[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
of his reign was deposed, for having preferred a tyrannical to a just and
legal administration. In his room was placed his kinsman Idwallo, the son
of Vigenius, who, being admonished by Enniaunuss ill success, became a
strict observer of justice and equity. To him succeeded Runno, the son of
Peredure, whose successor was Geruntius, the son of Elidure. After him
reigned Catellus, his son; after Catellus, Coillus; after Coillus, Porrex;
after Porrex, Cherin. This prince had three sons, Fulgenius, Eldadus, and
Andragius, who all reigned one after another. Then succeeded Urianus,
the son of Andragius; after whom reigned in order, Eliud, Cledaucus,
Cletonus, Gurgintius, Merianus, Bleduno, Cap, Oenus, Sisilius,
Blegabred. This last prince, in singing and playing upon musical
instruments, excelled all the musicians that had been before him, so that
he seemed worthy of the title of the God of Jesters. After him reigned
51
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Arthmail, his brother; after Arthmail, Eldol; to whom succeeded in
order, Redion, Rederchius, Samuilpenissel, Pir, Capoir, and Cligueillus
the son of Capoir, a man prudent and mild in all his actions, and who
above all things made it his business to exercise true justice among his
people.
Chapter 20. Helis three sons; the first of whom, viz. Lud,
gives name to the city of London.
Next to him succeeded his son Heli, who reigned forty years. He had
three sons, Lud, Cassibellaun, and Nennius; of whom Lud, being the
eldest, succeeded to the kingdom after his fathers death. He became
famous for the building of cities, and for rebuilding the walls of
Trinovantum, which he also surrounded with innumerable towers. He
likewise commanded the citizens to build houses, and all other kinds of
structures in it, so that no city in all foreign countries to a great distance
round could show more beautiful palaces. He was withal a warlike man,
and very magnificent in his feasts and public entertainments. And though
he had many other cities, yet he loved this above them all, and resided in
it the greater part of the year; for which reason it was afterwards called
Kaerlud, and by the corruption of the word, Caer-london; and again by
change of languages, in process of time, London; as also by foreigners
who arrived here, and reduced this country under their subjection, it was
called Londres. At last, when he was dead, his body was buried by the
gate which to this time is called in the British tongue after his name,
Parthlud, and in the Saxon, Ludesgata. He had two sons, Androgeus and
Tenuantius, who were incapable of governing on account of their age:
and therefore their uncle Cassibellaun was preferred to the kingdom in
their room. As soon as he was crowned, he began to display his
generosity and magnificence to such a degree, that his fame reached to
distant kingdoms; which was the reason that the monarchy of the whole
kingdom came to be invested in him, and not in his nephews.
Notwithstanding Cassibellaun, from an impulse of piety, would not
suffer them to be without their share in the kingdom, but assigned a
52
Geoffrey of Monmouth
large part of it to them. For he bestowed the city of Trinovantum, with
the dukedom of Kent, on Androgeus; and the dukedom of Cornwall on
Tenuantius. But he himself, as possessing the crown, had the sovereignty
over them, and all the other princes of the island.
53
Book 4.
Chapter 1. Julius Caesar invades Britain.
About this time it happened, (as is found in the Roman Histories) that
Julius Caesar, having subdued Gaul, came to the shore of the Ruteni. And
when from thence he had got a prospect of the island of Britain, he
inquired of those about him what country it was, and what people
inhabited it. Then fixing his eyes upon the ocean, as soon as he was
informed of the name of the kingdom and the people, he said: In truth
we Romans and the Britons have the same origin, since both are
descended from the Trojan race. Our first father, after the destruction of
Troy, was Aeneas; theirs, Brutus, whose father was Sylvius, the son of
Ascanius, the son of Aeneas. But I am deceived, if they are not very
much degenerated from us, and know nothing of the art of war, since
they live separated by the ocean from the whole world. They may be
easily forced to become our tributaries, and subjects to the Roman state.
But before the Romans offer to invade or assault them, we must send
them word that they pay tribute as other nations do, and submit
themselves to the senate; for fear we should violate the ancient nobility
of our father Priamus, by shedding the blood of our kinsmen. All which
he accordingly took care to signify in writing to Cassibellaun; who in
great indignation returned him an answer in the following letter.
54
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Chapter 2. Cassibellaunuss letter to Julius Caesar.
Cassibellaun, king of the Britons, to Caius Julius Caesar. We cannot
but wonder, Caesar, at the avarice of the Roman people, since their
insatiable thirst for money cannot let us alone, though the dangers of the
ocean have placed us in a manner out of the world; but they must have
the presumption to covet our substance, which we have hitherto enjoyed
in quiet. Neither is this indeed sufficient: we must also choose subjection
and slavery to them, before the enjoyment of our native liberty. Your
demand, therefore, Caesar, is scandalous, since the same vein of nobility
flows from Aeneas in both Britons and Romans, and one and the same
chain of consanguinity unites us: which ought to be a band of firm union
and friendship. It was that, which you should have demanded of us, and
not slavery: we have learned to admit of the one, but never to bear the
other. And so much have we been accustomed to liberty, that we are
perfectly ignorant what it is to submit to slavery. And if even the gods
themselves should attempt to deprive us of our liberty, we would, to the
utmost of our power, resist them in defence of it. Know then, Caesar,
that we are ready to fight for that and our kingdom, if, as you threaten,
you shall attempt to invade Britain.
Chapter 3. Caesar is routed by Cassibellaun.
On receiving this answer, Caesar made ready his fleet, and waited for
a fair wind to execute his threats against Cassibellaun. As soon as the
wind stood fair, he hoisted his sails, and arrived with his army at the
mouth of the river Thames. The ships were now just come close to land,
when Cassibellaun with all his forces appeared on his march against
them, and coming to the town of Dorobellum, he consulted with his
nobility how to drive out the enemy. There was present with him
Belinus, general of his army, by whose counsel the whole kingdom was
governed. There were also his two nephews, Androgeus, duke of
Trinovantum, and Tenuantius duke of Cornwall, together with three
inferior kings, Cridious, king of Albania, Guerthaeth of Venedotia, and
55
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Britael of Dimetia, who, as they had encouraged the rest to fight the
enemy, gave their advice to march directly to Caesars camp, and drive
them out of the country before they could take any city or town. For if
he should possess himself of any fortified places, they said it would be [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl rafalstec.xlx.pl
of his reign was deposed, for having preferred a tyrannical to a just and
legal administration. In his room was placed his kinsman Idwallo, the son
of Vigenius, who, being admonished by Enniaunuss ill success, became a
strict observer of justice and equity. To him succeeded Runno, the son of
Peredure, whose successor was Geruntius, the son of Elidure. After him
reigned Catellus, his son; after Catellus, Coillus; after Coillus, Porrex;
after Porrex, Cherin. This prince had three sons, Fulgenius, Eldadus, and
Andragius, who all reigned one after another. Then succeeded Urianus,
the son of Andragius; after whom reigned in order, Eliud, Cledaucus,
Cletonus, Gurgintius, Merianus, Bleduno, Cap, Oenus, Sisilius,
Blegabred. This last prince, in singing and playing upon musical
instruments, excelled all the musicians that had been before him, so that
he seemed worthy of the title of the God of Jesters. After him reigned
51
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Arthmail, his brother; after Arthmail, Eldol; to whom succeeded in
order, Redion, Rederchius, Samuilpenissel, Pir, Capoir, and Cligueillus
the son of Capoir, a man prudent and mild in all his actions, and who
above all things made it his business to exercise true justice among his
people.
Chapter 20. Helis three sons; the first of whom, viz. Lud,
gives name to the city of London.
Next to him succeeded his son Heli, who reigned forty years. He had
three sons, Lud, Cassibellaun, and Nennius; of whom Lud, being the
eldest, succeeded to the kingdom after his fathers death. He became
famous for the building of cities, and for rebuilding the walls of
Trinovantum, which he also surrounded with innumerable towers. He
likewise commanded the citizens to build houses, and all other kinds of
structures in it, so that no city in all foreign countries to a great distance
round could show more beautiful palaces. He was withal a warlike man,
and very magnificent in his feasts and public entertainments. And though
he had many other cities, yet he loved this above them all, and resided in
it the greater part of the year; for which reason it was afterwards called
Kaerlud, and by the corruption of the word, Caer-london; and again by
change of languages, in process of time, London; as also by foreigners
who arrived here, and reduced this country under their subjection, it was
called Londres. At last, when he was dead, his body was buried by the
gate which to this time is called in the British tongue after his name,
Parthlud, and in the Saxon, Ludesgata. He had two sons, Androgeus and
Tenuantius, who were incapable of governing on account of their age:
and therefore their uncle Cassibellaun was preferred to the kingdom in
their room. As soon as he was crowned, he began to display his
generosity and magnificence to such a degree, that his fame reached to
distant kingdoms; which was the reason that the monarchy of the whole
kingdom came to be invested in him, and not in his nephews.
Notwithstanding Cassibellaun, from an impulse of piety, would not
suffer them to be without their share in the kingdom, but assigned a
52
Geoffrey of Monmouth
large part of it to them. For he bestowed the city of Trinovantum, with
the dukedom of Kent, on Androgeus; and the dukedom of Cornwall on
Tenuantius. But he himself, as possessing the crown, had the sovereignty
over them, and all the other princes of the island.
53
Book 4.
Chapter 1. Julius Caesar invades Britain.
About this time it happened, (as is found in the Roman Histories) that
Julius Caesar, having subdued Gaul, came to the shore of the Ruteni. And
when from thence he had got a prospect of the island of Britain, he
inquired of those about him what country it was, and what people
inhabited it. Then fixing his eyes upon the ocean, as soon as he was
informed of the name of the kingdom and the people, he said: In truth
we Romans and the Britons have the same origin, since both are
descended from the Trojan race. Our first father, after the destruction of
Troy, was Aeneas; theirs, Brutus, whose father was Sylvius, the son of
Ascanius, the son of Aeneas. But I am deceived, if they are not very
much degenerated from us, and know nothing of the art of war, since
they live separated by the ocean from the whole world. They may be
easily forced to become our tributaries, and subjects to the Roman state.
But before the Romans offer to invade or assault them, we must send
them word that they pay tribute as other nations do, and submit
themselves to the senate; for fear we should violate the ancient nobility
of our father Priamus, by shedding the blood of our kinsmen. All which
he accordingly took care to signify in writing to Cassibellaun; who in
great indignation returned him an answer in the following letter.
54
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Chapter 2. Cassibellaunuss letter to Julius Caesar.
Cassibellaun, king of the Britons, to Caius Julius Caesar. We cannot
but wonder, Caesar, at the avarice of the Roman people, since their
insatiable thirst for money cannot let us alone, though the dangers of the
ocean have placed us in a manner out of the world; but they must have
the presumption to covet our substance, which we have hitherto enjoyed
in quiet. Neither is this indeed sufficient: we must also choose subjection
and slavery to them, before the enjoyment of our native liberty. Your
demand, therefore, Caesar, is scandalous, since the same vein of nobility
flows from Aeneas in both Britons and Romans, and one and the same
chain of consanguinity unites us: which ought to be a band of firm union
and friendship. It was that, which you should have demanded of us, and
not slavery: we have learned to admit of the one, but never to bear the
other. And so much have we been accustomed to liberty, that we are
perfectly ignorant what it is to submit to slavery. And if even the gods
themselves should attempt to deprive us of our liberty, we would, to the
utmost of our power, resist them in defence of it. Know then, Caesar,
that we are ready to fight for that and our kingdom, if, as you threaten,
you shall attempt to invade Britain.
Chapter 3. Caesar is routed by Cassibellaun.
On receiving this answer, Caesar made ready his fleet, and waited for
a fair wind to execute his threats against Cassibellaun. As soon as the
wind stood fair, he hoisted his sails, and arrived with his army at the
mouth of the river Thames. The ships were now just come close to land,
when Cassibellaun with all his forces appeared on his march against
them, and coming to the town of Dorobellum, he consulted with his
nobility how to drive out the enemy. There was present with him
Belinus, general of his army, by whose counsel the whole kingdom was
governed. There were also his two nephews, Androgeus, duke of
Trinovantum, and Tenuantius duke of Cornwall, together with three
inferior kings, Cridious, king of Albania, Guerthaeth of Venedotia, and
55
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Britael of Dimetia, who, as they had encouraged the rest to fight the
enemy, gave their advice to march directly to Caesars camp, and drive
them out of the country before they could take any city or town. For if
he should possess himself of any fortified places, they said it would be [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]