Affairs in the Island the AEduans in Burgundy entertained to build their Temples and Publick Edifices Peace thus establisht in Britain and the State quieted Dioclesian who had hitherto employed his Valour with success against his Enemies now used his Rage in a bloody Persecution against his Innocent and Obedient Subjects the Christians This is the tenth Persecution and of all the fore-going the most Bloody and of longest continuance the fatal Bill of their Martyrdom was seventeen thousand a Month besides infinite numbers that suffered by Confiscation Banishment Prisons c. The Christian Churches were every where demolisht their Bibles sought out and burnt and death for any to conceal them and all means practiced not only to extinguish the Professours but to root out the very Name of their Religion The most remarkable that had their shares in Britain were first ALBAN of Verulam beheaded at Holmhurst since called Derswould where now the Town of St. Albans bearing his name is built of whom Fortunatus Priscus in his Book of the praise of Virginity writes Albanum Egregium faecunda Britannia profert Next his Instructour Amphibolus then Julius and Aaron of Caerleon upon Uske in Monmouthshire Bede saith of Leicestershire and in Litchfield so many that the place became another Golgotha and so the name importeth as John Ross of Warwick reporteth namely the Field of Dead Bodies For this cause the City even unto this day saith Mr. Speed doth bear for their Seal of Arms an Eschochean or Field charged with many Martyrs Dioclesian and Maximian reigned twenty years and resigned the Empire to their two Caesars Constantius and Galerius Dioclesian retired into Dalmatia and lived a private life in the City Solonia where afterwards he poysoned himself saies Aurelius Victor Eusebius reporteth he died mad Maximian again attempting to resume the Empire was slain for contriving the murther of Constantius Eusebius avoucheth he hanged himself in the City Marseittes thus ended these two Tyrants THE British History In the Daies of DIOCLESIAN AND MAXIMIAN AFter BONOSUS succeeded CARAUSIUS in the Kingdom of Britain in the year 289 the fourth of these Emperours He made the Picts his Confederates and entertaining all who flockt to him under the hopes of Pillage and Plunder He constrained the Britains to make him their King who not knowing now who was their Friend or Foe partly for fear and partly for want of a lawful Inheritour elected him to the Crown Having thus gained the Power first he rewards the Picts with the vast Territories in Albania and not content with Invading the property of his Subjects and dispossessing the Ancient Britains like a proud Tyrant he infringed all their Rights and Priviledges The Romans hearing thereof sent Alectus with three Legions to kill him and to restore Britain to the Empire Carausius accordingly was slain after he had reigned seven years but instead of giving the Kingdom to the Romans Alectus himself usurped it and assumed the Crown in the year 269. He punished with great slaughter those Britains who forsaking the Common-wealth had adhered to the society of Carausius and been partakers in his Robberies which they sorely resenting chose Asclepiodotus to revenge exhorting him to set upon him in London whilest he was celebrating a Feast to his Country Gods at whose Arrival Alectus forsaking his Sacrifice and marching out with the choice of his Souldiers entered Battle with him but was slain after he had reigned three years Livius Gallus a Captain of Alectus still held London to the reducing whereof Asclepiodotus now King summoned the Demeta or the Inhabitants of that part of the Island now called South-Wales the Venedoti and those of Deira and Albania With these Forces he beleagures the City and with his War-like Engines batters down great part of the Wall Gallus perceiving himself able to hold out no longer comes to Parly and surrenders the Town upon Condition to march out Armed which being agreed to Asclepiodotus enters but the Venedoti contrary to Articles fell upon Gallus and slew him at a Brooks-side within the City called after his Name Walbrooke or Gal-brooke Thus Asclepiodotus got the full possession of the Kingdom but being not able or skilful to defend his Subjects from the cruelty of the Roman Emperours who in his daies raised the Persecution in Britain he was slain by Coilus Duke of Colchester after he had reigned about one year COIL the third of that name after the death of Asclepiodotus assumed the Crown and now Constantius having heard of the Troubles in Britain under the several Usurpers lands upon the Coast Coil informed thereof sends Embassadours to crave Peace and promises Subjection and Homage upon condition that he should enjoy the Kingdom of Britain paying the accustomed Tributes and Tolls to the Romans To this Constantius agrees and receives Hostages and not long after marries Helena his Daughter than whom a fairer Virgin never lived and who besides that she was an excellent Musitian and generally instructed in all Liberal Arts and Sciences Coil after one years Reign died and left the Kingdom to Constantius who Governed in the Right of his Wife Helena so that again the British Succession returned to that of the Romans Fl. Val. Constantius Chlorus AFTER the Resignation of Dioclesian and Maximian the Empire which hitherto was held entire though often under many Heads was now divided into two several Estates independent of each other and ameanable only to their particular Princes which as Eusebius noteth proved the fatal end of the Imperial Glory The Western Provinces the Government whereof alone relateth to our present History fell to CONSTANTIUS the Son of a Daughter to Crispus Brother to Claudius the second of that name Emperour of Rome A Prince wise and valiant and so free from Ambition that he chose rather to Govern well than much resigning to Galerius the Provinces of Italy and Africk as lying too remote from the Seat of his Residence which he held in Britain He favoured and encouraged the Christians and abhorred the Superstitious worship of divers Gods acknowledging but One only the Maker and Ruler of all things and to try the Faith of his Courtiers he proclaimed a publick Sacrifice at the solemnity whereof whosoever should be absent and refuse to offer were immediately as he pretended to be discarded and those only that conformed should be retained Such were alwaies sure to be of the Religion of their Prince who had held the Faith only as a Court-fashion presently crept and cringed to the Gods as they thought of their Soveraign But the Complement took not that they were all turned out of their Services with this Rebuke That he who is difloyal to his God can never be true and faithful to his Prince Many other worthy Actions are reported of this Constantius in favour to the Christians but the full establishing their Religion and the publick Authorizing thereof was reserved to Constantine his Son and Successour
might also bring his Name into Britain to be worshipped And this I think is the true Original of Teutates As for those who would have this Teutates to be the same with the German Tuisco or Mars mentioned by Tacitus from whence we call Mars his Day Tuesday But if we consider how by Livy he is called Mercury they have no other ground for their Opinion but only the like founding of part of the first syllable and so they may easily be convinced To this God MERCURY there is no mention made what Sacrifices were offered to him Caesar writes that there were a great number of Statues erected in his Honour and that the Invention of all Arts and Sciences were attributed to him That he was the Leader in all Journies and Guide in all waies and that he had moreover a wonderful efficacy for the promoting gain in Mony or any Merchandize a power no doubt highly esteemed of by the Phoenicians MARS was worshipped by the Gauls and Britains under the Name of Hesus and this Hesus we have proved to be of Phoenician Derivation in another place viz. Hizzus by which Name the Phoenicians as well as Britains called their Mars so that there is no doubt to be made from whence and from whom this God proceeded Caesar saies the Gauls attributed to this God the government of War He was likewise called Camolus or Camulus signifying in the Phoenician Tongue a Lord or Governour In an old Coyn of Cunobelinus Mr. Cambden reports he saw the portraiture of an Head stamped with an Helmet on it also with a Spear and these Letters CAMU From this Camulus came Camalodunum or Mars Hill now Maldon in Essex And methinks the very name of Mars and Dunum a Hill are yet preserved in its Name This Hesus Mars or Camulus I conjecture was not only worshipped as the God of War but of Peace also We find one Coyn with an Ear of Corn upon it with these Letters CAMU likewise a Tree with I know not what Beast lying by it with the same Inscription and these both Cunobelins's Coyn Prince of Camolodunum Besides there was a little Altar cast out among Rubbish-stones near Riblechester in Lancashire with this Roman Inscription PACIFE RO MARTI ELEGAUR BA POS. VIT. EX VOTO And is thus interpreted To Mars the bringer of Peace ELEGAURBA Dedicated this out of his own Vow But how favourable he was in time of Peace to the Britains I know not but certain it is that to him as well as Taramis Men were often sacrificed as appears by this of Lucan Horrensque feris Altaribus Haesus Lactantius calls this God HEUS but here it is to be considered whether by the similitude of Names he does not confound two Deities for Dues is a known name of Bacchus and it is very probable that since the Ancients say that Bacchus was born near Phoenicia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Upon Phoenicia nigh to AEgypts Banks That the Phoenicians might bring this God into Britain as well as Ceres and Proserpina as shall be shewn by and by the name of Bacchus is the Phoenicians Bacchus the Son of Chus as Damesec is used for Dacmeset the City Damascus This will give some light to what I have in another place written of the Inscription found in Zealand namely HERCULI MARCUSANO HERCULES the Lord of the Cusites viz. those of the Dorienses that followed him out of Phoenicia into these Western Parts But to come to HEUS This name was given to Bacchus from one of those barbarous and loud Exclamations used at his solemn Feasts namely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are all of Phoenician Derivation hues as Bochartus thinks signifies He is the Fire Att-es Thou art the Fire for at his Orgia the People used in his Honour so to call him for he was esteemed by the Ancients to be the Fire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the term used by the Ancients in Exclamation to any that they found to be Drunk and Saboi in the same Phoenician Dialect proceeds from Saba to be Drunk From these different Roots many of Bacchus his Ancient names are derived but it will be too long here to discourse of them all It shall therefore suffice that Heus here mentioned by Lactantius in all probability was Bacchus and introduced by his Country-men the Phoenicians into this Island We find in the Superstitions of the Britains something very like unto Bacchus his Orgia although the Name of the God be not put down by Pliny where he saies That the Britains dyed themselves like AEthiopians at some solemn Sacrifices and performed their worship with Men and Women going naked For this was the Custome of the ancient Heathens that at the publick Feast of Bacchus having drank up a large quantity of Wine and using many shrill and horrid Out cries he was esteemed most Religious who could run about the maddest insomuch as they tore their Cloaths from their backs and not only so but the weaker sort were oftentimes endangered in their Limbs In this manner they ran promiscuously Men and Women together cutting and slashing each other till the heat of their Wine was allayed either by loss of Blood weariness or want of sleep Now the reason of the Britains Painting themselves like AEthiopians at these Sacrifices might proceed from the imitation of Bacchus himself who was feigned by the Ancients to have maintained long Wars in India and AEthiopia and was alwaies painted with a swarthy and black Complexion and drawn with Tygres Beasts very frequent in those hot Countries As for that Heus named by the Author of Queroli Anubis Latrans viz. the barking Anubis for as he was made in the form of a Dog so he is to be referred to those deformed Spectres of Britain mentioned by Gildas who exceeded almost in number those of Egypt and without doubt were derived from that Country by the Phoenicians So that it being an AEgyptian Hieroglyphick in the shape of a Dog might be called Huad or something like it Huad signifying in the British Tongue a Dog but as for Hesus the name of Mars and Hues of Bacchus they have no reference at all to it but were general Gods both to Britain and Gaul and were the Hizzus and Hues of the Phoenicians whereas these sorts of deformed Spectres were found only upon the Walls of Cities according to Gildas and it may be in some particular places only and had the Tuition of such Cities and Towns according to the Superstition of the AEgyptians To the God Hues or Bacchus I suppose those Priests mentioned by Marcellinus and called Euuges or Eubages are to be referred for as the Acclamations from whence Bacchus received that Name was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so we may apprehend that these Priests were called Eubages and Euugaes and signifie as much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Persons dedicated to Hues Eochartus
exhibited to the People one especially was a Wood wherein were painted two hundred Deer covered with Palms and Britains mixed among them which sheweth that the Britains were still matter of novelty and delight to the Romans The Gordians Father and Son thus happily removed Maximine who had been all this while in Germany hastned to Rome breathing nothing but Revenge to the Senate and People but endeavouring first to reduce the City of Aquilea who shut its Gates upon him in his passage he was slain at the Siege thereof by his own Souldiers It is reported by Capitolinus that the City was yielding to admit him had not one Menophilus a Senatour perswaded them that BELINUS a God peculiar to the Britains and Gauls and who had a Temple at Aquilea declared by his Oracle that Maximine should be overcome This the Priests gave out and therefore after his death the Souldiers bragg'd about That APOLLO fought against them and that they were not overcome by the Senate and Maximus who succeeded Maximinus but by the power of the Gods From the circumstances of this story is collected that the British God BELENUS was the same with APOLLO or the SUN and was the Bel or Baal of the Phanicians from whence the latter part of Eligabal the Emperours name is derived With Maximine died his Son and Caesar Maximine in the year of our Lord 238 after they had sate in the Empire three years The British Histories allow him King of this Island after whom follows an Interregnum but I shall proceed with the Roman Emperours Pupienus Maximus And Clodius Balbinus EMPEROURS PUPIENUS MAXIMUS and CLODIUS BALBINUS chosen by the Senate Emperours against Maximine were not so linked together in Affection as they were nearly joyned in Authority Balbinus was of greater Birth and Nobility but Pupienus exceeded him in Wisdom and Conduct insomuch that both of them over-valuing themselves the one upon the gifts of Fortune the other the endowments of his Mind were both slain by the Praetorian Souldiers having joyntly Reigned little more than a year during whose short continuance in Power we find not the least remembrance of them in our Island M. Anton. Gordianus AT the Age of fourteen Gordianus was elected Emperour by the Praetorian Bands he was the Son of a Daughter of Old Gordianus being so young he Ruled by the Advice of Misitheus a prudent Counsellour whose Daughter he took in Marriage And now some glimmering light appeareth concerning the Government of this Island out of an Altar-stone found in Cumberland at a place then called Castra Exploratorum with an Inscription for the health of this Emperour his Wife and the whole Family set up by AEmilius Crispinus who was Captain of Horse under Nonnius Philippus Lieutenant General of Britain as appeareth by the Stone it self IOM. PRO SALUTE IMPERATORIS M. ANTONI GOR DIANI P. F. INVICTI AUG ET SABI NIAE TURIAE TRANQUILE CONJUGIRIUS TOTAQUE DOMU DIVIN EORUM ALA AUG GORDIA OB VIRTUTEM APPELLATA POSUIT CUI PRAEEST AEMILIUS CRISPINUS PRAEF EQ Q. NATUS IN PRO AFRICA DE TUIDRO SUB CUR NONNII PH LIPPI LEG AUG PROPRETO ATTICO ET PRAETEXTATO COSS. After Gordianus had governed the State for the space of six years he was deposed by Julius Philippus who to make way for himself first poysoned Misitheus and then insinuating himself into favour was the destruction of his Master for Gordianus by the Power of Philip being cast out of the Throne was soon afterwards by the jealousie of the Usurper slain in the year of Grace 245 and of his Age 22. Gordian is accounted in the British History King of this Island upon the account of his being Father to Claudius whose Title we shall examine hereafter M. Julius Philippus PHILIP by treachery and disloyalty to his Soveraign having ascended the Throne proved a better Prince than Subject By embracing the Christian Religion he strived to wipe away the stains of his former life much to be approved of if Sincerity were joyned with his Profession but nothing worth if to daub over a guilty Conscience he applied himself to Pardon and Pennance only Eusebius to prove his Sincerity writes That he submitted to be placed in the room of Common Penitents because in many things he had been faulty This was a piece of humility not to be slighted if with that self denial he had resigned his ill-gotten Power or employed that Authority in the open owning and propagating the truth But such was the earnest desire even in those Primitive times of gaining mighty Prelates to the Church that the comfortable part of the Gospel Forgiveness of Sins was used as a Bait only to draw them in being drest up in fashion and formality light and trivial Ceremonies which had a shew of submission whilest the weightier parts of the Law without which the other availeth nothing were either neglected or dissembled Against this Philip first Marinus set himself up Emperour but he failing Decius was advanced by the Souldiers whom whilest Philip sought to reduce was himself slain by his own Army and his Head cut off by the Teeth The memory of him is preserved in Britain upon a Pyramid or long Stone dug out of the ground not far from Old Carlile with this Inscription IMP. CAES. M. JUL. PHILIPPO PIO FELI CI AUG ETM. JUL. PHI LIPPO NOBILIS SIMO CAES. TR. P. COS Eusebius saith he Reigned seven years but Eutropius and Victor whom I follow give him but five Upon the news of his death the Praetorian Souldiers kill'd his Son PHILIP whom he had created his Caesar so that we see his disloyalty to his natural Soveraign Gordianus was returned double fold upon him and the Christian Religion which might save him in the World to come did not exempt him from the Punishments of this life attending Treason and Usurpation Gn. Messius Quinctus Trajan Decius DECIUS elected Emperour by the Persinn Legions proclaimed in Verona by the Roman Souldiers and confirmed at Rome by the voice of the Senate was a wise and valiant Prince but Reigned but two years being in his Wars against the Goths betrayed by his own Captain Trebonianus Gallus where having the misfortune to see his two Sons Decius and Hostilianus whom he had made his Associates in the Empire slain before his face he threw himself into a Whirl-pool which soon swallowed up both him and his Sorrows He was a great enemy of the Christians and raised the seventh Persecution Trebonianus Gallus TREBONIANUS GALLUS having betrayed Decius was upon his death admitted Emperour He created his Son Volusianus a Child his Caesar but he enjoyed not long the Imperial Crown for giving himself up to Pleasures at Rome he neglected the preservation of the Empire insomuch that the Goths breaking in on the Frontiers made great havock till AEmilian his General put a stop to them and giving them Battle overthrew them with a wonderful slaughter for which great Action
own minds with what care did they make Gods of Diseases and Corruptions and how diligently did they feign out of their own brains particular Gods to preside over particular Matters When they sate down before a City with their Army they first by Enchantments and Spells conjured the Gods of the place to desert their Enemies and the Roman Priest in the face of the whole Army invited them to Rome promising them better accommodations and statelier Temples than their Native Countries could afford them And lest other Nations should serve them the same trick they constantly concealed the true name of their City that the name of their Tutelar Gods might not be discovered The Athenians had Altars erected to the Unknown Gods lest by leaving any out of the Catalogue they might incur their displeasure The Athenians but especially the Romans had such an opinion of the certainty and infallibility of Soothsaying that the last are said scarce ever to have undertaken any Action of importance either within their City or without before they had first consulted their Augures and if at any time they had been beaten by their Enemies they commonly attributed their Mischance to the omission of some Rite or Ceremony or other when the defeat plainly proceeded from the ill management of their Affairs by their Commanders Of SOOTH-SAYING there are fonr kinds FIrst AUSPICIUM in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a way of Sooth-saying or divining by Birds when such or such Birds flie before or behind on the right or the left to shew what it doth prognosticate sometimes from the number of them whence Romulus had promised to him the Empire before his Brother because he had seen a double number of Vultures and lastly from the nature of them Secondly ARUSPICIUM under which is comprehended what by the Greeks is termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was an observing whether the Beast to be sacrificed came to the Altar willingly or no or whether he died without strugling or bellowing In the next place they made an inspection into his Bowels to see whether they were of a natural Colour whether they were corrrpted or exulcerated whether any parts were wanting this is that part of it which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Latins Extispicium The next thing presented to their consideration at these Sacrifices was the Flame observing whether it presently consumed the Sacrifice whether it were of a pure bright and lively colour whether thick or smoaky whether it burnt without crackling noise or ejaculation of its sparkles This the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the signs by which they foretold events are termed by AEschylus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latins learnt this Art from the Hetrurians and they were instructed in it by one Tages who appearing to certain Plough-men out of a furrow gave them many good and wholsome instructions concerning this kind of Sooth-saying Thirdly TRIPUDIUM was a conjecture of Future success by the dancing or rebounding of Crums cast unto Chickens which was performed after this manner Silence being commanded and to the Coop where the Fowls were opened they cast down crumbs of Bread if the Chicken came slowly or not at all or walked up and down carelessly without minding the Bread then should the business fall out unsuccessful but if they hastily leapt out of the Coop and fed greedily as if some crumbs should fall out of their mouths again it betokened happiness and good success Fourthly AUGURIUM was a fore-telling things from the chattering of Birds or from any sudden or surprizing sounds or voices of which we can give no cause or reason After the destruction and sacking of Rome by the Ganls it was disputed by the Fathers whether they should remove to Veii then a noise of a Centurion being heard told them 'T was best tarrying where they were that immediately they gave over all thoughts of a Removal And the death of CAESAR was divined from the clattering of Armour in his house The Athenians and Romans very much agreed in superstitiously observing good daies and bad making several conjectures from the Weather from the crossing of the way by a Hare or Cat from a Hens crowing from the entring of a black Dog into their Houses c. That which was first adored in the World instead of its Creatour is supposed by some to be the Sun which was occasioned by some broken Traditions conveyed by the Patriarchs to their Children touching the dominion of the Sun by day and by the constant wondring of the Heathens themselves at the glorious constitution and admirable course of that Coelestial body with the infinite advantages it daily bestowed on Mankind Upon the same account soon after ' came the Moon to be worshipped the chief place from whence this poyson dispersed it self over the East is thought by Meade to have been Babylon from Revelations 17. 15. where Babylon is called the Mother-Harlot that is saith he the First parent of Idols for as Babel was the first seat of Temporal Monarchy so is it of Idolatry which is more probable than the Opinion of Diodorus Siculus which makes the AEgyptians the first Inventers of this Superstitious worship This kind of Idolatry was very early brought into Greece if we will give any credit to Plaeto who in his Cratylus speaks thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It seems to me that the Ancient Inhabitants of Greece had the same Gods the Barbarians have now viz. the Sun and Moon And Plutarch affirms in the Life of Pericles That they worshipt the Sun punishing the neglect thereof with death and that this kind of Sun-worship was known to the Romans also in its very Infancy may be proved from the Testimonies of Ter. Varro and Dio Halicarnassaeus who affirm That Tatins King of the Sabines was the first at Rome that consecrated Houses to the Honour of the Sun and Moon Now this as it was the most ancient Theology of the Heathens so was it in it self more reasonable and natural than that which was taught the People by the Poets called Poetick or fabulous Theology For they lighting on some imperfect Relations concerning the Creation and some broken Traditions touching GOD and the Wonders he wrought in the behalf of his People have so strangly inveloped the Truth by delivering it in a dark and mystical sense and by mixing it with divers trumperies and figments of their own brains that the lustre of Moses's Writings could scarce be discovered For they made their Verses and Songs more to please and wheedle the weak Multitude into an opinion of their Wisdom and veneration of their Persons than by any solid reason to satisfie the minds of their Auditors concerning those new-fangled Deities What an infinite number of Gods and strange Legends concerning them did they invent and hammer out from the Attributes and Miracles of the Great and True GOD and from the confused
Daughter How many Innocent persons suffered as I may say Martyrdom by his unjust contrivances to promote his own Interest and Greatness and the better also to uphold himself excused in the name of Innocency how did he seduce the Ignorant people into a full perswasion of his honesty and good meaning towards them By this his dissimulation and subtilty he out-stript his Predecessours in Power meaning all those Kings since the Roman Conquest as they were more like Generals than Kings of Provinces many of them being permitted by the Romans to Rule not after the manner of Sovereignty but as Instruments to commemorate to after-Ages how they lived under them in slavery and bondage but Vortigern although he had the ill fortune once to be deposed was happy in having no Copartner or sharer afterwards in his Provinces save what he carelessly threw away at one cast to the Romans upon his last releasment out of their Captivity Was there great blame to be laid to his Sons charge for accepting the Crown in his life time or his own miscarriage in disobliging the People to enforce him out of possession In what a discontented condition did he remain during his Sons Government although alwaies treated by Mildness and Courtesie but after his Sons decease through the Treacherous contrivance of Rowena the People being streightned for want of a Governour in such distracted times and crediting his Penitence but chiefly depending on his Valour and Conduct reinstated him in the British Throne by whose fierce and resolute opposing their Enemies he occasioned the loss not only of many a mans life but the destruction also of the considerable part of many a Noble Province AMBROSIUS AURELIANUS only in hopes of his fortunate success was chosen King by the Britains A Man of a mild and sweet nature and the last branch of the Roman Root who through providence gained many Victories in the behalf of his distressed People Notwithstanding in the heat of their Distresses doubtless would have been willing to have received a more Valiant spirit that could but have given them but at lest the hopes of a more secure freedom from the Saxon Tyranny Passing the River Humber the first Expedition he undertook was the routing the Saxons at the Fight of Macsbel Occa the Son of Hengist escaped to York but by reason of a quick pursuit was forced to surrender himself to Ambrosius who out of his Favour and Courtesie released him freely and nobly without any Ransom as it appears by some Writers that he gave to him Galloway near the Scots Country to inhabit but took sufficient Hostages that neither himself nor his Consederates should take up Arms against him taking into his possession all places where the Saxons were most conversant and had almost ruined to obtain them repairing Temples Cities and Towns as had been by them so miserably demolished and there impowred Priests capable of preaching the Word of GOD to the People At the time when Ambrosius lay very sick of a doubtful distemper Pascentius Vortigerns youngest Son appeared at the head of an Insurrection laid siege to Mencvia in Wales he took it and did much mischief in all places that lay within the reach and limits of his Malice and Envy The Cause of Ambrosius was managed with good success by Uter Pendragon but in the interim one Copa privately procured by Pascentius who feigning himself to be a British Monk and Physician offered his advice to Ambrosius The good Man lying sick and weak meaning honestly himself and thought verily that the Monk did so took his dose of Poyson instead of an healthful Antidote to expel his distemper which in a very short time put an end to his daies at Winchester Yet others to salve that notable piece of Treachery report that he died of a Wound in a fierce and terrible Battle against the Saxons in the West part of Britain And other Historians in contradiction to Bede and Gildas although as credible Authors as some others make him the Branch of a Noble Britain whose sudden death for a time put a stop to the Wars between them and the Saxons Unto this Ambrosius is ascribed the building of STONE-HENGE upon Salisbury-Plain in remembrance of the Britains Massacred by the Treachery of Hengist and which gives an occasion to some to believe it as by digging very near the place where the Monument now standeth have been found pieces of Old fashioned Armour with Bones of Men of a large size which could be no other but the Phoenicians buried by that Temple and in all probability built by them of which I shall speak more at large anon Others report how the Britains erected this Monument for the sake only of Ambrosius in which place he is said to be there slain and buried in memory of his great service done to them in the behalf of their Country which Paulus Diaconus seems to testifie but how far that Author is to be credited I must with submission leave it to better Judgments to examine But that the Materials of this Sepulchre according to the prodigious fancy and dreams of some British Writers should be fetcht out of Ireland there being Stones of the like nature and equal magnitude by industry and labour to be found not far off that place by the help of fifteen thousand Men under the Conduct of Uter Pendragon seems not only improbable but impossible also nevertheless it shews the Zeal of the Britains in promoting the Honour of their Prince rather than clearing a true evidence or cause of that matter or the original Founders thereof occasioned partly I say out of their entire affection to their King rather than to give an occasion for after Ages too much to puzzle their brains in enquiring out a more Antient and more Honourable Original Again Others have been deluded into a belief through the strangness and magnitude thereof that it was erected by the Magick Art of Merlyn This hath occasioned a Traditional talk to pass through the inouths of several succeeding Generations that the Stones being so set cannot be told exactly but to wipe away that Imaginary cheat out of mens minds and that they may clearly see that there is no Magick either to blind their sight or to stupisie their Judgment if they will exactly tell them let them sollow this ensuing direction Observe the orders of the Circles as they now appear and not rashly pass from one to another confusedly taking especial care that they observe where they first begin to number and the just number of every Stone will be found exactly and proceeding after that order and method they may be alwaies told over without missing And for the better information of all persons who have not had leisure to search into the different Opinions of Authors touching the occasion of the erecting that stately Monument of STONE-HENGE and that I may have the better opportunity to deliver my own Opinion thereof I will present to the Reader a brief Relation
lifting up the Cup and drunk both together there is nothing that can part us And Herodotus writeth almost the same of them for having put Wine in an earthen Vessel they mix their own blood with it They that make the League with a little knife or sword make a gash in their bodies then they dip their Seax Arrows Pole-Ax and Sword in the Cup which done they use many Imprecations and afterwards drink up the Wine not only they who make the League but their Followers of the chief Rank The same is witnessed also by Pomponius Mela but it is needless to heap up Testimonies in a thing so evident And that this Custom generally spread over GERMANY may be gathered out of another Author of good Reputation The Germans saith he in their Drinking-Festivals embracing each other cut the Veins of their foreheads and the blood that falls into the Cup they stir about with the Wine and drink it off thinking they have attained the highest piece of Friendship when they have tasted one anothers blood After this sort of drinking they anoint their Heads with the oyl of Roses or Hony to allay Vapours but for want of that they use Wine and Spikenard When they were to consult of matters of weight and importance besides the inspection of Beasts Intrails they especially observed the neighing of Horses For this purpose the whitest that could be pickt out were kept at the publick charge in Groves and Parks set apart from them These were never set to Common work but drew the Holy Chariot which was followed by the Priest and King or Prince of the City Their Presages of all others carried the greatest credit both with Priest People and Prince for they looked on themselves as the Servants of the Gods but their Horses as their Intimates This Custome continued longest in Pomerania as Saxo Grammaticus and Cranzius observe where they had this custome of consulting them When a War was designed against any Province they set up before the Temple three rows of Spears over every Spear two other ran cross-way then the Horse was led out by the Priest who used many Prayers upon the occasion when the Horse came to the ranks if he passed them with his right foot forward and not left then they counted it a good Omen but if but once in passing them he put his left before his right then they desisted from their Enterprizes From this great opinion they had of Horses perhaps saith Mr. Cainbden the Dukes of Saxony gave a Horse for their Arms. To try before hand what would be the issue and event of War they used some way or other to get a Prisoner of that Nation with whom they were to make War when they had taken him they chose out one of their own Country men to fight with him and having armed both Champions with the distinct Weapons of their own Nation they reckoned by him that was Conqueror which side would carry away the Victory In matters of moment which could not otherwise be decided they used among themselves to refer the Controversie to combat Thus Handing Prince of Saxony and Helgo King of Denmark fought about the right of the possession of Juteland in which combat Hunding was slain and the Saxons upon agreement made before delivered the Country to the Danes So our Historians mention the like between our Edward and Canute the Dane This was a very ancient Custome of the Saxons as appears by those Reasons given why they retained it even under Christianity it self amongst which this is one Because they had received it from their Ancestors in the Island Scandia This was called Kamp-fight and he that fought it Kampffet I have spoken before how the Saxons counted it the highest ignominy in the World to die by Age or Disease and this was generally the opinion of all the Northern Nations Cicero writes of the Cimbrl that about to die in Battel they rejoyced exceedingly but made heavy moans in time of Sickness And Lucian admires this Theology of theirs Certè populi quos despicit Arctus Felices errore suo quos ille timorum Maximus haud urget lethi metus indè ruendi In serrum mens prona viris animaque capaces Mortis ignavum reditura parcere vitae Happy the Northern Lands in their mistake Whom Death the Prince of Terrors cannot shake Headlong these Men on naked Swords dare run Their Souls ne'r shrink at Death which they might shun They think it base to hoord up life and vain To husband that which spent returns again Strabo writes the same of the Massagetes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They who die of Sickness they sling them out as wicked and worthy to be devoured of Beasts And certainly the Saxons had the same opinion that it was a kind of wickedness to die idlely otherwise they had never invented a Hell for it as I have shewn they did Herodotus writes of the Massagetes that it was esteemed so ignominious a thing to die of Sickness that Ancient men were sacrificed to the Gods by their nearest Relations This Custome the Saxons used for all Woden's Followers named Diars were offered to him before their death Nior aff Niogard holt sidan wen macht thet ypperste Blodsostet t Swerige och bleff en masdzmatt ofmer thet Ibans daghar war har godh tiidh sa at folcket meente han radde for abr och fridh Bthi hans tiidh dodde bort the maste Diat orh mordo alle offcade til odhan och sedan brende Niord bleft dodh aff Soot och sat agh offta till odhan for an han dodde sedan hrende the Swenska honom och honom begrete Nlord of Niogard afterward that is after the death of Woden had the full power of ordering the Sacrifices In his dates all things prospered so that the People looked on him as advanced for their honour and quiet In his time all the Diars were sacrificed to Woden and afterwards burned Nlord in his Old age before he died provided that himself should be offered to Woden afterwards the Swedes burst him and wept for him The similitude of Customes where other circumstances likewise agree hath been alwaies looked upon as a proper Argument to prove a near Relation of the People themselves This likeness of Manners between the Saxons and Getes in the foregoing Instances may serve a little to evidence from whence the Saxons took Original and because it may not seem a new Invention I shall close up all I have said upon this subject with the Law of Edward the Consessor wherein the Getes there called Gutes and the English are confessed to be one and the same People De illis qui possunt debent de jure cohabitare remanere in Regno Britanniae Britones verò Armorici cum venerint in regno isto suscipi debent in regno protegi sicut probi cives De corpore regni hujus exierunt quondam de
But they armed with the power of God and not the Devil bearing a Silver cross before them for their Banner and the Image of our Lord and Saviour painted on a Table and singing Litanies prayed unto the Lord for the eternal salvation of themselves and of those for whose sakes and to whom they were come But when with the Kings leave sitting down they had preached the Word of life to him and to all his Nobles that were with him the King made Answer saying The words and promises which Ye have made are indeed fair but unto which as being new and uncertain I cannot suddenly yield my assent laying aside the Religion I have so long maintained with all the English Nation But because ye are strangers and come a great way and as it seems to me would impart to us the knowledge of things you believe the truest and best we will not in the least give you any molestation but rather courteously receive you and take care that all things necessary shall be provided for your maintenance neither do we prohibit but that ye may gain all ye can to the Faith of your Religion And accordingly he alotted them their residence in the City of Canterbury which was the Metropolis of all his Kingdom neither did he abridge them of the freedom of meeting of preaching or neglect their temporal provision It is reported that when they came nigh to the City after their manner with the holy Cross and the Image of the great King our Lord Jesus Christ with an agreeable-voice they sang this Litany We pray thee O Lord in thy mercy that thy sury may be turned away and thy Anger from this City and thy holy House because we have sinned Allelujah But when they came to the Dwellings provided for them they began to imitate the Apostolical life of the Primitive Church by applying themselves to continual prayers watchings and fastings to the preaching the Word of God to all that would hear them by despising all things of this World as superfluous and receiving only those things that were necessary for those they taught for their sustenance living exactly according to the Rules they taught others having a mind ready to suffer any Adversity even to die for the truth that they preached The success of which was some believed and were baptized admiting the simplicity of their innocent lives and the sweetness of their heavenly doctrine There was near this City towards the East a Church anciently built in honour of St. Martyn whilst the Romans inhabited Britain in which the Queen whom above we declared to have been a Christian was wont to pray In this therefore first they begun to assemble sing pray perform Mass preach and baptize until the King being converted to the Faith they obtained a greater liberty of Preaching every where and of building and repairing Churches But when he among the rest being delighted with the pure life of these Saints and their sweet Promises the truth of which they confirmed by shewing many Miracles believing was baptized many flocked in from all parts to hear the word and leaving the Rites of Heathenism joyned themselves to the unity of the holy Church of Christ at whose Faith and Conversion the King is reported so far to have congratulated as nevertheless not compels any to receive Christianity only those that believed he embraced with a nearer affection as fellow-Citizens with him of the heavenly Kingdom For he had learnt from the Teachers and Authors of his salvation that the service of Christ ought to be voluntary not constrained neither did he deser long but gave his Teachers places befitting their Degrees in his Metropolis of Canterbury and conferred upon them Possessions necessary in several kinds in the year of Christ 601. THE ANSWERS OF GREGORY TO THE QUESTIONS SENT BY AUGUSTINE The first Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY For the better government of the new erected Church of English-Saxons Out of Bede's Hist. Ecclesiast lib. 1. cap. 27. IN the mean while Augustine the Man of God came to Arles and by Etherius Archbishop of the same City according to the Commands he received from the holy Father Gregory was ordained Archbishop of the English Returning therefore into Britain he sent immediately to Rome Lawrence the Priest and Peter the Monk to certifie Pope Gregory that the Christian Faith was received by the English and that he himself was made Bishop desiring also his opinion in certain Questions he thought necessary to be resolved in to all which he speedily received Answers proper to the Questions proposed which we thought fit here to insert into our History The first Question of Augustine Bishop of the Church of Canterbury Of Bishops how they should converse with their Clergy of those things that are presented to the Altar by the offerings of the Faithful how many portions there ought to be and how a Bishop ought to behave himself in the Church The Answer of Gregory Pope of the City of Rome How Bishops ought to act in the Church the Holy Scripture witnesses which you understand very well no doubt and especially the Epistles of St. Paul to Timothy in which he endeavors to teach him how he ought to behave himself in the House of God And it was ever the custome of the Apostolick See to deliver Instructions to Bishops that were ordained that out of every thing that came to the Altar there ought to be made four divisions viz. One for the Bishop and his family for hospitality and entertainments the second for the Clergy the third for the Poor and the fourth for repairing Churches But because your Brotherhood is well skilled in the Orders of a Monastery you know nothing ought to be possest by the Clergy apart in your English Church which lately by God's grace is brought to the Faith it ought to imitate the Conversion which was used by our Fathers in the beginning of the Church among whom none said any thing was his of those things he possessed but all things were in common among them The second Question of Augustine I desire to be informed whether Pr 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 able 〈◊〉 marry and if they shall marry whether they must 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This Question Bede hath not but joyne the following Answer to the first Question Sr. Hen. Spelman hath added in out of the Bath Edition An. 1518. The Answer of Gregory If there be any of the Clergy out of holy Orders that cannot contain they ought to provide themselves Wives and to receive their stipends from without because concerning those portions which we have spoken of before we know 't is written that 't was divided to every one as every one had need And indeed there ought some consideration and care to be had of their Stipends that they may be kept under Ecclesiastical Rules that they shew good Manners in their lives that they may be diligent in singing Psalms and that they keep by God's assistance their hearts tongues and bodies
Augustine A SYNOD called by Augustine first Archbishop of Canterbury by the assistance of Ethelbert King of Kent to Augustine's Ac a place in Worcestershire There being present besides Augustine and his Roman Clergy seven Bishops and many British Doctours to wit in two Sessions in which Augustine first demands obedience to the Church of Rome afterwards that the Britains be conformable to the Romans in three things 1. In celebrating of Easter 2. In the administration of Baptism 3. In the preaching with him to the English-Saxons AUgustine by the power of King Ethelbert called to a Conference the Bishops or Doctors of the greatest and next adjoyning Province of the Britains to a place at this very day in the English tongue called Augustineizac i. e. Augustine's Oak in the confines of the Wiccians and South-Saxons where he began to perswade them with a Brotherly admonition that regarding the peace of the Catholick Church they would unite their endeavours to his in the common Preaching to the Nations for they did not keep the Lord's day of Easter at its due season but from the fourteenth to the twentieth day of the Moon which computation is contained in the circle of eighty four years Moreover they observed many things contrary to the unity of the Church who when after a long disputation could not be brought either by the prayers exhortations or threats of Augustine and his Companions to yield their assent but rather valued their own Traditions above all the Churches In the World under Christ. Holy Father Augustine put an end to this long and difficult Controversie saying We beseeth God which makes us to dwell in the house of his Father with one accord that he would be pleased to inspire us with his heavenly gifts that we may know what Traditions are to be followed which waies we ought to take to enter into his kingdom Let some sick person be brought and by whose prayers he shall be cured let his faith and labours be looked 〈◊〉 most pleasing to God and as fit to be embraced by all men which when his Adversaries though unwillingly assented to there was one brought of the English Nation that was deprived of the light of his eyes who after he had been set before the British Priests and could receive no help or cure from their ministery at length Augustine compelled thereunto by a just necessity bended his knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ beseeching him that he would restore to the Blind the sight he had lost and that by the bodily enlightning of one man he would cause the light of his spiritual Grace to arise in the hearts of all the Faithful Neither was it long before the Blind was enlightned and Augustine cried up by all the true preachers of heavenly light Then the Britains confessed that they themselves indeed thought that to be the'true way of Righteousness which Augustine preached but that they could not lay aside their Ancient customes without the consent and free leave of their whole Nation Whence they desired that there might be another Synod called to which more might come which when it was agreed on there came as is reported seven British Bishops and many Learned men from their famous Monastery which in the English tongue is called Bancornaburg over which at that time Abbot Dinoth is said to have presided who a little before their going to the aforesaid Councel went first to a certain Man both holy and wise who led an Anchorite's life among them They asked him whether they should lay aside their Traditions at the preaching of Augustine who made answer If he is a man of God follow him they said how shall we know this he replied The Lord saies take my yoke upon you for I am meek and humble in heart if therefore Angustine be meek and humble in heart it is credible that he himself beareth the yoke of Christ and offereth the same to be born of you But if he be cruel and proud it appeareth that he is not of God neither ought ye to take care what he saith They said again but how shall we make a discovery of that he said Contrive it so that he and his come first into the place of the Synod and if he shall rise up to you as you come near know ye that he is the Servant of Christ and obediently hear him but if he shall despise you nor rise up to you when ye are more in number let him be slighted by you also They did as he had said and it sell out that Augustine as they drew near sate still in his Chair which when they saw they grew presently angry accusing him of pride and endeavoured in all things he said to contradict him He said unto them Ye do many things contrary to our custome and that of the Catholick Church nevertheless if ye will obey me in these three things That ye celebrate Easter in its proper time That ye perform the ministery of Baptism by which we are born again to God according to the custome of the holy Roman and Apostolick Church That ye preach the Word of God together with us to the English Nation as for the other things which ye do although contrary to our customes we will quietly tolerate them all But they made answer that they would do none of those things neither would they acknowledge him for an Archbishop discoursing therefore among themselves they said If he would not just now rise up unto us how much more when we are subject to him will be then condemn us as nothing To whom Augustine the Man of God is reported thus threatningly to have Prophesied If ye will not accept of peace with your Brethren ye are like to accept of war from your Enemies and because ye would not preach the way of life to the Nation of the English ye shall suffer by their hands the punishment of death which in every thing the divine Judgment concurring was performed as he had foretold for a little after Edilfrid the strongest King of the English having gathered together a great Army about the City of Chester which by the English is called Legacester but truer by the Britains Carlegion he made a great slaughter of that Nation but when he was going to give the Onset he espied Priests of theirs who were come thither to intreat God for the success of the Army standing apart on a place of advantage he asked who they were and for what business they had met there Most of them were of the Monastery of Bangor in which there is reported to have been such a number of Monks that when the whole Monastery was divided into seven parts with their Rulers that were set over them no part contained less than three hundred Men all which got their living by the labour of their hands Many of these therefore after a Fast of three daies came with some others merely on the account of Prayer to the aforesaid Army having one
had been ordained in France also dividing the Province into two Diocesses To him he gave Winchester for his Episcopal Seat at which Agilbert being highly offended that the King had done this without his advice he returned into France and receiving the Bishoprick of Paris he died there an old man and full of daies But not many years after his departure from Britain Wini was driven out of his Bishoprick by the same King who repairing to Wulfur King of the Mercians bought of him with a good sum the Seat of London and remained Bishop of it during his life So the Province of the West-Saxons for no small time was without a Bishop at which time the forementioned King of that Province being often afflicted with great losses in his Kingdom received of the enemy began to call to mind him whom by fraud he had formerly made forsake the Kingdom and resolved to call him back considering that the Province destitute of a Governour was bereft likewise of Divine protection He sent therefore Embassadours into France to Agilbert promising satisfaction and submissively desiring he would return to the Bishoprick of his Nation But he excusing himself by solemn protestation that he could not possibly come because he was bound to his own City and Diocess yet nevertheless not altogether to be wanting in his assistance to so ardent desires he sent thither a Priest by name Eleutherius his own Nephew whom if he please might be ordained Bishop for him giving him this Testimonial that he himself thought him worthy of the Bishoprick who being honourably entertained by the King and People they sent unto Theodoruc then Archbishop of Canterbury desiring that he might be consecrated their Bishop who being consecrated in that City for many years held alone the Bishoprick of the West-Saxons as it had been ordered by Synodical Decree KENWALCH KENWALCH the Son of Kingils followed his Father in the Kingdom of whom what relates to his Ecclesiastical Affairs hath been before related Having divorced his second wife whom he had unlawfully wedded and retaken Sexburg the Sister of Penda whom he had unjustly put away He enjoyed the Crown in peace for some years even until Anno 652 falling into wars but with whom is not related Ethelwald calls them Civil He fought a battel at Bradanford by the River Alene Mr. Cambden makes the place to be Bradford in Wiltshire upon the River Avon and saith that it was with Cuthred his near Kinsman he was engaged in Civil Wars but I wish he had told us from whence he gathered it for we find no such thing in History Certain it is that not long before Kenwalch had given large possessions to Cuthred but whether it could oblige him to sit down quiet with the loss of a Kingdom is uncertain for no doubt his Title was precedent to Kenwalch's if Cuchelm his Father was eldest Son of Kingils and Stow writeth but upon what grounds I know not that he did really succeed his Father and possibly there may be some Record extant concerning these Troubles not commonly appearing But things being settled at home and Kenwalch desirous to enlarge his Dominions invades the Britains and had a fight with them at a place called Witgornsborough mentioned by Malmsbury but without any other circumstances afterwards at Pennum or Pen in Somersetshire the success of which is not left so doubtful for the Victory was great on the Saxon side who followed the pursuit to a place called Pedridan now Pederton afterwards the Royal Seat of King Ina and the Britains for a long time after would scarce look the Saxons in the face But Kenwalch falling at variance with his old enemy Vulfur had not the like success for fighting with him at Possentesburg though Ethelwerd relates he took Vulfur prisoner yet the Saxon Annals record clear contrary and the sequel shews that Vulfur won the day for not long after he wasted the Country of the West-Saxons as far as Eskesdun and took the Isle of Wight till then in their possession with other Provinces of the Meannuari and gave them to Edilwalch his Godson King of the South-Saxons These are all the memorable Actions of Kenwalch for his good deeds he is reported to have founded the Cathedral of Winchester and the Abby of Malmsbury and as appeareth in a Grant of King Ina afterwards made to the Church he bestowed several priviledges on these places Ferlingmere Beokerey Godein Martinesey Edredesey He reigned 31 years and left no Issue to inherit Sexburg his wife for a while after his death assumed the Government but she was driven out saith Matthew of Westminster by the Nobles who could not endure the government of a Woman Some say she died the same year others that she built a Nunnery in the Isle of Shepy wherein her self was a otress and afterwards became an Abbess of Ely ESKWIN ESKWIN derived in the fifth degree from Kerdic the first founder of this Kingdom of a younger house succeeded Kenwalch He Reigned but two years in which time he fought a battel with Wulfur wherein many of the Saxons on both sides were slain the place was Bidanheaford soon after which he died KETWIN KETWIN younger Son of Kingils whose Right preceded Eskwins and who as Bede and Malmsbury write was Partner with him in the Crown after the death of Eskwin proved the scourge of the Britains pursuing them even to the Sea-shore but no other circumstances are related of him or this action He is allowed nine years Reign In a grant of King Ina to Glastenbury it is reported that this Prince highly favoured that Monastery by freeing it from the secular Services and often calling it the Mother of Saints CEADWALLA CEADWALLA of the blood Royal derived in the third degree from Guth the third Son of Kenric succeeded Ketwin He had been banisht his Country by the prevalency of some faction but returning obtained the Crown He made war upon the South-Saxons whom he overcame and annexed to his own Dominions took the Isle of Wight and twice wasted Kent the circumstances of all which Actions have been formerly related under the Kingdom of Kent and the South-Saxons Afterwards he went to Rome for as yet he was a Pagan to receive Baptism which was given him by the hands of Pope Sergius on Easter eaven in the year of our Redemption saith Bede 689 and was called Peter but on the twentieth day of April following he died and was buried at St. Peter's Church at Rome under a fair Monument with this Epitaph Here CEADWALL otherwise named PETER King of the West-Saxons lieth buried who departed this life the twentieth of April in the second Indiction At the age of thirty years or thereabouts in the fourth year of the Reign of JUSTINIAN the most Noble and Mighty Emperour and the second of Sergius who then sate in Peter's Chair being a true Pattern of the Apostles The British Writers from the similitude of name will needs have