them in time of Harvest In the mean time suttlely devising to turn Lee stream several waies wherby the Danish Bottoms were left on dry ground which they soon perceaving march'd over Land to Quatbrig on the Severn built a Fortress and winterd there while thir Ships left in Lee were either brok'n or brought away by the Londoners but thir Wives and Children they had left in safety with the East-Angles The next year was pestilent and besides An. Dom. 897 the common sort took away many great Earls Kelmond in Kent Brithulf in Essex Wulfred in Hampshire with many others and to this evill the Danes of Northumberland and East-Angles ceas'd not to endamage the West-Saxons especially by stealth robbing on the South-shoar in certain long Gallies But the King causing to be built others twice as long as usually were built and some of 60 or 70 Oars higher swifter and steddier then such as were in use before either with Danes or Prisons his own invention some of these he sent out against six Danish Pirats who had done much harm in the I le of Wight and parts adjoining The bickering was doubtfull and intricate part on the water part on the Sands not without loss of some eminent men on the English side The Pirats at length were either slain or tak'n two of them stranded the men brought to Winchester where the King then was were executed by his command one of them escap'd to the East-Angles her men much wounded the same year not fewer then twenty of thir Ships perish'd on the South Coast with all thir men And Rollo the Dane or Norman landing heer as Mat. West writes though not in what part of the Iland after an unsuccessful fight against those Forces which first oppos'd him sail'd into France and conquerd the Country since that time called Normandy This is the summe of what pass'd in three years against the Danes returning out of France set down so perplexly by the Saxon Annalist ill-guifted with utterance as with much ado can be understood sometimes what is spok'n whether meant of the Danes or of the Saxons After which troublesome time Alfred enjoying three years of peace by him spent as his manner was not idlely or voluptuously but in all vertuous emploiments both of mind and body becoming a Prince of his Renown ended his daies in the year 900. the 51. of his Age the 30th of his Reign and was buried regally at Winchester he An. Dom. 900 was born at a place call'd Wanading in Barkshire his Mother Osburga the Daughter of Oslac the Kings Cup-bearer a Goth by Nation and of noble descent He was of person comlier then all his Brethren of pleasing Tongue and gracefull behaviour ready wit and memory yet through the fondness of his Parents towards him had not bin taught to read till the twelfth year of his Age but the great desire of learning which was in him soon appear'd by his conning of Saxon Poems day and night which with great attention he heard by others repeated He was besides excellent at Hunting and the new Art then of Hawking but more exemplary in devotion having collected into a Book certain Prayers and Psalms which he carried ever with him in his Bosome to use on all occasions He thirsted after all liberal knowledge and oft complain'd that in his youth he had no Teachers in his middle Age so little vacancy from Wars and the cares of his Kingdome yet leasure he found sometimes not only to learn much himself but to communicate therof what he could to his people by translating Books out of Latin into English Orosius Boethius Beda's History and others permitted none unlern'd to bear Office either in Court or Common-wealth at twenty years of age not yet reigning he took to Wife Egelswitha the Daughter of Ethelred a Mercian Earl The extremities which befell him in the sixt of his Reign Neothan Abbot told him were justly come upon him for neglecting in his younger days the complaints of such as injur'd and oppress'd repair'd to him as then second person in the Kingdome for redress which neglect were it such indeed were yet excusable in a youth through jollity of mind unwilling perhaps to be detain'd long with sad and sorrowfull Narrations but from the time of his undertaking regal charge no man more patient in hearing causes more inquisitive in examining more exact in doing justice and providing good Laws which are yet extant more severe in punishing unjust judges or obstinate offenders Theeves especially and Robbers to the terrour of whom in cross waies were hung upon a high Post certain Chains of Gold as it were dareing any one to take them thence so that justice seem'd in his daies not to flourish only but to tryumph no man then hee more frugal of two pretious things in mans life his time and his revenue no man wiser in the disposal of both His time the day and night he distributed by the burning of certain Tapours into three equall portions the one was for devotion the other for publick or private affairs the third for bodily refreshment how each hour past he was put in minde by one who had that Office His whole annual revenue which his first care was should be justly his own he divided into two equall parts the first he imploi'd to secular uses and subdivided those into three the first to pay his Souldiers Houshold-Servants and Guard of which divided into three Bands one attended monthly by turn the second was to pay his Architects and workmen whom he had got together of several Nations for he was also an Elegant Builder above the Custome and conceit of Englishmen in those days the third he had in readiness to releive or honour Strangers according to thir worth who came from all parts to see him and to live under him The other equal part of his yearly wealth he dedicated to religious uses those of fowr sorts the first to releive the poor the second to the building and maintenance of two Monasteries the third of a School where he had perswaded the Sons of many Noblemen to study sacred knowledge and liberal Arts some say at Oxford the fourth was for the releif of Foreign Churches as far as India to the shrine of St. Thomas sending thether Sigelm Bishop of Sherburn who both return'd safe and brought with him many rich Gems and Spices guifts also and a letter he receav'd from the Patriarch of Jerusalem sent many to Rome and for them receav'd reliques Thus far and much more might be said of his noble minde which renderd him the miror of Princes his body was diseas'd in his youth with a great soreness in the Seige and that ceasing of it self with another inward pain of unknown cause which held him by frequent fits to his dying day yet not disinabl'd to sustain those many glorious labours of his life both in peace and war Edward the Elder EDward the Son of Alfred succeeded in learning
158. he hath South-Mercia conferr'd on him by Oswi p. 161. is slain by the treachery of his Wife on Easter-day ibid. Pelagius a Britan brings new opinions into the Church p. 94. the Pelagian Doctrine refuted by Germanus p. 104. the Pelagians are judg'd to banishment by Germanus p. 108. Penda the Son of Wibba King of Mercia hath the Kingdom surrender'd him by Kearle p. 152. he joyns with Kedwalla against Edwin p. 153. he slays Oswald in Battel p. 156. in another Battel Sigebert p 157. in another Anna King of the East-Angles p. 159. he is slain in a Battel against Oswi p. 161. Penissel reckon'd in the number of ancientest British Kings p. 28. Peredure and Vigenius expel their Brother Elidure and share the Kingdom between them p. 27. Perjury an example of Divine vengeance in Alfred who conspir'd against King Athelstane p. 223. Petilius Cerealis utterly defeated by the Britans p. 64. he commands the Roman Army in Britain p. 68 69. Petronius Turpilianus commands in chief in Britain after Suetonius Paulinus p. 68. Pir one of the ancientest Race of British Kings p. 28. Picts and Scots harrass the South Coasts of Britain p. 91. c. See Scots Picts and Saxons beaten by the Britans through the pious Conduct of Germanus p. 104 105. Porrex the Son of Gorbogudo though assisted from France is slain by his Brother Ferrex p. 21. his death reveng'd by his Mother Videna ibid. another of that name reckon'd in the Catalogue of British Kings p. 28. Portsmouth denominated from the landing of Porta a Saxon Prince with his two Sons Bida and Megla p. 120. Prafutagus King of the Icenians leaving Caesar coheir with his Daughters causeth the Britans to revolt p. 62 63. Priscus Licinius Lieutenant in this Isle under Adrian p. 78. Probus subdues the Vsurper Bonosus who falls in the Battel p. 85. prevents by his wisdom new risings in Britain ibid. R. REadwulf succeeding Ethelred in Northumbria soon after his Coronation cut off with his whole Army by the Danes at Alvetheli p. 193. Rederchius reckon'd among the ancient British Kings p. 28. Redion another British King ibid. Redwald King of the East-Angles wars against Ethelfrid in defence of Edwin and slays him in Battel p. 147. Regin Son of Gorbonian a good King p. 27. Rivallo succeeds his Father Cunedagius p. 21. Rollo the Dane or Norman having fought unsuccessfully here turns his Forces into France and conquers the Country since call'd Normandy p. 212. Romans land in Britain under the Conduct of Julius Caesar p. 36 37. their sharp Conflict with the Britans near the Stoure in Kent p. 42 43. the cruel Massacre of the Britans upon them p. 64. they leave the Island to succour their declining affairs in other parts p. 104. they come and aid the Britans against the Scots and Picts ibid. they help them to build a new Wall p. 102. instruct them in War and take their last farewel ibid. Romanus nam'd among the four Sons of Histion sprung of Japhet and from him the Romans fabled to be derived p. 5. Rowen the Daughter of Hengist sent for over by her Father p. 112. she presents King Vortigern with a bowl of wine by her Fathers Command p. 112 113. she is upon the King's demand given him in Marriage p. 113. Rudancus King of Cambria subdued in fight and slain by Dunwallo Mulmutius p. 21. Rudhuddibras succeeds his Father Leil and founds Caerkeint or Canterbury with several other places p. 16. Runno the Son of Peredure not immediate Successor p. 28. S. SAbra thrown into the River thence call'd Sabrina with her Mother Estrildis by Guendolen p. 15. Samothes the first King that History or Fable mentions to have peopled this Island p. 4. Samulius recorded among the ancient British Kings p. 28. Saron the second King nam'd among the Successors of Samothes p. 4. Saxons harrass the South Coast of Britain slay Nectaridius and Bulcobandes p. 91. Saxons and Picts see Picts Saxons invited into Britain by Vortigern and the Britans against the Scots and Picts p. 109 110. their Original p. 110. they arrive under the leading of Hergist and Horsa p. 111. they beat the Scots and Picts near Stamford p. 112. fresh Forces sent them over and their bounds enlarged p. 112. 113. they making league with the Scots and Picts wast the land without resistance ibid. beaten by Guortimer in four Battels and driven into Thanet p. 115. they return most of them into their own Country p. 117. the rest notably defeated by Ambrosius Aurelianus and the Britans p. 118. Scots Picts and Attacots harrass the South Coast of Britain p. 91. overcome by Maximus p. 93. Scots possest Ireland first and named it Scotia p. 94. Scots and Picts beaten by the Romans sent to the supply of the Britans p. 101. they make spoil and havock with little or no opposition p. 103. Sebbi having reign'd over the East-Saxons 30 years takes on him the habit of a Monk p. 163. Sebert the Son of Sleda reigns over the East-Saxons by permission of Ethelbert p. 142. Segonax one of the four petty Kings in Britain that assaulted Caesar's Camp p. 46. Sejus Saturninus commands the Roman Navy in Britain p. 78. Selred the Son of Sigebert the Good succeeds Ossa in the East-Saxon Kingdom and comes to a violent end p. 174. Septimius Severus the Roman Emperour arrives in person with an Army in this Island p. 81. 82. his ill success against the Caledonians p. 82. nevertheless goes on and brings them to terms of peace p. 83. builds a Wall across the Island from Sea to Sea ibid. they taking Arms again he sends his Son Antoninus against them p. 84. he dies at York 't is thought of grief ibid. Severus sent over Deputy into this Island by the Emperour Valentinian p. 91. Sexburga the Wife of Kenwalk driven out by the Nobles disdaining female Government p. 163. Sexted and Seward re-establish Heathenism in East-Saxony after the Death of their Father Sebert p. 145. in a fight against the Britans they perish with their whole Army p. 146. Sigeard and Senfred succeed their Father Sebbi in the East-Saxon Kingdom p. 174. Sigebert succeeds his Brother Eorpwald in the Kingdom of the East-Angles p. 156. he founds a School or Colledge and betakes himself to a Monastical life p. 156. being forc't into the field against Penda he is slain with his Kinsman Egric p. 157. Sigebert sirnamed the Small succeeds his Father Seward King of the East-Saxons p. 159. his successour Sigebert the 2d is perswaded by Oswi to imbrace Christianity ibid. is murdered by the Conspiracy of two Brethren ibid. his Death denounc't by the Bishop for eating with an excommunicate person p. 160. Sigebert the Kinsman of Cuthred succeeds him in the West-Saxon Kingdom p. 175. Siger the Son of Sigebert the Small and Sebbi the Son of Seward succeed in the government of the East-Saxons after Swithelms decease p. 162. Silures a people of Britain chuse Caractacus for their Leader against
and the Gods must witness that otherwise to express her thoughts she knew not but that she lov'd him above all Creatures and so receavs an equal reward with her Sister But Cordelia the youngest though hitherto best belov'd and now before her Eyes the rich and present hire of a little easie soothing the danger also and the loss likely to betide plain dealing yet moves not from the solid purpose of a sincere and vertuous answer Father saith she my love towards you is as my duty bids what should a Father seek what can a Child promise more they who pretend beyond this flatter When the old man sorry to hear this and wishing her to recall those words persisted asking with a loiall sadness at her Fathers infirmity but somthing on the sudden harsh and glancing rather at her Sisters then speaking her own mind Two waies only saith she I have to answer what you require mee the former Your command is I should recant accept then this other which is lest mee look how much you have so much is your value and so much I love you Then hear thou quoth Leir now all in passion what thy ingratitude hath gain'd thee because thou hast not reverenc'd thy aged Father equall to thy Sisters part in my Kingdom or what else is mine reck'n to have none And without delay gives in mariage his other Daughters Gonorill to Maglaunus Duke of Albania Regan to Henninus Duke of Cornwall with them in present half his Kingdom the rest to follow at his Death In the mean while Fame was not sparing to divulge the wisdom and other Graces of Cordeilla insomuch that Aganippus a great King in Gaul however he came by his Greek name seeks her to Wife and nothing alter'd at the loss of her Dowry receavs her gladly in such manner as she was sent him After this King Leir more and more drooping with Years became an easy prey to his Daughters and thir Husbands who now by dayly encroachment had feis'd the whole Kingdom into thir hands and the old King is put to sojorn with his Eldest Daughter attended only by threescore Knights But they in a short while grudg'd at as too numerous and disorderly for continuall Guests are reduc'd to thirty Not brooking that affront the old King betakes him to his second Daughter but there also discord soon arising between the Servants of differing Masters in one Family five only are suffer'd to attend him Then back again he returns to the other hoping that she his Eldest could not but have more pity on his Gray Hairs but she now refuses to admitt him unless he be content with one only of his followers At last the remembrance of his youngest Cordeilla comes to his thoughts and now acknowledging how true her words had bin though with little hope from whom he had so injur'd be it but to pay her the last recompence she can have from him his confession of her wise forewarning that so perhaps his misery the prooff and experiment of her Wisdom might somthing soft'n her he takes his Journey into France Now might be seen a difference between the silent or down-right spok'n affection of som Children to thir Parents and the talkative obsequiousness of others while the hope of Inheritance over-acts them and on the Tongues end enlarges thir duty Cordeilla out of meer love without the suspicion of expected reward at the message only of her Father in distress powrs forth true filial tears And not enduring either that her own or any other Eye should see him in such forlorn condition as his Messenger declar'd discreetly appoints one of her trusted Servants first to convay him privately toward som good Sea Town there to array him bathe him cherish him furnish him with such Attendance and State as beseemd his Dignity That then as from his first Landing he might send word of his Arrival to her Husband Aganippus Which don with all mature and requisite contrivance Cordelia with the King her Husband and all the Barony of his Realm who then first had news of his passing the Sea goe out to meet him and after all honourable and joyfull entertainment Aganippus as to his Wives Father and his Royall Guest surrenders him during his abode there the power and disposal of his whole Dominion permitting his Wife Cordeilla to go with an Army and set her Father upon his Throne Wherin her piety so prosper'd as that she vanquish'd her impious Sisters with those Dukes and Leir again as saith the story three years obtain'd the Crown To whom dying Cordeilla with all regal Solemnities gave Burial in the Town of Leicestre And then as right Heir succeeding and her Husband dead rul'd the Land five years in Peace Untill Marganus and Cunedagius her two Sisters Sons not bearing that a Kingdom should be govern'd by a Woman in the unseasonablest time to raise that quarrel against a Woman so worthy make War against her depose her and imprison her of which impatient and now long unexercis'd to suffer she there as is related killd her self The Victors between them part the Land but Marganus the Eldest Sisters Son who held by agreement from the North-side of Humber to Cathness incited by those about him to invade all as his own right warres on Cunedagius who soon met him overcame and overtook him in a Town of Wales where he left his life and ever since his name to the place Cuncdagius was now sole King and govern'd with much praise many years about the time when Rome was built Him succeeded Rivallo his Son wise also and fortunat save what they tell us of three daies raining blood and swarmes of stinging Flies whereof men dy'd In order then Gurgustius Jago or Lago his Nefew Sisillius Kinmarcus Then Gorbogudo whom others name Gorbodego and Gorbodion who had two Sons Ferrex and Porrex They in the old Age of thir Father falling to contend who should succeed Porrex attempting by treachery his Brothers life drives him into France and in his return though aided with the force of that Country defeats and slaies him But by his Mother Videna who less lov'd him is himself with the assistance of her Women soon after slain in his Bed With whom ended as is thought the Line of Brutus Whereupon the whole Land with civil broils was rent into five Kingdoms long time waging Warr each on other and som say 50 Years At length Dunwallo Molmutius the Son of Cloten King of Cornwall one of the foresaid five excelling in valour and goodliness of person after his Fathers decease found means to reduce again the whole Iland into a Monarchy subduing the rest at opportunities First Yâ—â—ner King of Loegria whom he slew then Rudaucus of Cambria Staterius of Albania confederat together In which fight Dunwallo is reported while the Victory hung doubtfull to have us'd this Art He takes with him 600 Stout men bids them put on the Armour of thir slain Enemies and so unexpectedly approaching
hearing themselves entreated by the Britans to that which gladly they would have wish't to obtain of them by entreating to the British Embassy return this answer Be assur'd henceforth of the Saxons as of faithful friends to the Britans no less ready to stand by them in thir need than in thir best of fortune The Embassadors return joyful and with news as welcome to thir Countrie whose sinister fate had now blinded them for destruction The Saxons consulting first thir Gods for they had answer that the Land whereto they went they should hold 300 years half that time conquering and half quietly possessing furnish out three long Gallies or Kyules with a chos'n company of warlike youth under the conduct of two Brothers Hengist and Horsa descended in the fourth degree from Woden of whom deify'd for the fame of his acts most Kings of those Nations derive thir pedigree These and either mixt with these or soon after by themselves two other Tribes or neighbouring people Jutes and Angles the one from Jutland the other from Anglen by the City of Sleswich both Provinces of Denmark An. Dom. 450 arrive in the first year of Martian the Greek Emperor from the birth of Christ 450 receav'd with much good will of the people first then of the King who after some assurances giv'n and tak'n bestows on them the I le of Tanet where they first landed hoping they might be made heerby more eager against the Picts when they fought as for thir own Countrie and more loyal to the Britans from whom they had receav'd a place to dwell in which before they wanted The British Nennius writes that these Brethren were driv'n into exile out of Germany and to Vortigern who reigned in much fear one while of the Picts then of the Romans and Ambrosius came opportunely into the Hav'n For it was the custom in old Saxony when thir numerous off-spring overflow'd the narrowness of thir bounds to send them out by lot into new dwellings wherever they found room either vacant or to be forc't But whether sought or unsought they dwelt not heer long without employment For the Scots and Picts were now come down som say as far as Stamsord in Lincoln-shire whom perhaps not imagining to meet new opposition the Saxons though not till after a sharp encounter put to flight and that more than once slaying in fight as some Scotch Writers affirm thir King Eugenius the Son of Fergus Hengist percaeving the Iland to be rich and fruitful but her Princes and other inhabitants giv'n to vicious ease sends word home inviting others to a share of his good success Who returning with 17 Ships were grown up now to a sufficient Army and entertain'd without suspicion on these terms that they should bear the brunt of War against the Picts receaving stipend and some place to inhabit With these was brought over the Daughter of Hengist a Virgin wondrous fair as is reported Rowen the British call her she by commandment of her Father who had invited the King to a Banquet coming in presence with a Bowle of Wine to welcome him and to attend on his Cup till the Feast ended won so much upon his fancy though already wiv'd as to demand her in mariage upon any conditions Hengist at first though it fell out perhaps according to his drift held off excusiing his meanness then obscurely intimating a desire and almost a necessity by reason of his augmented numbers to have his narrow bounds of Tanet enlarg'd to the Circuit of Kent had it streit by donation though Guorangonus till then was King of that place and so as it were overcome by the great munificence of Vortiger gave his Daughter And still encroaching on the Kings favour got furder leave to call over Octa and Ebissa his own and his Brothers Son pretending that they if the North were giv'n them would sit there as a continual defence against the Scots while himself guarded the East They therfore sayling with forty Ships eev'n to the Orcades and every way curbing the Scots and Picts possess'd that part of the Ile which is now Northumberland Notwithstanding this they complain that thir monthly pay was grown much into arrear which when the Britans found means to satisfie though alleging withall that they to whom promise was made of wages were nothing so many in number quieted with this a while but still seeking occasion to fall off they find fault next that thir pay is too small for the danger they undergo threatning op'n Warr unless it be augmented Guortimer the Kings Son perceaving his Father and the Kingdom thus betray'd from that time bends his utmost endeavour to drive them out They on the other side making League with the Picts and Scots and issuing out of Kent wasted without resistance almost the whole Land eev'n to the Western Sea with such a horrid devastation that Towns and Colonies overturn'd Preists and people slain Temples and Palaces what with fire and Sword lay alltogether heap'd in one mixt ruin Of all which multitude so great was the sinfullness that brought this upon them Gildas adds that few or none were likely to be other then lew'd and wicked persons The residue of these part overtak'n in the Mountains were slain others subdu'd with hunger preferr'd slavery before instant death som getting to Rocks Hills and Woods inaccessible preferr'd the fear and danger of any Death before the shame of a secure slavery many fled over Sea into other Countries some into Holland where yet remain the ruins of Brittenburgh an old Castle on the Sea to be seen at low water not far from Leiden either built as Writers of thir own affirm or seis'd on by those Britans in thir escape from Hengist Others into Armorica peopl'd as som think with Britans long before either by guift of Constantine the Great or else of Maximus to those British Forces which had serv'd them in Forein Wars to whom those also that miscarried not with the latter Constantine at Arles and lastly these exiles driv'n out by Saxons fled for refuge But the antient Chronicles of those Provinces attest thir coming thether to be then first when they fled the Saxons and indeed the name of Britain in France is not read till after that time Yet how a sort of fugitives who had quitted without stroke thir own Country should so soon win another appears not unless joyn'd to som party of thir own settl'd there before Vortiger nothing better'd by these calamities grew at last so obdurat as to commit incest with his daughter tempted or tempting him out of an ambition to the Crown For which beeing censur'd and condemn'd in a great Synod of Clercs and Laics and partly for fear of the Saxons according to the Counsel of his Peers he retir'd into Wales and built him there a strong Castle in Radnorshire by the advice of Ambrosius a young prophet whom others call