my Honour is the same honour of the whole Church my Honour is the full vigor of my Brethren then therefore I am truly honoured when no body is denied the honour due to him For if your Holiness calls me Universal Bishop it denies it self to be at all what it confesses me to be only that is Universal but God forbid this Away with those words stir up Pride and wound charity and indeed your Holiness well knows that this Title was offered my Predecessor in the holy Counsel of Chalcedonia and afterwards by succeeding Fathers but none of them would ever accept of this Title that whilst carefully in this World they respected the honour of all the Clergy in general they might preserve their own entire with God Almighty Wherefore paying you due custome of Greeting I desire you would be pleased to be mindful of us in your Prayers that from the chains of my sins because of mine own merits I am not able through your intercession God would deliver me Observations upon this Epistle The Annexer of the Title has not done ingeniously in this Epistle for he saies that in the Councel of Chaleedon the Pope was stiled UNIVERSAL not making any mention how that Title was rejected by the Pope and all his Successors as Gregory shews but was also vehemently exploded and cast off by Gregory himself in this Epistle of which he has not taken the least notice in the Title Gregory To Menna of Tolouse To Serenus of Marseilles To Lupus of Cavation To Agilius of Meris To Simplicius of Paris To Melantius of Roan and To Licinius Fellow Bishops of the Frankes ALthough the care of the office ye have undertaken might sufficiently admonish your Brotherhood with your utmost endeavours to assist Religious persons and especially those that labour in the cure of Souls yet it will not be amiss if with this our Epistle we stir up your vigilancy For as the fire by the fanning of the wind is made greater so the affections of a good mind are embettered by commendation Because therefore the grace of our Redeemer cooperating so great a multitude of the English are converted to the Christian faith that our most Reverend and Common Brother and Fellow Bishop Augustine affirms that those that are with him are not sufficient for the execution of this work in divers Places We have provided that some Monks should be sent over to him with our beloved and common Sons Laurentius the Priest and Miletus the Abbot and therefore let your Brotherhood afford them that charity it ought and speedily help them with those succours that are necessary for as much as by your assistance all obstructions and causes of delaies will be removed So that they being relieved by your charity may rejoyce together with you and you by freely bestowing it may be found partakers with them in the work they are intended for Gregory the Great To Clotharius King of the Frankes AMongst the many troubles and cares you daily meet with in governing those Nations under you it is the highest honour and greatest advantage to appear in the Patronage of those that labour in the cause of God and because by many good Presidents you have shewn your self to be such that now we may presume better things of you we are the willinglier invited to desire those things of you which at last will return to your own benefit Some of those who went into England with our most Reverend Brother and Fellow-Bishop Augustine at their return have related with how great humanity and charity your Excellence entertained him in your own Court and with what succours you assisted him setting forward on his Journey But because those actions are most acceptable to God alwaies which recede not from good beginnings We salute You with a Fatherly affection desiring that the Monks the Bearers of these presents whom we have sent over to our foresaid Brother together with our beloved Sons Laurentius the Priest and Melitus the Abbot might be particularly respected by you and whatsoever it was you bestowed on those before for the plentiful increase of your Honour continue likewise to these that through your assistance they may without any delaies perform the Journey they have begun that God the Recompencer of all good works may be to you in prosperity a guardian and in adversity an helper Gregory To Brunichild Queen of the Frankes He returns Her thanks for assisting Augustine and exhorts her courteously to entertain the Monks that were sent unto him WE give thanks unto Almighty God who among the rest of the gifts of his grace bestowed on your Highness has so filled your breast with the love of Christian Religion that if you should know any thing tending to the benefit of Soula or the increase of your Faith you would never cease with a devout mind and pious endeavour to bring it to perfection With how great favour and courtesie your Highness assisted our most Reverend Brother and Fellow Bishop Augustine going for England Fame before hath not been silent and since the Monks that returned from him have more particularly related Your Christianity may be admired at by those that know but little of your favours but we that are experimentally acquainted with them have more reason to rejoyce than wonder because by charitably obliging others ye advantage your selves How great and what manner of Miracles our Redeemer has wrought in the Conversion of the aforesaid Nation is well known to your Highness for which reason ye ought exceedingly to rejoyce because your charity in this thing may claim to it self the greatest part by whose assistance next after God the word of Preaching became there manifest for he that furthers another's good consults his own And that the fruits of your reward may be the larger we desire that to the Monks Bearers of these presents whom with our beloved Sons Laurentius the Priest and Melitus the Abbot we have sent over to our foresaid most Reverend Brother and Fellow Bishop forasmuch as those that are with him are not sufficient for the work you would courteously grant the favour of your Patronage and vouchsafe to assist them in all things that the good beginnings of your Highness may still proceed unto better and that they meet with no delaies or difficulties in their Journey May you in as great a measure stir up God's mercy to be favourable to you and your posterity most Dear unto us as you for his love shall behave your selves with compassion in causes of this nature Gregory To Augustine Bishop of the English Of the Conversion of that Nation and that he should not glory in the power of Miracles which oftentimes wicked Men have performed GLory be to God on high and on earth peace good-will towards Men because a grain of corn falling dead upon the earth hath brought forth much fruit that it might not alone reign in heaven by whose Death we live by whose Infirmity we are
defaced could read no one Sentence through yet could I well perceive in several places the word Prytania If this Book be admitted of any considerable Antiquity as that Humphry Lloyd speaks true that there is no first Radical Letter B in the Welch Tongue but that they were called Prydayns by themselves I believe without doubt the Greeks from this way of the Islanders derived them from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prytania signifying Mettals in their own Language for they knowing that the first Original Name Bretanica came from the Phoenicians in which name the Commodity of the Country Tynn was expressed and finding it corrupted by the Natives into Pretan Prytan or something like it easily making 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wittingly embraced this occasion to derive the Country from a word from their own Language signifying Mettals so that if there be any truth in the Derivation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it must of necessity proceed from this Fountain The like may be said of Bretta the Spanish word Earth from whence some have derived it For if there be any kind of Truth delivered by Tradition of such a thing among the Spaniards then it must come from those Spaniards which in former times were called Iberi that is Diggers in Mines and as the word importeth it was derived from the Phoenicians That these Iberi might be employed by the Phoenicians in the Tynn Mines in BRITAIN is not unlike for Tacitus saies That the Complexion of the South part of Britain differs much from the Northern and both from those parts that lie upon France and therefore he is of Opinion that the North parts were Peopled by the Germans the Eastern Coast by the opposite Neighbours the Gauls and the South parts by the Iberi This he gathers by the different Complexion of the People the North Britains being Fair having large Limbs long Yellow hair as the Germans have the South Britains being Swarthy and Curled hair like the Spaniards the Coast lying upon France agreeing in Language Customes and in every thing with the Gauls It is difficult to perswade me that Primitively any part of Britain could be Peopled out of Spain by entire Colonies but rather that it is more natural that this Island being peopled by Colonies descending down the Rhine and filling France Belgium and all that Tract of Ground the Spaniards came to the South part as Miners only being very active and expert in that Trade having plenty of Mines in their own Country as the Roman Histories witness continued unexhausted even to Hannibals daies According to this account it must certainly be vainly supposed of the derivation of Britain from Bretta signifying Earth in Spanish especially when considered this Island once in conjunction with the Continent but from the Spanish Mariners who took Bretta from the Phoenician Brat the first syllable in Bratanac signifying Earth For it will frequently happen that the Truth of things is delivered down though the Reason by which men would evidence them are often vain and frivolous according to the divers apprehensions and conceptions of Men. The time when the Phoenicians came from Tyre and Zidon their own Native Country to discover BRITAIN THE next thing I shall shew is about what time the Phoenicians from Tyre came into the Western Seas and when in all reason it may be supposed they discovered and named this Island for from the Certainty and Antiquity of their Navigations will depend the evidence of our Derivation And I shall also make it appear that the Tyrians before the Trojan War under their Captain and Country man Hercules having Trafficked to all the parts of the Inland Sea at last passed the Streights of Gibraltar having first built several Cities on the Streights and possessed Tartessus Erythea and Gades Islands with great part of the Continent of Spain and Africk lying on the Sea Coasts as many Monuments of their Language and Customes do evidence And that the Western Sea was discovered before the Trojan War we learn from the Ancient Poets Orpheus and Homer with whom nothing is more frequent than those sayings That the EARTH was an Island and encompassed round with the SEA And first Orpheus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Sea around the Earth her Water throws And in that Circle does it all inclose Upon this very account was it called AMPHITRITE by Homer its going round the Earth as Herodotus speaks in his fourth Book Homer makes the Sun to arise and set in the Ocean and in the first Mapp of the World as I may call it the Shield of Achilles which Vulcan makes him we find that the Earth was in the midst of the Waters for the SEA was placed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vpon the extream borders of the Shield From whence could Orpheus and Homer have this if not by Tradition from the Phoentcians for Colaeus Samius was the first of the Greeks that discovered the Western Ocean and he lived four hundred years after Homer besides he never went farther than Tartessus but contented himself with the discovery of the Streights mouth only and to have seen that Ocean so that we must suppose Homer had it by Tradition from the Phoenicians as Bochartus proves him to have had many Names of Places particularly the ELYSIAN FIELDS in Hispania BETICA Let us hearken also what Strabo saith to this business speaking of the Phoenicians They saies he went beyond HERCULES Pillars and there built Cities even to the middle of Lybia on the Sea Coast a little while after the TROJAN War and Mr. Milton saies that he thinks that ALBION has some relation to these Actions in Lybia quasi Alebion so called by the Phoenicians which in my opinion is the most probable Derivation I ever read of ALBION However we see that the Navigations of the Phoenicians into these Seas were Ancient Herodotus makes mention with wonder of some Phoenicians sent by Nero how they failed round Africa and returned through the Streights of Gibraltar having in their Voyage the Sun on their Right hand part of which story Herodotus will not believe It must needs be true for after they had passed the Tropick of Cancer beyond which Africk runs out many degrees Now this story so innocently told by Herodotus as a Wonder argues the Ignorance of the Greeks and the great Experience the Phoenicians had in those Seas all along the Coast of Africk This I conjecture is the cause why men beyond Reason have drawn their Voyages even to the East Indies under King Solomon and to the West under Hanno and Himilco a Fate we often see that attends Great Actions when over-fond men out of a desire to magnisie things Famous beyond their true proportions inconsiderately stretch them beyond the bounds of Truth and Modesty Having said thus much of the Derivation of BRITANNIA that it came from the Phoenicians Bratanac let us see whether the Graecians might not take the name
more I could name had I time besides many Usages and Customes in England which participate of both Languages alike To instance in the Compounds of Iavel a British word signifying a Tenure among the Welch we find Gavel-kind Sand-Gavel Gavel Oat Swine-Gavel and many others Why therefore may not Ludgate be Luds-Gate although it hath both Languages mixt in it Let us hear therefore Verstegan's ingenious Derivation Ludgate saith he is as much as to say Leodgate or the Peoples-Gate Leod signifying People Here Mr. Sheringham asks him but a reasonable question What did the People pass only through this Gate and the Bards and Druids through the other only And I may demand of him also upon what grounds he supposeth the Concourse of People to have been greater through this Gate than any other Indeed since the Suburbs have been built and increased above the greatness of the City and since his MAJESTY and the late Kings of England for many successions have been pleased to live in the Western parts of them the Trade by necessity hath been drawn into these quarters and so Ludgate hath been made the greatest Thorow-fare but before the Suburbs were built or before they were brought into Credit by his MAJESTIES Royal Person and Court or when the Kings of England lived in the City it self How came Ludgate to be the Gate of the People more than of the rest Neither is Lelands Opinion any thing more to be embraced who calleth it Fludgate from the little Rivolet running beneath it It is a thousand pities for the sake of this invention that the Gate was not built upon the Rivulet but now as the case standeth this most miserable Derivation is not to be helped out but by a faith that is able to remove Mountains Let therefore King Lud enjoy the Honour of that Structure whose very mute Statue as Mr. Sheringham saith seems to call out against those who would deprive him of it But besides these two Magnificent Works the Wall and the Gate this Prince is said to have taken such exceeding delight in this City that he built himself a Palace not far from Ludgate supposed by some to have been in the place where the Bishop of Londons Palace stood Others think at Bernards Castle he is thought to have built a Temple also not far from his Court where St. Pauls Cathedral afterwards stood and by these great Works and his continual residence in that City the name of Troy-novant was changed into London or Lundain that is the residency of King Lud. The British Histories write that the changing the name from Troy-novant into Lundain was the cause of great dissension between King Lud and a bold Commander of those times Nennius who eagerly opposed this Innovation whereby the Memory of Troy which so long bad been preserved would be utterly abolished But this story is very much suspected of late to have been altogether Fabulous and there are other Derivations given of the Name of that most Famous City Erasmus brings it from a City in Rhodes called Lindus but this is rejected by Mr. Cambden who in the place of it puts down two Conjectures The first is That seeing the Britains called any place fenced with Trees a Town or City which they expressed by the word Lihwn that this City by way of Excellence might be named the Lihwn and afterwards by corruption London But the second is more probable That it was called London from Lihong signifying in the British Tongue a Ship and Dinas in the same Language a City so that it is as much as the City of Ships And to confirm this Opinion he proves that it was called Anciently Longidinium and by an Old British Bard Lihong-Porth that is a Harbour of Ships In my thoughts this seems to be the truest Etymologie of that most honourable City which in all Ages hath been a place of great Traffick and Commerce with the whole World and by the convenience of its Scituation upon so Navigable a River can receive Ships of great Burthen and in great Multitudes so that the Masts of them appear to be what the Britains called Llhwun namely Woods and Forrests As concerning the Name of TROY-Novant by which this City is supposed to have formerly been called because I am now taking my leave of the British History and am come to the time of the Romans I will freely put down my Conjecture Nant in the British Tongue or Novant for they are both one as Mr. Cambden shews signifies a Valley and Cre Cri or Cra a City and both taken from the Phoenicians as I have shewn by several Places in Cornwal Crinovant therefore is as much as the City of the Vallies for the People who were under the subjection of this City lived Low upon the River Thames and the whole Region in a manner lay in a Valley so that they may be supposed to have been called as other places have been upon the same account Noantes Novantes or Nantuates and this City Crinovant or the City of the Novantes the similitude of which Name as I have shewn in another place gave occasion to those who began the Trojan Original to call it Troy-novant or the New-Troy King LUD after he had Reigned eleven years and was Interr'd in his Temple near Ludgate left behind him two Sons Androgeus and Theomantius Com. Pal. saith that this Lud was Sir-named Immanuentius and was slain by his Brother Cassibelan at Troy-novant and that his eldest Son Androgeus was Sir-named Mandubratius and was the same Prince of the Trinobantes whom we find in Caesar's Commentaries to have sled into Gallia and to have put himself under the protection of Caesar. Of this Mandubratius I shall have occasion to speak in the History of the Romans in this Island whom we shall find Invading it in the next Kings Reign called cassibelanus And seeing now we are come to the Times of the Roman Histories the Authority of which is unquestionable I shall faithfully Collect the Government of Britain under their Emperours from the Latin Writers themselves yet not altogether so as to neglect absolutely the British Histories in the Lives of their Kings and the Circumstances of their Government This I do because that the Histories of the Romans concerning this Island as their Government in it is often broke off and interrupted and those Breaches are supplied by the continuance of the British Succession but I shall place the Roman History in the first place as infinitely surpassing the British in its Authority and all along the British History shall be set under it as attending only and subservient to it THE NAMES OF THE Roman Emperours WHO GOVERNED THIS ISLAND FROM The first Invasion thereof by Julius Caesar until it was quitted of the Roman Jurisdiction by Honorius immediately before the Entrance of the Saxons AND A Catalogue of the Lieutenants employed by them JULIUS CAESAR The first Invader of the Britains after whose Second
called in the British and Scotch Tongue Phightiaid a Warlike and fierce Nation and to make up their terrible Character they were Scythians by descent and near Kinsmen at least to the Gothes and as some think the Off-spring of the Nation of the Agathyrses a Race of painted Cannibals setting forth from their Native Country or as some write from Sweden or Norway With these most excellent endowments as Pirates and Rovers they arrived on the Coast of Ireland where they met with their Brethren the Scots who then inhabited that Island who easily understood their Language as being themselves of Scythian extraction Having scarce landed their Forces they required Places to inhabit but the Scots who well understood the stomach of their Country-men and had but just now given over themselves to eat one another so diverted and shifted themoff with telling them the pleasures of Britain and the plenty thereof I wonder they should omit their Painting also The Picts hoysting up Sail made for this blessed Island little dreaming of the warm entertainment they were to receive for the Scots had laid the sairest side outwards and concealed the Courage and Numbers of the Britains When they had arrived upon the North of this Island finding there but few Inhabitants they began to waste wide and forrage all those Tracts which Nature it self had sufficiently laid desolate King Marius informed of the insolent Behaviour of these Strangers levies Forces and with speedy Marches hastned into the North and there gave them Battle The success was so great on the Britains side that the Picts were totally discomfited many slain among whom was their Leader Rodorick and the rest all taken Prisoners to whom King Marius gave license to inhabit the Northern part of Scotland called Cattness a cold and Mountainous Country They had not long lived there but they began to think of warm Bed-fellows and to that purpose sent unto the Britains for Wives but their Suit being there entertained with scorn they applied themselves to the Scots who granted them their Daughters upon this condition That if the Male Issue of the King should fail then the next Heir on the Womans side should succeed in the Kingdom which Ordinance ever after was observed among them and this was the cause of the great Union of both these Nations This Victory of King Marius against the Picts was obtained at Stanes-moor in Westmoreland and from his name was the Country called Westmaria But that which seemeth to give some credit to this Relation was this Inscription found in Carlile MARII VICTORIAE of which the Reverend Bishop Usher writes thus Although the British History in many things is found faulty yet the testimony of the Inscription of Marius his Victory is not altogether to be slighted For before Jeofferies Translation an Author much Graver William of Malmsbury writeth of it in this manner In the City Luguballia commonly called Carlile there is seen a Dining Room built of Stone and arched with Vaults which neither the force of Weather nor Fire on purpose set to it could scatter or destroy And on the Fore-front of it was this Inscription MARII VICTORIAE that is To the Victory of Marius Mr. Cambden who draws all Antiquities to the Romans saith That another making mention of this Stone who that other is he tells us not saith It was not inscribed Marii Victoriae but Marti Victori and this he saith may better content some and seemeth to come nearer to Truth But however it may please some vet it is absolutely against the meaning of Malmsbury who immediately adds What this Inscription should mean I know not unless part of the Cimbri should inhabit these Places after they were driven out of Italy by Marius the Consul of whom Ranulphus maketh mention in his Polycronicon This is Malmsbury's guess as being certain it was Marii Victoriae not Marti Victori and having never seen the British History he gave it to that Consul rather than no body little thinking how improbable it was that a Nation driven from its Country should raise Trophies to their Conquerour But if it must be Marii Victoriae Mr. Cambden hath a Roman of that name to fix it upon namely MARIUS who was proclaimed Emperour against Gallienus a Man of wonderful strength insomuch that it was written of him That he had no Veins in his Fingers but all Sinews saith Mr. Cambden but who they are he again nameth not and attributes this Inscription to him and so let it be for what Victory could ever slip from the hands of so nervous a Person King Marius died in the year of Grace 132 and was Interr'd at Carlile he left the Kingdom to his Son Coyll COYLL in his youth had been educated at Rome where he employed his time in learning the Sciences and the discipline of War He loved the Romans and was by them highly esteemed and honoured so that paying his Tribute and receiving their Protection he filled out a long just and peaceable Reign governing Britain 54 years to the fifth year of Commodus the Emperour when we shall hear of his Son LUCIUS the first Christian Prince of the British Line till whose daies the British Histories are silent there being nothing else memorable in the life of this Coyll save that some ascribe to him the building of Colchester in Essex which work others give to a later Coyll which reigned next after Asclepeodotuis THE Roman History HADRIAN having called away Julius Severus as likewise Priscus Licinius both Governours in Britain to subdue the Jews who were then in Rebellion it will not be amiss to fill out the remainder of this Emperours Reign with a short account of his Atchievments against that Nation seeing they were performed by Men whose experience in War was gained in our British Island The Jews a stubborn People and sick of the Roman yoak as who daily expected a glorious Messiah and were impatient of his coming at last of themselves took Arms in the Eighteenth year of Hadrian and began a dangerous Rebellion But Hadrian raising great Forces and electing his choicest Generals to Command them soon put a stop to their Fury who in the heat of the Revolt spared neither Roman nor Christian. And to revenge their Insolence besides an infinite number of them slain and tortured their City Jerusalem was razed to the ground themselves utterly banisht and made unlawful for them to look towards that City or their Native Soyl. Besides where Jerusalem had stood although not upon the same Foundations he built a new City calling it after his own name AELIA upon the Gate whereof that leadeth to Bethlehem that the Jews even in disguise might be kept as much as might be from visiting it he caused a Swine to be engraven a Beast which he had learnt by their Law was accounted the most unclean and of all others most abominable He was favourable to the Christians forbidding by Publick Edict the Persecution against them moved as some
Daughter How many Innocent persons suffered as I may say Martyrdom by his unjust contrivances to promote his own Interest and Greatness and the better also to uphold himself excused in the name of Innocency how did he seduce the Ignorant people into a full perswasion of his honesty and good meaning towards them By this his dissimulation and subtilty he out-stript his Predecessours in Power meaning all those Kings since the Roman Conquest as they were more like Generals than Kings of Provinces many of them being permitted by the Romans to Rule not after the manner of Sovereignty but as Instruments to commemorate to after-Ages how they lived under them in slavery and bondage but Vortigern although he had the ill fortune once to be deposed was happy in having no Copartner or sharer afterwards in his Provinces save what he carelessly threw away at one cast to the Romans upon his last releasment out of their Captivity Was there great blame to be laid to his Sons charge for accepting the Crown in his life time or his own miscarriage in disobliging the People to enforce him out of possession In what a discontented condition did he remain during his Sons Government although alwaies treated by Mildness and Courtesie but after his Sons decease through the Treacherous contrivance of Rowena the People being streightned for want of a Governour in such distracted times and crediting his Penitence but chiefly depending on his Valour and Conduct reinstated him in the British Throne by whose fierce and resolute opposing their Enemies he occasioned the loss not only of many a mans life but the destruction also of the considerable part of many a Noble Province AMBROSIUS AURELIANUS only in hopes of his fortunate success was chosen King by the Britains A Man of a mild and sweet nature and the last branch of the Roman Root who through providence gained many Victories in the behalf of his distressed People Notwithstanding in the heat of their Distresses doubtless would have been willing to have received a more Valiant spirit that could but have given them but at lest the hopes of a more secure freedom from the Saxon Tyranny Passing the River Humber the first Expedition he undertook was the routing the Saxons at the Fight of Macsbel Occa the Son of Hengist escaped to York but by reason of a quick pursuit was forced to surrender himself to Ambrosius who out of his Favour and Courtesie released him freely and nobly without any Ransom as it appears by some Writers that he gave to him Galloway near the Scots Country to inhabit but took sufficient Hostages that neither himself nor his Consederates should take up Arms against him taking into his possession all places where the Saxons were most conversant and had almost ruined to obtain them repairing Temples Cities and Towns as had been by them so miserably demolished and there impowred Priests capable of preaching the Word of GOD to the People At the time when Ambrosius lay very sick of a doubtful distemper Pascentius Vortigerns youngest Son appeared at the head of an Insurrection laid siege to Mencvia in Wales he took it and did much mischief in all places that lay within the reach and limits of his Malice and Envy The Cause of Ambrosius was managed with good success by Uter Pendragon but in the interim one Copa privately procured by Pascentius who feigning himself to be a British Monk and Physician offered his advice to Ambrosius The good Man lying sick and weak meaning honestly himself and thought verily that the Monk did so took his dose of Poyson instead of an healthful Antidote to expel his distemper which in a very short time put an end to his daies at Winchester Yet others to salve that notable piece of Treachery report that he died of a Wound in a fierce and terrible Battle against the Saxons in the West part of Britain And other Historians in contradiction to Bede and Gildas although as credible Authors as some others make him the Branch of a Noble Britain whose sudden death for a time put a stop to the Wars between them and the Saxons Unto this Ambrosius is ascribed the building of STONE-HENGE upon Salisbury-Plain in remembrance of the Britains Massacred by the Treachery of Hengist and which gives an occasion to some to believe it as by digging very near the place where the Monument now standeth have been found pieces of Old fashioned Armour with Bones of Men of a large size which could be no other but the Phoenicians buried by that Temple and in all probability built by them of which I shall speak more at large anon Others report how the Britains erected this Monument for the sake only of Ambrosius in which place he is said to be there slain and buried in memory of his great service done to them in the behalf of their Country which Paulus Diaconus seems to testifie but how far that Author is to be credited I must with submission leave it to better Judgments to examine But that the Materials of this Sepulchre according to the prodigious fancy and dreams of some British Writers should be fetcht out of Ireland there being Stones of the like nature and equal magnitude by industry and labour to be found not far off that place by the help of fifteen thousand Men under the Conduct of Uter Pendragon seems not only improbable but impossible also nevertheless it shews the Zeal of the Britains in promoting the Honour of their Prince rather than clearing a true evidence or cause of that matter or the original Founders thereof occasioned partly I say out of their entire affection to their King rather than to give an occasion for after Ages too much to puzzle their brains in enquiring out a more Antient and more Honourable Original Again Others have been deluded into a belief through the strangness and magnitude thereof that it was erected by the Magick Art of Merlyn This hath occasioned a Traditional talk to pass through the inouths of several succeeding Generations that the Stones being so set cannot be told exactly but to wipe away that Imaginary cheat out of mens minds and that they may clearly see that there is no Magick either to blind their sight or to stupisie their Judgment if they will exactly tell them let them sollow this ensuing direction Observe the orders of the Circles as they now appear and not rashly pass from one to another confusedly taking especial care that they observe where they first begin to number and the just number of every Stone will be found exactly and proceeding after that order and method they may be alwaies told over without missing And for the better information of all persons who have not had leisure to search into the different Opinions of Authors touching the occasion of the erecting that stately Monument of STONE-HENGE and that I may have the better opportunity to deliver my own Opinion thereof I will present to the Reader a brief Relation
his own Example behaving himself briskly and proving fortunate against them in several Battles whereupon the Saxons to rid themselves of so dangerous an Enemy called to their assistance Gurmundus a Norwegian Captain but as some say sent for from Ireland who surrounding the Britains dismayed at so great an Army secured themselves in the Town of Chichester but the Besiegers though they were not excellent at taking Towns by Assault thought upon an Invention that did their business as well for fastning fire to the feet of several Sparrows they had taken for that purpose being let loose they flew into the Town and lighting upon the Thatched-houses and other combustible matter set all on fire Upon this the Britains rather burnt out than carried on by Courage made a short sally but being over-powred by numbers were at last discomfited leaving many of their Nobility dead upon the place In the mean time whilest the Britains maintained this Fight Careticus stole out of the Battle securing himself among the Mountains in Wales where he found more security though less plenty Now were the Saxons Lords of all Britain this being the last British King that had any thing to do in the Eastern parts of this Kingdom being confined thence forward in the West by the Rivers Severne and Dee Gurmundus after he had destroyed a great part of the Country he delivered it up into the possession of the Saxons who willingly and thankfully received it at his hands CADWAN THe BRITAINS ever since the Battle of Badon hill had been at variance amongst themselves and now since the Fight of Careticus they could not agree who should be their Governour twenty four years together they were led by sundry Rulers against the Enemy but finding by experience into what precipices and disadvantages their stubborness and rash Counsels had brought them with joynt consent chose CADWAN Ruler of North-Wales King over them This Prince though his Dominions were lesser than those his Ancestours formerly possest yet he gave early proofs to the World that the greatness of his Mind was nothing diminished For presently after his Election he raised a large Army resolving to enforce satisfaction from the Saxons for shedding the Innocent blood of 1200 Monks of Bangor EDELFERD King of Northumberland who had caused this Massacre understanding his design thought not to be behind hand with him wherefore associating himself with most of the Saxon Princes brought a good Army into the Field to meet his Opposer Both Armies were now in sight and every one expected when the Storm that was over their Heads would break but on a sudden it blew over and fair Weather immediately appeared to both Parties For partly by mediation of Friends and partly from a serious consideration of what sad consequence Victory it self must needs be to either Party a Peace was concluded and these two irreconcilable Enemies became for a long time after loving Friends He Reigned over the Britains with great Honour twenty two years CADWALLO THis PRINCE was nothing inferiour if not superiour to many of his Predecessours in Conduct and Valour alwaies behaving himself victoriously too severely and rigorously according to the Saxon Writers how true I know not against his old Enemy the Saxons PENDA King of Mercia whether by Agreement or Conquest is doubtful promised to espouse his Quarrels against the Saxons who joyning their Forces together fell so vigorously upon the Northumbrians that they not only discomsited their whole Army but left King EDWIN dead upon the place Vengeance though late overtook these Northumbrians for Inhumanly butchering the Monks of Bangor pursuing afterwards the Saxons with that vehemence that nothing could satisfie his fury but the extirpation of both their Race and Name Besides he not only slew many of their Princes and most commonly routed their Armies but dispossessed them of their Kingdoms at his pleasure two years after Penda's death making a Grant of the Kingdom of Mercia to his Son Ulfridus He Reigned forty eight years his Body being embalmed was enclosed in a Brazen Image and set upon a Brazen Horse of excellent beauty This the Britains set up aloft upon the West Gate of London called Ludgate in token of his Conquests and for a terrour to the Saxons Bede very much detracts from the Honour of this Prince but being a Saxon with what credit or upon what grounds he hath done it my time will not permit me to examine According to the British Historians Cadwallader succeeded Cadwalls but if we consider the Eminent Saxons he is said to have slain his going to Rome to be Baptized by Pope Seigius his dying shortly afterwards and his being buried in the Church of St. Peters at Rome he will appear to have been one and the same with Cadwallader the Saxon for which cause we omit a particular discourse of him in this place and this observation Mr. Speed and some others have not made concerning the same as they have set him down positively a succeeding King in the British Government FOR the better reading the English Saxon words as likewise the more Ancient Runick or Gothick Alphabet which in the following Treatise do often necessarily occur and may serve to explain what Monuments Mr. Cambden hath set down in the Character confessing he knew not the meaning of them I have thought fit to prefix their distinct Alphabets in this place The English Saxon Alphabet A. B. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 C. D. E. F. G. h. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. V. r. X. Y. Z. a. b. c. d. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. n. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 v. p. x. y. z. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An imperfect Sentence the English Saxons marked with a single point a full period with three placed thus v The Old Gothick Alphabet A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. V. X. Y. Z. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Gothick Alphabet of Vuphilas A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. Th. V. W. Ch. X. Z. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Goths marked an imperfect Sentence with a single point a full Period with two and a W among them is sometimes pronounced as a V. It is to be observed that the Gothick or Runick Character was the Character of our Saxon Ancestors and generally of all the Northern Nations as Swedeland Denmark c. and is found in many Monuments in Britain now England cited by Mr. Cambden although without any Interpretation annexed to them THE ANTIQUITY AND ORIGINAL OF THE SAXONS BEING to write of the SAXONS a Nation who next to the Romans possessed this ISLAND and so well establisht their Laws and Language therein as to this day they remain in force to their Posterity being not as yet wholly rooted out though often subject to alterations and
Pope by his Bull drew the hearing of the Cause the King received this Message from the Archbishop of Canterbury who through many hazards brought the Bull to him into Scotland and thereby finding that the Pope had started an unheard of Claim to that Kingdom returns this Answer to the Bishop That he could not reply to the Popes Letters without the consent of his Barons most of which were at that time in Britain The next year coming into Britain he summons a Parliament at Lincoln Octabis Sancti Hilarii to advise with his Prelates Nobles and Commons how to defend the Rights of his Crown against this new Papal claim Upon reading of the Popes Bull it was long debated whether the King should return any Answer to it but in fine the Affirmative carried it The King to justifie his Title to Scotland and to prove it was alwaies a Feudatory Nation and that their Kings through all Ages paid Homage to the Kings of Britain begins his Claim from Brute and the division of the whole Island among his Three Sons Locrine Camber and Albanact wherein this constitution and Custome of Troy is asserted Ut dignitas haereditatis Primogenito perveniret and so he followeth on his Title through many British Princes as it may be seen at large in the Records in the Tower of London Anno 29. Edvardi primi Here we see Brutes story made use of in a Claim to a Crown then in real debate so that here a few things must be considered Who were the Persons that might be thought to have a great stroak in compiling this Letter The Writs the King issued out were to no less than three and forty Abbots Priors and Deans besides many others of the Clergy to search the Records of their Monasteries and Covents and to send up to Lincoln any thing which might concern the present question It appears that the Monks and Fryers had a great hand in making out this Title by Brute whose Story now was new vampt and from all Parts sent out of those shops where at first it had been forged and hammer'd out And this doth more evidently appear if we consider many other parts of the same Letter as it is found in the Records cited by Mr. Pryn but especially that Miracle of King Adelstane who in perpetuam rei memoriam to give an evident sign of his Right to Scotland with his Sword struck such a blow upon a Rock near Dunbar that he clest it at least an Ell wide It is no wonder if King Edward did oppose the Spiritual Right of the Pope with no less Aiery Titled and it was not unnecessary that he should endeavour to beat him at his own Weapons having so many Myrmedons to assist him who were excellently skill'd and so fitter to return upon Rome a Title which had no less pretences of Antiquity and Holiness than the Popes so that the Fable of Brute here made use of in the Circumstances of those Affairs was prudent and Politick yet makes not to the credit and reality of his History but shews that a wise Prince took the advantage to destroy an impertinent Demand with a Politick return Besides Albanact the Son of Brute by this time had been received by the Scots who were as Ambitious to derive their Nation from the Trojans as the English were contented with a younger Brother for their Prince seeing the English had prevented them in the right of Primogeniture by Locrinus so that Locrinus's Title against Albanact is good although in truth neither be valuable And so I leave the story of Brute and his Trojans to the Credit of its first Devisors and how far it may be taken hath been sifted sufficiently by all Authors I will only reply to one Argument often produced in favour of Brute to which hitherto I have seen no Answer It is taken from the words of Thaliassen an Ancient Poet supposed to live in the daies of Mailgon King of Venedotia or North-Wales in his Book entituled Hannes Thaliassen or the Errors of Thaliassen Mia deythymyma att Wedillhion Croia I return to the Relich of Troy Now granting this to be the true work of Thaliassen I see not why from hence the Britains must be concluded of Trojan Original The Phrase of Reliquiae Trojae aut Reliquiae Danûm may elegantly be used to express any Nation that is miserably brought from its Ancient Glory and reduced to so small a number as the Britains were by the Romans and especially by the Saxons It is a Poetical Elegancy used by Thaliassen to express the Calamities of his Nation yet such small Figures have often created great Kings in the Inventions of Fanciful Men as Magus the Celtick King took birth from the Poetical saying of Pliny and I believe verily Brutus from this of Thaliassen I have not time to instance in all the ridiculous particulars in Brutes History and how Troy-novant could signifie Troia nova before ever the Romans had brought the word Novum into Britain but it may be supposed that this conceit of Troy-novant took its beginning from that Cities standing in the Country of the Trinobantes so called by Caesar and they who followed on the contrivance of a Trojan Original might make use of the least similitude of Words to confirm their Opinions And this might give occasion to those words of King Edward the Confessor to streagthen the Priviledges of the City of London as to their Hustings and other Courts for he saith of the same City thus Fundata erit olim adificata ad instar ad modum in memoria Veteris Magnae Troiae Every Fiction muttlye sometime in the Womb before it can be brought to perfection and so it happened in thus that first the matter of a Trojan Original being prepared and by Tradition only received it grew up by the use Princes made of it Afterwards it received its form from the Writing of the Learned in those daies and so finally brought to maturity and delivered by Jeoffery and all this structure perhaps lying upon no other foundation than Britannia Brutus Trinovant Trivovantes and that elegant saying of Thaliassen Y Weddillhion Croia and this more evidently appears where I have treated of the Custome of the Greeks in giving Names to Nations and feigning of false Originals Many of the like I omit because they have by all Authors been sufficiently exposed to the view of the whole World I will only mention how the Count Palatine makes the Britanni and Brotones two different Nations and that the former were in this Island before Brutes Arrival and the latter took their Name from him For my part let Brute enjoy his Britones so the Britanni may be freed from so fond an Original but both sides will not agree in this composition and I am afraid the case will be the same as when Caesar with his two Names subscribed two Consuls That as one said if Julius be safe Caesar has no reason to complain
the minds of the Britains who yet continued in their Rebellion Polycletus with a mighty Host past through Italy and Gallia a heavy burthen to both Nations and at his arrival at Britain was received with different apprehensions for the Roman Army was awed with his presence but to the Britains he was matter of laughter and scorn for they had not so far lost the sence of Liberty that they were ignorant of the power of a Freed Man and wondered that so great a Captain and Army that had ended such a considerable a War should be at the beck and disposal of a Slave For the present all things were represented to the Emperour in favour of Suetonius who went on still in prosecuting his Affairs but having lost upon the shoar some Gallies with the Slaves that rowed them as if the War continued still he was commanded to deliver up the Army to Petronius Turpilianus who was newly out of his Consulship This Lieutenant was more exorable than Suetonius being a stranger to the faults of the Britains and easier of pardon as never provoked by the Britains or particularly incensed by a Revolt He gave himself wholly to the quieting the Province not attempting any new Conquests imposing the specious name of PEACE from which proceeded Sloth and Idleness TREBELLIUS MAXIMUS succeeded him not inferiour in the laziness of his Temper a Man utterly unexperienced in Martial Affairs and who was fit only to be employed by such a Masters as Nero. Nevertheless he continued the Government to the daies of Vitellius and held the Province in Obedience by a kind of Complaisant behaviour By his remiss Carriage he suffered his Army to grow idle and loose by which means he enslaved Britain more by the Roman Vices than all his Predecessors had done by their Arms but I shall leave some of his character to the daies of Otho and proceed to that of Nero. THE LIFE OF NERO. IN the daies of this Governour died NERO a Prince whose Vertues and Vices might equally be esteemed great had not the former seemed to proceed from Constraint the latter from the Inclination of his Nature for five years he continued an excellent Prince but the remainder of his daies was spent in all Riot and Debaucheries and they who give a particular Catalogue of his Vices seem rather to reckon up the depravities of Human Nature than the Actions of one Man There is little in his Life that relates to Britain but what doth is full of Cruelty and Extortion He slew Aulus Plantus the first Lieutenant under his Father Claudius by whose Valour Britain was subdued to the Romans and ordered his Execution to be performed so suddenly that he had not time to take leave of his Children or to give them his last Blessing and Farewel There was but one hour between his Sentence and his Death when immediately hurried out of the Esquiline Gate into a place set apart for such bloody offices he was slain by the hand of Tacius the Tribune and died so full of Constancy that he upbraided not the Executioner with the ignominy of his Guilt or the Emperour with the remembrance of his Services The Cause of his Death was never known but the after-Actions of this Emperour made it appear that nothing but the exceeding Merit of Plautius was the cause of his destruction and his Victories in Britain His death at Rome Thus died the first Lieutenant of Britain With the same Cruelty Nero proceeded against Marcus Ostorius the Son of Publicus the second Lieutenant The Father had the happiness to end his Victories and his daies at once but his Son who under his Father had performed great things in Britain and had obtained a civical Coronet in the Fight against the Iceni going to Rome was suspected by Nero who by his Tyranny was now grown fearful and exceeding suspicious of all Vertuous men having of late discovered a dangerous Conspiracy He therefore suborns one Antistius Socianus to accuse Ostorius That he consulted with Parmanes an Astrologer and enquired after the life of the Emperour and that he was ill affected to the present Government For these feigned Crimes though absent at his Country-house he is convicted and condemned and a Centurion sent to dispatch him The Centurion found him walking in his Grounds where having shut up all passages of escape he delivered unto him his Message Ostorius moved with Indignation that his Services should receive so ill a reward and disdaining to die by the hands of so mean an Executioner fell upon his own Sword These Cruelties of Nero although inferiour to his many Parricides I have more particularly taken notice of in that they relate to Persons eminently concerned in the enslaving of this Island whose fate though undeservedly given by him who was obliged for such Services yet may seem to be justly called for by the blood and sufferings of Innocent Britains The great destruction of the Romans and their Colonies in Britain under the Conduct of Boadicia is ascribed by Suetonius as the certain consequence of the ill Government of this Prince and his Vices But Nero made better use of it he had been often foretold That the time would come when he should be deserted and forsaken and forced to take up with the Government of the East or the Kingdom of Jerusalem Yet with these hopes That he should be afterwards restored to the Empire when Britain was well near lost together with Armenia he saw himself in a very fair way towards the fulfilling of the Prophesie But these Provinces being again recovered he thought the danger was past and so comforted himself up with the thoughts That the desertion spoken of Wars the foresaid Revolts and that his restoring to the Empire was the regaining of those Countries Confirmed in this opinion was he by one who bade him have a care of the Seventy third year which he falsly interpreted to the daies of his own life and not to Galba who deposed him Pufft up theresore with assurances of Long life and Dominion that little Religion he had he utterly cast off and the Syrian Goddess to whom he had been especially devoted many of whose Altars are found in Britain and who was a peculiar Deity of this Island and Gallia as hath been formerly shewn he so much slighted that in contempt of her he made her a Pissing-Block and took to a little Baby whom he gave out discovered all Conspiracies against him But at last he was deposed by Galba and after he had reigned about thirteen years and a half he slew himself in the prime of his Age and with him ended the Line of the Caesars This NERO sent the twentieth Legion which although called back and again sent by Vitellius after the Civil Wars between him and Otho yet was it recalled again by Vespatian against Vitellius and after the settlement of the Empire under Vespatian in all probability sent into this Island again for Josephus writes that in
his daies four Legions were in Britain Britain saith he is encompassed about with the Ocean and almost as big as our World the Romans there inhabiting have brought it under their Dominion and four Legions do keep in subjection an Island Peopled with so great a multitude To preserve all their Provinces the Romans had but twenty nine Legions out of which Britain had four by which we may see what a great proportion this Island bore to the whole World and how considerable a part thereof it was esteemed in those daies GALBA GALBA was chosen by the Souldiers Emperour he was nothing related to the Family of the Gaesars but undoubtedly of Noble Blood The name of Galba how given to his Ancestors is variously conjectured by Suetonius Among other Opinions he puts this down as probable that it was derived from the Gaulish word GALBA signifying Fatness which Mr. Cambden proves was also British and besides his Name we shall find very little of this Emperour relating to Britain This we read that he slew Petronius Turpilianus Lieutenant of this Island under Nero having no other Crimes to lay to his charge but that he continued faithful to his Master when other Governours of Provinces were engaged in Conspiracies He held the Empire but seven Months and then was slain by Otho's Conspiracies He was old and Covetous by which means he lost the love of his Souldiers he was generally esteemed a greater Man when private than a Prince and would alwaies have been accounted worthy of the Empire had he never been advanced to it He continued Trebellius Maximus in his Government of Britain whose actions shall be related under the next Emperour OTHO OTHO by the death of Galba assumed the Empire a Prince soft and effeminate Trebellius Maximus continued still Lieutenant of Britain a Man as was said before given to Ease and Sloth having no experience in War no Conduct but holding the Province at first by a kind of Court-like and affable Behaviour And now the Britains began to suck in the pleasures of Vice and to entertain the Luxuries of Rome so that Trebellius gave himself to Ease finding no great cause to molest the Britains who were so ready to comply with him in a lazy Cessation But the Roman Souldiers who had been alwaies kept in exercise or busied in some Expedition or other now being left to an Idle life as it alwaies happens fell to Civil Dissensions Trebellius by them was grown hated and despised as it seems for his niggardly and covetous Temper and this aversion they had entertained against their General was heightened by Roscius Gaelius Legate of the twentieth Legion an ancient Enemy of his insomuch that oftentimes by flight and hiding himself he escaped the fury of his Army afterwards debasing himself in a low and creeping manner he held a precarious Authority as if he and his Army had agreed that they should enjoy the Licentiousness of their living and he his safety But when the Civil Wars brake out between Otho and Vitellius then began Trebellius and Gaelius to flie into greater and more open Discords Trebellius laid to Gaelius his charge the spreading of Sedition and drawing the Souldiers from Discipline and Obedience on the other side Caelius upbraided him of defrauding and pillaging the Legions amidst these shameful Contentions the modesty of the Army was so corrupted and their Confidence grown to that height that the Auxiliary Forces stuck not publickly to give Ill language to their General and most of the Cohorts and bands of Souldiers openly withdrew unto Caelius Trebellius plainly perceived they fled unto Vitellius who by this time was Emperour for Otho governed but 95 daies VITELLIUS AFTER the flight of Trebellius the Province continued in quiet notwithstanding the Consular Lieutenant General was removed the two Legates of the Legions in his absence governed Affairs with equal and joynt Authority but Calius bore the chief sway as being the man of greatest Spirit Trebellius being come to the Emperour was received with little Honour as one that had run away from his Souldiers that Vectius Bolanus was placed in his stead After him was sent by the Emperour the fourteenth Legion who by Nero upon some occasions had been drawn out of Britain This Legion had stuck faithful to Otho against Vitellius and notwithstanding the death of Otho and the advancement of Vitellius yet continued they their Love to their former Prince insomuch that oftentimes flying out into Mutinies and not acknowledging themselves as a conquered Legion they were hardly quieted and with much difficulty removed into Britain And it appeareth out of Tacitus that during the Contention between Otho and Vitellius for the Empire many Forces were transported from Britain to serve in those bloody Wars so that the minds of the Souldiers as well in this Island as in other Provinces stood divided in their Affections And now hardly was Bolanus warm in his Government but Vespasian began to appear for the Empire and new Wars were beginning so that no doubt the fourteenth Legion discontented with Vitellius secretly favoured the cause of Vespatian Bolanus during these Commotions was not able to preserve Discipline much less to attempt any thing upon the Britains The Divisions continued the same in the Army as in the time of Trebellius only this difference that Bolanus was innocent and not hated for any Vices and carried himself so equally that though he had not the Authority of a General yet he ruled by the Affections of the Souldiery And now Vitellius fearing the Power of Vespatian whose Forces began daily to encrease wrote unto Bolanus for Aids but he was not able to send him any partly because the Britains were not sufficiently quieted but taking the advantage of these Diffensions among the Romans raised continually new Commotions and partly because the Souldiers of the fourth Legion incensed against Vitellius were sent for over by Letters from Mutianus in favour of Vespatian In this condition was Britain during the Government of Bolanus when Vitellius was deposed about the tenth Month of his reign He was a great Glutton and so inordinately given to the satisfying of his Appetite that it was the great employment of his Captains from all Provinces to provide him the most delicate Fares he is reported at one Supper to have been served with two thousand dishes of the choicest Fish seven thousand of Fowl and in the short time of his Reign Tacitus saith he had wasted nine hundred millions of Sestercies which amounteth to about seven millions sterling He was by nature bloody insolent and haughty during his Prosperity and as base and dejected in Adversity He had not courage after his Defeat to die like a Roman much less an Emperour but lived to the reproaches of an Ignominious death With his hands bound behind him and a Rope about his neck he was led through the Market place the People all along reviling him unto the place of Execution
him some publick Attempts When the time drew near these projects should take effect the General being forewarned thereof committed Valentinus with some of his pickt Confederates into the hands of Captain Dulcitius to see them executed but took care withal not to make any farther enquiry after other Conspiratours because he was a Man excelling in Military knowledge all others in that Age and moreover fore-casting the future events might prove noxious in too much disturbing the minds of the factious Provinces whereby it might raise new Commotions Waving that and applying himself to reform many Enormities most necessary as fortune prospered him in his undertakings peace and quiet was restored those Garrison-Forts and ruined Cities he rebuilt Fronteirs with standing-Watches he fortified the Province which had so much subjected themselves to the Enemies he recovered and so strengthned it in its former estate and according to his own will it was Ruled by a lawful Governour and was called VALENTIA from the Princes will and pleasure The Areans a sort of People instituted by those of Ancient times falling by slow degrees into corrupt Vlces were driven from the places where they most resorted as convicted publickly how they received Bribes and promises of large Rewards to discover to the Barbarians whatever we designed to be acted for us It being their charge to hasten sometimes to one place sometimes to another to acquaint our Captains of all disturbances the People near adjoyning being at any time in a readiness to rise Having compleated all these his Noble Acts was ordered to attend at the Princes Court and leaving the Provinces safely rejoycing was had in as great esteem as either Furius Camillus or Papirius Cursor and receiving the honourable and affectionate Complements of all men towards him even as far as the Narrow Seas he safely arrived with a prosperous Wind to the Princes Camp where hew as embraced with all the joy and applaud imaginable Simmachus writes of the Rewards of this Noble General thus The Author of Your stock Captain General in Africk and Britain was amongst other ancient Titles consecrated by the most Honourable Order with Images of Knighthood which Statue resembled a Man on Horse-back in Armour Besides Claudian in his Poetical-fancy streins thus in his Commendations Ille Caledoniis posuit qui Castra pruinis Quimedio Libyae sub oasside pertulit astus Terribilis Mauro debellatorque Britanni Littoris ac pariter Boreae vastator Austri Quid rigor aternus Coeli quid Sydera prosunt Ignotumque fretum maduerunt Saxone fuso Orcades incaluit Pictorum Sanguine Thule Scotorum cumulos flevit glacialis Hiberne In Caledonian Frosts his Tents he pight And Lybia's scorching heat endur'd in field The Cole-black Moors and Britains fair in flight He quell'd and forced both South and North to yield What then avail'd cold Clime strange Seas and Stars When Orkney Isles he dy'd with Saxon gore The branded Picts now suffered mortal scars And Ireland did huge heaps of Scots deplore 〈◊〉 Lybiz 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thule Ille leves Mauros 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pictos 〈◊〉 Scotumque vago 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fregit Hyperboreas remis audacibus undas Etgeminis fulgens utróque sab axe trophais Tethyos alternas refluas calcavit arenas Lybia whose scorching heat secures her shoars And Thale senced in with walls of Ice Both dread his Name the light and nimble Moors And Picts who Painting above Garments prize The wandring Scot through Northern Isles he chas'd And on their gloomy Seas Triumphant rode His Trophies thus under both Poles he plac'd Where e're the Ocean either ebb'd or flow'd These are the Actions happening in Britain in the daies of Valentinian he was an excellent Prince and highly commended for the endowments both of mind and body as being a great Souldier yet Chast and Merciful qualities rarely found in Sword-men Yet among his many Vertues he is taxed by Ammianus for his over severity in punishing the Common Souldiers for small and trivial offences and his strange remisness towards the crimes and oppressions of their Officers which saith he was a main cause of the Troubles ensuing in Britain He Reigned eleven years eight months and two daies and died of an Apoplexy or as others write of the Plague He is not admitted a King of this Island by our Histories as being not allied to Constantine or any of the British Blood But in these daies OCTAVIUS was King if he were still living for the British account is very lame and imperfect in this point or if dead MAXIMIAN whom the Roman Records call Maximus who married the Daughter of Octavius and was himself descended of Constantine the Great of which Maximus we shall have a farther account in the following Emperour in whose daies it appeareth he assumed the Purple Robe although some of the British Writers make him King in the year 348 which is 28 years before the daies of Gratian and I am afraid mistake him for Magnentius Flavius Gratianus EMPEROURS AND Flavius Valentinianus GRATIAN with his half-Brother VALENTINIAN both the Sons of Valentinian the Elder succeeded their Father in the Empire The East vacant by the death of Valens he bestowed on Theodosius the Son of that Theodosius who was so famous for his British Wars and reserved the Government of the Western Provinces to himself Maximus a Spaniard born and one who had equally served in the British Wars with the younger Theodosius for he also either with his Father or not long after him seems to have done something in this Island and now General of the Roman Armies either discontented that Theodosius was preferr'd before him to the Empire or as Orosius reports constrained by the Souldiers who despised Gratian or hated him assumed the Purple Robe a valiant Man vertuous and worthy of the Title of AUGUSTUS had he not against his Allegiance and by way of Tyranny and Usurpation attained it And indeed the first assaies of his Power were well employed to the good and preservation of his Country The Scots and Picts who with their Inroads continually wasted the Province he utterly subdued and drove back when pussed up with his success and not content with his Dominion in Britain with the flower and strength well near of the British Youth he passed the Seas and arriving at the mouth of the Rhine drew to him the whole puissance of the German Army His Royal Seat he made at Triers whence he is called by Gregorius Turonensis Trevericus Imperator and spreading his wings saith Gildas the one as far as to Spain the other into Italy with the terrour only of his Name he brought in Contribution from the most fell and savage Germans Against him Gratianus made his Power but after five daies skirmishing was forsaken by his own Soudiers put to flight and forced to beg his peace St. Ambrose was sent Embassadour who in outward shew obtained it but the event proved that Treachery only and Treason iwere intended For Maximus wholly intent how
Hengists further Advice in hastning speedy Orders for a greater supply of German Forces in pretence of securing the Land more firmly from the rage and power of his Enemies which in truth at last proved but to promote and strengthen his own Greatness which so long he had fore-cast in his head to accomplish esteeming it also to be a great Honour to his Name and Family that he should approve himself to be the only Man that first laid the foundation of a Saxon Monarchy in so Great and Renowned a Kingdom as BRITAIN which was not only so esteemed in those daies but by the Phoenicians Greeks and Romans their Predecessours And we have just cause to believe his Affairs were managed with more than ordinary prudence and policy when in one of his Armies was conveyed hither the comely and most beautiful Rowena on purpose to entice and steal away the Kings heart that her Father might take the better advantage in compleating his Emperial designs The King no sooner saw this Beautiful Virgin at a Banquet unto which he was invited by Hengist but so infinitely admired her Person Beauty and Noble Behaviour that nothing would divert his resolution or quench the heat of so sudden a passion but the deserting his own Queen to obtain Rowena in Marriage but Hengist craftily managing his designs modestly complements the King with humble and submissive Excuses much after this manner That neither his Daughters degree Person or Fortune was suitable to Majesty or the Greatness of his Dominions and Empire yet at last through the earuestness of the Kings Importunities he gave his consent for his speedy Marriage By this Hengist was not only honoured in being Related to a British Prince but firmly received a confirmation of the Kings Gratitude the Kingdom of Kent for his Recompence which formerly had been governed by one Guorongus a Vice-Roy to manage State Affairs in that Province This German Alliance with King Vortigern in a short time made the Saxon Confederates more burthensome to the State than their late Enemies which at first a little startled the King nevertheless the crafty and fortunate inventions of Hengist strengthned by the power of that beloved Rowena so eclipsed the Kings sight yea so weakned his Power that he gained further leave to send into Germany for his Brother Occa and his Son Ebusa The pretence was that the Enemy grew too heady and strong for him and that by such aids and assistance he could better undertake the defence of the South parts when at the same time They if here might preserve the North. Some report although not without contradiction to others that this Occa was the Son of Hengist and Ebusa his Uncles Son but the difference in Opinions in this point is not much material sufficient that the story is true that such Persons by name were called hither by the advice and procurement of Hengist to promote the power of a Saxon Interest The Nobility of the British Nation now sensible of their destruction knew it was too late to reclaim a Luxurious and careless Prince and as to little purpose to endeavour the recalling of a neglected opportunity wherein once they might have stopt the current of such dangerous Events and Accidents For their Consultations now with the King how to prevent Occa and Ebusa from entring the British shoars were wholly rejected through the inseparable affection he bore to the content and happiness of his new Associate The manner of Occa and Ebusa's behaviour after their Arrival is briefly thus After the King had given his consent for the landing of a powerful Army of Germans there came with them as their Generals Occa and Ebusa and coasting towards Britain they struck Sail for the Orkney Isles after whose arrival the Inhabitants received great and unspeakable damages and not long after the Scots and Picts bore an equal share in affliction for after they had sufficiently executed their Tyranny upon the Britains they proceeded to Northumberland where for some time at their first entrance intended only to make a short stay but in process of time too well approving the accommodation of that Country they esteemed it a place worthy of longer residence yet not so fully and absolutely possessing it as to govern it under the title of KINGS but Subjects of Kent till ninety nine years after their first possession Now it is that again we hear how infinitely afflicted and moved the Subjects of King Vortigern were at the increasing Power of the Saxons and because as I said before they could not perswade him into the belief of such great dangers likely to happen they universally agreed in Counsel among themselves to bereave him of his Regal Power and Dignity and in whose stead they placed his Son Vortimer which for the present put the Nation into no small confusion and hubbub besides gave new occasions to the Saxons to revive Insurrections and commit upon the distressed Inhabitants most deplorable spoil and havock Bede and others are silent of Vortimers taking possession of the Crown about this time and consequently that there happened no such fewd and heart-burning between King Vortigern and his Nobility upon the account of the Saxons Arrival into this Land For they say that when the Saxons came into the Land they were received as Friends Aiders and Assisters of the disturbed Britains against their Enemies But I conceive Bede and others might mistake the true Timing of Transactions in that State forgetting the time of the breach of Covenant between them and so might easily mistake one time for another as I find the British History in several other cases are worthy of too great blame and reprehension What Courage the Britains took after all these discouragements in the daies of Aurelius Ambrosius shall be shewn in a following Treatise relating to the transactions in that Princes Reign Hengist by Birth however he dissembled his Quality in that modest behaviour of his in behalf of his Daughter to King Vortigern was of the Princely Blood of the Saxon Race born in Angria in Westphalia the Son of Wiht-Gisil of the Line of Prince Wooden The Kingdom of Kent he obtained by his power and policy not Right which in the daies of Julius Casar was never known to be an intire Province as it was alwaies governed by four Petty Kings of the British Race And although he obtained not the Kingdom by right of Inheritance yet was he to be commended for his Policy Valour and Conduct He possest not the Kingdom above seven years but laid the foundation of the Saxon Government and approved himself an Example yea the first Rule and direction to Egbert afterwards a K. of the West Saxons how to reduce the whole Kingdom into one happy and entire state of Monarchy So that before we proceed to the History and Chronicle of his Successours who after their Arrival bore the greatest sway in this Kingdom and by success of Arms and vast supplies received from the
another Synod or Session was agreed on where a greater number of the British Clergy were present amongst them seven Bishops The old Controversie is again renewed but when Augustine found that he was likely to gain no further he desired they would but conform to him and the Romans in three things only 1. In the observation of Easter 2. In the administration of Baptism 3. In assisting him with their preaching to the English Saxons But they suspecting the pride of Augustine would not bondescend to him in these things neither Lamentable was the event of this Assembly which shall be related when we come in order to the place for the British Church differed in many things from the Roman as appears out of Gildar and Bede and this following discourse Concerning the Manners of Augustine I shall determine nothing he is blamed by our Age and extolled by Antiquity They report him to have been learned pious and an Imitator of Primitive holiness the Apostle of the English often in watchings fastings prayers and alms zealous in propagating the Church of his Age and of Religion and earnest in rooting out Paganism The first Introducer of Roman Monks and other Rites and Ceremonles in repairing and building Churches diligent enough and for working Miracles extraordinary famous From hence by reason of humane frailty his mind perhaps grew more lofty and proud which thing St. Gregory himself seemed to take notice of who admonished him by an Epistle that he should not be puffed up with the greatness of his Miracles He is ill spoken of for the Massacre of the Priest of Bangor and not without a cause if as is reported he excited King Edilfrid to that horrid slaughter Concerning him thus Câ—â—grave in his Life St Augustine was by stature very tall so that he appeared from the shoulders above the rest of the people his face was lovely but majestical withal there 's no body can relate the Wonders and Cures he did among the People He alwaies walked on foot and most commonly he visited his Provinces bare-footed and the skin on his knees was grown hard and insensible through continual kneeling Concerning the time when he died the opinions of Authors are many so that which to fix on is uncertain Stow makes it the 29 of May in the year of Grace 603 Bede in the year 604 Augustine himself in his Leaden Bull if it be truly his cites a Character of King Ethelbert dated the year of our Lord 605 from which 't is manifest that he was then living Thomas Sprot relates that he held a Councel at Canterbury in the year 605 Matthew 〈◊〉 Westminster following Segthert saies that he died in the year of Grace 608 Howden in the year 610 Trevet and Polydore in the year 611 Malmsbury in the year 612 and Savil in Fastis in the year 613. How long therefore he governed the Church of Canterbury so great is the disagreement of Writers that I date not determine any thing concerning it But it appears manisest enough that he began in the year of our Lord 596 in which he was sent by St. Gregory or in the year 597 in which he was received by King Ethelbert and ordained Bishop of Canterbury by Etheriâ—â—s Arch-Bishop of Arles 'T is agreed on that he was buried in a Monastery of his own name which he had built with the assistance of King Ethelbert and in the Porch of that Church dedicated to St. Peter and Paul but not as yet consecrated in a stone Coffin covered over with Iron and Lead with this Inscription Inclytus Anglorum Praeful pius Decus Altum Hîc Augustinus requiescie corpore sanctus The Church afterward being consecrated by Lawrence his Successor his Coffin was brought into the Church and placed on the North side where afterwards was an Altar of his name and this Inscription affixed Hîc Requiescit AVGVSTINVS Dorobernensis Archiepiscopus qui olim huc à Beato Gregorio Romae Urbis Pontifice directus à Deo operatione miraculorum suffultus Ethelbertum Regem gentem illius ab Idolorum cultu ad fidem perduxit completis à pace diebus officii sui Defunctus est 7. Kal. Junii eodem Rege Regnante He was Canonized for a Saint and now holds a place in the Roman Martyrology on the seventh day of the Kalends of June i. e. the 26 day of May. He is said to have written one Book to Gregory of his prosperous success and one Book of the Statutes of his Churches and Eleven Questions which Gregory Answered lib. 12. Tom. 2. which Bede also relates lib. 1. cap. 37. Hist. Angl. Augustine arrives in England is courteously received of Ethelbert King of Kent he imitates the life and doctrine of the Primitive Church he baptizes the King and is honoured with an Episcopal Seè. Bede lib. 1. cap. 25. AUgustine being strengthned by the encouragement of Blessed Father Gregory returns with the rest of the Servants of Christ that were with him to the work of the Word and comes into Britain Edilberth at that time was the most powerful King of Kent who had extended the bounds of his Empire to the Banks of the great River Humber by which the Southern and Northern people of England are separated There is towards the Eastern part of Kent the Isle of Tanet of indifferent bigness the compass of it according to the usual computation of the English is six hundred Families which the River Vantsum parts from the Continent in breadth about three surlongs and in two places omy fordable for it runs its head both waies into the Sea Here landed Augustine the Servant of the Lord with his Companions as is reported about fourty in number they had taken along with them Interpreters of the French Nation as Pope Gregory had commanded them Being arrived he sends to Edilberth giving him to understand that he came from Rome and had brought good tidings with the proffets of Eternal happiness to them that would receive them and an Everlasting kingdom after this life with the true and living God The King hearing this commanded that they should tarry in the Island they had landed in and that all necessaries should be afforded them till he had determined what to do with them for he had heard of the Christian Religion before having married a Christian Wise of the Royal Family of the French by name Bertha whom he had received from her Parents on this condition that she should have free exercise of Religion and liberty to have a Bishop by name Luidhard whom they had given her as an assistant and strengthner of her faith The King after some daies past came to the Island and sitting down in the open Air commanded that Augustine and his Companions should be brought into his presence thither for he feared to admit them into any House being perswaded by his old Superstition that if they brought with them any Charms or Incantations they could not so easily work upon him
Law punishes with death if any man lye with a menstruous Woman which Woman nevertheless whilst she suffers her monthly Terms ought not to be forbidden entrance into the Church because the superfluity of Nature ought not to be accounted a fault in her and for what she unwillingly suffers it is not just to debar her coming into the Church For we know that the Woman which was troubled with a flux of Blood coming humbly behind our Lord touched the hem of his Garment and presently her infirmity departed from her If therefore she having a Flux of blood upon her might praise-worthy touch the garment of our Lord why should it not be lawful for her that suffers her menstruous Terms to enter into the Church of God But you may say that infirmity compelled her so also those whom we speak of are compelled by their Terms Consider therefore my dear Brother because whatever we suffer in this frail flesh out of the infirmity of nature was by the judgment of God appointed after the fall For to be an hungry to thirst to be hot to be cold to be a weary is from the infirmity of nature and what is it otherwise to provide food against hunger drink against thirst air against heat rayment against cold rest against weariness than to find out some Medicine against our Diseases Women therefore and their menstruous issues are Diseases if therefore she did well that in her grief touched the garment of our Lord which was granted to one infirm person why should it not be granted to all Women which are rendered infirm by the corruption of Nature Therefore the receiving of the Mystery of the holy Communion at these times ought not to be prohibited but if out of a reverent fear she shall not presume to receive she is to be commended But if she shall receive not to be censured for 't is the sign of a good mind even there after a manner to acknowledg a fault where there is none because we many times do things in themselves without a fault which proceeded from a fault We are an hungry without fault by eating proceeds from a fault It proceeds from the first Man that we are an hungry for the Menstruous terms are faults in women because they come naturally but nevertheless because nature it self is so corrupted that it may seem to be polluted without the bent of the evil From offence came corruption by which human Nature may know what through the judgment of God 't is come to and the man which of his own accord committed the fault bore the guilt of it unwillingly And therefore women when they consider their condition if they shall not presume during their Menstruous terms to come to the Sacrament of the Lord's body and blood they are to be praised for this their honest consideration But if out of a custome of a Religious life by receiving they are transported with the love of the same mystery they are not as we said before to be restrained from it For as in the Old Testament the outward works were to be observed so in the New Testament not that so much as is done outwardly as that which is inwardly thought on is carefully to be lookt after that it may be kept under by strict examination For when the Law forbids many things to be eaten as unclean in the Gospel the Lord saies Not that that enters into the mouth defiles a man but those things that come out of the mouth defile him Matt. 15. 17. And a little after he adds by the way of exposition from the heart proceed all evil thoughts where 't is largely shewn that that appears polluted to Almighty God indeed which proceeds from the root of corrupt Cogitation Whence Paul also the Apostle saies To the pure all things are pure but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure And a little after shewing the cause of this defiling he adds but even their mind and conscience is defiled If therefore his meat is not unclean to him whose mind is not unclean why should that which a Woman endued with a pure heart suffers from nature be accounted in her uncleanness And a man sleeping with his own wife unless he is washed with water ought not to enter into the Church neither presently after his washing may he enter for the Law commanded the ancient People that a man that had lain with a woman ought to be washed with water and not to enter into the Church before Sun-set which nevertheless may be understood in a spiritual sense because unless the fire of Concupiscence be before allayed in the mind he ought not to look upon himself as worthy the Congregation of his Brethren who seems loaded with the wickedness of a depraved will Although many Nations think diversly of this thing and seem to retain different customes yet this was alwaies the use of the Romans from the eldest times that after a man had lain with his wife he was to endeavour his cleansing by the Laver and to abstain somewhat reverently from entring into the Church Neither by saying these things do we make Marriage a fault but because the very lawful copulation it self cannot be done without the pleasure of the flesh we ought to abstain from coming into an Holy place because the pleasure it self can no wales be free from fault for he was not born in adultery or fornication but in lawful wedlock that said Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in fiu did my mother conceive me For he that knew himself to be conceived in iniquity bewailed himself that he was born of sin for the tree bears the same vicious humour in its branches which it drew from the root In which words he does not call the copulation of married people Iniquity but the pleasure that results from that admixtion For there are many things that are lawful and right by which in their acts we are defiled as oftentimes we angrily prosecute enormities and disturb the peace of our minds within us when indeed what we did was right but no wales approvable for that our mind was thereby disturbed for 't was against the wickedness of Male-factor she was angry that said Mine tye is troubled for very Anger because nothing but a calm mind is able to continue in the brightness of Contemplation he was sorry that his eye was troubled through anger for whilst he persecuted wicked actions below he was confounded and forced from the contemplation of the highest things Therefore Anger is commendable against Vice yet troublesome because he that is disturbed by it thinks himself in some sort guilty Therefore the lawful copulation of the flesh ought to be for Issues sake not for pleasure and joyning of the flesh ought to be for the procreation of Children not for the satisfaction of our vices If therefore any man makes use of his wife not hurried there unto by the transport of pleasure but only for procreation sake he
it as high a piece of Courtship to conform to the present way of worship their old Idolatry and now again revived Superstition In vain did Lawrence Successor to Augustine in the See of Canterbury endeavour by diligent preaching to stop the tide of this Apostasie for preferment at Court and the Countenance of the Prince drew more Proselites to Heathenisin than the good lives and examples of constant Professours could keep true and sincere in the maintenance of the Gospel But he was not long unpunished for whether workt by the strength of Education which suffereth not without violence principles well grounded to be rooted up or whether indeed as is related possessed with an evil Spirit he fell into soul fits of phrenzy and distraction the convulsions of the mind and often torments of an evil Conscience And now whilst in human appearance there seemed no hopes of amendment it so fell out that by extraordinary means he became penitent The story goes that Lawrence finding his labours ineffectual was resolved to retire into France and follow Justus and Melitus the one expelled London the other Rochester for the Apostasie was now spread wide into the Country of the East-Saxons also being at his devotions the night before his intended departure in the Church of St. Peter that Saint appeared to him and to make the Vision more sensible gave him many stripes for offering to desert his Charge the marks of which the next morning being shewn to the King with the cause why and the person from whom they were received so wrought upon his fancy already prepared that immediately forsaking his Incestuous life he embraced again the Christian Religion and became as zealous a Professour as he had been a violent Persecutor Though it should seem by the following Epistle of Pope Boniface that Justus not Laurentius was his Converter The Epistle of Boniface V. To Justus late Bishop of Rochester now Successor of Melitus in the Archbishoprick of Canterbury To our most Beloved Brother Justus Boniface sendeth Greeting WIth what devotion and watchfulness your Brotherhood hath laboured for the Gospel of Christ not only the tenour of your Letter directed to us hath manifested but the granted accomplishment of your undertaking For neither hath Almighty God forsaken the Obligation of his Name or the fruit of your Labour in what he faithfully promised to the preachers of the Gospel Behold I am with you even to the end of the World Which his clemency hath particularly shewn in your ministery opening the hearts of the Gentiles to receive the singular mystery of your preaching for with a great reward and the assistance of his goodness he hath illustrated the delightful course of your proceedings whilst of the Talents committed unto you by a faithful improvement rendring him a plentiful increase he hath prepared for you to lay up by multiplying the kind And this also is conferred on you by that retribution who constantly persisting in the ministry laid upon you with a commendable patience wait for the redemption of that Nation and that they might be profitable to yours their salvation is begun The Lord saying Whosoever shall endure to the end the same shall be saved Ye are saved therefore by a patient hope and the strength of forbearance that the hearts of unbelievers being purged from the natural disease of Superstition might obain the mercy of their Saviour For having received an express from King Eadbald our Son we find with how great knowledge in holy teaching your Brotherhood hath brought his mind to a true conversion and the belief of our undoubted faith Upon which occasion having a certain assurance of the continuance of the divine Clemency we believe that by the ministry of their preaching will follow not only the full conversion of those under his command but of the neighbouring Nations also Since as it is written The recompence of your works accomplished shall be given by the Lord the Rewarder of all good things And it may truly be effected that the sound of them hath gone throughout the whole earth and their words to the ends of the earth by an universal confession of Nations professing the Christian Faith Polydore Virgil relates that hereupon he was Baptized but it seemeth strange that Ethelbert so Religious a Prince had neglected that pious office to his Son and as for re-baptizing in case of Heresie or Apostasie it had been long before condemned in the Church After his conversion he re-called Melitus and Justus from banishment and built a Chappel within the Monastery of Peter and Paul at Canterbury He reigned twenty four years and by Emma daughter of Theodebert a French Prince had two Sons Ermenred and Ercombert Ermenred died before his Father and left a Daughter Dompnena and two infant Sons behind him Ethelred and Ethelbert but the Kingdom required a man to govern it Ercombert the younger Son succeeded his Father ERCOMBERT ERCOMBERT notwithstanding his elder Brother's Sons were living took possession of the Kingdom What he wanted in Right he made out in good Government being reported a most Religious and Christian King The Saxon Idols yet standing he utterly demolisht and commanded the Fast of Lent to be universally observed but he is noted by some for not restoring at his death the Kingdom to his Nephew whose undoubted Right it was But leaving two Sons behind Egbert and Lothair whom he had by Sexburg the daughter of Anna King of the East-Saxons it fell to them successively He reigned twenty four years EGBERT EGBERT the eldest Son of Ercombert after his Father's death obtained the Crown but conscious that the right of Inheritance lay in his Uncle's Sons Ethelred and Ethelbert to secure himself he dispatcht them both casting their bodies into a River that their murther might not be known but they were afterwards by the stream cast up upon the shore and discovered by the next Inhabitants who in great veneration for before they were esteemed Saints and now Martyrs interred their bodies and built over them a little Chappel or Oratory Their bones were afterwards removed and laid in the Abby of Ramsey in Hantshire Their Sister Dompnena married to Merwald a Mercian Prince founded the Abby of Minster in Kent wherein saith Stow she became the first Abbess Mr. Cambden placeth that Abby in Sheppy and saith it was founded by Sexburga Wife of Ercombert To make amends for this Murther he gave to the Mother of these Princes part of Tanet wherein to build and Abby His ill-gotten Power was but short reigning only nine years he left behind him two Sons Edric and Wigtred but his Brother Lothair seized the Kingdom In his days the Province of Kent was divided into Parishes by Theodorus not Honorius Arch-bishop of that See as Mr. Speed falsly accounteth who placeth also this Action in the days of Ercombert LOTHAIR LOTHAIR taking the advantage of the Minority of his Nephews stept into the Throne but he enjoyed it not in Peace
scyldig se man se ê§ana sie he age healf ê§ Æ¿iae daet Æ¿eorc If a Free man shall do it on that forbidden time he shall suffer the Mulct of Pillory and the Informer shall have half as well of the Mulct as the Wirgild Wirgild signifies a Composition made by the Party or his Friends for a fault committed This is all that we find upon Record either in Church or State that particularly relateth to King Wigtred He left Issue Edbert Ethelbert and Alric who all reigned in their turns EDBERT EDBERT the first Son of Wigtred reigned peaceably twenty three years nothing is left memorable upon Record during his Reign save that two blazing Comets appeared one before the Sun in the morning the other after him at night both darting their beams to the North. It was thought to portend the Desolations afterwards made by the Saracens who brake into France but were soon after expelled ETHELBERT the Second ETHELBERT the Second and second Son of Withred succeeded his Brother in the Kingdom He reigned for the space of eleven years and hath left nothing behind of Name or Issue He was buried among his Ancestors at Canterbury ALRIC ALRIC the third Son of Withred and last of the Royal Family of Hengist held the Scepter thirty four years He was slain in the battel of Otteford by the hands of OFFA the Mercian King whose overthrow saith Malmsbury was less dishonourable as vanquisht by so great a Monarch The Saxon Annals of 784 mention one EALMUND now reigning in Kent but he is no where else mentioned The following Kings either by wealth or faction obtained the Kingdom ETHELBERT the Third ETHELBERT the Third Sirnamed Pren the Annals call him Eadbright by what means is unknown usurped the Regal Power After two years reign contending with Kenulph the Mercian King who invaded his Territories he was taken Prisoner and led captive into Mercia and there for a while detained During his Imprisonment Cuthred was appointed by Kenulph to govern Kent and Simeon writes that Kenulph commanded to put out his eyes and cut of his hands but upon what occasion or whether the sentence was executed he hath left us in the dark Certain it is that Kenulph having finisht his Church at Winchcomb in Glocestershire either out of commiseration of Human chance or relenting so severe a punishment or else to render the dedication of his Temple more illustrious taking this Princely Captive by the hand he led him to the High-Altar and there in the presence of Cuthred his Vice-Roy in Kent and ten Earls thirteen Bishops and many other Nobles he gave him his Liberty without Ransom and free leave to return to his Dominions But coming to Kent he was not received but retired to a private life and this is he and not the former Ethelbert whom the Annals of Canterbury affirm to be buried at Reculvers in the Isle of Tanct where he may be supposed to have lived after his expulsion a place most convenient and oftentimes used for such inglorious retreats He reigned only three years CUTHRED CUTHRED was created by Kenulph Vice-Roy of Kent but our Historians make him King and Usurper however he sate in the Throne but three years and we hear nothing of him but that he was present at the release of his Predecessor which should seem to argue that he was not the cause of his being kept out from the Crown BALDRED BALDRED last King of Kent was vanquished by Egbert the West-Saxon who seized his Dominion after he had reigned eighteen years and forced him to flie beyond the River Thames at which time this Kingdom and not long after the rest of the Heptarchy were reduced under the intire obedience of that Monarch THE KINGDOM OF THE East-SAXONS Contained Counties Essex Middlesex Part of Hartfordshire KINGS Sledda Sebert Sered Seward Sigibert the First Sigibert the Second Sigibert the Third Swithelm Sighere Sebba Offa. Selred Suthred SLEDDA SLEDDA the tenth from Woden is generally esteemed the first founder of the East-Saxon Kingdom though some following Huntington give the honour to Erchenwine his Father of whom nevertheless they tell us nothing saving his Name and Pedigree relating neither the number of his Forces the place of his landing or so much as the least encounter with the Britains In the same obscurity we might have passed over Sledda his Son had he not ennobled himself by the marriagt of Ricula Daughter of Emerick King of Kent and Sister to Ethelbert the first Christian Prince and Great Monarch of the English-men And indeed the whole transactions of this Province seem all along to have been redeemed from oblivion not by the glory or worth of its Princes or the greatness of its own proper atchievments but by the conjunction is had with other Kingdoms more powerful and the lustre it borrowed from neighbouring Princes with whom it was often linked in action In its beginning it was tributary to Kent and received its Protection from thence and this is the reason I have placed it next in order and though afterwards it came to be in a manner absolute yet it never rose to that height as to have one Monarch that could pretend to give Laws to other Kingdoms of the Saxons as all the rest at one time or another did It was bounded on the East with the Sea on the South with the Thames on the West with the Colne on the North with the River Stour But these two latter limits often varied according to the encroachments of the Mercians made upon them in the West and the East-Angles and those of Northumberland on the North. Neither is the time of the beginning of this Kingdom more certain some place it as high as the year 516 under Erchinwin others eleven years after in the year 527 and the fifteenth of Oisc second King of Kent Some begin it at the first year of this Sledda's Reign which they will have to be in the year 587 but leaving them in their Disagreement I shall begin the computation of this Kingdom from the death of Sledda who having reigned without any actions recorded the space of many years departed this life Anno 596 leaving issue Sebert and Segebald SEBERT SEBERT the eldest Son of Sledda succeeded his Father nothing more famous than he saving that he was the first introducer of the Christian Faith into this Province He was converted at the perswasions of his Uncle Ethelbert and the preaching of Melitus afterwards Bishop of London and received Baptism at his hands in his chief City of London where by the assistance of King Ethelbert then chief Monarch of the English-men he founded a stately Church or rather repaired and enlarged the old Structure dedicating it to the honour of St. Paul constituting it the Cuthedral of the See of London This Church Ethelbert then present endowed with good possessions as in his Grant to Melitus is evident by this following Record AETHELBERT Rex