of Cador, duke of Cornwall, to meet him that same night. Cador therefore entered the same road along which the enemy was passing, made a sudden assault upon them, completely defeated the Saxons, and put them to flight. Baldulph was deeply grieved by the failure of his attempt to relieve his brother and began to consider another stratagem by which he might reach him. He thought that, if he could only succeed in doing so, they might devise measures together for their safety. Since he had no other means of reaching him, he shaved his head and beard, put on the clothing of a jester carrying a harp, and walked up and down through the camp in this disguise, playing his instrument as though he were a harper. In this way he passed unsuspected and gradually made his way to the city walls, where he was finally recognised by the besieged. They then drew him up with ropes and conducted him to his brother. At this unexpected but greatly desired meeting, they spent some time joyfully embracing one another and then began to consider various stratagems for their delivery. At last, just as they were beginning to regard their situation as desperate, the ambassadors returned from Germany and brought with them to Albania fleet of six hundred ships laden with brave soldiers under the command of Cheldric. On hearing this news, Arthur was persuaded by his council not to continue the siege any longer, for fear of risking a battle against so powerful and numerous an army.

Chapter Two: Hoel Sends Fifteen Thousand Men to Arthur’s Assistance. #

¹ Arthur followed their advice and retreated to London, where he called an assembly of all the clergy and nobility of the kingdom to ask what course they should take against the formidable power of the pagans. After some deliberation, they agreed that ambassadors should be sent to Armorica to inform King Hoel of Britain’s calamitous condition. Hoel was the son of Arthur’s sister by Dubricius, king of the Armorican Britons. Therefore, when he learned of the disturbances threatening his uncle, he ordered his fleet to be made ready and, having assembled fifteen thousand men, arrived with the first favourable wind at Hamo’s Port. Arthur received him with every suitable honour and embraced him most affectionately.

Chapter Three: Arthur Makes the Saxons His Tributaries. #

¹ After a few days, they went to relieve the city of Kaerliudcoit, which was besieged by the pagans. Situated upon a mountain between two rivers in the province of Lindisia, it is also called Lindocolinum. As soon as they arrived there with all their forces, they fought the Saxons and inflicted a grievous slaughter upon them, killing six thousand. Some were drowned in the rivers, while others fell at the hands of the Britons. The rest, in great consternation, abandoned the siege and fled, but Arthur pursued them closely until they reached the wood of Caledon, where they attempted to form themselves into a body again and make a stand. There they again joined battle with the Britons and made a brave defence, while the trees in that place protected them from the enemy’s arrows. Seeing this, Arthur commanded that the trees in that part of the wood should be cut down and their trunks placed all around the Saxons to prevent them from escaping, for he intended to keep them confined there until famine forced them to surrender. He then commanded his troops to besiege the wood and remained there for three days. The Saxons, having no provisions left to sustain them and being on the point of starving, begged for permission to depart. In return, they offered to leave behind all their gold and silver and return to Germany with nothing but their empty ships. They also promised to pay him tribute from Germany and to leave hostages with him. After consulting his advisers, Arthur granted their request, allowing them only to depart while retaining all their treasure, as well as hostages to guarantee payment of the tribute. But while they were sailing home, they regretted their agreement, turned their ships around towards Britain, and went ashore at Totness. No sooner had they landed than they utterly devastated the country as far as the Severn sea and put all the peasants to the sword. From there, they continued their furious march to the town of Bath and laid siege to it. When the king learned of this, he was astonished beyond measure by their actions and immediately ordered the execution of the hostages. Abandoning an attempt he had begun to subdue the Scots and Picts, he marched with the utmost speed to raise the siege, but faced very great difficulties because he had left his nephew Hoel sick at Alclud. At last, having entered the province of Somerset and seen how the siege was being conducted, he addressed his followers in these words: “Since these impious and detestable Saxons have disdained to keep faith with me, I, in order to keep faith with God, will endeavour this day to avenge upon them the blood of my countrymen. To arms, soldiers, to arms, and courageously attack these treacherous wretches, over whom, with Christ assisting us, we shall undoubtedly gain the victory.”

Chapter Four: 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. #

¹ When he had finished speaking, St. Dubricius, archbishop of Legions, went to the top of a hill and cried out in a loud voice: “You who have the honour of professing the Christian faith, keep firmly in your minds the love that you owe to your country and your fellow-subjects, whose sufferings through the treachery of the pagans will be an everlasting reproach to you unless you defend them courageously. It is your country for which you fight, and for which you should, when required, voluntarily suffer death, for that itself is victory and the cure of the soul. For whoever dies for his brethren offers himself as a living sacrifice to God [Romans 12:1] and has Christ as his example, who condescended to lay down his life for his brethren [John 15:13; 1 John 3:16]. Therefore, if any of you is killed in this war, that death itself, suffered in so glorious a cause, shall serve him as penance and absolution for all his sins.” At these words, all of them, encouraged by the holy prelate’s blessing, immediately armed themselves and prepared to obey his orders. Arthur himself also put on a coat of mail suited to the grandeur of so powerful a king and placed upon his head a golden helmet engraved with the figure of a dragon. On his shoulders he carried his shield, called Priwen, upon which was painted the image of the blessed Mary, mother of God, so that he might frequently be reminded of her. Then, girding on his Calibum, an excellent sword made on the Isle of Avallon, he armed his right hand with his lance, named Ron, which was hard, broad and fit for slaughter. After this, having arranged his men in order, he boldly attacked the Saxons, who were drawn up in the shape of a wedge, as was their custom. Although the Britons fought with great eagerness, the Saxons made a noble defence throughout that day. At length, towards sunset, they climbed the nearest mountain, which served them as a camp, for they desired no greater extent of ground, since they placed great confidence in their numbers. The next morning, Arthur and his army went up the mountain, but he lost many of his men during the ascent because of the advantage the Saxons gained from their position at the summit, from which they could rush down upon him with much greater speed than he could advance against them. Nevertheless, after a very hard struggle, the Britons gained the summit of the hill and quickly entered into close combat with the enemy, who again gave them a fierce reception and made a very vigorous defence. Much of that day was also spent in this manner, whereupon Arthur, angered to see how little advantage he had yet gained and that victory still remained uncertain, drew his Calibum and, calling upon the name of the blessed Virgin, rushed forward with great fury into the thickest ranks of the enemy. Such was the merit of his prayers that not one who felt the fury of his sword escaped alive, nor did he cease the violence of his assault until he had killed four hundred and seventy men with his Calibum alone. Seeing this, the Britons followed their leader in great numbers and carried out slaughter on every side, so that Colgrin, his brother Baldulph and many thousands more fell before them. But Cheldric, seeing his men in such imminent danger, fled.

Chapter Five: The Saxons, After Their Leader Cheldric Was Killed, Are All Compelled by Cador to Surrender. #

¹ Having thus gained the victory, the king commanded Cador, duke of Cornwall, to pursue them, while he himself hastened his march into Albania, from where he had received word that the Scots and Picts were besieging Alclud, in which, as we said before, Hoel lay sick. He therefore hastened to his assistance, fearing that he might fall into the hands of the barbarians. Meanwhile, the duke of Cornwall, who commanded ten thousand men, did not yet pursue the fleeing Saxons, but quickly took possession of their ships to prevent them from boarding. He manned the ships with his best soldiers, who were to drive back the pagans if they fled there. After this, he hastily pursued the enemy, as Arthur had commanded, and gave no quarter to those he overtook. Thus, those whose behaviour had previously been so cruel and insolent now fled with fearful hearts in search of shelter, sometimes to the cover of the woods and sometimes to mountains and caves, in order to prolong a wretched life. At last, when none of these places could provide them with a safe retreat, they entered the Isle of Thanet with their shattered forces. Yet even there they did not escape the duke of Cornwall’s pursuit, for he continued to slaughter them and gave them no respite until he had killed Cheldric and taken hostages for the surrender of the rest.

Chapter Six: Arthur Grants a Pardon to the Scots and Picts, Besieged at the Lake Lumond. #

¹ Having therefore established peace there, he directed his march to Alclud, which Arthur had relieved from the oppression of the barbarians, and from there led his army to Mureif, where the Scots and Picts were besieged. After three separate battles with the king and his nephew, they had fled as far as this province and, entering the lake Lumond, sought refuge in the islands upon it. This lake contains sixty islands and receives sixty rivers, which empty themselves into the sea through no more than one mouth. There is also an equal number of rocks on these islands, as well as eagles’ nests upon those rocks. The eagles gathered there every year and, by the loud and general noise they now made, foretold some remarkable event that would happen to the kingdom. The enemy had therefore fled to these islands, thinking that the lake would serve them as a fortification, but it proved of little advantage to them. Arthur assembled a fleet, sailed around the rivers and besieged the enemy for fifteen consecutive days, during which they were so severely afflicted by hunger that they died by the thousand. While he was harassing them in this manner, Ouillamurius, king of Ireland, arrived with a fleet and a very large army of barbarians to relieve the besieged. This forced Arthur to raise the siege and turn his arms against the Irish, whom he slew without mercy, compelling the survivors to return to their country. After this victory, he resumed his original attempt to exterminate the entire race of the Scots and Picts and treated them with unparalleled severity. As he gave quarter to no one, the bishops of that miserable country, together with all the inferior clergy, assembled and, carrying before them the reliques of the saints and other consecrated things of the church, came barefoot to implore the king’s mercy for their people. As soon as they were admitted into his presence, they fell upon their knees and humbly begged him to have pity on their distressed country, since the sufferings he had already inflicted upon it were sufficient. They said there was no need to destroy every last member of the small remnant and asked him to allow them to enjoy a small part of the country, since they were willing to bear whatever yoke he should impose upon them. The king was moved by the manner in which they delivered this petition and could not refrain from showing them his clemency with tears. At the request of those holy men, he granted them pardon.

Chapter Seven: Arthur Relates the Wonderful Nature of Some Ponds. #

¹ When this affair had been concluded, Hoel was curious to examine the situation of the lake and was amazed to find that the numbers of rivers, islands, rocks and eagles’ nests corresponded so exactly. While he was reflecting upon this as something miraculous, Arthur came to him and told him of another pond in the same province that was even more remarkable. Not far from there was one whose length and breadth were each twenty feet and whose depth was five feet. Whether its square shape was natural or artificial, its wonder was that there were four different kinds of fish in its four separate corners, none of which was ever found in any part of the pond except its own. He also told him of another pond in Wales, near the Severn, called Linligwan by the local people. When the sea flows into it, the pond receives it like a gulf, yet swallows up the tide without ever becoming full or having its banks covered. But when the sea ebbs, it throws out the waters it had swallowed as high as a mountain and finally dashes them over its banks, covering them. Meanwhile, if all the people of that country stood nearby with their faces towards it and happened to have their clothes sprinkled by the dashing waves, they would scarcely, if at all, escape being swallowed up by the pond. But with their backs towards it, they need not fear being struck by the water, even if they stood upon the very banks.

Chapter Eight: Arthur Restores York to Its Ancient Beauty, Especially as to Its Churches. #

¹ After granting a general pardon to the Scots, the king went to York to celebrate the feast of Christ’s nativity, which was now near. On entering the city, he looked with grief upon the desolation of the churches. After the expulsion of the holy Archbishop Sanxo and all the clergy there, the temples, which had been half burnt down, no longer had divine service performed in them, so greatly had the impious fury of the pagans prevailed. Afterwards, at an assembly of the clergy and people, he appointed his chaplain Pyramus as metropolitan of that see. He rebuilt the churches that had been levelled to the ground and, as their chief ornament, saw them filled with congregations of devout people of both sexes. He also restored to their country the nobility who had been driven out by the disturbances caused by the Saxons.

Chapter Nine: Arthur Honours Augusel With the Sceptre of the Scots; Urian With That of Mureif; and Lot With the Consulship of Londonesia. #

¹ There were three brothers of royal blood, namely Lot, Urian and Augusel, who had governed those regions before the Saxons prevailed. Wishing to restore to them, as he had to others, the rights of their ancestors, Arthur restored sovereignty over the Scots to Augusel; honoured his brother Urian with the sceptre of Mureif; and re-established Lot in the consulship of Londonesia and the other provinces belonging to him. In the time of Aurelius Ambrosius, Lot had married Arthur’s sister, by whom he had two sons, Walgan and Modred. At length, when Arthur had restored the whole country to its ancient state, he married Guanhumara, who was descended from a noble Roman family, had been brought up under Duke Cador and surpassed all the women of the island in beauty.

Chapter Ten: Arthur Adds to His Government Ireland, Iceland, Gothland, and the Orkneys. #

¹ The following summer, he fitted out a fleet and launched an expedition into Ireland, which he wished to subdue. Upon landing there, he was met by the previously mentioned King Guillamurius, who came with a vast number of men intending to fight him. But at the very beginning of the battle, those naked and unarmed people were miserably routed and fled to whatever places offered them shelter. Guillamurius was also captured within a short time and forced to submit, as were all the other princes of the country, following the king’s example, for they were greatly alarmed by what had happened. After completely conquering Ireland, Arthur sailed with his fleet to Iceland, which he also subdued. When a rumour spread throughout the remaining islands that no country could withstand him, Doldavius, king of Gothland, and Gunfasius, king of the Orkneys, came voluntarily and submitted to him, promising to pay tribute. Then, as soon as winter was over, he returned to Britain, where he established the kingdom and lived in peace for twelve consecutive years.

Chapter Eleven: Arthur Subdues Norway, Dacia, Aquitaine, and Gaul. #

¹ After this, having invited to his court all those from foreign nations who were renowned for valour, he began to increase the number of his household and introduced such refinement into his court that people from the most distant countries considered it worthy of imitation. Thus, no nobleman thought himself of any importance unless his clothes and arms were made in the same fashion as those of Arthur’s knights. At length, as the fame of his munificence and valour spread throughout the whole world, he became a terror to the kings of other countries, who greatly feared losing their dominions if he should make any attempt against them. Deeply troubled by these anxious concerns, they repaired their cities and towers and built towns in suitable places, so that they might better fortify themselves against any enterprise Arthur might undertake when the occasion arose.

² When Arthur learned what they were doing, he was delighted to discover how greatly they stood in awe of him and formed a plan to conquer all Europe. Having prepared his fleet, he first made an attempt upon Norway so that he might secure its crown for Lot, his sister’s husband. Lot was the nephew of Sichelin, king of the Norwegians, who had died after appointing him his successor to the kingdom. But the Norwegians, disdaining to accept him, had raised a certain Riculf to the sovereignty and, having fortified their cities, believed themselves capable of resisting Arthur. Walgan, the son of Lot, was then a youth of twelve years and had been commended by his uncle to the service of Pope Sulpicius, from whom he received arms. But to return to the history: as soon as Arthur arrived on the coast of Norway, King Riculf, attended by all the forces of that kingdom, met him and gave battle. After great bloodshed on both sides, the Britons at last gained the advantage and, making a vigorous charge, killed Riculf and many others with him. Having thus defeated them, they set the cities on fire, scattered the country people and pursued their victory until they had brought all Norway, as well as Dacia, under Arthur’s dominion. After conquering these countries and establishing Lot upon the throne of Norway, Arthur sailed to Gaul and, dividing his army into several bodies, began to lay waste the country on every side. The province of Gaul was then entrusted to Flollo, a Roman tribune who governed it under the Emperor Leo. When he learned of Arthur’s arrival, he raised all the forces under his command made war against him, but without success. Arthur was accompanied by the young men of all the islands he had subdued, and for this reason he was reported to possess an army considered invincible. Even the greater part of the Gallic army, encouraged by his bounty, came over to his service. Flollo, therefore, seeing the disadvantages under which he laboured, abandoned his camp and fled with a small number of men to Paris. There, having replenished his army, he fortified the city and resolved to fight another battle with Arthur. But while he was considering how to strengthen himself with auxiliary forces from the neighbouring countries, Arthur came upon him unexpectedly and besieged him within the city. When a month had passed, Flollo, grieving to see his people perishing from hunger, sent a message to Arthur proposing that the two of them alone should decide the contest for the kingdom in single combat. Being a man of great stature, boldness and courage, he issued this challenge in confidence of success. Arthur was extremely pleased with Flollo’s proposal and sent word back that he would grant him the meeting he desired. An agreement having been reached by both sides, they met on the island outside the city, where the people waited to see the outcome. Both were splendidly armed and mounted upon remarkably swift horses, and it was difficult to say which of them offered greater hope of victory. When they had taken their positions opposite one another with their lances raised, they spurred their horses forward and began a fierce encounter. But Arthur, who handled his lance more skilfully, drove it into the upper part of Flollo’s breast and, avoiding his enemy’s weapon, cast him prostrate upon the ground. He was just about to despatch him with his drawn sword when Flollo suddenly sprang up and met him with his lance lowered, mortally piercing the breast of Arthur’s horse and causing both horse and rider to fall. When the Britons saw their king lying upon the ground, they feared that he had been killed and could scarcely be restrained from breaking the agreement and falling with one accord upon the Gauls. But just as they were about to rush into the lists, Arthur quickly rose and, protecting himself with his shield, advanced swiftly against Flollo. They now renewed the assault with great fury, each eagerly intent upon the other’s destruction. At last Flollo, watching for his opportunity, struck Arthur upon the forehead with a blow that might have proved fatal had the edge of his weapon not been blunted against the helmet. When Arthur saw his coat of mail and shield red with blood, he was inflamed with still greater fury and, raising his Calibum with all his strength, struck through Flollo’s helmet into his head, making a terrible wound. Flollo fell from this blow, tearing the ground with his spurs, and died. As soon as the news spread throughout the army, the citizens assembled and, opening the gates, surrendered the city to Arthur. After the victory, he divided his army into two parts. He entrusted one to Hoel, whom he ordered to march against Guitard, commander of the Pictavians, while he himself attempted to subdue the other provinces with the second part. Hoel then entered Aquitaine, took possession of the cities of that country and, after defeating Guitard in several battles, forced him to surrender. He also devastated Gascony with fire and sword and subdued its princes. At the end of nine years, during which all parts of Gaul had been completely subdued, Arthur returned to Paris, where he held his court and, calling an assembly of the clergy and people, established peace and the just administration of the laws throughout that kingdom. He then bestowed Neustria, now called Normandy, upon Bedver, his butler; the province of Andegavia upon Caius, his sewer; and several other provinces upon the great men who attended him. Having thus secured the peace of the cities and countries there, he returned to Britain at the beginning of spring.

Chapter Twelve: Arthur Summons a Great Many Kings, Princes, Archbishops, Etc. to a Solemn Assembly at the City of Legions. #

¹ As the feast of Pentecost approached, Arthur resolved to hold a magnificent court during that season, both to demonstrate his joy after such triumphant success, to observe the festival with greater solemnity, and to reconcile the minds of the princes who were now subject to him. He intended to place the crown upon his head and invite all the kings and dukes under his dominion to the solemnity. When he had communicated his design to his close friends, he chose the City of Legions as a suitable place for his purpose. Besides possessing greater wealth than the other cities, its situation in Glamorganshire upon the river Uske, near the Severn sea, was most pleasant and well suited to so great a solemnity. On one side, it was washed by that noble river, so that the kings and princes from countries beyond the seas could conveniently sail up to it. On the other side, the beauty of its meadows and groves, together with the magnificence of the royal palaces adorned with lofty gilded roofs, made it rival even the grandeur of Rome. It was also famous for two churches. One was built in honour of the martyr Julius and adorned with a choir of virgins who had devoted themselves wholly to the service of God. The other, founded in memory of St. Aaron, his companion, maintained a convent of canons and was the third metropolitan church of Britain. Besides these, there was a college of two hundred philosophers who, being learned in astronomy and the other arts, diligently observed the courses of the stars and gave Arthur true predictions of the events that would happen at that time. In this place, therefore, which offered such delights, preparations were made for the coming festival. Ambassadors were then sent into several kingdoms to invite to court the princes of both Gaul and all the neighbouring islands. Accordingly, there came Augusel, king of Albania, now Scotland; Urian, king of Mureif; Cadwallo Lewirh, king of the Venedotians, now called the North Wales men; Sater, king of the Demetians, or South Wales men; Gador, king of Cornwall; and also the archbishops of the three metropolitan sees: London, York, and Dubricius of the City of Legions. This prelate, who was primate of Britain and legate of the apostolical see, was so eminent for his piety that he could cure any sick person through his prayers. There also came the consuls of the principal cities, namely Morvid, consul of Gloucester; Mauron, of Worcester; Anaraut, of 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; and Boso, of Ridoc, that is, Oxford. Besides the consuls, the following worthies of no less dignity came: Danaut, Map papo; Cheneus, Map coil; Peredur, Mab eridur; Guiful, Map Nogoit; Regin, Map claut; Eddelein, Map cledauc; Kincar, Mabbagan; Kimmare; Gorboroniam, Map goit; Clofaut, Rupmaneton; Kimbelim, Map trunat; Cathleus, Map catel; Kinlich, Map neton; and many others too numerous to list. From the neighbouring islands came Guillamurius, king of Ireland; Malvasius, king of Iceland; Doldavius, king of Gothland; Gunfasius, king of the Orkneys; Lot, king of Norway; and Aschillius, king of the Dacians. From the regions beyond the seas came Holdin, king of Ruteni; Leodegarius, consul of Bolonia; Bedver, the butler, duke of Normandy; Borellus, of Cenomania; Caius, the sewer, duke of Andegavia; Guitard, of Pictavia; and also the twelve peers of Gaul, whom Guerinus Camotensis brought with him. Hoel, duke of the Armorican Britons, and his nobility came with such a train of mules, horses and rich furnishings that it is difficult to describe. Besides these, there was no prince of any importance on this side of Spain who did not come in response to this invitation. This was no wonder, since Arthur’s munificence, which was celebrated throughout the whole world, made him beloved by all people.

Chapter Thirteen: A Description of the Royal Pomp at the Coronation of Arthur. #

¹ When everyone had assembled in the city, the archbishops were conducted to the palace on the day of the solemnity to place the crown upon the king’s head. Since the court was being held in his diocese, Dubricius prepared to celebrate the office and undertook the direction of everything connected with it. As soon as the king had been invested with his royal garments, he was conducted in great pomp to the metropolitan church, supported on either side by two archbishops. Before him walked four kings—those of Albania, Cornwall, Demetia and Venedotia—bearing four golden swords, as was their right. He was also accompanied by musicians playing every kind of instrument, producing most excellent harmony. Elsewhere, the queen, dressed in her richest ornaments, was conducted by the archbishops and bishops to the Temple of Virgins. The queens of the four kings just mentioned carried four white doves before her, according to ancient custom, and behind her followed a company of women displaying every imaginable sign of joy. When the entire procession had ended, the harmony of the musical instruments and voices, of which there was a vast variety in both churches, was so transporting that the attending knights could not decide which they preferred. They therefore crowded by turns from one church to the other and were far from growing tired of the solemnity, although the whole day had been spent upon it. At last, when divine service had ended in both churches, the king and queen removed their crowns, put on lighter ornaments and went to the banquet: he to one palace with the men, and she to another with the women. The Britons still observed the ancient custom of Troy, by which men and women celebrated their festivals separately. When everyone had taken their seats according to precedence, Caius the sewer, dressed in rich robes of ermine and accompanied by a thousand young noblemen similarly clothed in ermine, served the dishes. From another direction came Bedver the butler, followed by the same number of attendants in various garments, who served with every kind of cup and drinking vessel. In the queen’s palace were innumerable attendants, dressed in a variety of ornaments and all performing their respective duties. If I were to describe these individually, I would extend the history to a tedious length. At that time, Britain had reached such a height of grandeur that, in its abundance of riches, splendour of ornaments and refinement of its inhabitants, it far surpassed every other kingdom. Its knights who were famous for feats of chivalry wore clothes and arms of the same colour and fashion. The women, who were no less celebrated for their wit, also wore the same kind of clothing and considered none worthy of their love except those who had proved their valour in three separate battles. Thus, the valour of the men encouraged the chastity of the women, and the love of the women spurred the soldiers to bravery.

Chapter Fourteen: After a Variety of Sports at the Coronation, Arthur Amply Rewards His Servants. #

¹ As soon as the banquets were over, they went into the fields outside the city to amuse themselves with various sports. The military men devised a form of entertainment imitating a fight on horseback, while the ladies, positioned upon the tops of the walls as spectators, playfully cast their amorous glances at the courtiers to encourage them further. Others spent the remainder of the day in different diversions, such as shooting with bows and arrows, tossing the pike, throwing heavy stones and rocks, playing at dice and similar activities, all conducted inoffensively and without quarrelling. Whoever gained victory in any of these sports was rewarded with a rich prize by Arthur. The first three days were spent in this manner; and on the fourth, all those who, by virtue of their titles, had held any office during this solemnity were called together to receive honours and preferments as rewards for their services, and to fill the vacant governments of cities and castles, archbishoprics, bishoprics, abbeys and other positions of honour.

Chapter Fifteen: A Letter From Lucius Tiberius, General of the Romans, to Arthur Being Read, They Consult About an Answer to It. #

¹ But St. Dubricius, from a pious desire to lead the life of a hermit, voluntarily resigned his archiepiscopal dignity; and in his place David, the king’s uncle, was consecrated, whose life was a perfect example of the goodness that he taught through his doctrine. In place of St. Samson, archbishop of Dole, Chelianus, a famous priest of Llandaff and a person highly recommended for his good life and character, was appointed with the consent of Hoel, king of the Armorican Britons. The bishopric of Silcestre was conferred upon Mauganius, that of Winchester upon Diwanius, and that of Alclud upon Eledanius. While he was distributing these preferments among them, twelve elderly men of venerable appearance came before the king, bearing olive branches in their right hands as a sign that they had come on an embassy. They approached him slowly and spoke in soft voices; and after paying their respects, they presented him with a letter from Lucius Tiberius in these words:

² “Lucius, procurator of the commonwealth, to Arthur, king of Britain, according to his deserts. The insolence of your tyranny fills me with the greatest astonishment, and the injuries you have done to Rome increase my wonder still further. But it is infuriating to reflect that you have become so arrogant as deliberately to refuse to recognise this, nor do you consider what it means to have offended by unjust deeds a senate to which, as you cannot be unaware, the whole world owes vassalage. You have presumptuously withheld the tribute of Britain, which the senate commanded you to pay and which was regularly paid to successive Roman emperors from the time of Julius Caesar, in contempt of their imperial authority. You have seized the province of the Allobroges and all the islands of the ocean, whose kings paid tribute to our ancestors while Roman power prevailed in those regions. Because the senate has decreed that justice must be demanded from you for these repeated injuries, I command you to appear at Rome before the middle of August next year, there to make satisfaction to your masters and undergo whatever sentence they shall justly pass upon you. If you refuse to do so, I shall come to you and endeavour to recover with my sword what you, in your madness, have robbed from us.”

³ As soon as the letter had been read in the presence of the kings and consuls, Arthur withdrew with them into the Giant’s Tower, which stood at the entrance to the palace, to consider what answer should be returned to such an insolent message. As they were climbing the stairs, Cador, duke of Cornwall, who was a man of cheerful disposition, said jokingly to the king: “Until now, I have feared that the easy life the Britons lead through enjoying a long peace might make them cowards and extinguish the fame of their gallantry, by which they have raised their name above all other nations. For where the exercise of arms is lacking and the pleasures of women, dice and other diversions take its place, there is no doubt that whatever remains of virtue, honour, courage and thirst for praise will be tarnished by the rust of idleness. Nearly five years have now passed since we abandoned ourselves to these delights and had no exercise in warfare. Therefore, to deliver us from sloth, God has stirred up this spirit of the Romans to restore our military virtues to their ancient condition.” He continued to entertain them with such talk until they reached their seats. When they were all seated, Arthur addressed them in this manner.

Chapter Sixteen: Arthur, Holding a Council With the Kings, Desires Every One of Them to Deliver Their Opinions. #

¹ “My companions in both good and bad fortune, whose abilities in counsel and war I have experienced until now, the present state of affairs, following the message we have received, requires your careful deliberation and prudent decisions, for whatever is wisely planned is easily carried out. We shall therefore be better able to withstand the attack with which Lucius threatens us if we apply ourselves unanimously to considering how to overcome it. In my opinion, we have no great reason to fear him when we reflect upon the unjust grounds on which he demands tribute from us. He claims a right to it because it was paid to Julius Caesar and his successors, who invaded Britain with an army at the invitation of the ancient Britons when they were quarrelling among themselves, and forcibly brought the country under their power when it had been weakened by civil dissension. Because they gained it in this manner, they unjustly exacted tribute from it. For that which is gained by force and violence can never be possessed justly. He therefore has no reasonable grounds for claiming that we are rightfully his tributaries. But since he has the presumption to make an unjust demand of us, we certainly have an equally good reason to demand tribute from Rome; let the longer sword therefore determine the right between us. For if Rome has decreed that Britain ought to pay it tribute because it was formerly under the yoke of Julius Caesar and other Roman emperors, I now decree for the same reason that Rome ought to pay tribute to me, because my predecessors formerly governed it. For Belinus, that glorious king of the Britons, with the assistance of his brother Brennus, duke of the Allobroges, took their city after they had hanged twenty noble Romans in the middle of the marketplace, and kept possession of it for a long time. Likewise Constantino, the son of Helena, and Maximian, both of whom were closely related to me and wore the crown of Britain, gained the imperial throne of Rome. Do you not therefore think that we ought to demand tribute from the Romans? As for Gaul and the neighbouring islands of the ocean, we have no need to give them any answer, since they did not defend those territories when we attempted to free them from their power.” As soon as he had finished speaking to this effect, Hoel, king of the Armorican Britons, who took precedence over the others, answered in these words.

Chapter Seventeen: The Opinion of Hoel, King of Armorica, Concerning a War With the Romans. #

¹ “After the most profound deliberation that any of us could undertake, I think no better advice can be given than that which your majesty, in your great wisdom and policy, has now offered. Your speech, which is no less wise than eloquent, has made any further consultation on our part unnecessary; and nothing remains for us to do but admire and gratefully acknowledge your majesty’s firmness of mind and depth of policy, to which we owe such excellent advice. For if, for this reason, you are pleased to undertake an expedition to Rome, I do not doubt that it will be crowned with glorious success, since it will be undertaken in defence of our liberties and to demand justly from our enemies what they have unjustly demanded from us. For anyone who would rob another deserves to lose his own possessions to the person against whom the attempt is made. Therefore, since the Romans have threatened us with this injury, it will undoubtedly result in their own loss, provided that we have an opportunity to engage them. This is what all the Britons desire; this is what has been promised to us in the Sibylline prophecies, which expressly declare that the Roman empire shall be obtained by three natives of Britain. The oracle has been fulfilled in two of them, since it is clear, as your majesty observed, that those two celebrated princes, Belinus and Constantine, governed the Roman empire; and now you are the third to whom this supreme dignity is promised. Make haste, therefore, to receive what God makes no delay in giving you; to subdue those who are ready to accept your yoke; and to advance all of us, who, for your advancement, will spare neither limb nor life. And so that you may accomplish this, I myself will accompany you in person with ten thousand men.”

Chapter Eighteen: The Opinion of Augusel. #

¹ When Hoel had concluded his speech, Augusel, king of Albania, declared his support for the cause in this manner: “I cannot express the joy that has transported me since my lord revealed his plans to us. For it seems that we have accomplished nothing through all our past wars against so many powerful princes if the Romans and Germans are allowed to enjoy peace, and we do not severely avenge upon them the grievous oppressions they formerly inflicted upon this country. But now that we are free to encounter them, I am overwhelmed with joy and eagerness to see battle joined with them, when the blood of those cruel oppressors will be no less welcome to me than a spring of water to one parched with thirst. If I live only to see that day, how sweet will be the wounds that I shall then either receive or inflict? Indeed, how sweet will death itself be when suffered in avenging the injuries done to our ancestors, defending our liberties and advancing the glory of our king? Let us therefore begin with these poltroons and strip them of all their trophies by making a complete conquest of them. For my part, I will add two thousand horsemen to the army, besides foot soldiers.”

Chapter Nineteen: They Unanimously Agree Upon a War With the Romans. #

¹ All the others spoke to the same effect, and each promised his full quota of forces. Thus, besides those promised by the duke of Armorica, the number of men from the island of Britain alone was sixty thousand, all fully armed. But the kings of the other islands, as they were not accustomed to cavalry, promised their quotas of infantry; and from the six provincial islands, namely Ireland, Iceland, Gothland, the Orkneys, Norway and Dacia, a hundred and twenty thousand were reckoned. From the duchies of Gaul—that is, those of the Ruteni, the Portunians, the Estrusians, the Cenomanni, the Andegavians and Pictavians—came eighty thousand. From the twelve consulships of those who came with Guerinus Camotensis came twelve hundred. Altogether, they amounted to a hundred and eighty-three thousand two hundred, besides foot soldiers, who could not easily be counted.

Chapter Twenty: Arthur Prepares for a War, and Refuses to Pay Tribute to the Romans. #

¹ King Arthur, seeing that they were all unanimously ready to serve him, ordered them to return swiftly to their countries, prepare the forces they had promised, and hasten to the general rendezvous on the kalends of August, at the mouth of the river Barba, so that from there they might advance with them to the borders of the Allobroges to meet the Romans. He then sent word to the emperors through their ambassadors that, as for paying them tribute, he would in no way obey their commands; and that the journey he was about to make to Rome was not to submit to their sentence, but to demand from them what they had judicially decreed to demand from him. The ambassadors departed with this answer, and at the same time all the kings and noblemen also departed to carry out with all speed the orders they had been given.