British Gods and Goddess: Belinus

Introduction

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Belinus was the twin brother of Brennius, and after their father king Dunvallo Molmutius died, the two brothers fought a devastating war, over the crown of England. but neither could gain the upper hand, in time, persuaded by friends and advisers they decided to split the country in two, and Brennius was made king of the North, and Belinus king of the Britons, the south.

Calm before the storm

For a while all went well, each seemed happy with their lot, but some five years later Brennius formed an alliance with the king of Norway, and sealed the deal by marrying his daughter. This was done without informing his brother Belinus, who becoming aware of it, and knowing the Vikings, saw such an alliance as a direct threat to his sovereinty. Belinus struct fast, and took control of the Northumberland.

The tide of fortune

Somehow the king of Denmark, who was escorting Brennius’s Norwegian bride, to join Brennius landed in the south of Britain by accident (although it makes no sense to me, unless there was an even greater alliance and plot). Belinus, hardly believing his luck, took them prisoner and waited for his brother’s reaction, which was not short in coming. Brennius with an army, supplied by Norway, and perhaps Denmark landed in Albany and sent envoys to demand the return of his lands and his wife. But by this time Belinus had raised a British army and they came head to head in the forests of Calaterium. Belinus defeated Brennius and he fled to Gaul. And Belinus utterly victorious, ruled well, but soon enough Brennius was back with a huge Gallic army (Celtic Gauls).

Divided we fall, united who can stand against us?

When the two armies came face to face, their mother intervened and persuaded them, to make an alliance and rule their kingdoms in harmony. Now unified, Belinus and Brennius merged their forces and set out to subdue the rest of Gaul, (quite what this means, is not obvious?) we are informed after a year of war most of the Frankish kingdoms in Gaul were under their rule.

Insight

(The Franks according to history were a mixture of Germanic tribes, who had spread into Northern France and Belgium, indeed their influence spread far and wide. But the story- myth of their origin, is found deeper, in history.) Whenever we come to consider the conception of the modern world, we find ourselves all to often, pointed back to the Greek world and most of all the fall of Troy. For so often it seems, that those who escaped it, are recognised as taking over other parts of the world.

Consider Italy and Rome, long before the myth of Romulus and Remus, it was recorded that Aeneas, a Trojan refugee had escaped to Italy, and founded the Roman lineage through his son Iulus, the founder of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, from whom Julius Caesar claimed to be descended from. Thus, we find it is reported that the Franks originally came from Troy, and moved into Macedonia after its destruction. They later divided and moved deeper into Europe, while others moved to what is now Turkey.

The deceit of Rome. _

Having it seems Gaul under their control, Belinus and Brennius with an even larger force advanced into Italy and moved towards Rome. But before they reached Rome itself, we are told two Consuls, named Gabias and Porsenna came to them seeking a peace treaty, bringing with them gifts, of gold and silver, and hostages, and offering to pay tribute as a sign of good will. The two brothers accepted the terms offered and moved off towards Germany with their great army. As soon as they began attacking the Germans, if not before, Rome broke the treaty and sent its legions towards them, no doubt hoping to trap the brothers, by attacking their rear. While the Germans, who would have been Celtic or Franks or both, aided by Italian troops already in the area attacked their front.

The wind of change

Somehow the brothers got wind of it, and Brennius turned back to attack the Romans while Belinus stayed to fight the Germans. As soon as they had split the army, the Italians supporting the Germans decamped hoping to join up the Roman army, or attack Brennius from behind. But once again Belinus found out what was occurring and moved his forces to a valley, the Italians would have to pass through. In the morning they gave the Italians ‘Bailer la Diane’ and attacked them, before they had a chance to prepare, they were utterly routed and Belinus’ men pursued them till nightfall.

The fall of Rome

Then Belinus decided to re-join his brother who by that time had laid siege to the city of Rome itself. The Romans resisted all attacks for days, but Belinus’s patience was at its end, and he slaughtered the hostages, that had been given in pledge; but this only stiffened the Roman resistance. At this point the two Consuls donned their armour and led attacks outside the walls and pushed the British forces back. But Belinus reformed the broken lines and pushed them back into the city then assaulted the walls again, and this time they were breached and the army flooded into the city.

When things were settled Belinus left Brennius in charge of Rome and returned to England.

Once home Belinus ruled in peace, restoring towns and cities which had been neglected and built new ones, he continued to use the laws introduced by his father (Dunvallo Molmutius), and reinforced them with more of his own, and Britain became extremely wealthy. When he died he was cremated, and was succeeded by his son Gurguit Barbtruc.

Conclusions

Whether there is any truth in this myth is certainly questionable. Rome was certainly attacked and ravaged by a Brennus, who was the tribal chieftain of a Gallic (Celtic) people called the Senones, around 400-385 BC. After defeating the Romans in the battle of Allia, but the victory was short lived. And the attacking forces were destroyed.  

Of the laws of Belinus’ father Dunvallo Molmutius little is known, except that perhaps he standardised weight measures for the purpose of trading and declared that the temples, and perhaps the cities they in as safe havens. Interestingly Geoffrey of Monmouth credits the British Trojans as the origin of that law? It seems the Greeks were everywhere.

One of the cities Belinus was credited with founding was Caerleon, located on the river Ursk, which later became an important Roman fortress, called Isca Augusta. (see place location, and map)