INVASIO BARBARORVM 2: CONQUESTUS BRITANNIAE The Romano-British Factions And Origins (Their Story) Gododdin-Alt Clut-Ebrauc-Powys-Ordovices-Rheged
Emperor Honorius of Rome tells Britain to attend to its own affairs. Zosmius reports Roman officials expelled and native government establishes "independence".
After the Romans left, Coel Hen (Coel the Old) wore the title as the Comes Britannia and he most likely based himself at York. As the Comes he was simply promulgating the Roman military system in Britain. Through military valor and wisdom he maintained British supremacy throughout Britain, repelling the invasions that occurred. After his death (420-25AD), the Roman administration and authority rapidly decayed and the Roman Provinces began to fracture into smaller British Kingdoms that sought to take matters into their own hands. Many of their leaders proclaimed a royal ancestry to legitimize their power and disregarded any Roman type authority, even choosing Pelagianism over Roman Christianity. Coel Hen became the progenitor of several kingly lines in the Hen Ogledd but a most powerful kingdom arose in Powys under the Pelagian Vitalinus (also known as Vortigern).The Pelagians were the same group of influential citizens who had favored the path of native self-help, and would have been the main supporters of King Vortigern.
The British civitates, now no longer acting on any Roman authority, elected Vitalinus (425-30AD) as the overlord King (The Vortigern) of all the British Kingdoms. Under Vortigern Powys had prospered and it became the most influential kingdom within Britain. Vericonium, one of the few surviving cities of its time in Powys, was restored and benefited strategically with its central position next to the River Severn. From his base in Powys, Vortigern began to consolidate his power by the old practice of using foederati with the price of granting them lands within Britain. At his royal center at Vericonium, he strengthened his position by re-introducing the Comes Britannia(Protector or Guletic). The title was granted to Cunnedda, a very powerful sub king from the Northern Votadini tribe of the Gododdin, to command Britain's mobile field army. He allowed Cunnedda's sons and some of the Votadini nobles to reign over the resettled Scotti and Gaelic people in Wales. The Scotti and Gaels within Wales had foederati status and he created dynastic ties with their prominent families there that were linked to the High Kings (Ard Ri) from across the sea.
To combat the dire situation in the north due to the Pict invasions he continued the foederati practice and hired Anglo-Saxon mercenaries to crush them (445-50AD) and rewarded their successes with British lands to settle in. As the Anglo-Saxon settlements grew and increased in numbers so did the price to keep them happy. For several centuries Germanic mercenaries and their families had lived and died in Britain, side by side and defending the island with their lives. But with the dramatic migration from the continent, the newer mercenaries and settlers were now much more interested in carving out their own new lands thus leading to the Adventus Saxonum (455-56AD). The tide of this invasion would eventually overwhelm them: the buried hoards of coin, plate and jewelry a poignant reminder of what once had been.
''Again, therefore, the wretched remnant, sending to Egitius, a powerful Roman citizen, address him as follows:–“To Egitius, now consul for the third time: the groans of the Britons.” And again a little further thus:–“The barbarians drive us to the sea; the sea throws us back on the barbarians: thus two modes of death await us, we are either slain or drowned.” Gildas’ De Excido Britanniae
Roman Dummonia
Under Ambrosius the Elder the heavily influenced Roman Kingdom of Dummonia in the south remained to some extent autonomous. Dummonia's influence extended eastward to the environs of London and into the Gallic lands of Brittany. During the first of the Anglo-Saxon rebellions it is likely that this Ambrosius and many of the Romans in their occupied estates were targeted for their wealth, thus they perished in the initial onslaught. Following the destructive assault, the survivors gathered together under the leadership of a young Ambrosius, who is described as "a gentleman who, perhaps alone of the Romans, had survived the shock of this notable storm". Dismayed at the destruction of his lands he asserted his power and waged a civil war against the forces of Vortigern, winning decisively the battle of Guoloph in the year 456AD. By the year 457AD Vortigern abdicated the throne and retreated to one of his strongholds, possibly in one of the Irish-held regions in Western Wales. Ambrosius, consolidating his power, built a Royal residence, reoccupying and refortifying the Iron Age hillfort of Cadbury Castle in Somerset, a base where he could launch his counter offensives and campaigns against the Anglo-Saxons.
And so IB2 Conquestus Britanniae begins...
- Historical Arthur - With the higher levels of the military and civil government gone, administration and justice fell to municipal authorities, and small warlords emerged all over Britain, aspiring once again to Roman ideals and conventions. (Influenced Vincent Bridges)
The British people, longing for a unified Britain, rallied behind their kingdom's leader with the hope he may become the Protector, or even High King, other than a Vortigern. From the increasing Gaelic influence and presence would emerge an Ard Ri (or Arth Ru in Welsh), an Arthur that would bring stability and prosperity to their torn lands once again. From all these very different regions the valor of a historical King Arthur manifested itself along with other heroes and villains alike.
From one of these Romano-British kingdoms the leaders and their heirs will have the ability to become a Protector of Britannia (Comes Britannia) and then the Arth Ru/Arthur, as the High King of Britanniae.
Romano-British on the Map 457AD After the Anglii and Saxon Revolt
Romano-British Factions in Blue Gododdin-Alt Clut-Ebrauc-Powys-Ordovices-Rheged
More Info Pending
Below you can see some samples of the new settlement strat models used by the Romano-British:
Pelagianism Building Tree The Pelagians were the same group of influential citizens who had favored the path of native self-help, the would-be usurpers of 407-10AD, and would have been the main supporters of King Vortigern
High King Building Tree The Gaels and Scotti brought from Hibernia their dynastic Ard Ri. By their dynastic marriages with the most powerful British families , the Ard Ri became a title within the Romano Kingdom translating to Arth Ru or Arthur.
Romano Government Center
A vital building for the assimilation process of a faction's settlements economic and military growth
Curial Class and Trade
A vital building for the process of a faction's settlements economic growth
Provincial Civil Governor
A vital position for the political process of a faction's settlements continued expansion
Romano Ancillaries Including the More Roman-influenced Factions
Roman and Romano factions Amherawddyr
In the Roman fashion the title is called Amherawddyr, which is the Brythonic pronunciation of the title Imperator.
''In Llongborth I saw Arthur
And brave men who cut with steel.
The Emperor, ruler of our labour''
Romano-British factions Arth Ru (Arthur)
The Welsh form of Ard Righ gives Arth Ru and in derivation gives Arthur, an epithet meaning High King.
"He struck before the three hundred bravest
He would slay both middle and flank
He was suited to the forefront of a most generous host
He would give gifts from a herd of horses in winter
He would feed black ravens on the wall
Of a fortress, though he were not Arthur"
Catuvellaun Vortimer
A title such as his father Vortigern but with a slightly more defining meaning of 'most high king'.
He is a figure in British tradition, a son of the 5th-century Britonnic ruler Vortigern. He is remembered for his fierce opposition to his father's Saxon allies. In Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, he overthrows his father and reigns as King of Britain for a brief period before his death restores Vortigern to power.
Regenum Britannia Riothamus
The name means 'high king' like the Irish term 'ard ri'. He seems to have flourished during the end of the Western Roman Empire, which coincides with the beginning of the Arthurian era.
In Jordanes's Origins, the Emperor Anthemius called upon the Brittones for aid; Riotimus answered with twelve thousand men, sailing across the sea to fight Eurich, king of the Visigoths, who was attempting to take Gaul. Riotimus and his men were defeated before the Romans could give aid, and the Britons fled to the Burgundians, who were allied to the Romans.
Romano-British Units New Romano Units and Unique units.
Marchomawr
Romano-British Britons were well known in the dark ages for their cavalry. In the poem 'Y Gododdin', by the bard Aneirin, 300 Briton horsemen fought Angle invaders at Cathraeth in the kingdom of Gododdin and only one returned, Aneurin himself. The Marchomawr are made up of men from the richest warrior households who can afford a good horse, spatha, shield, helm and chain mail or scale armor. These well-armored powerful horsemen make a formidable opponent but must be commanded correctly to be truly devastating in battle. Only recruitable in flat lands.
Britanniae-Equites Tailfali
Powys According to the Notitia Dignitatum of the early fifth century, there was a unit called the Equites Taifali established by Honorius under the comes Britanniarum in Britannia between 395 - 398AD. Possibly this unit may have been sent to the island by Stilicho in 399AD, and they may have been the same unit as the Equites Honoriani seniores mentioned around the same time. Thus, the Equites Honoriani Taifali seniores served in Britain while the Equites Honoriani Taifali iuniores served in Gaul under the magister Equitum. This unit is trained in archery and sword.
Marca
Romano-British The Marca were the standard cavalry soldiers of Briton armies. Like almost all soldiery of the time, the Marca had to provide and maintain their own equipment, including their horse, meaning their ranks were generally made up of wealthy individuals who could afford such luxuries. They were well-armed, carrying a round shield, sword, scale armor, helmet, and javelins, all similar to that of their Roman predecessors, the scutarii. The Marca fought as standard medium cavalry, moving forward, throwing their javelins and then charging while the enemy is in disarray. While they can cope with lightly armed troops, against more elite forces they may struggle.
Marchogluoedd
Romano-British Britain's wide variety of landscapes meant certain kingdoms, where the land was flatter and more horse-friendly, employed very cavalry-oriented armies. The Marchogluoedd were the fast, agile scouts of these armies. Riding the fastest horses their land could muster, these lightly armed and lightly armored warriors would rush ahead of the main host, peppering the enemies with javelins, making careful observations and reporting enemy positions to their commanders. These scouts wore no armor and carried no weapons apart from their javelins, which could of course act as improvised spears. As such they should be kept as far away from combat as possible.
Marca Saethwyr
Romano-British
The Roman occupiers of Britain bolstered their legionary armies with auxilia from countless lands and conquered peoples. In Britain they stationed Sagitarri, units made up of the horse-warriors of Sarmatia. After the Roman empire left Britain's shores some of their soldiery remained as mercenaries, or native Britons adopted fighting styles practiced by their former garrisons. Thus the Marca Saethwyr were born, adopting the horse-archer technique of the Sarmatians. The men of Elmet (modern day Leeds and surrounding area), under the kingship of Gwallawc map Llenweag, known as Marchawc Trin, the 'battle horse', employed such horse-archers in their powerful cavalry-based armies.
Campwry
Romano-British
The Campwyr were the champions of the Britons' armies. Although not always nobles, they were professional soldiers who, through their brave deeds on the field of battle, earned prestige, fame and wealth. This meant they were given or could afford state of the art weapons and armor. More than a match for most other infantry and even cavalry: their expensive swords, strong and intricately made armor, and their all around experience and ferocity made the Campwyr dangerous opponents. Any British general can rest assured that his Campwyr will make a good accounting of themselves and not flee at the first sign of danger.
Bonheddwy
Romano-British
The Bonheddwyr were free nobles, the elite foot soldiers of a Chieftain’s armies. Before a battle these champions would often walk forward in front of their army insulting, taunting and challenging their opposition (much to the amusement of their fellows), and be accompanied by shouting and jeering from the lower ranking men along with the din of their war trumpets. The Bonheddwr were lightly armored, and the individual carried a spear, a small round shield and several javelins into battle.
Aulue
Romano-British
It was a legal obligation for all men over a certain age to fight when required in Briton kingdoms, indeed most, if not all, saw it as a great privilege and were eager for battle. Many kept their own weapons so men could rapidly form militia units (or Aulue) when their kingdom needed their service. They often fought surprisingly well, but were quick to turn tail and run if things were going badly. Briton militia units were neither well nor badly equipped and could hold their own in a fight, but a wise commander will note their limitations and not commit them against heavily armed elite troops.
Saethwyr Archers
Romano-British Saethwyr tend to be simple levies of hunters, who, while proficient with their bows, are not soldiers, and easily chased off a battlefield if not properly defended or if engaged in a melee. They often fought surprisingly well, but were quick to turn tail and run if things were going badly. Briton militia units were neither well nor badly equipped and could hold their own in a fight, but a wise commander will note their limitations and not commit them against heavily armed elite troops.
Celtc Spearmen
Romano-British
Celtic Spearmen are men from the lowest rungs in society. They are given a spear, a shield and a couple of days training before being thrust into the thick of battle. They are expected to stand their ground and so keep cavalry at a respectful distance. Their battle skills are learned in the field, if they are learned at all. These are defensive troops and good for holding a position against attack, but they should not necessarily be expected to match the more skilled warriors in an army. They are vulnerable to other infantrymen and missile-armed fighters, but they are of Celtic stock and made of stern stuff when the battle cry is voiced!
Hr. Alf han hugg til han var mod, Han sto i femten Ridderes Blod; Så tog han alle de Kogger ni Og sejlede dermed til Norge fri. Og der kom tidende til Rostock ind, Der blegned saa mangen Rosenkind. Der gręd Enker og der gręd Bųrn, Dem hadde gjort fattig den skadelige Ųrn. Anders Sųrensen Vedel
Awesome units! This will be a worthy successor to ATW.
Game of the Fates Mod of the week on hold -- I've played nearly every RTW mod out there.
BOYCOTT THE USE OF SMILEYS! (Okay, just once) Antiochos VII...last true scion of the Seleucid dynasty...rest in peace, son of Hellas.
I've returned--please forgive my long absence.
IB2-CB ROMANO BRITISH PREVIEW
Romano Government Center
Curial Class and Trade
Provincial Civil Governor
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Originally Posted by absinthia
(Okay, just once)
