〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek Language doth signify an Oak It is likewise testified of them that they were well learned in all natural Philosophy Men of moral Conversation and for Religion not so grosly ignorant and superstitions as other Heathen Priests for they taught There was one only God and that it was not lawful to present Him in an Image I suppose this must be meant of a supream God for they held that the Souls of Men did not perish with the Bodies and that after death Men were rewarded according to the life they led on Earth They lived likewise in great respect with all sorts of People and ruled their affairs very politickly for being governed by a President who kept his Residence in the Isle of Man which then was under the Dominion of the Scots they did once every Year meet in that Place to take Counsel together for the Ordering of Affairs and carried matters with such Discretion that Cratilinth found it difficult enough to expulse them because of the favour they had among the People In this Isle King Cratilinth after their Expulsion Erected a stately Church to the Honour of our Saviour which he adorned with all necessary Ornaments and called Sodoreuse fanum that is the Temple of our Saviour hence it is that the Bishops of the Isles are stiled Sodoreuses Episcopi for so long as that Isle remained in the Possession of the Scots the Bishops of Isles made that Church their Cathedral So that I conclude The Druids who had superintendency over the Southern Britains resided metropolitically in Anglesey and in the Isle of Man those who governed Scotland upon some Division at first or else upon the blow given those by the Romans and their Jurisdiction confin'd to the North they removed their Seat to the Isle of Man one of the Places of their Original receipt being not Conquered Caesar speaking of two kinds of People here in the Southern Parts to him only Discovered declares the more Novel to have liv'd neer the Gallique Coasts and the more ancient upon the Western Tacitus to whom was more known of the North and would have a third sort Landed from the the Germans as was said before did in the two first much agree with Caesar and among his Conjectures supposes that by the more swarthy Complexions of the Silures and their Curled Hairs some might come thither from Spain There is to this day in those Parts a Tradition Mon mam Cumri Man is the Mother of the Cumeri or Welshmen this is interpreted by them who perhaps never thought of any other Reason to the plenty of Corn or other Provisions in the Island of Anglesey in respect of other Parts of their Country but those that are acquainted with it and the rest also know the assistance that comes to this purpose is not of so considerable notice Now it is of frequent Observation that the Cumeri were the most ancient Northern People that Inhabited about Britain and Gallia The two fortunate Islands so much talkt of and celebrated by the ancient Poets have been for many Ages last past utterly lost and not to be discovered Among many supposals let us add some They were two and so are these of the Mans they went both by one general Name so did these the one was called the bigger the other the lesser Mona one the neerer the other the more remote The ancient Philosophers and Poets were great Celebraters of viertue and thereupon for encouragement to Men did affirm there was a Place of Pleasure or Rest whereto after life they were carried who had lived Regularly and that Place was sometimes called the Elizian-Fields as at other the Fortunate Islands they did further fancy that though there were other delights yet above all the pleasure of converse with the just and a relaxation from care was most valuable They might therefore conceit the better of these Islands above other Places because of the strict life of the Druids a Religious People here dwelling sequestred from the Cares of the World and doubtless of a great Name for Virtue at their first sitting down especially for besides what was observed by the bishop Caesar tells us they became Judges of all Controversies in Britain and Gallia over which at last their Jurisdiction did extend Their Name imports a Solitary Place as Monastical among the Religious has the like signification from the Greek Language The two fortunate Islands were in the Judgment of the best Writers generally by the Report of a noted ‖ N. C. Mythologist seated upon the Western Coast of Britain they were in the Atlantick Ocean by common consent and these are there also for in ancient time that Tract of Sea lying beyond the Coast of Africa and Europe to the West was called from the Mountain Atlas probably enough the Atlantick Seas the Streights thereby being the out-let only to the Grecian and Roman Countreys who successibely Lorded it over this part of the World The Elizian-Fields or Fortunate Islands were said to be full of Shades the Druids here nourished many Woods to perform their Superstitious Rites in Anglesey was called Ynis Dowill a dark or shadowy Island from the Wood there growing The Greek and Latine Poets anciently reckoned the North their right hand and the South their left from their way of looking to the West toward the Elyzian Field More might be said to this intent which I purposely omit I will add in the close the Opinion of some few of Note Homer thought they were on the Coasts of Britain Isacius Tzetzes a Greek Author of account in Cambden's opinion reports they were with the Britains And the Story of Plutarch in the Life of Sertorius I will repeat which me-thinks is not distant to what we are speaking of Sertorius upon his retreat out of Spain was forc'd to take the Sea and being there in little quiet also not allow'd to land peaceably on the Spanish or African Coasts being then in the Mediterranean at last he passeth the Streights of Gibraltar turning on the right hand toward the Spanish Shore again whereto came divers Sailers from the Fortunate Islands seated not farre one from another about 10000 Furlongs from the Coast of Africa Sertorius hearing hereof was so taken with a Resolution of going to live there retired from the Care of the Warres that had not the Pirates of Gilicia forsaken him upon hearing these his Determinations it is likely he had attempted to go The Islands of the Moni are much about the same distance But if these be not they I will give over my enquiry with Heylin who having searcht diligently for them in all remarkable places of the World seems at last to leave his hopes in the plain Field as out of Expectation to finde out where they are for I think not of any such probable two on our Coasts where it was in ancient time strongly reported they were Of the Government Laws and Customes of the Britains SOmewhat shall be
or Armes but when he came to meet a greater number than his own forces at least equally furnish'd with necessaries and almost as good Disciplin'd he sustain'd the loss at Dyrrachuum where if it had been well followed a period had been set to his glories But in the end he overcame Pompey by the advantage of his cunning in mixing certain cohorts of Foot with his Horse and then meeting the confident precipitancy of the ungovernable Nobility of Rome against whom he fought Caesar in Spain after meeting with many Romanes of Discipline and Provision somewhat like his own Army under Pompey's Sons he professed he then fought for his life whereas heretofore he had contended for honour Bajazett the Turkish Emperour with a great Army excellent Discipline and well provided made considerable Conquests but when Tamberlaine with an Army greater and Discipline and necessaries at least equal he was not long before he did encage him Scanderbegge did singular exploits with a few choice men but it is observable he found the inconvenience of a small Territory as Epirus was and in the cloze of his years made it his principal care to fortifie himself with alliances by way of Supply to that deficiency We must not deny that where the numbers are great without good Discipline and stores it breeds confusion and hastens destruction as on the other hand an Army or Countrie never did exceed in number such a proportion as was beyond the capacity of good Discipline many great Monarchies of the World and the March of Tamberlaine in exact order are manifest examples and arguments 8. PRovisions are the next thing necessary to make a flourishing Nation they are such as these plenty of Flesh and Corn Iron Brass Wood for Fuel Ship-sides and Masts Hemp Pitch Tarr the materials of Powder if they are not all produceable from the ground that they be not farr off and that there be conveniency of Carriage for them the chief whereof is Water Hence it is that all great Governments have had their Capital Seats in Plentifull Countries which are well stored with convenient Provisions and for what they want have the benefit of water for quick and easie Carriage The Romans were seated on a rich Soyle and not far from the Mediterranean and the Neighbouring Seas places of the most convenient Navigation in this part of the World at those times in respect of the extent thereof and quietness the Mariners Compass not being then invented The Eastern Empire upon the same the Turkish at this day before them the Aegyptian and Carthaginian and few if any great Towns of note are not upon or near good Rivers or the Sea it self It is observable the ground the Romans conquered was chiefly upon the skirts of those Seas through which they could the more commodiously send and receive supplyes and the Emperours were forc'd to withdraw first from the places most remote from the Seas Since the invention of the Mariners Needle there are other more commodious for Navigation and a more proper seat than that is where the Winds and Tides are more stirring since Seamen by the benefit of the Compass can guide themselves in the day without the sight of the Sun or Land-marks and in the Night without benefit of Stars or Fire unless at some special places and times 9. IF the People have a good government are many in number and well provided yet especially till there are good constitutions of Laws if there be not a good election among the Officers those advantages for such time will be rendred the less significant We shall find the same Nation sometime victorious and the World trembling under them and one would think at first sight it proceeded from the nature of the people and in the turn of a hand upon the alteration of a Prince or his affections grow degenerate and effeminate the Government People and Stores still the same and e converso a sluggish People after a time victorious Now seeing Princes act chiefly by their Ministers and Officers and that they have to do generally with all their Neighbours for otherwise it might arise from the condition of some without it cannot arise from any other more considerable cause than the want of good choice In the one Men of Vertue appear uppermost who give an universal reputation to their Country in the other these by degrees are thrust down and such shew themselves who in the management of business bring an ignominious report upon the whole Nation Edward the third in his first time and Henry the fifth of England in his last opur Chronicles make honourable mention of with great admiration of their Valour and Conquests in France and our happiness then at home and with as great sorrow and reflections on their other times and on both their Successors But if men of virtue are chosen who are the spirit and life of a Commonwealth yet we see Fortune now and then will be shewing her self but not oft and so we may the better bear her insolencies But against the apprehensions of men God Almighty will and does those things oft times by his extraordinary providence that seem to differ not only from the course of nature but of reason who of his mercy by devout applications may notwithstanding be appeased 10. AT this day in this part of the World it may be there is not any Nation so near compleat in many of the former particulars as this of England If we compare it with the Low Countries the Crown of England has more Men more Provisions of some sort of its Native production and may have as many of any other better seated the Country of a larger extent add to this that here cannot easily be diversions by a Land Invasion As to their Government sithence it has much of a republique were it not that they fix their thoughts without upon fear of danger the caement of republiques it is likely they would divide and settle on one another the usual fate of such governments as it fell out to Rome in the dayes of Scylla Marius Caesar c. for having overcome a great part of the World and amongst the rest the Carthaginians a powerfull Neighbour they fell to Civil Wars as was foretold by a Senatour and thereupon were advised not utterly to destroy but to leave that Government as an awe upon their State to prevent divisions at home War abroad is the Interest of Republiques the Low Countries to the wonder of Queen Elizabeths dayes thriving like Salamanders in the fire of contention If we compare the King of England with the French it is obvious they have neither so convenient Ports nor are so well seated we lying betwixt them and the North where the greatest stores are for Naval employments adde to this that the form of their government and nature of the people indisposes them to business on the Seas Take this out of Sir Walter Rawleigh as Popaelynire well observeth The Forces of Princes by Sea are
he sent them over first who falling upon the Britains unexpectedly did them much mischief especially by wounding their Horses that drew their Chariots which in their encountrings they did chiefly aime at Flavius Vespasian and Sabinus also followed and kill'd many not apprehensive thereof till it was too late But this notwithstanding they rallied together and by the benefit of the night got into some order and gave them Battail the next day with great courage which was for some time doubtful But the few and naked Britains by their divisions less able did yield to the heavy Armed united and well disciplined Romans though like enough they were equal if not superiour to them in personal resolutions Upon their flight they pass over the River of Thames being acquainted with it better than the Romans at a place not far from that where it delivers it self into the Sea The Romans followed and the Germans again take the Water others go over at a Bridge somewhat higher and encompassing the Britains give them a great slaughter which was yet in some measure repaid by the Britains who having kept their Courage though they lost the Battail destroyed many of their Enemies following the Chase too far among the Bogs but Togodumnus was slain But this is said rather to inflame than abate the Britain resolutions for they now having got some time to consider of their affairs put themselves as is reported seriously to work to defend their Liberties in a more formidable manner than heretofore they had done whereupon Plautius according to his Instructions if any thing of danger should happen as Dion delivers it endeavours the security of what he had got and sends to Claudius for his direction in the danger approaching He upon this news puts the affairs he had at Rome in order and comes partly by Land and a considerable way by Sea where he was in great danger by Tempests to his Army expecting him at the River of Thames Soon after he was with them he passes the River gives the Britains Battail and vanquisheth them takes the City Camalodunum supposed to be the now Maldon in Essex the then regal Seat of Cunobeline others upon their submission he receives to mercy disarms many and leaves Plautius to subdue more with these doubts also behind him to after Ages whether he came thither upon a vanity affecting a Tryumph and other memories of honour or that in truth Plautius was hard laid to and withall no less disputable whether so much as any considerable Battail was fought the Britains like enough yielding upon the extraordinary preparations of the Romans and good tearms offered them for the confiscation of their goods was remitted Caesar staid here about sixteen days what was done after his return by Plautius is not much taken notice of but I should think the Conquest of the West about Cornwall Somersetshire and Devonshire was now perfected sithence mention is made of his Inroads there toward the Isle of Wight and I remember not any particular other discourse of their yielding For the spoils and acquisitions here taken upon his return to Rome Claudius did him publick honour And now is the first time that the Romans may have been said to have taken any possession of this Country which was about the Year of Grace 44 or 5. P. Ostorius succeeds Plautius OStorius was the next that succeeded A. Plautius for ought we know of any account in authentick History to the contrary At his coming he found those Britains who had conspired with the Romans to the destruction of their Country or had made any League or submission to them over-run by such who were faithful to their Native Soile and had not submitted and much waste made in their Fields not being apprehensive of the Roman Forces the rather because their General was not acquainted as yet with his business and in this colder Climate Winter being begun they suspected not much action Ostorius observing this takes with him certain Cohorts which were most expedite and ready for his purpose and sets upon the Britains unexpectedly routing those that resist and chasing them that flie It should seem that the Romans from the former War had confederacy with or possession of so much Land as lay from the River Sabrine and Anton with bounds from the Ocean to the Sea These two Rivers do almost meet and within their compass Southward lies a very wealthy and rich part of the Island Now it appears Ostorius intending to secure what was gain'd rather than to inlarge the Roman Conquests designed to Fortifie and close them as it were with Garrisons The words of Tacitus are Cinctosque castris Antonam Sabrinam fluvids cohibere parat c. The Sabrine is well known to be the River Severn but this Anton is much doubted of Mr. Cambden would have it be the River Nen and that in Tacitus it is transcribed amiss and should be Aufonam the Avon upon a supposition that the Britains call all Rivers Avon and so Northampton should stand on the North of the Avon but I doubt thereof because it seems not much probable if that River had been ever us'd to have been call'd the Avon as I finde not and at this day Men I fear think not of such a name the word Northampton seeming rather to infer that it is a Town on the North side of a Ham or Hame the word Ham signifying generally a hook from Hamus and applicable frequently to hooks of Water so this Town standing on the North side of a hook of water may have thence its name as Southampton from a hook of Water in the South of the Town I take it that by Anton is meant the River Trent because it is a more considerable River and fit to bear a name of note without particular distinction as did that of Severne it is accounted the third River of England and proper to joyn hands with the other for a boundary to a Roman Province as it was after upon the division betwixt the North and South Nor is the name now utterly lost for there is a River to this day flowing into the Head thereof called Derwent there is a House of considerable regard called Trentum and several Towns upon it ending in Anton and of a sound little differing now Dwr or Dour in British signifies Water and so by vulgar contraction it might be Dwrent or Trent that is the Water of Ent for Anton. These are but conjectures and we may have mistaken because the evidence is not perspicuous and I should not have made so many words hereof but for the former some reasons following and that it agrees better likewise with the History it self of the transactions upon these parts But I will pursue this no further it being not very much material which it was The Iceni being within this Line did doubtless suspect they might be subjected at last after the Romans were at leasure to conquer them as well as they had the rest who
places they sought by main weight of Horses to break and bear down one another The wandring Waggons also and masterless Horses afrighted as it hapned them by fear to be guided overbare many which met them or thwarted their way Now the Britains which stood a loof from the Battel on the height of the Hi'ls and at their good leasure disdaining our fewness began to come down by little and little and to compass about the backs of our men which were now in probable expectation of winning the Field But Agricola suspecting as much opposed against them four Wings of Horsemen purposely retained about him for sudden dispatches chances of War and repulsed them back as sharply as fiercely they ran to assail So the Counsel of the Britains turned upon their own heads and the Wings were commanded to forsake the Battel and follow the flight Then might you have seen in the open fields a great horrid spectacle pursuing wounding taking and killing of them which were taken when others came in the way Now whole Regiments of the Enemies according to their several dispositions though Armed and more in number turned their backs to the fewer others unarmed and sought their own death offering themselves voluntarily to the slaughter Every where Weapons lay scattered and Bodies and mangled Limbs the Ground every where imbrued with Blood and sometimes even in them which were overcome appeared now at their end both Anger and Valour When they approached the Woods uniting themselves they entraped unawares some of the foremost of our men which unadvisedly followed not knowing the Countrey And unless Agricola had with his presence every where assisted at need setting about them of his bravest and most ready foot-men as it were in form of a Toyl and commanding some of his Cavalry to leave their Horses where the passages were narrow and others where the Woods were thin to ride up and down mounted no doubt sayes he we had taken some blow by our overmuch boldness But after they did see our men again in strong array to follow the chase in good order they fled not in Troops as before and attending each other but utterly disbanded and single eschewing all company toward the Desart and far distant places The night and our fulness of blood made an end of the chase Of the Enemies side Ten thousand were slain Three hundred and forty of ours amongst whom was Aulus Atticus Commander in chief of a Cohort upon a youthful heat and through the fierceness of Horse being carried into the middle of his Enemies That night the Winners for their parts solaced themselves with the Victory and Spoil and the Britains being utterly broken crying out and howling men and women together take and draw with them their hurt persons call not hurt forsake their own Houses and in despite also set them on fire themselves choose out Holes for to lurk in and streightwayes forsook them communicate some Counsels together and then have some glimmering of hope sometimes at the sight of their dearest beloved they are moved to pitty more often stirred to rage and certain it is that some as by way of compassion and mercy slew their own Children and Wives The day following discovered more plainly the greatness of the Victory every where desolation and silence no stirring in the Mountains the Houses fired and smoaking far off no man to meet with our Scouts who being sent abroad into all the Quarters found by their footsteps the flight was uncertain and that they were no where in Companies together Hereupon Agricola because the Summer was spent and the War could not conveniently be divided bringing his Army into the Borders of the Horrestians supposed in Eskdale where receiving Hostages he commanded the Admiral of the Navie to Sail about Britain lending him Souldiers and strength for that purpose and the terror of the Roman Name was gone before already and he with easie and gentle Journeys to terrifie the new conquered Nations with the very stay of his passage disposed his Footmen and Horsemen into their Wintering Places and withall the Navy with prosperous Wind and success arrived at the Port Trutulensis from whence it departed and coasting along the neerest side of Britain returned thither again having invaded in its passage the Isles of Orkney After this Domitian the Emperor envying his Glory sent for him home when he had compleated the Conquest of so much of Britain as was formed into a Roman Province from the two Arms of Glota and Bodotria before mentioned to the Southward inclusive of that part of the Island more doubtless he did design to invade and possess and like enough he had effected it upon all the North and Ireland also if Domitian's apprehensions had not recall'd and prevented him The Conclusion of the Roman Conquests in this Island THus all on the Southern part of Glota and Bodotria about the year of Grace eighty six was by degrees brought under subjection to the Romans and formed into a Province or rather three the Trent and Severne making the Divisions that part next Rome being called Britania prima the Capital place London from which Canterbury took after the dignity of the Seat to the Arch-Bishop of that Province for the Divisions of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction did follow those of the Temporal in their first appointments That which was beyond Severne was called Secunda Caer Leon upon Vske in Monmouthshire being then the principal place and Arch-Bishops Seat Maxima Caesariensis was that beyond Trent York being the chief Residence and See Hence it might be that when Wales was in the Princes of their Country and disunited that which remained in England was divided betwixt the Justices in Eyre by the River Trent in affairs concerning the Forrest and the Heralds in their proper business Hence it might be that in the piece of Money expos'd to view by Mr. Cambden where on one side was this Inscription Hadrianus Aug. Consul iij. Pater Patriae and on the other Exercitus Britanicus three Souldiers being Pourtrayed on this and the Emperors Effigies on the other side which the same Author would have to signify the three Legions that served here about his time that is to say Secunda Augusta Sexta Victrix and Vicessima Victrix like enough it is they had particular Relation to the three several Provinces And hence it might be that Geoffry of Monmouth did feigne the Division of the Country into Loegria Cambria and Albania to come from the three Sons of Brute Locrine Camber and Albanact because he thought it necessary to deliver Fathers to the several Divisions of the Country he found here The Provinces continued for some hundreds of years under the Roman Jurisdiction the Limits a little varyed and drawn back and some Disturbances falling out but neither very considerable And now was founded that Government as I take it here in England which has continued in the bulk and gross thereof through many Ages to this day or at least not extinguish't at any time though not without certain addings and substraction and now and then somekind of interruptions but yet did they never so far proceed as utterly to discontinue that Series which had its root even in the very time of Romulus at the Foundation of Rome And upon the coming in of the Romans here was also introduced one other form of Government which having its Rise in the dayes of Moses among the Israelites with a fortune not unlike the other first insinuating it self into the Roman Veins upon the Conquest of Jury and then spreading into all the parts thereof came hither also being a Member of it and did so incorporate into that Body varying frequently in outward appearance by divers Factions but continuing in a great part the same to this day among us both being alike cut off from the main Body the first many Ages agoe the last in the dayes of Henry the Eighth and united in the Person of one single Monarch both still retaining a great Portion of the same Nature they had originally though in some particulars altered as in such antient things it cannot be otherwise expected But because much of this many do not think of and our Historiographers do generally give a much later Original to certain Laws and Customs and Divisions of our Countrey in the Civil Government yet reprehended some of them in the times they are positive in by my Lord Cook Mr. Camden Mr. Selden Sir H. Spelman and other eminent Antiquaries We will leave this Argument at present and close with certain words of Doctor HEYLIN an Excellent and Judicious Geographer of the like Nature He having Discoursed some time of EVROPE upon the whole comes at last to begin his particular Description in these words And this shall serve for Europe in the general Notion Descend we now to the particular Kingdoms Regions Islands of it beginning first of all with Italy contrary to the usage of most Geographers who commonly begin with Spain or Ireland as being the farthest Countreys Westward and consequently nearest to the first Meridian from whence the Longitude was reckoned Which we shall do by reason of that great influence which the Romans had in most parts of Europe and many parts of the World besides in matters as well Civil as Ecclesiastical which much depended on the Power of that Empire formerly and on the usurpation of that Church in the latter dayes Courteous Reader BEsides some Errors in pointing you are desired to Correct these underwritten which have escaped the Press by reason of the Authors absence In the Introduction PAge 26 Line 32 adde in P. 32. L. 18. for sereral r. several P. 33. L. 31. for presence r. Bosome P. 35. L. 27. r. to him who In the History P. 3. L. 17. after the word and r. is P. 5. L. 6. for druids r. denotes L. 12. Leave out the word was P. 8. L. 25. for Moni r. Mons. P. 20. L. 5. before the word confederated r. their P. 31. L. 3. for Donaries r. Denaries P. 34. L. 33. r. with other bounds at the Sea P. 42. L. 28. for upon r. up to