Marius of Britain facts for kids

Marius was a legendary king of the ancient Britons. He lived during the time when the powerful Romans occupied Britain. His story is told in an old book called Historia Regum Britanniae by Geoffrey of Monmouth. Marius became king after his father, Arvirargus, passed away.

Who Was King Marius?

King Marius was known for his wise rule. He became king during an important time in British history. This was when a group of people called the Picts first arrived in Britain. The Picts were ancient tribes who lived in what is now Scotland.

Facing the Picts

A large fleet of ships arrived in Britain, led by a man named Sodric. These ships came from a faraway land called Scythia. They landed in a northern part of Britain known as Albany. Once they arrived, Sodric's group began to cause trouble and damage the lands. King Marius knew he had to act quickly to protect his people.

Marius gathered his forces and fought many battles against Sodric and his followers. After a series of tough fights, King Marius bravely defeated Sodric. He even killed Sodric himself!

A Land Renamed

To celebrate this important victory, King Marius set up a special stone. This stone was a monument to remember his triumph over Sodric. Because of this victory, the land where it happened became known as Westmorland. This name was given in honor of King Marius.

Marius also showed respect to the people he had defeated. He gave the Picts a small part of Albany, called Caithness, where they could live. However, Marius did not allow the Picts to marry women from his kingdom. Because of this, the Picts eventually left Britain and traveled to Ireland to find wives there.

Strong Ties with Rome

King Marius understood the importance of good relationships with powerful neighbors. He worked hard to build strong connections with the Roman Empire. He showed respect to the Roman citizens living in Britain. He also sent tribute, which was like a payment, to Rome. This helped keep peace and good diplomacy between his kingdom and the Romans.

Marius was a fair and just ruler. He made sure to follow the ancient laws of his ancestors. His rule brought stability and order to his kingdom during a challenging time.

The End of His Reign

When King Marius eventually passed away, his son took over the throne. His son, named Coilus, became the next king of the Britons.