THE SCENE: In this exciting account from Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain, Julius Ceasar’s invasion of Britain hinges on single combat between Ceasar and a ferocious British warrior named Nennius.
THE TEXT: Ceasar saw Nennius charging at him. He warded his opponent off with his shield and struck him on his helmet with his naked sword. Ceasar lifted his sword a second time with the intention of following up his first blow and dealing a fatal wound. Nennius saw what he was at and held out his own shield. Ceasar’s sword glanced off Nennius’ helmet and cut into his shield so deeply that, when they had to abandon their hand-to-hand fight because of the troops who crowded in on them, the Emperor could not wrench his sword out.
Having acquired Ceasar’s sword in this way, Nennius threw away his own, dragged the other weapon out and hurried off to attack the enemy with it. The sword was called Yellow Death, for no man who was struck with it escaped alive. Everyone whom Nennius struck with this sword either had his head cut off or else was so seriously wounded as Nennius passed that he had no hope of recovery. As Nennius raged up and down in this way, the Tribune Labienus came to meet him, but Nennius killed him on the spot. So passed the greater part of the day. The Britions pressed forward with their ranks undivided. As they charged boldly on, God favoured them and victory was theirs. Ceasar withdrew to a line between his camp and the ships, for his Romans were being cut to pieces. That night he re-formed his ranks and went on board his ships, glad enough to make the sea his refuge. His comrades dissuaded him from continuing the fight and he was happy to accept their advice and to return to Gaul.
– De Gestis Britonum, Geoffrey of Monmouth, 12 Century AD
