Toni Sihvonen (order #92780) 62.142.248.1

Toni Sihvonen (order #92780) 6
still honor a mixture of Roman and Celtic gods, plus
Hellenized foreign spirits like Isis, HermesThoth, and
Mithras. Renaissance writers like Shakespeare and Spenser
depict British “faerie queens” invoking Roman deities like
Mercury: although based on ignorance of Celtic culture,
this mishmash is accurate for Romanized Celts.
Neo-Paganism: During the Saxon invasions, some
Britons flee Roman towns for ancient Celtic hillforts, seeking
the shelter of the old walls - and, perhaps, the Old
Gods; ritual sites were reoccupied as well. These frustrated
Britons have turned their backs on the God (or gods)
of Rome. They will become the enchantresses and
revived Druids in Pendragon.
Roman Christianity: Britain lacks great churches and
churchmen, and shows persistent paganism and heresy
compared to Roman Gaul (whose bishops do not trust
the British to evangelize the Saxons, Picts, and Irish).
Probably, official Christianity in fifth century Britain is
more official than Christian - a ruling-class display of
loyalty to the Emperor. Christianity will flourish instead in
the poorest, least Romanized lands, like Ireland and
coastal Wales. Late in the fifth century, a more sincere
Christianity develops in Logres against the nightmare of
the Saxon invasions: this is Arthur’s faith.
Pelagianism: The only important British theologian,
Pelagius, denied Original Sin and Predestination, teaching
instead that Christians can redeem themselves by good
deeds. As Britain parted from Rome, Pelagianism became
a heresy, to be replaced by the Augustinian creed: we are
redeemed only by Grace, which might enter a “bad” man
as soon as a “good” one, since all men are sinners without
God. Yet many British nobles remain Pelagian long
after 400, either rejecting or (more likely) unaware of the
new dogma.
Such theological questions are also tests of loyalty. Gaul
responds to British pleas for aid by sending Germanus of
Auxerre - a Roman deputy turned Augustinian cleric,
and later canonized - to scold Pelagians. Stories of his
first visit (429) contrast the vain and “good” Pelagian
nobles with the “grace” given to common soldiers:
Saxons and Picts melt away when Britons embrace the
Roman Creed. Gaul probably sends St. Germanus to see if
Britain is militarily salvageable - and “Roman” enough
to repay the effort. Whatever he reports does not matter,
since the legions are soon unable to help themselves.
Fifth Century Britain: War and Peace
Before Aurelius. British armies rely only on the southeast’s
passion for Roman mores, and a large but disorganized
population. Without Rome’s couriers and signal stations,
they cannot get news or help from separate forces in their
huge diocese. Southeasterners wield swords with shaky
hands that once held plows or pens: southwestern
legionaries are old, mediocre, or unwilling (“See that
villa? I’m retired“), and hill tribesmen know raids but not
battles. British defeats will make the Britons more aggressive,
like Saxons.
The first Saxon warriors are professional pirates who
plunder Britain in summer and spend winter home on the
continent. Constantin, under Vortigern’s guidance, hires
them as federates - setting thieves to catch thieves. The
invader-chief Hengist brings part of Hnaeff’s old heorthwerod:
a formidable few. Still later arrivals have fought
on the continent and seen whole tribes snuffed out.
Although very warlike, the Saxons remain outnumbered,
gaining more by treachery than battle. The greatest Saxon
weapon against the British is Vortigern.
Both Romano-Britons and Saxons use Roman “shield
walls:” Saxons, however, can break them with a charging
wecg. Aurelius introduces cavalry, tipping the balance
until the Saxons learn to shoot at horses.
Peace divides the two peoples more than war. To
Romano-Britons, Saxons are unwashed murderers with
bellies for minds and swords for hearts, who wear dull
clothes and crude ornaments, and speak a strange tongue
made of simple observations, boasts, and violent
demands. To Saxons, Romano-Britons are gross aristocrats,
who stroll mosaic-tiled plazas in fine togas they neither
spun nor seized, and speak a strange tongue made
more slippery by Roman rhetoric. Romano-Celtic patronage
(lending for future favors or interest) confuses the
Saxons who must repay apparent “gifts,” so these Saxons
will make welsh mean cheat, wherever their words go.
Phase -5: Britain Abandoned
400-4 15
As Rome weakens, a series of British usurpers tries to take
the Imperial throne. Their efforts merely weaken Britain
and anger Rome, which finally washes its hands of the distant
and fractious province.