Belinus and Brennius - Brothers in Arms
Something that has been an interest of mine for some time is ancient British history/mythology, and in particular what the Welsh/Cymric records and stories say about it, so I thought I may start posting aspects/stories here on my blog that interest me. So 2 characters that people may not be aware of that I think are pretty interesting, are 2 brothers who ruled Britain together, quarreled like brothers, and conquered most of France and went on to sack Rome.
Their names are Brennius (sometimes spelled Brennus) and Belinus, and they were the sons of King Dyfnwal Moelmud or also known as Dunvallo Molutius who is a fascinating person in his own right, and had united Britain after civil war. It is said that he instituted a series of laws called the Molmutine Laws, which are detailed in the Welsh triads, and are as follows:
There are three tests of civil liberty: equality of rights, equality of taxation, freedom to come and go.
Three things are indispensable to a true union of nations: sameness of laws, rights, and language.
There are three things free to all Britons: the forest, the unworked mine, the right of hunting.
There are three property birthrights of every Briton: five British acres of land for a home, the right of suffrage in the enacting of the laws, the male at twenty-one, the female on her marriage.
There are three things which every Briton may legally be compelled to attend: the worship of God, military service, the courts of law.
There are three things free to every man, Briton or foreigner, the refusal of which no law will justify: water from spring, river, or well; firing from a decayed tree; a block of stone not in use.
There are three classes which are exempt from bearing arms: bards, judges, graduates in law or religion. These represent God and His peace, and no weapon must ever be found in their hands.
There are three persons who have a right of public maintenance: the old, the babe, the foreigner who can not speak the British tongue.
There are three things free to a country and its borders: the roads, the rivers, and the places of worship. These are under the protection of God and His peace.
Anyway onto the 2 brothers, when their father died, the 2 brothers fought each other for control of Britain. After battles were fought, they came to agreement that Brennus would rule the North (north of the Humber river) and Belinus would rule the South of Britain. This didn't last, Brennius married the daughter of the King of Norway and returned to Britain with an army intent on taking control. Belinus caught wind of this and captured the King of Norway and his daughter when they landed on British soil, and an epic battle was fought between the brothers. Belinus was victorious and Brennus fled to Gaul.
There in Gaul, Brennius managed to raise another army with the help of the Senones, by marrying the daughter of the Duke of Allobroges who he suceeded after his death, and invaded Britain again to try and take control from his brother who had now fully taken control of the country. It is at this point that their mother interceded like mothers do with fighting brothers, and made them resolve their differences without the need for battle by suggesting they both conquer Gaul. They united their forces and invaded Gaul, and united Gaul behind them.
From here Brennius and Belinus lead the Gaul and British forces over the Alps into Italy, who had a grudge to bear against the Romans from previous conflicts. Belinus lead his army into Germany. Whilst fighting in Germany the Roman troops retreated to try and attack Brennius from both sides who was now besieging Rome itself. Belinus found out about this and ambushed the retreating Romans pursuing them and picking them off which turned out to be a masacre as the retreating troops were not prepared for battle.
Brennius and Belinus both united their armies again and then sacked Rome. Brennius stayed in Rome to rule it is said in a most tyranical manner. Belinus returned to Britain to rule. When Belinus returned it is said he built many roads to aid in the countries defence and also built many cities, the most impressive being one named Caerosk (Caer on the river Usk), which later became the City of the Legion, now called Caerleon. He also created a great gate at Trinontium on the banks of the Thames now called Bellinsgate (Billinsgate). Over the gate he built a large tower, and around it a harbour for ships, reintrduced his fathers laws, and the country flourished with prosperity.
Belinus the Great reigned between 399-364 BC, Rome was sacked 390 BC.
