Book 4, Chapter 1 Summary

Merlin tells the story of Ambrosius rise to be King of Britain. Ambrosius landed at Totnes in Devon. Many Britons joined his army. Eldad, a bishop, gave him support. Ambrosius and his men fought hard and met up with King Vortigern at a place called Doward.

Doward was a place that was hard to attack. King Vortigern and his Saxon Queen brutally cut off the hands of one of Ambrosius's messengers. Vortigern and the Queen refused to surrender. Ambrosius burned them out in a siege after they refused to surrender. That was the end of King Vortigern and his witch Queen.

Book 4, Chapter 1 Analysis

The author allows Merlin to tell the story of Ambrosius's rise to power in a third person time lapse way. Merlin minimizes the battles as if there is no question of Ambrosius being King. Merlin says this...