27 ut supra Baron an 321 Acta Sylvest Niceph. l. 7. c 34 Egbertus Ab. Flor. Sem. 3 de Increm manifest cath fidei And Constantine himself did not only send his Imperial Edicts into all Countries both East and West for embracing Christian Religion but made his publick perswading Orations to that purpose as namely in the Church openly to the Senate and People of Rome whereupon as Nicephorus a Grecian writeth in the only City of Rome there was converted and baptised above twelve thousand men besides women and young people in the same year Egbertus from old antiquities seems to deliver that all the Senators were then converted to Christ for he plainly saith that Constantine gave the honour of the Senate of Rome to the Christian Clergy thereof and he with all the Senators departed thence to Bisantium Therefore a wonder it is how some Greek Writers should or could plead Ignorance of so concerning and memorable a thing so publickly acted with so many circumstances which could not be concealed in the great commanding City of the World by the sole Emperor thereof Jodoc Cocc in the saur Cath. Tom. 1. lib. 7. art 9. and S. Sylvester the highest Ruler in the Church of Christ and testified by almost all Ecclesiastical Historians too many to be remembred being accounted to be above 40 Classical Christian Authors and Writers of this matter omitting many of great name antiquity and authority The Pagans themselves even of the same age as Amianus Marcellinus Zosimus Amia Marcel l. 27. c. 2. and others give plain testimony unto it the first expresly speaketh of Constantines Font in Rome The other setteth down the whole History at large after his Ethick manner Zosimus also testifieth that this History was common among the Pagan Writers in his time Mr. Br. f. 4â—7 5. Zosom l. 2. de Constan Zosom Hist Eccle. l. 1. c. 5. R. Abraham Levit. in Chr. Judaic R. Abra. Ezra in c. 11. Dan. Glycas Pal. 4. Annal. Meno Graecor Calend. Janu. Nich. Pap. Epist ad Michael Imper. And the Jewes also even then most malicious against Christians as R. Abraham Levita and R. Abraham Aben Ezra do confess and prove the same So do the best Greek Historians Theophanes Metaphrastes Zonarus Cedrenus Glycas Nicephorus and others Some of these as Michael Glycas calling them Arian Hereticks who say he was baptized at Nicomedia by the Arian Bishop thereof and saith it is out of doubt that he was baptized at Rome his Baptistery there continuing to confirm and prove it invincibly true so have the rest and Theophanes plainly saith this was one of the Arian Hereticks fictions and lies against Constantine to stain his glory untruly with And their authentical and publickly received Menologion of the Greek Church doth not only say that Sylvester baptized Constantine at Rome clensing him from his Leprosie both of Soul and Body but also it receiveth and enrolleth this glorious Emperor in the Catalogue of holy Saints and so he is generally honored among them and in the Latine Church his name was ever Enrolled in the Ecclesiasticall Tables called Dyptica and publickly recited at Masse which was not allowed to any but Orthodox and holy Christians Therefore he must needs be free from all such suspicion wherewith those suspected Grecians have charged him the chiefest of them making Constantine a professed Christian receiving Sacraments many years before the pretended Baptism at his death Therefore I may worthily say of this renowned Emperor with our learned and ancient Historian That he was the flower of Brittain a Brittain by Countrey before whom Henr. Hunt hist l. 1. in Cistit Harding Chro. c. 63. f. 50. and after whom never any the like went out of Brittain And another in his old Poem of the same our glorious King and Emperor first testifying that he was Christened at Rome by Pope Sylvester and there cured of his Leprosie addeth He dyed after that at Nichomeide In Catalogue among the Saints numbred Of May the twentieth and one day indeed Vnder Shrine buried and subumbred Whose day and feast the Greeks have each yeer Solemnly as for a Saint full clere Our old English Chronicle also testifieth of this Emperor Old English Hist part 4. f. 38. S. Adelm lib. de Laud. Virg. c. 12. Nicep l. Hist 7. c. 35. l. 8. c. 5. This Constantine was a glorious man and victorious in battaile In governing of the Commyn people he was very wise and in necessity of byleve he was without comparison devote his pietie and his holines be soe written in the books of holy Doctors that without doubt he is to be numbred among Saints And the Greeks say that in the end of his life he was a Monk S. Adelm saith Great Constantine was corporally and spiritually cured in Baptism at Rome by St. Sylvester and as Nicephorus a Grecian writeth this in the consent of the whole Church This our triumphant Emperor and glory of Brittain having thus victoriously conquered his spiritual as well as corporal Enemies and by Baptism thus happily made so glorious and profitable a Member of the Church of Christ the joyfull newes and tidings thereof was soon diffused and known to the holy Christians though far distant from Rome as that thing they most desired to be effected and as much rejoyced to hear it was so religiously performed And among the rest his blessed Mother St. Helen then living here in Brittain her native Countrey after the death of her Husband Constantius who had in the best manner she could instructed her Son Constantine in the true Christian Religion and desired nothing more than to understand he publickly and with so great zeal now openly professed that which she had so often and earnestly exhorted him unto was not a little joyed with the certain notice hereof And with all haste she could prepared herself for so long a journey by her corporal presence to be both more effectuall partaker and encreaser of such Christian comforts and to give arguments of her joyes by messengers in the mean time writing unto him from Brittain as our Antiquaries do affirm and among other things to expresse her great zeal in Christian Religion and to exhort her Son to the like understanding of the great malice of the Jewes against Christians especially at that time the Emperour being so solemnly and so miraculously baptized Floren. Wigo Chron. an 306 328. Marian. Scot. lib. 2. aetat 6. anno 321. perswaded him to persecute those Jewes which denyed Christ Marianus Scotus writeth also that St. Helen did write out of Brittain when she heard he was baptized by St. Sylvester But his Publisher as he is charged with many other things by Harkesfield to have done either hath mistaken him in that which followeth or published some Copy not so to be approved for he bringeth in St. Helen in the next words to request her Son to deny Christ and follow the Jewes which cannot be the
now it is called a name when Locrinus entered into Soveraignty unknown Locrinus thus invested in his Principality as much as could be in a Land not formerly or at least by savage People or Gyants inhabited made ready to his hand His Brother with such Regiments as were allotted to him to Colonize and people his Part being retired into his own Quarters or Patrimony whilst by his own Industry and Advice of such as he made use of in a matter of so great importance was endeavouring to frame a modell how to Govern and Uphold this his new Plantation an unexpected Enemy appears Humber with a Navy arrives and having with him a sufficient Army of war-like Huns sets upon Albanact whose thoughts were more busied how to settle his People and frame his Commonwealth then to oppose an Enemy distressed Albanact is put to his shifts whilst the Scythian King for so most ancient Writers onely call him takes occasion by the Foretop and making use of his opportunity fiercely assaults the Albanian Prince and with bloody slaughter and the death of Albanact makes way for himself and Followers to intrude into his Possessions who as yet had scarce time to call them his own Fame whose vigilant eyes never sleep with an exasperating Trumpet quickly blowes this unfortunate Newes into the Eares of Locrinus he to revenge the Dishonour done and the Death of his Brother and also to enjoy that which now by right was fallen unto him but above all to remove so dangerous and powerful a Neighbour or rather Enemy summons all his Nobles and gathers together all the force he possibly could make and with a mind full of Revenge Resolution and Courage Advanceth and with speedy Marches setteth forwards to Fight the Scythian before he take to Deep root in Albania Camber is not slow to second this action as a thing which he conceives deeply to concern himself and therefore unites his Forces with his Brothers that thereby the Victory may be more certaine and the losse lesse considerable Desire quickens actions and resolute souls seem rather to flye then walk The Armies meet the Brittains inflamed with revenge for the Death of Albanact who was their fellow Souldier and Traveller Son of their Deceased King brother to the present breath nothing but Death and Confusion The Scythian with like Valour and Courage thinks no danger too great to make good by the sword what he already purchast and gotten by the same Terrible is the conflict on both sides but fortune after long debate with victory Crowns the Brittaines the Scythians are put to Flight and flying are so hotly pursued that many are drowned and the King himself and as the Poet saith of Icarus Icarus Icarias nomine fecit aquas put to such a straite that he was Drowned in that Famous River which from his name hath ever since been called Humber of which Mr. Cambden saith Est certe totius Britanniae aestuarium amplissimum piscosissimum the largest and most full of Fish throughout Britannie Ex aestuantis oceani accessibus adauctum iisdem retro remeantibus suas illiusque aquas vehementissime vasto cum murmure non sine magno navigantium periculo agit unde Nichanus Fluctibus aequoreis nautis suspectior Humber Submersis nomen contulit Humbris aquae And another Poet much to the same purpose saith Dum fugit obstat ei flumen submergitur illic Deque suo tribuit nomine nomen aquae Mr. Cambden in his Britannia setteth down these two Distichons but speaks not a word of the cause or the battel and the reason is easie to be imagined for should he expresse the death of Albanack and the just revenge of Locrine and Camber in behalf of their brother he must needs grant Brute to be Progenitor of the Britains and consequently of the Welsh a Nation which are very little beholding unto him Locrinus is now a Conqueror no fear of further supplies to affront him the day is absolutely his own but unfortunate Prince what a proud Foe clad in steel and with a courage equalizing that of Mars could not effect is done by an Amorous Glance of a Female Creature Estrild Humbers Daughter casts forth such piercing darts from her Charming Eyes that maugre both steel and coat of Male Locrine is wounded to the Heart he sighs complains beggs compassion from her who is his Captive and in conclusion becoms her slave she his Mistress in these bewitching Fetters he reposeth his happiness her enriching Arms he deemes the Trophees of his Victories but fond-man Gwendolena thy abused Lady disgests not a Corrival shee will make thee know quidfoemina possit irata she complains to her Father he acquaints his deerest Friends and all enter into an Association to be revenged Locrinus awakes out of his effeminate dalliances Armes himself to oppose the storme at hand and beat back the threatned danger but too late his Enemies are too powerful the abused Gwendolena too well befriended and leaves justice not to be controuled and thus Locrinus a Conqueror after he Reigned by account of most Authors Twenty Years through his intemperate lust and wanton affection was deprived at one time both of Life and Kingdom leaving his body to be interred in Treynovant Gwendolena Queen Regent of Brittain LOcrinus for his unjust and unlawful Love being thus justly punished the States and Counsellors of the Kingdom elect and chuse Gwendolena the abused and injured Queen during the Nonage and Minority of her Son to fit at the Helm and manage the Affairs of the Kingdome this Lady was daughter to Corinaeus who joyned his navy and came along with Brute and he who Encountered with Gogwagog on the Hills by Dover as some write others say neer Plimmouth in Devon-shire which place this day is called the HAW a hill betwixt the Town and the Sea on whose brow is a spacious and pleasant down yeilding a delightful prospect in which is a Sea mark called the Compasse to direct and guide Navigators passing that way of this conflict betwixt Corineus and Gogmagog Thus writeth a certain Poet Hos avidum belli robur Corinaeus Averno Precipites misit cubitis ter quatuor altum Gogmagog Herculeo suspendit in aere luctu Antaeumque suum scopulo detrusit in aequor Potavitque dato Thetis ebria sanguine fluctus Divisumque tulit mare corpus Cerberus umbram Gwendolena to the eternal memory and glory of her Name and Sex governed this Iland for the space of Fourteen years and then her Son coming to maturity and fit age to undertake so great a burden with the general applause and acclamations of all resigned her Trust and Authority to Madan Madan Son to Locrine and Gwendolena Succeeds in the KINGDOME MAdan Son to Locrine and Gwendolena and Grandchild to Brute being now past his minority his Mother joyfully resignes her Regency and is with generall applause and acclamations seated in his Throne and with all solemnity acknowledged King about the year from the worlds Creation
Horsemen 132. and was named Cohors Miliaria that is to say a company of One thousand and more souldiers This Band hath the preheminence above all the Legions when they go to Fight for they are placed in the Forefront and begin the battel The second Band containeth 555 Footmen and 66 Horsemen of heavy Armour and is called Cohors Quinquegintaria The third band hath also 555 Footmen and 66 Horsemen The Fifth had as many These Five bands are set in array in the first battel The other Five bands have equally each band the like number so that these ten bands make a compleat Legion containing 6100 Footmen and 726. Horsemen King Leill in the end of his Reign fell to sloth and lust whereby civil dissentions arose which ended not in his life He reigned 25 years and was buried at Caleile alias Chester which hath given the honour of Earle to these honourable Families 1. Hugh sirnamed Lupus Azure a Wolfs head erased Argent 2. Richard Son of Hugh Gules crutely Or a Wolfs head erased Arg. 3. Randolph de Meschines Or a Lyon rampant with his tail erected Gules 4. Randolph de Gernoniis Gules a Lyon rampant with his tail erected Arg. 5. Hugh Kivilioc son of Randolph Azure 6 garbs 3. 2. 1. 6. Randolph Blondevil Son of Hugh Azure 3 garbs Or. 7. John le Scot Son to the Lady Maud eldest sister of Randolph Or 3 piles Gules Edward eldest Son to K. Ed. 3. England a label of 3 points Symon de Montfort E. of Leicester after whose death Chester was laid unto the Crown and hath been since united to the Principality of Wales Lud or Lud Hurdribras alias Cicuber KIng Lud his Father being Dead with general applause and consent ascends the Royall Throne of great Brittaine in the Year of the Worlds Creation 4279. as Mr. Fabian accounteth the First businesse which he took in hand was to settle his Kingdom for his Father towards the latter end of his Age addicting himself to sloath and giving way to the youthful sin of lust a vice most hateful in an old Man gave occasion to his Subjects who lived in Ease Wealth and Delights to stir up commotions and dissentions these broyls Lud though young yet wisely endeavours by all means and diligence to suppresse knowing that peace and quiet is the Object and chief effect which all distempers and Wars how just soever aim'd at by his studious endeavours and assistance of faithful Friends and careful Councellours he obtains his desire and having settled all distempers and reduced them to their due order and motion he set his mind wholly upon the beautifying of Britanny and therefore in imitation of his Royal Progenitors he begins a City which he calls Caer gant or Kaer kin which afterwards the Saxons call Canterbury which is to say the Court of Kentishmen True it is that Canterbury is now a Metropolitan Church and Archbishops See but it never had an Archflamen St. Augustine out of an affection of his own though some Authors affirm London according to the general rule of placing Archbishops where Archflamens were and bishops where Flamens was appointed by Pope Gregory to be the place there settled his Archiepiscopal chair For Canterbury it was first a Flamens Seat And the old Manuscript History called Abbreviatios Chronicorum saith in this time and setling of Bishops in King Lucius his Reign That the old Church of St. Martins was builded tunc constructa est extra Cantuariam Ecclesia sancti Martini and to notifie that he meant thereby a Cathedral and Episcopal Church he addeth this when he speaketh of changing Flamens into Bishops and all Histories testifie that the holy Bishop Lethardus which came hither with Queen Bertha before St. Augustin's time used it as his Episcopal See And Canterbury besides the Arch-bishop had another Bishop in that Church of Saint Martin divers hundreds of years and Mr. Lambert the Antiquary of Kent saith from Antiquities St. Martins Church built by the Romans in Canterbury was a bishops See untill the Normans came in and so two in one City thus substitute to the Archbishop Giâ—â—â—us And that Canterbury was a Primates See Mr. Broughton fol. 178. out of other Authors Ex Anacleto hujus Insulae divisionem Canterburie London Caerlegion York and Alba in Scotland by some taken to be St. Andrews Vrbs Legionum Cantuaria Londonia Eboraca Alba unde Albania Provincia were designed Primate Sees for such as Giraldus Cambrensis in his second book to Innocentius the 3. Sir John Price Matthew Parker the first Arch-bishop of Canterbury with others testifie Mr. Cambden calls this City Dorovernum saying that the River Stoure runs most swiftly by it which seems partly to give name unto it for that Durwherne signifies in the Brittish tongue a swift or fierce running river he saith it is Vrbs pervetusta Romanoque seculo proculdubio illustris And Malmesbury tels us Nec adeo magna nec euiliter parva quae terrae positione soli assinis maxima ubertate integro murorum ambitu fluviis irriguae nemorum opportunitate inclyta praeterea maris vicinitate piscium faecunda if any desire to satisfie himself further concerning this famous and glorious Brittish City let him read Mr. Cambden in his description of Kent The next City which King Lud founded was Caerguent Ptolomeus and Antoninus call this City Venta Belgarum the Saxons þinvancesvor the Latines Vintonia at this day Winchester some seem to derive the Etymologie from Vento others from Vine and not a few from Wina the Bishop But Lelands conjecture pleaseth better who from the Brittish word Guin or Guen i. e. white doth derive it and so maketh Caer Guin the White City so ab albedine prisci latini Albam Longam Albam Regiam nominarunt for this venta as the other two Venta Icenorum and Venta silurum in the midst between Chepstow and Caerleon in Monmouthshire in times past a Flamens Seat a City and an University or School of Philosophers Nunc seges est ubi venta fuit the high way â—or road is through the midst of it This City was remarkable in the Romans days In qua textrina sua sacra Imperatores Romani habuisse viderentur their weaving houses for according to Guidus Pancirolus illa Gynecia constituta sunt texendis principis ut militum vestibus navium velis stragulis aliis ad Instruendas mansiones necessariis to weave vestures and garments for Princes and Souldiers sails for ships linnen coverings or coverlids and other necessaries to furnish habitations the Cathedral Church of Winchester saith Godwin according to a respect that I finde in an old Manuscript was first built and erected by King Lucius and to speak further in his words This Church was hallowed and dedicated October the 29. 189. by Faganus and Damianus Bishops and he proveth from the same Antiquity that in the year 309. one Constance was Bishop there and in Saint Dubritius time Godwin Catal.
and ten poor people with a Collegiat Church a Dean twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars sufficiently provided for with Revenues wherein himself lyeth buried and it was the greatest ornament of that City untill the hand of King Henry the eight lay over heavy upon all the like foundations and laid their lofty tops at his own feet In this City also was buried another Crouch-back viz. Richard the third in the Church of the Gray-Friers but now nothing remains of his Monument but only the stone chest wherein he was laid a drinking Trough now for horses in a common Inne This place hath given the Titles of honour to many Honourable Families year 1057 1057. 1. Algar the Saxon. year 1103 1103. 2. Edwin died 1071. 3. Robert de Bellamonte Gules a cinquefoyle Ermine 4. Robert de Bellamont 5. Robert de Bellamont L. Steward 6. Robert de Bellamont L. high Steward 7. Simon de Montfort married Amicia sister and coheir to the last Earl Robert L. high Steward 8. Simon de Montfort L. high Steward Gules a Lion rampant his tail double forked salteir wise Argent 9. Edmond Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 10. Tho. Earl of Lancaster L. high Steward 11. Hen. D. of Lancaster L. high Steward 12. Henry D. of Lancaster L. high Steward England a Label of 5. points Ermine 13. William of Bavaria Earl of Heinalt married the Lady Maud of Lancaster Bendis losengè Argent and Azure 14. John of Gaunt D. of Lancaster L. high steward Henry D. of Lancaster Lord high steward Quarterly France and England a Label of 3. points Ermine Robert Dudleigh Lord Denbigh c. Or a Lyon rampant his tail double forked Vert. Robert Sidney Viscount Lisle descended of a sister of the said Robert Robert Sidney Earl of Leicester Or a Phaon Azure CORDEILLA THis Heroine Lady after just revenge taken upon her two sisters husbands and her fathers and husbands death by the consent of most Writers by the joynt suffrages and votes of the Brittains was admitted to the Royal Scepter in the year from the worlds creation four thousand three hundred and ninety eight years she governed her people and subjects for the space of five years with great applause and general liking but the two sons of her sisters Morgan of Albania and Cunedagius of Cambria and Cornwal envying her prosperity and thinking themselves injured in their birth-right their grandfather Leir having divided the kingdom equally betwixt their Mothers upon their Marriages conspire together and mustering their forces invade Cordeilla and reduce her to that necessity that she is taken prisoner and by her merciless Nephews cast into Gaol which she patiently a while endured but perceiving no hopes to regain her freedom or repossess her kingdom scorning to be any longer a slave to her insulting enemies seeing she could not free her body from bondage with true Trojan and masculine Heroick Spirit she makes a divorce between her purer soul and encaged carcass giving it free power to pass into another world leaving those parts which participated of drossie mold to be interred again in the earth from whence at first it came at Leicester in the Temple of Janus by the Sepulchre of her father Cunedagius and Morgan THe obstacle which hindered the designs of these two aspiring Princes Cordeilla the gallant Brittish Amazon and Virago being by violent death perpetrated by her own hand taken out of the way divide the kingdom betwixt them and became both kings in the year of the world four thousand four hundred and three but this gallantry lasted not long for the Court-Gnats whose life is a perpetual buzzing of news and flatteries fall upon the ear of Morgan and so fill his head with projects that he highly conceives he is injured by the equal dividing of the kingdom and thus discourses with himself And am not I the son of Gonorilla and she the eldest daughter of my Grand-father to me then as lawfull Heir Brittains Crown belongs Why then do I admit a corrival competitor and co-equal one firmament admits not two Suns nor one kingdom two kings no reason I should lose my birth-right no I am resolved I will not Cunedagius shall know that Morgan can rule the Brittains without his help this fire once kindled his flattering parasites bring fewel enough to augment it Cunedagius must bear rule no longer a private life or none at all must content him it is no small policy for Princes to have Spies in neighbouring Courts Cunedagius is quickly enformed of all the passages of his Cozen Morgan and thinks there is no security in delays and therefore puts himself into a posture as well to offend as defend yet to make his case the better and to ingratiate himself with the subjects he sends Messengers to Morgan who is already firing and destroying his Territories to Treat of a reconciliation and atonement but Morgan puft up with his imagined good success and thinking the offer of his kinsman to proceed either from fear or want of ability to resist him lends a deaf ear to the Treaty of peace and will have no other Arbitrator but the sword Cunedagius now resolved comes into the field and offers battell to his enemy his cause being just the Celestial powers seem to second his attempts and he who would have all or nothing is put to flight where the Conqueror makes use of his advantage and taking occasion by the foretop to prevent all hopes of recruiting and rallying again so hotly pursues his victory that Morgan is chased from place to place from Province to Province till being beaten into Cambria now Wales a Territory belonging to his Mortal Foe and there being most sharply put to it lost his life yet with this honour that that Country ever since from him hath had the appellation of Glanmorgan which is as much as to say in the vulgar tongue Morgans Land and thus after two years joyntlie reigning with his kinsman Morgan departed this life leaving Cunedagius to rule alone Cunedagius to shew an humble thankfulness to his Gods for so great a Victory having fully setled his Kingdom erects a stately Temple to Mars at Perth which is now St. Johns town in Albania now abusively called Scotland then a part of Brittannia and inhabited by the Brittish Nation We finde saith my Author in several Authors and Antiquaries to speak in their words that 800. years before the coming of Christ Cunedagius King of all Brittain Mr. Broughton fol. 336. 6. builded a Temple of Mars at Perth that is now St. Johns town in Scotland and placed there a Flamen Therefore we may not singularly deny unto this old city a Flamens Seat which Antiquaries generally grant unto all such in this time to have been changed into a Bishops See If any one ask what I have to do with Scotland my Scene being only the Brittish History I answer that to the great glory of the Brittains that which is now called Scotland was formerly
PORREX FErrex and Porrex the Sons of Gorbodug were joyntly made Rulers of Great Brittain four thousand seven hundred and eleven or as some say thirteen this amity continued for a while betwixt the brothers but ambition of sole command and a Spirit not brooking a Collegue so inflamed Porrex the younger that he intends to lay violent hands upon his elder brother these tidings are brought to Ferrex but the warning comes not so speedily but that the danger is at the heels of it and the elder brother to avoid the snares laid for him hath no other way but to flie into Gallia and there as an humble suppliant to crave aid and succour of a Duke whom Gaufride calls Gunhardus or Suardus who most willingly accords to his desire and furnishing a Navy well provided with Munition as well men as weapons and the very nerves of war sends him back into Brittain Porrex who lets no occasions slip which may advantage his design attends his landing and at his very arrival scarce affording him leisure to order and marshal his forces gives him battel wherein Bellona was so propitious unto him that victory crowned his Souldiers although with the death of his brother and loss or at least discomfiture of all his Army Porrex though some mistake who make Ferrex the surviver being now an absolute King without a Competitor makes himself sure of all the kingdom but long he enjoyed not his unnatural Conquest For the more unnatural mother Idone Widen or Idone whose affection more enclined to her elder Son vows revenge and arming her self with cruelty cruelty indeed before not heard of and taking her Maids to assist her in the night enters Porrex Pavilion where finding him profoundly sleeping these she devils became his Hellish Executioners and after inhumanely tear him to pieces after this most horrid murther followed a Race of people wholly addicted to war and bloodshed daily inventing and contriving broyls and seditions and even in the quietest times of peace blood thirsting insomuch that the weakest went to the wall and he who imagined he had strength enough presumed he had right enough to the Kingdom thus had the Brittains daily domestick Wars till at the length the whole power came into the hands of five Tyrants or petty Lords and Governours who Ruled questionless with Arbitrary power with a sic volo sic jubco but deserve not to be named as Kings of this Island Gaufride affirmeth that after the death of Ferrex and Porrex great discord and civil dissension arose amongst the Brittains which continued long insomuch that five Kings were erected which was a great plague and oppression to the Country Guido de Columna relateth that the Brittains so abhorred the linage and off-spring of Gorbodug partly for the unnatural quarrels and hatred betwixt the two brothers but above all for the horrid inhumane and barbarous cruelty of the mother that had there been any Lawfull Heir to succeed they resolved none of that issue should enjoy the Government this caused a mighty distraction in the Commonwealth insomuch that one took upon him the guiding of Albania or Caledonia now Scotland another seized upon Loegria or England a third took Cambria or Wales and the fourth usurped Cornwall for his share a fifth there was but by many Authors not distinctly specified This difference continued till Mulmutius which Fabian saith was 51. years and to give some light what the names of those five Kings should be he brings An Addition of Robert Record thus The five Kings that be omitted here are found in certain old Pedegrees and although their names be much corrupted in divers Copies yet these are the most agreeable Rudaucus King of Wales Lotenus King of Cornwall Pinnor King of Loegria Statorius King of Scotland Yevan King of Northumberland Quocirca Piremen Loegriae Regem aggreditur praelio interfecit Vitus fol 181. lib. 2. notius ad Mulmut inde factus victor arma tendit in Rudacum Cambriae Regem qui faedere inito cum Albania Rege Staterio conabatur junctis viribus exercitum movere in provincias Mulmutii quibus ille obviam comitatus triginta millibus fortissimorum virorum comissoque diu praelio cum videret differri victoriam usus est fraude similitudinis armorum quibus induti erant hostes ejus atque sic pessundatis regibus ipsis caeteros palantes fugavit ad urbes oppida quibus incensis agrisque devastatis totam omnino insulam suae potestati suaeque Jurisdictioni subjecit ac primus ex auro factum Diadema capite gestavit Quis erat rex quintus Cantii nescitur ex historia Brittanica quae numerat reges quinque nec alios quam cos qui bella gesserunt commemorat tres fortasse quod illi reliqui in societatem venerint aut sponte se subjecerint Where Mulmutius sets upon Piremen or Pinmor as the other Author calls him and kills him in the field and being now victorious and a Conqueror in his first attempt full of courage and boldness he bends all his power and forces against Rudacus King of Wales who having made an offensive and defensive League with Statorius King of Albania with joyned forces and banner displayed had invaded his Territories Mulmutius delays no time but being in the head of a gallant Army consisting of thirty thousand experienced Souldiers gives them the meeting and joyns Battell but thinking victory to hover too long before she enclined to his paâ—t he makes use of a stratagem and counterfeiting the Arms Weapons and habits of his enemies in a friendly appearance gives them a most discourteous and unfriendly overthrow insomuch that the two Kings being quite overthrown he pursues the stragling Souldiers who flie to Towns and fortified places which he presently sets on fire and destroying all round about brings the whole Kingdom under his own power and subjection and being an absolute Monarch he encircles his conquering Temples with a Diadem of purest Gold being the first of the Brittish Kings that ever did the like Who was the fifth King either in Kent or as others say in Northumberland the Brittish Histories do not fully declare only the three who waged war against Mulmutius are expresly treated of the other either for that they combined or submitted are silently passed over After the death and murder of Ferrex and Porrex ended the lineal descent of old Brute but here a curious diver into Antiquities may object How then was the promise in the Prophecy by the Oracle made good that to the Kings of his seed Totius terrae subditus orbis erit This Vniverse shall them obey If after the space of 600 and some few years his Race should be extinct this objection is nothing to the Oracle for it was not specified whether it should be fulfilled in the direct or collateral Line so that if any of a Brittish off-spring should obtain the Dominion over the whole world that is so far as ever any Emperour had command
ab eo quem laeserat veniam impetraverit That the Temples of the Gods should enjoy such immunities and priviledges that no malefactor flying unto them for succour should be drawn from thence untill he should obtain pardon from him whom he had offended Vt hujusmodi privilegium immunitatis habeant etiam ipsae viae quae ducunt ad templa urbes that the high ways leading to the Temples and Cities should enjoy the like immunities and priviledges Immo jumenta quoque illa quae rei rusticae subserviunt denique Colonorum aratra ipsa tali prerogativa libertatis perfruantur nay even the Cattle which were imployed in husbandry should have like priviledges Ne qua terra vacaret cultura neve populus inopia rei frumentariae premeretur aut ea minueretur si pecora sola occuparent agros qui ab hominibus coli deberent constituit quot aratra quaelibet Diaecesis haberet ac paenas statuit per quas ille numerus aratrorum minueretur Least any Land should lie until'd or the people be famisht for want of bread-Corn or Grain be diminished by feeding Herds and Flocks where Tillage ought to be to which end he appointed how many Ploughs should be in every Diocess or Shire inflicting a punishment upon whomsoever should diminish the number of them Item vetuit bovem aratorem pro debito pecuniae assignari creditoribus si alia bona creditoris essent He also prohibited the working Oxen or Plough-bullock to be distrained upon for any debt if any other Chattels or personal estate be to be found Ita fore ne compendii causa homines pecuarii agros incultos redderent sic enim fore nequid earum rerum quas natura praebet hominibus usquam deesse posset that by that means Grasiers and Drovers for their own private interest should not deprive their fellow Subjects of natures benefits and liberal gifts Optimus iste Rex viros incumbentes ad bonas artes opibus favore juvit adeo ut exemplo suo principes regni ad faciendum idem juventatem totam ad virtutes capessendas excitaverit This good King was such a patron to those who endeavoured to learn Arts and Sciences that he not only graced them with his countenance but also assisted them with competent subsistance by which his example he invited other Nobles of his Realm to do the like a great encouragement to youth to endeavour to train themselves up in vertuous education Item pondera mensuras rebus emendis vendendisque posuit fures omne noxium genus hominum severissime punivit Itaque sub hoc principe latrocinia rapinae saevitia generis omnis aberat à populo nec audebat quisquam vim alteri inferre vel injuriam propter exquisitam legis observationem He caused weights and measures to be made for buyers and sellers Thieves and all loytering idle vagabonds he severely banished so that none was found who durst to offer either force or violence to any man being terrified with the severity of the Laws Having now regulated all things for the due and requisite Governing of the Commonwealth by the general request and advice of his Nobles and Council he caused a Diadem of Gold to be made with which according to the Rights and Ceremonies of those times he was solemnly Crowned in so much that properly speaking we may call him the first King or rather Monarch of Great Brittaine He caused several Cities and Towns to be made amongst which Malmesbury seems to have been the chief a verity which Mr. Cambden seems not much to deny Dum exilis est Malmesburie collem sibi imminentem substringit receptoque profluente fere incingit Oppidum sane elegans pannis laneis sane celebre quod ut in Historiarum Eulogio le itur Dunwallo Mulmutius Brittannorum Rex una cum Lacok Tetbury castris adjacentibus construxit Caer Bladon nominavit Malmesbury a polite and neat Town and famous for Wollen Cloaths which as it is written in the Eulogy of Histories was founded by Dunwallo Mulmutius as also the Neighbouring Castles Lacock and Tetbury which Town he called Caer Bladon The Saxons called this Town in their tongue Ingelborn which appellation continued a long time till Maildulphus a Scot a man of singular learning and piety being much taken with the shades and solitarinesse of the Woods and Groves he resolved there to live an Heremetical life and there setting up a schoole he himself together with his Scholars and Auditors addicted himself to a monastical rule of living so that from this Maildulphus the old appellations both Caer Bladon the Brittish and Ingleborn the Saxon being by little and little worn out the Town got a new name and was called Maildulfesburge Bede calls it Maildulphi Vrbs others Meldunum corruptly Malmesbury Amongst the Disciples of this Maildulph the chiefest and most remarkable was Adelmus his appointed Successour who by the help of Adelmus a West Saxon Bishop to whom the jurisdiction of that place belonged built there a most famous Monastery and was therein the first Prior or Abbot insomuch that in an ancient manuscript this Town is called Adelmesberg but this new nomenclation quickly vanished though the memory of Adelmus continued in esteem he being canonized and registred amongst the happy number of the Saints after his death not as the Saints in these our times who are Saints while they live and I know not what after death upon the feast day of this St. the Fair is kept where souldiers were appointed to guard and watch least jangling and discord should arise amongst so great concourse of people Truly saith Mr. Cambden he deserved that his name should everlastingly flourish being the first who writ in Latin and taught the English Art of Poetry and versifying as he himselfe witnesseth Primus ego in patriam mecum modo vita supersit Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas If Heaven lend life from Helicon I 'le bring Th' Aonian Muses in this Isle to sing Athelstane the great who had made choice of this Saint for his patron for his sake honoured this Town with many priviledges and enriched the Monastery with many princely gifts making choice of it for the place of his Sepulchre as the Inhabitants will inform you to this day shewing his Monument From Athelstanes time this Monastery flourished in abundance of wealth and was the prop and upholder of the Town when by the love and expenses of Robert Bishop of Salisbury it was fortifyed with a Castle and inclosed with Walls in the time of the Wars betwixt Henry the Son of Matilda and King Stephen in which season it indured a siege by Hen. 2d but shortly by the permission of K. John in favour of the Monks it was demolished thereby to inlarge the precincts of their Monastery and so continued till the fatal hand of Henry the 8. laid it level with the ground yet a wealthy and rich Clothier whom Mr. Cambden colls
Stumpuis partly by petitioning and supplications but without doubt not without emptying his bags obtained that the Church might stand which is now the Parish-Church This Town saith a new Author Anonymus was by Antoninus in his Itinerarium called Cunetio from the River Kennet and Marleburgh as being seated in a Chalkie soyle which in some places still well called by the name of Marle Here Hen. 3. held a Parliament in which were many statutes and as the preamble saith right necessary for the peace and tranquility of the people now a title of honour and hath given stile of EARLE to 1. James L. Ley L. Tr. Created Earle of Marlborough 1. Car. Feb. 7. 2. Henry Ley. 3. James Ley E. of Mal. Argent a cheveron between 3 Bears Heads Couped Sable The next place which Mulmutius Dunwallo built was The-Vies which Florentius Wigorniensis calls Divisio another De vies and Nubrigensis Divisae Here was a Castle built by Roger the rich Bishop of Salisbury for scituation and workmanship giving place to none but Fortune is a Goddesse both blind and fickle for he who even now was the second Head in the Kingdom by the frowns or rather avarice of K. Stephen is not only plunder'd of his vast and almost inexhaustible Treasure but also cast into a loathsome Gaol where the poor old Man with Hunger and what with Afflictions and Miseries betwixt the fear of death and torments of his life would feign have died yet knew not how to die Mulmutius Dunwallo having with great honour rul'd the Brittains by the space of forty years yielded to death what was mortal and was buried in the Temple of Troynovant which he had built leaving his two Sons Bellinus and Brennus joyntly to succeed in the Kingdome BELLINVS and BRENNVS BEllinus and Brennus the two Sons of Mulmutius began to Reign joyntly as Kings of great Brittain in the year of the World four thousand eight hundred and eight To Bellinus according to the agreement of Partition fell Loegria Cambria and Cornwall that is to say England Wales and Cornwall and to Brennus by the same accord all the Land beyond the River of Humber This Partition according to Policron and others pleased and gave full content to both the Brothers for the space of five years The reason why Bellinus had the bigger and better share was Quia erat primogenitus Vitus fol. 209. Trojana consuetudo requirebat ut dignitas Haereditatis perveniret ad eum Hanc vero fuisse consuetudinem Trojanorum scribens Herodotus ad Alexandrum ait non erat perventurum Regnum cum Hector major natu Herodotus virtute praestantior quam ille Regnum defuncto Priamo suscepturus esset Idem scribit Messala Corvinus in libello de Augusti Progenie Troem à quo dicta Troja est Regem Trojanorum habuisse duos filios Ilum Assaracum atque Ilum defuncto patre quod ipse major natu esset obtinuisse Regnum Messala Corvinus Denique is qui dicitur Dares Phrygius in libro de excidio Trojae narrat Priamum commone fecisse filios quos habebat multos ut majores natu minoribus Imperarent ex quo sequitur ut minores majoribus subderentur Adeoque Legem hanc latam in Anglia esse propter ius istud Trojanae consuetudinis atque servatam esse scribit Andreas Taraquellus in praesatione primogenitorum Andreas Taraquellus Bartolus Bartolus ad l. 1. Codicis de summa Trinitate Consuetudinis est in Anglia inquit ut primogenitus succedat in omnibus bonis Because he was eldest and the Trojan custome was that the Inheritance should fall to the Eldest and this to have been the Trojan custome sheweth Herodotus saying that the Kingdom of Troy after the death of Priamus was not to fall to Alexander but to Hector who was both the more Valiant and also the Eldest by birth and Messala Corvinus in his Book of the Progeny of Augustus confirms as much saying that King Tros from whom Troy took its Name had two Sons Ilus and Assaracus and that Ilus his Father being dead for that he was the Eldest enjoyed the Kingdom and he also who is called Dares Phrygius in his Book of the Destruction of Troy tells us That Priamus who had many Sons admonished them that the Elder should have Power over the Younger c. and this Law to have taken root in England as being derived from the old Trojan Custome affirmeth Andreas Tarquellus After five years thus in brotherly love and amity expired Brennus supposing himself injured and intending to enlarge his Territories raised Forces and in hostile manner sets upon his brother Bellinus but as his quarrel was unjust so the sequel proved Fatal for he was totally Routed and to save his life compelled to fly into Armorica now called Little Brittain or as Gaufride will have it into the Country of the Allobroges others affirm that without the knowledge or consent of his Brother he sailed into Norway and there married the Daughter of Elfunge or Elfinge Duke of that place which tydings when they were brought to Bellinus he seized into his hands all the Lands of Brennus and fortified his Cities Castles and other strong Holds with his own Garrisons Fame quickly brought these Rumours to Brennus who neglected no time but gathering a strong Army of Norwegians ships himself for his own Principality where by the way he was met by Guilthdacus or Guiclidacus King of Denmark who being inflamed with the Love of the Lady whom Brennus had espoused awaited his coming and being now met the two Fleets strongly encounter each other and in short time come to grappling a most bitter and bloudy Conflict ensueth But the Danish King having surprized the Vessel in which the Object both of his love and anger was imbarked though he had totally dispersed his Enemies Navy pursued no further thinking himself highly rewarded with the beautiful prize which he had already taken and there withal resolves as a most victorious Conqueror to return to Denmark yet whether Fortune to shew her accustomed fickleness and cross the Designs of such as think themselves most fortunate and her darlings or rather Neptune incensed to see so violent a Rape committed within his watery Kingdom with his revenging trident turned up and undermined the calm waves and ploughed them into hideous ridges such a tempest arose that the Heavens were darkned the winds blustered the billows roared and made such a hideous noise that Guilthdacus each minute expected to be swallowed up in the mercilesse surges of the angry Ocean this death-threatning storm continued for the space of five dayes at the end whereof the skies began to clear the winds and waves to leave their Violence and the Danish King to understand he was driven upon the coasts of his Enemies Country for his tattered Fleet so much as was left of it was now arrived in Northumberland Belâ—inus to make good that he had already begun and
to prevent all opportunities which might help and further his Brother at his landing was now in Northumberland and having intelligence of the Danish Kings Arrival with so small a Company he commanded his person with the rest of his Followers to be secured and committed to safe Custody upon which discovery Brennus sends peremptorily to his brother not only to surrender his territories injuriously as is complained taken from him but also his then in his possession a prisoner violently ravisht from him by Guilthdacus the King of Denmark These Proposals or rather Demands Bellinus absolutely denies insomuch that Brennus having gathered together his scattered and dispersed Navy new rigs his Fleet reinforceth his Army and with fresh Supplies and strong Recruits once more puts forth to Sea and with more prosperous gales and auspicious fortune arrived in Albania and having given a short refreshing to his Souldiers marcheth towards his Brother already resolved to give him a hot Entertainment near Calaterium a well known and famous Wood there these two incensed Brothers meet the Officers and ordinary Souldiers equally bent to live and die in their Commanders quarrel The signal is given to battel and a strange confused noyse from both the Camps pierceth even the skies terrible was the Encounter and with Martial and Heroick mettle and courage maintained on both sides the groans of dying men whose souls as the phrase now goes left their bodies in the beds of Honour were hideous and so great a destruction and havock was made that day that forty thousand bodies wanted Forms to give them being Victory at length decided the businesse and crowned Bellinus with a trimphant Laurel compelling Brennus with his forreign Adherents and Assistants to fly from his native Soil Bellinus now thinking himself to have run through all his Disasters applies his mind to rectifie things and settle his people and in the first place casting his eye upon the Danish King and his beloved Lady as then his Captives he released Guilthdacus upon Articles of Agreement and Composition That he should hold and do Homage for the Kingdome of Denmark unto the King of Brittany and pay a yearly Tribute of one thousand pounds Upon this accord Hostages being given the captive King had free liberty to depart for his own Country and Bellinus prosecutes and makes good that which his deceased Father had designed and begun to wit the finishing of the four High-Wayes the first of which was named Foss stretched out of the South into the North and began at the Corner of Totness in Cornwall and passed forth by Devonshire Somersetshire and so by Tutbury upon Cotteswold beside Coventry and Leicester and from thence to Newark and endeth at the City of Lincoln The second Way was named VVatling-street the which stretcheth overthwart the way of Fosse over the South East into the Northast this began at Dover and passeth by the middle of Kent over Thames besides London by West of VVestminster and so forth by St. Albans in the West side of Dunstable of Stratford of Touceter and of VVedon and by South Killingborne or Killebourne by Athriston unto Gilberts Hill that now is named VVrekin and so forth by Seuarum passing by VVorcester and thence to Stratton and so to the middle of VVales unto a place called Cardigan The third Way was named Erming-street the which stretcheth out of the West North-west unto the East South-East and beginneth at Menevia at St. Davids in VVales and so stretcheth forth unto Southhampton The fourth and last Way was called Kikeneldis-street the which stretcheth forth by Worcester by VVickham by Bermingham by Lichfield by Derby by Chesterfield by York and so forth unto Tinemouth the which was sufficiently made Belinus granted or confirmed unto these places all such priviledges as formerly Mulmutius had done which together with other Lawes made by the King are translated out of the Brittish tongue by Gildas but are here for brevity sake omitted Whilst Belinus thus imployed his time in providing for his Countrey and Subjects necessary conveniences Brennus after his late and almost irrecoverable overthrow like a forlorne Pilgrime spends his time in Gallia and there summons all his wits to Counsel how he may in some sort recover his Countrey and former Glory and Renown and as great spirits will leave nothing unattempted to bring their designes to the wished period so he resolves being accompanied only by twelve Cavaliers to addresse himself unto a Duke who had great power and command in those parts where it is to be observed by the way that as Vtropius and other writers affirm the Galli at that time possessed divers Counries upon which ground Titus Lavius who writ the Acts of the Romans tells us that those Souldiers who followed Brennus when he sacked Rome were Galli Senonenses to wit those who inhabited the Countrey where the City Sena stood and yet doth as testifyeth the Author of Cronica Cronicorum and others in a part of Italie in succeeding ages known by the name Etruria which Sena as divers affirm was built by Brennus when he there inhabited before the Incarnation of our Saviour Jesus Christ iii. C. lxxx and vi years Brennus finding favourable admittance into the Court of Duke of Seginus of Allobroge for so Gaufride calls him which after was called Armorica and now little Brittaine according to Policronicon and the English Chronicle the Duke beholding the comely person manly proportion and princely carriage and behaviour of Brennus and much condoling and compassionating the calamity of his Fortunes which he with a singular grace had declared set out in the most lively colours and flowers of Eloquence entertained him in a most friendly manner and observing that he delighted and was most expert in hunting and hawking and was fully accomplisht with all the parts belonging to a Gentleman cast such favours upon him that in short time he became the most eminent man in the Court and the only favorite of the Duke insomuch that Seginus being in admiration of his endowments and gallant behaviour resolves to make him his Son in law with this promise also that if the Gods shall call for him hence without other Heir that then the issue of Brennus should succeed in the Dukedome or at least in case the Duke should be made happy by the birth of a Son that then he would use all possible endeavours to reestablish Brennus in his own Possessions and upon these Conditions and Articles the Duke espouseth his only Daughter and Heir to this Heroick Brittish Prince these Nuptials are no wayes displeasing to the Nobles of Allobroge they all jointly giving their approbation and full consent Not long after death summons Seginus to appear before a greater Tribunal then his own and a convenient space being allowed to the Dutchesse Dowager the term whereof expired she was found not to have conceived nor to be with child all sorts did Homage to Brennus as their lawful Leige and Supreme Brennus being not only a
were all marvellous glad Thus came Camillus to take this Charge of General upon him and found there were twenty thousand good fighting men abroad and well Armed Then got he further ayd also of their Allies and Confederates and prepared daily to go and set upon the enemies So was Camillus chosen now Dictator the second time and went into the City of Veies where he spoke with the Romane Souldiers that were there and leavied a great number of Allies besides to go fight with the enemies as soon as he could But whilst Camillus was thus preparing certain of the Gauls in Rome walking out by chance on that side of the Capitol where Pontius Cominius had gotten up the night before spied in divers places the prints of his feet and hands as he had griped and gotten hold stiâ—l digging to get hold and saw the weeds also and herbs growing upon the Rocks and the earth also in the like manner flat trodden down whereupon they went presently unto the King to let him understand the same who forthwith came to view the place and having considered it well did nothing at that time but when dark night was come he called a company of the lightest Gauls together and that used most to dig in Mountains and said unto them our enemies themselves do shew us the way how to take them which we could not have found out but by themselves for they having gone up before us do give us easily to understand that it is no impossible thing for us to clime up also wherefore we were utterly shamed having already began well if we should fail also to end well and to leave this place as invincible for if it were easie for one man alone by digging to clime up to the top thereof much less is it hard for many to get up one after another so that one do help the other Therefore Sirs I do assure you those that do take the pains to get up shall be honourably rewarded according to their just desert when the King had spoken these words unto the Gauls they fell to it lustily every man to get up and about midnight they began many of them to dig and make steps up to the Rock one after another as softly as could possibly with catching hold the best they could by the hanging of the Rock which they found very steep but nevertheless easier to clime then they took it at the beginning so that the foremost of them being up to the top were now ready to take the wall and to set upon the Watch that slept for there was neither man nor dog that heard them It chanced then there were holy Geese kept in the Temple of Juno which at other times were wont to be fed till their crops were full But victuals being very strait and scant at that time even to finde the men the poor Geese were so hardly handled and so little regarded that they were in a manner starved for lack of meat This Fowl indeed naturally is very quick of hearing and so also very fearfull by nature and being in a manner almost famished with their hard allowance they were so much the more wakefull and easier to be afraid upon this occasion therefore they heard the coming of the Gauls and also began to run up and down and cry for fear with which noise they did wake those that were within the Castle The Gauls being bewrayed by these foolish Geese left their stealing upon them and came in with all open noise and terrour they could The Romans hearing this Alarm every man took such weapon as came first to hand and they run suddenly to rescue that place from whence they understood the noyse amongst those the foremost man of all was Marcus Manlius a man that had been Consull who had a lusty body and as stout a heart His hap being to meet with two of the Gauls together as one of them was lifting up his Ax to knock him on the head he prevented him and struck off his hand with his sword and clapt his Target on the others face so fiercely that he threw him backward down the Rock and coming afterwards unto the Wall with others that ran thither with him he repulsed the rest of the Gauls that were gotten up who were not many in number Thus the Romans having escaped this danger the next morning they threw the Captain down the Rocks from the Castle who had charge of the Watch the night before and gave Manlius in recompence of the good service he had done a more honourable then profitable reward which was this every man of them gave him half a pound of the Country Wheat which they call Far and the fourth part of the measure of wine which the Grecians call Cotile and this might be about a Quart being the ordinarie allowance of every man by the day After this Repulse the Gauls began to be discouraged partly for that their victuals failed them and durst no more forrage abroad in the fields for fear of Camillus and partly also for that the Plague came amongst them being lodged amongst heaps of dead bodies lying in every place above ground without burial and amongst burnt houses destroyed where the ashes being blown very high by the wind and vehemency of heat did give a dry piercing ayr that did marvellously poyson their bodies when they came to draw in the breath of it But the greatest cause of all their mischief was the change of their wonted Diet who coming out of a fresh Country where there were excellent pleasant places to retire unto to avoid the discomodity of the parching heat of the Summer were now in a naughty plain Country for them to remain in in the later season of the year All these things together did heap diseases upon them besides the long continuance of the siege about the Capitol for it was then about the 7. moneth by reason whereof there grew a marvellous death in their Camp through the great numbers of them that died daily and lay unburied But notwithstanding all the death and trouble of the Gauls the poor besieged Romans were nothing holpen and the Famine still did grow upon them And because they could hear nothing of Camillus they were almost grown into despair and send unto him they could not the Gauls kept so strait a watch upon them in the City whereupon both parties finding themselves in hard estate first the Watch on each side began to cast out words of peace amongst themselves and afterwards by consent of the heads Sulpitius Tribune of the Souldiers came to parley with Brennus In which parley it was articuled that the Romans should pay a thousand pound weight of gold and that the Gauls should incontinently after the Receit of the same depart out of their City and all their Territories this decree being passed by oath from both the gold was brought And when it came to be weighed the Gauls at the first privily began to deal falsely with
Gildas saith of them that they stood out in the Army of Christ with greatest magnanimity Giral sup Itin. com l. 1. c. 5. Summa magnanimitate in acie Christi praestantes dico Giraldus Cambrensis is witness that amongst the Martyrs of that time they were the chiefest next to St. Alban and St. Amphibalus Post Albanum Amphibalum praecipui martyrio coronati Julius Aron How they were honoured of the holy Catholick Christians of that time with Churches dedicated to them Pilgrimages to the places of their Martyrdom and they both there and in other places honoured invocated and prayed unto presently upon the ceasing of the Persecution Now it will suffice to conclude with that their title of glory and renown which the ancient and learned Bishop of their Nation before hath given them and the due and honour to the place of their triumphant death Jacent hic duo nobilis Brittanniae Majoris Protomartyres ibidem Martyrio coronati Julius Aron Here lie at Caerlegion the two Noble Protomartyrs of great Brittain Julius and Aron and there crowned with Martyrdom This title to be the first Martyrs of Brittain in the most terrible persecution and with such exceeding magnanimity and Christian constancy as hath been related in induring torments till then never heard of without any example going before them but giving themselves the first example hereof so wonderfull patience love of Christ and Heroical true fortitude to so many thousands which by their singular example with invincible courage imitated them therein is the greatest honour we can yeild to such blessed Saints on earth their Festivity is celebrated by the old Roman Martyrologie upon the first day of July Baronius in Indice non Sanct. in Julie Arone On which day as Baronius plainly writeth many others suffered Martyrdom with them Julius Aron Martyres cum aliis plurimis in Brittania sub Dioclesiano primo die Julii So likewise affirmeth the English Writer and the Roman Martyrologe which Baronius glosseth upon may very well carry that construction for setting down for a certain truth that these two holy Martyrs were put to death in Brittany upon the first day of July Primo die Julii in Brittannia Sanctorum Martyrum Julii Aron qui in persecutione Dioclesiani passi sunt it presently addeth quo tempore ibidem quam plurimi diversis cruciatibus torti saevissime lacerati ad supernae civitatis gaudia consummato agone pervenerunt At the same time in the same place very many tortured with divers torments and most cruelly torn having ended their combats came to the joys of heaven And St. Bede saith that ea tempestate at that time when St. Julius and St. Aron were martyred divers others both men and women were put to death Alii utriusque sexus passi sunt ea tempestate So hath Henry of Huntington Passi sunt eo tempore Julius Aron alii quoque plures utriusque sexus And we cannot probably think that these raging Persecutors who in places where there were not in any degree so many Christians as in this renowned City an Archiepiscopal See and Christian University put them to death by thousands sent these here by cruel Martyrdom to heaven alone These holy Martyrs by all Antiquities suffered Martyrdom at Caerlegion and both Giraldus Cambrensis and Ranulphus Higeden writing at Winchester As also our late Antiquaries of the same Country plainly say it was at Caerlegion in Monmouthshire which was the Archiepiscopal City and School distinguishing it from Winchester by some called Caerlegion also I will only cite one Englished to my hand by a Modern In this Region Monmouthshire is seated the most ancient and most noble City of Legions which our Countrymen call Caerleon on Usk that is to say the City of Legions upon Usk for difference sake between it and the other which is built in Northwales upon the River Dee of which Giraldus writeth thus The same was a Noble and ancient Town the tokens whereof remain as yet an huge Palace a Giant like Tower goodly Baths and Hot-houses Reliques of Churches and places like Theaters compassed with beautifull walls partly yet standing also buildings under the ground Conducts secret passages and Vaults under the Earth framed with wondeâ—full Workmanship There lyeth Julius and Aron which had Churches dedicated unto them Vna Julii Martyris altera Araonis In the Church of St. Julius which is now called St. Julians and is distant from the now Caerleon a mile seated fast by the River of Vsk which runneth through the Town belonging to the Right Honourable Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury and Castle Issand a most stately house in this Church formerly Virgineo choro de corata was a Nunnery for in this Town were two famous Monasteries one of Monks or Canon Regulars the other of Nuns M. Broug fol. 603. 9. Matth. Westm an 541. dedicated to St. Julius in which Queen Guenhumara wife to King Arthur did after receive the habit of Religion Guenhumara Regina in Monasterio Julii Martyris inter Moniales habitum Religionis suscepit Not far from Caerlegion is a place called St. Albans standing on the ascent of a hill at the bottom whereof runneth the River of Vsk where by an old Tradition the Inhabitants believe St. Alban was put to death and will not be perswaded out of their errour by any reason wherefore to convince that mistake Mr. Br. 443 though the circumstances of the place be something alike where St. Alban was put to death for St. Bede writeth that the people who came to behold his Martyrdom were so many that being to passe over the River by a Bridge if St. Alban had not so miraculously dryed up the River they could hardly have gone over by the Bridge before night Ita fluminis occupabat pontem ut intra vesperam transire vix posset There was scarcely any left in the City Cunctis pene egressis a great multitude of both Sexes divers Estates and Ages came thither by instinct Vtriusque sexus conditionis diversae aetatis quae sine dubio divinitatis instinctu ad obsequium beatissimi confessoris ac Martyris vocabantur Therefore so many of divers conditions being thus called by the inspiration of God to such an holy purpose we cannot but think many of them were there converted at that time St. Bede setetth this to be done at St. Albans death before the great miracle of Angels appearing and praising of God and honouring St. Alban the night following at his place of burial and so soon as this miracle appeared the Pagans presently came thither in great numbers to hear and see it publikely professing that those Miracles were wrought by the power of Christ the Sonne of GOD and so being converted unto him a thousand of them at one time took their Journey to seek Saint Amphibalus in those parts which we now call Wales so far distant from Verulamium now St. Albans in England where by the help
quite environed with the Sea excepting the passage on the North side thereof Candida Casa vocatur locus in extremis Angliae juxta Scotiam finibus ubi beatus Confessor Niva requiescit Natione Brito qui primus ibidem Christi praedicationem Evangelizavit Nomen loco ex opere inditum quod Ecclesiam ibi ex lapide polito Britonibus miraculum fecerit The Count Palatine will have this King to have reigned fifteen years alone and speaks some thing favourably in his behalf Regina Martia saith he gubernaculum 7 annorum accepit cum filio unico adhuc puero qui Sisillius eo nomine secundus appellatur feliciter insequutus vestigia patris administrat quindecim annos postea solus mortuus Caerleili sepelitur To this account of fifteen years agreeth the English History saith Fabian but the Flower of Histories alloweth unto his Reign onely seven years howsoever Death demanded his due and summoned this King into another world Sisillius burled at Caerleon whose Body as Mr. Howes saith was buried at Caerleon and not at Caerlile but the nearnesse of the Names questionlesse breeds the mistake He left behind him his Son Kimarus to succeed him KIMARVS KIMARVS Son of Sisilius after the death of his Father was with all solemnity advanced to the Throne and Crown of Brittain in the year of the worlds Creation four thousand eight hundred fourscore and six The English Chronicle calleth him Kymor Fabian saith that there is no mention made of this King either concerning his deeds and course of life or concerning the length of his Reign yet he alledgeth an old Chronicle to aver that he was a wild young man and lived after his pleasure wherefore as he was at his disport of Hunting he was by his Ill-willers slain when he had ruled scarcely three years but the Count Palatine saith he was killed by wild Beasts Illius filius saith he speaking of Sisilius Chimarus in imperando successit moribus adolescens improbus suique in rebus omnibus agendis arbitrii ac voluntatis adeo ut post tres annos quibus rexit à feris bestiis dum venabatur occisus est Kimarus succeeded a young man of most dissolute life and behaviour who swayed all things according to the humour of his own vain and fantastick imagination and not according to the rule of reason and judgement insomuch that after the three years of his Reign he was devoured of wild Beasts It behoves Princes as well as others to have a care how they live For the holy Writ tells us Fire hail famine and death Eccles c. 39. all these things are created for mans punishment the Teeth of Beasts for the utter extermination of the wicked It is great reason that Princes should regulate their lives after the true square of vertue for a Prince cannot with reason expect that the severity of Laws or other Politick means shall represse in his Commonwealth any Vice which shall be Authorised by the Example of his own Practice For as the Poet saith Totus componitur Orbis Regis ad exemplum nec sic inflectere sensus Humanos edicta valent ut vita Regentis That is to say all the World is framed after the modell of the King and no Laws or Edicts can so move the mind of men as doth the life of the Governour which Plutarch confirmeth notably saying That even as a Square or Rule must be streight in it self before it can make other things streight so the Prince who is as it were the Rule of his Subjects ought first to rectifie himself before he go about by Laws or other means to rectifie his Commonwealth for he that is falling saith Plutarch is not fit to uphold others nor he that is ignorant to teach nor he that is incorrigible to correct nor he that is himself disordered to put others in order ELIANVS ELIANVS the Son of Kimarus whom some also call Danius as the Flower of Histories affirmeth but Gaufride saith he was Kimarus Brother was Crowned King of Brittain in the year of the worlds Creation four thousand eight hundred fourscore and nine This Prince by the English Book is called Howan one Chronicle will have Kimarus and Elianus to be one and the same person though others think otherwise and that he reigned two years little or nothing being left to posterity of any memorable Acts of his either good or bad only the Count Palatine tells us Frater eum sequitur Elianus natura stupidior legum spretor quocirca rem administrabat imprudenter bellis seditionibus undecunque vexatus neque pacem habere potuit vel publice vel privatim illis decem annis quibus imperabat Elianus his Brother succeeded him of a most stupid nature and a contemner of all Laws which was the cause that he governed with great indiscretion his Kingdome and Commonwealth being continually vexed and troubled with insurrections and seditions insomuch that during the ten years of his Reign he could never enjoy either privately or otherwise one hour of peace this was one amongst the Brittish Princes for whose sake as Gildas the wise writeth the whole Nation suffered MORINDVS MORINDVS the Bastard-son of Elianus as Gaufride affirmeth with others took upon him the Crown and Government of this Island of Great Brittain in the year of the worlds Creation four thousand eight hundred and ninety Elianus begat this Prince upon Tanguestula his Concubine who proved as Bastards commonly doe being gotten in the heat of Courage a most resolute and couragious Chieftain but so over-swayed by his own passions especially that of anger that in his fury no mans life was secure To the matchlesse strength of his body Nature added all those features which might make him the most handsome and accomplisht Gentleman in all his Kingdome these his admirable endowments he beautified with a most Princely liberality being very open-handed when the least merit required During the Reign of Morindus there arrived out of Mauritania which Country according to Strabo is seated between Hungaria and Fohemia a war-like and most cruel people which with Fire and Sword consumed all before them Morindus having tidings brought to him of those insolences and misdemeanours with all speed Levied an Army and with speedy Marches encounters his Enemy and after a most bloody Conflict compels the greatest part of the unwelcome Intruders back to their Ships the rest he sacrificeth to his own anger causing some to be dismembred others cast into the fire some chopt in pieces not a few strangled death acted several parts in this most horrid execution no manner of torment imaginable to Morindus was left uninflicted so great was the tyranny of his blood-thirsting revenge After this great overthrow and most cruel Massacre this Brittish King progressing a long the Sea coasts for his Recreation chanced to discry a most hideous Monster coming out of the Irish Ocean Morindus is overjoyed at this presented occasion to try the edge of his
Lancastrian Family placed upon a Hill and fortified with an ancient Castle unto which many neighbouring and adjacent Villages belong being called the Leith Liberty and Forrest of Pickering which Hen. the Third gave unto his Son Edmund Earl of Lancaster Guido contrary to all other Writers saith that Peredurus was cruel and tyrannous to the Brittains and slew and murthered many of the Lords he caused him to become so odious that they rebelled and slew him ELIDVRVS ELIDVRVS now the third time is made King 4941 and ruled four years in the same equity and Princely demeanor as formerly and then died and was buried at Caerleil or Karlile The Count Palatine gives this Character of him Vir omni genere virtutum praestantissimus animi magnitudine superans ipsam fortunam adeo neque prosperis rebus elatus neque adversis dejectus esse voluit diceres fortunam cum eo certasse ut Rex esset neque tamen animum ejus infractum constantemque vincere potuisse quo magis abnuebat eo frequentius ad regendum vocabatur sic honor gloria persequentes fugit fugientes persequitur ut umbrae Corpus after his death he left a son named Gorgonianus or Gorbomannus to succeed him Fabian in the beginning of his Chronicle hath a Caveat for the Computation of years from Elidure to Lud which I thought convenient here to insert To make Histories agree and to keep the order of years begun we must observe as Ranulph of Chester tells us with divers others that Julius Caesar made Brittain Tributary to Rome anno 48 ante Christum natum or in the year of the World 4150. which was in the ninth year of Cassabilane From whence taking from the time of Cassabilane before the Tribute paid nine years and for the time of the Reign of Lud eleven years it followed evidently that King Lud did begin his Reign in the year of the World 5131. and so from the last year of Elidure unto the beginning of the Reign of Lud or in the time of the 33 Kings there passed 186 years GORBOMANNVS GORBONIANUS or Gorbomannus the Son of Regni and Grandchild to Elidure was Crowned King of Brittain in the year of the World 4945. The Count Palatine speaking of Elidurus saith Ei Gorbonias filius Gorboniani succedit Patri similis in rebus prudenter agendis mira fuit in omnes benevolentia ejus atque modus ipse quo in administratione rerum utebatur fecit illum universis esse gratissimum Itaque cum post annos decom quibus optime regit moreretur publico luctu plangebatur honoréque funeris publico majore quam caeteri Sepulchro condebatur Gorbonias the Son of Gorbonian succeeded his Uncle in the Kingdome treading in the same paths of good Government his Benevolence was admirable and his Decorum in managing his Affairs so plausible that he was generally beloved of all men Thus when he had ruled with universal good liking of every one he departed this life whose death was lamented with a general and most doleful mourning and his Funerals celebrated with greater pomp and solemnity then any of his Predecessors MARGAN R. Vitus f. 204. MORGAN or Margan succeeded in the Kingdome he was a younger Son of Archigallo and governed this Land for the space of fourteen years in great Peace and Tranquillity following the Example of his Forefathers EMERIANVS EMERIANVS Brother to Margan succeeded sed longe diversis moribus but of quite an other temper and disposition for he swayed all things after his own Will and Pleasure and not according to Reasons law and dictamen practising Tyranny towards both Nobles and Commons which rendered him so odious unto all that after the space of seven years he was deposed and quite thrust out of all Government and Princely Authority YDWALLO YDWALLO or Ivall the Son of Vigenius was promoted unto the Regal Throne who being admonished by the evil Example of Emerianus had learn'd a better Lesson he was very indulgent to his Subjects avoiding Tyranny as the very bain of Princes and administred justice and equity to all men bonos in officio continebat upholding honest men in their places malos qua debuit indignatione persequebatur correcting the wicked with condigne punishment and like a good Steward relieved as well the one as the other in their wants and necessities After thus he had Reigned twenty years he forsook this World and left to succeed him RIMO RIMO the Son of Peredurus a Prince adorned with true and perfect Nobility and ambitious of Honour who after he had most happily Reigned sixteen years highly renowned for his heroick Spirit and activity and glory in martial Affairs he gave way to Geruntius to ascend the Regal Throne GERVNTIVS GERVNTIVS the Son of Elidure with the general good liking of all is Crowned King of Great Brittain a great lover of goodnesse Peace and justice he commanded a strict observation of the Laws by which means he preserved Unity and Concord among his people and became highly honoured of them yet for all this after he had reigned twenty years death seized upon him to the great grief and sorrow of all the Kingdome leaving to succeed him his Son CATELL or CATELLVS CATELL or Catellus the Son of Geruntius is solemnly invested with the Royal Ensigns of the Brittish Monarchy a great Benefactor to the poor and distressed insomuch that he caused all Oppressors to be taken and hanged Were such justice put in Execution in these our dayes such heavy Oppressions would not break the hearts of honest-meaning men This King Reigned in great peace ten years and then died COILVS COILVS Reigned ten years in great peace and quiet PORREX PORREX the second a vertuous and gentle Prince Reigned five years CHIRIMVS CHIRIMVS or Chirinus through his drunkennesse Reigned but one year drunkennesse is a vice so far unbeseeming a Prince that we commonly say As drunken as beggers yet in our potting times it is now come to that passe that we say as drunk as a Lord drunkennesse hath been the overthrow of Chieftaines Armies and Kingdomes as we may read in sacred writ of Holofernes that great General Borro Holofernes jacebat in lecto nimiae ebrietate sopitus when Judith percussit bis in cervicem ejus abscidit caput ejus and the Army of the Gaules under the command of Breunus was full of wine when Camillus totally routed it neither had our Brittains so foolishly been Massacred and lost their Kingdome to the Saxons had they not been drunken at the entrapping banquet on Salisbury Downes or Plaines for as there are three things which do maintain and uphold a Common-wealth and for the which God doth blesse and prosper it the first Religion and Piety towards God the second Justice and Equity amongst men the third good Discipline in Life and Manners so there are three other things contrary to those which do subvert Common-wealths and provoke the wrath of God against them The first is
disprove the Name and forged Antiquity of Astrologers saith he can shew no Students thereof before the time of Nebuchodonosor Benedictus Pirerius and Benedictus Pirerius in a Book which he writes de divinatione Astrologiae Tanta est Astrologorum qui vulgo Judiciarii appellantur vel impudentia vel Amentia ut etiam sibi divinam Scripturam suffragari suaeque Astronomatiae fidem Authoritatem firmare jactent etenim verba illa quae dixit Deus creans luminaria Et sint in signa tempora c. ad suam referunt divinationem Astrologicam per quam ipsi profitentur ex observatione siderum futura rerum eventa posse praedici quocirca B. Basilius Ambrosius aliique permulti patres in explanatione eorum verborum bene longam acuratam in refellendi istiusmodi Astrologorum praedictionibus orationem posuerunt quorum nos Patrum exemplis provocati gravissimis Dei sententiis contra Astrologos multifariam in divina Scriptura proditis permoti quin etam justissimo adversus Astrologos odio propter fraudulenta perniciosa eorum figmenta librum hunc ad confutandas eorum praedictiones à nobis scriptum gratum multis utilem fore existimamus scripsit adversus Astrologos quidem copiose Joannes Picus Mirandula sed multos ab ejus lectione deterret prolixitas operis Nos licet in praediviti uberi versemur argumento eo tamen breves erimus quod non omnia quae disputari possent sed aptiora duntaxat causae firmior aque tractabimus quinque autem erunt hujus libri disputationis adversos Astrologos capita primo enim docebimus sacrae Ecclesiasticae doctrinae aivinationem Astrologicam esse contrariam tum ostendemus Astrologos esse rerum caelestium imperitos Deinde divinatricem istam artem rectae rationi ac Philosophiae adversari demonstrabimus ad haec probabimus astra non solum non esse causas efficientes rerum futurarum verum nec esse certa figna quae res futuras praeuotent ac praemonstrent ad extremum cur nonnulla Astrologorum praedicta sint vera causas exponemus This Author reduceth his book into five principall heads against Astrologers First he sheweth Astrology to be contrary to sacred and Ecclesiastical doctrine Secondly Astrologers themselves to be ignorant of Celestial things and that that divining Art is opposite both to sound Reason and Philosophy and that the Stars are not the efficient causes of future things no not so much as certain Signs to point out or shew us things to ensue and lastly he makes appear the Causes why some Astrological predictions may prove true I wish every man of learning would read Pirerius to laugh at the folly of our Age wherein every paltery Almanack-maker will make him to open the Closets and Cabinets of Princes Counsels and condemn Personages of high and eminent Quality to violent and untimely deaths at their pleasure where the best of them even Ly-Ly himself is observed to tell Lyes in the plural Number and Verites scare in the singular DEDANTIVS DEDANTIVS or as other call Dedacus was after his Predecessor King of Great Brittain the space of five years also of this Prince no further mention is made atque per tot alios scil quinque annos Dedacus inde tenuit Dedacus Com. Pal. DETONVS DETONVS Reigned two years as affirmeth Mr. Howes Com. Pa. speaketh nothing of this Prince but after Dedacus saith Enimvero Clotenus nisi duos annos regnabat and Fabian also next to Dedacus puts Clotenus and then Gurgenites and tells us that Lanquet leaveth these out Com. Pal. puts one Gurguineus it may be the same which Fabian calls Gurginetes to rule three years MERIANVS MERIANVS by consent of all Writers was King two years BLADVNVS BLEDVVS as Fabian saith or Bladunus as others ruled two years CAPENVS CAPENVS or Cap was King three years OVINVS OVIMVS Oenus or Owyn ruled other three years SISILIVS SISILIVS or Silius governed the Bittains two years BLEDGABREDVS BLEDGABREDVS or Bledgabridus wore the Brittish purpure ten years as Mr. Howes affirmeth Fabian saith twenty he loved and studied Musick in so much that Com. Pal. tells us tanta canendo excellentia superavit omnes homines ut quidem in arte Musica deus esse videretur he so far excelled all mortal men in the art of singing that he seemed to be the god of Musick this he confirmes in his notes figure the 18. Deinde Galfridus lib. 1. c. 22. Belgridus omnes cantores quos aetas praecedens habuit plurimum excellebat tum in modulis tum in omnibus musicis instrumentis ita ut deus faculatorum esse videretur Belgridus so far excelled all the singers of the precedent age as well in Madrigall and voice as all other Musical instruments that he was called the god of mirth or merry companions nam ita Cajus Belgabridem hominem regem inquit tantum fuisse musicum constaet ut propter excellentem musices cognitionem musicorum deus appellaretur Belgabride a Princely man was so rare and skilful in the Art of Musick that for his excellency therein he was called the god of Musitians I dare not say Minstrils least some should think the King a Fidler many great Princes Kings and Emperours have singularly affected the heavenly melody of Musick and much may be spoken in praise thereof which I forbear yet I am of an opinion that no man can be of a good nature who loves it not ARCHIMALVS ARCHIMALVS Archimelus or Archemall Reigned two years Isti frater Archimalus in regno suffectus est qui ipse post annos duos accepit Eldolum successorem ELDOLVS ELDOLVS Elden or Eldell was King of the Brittaines four years in whose time of Government many prodigious signs were seen as Globes of fire bursting out of the air with great noyse ignei Globi de nubibus erumpentes cum aeris maxime strepitu RODIANVS RODIANVS or Redian was King two years REDARGIVS REDARGIVS Reigned three years Com. Pal. calls him Roderecius saying Roderecius hunc sequitur pro tribus annis but Fabian is so far from speaking of this King that he quite leaves him out making no mention of his name SAMVLIVS SAMVLIVS was King two years Samulius pro duobus Com. Pal. PENISILLVS PENISILLVS Reigned three years rursum pro tribus Penisellus Com. Pal. Fabian saith that Samul Penisel was but one individuum and that he Reigned five years PYRRVS PYRRVS whom Fabian calls Pyr Phyrrus Reigned two years CAPORVS CAPORVS whom Fabian calls Capoir Reigned two years DINELLVS DINELLVS the Son of Caporus whom Fabian calls Glyguell Dinell Vilus fol. 205. ruled the Brittain◠four years Com. Pal. Dinellus autem Caporii filius gerendarum rerum scientissimus princeps pro summa suavitate morum erga singulos benignitate laudatur Quanquam homines ex infima plebe nascerentur tamensi erant bene periti earum rerum quae in deliberatione ponebantur ipsorum sententias libenter audiebat
potuerunt nam illum resurrexisse testati sunt à Judaeis pecuniam accepisse ideo suggessi hoc ne quis aliter referens mentiatur existimet credendum Judaeorum mendaciis Pilate wrote unto Tiberius of our Lord's Passion in this manner It lately chanced which I have made proof of that the Jews through envy have destroyed themselves and their posterity with cruel damnation For when their Fathers had a promise that God would send unto them his holy One from Heaven who worthily should be called their King and promised him to be born of a Virgin to the Earth This God of the Hebrews when he came I being Praesident when Men had seen him to cause blind men to see to have cleansed the Lepers cured the diseased with Palsies to have driven Divels from Men to have raised the dead commanded the winds to have walked upon the sea with his Feet and to have done many other marvellous things when all the people of the fews said he was the Son of God the principal of the Jews were malicious against him and delivered him unto me and devising many lyes said he was a Magician and did against their Law and I believed it was so and having whipped him delivered him to their will but they crucifyed him and being buried they appointed Keepers unto him But he rose again the third day my Souldiers keeping him but their iniquity so flamed out that they gave Money unto them saying Say you that his Disciples took him away but the Souldiers when they had received the Money could not conceal that which was done for they both witnessed that he rose again and that they had received Money from the Jews And therefore I have suggested this lest any Man relating it otherwise should make a Lye and think we should give credit unto the Lyes of the Jews Hitherto the words of the Epistle of Pontius Pilate himself to the Emperour not only allowed by our English moderns and other our Authors the greatest Chronographers of their time by their Judgement but word for word so justifyed by the German Writers Tertulian and almost all ancient Writers and others treating of that age approve of it And Tiberius the Emperour having sent Volusianus as before to to invite Christ to come unto him to heal his Leprosie Christ being put to death before Volusianus his coming thither he brought from thence with him as our English Authors witnesse that miraculous Image of Christ which he gave to St. Veronica in a handkerchief wherewith he wiped his Face going to his Passion and with great reverence presented it to this Emperour at Rome and he as reverently received it Bal. in Flor. Wig. Math. Floril Magdebur cent l. 1. c. 10. Col. 354. Tert. Apol. adver gent. Nauel in Chron. volum 2 gener p. 512. c. Eng. Pro. in Math. West Anno Dom. 37. Ranulph Higeden Polychron l. 4. for say these Authors Caesar viam pannis sericis sterni fecit imaginem sibi praesentari fecit Qui mox ut eam fuit intuitus pristinam assequutus est sanitatem haec imago usque hodie Romae in ecclesia Apostolorum Principis populo demonstratur quae à portatrice a quibusdam Veronica appellatur Caesar caused the way to be spread with cloaths of silk and commanded the Image to be presented unto him who presently as he had beheld it obtained his former health And this image even to this day is shewed to the people in the Church of the Prince of the Apostles at Rome and is called by the name of her that carried it Veronica and although Pilate as before had so excused himself and acknowledged Christ for the Messias unto his Emperour yet say the German Writers Narrat Nicephorus Pilatum ideo maximis Romae affectum esse contumeliis quod Maria Magdelena Romam adierit salvatoris res ibi retulerit Nicephorus maketh relation that Pilate suffered most great reproaches at Rome for that Mary Magdelen went thither and there related the things of our Saviour in Tiberius time whereby Tiberius was so moved and convinced for acknowledging the truth of Christs Doctrine that these English Authors thus confesse with St. Gildas Tertullian and many others Tunc Caesar cum suffragio magni favoris retulit Epistolam ad Senatum postulant ut Christus Deus haberetur sed Senatus consecrationem Christi recusavit indignatione commotus quod non secundum morem prius Epistola sibi delata fuisset Caesar with his voyce of great favour related the Epistle of Pilate to the Senate requesting that Christ should be accounted God but the Senate refused the consecration of Christ moved with indignation because the Epistle was not first delivered to them as the custome was Sabelicus l. 2. Eucad 7. Sabelicus with others writeth that Pilate did truly repent him of delivering Christ to the Jewes was actually a Christian and obtained pardon for his sinns Non defuerunt qui traediderunt Pilatum suae impietatis poenitentiam egisse meru isseque adeo veniam And that in this beginning of the Gospel the Faith of Christ might be every where received without let or contradiction as the ancient Learned Father Ferculphus saith God put it into the mind of Tiberius the Emperour Ferculphus Lexonien Epis l. 1. c. 9. Gildas de excid cong Brit. c. 6. Math West ann gra 37. Ranul Hig. in Manusc Polychron l. 4. c. 4. Manus antiq Gall. in Tiberio c. Fabian fol. 40. to give it way and suppress the persecution of the Senate Quod profecto divina providentia jam tunc Caesaris sensibus ingessit ut absque ullo obstaculo in ipsis duntaxat initiis Evangelii sermo undiquaque percurreret And our Learned Countryman St. Gildas with others witnesseth he threatned death to those that should accuse Christians Tempore summo Tiberii Caesaris absque ullo impedimento Christi propagatur Religio comminata Senatu volente à Principe morte delatoribus militum ejusdem which is proved and confirmed by all sorts of Writers Tunc Senatus edicto constituit Christianos ab urbe esse exterminandos Sed Caesar haec indigntatus accusatoribus Christianorum mortem comminatus est Then the Senate ordained by an edict that Christians should be driven forth of the City but the Emperour being therewith offended threatned death to the accusers of Christians Occasion being here offered to speak of the Incarnation of the Messias our most blessed Saviour Jesus Christ Fabian tells us from the first creation of Adam to the birth of Christ was five thousand one hundred and ninety nine the which account is approved as he saith by Isidore Beda and others thus he brings his account From No'es Flood or after two thousand nine hundred and forty seven years After Abraham two thousand and seventeen After David King of Israel one thousand threescore and fifteen From or after the Transmigration of the Jewes five hundred and ninety After
that neither the Roman nor the Brittish Pagan Laws as he avouched denyed that to Princes never speaking of or regarding the Law of Christ and in this state he lived and died Moreover all Antiquaries whatsoever of any credit tell us plainly that Arviragus was no Christian but persisted in his Pagan Religion First William of Malmsbury saith Rex qui tunc regnabat fuit Barbarus praedicationi eorum consentirie noluit nec Paternas traditiones commutare volebat The King which then reigned was a Pagan and would not consent to their preachings â—or would he change his Ancestors Traditions The Antiquities of Glasâ—eâ—â—ury Capgrave and many other Ancients write Rex Barbarus cum sua gente tam nova audiens inconsueta nec praedicationi eorum renuebâ—t The Pagan King with his people hearing such new and unaccustomed things as St. Joseph and his fellows taught would not change his Ancestors traditions for the better but refused their preaching The first Protestant Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with his followers affirmeth Quorum praedicatione Rex Arviragus cum proceribus suis ab inveterata Druidum religione abduci noluit King Arviragus with his Nobles would not by the preaching of Joseph and his companions be drawn from the inveterate Religion of the Druids Thus we see it manifestly declared that King Arviragus was in all his actions life and death far from being a Christian in profession Fabian tells us that after the departure of Claudius Arviragus progressed through his Dominions and with great cost care and expences repaired Cities and Towns which were dismantled and defaced by the Roman Souldiers and behaved himself with such gallantry that he was more beloved and also feared then any of his Praedecessors in tract of time he accumulated heaps of Treasure but wealth begot pride and that again a presumption of his own strength and power which caused him to deny payment of the Tribute but the Senate having speedy notice of his Transactions Caius Caligula is speedily dispatched with order to reduce him to his former obedience who with certain Legions a Legion consisteth of six thousand six hundred and sixty six men arrives in Brittain forceth him to pay Tribute or rather he is perswaded so to do by his Wife Genissa Caius Caligula had a meaning doubtlesse to have invaded the I le of Brittain had not his rash entrance into the Action The Brittish History c. 10. and his ill successe in the German War overthrown the Enterprize by reason whereof he brought nothing to Effect but onely made a ridiculous expedition answerable to the vanity of his humour bringing an Army into the hither parts of Belgia and there having received into protection Admimus or Adaminus whom Cunobelin his Father had banished and certain other Brittish Fugitives that came with him he Writ vaunting Letters to the Senate as though the whole Iland had yielded it self giving special charge to the Messenger that his Letters should be carried in a Chariot to the Forum and not delivered to the Consuls but in a full Senate and in the Temple of Mars afterwards drawing his Forces down to the sea coasts of Belgia where with wonder he beheld the high cliffs of the I le possessed with the Natives he placed his Souldiers in Battell-array upon the shore and himself entring into a Long-boat was rowed a little way upon the 8ea but not daring to adventure further he returned speedily to land and then commanding a charge to be sounded as though he would have began to fight he appointed his Souldiers to gather Cockels and Muskels in their Helmets terming them spoils of the Ocean and meet to be preserved as offerings due to the Capitol For this Exploit he after coming to Rome was not ashamed to demand a Triumph and divine honours to be assigned him but finding the Senators for the most part to be unwilling to give their Assent he burst out into threats and had slain some of them in the place if they had not speedily avoided his fury After this himself in open Assembly made a Declaration of his journey and what adventures he had passed in the Conquest of the Ocean as himself vainly termed it whereat the common people either for fear or flattery gave a general applause which he taking as a testimony of their desire to have him placed among their gods rewarded in this shameful manner he caused a great quantity of gold and silver to be scattered on the ground and certain caltrops poysoned of Iron to be cast among them whereby many were killed partly with those envenomed Engines and partly with the press of one another each Man being earnest in gathering and supposing another Mans gain his own losse so naturally was he inclined to all kind of wickednesse as he spared not the lives even of those whom he thought to deserve best at his hands Yet we read not among the many Vices which he had that ever he was a persecutor of Christians for those Outrages which he committed against the Jews which amongst others our own Histories do report were rather in revenge against the Jews for the death of Christ and the persecuting Christians then for any hatred to Christian Religion And it was a just punishment of God towards that incredulous people and their holy Temple that had been so long renowned for the true worship and sacrifice of God To see it now polluted with the Idolatrous sacrifices of the Gentils Matth. Westm an 40. Theat of Britt in Caius Caligul the Idol of Jupiter and the Emperor himself a vile and wicked man to be worshipped and adored there as the Lord of Heaven and Earth Caesar templum quod erat Hierosolymis jussit prophanari sacrificiis Gentilium Jovis statuam ibi collocat seque ut Dominum coeli terrae coli adorari praecepit When as concerning Christians he permitted the favourable Edict of Tiberius to remain in force He banished Pilate by whom Christ was crucified He deprived Herod of his Kingdom and together with Herodiâ— his brothers wife which he kept the occasion of the Martyrdome of St. John Baptist he drave into banishment and these and such favours and justice he extended unto Christians that although he seemed to make War against the Brittains it was not for Religion sake Though mention be made concerning several passages betwixt Claudius and Arviragus yet the Reader must know that Caligula preceded in Government Julius being first Augustus second Tiberius third Caligula fourth and Claudius fifth but to conclude with Arviragus Fabian saith That after he had nobly Ruled the Brittains thirty years he died and was buried at Caergloin Caerloon Claudiocestria or Glocester leaving after him one Son named Marius or Maurius MARIVS MARIVS the son of Arviragus was crowned King of Brittain in the year of Christs Incarnation threescore and fourteen the English Chronicle calleth this Prince Westmer-Gaufride saith that he Governed his Subjects in great Affluence Peace and Tranquillity some dispute
Brittains for matters of Religion but leaving it voluntary and free unto them as other Tributaries to use the Religion of their Countries or as they were best and most disposed privately at the least even in Rome it self without controlment So by the great mercy and providence of God the subjection and temporal captivity or restraint of divers of these our worthy Countrymen proved to be the most happy spiritual freedom in Christ both of those our Hostages there and this whole Kingdome afterward converted to the true Faith from thence by this original so renowned and glorious for ever to this Nation to have in Rome it self the first Harborours and Receivers of that most blessed and highest Apostle St. Peter that the House where St. Peter was first received was called the House of Pudens the Senator may be because he long after was owner of it as it was also called the House of St. Novatus the House of St. Timothy the House of St. Pudentiana the blessed children of St. Pudens and St. Claudia our Countrywoman who all successively possessed it termed by their Name for the time as usually houses and places be by the owners Names untill the time of Pope Pius the first it was by the Donation of St. Pudentiana as the Roman Antiquities themselves and their continual kept tradition do declare absolutely converted to a Church and ever since after her death called the Church of St. Pudentiana which before was called the house of them as they possessed it in order or the house of them all sometimes as the old Roman Martyrology calleth it the house of all the four children of St. Fudens and St. Claudia for speaking of them all by name St. Novatus Timotheus Pudentiana and Praxedet it addeth The House of these being changed into a Church is called the Title of Pastor And it is evident by all probability that the Father of the Lady Claudia owner of this House where all his children long after lived was yet living possessor thereof both now and when St. Peter was first entertained there For Martial the Poet which lived in this time and wrote in the dayes of Domitian and Nerva long after maketh an honourable Memory of the Father of the Lady Claudia then living calling him Socer of Pudens Martial l. Epigr. saepe Joan Bale li. de script Cent. 1. in Claudio Ruff. To. Pit li. de vir illust in eadem Godwin Com. Britt alii The Brittish parents of St. Claudia were Christians Chrys in Epist 2 ad Tim. Theodoret in Epist 2 ad Tim. the Father of his wife St. Claudia our Countrywoman by parents for the word Socer hath no other meaning then a Father in law father to the wife whose Father in law he is or Father to the husband of that wife to whom he is sirnamed Socer Evident it is also that Pudens had no other wife but Claudia and she long overlived her husband Pudens And that this his Father in law was as noble for his Faith and Religion in Christ as by descent and birth we may easily inform our selves if from no other ground yet from the most holy and vertuous education of his Daughter in that profession who by the examples and documents of her pious parents the best Tutors of children their greatest charge was by their instruction come to that perfection in the law of Christ that being yet but young in all opinions when St. Paul writ his second Epistle to Timothy a little before his death she deserved the stile of one of four principal Christians in the judgement of that great Apostle as two great Doctors S. Chrysostome and Theodoret that part of his Epistle Eubulus saluteth thee Pudens and Linus and Claudia all the brethren He remembreth them by Name whom he knew to be more fervent in Faith And again Theodoret upon that place saith Paul put in the Names of them which were the best and most loving of vertue by which we may sufficienty see the great piety not onely of St. Claudia but her holy parents also the then honours of this Kingdome that had caused her then under their charge to be taught and instructed in so excellent a manner in true Religion And if I may have the like licence to write for the Religion of this Father in law which a late Author taketh to prove Pudens the son in law a Christian I may do it with much more reason for thus he writeth That the same Pudens was a Christian Godwin Com. Brit. p. 17. we have a great presumption in the Epigram of Martial where for his vertuous carriage he calleth him S. Maritus but a greater in another of the same Martial wherein he yieldeth him thanks for perswading him to amend his Writings that for obscenity and lasciviousness are indeed not to be endured by Christian oars And this it is Martial l. 7. Epigram 11. Cogis me calamo manuque nostra Emendare meos Pudens libellos Pudens thou wilt that I the errors mend Which in my wanton Verses I have pen'd That by this kind of Argument the Father of Claudia our noble Countrywoman was in all degrees as good or rather a better Christian then his son in law Pudens was is most evident Martial l. 7. Epig. 57. ad Ruffin for these Verses which Pudens did well like and allow yet by the testimony of Martial himself might not be imparted to the Father in law of Pudens but would seem light unto him occupied in more serious things For he writeth unto Pudens St. Eubulus named with honour by St. Paul probably was the Father of St. Claudia a Brittain Commendare meas instanti Rufe Camoenas Parce precor socero seria forsan amat Rufus my lines from thy wives Father keep His thoughts are rap't with things more grave more deep Where we see that the gravity of the Father in law of Pudens was greater then his 3. therefore much more may we presume from hence that he was a better Christian then the other by that argument Martyr Rom. 20. Jan. in St. Novato And yet we have a better Author both for his Christianity and Name also for the other three named by St. Paul to send salutations to Timothy from Rome at that time for certain except Eubulus the first were continuing in one House Pudens and Claudia were then married as is evident in the ancient Roman Martyrology and others and seeing by the Romans tradition and other testimonies the house wherein they dwelt was the chief lodging of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul and their successors until the time of Pope Pius the first it was converted to be a Church we must needs account St. Linus the Bishop the third which is here named to be also of the same family for the most part then how to single forth St. Eubulus which here is first either for Piety or Nobility or that he was the chief Pater-familias or Master of
there seemed to fear and reverence him and the causes of his coming were diversly reported at the first But the Brittains derided him for as men being born free they knew not till that time the power of the Libertines men made free but rather marvelled that a Captain and an Army which had atchieved so great an enterprize could be brought to obey and yield an account of their actions to a base bond-slave as they termed him These things howsoever they were censured by others yet they were reported to Nero in such manner as the reporters thought might best content him And Suetonius after the losse of some of his shipping was commanded the War being not yet finished to deliver up his Army to Petronius Turpilianus who had but even a little before given up his Counselship Turpilianus was a man of a soft spirit and being a stranger to the Brittains faults was more tractable and ready to remit them by which means having composed his former troubles he delivered up his charge to Tribellius Maximus whose unfitnesse for action and want of experience in military matters gave the more boldnesse to the Brittains that began now to discover the defects of the Governours having learned both to flatter and dissemble in confirming themselves to the present time and occasion for their advantage and for the most part yielding themselves to those pleasures which security useth to endanger even in minds well-disposed by Nature For Trebellius besides his insufficiency abused the authority of his place to enrich himself by polling the common Souldiers and Roscuis Caelius Lieutenant to the twentieth Legion whetted them on against him as against an ancient Enemy so that in the end they brake out into hainous terms the one objecting matter of crime against the other Trebellius charged Caelius with factious behaviour Caelius again Trebellius with beggering the Legions and the discord between them grew so far that Trebellius being despised as well by the Hides as the Legions both of them sorting themselves to Caelius his side was in great fear of his life the danger whereof he sought to prevent rather by flying away then by executing any exemplary justice upon offenders in the mean time the Souldiers neglecting the ancient discipline of War fell to Mutiny and all kind of Riot as men that had rather be doing ill then doing nothing Afterwards Trebellius taking again his former place as it were by capitulation seemed to govern onely at the discretion of the Souldiers who finding his weaknesse and want of judgement to use his Authority took upon them to do what they listed and herewith also the Lieutenant himself seemed contented as being now given over altogether to a sloathful kind of life terming it peace and quietnesse for which the death of Nero the Emperour and the civil discord at that time between Otho and Vitellius contending for the Soveraignty ministred some colour of excuse Not long before this time the fourteenth Legion famous for many great attempts and growing now more insolent then the rest was revoked out of the Isle to have been sent to the streights about the Caspian Sea though afterwards upon intelligence of the revolt in Gallia Spain when Julius Vindex took Armes against Nero it was retained about the City of Rome for a safeguard to those parts in the turbulent times that ensued Nero's death it took part with Otho against Vitellius at the battle near Bebriacum where Otho was overthrown and Vitellius after the victory suspecting the Souldiers of that Legion as knowing their great stomachs and ill affection towards him thought it expedient to joyn to them the a Bands of Hollanders Battanian Cohorts that by reason of the inveterate hatred between them they might one oppose the other and himself in the mean time remain more secure Vectius Bolanus a man not much unlike Trebellius in some respects was sent over by Vitellius during the time of whose Government the like disorders still continued in the Camp Vitellius was third after Nero for Galba succeeded him and continued Emperor for six months and a little more him Otho slew whose Empire continued a lesse time for being in the fourth battle which he fought with Vitellius Mr. Br. f. 763. conquered by him having had victory in the three former impatient of his dishonour killed himself bearing the name of Emperour but three months and Vitellius which triumphed over him enjoyed as short and imperial a life onely eight months or thereabouts and his death for his cruel wickednesse was dishonourable stabbed to death cast into the River Tiber and wanting burial Cum Vitellius multa crudeliter ac nequiter Romae ageret minutissimorum ictuum punctionibus est excarnificatus ad ultimum in Tiberim mersus communi caruit sepultura saying that Bolanus by the mildnesse of his nature being not touched otherwise in his reputation had purchased love and good will instead of fear and disobedience in this time divers choice men of War taken out of the Legions in Brittain were conducted to Rome by Hordonius Flaccus in aid of Vitellius but when Vespasian made War for the Empire Bolanus refused to send Vitellius any sucour by reason that the Brittains finding the Romans state encumbred with civil dissension began to revolt in divers places of the Isle and some of them also shewed openly in favour for Vespasian who had carried himself honourably in Brittany when Claudius was there and seemed now by many ominous predictions to be a man specially marked for the Empire The death of Vitellius quenching the flame of civil broyles among the Romans confirmed the possession of the Empire to Vespasian who shewed the care and respect he had to the Isle of Brittain by employing great Captaines and good Souldiers there of this Vespasian saith that grave Author Mr. Broughton Mr. Brough fol. 166. we find in ancient Histories Manuscripts and others written divers hundred years since that this Vespasian being miraculously cured of a natural incurable disease by the power of Christ did plainly acknowledge him to be the Sonne of God Fuist le filz de Dieu and promised thereupon to revenge his death upon the Jewes which he performed when he sacked Jerusalem and slaved that people for executing which justice of God and desolation of the Jewish Nation from this Kingdome of Brittain though so far distant thence were present there Joseph Bengor apud Rich. Hakluit praef l. Naviga Ang. as both Hebrew and English Writers witnesse 20000 souldiers I read saith a learned Author in Joseph Bengorion a very Authentical Hebrew Author a testimony of passing of twenty thousand Brittains valiant Souldiers to the siege and fearful sacking of Jerusalem under the conduct of Vespasian and Titus the Roman Emperours Therefore so many thousands going so great a journey to fight under so Christianly minded a General and for the quarrel of Christ we cannot think but many of these were in judgement also act or both Christian And so
we may worthily Register Brittain for one of the first believing Nations though so far distant from the place of the life death and first preaching of Christ and boldly say it was the first chiefest principal and onely Kingdome that sent so great Forces and so far off through so great difficulties to execute the just revenge of God upon his enemies And the Christian either publick profession or known disposition of many Brittish Souldiers there mixed with the Roman under Vespasian must needs be a motive to justifie his words for true to force Josephus to these forcible complaints to the Jews at that time That they could not expect any help from God for as they had forsaken him so he also had forsaken them and he that was wont to defend them Ora. Josephi ad Judaeos Egesip l. 5. excid Hierosol c. 15. was gone to the Romans their enemies who then worshipped the true God whom the Jews had offended the true God was with the Romans Au praesidium speratur divinum atque auxilium de penetralibus sed qui nos defendebat ad hostem migravit quoniam quem nos colebamus Romani venerantur nos offendimus Quis autem ignorat cum illis esse Deum So that whithersoever we go where Brittains were in that time either in Jury about Hierusalem or at Rome in Italy or in Brittain then termed by Josephus and Egesippus another world Quid asseram Brittannias interfuso Mari à toto orbe divisas à Romanis in orbem terrarum reductas We find there were many Christians among them and their chief Rulers even in temporal Affairs not unchristianly minded as Vespasian in Jury King Marius in Brittain at Rome Coillus a great Friend to Christians both there and in Brittain when he came to Rule The Lieutenantship which was assigned to Petilius Cerealis a man that had given good proof of his sufficiency in former services upon his first entrance into office he invaded the Country of the Brigants the most populous state of the whole Province the greatest part whereof after many bloody Battels was either conquered or wasted and the hope of the Brittains greatly abated when as Julius Frontinus whose reputation was nothing impared by the Fame of his Predecessor took upon him the charge which he afterwards executed with great commendation in subduing the strong and warlike Nation of the Silures The praise of the South-wales men among whom he seemed to fight not onely with men whose strength and valour was able to make opposition against his Attempts but also with mountains straits and places of very great and difficult accesse In this Estate Julius Agricola having been trained up for the most part in the Brittish war did find the Province at his first coming thither He crossed the narrow seas about the midst of Summer at which time as though the season of the year had been past to begin a new War the Roman souldiers attended an end of their travel and the Brittains a beginning of an annoyance to their enemies The a North-wales men Ordovices a little before he had landed had almost cut in pieces a Troop of Horsemen that lay in their borders upon which Attempt the Country being awaked as desirous of war allowed the example and some then staid to see how the new Lieutenant would take it Agricola in the mean time although the Summer was spent and the Bands lay dispersed in the Province his Souldiers presumed of rest for that year and divers Officers of the Army being of opinion that it were better to assure and keep the places suspected then to make any new attempt yet all this notwithstanding he resolved directly to encounter the danger and gathering together the Ensignes of the Legions and some few Auxiliaries because the Ordovices durst not descend into indifferent ground himself first of all to give others like courage marched up to begin the assault And having in that Conflict destroyed almost all the whole Nation of the Ordovices and knowing right well that Fame must with instance be followed for as the rest should fall out so the rest would succeed he deliberated to conquer the Isle of Mona from the possession whereof Paulinus had been formerly revoked by the general Rebellion of Brittany But Ships being then wanting as in an enterprize not intended before the policy and resolutenesse of the Captain devised a speedy passage for he commanded the most chief of the Aids to whom all the shallows were known and who after the use of their Country were able to swim in their armour if need were to lay aside their carriage and putting over at once suddenly to invade it which thing so amazed the Inhabitants who supposed that the Romans would have a certain time for Ships and such like provision by sea that now believing nothing could be hard or invincible to men which came so minded to make war they humbly intreated for peace and yielded the Iland This Agricola at his first entrance into office which time others used to consume in vain ostentation and ambitious seeking of Ceremonies entring withall into labours and dangers became famous indeed and of great reputation Howbeit he abused not the prosperous proceedings of his Affairs to vanity or braving in speeches for he esteemed it an action not worthy the name of a Conquest to keep in order onely persons subdued by force neither decked he with laurel his Letters of Advertisement but stopping and suppressing the same of his doings he greatly augumented it when men began to discourse upon what great presumptions of future successe he should make so light an account of so great actions lately performed As touching the civil Government Agricola knowing how the Province stood affected and being taught of others that Armies avail little to settle a new conquered State if violence and wrongs be permitted determined at the first to cut off all causes of War and Rebellion and beginning at home he first of all reformed his own house a point of more hardnesse to some men then to govern a Province He committed no manner of publick Affairs to Bondmen or Libertines he received no Souldier near his person upon private affection of partial Suiters nor upon commendation or intreaty of Centurions but elected the best and most serviceable He would look narrowly into all things yet not exact all things to the very most light faults he would pardon and the great severely correct not alwayes punishing Offenders but ofttimes satisfied with repentance choosing rather not to prefer to office such as were likely to offend then after the offence to condemn them The augmentation of Tribute and Corn he tempered with equal dividing of burdens cutting away those petty extortions which grieved the Brittains more then the Tribute it self for the poor people in former times were constrained in a mockery to wait at the barn-doors which were locked againg them first to lay Corn and after to sell at a low price
Companies whereupon least he should be inclosed about and entrapped either by their multitude or by their skill in the passages he marched also with his Army divided in three patts which when it was known unto the Calidonians they changed advice on the sudden and uniting their Forces together jointly assaulted by night the ninth Legion as being of weakest resistance and having slain the watch partly asleep and partly amazed with fear they broke into the Camp and were fighting within the trenches when Agricola having understood by spies what the Brittains had taken and following their footsteps commanded the lightest Horsemen and Footmen to play upon their backs and to maintain the skirmish when the day drew near the glittering of the Ensigns dazled the eyes of the Brittains who being daunted with fear of danger on each side began to draw back the Romans like men that were now out of peril of their lives did fight more chearfully for their honour freshly assailing the Brittains and driving them to their own Gates where in the very streets the conflict was sharp and cruell till in the end the Brittains were forced to flie whilst the Roman Forces severally pursued them contending with a kind of emulation the one to have helped the other and the other to seem to have needed no help upon the success of this battle the Roman Souldiers presuming that to their power all things were easie and openly cried to the General to lead them into Caledonia that with a course of continual conquest they might find out the utmost limits of Brittain Now such as before the battle were so weary and wise in adventuring waxed forward enough after the event and grew to speak gloriously of themselves such is the hard condition of war if ought fall out wel all challenge a part misfortunes commonly are imputed to one contrariwise the Brittains presupposing that no true valour but the coming of the General by using the occasion had carried away the victory abated not much their wonted courage but armed their youths transported their children and Wives into places of safety and sought by Assemblies and Religious rights to establish an association of the Cities together and so for that year both parties as Enemies departed incensed away In the beginning of the next summer Agricola sending his Navy before which by spoiling in sundry places should induce a greater and more uncertain terror followed himself with his Army by land having drawn to his party some of the valiantest Brittains whom by long experience in peace he had found most faithfull and so armed at the Mount a Grants lane in Scotland Grampius where the Brittains had lodged themselves before For they were not altogether dejected with the unfortunate event of the former battle but now as men prepared for all chances they attended nothing else but revenge death or servitude and being taught at length that common danger must be repelled with mutual concord by leagues and embassages they had assembled the power of all the Cities together in number above thirty thousand Armed men the view being taken besides a great company of youths which daily flocked unto them and lastly old men renowned in War and bearing the badges due to their honour at what time Galgacus for virtue and birth the principal man of all the Leaders seeing the multitude hotly demand the battle is said to have used this or the like Speech The Speech or Oration of Galgacus to his Souldiers WHen I consider the cause of this War and our present necessity I have reason me seems to presume that this day and this our general agreement will give a happy beginning to the freedom of the whole Island for we have all hitherto lived in liberty and now no Land remaineth beyond us no Sea for our safety The Roman Navy as you see surveying and environing our Coasts so that combat and Armes which men of vertue desire for honour the dastard must also use for his security The former battles which have with divers events been fought with the Romans had their refuge and hope resting in our hands for we the flower of the Brittish Nobility and seated in the furthest part of the Isle did never yet see the borders of those Countries which were brought under servile subjection our eyes being still kept unpolluted and free from all contagion of Tyranny beyond us is no land besides us none are free us only hither to this corner and secret harbour hath defended you see the uttermost part of the line is laid open and things the lesse they be which in knowledge the greater is the glory to atchieve them but what Nation is there now beyond us what else but water and Rocks and the Romans Lords of all within the Land whose intolerable pride in vain shall you seek to avoid by services and humble behaviour They are the Robbers of the world that having now left no Land to be spoiled search also the Sea if the enemy be Rich they seek to win wealth if poor they are content to gain the glory to themselves whom neither the East or West can satisfie as being the only men of all Memory that seek out all places be they wealthy or poor with like greedy affection to take away by main force to kill and spoile they term Empire and Government when all is wast as wildernesse that they call peace his Children and blood each man holds most dear and yet even they are pressed for Souldiers and carried away to be slaves we know not where our Sisters and Wives though they be not violently forced as in open Hostility yet are they under the colour and title of friends and guests shamefully abused our goods and substance they daily draw from us rewarding us only with stripes and indignities slaves which are born to bondage and sold but once and after are fed at their owners expences but Brittain daily burieth and daily feedeth and is at charge with her own bondage and as in a private retinue the fresh man and last comer is scoffed at by his fellow servants so in this old servitude of the whole world they seek only the destruction of us as being the latest attempted and of all others in their opinion the most vile we have no Fields to Mannure no Mines to be digged no Ports to trade in and to what purpose then should they keep us alive considering that the manhood and fierce courage of the Subject doth not much please the jealous Soveraigne And this corner being so secret and out of the way the more security it yieldeth to us the greater suspition it worketh in them seeing therefore all hope of pardon is past it behoveth you at length to shew courage in defending and maintaining both your safety and honour The Igenians led by a Woman Fired the Roman Colony Forced the Castles and had the prosecution of the War being answerable to so lucky a beginning the Southern Brittains might have then
Anton. Philos 13 years 19 Ælius Pertinax 6 months 20 Didius Julianus 7 months 21 Septimius Severus Britt 18 years Pessenius Niger Usurpers Clodius Albinus Usurpers 22 Anton. Bassianus Caracalla Britt the eldest son of Severus six years Geta Caesar Britt the younger son of Sept. Severus 23 Opilius Macrinus 1 year 2 months 24 Varius Heliogabulus the base son of Caracalla 4 years 25 Alexander Severus a kinsman of Heliogab 13 years 26 Julius Maximinus 3 years Balbinus Caesars Elect. Pupienus Caesars Elect. 27 Gordianus the father with his two sons and his Nephew 6 years C. Valens Hostilianus Caesar 28 Philippus the Arabian 5 years 29 Decius Trajanus 2 years 30 Vibius Pallus Hostilian with his son Volusianus 2 years 31 Æmilius of Mauritania 3 months 32 Licinius Velerianus 15 years 33 Gallienus the son of Valerianus 9 years Valerianus Brother of Gallienus Caesar Cassius Labienus Posthumus Caesar 34 Flavius Claudius 2 years 35 Aurelius Quintillus the brother of Claudius 17 dayes 36 Valerius Aurelianus 5 years and 6 months 37 Tacitus 6 months 38 Annius Florianus brother to Tacitus 60 years 39 Valerius Probus 6 years 4 months 40 Carus Narbonensis 2 years Numerianus Caesars Carinus Caesars Dioclesianus 20 years Maximianus Herculeius Caesar Constantius Chlorus 4 years Galerius Maximus 11 years Severus Caesars Maximianus Caesar Maxentius son of Maximian 6 years Licinius 14 years Constantinus Magnus 30 years Magnentius Usurper Constantinus the 3 sons of Constantine the Great Constans the 3 sons of Constantine the Great 47 Constantius the 3 sons of Constantine the Great 48 Julianus Apostata 1 year 6 months 49 Jovinianus 8 months 50 Valentinianus 12 years Valens his Brother Caesar 51 Gratianus 6 years Valentinians Caesar Theodosius Caesar 52 Theodosius 3 years 53 Arcadius 13 years 54 Honorius 28 years Lieutenants in Brittain from Nerva Cocceius his Entrance into the Government of the Empire until the Reign of Honorius the Emperor Lieutenants under Nerva and Trajanus There is no mention of any Lieutenants in Brittain during the time of their Government Lieutenants under Adrian Britt Julius Severus Priscus Licinius Lieutenants under Antoninus Pius Lollius Vrbicus Britt Lieutenants under Antonin Philos Calphulnius Agricola Lieutenants under Commodus Vlpius Marcellus Helvius Pertinax Clodius Albinus Junius Severus Lieutenants under Pertinax Clodius Albinus Lieutenants under Did. Julianus Clodius Albinus Lieutenants under Sept. Severus Britt Heraclianus Virius Lupus For the time of Basianus Caracalla the Successor of Severus unto Constantine the Great there is no mention in approved Histories of any Lieutenants in Brittain Deputies under Constantine the Great Pacatianus Deputies under Constantius the youngest son of Constantine the Great Martinus Alipius Deputies under Honorius Chrysanthus Victorinus Princes and secular Men of special Note among the Brittains In the time of Calphurnius Agricola's Government under Mar. Aurel. Antonin Philos Lucius sirnamed Lever-Maur the first Christian Prince in Brittany In the Reign of Aurelianus Bonosus an Usurper of the Empire in Brittain In the Reign of Constantius the youngest son of Constantine the Great Magnentius Toporus Usurper of the Empire of Brittany Archbishops of London from the time of King Lucius untill the coming of the Saxons 1 Thean 2 Clavus 3 Cador. 4 Obinus 5 Conanus 6 Paladius 7 Stephanus 8 Jetut 9 Dedwinus 10 Thedredus 11 Hillarius 12 Guidilinus 13 Vodinus who lived when the Saxons first entred the Land HItherto hath been declared the successe of times and affairs in Brittain under the first twelve Emperours of Rome the same being recorded by such Writers as had best means to understand the truth thereof and were principal Registers of things done by the Romans in those times as for the occurrents ensuing the death of Domitian until the Reign of Honorius in whose time the Roman Government ceased they are imperfectly reported or a great part of them meerly omitted so that I am forced of many things only to make a bare and brief relation as unwilling by adding or diminishing to aâ—ter in substance what Antiquity hath left us or fill up blancks with conjectures or projects of mine invention saith the Author of the a Lib. 3. f 104. Brittish History and therefore howsoever this book following which comprehendeth the Acts of many more years then the former may seem to carry with it a kind of disproportion from the other two and likewise in respect of the style and composition to be somewhat different from them yet the cause thereof ought to be imputed to the very matters themselves being for the most part Fragments and naked memorials the loose ends of time without observation of circumstance or congruity in substance which will hardly admit any method befitting a continued History and I owe so much love and reverence to truth as I would rather expose her in the meanest and worst habit that time hath left her then by disguising her to abuse the world and make her seem a Counterfeit After the death of Titus Domitian his younger Brother taking the Empire upon him as you have heard before differed so much from his Brother and Vespasian his father before him that he fell into such great pride and impiety that he caused and commanded himself to be called and worshipped as a god and was the second after Nero who setting forth his cruel Edicts to that end persecuted the Christians and the Church of Christ which cruelty of his although it did not extend to our Christian Brittains in Rome still by the Roman Laws enjoying there their priviledges and immunities from compulsion to square themselves in matter of Religion to the Emperial Laws and Edicts at which time many of those banished and persecuted Christians as in the persecution of Nero before as good Antiquaries tells us fled into this our Brittain whether that persecution did not nor could extend it self for refuge and succour Domitian being now dead Nerva revoked all his cruel edicts against Christians and recalled such as were banished Nerva primo edicto suo cunctos exules Mr. B f. 170. quos Domitianus relegavit revocari precepit Nerva was a Prince much honoured for his Vertues but in what estate the Affairs of Brittain then stood the Histories of those times make no mention either for that the Emperour being a man stricken in years and disposed to ease and quietnesse employed himself rather in reforming abuses at home then in maintaining War abroad or else for that the short continuance of his Government did not suffer him to enter into any great actions in places so remote for having held the Empire little above a year The first election of a stranger to be Emperour he left the same by death to Vlpius Trajanus a Spaniard whom he had adopted for his valour and wisedome being then even the first president for electing strangers In his time some of the Brittains desirous to free themselves from the Roman tyranny entred into Rebellion but wanting means to effect what they had begun they soon gave
' Imperator victoriam suam gaudenter attribuit And this I take to be the chiefest occasion of the mistakings in some Historians or their Scribes setting down so many and several times when King Lucius received the Christian Faith or professed it many saying it was in the year of Christ 156. Others in the year 164. and others 185 as William of Malmesbury and others Henry of Hartford 169. and others in other and later times That such was the state of Brittany for spiritual Affairs in this Idolatry and superstition daily diminishing and decaying and Christian Religion in all places and persons increasing and multiplying both Authority and the known certain effect it self the surest testimony in such cases shall witnesse And this was the condition thereof until about the beginning of the Papacy of St. Soter or in the end of the first year thereof about the year of our Redemption 175. when as it appeareth by the Edict of Marcus Aurelius Emperor before the strange delivery of him and his Army by the Christians miraculous prayers he suffered many Christians to live in quiet and had a great number of them about him Invenique magnam eorum multitudinem and seeing himself and his Army in distresse sent for them and intreated them to pray for his delivery Eos qui apud nos Christiani dicuntur ac accersivi ac rogavi Which he would not have done being a wise and learned Emperor but that either by the Apology of Athenagoras the Vertues and miracles of many Christians or some other invincible Argument his judgement was then wholly or almost convicted that their Religion was holy and they also and therefore likely to be powerable with God to procure his safety which his own prayers and sacrifices to his Pagan gods were not able to doe ' Deos patrios votis ' susceptis rogavi sed cum ab eis negligerer as himself publickly professed and therefore preferring the prayers of the Christians appealed unto them But after God by the prayers of the Christians which he procured them to make had so miraculously delivered him and his Army consisting but of four Legions not 27 thousand Men environed almost with a thousand thousands of Enemies as the common reading is ' Hostium nonagintorum septuaginta ' septem millia and his people distressed with thirst and hunger not having drunk in five days by sending a most cooling and comforting Rain into the Camp of the distressed Emperor and Hail like fire and lightning among his Enemies confounding and discomfitting them he presently sent out his Imperial Letters and Edict charging the Senate of Rome to confirm them with their Decree wherein wholly ascribing this Delivery of his Army and himself and confusion of his Enemies to the God of the Christians and their prayers unto him wherein he gave free Liberty for any man to be a Christian Concedamus talibus ut sint Christiani And no Man should be molested for being a Christian for Religion censeo neminem quod CHRISTIANVS sit esse in Crimen vel Judicium vocandum And he that should accuse any Christian for Religion should be burned alive and that he that shall professe himself to be a Christian shall be freed from all danger intended against him for that cause and no Governour of any Province shall punish any such for his Religion or deprive him of Liberty Volo eum qui Christianum accusarit vivum exuri illum vero qui se Christianum esse professus fuerit periculo omni quod ob eam rem intendebatur liberatum Is cui provincia commissa est nequaquam ad poenitentiam adigat aut libertatem ei adimat And he willed these things to be confirmed by the Senates decree and this his edict to be proposed in open market place to be read and that the prefect of the City then Vetrasius Pollio should cause it to be sent to all Provinces and no man should be forbidden to write it out Haec autem Senatus consulto etiam sanciri volo atque hoc meum edictum in foro Divi Trajani proponi ut legi possit curae autem erit Vetrasio Pollioni praefecto urbis ut ad omnes provincias haec constitutio mittatur neque quisquam qui eam exscribere vel ipse uti voluerit prohibeatur This was sent to the whole Senate of Rome Senatui Populoque Romano and by the Emperours publick charge and command as into other Provinces so likewise sent into Brittany for the priviledge of all Christians there by the Emperours publick Officer in such Affairs the Ruler of the Ctiy of Rome ad omnes Provincias haec constituo mittatur Any man that would might freely be a Christian and no man under pain of cruel death to burnt be alive might call any into question for that cause And to give greater testimony of those things in Brittain and see this Imperial edict for the freedom of Christians here take place and effect whereas our English Antiquaries and others tells us Floren. Wigorn. Chronic. anno 159. 181. that Trebellius and Pertinax the Roman Lieutenants here about this time were Christians our Countryman Florentius VVigorniensis plainly affirmeth that Pertinax was a chief Commander in the Emperours Army when this miraculous victory was by the Christians prayers and this edict written and decreed for their freedome and liberty and probably was then converted to the faith by this miracle and the Emperour himself who in his publick cited edict doth say of Christians that in equity he must think them now to be defended by God whom before he accounted for wicked men and alienated from God must needs be a Christian in Conscience and Judgement and he must needs at the least believe that true God whom he said the Christians did bear in their conscience And in no wise a learned Emperour could or would in Judgement Reason Equity and Conscience make a Law to condemn men to so cruel a death as burning alive which he afflicted upon the accusers of Christians except he knew or probably thought their accusation was unjust and the cause of the accused Lawful Just and Holy COILLVS COILLVS the Son of Marius was after his Fathers decease made King of Brittain in the year of our Lord 125. K. Coillus brought up at Rome saith Holinshed Fabian saith 126. This Coillus or Coill had his youthful education amongst the Romans in the very Imperial City it self who being of a Martial spirit applyed his time to warlike exercises in which he so excelled that he was both admired and beloved by the Romans and to requite their favours and to continue towards him their good affections he payed without any grudging or seeming discontent their accustomed Tribute by which means he spent his dayes in peace and tranquillity he so far excelled in bounty liberality that he drew unto himself the hearts and good wills both of the Nobles and Commons The building of Colchester is ascribed to this King which is the
hold he was Bishop of Curre in Germany and Martyred there say his Martyrdome was about the year of Christ 182. whereas this our King was living nine years after besides they say that St. Emerita was his sister But it is evident by our Histories that our first Christian King Lucius had neither brother sister nor child begotten by King Coillus in his old Age having no other Child whereby it is evident that this King Lucius had neither brother nor sister and with what probability can it be affirmed that a King so holy and loving of his Countries good and quiet having no Christian Heir to suceeed him would or in conscience could forsake his Native Country and Subjects in such a case that were in justice belonging to his chiefest charge which no other could execute to preach unto Forreigners which many of his Subjects and others could and at his request most willingly would have performed We read in Histories that many descended of Regal race have in such cases been taken forth of their Monasteries and Religious Conversation to govern Kingdoms destitute of Heirs but that a King so vertuous wise loving and beloved of his Country having no such Heir to succeed him but by such course to expose and leave his Kingdom to so many certain miseries and calamities as fell upon Brittain by the death of King Lucius and probably were foreseen of all wisemen did might would or could take such a course Antiquities have no example Justice denyeth it Charity cannot allow it Seb. Munster Cosmog l. 3. c. 344. Mr Bro. f 349. Coxion Hist part f in K. Lucius Manu Hist Antiq. in Luco Sebastian Manster saith plainly that whereas there is a Vulgar report he maketh no more of any Lucius preaching there that one Lucius preached there if it were so it could not possibly be our first Christian King Lucius for he never went out of Brittain but very Godly lived and dyed here Gaspar Bruchius doth also plainly reject all that History as it is applyed by some to our Lucius and among other reasons addeth that the great difference of years will not permit it to be true An old French Manuscript joyneth in the same leaveth him living dying buried in Brittain And if we come home to our own Historians and Antiquities most likely to make the most true and certain relation of this their so renowned King they set down the year the day Antiq. Eccles St. Petri Cornhil Harding Cron. c. 51. f. 44. and particular place of his death and the very Church one of his own foundation where his body was interred the day and year they say was the 201. year of Christ the third day of October For the place our old Brittish History saith he dyed at Glocester and was with honour buried there in the Cathedral Church so likewise writeth Ponticus Virunnius Matthew of Westminster setting down the time as before saith he dyed at Glocester and was honourably buried there in the Cathedral The old Manuscript of St. Peters Church in Cornhil at London avoucheth from divers Antiquities that he was buried at Glocester where the Church of St. Francis was after builded being at the time of his death the Cathedral and Episcopal Church of the City John Harding also witnesseth of this Kings death and burial at Glocester At Caerglove buried after his dignity And not to exclude the testimony of our later writers in this relation in their Theater of Great Brittain written and composed by divers able Historians Theater of great Brittain l. 6. c. 9. sect 18. and published with common applause they make this History of King Lucius his death in Brittain a matter without question true and thus scoffingly condemn those writers which would carry him to end his dayes in Germany That this Lucius be the Apostle of the Banarians or that his sister Emerita was crowned with the flames of Martyrdom Harrison disc of Brittain Stow Howe 's Hist fifteen years after his death I leave to the credit of Aegidius Schudus and Hermanus Schedelius the Reporters Others of them plainly say Lucius was buried at Glocester yet this general consent of Antiquaries for his first burial at Glocester doth nothing hinder but as the known devotion both of the Brittains as Saxons after them towards holy Relicks did often and with great devotion and solemnity remove the bodies of holy Saints or parts of them for their greater honour So it might or did after fall out with the whole body of this renowned King or some part thereof And the Tradition of Winchester is that the whole body of King Lucius or a great part thereof being once removed before probably to Caerleon for some say he was buried there was the second time translated thither and there lyeth in the body of the great Church under a marble stone elevated about two foot from the pavement the same stone being now broaken in two places having upon it and those holy Relicks a cross of seven great brass buttons whereof 5. are set down in length the other two making the perfect figure and forme of the cross one on each side of the others making the length And this Reverend Translation of St. Lucius his body to divers places in Brittain is sufficiently insinuated by the old Author of the French Manuscript History who although he confidently affirmeth that King Lucius dyed at Glocester yet he addeth that he was afterwards buried in the chief See at Caerleon and this he saith was in the year of Christs incarnation 196. four or five years sooner then others before have set down his death except the Manuscript Compilation which hath the same computation of his death saying Sepultus est anno Incarnationis Domini 196. herede carens he was buried in the 196. year after the incarnation of our Lord wanting Issue or heir And both to assure us further of the undoubted truth of those Histories which testifie the death and burial of St. Lucius to have been in Brittain and not in any forraign Region as also to give us better notion and trial what honour peace and quiet spiritual and temporal with other happiness this Kingdom enjoyed by King Lucius life and lost them by the loss of him it is the constant agreement of Antiquities that Brittain now made by his death destitute not only of so worthy a King but also of any certain heir or successor of that Regal race fell to intestine discord and variance by which it was miserably afflicted long time upon that occasion a late Author tells us King Lucius dyed without issue by reason whereof after his decease the Brittains fell at variance which continued about the space of fifteen years as Fabian thinketh howbeit the old English Cronicle affirmeth that the contention among them remained fifty years though Harding affirmeth but four which his words of Hardings opinion that this variance among them continued but 4. years are to be amended for Harding setteth down
Empress Martia a Brittain And by the Roman writers themselves he was at this time when he was slain at Yorke 65 years old And although he left thirty two Legions as Dio writeth to defend that his temporal Empire which had so persecuted the Church of Christ yet that temporal Empire with all those props began to stagger Tertul. adver Judaeos c. 7. and notwithstanding so great persecution in the Kingdom of Christ as Tertullian then living witnesseth was adored and ruled in all places and particularly here in Brittain And it is generally agreed upon by our both Brittish and Saxon Historians and Antiquaries that after his discomfiture by Severus he went over into Scythia interpreted to be that Country which we now call Denmark Geff. Mon. sup c. 3. Fab. Hist Polycr Harris discrip of Brit. c. 22. Hollensh Hist of Eng. l. 4. c. 23. Bede Eccl. Hist l. 1. Capg in St. Ninian Hect. Boet. Scoto Hist l. 7. Bal. l. de scrip cent 1. in Ninia and brought with him a great army of the people of that Nation which our Antiquities call Picts before he fought with Severus and they both were there slain or died at York These were none of the Christian Picts or Scots which lived in our Islands who had joyned with Fulgenius before and many of them were slain as the same Authors testify but they were Pagan Picts of whom many remained here after the death of these two Generalls and had a place given them to inhabit in the Country of Albania Thus write our Brittish Historians and our modern Antiquaries agree when they say that Carausius gave unto the Scots Picts and Scythians the Country of Cathnesse in Scotland which they afterward inhabited so these were those Pagan Picts and people which St. Ninian and others sent from Rome did long after convert to the faith of Christ as St. Bede and others testify for the Islanders which were Picts and Scots were converted in Pope Victor his time which is another argument against the Scottish writers which would have themselves seated in the Country now called Scotland so long a duration of years as they claim Bassianus being advertised of his fathers death practised with the Souldiers by bribes and fair promises that he might be declared sole Emperour whereto when he could not perswade them for the reverence they bare to his father Severus he made a league with the Northern Brittains that then assailed the Borders and returned to York to meet with Julia the Empresse his mother in law and Geta his brother There he caused the Physitians to be put to death for not ridding his father sooner out of the way as he had commanded them then he appointed secretly to the slaughter all those that for their vertue and wisdom had been esteemed and advanced by his father and all such as having been Tutors to him and his brother and advised them to mutual concord This done he entred into consultation about his fathers funerals which were solemnized by the Army with all due rights according to the ancient custome in time of war The ashes of the dead body being put into a golden Urne were afterwards by Julia the Empresse accompanied with the two Caesars carried to Rome where Severus after the usuall ceremony was consecrated a God Severus left as is related two sons Bassianus and Geta and if Fulgenius who is by divers called King though indeed he was only Dux populi had any right by descent to the Crown of Brittain seeing we read of no child or brother he left behind him that the title which he claimed must needs descend to the eldest son of Severus which was Bassianus son also to the sister of Fulgenius as some before have written now having by the death of his Father Severus and Uncle Fulgenius both their titles with the allowance of the Empress Martia his mother lawfully invested in him Therefore to decide and end all controversies in this businesse the Brittains with common assent did chuse and accept Bassianus both for their King being the next and undoubted heir whether we shall stand either upon his father or Uncles title as also for Emperor Mr. Bro. 370. 1 2. as the Eldest son and heir of Severus undoubted Emperor and for his leaving sons behind as the chiefest cause made a God among the Romans So writeth Herodian with others Herodian l. 4. Stow. Hist Roman in Severo Mos est Romanis consecrare Imperatores qui superstitibus filiis vel successoribus moriuntur And an English Antiquary though not citing authority delivereth the same in these words The Romans accustomed to consecrate with immortality such Emperors as at their death leave either Children or successors in the Empire behind them Harrison disc of Brit. c. 22. French manusc antiq c. 109. Galf. Mon. l. 5 c. 2. Pont. Virun l. 5. c. 2. Mat. West an 206. Harding Chro in Sever. Bass Hollensh Hist of Eng. l. 4. c. 22. Harris disc Brit. c. 22. Tertul. ad scapu c. 4. Spartian in Caracalla and those which are endued with that honour they Canonize among the Gods Therefore to use the speech of an other late Author Severus by birth a Roman but in blood a Brittain and the lineal heir of the body of Androgeas son of Lud and Nephew to Cassibelan was Emperor and King of Brittain Geta born of a Roman woman Julia was chosen Emperor by divers Romans but soon after slain by his halfe brother Bassianus the Brittain This Bassianus reigned alone both Emperour King of Brittain till his death besides his hereditary title to this Kingdom it seemeth that the Christian Brittains here were not a little moved to chuse and receive him for their King for the hope they had he would either become a Christan or at least a friend and no enemy to that profession of which in his youth and tender years he had given no vulgar argument for besides many other hopeful graces and gifts he was then endued with he was brought up by a Christian Nurse and with Christian Children when he did see any Christian Martyrs brought to wild beasts to be killed and devoured he would weep and turne his face away as Spartianus is an ample witnesse And being but seven years old hearing that one of his Christian Play-fellowes was grievously beaten for that his Religion as the common interpretation is he could not long after endure the Procures of his beating And in this hope of the Brittains now Christians that Bassianus would rather be a friend then persecutor of such they were not deceived For although contrary to his first education when he was with Christians being separated from them he fell to so many kinds of impieties as writers do report and put innumerable of the Pagan Roman Nobles to death and many of them which had been greatest enemies to Christians yet he died innocent from Christian blood and persecution Mr. Br. 371. and by his severe
in them as in Verulam were now onely inhabited by Christians and not a Pagan to be seen and this by the Omnipotent working of God and the Idolatrous Judge and Prince himself that ruled here under the Pagan Romans and persecuted by their power even to the utmost bounds of Brittany was made that he was unable to Rule and Govern any longer but needed be Ruled and Governed himself by others This Judge King and Roman Lieutenant as the Scottish Historians with others call him was King Asclepiodotus thus grievously either of malice or for fear of the Romans then persecuting and for so doing hated of God and Man Coel. King Coel who began his reign in the year of our Lord 262. having now both Warrant and Way to advance the Title to the Crown of this Kingdom and help to free the afflicted Christians thereof from the miseries of their so long and grievous persecution as it seemeth most probable at this time and upon these occasions he took Armes against Asclepiodotus reputed King in this persecution slew him and was crowned King as our Historians deliver unto us Harding also plainly saith that Coel took Armes against Asclepiodotus by reason of this great persecution For which Duke Coel against him rose in Armes Asclepiodotus for the first ten years of his reign was just and ruled with the general applause of all but after fell into wickedness and cruelty so that King Coel might justly pursue his right to Brittain in hope thereby in better manner to redeem the afflictions of his Countrey Christians being more potent and able and likely more willing than Asclepiodotus was not so forward in any Judgements as he should have been in defending innocence if he had not been an actual persecutor which Harding himself thus in these plain terms expresseth Harding Chron. cap. 58 fol. 57. This persecution as some Chronicles fain The ten years war of Asclepiodote For which Duke Coel again him rose full hot The Duke Caer Colun that hight Coilus Which City now this day Colchester hight Then crowned was that slew Asclepiodotus For cause he came not forth with all his might The Tyramite fell to a canstand as he hight Wherefore Brittains were all full glad and fain Of King Coilus that succoured all their pain And howsoever Asclepiodotus concurred with the Roman persecutors and pleased them in vexing and tormenting Christians here in Britany yet otherwise he was very unpleasing unto them He troubled the Roman power in all things and therefore they were glad of his death Ponticus Virunnius himself a Roman saith they did esteem him their great enemy and as for such an one rejoyced at his death and this joy was not onely of particular Romans but of the whole Senate which ruled chiefly in matters of Estate Therefore when our Antiquities assure us that Coel obtained the Kingdom and was crowned and as an old French manuscript speaketh regna sur Britaniae ruleth over Brittain and was thus inabled and made powerful to redresse what he found offensive and wicked being absolute King and joyfully so received of the Brittains as our Historian said before Wherefore Brittains were all full glad and faine Of King Coelus that succoured all their pain And he himself taking acception to Asclepiodotus next to his charging him with usurping the Crown for being to backward in resisting the Roman persecutors would not fall into the like error with him but as is proved already succoured all their pain and utterly ceased the persecution against Christians of Brittain which were thus joyful of his coronation and thereby relieved and redeemed them from their afflictions all his time which both by our own and forreign Historians continued to the end of the third hundred of years Mr. Broughton The Romans having no power here either to persecute Christians or to any other purpose But as our Brittish and other Historians testify wholly lost their government here untill after the death of King Coel or the comming of Constantius his son in law hither the second time very little before King Coel his death Our Scottish Historians say that King Coel utterly destroyed both Romans and all the Brittains also which were their favourers and set forth a severe edict to search forth all Romans and Brittains which had followed them here and caused them to be punished and put to death and so with most joyful and general applause of the people Nobles and others that the crown of Brittain was thus restored to the true heir of their regal blood was crowned King and he established the Kingdom in the Brittish government So that now so severe a law being made and executed both against the prosecuting Romans and all such Brittains as had joyned with them against the Christian inhabitants of this nation and all this done by the authority of our King and with the consent both of the nobility and people we must needs end the persecution here with the beginning of King Coels reign And it would not be singular in this point if we should hold that King Coel was actually a christian and not only a friend to such for first all they which affirm him to have been Kinsman or Heir to our first christian King St. Lucius easily prove him a christian for such a man would not leave either child or kinsman which by him had that title to have any other education Secondly by the time of his age whether he was to King Lucius so near or no we must needs confesse he lived most part of his life when christianity flourished in this Kingdom being an aged man before Dioclesian his persecution began Thirdly our Historians say that his daughter St. Helen which had her education by his direction was instructed and taught in the christian faith A late Authour thus speaketh of this Helena she was first instructed in the faith of Christ by Coel her father as Petrus de Natalibus saith and yet if we encline to this opinion we may easily answer them that will object the public and universal restitution of christian religion as building Churches Monasteries and such holy foundations was not in his time For by the common opinion his reign was short little and not above four years a great part whereof was spent in extirpating the persecutors and the rest in preparation to resist a new invasion of the Romans not reigning in quiet and security from these troubles and fears the space of two moneths by any writers and so after so great and terrible a tempest of persecution it was a wonderful comfort and happiness for the Brittish christians to enter into such a calme and quiet to live in security and rest freed from their former miseries under so renowned a King which was all he could do or they expect in such times and circumstances The Roman Emperours after the death of Heliogabolus until Constantius married first or after received again Helena daughter of Coel had little command in this Kingdom therefore
all and his Son Jesus Christ he alone by right obtained this honour by the will of God to have that which was buried in death to reign among men Howe 's of the Romans f. 45. In the 20. year of this Constantine was held as saith Mr. Howes the Councel of Nice with great Solemnity wherein were condemned and suppressed the damnable Heresies of Arius Bigot the vain-glorious and dissembling Minister whereof the Arian Heresie took the Name and for a long space after much troubled Christendom And at this time the Nicene Creed was commanded to be sung and said in all Churches And the forenamed Arius pretending to make a Retract of all his Heresies took his leave of the Emperor The fearfull end of an arch Heretick as if he had great necessity to take Physick to purge his Body which Purgation never ceased working till it had purged him of all his bloud and bowels and so he died most miserably and shamefully How es ibid. About this time saith the same Author Octavius whom Constantine left Governor in Brittain rebelled against whom Constantine sent Traherne his Uncle with a Legion of Romans who after divers Conflicts was slain Old English Chronic. f. 34 p. 4. The old English Chronicle saith When Constantine went from this Land to Rome he took all his lond to keep to the Earl of Cornwall that was called Octavian And anon as this Octavian wist that his Lord dwelt at Rome incontinent be ceased all the lond into his hands and therewith did all his will among hy and low and they held him for King But other Historians both Brittish and English Domestical and Foreign affirm that Constantine at his going from Brittain to Rome committed the Government of this Countrey to the Roman Proconsuls and the named Octavian or Octavius took arms against them slew them and so obtained to be King here The Monk of Westminster saith this Octavius was a King before a Regulus or Prince of the People in and about Worcestershire Harding saith he was Duke of West Sex he must mean where the West Saxons after ruled for they came not into Brittain till a long time after this But after his day came one Octavius Duke of West sex that crowned was for King That slewgh the Werdins of Constantinus Which that he set for Brittain governing In his abscence to keep it in all thing Besides this there be other difficulties among the Historians about this Octavius and such as will discredit him for having had many great and chief and long Commands as a King in this Nation Math Westm setteth down his conquering the Roman Proconsul here in the year of Christ 314 when divers more ancient and received Historians say that S. Helen our Queen and Empress continued here long after that time Br. fol. 543. 4. And her Son Constantine Emperor now at the highest of his Glory Power and Victories and having so many Brittish Soldiers without imployment in France so near unto us cannot be immagined to have suffered any Enemy in his own native Countrey so to have prevailed or how could such a man as Octavius is supposed to be assemble such an Army in Brittain where that victorious Emperor was undoubted King and whence he had so great an Army of Brittains so lately before that by them as our Historians write he vanquished all most innumerable Companies of his most potent Enemies And as these Relators of Octavius his proceedings themselves are Witnesses the power with Constantine was so great that the Romans which came hither unto him seeing his power said No Prince in the world was comparable to him for strength Where then in Brittain could Octavius gather an Army so soon to encounter and overthrow three Legions of Roman Soldiers besides their Adherents as these men say And Eusebius saith that Constantine himself came hither again and was here longer after this pretended Revolt and at his death gave Brittain the ancient Patrimony to his Eldest Son Again these men say Octavius was King here until Maximus his time and married his only Daughter and Heir unto him when it is a common consent in Antiquities that this Maximus or Maximinianus was not King in Brittain till after the 380. year of Christ Therefore he must needs be granted to be very young of too few years at the going of Constantine hence for him to commit the Government of Brittain unto him or for himselfe to have so soon Usurped against it so rightfull and potent King and Emperour Our most ancient and best Historians S. Gildas S. Bede Marianus Florentius Wigorniensis Ethelwardus Henry of Huntington and William of Malmsbury although as diligently as they could recounting our Kings of Brittain never mention any such Octavius or Octavian but the chiefest and most ancient among them S. Gildas plainly saith that this Island was at this time and until Maximus or Maximinian a Brittain took upon him the Empire a Roman Island Insula nomen Romanum tenens And divers Historians both late and ancient do particularly set down our Kings after Constantine the Great and Roman Leivtenants here until these daies as Constantine Constantius Julian Valentinian Gratian Emperors or Kings Martinus Lupicinus Nectaridius Theodosius Fraomarius and other Roman Lievtenants and Governors here And when the Councel of Ariminum was kept about the year of Christ 360 and the 23. year of Constantius son of Constantine the Great it is certain that this Constantius was our King in Brittain and bore the charge of the poorest Bishops of this Kingdom as then under his Government which were present there and he was so far from losing Brittain or any other Countrey of his Empire then as Sozomen and others testifie that Councel thus wrote unto him Epist Arimin Conc. ad Constant Imp. apud Sozoni Hist l. 4. c. 47. at this time this Empire so encreased that all the World was under his Government this was above twenty years after the death of the great Constantine in whose time this Revolt of Brittain from him is thus supposed and above twice so long time of the imagined usurpation here by Octavius And Zonaras writeth that this Constantius in the fourteenth year of his Empire banished or rather carried with him Athanasius into Brittain at his coming hither Therefore I dare not assent that in this time of the greatest flourishing Estate of the Roman Empire and the power thereof in Brittain Harding Cron. c. 63. f. 51. Galf. Mon. Hist Reg. Bri. l. 5. cap. 9. Pont. Virun Hist l. 5. Math. West an 379. especially from whence the glory of it grew to that greatness either Octavius or any other so much prevailed here to bar the Emperors of that honour But he might towards the time of Maximus or Maximianus when the Empire had more Enemies and less power prevail in some such sort as these Historians have written of him although they differ also in Maximian as well as in Octavius one saith he
was the Son of Traherne the Uncle of St. Helen Maximian King Trahern his Son next Heir to Constantine others say he was Son of Leolinus another Uncle of St. Helen Great Uncle to Constantine and one of them Gal. Mon. l. 5. c. 12.15 Pont. Virun lib. 5. Math. West an 390 392. Manus Anti. in vit S. Nin. Capg in eod Bal. li. de Scrip. Cent. 1. in Nin. saith Octavius was King but 14 yeares ending with the beginning of Maximian his Reigne And so we may well allow such an Octavius to have the name of a King in Brittain in those troublesome daies of the Romans ruling here divers petty Kings being probably at that time in this Nation as well by the Testimony of these Authors which then make Octavian King as others So they terme Conanus a King and that Maximian took his kingdom from him So was Dionotus King in Cornwall So was his brother Carodocus before him and yet under one chief King and Emperor Maximian at that time And St. Nimen who lived Bishop here in the end of this age had Kings for his Ancestors and yet the great distance of the place of his birth from King Coel argueth he was not of their line And all these Kings or Regents here were most certainly by our Antiquaries Chatholick Christians Constantinus After the death of Constantine the great Constantinus his eldest Son injoyed Brittain as a portion of his Dominion till making some attempts upon his brother Constans for the enlarging of it Brittish Hist fol. 239. he was by him slain Then was the Empire divided between Constans and Constantius the two younger brethren Constans seised upon the Provinces which Constantinus his brother had held and made a voyage into Brittain where Gratianus a Hungarian by birth had then charge of the Army This Gratianus was surnamed Funarius for that he being a young man was able as it is written of him to hold a Rope in his hand against the force of five Souldiers assaying to pull it from him But Constans afterwards following ill counsel the ready way to Princes ruines and giving himself over to all kind of vice was slain by Magnentius Taporus the Son of a Brittain who then invaded the Empire usurping the Government of Gallià and Brittain till after three years warr with Constantius the successor of Constans his brother finding himselfe unable any longer to uphold his greatnesse Mr. Br. fol. 548. 1. he murdered himself This Constantius in processe of time was infected with the Arian heresy but neither so as to endanger Brittain or any other Nation under his command He consented to the recalling of St. Athanasius out of exile and sometime to his continuing his dignity at Alexandrea And whether it was for the love of St. Athanasius or fear of his brother Constans writing expresly unto him in favour of St. Athanasius is uncertain he also consented to the calling of the great general Councel of Sardyce 10 or 11 years after the death of his Father as Socrates and Sozomen affirm wherein St. Athanasius was proved innocent and as he then present with many others proveth the Nicon faith was confirmed and utterly forbidden to be questioned Mr. Bro. fol. 548. Socr. l. 2. c. 16. Soz. l. 3. c. 11 12. Athan. Apol. 2 cont Arianos Divers Bishops of Brittain 5 at the least present at the Councel of Sardyce Baro. Spon an 347. Sex Ruff. Brem Rev. gest po Ro. ad Valent. And at the calling of this Councel the same renowned Doctor called this said Constantins as also his brother a known Cacholick Emperour and a Religious Prince and we are sure that at this time our Kingdome of Baittain detained the former glorious estate and glory of Religion it had before in the daies of Constantine and was still free from Arianisme For the same glorious Athanasius present in that Councel faith that amongst more than 300 Bishops assembled there which freed him and professed the Nicen faith the Bishops from the Provinces of Baittain were there And as the Roman writers testifie there were from the division of the Empire by Constantine and as many suppose before five provinces here in Brittain Maxima Caesariensis Valentia Baittannia prima Brittania secunda Flavia Caesariensis So that if we should allow but one Bishop out of every of those provinces to have been at the Sardyce Councel and there to have subscribed for the rest of Brittain their Provinces or Dioceses we must grant five Brittish Bishops to have been there and supplyed this duty and Office for the rest of Brittain That this our Country of Brittain flourished after this with great numbers of worthy Bishops no City then vacant here of such a Pastor and Rider we may gather from divers Antiquities Epist Concilii Arimini ad Const apud Socr. l. 2. Hist c. 29. Soz Hist Eccl. l. 4. c. 16. Sever sulp sacra Hist l. 2. c. 21. Lib. Notitia Epis orb Chr. sive Cod. Provin Rom. as from the Epistle of the great Councel of Ariminum in Italy not long after this time written to Constantius the Emperour where our Bishops were present testifying unto him that they were assembled there forth of all Cities towards the West most properly and significantly to be applyed to this Kingdom most West from thence And the words All Bishops out of the Western Cities cannot carry any other true construction but our Episcopal Cities in Baittain were then so furnished and many or most of them present at that Councel This is confirmed by the number of Western Bishops above 400 as Sozomen and others write assembled at Ariminum besides 160 from the East at the same time gathered together at Seleucia in Isauria when it is manifest in the old Manuscript Catalogue of Bishops that Brittain and all the Western Nations present in the Councel of Ariminum had not at that time many more than 400 Bishops Therefore we must needs grant that the Bishops of all Cities as well of Brittain as other Countries of the West which had not excuseable lets and impediments were there present in such sence as the Epistle of that Councel is cited and Severus Sulpitius is sufficient witnesse that this our Brittain in particular that it had many Bishops there for relating the number to have been above 400 out of the West And the Emperour the better to incline them to the Arian heresie as it seemeth commandeth that provision should be made for them at his cost But the Bishops of France Aquitaine and Brittain refused it and rather made choice to live at their own charges than to be maintained by the Emperour and this refusal was general to all the Bishops of Brittain Aquitaine and France except three only of Brittain which received allowance from the Emperour and refused maintenance by the other Bishops themselves being poor And the same Authors prove that our Bishops were drawn or forced to come to that Councel by the Officers of Constantius
now much worse then before the Saxons arrival that strangers under the colour of friendship robbed them of their goods and bereaved them of their lands that the secret practises of such as they trusted were no lesse to be feared then open Hostility and that if speedy order were not taken to expell them they would in short time root out the ancient Brittains and make themselves Lords of the whole Island But Vorteger whose affection to his wife and her Kindred weighed down all other respects whatsoever neglected their complaints till by his own experience he was taught what dangerous inconveniences proceed from wilful rashnesse and mis-government For the Brittains disdaining to be any longer commanded by such a Prince Vortiger despised by his own Subjects as had neither power to command his own affections nor care to provide for the safety of his Subjects declared him uncapable and by a general consent deprived him of all Regall Authority Vortimer Vortimer the Son of Vortiger a Man in disposition of mind much like his Father was declared King and renewed the war with the Saxons whom he encountered in a pitcht field near Alisford in Kent In that conflict Catigern his Brother and Horsa the Brother of Hengist fighting hand to hand were both slain whereby though the Saxons perished in greater number then the Brittains yet by the loss of the Generals on both sides the fortune of the Battail seemed in a manner to be equal On the part of the Brittains there died no man of name save only Catigern in remembrance of whose death there was afterwards a Sepulchre of stone erected where the battail was fought the like monument was also built by the Saxons for Horsa their Captain though time hath now defaced it howbeit the memory of the place it self if credit may be given to the inhabitants there iscontinued amongst them even to this day by a small village in East Kent yet bearing his name After this the Brittains made divers attempts upon their Enemies sometimes winning sometimes loosing and then recovering again that which they had lost when Vortimer the King ended his dayes either by a natural death or by the treachery of Rowen his Stepmother He was a Prince of great courage adorned with many morall vertues and as some writers have reported a favourer and professor of Christian religion Vortiger restored Now was Vortiger either by an hope that adversity had wrought upon him a reformation of mind Brittish Hist part second fol. 191. or else for fear least any civil discord should arise by the election of an other revoked with common consent of the Brittains and restored to his former Estate During his Sons reign as Histories report he lived a private life near Radnor in Wales where he bestowed much cost in building a Castle for defence as he vainly imagined against any suddain assault In the mean time the strength of the Saxons encreased by new supplies which came daily out of Germany and the Brittains doubted their own Estates so much the more by reason that the Picts and Scottish Men their ancient Enemies were dispersed in most parts of the Isle The Saxons also for their own advantage entering often times into secret conferences and mutual leagues with them But Hengist supposing that he could not with safety enjoy the possession of that Territory which Vortiger had assigned unto him so long as the chief and most valiant of the Brittish Nation remained alive The treachery of the Saxons devised by a cunning practice under pretence of hospitality and friendship to draw them together into one place and on the suddain to supprise them To this end he prepared a solemne banquet at which the King with divers noble personages as bidden guests were present suspecting nothing less then what was intended against them For the Brittains being warm with good cheer and wine whereof they had drunk immeasurably were scoft at by the Saxons Drunkenness the ruine of the Brittains the one provoking the other so far with reproachfull terms that in the end they fell from words to blowes in such furious manner as the Brittains being about 300 in number all un armed and surcharged with wine were slain in the place and Vortiger their King taken prisoner who soon after delivering for his ransome the whole Country of Kent with other Provinces thereto belonging and adjoyning into the Saxons hands fled to his Castle in Wales where supposing himself free from danger he continued his vitious and prophane manner of living till in the end both himself and his Castle as some writers affirm was by lighting from Heaven consumed to ashes Thus Vortiger the last King of the Brittish blood a Prince in manners dissolute and weak in actions was by strangers dispossessed of his Kingdom living to see the ruine of his Country whereof himself was the principal cause and dying in the end a strange and unnatural death which is commonly the issue of a disordered and infamous life The report goeth that this fatal meeting was held upon Salisbury-plains where not many years after Aurelius Ambrosius caused that strange building of stone now call'd Stone-hedge to be erected as a perpetual monument of so many worthy Brittains slain and buried there concerning which sundry conjectures have been made as being either framed according to mens particular conceits or grounded upon common reports received by tradition But by what means so ever they came thither they are accounted at this day one of the miracles of England in regard both of the stones themselves which are of a huge bigness as also of their position and order whereby they seem in a manner to be supported with their own weight in hanging one by an other considering withall that there are no stones for building to be found within many miles of that place Now were the Brittains driven from place to place some flying to the mountains others hiding themselves in Caves under ground where they either perished for want of food or coming abroad to seek for relief were cruelly murdered their Enemies in the mean time ranging up and down without resistance rafing their houses The wofull condition of the Brittains polluting the Altars in their Temples with the blood of their Priests burning the Temples themselves and committing all manner of sacriledge and outrage without regard of place or person For the Saxons as by little and little they planted themselves in the most wealthy and fruitfull parts of the Isle so they endeavoured to supplant the true Christian religion whereof they professed themselves open Enemies as men meerly addicted to heathenish superstition in worshipping divers Gods and Goddesses among whom the Images of Thor Woden Frea and Eoster were placed in their Temples as their chief Patrons they painted Thor with a Scepter in his hand after the same manner that the Poets used to describe the Image of Jupiter and him they reverenced as the commander and disposer of thunder and lightning
satisfaction for his former lewd living but casting that aside he seemed with his coule or hood and habit to cast away also all shame and feeling of piety and religion and humanity it self much more Gildas setteth down which drew upon the Brittish Nation the just vengeance which almighty God poured down upon them Cadwane Cadwane Duke of Northwales was made Soveraign of the Brittains Howe 's fol. 56. who gave strong battail to Ethelfred King of Northumberland and forced him to entreat for peace After which concord being made they continued all their life time loving friends he reigned twenty two years The Kingdom of the East Saxons began under Ercheminus about the year of Christ 614. The Kingdome of Mercia or middle England began under Penda 626. Hollenshed also saith that he reigned 22 years though saith he some allow but 13 and was slain by the Northumbers Cadwallin Cadwallin the son of Cadwane ruled over the Brittains How fol. 56. b. St. Martins in London by the Brittains he warred strongly upon the Saxons and made Penda King of Mercia tributary to him He reigned 48 years and was buryed in London in the Church of St. Martine neer unto Ludgate which Church was then new-founded and builded by the Brittains in anno 677. An other Authour maketh a longer relation of this Kings reign Holl. fol. 166. Edwin was not son to Ethelfred but to Alla or Ella and tells us that Cadwallo for so he calls him and Edwin the son of Ethelfred were brought up in France being sent thether unto Solomon King of Brittain by Cadwane when they were very young for this he cites Gaufred and that after their return into this land when they were made Kings Cadwall of the Brittains and Edwin of the Northumbers there continued for the space of two years great friendship betwixt them till at lenghth Edwin required of Cadwall that he might wear a Crown and celebrate appointed solemnities within his dominion of Northumberland as well as Cadwall did in his Country Cadwall taking advice in this matter at length by the perswasion of his Nephew Brian he denyed to grant unto Edwin his request wherewith Edwin took such displeasure that he sent word unto Cadwall that he would be crowned without his license since he would not willingly give it whereunto Cadwall answered that if he did so he would cut off his head under his Diadem if he presumed to wear any within the confines of Britany Hereupon discord arising betwixt these two princes they began to make fierce and cruel war each of them against the other and at length joyning in battail with their main armies Cadwall lost the field with many thousands of his men and being chased fled into Scotland and from thence got over into Ireland and finally passed over the seas into Brittain the lesse called Armorica where of his cofin King Solomon he was courteously received and at length obtained of him ten thousand men to go with him back into his Country to assist him in recovering his lands and dominions the which in the mean time were cruelly spoyled wasted and plundered by K. Edwin The same time Brian the Nephew of Cadwall whom he had sent into Brittanie a little before to kill a certain Wisard or Southsayer whom K. Edwin had gotten out of Spain named Pelitus who by disclosing the purpose of Cadwall unto Edwin greatly impeached Cadwals designes he fortified the City of Exceter meaning to defend it till the coming of Cadwall whereupon Penda King of Mercia besieged that City with a mighty army purposing to take it and Brian within it Cadwall advertised hereof immediately after his arrival hasted towards Exceter and dividing his people into four parts set upon his enemies and took Penda and overthrew his whole army Penda having no other shifs to escape submitted himself wholly unto Cadwall promising to become his liegeman and to fight against the Saxons in his quarrel And this Penda being subdued Cadwall called his Nobles together which had been dispersed abroad a long time and with all speed went against Edwin King of Northumberland and slew him in battail at Hatfield with his son Osfride and Godbold King of the Isles of Ockney who was come thither to his aid By this it should appear that Fabian hath gathered amiss in the account of the reigns of the Brittish Kings for it appeareth by Beda and others that Edwin was slain in the year of our Lord 634. And whereas Fabian attributeth that act and divers others unto Cadwan father of Cadwall yet both Galmon and Beda with the most part of all other writers say that it was done by Cadwall Hollenshed ut sup Harding assigneth but 13 years to the reign of Cadwall and declareth that he died in the year of our Lord 606. in the which year as he saith Cadwall began his reign which opinion seemeth best to agree with that which is set down by others But to return to Cadwall and his acts as we find them recorded by the Brittish writers After he had got this victory against the Northumbers he cruelly pursued the Saxons as though he meant so far as in him lay to destroy the whole race of them out of the land of Brittain and sending Penda against King Oswald who succeeded Edwin though at the first Penda received the overthrow at Havenfield yet afterwards Cadwall himself highly displeased with that chance King Oswald slain pursued Oswald and fought with him at a place called Bourne where Penda slew the said Oswald After that Oswald was slain his brother Osunus succeeded him in the government of the Northumbers and sought the favour of Cadwall now ruling as King over all Brittanie and at length by great gifts of gold and silver and upon his humble submission he obtained peace till at length upon disgust Penda obtained leave of Cadwall to make wars against the said Osunus in with Penda himself was slain Then Cadwal granted after the space of two years Vlfridus the son of Penda should succeed in the Kingdom of Mertia Cadwall absolute Prince of all Brittain and thus Cadwall ruled things after his own will and pleasure and finally when he had reigned as before is said as years he departed this life the 22d. of November His body being embalmed and dressed with sweet confections was put in a brazen Image by mervalous art melted and cast the which being set on a brazen horse of excellent beauty the Brittains erected aloft upon the West gate of London called Ludgate in sign of his victorious conquests and for a terror to the Saxons Cadwallader Cadwallader the last King of the Brittains descending from the Noble race of the Trojans by extreme plagues of death and famine was driven to forsake this his native Country and Kingdom and to sojourne with a great number of his Nobles and Subjects with his Cosin Alan King of Little Brittaine which is called in the Brittish tongue Lhydaw Of the first inhabiting of
Masbrook Chitbury Caurs Clonn which are now in Shropshire Ewyas Lacy Ewyas Harold Clifford VVinsorton Yardley Huntington VVhitney Loghardneis in Herefordshire Also this country of Southwales as all the rest of Brittain was first inhabited by the Brittains which remain there to this day saving that in divers places specially along the sea shore they have been mingled with Saxons Normans which the VVelsh history calleth Frenchmen and Flemings For that the Princes of VVales since the conquest of the Normans could never keep quiet possession thereof but what for strangers and what for disloyalty of their own people vexation and war were for the most part compelled to keep themselves in Caermardhenshire This shall suffice for the description of the Country After this great King had as it is said before disposed of his affairs had had war with Burchved King of Mercia which by the aid of Ethelwaph entred Northwales with a great power and destroyed Anglesey fought with the VVelshmen divers times and slew Meric a great Prince amongst them 846. Math. West Kongen P. of Pendieth at Rome 871. The year 846. was Ithel King of Gwent or Wetland slain in fight by the men of Brechnoch and in the year 854 Kongen King of Powis died at Rome being slain or choaked as some say by his own men Much about this time dyed Gwyan King of Cardigan This was that noble Gwyan ap Mevric ap Dunwal ap Arthen ap Sitsylt King or Prince of Cardigan who as some Brittish books have was at this time drowned by misfortune The Danes having entred the land being with shame and ignominy beaten and repulsed and compelled to abjure the Isle they bent whether equivocally or perfidiously their force against Wales and entred the Isle of Môn with a great army in the year of Christ eight hundred seventy three where Roderick gave them two battails one at a place called Menegd in Anglesey Dav. Powel fol. 34. 879. I find also saith my Authour that about this time Halden and Hungare two Captains of the Danes arrived in Southwales and overrun the whole Countrey destroying all before them with fire and sword neither sparing Churches nor Religious houses but within a while after they received their deserved reward at the hands of the West Saxons who awaiting for them on the coasts of Devonshire slevv both Halden and Hungare vvith 1200 of their people At this time Endon Bishop of Menevia or St. Davids died and Hubert was installed in his place And within two years after Dungarth King of Cornwal was drowned by a mischance In the year 876 the Englishmen entred into Anglesey and fought with the Welshmen a sore battail who in the year following slew Roderike King or Prince of Wales and Gwyriad his brother or as some say his son This Roderike had by his wife Enharad the daughter of Meyric the son of Difnwal or Dunwal the son of Arthen ap Sytsylt divers sons as Anarawd his Eldest son to whom he gave Aberfraw with Northwales Cadelh the second son vvho had Dinevour vvith Southvvales and also took Mathraval and Powis land by force from his brethren after the death of Mervin the third son to whom the father had given the same A Welsh manuscript which I have saith Rodri the great did bear G. a cheveron between three Roses arg Quarterly Gules and Or four Lions passant gardant Counterchange The Authour who sets down this coat as belonging to this King or Prince Mr. Mills catologue of honour fol. 209. compendiously gives us this relation Roderike the great in Welsh called Rodero Mawr Prince of all Wales a man of much strength and courage the son Essilt begotten by Mervin King of the Isles whose Grandfather by the Mothers side was Conan the son of Roderike the son of Idwall the son of Cadwallader the last King of the Brittains This Idwall conveyed the miserable Brittains that were oppressed and afflicted with the invasions and inroads of the Saxons into Cambria now called Wales and worthily governed them under the name and title of Prince of Wales Some are of of opinion that the Cambres were called Welshmen by this Idwallo as in old time the Brittains took their name from Brute But this is of no more truth then theirs is that would have them of one Wallo their Duke and governour or of Wendola a Queen of whom there is no mention made among them This Roderike of all the Princes of Wales The Authour also put Camber before Albanact preferring Wales before Scotland was the first that caused the histories of the Brittains to be written He renewed good Lawes he caused strong Castles to be built and procured that Churches or Temples should be kept and maintained for Divine Service at his decease he left the Principality of all Wales to be divided unto his three sons following the example of Brute who made Locrine Camber and Albanact Kings This matter of division was the very true and first Originall of the Welsh mens ruine as being divided into three Kingdomes which they called Principalities For allbeit whilst they lived one man held and maintained his own with much stoutness and magnanimity yet their posterity being distracted and falling to war among themselves were enforced every each to defend his part as well from their general enemies the English as from their Neighbours and Countreymen the Welsh by which the whole Kingdome of VVales was wrackt and overthrown Roderike ended his life in the eighty ninth year of his Age Mr. Wills ut ante and in the year of Christ eight hundreed seventy seven Alured the son of the godly King Ethelwolph being then King of the English Saxons He was buryed at Keyby Castle in Anglesey Engharad Princesse of VVales Wife of Roderike the great was daughter and heir to Meirich the son of Dyfnwal the son of Arthen ap Sytsilt King of Cardigan Their Issue Mervin Prince of Venâ—dosia or North-Wales of whom more hereafter Anarandus was second Son to whom his Father gave the 105. Cantreds or hundreds of Powis Land and for that of all his Brethren he was the most valiant and approved Warriour he seated him in the Marches or Borders of VVales his principal Seat and Mannour was at Mathraval The patrimony of this Anarandus namely the Principality of Powis in process of time devolved and came into the hands of a Woman named Hawis as her Right and Inheritance She being married to one John Chorlton an Englishman enfeoffed him with her Right and made him Lord of Powis From this Family it descended at last to the Greys of the North and thereby utterly lost that Name and Title of Principality For Andornus or Owen the Father of Hawis or Avis being called and sent for to a Parliament which King Edward the First held at Shrewsbury by the Decree and Judgment of the King and Barons took his Lands to be held in Capite under the Title and Tenure of Free Baronage of England and
contains in it 248. Parishes and in them 18. Market Towns the chief whereof is Dorchester as that which doth denominate the whole County A Town not much famous for much else then that it hath long been and doth still continue the honorary title of those noble Personages which have been severally Marquesses and Earls OF DORSET 1 Osmond de Sees E. 2 John Beaufort Marquess L. Adm. 3 Thomas Beaufort Earl Duke of Exceter Lord Chancellor and Lord Admiral 4 Edmund Beaufort E. and Marque 5 Henry Beaufort Marq. 6 Edmund Beaufort Marq. 7 Thomas Grey Marq. 8 Thomas Grey Marq. 9 Henry Grey Marq. D. of Suffolk 10 Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst created Earl of Dorset 10 Jacobi Lord Treasurer and Chancellour of Oxford 11 Robert Sackvile E. 12 Richard Sackvile E. 13 Edward Sackvile E. Lord Chamberlain to the Queen 14 Edward Sackvile now Earl of Dorset 1661. The Earles of Salisbury and Exceter RObert Sitsylt came into Wales with Robert Fitz Hamon who conquered Jestin Prince of Glamorganshire an inheretrix by whom he had Halterennis and other lands in Herefordshire and Glocestershire James Sitsylt Esq  Iohn Sitsylt Esq The Lady Maud de Frenes Eustace Sitsylt Esq Elianor daughter to Sir VVill. Pembridge Knight Sir Baldwin Sitsylt Knight temp Hen. secundi daughter to Maurice de Brampton Esq Gerald Sitsylt Esq Mavil daughter to Sir Moygne Knight Robert Sitsylt Esq Alice daughter to Sir Rob. Trogois Knight James Sitsylt Esq Isabell daughter to Sir John Knell Knight Gerald Sitsylt Esq Margaret Daughter to Stephan de Ber. John Sitsylt Esq Sibil daughter to Robert of Ewyas Esquire Sir John Sitsylt Knight Alicia sister to Sir Richard Baskervile Knight Iohn Sitsylt Esq Jone daughter to sir Richard Monington Knight Thomas Sitsylt Esq Margaret daughter and heir to Gilbert de Winston Esq Philip Sitsylt Esq Margaret daughter to Iohn Philips Esq Richard Sitsylt Knight Cecil Esq Margaret daughter to Philip Vaughan Esq David Cecil Esq  Sir William Cecil Baron Burley Knight of the Garter c. Mary sister to Sir Iohn Cheek Kt. Rob. Cecil E. of Salisbury Elizab. d. to W. Brook L. of Cob. Will. Cecil E. of Salisbury 1661 Katherine d. to Tho. Howard E. of Suffolk Charles Lord Cranbourne Iane daughter to Maxwell Esq groom of the bed-Chamber to K. Charles of glorious memory Tho. Cecil E. of Exceter Dorothy d. and co-h to I. Nevil L Latimer Will Cecil E. of â—xceter Eliz. d h. of Ed. Mannors E. of Rutland D. Cecil now E of Exceter 1661 descended from a younger son of William L. Burley Eliz. d. to Iohn Egerton Earl of Bridgwater SALISBURY Salisbury is the chief City of Wilts it was at first seated high upon an hill as being a place designed for strength and war yet honoured for a while with a Bishops See and a fair Cathedral But the Bishops and the Clergy finding no good quarter amongst the Soldiers which were there in Garrison and being destitute of water upon so high an hill about the time of Rich. I. began to leave it and plant themselves down lower by the water-side being once setled there and raising a new Cathedral for Gods publick service the people also followed after and left old Sarum to it self which in short time became so totally deserted that now the ruines of it are hardly visible but for new Salisbury that grew up presently to a great renowne pleasantly seated on the river with water in every street thereof and for the populousness of the place plenty of provision and spacious market place and a fair Town hall is esteemed to be the second City of all that Tract and which adds no small lustre to it a place that hath been very fortunate in those eminent persons on whom the Kings of England have bestowed the title of Earls of Salisbury Earles of Salisbury Patrick d' Eureux Will. d' Eureux VVill Longespee base son to K. Henry 2. who married Ella daughter of VVill. d' Eureux VVilliam Longespee VVill. de Montacute VVill. de Mont. John de Mont. Tho. de Mont. Richard Nevil who married Elianor daughter of Thomas Mont. Lord Ch. Richard Nevil Earl of VVarwick George Duke of Clarence who maried Isabel daughter of Richard Earl of VVarwick Edward eldest son of King Richard 3. and Anne the second daughter of Richard Nevil Margaret daughter of George Duke of Clarence created Countess of Salisbury by King Henry 8. Robert Cecil Viscount Crambourne created Earl of Salisbury 3. Jacob. VVilliam Cecil now Earl of Salisbury 1661. EXCETER Exceter is now the chief City of Devonshire a fair and goodly seat it is placed upon the Eastern bank of the River Ex from whence it had the name of Exceter In circuit it contains within the walls about a mile and a half besides the suburbs which every way stretch out to a great length and in the circuit there are numbered fifteen Parish Churches besides the Cathedral the whole environed with deep ditches and very stronge wals having many Towers therein very well disposed and yet the animosity of the Inhabitants is a greater strength unto it then the walls or ditches whereof they have given notable proof in these later times to their great honour here followeth a Catologue of the Dukes Marquesses and Earles John Holland E. of Huntington made Duke of Exceter by Richard 2. Thomas Beaufort E. of Dorset Lord Ch. and Adm. made Duke of Exceter by King Henry 5. Iohn Holland Duke Lord Adm. Henry Holland Duke Lord Adm. Henry Courtney E. of Devon created Marquesse of Exceter by K. Henry 8. Thomas Cecil Lord Burley created Earl of Exceter 3. Jaco VVilliam Cecil David Cecil now Earl 1661. THE SECOND BOOK Arma Paterna year 877 ANARAWD the Son of Roderick began his Reign over VVales in the year of Christ 877. year 878 The year 878. died Fedan the son of Melht a noble man of VVales and the second year following there was a great Battel fought by the Danes and the Englishmen of Mercia against the Welshmen upon the River Conway where the VVelshmen had the Victory and this was called the Revenge of the Death of Roderick year 879 About this time Eveneth the Son of Bledrid a Baron of VVales died Forrain and alwaies pernicious and Anarawd King or Prince of North-Wales came with a great Army of English-men and made War against his Brother Cadeth and spoiled the country of Caerdigan and Ystradgwy The Danes being put hard to their shifts by Alfred left their Wives and children in Essex and passed spoiling the Land to * Forsan Cowbridge Quadbridge upon Severn and so passed the River and spoiled the countries of Brechnock Gwentland and Gwenthwg About the year 900. Igmond with a great number of Souldiers came to Anglesey and the Welshmen gaue him a Battel at Molerein There be some Brittish Copies of this History which affirm that this battel between Igmond Captain of the black Nations and the Brittains wherein Mervin was slain was
the cause ended This shall be sufficient for this time Some Authors write that Lhewelin ap Sitsylht who was after Prince of Wales assisted Edmund a Saxon King and entered Cumberland taking the two sons of Dummaille King of the Province put out their eyes and then gave that Country to Malcolme to be holden of him with condition to keep the North part of the Realm from incursion of enemies the which condition was afterwards but slenderly peformed This Malcome was the son of Donald King of Scotland and was the next King after Constantine the third being in number the 76. In the year 942. died Hubert Bishop of St. Davids and the year following Marclois Bishop of Bangor and Vssa the son of Lhavyr died the year 944. the Englishmen entered Wales with a stronge army and spoyled Strad Clwid and returned home At which time Conan the son of Elise was put in danger of death by poyson and Everus Bishop of St. Davids died In the year 948 died Howel Dha the noble and worthy King or Prince of Wales whose death was much lamented by all men for he was a Prince that loved peace and good order and that feared God he left behind him four sons Owen Run Roderike and Edwin betwixt whom and the sons of Edwal there ensued great wars for the chief rule of Wales as shall appear in the history following After the death of Howel Dha his sons did divide Southwales and Powis betwixt them And Janaf and Jago the second and third sons of Edwal Voel ruled North VVales because their elder brother Meyric was not a man worthy to rule who coming of the elder house would have had the chief rule of all Wales which the sons of Howel Dha denyed them And thereupon Jago or James and Janaf entred Southwales with a great power against whom came Owen the son of Howel and his brethren and fought together at the hills of Carno where Jago and Janaf had the victory And the year following the said brethren did twice enter into Southwales and spoyled Dinet and slew Dwnwalhon Lord thereof And within a while after dyed Roderike one of the sons of Howel Dha year 952 In the year 952. the sons of Howel gathered their strength together against Janaf and Jago and entred their land at the river of Conwy where they fought a cruel battail at a place called Gurgustu or Lhanrwst as some think where a great number were slain upon either side as Anarawd the son of Gwyriad or Vriel the son of Roderike the great and Edwin the son of Howel Dha in the which battail were overthrown the sons of Howel whom Janaf Jago pursued to Caerdigan destroyed their Country vvith fire svvord About this time Yarthyr the son of Mervyn vvas drovvned In the year 958 was a wonderful hot summer when Gwyan the son of Gwiriad the son of Roderike dyed After the which heat there followed a great plague in March ensuing In those dayes Jago and Janaf by force and strength ruled all Wales as they thought good And yet for all their power Abloic King of Ireland landed in Môn and having burnt Holyhead spoyled the country of Lhyyn year 961 In the year 961 the sons of Edwin the son of Colhoyn were slain after they had destroyed all the country to Towyn About this time Meyric the son of Cadvan Rytherch Bishop of St. Davids and Cadwalhon ap Owen departed out of this transitory life Not long after the country of Northwales was exceedingly spoyled by the army of Edgar King of England The cause of this was the not payment of the tribute that the King of Abersfraw by the lawes of Howel Dha was to pay to the Kings of London in the end there was a peace concluded Jo. Cast Holl. pag. 232. Wolves destroyed by the Prince of W. for King Edgar understanding what hurt the Countrys of England and Wales received daily by reason of the great multitude of Wolves that then abounded especially in Wales which destroyed much sheep and otherwayes did great harme released the tribute of money appointed by the said lawes of Howel Dha and bound the Princes of Northwales to pay him yearly certain Wolves for his tribute so to be released of the other tribute in mony which the said Prince performed untill he had left never a Wolf in all Wales or England year 966 In the year 966. Roderike the son of Edwal Voel was slain by the Irishmen by whom Abersfraw was destroyed The next year after fell a great debate betwixt the two sons of Edwal Jago and Janaf which had ruled joyntly together from the death of Howel Dha till that time and shortly after Jago having taken his brother Janaf by force very cruelly kept him in prison a long time about the which time Eneon the son of Owen Prince of Southwales wan seised to himself the land of Gwyr And in the year â—69 Machis the son of Haroald with an army of Danes did enter into Anglesey and â—poyled 〈◊〉 year 969 Theâ—â— â—â—â—nes were suffered by Edgar to inhabit quietly through all England till they â—â—re as strong as the Englishmen and then they fell to such ryotousness and drinking that â—â—ch mischief ensued thereof A law against immoderate drinking whereupon Edgar made a law that every man should drink by measure and caused a certain mark to be set in every pot how deep they should drink and so by these means he somewhat stayed the immoderate ingurgation Not long after that Godfryd the son of Haroald did subdue to himself the whole Isle of Anglesey which he enâ—oyed not long year 972 King Edgar likewise in the year 972 did send a great army to Gaâ—â—â—â—on upon Vsk which shortly turned back without doing any notable act Caerleon upon Vsk The next year following Howel the son of Janaf raised a great power against his Uncle Jago for the deliverance of his father out of prison and overcame his Uncle in fight whom he chased out of the land and took his eldest Unckle Meyric the son of Edwal and put out both his eyes and kept him in prison where he dyed shortly after leaving behind him two sons Edwal and Jonaval of the which Edwal came afterwards the most worthy Princes of Wales Howel notwithstanding he had set his father at liberty yet took upon himself the whole rule of the land for his lifetime He had three brethren all men of great estimation Meyrich Janaf and Cadwallon whose lines shall ensue hereafter Howel Son of Janaf After that Howel the son of Janaf had expelled his Uncle from the land Dunwalhon goes to Rome he took the rule to himself And at that time Dwnwalhon Prince of Strad Cwlyd took his journey to Rome Then dyed Edwalhon the son of Owen year 976 The year 976 Eneon the son of Owen King of Southwales destroyed the land of Gwyr the second time the year ensuing Howel the son of Janaf with a great army both of Welshmen
to the Government and sought the rule of the Land as Conan the son of Howel and Aedan the son of Blegored who tried the matter in open field where Conan was slain in the year 1003. I do not know saith my Author neither could I ever finde what colour or pretence of Title this Aedan ap Blegored had to the principality of Northwales nor yet of whom he de cended or who descended from him whereas all the other Princes are notoriosly known of what families they did descend and who from them neither yet do I read of any Blegored whose son he was except it be that Doctor of Law of whom mention is made in the Laws of Howel Dha whose estate was too mean to challenge a principality he is reported to have governed about twelve years Of his Acts by him atchieved there is very little written saving of those two battails the one wherein he overcame Conan ap Howel and the other wherein he was overcome himself and slain with his four sons by Lhewellin ap Sitsylht In the year 1015. Lhewelin the Son of Sitsylht raised a great power against Aedan who by force had taken upon him the rule of Northwales and slew him with his four sons in battel and having no respect to Jago or James the son of Edwal the right heir took upon him the name and authority of King of Wales This Lhewellin was descended from the Kings of Wales by his mothers side whose name was Trawst daughter to Elise second son to Anarawd which was eldest son to Roderik the great who also had to wife Angharac the only daughter of Meredith Prince of Southwales and so by these means he claimed and enjoyed the right of either country as hereafter shall be shewed Lhewellin the son of Sitsylht and Angharat the Daughter of Meredith After that Lhewellin son of Sitsylht had taken into his hands the government of Wales all things did prosper in the Land for the earth brought forth double to the time before passed the people prospered in all their affairs and multiplyed wonderfully the cattel encreased in great number so that there was neither begger nor poor man from the South to the North sea but every man had plenty every house a dweller and every Town inhabitants In the year 1019. Meyric the son of Arthpoel did raise a great army against Lhewelin King or Prince of VVales which met with him in the field and manfully slew him and discomfited his people In the year 1020. a certain Son of low birth came to Southwales and named himself Run the son of Meredith their late King whom the Nobility which loved not Lhewelin exalted to the regal Throne and took him for their King which thing when Lhewelin heard he gathered his power in Northwales and came towards the supposed Run who had gotten all the strength of Southwales together at Abergwili where with great pride he abode the coming of Lhewelin but when both the armies met and were ready to joyn Run full of brags and cracks encouraged his people to fight promising them the Victory yet he himself following the Proverb which biddeth a man to set on his dog and not to run after him set on his people to fight it to the uttermost and withdrew himself privately out of the way whereas upon the contrary part Lhewelin like a bold and couragious Prince came before his people calling for the vile Scot Run that durst so bely a Princes Blood and so both the Armyes joyned together with much malice and hatred for the one party was so couragious to defend the quarrel of so worthy a Prince of their own blood as the other was obstinate in the cause of a stranger in the end after great slaughter upon either part the Northwales men remembring their old Victories and encouraged by the prowess of their Prince put their enemies to flight and pursued Run so narrowly that all his Scottish shifts could not save his life and returned home with great spoil and prey Then Lhewelin ruled all the land quietly till the year following he was slain by Howel and Meredith the Sons of Edwin leaving behinde him a son named Griffith ap Lhewelin After the death of Lhewelin Jago or James the son of Edwal took upon him the rule of Northwales as right heir thereof and Rytherick the son of Jestin governed Southwales by strong hand year 1031 About the year 1031. the Irish Scots entred Southwales by the means of Howel and Meredith the sons of Edwin ap Eneon ap Owen ap Howel Dha who hired them against Rytherick ap Jestin whom they discomfited and slew and by that means attained unto the government of Southwales which they two ruled jointly but yet with small quietness for the sons of Rytherick gathered a number of such as were their fathers friends to avenge his death with whom Howel and Meredith met at Hyarthwy and after long fight put them to flight But in the year following Meredith was slain by the sons of Conan the Son of Sitsylt brother to the worthy Prince Lhewelin to revenge their fathers death whom Meredith and his Brother had slain The year next ensuing certain Englishmen entred the Land of Gwent with whom Rytherick ap Jestin fought and was by them slain In the year 1037. Gruffith the son of Lhewelin ap Sitsylt sometime King of Wales raised a great number of people against Jago then enjoying the Principality or Kingdom of Northwales whom Jago likewise provided for as well as he could but the more part better souldiers were of Gruffiths side for the love they bare to his Father which afterward well appeared for the Armies meeting Jago was soon overthrown and slain This Jago left behind him a son called Conan by his wife Avandred daughter to Gweir the son of Pilh Gruffith ap Lhewlyn ap Sitsylt and Angharat Gruffith ap Lhewlin after he had slain Jago governed Northwales worthily in all things following his fathers steps who overcame both the Danes and the Englishmen divers times and defended his Country and people manfully all his reign In the first year of his government he fought with the Englishmen and Danes at Crosford upon Severn and put them to flight and from thence he led his army to Lhanpadarn Vawr in Caerdiganshire and destroyed it utterly and from thence passed all Southwales throughout and received the people to his subjection for Howel ap Edwin their King fled before his face and forsook the land This Howel procured Edwin the brother of Leofrike Earl of Chester or Mercia to come with an army of Englishmen and Danes to his aid against Prince Gruffith who met his enemies in the field and overcame them and slew the said Edwin but Howel escaped by flight after the which victory Gruffith made sundry invasions upon the Marshes toward Hereford and alwayes returned with great spoyles year 1038 When Gruffith had brought all Wale under his dominion he returned to Northwales again The year ensuing
1038. Hernon Archbishop of Menevia or St. Davids died a man both learned and godly the next year following Howel King of Southwales gathered a great power of his friends and strangers and entered the land intending to overcome it again wherefore Gruffith like a worthy Prince came with all speed to succour his people and meeting with Howel at Pencadair after he had incouraged his Soldiers gave him battail and overthrew him and pursued him so narrowly that he took Howels wife whom he had brought to the field to see the overthrow of Gruffith which chanced otherwise whom Gruffith liked so well that he kept her for his Concubine year 1041 In the year 1041. Howel came again to Southwales and remained there a while and shortly after a number of strangers landed in Westwales and spoyled the Country against whom Howel gathered his forces and fought with them and drove them to their ships with much loss At this time Conan the son of Jago who had fled to Ireland to save his life with the power of Alfred King of Develin whose daughter Ranulph he had married entered Northwales and by treason had taken Gruffith the King and carried him towards the ships but when it was known the Country upon a suddain followed the Irishmen and overtaking them rescued their Prince requiting their foes with much slaughter forcing them to their ships who returned with Conan to Ireland The year following Howel the son of Owen Lord of Glamorgan dyed being a man full of years Then Howel ap Edwin called to his succour Danes and Englishmen with all the power he could make in Southwales whereof Gruffith being certified gathered his power together in Northwales and came couragiously to meet his enemies whom he had twice before discomfited and overcame them and chased them as far as the spring of the River Towy where after a long and dangerous battail Howel was slain and his army routed and so narrowly pursued that few escaped alive After whose death Ritherck and Rees the sons of Ritherck ap Iestyn aspiring again to the rule and government of Southwales which their father had once obtained gathered a great army as well of Strangers as out of Gwentland and Glamorgan and met with Gruffith King of Wales who after his accustomed manner detracting no time but couragiously animating his men with the remembrance of their former fortune and divers victories under his standard joyned battail with his enemies whom he found disposed to abide and to win again the honour they had lost wherefore when they met the fight was cruell and bloody and continued till night which easily departed both armies being weary with fighting and either fearing other returned to their Countreys to gather more strength This year Ioseph Bishop of Teilo or Lhandaf died at Rome The Bishop of Landaff dyeth at Rome The land being thus quieted Gruffith ruled all Wales without any trouble till about two years after the Gentlemen of Ystrad Towy did by treason kill 140 of the Prince his best Soldiers to revenge whose death the King Gruffith destroyed all Dinet and Ystrad Towy Here is also to be noted that such snow fell this year that it lay upon the earth from the Kalends of Ianuary to the fourteenth of March. In the year 1050 Conan the son of Iago did gather an army of his friends in Ireland minding to recover his inheritance again as he sailed towards Wales there arose such a tempest that it scattered his navy abroad and drowned the most part of his ships so that he was disappointed of his purpose and lost his labour This Earl Godwin that wicked Earl of Kent whose lands were swallowed up by the Sea and as this day called Godwins sands pernicious and terrible to Navigators as late experience hath taught us About this time Godwin being summoned to appear and answer before King Edward Conf. at Glocester the guilty Earl Godwin fearing the Kings displeasure who could never brook him since the death of his brother Alfred gathered an army out of Kent and other Countries where his sons ruled or had power and so came tovvards Glocester reporting abroad that all his preparation was made to resist Gruffith Prince of Wales who as they affirmed was ready with an army to invade the Marches but King Edward being certified by the Welshmen that there was no such thing in hand commanded Godwin to send back his army Matth. West writeth that about this time to wit anno 1053. Rees the brother of Gruffith King of Wales was slain in a place called Balendane which place since was called Pen Rees and lately belonged to Sir Ed. Morgan Baronet but sold from the house as he did much more to the ruin of his family though the fault be laid upon upon his son I say no more but God knows how 〈◊〉 whose head was presented to the King at Glocester the day before the Epiphany According to the computation of Authours neer these times Machbeth King of Scotland caused a noble man named Bancho to be cruelly murthered whereupon Fleance the son of the sad Bancho escaping the hands of Macebeth fled to Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales where being joyfully received and entertained courteously he grew into such favour with the said Prince that he thought nothing too good for him But in processe of time Fleance forgetting the courtesy to him shewed fell in love with the Princes daughter and got her with child which thing the Prince took in ill part that he in rage caused Fleance to be killed holding his daughter in most vile estate of servitude for so suffering her self to be de flowered by a stranger At length she was delivered of a son which was named Walter who in few years proved a man of great courage and valour in whom from his childhod appeared a certain noblenesse of mind and ready to attempt any great enterprise This Walter on a time fell out with one of his companions who in that great heat of contention objected unto him that he was but a bastard begotten in an unlawful bed which reproach so grieved Walter that he fell upon the other and slew him whereupon fearing the punishment of the law he fled into Scotland and there fell into the company of those Englishmen which were come thither with Queen Margaret the sister of Edgar Edeling amongst whom he shewed himself so discreet and sober in all his demeanour that he was highly esteemed of all men and so attaining to higher reputation and credit was afterwards imployed in the affairs of the Commonwealth at length made Lord Steward of Scotland receiving the King revenues of the whole realme Of the which Office he and his posterity retained that Sirname of Steward ever after from whom descended the most noble Kings of Scotland besides many other Dukes Marquesses Earls and Barons of great fame and honour Whosoever desireth to be more fully satisfyed in this matter let him read and peruse E. Holenshed and he
Angharat daughter to Meredith King of Wales did govern Northwales Conan the son of Jago being all this time with his Father in law in Ireland Caradock ap Gruffith ap Rytheryc was the first that procured Haroald to come into Wales against Gruffith ap Lhewelyn hoping by him to attain unto the Government of Southwales but it fell ontotherwise for when Haroald understood that he should not get that which he looked for at the hands of Caradock which was a certain Lordship within Wales nigh unto Hereford and knowing also Caradoc to be a subtile and deceitfull man compounding with Meredith ap Owen for that Lordship he made him King or Prince of Southwales and banished Caradoc out of the Countrey Afterward Haroald having obtained that Lordship builded there a stately and princely house at a place called Portashlyth and divers times earnestly invited the King to come and see the same and at length the King being then at Glocester not far of granted him his request whereupon Haroald made such preparation as was most wonderfull and as much abused Soon after this the said Caradoc ap Gruffith came to the same house and to be revenged upon Haroald killed all the workmen and labourers that vvere at vvork and all the servants and people of Haroald that he could finde and defacing the vvork carried avvay those things that with great labour and expences had been brought thither and set out and beautified the building William commonly called the Conquerour was now King of England and Edrik Sylvaticus the son of Alfrike Earl of Mercia refusing to submit himself as ohers had done when he saw that the King was departed to Normandy rose against such as were left in his absence to keep the Land in obedience whereupon those that lay in the Castle of Hereford Richard Fitz Scroop and others oftentimes invaded his Lands and wasted the goods of his Tenants but as often as they came against him they alwaies lost some of their own men at length he calling to his aid the Kings of VVales Blethyn and Rywalhon wasted the Country of Hereford even to VVye bridge and then returned with great booty This year also 1068. Meredith and Ithel the sons of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn raised a strong army against Blethyn and Rywalhon Kings of Northwales and met with them at a place called Mechain where after a long fight there were slain upon the one part Ithel and upon the other Rywalhon and Meredith put to flight whom Blethyn pursued so straitly that he starved for cold and hunger upon the mountains and so Blethyn son of Convyn remained the only King of Powis and Northwales Carodoc the son of Gruffith ap Rytherck ap Jestyn caused a great number of Frenchmen for so the Brittish book calleth the Normans to enter Southwales to whom he joyned his power of Gwentland and gave Meredith the King of that countrey an overthrow and slew him upon the River Rympyn About this time the Normans brought great forces into Westwales by sea and destroyed Dynet and the Country of Caerdigan and carried away much spoil and did so likewise the year following Bleythyd Bishop of Menevia or Saint Davids died about this time and Sulien was Bishop in his place Radulf Earl of East Angles his Mother came out of Wales which was the cause of the Welshmens assisting him against William the Conquerour Matth. West lib. 2. fol. 6 Math. Parker p. 11. for Ranulf sent for many of his Mothers friends and kinsmen to come unto him meaning through their aid and procurement to get the Princes and people of VVales to joyn with him in his enterprise but VVilliam having notice of this plot and coming before he was sent for he hanged some of the VVelshmen among others put our the eyes of many and banished the rest In the year 1073. Blethyn ap Convin King of VVales was traiterously and cowardly murthered by Rees ap Owen and the Gentlemen of Ystrad Tywy after he had governed VVales thirteen years This man was very liberal and mercifull doing Justice and Equity all his Reign he had divers weomen and many children First Meredith by Haer daughter to Gythyn Lywarck and Cadogan by another woman Madâ—e and Ryrid by the third Jorwerth by the fourth Trahern the Son of Caradoc After the death of Blethyn Trahern ap Caradoc his cosin German took upon him the rule of Northwales and Rees ap Owen with Rytherck ap Caradoc did jontly rule Southwales Then Gruffith son to Conan son to Jago or James right Inheritour of Northwales came from Ireland with succour with his brethren Encumalhon King of Vltonia and Ranalht and Mathawn had delivered him and landed in the Isle of Môn or Anglesey and brought it to his Subjection At this time Kynwric ap Rynalbon a noble man of Maelor or Bromfield was slain in Northwales This year also Gronow and Lhewelin the sons of Cadogan ap Blethyn did joyn their powers with Caradoc ap Gruffith ap Rytherck to revenge their Grandfathers death and then fought at a place called Camdhwc where the Sons of Cadogan obtained the Victory shortly after Gruffith ap Conan passed over the water from Môn to the main land and Trabern ap Caradoc met with him at Bronyrew where Gruffith was put to flight and retired back to the Isle year 1074 In the year 1074. Rytherc ap Caradoc was slain by Treason of his own cosin German Meyrchaon ap Rees ap Rytherc and Rees ap Owen ruled Southwales alone Nevertheless the sons of Cadogan gathered their powers and came against him and fought with him the second time at Gwaynyttyd where he was put to flight but yet he gathered new forces and kept the land still Then Trahern ap Caradoc King of Northwales moves his forces against Rees who boldly met him with all the power of Southwales at a place called Pwlhgwttic where after long fighting Rees was put to slight and after great slaughter of his men he fled from place to place fearing all things like a stagg that had been lately chased which mistrusteth every noise but at the last he with his Brother Howel fell into the hands of Caradoc aâ— Gruffith who slew them both in revenge of the wise and noble Prince Blethyn ap Convyn At this time Sulien Arch-Bishop of Saint Davids did forsake his Bishoprick and Abraham was chosen Bishop in his place year 1077 In the year 1077. Rees the son of Theodore the son of Eneon the son of Owen the son of Howel Dha as right Inheritor to the Kingdome of Southwales claimed the same and the people received him with much joy and made him their Prince The next year Menevia was all spoiled and destroyed by strangers and Abraham the Bishop died after whose death Sulien was compelled to take the Bishoprick again In the year following Gruffith the son of Conan did bring a great Army of Irishmen and Scots into Wales and joyned with Rees ap Theodore as two right heirs of the
whole Countrey Gruffith of Northwales and Rees of Southwales descending both lineally from Roderic the Great against whom came Trahern ap Caradoc and Caradoc Gruffith and Mailer the sons of Rywalhon ap Gwyn his cosin Germans for Gwyn ap Blethin was their Grandfather who in those daies were the chief Rulers of all Wales and after they had met at the Mountains of Carno they fought a cruel battel and were the more eager because upon that daies work lay the lives and honour of either party but at length the victory fell to Gruffith and Rees and Trahern with his cosins were all slain and most part of their people then the Kingdomes of Wales came under the rule of the right heirs again At this time also a noble man in VVales called Vrgency ap Sitsylht was slain by the sons of Rees Sais i. e. Rees the Englishman for so they used to name all such as had served in England or could speak English Gules three Lyons pass Gardant or other say onely passant which I rather approve of Gruffith the Son of Conan The Welsh Princes do homage to VVilliam the Conquerour After the death of Trahern Gruffith ap Conan did quietly rule Northwales and Rees ap Theodore Southwales In the year 1079. William commonly called the Conquerour entred VVales with a great Army and passed as far as Saint Davids where he offered and took homage of the Kings of the Land And not long after the Sepulchre of VValwey King Arthurs Sisters Son was found upon the sea shore in the Countrey of Ros the body by estimation upon viewing of the bones was thought to be fourteen foot in length VValwey in his life time was a right noble and valiant Warriour of very good reputation who ruled that Country which to this day from him is called VValwethay Caerdiff built And this year Sulion forsook his Bishoprick the second time and VVilfrid was enstalled in his place and in this time also the Town of Caerdyff was built year 1087 About the year 1087. the sons of Blethyn ap Convyn sometime King of VVales gathered their strengths together against Rees of Tewdor who not being able to meet them fled to Ireland and there he purchased to himself great friends and got an Army of Irishmen and Scots to whom he promised great Rewards when he should obtain his Kingdome and so landed in Southwales with those strangers which when his friends heard of they drew to him and the other came in all haste thinking to fight with him before his power should encrease and at Lhechryd they gave him battel where they were overthrown and two of the Brethren slain to wit Madoc and Riryd and the other fled and forsook the Countrey As soon as Rees was in quiet possession of his Kingdome he sent home his strangers with great rewards About this time the Shrine of Saint David was stollen out of the Church and when all the Jewels and Treasures were taken away the Shrine was left where it might be found again About this time the Earls of Hereford and Shrewsbury with the VVelshmen burned all VVorcestershire and Glocestershire to the very gates of VVorcester And in the year 1088. there was a terrible Earthquake through all the land and the year following dyed Sulien the godliest and wisest man and the greatest Clerk in all Wales being 89. years old About this time certain strangers which were Rovers upon the seas landed at St. David and robbed it and burned the Town at which time also Cadinor the the son of Colhoyn Lord of Dinet dyed whose sons Lhewelyn and Eneon moved Gruffith the son of Meredyth to make war against their Lord and Prince Rees ap Tewdor and so joyning all their strength together came against him to Lhandydoc where Rees was who gave them battail and putting them to flight pursued them so sore that he took Gruffith ap Meredith and put him death but Eneon son to Cadinor ap Colhoyn fled to Jestin Lord of Morganwc who likewise rebelled against Rees ap Theodor and promised upon condition to have Jestins daughter in marriage and certain other covenants then agreed upon between them to bring to their succours an army of Normans for he had served in England before and was well known and acquainted with all the English Nobility which things being thus concluded they were fully determined to be revenged upon Rees And so Eneon went to England and wrought such means that he procured Robert Fitzhamon in the reign of William Rufus which twelve other Knights to gather a great army of Frenchmen and Normans to come to their aid who shortly after landed in Glamorganshire where Jestin ap Gurgent Lord of the Land received them with much honour and joyning his power to theirs burned and spoyled Prince Rees it grieved him exceedingly whereupon he suddainly gathered his people and met him not far from Brecknock where after a terrible fight he was slain with whom fell and decayed the Kingdom of Southwales This Rees had by his wife the daughter of Rywalhon ap Convin a son called Gruffith who at his fathers death was but a very child and one Grovo that was in the Kings prison These Normans after they had received their promised Salary and great rewards of Jestin returned to their ships When Eneon burthened Jestin with the promise of his daughter in marriage Jestin laughed him to scorn and told him that he would bestow his daughter otherwise whereupon Eneon full of anger and despite followed the Normans and when he came to the shore they were all a shipboard Then he shouted to them and made a sign with his cloak to call them back and they returned again to know his meaning Then he went to the chiefest of them and shewed his abuse at Jestins hands declaring withall how easie it was for them to win that fair and pleasant Country from Jestin whom for his treason to Rees none other Prince of Wales would succour whereunto they easily perswaded turned all their power against him for whose defence they had come thither and at whose hands they had been well entertained and recompenced with rich gifts and rewards And first they spoyled him of his country who mistrusted them not and took all the fertile and valley land to themselves and left the barren and rough mountains for Eneon his part the names of Robert and the twelve Knights and parcels which fell to each ones share were these Azure a Lyon rampant gardant Or encensed gules Those men whose Coats are mentioned and their Heirs have enjoyed the Country to this day who were the first strangers that ever Inhabited Wales since the time oâ— Camber Of this King or Prince Master Mills saith Griffin Prince of Northwales son and successour of Conan the Prince between this Griffin or rather Gruffith and Blethyn Prince of Powis and Rees the son of Theodore Prince of Demetia there was a great search and enquiry made concerning their Armes and military Ensigns as
Castle of Ridcors and other castles thereabouts seeing they could not have the upperhand of Howel ap Grono in open fight fell to their accustomed practice of treason and so obtained their purpose in this manner There was one Gwgan ap Meyric who had nursed a son to Howel ap Grono and therefore very well trusted and beloved of him as the Custome of Wales is An odious detestable treason This Traitour being corrupted by the Normans procured his Masters death inviting him one night to his house to make merry whether he came willingly Then Gwgan gave notice to the Garrisous of the Castles who in the dawning of the day entred the Town and coming about the house gave a great shout which awaked Howel who couragiously leaped out of his bed and sought his weapons but the Traitor Gwgan had conveyed them away when he was asleep Then he called for his men but they were all fled to save their lives and as he would have gotten away The Welshmen still overthrown by their own nation he was taken by Gwgan and his company and strangled which cut off his head and brought it to the Castle of Ridcors and this traiterous murder of the Kings Lieutenant was left unpunished for whatsoever fault the Normans committed was alwaies winked at and if the VVelshmen did never so little offend the Laws of the King it was thought a most heinous and unpardonable Crime which was the cause that afterward they rebelled against the King who sought nothing but their utter destruction About this time Meirick and Gruffith the sons of Trabern ap Caradoc Easie for an Enemy to overcome where the natives destroy one another were both slain by Owen ap Cadogan ap Blethyn and Meredith ap Blethyn brake the prison where he had been a long time and recovered again his own Inheritance which he enjoyed in peace and Tranquillity The year 1108. the Rage of the Sea did overflow and drown a great part of the Low-Countries of Flanders in such sort that the inhabitants were forced to seek new dwellings and places of abode who came to King Henry and desired him to give them some void place to remain in who being very liberal of that which was none of his own gave them the land of Ros in Dynet or VVestwales where Pembroke Tenby and Hanerford are now built and there they remain to this day as well may be perceived by their speech and conditions far differing from that of the Countrey At that time Gerald the Steward dyed who built again the Castle of Pembroke in a place called Congarth Vechan and brought thither all his householdstuff and other goods with his wife and children Then also Cadogan ap Blethyn made a great feast in Christmas Christmas observed in those dayes and invited all the Lords of his Countrey to his house in Dynet among whom came Owem his son who being at his Fathers house and hearing Nest the Wife of Gerald Steward of Pembroke praised above all the Weomen in the land he was inflamed with a desire to behold her And forasmuch as Gladis daughter of Rees ap Theodore or Tewdor and Mother to Nest was daughter to Rywalhon ap Convin and cozen Germane to Cadogan his Father he with a few under the colour of Friendship or cosenage went to see her and finding the truth to surmount the fame he came home wounded with Love and in that doting humour the same night returned thither again with a crew of wild companions or Hectors entred the castle privately and compassed the chamber about and set the house on fire which awaked Gerald and his wife who would have issued out to know the cause of the Noise but his wife fearing some Treason impeached him and advised him to go to the Prince where drawing up the board she helped him out that way which done she came to the Chamber door and said that there was no body but she and her children yet they forced in and sought round about but not finding him they seized on her and her two sons and a son and a daughter born by a Concubine to Gerald and carried them away to Powis and burning the Castle they spoyled all the Country When Cadogan understood this rumour he was much displeased fearing the Kings heavy displeasure and forthwith went to Powis and commanded his son to send to Gerald his Wife and Children with his goods but Owen by no means would depart with the Lady yet at her request he sent unto Gerald his Children again And when Richard Bishop of London The Welsh still made authors of their own ruine whom the King had appointed Warden of the Marshes being at Shrewsbury heard of this he was highly offended and sent for Ithel and Madoc the sons of Kyrid ap Blethyn to whom he promised rich gifts and great rewards besides the rule of the Country if they could take or kill Owen to revenge the dishonour that he had done to the King and to them he added Lhywarch the son of Traburne ap Caradoc whose two brethern Owen had slain and Vchtrid the son of Edwyn which four promised the Bishop to bring him Owen and his father either alive or dead and thereupon forthwith gathered their power to destroy the whole Country but Vchtryd sent word privately before that all such of the People as would have their lives saved should come to him And when the Country heard this some fled to Arustly some t◠Melienith and some to Stradtywy and some to Dynet where Gerald was destroying the Country And at that time Walter Bishop of Hereford gathered an army to defend Caermarthyn and met with such as fled to Arustly and Mehenyth and destroyed a great number of them Those that went to Stradtywy were gently received by Meredyth ap Rytherck and Vchtryd saved all such as came unto him and thus these four came with their powers to the Castle of Rydcors and thought best to have entered the Country by night for fear of Ambuscado and to take Cadogan and Owen unawares but Vchtryd disswaded them from that stratagem counselling them to enter by day with their men in good order In the mean time Cadogan and Owen got a ship at Aberystwyth which was lately come from Ireland and escaped away so that the day after when they entered the Land they found none of those whom they sought for laying all the fault upon Vchtryd therefore they burned and plundered all the Country except the Sanctuaries of Padam and Lhandhewi Breni yet they took divers men out of those places and carried them away Prisoners and thus returned to their Castles again Owen with such as had been with him at the rape of the Lady and firing the Castle fled for Ireland to King Murcard who received him with great expressions of joy for he had been there before in time of the war of the two Earles in Anglesey or Môn and had brought the King rich gifts from Wales but
in Pengwern and at the Castle of Lhanrystyd they lost many of their men for which reason they slew all within the garrison when they took it and thence they marched to the Castle of Stratmyrick which they fortified and manned and then returned home This Cadelh took great pleasure in hunting and spent much time in that recreation which when the Inhabitants of Tenby or Denbigh Y Pyscot in Pembrock shire understood they laid in Ambuscado for him and when his hounds were uncoupled and he pursued a stag with few in his company they fiercely set upon him and finding him weakly accompanyed and attended and also unarmed they easily put them to flight and wounded Cadelh very much yet he escaped their hands and came to his house where he lay long in danger of death Upon this affront Meredyth and Rees his brothers entered Gwyr where burning and destroying all the country Aherthychwr Castle razed they surprised the castle of Aberthychwr and razed it to the ground and then returning home with great booty re-edified the castle of Dinevowr The same year also Howel the son of Owen Prince of Northwales fortified Humphreys castle in the valley of Caletur An act more fit for a Turk than a Christian In the year 1151 Owen Guyneth took Cunetha his brother Cadwalhon his son and put out his eyes and gelded him least he should have children to inherit part of the land Lhewelyn also the son of Madoc ap Meredyth slew Stephen the son of Baldwyn About the same time Cadwalader the brother of Prince Owen escaped out of his nephew Howells prison and subdued part of the Isle Môn or Anglesey to himself but his brother Owen sent an Army against him and chased him thence who fled into England for succour to his wives friends for she was the daughter of Gilbert Earl of Clare And the same year Galfride Arthur was made Bishop of Lhanelwy called in English Asaph Godwin fol. 430. Mr. Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops saith For want of instructions I cannot as yet set down a perfect Catalogue of the Bishops of Banger and St. Asaph and therefore passeth them over but be pleased to hear what a later Writer exposeth to open view A help to English History Anonymus printed for Abel Roper over against St. Dunstans Church MDCLII The Bishoprick of St. Asaph saith he is exceeding antient first founded by one Kentigern a Scot and there Bishop of Glasco about the year 560. The Cathedral there first bulit by him upon the banks of the River Elwy whence it is called by the Welsh Lhen-Elwy the Bishop in the antient Latine Elwensis or Elguensis by us St. Asaph from St. Asaph a holy man whom Kentigern returning into Scotland left here his successor It seems it stood not long in credit there being a great hiatus in the succession of the Bishops none to be found between St. Asaph and Geofry of Monmoth who was here Bishop in the latter end of K. Stephens raign and which is more Henry of Huntington in his Recital of the Welsh Bishopricks reckoneth only three St. Davids Banger and Lhandaff which may be probably imputed to the frequent Wars in this bordering Countrey for it is seated in the County of Flint not far from Chester which made it an unquiet seat for religious persons The Bishoprick being at the best not very rich Bishop Parfew was a good member to begin a Reformation in the Church was made much poorer in the time of Bishop Parfew who lived in the dayes of King Edward the sixth for where the Bishop had before five Episcopal houses there is none now left but St. Asaphs onely the rest together with the lands to them belonging by him made all away and aliened from the Church for ever that keeping a house above his means he was fain to let the residue of his lands into tedious leases not yet expired This Diocess containeth in it no one whole County but part of Denbigh Questionless he had another wife besides his Church and provided better for her children than those of the Church Flint Montgomery Merioneth and some Towns in Shropshire wherein are to be numbred 121 Parishes most of the which are in the immediate patronage of the Bishop It hath but one Archdeaconry called of St. Asaph which is united to the Bishoprick for the better sustentation of it the Tenth of the Clergy cometh to 186 li. 19. s. 7 d. ob q. and for the Bishoprick it self it was valued in the Kings Books at the summe of 187 l. 11 s. 6 d. Bishops of St. Asaphs An. Chr.  560 1 Kentigern  2 St. Asaph 1151 3 Geofry of Monmoth  4 Adam 1186 5 Reinerus 1220 6 Abraham 1235 7 Howell ap Ednever 1248 8 Anian 1268 9 Anian 2d. 1293 10 Lhewelyn de Bromfeild 1319 11 David ap Blethyn  12 Ephraim  13 Henricus  14 John Trevaur 1357 15 Lhewelyn ap Madoc 1373 16 Willgam de Stridlington 1382 17 Laurence Child 1390 18 Alexander Bach. 1395 19 John Trevaur 2d. 1411 20 Robertus 1423 21 John Lowe translated to Rochester 1444 22 Reginald Peacock translated to Chichester 1450 23 Thomas 1484 24 Richard Redman translated to Exceter 1503 25 David ap Owen 1513 26 Edward Birkhead 1519 27 Henry Standish 1535 28 William Barlow translated to St. Davids  29 Robert Perfew translated to Hereford 1555 30 Thomas Goldwell 1559 31 Richard Davis translated to St. Davids 1561 32 Thomas Davis 1573 33 Thomas Hughs 1595 34 William Morgan 1604 35 Richard Parry 1622 36 John Hanmer 1629 37 John Owen Bishop of St. Asaph 1641. Thus much of St. Asaphs Again to our History Also Simon Archdeacon of Cynelioc a man of great worthiness and same died about the same time and the year ensuing Meredyth and Rees the sons of Gruffith ap Rees conducted their forces against Penwedic before the Castle which did belong to Howell the son of Prince Owen and with great pains got it Penwedic Castle taken shortly after privily by night they came to the Castle of Tenbie which was in the keeping of Fitz Girald and scaling up suddenly surprised it and by that means revenged their brothers hurt And returning thence Tenbie Castle surprised they divided their Army and Rees went to Stratcongen which he destroyed and spoiled and went thence to Cyvelioc which he destroyed in like manner but Meredyth laid siege to the Castle of Aberaven and wan it returning home with rich spoils Aberaven Castle subdued In the year 1153 died Meredyth ap Gruffith ap Rees Lord of Caerdigan and Stretewy in the 25 year of his age a worthy Knight and fortunate in battel Anonymus ut suprain St. Asaph just and liberal to all men also the same year died Jeffrey Bishop of Landaff Lhandaff is one of the most ancient Bishops Sees either in England or Wales and claimeth direct succession from the Archbishops of Caerleon upon Vsk as unto
well hired ships of Ireland as his own and upon the suddain he brake up his Camp and gave both ships and men leave to depart The same year Rees Prince of South Wales laid siege to the Castle of Aberteini Aberteini Castle won by the Welsh and wan it and laid it flat with the ground and likewise wan Pilgeran and razed it At which time he took prisoner Robert the son of Stephen his cozen German son to Nost his aunt who after the death of Girald had married Stephen Constable and so returned home with great honour and rich spoil About the same time died Lhewelin son to Pr Owen a worthy Gentleman and of great towardness In the year ensuing the Flemmings and Normans came to West Wales with a great power against the Castle of Cilgerran which Rees had fortified and laid siege unto it assaulting it divers times but it was so manfully defended that they returned home as they came and shortly after they came before it again where they lost many of their best men and so departed The same year Owen Pr. of North Wales laid siege to the Castle of Basygwerke which the King had fortified and in short time wan it and dismantled it About the same time Jorwerth Goch was spoiled of his lands in Powis by Owen Cyvelioc the son of Gruffith ap Meredyth Lord of Powis by Owen Bachen second son to Madock ap Meredyth which lands they divided betwixt them so that Owen Cyvelioc had Mochant above Rayader and Owen Vachan Mochnant beneath Rayader In the year 1167 Owen Prince of North Wales Cadwalader his brother and Rees Prince of South Wales brought an Army into Powis against Owen Cyvelioc and wan all his lands and chased him out of the Countrey and gave Caereneon to Owen Vachan the son of Madoc ap Meredyth to hold of Prince Owen and the Lord Rees had Walwern because it stood within his Countrey but within a while after Owen Cyvelioc returned with a strength of Normans and Engleshmen to recover his Estate and laid siege to the Castle of Caereneon and winning the same burnt it to the ground Also the same year the aforesaid Princes Ruthlan Castle taken by the Welsh which King Henry had built Owen Rees and Cadwalader laid siege to the Castle of Ruthlan which the King had lately built and fortified where the Garrison defended it most valiantly yet the Princes would not depart until they had won it which they did at two months end and razed it After that they gat the Castle of Prostatyn and destroyed it and then brought all Tegeugl to Owens subjection and returned home with much honour In the year following Conon the son of Prince Owen slew Vrgeney Abbot of Lhwythlawr and Lhawthen his nephew In this year also Robert the son of Stephen the Constable was released out of his cozens the Lord Rees his prison and was sent to Ireland with great Forces to Dermot the son to Murchart who landed at Lochgarmon and won it and so went forward In the year 1169 Meyric ap Adam of Bueltht was murthered in his bed by Meredyth Bengoch his cozen german A Giants body 50 foot found Also this year there were found the bones of a Gyant cast up by the Sea of such length that his body seemed to contain after fifty foot in height This year Owen Gwyneth the son of Gruffith ap Conan Prince of North Wales passed out of this life he had Governed his Countrey well and worthily 32 years This Prince was fortunate and victorious in all his affairs he never took any enterprise in his hand but he atchived it he left behind him many children begotten by divers women which were not esteemed by their mothers and birth but by their prowess and valiantness first he had by Gladus the daughter of Lhywarch ap Trahevern ap Caradoc Jorwerth Drwyndwn that is Edward with the broken nose Conan Maelgon and Gwenlhian by Christian the daughter of Grono ap Owen ap Edwin he had David Roderik Cadwalhon Abbot of Bardsey and Augharat wife to Griffith Maylor he had besides these Conan Lhewelin Meredyth Edwal Run Howell Cadelh Madoc Enâ—on Cynrwric Philip and Riryd Lord of Clocharn in Ireland by divers women of whom Run Lhewelyn and Cynwric died before their father the rest you shall hear of hereafter THE Third Book OF THE ANTIENT MODERN BRITTISH AND WELSH History TO THE Right Honourable JOHN Earle of Bridgwater Baron of Elsmere Viscount Brackley Earle of Carnarvon Lord Dormer RICHARD Earle of Carburie Baron of Emlyn ANTHONY Viscount Montague c. JOHN Lord Abergavenny WILLIAM Lord Sturton c. HENRY Lord Arundel Count of the sacred Roman Empire and Baron of Wardor The Earles of BRIDGWATER Edward Earle of Derbie Dorothea Daughter of Tho. Howard Duke of Norfolk by which Match this Honourable Family of the Egertons by Frances Daughter and Coheir to Ferdinando Earl of Derbie descends from the Brittish line as appears at large in the Pedegree of the D. of Norfolk Henry Earle of Derbie Margaret Daughter to Henry Clifford Earle of Cumberland and Elinor his wife Daughter and Coheir of Charls Brandon Duke of Suffolk and his wife Mary Queen of France Daughter to K. Henry VII and Elizabeth Heir general to the house of York and Lord Mortimer whose Ancestour Ralph Lord Mortimer married to Gladis sister and Coheir  to David and Daughter to Llewelin Prince of Northwales and K. Henry VII was Grand-childe to Owen Tudor lineally descended from the Princes of South Wales Ferdinando Earle of Derbie Alice Daughter to Sir John Spencer Knight Sir John Egerton Knight of the Bath Lord President of Wales Earle of Bridgwater Baron of Elsmere Frances Daughter and Coheir of Ferdinando Earle of Derbie John Egerton Baron of Elsmere Viscount Brackley Earle of Bridgwater now living 1661. BRIDGWATER but more properly in old Records Burgh-walter that is VValters Burgh so called of VValter de Duaco who came in with the Normans and had fair Lands given him in those parts by the Conquerour is a Town in Sommersetshire A great and populous Town descending by the Chawworths to the Dutchy of Lancaster and was by King Henry VIII Heir of the Lancastrian line adorned with the Title of an Earldom which he bestowed on Sir Henry Daubeney son of that Giles Daubeney who came in with King Henry the Seventh from Brittain in France and was by him made Lord Chamberlain and Knight of the Garter which Henry dying without issue this Title lying long asleep was afterwards awakened in another Family ordained to be a Seminary for the Earles of Bridgwater Henry Lord Daubeney created Earle of Bridgwater 30. Hen. John Egerton Viscount Brackley created Earle of Bridgwater May 15. Lord President of Wales c. John Viscount Brackley created Earle of Bridgwater now living 1661. The Earle of CARNARVON THis Right honourable Earle now living is the worthy Heir of that most worthy and Heroick Robert Lord Dormer and Earle of
intending to deceive them who went about to do the like by him when the Enemies therefore came to the place where the Ambuscado was Haâ—m watch haâ—m catch the Earl Marshals army gave a great shout and so set upon their Enemies being unprovided and suddainly put them all to flight putting to the sword an infinite number of them as well Poictavians as others John of Monmoth himself escaped by flight whose Country with the villages buildings and all that he had therein the Earl Marshall did spoil and plunder leaving nothing but what fire and sword could not destroy and so full fraught with spoil returned home Salop taken by P. Lhewelyn Afterward in the week of Epiphanie Lhewelyn P. of VVales together with the Earl Marshall joyning their forces and entering the Kings land destroyed all with fire and sword from the confines of Wales unto the town of Salop which they also took and burnt a great part thereof enriching themselves with the plunder of the Country The King of England being all this while with the Bishop of Winchester â—t Glocester The K. careless of his honour little regarding war who for want of sufficient strength durst not meet his enemies in the field but being ashamed of the matter departed towards Winchester leaving the marches to be destroyed by the Enemies as any man might imagine The same year Richard Marshall Earl of Pembrock by councel of Geffrey de Marisco went with an army to Ireland where he was slain in fight by treason of his own Men after whom his brother Gilbert succeeded in the Inheritance Mr. Brook reporteth the story thus that whilst he with Lhewelyn was thus busied against the King word was brought him that Morice Fitz Girald and other Irish had sacked his Countries and Lands in Ireland Mr. Brook Alias Yorke fol. 270. upon the hearing whereof he hasted thither with fifteen Knights to encounter with his Enemies and joyned battail with them upon Saturday the first of April 1234. and fought eleven hours untill his horse was slain under him And then he falling to the ground one of the Irish perceiving his back part ill-armed lifted up his Habergeon and thrust a knife into his back up to the halft giving him his deadly wound and then brought him to a Castle of his own named Kilkenny which the said Morice had taken a little before from him where he died fifteen dayes after without issue What K. Hen. cannot do by the sword he thinks to do by the word In that year the King sent the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Bishops of Rochester and Chester to intreat with Lhewelyn to make peace with the King but they returned without doing any good Mathew Paris saith that the King going at this time to meet Edmond Archbishop of Canterbury and other Bishops which he had sent to conclude a peace with Lhewelyn Prince of Wales came to VVoodstock where being certifi'd of the death of the E. Marshall by certain messengers which came from Ireland he fell into great weeping and sorrow for the death of so valiant a Knight affirming withall that he had not left his Peer behind him in the Realm From thence he went to Glocester where the said Archbishop and Bishops coming unto him declared the treatice and form of peace taken between him and the said Lhewelyn The Welsh constant to their confederates in concluding of peace yet nevertheless upon this condition that the Noblemen of England which were confederates with the said Lhewelyn and by evill councel were exiled should first be reconciled to the King whereby the said peace might be more firm and stable Moreover the Archbishop said that with much ado they had brought the matter to that pass adding sometimes threatnings on the Kings behalfe with his Clergy To the which threatnings the said Lhewelyn is reported to have answered that he more regarded the Kings almes-deeds and his holy behaviour then he did fear the war of all his Clergy Then the King who wished peace with all his heart caused by his letters all the Nobles that were outlawes to be called again unto him to Glocester and Sunday before Ascension day next following to have their pardons and to receive their Inheritance Osculum paâ—â—â— which the King had seised into his own hands then Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent came to the King and obtained his favour whom the King reverently embraced and kissed Prince Lhewelyn also this year set Gruffith his Son at liberty whom he had kept in prison six years for his disobedience and this year Cadwalhon ap Maelgon dyed and the next year Owen the Son of Gruffith ap Rees being a Noble Gentleman and very well beloved was buried by his brother Rees at Stratflur The year after Madoc the son of Gruffith Maylor Lord of the lower Powis or Bromfield Chirk and Pale a Man very just and mercifull dyed and was buried very honourably at the Abbey Lhan Egwest or Vale Crucis which he had built and left behind him a son named Gruffith to inherit his Lands also Owen ap Meredyth ap Rotpert ap Cydewen departed out of this World Marchan Castle The same year Gilbert Earl of Pembrock by treason got the Castle of Morgan ap Howel called Marchan and fortified it very strong for fear of the Prince The next spring Joan the daughter of King John Princess of VVales was buried upon the Sea-shore within the Isle of Anglesey at Lhanvaes as her pleasure was Lhewelyn builds a Fryery at Lhanvaes over his Wives Sepulchre where the Prince did build a house of barefooted Fryers over her grave In the year 1237. Lhewelyn Prince of VVales called all the Lords and Barons of VVales if any such title as Baron was amongst them it being altogether Norman as I conceive before him to Stratflur and there every one of them swore to be faithfull subjects and did homage to David P. Lhewelyns son An Act of a discreet Prince At this time Lhewelyn being impotent by reason of a palsey which had taken him and sore urged and disquieted by his son Gruffith sent Embassadours to the King to signifie unto him that forasmuch as his years were now well near spent The Prince of Wales whom power could not compel voluntarily submits himself he was desirous to lead the rest of his dayes in peace and quietness and therefore purposed now to submit himself to the government and protection of the King of England and that he would hold his lands of him promising withal that whensoever the King should stand in need of his aid he would be ready to help him with men and money to the utmost of his power There were sent as Mediators in this behalf the Bishops of Hereford and Chester who travelled about the same with the good liking of many of the Nobles of Wales although some openly opposed it and in no case would except of any such peace Then the said David
And all the lands that were of Rees ap Meredyth The large liberties and priviledges of the Prince of Wales which came to the hands of King Edward the First together with all the Lordships Cities Castles Burrowes Townes Manours Members Hamlets and Tenements Knights fees Voydances of Bishopricks Advowsons of Churches and of Abbeys Priories and of Hospitals with customes and prisages of wines The exercise and Execution of Justice and a Chancery Forrests Chases Parks Woods Warrens Hundreds Comoâ—s c. And all other Hereditaments as well unto the said principality as unto the said King in those parts then belonging To have and to hold the same unto the sad Prince and his heirs Kings of England This limitation of Estate of this principality unto the prince and his heirs Kings of England may seem strange to our Modern Lawyers For how is it possible that the Kings of England can inherit the principality since the principality being the lesser dignity is extinguished in the Kingly Estate being the greater for in presentia majoris cessat id quod minus est for as much as the Heir apparent of the crown being Prince is presently upon the death of his Ancestor eo instante King himself and the principality as the lesser not compatible with the Kingdom being the greater But when I consider that this age where in this Charter was penned was a learned age of Judges and Lawyers by whose advice no doubt in a matter of this importance this Charter was penned and this age much commended for exquisite knowledg of the lawes by those learned Men that lived in the succeeding times I cannot but think reverently of antiquity although I cannot yield sufficient reason of their doings therein Nevertheless for as much as all the Charters in the ages following made to the Prince do hold the same manner of limitation of Estate Sr. John Dodridge his opinion concerning a difficulty I am perswaded some mystery of good policy lies hid therein which as I conceive may be this or such like The Kings of England thought to confer upon the Prince and heir apparent an Estate in Fee simple in the lands that they bestowed upon him for a lesser than an Inheritance had not been answerable to so great a dignity And yet they were not willing to give him any larger Estate then such as should extinguish again in the Crown when he came to be King or died for that he being King should also have the like power to create the Prince or his heir apparent and to invest him into that dignity as he being the Father was invested by his Progenitor For the wisdom of the Kings of England was such as that they would not deprive themselves of that honour but that every of them might make new Creations and Investitures of the principality to ther Eldest Son and next succeeding heir apparent and that those lands so given unto the Prince might when he was King be annexed knit and united again to the crown and out of the crown to be anew conferred which could not so have been if those lands had been given to the Prince and his heirs generall for then the lands so given would have rested in the natural person of the Princes after they came to the Kingdome distinct from the Crown Lands and might as the case should happen descend to others then those which were his heirs apparent to the Crown And herein I do observe a difference between the principality of Wales given to the Prince and the Dutchy of Cornewall given unto him For every Prince needeth and so hath had a new creation and investiture But he is Duke of Cornewal as soon as he is born if his Ancestor be then King of England and if not he is Duke of Cornwall eo instante that his father is King of England The said King also by an another charter dated the 20 of September in the said 17. year of his reign granted unto the said prince all arrerages of rents duties accompts Stocks stores goods and chattels remaining in all and every the said parts due or by right belonging unto the King and thereupon the prince accordingly was possessed by vertue of these charters of all these aforesaid It resteth that here we set down the Total Annual value of the said Principality of Wales by it self as it appeareth upon a diligent Survey thereof taken in the 5. year of the reign of the said King Edw. the III. of England and in the 37. of his reign over France The survey of the principality of Wales is drawn out of a long Record and to avoid tediousness the value of the revenues of every County or Shire is here set down and then the total of the whole omitting the particulars of every Mannour Lordship Town or other profit in every of the said Counties The setting down whereof at large would have been exceeding combersome and intricate It is therefore in this manner The Province of Northwales The summe total of all the Princes Revenues in the County or Shire of Caernarvon 1134l 16 s 2d ob q. The summe total of the Revenues of the province in the County of Anglesey 832l 14 s 6d ob q. The sum total of the revenues in the county of Meryoneth amounteth unto 748l 11 s 3d. ob q The perquisites and profits of the Sessions of the Justices of Northwales The summe Total of all the former Revenues in Northwales amounteth to 3041l 7 s 6d. q. Whereof deducted the yearly Fee of the Justice of Northwales and there remains the summe of 3001l 7 s 6d. q. The Province of Southwales The summe totall of the yearly Revenue of the prince in the county of Caerdigan 374l 11 s 3d. q. The summe total of the yearly Revenue of the prince arising in the County of Caermardhyn 406l 1 s 7d. The Fee Farme of Buelht 113l 6 s 8d. Montgomery 56l 13 s 4d. Perquisites and profits of the Sessions of the Justice of Southwales 738l 6 s 9d. ob Perquisites of the Courts of Haverford 41l. 5 s. 3d. ob The summe total of the Revenues in Southwales 1730l 4 s 11d q. Out of which deducted for the Fee of the Justice of Southwales 50l. there then remaineth 1681l 4s 11d q. The total of all which Revenues of the Principality of VVales cast up in one entire summe together is 4681l 12 s 5d q. This survey was made upon this occasion as it seemeth after the death of the prince called the black Prince the Princesse his wife was to have her dowry to be allotted unto her out of those Revenues which could not be without an extent or survey thereof first had by Commissioners thereunto appointed And because the yearly value of the said revenues by reason of the casual profits thereof were more or lesse yearly and not of one certain value the Commissioners observed this course they did make choice of three several years viz. 47 and 48 and 49. of Edw. III. and
great credit and favour between whom and the Lord Grey of Ruthin happen some discord about a piece of Commons lying between the Lordship of Ruthin and the Lordship of Glyndourdwy whereof Owen was owner and thereof took the sirname of Glindour during the reign of K. Richard Owen was too hard for the Lord Grey being then a servitour in court with K. Rich. with whom he was at the time of his taking in the castle of Flint by the Duke of Lancaster but after that K. Richard was put down the Lord Grey being now better friended then Owen entred upon the said Commons whereupon Owen having many friends and followers in his country as those that be great with princes commonly have put himself in armour against the Lord Grey whom he meeting in the field overcame and took prisoner The Welsh ever addicted to believe prophesies This was the very beginning and cause Owens rising and attempts upon the taking of the Lord Grey and spoyling of his Lordship of Ruthin many resorted to Owen from all parts of Wales some thinking that he was now as well in favour as in K. Richards time some other putting in his head that now the time was come wherein the Brittains through his means might recover again the honour and liberty of their ancestours A caveat for Mr. Pugh and such as are over credulous in prophesies These things being laid before Owen by such as were very cunning in Merlins prophesies and the interpretations of the same for there were in those dayes as I fear there be now some singular men which are deeply overseen in those mysteries and hope one day to mete velvet upon London bridge with their bowes brought him into such a fools paradice that he never considering what title he might pretend or what right he had proceeded and made war upon the Earle of March who was the the right Inheritor as well to the principality of Wales as appeareth formerly as to the Crown of England after the death of K. Rich. being descended from the elder brother next to Edw. Prince of Wales father of K. Rich. of which insurrection rebellion there ensued much mischief unto the Welshmen for the King conceiving great hatred against them shewed himself a manifest opressour of all that nation making rigorous lawes against them whereby he took in a manner all the liberties of subjects from them Cruel Lawes against the Welsh probibiting all Welshmen from purchasing lands or to be chosen or received Citizens or Burgesses in any City Burrough or market towns or to be receied or accepted to any office of Maior Bailiffe Chamberlain Constable or Keeper of the gates or of the goale or to be of the Councel of any City Burrough or Town or to bear any manner of armour within any City c. And if any suit happened between a Welshman an Englishman it was by law ordained that the Englishman should not be convict unlesse it were by the judgment of English Judges and by the verdict of the whole English Burgesses or by Inquests of English Burroughs and Towns of the signiories where the suit lay also that all Englishmen that married Welshwomen should be disfranchized of their liberty no congregation or meetings in councel was permitted to Welshmen but by licence of the chief Officers of the said signiory and in the presence of the same Officers That no victualls nor armour should be brought into Wales without the special licence of the King or his Councel That no Welshman should have any Castle Fortresse or house defensive of his own or of any other mans to keep no Welshman to be made Justice Chamberlain Chancellour Treasurer Sheriff Steward Constable of Castle Receiver Eschetor Coronor nor chief Forrester nor other Officer nor Keeper of Records nor Lieutenant in any of the said Offices in no part of Wales nor of the councel of any English Lord notwithstanding any patent or licence made to the contrary That no Englishman which in the time to come shall marry any Welshwoman be put in any Office in VVales or in the Marches of the same These with other lawes both unreasonable and unconcionable such as no prince among the Heathen ever offered to his subjects were ordained and severely executed against them Neither was it any reason that for the offence of one man his complices all the whole nation should be so persecuted whereby not only they that lived in that time but also their children and posterity should be brought to perpetual thraldom and misery A law more cruel then that Julian the Apostate for these lawes were not ordained for their Reformation but of meer purpose to work their utter ruine and destruction which doth evidently appear in that they were forbidden to keep their children at learning or to put them to be apprentises to any occupation in any Town or Burrough in this realme Let any indifferent man therefore judge and consider whether this extremity of law where Justice it self is meer injury and cruelty be not a cause and matter sufficient to withdraw any people from civility to barbarisme 〈…〉 This Hen. dyed in the 10th year of his reign leaving a son behind him being an infant of ten moneths who by reason of his tender age was not as by any word extent can be proved ever created prince but was proclaimed King immediately after the death of his father by the name of Henry the Sixt. Edward of Westminster Henry the sixt by the advice of his Lords Spiritual and Temporal given to him in his Parliament holden in the 31 year of his reign did afterwards by his charter bearing date 15 day of March 32. Regni created Edward his son born at Westminster by one and the self same patent to be both prince of Wales and Earle of Chester and invested him therein His Creation with the usual Ensignes of that dignity as had been in former time accustomed TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said dignities to him and his heirs Kings of England Sr. J. Dodridge which Charter is recited in the Act of Parliament holden at Westminster 9. Julii anno 33. regni In the which Act of Parliament is also recited another Charter likewise confirmed by the said Parliament whereby the said King did give unto the said Prince the said principality of Wales together with all the Lordships and lands Castles and Tenements by speciall names above mentioned and all in the former Charters granted and conveied to the former Princes and the said Fee Farms and Rents of 113 l. 13 s. ob out of the Lordship and Town of Buelht and the said 56l 13s 4d out of the Lordship Castle and Town of Montgomery likewise mentioned in the Charters of the former Prince To have and to hold to him and his heirs Kings of England By the same Act of Parliament also it was enacted because the said prince was then of tender years and there was assigned unto him a certain
Black Prince about 300 years ago without deductions amounted to 4681 l. 12 s. 5 d. q. is now worn and wasted to the sum of 1865 l. 8 s. 10 d. ob q. and with the ordinary deductions and reprizes taken out of it at this present in charges fees to Officers and other Reprizes is brought to the sum of 1335 l. 2 s. 3 d. ob q. Which small sum also as the Revenue was to Queen Eliz. was much lessened for that a greater sum in the whole amounting yearly to 1789 l. 13 s. 2 d. which did partly arise by reason of the allowance of the diet of the councel of the Marches being yearly 1106 l. 13 s. 4. the fees of the Barons of the Exchequer in Wales the Auditors fees Woodwarps fees Receivers fees Surveyers fees and for the portage of money was charged as well upon this Revenue of the Prince as upon other Lands or Revenues belonging to the Crown within the several Counties of Wales Prince Henry Mr. Holl. pag. 247. James King of Scotland onely son and heir of Henry Stewart King of Scotland the name of Stewart here first presenting it self as concerning the right of succession to the Crown of England I think is convenient to shew unto my Readers out of Mr. Hollenshed the descent of that Noble Antient and Regal Family which hath much of the Welsh blood in it Mackbelih after he had obtained the Crown of Scotland by indirect means fearing the posterity of Banquho a Nobleman whose children and off-spring the three women told should enjoy the Crown and sway the Regal Scepter invited the father Banquho with his son Fleance to his Palace to supper but caused certain of his wicked adherents and Ministers treacherously to murther them before they entred his Court which assascination fell too heavy upon the father for there he lost his life the son by the Divine assistance escaped the massacre and having intelligence by some private friends in the Palace that his life was sought after to avoid the further peril he fled into Wales where by reason of his carriage proportion and Court-like behaviour he found such courteous entainment that better he could not desire from the Prince the Courtiers admire his gallantry the Ladies his person his pleasing and charming behaviour the Princes daughter is so ensnared with Cupids bewitching allurements that she admits him privately into her most secret closet where what hearts content they enjoyed unseen by any but themselves appeared openly to the world in a short time by the encrease and exuberance of Her belly in revenge whereof Fleance is slain and the poor Lady kept in miserable condition for having thus suffered her self to be deflowred by a stranger at the last she was delivered of a son named Walter who within a few years proved a man greater in courage fortitude than any commonly was found although he had no better bringing up by his Grand-fathers command than amongst the baser sort of people howbeit he shewed ever from his infancy that there reigned in him a certain stoutness of stomack ready to attempt high enterprises It chancing that falling out with one of his companions after many taunting words which passed between them the other to his reproach objected that he was a Bastard and begotten out of lawful Wedlock which so incensed him that he slew him forthwith This sad accident forced him to leave Wales and betake himself to Scotland to seek some rising fortune there where he happened into the company of certain Englishmen which came thither with Queen Margaret and behaved himself so soberly in all his actions that within a while he grew into high esteem amongst them Not long after by such means raising high esteem he was sent with a great power of men into the Western Isles and other places of the Realm to free the same from the Tyranous and Injurious oppressions there Walter made Steward of Scotland exercised by divers misgoverned persons which enterprise according to his Commission he atchieved with such prudent policy and manhood that immediately upon his return to the Court he was made Lord Steward of Scotland with assignment to receive the Kings Rents and Duties out of all parts of the Realm This Walter Steward had a son named Allan Steward who went after with Godfrey of Bulloin Duke of Loraine and Robert Duke of Normandy Alan Steward son to King William Conquerour into the Holy Land at what time they with other Western Princes advanced thither An. 1099. Allan had issue Alexander Steward that founded the Abbey of Pasley of St. Benedicts Order who had issue Walter Steward Alex. Steward Walter Steward whose valour was notable in the battail of Largis This same Walter had issue two sons the one named Alexander who fought right valiantly at the foresaid battail in defence of his father Alexander and Robert brothers from whence the Earles of Iénox and Dernly John James Walter inhetor of Bonkil The Crown of Scotland comes to the family of the Stewards John Steward alias Robert Rex Duke of Albanie and the other named Robert Steward got the lands of Terbowtoun and married the heir of Cruckeistoun from whom descended the Earles of Lenox and Dernly Moreover the abovenamed Alexander that founded Pasley had divers other sons as John Iames c. howbeit they took new sirnames by the names of those lands unto the which they succeeded The abovenamed Iohn Steward after the death of his brother Iames married the heir of Bonkil a virgin of great beauty and had by her Walter Steward that inherited the lands of Bonkil Runfrew Rothsay Bute and Stewardrown after that his father Iohn was slain at Fulkyrk He married Margery Bruce daughter to K. Robert Bruse by whom he had issue K. Robert the second of that name This Robert the second took to wife one Isabel Mure a Damosel of excellent beauty she was daughter to Sr. Adam Mure Knight and brought forth issue three sons three daughters the eldest son called John Steward and by some Robert who succeded immediately after his fafathers death in the Kingdom The second called Robert was made Earle of Fyfe and Mentrith also he was created Duke of Albanie and ruled the realm of Scotland under the name of Governour by the space of XV. years The third son named Alexander was Earle of Buchquane and Lord of Bondzenot The Earle of Buckquane a Steward The eldest daughter was married to James the son and heir of William Earle of Dowglas the second daughter was maried to John Dunbar brother to George Dunbar Earle of March and was made to his more honour Earle of Murray He got on her one only daughter that was married to the Dowglas and so Dowglas came to be Earle of Murray The third daughter was married to John Lyoun that was made afterward Lord of Glammis Moreover the foresaid Robert that was the first of the Stewards The Earle of Athol and
Cartismandua either fearing her own estate or thinking to winne favour of the Conqueror as Princes oftentimes make use of one anothers mis fortunes to serve their own turnes detained him in prison a while and afterward delivered him to Odorius who was exceeding glad he had gotten him and forthwith sent him to Rome as a prize of great worth and the happy fruit of nine years service in the Wars The report of Caracticus misfortune was soon spread throughout the Isles and Provinces adjoyning for his name was renowned in most parts of Italy and each man desired to see him who had so long time withstood and continued that power which held all the world in awe and obedience The City of Rome for many dayes together was filled only with the talk of him and expectation of his coming and the Emperour himself as a Conquerour by extolling his own worthinesse covertly added more glory to the Conquered the people assemble together as it were to see some notable and rare spectacle the Emperours guard in Arms were orderly placed in the Field before the Camp after this preparation made the Prisoners and Trophies were presented in this manner First The Vassals of Caracticus going formost bowed their bodies to the people as they passed and seemed by their Ruefull Countenances to discover their fear the Caparasons Chaines and other spoiles taken in the War were carried after them then Caracticus his Brethren Wife and Daughters followed And last of all came Caracticus himself his body was naked for the most part and painted with the figures of divers Beasts he wore a Chain of Iron about his Neck and another about his Middle the Hair of his head hanging down in long Locks curled by nature covered his back and shoulders and the Hair of his upper lip being parted on both sides lay upon his breast the rest of his body was shaven all over neither was his behaviour lesse noted then the strangenesse of his habit for he neither hung down his head nor craved mercy as did the rest but went on boldly with a settled and stern Countenance till he came before the Emperours Tribunal Seat and there standing still a while he after spake these or the like words CARACTICVS his Speech IF either my vertues in prosperity had been answerable to the greatnesse of my estate or the successe of my late attempts to the resolution of my mind I might have come to this City to have been entertained rather as a Friend then as a Captive to be gazed upon For it would have been no disgrace for the Romans to have admitted me into society with them a man Royally Descended and a Commander of many Warlike Nations But what cloud soever fortune hath cast over my estate she is not able to take from me those things which the Heavens and nature have given me that is the dignity of my Birth and the courage of my mind which never failed me I know it is a custome among you to make your Triumphs the spectacles of other mens miseries and in this my calamity as in a mirrour you do behold your own glory yet know that I was sometimes a Prince furnished with strength of Men and ability of War and what marvell is it that I have now lost them since your own experience hath taught you that the events of War are variable and uncertain I thought that the deep waters which like a wall inclose us whom the Heavens seem to have placed far off in another world by it self might have been a sufficient defence for us against Forrain Invasion but I see now that your desire of Soveraignity admits no limitation since neither the danger of an unknown Sea nor the distance of place can any longer warrant our safety and liberty if you will needs command the whole world then must all men become your Vassals and live under a forced obedience For mine own part so long as I was able I made resistance being unwilling to submit my Neck to a Forrain Yoak The Law of natural reason alloweth every man to defend himself being assailed and to withstand force to which force had I yielded at the first thy Glory and my Mishap had not been so renowned but both of them would soon have been forgotten Fortune hath done her worst and we have now nothing left us but our lives which if thou spare having power to spill thou shalt do that which best beseemeth a great Mind and a Noble Nature The Emperour hearing his Speech and wondering to see such boldnesse and constancy of a mind in dejected estate pardoned both him and the rest of his company commanding them to be unbound and so dismissed them For many daves together Caracticus his fortune ministred matter of discourse to the Lords of the Senate who affirmed the spectacle of his Captivity to be no lesse honourable then that of Syphax the Numidian King over whom P. Scipio triumphed or that of Perses whom P. Aemilius vanquished or of any other Kings that had in former times been taken in War and shewed to the people the publick honours of triumph were decreed for Ostorius whose fortunes being now at the highest began afterwards to decline by reason that either Caracticus the object of his valour being removed he supposed he had made a full conquest and therefore followed the service more carelesly or else for that the residue of the Brittaines having compassion of the misfortune of so mighty a Prince and being eager of revenge renewed the War for they assailed the Legionary Cohorts which were left behind to build Fortresses in the Silures Country killed the Camp Master and eight Centurions besides some of the forewardest Souldiers and they had put all the rest to the sword if speedy rescue had not come from the Villages and Forts adjoyning divers other sallies they made as time and place gave them advantage prevailing sometimes by strength sometimes by policy and sometimes by chance the principal motive that induced the rest to take Armes was the example of the Silures who were most resolutely bent as being exasperated by reason of a speech that the Roman Emperour had used which was that he would root out the name of the Silures as the Sicambrians had been in former time this made them bold and desperate to adventure as men knowing their destiny before hand many skirmishes they had in surprising the scattered Troops of the Roman Souldiers and oftentimes with good successe in taking rich Booties and Prisoners and distributing the spoiles among their Neighbours by which means they drew them also to revolt In the mean time Ostorius wearied with care and travel ended his Life Claudius the Emperor being advertised of the death of Ostorius sent Aulus Didius to take charge of the Army in Brittain where notwithstanding all the haste he made he found all out of Frame Manlius Valens with his Legion having encountred the Brittains with ill successe which by report of the Ilanders
was made greater then indeed it was to terrifie the new Governor who also made use of the same policy to serve his own turn for by encreasing the Fame of that which he heard reported he supposed either to win greater praise if he prevailed or to purchase a more favourable Censure of his actions if he miscarriede The Silures had made many roads into the subdued Country wasting and spoiling round about when Didius the Lieutenant upon his first arrival entering into the Field restrained their outrage and for a while kept them in some awe After Caracticus was taken Venutius a Prince faithfull to the Romans and protected by them so long as Cartismandua his wife and he agreed together upon private discontentment began a new rebellion For Cartismandua whom the Romans specially favoured for the Delivery of Cataracticus abounding now in peace wealth and plenty which are commonly the Nurses of licentious living fell in love with Velocatus one of her husbands servants and forgetting in the end her own honour preferred him before Venutius who being deeply touched with such an open injury and disgrace raised a power to expell her and her Paramour out of the Kingdome The War seemed at the first to have been maintained between themselves and their private followers onely till Cartismandua by pollicy had taken Venutius his brother and certain of his kinsmen and then the Inhabitants round about fearing the event and disdaining to be brought under the servile yoak of a Woman declared themselves for Venutius and with a choice number of youthful and well experienced Souldiers invaded the Country whereof Didius having timely intelligence sent certain Cohorts to encounter them Hereupon issued a sharp Conflict the Successe whereof was much doubted in the beginning but in the end the Romans prevailed The like Fortune also had Caesius Nasica with his Legion for Didius himself as a man stricken in years and fitter to direct then execute used for the most part the Ministery of other men keeping that which his Predecessors had gotten and building onely some few Castles and Places of Defence within the Land to win thereby a Fame of augmenting the Office The year following Claudius the Emperor by the treachery of Agrippina his wife who practised to prevent Brittanicus and to prefer her own Son Nero to the Empire died of poyson leaving to posterity no greater Fame of any thing by him attempted during his Government then of his fortunate Expedition into Brittany Finis Libri Secundi To the Right Honourable and Illustrious EDWARD Marquess and Earl of VVorcester Earl of Glamorgan Lord Herbert c. HENRY Marquess Dorchester Earl of Kingston Viscount Newark c. The Marquess of WORCESTER Bernard Newmarsh Lord of Brecon Nest D. of Griffith ap Llewellyn Prince of Southwales Milo Earl of Hereford Sibill D. and H. of Bernard Newmarsh Henry Fitz Herbert Lord oâ— the Forrest of Deane Lucy Daughter and Coheir of Milo Fitz Walter Earl of Hereford Peter Fitz Herbert Alice D. and H. of Blethin Broad-Spear Lord of Lhanthloell in Monmothshire a Welsh Prince Reinold Fitz Peter Lord of Llanthloell jure matris Margaret Daughter of Sir John Welsh Adam ap Reinold Lord of Llanthloell Christian D. and H. of Gwaren ddy of Gwaren ddy the armes belonging to this Family are the same which Inyr King of Gwent did bear Viz. party per pale S. B. 3. de liz Or. Jenkin ap Adam Gwenllian Daughter to Sir Aron ap Bledry Lord of Kilsant Guillim Jenkin Esquire Gwenllian D. to Howell Vichan ap Howel ap Jorworth Thomas ap Guillim Jenkin Esquire Maud Daughter to Sir John Morley Knight Sir William Thomas Knight Gladis D to Sir David Gam Knight this was that valiant Knight who when the French so over numbered the English as to be ten for one boldly told his King there were sufficient to kill sufficient to take prisoners and a jolly company left to run away William Herbert Earl of Pembroke Anne D. to Sir Walter Devereux William Herbert Earl of Huntingdon Mary D. to Richard Woodvile Earl Rivers Charles Somerset Earl of Worcester Elizabeth sole daughter and heir of William Herbert Earl of Huntingdon Henry Somerset Earl of Worcester Eliz. D. to Sir Anthony Brown William Somerset Earl of Worcester Christian D. to Edward Lord North. Edward Earl of Worcester Eliz. D. of Francis Hastings Earl of Huntingdon Henry Earl and Marquess of Worcester Anne Daughter and sole Heir of John Lord Russel Son and Heir apparent to the Earl of Bedford by which means also this family descends from the Welsh blood Edward Earl and Marquess of Worcester and Earl of Glamorgan Elizabeth D. to William Lord Dormer Henry Lord Herbert D. to the Lord Câ—pel Widow to the Lord Beauchamp and Mother to the Duke of Somerset The Marquess of DORCHESTER John Lord Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury descended from Gilbert Talbot Mr. Brock fol. 291. temp Hen. 3. who married Gwenllian D. to Rees ap Gruffith Prince of Southwales and assumed for his armes G. a Lyon rampant d' Or ala bordure endente de mesne which armes were Rees ap Gruffith's Prince of Southwales Maud Daugher and only Heir of Thomas Nevil Lord â—urnival John Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Lord Verdon by which family also comes in the Welshblood for Theobald Lord Verdon married Maud daughter of Edm. Mortimer L. of Wigmore son of Ralph who married Gladis d. and h. to Llewellyn ap Jorworth P. of Northwales Eliz. D. of James Butler E. of Ormond John L. Talbot E. of Shrewsbury Iatherine D. to Humphrey D. of Buckingham George Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Anne D. to William Lord Hastings Francis Lord Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Mary D. to Thomas L. Dacres of Gilsland George Lord Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Gertrude D. to Thomas Lord Mannors by which match this Honourable Family again descendeth from a Welsh line as in the descent of the Earls of Rutland Henry Talbot fourth son of Earle George Eliz. D. to Sir William Reyner Robert Pierpoint Earle of Kingston c. Gertrude D. and coh of Henry Talbot Son to the Earl of Shrewsbury Henry Pierpoint Earl of Kingston and Marquesse of Dorchester Cecely D. of Paul Viscount Banning THE ANCIENT AND MODERN BRITTISH and WELSH HISTORY Beginning with BRVTE and continued untill KING CHARLES the First The Third Book The Succession of the Roman Emperors from Nero unto Domitian 6 Nero 14 years 7 Galba 7 Months 8 Otho 4 Months 9 Vitellius 8 Months 10 Vespasian 9 years 11 Months 11 Titus 2 years 12 Domitian 15 years LIeutenants under Nero. Veranius Suetonius Paulinus Petronius Turpilianus Trebellius Maximus Lieutenants under Vespasian Petilius Cerealis Julâ—us Frontinus Julius Agricola Lieutenant under Galba Trebellius Maxmius Lieutenant under Titus Julius Agricola Lieutenant under Otho Trebellius Maximus Lieutenants under Domitian Julius Agricola Salustius Lucullus Lieutenant under Vitellius Vectius Bolanus  The Princes and Men of Note among the Brittains In the time of Suetonius Paulinus Government under Nero