Nennius of Britain facts for kids
Nennius was a legendary prince of Britain. He lived during the time of Julius Caesar's invasions of Britain, which happened around 55–54 BC. His exciting story is found in a book called History of the Kings of Britain, written by Geoffrey of Monmouth in 1136. While this book is now mostly seen as a fictional tale, it made Nennius famous. In old Welsh stories, he was known as Nynniaw.
In Geoffrey's story, Nennius bravely fought Caesar in a one-on-one battle. He even managed to take Caesar's sword! Nennius then used this sword to defeat many Roman soldiers. Later, during the Tudor and Jacobean eras, Nennius became a symbol of British pride and patriotism.
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Nennius's Brave Battle with Caesar
Geoffrey of Monmouth's History tells us more about Nennius's life. He was the third son of King Heli and the brother of Lud and Cassibelanus. When Caesar's army invaded Britain, Nennius fought alongside his brother Cassibelanus.
Nennius and his nephew Androgeus led the British troops from Trinovantum (which is now London) and Canterbury. They met Caesar's own soldiers in battle. During this fight, Nennius faced Caesar himself in a one-on-one duel. Caesar struck Nennius on the head, but his sword got stuck in Nennius's shield.
After they were separated in the chaos of the battle, Nennius threw away his own sword. He then bravely attacked the Romans using Caesar's sword. He defeated many enemies, including a Roman leader named Quintus Laberius Durus.
The Famous Sword: Crocea Mors
According to Geoffrey, anyone Nennius struck with Caesar's sword was either killed instantly or so badly wounded they couldn't recover. This sword was called Crocea Mors, which means "Yellow Death." It earned its name because no one who was wounded by it ever escaped death.
Fifteen days after the battle, Nennius sadly died from the head wound he received from Caesar. He was buried in London, near the North Gate. Caesar's famous sword, Crocea Mors, was buried with him.
Nennius in Other Stories
The story of Nennius and his fight with Caesar was told by other writers too. An Anglo-Norman writer named Wace added more details to the fight in his book Roman de Brut (written in 1155). In Wace's version, Caesar defeats Nennius, but his sword gets stuck in Nennius's shield. Caesar is forced to retreat when Nennius's friends come to help him. Losing his sword was a big embarrassment for Caesar, and it even led to rebellions in France. Wace also said that the name Crocea Mors was "stamped with letters of gold" on the sword near its handle.
The story also appears in the Middle English poem Brut (around 1190–1215) by Layamon, which was based on Wace's work. In some older Norse translations, like Breta sögur (early 14th century), it's even said that Nennius died the same night of the battle because the sword had been poisoned.
Nennius as a British Hero
During the Tudor period in England, Nennius became an important symbol of British independence. He was seen as an inspiring example for future generations to defend their country from invaders. In a collection of poems called The Mirror for Magistrates, Nennius is shown giving a speech. He accuses Caesar of cheating by poisoning the tip of his sword. Even though the wound was shallow, the poison made Nennius sick and eventually killed him after fifteen days.
Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene (1590) also mentions Nennius. It says that after Caesar killed Nennius, he lost his sword, and that this sword could still be seen during the Elizabethan era. This likely refers to a sword that was supposedly Caesar's, kept in the Tower of London.
Nennius also appeared in plays during the Jacobean era. In Jasper Fisher's play Fuimus Troes, Nennius represents the strong fighting spirit of the Britons. He gives a powerful speech, encouraging people to resist invasion. His funeral games after the fight with Caesar are a key part of the play.
