BATTLE OF MT. BADON

 By the time of Arthur, the Imperial system in Britain had collapsed. In its place stood a threadbare administrative system. Facing the threat of three invading nations, Britain appealed to Rome for help, only to be told she must fend for herself. The Picts and the irish Scotti tribes raided the northern borders and western shores, while the Angles, Jutes, and Saxons invaded the eastern and southern shores. Of all these, the saxon advance was the greatest threat. It was said that their cruel ways terrorized the people of the land. Such a desperate historical context calls for and gives rise to many heroic deeds, both real and fictitious, and the battle of Mount Badon would secure Arthur's place as a legendary, titanic leader.

Although the exact date is unknown, we do know that this battle would have occurred around the eyar A.D. 500. Archaeological evidence suggests that at this approximate time the Saxon advance was halted. It is said that a measure of Arthur's success was due to his revival of the cavalry, loosely based on teh Imperial model. Not only did the horse lend the advantages of speed and mobility, but the sight of mounted soldiers had a powerful psychological effect on an enemy fighting on foot. Battle dress varied according to what an idnividual could afford, the opulent were protected by leather jerkins, chain mail, and helmets, the rest depended upon breast and back plates of leather. The British warriors carried long swords and relied heavily on spears.

The earliest known reference to the siege of Mount Badon can be found in De Excido Britanniae ("On the Ruin of Britain"), authorized by a monk named Gildas who wrote within the lifetime of some of teh battle veterans, approximately AD 530. Although this work acknowledges the acievement at Badon ist does not name the leaof the British force. It is in the collection of 12th century manuscripts known as Historia Brittonum ("History of the Britons") that Arthur is first identified as this leader. This work is commonly attributed to Nennius, a monk of north Wales, who transcribed and compiled many earlier texts to create the Historia. We learn from the Historia that Badon was the twelfth battle of Arthur and his warband. Continuing for three days and nights, it was to be Arthur's greatest triumph.

Geoffrey of Monmouth draws on the Historia in creating his idealized history of Britain. The History of the Kings of Britain. In this account, Arthur carried his famous sword Caliburn and his spear Ron, rallied his men, and attacked the vast army of Saxons. Both sides fought bravely. Arthur lost many men in his effort to take the hill and there seemed no end to the battle on the summit. Seeing that the enemy still held fast, Arthur raised up Caliburn, cried out to the higher powers, and plunged deep into the ranks of the enemy. Arthur's battle frenzy inspired his men. who followed him with renewed vigor. At this point the battle turned in Arthur's favor and the Britons went on to victory. Legend rewards these brave veterans with a generation of relative peace.

 

 

From Ferguson, Anna-Marie. Keeper of Words. 1995 Llewellyn Publications. St. Paul, Minnesota. (58-59)