CORNISH DEDICATIONS. 261 



whereas, actually, she was a native of Drepantum, in Asia Minor, 

 and is said to have been there a stabularia or female ostler whom 

 Constantius Chlorus took as his concubine or wife, it is not easy 

 to say which. Helen, the British Princess, was the daughter of 

 Eudaf (Octavius), a Welsh Prince, and wife of Maximus who 

 was raised to the purple by the legions in Britain in 383. He 

 was a Spaniard and had acquired great reputation under 

 Theodosius, in the war against the Picts and Scots (368). 



According to Welsh tradition he was a hiimane and good 

 ruler who showed favour to the native Britons. Unfortunately for 

 himself and for Britain, Clemens Maximus did not content himself 

 with establishing himself as King in Britain, but aspired to be 

 Emperor of E,ome. He assembled a large army of native Cymri, 

 prej)ared a fleet, and crossed the channel. His wife's brother 

 Cynan Meiriadog, a ruler of North Wales, threw in his lot with 

 him, and led to his assistance the flower of the native youth. 



On reaching Gallic soil, Maximus was joined by the troops 

 there placed, and he proceeded to attack the feeble Emperor 

 Grratian, then in Paris. Grratian fled with three hundred cavalry 

 with intent to join his brother, Theodosius the Younger, in Italy. 

 On his way, he found the gates of every city closed against him, 

 till he reached Lyons, where he was treacherously detained by 

 the governor, till the arrival of Andragathus, general of the 

 cavalry of Maximus, when he was assassinated. His death was 

 followed by that of Melobaudes, King of the Franks, but these 

 were the sole victims, and Maximus was able to boast that his 

 hands were unstained by Roman blood, except that which had 

 been shed in battle. 



Theodosius now agreed to resign to Maximus the possession 

 of the countries beyond the Alps ; nevertheless in his heart he 

 was resolved on revenge. 



Grildas pours a flood of vulgar abuse over Maximus. He 

 says : — " The island retained the Roman name, but not by morals 

 and law. Nay, rather, casting forth a root of its own planting, 

 it sends forth Maximus to the two Grauls, accompanied by a great 

 host of followers, with an emperor's ensigns in addition, which 

 he bore neither worthily nor legitimately, but as one elected after 

 the manner of a tyrant, amid a turbulent soldiery. This man, 



