Ingenius of Britain facts for kids
Ingenius (pronounced In-JEE-nee-us) was a legendary king from ancient Britain. His story is found in a famous old book called Historia Regum Britanniae (which means The History of the Kings of Britain). This book was written around 1138 CE by a writer named Geoffrey of Monmouth. Ingenius was one of five sons of King Morvidus, and he played an important part in the legends of the Britons. His Welsh name was Owain map Morydd, which means Owain, son of Morydd.
Contents
Ingenius: A Legendary King of Britain
Ingenius is known as a legendary king of the Britons. These are the ancient people who lived in Britain before the Anglo-Saxons arrived. His tales come from a book that mixes history with exciting legends. This book helps us understand the stories people told about their past.
Ingenius's Family and Brothers
Ingenius was the fourth son of a powerful ruler named King Morvidus. He had four brothers:
These brothers were all part of the royal family. They were involved in many stories about who would rule Britain.
How Ingenius Became King
The story of Ingenius becoming king is quite dramatic. His brother, Elidurus, had been king before. But then Elidurus lost his throne and later got it back. After Elidurus returned to power, Ingenius teamed up with his brother Peredurus. They decided to challenge Elidurus for the kingship.
Capturing King Elidurus
Ingenius and Peredurus attacked their older brother Elidurus. They managed to capture him. Instead of harming him, they locked him away. Elidurus was held in a guarded tower in a city called Trinovantum. This city is now known as London.
Sharing the Kingdom
After capturing Elidurus, Ingenius and Peredurus faced a choice. They could have fought each other for control of the entire island. But they decided to share power instead. They split the island of Britain between them.
- Ingenius received the region of Cornwall. This is a peninsula in the southwest of England.
- Peredurus received Albany. This was the ancient name for what is now Scotland.
Ingenius ruled his part of the island for seven years. After this time, he died. When he passed away, his brother Peredurus took over the rule of the entire island.
Ingenius's Legacy
Even though Ingenius ruled for a shorter time, his family line continued. His son, named Idvallo, would later become a king of Britain himself. This shows how important family connections were in these ancient legends. The stories of these kings helped shape the history and myths of Britain.
