Togodumnus was a historical king of the British Catuvellauni tribe at the time of the Roman conquest. He can be identified with the legendary British king Guiderius (Welsh: Gwydr).

History

Togodumnus was a son of Cunobelinus, and succeeded his father to the kingship of the Catuvellauni, who at this time also ruled over the Trinovantes, in about 40 AD. He had two notable brothers, Adminius and Caratacus.

In Cunobelinus's later days Adminius gained control of Kent, but was driven from Britain in 40 AD, seeking refuge with the Roman emperor Caligula. Caligula planned an invasion of Britain, but called it off at the last minute.

Caratacus, following in the footsteps of his uncle Epaticcus, completed the conquest of the Atrebates in the early 40s. The Atrebatian king, Verica, fled to Rome and gave the new emperor, Claudius, a pretext to conquer Britain in 43.

Togodumnus led the initial resistance to the invasion, but was killed in the Battle of the Medway, and leadership passed to Caratacus.

See also Togidubnus.

Legend

In Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain), Guiderius was the eldest son of Cymbeline, and succeeded his father to the kingship of Britain.

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 beseiging 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.