Diocesses Lucius the Pope in Gratian insinuateth thus much that the Ecclesiasticall Iurisdictions of the Christians followed the Iurisdictions of the Roman Magistrates and that Archbishops had their Seas in those cities wherein the Romane Presidents in times past made their abode The Cities and places saith he in which Primats ought to sit and rule were appointed not by the Moderne but long before the comming of Christ to the Primats of which Cities c. the Gentile also appealed in matters of greater importance And in those verie cities after Christs comming the Apostles and their Successors placed Patriarks or Primats unto whom the affaires of the Bishops and greater causes ought to be preferred Whereas therefore Britaine had in old time three Archbishops to wit of London of Yorke and Caerleon in Southwales I suppose that the Province which now we call of Canterburie for thither the Sea of London was translated made BRITANNIA PRIMA Wales under the Citie of Caer Leon was BRITANNIA SECVNDA and the Province of York which then reached unto the Limit or Borders made MAXIMAA CAESARIENSIS In the age next ensuing when the forme of the Roman Empire was daily changing either through ambition that more men might attaine to places of honour or the warie forecast of the Emperours that the power of their Presidents which grew over great might be taken downe and abridged they divided Britaine into five parts to wit BRITANNIA PRIMA SECVNDA MAXIMA CAESARIENSIS VALENTIA FLAVIA CAESARIENSIS VALENTIA seemeth to have been the northerly part of Maxiâ—â— Caesariensis which being usurped and held by the Picts and Scots Theodosius Generall under Valens the Emperour recovered out their hands and in honour of him named it Valentia which Marcellinus sheweth more plainly in these words The Province now recovered which was fallen into the enemies hands he restored to the former state in such sort as by his own procuring it had both a lawful governor was also afterwards called VALENTIA at the pleasure of the Prince Now that the son of this Theodosius who being created Emperour was named Flavius Theodosius and altered very many things in the Empire added Flavia we may very wel conjecture for that before the time of this Flavius wee read no where of BRITANNIA FLAVIA Wherefore to make up this matter in few words All the south coast which of one side lieth between the British sea and the river Thames with the Severn sea on the other side was called BRITANNIA PRIMA BRITANNIA SECVNDA was that which now is Wales FLAVIA CAESARIENSIS reacheth from Thames to Humber MAXIMA CAESARIENSIS from Humber to the river of Tine or the wall of Severus VALENTIA from Tine to the wall or rampier neere Edenburgh which the Scots call Gramesdike and was the utmost limit of the Roman Empire in this Island when this last division was in use And now I cannot chuse but note some want of judgement in certaine men who otherwise being very learned doe reckon Scotland in this account which some of them make to have beene Maxima Caesariensis and others Britannia Secunda As if forsooth the Romans neglected not that part of the Island lying under a cold climate and reckoned here those Provinces onely which they governed by Consular Lieutenants and Presidents for Maxima Caesariensis and Valentia were ruled by Consular Lieutenants Britannia Prima Secunda and Flavia by Presidents Now if any man would have me render a reason of this my division and accuse me as a false bounderer and surveior let him heare in briefe what hath induced mee to this opinion Having observed thus much that the Romans alwaies called those Provinces PRIMAS which lay nighest to Rome as Germania Prima Belgica Prima Lugdunensis Prima Aquitania Prima Panninia Prima all which lay neerer to Rome than those that were named Secundae and that these Primae were by the finer sort of writers termed Superiores or higher the Secundae Inferiores or Lower I resolved that the South-part of our Island and neerer to Rome was Britannia Prima By the same reason seeing the Provinces Secundae as they call them were more remote from Rome I supposed Wales was the Britannia Secunda Moreover having noted this also that in the decaying State of their Empire those Provinces onely had Consular Magistrates which lay against the enemies not onely in Gaule but also in Africke as appeareth in the booke of Notices also that in the said Booke Valentia with us and Maxima Caesariensis be accounted Consular Provinces I have judged them being next and exposed to the Scots and Picts to lie in those places which I have spoken of I can doe no other but guesse that Flavia Caesariensis here was in the midst betweene them all and in the very heart of England and so much the more confidently because that ancient writer Giraldus Cambrensis is just of the same opinion with me And thus much of the Divisions of Britaine under the Romans Afterwards when the Barbarians made invasion on every side and civill war daily increased among the Britans the Island as bereft of all life and vigour lay for a time languishing and forlorne without any shew at all of government But at length that part which inclineth to the North became two Kingdomes to wit of the Scots and the Picts and the Romans Pentarchie or five portions in this hither part became in processe of time the Heptarchie or seven Kingdomes of the Saxons For they divided the whole Province of the Romans setting Wales aside which the remnant of Britans possessed into seven Kingdomes that is to say Kent Southsex East-England Westsex Northumberland Eastsex and Mercia But what this Heptarchie of the English-Saxons was and what their names were in those daies in this chorographical table here adjoyned you may if you please behold Considering that in a Chorographicall Table or Map by reason of so narrow a roome those Regions or Counties which these Kingdomes contained could not well and handsomely bee described In this other Table heere rather than by heaping many words together I thinke good to propose and set downe the same that the Reader may once for all have a view of them The Saxons Heptarchie 1 The Kingdome of KENT contained the Countie of Kent 2 The Kingdom of SVSSEX or Southern Saxons contained the Counties of Suthsex Suthrey 3 The Kingdome of EAST-ENGLAND or East-Angles contained the Counties of Norfolke Suthfolke Cambridge shire with the Isle of Ely 4 The Kingdome of WESTSEX or West-Angles contained the Counties of Cornwall Devonshire Dorsetshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Southampton Berkshire 5 The Kingdome of NORTHVMBERLAND contained the Counties of Lancaster Yorke Durham Cumberland Westmorland Northumberland and the Countries of Scotland to Edenburgh-frith 6 The Kingdome of EAST-SEX or East-Saxons contained the Counties of Essex Middlesex and part of Hertfordshire 7 The Kingdome of MERCIA contained the Counties of Glocester shire Herefordshire Worcestershire Warwickshire Leicestershire Rotlandshire
Hampton or Wulver Hampton 581 e Wulpet 463 f Wyre forest 573 e X X. No British letter 97 Y YAle 676 e Yanesbury castle 245 e Yardley Hasting 509 e Yare 721 a. a river 468 d Yarmouth 476 f Yeomen 177 Yeverin 815 d Y-kil what it signifieth 714 a Yorkes wold 709 b Yorke City 701 Yorkeshire ibid. Yorke Earles and Dukes 724 e Yron Mynes and workes 306 d Ystwith 658 a Yvo Ellas 675 c Yvor Bach 642 e Z ZOuches 201 f. 202 c. whence descended 519 a Zouches of Haringworth and Ashby de la Zouch 224 e Zouch Mortimer 514 a Zouch killed in Westminster hall 519 b Zythum 20 THE NAMES OF SEVERALL Nations Cities and great Townes Rivers Promontories or Capes c. of Britaine in old time such as Caesar Tacitus Ptolemaeus Antoninus Notitia Provinciarum and other Authours have made mention of together with the later and moderne names  A  ABallaba Appleby in Westmorland 761 Abone Avington or Aventon in Glocestershire 358 Abus aestuarium Humber in Yorkshire 710 Aesica Netherby upon Eske in Cumberland 781 Ad Ansam Neere Coggeshall in Essex 449 Ad Pontem Paunton in Lincolnshire 537 Adurni Portus Ederington 313 Agelocum Little borrough upon Trent 549 Alone Whitley in Northumberland 794 Alannius flu Avon in Wiltshire 243 Alaunus flu Alne in Northumberland 813 Amboglanna Ambleside haply 760 Ancalites The Hundred of Henley 389 Amnitum vel Samnitum Insulae Isles upon the West coasts of Britaine in France 221. p. 2 Andates Lucus   Anderida Newenden in Kent 351 Angli sive Anglo-Saxones Englishmen or English-Saxons 127 Antona sive Aufona Aufon 507.508 Antivestaeum The Cape of Cornwall 187 Aquae Solis Bath in Somersetshire 233 Arbeia Ierby 769 Ariconium Kenchester neere Hereford 618 Atacoti or Attacotti  127 Atrebatii or Attrebatii Barkshire 278 Augusta See Londinum  Axelodunum Hexham in Northumberland 807  B  BAdiza Bath 233 Bannavenna or Bannaventa Weedon on the street 508 Belerium The same that Antivestaeum  Belgae Sommersetshire Wilshire and Hantshire 219 Bellisama flu Rhibell in Lancashire 749 Bennones High-Crosse 518 Bibroci The Hundred of Bray in Barkshire 289 Binovium Binchester 738 Blatum Bulgium Bulnesse in Cumberland 775 Blestium Old towne in Herefordshire 787.617 Bonium Banchor in Flitshire 602.681 Bononia Bollonge in France 349 Borcovicus Borwick in Northumberland 809 Brannodunum Brancerster in Norfolke 488 Bremenium Brampton in Northumberland 803 Brementuracum Brampton in Cumberland 783 Brementonacum Overborrow in Lancashire 753 Brigantes Yorkshire Lancashire B. of Durham Westmorland Cumberland 685 Brovonacum Brougham 762 Bullaeum Buelth in Brecknocshire 627 Burrium Uske in Monmouthshire 636  C  CAesarromagus Neere Brentwood in Essex fortè 442 Calcaria Tadcaster in Yorkeshire 696 Callena See Gallena  Camboritum Cambridge 486 Camalodunum Maldon 446 Camundolunum See Cambodunum  Cambodunum Ruins neere Aldmondbury in Yorkshire 692 Calagum See Galacum  Canonium Chensford in Essex 445 Cantum Kent 324 Cantium Promontorium The foreland of Kent 342 Cangi  231 Castra Exploratorum Burgh upon Sands 773 Castra Constantia Constance in Normandy 224 Cassii The hundred of Caishow in Hertfordshire 395 Cassiterides The Iles of Sylly 227 Caturactonium Cataricke in Yorkeshire 730 Cartieuchlani Buckingham Bedford and Hertfordshires 391 Causennae See Gausennae  Cenio flu The river by Tregeny in Cornwall 190 Ceni-magni See Iceni  Cilurnum Collerford in Northumberland 806 Clausentum South hanton 261 Clevum Glocester 360 Coccium Riblechester in Lancashire 752 Colonia Colchester in Essex 450 Candate Congleton in Cheshire 608 Concangii Baronie of Kendale 759 Condercum Chester upon the streete in the Bishopricke of Durham 742 Combretonium Brettenham in Suffolke 463 Conovius flu The river Conway in Wales 669 Conovium urbs Caer hean upon Conway in Caernarvonshire ibid. Convennos insula Convey at the Tamis mouth 441 Congavata A place upon Caudbecke in Cumberland 778 Corinium Circester or Cirencester in Glocestershire 366 Coritani Northamptonshire Leicestershire Rutlandshire Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire Darbyshire 504 Cornavii Warwickshire Worcestershire Staffordshire Shropshire and Cheshire 560 Corstopitum Morpit in Northumberland fortè 808 Cossini  833 Croco-calana Ancaster in Lincolnshire 537 Cunetio Marlborow or Kenet in Wiltshire 255 Curia Corebridge in Northumberland 808  D  DAnmonii Cornwall and Denshire 183 Danmoniorum Promontorium The Lizard in Cornwall 189 Danum Dancaster in Yorkshire 690 Delgovitia Godmundham in Yorkshire 711 Derventio Auldby upon Derwent in Yorkshire 709 Deva flu d ee in Cheshire  Devana sive Deva urbs Chester or West-chester 604 Dictum Diganwey 669 Dimetae Westwales Caermardinshire Penbrochshire and Cardiganshire 647 Dobuni sive Boduni Glocestershire and Oxfordshire 354 Dorobernia See Dorovernum  Dubris Dover 344 Dunum sinus The Creeke at Dunesby neere whitby in Yorkshire 718 Ducornovia See Corinium  Durotriges Dorsetshire 209 Dur-co-brivae Redborn 413 Durnium See Durnovaria  Durobrivae Caster neere Wandlesworth in Huntingdonshire 501 Durnovaria Dorcester 212 Durobrovae Rochester 332 Durolenum Leneham in Kent 331 Durolitum Old foord upon Lee in Essex 439 Durosiponte Gormonchester 498 Durovernum Canterbury 336  E  EBoracum Yorke 701 Epiacum Papcastle in Cumberland 768 Etoletum The Wall in Staffordshire 587 Extensio Promont Easton Nesse in Suffolke 467  F  Fretum Britannicum The streight of Callis 345  G  GAbranto vicorum portuosus sinus Sureby in Yorkshire 114 Gabrocentum Gateshead in the Bishoprick of Durham 743.818 Gallatum Whealp-Castle in Westmorland 762 Gallana Walle-wic 802 Gallena Wallingford 761 Ganganorum Promont Lheyn in Caernarvonshire 668 Garianonum Yarmouth 477 Garienis flu Y are river in Norfolk 476 Gausennnae Brig-Casterton upon Wash 534 Genunia Northwales 660 Glannoventa Upon Wentsbeck in Northumberland 812 Glessariae  220 Glevum Glocester 366 Gobannium Abergevenny 635 Gessoriacum See Bononia   H  HErculis Promont Herty point in Denshire 207 Hunnum Sevenshale in Northumberland 801  I  JAmesa See Tamesis  Iceni Suffolke Norfolke Cambridgshire and Huntingdonshire 456 Icianos Icborrow in Norfolke 482 Idumanus flu Blackewater river in Essex 448 Isannavaria See Banavenna for they seeme to be the same  Isca flu Ex river in Denshire 203 Isca Danmoniorum Excester ibid. Isca Legio Augusta Caer Lheon in Monmouthshire 636 Iscalis Ivelcester 221 Isurium Aldburge in Yorkshire 701 Jugantes whom Tacitus mentioneth I wote not who they be unlesse they were the Cantiani that is Kentishmen whom the Welsh Britans were wont in their language to call Y-Gant And yet it may seeme as probable to read Brigantes for Jugantes 688 Itium Galliae Vitsan 348 Ituna flu Eden river in Cumberland 760.776  L  LActodurum sive Lactorodum Stony-Stratford 397 Lagecium vel Legeolium Castleford neere Pontfreit 695 Legio 11. Augusta See Isca  Legio 11. Victrix See Eboracum  Legio xx Victrix See Deva  Lavatres Bowes upon Stanemore 731 Leucarum Loghor in Southwales 646 Littus Saxonicum East and South coast 325 Lemanis Limehill or lime in Kent 349 Lindum Lincolne
as it were of fame hath defended Now the uttermost point of Britannie is laid open things the lesse they have bin within knowledge the greater is the glory to atchive them But no nation now is there beyond us nothing but water nothing but rockes and the Romans even among them more infest than all besides Whose intolerable pride in vaine shall a man seeke to avoide with any obsequious service and humble behaviour Robbers as they be of the world who having now left no more land to spoile search also the sea If their enemies be rich they covet their wealth if poore they seeke to gaine glorie Whom neither the East nor the West is ever able to satisfie the onely men of all memorie that seeke out all places be they wealthy or be they poore with like affection To take away by maine force to kill and to spoile they fasly terme Empire and government when they lay all waste as a wildernesse that they call peace That every man should hold his owne children and bloud most deare Nature hath ordeined and even those are pressed for souldiers and carried away to serve as slaves elswhere Our wives and sisters if they be not violently forced as in open hostilitie are in the meane time under the colour and title of friends and guests often abused Our goods and substance they draw from us for tribute our corne for provision Our verie bodies and hands they weare out and consume in paving of bogs and ridding of woods with a thousand stripes and reproachfull indignities besides Slaves yet which be borne to bondage are bought and sold once for all and afterwards fedde and found at their owners expences But Britannie daily buyeth dayly feedeth and is at daily charge with her owne bondage And as in a private retinue of houshold servants the fresh man and last commer is laughed and scoffed at by his very fellowes even so in this old servitude of the whole world our destruction only is sought as being the latest and vilest in account of all other For fields we have none to manure no mines to be digged no ports to trade in for which purposes and emploiments we should be reserved alive And as for the manhood and fierce courage of the subject it pleaseth not much the jelous Soveraign And this very corner being so secret and far out of the way the more security it yeeldeth to us in them it works the greater suspicion So seeing all hope of pardon is past at the length take courage to defend and maintaine your safety as well as your honor things most deere and pretious unto you The Trinobantes led by a woman fired a Colonie forced campe and castle and if such a lucky beginning had not ended in sloth and security they might with ease have shaken off the yoke We as yet were never touched never foiled nor subdued as men therefore that mind to maintain their freedome not for the present but for ever let us shew straitwaies in the first joining what manner of men Caledonia reserved in store for herselfe Or do yee thinke the Romanes to be as valiant in war as they are wanton in peace No it is not by their owne vertue but by our farrings and discords they are grown into fanie and the faults of their enemies they abuse to the glory of their owne armie composed of most divers nations and therefore as by present prosperity holden together so if fortune once frowne it doubtlesse will dissolve unlesse ye suppose the Frenchmen and Germanes and to our shame be it spoken many of our owne Nation which now lend their lives to establish a forrain usurper and yet have beene enemies longer than servants to be led and induced with any true harted and loyall affection Nay it is feare and terror weake links and bounds of love Remove them once those which shall cease to feare will soone begin to hate All things to incite unto victory are on our side No wife to encourage the Romanes no parents to upbraid them if they flee most have either no country at all or els some other A few fearefull persons trembling and gazing all about at the strangenesse of heaven it selfe of sea of woods and all things els the Gods have delivered mewd up as it were and fettered into our hands Let the vaine shew and glittering of gold and silver terrifie us which neither defendeth nor offendeth And even amongst our enemies in the field we shall find of our side The Britaines will agnize their owne cause The French will call to remembrance their freedome and former estate the rest of the Germans will leave and forsake them as of late the Vsipians did And what else then have we to feare the Castles are emptie the colonies peopled with aged and impotent persons the free Cities discontent and in factions whiles those which are under obey with ill will and they that doe governe rule against right Here is the Generall and here is the armie There are the tributes there be the mettall mines and other miseries inseperably following them that live under the subjection of others which either to continue and endure forever or straight to revenge it lieth this day in this field Wherefore as yee are going to battell beare in your minds both the freedome of your ancestors and the bondage of your posteritie This speech they cheerefully received as well with a song after their barbarous mâ—â—â—ner as with confused acclamations and dissonant noises And as the companies clustered together and glittering armour appeared whiles the boldest advanced forward and withall the rankes were putting themselves in array Agricola albeit his souldiers were glad of that day and scarce with words could be with-holden supposing it best to say somewhat encouraged them in this wise Fellow souldiers and companions in armes Your faithfull service and diligence these 8. yeares so painfully shewed by the vertue and fortune of the Roman Empire hath conquered red Britanny In so many journies in so many battells we were of necessitie to shew our selves either valiant against the enemie or patient and laborious almost above and against nature it selfe In which exploits wee have hitherto borne our selves both so that neither desired I better souldiers nor you other Captaine Insomuch as we have exceeded the limits I of my predecessor and you of yours To the end of Britannie wee have found not by fame and report but we are with our armes and pavillions really invested thereof Britain I say is found and subdued In marching when the passage over bogs mountaines and rivers toiled you out how oft have I heard every valiant souldier say when will the enemie present himselfe when shall wee fight Loe they are now put up out of their holes and hither they are come Your wish loe is here and place for your vertue yea and all things to follow in an easie and expedite course if you win but all against you if you leese For as
souldiers saluted Emperor a valiant man vertuous worthy of the title of Augustus but that against his allegiance he had by way of tyranny usurpation attained to the place Who at the first couragiously vanquished the Picts Scots that used to make many inrodes into the Province afterwards with all the flower and strength well neere of British forces arrived in the mouth of Rhene and procured unto himselfe the whole puissance of the German armies ordained the Royall seat of the Empire to be at Triers whereupon stiled he was by the name of Trevericus Imperator spreading as Gildas saith his wings the one as far as to Spaine the other into Italy with the terror only of his name levied tributes and pensions for souldiers pay of the most fell and savage nations in Germanie Against whom Gratianus having led an armie after five daies skirmishing being forsaken of his owne souldiers and put to flight sent Saint Ambrose Embassadour to treat for peace which he obtained indeed but the same full of treacherous guile For Maximus suborned and sent under-hand one Andragathius riding in a close litter or carroch with a rumour spread abroad that therein rode the wife of Gratian. Unto which when Gratian was come for love of his wife and had opened the said litter forth leapes Andragathius with his companie and slew him outright in the place Whose body for to demand was Ambrose sent a second time howbeit not admitted because he refused to communicate with those Bishops that sided with Maximus Who being lifted up and proud of those things hapning to his mind appointed his sonne Victor to be Caesar dealt cruelly with Gratians Captaines and setled the State in France Theodosius Augustus who governed in the East at the requests or mandates rather of his Embassadours acknowledged him Emperour and exhibited his Image unto the Alexandrines for to be seene in publike place And now having by violence and extortion entred upon the estates of all men with the utter undoing of the common-wealth hee fulfilled his owne greedie avarice Hee made the defence of Catholike Religion his pretences to colour his tyrannie Priscillian and certaine of his Sectaries convict of hereticall and false doctrine in the Synode or Councell of Burdeaux and appealing unto him hee condemned to death although Martin that most holy Bishop of Tourain or Tours most humbly besought to forbeare shedding the bloud of those poore wretches avouching that it was sufficient to deprive such as were judged heretikes and put them out of their Churches by the definitive sentence of Bishops and that it was a strange and unexampled hainous deed that a secular Judge should determine causes of the Church And these were the first that being executed by the civill sword left a foule and dangerous president to posteritie After this he entred Italie with so great terrour that Ualentinian together with his mother were glad to flie unto Theodosius the cities of Italie received him and did him all the honour that might be but the Bononians above the rest among whom this Inscription is yet to be seene DD. NN. MAG C. MAXIMO ET FL. UICTORI PIIS FELICIBVS SEMPER AVGVSTIS B. R. NATIS To our Great Lords C. Maximus Fl Victor Pious Happie Alwaies Augusti borne for the good of the Common-wealth Meane while Nannius and Quintinus Masters in militarie skill unto whom Maximus had committed the infancie of his sonne and the custodie of Gaule gave the Frankners who annoied Gaule with their incursions a mightie great overthrow and forced them to give hostages and deliver into their hands the Authors of the warre As for Valentinian he earnestly besought Theodosius to succour him dispoiled of his Empire by a Tyrant from whom for a good while he could have none other answer but this That no marvel it is if a seditious servant became superiour to that Lord who casteth off the true Lord indeed For Valentinian was corrupted with Arianisme Howbeit wearied at length with his importunate praiers he setteth forward in warlike manner against Maximus who in the same time abode in Aquileia very secure fearlesse For he had before-hand fortified the streits between the mountains with garrisons and the havens with shipping so that with great alacritie and much confidence at the first hee welcomed Theodosius with one battel before Syscia in Pannonia afterwards most valiantly received him with another under the leading of his brother Marcellus but in both of them he sped so badly that he withdrew himselfe secretly into Aquileia where by his owne souldiers as he dealt money among them taken he was and devested of his Imperiall ornaments brought before Theodosius who immediatly delivered him into the hangmans hand to be executed after that he had now worne the purple roabe five yeares Whereupon Ausonius writeth thus in praise of Aquileia Non erat iste locus meritò tamen aucta recenti Nona inter claras Aquileia cieberis urbes Itala ad Illyricos objecta colonia montes Moenibus portu celeberrima sed magis illud Eminet extremo quòd te sub tempore legit Solverat exacto cui justa piacula lustro Maximus armigeri quondam sub nomine lixae Foelix qui tanti spectatrix laeta Triumphi Punîsti Ansonio Rutupinum Marte Latronem This was no place of name but since that fresh desert gave grace Thou Aquileia of cities faire shalt be the ninth in place A Colonie Italian gainst hils Illyrian set For strong wals and commodious haven right well renown'd but yet This passeth all the rest that he his choice of thee did make Against his latter daies who did revengement justly take Of Maximus a base campe-Squire that sometimes knowne to be Had now usurped five yeares past and ruled with tyrannie Right happy thou of Triumph such that had'st the joyfull sight Killing this Robber Rhutupine by maine Italian might Andragathus whose state was now most desperate cast himselfe from shipboard headlong into the Sea Victor the sonne of Maximus was in France defeated taken prisoner and slaine But those Britans who tooke part with Maximus as some writers doe record forcibly invaded Armorica in France and there planted themselves Now Theodosius presently after his victorie entred Rome with his Sonne Honorius in triumph and published an Edict to this effect No man so hardy as to challenge or claime that honour which the bold Tyrant had granted but that such presumption should bee condemned and reduced to the former estate And Valentinian in these words All judgements and awards whatsoever that Maximus the most wicked and detestable Tyrant that ever was hath given forth to be promulged and enacted we reverse and condemne But Saint Ambrose in his funerall Sermon of Theodosius crieth out in these termes That Eugenius and Maximus by their wofull example doe testifie in hell what a heavie thing it is to beare armes against
God was minded to purge his family and to recure it thus infected with so great corruption of sinnes by hearesay onely of tribulation the winged flight as one would say of an headlesse rumour pierceth the attentive eares of all men giving notice of ancient enemies ready to arrive and upon their comming fully minded to destroy them utterly and after their wonted manner to possesse and inhabite the countrey from one end to another Yet for all this were they never the better but like unto foolish and senselesse horses resisting the bridle of reason and refusing to admit the bit as they say into their close shut mouth leaving the way to salvation narrow though it were ran up and downe at randum all in the broad way of all wickednesse which leadeth directly and readily to death Whiles therefore as Salomon saith the obstinate and stubborne servant is not amended with words scourged hee is for a foole and feeleth not the whip For loe a pestilent contagion bringing much mortalitie falleth heavily upon the foolish people which in a short space when the enemies sword was gone destroied so great a multitude of them as that the living were not able to bury the dead Neither verily were they the better for it that the saying of Esay the Prophet might in them also bee fulfilled And God calleth them quoth he to sorrow and mourning to baldnesse and sackcloth but behold they fell to killing of calves to slaying of rams Lo they went to eating and drinking and said withall Let us eate and drinke for to morrow wee shall die And why the time drew neere wherein their iniquities like as those in times past of the Amorites should come to the fulnesse For they fall to consult what was the best and most convenient course to be taken for to represse so cruell and so many invasions of the forenamed nations with the booties which they raised Then all the Counsellors together with the proud tyrant become blinded and bewitched devising such a protection nay a destruction rather of their country as this namely that those most fierce Saxons a people foully infamous odious both to God and man should be let into this Island as one would say wolves into the sheep-folds to repulse forsooth and beat backe the Northern nations Than which I assure you nothing was ever devised and practised more pernicious nothing more unhappy unto this land O mist of sense and grossest understanding that ever was O desperate dulnesse and blind blockishnesse of mind Those whom in their absence they were inclined and given to dread more than very death now of their owne record these foolish Princes of Egypt entertained as I may say under the roofe of one house giving as hath beene said fond-foolish counsell unto Pharao Then rushed forth out of the barbarous Lionesses den a Kennell of whelps in three Vessels called in her language Cyulae that is Keeles and in our Latine tongue Longae naves under full saile carried with the wind of lucky sure presaging auguries whereby fore-prophesied it was unto them that for 300. yeares they should possesse and hold that land as their countrey unto which they directed their course and for an hundred and twentie that is the one moity of the said space oftentimes waste and depopulate the same These being put on shore first in the East-part of the Island and that by commandement of this infortunate tyrant set fast their terrible pawes and clawes there pretending unto the Islanders defence of their countrey but more truely intending the offence thereof unto which whelpes the foresaid dam the Lionesse finding that their first setting foote and marching forward sped well sends likewise a greater rabble of worrying freebooters which being arrived here in Flotes conjoyned themselves with the former misbegotten crew From hence it is that the shoot-grifts of iniquitie the root of bitternesse and virulent plants due to our deserts sprout and put forth in our soile proudly bud branch leafe Well these barbarous Saxons thus admitted into the Island obtaine allowance of victuals and wages as for douty souldiers and such as would endure hard service and much hazard for so they falsly beare men in hand in defence of their good hosts and friends for their kind entertainment Which being given unto them a long time stopped as wee say the dogs mouth Howbeit afterward they complaine that their monthly wages was not well paid them devising of purpose colourable occasions of quarrell protesting and threatning that unlesse they might feele more munificence powred and heaped upon them they would with the breach of covenant spoile and waste the whole Island throughout And without further delay they second these threats with very deeds for the cause of deserved revenge for precedent wickednesse was still nourished the fire kindled and set a flaming by these prophane men from sea to sea ceased not to consume all the cities and countreys bordering there about untill such time as burning well neere all the inland soile of the Island it licked up with a red flaming and terrible tongue all unto the westerne Ocean In this violent furious invasion comparable to that of the Assyrians in old time against Iuda is fulfilled also in us according to the historie that which the Prophet by way of sorrowfull lamentation uttereth They have burnt with fire thy Sanctuarie they have polluted in the Land the Tabernacle of thy name And againe O God the Gentiles are come into thine heritage they have defiled thy holy Temple c. In such wise as all the Colonies by the force of many engines and all the Inhabitants together with the Prelates of the Church both Priests and People by drawne sword glittering on every side and crackling flame of fire were at once laid along on the ground yea and that which was a piteous spectacle to behold in the midst of the streets the stone workes of turrets and high walles rent and torne in sunder from aloft the sacred altars and quarters of carcases covered with imbossed works of imagerie of a bloudy hue were seene all blended and mixed together as it were in a certaine horrible wine-presse neither was there any Sepulcher at all abroad save onely the ruins of buildings and the bowels of wild beasts and fowles When we shall read these reports let vs not be offended and displeased with good Gildas for his bitter invectives against either the vices of his owne countrey-men the Britans or the inhumane outrages of the barbarous enemies or the insatiable crueltie of our Fore-fathers the Saxons But since that for so many ages successively ensuing we are all now by a certaine engraffing or commixtion become one nation mollified and civilized with Religion and good Arts let us meditate and consider both what they were and also what wee ought to be lest that for our sinnes likewise the supreame Ruler of the world either translate other nations hither when wee are first rooted out
were slaine This hill seemeth to be the very same which now is called Bannesdowne over a little village neere this Citie which they call Bathstone on which there are bankes and a rampier as yet to be seene Yet some there be I know who seeke for this hill in Yorkshire But Gildas may bring them backe againe to this place For in a manuscript Copie within Cambridge-Librarie where he writeth of the victorie of Aurelius Ambrose thus we read Vntill that yeare wherein siege was laid to the hill of Badonicus which is not farre from Severne mouth But in case this may not perswade them know they that the vale which runneth here along the river Avon is named in British Nant Badon that is The Vale of Badon and where we should seeke for the hill Badonicus but by the Vale Badonica I cannot hitherto see Neither durst the Saxons for a long time after set upon this Citie but left it for a great while to the Britans Howbeit in the yeare of Christ 577. when Cowalin King of the West-Saxons had defeated the Britans at Deorbam in Glocestershire being both straightly besieged and also assaulted it yeilded at first and within few yeares recovering some strength grew up to great dignity and therewith got a new name Ackmancester as I said For Osbrich in the yeare 676. founded a Nunnery there and immediately after when the Mercians had gotten it under them King Offa built another Church both which in the time of the Danish broiles were overthrowne Out of the ruines of these two arose afterwards the Church of S. Peter in which Eadgar surnamed the Peace-maker being crowned and sacred King bestowed upon the Citie very many Immunities the memorie of which thing the Citizens yearely with Solemne plaies doe yet celebrate In Edward the Confessors time as we read in Domes-booke of England it paied tribute according to 20. Hides when as the Shire paid There the King had 64. Burgers and 30. Burgers of others But this prosperitie of theirs endured not long for soone after the Normans comming in Robert Mowbray Nephew to the Bishop of Constance who had raised no small Sedition against King William Rufus sacked and burned it Yet in short space it revived and recovered it selfe by meanes of Iohn de Villula of Tours in France who being Bishop of Welles for five hundred markes as saith William of Malmesburie purchased this Citie of King Henry the First and translated his Episcopall chaire hither retaining also the title of Bishop of Welles and for his owne See built a new Church which being not long since ready to fal Olivar Bishop of Bathe began to found another hard by that old a curious and stately piece of worke I assure you and almost finished the same Which if he had performed indeed it would no doubt have surpassed the most Cathedrall Churches of England But the untimely death of so magnificent a Bishop the iniquitie and troubles of the time and the suppression of religious houses ensuing with the late avarice of some who have craftily conveied the money collected throughout England for that use another way if it be true that is reported have envied it that glory But neverthelesse this Citie hath flourished as well by clothing as by reason of usuall concourse thither for health twice every yeare yea and hath fortified it selfe with walles wherein there are set certaine Antique Images and Roman Inscriptions for the proofe of their antiquitie which now by age are so eaten into and worne that they can hardly be read And that nothing might be wanting to the state and dignitie of Bathe some noble men it hath honoured with the title of Earle For we read that Philibert of Chandew descended out of Bretaigne in France was by King Henry the Seventh stiled with this honor Afterwards King Henrie the Eighth in the 28. yeare of his reigne created Iohn Bourcher Lord Fitzwarin Earle of Bathe Who died shortly after leaving by his wife the sister of H. Daubeney Earle of Bridge-water Iohn second Earle of this familie who by the daughter of George Lord Roos had Iohn Lord Fitz-Warin who deceased before his father having by Fr. the daughter of S. Thomas Kitson of Hengrave William now third Earle of Bathe who endeavoureth to beautifie and adorne his nobilitie of birth with commendable studies of good letters The longitude of this Citie is according to Geographers measure 20. degrees and 16. minutes But the Latitude 51. degrees and 21. minutes And now for a farwell loe heere Nechams verses such as they bee of these hot waters at Bathe who lived 400. yeares since Bathoniae thermas vix praefero Virgilianas Confecto prosunt balnea nostra seni Prosunt attritis collisis invalidisque Et quorum morbis frigida causa subest Praevenit humanum stabilis natura laborem Servit naturae legibus artis opus Igne suo succensa quibus data balnea fervent Aenea subter aquas vasa latere putant Errorem figmenta solent inducere passim Sed quid sulphureum novimus esse locum Our Bathes at Bath with Virgils to compare For their effects I dare almost be bold For feeble folke and crasie good they are For bruis'd consum'd far-spent and very old For those likewise whose sicknesse comes of cold Nature prevents the painfull skill of man Arts worke againe helps nature what it can Men thinke these Baths of ours are made thus hot By reason of some secret force of fire Which under them as under brazen pot Makes more or lesse as reason doth require The waters boile and walme to our desire Such fancies vaine use errors forth to bring But what we know from Brimstone veines they spring Have heere also if you list to read them two ancient Inscriptions very lately digged up neere the Citie in Waldcot field hard by the Kings high way side which Robert Chambers a studious lover of antiquities hath translated into his garden From whence I copied them out G. MVRRIVS C. F. ARNIEN SIS FORO IVLI. MODESTVS MIL. LEG II. AD. P. F. IVLI. SECVND AN. XXV STIPEND H. S. E. DIS MANIBVS M. VALERIVS M. POL. EATINVS C. EQ MILES LEG AVG. AN. XXX STIPEND X. H. S. E. I have seene these Antiquities also fastened in the walles on the in-side betweene the North and West gates to wit Hercules bearing his left hand aloft with a club in his right hand In the fragment of a stone in great and faire letters DEC COLONIAE GLEV. VIXIT AN. LXXXVI Then leaves folded in Hercules streining two Snakes and in a grave or Sepulcher-table betweene two little images of which the one holdeth the Horne of Amalthaea in a worse character which cannot easily be read D. M. SVCC PETRONIAE VIXIT ANN. IIII. M. IIII. D. XV. EPO MVLVSET VICTISIRANA FIL. KAR. FEC A little beneath in the fragment of a stone in greater letters VRN IOP Betweene the West and
did cast a ditch or trench crosse over the Iland from sea to sea within it also he built a wall with turrets and bulwarkes Which afterwards he calleth Fossam Severiam that is Severs fosse or ditch like as we read in the most ancient Annales of the English-Saxons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Severus foregirded and fenced Britain with a ditch from sea to sea And other later writers in this wise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Severus in Britain made and finished a wall of turfes or a rampier from sea to sea William of Malmesburie likewise nameth it a famous and most notorious trench In which very place two hundred yeeres after or much thereabout a wall of stone was set up whereof I am to speake anon Whereas Eutropius hath set downe the length of it to be 35. miles Victor 32. and other Authors 132. I suppose some faults have crept into the numbers For the Iland is not so broad in that place although a man should take the measure of the wall as it stood winding in and out rising also and falling here and there Nay if one should reduce it into Italian miles he should find little above fourescore as Spartianus hath truely reckoned them Some few yeeres after this Munition as it seemes was forlet Howbeit when Alexander Severus the Emperour as we read in Lampridius had once given unto the Captaines and souldiers of the marches those grounds and lands which were won from the enemies so that they should be their proprietie if their heires served as souldiers and that they should never returne to any private men supposing they would goe to the wars more willingly and take the better care if they should defend their owne peculiar possessions Note these words well I pray you for hence may be deduced either a kind of Feudum or the beginning of Feuds After this the Romans marching beyond the wall and building themselves stations within the out-land and barbarian soile fortifying also and furnishing them accordingly enlarged the limits of the Roman Empire againe as farre as to Edenborough Frith Neverthelesse the savage and barbarous people never ceasing to assaile them upon advantages drave them backe now and then as farre as to Severus Trench Dioclesian the Emperour had a provident eye to these limits under whom when as the whole command in Britaine was committed unto Carausius for that he was reputed the fitter man to warre against these warlike nations he did set up againe the fore-fense betweene Dunbritton Frith and Edenborough Frith as I will shew in place convenient The first that ever had blame for neglecting these limits was Constantine the Great for thus writeth Zosimus Whereas the Roman Empire by the providence of Dioclesian was in the utmost marches thereof every where surely fensed with Townes Castles and Burghs and all their military companies made their abode in them it was impossible for the barbarous nations to passe in but they were so met withall at every turne by forces there set to repell them backe Constantine abolishing this munition of Garrisons placed the greater part of the souldiers whom hee had removed from out of the marches in townes that had no need of Garrisons and defence So hee left the marches open to the inrodes of barbarous nations without garrisons and pestered the Cities that were at peace and quiet with a sort of souldiers whereby most of them are now already become desolate and the souldiers themselves addicted to Theatricall sports and pleasures grew by his meanes deboshed To conclude and simply to speake in one word he it was that gave the first cause and beginning that the state of the Empire runneth to wrecke and ruine The Countrey that lay betweene these enclosures or fore-fenses Teodosius father unto Theodosius the Emperour recovered he re-edified and repaired the Cities strengthened the garrison castles and the limits with such watch and ward and fortications yea and when he had recovered the Province restored it to the ancient estate in such wise as that it had a lawfull Governour by it selfe and was afterward in honour of Valentinian the Emperour called VALENTIA Theodosius also his sonne having now by his own vertue attained unto the Imperiall Majestie had a provident care of these limits and gave commandement that the Master of the Offices should yeere by yeer give advice and advertisement unto the Emperour how all things went with the souldiers and in what sort the charge of castles holds and fore-fenses was performed But when the Roman Empire began once to decay apparently and the Picts together with the Scots breaking through the wall of Turfes by Edenborrow-frith cruelly wasted and over-ranne these parts the Roman legion sent to aid the Britans under the leading of Gallio of Ravenna after they had driven away and quite removed the Barbarians being now called backe againe for the defence of France exhorted the Britans these be the very words of Gildas and Bede to make a wall overthwart the Iland between the two seas which might serve for a defence to keep off the enemies and so returned home with great triumph But the Ilanders fall to building of a wall as they were willed not so much with stone as with turfes considering they had no workman to bring up so great a piece of work and so they did set up one good for nothing Which as Gildas saith being made by the rude and unskilfull common multitude without any one to give direction not so much of stone as of turfe served them in no stead As touching the place where this wall was made Bede proceedeth to write in this maner They raised it betweene the two friths or armes of the sea for the space of many miles that where the fense of water failed there by the help of a rampier they might defend the borders from the invasion of enemies And such a fore-fense reaching a great length secured Assyria from the inrodes of forraine nations as Ammianus Marcellinus writeth And the Seres at this day as we read in Osorius fortifie their vales and plaine champion with walls that they might thereby shelter and defend themselves from the violent incursions of the Scythians Of which worke there made saith Bede that is to say of a most broad and high rampier a man may see the expresse and certaine remaines to this day which beginneth almost two miles from a Monastery called Abercurving Eastward at a place named in the Picts language Penvahel in the English tongue Penveltun and reaching Westward endeth neere the Citie Alcluid But the former enemies no sooner perceived that the Roman souldiers were returned but presently sailing thither by water breake through the bounds into the marches kill and slay all before them and whatever stood in their way they went downe with it under foot they over-trample it as if it had bin standing corne ready for harvest Whereupon Embassadours were dispatched againe to Rome making piteous moan and with
building of the Church and the whole close This was done in the yeere 1012. in which as Lancarvanensis avoucheth Sitric the sonne of Abloie for so he calleth him lived and flourished in great name The worke begun by Donatus Laurence Archbishop of Dublin Richard Strongbow Earle of Penbroch commonly called Earle of Strigulia whose tomb is here to be seen repaired by Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy Robert Fitz-Stephen and Reimund Fitz-Girald finished Hard at the South side of this Church there standeth a stately Towne-hall built of foure square stone and called the Tolestale where causes are tried before the Maior of the City and where the Citizens use to hold their Sessions and publike assemblies for it enjoyeth many immunities In times past this Citie had for the chiefe Magistrate a Provost but in the yeere of our redemption 1409. King Henry the fourth granted them licence to chuse every yeere a Maior and two Bailifs also that the Maior should have a gilt sword carried before him for ever But afterwards King Edward the sixth changed the Bailiffes into Sheriffes Neither wanteth any thing here which a man can wish for in a most flourishing City save only that an heape of sand which the ebbing and flowing of the sea casteth up into the mouth of Liffy doth so dam up and bar the haven that it is not able to bring up any great vessels but at high water Thus much of Dublin for the most part of which I acknowledge my selfe beholden unto the diligence and learning of Iames Usher Chancellor of S. Patricks Church whose variety of knowledge and judgement are far above his yeeres As touching Robert Vere Earle of Oxford whom King Richard the second a Prince too too lavish in giving honourable titles made Marquesse of Dublin and afterwards Duke of Ireland I have spoken already and reason I have none to repeat the same here Yet will I note thus much which I have since happened upon in the Records When as King Richard aforesaid had advanced that Robert Vere Earle of Oxford to bee Marquesse of Dublin and had given to him the Seigniory of Ireland during his life hee desirous to augment his honour by more ennoblishing him with honourable Armes granted also that as long as hee should live and hold the said Seigniory he should beare these Armes Azure 3. Crownes Or in a Bordur in his Standards Pennons Coat-armours and other things wherein Armes are to be shewed in all Marshall matters and elsewhere at his pleasure But this grant was soone after recalled and those Armes abolished Where the river Liffy lodgeth himselfe in the Ocean Houth standeth compassed in manner round about with the sea of which the Noblemen sirnamed Saint Laurence and dwelling there become named Barons of Houth men of rare felicity for that in so long a descent of their line for they are able to derive their pedegree from the time of King Henry the second there hath of them by report none beene attainted of high treason none left ward in his minority And within a little of this place is Malchide or Molachid ennobled by the Lords thereof the Talbots English by their first originall More within the country Northward there adjoineth hard to the county of Dublin Fingall that is if you interpret it out of the Irish language a nation of forreiners for they use to nominate the English Gall as one would say strangers and Saissones as it were Saxons a little country but very good and passing well husbanded even the garner and barn of this kingdome so great store of corne it yeeldeth every yeere And here the soile striveth after a sort with the painfull labour of the husbandman which in other places throughout this Iland lying neglected without tillage and manuring seemeth to make a very grievous complaint of the inhabitants sloth and lazinesse There are planted every where throughout this county right worshipfull families nobly descended of English blood and namely besides those which I have already mentioned the Plonkets Barnwels Russels Talbots Dillons Nettervils Holywoods Lutterels Burnels Fitz Williams Gouldings Usshers Cadleys Finglases Sarfelds Blackneys Cruceys Baths c. Thus farre forth summarily of Leinster which in old time reached no farther Now I wot not whether it bee worth the laughing at or the relating that Thomas Stukely when hee had in England and Ireland both made shipwracke of his good name credit and fortunes having wound himselfe out of the danger of the lawes curried such favour with Pope Gregory the thirteenth what with making many faire promises and what with bragging of great matters that hee received at his hands these titles Marquesse of Leinster Earle of Weisford and Caterlogh Vicount Murrough and Baron of Rosse and Ydron With which titles hee being puffed up in pride whiles he thought to conquer Ireland went aside into Africk and there with the three Kings that were slaine in one battell made up the enterlude of his life with an honest close and catastrophe MIDIA OR MEDIAMETH THe rest of the Countrey of the Eblani was in ancient time a kingdome and the fifth part of Ireland which in their owne native language they call Miih the English Meth Giraldus nameth it in Latin Midia and Media perhaps because it is in the very middle of the Iland For they say that Killair a castle in these parts which seemeth to be in Ptolomee LABERUS is as it were the Navill of Ireland And the very name implieth no lesse For Lair in the Irish tongue signifieth The Middle This Meth lieth stretched out from the Irish sea as farre as to the river Shanon For the soile thereof as saith Bartholomaeus Anglicus Fertile it is in corne pasture ground and cattell plentifull in fish flesh and other victualls of white meat as butter cheese and milke watered also with rivers The situation is delectable to the eye and an wholsome aire In regard of woods and marishes in the skirts and borders it hath a very hard accesse and entry unto it And therefore considering the multitude of people the strength of castles and townes is iâ— commonly called for the peace thereof the CHAMBER of IRELAND Within the memorie of our fathers because the country was too large for to be governed by one Sheriffe and to the end that justice might with more facility be ministred it was divided by authority of Parliament in the 38. yeere of King Henry the eighth into two parts namely the county of East Meth and the county of West-Meth THE COUNTY OF EAST-METH THe County of EAST-METH is environed round about with the county of Kildar South with the county of Dublin and the sea East with the territorie of Louth North and with the county of West Meth on the West The whole is divided into 18. Baronies Dueleke Scrine Slane Margallen Navan Kenles halfe the Barony of Fower neer to Kenles Killalou Demore Cloue Moylagh Loghern Oldcastle Luyn Moyfeuraragh Deese Rath-touth and