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paid the debt of nature, and was buried at Trinovantum.
Chapter 17. Arthgallo is deposed by the Britons
and is succeeded by Elidure, who restores him again his kingdom.
After him Arthgallo, his brother, was dignified with the crown, and
in all his actions he was the very reverse of his brother. He everywhere
endeavoured to depress the nobility, and advance the baser sort of the
people. He plundered the rich, and by those means amassed vast
treasures. But the nobility, disdaining to bear his tyranny any longer,
made an insurrection against him, and deposed him; and then advanced
Elidure, his brother, who was afterwards surnamed the pious, on
account of his commiseration to Arthgallo in distress. For after five
yearsÕ possession of the kingdom, as he happened to be hunting in the
wood Calaterium, be met his brother that had been deposed. For he had
travelled over several kingdoms, to desire assistance for the recovery of
his lost dominions, but had procured none. And being now no longer
able to bear the poverty to which he was reduced, he returned back to
Britain, attended only by ten men, with a design to repair to those who
had been formerly his friends. It was at this time, as he was passing
through the wood, his brother Elidure, who little expected it, got sight of
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him, and forgetting all injuries, ran to him, and affectionately embraced
him. Now as be had long lamented his brotherÕs affliction, he carried him
with him to the city Alclud, where he hid him in his bed-chamber. After
this, he feigned himself sick, and sent messengers over the whole
kingdom, to signify to all his prime nobility that they should come to
visit him. Accordingly, when they were all met together at the city where
he lay, he gave orders that they should come into his chamber one by
one, softly, and without noise: his pretence for which was, that their talk
would be a disturbance to his head, should they all crowd in together.
Thus, in obedience to his commands, and without the least suspicion of
any design, they entered his house one after another. But Elidure had
given charge to his servants, who were set ready for the purpose, to take
each of them as they entered, and cut off their heads, unless they would
again submit themselves to Arthgallo his brother. Thus did he with every
one of them apart, and compelled them, through fear, to be reconciled to
Arthgallo. At last the agreement being ratified, Elidure conducted
Arthgallo to York, where he took the crown from his own head, and put
it on that of his brother. From this act of extraordinary affection to his
brother, he obtained the surname of Pious. Arthgallo after this reigned
ten years, and made amends for his former maladministration, by
pursuing measures of an entirely opposite tendency, in depressing the
baser sort, and advancing men of good birth; in suffering every one to
enjoy his own, and exercising strict justice towards all men. At last
sickness seizing him, he died, and was buried in the city Kaerleir.
Chapter 18. Elidure is imprisoned by Peredure,
after whose death he is a third time advanced to the throne.
Then Elidure was again advanced to the throne, and restored to his
former dignity. But while in his government he followed the example of
his eldest brother Gorbonian, in performing all acts of grace; his two
remaining brothers, Vigenius and Peredure, raised an army, and made
war against him, in which they proved victorious; so that they took him
prisoner, and shut him up in the tower at Trinovantum, where they
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placed a guard over him. They then divided the kingdom betwixt them;
that part which is from the river Humber westward falling to VigeniusÕs
share, and the remainder with all Albania to PeredureÕs. After seven
years Vigenius died, and so the whole kingdom came to Peredure, who
from that time governed the people with generosity and mildness, so
that he even excelled his other brothers who had preceded him, nor was
any mention now made of Elidure. But irresistible fate at last removed
him suddenly, and so made way for ElidureÕs release from prison, and
advancement to the throne the third time; who finished the course of his
life in just and virtuous actions, and after death left an example of piety
to his successors.
Chapter 19. The names of ElidureÕs thirty-three successors.
Elidure being dead, GorbonianÕs son enjoyed the crown and imitated
his uncleÕs wise and prudent government. For he abhorred tyranny, and
practised justice and mildness towards the people, nor did he ever
swerve from the rule of equity. After him reigned Margan, the son of
Arthgallo, who, being instructed by the examples of his immediate
predecessors, held the government in peace. To him succeeded
Enniaunus, his brother, who took a contrary course, and in the sixth year
of his reign was deposed, for having preferred a tyrannical to a just and
legal administration. In his room was placed his kinsman Idwallo, the son
of Vigenius, who, being admonished by EnniaunusÕs ill success, became a
strict observer of justice and equity. To him succeeded Runno, the son of
Peredure, whose successor was Geruntius, the son of Elidure. After him
reigned Catellus, his son; after Catellus, Coillus; after Coillus, Porrex;
after Porrex, Cherin. This prince had three sons, Fulgenius, Eldadus, and
Andragius, who all reigned one after another. Then succeeded Urianus,
the son of Andragius; after whom reigned in order, Eliud, Cledaucus,
Cletonus, Gurgintius, Merianus, Bleduno, Cap, Oenus, Sisilius,
Blegabred. This last prince, in singing and playing upon musical
instruments, excelled all the musicians that had been before him, so that
he seemed worthy of the title of the God of Jesters. After him reigned
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Arthmail, his brother; after Arthmail, Eldol; to whom succeeded in
order, Redion, Rederchius, Samuilpenissel, Pir, Capoir, and Cligueillus
the son of Capoir, a man prudent and mild in all his actions, and who
above all things made it his business to exercise true justice among his
people.
Chapter 20. HeliÕs three sons; the first of whom, viz. Lud,
gives name to the city of London.
Next to him succeeded his son Heli, who reigned forty years. He had
three sons, Lud, Cassibellaun, and Nennius; of whom Lud, being the
eldest, succeeded to the kingdom after his fatherÕs death. He became
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