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History Of The Britons
History Of The Britons
Nennius
Translated by J。 A。 Giles
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History Of The Britons
I。 The Prologue。
1。 Nennius； the lowly minister and servant of the servants of God； by
the grace of God； disciple of St。 Elbotus；* to all the followers of truth
sendeth health。 * Or Elvod； bishop of Bangor； A。D。 755； who first adopted
in the Cambrian church the new cycle for regulating Easter。
Be it known to your charity； that being dull in intellect and rude of
speech； I have presumed to deliver these things in the Latin tongue； not
trusting to my own learning； which is little or none at all； but partly from
traditions of our ancestors； partly from writings and monuments of the
ancient inhabitants of Britain； partly from the annals of the Romans； and
the chronicles of the sacred fathers； Isidore； Hieronymus； Prosper；
Eusebius； and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons； although our
enemies； not following my own inclinations； but； to the best of my ability；
obeying the commands of my seniors； I have lispingly put together this
history from various sources； and have endeavored； from shame； to deliver
down to posterity the few remaining ears of corn about past transactions；
that they might not be trodden under foot； seeing that an ample crop has
been snatched away already by the hostile reapers of foreign nations。 For
many things have been in my way； and I； to this day； have hardly been able
to understand； even superficially； as was necessary； the sayings of other
men； much less was I able in my own strength； but like a barbarian； have I
murdered and defiled the language of others。 But I bore about with me an
inward wound； and I was indignant； that the name of my own people；
formerly famous and distinguished； should sink into oblivion； and like
smoke be dissipated。 But since； however； I had rather myself be the
historian of the Britons than nobody； although so many are to be found
who might much more satisfactorily discharge the labour thus imposed on
me； I humbly entreat my readers； whose ears I may offend by the
inelegance of my words； that they will fulfil the wish of my seniors； and
grant me the easy task of listening with candour to my history。 For zealous
efforts very often fail： but bold enthusiasm； were it in its power； would not
suffer me to fail。 May； therefore； candour be shown where the inelegance
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History Of The Britons
of my words is insufficient； and may the truth of this history； which my
rustic tongue has ventured； as a kind of plough； to trace out in furrows；
lose none of its influence from that cause； in the ears of my hearers。 For it
is better to drink a wholesome draught of truth from the humble vessel；
than poison mixed with honey from a golden goblet。
2。 And do not be loath； diligent reader； to winnow my chaff； and lay up
the wheat in the storehouse of your memory： for truth regards not who is
the speaker； nor in what manner it is spoken； but that the thing be true； and
she does not despise the jewel which she has rescued from the mud； but
she adds it to her former treasures。
For I yield to those who are greater and more eloquent than myself；
who； kindled with generous ardour； have endeavoured by Roman
eloquence to smooth the jarring elements of their tongue； if they have left
unshaken any pillar of history which I wished to see remain。 This history
therefore has been compiled from a wish to benefit my inferiors； not from
envy of those who are superior to me； in the 858th year of our Lord's
incarnation； and in the 24th year of Mervin； king of the Britons； and I hope
that the prayers of my betters will be offered up for me in recompence of
my labour。 But this is sufficient by way of preface。 I shall obediently
accomplish the rest to the utmost of my power。
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History Of The Britons
II。 The Apology of Nennius
Here begins the apology of Nennius； the historiographer of the Britons；
of the race of the Britons。
3。 I； Nennius； disciple of St。 Elbotus； have endeavoured to write some
extracts which the dulness of the British nation had cast away； because
teachers had no knowledge； nor gave any information in their books about
this island of Britain。 But I have got together all that I could find as well
from the annals of the Romans as from the chronicles of the sacred fathers；
Hieronymus； Eusebius； Isidorus； Prosper； and from the annals of the Scots
and Saxons； and from our ancient traditions。 Many teachers and scribes
have attempted to write this； but somehow or other have abandoned it
from its difficulty； either on account of frequent deaths； or the often
recurring calamities of war。 I pray that every reader who shall read this
book； may pardon me； for having attempted； like a chattering jay； or like
some weak witness； to write these things； after they had failed。 I yield to
him who knows more of these things than I do。
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History Of The Britons
III。 The History。
4； 5。 From Adam to the flood； are two thousand and forty…two years。
From the flood of Abraham； nine hundred and forty…two。 》From Abraham
to Moses； six hundred。* From Moses to Solomon； and the first building of
the temple； four hundred and forty…eight。 》From Solomon to the
rebuilding of the temple； which was under Darius； king of the Persians； six
hundred and twelve years are computed。 From Darius to the ministry of
our Lord Jesus Christ； and to the fifteenth year of the emperor Tiberius；
are five hundred and forty…eight years。 So that from Adam to the ministry
of Christ and the fifteenth year of the emperor Tiberius； are five thousand
two hundred and twenty…eight years。 From the passion of Christ are
completed nine hundred and forty…six； from his incarnation； nine hundred
and seventy…six： being the fifth year of Edmu