THE SCENE: Locked in a stalemate with a determined foe, the British king Dunvallo decided to use trickery to turn the tide of battle.
THE TEXT: Dunvallo found himself still as far as ever from victory. He summoned six hundred of his boldest young men and ordered them to strip the arms from those of their enemies who lay dead around them and then to put those same arms on. He himself cast on one side the protective clothing which he was wearing and did the same as his men. He then led the way through the enemy lines, moving his men forward as if they had actually been enemy troops.
He reached the spot where Rudaucus and Staterius were and signaled to his comrades to attack them. As Dunvallo’s men charged forward, the two Kings were killed and many others with them. Dunvallo then came back with his companions and disarmed, for he was afraid of being attacked by his own men. He once more put on his own arms which he had earlier cast aside. He then exhorted his soldiers to charge at the enemy and attacked them himself with great ferocity. Almost immediately after this he won the battle, for his enemy was put to flight and scattered.
– De Gestis Britonum, Geoffrey of Monmouth, 12 Century AD
