This article is my personal view of events in this era. Any mistakes are my own. I have used the Ordinance Survey map of Roman Britain and Nennius as a guide. I also had help from Google AI in checking my conclusions, historical accuracy, and geographical areas. The words, conception and “content mapping”are my own.
By the end of August 490 AD, a tired and bedraggled army arrives back at Caerleon after a 400 mile march from Alt Clut. The Briton troops get little time in barracks to relax.
The basic necessity of food was high on the agenda and the harvest needed to be gathered in. Armour and weapons need to be cleaned, horses needed to be fed and groomed, harness to be cleaned.
Arthur himself has no time to rest as a myriad of administrative duties were still outstanding. One person is missing ….Merlin.
A few days later Merlin appears at the gates of Caerleon. As always his Presence among the troops is a welcome sight. Merlin’s stern countenance and reputation has earned him great respect and deference and he is allowed straight to Arthur’s quarters.
Arthur’s extreme pleasure at seeing his Chief Councillor soon turns to puzzlement as Merlin calls for two military cloaks to be draped on the Round Table and earth to be laid on top. As Arthur hands him a drink, Merlin takes a long Stylus as he begins his story…
“A dozen Roman years before, the Jutish Warchief Aelle had landed on the Southern coast by Vectis. Your Half-Brother Medreut , sent by your Uncle Ambrosius, was defeated. After occupying the area with his Sons, Aelle moved East, along the coast uniting the Jutish settlers by bribery or swords He ravaged and destroyed any Briton settlements as he went. You could not save them even if you desired to do so. He is at this time besieging Anderida.” ( Pevensey).
As Merlin continues his story his hands move across the earth sketching lines..
“As more Jutes arrived there was nothing for them. They were stuck on the islands and the coastal land no good for settlement. They are hemmed in by the Briton lands to the West, the established Jutish lands to the east. The Garrison at Venta Bulgarem ( Winchester) and the great *Andredsweald stops them from moving North”. Merlin’s Stylus pauses.
*( the Andredsweald was a dense forest that stretched from just east of Winchester ( Venta Bulgarum) almost to Dover. The forest cut off the south-east coast from the Thames Valley).
Arthur replies that he is glad the Winchester Garrison is doing their job… As Merlin’s Stylus stabs at a spot on the coast and remains embedded as he continues..
“Here is Portus Adurni,( Portchester) an old Roman Fortress which is in good repair. A local Briton Dux by the name of Cerdic holds power there. After Aelle took Noviomagus Regnorum ( Chichester), he went east because he knew he would have to face your Commitatus and our fleet so he traded space in order to build his power.”
“Cerdic is wealthy, Instead of defending the coast in that area as he should have been, he has recruited Jutish Warriors as they arrive with their Kin, assembling his own Commitatus”
“ He has built his wealth by trading with the Jutes on Vectis ( the Isle of Wight ) and sending ships to Brittany ( Amorica). He started with 500 warriors. Two Roman years ago, Cerdic made an offer to these Jutes of rings and land in exchange for military service”
“ Cerdic has since fought and beaten another local Dux called Nechtan. Those warriors that survived gave allegiance to Cerdic. I did not tell you because I thought it was just a local feud and the major enemy threat was Caw. Cerdic has settled these Jutes in the Meon Valley, on the North side of the Forest of Bere. They are now known as the Meonwara.”
“Cerdic has been slowly building his power by recruiting more Jutes as they land around Portus. At this time he has roughly 1,600 warriors, 800 his own and about the same in Jutes. He will move soon. He has more warriors to feed and more land is required”
A few days later, as if to fulfill Merlin’s prophesy, an exhausted courier gallops into Caerleon in a state of collapse….
Arthur goes straight to the Courier to get the message. Struggling to get his breathe the Courier rattles out his story…
“ The Seaxons are on the move! They marched up the Test valley.. which hid them from the Venta Garrison… Leucomagus has fallen….they are moving North to Cunetio…
As the Courier is carried away, Arthur can feel his anger building. Merlin cuts in to Arthur’s thoughts. It must be Cerdic. Arthur immediately orders spare horses for the Scouts. They must ride east, take the ferry and find this Cerdic. When someone raises a protest at the state of the Horses and men, Arthur’s rage boils over.
“ I don’t care if you have to raise the Dead!! I want Every man ready to go with weapons. The enemy must be found!! I want to KNOW WHERE THEY ARE!!.
Arthur’s anger is volcanic. For the last five years, he has given everything including the lives of his Warriors to save the Briton Kingdoms. Now one of their own had joined the enemy. This was Treason beyond words. A price would be payed in blood.
As Arthur enters headquarters he fires a question at Merlin “why, why now!” . As always Merlin fixes his gaze on Arthur his face never changes. Even Arthur finds Merlin’s stare unnerving.
“ Cerdic knew you were away in Alt Clut, He thinks you will be in no fit state to mount a challenge. The tribes further east fear your army. If they had attacked Cerdic you would have come to his aid. They will defend the territory they have that is all. These Jutes you call “Seaxons” are being squeezed from their homelands. That is why they are here.”
Merlin continues “ Cerdic must think he is strong enough to make his mark.”
Gradually Merlin’s eyes go distant, “ By taking the land around Leugomagus he has effectively cut off Dumnonia . If he takes Cunetio he will then move west”…..There is a Roman road … that joins the Fosse way”.. Merlin returns to the table and scribes more lines in the earth.. “ ITS THERE”! Arthur looks at the dirt, his tired mind not quite comprehending Merlin’s words.
“If Cerdic takes that area he can stop all movement up and down the Fosse way. He can either move North and plunder the settlements as he goes or, move South and take Sorviodunum… which gives him a nice tract of land for his new allies…” Merlin again stabs the stylus into the dirt.. “ this is where you must meet him”…..
CERDIC’S ARMY: 1,630 = 1.630 pts x 30 = 48.9 or 49pts.
1,000 Limitanii = 1pt x 30 = 30pts
= 12 stands of Infantry @ 2pts = 24pts + Cerdic @ 1pt + Cynric ( Cerdic’s son ) @ 1pt.
4 stands of Light Archers @ 1pt = 4pts.
600 Jutes = 0.600 x 30 = 18pts.=
6 stands of Infantry @ 3pts.
30 Briton Cavalry = 0.030 x30 = 0900pts or 1pt r/u.
= 1 stand of Light Cavalry @ 1pt.
ARTHURS NUMERUS: 1,000 = 1pt x 30 = 30pts.
200 Cavalry = 0.200pts x 30 = 6pts =
1 stand of Heavy Cavalry ( Arthur’s Bucellari ) @ 3pts.
+ 1 stand of Light Cavalry Scouts @ 1pt.
+ Owain @ 2pts.
600 Infantry = 0.600pts x 30 = 18pts=
5 stands of close-order Infantry @ 3pts = 15points + Arthur @ 3pts.
200 Light Infantry = 0.200 x 30 = 6pts =
4 stands of Light Archers @ 1pt = 4pts.
+ Cadwy @ 2pts.
THE BATTLE:
* Morale: The Morale total for Cerdic’s force is 25pts r/u.
The Morale total for Arthur’s force is 15pts.
These Morale totals are SWAPPED OVER, making Arthur’s force morale 25pts and Cerdic’s 15pts.
* As a change from the usual 8 Game turns this battle will be played for 16 Game-Turns unless one side’s Morale drops to Zero before the end of the 16th Game-Turn. If both sides have Morale points left at the end of the 8th Game-Turn, the side with the higher total wins the battle.
* The reason for this is because the first few Game-Turns pass quickly because of the terrain.
* Arthur’s force retains the Initiative Point for the entire battle.
* Arthur’s force win any tied results.
* Moving up and down the hill can only be achieved via the Fosse Way. Any stands being forced off any other part of the hill will be lost.
* Any stands being forced into the River Avon or the Stambridge River will be lost.
* The cavalry do not get the three points for attacking Infantry while on the top of Bannerdown Hill.
* All Cavalry are armed with Javelins and only add 2 points to the die when firing.
* Arthur’s archers get one extra square range and one extra point on the die when firing from the top of the hill.
* Going uphill on the road, stands can only be moved one square per Game-Turn.
THE HISTORY:
As previously stated. This is my own work. However I have had help from the AI because I think I may have helped to crack a historical conundrum:
Historians over the centuries seemed to have massaged the history to get a working foundation of Harold of Wessex from Cerdic, a "Saxon" leader. ( The name Cerdic is Briton or “ Brythonic” not Germanic).
When the first Jutes arrived they were led by Aelle. [ Even Bede states that it was the Jutes who landed on the south coast, not Saxons.] They defeated Medreut, Arthur’s Stepbrother. Aelle and his sons took over Chichester, and founded Lancing. One of Aelles Sons was named Wlencing). The Jutes also took over Vectis ( the Isle of Wight).
Although fighting a draw at the river Glyme, Aelle kills Ambrosius with a javelin strike, and is forced to retreat. Over time, Arthur fights his battles especially against the Picts and Scots-Irish. He fought four battles over the Dark Waters ( Dubglas) in the north to drive the Saxons back to York.. He fought the river borne Angles at the River Bassus.( upper Thames).
In the previous blog Arthur fights the battle with Caw over Mount Agned or Alt Clut [ Dumbarton Castle ] which becomes “ Dun Breatann”, the Fortress of the Britons. The army has arrived back at Caerleon exhausted. The fleet is also in need of a refit.
Rewinding back a bit, Aelle’s reputation is high amongst the Jutes after killing Ambrosius. After Arthur’s win at the battle of the river Croquet ( Cat Coit Celidon: Coccuueda) , Aelle gets to hear that Arthur has gone back to Caerleon. He realises it is Militarily impossible for Arthur to go eastward.
Aelle, moving east, goes on to unite or browbeat all the Jutish groups on the South Coast. He ravaged and took over isolated Briton communities, ultimately attacking the last great fortress of Anderida ( Pevensey: 491AD),
Meanwhile, at Portus Adurni ( Portchester Castle near Portsmouth) A wealthy Romano-British Dux called Cerdic is living there. He has a son called Cynric.
( Note: Cerdic may have been the last” Comes Littoris Saxonici” or Count of the Saxon Shore.).
His job was to patrol the area for Arthur. Aelle knew that if he tried to storm Portus Adurni with its strong Garrison. He would be trapped against the wall by Arthur’s Commitatus.
Cerdic is intelligent and very calculating. Realising the two opposing Leaders are preoccupied. Cerdic starts planning for his own rise to power. He has his own troops( I estimate about 800 Limitanii style infantry and 20 cavalry). He needs more men.
The Jutes of the Jutland Penninsular are gradually being dispossessed by the Danes and Saxons. Bad weather and rising tides are also ruining the land there, forcing the Jutes to migrate.
Saxons were already on the north east coast of Britannia. The Angles, in the Thames Valley. That left the South Coast. Aelle’s group was powerful enough to fight Medreuts army. Further groups were not so fortunate, being trapped on the marshy islands of Portsea and Haylingae ( Hayling Island).
Cerdic saw the potential. Offering Rings and land in return for Military service, he recruits the Jutish Warriors ( 488 to 489AD)
He has to employ subterfuge so as not to arouse the suspicions of the Briton commanders at Silchester ( Caleva Atribatum), Winchester ( Venta Bulgarum) and Salisbury ( Sorviodunum).
Cerdic fights a battle at Charford and kills the leader called Nechtan ( a real person ). Another battle is fought at Meonstoke against another Briton Leader. He then takes over the Meon Valley for the Jutes. With timber from the Forest of Bere and the New Forest, the Jutes can start building living quarters. The Jutes become known as the Meonwara.
By June 490AD, with Arthur’s Commitatus away in the North and Aelle away in the east, the settlements around Portus only have enough men to defend themselves. The garrisons at Silchester, Winchester and Andover no longer have enough men for extended patrols.
With no powerful army to stop him, Cerdic makes his move: Leaving Portus Adurni, (Portchester Castle), he marches the army north-west over the River Hamble at Curbridge. Clausentium has been abandoned so Cerdic,s army crosses the River Itchen at Mansbridge.
Cerdics army continues to Nurseling, where the men cross over to the west side of the River Test. The march continues north, up the Test valley. This movement hides the Army from the Garrison of Winchester, the trees muffling the noise and dust of the movement.
As the army reaches the end of the valley, Cerdic call a brief halt. he forms all his Briton troops at the front of the column. Movng forward, the army swings right and left up onto the Roman Road toward Leugomagus [ Andover ]. As the army approaches the gates, the Guards open up thinking that the Dux was visiting.. As the army reaches the gates, the Jutes surge forward from the back of the column and sieze the Guards..
Cerdics troops move rapidly, sealing the town to make sure no one leaves. After a brief overnight rest the army resumes a rapid march north on the Portway.to Cunetio [ Malborough ]. Some of the Garrison join Cerdic.
Cunetio is a large fortress. This time Cerdic gallops his cavalry to the gates with his Infantry running, shouting they are being pursued. Cerdics men burst in overpowering the guards and moving fast to netralise the garrison.
Cerdic has now captured a major fortress. After staying two or three days, the army resumes the march. This is hard for Cerdic as he has to berate the Jutes into moving. They have never know such luxury. More Briton troops throw in their lot with Cerdic.
The march resumes, this time going west toward Verlucio [ Sandy Lane]. Cerdics main goal is to block the Fosse Way. In doing so Cerdic controls all the traffic north to south, and seals off the rich farmland of Salisbury Plain.
As Cerdic marches toward BADON HILL where the two Roman Roads meet, he sees the glint of spears. Arthur has already arrived.
CONCLUSION:
The way in which Cerdic started his campaign is not recorded in history, and his movements prior to Badon are my own thoughts. However, Historians do agree that Cerdic was a Briton. and that he had his base at Portchester Castle.
Bannerdown Hill ( Mount Badon ) already has an Arthurian connection in local folklore. On the South- South-eastern side the hill is very steep. Both the Roman Road [ Margery 53 ] and the Fosse Way meet up pointing north at the bottom of the hill. The top of the hill is a plateau. The north side is an easier climb.
At certain times of the year a mist rolls in obscuring the top of the hill. An ideal position for Arthurs depleted force....
Arthur won this battle. ( it was to be his last victory). His Cavalry force with Arthur leading, pursued Cerdic,s broken army. It is said that Arthur alone killed 900 men. Well, that may be poetic license but there is no doubt Arthur and his Commitatus did immense damage to Cerdics troops. The destruction was so bad that there were no more invasion attempts for the next fifty years into Briton territory.
I also think Arthur was wounded in this battle.
Cerdic, the scheming Romano-British Dux, and his son Cynric survived. They made their way back to Portus Adurni, with the remains of the army. ( Portus Aderni still stands to this day, its walls complete.). It could be that the Briton troops felt abandoned by Arthur. Knowing there was nowhere else to go, they decided to fight for their survival with Cerdic.
The last part of the Campaign for Arthur would be to make sure that Silchester, Winchester and Andover were secured. ( it could be why the gates leading south and east in these towns were walled up.) Portus Adurni was lost. Cerdic could return there to plot another rise to power, and his place in recorded history, as a “ Saxon”, which is ironic because the Jutes detested the Saxons.
It is written that the Jutes (or Geutes=Gewissi) came from the Jutland Penninsular ( modern Denmark) and Southern Sweden, although those origins are still being debated by Scholars to this day. Eventually, after Arthur’s time they gradually expanded north-west and there were more settlements along the east bank of the Severn becoming known as the Gewissi.
CERDIC : A FINAL WORD.
This is a bit of speculation on my part. If Cerdic was Forty years old when he made his play for power, he would have been born in 450AD in Hampshire which I think was part of Dumnonia at that time.
This was about the time that Hengist and his Jutes were causing problems for Vortigern. The area around Portsmouth was still controlled by the Britons. If this was the case, then Cerdics family would still be fairly wealthy, in turn giving them political influence. This would pave the way for Cerdic’s rise to power.
Eventually, the Jutes were firmly settled in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and Kent.This has been confirmed by the historian Barbara Yorke.
It was only later that the Jutes were absorbed by the Angles as they gradually took over most of what is now England. As the Angles and Saxons merged they called themselves the”Aenglisch” from whence we get “English”.
