History of the Britons
by Nennius
' History of the Britons' Summary
The Historia Brittonum describes the supposed settlement of Britain by Trojan expatriates and states that Britain took its name after Brutus, a descendant of Aeneas. The work was the "single most important source used by Geoffrey of Monmouth in creating his Historia Regum Britanniae" and via the enormous popularity of the latter work, this version of the earlier history of Britain, including the Trojan origin tradition, would be incorporated into subsequent chronicles for the long-running history of the land, for example the Middle English Brut of England, also known as The Chronicles of England.
The work was the first source to portray King Arthur, who is described as a dux bellorum ('military leader') or miles ('warrior, soldier') and not as a king. It names the twelve battles that Arthur fought, but unlike the Annales Cambriae, none are assigned actual dates.
The reference in the Historia Brittonum of Arthur carrying the image of St. Mary on his shoulders during a battle has been interpreted by later commentators as a mistake for Arthur bearing the image of Mary on his shield, the error being caused by the similarity between the words in Welsh.
The greatest classicist of the 19th century, Theodor Mommsen, divided the work into seven parts: Preface (Prefatio Nennii Britonum); I. The Six Ages of the World (de sex aetatibus mundi) (§1-6); II. History of the Britons (historia Brittonum) (§7-49); III. Life of Patrick (vita Patricii) (§50-55); IV. Arthuriana (§ 56); V. Genealogies (regum genealogiae cum computo) (§c. 57—66); VI. Cities of Britain (civitates Britanniae) (§66a); VII. Wonders of Britain (de mirabilibus Britanniae) (§67—76).
The Historia Brittonum can be dated to about 829. The work was written no earlier than the "fourth year of [the reign of] king Mermenus" (who has been identified as Merfyn Frych ap Gwriad, king of Gwynedd). Historians have conservatively assigned 828 to the earliest date for the work, which is consistent with the statement in chapter 4 that "from the Passion of Christ 796 years have passed. But from his Incarnation are 831 years".
The text makes use of two narrative techniques which are generally considered not reliable by modern academic standards: synthesizing and synchronizing history. Synthetic history combines legendary elements with fact, which makes the veracity of the text challenging to evaluate. Various specious causal connections and attempts to synchronize material from different sources and traditions also contribute to undermining the reliability of the chronicle.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
WelshPublished In
Author
Nennius
Wales
Nennius — or Nemnius or Nemnivus — was a Welsh monk of the 9th century. He has traditionally been attributed with the authorship of the Historia Brittonu...
More on NenniusDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
Old Peter's Russian Tales by Arthur Ransome
The first chapter tells of Maroosia and Vanya who live in a hut of pine logs in the forest with their grandfather, the forester Old Peter. Their fathe...
Egyptian Tales, Translated from the Papyri by W.M. Flinders Petrie
Brief, and in some cases incomplete, stories of magic from ancient Egypt.
Folk-Lore and Legends: Scandinavian by Charles John Tibbits
Embark on an enthralling journey into the mystical heart of Scandinavia with "Folk-Lore and Legends: Scandinavian" by Charles John Tibbits. Delve into...
The Singing Mouse Stories by Emerson Hough
The singing mouse tells tales of nature in songs. This book is for those who want to know how the mountains ate up the plains, what the waters said or...
Big Sur by Jack Kerouac
In this, readers are transported to a world of introspection, turmoil, and the quest for inner peace. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Califor...
Curlie Carson Listens In by Roy J. Snell
It is an exciting and engaging mystery book a renowned author known for his thrilling stories, this book takes readers on a captivating journey. Firs...
The Story of the Three Little Pigs by L. Leslie Brooke
Leonard Leslie Brooke was a talented nineteenth/early twentieth century illustrator who also wrote some delightful children's books. He was well-known...
Aunt Jo's Scrapbag by Louisa May Alcott
A collection of short stories by Louisa May Alcott that were written with the intent to entertain the whole family and to fill children's heads with w...
Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees by Johnny Gruelle
The Beautiful French doll Babette has been kidnapped by pirates and it's up to a Raggedy Ann and Andy to rescue her. After taking a magical balloon ri...
The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night (Arabian Nights), Volume 01 by Richard Francis Burton
One Thousand and One Nights is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. It is often known in Englis...
Reviews for History of the Britons
No reviews posted or approved, yet...