# VII: Defeat of the Britons explained — Beric the Briton

> Chapter companion for Beric the Briton by G. A. Henty.

## What happens

After the catastrophic defeat of the Britons by the Romans, Beric and Aska rally the surviving warriors, urging them to retreat to the Fen country for refuge and future resistance. The chapter depicts the chaos of battle, the failure of the British assault due to disorganization, and the strategic wisdom of Beric in preserving his band for later guerrilla warfare.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sacrifice and Bravery

Beric and his men show bravery in battle and sacrifice personal safety to preserve the band for future resistance.

### Resilience and Survival

After defeat, Beric and Aska plan a retreat to the Fen country to survive and continue fighting.

### Unity vs. Division

The Britons' lack of unity and discipline leads to defeat, while Beric emphasizes the need for cohesive action.

## Character check-ins

### Beric

Leads the surviving warriors, advocates retreat to the Fens, and earns their oath of loyalty.

### Aska

Elder chief who supports Beric, speaks to the men about the need for unity and obedience, and shares in the retreat plan.

### Boduoc

Helps steady the ranks of the Sarci during the battle and retreat.

### Boadicea

Queen who exhorts the Britons before battle, but her strategy of using wagons proves disastrous.

### Berenice

Beric's mother, seen in her chariot waving to him before the battle.

## Key lines

> Had Beric been the sole leader of the Britons from the first there would be no need of fearing their vengeance, for in that case none of their women and children would have been slain, and they would be now in our hands as hostages; but that is past.

If Beric had always been the Britons' leader, Roman vengeance would be less feared because women and children would have been spared and used as hostages.

_Aska praises Beric's foresight and contrasts it with the current disastrous situation._

> The wagons have proved a death trap; had it not been for them the army would have scattered all over the country, and though the Roman horse might have cut down many, the greater number would have gained the woods and escaped; but the wagons held them just as a thin

The wagons became a deadly trap; without them, the army could have dispersed and many would have escaped to the woods, but the wagons confined them.

_Aska laments the tactical error of using wagons that blocked retreat._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/vii-defeat-of-the-britons
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters