Maxen Wledig

Maxen Wledig is hunting when sleep overtakes him. In his dream he travels from a river valley over a mountain, across a strange landscape, and by ship to Britain. In a distant hall he sees a woman whose presence overwhelms him. He wakes with the image still commanding his attention and sends messengers to search for her. Their journey lasts a year without success. Following advice to retrace the dream’s route, Maxen sends another party west; they recognise the places from his vision and find the woman, Helen, in her family’s hall. She will not simply be fetched to Rome: if Maxen wants her, she says, he must come himself.

Maxen crosses to Britain with an army, finds Helen, and marries her. She asks for land and castles for her family, and the tale links the couple to roads and named places. Maxen stays in Britain for seven years. During his absence, Rome chooses a new emperor, who sends a warning that amounts to a challenge. Maxen answers by returning with an army, but the siege stalls. Helen’s brothers arrive with a smaller force and devise the attack that opens the city. Rome submits, and Maxen regains his imperial seat. The dream has led him to Helen, and her kin have helped him recover the city he left.