A.D. 544.] AETHUK'S DEATH. 43 back to his enemies. The engagement was fierce, not a little blood was shed on both sides, and the groans of the dying inspired terror into the living. When the day was well nigh spent, Arthur rushed into the throng where Modred was, and making a passage with his sword, committed fearful havoc ; for there fell the profligate Modred, and with Lim the Saxons, Cheldric, Elafius, Egbricht, and Bruning, and many thousands with them ; and thus, by the favour of God, Arthur obtained the victory. But the glorious king was himself mortally wounded, and was borne thence to the isle of Avalon, which is now called Glastonbury, to have his wounds healed. Doubtful death of king Arthur. In the year of grace 542, king Arthur, despairing of recovery, having slain his enemies, yielded up the crown of Britain to his kinsman Constantine, the son of Cador, duke of Cornwall. Wherefore, since history makes no mention of the death or burial of Arthur, the Britons fondly assert that he is still living. In this year, Lothaire king of the Franks laid siege to Saragossa,. a city of Spain ;* on which the citizens prayed to the Lord, and bore in procession the stole of the blessed martyr St. Vincent, and presenting it to the king he accepted the present and returned home. Of the church of St. Amphibalus the martyr, in Winchester. In the year of grace 543, the two sons of Modred, wishing to avenge their father's death, formed a confederacy with the Saxons, and making an insurrection against Constantine the British king, fought many battles with him. A t length they were routed by Constantine, who slew the one at Winchester before the altar in the church of St. Amphibalus, and put the other to a cruel death in London, where he was found concealed in the house of certain friars. A divine miracle. In the year of grace 544, Herculian, bishop of Perugia, 'suffered martyrdom, being beheaded by Totila, king of the Ostrogoths; and after his death his head was found united to * Lothaire and Childebert laid siege to Saragossa with their united forces.