Nennius of Britain

Nennius of Britain

Nennius is a prince of Britain at the time of Julius Caesar's invasions of Britain in Geoffrey of Monmouth's legendary History of the Kings of Britain (ca. 1136). In Middle Welsh versions of Geoffrey's Historia he is called Nynniaw.

He is the third son of Heli and brother of Lud and Cassibelanus (and according to Welsh sources, of Llefelys). He fights alongside Cassibelanus when Caesar invades. He and his nephew Androgeus, leading the troops of Trinovantum (London) and Canterbury, encounter Caesar's own troop, and Nennius faces Caesar in single combat. Caesar strikes Nennius a blow on the head, but his sword gets stuck in Nennius's shield. After they are separated in the melée, Nennius throws away his own sword and attacks the Romans with Caesar's sword, killing many, including the tribune Labienus. Fifteen days after the battle Nennius dies of his head wound, and is buried at London, near the North Gate. Caesar's sword, named Crocea Mors ("Yellow Death"), is buried with him.


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