Chapter One: Brennius Quarrels with Belinus, His Brother, and, in Order to Make War Against Him, Marries the Daughter of the King of the Norwegians #

¹ After this, a bitter quarrel arose between his two sons, Belinus and Brennius, who were both eager to succeed to the kingdom. The dispute was over which of them should have the honour of wearing the crown. After many fierce clashes between them, the friends of both brothers intervened and persuaded them to divide the kingdom on these terms: that Belinus should hold the crown of the island, together with the dominions of Loegria, Cambria, and Cornwall, because, according to the Trojan custom of inheritance, the right belonged to him as the elder; and that Brennius, as the younger, should be subject to his brother and receive Northumberland as his share, extending from the River Humber to Caithness. This agreement having been confirmed on those conditions, they ruled the country for five years in peace and justice. But such prosperity could not long withstand the efforts of those who stirred up division. Certain deceitful troublemakers gained access to Brennius and addressed him in this way:

² “What spirit of cowardly idleness has possessed you, that you can endure being subject to Belinus, to whom you are equal in birth and blood? Besides this, consider your experience in warfare, gained in many battles, when you so often repelled Cheulphus, the general of the Morini, during his invasions of our country, and drove him out of your kingdom. No longer let yourself be bound by a treaty that brings you shame. Instead, marry the daughter of Elsingius, King of the Norwegians, so that with his help you may recover your lost dignity.” The young man, inflamed by these and similar persuasive arguments, listened to them, travelled to Norway, and married the king’s daughter, just as his flatterers had advised.

Chapter Two: Brennius’s Sea Battle with Guichthlac, King of the Dacians; Guichthlac and Brennius’s Wife Are Driven Ashore and Taken by Belinus #

¹ Meanwhile, his brother, having been informed of this, was greatly angered that Brennius had presumed to act in this way without his permission. He therefore marched into Northumberland, took possession of the country and its cities, and garrisoned them with his own men. When Brennius received news of what his brother had done, he prepared a fleet to return to Britain with a great army of Norwegians. But while he was sailing with a favourable wind, he was overtaken by Guichthlac, King of the Dacians, who had pursued him. This prince had long been deeply in love with the young lady whom Brennius had married, and, overcome with grief and resentment at losing her, had equipped a fleet and set out in pursuit of Brennius with all possible speed. In the sea battle that followed, he succeeded in capturing the very ship on which the lady was sailing and brought her aboard among his own companions. During the fighting, however, contrary winds suddenly arose, bringing on a storm that scattered the ships to different shores. Thus the King of the Dacians, driven helplessly about by the storm, after five days arrived with the lady in Northumberland, filled with fear because he did not know upon what country this unexpected misfortune had cast him. When the local people discovered this, they seized them and brought them before Belinus, who was on the seashore awaiting his brother’s arrival. Three other ships had come in with Guichthlac’s, one of which had belonged to Brennius’s fleet. As soon as those aboard declared to the king who they were, he rejoiced greatly at this fortunate turn of events, since he was seeking an opportunity to take revenge on his brother.

Chapter Three: Belinus Defeats Brennius in Battle, and Brennius Flees to Gaul #

¹ A few days later, Brennius appeared with his fleet, which he had succeeded in gathering together again, and landed in Albany. Having learned that his wife and others had been captured, and that his brother had seized the kingdom of Northumberland during his absence, he sent ambassadors to Belinus to demand the return of both his wife and his kingdom. If these demands were refused, they were to declare that he would lay waste the whole island from sea to sea and kill his brother whenever he could bring him to battle. Belinus, however, flatly refused to grant his demands. Gathering together all the forces of the island, he marched into Albany to give battle. When Brennius learned that he had suffered a setback and that his brother was marching against him, he advanced to meet him in a wood called Calaterium, intending to attack him. When they came to the battlefield, each divided his army into several divisions, and, advancing against one another, they began the fight. A great part of the day was spent in battle, because the bravest warriors fought on both sides, and much blood was shed through the fury with which they attacked one another. So great was the slaughter that the wounded fell in heaps, like standing corn cut down by reapers. At last the Britons gained the victory. The Norwegians fled with their shattered forces to their ships, but Belinus pursued them and put them to the sword without mercy. Fifteen thousand men fell in the battle, and not a thousand of the survivors escaped without wounds. Brennius, with great difficulty securing a single ship, was carried by fortune to the coasts of Gaul; but those who had accompanied him were forced to scatter and hide wherever their misfortunes drove them.

Chapter Four: The King of Dacia and Brennius’s Wife Are Released from Prison #

¹ After this victory, Belinus called a council of his nobles to advise him what he should do with the King of the Dacians, who had sent him a message from prison offering to submit himself and the kingdom of Dacia to Belinus, and also to pay a yearly tribute, provided that he was allowed to depart with the lady. He likewise offered to confirm this covenant by an oath and by giving hostages. When this proposal was laid before the nobles, they unanimously agreed that Belinus should grant Guichthlac’s request on the terms offered. Accordingly, he granted it, and Guichthlac was released from prison and returned with the lady to Dacia.

Chapter Five: Belinus Revives and Confirms the Molmutine Laws, Especially Those Concerning the Highways #

¹ Belinus, now finding that nobody in the kingdom of Britain was able to resist him, and having gained sovereignty over the whole island from sea to sea, confirmed the laws his father had made and ordered that justice should be administered consistently throughout his kingdom. Above all, he decreed that cities and the roads leading to them should enjoy the same protection of peace that Dunwallo had established. A dispute arose, however, concerning the roads, because the boundaries defining them were unknown. The king, therefore, wishing to remove every ambiguity from the law, summoned all the craftsmen of the island commanded them to pave a causeway of stone and mortar running the entire length of the island, from the sea of Cornwall to the shores of Caithness, and leading directly to the cities situated along its course. He commanded another to be built across the breadth of the kingdom, leading from Menevia, which stood upon the Demetian Sea, to Hamo’s Port, and passing through the cities between them. He also built two others running diagonally across the island, providing routes to the remaining cities. He then confirmed all honours and privileges belonging to these roads and established a law prescribing the punishment for any offence committed upon them. But anyone curious to know everything he decreed concerning them should read the Molmutine laws, which Gildas the historian translated from British into Latin, and King Alfred translated into English.

Chapter Six: Brennius, Having Been Made Duke of the Allobroges, Returns to Britain to Fight His Brother #

¹ While Belinus was thus reigning in peace and tranquillity, his brother Brennius, who, as we said before, had been driven to the coast of Gaul, suffered great anguish of mind. It deeply distressed him to be banished from his country and to have no means of returning to recover what he had lost. Not knowing what course to take, he travelled among the princes of Gaul, accompanied by only twelve men; and when he had related his misfortune to each of them but could obtain assistance from none, he finally went to Seginus, Duke of the Allobroges, who received him honourably. During his stay there, he formed such a close friendship with the duke that he became the greatest favourite at court. In every matter, both of peace and war, he displayed great ability, so that the prince came to love him with a fatherly affection. He was also handsome in appearance, tall and slender in build, and skilled in hunting and fowling, as befitted his princely birth. So great was the friendship between them that the duke resolved to give him his only daughter in marriage and, should he himself have no male heir, appointed Brennius and his daughter to succeed him in the duchy of the Allobroges after his death. Should he yet have a son, however, he promised to assist Brennius in gaining the kingdom of Britain. This was not only the duke’s wish, but also that of all the nobles of his court, with whom Brennius had made himself extremely popular. The marriage was therefore solemnised without further delay, and the princes of the country paid homage to him as successor to the throne. The year had scarcely ended when the duke died; Brennius then seized the opportunity to secure firmly to his cause those princes of the country whom he had previously bound to himself through friendship. He did this by generously distributing among them the duke’s treasure, which had been accumulated since the time of his ancestors. What the Allobroges valued most in him, however, was the splendour of his entertainments and the fact that he kept an open house for everyone.

Chapter Seven: Belinus and Brennius Are Reconciled Through Their Mother’s Mediation and Plan to Conquer Gaul #

¹ Having thus won universal affection, Brennius began to consider how he might take revenge upon his brother Belinus. When he made his intentions known to his subjects, they unanimously agreed with him and declared their readiness to follow him into whatever kingdom he chose to lead them. He therefore quickly raised a vast army and, having made an agreement with the Gauls for free passage through their country into Britain, fitted out a fleet on the coast of Neustria. He set sail in it and, with a favourable wind, reached the island. When rumours of his arrival reached Belinus, his brother marched out to meet him with the full strength of the kingdom. But when the two armies had been drawn up in battle order and were just ready to begin the attack, their mother, Conwenna, who was still alive, hurried through the ranks, longing to see the son whom she had not seen for so long. As soon as her trembling steps had brought her to where he stood, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. Then, uncovering her breast, she addressed him in words broken by sighs, saying:

² “My son, remember these breasts that nursed you and the womb in which the Creator of all things formed you and from which he brought you into the world, while I endured the greatest anguish. By the pains I then suffered for you, I beg you to hear my request: forgive your brother and restrain your anger. You ought not to take revenge upon one who has done you no wrong. As for your complaint that he banished you from your country, if you properly consider the outcome, can it truly be called an injustice? He did not banish you to make your condition worse, but forced you to leave a lower position so that you might attain a higher dignity. At first, you possessed only part of a kingdom, and even that under your brother’s authority. As soon as you lost it, you became his equal by gaining the kingdom of the Allobroges. What, then, has he done except raise you from a vassal to a king? Consider also that the quarrel between you was begun not by him, but by you, when, with the assistance of the King of Norway, you rebelled against him.”

³ Moved by his mother’s arguments, Brennius calmly obeyed her. Taking off his helmet of his own accord, he went straight with her to his brother. When Belinus saw him approaching with a peaceful expression, he threw down his weapons and ran to embrace him. Thus, without any further difficulty, they became friends again. After disarming their forces, they marched peacefully together with them to Trinovantum. There, after consulting about what enterprise they should undertake, they prepared to lead their combined army into the provinces of Gaul and bring the whole country under their rule.

Chapter Eight: Belinus and Brennius, After the Conquest of Gaul, March with Their Army to Rome #

¹ The following year they crossed into Gaul and began to lay waste the country. When news of this spread among the neighbouring nations, all the petty kings of the Franks formed an alliance and marched out to fight them. But the victory fell to Belinus and Brennius, and the Franks fled with their shattered forces. The Britons and Allobroges, encouraged by their success, pursued them relentlessly until they had captured their kings and brought them under their power. They then fortified the cities they had taken, and in less than a year reduced the whole kingdom to submission. At last, after subduing all the provinces, they marched with their entire army towards Rome, destroying the cities and villages as they advanced through Italy.

Chapter Nine: The Romans Make a Covenant with Brennius, but Afterwards Break It; for This Reason Rome Is Besieged and Taken by Brennius #

¹ In those days the two consuls of Rome were Gabius and Porsena, to whose care the government of the country had been entrusted. When they saw that no nation was able to withstand the power of Belinus and Brennius, they came to them with the consent of the senate to seek peace and friendship. They also offered great gifts of gold and silver, together with a yearly tribute, on condition that they might be allowed to enjoy their own possessions in peace. The two kings therefore, having taken hostages from them, granted their request and withdrew their forces into Germany. While they were occupied in making war upon that people, the Romans regretted the agreement they had made and, recovering their courage, went to assist the Germans. This greatly enraged the kings, who considered how they might wage war against both nations, for the size of the Italian army caused them serious concern. Their council decided that Belinus, with the Britons, should remain in Germany to engage the enemy there, while Brennius and his army marched against Rome to take revenge upon the Romans for breaking the treaty. As soon as the Italians realised their plan, they abandoned the Germans and hurried to intercept Brennius on his march to Rome. Belinus received intelligence of this and, marching rapidly with his army that same night, occupied a valley through which the enemy had to pass, where he lay concealed awaiting their arrival. The next day the Italians came marching towards the place, but when they saw the valley glittering with the enemy’s armour, they were thrown into confusion, believing that Brennius and the Senonian Gauls were there. Seizing this favourable opportunity, Belinus suddenly rushed out and attacked them with great fury. The Romans, taken completely by surprise, fled the field, for they were neither armed nor marching in battle formation. Belinus gave them no quarter, and was prevented only by the coming of night from utterly destroying them. After this victory he went straight to Brennius, who had by then been besieging Rome for three days. Joining their armies, they assaulted the city on every side and attempted to level its walls. To strike even greater terror into the besieged, they erected gallows before the city gates and threatened to hang the hostages who had been given to them unless the city surrendered. But the Romans, unmoved by the sufferings of their sons and kinsmen, remained steadfast and determined to defend themselves. At one time they shattered the enemy’s siege engines with engines of their own; at another they drove them back from the walls with showers of missiles. This so enraged the two brothers that they ordered twenty-four of the noblest hostages to be hanged before the eyes of their parents. The Romans, however, became only more resolute at the sight, and, having received a message from their consuls, Gabius and Porsena, that they would come to their assistance the following day, resolved to march out of the city and offer battle to the enemy. Accordingly, just as they were drawing up their troops in formation, the consuls appeared with their reassembled forces. Advancing in close order, they fell unexpectedly upon the Britons and Allobroges and, joined by the citizens who sallied out from the city, killed a great many of them. The brothers, deeply grieved to see such slaughter among their men, began to rally their forces and, charging the enemy repeatedly, compelled them to retreat. At last, after many thousands of brave men had fallen on both sides, the brothers won the battle and captured the city, though not until Gabius had been killed and Porsena taken prisoner. Having done this, they divided among their men all the hidden treasure of the city.

Chapter Ten: Brennius Oppresses Italy in a Most Tyrannical Manner; Belinus Returns to Britain #

¹ After this complete victory, Brennius remained in Italy, where he ruled the people with unheard-of tyranny. But since the rest of his deeds and his death are recorded in the Roman histories, I shall pass them over here, to avoid unnecessary length and to avoid dealing with matters that others have already described, which lie outside my purpose. Belinus, however, returned to Britain, which he governed peacefully for the remainder of his life. He restored the cities that were falling into ruin and built many new ones. Among them he founded one on the River Usk, near the Severn Sea, which for a long time was called Caer-Usk and was the chief city of Demetia. After the Roman invasion, however, it lost its original name and became known as the City of Legions, because the Roman legions used to spend the winter there. He also built a gate of remarkable workmanship in Trinovantum, on the bank of the Thames, which the citizens still call Billingsgate after his name. Above it he built an extraordinarily large tower, and beneath it a harbour or quay for ships. He was a strict upholder of justice and restored his father’s laws throughout the kingdom. In his reign there was such abundance of wealth among the people that no age before or since is said to have equalled it. At last, when his life came to an end, his body was cremated, and his ashes were placed in a golden urn, which was set with great skill at Trinovantum on the summit of the tower already mentioned.

Chapter Eleven: Gurgiunt Brabtruc Succeeds His Father Belinus and Subdues Dacia, Which Attempts to Throw Off His Rule #

¹ He was succeeded by his son Gurgiunt Brabtruc, a sober and prudent prince who followed his father’s example in all his actions and was devoted to peace and justice. When some neighbouring provinces rebelled against him, he inherited his father’s courage, crushed their rebellion in several fierce battles, and brought them back into complete submission. Among other events, the King of the Dacians, who had paid tribute during his father’s reign, refused not only to pay tribute but also to render any kind of homage to him. Gurgiunt deeply resented this, crossed over to Dacia with a fleet, ravaged the country in a most ruthless war, killed its king, and restored the land to its former dependence.

Chapter Twelve: Ireland Is Granted to the Barclenses, Who Had Been Banished from Spain #

¹ At that time, while returning home from his conquest by way of the Orkney Islands, he encountered thirty ships filled with men and women. When he asked why they had come there, their leader, named Partholon, approached him respectfully and submissively and asked for mercy and peace. He explained that he had been driven out of Spain and was sailing around those seas in search of a place to live. He also asked for some small part of Britain in which they might settle and bring their long wanderings to an end, for it was now a year and a half since he had been driven from his country, throughout which time he and his companions had remained at sea. When Gurgiunt Brabtruc learnt that they came from Spain and were called Barclenses, he granted their request and sent men with them to Ireland, which was then entirely uninhabited, and assigned it to them. There they prospered and increased in number, and they have possessed that island to this very day. After this, Gurgiunt Brabtruc ended his days in peace and was buried in the City of Legions, which, after his father’s death, he had adorned with buildings and fortified with walls.

Chapter Thirteen: Guithelin Reigns After Gurgiunt Brabtruc, and the Martian Law Is Instituted by Martia, a Noblewoman #

¹ After him, Guithelin wore the crown, which he held throughout his life, treating his subjects with gentleness and affection. His wife was a noblewoman named Martia, who was accomplished in every kind of learning. Among the many other admirable works of her intellect, she composed what the Britons call the Martian Law. King Alfred also translated this, among other works, and called it in the Saxon language Pa Maꞃchiꞇle Laᵹe. Upon Guithelin’s death, the government of the kingdom remained in the hands of this queen and her son Sisilius, who was then only seven years old and therefore unfit to govern alone.

Chapter Fourteen: Guithelin’s Successors in the Kingdom #

¹ For this reason, the sole administration of affairs was entrusted to his mother, in recognition of her great wisdom and judgement. Upon her death, however, Sisilius assumed the crown and government. After him reigned his son Kimarus, who was succeeded by his brother Danius. After Danius’s death, the crown passed to Morvidus, his son by his concubine Tangustela. He would have been a prince of extraordinary merit had he not been given to excessive cruelty, to such an extent that, when angry, he spared no one if any weapon was within reach. He was handsome in appearance, exceedingly generous, and possessed such immense strength that he had no equal in the whole kingdom.

Chapter Fifteen: Morvidus, a Most Cruel Tyrant, After Defeating the King of the Morini, Is Devoured by a Monster #

¹ In his time, a certain king of the Morini arrived in Northumberland with a great army and began to devastate the country. But Morvidus marched against him with the full strength of the kingdom and fought him. In this battle, he alone accomplished more than the greater part of his army, and after gaining the victory, he allowed none of the enemy to escape alive. He ordered them to be brought before him one after another, so that he might satisfy his cruelty by watching them being killed; and when he grew tired of this, he commanded that they should be flayed alive and burnt. While he was committing these and other monstrous acts of cruelty, an event occurred that brought his wickedness to an end. A most savage monster came from the coast of the Irish Sea and continually devoured the people living along the shore. As soon as Morvidus heard of it, he ventured out to confront it alone; but after he had hurled all his darts at it in vain, the monster rushed upon him and swallowed him in its open jaws like a small fish.

Chapter Sixteen: Gorbonian, a Most Just King of the Britons #

¹ He had five sons, of whom the eldest, Gorbonian, ascended the throne. In his time, there was no greater lover of justice and fairness, nor any ruler who took greater care of his people. His constant occupation was ensuring that due worship was paid to the gods and that justice was done to the common people. Throughout all the cities of Britain, he repaired the temples of the gods and built many new ones. During his entire reign, the island abounded in wealth more than all the neighbouring countries. He greatly encouraged farmers in their cultivation of the land by protecting them from any injury or oppression by their lords; and he rewarded the soldiers generously with money, so that no one had any reason to wrong another. Amid these and many other acts arising from his natural goodness, he paid the debt of nature and was buried at Trinovantum.

Chapter Seventeen: Arthgallo Is Deposed by the Britons and Succeeded by Elidure, Who Restores His Kingdom to Him #

¹ After him, his brother Arthgallo was raised to the throne, and in all his actions he was the complete opposite of his brother. Everywhere he sought to bring down the nobility and advance the lowest ranks of the people. He plundered the rich and by these means amassed vast treasures. But the nobles, refusing to endure his tyranny any longer, rebelled against him and deposed him; they then raised his brother Elidure to the throne, who was afterwards surnamed the Pious because of the compassion he showed to Arthgallo in his distress. After Elidure had possessed the kingdom for five years, he happened to be hunting in the wood of Calaterium when he met his deposed brother. Arthgallo had travelled through several kingdoms seeking assistance to recover his lost dominions, but had obtained none. No longer able to endure the poverty to which he had been reduced, he had returned to Britain, accompanied by only ten men, intending to seek out those who had formerly been his friends. As he was passing through the wood, his brother Elidure, who had not expected to see him, caught sight of him and, forgetting every injury, ran to him and embraced him affectionately. As he had long grieved over his brother’s suffering, he took him with him to the city of Alclud, where he concealed him in his bedchamber. After this, he pretended to be ill and sent messengers throughout the kingdom, instructing all his chief nobles to come and visit him. Accordingly, when they had all assembled in the city where he lay, he ordered them to enter his chamber one at a time, quietly and without making any noise, on the pretext that their conversation would trouble his head if they all crowded in together. Thus, in obedience to his command without the slightest suspicion of any scheme, they entered his house one after another. But Elidure had ordered his servants, who had been stationed there for this purpose, to seize each man as he entered and cut off his head unless he agreed to submit once more to his brother Arthgallo. He dealt with each of them separately in this way and, through fear, compelled them to be reconciled to Arthgallo. At last, when the agreement had been confirmed, Elidure conducted Arthgallo to York, where he removed the crown from his own head and placed it upon his brother’s. Because of this extraordinary act of affection towards his brother, he received the surname Pious. Arthgallo then reigned for ten years and made amends for his former misgovernment by following policies entirely opposed to his earlier ones: he brought down the lowest ranks and advanced men of noble birth, allowed everyone to enjoy his own possessions, and administered strict justice to all. At last, he was seized by illness and died, and was buried in the city of Caerleir.

Chapter Eighteen: Elidure Is Imprisoned by Peredure, After Whose Death He Is Raised to the Throne for a Third Time #

¹ Elidure was then raised to the throne again and restored to his former dignity. While he governed according to the example of his eldest brother, Gorbonian, performing every act of kindness, his two remaining brothers, Vigenius and Peredure, raised an army and waged war against him. They were victorious, took him prisoner, and confined him in the tower at Trinovantum, where they placed him under guard. They then divided the kingdom between them: the part extending westwards from the River Humber fell to Vigenius, while the remainder, together with all Albany, went to Peredure. After seven years, Vigenius died, and the whole kingdom therefore passed to Peredure. From that time onwards, he governed the people with such generosity and mildness that he even surpassed the other brothers who had reigned before him, and Elidure was no longer mentioned. But irresistible fate at last removed Peredure suddenly, thereby clearing the way for Elidure’s release from prison and his elevation to the throne for a third time. Elidure completed the course of his life with just and virtuous deeds, and after his death left his successors an example of piety.

Chapter Nineteen: The Names of Elidure’s Thirty-Three Successors #

¹ After Elidure’s death, Gorbonian’s son inherited the crown and imitated his uncle’s wise and prudent government. He detested tyranny, treated the people with justice and mildness, and never departed from the rule of fairness. After him reigned Margan, the son of Arthgallo, who, instructed by the examples of his immediate predecessors, governed in peace. He was succeeded by his brother Enniaunus, who followed the opposite course and, in the sixth year of his reign, was deposed for preferring tyrannical rule to a just and lawful government. In his place was installed his kinsman Idwallo, the son of Vigenius, who, warned by Enniaunus’s misfortune, became a strict observer of justice and fairness. He was succeeded by Peredure’s son, Runno, whose successor was Geruntius, the son of Elidure. After him reigned his son Catellus; after Catellus, Coillus; after Coillus, Porrex; and after Porrex, Cherin. This prince had three sons, Fulgenius, Eldadus, and Andragius, all of whom reigned in succession. Then came Urianus, the son of Andragius, after whom the following reigned in order: Eliud, Cledaucus, Cletonus, Gurgintius, Merianus, Bleduno, Cap, Oenus, Sisilius, and Blegabred. This last prince surpassed all the musicians who had lived before him in singing and playing musical instruments, so that he seemed worthy of the title ‘God of Minstrels’. After him reigned his brother Arthmail; after Arthmail, Eldol; and then, in order, Redion, Rederchius, Samuilpenissel, Pir, Capoir, and Capoir’s son Cligueillus, a prudent and mild man in all his actions, who made it his chief concern to administer true justice among his people.

Chapter Twenty: Heli’s Three Sons; the First of Whom, Lud, Gives His Name to the City of London #

¹ He was succeeded by his son Heli, who reigned for forty years. He had three sons: Lud, Cassibellaun, and Nennius. Lud, being the eldest, succeeded to the kingdom after his father’s death. He became famous for building cities and for rebuilding the walls of Trinovantum, which he also surrounded with innumerable towers. He likewise commanded the citizens to build houses and every other kind of structure within it, so that no city in any foreign land for a great distance around could boast more beautiful palaces. He was also a warlike man and very lavish in his feasts and public entertainments. Although he possessed many other cities, he loved this one above them all and lived there for most of the year. For this reason, it was afterwards called Caer Lud, then, through corruption of the name, Caer London, and, as languages changed over time, London. Foreigners who came there and brought the country under their rule also called it Londres. At last, when he died, his body was buried beside the gate which is still called after him, Porth Lud in the British tongue and Ludgate in Saxon. He had two sons, Androgeus and Tenuantius, who were too young to govern; therefore, their uncle Cassibellaun was chosen to rule the kingdom in their place. As soon as he was crowned, he began to display his generosity and magnificence to such a degree that his fame reached distant kingdoms. For this reason, sovereignty over the whole kingdom was vested in him rather than in his nephews. Nevertheless, moved by a sense of family duty, Cassibellaun would not allow them to remain without a share in the kingdom, but assigned a large part of it to them. He granted the city of Trinovantum, together with the dukedom of Kent, to Androgeus, and the dukedom of Cornwall to Tenuantius. But he himself, as the holder of the crown, retained sovereignty over them and all the other princes of the island.