The Massacre of Stonehenge Part 2

There was only one entrance to the Stonehenge temple and that was through the avenue that went through the permanent community that lived there. The living quarters of the Bards were at the outermost section of this small town. A broad avenue almost 2 miles long led to the river and another avenue connected it to the curcus where Vortigern and Hengis were to have their meeting. According to the Gododin this meeting took place in a temporary building or enclosure that had been built for that purpose.

When you consider the 360 Briton nobles that were to meet with 360 Saxons, the staff of the entire temple complex plus Druid visitors and the general population that were there for the massive celebration I’m pretty certain that several thousand people were crowded around the great temple living in tents and camping out.

On Monday they celebrated the festival of May praising the holy ones in the presence of the purifying fire, which was made to ascend on high. On Tuesday they wore their dark garments. On Wednesday they purified themselves. On Thursday they duly performed their sacred rites. On Friday the Briton nobles were conducted around the circle. On Saturday there was a huge celebration, but without the customary circle dance. On Sunday the Saxon nobles were conducted around the circle. On Monday there was a deluge of gore up to the waist.

The Bards were regarded as the heralds of peace. The Chief Bard was the first to be ruthlessly killed at the assembly of the nobles on the curcus.

After it was all over only one of the Briton nobles survived, Eidol.

Here is how it went down:

They agreed to meet at dawn on the curcus.

Hengis, wearing a wreath and amber stones around his temples in the presence of the Maid [Goddess or High Priestess] offered mead for all to drink and celebrate. He did not wish to fight but if it must be he would fight to the death and show no mercy. Vortgern responded by saying they will all drink wine mixed with mead. This feasting went on into the night and by the light of torches. Everyone is thoroughly drunk. Vortigern prepares to give a final toast to Hengis so that he can secretly make his escape. But Hengis betrays him as well and suddenly kills the chief Bard who is entertaining them thus giving the signal for his men to attack. The enclosure erupts into chaos. Each Saxon plunges his blade into his Briton companion sitting next to him. Then the Champions dressed in purple robes are singled out to make certain they are killed. Vortigern is taken prisoner.

They prepared to rush the temple and take its massive treasure. Eidol, Knight of the Circle, sounded the alarm and the Bards drew their swords in defense of the temple. He started a mighty fire in the avenue blocking the way so the intruders cannot enter the temple. Then he reached the storage area where the arms have been kept and taking his lance plunged into the battle killing over seventy drunken Saxons.

Meanwhile those who had not been invited to the meeting notice what is going on and join the battle. Tudvwich, the noble whose lands had been taken by Vortigern and given to Hengis, made great account of himself before he perished. The intruders were not able to enter the temple and Hengis was forced to flee with his men after slaughtering the Bards.

Hengis came back immediately with his massive troops that were waiting by the river and the massacre began in truth. Of all the Britons there only Eidol, the author of the Godidin, and Vortigern survived. The temple was plundered and its treasures were lost. All the Druids, Ovates and Bards were slaughtered and the most sacred place of the Druid religion was destroyed forever. Both the most important nobles of Britain and the most important religious leaders died in the massacre.