Nennius

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The Rule of Vortigern, Legendary King of the Britons

1) Vortigern meet Rowena by William Hamilton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This post was first published on #FolkloreThursday.com on 18th March, 2018, titled, British Legends: Treachery, Murder, Lust and Rowena – The Rule of Vortigern and revised and edited by zteve t evans and published here 28 June 2024, some images may differ from original..

Vortigern

Vortigern was a legendary 5th-century King of the Britons featured in the work of early British writers such as Gildas, Nennius, Bede, Geoffrey of Monmouth and others. There is a debate over whether Vortigern was a term for a High King chosen by a consensus to rule or whether it was the name of a person such as a warlord, lesser King, or political leader.

This work takes it as the name of a person of high status who, through his ruthless cunning and experience, took over the rule of the Britons during dangerous times. He is usually presented in a bad light as a man of immoral and selfish character who used duplicity and deception to rise to the top of the British establishment of his day. Vortigern is usually blamed for encouraging the arrival of the Saxon and Germanic invaders to Britain. At first, he employed them as mercenaries to support him and to fight against the Picts and Scots, but later, he found he could not control them. Some scholars say the ruling elite of the Britons may deserve at least an equal share of the blame through their weakness and disarray in facing their enemies. Moreover, as far as the realm’s defence was concerned, he did the best he could with the resources available to him, which had been seriously depleted by the actions of earlier rulers.

Yet, some early writers pose questions about his morality and behaviour. Indeed, acts of lust, intrigue, murder, duplicity, and betrayal are the hallmarks of his reign. This work presents a brief overview of Vortigern’s rule, looking at some of these alleged acts and incidents, some of which resonate through the ages and are the very stuff of legends.

Vortigern Takes the Crown

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Vortigern set up Constans, the eldest of the sons of King Constantine II, who had been assassinated, to rule the Britons because he knew he could control him and eventually replace him. After arranging for his murder, he usurped the crown to find that one day, a cleverer and more ruthless man would appear on the scene. That man was Hengist, the leader of the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes in Britain.

After the assassination of Constans by Pict mercenaries controlled by Vortigern, no one else was available of suitable status, experience, or age to take his place. The rightful heirs to the throne of the Briton were Aurelius Ambrosius and his younger brother Uther, who were the sons of King Constantine II and the younger brothers of Constans. Unfortunately, they were just children and deemed too young to take the throne. Vortigern was the most experienced political figure of the Britons at the time and very ambitious. Insidiously, he had wormed his way into becoming the chief advisor of Constans while all the time working secretly to promote personal ambitions and quietly gaining power, authority and the King’s trust.

With the murder of Constans that he carefully and covertly set up, he stepped forward and seized the crown for himself. Not all the British nobles were friends of Vortigern, and some of these, fearing for the safety of the two young heirs, sent them into exile to Armorica for their safekeeping. There, they grew up safely and were taught the arts of royalty and leadership while preparing to return one day and reclaim the crown of the Britons.

Having seized the throne, Vortigern would find ruling the kingdom far from easy. In the north, Picts and Scots made frequent raids into his realm, and he also feared another impending and growing threat.

As the years passed, he was aware of the exiled royal brothers’ maturing and coming of age. He received reports of the building of a vast fleet and the mustering of a great army, and his spies confirmed his fears that they were intent on taking back their rightful inheritance. Taking stock of the situation, he found he was desperately short of men at arms to defend the kingdom.

2) Hengist by John Speed, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Hengist and Horsa

While Aurelius and Uther had been growing up in Armorica, the kingdom of the Britons had faced many threats from the neighbouring Picts and Scots, who frequently raided the borders and made encroachments further into his kingdom. To deal with these invasions, he employed Saxon and other Germanic mercenaries to fight for him, and to begin with, this worked well. The Saxons, led by two brothers named Hengist and Horsa, were fierce warriors who defeated the Picts and Scots whenever they encountered them.

Hengist asked Vortigern for permission to bring more of his countrymen from Germany to help fight Britain’s enemies. Vortigern was pleased with the success of the Saxons and readily agreed. Therefore, Hengist brought in more warriors from Germany. Next, Hengist asked for a small portion of land to build a stronghold for him and his people. He only asked for a site that a leather thong made from a bull’s hide could encircle. Again, Vortigern granted his request. Taking a bull’s hide, he made a thin thong of sufficient length from the whole to completely encircle a site of his choosing. On this site, he built his stronghold known as Kaercorrei to the Britons and Thancastre, or Thong Castle to the Saxons. Hengist was quietly pleased with what had been granted and asked Vortigern for permission to bring in even more Saxon warriors, which Vortigern granted.

The Arrival of Rowena

hamilton_vortigern_26_rowena
3) Rowena and Vortigern By William Hamilton [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

More ships from Germany arrived, and with them came someone whom Hengist had said nothing to Vortigern about. As well as men at arms, they brought the Saxon princess named Rowena, who was the daughter of Hengist. She was one of the most beautiful and desirable German princesses of the time, and her arrival would enthral and captivate Vortigern. She would become an important, though covert player, in Hengist’s creeping influence over the King of the Britons.

With the arrival of Rowena and the new contingent of German fighters, Hengist invited Vortigern to a lavish banquet at his newly constructed stronghold of Thong Castle. Vortigern was pleased to accept the invitation, and after being shown around the castle and welcoming the warriors into his service, he was given a banquet in his honour. The wine flowed freely, and towards the end of the evening, Rowena appeared from her bedchamber carrying a golden cup of wine. Curtseying to Vortigern, she said, “Lauerd king wacht heil!”

Vortigern was surprised, delighted, and captivated by the grace and beauty of the girl, and he became enamoured with her. Turning to his interpreter, he asked what she had said and what his response should be. His interpreter told him she had called him “Lord King” and offered to drink to his health. He must answer by saying, “Drinc heil!” Taking the cup from her, he kissed her and drained it.

According to Geoffrey, this was how the tradition of toasting became popular in Britain. A person drinks to the health of someone saying, “Wacht heil!” who answers, “Drinc heil!”

The arrival of Rowena was a critical moment in the destiny of the Britons. Aided by vast quantities of beer and wine and the charm and beauty of this young Saxon princess, Vortigern was well and truly captivated. It was said at that moment the devil entered him, and he wanted her for his wife. For Vortigern, as a Christian, marriage to a pagan would have been a severe taboo. The wily Hengist was aware of this and consulted with his brother Horsa and others of his wise men present. Unanimously, they advised that he marry Rowena to Vortigern and demand the British province of Kent because of her royal lineage. Vortigern agreed to this without consulting his wise men or nobles. Furthermore, he gave Kent to Hengist without the knowledge or consent of Gorangan, the British noble who had ruled there. Although it may be said that Rowena was given to Vortigern, it became apparent that she possessed him.

As Hengist had calculated, his marriage to a pagan princess and the giving away of Kent fuelled discontent in the British nobles, for he already had a wife, three sons named Vortimer, Catigern, and Pascentius, and a daughter. Nevertheless, Vortigern and Rowena were married that night. Although Vortigern was pleased with his new wife, his nobles and sons were shocked and angry at his behaviour and threatened rebellion. Ominously, over the sea in Armorica, a more significant threat was steadily manifesting as Aurelius and Uther continued preparing their invasion plans.

To make matters worse, despite his love for Rowena and marriage to her, Vortigern further alienated his sons and nobles and set the church against him by fathering a child with his daughter.

Vortimer

With the ever-increasing number of Saxons arriving, the Britons became uneasy and openly resented Vortigern’s favouritism towards them. Vortimer, the son of Vortigern, rebelled against his father, took the crown and led the Britons against the Saxons. His brother Catigurn duelled with Horsa in battle, killing each other. After being deposed, Vortigern had remained with Rowena and her father among the Saxons while Vortimer had fought against them. In a series of battles, Vortimer drove Hengist and the Saxons from mainland Britain to the Isle of Thanet, where he besieged them with his ships, regularly attacking them.

Hengist could not match Vortimer and, knowing he was defeated, sent Vortigern to his son to plead for peaceful passage out of Britain with him and his Saxons. While a conference was being held on this proposal, with the Britons distracted, the Saxons escaped in their ships, sailing back to their homeland while leaving their women and children behind.

Rowena’s Poison

Even though Hengist was gone, Rowena secretly kept in touch with her father in their homeland. She allegedly poisoned Vortimer, who fell ill and died, leaving a power vacuum, and once again, Vortigern claimed the crown. With Vortimer dead, Rowena persuaded her husband to send a message to her father, inviting him back in a private capacity, which would allow him to bring a small entourage with him.

Hearing that Vortimer was dead, Hengist saw his chance, raised an army of three hundred thousand warriors, and built a fleet of ships to transport his men to the shores of Britain. When the news of such a vast army reached Vortigern, the British nobles were furious at the betrayal of goodwill and resolved to fight.

After receiving information from Rowena about the British resolve, Hengist devised a different plan. He sent messengers to Vortigern saying that he had only brought such a large army for fear of being attacked by Vortimer, claiming he had not known of his death. He suggested that when he arrived, Vortigern should pick and choose those of his army who should stay and those to be sent home. If Vortigern agreed, he should propose a time and place to meet unarmed and make a peace treaty.

The Treachery of the Long Knives

Vortigern was pleased to accept this as he was reluctant to let Hengist leave, both for the sake of Rowena and because of his usefulness in battle. He set a date for the Kalends of May, which was drawing near, and the meeting place would be the monastery of Ambrius on the mount of that name. Hengist readily agreed but had formulated a secret plan. He ordered all his Saxon soldiers accompanying him to conceal a long knife in their clothing. They were to act friendly and peacefully towards the Britons, encouraging them to drink heavily. When he deemed the time was right, he would cry out “Nemet oure Saxas”, meaning “get your knives,” and they were to seize their knives and slay the Briton nearest to them who would not have understood their language. The only Briton to be spared was Vortigern, who Hengist wanted alive.

The plan worked, and four hundred and sixty of Britain’s barons and nobles were assassinated, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth, and Vortigern was taken hostage. This murderous event became known as the Night of the Long Knives or Treachery of the Long Knives. It became synonymous with Saxon treachery and looked upon by the Britons after that with great anger. Only one of the intended victims escaped that night. His name was Eldol, the Earl of Gloucester. He would help Aurelius defeat Vortigern, capture Hengist in battle, and execute him.

Hengist Takes Control

Meanwhile, Hengist now had Vortigern firmly in his power and, with him, the kingdom of the Britons. Nevertheless, he would not kill him until he had wrung from him everything he needed. He demanded Vortigern give him all his fortified cities and fortresses in return for his life. With no other choice, Vortigern agreed. He was set free to watch as Hengist and his Saxons took London and then York, Lincoln and Winchester leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Not knowing what else to do, Vortigern took what few followers remained and went to Cambria, where he was to seek counsel from his wise men.

Dinas Emrys: Merlin and the Two Dragons

4) The Two Dragons of Vortigern’s Tower (cropped) – Public Domain

Vortigern finally realised Hengist had dangerously outmanoeuvred him and consulted with his wise men. They advised him to find a strategically defensible site to build a new fortress to keep him and his followers safe, as Hengist had been given command of all the fortified places. After searching what remained of his kingdom, he finally settled on a place now named Dinas Emrys. His builders set to work, making good progress on the first day. When evening came, they went home expecting to continue building on that progress the following day. But in the morning, when they returned, they found all the walls they had built the previous day in a heap on the ground.

Bemused, they rebuilt what had fallen and again broke off from work in the evening, thinking they had set things right. In the morning, when they arrived expecting to make further progress with their work, they discovered once more that it had become a heap of rubble on the ground. This pattern repeated daily, and the building work did not progress. The exasperated Vortigern asked his wise men for guidance. They advised that he must seek out someone not born from a man who must then be sacrificed and his blood sprinkled on the foundations. He sent out his servants to find such a person. After a long search, they returned with a boy named Merlin Emrys, who would one day become the prophet and counsellor of the Kings of Britain.

Vortigern told Merlin he would be sacrificed, but Merlin demanded Vortigern bring him his wise men for questioning first. Vortigern agreed, and after Merlin questioned Vortigern, it became clear that they had no idea why the walls kept falling. Merlin explained to Vortigern that beneath the hill was an underground pool with two stone vessels, each containing a sleeping dragon. One dragon was red, and the other was white. It was the pool of water making the foundations unstable.

Merlin instructed Vortigern to dig below the foundations, and a pool was revealed. He then instructed Vortigern to drain the pool. As he had predicted, two stone containers, each holding a sleeping dragon, were found. One held a red dragon, the other a white, much to the amazement of all. When the dragons awoke, they immediately set about fighting each other. After a long and vicious struggle, the red dragon drove away the white dragon.

The Prophecies of Merlin

Merlin tested the wise men by asking what this meant, but none had any idea. He then interpreted the scene for Vortigern, explaining that the red dragon represented the Britons and the white dragon the Saxons. After a hard struggle, the red dragon would drive out the white dragon but warned it would return centuries later to rule Britain. Then, he made a long series of prophecies that impressed and awed Vortigern, who asked him how he would die.

Merlin told him he saw two possible deaths for him. He told him that as he spoke, Aurelius Ambrosius and his brother Uther had set sail for Britain at the head of a vast fleet carrying an invasion force and were disembarking at Totnes. The remaining Britons would flock to their banner, and they would seek him out and burn him in his tower in revenge for the death of their brother Constans and because he brought the Saxons to the shores of Britain. After finishing with him, they would attack Hengist and drive the Saxons from Britain. The next day, in proof of Merlin’s words, messages arrived in the morning telling of the arrival of Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther and an invasion army that had landed at Totnes. This would be the first possibility.

Then Merlin told Vortigern the second possibility would be at the hands of the Saxons, who were now, thanks to him, at work laying waste to the country. However, Merlin emphasised that he did not know who would get to him first. He predicted that Hengist would be killed and Aurelius Ambrosius would be crowned King of the Britons. He would right the wrongs done by the Saxons and bring peace to the country.

Unfortunately, his days would be cut short by poison. After him, Uther would be King, but he, too, would die of poisoning. He then foretold of the arrival of a king, believed to be Arthur, who would bring peace, unify Britain, and build a great empire. Merlin then advised him to seek out another site for his stronghold quickly.

Aurelius Ambrosius

News of the arrival of the two brothers and rightful heirs had spread like wildfire across Britain. The few war leaders and nobles left after the Treachery of the Long Knives had been scattered and leaderless. Eldol, the Earl of Gloucester, who had survived the treachery of Hengist, joined up with the brothers, as did the remaining warlords and nobles who had not attended the terrible event. They brought together the clergy and crowned Aurelius Ambrosius, the elder of the two brothers, the King of the Britons.

Although there was a clamour from these lords and clergy for the King to battle the Saxons immediately, Aurelius refused. He told them Vortigern would be brought to justice for the murder of Constans and for bringing in the Saxons to Britain. With this vengeance in mind, he marched his army to Caer Guorthegirn or the city or fortress of Vortigern, now known as Little Doward, where Vortigern had sought refuge from the Saxons.

The Burning of Vortigern

There are conflicting accounts of the death of Vortigern, but according to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Aurelius and Uther, with Eldol in assistance, attacked Vortigern’s last stronghold but could not breach the walls after several attempts. Aurelius then ordered that his archers rain burning arrows upon the fortress, turning it into a fiery inferno, killing all inside, including Vortigern and Rowena.

So it was that a man who had become the King of the Britons through treachery and murder was undone by Hengist, the Saxon leader who proved more treacherous, ruthless and cunning than he. Additionally, and importantly, it was Aurelius Ambrosius, in revenge for Vortigern murdering his father and brother and for bringing the Saxons to Britain’s shores, that finally brought about his downfall.

With the legendary Vortigern dead, King Aurelius Ambrosius turned his attention to Hengist and the Saxons, writing a new chapter in the legends and folklore of the Britons of the island of Britain.

© zteve t evans

References, attributions and Further Reading

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Brutus of Troy, the Prophecy of Diana and the Founding of Britain

Harley1808-f030-Brutus
1) Building of Troia Nova or New Troy – Public Domain

This article was first published on 14th December 2017 on #FolkloreThursday.com titled British Legends — The Founding of Britain: Brutus of Troy and the Prophecy of Diana by zteve t evans. Edited and revised 26 July 2024 by zteve t evans.

Brutus of Troy

Brutus of Troy was a legendary Trojan exile who some medieval chroniclers claimed was responsible for the founding of Britain. They maintained that he was the first King of Britain and named the island, its people, and its language after himself. He built the city that would eventually become London and gave laws allowing people to live peacefully. The story of Brutus of Troy first appears in the work Historia Brittonum or The History of Britons (ca AD 829), often attributed to the medieval chronicler Nennius. He is also mentioned later in more detail in Historia Regum Britanniae or History of the Kings of Britain, written in about 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

The two stories differ significantly, with Geoffrey’s work providing more information. Geoffrey dates the arrival of Brutus on the island, then called Albion, to 1115 BC. Although his work is not considered accurate today, it was popular from its creation until the 17th century, when it from favour. Nevertheless, it is still a significant medieval text, with a central place in the collective works known as “The Matter of Britain.” Despite being discounted as a reliable history book, the History of the Kings of Britain remains of great interest to many people today. Many scholars think Geoffrey drew on existing legends, myths, and traditions that he included in his work. This article draws chiefly from Geoffrey’s work to present a version of the mythical founding of Britain by Brutus of Troy.

The Lineage of Brutus

Brutus, a figure of illustrious lineage, was the great-great-grandson of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. His ancestry can be traced back to the Trojan hero Aeneas, the son of Anchises and Aphrodite. Aeneas, who escaped the destruction of Troy carrying his crippled father, became the leader of a group of Trojan exiles who fled to settle in Italy. He was the progenitor of Romulus and Remus, and many of Rome’s rulers later claimed descent from him and the Royal House of Troy. Aeneas had a son named Ascanius, who was the father of Silvius, who was the father of Brutus.

The Royal House of Troy had two branches: the Dardanoi of Dardania and the House of Troy. Although the Dardanoi of Dardania was the most ancient branch, the House of Troy became the most famous and influential. Anchises (the father of Aeneas) was from Dardania and was founded by Dardanus, whose grandson Tros gave his name to the city of Troy and its people, the Trojans.

The Birth of Brutus

The story of Brutus begins in Italy, where the Trojan exiles lived. When his wife became pregnant, Silvius consulted a sorcerer to predict the unborn child’s gender and future. The sorcerer predicted a boy would be born, and this proved correct. He also predicted that the boy would be exiled after causing the death of both of his parents. Finally, he foretold that he would travel through many countries when he reached adulthood and fulfil many outstanding achievements. Not all these predictions were to the liking of Silvius, who killed the sorcerer.

However, his wife died during the birth of the boy, who was named Brutus. When he reached the age of 15, he accidentally killed his father, shooting him with an arrow while hunting. As punishment, Brutus was exiled from Italy and travelled to several islands before reaching Greece. The unfortunate seer was proved correct about the first two parts of his prophecy, and the rest was beginning to unfold.

Trojans Enslaved in Greece

While in Greece, Brutus met a group of Trojans living in slavery and led them in a courageous rebellion against Pandrasus, the Greek king. His successful leadership and strategic thinking led to the defeat and capture of Pandrasus, whom he held hostage. Realising the futility of a continuing war with the Greeks, Brutus made a bold decision. Instead of killing Pandrasus, he negotiated a deal. He freed Pandrasus in return for the freedom of the Trojans from slavery and the provision of enough ships and supplies for Brutus and his followers to sail from Greece in search of a new home. Pandrasus also gave his daughter, Ingoge, in marriage, who sailed with Brutus and his company in search of a place to settle and live in peace.

The Prophecy of Diana

2) The Goddess Diana Hunting – Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Brutus set out from Greece in command of a powerful group of armed Trojans, and whilst at sea, his small fleet came across a deserted island. He decided to land and explore. On the island, he found a long-disused temple dedicated to the goddess Diana, Mercury, and Jupiter. Seeking some sign for guidance, Brutus paid homage to Diana by completing the necessary rituals uttering the following invocation:


“Goddess of woods, tremendous in the chase
To mountain board and all the savage race!
Wide o’er the ethereal walks extend thy sway,
And o’er the infernal mansions void of the day!
Look upon us on earth! unfold our fate,
And say, what region is our destination seat?
Where shall we next thy lasting temples raise?
And choirs of virgins celebrate thy praise?” (1)

Brutus then lay down and went to sleep before Diana’s effigy. Whilst he slept, he dreamt that Diana appeared and showed him images of a fair and fertile land called Albion, whose only inhabitants were a few giants. She told him:

“Brutus! There lies beyond the Gallic bounds
An island which the western sea surrounds,
By giants once possessed, now few remain
To bar thy entrance or obstruct thy reign.
To reach that happy shore, thy sails employ,
There, fate decrees to raise a second Troy
And found an empire in thy royal line,
Which time shall ne’er destroy, nor bounds confine.” (2)

Believing this to be the sign he was looking for, Brutus set sail, looking for the island Diana had spoken of in his dream. After encountering sirens and pirates, whom Brutus defeated, his fleet arrived in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Living along the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Brutus discovered another band of exiled Trojans under the command of Corineus, a great and mighty warrior and a clever military strategist. Despite already commanding a formidable force of Trojans, Corineus was impressed with Brutus’s credentials and integrity and accepted him as his leader. The two bands united under Brutus, with Corineus as his lieutenant, and set sail to find the land that was revealed as their destiny in the prophecy of Diana. This alliance, forged in mutual respect and admiration, would prove crucial in the challenges ahead.

Aquitaine

Eventually, the fleet reached Aquitaine in Gaul and Brutus and his Trojans needed to restock their provisions. The fleet dropped anchor, and Brutus sent out parties to seek supplies, one of those led by Corineus. Hearing news of a fleet carrying a large body of warlike men anchored off his shore, the King of Aquitaine, Goffarius Pictus, sent emissaries to talk to them. The emissaries discovered Corineus with 200 men hunting in the forest and demanded to know why he had not sought permission from the king. The uncompromising Corineus mocked them, saying in no uncertain terms that he would hunt anywhere he wanted. One of the emissaries, by the name of Imbertus, took exception and raised his bow and arrow and advanced towards Corineus, who killed him by striking him with his bow. The emissaries retreated and returned to Goffarius with the news of the death of Imbertus and warned him of the formidable and aggressive company of men they had encountered.

King Goffarius

Goffarius raised an army and marched to meet the Trojans. After getting word of his approach, Brutus prepared his Trojans for battle and ordered the women and children to the ships. He left sufficient men for their defense and to prepare and sail the fleet should a disaster happen. He and Corineus, with most of their army, marched to confront the Gauls. Corineus lost his sword in the ensuing battle but found a great battle axe to wield against the Gauls causing mayhem and none could stand against him. After much bloodshed, the Trojans gained victory. Brutus ordered all the weapons left behind by the enemy to be taken to the ships, and plundered Aquitaine for treasure and supplies. Even though they had the victory, Brutus knew Goffarius and the Gauls would be seeking vengeance. Therefore, he ordered the construction of a fortified encampment in case they needed to make a stand and draw Goffarius away while the ships set sail.

Goffarius Attacks Again

The construction of these defenses proved to be a wise move, as Goffarius had gone from the battle to seek help from the Twelve Rulers of Gaul, who mustered an army three times the size of the Trojan forces. Brutus had ensured their position was well fortified, and he and Corineus had prepared the Trojans by giving them explicit instructions on the camp’s defense and how and when to launch an attack.
Knowing he outnumbered the Trojans, Goffarius was confident of success and wasted little time in attacking the Trojan positions. The Trojans, led by Brutus and Corineus, were well prepared, organised, and very disciplined and succeeded in fighting off numerous attacks outside the encampment. With the fighting continuing throughout the day, the superior numbers of the Gauls began to tell, and the Trojans were forced to retreat to their fortified camp. Goffarius surrounded the camp, intent on besieging and starving them if he could not defeat them in outright battle.

The Trojan Victory

With the situation looking bleak, Brutus called a meeting with his captains to discuss the situation. Corineus put forward a daring plan. He proposed that he and his men sneak through the enemy lines by the cover of night and then hide in the woods behind the Gauls until daybreak. Then, as the sun rose, rather than wait for the Gauls to attack, Brutus would take the initiative and assail the enemy first. While they were engaged with Brutus and his warriors, Corineus would lead his men in an attack on their rear. With no better plan to consider, Brutus agreed, and he and his nephew Turonus commanded the remaining men. That night, Corineus and his men crept through the enemy lines and hid in the woods behind the Gauls until dawn. As dawn broke, Brutus and Turonus led the Trojans in a frontal assault on the Gauls, catching them by surprise. While they were so engaged, Corineus and his warriors attacked the rear. The Gauls were heavily defeated, but the Trojans lost Turonus, who died fighting bravely. Although the Trojans were victorious in these battles, Brutus and Corineus knew that the Gauls had virtually unlimited resources in men at arms. They realised they could raise army after army to put against them and would eventually wear them down no matter how well they fought.

Albion

With their ships now replenished with supplies and provisions and with a great store of treasure and weapons, Brutus and Corineus decided to sail in search of Albion. Eventually, they found land and disembarked on what is now the coast of Devon. According to legend, as he stepped ashore, Brutus said:

“Here I stand and here I rest. And this town shall be called Totnes.”

Local legend says that the stone he first stepped on is now set in the pavement of Fore Street in Totnes and called the Brutus Stone.

The Giants of Albion

Stepping ashore, Brutus found the island was just as the goddess Diana had prophesied. Its principal inhabitants were a few giants. Although wild and untamed, it was a green and fertile land abounding with games of all kinds for hunting and with rivers the home to significant numbers of fish. The Trojans explored the land, and the more they saw, the more they wanted it. When they encountered giants, they forced them to flee, having the advantage of better weaponry and using the military discipline and tactics they had needed to learn and employ during their long exile from Troy.

Brutus divided the land among his commanders, and they began to build homes, clear the land and plant crops. Soon, parts of the country started to take on a more cultivated appearance, and settlements appeared. To perpetuate his name, Brutus decided that the island would be known as Britain after himself, and his people would be called Britons. The language that his people used would be known as British.
To Corineus, his trusted second-in-command, Brutus bestowed the western part of the island’s southwest peninsula, which had the most significant population of giants. Corineus was a man of superhuman strength and fighting them was but a sport or entertainment to him. Corineus named this land Cornea after himself, and today, it is called Cornwall. His people became known as Corineans, the Cornish people of today.

3) Trojans Fighting Gogmagog and the Giants of Albion

Gogmagog

The leader of the giants was called Gogmagog, or Goëmagot who was twelve cubits (18 feet) tall and so strong that he could easily uproot a full-grown oak tree. He was the most dangerous, being the largest and strongest. One day Brutus and his people gathered at the place of their arrival in Britain to engage in a festival giving thanks to their gods. Thinking of catching the Britons unprepared, Gogmagog led the giants in a surprise attack. They succeeded in killing many, but Brutus rallied the Britons, who fought back ferociously. All the giants were killed except Gogmagog, whom Brutus had ordered to be spared to fight for his life against Corineus, who delighted in single combat against such foes.


The fight began with Corineus and Gogmagog standing face to face and grappling furiously. Each tried to gain a firm grip on the other while also preventing the other from doing the same to them. They both strove mightily for some time, but each managed to counter the other. Eventually, Gogmagog managed to hold Corineus in a mighty bear hug and broke three of his ribs, one on his left side and two on his right. Corineus was incensed and, wild with rage, pulled the giant across his shoulders, ran to the edge of a nearby cliff, and hurled him over. Gogmagog crashed to his ruin on the rocks below, turning the sea red with his blood. Although this was the end of him in Geoffrey’s work, Gogmagog would return many centuries later.

New Troy

With the land free of giants, Brutus decided to build a new city and travelled throughout the country, seeking a site. Following the river, now called the Thames, he came to a suitable place and built a new city called Troia Nova or New Troy. Later, his city became known as Trinovantum, which would later become Caer-Lud and eventually London and become one of the great cities of the world. When Brutus had finished building the city, he chose from his people those he wanted to be its citizens. He then gave Britain laws so Britons could live in peace and justice.

After the Death of Brutus

Brutus had three sons by Ignoge, his Greek wife. These were Locrinus, Albanactus, and Kamber. Brutus ruled for 24 years and was buried in New Troy when he died. After his death, Corineus continued to rule Cornwall. The rest of Britain was divided into three parts, each governed by one of Brutus’s sons. Locrinus ruled an area roughly the same as England without Cornwall and was called Loegria. Albanactus ruled over Albania or Albany, approximately equivalent to Scotland. Kamber ruled over the rest of Britain, an area roughly equivalent to Wales.

4) Dinas Brân by Alphonse Dousseau, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Unanswered Questions

According to Geoffrey, Britain would have a long line of rulers descending from Brutus for about two thousand years until the 7th century when the Anglo-Saxons took control of most of Britain. Although Brutus had brought the Trojans to settle in Britain and create a civilisation from a wilderness, the giants were already present. One of the great questions Geoffrey of Monmouth leaves unanswered is the origin of Gogmagog and the giants of Albion.

Centuries later, on a bleak night on a storm-battered hill in Wales called Dinas Brân overlooking the town of Llangollen, Gogmagog would appear to a Norman knight named Payn Peveril and reveal to him the terrible history of the giants that once ruled Albion before the arrival of the Trojans and how the island recieved its name from a murderous queen.


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Vortigern’s Rule: Rowena’s Poison

Rowena was the legendary Anglo-Saxon temptress who captivated Vortigern, King of the Britons.  Her father was the Anglo-Saxon chief Hengist and she was mentioned in the Matter of Britain.  She is often seen as a femme fatale who deliberately set out to seduce and captivate the King of the Britons to gain influence for her father and her people.  She is mentioned by Nennius in Historia Brittonum (History of Britain) in the 9th century and Geoffrey of Monmouth in Historia regum Britanniae (The History of the Kings of Britain) written about 1136 and by Wace in Roman de Brut between 1150 – 1155. Although she is not a well known figure she played an important role in the fate of Vortigern and Britain in the years before the birth of King Arthur.   She played a large part in manipulating and undermining Vortigern for the benefit of her father Hengist and her Anglo-Saxon people.  Presented below is a retelling  of the story of Rowena according to Wace.

Hengist

Vortigern the  King of the Britons had employed the Saxon warlord Hengist to aid his defense of his realm and had been well pleased by the fighting prowess he and his warriors had shown in his service. Hengist, thinking that his service was worthy of reward went to him and requested a portion of land that could be encircled by the thong of a bull.  Within this circle he proposed to build himself a stronghold he could use as a base to serve the King of the Britons better and Vortigern had agreed. Hengist built his stronghold which became known as Thong Castle or Vancaster and asked permission of Vortigern to bring more warriors over from Germany to serve the King under his direction. In due time there came from Germany to the shores of Britain eighteen war galleys each filled with fighting men at arms but also carrying a rarer and more valuable cargo.   With them they had brought Rowena, the fair and beautiful unwed daughter of Hengist.

Rowena

To celebrate the building of his stronghold and the arrival of the ships Hengist invited Vortigern to a banquet in his new hall.  Hengist wanted to show off his new stronghold and for him to see the warriors who would man it, but there was also another reason. Vortigern was duly impressed by the stronghold and by the warriors who he accepted into his service. As the banquet progressed and as the wine flowed, from her chamber appeared the beautiful Rowena, dressed in the finest of clothes and bearing a golden cup overflowing with wine.

Walking gracefully up to Vortigern she knelt before him and offered him the cup saying,

 “Washael, lord king!”

Although Vortigern was most enthralled by this vision of loveliness kneeling before him and offering him a brimming cup of wine he did not understand her language.  Therefore he turned to Redic a Breton who understood the Saxon tongue for interpretation. Redric told him,

“The maiden saluted thee courteously, calling thee lord. It is the want of her people, sire, that when friend drinks with friend, he who proffers the cup cries, ‘Washael,’ and that he who receives answers in turn, ‘Drinkhael’. Then drinks he the half of this loving cup, and for joy and for friendship of him who set it in his hand, kisses the giver with all fair fellowship.” (1)

Therefore, Vortigern smiling at Rowena took the cup saying,

“Drinkhael”

and drank half the cup returning it to drink and kissed her. This Saxon custom of toasting would eventually become popular throughout the land.  A cup would be offered saying “Washael,” with the receiver saying “Drinkhael,” and the two sharing a kiss.

Vortigern had been drinking heavily and Rowena was an exceptionally beautiful women. She was also one of the most most sort after princesses in Europe. Now she stood before Vortigern finely and elegantly dressed and he feasted his eyes upon her and he was smitten. He was in a most merry and sociable mood and because of the wine his wits were dulled and as she knelt smiling before him offering him the golden cup, Vortigern, the King of the Britons fell under the spell of Rowena, the daughter of Hengist the Saxon.  Vortigern was a Christian and Rowena a pagan and any such thoughts of lust or marriage should have been strictly taboo but he was well and truly hooked.

Vortigern and the Devil

It was said the devil entered into him that night.  Vortigern could see no shame or wrong in her and lust burned hot in him.  He wanted her more than anything else and he begged Hengist for her hand in marriage.  After consultation with his brother Horsa and his other chieftains Hengist agreed on condition that Vortigern give to him the province of Kent as her dowry.

Without hesitation or consulting with his own advisers and nobles Vortigern readily agreed. Hengist was not slow in claiming Kent and forced out the incumbent lord named Garagon who Vortigern had neglected to inform of his loss creating much resentment among his nobles.

They now saw their King married to a pagan and showing a greater liking to them and their pagan ways than to his own countrymen who were Christians.  With Rowena as his wife and Hengist his father-in-law, Vortigern did indeed begin to give more favor and preference to the pagan Saxons causing great concern among the nobles of the Britons.

Saxon Reinforcements

Hengist was quick to take advantage of the the hatred the Britons now held against Vortigern and himself and went to him seeking to bring in reinforcements from Germany telling him,

“… men hold thee in hatred by reason of me, and because of thy love they bear me malice also. I am thy father, and thou my son, since thou wert pleased to ask my daughter for thy wife. It is my privilege to counsel my king, and he should hearken to my counsel, and aid me to his power. If thou wilt make sure thy throne, and grieve those who use thee despitefully, send now for Octa my son, and for my cousin Ebissa. There are not two more cunning captains than these, nor two champions to excel them in battle. Give these captains of thy land towards Scotland, for from thence comes all the mischief. They will deal with thy foes in such fashion that never more shall they take of thy realm, but for the rest of thy days we shall live in peace beyond the Humber.”  (2)

Vortigern agreed giving his permission to invite as men men as would fight for him. Hengist duly summoned his kinsmen to bring all who would follow them and they brought with them a fleet of three hundred ships filled with Saxon men-at-arms.  So many came that the Britons became concerned that a takeover by stealth was happening and when Vortigern dismissed their concern they went to his son Vortimer.

This new influx of Saxon warriors enraged the British nobles who began to talk darkly about their king.  Soon their anger and resentment turned to open revolt. Vortimer, Vortigern’s eldest son from his first wife,  took the leadership of the rebels and was joined by his younger brothers Caligern and Pascentius. The rebels made Vortimer, King of the Britons and he led them in a series of four battles eventually forcing the Saxons from the mainland. Vortigern chose to stay with his new wife Rowena and his father-in-law throughout the fighting and would not disown Rowena and her father Hengist or speak against the Saxons. As far as he was concerned they had served him bravely and faithfully and he stayed among them while his sons and the Britons led by Vortimer attacked and harassed them.

The Battles of Vortimer

Vortimer was a brave and skilful general and  drove the Saxons from the fortified towns, defeating them in four battles. In the first battle he defeated them on the banks of the Darent.  The second was fought at the ford near Aylesford. In the third battle Catigurn and Horsa dueled killing each other and in the fourth Vortimer pushed the Saxons back to the sea confining them to the isle of Thanet. There he harried them daily from his ships cutting off all supplies and exit.

Hengist, knowing they were trapped, sent Vortigern to his son to negotiate a safe passage from the island back to Germany for him and his Saxons.  While the negotiations were ongoing and with the Britons distracted Hengist and his Saxon warriors took to their ships in haste, leaving the women and children behind and escaping back to Germany.

With the Saxons gone the realm of the Britons was now at peace and Vortimer set about rebuilding the damage to the churches and the cities that the Saxons had been responsible for.  He rewarded those who had fought for him and restored Christianity and the laws of the Britons.

Rowena’s Poison

Rowena hated Vortimer for driving out her father and restoring Christianity.   She kept in touch with him while he was in Germany,and treacherously instigated the poisoning of Vortimer.   Realizing he was dying Vortimer called his barons together and shared out the treasures he had won and then with his last words said,

“take into your service warriors not a few, and grudge not the sergeant his wages. Hold one to another, and maintain the land against these Saxons. That my work may not be wasted, and avenged upon those who live, do this thing for their terror. Take my body, and bury it upon the shore. Raise above me such a tomb, so large and lasting, that it may be seen from far by all who voyage on the sea. To that coast where my body is buried, living or dead, they shall not dare to come.”  (3)

After this he died but the barons, perhaps foolishly ignored his burial wish and buried him in London.  Although this was the end of Vortimer it was not the end of the Saxon wars.

Once again Vortigern was made King of the Britons with Rowena one of his queens. She persuaded him to invite her father back bringing with him a small personal guard. Instead, Hengist on hearing his arch foe Vortimer was dead, raised an army of three hundred thousand warriors and built a fleet of ships in preparation for the invasion of Britain.

As soon as news of this development reached Vortigern and his barons they vowed they would meet the invaders in battle and drive them from their shores.  Through Rowena, Hengist learned of this intent and rather than risk open battle he decided to try a more devious approach that involved making a great show of supposedly peaceful intentions.  He sent ambassadors to Vortigern explaining that he had only raised such a vast army because he feared attack from his son Vortimer who he thought was still alive.  Since then he had now received news confirming his death and proposed to leave it up to Vortigern’s discretion who and how many should be returned home to Germany.   He then proposed that if Vortigern was in agreement that he should choose a time and place where they could meet together unarmed and in friendship to discuss any problems and make a peace treaty together.

The Treachery of the Long Knives

This suited Vortigern and he agreed and a peace conference was organised between the two parties scheduled for the kalends of May at at the monastery of Ambrius on Salisbury Plain.  The two sides were supposed to meet unarmed and in good faith to work out a peaceful solution to their problems. Maybe Vortigern was still under the spell of Rowena but he trusted Hengist completely and the Britons arrived unarmed.  Hengist was not so trusting of the Britons and had other designs in his mind. He  ordered that all of his followers should conceal in their clothing a long knife with which they were to attack the Britons with at his signal. As the conference got underway the wine and beer began to flow and the Saxons acted in a friendly and sociable way towards the Britons encouraging them to drink.  When Hengist deemed the time was right he gave the order for his Saxons to attack the nearest Briton. He spared Vortigern but the only other British noble to escape death was Eldol, the Duke of Gloucester, who in a mighty effort fought his way to a horse and escaped.  This treacherous event had a profound effect on the Britons who called it The Treachery of the Long Knives because  it left them virtually leaderless in the face of the Saxon takeover.

Hengist had spared Vortigern because of his marriage to Rowena but also because he wanted to extract ransom, forcing  him to give him all of the fortified towns and places in Britain in exchange for his life. With the most part of the nobles of the Britons massacred the country was now controlled by the Saxons.  With all of the fortified places in the hands of Hengist, Vortigern was forced to seek somewhere to make a refuge for himself and Rowena and those few who still followed him.

The Death of Vortigern and Rowena

The world had turned against him and soon he was to hear news of the arrival in Britain of an invasion force led by Aurelius Ambrosius, the rightful heir to the throne of Britain and his brother Uther.  They were determined to regain the crown of Britain that Vortigern had usurped and joined by Eldol and the remaining Britons they besieged him in his hastily built stronghold and finally burnt it to the ground killing him and Rowena.

© 26/04/2018 zteve t evans

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Vortigern’s Rule: The Treachery of the Long Knives

The_murder_of_Raymond_Trencavel

By Noel Sylvestre (1847-1915) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Treachery and Betrayal

The Treachery of the Long Knives was a legendary event that was allegedly inflicted upon the unsuspecting British King Vortigern and his chieftains by the Saxon mercenary leader Hengist in the 5th century.  It was seen as a supreme act of treachery and betrayal by the Britons and is mentioned in the 6th-century work Historia Brittonum attributed to Nennius.   Later Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century in his work Historia Regum Britanniae (The History of the Kings of Britain) presents a slightly different version.  The work presented here is drawn from both versions.

Hengist and Horsa

The legend tells how after Vortigern had usurped the crown of Britain he turned to the Saxons led by the brothers Hengist and Horsa for help in fighting the Picts and Gaels who were ravaging his kingdom. The Saxons proved an effective fighting force driving out his enemies.  As a reward for their services he gave them the Isle of Thanet, Kent, as well provisions and gifts in gratitude.

Despite being richly rewarded the Saxons were not satisfied with the land and gifts and had a bigger game plan in their minds which they kept secret from Vortigern. They wanted Britain to rule for themselves and had a plan to get their way.  Hengist and Horsa cleverly manipulated Vortigern into allowing them to bring in more of their people from overseas in the pretense of helping to secure Britain from its enemies. They were hugely successful in battle and in return for their services in securing his kingdom they successfully persuaded Vortigern to grant more land and let them bring in more of their people.

Vortigern had become infatuated with the daughter of Hengist whose name was Rowena. Hengist gave her to him in marriage to curry favor, reinforce his web of deception and to have another hold over Vortigern.  All along he had loftier designs and all the time was planning and plotting to overthrow Vortigern and take control of Britain.  Vortigern allowed more and more Saxons into Britain giving them land in the north of the country to protect the rest of Britain from raids from Scotland, but as their numbers grew so did their power. The growing power of the Saxons and the increasing dependence of Vortigern on them and the favor he showed to them began to concern some of his own warlords including Vortimer his son. With backing from other British nobles and barons, he took the crown and attacked the Saxons finally defeating them after four battles.

Vortimer’s Successes

Vortimer fought the Saxons courageously and successfully while his father remained with Hengist. During one of the battles, Horsa was killed and some accounts say it was by Catigern, another of Vortigern’s sons. Some accounts say they met in battle and fought in a duel killing each other, though it cannot be verified. After Vortimer had successfully driven out Hengist and the Saxon, he was poisoned, allegedly by Rowena, who was now his step-mother, being the wife of Vortigern and the daughter of Hengist. After the death of his son, Vortigern retook the crown of Britain and at Rowena’s request invited her father back to Britain in a private capacity. He gave permission for him to bring a small and limited armed entourage to provide protection for him and his servants. Hengist had feared Vortimer but hearing that he was dead instead of bringing a small entourage assembled an army of three hundred thousand warriors and built a fleet of ships to carry them to Britain.

When the news of such a vast warlike army reached Vortigern and his princes and barons they were angry and vowed to fight and drive them from Britain. Rowena sent a message warning her father that the Briton’s intended to fight and Hengist set about making a new plan. He considered several different approaches and in the end settled for a great show of peace towards Vortigern and the Britons.

He sent envoys to Vortigern with a message of lies claiming that he had not raised such a great army to stay with him or threaten Britain. The reason he claimed to have brought them was that he believed Vortimer still lived and he feared he would be attacked by him. However, now he had received news confirming his death and therefore he proposed that he put himself and his army to the judgment of Vortigern. It would be up to him to decide who and how many should stay and who and how many should return home. He further proposed that if this plan was agreeable to Vortigern that he should decide a time and place where they could meet and discuss the details together.

The Treachery of the Long Knives

Vortigern was pleased with the proposal and accepted. He had been unhappy that Hengist and his people had been driven out by his son and sent a message back with the envoys saying they would meet at the monastery of Ambrius on the kalends of May which were near.  The peace discussions would take place at a banquet where the matters would be discussed peacefully no weapons were to be carried.

With these matters agreed, Hengist invented a new more villainous plan and ordered that all his men were to conceal a long knife in their clothes at the banquet. When the wine was flowing and the Britons suitably relaxed he would shout, “Nemet oure Saxas”. His men would then stab the nearest Briton to them. With this villainy in mind, Hengist and his Saxons attended the conference at the appointed time and place. When he deemed it an appropriate time he shouted his command which the Britons not knowing their language did not understand. His Saxons took out their long knives and stabbed the nearest unarmed and unsuspecting Briton. While this was taking place Hengist took Vortigern prisoner.

Eldol Escapes

The Saxons killed all except one of the unsuspecting and unarmed Britons who had come expecting to talk peace. Nevertheless, although surprised and unarmed they fought bravely and ferociously and succeeded in killing a great number of Saxons before the fell.  Only Eldol, Earl of Gloucester got away having found a wooden stake which he used with deadly effect as a weapon fighting his way to a horse and escaping.  He would later join up with Aurelius Ambrosius and his brother Uther to take revenge on both Vortigern and Hengist. He held Vortigern responsible for bringing in the Saxons and whose foolishness had allowed the massacre.  He hated Hengist the Saxon leader and perpetrator of the bloodbath as enemy of Britain and betrayer of good faith.

According to Nennius three hundred were killed but Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed as many as four hundred and sixty of the ruling barons and nobility of Britain had been killed and these were buried by bishop Eldad who gave them a Christian burial near the monastery of Ambrius near Salisbury. This had been a disaster for the Britons and had a profound effect on the British psyche. It derived them from many of their barons and war leaders making it possible for Hengist to effectively take control of the country virtually unopposed.

Hengist

Hengist now with Vortigern at his mercy demanded that he give to him the strongholds and fortified cities of Britain or be killed. With no other choice, Vortigern gave Hengist everything he demanded. With Britain effectively bereft of leadership, Hengist marched his army to London laying waste the countryside along the way and occupying that city. With London secure, he then took Winchester, York, and Lincoln burning and raising towns and villages along the way.

Vortigern Flees

When Vortigern saw the destruction the Saxons wreaked upon Britain he fled to Cambria having no other idea of what to do knowing he could not stand against them. Calling together his wise men he asks their advice. After consulting together they agreed he should find some strategically defensive place where a strongly fortified tower could be built that would offer him safety, for now, he had no safe place to stay anywhere in Britain. The place he chose was believed to have been Dinas Emrys but it did not prove to be a good choice as the building works kept tumbling down.

The Prophecy of Merlin

It was here Merlin comes to play an important role in the affairs of Britain. Merlin prophesied that there were two dragons, one red and one white, buried in a pool under the foundations which was the reason why the walls fell down. Furthermore, it was here that he prophesied the arrival of Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther the rightful heirs to the crown of Britain with an invasion force to reclaim the throne from him. With news of their arrival, the surviving war leaders flocked to his banner and Aurelius was made the king.

Significantly, Merlin also prophesied the defeat of the Saxons by the Boar of Cornwall, the symbol of Arthur Pendragon, who would eventually be king. He told Vortigern he needed to find another site for his fort and that he faced two deaths. One from Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther when they caught up with him.  The from the Saxons and Merlin told him he did not know which it would be.  It so happened that Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther, with the help of Eldol, caught up with him first burning him and his wives to death in their stronghold. They would then turn their attention on Hengist and succeeded in defeating the Saxons.

Once Britain was at peace, King Aurelius instructed his brother Uther and his adviser, Merlin to bring him the Giant’s Dance from Mount Killaraus in Ireland. After Uther had defeated the Irish king Merlin transported the Giant’s Dance to Britain and installed it at Ambrius. There it made a fitting monument to the victims of the Treachery of the Long Knives. Both he and Uther were buried there when their time came both and both were killed by treachery and the term became synonymous with betrayal and deceit through the ages.

Nazi Germany

The term was believed to have been adapted to describe a purge that took place in Nazi Germany from 30 June to 2nd July, 1934 and called The Night of the Long Knives. This was a series of extrajudicial killings of leading members of the Nazi’s own paramilitary organization, the Sturmabteilung but also known as the Brownshirts, because of the color of the clothes they wore. Hitler believed the Brownshirts had become a threat to his political power and the purpose of the murders was to strengthen his grip on power in Germany. Such was its power that variations of the term are still used to describe sudden political purges around the world yet there is no proof that the event ever took place.

© 15/11/2017 zteve t evans

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The Prophecy of Merlin: The Two Dragons

vortigern-dragons

Vortigern and Merlin and the Two Dragons – Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In the Arthurian realm of legend and romance destiny and fate play essential parts in many of the legends and stories.  The practice of some writers from the Romances back to Geoffrey of Monmouth to link to earlier works and legends often gives a sense that the main characters and events are governed by some supernatural force that shapes destiny and fate. Events that happened many years and sometimes centuries earlier, become linked to important events in later legends and stories returning to the fore after lying dormant. One of these events involved two important players in the Arthurian world, both having played a part in shaping the destiny of Britain before Arthur was even born.  These two were Vortigern who usurped the throne of Britain and a young Myrddin Emrys, also known as Myrddin Ambrosius or Merlin.  Vortigern gained infamy and a reputation for treachery and weakness and Merlin became the sorcerer, counselor and soothsayer of the kings of Britain in his time.

Fate and destiny combine in strange ways and an event from the distant past resurfaced to cause King Vortigern a problem he could not have foreseen and the only person who could solve this was the then young and unknown Merlin.  The two were brought together on Dinas Emrys where Merlin was inspired to make one of his most famous prophecies on the fate of Britain.  Sometimes  called the Prophecy of the Two Dragons or  The Prophecy of Merlin, it reveals the coming of Arthur and the future of Britain, making  him the leading soothsayer and sorcerer of his time.

Vortigern’s Fortress

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, after the Treachery of the Long Knives, when the greater part of the nobility and leadership of the Britons had been brutally and treacherously murdered by Hengist and his Saxons, the wise men of King Vortigern, advised him to seek out a place where he might build a fortress as a place of safety to retreat to.

After searching what remained of his realm for a safe and suitable site he finally chose a rocky, wooded, hill about one mile from what is now called Beddgelert in Gwynedd, Wales, that rises to a height of about 250 feet above the valley of the River Glaslyn.  This hill was once called Dinas Ffaraon Dandde or fortress of Fiery Pharaoh, and later became known as Dinas Emrys which means fortress of Ambrosius.

Thinking he has found a good site Vortigern gave the command for the work on building the walls of the fortress to commence.   His builders worked hard building walls and towers in the daytime but no matter how far they progressed in a day, when they came back the next morning, they would find the previous day’s work in a heap on the ground.  Although the builders used all their skills and knowledge and worked as hard as they possibly could during the day, each morning they would return to find the previous day’s work once again in a pile on the ground. This went on for many days until Vortigern was obliged to seek help from his wise men. According to Nennius, a 9th century monk and writer, his wise men informed him that that he would have to seek out a young boy. “not conceived by a mortal man”. who would be sacrificed and his blood sprinkled in the mortar of the stonework in the hope of appeasing what ever dark power was hindering the construction of the fortress.

Myrddin Emrys

Vortigern sent his messengers out across the land seeking out such a boy.  After many days and much searching, one of the messengers returned with a boy named Myrddin Emrys or Merlin Ambrosius, who was the only boy they could find “not conceived by a mortal man”.

Geoffrey of Monmouth in his book Historia regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain, 1137) says that Merlin was believed to have been the the son of an incubus, or demon and his mother was mortal and was a nun.   With the incubus representing Satan and the nun representing Jesus Christ, or God, he had been born from two opposing powers.  As such he was said to have inherited the wisdom, knowledge and powers of both of these forces.  He was brought before Vortigern who told him the fate he intended to inflict upon him.  Geoffrey says,

“A meeting took place the next day for the purpose of putting him to death. Then the boy said to the king, “Why have your servants brought me hither?” “That you may be put to death,” replied the king, “and that the ground on which my citadel is to stand, may be sprinkled with your blood, without which I shall be unable to build it.”

However, according to Geoffrey, Merlin was not intimidated by Vortigern.  Instead, he spoke with power and authority, demanding to know where he had got this idea from. He then declared to Vortigern he would reveal the real reason why the construction of the fortress was unsuccessful.

cotton_claudius_b_vii_f-224_merlin_vortigern

Merlin reads his prophecies to King Vortigern – By Unknown illustrator. Per Nigel Morgan Survey, probably London, 1250 or earlier. Style of Matthew Paris, but not him. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Prophecy of the Two Dragons

Geoffrey of Monmouth then gives the following account of Merlin’s interview with Vorigern and his wise men,

“Who,” said the boy, “instructed you to do this?” “My wise men,” answered the king. “Order them hither,” returned the boy; this being complied with, he thus questioned them: “By what means was it revealed to you that this citadel could not be built, unless the spot were previously sprinkled with my blood? Speak without disguise, and declare who discovered me to you;” then turning to the king, “I will soon,” said he, “unfold to you every thing; but I desire to question your wise men, and wish them to disclose to you what is hidden under this pavement:” they acknowledging their ignorance, “there is,” said he, “a pool; come and dig:” they did so, and found the pool. “Now,” continued he, “tell me what is in it;” but they were ashamed, and made no reply. “I,” said the boy, “can discover it to you: there are two vases in the pool;” they examined, and found it so: continuing his questions,” What is in the vases?” they were silent: “there is a tent in them,” said the boy; “separate them, and you shall find it so;” this being done by the king’s command, there was found in them a folded tent. The boy, going on with his questions, asked the wise men what was in it? But they not knowing what to reply, “There are,” said he, “two serpents, one white and the other red; unfold the tent;” they obeyed, and two sleeping serpents were discovered; “consider attentively,” said the boy, “what they are doing.” The serpents began to struggle with each other; and the white one, raising himself up, threw down the other into the middle of the tent, and sometimes drove him to the edge of it; and this was repeated thrice. At length the red one, apparently the weaker of the two, recovering his strength, expelled the white one from the tent; and the latter being pursued through the pool by the red one, disappeared. Then the boy, asking the wise men what was signified by this wonderful omen, and they expressing their ignorance, he said to the king,”

The wise men of Vortigern had no idea of what any these signs meant and could not hide their ignorance.  With growing confidence Merlin told them their meaning and then made a famous prophecy about the fate of Britain,

“I will now unfold to you the meaning of this mystery. The pool is the emblem of this world, and the tent that of your kingdom: the two serpents are two dragons; the red serpent is your dragon, but the white serpent is the dragon of the people who occupy several provinces and districts of Britain, even almost from sea to sea: at length, however, our people shall rise and drive away the Saxon race from beyond the sea, whence they originally came; but do you depart from this place, where you are not permitted to erect a citadel; I, to whom fate has allotted this mansion, shall remain here; whilst to you it is incumbent to seek other provinces, where you may build a fortress.”

Merlin then explained that the problems with the construction were actually caused by the two sleeping dragons waking up and fighting each other.  He explained the Red Dragon represented the defenders of Britain which although exhausted and appearing defeated would eventually rise up and repulse  the White Dragon of the invading Anglo-Saxons.   He told of the coming of Arthur who he referred to as the Boar of Cornwall which would be the emblem on his banner and prophesied that six kings descended from Arthur would rule before the Anglo-Saxons returned to rule over Britain.

Then Merlin told Vortigern that he was not destined to build his fortress on this site.  He told him that fate had given the ownership of the hill to himself and told Vortigern he must seek elsewhere for a suitable site.  Vortigern followed Merlin’s advice and eventually settled on Cair Guorthegirn whom some scholars think may be Craig Gwrtheyrn, Llandysul, Dyfed, but it is not proven and there are several other candidates. This was to be the place Vortigern met his death when it was burned down by Ambrosius and Uther, two brothers who attacked him out of revenge for killing another of their brothers who had been king.

For the defenders of Britain the prophecy of the two dragons was a momentous event, giving hope and inspiration for those who lived in those times to carry on the fight and was an important moment in the destiny of Britain and he went on to make further prophecies concerning the future of Britain beyond Arthur’s time. However, as with many other important events in the Arthurian world the seeds of this event were sown may centuries earlier before even the Romans ruled by a King of Britain named Lludd Llaw Eraint in the Mabinogion who in Geoffrey’s work is believed to be King Lud.

Lludd Llaw Eraint

The tale of Lludd and Llevelys from the Mabinogion reveals how these two dragons came to be placed in the pool on Dinas Emrys centuries earlier to be found later in Vorigern’s time and inspire the prophecy of Merlin.  In this tale Lludd and Llevelys are two brothers.  Lludd ruled Britain while Llevelys ruled Gaul.   There came a time when Britain was afflicted by three terrible plagues.  The first plague was that of the Coraniaid. The second was the plague of the two dragons.  The third was caused by a giant who would keep stealing the provisions from the royal stores.  It is the second plague that explains how the two dragons came to be entombed in the pool on Dinas Emrys.

The Plague of the Two Dragons

According to the tale they were placed there by Lludd acting on the advice of his brother, because they had caused Britain great fear and anxiety.   The story goes that every year on the eve of May Day a terrible shrieking scream was heard throughout the length and breadth of the realm which was caused by two dragons fighting each other.   One of the dragons was red and the other was white.   When the White Dragon fought the Red Dragon it caused it to make the fearful, shrieking cry.  It was this terrible scream that was heard throughout the country searing into the very hearts of the people causing great fear and anxiety among them.  The scream was so awful it caused strong men to wax pale and fall weak, women would lose their babies, and young men and maidens would become bereft of their senses. Furthermore, all creatures, plants and trees, waters and the earth itself became barren and infertile.  The plague was finally defeated when Lludd following the advice of his brother Llevelys set a trap for the dragons capturing and containing them.  He then buried them under the pool on Dinas Emrys which at the time was deemed to be the safest part of his kingdom.

His brother had advised Lludd that to capture the dragons he would need to dig a pit in the exact center of his kingdom.  After taking measurements from all corners of his realm Lludd determined that the center lay in a place now called Oxford.  He placed a cauldron of mead in the bottom of the pit and covered it with a sheet of satin.  To begin with the dragons took on the shape of terrifying animals and fell about fighting each other by the side of the pit. Then they transformed into huge winged beast and fought each other in the air.  Finally they exhausted themselves and transforming into pigs fell from the air landing on the covering of a satin sheet which gave way and they fell into the cauldron of mead.  Drinking the mead they fell into a stupor and fell asleep. Lludd then wrapped them up in the satin sheet and placed them in a stone coffin and took them to Dinas Emrys where they were placed under the pool on the hill.

Destiny and Fate

Centuries later Vortigern, seeking out a site to build a fortress, chose Dinas Emrys. There he encountered problems securing the foundations and sought to remedy this. According to his wise men he needed to sacrifice a boy “not conceived by a mortal man” and sprinkle his blood in the foundations.   Vortigern found such a being named Myrddin Emrys who made his famous prophecy and was to prove instrumental in ensuring the destiny of Britain unfolded.  This is how destiny and fate often come together to work in strange, unforeseen ways in the legends and romances of King Arthur.

© 05/07/2017 zteve t evans

References, Attributions and Further Information

Copyright July 5th, 2017 zteve t evans

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The legendary Brutus of Troy, first king of Britain

According to medieval legend the founder and first king of Britain was the Trojan exile known as Brutus of Troy, who was said to be the descendant of the Trojan hero, Aeneas. This claim was first documented in a ninth century text the Historia Britonum attributed to Nennius, followed by an account given by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his Histori Regum Britanniae, in the 12th century. Brutus does not appear in classical works and is not regarded as being a historical figure by most historians.

Brutus of Troy – Public Domain

In a hunting accident when Brutus was in his teens he killed his father with an arrow and was punished by being exiled from Italy. Brutus left Italy and traveled among the islands of the Tyrrhenian Sea and spent time in Gaul, founding the city of Tours. Eventually with a band of followers he arrived in Britain defeating the few giants that populated the country. Naming the country after himself and reigning over it until his death. His sons were to split Britain into three parts to rule over. Read more Continue reading →