byNenniusTranslatedbyJ。A。GilesI。ThePrologue。
1。Nennius，thelowlyministerandservantoftheservantsofGod，bythegraceofGod，discipleofSt。Elbotus，*toallthefollowersoftruthsendethhealth。
*OrElvod，bishopofBangor，A。D。755，whofirstadoptedintheCambrianchurchthenewcycleforregulatingEaster。
Beitknowntoyourcharity，thatbeingdullinintellectandrudeofspeech，IhavepresumedtodeliverthesethingsintheLatintongue，nottrustingtomyownlearning，whichislittleornoneatall，butpartlyfromtraditionsofourancestors，partlyfromwritingsandmonumentsoftheancientinhabitantsofBritain，partlyfromtheannalsoftheRomans，andthechroniclesofthesacredfathers，Isidore，Hieronymus，Prosper，Eusebius，andfromthehistoriesoftheScotsandSaxons，althoughourenemies，notfollowingmyowninclinations，but，tothebestofmyability，obeyingthecommandsofmyseniors；Ihavelispinglyputtogetherthishistoryfromvarioussources，andhaveendeavored，fromshame，todeliverdowntoposteritythefewremainingearsofcornaboutpasttransactions，thattheymightnotbetroddenunderfoot，seeingthatanamplecrophasbeensnatchedawayalreadybythehostilereapersofforeignnations。Formanythingshavebeeninmyway，andI，tothisday，havehardlybeenabletounderstand，evensuperficially，aswasnecessary，thesayingsofothermen；
muchlesswasIableinmyownstrength，butlikeabarbarian，haveImurderedanddefiledthelanguageofothers。ButIboreaboutwithmeaninwardwound，andIwasindignant，thatthenameofmyownpeople，formerlyfamousanddistinguished，shouldsinkintooblivion，andlikesmokebedissipated。Butsince，however，IhadrathermyselfbethehistorianoftheBritonsthannobody，althoughsomanyaretobefoundwhomightmuchmoresatisfactorilydischargethelabourthusimposedonme；Ihumblyentreatmyreaders，whoseearsImayoffendbytheineleganceofmywords，thattheywillfulfilthewishofmyseniors，andgrantmetheeasytaskoflisteningwithcandourtomyhistory。Forzealouseffortsveryoftenfail：butboldenthusiasm，wereitinitspower，wouldnotsuffermetofail。May，therefore，candourbeshownwheretheineleganceofmywordsisinsufficient，andmaythetruthofthishistory，whichmyrustictonguehasventured，asakindofplough，totraceoutinfurrows，losenoneofitsinfluencefromthatcause，intheearsofmyhearers。Foritisbettertodrinkawholesomedraughtoftruthfromthehumblevessel，thanpoisonmixedwithhoneyfromagoldengoblet。
2。Anddonotbeloath，diligentreader，towinnowmychaff，andlayupthewheatinthestorehouseofyourmemory：fortruthregardsnotwhoisthespeaker，norinwhatmanneritisspoken，butthatthethingbetrue；andshedoesnotdespisethejewelwhichshehasrescuedfromthemud，butsheaddsittoherformertreasures。
ForIyieldtothosewhoaregreaterandmoreeloquentthanmyself，who，kindledwithgenerousardour，haveendeavouredbyRomaneloquencetosmooththejarringelementsoftheirtongue，iftheyhaveleftunshakenanypillarofhistorywhichIwishedtoseeremain。Thishistorythereforehasbeencompiledfromawishtobenefitmyinferiors，notfromenvyofthosewhoaresuperiortome，inthe858thyearofourLord’sincarnation，andinthe24thyearofMervin，kingoftheBritons，andIhopethattheprayersofmybetterswillbeofferedupformeinrecompenceofmylabour。
Butthisissufficientbywayofpreface。Ishallobedientlyaccomplishtheresttotheutmostofmypower。
II。TheApologyofNenniusHerebeginstheapologyofNennius，thehistoriographeroftheBritons，oftheraceoftheBritons。
3。I，Nennius，discipleofSt。Elbotus，haveendeavouredtowritesomeextractswhichthedulnessoftheBritishnationhadcastaway，becauseteachershadnoknowledge，norgaveanyinformationintheirbooksaboutthisislandofBritain。ButIhavegottogetherallthatIcouldfindaswellfromtheannalsoftheRomansasfromthechroniclesofthesacredfathers，Hieronymus，Eusebius，Isidorus，Prosper，andfromtheannalsoftheScotsandSaxons，andfromourancienttraditions。Manyteachersandscribeshaveattemptedtowritethis，butsomehoworotherhaveabandoneditfromitsdifficulty，eitheronaccountoffrequentdeaths，ortheoftenrecurringcalamitiesofwar。Ipraythateveryreaderwhoshallreadthisbook，maypardonme，forhavingattempted，likeachatteringjay，orlikesomeweakwitness，towritethesethings，aftertheyhadfailed。IyieldtohimwhoknowsmoreofthesethingsthanIdo。
III。TheHistory。
4，5。FromAdamtotheflood，aretwothousandandforty—twoyears。FromthefloodofAbraham，ninehundredandforty—two。
>FromAbrahamtoMoses，sixhundred。*FromMosestoSolomon，andthefirstbuildingofthetemple，fourhundredandforty—eight。
>FromSolomontotherebuildingofthetemple，whichwasunderDarius，kingofthePersians，sixhundredandtwelveyearsarecomputed。FromDariustotheministryofourLordJesusChrist，andtothefifteenthyearoftheemperorTiberius，arefivehundredandforty—eightyears。SothatfromAdamtotheministryofChristandthefifteenthyearoftheemperorTiberius，arefivethousandtwohundredandtwenty—eightyears。FromthepassionofChristarecompletedninehundredandforty—six；fromhisincarnation，ninehundredandseventy—six：beingthefifthyearofEdmund，kingoftheAngles。
*Andforty，accordingtoStevenson’snewedition。Therestofthischronologyismuchcontractedinseveralofthemanuscripts，andhardlytwoofthemcontainitexactlythesame。
6。ThefirstageoftheworldisfromAdamtoNoah；thesecondfromNoahtoAbraham；thethirdfromAbrahamtoDavid；thefourthfromDavidtoDaniel；thefifthtoJohntheBaptist；thesixthfromJohntothejudgment，whenourLordJesusChristwillcometojudgethelivingandthedead，andtheworldbyfire。
ThefirstJulius。ThesecondClaudius。ThethirdSeverus。ThefourthCarinus。ThefifthConstantius。ThesixthMaximus。TheseventhMaximianus。TheeighthanotherSeverusAequantius。TheninthConstantius。*
*ThislistoftheRomanemperorswhovisitedBritain，isomittedinmanyoftheMSS。
HerebeginneththehistoryoftheBritons，editedbyMarktheanchorite，aholybishopofthatpeople。
7。TheislandofBritainderivesitsnamefromBrutus，aRomanconsul。Takenfromthesouth—westpointitinclinesalittletowardsthewest，andtoitsnorthernextremitymeasureseighthundredmiles，andisinbreadthtwohundred。Itcontainsthirtythreecities，[1]viz。
1。Cairebrauc（York）。
2。Cairceint（Canterbury）。
3。Cairgurcoc（Anglesey？）。
4。Cairguorthegern[2]
5。Caircusteint（Carnarvon）。
6。Cairguoranegon（Worcester）。
7。Cairsegeint（Silchester）。
8。Cairguintruis（Norwich，orWinwick）。
9。Cairmerdin（Caermarthen）。
10。Cairperis（Porchester）。
11。Cairlion（Caerleon—upon—Usk）。
12。Cairmencipit（Verulam）。
13。Caircaratauc（Catterick）。
14。Cairceri（Cirencester）。
15。Cairglout（Gloucester）。
16。Cairluillid（Carlisle）。
17。Cairgrant（Grantchester，nowCambridge）。
18。Cairdaun（Doncaster），orCairdauri（Dorchester）。
19。Cairbritoc（Bristol）。
20。Cairmeguaid（Meivod）。
21。Cairmauiguid（Manchester）。
22。Cairligion（Chester）。
23。Cairguent（Winchester，orCaerwent，inMonmouthshire）。
24。Caircollon（Colchester，orSt。Colon，Cornwall）。
25。Cairlondein（London）。
26。Cairguorcon（Worren，orWoran，inPembrokeshire）。
27。Cairlerion（Leicester）。
28。Cairdraithou（Drayton）。
29。Cairpensavelcoit（Pevensey，inSussex）。
30。Cairtelm（Teyn—Grace，inDevonshire）。
31。CairUrnahc（Wroxeter，inShropshire）。
32。Caircolemion（Camelet，inSomersetshire）。
33。Cairloitcoit（Lincoln）。
[1]V。R。Twenty—eight，twenty—one。
[2]Siteunknown。
ThesearethenamesoftheancientcitiesoftheislandofBritain。
ithasalsoavastmanypromontories，andcastlesinnumerable，builtofbrickandstone。Itsinhabitantsconsistoffourdifferentpeople；theScots，thePicts，theSaxonsandtheancientBritons。
8。Threeconsiderableislandsbelongtoit；one，onthesouth，oppositetheArmoricanshore，calledWight；*anotherbetweenIrelandandBritain，calledEuboniaorMan；andanotherdirectlynorth，beyondthePicts，namedOrkney；andhenceitwasancientlyaproverbialexpression，inreferencetoitskingsandrulers，"HereignedoverBritainanditsthreeislands。"
*Inis—gueith，orGueith。
6。Itisfertilizedbyseveralrivers，whichtraverseitinalldirections，totheeastandwest，tothesouthandnorth；buttherearetwopre—eminentlydistinguishedamongtherest，theThamesandtheSevern，whichformerly，likethetwoarmsofBritain，boretheshipsemployedintheconveyanceofrichesacquiredbycommerce。TheBritonswereonceverypopulous，andexercisedextensivedominionfromseatosea。
10。*Respectingtheperiodwhenthisislandbecameinhabitedsubsequentlytotheflood，Ihaveseentwodistinctrelations。
AccordingtotheannalsoftheRomanhistory，theBritonsdeducetheiroriginbothfromtheGreeksandRomans。Onthesideofthemother，fromLavinia，thedaughterofLatinus，kingofItaly，andoftheraceofSilvanus，thesonofInachus，thesonofDardanus；
whowasthesonofSaturn，kingoftheGreeks，andwho，havingpossessedhimselfofapartofAsia，builtthecityofTroy。
DardanuswasthefatherofTroius，whowasthefatherofPriamandAnchises；AnchiseswasthefatherofAeneas，whowasthefatherofAscaniusandSilvius；andthisSilviuswasthesonofAeneasandLavinia，thedaughterofthekingofItaly。FromthesonsofAeneasandLaviniadescendedRomulusandRemus，whowerethesonsoftheholyqueenRhea，andthefoundersofRome。BrutuswasconsulwhenheconqueredSpain，andreducedthatcountrytoaRomanprovince。HeafterwardssubduedtheislandofBritain，whoseinhabitantswerethedescendantsoftheRomans，fromSilviusPosthumus。HewascalledPosthumusbecausehewasbornafterthedeathofAeneashisfather；andhismotherLaviniaconcealedherselfduringherpregnancy；hewascalledSilvius，becausehewasborninawood。HencetheRomankingswerecalledSilvan，andtheBritonsfromBrutus，androsefromthefamilyofBrutus。
*Thewholeofthis，asfarastheendoftheparagraph，isomittedinseveralMSS。
Aeneas，aftertheTrojanwar，arrivedwithhissoninItaly；andHavingvanquishedTurnus，marriedLavinia，thedaughterofkingLatinus，whowasthesonofFaunus，thesonofPicus，thesonofSaturn。AfterthedeathofLatinus，AeneasobtainedthekingdomOftheRomans，andLaviniabroughtforthason，whowasnamedSilvius。AscaniusfoundedAlba，andafterwardsmarried。AndLaviniaboretoAeneasason，namedSilvius；butAscanius[1]
marriedawife，whoconceivedandbecamepregnant。AndAeneas，havingbeeninformedthathisdaughter—in—lawwaspregnant，orderedhissontosendhismagiciantoexaminehiswife，whetherthechildconceivedweremaleorfemale。Themagiciancameandexaminedthewifeandpronouncedittobeason，whoshouldbecomethemostvaliantamongtheItalians，andthemostbelovedofallmen。[2]
Inconsequenceofthisprediction，themagicianwasputtodeathbyAscanius；butithappenedthatthemotherofthechilddyingatitsbirth，hewasnamedBrutus；adafteracertaininterval，agreeablytowhatthemagicianhadforetold，whilsthewasplayingwithsomeothersheshothisfatherwithanarrow，notintentionallybutbyaccident。[3]Hewas，forthiscause，expelledfromItaly，andcametotheislandsoftheTyrrhenesea，whenhewasexiledonaccountofthedeathofTurnus，slainbyAeneas。HethenwentamongtheGauls，andbuiltthecityoftheTurones，calledTurnis。[4]
AtlengthhecametothisislandnamedfromhimBritannia，dweltthere，andfilleditwithhisowndescendants，andithasbeeninhabitedfromthattimetothepresentperiod。
[1]OtherMSS。Silvius。
[2]V。R。Whoshouldslayhisfatherandmother，andbehatedbyallmankind。
[3]V。R。Hedisplayedsuchsuperiorityamonghisplay—fellows，thattheyseemedtoconsiderhimastheirchief。
[4]Tours。
11。AeneasreignedovertheLatinsthreeyears；Ascaniusthirtythreeyears；afterwhomSilviusreignedtwelveyears，andPosthumusthirty—nine*years：thelatter，fromwhomthekingsofAlbaarecalledSilvan，wasbrothertoBrutus，whogovernedBritainatthetimeElithehigh—priestjudgedIsrael，andwhenthearkofthecovenantwastakenbyaforeignpeople。ButPosthumushisbrotherreignedamongtheLatins。
*V。R。Thirty—seven。
12。Afteranintervalofnotlessthaneighthundredyears，camethePicts，andoccupiedtheOrkneyIslands：whencetheylaidwastemanyregions，andseizedthoseonthelefthandsideofBritain，wheretheystillremain，keepingpossessionofathirdpartofBritaintothisday。*
*SeeBede’sEccles。Hist。
13。Longafterthis，theScotsarrivedinIrelandfromSpain。
ThefirstthatcamewasPartholomus，[1]withathousandmenandwomen；theseincreasedtofourthousand；butamortalitycomingsuddenlyuponthem，theyallperishedinoneweek。ThesecondwasNimech，thesonof……，[2]who，accordingtoreport，afterhavingbeenatseaayearandahalf，andhavinghisshipsshat—
tered，arrivedataportinIreland，andcontinuingthereseveralyears，returnedatlengthwithhisfollowerstoSpain。AfterthesecamethreesonsofaSpanishsoldierwiththirtyships，eachofwhichcontainedthirtywives；andhavingremainedthereduringthespaceofayear，thereappearedtothem，inthemiddleofthesea，atowerofglass，thesummitofwhichseemedcoveredwithmen，towhomtheyoftenspoke，butreceivednoanswer。Atlengththeydeterminedtobesiegethetower；andafterayear’spreparation，advancedtowardsit，withthewholenumberoftheirships，andallthewomen，oneshiponlyexcepted，whichhadbeenwrecked，andinwhichwerethirtymen，andasmanywomen；butwhenallhaddisem—
barkedontheshorewhichsurroundedthetower，theseaopenedandswallowedthemup。Ireland，however，waspeopled，tothepresentperiod，fromthefamilyremaininginthevesselwhichwaswrecked。
Afterwards，othercamefromSpain，andpossessedthemselvesofvariouspartsofBritain。
[1]V。R。Partholomaeus，orBartholomaeus。
[2]AblankishereintheMS。Agnomenisfoundinsomeoftheothers。
14。LastofallcameoneHoctor，[1]whocontinuedthere，andwhosedescendantsremaintheretothisday。Istoreth，thesonofIstorinus，withhisfollowers，heldDalrieta；BuilehadtheislandEubonia，andotheradjacentplaces。ThesonsofLiethali[2]obtainedthecountryofthedimetae，whereisacitycalledMenavia，[3]andtheprovinceGuiherandCetgueli，[4]whichtheyheldtilltheywereexpelledfromeverypartofBritain，byCuneddaandhissons。
[1]V。R。Damhoctor，Clamhoctor，andElamhoctor。
[2]V。R。Liethan，Bethan，Vethan。
[3]St。David’s。
[4]Guiher，probablytheWelshdistrictGower。CetgueliisCaerKidwelly，inCarmarthenshire。
15。AccordingtothemostlearnedamongtheScots，ifanyonedesirestolearnwhatIamnowgoingtostate，Irelandwasadesert，anduninhabited，whenthechildrenofIsraelcrossedtheRedSea，inwhich，aswereadintheBookoftheLaw，theEgyptianswhofollowedthemweredrowned。Atthatperiod，therelivedamongthispeople，withanumerousfamily，aScythianofnoblebirth，whohadbeenbanishedfromhiscountryanddidnotgotopursuethepeopleofGod。TheEgyptianswhowereleft，seeingthedestructionofthegreatmenoftheirnation，andfearinglestheshouldpossesshimselfoftheirterritory，tookcounseltogether，andexpelledhim。Thusreduced，hewanderedforty—twoyearsinAfrica，andarrived，withhisfamily，atthealtarsofthePhilis—
tines，bytheLakeofOsiers。ThenpassingbetweenRusicadaandthehillycountryofSyria，theytravelledbytheriverMalvathroughMauritaniaasfarasthePillarsofHercules；andcrossingtheTyrrheneSea，landedinSpain，wheretheycontinuedmanyyears，havinggreatlyincreasedandmultiplied。Thence，athousandandtwoyearsaftertheEgyptianswerelostintheRedSea，theypassedintoIreland，andthedistrictofDalrieta。*Atthatperiod，Brutus，whofirstexercisedtheconsularoffice，reignedovertheRomans；
andthestate，whichbeforewasgovernedbyregalpower，wasafterwardsruled，duringfourhundredandforty—sevenyears，byconsuls，tribunesofthepeople，anddictators。
*North—westernpartofAntriminUlster。
TheBritonscametoBritaininthethirdageoftheworld；andinthefourth，theScotstookpossessionofIreland。
TheBritonswho，suspectingnohostilities，wereunprovidedwiththemeansofdefence，wereunanimouslyandincessantlyattacked，bothbytheScotsfromthewest，andbythePictsfromthenorth。
Alongintervalafterthis，theRomansobtainedtheempireoftheworld。
16。FromthefirstarrivaloftheSaxonsintoBritain，tothefourthyearofkingMermenus，arecomputedfourhundredandtwentyeightyears；fromthenativityofourLordtothecomingofSt。
PatrickamongtheScots，fourhundredandfiveyears；fromthedeathofSt。PatricktothatofSt。Bridget，fortyyears；andfromthebirthofColumeille[1]tothedeathofStBridgetfouryears。[2]
[1]V。R。Columba。
[2]SomeMSS。add，thebeginningofthecalculationis23cyclesof19yearsfromtheincarnationofourLordtothearrivalofSt。PatrickinIreland，andtheymake438years。AndfromthearrivalofSt。Patricktothecycleof19yearsinwhichweliveare22cycles，whichmake421years。
17。IhavelearnedanotheraccountofthisBrutusfromtheancientbooksofourancestors。*Afterthedeluge，thethreesonsofNoahseverallyoccupiedthreedifferentpartsoftheearth：ShemextendedhisbordersintoAsia，HamintoAfrica，andJaphethinEurope。
*ThisprovesthetraditionofBrutustobeolderthanGeoffreyorTyssilio，unlessthesenoticesofBrutushavebeeninterpolatedintheoriginalworkofNennius。
ThefirstmanthatdweltinEuropewasAlanus，withhisthreesons，Hisicion，Armenon，andNeugio。Hisicionhadfoursons，Francus，Romanus，Alamanus，andBrutus。Armenonhadfivesons，Gothus，Valagothus，Cibidus，Burgundus，andLongobardus。Neugiohadthreesons，Vandalus，Saxo，andBoganus。FromHisicionarosefournations——theFranks，theLatins，theGermans，andBritons：fromArmenon，theGothi，Balagothi，Cibidi，Burgundi，andLongobardi：
fromNeugio，theBogari，Vandali，Saxones，andTarinegi。ThewholeofEuropewassubdividedintothesetribes。
AlanusissaidtohavebeenthesonofFethuir；*Fethuir，thesonofOgomuin，whowasthesonofThoi；ThoiwasthesonofBoibus，BoibusofSemion，SemionofMair，MairofEcthactus，EcthactusofAurthack，AurthackofEthec，EthecofOoth，OothofAber，AberofRa，RaofEsraa，EsraaofHisrau，HisrauofBath，BathofJobath，JobathofJoham，JohamofJapheth，JaphethofNoah，NoahofLamech，LamechofMathusalem，MathusalemofEnoch，EnochofJared，JaredofMalalehel，MalalehelofCainan，CainanofEnos，EnosofSeth，SethofAdam，andAdamwasformedbythelivingGod。WehaveobtainedthisinformationrespectingtheoriginalinhabitantsofBritainfromancienttradition。
*ThisgenealogyisdifferentinalmostalltheMSS。
18。TheBritonswerethuscalledfromBrutus：BrutuswasthesonofHisicion，HisicionwasthesonofAlanus，AlanuswasthesonofRheaSilvia，FheaSilviawasthedaughterofNumaPompilius，NumawasthesonofAscanius，AscaniusofEneas，EneasofAnchises，AnchisesofTroius，TroiusofDardanus，DardanusofFlisa，FlisaofJuuin，JuuinofJapheth；butJaphethhadsevensons；fromthefirstnamedGomer，descendedtheGalli；fromthesecond，Magog，theScythiandGothi；fromthethird，Madian，theMedi；fromthefourth，Juuan，theGreeks；fromthefifth，Tubal，arosetheHebrei，Hispani，andItali；fromthesixth，Mosoch，sprungtheCappadoces；andfromtheseventh，namedTiras，descendedtheThraces：thesearethesonsofJapheth，thesonofNoah，thesonofLamech。
19。*TheRomans，havingobtainedthedominionoftheworld，sentlegatesordeputiestotheBritonstodemandofthemhostagesandtribute，whichtheyreceivedfromallothercountriesandislands；
butthey，fierce，disdainful，andhaughty，treatedthelegationwithcontempt。
*SomeMSS。add，IwillnowreturntothepointfromwhichImadethisdigression。
ThenJuliusCaesar，thefirstwhohadacquiredabsolutepoweratRome，highlyincensedagainsttheBritons，sailedwithsixtyvesselstothemouthoftheThames，wheretheysufferedshipwreckwhilsthefoughtagainstDolobellus，（theproconsuloftheBritishking，whowascalledBelinus，andwhowasthesonofMinocannuswhogovernedalltheislandsoftheTyrrheneSea），andthusJuliusCaesarreturnedhomewithoutvictory，havinghadhissoldiersSlain，andhisshipsshattered。
20。Butafterthreeyearsheagainappearedwithalargearmy，andthreehundredships，atthemouthoftheThames，whereherenewedhostilities。Inthisattemptmanyofhissoldiersandhorseswerekilled；forthesameconsulhadplacedironpikesintheshallowpartoftheriver，andthishavingbeeneffectedwithsomuchskillandsecrecyastoescapethenoticeoftheRomansoldiers，didthemconsiderableinjury；thusCaesarwasoncemorecompelledtoreturnwithoutpeaceorvictory。TheRomanswere，therefore，athirdtimesentagainsttheBritons；andunderthecommandofJulius，defeatedthemnearaplacecalledTrinovantum[London]，forty—sevenyearsbeforethebirthofChrist，andfivethousandtwohundredandtwelveyearsfromthecreation。
JuliuswasthefirstexercisingsupremepowerovertheRomanswhoinvadedBritain：inhonourofhimtheRomansdecreedthefifthmonthtobecalledafterhisname。HewasassassinatedintheCuria，intheidesofMarch，andOctaviusAugustussucceededtotheempireoftheworld。HewastheonlyemperorwhoreceivedtributefromtheBritons，accordingtothefollowingverseofVirgil："PurpureaintextitolluntaulaeaBritanni。"
21。Thesecondafterhim，whocameintoBritain，wastheemperorClaudius，whoreignedforty—sevenyearsafterthebirthofChrist。
Hecarriedwithhimwaranddevastation；and，thoughnotwithoutlossofmen，heatlengthconqueredBritain。HenextsailedtotheOrkneys，whichhelikewiseconquered，andafterwardsrenderedtributary。NotributewasinhistimereceivedfromtheBritons；
butitwaspaidtoBritishemperors。Hereignedthirteenyearsandeightmonths。HismonumentistobeseenatMoguntia（amongtheLombards），wherehediedinhiswaytoRome。
22。AfterthebirthofChrist，onehundredandsixty—sevenyears，kingLucius，withallthechiefsoftheBritishpeople，receivedbaptism，inconsequenceofalegationsentbytheRomanemperorsandpopeEvaristus。*
*V。R。Eucharistus。AmarginalnoteintheArundelMS。adds，"Heiswrong，becausethefirstyearofEvaristuswasA。D。79，whereasthefirstyearofEleutherius，whomheoughttohavenamed，wasA。D。161。"Ushersays，thatinoneMS。ofNenniushefoundthenameofEleutherius。
23。SeveruswasthethirdemperorwhopassedtheseatoBritain，where，toprotecttheprovincesrecoveredfrombarbaricincursions，heorderedawallandaramparttobemadebetweentheBritons，theScots，andthePicts，extendingacrosstheislandfromseatosea，inlengthonehundredandthirty—threemiles：anditiscalledintheBritishlanguageGwal。*Moreover，heorderedittobemadebetweentheBritons，andthePictsandScots；fortheScotsfromthewest，andthePictsfromthenorth，unanimouslymadewaragainsttheBritons；butwereatpeaceamongthemselves。NotlongafterSeverusdiesinBritain。
*Or，theWall。OneMS。hereadds，"Theabove—mentionedSeverusconstructeditofrudeworkmanshipinlength132miles；i。e。fromPenguaul，whichvillageiscalledinScottishCenail，inEnglishPeneltun，tothemouthoftheriverCluthandCairpentaloch，wherethiswallterminates；butitwasofnoavail。TheemperorCarausiusafterwardsrebuiltit，andfortifieditwithsevencastlesbetweenthetwomouths：hebuiltalsoaroundhouseofpolishedstonesonthebanksoftheriverCarun[Carron]：helikewiseerectedatriumphalarch，onwhichheinscribedhisownnameinmemoryofhisvictory。
24。Thefourthwastheemperorandtyrant，Carausius，who，incensedatthemurderofSeverus，passedintoBritain，andattendedbytheleadersoftheRomanpeople，severelyavengeduponthechiefsandrulersoftheBritons，thecauseofSeverus。*
*Thispassageiscorrupt，themeaningisbrieflygiveninthetranslation。
25。ThefifthwasConstantiusthefatherofConstantinetheGreat。
HediedinBritain；hissepulchre，asitappearsbytheinscriptiononhistomb，isstillseennearthecitynamedCairsegont（nearCarnarvon）。Uponthepavementoftheabove—mentionedcityhesowedthreeseedsofgold，silverandbrass，thatnopoorpersonmighteverbefoundinit。ItisalsocalledMinmanton。*
*V。R。Mirmantum，Mirmantun，Minmanto，Minimantone。TheSegontiumofAntoninus，situatedonasmallrivernamedSeiont，nearCarnarvon。
26。Maximianus[1]wasthesixthemperorthatruledinBritain。Itwasinhistimethatconsuls[2]began，andthattheappellationofCaesarwasdiscontinued：atthisperiodalso，St。Martinbecamecelebratedforhisvirtuesandmiracles，andheldaconversationwithhim。
[1]ThisisaninaccuracyofNennius；MaximusandMaximianuswereoneandthesameperson；orrathernosuchpersonasMaximianuseverreignedinBritain。
[2]GeoffreyofMonmouthgivesthetitleofconsultoseveralBritishgeneralswholivedafterthistime。Itisnotunlikelythatthetown，name，anddignity，stilllingeredintheprovincesaftertheRomansweregone，particularlyasthecitiesofBritainmaintainedforatimeaspeciesofindependence。
27。TheseventhemperorwasMaximus。HewithdrewfromBritainwithallhismilitaryforce，slewGratian，thekingoftheRomans，andobtainedthesovereigntyofallEurope。Unwillingtosendbackhiswarlikecompanionstotheirwives，children，andpossessionsinBritain，heconferreduponthemnumerousdistrictsfromthelakeonthesummitofMonsJovis，tothecitycalledCantGuic，andtothewesternTumulus，thatis，toCrucOccident。*ThesearetheArmoricBritons，andtheyremaintheretothepresentday。Inconsequenceoftheirabsence，Britainbeingovercomebyforeignnations，thelawfulheirswerecastout，tillGodinterposedwithhisassistance。WeareinformedbythetraditionofourancestorsthatsevenemperorswentintoBritain，thoughtheRomansaffirmtherewerenine。
*Thisdistrict，inmodernlanguage，extendedfromthegreatSt。
BernardinPiedmonttoCantavicinPicardy，andfromPicardytothewesterncoastofFrance。
28。Thus，aggreeablytotheaccountgivenbytheBritons，theRomansgovernedthemfourhundredandnineyears。
Afterthis，theBritonsdespisedtheauthorityoftheRomans，equallyrefusingtopaythemtribute，ortoreceivetheirkings；
nordursttheRomansanylongerattemptthegovernmentofacountry，thenativesofwhichmassacredtheirdeputies。
29。WemustnowreturntothetyrantMaximus。Gratian，withhisbrotherValentinian，reignedsevenyears。Ambrose，bishopofMilan，wastheneminentforhisskillinthedogmataoftheCatholics。
ValentinianusandTheodosiusreignedeightyears。AtthattimeasynodwasheldatConstantinople，attendedbythreehundredandfiftyofthefathers，andinwhichallheresieswerecondemned。
Jerome，thepresbyterofBethlehem，wasthenuniversallycelebrated。
WhilstGratianexercisedsupremedominionovertheworld，Maximus，inaseditionofthesoldiers，wassalutedemperorinBritain，andsoonaftercrossedtheseatoGaul。AtParis，bythetreacheryofMellobaudes，hismasterofthehorse，GratianwasdefeatedandfleeingtoLyons，wastakenandputtodeath；Maximusafterwardsassociatedhissonvictorinthegovernment。
Martin，distinguishedforhisgreatvirtues，wasatthisperiodbishopofTours。Afteraconsiderablespaceoftime，MaximuswasdivestedofroyalpowerbytheconsulsValentinianusandTheodosius，andsentencedtobebeheadedatthethirdmile—stonefromAquileia：inthesameyearalsohissonVictorwaskilledinGaulbyArbogastes，fivethousandsixhundredandninetyyearsfromthecreationoftheworld。
30。ThriceweretheRomandeputiesputtodeathbytheBritons，andyetthese，whenharassedbytheincursionsofthebarbarousnations，viz。OftheScotsandPicts，earnestlysolicitedtheaidoftheRomans。Togiveeffecttotheirentreaties，ambassadorsweresent，whomadetheirentrancewithimpressionsofdeepsorrow，havingtheirheadscoveredwithdust，andcarryingrichpresents，toexpiatethemurderofthedeputies。Theywerefavourablyreceivedbytheconsuls，andsworesubmissiontotheRomanyoke，withwhateverseverityitmightbeimposed。
TheRomans，therefore，camewithapowerfularmytotheassistanceoftheBritons；andhavingappointedoverthemaruler，andsettledthegovernment，returnedtoRome：andthistookplacealternatelyduringthespaceofthreehundredandforty—eightyears。TheBritons，however，fromtheoppressionoftheempire，againmassacredTheRomandeputies，andagainpetitionedforsuccour。OncemoretheRomansundertookthegovernmentoftheBritons，andassistedtheminrepellingtheirneighbours；and，afterhavingexhaustedthecountryofitsgold，silver，brass，honey，andcostlyvestments，andhavingbesidesreceivedrichgifts，theyreturnedingreattriumphtoRome。
31。Aftertheabove—saidwarbetweentheBritonsandRomans，theassassinationoftheirrulers，andthevictoryofMaximus，whoslewGratian，andtheterminationoftheRomanpowerinBritain，theywereinalarmfortyyears。
VortigernthenreignedinBritain。Inhistime，thenativeshadcauseofdread，notonlyfromtheinroadsoftheScotsandPicts，butalsofromtheRomans，andtheirapprehensionsofAmbrosius。*
*ThesewordsrelateevidentlytosomecauseofdisputebetweentheRomans，Ambrosius，andVortigern。VortigernissaidtohavebeensovereignoftheDimetae，andAmbrosiussontothekingoftheDamnonii。ThelatterwashalfaRomanbydescent，andnaturallysupportedtheRomaninterest：theformerwasentirelyaBriton，andasnaturallysecondedbytheoriginalBritons。
Inthemeantime，threevessels，exiledfromGermany，arrivedinBritain。TheywerecommandedbyHorsaandHengist，brothers，andsonsofWihtgils。WihtgilswasthesonofWitta；WittaofWecta；
WectaofWoden；WodenofFrithowald；FrithowaldofFrithuwulf；
FrithuwulfofFinn；FinnofGodwulf；GodwulfofGeat，who，astheysay，wasthesonofagod，not[1]oftheomnipotentGodandourLordJesusChrist（whobeforethebeginningoftheworld，waswiththeFatherandtheHolySpirit，co—eternalandofthesamesubstance，andwho，incompassiontohumannature，disdainednottoassumetheformofaservant），buttheoffspringofoneoftheiridols，andwhom，blindedbysomedemon，theyworshippedaccordingtothecustomoftheheathen。Vortigernreceivedthemasfriends，anddelivereduptothemtheislandwhichisintheirlanguagecalledThanet，and，bytheBritons，Ruym。[2]GratianusAequantiusatthattimereignedinRome。TheSaxonswerereceivedbyVortigern，fourhundredandforty—sevenyearsafterthepassionofChrist，and，[3]accordingtothetraditionofourancestors，fromtheperiodoftheirfirstarrivalinBritain，tothefirstyearofthereignofkingEdmund，fivehundredandforty—twoyears；andtothatinwhichwenowwrite，whichisthefifthofhisreign，fivehundredandforty—sevenyears。
[1]V。R。nottheGodofgods，theAmen，theLordofHosts，butoneoftheiridolswhichtheyworshipped。
[2]SometimescalledRuoichin，Ruith—in，or"riverisland，"separatedfromtherestofKentandthemainlandofBritainbytheestuaryoftheWantsum，which，thoughnowasmallbrook，wasformerlynavigableforlargevessels，andinBede’stimewasthreestadiabroad，andfordableonlyattwoplaces。
[3]TherestofthissentenceisomittedinsomeoftheMSS。
32。AtthattimeSt。Germanus，distinguishedforhisnumerousvirtues，cametopreachinBritain：byhisministrymanyweresaved；
butmanylikewisediedunconverted。OfthevariousmiracleswhichGodenabledhimtoperform，Ishallherementiononlyafew：I
shallfirstadverttothatconcerninganiniquitousandtyrannicalking，namedBenlli。*Theholyman，informedofhiswickedconduct，hastenedtovisithim，forthepurposeofremonstratinghim。WhenthemanofGod，withhisattendants，arrivedatthegateofthecity，theywererespectfullyreceivedbythekeeperofit，whocameoutandsalutedthem。Himtheycommissionedtocommunicatetheirintentiontotheking，whoreturnedaharshanswer，declaring，withanoath，thatalthoughtheyremainedthereayear，theyshouldnotenterthecity。Whilewaitingforananswer，theeveningcameon，andtheyknewnotwheretogo。Atlength，cameoneoftheking’sservants，whobowinghimselfbeforethemanofGod，announcedthewordsofthetyrant，invitingthem，atthesametime，tohisownhouse，towhichtheywent，andwerekindlyreceived。Ithappened，however，thathehadnocattle，exceptonecowandacalf，thelatterofwhich，urgedbygeneroushospitalitytohisguests，hekilled，dressedandsetbeforethem。ButholySt。
Germanusorderedhiscompanionsnottobreakaboneofthecalf；
and，thenextmorning，itwasfoundaliveuninjured，andstandingbyitsmother。
*KingofPowys。V。R。BenliinthedistrictofIal（inDerbyshire）；
inthedistrictofDalrieta；Belinus；Beluni；andBenty。
33。Earlythesameday，theyagainwenttothegateofthecity，tosolicitaudienceofthewickedking；and，whilstengagedinferventprayertheywerewaitingforadmission，aman，coveredwithsweat，cameout，andprostratedhimselfbeforethem。ThenSt。Germanus，addressinghim，said"DostthoubelieveintheHolyTrinity？"Towhichthemanhavingreplied，"Idobelieve，"hebaptized，andkissedhim，saying，"Goinpeace；withinthishourthoushaltdie：theangelsofGodarewaitingfortheeintheair；
withthemthoushaltascenttothatGodinwhomthouhasbelieved。：
He，overjoyed，enteredthecity，andbeingmetbytheprefect，wasseized，bound，andconductedbeforethetyrant，whohavingpassedsentenceuponhim，hewasimmediatelyputtodeath；foritwasalawofthiswickedking，thatwhoeverwasnotathislabourbeforesun—risingshouldbebeheadedinthecitadel。Inthemeantime，St。Germanus，withhisattendants，waitedthewholedaybeforethegate，withoutobtainingadmissiontothetyrant。
34。Themanabove—mentioned，however，remainedwiththem。"Takecare，"saidSt。Germanustohim，"thatnoneofyourfriendsremainthisnightwithinthesewalls。Uponthishehastilyenteredthecity，broughtouthisninesons，andwiththemretiredtothehousewherehehadexercisedsuchgeneroushospitality。HereSt。Germanusorderedthemtocontinue，fasting；andwhenthegateswereshut，"Watch，"saidhe，"andwhatevershallhappeninthecitadel，turnnotthitheryoureyes；butpraywithoutceasing，andinvoketheprotectionofthetrueGod。"And，behold，earlyinthenight，firefellfromheaven，andburnedthecity，togetherwithallthosewhowerewiththetyrant，sothatnotoneescaped；andthatcitadelhasneverbeenrebuilteventothisday。