FOOTNOTES:

§ 51. The death of Palladius being known, the Roman patricians, Theodosius and Valentinian, then reigning, pope Celestine sent Patrick to convert the Scots to the faith of the Holy Trinity; Victor, the angel of God, accompanying, admonishing, and assisting him, and also the bishop Germanus.

Germanus then sent the ancient Segerus with him as a venerable and praiseworthy bishop, to king Amatheus,[326]who lived near, and who had prescience of what was to happen; he was consecrated bishop in the reign of that king by the holy pontiff,[327]assuming the name of Patrick, having hitherto been known by that of Maun; Auxilius, Isserninus, and other brothers were ordained with him to inferior degrees.

§ 52. Having distributed benedictions, and perfected all in the name of the Holy Trinity, he embarked on the sea which is between the Gauls and the Britons; and after a quick passage arrived in Britain, where he preached for some time. Every necessary preparation being made, and the angel giving him warning, he came to the Irish Sea. And having filled the ship with foreign gifts and spiritual treasures, by the permission of God he arrived in Ireland, where he baptized and preached.

§ 53. From the beginning of the world, to the fifth year of king Logiore, when the Irish were baptized, and faith in the unity of the individual Trinity was published to them, are five thousand three hundred and thirty years.

§ 54. Saint Patrick taught the gospel in foreign nations for the space of forty years. Endued with apostolical powers, he gave sight to the blind, cleansed the lepers, gave hearing to the deaf, cast out devils, raised nine from the dead, redeemed many captives of both sexes at his own charge, and set them free in the name of the Holy Trinity. He taught the servants of God, and he wrote three hundred and sixty-five canonical and other books relating to the catholic faith. He founded as many churches, and consecrated the same number of bishops, strengthening them with the Holy Ghost. He ordained three thousand presbyters; and converted and baptized twelve thousand persons in the province of Connaught. And, in one day baptized seven kings, who were the seven sons of Amalgaid.[328]He continued fasting forty days and nights, on the summit of the mountain Eli, that is Cruachan-Aichle;[329]and preferred three petitions to God for the Irish, that had embraced the faith. The Scots say, the first was, that he would receive every repenting sinner, even at the latest extremity of life; the second, that they should never be exterminated by barbarians; and the third, that as Ireland[330]will be overflowed with water, seven years before the coming of our Lord to judge the quick and the dead, the crimes of the people might be washed away through his intercession, and their souls purified at the last day. He gave the people his benediction from the upper part of the mountain, and going up higher, that he might pray for them; and that if it pleased God, he might see the effects of his labours, there appeared to him an innumerable flock of birds of many colours, signifying the number of holy persons of both sexes of the Irish nation, who should come to him as their apostle at the day of judgment, to be presented before the tribunal of Christ. After a life spent in the active exertion of good to mankind, St. Patrick, in a healthy old age, passed from this world to the Lord, and changing this life for a better, with the saints and elect of God he rejoices for evermore.

§ 55. Saint Patrick resembled Moses in four particulars. The angel spoke to him in the burning bush. He fasted forty days and forty nights upon the mountain. He attained the period of one hundred and twenty years. No one knows his sepulchre, nor where he was buried; sixteen[331]years he was in captivity. In his twenty-fifth year, he was consecrated bishop by Saint Matheus,[332]and he was eighty-five years the apostle of the Irish. It might be profitable totreat more at large of the life of this saint, but it is now time to conclude this epitome of his labours.[333]

[Here endeth the life of the holy bishop, Saint Patrick.]

(After this, the MSS. give us § 56, the legend of king Arthur, which in this edition occurs in § 50.)

§ 57. Woden begat Beldeg, who begat Beornec, who begat Gethbrond, who begat Aluson, who begat Ingwi, who begat Edibrith, who begat Esa, who begat Eoppa, who begat Ida. But Ida had twelve sons, Adda, Belric, Theodric, Ethelric, Theodhere, Osmer, and one queen, Bearnoch, Ealric. Ethelric begat Ethelfrid: the same is Ædlfred Flesaur. For he also had seven sons, Eanfrid, Oswald, Oswin, Oswy, Oswudu, Oslac, Offa. Oswy begat Alfrid, Elfwin, and Egfrid. Egfrid is he who made war against his cousin Brudei, king of the Picts, and he fell therein with all the strength of his army, and the Picts with their king gained the victory; and the Saxons never again reduced the Picts so as to exact tribute from them. Since the time of this war it is called Gueithlin Garan.

But Oswy had two wives, Riemmelth, the daughter of Royth, son of Rum; and Eanfled, the daughter of Edwin, son of Alla.

§ 58. Hengist begat Octa, who begat Ossa, who begat Eormenric, who begat Ethelbert, who begat Eadbald, who begat Ercombert, who begat Egbert.

§ 59. Woden begat Casser, who begat Titinon, who begat Trigil, who begat Rodmunt, who begat Rippa, who begat Guillem Guercha,[335]who was the first king of the East Angles.Guercha begat Uffa, who begat Tytillus, who begat Eni, who begat Edric, who begat Aldwulf, who begat Elric.

§ 60. Woden begat Guedolgeat, who begat Gueagon, who begat Guithleg, who begat Guerdmund, who begat Ossa, who begat Ongen, who begat Eamer, who begat Pubba.[336]This Pubba had twelve sons, of whom two are better known to me than the others, that is Penda and Eawa. Eadlit is the son of Pantha, Penda, son of Pubba, Ealbald, son of Alguing, son of Eawa, son of Penda, son of Pubba. Egfert, son of Offa, son of Thingferth, son of Enwulf, son of Ossulf, son of Eawa, son of Pubba.

§ 61. Woden begat Beldeg, Brond begat Siggar, who begat Sibald, who begat Zegulf, who begat Soemil, who first separated[337]Deur from Berneich (Deira from Bernicia.) Soemil begat Sguerthing, who begat Giulglis, who begat Ulfrea, who begat Iffi, who begat Ulli, Edwin, Osfrid, and Eanfrid. There were two sons of Edwin, who fell with him in battle at Meicen,[338]and the kingdom was never renewed in his family, because not one of his race escaped from that war; but all were slain with him by the army of Catguollaunus,[339]king of the Guenedota. Oswy begat Egfrid, the same is Ailguin, who begat Oslach, who begat Alhun, who begat Adlsing, who begat Echun, who begat Oslaph. Ida begat Eadric, who begat Ecgulf, who begat Leodwald, who begat Eata, the same is Glinmaur, who begat Eadbert and Egbert, who was the first bishop of their nation.

Ida, the son of Eoppa, possessed countries on the left-hand side of Britain,i.e.of the Humbrian sea, and reigned twelve years, and united[340]Dynguayth Guarth-Berneich.

§ 62. Then Dutigirn at that time fought bravely againstthe nation of the Angles. At that time, Talhaiarn Cataguen[341]was famed for poetry, and Neirin, and Taliesin and Bluchbard, and Cian, who is called Guenith Guaut, were all famous at the same time in British poetry.

The great king, Mailcun,[342]reigned among the Britons,i.e.in the district of Guenedota, because his great-great-grandfather, Cunedda, with his twelve sons, had come before from the left-hand part,i.e.from the country which is called Manau Gustodin, one hundred and forty-six years before Mailcun reigned, and expelled the Scots with much slaughter from those countries, and they never returned again to inhabit them.

§ 63. Adda, son of Ida, reigned eight years; Ethelric, son of Adda, reigned four years. Theodoric, son of Ida, reigned seven years. Freothwulf reigned six years. In whose time the kingdom of Kent, by the mission of Gregory, received baptism. Hussa reigned seven years. Against him fought four kings, Urien, and Ryderthen, and Guallauc, and Morcant. Theodoric fought bravely, together with his sons, against that Urien. But at that time sometimes the enemy and sometimes our countrymen were defeated, and he shut them up three days and three nights in the island of Metcaut; and whilst he was on an expedition he was murdered, at the instance of Morcant, out of envy, because he possessed so much superiority over all the kings in military science. Eadfered Flesaurs reigned twelve years in Bernicia, and twelve others in Deira, and gave to his wife Bebba, the town of Dynguoaroy, which from her is called Bebbanburg.[343]

Edwin, son of Alla, reigned seventeen years, seized on Elmete, and expelled Cerdic, its king. Eanfled, his daughter, received baptism, on the twelfth day after Pentecost, with all her followers, both men and women. The following Easter Edwin himself received baptism, and twelve thousand of his subjects with him. If any one wishes to know who baptized them, it was Rum Map Urbgen:[344]hewas engaged forty days in baptizing all classes of the Saxons, and by his preaching many believed on Christ.

§ 64. Oswald son of Ethelfrid, reigned nine years; the same is Oswald Llauiguin;[345]he slew Catgublaun (Cadwalla),[346]king of Guenedot,[347]in the battle of Catscaul,[348]with much loss to his own army. Oswy, son of Ethelfrid, reigned twenty-eight years and six months. During his reign, there was a dreadful mortality among his subjects, when Catgualart (Cadwallader) was king among the Britons, succeeding his father, and he himself died amongst the rest.[349]He slew Penda in the field of Gai, and now took place the slaughter of Gai Campi, and the kings of the Britons, who went out with Penda on the expedition as far as the city of Judeu, were slain.

§ 65. Then Oswy restored all the wealth, which was with him in the city, to Penda; who distributed it among the kings of the Britons, that is, Atbert Judeu. But Catgabail alone, king of Guenedot, rising up in the night, escaped, together with his army, wherefore he was called Catgabail Catguommed. Egfrid, son of Oswy, reigned nine years. In his time the holy bishop Cuthbert died in the island of Medcaut.[350]It was he who made war against the Picts, and was by them slain.

Penda, son of Pybba, reigned ten years; he first separated the kingdom of Mercia from that of the North-men, and slew by treachery Anna, king of the East Anglians, and St.Oswald, king of the North-men. He fought the battle of Cocboy,[351]in which fell Eawa, son of Pybba, his brother, king of the Mercians, and Oswald, king of the North-men, and he gained the victory by diabolical agency. He was not baptized, and never believed in God.

§ 66. From the beginning of the world to Constantinus and Rufus, are found to be five thousand six hundred and fifty-eight years.

Also from the two consuls, Rufus and Rubelius, to the consul Stilicho, are three hundred and seventy-three years.

Also from Stilicho to Valentinian, son of Placida, and the reign of Vortigern, are twenty-eight years.

And from the reign of Vortigern to the quarrel between Guitolinus and Ambrosius, are twelve years, which is Guoloppum, that is Catgwaloph.[352]Vortigern reigned in Britain when Theodosius and Valentinian were consuls, and in the fourth year of his reign the Saxons came to Britain, in the consulship of Felix and Taurus, in the four hundredth year from the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

From the year in which the Saxons came into Britain, and were received by Vortigern, to the time of Decius and Valerian, are sixty-nine years.

FOOTNOTES:[249]And forty, according to Stevenson's new edition. The rest of this chronology is much contracted in several of the manuscripts, and hardly two of them contain it exactly the same.[250]This list of the Roman emperors who visited Britain, is omitted in many of the MSS.[251]V.R. Twenty-eight, twenty-one.[252]Site unknown. See note at sec. 42, p.404.[253]Inis-gueith, or Gueith.[254]The whole of this, as far as the end of the paragraph, is omitted in several MSS.[255]Other MSS. Silvius.[256]V.R. Who should slay his father and mother, and be hated by all mankind.[257]V.R. He displayed such superiority among his play-fellows, that they seemed to consider him as their chief.[258]Tours.[259]V.R. Thirty-seven.[260]See Bede's Eccles. Hist. pp. 5, 6, note.[261]V.R. Partholomæus, or Bartholomæus.[262]A blank is here in the MS. Agnomen is found in some of the others.[263]V.R. Damhoctor, Clamhoctor, and Elamhoctor.[264]V.R. Liethan, Bethan, Vethan.[265]St. David's.[266]Guiher, probably the Welsh district Gower. Cetgueli is Caer Kidwelly, in Carmarthenshire.[267]North-western part of Antrim in Ulster.[268]V.R. Columba.[269]Some MSS. add, the beginning of the calculation is 23 cycles of 19 years from the incarnation of our Lord to the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland, and they make 438 years. And from the arrival of St. Patrick to the cycle of 19 years in which we live are 22 cycles, which make 421 years.[270]This proves the tradition of Brutus to be older than Geoffrey or Tyssilio, unless these notices of Brutus have been interpolated in the original work of Nennius.[271]This genealogy is different in almost all the MSS.[272]Some MSS. add, I will now return to the point from which I made this digression.[273]There is here some corruption or defect in the original. See Geoffrey of Monmouth, p. 139 of this volume.[274]V.R. Cassibelanus.[275]V.R. Eucharistus. A marginal note in the Arundel MS. adds, "He is wrong, because the first year of Evaristus wasa.d.79, whereas the first year of Eleutherius, whom he ought to have named, wasa.d.161." Usher says, that in one MS. of Nennius he found the name of Eleutherius. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 10.[276]V.R. Thirty-two.[277]Or, the Wall. One MS. here adds, "The above-mentioned Severus constructed it of rude workmanship in length 132 miles; i.e. from Penguaul, which village is called in Scottish Cenail, in English Peneltun, to the mouth of the river Cluth and Cairpentaloch, where this wall terminates; but it was of no avail. The emperor Carausius afterwards rebuilt it, and fortified it with seven castles between the two mouths: he built also a round house of polished stones on the banks of the river Carun [Carron]: he likewise erected a triumphal arch, on which he inscribed his own name in memory of his victory."[278]This passage is corrupt, the meaning is briefly given in the translation.[279]V.R. Mirmantum, Mirmantun, Minmanton, Minimantone. TheSegontiumof Antoninus, situated on a small river named Seiont, near Carnarvon.[280]This is an inaccuracy of Nennius; Maximus and Maximianus were one and the same person; or rather no such person as Maximianus ever reigned in Britain.[281]Geoffrey of Monmouth gives the title of consul to several British generals who lived after this time. It is not unlikely that the town, name, and dignity, still lingered in the province after the Romans were gone, particularly as the cities of Britain maintained for a time a species of independence.[282]This district, in modern language, extended from the great St. Bernard in Piedmont to Cantavic in Picardy, and from Picardy to the western coast of France.[283]These words relate evidently to some cause of dispute between the Romans, Ambrosius, and Vortigern. Vortigern is said to have been sovereign of the Dimetæ, and Ambrosius son to the king of the Dumnonii. The latter was half a Roman by descent, and naturally supported the Roman interest: the former was entirely a Briton, and as naturally seconded by the original Britons. See Whitaker's Manchester, b. ii. c. 2.[284]V.R. not the God of gods, the Amen, the Lord of Hosts, but one of their idols which they worshipped.[285]Sometimes called Ruoichin, Ruith-in, or "river island," separated from the rest of Kent and the mainland of Britain by the estuary of the Wantsum, which, though now a small brook, was formerly navigable for large vessels, and in Bede's time was three stadia broad, and fordable only at two places. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 37,note.[286]The rest of this sentence is omitted in some of the MSS.[287]King of Powys. V.R. Benli in the district of Ial (in Derbyshire); in the district of Dalrieta; Belinus; Beluni; and Benty.[288]Or Cadell Deyrnllug, prince of the Vale Royal and the upper part of Powys.[289]V.R. Who had come with him from the island of Oghgul, Oehgul (or Tingle), Angul. According to Gunn, a small island in the duchy of Sleswick in Denmark, now calledAngel, of which Flensburg is the metropolis. Hence the origin of theAngles.[290]V.R. Gnoiram cono, Goiranegono, Guoiracgono. Malmesbury, Gorongi; Camden, Guorong, supposed to mean governor, or viceroy.[291]Antoninus's wall.[292]Some MSS. add, "beyond the Frenesic, Fresicum (orFresic) sea," i.e. which is between us and the Scotch. The sea between Scotland and Ireland. Camden translates it "beyond the Frith;" Langhorne says, "Solway Frith."[293]V.R. "Immodest" is omitted in some MSS.[294]V.R. You shall find a fortified city in which you may defend yourself.[295]V.R. Guined, Guoienet, Guenez, North Wales.[296]V.R. Heremi, Heriri, or Eryri, signifying eagle rocks, the mountains of Snowdon, in Carnarvonshire. The spot alluded to is supposed to be Dinas Emrys, or the fortress of Ambrosius.[297]V.R. Elleti, Electi, Gleti. Supposed to be Bassalig in Monmouthshire.[298]The district between the Usk and Rumney, in Monmouthshire.[299]An ancient scholiast adds, "He then built Guasmoric, near Lugubalia [Carlisle], a city which in English is called Palmecaster." Some difference of opinion exists among antiquaries respecting the site of Vortigern's castle or city. Usher places it atGwent, Monmouthshire, which name, he says, was taken from Caer-Went, near Chepstow. This appears to agree with Geoffrey's account, in page208of this volume. See Usher's Britan. Eccles. cap. v. p. 23. According to others, supposed to be the city from the ruins of which arose the castle of Gurthrenion, in Radnorshire, Camden's Britannia, p. 479. Whitaker, however, says that Cair Guorthegirn was the Maridunum of the Romans, and the present Caermarthen. (Hist. of Manchester, book ii. c. 1.) See also Nennius, sec. 47.[300]Some MSS. here add, "This Vortimer, the son of Vortigern, in a synod held at Guartherniaun, after the wicked king, on account of the incest committed with his daughter, fled from the face of Germanus and the British clergy, would not consent to his father's wickedness; but returning to St. Germanus, and falling down at his feet, he sued for pardon; and in atonement for the calumny brought upon Germanus by his father and sister, gave him the land, in which the forementioned bishop had endured such abuse, to be his own for ever. Whence, in memory of St. Germanus, it received the name of Guarenniaun (Guartherniaun, Gurthrenion, Gwarth Ennian) which signifies,a calumny justly retorted, since, when he thought to reproach the bishop, he covered himself with reproach."[301]According to Langhorne (p. 13), Epsford was afterwards called, in the British tongue,Saessenaeg habail, or 'the slaughter of the Saxons.' See also the note at page188of this volume.[302]V.R. "The stone of Titulus," thought to be Stone in Kent, or Larger-stone in Suffolk.[303]Rapin says he was buried at Lincoln; Geoffrey, at London, see p.189.[304]V.R. Of his wife, and no one was able manfully to drive them off because they had occupied Britain not from their own valour, but by God's permission.[305]The VV. RR. of this section are too numerous to be inserted.[306]A district of Radnorshire, forming the present hundred of Rhaindr.[307]V.R. This paragraph is omitted in the MSS.[308]The Tobias of Ptolemy.[309]In the northern part of the present counties of Radnor and Brecknock.[310]V.R. The MSS. add, 'and he had one daughter, who was the mother of St. Faustus.'[311]Fernvail, or Farinmail, appears to have been king of Gwent or Monmouth.[312]V.R. 'Two provinces, Builth and Guorthegirnaim.'[313]V.R. All this to the word 'Amen,' in other MSS. is placed after the legend of St. Patrick.[314]Supposed by some to be the Glem, in Lincolnshire; but most probably the Glen, in the northern part of Northumberland.[315]Or Dubglas. The little river Dunglas, which formed the southern boundary of Lothian. Whitaker says, the river Duglas, in Lancashire, near Wigan.[316]Not a river, but an isolated rock in the Frith of Forth, near the town of North Berwick, called "The Bass." Some think it is the river Lusas, in Hampshire.[317]The Caledonian forest; or the forest of Englewood, extending from Penrith to Carlisle.[318]Variously supposed to be in Cornwall, or Binchester in Durham, but most probably the Roman station of Garionenum, near Yarmouth, in Norfolk.[319]V.R. The image of the cross of Christ, and of the perpetual Virgin St. Mary.[320]V.R. For Arthur proceeded to Jerusalem, and there made a cross to the size of the Saviour's cross, and there it was consecrated, and for three successive days he fasted, watched, and prayed, before the Lord's cross, that the Lord would give him the victory, by this sign, over the heathen; which also took place, and he took with him the image of St. Mary, the fragments of which are still preserved in great veneration at Wedale, in English Wodale, in LatinVallis-doloris. Wodale is a village in the province of Lodonesia, but now of the jurisdiction of the bishop of St. Andrew's, of Scotland, six miles on the west of that heretofore noble and eminent monastery of Meilros.[321]Exeter.[322]Or Ribroit, the Brue, in Somersetshire; or the Ribble, in Lancashire.[323]Or Agned Cathregonion, Cadbury, in Somersetshire; or Edinburgh.[324]Bath.[325]At Fordun, in the district of Mearns, in Scotland.—Usher.[326]V.R. Germanus "sent the elder Segerus with him to a wonderful man, the holy bishop Amathearex." Another MS. "Sent the elder Segerus, a bishop, with him to Amatheorex."[327]V.R. "Received the episcopal degree from the holy bishop Amatheorex." Another MS. "Received the episcopal degree from Matheorex and the holy bishop."[328]King of Connaught.[329]A mountain in the west of Connaught, county of Mayo, now called Croagh-Patrick.[330]V.R. that no Irishman may be alive on the day of judgment, because they will be destroyed seven years before in honour of St. Patrick.[331]V.R. Fifteen.[332]V.R. By the holy bishop Amatheus.[333]Here ends the Vatican MS. collated by Mr. Gunn.[334]These titles are not part of the original work, but added in the MSS. by a later hand.[335]Guercha is a distortion of the name of Uffa or Wuffa, arising in the first instance from the pronunciation of the British writer; and, in the next place, from the error of the transcriber.—Palgrave.[336]Or Wibba.[337]V.R. Conquered.[338]Hatfield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 106.[339]Cadwalla, king of the Western Britons.[340]V.R. United the castle, i.e. Dinguerin and Gurdbernech, which two countries were in one country, i.e. Deurabernech; Anglice Deira and Bernicia. Another MS. Built Dinguayth Guarth Berneich.[341]Talhaiarn was a descendant of Coel Godebog, and chaplain to Ambrosius.[342]Better known as Maelgwn.[343]Bambrough. See Bede, iii. 6, and Sax. Chron.a.d.547.[344]See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 96. From the share which Paulinus had in the conversion of the Northumbrian king, it has been inferred that he actually baptized him; but Nennius expressly states, that the holy sacrament was administered by Rhun, the son of Urien. The Welsh name of Paulinus is Pawl Hen, or Polin Esgob.[345]Llauiguin, means the "fair," or the "bounteous hand."[346]This name has been variously written; Bede spells itCaedualla(Cadwalla); Nennius,Catgublaun; the Saxon Chronicle,Ceadwalla; and the Welsh writers,CadwallonandKatwallawn: and though the identity of the person may be clearly proved, it is necessary to observe these particulars to distinguish him fromCadwaladr, and from anotherCaeduallaorCædwalla, a king of the West Saxons; all of whom, as they lived within a short time of each other, have been frequently confounded together.—Rees's Welsh Saints.[347]Gwynedd, North Wales.[348]Bede says at Denis's-brook. Eccles Hist. p. 109.[349]The British chronicles assert that Cadwallader died at Rome, whilst Nennius would lead us to conclude that he perished in the pestilence at home. See Geoffrey, p. 288.[350]The isle of Farne.[351]Maserfield. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 123.[352]In Carmarthenshire. Perhaps the town now called Kidwelly.

[249]And forty, according to Stevenson's new edition. The rest of this chronology is much contracted in several of the manuscripts, and hardly two of them contain it exactly the same.

[250]This list of the Roman emperors who visited Britain, is omitted in many of the MSS.

[251]V.R. Twenty-eight, twenty-one.

[252]Site unknown. See note at sec. 42, p.404.

[253]Inis-gueith, or Gueith.

[254]The whole of this, as far as the end of the paragraph, is omitted in several MSS.

[255]Other MSS. Silvius.

[256]V.R. Who should slay his father and mother, and be hated by all mankind.

[257]V.R. He displayed such superiority among his play-fellows, that they seemed to consider him as their chief.

[258]Tours.

[259]V.R. Thirty-seven.

[260]See Bede's Eccles. Hist. pp. 5, 6, note.

[261]V.R. Partholomæus, or Bartholomæus.

[262]A blank is here in the MS. Agnomen is found in some of the others.

[263]V.R. Damhoctor, Clamhoctor, and Elamhoctor.

[264]V.R. Liethan, Bethan, Vethan.

[265]St. David's.

[266]Guiher, probably the Welsh district Gower. Cetgueli is Caer Kidwelly, in Carmarthenshire.

[267]North-western part of Antrim in Ulster.

[268]V.R. Columba.

[269]Some MSS. add, the beginning of the calculation is 23 cycles of 19 years from the incarnation of our Lord to the arrival of St. Patrick in Ireland, and they make 438 years. And from the arrival of St. Patrick to the cycle of 19 years in which we live are 22 cycles, which make 421 years.

[270]This proves the tradition of Brutus to be older than Geoffrey or Tyssilio, unless these notices of Brutus have been interpolated in the original work of Nennius.

[271]This genealogy is different in almost all the MSS.

[272]Some MSS. add, I will now return to the point from which I made this digression.

[273]There is here some corruption or defect in the original. See Geoffrey of Monmouth, p. 139 of this volume.

[274]V.R. Cassibelanus.

[275]V.R. Eucharistus. A marginal note in the Arundel MS. adds, "He is wrong, because the first year of Evaristus wasa.d.79, whereas the first year of Eleutherius, whom he ought to have named, wasa.d.161." Usher says, that in one MS. of Nennius he found the name of Eleutherius. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 10.

[276]V.R. Thirty-two.

[277]Or, the Wall. One MS. here adds, "The above-mentioned Severus constructed it of rude workmanship in length 132 miles; i.e. from Penguaul, which village is called in Scottish Cenail, in English Peneltun, to the mouth of the river Cluth and Cairpentaloch, where this wall terminates; but it was of no avail. The emperor Carausius afterwards rebuilt it, and fortified it with seven castles between the two mouths: he built also a round house of polished stones on the banks of the river Carun [Carron]: he likewise erected a triumphal arch, on which he inscribed his own name in memory of his victory."

[278]This passage is corrupt, the meaning is briefly given in the translation.

[279]V.R. Mirmantum, Mirmantun, Minmanton, Minimantone. TheSegontiumof Antoninus, situated on a small river named Seiont, near Carnarvon.

[280]This is an inaccuracy of Nennius; Maximus and Maximianus were one and the same person; or rather no such person as Maximianus ever reigned in Britain.

[281]Geoffrey of Monmouth gives the title of consul to several British generals who lived after this time. It is not unlikely that the town, name, and dignity, still lingered in the province after the Romans were gone, particularly as the cities of Britain maintained for a time a species of independence.

[282]This district, in modern language, extended from the great St. Bernard in Piedmont to Cantavic in Picardy, and from Picardy to the western coast of France.

[283]These words relate evidently to some cause of dispute between the Romans, Ambrosius, and Vortigern. Vortigern is said to have been sovereign of the Dimetæ, and Ambrosius son to the king of the Dumnonii. The latter was half a Roman by descent, and naturally supported the Roman interest: the former was entirely a Briton, and as naturally seconded by the original Britons. See Whitaker's Manchester, b. ii. c. 2.

[284]V.R. not the God of gods, the Amen, the Lord of Hosts, but one of their idols which they worshipped.

[285]Sometimes called Ruoichin, Ruith-in, or "river island," separated from the rest of Kent and the mainland of Britain by the estuary of the Wantsum, which, though now a small brook, was formerly navigable for large vessels, and in Bede's time was three stadia broad, and fordable only at two places. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 37,note.

[286]The rest of this sentence is omitted in some of the MSS.

[287]King of Powys. V.R. Benli in the district of Ial (in Derbyshire); in the district of Dalrieta; Belinus; Beluni; and Benty.

[288]Or Cadell Deyrnllug, prince of the Vale Royal and the upper part of Powys.

[289]V.R. Who had come with him from the island of Oghgul, Oehgul (or Tingle), Angul. According to Gunn, a small island in the duchy of Sleswick in Denmark, now calledAngel, of which Flensburg is the metropolis. Hence the origin of theAngles.

[290]V.R. Gnoiram cono, Goiranegono, Guoiracgono. Malmesbury, Gorongi; Camden, Guorong, supposed to mean governor, or viceroy.

[291]Antoninus's wall.

[292]Some MSS. add, "beyond the Frenesic, Fresicum (orFresic) sea," i.e. which is between us and the Scotch. The sea between Scotland and Ireland. Camden translates it "beyond the Frith;" Langhorne says, "Solway Frith."

[293]V.R. "Immodest" is omitted in some MSS.

[294]V.R. You shall find a fortified city in which you may defend yourself.

[295]V.R. Guined, Guoienet, Guenez, North Wales.

[296]V.R. Heremi, Heriri, or Eryri, signifying eagle rocks, the mountains of Snowdon, in Carnarvonshire. The spot alluded to is supposed to be Dinas Emrys, or the fortress of Ambrosius.

[297]V.R. Elleti, Electi, Gleti. Supposed to be Bassalig in Monmouthshire.

[298]The district between the Usk and Rumney, in Monmouthshire.

[299]An ancient scholiast adds, "He then built Guasmoric, near Lugubalia [Carlisle], a city which in English is called Palmecaster." Some difference of opinion exists among antiquaries respecting the site of Vortigern's castle or city. Usher places it atGwent, Monmouthshire, which name, he says, was taken from Caer-Went, near Chepstow. This appears to agree with Geoffrey's account, in page208of this volume. See Usher's Britan. Eccles. cap. v. p. 23. According to others, supposed to be the city from the ruins of which arose the castle of Gurthrenion, in Radnorshire, Camden's Britannia, p. 479. Whitaker, however, says that Cair Guorthegirn was the Maridunum of the Romans, and the present Caermarthen. (Hist. of Manchester, book ii. c. 1.) See also Nennius, sec. 47.

[300]Some MSS. here add, "This Vortimer, the son of Vortigern, in a synod held at Guartherniaun, after the wicked king, on account of the incest committed with his daughter, fled from the face of Germanus and the British clergy, would not consent to his father's wickedness; but returning to St. Germanus, and falling down at his feet, he sued for pardon; and in atonement for the calumny brought upon Germanus by his father and sister, gave him the land, in which the forementioned bishop had endured such abuse, to be his own for ever. Whence, in memory of St. Germanus, it received the name of Guarenniaun (Guartherniaun, Gurthrenion, Gwarth Ennian) which signifies,a calumny justly retorted, since, when he thought to reproach the bishop, he covered himself with reproach."

[301]According to Langhorne (p. 13), Epsford was afterwards called, in the British tongue,Saessenaeg habail, or 'the slaughter of the Saxons.' See also the note at page188of this volume.

[302]V.R. "The stone of Titulus," thought to be Stone in Kent, or Larger-stone in Suffolk.

[303]Rapin says he was buried at Lincoln; Geoffrey, at London, see p.189.

[304]V.R. Of his wife, and no one was able manfully to drive them off because they had occupied Britain not from their own valour, but by God's permission.

[305]The VV. RR. of this section are too numerous to be inserted.

[306]A district of Radnorshire, forming the present hundred of Rhaindr.

[307]V.R. This paragraph is omitted in the MSS.

[308]The Tobias of Ptolemy.

[309]In the northern part of the present counties of Radnor and Brecknock.

[310]V.R. The MSS. add, 'and he had one daughter, who was the mother of St. Faustus.'

[311]Fernvail, or Farinmail, appears to have been king of Gwent or Monmouth.

[312]V.R. 'Two provinces, Builth and Guorthegirnaim.'

[313]V.R. All this to the word 'Amen,' in other MSS. is placed after the legend of St. Patrick.

[314]Supposed by some to be the Glem, in Lincolnshire; but most probably the Glen, in the northern part of Northumberland.

[315]Or Dubglas. The little river Dunglas, which formed the southern boundary of Lothian. Whitaker says, the river Duglas, in Lancashire, near Wigan.

[316]Not a river, but an isolated rock in the Frith of Forth, near the town of North Berwick, called "The Bass." Some think it is the river Lusas, in Hampshire.

[317]The Caledonian forest; or the forest of Englewood, extending from Penrith to Carlisle.

[318]Variously supposed to be in Cornwall, or Binchester in Durham, but most probably the Roman station of Garionenum, near Yarmouth, in Norfolk.

[319]V.R. The image of the cross of Christ, and of the perpetual Virgin St. Mary.

[320]V.R. For Arthur proceeded to Jerusalem, and there made a cross to the size of the Saviour's cross, and there it was consecrated, and for three successive days he fasted, watched, and prayed, before the Lord's cross, that the Lord would give him the victory, by this sign, over the heathen; which also took place, and he took with him the image of St. Mary, the fragments of which are still preserved in great veneration at Wedale, in English Wodale, in LatinVallis-doloris. Wodale is a village in the province of Lodonesia, but now of the jurisdiction of the bishop of St. Andrew's, of Scotland, six miles on the west of that heretofore noble and eminent monastery of Meilros.

[321]Exeter.

[322]Or Ribroit, the Brue, in Somersetshire; or the Ribble, in Lancashire.

[323]Or Agned Cathregonion, Cadbury, in Somersetshire; or Edinburgh.

[324]Bath.

[325]At Fordun, in the district of Mearns, in Scotland.—Usher.

[326]V.R. Germanus "sent the elder Segerus with him to a wonderful man, the holy bishop Amathearex." Another MS. "Sent the elder Segerus, a bishop, with him to Amatheorex."

[327]V.R. "Received the episcopal degree from the holy bishop Amatheorex." Another MS. "Received the episcopal degree from Matheorex and the holy bishop."

[328]King of Connaught.

[329]A mountain in the west of Connaught, county of Mayo, now called Croagh-Patrick.

[330]V.R. that no Irishman may be alive on the day of judgment, because they will be destroyed seven years before in honour of St. Patrick.

[331]V.R. Fifteen.

[332]V.R. By the holy bishop Amatheus.

[333]Here ends the Vatican MS. collated by Mr. Gunn.

[334]These titles are not part of the original work, but added in the MSS. by a later hand.

[335]Guercha is a distortion of the name of Uffa or Wuffa, arising in the first instance from the pronunciation of the British writer; and, in the next place, from the error of the transcriber.—Palgrave.

[336]Or Wibba.

[337]V.R. Conquered.

[338]Hatfield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 106.

[339]Cadwalla, king of the Western Britons.

[340]V.R. United the castle, i.e. Dinguerin and Gurdbernech, which two countries were in one country, i.e. Deurabernech; Anglice Deira and Bernicia. Another MS. Built Dinguayth Guarth Berneich.

[341]Talhaiarn was a descendant of Coel Godebog, and chaplain to Ambrosius.

[342]Better known as Maelgwn.

[343]Bambrough. See Bede, iii. 6, and Sax. Chron.a.d.547.

[344]See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 96. From the share which Paulinus had in the conversion of the Northumbrian king, it has been inferred that he actually baptized him; but Nennius expressly states, that the holy sacrament was administered by Rhun, the son of Urien. The Welsh name of Paulinus is Pawl Hen, or Polin Esgob.

[345]Llauiguin, means the "fair," or the "bounteous hand."

[346]This name has been variously written; Bede spells itCaedualla(Cadwalla); Nennius,Catgublaun; the Saxon Chronicle,Ceadwalla; and the Welsh writers,CadwallonandKatwallawn: and though the identity of the person may be clearly proved, it is necessary to observe these particulars to distinguish him fromCadwaladr, and from anotherCaeduallaorCædwalla, a king of the West Saxons; all of whom, as they lived within a short time of each other, have been frequently confounded together.—Rees's Welsh Saints.

[347]Gwynedd, North Wales.

[348]Bede says at Denis's-brook. Eccles Hist. p. 109.

[349]The British chronicles assert that Cadwallader died at Rome, whilst Nennius would lead us to conclude that he perished in the pestilence at home. See Geoffrey, p. 288.

[350]The isle of Farne.

[351]Maserfield. See Bede's Eccles. Hist. p. 123.

[352]In Carmarthenshire. Perhaps the town now called Kidwelly.

[An eighteenth century forgery.]

[SPURIOUS.]

1. The shore of Gaul would be the boundary of the world, did not the island[353]of Britain claim from its magnitude almost the appellation of another world; for if measured to the Caledonian promontory[354]it extends more than eight hundred miles in length.[355]

2. Britain was first called by the ancients Albion,[356]fromitswhitecliffs; and afterwards in the language of the natives, Britain. Hence all the islands hereafter described were denominated British.[357]

3. Britain is situated between the north and west,[358]opposite to, though at some distance from, Germany, Gaul, and Spain, the most considerable parts of Europe, and is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

4. On the south of Britain lies Belgic Gaul, from which coast passengers usually sail to the Rhutupian port.[359]This place is distant from Gessoriacum,[360]a town of the Morini, the port most frequented by the Britons, fifty miles, or according to others, four hundred and fifty stadia. From thence may be seen the country of the Britons whom Virgil in his Eclogues describes as separated from the whole world,—

"—penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos."

5. By Agrippa, an ancient geographer, its breadth is estimated at three hundred miles; but with more truth by Bede at two hundred, exclusive of the promontories.[361]If their sinuosities be taken into the computation, its circuit will be three thousand six hundred miles. Marcian, a Greek author, agrees with me in stating it at MDIƆƆLXXV.[362]

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