Nennius

Nennius or Nemniuus is not sure attested early medieval monk, scholar and historian in Wales in the transition from 8th to 9th century.

Nennius is generally regarded as the author of the Historia Brittonum, one permeated by myths and legends compilation to chronology, history and geography of Britain, which is delivered in about 35 concordances. A historical work the underlying text is attested by Bede for the early 8th century; as a safe source, you can Gildas ' De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae View, whose formulations are taken up again in geographical matters.

One of the earlier versions of the Historia Brittonum was born in Wales about 829/830 ( Harleian MS 3859 ). The author mentioned in a prologue, which is narrated in several concordances of the 12th century, with names. Recent studies have demonstrated, however, tried that the manuscripts that contain this prologue, descended from a copy that - as David N. Dumville - can be dated only to the late 11th century. The authenticity of the prologue is controversial; the cause to have inserted it can possibly be sought in the fact that an assignment to Nennius should achieve a higher credibility.

Nennius was in his own words in the prologue to the Historia Brittonum a student Elvodugus '. Elvodugus is with the Bishop of Bangor, Gwynedd Elfoddw identified, 768 of the welsh part of the Celtic Christians led them to celebrate Easter at the same time to the other Christians in Britain. Bishop Elvodugus ' year of death is recorded in the Annales Cambriae with 809.

In a Latin manuscript of the early 9th century ( Liber Commonei, also Oxoniensis Prior, Bodleian Library MS Auct. F.4.32, Oxford) a Nemniuus is also mentioned. In response to the ( incorrect ) assertion of an Anglo-Saxon scholar, the Cymric British had no alphabet, Nennius invented a Welsh mockery alphabet that was based, according to Nora Chadwick on Anglo-Saxon runes ( Junior Futhork ). Chadwick points out, however, that the alphabet itself is not integrated into the narrative, and was probably added after previous research.

This historian Nennius should not be confused with the Britannian prince Nennius.

Translation

• Nennius: Historia Brittonum. Bilingual edition Latin - German. Translated, introduced and explained by Günter Klawes. Marix, Wiesbaden 2012, ISBN 978-3-86539-289-3