The History of the Kings of Britain

Vortigern is impressed by the equivocal nature of Merlin’s prophecies and his unusual willingness to speak his mind. Vortigern wants to know his fate and asks Merlin to divine it. Merlin responds that Vortigern made a mistake when he betrayed Aurelius Ambrosius and Utherpendragon’s father. They are preparing an assault of Britain, and Vortigern is in danger by both sides since the Saxons also want to destroy him. Merlin predicts that Hengist will be killed and Aurelius Ambrosius crowned king. Vortigern’s descendants will poison him, but they will be destroyed by the Boar of Cornwall mentioned in Merlin’s prophecies.

The following day, Aurelius Ambrosius lands in Britain. The previously scattered Britons gather, and the clergy anoint Aurelius Ambrosius as king. The Britons want to attack the Saxons, but Aurelius Ambrosius is intent on first avenging his father and brother. He gives a speech enumerating Vortigern’s betrayals of Britain and urges his soldiers to take vengeance against Vortigern. They comply, burning down Vortigern’s tower with him in it. Hengist and the Saxons hear the news and are frightened because of Aurelius Ambrosius’ nobility, piety, and skill in battle. The Saxons retreat and fortify their castles and towns near Scotland, which “never missed an opportunity of making matters worse whenever the Britons were in distress” (160). Aurelius Ambrosius fortifies his army and marches north to battle. Hengist encourages his troops and prepares for battle.

The Duke of Gloucester, Eldol, the one man to escape Hengist’s slaughter at the peace treaty, approaches the king and expresses his desire to engage in hand-to-hand combat with Hengist. Aurelius Ambrosius’ troops are victorious. Hengist, chased by Aurelius Ambrosius, flees and the two sides again engage in fierce battle eventually won by the Britons. Eldol captures Hengist, who is ultimately beheaded and buried according to pagan custom. The Saxons flee to woods and sea. Hengist’s son Octavius, who retreated to York, gives himself up to Aurelius Ambrosius, admitting that his “gods are vanquished” and the Britons’ god “reigns supreme” (164). His speech prompts compassion in Aurelius Ambrosius, and he pardons the Saxons who accept the Britons' victory. Aurelius Ambrosius orders the churches restored, laws renewed, and cities and towns throughout the realm rebuilt—including London, from which he rules.

Aurelius Ambrosius gathers carpenters and stone-masons to build a memorial to those who died for their homeland. As they ponder what to build, an archbishop suggests fetching Merlin, who is renowned for his skill in “foretelling the future” and in “mechanical contrivances” (166). He is brought before Aurelius Ambrosius, who asks Merlin to foretell the future. Merlin says such mysteries “cannot be revealed” as entertainment, only when they are most urgently needed (166). Accepting Merlin’s pronouncement, the king asks instead about the desired monument. Merlin advises him to send for the Giants’ Ring—a massive stone construction in Ireland said to have been transported by giants in a previous age and to have medicinal properties. Merlin accompanies Utherpendragon and the 15 thousand men sent to fetch the stones. Ireland’s ruler, Gillomanius, resist, but the Britons win the battle and proceed to the stones. None of their efforts to move them succeeds until Merlin takes charge. With his help, they bring the stones back to Britain, and the monument is ceremoniously dedicated.

Meanwhile, Vortigern’s son Paschent, who escaped to Germany, plots to avenge his father. He bribes German troops to invade northern Britain. The king meets them in battle, and Paschent’s men are forced to flee. Paschent sails to Ireland, where Gillomanius welcomes him. They establish a treaty and invade Britain. As Aurelius Ambrosius is ill, Utherpendragon sets off to battle them. A Saxon called Eopa offers his services to Paschent in exchange for treasure. Eopa disguises himself as a Briton and doctor and poisons the king, then flees the court.

At this time, a star “of great magnitude and brilliance” appears. Merlin is summoned to interpret it, and bursts into tears, telling those assembled that the king has died. He urges Utherpendragon to fight the enemy without haste, which will lead to victory and his crowning as king. His son will be powerful and his daughter’s descendants “shall hold one after the other the kingship of Britain” (171). Utherpendragon proceeds to defeat the combined forces of Gillomanius and Paschent, killing them both. Utherpendragon then hurries to his brother, learns that he has died, and is crowned king.

Hengist’s son Octa and comrade Eosa fiercely battle Utherpendragon, initially forcing the Britons to retreat. However, the Britons launch a successful surprise attack, capturing Octa and Eosa and routing the Saxons. Utherpendragon restores peace, reclaims the rebellious Scots, rescues them “from their state of savagery,” and administers justice throughout the northern region (174). He then proceeds to London, where he orders Octa and Eosa imprisoned.

At a festival, Utherpendragon falls in love with Ygerna, the wife of Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall. Realizing this, Gorlois leaves court with his wife. Utherpendragon orders them to return, but Gorlois refuses. Their quarrel escalates into battle. To ensure they are not endangered together, Gorlois leaves Ygerna in a castle at Tintagel while he seeks refuge at a fortified camp. Meanwhile, the king’s longing for Ygerna intensifies, and Merlin is summoned to seek a solution. He administers a drug that alters Utherpendragon’s appearance, transforming him into the exact likeness of Gorlois. In this form, Utherpendragon gains access to Ygerna, and the two conceive Arthur, “the most famous of men, who subsequently won great renown by his outstanding bravery” (177). While this is occurring, the king’s army defeats Gorlois’ men, and Gorlois is killed. Utherpendragon and Ygerna “lived together as equals, united by their great love for each other” and have a son, Arthur, and daughter, Anna (177).

Eventually, Octa and Eosa’s prison wardens grow weary of guarding them, and they all escape to Germany. They gather a large fleet and invade Britain. Loth of Lodonesia, a brave soldier and wise leader married to Anna, commands the British army. Though initially hampered by their arrogance, the Britons ultimately defeat the Saxons, and Octa and Eosa are killed. The Saxons withdraw to the northern provinces and plot to kill the king. Through the help of spies, they discover his water source and poison it, leading to his death as well as that of a hundred others. Utherpendragon is buried alongside his brother Aurelius Ambrosius in the Giants’ ring.