Post by Arthur on Nov 17, 2010 5:53:36 GMT -6
" Unto Britannia "
The Beginning
The Roman Empire once extended from Arabia to Britannia.
But they wanted more. More land, more peoples, loyal and subservient to Rome. But no people so important as the powerful Sarmatians to the east. Thousands died on that field. And when the smoke cleared on the fourth day, the only Sarmatian soldiers left alive were members of the decimated but legendary cavalry. The Romans, impressed by their bravery and horsemanship, spared their lives. In exchange, these warriors were incorporated into the Roman military. For the second part of the bargain they struck, indebted not only themselves... but also their sons, and their sons, and so on, to serve the Empire as knights.
One of those posts was Britannia - or at least the southern half, for the land was divided by an 80-mile wall built three centuries before to protect the Roman Empire from the natives of the north and west. So, as their forefathers had done, they made their way and reported to their Roman commander in Britannia, ancestrally named for the first Artorius, or Arthur.
Throughout the years, warlike tribes, the Woad, from the north of Hadrian’s Wall, in Caledonia, and the Scotti and Atacotti from the western island of Hibernia (Erin) continued to wage war against the Romans.
Germanic tribes were threatening the heart of the Roman Empire, and all available forces were necessary for its defense. With that, the Roman imperial government withdrew its legions and administrators from their far-flung province of Britannia. Roman civilization and culture did not vanish from Britannia, nor did the Roman people cheer the departure of their forces. The Roman citizens in Britannia were a wealthy and civilized people; many were Christian; and they were now alone.
"O merciful God,
I have such need of your mercy now. Not for myself, but for my knights, for this is truly their hour of need. Deliver them from the trials ahead, and I will repay you a thousandfold with any sacrifice you ask of me. And if, in your wisdom, you should determine that that sacrifice must be my life for theirs, so they may once again taste the freedom that has so long been denied to them, I will gladly make that covenant." Artorius Castus
One of their most effective military leaders that was left behind was Artorius Castus (Arthur in Brythonic, the language of the Woad, historically known as Celtic Britons). A cavalry officer, born of Roman father, and Woad mother, whose family had resided in the island since the late second century.
And now, they were threatened once again by an even more formidable foe – Saxon invaders from northern Germany.
“My men are strong, but they have need of a true leader. They believe you can do anything. To defeat the Saxon we need a master of war. That sword you carry is made of iron from this earth, forged in the fires of Britannia.” Merlin, Leader of the Woad.
Arthur’s elite armoured cavalry, and his allied Woads, defeated the Saxons in twelve engagements, culminating in the decisive battle of Badon Hill.
"Freedom. Arthur. Guinevere. Our people are one. As you are."
"Let every man, woman, child bear witness that from this day all Britons will be united in one common cause. And as for the men and women who gave their lives, their deaths were cause for neither mourning nor sadness. For they will live forever, their names and deeds handed down from father to son, mother to daughter, in the legends of King Arthur and his Knights."
It is here, in the Untold Stories of King Arthur and his Knights, that we share…
Welcome to “Unto Britannia…”