where the Flamens were seated in our times it is a Garrison where in King James his time Sir Cornewallis was Captain The third and last place which this Fortunate Prince built was Warwick Cambden saith Warwick built by Gurgaint That the Saxons called this place Warryng-wyc Mennius and the Brittains Cair Guarvie and Caer leon all which Names seem to take their derivation from the Brittish word Guarth which signifieth a Garrison Sconce or place of Defence Hoc illud oppidum est quod praesidium Romanis in Brittannia dicebatur ubi ut est in provinciarum Notitia praefectus equitum Dalmatarum sub dispositione Ducis Brittanniorum egit The situation of this place is most pleasant upon a Hill rising from the River over which is a strong and fair stone Bridge and her sharp stream upon the Town side checked with a most fair and sumptuous Castle It seemeth this Town hath been walled about as appeareth by the Trench in some places seen and two very fair Gates whose passages are hewed out of the Rock as all other into the Town are over which two beautiful Chappels are built that towards the East called St. Peters and on the South-west St. James two fair Churches are therein seated called St. Maries and St. Nicholas beside these in and about the Town suppressed St. Laurence St. Michaels St. John Baptist and St. John of Jerusalem and the Nunnery in the North of the Town the Castle which we named was ruinous but was of late Repaired at the great cost and charges of Sir Fulk Grenil the late Lord Brook who therein dwelt so was it anciently the Seat and abiding Place of the Dukes and Earles of Warwick 1 Henry de Newburgh E. 2 Roger de Newburgh 3 William de Newburgh 4 Walleran de Newburgh 5 Henry de Newburgh Lâ—sengè Or and Azure on a border Gules 8 plates 6 Thomas de Newburgh Chechy Or Azure and a Cheveron ermin 7 John Marshall first Husband of Margery Sister and Heir of Thomas de Newburgh Gules a bend fusile Or. 8 John de Placetis second Husband of the said Margery Ar 6 annulets Gules 321. 9 Walleran de Newburgh Uncle and Heir of Thomas de Newb. Losengè Or and Azure on a border gules 8 plates 10 William Manduit Son of Alice Sister and Heir of Walleran Ar 2 bars Gules 11 William Beauchamp Son of the Lady Isabella Sister and Heir of William Manduit 12 Guido Beauchamp 13 Thomas â—eauchamp E. Marst 14 Thomas Beauchamp 15 Rich Beauchamp Reg. of France 16 Henry Beauchamp D. of Warwick Gules a fess between 6 cross croslets Or. 17 Richard Nevill who married Anne sister of Henry Beuchamp D. of Warwick Gules a saltoir arg a label of three gob A B. 18 George D. of Clarence who married Anne D. of Ri. Nevill England and France quartered on a label of 3 points arg as many cantons G. 19 Edw. Plant. Son of George arma paterna 20 John Dudley descended from the Lady Margaret Daughter of Rich. Beauchamp E. of War 21 Ambrose Dudley Or a Lyon rampant his tail double-sorked veet 22 Robert Lord Rich created E. of VVarwick 16 Jac. Aug. 2. 23 Robert Rich. Gules a cheveron between 3 cross croslets Or. Gurguntius buried at Caerleon After Gurguint had ruled this Kingdom by the space of twenty nine years in great peace and tranquillity he departed out of this transitory life and was buried at Caerleon leaving to succeed him his Son Guinthelinus or Guintellius GVINTHELINVS GVINTHELINVS or Guintellius the Son of Gurguint his Father being dead took upon him the Government of this Island and was crowned King of Great Brittain in the year of the World four thousand eight hundred fifty and three The English Chronicle calleth this Prince Gwentoline a man of singular Parts and Education understanding exactly both the Greek and Latine Language he governed his Subjects with such moderation and judgement that his Memory deserveth to live for ever and to make him the more glorious the heavenly Providence bestowed upon him a Lady for his wife who equalized him in all the Excellencies that can be exprest in her Sex she was so transcendent being but a woman that she had beautified her intellectual parts with the knowledge and perfection of many Sciences insomuch that she might justly be stiled learned but above all these rich Treasures of her mind she imployed not to ostentation or vain-glory that thereby she might be praised but made use of them for the common good and utility of the Kingdome Martiae who was the Paragon of her time and nature also she composed a Law so conducing to the good of all that in memory of her it was called the Martian Law and continued in full force and power many years and so well approved of by Aluredus the Saxon Prince that he thought it an honour to him to translate it himself out of the Brittish Language for the good of his Subjects into the Saxon Tongue and called it Mathehelage that is the Law of Martia great was her assistance to her Kingly Consort in the Administration of the Republick insomuch that after his decease their Son being in his minority and very young all Orders of the Kingdome as well Nobles as Commons for her great Wisdom and Discretion made choice of her to be Queen Regent till her Son came to full Age and in this condition she ruled for the space of some years though they be not numbred by reason that her Son had the Title of King yet the Count Palatine tells us That Deinceps Martia uxor ejus Vitus à qua conditae sunt Martiae Leges regnat annis septem cum Filio suo and then viz. after the death of her Husband Martia his wife who made the Martian Law reigned jointly with her Son seven years De quo Polidorus Polidorus Nutu Dei factum inquit est ut Guintolinus ad Regnum civilibus dissensionibus quassatum perveniret quod reduceret illud in pristinum statum id quod graviter fecit Eo enim potitus Rempublicam Brittanicam ejus Legibus ac moribus velut de integro condere ac ornare maxime studuit sed ante omnia civiles discordias quae adhuc tanquam reliquiae factionum durabant penitus sedavit Huic uxor erat nomine Martia mulier praeter caeteras pulchra sapiens quae peperit unicum filium Sicilium iste mortuo patre cum nondum esset maturus imperio Martia multarum rerum perita Regni curam interim suscepit quod Reipublicae erat id imprimis sibi faciendum rata leges tulit quas posteri Martianas appellarunt This King was called by some Guttelinus and by others after the Roman Dialect Guintelinus who after he had ruled six and twenty year left this world and was buried at Troynovant or London leaving his onely Son Sisillius to succeed him in his Kingdome SISILLIVS SISILLIVS or Cecilius Son to Guinthelinus began his Reign over the
Author that he both was a Christian and Converted by St. Joseph and plainly alledgeth Nennius Authority Thus he writeth Joseph converted this King Arviragus By his Preaching to know the Law divine And baptized him as written hath Nennius The Chronicler in Brittain Tongue full fine And to Christ's Law made him incline The Antiquity of the Crosse for England And gave him then a Shield of silver white A Cross end long overthwart full perfect Thus writeth this Author but without Warrant of any thing I can find for whereas as he citeth Nennius to have written thus in the Brittish Language it is evident by all Antiquities that Nennius which wrote in that Tongue was long before the Birth of Arviragus or St. Joseph and dead 50 years before the Nativity of Christ and was Brother to King Lud and Cassibelin and was named Nennius Helius and he could not write any such thing the other Nennius called Bancharensis as all Authors agree wrote onely in Latine and consequently could not write so in the Brittish Tongue as that Author thinketh or our best modern Authors affirm they find no such thing in any copy of Nennius Codices ii quos consuluisse me Nennii antiquos contigit hnjusce rei parum sunt memores Neither is King Arviragus or St. Joseph named by him The places which he allowed to St. Joseph and his companions were propter munitiones Arundineti fluminis paludis so compassed and invironed with Reeds River and Fens that they builded a poor Oratory themselves of such base Elderwands as that Fenny wildernesse afforded which giveth sufficient testimony how far Arviragus was from being a Christian that had nothing but such abject and outcast things to allow to Christ and his servants when for the maintenance of the Pagan Idolatry which he professed both as the Brittish History Matthew of Westminster Ponticus Virunnius and as well Modern as Ancient are witnesses he was Author of stately and sumptuos buildings and so far from diminishing any honour that was then given to the false gods of the Brittains that he added more unto them namely worshipped the wicked Emperor Claudius whose Bastard-daughter he had taken as wife as god dedicated a costly Temple unto him soon after his death yet after this his acquaintance with S. Joseph for as I find in an old Manuscript-history and others do not dissent the City of Gloucester then Caer Glou Anonymus his Maps in Glocestershire the City of Claudius was built by King Arviragus in the year of Christ 66. This City was first won from the Brittains by Chenlin the first King of the West Saxons about the year of Christ 570. and afterwards under the Mercians it flourished with great honour where Offirick King of Northumberland by the sustenance of Ethelred of Mercia founded a most stately Monastery of Nuns whereof Kinelburgh Eadburgh and Eve Queens of the Mercians were Prioresses successively each after other Edelfled a most renowned Lady Sister to King Edward the Elder in this City built a fair Church wherein her self was interr'd which being overthrown by the Danes was afterwards rebuilt and made the Cathedral of that See dedicated unto the honour of St. Peter in this Church the unfortunate Prince King Ed. 2. under a Monument of Alabaster doth lie who being murdered at Berkley Castle by the cruelty of the French Isabell his wife was there intombed And not far from him an other Prince as unfortunate namely Robert Curthose the eldest Son of William the Conqueror lyeth in a painted wooden Tomb in the midst of the Quire whose eyes were pluckt out in Cardiff Castle where he was kept Prisoner twenty years with all contumelious indignities until through extreme anguish he ended his life and before any of these saith our Brittish Historian the body of Lucius our first Christian King or rather at Caerleon in Monmouthshire was Interred and before his days the Brittain Arviragus This City hath given Honourable Titles to these Dukes and Earls 1 Robert Base Son to K. Hen. 1 Earle Gules three rests Or. 2 William 3 John Sansterre Son to K. Hen. 1 who Married Isabell Daughter and Coheir of Will E. of Gloucester England a bend Azure 4 Geofry de Mandevile E. of Essex 2d Husband of Isabell Quarterly Or and Gules over all an Escurbuncle Pomet and Flory Sable 5 Almerich de Evereux Son of Mabell another Coheir of E. William some put this Almerich before Geofry but erroneously as I conceive Partly perpale endented Arg. and Gules 6 Gilbert de Clare Son of Annice another of the Coheirs 7 Rich. de Clare 8 Gilbert de Clare who Married Joan of Acres Daughter to King Edw. 1. Or 3 Cheverons Gules 9 Ralph de mont Hermen 2 d. Husband of Joan of Acres Or an Eagle displayed Vert membred and leaked Gules 10 Gilbert de Clare Son of Gilbert and Joan. Or three Cheverous Or. 11 Hugh de Audley Married Isabell sister and Coheir of Gilbert Gules Alfret Or. border argent 12 Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester and Lord Constable Quarterly France and England a border arg 13 Thomas Lord Spencer Grand-son to Elinor Coheir of Gilbert Earl Quarterly the 1. and 4. or 2. and 3. Gules there on a fret Or a bend sable 14 Rich. Plantagenet Brother to K. Edw. 4. Lord Adm. and Constable D. Quarterly France and England a Label of 3 Ermine as many Cantons Gules 15 Humphrey Plantagenet son to King Hen. 4. This Hump. place immediately before Rich. Quarterly France and England a border argent 16 Henry 3d. Son of the late King Charles declared by his Royal Father Duke of Gloucester Anno 1641. but not create And to demonstrate that he both lived and died a Pagan this King Arviragus was and that by his own order buried in that Pagan Temple in the year of our Lord Christ 73. ten years after St. Josephs coming hither Arviragus ut dies suos explevit sepultus est Claudiocestriae in quodam templo quod in honore Claudii dedicaverat ut construxerat And Scut Virunnius further addeth that he did every month offer sacrifice in that Temple after the Pagans manner so much be loved him singulis mensibus sacrificabat tanto eum amore prosequibatur And it is further evident by many Antiquities that Arviragus did many publick acts besides this which Christian Religon could not permit as that after he had been long time Married to Voada sister to Cataracus King of the Scots and had divers Children by her he disinherited the Children put away and imprisoned the Mother and Married Genuisse the supposed Bastard Daughter of Claudius and kept her the other yet living and left the Kingdome to Marius her Son and was so far from repenting this barbarous act contrary to Christian Religion that being challenged for that impiety he wrote a book in defence of this his wickednesse Mr. Bron. fol. 132. affirming therein that it was lawful for him to have plurality of Wives because
hold he was Bishop of Curre in Germany and Martyred there say his Martyrdome was about the year of Christ 182. whereas this our King was living nine years after besides they say that St. Emerita was his sister But it is evident by our Histories that our first Christian King Lucius had neither brother sister nor child begotten by King Coillus in his old Age having no other Child whereby it is evident that this King Lucius had neither brother nor sister and with what probability can it be affirmed that a King so holy and loving of his Countries good and quiet having no Christian Heir to suceeed him would or in conscience could forsake his Native Country and Subjects in such a case that were in justice belonging to his chiefest charge which no other could execute to preach unto Forreigners which many of his Subjects and others could and at his request most willingly would have performed We read in Histories that many descended of Regal race have in such cases been taken forth of their Monasteries and Religious Conversation to govern Kingdoms destitute of Heirs but that a King so vertuous wise loving and beloved of his Country having no such Heir to succeed him but by such course to expose and leave his Kingdom to so many certain miseries and calamities as fell upon Brittain by the death of King Lucius and probably were foreseen of all wisemen did might would or could take such a course Antiquities have no example Justice denyeth it Charity cannot allow it Seb. Munster Cosmog l. 3. c. 344. Mr Bro. f 349. Coxion Hist part f in K. Lucius Manu Hist Antiq. in Luco Sebastian Manster saith plainly that whereas there is a Vulgar report he maketh no more of any Lucius preaching there that one Lucius preached there if it were so it could not possibly be our first Christian King Lucius for he never went out of Brittain but very Godly lived and dyed here Gaspar Bruchius doth also plainly reject all that History as it is applyed by some to our Lucius and among other reasons addeth that the great difference of years will not permit it to be true An old French Manuscript joyneth in the same leaveth him living dying buried in Brittain And if we come home to our own Historians and Antiquities most likely to make the most true and certain relation of this their so renowned King they set down the year the day Antiq. Eccles St. Petri Cornhil Harding Cron. c. 51. f. 44. and particular place of his death and the very Church one of his own foundation where his body was interred the day and year they say was the 201. year of Christ the third day of October For the place our old Brittish History saith he dyed at Glocester and was with honour buried there in the Cathedral Church so likewise writeth Ponticus Virunnius Matthew of Westminster setting down the time as before saith he dyed at Glocester and was honourably buried there in the Cathedral The old Manuscript of St. Peters Church in Cornhil at London avoucheth from divers Antiquities that he was buried at Glocester where the Church of St. Francis was after builded being at the time of his death the Cathedral and Episcopal Church of the City John Harding also witnesseth of this Kings death and burial at Glocester At Caerglove buried after his dignity And not to exclude the testimony of our later writers in this relation in their Theater of Great Brittain written and composed by divers able Historians Theater of great Brittain l. 6. c. 9. sect 18. and published with common applause they make this History of King Lucius his death in Brittain a matter without question true and thus scoffingly condemn those writers which would carry him to end his dayes in Germany That this Lucius be the Apostle of the Banarians or that his sister Emerita was crowned with the flames of Martyrdom Harrison disc of Brittain Stow Howe 's Hist fifteen years after his death I leave to the credit of Aegidius Schudus and Hermanus Schedelius the Reporters Others of them plainly say Lucius was buried at Glocester yet this general consent of Antiquaries for his first burial at Glocester doth nothing hinder but as the known devotion both of the Brittains as Saxons after them towards holy Relicks did often and with great devotion and solemnity remove the bodies of holy Saints or parts of them for their greater honour So it might or did after fall out with the whole body of this renowned King or some part thereof And the Tradition of Winchester is that the whole body of King Lucius or a great part thereof being once removed before probably to Caerleon for some say he was buried there was the second time translated thither and there lyeth in the body of the great Church under a marble stone elevated about two foot from the pavement the same stone being now broaken in two places having upon it and those holy Relicks a cross of seven great brass buttons whereof 5. are set down in length the other two making the perfect figure and forme of the cross one on each side of the others making the length And this Reverend Translation of St. Lucius his body to divers places in Brittain is sufficiently insinuated by the old Author of the French Manuscript History who although he confidently affirmeth that King Lucius dyed at Glocester yet he addeth that he was afterwards buried in the chief See at Caerleon and this he saith was in the year of Christs incarnation 196. four or five years sooner then others before have set down his death except the Manuscript Compilation which hath the same computation of his death saying Sepultus est anno Incarnationis Domini 196. herede carens he was buried in the 196. year after the incarnation of our Lord wanting Issue or heir And both to assure us further of the undoubted truth of those Histories which testifie the death and burial of St. Lucius to have been in Brittain and not in any forraign Region as also to give us better notion and trial what honour peace and quiet spiritual and temporal with other happiness this Kingdom enjoyed by King Lucius life and lost them by the loss of him it is the constant agreement of Antiquities that Brittain now made by his death destitute not only of so worthy a King but also of any certain heir or successor of that Regal race fell to intestine discord and variance by which it was miserably afflicted long time upon that occasion a late Author tells us King Lucius dyed without issue by reason whereof after his decease the Brittains fell at variance which continued about the space of fifteen years as Fabian thinketh howbeit the old English Cronicle affirmeth that the contention among them remained fifty years though Harding affirmeth but four which his words of Hardings opinion that this variance among them continued but 4. years are to be amended for Harding setteth down
Brittania as we may partly see in what is already declared of York which work finished he proceeded to a second Erection and laid the foundation of Alcuid or Alcluid in Albania now Scotland which Hector Boetius M. B. f. 336. 6. the Scotch Historian in honour of his Country imagines to be Dunbritta n but another Author to whom I give more credit saith And the old Flamens City Alcluid or Alclucht was also founded by the same King viz. Ebranck of Brittain There is a question where this City for certain was but all agree near the wall of division and so the priviledges and power thereof must probably extend on both sides of that division The City Caerlile or Lugugablia was a place of this prerogative builded by Leil the seventh in number of the Brittish Kings and out of doubt had power and prerogative in both sides of the wall both in Leogria and Albania having as our Antiquaries say and experience yet proveth in it part of that famous Wall of Separation habet haec urbs aliquam partem illius muri famosi qui transcindit Northumbriam Ranulphus Higedon and others placeth an old City Vrbs Beble Vrbs Regia a Regal City upon the River of Twyde super ripam Twydi which divideth England and Scotland and if it was a Flamen or Bishops See as the ancient glory of it perswadeth to think the jurisdiction of it must needs extend into Albania The third notable place which this Ebranck founded was the Castle of Maidens which standeth at the one end of the City of Edenbrough a Castle by the Scots thought so impregnable that the grand Seignior himself with all his numerous Armies could not be able to surprize it but the valour and courage of the English in these late wars maugre all their Scotch juglings and sanctity made them know the contrary who now have it in their possession as a curb to check that Nation This Castle of Maidens or rather Edenborough it self was also an ancient Flamins City and Residence and after Converted into an Episcopall See Ebrancus not yet content with such Edifices as he had already erected layeth a fourth Foundation and called it Bamburgh but whether this was the place which we now call Bambury Burgh and Bury in their several Languages signifying the same thing I will not decide if it were Mr. Cambden saith Hic Banburie quondam Bananbyniz primum perfundit ad quod Kinricus visisaxo Britannos pro aris focis fortiter Dimicantes memorabili praelio olim fudit superiori saeculo Ricardus Nevill comes Warwicensis dum à Lancastrensibus partibus staret Eboracenses profligavit ut statim etiam ipsum Edwardum 4. consilii innopem caeperit abduxerit Nunc autem conficiendo Caseum notissimum Here Kinricus the Visisaxon in a most memorable battle overthrew the Brittains most valiantly fighting for their lives liberties and Religion and in later times Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick being for the Lancastrian party so vanquished King Edward the Fourth that ignorant which way to turn himself he took him and carried him away the place is now famous for excellent Cheese c. To end his dayes with famous glory this heroick King laid the Foundation of that long continued and learned University now called Oxford which was first known by the name of Caer Mennix and after Bellesitum a name most fit for so pleasant a place and after Caer Bossa Rhydohen in conclusion Oxenford of a certain Ford called Isis in English Ouse Howe 's fol. 9. and so instead of Ouseford Oxenford or Oxford upon which word a Student there to prefer his own University before Cambridge for Antiquity Quibles thus the Ox went over the Ford and then Camebridge Others call it Caer Mennip Galfridus calls it Caer pen huelgoit Leland from the Antiquities of Dover writeth that it was a City before the time of K. Arviragus that builded the Castle adjoyning and nameth it a most renowned city and that King Lucius builded a Church in the said Castle Referunt idem Annales Lucium regem Britannorum c. Whosoever desireth a further and more large satisfaction concerning the erecting of the several Colledges Churches Monasteries Halls and Schools let him peruse Mr. Cambden in Oxfordshire Ebranck after he had reigned Forty years and builded so many goodly Cities departed out of this life whose Corps were buried or burned at York his Obsequies being celebrated with great solemnity and left to succeed him in his Kingdome his Son Brutus the second sirnamed Green shileld BRVTE GREEN-SHIELD BRute the Second eldest Son of Evranck succeeded in the Kingdome and for that his Father had received a repulse as some write at the hand of Brunchildis Lord of Henalt Hanolt or Hannonia which lyeth on the East of Flanders 60 miles long and 48 broad containing 950 Villages and 24 Towns besides Castles The chief are Banais supposed to stand in the same place where the ancient Belgium was built Mons Condè Valencennes c. he in revenge thereof Invaded Henalt with a great Army in the Fens and Marsh land at the mouth of the River Scaldis in old time called Stadus and encamped himself upon the River Hania where between Brutus and Brunchildis was fought a fierce and bloody battel in that place which to this day is called Estambruges of the station and Camp of Brutus as Jacobus Lessabeus writeth in his description of Henalt This Brute of his lusty courage was sirnamed Greenshield he reign'd twelve years and was buried at Caer Ebranck or York LEIL LEillus or Leill Son of Brute the second commonly called Green-shield began his Reign over the Kingdome of Great Brittaine in the year of the worlds Creation Four thousand two Hundred fifty four he was a just man and one who highly esteemed Justice and Dignity and imitating the worthiest of his Predecessors in erecting ornaments for his Kingdome he laid the foundation and in time fully built the City of Carliele The Romans and Brittains had several appellations for this place sometimes calling it Lugu-vallum and Lugu-ballium and sometimes Lugu-baliam and Caerliel The Saxons after they had possest themselves of this Island called it Luell as St. Bede affirmeth Ptolomeus as some seem to affirm called it Leucopibiam and Nennius caer Lualid the old Prophesies of the Brittains which Mr. Cambden calls ridicula Britannorum vaticinia indeed he never was Friend to the Brittains and Welsh Vrbem Duballi at this day well known it is by the name of Caerlile and by the Latines Caeliolum Lugum or Lucum priscis Celtis who spake the same language with the Brittains as Mr. Cambden imagineth and but imagineth Pomponius Mela tells us it signified a Tower or Fortification and Caerlile or Lugu vallum is as much as to say Turris or munimentum ad vallum certain it is that this City flourished and was in high esteem with the Romans as may appear by several Monuments of great Antiquity which have
Horsemen 132. and was named Cohors Miliaria that is to say a company of One thousand and more souldiers This Band hath the preheminence above all the Legions when they go to Fight for they are placed in the Forefront and begin the battel The second Band containeth 555 Footmen and 66 Horsemen of heavy Armour and is called Cohors Quinquegintaria The third band hath also 555 Footmen and 66 Horsemen The Fifth had as many These Five bands are set in array in the first battel The other Five bands have equally each band the like number so that these ten bands make a compleat Legion containing 6100 Footmen and 726. Horsemen King Leill in the end of his Reign fell to sloth and lust whereby civil dissentions arose which ended not in his life He reigned 25 years and was buried at Caleile alias Chester which hath given the honour of Earle to these honourable Families 1. Hugh sirnamed Lupus Azure a Wolfs head erased Argent 2. Richard Son of Hugh Gules crutely Or a Wolfs head erased Arg. 3. Randolph de Meschines Or a Lyon rampant with his tail erected Gules 4. Randolph de Gernoniis Gules a Lyon rampant with his tail erected Arg. 5. Hugh Kivilioc son of Randolph Azure 6 garbs 3. 2. 1. 6. Randolph Blondevil Son of Hugh Azure 3 garbs Or. 7. John le Scot Son to the Lady Maud eldest sister of Randolph Or 3 piles Gules Edward eldest Son to K. Ed. 3. England a label of 3 points Symon de Montfort E. of Leicester after whose death Chester was laid unto the Crown and hath been since united to the Principality of Wales Lud or Lud Hurdribras alias Cicuber KIng Lud his Father being Dead with general applause and consent ascends the Royall Throne of great Brittaine in the Year of the Worlds Creation 4279. as Mr. Fabian accounteth the First businesse which he took in hand was to settle his Kingdom for his Father towards the latter end of his Age addicting himself to sloath and giving way to the youthful sin of lust a vice most hateful in an old Man gave occasion to his Subjects who lived in Ease Wealth and Delights to stir up commotions and dissentions these broyls Lud though young yet wisely endeavours by all means and diligence to suppresse knowing that peace and quiet is the Object and chief effect which all distempers and Wars how just soever aim'd at by his studious endeavours and assistance of faithful Friends and careful Councellours he obtains his desire and having settled all distempers and reduced them to their due order and motion he set his mind wholly upon the beautifying of Britanny and therefore in imitation of his Royal Progenitors he begins a City which he calls Caer gant or Kaer kin which afterwards the Saxons call Canterbury which is to say the Court of Kentishmen True it is that Canterbury is now a Metropolitan Church and Archbishops See but it never had an Archflamen St. Augustine out of an affection of his own though some Authors affirm London according to the general rule of placing Archbishops where Archflamens were and bishops where Flamens was appointed by Pope Gregory to be the place there settled his Archiepiscopal chair For Canterbury it was first a Flamens Seat And the old Manuscript History called Abbreviatios Chronicorum saith in this time and setling of Bishops in King Lucius his Reign That the old Church of St. Martins was builded tunc constructa est extra Cantuariam Ecclesia sancti Martini and to notifie that he meant thereby a Cathedral and Episcopal Church he addeth this when he speaketh of changing Flamens into Bishops and all Histories testifie that the holy Bishop Lethardus which came hither with Queen Bertha before St. Augustin's time used it as his Episcopal See And Canterbury besides the Arch-bishop had another Bishop in that Church of Saint Martin divers hundreds of years and Mr. Lambert the Antiquary of Kent saith from Antiquities St. Martins Church built by the Romans in Canterbury was a bishops See untill the Normans came in and so two in one City thus substitute to the Archbishop Giâ—â—â—us And that Canterbury was a Primates See Mr. Broughton fol. 178. out of other Authors Ex Anacleto hujus Insulae divisionem Canterburie London Caerlegion York and Alba in Scotland by some taken to be St. Andrews Vrbs Legionum Cantuaria Londonia Eboraca Alba unde Albania Provincia were designed Primate Sees for such as Giraldus Cambrensis in his second book to Innocentius the 3. Sir John Price Matthew Parker the first Arch-bishop of Canterbury with others testifie Mr. Cambden calls this City Dorovernum saying that the River Stoure runs most swiftly by it which seems partly to give name unto it for that Durwherne signifies in the Brittish tongue a swift or fierce running river he saith it is Vrbs pervetusta Romanoque seculo proculdubio illustris And Malmesbury tels us Nec adeo magna nec euiliter parva quae terrae positione soli assinis maxima ubertate integro murorum ambitu fluviis irriguae nemorum opportunitate inclyta praeterea maris vicinitate piscium faecunda if any desire to satisfie himself further concerning this famous and glorious Brittish City let him read Mr. Cambden in his description of Kent The next City which King Lud founded was Caerguent Ptolomeus and Antoninus call this City Venta Belgarum the Saxons þinvancesvor the Latines Vintonia at this day Winchester some seem to derive the Etymologie from Vento others from Vine and not a few from Wina the Bishop But Lelands conjecture pleaseth better who from the Brittish word Guin or Guen i. e. white doth derive it and so maketh Caer Guin the White City so ab albedine prisci latini Albam Longam Albam Regiam nominarunt for this venta as the other two Venta Icenorum and Venta silurum in the midst between Chepstow and Caerleon in Monmouthshire in times past a Flamens Seat a City and an University or School of Philosophers Nunc seges est ubi venta fuit the high way â—or road is through the midst of it This City was remarkable in the Romans days In qua textrina sua sacra Imperatores Romani habuisse viderentur their weaving houses for according to Guidus Pancirolus illa Gynecia constituta sunt texendis principis ut militum vestibus navium velis stragulis aliis ad Instruendas mansiones necessariis to weave vestures and garments for Princes and Souldiers sails for ships linnen coverings or coverlids and other necessaries to furnish habitations the Cathedral Church of Winchester saith Godwin according to a respect that I finde in an old Manuscript was first built and erected by King Lucius and to speak further in his words This Church was hallowed and dedicated October the 29. 189. by Faganus and Damianus Bishops and he proveth from the same Antiquity that in the year 309. one Constance was Bishop there and in Saint Dubritius time Godwin Catal.
Epist by the Brittish History Dinuanius was also bishop there Episcopatus Guintonia Dinvanio decernitur the same author produceth an old Manuscript which testifieth another Monasterie founded at Winchester only his error is which the Antiquity doth not say that it was the Cathedral Church confounding them as one whereas both the Brittish History and Matthew of Westminster make them two several Churches otherwise he thus truly writeth a Church in Winchester according to a report that I find in an old Manuscript was first built and erected by King Lucius who abolishing Paganisme embraced Christ about the year of our Lord 180. and placing Monks in the same allotted for their maintenance large Revenues which heretofore had belonged for the most part unto the Flamens and other Heathenish Priests and this Monasterie so continued untill the persecution of Dioclesian when it was destroyed and the Monks martyred or dispersed yet upon the ceasing of the persecution it was presently within one year and thirty days new builded and the Church hallowed and dedicated unto the honour and memory of Amphibalus who was a noble Brittain that had suffered death for Christ in the late persecution by Constans bishop of Winchester in the year 309. the 15. day of March at the request of Deodatus the Abbot The first Dedication of that Church in King Lucius time 〈◊〉 Bâ—ough â—â—l â—09 by the two Legats Faganus and Damianus bishops was by that old Antiquity October the 29. 189. The Antiquities of Winchester make it more ancient and it thus continued a famous Monasterie until the year 519. at which time Cerdick the first King of the West Saxons converted the Church into a Temple of Dagon and either slew or chased away all the Monks This was that holy Sanctuary whither to the Altar of this Church one of the Sons of Mordred did flie for succour against Constantine the younger who there cruelly slew him before the Altar Constantinus filios Morâ—redi caepit alterum juvenem Wintoniae in Ecclesiam Sancti Amphibali fugientem aute altare trucidaâ—it in the year 543. others say that it continued within 17 years of St. Augustin's coming hither others continue Christians there for longer time Winchester hath honoured both Earls and Marquesses with their Titles As first 1. Saer de Quincy E. a Fess and labell of xi points 2. Robert de Quincy Gules 7. Mascles Or 33. 1. 3. Hugh de Spencer Quarterly the first and 4. arg the 2. and 3. each charged with a fret Or a bond sable 4. Lewes de Bruges Azure 10 Mascles 4. 3. 2 and 1. Or on a Canton Gules a Lyon passant gardant of the second 5. William Pawlett E. of Wiltshire and Marquesse of Winchester 6. John Pawlett 7. William Pawlett 8. William Pawlett 9. John Pawlet Marquesse of Winchester 1657. Sable 3 swords in pile Argent hilts and pomels Or a mullet for difference The Third City which this King built was Caer Septon now called Shaftsbury and Caer Paladur ut falso vulgus putabat saith Mr Cambden for he takes and draws what he can from Brittish glory it seems the Welshmen gave him no liberal hospitality in his travels for he is no friend of theirs he will by all means ascribe the building of this place to King Alfred producing this Monument and Malmsburiensis for his Author Anno Dominicae Incarnationis Elfridus Rex fecit hanc Vrbem DCCCLXXX Regni sui VIII The Saxons called this place Scheafverbyryg it may be from the broach or spice which in their language they call Scheaf in this place one Aquila whether Man or Eagle is incertain by the report of Historians is said to have prophesied the future times of this Empire and that after the Reigns of the Saxons and Normans it should again return unto the Government of the Brittish Kings In this City was St. Edward the Martyr Son of Edgar and one and thirtieth Monarch of the English Nation interred 972. being murdered at Corf Castle by his Stepmother Aelfrith to make way for her own Son to the Crown But as concerning Mr. Cambden who would gladly take away the glory of building this place from the Brittons the Predecessors and Forefathers of the Welshmen so abusively called by their Enemies and confer it upon the Saxons Hear what a learned Writer saith and a deep Searcher into Antiquities having demonstrated where the Primates and Metropolitans of this I le have their Sees which I will shew you as occasion requires after tells you where the Suffragans or ordinary bishops had theirs taking two Rules for his direction From Antiquity the one that they were placed as the custom was in our Brittish Cities the other that they were ordained where the Pagan Flamens were before Gildas writeth that Brittain had 28 Cities besides strong Castles bis denis bisque quaternis civitatibus instructa but he names them not but Ranulphus Higeden the Monk of Chester citing Alfridus tells us thus Regio Britanniae erat quondam civitatibus nobilissimis 28 Insignita The Country of Britain was in old times adorned with 28 Cities beside innumerable number of Castles defensed with strong Walls Towers Gates and Locks The Names of the Cities were these Caer Lud i.e. London Caer Ebrane i.e. York Caer Kent Canterbury Caergorongon Worcester Caerlyrion Leicester Caer Glau Glocester Caer Golden Colchester Caerrei Chichester which the Saxons anciently called Cissancester Caer Ceri Cirencester Caer went Winchester Caergrant Cambridge Caerlile Lugubalia Caerlile Caerperis Porchester Caer drom Dorchester Caerludcoit Lincoln Caer Merthin i. e. the City of Merlin Caersegen Silcester was is seated upon Thames not far from Reading Caerthleon or Caerlegion i. e. the City of Legions which first was called Lenscester but now Chester Caer Badon Bath which sometime was called the City of Achamannus Caer Paladur now ut falso credebat vulgus good Mr. Cambden here are Authors above vulgar people Septona now called Shaftsbury there are also other names of Cities sound in Chronicles This King reigned 29 years or as Fabian saith 39. who calls Septon or Shaftsbury Mount Paladur by reason that it is seated upon a Hill BLADVD the Son of Lud Hardibras BLadud the Son of Hardibras took upon him the Crown of this Iland in the year of the Worlds creation 4318. This King was much addicted to Learning insomuch that he undertook a Journey to Athens the most famous City in the World for the knowledge of Philosophy Astrology and all other Sciences whatsoever there fully to be instructed by the grave Philosophers of that place neither was he content to become learned himself learning indeed being the greatest ornament a Prince can have but he endeavoured likewise to confer so great a Treasure upon the Nobles of his Court and Subjects of his Realm and to that end he brought from Athens with him into our Brittain four learned Philosophers to lay a platform and found an habitation for the Muses and Nursery for Learning making choice of
Stamford in Lincolnshire for his design and purpose Mr. Cambden according to his wonted custome not willing to write any thing which may advance the glory of the Welsh or Brittish Nation giveth a slender account of this place saying that the Saxons called it Sveanford ex Saxo structili and that Edward the Elder built them a Castle against the Danes which at this day is quite demolished and that Henry the Second gave totam Villatam de Stanford quae erat in Dominio suo exceptis feodis Baronum Militum ejusdem Villae Richardo de Humetz sive Humete c. and that afterwards Gulielmus comes Warrenae eandem tenuit per voluntatem Regis Joannis that in the time of Edward the 3. by reason of a division and falling out amongst the Scholars of Oxford the one Part came hither and here opened Schools and began a third University of which as yet the Citizens boast but the intestine broiles between the Yorkists and Lancastrians so defaced this famous place that as yet it hath scarce recovered its pristine glory yet it so flourisheth at this day that it hath an Alderman and twenty four Brethren seven parish Churches two Hospitals the one very fair and ancient built by a Citizen of that place called William Brown the other of late Erection founded by William Cecill Baron of Burleigh the Nestor of his times But let us look a little beyond the Saxons by Mr. Cambden's leave the Author cited in the Margent writing of K. Bladud saith Richardus Vitus l. 2. Hunc principem diustuduisse Athenis indeque secum abduxisse quatuor Philosophos qui Scholas aperirent in Britannia eo loco quo post Vrbs dicta Stanfordia structa fuit quo universi litterarum artiumque studiosi magno numero undicunque convenerunt adeo ut Juvenalis Saty. 15. dixerit Nunc totus Graias nostrasque habet Orbis Athenas This Prince studied long at Athens and from thence brought with him four Philosophers who taught School at Stanford whither such as desired Literature and the knowledge of Arts flocked from all places nay he further bringeth in Caius Plinius lib. 3. c. 1. to tell you that propter illicitas artes Magicas usitatas in Britannia scripserit Magiam esse transgressam quoque Oceanum ad inane naturae provectam honorari quidem tantis ceremoniis in Brittannia ut ipsa illam Persis dedisse atque in ea re toti mundo quanquam ignoto sibi longeque distanti consentire videatur M. B. fol 206. 8. And again another Author having spoken of Cambridge proceedeth and saith so may we more then probably hold of our other Schools and Universities in this our Brittain then namely Stanford founded by King Bladud and furnished with Philosophers of Athens by him and so continued a place of Learning untill the coming of St. Augustine hither when it was by the Pope interdicted for Heresies This King not only founded Stanford and furnished it with Philosophers to instruct Youth in learning and other qualities to inform and beautifie the intellectual part but built the famous City now called Bath and so provided Waters and hot Springs that his Subjects might not alone take pleasure and delight in those warm and pleasing Baths but even by their occult Vertue find ease and relief for their infected and diseased limbs and members William of Malmesbury will have Julius Caesar the Author of these Baths But Richardus Vitus tells the old Monk Id opus falso à quibusdam Julio Caesari assignari cum ille ad illum locum nunquam pervenisset That work is falsly attributed to Julius Caesar who never came so far as that place Another Monk will have St. David to have been Causer of the hot baths saying At the place now called Glastenburie Father Hierom Fâ—â—ter in his Saints Lives printed at Dâ—ray 1632. in the life of S. David 1. Maâ—t He viz. St. David built a Church new from the ground and coming thence to Bath he cured the Infection of the Waters thereabouts and with his holy prayers and benedictions gave them a perpetual heat and made them very healthfull and soveraign for many diseases ever after as to this day is experienced to the wonderfull comfort and commodity of all England But this Relation is as true as is that other of his where out of ignorance he placeth the Metropolitan See of Wales at West-chester and that 's as true as that the Sea burns for I will make it appear in the sequel of this Book that Caer leon upon Vsk and not Caer leon gaur was the Arch-bishops See Ptolomeus calls this Caer Badon Aquas folis Thermas and aquae calidae some called it Akmanchester i. e. the City of such as are sick or troubled with aches Stephanus calls this city Badiza the Latines Bathonia the English Bath Cambden will have this city to be Caer Paladur that is the city of warm or hot-water but will not admit Bleyden cloyth i. e. Bleyden the Magician to be the builder and therefore rather then allow the Foundation thereof to a Brittain he produceth no Founder at all Solinus cap. 24. saith In Brittannia sunt fontes calidi opiparo apparatu exculti ad usus mortalium quibus fontibus praesul est Minervae numen in cujus aede ignes perpetui c. In Brittannie there are hot baths adorned with exquisite buildings for mortals use and convenience dedicated to Minerva in whose sacred Temple is kept perpetual fire which is never permitted to go out Athenaeus scribit Herculi balnea consecrata esse quae sua natura scatent è visceribus terrae sane quidem Graeci Palladem Herculi post labores exantlatos lavacra primum administrasse den onstrant These two Acts of this learned King had he proceeded no farther had left his Name famous to all Posterity as likewise his building a Temple to Apollo and placing therein a â—â—amen which after in King Lucius his time became the See of a Christian bishop but pride and vain-glory made him become ridiculous as indeed these two Vices have the power to make all men who follow them his vain thoughts being composed more of Air then any other Element tickle him with ambition to leave the Earth and live in the Air he beats his brains how to bring this his new conceived invention to a timely birth he provides feathers wax glew and all such Utensils as his abused brains apprehended necessary to quillifie him into the nature of a fowl or rather a fool and thus like Esops crow deckt with feathers not his own he appears more formidable and monstrous then the Griffons in the Mountains of Armenia Et ignotas animam dimittit in artes Naturamque novat nam ponit in ordine pennas A minima caeptas longam breviore sequente Et postquam manus ultima caepto Imposita est geminas opifex libravit in alas Ipse suum corpus motaque pependit in aura
Catalogues of their names only above twenty in number concludeth in these terms against himself before Of these forenamed Bishops until Sampson there remaineth little or no memorial but their names only And in the names themselves there is difference in the memorials of them Harpfield Hist in five 7. seculi John Bal. l. de Scrip. Brit. Gent. 1. in Samuele Beulano John Leland apud Pits li. de viribus illa in Elbode Harris Hist Ecclc. Manu li. 2. c. 20. And both of them omit their most renowned Archbishop Elbodus who joyned with St. Augustine and his company and wrote against his own Brittains and Scots for their untrue observation of Easter Some think he was created Archbishop by St. Augustine Mr. Harris seemeth to be of opinion that St. Fugatianus one of Pope Elutherius Legates was first Archbishop of Caerleon and St. Damiunus the other Legat Archbishop of London yet with the common opinion he had placed St. Thean there before both which may stand with truth in due construction if St. Damianus resigned it to St. Thean who as he saith was Archbishop there eighteen years and seeing we find no final departure of these two holy Legats from hence but rather a continual abode here after their return from Rome as though they were wholly designed for the spiritual good of this Kingdom if we joyn here with what eminent men and Bishops they were we may not deny them any chief place of honour according to their worth and deservings here The old Writer of St. Gudwalus Life Surius Haraeus and others say he was Archiepiscopus Britannus an Archbishop of Brittany and by his life and aboad of no other place but our old Caerlegion And if we should follow their opinions which hold that Caerlegion was Augusta where our renowned Archbishop Augulus was martyred we must also make him Archbishop there and the old Brittish History with divers other testifieth that Tremonus was Archbishop here Mr. Brough fol. 320. age 2. 5. Tremonus urbis Legionum Archiepiscopus long before St. Dubritius And it was foretold long before probably St. Dubritius was born or Tremonus was Archbishop of Caerlegion that this Archbishops See should be translated from thence to St. Davids and there the Archbishops Pall of Caerlegion should be worn Menevia Pallio urbis Legionum induetur which was after verified in the time of St. David as also the prophecie of the translation of London to Canterburie by St. Augustine and the seventh Archbishop of York going into Armorica performed by St. Sampson all foretold at one time altogether long before Therefore as in London and York there were Archbishops so in this City also of Caerlegion there were such wearing the Pall justifying the undeniable change and performance of that Prediction Ibid. After this time all Histories agree of St. Dubritius St. David Eliud Theelianus Kinocus immediatly succeeding one another and Elbodus in St. Aug. time And a late Writer saith further In which three Cities of London York and Caerlegion upon Usk there had been before time three Arch-flamens erected unto Apollo Mars and Minerva but now rased to the ground and three other Churches builded in their steads by Lucius to the intent that the Countreys round about might have indifferent access unto those places and therewithall understand for certain whether to resort for resolution The Persecution under the Roman Emperors being generall to all Churches and places even in the beginning thereof came to the City of Caerlegion where the Church being destroyed and the School founded by King Lucius overthrown the holy Priests and other Christians there had their part therein Amongst others St. Julius and St. Aron were then cruelly martyred in that City being by consent of all Citizens and Inhabitants there Aron Julius Legionum urbis cives most cruelly torn in pieces by torments never heard of before passi sunt inaudita membrorum discerptione in testimonium Dei excelsi Others say it is evident in Histories they were learned men brought up in the Colledge or School there founded by King Lucius The old School of Caerlegion brought forth many noble Martyrs thus write two late authors Ex Sanctorum Historiis constat Amphibalum Aaronem Julium Sanctissimos Dei Martyres coelestem Christi Doctrinam apud urbem Legionum inter literas tradidisse Ex nobili Gymnasio urbi Legionum viri multi summa pietatis doctrinae laude conspicui prodierunt ut Amphibalus Julius Aron By which Authorities and Testimonies joyning these holy Martyrs for Education School Learning Preaching and professing Christ with that most renowned Priest and Bishop St. Amphibalus they incline to hold and teach that they also were Clergy men This persecution at Caerlegion when these holy Martyrs were put to death was at the destruction of the Cathedral Church there being at the same time when the like desolation was at Winchester long before St. Albans Martyrdom I must needs say the same of these Saints as the Annales of Winchester do of their Martyrs And this the rather because our Antiquaries have told us that S. Amphibalus who converted S. Alban was born bred instructed in learning and remained at Caerlegion and being there in all probable Judgement when these troubles began there was as our Brittish History witnesseth pursued and in present danger to be apprehended by the Persecutors when St. Alban gave him entertainment and succour and addeth plainly that when St. Amphibalus thus fled from Caerlegion St. Julius and St. Aron were Absque cunctamine presently Martyred there having their members so torn in pieces as the like had not been heard of before Inter caeteros utriusque sexus summae magnanimitate in acie Christi praestantes passus est Albanus Julius quoque Aron urbis Legionum cives Julius and Aaron martyred before St. Alban quorum Albanus charitatis gratia fervens confessorem suum Amphibalum à persequitoribus insectatum jam jam comprehendendum in domo sua occuluit caeteri veri Duo inaudita membrorum discerptione lacerati ad egregias portas Hierusalem absque cunctamine cum Martyrii trophaeo convolaverunt The very same testimony hereof is given by St. Gildas both for St. Amphibalus then flying the persecution and the martyrdom of these saints at that time St. Bede also is witness that St. Alban entertained St. Amphibalus flying the persecutors Clericum quendam persecutores fugientem hospitio recepit And that St. Aron and St. Julius were martyred at that time Passi sunt ea tempestate Aron Julius urbis legionum cives The like have others therefore Giraldus Cambrensis doth worthily call them our two Protomartyrs in this time only in dignity second and next to St. Alban and St. Amphibalus but in time first and before them Duo nobiles post Albanum Amphibalum praecipui Brittanniae Majoris Protomartyres Gild. excid Brit. c. 8. These our two Protomartyrs are wonderfully commended in our Histories St.
Gildas saith of them that they stood out in the Army of Christ with greatest magnanimity Giral sup Itin. com l. 1. c. 5. Summa magnanimitate in acie Christi praestantes dico Giraldus Cambrensis is witness that amongst the Martyrs of that time they were the chiefest next to St. Alban and St. Amphibalus Post Albanum Amphibalum praecipui martyrio coronati Julius Aron How they were honoured of the holy Catholick Christians of that time with Churches dedicated to them Pilgrimages to the places of their Martyrdom and they both there and in other places honoured invocated and prayed unto presently upon the ceasing of the Persecution Now it will suffice to conclude with that their title of glory and renown which the ancient and learned Bishop of their Nation before hath given them and the due and honour to the place of their triumphant death Jacent hic duo nobilis Brittanniae Majoris Protomartyres ibidem Martyrio coronati Julius Aron Here lie at Caerlegion the two Noble Protomartyrs of great Brittain Julius and Aron and there crowned with Martyrdom This title to be the first Martyrs of Brittain in the most terrible persecution and with such exceeding magnanimity and Christian constancy as hath been related in induring torments till then never heard of without any example going before them but giving themselves the first example hereof so wonderfull patience love of Christ and Heroical true fortitude to so many thousands which by their singular example with invincible courage imitated them therein is the greatest honour we can yeild to such blessed Saints on earth their Festivity is celebrated by the old Roman Martyrologie upon the first day of July Baronius in Indice non Sanct. in Julie Arone On which day as Baronius plainly writeth many others suffered Martyrdom with them Julius Aron Martyres cum aliis plurimis in Brittania sub Dioclesiano primo die Julii So likewise affirmeth the English Writer and the Roman Martyrologe which Baronius glosseth upon may very well carry that construction for setting down for a certain truth that these two holy Martyrs were put to death in Brittany upon the first day of July Primo die Julii in Brittannia Sanctorum Martyrum Julii Aron qui in persecutione Dioclesiani passi sunt it presently addeth quo tempore ibidem quam plurimi diversis cruciatibus torti saevissime lacerati ad supernae civitatis gaudia consummato agone pervenerunt At the same time in the same place very many tortured with divers torments and most cruelly torn having ended their combats came to the joys of heaven And St. Bede saith that ea tempestate at that time when St. Julius and St. Aron were martyred divers others both men and women were put to death Alii utriusque sexus passi sunt ea tempestate So hath Henry of Huntington Passi sunt eo tempore Julius Aron alii quoque plures utriusque sexus And we cannot probably think that these raging Persecutors who in places where there were not in any degree so many Christians as in this renowned City an Archiepiscopal See and Christian University put them to death by thousands sent these here by cruel Martyrdom to heaven alone These holy Martyrs by all Antiquities suffered Martyrdom at Caerlegion and both Giraldus Cambrensis and Ranulphus Higeden writing at Winchester As also our late Antiquaries of the same Country plainly say it was at Caerlegion in Monmouthshire which was the Archiepiscopal City and School distinguishing it from Winchester by some called Caerlegion also I will only cite one Englished to my hand by a Modern In this Region Monmouthshire is seated the most ancient and most noble City of Legions which our Countrymen call Caerleon on Usk that is to say the City of Legions upon Usk for difference sake between it and the other which is built in Northwales upon the River Dee of which Giraldus writeth thus The same was a Noble and ancient Town the tokens whereof remain as yet an huge Palace a Giant like Tower goodly Baths and Hot-houses Reliques of Churches and places like Theaters compassed with beautifull walls partly yet standing also buildings under the ground Conducts secret passages and Vaults under the Earth framed with wondeâ—full Workmanship There lyeth Julius and Aron which had Churches dedicated unto them Vna Julii Martyris altera Araonis In the Church of St. Julius which is now called St. Julians and is distant from the now Caerleon a mile seated fast by the River of Vsk which runneth through the Town belonging to the Right Honourable Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury and Castle Issand a most stately house in this Church formerly Virgineo choro de corata was a Nunnery for in this Town were two famous Monasteries one of Monks or Canon Regulars the other of Nuns M. Broug fol. 603. 9. Matth. Westm an 541. dedicated to St. Julius in which Queen Guenhumara wife to King Arthur did after receive the habit of Religion Guenhumara Regina in Monasterio Julii Martyris inter Moniales habitum Religionis suscepit Not far from Caerlegion is a place called St. Albans standing on the ascent of a hill at the bottom whereof runneth the River of Vsk where by an old Tradition the Inhabitants believe St. Alban was put to death and will not be perswaded out of their errour by any reason wherefore to convince that mistake Mr. Br. 443 though the circumstances of the place be something alike where St. Alban was put to death for St. Bede writeth that the people who came to behold his Martyrdom were so many that being to passe over the River by a Bridge if St. Alban had not so miraculously dryed up the River they could hardly have gone over by the Bridge before night Ita fluminis occupabat pontem ut intra vesperam transire vix posset There was scarcely any left in the City Cunctis pene egressis a great multitude of both Sexes divers Estates and Ages came thither by instinct Vtriusque sexus conditionis diversae aetatis quae sine dubio divinitatis instinctu ad obsequium beatissimi confessoris ac Martyris vocabantur Therefore so many of divers conditions being thus called by the inspiration of God to such an holy purpose we cannot but think many of them were there converted at that time St. Bede setetth this to be done at St. Albans death before the great miracle of Angels appearing and praising of God and honouring St. Alban the night following at his place of burial and so soon as this miracle appeared the Pagans presently came thither in great numbers to hear and see it publikely professing that those Miracles were wrought by the power of Christ the Sonne of GOD and so being converted unto him a thousand of them at one time took their Journey to seek Saint Amphibalus in those parts which we now call Wales so far distant from Verulamium now St. Albans in England where by the help
Brittains in the year of the World four thousand eight hundred seventy and nine The English Chronicle calls this King Seizill either he lived in great peace and tranquilâ—ity as well he might his most worthy Parents both the heroick Prince his Father and beautiful and prudent Queen his Mother having quite extinguisht all even the least sparks of Sedition and Rebellion and left the Realm in perfect quietnesse or else the Records of his life perished for Writers relate very little of him only Mr. Howes tells us as the Scotch Writers say that he Reigned seven years and that in the very first year after his coming to the Crown Picts arrive in Brittain the Picts arrived in Brittain and possessed those parts which now be the Marches of both Kingdomes betwixt England and Scotland and confusedly makes no distinction betwixt Scots and Picts whereas Authors affirm that the Highland-men the natural Scots indeed are supposed to descend from the Scythians who with the Getes infesting Ireland The Author of a Book of Maps printed 1646. printed for Wil. Humble Anonymus left both their Issue there and their manners apparent in the wild Irish and Highlanders even to this day And from Scythia as is thought the name of Scots grew for so the Netherlands by Scutten expresse indifferently the Scythian and Scot so Gildas calleth the Irish Brittains Scythians so King Elfred in translating the History of Orosius turneth Scots in Scyttan and so saith Walsingbam from one and the same Original Scythe Scytici Scotae Scotini take their names as from Getae Getici Goti Gotici have done As for the Picts saith the same Author anciently inhabiting part of that Kingdome they were Inborn Brittains and such as thither fled to avoid the Romans servitude whose Names began first to be distinguished under Dioclesian the Emperour when they were termed Picts from painting their bodies like the Brittains as saith Flavius Vigetius which is more strengthned for that the Northern Brittains converted by St. Columb are called Brittan Picts but the Conversion of that Nation may more properly be attributed to Saint Ninian Ninianus Bernicius ex Regio Brittannorum sanguine procreatus Italiam adhuc adolescens literarum studio petit Romae apud divini Verbi ministros mysteria Veritatis edoctus ad plenum celer in-patriam remigrabat ubi Magister Paedonomus non vulgaris concreditum à Deo Talentum per Brittannorum Scotorum Australiumque Pictorum terras latissime profudit Hujus pia industria Picti primum relicto Idololatriae cultu St. Ninian a Brittain veram Christi fidem percepere Ninian born of the Royal Brittish Bloud being yet a youth went into Italy to follow his Studies and at Rome was fully taught the Mysteries of Truth by the Teachers of the divine Word and then returned into his own Country where becoming a Master and Instructor above the ordinary pitch of men he distributed the Talent bestowed upon him by Almighty God amongst the Brittains Jo. Bal. li. de Ser. Brit. cen 1. iu Niniano Bernicio Hector Boetius Scot. Hist li. 7. Fol. 119. Scots and Southern Picts cast off the bondage of Idolatry and embraced the sweet yoak of Christianity And for those holy labours was in former times as our Histories testifie by all throughout all Brittanny called by the title of Doctor and Inctructor of the Scots Picts and Brittains Scotorum Pictorum Britonumque Doctor Paedonomus non vulgaris eo nomine omnibus qui Albionem incolunt vel hac nostra aetate in multa veneratione habitus and in that respect was had in great veneration by all the Inhabitants of the Kingdome of Albion The first King I read of of that Nation that was Christian was Hiergustus King of the Picts who with his Pictish people and subjects were Christians Mr. Br. fo 582. and publickly professed that Religion but in the time of Maximus all the Scots were banished out of this Land which was in the year of Christ Hec. Boe. l. 6. Histo Buchan Rer. Sco. l. 4. in Rege 39. 379. ' Annus à Christi adventu in carnem tricentesimus septuagesimus nonus the Picts were generally and publickly instructed and professed Christians And also in the days of King Fincomark of Scotland who reigned 47 years and died multis virtutibus nobilis and in the year of Christ 358. ' Salutis humanae anno trecentesimo quinquagesimo octavo the Picts had received the Faith of Christ and before that time For whilst King Fincomark reigned Annal. Scot. Hec. Boe. sup l. 6. fol. 104. Hollish Hist of Ireland Fincomarko Rege Scotis adhuc imperante By divers Writers many of the Irish people received the law of Christ by means of a worthy Christian woman of the Picts as the Scottsh and other Histories testifie Per id tempus mulier Christianae pietatis cultrix Pictici eam fuisse sanguinis Scotici asserunt Annales Regina insinuata Christi nomen illi mirifice praedicavit reverendumque effecit This our Brittish St. Ninian deserveth eternal memory for converting the Picts Interea Sanctus Ninianus Australes Pictos quibus adhuc error gentilis inhaerens Idola venerari ac colere compellebat aggrediens Evangelii veritatem sequentibus signis praedicabat caeci vident claudi ambulant leprosi mundantur surdi audiunt mortui resurgunt oppressi à daemonibus liberantur sicque fides suscipitur error abdicatur destructis Templis Ecclesiae eriguntur currunt ad salutis lavacrum divites pauperes gratias Deo agunt in insulis quae procul sunt habitantes Ordinavit Presbyteros Episcopos consecravit totam terram per certas parochias divisit In the mean time St. Ninian going to the Picts which yet were Pagans and worshipped Idols preached the Truth of the Gospell unto them with these signes following The b lind see the lame walk lepers are cleansed the dead are raised and they which were oppressed with Divels are delivered And so the Faith is received Error abandoned Pagan Temples are destroyed Christian Churches erected Rich and poor are baptized those that inhabit in the Isles a far off give thanks to God He ordained Priests consecrated Bishops and divided the whole Land by certain Parishes Bede Hist lib. 3. cap. 4. Capgr in St. Ninio Guli Malm. l. 4. de gest Pont Angl. The first Stone building in Britt And having thus converted and confirmed the people unto and in the Faith of Christ being the chiefest end of his Mission and coming hither he returned to his Church Confirmatis in fide omnibus ad Ecclesiam suam est regressus This House and Episcopal Church which he now returned unto was the same which he had built before of stone called for the rarenesse of such building in Brittain that being the first as our History saith and thereby named Candida Casa the white House or Church at a place called Witerne between Scotland and England as they are now termed upon the Sea coast
aliquo metu adducti Deos placandos esse arbitrâ—â—tur humanis hostiis eorum aras ac Templa funestant ut ne Religionem quidem colere possint nisi eam ipsam scelere violarint Quis enim ignorat eos usq ad hunc diem retinere illam immanem barbaram consuetudinem hominum immolandorum Quamobrem quali fide Cicero in Orai pro Marc. Fonteio quali pietate existimatis eos esse qui etiam Deos immortales arbitrentur hominum scelere sanguine facilè posse placari Can any thing be accounted holy and religious with those men who when they are afraid of any thing and would have their Gods pacified do prophane their Altars and Temples with sacrificed men so that they cannot exercise their Religion except they first violate it with wickednesse For who is ignorant that even to this day they retain that savage and barbarous custome of sacrificing Men Therefore can you think those men to have any Religion or Piety who think the immortal Gods may be easily appeased with the wickedness and blood of Men The like hath Dio Cassius Amianus Marcellinus and others among the Gentils all crying out against those most barbarous proceedings and yet termed with them Religion and to fill up the measure of this their most inhumane irreligion as Julius Caesar with others testifieth These men had Idols of huge greatnesse whose members being made of wands they filled full of men alive and so setting them on fire burned them Immani magnitudine simulachra habent quorum contexta viminibus membra vivis hominibus complent quibus succensis circumventi flamma exanimantur homines And Pliny with others is witnesse that they were so far from doing any homage or duty unto God that they bestowed all such upon the Divels his enemies and were so far and so long time in his dayes practised in Magick and Invocation and worshipping Divels that he supposeth the Persians so far distant and given over then to that most horrible dishonouring of God had learned it and received it from hence where the chief Masters and Practisers thereof remained These Druids permitted many wives to one man for Caesar saith Caesar bell Gall. li. 6. Vxores habent deni duodeni inter se communes maxime fratres cum fratribus parentes cum liberis the like hath Zonoras and in this Country the people went naked nudi degunt mulieribus promiscuè utuntur and this was accounted a vertue and an honour amongst them as Queen Bunduice did publickty professe in her prayer to her Goddesse Audraste or Audaste qui cum caeter ae omnia tum liberes uxores communes inter se putant they think wives and children and all things Common Thus much of the Druids their Antiquity and Institution with their abominable sacrifices and superstitions of whom as occasion shall serve we shall speak more hereafter Grantham built by Gorbomannus Gorbomanuus is reported to have Founded Grantham in Lincolnshire of which place Mr. Cambden maketh onely this mention post Paunton visitur Grantham oppidum non infrequens Schola à Richardo Foxo Wintoniensi Episcopo Templo specioso exornatum cujus sacrae Pyramis admirandam in altitudinem surgit fabulis est famigerata Grantham a Town well peopled and adorned with a free School built by Bishop Fox and a very fair Church whose Broach or Steeple is of such height that it is spoken of far and near The same Gorbomannus builded as the English Chronicle seems to affirm Cambridge anciently called Granta Cambridge supposed by some to have been built by Gorbomannus Caer Grant and Grantchester yet Mr. Broughton out of other Authors saith that Cambridge was Founded by Cantaber a Spaniard many hundred years before Christ and walled about by Grantinus Sintque Doctores Scholares illius celeberrimae matris Philosophiae civitatis Cantabrigiae â Cantabro aedificatae nec non à Grantino Comite honorabiliter muratae ab omni calumnia inquietatione scandalo liberi Let the Masters and Scholars of that famous Mother of Philosophy the City of Cambridge built by Cantaber and walled about by Count Grantinus be free from all Calumny molestation and disturbance whatsoever which divers Oxford Men and Antiquaries though no Friends to the glory of Cambridge yield unto But of this place more hereafter in the Lives of Lucius Morpen-dragon Arthur and Cadwalader ARCHIGALLO ARCHIGALLO the Son of Morindus after his Brother had Reigned by consent of most Writers the space of eleven years ascended the Throne of Brittain in the year of the worlds Creation four thousand nine hundred and ten This Prince in the English Chronicle is called Artogail who utterly forsaking the model of exact Government which his Brother had left behind him for him to follow he lent too facile an ear to flatterers and sycophants and where no just cause could be found faults were contrived and invented whereby to entrap the Nobles and new Plots discovered which never were thought upon but by the Contrivers whose Machiavillian brains hatch'd them for the destruction of the valiant and wealthy were they never so innocent a point of policy so palpably manifest in these latter dayes that the weakest judgement may see it but the greatest dare not gain-say it These state tricks pleased Archigallo the ancient Nobility are thrust out of all command and power in the Commonwealth Delinquency laid to their charge or at least a disaffection to the present Government and upon these pretences many are secured and more utterly ruined either being put to such an intolerable Composition for their Estates that they never after recâ—er the losse or else are utterly thrust out of them and new Upstarts put in whose Predecessor never knew how to write himself Gentleman nor ever bore Coat unlesse a thred-bare one in which peradventure he held an other mans Plough or used some poor and sordid mechanick Trade but by these sinister means Archigallo cram'd his Coffers and raised to dignities such as best suted with his disposition so that Beggars ride on horse back and Nobles go on foot And set a Beggar on horse-back and ride to the divel but too much of one thing is good for nothing and the poorest Worm trod upon will turn again The Nobles and Commons begin to grow sensible of their just sad Condition and heavy Taxes and Impositions after which followeth a general grudging and murmuring when presently dispair sends fury amongst them and furor arma ministrat the intolerable yoak will be no longer endured all joyn in an association to take revenge upon the common Enemy Archigallo whom they suddenly set upon and before he could provide means to defend himself he is unking'd and quite difrobed of all princely Command after he had worn the purple by consent of most Writers five years It concerns Princes and great Commanders to make choice of Counsellors who not only have the reputation of vertue and Religion but also that
Piety he builded many goodly Temples in the honour of his gods It is in my judgement worthy observation how zealous Pagan Princes have been to build places of adoration to their false gods and in the infancy of Christianity and primitive Church with what devotion and piety not onely Christian Emperours Kings and Princes but even Noble Men and private Citizens bestowed their Wealth and Patrimonies in erecting Churches to the honour of our most Blessed Saviour and his holy and glorious Martyrs and how those who in our present times call themselves Saints sunt autem intus Lupi rapaces pollute contaminate deface and destroy Churches and Chappels pull down the Fonts wherein they received the badg of Christianity the sacred Lavacre of Baptisme draw down the monuments and shrines of Martyrs Sepulchres of those whose Memories are held in Veneration unclapper the Bells sacrilegiously take away the Ropes sed dabit Deus his quoque funem if these be acts of Religion or a Reformation as forsooth they term it then will I say That Gardiner rectifieth and reformeth a good Orchard planted with the choicest Fruit-bearing Trees when he pulleth up by the roots all those goodly stocks and leaves the ground digged and turned up by the profane snouts of Hogs and wild Boars and taketh no care to replant young Saplings and Graffts in their places King Lud began his Reign in the year of the World five thousand one hundred and thirty one who after he had governed the Brittains with great justice and moderation eleven years ended the period of his days and was buried in the Temple which he had built nere Ludgate in Caer Lud or London for so hereafter we must usually call it leaving two Sons Androgeus and Tenancius or Temancius CASSABILAN CASSABILAN brother to King Lud began to govern the Brittains in the year of the world five thousand one hundred and forty two The Nobles and Commons made election of this Prince in regard that the two Sons of his deceased brother were so young that the eldest of them was held unfit to govern Cassebilan as witnesseth the old Chronicle and also Flos Historiarum was not Crowned long but only elected Protector during the Nonage of his Nephews but Ambition and the dazling aspect of a princely Diadem are able with out the grace of the Almighty if it were possible to overthrow even honesty and justice it self yet Cassabilan a Pagan shews far more civility and natural tenderness then Richard the third a Christian who murdered his Nephewes being their Protector Cassabilan lets them enjoy that breath which God nature had bestowed upon them but so cunningly by his wily practises by doing justice shewing himself liberal and bountiful to the subjects he insinuates himself into their hearts and bosomes that as a man immediately sent from the Gods with general Votes and suffrages he is Crowned King of Brittain yet had he an after-game to play full of hazard and difficulty his two Nephewes are living had Machiavel been his Tutor he had sent them long ere this to their Graves and whilst the lawful Heirs are in being the unjust possessor upon what title soever can never be secure Cassibalan to stop the mouths of all such as should find themselves aggrieved with the disinheriting of the Orphans gives unto Androgias the City of London with the Dukedome or Earldome of Kent And unto Tenantius the Earldome of Cornwall but men deprived of their Birth-right will make hard shift rather then not obtain their Right or at least be revenged This was the present condition of Brittany about the four and fiftieth year before the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ Caesar being the Governour of Gallia for the Senate and people of Rome and having brought some part of that Countrey under obedience intended a Voyage into Brittany partly upon pretence of revenge for that the Brittaines had divers times aided those of Gallia in their Wars against the Romans and partly to satisfie himself with the sight of the Island and knowing the Inhabitants and their custome whereby he might be perhaps the more readily induced by reason of his own natural Inclination to undertake great and difficult attempts and with the encrease of his own glory to enlarge the limits of the Roman Empire unto which at that time the Soveraignity of the whole world was by divine providence Allotted And to this end he thought good to be first informed of the nature of the people and of such havens in the Isle as were most commodious to receive any shipping that should come thither which things where in a manner unkown to the Gaules by reason the Flanders suffered none to have accesse to them but Merchants onely neither knew they any other places then the Sea Coasts and those parts of the Isle that confronted the continent of Gallia wherupon Caesar supposing it necessary to make some discovery before he adventured himself in the action sent Caius Volusemus in a long boat with instructions to enquire of the quantity of the Island of the conditions of the Inhabitants of their manner of making War of their Government in Peace and what places were fittest for Landing After which dispatch made he himself with all his Forces which were newly returned from making War beyond the Rhene Marched into the Country of the * The ancient Inhabitants of the Guines and Bolonois in Picardie Morini from whence was the shortest cut into Brittany for there he had appointed his shipping to meet him In the mean time his purpose being known to the Brittains by report of the Merchants that traded with them divers states of the Isle either fearing the greatness of the Roman power or affecting Innovation for some private respects sent over Ambassadours who promised in their names to deliver Hostages for assurance of their obedience to the people of Rome but Caesar though he was fully resolved to enter the Island curteously entertained their offer exhorting them to continue in that good mind as a means to draw on the rest in following the example of their submission for the better effecting whereof he appointed Comius the chief Governour of the Attrebates as a man whose wisdome and faith he had tryed and whom he knew to be respected of the Brittains to accompany the Ambassadours in their return giving him in charge to go to as many Cities as would permit him acoesse and to perswade the Rulers to submit themselves as some of their Nation had already done and further to let them know that himself with all convenient speed would come thither The Princes of the Isle being yet altogether unacquainted with any civil kind of Government maintained quarrels factions among themselves whereby one sought to offend another and to enlarge his own part by encroaching upon his Neighbors not observing that what they gained in particular one of another they lost altogether in a general reckoning they made an open passage in the end for the Roman
Mar. Scel an 163. Bar. Tom. 2. Annal. an eod That King Lucius of Brittain was the Disciple of St. Timothy for which he citeth the Magdeburgians Stumphius and the Annals of Curre in Germany And Naeuclerus with others writeth clearly That one St. Timothy came into Brittain and Lucius King of Brittain and his Kingdome did receive the Faith of Christ from him Mr. Broughton affirmeth That this our glorious Countryman St. Timothy was Son unto the Lady Claudia and Brother to St. Novatus St. Pudentiana and Praxedes Great honour it was for the first Christian King of this Nation the first Christian King in the World to be instructed in the Faith by so Noble a renowned Apostle of his own Nation What were the Impediments in temporal respects which hindred King Lucius from publick profession of Christian Religion wherein he was thus instructed until or near the Papacy of St. Elutherius shall be shewed hereafter This St. Timothy was assisted by St. Marcellus a Britain also and preached here and the Annals of the Archbishops of Trevers say of this Man That Lucius King of Brittain now England was baptized by his preaching The Historie of Tungers speaketh more plainly That this St Marcellus did by his preaching convert Lucius Prince of Brittain with all his Nation to Christ And the same Catalogue of Trevers saith That King Lucius was made a Christian and Baptized by this our Renowned Countryman St. Marcellus When the estate of Ecclesiasticall affairs had taken in Brittain so happy proceeding and effect that both our King and many principall men were thus converted to the Faith of Christ from their former errors and superstitions and so great hope and forwardnesse there was to have that faith publickly professed which they privately embraced and acknowledged for the only Truth many worldly temptations and oppositions did presently arise to hinder these new and untrained Souldiers of Christ to make so bold and open profession of their holy Religion as many holy Martyrs at that time and they themselves not long after did and the glory of that required Divers humane fears and impediments now chancing and hindring of K. Lucius from open profession of Christian Religion in Brittain for as we may probably with many Antiquities affirme that the favourable edicts of divers Emperours and among them Antoninus sirnamed Pius yet Reigning had somewhat encouraged them in temporal respects actually to be baptized in that Religion which their internal understanding and judgement was by many invincible motives and arguments convinced before to be only true so now by like contrary worldly events and letts they were for some time more slow and dull to professe it openly They did perfectly understand that not withstanding the pretended and expected favour from the present Emperour either by his command or permission two holy Popes to omit many other places St. Telesphorus and St. Higinus procurers of their conversion cruelly were put to Death for that Religion even in Rome it self under the Emperours sight within the space of four years or little more by all accounts and because present and home dangers do most terrifie they did see and taste that the present Emperour Antoninus was at this time incensed against the Brittains and had already sent Lollius Vrbicus with forces hither and he had Fought some battles against the Brittains as both our own and the Roman Historians testifie And to maintain and foster these conceived and ingendred humane fears and impressions to live and continue longer then Antoninus was like to live now being old and long time Emperour when he came first to the Empire by the Adoption of Adrian he was commanded or directed by him that Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Act. St. Praxed per St. Pastor Vsuard Ado. Peter Catal. l. 5. c. 58. Baron Tom. 2. An. 164. whom from his Infancy he had trayned up in the Gentiles Superstitions should succeed him in the Empire when he was but eight years of Age he was put by Adrian into the Colledge of the Salii most superstitious Priest of Mars and was made Priest and chief Ruler of the Southsayers So that there could be little hope but this man so superstitiously brought up and such a maker and unmaker of their sacrifices and an enchanter would still continue the same and professe himself an enemy to all Impugners of such proceedings such as all Christians were which he performed when he came to be Emperor raising a general persecution against Christians which to omit but as it concerned this Kingdome and the Christians thereof the holy house of our glorious Countreywoman St. Praxedes in Rome which until then both in the time of St. Novatus her brother her holy parents St. Pudens and St. Claudia Baron Tom. 2. an 166. Sabinella or Priscilla and likely before as under her parents also Christian Brittains had been a safe refuge and as a sanctuary for persecuted Christians was now cruelly ransacked and tweny two holy Martyrs together with the sacred Priest St. Simitrius most barbarously without tryal question judgement presently put to death of which blessed company we may not but think divers of this Country to have been and St. Timothy himself returning from hence to Rome Julius Capil Marc. Aurel. was there Martyred if we may believe Matthew of Westminster his computation Ibid. Virgil. in Hist Angl. l 2. p. 42. These and such were the worldly temptations which allured King Lucius and many Noble Brittains to be more timerous and lingering to professe the Christian faith with such constancy openly as inwardly they firmly believed and honoured until the Emperour himself convicted by the written Apologies and Miracles wrought by Christians was enforced to yield the honour to Christ and abstain from persecution and many of his noble Pagans embraced the Christian Religion Tertul. Apol. c. 6. Euseb Eccle. Hist l. 5. c. 5. Math. West an 174. and this I take to be the chiefest occasion of mistaking in some Historian or their Scribes setting down so many and several times when King Lucius received the Faith of Christ or professed it many saying it was in the year of Christ 156. others in the year 164. others 165. as William of Malmesbury with others Henry of Hartford in the year 169. and others in other and later times All which be true if we speak of the Religion of Christ which he held and believed from the very first of these assigned times but for his and his Nobles publick profession thereof and the Kingdome generally receiving it with building of Churches placing of Christian Bishops and Priests in them abandoning the superstitious rites of pagan Gentils we must expect a later date in the time of Pope Elutherius And this holy Pope had long before he was Pope the often occasion of K. Lucius others here writing sending to Rome about this publick work might occasion some error in the Titles of Letters to Elutherius when he was not yet Pope but
the dissensions of the Brittains as other Historians do and maketh them of as long continuance only he saith that Severus the Emperor came hither four years after the death of King Lucius to seek to appease things so doth Matthew of Westminster Florentius and others as far as Harding doth This holy King graunted made and signed many writings Charters and Donations for the defence maintainance and preservation of Religion and the chief teachers and professors thereof as to the University of Cambridge the School of Bangor Monastery of Salisbury and such others and to every Archiepiscopal or Episcopal See in Brittain both for the assuring the old revenues and priviledges of the Archflamens and Flamens as others new and more ample which he conferred unto them and such as should sit and succeed them for ever And we find in Antiquities that in the very time of King Lucius besides the Cathedral Churches in Great Cities there were others also builded in them as namely Glocester Worcester Caerleon and others for we read of divers kinds of Churches in them all both Cathedral and others King Lucius was buried at Glocester in the Church of the Chief or first Order The same distinction is given for Winchester which necessarily inferreth other Churches or a Church in either of them of inferiour Order for the word first proveth a second for the Inferiour Churches besides the Cathedral in Caerleon they are remembred in Histories Viz. of St. Julius and St. Aaron so of other Cities not inferiour unto these Glocester being then but a new and no great City we find others as at Abington in Oxfordshire Amsbury in Wiltshire Cambridge Stanford and other places where to have been Christian Churches in that time there is still sufficient testimony left us Mr. Bro. 307. 5. Gal Mon Hist l. 5 c. 1. Math. West an 201. Bulla Honorii an 624. Chart. Regis Cadw an 685. Chart. Reg. Art An. 531. die 7. apud Caium l. 1. de Antiq. Cont. John Harding Chron c. 25. fol. 22. John Ross Hist Manus Jo Caius Apol A ca. Cantib de Antiq l. 1. Will. Harri Dis Bâ—iâ— c. 3. Tâ— of Universitie p. 146. 〈◊〉 H st Bladud Bal. pref in l de scrip Twin l. de Antiq Ox. Ha â—is sup a Ha â—s manu G aston Chron. Bal l. de ser Brit cent 1. in Congello Barnachoren Gal Mor Hist Brit l 1. c. 12. Math. West an 603. Harding Chron. c. 50. f. 42 p. 2. Ma. h. West an 124. Harding Chron. c. 51. f. 43. Hâ—llershed H st of Brit. fol. 57. And to provide as well for the continuall maintainance and repair of the house of God at the first founding and building thereof these ancient Schools or Universities of this Kingdom which all now had received the faith and Religion of Christ and so were to be as Seminaries and Mothers of Christian Divinity and holy learning for preservation and upholding of Gods Church King Lucius endowed with great priviledges and Immunities that they might more quietly and diligently employ themselves to their so profitable and holy studies This his Charter of priviledges to the University of Cambridge the Antiquaries thereof prove by divers Ancient Testimonies The Bull of Pope Honorius 1000. years ago the Charter of King Cadwalladrus and King Arthur long before wherein is contained that he granted to the University of Cambridge as King Lucius with other Kings had done before to be free from all publick Vectigalls and burdens that they might the more freely and quietly attend their studies The like I may affirm of Stanford which from the time of King Bladud untill it was interdicted by St. Gregory for the Pelagian heresie continued an University so of Glamorgan claiming but a little later original Greeklade and Liechlade of such Antiquity Bellisilum now Oxford as it pleadeth Therefore whereas a late writer confidently sayeth there were 600. Students in ancient times and others not so well remembred to all which now converted to the faith of Christ and training up spiritual Soldiers for the defence profession and maintainance thereof we have sufficiently grounds to affirm King Lucius gave the like priviledges as unto Cambridge one and the same reason being for all and yet besides these which he found founded before he himself was founder of others namely Bangor in Wales which long continued in that State untill it was after changed into so great a Monastery that above 2000. Moncks as our Histories testifie abode there A late Author tells us of another University for so he calleth it by the name of Accademia Legionensis the University of Caerlegion which he would to have to be Westchester others rather take it to be Caerlegion upon Vsk in Glamorgan making it a fourth distinct place from the Metropolitan Church and the several Churches of St. Julius wherein were sacred Nuns and St. Aaron of Canon Regulars In the time of Sixtus Bishop of Rome reigned here in Brittain either Coillus or Lucius his son according to the diversity of opinions of several Authors but seeing all Antiquities and Antiquaries confess so many great and renowned things and of such labour and difficulty to have been performed for receiving generally Christian Religion and abandoning the Pagan superstitions in this Kingdom in the time of K. Lucius we must not keep the crown of Brittain from him long after the death of Pope Sixtus Harding who saith his Father Coillus reigned but 13. years will make him King all this Popes time which Matthew of Westminster doth confirm with four years addition at least to the time of his reign in the time of Pope Alexander before And yet he maketh the years of his whole age but 87 from which if we deduct the whole terme between the year 124. when the Monck of Westminster saith Lucius began his reign untill the year 142. or 143. when St. Sixtus was Martyred to prove by all accounts King Lucius reigned in some part of the Papacy of Pope Sixtus we make the time of his reign being very younge at the death of his Father not so many years as some ascribe John Harding saith Lucius King of Brittain reigned 54 years others allow but 53 years Hollenshed in his History of England tells us that Lucius having brought his people to perfect light and understanding of the true God that they needed not to be deceived any longer with the crafty temptations and feigned miracles of wicked spirits he abolished all prophane worshippings of false Gods and converted such Temples as had been dedicated to their service unto the use of the Christian Religion and thus studying only how to advance the glory of almighty God and the knowledg of his word without seeking the vain glory of worldly triumph which is gotten with slaughter of many a guiltless person he left his Kingdom though not enlarged with broader Dominion then he found it yet greatly augmented and enriched with quiet rest good ordinances and that which is more to be esteemed
in them as in Verulam were now onely inhabited by Christians and not a Pagan to be seen and this by the Omnipotent working of God and the Idolatrous Judge and Prince himself that ruled here under the Pagan Romans and persecuted by their power even to the utmost bounds of Brittany was made that he was unable to Rule and Govern any longer but needed be Ruled and Governed himself by others This Judge King and Roman Lieutenant as the Scottish Historians with others call him was King Asclepiodotus thus grievously either of malice or for fear of the Romans then persecuting and for so doing hated of God and Man Coel. King Coel who began his reign in the year of our Lord 262. having now both Warrant and Way to advance the Title to the Crown of this Kingdom and help to free the afflicted Christians thereof from the miseries of their so long and grievous persecution as it seemeth most probable at this time and upon these occasions he took Armes against Asclepiodotus reputed King in this persecution slew him and was crowned King as our Historians deliver unto us Harding also plainly saith that Coel took Armes against Asclepiodotus by reason of this great persecution For which Duke Coel against him rose in Armes Asclepiodotus for the first ten years of his reign was just and ruled with the general applause of all but after fell into wickedness and cruelty so that King Coel might justly pursue his right to Brittain in hope thereby in better manner to redeem the afflictions of his Countrey Christians being more potent and able and likely more willing than Asclepiodotus was not so forward in any Judgements as he should have been in defending innocence if he had not been an actual persecutor which Harding himself thus in these plain terms expresseth Harding Chron. cap. 58 fol. 57. This persecution as some Chronicles fain The ten years war of Asclepiodote For which Duke Coel again him rose full hot The Duke Caer Colun that hight Coilus Which City now this day Colchester hight Then crowned was that slew Asclepiodotus For cause he came not forth with all his might The Tyramite fell to a canstand as he hight Wherefore Brittains were all full glad and fain Of King Coilus that succoured all their pain And howsoever Asclepiodotus concurred with the Roman persecutors and pleased them in vexing and tormenting Christians here in Britany yet otherwise he was very unpleasing unto them He troubled the Roman power in all things and therefore they were glad of his death Ponticus Virunnius himself a Roman saith they did esteem him their great enemy and as for such an one rejoyced at his death and this joy was not onely of particular Romans but of the whole Senate which ruled chiefly in matters of Estate Therefore when our Antiquities assure us that Coel obtained the Kingdom and was crowned and as an old French manuscript speaketh regna sur Britaniae ruleth over Brittain and was thus inabled and made powerful to redresse what he found offensive and wicked being absolute King and joyfully so received of the Brittains as our Historian said before Wherefore Brittains were all full glad and faine Of King Coelus that succoured all their pain And he himself taking acception to Asclepiodotus next to his charging him with usurping the Crown for being to backward in resisting the Roman persecutors would not fall into the like error with him but as is proved already succoured all their pain and utterly ceased the persecution against Christians of Brittain which were thus joyful of his coronation and thereby relieved and redeemed them from their afflictions all his time which both by our own and forreign Historians continued to the end of the third hundred of years Mr. Broughton The Romans having no power here either to persecute Christians or to any other purpose But as our Brittish and other Historians testify wholly lost their government here untill after the death of King Coel or the comming of Constantius his son in law hither the second time very little before King Coel his death Our Scottish Historians say that King Coel utterly destroyed both Romans and all the Brittains also which were their favourers and set forth a severe edict to search forth all Romans and Brittains which had followed them here and caused them to be punished and put to death and so with most joyful and general applause of the people Nobles and others that the crown of Brittain was thus restored to the true heir of their regal blood was crowned King and he established the Kingdom in the Brittish government So that now so severe a law being made and executed both against the prosecuting Romans and all such Brittains as had joyned with them against the Christian inhabitants of this nation and all this done by the authority of our King and with the consent both of the nobility and people we must needs end the persecution here with the beginning of King Coels reign And it would not be singular in this point if we should hold that King Coel was actually a christian and not only a friend to such for first all they which affirm him to have been Kinsman or Heir to our first christian King St. Lucius easily prove him a christian for such a man would not leave either child or kinsman which by him had that title to have any other education Secondly by the time of his age whether he was to King Lucius so near or no we must needs confesse he lived most part of his life when christianity flourished in this Kingdom being an aged man before Dioclesian his persecution began Thirdly our Historians say that his daughter St. Helen which had her education by his direction was instructed and taught in the christian faith A late Authour thus speaketh of this Helena she was first instructed in the faith of Christ by Coel her father as Petrus de Natalibus saith and yet if we encline to this opinion we may easily answer them that will object the public and universal restitution of christian religion as building Churches Monasteries and such holy foundations was not in his time For by the common opinion his reign was short little and not above four years a great part whereof was spent in extirpating the persecutors and the rest in preparation to resist a new invasion of the Romans not reigning in quiet and security from these troubles and fears the space of two moneths by any writers and so after so great and terrible a tempest of persecution it was a wonderful comfort and happiness for the Brittish christians to enter into such a calme and quiet to live in security and rest freed from their former miseries under so renowned a King which was all he could do or they expect in such times and circumstances The Roman Emperours after the death of Heliogabolus until Constantius married first or after received again Helena daughter of Coel had little command in this Kingdom therefore
his being so friendly alwayes to Christians as Baronius often confesseth must needs much more procure ease and freedom to our Christians where there was no man of power to contradict or resist it Constantius being both King and Emperor here and the Kingdom of Brittain a Christian Kingdom Bede l. Hist c. 8. Galf. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 5. Manusc Gali. Antiq. c. 28. 29. Virun l. 5. Hist 1. Harding Chron. c. 57 58 59 60. Hen. Hunt Hist l. 1. Socrates Eccl. Hist 1. c. 1. Eusebius l. 1. vit Const c. 9. Theodoret Hist Eccle. l. 1. c. 24. Therefore howsoever his reasons make doubt of some other places whose Estate and condition was not like unto ours of Brittain they do not move any question of the quiet thereof in case of Religion but establish and confirme it And therefore our best allowed and ancient Authors St. Bede Galfrid Hen. Hunting and old French Manuscript Virunnius Harding and others settle Constantius here in Brittain after all our persecution ended and nothing but all favour here to Christians in his time and not only a tolleration granted but publick profession of Christianity generally allowed and by Regal and Imperial warrant of Constantius used and exercised as shall appear And if we had rather hearken to forraign Writers in or neer that time we have sufficient warrant not only that he recalled himself from the worship of the Pagan Gods as divers are witnesses but as Eusebius and others testifie of him he gave free power and licence to all under him to exercise Christian Religion without any molestation And this as he writes when the greatest persecution was in other places and had care to instruct his son Constantine the great whom he left his heir in the same Faith as we may easily conclude from the words of Constantine himself Registered by Theodoret that even from the ends of the Ocean meaning Brittain he was assisted by God and Sozomen saith it is evidently known unto all men Sozom. Eccles Hist l. 1. c. 5. Chron. Mon. Abington apud Ncieph Harsp Hist Eccle. saecul p. 203. c. 9. that great Constantine was first instructed in the Christian faith among the Brittains And the Chronicle of Abington neer Oxford testifieth he was brought up in that old Abbey which we must needs ascribe to his Parents Constantius and Helen and we find not any other but Constantius except we will apply it to King Coel and then it was received and approved by him who here in Brittain caused the persecutors to be put to death and the persecution thereupon ceased as Gildas writeth For this must needs be applyed to persecution in Brittain and not to the Tyrants Dioclesian and Maximian Gild. l. de con Brit. c. 8. the persecution here ended long before their death and neither of them nor any other Emperor but Constantius having power and command here at this time and hereupon our late authors themselves thus testify of him Stow Howe 's Hist tit Rom. in Constant Constantin Constantius abolished the Superstition of the Gentiles in his Dominions so that afterward Brittain felt no persecutions Constantius renounced the Idolatry of the Gentiles I have shewed formerly that Dioclesians persecution continued in this Kingdome not ten Years for Gildas in one place saith The nine years persecution of Dioclesian the Tyrant and in the next Chapter not wholly ten years long as also that it wholly ended in the time of King Coel. Those persecutors then having no power or authority here and so together with their other over-ruling and commanding Decrees the bloody Edicts of persecuting Christians here were utterly extinct and made void and never renewed but altogether omitted by Constantius this great friend of Christians such of this Nation were fully and undoubtedly restored to their antient Liberties Priviledges and immunities in matter of Religion it Constantius and Helen our Emperour and Empresse King and Queen had then given no further and expresse approbation unto them which we may not reasonably call in question when we remember their absolute and independing Regal right and possession without contradiction they had in this Kingdom the natural love and affection they bore unto it and that to them with their religious care and desire they had to defend and advance Christian Religion even in times and places when and where they were not so enabled nor drawn thereto with so many and strong bands of duty and affection we have heard that the other Churches under his Empire were endowed by his benefits and munificence whereby they lived in great joy and encreased The choycest Christians were his dearest friends and made his Councellours Mr. Bro. fol. 463. 1. And divers even of this Nation have delivered that this our new King and Emperour particularly place St. Taurinus Archbishop in York wherein although they be mistaken if they understand Taurinus Bishop of Eureux neither the time or place allowing yet we cannot safely say but he might or did place some other of that name there and if both these should fail yet so many more authorities concur that Constantius gave consent and assistance to the publick restitution of Religion here in his time For this we have the warrant of the most and approved Antiquaries St. Gildas and St. Bede after them Matthew of Westminster and others St. Gildas writeth That before the persecution had been here ten years the wicked decrees against Christians were annulled and frustrate and all the Servants of Christ after a long winter night with joyful eyes receive the clear light of the heavenly air Bede Hist Ec. l 1. c. 8. they renew their Churches which were thrown down to the ground they found Matth West an 313. S. Albans Church built Manusc Antiq Eccl. Winton Marian Sco. an 306. Martin Polo 307. Antiq. Gal. an 306. St. Julians Lantarnam Church built in Constantius time about 309. after Christ Matth. West an 305. 307. Baron Spond an 306 Gordon an 306 Jacob Grinaeus an in c. 15. l. 1 Euseb de vita Constantini an 308. Hen. Hunt l. 1. Hist Diocl. Constantin Regit o Chro. l. 1. in Const an 253. build and perfect others in honour of their holy Martyrs and as it were set forth every where their victorious Ensignes celebrate festival dayes offer sacrifice with a pure heart and mouth all of them rejoyce as children cherished in the lap of their mother the Church St. Bede saith that so soon as the persecution ceased the Christians which had hid themselves in Woods and Desarts and secret Dens presently came forth and shewed themselves in publick doing those publick works of Christian Religion which St. Gildas before remembred And writeth plainly that this was done in the time of Constantius and that he dyed here whilst these things were thus in acting The Monck of Westminster hath the same words with St. Bede of this publick profession of Christian Religion here presently upon the ending
of the persecution during ten years and addeth that then the church of St. Alban was built to his honour within ten years of his martyrdom in the quiet of Christian times here which by that is said before must needs be in the time of Constantius Likewise we find in the antiquitie of the old Church of Winchester that being destroyed with the rest in this late persecution it was perfectly re-edified in the year of Christ 309. and so either was in building or warranted to be built in the dayes of Constantius then so or lately before by all accounts living and reigning here that it could not be done without his warrant or allowance The like we say of the Churches of St. Julius and St. Aaron and other Martyrs of that time and all both Cathedral churches and others destroyed here by Maximian the most horrible fact-man as Henry of Huntington calls him after whose leaving the Empire Christians were quiet here as he saith and restored to their former liberties and as Regino writteth not only in Brittain but generally where he ruled both Bishops were restored to their private Sees and many other things granted for the profit of Christian Religion and particularly saith that the Monastery of Trevers was begun in his time then much more in Brittain where he was both absolute Emperour and King to command and no man daring to resist him to this our late Antiquaries have given sufficient allowance when they grant that Constantius abolished the superstition of the Gentiles in this Dominions especially in Brittain where he now lived King and Emperour as also in abolishing the Pagan rights and observances for dislike of them and love to Christian Religion must needs for his short time be an extraordinary advancer thereof Stow Howes in Constant But when he had happily begun this holy work in repairing the ruines of the Church of Christ in this Kingdom and before he could bring it to due and his desired perfection he fell sick at the City of York where soon after he deceased Yet in this short time of his sicknesse his greatest care was to leave and commit this his charge both concerning his Empire and this Kingdom to his Eldest son Constantine Son of St. Helen who as he hoped for many reasons would be most ready and willing to maintain and defend true Religion and with Justice govern his Subjects And to this happy choice as both Zonoras and Pompeius Laetus do plainly testify Zonoras Annal Tom. 2. in Constant Pomp. Laetus Rom. Hist Camp in Const max. Eseb l. 1. de vita Const mag c. 18. Grin amart in cum locum and Eusebius and others sufficiently insinuate he was admonished and instructed by Gods direction and an Angell which is confimed by the effect and event it self not only of the general establishing of Christian religion in the world by Constantine in the time of his Empire but his extraordinary and miraculous preservation before he came to it and at this very time of his fathers sicknesse strangely escaping the Tyrants hands in Italy and coming safely unto his sick Father Constantius at York in our Brittain by the great providence of God as Eusebius noteth who had often preserved him to bring him thither so long and dangerous a journey at that very time to succeed his Father And this Author immediately addeth For presently when Constantine had escaped the stratagems of the deceits he came with all speed to his Father Euseb in vita Const l. 1. c. 14. and after a long space of time which he had been absent from him presented him to his sight at that moment Constantius was ready to die but when contrary to all hope he saw his sonne leaping out of bed he embraced him saying that he had now cast that out of his mind Cap. 15. which only troubled him at the point of death which was the absence of his Son and therefore did earnestly pray and give thanks for it to God affirming that now he rather desired to die then live and setting himself in the midst of his Children and in his place lying upon his Kingly bed giving over the inheritance of his Kingdom to his Eldest Son he departed this Life Thus hath Eusebius then living in that time Our Moderne Writers citing other ancient Authors not differing from Eusebius Hollenshed Hist of England l. 4 c. 28. 27. cit Euseb Sext Aurel. vict Nicep Tripart Hist thus Translate and Epitomate this History from them Whilest Constantine remained at Rome in manner as he had been a pledge with Gallerius in his Fathers time fled from hence and with all post hast returned to his Father in Brittain killing and hewing by the way all such horses as were appointed to stand at Inns ready for such as would ride in Post least being pursued he should have been overtaken and brought back again by such as might be sent on purpose after him Constantius whilest he lay on his death bed somewhat before he departed this life hearing that his son Constantine was come and escaped from the Emperors Dioclesian and Maximian with whom he remained as a pledge he received him with all joy and raising himself up in his bed in presence of his other sons and Councellours with a great number of other people and strangers that were come to visit him He set the Crown upon his sons head and adorned him with other Imperi-Robes and garments executing as it were himself the Office of an Herald and with all spake these words unto his said son and to his Councellours there about him Now is my death come unto me more welcome and my departure hence more pleasant I have here a large Epitaph and Monument of buriall to wit mine own son and one whom in earth I leave to be Emperour in my place which by Gods good help shall wipe away the tears of the Christians and revenge the cruelty exexercised by Tyrants This I reckon to chance unto me instead of most felecity Thus careful was this holy Emperour even at his death to advance the honour of Christ This he did prophesying how his son after him should advance Christian Religion now by his father declared Emperour but as Esebius writeth long before designed to that dignity by God the King of all This renowned Emperour Constantius died by divers in the year 306. by others 307 and by some 308. and by all at such time as it is already proved it must needs be he which among the Roman Emperours first gave order and warrant for the restoring and re-establishing Christian Religion here in Brittain after the desolation thereof by Dioclesian and Maximian and died happily and most blessedly And was so renowned that even by the Pagans he was accounted a God and had after his death all honour given unto him which belonged to an Emperour he was most honourably and Christian like buryed in the City of York Constantine his son the new Emperour present
at his funeral going before his corps with an infinite number of people and Souldiers attending with all honour and pompe some going before others following with most sweet harmony of singing This was the End which God shewed of this Emperours Godly and Religious manners and life evidently to all people then living as Eusebius witnesseth who also then lived and called him most holy Euseb l. 1. de vita Constan c. 16. which he a learned christian Bishop could not give to any but an holy professed Christian in his knowledge or judgement and therefore attributeth so much to Constantius in this kind that he calleth Constantine the great himself whom he so much extolleth for his Christian Religion and advancement thereof a follower of his fathers piety in such affairs Constantine the Great Constantius having thus honourably ended his dayes and declared Constantine his eldest son successor in his Empire his whole Army doth presently with mutual consent and joy proclaim him King and Emperour and all Nations subject to his fathers Empire were filled with incredible joy and unspeakable gladness that they had without intermission so worthy and renowned an Emperour Of the coming of this most noble Brittain to the Empire escaping and preserved from so many dangers and difficulties before Euseb c. 18. so generally and joyfully chosen and accepted and proving after so happy a Ruler Eusebius saith that he was chosen by God himself and that no mortal man could glory of this onely Emperour his advancement for although he was generally and ordinarily chosen and accepted by men yet as the same Authour writeth he was miraculously preserved by God and by his extraordinary protection brought safely from all danger to his father here in Brittain old and ready to die to be invested in the Empire after him And so soon as he was Emperour as the same Authour then living and well known unto and knowing Constantine Euseb l. 1. vit Const c. 12. testifieth and so declared by the Armies as the custom was being chosen of God long before to that end insisted in his fathers steps in favouring and advancing Christian Religion Euseb Hist l. 8. c. 14. So that in this part of the world as Brittain and France where Constantine succeeded his father and now reigned there was no persecution used against Christians but all favour and indulgence towards them and that assertion of divers Historians both of this and other Nations which affirmeth that the persecution begun by Dioclesian and Maximian did continue after their forsaking the Empire Euseb in Chron. Flo. Wigorn. in Chron. Mar. Sco. Aetat 6. l. 2. in Const and until the seventh year of the reign of Constantine is to be understood of those parts which until about that time were not under the Rule of Constantine but of Galerius Severus and Maxentius persecutors and so Florentius Marianus and others expounded it and it can have no other construction to be true for evident it is in Histories that not onely from the beginning of the reign of Constantine but in his fathers time all Christians under their Government were free from persecution And so soon as Constantine had conquered Maxentius and was sole and absolute Emperour all Christians in the world under him were delivered from persecution and set at liberty even publickly to profess their Religion And from his first entrance into the Empire and to be King of Brittain the Christians here in this Nation did not onely enjoy Religion but as in the time of his father made and freely had publick exercise and profession thereof as our old Churches re-edified new builded and erected Bishops Priests and all Clergy and religious men restored to their former Quiet Revenues Honours and Dignities witness Of this we have divers Testimonies and Examples in particular yet left unto us as out of the old Annals of Winchester where we find of that old Church builded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the late persecution The Church of Winchester builded in the time of King Lucius and hallowed and dedicated October the twenty and ninth Annals Eccle. Winton one hundred eighty nine by Faganus and Damianus Bishops amongst the rest at this time of Dioclesian went to wrack the building thereof being ruined Godwin Catal. of Bish Winch. In initio and made even with the ground and the Moncks and all the Officers belonging unto it either slain or enforced to flye for the present time In the year three hundred and nine the Church aforesaid was again re-edified and that with such wonderful forwardnesse and zeal as within one year and thirty dayes both it and all the edifices belonging unto it as chambers and other buildings for Moncks and Officers were quite finished in very seemly and convenient manner The fifteenth day of March following it was again hallowed and Dedicated unto the honour and memory of St. Amphibalus that had suffered death for Christ in the late persecution by Constans Bishop of Winchester at the request of Diodatus Abbot of this New erected Monastery It is evident by this relation that this holy work so publick with freedom and zeal was quite finished in the time of Constantine his being here before he went hence against Maxentius And yet we see both Bishop Priest and Abbot and religious men publickly and honourably restored to their former condition The Church with unspeakable devotion builded and dedicated to the holy Saint and Martyr who in the late persecution was most hated by the enemies of Christ So I say of the Church of St. Alban a Church of wonderfull workmanship Bede Eccl. Hist l. 1. c. 7. Math. West Anno. 313. and worthy of his Martyrdoni was builded so soon as the Christians were here at quiet Matthew of Westminster hath the same words and explaineth this time of the quiet of Christians here when this Church was so sumptuously builded to have been ten years after his Martyrdome the perfect finishing whereof he setteth down to have been the same year in which Constantine went from hence towards Rome against Maxentius which was by him in the sixt year of Constantine and before the general occasion of persecution in other places Constantine not being absolute and sole Emperor untill his victory against Maxentius nor the general quiet then ensuing Both St. Bede and the Monck of Westminster write that in their several times often curing of Infirmities and other miracles were wrought there The old Churches of St. Julius and Aaron The foundation of Lhanturnanus and St. Julians Church in Caerleon Martyred in the late persecution in the City of Caerlegion derive their ancient foundation from this time so do many others founded in honour of several Martyrs then cruelly put to death for the name of Christ so I affirm of all the Cathedral Churches Archiepiscopal and Episcopal with their particular Sees and Cities founded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the time of the
Tyrants Dioclesian and Maximian as also those that were not Episcopal but subordinate and inferior Mr. Bro. fol. 469. overthrown with that tempest of persecution for holy Gildas and St. Bede and others testifie without exception that all they which were then pulled down even to the ground were now re-edified Matthew of Westminster plainly writeth that besides the new Churches builded in honour of their late Martyrs Gild. de excid conq Brit. c. 8. Bede Eccles Hist l. 1. c. 8. Math. West an 313. of which St. Bede and St. Gildas make this memory the Christians here at this time received and builded again all the Churches dedicated to former Saints which had been so destroyed and thrown down to the ground And when we are waranted both by late and ancient antiquities also that from the beginning of Christianity here we had many Abbots Moncks and Monasteries in every age and that these Monasteries were all destroyed in Dioclesian his persecution we must needs assign their restauration to this time To this I joyn the Monastery of Abingdon where this our great King and Emperor Constantine as the old Annalls thereof do plead had his education when he was young Math. Parker Antiq. Brit. p. 8. Jo. Goscel Eccles Hist Manusc de Archiepis Cant. prope initium wherein there were as it testifieth further above 500 Moncks living by the labour of their hands in the woods and desarts adjoyning upon Sundayes and festival dayes coming to that Monastery beside 60. which did continually abide in the same serving God there Therefore we cannot doubt if we will accept this ancient Record for witness but of all other Monasteries this great Emperor had an especial care of restoring and endowing this his nursing place of education To this we may assign the re-edifying of the noble Monastery Manusc Gall. Antiq. cap 28. first builded by the Founder Ambrius or Ambrey after called Amsbury in Wiltshire where at the coming of the Saxons hither there were 300 Religious Men whose Foundation being long before the time of the Saxons argueth it was builded before the time of Dioclesian and Maxentius by them destroyed and now restored So we may conclude of the Religious houses both of Men and Women in Kent and other places Chron. Monast Abington apud Nich. Harpsfield Eccle. Hist saecul 10. c. 9. renowned here at the Saxons first entrance even by our modern writers thus delivering from Antiquity Hengist slew the good Archbishop Vodine and many other Priests and Religious persons all the Churches in Kent were polluted with blood the Nunnes and other Religious persons were by force put from their Houses and goods Thus we must conceive of all other religious houses whether of Men or Women being very many in number all of them being now happily repaired and again imployed to their first institution and holy use whether the old religious house of Glastenbury is to be accounted in the number of those that were destroyed by Maximian and now builded again by Constantius and Constantine I dare not make so ready a resolution likely it it is the poverty of the house builded with writhen wands the penitential and Eremitical life those Religious their led there place of aboad being separate in private Cells and in a Wilderness in which kind of places other Christians hid themselves in that persecution might both preserve them in that raging storm and their manner of life considered now not require reparation which both William of Malmesbury in his written History of the antiquity of that holy place and the old Manuscript Antiquities of Glastenbury seem to consent unto when they absolutely deliver that from the time of King Lucius untill the coming of St. Patrick thither not speaking of the least intermission or discontinuance there continually remained a succession of 12 Eremits in that Island When Constantine had reigned but a short time in Brittain and France and such Western parts as his Father before him possessed Euseb l. 1 de vita Const c. 20 21. Socrat. Hist Eccles l. 1. c. 1. Maxentius being proclaimed Emperor in Rome Italy and other places and falling to Tyranny and Usurpation putmany Innocents to death and exiling many both Christians and others divers even of the Nobility fled into Brittain to Constantine for succour and reliefe complaining of the cruelty and usupation of Maxentius Otto Frig. Chron. l. 4. c. 1. Galf. Mon. Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 7. Pont. Virun l. 5. Math. West l. 1. Hist Holinshed l. 4. c. 28. Stowe Howes in Const Hard. Chron. c. 62. p. 49. humbly inciting and entreating Constantine as undoubted true heir to the Empire even of that part which Maxentius had intruded himself into to take armes against him and solely to enjoy the Empire And he was not only thus sollicited by the Christians and others persecuted resorting hither but by the Romans which still continued at Rome enduring the Tyranny of Maxentius as some write in this manner The Senators of Rome by Letters well endite Pray'd him to come to Rome as Emperor For to destroy Maxence and disinherit Of Christen folk the cruel Tormentour Of Christen faith the cursed Counfounder For of his birth they said it set him so Maxence to destroy that was his Fathers foe Mr. Bro. fol. 471. Zonoras Cedrenus and other forraign Historians write the like in this manner Hereupon Constantine to revenge the Injuries done to the holy Christians and unspeakable wrongs to divers others even the most noble of the Romans and the enormous sins of this Tyrant for number not to be recounted and for the horrible and loathsom grieviousness to be surpressed with silence assembled a great army both of Christian Brittains and other Nations subject unto him by Eutropius and others with him Eusch in vita Const c. 21 22. Otto Frigen Chron. l. 4. c. 1. Euseb Hist Eccle. l. 9. c. 9. in the fift but by the more common opinion the sixt year of his Empire Having entered into these affairs the better to procure the help and assistance of Heaven as Eusebius and other Strangers confess before he had his miraculous vision presently to be remembred he resolved to have that true God whom his Father had devoutly adored to be only adored and reverenced wherefore by his prayers he entreated his help him he prayed him he beseeched to declare himself unto him and assist him in this enterprise Otto Frigensis and other strangers also say that Constantine at this time was a Religious Emperor favourer of Christian Religion when he prepared himself for this warr Euseb ut sup c. 22. Eusebius hath so witnessed and plainly saith He only received worshipped and prayed unto the God of his Father the Lord of Heaven and Jesus Christ the Saviour of all men which none but a Christian would or could do and Eusebius receiving what he wrote from Constantine and swearing that it was true thus proceedeth in his History Cap.
23. Therefore whilst the Emperor prayed and earnestly beseeched those things a divine exceeding admirable vision appeared unto him which if any other had reported he would not have been so easily credited but being the Emperor himself and Conqueror both long time after when he did vouchsafe me acquaintance and familiar speech with him both tell me and by oath confirm what he said Cap. 24. this very history which we now commit to writing no man can be doubtfull but the narration is certainly to be believed especially when we see the effect to have given testimony thereunto when the Sun had ascended in the midst of the Heaven and the day a little enclining to the afternoon he said he did see the sign of a cross made of the brightness of the light manifestly appearing to this eyes in the Heaven over the Sun Sozo Hist l. 1. c. 3. Convocatis Christi Sacerdotibus with an evident Inscription which contained these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In this thou shalt overcome a great admiration fell upon him and his whole army all of them beholding this wonder Constantine earnestly meditating upon this vision in the night following Christ appeared unto him in his sleep with the sign of the cross which he had seen in Heaven and commanded him to make another sign of the cross like unto it and to use it as a safeguard in his wars with his enemies he so soon as he arose imparted the vision unto his friends Euseb c. 25. and sent for Artisans skillfull ingravers in gold and precious stones and describing the shape of the sign which he had seen unto them commandeth them to make the like of gold and precious stone which Image I my self have seen Thus far Eusebius in the next chapter largely setting down the proportion manner and glory of this ensign so honourably preserved in that time Socr. Hist Gal. l. 1. c. 3. Sozo l. 1. c. 3. Otto Chron. l. 4. c. 1. Stowe Howesin Constantin To this relation if it needed more testimony Socrates Sozomen Otto and other old forraign writers are witnesses and if any man desireth Modern consent herein those of our Nation do thus relate this matter About noon the Sun something declining Constantine saw in the sky a lightsome pillar in form of a cross wherein these words were engraven In this oveercome the which vision so amazed the Emperor that he mistrusting his own sight demanded of them that were present whether they perceived the vision which when all with one assent had confirmed the wavering mind of the Emperor was setled with this divine and wonderfull sight The night following in his sleep he seeth Christ which sayeth thus unto him Frame unto thy self the form of a cross after the example of the sign which appeared unto thee and bear the same against thy Enemies as a fit banner or token of victory He being fully perswaded of this Oracle commandeth the victorious Sign of the Cross which as yet is reserved in the Pallace of the Emperour to be made and therewith proceedeth forward with great courage Eusebeus and others say that presently upon this Vision Constantine concluded with his Christian Priests Euseb l. 1. de vita Const to have onely their God which appeared unto him and no other to be worshipped And thus preparing himself with all his Army to suppress the Tyrant having God the Governour of all things for his Patron before his eyes and calling upon Christ our Saviour and Helper Cap. 31. placing the Image of the Cross as a Sign of Victory before his armed Souldiers and Guards marched forward with his whole Army And thus trusting in the help of God his Army not being more than half the number of Maxentius Zozom l. 2. this consisting of 170 thousand foot and 18 thousand horse and yet as an old Panagerick hath Constantine not fighting with more than the fourth part of his Army against 100000 of Maxentius men Panegerick 1. Const Baron Spond an 312. Zozom Baron Spond an 312 he set upon the Armies of Maxentius three of them and presently overthrew them and so passing through Italy hard by Rome where Maxentius was he so prosecuted him that in his flight he was with his greatest forces drowned in the River of Tyber there miraculously as Eusebius and others testifie like to Pharaoh and his Egyptians in the red Sea swallowed up by the waters by his own Engine of a new devised Bridge of which he had made Boats to entrap Constantine withall strangely failing to his own miserable destruction So soon as Constantine had thus obtained Victory as Eusebius Socrates and others are able witnesses he gave thanks to God who had so extraordinarily assisted him and delivered the Christians from persecution those which were banished he recalled home the goods of those which were confiscated he restored those which were put in prison he delivered the Churches which were destroyed he caused to be re-edified all which he effected with great care and speed his care was onely fixed in things belonging to the glory of Christ he began to execute all the duties of a Christian man to build Churches and to adorn them with magnificent and renowned Monuments to shut up the Pagon temples pull them down and abandon the Statuas erected in them Eusebius proceedeth further and saith that presently upon this victory Constantine making his Prayer with Thanks-giving to God Authour of his Victory published unto all in famous Inscriptions and Pillars publickly erected the power of the Cross of Christ and even in the midst of the City in the most principal place thereof erected a great Trophy against his enemies and caused this Sign of Salvation to be engraven in it with Characters that could not be blotted out did demonstrate it was the Propugnacle of the Romans and all subjects to the Empire and did openly propose it to be seen of all men and his own Image being erected in a famous place of the City and much frequented holding in his hand a Spear shap't much like a Cross Euseb c. 34. commanded this Inscription to be graven on it in Latine letters With this saving Sign a token of fortitude I have delivered your City from the yoak of Tyranny and setting the Senate and People at liberty Euseb c. 35. I have restored them to their antient Honour and Renown And it immediately followeth in Eusebius that Constantine hereupon with great boldness did openly profess and publish Christ the Son of God unto the Romans He also published in all places his Edict for restoring all men to their good which had been unjustly deprived of them recalling Exiles and delivering Prisoneâ—s all these and more of such things of Religious Christian nature Maâ— Sco. an 205. an 312. this our noble King and Emperour performed presently upon his Victory against Maxeatius commonly taken to have been in the 7th year of his Empire begun first in
words either of Marianus or any Learned Antiquaty such as he was confessing S. Helen to have been at this time in Brittain as he doth for neither at this time nor divers of hundreds of years after St. Helen her death there is mention in Histories of any Jewes at all to have been in this Kingdome then much more it must needs be Historically a thing impossible and altogether untrue that there should be one hundred forty and one of the most Learned of the Jewes here and St. Helen should bring them with her to Rome from hence as seemeth by some to be set down in the Relation of the Dispute between St. Sylvester and the Jewes before Constantine and St. Helen But quite otherwise it is proved that St. Helen was wholly Christian when she was in this Nation before her going to Rome and at the time of her writing to her Son Constantine there after his baptism when in the other sence that St. Helen wrote to her Son to Congratulate his Baptism encouraged him constantly and religiously to profess Christian Religion to be a Friend to the Servants and Friends of Christ and a Suppressor of Jewes and whosoever their Enemies we have her own Religious Education and all the Christian Clergy and Nobility of Btitrain a Christian Kingdom and her native Countrey so calling upon her and neither Jew nor Pagan of note learning or power for any thing we read continuing here either to hinder her in this or advise her to the contrary to the favour either of Jews or Gentiles in their proceedings The like I may answer to then which although they with the truth acknowledge S. Helen to have been the Daughter of King Coel of Brittain and born in this Nation yet they say she went hence with Constantine towards Rome at what time he went against Maxentius the Tyrant and with the Children of Constantine travelled to Byzantium and dwelling there was perverted by the Jewes and so leaving off the Baptism of Constantine in that City of Bithynia did write to him from thence commending him for renouncing Idolatry but reproving him for reproving the Jewish Religion and being a Christian but this is evidently confuted before when by so worthy Authorities and many Arguments it was proved that St. Helen was in Brittain Mr. Brought fol. 481. so far distant from Bizantium at this time Math. West an 321. Baro. Spon Annal. an 314 Severin Binnius Annot. in Conc. Arlesat Tom. 1. Com. Epist Const ad Chrest supr Conc. Roman Can. 1. Hist Tripart l. 3. c. 2. l. 2. c. 3. Mr. Br. f. 855. And what man of judgement can think this Empress having been so fully instructed in the Mysteries of Christian Faith to have fallen into Judaism nothing but envy it self could invent such a Fiction In the time of this our great Constantine was held the first great Councel of Arles in France consisting of as Nicephorus Ado and others say 600 Bishops as Baronius Spondanus and others from Antiquity do gather in the year of Christ 314 and the 9. of this Emperor Constantine in this Councel was present and subscribed Restitutus Arch-Bishop of London and in probable judgement divers others of this our Brittain and in this time of the meeting of the Bishops at the two Councels of Arles especial care being taken by our renowned Emperor that they should at his charge and cost be safely conveyed with their due attendance to that place where these Councels were to be assembled and there also to be provided for during the time of the Councels at his cost Nor did this Heroick Emperor confine his love and favours towards Christian Religion unto the Christians of his own the West Empire but unto all as God by an holy Angel before revealed both ancient and modern Authors so acknowledging the Christians in the whole world should be at peace and Idolatry was to be generally overthrown by this noble Emperor Bap. Mont. l 2. de vita S. Blasii Joan. Bel. l. 2. de actis Pont. Roman in Sylvest 1. Nunc bonus expulsis Romana in Regna Tyrannis Adveniet Princeps sub quo placabitur Orbis Et finem accipiet veterum cultura Deorum A Prince shall rule whose power shall quite expell Those Tyrants who against Rome did rebell The World by him shall quiet peace enjoy And he the Pagan gods shall all destroy As concerning Christian Churches they which were large enough and had been ruinated in the time of persecution were repaired others were builded higher and with honour made greater where there were none before new were erected even from the Foundation and the Emperor out of his Treasury afforded money thereto and wrote both to the Bishops and Presidents of every Province to the Bishops that whatsoever they would they should command and to the Presidents that they should diligently do what they commanded And so with the prosperous estate of his Empire Religion greatly encreased Out of the Lands of his own Tribute in every City he took a certain pension that was accustomed to be paid into the Treasurie and distributed it to the Churches and Clergy and by Law decreed that his Gift to be perpetual He caused the sign of the Cross to be made upon the Armour of his Soldiers to accustom them thereby to serve God He builded a Church in his Palace Mr. Br. f. 488 and used to have carried with him when he went to war a Pavilion after the manner of a Church that both he and his Army being in the field might have a Church wherein to pray unto God and receive the sacred mysteries Priests and Deacons which according to the Institution of the Church should execute those Duties continually followed that Tent. He took away by Law the old Punishment of the Crosse used by the Romans he caused that sign to be made on his own Image whether impressed on money or painted on a Table The Brittish History saith that Constantine residing at York Brittish Hist fol. 138. although he seemed at first unwilling to accept the Imperial Title and protested openly against it yet when the Senate had confirmed the Election he took upon him the Government of those Provinces which his Father had held in the West parts and with an Army of Brittains and other Nations he first setled France and Germany being then in Arms against him and afterwards subdued Maxentius Maximianus Son that usurped the Empire in Italy Then with like success he made war upon Licinius his Associate who persecuted the Professors of Christianity in the East parts of the World by which means Constantine alone enjoyed the Empire and for his many and glorious Conquests was worthily surnamed The Great In this time the form of the Government in Brittain both for Civil and Martial Causes was altered and new Lawes established The Civil Government of the Province he committed to Pacatianus who ordered the same as Deputy to the Praefectus Praetorio of Gallia
an Officer entituled by him with a limitation of place and restriction of that power which the ancient Praefectus Praetorio had under the first Emperors Then Constantine intending to make war in Persia either to defend or enlarge the limits of the East Empire removed the Emperial Seat from Rome to the City of Bizantium which he re-edified and caused the same to be called of his own Name Constantinople drawing thither the Legions in Germany that guarded the Fronteers of the Western Empire which was thereby laid open to the Incursions of those barbarous People that afterwards assayed it and in the end possessed the greatest part thereof The borders also of the Province in Brittain were weakened by removing the Garrisons there into other Cities and Towns which being pestered with Soldiers for the most part unruly Guests were abandoned by the ancient Inhabitants There be Authors that write Hollin Hist of Engl. f. 92. that Constantine conveyed over Sea with him a great Army of Brittains by whose Industry obtaining Victory as he wished he placed a great number of such as were discharged out of pay and licensed to give over the War in a part of Gallia toward the West Sea coast where their posterity remain unto this day and marvellously encreased afterwards somewhat now differing from our Brittains the Welshmen in manners and language Among those Noblemen which he took with him when he departed out of this Land as our Writers do testifie were the three Uncles of his Mother Helen Hoelus Trabernus and Marius whom he made Senators in Rome After the wars betwixt Constantine and the Persians Mr. Br. fol. 532. the King of Persia sent Embassadors unto Constantine to procure peace and he writ back unto King Sapores that the Christians in his Dominions which were there in great numbers might live at liberty and freedom for their Religion And if we may believe Eusebius then living Euseb lib. 4. Sozom. lib. 2. Hist cap. 14. and best knowing the affairs and proceedings of this most noble Emperor after all these things were compassed and brought to an end he began that glorious and renowned work and Foundation of the most sumptuous Church of the twelve Apostles in Constantinople where it is evident by this then living Author and witness that he did not begin to build this Church till long after his triennial Feast And yet the glory and stateliness of that work as it is described by the same Writer was such that it could not be effected and finished under many years and yet that it was finished before his death it is certain for he there erected a Tomb for his own body to be buried in and there was interred There he erected saith Eusebius twelve Monuments to the honour and memory of the twelve Apostles and in the midst between them he placed his own Tomb with six Apostles encompassed on either side surely as I have said before considering with discreet Councel Euseb ut sup that the Tabernacle of his dead body should worthily and decently rest there when he had considered these things long time before he dedicated the Church to the Apostles thinking that their memory would bring much profit to his soul And both Baronius and Spondanus confess that Constantine did not begin this great and wonderfull work until the 336. Baronius Spond Annal. in ann 336. year of Christ and after his concluding peace with the Persians had not before so much as resolved it Therefore this Church being so costly and magnificent as these men confess and Eusebius at large proveth and yet Constantius lived to see it roofed and quite finished he must needs live a longer time than until the next year the 337. of Christ which they limit unto him to live and much more longer than Socrates their Author continueth his life for by his reckoning setting down his death the same year wherein the Persian Embassadors came to him for peace we must be forced to say this admirable Church was quite finished in the space of seven weeks or if we should adventure as Baronius doth to make Socrates our Author and yet add unto his account a whole year as he doth it must needs be yielded unto by such calculation that it was not begun or any materials prepared for it and yet quite finished within the space of one year and seven weeks for as before it was not begun at the Feast of Easter and yet ended the same year by Socrates before the Feast of Pentecost when by Eusebius Constantine died and by Socrates about the eleventh of the Calends of June the 22. day of May and by Baronius before the Feast of Pentecost and the 22. day of May the year following which is morally impossibly to be true for besides the amplitude thereof and Ornaments therein Euseb lib. 4. de Vit. Const c. 64. Socr. l. 1. c. ult Eusebius who had seen it and knew the building of it saith that Constantine erected it to an infinite altitude and made it from the ground with all variety of Stones even to the top the Roof was curiously wrought and within covered with Gold throughout and covered above with Brasse and much Gold And therefore Nicephorus also a Greek Author who had diligently examined Socrates and citeth his very words of this matter before related affirmeth plainly and constantly notwithstanding that opinion that Constantine did not die until the 342. year of Christ in the Feast of Pentecost Euseb lib. 4. de vit Const c. 64. Cap. 66. sup towards the end of it about noon time of the day to speak in Eusebius his words this Emperor was received to his God leaving his mortal part like to other mortal men to the earth but joyning his Intelligence and Divine part of his Soul unto God He dying in Bethinia his Soldiers enclosing his Body in a Golden Coffin covered it all over with Purple and conveyed it to Constantinople and placed it in the Emperial Palace adorned with Emperial Robes Purple and a Diadem Lights set upon Golden Candlesticks round about it which gave such an admirable shew unto the Beholders as was never seen All the Nobles of his Army which worshipped him whilst he lived kept their old manner and custom at certain times entring in and prostrating themselves on the ground saluted the Emperor after his death lying in his Coffin as if he had been still living The Senate and all other Magistrates worshipped his Body with like reverence All sorts of people even Women and Children in infinite number came to see the solemnity and these things were performed many daies This blessed Emperor was he alone which reigned when he was dead Euseb Ca. 66. and to him alone God himself being Author thereof all honors which were wont to be given when he lived were given after his death For he being the only Emperor which in all the actions of his life piously and religiously worshiped God the King of
redress the house of Ambesbury and put therein Monks but now there be Nuns There was a Monastery of great renown at Abington in Berkshire before the coming of the Saxons into Brittain the old Chronicle of that house is witness testifying that then there were five hundred Monks and more belonging to that Monastery living in woods and desarts getting their living by their labour King Cissa a Saxon a cruel persecuter of the Monks at Abington and all Christian Brittains and upon the holy dayes and Sundayes coming together in their Abbey all excepting threescore which continually abode in the Abbey serving God there And that before King Cissa was a Christian he put those Monks either to death or forced them from their Monastery and cruelly persecuted all Christians In the mean time the Brittains coming together from the places of their retreat and combining their dispersed forces the better to defend themselves against the power of the Enemies were freshly assailed by the Scottishmen and Picts Brit. Hist part 2. fol. 196. a great number of the Saxons also being newly entred into association with them whereupon Germanus the Bishop who came over into Brittain a little before the Saxons arrival Picts Scots and Saxons enter into association against the Brittains and had remained there with Lupus to the end they might instruct and confirm the Brittains in the true faith against the Pelagians confident of the goodness of this cause and to give encouragement to his new converts offered himself to be the leader of the Brittish Army which consisted for the most part of such Christians as himself had lately baptized the place wherein they pitched was a fair valley enclosed on both sides with high Mountains over which their Enemies were to march the Bishop himself and certain Priests that attended him standing in the midst of the Army exhorted the Brittains to fight couragiously as the Soldiers of Christ under the banner of the Crosse which badge they had received in their baptisme and commanded them all upon the enemies approach to answer him aloud with one consent in such manner as himself began Thereupon the Saxons and Scottishmen ascending the further side of the hill supposed to have charged the Brittains on a suddain which when Germanus and his Priests who were about him perceived they cryed out three several times Alleluja all the Brittains seconding the cry and the Eccho rebounding from the hills redoubled the sound A miraculous victory obtained by the Brittains against the Picts Scots and Saxons the word being Alleluja by reason whereof the Pagans imagining the number of the Christians much greater then it was indeed cast away their weapons and fled the Britains killing many of them in pursuit and such as escaped the sword being drowned in the River which impeached them in their flying After this memorable victory Germanus perswading the Brittains to unity and constancy in profession of Christian Religion as a means to make their attempts against their enemies prosperous departed out of Brittain whether as some writers report he soon after returned and by the assistance of Severus the Bishop of Trevers suppressed the Palagian heresie Which after his departure sprung up again and increased among the Brittains In remembrance of whose zeal Brit. Hist part 2. fol. 197. and travail in that behalf sustained the Christians of Brittain afterwards dedicated unto him as a protecting Saint certain Churches and Houses of Religion in divers paces of the Land Aurelianus or Aurelius Ambrosius The Saxons presently after perceiving that the Brittains were scattered in several troops disarmed and unfurnished of all things necessary for support of the War prepared themselves to follow them and to empeach them from joyning their forces togeather any more to which end they divided themselves into several companies with a full resolution either utterly to destroy and expell them out of the Isle which they had almost brought to passe when Aurelianus Ambrosius coming out of France into Brittain brought hither some of the Brittains that had seated themselves there who pittying their distressed Country men in the Island determined either to relieve them or to perish in the enterprize This Ambrosius was a Roman by birth honourably descended and as hath been conjectured Brit. Hist sup of the race of that Constantine who for the hope of his name only which was reputed ominous had been elected Emperour by the Roman Army in Brittain And being now the chief leader of the Brittains he oft times encountered the Saxons and by the assistance of Arthur a valiant Captain gave them many overthrowes Howe 's Brit. Saxons fol. 52. Aurelius Ambrose saith Howes was ordained King of Brittain in whose time the Brittains by little and little began to take courage to them and coming out of their caves in which they lurked before and with one consent calling for heavenly help thet they might not for ever be utterly destroyed They having for their Captain and leader the foresaid Aurelius assemble themselves together and provoked the Victors to fight and through Gods assistance atchieved the victory and from that day forward were the men of the countrey The enemy had the victory till that year in which Bath was besieged where they gave their Enemies a great overthrow which was about the fourty fourth yeer of their comming into the Land Of this Aurelius William of Malms writeth thus Surely even then saith he the Brittains had gone to wrack if Ambrosius who only and alone of all the Romans remained in Brittain and was Monarch of the Realm after Vortiger had not kept under the proud Barbarians Stone-hedge built by Aureius Ambrosius with the notable travel of the warriour Arthur Geffry of Mon. tells us that this Ambrosius caused Churches to be repaired which had been spoyled by the Saxons He caused also the great stones to be set on the plain of Salisbury which is called Stone-hedge in remembrance of the Brittains that were slain and buryed there in the raign of Vortiger This ancient monument is yet to be seen and is a number of stones rough and of a grey colour twenty five foot in length and about ten foot in breadth they are conjoyned by two and two together Howes Vt sulpâ—a and every couple sustained a third stone lying overthwart gatewise which is fastened by the means of tenons that enter into mortases of those stones not closed by any cement It appeareth that there hath been three rancks going round as circles one within another whereof the utmost and largest containeth in compasse 300 foot but the other rancks are decayed and therefore hard to reckon how many stones there be Gâ—ffr Mon. Garal Cam. Gerva Doro. The Chronicles of the Brittains do testifie that whereas the Saxons about the year of our Lord 450. had slain 48. of the Brittains Nobility by treason and under colour of treaty Aurelius Ambrosius now King of the Brittains desirous to continue
their memory with some worthy monument caused these stones to be set up in the place of their murther and burial the which stones had been first brought from Affrick into Ireland and had been placed on Mount Killare and from thence by the industrious means of Merlin were conveyed to this place to the foresaid end There are about this place certain little hills or banks under which are found sometimes bones of big men and pieces of armour also not far from thence remain old ruines of the manner of a fortress which the Romans most likely did build there in times past Such was the devotion of this time as we may gather by old Writers testifying that after the Pagan Saxons had destroyed the Churches and Abbeys in Brittain yet many still remained Will. Lamb. Peram of Kent p. 330. Mr. Broug fol. 601. Mat. West an 490. Idem an 498. Galf. Mon. hist Brit. l. 7. c. 16 and their Abbats were honoured and Will. Lamb. perambulation in Kent tells us In ancient time even the greatest personages held Monks and Nuns in such veneration and liking that they thought no Citty in case to flourish no house to have long continuance no castles sufficiently defenced where was not an Abbey Priory or Nunnery either placed within the walls or planted at hand or near adjoyning and numbred among our Nobles spiritual Lords before the temporal So it was in that great solemnity when Aurelius Ambrosius kept the feast of Penticost at Amesbury he had there many Bishops Abbots and many other Noble persons And after Brittain was more decayed by those Pagans yet there were still both Bishops and Abbats here and they buried the body of their King Aurelius Ambrosius in regall manner thus it was in all places and Provinces in this Kingdom where these Pagans reigned most London Winchester Lincolne York and other parts where they destroyed Churches and all holy monuments Mat. West an 462. martyred the Priests at the Altars burnt holy Scriptures defaced and obscured Martyrs tombs They found every where Religious persons who flying their persecution hid themselves in caves woody places and desart crags of hills and mountains Alla and his three sons Kymon Plineing and Cissa came into Brittain with three ships and landed with them in a place called Kimon shore Howe 's Brit. Saxon. fol. 53. and there slew many of the Brittains forcing the rest to take their flight into a wood called Andredsleage This Alla fighting with the Brittains in a place neer unto Macreds Boorn or Micreds Rilear slew many of them and put the rest to flight Alla and Cissa his sons after long seige brake into the Citty of Andredcester and slew the inhabitants Andredcester from the greatest to the smallest Port and his two sons Byda and Moegla arrived in Brittain with two ships in a place called Portesmouth Portsmouth and there slew a young Gentleman one of the Nobility of the Brittains and divers others The same year two Dukes to wit Cerdic and Kenric his son came into Brittain with five ships and arrived in a place called Cerdic shore the same day they fought with the Brittains and put them to flight Howes ut sup Cerdic and his son Kenrie slew Natanland King of the Brittains and 5000 men of whose name that countrey as far as Cerdicsford was called by the name of Natanleend I beseech Mr. Howe 's to give me leave to tell him that Port could not land at Portsmorth nor Cerdic at Cerdicshore being names at their arrivall utterly unknown and questionlesse had other Brittish names these nomenclations seemed to be taken from Port and Cerdic and therefore the Authour should better have given their first appellations Ambrosius Aurelianus or Aurelius being poysoned dyed when he had reigned thirty five years and was buryed at Stone-hedge then called Chorsa Gigantum It is strange to me that a Prince so much a Christian and a restaurator and repairer of Churches Monasteries and sacred places consecrated for the Sepulture of devout Christians and that both Bishops and Abbots should be present at the funerals and obsequies of so deserving a King and not afford him a Sepulcher in a Church he having repaired and re-edified so many Vter Pendragan After that Aurelius Ambrosius was dead his brother Vter Pendragon whom Harrison calleth Aurelius Vterîus Ambrosianus was made King in the year of our Lord 500. The cause why he was sirnamed Pendragon was for that Merlin the great Prophet likened him to a Dragons head that at the time of his nativity marveilously appeared in the Firmament Hollenshed Hist of Engl. fol. 127. Howes Stow Brittains and Saxons fol. 53 at the corner of a blazing star as is reported Others suppose that he was so called of his wisdome and serpentine subtilty or for that he gave the Dragons head for his arms This Vter hearing that the Saxons with their Captains Octa or Occa the Son of Hengist and his brother Osca had besieged the Citty of York hasted thither and giving them battail put them to flight and took Osca and Occa prisoners Hector Boetius in his Chronicle is of an other opinion for he saith Vter Pendragon at the death of his brother Aurelius was in Wales as not yet fully recovered of a dangerous sicknesse wherewith lately he had been extreemly molested yet the Lords of Brittain after the funerall of their last King came unto him and set the Diadem upon his head and though he was not able to go against the Saxons who by reason of Aurelius his death were very busy and more earnest in pursuing the war then before and army was yet prepared and sent forth with all convenient speed under the leading of one Nathaliod a man neither of ancient extraction nor skill in military affairs The Noble men were nothing pleased herewith and misliking altogether the lack of discretion in their new King they doubted much least in time to come he would have more delight to advance men of base lineage and degree then such as were descended of noble parentage yet because they would not put the state of the Land in danger through any mutiny they agreed to go forth with him in that journey Occa had advertisement given him by secreet letters sent to him by some close friends among the Brittains of the whole matter and therefore in hope of the better successe he made all possible speed to encounter the Brittains and thus the one army coming in fight of the other they prepare to the battail and shortly after the first onset the Brittains retreated and turned their backs by reason that one of their chiefest Commanders called Gothlois disdaining to be under Nathaliod got him up to the top of the next hill with such as were under his power and charge leaving the other Brittains in eminent danger which they perceiving began also to save themselves by flight There dyed no great number of the natives for Occa mistrusting what Gothlois
Masbrook Chitbury Caurs Clonn which are now in Shropshire Ewyas Lacy Ewyas Harold Clifford VVinsorton Yardley Huntington VVhitney Loghardneis in Herefordshire Also this country of Southwales as all the rest of Brittain was first inhabited by the Brittains which remain there to this day saving that in divers places specially along the sea shore they have been mingled with Saxons Normans which the VVelsh history calleth Frenchmen and Flemings For that the Princes of VVales since the conquest of the Normans could never keep quiet possession thereof but what for strangers and what for disloyalty of their own people vexation and war were for the most part compelled to keep themselves in Caermardhenshire This shall suffice for the description of the Country After this great King had as it is said before disposed of his affairs had had war with Burchved King of Mercia which by the aid of Ethelwaph entred Northwales with a great power and destroyed Anglesey fought with the VVelshmen divers times and slew Meric a great Prince amongst them 846. Math. West Kongen P. of Pendieth at Rome 871. The year 846. was Ithel King of Gwent or Wetland slain in fight by the men of Brechnoch and in the year 854 Kongen King of Powis died at Rome being slain or choaked as some say by his own men Much about this time dyed Gwyan King of Cardigan This was that noble Gwyan ap Mevric ap Dunwal ap Arthen ap Sitsylt King or Prince of Cardigan who as some Brittish books have was at this time drowned by misfortune The Danes having entred the land being with shame and ignominy beaten and repulsed and compelled to abjure the Isle they bent whether equivocally or perfidiously their force against Wales and entred the Isle of Môn with a great army in the year of Christ eight hundred seventy three where Roderick gave them two battails one at a place called Menegd in Anglesey Dav. Powel fol. 34. 879. I find also saith my Authour that about this time Halden and Hungare two Captains of the Danes arrived in Southwales and overrun the whole Countrey destroying all before them with fire and sword neither sparing Churches nor Religious houses but within a while after they received their deserved reward at the hands of the West Saxons who awaiting for them on the coasts of Devonshire slevv both Halden and Hungare vvith 1200 of their people At this time Endon Bishop of Menevia or St. Davids died and Hubert was installed in his place And within two years after Dungarth King of Cornwal was drowned by a mischance In the year 876 the Englishmen entred into Anglesey and fought with the Welshmen a sore battail who in the year following slew Roderike King or Prince of Wales and Gwyriad his brother or as some say his son This Roderike had by his wife Enharad the daughter of Meyric the son of Difnwal or Dunwal the son of Arthen ap Sytsylt divers sons as Anarawd his Eldest son to whom he gave Aberfraw with Northwales Cadelh the second son vvho had Dinevour vvith Southvvales and also took Mathraval and Powis land by force from his brethren after the death of Mervin the third son to whom the father had given the same A Welsh manuscript which I have saith Rodri the great did bear G. a cheveron between three Roses arg Quarterly Gules and Or four Lions passant gardant Counterchange The Authour who sets down this coat as belonging to this King or Prince Mr. Mills catologue of honour fol. 209. compendiously gives us this relation Roderike the great in Welsh called Rodero Mawr Prince of all Wales a man of much strength and courage the son Essilt begotten by Mervin King of the Isles whose Grandfather by the Mothers side was Conan the son of Roderike the son of Idwall the son of Cadwallader the last King of the Brittains This Idwall conveyed the miserable Brittains that were oppressed and afflicted with the invasions and inroads of the Saxons into Cambria now called Wales and worthily governed them under the name and title of Prince of Wales Some are of of opinion that the Cambres were called Welshmen by this Idwallo as in old time the Brittains took their name from Brute But this is of no more truth then theirs is that would have them of one Wallo their Duke and governour or of Wendola a Queen of whom there is no mention made among them This Roderike of all the Princes of Wales The Authour also put Camber before Albanact preferring Wales before Scotland was the first that caused the histories of the Brittains to be written He renewed good Lawes he caused strong Castles to be built and procured that Churches or Temples should be kept and maintained for Divine Service at his decease he left the Principality of all Wales to be divided unto his three sons following the example of Brute who made Locrine Camber and Albanact Kings This matter of division was the very true and first Originall of the Welsh mens ruine as being divided into three Kingdomes which they called Principalities For allbeit whilst they lived one man held and maintained his own with much stoutness and magnanimity yet their posterity being distracted and falling to war among themselves were enforced every each to defend his part as well from their general enemies the English as from their Neighbours and Countreymen the Welsh by which the whole Kingdome of VVales was wrackt and overthrown Roderike ended his life in the eighty ninth year of his Age Mr. Wills ut ante and in the year of Christ eight hundreed seventy seven Alured the son of the godly King Ethelwolph being then King of the English Saxons He was buryed at Keyby Castle in Anglesey Engharad Princesse of VVales Wife of Roderike the great was daughter and heir to Meirich the son of Dyfnwal the son of Arthen ap Sytsilt King of Cardigan Their Issue Mervin Prince of Venâ—dosia or North-Wales of whom more hereafter Anarandus was second Son to whom his Father gave the 105. Cantreds or hundreds of Powis Land and for that of all his Brethren he was the most valiant and approved Warriour he seated him in the Marches or Borders of VVales his principal Seat and Mannour was at Mathraval The patrimony of this Anarandus namely the Principality of Powis in process of time devolved and came into the hands of a Woman named Hawis as her Right and Inheritance She being married to one John Chorlton an Englishman enfeoffed him with her Right and made him Lord of Powis From this Family it descended at last to the Greys of the North and thereby utterly lost that Name and Title of Principality For Andornus or Owen the Father of Hawis or Avis being called and sent for to a Parliament which King Edward the First held at Shrewsbury by the Decree and Judgment of the King and Barons took his Lands to be held in Capite under the Title and Tenure of Free Baronage of England and
his See from Caerlegion to Menevia which ever since of him is called St. Davids a place neither pleasant fertile or safe for as Girald Cam. reporteth of it it is neither furnished with Wood watered with Rivers beautified with Meadows nor inriched with any kind of fruitful soil affording plentifully nothing but Rocks and barren Hills vehement Windes and Tempests and lastly dangers and injuries whereunto solitary places near unto the Sea are subject by Pirates and otherwise It seemeth he misliked the frequency of people at Caerlegion as a means to withdraw him from contemplation whereunto that he might be the more free he made choice of this place for his See rather than for any fitness otherwise St. David liv'd 146 years built 12 Monasteries He sate long viz. 65. years and died at the last Anno 642. having first built 12. Monasteries in the Countrey thereabout being now 146 year of age as Bale out of the Brittish Histories reporteth he was buried in his own Cathedral Church and many hundred years after Canonized a Saint by Pope Calixtus the second many things are reported of him which I leave unspoken of referring those that are desirous of further satisfaction to Mr. Porter who writeth his life at large and Laurentius Surius although I doubt not but God afforded many Miracles in the infancy of his Church yea and daily yet doth neither therefore would I be so peremptory in derogating too much from such reports as we see no reason why they may not be true Of him they say that his Birth was foretold 30 years before hand That he was alwayes attended by an Angel that kept him company That he bestowed upon the waters at Bath that extraordinary heat they have and to report no more That upon a time preaching to a great multitude of people at Brevy the plain ground grew up so high in their sight and encreased under feet to a pretty hillock After St. David sate successively these as Giraldus setteth them down 2 Cenauc 3 Eliud or Teilau 4 Ceven 5 Morwal 6 Haerunen or Haernurier 7 Edward 8 Gurnuen 9 Leudiuord 10 Gorwyst 11 Gorgan 12 Cledauc 13 Anian 14 Elvoed 15 Ethelmen 16 Elanc 17 Malsced 18 Sadermen 19 Catellus 20 Sulhiathnay 21 Noais 22 Etwoll 23 Asser 24 Arthuael A certain antiquity belonging to the Church of St. David reporteth a Catalogue somewhat differing from this of Giraldus to wit this that followeth 1. St. David 2 Eliud 3 Kenea 4 Mornael 5 Haenurier 6 Elnaeth 7 Gurnel 8 Leudywyth 9 Gorwist 10 Gorgan 11 Cledaucke 12 Eynaen 13 Eludgeth 14 Eldunen 15 Elnaeth 16 Maelsdhwyth 17 Madenew 18 Catulus 19 Sylnay 20 Namys 21 Sathveney 22 Doythwall 23 Asser 24 Alhuael 25 Sampson Of these forenamed Bishops until Sampson there remaineth no memorial but their names only 7 Suffragans under St. Davids In this time the See of St. David had 7 Bishops Suffragans subject unto it as the afore Antiquity declareth viz. Exceter Bathe Hereford Landaff Banger St. Asaph and Fernes in Ireland while he was Bishop it happened the people of all that Countrey were wonderfully vexed with the Jaundice so that great numbers of them died daily of that disease By the importtnity of his Clergy and Disciples he was induced to fly the Countrey and sailed into Brittain where the Bishoprick of Dola being void he was straight way elected unto the same He brought thither with him the Archiepiscopal Pall of St. David and used it during his life as did also his Successors for many years until they were compelled by the Pope at the sute of the Archbishop of Turon to leave it and make profession of obedience unto him as in former times By this occasion it fell out that the Successors of Sampson in St. Davids what for want of their Pall or for poverty or negligence or some other occasion lost their title of Archbishop and to this day never recovered the same Howbeit they used all Authority belonging to an Archbishop by consecrating of other Bishops c. neither ever did they make profession of subjection unto Canterbury until the time of K. Hen. I. of England whereof formerly and more hereafter After Sampson succeeded these 26 Rucline 27 Rodherch 28 Elguni 29 Lunuerd or Lywarch 30 Nergu or Vergu 31 Sulhidir or Sulhidu 32 Eneuris 33 Morgeneu This man saith Giraldus of all the Bishops of St. Davids presumed first to eat flesh which none of them had ever done before for punishment of which hainous offence he supposeth it fell out that afterwards he was murdered by Pirates reporting withal how that after his death he appeared to a Bishop in Ireland using these words Quia carnes comedi caro factus sum For eating of flesh I am become nothing but flesh 34 Nathan 35 Jevan he continued Bishop but onely one night 36 Argustel 37 Morgenueth 38 Ervyn or Hernnu a godly and learned man died anno 1038. 39 Tramerin or Carmerin 40 Joseph 41 Bleithud he died the year 1070. 42 Sulghein he forsook his Bishoprick the year 1070. 43 Abraham the year 1078. or thereabouts St. Davids was spoiled and destroyed by strangers and Abraham the Bishop what through grief or sickness died whereupon Sulghein was constrained to re-assume his Bishoprick which notwithstanding he resigned again about the year 1085 and 1088 died being 80 years of age the godliest and wisest man and the greatest Clerk in all Wales so saith the Chronicle of him 44 After him a son of his called Rythmarch succeded as the Chronicle delivereth and died about the year 1100. 45 Wylfrid he died 1115 this is he whom the Chronicle stileth Griffri 46 Bernard a Norman of whom before 47 David Fitz Girald Archdeacon of Cardigan succeeded he died the year 1176. 48 Peter or Peirs a Benedictine Monk Prior of Wenloch was consecrated the same year this Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Andrew and St. David had been oftentimes formerly destroyed by Danes other Pirates and in his time was almost quite ruinated he bestowed much in re-edifying the same and may in some sort be said to have built the church which now standeth 48. Geffry Prior of Lanthony a Religious house in Monmothshire very ancient of which I will take occasion in the end of this work to speak when I shall God willing give an account by way of supplement of all the Monasteries throughout VVales a Regular Canon was prefered to this See by the means of Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury 49. Silvester Giraldus was born in Pembrockshire neer Tinby of very noble parentage being neer of kin to the Princes of Wales a very comely and personable man of body and for his mind witty discreet studious vertuous and well given In his youth he travelled over most part of Christendom At Paris he read publickly in the English Colledge with great commendation returning home he grew in great esteem with K. Henry the II. and became Secretary unto his son John with whom he went into Ireland and
being there writ a description of the Country as he did also of England and Wales Some affirm he was Archdeacon of Landaff Of Brecknock and St. Davids he was for certain being elect unto this See An. 1199 he made challenge unto the title of an Archbishop at Rome which controversy how it was debated and ended ye may read at large in R. Hoveden his report of the year aforesaid He was once accused of treason but happily acquitted lived till he was 70. years of age and upward and dying was buryed in his own Church He writ many books the Catalogue whereof ye may find in Bale 50. Jorwerth or Edward was consecrated 1215. 51. Alselmus or Anselmus 52. Thomas Archdeacon of Lincolne a Welshman and a great Clerk forsaking other great preferments accepted of this Bishoprick being a miserable poor thing at that time the year 1247. 53. Richard Carren 54. Thomas Beck he founded two Colledges one at Abergwily and another at Lhan-dewybreny 55. David Martin 56. Henry Gower he built the Bishops Pallace at Saint Davids and dyed in the year 1347. 57. John Teresbie or Thorsby Translated to Worcester 1349 and thence to York 1352. 58. Riginald Brian translated to Worcester 1352. 59. Thomas Fastock died the year 1361. 60. Adam Houghton founded a colledg neer to the Cathedral Church of St. David he was Chancellour of England for a time about the year 1376. 61. John Gilbert Bishop of Bangor was translated to Hereford 1376. and thence hither 1389. 62. Guido de Mona died in the year 1407 who while he lived saith Walsingham was a cause of much mischief 63. Henry Chichley was consecrated at Sienna by the Popes own hand June the 12. 1409. sat five years and was translated to Canterbury 64. John Keterich or Catarich sometime Archdeacon of Surry was translated hence to Coventry and Lichfield the year 1415. and after to Exceter 65. Stephen Patrington a Jacobine Fryer as one saith or rather a Carmelite as another saith being at the Councel of Constance was by the Pope translated to Chichester in December 1417. as the records of St. Davids do affirm others say and I take it to be true that he refused to accept of the Popes gift 66. Benit Nicols Bishop of Bangor suceeded him 67. Thomas Rodborn a man of great learning was brought up in Oxford and became first Archdeacon of Sudbury then Bishop of St. Davids he writ divers works amongst the rest a History or Chronicle The year 1434 the King endeavoured to translate him to Ely but could not 68. William Lynwood Doctour of Law first Chancellour to the Archbishop of Canterbury then keeper of the privy seal having first been employed in Embassages to the Kings of Spain Portugal and other Princes He writ much amongst other his works he is famous for putting in order such provincial constitutions as had been made by the Archbishops of Canterbury from the time of Stephen Langton unto Henry Chichley he florished about the year 1440 but just what time he became Bishop or when he died I cannot tell He lyeth buryed at St. Stephens in Westminster 69. John Langton dyed within 15. dayes after his consecration 70. John de le Beer 71. Robert Tully a Monk of Glocester This man I take to be him that by the name of Robert Sherborne is said to have been translated to Chichester the year 1508. 72. Richard Martin 73. Thomas Langton 74. Hugh Pany he impropried to the Vicars Choral of St. Davids the Church of Lan-saint-Fred 75. John Morgan dyed in the Priory of Caermarthyn and was buried in his own Church 76. Edward Vaughan built a new chappel in his church of St. David 77. Richard Rawlin 78. William Barlow translated to VVells having sat here 10 years about the year 1548 and after to Chichester 79. Robert Ferrar of whom read Fox if ye please 80. Henry Morgan died Decemb. 23. 1559. 81. Thomas Young staying here but a very short time was translated to York February 25. 1561. 82. Richard Davis Bishop of Asaph 83. Marmaduke Midleton Bishop of Waterford in Ireland 84. Anthony Rud Doctor of Divinity born in Yorkshire brought up in Cambridge after he had been the space of nine years Dean of Glocester was consecrated June the 9. 1594. 85. Richard Milbourne translated to Carlile 86. VVilliam Laud 1621. translated to VVells 1626. from thence to London being Chancellor of Oxford lastly translated to Canterbury 1633. and lastly beheaded on Tower-hill 87. Theoph. Field 1627. translated to Hereford 1635. 88. Roger Mainwaring Bishop of St. Davids 1641. at the beginning of that Parliament so fatall to Bishops The Bishoprick of St. Davids was valued in the Exchequer at 426 l 22d ob and in the Popes books at 1500 Ducates Let us now return to our former matter in hand About the year 1149. Owen Prince of Northwales did build a castle at Yale Yale Castle Lhanrystyd castle built and his brother Cadwalader built another at Lhanrystyd and gave Cadogan his son part of Caerdigan Toward the end of this year Madoc the son of Meredyth ap Blethyn did build the castle of Oswestrie which now gives the title of a Barony to the honourable family of the Howards and gave his Nephews Owen and Meiric the sons of Gruffith ap Meredyth his part of Cynelioc Oswestrie Castle built The year after Prince Owen did imprison Conan his son for certain faults committed against his father Also Prince Owens son took his Uncle Cadwalader prisoner and brought his country and castle to his subjection At this time also Cadelh the son of Gruffith ap Rees fortified the castle of Caermarthyn and from thence conducted his army to Cydwely where he destroyed and spoyled all the country and after his return he joyned his forces with Meredyth and Rees his brothers and entering Caerdigan wan that part called Is-Aeron Not long after there fell a variance betwixt Randol Earl of Chester and Owen Prince of Northwales The Welsh still joyn with their enemies to cut their own throats which caused Randal to gather supplies and Auxilaries from all his friends in England to whom Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powis disdaining to hold his lands of Owen joyned all his power and they both together entred Prince Owens land who like a worthy Prince not suffering the spoyle of his Subjects met them at Counsylht and boldly bade them battail which they refused not but being more in number The Welsh obtained an admirable victory against the Normans and better armed and weaponed were glad of the occasion yet before the end they threw away both weapons and armour and trusted to their feet whom the Northwales men did so pursue that few escaped but were either slain or taken the chief Chieftains excepted whose nimble horses carryed them swiftly away In the year 1150. Cadelh Meredyth and Rees the sons of Gruffith ap Rees Prince of Southwales conquered all Caerdigan from Howel the son of Prince Owen except the Castle of Lhanvihengel
the Bishoprick though for the Metropolitan dignity it be content to let St. Davids have what is left thereof The first Bishop here of whom is any good record is St. Dubritius consecrate by Saint Lupus and Germanus that time they came hither out of France for the extirpation of the Pelagian heresie The Church he dedicated to St. Thelianus the next successor to St. Dubritius founded on the River Taff and thence called Landaff then in the Welsh tongue signifying a Church or Holy Place a Church very well endowed by the munificence and piety of great persons in those times so well that it is affirmed by Mr. Godwin that were it possessed now of the tenth part onely of what once it had it might be reckoned one of the richest Churches in all Christendom The ruine of it came in the time of Bish Dunstan alias Kitehin who thereupon is called Fundi nostri calamitas by Bish Godwin The Diocess containeth onely part of Glamorganshire and part of Monmothshire though the most of each and in those parts 177 Parishes whereof 98 Impropriations and for them one Archdeacon which is called of Lhandaff the Bishoprick was valued in the Kings book 154 l. 14 s. 1 d. the Clergy paying for their Tenth somewhat near the same viz. 155 l. 5 s. 4 d. It is to be observed or may be observed if it please the Reader that neither here nor at St. Davids there is any Dean Godwin in Landaff fol. 423. nor ever was in any of the times before us the Bishop being the head of the several Chapters and in his absence the Archdeacon here as is the Chaunter at St. Davids The Cathedral Church of Landaff is reported to have been first built in the time of King Lucius about the year of our Lord Christ 180. But I perceive not that any Bishop sate there before Dubritius who by Germanus Bishop of Altisiodore The antiquity of the Church of Landaff and Lupus of Trecasia two Bishops of France was removed to the Archbishoprick of Caerleon Of the occasion of their double journey into these parts for they were twice here and of Dubritius we have spoken already So we must account St. Dubritius the first Bishop of Lhandaff not that I deny any other to have sate there before him but because he is the first whose name is remembred and it is probable he had no predecessors because the memory of all his successors is so carefully preserved St. Tebian alias Eliud the second Bishop was very nobly born and brought up under Dubritius his predecessor and Saulinus together with St. David I find delivered than soon after his coming to the Bishoprick he was constrained by a strange disease reigning in those parts to fly into France whence after a season he returned again bringing home with him in three Ships his Countrey-men that had fled with him upon the same occasion he was afterwards slain in the Church of Lân-Delia-Hechan by a certain noble man called Guraeddan his Cathedral Church where it seemeth he was buried hath ever since born his name unto it in the time of this man and his successors many Kings of England and Princes of Wales have given much land and granted many notable priviledges amongst which these are accounted the chiefest benefactors King Iddon the same of Juyr Grevent Benefactors to Landaff Church gave Lanerth with all the lands there that belonged heretofore to St. Dubritius he gave also Lhanteilian porth halawg with the Territory unto the same belonging Maredud the son of Reni K. of West-wales gave 3 Churches Aireol Lawhir the son of Fryfan K. of West-wales gave divers lands Cadwgawn a King was also a great benefactor as were all these that follow Maurice King of Morganwy Tendric or Theoderick a King Morgant King of Morganwy Augustus King of Brecheiniawc Iddug the son of Nudd a King Morgant King of Glewissig Ithael a King Gurwodius Kings of Ergnig Cuiuni Gurgant Clodri Noble Men of Wales called in Evidences by the name of Kings Lluddgwallawn Clydiawc Nagwy Hywell Gruffith ap Owen Rys King of Glewissig Arthmael Kings of Gwent Rhodri Rhiderck Kings of Morganwc Jestin ap Gurgant Caradock Gruffith ap Lhewelyn King of all Wales 3 Oudoceus or Odoceus succeeded St. Telian he was also very nobly born and after his death reputed a Saint as was also his predecessor he died July the 2d. the year I find not 4 Vbelwinus alias Vbelwin 5 Aidenus 6 Elgistill 7 Lunapeius 8 Gomergwinus alias Gomergius 9 Argwistil 10 Gervanus or Gurven 11 Gwydlonius alias Gwod loiw 12 Edilbinus alias Edilbin 13 Grecielus 14 Berthywynus 15 Tricanus l Trican 16 Eluogus 17 Cadgwaret 18 Cerenhir 19 Nobis 20 Pater 21 Gulfredus alias Gulfrit 22 Nuth alias Nudd 23 Cymeiliawc alias Cymbelinus he died 917 24 Libianth or Libianch he died 929. 25 Gogwenus was consecrated by St. Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury 982. so it seemeth this See was long void 26 Marchluid l Marchlwyth 27 Bledry or Bletheri chosen by the Kings Clergy and People of the Countrey was Consecrated by Alaricius Archbishop of Canterbury 993. he died 1022. 28 Joseph was consecrated by Alnothus Archbishop of Canterbury Octob. 1. 1022. he died at Rome in the year 1046. 29 Herewald was consecrated at London by Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury in Whitsun week 1056. he died March 6 1103. being 100 years of age and having continued in his Bishopriek 48 years 30 Vrbanus Archdeacon of Landaff was consecrated together with divers Bishops August the 10 1108. being then but 32 years of age at the first coming he found his Bishoprick in a very poor and miserable estate the Church ruinated almost even to the very ground in the time of the late Wars under William the Conquerour the revenues of themselves small and yet so ill husbanded by the negligence of his predecessors as they could now scarcely maintain two Canons besides the Bishop whereas there were wont to be 24 complaining hereof to the Pope Calixtus the second at what time he was at the Councel at Rhemes viz. the year 1119. he afforded him his Letters to the King as also to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Clergy and Gentlemen of his own Diocess earnestly praying them to yield him their best assistance for the Reformation of his Church so disordered The Archbishop the rather to draw on the liberality of men in contributing towards the new building of the Church took upon him to release the fourth part of pennance inflicted upon such as should bestow any thing toward the same By this means having massed great sums of Money The now Church of Landaff built 1120. began the building of that Church which now standeth April the 14 1120. and having finished it built anew also all housing belonging to it Then next endeavouring to recover the lands lost or alienated from his See he challenged divers parcels which were held by Barnard Bishop of St. Davids and Richard
then known neither were there any Kings the inhabitants being called Galli and Tributaries to the Romans and so continued till the time of Valentinianus the Emperor hearing Cordeilla's beauty so highly extolled her vertue so superlatively commended deems her a fit companion for his Princely bed and fortunes if so rare a Jewel may be purchased Upon a mature resolution he sends his Agents to the court of King Leir with full instructions to demand Cordeilla in Marriage The offerd Fortune pleaseth the King yet he fears the success by reason of his own folly which had given all to the two sisters and left nothing for the third Leir returns thanks to Aganippus by his Embassadors shews a willingness to comply with their Masters request and withall lays open his unsufficiency to bestow any Dowry upon her Aganippus enformed by Letters of these passages is glad his suit and motion finds friendly acceptance and far valuing the rich endowments of his so much affected Cordeilla before all terrene riches so he enjoy the beloved treasure of his heart desires no more the espousals are with all solemnity celebrated and Cordeilla answerable to the greatness of her birth and quality conveyed to Aganippus who by the opinion of those who write that France was then governed by twelve Kings was one and so Cordeilla a Queen Leir having thus happily as might be thought disposed of his three daughters being aged betakes himself to ease and quietness and so intends to spin out the remnant of his time but his Sons in Law Monaghlanus and Henninus the Dukes of Cornwall and Albania envy the happy tranquility of the feeble old King and each daughter for all their deep and large expressions of filial love and duty Patris inquirit in annos Leir lives too long too much at ease his bones would better become a Sepulchre then a Throne and since the fatal Sisters will not of their own accord cut off his thred of life his daughters by the hands of their ambitious and covetous husbands will undertake that task nothing is now heard in Brittaine but the clashing of arms neighing of horses thundering of Trumpets and warlike Musick The impotent King is begirt on all sides with Martial Troops and not able to resist two such powerfull enemies to preserve that small span of life is forced to flie for succour being quite forlorn to his daughter Cordeilla whom formerly he had so much slighted The arrival of the Father is not long unknown to the daughter who acquaints her husband with so sad an accident Aganippus out of an heroick spirit compassionating the calamity of a distressed Prince especially his wives Father puts on a resolution to chastise and revenge so gross an injury and to reinvest him in his throne again Cordeilla is not idle in the mean time but with all obsequious behaviour like a dutifull childe cherisheth her drooping Father accomodates him with all Princely provision with pleasant speeches drives away his melancholy thoughts and leaves nothing undone or said which may add vigour and alacrity to his pierced heart Aganippus arrives in Brittain with his Father in Law gives battel to the disobedient Rebels gives them the overthrow and again establisheth Leir in his Regal dignity but the Author of so great happiness lived not long after leaving Cordeilla a sad and disconsolate widow King Leir once more holding and guiding the stern of the Brittish Monarchy passed his time with perfect quietness the space of three years after which time he left this transitory world leaving his daughter Cordeilla as well she deserved to succeed him in his Kingdom his body was buried at Leicester in a Vault under the River side John Rous apud How 's in Stow. which he himself had built and consecrated to Janus Bifrons where the workmen of the Town when the solemnity of the day came began all things which they had to do the year following Those who undervalue the Brittains call this History in question yet divers Authors relate it out of which I will produce one in the same Language in which he writ Cum in Senectutem vergere Leir coepisset Vitus ex Gaufrid fol. 173. Regnum dividere filiasque tres suas idoneis Maritis in manus cum parte regni bene gubernanda tradere cogitavit Prius tamen ex amore singularum tentare voluit quaenam illarum potiore regni parte censeretur digna Itaque Gonorilla interrogata respondit Patrem sibi chariorem esse corde atque anima suae propria qua viveret Ragana dixit ipsum super omnes creaturas se diligere Cordeilla videns his adulationibus acquiescere senem vicissim tentando quaesivit An usquam filia sit quae patrem plus quam patrem amare presumat Ego te semper ut patrem dilexi diligo siquid amplius requiris audi signum amoris in te mei Quantum enim habes quantum vales tantum te diligo Pater Iratus eam cum stomacho sic loqui putabat quasi suam senectutem sprevisset proinde dixit illam cum sororibus nullam in suo regno partem habituram consilio procerum regni duas primas nuptui dat Cornvalliae Albaniae ducibus una cum parte media Insulae donec ipse viveret alteram dimidiam post obitum ejus accipere jubebat Quo tempore Francorum Rex Aganippus fama motus pulchritudinis Cordeillae nunciis missis eam petit in matrimonium sibi dari Quibus humaniter acceptis pater ait se daturuni sed sine terra vel pecunia Aganippus qui tertiam Galliae ut Zerixaeus ait Belgicae partem possidebat virgine tam nobile sola contentus erat Polidorus Virgillius Quam Polidorus Virgilius naturâ praecocis ingenii fuissi dicit sed interogatam de amore in patrem respondisse se quidem i lum oculis ferre semperque laturam licet deinde contingeret de Marito intelligens amaret ardentius Quo responso tam etsi pleno sapientiae Leir indignatus indotatam nuptui collocat Regulo Gallo inquit Polidorus puellae forma capto Sed haud multo poste à generis ejus mortem expectare censentibus esse nimis longum spoliatus regno ad Cordeillam fugere coactus est a qua restituitur in Regnum generis interfectis triennium regnat Hanc inter novem Bellicosas hujus insulae foeminas numerat Gerardus Leighus Thus much I have added to confirm the History of our Brittish Leir and his daughters I forbear to translate it having already out of other Authors related the same in effect Robert Bossu having put his Soveraign King Hen. 2. to much trouble in repentance of these mischiefs built the Monastery of St. Marie de Pratis wherein he became a Canon Regular and for fifteen years continuance in sad lamentation served God in continual prayers with the like devotion Henry the first Duke of Lancaster built an Hospital for an hundred
and ten poor people with a Collegiat Church a Dean twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars sufficiently provided for with Revenues wherein himself lyeth buried and it was the greatest ornament of that City untill the hand of King Henry the eight lay over heavy upon all the like foundations and laid their lofty tops at his own feet In this City also was buried another Crouch-back viz. Richard the third in the Church of the Gray-Friers but now nothing remains of his Monument but only the stone chest wherein he was laid a drinking Trough now for horses in a common Inne This place hath given the Titles of honour to many Honourable Families year 1057 1057. 1. Algar the Saxon. year 1103 1103. 2. Edwin died 1071. 3. Robert de Bellamonte Gules a cinquefoyle Ermine 4. Robert de Bellamont 5. Robert de Bellamont L. Steward 6. Robert de Bellamont L. high Steward 7. Simon de Montfort married Amicia sister and coheir to the last Earl Robert L. high Steward 8. Simon de Montfort L. high Steward Gules a Lion rampant his tail double forked salteir wise Argent 9. Edmond Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 10. Tho. Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 11. Hen. D. of Lancaster L. high Steward 12. Henry D. of Lancaster L. high Steward England a Label of 5. points Ermine 13. William of Bavaria Earl of Heinalt married the Lady Maud of Lancaster Bendis losengè Argent and Azure 14. John of Gaunt D. of Lancaster L. high steward Henry D. of Lancaster Lord high steward Quarterly France and England a Label of 3. points Ermine Robert Dudleigh Lord Denbigh c. Or a Lyon rampant his tail double forked Vert. Robert Sidney Viscount Lisle descended of a sister of the said Robert Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester Or a Phaon Azure CORDEILLA THis Heroine Lady after just revenge taken upon her two sisters husbands and her fathers and husbands death by the consent of most Writers by the joynt suffrages and votes of the Brittains was admitted to the Royal Scepter in the year from the worlds creation four thousand three hundred and ninety eight years she governed her people and subjects for the space of five years with great applause and general liking but the two sons of her sisters Morgan of Albania and Cunedagius of Cambria and Cornwal envying her prosperity and thinking themselves injured in their birth-right their grandfather Leir having divided the kingdom equally betwixt their Mothers upon their Marriages conspire together and mustering their forces invade Cordeilla and reduce her to that necessity that she is taken prisoner and by her merciless Nephews cast into Gaol which she patiently a while endured but perceiving no hopes to regain her freedom or repossess her kingdom scorning to be any longer a slave to her insulting enemies seeing she could not free her body from bondage with true Trojan and masculine Heroick Spirit she makes a divorce between her purer soul and encaged carcass giving it free power to pass into another world leaving those parts which participated of drossie mold to be interred again in the earth from whence at first it came at Leicester in the Temple of Janus by the Sepulchre of her father Cunedagius and Morgan THe obstacle which hindered the designs of these two aspiring Princes Cordeilla the gallant Brittish Amazon and Virago being by violent death perpetrated by her own hand taken out of the way divide the kingdom betwixt them and became both kings in the year of the world four thousand four hundred and three but this gallantry lasted not long for the Court-Gnats whose life is a perpetual buzzing of news and flatteries fall upon the ear of Morgan and so fill his head with projects that he highly conceives he is injured by the equal dividing of the kingdom and thus discourses with himself And am not I the son of Gonorilla and she the eldest daughter of my Grand-father to me then as lawfull Heir Brittains Crown belongs Why then do I admit a corrival competitor and co-equal one firmament admits not two Suns nor one kingdom two kings no reason I should lose my birth-right no I am resolved I will not Cunedagius shall know that Morgan can rule the Brittains without his help this fire once kindled his flattering parasites bring fewel enough to augment it Cunedagius must bear rule no longer a private life or none at all must content him it is no small policy for Princes to have Spies in neighbouring Courts Cunedagius is quickly enformed of all the passages of his Cozen Morgan and thinks there is no security in delays and therefore puts himself into a posture as well to offend as defend yet to make his case the better and to ingratiate himself with the subjects he sends Messengers to Morgan who is already firing and destroying his Territories to Treat of a reconciliation and atonement but Morgan puft up with his imagined good success and thinking the offer of his kinsman to proceed either from fear or want of ability to resist him lends a deaf ear to the Treaty of peace and will have no other Arbitrator but the sword Cunedagius now resolved comes into the field and offers battell to his enemy his cause being just the Celestial powers seem to second his attempts and he who would have all or nothing is put to flight where the Conqueror makes use of his advantage and taking occasion by the foretop to prevent all hopes of recruiting and rallying again so hotly pursues his victory that Morgan is chased from place to place from Province to Province till being beaten into Cambria now Wales a Territory belonging to his Mortal Foe and there being most sharply put to it lost his life yet with this honour that that Country ever since from him hath had the appellation of Glanmorgan which is as much as to say in the vulgar tongue Morgans Land and thus after two years joyntlie reigning with his kinsman Morgan departed this life leaving Cunedagius to rule alone Cunedagius to shew an humble thankfulness to his Gods for so great a Victory having fully setled his Kingdom erects a stately Temple to Mars at Perth which is now St. Johns town in Albania now abusively called Scotland then a part of Brittannia and inhabited by the Brittish Nation We finde saith my Author in several Authors and Antiquaries to speak in their words that 800. years before the coming of Christ Cunedagius King of all Brittain Mr. Broughton fol. 336. 6. builded a Temple of Mars at Perth that is now St. Johns town in Scotland and placed there a Flamen Therefore we may not singularly deny unto this old city a Flamens Seat which Antiquaries generally grant unto all such in this time to have been changed into a Bishops See If any one ask what I have to do with Scotland my Scene being only the Brittish History I answer that to the great glory of the Brittains that which is now called Scotland was formerly