Trinovantum facts for kids

Trinovantum is an old name for London from a famous medieval story. This story says it was the first name for London. It was supposedly founded by a hero named Brutus.

What Was Trinovantum?

Trinovantum is a name for London found in old British legends. These stories come from a book called Historia Regum Britanniae. It was written by Geoffrey of Monmouth. He was a writer from the Middle Ages.

The Legend of New Troy

The legend says that Brutus founded the city. Brutus was a hero from Troy. He had to leave his home. He called the new city Troia Nova. This means "New Troy" in Latin. Over time, people started saying Trinovantum instead.

The story also says that a king named Lud later rebuilt the city. King Lud renamed it Caer Lud. This means "Lud's Fort." The name then changed to Kaer Llundain. Finally, it became the name we know today: London. This legend is part of a group of stories called the Matter of Britain.

Where Did the Name Come From?

The name Trinovantum actually comes from an ancient tribe. This tribe was called the Trinovantes. They lived in parts of what is now Essex and Suffolk. They also lived in some areas of Greater London.

The Trinovantes Tribe

The Roman leader Julius Caesar wrote about the Trinovantes. He mentioned them when he visited Britain. This was around 55 and 54 BC. Later, another writer named Orosius wrote about Caesar's trips. He called the tribe civitas Trinovantum. This phrase meant "the nation of the Trinovantes."

A Mistake in History?

The word civitas can mean "nation" or "city." The ending -um is also common for some Latin words. Because of this, Geoffrey of Monmouth or his sources might have misunderstood. They may have thought civitas Trinovantum meant "the city Trinovantum." This is how the name might have appeared in the legend.

London's Roman Name

In Roman times, the city we call London had a different name. It was known as Londinium. This name seems to be connected to Llundain and the modern name London.