Cadwalader, Arthur, and Brutus in the Wigmore Manuscript

Abstract

SCHOLARLY investigations have ably shown that the Norman kings of England took advantage of the legends of early Britain and the sanctity of Edward the Confessor to add to their prestige. Henry i, who had strengthened his position by marrying a daughter of Edward the Confessor, made it clear that Edward had prophesied glorious things for Prince William, who, however, did not live to realize them.' The canonization of Edward the Confessor and the powers of healing which came to be associated with his sanctity were highly advantageous.2 Geoffrey of Monmouth supplied for English sovereigns a King Arthur whose eminence and wide coniquests reflected glory upon his successors comparable to that shed upon French kings by Charlemagne.3 Geoffrey also provided the prophecies of Merlin, which were revised and interpreted again and again to fit new political conditions.4 From the prophecies, Henry i came to be referred to as the 'lion of righteousness,'5 and from them also arose the tradition that the ancient British line would eventually be restored. According to Geoffrey, Arthur was a world conqueror, whose liegemen spiritual and temporal corresponded closely to those from whom Henry i claimed allegiance.6 In the thirteenth century, Edward i, having conquered Wales, sought to establish his claim to Scotland by the use of evidence drawn from Geoffrey.7 In Wales the legends of the glory of ancient Britain had a special significance. According to prophecy, Arthur was believed to be, not dead, but merely waiting an auspicious occasion to return and free Britain from foreign bondage.8 The Welsh princes, therefore, boasted direct descent from Arthur, whom the Norman kings regarded merely as a glorious predecessor. Moreover, Brutus, of the Trojan line, who killed the giants and settled in Britain, was of still greater antiquity, being the ancestor of Arthur. Another Welsh prince, a descendent of Arthur, and the last true king of Britain, Cadwalader, was also the subject of prophecies and hopes for deliverance from the Norman yoke.9 It has been shown by scholars that Henry vii, making the most of a slender claim to royal prestige, traced his descent from Brutus in five score degrees, and was hailed by the Welsh as their king, the Bull of Mona, the resurrected Arthur come at last to rule over all Britain.10 In his coronation procession the red dragon of Cadwalader was borne by members of great families. The new sovereign was