ArthurBattles

It seems probable that Nennius had access to this material because he makes a point of stressing that Arthur was not a king but a "Dux Bellorum" and he states that Arthur "fought with the Britons" which implies that he wasn't a Briton himself. However, it seems that his imagination got the better of him when listing the battles. Here is the Nennius's account of the battles:

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 Dubglas, in the region Linuis. The sixth, on the river Bassas. The seventh in the wood Celidon, which the Britons call Cat Coit Celidon. The eighth was near Gurnion 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 Legion, which is called Cair Lion. The tenth was on the banks of the river Trat Treuroit. The eleventh was on the mountain Breguoin, which we call Cat Bregion. The twelfth was a most severe contest, when Arthur penetrated to the hill of Badon. In this engagement, nine hundred and forty 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

Scholars have spent a lot of time debating on the locations of Nennius's battles. It seems that the River Glein might be the River Glen in Northumberland. The River Dubglas is possibly the River Douglas in the Lothian area. The region Linuis might be an early version of the Arthurian "Lyonesse". The Annals Tigernach records a Battle of "Lindais" fought in AD 622. No one has a clue about the river Bassas. My guess is that Nennius saw the Latin word "Bass" in the Annals Tigernach and made an incorrect translation. The Wood of Celidon, Castle Guinnion, the City of the Legions (Caerleon) and Mount Bregion are places that can be identified . Trat Treuroit is difficult. Following the rivers theme might it have something to do with the word "tributary"? As stated previously a good candidate for Badon was Andred, formerly the Roman fort of Anderita, now known as Pevensey.

Apart from a Scottish dimension there are no similarities between Nennius's battles and those in the Annals Tigernach. My conclusion is that Nennius's are made up. Twelve is a large and suspiciously magic number. The Battles of Badon and the City of the Legions didn't take place in the same lifetime, and are geographically remote from Dal Riada . Later authors took Nennius seriously and the Arthurian legend grew ...

	Arthur's Battles
	From the Annals of Tigernach we can make a list of battles that Arthur probably fought at: Manann (Aidan Victory). Location between Slamannan and the river Forth Leithrigh (Aidan Victory) Chirchind (Arthur's Final Battle). Possible location is Kirkintilloch. Also a list of battles that Arthur possibly fought at: Delgon a Cind Tire (Aidan wins the throne. Location is Kintyre. This one is a "possible" because Arthur may have been too young) Bhealaig Daethi (Possible by allegiance to St Columba) Eudhuind Muir (Possible by alliance with Ulster) It seems probable that Nennius had access to this material because he makes a point of stressing that Arthur was not a king but a "Dux Bellorum" and he states that Arthur "fought with the Britons" which implies that he wasn't a Briton himself. However, it seems that his imagination got the better of him when listing the battles. Here is the Nennius's account of the battles: 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 Dubglas, in the region Linuis. The sixth, on the river Bassas. The seventh in the wood Celidon, which the Britons call Cat Coit Celidon. The eighth was near Gurnion 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 Legion, which is called Cair Lion. The tenth was on the banks of the river Trat Treuroit. The eleventh was on the mountain Breguoin, which we call Cat Bregion. The twelfth was a most severe contest, when Arthur penetrated to the hill of Badon. In this engagement, nine hundred and forty 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 Scholars have spent a lot of time debating on the locations of Nennius's battles. It seems that the River Glein might be the River Glen in Northumberland. The River Dubglas is possibly the River Douglas in the Lothian area. The region Linuis might be an early version of the Arthurian "Lyonesse". The Annals Tigernach records a Battle of "Lindais" fought in AD 622. No one has a clue about the river Bassas. My guess is that Nennius saw the Latin word "Bass" in the Annals Tigernach and made an incorrect translation. The Wood of Celidon, Castle Guinnion, the City of the Legions (Caerleon) and Mount Bregion are places that can be identified . Trat Treuroit is difficult. Following the rivers theme might it have something to do with the word "tributary"? As stated previously a good candidate for Badon was Andred, formerly the Roman fort of Anderita, now known as Pevensey. Apart from a Scottish dimension there are no similarities between Nennius's battles and those in the Annals Tigernach. My conclusion is that Nennius's are made up. Twelve is a large and suspiciously magic number. The Battles of Badon and the City of the Legions didn't take place in the same lifetime, and are geographically remote from Dal Riada . Later authors took Nennius seriously and the Arthurian legend grew ...