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→Geoffrey's account: Add Latin text src (Griscom ed.). For clarity, rearranging different chapter contents side-by-side:<Nennius killing all he struck> (4.3) bcz <Yellow Death sword gave mortal wound to whoever it struck> (4.4), else the first part may be misunderstood as purely Nennius's prowess or luck or whatever. Technical note re Randell's paper, Table 2. Add "ageu glas" (sic.) RBH and "Aghev Coch" (Llanstephan 1 ms., ed. Roberts)
Minor reorganization of explanatory notes. →Geoffrey's account: Because previous contributors already inserted "Welsh sources" here, I'm going to insert explanatory note here to identify the srcs (as Brut y Brenhinedd, the cymraic vers. of Geoffrey's HRB, or, the tale Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys embedded in it) instead of awaiting the mentions of these 13th century and later welsh sources in →Later versions
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==Geoffrey's account==
==Geoffrey's account==
The ''History'' gives the following account of Nennius's life: He was the third son of [[Heli, King of Britain|Heli]] and brother of [[Lud son of Heli|Lud]] and [[Cassivellaunus|Cassibelanus]]{{Refn|Geoffrey ''HRB'' III.xx.<ref>{{harvp|Geoffrey of Monmouth|Griscom ed.|1929|p=301}}: "Post illum successit heli filius eius.. hic tres generauit filios, lud, cabsibellaunum, nennium"</ref><ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles3.20"/>}} (and according to Welsh sources, of [[Llefelys]]{{sfnp|Randell|2009|pp=274–275, 277}}). He fought alongside Cassibelanus when Caesar invaded. He and his nephew [[Mandubracius|Androgeus]] led the troops of [[Trinovantum]] ([[London]]) and [[Canterbury]], when they encountered Caesar's own troops and Nennius faced Caesar in [[single combat]]. Caesar struck Nennius a blow to the head, but his sword got stuck in Nennius's shield. After they separated in the melée, Nennius threw away his own sword and attacked the Romans with Caesar's sword, killing many, including the tribune<ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles4.3"/> [[Quintus Laberius Durus]] (whom Geoffrey erroneously names Labienus, confusing him with [[Titus Labienus]]).<ref name=layamon-madden-ed-v3-notes"/><ref name="russell2017"/>{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|This was an error made by [[Orosius]], and repeated by [[Bede]].<ref name="russell2017"/>}}
The ''History'' gives the following account of Nennius's life: He was the third son of [[Heli, King of Britain|Heli]] and brother of [[Lud son of Heli|Lud]] and [[Cassivellaunus|Cassibelanus]]{{Refn|Geoffrey ''HRB'' III.xx.<ref>{{harvp|Geoffrey of Monmouth|Griscom ed.|1929|p=301}}: "Post illum successit heli filius eius.. hic tres generauit filios, lud, cabsibellaunum, nennium"</ref><ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles3.20"/>}} (and according to Welsh sources, of [[Llefelys]]{{sfnp|Randell|2009|pp=274–275, 277}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|The sources being the ''[[Brut y Brenhinedd#Brut Tysilio and Geoffrey's putative British source|Brut y Brenhinedd]]'', medieval Welsh versions of Geoffrey's ''Historia Regum Britanniae''.}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="randell-tech"}}). He fought alongside Cassibelanus when Caesar invaded. He and his nephew [[Mandubracius|Androgeus]] led the troops of [[Trinovantum]] ([[London]]) and [[Canterbury]], when they encountered Caesar's own troops and Nennius faced Caesar in [[single combat]]. Caesar struck Nennius a blow to the head, but his sword got stuck in Nennius's shield. After they separated in the melée, Nennius threw away his own sword and attacked the Romans with Caesar's sword, killing many, including the tribune<ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles4.3"/> [[Quintus Laberius Durus]] (whom Geoffrey erroneously names Labienus, confusing him with [[Titus Labienus]]).<ref name=layamon-madden-ed-v3-notes"/><ref name="russell2017"/>{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|This was an error made by [[Orosius]], and repeated by [[Bede]].<ref name="russell2017"/>}}


According to Geoffrey, "everyone whom Nennius struck with the sword either had his head chopped off or else was so wounded as Nennius passed that he had no hope of ever recovering".{{Refn|Geoffrey ''HRB'' IV.iii.{{sfnp|Geoffrey of Monmouth|Griscom ed.|1929|pp=308–310}}<ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles4.3"/>}} For the sword, {{illm|Crocea Mors|fr||lt=''Crocea Mors''|preserve=1}} ("Yellow Death") had earned its name because no one escaped death who received a wound from it.{{Refn|Geoffrey ''HRB'' IV.iv.<ref>{{harvp|Geoffrey of Monmouth|Griscom ed.|1929|p=311}}: "{{lang|la|Erat nomen gladii crocea mors quia nullus euadebat uiuus qui cum illo uulnerbatu}}".</ref><ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles4.4"/>}}
According to Geoffrey, "everyone whom Nennius struck with the sword either had his head chopped off or else was so wounded as Nennius passed that he had no hope of ever recovering".{{Refn|Geoffrey ''HRB'' IV.iii.{{sfnp|Geoffrey of Monmouth|Griscom ed.|1929|pp=308–310}}<ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles4.3"/>}} For the sword, {{illm|Crocea Mors|fr||lt=''Crocea Mors''|preserve=1}} ("Yellow Death") had earned its name because no one escaped death who received a wound from it.{{Refn|Geoffrey ''HRB'' IV.iv.<ref>{{harvp|Geoffrey of Monmouth|Griscom ed.|1929|p=311}}: "{{lang|la|Erat nomen gladii crocea mors quia nullus euadebat uiuus qui cum illo uulnerbatu}}".</ref><ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles4.4"/>}}


Fifteen days after the battle Nennius died of his head wound, and was buried at London (the "City of the Trinovantes"), near the North Gate. Caesar's sword, Crocea Mors, was buried with him.{{Refn|Geoffrey ''HRB'' IV.iv.{{sfnp|Geoffrey of Monmouth|Griscom ed.|1929|pp=310–311}}<ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles4.4"/>}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|According to the ''[[Brut y Brenhinedd#Brut Tysilio and Geoffrey's putative British source|Brut y Brenhinedd]]'', the medieval Welsh versions of Geoffrey's ''Historia Regum Britanniae'', the sword was named {{lang|cy|[[wikt:angau|angeu]] [[wikt:coch#Welsh|coch]]}} "Red Death"<ref name="evans.d.silvan1887angeu"/> ({{lang|cy|angheu coch}};<ref name="brut_y_brenhinedd-ed-parry"/> {{lang|cy|Aghev Coch}}<ref name="brut_y_brenhinedd-ed-roberts"/>) or {{lang|cy|angeu [[wikt:glas#Welsh|glas]]}} "Pale Death/Blue Death"<ref name="evans.d.silvan1887angeu"/> ({{lang|cy|ageu glas}}{{sic}}.<ref name="rbh-ed-rhys&evans"/>)}}
Fifteen days after the battle Nennius died of his head wound, and was buried at London (the "City of the Trinovantes"), near the North Gate. Caesar's sword, Crocea Mors, was buried with him.{{Refn|Geoffrey ''HRB'' IV.iv.{{sfnp|Geoffrey of Monmouth|Griscom ed.|1929|pp=310–311}}<ref name="geoffrey-tr-giles4.4"/>}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|According to the afroementioned ''Brut y Brenhinedd'', the sword was named {{lang|cy|[[wikt:angau|angeu]] [[wikt:coch#Welsh|coch]]}} "Red Death"<ref name="evans.d.silvan1887angeu"/> ({{lang|cy|angheu coch}};<ref name="brut_y_brenhinedd-ed-parry"/> {{lang|cy|Aghev Coch}}<ref name="brut_y_brenhinedd-ed-roberts"/>) or {{lang|cy|angeu [[wikt:glas#Welsh|glas]]}} "Pale Death/Blue Death"<ref name="evans.d.silvan1887angeu"/> ({{lang|cy|ageu glas}}{{sic}}.<ref name="rbh-ed-rhys&evans"/>)}}


==Later versions==
==Later versions==
Line 17: Line 17:
The account of the event also occurs in the [[Middle English]] verse ''[[Layamon's Brut|Brut]]'' (ca. 1190–1215) translated by [[Layamon]].<ref name=layamon-madden-ed-v1-text"/>
The account of the event also occurs in the [[Middle English]] verse ''[[Layamon's Brut|Brut]]'' (ca. 1190–1215) translated by [[Layamon]].<ref name=layamon-madden-ed-v1-text"/>


The Middle Welsh ''[[Brut y Brenhinedd]]'' (mid-13th century and later manuscripts) also translates the episode, expanded with Welsh-sourced material. Here Nennius is called Nynniaw<ref>{{harvp|Randell|2009}}, ''passim'', standardized spelling used trhoughout the paper.</ref> or '''Nynnyau'''<ref name="brut_y_brenhinedd-ed-parry"/> (also by various other spellings).{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|Nynniaw (MS. Dingestow Court; Book of Basingwerk); '''Nynnyaw''' (Peniarth 44, Llanstephan 1); Nynnaw (Peniarth 23); '''Nynhyaw''' (Red Book of Hergest).<ref>{{harvp|Randell|2009|pp=274–275}}: Table 2: Narrative Variations in the Number of Sons.</ref> Lexicographer Evans gives '''Nyniaw'''.<ref name="evans.d.silvan1887angeu"/>}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|Technically speaking, Randell's table provides attestations from the prose tale ''[[Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys]]''; however, the tale occurs as interpolations ("embedded narrative", {{harvp|Randell|2009|p=268}}) into the ''Brut y Brenhinedd'' in the early manuscripts.<!--On the Llanstephan 1 MS., she is quoting from from Brynley F. Roberts ed. (1975) ''Cyfranc", rather than Roberts ed. (1971) ''Brut y Brenhinedd''.-->}} Some versions interpolate the story of ''[[Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys]]'' and add a fourth brother named Llefelys,{{sfnp|Randell|2009|pp=274–275, 277}} as already noted.
The Middle Welsh ''[[Brut y Brenhinedd]]'' (mid-13th century and later manuscripts) also translates the episode, expanded with Welsh-sourced material. Here Nennius is called Nynniaw<ref>{{harvp|Randell|2009}}, ''passim'', standardized spelling used trhoughout the paper.</ref> or '''Nynnyau'''<ref name="brut_y_brenhinedd-ed-parry"/> (also by various other spellings).{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|Nynniaw (MS. Dingestow Court; Book of Basingwerk); '''Nynnyaw''' (Peniarth 44, Llanstephan 1); Nynnaw (Peniarth 23); '''Nynhyaw''' (Red Book of Hergest).<ref>{{harvp|Randell|2009|pp=274–275}}: Table 2: Narrative Variations in the Number of Sons.</ref> Lexicographer Evans gives '''Nyniaw'''.<ref name="evans.d.silvan1887angeu"/>}}{{Refn|group="lower-alpha"|name="randell-tech"|Technically speaking, Randell's paper is based on the prose tale ''[[Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys]]''; however, the tale occurs as interpolations ("embedded narrative", {{harvp|Randell|2009|p=268}}) into the ''Brut y Brenhinedd'' in the early manuscripts.<!--On the Llanstephan 1 MS., she is quoting from from Brynley F. Roberts ed. (1975) ''Cyfranc", rather than Roberts ed. (1971) ''Brut y Brenhinedd''.-->}} Some versions interpolate the story of ''[[Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys]]'' and add a fourth brother named Llefelys,{{sfnp|Randell|2009|pp=274–275, 277}} as already noted.


In the Tudor period Nennius became a patriotic symbol of British independence. In ''[[The Mirror for Magistrates]]'' he is portrayed as an "inspirational lesson for future British people to defend their country from foreign invasion".<ref name = "kkk">Curran, John, ''Roman Invasions: The British History, Protestant Anti-Romanism, and the Historical Imagination in England, 1530-1660'', University of Delaware Press, 2002, p.167.</ref> In this version Caesar only defeats him by cheating—he poisons his sword-tip. Nennius also appears in plays in the Jacobean era, notably [[Jasper Fisher]]'s ''[[Fuimus Troes]]'' and [[John Fletcher (playwright)|John Fletcher]]'s ''[[Bonduca]]''. In the former he embodies the fighting spirit of the Britons and is given the patriotic opening speech exhorting the people to resist invasion.<ref name = "kkk"/> His funeral games after his fight with Caesar form the climactic point of the play. In the latter he is anachronistically portrayed as a contemporary of [[Boudica]], acting as one of her generals.<ref>Jowitt, Claire, ''Voyage Drama and Gender Politics, 1589-1642: Real and Imagined Worlds'', Manchester University Press, 2003, p.107.</ref>
In the Tudor period Nennius became a patriotic symbol of British independence. In ''[[The Mirror for Magistrates]]'' he is portrayed as an "inspirational lesson for future British people to defend their country from foreign invasion".<ref name = "kkk">Curran, John, ''Roman Invasions: The British History, Protestant Anti-Romanism, and the Historical Imagination in England, 1530-1660'', University of Delaware Press, 2002, p.167.</ref> In this version Caesar only defeats him by cheating—he poisons his sword-tip. Nennius also appears in plays in the Jacobean era, notably [[Jasper Fisher]]'s ''[[Fuimus Troes]]'' and [[John Fletcher (playwright)|John Fletcher]]'s ''[[Bonduca]]''. In the former he embodies the fighting spirit of the Britons and is given the patriotic opening speech exhorting the people to resist invasion.<ref name = "kkk"/> His funeral games after his fight with Caesar form the climactic point of the play. In the latter he is anachronistically portrayed as a contemporary of [[Boudica]], acting as one of her generals.<ref>Jowitt, Claire, ''Voyage Drama and Gender Politics, 1589-1642: Real and Imagined Worlds'', Manchester University Press, 2003, p.107.</ref>

Revision as of 07:21, 17 July 2023

For other uses of the name, see Nennius.

Nennius is a mythical prince of Britain at the time of Julius Caesar's invasions of Britain (55–54 BC). His story appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain (1136), a work whose contents are now considered largely fictional. In Middle Welsh versions of Geoffrey's Historia he was called Nynniaw.

In Geoffrey's story, Nennius is said to have fought Caesar in personal combat and taken his sword, which he used to kill many Romans. In the Tudor and Jacobean eras he became an emblem of British patriotism.

Geoffrey's account

The History gives the following account of Nennius's life: He was the third son of Heli and brother of Lud and Cassibelanus[3] (and according to Welsh sources, of Llefelys[4][a][b]). He fought alongside Cassibelanus when Caesar invaded. He and his nephew Androgeus led the troops of Trinovantum (London) and Canterbury, when they encountered Caesar's own troops and Nennius faced Caesar in single combat. Caesar struck Nennius a blow to the head, but his sword got stuck in Nennius's shield. After they separated in the melée, Nennius threw away his own sword and attacked the Romans with Caesar's sword, killing many, including the tribune[5] Quintus Laberius Durus (whom Geoffrey erroneously names Labienus, confusing him with Titus Labienus).[6][7][c]

According to Geoffrey, "everyone whom Nennius struck with the sword either had his head chopped off or else was so wounded as Nennius passed that he had no hope of ever recovering".[9] For the sword, Crocea Mors [fr] ("Yellow Death") had earned its name because no one escaped death who received a wound from it.[12]

Fifteen days after the battle Nennius died of his head wound, and was buried at London (the "City of the Trinovantes"), near the North Gate. Caesar's sword, Crocea Mors, was buried with him.[14][d]

Later versions

The Anglo-Norman writer Wace expands on the story of the fight in his book Roman de Brut (1155), in which there is detailed description of the combat. Caesar defeats Nennius, but his sword is stuck in Nennius' shield, and he is forced to retreat when Nennius' friends come to his aid. In this version, the loss of his sword is a humiliation that leads to Caesar's withdrawal and inspires rebellion in France.[19] Wace also embellished details not given by Geoffrey, adding that the name Crocea Mors was "stamped with letters of gold" on the upper part of the sword, next to the hilt.[20][e]

The account of the event also occurs in the Middle English verse Brut (ca. 1190–1215) translated by Layamon.[21]

The Middle Welsh Brut y Brenhinedd (mid-13th century and later manuscripts) also translates the episode, expanded with Welsh-sourced material. Here Nennius is called Nynniaw[22] or Nynnyau[16] (also by various other spellings).[f][b] Some versions interpolate the story of Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys and add a fourth brother named Llefelys,[4] as already noted.

In the Tudor period Nennius became a patriotic symbol of British independence. In The Mirror for Magistrates he is portrayed as an "inspirational lesson for future British people to defend their country from foreign invasion".[24] In this version Caesar only defeats him by cheating—he poisons his sword-tip. Nennius also appears in plays in the Jacobean era, notably Jasper Fisher's Fuimus Troes and John Fletcher's Bonduca. In the former he embodies the fighting spirit of the Britons and is given the patriotic opening speech exhorting the people to resist invasion.[24] His funeral games after his fight with Caesar form the climactic point of the play. In the latter he is anachronistically portrayed as a contemporary of Boudica, acting as one of her generals.[25]

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ The sources being the Brut y Brenhinedd, medieval Welsh versions of Geoffrey's Historia Regum Britanniae.
  2. ^ a b Technically speaking, Randell's paper is based on the prose tale Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys; however, the tale occurs as interpolations ("embedded narrative", Randell (2009), p. 268) into the Brut y Brenhinedd in the early manuscripts.
  3. ^ This was an error made by Orosius, and repeated by Bede.[7]
  4. ^ According to the afroementioned Brut y Brenhinedd, the sword was named angeu coch "Red Death"[15] (angheu coch;[16] Aghev Coch[17]) or angeu glas "Pale Death/Blue Death"[15] (ageu glas [sic].[18])
  5. ^ This, and the notion that the wound could be cured by no medicine are also found in Robert Mannyng's Chronicle (c. 1338): "it was writen on the hilt,/ lettres of gold burnissed bright, /þat "Crucia mors" þe suerd hight" (vv. 4449–4452).[20]
  6. ^ Nynniaw (MS. Dingestow Court; Book of Basingwerk); Nynnyaw (Peniarth 44, Llanstephan 1); Nynnaw (Peniarth 23); Nynhyaw (Red Book of Hergest).[23] Lexicographer Evans gives Nyniaw.[15]

References

Citations
  1. ^ Geoffrey of Monmouth & Griscom ed. (1929), p. 301: "Post illum successit heli filius eius.. hic tres generauit filios, lud, cabsibellaunum, nennium"
  2. ^ Geoffrey of Monmouth & Giles tr. (1848) 3.20: "Heli's three sons; the first of whom, viz. Lud, gives name to the city of London".
  3. ^ Geoffrey HRB III.xx.[1][2]
  4. ^ a b Randell (2009), pp. 274–275, 277.
  5. ^ a b Geoffrey of Monmouth & Giles tr. (1848) 4.3: "Cæsar is routed by Cassibellaun".
  6. ^ Layamon (1847). Madden, Frederic (ed.). Layamons Brut, Or Chronicle of Britain. Society of Antiquaries of London. 3: 334 (note to 1: 323, v. 7561).
  7. ^ a b Russell, Miles (2017). The Historical Truth Behind the Myths. Stroud, Gloucestershire: Amberley Publishing. Ch. 2 "Unlocking the Historiae", § Geoffrey of Monmouth and Caesar: the First Invasion. ISBN 9781445662756.
  8. ^ Geoffrey of Monmouth & Griscom ed. (1929), pp. 308–310.
  9. ^ Geoffrey HRB IV.iii.[8][5]
  10. ^ Geoffrey of Monmouth & Griscom ed. (1929), p. 311: "Erat nomen gladii crocea mors quia nullus euadebat uiuus qui cum illo uulnerbatu".
  11. ^ a b Geoffrey of Monmouth & Giles tr. (1848) 4.4: "Nennius, the brother of Cassibellaun, being wounded in battle by Cæsar, dies".
  12. ^ Geoffrey HRB IV.iv.[10][11]
  13. ^ Geoffrey of Monmouth & Griscom ed. (1929), pp. 310–311.
  14. ^ Geoffrey HRB IV.iv.[13][11]
  15. ^ a b c Evans, D. Silvan (1887). "angeu". Dictionary of Welsh Language: Geiriadur Cymraeg. Carmarthen: W. Spurrell & Son. p. 99.
  16. ^ a b Parry, John Jay, ed. (1937). Brut y Brenhinedd: Cotton Cleopatra Version. Cambridge, Mass.: The Mediaeval Academy of America. pp. 73–74, fol. 36–36v.
  17. ^ Roberts, Brynley F., ed. (1984) [1971]. Brut Y Brenhinedd: Llanstephan MS. 1 Version. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. p. 10, line 17; and p. 46 (note to line 17).
  18. ^ Evans, J. Gwenogvryn; Rhys, John, eds. (1890). The Text of the Bruts from the Red Book of Hergest. Vol. 2. Oxford. p. 85.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  19. ^ Suerbaum, Almut (2009). "Chapter 22. The Middle Ages". In Griffin, Miriam (ed.). A Companion to Julius Caesar. Wiley. p. 327. ISBN 9781444308457.
  20. ^ a b Nyffenegger, Nicole (2014). "4. Negotiating authority". Authorising History: Gestures of Authorship in Fourteenth-century English Historiography. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 156. ISBN 9781443868419.
  21. ^ Layamon (1847). Madden, Frederic (ed.). Layamons Brut, Or Chronicle of Britain. Society of Antiquaries of London. 1: 323–326, vv. 7558–7673.
  22. ^ Randell (2009), passim, standardized spelling used trhoughout the paper.
  23. ^ Randell (2009), pp. 274–275: Table 2: Narrative Variations in the Number of Sons.
  24. ^ a b Curran, John, Roman Invasions: The British History, Protestant Anti-Romanism, and the Historical Imagination in England, 1530-1660, University of Delaware Press, 2002, p.167.
  25. ^ Jowitt, Claire, Voyage Drama and Gender Politics, 1589-1642: Real and Imagined Worlds, Manchester University Press, 2003, p.107.
Bibliography
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