[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

presented themselves against each other with their lances aloft, they put
spurs to their horses, and began a fierce encounter. But Arthur, who
handled his lance more warily, struck it into the upper part of FlolloÕs
breast, and avoiding his enemyÕs weapon, laid him prostrate upon the
ground, and was just going to despatch him with his drawn sword, when
Flollo, starting up on a sudden, met him with his lance couched,
wherewith he mortally stabbed the breast of ArthurÕs horse, and caused
both him and his rider to fall. The Britons, when they saw their king
lying on the ground, fearing he was killed, could hardly be restrained
from breach of covenant, and falling with one consent upon the Gauls.
But just as they were upon rushing into the lists, Arthur hastily got up,
and guarding himself with his shield, advanced with speed against
Flollo. And now they renewed the assault with great rage, eagerly bent
upon one anotherÕs destruction. At length Flollo, watching his advantage,
gave Arthur a blow upon the forehead, which might have proved mortal,
had he not blunted the edge of his weapon against the helmet. When
Arthur saw his coat of mail and shield red with blood, he was inflamed
with still greater rage, and lifting up his Caliburn with his utmost
strength struck it through the helmet into FlolloÕs head, and made a
terrible gash. With this wound Flollo fell down, tearing the ground with
his spurs, and expired. As soon as this news was spread through the
army, the citizens ran together, and opening the gates, surrendered the
city to Arthur. After the victory, he divided his army into two parts; one
160
Geoffrey of Monmouth
of which he committed to the conduct of Hoel, whom he ordered to
march against Guitard, commander of the Pictavians; while he with the
other part should endeavour to reduce the other provinces. Hoel upon
this entered Aquitaine, possessed himself of the cities of that country,
and after distressing Guitard in several battles, forced him to surrender.
He also destroyed Gascony with fire and sword, and subdued the
princes of it. At the end of nine years, in which time all the parts of Gaul
were entirely reduced, Arthur returned back to Paris, where he kept his
court, and calling an assembly of the clergy and people, established peace
and the just administration of the laws in that kingdom. Then he
bestowed Neustria, now called Normandy, upon Bedver, his butler; the
province of Andegavia upon Caius, his sewer; and several other
provinces upon his great men that attended him. Thus having settled the
peace of the cities and countries there, he returned back in the beginning
of spring to Britain.
Chapter 12. Arthur summons a great many kings, princes,
archbishops, etc. to a solemn assembly at the City of Legions.
Upon the approach of the feast of Pentecost, Arthur, the better to
demonstrate his joy after such triumphant success, and for the more
solemn observation of that festival, and reconciling the minds of the
princes that were now subject to him, resolved, during that season, to
hold a magnificent court, to place the crown upon his head, and to invite
all the kings and dukes under his subjection, to the solemnity. And when
he had communicated his design to his familiar friends, he pitched upon
the City of Legions as a proper place for his purpose. For besides its
great wealth above the other cities, its situation, which was in
Glamorganshire upon the river Uske, near the Severn sea, was most
pleasant, and fit for so great a solemnity. For on one side it was washed
by that noble river, so that the kings and princes from the countries
beyond the seas might have the convenience of sailing up to it. On the
other side, the beauty of the meadows and groves, and magnificence of
the royal palaces with lofty gilded roofs that adorned it, made it even
161
Geoffrey of Monmouth
rival the grandeur of Rome. It was also famous for two churches;
whereof one was built in honour of the martyr Julius, and adorned with
a choir of virgins, who had devoted themselves wholly to the service of
God; but the other, which was founded in memory of St. Aaron, his
companion, and maintained a convent of canons, was the third
metropolitan church of Britain. Besides, there was a college of two
hundred philosophers, who, being learned in astronomy and the other
arts, were diligent in observing the courses of the stars, and gave Arthur
true predictions of the events that would happen at that time. In this
place, therefore, which afforded such delights, were preparations made
for the ensuing festival. Ambassadors were then sent into several
kingdoms, to invite to court the princes both of Gaul and all the adjacent
islands. Accordingly there came Augusel, king of Albania, now Scotland;
Urian, king of Mureif; Cadwallo Lewirh, king of the Venedotians, now
called the North Wales men; Sater, king of the Demetians, or South
Wales men; Cador, king of Cornwall, also the archbishops of the three
metropolitan sees, London, York, and Dubricius of the City of Legions.
This prelate, who was primate of Britain, and legate-of the apostolical
see, was so eminent for his piety that he could cure any sick person by
his prayers. There came also the consuls of the principal cities, viz.
Morvid, consul of Gloucester; Mauron, of Worcester; Anaraut, of
Salisbury; Arthgal, of Cargueit or Warguit; Jugein, of Legecester,
Cursalen, of Kaicester; Kinmare, duke of Dorobernia, Galluc, of
Salisbury; Urgennius, of Bath; Jonathal, of Dorchester; Boso, of Ridoc,
that is, Oxford. Besides the consuls, came the following worthies of no
less dignity: Danaut, Map papo; Cheneus, Map coil; Peredur, Mab eridur;
Guiful, Map Nogoit; Regin, Map claut; Eddelein, Map cledauc; Kincar,
Mab bagan; Kimmare; Gorboroniam, Map goit; Clofaut, Rupmaneton;
Kimbelim, Map trunat; Cathleus, Map catel; Kinlich, Map neton; and
many others too tedious to enumerate. From the adjacent islands came
Guillamurius, king of Ireland; Malvasius, king of Iceland; Doldavius, king
of Gothland; Gunfasius, king of the Orkneys; Lot, king of Norway;
Aschillius, king of the Dacians. From the parts beyond the seas, came
Holdin king of Ruteni; Leodegarius, consul of Bolonia; Bedver, the
162
Geoffrey of Monmouth
butler, duke of Normandy; Borellus, of Cenomania; Caius, the sewer,
duke of Andegavia; Guitard, of Pictavia; also the twelve peers of Gaul, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]