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.
a Parish Church bearing the name of Saint Dervian as a Church either by him Founded or to him Dedicated so likewise is there another in Glamorganshire called Saint Fagans where every year is a very great Fair continuing many dayes where also my honoured Patron the Right Noble William Lewes of the Van Esq Son to Sir Edward Lewes and the Right Honourable Lady Beauchamp Daughter of the Earl of Dorset hath a stately Habitation and if I mistake not is Lord of the Mannor Betwixt this Elutherius and King Lucius many Letters passed and the said Bishop granted many priviledges to Universities and places of learning in Brittain as to Cambridge Stanford Cricklade or Greeklade and in Glamorganshire I suppose this place was either Caerwent or Caerleon for all which is now called Monmouthshire was then called Glamorgan where they say learning flourished as well as at Cambridge before the coming of Julius Caesar Mr. Bro. f. 270. and the Schoole of Glamorgan being so near Caerleon upon Vsk in that Countrey where one of the three great Idolatrous Temples of Brittain and seat of the Archflamen of those Western provinces was and thereby a Nursery of Paganisme which those holy men laboured by all means to root out and for that cause where Archflamens were Archbishops were placed and where Flamens Bishops The Brittish Histories Ponticus Virunnius and others say of these Prelates that they delivered the Brittains from Idolatry and converted them to Christ Radulphus de Diceto in his manuscript History proveth as much that they converted all the Cities of Brittain as well as their Flamens and Archflamens by whom they were directed in their Idolatrous worship as others And the principal states and members of this Kingdome King Lucius his Nobles Universities Philosophers Flamens and chiefe Priests and Teachers of the Pagan Subjects and their chief places of commorancy and command being thus converted the conquest over the Vulgar sort was easie and soon effected The Author of the Brittish History testifyeth Mr. Br. f. 271. that so soon as the people of Brittain knew that their King was a Christian they gathered themselves together to be Catechised and received Baptisme and that those holy Legates did blot out Paganisme almost through all the Island and Ponticus Virunnius saith that they baptized all the people of Brittany all this may easily be confirmed by divers Authors but I will conclude with Harding Eluthery the first at supplication Of Lucius sent him two holy Men That called were Fagan and Dungen That Baptized him and all his Realm throughout With hearts glad and labour devout There were then twenty eight Flamens and three Arch-flamens to whose power other Judges were subject and these by the command of the Pope his Legates delivered from Idolatry and where there were Flamens they placed Bishops where Arch-flamens Arch-bishops The Seats of the Arch-flamens were in the three most noble Cities London York and the City of Legions which the old Walls and Buildings do witnesse to have been upon the River of Vsk in Glamorgan King Lucius sent to Elutherius not only for his assistance in spiritual matters but also in his temporal Mr. Br. f. 301. 6. Bridges defence l. 16. p. 1355. Galf. Mon. l. 2. c. 17. Bro. Virunnius Stow Hollinshed as the governing his people and making wholsome Lawes The Lawes which were established here were the old Brittains Lawes ascribed for their greatest part to Mulmutius Dunwallo corrected and made conformable to holy Christian Religion We have all kind of Antiquities Brittish Saxon French Italians Ancient and Modern for Witnesses These Lawes were translated out of Brittish into Latine long before this time by the ancient Gildas that lived about the time of the Birth of CHRIST as many both ancient and late Writers agree and continued here till late time and in divers respects at this present King Lucius being thus informed and secured in conscience by Saint Elutherius his Letters and by his Declaration that the whole Kingdome of Brittain with the Ilands belonged to his temporal charge and government and that so much as he could he was to win his Subjects to the Faith and Law of Christ and his holy Church and provide for the peace and quiet of the same and the Members thereof he did first in receiving and admitting these new corrected Lawes by the advice of the Clergy and Nobles of his Kingdome see them so qualified that they were for the defence and propagation of Christian Religion and further Founded many godly costly and memorable Monuments as Churches Universities or Schools Monasteries and other such comforts helps and furtherances of that holy end So that as he was the first King that publickly with his Kingdome professed Christ so he won the honour to be the first Nursing Father among Kings of his holy Church as the Prophet had foretold Kings shall be thy Nursing Fathers He was also first among Kings called properly the Vicegerent of God being the first King which so religiously performed his will And that Title which the Pope gave to King Henry the 8. when he was better then he proved after Defender of the Faith was among Kings the first due and right of King Lucius for his so heroical and Religious fortitude and magnanimity in defending the Faith and Church of Christ Being now come to celebrate the day of the death of our glorious King Lucius for the joy that he enjoyed thereby Mr. Br. f. 346. 1. and bewail it for the unspeakable losse this Nation received thereby we are to fall into some difficulties both of the time and place thereof William of Malmesbury in his Manuscript-History of Glasten and other old Antiquities do prove that St. Damianus and Faganus after they had converted this Kingdome continued nine years at Glastenbury at the least King Lucius still living and reigning here Polidor Lilly Hollinshed Stow and others cleave to this Opinion A great Controversie ariseth where this King died many Forreign Authors say That he forsook his Crown and Kingdome and became a Clergyman went into Germany to convert that Nation was Bishop of Curre and there was Martyred the day of his death is agreed upon by all to have been on the third day of December but if those Authors who transport this our blessed King into Germany look but upon what hath been said before they shall find that it was not Lucius who was actually King of Brittain and converted by the means of St. Elutherius but another Lucius who was indeed Son of a King of Brittain and might have been King himself had he not been banished for the reason before related and this was that St. Lucius who with his sister St. Emerita were both Crowned with the glorious Crown of Martyrdome in Germany That our first Christian K. Lucius could not be Bishop of Curre is evident for having been so long King here he was so disabled for Age that he was nor capable of such a journey Further they which
now after his brothers death a professed friend to the Arian heresie or rather a professed Arian then reigning in Brittain maketh it evident that our Brittish Bishops which could not plead sufficient cause of excuse and absence were generally present there And it those few poor Bishops of Brittain which were not able to bear their own charges were drawn thither to be maintained by the Emperour how much rather must we judge the same of so many potent and rich in this Country which could pretend no such excuse So that we see no excuse but infirmity either by age or sicknesse to have caused any Brittish Bishops absence thence A late writer thinketh Iltutus then as he conjectureth Arch-Bishop of London the Arch-Bishops of York and Gaerleon the Bishops of Winchester Harris Eccles Hist Tom. 4. c. 24. Chichester and Glocester with others were there I see no particular warrant he bringeth more for those than any other of so many Episcopal Brittish Cities of that time which I have before remembred all of them being in the same condition for presence or absence but where just excuses and lets were singular to any in particular above the rest For good Authors have Testified that all in general were urged to be there without any exception or to be exempted And almost all Bishops in the world were then caused to be either at Ariminum in Italy where those of the West were Sulpi Sever. Sacr. histor l. 2. Epist Conc. Arim. ad Con. apud Theod. l. 2. Hist c. 19. Mr. Bro. fol. 552. Epist Arimin Conc. ad Constan Imp. apud Theod. l. 2. c. 20. alios or at Seleucia appointed for the Easterne Bishops and the command was for all Bishops generally to be there this was the Emperors command to the Presidents of the Provinces to compel all to be present And the Councel of Ariminum it self in the Epistle to Constantius the Arian Emperour testifieth plainly that all the Bishops of the West were there assembled The far greater part of these were Catholick Bishops and of the whole number about 400. There was not by Severus Sulpilius his relation above 80. Arians St. Athanasius saith there were 50 and more and St. Ambrose witnesseth that the greatest part of the Bishops there confirmed the faith of the Nicene Councel and condemned the Arian errors This is testified by the same Councel in two several Epistles to the Emperor that they neither could nor would swerve from the doctrine of the Nicene Councell And although the Emperour both by his Epistle to that Councel and otherwise by fraud and terrours endeavoured for to remove them from that holy minde and communicate with the Arians they plainly wrote answer again constantly averring they would change nothing they had decreed and gave their Legates charge to tell him as much in words And to make it manifest that although by many Writers divers of the Bishops being convented and overcome both with the deceit of the Arians and persecution of the Emperour did afterward subscribe to a material error our Bishops of Brittain were free both from imputation and suspition thereof Socrates Sozomen Nicephorus and others prove that the Emperour neglecting to return answer to the second absolute resolution and Epistle the Councel staying some time for answer and having none they all departed to their countries and Sees Hil. li. contra Arian Argent Socrat. Hist Ecoles l. 2. c. 29 41. Sozom Hist l. 4. c. 18. and wholely dissolved the Councel St. Hillary saith plainly this Councel endeth Religiously by all So our Bishops must remove from Ariminum none being returned home or so far from recalling by any new edict or stratagen of the Emperour then of Constantinople very far from Ariminum and further from our Bishops travel into Brittain they could be none of that number which were circumvented or verified to subscribe to the wicked Emperour and his Arian favourites designes This persecution of Vrsatius by the command of Constantius the Emperour stretched not so far as Brittain his malice and indignation being against Liberius Pope of Rome and the Bishops of Italy And our Historians have made it doubtful whether Constantius had so much power in Brittain after this time to execute such cruelty This Constantius was at the time of his death by Sozomen about 45 years old full 45 saith Socrates besides the time he reigned with his Father after his death Sozom. Hist Eccle. l. 5. c. 1. Socrat. l. 2. c. 37 say Socrates Sozomen and Nicephorus he was Emperour 25 yeares he died on the third day of the Nones of November by Nicephorus his account in the 367. year of Christ some set down his death somwhat sooner Baron Spo. Annal. Tom. 4. as they have done his Fathers before above 25 yeares sooner than this account of Nicephorus of the year of Christ 367. for Constantius his death yet grant he was Emperour 25. years after his Father died About this time Martinus an aged man was made Deputy of Brittain when Paulus a Spaniard surnamed Catena a name well sorting with his nature was sent thither as a Commissioner to enquire of such as had conspired with Magnentius Brittish Hist l. 3. fol. 140. But under colour of his authority he called in question such as were not faulty either upon false information or private displeasure and sometimes to make a gain of those that were accused which course Martinus the Deputy mislikeing intreated him that such as had been no actors in Rebellion might be no partners in punshment with offenders Whereupon Paulus discharging the Deputy himself as a favourer of Traytors and privy to the conspiracy did so far forth incense Martinus that being either impatient of reproaches or perhaps not altogether guiltlesse he struck at Paulus with his Sword intending to have killed him but failing in the execution he presently thrust the Sword into his own body Gratianus Funarius though he were not specially bound by oath to the Emperor as some others had been yet for that he had received Magnentius into his house was adjudged to forfeit all his goods the rest of the accused persons being fettered and presented to the Emperor he condemned some to death and some to exile Julianus Now was the Government of Gallia and Brittain assigned to Julianus afterwards called the Apostata whom Constantius had made Caesar Brittish Hist l. 3 fol. 141. Lupicinus Master of the Armour to the Emperor a good Souldier but notorious for his pride covetousnesse and cruelty and after him Alipius were sent into Brittain to represse the Inhabitants that had invaded the Province there whilst Julianus himself remained in Gallia not daring to passe into the Isle both for that he feared the Gaules who were ready upon the least occasion to revolt and also doubted the Almanes who were then up in Armes Mr. Bro. fol. 562. Constantius the last over-living Son of Constantine being dead Julianus brother to Gallus and Son to
it to be recorded to the end the same of that fact might ever live to his eternal honour and renown of the noble order 9. That if any complaint were made at the Court of this mighty King of perjury or oppression then some Knight of the order whom the King should appoint ought to revenge the same 10. That if any Knight of forrain Nation did come unto the Court with desire to challenge or make shew of his prowess were he single or accompanied those Knights ought to be ready in armes to make answer 11. That if any Lady Gentlewoman or VVidow or Maid or other oppressed person did present a petition declaring that they were or had been in this or that Nation injured or offered dishonour they should be graciously heard and without delay one or more Knights should be sent to take revenge 12. That every Knight should be willing to inform young Princes Lords and Gentlemen in the orders and exercises of armes thereby not only to avoid Idleness but also to encrease the honour of Knighthood and Chevalrie Divers other Articles inciting to magnanimous actions of honour in armes those Knights were sworn to observe Sir William Segar ib. which for brevity I omit nevertheless being used to lose my labour I will adventure to say this little and the rather because this order of Knighthood is ancient I do not read of any Robe or habit prescribed unto these Knights nor with what ceremonie they were made The place of meeting and Convocation was the City of Winchester where King Arthur caused a great round table to be made and at the same the Knights at Pentecost or VVhitsunday did sit and eat the proportion thereof was such as no room could be thought of more dignity then the rest yet as some writers say one seat thereof was called the Sea Perilous reserved for that Knight that did excel the rest in vertue That place by thet consent of all the rest of the Knights was allotted to King Arthur who for his valour surpassed all other Knights and professors of armes Of Officers and Ministers belonging unto this order I do not read but of a Register whose duty was to enter and keep records of all and every action enterprised attempted or performed by any of all those Knights which records were read and sung publickly to the eternizing of their honour and fame Whether the number of these Knights was many or few I do not find but it seemeth imparted to a great many all persons of high dignitie and much prowess for unto King Arthur at Caerleon in Monmoth-Shire resorted at one time ten Kings Caerleon more honoured then any City of Brittain and thirteen Earls besides many Barons and other Knights of meaner qualitie As the conquests of the King were many so was his bounty notable for it is written that unto his chief Scheneshal or Steward called Kay he gave the province of Avion on his Butler Bedwere he bestowed Normandy and to his Cozen Berel he granted the Dutchy of Buriundy and unto many other Lords and valiant Knights he allotted other magnificent gifts according to their vertue Sir John Hayward fol. 4. in Will Conq. Some are of opinion the truth whereof I will not dispute that this most victorious King was not born in lawfull wedlock some make the like quere of Alexander others of Julius Caesar many such have been brought into the World to the great admiration and astonishment of Posterity and that bastards should inherit Kingdomes Principalities and other Seigniories it was no unusual thing Sir John Hayward writing the life of William the Conquerour who is commonly called William the bastard tells us it was a generall custome at that time in France that bastards did succeed even in dignities of highest degree and condition no otherwise then children lawfull begotten Thierry bastard of Clovis had for his partage with the dutifull Children of the said Clovis the Kingdom of Austrasie now called Lowain Sigisbert bastard to King Dagobert the first had his part in the Kingdom of France with Clovis the twelfth lawfull Son to Dagobert Loys and Carloman bastards to King Loyis le Begue succeeded after the death of their Father so likewise in England Alfride bastard Son to Oswine succeeded his Brother Egfride So Adelstane the bastard Son of Edward the Elder succeeded his Father before Edmund and Eldred his younger Brothers notwithstanding they were lawfully begotten So St. Edmund the Martyr bastard Son to King Edgar succeeded him in the state before Ethelbred his lawfull issue Afterward Harold surnamed Harefoot bastard to Canutus succeeded him in the Kingdom before Hardi Canutus his lawfull son The like custome hath been observed in Spain in Portugall and in divers other Countries And it is probable that this use was grounded upon often experience that bastards begotten in the highest heat and strength of affection have many times been men of excellent proof both in courage and understanding this was verified in Hercules Alexander the great Romulus Timotheus Brutus Themistocles Arthur in Homer Demosthenes Bion Bartholus Gracian Peter Lumbard Peter Comestor John Andreas and divers of most florishing name but this custome now concerning succession of bastards in Kingdomes Royalties and other inheritances is obsolete and quite abolished Concerning the Coronation of King Arthur some Authours have written thus the appointed time of the solemnity approaching The Coronation of King Arthur and all being ready assembled in the City of Caerleon the Archbishops of London and York and in the City of Caerleon the Archbishop Dubrick were conveyed to the place with royal solemnity to Crown King Arthur Dubritius therefore because the Court lay within his Diocesse He was crowned at Lanturnam an ancient Abbey but now the house of St. Edward Morgan Baronet furnished him accordingly to perform and solemnize this charge in his own person The King being crowned was with all pompe brought to the Cathedral Church of that Metropolitan See on either hand of him both right and left did the Archbishops support him and four Kings to wit Angusell King of Albania Cadvall King of Venedotia Cador Kings of Cornewall and Sater King of Demetia went before him carrying four golden swords The Companies also and concourse of sundry sorts of Officers played before him most melodious and heavenly harmony On the other part the Queen was brought to the Church of professed * St. Julians now the house of the Lord of Cherbery Nuns being conducted and accompanied by Archbishops and Bishops with her armes and titles royally garnished and the Queens consorts to the four Kings aforesaid carryed before her as the order and custome was four white Doves or Pigeons At a solemnity held by this renowned King upon the feast of Pentecost which was the usual day for the Knights of the Round-table to convene a challenge was brought to King Arthur from a King of Northwales the Copy whereof was given me by the right honorable Richard
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.
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
Army to them who overthrew them in battel by their disorder and lack of Government For the left point or wing of their battel was broken off at the first by the Gauls who charged them so furiously that they drave them headlong into the River The right wing then retiring out of the plain before they had any Charge given and having gotten certain Hills hard by them they had little hurt and most of them did recover Rome again the rest that escaped after the Enemies were weary of killing fled by night unto the City of Veies thinking Rome had been lost and all the City put to the Sword this overthrow was on the longest day in Summer the Moon being at the Full. The Romans were very superstitious in dayes Fortunate and Unfortunate which I here passe over as not material to our businesse in hand The day of this overthrow is one of those which the Romans take for one of the unfortunatest dayes that ever came unto them Now after the battel lost if the Gauls had hotly pursued the chase of their flying enemies nothing could have saved Rome from being Taken and the Inhabitants thereof from being put unto the Sword for the Romans that fled from the battel brought such a fear upon those that received them and filled the whole City of Rome with such grief and trembling that they wist not what to doe The Gauls again believing little their Victory was so great as it was fell to make good cheer for so great a joy received and divided among them the spoil of their Enemies goods they found in the Camp So gave they time and leisure by this means to the multitude of people that fled out of Rome to seek them some place of safety and to such as remain still they left good hope to save themselves and to make some provision for defence Thereupon they all fortified themselves within Mont Capitol and storing it with all kind of Victuals Armour and Ammunition they wholy did forsake the rest of the City but the first work they took in hand was this they did bring into their said Fort part of their sacred reliques and the professed Vestals brought thither all their holy Fire and all their holy Monuments c. Furthermore the Priests of other Gods and the most honourable old men of the City of Rome that had been Consulls aforetime or had past the honor of triumph had not the heart to forsake Rome but putting on all their costly Robes and Vestments did vow and most willingly sacrifice themselves unto the fortune that should befall them for the safety of their Countrey And using certain words and prayers which their high Bishop Fabius had taught them they went even thus apparelled unto the great market place and did sit them down there in Chaires of Ivory expecting the good will and pleasure of the Gods what should become of them Within three dayes after Brennus came to Rome with his Army who finding the Gates of the City all open and the Walls without watch he doubted some devise in it and feared some privy ambush had been layed as one hardly believing to have found the Romans of so base a mind as to forsake their City After being informed of the truth he entred into Rome by the gate Collina and took the same little more then 360 years after it was first builded if it be true at the least that there remained any certaine Chronicles of those times unto this present day considering the trouble and confusion of that time hath made many things more certaine then that doubtful unto us but so it was that the rumor ran to Greece incontinently how Rome was taken but yet withal somewhat doubtfully and uncertain but Brennus having now entred Rome did appoint part of his souldiers to besiege those that were gotten in Mont Capitol and he with the residue of his Army marched on towards the market-place where when he saw the ancient Senators sit gravely on their Chaires and speak never a word nor offered once to rise though they saw their enemies come Armed against them neither changed countenance nor colour at all but leaned softly upon their staves which they had in their hands seeming to be nothing affraid nor abashed but looked one upon another he wondered marvailously at it this their so strange manner at the first did so dump the Gauls that for a space they stood still and were in doubt to come near to touch them fearing least they had been some Gods until such time as one of them went boldly to Marcus Papirius and laid his hand fair and softly upon his long Beard The Majesty of the old Senatry set in the Market place of Rome but Papirius gave him such a wrap upon his Pate with his staffe that he made blood run about his Ears The Gaule was in such rage with the blow that he drew out his sword and slew him the other souldiers also killed the rest afterwards and so they continued many dayes afterwards spoyling and plundering all things they found in the houses and in the end did set all on fire and destroyed them every one Rome rased by Bâ—ennus the Brittish Prince for despite of those that kept the Capitol and would not yield upon their Summons but valiantly repulsed them when they scaled the Walls For this cause they rased the whole City and put all to the Sword that came into their hands young and old man woman and child Now this Siege continuing long and the Romans holding them out very stoutly victuals began to grow very scant in the Camp of the Gauls insomuch as they were driven on force to seek it abroad without the City Hereupon they divided themselves whereof some remained still with them at the Siege of the Capitol and the rest went a foraging and spoiling all the Champion Country and Villages there abouts scattered as it were by Bands and Companies some here some there fearing nothing nor passing upon watch or ward they lived in such security of their Victory Howbeit the greatest Company amongst them went by fortune towards the City of Ardea where Camillus dwelt living like a private man medling with no matters of State from the time of his Exile until that present But then he began not to bethink himself as a man that was in safety and might have escaped the hands of his enemies but rather sought how to devise and find all the means he could to subdue them if occasion were so offered whereupon considering that the Citizens of Ardea were enough in number to set upon them though faint-hearted and cowardly by reason of the sloth and negligence of the Governours and Captains who had no manner of experience in wars he began to cast out these words among the young men That they should not think the Romans misfortune fell upon them through the Valour of the Gauls nor that their Calamity who had refused good Councel had hapned unto them by any
work or act of the Gauls having done nothing for their part to make them carry away the Victory but that they should think it was no other thing but fortune alone who would needs shew her power Therefore it were now a notable and honourable Enterprize although somewhat dangerous to drive those strangers out of their Country considering that the onely end of their Victory was but to destroy and consume as fire all that fell into their hands wherefore if they would but onely take a good lusty heart and courage he would with opportunity and place assure them the Victory without danger The young men were pleased with these words of life and comfort whereupon Camillus went to break the matter also unto the Magistrates and Counsellours and having drawn them by perswasions unto this Enterprize Camillus perswades the Ardeans to take Arms against the Gauls he armed all that were of age to carry Armour and would not suffer a man to go out of the City for fear lest the Enemies which were not far off should have intelligence of the same Now after the Gauls had run over the Champian Country and were loaden with all sorts of spoils they did encamp themselves negligently in open fields and never charged Watch nor Ward but having their full Carriage of Wine laid them down to sleep and made no noise at all in their Camp Camill. Camillus being advertized thereof by his several Scouts caused the Ardeans with as little noise as might be forthwith to go out into the fields and having marched somewhat roundly the distance between the City and the Camp of the Gauls they came thither much about midnight Then he made his Souldiers make great shouts and cries and the Trumpets to be sounded on every side to put a fear in their enemies who yet with all the loud noise they made could hardly be made to wake they were so deadly drunk yet there were some notwithstanding that for fear to be taken tardy did bustle up at this sudden noise and coming to themselves fell to their weapons to resist Camillus which were slain by and by the rest and the greatest number of them lay here and there scattered in the middle of the field without any weapon dead asleep stark drunk with wine and were put to the sword and never struck stroke those that fled out of the Camp that night which were but few in numher were overthrown also next day by the horsemen which followed and killed them as they took them straggling here and there in the Field The bruit of this victory was blown abroad incontinently through all the Towns and Villages thereabouts which caused many young men to come and joyn themselves to Camillus but especially the Romans desired the same who had saved themselves in the City Veies after the battel lost at Allia who made their moans among themselves saying O Gods what a Captain hath Fortune taken from the City of Rome What honour hath the City of Ardea by the valiantness and worthy deeds of Camillus and in the mean season his natural City that brought him forth is now lost and utterly destroyed we for lack of a Captain to lead us are shut up here within others walls and do nothing but suffer Italy in the mean space to go to ruine and utter destruction before our eyes why then do we not send to the Ardeans for our Captain or why dowe not arm our selves and go to him for he is now no more a banished man nor we poor Citizens since our City is possessed with a Forreign power of our hatefull enemies so they all agreed to this counsel and sent to Camillus to beseech him to be their Captain and lead them But he made answer he would in no case consent unto it unless they that were besieged in the Capitol had lawfully first confirmed it by their voices for those said he as long as they do remain within the City represent the State and body thereof therefore if they commanded him to take this charge upon him he would most willingly obey them if otherwise they misliked of it that then he would not meddle against their good wills and commandment They having received this answer there was not a Roman amongst them but greatly honoured and extolled the wisdom and justice of Camillus But now they knew not how to make them privy to it that were besieged in the Capitol for they saw no possibility to convey a Messenger unto them considering the enemies were Lords of the City and laid siege unto it Howbeit there was one Pontius Cominius among the young men a man of a mean house but yet desirous of honour and glory that offered himself very willingly to venter to get in if he could so he took no Letters to convey with him to them that were besieged for fear lest they might be intercepted and so they should discover Camillus intention but putting on an ill favoured gown upon him he conveyed certain pieces of Cork under it and travelling at noon days kept on his way without fear untill he came to Rome bringing dark night with him and because he could not pass by the bridge for that the Gauls kept watch upon it he wrapped such cloaths as he had about his neck which were not many nor heavy and took the River and swimming with these Corks which he had brought at length he got over to the other side where the City stood then taking up those lanes where he thought the enemies were not seeing fire and hearing noise in other places he went to the gate Carmentall where he found more silence then in other places on the which side also the hill of the Capitol was more steep and upright by reason of the great rocks that were hard to clime up upon But he digged and crept up so long amongst them that he got up with great pain unto the wall of the Fortress on the which side also the enemy kept no watch and saluting the watch of the Capitol he told them what he was so they plucked him up to them and brought him to the Magistrates that ruled them who caused the Senate to assemble presently to whom he told the news of Camillus Victory which they had not heard of before and therewith also he did declare unto them the determination of the Roman Souldiers that were abroad which was to make Camillus their Captain and General and did perswade them also to grant him the Charge for that he was the only man abroad whom the Citizens gave consent to obey when they heard this all that were within the Capitol consulted thereupon among themselves and so did choose Camillus Dictator and returned the Messenger Pontius Cominius back again the self same way he came unto them this fortune in returning back was like unto his coming thither for the enemies never saw him And so he brought report to them that were abroad of the Senates decree and consent whereof they
27 ut supra Baron an 321 Acta Sylvest Niceph. l. 7. c 34 Egbertus Ab. Flor. Sem. 3 de Increm manifest cath fidei And Constantine himself did not only send his Imperial Edicts into all Countries both East and West for embracing Christian Religion but made his publick perswading Orations to that purpose as namely in the Church openly to the Senate and People of Rome whereupon as Nicephorus a Grecian writeth in the only City of Rome there was converted and baptised above twelve thousand men besides women and young people in the same year Egbertus from old antiquities seems to deliver that all the Senators were then converted to Christ for he plainly saith that Constantine gave the honour of the Senate of Rome to the Christian Clergy thereof and he with all the Senators departed thence to Bisantium Therefore a wonder it is how some Greek Writers should or could plead Ignorance of so concerning and memorable a thing so publickly acted with so many circumstances which could not be concealed in the great commanding City of the World by the sole Emperor thereof Jodoc Cocc in the saur Cath. Tom. 1. lib. 7. art 9. and S. Sylvester the highest Ruler in the Church of Christ and testified by almost all Ecclesiastical Historians too many to be remembred being accounted to be above 40 Classical Christian Authors and Writers of this matter omitting many of great name antiquity and authority The Pagans themselves even of the same age as Amianus Marcellinus Zosimus Amia Marcel l. 27. c. 2. and others give plain testimony unto it the first expresly speaketh of Constantines Font in Rome The other setteth down the whole History at large after his Ethick manner Zosimus also testifieth that this History was common among the Pagan Writers in his time Mr. Br. f. 4â—7 5. Zosom l. 2. de Constan Zosom Hist Eccle. l. 1. c. 5. R. Abraham Levit. in Chr. Judaic R. Abra. Ezra in c. 11. Dan. Glycas Pal. 4. Annal. Meno Graecor Calend. Janu. Nich. Pap. Epist ad Michael Imper. And the Jewes also even then most malicious against Christians as R. Abraham Levita and R. Abraham Aben Ezra do confess and prove the same So do the best Greek Historians Theophanes Metaphrastes Zonarus Cedrenus Glycas Nicephorus and others Some of these as Michael Glycas calling them Arian Hereticks who say he was baptized at Nicomedia by the Arian Bishop thereof and saith it is out of doubt that he was baptized at Rome his Baptistery there continuing to confirm and prove it invincibly true so have the rest and Theophanes plainly saith this was one of the Arian Hereticks fictions and lies against Constantine to stain his glory untruly with And their authentical and publickly received Menologion of the Greek Church doth not only say that Sylvester baptized Constantine at Rome clensing him from his Leprosie both of Soul and Body but also it receiveth and enrolleth this glorious Emperor in the Catalogue of holy Saints and so he is generally honored among them and in the Latine Church his name was ever Enrolled in the Ecclesiasticall Tables called Dyptica and publickly recited at Masse which was not allowed to any but Orthodox and holy Christians Therefore he must needs be free from all such suspicion wherewith those suspected Grecians have charged him the chiefest of them making Constantine a professed Christian receiving Sacraments many years before the pretended Baptism at his death Therefore I may worthily say of this renowned Emperor with our learned and ancient Historian That he was the flower of Brittain a Brittain by Countrey before whom Henr. Hunt hist l. 1. in Cistit Harding Chro. c. 63. f. 50. and after whom never any the like went out of Brittain And another in his old Poem of the same our glorious King and Emperor first testifying that he was Christened at Rome by Pope Sylvester and there cured of his Leprosie addeth He dyed after that at Nichomeide In Catalogue among the Saints numbred Of May the twentieth and one day indeed Vnder Shrine buried and subumbred Whose day and feast the Greeks have each yeer Solemnly as for a Saint full clere Our old English Chronicle also testifieth of this Emperor Old English Hist part 4. f. 38. S. Adelm lib. de Laud. Virg. c. 12. Nicep l. Hist 7. c. 35. l. 8. c. 5. This Constantine was a glorious man and victorious in battaile In governing of the Commyn people he was very wise and in necessity of byleve he was without comparison devote his pietie and his holines be soe written in the books of holy Doctors that without doubt he is to be numbred among Saints And the Greeks say that in the end of his life he was a Monk S. Adelm saith Great Constantine was corporally and spiritually cured in Baptism at Rome by St. Sylvester and as Nicephorus a Grecian writeth this in the consent of the whole Church This our triumphant Emperor and glory of Brittain having thus victoriously conquered his spiritual as well as corporal Enemies and by Baptism thus happily made so glorious and profitable a Member of the Church of Christ the joyfull newes and tidings thereof was soon diffused and known to the holy Christians though far distant from Rome as that thing they most desired to be effected and as much rejoyced to hear it was so religiously performed And among the rest his blessed Mother St. Helen then living here in Brittain her native Countrey after the death of her Husband Constantius who had in the best manner she could instructed her Son Constantine in the true Christian Religion and desired nothing more than to understand he publickly and with so great zeal now openly professed that which she had so often and earnestly exhorted him unto was not a little joyed with the certain notice hereof And with all haste she could prepared herself for so long a journey by her corporal presence to be both more effectuall partaker and encreaser of such Christian comforts and to give arguments of her joyes by messengers in the mean time writing unto him from Brittain as our Antiquaries do affirm and among other things to expresse her great zeal in Christian Religion and to exhort her Son to the like understanding of the great malice of the Jewes against Christians especially at that time the Emperour being so solemnly and so miraculously baptized Floren. Wigo Chron. an 306 328. Marian. Scot. lib. 2. aetat 6. anno 321. perswaded him to persecute those Jewes which denyed Christ Marianus Scotus writeth also that St. Helen did write out of Brittain when she heard he was baptized by St. Sylvester But his Publisher as he is charged with many other things by Harkesfield to have done either hath mistaken him in that which followeth or published some Copy not so to be approved for he bringeth in St. Helen in the next words to request her Son to deny Christ and follow the Jewes which cannot be the
Tiranidis jugo liberavi civitatem S. P. Q. R. libertatem vindicans pristinae amplitudini splendori restitui You have here viewed Illustrious Prince our first Christian Emperor and his Father fit patterns for imitation Cast your Gracious eyes upon our first Catholick King Lucius and you shall find him Christianity being now established thus Charactered Interea gloriosus ille Britonum Rex Lucius cum intra regnum suum cultum vere fidei magnificatum esse vidisset maximo gaudio fluctuans possessiones territoria quae prius templa Idolorum possidebant in meliorem usum vertens Ecclesiis fidelium permancre concessit quia majorem honorem ipsis impendere debuerat augmentavit illas amplioribus agris mansis omnique libertate sublimavit And a little after Lucius the first Christian King of this Land then called Brittain founded the first Church in London that is to say St. Peters Church upon Cornhill where he setled an Archbishops See making that Church the Metropolis of his Kingdom neither was his zeal and piety confined to that City for you shall find him erecting a goodly Cathedral at Caerlegion in that part of England abusively called Wales which now is known by the name of Monmothshire as also the famous Vniversity of Bangor in the remotest parts thereof This holy King saith my Author granted made and signed many writings Charters and donations for defence maintenance and preservation of Religion as to the Vniversity of Cambridge the School of Shaftsbury with others and when he had done all this Anno 201. Inclitus Britannorum Rex Lucius in bonis actibus assumptus ab hac vita Claudiocesbriae migravit ad Christum in Ecclesia primae sedis sepultus honorifice King Arthur sealed many grants for the advancement of Religion and Learning and by reason of his great victories thrice changed his armorial ensignes at last advancing the cross for my Author saith King Arthur that mighty conquerour and worthy had so great affection and love to this sign that he left his armes which he used before wherein were figured three Dragons another of three crownes or as some say of thirteen and depicted in his shield a cross silver in a field vert and on the first quarter thereof he figured an Image of our B. Lady with her Son in her armes and with this sign he did wonders in Arms. And to this hour we see the Knights of the Noble order of the Garter of which number your Grace the flower of chevaldry is one to bear Argent a plain cross Gules the field signifying pureness of life the cross the blood that Christ shed for this our people whom Trevisa calleth the people of God and the Realm of Gods Land the same ensign did Joseph of Aramathia give unto Arviragus King of Brittain not many years after our Saviours passion Cadwalader the last Brittish Monarch for his armes bore Azure a cross for my fitched Or whole volumes may be compiled of this Subject and the worthy and most Christian acts of your sanctly progenitors But least I should convert an Epistle Dedicatory into History or Chronology I will proceed no further humbly offering up these my weak endeavours before the shrine of your goodness with all integrity beseeching Almighty God that you may if not excel at least equal the most valiant and vertuous of your Royal Progenitors which shall be the daily prayers of Your Royal Highness Most faithful and humble servant PERCY ENDERBY The Duke of York Anarawd King of Northwales Eidwal King of the same Meurick or Meirick Eidwal II. Jago Conan Griffith King of Northwales Owen King of Northwales Jorwerth Son and Heir to Owen married Marret D. to Madoc Prince of Powis Lhewelyn Prince of Northwales Gladis sole Daughter and Heir married to Ralph Lord Mortimer who in her right should have been Prince of Northwales Roger Lord Mortimer Edmund Lord Mortimer Roger Lord Mortimer Earl of March Edmund Lord Mortimer c. Roger Lord Mortimer Edmund Earl of March married Philip D. and H. to Lyonel D. of Clarence Roger Mortimer Earl of March left one only Daughter and Heir married to Richard Earl of Cambridge Richard Duke of York King Edward the Fourth Elizabeth sole daughter and heir married to King Henry the seventh descended from Owen Tudor Margaret eldest daughter to Henry the seventh and in her Issue his Inheretrix was Grandmother to Mary Queen of Scotland France and England Mother to King James King of great Brittain France and Ireland c. Grand-Father to James Duke of York who married Anne daughter to Sir Edward Hyde Baron of Henden and Lord Chancellor of England and hath Issue Charles Duke of Cambridge YORK The City of York anciently called Eboracum is seated upon the river Vre which we call Ouse in the VVest-riding of this County and is the second City of England both for fame and greatness a pleasant large and Stately place all well fortified and beautifully adorned as well with private as publick edifices and rich and populous with all seated on the river Ouse which cutteth it as it were in twain both parts being joyned together with a fair stone-bridge consisting of high and mighty arches a City of great fame in the Roman times and of as eminent reputation in all ages since and in the several turnes and changes which have befallen this Kingdom under the Saxons Danes and Normans hath still preserved its ancient lustre adorned it was with an Archiepiscopal See in the time of the Brittains nor stooped it lower when the Saxons received the Faith Richard the second laying unto it a little Territory on the VVest side thereof made it a county of it self in which the Archbishops of York enjoyed the rights of Palatines and for a further lustre to it Henry the eighth appointed here a councel for the Government of the Northern parts consisting of a Lord President certain Councellors a Secretary and other Officers and yet in none of these hath York been more fortunate then that it adorned so many Princes of the Imperial line of Germany and blood Royal of England with stile and attribute of Dukes and Earls of YORK 1. Otho of Bavaria Earl of York 2. Edmund of Langley fift Son to Edward the third Duke of York 3. Edward Plantagenet Son of Edward of Langley Duke of York 4. Rich. Plantagenet Nephew of Ed. of Langley Duke of York 5. Rich. of Shrewsbury Son of King Edw. Duke of York 6. Henry second Son to King Henry seventh Duke of York after King of England 7. Charles second Son of James King of England 8. James second Son to King CHARLES now Duke of York The Duke of CUMBERLAND It is needless to set down at large the Brittish line of this Heroick and VVarlike Prince Rupertus being sufficient to tell you that he is Son to that Peerless and unparallel'd Princess Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia daughter to James King of great Brittain sister to Charles King of great Brittain
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
King of Brittain as some say at Caerleon and most likely for that he received the crown at the hands of Dubritius who was Archbishop there of whose Archbishops we have formerly spoken others will have it that he was crowned at Winchester and one old nameless pamphlet saith at Silicester which in the Brittish Tongue was called Caersegent and was situate near Reading Hollensheed â—ist of Eng. fol. 131. Of this Arthur saith Holenshed many things are written beyond beliefe for that there is no Ancient Author of authority that confirmeth the same but surely as may be thought he was a most worthy man and by all likelyhood a great Enemy to the Saxons by reason whereof the Welshmen which are the very Brittains indeed much honour his memory He fought as common report goeth twelve remarkable battails against the Saxons and in every one of them carried away the victory Yet could he not utterly expell them out of the Realm but that maugre all his force they kept Kent Surrey Norfolk and other places by strong hand and undaunted courage howbeit some writers hold that they held these Countries as Tributaries unto King Arthur But Authors of Credit avouch that he held continuall war against them and the Picts which were allyed with the Saxons The Brittish writers affirm that Arthur presently after he had received the Crown of Dubright Archbishop of Caerleon in Monmoth-shire not West-Chester as both Harpsfield Porter and others have mistaken went with his power of Brittains against the Saxons of Northumberland which had to their Captain one Colgrime or Colgerne whom Arthur vanquished and chased into the City of York in which place Arthur besieged him till at length the said Colgrime escaped out of the City and leaving it in charge with his Brother called Bladulff passed over into Germany unto Childrick King of that Country of whom he obtained succours so that the said Childrick made provision of men and ships and came himself over into Scotland having in his company fifteen hundred Sails one and other When Arthur was advertised hereof he raised his siege and withdrew to London sending Letters with all speed unto Howell King of little Brittain in France who was his Kinsman requesting him earnestly to send him aid Howell incontinently assembled his people to the number of fifteen thousand men and taking Sea landed with them at South-Hampton where Arthur was ready to receive him with great joy and congratulation from thence they drew Northwards where both the hosts of Arthur and Howell being assembled together marched to Lincolne which City Childrick did as then besiege Here Arthur and Howell assailed the Saxons with great force and manhood and at length after great slaughter made of the Eenemie they obtained the Victory and chased Childrick with the residue of the Saxons that were left alive unto a wood where they compassed them about within the same in such wise that in the end they were constrained to yield themselves upon condition that they might be suffered to depart on foot to their ships and so avoid the Land leaving their horse armour and other furniture unto the Brittans A noble battail got by the Brittains against the Saxons Hereupon the Brittains taking good Hostages for assurance permitted the Saxons to go their wayes and so Childrick and his people got them to their ships with purpose to return to their Country but being on the Sea they were forced by wind to change their course and coming on the coasts of the West parts of Brittain they arrived at Totness and contrary to the articles agreed upon with Arthur again invaded the Country and taking such armour as they could find marched into the Country plundering and wasting where they went till they came to Bath which Town the Brittains held and defended against them not suffering them by any means to enter whereupon the Saxons begirt it with a strong siege Bath besieged by the Saxons Arthur enformed hereof with all speed hasted thither and giving battail to his Enemies slew most part of Childricks men Child i k slain by Cador D. of Cornwall a Brittain There were slain both Colgrime and Bladulffe howbeit Childrick himself fled out of the field towards his ships but being pursued by Cador Earl of Cornwall that had with him ten thousand men by Arthurs appointment he was overtaken and in the fight slain with all his people Howell besieged by the Scots Arthur himself returned from this battail at or near Bath with all speed towards the Marches of Scotland for that he had received intelligence that the Scots had besieged Howell King of little Brittain as he lay sick there After that Cador had accomplished his enterprise and slain Childrick he returned with as much speed as was possible towards Arthur and found him in Scotland where he rescued Howell and afterwards pursued the Scots which fled before him K. Arthurs victory against Guillomer K. of Ireland About the same time one Guillomer King of Ireland arrived in Scotland with a mighty Army of Irishmen neer to the place where Arthur then lodged or hell his quarters to help the Scots against the Brittains Whereupon the prudent and victorious King Arthur turning his forces towards Guillomâ—r vanvished him and chased him into Ireland K. Arthurs marriage with Guenheza The Kingdom of Ireland held from the K. of Brittain by conquest This done he continued in pursuit of the Scots till he caused them to sâ—e for pardon and to submit themselves wholly to him and so receiving them to mercy and taking homage of them he returned to York and shortly after took to wife Guenhera a right beautifull Lady neer Kinswoman to Cador Duke of Cornwal In the year following which Harrison noteth to be 525. he went into Ireland and there overcame Guillomer in the open field in a pitcht battail constraining him to yield and to acknowledge by doing to him fealty to hold the realm of Ireland of him It is further remembred in those Brittish histories that he subdued * Gothland Gutland and Island with all the Isles in and about those seas Also that he overcame the Romans in the Countrey about Paris with their Captain Lucius and wasted the most part of all France and slew in single combate certain Giants What the Author Holenshed here meaneth by Giants I know not neither would I have any thing fabulous fastened upon so noble a King and Christian as Arthur was true it is that we read Genesis Chap. 6 And Gyants were upon the earth in those dayes Some have thought that those Giants were not men nor begotten by men but that either devils which fell at the first from heaven Erroneous opinions concerning Giants Philo Judeus Josephus Tertullian or other Angels allured by concupiscence begat them of the daughters of Cain Philo Judeus in his book De Gigantibus that those whom Moses then called Angels the Philosophers called Genios which are living creatures with airy
general Councell or Councels but harder it is to reclaim an Heretick then to convert an Infidel yet Almighty God out of his infinite goodness never suffereth any heresy to arise but presently he sendeth a remedy by providing both Learned and Pious men to withstand oppose and suppresse it Dubritius therefore that was Bishop of Landaff and after Archbishop of Caerleon Arnaske and his successor David with other learned men earnestly both by preaching and writing defended the contrary cause to the confuting of those errours and re-establishing the truth This holy Bishop St. Dubritius was of such sanctity of life that after St. German and his Associates departure hence Capg in St. Dubritius Antiq. Eccl. Hard. Harpsfield Hist Eccl. Angliae fol. 38. he together with St. David were the Popes Legats or greatest commanders here by the highest spiritual power St. Dubritius was a famous Master to many learned Schollers Harpsfield speaking of the remarkable holy and learned men of that time saith Amongst whom Dubritius Gainius Vagensis of or neer the River Wye a South-Wales man of Monmoth shire first comes in order to be spoken of who first set up a school neer the River Wye where Thelianus Samson and Aidan were his schollers he himself having formerly been a Disciple of St. German under whose conduct the Brittains obtained a miraculous victory against the Saxons who was an earnest opposer of the Pelagian heresie whose example St. Dubritius followed both by preaching and writing John Capg John Leyland he was first Bishop of Landaff and afterwards Atchbishop of Caerleon Harpsfield here mistaketh and placeth his See at Westchester which never had either Arch flamen or Arch-bishop but both these Cityes being called indifferently Caerleon breeds that errour Mr. Porter in in his Lives of Saints is in the same mistake This blessed man growing full in years left his honours and dignities Pitseus Conc. Polid. and with other associates betook himself to the Wildernesse or solitary and unfrequented mountains where they lived by the labour of their hands and then at last rendred up his pure soul in all peace and tranquillity to his creator the eightenth of the Kalends of December Whilst this blessed man held the See of Landaff Nod a Son of King Arthur gave certain lands lying by the River of Taff or Teiny unto that Church which were called Benalin and Landeiliaw Vanur Hen. Hunt l. 2. Cap. 13. as is recorded in the monuments of that Church This Bishop set the Brittish Crown upon the heads both of Aurelius Ambrosius as also Arthur and in the famous and renowned battail fought against the Saxons at the City of Badan now called Bath besieging that place this Dubritius was personally present with sweet and divine exhortations encouraging the soldiers to fight manfully against the Pagans and enemies of Christian faith laying before their eyes the lamentable destruction of their Country occasioned by those miscreants and how glorious that death would be where life was spent in so good a cause and likewise what reward they might expect at the hands of Almighty God for so Christian-like service that day proved most glorious unto the Brittains who purchased a most absolute victory obtained as all imagined by the prayers of St. Dubritius He dyed in the year of our Lord 555. in the wilderness or solitude before spoken of called Enli But in the year eleven hundred and twenty his body was translated to the Cathedral Church of Landaff by Vrban Bishop of that See I esteem saith Harpsfield King Arthur though many things are ridiculously foysted upon him a Prince so worthy to have his glory eternized that even in Ecclesiasticall History he deserves to have his name registred For what can be more renowned and becoming a true Christian Prince then to expose his life estate and all for Gods sake with Arthur who most valiantly opposed and overthrew the Saxons who not only had trodden the Brittans but even Religion it self under foot Twelve times he joyned battail with them and twelve times came out of the field victorious amongst all which the greatest trophy and triumph which he purchased was that at Bath in which saith this Authour praecipue post Deum in beatae Mariae ope spem posuit after Almighty God he put his chiefest confidence in the help of the B. Virgin and therefore advanced her effigies and picture in his shield King Arthurs armes Mr. Boswel in his armory fol. 22. King Arthur that mighty Conquerour and Worthy had so great affection and love to the sign of the cross that he left his armes which he bare before wherein were figured three Dragons and another of three crownes or thirteen as the French say 33331. Viz. Azure 13. crownes Or and assumed and took to his armes as proper to his desire a cross silver in a field Verd. on the first quarter whereof was figured an image of our Lady with her Son in her armes and bearing that sign he did many marvails in armes as in his book of acts and valiant conquests are remembred And what can be spoken saith the former writer more honourably of any conquerour then may be said of this our Arthur For that scum or dregs of miscreants the Saxons being in a manner quite swept out of Brittain he soly applyed his thoughts to the repairing of Temples and Churches Hen. Hunt li. 9. p. 167. K. 168. which those Pagans had demolished and ruined especially at York where the storm of that persecution did most rage besides many others as at Glastenbury where he spared no cost nor charge In the time of this most heroick King this Island was adorned with divers learned and eminent Men as Iltutus Canigellus David Machutus and sundry others Iltutus born in the county of Glamorgan and therefore called Morganensis whom some also call Eclhutus contemning the greatness of his birth and all the vanities and follies of the World as impediments to devotion and heavenly contemplation withdrew himself from all company of Worldlings and went unto St. Dubritius to lead an austere and solitary life where he arived unto so great perfection that he himself became a spirituall Master and had many Disciples as Sampson David Paulinus and Gildas Badonicus and others Iltutus died in the Ides of November the Welsh even to these our dayes celebrate an Annual Festival day in honour of this Saint as is manifest by the Church dedicated unto him and in that language called Llan Iltutus Congellus was Abbot of the famous monastery of Bangor the nursery from whence so many learned men as filled the whole Christian World with admiration of their learning and sanctity did spring Disciples to this Saintly Abbot were St. Columbanus and St. Brandon Columbanus took the habit of Religion at Bangor and filled Scotland Ireland Italy Gallia and Germany with admiration of his sanctity and learning King Arthur in the beginning of his reign had Enemies Lotho and Conradus his allies who
Lord Herbert of Cherbery and Castle Island unto whom it was presented by Dr. Johnson a grave and learned Physitian in Worcester who had it from a Manuscript in the Library of the right honourable Thomas Lord Windesore which here I will insert for my Readers recreation As it fell out upon a Pentecost day King Arthur at Camelot kept his Court Royal With his fair Queen Gwinever the gay And many princes sitting in hall Hold Barons Knights and Squires that day Ladies attired in purple and pall With Herehaughts in hewkes howling full high Cried Larges Larges Chaveliers treshardie A doughty Dwarf to the uppermost Desk Boldly gan prick kneeling on knee Said King Arthur God thee save and see Sr. Reimes of North Gales greeteth well thee And bids thee anon thy Beard thou him send Else from thy jawes he will it off rend For his robe of State is a rich scarlet mantle With eleven Knights beards bordred about And there is room left yet in a Kantle For thine to stand to make the twelfth out This must be done be thou never so stout This must be done I tell thee no fable Maugre the teeth of all the round table When this mortal message from his mouth past The Kings fum'd the Queens scrich't Ladies were agast Princes pufft Barons blusterd Lords began to lower Knights storm'd Squires startl'd like steeds in a Stower Pages and Yeomen yeld out in the hall With that came in Sr. Kay the Seneschal Silence my Soveraign quoth the courteous Knight And therewith all the stur began to still The Dwarfs dinner full deerly was dight Of Wine and wisely he had his fill An hundred peices of fine coyned Gold Were given the Dwarf for his message bold But say to Sr. Rayns thou Dwarf quoth the King â—hat for his bold message I him defie â—or shortly I mean with Basons him to ring â—â—t of North Gales where he and I â—ith swords and not rasors will quickly try Whether he or K. Arthur will prove the best Barbor And therewith he struck his good sword Esculabor Concerning the mantle trimd with beards of Kings or Knights Fol. 62. Mr. Draiton in his Polialbion giveth a hint but something differing from the preceding Relation his lines are these Then told how himself great Arthur did advance To meet with his Allies the puissant force of France By Lucius thither led those Armies that while ere Affrighted all the World by him struck dead with fear Th' report of his great acts that over Europe ran Is that most famous field which he with Emp'rour wan This is but a Poetical fancy for Helena was never ravished As how great Rithout self be slew in his repair Who ravisht Howels Neece young Helena the fair And for a Trophie brought the Giants coat away Made of the beards of Kings then bravely chaunted they The several twelve picht fields he with the Saxons fought The certain day and place to memory they brought Then by false Mordreds hand how last he chanc't to fall The hour of his decease the place of buriall These I have intermingled as Poets do interludes in the playes setting Horace his rules before me Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci. Constantine Howes ut sup Constantine Kinsman to Arthur and son to Cador Duke of Cornewal was ordained King of Brittain and reigned three years This man was by the two sons of Mordred grievously vexed for they claimed the land by the right of their father But after many battails they fled the one to London the other to Winchester which Cities they obtained and took them But Constantine followed and subdued them and gained the Cities And one of these young Lords he found in an Abbey at London here he slew him neer the Altar cruelly and then buried him near Vter Pendragon at Stone-hedge The other brother was found at Winchester where he was also slain flying into the Church of St. Amphibalus Aurelius Conanus a Brittain raised mortal War against Constantine the King and afer sore fight slew him in the field after three years reign he was buryed at Stone-hedge Of this Constantine that seemeth to be meant which holy Gildas writeth in his Book entituled De excidio Brittaniae where inveighing against the Rulers of the Brittains in his time he writeth thus Brittain hath Kings but they be Tyrants Judges it hath but they be wicked oft-times killing and harming the innocent people revenging and defending but whom such as be guilty persons and robbers having many wives but yet breaking wedlock oft-times swearing and yet forswearing themselves vowing and for the more part lying warring but maintaing civil and unjust war pursuing rude thieves that are abroad in the Country and yet not only cherishing those that sit even at table with them but also highly rewarding them giving almes largely but on the other part heaping up a mighty mount of sins sitting in the seat of sentence but seldome seeking the rule of righteous judgment despising the humble and innocent persons exalting so far as in them lyeth even up to the heavens the bloody and proud murderers thieves and adulterers yea the very expresse enemies of God if he would so permit keeping many in prison whom they oppresse in loading them with Irons through craft rather to serve their own purpose then for any guilt of the persons imprisoned taking solemn oathes before the Altars and shortly after despising the same Altars as vile and filthy stones of which heinous and wicked offence Constantine the tyrannical whelp of the Lioness of Devonshire is not ignorant who this year after the receiving of his dreadfull oath whereby he bound himself that in no wise he would hurt his subjects God first and then his oath with the company of Saints and his mother being there present did notwithstanding in the reverent laps of the two mothers as the Church and their carnal mother under the Coul of the holy Abbot devour with sword and spear instead of teeth the tender sides yea and the entrails of two Children of noble and Kingly race and likewise of their two Governours yea and that as said among the sacred Altars the arms of which persons so slain not stretched forth to defend themselves with weapons the which few in those dayes handled more valiantly then they but stretched forth I say to God and to his altar in the day of judgment shall set up the ensignes of their patience and faith at the gates of the City of Christ which so have covered the seat of the coelestial sacrifice as it were with the red mantle of their clottered blood And those things he did not after any good deeds done by him deserving praise For many years before overcome with the often and changeable filths of adultery forsaking his lawfull Wife contrary to the Laws of God c. he now brought forth this Crime of killing his own Kinsman and violating the Church but neither being loosed or unbound from his