Queen Gwendolen facts for kids

Gwendolen, also known as Gwendolin or Gwendolyn, was a legendary queen of ancient Britain. People say she ruled around 1100 BC.

Her story comes from a book called Historia Regum Britanniae by Geoffrey of Monmouth. He wrote that Gwendolen was married to King Locrinus. She later fought him in a battle near the River Stour. This river was important because it separated parts of ancient Britain. After winning the battle, Gwendolen became the first ruling queen of the Britons.

Gwendolen's Early Life and Rule

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Gwendolen was the daughter of Corineus. Corineus was the king of Cornwall and a strong warrior. Gwendolen married Locrinus, who was the oldest son of King Brutus. Gwendolen and Locrinus had a son together named Maddan.

After Gwendolen's father, Corineus, died, King Locrinus made a big change. He decided to end his marriage with Gwendolen. He chose to be with his new love, Estrildis, instead. Locrinus and Estrildis already had a daughter named Habren.

Gwendolen then went back to Cornwall. She lived there for some years. During this time, she gathered a very large army. She then led her army to fight against her former husband, King Locrinus.

The Battle and Gwendolen's Reign

The battle took place near the River Stour. In this fight, King Locrinus was killed. After her victory, Gwendolen took over the throne. She ruled Britain on her own, just as her father had ruled Cornwall.

Gwendolen ruled peacefully for fifteen years. After this time, she decided to give up her throne. She let her son, Maddan, become the new ruler. Gwendolen then lived the rest of her life in Cornwall.

Gwendolen's Lasting Impact

The book Historia Regum Britanniae mentions other famous people from Gwendolen's time. It says that Samuel was a judge in Judea, and Aeneas Silvius ruled Alba Longa. It also says that Homer was becoming famous in Greece.

Gwendolen is also mentioned in later stories and poems. She appears in Edmund Spenser's poem The Faerie Queene from 1590. She is also part of the imaginative writings of William Blake. He included her as one of the twelve Daughters of Albion.

In more recent times, some writers have seen Gwendolen as a powerful woman. They believe she helped unite Britain with her strong rule.