When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.
Literary and Philosophical References
- Actaeon (II.10.50)
- Danaë (V.4.20)
- Endymion (II.10.50)
- Harmony of the Spheres or celestial music (I.6.86)
- Helen of Troy (V.5.33)
- Mithras (II.3.13-22; II.6.21)
- Phaeton (III.5.55)
- Vision of the Red Dragon (III.10.43-44)
Historical/Legendary References
- Ambrosius Aurelianus (I.8 and throughout)
- Anaximander and Ptolemy of Alexandria (I.6.79)
- The Coming of Brut and the Trojans (I.8.13)
- King Budec (Budic I of Brittany) (I.8.13, II.5.1)
- Eldol of Gloucester (IV.4.13)
- Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn Mac Cool) (IV.10.26)
- Gorlois of Cornwall (III.12.49 and throughout)
- The History of the Fall of Troy (III.5.24)
- Hengist and Horsa (throughout)
- Joseph's Journey to Thorny Hill Near Avalon, the legend of the coming of the Holy Grail to England (I.8.13)
- Magnus Maximus (or Macsen, Maxen), grandfather to King Constantius, who was murdered by Vortigern (I.9.4)
- Pascentius (IV.7.16)
- Phoebus Apollo building the walls of Troy with music (V.1.5)
- Rowena, Vortigern's Saxon queen and Hengist's daughter (I.9.2)
- Saxons (throughout)
- Vortigern (I.8 and throughout)
- Vortimer, son of Vortigern (I.12 and throughout)
Geographical References
- Amesbury and Stonehenge (a.k.a. The Giants' Dance) (IV.7.2)
- The Carnac Stones (standing stones in Brittany) (II.2.7)
- Hadrian's Wall (IV.6.4)
- Maridunum (Carmarthen) (I.2.3.)
- The Saxon Shore (IV.1.3)
- The Small Sea (or Morbihan) (III.2.3)
- Segontium (I.9.4)
- Snowdon (I.9.5.)
- Tintagel (V.5.63)