The Siege Perilous

Recorded History

"Then it was, that the magnanimous Arthur, with all the kings and military force of Britain, fought against the Saxons. And though there were many more noble than himself, yet he was twelve times chosen their commander, and was as often conqueror. The first battle in which he was engaged, was at the mouth of the river Glein. The second, third, fourth, and fifth, were on another river, by the Britons called Duglas, in the region Linnuis. The sixth, on the river Lusas. The seventh in the wood Celidon, which the Britons call Cat Coit Celidon. The eighth was near Guinnion castle, where Arthur bore the image of the Holy Virgin, mother of God, upon his shoulders, and through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy Mary, put the Saxons to flight, and pursued them the whole day with great slaughter. The ninth was at the City of the Legion, which is called Cair Lion. The tenth was on the banks of the river Trat Treuroit. The eleventh was on the mountain called Breguoin, which we call Cat Bregion. The twelfth was a most severe contest, when Arthur penetrated to the hill of Badon. In this engagement, 940 fell by his hand alone, no one but the Lord affording him assistance. In all these engagements the Britons were successful. For no strength can avail against the will of the Almighty."

'Historia Brittonum' by the Welsh Monk Nennius §56

Suggesting a date of 516, the ‘Annales Cambriae’ record:

"The Battle of Badon, in which Arthur carried the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ for three days and three nights on his shoulders and the Britons were the victors."

And another entry (537 is the indicated year) reads:

"The battle of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut fell: and there was plague in Britain and Ireland."

In Geoffrey of Monmouth's version of British history, Historia Regum Britanniae, Aurelius Ambrosius, Constans, and Uther Pendragon are the three sons of a King Constantine. Vortigern comes to power by devious means; Constans is killed and, the young, Uther and Ambrosius flee. Eventually, Vortigern is deposed and killed by Ambrosius. Ambrosius, leads an army against the Saxons, and, in the ensuing campaign, Hengist is captured and beheaded. Ambrosius is poisoned, by a Saxon (in the pay of Pascentius, son of Vortigern) posing as a British monk, and Uther Pendragon becomes king. Uther develops a lust for Igerna, wife of Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall. Merlin, magically disguises Uther as Gorlois and:

"So the king lay that night with Igerna, for as he had beguiled her by the false likeness he had taken upon him, so he beguiled her also by the feigned discourses wherewith he did full artfully entertain her... she believed him every word, and had no thought to deny him in aught he might desire. And upon that same night was the most renowned Arthur conceived, that was not only famous in after years, but was well worthy of all the fame he did achieve by his surpassing prowess."

'Historia Regum Britanniae' Book VIII Chapter 19

Eventually, the Saxons succeed in killing Uther by poisoning a spring. Arthur, aged fifteen, is crowned king. He goes on to defeat the Saxons in a mighty battle at Bath. Arthur himself kills four hundred and seventy men, using: "... Caliburn, best of swords, that was forged within the Isle of Avallon."

'Historia Regum Britanniae' Book IX Chapter 4