History Of The Britons (Historia Brittonum) by Nennius
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44. Four times did Vortimer valorously encounter the enemy;[1]
the first has been mentioned, the second was upon the river Darent,
the third at the Ford, in their language called Epsford, though
in ours Set thirgabail,[2] there Horsa fell, and Catigern, the son
of Vortigern; the fourth battle he fought was near the stone[3]
on the shore of the Gallic sea, where the Saxons being defeated,
fled to their ships.
[1] 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 for ever.
Whence, in memory of St. Germanus, it received the name Guarenniaun
(Guartherniaun, Gurthrenion, Gwarth Ennian) which signifies, a
calumny justly retorted, since, when he thought to reproach the
bishop, he covered himself with reproach."
[2] According to Langhorne, Epsford was afterwards called, in the
British tongue, Saessenaeg habail, or 'the slaughter of the Saxons.'
[3] V.R. "The stone of Titulus, thought to be Stone in Kent, or
Larger-stone in Suffolk.
After a short interval Vortimer died; before his decease, anxious
for the future prosperity of his country, he charged his friends
to inter his body at the entrance of the Saxon port, viz. upon the
rock where the Saxons first landed; "for though," said he, "they
may inhabit other parts of Britain, yet if you follow my commands,
they will never remain in this island." They imprudently disobeyed
this last injunction, and neglected to bury him where he had ap-
pointed.*
* Rapin says he was buried at Lincoln; Geoffrey, at London.
45. After this the barbarians became firmly incorporated, and
were assisted by foreign pagans; for Vortigern was their friend,
on account of the daughter* of Hengist, whom he so much loved,
that no one durst fight against him-in the meantime they soothed
the imprudent king, and whilst practising every appearance of
fondness, were plotting with his enemies. And let him that reads
understand, that the Saxons were victorious, and ruled Britain,
not from their superior prowess, but on account of the great sins
of the Britons: God so permitting it.
For what wise man will resist the wholesome counsel of God? The
Almighty is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, ruling and
judging every one, according to his own pleasure.
After the death of Vortimer, Hengist being strengthened by new
accessions, collected his ships, and calling his leaders together,
consulted by what stratagem they might overcome Vortigern and his
army; with insidious intention they sent messengers to the king,
with offers of peace and perpetual friendship; unsuspicious of
treachery, the monarch, after advising with his elders, accepted
the proposals.
* 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.
46. Hengist, under pretence of ratifying the treaty, prepared
an entertainment, to which he invited the king, the nobles, and
military officers, in number about three hundred; speciously
concealing his wicked intention, he ordered three hundred Saxons
to conceal each a knife under his feet, and to mix with the Britons;
"and when," said he, "they are sufficiently inebriated, &c. cry out,
'Nimed eure Saxes,' then let each draw his knife, and kill his
man; but spare the king, on account of his marriage with my daughter,
for it is better that he should be ransomed than killed."*
* The VV. RR. Of this section are too numerous to be inserted.
The king with his company, appeared at the feast; and mixing with
the Saxons, who, whilst they spoke peace with their tongues,
cherished treachery in their hearts, each man was placed next to
his enemy.
After they had eaten and drunk, and were much intoxicated, Hengist
suddenly vociferated, "Nimed eure Saxes!" and instantly his
adherents drew their knives, and rushing upon the Britons, each
slew him that sat next to him, and there was slain three hundred
of the nobles of Vortigern. The king being a captive, purchased
his redemption, by delivering up the three provinces of East,
South, and Middle Sex, besides other districts at the option of
his betrayers.
47. St. Germanus admonished Vortigern to turn to the true God,
and abstain from all unlawful intercourse with his daughter; but
the unhappy wretch fled for refuge to the province Guorthegirnaim,*
so called from his own name, where he concealed himself with his
wives: but St. Germanus followed him with all the British clergy,
and upon a rock prayed for his sins during forty days and forty
nights.
* A district of Radnorshire, forming the present hundred of Rhaiadr.
The Blessed man was unanimously chosen commander against the Saxons.
And then, not by the clang of trumpets, but by praying, singing
hallelujah, and by the cries of the army to God, the enemies were
routed, and driven even to the sea.*
*V.R. This paragraph is omitted in the MSS.
Again Vortigern ignominiously flew from St. Germanus to the kingdom
of the Dimetae, where, on the river Towy,* he built a castle, which
he named Cair Guothergirn. The saint, as usual, followed him there,
and with his clergy fasted and prayed to the Lord three days, and
as many nights. On the third night, at the third hour, fire fell
suddenly from heaven, and totally burned the castle. Vortigern,
the daughter of Hengist, his other wives, and all the inhabitants,
both men and women, miserably perished: such was the end of this
unhappy king, as we find written in the life of St. Germanus.
*The Tobias of Ptolemy
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