From The “Historia Brittonum” Commonly Attributed to Nennius; From a Manuscript Lately Discovered in the Library of the Vatican Palace at Rome: edited in the Tenth Century by Mark the Hermit with an English Version, Fac Simile of the Original, Notes and Illustrations, by the Rev. W. Gunn, London: Printed for John and Arthur Arch, 1819; pp. 15-24, p. 145-161.
60 The eighth was another Severus, who lived occasionally in Britain, and sometimes at Rome, where he died.
61 The ninth was Constantius who reigned sixteen years in Britain, and according to report, was treacherously murdered in the seventeenth year of his reign; and thus, agreeably to the account given by the Britains, the Romans governed them four hundred and nine years.
62 After this the Britains despised the authority of the Romans, equally refusing to pay them tribute, or to receive their kings; nor durst the Romans any longer attempt the government of a country, the natives of which massacred their deputies.
We must now return to the tyrant Maximian; Gratian, with his brother Valentinian, reigned 16 seven years. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, was then eminent for his skill in the dogmata of the Catholics. Valentinus and Theodosius reigned eight years. At that time a synod was held at Constantinople, attended by three hundred and fifty of the fathers, and in which all heresies were condemned. Jerom the Presbyter of Bethlehem was then universally celebrated. Whilst Gratian exercised supreme dominion over the world, Maximus, in a sedition of the soldiers, was saluted Emperor in Britain, and soon after crossed the sea to Gaul. At Paris, by the treachery of Merobaudes, who flying to Lyons was taken and put to death, Maximus, afterwards associated his son Victor in the government.
Martin, distinguished for his great virtues, was at this period Bishop of Tours. After a considerable space of time, Maximus was divested of royal power by the Consuls Valentinus and Theodosius, and sentenced to be beheaded: in the same year also his son Victor was killed in Gaul by Argobustes, five thousand six hundred and ninety years from the creation of the world.
Thrice were the Roman deputies put to death by the Britains, and yet these when harassed by the incursions of the barbarous ntaions, viz. of the Scots and Picts, earnestly solicited the aid of the Romans. To give effect to their entreaties, 17 ambassadors were sent, who made their entrance with impressions of deep sorrow, having their heads covered with dust, and carrying rich presents, to expiate the murder of the deputies. They were favourably received by the consuls, and swore submission to the Roman yoke, with whatever severity it might be imposed.
The Romans, therefore, came with a powerful army, to the assistance of the Britains; and having appointed over them a ruler, and settled the government, returned to Rome: and this took place alternately, during the space of ****** years. The Britains, however, from the oppression of the empire, again massacred the Roman deputies, and again petitioned for succour. Once more the Romans undertook the government of the Britains, and assisted them in repelling their neighbours; and, after having exhausted the country of its gold, silver, brass, honey, and costly vestments, and having besides received rich gifts, they returned in great triumph to Rome. After the abovesaid war between the Britains and Romans, the assassination of their rulers, and the victory of Maximianus, who slew Gratian, the Roman power ended in Britain, which it had kept in awe during ****** years.
Vortigern63 then reigned in Britain. In his time,64 the natives had cause of dread, not only 18 from the inroads of the Scots and Picts, but also from the Romans, and their apprehensions of Ambrosius.
In the mean time,65 three66 vessels, exiled from Germany,67 arrived in Britain.68 They were commanded by Hors and Henegest,69 brothers, and sons of Guictglis. Guictglis was the son of Guicta; Guicta of Guechta; Guechta of Vuoden; Vuoden of Frealof; Frealof of Fredulf; Fredulf of Finn; Finn of Foleguald; Foleguald of Geta,70 who, as they say, was the son of a god, not of the omnipotent God and our Lord Jesus Christ, (who, before the beginning of the world, was with the Father and the Holy Spirit, coeternal and of the same substance, and who, in compassion to human nature, disdained not to assume the form of a servant,) but the offspring of one of their idols, and whom, blinded by some demon, they worshipped according to the custom of the heathen. Vortigern received them as friends, and delivered up to them the island which is in their language, called Tenet,71 and, by the Britains, Roihin. 72 Gratianus Æquantius, at that time, reigned in Rome. 73 The Saxons were received by Vortigern, four hundred and forty-seven years after the passion of Christ, and, “according to the tradition of our ancestors,” from the period of their first arrival in Britain, to the first year of the reign of king Edmund, five 19 hundred and forty-two years; and to that in which we now write, which is the fifth of his reign, five hundred and forty-seven years.
At that time74 St. Germanus, distinguished for his numerous virtues, came to preach in Britain: by his ministry, many were saved; but many likewise died unconverted. Of the various miracles which God enabled him to perform, I shall here mention only a few: I shall first75 advert to that concerning an iniquitous and tyrannical king,76 named Belinus. The holy man, informed of his wicked conduct, hastened to visit him, for the purpose of remonstrating with him. When the man of God, with his attendants, arrived at the gate of the city, they were respectfully received by the keeper of it, who came out and saluted them. Him they commissioned to communicate their intention to the king, who returned a harsh answer, declaring, with an oath, that although they remained there for the space of a year, they should not find admission to the city. While waiting for an answer, the evening came on, and they knew not were to go. At length came one of the king’s servants, who, bowing himself before the man of God, announced the words of the tyrant, inviting them, at the same time, to his own house, to which they went, and were kindly received. It happened, however, that he had no cattle, except one cow and a 20 calf, the latter of which, urged by generous hospitality to his guests, he killed, dressed, and set before them. But holy St. Germanus ordered his companions not to break a bone of the calf, and, the next morning, it was found alive uninjured, and standing by its mother. Early the same day, they again went to the gate of the city, to solicit audience of the wicked king; and, whilst engaged in fervent prayer they were waiting for admission, a man, covered with sweat, came out, and prostrated himself before them. Then St. Germanus, addressing him, said,77 “Dost thou believe in the Holy Trinity?” To which having replied, “I do believe,” he baptized, and kissed him, saying, “Go in peace; within this hour thou shalt die: the angels of God are waiting for thee in the air; with them thou shalt ascend to that God in whom thou hast believed.” He, overjoyed, entered the city, and being met by the Prefect, was seized, bound, and conducted before the tyrant, who, having passed sentence upon him, he was immediately put to death; for it was a law of this wicked king, that whoever was not at his labour before sun-rising should be beheaded in the citadel. In the mean time, St. Germanus, with his attendants, waited the whole day before the gate, without obtaining admission to the tyrant. The above-mentioned, however, remained with them. “Take care,” said St. 21 Germanus to him, “that none of your friends remain this night within these walls.” Upon this he hastily entered the city, brought out his nine sons, and, with them, retired to the house where he had exercised such generous hospitality. Here St. Germanus ordered them to continue, fasting; and when the gates were shut, “Watch,” said he, “and whatever shall happen in the citadel, turn not thither your eyes; but pray without ceasing, and invoke the protection of the true God.” And, behold, early in the night, fire fell from heaven, and burnt the city, together with all those who were with the tyrant, so that not one escaped; and that citadel has never been rebuilt even to this day. The following day, the hospitable man who had been converted by the preaching of St. Germanus, was baptized, with his sons, and all the inhabitants of that part of the country; and St. Germanus blessed him, saying, “a king shall not be wanting of thy seed for ever.”78 The name of this person is Catel Drunluc: “from henceforward thou shalt be a king all the days of thy life.” Thus was fufilled the prophecy of the Psalmist — “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the needy out of the dunghill.” And, agreeably to the prediction of St. Germanus, from a servant he became a king: all his sons were kings, and from79 their offspring, the whole 22 country of Powys has been governed to this day.
After the Saxons had continued some time in the island of Tenet, Vortigern promised to supply them with clothing and provision, on condition they would engage to fight against the enemies of his country.80 But the barbarians having greatly increased in number, the Britains became incapable of fulfilling their engagement; and when the Saxons, according to the promise they had received, claimed a supply of provisions and clothing, the Britains replied, “Your number is increased; your assistance is now unnecessary; you may, therefore, return home, for we can no longer support you:’” and hereupon they began to devise means of breaking the peace between them. But Hengist, in whom united craft and penetration, perceiving he had to act with an ignorant king, and a fluctuating people, incapable of opposing much resistance, replied to Vortigern, “We are, indeed, few in number; but, if you will give us leave, we will send to our country for an additional number of forces, with whom we will fight for you and your subjects.” Vortigern assenting to this proposal,81 messengers were dispatched to Scythia, where, selecting a number of warlike troops, they returned with sixteen vessels,82 bringing with them the beautiful daughter of Hengist. And now the Saxon chief prepared 23 an entertainment, to which he invited the king, his officers, and Ceretic,83 his interpreter, having previously enjoined his daughter to serve them so profusely with wine and ale,83* that they might soon become intoxicated. This plan succeeded; and Vortigern, at the instigation of the Devil, and enamoured with the beauty of the damsel, demanded her, through the medium of his interpreter, of the father, promising to give for her whatever he should ask. Then Hengist, who had already consulted with the Elders who attended him of the Angle race,84 demanded for his daughter the province, called in English Centland,85 in British, Ceint. This donation was made without the knowledge86 of the regulus, who then reigned in Kent, and who experienced no inconsiderable share of grief, from seeing his kingdom thus clandestinely, fraudulently, and imprudently resigned to foreigners. Thus the maid was delivered up to the king, who slept with her, and loved her exceedingly. Hengist, after this, said to Vortigern, “I will be to you, both a father and an adviser; despise not my counsels, and you shall have no reason to fear being conquered by any man or any nation whatever; for the people of my country are strong, warlike, and robust: if you approve, I will send for my son and his brother, both valiant men, who, at my invitation will fight against the Scots,87 and the people 24 who dwell in the North, near the wall called Guaul.” The incautious sovereign having assented to this; and Ochta and Ebisssa arrived with forty ships. In these they sailed round the country of the Picts, laid waste the Orkneys, and took possession of many regions, even to the Pictish confines.
NOTES
60 “Octavus fuit alius Severus.”
Who is here meant is not clear; a second Emperor of Britain of this name is not elsewhere to be found. The chapter in Nennius (Bertram, s. 24), where this second Severus is mentioned, is imperfect; the title remains. “De secundo etiam Severo, qui solita structura murum alterum, ad arcendos Pictos et Scotos, fieri a Tinmuthe usque Rouvenes præcepit.” — Evidently confounding the former with a supposed second Severus.
61 “Novus fuit Constantius.”
In the spirit of revolt which prevailed at this period, the natives and the Roman troops, which were in Britain about the year 407, declared a certain Marcus, Emperor: a name not to be found in any Latin author. Zozimus (l. 6, s. 2) says, that the british soldiers moved by sedition, in the exigency of affairs owned obedience to Marcus, and placed him on the throne. They soon, however, deprived him of life, and placed Gratian 146 a native, in his room. “Gratianus municeps ejusdem insulæ tryannus.” (Orosius, l. 7, c. 40.) Within four months he was murdered also, and the sovereignty was confirmed on Constantine, not so much in respect to his courage or quality, for he was a very inconsiderable man in the army, but from regard to his name, which they looked upon as fortunate. He passed over into Gaul, to engage in the Gothic war, and taking with him the flower of the british youth, so far exhausted the military force of the island, that it was wholly broken, and exposed to the incessant enemies of the ocean, the Caledonians and the Irish. His successes on the continent were great and extensive. (Horsely, p. 74. Gibbon, vol. v. c. 30, p. 228.) His authority was acknowledged in Gaul, and he reduced Spain. His son Constans laid aside the cowl, which, previous to his father’s elevation, he had assumed, and was created Cæsar. “Ex monacho Cæarem factum.” (Oros., l. 7, c. 40.) Honorius, to whom Constantine had respectfully represented that his dignity had been forced upon him, appeared to acquiesce in his retaining it, and sent him the imperial robes. (Muratori Annal. 407. Gibbon, vol. v. c. 30, p. 228. Turner’s Anglo-Saxons, vol. i. p. 109.) The british records represent this Constantius as the father of Constans, Emrys, and Uthyr. (Camb. Biog. Cystennyn: Tysilio, p. 107.)
62 “His ita transactis.”
The notices here quoted, are extracted verbatim from the chronicles of Eusebius, Isidorus, and Prosper.
63 “Gurthegirnus autem regnabat in bryttannia.”
“;Gurgthegirnus (Vortigern) — Gwrtheryn Gwrthenau (Camb. Bio.) V consonant, is never the initial letter of any british word in its primary use.” (Lhuyd Arch. p. 23, col. 1.) The initial g is equivalent to v consonant in the latin. (Ibid. p. 35, col. 2) Vortigern was “Lord of Erging and Eras;” he built a castle in Snowdon, called Dinas Emrys, where he received the prophetical child Emrys. On the approach of the two brothers, Ambrosius and Uthyr, the sons of Cystennyn, (whom Vortigern is said to 147 have put to death), who invaded Britain from Armorica, he fled to Ergyn, on the Wye, his final retreat. (Tysilio: Camb. Biog. Cystennyn, and Gwrtheyrn.) Jeffery styles him Consul of the Gewissens, (the west Saxons), and says, that “on the approach of Ambrosius, he fled for refuge to the town of Genoreu, (supposed to be the village of Ganeren, within three miles of Monmouth), in Hergin in Herefordshire,” upon the river Gania, (the Wye), in the mountain called Cloarius.
64 “Sed in tempore illius bryttones arguebantur (urgebantur?) a metu scottorum pictorumque, et a romanico impetu. nec et a timore ambrosii.”
The first of these sources of terror has been explained. Vortigern’s fear of Ambrosius is accounted for in the last note. Ambrosius is the Emrys Wledig (the illustrious) of the Britons; the Ambrosius Aurelianus, both of Gildas and of Bede. He is descended from Asclepiodotus, (Bran ap Llyr), the founder of the Cornish family; the dynasty whence the great Arthur traditionally sprang. (Rowlands, Mona Antiq., p. 168.) Both Gildas, (p. 25) and Bede, (l. 1. c. 16) applaud the modesty and bravery of Ambrosius. They state that he was high in rank — “comes fidelis, fortis, veraxque forte Romanæ gentis, &c.” — whose parents “purpura nimirum indutis” — had perished in the late commotions. From every account he was supported by the Roman interest; was the candidate for the Pen-dragonship of the island, and the most formidable competitor of Vortigern. Ambrosius left issue. Gildas speaks of his degenerate progeny as existing in his days.
65 “Interea.”
The tribes, which under the name of Saxons, invaded Britain, originated in those fierce and warlike nations, who from the northern parts of Germany, and the cimbrian Chersonesus, spread from the Elbe to the Rhine. From this extent of sea coast, they had long infested by their piracies, the eastern and southern parts of Britain, and the northern of Gaul. To oppose these invasions, the Romans had established an officer, whom they denominated, “Comes litoris saxonici per Brittanniam,” and who was successful 148 in repressing them. The dissolution of the Roman power favoured the attempts of the barbarians; and it may be conjectured from Mark, that prepared for one of these enterprizes, three of their vessels are discovered upon the coast. The narrative here is simple, and accounts for the admission of the Saxons, more naturally, than to suppose they were invited by a special embassy. “Interea,” therefore is here an expressive word, and indicates the moment of terror and alarm, when the country was distracted by civil commotion and intestine faction. Thus circumstanced, the accidental appearance of these ships, might suggest to the british party, (but not the romanised, which at this juncture, was apparently commanded by Ambrosius,) or that of Vortigern, the dangerous expedient of calling upon the Saxons for assistance. The forces on board might not be very numerous, yet by mixing with the natives, the contagion of their bravery might be communicated, and we know the result.
66 “Tres ceolæ.”
As a proof of unsettled orthography, before the invention of printing, Coeola, Cæola, Ceola, and Chiula: and the term is applied equally to the galleys of Cæsar, the long ships of the Saxons, and to naval vessels in general. Gildas (c. 23) says the Saxon Cyula, was of a lengthened shape with sails — “Cyulis nostra lingua longis navibus secundis velis.” Ci and Ce are in Saxon pronounced Ki and Ke; the word exists in the modern keel. We are unacquainted both with the size and shape of the Saxon vessels, or the number of men they carried. The earliest vessels which we hear of belonging to this people, were a kind of twelve-oared bark; they were afterwards built capable of containing one hundred and twenty men. (Mallet Introduction à l’Histoire de Dannemarc, c. 10.) Whitaker (Manchester, vol. ii. c. 1, p. 20) says of these (three) vessels, that they were “large and roomy transports, composed of hides;“ a material not very well calculated for the turbulence of the North seas, or, as he asserts, to contain five hundred men each. That the Ciula was, however, a ship of greater strength, appears from the following extract: “Si advenisset una navicula, 1 obol. si major et habet siglas, 149 1. den si adveniat Ceol, vel ulcus, et ibi jaceat 4 den. ad theloneum dentur.” (Leges Etheldredi Regis Anglic. c. 23. apud Brompt.)
67 “a Germania.”
Besides the greatest part of modern Germany, this term comprehended Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Livonia, and Prussia, within boundary. (Tacitus de Mor. German.) “Omnis namque terra — quæ trans oceanum britannicam sub septentrionali axe jacet, Germania vocatur.” (Higden, l. 5.) “Advenerant autem de tribus Germaniæ populis fortioribus, id est Saxonibus, Anglis, Jutis.” (Beda, l. 1, c. 15.)
68 “In exilium expulsæ.”
Mr. S. Turner (Anglo-Saxons, vol. i. p. 151) from Suffridus, in illustration of this passage, quotes an old Frisian law which directs such emigrations to take place occasionally, and assigns to Hengist and Horsa the command of one of these bands.
The true cause of these expeditions is rather to be sought for in the manners, habits, and situation of these northern people. “Inured to the sea from their childhood, they had no fear of the dangers, or rather knew not that there were dangers of any kind attending such a life. The profession of piracy (once common to all maritime states, in our days confined happily to those of Barbary) was so far from appearing disgraceful to them, that it was in their eyes the certain road to honours and to fortune. Hence it is, that in the ancient chronicles, more than one hero boasts of being the most renowned pirate in the North; and that often the sons of great persons and kings made cruising voyages in their youth, that they might render themselves illustrious, and become one day worthy of command. As soon as a prince had attained his eighteenth or twentieth year, he commonly requested of his father a small fleet, completely fitted out, in order to atchieve with his followers some adventure that might be productive of glory and spoil. The father applauded such an inclination in his son, as indicating a rising courage and heroic mind. He gave him ships, the commander and crew of which 150 mutually engaged not to return unless adorned with laurels, and loaded with plunder. Many of these piratical princes, whom success and custom had attached and habituated to this profession, never quitted it, but gloried in passing the remainder of their lives on board their ships. We meet with them sometimes in their ancient histories, boasting that they never reposed under an immoveable roof, nor drank beer in peace by their fireside. The vessels of these corsairs were always well provided with offensive arms, such as stores, arrows, cables, with which they overset small vessels, and grappling irons to board them. These piratical expeditions were not always confined to the devastation of some province, or a few naval engagements; the ancient chronicles supply many instances of enterprizes whose consequences were permanent and lasting. Among these was the emigration of the Angles, who, with the Saxons, in the fifth century, invaded Britain.” (Mallet, c. 10.)
69 “In quibus dominabantur Hors et Henegest.”
Like all the heroes in ancient times, these chiefs are descended from their national deities, and are described as fifth in descent from Odin.
70 “Filius Geta.” — Dei non veri, &tc.
Geta is the stem from whom Odin, after many descents, issued. After the rule adopted in other genealogies, the name of the nation is here personified: Geta is the father of the Gothic tribes. This deduction has the support of antiquity. The Getæ and the Goths were understood to be the same people. “Getæ illi, qui et nunc Gothi.” (Orosius, l. 1, p. 14.) A question satisfactorily discussed in the ninth and tenth chapters of Sherringham, (De Anglorum Gentis Origine Disceptatio.).
The ancient Germans and Scandinavians, being of the Gothic race, professed that system of polytheism afterwards delivered in the Edda. The Saxons (here deduced from infernal spirits) are uniformly adverted to by the Britains in terms of reprobation; “ferocissimi illi nefandi nominis Saxones, deo hominibusque invisi.” (Gildas, c. 23.) 151
71 “Gurthegirus — tradidit eis insulam que lingua eorum vocatur tenet, brittannice roihin.”
“Insulam Tanatim — a britannicis Inis Ruhin sive Ruithinam appellatam fuisse.” (Antiq. Rutup.)
It was at Ebbsfleet, or the Ypwines fleet, (Chronic. Sax.) near the estuary of the Wantsum which divides the island of Thanet from the main land of Kent, that the Saxons first landed. From shoals, or the recess of the sea, that part of the coast is greatly altered since the time of the Romans. The Wantsum was once navigable for large vessels. When Bede wrote, (l. 1, c. 25) it was three stadia broad, and fordable only in two places. It is now at Reculver, one of the entrances, a brook which may be stepped across, and in its centre, towards the Sarr road, is scarcely six feet broad.
Ebbsfleet is now an inland spot, at some distance from the sea. To the natives it doubtless appeared politic to confine the Saxons in this islet, with a view to shut them out from the rest of Britain, but the weakness of this policy was proved by its consequences. The separation which sequestered the new allies, secluded also the Britons from them; and by their command of the Rutupian harbour, gave them the best opportunity of keeping up communication with their countrymen, and of inviting new adventurers to join them. The situation also was most advantageous for their vessels, and from whence they could conveniently harass the eastern and southern coasts of England.
72 “Regnante gratiano equantio romæ Saxones vero.”
“Regnante Martiano secundo quando, &c.” (Gale, s. XV.) Bertram and the Bodleian copies have the same reading. In the two Cotton MSS. which I have examined, the passage runs “Gratiano secundo equantio.” In all these the word Romæ is wanting. I am at a loss for the meaning of equantio; the same term occurs again as an epithet to the second Severus in the enumeration of the Roman emperors, who are said to have been in Britain. In Sir Simon D’Ewe’s copy of Nennius, in the British Museum, we have “Gratiano e Quantio Saxones in 152 Guorthirno suscepti sunt.” That antiquarian proposes “e Quantio” — “opinor id esse Kantiæ.”
If we admit Martiano (as in Gale and the Bodleian copies) instead of Gratiano, I should conceive that the passage was originally, “Regnante Marciano Romæ quando Saxones a Guorthirno suscept sunt.” The elevation of Flavius Marcianus, dates A. 450, the year after the admission of the Saxons by Vortigern.
73 “a tempore — ad primum imperii anni regis eadmundi — quintus ante dicti regis est annus.”
This passage is not to be found in any copy of Nennius that has fallen under my inspection; it is, however, very important in deciding the date of this part of the MS. The fifth of Edmund (940, 946) answers to 945.
74 “In tempore illo venit sanctus germanus ad prædicandum in bryttannia.”
The life of this distinguished prelate was written by an ecclesiastic of the name of Constantius, who was, or nearly so, his contemporary. This production possesses considerable merit, and is more free from those extravagancies which disfigure the pages of his later encomiasts. It is preserved in Surius, (Vit. Sanctor. tom. iii.) from which we learn that St. Germanus sprang from an illustrious family in Auxerre, where he was born A. 380. In 418 he succeeded St. Amator in the bishopric of that city, which he held throughout life: he died 448. In the year 429 he was delegated by a synod of gallican Bishops, with St. Lupus, bishop of Troyes, to pass into Britain to repress the errors of Pelagius, whose heresy had been crushed in Gaul five years before, by the edict of Valentinian the Third. In 436 he repeated his mission, attended by Severus, bishop of Treves. At this period, the Armoricans, following the example of the insular Britons, undertook to govern themselves independently of the Romans. (Lobineau, tom. i. ad an.) To punish their revolt, Ætius was sent against them with a formidable army. (Muratori, Ann. 436.) St. Germanus landed in Gaul on his return from Britain, when 153 he was solicited by the factious Armoricans to proceed to Ravenna, to supplicate forgiveness of Valentinian and Placidia. He is thus identified in the Cambrian records: — Garmon, or St. Germain, the son of Rhedyw, and uncle of Emyr Llydaw, being his mother’s brother, one of the most distinguished british saints, to whom there are churches dedicated in many parts of Wales, and after whose name the ancient cathedral of the Cornish Britons was called St. Germain. He was sent over to Britain in the year 429, by a council of the Gallican church, to preach against what was called the Pelagian heresy, but which was in reality the ancient and common doctrine of the british church, which blended many of the bardic principles with Christianity; and which, at the period under consideration, was successfully diffused by Morgant, or Pelagius.* The true object therefore of the mission of Garmon was to bring the british Christians under the discipline and power of the catholic church, then beginning to aspire to that universal dominion, which it soon after established over the western empire. How far Garmon was successful in this mission is not very clear, but his stay in the island was not very long. In the year 447 he was sent over a second time, by another council of the church of Gaul, and provably with more extensive powers. He now established many colleges, as that of Llancarran, that of Caer Worgon; at the head of which he placed his most experienced disciples, such as Dyrrig, Illtyd, Bleiddan or Lupus, and Catwg, who taught agreeably to the tenets of the church of Rome.
Bishops were also consecrated by him; the chapters of whose dioceses formed ecclesiastical courts, which till then were 154 unknown in Britain. After a residence of some years, he returned to Gaul, where he died.
Among the associates and fellow labourers of St. Germanus, who are little known, are the following:
“Dyvrig Beneurog, or Dubricius the Golden-headed, the first bishop of Llandav, to which he was consecrated by Garmon about A. D. 450, and removed from thence soon after to Caerllion, and became primate of the welsh church to Dewi, or St. David, and retired to the isle of Bardsey, where he spent the remainder of his days.” (Camb. Biog.)
“Illtyd Varchog, or Iltutus the Knight, the son of Bicanus, by the sister of Emyr Llydaw, a saint who accompanied Garmon to Britain, and was placed at the head of Côr Tewdws in Caer Worgorn in Gwent, or the congregation of Theodosius, so called from being established by that emperor, but which had been destroyed by the pagan Irish when Iltutus came to it; and they at the same time carried Padrig (Patrick) who then taught there, away to Ireland. He restored it, and it was therefore called Côr Illtyd, Bangor Illtyd, and Llan Illtyd Vawr, and by the English, saint Iltutus, after his name. Besides being a preacher of Christianity, the name of Illtyd is honoured among the Welsh, on account of his introducing among them an improved manner of ploughing land; for previous to his time they ploughed with what was called Aradyr Argang, or over-treading plough and a mattock. He was therefore joined with Hu and Coll, to form a Triad of those who conferred blessings on the nation of the Cymry. Illtyd died about the year 480.” (Camb. Biog.)
“Catwg the wise, son of Gwynlliw, otherwise Cadog, the first abbot of Lancarvan, about the beginning of the sixth century, and to whom some churches are dedicated. He is distinguished for being the first who made a collection of the ancient adages and maxims of the Britons.” (Camb. Biog.)
It is useful to produce evidences in favour of these native and insulated records as often as they occur, and it promotes confidence in those which are not to be elsewhere verified.
The following extract from Caradoc Llangarvan, (Welsh Archaiology, vol. ii. p. 490) though later in point of time, is 155 adduced as “a cruel instance of the hatred of the Welsh towards the Anglo-Saxons.” — The year of Christ 959, Owain, son of Hoel dda, destroyed the choir of Saint Illtud in Gorwennydh, (Glamorganshire) because he found in it learned men of the Saxon nobility.” (Turner’s Vindication, p. 113) “The monumental stone of Illtutus, with an inscription, was discovered in the church-yard of Lantwit-major, in Glamorganshire, and may be seen in Camden’s Britannia, under that country.” (Ibid. p. 136.) In the same church-yard was dug up so late as the year 1789, a monumental stone, coeval with the former to King Iathal, as proved by the inscription. It was fixed against the porch of the church, where it is now to be seen. (Ibid, p. 137.) There is a circumstance relating to the monuments both of Illtutus and Iathal, which should not be silently passed over. From the inscriptions upon them, we learn that they were both by Samson, a personage scarce visible in the english, though his character is conspicuous in the cambrian antiquities. He was an armorican — “the son of Amwn Dhu, king of Graweg in Llday, by Anna, daughter of Meirig ab Tewdrig, a saint who lived in the latter part of the sixth century. He was the successor of Peiris, as a bishop of the college of Illtyd, where he presided for some years, and then in Armorica, and lastly again in the college of Illtyd, where he died.” (Camb. Biog. Samson.) Samson is recognized by the learned Benedictines (Hist. Liter. de la France, tom. iv. p. 547) as the first Bishop of Dol. His life, or rather legend, written not long after his decease, is to be found in Mabillon. (Act. Ben. tom. i. 165, 185.)
Another military saint celebrated in these times, and unknown in our chronicles, to be found in the Welsh MSS. is “Pabo, generally called Pabo post Prydian, the son of Arthwys ab Mor, and the brother of Eliver and Ceidio, who first distinguished himself as a renowned warrior, in the later part of the fifth century, fighting against the Gwyddelian Fichti; but he was eventually compelled to give way and leave his territory in the north. He sought refuge in Wales, and was hospitably received by Cyngen ab Cadell, king of Powys, and had lands given to him there; and he afterwards lived a holy life, and was accounted 156 a saint of the british church. He founded Llan Babo, in Mona, where his tomb remains with an inscription round his effigy.” (Camb. Biog. Pabo.) “His tombstone was discovered in the church yard, about the time of Charles the Second, by the sexton, digging a grave. It is a soft stone of the nature of slate, not the produce of Anglesey. It lay about six feet under the ground, and the characters are in bas relievo. (See plate 10.)”(Rowlands, Mona Antiqua, p. 158. n.)
“Pabo, frequently called post prydain, i. e. the support of Britain, for his great valour against the Picts and Scots, retired here (Anglesey), and built his church at Llan Babo. This Pabo, of all the patron saints of this island, seems to have been the highest in time, and next to him St. Elian.” (Rowlands. Mona Antiqua, p. 158.) “Pabo, the post of Britian, the oldest of the saints of Môn.” (Bonedd y Saint MS. P. Pabo.) “Elian Geimiad, a saint who lived in the fifth century, &c.” (Camb. Biog.) “Elian Geimiad, (the runner) the son of Carelydwys, the son of Cyngu ap Yspwys ap Cadraevd Calchvynydd, and Tegvan, the daughter of Tudyr the great, his mother. (Ibid, v. Elien.)
The translation from the cambrian MS. called “Bonedd y saint,” or the genealogy of the saints, is given principally to remark on the singularity of this final term, which occurs throughout. His mother concluding the sentence, in the pedigree of a saint, is merely a pleonasm congenial to the Welsh language. This expression may be left out of every one of them, without any detriment to the meaning.
* “If Pelagius did really maintain the doctrines attributed to him, his idea that the fall of Adam did not cause an hereditary corruption to descend to his posterity, but that man sins like the first parent from a similitude of constitution, is certainly a Druidical idea; as the Druids, on the principle of metempsychosis, held that man having been in a pre-existent state, came into the world to be purified from the imperfections to which he had been liable in that former state. You will find this subject detailed with considerable care and attention in an Essay on Pelagianism, published not long ago (1808) at Carmarthen.” (Roberts MS..)
75 “Primum ergo miraculum.”
The miracle of the revived calf is inserted in “the Life and miracles of St. Germanus,” written in heroic verse by Erricus, monk of Auxerre, and in the “Golden Legend;” but is not to be found in the more authentic detail of his Life, by Constantinus. I am told by a native, that this story is still popular among the common people in Wales.
76 “rex iniquus atque tirannus cui nomen belinus.”
“Benli, in regione Ial.” (Gale.) The last reading is right. 157 Iâl was in Denbighshire (Camden, Denb. p. 681.) and Benli Gawr, or the Mighty, was chieftain of a district in that county, about the middle of the fifth century. (Camb. Biog.) “On the mountain, between Iâl and Ystrad alun, just over the ford called Rhyd y Gyfarthfa, in Denbighshire, there was a great battle fought, between Meirion and Beli, the son of Benli the Great, in which Beli was killed, and Meirion afterwards erected two stone pillars, one at each end of his grave, to commemorate the event; remains of these existed till within a few years. (Bardic Museum, vol. ii. p. 10.)
This burying place is alluded to by Taliesin. “It is the tomb of Beli, the son of Benli the prince.” (Tombs of the warriors.) Tombs of other saints who are identified in the cambrian MSS., are still to be recognised in Wales, and tend to increase our faith in the authenticity of those records. “Passing from Llan Gurig, in Montgomeryshire, I saw several tumuli along the road — one of these tumps is called by the neighbours castell Bychan; Brychan Brycheiniog, from whom Brycheiniog, (i. e. Brecknock) according to its name, was formerly Lord of that country. At a place in Montgomeryshire, called Llan Eurfal, in the church-yard, there is a stone erected of about four feet above the ground, with an inscription to Paterninus; I do not remember to have read of Paterninus, but Paternus was a noted man, a native of Mauritania (Armorica), Evêque d’Avranches, (Hist. Lit. de la France, tom. iv. p. 478.) who erected a Bishop’s See in Cardiganshire, between A. D. 516 and 540.” (Cambrian Register vol. ii. p. 497.) “St Cadvan lies buried at Tywyn Meirionydd, where his tombstone with an inscription, is still to be seen, (since removed): the church of which place, also, is dedicated to his memory, as is evident by his feast being kept on the same day, both at Llangavan and Tywyn, namely, the 1st of November. This is alluded to by Tudur Aled, a Bard of the fifteenth century.” (Ibid, p. 273, examine also Brychan, Cadwan, Padarn.)
77 “in sanctam trinitatem — credo; baptizavitque et osculatus est;”
158Trine immersion, which seems to have been in use, though not invariably, among orthodox christians, from the time of Tertullian to that of our Edward the Sixth, was succeeded by the kiss of peace, the symbol of reconciliation to the favour of God.
78 “Erat et illi nomen catel vel cadel — ipse est cadel vel catel drunluc.”
The proper reading is Cadell Deyrnllwg, or Tyrnllwg.
This prince, as expressed by our author, was the stem whence arose the sovereigns of Powys, “et semine illorum omnis regio pauoisorum vel pausorum.&8221;
Antiquaries do not agree in fixing the period, when this district assumed the importance of a kingdom. From early times, the limits of it were varying. Generally speaking, the principality or kingdom of Powys, is considered as commencing under Broçwell, in the latter part of the sixth century. Before that period, some parts of it were attached to another kingdom, under the same princes as to descent. Of this was Tyrnllwg, or Vale Royal, as the name implies; being the flat country, extending from about Chester towards Shrewsbury; and hence Cadell was styled Cadell Deyrnllwg orTyrnllwg, or Cadell of the Vale Royal.” (O. P. MS.)
79 “à semine illorum omnis regio pauoisorum vel pausorum usque in diem regitur hodiernum.”
From this sentence it is clear, that some of the race of Cadell Deyrnllwg, were reigning in Powys, at the time Mark wrote.
The male successors of that prince failed in Cadell ab Elisau, (A. 807, or 817 — 843) when the kingdom devolved on a female. (Genealogy in Warrington’s Wales, and vol. 7. p. 205.) (Camb. Biog. Esyllt.) And it may be supposed, that the date now referred to, was previous to the time when Powys fell to the distaff. “This is mentioned in the books of pedigrees, as the third instance of the british sceptre going by a female descent.” (Camb. Biog. Esyllt.)
80 “Cum autem barbari muliplicati essent.”
159In the middle age, sufficient traces of the latin tongue remained in christian countries, to assume the title of the Roman world (Orbis Romanus): all the rest were called barbarians, “Barbaros denique appellatos, quotquot religionem Romanam non profiterentur.” (Du Cange.)
81 “Miserunt legatos; Qui transfretantes scithiam.”
“Tithica vallis” is applied by Gildas (c. 15) to the firths of Scotland. This, the only instance of the use scithica in Mark; it here evidently means the North Sea.
82 “adducentes secum filiam hancgisti pulchram valde.”
This tale of the fair Rowena, is, I believe, not alluded to by the Welsh bards; neither is it to be found in Gildas, Bede, nor any of the Saxon writers, who attribute the subjugation of this country, rather to valour than stratagem. “Nihil vanius Saxonicâ historiâ vel turbatius.” (Baxter, p. 198.)
83 “interpreti suo nomine ceretic.”
There is an addition in Gale and Bertram, which is here omitted. — ;“Nullo Britone Brittonum sciente Saxonicam linguam præter istum Britonem.” (Cerdieselmet, Gale, Cerdic Elmet, Cott.) “Elmet est territoriolum,” in the West riding of Yorkshire, (note in Bertram, p. 192.) It was this territory, which Edmund, King of Northumberland, son of Ella, brought under his own dominion, by the conquest of Cereticus, a british King, A. D. 620. (Camden, York, p. 711.)
The name in question, may, with equal probability, be applied to a native of Cardiganshire. Ceretica was the ancient name of that county. (Hum. Lhwyd. Comment, p. 42.)
83* “Sicera.” Properly rendered in the New Testament (Luke, c. 1. v. 15.) “strong drink”; and means every kind of inebriating beverage, wine excepted. “Est omnis potio quæ extra vinum inebriare potest; cujus licet nomen hebreum sit, tamen latinam sonat, pro eo quod ex succo frumenti vel pomarum conficiatur, 160 aut palmarum fructus in liquorem exprimantur, costisque frugibus aqua pinguior, quasi succus colatur: et ipsa potio Sicera nuncupatur.” (Isidor. l. 20. orig. c. 3.) Mead has been commonly suggested. Gododin, alluding to the massacre of the long knives, says, “reflect on the intoxication at the banquet of mead.” (Arymes Prydin vawr, l. 35. Camb. Reg. vol. ii. p. 557.) The mead brewer was one of the great officers of state. (Laws of Howel Dha.)
“That Maelgwn of Mona be inspired with mead and chear us with it
From the mead horns — the foaming, pure and shining liquor
Which bees provide, but do not enjoy.
Mead distilled I praise — its eulogy is every where
Precious to the creature whom the earth maintains.”
(From Taliesin’s Mead Song. Turner’s Vindication, p. 59.)
84 “de genere Ochgul vel tingle.”
De insula Oghgul. (Gale and Bodleian.) De insula Angul. (Bertram.) The last comes the nearest to the true reading; for the Angles were by the Welsh denominated Eingyll. “Men run before the Eingyll.” (Owen Dict. V. Brynail.) This is the only passage where the Angles are expressed by name. These that now arrived were probably a later reinforcement.
They inhabited a small island in the kingdom of Denmark and duchy of Sleswick, which is now called Angel, and of which the city of Flensburgh is the metropolis. Lindeborgius, in his Epistles, styles this country Little England; and Ethelward, who wrote in the 11th century, speaking of the ancient habitation of the Angles, says, Anglia Vetus lies between the Saxons and Giots. (Iutæ.)
85 “quæ vocatur anglice centland, brẏttannice autem cænt.”
“Quæ in lingua eorum vocatur Canthguaraland in nostra autem lingua Chent.” (Bertram.) — “Imo potius Caint. Circa prima tempora Normannorum Chent aliquando Chenith dicitur.” (Gale.)
16186 “ignorante guoranogono.”
Whitaker supposes this to be the name of the sovereign of Kent. (Manch. vol. ii. p. 23.) Camden describes the word “Guorong,” as denoting a “a viceroy, or freeman.” (p. 187.) Langhorn gives it the same interpretation, and supposes a regulus of Kent was here intended. (p. 10.) The term is most probably generic. In the Cambrian Biography there are several names that begin with Goron: the root is “Gor, s. m. what is superior.” (Owen’s Welsh Diction.)
87 “et da illis regiones quæ sunt in aquilone iuxta murum qui vocatur guaul; — ochta videlicet et ebissa cum xl. ceolis.”
Hengist, addressing himself to Vortigern, after his marriage with Rovena, says; — I will now give thee good counsel that thou mayest not be disturbed by foreign nations; send to Germany for my son Ochta and his uncle Ossa, who is a celebrated warrior, and give them Scotland, the place where thou art often overcome and harassed by frequent wars; and they will guard thee against this distant people, “and make you too powerful to fear opposition.” (Tysilio Collec. Camb. vol. i. b. 4. p. 114.) The forces thus insidiously introduced, landed apparently between the walls of Severus and Antoninus; “Vastaverunt orcades insulas, et occupaverunt regiones plurimas usque ad confinium pictorum.”