Belinus

Family: Britons · Role: king · First appears: Book III 1–5

In Book III 1–5, Belinus and his brother Brennius quarrelled over succession and the honour of wearing the crown. They agreed to divide the kingdom, with Belinus retaining the crown and the lands of the island, while Brennius, as the younger, received Northumberland and remained subject to him. Though they ruled together for five years in peace, Belinus later seized Northumberland and defeated Brennius’s forces at Calaterium. He released Guichthlac after accepting his submission, tribute, oath, and hostages, then became sovereign of the whole island, confirmed his father’s laws, established justice, and ordered stone roads to be built and protected by law.

In Book III 6–8, their mother Conwenna reconciled the brothers, and Belinus and Brennius restored their friendship. Together they defeated the Franks, subdued Gaul, and marched through Italy toward Rome, destroying cities and villages as they went. In Book III 9–13, Belinus fought the Romans, taking Rome with Brennius after Gabius was killed and Porsena was captured: “the brothers gained the day, and took the city, not however till Gabius was killed and Porsena taken prisoner.”

After this victory, Belinus returned to Britain and governed it peacefully for the rest of his life. When he died, his body was burned and his ashes placed in a golden urn at Trinovantum; he was succeeded by his son Gurgiunt Brabtruc.