Hoel

Also known as: Great Hoel / great Hoel · Family: Armorican Britons · Role: king of the Armorican Britons · First appears: Book IX 1–3

Hoel, king of the Armorican Britons, was the son of Arthur’s sister by Dubricius, king of the Armorican Britons. When Arthur was threatened by pagan disturbances, Hoel assembled fifteen thousand men, sailed to Hamo’s Port, and joined him in relieving Kaerlindcoit by defeating the besieging Saxons. He then entered Aquitaine, conquered its cities, and forced Guitard to surrender after several battles. With Hoel’s consent, Chelianus was appointed archbishop of Dole in place of St. Samson; later, Hoel pledged to accompany Arthur with ten thousand men, and departed with the other kings and nobles to carry out Arthur’s orders.

After the victory over the giant who had taken Helena, Hoel, grieving for his niece, ordered a mausoleum built over her body, which became known as Helena’s Tomb. At Suesia, he commanded a division alongside Walgan, and when troops retreated, the two rallied them and helped drive their pursuers back. In a later generation, Runo bestowed his daughter on Duke Hoel, the son of “that great Hoel who shared with Arthur in his conquests.”