|
Nennius records 12 battles of
King Arthur in
The History of the Britons (Historia
Brittonum IV.56), where it claims that he won many battles in protection
of his land and people.
Nennius only recorded King
Arthur's victories. King Arthur's last battle then; must have been his
defeat at Camlann, where he
"perished", and this must therefore be his 13th.
Nennius's Twelve Battles
At that time the English increased their numbers and grew in Britain
… Then Arthur fought against them in those days, together with the kings
of the British; but he was their warleader (or 'dux bellorum').
The first battle was at the mouth of the river called Glein.
The
second, the third, the fourth and the fifth were on another river,
called the Douglas, which is in the country of Lindsey.
The sixth battle
was on the river called Bassas.
The seventh battle was in Celyddon
Forest, that is, the Battle of Celyddon Coed.
The eighth battle was in Guinnion fort, and in it Arthur carried the image of the holy Mary, the
everlasting Virgin, on his [shield,] and the heathen were put to flight
on that day, and there was a great slaughter upon them, through the
power of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The ninth
battle was in the City of the Legion.
The tenth battle was on the bank of the river called Tribruit.
The eleventh battle was on the hill called Agned.
The final battle was on Badon Hill,
in which 960 men fell in one day from a single charge of Arthur's, and
no one laid them low save he alone; and he was victorious in all his
campaigns.
|
