Y Gododin: A Poem of the Battle of Cattraeth

Y Gododin: A Poem of the Battle of Cattraeth

The country situate between the Humber and the Clyde in North Britain was, for the most part, originally occupied by the Cymry, who here, as well as in the west, displayed no mean valour in opposition to the Roman arms. The latter certainly prevailed; nevertheless it is to be noticed that they did not finally destroy, nor indeed to any material extent alter the national features of Prydyn. This is evident from the manner in which the conquerors thought fit to incorporate into their own geographical vocabulary many of the local names, which they found already in use; and above all from the purely ancestral character which the native chieftains exhibited on emerging from the Roman ruins in the fifth century. Indeed to permit the defeated princes, under certain restrictions, to enjoy their former rights and jurisdictions, was perfectly in accordance with the usual policy of the Romans, as we may learn from the testimony of Tacitus, who remarks, in reference to the British king Cogidunus, that they granted to him certain states according to ancient custom, and the reason assigned is that they might have even kings as instruments of slavery. [1a] The homage of the subjugated provinces seems to have consisted principally in the payment of a tribute of money, and the furnishing of soldiers for foreign service. Such, no doubt, was the position of Cunedda Wledig, who began to reign about A.D. 328, and died in 389; [1b] and who, according to the Historia Britonum attributed to Nennius, venerat de parte sinistrali, id est, de regione qu vocatur Manau Guotodin, [1c] the heights of Gododin, and the same apparently with the territory of the Ottadeni. In the Myvyrian Archaiology, v. 1, p. 71, is printed an Elegy on Cunedda, the work of one who had actually partaken of his royal munificence, who had received from him milch cows, horses, wine, oil, and a host of slaves. The writer with respect to the martial prowess of his patron, observes, ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 9842
Author: Aneirin
Release Date: Feb 1, 2006
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Translator: Williams, John, 1811-1862