Cordeilla

Family: Britons · Role: daughter · First appears: Book II 8–11

Cordeilla, the youngest daughter of Leir and sister of Gonorilla and Regau, was excluded by her father from any share in his kingdom after she refused to match her sisters’ flattering expressions. Aganippus, being in love with her, sought her hand, and “At last the match was concluded; Cordeilla was sent to Gaul, and married to Aganippus.”

In Book II 12–14, Cordeilla secretly arranged for Leir to receive care, clothing, and a retinue of forty men. She and Aganippus then received him honorably in Gaul and entrusted its power to him; Leir returned to Britain with their forces, defeated Maglaunus and Henuinus, and recovered the kingdom. After Leir and Aganippus died at Leicester, Cordeilla assumed the government and buried her father.

In Book II 15–17, her elder-kin Margan and Cunedagius rebelled because Britain was subject to a woman. After battles and the devastation of her lands, they captured Cordeilla and imprisoned her; after losing her kingdom, she killed herself.