Belinus facts for kids

Statues of Belinus and Brennius at the Church of St John the Baptist, Bristol

Belinus the Great was a legendary king from ancient Britain. Stories about him were told by a writer named Geoffrey of Monmouth. Belinus was the son of King Dunvallo Molmutius. He was also the brother of Brennius. His name might have come from an old god called Belenus.

Becoming King of Britain

Belinus and his brother Brennius both wanted to rule Britain. They fought many battles to decide who would be king after their father. Eventually, their friends stepped in and helped them make a deal. Belinus became the King of the Britons. Brennius became king of the northern part of Britain.

A Broken Promise

Five years later, Brennius married the daughter of the King of Norway. He did this without asking Belinus first. Belinus was upset and invaded Northumberland, taking Brennius's land.

Meanwhile, the King of Denmark was also in love with Brennius's new wife. He chased Brennius's ship and captured her. A storm then blew the Danish king's ship to Britain by accident. Belinus captured both of them. He waited for his brother to return.

Brennius landed in Albany (Scotland) and demanded his lands and wife back. He threatened to fight Belinus if he didn't get them.

The Battle for Britain

Belinus gathered all his forces from Britain. His army met Brennius's army in the forests of Calaterium. The battle was fierce, but Belinus won. Brennius fled to Gaul (modern-day France). Belinus then became the sole king over all the Britons. He made sure his father's Molmutine Laws were followed and ruled fairly.

Later, Brennius returned to Britain with a huge army from Gaul. He met Belinus on the battlefield once more. But their mother convinced Brennius to make peace. The two brothers then ruled their lands together in peace.

Invading Other Lands

Attributed arms of Belinus from the Book of Baglan

After they made peace, Belinus and Brennius combined their armies. They formed one giant army and invaded Gaul. The story says that after a year of fighting, they took control of all the Frankish kingdoms in Gaul.

With an even bigger army, Belinus led his forces to the Italian peninsula. They threatened to invade Rome. Outside Rome, two Roman leaders, Gabias and Porsenna, asked for peace. They offered money, tribute, and hostages to show they would surrender. Belinus and Brennius accepted their offer. They then took their army to Germany.

Rome Breaks the Treaty

Soon after the brothers went north, Rome broke the peace treaty. The Romans marched north to fight. Brennius went to fight the Romans. Belinus stayed to fight the Germans, who were getting help from other Italian troops.

After Brennius left, the Italian troops helping the Germans tried to join the Roman soldiers. They wanted to attack Belinus's army from another side. Belinus found out about this plan. He moved his army to a valley where the Italians had to pass. In the morning, Belinus attacked the Italians. They were not ready for battle and didn't have their armor on. The Britons chased the Italians all day until nightfall.

The Siege of Rome

Belinus decided to join his brother, who was attacking Rome. The Romans defended their city for many days. They successfully pushed back the invaders. Belinus decided to hang the hostages they had been given in the treaty. But this only made the Romans angrier.

Finally, the two Roman leaders, Gabias and Porsenna, put on their armor. They joined the men defending the city. They pushed the invaders back. But Belinus managed to get his army back in order and stop their attacks. Belinus kept pushing forward until the city walls were broken. The Britons then invaded Rome. Belinus left Brennius in Rome and returned to Britain.

Belinus's Later Years

Belinus ruled Britain in peace. He built many new cities and fixed old ones. The most important city he founded was Kaerusc. This city would later be called Caerleon when the Romans came to Britain. This was the first time Caerleon-upon-Usk was mentioned in Geoffrey's history.

Belinus continued to use many of his father's laws. He also made some new laws of his own. Britain became richer than ever before during his rule.

When Belinus finally died, his body was cremated. His ashes were placed on top of a tall tower he had built. His son, Gurguit Barbtruc, became the next king.

Is This Story True?

Historians know that Rome was indeed captured by a leader named Brennus. This happened after the Battle of the Allia on July 18, 390 BCE. However, the Roman leaders Gabias and Porsenna are not mentioned in any Roman records. Porsenna is a name similar to Lars Porsena. He was a King of the Etruscans who fought against the early Roman Republic around 500 BCE.