# A Prisoner explained — Beric the Briton > Chapter companion for Beric the Briton by G. A. Henty. ## What happens Beric informs his fellow captives of Petronius's offer of peace to the Britons in the Fens, but refuses to accept personal freedom as a captive. He argues that accepting mercy while conquered would dishonor him and undermine his influence. Four messengers are chosen to carry the terms to their countrymen. Petronius swears a solemn peace, and the captives are marched to a ship for transport to Rome. During the voyage, Beric meets the family of Norbanus, including his wife Lesbia and daughters Aemilia and Ennia, and engages in philosophical discussions with Norbanus. ## Themes in this chapter ### Sacrifice and Bravery Beric refuses personal freedom to maintain his honor and credibility, choosing captivity for the sake of his people's future. ### Honor and Loyalty Beric insists on remaining a captive rather than betraying his tribe's trust, and the captives take pride in their resistance. ### Cultural Clash and Assimilation Beric's Roman upbringing allows him to navigate both worlds, as seen in his ease at Norbanus's table and his translation of Petronius's oath. ## Character check-ins ### Beric Leads the captives, refuses personal freedom, and negotiates the peace message; later converses with Norbanus and his family. ### Boduoc Questions Beric about Petronius's oath and argues that Beric should have made terms for himself. ### Petronius Turpillianus Offers peace to the Britons, swears a solemn oath, and later privately expresses regret that he cannot free Beric. ### Suetonius Refuses to hand over Beric to Petronius, intending to use the captives to bolster his reputation in Rome. ### Norbanus Hosts Beric on the ship, engages him in philosophical discussion about religion and customs. ### Pollio Introduces Beric to his cousins Aemilia and Ennia, and describes his life in Britain. ### Aemilia Converses with Beric and Pollio, expresses admiration for Beric's manners and strength. ### Ennia Remarks on Beric's courtesy and pleasant demeanor compared to young Romans. ## Key lines > I was not in a position to make terms, seeing that I am a captive and at their mercy; and in the next place, I would not if I could. Think you that the tribesmen would then accept my counsels to leave the Fens and return to their homes? They would say that I had purchased my life and freedom from the Romans, and had agreed to betray them into their hands. Beric explains that as a captive he cannot negotiate, and even if he could, accepting freedom would make the tribes suspect he betrayed them. _Beric's reasoning for refusing personal liberty to preserve his honor and influence._ > We may be captives and slaves, but we are not dishonoured. For months we have held Suetonius at bay, and two Romans have fallen for every Briton; and even at last it was by treachery we were captured. Beric tells his fellow captives that their resistance has earned them honor despite their capture. _Beric's speech to the captives, emphasizing their valor and the cost to Rome._ > I have, however, written to friends in Rome concerning you, and have said that you have done all in your power to bring about a pacification of the land, and have begged them to represent to Nero and the senate that if a report reach this island that you have been put to death, it will undo the work of pacification, and perhaps light up a fresh flame of war. Petronius tells Beric he has written to Rome urging leniency, warning that executing Beric could reignite rebellion. _Petronius's private assurance to Beric of his efforts to save him._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xi-a-prisoner - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters