Stelle Tribus vicibus occisi sunt duces R...; (Historia Brittonum (829 - 830), p. 66 (ch. 30)) [818]

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ID 818
Text Historia Brittonum (829 - 830) Nennius
Quotation Tribus vicibus occisi sunt duces Romanorum a Brittannis. Brittones autem dum anxiebantur a barbarorum gentibus, id est Scottorum et Pictorum, flagitabant auxilium Romanorum, et, dum legati mittebantur, cum magno luctu et cum sablonibus super capita sua intrabant, et portabant magna munera secum consulibus Romanorum pro admisso scelere occisionis ducum, et suspiciebant consules grata dona ab illis, et promittebant cum iuramento accipere iugum Romanici iuris, licet durum fuisset. Et Romani venerunt cum maximo exercitu ad auxilium eorum et posuerunt imperatores in Brittannia et composito imperatore cum ducibus revertebantur exercitus ad Romam usque, et sic alternatim per CCCXLVIII annos faciebant. Brittones autem propter gravitatem imperii occidebant duces romanorum et auxilium postea petebant. Romani autem ad imperium auxiliumque et ad vindicandum veniebantet, spoliata Brittannia auro argentoque cum aere et omni pretiosa veste et melle, cum magno triumpho revertebantur.
Translation The Roman generals were killed by the British on three occasions. But when the British were harassed by the barbarian nations, that is the Irish and the Picts, they implored the Romans to help. When their envoys were seen in deep distress, they made their appearance with dust on their heads, carrying with them great gifts for the Roman consuls, as an admission of the crime of killing the Roman generals. The consuls received their thankofferings, and they promised to swear to accept the yoke of roman law, although it was harsh. The Romans came with a great army to help them, and placed emperors in Britain; and when the emperor was established with his generals, the armies went back to Rome, and came and went in alternation over 348 years. But the British killed the Roman generals, because of the weight of the empire, and later asked their help. The Romans came to bring help to the empire and defend it, and deprived Britain of her gold and silver and bronze, and all her precious raiment and honey, and went back in great triumph. (J. Morris, p. 25-26)
Quotation source p. 66 (ch. 30)
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