euen till the same at length went forth with a bâ—…lder countenance by the fauourable Edicts of Adrian Antonius Pius and Marcus Aurelius Emperors of Rome as Eusebius hath noted and in Britaine was established by the authoritie of Lucius their King whereby this was the first of all the Prouinces saith Marcus Sabellicus that receiued the Faith by publike ordinance Of the teâ—…chers of those times Bale from some other hath these verses Sicut erat celebris cultu numeroque Deorum Cum Iouis imperium staret Britannica tellus Sic vbi terrestres caelo descendit ad or as Expectata salus patribus fuit inclyta sanctis Qui Neptunicolûm campos Cambrica rura Coryneasque casas locadesolata colebant As were the Britaines famous for their zeale To Gentle Gods whiles such they did adore So when the Heau'ns to Earth did Truth reueale Bless'd was that Land with Truth and Learnings store Whence British Plaines and Cambri as desert ground And Cornewalls Crags with glorious Saints abound In which number were Eluanus Meduinus those two learned Diuines which were sent by King Lucius vnto Eleutherius Bishop of Rome with whom returned two other famous Clerkes whose names were Faganus and Damianus these together both preached and baptized amongst the Britaines whereby many dailie were drawne to the Faith And as a worthy and ancient Historian saith The Temples which had beene founded to the Honour of their many Gods were then dedicated to the one and onely true God For there were in Britaine eight and twentie Flamins and three Arch-flamins in stead of which so many Bishops and Archbishops were appointed vnder the Archbishop of London were the Prouinces of Loegria and Cornubia vnder Yorke Deira and Albania vnder Vrbs Legionum Cambria By which meanes this happy Kingdome vnder that godly King was nobly beautified with so many Cathedrall Churches and Christian Bishops Sees before any other kingdome of the world That this Lucius should be the Apostle to the Bauarians or that his sister Emerita was crowned with the flames of Martyrdome fifteene yeares after his death I leaue to the credit of Aegidius Scudus and Hermanus Schedelius the reporters and to the best liking of the readers But most certaine it is that the Christian faith was still professed in this Iland sound and vndefiled as Beda witnesseth notwithstanding the cruel persecutions of the bloody Emperours 19 For all this time saith the said Dicetus Christian ReligioÌ„ flourished quietly in Britanny til in Dioclesians time their Churches were demolished their holy Bibles castinto Bone-fires the Priests with their faithfull flocke bloodily murdered In which number about the yeare two hundred ninetie three as we read in Beda Malmesburie Randulphus and others Albane with his teacher Amphibalus were both of them martyred for the profession of the Gospell at the old Towne Verolanium as also in Leicester those two Noble Citizens Aaron and Iulius with multitudes both of men and women in sundrie places saith Beda as shortly after no lesse then a Thousand Saints suffered death at Liechfield wherupon the place was called another Golgotha or field of blood In memorie whereof the Citie beareth for Armes to this day in an Eschucheon of Landskip sundry persons diuersly Martyred And yet after these times also the Britaines continued constant in Christianity and the censures of their Bishops for the great estimation of their Constancie pietie and learning required and approued in great points of Doctrine among the assemblies of some Generall Councels as that of Sardis and Nice in the time of great Constantine the first Christian Emperour and this our Country man whose blessed daies gaue free way to that Profession to the Councels Authoritie and to the whole world Peace had wee our Bishops present whose forwardnes against the Arrian Heresie afterwards Athanasius aduanceth in his Apology vnto Iouinian the Emperor among three hundred Bishops assembled at the Councell of Sardice in Anno three hundred and fiftie whose words as Nicephorus reports them are these Know most Christian Emperour saith he that this faith hath beene alwaies preached and professed and that all Churches of Spaine Britain France and Germany at this day with one voice doe approoue the same As also at that of Ariminum in the yeare three hundred fiftie nine and in the raigne of Constantius who caused foure hundred westerne Bishops to be there sommoned in fauour of the Arrians whereof three were out of Britaine as Sulpitius Seuerus the good Bishop of Burges hath reported that gaue their suffrages against that Heresie These doth Hilarie tearme the Bishops of the Prouinces of Britaine by whom they were somewhat derided because beeing farre from their owne Countrie they liued vpon the Emperours charge And Beda testifieth that from Dioclesians time they both reedified their former Temples and founded new also in memorie of their then fresh-bleeding Martyrs and enioyed a generall and ioifull peace in their religious profession till that Arrian Heresic hauing first filled the Continent sought and found passage ouer the Seas into our Iland Gennadius in his Catalogues Illustrium Diuorum tels vs of an other learned Bishop of Britaine Fastidius who in the time of Cestius Bishop of Rome wrote vnto one Fatalis a booke devita Christians and another de viduitate seruanda of much diuine learning and comfort Chrysanthus likewise is recorded by Nicephorus to be sonne of Bishop Martian who hauing beene a Consular Deputie in Italie vnder Theodosius and made Lieutenant of Britaine where with great praise he managed the common wealth was against his will afterward made Bishop at Constantinople of the Nouatians that called themselues Cathari that is pure making a schisme in the Church by their deniall of Saluation to such as fell into relapse of sinne after Baptisme once receiued This is that Bishop of whom we read that of all his Ecclesiasticall reuenewes he reserued only for himselfe two loaues of bread vpon the Lords day And in the first Tome of Councels is mention of Restitutus Bishop of London whom because that as is most probable Christian Religion had in those primitiue times taken more firme footing in Britaine then in France the French Bishops called to their Nationall Councell the second at Arles in Anno three hundred thirty fiue that he might with his Suffrage approoue their Decrees About the yeere foure hundred seuenty was a Prouinciall Councell held in Britaine for the reforming of Religion and repairing of the ruined Churches which the Pagan mariage of Vortiger had decaied to the great griefe and discontent of the people a pregnant signe of the continuing zeale which vnto those daies had left a glorious memorie 20 And the Ensigne of Arthur wherein the Virgin with her sonne in her armes as is noted by Vincentius was portraied so often displaied for Christ and his Countries libertie against the Pagan Saxons is as a seale
sonnes elected subdued and slaine 1. Aureolus in Illyris 2. Gallienus in Rome 3. Odenatus in the East Odenatus ouercommeth the Persians Galieâ—… seeketh Odenatus his death Apoc. 4. 3. Trebeâ—… Pollio Strange sighâ—…s in the Heauens Great and mighty Earth-quakes Galiâ—… staied the perâ—…cutions of thâ—… Christians Eusâ—…b Eccles. â—…st lib. 7. cap. 12. Apoc. 1. 16. Thirty Emperoâ—… 〈◊〉 oncâ—… Pomp. Laetus a Panlus Oros. b Cassidor c Iornandes Eusebius Apoc. 6. 4. Galienus times prophesied of by the Euangelist S. Iohn Galienus his death and continuance of his raigne An. Do. 269. His descent Aurel. Victor Flauius Claudius his vertues Iornandes Gothes inuade the Empire Paul Orosius Two thousand saile of Gothes Claudius Letter to the Senate Gothes vanquished Flauius Claudius died a naturall death His personage and qualities An. Do. 271. Eutropius Quintiliâ—… brother to the last Emperour Quintilius cut his own veines and so bled to death He raigned but seuenteen daies An. Do. 271. Aurelianus his descent Fla. Vâ—…p Aurelianus comparable with Caesar and Alexander Aurelianus inlarged the walles of Rome Chap. 37. Sabellicus saith she both tired him and put him to flight also Zenobia her Letter to Aurelianus * The great Citie Palmyra saith Iosephus was built by King Salomon whence their Nation tooke the name It bordered vpon the Parthians Kingdome in the middle betwixt it and the Roman Empire Ouid. Metam li. 6. * Tomyris was a valiant Scythian Queene who slew King Cyrus and all his Host and filling a vessell with their bloud did cast in Cyrus head saying Bloud hast thou thirsted now drinke therof thy fill To this doth Zenobia allude Zenobia vanquished Zenobia het beautie Flau. Vopisc Euseb. Eccl. Hist. lib. 7 cap. 39. Paul Orosius Aurelianus at first a fauourer now a persecutor of the Christians Aurelianus scard with a Thunderbolt from heauen Psal. 2. 10. Aurelianus slaine Entropius Aurelianus His feature of body and minde 〈◊〉 An. Do. 276. Aurelianus being dead no man sought to be Emperour Senate and Souldiers strain courtesie who shall choose the Emperour Eusebius Vopiscus Orosius Oneuphrius Claudius Tacitus elected Emperor Claudius Tacitus his vertues Claudius Tacitus his care to preserue the works of Cornelius Tacitus Eutrop. l. 9. Aurel. Victor Vopiscus Claudius Tacitus his Raigne An. Do. 277. Florianus made himselfe Emperour Florianus his death Chap. 38. Eutrop. lib. 9. Vopiscus Florianus his raigne An. Do. 277. Probus called the father of his Countrey and the highest Bishop His desceâ—… Sabellicus Probus comparable with Hannibal and Caesar. Probus slayeth 400000. Germans Henr. Mutint Saturninus cho sen Emperour His speech to his Electors Saturninus his death Vopiscut Bonosus and Proculus rebell against Probus Sabellicus Bonosus death Sabellicus Sabellicus Victorinus a Moore his Stratagem Hist. Mag. Brit. lib. 3. cap. 10. Vandals and Burgundians sent to inhabite in Britaine Vopiscus Sabellicus Wine made in England Probus his death Vopiscus Entropius Eusebius Eccl. hist. lib. 7. cap 29. Anno 282. Flauius 〈◊〉 Vopiscus Uictor 〈◊〉 Orosius Cardâ—… and Numerianus Casars Carinus slaine by a thunderbolt Hierome Paulus Orosius Eutropius Flauius Vopiscus Eutrop. Signonâ—… Oâ—…pbet Pomp. Laetus An. Do. 286. An. Do. 291. Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 6. * Now called Bâ—…leyn in Picardy Carausius defendeth his vsurpation seuen yeers Maximianus against Carausius Ninius A perfidious friend Allectus slaine Walbrooke in London of Gallus 〈◊〉 Tâ—…eb Mamertinus Panegyâ—… Orat. The Emperours extolled for recoucting Britain Mamertinus Paneg Grat. Many Artificers in Britaine Gâ—… Damasâ—… Sabellicus Eusebius Beda Rad. de Dicetâ—… The Christians torments for ten yeeres together Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 7. S. Albane put to death at Saint Albans Iob. Capgraue Amphibole a Britaine put to death Iulius and Aaron at Leicester At Lichfeild grâ—… multitudes in Cambden Ioh. 19. 17. Ioh Rossâ—… Wâ—…wicens in lib. de 〈◊〉 â—…pis Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 6. Apoc. 13. Dan. 7. Ezek. 38. 2. The violent deaths of many Emperors Psal. 45. 5. The first Seale Apoc. 6. The second Seale The third Seale The fourth Seale The fifth Seale The sixth Seale Exod. â—…9 Numb 17. Iosh. 3. 4. Iob 29 9. Euseb. eccles lib. 8. cap. 1. 2. 3. Euseb. hist eccles lib. 8. cap. 1. Amos 1. 3. Euseb. eccles hist. lib. 8. cap. 2â—… Euseb. eccles hist. lib. 8. cap. 14. Fox Act. pag. 119. 123. Euseb. eccles hist. lib. 8. cap. 19. Dioclesians practise The Pope an imitator of him and not of Christ. Dioclesian and Maximianus resigned vp the Empire the 9. Cal. of May in the yeere of Christ 304. Galerius and Constantius Emperors The Christians inioy peace Constantine the Great elected Caesar. Euseb. eccles hist. lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 16. Pomp. Latâ—… 2. Kin. 10. 20. Constantius policie to trie who were true Christians Constantius his wiues Eutropius Nicephor lib. 7. cap. 18. Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 8. Holinsh. Chron. lib. 4. cap 26. Cambd. Brit. pa. 74 Baronius A Church builded by Helena in the place where our Sauiour suffred Helena buildeth another Church where the Inne stood in which our Sauiour was laid in a Cratch Ambrose his Oration vpon Theodosius Ioseph Antiq. lib. 20. cap. 2. Helena Queene of Ad abâ—…na a vertuous woman also Constantine escapeth Galerius His preuenting pursuit He commeth safe to Yorke to his father Constantius his speech to his sonne Constantius his raigne death Pomp. Laetus Socrates Eccl. lib. 1. cap. 2. An. Do. 306. Euseb. Eccl. Hist. lib. 8. cap. 14. Socrat. Eccl. lib. 1. cap. 〈◊〉 Panegyricke Oration vnto Constantine the great Eutropius Constantines descent Sabelâ—…icus Maximianus put to death by Constantine Niceph. li. 7. c. 2â—… Eutropius lib. 11. Zosoâ—… lib. 1. ca. 5. Socrat. lib. 1. ca. 2. Vâ—…spurgens Chron. Paul Diac. li. 11. Euseb. ecles hist. lib. 9. cap. 9. Sabellicus Constantines repose Pomp. Laetus Maxentius trusteth to Sorcerers Sabellicus An inscription made on memory of Maxentius ouerthrow The memoriall of his victorie ouer the Frankners Cambd. Brit. Licinius put to death at Nicomedia and his sonne after Anno 326. Sigonius In hist. tripart Eusebius Cambden in his Britannia Amianus Marcill Nineteene thousand foote and seuenteene hundred horsemen maintained in ordinary in Britaine Sabellicus A Iewish Doctor thus described this Citie in an epistle which himselfe deliuered to our English Ambassador remaining in Constantinople in Anno 1594. Hier. in his additions to Eusebius Constantinople built by Constantine Wil. Malmsbury Constantine the establisher of Christianity Ambrose vpon the death of Theo. Rufâ—… Cassiod Eusebius eccles hist. Hieromâ—… Eusebius Sigonius Constantine buried at Constantinople Socrates lib. 1. cap. 26. Eusebius in viâ—… Const. lib. 4. Sabellicus Constantines successors An. Do. 337. Constantinus his part of the Empire Constans his part of the Empire Constantius his part of the Empire Constantinus slaine Socrates lib. 2. c. 3. Cassiod trip Hist. A Councell against the Arrians called by Constans Constans slaine Amianus l. 20. c. 1â—… Fl. pop Nepohanus p. F. Aug. Simon Dunelm I. Stow. Galfridus
Redwald King of the East-Angles who in his quarrel forthwith assembled his forces and meeting Ethelfrid in the field slew him neere the Riuer Idle after hee had raigned twenty three yeeres in the yeere of Christ his Incarnation 617. He had issue by his Wife Acca the daughter of Ella Eanfrith King of Bernicia Oslafe and Oswald King of Northumberland Oslake and Offa with two Daughters canonized for Saints Oswith and Ebba the Nunne as also by his Concubine Oswy the tenth Monarch of the Englishmen EDwine thus raised by the helpe of King Redwald returned to his Country and was of the Inhabitants made King of Northumberland and afterward Monarch of the Englishmen as in their succession shall be declared Beda somewhat too much addicted to fabulous miracles of him reporteth this storie That whilest hee lay banished in King Redwalds Court Ethelfrid instigated his receiuer by promises to take away his life or if he refused threatned him warres for feare whereof Redwald partly inclining to this wicked purpose reuealed the same to the Queene his wife which a friend of Edwins hearing told him of his danger and wished him to flie Edwine thus perplexed with troubled thoughts in the dead of the night sate solitary vnder a tree in dumps musing what was best to be done to suspect and flie from Redwald that had honoured him so much he held it a wrong and to thinke himselfe safe in other Prouinces against so powerfull pursuers he thought it was vaine Thus distracted in casting what way might be safest suddenly approched a man vnto him vtterly vnknowne who after salutation demanded the cause why hee sate at so vnseasonable a time in so vncouth a place and pensiue manner Edwine thinking him to be his deaths-man resolutely answered It nothing concerned him at all either to aske or to know his estate Oh Edwine said he thinke not but that I know thy sorrow and the cause of thy sitting thus vpon that stone thy death is pretended and euen at hand but what wouldest thou giue to rid thee of that danger and to make King Redwald thy assured preseruer Any thing quoth Edwine which is in my power But what shall be his reward said the other that shall set thee vpon the throne of thy Kingdome and that with such glory as none of thy Progenitors euer attained vnto I would bee thankfull to that man said Edwine in all things and at all times as reason required and of right I ought But tell me Edwine said he what if the same man shew thee a more safe way to preserue the life of thy soule then either thou at this present knowest or any of thy Parents euer heard of wilt thou consent and imbrace his counsell Yea said Edwine God forbid that I should not bee ruled by him that thus should free me from this present danger set me vpon the throne of a Kingdome and after these great fauours should also teach mee the way to an eternall life Vpon this answere laying his right hand on Edwines head he said vnto him When these things shall in order come to passe then call to minde this time and what thou hast promised and so vanished from his presence The young Prince thus left betwixt hope and despaire his friend that had forewarned him of his death came hastily to him with a more cheerfull countenance Come in Edwine quoth he and surcease thy cares for the Queene hath not onely changed Redwalds mind to saue thy life but he also hath granted to maintaine thy right against Ethelfrid thine enemy Which shortly he did and slew him as we haue said Edwine thus placed vpon the Princely Throne his first Wife Queenburg being dead in his exile receiued in marriage Ethelburga surnamed Tace a fit name for a woman the Daughter of King Ethelbert and Sister to Edbald King of Kent a most chaste and vertuous Christian Lady whose teacher was Paulinus and both of them Gods instruments for the Conuersion of the Northumbrians to the imbracement of Christian Religion But because we shall haue occasion to speake of this Edwine as he was Monarch of the Englishmen we will reserue his Acts Issues and Raigne to bee further related in the course of his Succession Hee was slaine in battell against Cadwall King of the Britaines and Penda King of the Mercians when he had prosperously raigned seuenteene yeeres the twelfth of October Anno 633. and was buried in Saint Peters Church at Streanshall after called Whitby Vpon whose death the Kingdome of Northumberland was againe diuided OSricke the Sonne of Alfrid Edwines Vncle succeeding in the Prouince of Deira and Fanfrith the Sonne of Ethelfrid the Wilde in the Prouince of the Bernicians these with the rest of Ethelfrids Children for the continuance of Edwins Raigne had in banishment beene preserued among the Scots and Red-shanks and there had receiued the Sacrament of Baptisme but after the death of their Enemie these Princes returned to their owne Country and former superstitions renouncing againe the profession of Christ. Yet this their Apostasie saith Beda remained not long vnpunished For Cadwallader King of the Britaines with wicked force but with worthy vengeance slew them both the next Sommer ensuing Osrike vnprepared and his whole Army penned in the Suburbs of their owne Citie he miserably slew and possessing the Prouince of the Northumbrians not as a King or Conqueror but rather like an outragious Tyrant destroied and rent in tragicall manner all things before him Eanfrith vnaduisedly with twelue chosen persons comming to Cadwallader to intreat vpon peace were cruelly put to death This yeere saith he continueth vnhappy and hatefull euen vnto this day as well for the Apostasie of these English Kings as also for the Britain Kings furious tyranny Wherefore the Historiographers of that time haue thought it best that the memory of these Apostate Kings being vtterly forgotten the selfe-same yeere should be assigned to the Raigne of the next following King Oswald a man dearely beloued of God OSwald the sonne of Wild Ethelfrid and brother to King Eanfrith beganne his raigne ouer the Northumbrians Anno 634. hauing first embraced Christianitie and receiued Baptisme in Scotland wherein hee was secured all the raigne of King Edwin and had withall learned some experience in warre Hee comming vnlooked for with a small Armie but fensed saith Beda with the Faith of Christ obtained against Cedwald King of the Britaine 's a great victorie the manner whereof with his other acts atchieued wee will further declare in his succession among the Monarkes of the English-men whereof hee was the ninth from Hengist He sent for Aidan a Scotish Diuine to teach his people the Doctrine of Christ inlarged his Kingdome and reconciled the Deirians and Bernicians who were at mortall enmitie He was slaine and cruelly rent in peeces by the vnmercifull Pagan Penda
into other coun tries They are exempted from war Their schollers must learne a great many verses by heart They vse the Greek letters lest their skill should be too common Their Theology is that the soule dieth not but passeth from one to another Their naturall Philosophie Lucan Of their commerce and traffick Polybius the first that tooke notice of this land Polyb. lib. 3. Cambd. Britannia de moribus Britan Matters scarse to be beleeued That Himilco entred this Iland Polyb. Eclog. lib. 10. That Hannibal should war here That Alexander came hither That Vlysses should visit Britaine The like examples we haue now of Cap. Henry c. The Romans not mentioned either by Thucydides or Herodotus Ioseph contra Appion lib. 1. Gaules and Spaniards for many yeeres vnknown to Historiographers The Britains vnknown to their next neighbors Caesar com lib. 4. Their merchandize of small vse Strabo Their shipping very meane Shâ—…s first inuented in Britaine is a matter to be doubted The ships of this Iland according to Caesar. Plinie and Lucan of the ships of this Iland Casar The Britaines coines The first Romane coynes with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were in Caesars time Sir Robert Cotten The mâ—…ks to know 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Of their warres Caesar com 4. They amaze the enemy 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of their chariot 〈◊〉 Casar com 5. They fight not in great companies together They haue euer fresh men in the roomes of them that are weary Strabo Diodorus Siculus The Britaines fight in chariots as the vse was in the worlds first age Pomponius Mela. Tacitus Their chiefe strength consists in sootmen Iuuenal Dio. Their footmen run swiftly Their armor Herodian Many British women renowned for valour Tacitus Queen Elizabeth a glorious virgin Queen A most valorous Princesse in war Tacitus The British womens rufull attire and the Druides behauiour in praier amaze the Roman souldiers The Romans deriue their name from an infamous person Titus Liuius c. The poore beginnings of Scythian and Turkish Empires And of Iewish Deut. 26. 5. Isai. 51. 1. The British gouernment Their succession doubtfull Not meerly monarchicall How in Caesars time and after Tacit. an 14. 11. Tacit. histor lib. 3. cap. 9. Their emulations ambition Pomponius Mela. Tacitus in vita Agrico Caesar first enterer not conquerer Caractacus Tacitus Annal. lib. 2. cap. 5. Gildas S. Hierome Ptolemâ—…i Geograph Caesar. 〈◊〉 lib. 4. Caesar. commen lib. 5. Verolam a famous City neere to the place where now S. Albons is Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 2. Camb. Britan. Numb 24. 17. Isay. 11. 1. Isay. 9. 6. Matt. 2. Esay 11. 6. Mica 4. 3. Sâ—…ton iâ—… vitae Catigâ—… sâ—… 44. Dio calls him Catacratus Tacitus in vitae Agricâ—… Tacitus in vita Agricola Zonaras Tacit. Annal. 12. cap. 8. Psal. 2. Numb 24 23. Ioseph Antiqui lib. 1. cap. 3. Aristotle The reason why Nations Originals are so hardly found out The three chiefe notes of the Britaines 1. The first note of the Britaines their Nakednes Caesar. Herodian Pliny Dio. Herodian * Saint Cypriâ—… interprets A 〈◊〉 East D. 〈◊〉 West A. arctos North. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 South 2. Ignorance Paneg. ad Constan. Paneg ad Constan. Strabo Pliny Dioscorides Caesar. Tacitus 3. Pride Herodian Mela. Caesar. 2. The second note of the Britaines their painting Caesar. Caesar. Pliny Cambd. in Briâ—… p. 14. Mela. Pliny 3. The thiâ—…d note of the Britaines their picturing of their bodies Solinuâ—… I sidore Maculosa Nobilitas Herodian Solinus Claudian * The Appendix to Hariots Virginea Their married weomen The vse of their different picturing Their Virgins The Men. The later British weomen Agryppa de laâ—…de saeminarum Of their women Gouernors Queen Elizabeth descended from Owen Tender whome Lâ—…iland calleth Mâ—…ridyck Tacitus Beda Of the Britains habits in warre Diodorus Die Strabo Herodian Die Herodien The Romans the second possessors of this Iland Iulius Caesar the first Roman attempter * Calez Suet. in vita Caesar Sect. 7. Caesars speech beholding Alexanders picture Caesars complottings for the Empire Caesar ten yeeres in Gallia Caesar the first Roman that assailed the Germans Causes of Caesars inuasion Sueton. in vita Caesar. Strabo Bacon de arte natura Volusenus Caesars spic Athenaeus reports he had 1000. ships The Romans diuided thâ—… night into foure equall parts each part being called a watch Caesar commeth in person against Britaine * Thought to bee Deale This ensigne was an Eagle of siluer standing in a little shrine vpon the top of a speare Valer. Mâ—… lib. 3. cap. 2. Caesar. bell â—…il Ioseph Iscanus in Antiocheidâ—… * Viz. Pompey The first assay for the conquest of this Land An. â—…nds 3873. Caesar putteth the Britains to flight At Barham Down Caesar seeth the dispersion of his ships The Britaines second ambassage to Caesar. Caesars ships distressed Suetonius in vit Caesar. Britaines reuolt The Britaines suddenly assaile the Romanes Clem. Edmunds his obseruations on Caes. Comment li. 4. ca. 12. obscr 2. Cas. Commenâ—… li. 4. The manner of the Britaines fight The Britains gather a greater power Cor. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Comius supplieth Caesar with â—…0 〈◊〉 The Britaines â—…ubmit 〈◊〉 the third time Aequinoctium is 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are both of a length Caesar was now the first that had 20. daies 〈◊〉 gâ—…ted the greatest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 5. daies or 10. at the most Most of the Britaines breake couenant with Caesar. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some thinke to be Calis some S Oâ—… Caesar againe landeth at the place of his first arriual Caesar resisted at the riuer Stower The Britains driuen from their fortresse Caesars Nauie greatly impaired by tempest Hee draweth his fleet on shoare Caesar. Com. lib. 5. Flor. Histor. Fabian Cassibelan brother of King Lud. Lamber Peramb Britaines retire to their seuerall Prouinces Thought to be Oatland Beda lib. 1. cap. 2. The Trinobants submit to Caesar. Beda calleth him Androgorius lib. 1. cap. 2. Ceminagues Segontianus Ancalits Bibrokes Cassians S. Albans besieged by Caesar. The Gouernours of Kent ioine with Cassibelan against Caesar. Cassibelan solliciteth for peace A great Tribute So saith an old written Chronicle the Author not named Tacitus in vita Agric. Eutrop. Plin. Caesars ambition Caesars death British Writers vary from Caesar. That Cassibelan repulsed Caesar twice Nenion won Caesars sword Beda hist. li. 1. c. 2. Lucan Eutropius Tacitus Tacit. lib. 12. ca. 〈◊〉 In vita Agric. Diodi 39. Caesar got nothing in Britaine saue the sight of the Countrie Quintilian Caesar would bee stiled amongst the Gods Sueton. Plutarch Caesar forewarned to take heed of the Ides of March. His dreames His wiues dream Ould Meta. li. 15. His personage Easie to be reconciled Seneca Cotas apud Athenaeum His successe in warre and number of battles His Offices Num. 24. 24. Dan. 11. 30. Dan. 2. 35. * From Macedonia say some Caesar against Antony Sueton. in vita August Cicero against Antonius Antonius discomfited Octauian and Antony reconciled The Empire too great Fabian out of Guido Columna Dio Cass.
Saxons enter Britaine vnder Hengist Horsa W. Malmesbury Beda 1. 15. Saxons ouercome the Enemie and free the Britains A composition betwixt Saxon and Britaine * Britaines Witichindas Hengist had the whole possession of Kent Fabian The King giueth himselfe to securitie Ioâ—… Stow. Hengist seasteth the King The King in loue with Rowena In the Fictious of Virg. 〈◊〉 1. Caxton 〈◊〉 Mark 10. Vortigern would needs haue Rowena to wife Will. Malmesb. de Regibus Verstegan Restit cap. 〈◊〉 Tacit. destri Cer. cap. 2. Crantzius Pagan Germans account of tyrannoâ—…s beasta Hengist and Horse their Atâ—… The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arâ—… The Duke of Sauoy his Armes Chron. Sax. Hengist his Country and parentage Floren. Wigoru Beda hist. Ang. li. 2. ca. 15. Hengist his first rising Ninius Octa and Ebissa a tettor to the Britaines The Nobilities complaint Vortigern reproued by the Bishop of London He continueth in his folly His subiects disclaime their obedience They chuse Vortimer Catigern and Horsa their single fight Iohn Stowe Cits-Cotihouse Catigern his Monument Beda hist. Aug. lib 1 cap. 15. Horsted the place of Horsa his Monument The Battels betweene Britaines and Saxons The Saxons driuen ouer Seas Vortimer poisoned by Rowena Leiden Castle in Holland begunne by Hengist Iohn Dousa Hengists landing resisted by the Britaines Matth. Westm. Hengist vseth treacherie At Salisbury-Plain the Britaines and Saxons treat of agreement Will. Malmesb. de regibus The Saxons suddenly murder the Britaines Randulp Higden Polychr li. 5. cap. 1. Diuers countries deliuered to the Infidels Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 15. Great spoile and desolation ouer all the Land The Britaines abandoned the Land Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 17. Pelagianisme brought into Britaine by Agricola The Heritikes conuicted The principall cause of the Britaines miseries Vortigern flieth into Wales Merlin the Welsh Wizard He builded a Castle there The differing opinions where this Castle was built Faustus spent his life in continuall praier Aurelius Ambrosius Captaine of the Britaines Beda hist. Eccles. Angl. lib. 1. ca. 16. Aurelius Ambrosius and Vter Pendragon returne out of Britaine Armorica A Battle at Maesbell Hengist discomfited Geffry ap Arthur Matth. Westminst Polydore Hengist raigne Geffry ap Arthur Arthurs acts augmented with fables The Saxons often at dissension among themselues The mightiest of the Saxon Kings alwaies King of the Englishmen Onely the East-Saxons intruded not on their neighbours dominions 1. An. Do. 455. Kent in the daies of Iulius Caesar the Seat of foure Kings Hengist his raign and death Of Hengist see more in the succession of the English Monarchy cap. 12. 2. An. Do. 488. Petrus Albinus Eske the second King of Kent Retained prisoner in Yorke His raigne and death Beda hist. Angl. lib. 2. cap. 5. 3. An. Do. 512. Octa his raigne 4. An. Do. 532. Florent Wigâ—… Iâ—…erik the sonne of Eske Iâ—…erik his children 5. An. Do. 561. Ethelbert the sonne of Iâ—…erik Cheulin inâ—…adeth his Territors Ethelbert the fifth Monarch of the Englishmen His first wife and children by her In the life of Saint Weâ—…rg His second wife 1. Cor. 5. 1. Repetition auoided in this Historie Beda Hist. Eccles Angl. lib 2. cap. 5. Heâ—…r 〈◊〉 6. An. Do. 617. Beda hist. â—…ccles Aug. lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 5. Edbald his sâ—… ther dead refused the doctrine of Christ. He married his Mother in Law Edbald often plagued Reclaimed from Idolatry by the Archbishop His Wife His Daughter His Sonnes and their issue Edbald his liberalitie to the Church Beda hist. Angl. lib. 1. cap. 6. His raigne and buriall 7. An. Do. 641. His care of Gods worship Beda hist. lib. 2. c. 〈◊〉 His Wife and issue Kent diuided into Parishes His raigne and death 8. An. Do. 665. Egbert his murther The fact reuealed Wil. Malmesbury de gestiâ—… rerum Anglorum Their bodies solemnly buried Dopnena their sister Her religiousnes Egbert his raigne and death Beda hist. eccles Ang. lib. 4. cap. 5. 9. An. Do. 673. Lothaire intrudeth into the Kingdome Matt. Westminst Lothaire slaine Beda hist. Eccles. Angl lib. 4. ca. 5. 26. His raigne Lothaire maketh but a â—…est of murder His buriall 10. An. Do. 686. Beda hist. Angl. lib. 4 cap. 26. Edrik his raigne His death Ceadwalla and Mollo inuade Kent Mollo burned to death 11. An Do. 693. Wigtred his meanes of attaining the Kingdome His bounty to the Church Beda Hist. Eccles. Angl. lib. 4. c. 26. lib. 5. cap. 9. His raigne and death 12. An. Do. 726. Edbert a vertuous prince His raigne Two blazing Starres His Buriall 13. An. Do. 749. Ethelbert his raigne His death His buriall 14. Alrik the last of lincall succession All the Kings of Kent after Alrik vsurpers 15. An. Do. 794. His imprisonment His releasement His raigne 16. An. Do. 797. His raigne 17. An. Do. 805. Baldred tooke vpon him the kingdome of Kent Egbert Monarch of the English-men This kingdomes beginning continuance and end The limits of this kingdome An. D. 488. The Inhabitants chased into a wood The diuers opinions of Ellas first entrance Maâ—… omitteth this Kingdome Ella his raigne and death 2. An. Do. 514. Cissa Succeeded Chichester and Chisburis founded by Cissa Stow. Cissaes Raigne 3. Liber Historialis S. Swithune VVâ—…ion Beda lib. 4. ca. 13. 〈◊〉 Edilbâ—…es Godfather Ebba the wife of VVolfere Beda loâ—…o ciâ—…ato Selsee in Sussex Cap. 15. His raigne and death Beda hist. l. 4. c. 13. Ceadwald driuen backe Beda Hist. Eccles. Angl. lib. 4. cap. 15. The continuance and end of this Kingdome The VVest Saxons the first that brought the Heptarchy to a Monarchy Florent Wâ—… 2. An. Do. 495. The time when Cherdik entred into Britaine An. Do. 508. The circuit of this kingdome The first Kings raigne issue and death 3. An. Do. 535. Kenrik his battels â—…anbery in Oxsordshire His issue Cheaulin Cuthwolfe and Cuâ—… Cearlike the son of Cuthwolfe rebelleth against his Vncle. Chedwall the most renowned King of the West-Saxons 4. An. Do. 561. Cheaulin the time when he began to raigne An vnquiet and ambitious neighbour Wimbledon cap. 5. Sect. 5. Stowe Ouerthrowne by Cealrik His raigne His issue Cuth and Cuthwin Cuth a vaâ—…nt vvarrior Slaine 〈◊〉 Fethanleygh 5. An. Do. 592. Cearlik the 〈◊〉 King of the West-Saxons His raignes continuance 6 Chelwolfe when he began to raigne VVest-Saxons inusded by three sundry Enemies Hen Huntingd. His death 7. An. Do. 611. Kingils his comming to the Kingdome Quinchelinus his associate Wil. Malmsbury Marianus Florent Wigorn. Their victorie ouer the Britaines Kingils conuerted to Christianitie the first of all the VVest-Saxons Kings Beda hist. Angl. lib. 3 cap. 7. Oswald a witnes at his baptizing His gift to Kingils 8. An. Do. 643. Beda hist. Angl. lib. 3. cap. 7. Kenwald reâ—…th the Christian faith He 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of his Kingdome Roâ—… ald wonne to the faith of Châ—…ist His vvorks of deuotion 〈◊〉 Malmsbury His raigne and death Vita Alel His Wife gouerneth the kingdome An. Do. 674. She becomes a Nunne
not learned the truth of things indeed he admitteth without discretion and iudgement the vanitie and vntruths of fables I forbeare to speake saith he what great matters this fellow hath forged of the Britaines acts before the Empire and comming in of Caesar. Thus farre Paruus But I know the answer to this so great an accusation namely that this William making suit vnto Dauid ap Owen Gwyneth Prince of North-wales for the Bishoprick of Saint Assaphs after the death of Geffrey and thereof failing falsly scandalized and impudently belied that most reuerend man Which surely had been a great fault and might of vs be beleeued had not others of the same ranke and time verified asmuch 17 For Syluester Giraldus commonly called Cambrensis that flourished in the same time with the said author made no doubt to terme it The fabulous story of Geffrey The like is verified by Iohn Weathamstead Abbat of Saint Albanes a most iudicious man that wrote in anno 1440. who in his Granarie giueth sentence of this history as followeth The whole discourse of Brutus saith he is rather poeticall then historicall and for diuers reasons is built more vpon opinion then truth first because there is no mention thereof made in the Romane story either of his killing his father or of the said birth or yet of banishing the sonne Secondly for that Ascanius begat no such sonne who had for his proper name Syluius by any approued Author for according to them he begat only one sonne and his name was Iulius from whom the family of the Iulii tooke their beginning And thirdly Syluius Posthumus whom perhaps Geffrey meaneth was the sonne of Aeneas by his wife Lauinia and he begetting his sonne Aeneas in the thirty eighth yeer of his raigne ended his life by course of naturall death The kingdome therfore now called England was not heretofore as many will haue named Britaine of Brutus the sonne of Syluius Wherefore it is a vaine opinion and ridiculous to challenge noble blood and yet to want a probable ground of the challenge for it is manhood only that enobleth a nation and it is the mind also with perfect vnderstanding and nothing els that gaineth gentility to a man And therefore Seneca writeth in his Epistles to Plato that there is no King but he came from vassals and no vassall but he came from Kings Wherefore to conclude let this suffice saith he that the Britaine 's from the beginning of their nobility haue been couragious and valiant in fight that they haue subdued their enemies on euery side and that they vtterly refuse the yoke of seruitude 18 Now that William of Newborough had sufficient cause say some to exclaime against the fantacies of Merline and the fictions of Arthur is made manifest in the sequel not only by the decree of that obtruded Councell of Trent wherein was inhibited the publication of Merlines books but also in effect by the statute enacted the fifth yeere of our last deceased Queene Elizabeth of blessed and immortall memorie wherein is forbidden such fantasticall predictions vpon occasions of Armes Fields Beasts Badges Cognizances or Signets such as Merline stood most vpon and likewise William of Malmsbury saith that Arthur being the only proppe that vpheld his country deserued rather to be aduanced by truth then abused with fables wherewith that story is most plentifully stored And also that Weathamstead had reason to account Brutes acts and conquests to be rather poeticall then any waies warranted by the records of truth appeareth by the silence of the Romane writers therein who name neither Brute nor his father in the genealogie of the Latine Kings and if any such were saith the contradictors how could they be ignorant of the vntimely death of their king slaine by the hand of his naturall though in this act vnnaturall sonne or what should moue them being so lauish in their own commendations to be thus silent in their Brutes worthinesse that with seuen thousand dispersed Troians warred so victoriously in Gallia conquered a kingdome of Giants subdued a most famous Iland raigned gloriously and left the same to his posterity none of them either in prose or poetry once handled but left to destiny to be preserued by a long ensuing meanes or to perish in obliuion for euer And surely this moued the whole senate of great Clerks to giue sentence that neuer any such Brute raigned in the world such as were Boccace Viues Hadrian Iunius Polydore Buchanan Vignier Genebrard Molinaeus Bodine and others 19 Yea and there are some Criticks that faine would take aduantage from the defenders of Brutes history themselues as from Sir Iohn Prys that produceth many vncertaine ensamples of the originall of other nations which granted say they doth no waies confirme the truth or certainty of our owne neither is it any honour to deriue these Britaines from the scumme of such conquered people as the Troians were Humfrey Lhuyd likewise denying absolutely the deriuation of the Britaines name from Brute and bringing it from two compounded words as we haue said doth thereby weaken the credit of his conquest of this Iland to their vnderstanding as also the catalogue of his successors which are said to raigne successiuely for many hundred of yeeres after him And another industrious British writer hauing the helpe of two most ancient British copies the collections of Caradock of Carnaruan their owne Bardies euery third-yeeres visitation and twenty seuen authors of good account all of them cited in the preface of his Chronicle besides his helps had in the offices of records for this realme yet ascending no higher then to the person of Cadwallader Prince of Wales whose raign was in the yeere of Christs incarnation 682. and no lesse then one thousand seuen hundred twenty and sixe yeeres after that Brute is said to come into this Iland doth not warrant say they the story that is included betwixt but rather euen the same is enterlaced with many doubtfull vncertainties and so left disputable by the said compiler himselfe as namely whether that this Cadwallader whom the Britaines claime to be their king be not the same Chedwald whom the Saxons would haue theirs both liuing at one time both in acts alike and names neere both abandoning their kingdomes both taking the habit of religion both dying in Rome both buried in one Church nay say they in one Sepulchre The like he bringeth of the Britaines Iuor and the Saxons Iue in the like coherences of names acts deuotions and deaths so that this history of Brute carieth not so smooth a current for passage as is wished nor is that Gordeons knot so easily vnloosed Againe the Reformer of the British history himselfe although he hath written one whole chapter in defence of Geffrey Monmouth and straineth to make his booke authenticall complaining often and accusing learned and vnpartiall Cambden seuerall
of God and Heauens you only know Or only erre therein Where shady woods doe grow There you repose and teach that Soules immortall be Nor silent Erebus nor Plutoes Hall shall see And if your Sawes be sooth Death is no finall dome But only Mid-way twixt life past and life to come Braue Britain bloods perdilwarmd with this happy error Death greatest feare of feares amates the with no terror Hence t' is they manly rush on pikes and griesly death And scorne base minds that stick to sped reuiuing breath 9 These Britaines being meerly barbarous as most of the Western parts of the world then were liued priuately to themselues with scarce any commerce or entercourse with any other nation neither indeed were much known to forraine people for a long time For the first notice of them extant was by Polybius the Greek writer that accompanied Scipio in his warres about the yeere of the worlds creation 3720. and two hundred and nine before the birth of our Sauiour Christ. Which Author nameth their Iland to be plenteously stored with Tynne but of other things therin is silent saying that al those parts which lay betwixt Tanais and Narbor bending Northward in his daies were vnknown and vncertaine and therefore the reporters of them he held as dreamers So doth Master Cambden another Polybius no way his inferior account it a prodigall humor of credulity to be perswaded that Himilco from the state of Carthage sent to discouer the coasts of Europe in the said expedition entred this Iland or that Hannibal should war in this Iland because Polybius in the Eclogues of his tenth booke saith that he was inclosed within the streits of Britaine which place is mistaken for the Brutij in Italy or that Alexander came from the East Indians to Gades and from thence into Britaine though Cedrenus say so seeing all other writers are against it or that Vlysses ancient enough if he be that Elishah the sonne of Iauan the fourth sonne of Iapheth should visit Britaine in his trauels whereof Brodaeus maketh doubt though Solinus report that an Altar in Caledonia was erected and Vlysses in Greeke letters thereon inscribed Which might very well be for who doubteth but that the Greekes in their vaine deuotions did both build and sacrifice vnto their Gods which they made of their worthiest men and sith Vlysses in regard of his farre sea-trauels was had in speciall account among all nauigators why might not such monuments be reared and his name inscribed as farre as the Grecians trauelled though his person neuer came there And if the Romanes at whose greatnesse the whole world trembled were so lately known in those ancient times as that neither Thucydides nor Herodotus made mention of them yea and with much adoe at last were heard of by the Grecians themselues as Iosephus affirmeth And if the Gaules and Spaniards inhabitants in the continent for many yeeres together were vtterly vnknowen to the worlds historiographers shall we then thinke that this remote Iland and people then far from ciuility were noted foorth with markes of more certainty surely to my seeming nothing lesse seing that their next neighbours the Gaules knew not so much as what manner of men they were none resorting thither except some few merchants and they no further then vpon the sea coasts neither able to describe the bignesle of the Iland the puissance of the inhabitants their order for war the lawes that they vsed the customes of the people nor their hauens for the receit of ships all which Caesar by diligent inquiry sought after but could find no satisfaction till he had sent some purposely to search it out 10 Neither is this their want of knowledge to bee wondred at seeing the entercourse of their trafficke was vpheld by so meane commodities for Strabo saith that their merchandizing chiefly consisted in Iuory Boxes Sheeres Onches Bits and Bridles Wreaths Chains with other conceits made of Amber and Glasse for which notwithstanding they were compelled to pay customes and imposts vnto Oct auian Augustus as elsewhere shall be shewed 11 And as their commodities were very mean so were their meanes either for exportation or importation very slender in those times I meane their shipping It is true that some are of opinion that Ships were first inuented in these our Seas but that this should be true I haue cause to doubt that Art being long before inspired by God himselfe into the heart of Noah for making the Arke and no doubt practised by that paterne of many others But that the ancient Britaines had ships of reasonable vse though of simple Art Cesar testifieth saying that the keeles and ribs of their ships were of light wood and couered ouer with leather which kinde the now Britaine 's call Corraghs and with them saith Polyhistor they did saile betwixt Britannie and Ireland which sea for roughnesse and danger may bee compared with any other whatsoeuer though the bulke of their vessels were but of some flexible wood couered with the hides of Bufflles and as long as they were sailing so long did they abstaine from meat whereby it seemeth they neuer sailed any great iourneys And of this their shipping Pliny also speaketh and Lucan singeth thus Primùm cana salix madefacto vimine paruam Texitur in puppim caesoque induta iuuenco Vector is patiens tumidum super emicat amnem Sic Venetus stagnante Pado fusoque Britannus Nauigat Oceano At first of hoary sallowes wreathed boughs the ships Small bulke is trimly twist and clad in bullocks hide Then patient to be rul'd on swelling wanes she skips Thus on the spacious Poe the Venice Merchants glide And Britaine Pilots saile on surge of Ocean wide But after-times brought the Britaines to more exquisite skill in nauall affaires insomuch as the royall Nauie of this Kingdome hath beene reputed and so is at this day not only the inuincible walles of our owne but the incredible terror of al other Kingdoms which haue or shall enuy our happie peace and the aduentures likewise of Merchants and the skill of our Seamen hath left no corner of the world vnsearcht 12 And their trafficke amongst themselues was not of much worth in that as Cesar saith the Coines which they had were either of brasse or else iron rings sized at a certaine waight which they vsed for their monies Of which kind some haue auerred they haue seene found and lately taken vp in little cruses or pitchers of earth But as times grew more ciuill and trafficke more frequent they shortly after stamped both siluer and gold and thereon the faces of their Kings euen in the daies of Iulius Caesar who was the first that had his owne stampt on the Romane Coynes Many of these are amongst vs remaining whereof I haue inserted some few as in their due places shall follow which I receiued from the liberall hand of that most
by these here inserted doth euidently appeare one with two faces like vnto Ianus and foure more with his owne besides three others wherein is read his name one of them with a womans head another with a horse and the third with a wreath all these if not more are knowne to be his which sheweth his wealth his fame and his ciuill respect The chiefest Citie for his princely residence was Camalodunum now Malden in Essex wonne by Claudius from the sonnes of Cunobeline as by the inscription of the Coyne next ensuing appeareth and wherein many of the British monies also receiued their impresse This City with the free towne Verolam afterwards felt the heauy hand of mercilesse BODVO in her reuenge against the Romans who laid the beauty and gorgeous buildings thereof so leuell with the earth that those walles and mounted turrets neuer since aspired to halfe their wonted heights 7 Adminius the first sonne of Cunobeline King of the Britaines by Suetonius his report vpon some offence was banished the Iland by his father and with a small traine fled ouer the seas into Belgia where Caius Caligula was in making his ridiculous expedition against the Ocean And yeelding himselfe to his protection added matter to his vaine glorious humors as of a great victory and conquest sending the newes therof to Rome with an especiali command that his letters should be deliuered in the Temple of Mars and that in the assembly of a full Senate It is iudged by learned Cambden that the Roman Coyne aboue prefixed vpon whose reuerse is inscribed Metropolis Etiminij Regis to be meant of this Adiminius the sonne of Cunobeline whose Citie Camalodunum Claudius Caesar the Emperour afterwards wonne and wherein a temple was built and consecrated vnto him attended by the Priests Augustals which heauily burdened the poore estates of the Britaines 8 Catacratus another son of Cunobeline immediatly after the death of his father found himself agrâ—…eued at the Romans for the retaining of certaine fugitiues the betraiers of their natiue country wherâ—… one Bericus was a chiefe and a great firebrand of Claudius his attempts against the Britains This Catacratus maintained resistance against Aulus Plautius the Emperors Deputy with such noble resolution and warlike encounters that often he endangered both his person and army But Fortune and victory attending the Romans brought at length Catacratus their captiue into bands with great slaughters of his Britaines himselfe led shortly after in great triumph through Rome in honor of Plautius his so fortunate successe The miseries of others thus made the Romans to mount the chaire of their triumphs and the chaines of their captiues the records of their present aspired pride But the bordering Dâ—…buni seeing his fall made their owne standings surer by yeelding themselues subiects to Rome 9 Togodamnus the third sonne of Cunobeline and successor to Catacratus prosecuted his countries quarrell with the like boldnesse and resolution as his brother before him had done was the only touchstone that gaue Vespasian his lustre whose interpositions as Tacitus saith was the beginning of that greatnesse whereunto afterwards he aspired And with such manhood followed the chase of the Romans that in a bloody battell he ended his life and brought Plautius their Lieutenant vnto a stand where straitned in dangers both of place and people he was forced to send to Claudius the Emperor whose conceit was then grounded that in Britaine was greatest glory to be gotten and therefore came to his assistance in person himselfe the first since Iulius Caesar that attempted their conquest His recorded compositions made with Aruiragus the mariage of his daughter and building of Glocester I leaue to be read out of Geffrey of Monmouth and to be allowed at the choice of his hearer only noting that the possession of so faire a land drew the affection and aged person of this Emperor to vndergoe so farre distant and dangerous a iournie as this of Britaine lay from Rome 10 Cogidunus a Britain borne receiued in pure gift at the hands of the Romans certain Cities ouer which he peaceably raigned their King For when they had conquered the neerest part of this Iland and reduced it into the forme of a Promiâ—… according to their ancient policie it was their custome saith Tacitus to vse Kings themselues for instruments of bondage both in admittance of their authority and in protecting them against their opposits Other memoriall of him none remaineth but that he is reported to haue rested euer most faithfull to the Romans and was of them accordingly esteemed albeit his owne people bare him no such good will but rather accounted him and others his like to be Romes only instruments and Britaines vipers that brought in strangers to eat out the home-bred inhabitants and fettered the freedome of their land with the heauy chaines of a forrein subiection 11 Caractacus the most renowned prince of the Silures in nine yeeres resistance waded through many aduentures against the common enemy For when as the Icenians Cangi and Brigantes began to faint and giue ouer he only with the Ordouices held out with such seruice and fame that thereby he grew both famous and fearefull to the Romans But Destinies determining the downfall of Britain the props that were set to stay it still vp proued too slender and brake vnder the waight For this bold Caractacus ouerthrown in battell his wife daughter and brethren taken prisoners and his forces defeated committed himselfe to the protection of Cartismandua the Brigantes faithlesse Queene who by her was deliuered to the Romans and by P. Ostorius brought to Rome where beholding the riches and glory of that City he openly and boldly checked the auarice and ambitious humors of the Romans who being owners of so great and glorious things were notwithstanding couetous and greedy for the poore possessions of the Britains And there being led in triumph with admiration he was beheld of all the spectators and for his vndanted spirit and magnanimous resolution released of bands and taken into fauour by Claudius the Emperor And the Lords of the Senate assembled together made glorious discourses touching Caractacus captiuity affirming it to be no lesse honorable then when P. Scipio shewed Syphax vnto the people and L. Paulus Perses or if any other had exhibited to the view of the people kings vanquished and ouercome The British Coyne here aboue shewed by the scattered letters therein inscribed is by the iudicious obseruers of such ancient monies supposed to be his 12 Venutius a famous King of the Brigantes and husband to Cartismandua a woman of an high and noble linage but of a base and vnsatisfied lust finding his bed abused by Vellocatus his seruant and harnesse-bearer raised his power against her and her paramour With him sided his Brigantes and the neighbour countries adioining whose good will went generally with the lawfull husband fearing the ambitious authority of a lustfull woman With her went the
certaine predictions in Rome happening were so respected and generally expounded That Nature was about to bring forth a King that should raigne ouer the whole world And albeit these and other Heathen Writers ascribe these things either to Augustus himselfe or to some of his fauorites yet wee see them accomplished in none other but Iesus Christ the Messiah our blessed Sauiour in whom only the Kingdome of God began with the vtter subuersion of all their heathenish Oracles which at his birth or at furthest at his death ceased all and gaue place to HIS eternitie Which time of his birth by the Scriptures most certaine account was from the worlds creation 3927. and is set by the Britaine 's in the fourteenth of their Cunobelines raigne and by other authenticke Writers in the two and fortieth of Augustus Caesar euen in the top of that Empires greatnesse when Rome was with an vniuersall subiection acknowledged the absolute Lady of the knowne earth For so in S. Luke wee read that this Augustus then first taxed the world A text most strong for the full dissolution of the foure foregone kingdomes represented in Daniels Image by the fall of this stone Christ the rocke and stay of our eternall happinesse 7 This Emperour raigned in great honour the space of fifty six yeeres and was obeyed both by the Easterne Indians and the Northerne Scythians with the subiection of the Parthians a fierce and vntamed people and generally with the loue of all Hee was a Prince indued with great wisdome magnanimitie and Iustice yet faulty in this that he tooke from Tiberius Nero his wife Liuia both great with child and hauing also formerly borne him a sonne Deuout hee was in the worship of the Romane Gods amongst whom in the Capitoll he built an Altar vnto the Hebrew childe with this inscription The Altar of the first begotten Sonne of God being thereunto mooued by the Oracle of Apollo that had answered his owne destruction by the birth of this childe Of Stature he was but low and of a good complexion gray-eied his haire somewhat yellow and his body freckled with spots which as his flatterers would haue the world beleeue were in forme like starres Predictions foreshewing his gouernment and death are alleged the which I willingly ouerpasse holding most of them rather fantasies then truth At his death hee demanded of the standers by whether he had well acted the enterlude of his life vpon the stage of this world and died fourteene yeeres after Christ his incarnation leauing after him so honourable an estimation of his glory that as the succeeding Emperours in remembrance of Iulius Caesar gloried to be called Caesars so they euer held the name of Augusti to be sacred and only befitting persons destinated to imperiall Maiestie And both their names were inserted into the number of the moneths that the honour of them both might neuer perish while Times euiternitie should endure TIBERIVS CHAPTER IV. AVgustus Caesar thus gloriously raigning and peaceably dying had ordained for his successour Tiberius Nero the sonne of Tiberius the Patritian and of Liuia his wife whom as we said before he had taken for his Empresse and by whose incitements and continuall instigations that matter was procured though Suetonius thinketh it was by Augustus his owne ambitious conceit to make himselfe the sooner missed and the more lamented in leauing his sonne so vnlike him to succeed whose conditions as they stood vpon their owne basis hee knew to bee both reprooueable and also contemptible 2 But before the death of Caesar could be diuulged to write his imperiall stile as it were in blood he began with the murder of young Agrippa the sonne of Iulia daughter to Octanian and once his owne wife and continued his raigne with such tyrannie that many he slaughtred without respect of person or cause and in his loosest lasciuiousnesse thought of nothing but how to subuert the Nobilitie for rare it was in his daies that any such died a naturall death and maintaining a race of men Promoters as Tacitus tearmes them found out for a common ouerthrow and destruction of others allured them by rewards to accuse the rich though guiltlesse only this fauour granted to the condemned that if they slew themselues before the day of execution their bodies should haue buriall their goods not confiscate and their testament stand good in law 3 A great dissembler he was seeming euer to hate those vices which in truth he loued and to loue those vertues which he did most deadly hate and for life and libidinous filthinesse so extreme that a Christians pen may not expresse when the Heathen themselues doe blush to name such things as hee shamed not openly to commit his publike drunkennesse and continuall banquettings whereat hee spent whole daies and nights together without intermission caused exchange of names from Tiberius Nero to Biberius Mero Dissolute and carelesse he was in gouernment though some haue accounted him a wise and politicke Prince for the Prouinces he left to defend themselues and yet daily charged them with larger Tributes to their great impouerishment and almost vtter ruine 4 In this state amongst others neglected Britaine stood wherein Tiberius neither maintained garrison nor attempted alteration and whereby as it may be thought their owne Lawes and Princes bare sway among themselues howsoeuer the cause for Tribute was ballized betwixt them And most certaine it is the Britaines if not in subiection yet were well affected to the Romanes as appeareth by Tacitus in the kinde entertainments and in releeuing their shipwracked souldiers that in crossing the Seas were by tempest driuen vpon their Coasts and courteouslie sent thence by their petty Kings vnto Germanicus their Generall Notwithstanding Ieffrey Monmouth seemeth to affirme the contrary that bringeth the raign of one Guiderius and the valour of Aruiragus the sonnes of Cunobeline of whom more heereafter to withstand the Romish Command and vtterly to refuse the paiment of Tribute banding both against Tiberius as also against Caligula and Claudius the Emperours succeeding 5 Other remembrances of these times concerning vs finde we none besides that which is common to all namely the death of our Saviour Christ which vnder this Tyrant and in his eighteenth yeere was accomplished by the proceeding of his as wicked Deputy Pontius Pilate who both adiudged him to die and to bee guiltlesse of deseruing death whereby was wrought the mysterie of our Redemption with such signes and euidences of his Deitie that the wicked Iudge himselfe wrote thereof to Tiberius and hee to the Senate to haue him consecrated among the Roman Gods Which they refused to doe that the wisdome and diuine power of God in the doctrine of Saluation should not need the allowance and commendation of men as Eusebius hath well obserued 6 Finally when hee had raigned hated of all men
supported and lifted vp by his sons in Law on either side the glory of this Ilands conquest had so possessed this old Emperours mind NERO. CHAPTER VII THis violent and vnexpected death of Claudius gaue breath and life vnto Neroes further hopes for whilest the Consuls were assembled to make supplications for their Prince not knowing him alreadie dead Nero suddenlie set open the Palace gates and accompanied with shouts and acclamations entred the Cohorts that kept the watch where of them and the rest of the souldiers he was saluted Emperour the Senate as men affrighted with amazement not once contradicting the same 2 He was the sonne of Domitius Nero and of Iulia Agrippina the daughter of Germanicus brother to Claudius the precedent Emperour vitious by nature as sprung of those parents from whom as his owne father Domitius said no goodnesse could proceede and the same vile disposition was perfected and augmented by his owne affected study and pursuit of all possible leaudnesse as one who could well fit his wanton and lasciuious humours to the vnripenesse of his yeeres being not passing seuenteene when he assumed the Empire All religion he had in contempt and all lawes violated letting loose the reine to all vnnaturall lusts and licentiousnesse of life 3 For blood and libidiousnesse hee was held a most vnsatiate furie and amongst men a very monster of nature His father he poisoned vpon his mother he committed both incest and murder vpon males pollutions against nature deflowred the Vestals a matter sacrilegious impious slew his brother Germanicus and his sister Antonia his wiues Poppaea and Octauia his aunt Domitia his sonne in law Rufinus and his renowned Tutor Seneca With such sauage slaughter of the Romane Nobilitie that Tacitus their best Remembrancer was wearied to record their names whilest with a seruile patience as he termeth it they died honourably 4 The City Rome hee set on fire charging the Christians with the fact and inflicted such torments and death vpon them that they were pitied of their enemies and his owne cruelties thereby made more notorious Whose Religion though Suetonius tearmed new and a wicked superstition and Tacitus as it were in contempt nameth the Author thereof to be Christ who in Tiberius raigne as he with the Euangelists agreeth was put to death vnder Pontius Pilate Procurator of Iudea where that religion first began yet by him it is confessed that these men were innocent of the fact and their doctrine to burst forth further into many other parts insomuch that Rome it selfe did affect the same Yea and in Neroes Court also some embraced that faith as by the words of the Apostle is manifest who from the Saints in Caesars house sent salutations to the Brethren Phil. 4. 22. 5 And lastly to fill vp the measure of his bloudie crueltie he crucified Peter vpon the Crosse and beheaded Paul with the sword two principall Apostles of Iesus Christ and worthy instruments of the worlds saluation and forgetting the Maiestie of his estate fell into the sinke of contempt and all sinnes giuing his minde leaue to digest all vncleannesse and his bodie ouer to worke any base exercises attending nothing besides his Harpes and Harlots whereby a carelesse but yet a cruel gouernment was intertained and the Senate fashioning themselues to feed his loose humors stroue each to outstrip other in their base flatteries 6 In this state the Prouinces subiections began to stand doubtfull and the greatnesse of the Empire to ouercharge the foundation for the Parthians vnder Vologeses gaue Paetus the Romane a great ouerthrow and that in such wise that those which escaped were tearmed the vnfortunate Armie And in Britaine their affaires proceeded with no good successe for aged Didius could doe no more then keepe that which he had already gotten and Verannius his successor only with small inroades assailing the Silures was in his first yeere cut off by death insomuch that Nero hauing neither will motion nor hope to propagate and enlarge the Empire minded once to haue with-drawen the forces out of Britaine had it not beene for very shame 7 But Paulinus Suetonius attaining the gouernment of that Prouince in skill for seruice and opinion of people comparable to any sought to match his concurrent Corbulo who with daily victories prospered in Armenia himselfe wanting neither courage nor discretion to atchieue the like only matter and occasion the Iland affoorded none Therefore determining an expedition into further parts he made preparation to inuade the I le of Mona separated from the Continent by the Riuer Menai and fronted vpon the midst of Ireland both strong with inhabitants and a receptacle of Fugitiues 8 Against his approch the Ilanders had gathered their powers which stood thicke vpon the shoare readie armed to make resistance their women running among in mourning weedes their haire loose and firebrands in their hands like furies of hell together with their Druides men of religion who with hands and eies lifted vp towards heauen cried for vengeance and powred out curses as thicke as haile With the strangenesse of which sight the Romans stood amazed not offering one stroke seeming rather to present themselues for a pray vpon their enemies weapons then for the Conquest of their land or liues which sudden and vnexpected discouragement their Captaine soone redressed by putting them in remembrance of their wonted valours which now was farre ouermatchable vnto a fearefull flocke of weake women or a company of rude and franticke men wherupon their Ensignes were displaied and the Enemy presently dispersed and slaine themselues becomming masters both of the field and whole I le which no sooner was thus obtained but sudden newes came to recall their powers the Prouinces being raised to a present reuolt 9 For the Britaines in absence of the Generall laid open their publique greeuances growne now both common and intollerable by the oppressions of the Romanes who from the diseases of their Head had sucked and dispersed their corruptions throughout the Prouinces of the Empire and Catus Decianus the Procurator here in Britaine renewed the confiscation of their goods which Claudius had formerly remitted The Romane Colonie at Camulodunum thrust out the ancient Inhabitants seating them-selues in their possessions without any other recompence sauing reproachfull termes calling them their drudges slaues and vassalls besides the Temple there erected in honour of Claudius was now become an eie-sore vnto them as an Altar of their perpetuall subiection while the Augustall Priests there attending wasted all their wealth vnder prâ—…text of Religion But the very spring or head from whence the cause of this sudden Rebellion issued was the present abuse offered to Boduo Queene of the Icenians late wife to Prasutagus deceased vpon the insuing occasion 10 This Prasutagus King of the Icenians famous for his riches which a long time hee had beene gathering made Caesar with his two
daughters his heire by Will thinking by that flatterie his kingdome and house had beene sufficiently warranted from future iniuries which fell out cleane otherwise for his kingdome of the Centurions and his house by slaues were spoiled as lawfull booties his wife whipped and his daâ—…hters deflowred and the chiefest in that Prouince dispossessed of their rightfull inheritance and the Kings kindred reputed and vsed as Slaues 11 Whereupon the Icenians began seriously to discourse of their present miseries and bondage made subiect not onely to a Lieutenant that sucked their blood but likewise to a Procurator that sought their substance while with a seruile feare they yeelded to please the meanest Souldier As though the Heauens had framed them onely for seruitude and the Earth appointed to beare their iniuries vnreuenged whereas contrariwise they saw both heauen earth flexible to their deliuerance For whether by policie or chance the Image of victorie at Camulodunum fell downe reuersed without any apparant cause knowne the women distempered with furie ranne in the streetes singing and prophecying destructions strange noises were heard in the Court and howlings in the Theater and strange apparitions and Edifices seene in the Riuer Thamisis the Ocean it selfe betweene Gallia and them seemed all bloodie and the prints of dead bodies left in the sands at the Ebbe Againe waighing the present estate they saw Suetonius absent and busied to enlarge the Confines the midst but slenderly guarded and by those who were readier for priuate gaine then diligent to discharge the offices of warre The examples of other Prouinces also whetted the edge of their encouragements for Germany they saw had well shaken off the yoke of subiection The Parthians had reuolted and Armenia held play with Corbulo as famous as Paulinus Their cause was as iust their land as well defensed their ancestors as valiant in resisting the first Ring-leader Caesar and themselues better experienced of their aduersaries powers and theâ—…r owne abiliments So now hauing attained the hardest point which was their assembled Consultations a matter of as great danger to be taken with as in acting their intendments in fine this was resolued that libertie was to be preferred though bought with their liues and bondage to bee auoided if not otherwise then by their deaths 12 These their often and noted assemblies brought suspitions of some designements and the prodigies daily happening as they were motiues of encoragements vnto the Britaines So were they ominous signes to the Romanes of either part framed in their owne imaginations and construed according to their hoped or feared euents 13 The Confederates in this businesse were not to seeke their Leader their Queenes dishonours so apparantly knowne and for matter of gouernement they made no difference of Sexe her birth extracted from their Roiall blood her hearts affection approued to her Countrie her indignities receiued of the proud oppressors and her haughtie spirit threatning reuenge assured them of her vttermost endeuours which accordingly she effected to her dying day and to her neuer dying fame 14 The Romanes likewise prouided themselues and in the absence of Suetonius craued aide of Catus Dicianus the Procurator who sent them not aboue two hundred men and those but badly armed These ioining with the rest made no great power al of them relying more to the franchise of the place then securing themselues with Trench or Bulwarke And giuen ouer to pleasure and play as in the time of a publike peace Which aduantages by the Enemy were wisely espied and by boduo comming on as nobly pursued when with sword and fire she wasted all in her way the Temple onely excepted whereinto part of the Souldiers were fled but after two daies â—…iege it was battered and taken 15 In this heate of furie the Britaines proceede and meeting Petilius Cerealis Lieutenant of the ninth Legion on a hasty March to rescue that which was already lost they encounter his forces and slew all his footemen himselfe with his troope of Horse hardly escaping to his Campe where in great feare he entrenched not daring to attempt any further matter At notice of these mishaps Catus like a tall man tooke to his heeles and sailed into Gallia by whose crueltie and couetousnes the Britaines were thus enraged to take Armes and reuolt and their entrance thus fortunately proceeding gaue heart and hope to further successe 16 For in this heat of blood and furie they set vpon and sacked the free-towne Verolanium both strong for garrison and rich in Inhabitants which Citie as also Camulodunum had felt the rage of their mercilesse hands from whence great booties were carried and no lesse then seuentie thousand Citizens and Confederates slaine This commotion in Britaine by Suetonius Tranquillus is accounted one of the most infortunate losses to the Empire happening vnder Nero and the more ignominious to the Romanes as Dion obserueth in that is was performed vnder the command of a woman neither experienced in the feates of warre nor vsing the victory according to the Law of Armes for not any prisoner taken in regard of ransome was saued nor intercourse of exchange admitted but kill hang burne and crucifie as though the measure of their reuenge could neuer be sufficiently heaped or the wrath of their Gods satisfied with the blood of their Enemies 17 By this time Suetonius the Lieutenant was returned and taking muster of his forces in London a Citie euen tâ—…n famous for concourse of Merchants and of great renowne for prouision of all things nesary stood yet doubtfull whether hee should chuse that place for the Seat of warre or no. But better aduising dislodged his Host and with the fourteenth Legion the Standard-bearers of the twelfth and other aids from places adioining incamped vpon a plaine enclosed with woods hauing a narrow entrance and free from Ambush or enemie at his backe 18 The Britaine 's likewise inferiour neither in number nor courage triumphed abroad by such troupes and multitudes as the like had not beene seene yea and so fierce of courage and with such assurance of hope that they brought their wiues to the place to be witnesses of their valours Boduo in her Chariot doing the parts of a most noble Generall droue from troope to troope to see and commend their forwardnesse and dismounting attended with her two daughters and two hundred and thirty thousand resolute Britaines gat her to a seat made of marishturfes after the manner of the Romans apparelled in a loose gowne of changeable colours wearing a kirtle thereunder very thicke pleited the tresses of her yellow haire hanging downe to the skirts About her necke shee had a chaine of gold and in her hand held a light speare being of personage tall and of a comely cheerefull and modest countenance and so a while shee stood pawsing in viewing her Armie and being regarded with a reuerend silence at length to this effect she spake
vnto them 19 My Friends and Companions of equall fortunes there needeth no excuse for this my present authoritie or place in regard of my Sex seeing it is not vnknowen vnto you all that the wonted manner of our Nation hath beene to warre vnder the conduct of a woman and not only ours but also of the greatest Monarchies swaied vpon this vniuersall Globe for the Empire of the Assyrians the first and most famous that euer was vnder the command of Semiramis triumphed ouer the fierce Aethiopians and the gold-veined India Babylon for strength and beauty was both defensed and enriched by Nitocris her sole Empresse The Scythians vnder Tomyris ouercame and slew the great Conquerour Cyrus Aegypt gouerned by Cleopatra yea and Romes Monarkes themselues ruled if not ouer-ruled by Messalina and Agrippina the monsters of our Sexe My blood and birth might challenge some preeminence as sprung from the roots of most royall descents but my breath receiued from the same aire my body sustained by the same soile and my glorie clouded with imposed ignominies I disclaime all superioritie and as a fellow in bondage beare the yoke of oppressions with as heauie waight and pressure if not more Had I with Caesars mother beene suspected of Treason or with false Cartismandua defiled my Bed to the disturbance of their peace my goods might haue gone vnder the title of Confiscation and these prints of the whip vnder pretext of iustice But why name I Iustice in these grand Catalogues of oppressions whose Actors respect neither person age sexe nor cause For what abuse can be so vile that wee haue not suffered or indignitie so contemptible that wee haue not borne My stripes yet felt and seene against their owne lawes and the violent rapes of these my harmlesse daughters against the Lawes of God and Man doe witnesse well what gouernment they intend and your wealths consumed by their wastefull wantonnesse your painfull trauels vpholding their idlenesse doe seale the issues of our succeeding miseries if not timely preuented by one ioint endeuour You that haue knowen the freedome of life will with me confesse I am sure that libertie though in a poore estate is better then bondage with fetters of gold and yet this comparison hath no correspondencie in vs for we now enioy no estate at all nothing now being ours but what they will leaue vs and nothing left vs that they can take away hauing not so much as our very heads toll-free Other subdued Nations by death are quit from bondage but wee after death must liue 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our 〈◊〉 Haue the 〈◊〉 maâ—… vs the ends of the 〈◊〉 and haue not assigned the end of our wrongs Or hath Nature among all her free workes created vs Britaines only for bondage Why what are the Romans Are they more then men or immortall Their slaine carcases sacrificed by vs and thâ—…â—…trisied blood corrupting our Aire doth â—…ll vs they are no Gods Our personages are more tall our bodies more strong and our â—…oints 〈◊〉 â—…t and to say as it is euery part of vs â—…amed more fit for the speare then for the seade But you will â—…ay they are our Conquerours Indeed ouercome we are but by our selues our owne factions still giuing way to their intrusions for had not the â—…ator a Mandubrace Caligula an Adminius Claudius a Bericus and Cogidunus Nero that strumpet and our still-liuing shame Cartismandua Romes instruments and Britaines vipers without which you shall see Caesar in single fight lose his sword and after flie the Country a dishonor indâ—…lible Tiberius forgoe his Tribute though extremely couetous Claudius glad to make peace and be quiet and Nero might still haue followed his fiddling trade at home if our discords had not made vp his Musicke heere abroad Our dissensions therefore haue beene their only rising and our designes still weakened by home-bred conspirators Neither hath our noble resistance euer beene without desert and note of honour their publike triumphs being made more admirable by one Britaines Conquest then vsually hath beene solemnized ouer whole Kingdomes Caligula for beholding our cliffes only would haue diaine honours and forgetfull Claudius remembred vnto posterities in his Britannicus a glorious surname from vs. Our strengths haue beene acknowledged the maine support of other States and shall it not bee supplied to maintaine our owne We haue as much to keepe as Birth-right hath giuen vs that is our Iland possessed by our Auncestors from all antiquitie Ours by inheritance theirs by intrusions claimes so different in the scale of Iustice that the Gods themselues must needs redresse and set the ballance in their equal poise We haue seene their propitious beginnings in making vs instruments ouer seuenty thousand of our enemies and yet in this reuenge our forces not diminished but much increased in number and power which thing as it serues to our encouragements so is it to their feare For Catus hath set the Seas a sure defense betwixt him and vs yet not a Britaine pursuing for surely if any had he would haue hid himselfe in the waues Petilius the field-mouse doth keepe his hole and with the Moale works the earth for his safest refuge And Posthumus their Campe-master is too wise to venture all at a cast Only Plautius fleshed by his late victorie ouer a company of vnarmed Priests whose resistance consisted only in praiers and a few weake women whose weapons were only fire-brands builds the hopes of his aspiring minde as Caligula did his Trophey of Cockle-shels For see we not him encamped rather to defend his owne then to offend others His Armie crouched together as fowles flocked against a storme or rather like to fearfull Hares squatted in their bushes who no sooner shall heare the crie of their pursuit but their Muise or Fortresse will bee left and for their last refuge as Hares trust to the swiftnesse of their speedy feet Suddenly as shee was thus speaking shee let slip a Hare which shee had secretly couched in her lappe which with a great shout escaped thorow the Campe and gaue occasion to the Armie who little suspected it was done by her of purpose to construe it as an ominous and luckie signe of victorie 20 And thereupon with great force they assaile their enemies whiles Suetonius was likewise encouraging his Souldiers to the like resolution The fourteenth Legion by his direction kept the strait as a sure place of defense till the Britaines in the fury of their first onset had spent all their darts which with good successe they had bestowed but then failing and wearied in their first comming on too hotly the Romanes sallied out vpon the plaine the Auxiliaries and Horsemen with long launces making their way and beating downe all that stood before them The Britaines vnable to endure or withstand such fierce assaults were forced to giue backe and at length sought
his Astrologers and starre-gazers forwarding him with their vaine predictions a kinde of people euer to Princes vnfaithfull to hopers deceitfull and in a common-wealth alwaies forbidden yet alwaies retained The souldiers likewise euer disliking the present and affecting the new fell without respect to Othoes side amongst whom Sulpitius Florus one of the British Cohorts slew Piso the elected Caesar Galba himselfe being murdered and mangled by the Souldiers and band of Horsemen 6 He was of a good stature his head bald his eies gray and his nose hooked his hands and feet crooked by reason of the gout and a bunch of flesh or wen vpon his right side A great feeder and Sodomite hee was seuere in iustice and ouer-ruled by his seruants Hee died aged seuenty three yeeres hauing out-liued fiue Princes In prosperitie happier vnder the Empire of others then in his owne for hee sate only seuen moneths and them with small contents In his flourishing age with great renowne he had serued in Germany Africke he ruled as Proconsul and the neerer Spaine vprightly and well seeming more then a priuate man whilest he was priuate and held capable of the Empire had he neuer beene Emperour THE FIRST PLANTING OF RELIGION IN BRITAINE CHAPTER IX THis short time of Galbaes gouernement with the conspiracies against his Predccessour admitteth small remembrances of our British affaires which Prouince saith Tacitus among all other stirres against both Nero and Galba held amity and stood in quiet whether it was the farre distance of place seuered by Sea from the seditions of the Reuolters or that by continuall seruice against the Enemie the malice of their humours were spent it is vncertaine Therefore a while to digresse from the Succession of our British Monarkes and to fill vp the emptinesse of those Times with matters incident to our selues let it not seeme either tedious or superfluous to speake of the planting of his Kingdome in this Iland whose Rule in short time extended to the Ends of the Earth and whose Ambassadours as some haue written about the midst of Neroes Raigne and in the yeere of Christs Incarnation sixty three approched for the Inhabitants saluation Aruiragus then swaying the Scepter of this Kingdome 2 At which time say they were sent certaine Disciples out of France into Britaine by Philip the Apostle whereof Ioseph of Arimathea that buried the body of Christ was chiefe who first laid the foundation of our faith in the West parts of this Iland at the place then called Aualon afterwards Inis Witrin now Glastenburie where he with twelue Disciples his Assistants preached the Gospell of life vnto the Ilanders and there left their bodies to remaine for a ioifull Resurrection This doth Gildas affirme and Malmesburie in his Booke of the Antiquitie of Glastenburie written to Henry de Bloys brother to King Stephen and Abbat of the same place report and is consented vnto for the matter though all agree not touching the time by the learned Antiquaries of later times grounded on the Testimonies of the best approued Ancient writers who account the most happy influence of Christianitie to haue beene by those glorious conduits conuayed into these remote parts of the world that so according to the promise of God by Esaiah The Iles a farre off which had not heard of his fame should be conuerted and haue his glorie to them declared among the Gentiles 3 And if the credit of Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre who liued to see the Apostacie of Iulian weigh any thing with vs in his tract of the Liues and Deaths of the Prophets Apostles and Disciples he bringeth Simon Zelotâ—… an Apostle of Iesus Christ to preach the word and to suffer Martyrdome on the Crosse here in Britaine with whom Nicephorus and after him Iohn Capgraue in his Catalogue of English Saints agree saying that the same Simon spread the Gospell to the west Ocean and brought the word of life into the Iles of Britaine and in the conuersion of Countries wrought by the Apostles the same Nicephorus with Egypt and Lybia assigneth Britaine also to be one And the foresaid Dorotheus as also Mirmanus nameth Aristobulus one of the seuenty Disciples the same whom Saint Paul in his Epistle to the Romans among others saluteth to haue taught the doctrine of Saluation and to haue executed the office of a Bishop heere in Britaine 4 To these first Planters and Sowers of this heauenly Seed Caesar Baronius that voluminous Historian ioineth Mary Magdalen Lazarus and Martha who by his relation being banished Ierusalem in a masterlesse ship without tackling arriued in Gallia and with them Ioseph of Arimathea who afterward landed in Britaine vt tradunt as hee saith out of an old Manuscript which he saw in the Vatican Library yea and with them also Eurgain the sister of Ioseph who afterwards maried a Britaine named Siarklos if the authoritie whereon George Owen-Harry doth ground that report be of any credit 5 But yet there are others who vpon a very good ground from the words of Gildas the most ancient of our British Historians will haue the Sunne of the Gospell long before to haue risen in this our West and this Iland of Britaine to haue enioied the very morning of his Ascent the brightnesse thereof piercing thorow the mistie clouds of errour and shining heere in Britaine euen in the daies of Tiberius towards whose end Christ suffered his death and by whose indulgence towards Christians their profession was propagated farre and neere Which assertion the said Gildas doth not deliuer coldly or doubtingly but with great confidence relying vpon good grounds as it appeareth when he saith Scimus c. Wee know for certainty that this was in the latter times of Tiberius Which was immediately after our blessed Sauiours Passion To which vncontroleable testimonie some others haue added though not perhaps on so vndoubted warrant that S. Peter the Apostle preached the word of life in this Iland as to other Gentiles he did for whom God had chosen him that from his mouth they might heare the Gospell and beleeue as himselfe allegeth and that hee heere founded Churches and ordained Priests and Deacons which is reported by Simon Metaphrastes out of the Greeke Antiquities and Guilielmus Eisingrenius in the first of his Centurie who saith that Peter was here in Neroes time whereas Baronius thinketh it was in the raigne of Claudius when the Iewes were banished Rome and that therefore Paul in his Epistle to the Romans mentioneth him not Indeed Baronius and some others plead very hotly for S. Peters preaching heere but I see not well how it can stand either with Eusebius his account which keepes him so long at Rome after he was Bishop there or with Onuphrius who denieth that he went west-ward being expulsed by Claudius but to Ierusalem and thence to Antioch where he liued
learns to sing 8 It hath also passed with allowance among the learned Senate of our Antiquaries that when Claudius Nero began to banish and persecute the Christians in Rome whose superstitions as Tacitus pleaseth to tearme them from Iudea had infected the Citie it selfe many Romanes and Britaine 's being conuerted to the Faith fled thence vnto these remote parts of the earth where they might and did more freely enioy the libertie of their Professions vntill the search of Tyrants by the flame-light of Persecutions had found out all secret places for the safeties and assemblies of Gods Saints as after in the daies of Dioclesian we shall finde And from this Sanctuarie of Saluation the sad lamenting Lady * Pomponia Graecina the wife of Aulus Plautius the first Lord Lieutenant of Britaine brought that Religion whereof she was accused and stood indited vpon life and death which was none other then the Christian Profession seeing the same both by Tacitus and Suetonius is euerie where termed the strange superstitions and new kinde of Sect that the Christians imbraced and for which they were accounted vnworthy to liue 9 And much about these times as Beatus Rhenanus in his Historie of Germanie Pantaleon and others doe report one Suetonius a Noble mans sonne in Britaine conuerted to the Faith by the first Planters of the Gospell in this Iland and after his Baptisme called Beatus was sent by the Brethren from hence vnto Rome to be better instructed and further directed by Saint Peter himselfe and returning thorow Switzerland found such willingnesse and flocking of the people to heare and receiue the Doctrine of Christ that he there staied and built an Oratorie not farre from the lake Thun and neare the Towne called Vnderfewen wherein preaching and praiers he imploied his time to the day of his death which happened in the yeare of grace 110. And that there were Christians in Britain at these times I make no questioÌ„ thogh some exceptions may be taken against the Monk of Burton the reporter therof who saith in the 141 yeare and raigne of Hadrian nine masters of Grantcester were baptized themselues preached to others the Gospell in Britain howsoeuer he faileth in the Emperours name which yeare was the second of Antonins Pius his successor and ascribeth to these men Schoole-degrees altogether vnknowne for nine hundred yeares after yet these do not hinder the truth of the thing though that Monke was none of the best Historians It is reported also that Patricke the Irish Apostle and Canonized Saint long before the Raigne of King Lucius preached the Gospell in many places of Wales As also that Ninianus Bernicius of the race of the British Princes conuerted the Picts to the Religion of Christ. Vnto these aforesaid authorities and testimonies howsoeuer we stand affected yet it is certaine by Chemnitius citing Sabellicus that the Britaine 's were with the first Conuerts And Tertullian who liued within two hundred yeares of Christs Natiuitie sheweth no lesse Who the more to prouoke the Iewes against whom he wrote calleth to witnesse the fruitfull increase of the Gospell of Saluation through many Countries and Nations and among them nameth the Britaines to haue receiued the Word of life the power whereof saith he hath pierced into those parts whither the Romanes could not come Whence Petrus Cluniacensis supposeth the Scotish men the more ancient Christians as not being in the like subiection to the Romanes as other then were 10 Origen who flourished not much aboue two hundred yeares after Christ in his Homilies vpon Ezechiel sheweth that the first fruits of Gods haruest was gathered in the Iland of Britaine who consented to the Christian faith by the doctrine of their Druides that taught one onely God with whom Hector Boetius agreeth saying that some of these Druides condemned the worship of God in Images and allowed not the applicatioÌ„ of the God-head vnto any visible forme which might be the cause why Claudius the Emperour forbad their Religion as sauouring in these things too much of Christianitie whom likewise he banished Rome as some from Suetonius coniecture Of these Druides wee shewed before that their offices were most imploied about holy things and that their doctrine chiefly consisted in teaching the immortalitie of the soule the motions of the heauens the nature of things and the power of the Gods yea and Postellus from others will inforce that they prophecied likewise of a virgins conception These were the helps saith Tertullian that caused the Britaines so soone to imbrace the Doctrine of Christ and thereupon immediately after his death doth Gyldas fasten our conuersion where he writeth That the Glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ which first appeared to the world in the later time of Tiberius Caesar did euen then spread his bright beames vpon this frosen Iland of Britaine 11 Whereby wee see the waters of life flowing from Ierusalems Temple into these farre set Countries and vttermost Seas to be made both fruitfull wholesome according to the sayings of the Prophet that in that day the waters of life should issue from Ierusalem halfe of them toward the East Sea and halfe of them towards the vttermost Sea and shall remaine fruitfull both in Sommer and winter and euen in the infancie of Christianitie both the Apostles themselues and also the Proselytes their Disciples to become fishers therein for the Soules of Men as Christ in chusing of them said they should bee whereby his Kingdome was soone enlarged vnto these Ends of the Earth and his Throne established among those Heathen whom God his Father had giuen to be his So fruitfull and famous was this spreading of the Gospell that Baptista Mantuan a Christian Poet compares the increase thereof with that of Noah thus alluding vnto it Sicut aquis quondam Noe sua misit in orbem Pignora sedatis vt Gens humana per omnes Debita Coelituum Patri daret orgia terras Sic sua cùm vellet Deus alta in regna renerti Discipulos quosdam transmisit ad Vltima Mundi Littora doctâ—…ros Gentes quo numina ritu Sint oranda quibus Coelâ—… placabile Sacris In English thus As Noah sent from the Arke his sonnes to teach The Lawes of God vnto the World a right So Christ his Seruants sent abroad to preach The Word of Life and Gospell to each Wight No place lay shadowed from that glorious Light The farthest Iles and Earths remotest bounds Embrac'd their Faith and ioi'd at their sweet sounds 12 To which effect also the sayings of S. Iohn Chrysostome Bishop of Constantinople enforce who shewing the increase of Christianitie and the successe of the Gospell preached sheweth the power thereof to haue extended not only to the Countries farre iacent in the Continent but also to the Ilands situated in the Ocean it selfe and amongst them expresly nameth this our Britaine whose
fought thirty set Battailes and was also Conquerour of the I le of Wight whereby two mightie Nations were subdued to the Romanes and twentie Townes wonne from the Britaines for which exploits he had Triumphall ornaments worthily assigned him by Claudius whose owne Triumph as Iosephus saith was gotten without his paines but by the only prowesse of Vespasian After this he gouerned Africke with singular integritie and much honour and was lastly sent by Nero for his Vice-roy into Syria vpon this occasion 4 There had beene spread thorow all the East-parts an old Prophecie and setled opinion constantly beleeued that it was appointed by the Destinies there should come out of Iurie him that should be Lord of the whole world which how it serued for the Iewes to reuolt or for the Romanes to apply onely vnto Vespasian the euent sheweth which cannot agree to any other then to the person and power of Christ Iesus there borne and throughout the whole world still raigning Yet vpon the confidence of such an accomplishment the Iewes reuolted from the Romanes obedience and slew their President Sabinus by name putting to flight Gallus Lieutenant Generall of Syria that came to his aide and got from him the maine Standard or Ensigne of the Eagle This Nation was so populous and strong that none was thought fitter to stay their attempts then was Vespasian who with great honour and approbation reduced that Prouince vnto their former subiection and there remained the short time of Galba Otho and Vitellius their Raignes of whose proceedings there Iosephus writeth at large vnto whom I must referre the vnsatisfied Reader 5 All which times the ciuill stirres amongst the Romanes gaue the Prouinces occasion to attempt their former liberties as did the Batauians Germanes and French with whom the Britaines also tooke hart to reuolt But the first that sided with Vespasian were two thousand expert Souldiers drawne out of the Mesian Legions and sent to aide Otho against Vitellius who marching as farre as Aquileia they heard there of the certaine death of Otho and thereupon taking the aduantage of the offred opportunitie with an vncontrolled libertie committed many robberies and outragious villanies In so much that fearing condigne punishment they held it their best policie to combine some speciall man by their fauours vnto them whereby their facts might bee either quite smoothered or lightly reprehended neither in their opinions was any so gracious for desert or power as was Vespasian and therefore with one assent they proclaimed him Emperour and wrote his name in their Banners thinking themselues as worthy to make an Emperour as were the Legions either of Spaine or Germany 6 Of the like minde were his owne Legions in Syria and Iurie growne now so famous by the prosecution of those warres that they highly conceited his valour and their owne sufficiencie to bee inferiour to none And therefore all on the sudden at Caesarca both Captaine and Souldier salute him Emperour which title when he resolutely gainsaid and refused with drawne swords they threatned his death Thus then being brought into danger euery way he sent his letters vnto Tiberius Alexander Lieutenant of Aegypt who likewise at Alexandria presently proclaimed him Emperour 7 At this time Vectius Bolanus sent by Vitellius was Lieutenant of Britaine there ruling in a gentler and milder manner then was fit for so fierce a Nation for the Souldiers hauing gotten head by the remisse Gouernment of Trebellius Maximus continued the same loosenesse in discipline still and Bolanus in stead of awe and Obedience retained onely their affections and good wils But most especially the short Raignes of these last Emperours whose beginnings were altogether imploied to satisfie their licentious pleasures and latter times spent for the defense of their Liues from violent Deaths gaue way to many imperfections of the Gouernors and misdemeanours of the common Souldiers 8 But when Vespasian had assumed the Empire great Captaines and good Souldiers were sent into the Prouinces and into Britaine Petilius Cerealis that had formerly there made proofe of his seruice vnder Nero in the warres against Boduo and afterwards in other parts as against the Gaules and Batauians with prosperous victories The fame of this man strooke great terrour into the hearts of the wauering Britains and amongst them of the * Brigantes the most populous State of the whole Prouince against whom at his first approch he warred and in many battles and some of them bloudy the greatest part of these people were wasted and their Countrey came into the Romish subiection 9 Whereby the glory of Cerealis might well haue dimmed the fame of his Successour had not Iulius Frontinus a great Souldier also sustained the charge with reputation and credit in subduing the strong and Warlike nation the Silures where he had beside the force of the enemie to struggle with the straits and difficult places of rockes and mountaines for accesse 10 After whose gouernment no further Acts being mentioned Iulius Agricola who in Rome had beene Questor Tribune and Pretor and Lieutenant in Aquitania was sent Generall into Britaine by Vespasian the Emperour the yeere before his death This man formerly had there serued vnder the command of Petilius Cerealis whereby hee had gained experience both of the People and Prouince and at his first approch gathered the Ensignes of the Legions and other aids of the Auxiliaries who for that yeere attended an end of their trauels because the Summer was almost spent lest by protracting time the violence of the Ordouices should further burst foorth who a little before his entrance had vtterly almost cut off a wing which lay on their Borders the rest of the Countrey as men desirous of Warre allowing their example Against these Agricola addressed who kept themselues in places of aduantage and durst not descend into indifferent ground Hee therefore being himselfe formost lead vp his Armie to their encounter and seconded with the courage of his trained Souldiers put them all to sword and flight whereby the whole Nation was almost quite destroied 11 And now that his fame began to ascend he knew well that with instance it must be followed and as the first affaires had issue the rest would succeede he therefore deliberated to conquer the Iland Mona from the possession whereof Paulinus Suetonius was reuoked by the generall Rebellion vnder Boduo But in a purpose not purposed before and ships wanting the policie of the Captaine deuised a passage for hee commanded the most choice of the Aids to whom the shallowes were well knowen and without whom the Romans did almost attempt nothing to put ouer at once and suddenly to inuade them These Britaines after the vse of their Countrey manner were most skilfull swimmers and in swimming armed able to gouerne themselues and horses The Monaans thinking themselues secure for that no Ships were seene in their Riuer now thus suddenly surprized as men
amazed firmly thought that nothing could bee inuincible to them who came with such resolutions to Warre and therefore they humbly desired Peace and yeelded the Iland vnto Agricolaes deuotion 12 Who now in these prosperous proceedings of his fortunes sought not with any glorious relations or letters of aduertisements to improoue and augment the greatnesse of his honour but rather in seeking to suppresse his fame made it shine more bright and addressing himselfe for ciuill gouernment reformed many abuses in his House his Campe and in the whole Prouince and those especially that most touched the poorer sort as by moderating the increase of Tribute and Corne wherewith the Britains were daily burdened by the suppressing of which enormities and the like an honourable opinion of him was euery where entertained and a generall inclination vnto Peace which partly by the negligence partly by the auarice of former Gouernours had beene no lesse feared then Warre it selfe 13 And whereas the Britaines hitherto still harried with Oppressions and Warres had little leisure or will to apply themselues to things which accompany Peace and are the ornaments of Ciuil and settled Societies and therefore were prone vpon euery occasion to reuolt and stirre to induce them by pleasures to quietnesse and rest he exhorted them in priuate and helpt them in publike to build Temples Houses and Places of Assemblies and common resort and likewise prouided that the sonnes of their Nobles should be instructed in the liberall Arts and Sciences commending the industrie and preferring the wits of the Britaine 's before the Students of France as being now growen curious to attaine the Eloquence of the Roman Gentrie yea euen the Gowne the habit of peace and peaceable Arts and to delight in gorgeous Buildings Banquets and Baths 14 And thus farre had Agricola proceeded before the death of Vespasian whose managing of the Imperiall dignitie was euery way answerable to so high a place and whose death was as much lamented as his Vertues did surmount his Predecessours But as touching his miraculous cures of the Blind and the Lame as they serue not either to bee vrged or inserted in this our present Historie so yet may they conuince the indurate Atheist whose conscience is seared with the sinne of incredulitie of the Miracles wrought by our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ. For if the wisest Historians of those times haue beleeued themselues and left Records vpon their credit to following posterities that by his touch onely hee cured a Lame-man and with his spittle opened the eies of the Blinde being a mortalland sinfull man shall it then bee doubted that hee which knew no sinne neither receiued the gift by measure either in power could not or in act did not worke such Miracles as were the witnesses of his God-head and for such are recorded to confirme our faith But to our purpose 15 When Vespasian had liued threescore and nine yeeres seuen moneths and seuen daies and had raigned ten yeeres as Eusebius saith he died peaceably in his Bed which no Emperour since Augustus euer did hauing beene a great Scourge and Instrument of God against the miserable Iewes whose kingly race from Dauids line he sought by all meanes to extirpate that so all their hopes and expectations might for euer be cut off 16 Hee was of a middle stature well set and strongly compact his countenance not altogether amiable neither any waies deformed a great fauourer of Learning very Liberall a Iust Wise and Most Valiant Prince TITVS FLAVIVS VESPASIAN CHAPTER XIII PResently vpon the death of this Emperour Titus his eldest sonne sirnamed Flauius Vespasian without al contradiction was receiued and obeyed for his rightfull successor aswell for that his Father in his life-time had made him his Partner in the Empire and at his death by Testament declared him his Heire as also for the generall opinion conceiued of him for his inbred goodnes and noble conditions called esteemed the louely darling and delight of mankinde Indeed of a most comely presence he was fitted thereunto with all heroicall vertues a great Souldier learned in the Arts a good Oratour a skilfull Musitian and could by artificiall characters write both very fast and very faire 2 His youth he spent in Militarie qualities and serued in Germanie and Britaine with exceeding commendations and in Iurie warred with the like glorie which is nothing impaired by the learned stile of his Recorder Iosephus vnto whom againe for these affaires I must referre the curious Reader 3 Ierusalem with the slaughter of eleuen thousand Iewes euen on the birth day of his daughter with such honour he wonne that thereupon presently he was saluted Emperour euen in the life time of Vespasian his Father and from that day carried himselfe as his Associate in the Empire for with him hee Triumphed and with him he iointly administred the Censorship his Colleague he was in the Tribunes authoritie and his Companion also in seuen Consulships In all which though the Edicts went forth in his fathers name yet were they penned by himselfe Of this his victorie ouer the Iewes hee left the remembrance to posteritie by stamping vpon the reuerse of his coines IVD CAP. with pictures expressing his Triumph and the Iewes ouerthrow which in the front of this Chapter we haue also placed 4 Somewhat he was blemished with the loue of Berenice the beautifull Queene of Iewrie and much more with the murther of Aulus Cinna only through iealousie conceiued of her and whether that was the sinne whereof at his death he repented is vncertain when lifting vp his eies to Heauen hee complained why his Life should be taken from him that excepting one offence deserued not to die As himselfe in glorie wielded the Emperiall Scepter so did his Substitutes gouerne the Prouinces at which time in Britaine Agricola was President and therein had spent almost two yeares vnder the raigne of Vespasian in such maner as wee haue declared 5 In his third yeare he discouered new Countries and parts of this Iland yet vntouched or at leastwise not thoroughly subdued as altogether vnsatiate of that which was gotten sought to draw the confines of the Empire with a larger compasse therefore marching Northward to the Frith of * Taus wasted all as he went and without any resistance fortified the places with Castles and Bulwarkes which hee stored with sufficient prouision where euerie Garrison wintring garded it selfe and with the Summers seruice euer repaired the Winters euents whereby euermore the Enemie went to the worse and his designes prospered as himselfe wished 6 The fourth Summer was spent in perusing and ordering that which he had ouer-runne And if the glory of the Romane name could haue permitted or so beene satisfied it needed not to haue sought other limits of Britaine for Glota and Bodotria two armes of two opposite Seas shooting farre into the
place reserued for Men of great qualitie Domitian gaue foorth was purposed for Agricola and sent him both his Patent and Successor into Britaine who thereupon deliuered vp the Prouince in a peaceable estate vnto Salustius Lucullus and returned to Rome 17 Where the life of Domitian was now grown vnmeasurable vaine The surname Germanicus he assumed to himselfe for some small seruice therein done The Moneths September and October he changed into the names of Germanicus and Domitianus because that in the one hee entred his Empire and in the other was borne He caused his Statue to be made in gold and commanded himselfe to be called GOD. His cruelty euery way matchable to his pride The Senatours and Nobles vpon small surmises hee murdered many new tortures hee inuented Confiscations and Banishments were fauours not punishments Amongst all which the Christians bare a part whose Second Persecution this Tyrant raised and began The great Euangelist Iohn hee banished into the I le of Patmos where hee receiued his Reuelations from Iesus Christ appearing vnto him in no lesse Maiestie then Daniel before time had seene him in his Visions and both after a sort in one and the same manner their Visions alike and almost to the like end For as Daniel saw a Lion Beare Leopard and Monster with Ten horns persecute the Iewes Gods people and to fall before the Stone cut without hands which brake into powder the Image of their Tyrannicall Gouernment to giue place to the peaceable Birth and Kingdome of Christ so Iohn saw one Beast compacted of these foure mouthed like a Lion footed like a Beare spotted as the Leopard and horned for number and power with the Monster retaining their Tyrannie in raising Persecutions in the Church of Christ and clouding with Idolatry the brightnesse of his Word which shall bee cast into the Lake of fire and brimstone when Christ shall binde vp Satan and by his appearance abolish the Man of Sinne. 18 Among many others slaine by Domitian Salustius Lucullus whom he had made Lieutenant Generall of Britanie was one and the onely cause is reported to bee that hee had deuised and made certaine Speares or Launces for seruice which hee caused to be called Lucullians after his owne name which was a matter held very suspitious by Domitian who thought euerie memorable act done by another did plucke a feather from his plume And in these courses continued so long that lastly hee grew odious to all euen to his nearest friends and followers which himselfe had raised who together with his Wife conspired his death 19 The chiefest in the Action was Stephen a Procurator and Steward to Domicilla his Empresse who faining himselfe lame of the left arme in deliuering him a scroll containing the names of the conspirators stroke him into the bellie with his sword the rest comming in with seuen wounds made an end of his life whose death was so acceptable to the Senate that they disgracefully abused his carcase cast downe his scutcheons and Images and forbad all maner remembrance of him albeit some of the Souldiers asmuch stormed seeking to reuenge his death and canonized him for a God 20 Of stature he was tall his complexion faire his countenance modest his head verie bald his eies red full great and dimme of a comely forme onely his bellie bearing out his legges small and his foote somewhat short He died the eighteenth day of September aged forty fiue when hee had raigned fifteene yeeres the yeare of our Lords incarnation ninetie eight with whom both Tacitus and Suetonius end their Historie The Resisters of the Romans proceedings in this our Iland of Britaine in the daies of this Emperour Domitian for these Southerne parts was Aruiragus as from Iuuenal wee haue said and in the Northerne Caledonia was Galgacus their Captaine whose Coines as Remaines and Monuments of their neuer-dying fame wee haue heere againe inserted NERVA CHAPTER XV. HItherto haue wee pursued the successions in the British monarchie together with the Inuasions attempts and successe of affaires for the Conquest of this Iland vnder the first twelue Emperours of Rome And that from such writers who though they were the most fauourable Registers of things done by the Romanes yet had they best meanes to know and publish their Histories with warrantize of truth But after the death of Domitian died many Records and the Prouinces proceedings especially those that most concerne Britaine left vncertaine and therefore are neither with the like largenesse prosecuted nor with the like authoritie auouched And were it not that these Romane Emperours succeeding did onely continue the succession of our British Monarchs many of them might be quite omitted as neither themselues nor deputies allies or enemies once spoken of concerning our affaires and the Gouernement of this Prouince during those times so maimed and defectiue in respect of any warrantable relations that hardly a method can bee obserued to the fitting of a continuall Historie Yet as we finde it let vs haue libertie to deliuer it and rather to expose Truth in the meane attire that Time hath left her then by disguising her in richer roabes to abuse the World and make her seeme nought else but a counterfeit as Plutarch in the life of Pericles hath complained 2 Domitian therefore thus made away Cocceius Nerua a prudent honourable and aged person was elected Emperour by the Senate assisted by Petronius Secundus Captaine of the Praetorian Armie and Parthenius chiefe Chamberlaine and one of the Murtherers of Domitian His birth was noble and of Italy in the Citie Narnia and of the Prouince Vmbria ruling so well as he may be esteemed too good a Prince long to continue in so bad an age 3 What Lieutenants vnder him were in Britain oâ—… vnder his Successor Traian I find not in Record but our English Writers from the Arch-Deacon of Monmouth bring a succession of British Kings and amongst them Marius who conquered Rodorick King of the Picts accompanied with the Scots whose Trophie erected neere vnto Carleill remained a long time after bearing the inscription of his victorie and after him his sonne Coilus brought vp in Rome all the time of his youth retained their fauours and paid them tribute without constraint Albeit by Iuuenal it seemeth that Aruiragus the father of Marius a great resister of the Romanes liued in the raigne of Domitian as hath beene touched vnlesse you will say that Meurigus and Aruiragus was the same Marius as a worthy Antiquarie affirmeth But through these vncertaineties and disagreements occasioned by the silence of better Authors our Histories rest doubtfull and so must wee leaue them returning to finish vp briefly the Raigne and Life of this good Emperour Nerua 4 Who hauing reformed many enormities and remitted many greeuous Tributes and exactions as that of Carriages mentioned on the reuerse of the prefixed Coine minted by authoritie of
Prouince at that time had been in hazard to be lost vpon which distractions no lesse then fifteene hundred Souldiers at once went out of the Land to Rome to complaine their wrongs vnto Commodus where charging Perennius to bee the stirrer of these troubles with an intent thereby to raise himsefe or his sonne to the Emperiall Maiesty a string that cannot be touched without sound in a Soueraignes eare they were so farre heard and beleeued that Perennius was to them deliuered to be put to death which accordingly they accomplished with all extremity 7 Then was sent for Lieutenant into Britaine Heluius Pertinax a man of low birth but high Fortunes being risen from the state of a common Souldier to the dignity of a Consull and had been Commander before that time ouer many Prouinces Him had Perennius discharged from Britaine and with disgracesent and confined into Liguria where hee was borne whose credit Commodus again with such fauors repaired that he gaue him the Sirname Britannicus which glorious title also himselfe had taken about the yeere 184. At his first entrance and ariuage he assaied by rough hand to suppresse the rebellions of the Army and aduentured his person so farre in some tumults that he was stricken downe and left for dead but afterwards proceeding with better aduice he composed those troubles with most seuere punishments of the principall offenders whereby notwithstanding he presently grew odious to all and thereupon so far feared his own safety that he made suit to the Emperor to be discharged of his Lieutenantship 8 Vnto him succeeded Clodius Albinus in the Gouernment of Britaine a man of great birth forward enough and fortunate for which the Emperor Commodus either vpon fauor or feare did honour him with the title of Caesar though Albinus seemed vnwilling to accept of the same and afterwards discouered his disposition more openly in approuing the Ancient and free state of the Romans For vpon a false report of the death of Commodus he made an Oration to the Legions in Britanny in fauour of the Senate whole kind of Gouernment he much commended and preferred before the rule of the Emperors Of which his affection when Commodus vnderstood he sent Iulius Seuerus in all hast to take charge of the Armie and Albinus retired himselfe from all publike affaires vntill the death of Commodus which not long after followed and was wrought vpon this occasion He hauing assigned many to die and to that end had inrolled their names in a scroll it chanced Martia his Concubine to light on the same wherein she saw her selfe allotted for one And reuealing this his purpose to others that stood in the same list and in the like danger they together thought best to secure their owne liues by his death and with poison stabs and strangling made him away when he had liued one and thirty yeeres foure moneths and viciously raigned thirteen yeeres eight moneths and fifteen daies the yeere of Christs natiuity one hundred ninety and three the night before the Kalends of Ianuarie 9 Of stature he was indifferently tall of a fine constitution of Body very faire of complexion with cleere eies and golden locks neither in person nor in Princely parts resembling his Father How ioifull the death of this Tyrant was both to People and Senate their execrations pronounced against him and their assemblies in the Temples to giue thanks for their deliuerance do manifest as is at large reported by Lampridius who wrote his life and stiled by al Host is humani Generis The enemy of Mankind The very name of the diuell PVBLIVS HELVIVS PERTINAX CHAPTER XXI VPON the person of this Heluius Pertinax of whom we are now to speake Fortune as it seemeth meant to make the full experience of her power and from a very slender foundation to raise the building of her owne Pride His birth was but poore and parents as meane whose Father from a seruile condition got to be free and traded in Mercery wares for his liuing himselfe educated according to his birth rose by degrees to mount the Chaire of all wordly glory and to be the Monarch of the whole world 2 At first a Schoole-master and taught the Grammar next a Ciuil-Lawyer and pleaded causes in Courts and lastly a Martial-man and serued in Campe where Fortune attended him with such fauourable successe that within fiue daies out of the ranck of a common Souldier he was preferred to bee Captaine of a Cohort in the Syrian warres against the Parthians which ended he was imploied into Britannie Missia and Germany and also had charge in chiefe of a Fleete vpon the Flemmish Seas he serued likewise in Dacia with such honourable proofe of his valour as that wise Emperour Marcus Aurelius held him in high esteeme and afterward made him Senator of Rome Then was hee assigned Gouernour of all Syria and Asia the greatest place of Credit and reputation that might be and from thence sent againe in-into Britaine chosen out as the principall man of note for to stay the Commotions there raised against Commodus where in the Field he was left for dead but thence also returning after hee had gouerned foure seuerall Consular Prouinces was created Preconsull of Africa and immediately after Praefect of Rome Neither yet made he his stand there though the greatest of any subiectiue degree till hee had mounted the Throne of Maiesty and had obtained the command ouer All which fell to his lot by the death of Commodus and by the meanes of Martia Aelius Laetus and other Conspirers of his end 3 For the Murther being done in the dead of the night Laetus in great haste repaired to Pertinax his lodging at whose sight the Old man in bed expected nothing but Death as supposing him sent from Commodus to no other end But Laetus salutes him by the vnexpected name of Emperour carrying him with acclamations vnto the Army and in the morning to the Senate where of them all with great ioy he was confirmed Augustus 4 His first businesse was to bridle the Licencious liues of the Praetorian Cohorts iniuries done by them vnto the Romane Citizens which gained him such hatred that it was cause of his death For these men growne disordered and lawlesse in the raigne of Commodus held themselues wronged to be nowlocked vnder the constraint of Lawes ciuil Gouernement and these only enuied the peace prosperity of Pertinax whereas all the Prouinces abroad at the very hearing of his Election and fame of his Imperiall vertues laid a side their weapons and disired to embrace peace with a Prince so nobly qualified 5 The first that conspired against his life was one Falco whom notwithstanding he freely forgaue yet punished certaine Souldiers thereto accessary whereupon the rest assembling themselues in tumultuous and furious manner with their drawn swords inuaded his Palace Hee seeing their purposes sought no escapes
SEPTIMIVS SEVERVS CHAPTER XXIII This olde man in the yeere of Christ one hundred ninety foure was elected Emperor by Acclamation of the Syrian Armie of which though begun but by a handfull in respect of all the other Emperiall forces he had good hope since to the honor of that Goddesse he dedicated the first marke of his Soueraigntie the minting of his mony A person he was of seemly stature louely feature and faire skinne except his Neck which differing so farre from the rest gaue him the sirname of Niger his complexion was ruddy his Body fat his voice so piercing that it would be heard a mile off and his haire for more ornament long hee wore in reflected curles vpon his shoulders A commendable souldier and well bearing himselfe in the military offices hee vnderwent In his Lieutenancy abroad he was seuere and at home he so well acted his part when hee was Consul as in his Clemency and Iustice hee seemed emulous of Pertinax Thus all his life he enioied the goodnesse of his merit and fortune and had not his ambition begun where his yeeres were ending had so parted For no sooner had hee put on the Robe Emperiall but Seuerus defeated his Armie at Cizicum pursued him to Antioch and tooke him at Euphrates sending to Bizantiâ—… his head a Trophie of the Conquest and to his wife children and followers vnto whom at first this Victor granted banishment in the end denied life 1 Now as soone as Seuerus made his appróch neer Rome he gaue command that the Pretorian Cohorts should attend him disarmed which done he vehemently checkt them for their proditorious trechery against Pertinax and pronouncing sentence depriued them both of name honor and armes of Souldiers and banished them from Rome and the circuit thereof for one hundred miles distance which act of his wonne him such reputation that in Rome the whole Story of Pertinax his ruine and Seuerus his aspiring to his Throne was at large portraited in an excellent peece of worke of solide molten brasse as Herodian relateth though he ascribeth the occasion of it to a dreame of Seuerus 2 Those two obiects Didius and Niger who gaue some hinderance to Seuerus his beginning being thus defeated of their high hopes the third which was Albinus seemed now a more dangerous cloud which would altogether ouer-cast his brightnesse glory if it were not dispersed or blown back in time and therefore to make faire weather with him hee created him Caesar and his Successor in the Empire but afterwards his good fortunes thus swelling in the East and himselfe still courted by Ambassadors from all parts with their tender of subiection he began to grow proud and to disdaine any Copartner in State and thereupon first secretly sought the destruction of his Caesar which failing he then proclaimed him Traitor and Enemy to Rome 3 Clodius Albinus brought into these vnexpected dangers prepared his strengths and with the choice of all Britaine entred France and neere vnto Lions tooke the field against the Emperour but with no better successe then Pescennius had done in Asia the lesse in the same place as Herodian Eutropius and Spartianus affirme where Darius was first ouer-throwne by Alexander The Armies ioining a bloody Battaile was fought which through the great prowesse of the Britains went at first so sore against Seuerus that being beaten off his Horse despairing of Victorie and almost of Life cast off his Imperiall Robe and flying ignobly hid himselfe Laetus one of Seuerus his Captaines kept aloofe all this while of purpose as was thought to bring the Emperour to ruine and now vpon report that hee was slaine came on most furiously with his forces in hope of winning both the day and the Empire to himselfe whereupon the Emperor drawne againe into the field the day was his by the meanes but not the meaning of Laetus whom on attainder of his Treason he afterward put to the sword That day a great part of the flower of Britaine was slaine together with their valiant Leader Albinus a Captaine of exemplary Seuerity and Martiall discipline a great admirer of Hannibal and Marius for the Scipio's he thought them rather fortunate then valiant and in the time of his seruice in this Iland there was no toile which hee commanded his souldiers but himselfe would beare therein a part euen in carrying of burdens on his Backe and yet so farre from vaunting of his valour as that when an Historian would haue recorded his noble Acts he willed him to write of theirs who were already dead whom he need not to flatter holding it a foppery to write of those of whose fauour or wrath the Inditers stood in hope or feare Being such a one no maruaile if Seuerus so feared him as he did which he shewed euen after hee was slaine by putting incredible numbers of great Personages both in the City and Prouinces to death with this one Pretence for all that they wished well to Albinus After this ouerthrow Seuerus forthwith sent Heraclianus hither to keepe the rest of the Britaine 's in quiet and to be Lieutenant in Albinus his roome as Spartianus writeth Of whose affaires therein little remembrance is left onely it seemeth by a Coine of Seuerus minted in his second Consulship which fell in the yeere of our Sauiour one hundred ninety eight and about the period of this his last Competitor that the Britaine 's gaue not at first their seruice and seruitude to this man vntill he had made the purchase of it by his sword the brand of which he hath left to posteritie in figuring the Goddesse Victory seated vpon spoiles and writing in a shield Victoria Britan. IM SEVERVS AVG. ET ANTONINVS CAES. DESTINATVS RESTITVERVNT CVRANTE VIRIO LVPO * LE G. EORVM PR * PR DEAEFORTVNAE VIRIVS LVPVS LEG AVG. PR PR BALINEVM VI IGNIS EXVST VM COH I. THR ACVM. REST. ITVIT CVRANTE VAL. FRON. TONE PRAEF EQ ALAEVETTO He warred against the Maatae and North Britaines with such bad successe that he was forced to redeeme his peace with mony and was so much weakned by losse of his men that he sent to Rome for present supply with relation of his great danger and the Enemies strength which newes touched Seuerus to the quick and notwithstanding his yeeres sixty at the least and gout wherewith hee was continually grieued yet would he vndergoe that iourney in person himselfe aswell to satisfie his owne vaine glorious humours as to traine his Sonne Bassianus from his licentious life wherein he wallowed idly in Rome who together with his brother Geta accompanied their Father into Britaine 5 The Britaine 's then hearing of the Emperors approch sent him their Embassage for intreaty of peace whereby the Iland might haue been setled and secured without blood but the old man saith Sabellicus had so vnsatiable a desire to beare the glorious Sirname of Britannicus that he preferred warre and accepted not their proffered
a Common-wealth the glory of the Empire shall yet shine more bright sith by concord we see that small things grow to greatnesse whereas contrariwise discord is the ruine of all I die and must leaue the successe of all to my Successors and Sonnes by Nature though the Elder vnnaturall I meane Bassianus new made Antoninus and your Emperor who often ere this hath sought to gaine that title by his sword and my death but knoweth not the dangers that attend a Diadem neither remembreth that high places are continually garded with Enuie and Feares But so blind is Ambition as it seeth not that a Soueraignes greatnesse is such vnto others but least in himselfe and that the things possessed are not the very things they seemed It is not these Titles therefore can make man happy the line of his life being drawne forth with so many vncertainties and the height of his power laid vpon so weake foundations My selfe at this instant may serue for example of whom this may bee said I was all things yet nothing seeing I I must pay my debt to Nature and leaue my exploits in East and West to bee registred either at your disposall for matters of moment and good of the Empire or blotted to the reproch of my gouernement with the shadowing pencile of Obliuion That therefore my care for the welfare of this State may suruiue my selfe and bring forth the happie fruits thereof when I am withered this shall be my last and onely request that you will euer assist my sonnes both with your counsell and aide whereby they may rule according to Lawe and you obay according to Right that so in you both the good of the Empire be aboue all things respected With which words hee ended both his speech and his life 15 This Emperour by Historians is rancked with the best both for his warres wherein hee was verie fortunate and for his wisedome in gouerning the Empire and yet is he taxed very sharply both by Sabellicus for sundry vices and by Eusebius for stirring vp the fift Persecution of the Christians in the tenth yeere of his Raigne In which Ireneus the learned writer among many others suffred Martyrdome howbeit towards his end he became more milde to them as saith Saint Ierome as also that he was a diligent reader of the excellent workes of Tertullian whom vsually he termed his Master 16 This Emperour was by birth an African to which Country his affection graces were so much that the illustrious Citie of those parts recorded vpon their coyne his many fauours by this Inscription INDVLGENTIA AVG. IN CARTH. and inshrined him amongst the Gods of that Nation He was the sonne of Geta his mother Pia Fuluia himselfe rough cruell couetous and ambitious and his nature relishing too much of the Punick craft and simulation otherwise a most expert Soldiour and a worthy Prince more battles hee fought and more victories obtained then any other that euer had ruled before him the Romane Empire In a word of vertues and vices so equally composed that lastly this grew into a customed speech It had beene good that this Emperour had neuer beene borne or beeing Emperour that hee had neuer died 17 Of stature he was tall and of a comely personage his countenance seuere and representing Maiesty his beard white and long and the haire of his head he wore vsually curled He was very learned in the Mathematicks a good Philosopher an eloquent Orator and of a deep sounding voice Hee raigned eighteene yeeres saith Eusebius by Dion Cassius Herodian and Eutropius seuenteen yeeres eight months and odde daies He died in Yorke the fourth day of April in the yeere of Christ two hundred and twelue not so much of sicknes as of discontent and greefe or if our British writers may bee credited of a deadly wound giuen by Fulgence Captaine of the Picts who as the Monke of Chester saith was brother to Martia the first wife of Seuerus and mother of Bassianus His second wife was Iulia Domna the mother of Geta though some thinke that she was mother to both a woman of a surpassing beauty and an earnest instigator of the two Bretherens reconciliation had she not been blemished with other vices as after we shal here M AVRE BAS. CARA ANTO. BRIT Brethren P. SEPT ANTONI GETA BRIT CHAPTER XXIIII BAssianus Caracalla and his Brother Septimius Geta together were declared Emperours by old Seuerus in his life time and both of them by their father surnamed Antoninus a name very gracious in the esteeme of the Romans the elder so stiled about the yeere of Saluation two hundred and fiue and the yonger foure yeeres after as it appeareth by the mintage of their moneys were approued and applauded by people and Senate and of all men saluted and acknowledged for Emperours Bassianus the Elder stiling himself Britannicus Maximus as it should seem was admitted his Fathers fellow Emperour at Yorke at his residing there to quiet the Northern Britains wherein also hee gaue him the name Antoninus for so implieth that famous Law bearing iointlie the names of Seuerus and Antoninus enacted by them at Yorke touching the interest and right that masters haue to the goods and possessions of their seruants His mother the first wife of Seuerus was Martia a British Lady say our British Historians though Sabellicus doth iudge her to be an African and himselfe better beloued of the Britaine 's for her sake then for his owne Geta was the sonne of the Empresse Iulia a second wife a woman of passing beautie and surpassing lust who beeing perswaded by some Oracle or dreame that her husbands successour should be an Antoninus lost her Sonne should lose his hope of the Empire she importuned Seuerus to bestow the name of Antoninus also on Geta who with it gaue him likewise the title of Caesar about the yeere two hundred and two And to vnite the affections of his two sons aswel as to eternise their memories he minted their features vpon one Medall inscribing the one side ANTONINVS PIVS AVG. PON. TR. P. IIII. the other P. SEPT GETA CAES. PONT hauing the yeere before matched thē together vpon the reuerse of his owne money and incirculing their heads with this word AETERNITAS IMPERI as if the separation of their affections were the dissolution of his and the worlds Empire 2 Vpon Seuerus his death Antoninus Caracalla hastning for Rome profered good conditions of peace to the Britaines who long tired with warres accepted thereof and hostages were giuen for conseruing the same Whereupon the Empresse Iulia accompanied with both the Caesars departed hence carying with them the funerall ashes of the deceased Emperour in a goldē Vrna to Rome where they solemnly consecrated him a God the ceremony wherof because it concerneth so great an Emperour and Monarch of this kingdome is not vnworthy the inserting In the Porch of his Palace was a bedsteed all of
to death but being too late perceiued was yet so hastily pursued that he was hewed to peeces before his tongue could reueale the principall Traitour Iulia his incestuous wife hearing of his death with poison slew her selfe at Antioch leauing her shame to suruiue her life 8 Antoninus Caracalla saith Eusebius raigned Emperour seuen yeares and sixe moneths but Herodian Spartianus and Dio allot him sixe yeeres and two moneths he died the eight of Aprill and yeere of Christ two hundred eighteene The testimonies of these many writers notwithstanding together with the place and circumstances of his death and the person by whom it was committed the British Historians do contradict reporting him to bee slaine in Britaine in Battaile against the Picts by one Carauceus a man of a lowe and obscure birth But by this it may seeme some wounds receiued by him in those British warres gaue occasion to that errour He left a sonne not by his incestuous mother nor by Glantilla his wife whō he exiled into Sicily but by a mistris whose name was Iulia Simiamira his cosen German and indeed no better then a common strumpets which corrupt rootes brought forth as bitter fruits euen Heliogabalus of whom hereafter we shall haue occasion to write OPILIVS MACRINVS CHAPTER XXV IN prosecuting our intended course for setting downe the Acts and Liues of sundry Emperours heereafter succeeding I know I shall hardly satisfie my Readers being no way able to giue content to my selfe in that on the one side finding very few remembrances concerning the state of this our Iland till the raigne of Dioclesian the Historie of that Interim may seeme impertinent to our purpose and yet on the other side considering how vnfit it is that the Succession of all our British Monarks should be interrupted that Royall Title being likewise annexed to those other Emperours I suppose it will bee expected that somwhat also be said of them though managing their affaires in places farre remote It seemeth that the continuall striuing for the Imperiall Diademe and their neerer hazards at home made them contented to giue Britaine some peaceable breathing and so depriue vs of the Romane Records of those times which want if I should supply out of our home-bred British Writers I might be thought not so much to repaire the ruines of our Monuments as to heape more rubbish vpon them And therefore necessitie so enforcing I must craue patience if I proceed to the rest of our Countries Monarkes though I cannot to the residue of our Countries Exploits and Affaires in those daies 2 Opilius Macrinus from obscure and base parentage by fauours of the Emperour without any notable desert in himselfe first aspired to the Office of a Prefect and at last by the election of the Souldiers to the Dignitie Imperiall So farre from suspicion of Caracallaes death by the outward appearance of a seeming sorrow that hee was held of all most free from the Treason and the second person worthy of their voice For first the Title was conferred vpon aged Audentius a man of good sort much experience and an excellent Captaine whose wisdome could not bee drawne to aduenture his life vnder the weight of so vneasie and dangerous a Crowne but excusing himselfe by the priuilege of his age as farre vnfit to wield the troubles much lesse to increase the glorie of the Empire refused their offers but with returne of as many thankes as they had giuen him hands or voices Whereupon they againe consulted and determined for Macrinus which as willingly receiued as Audentius refused vnto whom they swore fealtie but not long after failed in performance 3 He made for his Caesar Diadumenus his sonne changing his name a vsuall custome at their election into Antoninus because that name was gracious among the Romans The Senate at home confirmed all that the Armie had done abroad vnto whom it seemed their right as it were by prescription to haue the election of the Emperours 4 His first expedition was against Artabanus King of the Parthians that hasted against the Romans for wrongs receiued by Caracalla deceased but after three great and dangerous Battles came to an attonement and a peace betwixt them concluded After this as free from further troubles he returned to Antioch in Syria and there spent his time in Banquets and other sensuall pleasures being drenched so farre therein that the Armie began to dislike his Gouernment and to fauour young Bassianus the sonne of Caracalla then present at E◅esa a Citie in Phoenicia with Moesa his Grandmother by his Mothers side who there had built a Temple consecrated to the Sunne and therein ordained him a Priest for which cause he was called Heliogabalus that is to say in the Phoenician Language The Priest of the Sunne 5 To this Temple in their vaine deuotions resorted many of the Romane Souldiers and seeing the beautie of the youth allured Moesa to bring him to their Campe where knowne to be the sonne of Caracalla the Souldiers proclaimed him Emperour and maintained his right against Macrinus who after this reuolt met young Heliogabalus in the Confines betwixt Phoenicia and Syria where was fought a bloudie Battle and Macrinus forsaken of all and driuen to flie who with his sonne hasting thorow Asia and Bithinia came lastly to Chalcedon where he fell sicke and was there together with Diadumenus put to death the seuenth day of Iune the yeere of Christs Incarnation two hundred and nineteene when hee had raigned one yeere one moneth twenty eight daies ANTONINVS HELIOGABALVS CHAPTER XXVI YOung Bissianus surnamed Heliogabalus the sonne of Caracalla before mentioned thus elected and prospering at his entrance gaue hopes to his raisers of many princely parts and signes of those things that in sequele by better proofe appeared to be onlie signes indeed for nature had plentifully adorned him with the complements of her gifts had his mind beene answerably furnished with vertue But as the one was ouer-prodigall and lauish in his outward forme so was the other as sparing and defectiue in bestowing of her inward gifts insomuch that both in minde and garment he seemed to bee that which in truth he was not This Emperour as appeareth by the reuerse of his money tooke it no meane addition of honour to his Imperiall Dignitie to be stiled The Priest of the Sunne which in the Assyrian Tongue is called El from whom he tooke the surname Elagabal 2 Assoone as hee had settled the Empire firme vpon himselfe by the death of Macrinus he began to discouer his owne dispositions and in wantonnesse apparell lightnesse and diet to exceed any that had gone before him in Rome and so farre differed from the manners of men that modestie will not suffer vs to record his greatest vices 3 His apparell was rich and most extreme costlie and yet would he neuer weare one garment twice his Shooes embellished with Pearles and Diamonds his Seats
the errours of his father and not his owne And to his brother Licinius Valerianus to whom the father had giuen the title of Caesar he added the honour of Augustus And therefore we haue not held it improper to adioine to his their monies in the front of his life 2 The calamities of this Emperours time were so many as almost exceed credit and Signes shewed both in the Heauens and the Earth manifested his wrath that sate vpon the Throne of Iasper from whose presence issued Thundrings Lightnings and Voices For by Writers of best credit the Sunne was clouded as vnder sackcloth and not seene for many daies together Earth-quakes great and fearfully resounding ouerthrew Cities and other edifices shaking the ground so terribly that vast Caues and hideous gaping bowels of the earth were thereby laid open and whereout no lesse strangely flowed great streames of salt waters The Earth roared and seemed to thunder when there was no voice heard in the aire The Sea ouer-swelled her bankes and brake into many Continents drowning Countries Cities and People and besides all these so violent a Pestilence raged that in Rome no lesse then 5. thousand persons died in a day 3 These miseries somewhat mooued this Heathenish Emperour to remorse and thinking thereby to pacifie the wrath of the Diuine Powers hee staied the Persecutions of the Christians sending out his Edicts in fauour of them For not only the Heauens Earth and Seas declared the anger of their God out of whose mouth went a two-edged sword but the Prouinces also seemed to be remoued out of their places The Souldiers of all parts electing their owne Generals aduanced no lesse then Thirty at once who assumed the title of Emperours but are recorded to Posterities by the name of Vsurping Tyrants And as they were all deadly opposite each to other so were they iointly almost all bent against Galienus whereby the Roman Empire was more oppressed with her owne forces then euer it had been by forraine Powers And since sixe of them assumed the Purple Robe in this Westerne Angle of the â—…mpire it will not be impertinent to the course of Story with a light touch to remember them and to expresse their Monies as we haue done the rest of those that held the reines of gouernment in these parts of the Romane World M. Cassius Labienus Posthumus after the death of Saloninus who was committed to his education by Gallienus assumed the Empire by aide and encouragement of those of Gallia ouer whom he had born the office of liefetenancie by fauour of Valerian the Emperour And these againe as all Populars greedie of Innouation from him and Iunius Cassius Posthumus his sonne tooke both honour and life after ten yeares gouernment This opportunity either made by L. Aelianus or fitly taken mounted him vp with ease into that Emperiall throne in which he sate not with like fortune of continuance though of conclusion To this man succeeded together M. Aurelius Victorinus and Lucius his son both in a Tumult neere Colayn by their souldiors murthered And had not the inordinate lust of the elder blemished his other vertues he had to al the most excellent Emperors bin nothing inferiour in the best of their other vertues 7 The restlesse humor now of the giddy Commons next setleth it selfe vpon Aurelius Marius a soueraigne sutable in his meane condition to their base affections for he was no better then a Black-smith yet to him a man of their own meanes making they were no lesse vnconstant and cruel then to the rest after three daies setting an end of his gouernment with a sword of his own forging And therfore Piuesius Tetricus the father and sonne though ascending the throne of Maiestie with the greatest applause of that people and filling it vp with much merit and happy successe of their own when they considered the insufferable insolencies and desperate practises of that prophane ranke chose rather to adorne Aurelians Triumph in a voluntarie captiuitie then to liue and rule at the deuotion of a lawlesse multitude And these times seemed no lesse fatally bent to bloud disorder and tyranny in other parts as well as these For the Pannonians raised Ingenuus The Myssians A. Regillianus The Egyptians Aemilianus In Africa Celsus was proclaimed In Illyricum Aureolus and in the East Odenatus a man the more famous for Zenobia his glorious and magnanimous Wife Whose valour was so feared of Galienus that to make him his hee admitted him his Fellow-Emperor with the Stile of Augustus as we haue remembred before The Germans inuade Italy The Gothes waste Greece Pontus and Asia The Samartians seize Austriche and Hungary The Persians robbe Syria The Saxons breake into Gallia The Franks into Spaine In a word all are in vproares the second seale opened and the Red-horse prepared for Battaile whose Rider had receiued a great and sharpe Sword with Commission giuen him to take Peace from the Earth and these times of troubles are so famous in Storie and the reuolutions of Acts so agreeable to the words of the Prophecie that they may seeme iustly a most exact accomplishment of that sacred vision 5 Finally when Gallienus had raigned from his first Associating with his Father the terme of fifteene yeeres Martian Heraclianus and Ceronius three of his principall Captaines compounding together that one of them should bee Emperour plotted his death whiles hee besieged the Citie Millan where they traiterously murthered him the yeere of our Lord two hundred sixty nine after that hee had suffered the Empire to be rent in peeces and vsurped by many Forraine and barbarous Nations M. AVRELIVS FLAVIVS CLAVDIVS CHAPTER XXXVII ROMES glory thus declining and the Imperiall Foundations thus vndermined the aspiring tops of all that beautious frame beganne to shake and to foreshew the signes of her approching fall And had not the Fates euen at that instant raised a stay to vnderprop the Walles those mounted Towers which so long had braued the Skie had beene laid leuell with the Ground and made the ruines of All-consuming Time 2 For whereas by the strange confusions vnder the late Emperour the Eagles body was burdened with the waight of those thirty heads at once of which number though many of them by their owne mutuall rauening were consumed before the death of Galienus yet the mightiest as Aurelius Gouernour of Dalmatia Tetricus and Victorinus who held Britaine and Gallia and Zenobia the Heroicke Queene and wife of Odenatus all the East to omit the Murderers of Galienus that durst not make their claime their deed so ill disgested all these were still remaining and strong at such time as Flauius Claudius by the Souldiers was elected before the Walles of Milan and confirmed with much ioy by the Senate in Rome 3 This Flauius was descended of noble Parentage out of Dalmatia by some or as others say of Dardania and sprung from the Troian Bloud But Aurelius
him in the charge of a Lieutenant and vnder Claudius in Persia he was the Coronell of the Horse In the warres of Sarmatia he is reported to haue slaine forty Enemies with his owne hands in one day and at other seuerall times to the number of nine hundred men as both Vopiscus and Theoclius haue affirmed And generally so famous were his deeds both before he was Caesar and after as that he is by some compared with Iulius and Alexander 4 Vpon the ratifying of his election by the Senate at Rome hee hasted not thither to be saluted and enstalled Emperour but foorthwith marched against the Sueuians and Sarmates who sore infested the Empire with warres and hauing soone subdued them and quieted those parts in great haste hee came into Italie against the Germans who with Fire and Sword had gone as farre as Milan and them likewise with great valour hee forced thence Then entring Rome with great pompe caused the Walles to bee repaired and inlarged which was not lawfull but onely for Victorious Emperours But long he staied not ere he returned into Syria against the stout Queene Zenobia whose braue resolutions and warlike power for fight her Letter in answer vnto him when being sorely tired he profered her wealth life and liberty to yeeld doth manifestly declare the tenour thereof being as followeth 5 Zenobia the most mighty Easterne Queene to Aurelianus Romes Augustus sendeth greeting Neuer Captaine to this day in vsing Penne in stead of Speare or filed Words for Weapons points hath more sufficiently discharged the parts of Warre then thou to me in Writ hast done wherein I well perceiue thy drift and blame thee not that seest me but a Woman which Sex you men make subiects only by your smoothing tongues But know Augustus thou dealest not with a Roman Dame nor with her who vpon base conditions will subscribe her honour but with Zenobia the Palmyrean Queene in whose womanly brest the manly heart of great Odenatus doth still-liue and lie These courting tearmes doe ill beseeme a Campe and worser him who would be stiled a Mars But yet thy Golden Showre hath rained beside our Lappe nor wee a Venus to meete thee for thy sport but with our Launce in hand to trie our lawfull right and with our Swords to answer thy demands in bloud I am a Woman so was Tomyris thou knowest the rest in Armes against Augustus so was Cleopatra who rather chose to sting her selfe to death then liue a subiect though a Prince vnder great Octanian Art thou his better thou art deceiued or I her worse nothing lesse who from her person doe deriue my Pedigree and from her courage will maintaine my cause I am a Queene and raigne beloued was Romes Empresse obeied and honoured and the wife of Odenatus whom all you Romans greatly feared Are my powers weake The Persians whose strength you well haue tried will supplie Are my Souldiers few The Saracens haue more that will assist and the Armenians are wholly at my command If then Theeues and Robbers in Syria were sufficient to ouer-throw thine Armie what hope is left thee to escape our hands when all these our strengths shall be thus conioined in one Therefore the same offers that to me thou hast sent the same to thee I heere returne and will performe if thou in time embrace this truce 6 This haughtie answer of that vndaunted Queene put more fire to the furie of Aurelianus who tooke the Letter in such scorne that hee threatned death to the Inditer whom he supposed to be Longinus the Philosoper who was alwaies with her and her Instructer which afterwards he did accomplish for destroying her seuerall Aids before they could meete together and besieging Palmyra her strong Citie hee brought the same to such distresse that in the end hee tooke her Captiue and glad of such a prey carried her himselfe to Rome where following his Chariot of Triumph attired in Tissues and richest Robes of price shee was lead his Prisoner in Chaines of Gold vpon whose presence the Spectators with admirations so much gazed that somewhat it dimmed the Maiestie of Aurelianus for shee is said to be exceedingly faire though not very white but somewhat browne her eies blacke and bright her teeth shining like pearles her bodie tall and of most stately proportion her countenance modest milde and pleasing her voice sweet her conuersation honest her minde chaste and body continent wise temperate and learned in the Greeke Latine and Egyptian tongues Yea the atchiuement of this Conquest was held so notable that hee reputed himselfe the Restorer of the East as it appeareth by the reuerse of his money here prefixed in the entrance of his raigne 7 These Acts of Aurelianus made him so famous abroad and feared at home that Tetricus which had held out against Galienus came in vnder his protection holding it more safe to bee a Subiect in quiet then a Commander against an Opposite of so inuincible a minde by whom thereupon hee was made Gouernour of Campania and of other Prouinces in Italie 8 Hitherto this Emperours successes were very prosperous we may well suppose for his indulgence to the Christians whose assemblies he permitted and whose Bishops he so fauoured that at their request hee banished Paulus Samosatenus the Heretike out of their Councels and published an Edict in the behalfe of their Synods But afterward Satan minding to sift the Wheat that the Chaffe might be his stirred vp this Emperour to raise the Ninth Persecution and to send foorth his Edicts for the destruction of Gods Saints which whilest he was in perusing and about to set his hand and seale a Thunderbolt from Heauen strucke into his presence and so neere vnto his person that all accounted him to be therewith slaine God warning him by this his Messenger to be wise lest he perished in his own waies as shortly after hee did being slaine by his Seuants through the Treason of Mnestheus his Secretarie the nine and twentieth day of Februarie following neere vnto the Citie Bizantium when hee had sate Emperour foure yeeres eleuen moneths and seuen daies the yeere of our happinesse two hundred seuenty six 9 He was of stature tall of body well shaped a pleasing countenance and of a seemely presence a great feeder and very seuere whereby he was as much feared as beloued and therfore reported to be a good Physitian but that he ministred too bitter Pâ—…tions and was Canonized after his death among the holy Emperours in the second yeere of whose raigne the Great Constantine of Helena in Britaine was borne M. CLAVDIVS TACITVS CHAPTER XL. THe former seditions ended by Aurelianus and the state of the Empire remaining now in quiet no man appeared to sue much lesse tumultuouslie to striue for that Royal Diadem but all the great Commanders as though they made courtesie in giuing way each vnto others stoode at the
that of all men he best deserued the name Probus that is vertuous was made a Tribune also In which Office with great praise he serued vnder Galienus Aurelianus Claudius the Emperours vnder whom besides other exploits he fought seuerall single-combats to the great honour of himselfe and Countrey and receiued as markes of victories many Ciuicall Crownes Collars Bracelets Launces Banners and other Ensignes of Martiall deuice and Priuiledge Preferred to be Generall in Africa he subdued the Marmarides In Egypt the Palmerines vnder Aurelianus the Sarmates and Germans vnder Claudius the Gothes and in all places so famous for his Acts that hee was compared with Hannibal and Caesar. 3 His first seruice after hee became Emperour was in Gallia against the Germans that had made themselues Lords thereof where in one Battell continuing two daies he slew foure hundred thousand of them and recouered seuentie Cities from the Enemy as himselfe signified by his own Letters to the Senate After this warring in Sclauonia he quieted the Prouinces of Muscouia Russia and Polonia And entring Thracia did no lesse in Greece Syria Arabia Palestina and Iudea whence passing into Persia hee had honourable compositions of Narseus their mighty King Wherupon issued so vniuersall Peace that there were no warres heard of in all the Prouinces of the Empire insomuch that it was a common Prouerbe The very mice durst not gnaw for feare of Probus But long this lasted not ere hee was disturbed for the Egyptians erected one Saturninus a Captaine both wise and valiant for Emperour and that so sore against his will as he was like to be slaine by them for gaine-saying their desires and by a speech deliuered to his Erectors he made known to them his aduers◅es from so dangerous an ambition to this effect 4 Fellowes and Friends by my whole endeuours I haue alwaies sought to preuent that which now I see I cannot shunne I meane the Throne of Maiestie which howsoeuer to others it may seeme full of glory and securitie yet to my self I fore-see it will proue both base and dangerous Base for that I am no more the master of mine owne affections which hitherto in my priuate estate were bestowed freely where I thought best but must hēce-forth be caried at other mens dispose and cast vpon those that deserue them least That little time that I vvas wont to take in retyring my selfe to my selfe must now be straitned to serue others and my thoughts wholly spent to preuent those weapons which are borne in shew for my defence but are in truth the keyes of mine Imprisonments I cannot go without a Guard I cannot sleepe without a watch I cannot eate without a Taster these are but bondages to a free condition and neuer neede in a priuate fortune That it is dangerous it is no lesse apparant for besides the sharpe-pointed waighty sword hanging onely by a twisted-thred ouer our heads Probus is not a Galienus to compound for the Diadem but to touch his scepter is to awake a sleeping Lion What should moue you then to stir vp his wrath to seeke my death and your owne destructions For assure your selues when I die I shal not die alone So all our fame purchased in so many yeers imploiments shal be lost by this one daies worke and my Conquests in Africa of the Mores and in Spaine branded lastly with the eternall scares and infamie of Rebellion 5 These speeches as Flauius Vopis the Writer therof receiued them from the report of his Grand-father who was there present and heard them could nothing at all diuert the resolution of the Souldiers but that they persisted and maintained their Election against Probus who vpon notice thereof hastning toward them with a mighty power offred them pardon as one vnwilling to shed Ciuill-bloud or to lose so worthy a man as Saturninus was but vpon refusall of his proffered Clemencie hee gaue him a most sharpe battell wherein most of the Reuoulters were ouer-throwne and Saturninus in the assault of a Castle besieged was slaine to the great griefe of Probus who sought to haue saued his life 6 But with his death ended not all Ciuill Broiles for Bonosus Proculus two monsters of that age though of different kinds of vices opposing themselues against him and assuming the Title and Robes Imperiall vsurped the Prouinces of Britaine Spaine and some part of Gallia knowing that in these places Probus was not much beloued Bonosus vvas borne in Britaine but brought vp in Spaine without note of action but onely in his cups for hee was esteemed the greatest drinker of all men liuing insomuch as Aurel. said of him he was born nō vt viueret sed vt biberet not to draw breath but to draw in liquor yet as it seemeth hee was in good account vnder the said Aurelianus hauing a charge of Ships vpon the Germane Seas which either by treacherie or negligence were burned by the Enemy in the mouth of Rhine and as Probus tooke it not without the priuitie of Bonosus who therefore not daring to stand to the triall made all his powers against the Emperour but was in Battell ouercome and despairing euer againe to make head put his owne in a halter whereupon it was said that a Barrell was hanged and not a Man 7 Proculus was a Lygurian borne as vnsatiate a vassall to Venus as the other to Bacchus and therewithall so impiouslie impudent that as hee had a heart to commit any filthinesse so a forehead to boast of it openly as appeareth by his owne Letters wherein hee vaunteth how many scores of faire Virgins hee depriued of that faire name in one fortnight but this Graund-General of Venus Camp was suddenly forsaken by his Souldiers and came to his deserued end 8 Some stirs there were at that present in Britany by the incitements of their Gouernor vvhose name though Histories doe not specifie yet he may seeme to bee that Cl. Corn. Lalianus whose ancient Coynes are found in this Iland and not else-where and his meanes to the place was Victorinus a Moore in great fauour with Probus who taking himselfe not cleare from suspition got leaue of his Emperor to repaire vnto Britaine where giuing it out that he was come thither for safetie of his Life was courteously receiued by the Generall Whom secretly in the Night hee murthered and then speedily returned to Rome hauing by this Expedition both appeased the tumults in the Prouince and approued his fidelitie to Probus About this time as is recorded certaine Vandals and Burgundians that had inuaded Gallia were sent into Britaine by the Emperour to inhabite who though they had troubled the Romans peace in Gallia yet did them good seruice in Britaine to stay their subiection and the Britaines themselues for some good seruices were now suffred by these Emperours to plant Vines and make Wines with other matters aswell for
whereby the One-bodied Eagle became againe foure-headed and each almost of an equall authority Dioclesian chose Galerius Maximinus and Maximianus surnamed Herculius chose Constantius Clorus a Roman Senator enforcing them to put away their former Wiues to take their Daughters for an assurance of loue by the bonds of that Alliance of whom the former was imploied for defence of Illyricum and the other afterwards into Britaine against the Rebellions there raised by Carausius whose coine is here set 5 This Carausius by birth a Menapian but of low Parentage as Beda and Eutropius saith who being appointed Admirall by the Romans to guard the British Seas from the Pyracies of the Saxons and Lower Germans who with continuall robberies wasted the coasts abused his authority both in suffering those Pirats to passe vnder Compositions and in taking many Shippes and much substance from the true Subiect to his owne vse whereby in short time hee became very rich and like a cat set to keepe mice from the larder did more mischiefe then the Robbers themselues Sabellicus reports one very politike custome whereby he inriched himselfe and that was by suffering the Pirats to take as much spoiles as possibly they could before hee would surprise them whereby they were his instruments to rob others and nothing to better themselues 6 Maximianus then warring in Gallia and fearing the greatnes of his wealth and power sent secretly to slay him by treacherie and in the meane while surprised many of his principall men at Gessoriacum 7 Carausius now rich compassed with friends seeing his destruction thus intended and sought thought that death was but death as well to Prince as to Peazant and therefore with a bold resolution and aid of the Picts or Northerne Britaines who had been alwaies enemies to the Roman Subiection put on the Purple Robe and vsurped the Authoritie and Title of Emperour which hee most valiantly maintained in sundry Battles and so kept it for the terme of seuen yeeres 8 Against him Maximianus set forward with a puissant Armie and marched to the British Ocean but there vnderstanding the power of his Enemie and finding himselfe in want of men for Sea-seruice hee pitched downe his Tents and knowing Carausius a man meet to command the Ilanders and able to defend them against the other Warlike Nations sent him offers of peace the making of which is remembred vnto vs by the Coine of Carausius before expressed whereon are stamped the Portraitures of two Emperours ioining hands So himselfe returning against the Batanians left Carausius for Britaine who gouerned the Prouince with an vpright and vnstained reputation and with exceeding peaceablenesse notwithstanding the incursions of the Barbarous He reedified the wall as Ninnius the disciple of Eluodugus writeth between the moneths of Cluda and Carunus fortifiing the same with seuen Castles and built a round house of polished stone vpon the banke of the Riuer Carun which some thinke tooke name of him erecting therewith a Triumphall Arch in remembrance of Victorie Howbeit Buchanan thinkes the same to bee the Temple of Terminus and not the foundation of Carausius But the date of his noble Gouernment was brought now to a period by the Treason of Allectus his Familiar friend one whom he had imploied in managing of the State who thirsting after the Supreme Authoritie betraied his trust and treacherously murdered him by a wile putting on himselfe the Purple-Robe stamping this his Image vpon the publike Coine as an absolute Soueraigne and assuming the Title Imperiall about the yeere of Christ 294. 9 Constantius who had leuied an Armie and was come with great speed vnto Bulloigne in France a Towne that Carausius had sometime fortified and kept hearing now of his death determined the recouery of Britaine and after great preparations at length passing the Seas in a darke fogge or mist landed his men without impeachment which done hee fired his owne Ships therby to frustrate all hopes of escape Allectus who had laien to intercept his comming forsooke also the Seas and meeting at vnawares with Asclepiodotus great Seneschall of the Praetorium as a desperate man hasted vpon his owne death for encountring with him hee neither ordered his Battle nor marshalled his men but fought at randome very vnfortunately for hauing put off his Purple Garment he was among many other slaine when hee had held his estate the terme of three yeeres The Frankners and others of the Barbarous Souldiers escaping the Battle sought to sacke London and so to be gone but as good happe was the Souldiers of Constantius which by reason of a mistie and foggie aire were seuered from the rest at vnawares came to London where they rescued their Allies and making great slaughter of the Enemie slew Gallus their Leader casting his body into a Brooke that theâ—… ran thorow the Citie which thence after was called by the Britaines Nant-gall and by the English Gallus his Brooke where now a faire Street is built called vpon that occasion to this day Walbrooke 10 The deaths of these two Vsurpers with the recouerie of the Britaine 's vnto their wonted obedience was accounted so great a benefit to the Romans that it is most gloriously commended and Rhetorically set downe in a Panegyricke Oration ascribed to Mamertinus in the praise of Dioclesian Maximianus and Constantius where after hee had extolled the fertilitie of the British Soile and the Riches that the Empire reaped thence he set forth the strength of the Enemy growne to so dangerous a head and concluded with this Acclamation O what a manifold Victory was this worthie vndoubtedly of innumerable Triumphs by which Victorie Britaine is restored to the Empire their Confederates brought to obedience and the Seas secured to a perpetuall quietnesse Glory you therefore inuincible Emperour for that you haue as it were gotten another World and in restoring to the Romans puissance the glory of the Conquest by Sea haue added to the Roman Empire an Element greater then all the compasse of the Earth that is the mightie maine Ocean it selfe and afterwards now by your Victories Inuincible Constantius Caesar whatsoeuer did lie vacant about Amiens Beauois Trois and Langres beginneth to flourish with Inhabitants of sundry Nations Yea and moreouer that your most obedient City Autum for whose sake I haue a peculiar cause to reioice by meanes of this Triumphant Victorie in Britaine hath receiued many and sundry sorts of Artizans of whom those Prouinces were full And now by their workmanship the same Citie riseth vp by repairing of Ancient Houses and restoring of Publike Buildings and Temples so that now it accounteth that the old name of brotherly Incorporation to Rome is againe restored when shee hath you eft-soones for her Founder 11 But leauing Constantius to be further spoken of in his due place let vs pursue the Raignes of these two Tyrants who new began the Persecutions of Gods Saints in all the parts
inuocate for aid for as yet he was not fully setled in the Christian Faith though the Gods of the Gentiles he obserued altogether deceitfull cast vp in this his holy meditation his eies Eastward to heauen and had by diuine ordinance presented to him in obiect the signe of a Crosse wherein were Starres as letters so placed that visiblie might bee read this sentence in Greeke IN HOC VINCE as diuers Authors report 5 This miraculous signe promising Victory and that saith Eusebius not in an Inscription only but by voice of Angels was so comfortable to Constantine that with great courage he went forward bearing before him and his victorious Army in place of the Imperiall Standard the forme of this vision imbrodered with gold and stones of greatest price And as one armed from heauen proceeded against his hellish aduersarie Maxentius as much depending vpon his Sorcerers was no lesse assured of the victory In furtherance whereof as a stratagem of warre hee framed a deceitfull Bridge ouer the riuer Tyber neere to Pons Miluius to intrap Constantine but ioyning battell and ouer-laid with strokes retired and fled and whether for haste or through forgetfulnesse tooke ouer the same Bridge which suddenly failing vnder him hee was with many more drowned and Constantine remained Victor In memory whereof hee caused a triumphall Arch to be erected in the midst of Rome wherein his Statue was imbossed holding in his Right hand a Crosse according to the fashion of that which hee had seene in the heauens and vpon ancient inscription in memory of this Victory this we finde engrauen INSTINCTV DIVINITATIS MENTIS MAGNITVDINE CVM EXERCITV SVO TAM DE TYRANNO QVAM DE OMNI EIVS FACTIONE VNO TEMPORE IVSTIS REMP. VLTVS EST ARMIS Thus By instinct of the diuine power with great magnanimitie and helpe of his armie in a lawfull warre he reuenged the cause of the common wealth as well on the Tyrant himselfe as on his whole faction all at once With the like successe had he warred against the Frankners in Batauia whose Victorie was likewise stamped in gold wherein is a Woman sitting vnder a Trophey and leaning her head vpon a Crosse-bowe with this inscription FRANCIA 6 But as his fame increased in the mindes of most so was it as much maligned by Licinius his fellow Emperour and Brother in Lâ—… who in his heart neuer fauoured the Christians howsoeuer for a time outwardly hee suffered their Religion but at last seeking occasions against Constantine hee raised a cruell Persecution in the East where he raigned with Martinianus whom at Byzantium and Iulius Licinius Licinianus at Arlas he had before made Caesars permitting theÌ„ to stampe these monies as marks of Soueraigntie 7 By this affliction of Gods Church he inforced this Champion of God for their defence to prepare his forces with which hee met Licinius in Hungarie where he gaue him a great ouerthrow But hee escaping to Byzantium in Asia the lesse ioyned againe battell and was there taken Prisoner yet by the mediation of his wife Constantia had his life spared and was confined within the citie Nicomedia where for his treasons afterwards he and his sonne Licinianus that somewhat suruiued him were put to death And now the peace of Gods Saints manifestlie appeared and the progresse of the Gospell passed vntroubled 8 For now saith our Gyldas no sooner was the blasting tempest and storme of Persecution blowne ouer but the faithfull Christians who in time of trouble and danger had hidden themselues in woods and deserts and in secret caues being come abroad to open sight reedified the Churches ruinated to the very ground The Temples of holie Martyrs they founded and erected as it were the Banners of victory in euery place celebrating festiuall holy daies and with pure hearts and mouthes performing the sacred ceremonies for the which blessednesse he euer after had the Attributes ascribed vnto him of most blessed Emperour most pious happy Redeemer of Romes Citie Founder of Peace Restorer of Rome and of the whole World most great inuincible Augustus Sâ—cred Diuine and of sacred memory c. Howbeit for admitting these praises as it should seeme he is taxed by Eutropius and Victor of pride as also crueltie for putting to death Crispus his sonne by Mineruina his concubine whom hee had made Caesar and permitted to stampe these monies here vnder inserted as likewise his wife Fausta sister to Maxentius but others affirme that the causes of their deaths were iust though as Paulus Orosius saith the reason thereof was kept secret and Zosimus doth therein excuse him as Cassiodore relateth and so doth Rufinus and Eusebius 9 Touching Constantius affaires in this Iland it appeareth by the last Author that after his Fathers death and his owne departure out of this Country some aspiring mind taking aduantage of his absence in other warres perswaded the people here to withdraw their obedience Whereupon once againe he addressed himselfe with his Armie to the reestablishing of the Ilands subiection and passing saith Eusebius ouer into Britaine inclosed on euery side within the banks of the Ocean he conquered the same The ioyfull memory of this expedition is registred to posteritie vpon his Coine set in the entrance of this Chapter inscribed Aduentus Augusti and by these Letters P. L. N. the place of the Mint to be at London 10 After this saith the same Author he began to compasse in his mind other parts of the World to the end hee might come in time to succour those that wanted helpe and when he had furnished his Armie with milde and modest instructions of Pietie hee inuaded Britaine that hee might likewise instruct those that dwell inuironed round about with the waues of the Ocean bounding the Suns setting as it were with those coasts And of the Politicall gouernment therein by him altered let it not seeme offensiue that I who know and professe mine owne weake sight in most of these matters doe light my dimme candle at the Bright-shining Lampe of that Illustrious Antiquarie who saith 11 About this time saith he as euidently appeareth by the Code of Theodosius Pacatianus was the Vicegerent of Britaine for by this time the Prouince had no more Propretors nor Lieutenants but in stead thereof was a Vicegerent substituted And againe Seeing that Constantius altered the forme of the Roman Gouernment it shall not be impertinent to note summarily in what sort Britaine was ruled vnder him and in the next succeeding ages He ordained foure Praefects of the Pretorian to wit of the East of Illyricum of Italy and of Gaule two Leaders or Commandere of the forces the one of footemen the other of horsemen in the West whom they tearmed Praesentales For ciuill gouernment there ruled Britaine the Praefect of the Praetorium or Grand Seneschall in Gaule and vnder him the Vicar Generall of Britaine who was his Vicegerent and honoured with the title Spectabilis that is
his Crucified Redeemer Maij 22. the yeere of Christ Iesus three hundred thirty seuen and of his happy victorious raigne thirty one and of his age sixty fiue whose body was interred at Constantinople in the Church of the Apostles that himselfe had therein founded 18 Eusebius writing this good Emperors life saith that he deferred his Baptisme vntill his old age in desire that he might receiue it in Iordayne where our Sauiour himselfe was baptised Yet others thinke that he was baptised with his Son Crispus what time he created him his Caesar for the Celebration whereof hee caused a most sumptuous Font to be made in Rome which Platina Sabellicus affirme to haue continued to their times And the ingenuity of the same Sabellicus is much to be approued in that speaking of Constantines Donation which some so much vaunt of though the vanity of that forgery is now laid open to the view of all by sundry learned men he acknowledgeth himselfe being a Romanist that he findeth no mention of any such matter in any of the ancient Records which he followed and so leaueth it to the Patronage of those Crafts-men out of whose forges it first was formed He left to succeed him in the Empire as Augusti with distaste of the eldest his three Sonnes Constantine Constantius and Constance whom before he had made Caesars designed by Testamēt Delmatius the son of Anniballinus his brother Caesar and therefore we haue inserted his mony in ranke of those that succeeded this great glorious Emperor FLA. VAL. CONSTANTINVS IVNIOR Emp. FLA. VAL. CONSTANS FLA. IVLIVS CONSTANTIVS FLA. DELMATIVS ANNIBALLIANVS CHAPTER XLVII FOR the Empire being diuided among these Brethren Constantinus the eldest whose portion was Britaine France Spaine and part of Germanie tooke himselfe wronged in this partition whereas Constans his second brother had Italie Africa Sclauonia Dalmatia and Greece and Constantius the youngest possessed Thracia Syria Mesopotamia and Egypt Prouinces much greater in his sight then his owne seemed to bee and therefore at last ambitiously hee attempted to inlarge his vpon the Frontiers of his brother Constans at that time in Dacia and in warres against the Gothes who there also inuaded his territories but was met with and slaine by a Captaine of his brothers neere to the Citie Aquileia in Italie when he had held his Seigniories the terme of three yeeres 2 Hereupon Constans grew exceedingly proud and seising his deceased brothers Prouinces ioined them vnto his owne Possessions and with his brother Constantius came into this Iland This Battle and their arriuall heere by the words of Iulius Firmius chanced in the winter season for saith hee speaking to these Emperours you haue subdued vnder your Oares the swelling and raging waues of the British Ocean euen in the deepe of Winter a thing hitherto neuer seene before And the Britaine 's were sore afraid to behold the vnexpected face of their Emperour This Constans was he that called a Councell to Sardica against the Arrians whither were assembled three hundred Bishops and among them some of the British as formerly we haue mentioned But this Prince being youthfull cast away all care of the Empire and drowned in his owne pleasures followed ill counsell the vsuall way to Princes ruines Thus growne greeuous to the Prouinces and nothing acceptable to the Souldiers was by Magnentius a Captaine of his owne slaine as hee was hunting neere the Castle of S. Helens situate amongst the Tapori a Spanish people vnder the Pyren Mountaines And as hence this Murderer of his Soueraigne Lord and Master was branded with the name of Taporus so in this Emperour there murdered was fulfilled a Prophecie that hee should die in his Grandmothers Lappe Olympias the Widow of this Constans was giuen to Arsaces King of Armenia by Constantius his brother to be a bond and purchase of his surer friendship of which his need was much as the times required for after the death of Constance Vetranio was proclaimed Emperour by the Pannonian Armie though shortly disrobed and sent to end his decrepit age in a priuate fortune Nepohanus the nephew of Constans by his sister Eutropia was at Rome by the abiect Rout saluted Augustus which he enioied not much aboue twentie daies being suppressed by Magnentius who had now made the truncke of Maiestie his Soueraignes bodie the Basse whereby he meant with Decentius and Desiderius his two brethren to ascend the Throne 3 Simon Dunelmensis saith that Great Constantine at his departure from Britaine left one Octauius to gouerne the Land who shortly rebelled and after diuers conflicts was slaine by Traherne Commander of a Roman Legion Galfridus makes the said Octauian a Britaine and will haue him to raigne with great Victories ouer this Iland the space of fifty foure yeeres which as Fabian hath accounted doth extend to the time of Valentinians Rule in Rome so farre doe our British Historians differ from the Romans But from them most certaine it is that Magnentius before mentioned a Britaine by his father though borne among the Laeti in France inuested himselfe into the Imperiall Dignitie vsurping France Spaine and Britaine thus stamping the face of himselfe and his brother Decentius by him made Caesar at Millan vpon the currant Monies of such reuolted Prouinces as he vsurped And did for three yeeres bandy against Constantius though with some vnequall successe but lastly despairing to vphold his owne greatnesse murdered himselfe at Lyons in Gallia as his brother vpon newes therof did with a halter in the same Countrey For this euent no other occasion moouing Constantius both shut the Temple of Ianus in Rome as a token of an Vniuersall Peace and gloriously triumphed with more then a vsuall aspect 4 At this time the Generall of the Armie in Britaine was one Gracianus the father of Valentinian the Emperour by birth an Hungarian and so strong of limme that no fiue men could pull a rope out of his hand with all their force whereof hee was surnamed Funarius the Roper This man giuing entertainment to Magnentius was condemned in confiscation of all his goods by Constantius that now ruled sole Emperour vnto whom also the Britaines submitted themselues and whose Deputie after Gratianus was aged Martin a man no doubt vertuous and vpright as he witnessed by his death for Constantius whose base and distrustfull heart feared the wagging of euery leafe by the slaughter of many guiltlesse sought to make himselfe secure and egged on by his Flatterers to serue their purposes sent one Paulus a Notarie into Britaine to apprehend them that had aided Magnentius 5 The said Notarie was a Spaniard of a pestilent wit and subtiltie especially in finding out all quirkes and deuices to endanger mens estates whose businesse being now to apprehend and bring away such Martiall men as had entred action in the foresaid conspiracies he vnder that pretence
their deliuerance and therein sped so well that the Souldiers by constraint as Oresius saith forced him to assume the Imperiall Stile and Purple Robe And so hasting into Gallia with all the flower and strength well neer of the Britaines forces arriued in the mouth of Rhene vnto whom also the Germans Army ioyned and now accounting himselfe an absolute Monarch admitted Victor his sonne then Caesar to be partner of his Empire whose Stampe therefore with his father we haue here annexed 6 Thus Maximus establishing his throne at Triers Spread his wings saith Gyldas the one into Spaine the other into Italy and with the terror of his Name leuied Tributes and Pensions for Souldiers pay of the most fell and sauage Germans Against him Gracianus made his power but after fiue daies skirmishings was forsaken of his own Souldiers and so put to flight And now deiected and destitute of meanes to maintaine his quarrell hee sent Ambrose a great Doctor of the Church his Ambassador vnto Maximus to intreat for Peace which in outward shew was granted but was farre otherwise intended as the sequell proued For seeking his death he did shortly after effect it in this wise He caused Letters and reports to be giuen vnto Gracian that his Empresse was in iourny to visit him and withall sent forth a Carroche stuffed with Souldiers and with them a desperate Captaine named Andragathius Gracian greatly reioycing for his Wifes approach prepared himselfe to meet Her accordingly and opening the Litter thinking to imbrace his Empresse was by these Ruffins treacherously murthered neere vnto Lyons when he had raigned fifteene yeeres and liued twentie nine Valentinian with his Mother Iustina fearing the like conspiracies became supplicants vnto Theodosius in the East against Maximus 7 He therefore preparing his forces marched as farre as Aquileta in Lombardie where Maximus remained both confident and secure For hauing fortified the straits of the Mountaines with sufficient Garrisons and dammed the Hauens with strength of Ships himselfe and assisters with great boldnesse proceeded against Theodosius and gaue him a battell before the Citie Syscia in Pannonia and againe most valiantly receiued him in another vnder the leading of his brother Marcellus but in both of them was ouer-come From this last he secretly retired vnto Aquileia where of his owne Souldiers he was betraied and deliuered to Theodosius his pursuer and by him to the Executioner to be beheaded of which his vnfortunate but deserued end the famous Bishop Martinus Turonensis being in Britaine did foretell him long before Andragathius also the Murtherer of Gracian whose state was now desperate cast himselfe headlong into the Sea and made an end of his wicked life Vector the sonne of Maximus made his Caesar in France as we haue said was defeated taken Prisoner slaine This Victory was held so worthy and memorable that the Romans from thence forward solemnized that day euery yeere as festiuall saith Procopius 8 But these Britaines that had assisted Maximus as by Writers is recorded did foribly inuade Armorica and there planted themselues From whence saith Beda the Britaines first arriued into this Iland But surely himselfe is either greatly mistaken or else we mistake him altogether and that rather for that by Caesar those Coasts that lie vpon the Sea shoares are called Armorica and there the Celtes seated being the Originall of our Inhabitants as is holden and so from thēce they might spread themselues further into these British Ilands long before it receiued the name of Little Britaine The like troubles fell to other Prouinces at the same time by the intestine Warres of the Empire for the Gaules were molested by the Frankes Spaine by the Sueuians and Africk by the Vandals the East parts by the Heruli Ostroges and Hunnes Italy by the Lombards and shortly after by the Gothes 9 These troubles in the Prouinces caused the Emperors to call home their Armies with Aides of their Allies all too little to support their own declining Estates which now beganne to end of it selfe and these Emperors raignes to be cut off by their vntimely deaths But to returne into the path of our History from whence by the intangled occasions of these foure Emperours raigning together we haue wandred let vs remember what occurrents happened vpon the death of Maximus the Tyrant and hasten to end the greatnesse of the Empire which in most Prouinces began to end of it selfe For Valentinian being rid of his feares vnto which he had beene subiect and Theodosius of his Collegue vnto whom hee was enforced great hope was conceiued of a flourishing Estate but it brought foorth onely the remaines of their downefall for the one returning to Constantinople in great Triumph liued not long after and the other left peaceably in the Westerne World was as you shall heare soone made away by Conspiracie 10 Valentinian remaining at Vienna in France free from Hostile Enemies retained in his Court those that sought his life whereof Arbogastes a Captaine of a haughty stomacke politicke aduenturous and of great power but withall of a base Parentage a stranger and an Infidell was one Eugenius a Grammarian but now bearing Armes and of great account was another These corrupting his Chamberlaines compounded for his death which they as wickedly performed by strangling him in his bedde giuing it forth that the Emperour had hanged himselfe which was so confidently auouched that Prosperus in his Addition to Eusebius writing his death saith that it was acted by himselfe after hee had liued twenty six and raigned sixteene yeeres being strangled in the yeere of Grace three hundred eighty foure FLAVIVS THEODOSIVS CHAPTER LII WE haue declared in the life of the last preceding Emperour the Birth and Fortunes Warres and Victories of this most worthie Theodosius vntill the death of Maximus the Britaine for so most writers terme him and now onely remaine his latter Acts in Warre and Peace to bee further related 2 This Emperour returning from Aquileia in Lombardie vnto Constantinople in the East long time there staied not but was drawne againe into the West both to reuenge the death of Valentinian his Fellow-Emperour so trecherously strangled and also to oppose the proceedings of Eugenius whose Coine wee haue heere expressed being one of the Murderers then vsurping that portion of the Empire sided by Arbogastes the other 3 Theodosius marching with his forces towards the Confines of Italie found the passages stopped at the foot of the Alps and his Enemies powers farre surmounting his Therefore a while to deliberate on these businesses hee pitched his Tents and there staied In the meane time Eugenius and Arbogastes his associate had forelaid the Countrey and hemmed him about in such a strait that no victuals could bee brought vnto his Campe. 4 No meanes being now left but either to cleere the passages or bee ouerthrowne hee first became supplicant with Fastings and Teares vnto his God
all of them cast out the Roman Presidents settling a forme of Common-wealth to their owne liking But these our Britaines growing too weake to withstand the continuall inroades of their Northerne Enemies humbly besought Honorius for succour whose returne of comforts consisted only in words exhorting them by Letters to stand vpon their owne Guard But they knowing it was not words which must helpe them againe deplored their miseries so obtained of him the assistance of one Legion which in their aid droue backe those Assailants into their owne Marches and fortified againe the Wall betwixt the Frith of Edeburgh vnto Clutd so then departing left the Britaines to defend themselues who now besides the Common Enemies so often mentioned were much molested and their Faith corrupted by one Pelagius by birth a Britaine by profession a Monke by leaud doctrine an Heretike who was brought vp in the famous Monastery of Bangor in Wales had also trauelled Italie Sicilia Aegypt for the studie of learning and grew into great fauour with Paulinus Bishop of Nola and with S. Augustine also till his Hereticall Assertions which had beene by him and his disciple Coelestius a Scot secretly taught and by Saint Ierome discouered were afterwards condemned by Innocentiue the first Bishop of Rome But the Arch-heretike returning into Britaine began againe obstinately to maintaine the same together with Agricola one who spread the venome of that Heresie into Forraine parts whose doctrines were 1. That Man without the grace of God was able to fulfill all the Commandements 2. That Man in himselfe had Freewill 3. That the Grace of God was giuen vnto vs according to our merits 4. That the Iust haue no sinne 5. That Children are free from Originall sinne 6. That Adam should haue died though he had not sinned And therein also one Timothie most impiouslie disputed against the Diuine and Humane Natures of Christ. Notwithstanding at the same time flourished Fastidius a most learned British Bishop and Chrysanthus also the Deputie or Vicegerent of Britaine who with great honor gouerned the affaires of the Church and Common-wealth and was afterwards as elswhere we haue shewed made Bishop at Constantinople of the Nouatians against his will 11 Thus were the affaires of this Land managed vnder these Brethren Emperours the elder of which Arcadius died in peace at Constantinople leauing his sonne Theodosius a childe of eight yeeres to the succession of the Empire and to the tuition of Hisdigerdus King of Persia a matter which seemed at first very dangerous but prooued at the last very profitable He raigned thirteene yeeres and died the first of May the one and thirtieth of his age the yeere of Christs birth foure hundred and ten At which time one Iouinus of an obscure beginning had raised some Tumults in Gallia stiled himselfe Emperour vsurped the Purple Robe and stamped his Coines with the Title of Victorie as is seene in one which we heere present 12 Against him Honorius made his power and with his little losse slew the Vpstart in the Field wherby his fame was more spread in the West though not so fortunate as his brothers was in the East after whom hee liued fifteene yeeres and with whom hee had raigned other thirteene and he died saith Paulus Diaconus of an infirmitie at Rome in the yeere of grace foure hundred twenty foure leauing no issue of his body to succeed him in the Empire THEODOSIVS 2. Emp. VALENTINIAN 3. CHAPTER LIIII GReat haue been the Wars and strange the Alterations which both here at home and through the World abroad haue chanced vnto States since the first attempts of Iulius Caesar vnto these present Emperors Theodosius the second and Valentinian the third his Associate whose Liues and Raignes did conclude the Successions of the Romish Monarchs within this Iland of Great Britaine and threw downe their Triumphall Arches in many other Prouinces which for long time had been obsequious to Romes Soueraigne Command So vncertaine is the Glory of this World and her Seeming Strength so liable to Mutabilitie that the Powers and Periods thereof held in His hand that holdeth the Vniuersall Ball are suddenly turned from their high-mounted site and beauty of the Sun vnto the Downe-fall and darke side of the Globe and either fall againe into the small Circuit of their first compasse after they haue expired their Number Waeight and Measure or else with Daniels Image are vtterly extinct and blowne away as the chaffe from the Summer flower 2 The continuance of whose Estates seeme they neuer so Great and Durable in Power Circuit Defence and Multitude hath seldome extended much the limit of Fiue hundred yeeres but that their high and mounted Flames fall in the ashes of their owne consuming decaies or else hath receiued some other alteration of Empires encrease as many learned Writers haue obsered in most Common-wealths So was it in the State established by God himselfe among his Peculiar People As from the Promise to Abraham made of Christ the Blessed Seed and Life of Man where ceased the Worlds formerly-vsed computation from the Ages of Men vnto the Law deliuered vpon Mount Sinai declaring condemnation and death were foure hundred thirty yeeres from Israels departure out of Egypt when their Common-wealth beganne to be ruled by Iudges and Gods seruice celebrated in the Tabernacle vnder Curtaines vnto the Building of their Glorious Temple erect by King Salomon were yeeres foure hundred and eighty From the Annointing of Dauid the first King set vpon Iudahs Throne vnto the death of Zedechiah the last King thereof slaine by Nebuchadnezer and that Holy Temple consumed by fire were yeeres foure hundred seuentie And other Politike Estates haue stood much vpon the like Space of time For the Kingdome of Athens set vp by Cecrops the first King thereof vnto Codrus the last when they changed their Monarchie to a Democracie is said to haue continued foure hundred and ninetie yeeres The Lacedemonians State from Lycurgus their Law-giuer vnto Alexander the Great that ouerthrew it flourished the space of foure hundred ninety one yeeres From the expulsion of Romes Kings vnder Tarquinius vnto the affected Empire in Iulius Caesar were foure hundred ninety and nine yeeres And omitting many others to come to our selues from Caesars first Inuasion of Britaine vnto the daies of this Valentinian the third wherein the Romans did quite abandon it were fiue hundred yeeres From the Saxons intrusions and diuision of this Realme into an Heptarchie vnder their Gouernment vntill the vnited Monarchie made by King Egbert in the yeere eight hundred and nineteene were yeeres foure hundred sixty nine But from thence vntill their issue failed in King Edward Confessor were yeeres only two hundred forty seuen And from the Normans Conquest vnto the death of that most sacred Soueraigne of eternall memoric Queene Elizabeth when began againe the name of GREAT BRITAINE
and were prolonged with forty yeeres afflictions wherein Vortigern then King was troubled with the violence of the Romans the dreads of the Picts and Scots and the oppositions of Aurelius Ambrosius who suruiuing his slaine Parents that had worne the Imperiall Purple Robe sought their reuenge vpon their wicked Murderer besides the Intrusions of the Germane Saxons called in for Friends but prooued indeed the greatest Enemies During the conflict of these tempestuous stormes some small comforts were ministred vnto the Britaines by Bishop German his presence who from France assisted them against the Pelagian Heresies and the perillous assaults of the Scots and Picts who in diuers skirmishes ouercame them 2 These dolorous times of Britaines destruction Gildas the mournfull Historian who liued not long after doth declare As soone as the Romans saith hee had left Britaine and were returning vnto their home foorthwith hideous multitudes of Scots and Picts came swarming out of their Carroghes wherewith they passed the Scitick Vale like whole Armies of duskish vermine which at high noone when the Sunne is in his greatest heat began to crawle foorth of their narrow holes an infinite number of hidcous Scots and Picts which two kindes of People though in conditions somewhat different yet they consorted too well in greedie desire of bloud-shed and hauing intelligence the associates of Britaine were now returned with vtter disclaime of further assistance with more confident boldnesse then euer before they seize all the Northerne and vttermost part of the Iland as if it had beene their own inheritance euen as farre as to the Wall Against these attempts there were ranged in the high Forts along the Wall Garrisons of Souldiers but such as were both slothfull and also vnseruiceable for Martiall Affaires which white-liuered Lozels with quaking hearts sate still warding day and night till their ioints were as benummed and stupid as the stones whereon they sate insomuch as the naked Enemies did with long hooked Engines plucke from off the wall those miserable Warders dashing their bodies against the ground This good yet they got by this their vntimely deaths that being thus suddenly dispatched out of the world they escaped the imminent lamentable calamities that their brethren and children shortly felt To bee short hauing abandoned their Cities and this high defensiue Wall once more they betooke themselues to flight and were dispersed in a more desperate manner then euer before For the enemie was more hot in pursuit and more cruell in the slaughter the wofull Inhabitants being by their Enemies massacred and rent in peeces like Lambes in the hands of bloudy Butchers or in the iawes of cruell and sauage Beasts In these most miserable times necessitie so compelling the poore distressed people forbare not to rob each other of that sustenance which could helpe them but for a very small season and so their hostile oppressions were increased by their domesticke vexations for that the whole Countrey by these continuall direptions was vtterly depriued of the staffe of foode hauing nothing left to prolong their life but that only what they get in hunting Whereupon about the thirtie nine yeere of Theodosius and of Christ foure hundred fortie six the distressed Remaines of the down-cast Britaines addressed their missiue Letters to Actius whom Gildas calleth Agitius President of Gallia in most lamentable manner and thus inscribed To AETIVS Thrice Consul the groanes of the BRITAINES The Barbariaus driue vs backe to the Sea the Sea againe putteth vs backe vpon the Barbarians thus betweene two kindes of deaths we are either slaughtered or drewned And the more to intimate their miseries and to mooue his assistance thus they further vrge Wee say they are the Remnant that suruiue of the Britaines and are your Subiects who besides the Enemie are afflicted by famine and mortalitie which at this present extreamly rageth in our Land And putting him in mind that it much importeth the Maiesty of the Roman Empire to protect and succour their Prouince seeing it had now stood vpon the point of fiue hundred yeers vnder their obedience whose strength of Souldiers taken from thence to serue their Emperors in their Wars else-where was now decaied and their wealths wasted by maintaining their many Legions in their own Land and abroad All this notwithstanding the Romans either would not or could not relieue hauing enough to doe to vphold their owne but returned them againe with heauy hearts into the hands of their most cruell Enemies who now knowing themselues free from the Romans interceptions as a violent floud brake thorow the Prouince and bare downe all before them the Inhabitants flying like chased Deere some taking ouer Seas into Britany in France some to South-wales North-wales Cornwall and parts of Deuonshire leauing the best of the Land to the will of their Persecutors and much of their Treasures hid in the ground which neuer after they inioyed 4 But the greeuous Famine still increasing though it had this woful issue with some that it made them yeeld themselues into the Enemies bloudy hands onely in hope to gaine a little sustenance of food for the present and for many yeeres after left lamentable tokens saith Beda of great desolations wrought by that dearth yet with those other which were of more noble and resolute spirits it produced a better effect insomuch as frō out of the Mountains Caues and thicke woods they assailed their enemies reposing their trust not in Man but in God whose help is then most at hand when mans helpe faileth These in many skirmishes gaue them the ouerthrow with much slaughter and that for many yeeres together when they made their incursions for booties and spoile which caused these Rauening Irish to returne home and the Picts a while rested from further molestation Notwithstanding the Britaines returned not from their owne wickednesse growing strong now daily in repressing the Enemie but stronger in their owne sinnes and ciuill dissensions By meanes whereof though a surcease of Hostile Warres was imbraced and the skarres of famine cleerly skinned vp yet another sore as dangerous as either secretly bred and shortly brake forth For the Land being free from the Enemies wastes yeelded such plenty and abundance of all things as the like before no age had seene and therewithall such riot and excesse that the peoples sins grew to a plentiful haruest as by the words of Gyldas is apparant 5 Certainly it is heard saith he that there is such fornication as the like is not among the Gentiles Truth with the maintainers thereof is hated Lies with the Forgers thereof highly esteemed Euill is entertained for good leaudnesse respected more then vprightnesse darknesse desired before the bright Sunne and Satan accepted for an Angell of light Kings then were anointed not according to Gods liking but such as excelled others in crueltie and as cruelly againe by their anointers were they murdered not for any demerit
glory for which parts saith he the Franks had them in great admiration and wondered at their new and strange attire their armour and their bushie lockes of haire that from their heads ouer-spread their shoulders but aboue all at their constant resolution and valiant courage Their heads and beards they suffer saith Tacitus to grow at length and neuer put off that vowed ornament and bond of valour vntill they haue slaine an Enemie but then vpon blood and spoile they vncouer their forehead and say they haue paied backe the price of their birth and thinke themselues worthy of their Country and parents Their curled locks saith he they binde vp in knots and standing on end tie it in the crowne only that is the harmlesse care they haue of beautie to seeme more terrible to the Enemy And by Sidonius Apollinaris his testimony they vsed to shaue off the haire of their heads reseruing onely a tuft in the crowne about which they wore a hoope or plate of copper which caused the haire to stand vpright as by these his verses appeareth Istic Saxona carulum videâ—…us Adsuetum antè Salo solum timere Cuius verticis extimas per or as Noncontenta suos tenere morsus Altat lamina marginem comarum Et sic crinibus ad cutem recisis Decrescit caput additurque vultus In English thus There doe we see the Saxosclad in blew Bold on the Sea but fearefull now on land Their heighted tops vpon their crownes that shew Are not content to hold their wonted band But raisd in tufts where all the rest doth stand Bare naked shau'd and hath no haire at all Which makes full fac'd but heads seeme passing small 2 And that they were indeede bold vpon the Seas Aegysippus witnesseth The Saxons saith hee a most valorous kinde of men excell all others in Piracies In imitation of whom Isidore affirmeth that for their valour and nimblenes in seruice they had their name A people saith he stout hardie and most valiant and farre out-stripping all others in Piracies seemed more fearfull to liue on Land then at Sea Whose intrusions and sudden violence both France and Britaine with great dammages felt for in Gallia they seized into their possession the Country of Baiocasses as is to be seene in Gregorius Turonensis who thence termeth them Saxones * Baiocassions and in Britaine an Office of Charge was instituted to defend the Coasts from their irruptions the Captaine whereof was commonly called the Count or Earle of the Saxon Shoare of whose Piracies and sauage Cruelties let vs heare Sidonius in his Epistle to Numantius complaine So many Rowers as you see saith he so many Arch-Pirates thinke you behold they all of them together so command obey teach and learne to rob and steale There is no enemie so cruell as this that setteth vpon others at vnawares and as occasion serùes as warily slips himselfe away Hee setteth at nought such as encounter him hee bringeth to nought those that take no heed of him whom he courseth he surely ouertaketh when he flieth he is sure to escape To this seruice Shipwrackes inure him they terrifie him not Be there a Tempest vp the same serueth them and to assaile others They neuer weigh Ancour vpon the enemies Coasts but with a resolution againe to returne and their manner is to kill euery tenth Captiue with a lingring and dolorous torment for to such Vowes they binde themselues and with such Sacrifices they discharge their Vowes againe being indeed not so much purified by such Sacrifices as polluted with Sacrilege and the bloudy and abominable Murderers thinke it a religious thing rather to torment a Prisoner vnto death then to set him free for a Ransome But when wee shall heare these vnhumane and barbarous reports either of the old Britaines or these sauage Saxons our ancient Progenitours let vs neither be offended at Gildas or at the reports of these other forrain Writers who spake thus of them as they were then Heathens and knew not God the time of whose ignorance seeing God regarded not as the Apostle teacheth let vs acknowledge with due thankes the goodnesse of a most gracious God who hath brought vs to a holier conuersation and hath made vs Iudges of those sinnes in them that we might flie them in our selues 3 Their Apparell was much different from others and seemed strange to the Gaules as Witichindus hath told vs and Tacitus declareth the maner thereof which saith he was a kinde of Cassocke called Sagum clasped or for want of a claspe fastned with a thorn hauing otherwise no garments at all but going starke naked Neuerthelesse the richer sort were distinguished from others by their garments which were neither large nor wide as the Sarmates and Parthians vse to weare them but straite and shewing the proportion of euerie part of their bodie besides they wore Pelts made of beasts skins The Man and Womans attire differd in nothing saith he sauing that the women vse linnen Garments trimmed and interlaced with purple and without sleeues their armes bare and bosomes naked and vncouered Yet Paulus Diaconus speaking of the Longobards comparing them to the Saxons saith that their Cassockes were large and worne loose most of linnen trimmed and set out with very broad Gards or welts purfleet and embrodered with sundry colours and the richer sort with Pearles their haire bound vp in a copper hoope stood in tufts vpon the crowne the rest curled and falling downe vpon their shoulders their beards they kept still vncut till they had killed an enemie and for another note of ignominie they wore an Iron Ring as a signe of bondage till they had cast it from them by the Conquest of a Man Great Kniues or rather broad bending Swords they trussed vpon little Shields thwart their backes from which as we shewed Engelhusius auoucheth they had their appellation Hee that abandoned or lost this shield in battle saith Tacitus was debarred from their publike Sacrifices and Assemblies the greatest disgrace that could be for very shame and griefe whereof many many times hanged themselues And vpon these Shields their manner was to lift vp their new elected Generall and with acclamations so to carrie him thorow their Campe. 4 For Warres the Germans by Tacitus are reputed the best who for two hundred and ten yeeres held tack with the Romans Not the Samnites saith he not the Carthagenians not the Spaniards or the Gallois no not the Parthians haue so much troubled vs for what can the East obiect against vs sauing the death of Crassus when he had defeated Pacorus before trodden downe by Ventidius But the Germans hauing either slaine or taken Carbo and Cassius and Scaurus Aurelius and Seruilius Cepio and M. Manlius haue defeated also fiue Consularie Armies and Varus with three Legions in Caesars time Neither haue C. Marius in Italie or Iulius in Gallia Drusus or Nero and
receiue some breath of hopes and to shew themselues out of their Caues This Ambrosius saith Beda was a gentle natured man which only of all the bloud of the Romans remained then aliue his parents being slaine which had borne the name of the King of the Countrey Hee with his brother Vter commonly called Pendragon returning out of Britain Armorica where they had remained from the Tyrannie of Vortigerne landed at Totnesse in the West of this Iland vnto whom resorted great Troopes of Britaines His first Expedition was against Vortigern the scourge of his Country and murderer of his King whose Castle straightwaies hee besieged and by the iust reuenging hand of God with wilde fire consumed wherin those adulterous and incestuous persons were burned to ashes 16 Next following the common Enemie hee gaue battle to the Saxons on the North of Humber at a place called Maesbell wherein Hengist was discomfited and in flight taken by Earle Edol of Glocester and beheaded at Conningsborrow saith he of Monmouth Howbeit Matthew of Westminster maketh him fight another battle vpon the Riuer Dun in Anno 489. wherein saith he Hengist was taken And Polydore saith that in the same battle Hengist at the first onset was slaine with many of his Germans the fame of whose victorie saith he is had in memorie with the Inhabitants of those parts euen vnto this day Yet Gildas Beda and Ethelward Writers of those ancient times and two of them Saxons mention not the death of Hengist neither this great victorie of the Britaines And Marianus the Scotish Monke seemeth to affirme the contrarie where he saith that Hengist raigned thirty foure yeeres in great glorie and died peaceably leauing his sonne Eske to succeed him in the Kingdome of Kent With whom also Florentius the Monke of Worcester agreeth Howsoeuer sure it is had not the diuine power of God otherwise determined the waning estate of Britaine doubtlesse had recouered her former strength both by the praiers of Bishop German the prowesse of this last spoken of Ambrosius the valorous attempts of Vter Pendragon and the worthy industries of the Christian King Arthur The famous resistances of this last mentioned Arthur the Monke of Monmouth with such fables hath augmented that his Acts and Trauels may bee compared to those of Hercules or with the Conquests of Caesar himselfe insomuch that he hath beene accounted and ranged in the Catalogue of the worlds nine Worthies And surely by the testimonie of Malmesbury hee was a Prince of great worth and did often aduenture with his small power to meet the Saxons in the face and in Field But the Britaines strength daily decreasing and new supplies of these Saxons daily arriuing brought the one in despaire to enioy their owne right and the other to triumph in their intrusions of wrongs For continually incroaching forward and inlarging their limits wheresoeuer they came droue the inhabitauts before them from their wonted possessions seated themselues in the southern and best part of the Land laying the stones as it were of those foundations whereupon in short time they raised their most glorious buildings 17 For euery seuerall Captaine or Commander accounting that part his owne wherein he first entred or made conquest of with full resolution determined to keepe what he had got and as an absolute King commanded his Prouince whereby the Land became burdened with seuen of them at the first as Hengist of Kent Ella of those parts now called Sussex and Surrey Cherdik of the West Erchenwin of the East Ida of the North Crida of the Middle-land Vffa the parts now Middlesex and Essex which Kingdomes thus begunne and erected stood not long vnshaken by ciuill dissensions among themselues each King enuying his equals greatnesse and seeking to inlarge his owne Dominions vpon the next In which combustions few or none of them came to the graue in due time but were either slaine in warres or treacherously murdered in peace or else inforced to sheare himselfe a Monke and resigne his Crowne to another To speake of all these together I hold would bring too great a confusion to our Historie and a needlesse surcharge to the Readers memorie To auoid which I will briefly set downe the Conquests Circuits Acts and Descents that in euery seuerall Kingdome happened while they stood in their Heptarchie before they were vnited to an absolute Monarchie and then according to my prefixed purpose continue the succession of GREAT BRITAINES Monarchs 18 For albeit the Land was diuided into 7. seuerall Kingdomes and each of them carrying a soueraigne command within his owne limits yet one of them euer seemed to be supreme of the rest and that Prince who had the greatest power or successe in his warres was euer accounted and called The King of the English-men as Venerable Beda in the fifth Chapter of his second Booke and Historie of England euer termeth them 19 Such therfore as held the rest vnder either by Armes or alliance in amitie or subiection swaied the whole Monarchy and were acknowledged as Supremes in power ouer the rest which succeeded not euer in the same Familie neither continued in one and the same Kingdome without reuersement but were carried vpon the Flouds and Ebbes of variable successe or as destinie pleased to alter the chance wherof each of them sauing the East-Saxons only did attaine to the height of that gouernment as to the hauen of their wished desires See therefore if you please a generall view of the whole and afterwards the seuerall Histories of euery Kingdome apart before wee enter into the Succession of the English-Saxons Monarchs Heptarchy Kingdomes Counties Kings Successions Kingdomes Continuance Kings first Christians The Saxons Heptarchy The Kingdome of Kent contained Counties Kent Kings raigning 1. Hengist 31. 2. Eske 24. 3. Octa 20. 4. Ymerick 29. 5. Ethelbert 56. 6. Eabald 24. 7. Ercombert 24. 8. Egbert 9. 9. Lother 11. 10. Edrik 6. 11. Withred 33. 12. Edbert 23. 13. Edelbert 11. 14. Alrik 34. 15. Ethilbert 3. 16. Cuthred 8. 17. Baldred 18. Beganne in An. 455. Continued yeers 372. Ended in Anno 827. Ethelbert The Kingdome of Souh-Saxons contained Counties Sussex Surrey Kings raigning 1. Ella 32. 2. Cissa 75. 3. Edilwach alias Ethelwolf 25. 4. Berthum 5. Authum Beganne in An. 488. Continued yeers 113. Ended in Anno 601. Ethelwolse The Kingdome of West-Saxons contained Counties Cornwall Deuon-shire Dorset-shire Somerset-sh Wilt-shire Hant-shire Bark-shire Kings raigning 1. Cherdik 33. 2. Kenrike 26. 3. Cheulin 33. 4. Ceaclik 5. 5. Chelwold 12. 6. Kingils 32. Quithelin 1. 7. Kenwald 30. 8. Eskwyn 2. 9. Kentwin 9. 10. Ceadwald 7. 11. Inas 37. 12. Ethellard 14. 13. Cuthred 16. 14. Sigebert 2. 15. Kenwolfe 29. 16. Brightrik 16. 17. Egbert 19. Beganne in An. 519. Continued yeers 561. Ended in An. 1066. Kingils The Kingdome of East-Saxons contained Counties Essex Middlesex Kings raigning 1. Erchenwin 34. 2. Sledda 10. 3. Sebert 21. 4. Sexred Seward
them striking their gleames into the North and by West foreshewing it may be the scourge and desolation that the Pagans intended who were at that instant entred into France and Spaine EThelbert the second Sonne of King Withred and Brother to the last King Edbert began his Raigne ouer the Kingdome of Kent the yeere of Mans Saluation 749. and raigned without any memorable act either of his or of his Kingdomes affaires the space of eleuen yeeres leauing this life in Anno 759. and was buried say some in the Monastery of Peter and Paul in Canturbury without issue of his body to succeed him howbeit the Annales of Canturbury affirms him to bee buried at Reculuers in the I le of Tanet whose Monument is shewed at the vpper end of the South I le in the Church and is mounted with two Spires if there be not a mistaking of him for Ethilbert his Successor ALrick the third Sonne of King Withred by the death of his brother Ethelbert obtained the kingdome of Kent the yeere of Christs Incarnation 760. no other glory attending his affaires saith Malmesbury besides his vnfortunate fight at Otteford against Offa King of the Mercians wherein it seemed some honor though with his ouerthrow to withstand so puissant and impugnable an enemie Hee is the last King of Kent that held the scepter in a lineall succession the rest that followed both got and enioied it by tyranny and vsurpation This King is said to raigne thirtie foure yeeres and to die in the yeere of grace seuen hundred ninety three EThilbert surnamed Pren vsurped the Title and Authoritie ouer the Kentish Dominions when that Prouince was sore oppressed with the inuasion of the Mercian Kenulfe whose warres against Kent by succession from Offa were continued with such rigour and valour that the Countrey lay desolate where hee had beene and the people distressed whither he came This Pren Kenulse tooke prisoner and lead away with him into Mercia but at the dedicatiō of a Church that he had then founded at Winchcombe in presence of ten Dukes and thirteene Bishops he released him at the High Altar without either intreatie or ransome of redemption The King returning againe into Kent could not there bee receiued his place either being supplied by another or himselfe so disliked as not worthy any longer to raigne and hauing had experiēce of the worlds mutabilities is left againe to his priuate fortunes from whence hee had stepped hauing held his estate but for three yeeres continuance CVthred saith Malmesbury was made King of Kent by Kenulfe King of Mercia when hee had ouer-come and captiuated Ethelbert notwithstanding hee is accounted for an Vsurper and bare the title of King the tearme of eight yeeres without any other act worthy of remembrance inheriting his predecessors euill happe and calamitie through factions and ciuill discords BAldred after the death of this Cuthred tooke vpon him the princely dignitie of Kent about the yeere of Christs Natiuitie 805. But now the heauenlie prouidence determining to bring againe together that which the Saxons had diuided raised from exile little Egbert to make him the Great Monarch of the English-men His first wars were against Bernulfe King of Mercia and his second against this Baldred King of Kent whom in Battle he vanquished and forced him out of his Kingdome after he had sate on that princelie Throne the space of eighteene yeeres This Baldred is said to haue fled ouer Thames and to leaue Kent to the will of his Conquerour whither againe he neuer returned neither yet was heard of after his ouerthrow This Kingdome then that was erected by Hengist the yeere of mans happinesse 455. continued her gouernment 372. and ended her glorie in the yeere 827. being made a Prouince vnto the West-Saxons SOVTH SAXONS KINGDOME THE CIRCVIT AND CONTINVANCE THEIR KINGS SVCCESSIONS ISSVES AND RAIGNES CHAPTER VI. THE Kingdome of the South-Saxons containing the Countries of Sussex and Surrey had on the East side Kent on the South the Sea and I le of Wight vpon the West Hant-shire and the North ◅de inuerged with the riuer Thames This Kingdome was erected by Ella a Saxon-Captaine that in the second yeere of Hengists entrance as some say brought a supply of his Saxons into Britaine with whom came his three sonnes Kymen Plenching and Cissa these landing at a place which from Kymen was afterwards called Kymenishore and discomfiting the Inhabitants that made resistance became himselfe King of those Southerne parts But doubtlesse there are many opinions of this mans first entrance and new erected estate for some as M. Sauile in his Table set it in the second yeere of Hengists first arriuall Anno 452. Others in the second of Aurelius and no lesse then thirty yeeres after that Anno 482. Harrison will haue it forty three yeeres after the Saxons first entrance and fourth yeere after King Hengist his death Anno 492. And M. Ferrers in his Succession of the English Monarkes placeth it in the three and twentieth yeere of King Hengists Kingdome and in the fifth after his owne arriuall the yeere of our Redemption 488. Of such vncertaintie is the beginning of this South-Saxons Kingdome whose Continuance and Successions are nothing cleerer insomuch that Malmesburie making seueral Chapters vpon the other six omitteth only this of the South-Saxons and therefore as wee finde them let vs haue leaue to relate them and for the present to leaue Ella as hee was King till wee come to a fit place where more shall be spoken of him as he was Monarch whose raigne is set by Stow to bee thirty six yeeres by Sir Henry Sauile twenty foure and by M. Henry Ferrers thirty two and to hau◅ed in the yeere 514. CIssa the third and youngest sonne of King Ella then onely liuing at his fathers death succeeded him in the kingdoome of the South-Saxons leauing the Monarchie to Cherdike king of the West-Saxons who had planted his kingdome betweene him and the Britaines hauing taken the charge of warre against them for maintenance whereof Cissa yeelded him a yeerely contribution and liuing himselfe in long rest and peace founded Chichester and Chisbury the one a Citie for resort of his people the other a place of repose for himselfe which last he fortified about with a strong Trench for a further defense against all dangers Of any other his actions little is recorded by Writers onely in this they concurre that hee was a man of great age and small acts some affirming that hee raigned the space of seuenty six yeeres EDilwach by some called Ethelwolf and Athelwold succeeded King Cissa in the kingdome of the South-Saxons and was the first Christian of that Nation conuerted by Bishop Wilfride as some conceiue out of Beda yet Beda saith expresly that the King was baptized before Wilfrides comming And the History of S. Swithune
saith it was done by S. Berinus Bishop of Dorchester who vsually preaching the Gospell in the kingdome of the Mercians in the Citie of Oxenford and presence of Wulpherus King of Mercia it hapned that King Athelwold then a Pagan was present who by the indeauour of Vulpherus and instruction of Berinus receiued the lauer of Baptisme whom also Wulpherus receiued at the Font for his God-sonne and in signe of that adoption gaue vnto him two Prouinces to be annexed to his former kingdome that is to say the I le of Wight and the Prouince of Manures in the West of England at which time also Berinus by King Athelwolds permission baptized the chiefe Dukes and Nobles of that Prouince His Queene Ebba was baptized in her owne I le the Prouince of the Viecians being the daughter of Eanfride who was brother to Eanheres and both of them Christians But it is generally held that King Edilwach gaue vnto Wilfride the Peninsula as the Latines speake of Seoleseu now Selsee in the West with the demaynes of eightie seuen Tenements wherein he built the Monasterie that bare the same name and was his owne Episcopall Sea Against this Edilwach Ceadwald a valiant young Prince of the Bloud-royall of the West-Saxons being banished his Countrey making head with the assistance of friends and followers entred his Territories with an impetuous incursion and slew the King as he made resistance when hee had raigned twentie fiue yeeres in whose raigne and Countrey raged such an extreme Famine that both men and women in great flockes and companies cast themselues from the Rockes into the Sea 4 Berthun and Authun two Dukes of the South-Saxons maintained the Warres and defence of their Country against Ceadwald and by manly valour forced him to retire These Captaines betwixt them held the dominion of that Prouince vntill such time as Ceadwald had gotten the Kingdome of the West-Saxons who bearing in mind the remembrance of his former proceedings and thinking to inlarge his owne Kingdome with the subiection of the South-Saxons entred againe that Prouince and in Battell slew Duke Berthun harrying the Country miserably before him Which State vnable to withstand the West-Saxons puissance was by Iue the next King succeeding made a subiected Prouince their Gouernment thence forward resting vnder his Successors after it had stood one hundred and thirteene yeeres and ended in the yeere of Christ 601. by ordinary computation But whosoeuer shall compare the times of the foresaid Kings Wulpherus and Athelwold together will easily finde that it is not easie to finde the certaine concurrence of times in affaires so clouded in obscuritie and so farre remote from our preseut times THE KINGDOME OF THE VVEST-SAXONS THE CIRCVIT THEREOF AND SVCCESSION OF THEIR KINGS VNTO EGBERT WITH THEIR ISSVES AND RAIGNES CHAPTER VII THe Kingdome of the West-Saxons though in time later then the two former yet in circuit and fame surmounted them both whose Monarch was the Maull that first brake the Scepters of the other six Kingdoms in sunder and made one Crowne of these their seuerall Diadems more glorious then they all and that first worne vpon Egbert the West-Saxons heads and the Scepter swaied in his Imperiall hand vntill whose time and person wee will continue the succession of their Kings beginning with Cherdik that first made it a Kingdome and briefly shew their Acts whilest it so stood in the Saxons Heptarchie THis Cherdik is said to haue brought a second supply of Saxâ—…s forces into Britaine in the yeere of our Lord 495. and fifth of the Monarchy of King Ella his landing being at a place on that occasion called Chederik-shore who with his sonne Kenrik was encountred by the Britaines vnder the conduct of Natanleod a British Prince whose Country was then called after his name whom he slew in Battell with fiue thousand more of his Britaines the fortune of which field gaue resolutions and hopes of better successe it was fought neere vnto a Brooke vpon that euent called Cherdiks-ford now by contraction Chard-ford Heereupon establishing his new erected Kingdome which contained Cornwal Deuonshire Dorsetshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hantshire and Barkshire he inlarged the same with the conquest of the I le of Wight the gouernment whereof was by him giuen to Stuffe and Withgar his Nephewes which later slew the Britaines there inhabiting and named the place of his victory Withgarbirg assuming the name of King and was buried at his Citie Withgar in the same I le About seuen yeeres after Cherdiks entrance Porth a Saxon with his two Sonnes Megla and Beda landed in the West at the place from him called Portesmouth whose aid with Kent and Sussex assisted Cherdik in his Conquests His raigne is set to be thirty three yeeres and his death in the yeere of grace fiue hundred thirtie fiue hauing had two sonnes Kenrik and Chelwolf the one of which died before his Father and the other succeeded him in his Kingdome Chelwolf had issue Cuthgils whose sonne was Kenfridd and his sonne Kensy the Father of King Eskwin who was the Successor of King Kenwalk and predecessor of King Kentwin in the Kingdome of the West-Saxons KEnrik the eldest Sonne of King Cherdik hauing formerly made proofe of his prowesse in the assistance of his Father was after his death also verie fortunate in obtaining two victories ouer the Britaines the one at Searesberige and the other at Beranbrig whose raigne beginning Anno 534. continued twenty six yeers ending in the yeere of our Redemption fiue hundred sixty He had issue three Sonnes of which Cheaulin the eldest succeeded him in his kingdome Cuthwolfe the second assisted his Brother in his Warres and was partaker with him of his victories who died Anno 672. leauing issue one onely Sonne named Chell or Cearlike who proued nothing so vertuous and dutifull a subiect as his Father had beene for he rose in rebellion against his Vncle and by strong hand expelled him his kingdome The third Sonne of King Kenrik was Cuth famous in his issue though mentionlesse for action in himselfe for hee had three sonnes of which Chelwolf the eldest was King of the West Saxons as shal be declared Chell the second was father to Kingils the sixt and first Christian King of the West Saxons and Grandfather to Kenwall and Kenwin the seuenth and ninth Kings of that Kingdome and Ched the yongest was father of Kenbert Grandfather to Chedwall the most renowned King of the West Saxons of whom we are presentlie to speake and of them all in the succession of thâ—… English Saxons Monarchs and now to returne againe to the issue of King Kenrik CHeaulin his first sonne entred vpon the gouernement ouer the West-Saxons Anno 561. and euen at the first began to disturbe the quiet peace of his neighbour Prouinces taking aduantage at the young yeeres of Ethelbert who was made King of
possessions and forcing them euen to the Sea-shoare being a people allotted vnto miserie and by these strangers pursued so vehemently that lastly they were driuen into the West-Angle of this Iland and their liues defended and maintained among those waste Mountaines and hard Rockes which therein were more propitious and gentle then the stonie hearts of their Oppressors CEadwalla a valiant young man and of the bloud-Royall of the Genisses saith Beda being banished from his Country through the enuie of others who maligned him only for his vertues and worthinesse succeeded Kenwin his kinsman in the kingdome of the West-Saxons and with greater glory raigned then any other in that Prouince before him had done He was the Sonne of Kenbert whose Father was Ched the second Sonne of Cuth and Cuth was the third Sonne of Kenrik who was the eldest Sonne of Cherdik that laid the first stone of this kingdomes foundation His first brunt of furie was against Edilwach King of the South-Saxons whom in field he slew and in another battell Berthun that had made himselfe King of that State The I le of Wight also he almost quite wasted and though he were vnbaptized yet did hee binde himselfe by vow to giue the fourth part of the spoile vnto Gods vse and performed it accordingly vnto Bishop Wilfrid who with Bernewine and Hildila conuerted the people from their Idolatrous superstition vnto the true seruice of Christ it beeing the last part of the Saxons possessions that was turned from their Pagan manners Of which his specious deuotion Malmesburie giueth this censure although wee praise his affestion saith hee yet allow wee not the example for it is written that who so offereth vnto God the goods of the poore dooth as it were sacrifice the sonne in the sight of the Father Kent also with greeuous warres hee twice afflicted and therein spilt so much Christian blood that nature her selfe was therein offended and hee at last as much lamented in repentance whereof after hee had raigned in great stoutnes the space of two yeeres in a zealous deuotion went to Rome where of Pope Sergius he was baptized vpon Easter Euen saith Beda the yeere of our Redemption 689. by the name of Peter and wearing as yet the white Robes of innocencie put as the rite then was vpon him at his lauer of Baptisme fell sicke and the twentieth day of April following died hauing had neither wife nor childe that we read of He was buried in Saint Peters Church in Rome vnder a faire Monument with this inscription thereon engrauen Heere Cedwall otherwise named Peter King of the West-Saxons is buried who died the twentieth of Aprill in the second Indiction and liued thirty yeeres or thereabouts when that noble and mighty Prince Iustinian was Emperour of Rome and had raigned foure yeeres in the Empire and Sergius a true paterne of the Apostles had sate two yeeres in Peters Seat What hath beene written of this Ceadwall King of the West-Saxons by Beda the Saxon and his followers hath beene attributed to Cadwalader King of the Britaines by Geffrey of Monmouth the Britaine Iohn Castor and More affirming him to be the same man and that vpon the admonition of an Angell hee went to Rome tooke penance of Pope Sergius there died in the twelfth Kalends of May and was there buried with the same Epitaph and after the same manner But the Writer of the Historie of Cambria of Cadwaladers going to Rome and the other appendances seemeth to be doubtfull and saith that it differed from the assertion of Bernardus Guidonius the neerenesse of the names being the very cause of the like relations and confidently affirmeth that it was Edwall the sonne of Cadwalader who in such deuotion went to Rome and there made such a religious end about the yeere of our Lord 720. INe whom Beda calles Hun others Ina the sonne of Kenred the sonne of Cuth the sonne of Cuthwin the sonne of Chelwin the third King of the West-Saxons the sonne of Kenrik the second and hee the sonne of Cherdik the first King in that Prouince after Ceadwals departure to Rome tooke vpon him the gouernment of that Kingdome which hee managed with continuall Victories the terme of thirty eight yeeres His first attempts were against the Kentish-Saxons in reuenge of his cosen Molloes death whose wrath Withred pacified by the paiment of thirty thousand Markes saith William of Malmesbury In the yeere of Grace seuen hundred and eight and twenty one of his owne raigne as Matthew of Westminster hath obserued he fought with the Britaine 's vnder their Captaine Gerent whom he victoriously subdued and in his twenty sixth yeere against Cheolred King of Mercia with doubtfull victorie at the place then called Wodenesbury and in his thirty sixth inuaded the South-Saxons with such successe that hee reduced the same Kingdome into a Prouince and annexed it in subiection to the West-Saxons and manifesting his good desires both to the administration of Iustice and the aduancement of Diuine Pietie he ordained many good Lawes for the amendment of manners in his people which are yet extant written in the Saxon Tongue and translated into Latine by the learned M. William Lambert He built at Wels a Colledge dedicated vnto God and bearing the name of S. Andrewes which afterwards Kenulph King of the West-Saxons made an Episcopall Sea The renowned Abbey of Glastenburie most statelie hee built to the honour of Christ Peter and Paul whereof Malmesburie maketh mention in his booke of Glastenburies Antiquities in a fennie place sequestred frō the road way where formerly had stood the old Cell of Ioseph of Aremathea and that being decaied Deuy Bishop of S. Dauids had thereon erected a new which time also hauing ruinated twelue men well affected in the North parts of Britaine had repaired but now by this Ina was quite pulled downe and after a most sumptuous manner new built the Chapell whereof hee garnished with gold and siluer and gaue rich ornaments thereto as Altar Chalice Censor Candlestickes Bason and holie water Bucket Images and Pale for the Altar of an incredible value for the gold thereupon bestowed amounted to three hundred thirtie three pound waight and the siluer to two-thousand eight hundred thirty fiue pound beside precious Gemmes embrouched in the Celebrating Vestures Hee instituted also a certaine yeerely paiment to the See of Rome enioining euery one of his subiects that possessed in his house of one kinde of goods to the value of twenty pence that he should pay a penny to the Pope yeerely vpon Lammas day which at first was contributed vnder the name of The Kings Almes but afterwards was called and challenged by the name of Peter-pence At length by the instigation and earnest perswasion of Ethelburga his Queene hee renounced the glittering glorie of his present and princely estate wherein hee had in great prosperitie
raigned thirty seuen yeeres and odde moneths and professing a voluntarie pouertie so great was the zeale and so little the knowledge of that age went to Rome where in the habit of a Religious Man he ended his life in poore estate and Ethelburga his wife became a vailed Nunne and was made Abbesse of Barking neere London wherein she ended her life The brethren of this Inas were Kenten whose sonne was Aldelme Abbat of Malmesbury and Bishop of Sherborne and Ingils that was the progenitour of Egbert the first Saxon Monarch of the whole Iland and his sister Cuthburga maried into Northumberland sued a diuorce against Osrick her King and husband and in the habit of a Nunne ended her daies at Winburne in the Countie of Dorset EThelard the kinsman of King Ina whom he ordained his successour at his departure to Rome was the sonne of Oswald and he of Ethelbald the sonne of Kenbald the brother of Cuth and both of them the sonnes of Cuthwin the sonne of Cheaulin the sonne of King Kenrik the sonne of Cherdik the first West-Saxon King He began his raigne the same yeere that King Edbert did his ouer the Kingdome of Kent and with him was terrified by the dreadfull appearance of two Blazing Starres of whose Acts no other mention is recorded sauing that at his entrance into regall estate Oswald a Norman of the West-Saxons bloud emulated his glorie and troubled the quiet peace of his prosperous beginning but not able to winne fortune to fauour his proceedings he quite abandoned his natiue Country and so left Ethelard to rule the Kingdome in peace who therein quietly raigned the space of foureteene yeeres without any mention of wife or issue CVthred cosen to King Ethelard succeeded him in his Dominions and was much disquieted by Edilbald King of Mercia both by open warre and priuie practises but these two Kings comming to a conclusion of peace ioined both their Powers against the ouer-borne Britains and in a bloudy battle gaue them a great ouerthrow In this time saith Beda the bodies of the dead were permitted to bee buried within the walles of their Cities which thing before was not lawfull but their corps were interred without in the Fields many of whose Tombes as yet are witnesses to vs that daily finde them in the digging of the grounds adioining and reserue them for sight or other necessarie vse The peace of this King was molested by his owne subiect an Earle named Adelme who boldly encountred his Soueraigne in Battle and fought it out euen to the point of victorie but failing thereof and forced to flie his life was pardoned And hee made Generall against the Mercian Edilbald Cuthreds ancient foe wherein by his valiant prowesse with the flight and discomfiture of the Enemie hee made a worthie amends for guerdon of his life and was euer after held in great fauour and honour This King raigned in great fame and victories the space of fourteene yeers and died in the yeere of our Lords Passion 753. Hee had issue one onely son whose name was Kenrik a valiant young Prince who in the ninth yeere of his Fathers raigne was seditiously slaine in his Armie for bearing himselfe as it may seeme ouer-rigorous towards the Souldiers SIgebert obtaining the Principalitie of the West-Saxons raigned therein no long time and that without all honour or fame His parentage is obscure and vnknowne but his vices are made apparant and manifest for hee wallowing in all sensuall pleasures added exactions and cruelties vpon his Subiects setting aside all lawes and rules of true pietie from which vicious life when hee was louingly admonished by his most faithfull Counsellor a worthy Earle called Cumbra so farre was his minde from abandoning his impious courses as that he caused this Noble Personage to be cruelly slaine whereupon the rest of the Peeres seeing their State and liues were euery day in danger and the common subiects whose Lawes were thus violated being incensed into furie they rebelliously rose vp in Armes against him and would acknowledge him no longer their Soueraigne Sigebert by nature as fearefull as he was audacious vnto vice fledde into the woods as his only safeguard where like a forlorne person he wandred in the day and in caues and dennes lodged in the night till lastly he was met with by a Swine-heard that was seruant to Cumbra and of him knowne to be Sigebert was presently slaine in reuenge of his masters death in the wood that was then called Andreads Wald when hee had raigned not fully two yeeres KEnwulfe sprung from the bloud-Royall of the West Saxons after the death of wicked Sigebert was made King of that Prouince and appeasing some tumults that were stirred for Sigebert obtained many victories against the ouermastred Britaines but had not the like successe against Offa King of the Mercians who at Bensington gaue him a great ouerthrow He founded the Cathedrall Church of S. Andrewes at Wels which afterwards was an Episcopall See and in great honour raigned for the space of twenty foure yeeres but then Fourtune turning her face away from him the rest of his raigne did not sute to that which was spent for he giuing himselfe to pleasure and securitie banished Kineard the brother of his Predecessor Sigebert who dissembling his wrong gaue place vnto time and occasion being offered made his vse thereof For Kenwulfe comming to Merton to visit his Paramore was there set vpon and slaine and his body conueied and buried at Winchester after hee had raigned twenty nine yeeres leauing no memoriall either of Wife or Children BRithie lineally descended from Cherdik the first King of the West-Saxons a man of a soft and quiet disposition succeeded Kenwulfe in that Principalitie in the yeere of Christs Incarnation 784. He married Ethelburga the daughter of great Offa the Mercian King by whose power he expelled Egbert that ruled a Lordship in his Prouince vnder him whose fame increasing through his feates of warres draue many icalousies into King Brithries head and the more by the instigation of Ethelburga his Queene who bearing her selfe great because of her parentage practised the downfall and destruction of them whom she hated and by her suggestions this Egbert was banished on suspicion of conspiracie It afterward chanced that shee preparing poison to make an end of one of the Kings Minions wrought thereby though vnwittingly the Kings death for he by tasting the confection ended his life after hee had raigned the space of sixteene yeeres Wherein she fearing the iust reuenge of his subiects fled into France by Charles then King was so courteously entertained as that for her great beauty there was offered her the choice of him or his sonne But she in her youthfull and lustfull humor choosing the sonne was debarred from both and thrust into a Monastery in the habit not the affection of a Nunne where not long after
all their footing in the Continent and often assailed them in the I le of Tannet likewise as Fabian confidently affirmeth But destiny going forward for the downfall of Britaine remooued these rubbes out of her way for Rowena the mother of the Britaines mischiefe and the maintainer of the Saxons residence found the meanes to make this worthy Vortimer away and by poison caused the end of his life after hee had valiantly raigned the space of foure yeeres all which time by the testimonie of an old Chronicle that Fabian had seene Vortigern the father remained in durance and vnder assigned Keepers in the Citie Caerlegion now Chester and so demeaned himselfe towards his sonne then his Soueraigne in dutifull obedience and faithfull counsell that hee wonne againe the hearts of the Britaines and was againe re-established their King It is recorded by Ninius that after his last victorie ouer the Saxons he caused his Monument to be erected at the entrance into Tanet and in the same place of that great ouerthrow which by the said Author is called Lapis Tituli of vs the Stonar where for certaine it seemes hath been an hauen In this Monument hee commanded his body to be buried to the further terror of the Saxons that in beholding this his Trophy their spirits might bee daunted at the remembrance of their great ouerthrow As Scipio Africanus conceited the like who commanded his Sepulchre to be so set that it might ouerlooke Africa supposing that his very Tombe would be a terror to the Carthaginians But how that desire of Vortimer was performed I finde not but rather the contrary for an old Manuscript I haue that cōfidently affirmeth him to be buried in London yet others from Ninius the disciple of Eluodugus hold the place to bee Lincolne But howsouer his graue is forgotten yet let this bee remembred that Sigebertus hath written of him that is After he had vanquished the Saxons saith he whose drift was not onely to ouer-runne the Land with violence but also to erect their owne Lawes without clemencie he restored the Christian Religion then sorely decaied and new built the Churches that those enemies had destroied AVRELIVS AMBROSIVS 3. AVrelius Ambrosius verily descended of that Constantine who in the fourth Consulship of Theodosius the younger was elected here in Britaine onely in hope of his luckie name succeeded Vortigern the Father in the Gouernment of Britaine and Vortimer the sonne in affection and defence of his Country He with Vter saith Geffrey Monmouth when their brother Constantine was murthered by Vortigern fled into France where they remained the yeeres of his first raigne whose returne as we haue heard from Ninius he greatly feared and whose force at his last he felt to his smart For hauing againe resumed his Crowne he liued in his old sinnes and suffered the Saxons to be Lords of his Land to preuent which saith Beda from Gyldas the Britaine 's by little and little beganne to take strength and with some courage to come forth of their Caues who with one vniforme consent called to God for his heauenly helpe They had saith he for their Captaine a Roman called Ambrosius Aurelianus a gentle natured man which onely of all the bloud of the Romans remained then aliue his parents being slaine which bore the name of King of the Country This man being their Leader prouoked the Victors to the fight and through Gods assistance atchieued the victory From that day forward now the Britaines now the Saxons did preuaile vntill the yeere that Bathe was besieged which was fortie foure yeeres after their first comming into the Iland His first expedition as our British Historians report was against Vortigern and his Castle in Wales wherein that incestuous King was consumed to ashes by lightning from heauen as we haue said and then following the Saxons made toward Yorke at Maesbel beyond Humber encountering Hengist became his Victor vnto whose mercy say they his sonne Occa yeelded himselfe and obtained in free gift the Country in Gallaway in Scotland for him and his Saxons But these his affaires thus prospering against the common Enemie was enuied at by Pascentius the youngest son of King Vortigern who not able either to mate the Saxons or after his Brethrens deaths to recouer the Kingdome to himselfe ambitiously sought to prefer his base humor before the recouery of his Countries libertie which then lay gored in her owne bloud For hauing gotten the aid of Gillamare King of Ireland whether hee had fled vpon the death of his Father and now returned into the west of Wales first indammaged the Citie of S. Dauids and thence proceeded with fire and sword Aurelius then sicke in the Citie of Winchester sent his brother Vter to withstand his force who slew both Pascentius and the Irish King his partaker in a set sore battell fought betwixt them But before this battell Pascentius had sent a Saxon whose name was Eopa in shew a Britaine and in habit a Physitian to minister poison in stead of physicke which according was effected with Ambrosius his death Vnto this Aurelius Ambrosius is ascribed the erection of that rare and admirable monument now called Stonhenge in the same place where the Britaines had been trecherously slaughtered and interred whose manner and forme in our draught of Wiltshire wee haue inserted The matter being Stones of a great and huge bignesse so that some of them containe twelue tunne in waight and twenty eight foote or more in length their breadth seuen and compasse sixteene These are set in the ground of a good depth and stand in a round circle by two and two hauing a third stone somewhat of lesse quantitie laid gate-wise ouerthwart on their toppes fastned with tenons and mortaises the one into the other which to some seeme so dangerous as they may not safely be passed vnder the rather for that many of them are fallen downe and the rest suspected of no sure foundation notwithstanding at my being there I neither saw cause of such feare nor vncertaintie in accounting of their numbers as is said to be The stones are gray but not marbled wherein great holes are beaten euen by force of weather that serue for Rauens and other birds to build in and bring foorth their young The ground-plot containeth about three hundred foot in compasse in forme almost round or rather like vnto a horse-shooe with an entrance in vpon the east-side Three rowes of stones seeme formerly to haue beene pitched the largest outwards and the least inwards many whereof are now fallen downe but those that stand shew so faire an aspect and that so farre off that they seeme to the beholders to bee some Fortresse or strong Castle A Trench also is about them which hath beene much deeper and vpon the plaines adioining many round copped hilles without any such trench as it were cast vp out of the earth stand like great hay-cockes
and load them with irons more to serue their owne purposes then for any guilt in the person taking solemn Oaths before vpon the Altars and yet despise they the Altars as altogether vile and but filthie stones Of this hainous and wicked offense Constantine the tyrannicall whelpe of the Lionesse of Deuon-shire is not ignorant who this yeere after the receiuing of his dreadfull Oath whereby he bound himselfe that in no wise he should hurt his Subiects God first and then his Oath with the company of Saints and his owne mother being present ◅did notwithstanding in the reuerend laps of both his Mothers the Church and her by nature and that vnder the vesture of an holy Abbat deuoure with sword and speare instead of teeth the tender sides and the entrailes of two children of noble and Kingly race and likewise of their two Gouernours yea and that as I said before the sacred Altars the Armes of which Persons so slaine not stretched forth to defend themselues with weapons which few in those daies handled more valiantly then they but stretched forth to God and to his Altar in the day of Iudgement shall set vp the reuerend ensignes of their patience and faith at the Gates of the Citie of Christ which so haue couered the seat of the Celestall Sacrifice as it were with the red Mantle of their cluttered bloud These things hee did not after any good deeds done by him deseruing praise for many yeeres before ouercome with the often and changeable filths of adulterie and forsaking his lawfull wife contrary to the law of God beeing not loosed from the snares of his former sinnes hee increaseth the new with the old Thus far Gyldas for this time and for the raigne of Constantine whose life being no better was cut off in battell by Aurelius Conanus when he had raigned fully three yeeres and without issue was buried at Stonhenge AVRELIVS CONANVS 7. AVrelius Conanus the Nephew of King Arthur after he had slaine his Cosen Constantine in battell was made King ouer the Britaines in the yeere after Christs Natiuitie fiue hundred fortie fiue He was of disposition free and liberal but therewithall of a light credit and very suspicious cherishing them that accused others without respect of right or wrong putting some to death and retaining others in perpetuall prison among whom his own Vncle was one whose two sons he caused to be slain no causes obiected but that these three were in truth betwixt him the Crowne for which and other the like impious parts the said Gyldas continueth the tenor of his vehement reprehension in this manner And thou Lions whelpe as speakes the Prophet Aurelius Conanus what dost thou art thou not swallowed vp in the ◅thy mire of murthering thy Kinsmen of committing fornications and adulteries like to the others before mentioned if not more deadly as it were with the waues and surges of the drenching Seas ouerwhelming thee with her vnmercifull rage dost thou not in hating the peace of thy Country as a deadly Serpent and thirsting after ciuill warres and spoiles often times vniustly gotten shut vp against thy soule the Gates of celestiall peace Thou being left alone as a withering tree in the middle of a field call to remembrance I pray thee the vaine youthfull fantasie and ouer timely deaths of thy Fathers and thy Brethren shalt thou being set apart and chosen forth of all thy lineage for thy godly deserts be reserued to liue an hundred yeeres or remaine on earth till thou bee as old as Meth◅shela nothing lesse And thus with exhortations for his amendment turneth his speech to his Successor The raigne of this King among the vncertainties of other proceedings is ranged by our owne Historians as vncertainly For some hold him to rule onely two yeeres and no more being then cut off by the iust reuenging hand of God for his sinnes others allow three yeeres for his raigne wherein as they say most viciously hee liued and yet Matthew of Westminster will haue him continue in gouernement no lesse then thirty yeeres and Iohn Stow addeth three more such extremes are weedriuen vnto that haue our relations onelie from them VORTIPORVS 8 VOrtiporus after the death of Aurelius succeeded him in the Kingdome of the Britaines which then was much scantled by the intrusions of the Saxons whom in many battels as saith the British Historians he vanquished and valiantly defended his Land and Subiects from the danger of them and of their Allies notwithstanding these reported actions thus honorably atchieued yea and his Parentage with succession of gouernment may be both suspected and iustly called in question as by the words of Gyldas is manifest who sufferd not this King also to passe vntouched in his Inuectiue and lamentable passions And thou saith he Vortiporus the Tyrant of South-wales like to the Panther in manners and wickednesse diuersly spotted as it were with many colours with thy hoarie head in the Throne full of deceits crafts and wiles and defiled euen from the lowest part of thy body to the Crowne of thy head with diuers and sundry murthers committed on thine own kin and filthy adulteries thus prouing the vnworthy sonne of a good King as Manasses was to Ezechias how chanceth it that the violent streames of sinnes which thou swallowest vp like pleasant wine or rather art swallowed vp by thē the end of thy life by little little now drawing neere cannot yet satisfie thee What meanest thou that with fornication of all euils as it were the full heap thine own wife being put away with her death which thou wroughtest dost oppresse thy soule with a certain burthē that cānot be auoided By this testimonie of Gyldas this Vortiporus could not be the sonne of bad Conan as Geffrey Monmouth and Matthew of Westminster affirme him his Father being compared to godly Ezechias King of Iudah and himselfe continuing his gouernment as is said the space of foure yeeres ended his life without issue to succeed him MALGO CANONVS 9. MAlgo Canonus the Nephew of Aurelius Conanus as some write succeeded Vortiporus in the Kingdome of Britaine a man of a most seemely presence but withall charged with many vnbeseeming and foule sinnes by ancient Gyldas the onely recorder of the Actions in these times who calleth him the Dragon of the Iles greater in power then many but exceeding all in mischiefe and malice a large gi◅r but more lauish and prodigall in all sinnes and licentiousnesse in Armes and dominions more strong and greater then any other British Potentate but stronger in the destruction of his owne soule in committing the grand abhorred sinne of Sodomie In his youthfull daies with sword and fire he brought to destruction his Vncle by the mothers side being then king together with many others and after vppon a shew-seeming remorse of Conscience vowed the profession and life of a Monke but returned shortly after to his owne
vomit and became worse then he was before for despising his first mariage he became enamored vpon the wife of his brothers sonne whiles he was liuing and after that he had kept her a certaine time murthered them both In these sinnes hee continued the terme of fiue yeeres and dying without issue left his Crowne to another By these reprehensions of Gyldas it should rather seeme that these Princes liued all together at one and the same time vnto whom hee spake personally and mouth to mouth which could not be if such successions and such yeeres had beene expired as heere is laid downe And therefore not without cause some haue affirmed that these Captaines vsurped authoritie together in diuers parts of the Iland and not successiuely one after another neither indeed as Kings but rather Tyrants polluted with these greeuous sinnes as you haue heard and are so termed by their own Historian that bringeth one more to tyrannize whom neither Monmouth nor hee of Westminster hath spoken of which is Cuneglasus whom hee calleth a Lion tawney Butcher a Beare a Contemner of Religion an Oppressour of the Clergie that fought against God with his many grecuous sinnes and warred vpon man with his martiall weapons Hee saith hee did put away his lawfull wife prouoked the godly with many iniuries was proudly conceited of his owne wisdome and set his whole hope in vncertaine riches If then the head was so sicke could the body be sound that as Beda saith were so set to breake all orders of truth and iustice that scant any token or remembrance thereof remained And for witnesse against them calleth their owne Historian Gyldas that accused them of many impieties and this not the least that those Britaines neglected the preaching of the Gospell to the Saxons For these sinnes assuredly God gaue their Land to another Nation and themselues to exile or to the swords of their enemies Howsoeuer some latter Britaine hath rather excused their sinnes by the ouer-rash zeale of Gyldas whom he tearmeth a Pulpit-Priest but no perfect Historian that beat down sinnes with an ouer-sharpe censure of the sinners as the maner of many Preachers is at this day But saith hee let the true renowne of the Britaine 's appeare to the world and surely so shall it doe for me And againe I returne to my intended purpose CARETICVS 10. CAreticus succeeded Malgo in the gouernment of Britaine as destitute of vertue and fluent in vice as any of these his preceding Kings for it is recorded that hee was a nourisher of dissensions and sowed ciuill warres among his subiects a sinne odible to God and Man and vnto the vnconstant Britaines gaue occasion of his hatred which when the Saxons perceiued was further instigated and with the assistance of Gurmund an Arch-pirate and Captaine of the Norwegians followed against the King who not able to resist them fled into the Towne of Chichester for safety but by the deuice of his pursuers certaine sparrowes being caught and fire fastned to their feet were let flie into the Towne where lighting vpon straw and other matter fit for flaming burnt in short space the whole Citie and Careticus flying beyond Seuerne secured himselfe among the Mountaines of Wales wherein he died after he had vnprosperously raigned three yeeres and from that time foorth saith Randulphus the Britaines lost their whole Kingdome in the East part of the Iland and were confined in the West by the Riuers Seuerne and Dee CADWAN 11. CAdwan after foure and twenty yeeres ciuill dissension maintained among the Britaines euer since they had forgone their Country and betaken themselues to those vast but securing Mountaines of a Ruler only of North-wales was made Gouernour of all those parts a man deseruing well before hee came to that estate and being risen maintained himselfe and subiects in great honour and peace His first affaires against the Saxons was to reuenge the deaths of his Britaines and harmelesse Monkes of Bangor slaine as we haue said by wild Ethelfrid the mighty King of Northumberland who in Field had assembled all their powers wherein the fatall end either of the Britaines or Northumbrians must needs haue ensued had not the quarrell beene staied by the mediation of friends These Kings then and there reconciled embraced peace with such true friendshippe that they continued amitie together so long as they liued Harding saith that this British King Cadwan honorably receiued and worthily cherished Acca whom this King Ethelfrid had put from his bed for the loue he bare vnto his Concubine but is deceiued in making her the mother of Edwin that was his sister and Cadwan to raigne but thirteen yeeres whereas others allot him two and twentie CADWALLO 12. CAdwallo or Cadwallin the sonne of Cadwan was made King ouer the Britaines the yeere of Christs Incarnation six hundred thirty fiue He warred most strongly against the Saxons and either by Conquest or Alliance ioined amitie with Penda the cruell King of the Mercians a Pagan Idolater himselfe by the report of Beda although a Christian in name and profession yet in minde and manners so rude and outragious that hee spared neither womens weaknesse nor childrens innocencie but put all to death with greeuous and bitter torments to fulfill his cruell and vnmercifull tyrannie wasting a long time and raging ouer the Prouinces purposed to exterminate out of the borders of Britanny the whole Nation of the English and to extinguish the very name of them Neither did he ought esteeme any reuerence or honour to the Christian Religion which those men embraced so that â—…en to this day saith he the Britaines custome is to set light by the Faith or Religion of the Englishmen neither will they communicate with them more then with Heathens or Pagans These two cruell Kings slew the most Christian Edwyn King of Northumberland with his sonne Prince Osfride in a great and bloudy battle at Hethfild the yeere of Christs incarnation six hundred thirty three and the yeere following with wicked force saith Beda but with worthy vengeance Cadwallo the Britaine slew Osrike and Eanfrid Kings of Deira and Bernicia that were become Apostataes from their Christian Faiths and that with crueltie and losse of the Saxons as their owne Historians held it fit neither to mention their names in their monethly Calendar nor register the yeere wherin they were slaine in account of their gouernment but assigned it vnto the raigne of their Successour King Oswald which was so obserued vnto his daies so terrible was this worthy Cadwallo and odious the remembrance of this vnfortunate Battle But this cursed Captaine saith he enioied not this felicitie long for the said Oswald to reuenge his brothers death came with a small power but strongly fensed in the faith of Christ and neere to the Riuer Denise gaue him battle wherein himselfe and late-victorious Host were all slain and confounded But we must rememher that Beda
at the hands of Pope Sergius died soone after in the yeere of our Lord six hundred eighty nine and there was buried in S. Peters Church being the last King of the Britaines bloud after they had held possession therof the space of one thousand one hundred thirty and seuen yeeres before the Natiuitie of Christ and six hundred eighty eight yeeres after his Birth as the Chronicle of Wales with other Britaine Writers haue calculated though as is said after the largest size But howsoeuer this sudden alteration was wrought in Cadwallader yet whiles he continued a King in health hee raigned saith Geffrey in great magnanimitie the terme of three yeers and fought many Battles against the Saxons whose sword was euer sheathed with victorie for Lothaire King of Kent he slew in the Field and Edilwach also King of the South-Saxons with the ruine of his Country as the British Historians report and would haue it But Beda vnto whom more credit is heerein to be giuen telles vs that Lothaire was slaine by Edrik his Nephew and Successour declaring the manner and day of his death and that Ceadwall a young man of the West-Saxons bloud royall being banished from among them fell vpon the South-Saxons harrying the Country and killing their King But afterwards lamenting the bloud he had spilt whereat euen Nature her selfe seemed to bee offended in great repentance abandoned his Kingdome and pilgrim-like went vnto Rome where of Pope Sergius he was baptized vpon Easter Euen the yeere from Christs Natiuitie six hundred eightie nine The times thus agreeing their names so neere their deuotions alike Sergius the same ghostly father to both their sepulchers in one and the same Church doe strongly confirme that they both were the same and one only man as we formerly haue said But with this man Cadwallader wheresoeuer he died lay buried the last bloud of their Kings their gouernment and immediatelie the very Name of Britaine for many hundred yeeres ensuing as in the sequell of this Historie Christ assisting shall bee shewed And now at last according to my first intendment I am come to speake of the succession of Great Britaines Monarkes from which vpon the fore-shewed occasions of the Ilands diuision the Saxons possessions and these Britaine Resisters I haue beene ouerlong staied and am forced to returne againe to King Hengist the first of the Saxons that I may shew their succeeding succession in this English Monarchy wherin of necessitie I must desire the patience of my Reader if some things be againe touched that formerlie haue beene spoken the Matter of Historie so much requiring and the Method that to my proceeding I haue herein proposed enforcing it THE SAXONS SVCCESSIONS IN THE MONARCHY OF GREAT BRITAINE WHEREOF HENGIST THE FIRST KING OF KENT BECAME THE FIRST MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN CHAPTER XIII HEngist a Prince of the English-Saxons hauing the Command ouer certaine forces planted in the Low-countries of Germany in the yeere of Christs Incarnation foure hundred and fiftie transported them ouer into Britaine where the fifth yeere after his arriuall he began his Kingdome in Kent hauing surprised his son in law King Vortigern slain his Britaines and seized into his possession the best of the Iland he laid the foundation of a Monarchy and deserueth to be reputed the first Monarch of the English Nation 2 He as all the Saxon Kings besides doth claime his originall from Prince Woden and his wife Fria by Wechta the eldest of their â—…uen sonnes being the fifth in issue from them as thus Himselfe was the sonne of Withtgils who was the sonne of Witha and he the sonne of Wechta the eldest sonne of the Deified Woden This Prince held the supreme Scepter of this Iland for thirty foure yeeres continuance and therein died honorably saith Marianus Scotus But Peter de Ikham Polydore and others say that he was slaine in battell or else taken by Edol Earle of Glocester and beheaded at Conesborow Hee left issue behind him two sonnes and one daughter whose names were Hatwaker Eske and Rowena 3 Hatwaker his eldest sonne is reported by Petrus Albinus of Wittenberg a great Genealogist and Hitoriographer also to be Duke of the Saxons in Germanie and there left to gouerne the people at his Fathers departure for Britaine And if Albinus authority be sufficient he was the Father of Duke Hatwegat and grandfather of â—…erik King of the Saxons ancestor to the valiant Witikindus the principall progenitor of the most noble Familie of the Dukes of Saxony 4 Eske the second sonne of King Hengist came ouer with his Father into Britaine and was his assistant in all his warres wherein he gaue worthy testimonie of his valour whose Kingdome of Kent after his death he enioyed and gaue name to that Countries Inhabitants who were from him called Eskings ouer whom he raigned peaceably twenty yeeres 5 Rowena the daughter of King Hengist was borne in Germany before her Fathers departure and afterwards sent for by him into Britaine to further his designes At whose surpassing beautie and feature Vortigern so lawfull and louing wâ—… to Paganish bed and to the and griefe of the Nobâ—… cond wiâ—…e and the struction By her he had a all lawes either of God wife by whom he had iâ—…ue ly spent the daies of his life as he was got in that wicked bed This Rowena whom some call Roâ—…a by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is accounted the Neece and not the Daugâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…gist But seeing his opinion is grounded vpon 〈◊〉 youth of Hengist as not sufficient in yeeres to 〈◊〉 a daughter so mariageable I rather thinke and hold this bare testimonie vnable to turne the great streame of other Writers out of their vsuall course and 〈◊〉 chanell ELLA THE FIRST KING OF THE SOVTH-SAXONS AND SECOND MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN CHAPTER XIV ELla a noble Saxon being sent for by King Hengist about the three and twentith yeere of his raigne brought a fresh supply of those Germans to the reliefe of his Countrymen who with his forces landed at the hauen now called Shoreham in Sussex where putting backe the Inhabitants in many skirmishes lastly chased them into a great wood then called Andredflege whence often being assailed by the sudden assaults of the Britaines wherein as may bee thought he lost the liues of his two elder sonnes was so hardly beset that hee sent for more aid of his Saxons who came to his supply 2 His strength thus augmented and ambition still increased he fought three cruell and bloody battels but the last of them most fatall against the Britaines in the place then called Macrodes-burne and besieging the ancient and famous City Anared-Chester situated in the said great forest and chiefe defensible fortresse in all those Southern parts intercepted the Britaines that came to their reliefe and entring the same by an assault put to the sword all that were found within it After which great
his raigne ouer both at one and the same time the yeere of Christ his Natiuitie fiue hundred thirty foure 2 And enlarging his confines vpon the Territories of the Britaines gaue them two great ouerthrowes the one at Searesbery in Wilt-shire and the other at Banbury in Oxford-shire which was fought the two and twentieth of his raigne whereby his fame grew more renowned and his Kingdome in more quiet after He raigned the space of twenty six yeeres and left this life in the yeere of our Lord God fiue hundred sixty 3 He had issue three sonnes Chenlâ—…e Câ—…thwolfe and Câ—…th Chelwin the first succeeded his father in the Monarchie and West-Saxons Kingdome 4 Câ—…thwolfe the second assisted his brother in many victories as presently in his raigne shall follow And Câ—…th the third brother famous in his issue though mentionlesse for action in himselfe whereof more largely hath beene spoken in the raigne of Kenrik as he was King only of the West-Saxons CHEVLINE THE THIRD KING OF THE VVEST-SAXONS AND FIFTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN CHAPTER XVII CHeuline the eldest sonne of King Kenrike serued with great commendations vnder his father in all his warres against the Britains and is specially mentioned at the Battle of Banbury in Oxford-shire and after his fathers death became the third King of the West-Saxons and the fifth Monarch of the Englishmen Hee much enlarged the bounds of his Kingdome and increased the power and glorie of the West-Saxons 2 For continuing the warres where his Father left did not onely subdue the Britaines in many Battles but also set himselfe against his owne Nation the Saxons and sought to impose the scope of his power vpon the South of the Riuer Thames for entring Kent whose King was then a childe by name Ethelbert the sonne of Imerik at Wiphandun or Wilbandun in Surrey in a set and sore Battle defeated all his forces whence the young King was chased and two of his greatest Captaines bearing the names of Dukes were slaine as we haue said 3 Not long after this victory he set his minde to inlarge his West-Saxons Dominions vpon the possession of the declining Britaines and to that end furnished forth a great Band of his Souldiers whereof he made his brother Cuthwin chiefe Generall These marching to Bedford gaue Battle to the Britaines where they slew them downe-right and surprized soure of their chiefest Townes at that time called Liganburge Eglesbourgh Bensington and Eusham which they fortified to their owne strength and the Britaines great losse 4 And following the Tract of his fore-going fortunes about six yeeres after sent forth againe his Saxons vnder 〈◊〉 conduct of the foresaid Cuthwin who encountred the Britaines at Diâ—…th or Deorham with such valour and successe that besides great slaughter of the British Souldiers three of their Kings whose names were Coinmagill Candidan and Farimnagill fell in the Field with the surprizall of these three Cities Glocester Bathe and Cirencester Then saith Gyldas euidently appeared the Lands destruction the sins of the Britaine 's being the only cause when neither Prince nor People Priest nor Leuite regarded the Law of the Lord but disobediently wandred in their owne waies 5 But no greater were the sinnes of the Britains then the vnsatiable desires of the Saxons were to conquer for Cheuline about the last of Malgoe his gouernment met the Britaines at Fethanleah in the face of a Field which was fought out to the great slaughters of them both and with the death of Prince Cuth King Cheulins sonne notwithstanding the victorie fell on his side with great spoiles obtained and possessions of many Prouinces which himselfe no long time enioied 6 For growne proud through his many prosperous victories against his enemies and tyrannizing ouer his owne Subiects the West-Saxons fell into such contempt that they ioined with the Britaine 's for his destruction The greatest against him was disloyall Chell or Cealrik his nephew the sonne of Cuthwin his most loyall brother whom both the Nations had elected for Generall Vnder him they muster and march into Wilt-shire and at Wodnesbeothe now Wannes-ditch pitch downe their Standards Cheuline that thought hee lead fortune in a lease with confident boldnesse built his present proceedings vpon his former successe and in the face of his enemies displaied his colours But the Battles ioined and the Field goared with bloud the day was lost vpon the Kings side and he in distresse saued himselfe by flight Heere might you haue seene the world as it is vnconstant and variable for he a Mars that had ouer-borne the Britains in so many Battles and had raised his Saxons vnto so great a height is forced to flee before his conquered Captiues and to exile himselfe from the sight of his owne Subiects after he had gloriously raigned thirty one yeeres or as some will thirty three and as a meane man died in his banishment the yeere of grace fiue hundred ninety two 7 He had issue two sonnes which were Cuth and Cuthwin the elder whereof had valiantly serued in his fathers warres namely at Wimbledone in Surry against King Ethelbert and his power of Kentishmen in the yeere of Christ fiue hundred sixty seuen and lastly in the Battle at Fethanleah where the Britaines receiued a great ouerthrow Notwithstanding as hee was valiantly fighting among the thickest of his enemies hee was there slain in the yeere of our Lord fiue hundred eighty foure being the fiue and twentieth yeere of his fathers raigne and that without issue 8 Cuthwin the younger sonne of King Cheuline suruiued his father but succeeded him not because of his young yeeres or else and that rather for the hatred that his father had purchased of his Subiects which they repaied him in his owne expulsion and in this his sonnes depriuation But although the wreath of the West-Saxons did not adorne this Cuthwines head yet shone it more bright and stood with greater maiesty vpon the browes of Ina the warlike and zealous King of West-Saxons and of Egbert the victorious and first sole absolute Monarch of the English Empire both of them in a right line issued from this Cuthwin as in the seuenth Chapter we haue said ETHELBERT THE FIFTH AND FIRST CHRISTIAN KING OF KENT AND THE SIXTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS WIVES AND ISSVE CHAPTER XVIII THe flame of the West-Saxons for a time thus quenched the Lampe of Kent began againe to shine and to assume the Title of the Monarchie after it had beene suppressed in them through the raignes of these foure last Kings for young Egberts entrance with the great losse of his Kentish ouerthrowne by King Cheuline gaue rather inducements to a tributary subiection then any apparant hopes to purchase an Empire 2 But such is the dispose of God in his hidden Counsell that things of least appearance many times become the greatest in substance as in this Prince it was euidently seene who making
was like him in all vertuous conditions by him was ordained to succeed in his Dominions whereby hee became the thirteenth King of the Mercians and the eighteenth Monarch of the Englishmen in the yeere of our Lord seuen hundred ninety seuen At home he was an example of piety peace and religion set the scale of Iustice without respect to all alike abroad temperate humble and courteous without vain ostentation or ambitious conceits in warres hee was stout and victorious in peace studious to enrich his subiects briefly at all times so carrying himselfe that enuie could not touch him with her tongue 2 Whether vpon a new quarrell begun or the old retained as inheritable to the Mercians against those of Kent I cannot say but true it is that in the entrance of his raigne he entred that Prouince with a great host of men and in a fore fought field discomfited the Kentish and carried away prisoner their King whose sirname was Pren. His kingdome hee gaue to Cuthred and kept him captiue in Mercia to his great griefe and his subiects dishonour 3 But Kenwolfe in peace minding the works of true piety gaue himself to the building of a goodly Church at Winchcombe in Glocestershire where vpoÌ„ the day of dedication in the presence of Cuthred assigned his Viceroy in Kent thirteene Bishops ten Dukes many Nobles and a great concourse of people he led Pren this Kentish captiue vp to the high Altar and there without either his entreaty or ransome for Redemption released and set him free shewing thereby his deuotion to God and the heroicall parts of a magnanimous Prince 4 His raigne was twenty two yeares and death in Anno eight hundred nineteene beeing solemnely buried in the Church of the Monastery at Winchcombe aforesaid which himselfe had founded His Wife 5 Elfryd the wife of King Kenwolfe hath not her parentage certainely reported by any of our Historians yet some later vpon a likelihood of her name the place and time agreeing haue thought her to be the daughter of Offâ—… affianced to King Ethelbert as hath beene said but in these obscurities coniecture may wander astray His Children 6 Kenelm the sonne of King Kenwolfe and of Queene Elfryde his wife was very yong at his fathers death and succeeded in the Mercians Kingdom but not in the Monarchy of the English King Egbert the West-Saxon King then growne too great And in the same yeare that he beganne his raigne by the treason of his vnnaturall sister hee was murthered and first obscurely buried but afterwards solemnly remoued and reposed neere to his Father in the Monastery of Winchcombe as in the Mercian Kings successions wee haue said 7 Quendred the eldest daughter of King Ken-Wolfe and Lady Elfryd his Queene after the decease of her father ambitiously aspiring to compasse the sway of the Mercian Kingdome wholy to her selfe wickedly conspired the death of her brother King Kenelme which was traiterously acted by Askebert her instrument who had the charge of him but the same turning to her reproch for very shame of so damnable a deed shee within short time after ended her life but not her ignominie 8 〈◊〉 the yonger daughter of King Kenwolfe and of Queene Elfryd hath not been so famous to posterity as her sister Quendred was for her infamous Act notwithstanding she may reasonably be supposed to haue lead a better life and to haue died a better death especially of vs who find her noâ—… sâ—…ained with any aspersion of misdeseruing EGBERT THE EIGHTEENTH KING OF THE WEST-SAXONS THE NINETEENTH BVT FIRST SOLE AND ABSOLVTE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS ACTS WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXXI THe Saxon Heptarchy drawing now to a period the spring of an entire Monarchie began to shew it selfe and the glory of the Englishmen more cleerely to arise for thongh they had weakned each other by their own wars yet stood their power strong in the possession of the whole and the ouerborne Britaines held still at the worst 2 But such is the dispose of the sole disposer of Empires that they haue their risings their fuls and their fals neuer staying in one and the same point neither entailed to one and the same Nation how strong politicke or populous soeuer The proofe whereof is apparant in all the Kingdomes of the earth and this of ours as mutable as any whose change of State vnto and in this seuen-fold Gouernment hath hitherto beene seene the seuerall Kings thereof long contending to branch their own fountaines furthest and fairest lastly let them fall into one streame which so meeting made a more famous confluence in this Monarchy then the seauen heads of Nilus in the Egyptian Sea 3 Formerly the Kentish South-Saxons East-Angles Northumbrians and the Mercians through no lesse then eight descents had worne the Emperiall Diademe whose rayes shone now so bright in the West-Saxons eyes that they againe sought to reestate themselues in so glorious a possession For whereas Brightrik was possessed and contented with the West-Saxon Crowne neither that worne without iealousie and feare yet others of the bloud royall from Cherdik raised the wings of their soaring thoughts much higher among whom Egbert was one neither the last nor the least in the opinion of the people or suspect of his Prince 4 This Egbert hauing commaund of some part of that Prouince so carried himselfe that his fame grew fearefull to Brightrik the King and hatefull to the enuious Ethelburg his most proud Queene by whom he was enforced first to secure himselfe with the Mercian Offa and lastly constrained to flie into France where vnder Charles the Great he turned his aduersity into an occasion of his valour by seruing in his warres and learned by his politicke gouernment how to rule a quiet or disturbed State 5 But King Brightriks death acted and his Queene the contriuer banished Egbert is solicited to the wearing of the West-Saxon crowne where hee became the eighteenth King in number and nineteene yeares after the nineteenth Monarch of the Englishmen entring his raigne the yeare of Christ Iesus eight hundreth being the same yeare that Charles was made Emperour of the West and Conwall then ruling ouer the Scots 6 His first warres were against the Cornish and their associats the Welsh both of them a remnant of the old Britaines who had beene oftentimes vanquished but neuer would seeme to be subdued and for foureteene yeares continuance held side against Egbert which their resistance so prouoked his furie that hee enacted a most seuere law against them commanding that no Britaine should presume to passe ouer great Offaes ditch and present death to them that durst set foot vpon any English ground Their great Caer-legion now West-chester hee tooke from them and at London from their West-gate cast downe the brasen Image of Cadwallo there set vp by the Britaine 's for a terrour to the Saxons as we haue said
and Iohn Gilford Knights Foge Scot Clifford and Bonting with fiue thousand men attempted great matters at Grauesend but hearing of the Duke of Buckinghams surprise dispersed themselues for that time But when King Richard perceiued how hee was euery where beset he sent one Thomas Hutton vnto Francis Duke of Britaine with proffers of gold to circumuent and imprison Earle Henry who as hee feared was too well friended in those forraine parts which thing indeed this Hutton well perceiued and so to the King reported that the Duke was nothing forward to bite at this baite whereupon those that lately fled England were indited of treason and other of Henries factions beheaded whereof Sir George Browne and Sir Roger Clifford Knights with foure others were beheaded at London and at Exceter for the like cause dyed Sir Thomas Sentleger who had married Lady Anne Dutchesse of Excester King Richards own sister with others so icalous was the King of his vsurped Crowne and that nothing should be laide to vnprouident foresight the coasts hee stored with Armies of men furnished the Ports with store of Prouision and made all things ready to withstand Earle Henries arriuall Who now hauing gotten aide of fiue thousand Britaines with forty vessels wel furnished set saile from thence the twelfth of October but was taken with so terrible a tempest that his Fleet was disparkled some into Normandy and some compelled to returne into Britaine only the Earles ship with one other hept the Seas being sore tossed all night and in the morning arriued in the mouth of Poole in the County of Dorset where hee might behold the Shore full of men shining in armour to his great amasement whereupon hee sent out his shippe-boat to know whether they were friends or enemies their answere was that they were thither appointed by the Duke of Buckinghm to attend the comming of the Earle of Richmund to conduct him in safety to the Duke who lay encamped not far off that so ioyning their forces they might prosecute Richard the vsurper who being in a maner destitute of men was sore distracted and desperate in his owne designes These smooth vntruthes notwithstanding Earle Henry auoided and with a forward gale returned to Normandy whence he sent Messengers vnto young Charles King of France whose father King Lewis was lately departed this life to haue his safe conduct to returne into Britaine which easily was granted with fauourable complements returned to the Earle Lord Henry thus crossed by sea had present news of Buckinghams surprise and death with the flight of the Nobles escaped from Richard who meeting with Richmund in Britaine fell forthwith into Counsell where first it was determined that Earle Henry should take his oath to espouse the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter vnto King Edward and the immediate heire to the Crowne which hee solemnly did in the Church at Rhedon and they for their parts sware vnto him fealty doing him homage with no lesse respect then vnto their sole and crowned King 37 Of these proceedings King Richard soone heard which indeed greatly appaled his thoughâ—… and all pensiue and sad he returned out of the West towards London where to cut off the hopes of Richmunds further claime hee caused a Parliament to be assembled at Westminster and therein attainted the said Earle Henry himselfe and all such as had fled the land in his behalfe enacting them enemies to their naturall Country their goods to be confiscated and all their lands and possessions to be seised vpon to the Kings vse which was so forwarded by his lewd Counsellors and so executed by his fawning followers that some better affected set forth the present and oppressed estate in these scoffing rimes to their further disgrace diuulging their names in manner as followeth The cat the rat and Louell the dogge Rule all England vnder a hogge Alluding to the names of Ratcliffe the Kings mischieuous Minion and of Catesby his secret traducer and to the Kings cognizance which was the Boare for which William Collingborne Esquier who had been Shiriffe of Wiltshire and Dorsetshire was condemned and vpon the Tower hill executed with al extremity 38 King Richards state standing in dangers abroad and not altogether free from conspiracies at hoâ—…e hee thought it best policy to enter amitie with Scotland which hee did for the terme of three yeeres and the more firme to assure himselfe of that King hee intreated a marriage betwixt the Duke of Rothsay the kings eldest sonne and the Lady de la Pole daughter to Iohn Duke of Suffolke and to the Dutchesse Elizabeth king Richards owne sister whom hee so much fauoured as that after the death of his owne sonne he proclaimed Iohn Earle of Lincolne her sonne and his Nephew heire apparant to the Crowne of England disinheriting King Edwards daughters whose brothers hee had before murdered 39 His feares nothing lessened but rather daily increased he attempted once more to stop the Currunt which led to the spring to which end he sent his Ambassadours loaden with gold and many gay promises vnto Francis Duke of Britaine offring to giue him all Richmâ—…nds lands and yeerely reuenues if he would either send the said Earle into England or commit him there vnto prison These comming to the Dukes Court could haue no communication with him he lying extremely sicke and his wits too weake to entertaine discourse Whereupon Peter Landose his Treasurer a man pregnant in wit and of great authority tooke the motion into hand vnto whom the English Ambassadors promised all the Earles Reuenews if he could bring King Richards request to passe He greedy of gaine and being in place to doe what he would promised to effect it conditionally that King Richard would make good his offer Thus whilest messengers posted betwixt Peter and Richard Iohn Bishop of Elie being then in Flaunders was certified by Christopher Vrswicke of all the circumstances of this purpose whereupon the Bishop with all possible hast sent the same intelligence the same day and by the same man vnto Earle Henry in Britain willing him to shift himself and followers into France who forthwith sent Vrswick vnto King Charles to haue his licence that he might with his good liking come into his dominions which being obtained he caused the other Lords vnder pretence to visite the sicke Duke to escape into Aniou and two daies after changing his Apparrell with his seruant waited vpon him as vpon his Master and posted thence into France whose escape when the Treasurer heard of he sent after to apprehend him and that in such hast as at his entrance into the French dominions they were hard at his heeles 40 This suddaine flight of the Earle and of the other English Lords the Duke of Britaine being somwhat recouered of his dangerous sicknes tooke very greeuously imputing it a great dishonour vnto himselfe to suffer the least suspect of breach betwixt
storie of Britaines first peopling Samothea this Iland Britaine conquered by Chams posterities Pompon Mela. Bale Giraldus Hercules in Britaine left the possesion thereof to Chams posteritie An opinion much applauded Brute and his Troians conquered this Iland Brute descended from Iupiter Pliny Varrâ—… A false descent may not be challenged Geffrey of Monmouth died in Anno 11â—…2 Acts 17. 28. Monmouth his excuse Henry of Huntingdon died in Anno 1148. Henry Huntington also recordeth Brutes line and arriuall in Britaine Geffrey ap Arthur A booke hereof found Wil. Lamb. Peramb Ninius and Taliesin bring the Britaines from Brute Died in Anno 1142. Malmesb. de Gest is rerum Anglorum lib. 1. Beda hislor Angli lib. 1. cap. 16. Liuy Iustine Caesar. Suetonius Martial Rusebius Eutropius Nicephorus Ambrose Socrates Harding Chrâ—… chap. 11. Iohan. Hanuil Nichola Vpton 〈◊〉 Cicero de Som. Scipionis Ammianus Marcel lib. 22. cap. 14. Histories must be weighed with iudgement Vaâ—…o Times motions diuided into three parts Beroaldus The third only historicall The story of Brute fabulous Gildas Beda hist. Angli lib. 1. cap 22. Gildas maketh no mention of Brute Bale out of Polydore Ninius also saith nothing of him Beda hist. Angli lib. 5 cap. 24. Beda beginneth but at Iulius Caesar. Beda had the help of the Abbat Albinus Of Daniel Bishop of West-Saxons Of Abbat Essius Of Cymbertus and brethren of Laestinge Of the brethren of Lindisfarnum The history of Brute not to be found in Beda his time Elward Elward speaketh nothing of Brute Ingulphus Florentius of Worcester William of Malmsbury All these writers before Geffrey and yet none mention Brute but he William of Newboroughs Chronicle inueighing against Ieffrey ap Arthur Merline a wizard A deuice to put by this William of Newburghs accusation Descript. Camb. cap 7. He florished in Anno 1210. Giraldus Cambrensis calleth Bruts history the fabulous story of Ieffrey Iohn Weathamstead The discourse of Brutus disproued by Iohn Weathastead Ascanius had no sonne whose proper name was Syluius A ridiculous thing to vsurpe gentility Wisedome the true nobility Seneca Epist. 44. Merlines books inhibited An Act inhibiting fantasticall predictions Malmesburies testimony of Arthur Brute not mentioned in the genealogie of the Latine Kings Neuer any such king in the world as Brute Boccace Viues Hadrianus Iunius c. The Criticks argument No honor to the Britans to be deriued from the Troians The Britaines histories weakned by themselues D. Powell beginneth his history of Wales but at Cadwaller Cadwallers story also doubtfull Ran. Chest. Rob. Fabian Iohn 〈◊〉 Master Cambden accused by the defender of Ieffrey of Monmouth A further disproofe of Brutes history Achâ—…z he should haue said Rabbi Isack Aug. de ciuit Dei lib. 16. cap. 43. Hierome The Authourâ—… owne opinion of Brutes historie Brutes conquest in the eighteenth of Heli his priesthood 1. Sam. 4. 18. Heli his priesthood in anno 〈◊〉 28â—…7 Baruch 6. 2. Ioseph contra Appion lib. 1. Herodotus iâ—… Euterpe Iudg. 8. 28. Clemens Alexand. Stromat 1. Menelaus returned from Troy when Hiram gaue his daughter in mariage to Salomon 2. King 11. 3. Brute his conquest rather in Athalia her time Ioseph cont Appion lib. 1. 2. Phoenician records Carthage built after King Hirams raigne 155. yeeres Virg. 〈◊〉 lib. 1. Tacitus 〈◊〉 lib. 16. cap. 1. Brutes conquest rather in Iotham his time 2. King 15. 32. Manethon cited by Iosepo cont Appion lib. 2. Israelites depart from Egypt 1000. yeeres before the warres of Troy by Iosephus account Iosep. cont Appion lib. 1. Brutes conquest rather after Alexander the great Two hundred forty six yeeres a time too short for the raigne of seuenty two Kings A supposed answer The great differences in computation of yeers among Writers These differences were chiefly before the Flood Septuagint Ioseph Antiquis lib. 1. cap. 7. 〈◊〉 Beroaldus The accounting of yeeres by the Scripture is a mâ—…st sure maner of computation From the creation to the flood 1656. From the flood to the seuentie fifâ—…h of Abrahams life 427. Ioshua 24. 2. From the promise to Abraham till the Law 430 Galath 3. 17. From the Law to Salomons Temple 480. 1. King 6. 1. From the foundation of the Temple to Salomons death 36. yeeres 1. King 11 42. From Salomons death to the burning of the Temple 390. yeeres 2. King 25. 8. Eze. 4. v. 2. 5. From the burning of the Temple to the end of Iudahâ—… captiuity 51. yeeres Ier. 25. 11. Isa. 45. 1. 2. Chron. 36. 21. 22. 23. Ezra 1. 1. 2. From the first yeere of Cyâ—…us vnto the death of Christ 490. yeeres Dan. 9. 24. Britaines may more truly deriue their descent from Troy by the Romanes Britainâ—…s tooke wiues of the Romanes and they of the Britaines Bâ—…da hist. Anglic. lib. 1. cap. 16. Gen. 6. 1. Romanes to beâ—… discended of the Troians is a fable Tacit. 〈◊〉 1â—… 1â—… Ioseph 1. 7. Romus the originall of the old Romanes To haue a desceÌ„t from Trâ—…y cannot be an honour to any Nation Troians thrice vanquished Brute embaseth the descent of the Britaines Of their Persons Cas. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. where hee vseth the word 〈◊〉 Herodian Pliny also addeth another ornament and saith that the Britains wore rings on their middle finger The Britaines would not be clad because they would shew the gay paintings of their bodies Plinie Oribasius calleth that herb Vitrum and the Britains call that colour glasse whence our English word glasle called also Vitrum in Latin may seem to be taken by reason of the colour thereof Dio Nicaeus Caesar. Some Britains clad in leather Solinus Tertullian Britannorum stigmata Martial Master Cambden Picts of the British race Called Picti of their painted bodies Caesar. com Mamertinus Tacitus in vit Agricola Caledonians the Northern people Silures the Westerne Tacitus Strabo Xiphilinus Martial Eutropius Plutarch They liued to a great age Diodorus Siculus Strabo Caesar. These Britaine 's in Kent the ciuillest Pomponius Mela. Of their domestick matters Caesar. The Britaines townes are their woods being fortified Strabo Diodorus Siculus Dion The Britains multiplicity of wiues Caesar. Dio. Eusebius 〈◊〉 praeparâ—… 6. Iulia her reproofe to a British woman The answer Dion Cas. lib. 76. The Britains diet Prohibited meats Caesar. Diodo Siculus The Britaine 's of a very spare diet Dio Nicaeus They eat no fish Caesar. Vnskilfull to make cheese Strabo Their drinke of barley Solinus Plinie Strabo Hiero. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. Of their religion and learning Dio Cassius Solinus The Britaines inhumane sacrifices The names of their Idols Gildas The Britains Idols exceed Aegipt for number Plinie Magick highly honored of the Britaines Caesar. com 6. The Druides determine almost all controuerfies Excommunication of great sorce in the time of the ancient Britaines Among the Druides one Primat and chiefe ouer the rest They assemble once a yeere at a place in France to heare controuersies Here appeareth that Academies were then amongst the Britans and from their example deriued
lib. 49. Octauians preparation for Britaine Dio. Cass. lib. 53. The Britains appease Octauian Strabo lib. 4. Augustus third preparation against Britanny The Britaines excuses Customes first paid in Britaine The Britaines loyaltie Cunobeline prince of the Trinobantes Malden The first stamped Coines in Britaine Caesar. Com. lib. 5. A generall peace thorow all the world Mâ—…cah 5. 2. Isay 9. 6. Gen. 3. 5. Isav 7. 14. Gal. 4. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 building of 〈◊〉 Temple Ioh. 3. 19. Luk. 2. 14. Paulus O 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Temple is shut â—â—rg Aeneid li. â—… The fruits of a true peace Lactan. li. 4 ca. 〈◊〉 Dâ—…ples 〈◊〉 c. 32. Eclog. 4. Saâ—…urne whom Virgil nameth was esteemed the father of the Gods 1 Magnum Ioâ—… is incrementum c. 2 Mâ—…tri longâ—… decem c 3 Nec Deus bâ—…c â—…ensa c. 4 Assyriuâ—… vulgâ—…â—…scetur c. 5 Cui non risere parentes c. 6 Pacaâ—… 〈◊〉 reget patriâ—… c. 7 Soluet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 8 Si qua 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 9 Fallâ—… herba veneni c. 10 Occidet serpenâ—… c. Sueton. in vit August Sect. 94. Dâ—…ples veritat Christi 32. sol 518. Niceph li. 1. ca. 17. Iuuenal Saâ—…yr 3. Zephan 2. 11. Our Sauiour Christ borne in the fourteenth yeere of Cunobeline Luk. 2. Dan. 2. Augustus described His raigne Tacit. Annal. li. 5. cap. 〈◊〉 His deuotion to Christ. Niceph. li. 1. ca. 17. Suidâ—… His endowments of bodie Sueton in vitae Augustâ—… The moneths of Iuly and Augst Tiberois Nero his parents Sueton. in vit Tiber. His actions and conditions Tacit. Annal. li. 1. cap. 〈◊〉 Tacit. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cap. 3. His plotting against his Nobles Tacit. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cap. 7. Tacit. Annal. li. 〈◊〉 cap. 7. 〈◊〉 his hypocrisie His libidinous â—…esse Tacit. Annal. li. 6. cap. 1. His 〈◊〉 * A wine-â—… Carelesse in gouernment The prouinces vâ—…defended Britaine without forraine garrison or gouernment Tacit. Annal. li. 2. cap. 5. Ieffrey Monm Our Sauiour Christs death Tertâ—…l in Apolog. adâ—…s geâ—…es c. 5. Eusâ—…b â—…ccles hist. li. 2. ca. 2. Tiberius hiâ—… raigne age and death Tacit. Annal. li. 〈◊〉 cap. 7. 2. Chr. 21. 20. Tacit. lib. 〈◊〉 ca. 12. Tacit. in vitae Agric. Casigula intendeth to inuade Britaine Dion Cass. lib. 59. Sueton. in vita Caligula Adminius banished flieth to Caesar. Caligula his vaine ambition His deluding of the Senate His warring with the Sea Caligula his great victorie Ortâ—…lius Geograp His ambition Affrighted in his sleepe Pontius Pilate banished killeth himselfe Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 7. Ioseph Antiq. lib. 19. cap. 1. Caligula slaine His personage Sabe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7. lib. 2. Dion lib. 60. His hatred after death Claudius Drusus chosen by the Pretorian Souldiers Ioseph Antiquit. l. 19. cap. 3. Claudius his Parentage The Britaines detaine their Tribute Dion Cass lib. 60. Anno Domi. 45. Aulus Plautius sent against the Britaines His Souldiers vnwilling Dio. lib. 60. Incouraged by a signe from heauen Tacitus in vit Agric C. Sidius Geta his valour The Britaines retire to places of aduantage Togodumnus slaine Claudius the Emperour commeth into Britain with a great Army Dion Cassius lib. 60. Elephants first brought into Britaine Claudius entreth Britaine He surpriseth Camulodunum His clemencie maketh him to be honoured for a God Claudius returneth to Rome entreth in Triumph Sueton. in vita Claud. Sect. 17. His manner of encamping His animating of his souldiers His resolution Ostorius his care The Britaines put to flight Caractacus wife daughter and brethren taken prisoners Himselfe betraied by Cartismandus Hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tacit. Annal. 12 cap. 8. Caractacus led in triumph His habit and attire Ex histor magn Britan. His vndauntednesse His Oration to Claudius Caesar. Euents of warre variable Britaines wall Ambition hath no bounds Nature disdaineth seruitude Tocit Annal. li. 12. cap. 8. Ostorius and his fortunes decline The Britaines take heart again Their victory Caesars threats make the Britains more resolute Ostorius dieth Aulus Didius sent Lieutenant into Britaine Tacit. Annal. 12. c. 8. Manlius Valens encountred the Britaines with ill successe Didius for a while keepeth them in awe Tacit. Annal. 12. 〈◊〉 Claudius his own words the occasion of his death * Messalina was his first wife a woman of vnsatiable lecherie who was put to death Tacit. Annal. lib. 12. cap. 13. Ioseph Anti. lib. 20. ca. 5. The continuance of his raigne ANNO DO 56. His indowments of bodie His imperfections Wiues and seruants most misleade great personages Nero assumeth the Empire His parents Suetonius in vita Neronis His excessiue lust and bloodshed Suetonius in vita Neronis Tacit. Annal. 16. cap. 3. Rome set on fire by Nero. Suet. in vita Nero. Tacit. Annal. 15. cap. 10. Christians in Neroes Court. Peter and Paul put to death Euseb. li. 2. ca. 25. Tertul. Apol. ca. 5. A great ouerthrow of the Romans Tacit. Annal. 15. cap. 2. Tacitus in vita Agric. Suet. in vit Nero. Anglesey inuaded Romanes amazed at sight of the British The Receiuer of tribute his oppression Diâ—…n Cass. lib. 62. Tacit. Anâ—…al 14. cap. 10. * 〈◊〉 * Vâ—…dica Prasutagus his Testament Tacit. in vit Agric. pag. 190. Prodigies daily seene Dio. lib. 62. Other Prouinces shake off the yoke In the battaile against Quintilius Varius Tac. in vit Agric. Their Resolution Queene Boudicâ—… chosen Leader She surpriseth the Romanes She putteth Petilius Cerealis to flight She forceth Catus to flie into Gallia She sackâ—…th Verolanium Seuentie thousand slaine by her Army 〈◊〉 in vit Nero sect 39. Diâ—… Câ—…ss lib. 6â—… London long since renowned Boudicea surueiâ—… her troopes Her attire Her Oration to her Armie Tacit. Annal. li. 11. The custome of this and other Monarchies to be gouerned by women Iustin. lib. 1. Semiramis Nitocris Tomyris Iustin. lib. 1. Cleopatra Messalina and Agrippina Shee disclaimeth all superioritie Reioiceth in her innocencie The indignities offred by the Romans Dion Cass. lib. 62. Tacit. Annal. lib. 14. cap. 11. Caesar. Com. lib. 5. Britannith vipers Tacitus in vita Agric. Domesticke conspirators most dangerous Caesar. Com. li. 2. Motiues inciting to pursue the Romans Her deuice at concluding her speech The Britaines vanquished Eightie thousand Britaines slaine Boudicea poisoneth her selfe Tacit. Annal. lib. 14. cap. 11. Paenius slew himselfe Tacitus hist. lib. 2. cap. 4. The Britaines miseries Iulius Classicianus a receiuer Promiseth Clemencie Tranquillus in vit Nero. Sect. 40. Polycletus sent to reconcile Classicianus and Suetonius Liberti or Freemen were such as being first bond slaues by their seruice obtained freedome and many of them about the Emperor came to be of great sway Suetonius deliuereth vp his charge Petronius his disposition Petronius Turpilianus giueth vp his charge to Trebell Max. Petronius Turpilianus slaine because true to Nero Iulius Vindex opposeth Nero. Tacit. histor in vit Nero. Proclaimeth Galba Emperour Nero seeketh to fly into Eegypt The Senate send to apprehend him Nero hidâ—…th himselfe He killeth himselfe
His lineaments Suet. in vita Nero. His qualities Ioseph Bell. Iud. lib. 5. cap. 6. Euseb. lib. 3. cap. 5. His raigne and age Nero the last of the Caesars Suet. in vit Galb Sect. 1. The maner of choosing the succeeding Emperours Galba got the Empire ere hee looked for it Galba his policie to make Nero odious His Oration to his souldiers Nero described Nero solemnely maried one of his youths called Doriphorus and kept him as his wife so likewise did he with Sporus whom he endeauoured to transforme into a woman Glorie like a Bubble Galba chuseth Piso Licinianus for his Caesar. * Saluius Saluius Otho conspireth Galbaes death Tacit. hist. 1. Astrologers and Starre-gazers Piso slaine Galba murdered His description His vices His age And raigne Britaine in quiet repose Tacit. hist. 1. ca. 3. Christianity supposed to bee brought into 〈◊〉 in Neâ—… time Ex Antiq. Manuscript Frecâ—…lphus 〈◊〉 Tom. 2. lib. 2. cap. 4. William oâ—… Malmesburie Bale Centur. lib. 1. Harding saith fourteene cap. 47 Ioseph of Arimathea buried at Glastenbury Gildas in vit Aâ—…rel Ambrosij Malmesburie Cambden in Brit. Bale Cent. 1. Matth. Park Antiq. Eccl. Brit. Polydor. Virg. aly Esay 66. 19. Dorotheus in the liues of Saints Luk. 6. 15. Simon Zelotes martyred in Britaine Nicephor lib. 2. cap. 40. Iohn Capgraue Nicephor lib. 3. cap. 1. Rom. 16. 10. Baronius in histor Eccles. Mary Magdalen Lazarus and Martha in England Eurgain the sister of Ioseph maried Siarklos a Britain Georg. Owen in his Pettigrees Gildas de Conquest Brit. S. Peter the Apostle supposed to haue preached in Britaine Act. 15. 7. Metaphrastes Centur. 1. part 7. dist 8. Baronius Eusebius Onuphrius A Monkish tale of S. Peter Apoc. 4. Luk. 12. 13. S. Paul preached in Britaine Sophr. in his Sermon of the natiuity of the Apostles Theodoret. de curandis Graecâ—… affectionibâ—… li. 9. Euseb. lib. 3. ca. 1. Doroth. liues of Saints Epiphan lib. 1. Tom. 2. Rom. 10. 18. 〈◊〉 lib. 27. c. 7. Ioseph bell Iuda lib. 2. cap. 16. Tacit. in vit Agr. Solinus Dion Cass. lib. 60. Martial lib. 〈…〉 54. Mattâ—… Parâ—… Arâ—… in Aâ—…iq Eccl. Britâ—… 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ed writings Dâ—… of the 〈◊〉 of the Dâ—…ciples Vâ—… lib. 1â—… 2. Tim. 4. â—…1 The same Claudia that Paul and Martial speaketh of Euseb. Eccles. hist. lib. 2. cap. 22. Alcibiades his beautie in old age Claudia sends both Pauls and Martials writings into Britaine Martial lib. 7. Epig. 10. Tacit. Annal. 15. cap. 10. Aulus Plautius his wife became a Christian in Britaine Tacit. Annal. l. 13. 7. lib. 15. 10. Suetonius in vita Nero. Sect. 16. B. Rhenan in his Hist. of Germany Pantaleon Holinshed descript Brit. cap. 9. Patrick the Irish Apostle preached in Wales Chemnitius in examin Coâ—…il Triden ex Sabellicâ—… Tertullian cont Iudâ—…s cap. 7. Petrus Cluni ad Bernard Origen in Eze. â—…mil 4. Hector Boet. Chro. Scot lib. 2. The Druides allowed not Images nor any visible forme of the God-head Suetonius in vita Claud. Sect. 25. Tacit. Annal. l. 14. cap. 10. Casar Com. lib. 〈◊〉 Postellus Gyldas de Excidiâ—… Brit. Ezech. 47. 8. Zachar. 14. 8. Matt. 4. 19. Psal. 2. 8. Baptist. Mant. Chrysost. in Serm. de Peâ—…cost Aduers Iouiâ—… li. 2 Epitaph Marcellae Viduae Psal. 2. 8. Act. 11. 26. Britaine had the first Christian King Ex Archiâ—… Ciuit. London Britaine had the first Christian Emperour Helena mother of Constantine a Britaine King Henry the Eighth the first that quailed the Pope Apoc. 9. 2. King 18. 4. Gen. 26. 18. King Iames. * For so the word Zalmunna signifieth Iudg. 7. 20. a Isa. 27. 1. b Hos. 13. 8. Isa. 49. 23. Pro. 31. 29. Britaine conuâ—…ted her Conqâ—…rors to the faith of Christ. Hoâ—… 〈◊〉 c. 9. 2. King 9. 18. 1. Sam. 19. 20. Or 〈◊〉 Câ—… crowâ—…d the Crucifix with the Crowne hee wore Hâ—… 〈◊〉 lib. 〈◊〉 Pâ—…chr li. 〈◊〉 c. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 li. 1. Acts and Moâ—… lib. 3. p. 〈◊〉 Gen. 〈◊〉 27. Origâ—… vpon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apoc. 2. 4. Zecha 8. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…useb 〈◊〉 4 c. 〈◊〉 c. 13. lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Floren. Wigorn. Two learned Diuines sent to the Bishop of Rome Alij Fagatius vel Fagatius Diuines * Dicetus Deane of London a Manuscript in the Kings Libratie ad â—…n 178. Saint Dauids in Wales King Lutius the Apostle to the Banarians Aegidius Scudus de Prisca Rhaetia Hermanus Schedelius cap. 3. Beda Hist. â—…nglic lib. 1. cap. 4. Dicetus ad annum 287. Malmesburie Randulphus Beda lib. 1. ca. 7. At Liechfield 1000 Saints suffered death Matth. 27. Liechfields Armes The Bishops of Britaine withstood the Arrian Heresie Nicephorus Ecclesiast Hist. Athanasius Apolo 2. Sulpitius Seuerus lib. 2. Hilarie in an Epist to the Bishops Bed lib. 1. cap. 8. Gennadius in Catal Illus Diu. Nicephorus in Eccles Hist. Tripart Histor. Arthurs Ensigne Vincentius in his speculâ—… Historiali Clariuallensis Bangor in Wales the first Monasterie in the world Bed Hist. Eccles. l. 2. 6. 2. Beda lib. 2. cap. 2. The Bishops of Yorke and London driuen into the Deserts Acts and Monuments lib. 2. Heb. 11. 25. Glastenbury Abbey burnt Glastenburie Abbey new built by Henry the second King Arthur a great benefactor to Glastenburie Abbey The Armes of King Arthur at Glastenburie Glastenburie Abbey giuen to Ioseph by 〈◊〉 Two diuines â—…ent by 〈◊〉 to Rome from Glastenburie Wâ—…lles called Belga Angl. hist. lib. 2. a In his catalogue of Saints b Vâ—…ta lib. 1. c In his preface d De Antiq. â—…ar cap. 7. e Chap. 47. f Thorne Many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prosessed Christianity â—…ore it came 〈◊〉 Roâ—… Esay 49. 22. Dan. 11. 31. Micah 4. 8. Esay 2. Swithbertus Sigâ—…bert Bernard Petrus de Natalibus Matthew of Westminster The Britaines conâ—…erted many Countries Polydor. Virgil. Peter 〈◊〉 Annals of Flanders 〈◊〉 Eccles. 10. 17. Ier. Lam. 4. 7. Ezech. 47. 22. Ann. Do. 70. Otho his original Tacit. Hist. 2. cap. 17. Vitellius much fauoured In chap. 7. sect 24. Roscius Calius Trebellius accuse each other The Souldiers thereby disordered Otho affrighted in the night Sueton. in vita Otho sect 7. His offer to Vitellius Hath the victory in three skirmishes Lost the day in the fourth Importuned by his Souldiers to renew the battell is vnwilling His Oration to his Souldiers He killeth himselfe His age and raigne His lineaments and habite Ann. Do. 70. Vitellius glad of Othoes death Sueton. in vit Vitâ—…ll cap. 10. Ioseph bell Iud. lib. 5. cap. 8. Otâ—…o magnificall aboue measure His descent diuersly reported Cap. 1. Tacit. bist 3. c. 13. Vitellius in fauor with diuers former Emperours His excessiue gluttonie Sueton. in vit Vitell cap. 13. Tacit. hist. 2. c. 27. His huge expence of treasure Ioseph bell Iud. lib. 5. c. 13. Vespasian his Abettors for the Empire Tacit. hist. 〈◊〉 c. â—…3 The first reuolters from Vitellius
45. 7. Psal. 72. 1. Matth. 23. 37. Psal. 55. 23. Cambden Sabellic Ievvell Fox Parsons 3. Conuersions Part. 1. c. 4. Ibidem Parsonâ—… ibid. Cephas is a stone but all serues their turne Capgraue Marianus Lucius his reformation of matters vpon the Bishops letter Records of Saint Asaphs Church Chester as saith an old Manuscript chap. 34. S. Peters Church in Cornhill builded by Lucius Poll. Virgâ—…l Wil. Harrison W. Lamb. Peraâ—… Fabiâ—… Emerita a Martyr in the City Augusta Tertull. by Onuphr Dion Cassius Valerianus lib. 2. Ann. Dom. 181. Eutropius Commodus his qualities Cassiodor Commodus altered the Months Euseb. lib. 5. cap. 19. Acts and Monuments Vlpius Marcellus sent Lieutenant into Britaine Dion Cas. lib. 72. Vlpius Marcellus a man of great vertues Lampred Perennius the greatest substitute vnder Commodus Perennius deliuered to the British Souldiers to be put to death Lamprid. Heluius Pertinax sent Lieutenant into Britaine Out of a coine of this Emperors instiling him Brit. in the 8. yeere of his Tribuneiship and 4. of his Consulship Heluius Pertinax made suit to be discharged of his office Histor magna Brit. lib. 3. cap. 7. Clodius Albinus sent Lieutenant into Britaine Clodius Albinus more affecting Senators then Emperors Iulius Seuerus Deputy Commodus purpose discouered by his Concubine Eutrop. Lamprid. Maximus Commodus his portraiture Lampridius Maximus An. Do. 194. Dion Cassi. lib. 73. Heluius Pertinax made Emperor Heluius Pertinax enuied by the Praetorian Cohorts Sabellicus Heluius Pertinax asslaulted by his Souldiers Heluius Pertinax his speech to his Souldiers Pertinax killed by his Souldiers Pertinax his raigne Euseb. li. 5. c. 24. Eutrop. l. 8. An. Do. 194. Aeâ—… Spartianus Proclamation for the sale of the Empire Didius Iulianus buâ—…h the Empire of the Roman Souldiers Didius Iulianus his imploiments in State before he was Emperor Syria chuseth their Generall Germany chuseth theirs Albinus Gouernour of Britaine a Competitor for the Empire Seuerus wageth warre for the Empire Reâ—…useth composition He is proclaimed Emperour Iulianus slaine His raignes continuance Eutropius Spartianus Dio. Albinus made Successor in the Empire His death practised Proclaimed Traitor He wageth wâ—…te against Seuerus Albinus vanquished by Seuerus Spartianus 〈◊〉 why brought into Britaine Aemilius Papinianus a famous Lawyer Fifty thousand of Seuerus army dead through toylesome labor and sicknesse Sabellicus Herodian Caledoniane desire peace Seuerus surnamed Britannicus Maximus 〈◊〉 disloyaltie Caledonians rebell A generall Massacre of them by Seuerus The seed-plots of our Cities and Tâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sâ—…erus his speech to his Counsell and Captaines Spartianus Bedâ—… Seuerus his description Euseb. Eccl. Hist. lib. 6. ca. 7. Seuerus dieth at Yorke The first Ides of Ianuary saith Sauils Table Polychr l. 4. 〈◊〉 19. An. Do. 212. Godd 3. Tit. de rei viâ—…dicatione lege 1. Gâ—…ss Monmouth Sabellicus Some sâ—…y it was 〈◊〉 his â—…ame Sabellicus Herodian Sabellicus Forum was the châ—… place of publicke mee ungâ—… and pleadings Sabellicus Geta slaine in his mothers armes Herodian Dio Spartianus Papinianus slaine for refusing to desend a murther Dio. 1. Cor. 5. 1. Sextus Aurelius Eutropius Spartianus Sabellicus Iulia her wicked speech Antoninus seeketh to sorcerers Sabellicus Antoninus Caracalla kild Antoninus Caracalla his raigne Euseb. Eccl. Hist. lib. 6. ca. 20. Old Maâ—…scr cap. 136. Eusebius cals her Saâ—…iam alij Sarius and her monies Iulia 〈◊〉 that she was his whore not his wife Sabellicus An. Do. 218. An. Do. 218. Audentius refuseth the Empire Diadumenus appointed for Caesar. Called Antoninus Antoninus sonne of Caracalla Antoninus called Heliogabalus that is A Priest of the Sunne Herodian 〈◊〉 Capital Marâ—… and Diadâ—… put to death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 raigne An. Do. 219. Heliogabalus exceedeth in wickednesse all others before him Aâ—…lius Lamprid. Herodian A Priuy Sabellicus Euseb. Eccles. hist. lib. 6. cap. 20. An. Do. 223. Lampridius saith he was borne on the day that Alexander the great died and had therefore his name Sabellicus Lampridius Herodian Sabellicus * Lampridiâ—… the truest relator of this Emperours acts for Herodian speakes on spleene saith he caused this Christian poesie to be written all about his Pallace and sometimes commanded by voice of a publike Crier Lampridâ—… Sabellicus Alexander Seuerus incited to Christianity by his mother Mammea Euseb. Eccles. Hist. lib. 6. cap. 20. Ierome Sabellicâ—… Sabellicâ—… and others Seuerus and his mother murthered Seuerus the time of his raigne Maximinus Emp. Maximus Caesar. An. Do. 236. Iuli. Capitol Maximinus of a huge stature Capitolinus calles it Dextrâ—…cherium being a broad plate of gold set with rich Iewels an ornament in vse amongst the Romane Ladies Ioseph Antiq. l. 18 cap. 6. Maximinus his meanes of rising to preferment Herodian and Aurelius Victor â—…y that this was done Alexander yet liuing Maximinus of a naughty disposition Euseb. Eccles. hist. lib. 6. cap. 27. Maximinus persecuteth the Christians His death attempted Herodian Gordianus elected Emperour and his sonâ—…e elected his Caesar. An. Do. 238. Gordianus the younger slaine Gardianus the father strangled Maximinus and his sonne slaine Maximinus his intemperance in diâ—…t Iul. Capitol Euseb. Eccles. Hist. lib. 6. cap. 27. An. Do. 238. Iâ—…l Capitol The Emperours enuy one another An. Do. 239. * Old Carleil â—…tropius Gorâ—…us openeth the Temple of Iaâ—… Hâ—…er Iliâ—…des 4. Miâ—…beus poisoned by Philip. Philip his treachery Gordiâ—… his speech to the Souldiers Gordiaâ—…us slaine Gordianus his vertues An. Do. 245. An. Do. 245. Victor Eutropius Aurelius Viâ—…r Sabellicâ—… Orosius Eusebius Pomp. Laetus Euseb. Eccles. Hist. lib. 6. cap. 33. Sabellic 〈◊〉 7. lib. 7. Polychroâ—… lib. 4. cap. 21. Gothes infest Misia and Thracia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Decius enforced to be Emperour Philippus and his Caesar slaine Eâ—…trop Capitol Euseb. Eccles. â—…ist lib. 6. cap. 38. An. Do. 250. Decius his parentage 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 scourge of the Chriâ—… Apocal. 13. 〈◊〉 Orâ—… Ambr. lâ—…b 2. de Virgin Euseb. Eccles. hist. lib. 6. cap. 41. Vincent Niceph. lib. 5. cap. 27. Vinc. lib. 11. e. 52. Sabellicus Euseb. Eccles. hist. lib. 6. cap. 38. Psal. 2. 9. Pomponius Letus Iornandes Decius and his Caesar their deaths Cassiodor Decius his raigne Euseb. Eccles. hist. lib. 7. cap. 1. An. Do. 252. Gallus elected Emperour His parentage Pomp. Latâ—… Bloudâ—… Sabellicus Gallus persecuteth the Christians Euseb. Eccles. hist. lib. 7. cap. 1. Vniuersall Pestilence thorow all the world Paul Orosius Aemilian Maurus his victorie Gaâ—… and his sonne 〈◊〉 Bâ—…op 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hist. lib. 7. cap. 9. An. Do. 253. Aemilian Maurus his descent Entropiâ—… Aemilius Maurus his end and continuance of his raigne Anno Dom. 254. Herodot in Clio. Dan. 4. 27. Valerianus his descent Treb. Pollio Valeriaâ—… a protector of the Christians Paul Orosius a Necromancer seduceth Valelerian Apocal. c. 13. Dionysâ—… in Epist. ad Hermamâ—… apud Eusebiâ—… Sabellicuâ—… Volateranus Valerianus taken prisoner by Sapor Trebel Pollio Pompon Lâ—…tus Aureliâ—…s Uictor Eusebius in serm ad Conuenâ—… Sanctorum Valeriaâ—…s had his Eyes puld out Flaied aliue An. Do. 261. Rome in disturbance for election of an Emperour Marianus with his
Monm Rob. Fabian Magnentius murdereth himselfe Socra li. 2. cap. 27. Amian li. 16. c. 5. Gracianus of admirable strength Martin Deputie in Britaine Amianus Marcel lib. 14. cap. 4. Paulus a Spaniard his subtiltie Amianus lib. 25. cap. 2. Paulus called Catena for his crueltie Martine kild Amianus Mar. li. 20. cap. 1. Lupicinus sent Deputie into Britain * 〈◊〉 * Richburrow or Ripâ—…bester * London Gallus chosed Caesar. Gallus executed Iulianâ—… made Caesar. Iuliani Epistâ—… Constanâ—… apparition He leadeth an Army against Iulianus and dyeth by the way Socrates lib. 2. cap. 37. Amianus Mar. lib 21. cap. 13. The time of his raigning Amianus lib. 26. cap. 9. Constantius perfections and defects His wife was Faustina Constantius a great exacter of tribute Sulpitius Seuerus A Councell in fauour of the Arrians assembled by Constantius Hilarie calleth them the Bishops of the Prouinces of Britain in an Epistle vnto the Bishops Gyldas Amianus Marc. lib. 11. cap. 15. Constantius his portraiture Constantius buried at Constantinople Iulien his Parentage Amian Marcell lib. 15. cap. 7. His proportion and feature Amian Marcel lib. 25. His education Misopo Iul. Imp. Socrates lib. 3. cap. 1. His temperance Marcel lib. 16. In Misopo Iulian. Imp. Marcel lib. 25. 24. Marcel l. 22. In Mesopo Iulian. Imp. Marcellinus l. 22. Gregor Nazianzen in lib. contra Iulianum His Iustice. Marcellinus l. 22. Mart. Epig. Ex Iulian. Epist. ad Arâ—…a pont Galatia In Misopogon Iulian Imp. Ex Epist. Iulian. Imp. ad Artabâ—… Ex Edicto Iulian. in Edissenet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad Alexandrian Ex Epist. Iulian Imp. Hieron Russiâ—… Secrâ—…tes lib. 3. cap. 17. Sabelliâ—… 〈◊〉 lib. 2â—… cap 4. Eusebius lib. 7. ca. 17. Zosimus Eccl. lib. 5. cap. 20. Iulianus picture destroyed by lightning Ex Edicto contra Christian. Ex Epist. Iulian. ad Ecebolum Hieron Cassiodorus Socrates Sabellicus Socrates lib. 3. ca. 11. His prudence Epist. Iulian. ad Ecdicium praef Aegypt Suidas Iulian. Imp. Caesares Iul. Imp. Epist. Lib. Iul. de praeclaris actionibus Hymnus Iulian. in Solem. Misopogon vel Antiochensis His Religion Marcel lib. 25. Ex Iulian Epist. ad Pon. Galatiae His Fortitude Marcel lib. 15. Ex Epist. Iulian Maximo Phylosopho Amian lib. 16. Sabellicus lib. 22. cap. 2. Iulian his sacrifices An Earthquake Sabell lib. 25. ca. 2. An Army reaching ten mile Iulian strucke into the body with a Dart. Amianus lib. 25. 〈◊〉 3. Sâ—…es lib 3. cap 18. 〈◊〉 lib. 6. c. 〈◊〉 Tâ—…d lib. 3. c. 25. Sabell â—…us Matth. 20. 16. An. Do. 364. * Marcellinus saith Eutrop. Rufiâ—… 〈◊〉 Hist. lib. 10. Iouianus his Parentage * Iouianus his pietie Amian Marcell lib. 25. cap. 13. Cassiod Tripar hist. lib. 7. Paulus Orosius Sabellicus Socrates Sclâ—… lib. 3. cap. 20. Bishops recalled from banishment Iouianus adorneth Iulians tombe A Blazing starre seene at Noone-day Sabellicus Iouianus death His raigne Amianus Mare lib. 25. cap. 14. Socrates eccles hist. lib. 3. cap. 22. Iouianus shape and disposition An. Do. 364 Amianus Mar. lib. 26. cap. 5. Socrates in eccles hist. lib. 4. cap. 1. Chap. 47. sect 4. Valentinianus a Christian. Theodoret. Amian Marcel lâ—…b 17. cap. 7. Nectaridius slaine * Westerne Picts Easterne Picts * Britaine so called * Bologâ—… * Ribchester London called Augusta Theodosius ioifullie receiued into London Amianus Marcel lib. 28. cap. 7. Valentinus a Rebell put to death Theodosius an expert Warriour Britaine called Valentia Amian Marcel lib. 28. cap. 7. Areans remoued from their Stations Theodosius comparable to Camillus Symmachus Claudian in praise of Theodosius Dreadfull sights and fearefull Earthquakes Amian Marcell lib. 26. cap. 14. Gulfes of the Sea laid bare and many Cities drowned Paulus Orosius S. Ierome Wooll rained from Heauen Amian Marcell lib. 29. cap. 9. Fraomarius made King of the Bucinobantes 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Ualens Emperor in the Last Amian Marcell lib. 31. cap. 34. Gothes ouercome the Romans Ualens slaine An. Do. 376. Amianus Mar. lib. 27. cap. 5. Gracian and Valentinian Emp. Lib. 30. cap. 13. Gracian louing to Valentinian Iustina mother of young Valentinian Sorates eccles hist. lib. 4. cap. 25. Ualentinianus marrieth Iustina by whom be had young Valentinian Theodosius Captaine generall of the Roman Empire and fellow Emperor Theodosius ouercommeth the Gothes Aurelius Victor Pauls Orosius Sapor King of Persia. Clemens Maximus rebelleth Cambden Ann. Do. 381. Zosimus Paulus Orosius Clemens Maximus â—…ssumeth the Imperiall Stile Clemens Maximus his stratagem against Gracian Andragathius a murtherer Gracian his death raigne Arbogastes a conspitator Eugenius a Grammarian another Valentinian strangled Prosperâ—… Valentinian his raigne An. Do. 392. Theodosius goeth against Arbogastes and Eugenius Theodosius praieth to God for victorie Sabellic Ennead 7 lib. 9. Theodosius obtaineth victorie Secrat Eccl. hist. lib. 5. cap. 24. Eugenius beheaded Arbogastes killeth himselfe Theodosius dieth Honorius and Arcadius made Emperours Gildus Gouernor of Africa Rufinus Gouernour of Constantinople Stilicho Gouernour of Italia Stilicho somtimes imploied in the British Warres Stilicho commended by Claudian for his seruice in Britaine Theodosius his vertues Theodosius vpon his submission absolued by the Church Theodosius his Art to suppressâ—… anger Socrates eccles hist. lib. 5. cap. 25. Theodosius his death and progeny Anno 395. Gildus rebelleth Paulus Diaconus Mastelzerius ouer commeth his brother Gildus Paulus Orosius Gildâ—…s beheaded Mastelzerius beheaded Ruffiâ—… ambition Ruffinus slaine Stilicho set at hazard the whole Empire Alaricus the scourge of Rome Paulus Orosius Radagâ—…sius with two hundred thousand Gothes Hieron in epist. ad Paul 〈◊〉 Eust. Marcus chosen Emperor Marcus murthered Sabellicus 〈◊〉 7. lib. 9. Gracian chosen Emperor Gracian murthered Constantine of a common Souldier made Emperor Ann. Do. 410. Constans the 〈◊〉 of Constantine made Augustus Sabellicus Honorius alloweth Constantine Emperor Constans slaine Constantine beheaded Victorinus Lieutenant in Britaine Rutilius Claudius Paul Oros. lib. 7. August de Ciuit. Dei Hieron in Epist. ad Princip Iornandes in hist. Goth. Victorinus leaueth Britaine Zosimus Britaines write to Honorius for succour Pelagius an Hereticke corrupteth the Britains Beda hist. Angl. lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 10. Gennadius Innocentiue condemneth Pelagian Heresie August de Haeres Pelagius his opinions Timothie his Heresie Lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 9. Arcadius his death and raigne Theodosius his successour Hisdigerdus his Tutor Honorius his death and raigne Paul Diacon An. Do. 408. Theodosius Valentinian the last Roman Monarks in Britains Dan. 2. 35. The Roman Monarchies condnuance Abraham the time betweene the Promise made to him and the giuing of the Law Cal. 3. 17. 1. King 6 1. Israel the time between their departing out of Egypt and the building of the Temple of Salomon Dauid the time betweene his Annointing and the death of Zedechiah The time between Cecrops his setting vp and Codrus the last Lycurgus the time betweene him and Alexander the Great Taerquinius the time betweene him and Iulius Caesar. Caesar the time betweene his inuasion of Britaine and Valentinian the third Saxons the time betweene their
and is elected Abbesse of Ely 8. An. Do. 675. Eskwin his raigne not long Hear Huntington His battell with VVulfere He died without issue 9. An. Do. 677. Kenwin when he began to raigne A great scourge to the ouer-born Britaine 10. An. Do. 686. Beda hist. Eccles. Angl. lib. 4. ca. 15. Ceadwall raigned with greater glorie then any other His descent His warres against the South-Saxons His vow to God The last of the Saxons that were conuerted to Christ. An vnpleasing â—…fice to God His great bloudthen in Kent His repentance His baptizing His death His buriall Beda hist. Eccles. Angl. lib. 5. ca. 7. The history of Ceadwall attributed to Cadwellader by Geffrey Booke of S. Albans part 5. cap. 61. D. Powel History Caâ—…b pag. 9. 11. An. Do. 688. Floren. UUâ—…gorn jâ—…e his descent Ine his first â—…ts Wil. Malmsbury Matth. Westminst His battle with the Britaines His conquest of the South-Saxons His loue of Iustice His zeale to pietie His last estate wherein he died His Wife 12. An. Do. 726. Matt. Westminst Ethelard terrified by the appearing of two blazing starres The continuance of his raigne 13. An. Do. 740. Hen. Hunting Adelme a rebell Vanquished by Cuthred Restored againe to fauour Cuthred his raigne death Matt. West Kent ik his sonne 14. An. Do. 754. Sigebert his raigne without honour Wil. Malmsbury Giuen to viciousnesse His subiects rise against him His death His raigne 15. An. Do. 755. Kenwulfe his descent Hen. Hunting His victories against the Britaines He founded a Cathedrall Church He is slaine Buried at Winchester Simon Dan. 61 An. Do. 784. Hen. Hunting Matth. West Simon Dâ—… Ran. Câ—…st lib. 5. cap. 25. His raigne and death His Wife Roger 〈◊〉 A Law against the Saxon Queenes Asser. Will. Malmesb. The prodigies that happened in this Kings time Matth. Westm. Hâ—…r Hunt The Pagan Danes inuade this Iland in this Kings time The site of this Kingdome The descent of these Kings An. Do. 527. Malmesb. de Gest. Angl. cap. 6. 1. Erchenwine the first King of the East-Saxons His descent His death 2. An. Do. 587. Sledda the second King His mariage His death His issue 3. An. Do. 596. Sebert the time when he beganne to raigne Beda Hist. Eccles. Angl. lib. 2. cap. 3. Sebert conuerted to Christianity by Ethelbert S. Pauls Church built S. Pauls Church aforetime the Temple of Diana S. Peters Church in Cornhill built a fore time the Temple of Apollo Sulcardus Stowe The. Walsingham 4. Three Kings ioyntly sway the Kingdome Enemies to Christianitie Beda hist. eccles Ang. lib. 2. cap. 5. They are put from the Communion Miletus fled into France Rand. Cest. The three Kings slaine 5. An. Do. 623. Segebert the Little Matth. Westminst The time when he began to raigne His successor 6. Beda hist. Angl. lib. 3. cap. 22. Sigebert his descent He restored the Christian faith He was baptized by Bishop Finnan Rapâ—…o Cogshall His death His raigne His issue 7. An. Do. 661. Beda hist. Angl. lib. 3. cap. 22. Swithelme baptized 8. An. Do. 664. When Sighere began to raigne Beda hist. l. 3. c. 30 Reclaimed by the King of Mercia His Wife 9. An. Do. 664. Wâ—… Malâ—…s Rad. de Diceto His latter end His death Sebba his Coffiâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beda bid Angl. lib. 4. cap. 11. A miracle His Wife An. 1â—…o 694. 11. Seofâ—…d the sonne of King Sebba 12. An Do. 701. Rich Ciâ—…st Beda hist. eccles Angl. lib. 〈◊〉 c. 20. His latter end His Wife 13. An. Do. 709. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Selred the sonne of Sigebert the Good His raigne and death Heâ—… Hunting 14. An. Do. 747. Suthred King of the East-Saxons West-Saxons stood a Kingdome 281. yeers Northumberland how diuided at first Florent Wigâ—…rn The pedegree of these Kings The time when this Prouince became a Kingdome Wâ—… Malmsb. This Prouince diuided into two Kingdomes Deira Bernicia Ida his raigne Malmsbury Ella his raigne Ida his issue legitimate and illegitimate They arriue at Flemisburke with forty ships Ella his issue Bamburge Castell built by Ida and Ella 6. An. Do. 589. Ethelriks youth obscurely spent Beda hist. l. 1. c. 33. His raigne and death 7. An. Do. 593. Beda hist. eccles Angl. lib. 1 cap. 33. Ethelfrid very thirstie of fame A greater Conqueror then all the rest Or Edâ—… Marianus Edâ—…den enuieth Ethelfrid Edanadeâ—… ouerthrowne Theobald slaine Ethelfred proud of his victorie * West chester The description of Bangor Monasterie Bernardus Clariualentius Bangor Monasterie the first in the world Beda hist. eccles Angl. lib 2 cap. 2. Her Monkes diuided into seuen portions Liued by the labour of their hands Their praier and fasting Ethelfrid enquireth the cause of their praying He slaieth a great number Ethelfrid in feare of Edwine Edwine forced into exile Succoured by Redwald Henry Hunt Ethelfrid slaine His raigne Florentius His issue Iob. Capgraue 8. An Do. 617. Beda hist. Eccles. Ang. lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 12. The storie of Edwines banishment His life in danger Edwine in doubt what to doe One vnknowne came to him demanding the cause of his sorrow Edwine his anâ—…rrer The man sheweth him his griefe vntold him He demandeth what he would giue to be eased Edwine his answer He promiseth to shew him how to saue his soule Hee suddenly vanisheth away Edwines friend bringeth him good newes His wife a chaste Christian Lady His death His raigne His place of buriall 9. An. Do. 633. Osrike King of Deria Eanfrith King of the Bernicians They renounce the profession of Christ. Beda bist ceâ—…les Angl. lib 3 cap. 1. Cadwald Gods instrument to punish them * Cadwall The British Kings tyrannie 9. An. Do. 634. Oswald His conquest of the Britaines Oswald the ninth from Hengist Hector Bâ—…t His care of his people for religion His death Raigne Buriall Wife Issue 10. An. Do. 643. Oswy the illegitimate of Ethelfrid Beda bist Eccles. lib. 3. cap. 1. The tenth Monarch of the English-men His wife Issue Death Beda lib. 〈◊〉 ca. 5. 11. An. Do. 671. Beda bist lib. 3. cap 24. Egfrid Beda bist l. 4. c. 21. Beda hist. Angl. lib. 4. cap. 26. His death Raigne Wife who was both a Widow and a Virgin Beda bist l. 4. c. 19. 1. Cor. 7. 5. Heb. 13. 4. 1. Tim. 2. 15. Canonized for a Saint 12. An. Do. 686. Alkfrid Matth. Westminst A great Philosopher Beda 4. 26. His raigne Wife Issue Beda bist l. 3. c. 21. 13. An. Do. 705. Osred Beda hist. l. 5. c. 19. Will. Malmes His wickednesse Raigne Wife who became a Nunne Marianus scotus 14. An. Do. 716. Kenred His raigne 15. An. Do. 718. Osrick His raigne His adopted sonne His death 16. An. Do. 729. Ceolnulph His raigne A Monke Gladsome times Matth. West Bedaes booke to K. Ceolnulph 17. An. Do. 738. Egbert His raigne Simon Dunelm Diuers Kings that became Monkes Will. Malmes Eclipses of the Sun and Moone His issue 18. An. Do. 758. Oswulph Simon Dunelm Hear Hunt His raigne Death 19. An. Do. 759. Editwald or
their accustomed fashion they clustered together on heaps and some of the boldest aduanced forward whilest Agricola likewise was incouraging his men who straightwaies ranne to their weapons and rushed on furiously toward the Enemie 10 The Britaines were marshelled in the higher ground fitly both to the shew and to terrifie the first Battalion standing on the plaine the rest on the ascent of the hill knit and rising as it were one ouer another the middle of the field was filled with clattering and running of Chariots and horsemen Agricocola seeing their number to exceede his drew his battaile in length and leauing his horse aduanced himselfe before the Ensignes on foote 11 In the first assault before the ioyning both sides encountred with discharge of their darts wherin the Britaines employing both art and valour with their great swords and little Targets auoided the volue of the Romans showring down withall great store of theirs vpon them wherewith they were both galled and sore wounded Agricola seeing his men thus stoutly resisted tooke another course for spying the aduantage he commanded three Batauian Coherts and two of the Tungrians to presse forward and bring the matter to handy strokes and dint of sword a thing which in respect of their long seruice they were very expert in but contrariwise to the Britaines very preiudiciall by reason of their little Bucklers and huge swords being blunt pointed and no waies fit for the close in fight This command aduantaged the Romans much for these with the pikes of their Bucklers when they came to deale blowes so mangled the faces of the Britaines that they were not able to stand before them and the rest gathering courage vpon emulation of these ascended the hill bearing downe all that was in their way so that many halfe dead and some wholly vntouched were ouer-passed and left for haste of winning the field In the meane while the Chariots mingled themselues with the battle of footmen and the troopes of horsemen began for to flie who albeit they had lately terrified others were now distressed themselues by the vneuennesse of the ground and thicke rankes of the enemy and were forced to fight standing still and by the maine weight of horses to beare downe one another The wandring Wagons also and masterlesse horses as chance or feare did guide them ouer-bare many times their friends and thwarted their way that met them 12 The other Britaines that kept the hill and had leisure to behold the manner of fight beganne to come downe by little and little and sought to compasse the backe of the enemie which intent Agricola soone preuented by sending foure wings of Horsmen retained purposely about him for sudden dispatches and chances of warre These so fiercely assailed them that a most sharpe and bloody battle ensued wherein the Britaine 's on each side were beaten downe and slaine notwithstanding many of them shewed both valour and reuenge euen to the end the rest disbanded turned their backes and fled towards the desert whose pursuit was followed vntill Night and fulnesse of blood made an end of the chase 13 Of the Romans side were slaine if wee must credit their owne friends onely three hundred and fortie persons and of them one of extraordinary note and account Aulus Articus Captaine of a Cohort who vpon a youthfull heat and fiercenesse of his horse was carried amidst his enemies Of the Britains fell ten thousand and their designes so defeated and broken that as desperate men they forsake their houses and in despight set fire on them themselues the hurt persons they carrie and draw with them and call them that are vnhurt hoping to be releeued by them One while they chuse out holes to lurke in for their liues safetie eftsoones in great haste forsake them as doubting therein their owne securitie Dispersed asunder they lament and attend death assembled together expostulate of their meanes and life one while conceiuing a glimmering of some small hope another while deiected with vtter despaire Sometimes at the sight of their dearest beloued mooued to pitie but much oftner stirred to rage for reuenge and many of them euen by way of compassion slew their dearest Wiues and Children to rid them from their future miseries 14 Agricola hauing made euery where a desolation and silence withdrew his Armie towards the Horrestians where taking hostages for their fidelitie sent the Admirall of his Nauy to saile about the North Cóasts of Britaine who with strength and store tooke the Seas their terrour gone already before himselfe with easie and gentle iournies disposed his foot and horsemen in their Wintring places and planted Garrisons vpon the Borders betweene Glota and Bodotria And his Nauie with prosperous winde and successe arriued at the Port Trutulensis 15 Thus after many conflicts about the space of one hundred thirty six yeeres from Iulius Caesars first entrance the vtmost limits of Britannie and the Iles of the Orcades lying on the North side of it were by the valour and industrie of Iulius Agricola first discouered and made knowen vnto the Romans and the South part of the I le in the fourth yeere of the raigne of Domitian being the yeere of our Sauiour eightie six reduced into a full Prouince the gouernment whereof was euer annexed and appropriate to the Roman Emperours themselues and not at the disposition of the Senate as other Prouinces were 16 This state of affaires in Britannie Agricola signified by letter without any amplifying termes to Domitian the Emperour who after his manner with a cheerefull countenance and greeued heart receiued the Newes being inwardly pricked with feare and disdaine that his late counterfet Triumph of Germanie wherein certaine slaues bought for money were attired and their haire dressed as Captiues of that Countrey was had in derision and iustly skorned abroad whereas now a true and imperiall victorie of so many thousand enemies subdued and slaine was currant and famous in euery mans mouth as being indeed a thing dangerous that a priuate mans name should be exalted aboue his Prince In vaine then had hee suppressed the studie of Oratorie and other worthy politicke Arts thereby to keepe downe other mens reputation if he should in Military glory be disseised by another And to be a good Commander of an Army was to be aboue priuate estate that being a Vertue peculiar for a Prince and therefore not lightly to be passed ouer With these and the like incentiues his minde was tormented yet thought he it best to dissemble his malice vntill the heat of his glory and loue of his souldiers were somewhat abated And foorthwith he commanded for Agricola Triumphall ornaments statue honours and what else vsually conferred in lieu of Triumph hee yet remaining in charge from whence with the like policie also hee was shortly displaced For Syria by the death of Atilius Rufus lay destitute of a Lieutenant and that