Trinovantes
notability.(September 2020) ) |
Trinovantēs or Trinobantes | |
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Camulodunon (Colchester ) | |
Location |
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Rulers |
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The Trinovantēs (
Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk, and included lands now located in Greater London. They were bordered to the north by the Iceni, and to the west by the Catuvellauni. Their name possibly derives from the Celtic intensive prefix "tri-" and a second element which was either "nowio" – new, so meaning "very new" in the sense of "newcomers", but possibly with an applied sense of vigor or liveliness ultimately meaning "the very vigorous people". Their capital was Camulodunum (modern Colchester), one proposed site of the legendary Camelot
.
History
Shortly before
Gallic War their king is referred to as Imanuentius, although in other manuscripts no name is given. Some time before Caesar's second expedition this king was overthrown by Cassivellaunus, who is usually assumed to have belonged to the Catuvellauni. Imanuentius's son, Mandubracius, fled to the protection of Caesar in Gaul. During his second expedition Caesar defeated Cassivellaunus and restored Mandubracius to the kingship, and Cassivellaunus undertook not to molest him again. Tribute
was also agreed.
The next identifiable king of the Trinovantes, known from
Cunobelinus. Addedomarus, Dubnovellaunus and possibly Mandubracius all appear in later, post-Roman and medieval British Celtic genealogies and legends as Aedd Mawr (Addedo the Great) Dyfnwal Moelmut (Dubnovellaunus the Bald and Silent) and Manawydan. The Welsh Triads
recall Aedd Mawr as one of the founders of Britain
The Trinovantes reappeared in history when they participated in
Brutus and other refugees from the Trojan War
.
Popular culture
In
situation comedy produced for Channel 4 by Hat Trick Productions, the main character of Badvoc (played by Rory McGrath
) was the leader of The Trinovantes.
References
Bibliography
- Julius Caesar, De Bello Gallico
- Caesar Augustus, Res Gestae Divi Augusti
- Tacitus, Annals
- Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia Regum Britanniae