The Retreat to Avalon (The Arthurian Age Book 1)
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Iden A member of Gwyar’s council, his oldest friend and mentor. Father of Keir.
Ider A member of Gawain’s turma.
Illtud Line leader in Gawain’s turma, he is known historically as St. Illtud. Also known as “Illtud the Knight” for having been a soldier under Arthur, he later became a monk and an abbot and founded the famed divinity school known as Cor Tewdws, considered to be Britain’s earliest centre of learning. His wife is Trynihid.
Ionafal Magistrate of Cair Durnac.
Keir Son of Iden; member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Kilcoed Member of Gawain’s turma.
Llawnrodded A veteran member of Arthur’s household guard.
Llary ap Casnar Wledic. He is leader of Bedwyr’s First Cavalry Ala. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as one of Arthur’s advisors.
Lloch Scout and guide assigned to Gawain’s troop for the operations around Pictavis.
Llwyd A member of Gawain’s turma.
Llysgadrudd A member of Arthur’s household guard, nearly as tall as Arthur. Epithet “Red-Eyed Stallion”, in Culhwch and Olwen.
Lot Son of Edor, King of Lothian, the father of Modred in early references, as I have chosen to depict him in this story. There are a number of other early references to Lot that also have become part of this story, such as the murder of his daughter, Taneu.
Mabon Son of Eliman; a member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Maccus ap Lleu; gate guard at Cadubrega.
Maglocunus Prince of Gwynedd, son of Cadwallon. He is historically attested as one of the five “tyrants” excoriated by Gildas. Later known as Maelgwn Gwynedd.
Marc Client-king of Cador, his realm was the southernmost portion of Dumnein, later known as Cornwall. He is remembered in legend as the cuckolded uncle of Tristan in Tristan and Iseult.
Meliau ap Deroc; elder prince of Domnoni, one of the two Briton kingdoms emerging in Letavia at this time. He came under the protection of Aergol when his father’s realm was usurped upon his death.
Meirchion Gul King of Rheged, great-grandson of Roman Britain’s last Dux Britanniarum, Coel Hen (the origin of the fabled “Old King Cole”).
Melwas A sub-king of Dumnein, his stronghold is at Ynys Witrin.
Menw ap Tairgwaedd; he is one of Arthur’s chief councillors and intelligence officers. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be a warrior as well as a magician or shapeshifter.
Modred Better known from the Romances as Mordred, the incestuous son of Arthur and instigator of the downfall of “Camelot”, I have chosen to use an earlier version of the name, which derives from the oldest example, Medraut. Medraut is a likely historical person (though there is no evidence of his being related to Arthur) as he is mentioned in the 10th century Annales Cambriae in a passage stating, “The strife of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut fell.” There is no mention of who killed whom, or why, or on which side either might have been. In my depiction, I adopt some early mentions of Modred that suggest he had a number of positive attributes, including valour and geniality.
Moren ap Iaen; a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, said to be Arthur’s kin from Caer Dathal, through Uthur, suggesting Arthur’s origins may have been somewhat north of what is recorded in later legends.
Morcant Arthur’s chief physician; known as Morgan Tud in later legend.
Morgen Highly educated, she is Arthur’s half-sister and leader of a community of women at the springs of Avalon. In the Romances, she becomes known as Morgan le Fay, eventually taking on morally ambivalent, if not evil, characterisations. Her earliest mention, in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Life of Merlin, describes her as the chief of nine magical women who use their powers for good. Residing on the Isle of Apple Trees (Avalon), Arthur is taken there to be healed of his wounds following the battle of Camlann.
Myrddin Known as Merlin from Geoffrey of Monmouth and later, he is a vague legendary figure of confused identity and origin. He is variously thought to have been a seer, a druid or a sorcerer. He was originally associated with Vortigern, though later authors made him an advisor to Arthur and Arthur’s father, Uther. My depiction fills a certain role that could have been anyone, but fits for Myrddin, and I leave it to the reader to determine what that is.
Nerth ap Kedarn; a member of Arthur’s household guard.
Nonus Wine merchant at Pictavis. He may be more than he appears.
Odoacer An enigmatic warlord from an eastern Germanic tribe, he seems to have been a mercenary and raider early in his career, later becoming a leader of Roman foederati. In 476 he led a revolt and deposed the last Roman Western Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, becoming “King of Italy”. This is generally considered the end of the Western Roman Empire.
Owain ap Einion; King of Rhos. Details on British kingdoms at this time are sparse, but Rhos seems to have existed at this time in the area from around Chester to Rhos-on-Sea. It may have been a sub-kingdom of Gwynedd or may have resulted from a division of lands after the death of Einion, following the Celtic custom of lands being divided between all of a deceased ruler’s sons, rather than the eldest son receiving all of the land.
Padern A member of Gawain’s turma, brother of Pedr, from Anderida.
Paulus Comes commanding Syagrius’s army. Attested historically as being killed at Andecava.
Pedr Member of Gawain’s turma, brother of Padern, from Anderida.
Peredur ap Efrawg; known as Percival, the original achiever of the Holy Grail in the Romances. I am using the earlier name and loosely basing the character on the earlier legends, which have him as a very young, inexperienced warrior who is befriended by Gawain and who develops into a great knight.
Piran Gawain’s tutor and friend. Piran started as a way for me to tie in one of the few historical documents of the era, the letter from St. Patrick to the soldiers of Ceretic (Coroticus in Latin), to describe events and norms of the time. Much later, I was surprised to find the character fits remarkably into another legend that will appear in the second book.
Presuda An older veteran of Dyfnwal’s warband, a captain of the Alt Clut contingent and later member of Cei’s staff.
Pwyll A member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Remigius Lord of Blesum.
Rhian Gawain’s wise and loving wife. References to Gawain’s wife in later legends are all from French sources in the “Romance” genre, so I have avoided those.
Rhun Leader of Bedwyr’s Second Cavalry ala. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as a member of Arthur’s court.
Ricimer Magister Militum of the Western Roman Empire from 457 until his death in 472, he effectively ruled the remaining territory of the Western Roman Empire through a series of puppet emperors.
Riwal ap Deroc; younger prince of Domnoni, one of the two Briton kingdoms emerging in Letavia at this time. He came under the protection of Aergol when his father’s realm was usurped upon his death.
Rhyddfedd ap Catigern; King of Paguis. Called “Frych” (freckled). Following the death of his brother and former king, Cadell, he ruled as regent until Cadell’s son, Cyngen, was old enough to ascend to the throne. His grandfather, Vortigern, was the previous High King of the Consilium, vilified for inviting the Saxons to Britain and beginning the influx of Germanic tribes that pushed the Britons to the periphery of their island.
Sandef A member of Arthur’s household guard, known as “Angel Body”. In Culhwch and Olwen it was said that, because of his beauty, no one attacked him at the Battle of Camlann, believing he was a ministering angel.
Siawn ap Iaen; a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he was said to be Arthur’s kin from Caer Dathal, through Uthur, suggesting Arthur’s origins may have been somewhat north of what is recorded in later legends.
Sidonius Sidonius Apollinaris was an aristocratic politician, poet, diplomat and bishop who was deeply involved in Roman affairs of the era. His writings, including a letter to Riothamus, are considered some of the most important documents surviving from the era.
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Sol A member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be able to
stand all day on one foot.
Sulyen ap Iaen; a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be Arthur’s kin from Caer Dathal, through Uthur, suggesting Arthur’s origins may have been somewhat north of what is recorded in later legends.
Syagrius Son of Aegidius; he ruled the Roman rump state in northern Gaul that would later be called the Kingdom of Soissons (Suessionum) until his defeat by Clovis I in 486.
Tegyr Arthur’s standard-bearer. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as Arthur’s cup-bearer.
Teilo Son of Dochu; member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Tohodyfn A ironsmith at Cadubrega.
Trysin Arthur’s chief bard.
Uchtryd A member of Arthur’s household guard. Epithet “Cross-Beard”, in Culhwch and Olwen.
Usai King of Ceredigion.
Vortigern First High-King of the Consilium, he is notorious for having invited the Saxons to Britain to defend against raiders from Pictland and bungling dealings with them thereafter. The name is Brittonic for “Overlord”, and while it is unclear if this was his name or a title, for the purposes of this book, it is being used as a title that became his name, in the same manner as Rigotamos/Riothamus and Genghis Khan.
Ygerna Mother of Arthur, later known as Igraine.
Ynyr A member of Gawain’s turma.
Ynyr King of Guent; he married Madrun, the daughter of Vortimer, the son of Vortigern, who had led an early resistance against the Saxons.
Sources
The list of resources I used to research this novel could fill another book, but I would like to point out a few that were particularly helpful in appreciation of what they contributed to my work. For a more complete listing, you can visit my blog at seanpoage.com.
* * *
Ashe, Geoffrey. The Discovery of King Arthur.
The History Press, 2013.
Alvarez, Richard. “An Examination of the Mechanics of Shock Combat and the Development of Shock Tactics.” Saddle, Lance and Stirrup, 2006,
www.classicalfencing.com/articles/ shock.php.
Evans, Stephen S. The Lords of Battle: Image and Reality of the Comitatus in Dark-Age Britain.
Boydell Press, 2000.
Halsall, Guy. Warfare and Society in the Barbarian West. Routledge, 2005.
Haywood, John. Dark Age Naval Power: A Reassessment of Frankish and Anglo-Saxon Seafaring Activity.
Anglo-Saxon Books, 2006.
Shepherd, Deborah J. Daily Life in Arthurian Britain.
Greenwood Publishing Group, 2013.
Snyder, Christopher A. An Age of Tyrants: Britain and the Britons, A. D. 400 - 600. Pennsylvania State Univ. Press, 2006.
Snyder, Christopher A. The Britons. Malden, MA, Blackwell, 2003.
* * *
These are some of the translated source materials that provide what little history or fiction we know from the period:
Bede. The Ecclesiastical History of the English People.
Oxford University Press, UK, 1999.
Bromwich, Rachel. Trioedd Ynys Prydein: The Triads of the Island of Britain. University of Wales Press, 2014.
“Ecclesiastical Sources, Including the ‘Legend of St. Goeznovius’ and Other ‘Vitae.’” Edited by Mary Jones, The Celtic Literature Collective: Latin and Ecclesiastical Texts, 2017,
www.maryjones.us/ctexts/index_christian.html.
Geoffrey of Monmouth. The History of the Kings of Britain. Translated by Lewis Thorpe, Penguin Books, 2004.
Gildas. Liber Querulus De Excidio Britanniae. Translated by
John A Giles, Amazon Digital Services LLC, 2011.
Gildas. Gildas the Wise: The Ruin of Britain, Fragments from Lost Letters, The Penitential, Together with The Lorica of Gildas.
Translated by Hugh Williams,
Amazon Digital Services LLC, 2010.
Gregory of Tours. History of the Franks. Translated by Ernest Brehaut, Digireads.com Pub., 2009.
Jordanes. The Origin and Deeds of the Goths. Translated by Charles Christopher Mierow, Amazon Digital Services LLC, 1908.
Nennius. The History of the Britons.
Kessinger Publishing, LLC, 2010.
Skene, W. F. The Four Ancient Books of Wales.
Kessinger Pub., 2010.
Saint Patrick. “Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus.” St. Patrick’s Confessio, c. 450 AD,
www.confessio.ie/etexts/epistola_english.
Acknowledgements
I would need a book just to thank everyone who helped make this book possible and I’m so sorry if I have left anyone out, but there are a few who have played a big part. First, my wife, Jennifer, for inspiring and encouraging me. My kids, for being nice enough to say the project was “kind of cool” and being considerate enough to take the noise elsewhere when I was trying to write in our living room.
Geoffrey and Patricia Ashe, for their kind encouragement and input, and for introducing Jennifer and me to our first proper English tea experience. Mr Ashe’s work is, of course, the whole reason this book was written and I hope I have done it justice.
Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews is the Archaeology Officer for North Hertfordshire District Council Museum Service, and an expert in Latin and “Dark Age” Britain. His review, translations, explanations and suggestions have been invaluable and enlightening.
Sean Parker for our extended sessions of “war-gaming” ideas and outcomes. Jason Thyen for his help with the maps and beta reading. Jim Ackor, Dan Chouinard, Andrew Douglas, Charlie Guy, Karen Han, Ed LaFrance and Kimberly Stass Brodick, for getting through the drafts, for offering great advice for improvements and for catching errors. Katie Stange for a great round of editing. All the folks on the Arthurian web pages for the great discussions and education.
Luka Cakić, for his fantastic artwork and for the difficult process of working with me from so far away.
Finally, and by no means least, thanks to Tim and his team at MadeGlobal Publishing for taking a chance on a first-time author.
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