Guiderius

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Guiderius (Welsh Gwydr), according to the traditional British history found in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain) and related texts, was the eldest son of Cymbeline, and succeeded his father to the kingship of Britain. He can probably be identified with the historical Togodumnus.

Cymbeline had voluntarily paid tribute to Rome, but Guiderius refused to pay it. The emperor Claudius responded by invading. Claudius with his chief of staff, Lelius Hamo, landed at Portchester, entrenching themselves there while besieging the city. Guiderius conscripted all the men of Britain against Claudius and marched south to meet him in battle. The Britons clashed with the Romans and succeeded so well that the Roman army began retreating to their ships.

Hamo, though, took on Briton armour and began attacking his own army, urging the Britons to do likewise. Because of this, Hamo was able to get close enough to Guiderius to strike him. Guiderius died then or soon after and was succeeded by his brother Arvirargus, who took over as king during that battle.

Preceded by: Cymbeline

Mythical British Kings

Succeeded by: Arvirargus