short time chased them out of the land and Britric himselfe having raigned about seventeene yeares was poisoned by Eadburga his wife who fled into France transporting thither great store of treasure But not finding that good entertainement which she expected at the French Kings hands she became a Nunne and afterwards Abbesse of a religious house from whence a◠the last shee was expulsed for committing adulterie with a lay person and ended her vitious and dishonourable life in extreame povertie After the death of Britric the West-Saxons were governed by Egbert who enlarged his dominions by many and great conquests for first he brought vnder obedience the Walshmen who had beene alwaies accustomed vpon advantage to make incursions into the Province then with like successe he assailed and subdued the Mercians the Northumbers the Kentish and the East-Saxons whose Provinces he annexed to the Principalitie of the West-Saxons as by relation of that which followeth more plainely shall appeare The end of the Second Booke of the Second Part of the Historie of Great Britannie ⧠The Table of the Contents of the Chapters in the Second Part of the Historie of Great Britannie The first Booke A Repetition of the Contents of the former part A briefe relation of the condition of the Britans vnder the Picts and Scottishmen from the Romans departure thence vntill the beginning of the raigne of Vortiger the last Brittish Prince page 173 The Britans elect Vortiger to be their King They send for the Saxons to aide them The originall and manners of the Saxons 177 The Saxons vanquish the Scottishmen and Picts Hengist deviseth how he may get possession of the East part of the Iland 182 Saxons Iutes and Angles arrive in Britannie Vortiger marrieth Hengists daughter He is deposed 186 Vortimer succeedeth his father in the government Vortiger is restored The most noble of the Britans are trecherously murdered by the Saxons vpon Salisburie Plaines 190 The calamities of the Britans The professors of Christian religion in Britannie are persecuted by the Saxons whose idolatry and superstitious rites are described 193 Germanus the Bishop conducteth the Armie of the Christian Britans against their enemies being Pagans who by his meanes are defeated He departeth out of Britannie 196 Aurelianus Ambrosius aydeth the Britans against the Saxons The valiant acts of Arthur the Warlike 198 The Britans flie into Wales and Cornewall where they seate themselves The Saxons and English possesse the greatest part of the I le which is afterwards divided into several Principalities 201 The second Booke THe Principality of the Kentish-Saxons established by Hengist whom Vsk Otta and Ermeric succeede in the governement Austen the Monke is sent from Rome by Gregorie the Great to preach the Christian faith to the Saxons and English He landeth in Kent where he is curteously entertained by Ethelbert the Prince of that Countrie 209 Austen converteth divers of the Saxon and English from Paganisme to Christianitie The cause that first moved Gregorie the Great to intend their conversion Austen is consecrated chiefe Bishop of the English Nation by the Bishop of Arles in France He advertiseth the Bishop of Rome of the successe of his voyage into Britannie and requireth directions touching the Ecclesiasticall government to be there established 212 Instructions sent to Austen from the Bishop of Rome for the ordering and governement of the new Church in Britannie The primacie of the Sea of Canterbury The first English Bishops of London and Yorke 214 Austen receiveth the Pall from Rome Gregorie the Great sendeth gratulatorie letters to Ethelbert who is converted to the faith being the first Christian Prince of the English Nation The Church of Saint Paul in London is founded Melitus the first Bishop there in the Saxons time Iustus the first Bishop of Rochester Contention betweene the English and Brittish Cleargy about the celebration of the feast of Easter 217 Austen calleth a Synod to reconcile the differences betweene the Brittish and English Cleargie The Brittish Bishops aske counsell of an Anchorite whether they should conforme themselves to such things as Austen the Monks should require of them They refuse to accept him for their Arch-bishop Austen appointeth Laurentius to succeede him in the Sea of Canterburie He dieth 220 Ethelbert the Prince provideth for the maintenance of religious persons Hee ordaineth lawes for civill government publishing the same in the English tongue Edbald his sonne succeedeth him in the Principalitie of the Kentish-Saxons His Apostacie Repentance Death 222 Ercombert succeedeth Edbald in the Principalitie The institution of Lent Honorius the Arch-bishop of Canterbury divideth his Province into Parishes Deus-Dedit succeedeth Honorius in the Sea of Canterbury Egbert ruleth the Kentish-Saxons after the death of Ercombert Theodorus the Arch-bishop of Canterbury expelleth Wilfrid out of the Sea of Yorke His learning in Divinitie and Philosophie His estimation in the Court of Rome 225 Lothar by intrusion succeedeth Egbert his brother in the government The West-Saxons invade the Province of Kent Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury calleth a Synod for reformation of abuses in the Clergy The succession of the Kentish Princes from Lothar to Alrich Kent is subdued and annexed to the Principalitie of the West-Saxons 227 ¶ The Principalitie of the South-Saxons established by Ella Cissa his youngest sonne succeedeth him therein Edilwalch the first Christian Prince of the South-Saxons 233 Variance between the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke Wilfrid chiefe Bishop of the Northumbers expulsed from his owne Sea at Yorke flieth into Sussex where he converteth the inhabitants to the Christian faith Hee is curteously entertained by Edelwalch the Prince who assigneth to him the I le of Selesey for an Episcopall Sea The South-Saxons are brought vnder the obedience of the West-Saxon Princes 235 ¶ The Principalitie of the Mercians erected by Creda the Saxon Penda persecuteth the Christians in his Province Peda succeedeth Penda his father in the governement He marrieth the daughter of Oswin Prince of the Northumbers and receiveth the Christian faith 241 Oswin Prince of the Northumbers ruleth the Mercians after the death of Peda till he is deposed by Wulfere the brother of Peda. Lichfield is made a Bishops Sea for the Province of the Mercians Chadde is Bishop of that place Wulfere is christned Ethelred his brother succeedeth him in the Principalitie He foundeth a Bishops Sea at Worcester He resigneth his governement and goeth to Rome where both himselfe and Kinred his nephew take vpon them the habit of religion Celred his sonne succeedeth him 243 Ethelbald succeedeth Celred in the governement He is reproved by Bonifacius an Englishman Bishop of Vtricht in Holland for his lascivious life His repentance He erecteth the Monasterie of Crowland He is slaine in battaile 245 Offa ruleth the Mercians Hee foundeth the Monastery of Saint Albans He maketh a ditch to divide the Territories of the English and Walshmen Kenelmus the Martyr The Catalogue of the Mercian Princes from Offa vntill the West-Saxons obtained their Principality 248
THE HISTORIE OF Great Britannie Declaring the successe of times and affaires in that Iland from the Romans first entrance vntill the raigne of EGBERT the West-Saxon Prince who reduced the severall Principalities of the Saxons and English into a Monarchie and changed the name of Britannie into England AT LONDON Printed by Valentine Simmes 1606. The Race and Succession of the Roman Emperors from Iulius Caesar to Domitius Nero. Sextus Caesar. 1 Iulius Caesar Dict. Perp. 3. yeares Accius Balbus Iulia. C Octa Presid of Maced Accia Scribonia the sister of L Scribonius Libo the first wife of Aug 2 Oct Augustus Emperour 56. yeares Livia the relict of Nero father of Tiberius the 2 wife of Aug Iulia the wife of Vipsanius Agrippa 3 Tiberius Nero Emperour 23. yeares Drusus Agrippina Germanicus 5 Claudius Nero Emp 13. years and 9. months Valeria Messalian 4 C Caâ—igula Emperour 3. yeares and 10 months Agrippina the wife of Dom Nero. 6 Nero Emperor 14 yeares Britannicus ⧠Lieutenants in Britannie vnder the first five Emperors of Rome During the severall raignes of Iulius Caesar Augustus Tiberius and Caius the Romans had no setled forme of government in any part of the I le Lievtenants vnder Claudius the Emperor Aulus Plautius the first Lieutenant in Britannie Ostorius Scapula Didius Gallus Auitus ⧠The Princes and men of speciall note among the Britans In the time of Iulius Caesar. Cassibelin Prince of the Trinobantes Pettie Rulers in Kent Cingetorix Carvilius Taximagulus Segonax Mandubratius the Traitor whose father Imanentins preceeded Cassibelin in the government of the Trinobantes Cuno-belin Prince of the Trinobantes in the time of Augustus Sonnes of Cunobelin in the time of Caius Admimus Cataracacus Togodumnus a sonne of Cuno-belin in the time of Aul. Plautius government vnder Claudius the Emperor In the time of Ostorius Scapulaes government vnder Claudius the Emperor Cogidunus aduanced by the Romans Caractacus the renowmed Prince of the Silures Cartismandua Princesse of the Brigantes THese two Parts of the Historie may seeme not improperly to beare the name of Great Britannie in that for the most part they containe certaine generall reports of the affaires of the whole Iland which was afterwards divided into the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland Howbeit in the Second Part the accidents and occurrents in the state of Scotland then called North-Britannie are either purposely omitted or touched very briefely both to avoide confusion by entermingling them with the imperfect relations of the dismembred governments of the Saxons and English in the South parts of the I le and also for that England and Scotland having bin many hundred yeares two distinct Monarchies and that of Scotland the more antient it may be thought perhaps most meete that there should be severall Histories of the English and Scottish Nation from the first erection of either Kingdome vntill the vnion of them both the title of Britannie in the meane time remaining indifferent as well to the one as to the other The first Part is divided into three Bookes The first Booke Declaring the state of Britannie vnder the Romans from Iulius Caesar his first entrance into the I le vntill the death of Claudius the Emperor in whose time the East part of the I le was subdued and brought into the forme of a Province The second Booke Declaring the state of Britannie vnder the Romans from the death of Claudius the Emperour vntill the raigne of Domitian in whose time the vtmost limits of the I le were discovered and the greatest part thereof reduced into a setled Provinciall government The third Booke Declaring the state of Britannie vnder the Romans from the death of Domitian the Emperour vntill the raigne of Honorius in whose time the I le of Britannie was abandoned by the Romans and the inhabitants thereof left wholly to their owne government The second Part is divided into two Bookes The first Booke Declaring the state of affaires in Britannie after the Romans had given over the government there vntill such time as the Saxons and English obteined it The second Booke Containing an Epitome or a short imperfect relation of the chiefe occurrents in everie one of the seven Principalities of the Saxons and English vntill Egbert the West-Saxon Prince reduced them into a Monarchie The beginning of the Raigne of Egbert the first English Monarch THE FIRST PART OF the Historie of Great Britannie The first Booke C. IVL. CAESAR DICT PERP. The first CHAPTER The Originall of the Britans C. Iulius Caesar making warre in Gallia intendeth a voyage into Britannie C. Volusenus is sent to discover the Sea Coasts of the I le The Nature and customes of the Britans IT is recorded by the most true and antient of al Histories that the Iles of the Gentiles and north partes of the world were first divided and inhabited by the posteritie of Iaphet from whose eldest sonne called Goneer the Cimbrians as Writers report deriv'd their name and discent imparting the same to the Gauls and Germans and consequently to the Inhabitants of this I le as being originally discended from the Gauls that came over hither at the first either vpon a naturall desire which men commonly have to discover places vnknowne or to avoid the assaults of other Nations encroching vpon them or happly to disburden their native soil by seeking new habitations abroad And this opinion of the Britans first comming out of Gâ—llia seemes the more probable in regard both of the situation of this Iland in neernesse to that continent and also of the vniformitie of language religion and policy betweene the most ancient Gauls and Britans Touching the name of Britannie with the Gouernors and state thereof before the Romans arrivall as they are things not to have been neglected if any certain knowledge of them had been left vs by approved testimonies of former ages so I thinke it not now requisite either to recite the different conjectures of other men or of my self constantly to affirme any thing concerning the same aswell for that those matters have been alreadie handled at large by our modern Writers as also for that I suppose in ayming at such antique Originals there being but one truth amidst many errors a man may much more easily shoote wide then hit the marke I purpose therefore omitting Etymologies of words and varietie of opinions concerning the first inhabitants and their doings to take the name and affaires of this I le in such sort as they were first known to the Romans in the time of Iulius Caesar when the Roman state which had tried all kinds of government as namely that of Kings then of Consuls Tribunes Decemvirs began to be vsurped by a few soone after submitted it self to one For about the foure and fiftieth yeare before the birth of our Saviour Christ Caesar being then governor of Gallia for the Senat and people of Rome and having brought some part of that Countrey vnder obedience intended a voyage with an armie into Britannie
for by encreasing the fame of that which he heard reported he supposed either to win greater praise if he prevailed or to purchase a more favourable censure of his actions if he miscarried The Silures had made many roades into the subdued Countrie wasting and spoyling round about when Didius the Lievtenant vpon his first arrivall entering into the field restrained their outrage and for a while kept them in some awe After Caractacus was taken Venutius a Prince faithfull to the Romans and protected by them so long as Cartismandua his wife and he agreed togither vpon private discontentment began a new rebellion For Cartismandua whom the Romans specially favored for the deliverie of Caractacus abounding now in peace wealth and plentie which are commonly the nurses of licencious living fell in love with Velocatus one of her husbands servants and forgetting in the end her owne honour preferred him before Venutius who being deeply touched with such an open iniurie and disgrace raised a power to expell her and her Paramour out of the Kingdome The warre seemed at the first to have beene maintained betweene themselves and their private followers onely till Cartismandua by pollicie had taken Venutius his brother and certaine of his kinsmen and then the Inhabitants round about fearing the event and disdaining to be brought vnder the servile yoke of a woman declared themselves for Venutius and with a choise number of youthfull and well experienced Souldiers invaded the Country whereof Didius having timely intelligence sent certaine Cohorts to encounter them Hereupon insued a sharpe Conflict the successe whereof was much doubted in the beginning but in the end the Romans prevailed The like fortune also had Caesius Nasica with his Legion For Didius himselfe as a man striken in yeares and fitter to direct then execute vsed for the most part the ministerie of other men keeping that which his Predecessors had gotten and building onely some few Castles and places of Defence within the land to win thereby a fame of augmenting the office The yeare following Claudius the Emperour by the trecherie of Agrippina his wife who practised to prevent Britannicus and to preferre her owne sonne Nero to the Empire died of poyson leaving to posteritie no greater fame of any thing by him attempted during his government then of his fortunate Expedition into Britannie The end of the first Booke of the first part of the Historie of Great Britan. The succession of the Roman Emperours from Nero vnto Domitian 6 Nero Emperour 14. yeares 7 Galba Emperour 7. moneths 8 Otho Emperour 4. moneths 9 Vitellius Emperour 8. moneths 10 Vespasian Emperour 9. years and 11. men 11 Titus Emperour 2. yeares 12 Domitian Emperour 15. yeares Lievtenants in Britannie from the beginning of Neroes raigne vntill the end of Domitians ¶ Lievtenants vnder Nero. Veranius Suetonius Paulinus Petronins Turpilianus Trebellius Maximus ¶ Lievt vnder Galba Trebellius Maximus ¶ Lievt vnder Otho Trebellius Maximus ¶ Lievt vnder Vitellius Vectius Bolanus ¶ Lievt vnder Vespasian Petilius Cerealis Iulius Frontinus Iulius Agricola ¶ Lievt vnder Titus Iulius Agricola ¶ Lievt vnder Domitian Iulius Agricola Salustius Lucullus The Princes and men of speciall note among the Britans In the time of Suetonius Paulinus government vnder Nero the Emperor Prasutagus Prince of the Icenians Voadica the warlike his wife In the time of Iulius Agricolaes government vnder Domitian the Emperour Galgacus Prince of the Caledonians In the time of Salustius Lucullus government vnder Domitian the Emperour Arviragus THE FIRST PART The second Booke NERO CL CAES AVG GER P. M. TR. P. XI P. P. The first CHAPTER Nero succeedeth Claudius in the Empire The Province in Britannie is governed by Veranius after whose death the charge is committea to Suetonius Paulinus The I le of Anglesey is subdued The doctrine and maners of the religious Druydes THis was the state of the affaires in Britannie when Claudius the Emperour died leaving the Roman Monarchie to Nero his adopted sonne who after his first five yeares spent being given over to all kinds of vice neglected the government both at home and abroad not daring to enter into any militare action and it was thought that he would have revoked the armie out of Britannie if verie shame in detracting from his fathers glorie and loosing that which he had wonne had not with-held him About that time Veranius was Governour in Britannie where the shortnesse of his continuance suffred him not to effect any great matter for he died in the first yeare of his government and then was the Province assigned to Suetonius Paulinus one of the most famous men of that age for militare affaires His good successe at his first entrance in subduing nations and establishing Garrisons where need required made him bold to assaile the I le of Mona lying in the West part of Britannie as having beene a common receptacle of Fugitives during the warre In his passage thither he left the Country behind him as he marched vnfurnished in diverse places laying it therby open to all oportunities of annoyance At his arrivall the barbarous people rudely armed standing vpon the shore made shew of their purpose to resist The women in mourning attire their haire about their eares shaking burning fire-brands like Furies of hell ran vp and downe and the Druydes lifting vp their hands toward heaven filled the ayre with cries and curses These Druydes were certain Priests had in great reverence among the Britans They kept their residence for the most part in shadie and darke groves as fittest places for devotion Among all trees they most esteemed the Oake as halowed and without the which they could not performe their superstitious rites Their sacrifices were both private publike They instructed the youth of Britannie and decided controversies civil and criminall If any man refused to stand to their award he was forbidden to be present at their sacrifices which was accounted the greatest punishment that might be for thereby he was reputed a notorious offender exempt from the ordinarie protection of the lawes vncapable of any preferment and all men would flie his companie Amongst these Priests there was alwayes one that had the chiefe authoritie and he being dead the worthiest of them that survived succeeded in his place If there seemed to be an equalitie of worthinesse among more then one then the choise was made by pluralitie of voyces At one certaine time in the yeare they vsed to hold a Sessions in Gallia in some consecrated place where they heard and determined causes For the superstition was first carried thither out of Britannie They had immunitie from all maner of Tributes and from service in the warres by reason of which priviledges they drew to them many followers whom they taught a great number of verses by heart supposing it vnlawfull to commit those sacred things to writing whereas in other matters as well publike as private they vsed the Greeke letters And this it is likely they did either
Arviragus a Britan by birth and education did governe as King part of the I le of Britannie the Romans accounting it a poynt of policie to permit the Britans sometimes to be ruled by Princes of their owne Nation whose ayde and counsaile they might vse vpon occasions to the pacifying of rebellions and the establishing of their owne greatnesse For the common people whose affection doth oft times sway the fortunes of great Princes are much more easily brought vnder the obedience of their own Country-men then of strangers The end of the second Booke of the first Part of the Historie of Great Britannie The succession of the Roman Emperors from Nerva Cocceius vnto Honorius in whose time the Romans gave over the government of Britannie 13 Nerva Cocceius raigned one yeare and foure Moneths 14 Vlpius Trajanus a Spaniard nineteene yeares and six moneths 15 Aelius Adrianus twentie yeares 16 Antoninus Pius twentie three yeares 17 M. Aurel Antoninus Philosophus nineteene yeares L Verus his Collegue in the Empire 18 Aurel. Commodus the sonne of Antoninus Philosophus thirteene yeares 19 Aelius Pertinax six moneths 20 Didius Iulianus seven moneths 21 Septimius Severus Brit eighteene yeares Pessenius Niger Vsurpers Clodius Albinus 22 Anton Bassianus Caracalla Brit the eldest sonne of Sept Severus six yeares Geta Caesar Brit. the yonger sonne of Sept. Severus 23 Opilius Macrinus one yeare and two moneths 24 Varius Heliogabalus the base son of Caracalla 4. year 25 Alexander Severus a kinsman of Heliogab 13. year 26 Iul Maximinus three yeares Caesars elected Balbinus Pupienus 27 Gordianus the father with his two sonnes and his Nephew six yeares C. Valens Hostilianus Caesar. 28 Philippus the Arabian five yeares 29 Decius Trajanus two yeares 30 Vibius Pallus Hostilianus with his sonne Volusianus two yeares 31 Aemilius of Mauritania three moneths 32 Licinius Valerianus fifteene yeares 33 Gallienus the sonne of Valerianus nine yeares Valerianus the brother of Gallienus Caesar. Cassus Labienus Posthumus Caes. 34 Flavius Claudius two yeares 35 Aurelius Quintillus the brother of Claudius 17. daies 36 Valerius Aurelianus five yeares and six moneths 37 Tacitus six moneths 38 Annius Florianus the brother of Tacitus sixtie dayes 39 Valerius Probus six yeares and foure moneths 40 Carus Narbonensis two yeares Caesars the sonnes of Carus Numerianus Carinus 41 Dioclesianus twentie yeares Maximianus Herculeius Caesar. 42 Constantius Chlorus foure yeares 43 Galerius Maximus eleven yeares Caesars Severus Maximianus 44 Maxentius the sonne of Maximian six yeares 45 Licinius fourteene yeares 46 Constantinus Magnus thirtie yeares Magnentius Vsurper The three sonnes of Constantine the Great Constantinus Constans 47 Costantius 24. yeares 48 Iulianus Apostata one yeare six moneths 49 Iovinianus eight moneths 50 Valentinianus twelve yeares Valens his brother Caesar. 51 Gratianus six yeares Valentinianus Caesar. Theodosius Caesar. 52 Theodosius three yeares 53 Arcadius thirteene yeares 54 Honorius twentie eight yeares ⧠Lievtenants in Britannie from Nerva Cocceius his entrance into the Government of the Empire vntill the raigne of Honorius the Emperour Lievtenants vnder the Emperours Nerva and Traianus ¶ There is no mention of any Lievtenants in Britannie during the time of their government Lievetenants vnder Adrian Brit. ¶ Iulius Severus ¶ Priscus Licinius Lievtenants vnder Antoninus Pius ¶ Lollius Vrbicus Brit. Lievtenants vnder Antoninus Philosophus ¶ Calphurnius Agricola Lievtenants vnder Commodus ¶ Vlpius Marcellus ¶ Helvius Pertinax ¶ Clodius Albinus ¶ Iunius Severus Lievtenants vnder Pertinax ¶ Clodius Albinus Lievtenants vnder Did Iulianus ¶ Clodius Albinus Lievtenants vnder Sept. Severus Brit. ¶ Heraclianus ¶ Virius Lupus From the time of Bassianus Caracalla the Successor of Severus vnto Constantine the great there is no mention in approoved Histories of any Lievtenants in Britannie Deputies vnder Constantine the Great ¶ Pacatianus Deputies vnder Constantius the yongest sonne of Constantine the Great ¶ Martinus ¶ Alipius Deputies vnder Honorius ¶ Chrysanthus ¶ Victorinus Princes and secular men of speciall note among the Britans In the time of Calphurnius Agricolaes government vnder M. Aur. Antoninus Philosophus Lucius surnamed Lever-Maur the first Christian Prince in Britannie In the raigne of Aurelianus Bonosus Vsurper of the Empire in Britannie In the raigne of Constantius the yongest sonne of Constantine the Great Magnentius Taporus vsurper of the Empire in Britannie  Archbishops of London from the time of Lucius vntill the comming in of the Saxons 1 Thean 2 Clavus 3 Cador. 4 Obinns 5 Conanus 6 Paladius 7 Stephanus 8 Iltut 9 Dedwinus 10 Thedredus 11 Hillarius 12 Guidilinus 13 Vodinus who lived when the Saxons first entred the land THE FIRST PART The third Booke IMP NERVA CAES AVG P. M. TR P. P. P. CHAP. I. Nerva Cocceius succeedeth Domitian in the Empire leaving the same soone after to Vlpius Trajanus Adrianus the successour of Trajan sendeth Iulius Severus into Britannie to defend the borders of the Province against the incursions of the Northern Britans The Emperour himselfe with an Army entreth the Iland and buildeth there a wall of Turves for defence of the Province Licinius Priscus is Governour of Britannie HItherto hath beene declared the successe of times and affaires in Britannie vnder the first twelve Emperours of Rome the same being recorded by such Writers as had best meanes to vnderstand the truth thereof and were the principall Registrers of things done by the Romans in those times As for the occurrents ensuing the death of Domitian vntill the raigne of Honorius in whose time the Roman governement ceased they are imperfectly reported or a great part of them meerely omitted so that I am forced of many things to make onely a bare and briefe relation as vnwilling by adding or diminishing to alter in substance what Antiquitie hath left vs or to fill vp blancks with conjectures or projects of mine owne invention And therefore howsoever this Booke following which comprehendeth the acts of many more yeares then the former may seeme to carry with it a kinde of disproportion from the other two and likewise in respect of the stile and composition to be somewhat differing from them yet the cause thereof ought to be imputed to the very matters themselves being for the most part fragments and naked memorialls the loose ends of Time without observation of circumstances or congruitie in substance which will hardly admit any method fitting a continuate History And I owe so much love and reverence to Truth as I would rather expose her in the meanest and worst habit that Time hath left her then by disguising her to abuse the world and make her seeme a counterfet DOmitian the Emperour being slaine Nerva Cocceius a Prince much honored for his vertues succeeded in the Empire But in what estate the affaires of Britannie then stood the histories of those times make no mention either for that the Emperour being a man stricken in yeares and disposed to ease and quietnesse employed himselfe rather in reforming abuses at home then in maintaining warre abroad or else for that the
by Coelestine Bishop of Rome to preach the Gospel in Scotland vnto such there as remained yet in infidelitie and to suppresse the Pelagian heresie newly sprung vp in that Kingdome to be the first and chiefe Bishop of the Church there for which purpose also Patricius surnamed Magonius borne in Britannie of a Senators house was by the same Bishop of Rome sent to the Irish and Scottishmen that then dwelt in the Iles of the Orcades and Hebrides These three religious Fathers were much honoured in those daies for the reverent opinion which most men had of their learning and integritie of life and they are accounted the Apostles and Patrons of the Scottish Irish and Pictish Nations as being the severall instruments of the generall conversion of each of them CHAP. XX. The distressed Britans flie into Wales Cornewall and Britannie in France The end of the Roman governement in the Iland WIthin few yeares after the Britans were againe hotly pursued by the Scottishmen and Picts who swarmed over a great part of the Land taking from the Britans for a time all oportunities of convening and assembling themselves together as in former dangers they had beene accustomed whereby no small number of the Inhabitants of the Province despairing of better successe retired themselves giving way to the present necessitie while each man as in common calamities oft times it falleth out laying aside the care of the publike made provision for his own safetie leaving the enemie in the meane time to take and kill such as resisted Some of the Britans being driven out of their owne houses and possessions fell to robbing one of another encreasing their outward troubles with inward tumults and civill dissention by which meanes a great number of them had nothing left to sustaine them but what they got by hunting and killing of wilde beasts Others burying their treasure vnder ground whereof great store hath beene found in this age did flie themselves either into the Countries of the Silures and Ordovices or into the West part of the I le where the Danmonians then inhabited or else to their owne Countrymen in Armorica in France the rest being hemmed in with the sea on the one side and their enemies on the other sent to the Emperor for aide which they could not obtaine for that the Goths and Huns invading Gallia and Italie the greatest part of the forces of the Empire was drawne thither for defence of those places By reason whereof the state of Britannie now declining with the Empire and shrinking vnder the burden of barbarous oppression the Britans sent Ambassadours againe to Aetius the President in Gallia desiring him to releeve their necessities declaring withall that themselves were the small remnant which survived after the slaughter of so many thousands whom either the sword or the sea had consumed for the barbarous enemie drave them vpon the sea the sea againe vpon the enemie betweene both which they suffered two kinds of death as being either killed or drowned that it imported the majestie of the Roman Empire to protect them who had so many hundred yeares lived vnder their obedience and were now plunged into the depth of intolerable miseries for besides the calamities of war both civill and forraigne at one instant they were afflicted with dearth and famine which forced them sometimes to yeelde themselves to the mercilesse enemie But their complaints availed nothing for the Romans plainely denyed to send them any more succour whereof the Scottishmen and Picts being certainely advertised and knowing how small a number of ablemen remained in the Province to withstand their attempts assailed first such places of strength as garded the borders and afterwards entred the Province it selfe where by continuall course of conquests they found a passage into the heart of the I le spoiled the people of their wealth burnt their Cities and brought the inhabitants thereof vnder a miserable servitude Thus about five hundred yeares after the Romans first entrance and foure hundred fortie and six after the birth of our Saviour Christ the I le of Britannie which had beene not onely a principall member of the Empire but also the seate of the Empire it selfe and the Seminarie of Souldiers sent out into most parts of the world was now in the time of Honorius bereaved of the greatest part of her antient inhabitants and left as a prey to barbarous Nations The end of the first Part of the Historie of Great Britannie ⧠The Table of the Contents of the Chapters in the First Part of the Historie of Great Britannie The first Booke THe Originall of the Britans C. Iulius Caesar making warre in Gallia intendeth a voyage into Britannie C. Volusenus is sent to discover the Sea Coasts of the I le The Nature and Customes of the Britans page 1 Caesar sayleth towards Britannie The Britans empeach his landing The great courage of Cassius Scoeva one of Caesars souldiers 5 Some of the Britans submit themselves to Caesar. The Romans Ships are scattered by tempest The Britans secretly revolt 9 Caesar repaireth his Naâ—ie A skirmish by land betweene the Britans and Romans The Britans retire and with new forces assaile the Romans but in the end are put to flight Caesar returneth into France 12 Caesars second expedition into Britannie The Britans fortifie themselves in a wood from whence they are chased by the Romans Caesars Navie distressed by tempest 15 Cassibelin is chosen by the Britans to be their Leader The Britans assaile the Romans but with ill successe Caesar with his Armie wâ—deth over the river of Thames 17 The Britans surprize the Roman horsemen The treacherie of Mandubratius the Britan whom Caesar protecteth Cassibelin wearied with ill successe of the warre submitteth himselfe to Caesar. Tribute imposed vpon the Britans Caesar saileth into France 21 Augustus succeedeth Iulius Caesar in the Empire The state of the Britans in his time vnder Cuno-belin their Governour The first Brittish coyne The birth of our Saviour Christ. Tiberius the Emperor forbeareth to attempt any thing in Britannie 24 The ridiculus expedition of Caius Caligula the Emperour intending a voyage into Britannie His vaineglorie and crueltie 26 Claudius succeeding Caius in the Empire seâ—deth Aulus Plautius with an Armie out of France into Britannie The Roman souldiers are vnwilling to be transported thither and entring into mutinie are appeased by Narcissus the Emperors favorite Plautius chargeth the Britans and taketh Cataratacus their Captaine prisoner for which he afterwards triumpheth 28 Plautius the Lievtenant pursueth the service in Britannie Vespasian serving vnder him was in danger to have beene slaine or taken by the Britans if he had not beene rescued by Titus his sonne The Britans passe over the river of Thames and assaile the Romans that follow them Togodumnus a Brittish Prince is slaine in the fight Plautius being in distresse desisteth for a time from further prosecution of the warre 30 The valour and fortune of Vespasian in the Brittish warre
perhaps most fit to avoid contention which many times ariseth among great spirits about superioritie of place These Knights were commonly chosen for their valour and skill in feats of Armes wherein they strived vpon emulation one to excel another Into this societie were admitted strangers of divers Nations who for desire of glory came over into the Iland to make proofe of their sufficiency by exercise of armes with the Brittish Knights For Arthur himself by vndertaking great difficult enterprises in forraigne Countries after he had subdued the Saxons in Britannie made his name no lesse famous abroad then at home Touching his birth some have doubted whether he were a Roman or a Britan though the Britans challenge him for their Countryman confidently affirming that he was borne at Tyndagel in Cornewall and surely if the acts of such worthy men as at sundry times were transported out of the I le to aide the Romans in the wane of the Westerne Empire had beene faithfully registred the glorie of the Brittish Nation might well have been preserved from all suspition of vntruth without the support of forged and fabulous inventions As for the place where he died or the manner of his death I find no certaine report concerning the same in any approved Writer But his body was buried at Glastenbury betweene two Pyramides where the enscription of his name engraven vpon a leaden Crosse was discovered many hundred yeares after his death namely in the raigne of King Henry the second who having some intelligence of the place by the songs of the Brittish Bards commanded it to be digged and the Monument to be sought for Divers strange and incredible things to the prejudice of posteritie have beene written of this Prince of Queene Guinever his wife of Gawen his sisters sonne and of Merlin a phantastical Prophet with others commonly called Wandring Knights matters indeede more fit for feined Legends and poeticall fictions then for a Historie which ought to be a Register of things either truely done or at least warrantable by probabilitie And albeit those ridiculous and absurd reports of idle Writers doe seeme to have repaired the reputation of this Prince and to have called in question the truth it selfe so farre forth as some have doubted whether there were ever any such man or not yet divers Authors of good regard pittying his misfortune in that behalfe have both confirmed his being and commended him as a great souldier and the chiefe pillar of the State of Britannie in his time CHAP. IX The Britans flie into Wales and Cornewall where they seate themselves The Saxons and English possesse the greatest part of the I le which is afterwards divided into severall Principalities AFter the death of the noble Prince Arthur the hope of the Britans was cleane abated and a great number of them fled secretly into Wales and Cornewall as places furthest off from annoyance by the enemie and naturally defensible by reason of the bogges woods and high mountaines on the one side and the seas on the other Then the Saxons finding little or no resistance began in processe of time to erect certaine Provinciall governments in the South parts of the I le in the end divided the whole Land excepting that portion which the Scottishmen and Picts inhabited Northward into seven Principalities which were severed by certaine limits and governed for the most part by Princes according to order of succession till by making continuall warre one vpon another and the Provinces subdued augmenting the Dominions of the Conqueror the whole land was in the end brought into a Monarchy by the West Saxons But in what manner these things were done the Writers of former ages have much varied and the actions and events of those times being set downe so darkely and corruptly that I purposed to have omitted the relation of them as a hard and vnpleasant taske for me to vndertake and likely to receive small approbation of others if I had not beene thereto induced partly for respect of order which required a continuation and partly vpon desire to preserve the memory of some men whose names as marks of our Christianitie imposed vpon vs in our baptisme and registred in our calenders Churches are at this day in some vse with vs deserving well considering the state and condition of that age not to be altogether forgotten howsoever their doings through the negligence or ignorance of some Writers have beene left to posteritie as records of Antiquitie farced with absurdities and composed meerely of fragmâ—nts peeced together sometimes without method and for the most part without due coherence of circumstances and matters For many of those Writers being Monks and religious persons vnacquainted with matters of estate applyed themselves for the most part to register the charitable deeds of their Bishops and benefactors founders and maintainers of Monasteries and Hospitalls or such like generall observations and if aught were well written by any secular man the same hath perished by the many calamities of the Country a thing common to vs with other Nations or Time it selfe hath worn out in a manner the remembrance thereof I purpose therefore to make onely a bare and simple narration of the names of the Princes and to point out the most memorable things as I finde them reported in their severall raignes distinguishing the Principalities themselves and relating successively one after another such actions as for the most part concurred in time whereby though I shall be sometimes forced to report the same matters yet I shall more easily avoide confusion and obscuritie which the handling of them all joyntly would bring with it And so superficially passing over these imperfect affaires of the seven-fold regiment of the Saxons and English I will hasten to the occurrents of those times which afford more certaine and plentifull matter of discourse and may yeeld perhaps some contentation to the Writer and more profite and delight to the Reader The end of the First Booke of the Second Part of the Historie of Great Britannie ⧠The suceession of the Kentish-Saxon Princes 1 HEngist ruled 31. yeares 2 Vsk 24. yeares 3 Otta 20. yeares 4 Ermeric 29. yeares 5 Ethelbert the first Christian Prince 26. years 6 Edbald 24. yeares 7 Eâ—combert 24. yeares 8 Egbert 9. yeares 9 Lothar 12. yeares 10 Edrick 2 yeares 11 Withred 33. yeares 12 Edbert 23. yeares 13 Edelbert 11. yeares 14 Alric 34. yeares ⧠The Archbishops and Bishops in the Principalitie of the Kentish-Saxons the times of their succession and continuance in their Seas from the conversion of the English Nation to Christianity vntill the raâ—gne of Egbert the West-Saxon Prince who first obtained the Monarchy Anno Dom. Archbishops of Canterbury 598 Augustine the Monke sent by Gregorie the Great then Bishop of Rome to preach the Christian faith to the English sate 16. yeares 614 Laurentius 5. yeares 619 Mellitus translated from the Sea of London 5. yeares 624 Iustus translated from the Sea of Rochester
4. yeareâ— Â After whose death the Sea was voyd one yeare 628 Honorius 26. yeares  After whose death the Sea was voyd three yeares 655 Deus-dedit 10. yeares  After whose death the Sea was voyd three yeares 668 Theodorus 22. yeares 693 Bertualdus 38. yeares 731 Tatwinus 4. yeares 735 Nothelmus 5. yeares  After his death the Sea was voyd one yeare 740 Cuthbertus translated from the Sea of Hereford 18. yeares 759 Bregwinus 3. yeares 762 Lambrihtus who had formerly beene Abbot of St. Augustine 31. yeares 791 Aethelardus in the time of Egbert the West-Saxon Prince 13. yeares Anno Dom. Bishops of Rochester 604 Iustus ordained the first Bishoppe there by Augustine the Archbishop of Canterbury sate 20. yeares 624 Romanus 10 yeares 634 Paulinus translated from the Sea of Yorke 10. yeares 644 Ithamarus 12. yeares  After whose death the Sea was voyd foure yeares 656 Damianus 9. yeares 669 Putta 8. yeares 677 Quichelmus 4. yeares  After whose death the Sea was voyd three yeares 681 Gebmundus 9. yeares 693 Tobias 34. yeares 727 Aldwulfus 13. yeares 740 Dunnus 24. yeares 764 Eardulfus 11. yeares 775 Deora 15. yeares 790 Weremundus in the time of Egbert the West-Saxon Prince 12. yeares THE SECOND PART The second Booke HENGIST I PRINC SAX CHAP. I. The Principalitie of the Kentish-Saxons established by Hengist whom Vsk Otta and Ermeric succeede in the government Austen the Monke is sent from Rome by Gregorie the Great to preach the Christian faith to the Saxons and English He landeth in Kent where he is curteousâ— â—ertained by Ethelbert the Prince of that Countrie THE Territorie of the Kentish-Saxons did at the first include only that part which at this day is contained within the county of Kent being the very entrance key of the whole Iland The west south sides of it butte vpon the firme land on the East the Brittish Ocean beateth and vppon the North runneth the famous river Thames navigable for ships of very great burden and ebbing and flowing many miles within the land whereby commodities are brought in and carryed forth to the enriching of it selfe and the Countries round about This Principalitie enlarged by addition of such Provinces as Vortiger after the slaughter of the Brittish Nobilitie delivered to the Saxons for his ransome was established by Hengist eight yeares after his arrivall about the yeare of grace 456. Valentinian the third of that name then shoring vp the decayed Empire in the West Although by consent of divers Writers he ruled a long time yet little or nothing is left of record concerning any thing done by him after he was setled in the governement either for that perhaps no great occasion was ministred to shew himselfe in action the Britans being now seated in the remote parts of the I le and his owne countrymen making warre in other places of the same or else for that being wearied with the warre he gave himselfe to ease and quietnesse supposing hee had done enough alreadie in making the first attempt in an enterprize so difficult and in getting and leaving to his posteritie the possession of so faire and fruitfull Countries After his death there raigned eyther joyntly or successively Vsk Otta and Ermeric concerning whom I finde no other mention then of their names onely Ethelbert succeeding Ermeric his father was in the beginning of his raigne much encumbred with warres which he made with very ill successe against Ceaulin Prince of the West-Saxons but afterwards his knowledge in militare affaires increasing with his yeares hee fortunately repaired those losses extending his Dominion by reducing the South Provinces to his obedience even to the water of Humber And the better to strengthen his estate by forraigne aliance hee married Bertha the danghter of Châ—rebert then King of France a vertuous Lady and a professor of Christianitie wherein the King her husband was not as yet instructed howbeit hee permitted both her selfe and Luidhard a French Bishop that accompanied her into Britannie to vse the Rites and Ceremonies of their owne Countrie and religion eyther for observance of the contract which Ethelbert before the marriage had made with the King her Father to that end or else for the heartie and entire affection which hee bare vnto her as his wife whom God had ordained to bee the meanes of his conversion to the Christian faith For in the yeare of grace five hundred ninetie sixe and fourteenth of the raigne of Mauritius the Emperour Austen a Monke was sent by Gregory the first surnamed the Great then Bishop of Rome to preach the faith to the Saxons and English then inhabiting the I le of Britannie where landing in the I le of Tanet vpon the coast of Kent hee was entertained in curteous manner by Ethelbert the Prince whose heart being somewhat prepared by his wives perswasion and by the example of Luidhard the devout Bishop that lived with her was more apt in time to take impression of the Truth whereto though himselfe assented not at the first yet hee licensed it to be taught privately and assigned to Austen a convenient seate at Canterbury the cheefe Citie of that Province giving him an olde Church which in former times had beene erected by certaine Romans exercising there the Christian religion and consecrated to our Saviour Christ. This Church was then reedified and not many yeares after Austen without the Citie Eastward layd the foundation of a Monasterie for which Ethelbert erected a Church wherein both Austen himselfe with his successours and also the Christian Princes of Kent were for the most part interred after their death This Monasterie being finished long time after Austens decease was dedicated to him by the name of Saint Austen whose memoriall the ruines of that place retaine even to this day CHAP. II. Austen converteth divers of the Saxons and English from Paganisme to Christianitie The cause that first moved Gregorie the Great to intend their conversion Austen is consecrated chief Bishop of the English Nation by the Bishop of Arles in France He advertiseth the Bishop of Rome of the successe of his voyage into Britannie and requireth directions touching the Ecclesiasticall governement to be there established IN the meane time Austen beeing now received as the Apostle of the English Nation and such Priests as were with him exercised their Ecclesiasticall functions without empeachment and for that they were altogether ignorant of the Brittish language they vsed the helpe of such Interpreters as they had brought with them out of France in preaching and instructing the people with whom partly by their doctrine and partly by their example they prevailed so much as many of them beleeved and were baptized for their teachers began then to expresse in their lives the practise of the Apostles in the Primitive Church by continuall watching fasting and praying contemning the world and contenting themselves with things necessarie to sustaine Life and Nature so strongly were they possessed with the
appointing Alstan the warlike Bishop of Shirburne and VValhard a man of good reputation for armes in those times to assist him with direction and advice in the prosecution of the warre which was begun and ended prosperously both in one yeare In the meane while the East-Saxons being taught by their neighbors example how much better more safe it is to prevent the calamities of an invasion by yeelding obedience then by standing vpon termes of defiance where there is no hope to preuail voluntarily submitted themselves But the Northumbers held out yet longer making open resistance against the VVest Saxons till partly by their owne civil discord and partly by the irruption of the Danes that annoyed their coasts they were glad to seek the ayd and protection of the VVest-Saxons as holding it a better course in that case of necessitie to become subiect to a nation that they knew then to be made slaves to strangers Thus were the Principalities of the Kentish and East-Saxons with the English-Mercians and Northumbers brought vnder Egberts obedience 〈…〉 greatest part of the I le made in a maner one Monarchie which forme of government it seemed in some sort to retaine even during the continuance of the seven-fold regiment of the English-Saxons amongst whom some one Prince was alwaies of greater power then other had a right of superioritie above the rest Neither was there any thing now wanting for the establishment of an absolute governmnt for the VValsh-men the posterity of the antient Britans were for the most part slaine in battell those that survived were vtterly disarmed and thrust into a corner of the I le The citie of Chester their strongest hold was possessed by the English with out al hope to be recovered As for the South-Saxons East-English whose Provinces remained as yet vnconquered they were but a handfull in comparison of the rest more likely to seeke the assurance of their estates by a reasonable composition then by standing any long time vpon defence if they should be assailed But Egbert knowing well that there was as much wisdome requisite in the keeping and well ordering as there had beene valor shewed in the getting of those Provinces held a generall assembly at VVinchester the chiefe Citie of the VVest-Saxon Princes where he was with great and vnusuall ceremonies of state declared King Then for the vniting and setling of the Soveraigntie in himselfe his successors he ordained that the Inhabitants who had been a long time distinguished by diverse names should now be made an entire nation and being governed by one Prince should bear iointly one name to that end he commanded by publike Edict that the several Provinces so vnited shuld for ever after he called Angles-land which by a contraction of the word or corruption of the time was afterwards as at this day it is called England For the memorie of the Iutes being long since worn out the name of the Saxons now suppressed by edict the Angles only remained who in respect of their number might seem to chalenge by right the denomination and it is certaine that the Inhabitants of the greatest part of the I le were many yeares before commonly called Angles or English Certaine short Notes touching the Roman state militare for the better vnderstanding of the first Part of this Historie namely for the helpe of such as are ignorant in the ancient Roman Stories THe forces which the Romans vsed in their foreine warres consisted of Legions and Aydes The Legions were generally divided into Footmen Horsemen whose number was oft times changed according to the difference of times alteration of the state the Citie of Rome being first governed by Kings afterwards by the Senate and people vnder the Consuls and Tribunes which was commonly called The free State and Time of Libertie and lastly by the Emperors The Legion vnder the first Emperors for to speake of former times is not so proper to this purpose consisted of 6000. Foot and 600 Horse or there-abouts The chiefe Officer of the Legion was called Legatus Legionis Lievtenant of the Legion who had the principall charge as well of Horse as Foot vnder the Lievtenant generall of the Armie or Governor of the Province for the Emperor which Lievtenant and Governor is commonly called in the Roman storie Legatus or Propretor as the Governor for the Senate and people was called Proconsull for some Provinces were at the disposition of the Emperors only and others were assigned by the Senate and People The inferior Officers of the Legion were the Centurion Ensign-bearers c. The Footmen in the Legion were equally divided into ten Cohorts or Companies whereof each one had a Superintendent Officer The 600. Horse in the Legion were divided into ten Troopes called Turmaâ— everie Troope containing three Decuries or Thirty Horse over whom were placed Officers called Decuriones that had everie one the particular charge of ten Horse The chiefe Officer of the Troope was called Praefectus Turmae In the Legion none were to be inrolled for Soldiers but Citizens of Rome and men of ingenious professions The additions of number as namely the First Second Third Legion c were given to the Legions at first in regard of the time and order of mustering and became afterwards Surnames togither with other additions of place person and qualitie imposed either vpon accident or for distinctions sake ¶ The Aydes or Auxiliarie forces sent from forreine Countries being by league and contract bound to assist the Romans in their warres were divided into companies of Foot called Cohortes and wings of Horse which they termed Alae Everie Cohort conteined six hundred Foot whose chiefe Officer was called Praefectus There were eight Cohortes commonly assigned for the Aydes of one Legion Everie Ala or wing of Horse contained about three hundred whose chiefe Officer was also called Praefectus and the inferior Officers Decuriâ—nes There were commonly two of these wings assigned togither with the eight Cohorts of Foot above named for the Aydes of one Legion Who so desireth to be more particularly instructed herein let them read the learned and judiciall Annotations vpon Tacitus translated by Sir Henrie Savile Knight whence I haue extracted these notes as also borowed a great part of the Translation it selfe as may appeare in the second Booke of the first Part of this worke The names of certain Writers of the Roman and English Storie out of whose workes the matter of the precedent Historie hath beene for the most part collected Writers of the Roman Storie IVlius Caesar his Commentaries de bello Gallico Cor. Tacitus Dio Cassius his Bookes of History His Annales translated into English by Richard Grenoway His first foure Bookes of Historie and the life of Iulius Agricola translated into English by sir Henrie Savile knight Ammianus Marcellinus his 18. Bookes of Historie Master Camden his Britannia The Writer of the Booke entitled The three Conversions of England from