The Cambrian Plutarch: comprising memoirs of some of the most eminent Welshmen, from the earliest times to the present / [John Humffreys Parry].

  • John Humphreys Parry
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Cambrian Plutarch: comprising memoirs of some of the most eminent Welshmen, from the earliest times to the present / [John Humffreys Parry]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/408 page 8
    domestic foes as against the common enemy. The most important of those fought with the latter is allowed by the concurrent testimony of most early writers to have been the battle of Badon Hill as it is commonly called, fought in the vicinity of Bath*, According to most authorities, this was also the first engagement of note, which Arthur had with the Saxons, although it occurs last in the list given by Nen- nius. Bede, however, a more authentic as well an earlier writer, and who is followed by Usher, fixes this battle in the year five hundred and twenty, about three years after the presumed era of Arthur’s election to the sovereign com- mand. The Saxons, on this occasion, were led by the brave Cerdic, who in the preceding year, according to the Saxon Chronicle, had gained considerable advantages over the Britons at a place thence called Cerdicsford, now Chard- ford, in Hampshire. It is by no means improbable, that these successes of Cerdic may have roused the Britons to more vigorous exertions, which terminated with their tri- umph at Badon. And this agrees with the testimony of an ancient Welsh poem, which, in allusion to the event, has the following lines :— Woe to the miserable ones, on account of the battle of Badon ! Arthur was at the head of the valiant with their blood red blades ; He revenged on his foes the blood of his warriors, Warriors, who had been the defence of the sovereigns of the north. The prodigies of personal valour, ascribed by Nennius * Some writers, without any foundation, have placed the scene of this battle in the north; but we would rather agree with Camden, who says, it was fought near the hill now called “ Bannesdown, hanging over the little village of Bathstone, and shewing in his day,” as he tells us, “ its bulwarks and rampire.” And it is no small proof of this being the Badon alluded to, that the adjacent vale on the Avon bears still among the Welsh the name of Nant Badon, or the Valley of Badon,
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3