A Learned and True Assertion of the original Life Actes and death of the most Noble Valiant and Renoumed Prince Arthure King of great Brittaine Who succeeding his father Vther Pendragon and right nobly gouerning this Land sixe and twentie yeares then dyed of a mortall wounde receyued in battell together with victory ouer his enemies As appeareth Cap. 9. And was buried at â—lasteâ—bury Cap. 1â— An. 543. Collected and written of late yeares in lattin by the learned English Antiquarie of worthy memory Iohn Leyland Newly translated into English by Richard Robinsâ—â— Citizen of London Anno Domini 1582. LONDON Imprinted by Iohn Wolfe dwelling in Distaffe Lane ouer against the Signâ— of the Castell 1582. Insignia Illustrium Patronorum huius opusculi selectorum ARTVRVS BARO Gray de VVilton D. HENRICVS SIDNEY Illustrissimi Ordinis Garterij Miles vnus Consiliariorum D. Reg. in Principatu Walliae Praesid Magister Thomas Smith D. Reginae Custumarius Principalis in Portu London To the Right Honorable Lord ARTHVRE GRAY Baron of Wilton Lord Deputie Liefetenant Generall for the Queenes Maâ—estie in Ireland To the Right Honorable Sir HENRY SIDNEY Knight of the Honorable Order of the Garter President for her Maiestie in the 〈◊〉 of Wales To the Right worshipfull M. THOMAS SMITH Esquire Chiefe Customer for her Maiestie in the Porte of London to the Worshipfull Societie of Archers in London yearely celebrating the renoumed memorie of the Magnificent Prince ARTHVRâ— his Knightly Order of the Round Table Grace mercy Peace in the Lord Euerlastinge HAVING in mindefull memorie Right Honourable and Worshippfull that mercifull couenaunt of peace by our omnipotent Creator towardes all flesh thus manifested I do set my Raine Bowe in the cloudes it shall be as a tokeÌ„ betwene me the earth promising hereby neuer to destroy the same any more by waters how much ought maÌ„kind specially enioying by this peaceable pact from HeaueÌ„ Earth the Sea aboundance of benefittes feare God in his holines loue one an other in righteousnesse and vse these benefittes with thankfulnesse to the aduauncement of his glory For this Bowe this Rainebowe I say of his couenant and pledge of his peace left vnto vs froÌ„ the deluge as Aristotle affirmeth Naturally appeareth by reflection or giuing backe of the light of the Sunne from a cloude opposite or against the same So our heaueÌ„ly God the Father of light and giuer of grace departeth with the light of his manifolde mercies vnto mankinde from the opposite cloude of his displeasure Againe this Bowe of his couenant and pledge of his peace as it is saide by Albertus To be so much lesse in appearance as by how much the Sunne is higher in the Heauens and contrarie wise so much greater as the Sunne is lower to the earth So much lesse be the mercies of God minded of man as his mightie power appeareth out of our sight and againe so much greater seeme his mercies vnto vs as his mightie power is nere vs in sight Thirdly according to Aristotle this Rainebow of his couenant pledge of his peace As it appeareth in the Spring time in Sommer in Autume in Winter euening morning but specially in Autumne So is the performance of his mercifull couenant and peaceable pacte at all times apparant but specially in Autumne that is when mankinde laboureth most to leaue sinne and bring-forth fruites of good life as I saide fearing God in his holinesse louing one an other in righteousnesse and vsing his benefittes with thankfulnesse Thus and to this end graunting his couenant our omnipotent Creator and gratiouse God ordayning Man ruler ouer his Creatures in earth yet vnder his protection in heauen hath not onely bounde vnto him all humaine societie but hath also substituted euen his liuetenauntes godly rulers ouer the same to the foresaide effect for the aduauncement of his glory confirming the same couenant with the aucthoritie of his holie worde on this manner I will ordaine a place for my people of Israell I. And I will plant him and I will dwell with him II. And he shall be no more troubled III. And the children of iniquitie shall not vexe or afflict him any more IIII. By his word here he promised that which by his deede he performed to our forefathers Adam in Paradise Gen. 1. Noah his children Gen. 9. Abraham his seede Gen. 12. But louing his â—lect and hating their enemies he performed his promise vnto Iacob in his prouidence and vnto Laban in his iudgments Gen. 30. So did he in like manner vnto Ioseph and his vnnaturall brethren Gen. 37. Yea in his prouidence laying his right hand vpon Ephraim and in his iudgement his left hand vpon Manasses Gen. 48. Whereby as he prospered and protected his holy ones in peace and warres against their enemies we reade also in the deuine histories from time to time how and by what ordenarie meanes of power force and defence he reached vnto his feeble flocke his mightie arme to the discomforture of the enemie vtter subuertion both of their power pollicie according to his promises aforesaide Heere then memorable and praiseworthie is the prouidence of this most mightie God who promising helpe vnto the Iewes against the Gentiles vsed no kinde of speach so much as this That he would bend his Bow and dye his shaftes in bloud As who say God wilâ— make the Iewes shoote strong shootes to ouerthrow their enemies or at the least that shooting is a wonderful mightie thing whereunto the high power of God is likened This bow a weapon of defence the Raine Boe a token of truce This Bow in peace a pleasure the Raine Bowe a signe of serenitie this Bow in warres a paine to the enemie the Raine Bow at al times and to all people Gods toaken betwene him and the earth The one an instrment of mercy the other of destruction the godly haue both as their comfort and sauegarde by Gods protection the vngodly either wanting the one or hauing both haue them to their confusion and subuertion by his reiection As we reade of King Saul that he was slaine of the Philistians being mightie bow men and with him also his Sonne â—onathas who as the scripture saith neuer shot shaft in vaine And that the kingdome of Israell after Sauls death came vnto King Dauid who after he was King decreed by the first statute which he enacted That all the children of Israell should learne to shoote in the bowe according to a law made many a day before vt patet in libro iustorum a booke not now in vse to be â—ounde In his booke of Psalmes as hee saide He was at peace with them that hated peace So named hee the bow and arrowes in diuers manners meaninges as in his Psal. 7. vers 13. 14. Psal. 11. vers 2. Psal. 18. vers 13. Psal. 21. vers 12. Psal. 45. vers 6. Psal. 49. vers 9.
of K. Arth. Seale and the InscriptioÌ„ therof K. Arthures maiestie represented on the seale Nota. The seale one of the ornaments which were about â— tombe of K. Edwarde the simple It was translated from Glastenbury to Westminster He meaneth either y e recordes there as Chronica Glessobur gensia either els Patricius â—lesioburgensis Patricius wheÌ„ce it hath originall Patres Patricij why so called From whence the name of Arthure was first deriued Anno Christo nato 44. Peroâ—â—s in Corâ—ucopia nameth her a Nimph one of Iupiters noces Bowes vsed for triumphes at Rome Arthure aptly called Emperour Mordred meetes him The armies of them both ensamped K. Arthures noble Oration vnto his souldiours subiectes going to fight against Mordred and his company Nota. Their first 〈…〉 in Kent Sir Gallouinuâ— his charge Sir Augusâ—llus his charge The apparant promptitude of king Arth. his souldiours His victory Two of his Cheualiers or knightes shine Mordredes preparation against king Arthure the second time Nota. Arthures secoÌ„d battle with Mordred and the place where Graius a writer in the fauour of Arthure M. Cambden M. Cambden Mordred slâ—â—ne outright K. Arthure receiued his deaths wound yet had the victorie Auncient Arthors as Poets Historiographers writing in commendation of K. Arthure Chrisistoriographus Isâ—â—â— Siluester Giraldus his testimony of K. Arthure 〈…〉 Trittemâ—us his testimony who was famouse Anno. 1484. Trittemius his wordes in coÌ„mendation of king Arthure Volateranus Iacobus Philippus Bergomas Nauclerus his testimony Hector Boaetius a Scottish writer Hector Boaenus his commendation of K. Arthure Polidorus Virgillius a corrupt witnesse of King Arthures worthinesse Bookes printed of Arthure in forraine languageâ— Siluester Giâ—aldus in his Itenerario touching Brecknocke Cair Arthure or Arthures Castle K. Arthures Chaire of State Baldwinum aliâ—s Mountgomery King Arthures Gate there Gentlemen of Wales praise worthie in praysing their Prince studiously addicted King Arthure sirnamed Arthure the great Diffinition of Aualonia the place where King Arthure was buried Geoffâ—y of Monmouth his testimony â—hereo Melchinus Siluester Giraldus Patricius all 3. witnesses of Avalonia Alias Ciuitas â—â—trina nunc Glastenbury Supposed rather to be 〈…〉 Fâ—gaâ—tis and Dirâ—aianus Vt ante dixi Fagaunt Diruuianus W. of Malmesburie his testimony Siluester Giraldus his testimony and explanation of Glastenburie Writers of Brittaine affirming where Arthure died The Brittaines sorowfull for the death of K. Arthure Merlinus Caledonius a writer his verses of K. Arthures death Morgan a faithfull friend and true subiect vnto Arthure Morgans wife made prouisioÌ„ for Arthures buriall Brittannicae Historiae Interpres testimonium dat de morte Arthurii Iohannes Burgensis testimoniuÌ„ de eodem Aualonia coÌ„mended by 3. writers viz. Mâ—lchinus Malmsbury Giraldus Burying placeâ— how and â—or whom in those dayes Ceremonies vsed at King Arthure his buriall Morgans noble wife alone prouided for Kinge Arthures buriall How he was interred in the earth Monumentes of him This was set vp in places where enemies were vanquished by the Emperour In tempo re regni 〈◊〉 Reg. â— Within the burying place were set vp â— 3. Pyrameds Auncient writers commending the same King Arthures Tombe where it was erected The meaning and discription of those two Pyramedeâ— Tabulatus Note the blindnesse of that time in preferring a Bishop before a king Where the Lady Guenhera was brought vp Her descriptioÌ„ Beautie Chastitie seldom agree inuiolably Anonimus A writers testimonie touching Guenhera Sir Lancelot knight a friend of Guenheraâ— after her death Nota. where she was buried Siluester Giraldus his testimony both of Arthure of Guenheraes dead corpses De Soliaco Arthures and Guenheras Tombe ercted at Glastenbury Her Epitaph Nota. How Guenhera was stolne away of the Pictes After Arthures death the Saxons florished but the Brittaines perished Saxones were negligent in the fame of Britones their posteritie Iohn Stowe Bardi were such as sung to the harpe the famous factes of noble personages Anno. 〈◊〉 a Christo natâ— 1154. Regni Anno. 1. 1154. Regni Anno. 1. Giraldus Câ—â—â—brensis calleth him Richard Strongbowâ— Earle of Câ—â—pstow Iohn stow 1157. Regni Anno. 3. Iohn stow King Henry the second for his valiancy compared to K. Arthure and was inquisitiue after his monument King Arthures Tombe found Anno Ric. Regis 1. Siluester Giraldus Mâ—lmsbury The place where King Arthure his Tombe was found at that time and the manner therof Nota His inscription the subtile deuise of the Workmen in those dayes Siluester Giraldus his testimonie of Arthure his Tombe fouÌ„d A wise pollycy of workmeÌ„ in those dayes The largnesse of K. Arthures Lineaments Nota. Ten woundes discerned in his scalp A relation to a further testimony of Giraldus in Speculo Ecclesiasticâ— yet parly doubted Alder trees in Aualony Where Giraldus affirmeth K. Arthures Tombe to be found viz. betweene two Pyrameds at Aualonia alias Glastenbury A doubt Malmesbury Iohn Leylands insertion of famous men for proofe of Arthures Tombe found Claudius a Frenchman Anno Domini 1190. Persoâ—ana Iohn Stow. Anno Domini 1191. By what câ—aunce Arthures Tombe was founde as Matthew Pariâ— saith which 〈◊〉 Iohn Leylan de affirmeâ— he neuer heard of to be true Ranulphus Higeden of Chester mentioneth of Arthures Tombe Arthures bones ashes translated into the greate Church at Glastenbury The remoâ—ing of them into the midle Iles of the Queare The third translatioÌ„ of King Arthure in the dayes of King Edward sirnamed the long alias the first of that name The same King and his wife viz. King Arthures Tombe King Edward the first and Queene Elâ—anor his wife behold King Arthurâ— Image the Quenes his wife with their inscriptions Their coÌ„mandement made for preserâ—atioÌ„ of the Lyniamentes of K. Arthure his Queene entombed for continuall reseruation of theire memoriaâ— William Paruus an enemy of K. Arthures fame Iohn LeylaÌ„des pention to the friendly Readers Writers varying what time K. Arthure liued Valerius Hector Boetius Paulus Diaconus Gildas a fable◠〈◊〉 Gildas an vnthankefull person reprochfull towardes his countrie of Brittaine Siluester Giraldus promised to confute the slanders of Gildas Nota. Siluester Giraldus his praise of the Brittaines Anno. ante Christ. natiuiâ— 50. An. ante Christ. natiuitat 401. Post Christum 107. Brittaines alwaies approued valiant persons enâ— in Arthure his time An. 140. Isâ—ae Laâ—des veterâ— Heroum Regis Arthuriâ— praecipue The praises of ancient Potentates amoÌ„gest them of K. Arthure especially Gildas his former dispraise of the Bâ—ittaines here ouermastered with praise worthiness Ponticus 〈◊〉 an Italian commeÌ„ding the Brittaines Lucanus Iohannes Anneuillanus in Architrenio also commending the Brittaines Romanes carefull for their owne fame but negligent in all other mens Honour vnto learning in times past rare Most puysant Personages haue beene parcyally praysed in truth Graius the Authour of that booke Schalecronicâ— had much a doe with sucâ— backbiters Beda more religiously then Historically addicted Nota The tyranny of the Romish Bishop betwene the Saxons and Brittaines of olde time William Parâ—us 〈◊〉 â—â—under of Arthure Monacus Monaco Iâ—uidet Vixit Alfredus circiter annum 842. post 28. ann Iscanus Iscae Iohn Stow. 3. Bishops Sees London Yeorcke and Caâ—tlegion vpon Huske in Walles
vnto credite beeing taken away to reade scanne vpon and preserue in memorie those thinges which are consonant by Authorytie For that which nowe a long time is embraced of Learned men with greate consent ought not in what soeuer moment of time barcking against it together with faith or credite thereof to be quite taken away Otherwise the History had not hetherto remained in so greate reputation Therefore because it is a worke of greater importaunce then wee presentlie are in hande with exquisitely curiously and perfectlie to displaye all the deedes of Arthure let vs for this season omitte the Romaines and let vs aduaunce with penne his famylier friendes Hoelus Gouernour of Armorica or the lesse Brittaine in this famous company of Nobles by a certaine right of his requyreth the next place from the first Concerning whose comming into Brittaine and warlike prowesse we haue formerly written in the chapter of the warres accomplished by Arthure Hetherunto ensewe Mordred and Gallouinus Brethren Germaynes vnto Arthure by bloodde and familiarity alyed Of which two this first at length like a periured persoÌ„ and the same a Reuoulter neuer enough discommendable that I speake nothing of the crime of his adultery was slayne in battle One Hector Abrinus beeing thereof scarce a true witnesse and as I gather with iudgement more rightly sirnamed Alaunicus But the second being alwaies a man constant perfourmed most faithfull diligence both in all forraine warres and also specially in that conflict at Dorcester aboute the returne of Arthure out of Fraunce into Brittaine who was chiefe next vnto him against Mordred Melchinus the Brittish Poet blazseth the fame of Gallouinus The same doth Iohannes Anneuillanus in his booke intituled Architrenio a worke not vnelegant namely by these verses Et Walganus ego qui nil reminiscor auara Illoculasse manu non haec mea fulgurat auro Sed gladio dextra recipit quo spargat enses Non loculos stringit nec opes in carcere miles Degener cupide tumulato rusticus aere Et me bella vocant Et tua forsitan vrget Solicitudo vale And Walgan I with couetous hand nought distribute which haue This my right haÌ„d shines not with gold but with the sword so braue It takes that it may distribute euen swordes not bagges it bendes Nor wealth though I a Knight distrest yet not vntrue to friendes Ne yet in countrie liued I like a couetouse muckâ—scrape But now the warres away call me vnto my wonted state And thine affaires also Perhappes vrge the thereto Farewell ALso that History of Arthure in deede Fabulus which commonly is carried about written in the mother tongue affirmeth that Gallouinus was buried in a certaine Chappell at Dorcester In which poynt what manner booke soeuer it be it misseth not the marke altogether as the booke entituled Scalaecronicon makes manifest relation and y e inhabitantes of y e Castle do now repute his bones almost Gyanllike in stead of a miracle And that long since in the time of Lucius Magnus there was a Chappell founded in the Castle of Dorcester and dedicated vnto our Lord and Sauiour Christ what time Fugatius and Damianus Brittaines preached the Gospell as by the Annales or yearly recordes of the same Cittie hearing a reuereÌ„t figure resemblance of Antiquitie it doth plainely appeare That it may be most acceptable and besides that most true which I haue aboue inferred touching both the death and buriall of Galouinus it shall not through me stand that the iudgement of William de Medulphi Curia as touching the death and buriall of this Gallouinus by reason of his fortitude neuer enough commended should eyther weare out of memory or vtterly perish Wherefore I esteeme it worthie the labour here to sette downe his wordes out of the third booke of the Kinges of England that herehence the discreete Reader might euen fully try as it were at a tutchstone the sincere brightnesse of true gold from that which is counterfeite Then in the Prouince of Wales which is called Rossia was founde the Sepulchre or Tombe of Gallouinus or Walwine which was the Nephewe not degenerate of Arthure by his sister He gouerned in that Coast of Brittaine which to this day is called Waluuthia as a Knight most famous in prowesse but being of his brother and the Nephew to Hengistus concerning whom I haue spoken in the first booke driuen out of his Kingdome did first to their great detriment recompeÌ„ce his banishment iustly pertaking praise with his Unckle for that he put off or auoyded the downefall from his Country then ruinouse But Arthures Tombe was at no time seene whereupon Antiquitie of foolish dreames and fables did vainely surmise that he would yet come againe But the burying place of the other as before I set down in the time of William the first King of EnglaÌ„d was found fourtéene foote long vpon the Sea coast where as some men affirme he was wounded of his enemies and cast out of shipwrake certaine persones haue saide hee was slaine by the Citizens at publique banquet So saith the Authour Gulielmus Meildunensis as concerning Gallouinus But I if it might bee lawfull for me as a puny would make tryall of my strength w t these weapons against this authour Meildunensis so olde and most beaten Souldier to bestow beare of the blowes viz. It is not like to be true that men of Gyantlike height as I gather by y â— graue 14. foote long were then liuing in the dayes of Gallouinus Wherefore vndoubtedly in mine opinion it is more credible that it was the graue of some Gyant inhabitinge the countrie For that first such did inhabit Albion it appeareth both by auctoritie of forraine and of our owns writers The one of which two his credit I folowing namely Iosephus of Deuonshire a Brittish Poet most absolutly elegante by all meanes hauing taken out of his Antiocheides a work immortall these few verses I will vse them as testimony for breuitie sake His Brutus auito Sanguine Troianus Latijs egressus ab oris Post varios casus consedit finibus orbem Fatalem nactus debellatorque Gigantum Et terrae Victor nomen dedit A Troian Brute by auncient bloude ariued froÌ„ Romane roade After sundry hazardes and here in these coastes aboade And hauing got his destned land subdued the Gyants fell As Conquerour he left his fame vpon the earth to dwell Architrenius in his sixt booke of Gyantes inhabiting Albion recyteth these Hos auidum belli Corinei robor auerno Praecipites misit cubitis ter quatuor altum Gogmagog Herculea suspendit in aere lucta Antheumque suum scopulo detrusit in aequor These Corineus his puysant strength of eager moode to fight To hell sent headlong Gogmagog of twelue cubites height By him like Hercules wrastling into the aire was throwne His Antheus eke and from the rocke in seaes was cast adowne NEyther am I ignorant that in
times past there was on y e sea shoare a Castle called Galouine touching which the Authour Mâ—ildunensis as aboue hath written whose footesteppes are as yet apparant But that was not the habitation of the Gyant as neyther perhappes of that Galouine of Arthures but of some latter vycegerent bearing the same name But y â— which he meÌ„tioneth of Arthures Tombe at that time is most true No one man more curiously searched forth at any time all the treasures of the library at Glastenbury This onely was here wanting in him towardes knowledge that he dying about the first yeare of the Raigne of Henry y â— second King of England knew nothing of Arthurs tombe For so much as y â— same tombe was found afterwards in y e beginning of y â— raigne of K. Richard coeurde lyon But I returne w t William Meildunensis into fauâ—ur out of the which as yet I haue not openly fallen By whome a man as in his age most learned in all kind of Good letters and of singuler wit diligence and care in searching forth Antiquitie I confesse and in deede that franckly must aâ—â—irme my selfe to haue beene oftentimes helped in the knowledge of Antiquitie Undoubtedly it is a poynte of honestie to acknowledge by whom a man profiteth It liketh me well here vnto the conclusion to adde the notation which I my selfe gather of the name of Gallouinus out of the Brittish language Walle signifieth straungers or walsh Guin Album or white Like as if a man by this phrase would dedescribe a comely elegant and beawtifull personage except a man more rightly thinke that he tooke his originall from the Saxonish rude language as Walwine signifieth Gallus Amicus Leoflwyn Charus Amicus and Aldwyne Vetus Amicus Now approcheth Augusellus of whom we haue aboue spoken a fewe wordes Who was in so feruent fauour with Arthure that hee was deseruingly made a beneficiall Gouernour ouer the Scottes This man â—endered like for like Being sent for amongst many other Princes to the end he might performe him selfe a companion with Arthure in his expedition towardes Fraunce so â—arre refused hee not his enioyned charge that with greate example of valiancie there manifested and retorning home on the Coast of Richborow with much more prowesse Mordred beinge ouercome in ciuil wars and there put to flight he falling amoÌ„gst the Hoastes with bloud lyfe endaungered valiantly behaued himselfe as y â— Authour of those bookes Schalechronica one Grayius as I suppose is none euil witnesse at al thereof And because touching the chusing out or election of those Princes vnto Arthure being obedient we haue formerly made promise it auaileth here to signifie that there were many notable elections not spoken of by him But that was most notable of all which appeared in Isca or Exceter otherwise in the Cittie of Caerlegion or Chester vpon Vske What time it was proclamed vnto wars against y e French But what haue the Muses to do with Mars vndoubtedly either little or nothing And yet if there were a iust familiaritie betweene them they shoulde rather wish well vnto Mars that for his sake they might deseruingly giue Arthure greate thankes who either restored or instituted a Learned Quier of Ecclesiasticall persons in the saide cittie of Caerlegion if Geoffrey of Munmouth Iohn Burgensis and Rossus Verouicensis declare the trueth This in meane time appeareth plaine by the historie of Anonimus the writer that Amphibalus Iulius Aarona martyres did worship Christ and also had learning in estimation in the saide cittie of Caerlegion or Chester vpon Vske From whome agayne credible it is that others receiued the same letters froÌ„ hand to hande There is also if we may beleeue credible reporte in the treasuries at Cambridge at this daye a Table of the priuiledge by Arthure sometime confirmed to the furderaÌ„ce of studeÌ„ts But as yet haue I not searched out the credite of this deede Iderus sometime a speciall fauourer of K. Arthures court comes nowe to the number of those Cheualyers This man beeing neare alyed in blood vnto Arthure performed many valyant examples of prowesse and continually did cleaue to his Princes side And at length by what hap I knowe not hee dying left a speciall welwishing vnto Arthure who also carefully accomplished his funerall at Aualonia I haue reade at Glastenburie a little booke of the antiquitie thereof gathered very dilligently by a certaine Moncke of that place In which booke he declareth many thinges of Arthures good will towardes this man departed and of y â— liberalitie or beneficiall goodnesse for y â— same his cosens sake bestowed vpon religious persons there inhabiting Of late there did hang a Table at a pillor within y â— Church of Glastenburie which accouÌ„ted Iderus amongst the Benefactors and restorers of the Church at Glastenburie Lancelot a man most famous requireth place euen amongest y â— most excellent Cheualyers to be giuen him Unto which desire I easilie graunt as one readie to speake this in his commendation that hee was a certaine vpright and faithfull friende of Arthures His valiancy appeared largely at y â— battle which was fought betweene Mordred the traytor and Arthure He liued in deede after the battle as I reade once or twice conueyed vnto Guenhera mourning at Arthures death the bodie from Ambersburie vnto Glastenburie But Gyraldus seemeth sincerely to attribute his buriall in one place or other at GlastÌ„bury as in his Speculo Ecclesiastico in his worke De Institutione Principis appeareth Although it rather seemeth to me in mine opinion y â— he tooke his firste tombe at Ambersburie Caradocus a name of noble prowesse martiall followed Arthure in his expedition towardes Fraunce And returning homewarde was slaine as it seemeth on the coast of Richborowe in the ciuill battle The Cronicles of the porte of Dorcester a worke sauouring of antiquitie makes mention of Caradocus The inhabitants of the Castle there euen at this day after a sorte renewe the memorie of Caradocus affirming that they haue in their Custodie I knowe not what Lyneamentes of his And not so contented they sette foorth Arthures Courte and Guenheras lodging Nowe ruffleth in the number and traine of Arthures noble warriours But I so y â— it be done without offence to them because I haue onely taken vpon me to name the most excellentest of them and to praise them haue purposed to ouerpasse the residue yet otherwise praise worthie and last of all to adioyne that Cadorus of Cornewale Hee was of the most noble progeny of the kinges of Brittaine and gouerned the people in the Mountayny soyles of Cornewale Undoubtedly he was a stoute defender of his princes dignitie and had perpetuall familiaritie with the Brittaines At length when hee dyed hee left after him a sonne named Constantine who after the Death of Arthure was made Ruler ouer Brittaine Hee to the ende they following
circumstance of speach here admonisheth me that I expresse somewhat touching Arthures buriall whereof as I haue made sufficient mention so iudge I it specially for the lightsome order conuenient that I should first with exquisite diligence consecrate vnto posteritie the Antiquitie of that place whither vnto the deade corpes was caried Aual in the Brittish tongue signifieth Malum or as I may with a more commoÌ„ phraise interprete it Pomum an Aple and Aualon signifieth Pomarium or Orcharde By reason whereof also of Merlinus Caledonius as Geoffrey Arthurius of Monmouth interpreteth the same it is called the Isle of Apples in these wordes Insula â—omorum quae fortunata vocatur â—'x re nomen habet quia per se singula profert Non opus est illi sulcantibus arua colonis Omnis abest cultus nisi quem natura ministrat Vltro foecundas segetes producit Vuas Nataque poma suis praetonso germine syluis The Isle of Apples which called is fortunate Of effect hath name for it bringes forth all thinges The seeded ground no neede of Plowmen hath All tillage wantes saue that which Nature bringes Of it owne accorde it beares both Grapes Corne And apples grow in woods first grafts being pruned shorne MElchinus the Brittaine makes mention of Aualonia and of the religious place there Siluester Giraldus in his booke De Institutione Principis thus speaketh And y â— island which at this day is called Glastenbury was called in auncient time Aualonia For it is an Islande altogether environed with moorish or fenny groundes Whereupon in the Brittish tongue it is called Aualon that is an Island fruitefull of apples For with apples which in the Brittish tongue are called Aual this place aboundeth Patricius the Apostle or teacher amongest the Irishmen in a certaine Epistle makes mention of this place but by another name whose wordes also I will hereunto annex I haue conuerted Ireland vnto the way of truth and when I had grounded them in the christian faith I returned at length into Brittaine as I beleeue by the guidance of God who is the way and the life I chaunced into the Island Iniswitriue wherein I found a holy and auncient place chosen of God and consecrated vnto the Virgin Mary and there also founde I certaine BrethreÌ„ instructed with the rudiments of the Christian faith which succeeded the Disciples of Fugatius and Damianus Thus farre sayth Patriâ—ius who in that place of his epistle also recyteth the names of twelue religious persons where of two were noble personages Of all which twelue he had chiefe Rule as by these wordes it is manifest So they preferred me though against my will before themselues And againe in the same Epistle the brethren shewed me writings of those holy men Fugatius and Damianus wherein was conteyned that the twelue Disciples of S. Philip and Iacob the Apostles had founded and erected that auncient Church and that three Pagan kinges had giuen so many possessions of land vnto those twelue And last of al how that Fugatius Damianus had builded a chappell on a high hill not farre from Aualonia in the honor of God and S. Michaell Heere is enough at this preseÌ„t euen touch and goe to haue vnderstanding of the reuerend father Patricius his Epistle Gulielmus Meildunensis in his booke of the antiquitie of the religious house at Glastenburie and in his first booke of kinges vnto Henrie Blesensis otherwise Soliasensis Bishop of Venta Simenorum or Winchester writeth not vnlike matters Wherupon also by good coniecture it may bee scene that this William tooke his translations out of the Epistle of Patricius Siluester Giraldus in his booke De Institutione Principis not inconueniently explaneth the EtymoÌ„ or true interpretation of the name It was also in times past called in the brittish language â—niswitrine by y e which word the Saxones which came thether afterwarde called that place Glastenbury For Gles in their tongue signifieth Vitrum or glasse and Bury signifieth Castrum or Castle and is called together the city of Glastenburie These doth he affirme Truly vnto me this seemeth to bee a â—cule faulte in writers of bookes that they heere do recite Byry for burg or berg Byry in the Saxon tongue is in Latine Curia As for example Aldermanburie that is to say Seniorum Curia Also Litlebyry that is Parua Curia Canonbyry commonly called Canbyry Burg otherwise Borow signifieth a hill and high places of earth cast vp Finally Beng is in the Latine tongue called Castrum by reason whereof I more truly beleeue we must reade Berg or Burg for a Castle which worde Giraldus vseth or maketh it to serue for a Towne although as I may freely confesse I finde the name written diuersly amongest the ancients viz. Glessenbyry GlestoÌ„bury and GlesseÌ„burg And there are which pronounce Glas for Gles Although Gles is more perfect and more Auncient as by the name of the Islandes of Glastenburie it appeareth plainly CHAP. XII K. Arthures Buriall NEither can I nor wil I publish for trueth whether Arthure dyed out right in the battle fought at Alaune which is commoÌ„ly called CamblaÌ„ or at Aualonia while his wouÌ„ds were in healing The writers of Brittaine with one voyce holde argument that he dyed at Aualonia through griefe of the same woundes But touching the place of his buriall they doe all agree as one This one thing dare I be bolde to affirme the Brittanes were so sorowfull for the death of their Soueraigne Lorde that they endeuored by all meanes to make the same famous and to leaue the name of their Gouernour euen for euer fearefull and to bee trembled at amongest the Saxones So farre foorth as they with a certaine plausible and straunge inuention did spreade abroade Rumors both of his comming againe and of his ruling againe Touching the againe comming of Arthure so wouÌ„ded to death into Aualonia aforesaid certaine Brittaines did blindly write But none more at large nor more lightsome then Merlinus Caledonius being instructed as some men suppose of Theliesinus the Poet whose verses also I will heere annex selected out of his little booke of prophecy Geoffrey Arthurius beeing interpreter thereof Illuc post Bellum Camblani vulnere laesum Duximus Arthurum nos conducente Barincho Aequora cui fuerant coeli Sidera nota Hoc Rectore ratis cum Principe venimus illuc Et nos quo decuiâ— Morgan suscepit honore Inque suis thalamis posuit super aurea Regem Fulcra manuque sibi detexit vulnus honesta Inspexitque diu tandem redire salutem Posse sibi dixit si secum tempore longo Esset ipsius vellet Medicamina fungi Gaudentes igitur Regem commissimus illi Et dedimus ventis redeundo vela secundis The English Thether after the battle was at Camblan fiercely fought Barinchus so conducting vs we Arthure wounded brought Who knew the seas of the
vnto sound argumentes and relation of auncient writers proueth that Arthures Tombe was in times past eyther erected betwene the two Pyrameds or in a place not far distant from them Of Giraldus we wil say more in the Tombe of Arthure found In the meane time I wil herevnto annex the discription of the Pyrameds artificially purtrayed out by the very pencilles of the same Gulielmus as it were in a plaine table to the eyes of the beholders And where as that no doubte is vnknowne vnto all men I would willingly publish it if I could possibly expresse the truth what those Pyrameds do meane which being erected in a litle space from the olde Church do after a sorte include the Churchyarde of those religiouse persons Undoubtedly the more statelyer larger and nearer Pyramed vnto the Church hath fyue storyes height or flooers boorded is in height 26. foote This although it foreshewed some decay by reason of y e too much oldnesse yet hath it a few apparant spectacles of Antiquitie which may be plainely reade although they can not fully be vnderstode For in the vpper story or floore boorde is made an image in likenesse of a Bishoppe In the second is an Image expressing a Kingly state and letters Her Sex Bliswerh In the third neuerthelesse are names Wem Creste Bantomp Winewegn In the fourth Hate Wulfredi Franflede In the fifte and which is the lowest an image and this writing Logwor Weslielas Bregdene Swellwes Huyrgendes berne But the other Pyramed hath 18. foote height and foure storyes or flooers boorded wherein these wordes are reade Hedde Episcopus Bregorred Beorwalde What these may signifie I do not rashly define but I gather by suspition that within or about the same place are laide in hollow stones the bones of them whose names are reade on the outside Surele Logwor for certaine is affirmed to be the person by reason of whose name Logweres Beorh was so called which is now called Montacute Beorwalde neuerthelesse was Abbot after Hemgiselus These saith Meildunensis vnto whom the learned ought to referre these Pyrameds as from him by all meanes borowed and most famously set forth Now y e lady Guenhera offereth her selfe to be ioyned w t Aâ—hure her Husband CAP. XIIII What manner Person Guenhera was I Haue easely beleeued that Guenhera was descended out of the progeny of the Dukes of Cornwale both leaninge vnto other argumentes and also for this cause specially that the History of Brittaine makes mention y t she was brought vp in y e Pallas of Cadorus â—uke of Cornwale also from hence taken vnto wiâ—e by Arthure The coniecture is and that not altogether vncertaine this name of Guenhera soundeth in the Brittish language the same that Bella Dona doth in the Italian in freÌ„ch Belle Dame no doubt the name was giuen for some fame as Guenllean that is White or fayre Leonora or of coniecture Helena so as y e worde White may signifie faire beautifull or amiable â—ut as it is sufficiently apparant y e she was beautifull so it is a thing doubted whether she was chaste yea or no. Truly so far as I can with honestie I would spare the impayred honor and fame of noble womeÌ„ But yet the truth of y e historie pluckes me by the eare willeth not onely but commandeth me to declare what the Ancients haue deemed of her To wrestle or contend with so greate authoritie were in deede vnto me a controuersie and that greate The historie of Brittaine affirmeth that she had not onely carnall knowledge of Mordred the Pict but also that she was ioyned to him in mariage O mischiefe O lewd life O filthy dayes The writer of the historie of Gildas is in deede an Auncient Author but in mine exemplar that same Anonymus declareth these things of Guenhera the adultresse Arthure in despite of Mâ—lua the ruler beseeged the fenny countries neare vnto Glesconia which noble man had defiled Guenhera being stolne away and caried thether This testimonie as touching a Queene though hee say she was stolne away is scarce honourable Women of such beauty are now and then stolne away by their owne good will Howsoeuer it was most assured is this that she liued no long time after the Death of her Husband and the Adulterer But whether through any disease of the bodie or with vnfayned sorrowe she dyed which I doe sooner beleeue it appeareth not playnely Writers make mention that the beeing mooued with repentance did put vpoÌ„ her a holy Veyle at Ambrosia and that there she dyed and was also there buried vntill both the dilligence and also Godlinesse of Sir Lancelot the most courteous and most inuincible knight had translated the bones and ashes afterwardes vnto Aualonia Heere aryseth a doubt against the suspition of this Adulterie Whether so notable a Louer or friend of Arthure and the same a reuerencer of his royaltie had coÌ„mitted such a fact that hee woulde burie the Adultresse in the most Religiouse place so neare her husbaÌ„ds graue in the earth The history of the cloister at GlasteÌ„bury which was dilligeÌ„tly collected fully sheweth that Guenhera was buried in the religious place neare her husbandes Tombe and that her bones and ashes were found the same time that her husbandes were Siluester Giraldus MeneneÌ„sis coÌ„firmeth this in his booke De Institutione Principis speaking of Arthure in theâ—e wordes For hee had two wiues whereof in deede the last was buryed with him and her bones founde at one time with her husbandes bones so yet separated that the two parts of the graue towardes the head namely which should containe the bones of her husband had beene ascribed vnto him But the third part at the feete coÌ„tained the bones of a woman vpwardes Where as also a yeallow locke of a womaÌ„s haire with the former integrity coulour was fouÌ„d which as a certaine Moncke desirously caught vp in his hand lifted it vp it altogether streightway perished into dust or pouder The same Giraldus recyteth such like matters in his booke intituled Speculo Ecclesiastico Hee doubtlesse might well with some authority speake concerning this geare for so much as euen then he beeing established in the fauour of K. Kichard coeur de Lion king of England came the very same time that the Sepulchre was found at Glastenbury and as an eye witnes by coÌ„duction of Henry de Soliaco nephew vnto K. Henry by Adela and cosen germaine of K. Richard beeing the president of Glastenburie but afterwardes Bishop of Winchester learned full and whole all thinges which vnto Arthure appertained Yet notwithstanding if it were lawfull for me heere to speake all thinges which I thinke I would surely affirme that those thinges are of farre better credite which are delyuered vs of Arthures buryall then of Guenheras And yet woulde I not doe any iniurie vnto the Authorytie of Auncyent wryters that euen
suppose of Henry the second King of England but as others thinke vnto whom I easely assent in the beginning of the raigne of Richard the first his Sonne Touching both this searching for and finding out of the bones two persons specially amongst others haue written their mindes of which two one was a Moncke of Glastenbury and by name vnknowne to me but the other was Siluester Giraldus Furdermore there had beene hereunto added also Gulielmus Meildunensis as the third witnesse to be conferred with them both but that death had taken him away in his aged yeares before the Scpulcre or Tombe was found The testimonies of these men will I vse especially and at this instant I will bring hether the wordes of Annonymus the Moncke King Arthure was entombed like as by K. Henry y e second Henry y ◠Abbot had learned whose cosen germane familier friend he of late was But y e King had often times heard this out of the actes of the Brittaines of their historicall singers that Arthure was buried neare vnto the old Church in the religiouse place betweene two Pyramedes in times past nobly engrauen and erected as it is reported for the memory of him And King Arthure was buryed verie deeply for feare of the Saxons whom he had often times vanquished whome he had altogether reiected or cast out of the Isle of Brittaine And whome Mordred his mischeeuous Nephew had first called backe againe and brought thither against him least they should also with mallice of minde raige in crueltie towardes the deade body which had laboured by tooth naile euen now to possesse againe the whole Island after his death Againe for and in respect of the same feare he was laide in a certaine broade stone as it were at a graue found of them which digged there of seauen foote as it were vnder y e earth when yet notwithstanding Arthures Tombe was founde more lower of nyne foote depth There was moreouer founde a leaden crosse not set into the vppermost but rather neathermost parte of the stone hauing thereon these letters engrauen HIC IACET SEPVLTVS INCLITVS REX ARTHVRIVS IN INSVLA AVALONIAE And the Crosse taken out of the stone the saide Abbot Henry shewing the same we haue seene with our eyes and haue reade these letters But like as the Crosse was infired to the neathermost parte of the stone So that parte of the crosse engrauen to the ende it might bee more secrete was turned towardes the stone Doubtlesse a wonderfull industrie and exquisite wisdome of the men in that age who by all endeuoures desired to hide in secret manner the body of so greate a personage and their Soueraigne Lord especially the Patrone of that place by reason of the instant troubled state And who yet had further care that at one or other time afterwardes when the trouble surceased by the perfect order of those letters engrauen in the Crosse and found out other whiles they might make apparant testimonies of his buriall And as the foresaide King Henry had before declared all the matter to the Abbot so the body of Arthure was found not in a marble Tombe as it befitted so notable a Kinge NOw in fit time comes forth Siluester Giraldus that same eye witnesse of Arthures bones and ashes found and aptly adioyneth his accounte vnto these wordes And his body which as it were fantasticall in the end and as it were by spirites translated vnto places a farre off and not subiect vnto death fables so fully had fayned was in these our dayes by wonderfull and as it were meruailous tokens founde out buried more deeper in the earth at Glastenburie betweene two Pyrameds in old time set vp within the religious place and by a hollow Oake marked or knowne was with honor trāslated into the Church decētly bestowed in a Marble Tombe Whereupon a leaden crosse being engrauen in the stone not in the vpper part as it is accustomed but on the lowermost part rather which wee also haue seene for we haue handled the same conteyned these letters engrauen and not eminent and extant but rather inwardlie turned to the stone HIC IACET SEPVLTVS INCLITVS REX ARTVRIVS IN INSVLA AVALONIAE And these wordes follow euen there And seeing there were some euident tokens of finding the bodie there by his inscriptions and some by the Pyramedes engrauen although as very much defaced and ouerworne by too much oldnesse of time yet most chiefely and most euidentlie did Henry the second king of England declare and manifest full and whole vnto those Monckes according as he had harde of that auncient historicall Musician the Brittaine namely that they should finde him buried deepely in the earth for xvi foote at the least not in a Tombe of stone but in a hollow Oake And therefore his body beeing laide and as it were hidden so deepe to the end that it might not be founde of the Saxons inhabiting the Island after his death whome he in his life time had so puissantly subdued almost destroyed might sarcely at any time be found And for this cause were the letters as testimonies of truth engrauen vpon the crosse turned inwardes to the stone to the end they should at-that time kepe in secret what they conteyned and that sometime also according to the place time requisite they might discouer or manifest that same meaning Moreouer also he writeth these words euen in the same place We must also know that the bones of Arthures bodie which were foūd were so greate that euē that saying of the poet might seeme in these words to be fulfilled Grandiaque effossis mirabitur ossa Sepulchris And the Tombes being digged forth right He shall maruaile at the greate bones in sight FOr the bone of his shinne beeing layde to the shinne of a most tall person which also the Abbot shewed vs and as it was fastned vnto that grounde neare vnto his foote retched it selfe largly three fingers ouer his knee Also the scalp of his head as it were a wonder or spectacle was capable and grosse in so much as betweene the eye bryes and the eyes it largely conteyned a hande bignesse There appeared in this tenne or moe woundes all which except one only greater then the rest which gaped wide and which onely seemed to bee a deadlie wounde grewe together into one whole scarre Nowe if it shall auaile any man either to repeate y ◠very selfe same thinges which I haue ere while recited out of Giraldus or not much vnlike to these let him read his booke viz. Speculum Ecclesiasticū where as two chapters lightsomly entreat of this matter In meane time yet I haue somwhat which helds me doubtfull For Giraldus affirmeth y t his burying place was of Oake which as I doe not streyght way affirme to be false So I will insinuate those thinges which vehemētly persuade me to y ◠cōtrary First the nūber