Brewer's: Troy-Novant

(London). This name gave rise to the tradition that Brute, a Trojan refugee, founded London and called it New Troy; but the word is British, and compounded of Tri-nouhant (inhabitants of the new town). Civitas Trinobantum, the city of the Trinobantes, which we might render “Newtownsmen.”

For noble Britons sprong from Trojans bold, And Troy-novant was built of old Troyes ashes cold.

spenser: Faerie Queene, iii. 9.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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