Cassivellaunus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cassivellaunus |
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| King of the Catuvellauni | |
A representation of Cassivellaunus, New York Public Library
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| Predecessor | Unknown |
| Successor | Tasciovanus |
| Born | England |
| Died | England |
| Burial | Unknown (In legend: York) |
| Occupation | Chief commander of the British resistance during Caesar's second invasion of Britain |
Cassivellaunus was an important British military leader. He lived a long time ago, around 54 BC. He is famous for leading the defence against Julius Caesar when the Romans invaded Britain for the second time.
Cassivellaunus brought together different British tribes. They worked together to fight the powerful Roman army. Even though he was a strong leader, he eventually had to surrender. This happened after some other Britons told Caesar where Cassivellaunus was hiding.
Cassivellaunus became a well-known figure in British stories. He appears in old legends as Cassibelanus or Caswallawn. These stories tell about him as a king or a hero.
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What's in a Name?
The name Cassivellaunus comes from an old British language. The word uellaunos means 'chief' or 'commander'.
The first part, cassi-, might mean 'tin' or 'bronze'. So, Cassivellaunus could mean 'Chief-of-Tin'. This might suggest he was a very strong and unyielding leader.
Cassivellaunus in History
We know about Cassivellaunus mostly from Julius Caesar's own writings. Caesar wrote about his wars in a book called Commentarii de Bello Gallico.
Caesar says that Cassivellaunus was chosen to lead all the British forces. This was during Caesar's second invasion of Britain. Caesar does not say which tribe Cassivellaunus belonged to. But his land was north of the River Thames. This area was later home to the Catuvellauni tribe.
Caesar also wrote that Cassivellaunus often fought with nearby tribes. This was common among British tribes back then. Cassivellaunus had recently defeated the king of the Trinovantes. The Trinovantes were the most powerful tribe in Britain at that time. The king's son, Mandubracius, then ran away to Caesar in Gaul.
Fighting the Romans
Cassivellaunus used clever tactics against Caesar's army. He would harass them to stop them from finding food. But Caesar's army still managed to reach the River Thames.
The only place to cross the river was defended. It had sharp stakes in the water. But the Romans were able to cross anyway. After this, Cassivellaunus sent most of his army away. He decided to use guerrilla tactics instead. This meant using quick attacks and his knowledge of the land. He also used fast chariots to surprise the Romans.
Surrender and Peace
Five British tribes eventually gave up to Caesar. They also told him where Cassivellaunus's stronghold was. A stronghold is a strong, fortified place. Possible locations for this stronghold include Hexton or Devil's Dyke, Hertfordshire.
Caesar then surrounded Cassivellaunus's stronghold. Cassivellaunus sent a message to four kings in Kent. He asked them to attack the Roman camp on the coast. But the Romans successfully defended themselves. They even captured a British leader named Lugotorix.
When Cassivellaunus heard about this defeat, he surrendered. His lands were also being destroyed. The peace terms were arranged by Commius, who was Caesar's ally. Cassivellaunus agreed to give hostages and pay a tribute. A tribute is a payment made by one ruler or state to another.
Mandubracius, the son of the Trinovantes king, was made king again. Cassivellaunus promised not to fight him. After all this, Caesar went back to Gaul. The Roman legions did not return to Britain for another 97 years.
Cassivellaunus in Legend
Cassivellaunus appears in many old British stories. One famous book is Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain). It was written by Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century. In this book, Cassivellaunus is often called Cassibelanus.
Cassibelanus in Geoffrey's History
In Geoffrey's story, Cassibelanus becomes king of Britain. This happens after his older brother, Lud, dies. Lud's sons are too young to rule. So, Cassibelanus takes the throne. He makes his nephews dukes of Kent and Cornwall.
Julius Caesar then decides to invade Britain. He sends a letter to Cassibelanus demanding tribute. Cassibelanus refuses. He says that Britons and Romans both came from the ancient city of Troy.
Caesar invades Britain near the Thames Estuary. During the battle, Cassibelanus's brother, Nennius, fights Caesar. Caesar's sword gets stuck in Nennius's shield. Nennius then uses Caesar's sword to fight the Romans. He kills many of them. The Britons fight well, and Caesar has to retreat back to Gaul.
Cassibelanus celebrates, but his joy is lessened by Nennius's death. Nennius dies from a head wound he got from Caesar. He is buried with Caesar's sword, which is called Crocea Mors (Yellow Death).
Two years later, Caesar invades again with a bigger army. Cassibelanus had prepared for this. He placed sharp stakes under the water in the Thames. These stakes damaged Caesar's ships, and many Roman soldiers drowned. The Romans are forced to retreat again.
A Family Dispute
The British leaders gather to celebrate their victories. During some games, Cassibelanus's nephew is killed by his other nephew, Cuelinus. Cassibelanus demands that Cuelinus be handed over for trial. But Cuelinus's father, Androgeus, refuses. He says Cuelinus should be tried in his own court.
Cassibelanus threatens war. Androgeus then asks Caesar for help. He agrees to accept Caesar as his lord and sends his son as a hostage.
Caesar invades a third time. As Cassibelanus's army fights Caesar's, Androgeus attacks Cassibelanus from behind. Cassibelanus's army is broken, and he retreats to a hilltop. After two days, Androgeus asks Caesar to offer peace terms. Cassibelanus agrees to pay a tribute of silver. After this, Cassibelanus and Caesar become friends.
Six years later, Cassibelanus dies. He is buried in York. Since Androgeus is in Rome, Cassibelanus's other nephew, Tenvantius, becomes the new king of Britain.
Caswallawn in Welsh Stories
Cassivellaunus also appears in Welsh stories as Caswallawn. He is often called the son of Beli Mawr. He is mentioned in the Mabinogion and the Welsh Triads.
In one story from the Mabinogion, Caswallawn takes over the throne of Britain. This happens while the rightful king, Bran the Blessed, is away fighting in Ireland. Caswallawn uses a magic cloak that makes him invisible. He kills most of the people Bran left in charge.
The Welsh Triads are collections of old Welsh sayings and stories. They mention Caswallawn many times. Some triads talk about his conflict with Mandubracius, similar to Geoffrey's story. Others tell different tales about him.
For example, one triad says Caswallawn's horse was named Meinlas, meaning "Slender Gray." Another story suggests Caswallawn left Britain with 21,000 men to chase Caesar. He supposedly never returned.
Some triads also portray Caswallawn as a great lover. He is said to have competed with Caesar for a beautiful woman named Fflur. One story says he disguised himself as a shoemaker to go to Rome and find her. These stories show that Caswallawn was a very important figure in old Welsh legends.
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