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
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
Stumpuis partly by petitioning and supplications but without doubt not without emptying his bags obtained that the Church might stand which is now the Parish-Church This Town saith a new Author Anonymus was by Antoninus in his Itinerarium called Cunetio from the River Kennet and Marleburgh as being seated in a Chalkie soyle which in some places still well called by the name of Marle Here Hen. 3. held a Parliament in which were many statutes and as the preamble saith right necessary for the peace and tranquility of the people now a title of honour and hath given stile of EARLE to 1. James L. Ley L. Tr. Created Earle of Marlborough 1. Car. Feb. 7. 2. Henry Ley. 3. James Ley E. of Mal. Argent a cheveron between 3 Bears Heads Couped Sable The next place which Mulmutius Dunwallo built was The-Vies which Florentius Wigorniensis calls Divisio another De vies and Nubrigensis Divisae Here was a Castle built by Roger the rich Bishop of Salisbury for scituation and workmanship giving place to none but Fortune is a Goddesse both blind and fickle for he who even now was the second Head in the Kingdom by the frowns or rather avarice of K. Stephen is not only plunder'd of his vast and almost inexhaustible Treasure but also cast into a loathsome Gaol where the poor old Man with Hunger and what with Afflictions and Miseries betwixt the fear of death and torments of his life would feign have died yet knew not how to die Mulmutius Dunwallo having with great honour rul'd the Brittains by the space of forty years yielded to death what was mortal and was buried in the Temple of Troynovant which he had built leaving his two Sons Bellinus and Brennus joyntly to succeed in the Kingdome BELLINVS and BRENNVS BEllinus and Brennus the two Sons of Mulmutius began to Reign joyntly as Kings of great Brittain in the year of the World four thousand eight hundred and eight To Bellinus according to the agreement of Partition fell Loegria Cambria and Cornwall that is to say England Wales and Cornwall and to Brennus by the same accord all the Land beyond the River of Humber This Partition according to Policron and others pleased and gave full content to both the Brothers for the space of five years The reason why Bellinus had the bigger and better share was Quia erat primogenitus Vitus fol. 209. Trojana consuetudo requirebat ut dignitas Haereditatis perveniret ad eum Hanc vero fuisse consuetudinem Trojanorum scribens Herodotus ad Alexandrum ait non erat perventurum Regnum cum Hector major natu Herodotus virtute praestantior quam ille Regnum defuncto Priamo suscepturus esset Idem scribit Messala Corvinus in libello de Augusti Progenie Troem à quo dicta Troja est Regem Trojanorum habuisse duos filios Ilum Assaracum atque Ilum defuncto patre quod ipse major natu esset obtinuisse Regnum Messala Corvinus Denique is qui dicitur Dares Phrygius in libro de excidio Trojae narrat Priamum commone fecisse filios quos habebat multos ut majores natu minoribus Imperarent ex quo sequitur ut minores majoribus subderentur Adeoque Legem hanc latam in Anglia esse propter ius istud Trojanae consuetudinis atque servatam esse scribit Andreas Taraquellus in praesatione primogenitorum Andreas Taraquellus Bartolus Bartolus ad l. 1. Codicis de summa Trinitate Consuetudinis est in Anglia inquit ut primogenitus succedat in omnibus bonis Because he was eldest and the Trojan custome was that the Inheritance should fall to the Eldest and this to have been the Trojan custome sheweth Herodotus saying that the Kingdom of Troy after the death of Priamus was not to fall to Alexander but to Hector who was both the more Valiant and also the Eldest by birth and Messala Corvinus in his Book of the Progeny of Augustus confirms as much saying that King Tros from whom Troy took its Name had two Sons Ilus and Assaracus and that Ilus his Father being dead for that he was the Eldest enjoyed the Kingdom and he also who is called Dares Phrygius in his Book of the Destruction of Troy tells us That Priamus who had many Sons admonished them that the Elder should have Power over the Younger c. and this Law to have taken root in England as being derived from the old Trojan Custome affirmeth Andreas Tarquellus After five years thus in brotherly love and amity expired Brennus supposing himself injured and intending to enlarge his Territories raised Forces and in hostile manner sets upon his brother Bellinus but as his quarrel was unjust so the sequel proved Fatal for he was totally Routed and to save his life compelled to fly into Armorica now called Little Brittain or as Gaufride will have it into the Country of the Allobroges others affirm that without the knowledge or consent of his Brother he sailed into Norway and there married the Daughter of Elfunge or Elfinge Duke of that place which tydings when they were brought to Bellinus he seized into his hands all the Lands of Brennus and fortified his Cities Castles and other strong Holds with his own Garrisons Fame quickly brought these Rumours to Brennus who neglected no time but gathering a strong Army of Norwegians ships himself for his own Principality where by the way he was met by Guilthdacus or Guiclidacus King of Denmark who being inflamed with the Love of the Lady whom Brennus had espoused awaited his coming and being now met the two Fleets strongly encounter each other and in short time come to grappling a most bitter and bloudy Conflict ensueth But the Danish King having surprized the Vessel in which the Object both of his love and anger was imbarked though he had totally dispersed his Enemies Navy pursued no further thinking himself highly rewarded with the beautiful prize which he had already taken and there withal resolves as a most victorious Conqueror to return to Denmark yet whether Fortune to shew her accustomed fickleness and cross the Designs of such as think themselves most fortunate and her darlings or rather Neptune incensed to see so violent a Rape committed within his watery Kingdom with his revenging trident turned up and undermined the calm waves and ploughed them into hideous ridges such a tempest arose that the Heavens were darkned the winds blustered the billows roared and made such a hideous noise that Guilthdacus each minute expected to be swallowed up in the mercilesse surges of the angry Ocean this death-threatning storm continued for the space of five dayes at the end whereof the skies began to clear the winds and waves to leave their Violence and the Danish King to understand he was driven upon the coasts of his Enemies Country for his tattered Fleet so much as was left of it was now arrived in Northumberland Belâ—inus to make good that he had already begun and
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
in them as in Verulam were now onely inhabited by Christians and not a Pagan to be seen and this by the Omnipotent working of God and the Idolatrous Judge and Prince himself that ruled here under the Pagan Romans and persecuted by their power even to the utmost bounds of Brittany was made that he was unable to Rule and Govern any longer but needed be Ruled and Governed himself by others This Judge King and Roman Lieutenant as the Scottish Historians with others call him was King Asclepiodotus thus grievously either of malice or for fear of the Romans then persecuting and for so doing hated of God and Man Coel. King Coel who began his reign in the year of our Lord 262. having now both Warrant and Way to advance the Title to the Crown of this Kingdom and help to free the afflicted Christians thereof from the miseries of their so long and grievous persecution as it seemeth most probable at this time and upon these occasions he took Armes against Asclepiodotus reputed King in this persecution slew him and was crowned King as our Historians deliver unto us Harding also plainly saith that Coel took Armes against Asclepiodotus by reason of this great persecution For which Duke Coel against him rose in Armes Asclepiodotus for the first ten years of his reign was just and ruled with the general applause of all but after fell into wickedness and cruelty so that King Coel might justly pursue his right to Brittain in hope thereby in better manner to redeem the afflictions of his Countrey Christians being more potent and able and likely more willing than Asclepiodotus was not so forward in any Judgements as he should have been in defending innocence if he had not been an actual persecutor which Harding himself thus in these plain terms expresseth Harding Chron. cap. 58 fol. 57. This persecution as some Chronicles fain The ten years war of Asclepiodote For which Duke Coel again him rose full hot The Duke Caer Colun that hight Coilus Which City now this day Colchester hight Then crowned was that slew Asclepiodotus For cause he came not forth with all his might The Tyramite fell to a canstand as he hight Wherefore Brittains were all full glad and fain Of King Coilus that succoured all their pain And howsoever Asclepiodotus concurred with the Roman persecutors and pleased them in vexing and tormenting Christians here in Britany yet otherwise he was very unpleasing unto them He troubled the Roman power in all things and therefore they were glad of his death Ponticus Virunnius himself a Roman saith they did esteem him their great enemy and as for such an one rejoyced at his death and this joy was not onely of particular Romans but of the whole Senate which ruled chiefly in matters of Estate Therefore when our Antiquities assure us that Coel obtained the Kingdom and was crowned and as an old French manuscript speaketh regna sur Britaniae ruleth over Brittain and was thus inabled and made powerful to redresse what he found offensive and wicked being absolute King and joyfully so received of the Brittains as our Historian said before Wherefore Brittains were all full glad and faine Of King Coelus that succoured all their pain And he himself taking acception to Asclepiodotus next to his charging him with usurping the Crown for being to backward in resisting the Roman persecutors would not fall into the like error with him but as is proved already succoured all their pain and utterly ceased the persecution against Christians of Brittain which were thus joyful of his coronation and thereby relieved and redeemed them from their afflictions all his time which both by our own and forreign Historians continued to the end of the third hundred of years Mr. Broughton The Romans having no power here either to persecute Christians or to any other purpose But as our Brittish and other Historians testify wholly lost their government here untill after the death of King Coel or the comming of Constantius his son in law hither the second time very little before King Coel his death Our Scottish Historians say that King Coel utterly destroyed both Romans and all the Brittains also which were their favourers and set forth a severe edict to search forth all Romans and Brittains which had followed them here and caused them to be punished and put to death and so with most joyful and general applause of the people Nobles and others that the crown of Brittain was thus restored to the true heir of their regal blood was crowned King and he established the Kingdom in the Brittish government So that now so severe a law being made and executed both against the prosecuting Romans and all such Brittains as had joyned with them against the Christian inhabitants of this nation and all this done by the authority of our King and with the consent both of the nobility and people we must needs end the persecution here with the beginning of King Coels reign And it would not be singular in this point if we should hold that King Coel was actually a christian and not only a friend to such for first all they which affirm him to have been Kinsman or Heir to our first christian King St. Lucius easily prove him a christian for such a man would not leave either child or kinsman which by him had that title to have any other education Secondly by the time of his age whether he was to King Lucius so near or no we must needs confesse he lived most part of his life when christianity flourished in this Kingdom being an aged man before Dioclesian his persecution began Thirdly our Historians say that his daughter St. Helen which had her education by his direction was instructed and taught in the christian faith A late Authour thus speaketh of this Helena she was first instructed in the faith of Christ by Coel her father as Petrus de Natalibus saith and yet if we encline to this opinion we may easily answer them that will object the public and universal restitution of christian religion as building Churches Monasteries and such holy foundations was not in his time For by the common opinion his reign was short little and not above four years a great part whereof was spent in extirpating the persecutors and the rest in preparation to resist a new invasion of the Romans not reigning in quiet and security from these troubles and fears the space of two moneths by any writers and so after so great and terrible a tempest of persecution it was a wonderful comfort and happiness for the Brittish christians to enter into such a calme and quiet to live in security and rest freed from their former miseries under so renowned a King which was all he could do or they expect in such times and circumstances The Roman Emperours after the death of Heliogabolus until Constantius married first or after received again Helena daughter of Coel had little command in this Kingdom therefore
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
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
contains in it 248. Parishes and in them 18. Market Towns the chief whereof is Dorchester as that which doth denominate the whole County A Town not much famous for much else then that it hath long been and doth still continue the honorary title of those noble Personages which have been severally Marquesses and Earls OF DORSET 1 Osmond de Sees E. 2 John Beaufort Marquess L. Adm. 3 Thomas Beaufort Earl Duke of Exceter Lord Chancellor and Lord Admiral 4 Edmund Beaufort E. and Marque 5 Henry Beaufort Marq. 6 Edmund Beaufort Marq. 7 Thomas Grey Marq. 8 Thomas Grey Marq. 9 Henry Grey Marq. D. of Suffolk 10 Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst created Earl of Dorset 10 Jacobi Lord Treasurer and Chancellour of Oxford 11 Robert Sackvile E. 12 Richard Sackvile E. 13 Edward Sackvile E. Lord Chamberlain to the Queen 14 Edward Sackvile now Earl of Dorset 1661. The Earles of Salisbury and Exceter RObert Sitsylt came into Wales with Robert Fitz Hamon who conquered Jestin Prince of Glamorganshire an inheretrix by whom he had Halterennis and other lands in Herefordshire and Glocestershire James Sitsylt Esq  Iohn Sitsylt Esq The Lady Maud de Frenes Eustace Sitsylt Esq Elianor daughter to Sir VVill. Pembridge Knight Sir Baldwin Sitsylt Knight temp Hen. secundi daughter to Maurice de Brampton Esq Gerald Sitsylt Esq Mavil daughter to Sir Moygne Knight Robert Sitsylt Esq Alice daughter to Sir Rob. Trogois Knight James Sitsylt Esq Isabell daughter to Sir John Knell Knight Gerald Sitsylt Esq Margaret Daughter to Stephan de Ber. John Sitsylt Esq Sibil daughter to Robert of Ewyas Esquire Sir John Sitsylt Knight Alicia sister to Sir Richard Baskervile Knight Iohn Sitsylt Esq Jone daughter to sir Richard Monington Knight Thomas Sitsylt Esq Margaret daughter and heir to Gilbert de Winston Esq Philip Sitsylt Esq Margaret daughter to Iohn Philips Esq Richard Sitsylt Knight Cecil Esq Margaret daughter to Philip Vaughan Esq David Cecil Esq  Sir William Cecil Baron Burley Knight of the Garter c. Mary sister to Sir Iohn Cheek Kt. Rob. Cecil E. of Salisbury Elizab. d. to W. Brook L. of Cob. Will. Cecil E. of Salisbury 1661 Katherine d. to Tho. Howard E. of Suffolk Charles Lord Cranbourne Iane daughter to Maxwell Esq groom of the bed-Chamber to K. Charles of glorious memory Tho. Cecil E. of Exceter Dorothy d. and co-h to I. Nevil L Latimer Will Cecil E. of â—xceter Eliz. d h. of Ed. Mannors E. of Rutland D. Cecil now E of Exceter 1661 descended from a younger son of William L. Burley Eliz. d. to Iohn Egerton Earl of Bridgwater SALISBURY Salisbury is the chief City of Wilts it was at first seated high upon an hill as being a place designed for strength and war yet honoured for a while with a Bishops See and a fair Cathedral But the Bishops and the Clergy finding no good quarter amongst the Soldiers which were there in Garrison and being destitute of water upon so high an hill about the time of Rich. I. began to leave it and plant themselves down lower by the water-side being once setled there and raising a new Cathedral for Gods publick service the people also followed after and left old Sarum to it self which in short time became so totally deserted that now the ruines of it are hardly visible but for new Salisbury that grew up presently to a great renowne pleasantly seated on the river with water in every street thereof and for the populousness of the place plenty of provision and spacious market place and a fair Town hall is esteemed to be the second City of all that Tract and which adds no small lustre to it a place that hath been very fortunate in those eminent persons on whom the Kings of England have bestowed the title of Earls of Salisbury Earles of Salisbury Patrick d' Eureux Will. d' Eureux VVill Longespee base son to K. Henry 2. who married Ella daughter of VVill. d' Eureux VVilliam Longespee VVill. de Montacute VVill. de Mont. John de Mont. Tho. de Mont. Richard Nevil who married Elianor daughter of Thomas Mont. Lord Ch. Richard Nevil Earl of VVarwick George Duke of Clarence who maried Isabel daughter of Richard Earl of VVarwick Edward eldest son of King Richard 3. and Anne the second daughter of Richard Nevil Margaret daughter of George Duke of Clarence created Countess of Salisbury by King Henry 8. Robert Cecil Viscount Crambourne created Earl of Salisbury 3. Jacob. VVilliam Cecil now Earl of Salisbury 1661. EXCETER Exceter is now the chief City of Devonshire a fair and goodly seat it is placed upon the Eastern bank of the River Ex from whence it had the name of Exceter In circuit it contains within the walls about a mile and a half besides the suburbs which every way stretch out to a great length and in the circuit there are numbered fifteen Parish Churches besides the Cathedral the whole environed with deep ditches and very stronge wals having many Towers therein very well disposed and yet the animosity of the Inhabitants is a greater strength unto it then the walls or ditches whereof they have given notable proof in these later times to their great honour here followeth a Catologue of the Dukes Marquesses and Earles John Holland E. of Huntington made Duke of Exceter by Richard 2. Thomas Beaufort E. of Dorset Lord Ch. and Adm. made Duke of Exceter by King Henry 5. Iohn Holland Duke Lord Adm. Henry Holland Duke Lord Adm. Henry Courtney E. of Devon created Marquesse of Exceter by K. Henry 8. Thomas Cecil Lord Burley created Earl of Exceter 3. Jaco VVilliam Cecil David Cecil now Earl 1661. THE SECOND BOOK Arma Paterna year 877 ANARAWD the Son of Roderick began his Reign over VVales in the year of Christ 877. year 878 The year 878. died Fedan the son of Melht a noble man of VVales and the second year following there was a great Battel fought by the Danes and the Englishmen of Mercia against the Welshmen upon the River Conway where the VVelshmen had the Victory and this was called the Revenge of the Death of Roderick year 879 About this time Eveneth the Son of Bledrid a Baron of VVales died Forrain and alwaies pernicious and Anarawd King or Prince of North-Wales came with a great Army of English-men and made War against his Brother Cadeth and spoiled the country of Caerdigan and Ystradgwy The Danes being put hard to their shifts by Alfred left their Wives and children in Essex and passed spoiling the Land to * Forsan Cowbridge Quadbridge upon Severn and so passed the River and spoiled the countries of Brechnock Gwentland and Gwenthwg About the year 900. Igmond with a great number of Souldiers came to Anglesey and the Welshmen gaue him a Battel at Molerein There be some Brittish Copies of this History which affirm that this battel between Igmond Captain of the black Nations and the Brittains wherein Mervin was slain was
then known neither were there any Kings the inhabitants being called Galli and Tributaries to the Romans and so continued till the time of Valentinianus the Emperor hearing Cordeilla's beauty so highly extolled her vertue so superlatively commended deems her a fit companion for his Princely bed and fortunes if so rare a Jewel may be purchased Upon a mature resolution he sends his Agents to the court of King Leir with full instructions to demand Cordeilla in Marriage The offerd Fortune pleaseth the King yet he fears the success by reason of his own folly which had given all to the two sisters and left nothing for the third Leir returns thanks to Aganippus by his Embassadors shews a willingness to comply with their Masters request and withall lays open his unsufficiency to bestow any Dowry upon her Aganippus enformed by Letters of these passages is glad his suit and motion finds friendly acceptance and far valuing the rich endowments of his so much affected Cordeilla before all terrene riches so he enjoy the beloved treasure of his heart desires no more the espousals are with all solemnity celebrated and Cordeilla answerable to the greatness of her birth and quality conveyed to Aganippus who by the opinion of those who write that France was then governed by twelve Kings was one and so Cordeilla a Queen Leir having thus happily as might be thought disposed of his three daughters being aged betakes himself to ease and quietness and so intends to spin out the remnant of his time but his Sons in Law Monaghlanus and Henninus the Dukes of Cornwall and Albania envy the happy tranquility of the feeble old King and each daughter for all their deep and large expressions of filial love and duty Patris inquirit in annos Leir lives too long too much at ease his bones would better become a Sepulchre then a Throne and since the fatal Sisters will not of their own accord cut off his thred of life his daughters by the hands of their ambitious and covetous husbands will undertake that task nothing is now heard in Brittaine but the clashing of arms neighing of horses thundering of Trumpets and warlike Musick The impotent King is begirt on all sides with Martial Troops and not able to resist two such powerfull enemies to preserve that small span of life is forced to flie for succour being quite forlorn to his daughter Cordeilla whom formerly he had so much slighted The arrival of the Father is not long unknown to the daughter who acquaints her husband with so sad an accident Aganippus out of an heroick spirit compassionating the calamity of a distressed Prince especially his wives Father puts on a resolution to chastise and revenge so gross an injury and to reinvest him in his throne again Cordeilla is not idle in the mean time but with all obsequious behaviour like a dutifull childe cherisheth her drooping Father accomodates him with all Princely provision with pleasant speeches drives away his melancholy thoughts and leaves nothing undone or said which may add vigour and alacrity to his pierced heart Aganippus arrives in Brittain with his Father in Law gives battel to the disobedient Rebels gives them the overthrow and again establisheth Leir in his Regal dignity but the Author of so great happiness lived not long after leaving Cordeilla a sad and disconsolate widow King Leir once more holding and guiding the stern of the Brittish Monarchy passed his time with perfect quietness the space of three years after which time he left this transitory world leaving his daughter Cordeilla as well she deserved to succeed him in his Kingdom his body was buried at Leicester in a Vault under the River side John Rous apud How 's in Stow. which he himself had built and consecrated to Janus Bifrons where the workmen of the Town when the solemnity of the day came began all things which they had to do the year following Those who undervalue the Brittains call this History in question yet divers Authors relate it out of which I will produce one in the same Language in which he writ Cum in Senectutem vergere Leir coepisset Vitus ex Gaufrid fol. 173. Regnum dividere filiasque tres suas idoneis Maritis in manus cum parte regni bene gubernanda tradere cogitavit Prius tamen ex amore singularum tentare voluit quaenam illarum potiore regni parte censeretur digna Itaque Gonorilla interrogata respondit Patrem sibi chariorem esse corde atque anima suae propria qua viveret Ragana dixit ipsum super omnes creaturas se diligere Cordeilla videns his adulationibus acquiescere senem vicissim tentando quaesivit An usquam filia sit quae patrem plus quam patrem amare presumat Ego te semper ut patrem dilexi diligo siquid amplius requiris audi signum amoris in te mei Quantum enim habes quantum vales tantum te diligo Pater Iratus eam cum stomacho sic loqui putabat quasi suam senectutem sprevisset proinde dixit illam cum sororibus nullam in suo regno partem habituram consilio procerum regni duas primas nuptui dat Cornvalliae Albaniae ducibus una cum parte media Insulae donec ipse viveret alteram dimidiam post obitum ejus accipere jubebat Quo tempore Francorum Rex Aganippus fama motus pulchritudinis Cordeillae nunciis missis eam petit in matrimonium sibi dari Quibus humaniter acceptis pater ait se daturuni sed sine terra vel pecunia Aganippus qui tertiam Galliae ut Zerixaeus ait Belgicae partem possidebat virgine tam nobile sola contentus erat Polidorus Virgillius Quam Polidorus Virgilius naturâ praecocis ingenii fuissi dicit sed interogatam de amore in patrem respondisse se quidem i lum oculis ferre semperque laturam licet deinde contingeret de Marito intelligens amaret ardentius Quo responso tam etsi pleno sapientiae Leir indignatus indotatam nuptui collocat Regulo Gallo inquit Polidorus puellae forma capto Sed haud multo poste à generis ejus mortem expectare censentibus esse nimis longum spoliatus regno ad Cordeillam fugere coactus est a qua restituitur in Regnum generis interfectis triennium regnat Hanc inter novem Bellicosas hujus insulae foeminas numerat Gerardus Leighus Thus much I have added to confirm the History of our Brittish Leir and his daughters I forbear to translate it having already out of other Authors related the same in effect Robert Bossu having put his Soveraign King Hen. 2. to much trouble in repentance of these mischiefs built the Monastery of St. Marie de Pratis wherein he became a Canon Regular and for fifteen years continuance in sad lamentation served God in continual prayers with the like devotion Henry the first Duke of Lancaster built an Hospital for an hundred
and ten poor people with a Collegiat Church a Dean twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars sufficiently provided for with Revenues wherein himself lyeth buried and it was the greatest ornament of that City untill the hand of King Henry the eight lay over heavy upon all the like foundations and laid their lofty tops at his own feet In this City also was buried another Crouch-back viz. Richard the third in the Church of the Gray-Friers but now nothing remains of his Monument but only the stone chest wherein he was laid a drinking Trough now for horses in a common Inne This place hath given the Titles of honour to many Honourable Families year 1057 1057. 1. Algar the Saxon. year 1103 1103. 2. Edwin died 1071. 3. Robert de Bellamonte Gules a cinquefoyle Ermine 4. Robert de Bellamont 5. Robert de Bellamont L. Steward 6. Robert de Bellamont L. high Steward 7. Simon de Montfort married Amicia sister and coheir to the last Earl Robert L. high Steward 8. Simon de Montfort L. high Steward Gules a Lion rampant his tail double forked salteir wise Argent 9. Edmond Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 10. Tho. Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 11. Hen. D. of Lancaster L. high Steward 12. Henry D. of Lancaster L. high Steward England a Label of 5. points Ermine 13. William of Bavaria Earl of Heinalt married the Lady Maud of Lancaster Bendis losengè Argent and Azure 14. John of Gaunt D. of Lancaster L. high steward Henry D. of Lancaster Lord high steward Quarterly France and England a Label of 3. points Ermine Robert Dudleigh Lord Denbigh c. Or a Lyon rampant his tail double forked Vert. Robert Sidney Viscount Lisle descended of a sister of the said Robert Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester Or a Phaon Azure CORDEILLA THis Heroine Lady after just revenge taken upon her two sisters husbands and her fathers and husbands death by the consent of most Writers by the joynt suffrages and votes of the Brittains was admitted to the Royal Scepter in the year from the worlds creation four thousand three hundred and ninety eight years she governed her people and subjects for the space of five years with great applause and general liking but the two sons of her sisters Morgan of Albania and Cunedagius of Cambria and Cornwal envying her prosperity and thinking themselves injured in their birth-right their grandfather Leir having divided the kingdom equally betwixt their Mothers upon their Marriages conspire together and mustering their forces invade Cordeilla and reduce her to that necessity that she is taken prisoner and by her merciless Nephews cast into Gaol which she patiently a while endured but perceiving no hopes to regain her freedom or repossess her kingdom scorning to be any longer a slave to her insulting enemies seeing she could not free her body from bondage with true Trojan and masculine Heroick Spirit she makes a divorce between her purer soul and encaged carcass giving it free power to pass into another world leaving those parts which participated of drossie mold to be interred again in the earth from whence at first it came at Leicester in the Temple of Janus by the Sepulchre of her father Cunedagius and Morgan THe obstacle which hindered the designs of these two aspiring Princes Cordeilla the gallant Brittish Amazon and Virago being by violent death perpetrated by her own hand taken out of the way divide the kingdom betwixt them and became both kings in the year of the world four thousand four hundred and three but this gallantry lasted not long for the Court-Gnats whose life is a perpetual buzzing of news and flatteries fall upon the ear of Morgan and so fill his head with projects that he highly conceives he is injured by the equal dividing of the kingdom and thus discourses with himself And am not I the son of Gonorilla and she the eldest daughter of my Grand-father to me then as lawfull Heir Brittains Crown belongs Why then do I admit a corrival competitor and co-equal one firmament admits not two Suns nor one kingdom two kings no reason I should lose my birth-right no I am resolved I will not Cunedagius shall know that Morgan can rule the Brittains without his help this fire once kindled his flattering parasites bring fewel enough to augment it Cunedagius must bear rule no longer a private life or none at all must content him it is no small policy for Princes to have Spies in neighbouring Courts Cunedagius is quickly enformed of all the passages of his Cozen Morgan and thinks there is no security in delays and therefore puts himself into a posture as well to offend as defend yet to make his case the better and to ingratiate himself with the subjects he sends Messengers to Morgan who is already firing and destroying his Territories to Treat of a reconciliation and atonement but Morgan puft up with his imagined good success and thinking the offer of his kinsman to proceed either from fear or want of ability to resist him lends a deaf ear to the Treaty of peace and will have no other Arbitrator but the sword Cunedagius now resolved comes into the field and offers battell to his enemy his cause being just the Celestial powers seem to second his attempts and he who would have all or nothing is put to flight where the Conqueror makes use of his advantage and taking occasion by the foretop to prevent all hopes of recruiting and rallying again so hotly pursues his victory that Morgan is chased from place to place from Province to Province till being beaten into Cambria now Wales a Territory belonging to his Mortal Foe and there being most sharply put to it lost his life yet with this honour that that Country ever since from him hath had the appellation of Glanmorgan which is as much as to say in the vulgar tongue Morgans Land and thus after two years joyntlie reigning with his kinsman Morgan departed this life leaving Cunedagius to rule alone Cunedagius to shew an humble thankfulness to his Gods for so great a Victory having fully setled his Kingdom erects a stately Temple to Mars at Perth which is now St. Johns town in Albania now abusively called Scotland then a part of Brittannia and inhabited by the Brittish Nation We finde saith my Author in several Authors and Antiquaries to speak in their words that 800. years before the coming of Christ Cunedagius King of all Brittain Mr. Broughton fol. 336. 6. builded a Temple of Mars at Perth that is now St. Johns town in Scotland and placed there a Flamen Therefore we may not singularly deny unto this old city a Flamens Seat which Antiquaries generally grant unto all such in this time to have been changed into a Bishops See If any one ask what I have to do with Scotland my Scene being only the Brittish History I answer that to the great glory of the Brittains that which is now called Scotland was formerly