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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 283
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 08:14 pm: | 
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I also found these interesting pictures on a wargaming website which give some idea of the type of troops in the British High King's mobile cavalry forces. |
Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
Registered Member
Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 282
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 08:10 pm: |
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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
Registered Member
Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 281
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 08:09 pm: |
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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
Registered Member
Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 280
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 08:07 pm: |
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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
Registered Member
Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 279
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 08:04 pm: |
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OKAY...here is the continuation of the timeline up to A.D. 700. Note that I have added to and rearranged some of the events from the last years of the 500s.
587 onward--Arthur II follows the example of his grandfather and namesake and encourages British re-settlement and development of the newly re-conquered lands of Durotrigia and Gewissae. The addition of these lands to the personal holdings of the British High King gives him a substantial independent tax base which he can exploit to rebuild his kingdom and to maintain and expand his military.
587—King Aescwine of Essex dies, and Sledda ascends the throne. In the wake of their joint victory over Wessex, King Aelle II of Sussex acknowledges the British High King as overlord and converts to Christianity.
588--In this year, a British monk sent as ambassador from the High King to the Pope in Rome sees Lombard cavalry clad in chain mail and armed with sword, lance, and shield. The monk reports his observations to High King Arthur II, and Arthur decides to add a force of mail-armored cavalry to his mobile cavalry force, which will be accomplished over the next several years.
589—King Aelle of Deira dies. Aethelric ascends the throne.
590--The Siege of Lindisfarne. The Northern British Alliance (Gododdin, Rheged, Strathclyde, and Elmet) makes an alliance with King Aethelric of Deira and lays siege to King Hussa of Bernicia. The combined British/Deiran force almost exterminates the Bernicians from Northern Britain. King Urien of Rheged (who has been given the title of Dux Britanniarum and overall command of the Northern British armies by High King Arthur II) is assassinated by a jealous rival. The allies begin to squabble among themselves, and the siege is abandoned. The Bernicians are given a respite to recover.
590--High King Arthur II has completed his upgrade of the mobile cavalry force. The force now consists of approximately 2,000 men. About 800 of these are light cavalry with shields, swords, and javelins; about 700 are medium cavalry armored in leather armor, with small shields, swords, and either spears or javelins; and slightly over 500 are the new heavy cavalry, clad in chain mail, with large round shields, swords, and lances.
591—King Caewlin of Wessex (Wight) dies. Ceol ascends the throne.
593—King Hussa of Bernicia dies. Aethelfrith ascends the throne. King Tyttla of East Anglia dies. Raedwald ascends the throne.
595--A son is born to Crown Prince Cadwaladyr. Influenced by his mother and his wife, both of whom are from traditionally "Celtic-faction" lands, and recognizing the general trends in his Kingdom (which has evolved culturally farther and farther away from Roman ways over the years), Cadwaladyr has abandoned the old custom of giving Roman names to his children. Accordingly, the boy is named simply Hywel ap Cadwaladyr of the House of Ambrosius.
597—King Ceol of Wessex (Wight) dies. Ceolwulf ascends the throne. Bishop Augustine arrives in Kent, on a mission from Pope Gregory in Rome to convert the heathen Saxons. He is also charged with bringing the “heretical” British church (which maintains it’s own independent hierarchy of Bishops and calculates the date of Easter differently than does the church at Rome) under the authority of Rome. Augustine lands in Kent and is welcomed by King Aethelbert whose Frankish Queen is already a Christian practicing at her church of St. Martin's, Canterbury. Augustine converts Aethelbert and his court to Christianity and founds a monastery at Canterbury. Commencement of the erection of a monastery at St. Augustine's, Canterbury, built from the Roman ruins of the old city. Also in this year, St. Columba of Iona dies.
598 - King Cynan of Gododdin, who has been named the new Dux Britanniarum by High King Arthur II, leads the Northern British armies to fight Bernicia at the Battle of Catterick. The British are victorious, and soon afterward lay siege to the Bernician King Aethelfrith at his stronghold of Bamburgh. High King Arthur II brings his mobile forces to join the assault, and Bamburgh falls. Aethelfrith is killed, and the Kingdom of Bernicia is eliminated from the map of Britain. The lands are divided between the High King and the kings of Gododdin, Elmet, Strathclyde and Rheged. The High King’s portion is named the province of Eborac.
600—High King Arthur II dies. Crown Prince Cadwaladyr ascends to the throne. Crown Prince Hywel is installed as King of Gwynedd.
601--King Aelle II of Sussex dies, and Aethelwulf ascends the throne. Like his father, he has converted to Christianity and on his succession he accepts the British High King as his overlord.
602--St. Augustine of Canterbury meets with the Welsh Bishops at Aust near Chepstow. He accuses them of acting contrary to Church teachings, failing to keep Easter at the prescribed Roman time and not administering baptism according to the Roman rite. He also insists that they look to Canterbury as their spiritual centre. The Welsh tactfully decline. Augustine is proclaimed Archbishop of Canterbury and commences the erection of his stone-built Cathedral.
604 - The Welsh Bishops meet for a second time with St. Augustine of Canterbury. He neglects to rise to greet them, lectures them again and insists they submit to him. The Welsh send him packing and refuse to recognise the authority of a church under such a disrespectful bishop. Death of King Sledda of Essex. He is succeeded by his son, Saebert. King Saebert is persuaded to convert to Christianity through the intervention of his uncle, King Aethelbert of Kent. The See of Essex is founded. King Aethelric of Deira dies, and Edwin ascends the throne.
605--Death of Bishop Augustine of Canterbury. He is buried in St. Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury and later revered as a saint. He is succeeded by St. Laurence of Canterbury.
611--King Ceolwulf of Wessex (Wight) dies. Cynegils ascends the throne.
613--The stone Abbey Church at St. Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury is completed and dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul.
616--Death of Kings Aethelbert of Kent and Saebert of Essex. The former is succeeded by his pagan son, Eadbald, who promptly marries his step-mother, in accordance with pre-Christian custom. However, before the end of the year, Eadbald is persuaded to convert to Christianity by St. Laurence, Archbishop of Canterbury. In Essex, Saebert's realm is divided among his sons, Sexred, Saeward and Sexbald, who also throw out the Christian missionaries and return to paganism.
617--Joint Kings Sexred, Saeward, and Sexbald of Essex all die this year, and the kingship of Essex falls to Sigebehrt I. Also in this year, King Raedwald of East Anglia dies, and is succeeded by Eni.
617--King Cynegils of Wessex forges an alliance with King Eadbald of Kent and King Sigebehrt of Essex. The allies attack King Aethelwulf of Sussex, who they regard as a traitor because he has accepted the overlordship of the British High King, and their combined armies defeat Aethelwulf's forces in battle. Aethelwulf and the survivors of his force take refuge in the old Roman Saxon Shore fortress at Pevensey, where they are besieged. However, Aethelwulf manages to get a message off to High King Cadwaladyr, requesting assistance. Cadwaladyr arrives with the British mobile cavalry force (as well as the armies of the kings of Dumnonina, Dobunnia, and Calchvynydd). The British raise the siege and scatter the Saxon/Jutish allies. Cadwaladyr follows up with a punitive raid which ravages large sections of Kent and Essex. King Eadbald of Kent and Sigebehrt of Essex sue for peace, and a treaty is signed on Christmas Day, A.D. 617. The King of Essex and the King of Kent both acknowledge the British High King as overlord, and Sigebehrt of Essex converts to Christianity. Cynegils of Wessex flees back to the Isle of Wight.
617--King Edwin of Deira invades Elmet. King Ceretic of Elmet is killed in the fighting, and Elmet is ravaged. The Dux Brittaniarum (King Cynan of Gododdin) rallies the northern British armies, and invades Deira. However, the northern British armies are defeated by Edwin at Eborac (York) and forced to retreat, with King Cynan being killed in the battle. Deira absorbs Elmet.
618-619--King Cynegils of Wessex (Wight) makes repeated incursions into Durotrigia and Gewissae, burning, looting, and plundering. High King Cadwaladyr is kept busy campaigning against these raiders, and as a result is unable to intervene in the events transpiring in the north of the kingdom, or at least not immediately. Finally, in the autumn of the year A.D. 619, Cadwaladyr manages to catch Cynegils and his Saxon raiders before they can flee to their ships. Cynegils is killed, and most of his army is slaughtered. Wessex (Wight) experiences a period of civil war as various members of the royal family try to take the kingship, and will not be a problem for several years.
618-619--With the British northern armies in disarray following the defeat at Eborac, Edwin follows up with campaigns against Gododdin, Strathclyde, and Rheged, taking land from all three kingdoms. However, he is unable to decisively defeat any of them as he earlier did with Elmet. Finally, in 620, he invades and over-runs the High King's province of Eborac. Deira is now the largest kingdom on the island.
618--King Eni of East Anglia dies, and is succeeded by Eorpwald.
619--Death of St. Laurence of Canterbury. He is succeeded by Mellitus.
620-625--In response to the aggression of King Edwin, High King Cadwaladyr decides to eliminate the threat posed by Deira. Accordingly, he has taken several actions. First, he has appointed King Neithon of Strathclyde as the new Dux Brittaniarum, and ordered him to reorganize the northern British armies. Second, Cadwaladyr himself leads the mobile cavalry force northward. Third, he calls on his vassals, the kings of East Anglia, Middle Anglia and Lindsay to send troops to join the British armies, which they do. In repeated campaigns over the next several years, the combined armies invade Edwin's realm from the north and the south, forcing Edwin back into the interior of Deira. In the final campaign (A.D. 625), the armies converge on Edwin's capital of Eborac (York). Edwin is heavily outnumbered, and retreats to his citadel, where he is besieged and eventually forced to surrender. In contrast to former practice, High King Cadwaladyr shows mercy to his defeated foe, offering him the choice of converting to Christianity and accepting the British High King as overlord, or exile. Edwin chooses exile, and flees to the court of King Eadbald of Kent. Part of the conquered Deiran territory is given to the Kings of Strathclyde, Gododdin and Rheged, while High King Cadwaladyr takes Elmet and a part of the old kingdom of Eborac for his own. Angles living in these areas are given the same option given to King Edwin...convert to Christianity and accept the British High King as overlord, or leave. Most convert and stay, while the rest go with King Edwin into exile. The Kingdom of Deira (now much much reduced in size) is given to Sigebert, brother of King Eorpwald of East Anglia, who accepts High King Cadwaladyr as overlord.
624--Death of Archbishop Mellitus of Canterbury. He is succeeded by Justus.
625-700--Period of relative peace and prosperity in Britannia. High Kings Cadwaladyr, Hywel, Rhodri, and Arthur III, following the example of their illustrious ancestor, Arthur I, use this period to rebuild and strengthen their kingdom. Areas ravaged by the recent wars are resettled, many towns are re-occupied, and new towns founded. Also during this time, dynastic marriages will merge the small kingdoms in what is now Wales. By the end of the period only Dyfed, Powys, Gwynedd and Dobunnia will remain. High King Cadwaladyr will sign new treaties with all of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms except Wessex (Wight) in the years immediately following his victory over Deira which will make them permanent vassals of the British High King, who will now have the right to approve or disapprove the succession in each kingdom.
626--King Edwin, the exiled ruler of Deira, is converted to Christianity by St. Justus at the court of King Eadbald of Kent.
627--A son is born to Crown Prince Hywel. The boy is named Rhodri ap Hywel of the House of Ambrosius. Death of Archbishop Justus of Canterbury. He is succeeded by Honorius.
628--King Eorpwald of East Anglia dies, and is succeeded by Ricbert.
631--King Ricbert of East Anglia dies, and is succeeded by Egric.
633--Edwin, former king of Deira, dies in Kent.
634--King Sigebert of Deira dies childless. With the approval of High King Cadwaladyr, Osric, kinsman of the defeated King Edwin and senior surviving member of the Deiran royal house, is permitted to take the throne. However, Osric dies later that same year, and is succeeded by his son Oswine. Both Osric and Oswine have converted to Christianity in Kent, and they both swear allegiance to the British High King as overlord as a condition of being allowed to return to the throne of Deira.
635--King Egric of East Anglia dies, and is succeeded by Anna (nephew of Raedwald).
640--High King Cadwaladyr invites Archbishop Honorius to visit him at his court, and Honorius accepts. They discuss the religious divisions on the island (the Roman Church vs. the British Church vs. pagan and Pelagian remnants) and agree that something must be done to resolve them. High King Cadwaladyr agrees to call a Synod for the following year to discuss these issues. Also in this year, the King of Middle Anglia dies without heirs. The closest male claimant is the King of Lindsey, and the two kingdoms are joined. Also in this year, King Eadbald of Kent dies, and is succeeded by Earconbert.
641--At the behest of High King Cadwaladyr, the Synod of Bedford is held at the capitol of the Kingdom of Calchvynydd. Archbishop Honorius of Canterbury confronts the assembled Bishops of the British Celtic Church, as well as a delegation from the Irish monastery at Iona. High King Cadwaladyr listens to the arguments of all sides, and makes a decision that satisfies nobody completely. He agrees that the British church should adopt the Roman method of calculating the date of Easter and the Roman method of Baptism, bringing the British Church into line with the practice of most of Christendom. Furthermore, the British church will accept the nominal overlordship of the Pope in Rome. However, he rules that the British Church will not accept the overlordship of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Honorius is not happy, but is glad to have the concessions regarding procedural matters, and grudgingly accepts the compromise.
642 -King Owen of Strathclyde halts Scottish expansion by killing King Domnal Brecc of Dalriada at the Battle of Strathcarron. Also in this year, King Aethelwulf of Sussex dies, and is succeeded by his son Ecgbert.
643--Cenwalh, son of Cynegils of Wessex, finally wins the struggle for power over Wessex (Wight) and is crowned king.
c.645 - Gwynedd and much of Wales is in the grasp of famine.
650--Crown Prince Rhodri is married to a fair maiden named Hildegard, the only child and heiress of the King of Lindsey.
651--High King Cadwaladyr dies. Crown Prince Hywel ascends the throne. Prince Rhodri is installed as King of Gwynedd. King Oswine of Deira dies childless later that same year. There being no remaining male heirs of the House of Deira, the kingdom is given by High King Hywel to Aethelhere, brother of King Anna of East Anglia.
653--King Sigebehrt I of Essex dies. He is succeeded by Sigebehrt II.
654--King Anna of East Anglia dies and is succeeded by his brother, Aethelwold.
655--Death of Archbishop Honorius of Canterbury. He is succeeded by Deusdedit. Also in this year, a son is born to Crown Prince Rhodri. The new prince is named Arthur ap Rhodri of the House of Ambrosius.
655 - 664 - Plague devastates Gwynedd.
660--High King Hywel dies, and is succeeded by Crown Prince Rhodri. The new Crown Prince Arthur is installed as King of Gwynedd. Also in this year, King Sigebehrt II of Essex dies, and is succeeded by Swithhelm.
664--King Aethelwold of East Anglia dies. He is succeeded by Ealdwulf. Also in this year, King Earconbert of Kent dies, and is succeeded by Ecgbert.
665--King Swithhelm of Essex dies. He is succeeded by Sebbi. Also in this year, King Ecgbert of Sussex dies and is succeeded by Walda.
670--The king of Lindsey dies. High King Rhodri inherits the kingdom, which becomes a personal land of the High King. King Aethehere of Deira dies. He is succeeded by his son, Beorna. As did his father before him, he swears allegiance to the British High King as overlord.
672-688--Cenwalh of Wessex (Wight) dies childless in A.D. 672. Another struggle for power ensues between his queen, Seaxburh, and various male descendants of previous kings Ceolwulf and Caewlin and Cyengils. The struggle will go on until A.D. 688, and will bring to power, in succession....Seaxburh (672-674); Cenfus, (line of Ceolwulf, 674); Aescwine (son of Cenfus, 674-676); Centwine (son of Cynegils, 676-685); and Caedwalla (line of Ceawlin, 685-688).
673--King Ecgbert of Kent dies, and is succeeded by Hlothere.
685-690--King Hlothere of Kent dies in A.D. 685. Kent experiences a brief period of civil war while various claimants to the throne vie for control.
685--King Walda of Sussex dies and is succeeded by
688--King Caedwalla of Wessex (Wight) dies. He is succeeded by Ine, who will rule over a relatively peaceful kingdom until A.D. 726.
690--Wihtraed ascends the throne of Kent, ending the period of civil war and re-establishing the dynasty of Hengest on the throne. Also in this year, Ine of Wessex (Wight) is converted to Christianity by a British monk named Cynan, who is acting as ambassador at Ine's court from High King Rhodri. Ine also accepts the British High King as overlord following his conversion. All Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in Britannia are now Christian, and vassals of the British High King.
695--King Sebbi of Essex dies. He is succeeded by Sigeheard.
698--Death of High King Rhodri. Crown Prince Arthur succeeds to the throne as Arthur III.
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Kurt F Shapiro (grimm_reaper)
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Username: grimm_reaper
Post Number: 161
Registered: 04-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 04:31 pm: |
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Oh well, it was an idea. Especially since the Catholic Church conspired with Clovis to maintain its own privileges against Syagrius, the role of Pelagianism might have been interesting. Maybe a visit to Brittany...
Yes, I found the books to be excellant, and I especially love the details of life back then. Comparing what we know of the Dark Ages to life in a Roman villa of the late 4th century is stunning. If you ever see 'The Sorcerer: Metamorphasis' which is the sixth book, just examine the description of the Villa Britannicus between pages 90 and 110. If you like knowledge of how people lived and how things were developed, it is wonderful. Also, the various developments associated with the forces of Camulod.
By the way, NO MAGIC INVOLVED.
Was not so thrilled with certain grudges, especially in the first books, but if you are one of the top Roman families and everything is ending around you, maybe paying off grudges is something to do...
Three very fine points:
First, the 'tragedy' of Excalibur and why TWO more had to be made.
Second, a brief examination of the Roman debacle at Adrianople and how blaming the emperor was not really just.
Third, how the Romans didn't just keel over and die, and DID try to adapt to changing situations, at least militarily. |
Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 249
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 03:16 pm: |
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Expanding on my reply to Kurt Shapiro...
Upon checking, it looks like Clovis defeated Syagrius in 486 A.D. Arthur would at that time been in the midst of his campaign against the Saxons which culminated in the decisive battle of Badon Hill. All of Arthur's resources would bave been devoted to this campaign. So the idea that Arthur could have assisted Syagrius and enabled his realm to survive is just not really feasible. There is the possibility of expanded contact with the continent through Brittany, and maybe even a union of Brittany with Arthur's realm. |
Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 248
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 02:21 pm: |
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"Robert--misinterpreted your general drift regarding the British Church--I thought you were trying to make it strongly Palagian at some point. An alternative--somewhat more complex but in the spirit of those times-- is that Pelagian influences arise from their remnants and they get admixed with both the Augustinan orthodoxy and some input from the SemiPelagians in Marseilles. The result is a Brtish form of SemiPelagianism that stays just barely orthodox enough to avoid condemnation but gives the Celtic Church a lingering whiff of Pelagianism that makes it perennially suspect in the eyes of Rome producing enduring tension."--Capesius
That idea actually sounds quite good. Perhaps having Cadwaladyr be a closet Pelagian due to his mother's influence might be a way to do this... |
Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 247
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 02:18 pm: |
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"The Celtic Church (the one started by St. Patrick and dominant in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern England when Roman missionaries first arrived in southern England) was Pelagian?"--Matt Quinn
No, the Celtic Church (which was not actually started by St. Patrick...St. Patrick brought it to Ireland, but it already existed in Britain) was not Pelagian. Pelagianism was espoused by the many of those belonging to the "Celtic" political faction in Britain. The main British or "Celtic" church was Augustinian. |
Capesius (tomb)
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Username: tomb
Post Number: 147
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 02:17 pm: |
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Robert--misinterpreted your general drift regarding the British Church--I thought you were trying to make it strongly Palagian at some point. An alternative--somewhat more complex but in the spirit of those times-- is that Pelagian influences arise from their remnants and they get admixed with both the Augustinan orthodoxy and some input from the SemiPelagians in Marseilles. The result is a Brtish form of SemiPelagianism that stays just barely orthodox enough to avoid condemnation but gives the Celtic Church a lingering whiff of Pelagianism that makes it perennially suspect in the eyes of Rome producing enduring tension. |
Matt Quinn (matt_quinn)
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Username: matt_quinn
Post Number: 2099
Registered: 08-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 02:12 pm: |
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The Celtic Church (the one started by St. Patrick and dominant in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Northern England when Roman missionaries first arrived in southern England) was Pelagian? |
Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 246
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 01:00 pm: |
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"Probably at some point the dispute between the largely Pelagian Celtic Church and the largely Augustinian Roman Church will in Britain cause some clergy to flirt with variations of SemiPelagainism (which remained strong in southern Gaul for a long while). Pure Pelagianism might strike some Celtic Church leaders as not making the Church's role in salvation as powerful as they would like and they would be tempted to see SemiPelagian formulations as addressing those inadequacies. It might also be used to forestall a complete break with Rome."--Capesius
I agree in most respects. However, the fact that the House of Ambrosius is the leader of the "Roman" faction (i.e. Augustinian) means that Pelagianism isn't as strong in this TL as in the OTL. Pelagianism still exists, especially in strongholds of the "Celtic" faction such as Gododdin, but it is relatively marginal by the time Augustine arrives in Kent. The main British Church is very Augustinian in doctrine...it is mainly the question of how to calculate the date of Easter, some differences in procedure with regard to various sacraments, and the general unwillingness of British Bishops to acknowledge the authority of the Pope in Rome, which is causing potential problems by that date. Of course, since Cadwaladyr's mother was a princess of Gododdin, perhaps she instills Pelagian beliefs in her son, which could cause him to be at odds with both Augustine and the main British church establishment. Hmmmm, will have to puzzle that one out, too. |
Capesius (tomb)
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Username: tomb
Post Number: 146
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 12:44 pm: |
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Probably at some point the dispute between the largely Pelagian Celtic Church and the largely Augustinian Roman Church will in Britain cause some clergy to flirt with variations of SemiPelagainism (which remained strong in southern Gaul for a long while). Pure Pelagianism might strike some Celtic Church leaders as not making the Church's role in salvation as powerful as they would like and they would be tempted to see SemiPelagian formulations as addressing those inadequacies. It might also be used to forestall a complete break with Rome. |
Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 242
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 09:18 am: |
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"Very good TL. I hope Cadwaladyr sticks it to St. Augustine and the Celtic Church remains independent of Rome.
Of course, Augustine could always convert some still-pagan Germanics and that could cause religious strife for years to come..."--Matt Quinn
Thank you, Matt, for the kind words. I am working on installment #2 of the timeline, and my thinking is that Augustine and his successors will convert Kent, Essex, and Wessex (Wight), while Irish monks from Iona will convert Deira. Sussex, East Anglia, Middle Anglia, and Lindsay have already been converted by British missionaries in the first part of the timeline, of course. This will serve to create (or continue, one could say) religious strife for many years, as you suggest.
Of course, if I incorporate closer relations between Britain and the continent (as Kurt Shapiro suggests) then Cadwaladyr may come down on the side of Augustine in the end. I shall have to puzzle that one out. |
Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 241
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 09:08 am: |
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"Robert, two questions:
One, Syagrius managed to hold onto a pocket state of Romans in NW France until he was beaten by Clovis. What if he, and Brittany, hook up with Arthur's England for support and hold out?
Two, ever read Jack Whyte's series on Camulod?"--Kurt Shapiro
Kurt, thank you for your kind words. I have not studied the situation in Gaul during this time period too much...a linkup between Arthur and Syagrius, or Arthur and the Bretons, might be possible, but I would have to study the matter. My initial thinking is that since the invaders hold most of the coastal regions, there might be some difficulties maintaining contact.
And no, I have not read anything by Jack Whyte. Is it good? |
Capesius (tomb)
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Username: tomb
Post Number: 144
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 08:29 am: |
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Still very interesting. I'd like to see more as well. |
Duquense (duquense)
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Username: duquense
Post Number: 595
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 03:41 pm: |
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Of Couse if the Winter Isle is accepting Authur's line as Overking, and they are fishing in the west, we may end up with a Celtic Iceland. |
Matt Quinn (matt_quinn)
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Username: matt_quinn
Post Number: 2096
Registered: 08-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 10:51 am: |
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Very good TL. I hope Cadwaladyr sticks it to St. Augustine and the Celtic Church remains independent of Rome.
Of course, Augustine could always convert some still-pagan Germanics and that could cause religious strife for years to come... |
Kurt F Shapiro (grimm_reaper)
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Username: grimm_reaper
Post Number: 154
Registered: 04-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 08:15 am: |
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I LIKE, I LIKE!!!
Robert, two questions:
One, Syagrius managed to hold onto a pocket state of Romans in NW France until he was beaten by Clovis. What if he, and Brittany, hook up with Arthur's England for support and hold out?
Two, ever read Jack Whyte's series on Camulod? |
Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 228
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 06:33 pm: |
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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 227
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 06:31 pm: |
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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 226
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 06:29 pm: |
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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 225
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 06:27 pm: |
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OKAY, lets try that one more time. LOL
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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
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Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 222
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 06:10 pm: |
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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
Registered Member
Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 221
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 06:09 pm: |
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Robert P. Perkins (robertp6165)
Registered Member
Username: robertp6165
Post Number: 220
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2003 - 06:02 pm: |
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Last month I posted the following as the beginning of a thread...
"One period of history which has always been fascinating for me is the early Dark Ages in Britain, the period of the Anglo-Saxon invasions. I have always been especially fascinated by the shadowy figure of King Arthur (reigned ca. 490-ca. 517 A.D.). I read a really interesting book recently called KING ARTHUR: A MILITARY HISTORY, by Michael Holmes.
In this book, Holmes postulates that Arthur was a historical Celtic High King (similar to Brian Boru in Ireland), who, in a campaign which culminated in the victorious Battle of Badon Hill, halted the advance of the Anglo-Saxon invasion for almost 20 years, and in some areas, actually rolled the invaders back. While there are many who would argue that Arthur never existed, there is good archaeological evidence to show that the Anglo-Saxon invasion was indeed halted and rolled back during this time period, strongly suggesting that Arthur, or some other figure playing the same role, existed. Holmes goes on to suggest that Medraut (Mordred) was a lieutenant of Arthur's who was placed in charge of the eastern marches of Arthur's kingdom, where he was charged with watching over the remaining Saxon invaders. Medraut instead allied himself with them in a bid to gain the High Kingship for himself, and in the Battle of Camlann (which Holmes places in 517 A.D.), both were killed. The British fell to squabbling among themselves, and the Anglo-Saxons were able to make a comeback, completing their conquest of most of what is now England by 584 A.D.
Let's assume that Holmes is correct, and that Arthur was indeed the Romano-Celtic High King of Britain, and that he was responsible for rolling back the Anglo-Saxon invaders. However, let us also assume that Arthur is able to discover Medraut's plots before he has a chance to rise in rebellion, and manages to squash them. He has a strong son, and establishes a dynasty which over several generations manages to consolidate its rule over Romano-Celtic Britain. The Anglo-Saxons never manage to expand out of their initial bridgeheads into the interior of the island. Let's assume that the Scots still cross over from Ireland, and found their kingdom of Dalriada, where they compete with the Picts for supremacy in what is now Scotland. What would be the effect on history of a strong, unified Romano-Celtic kingdom in Britain?"
During the discussion of this topic, I promised to post a timeline in hopes of stimulating further discussion. The timeline follows below...I have also made up some maps to go with this which I will also be posting.
410--Emperor Honorius of Rome tells Britain to attend to its own affairs. Zosmius reports Roman officials expelled and native government establishes "independence". Britain is divided into numerous petty states, the Kings of which form a Ruling Council for Britain. The greatest of the petty Kings is elected High King. Two factions soon form...the "Celtic" faction, which favors a return to traditional Celtic ways, and the "Roman" faction, which wants to preserve a Roman society in Britain.
c.410--Irish incursions into Gwynedd, Powys, Dyfed & the Gower Peninsula.
411--Capture, at Arles, of Constantine, last Emperor of Britain. He is executed at Ravenna soon afterward.
413--Pelagian heresy said to have begun, by Prosper (Tiro) of Aquitaine in his "Chronicle". Pelagius was a British monk who denied the concept of "original sin," and argued that mankind has free will, and that salvation is attainable by faith alone and was not dependent on divine grace. His teachings gain a wide following, primarily in the East and in Britain and Gaul. His great adversary will be St. Augustine of Hippo, whose teachings on the subjects of original sin and divine grace will become the canon of the Catholic Church.
420--Pelagian heresy outlawed in Rome (418), but in Britain, enjoys much support from "Celtic" faction. The Roman faction supports the Augustinian or "Roman" church. However, even the "Roman" Church in Britain has some peculiarities of its own (primarily in the method of reckoning the date of Easter, and in it's decentralized monastic nature which does not readily admit to the authority of the Pope in Rome) which will eventually cause it to be in controversy with the Catholic Church in Rome.
c.420--Death of Coel Hen, the last Roman Dux Brittanniarum. The lands of his office in Northern Britain are divided between his descendants and become petty kingdoms.
c.423--Birth of St. Patrick in Britain.
425--Vortigern, a leader of the "Celtic" faction, usurps the High-Kingship in Britain.
c.425--Cunedda Wledig and his retinue are moved south from Gododdin to Gwynedd in order to expel the invading Irish.
428--Vortigern invites Germanic warriors (Jutes and Angles) under Hengest and Horsa to aid him in consolidating his position in Britain. Vortigern uses these mercenaries to put down local opposition, as well as to repel invading Picts from the north.
429--At the request of Palladius, a British deacon, Pope Celestine I dispatches Bishops Germanus of Auxerre and Lupus of Troyes to Britain to combat the Pelagian heresy. While in Britain, Germanus, a former military man, leads the Britons to "Hallelujah" victory over the Picts and Scots on the Welsh border.
c. 434--St. Patrick is captured by pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. At about the same time, Ambrosius Aurelianus the Younger is born in Brittany. He is the son of Ambrosius Aurelianus the Elder, who is living in exile in Brittany and is claimed to be the son of Constantine (the last Emperor of Britain who was executed in 411). Ambrosius the Elder is held to be the rightful High King by the "Roman" faction in Britain.
437--Ambrosius Aurelianus the Elder returns from exile in Brittany and appears as leader of the "Roman" faction in Britain. Vortigern's relative, Vitalinus (Guitolinus), fights against Ambrosius at the Battle of Wallop. The latter is victorious and is "given all the kingdoms of the western side of Britain".
c.440--St. Patrick escapes from his captors and returns to Britain.
c.440-50--Period of Civil War and famine in Britain, caused by ruling council's weakness and inability to deal with Pictish invasions; situation aggravated by tensions between Pelagian/Roman factions. Most towns and cities are vacated and fall into ruin. Migration of pro-Roman citizens toward west. Country beginning to be divided, geographically, along factional lines.
c.441--Gallic Chronicle records, prematurely, that "Britain, abandoned by the Romans, passed into the power of the Saxons."
446--Britons (probably the pro-Roman party) appeal to Aetius, Roman governor of Gaul, for military assistance in their struggle against the Picts and the Irish/Scots. No help could be sent, at this time, as Aetius had his hands full with Attila the Hun.
c.446--Vortigern authorizes the use of German mercenaries (mostly Angles), known as foederati, for the defence of the northern parts against the Picts and to guard against further Irish incursions. The Angles are given a little land in Lincolnshire (this becomes the germ of the future kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira). Vortigern's sons, Vortimer and Cadeyrn, recognize the threat posed by their father's policies and go into open revolt against them.
447--Second visit of St. Germanus (this time accompanied by Severus, Bishop of Trier) to Britain in an attempt to combat the Pelagian heresy. While in Britain, he leads the British in a successful effort to expel the Irish invaders from Powys. Vortigern is accused of incest. Battle of Aylesford (Kent) in which the rebellious sons of Vortigern, Vortimer and Cadeyrn, defeat Hengest and Horsa for the first time. Cadeyrn and Horsa are killed in the fighting. Shortly afterward, Hengest leaves Britain and returns to his homeland to recruit more troops. Telling the kings of the Angles, Saxons and Jutes of the "cowardice" of the Britons, he stirs much interest in migration among those tribes.
c.447--Britons, aroused to heroic effort by St. Germanus, "inflicted a massacre" on their enemies, the Picts and Irish, and were left in peace, for a brief time.
c.448--Civil war and plague ravage Britain.
c.450--Hengest arrives on shores of Britain with "3 keels" of warriors, and are welcomed by Vortigern. Death of Ambrosius Aurelianus the Elder. Ambrosius Aurelianus the Younger proclaimed High King by the "Roman" faction.
c.452--Increasing Saxon settlement in Britain. Vortigern marries Hengest's daughter, Rowenna, and offers the Jutish leader the kingdom of Kent. Hengest invites his son, Octha, from Germany with "16 keels" of warriors (primarily Angles), who occupy the northern lands, to defend against the Picts. Picts never heard from, again.
c.453--Raids on British towns and cities becoming more frequent. Increasing Saxon unrest.
455--Prince Vortimer rebels once again against the pro-Saxon policies of his father, Vortigern, and fights Hengest at the Battle of Crayford. Hengest is victorious and the British army flees back to London.
c.456--St. Patrick leaves Britain once more to evangelise Ireland. Hengest massacres 300 leading British noblemen at a phony "peace" conference.
c.458--Saxon uprising in full-swing. Hengest finally conquers Kent, in south-eastern Britain.
c.458-60--Full-scale migration of British aristocrats and city-dwellers across the English Channel to Armorica, in north-western Gaul (the "second migration"). British contingent led by "Riothamus" (possibly Prince Vortimer?).
c.459--Vortigern is burnt to death while being besieged by Ambrosius Aurelianus the Younger at Ganarew.
c.460-70--Ambrosius Aurelianus the Younger of the "Roman" faction takes full control of Britain; leads Britons in years of back-and-forth fighting with Saxons. British strategy is to allow Saxon landings and to then contain them there.
465--Battle of Wippedsfleet (or Richborough), in which the Britons defeat the Saxons, but with great slaughter on both sides. The latter are confined to the Isle of Thanet and there is a respite from fighting "for a long time."
c.465--Future High King Arthur, son of Ambrosius Aurelianus the Younger, born around this time.
c.466-73--Period of minimal Saxon activity. Re-fortification of ancient hillforts and construction of the Wansdyke takes place during this time.
c.469--Roman emperor, Anthemius, appeals to Britons for military help against the Visigoths. Reliable accounts by Sidonius Apolonaris and Jordanes name the leader of the 12,000 man Breton force, "Riothamus" (Vortimer?). The bulk of the British force was wiped out in battle against Euric, the Visigothic king, and the survivors, including "Riothamus," vanished and were never heard from, again.
c. 470-480--High King Ambrosius Aurelianus establishes a system of garrison sites for local defense of the areas threatened by the Saxons. The units based at the sites are known as "Ambrosiaci," and the garrison sites will eventually become the towns of Amesbury, Ambersham, the two towns Amberley, Amberstone, Amsbury, the two towns of Amberland, Ambersury Banks, Emberdon, Amberden, and Ambyrmede. This barrier will prove effective in containing the Saxons for many years.
c.471-- The army of King Ceretic of Strathclyde raids the Irish Coast and carries off some of St. Patrick's new flock and sells them into slavery. The king receives a written reprimand from the Irish Evangelist.
473--Men of Kent, under Hengest, move westward, driving Britons back before them "as one flees fire."
477--Saxon chieftain, Aelle, lands on Sussex coast with his sons. Britons engage him upon landing but his superior force besieges them at Pevensey and drives them into the Weald. Over next nine years, Saxon coastal holdings are gradually expanded in Sussex.
c. 480—Icel, King of the Angles, migrates to Britain. He settles in what will later become East Anglia, and his descendants will later form various sub-kingdoms in the region.
c.485-96--Prince Arthur is appointed "Dux Bellorum," or commander in chief of the British armies in the service of High King Ambrosius Aurelianus. Period of Arthur's "twelve battles" during which he gains reputation for invincibility. Arthur supplements his father's static defense strategy by developing a mobile force of armored cavalry (leather armor, shields, armed with swords and javelins) which he uses to great effect in these campaigns.
486--Aelle and his sons overreach their normal territory and are engaged by Britons at battle of Mercredesburne. Battle is bloody, but indecisive, and ends with both sides pledging friendship.
488—Hengest, King of Kent, dies. His son, Aesc, takes over as King of Kent.
493--Death of St. Patrick.
c.495--The Saxons under Cerdic and his son, Cynric, land on the south coast, probably near the Hampshire-Dorset border, where they establish the beginnings of the Kingdom of Wessex. Also at about this time, High King Ambrosius Aurelianus the Younger dies. Prince Arthur is proclaimed High King.
c.496--The Siege of Mount Badon. Britons, under the command of High King Arthur, decisively defeat the Saxons.
c.496-550--Following the victory at Mt. Badon, the Saxon advance is halted with the invaders returning to their own enclaves. A generation of peace ensues, which High King Arthur uses to consolidate his rule and to rebuild his kingdom. He forces the Ruling Council to pass several laws, including a law that establishes the succession of the High Kingship and places it permanently in the House of Ambrosius. Another law establishes the rule of primogeniture for all the ruling houses of Britain. This eliminates the practice of dividing the local kingdoms among all the sons of a deceased ruler, a practice which has been leading to greater and greater fragmentation of Britain and civil war as the inheritors of the fragments of each kingdom try to reunite the kingdom under their own rule. A third law fixes the boundaries of the individual sub-kingdoms, and makes it an act of rebellion against the High King for individual sub-kingdoms to war against each other. Arthur has a system of boundary stones installed to prevent any misinterpretations of the boundaries fixed by the new law. Arthur also encourages resettlement of the abandoned towns in the kingdom, and brings in artisans from the Continent who help the British re-establish important industries such as metal-working, pottery-making, and weaving. There will soon be a thriving woolens industry in Britain which exports to the Continent, enriching Arthur's realm.
c. 500-17--King Cadwallon Lawhir expels the Irish from Anglesey.
c. 500--At about this time High King Arthur marries Princess Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere), daughter of King Lleudd-Ogrfan of Camulod, a kingdom with an important position separating the Angles in the north from the Saxons and Jutes of the south. High King Arthur further cements his control of this vital region by appointing Medraut, his nephew (Medraut is the son of King Lot of Goddodin...a leader of the "Celtic" faction...and Arthur's sister) and next in line to the High Kingship (as Arthur has, at this point, no son of his own) to command of the important fortress at Domnoc (Walton Castle, on the peninsula between the Deben and Orwell rivers). Over time, unknown to the High King, Medraut establishes friendly relations with the Angles he is supposed to be keeping watch upon.
c. 500—The Kingdom of Bernicia founded under King Esa.
508--King Cerdic of Wessex begins to move inland and defeats the local British king, Nudd-Lludd (Natanleod), at the Battle of Netley. But Cerdic is unable to expand significantly inland from his original holdings.
509--The Battle of Llongborth (possibly Langport or Portsmouth), where King Gerren Llyngesoc of Dumnonia, was killed.
510--High King Arthur and Queen Gwenhwyfar have a son, who is named Constantius Artorianus Ambrosius. There is now a Crown Prince for the realm. Medraut begins to plot rebellion.
510-517: Medraut negotiates with the leaders of the "Celtic" faction and with King Icel of the Angles for support in his planned rebellion against Arthur. He secretly gathers a coalition of allies in support of his claim to the High Kingship. He wins the support of the "Celtic" faction by promising to rescind the primogeniture law, which has been bitterly resented, and promises the Angles additional lands.
512—Aesc, King of Kent, dies. Octa ascends the throne.
c.515--Death of Aelle. Kingdom of Sussex passed to his son, Cissa.
517--Revolt of Medraut. Battle of Camlann between the forces of High King Arthur and Medraut. Arthur is victorious, and although grievously wounded, survives the battle. Medraut is killed, and his army is scattered.
517 - Death of King Cadwallon Lawhir of Gwynedd. His son, Maelgwn takes the throne.
517-25 - King Maelgwn of Gwynedd rallies the remnants of Medraut's coaltion, invades Dyfed and tries to assert himself as High-King of Britain, which he is temporarily and partially successful in doing while High King Arthur recovers from his wounds. However, when Arthur recovers, he leads an army into Gwynedd and Maelgwn is defeated. He is captured and executed in 525. The victorious Arthur now claims the right to confiscate the kingdom of Gwynedd and to remove it's rebellious royal family from power. Henceforth, Arthur declares, Gwynedd will be the personal land of the Crown Prince of the realm. Despite some dissent within the Ruling Council, this claim is finally accepted as valid. Crown Prince Constantius is accordingly installed as King of Gwynedd shortly after Maelgwn's execution. Thus, Arthur establishes the principle that the realms of local kings who rebel against the High King are forfeit to the High King, who may claim them as his personal lands or grant them to a ruler of his choice. This, over time, will serve to increase the power of the High King and reduce the propensity of local kings to rebel against the central government. Arthur also is able to negotiate a treaty with Icel of the Angles, which fix the boundaries of Icel’s lands. Icel and his descendants acknowledge the British High King as overlord, and they will respect this treaty for many years, even after Icel’s realm is divided into the Kingdoms of East Anglia, Middle Anglia, and Lindsay later in the century.
519 - Kingdom of the West Saxons (Wessex) founded with Cerdic its first ruler.
c. 520—Eoppa ascends the throne of Bernicia.
c. 525—Kingdom of Deira founded under King Yffi.
527—Kingdom of Essex founded under King Aescwine.
528-535: In the preceding decades, many Angles have migrated peacefully from their coastal enclaves into the region known as Caer Lerion. By 528 the Angles form a majority population in the area, and rebel against the local King, overthrowing him and establishing the Kingdom of Mercia. This kingdom forms a dangerous salient, driven deep into the heart of Arthur's realm. Arthur recognizes the danger, and organizes a campaign to reclaim the area. After several hard-fought battles, the Britons are victorious, and the British ravage the area, driving out or slaughtering most of the Angles in the area. Since the ruling house of Caer Lerion was killed during the Angle revolt, Arthur claims the realm as his own, and Caer Lerion becomes a land under hereditary direct rule by the High King.
530--The British of the Isle of Wight are defeated by King Cerdic of Wessex at the Battle of Carisbrooke. The Isle of Wight becomes part of Wessex. Crown Prince Constantius marries.
c. 530—King Icel of the Angles dies. Kingdom of East Anglia founded, with Wehha as it’s ruler. Kingdoms of Middle Anglia and Lindsay also founded about this time. All three kingdoms acknowledge the British High King as overlord.
533--A son is born to Crown Prince Constantius. The boy is named Artorius Constantianus Ambrosius.
534—Death of Cerdic. Cynric ascends the throne of Wessex.
537--Death of High King Arthur. Crown Prince Constantius succeeds to the High Kingship. The new Crown Prince Artorius is installed as King of Gwynedd.
540—King Octa of Kent dies. Eormenric ascends the throne.
c.545--The Synod of Brefi is held at Llandewi Brefi to condemn the Pelagian heresy.
547—King Eoppa of Bernicia dies. Ida ascends the throne.
549--"Yellow" Plague hits British territories, causing many deaths. Ireland also affected. Saxons, for whatever reason, are unaffected by it. British defenses are severely weakened, and the Saxons will take advantage to expand their realms in the intervening years. However, the High King’s mobile cavalry force remains in being, and thus the British are able to more effectively resist than in the OTL.
550-560—Expansion of the Kingdoms of Wessex, Essex, Deira and Bernicia at the expense of the Britons during the chaos following the Yellow Plague, but not as much as OTL due to more effective British resistance.
552--King Cynric of Wessex lays siege to the British at Old Sarum in Durotrigia and put them to flight. In the wake of this victory, Wessex over-runs the kingdoms of Gewissae and Durotrigia.
556--King Cynric of Wessex lays siege to the British at Barbury Castle, in Dobunnia, but High King Constantius arrives with the mobile cavalry force and the Saxons are defeated. Cynric and Constantius agree to a treaty fixing the boundaries of Wessex, which Cynric will respect to the end of his days.
557-559—King Cynric of Wessex wars against King Eormenric of Kent, pushing the Jutes back to the a line nearly equivalent to the modern borders of Kent.
557—The King of The Peak dies without a male heir. His only daughter is married to a Prince of Elmet. Elmet absorbs The Peak, which ceases to exist.
559--Death of King Ida of Bernicia. His kingdom is divided among his sons…Glappa, Adda, Aethelric, Theodric, and Frithuwald, all of whom claim the supreme kingship of Bernicia at different times during the next quarter century.
559--Death of King Yffi of Deira. Aelle ascends the throne.
560—Death of King Cynric of Wessex. Caewlin ascends the throne. Death of King Eormenric of Kent. Aethelbert I ascends the throne.
c. 560—Death of King Cissa of Sussex. Aelle II ascends the throne.
565—The King of Caer Luel dies without a male heir. He has three daughters, one of which is married to a prince of Rheged, the second to a prince of Gododdin, and the third to a prince of Strathclyde. To prevent a civil war, High King Constantius arbitrates, and the kingdom of Caer Luel is divided between the kings of Gododdin, Rheged and Strathclyde. Caer Luel ceases to exist.
569--St. David holds the Synod of Victoria to denounce the Pelagian heresy once more. High King Constantius dies, and Crown Prince Artorius succeeds to the High Kingship, calling himself Arthur II.
570--A son is born to High King Arthur II. In an effort to finally unite the "Roman" and "Celtic" factions firmly behind his rule, Arthur II has married a princess of Gododdin, one of the strongholds of the "Celtic" faction. He gives his new son the name of Cadwaladyr Artorianus Ambrosius, as a symbol of the unity of the factions. Crown Prince Cadwaladyr is installed as King of Gwynedd. Also in this year, High King Arthur II orders the British church to send missionaries into the lands of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. These are well received in those kingdoms which acknowledge the British High King as overlord, but missionaries are murdered by the pagans in other areas, including Wessex, Bernicia, Deira and Kent. Missionaries to Sussex and Essex are not murdered outright, but receive a cool reception.
570—The King of Gallgaedhel dies childless. The nearest male claimant to the throne is the King of Strathclyde, who is descended from the daughter of a previous king of Gallgaedhel. High King Arthur II approves the union of the two kingdoms, and Gallgaedhel ceases to exist as a separate kingdom.
c.570-75--The Northern British Alliance is forged between the kingdoms of Rheged, Strathclyde, Gododdin, Eborac and Elmet.
571--King Caewlin of Wessex invades Midland Britain, violating the Treaty of Barbury, and defeats the King of Calchvynedd at the Battle of Bedford. However, High King Arthur II arrives with the mobile cavalry force and the Saxons are forced to retreat back to their own territory. King Wehha of East Anglia dies, and his son Wuffa ascends the throne. Shortly after taking power, King Wuffa becomes the first of the heathen kings to convert to Christianity.
571-587--Angry over the breach of the Treaty of Barbury by Caewlin of Wessex, High King Arthur II decides to eliminate the threat of Wessex once and for all. Arthur concludes an alliance with King Aelle II of Sussex (a bitter rival of Wessex) and, in a campaign that sees many battles, Arthur II first reclaims Gewissae and Durotrigia, then invades Wessex itself. By 587, the Saxons of Wessex have been totally defeated. The British (as they earlier did in Caer Lerion) ravage the land, slaughtering or putting to flight the Saxon inhabitants. Most of the Saxons flee to Sussex, Kent, and Essex. King Caewlin and the remaining members of the Wessex royal house establish themselves on the Isle of Wight, where they will make themselves a nuisance by raiding and other piratical activity for many years. The conquered territory is divided between Sussex and the British High King, who claims the territory as his personal land by right of conquest.
573—The kings of Middle Anglia and Lindsay follow the example of Wuffa of East Anglia, and convert to Christianity.
575--Prince Owein of Rheged kills King Theodric of Bernicia at the Battle of Leeming Lane.
578—King Wuffa of East Anglia dies. Tyttla ascends the throne.
580--The army of King Peredyr of Eborac marches north to fight the Angles of Bernicia. King Adda’s forces kill Peredyr in battle and destroy most of his army. The Deirans, under King Aelle, take advantage of the temporary weakness of Eborac, and move on the city of Eborac (York) itself. King Peredyr's son is forced to flee the Kingdom. Deira and Bernicia swallow up most of Eborac shortly afterward (Elmet and Rheged take the rest), and Eborac ceases to exist.
585—King Adda of Bernicia dies. Hussa ascends to the throne of the reunited kingdom.
587—King Aescwine of Essex dies, and Sledda ascends the throne. In the wake of their joint victory over Wessex, King Aelle II of Sussex acknowledges the British High King as overlord and converts to Christianity.
589—King Aelle of Deira dies. Aethelric ascends the throne.
590--The Siege of Lindisfarne. The Northern British Alliance (Gododdin, Rheged, Strathclyde, and Elmet) makes an alliance with King Aethelric of Deira and lays siege to King Hussa of Bernicia. The combined British/Deiran force almost exterminates the Bernicians from Northern Britain. King Urien of Rheged (who has been given the title of Dux Britanniarum and overall command of the Northern British armies by High King Arthur II) is assassinated by a jealous rival. The allies begin to squabble among themselves, and the siege is abandoned. The Bernicians are given a respite to recover.
591—King Caewlin of Wessex (Wight) dies. Ceol ascends the throne.
593—King Hussa of Bernicia dies. Aethelfrith ascends the throne. King Tyttla of East Anglia dies. Raedwald ascends the throne.
597—King Ceol of Wessex (Wight) dies. Ceolwulf ascends the throne.
598 - King Cynan of Gododdin, who has been named the new Dux Brittaniarum by High King Arthur II, leads the Northern British armies to fight Bernicia at the Battle of Catterick. The British are victorious, and soon afterward lay siege to the Bernician King Aethelfrith at his stronghold of Bamburgh. High King Arthur II brings his mobile forces to join the assault, and Bamburgh falls. Aethelfrith is killed, and the Kingdom of Bernicia is eliminated from the map of Britain. The lands are divided between the High King and the kings of Gododdin, Elmet, Strathclyde and Rheged. The High King’s portion is named the province of Eborac.
600—High King Arthur II dies. Crown Prince Cadwaladyr ascends to the throne.
601—Bishop Augustine arrives in Kent, on a mission from Rome to convert the heathen. He is also charged with bringing the “heretical” British church (which maintains it’s own independent hierarchy of Bishops and calculates the date of Easter differently than does the church at Rome) under the authority of Rome.
604—King Sledda of Essex dies, and Saebert ascends the throne. King Aethelric of Deira dies, and Edwin ascends the throne.
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