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Following the accepted tradition of a "universal" history, the Canterbury Roll quickly speeds through the founding of the three known continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa. On the central axis, descended from a grandson of听Noah, are the Roman gods听厂补迟耻谤苍听补苍诲听闯耻辫颈迟别谤.听This somewhat creative approach indicates the extent of the medieval historical imagination and the degree to which this could extend beyond the Bible.

A classical legacy is reinforced by the inclusion of Trojan refugees.听Aeneas, Ascanius, 补苍诲听Silvius听make their appearance as the ancestors of听叠谤耻迟耻蝉听on the Canterbury Roll. The inclusion of these characters reveals the cultural influence of Rome on medieval minds.

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Trojan Ancestry

According to legend,听叠谤耻迟耻蝉听wandered across Europe as a Trojan refugee. He travelled from Troy to Albion, an island that he renamed "Britannia" after himself. This is the starting point for a medieval foundation myth for the Britons.

The association of Britain鈥檚 origins with Troy is typical of a European-wide phenomenon in the Middle Ages. For instance, the French had their own version of the myth, which suggested they had descended from a grandson of Priam of Troy.

The story of Brutus鈥� journey to Britain strongly evokes the story of Aeneas鈥� voyage to Rome as told by Vergil and Livy. In the commentary accompanying the Canterbury Roll, events in Rome unfold parallel to developments in the British Isles. This reinforces the idea that Britain has a destiny comparable to that of Rome.