The church-history of Brittany from the beginning of Christianity to the Norman conquest under Roman governours, Brittish kings, the English-Saxon heptarchy, the English-Saxon (and Danish) monarchy ... : from all which is evidently demonstrated that the present Roman Catholick religion hath from the beginning, without interruption or change been professed in this our island, &c. / by R.F., S. Cressy of the Holy Order of S. Benedict. | Early English Books Online | University of Michigan Library Digital Collections

XVII. CHAP.* 1.1

1.2.3. A Victory of the Brittains at the Hill Badonicus: Where that hill was seated.

4.5.6. Prince Arthur was in this Battell: he confides in the protection of our B. Lady.

1. THE second year after the erection of this New Kingdom of the South-Saxons,* 1.2 was illustrious for a great Victory obtain'd by the Brittains against

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the Saxons at the Hill call'd Badonicus. Con∣cerning which Saint Beda thus writes:* 1.3 The Brittains conducted by their famous King Am∣brosius take courage, and provoking the Victo∣rious Saxons to combat, by the Divine favour obtaind a Victory over them. After which sometimes the Brittains, sometimes the Saxons gott the upper hand, till the year forty four after their arrivall in Brittany, in which the Saxons were beseig'd on the Mountain call'd Ba∣donicus, and a great slaughter made of them. This passage Saint Beda transcribes out of our Brittish Historian Gildas,* 1.4 who in the end of it addes these words, This was the year of my Nativity.

* 1.52. This Mountain is by Polydor Virgil in∣terpreted to be Blackmore, through which the River Tese (Athesis) runs, between Yorkshire and the Bishoprick of Durham: Where the Sa∣xons were assembled, expecting great supplies out of Germany: But being encompass'd by the Brittains, by whom also the Sea-coasts were strongly guarded, the Saxons press'd with want of provisions were forced to come to a battell, in which they were with great slaughter putt to flight.

* 1.63. Henry of Huntingdon acknowledges in∣genuously that he was utterly ignorant where this Mountain Badonicus was seated.* 1.7 But Camden with very great probability makes the territory of the ancient Citty of Bath in Somersetshire the Scene of this battell and victory▪ which Citty saith he is by Ptolo∣my call'd (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) Hott Waters, by An∣toninus (Aquae Solis) Waters of the Sun, by the Brittains Caër-Badon, by Stephanus Badiza, in Latin Bathonia, and at this day by us Bathe. This Citty about the forty fourth year after the coming of the Saxons was by them beseig'd. But the Warlick Prince Arthur coming upon them, they were forced to retire to the Mountain Bado∣nicus, where after a long and desperate fight they were overcom, and great numbers of them slain. This seems to be that Mountain which is now cal∣led Bannes••own, at the foot whereof is seated a little village called Bathestone, where to this day are seen rampires and trenches the Marks of a Camp.

4. We are not yet so to ascribe this victo∣ry to Arthur, as to exclude Ambrosius from his share, to whō S. Beda principally ascribes it. Kinz Ambrosius was the Conductour in cheif of the Brittish Army, under whom Arthur his Nephew, being Son to his Brother Vther-pendragon, was a Captain & principall Officer.* 1.8 For thus writes Malmsbur••ensis of the present Brittish affaires, King Vortimer being fatally taken away, the strength of the Brittains withred away, and their hopes were diminis'hd. And they had assuredly falln to ruine had not Ambrosius succeeded, who alone remaind of the Roman stock, and after Vortigern was Monark of the Kingdom. He by the assistance of the warlick Prince Arthur repress'd the haughty Saxons swelling with pride of their conquests.

* 1.95. This is that Arthur, saith the same Au∣thour, concerning whom the Brittains to this day report and write so many trifling fables. A Prince surely worthy to be magnified by true History, and not to be made the subject of idle dreamers: since he alone by his admirable courage sustain'd his declining countrey, and incited the minds of the Brittains broken with many calamities, to resume new courage.

6. One particular concerning this Prince, is related by the same Historian, and most pertinent to the design of our History. In the seige of the Mountain Badonicus, Prince Arthur,* 1.10 considing in the protection of our Blessed Lady, whose Image he car••ed sow'd in his arms putt to flight and slew no fewer then nine hundred Sa∣xons. And that it was his custom afterwards to make use of these Spirituall arms is con∣firmed by other ancient Writers; For Henry of Huntingdon testifies that in a combat neer the Castle Guinnion the same Prince car••ed the image of the Blessed Mary Virgin-mother of our Lord on his shoulders:* 1.11 and that whole day, by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and his holy Mo∣ther Mary, the Saxons were putt to flight,* 1.12 and great numbers of them per••s••nd. Flortiegus like∣wise says that Prince Arthurs sheild, in which was painted the Image of our Lady, whom he often call'd to mind, was named Fridwen. Lastly the same Writer addes, that in a certain battell Arthur drawing forth his sword Caliburn,* 1.13 ••••vo∣ked the name of the Blessed Virgin; and with great violence peircing into the midst of the Enemies troops, at one blow slew whomsoever he touch'd with it: Neither did he give over till he had slain eight hundred and forty of his enemies with his sword alone.