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"The eleventh battle was on the hill called Agned": Geoffrey of Monmouth
identifies Monte Agned as Edinburgh and there appears to be little evidence
to contradict him. The rock of Edinburgh Castle was certainly occupied
at this time. It was a strategic point of some importance at the center
of the Kingdom of Gododdin. Perhaps the battle was connected with King
Lot of Gododdin being one of the eleven kings who rebelled against Arthur
at the beginning of his reign. Edinburgh alias Din-Eityn specifically relates
to the settlement on top of the rock of course. Geoffrey calls this the
Castle of Maidens or the Dolorous Castle. There was apparently a 7th century
Siege of Din-Eityn. Could this have been the real Battle of Mount Agned
pushed back to Arthur's reign? More obscure proposed identifications include
Brent Knoll, Somerset; Ribchester,
Lancashire and Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
A 10th century version of Nennius' History gives this battle the alternative
name of Breguoin. This may have been another of Arthur's victories. The
name could be a corruption of Bravonium, a Roman name for Leintwardine
in Herefordshire. This is conveniently situated for a possible battle involving
King Athrwys of Ergyng, though the place was, more usually, called Branogenium.
Alternatively, the name could stem from Bremenium, now High Rochester in
Northumberland. Unfortunately, this is probably also the site of King Urien
Rheged's Battle of the Cells of Brewyn, as mentioned in Welsh poetry. Arthur,
therefore, erroneously claims another battle.
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