Chapter I: Preface

As this story touches upon history to a certain extent, perhaps too much licence has been taken with Ethelbert’s movements in bringing him as far west as the Severn Valley. The union between the Britons and Saxons was suggested by the historical league formed between the Britons and those Saxons who revolted against the detested Ceawlin, and, settling in the valley of the lower Severn, took the name of Hwiccan. The date of this league was 592--eleven years after the destruction of Uriconium which in the following story is placed about 578. Some liberty, also, has been taken with the date of Ethelbert’s marriage with Bertha, which took place in 584.

It seems hardly necessary to say that Banba and Fail are old bardic names for Ireland. And that the cities Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath were known in Roman days as Glevum, Corinium and Aque Sulio.

S. Kevin is known also as S. Coemgen.

The date of the Convocation at Druimceta is difficult to discover, but must have been during the reign of S. Columba’s friend, King Aedh, 572-599.

DEDICATED TO MY NEPHEWS AND NIECES.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER. PAGE.

I. FROM THE BRITONS’ APPEAL TO AËTIUS--COMMANDER OF THE ROMAN
ARMIES, 446 A.D. 11

II. GLÉAND DÉ 21

III. FROM THE EPISTLE OF GILDAS THE MOST ANCIENT BRITISH AUTHOR 29

IV. MANY A BRANCH OF THE RACE OF CONN IS IN THE LAND OF BANBA OF
SMOOTH GRASS (BOOK OF LECAN) 37

V. WHY ETHNE HATES THE CHRISTIANS 50

VI. THE SACRED HEART OF HIBERNIA 60

VII. INTO THE ARMS OF MOLOCH 69

VIII. ETHNE AGAIN AS LEADER 79

IX. TO THE NORTH 88

X. BARDS OF HIBERNIA 98

XI. SAINT COLUMBA 114

XII. THE FAIR 122

XIII. MAN AND WOMAN 134

XIV. LEADER OF THE KYMRY 149

XV. THE BLACK HORSE 158

XVI. ETHELBERT OF KENT 172

XVII. ETHNE’S ERROR 181

XVIII. ENGLAND’S FIRST CHRISTIAN QUEEN 189

THE DRUIDESS.