The British history of Geoffrey of Monmouth. In twelve books / Translated into English from the Latin, by Aaron. Thompson, esq.

  • Geoffrey of Monmouth
Date:
1842
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The British history of Geoffrey of Monmouth. In twelve books / Translated into English from the Latin, by Aaron. Thompson, esq. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ;*)(! < i 150 F F K 15 Y 0 F MON M 0UT1I. In this battle he alone did more than the greatest part of his army, and after the victory, suffered none of the enemy to escape alive. For lie commanded them to lie brought to him one after another, that he might satisfy his cru- elty in seeing them killed: and when he grew tired of this, he gave orders that they should be flayed alive and burnt. During these and other monstrous acts of cruelty, an accident happened which put a period to his wickedness. There came from the coasts of the Irish sea, a most cruel monster, that was continually devour- ing the people upon the sea-coasts. As soon as he heard of it, he ventured to go and encounter it alone; but when he had in vain spent all his darts upon it, the mon- ster rushed upon him, and with open jaws swallowed him up like a small fish. CHAPTER XVI. G0KB0N1AN, A MOST JUST KING OF THE BRITONS. He had five sons, whereof the eldest, Gorbonian, ascended the throne. There was not in his time a greater lover of justice and ecpiity, or a more careful ruler of the people. The performance of due worship to the gods, and doing justice to the common people, was his continual employment. Through all the cities of Britain, he repaired the temples of the gods, and built many new ones. In all his days, the island abounded with riches, more than all the neighbouring countries. For lie gave great encouragement to husbandmen in their tillage, by protecting them against any injury or op- pression of their lords; and the soldiers he amply re- warded with money, so that no one had occasion to do wrong to another. Amidst these and many other acts of his innate goodness, he paid the debt of nature, and was buried at Trinovantum.