Dr. Miles Russell

And at that stage, there is a system called the Tetrarchy, which is by whoever's emperor chooses their successor. And it's not somebody of their bloodline. They choose the most capable leader to succeed them. And it's a way of trying to get rid of all these fighting dynasties. Now, in 306, Constantius dies in Britain at York. He's on campaign in Britain.

And at that stage, there is a system called the Tetrarchy, which is by whoever's emperor chooses their successor. And it's not somebody of their bloodline. They choose the most capable leader to succeed them. And it's a way of trying to get rid of all these fighting dynasties. Now, in 306, Constantius dies in Britain at York. He's on campaign in Britain.

And Constantine, his son, effectively says, well, I'm the son of the emperor. I'm going to be emperor. And his troops proclaim him as such at York. So it's this major uprising, another sort of time when a general has illegally seized power. And Constantine does what Magnus Maximus does later, is he takes troops out of Britain.

And Constantine, his son, effectively says, well, I'm the son of the emperor. I'm going to be emperor. And his troops proclaim him as such at York. So it's this major uprising, another sort of time when a general has illegally seized power. And Constantine does what Magnus Maximus does later, is he takes troops out of Britain.

And Constantine, his son, effectively says, well, I'm the son of the emperor. I'm going to be emperor. And his troops proclaim him as such at York. So it's this major uprising, another sort of time when a general has illegally seized power. And Constantine does what Magnus Maximus does later, is he takes troops out of Britain.

He goes into Gaul and then he starts his campaign downwards into Italy, down towards Rome. And so, in effect, there are elements of his story which are repeated in the Arthur story of him invading. But Constantine is the first emperor who literally just before he dies, he's on his deathbed. He converts to Christianity and he allows Christianity to flourish.

He goes into Gaul and then he starts his campaign downwards into Italy, down towards Rome. And so, in effect, there are elements of his story which are repeated in the Arthur story of him invading. But Constantine is the first emperor who literally just before he dies, he's on his deathbed. He converts to Christianity and he allows Christianity to flourish.

He goes into Gaul and then he starts his campaign downwards into Italy, down towards Rome. And so, in effect, there are elements of his story which are repeated in the Arthur story of him invading. But Constantine is the first emperor who literally just before he dies, he's on his deathbed. He converts to Christianity and he allows Christianity to flourish.

And of course, for writers like Geoffrey of Monmouth, who are in that Christian tradition, he is the most important Roman of all. And we can see aspects of his story. I mean, it's very, very similar to what happens to Magnus Maximus. And to be fair, Constantine, although he's treated as a great Roman, when you actually look at his story, he's a deeply unpleasant individual.

And of course, for writers like Geoffrey of Monmouth, who are in that Christian tradition, he is the most important Roman of all. And we can see aspects of his story. I mean, it's very, very similar to what happens to Magnus Maximus. And to be fair, Constantine, although he's treated as a great Roman, when you actually look at his story, he's a deeply unpleasant individual.

And of course, for writers like Geoffrey of Monmouth, who are in that Christian tradition, he is the most important Roman of all. And we can see aspects of his story. I mean, it's very, very similar to what happens to Magnus Maximus. And to be fair, Constantine, although he's treated as a great Roman, when you actually look at his story, he's a deeply unpleasant individual.

And he murdered all his rivals and he suffocates people in baths and he poisons. He is horrific. But he fits that profile of a strong leader. And Constantine is successful. You know, unlike Magnus Maximus, who dies at the last hurdle, Constantine does become emperor of Rome. And the fact that his rebellion starts in Britain and York features a lot in Geoffrey Monmouth's texts.

And he murdered all his rivals and he suffocates people in baths and he poisons. He is horrific. But he fits that profile of a strong leader. And Constantine is successful. You know, unlike Magnus Maximus, who dies at the last hurdle, Constantine does become emperor of Rome. And the fact that his rebellion starts in Britain and York features a lot in Geoffrey Monmouth's texts.

And he murdered all his rivals and he suffocates people in baths and he poisons. He is horrific. But he fits that profile of a strong leader. And Constantine is successful. You know, unlike Magnus Maximus, who dies at the last hurdle, Constantine does become emperor of Rome. And the fact that his rebellion starts in Britain and York features a lot in Geoffrey Monmouth's texts.

So it's that side of it. I mean, Constantine is 8% of his story. So it's not a great deal, but he's there. And when you look at Constantine as he appears in Geoffrey Monmouth, there are elements of his rebellion and his war in Gaul, which feature in the story of Arthur.

So it's that side of it. I mean, Constantine is 8% of his story. So it's not a great deal, but he's there. And when you look at Constantine as he appears in Geoffrey Monmouth, there are elements of his rebellion and his war in Gaul, which feature in the story of Arthur.

So it's that side of it. I mean, Constantine is 8% of his story. So it's not a great deal, but he's there. And when you look at Constantine as he appears in Geoffrey Monmouth, there are elements of his rebellion and his war in Gaul, which feature in the story of Arthur.

I think you're right, he does. And also bear in mind that a lot of the characters like Constantine, although his life story is remembered elsewhere, Geoffrey and other writers give him a British mother. So we see there is this, his mother Helena, who's

I think you're right, he does. And also bear in mind that a lot of the characters like Constantine, although his life story is remembered elsewhere, Geoffrey and other writers give him a British mother. So we see there is this, his mother Helena, who's

I think you're right, he does. And also bear in mind that a lot of the characters like Constantine, although his life story is remembered elsewhere, Geoffrey and other writers give him a British mother. So we see there is this, his mother Helena, who's