out of Britain by Maximus and thir King Eugenius slain in fight as thir own Annals report whereby it seems wandring up and down without certain seat they liv'd by scumming those Seas and shoars as Pyrats But more authentic Writers confirm us that the Scots whoever they be originally came first into Ireland and dwelt there and nam'd it Scotia long before the North of Britain took that name About this time though troublesom Pelagius a Britan found the leasure to bring new and dangerous Opinions into the Church An. Dom. 405 and is largely writ against by St. Austin But the Roman powers which were call'd into Italy when once the fear of Alaric was over made return into several Provinces and perhaps Victorinus of Tolosa whom Rutilius the Poet much commends might be then Prefect of the Iland if it were not he whom Stilicho sent hither Buchanan writes that endeavouring to reduce the Picts into a Province he gave the occasion of thir calling back Fergusins and the Scots whom Maximus with thir help had quite driv'n out of the Iland and indeed the Verses of that Poet speak him to have bin active in those parts But the time which is assign'd him later by Buchanan after Gratianus Municeps by Camden after Constantine the Tyrant accords not with that which follows in the plain course of Historie An. Dom. 407 For the Vandals having broke in and wasted all Belgia eev'n to those places from whence easiest passage is into Britain the Roman Forces heer doubting to be suddenly invaded were all in uproar and in tumultuous manner set up Marcus who it may seem was then Deputy But him not found agreeable to thir heady courses they as hastily kill for the giddy favour of a mutining rout is as dangerous as thir furie The like they do by Gratian a British Roman in four Months advanc't ador'd and destroy'd There was among them a common Souldier whose name was Constantine with him on a sudden so taken they are upon the conceit put in them of a luckiness in his name as without other visible merit to create him Emperor It fortun'd that the man had not his name for nought so well he knew to lay hold and make good use of an unexpected offer He therefore with a wak'n'd spirit to the extent of his Fortune dilating his mind which in his mean condition before lay contracted and shrunk up orders with good advice his military affairs and with the whole force of the Province and what of British was able to bear Arms he passes into France aspiring at least to an equal share with Honorius in the Empire Where by the valour of Edobecus a Frank and Gerontius a Britan and partly by perswasion gaining all in his way he comes to Arles An. Dom. 408 With like felicity by his Son Constans whom of a Monk he had made a Caesar and by the conduct of Gerontius he reduces all Spain to his obedience But Constans after this displacing Gerontius the affairs of Constantine soon went to wrack for he by this means alienated An. Dom. 409 set up Miximus one of his friends against him in Spain and passing into France took Vienna by assault and having slain Constans in that City calls on the Vandals against Constantine who by him incited as by him before they had bin repress't breaking forward over-run most part of France But when Constantius Comes the Emperors General with a strong power came out of Italy Gerontius deserted by his own Forces retires into Spain where also growing into contempt with the Souldiers after his flight out of France by whom his House in the night was beset having first with a few of his Servants defended himself valiantly and slain above 300 though when his Darts and other Weapons were spent he might have scap'd at a private dore as all his Servants did not enduring to leave his Wife Nonnichia whom he lov'd to the violence of an enraged crew he first cuts off the head of his friend Alanus as was agreed next his Wife though loth and delaying yet by her entreated and importun'd refusing to outlive her Husband he dispatches for which her resolution Sozomenus an Ecclesiastic Writer gives her high praise both as a Wife and as a Christian Last of all against himself he turns his Sword but missing the mortal place with his poinard finishes the work Thus farr is poursu'd the story of a famous Britan related negligently by our other Historians As for Constantinc his ending was not answerable to his setting out for he with his other Son Julian beseig'd by Constantius in Arles and mistrusting the change of his wonted success to save his head poorly turns Priest but that not availing him is carried into Italy and there put to death having 4 years acted the Emperor While these things were doing the Britans at home destitute of Roman aid and the cheif strength of their own youth that went first with Maximus then with Constantine not returning home vext and harras'd by thir wonted Enemies had sent messages to Honorius but he at that time not being able to defend Rome it self which the same year was taken by Alaric advises them by his Letter to consult how best they might for their own safety and acquits them of the Roman jurisdiction They therefore thus relinquish't and by all right the Government relapsing into thir own hands thenceforth betook themselves to live after thir own Laws defending thir bounds as well as they were able and the Armoricans who not long after were call'd the Britans of France follow'd thir Example Thus expir'd this great Empire of the Romans first in Britain soon after in Italy it self having born chief sway in this Iland though never throughly subdu'd or all at once in subjection if we reck'n from the coming in of Julius to the taking of Rome by Alaric in which year Honorius wrote those Letters of discharge into Britain the space of 462 years And with the Empire fell also what before in this Western World was cheifly Roman Learning Valour Eloquence History Civility and eev'n Language it self all these together as it were with equal pace diminishing and decaying Henceforth we are to stear by another sort of Authors neer anough to the things they write as in thir own Countrie if that would serve in time not much belated some of equal age in expression barbarous and to say how judicious I suspend a while this we must expect in civil matters to find them dubious Relaters and still to the best advantage of what they term holy Church meaning indeed themselves in most other matters of Religion blind astonish'd and strook with superstition as with a Planet in one word Monks Yet these Guides where can be had no better must be follow'd in gross it may be true anough in circumstance each man as his judgment gives him may reserve his Faith or bestow it But so different a state
thou expect from these poor Laity so he goes on these beasts all belly shall these amend thee who are themselves laborious in evil doings shalt thou see with their Eyes who see right forward nothing but gain Leave them rather as bids our Saviour lest ye fall both blind-fold into the same perdition Are all thus Perhaps not all or not so grosly But what avail'd it Eli to be himself blameless while he conniv'd at others that were abominable who of them hath bin envi'd for his better life who of them hath hated to consort with these or withstood thir entring the Ministry or endeavour'd zealously thir casting out Yet som of these perhaps by others are legended for great Saints This was the state of Goverment this of Religion among the Britans in that long calm of peace which the fight at Badon Hill had brought forth Wherby it came to pass that so fair a Victory came to nothing Towns and Citties were not reinhabited but lay ruin'd and wast nor was it long ere domestic War breaking out wasted them more For Britain as at other times had then also several Kings Five of whom Gildas living then in Armorica at a safe distance boldly reproves by name First Constantine fabl'd the Son of Cador Duke of Cornwall Arturs half Brother by the Mothers side who then reign'd in Cornwall and Devon a Tyrannical and bloody King polluted also with many Adulteries he got into his power two young Princes of the Blood Royal uncertain whether before him in right or otherwise suspected and after solemn Oath giv'n of thir safety the year that Gildas wrote slew them with thir two Governours in the Church and in thir Mothers Arms through the Abbots Coap which he had thrown over them thinking by the revernce of his vesture to have withheld the murderer These are commonly suppos'd to be the Sons of Mordred Arturs Nefew said to have revolted from his Uncle giv'n him in a Battel his Deaths wound and by him after to have bin slain Which things were they true would much diminish the blame of cruelty in Constantine revenging Artur on the Sons of so false a Mordred In another part but not express'd where Aurelius Conanus was King him he charges also with Adulteries and Parricide cruelties worse then the former to be a hater of his Countries Peace thirsting after civil War and Prey His condition it seems was not very prosperous for Gildas wishes him being now left alone like a Tree withering in the midst of a barren field to remember the vanity and arrogance of his Father and elder Brethren who came all to untimely Death in thir youth The third reigning in Demetia or South Wales was Vortipor the Son of a good Father he was when Gildas wrote grown old not in years only but in Adulteries and in governing full of falshood and cruel Actions In his latter dales putting away his Wife who dy'd in divorce he became if we mistake not Gildas incestuous with his Daughter The fourth was Cuneglas imbru'd in civil War he also had divorc'd his Wife and tak'n her Sister who had vow'd Widdowhood he was a great Enemy to the Clergy high-minded and trusting to his wealth The last but greatest of all in power was Maglocune and greatest also in wickedness he had driv'n out or slain many other Kings or Tyrants and was called the Island Dragon perhaps having his seat in Anglesey a profuse giver a great Warrior and of a goodly stature While he was yet young he over-threw his Uncle though in the head of a compleat Army and took from him the Kingdom then touch't with remorse of his doings not without deliberation took upon him the profession of a Monk but soon forsook his vow and his wife also which for that vow he had left making love to the wife of his Brothers Son then living Who not refusing the offer if she were not rather the first that entic'd found means both to dispatch her own Husband and the former wife of Maglocune to make her marriage with him the more unquestionable Neither did he this for want of better instructions having had the learnedest and wisest man reputed of all Britain the instituter of his youth Thus much the utmost that can be learnt by truer story of what past among the Britans from the time of their useless Victory at Badon to the time that Gildas wrote that is to say as may be guess't from 527 to 571 is here set down altogether not to be reduc't under any certainty of years But now the Saxons who for the most part all this while had bin still unless among themselves began afresh to assault them and ere long to drive them out of all which they yet maintain'd on this side Wales An. Dom. 571 For Cuthulf the Brother of Reaulin by a Victory obtain'd at Bedanford now Bedford took from them 4 good Towns Liganburgh Eglesburh Besington now Benson in Oxfordshire and Ignesham but outliv'd not many months his good success And after 6 years more Keaulin and Cuthwin his Son An. Dom. 577 gave them a great overthrow at Deorrham in Glostershire slew three of thir Kings Comail Condidan and Farinmaile and took three of thir Cheif Citties Glocester Cirencester and Badencester An. Dom. 584 The Britans notwithstanding after some space of time judging to have out-grown thir losses gather to a head and encounter Keaulin with Cutha his Son at Fethanleage whom valiantly fighting they slew among the thickest and as is said forc'd the Saxons to retire But Keaulin reinforcing the fight put them to a main rout and following his advantage took many Towns and return'd lad'n with rich booty The last of those Saxons who rais'd thir own acheivments to a Monarchy was Crida much about this time first founder of the Mercian Kingdom drawing also his Pedigree from Woden Of whom all to write the several Genealogies though it might be done without long search were in my opinion to encumber the story with a sort of barbarous names to little purpose This may suffice that of Wodens 3 Sons from the Eldest issu'd Hengist and his succession from the second the Kings of Mercia from the third all that reign'd in West-Saxon and most of the Northumbers of whom Alla was one the first King of Deira which after his death the race of Ida seis'd and made it one Kingdom with Bernicia usurping on the Childhood of Edwin Alla's Son Whom Ethelric the Son of Ida expel'd An. Dom. 559 Notwithstanding others write of him that from a poor life and beyond hope in his old Age coming to the Crown he could hardly by the access of a Kingdom have overcome his former obscurity had not the fame of his Son preserv'd him An. Dom. 588 Once more the Britans ere they quitted all on this side the Mountains forgot not to shew some manhood for meeting Keaulin at Wodens Beorth An. Dom. 592 that is to say Wodens
thir old Religion fell off the second time to Infidelity Which the Mercian King Wulfer understanding sent Jarumannus a Faithfull Bishop who with other his fellow Labourers by sound Doctrin and gentle dealing soon recur'd them of thir second relaps In Kent Ercombert expiring was succeeded by his Son Ecbert An. Dom. 668 In whose fowrth year by means of Theodore a learned Greekish Monk of Tarsus whom Pope Vitalian had ordain'd Archbishop of Canterbury the Greek and Latin Tongue with other liberal Arts Arithmetic Music Astronomie and the like began first to flourish among the Saxons as did also the whole Land under potent and religious Kings more then ever before as Bede affirms till his own days An. Dom. 670 Two years after in Northumberland dy'd Oswi much addicted to Romish Rites and resolv'd had his Disease releas'd him to have ended his days at Rome Ecfrid the eldest of his Sons begot in Wedlock succeeded him An. Dom. 673 After other three years Ecbert in Kent deceasing left nothing memorable behind him but the general suspition to have slain or conniv'd at the slaughter of his Uncles two Sons Elbert and Egelbright In recompence wherof he gave to the Mother of them part of Tanet wherein to build an Abbey the Kingdom fell to his Brother Lothair And much about this time by best account it should be however plac'd in Beda that Ecfrid of Northumberland having War with the Mercian Wulfer won from him Lindsey and the Country thereabout Sebbi having reign'd over the East-Saxons 30 years not long before his Death though long before desireing took on him the Habit of a Monk and drew his Wife at length though unwilling to the same Devotion Kenwalk also dying left the Government to Sexburga his Wife who out-liv'd him in it but one year driv'n out saith Mat. West by the Nobles disdaining Female Government An. Dom. 674 After whom several petty Kings as Beda calls them for ten years space divided the West-Saxons others name two Escwin the Nephew of Kinigils and Kentwin the Son not petty by thir deeds for Escwin fought a Battell with Wulfer at Bedanhafde and about year a afboth deceas'd An. Dom. 676 but Wulfer not without a stain left behind him of selling the Bishoprick of London to Wini the first Simonist we read of in this story Kenwalk had before expell'd him from his Chair at Winchester Ethelred the Brother of Wulfer obtaining next the Kingdom of Mercia not only recoverd Lindsey and what besides in those parts Wulfer had lost to Ecfrid some years before but found himself strong enough to extend his Armes another way as far as Kent wasting that Country without respect to Church or Monastery much also endamaging the City of Rochester Notwithstanding what resistance Lothair could make against him An. Dom. 678 In August 678. was seen a Morning Comet for 3 Months following in manner of a fiery Pillar And the South-Saxons about this time were converted to the Christian Faith upon this occasion Wilsrid Bishop of the Northumbrians entring into contention with Ecfrid the King was by him depriv'd of his Bishoprick and long wandring up and down as far as Rome An. Dom. 679 return'd at length into England but not dareing to approach the North whence he was banish'd bethought him where he might to best purpose elsewhere exercise his Ministery The South of all other Saxons remain'd yet Heathen but Edilwalk thir King not long before had bin baptiz'd in Mercia persuaded by Wulfer and by him as hath bin said receav'd out of the Font. For which relations sake he had the I le of Wight and a Province of the Meannari adjoining giv'n him on the Continent about Meanesborow in Hantshir which Wulfer had a little before gott'n from Kenwalk Thether Wilfrid takes his journey and with the help of other Spiritual Labourers about him in short time planted there the Gospel It had not rain'd as is said of three years before in that Country whence many of the people daily perish'd by Famin till on the first day of thir public Baptism soft and plentifull showers descending restor'd all abundance to the Summer following An. Dom. 681 Two years after this Kentwin the other West-Saxon King above-nam'd chac'd the Welch-Britans as is Chronicl'd without circumstance to the very Sea shoar An. Dom. 683 But in the year by Beda's reck'ning 683 Kedwalla a West-Saxon of the Royal Line whom the Welch will have to be Cadwallader last King of the Britans thrown out by faction return'd from banishment and invaded both Kentwin if then living or whoever else had divided the succession of Kenwalk slaying in fight Edelwalk the South-Saxon who oppos'd him in their aid but soon after was repuls'd by two of his Captains Bertune and Andune who for a while held the province in thir power But Kedwalla gathering new force with the slaughter of Berâ—une An. Dom. 684 and also of Edric the successor of Edelwalk won the Kingdome But reduc'd the people to heavy thraldome Then addressing to Conquer the I le of Wight till that time Pagan saith Beda others otherwise as above hath bin related made a vow though himself yet unbaptiz'd to devote the fowrth part of that Iland and the spoils therof to holy uses Conquest obtain'd paying his vow as then was the beleef he gave hiâ— fowrth to Bishop Wilsrid by chance there present and he to Bertwin a Priest his Sisters Son with commission to baptise all the vanquisht who meant to save thir lives But the two young Sons of Arwald King of that Iland met with much more hostility for they at the Enemies approach flying out of the I le and betray'd where they were hid not far from thence were led to Kedwalla who lay then under Cure of some wounds receav'd and by his appointment after instruction and Baptism first giv'n them harshly put to death which the youths are said above thir Age to have Christianly sufferd In Kent Lothair dy'd this year of his wounds receav'd in fight against the South-Saxons led on by Edric who descending from Ermenred it seems challeng'd the Crown and wore it though not commendably one year and a half An. Dom. 685 but coming to a violent Death left the land expos'd a prey either to home-bred usurpers or neighbouring invaders Among whom Kedwalla taking advantage from thir civil distempers and marching easily through the South-Saxons whom he had subdu'd sorely harrass'd the Country untouch'd of a long time by any hostile incursion But the Kentish men all parties uniteing against a common Enemy with joint power so oppos'd him that he was constrain'd to retire back his Brother Mollo in the flight with 12 men of his Company seeking shelter in a House was beset and therin burnt by the persuers Kedwalla much troubl'd at so great a loss recalling and soon rallying his disorderd Forces return'd fiercely upon the chaseing Enemy An. Dom. 686 nor could be got
thy advantage that after these words choak't with the morsel tak'n he sunk down and recover'd not His first wife was the sister of Cannute a woman of much infamy for the trade she drove of buying up English Youths and Maids to sell in Denmarke whereof she made great gain but ere long was struck with thunder and dy'd The year ensuing Siward Earl of An. Dom. 1054 Northumberland with a great number of horse and foot attended also by a strong fleet at the Kings appointment made an expedition into Scotland vanquish't the Tyrant Macbeth slaying many thousands of Scots with those Normans that went thether and plac'd Malcolm Son of the Cumbrian King in his stead yet not without loss of his own Son and many other both English and Danes Told of his Sons Death he ask'd whether he receav'd his Deaths wound before or behind when it was answerd before I am glad saith hee and should not else have thought him though my Son worthy of Burial In the mean while King Edward being without Issue to succeed him sent Aldred Bishop of Winchester with great presents to the Emperour entreating him to prevail with the King of Hungary that Edward the remaining Son of his Brother Edmund Ironside might be sent into England Siward but one year surviving An. Dom. 1055 his great Victory dy'd at Yorke reported by Huntingdon a man of Giant-like stature by his own demeanour at point of Death manifested of a rough and meer souldierly mind For much disdaining to die in bed by a disease not in the field fighting with his enemies he caus'd himself compleatly arm'd and weapon'd with battel-ax and shield to be set in a chair whether to fight with death if he could be so vain or to meet him when far other weapons and preparations were needful in a Martial bravery but true fortitude glories not in the feats of War as they are such but as they serve to end War soonest by a victorious Peace His Earldom the King bestow'd on Tosti the Son of Earl Godwin and soon after in a Convention held at London banish't without visible cause Huntigdon saith for treason Algar the Son of Leofric who passing into Ireland soon return'd with eighteen ships to Griffin Prince of South Wales requesting his aid against King Edward He assembling his Powers enter'd with him into Hereford-shire whom Radulf a timorous Captain Son to the Kings Sister not by Eustace but a former husband met two miles distant from Hereford and having hors'd the English who knew better to fight on foot without stroke he with his French and Normans beginning to flie taught the English by his example Griffin and Algar following the chase slew many wounded more enter'd Hereford slew seven Canons defending the Minster burnt the Monasterie and Reliques then the City killing some leading captive others of the Citizens return'd with great spoils whereof King Edward having notice gather'd a great Army at Gloster under the conduct of Harold now Earl of Kent who strenuously pursuing Griffin enter'd Wales and encamp'd beyond Straddale But the enemy flying before him farther into the Country leaving there the greater part of his Army with such as had charge to fight if occasion were offer'd with the rest he return'd and fortifi'd Hereford with a wall and gates Mean while Griffin and Algar dreading the diligence of Harold after many messages to and fro concluded a Peace with him Algar discharging his fleet with pay at West Chester came to the King and was restor'd to his Earldom But Griffin with breach of faith the next year set upon An. Dom. 1056 Leofgar the Bishop of Hereford and his Clerks then at a place call'd Glastbrig with Agelnoth Vicount of the shire and slew them but Leofric Harold and King Edward by force as is likeliest though it be not said how reduc'd him to Peace The next year An. Dom. 1057 Edward Son of Edmund Ironside for whom his Uncle King Edward had sent to the Emperour came out of Hungary design'd Successor to the Crown but within a few days after his coming dy'd at London leaving behind him Edgar Atheling his Son Margaret and Christina his Daughters About the same time also dy'd Earl Leofric in a good old age a man of no less vertue then power in his time religious prudent and faithful to his Country happily wedded to Godiva a woman of great praise His Son Algar found less favour with King Edward again banish't the year after An. Dom. 1058 his Fathers death but he again by the aid of Griffin and a fleet from Norway maugre the King soon recover'd his Earldom The next year Malcolm An. Dom. 1059 King of Scots coming to visit King Edward was brought on his way by Tosti the Northumbrian Earl to whom he swore brotherhood yet the next year An. Dom. 1061 but one while Tosti was gone to Rome with Aldred Archbishop of York for his Pall this sworn brother taking advantage of his absence roughly harrass'd Northumberland The year passing to an end without other matter of moment save the frequent inrodes and robberies of Griffin whom no bonds of faith could restrain King Edward sent against him after Christmas Harold now Duke of West-Saxons An. Dom. 1062 with no great body of Horse from Gloster where he then kept his Court whose coming heard of Griffin not daring to abide nor in any part of his Land holding himself secure escap't hardly by Sea ere Harold coming to Rudeland burnt his Palace and Ships there returning to Gloster the same day But by the middle An. Dom. 1063 of May setting out with a fleet from Bristow he sail'd about the most part of Wales and met by his brother Tosti with many Troops of Horse as the King had appointed began to waste the Country but the Welch giving pledges yeilded themselves promis'd to become tributary and banish Griffin thir Prince who lurking somewhere was the next year tak'n and An. Dom. 1064 slain by Griffin Prince of North Wales his head with the head and tackle of his Ship sent to Harold by him to the King who of his gentleness made Blechgent and Rithwallon or Rivallon his two Brothers Princes in his stead they to Harold in behalf of the King swore fealty and tribute Yet the next year An. Dom. 1065 Harold having built a fair house at a place call'd Portascith in Monmouth-shire and stor'd it with provision that the King might lodge there in time of hunting Caradoc the Son of Griffin slain the year before came with a number of men slew all he found there and took away the provision Soon after which the Northumbrians in a tumult at York beset the Palace of Tosti their Earl slew more then 200 of his Souldiers and Servants pillag'd his Treasure and put him to flie for his life The cause of this insurrection they alledg'd to be for that the Queen Edith had commanded in her Brother Tosti's behalf
some Legend then any warrantable Record Mean while Ecbert having with much Prudence Justice and Clemency An. Dom. 813 a work of more then one year establisht his Kingdome and himself in the affections of his people turns his first enterprise against the Britans both them of Cornwal and those beyond Seavern subdueing both In Mercia Kenulf the 6th year after having reign'd with great praise of his religious mind and vertues both in Peace and War deceas'd An. Dom. 819 His Son Kenelm a Child of seaven years was committed to the care of his Elder Sister Quendrid who with a female ambition aspiring to the Crown hir'd one who had the charge of his nurture to murder him led into a woody place upon pretence of hunting The murder as is reported was miraculously reveal'd but to tell how by a Dove droping a writt'n note on the Altar at Rome is a long story told though out of order by Malmsbury and under the year 821. by Mat. West where I leave it to be sought by such as are more credulous then I wish my Readers Only the note was to this purpose Low in a mead of Kine under a Thorn Of head bereft li'th poor Kenelm King-born An. Dom. 820 Keolwulf the Brother of Kenulf after one years Reign was driv'n out by one Bernulf an Usurper who in his third year An. Dom. 823 uncertain whether invading or invaded was by Ecbert though with great loss on both sides overthrown and put to flight at Ellandune or Wilton yet Malmsbury accounts this Battel fought in 806 a wide difference but frequently found in thir computations Bernulf thence retireing to the East-Angles as part of his Dominion by the late seisure of Offa was by them met in the field and slain but they doubting what the Mercians might do in revenge hereof forthwith yielded themselves both King and people to the Sovrantie of Ecbert As for the Kings of East-Angles our Annals mention them not since Ethelwald him succeeded his Brothers Sons as we find in Malmsbury Aldulf a good King well acquainted with Bede and Elwold who left the Kingdome to Beorn he to Ethelred the Father of Ethelbrite whom Offa perfidiously put to Death Simeon and Hoveden in the year 749. write that Elfwald King of East-Angles dying Humbeanna and Albert shar'd the Kingdom between them but where to insert this among the former successions is not easie nor much material after Ethelbrite none is nam'd of that Kingdom till thir submitting now to Ecbert he from this Victory against Bernulf sent part of his Army under Ethelwulf his Son with Alstan Bishop of Shirburn and Wulferd a Chief Commander into Kent Who finding Baldred there reigning in his 18th year overcame and drove him over the Thames whereupon all Kent Surrey Sussex and lastly Essex with her King Swithred became subject to the Dominion of Ecbert Neither were these all his exploits of this year the first in order set down in Saxon Annals being his fight against the Devonshire Welch at a place call'd Gasulford now Camelford in Cornwal An. Dom. 825 Ludiken the Mercian after two years preparing to avenge Bernulf his Kinsman on the East-Angles was by them with his five Consuls as the Annals call them surpris'd and put to the Sword and Withlaf his successor first vanquisht then upon submission with all Mercia made tributary to Ecbert Mean while the Northumbrian Kingdom of it self was fall'n to shivers thir Kings one after another so oft'n slain by the people no man dareing though never so ambitious to take up the Scepter which many had found so hot the only effectual cure of ambition that I have read for the space of 33 years after the Death of Ethelred Son of Mollo as Malmsbury writes there was no King many Noblemen and Prelats were fled the Country Which mis-rule among them the Danes having understood oft-times from thir Ships entring far into the land infested those parts with wide depopulations wasting Towns Churches and Monasteries for they were yet Heathen The Lent before whose coming on the North-side of St. Peters Church in Yorke was seen from the roof to rain blood The causes of these calamities and the ruin of that Kingdom Alcuin a learned Monk living in those days attributes in several Epistles and well may to the general ignorance and decay of lerning which crept in among them after the Death of Beda and of Ecbert the Archbishop thir neglect of breeding up youth in the Scriptures the spruce and gay apparel of thir Preists and Nuns discovering thir vain and wanton minds examples are also read eev'n in Beda's days of thir wanton deeds thence Altars defil'd with perjuries Cloisters violated with Adulteries the Land polluted with blood of thir Princes civil dissentions among the people and finally all the same vices which Gildas alledg'd of old to have ruin'd the Britans In this estate Ecbert who had now conquerd all the South finding them in the year 827. An. Dom. 827 for he was march'd thether with an Army to compleat his Conquest of the whole Iland no wonder if they submitted themselves to the yoke without resistance Eandred thir King becoming Tributary An. Dom. 828 Thence turning his forces the year following he subdu'd more throughly what remain'd of North-Wales The End of the Fourth Book THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN The Fifth Book THE sum of things in this Iland or the best part therof reduc't now under the power of one man and him one of the worthiest which as far as can be found in good Authors was by none attain'd at any time heer before unless in Fables men might with some reason have expected from such Union peace and plenty greatness and the flourishing of all Estates and Degrees but far the contrary fell out soon after Invasion Spoil Desolation slaughter of many slavery of the rest by the forcible landing of a fierce Nation Danes commonly call'd and somtimes Dacians by others the same with Normans as barbarous as the Saxons themselves were at first reputed and much more for the Saxons first invited came hither to dwell these unsent for unprovok'd came only to destroy But if the Saxons as is above related came most of them from Jutland and Anglen a part of Denmarke as Danish Writers affirm and that Danes and Normans are the same then in this invasion Danes drove out Danes thir own posterity And Normans afterwards none but antienter Normans Which invasion perhaps had the Heptarchie stood divided as it was had either not bin attempted or not uneasily resisted while each Prince and people excited by thir neerest concernments had more industriously defended thir own bounds then depending on the neglect of a deputed Governour sent oft-times from the remote residence of a secure Monarch Though as it fell out in those troubles the lesser Kingdoms revolting from the West-Saxon yoke and not aiding each other too much concern'd with thir own safety it came to no
and built another at Temsford judging that place more opportune from whence to make thir excursions and soon after went forth with design to assail Bedford but the Garrison issuing out slew a great part of them the rest fled After this a greater Army of them gatherd out of Mercia and the East-Angles came and beseig'd the City call'd Wigingmere a whole Day but finding it defended stoutly by them within thence also departed driving away much of thir Cattel wherupon the English from Towns and Citties round about joining Forces laid Seige to the Town and Castle of Temsford and by assault took both slew thir King with Toglea a Duke and Mannan his Son an Earl with all the rest there found who chose to die rather then yeild Encourag'd by this the men of Kent Surrey and part of Essex enterprise the Seige of Colnhester nor gave over till they won it sacking the Town and putting to Sword all the Danes therein except some who escap'd over the Wall To the succour of these a great number of Danes inhabiting Ports and other Towns in the East-Angles united thir Force but coming too late as in revenge beleaguerd Maldon but that Town also timely releiv'd they departed not only frustrate of thir design but so hotly persu'd that many thousands of them lost thir lives in the flight Forthwith King Edward with his West-Saxons went to Passham upon Ouse there to guard the passage while others were building a stone Wall about Torchester to him there Earl Thurfert and other Lord Danes with thir Army thereabout as far as Weolud came and submitted Wherat the Kings Souldiers joyfully cry'd out to be dismiss't home therfore with another part of them he enterd Huntingdon and repair'd it where breaches had bin made all the people thereabout returning to obedience The like was done at Colnchester by the next remove of his Army after which both East and West-Angles and the Danish Forces among them yeilded to the King swearing Allegiance to him both by Sea and Land the Army also of Danes at Grantbrig surrendring themselves took the same Oath The Summer following he came with his Army to Stamford An. Dom. 922 built a Castle there on the South-side of the River where all the people of those quarters acknowledg'd him supream Dureing his abode there Elfled his Sister a martial Woman who after her Husbands Death would no more marry but gave her self to public affairs repairing and fortifying many Towns warring sometimes dy'd at Tamworth the Cheif Seat of Mercia wherof by guift of Alfred her Father she was Lady or Queen wherby that whole Nation became obedient to King Edward as did also North-Wales with Howel Cledaucus and Jeothwell thir Kings Thence passing to Nottingham he enterd and repair'd the Town plac'd there part English part Danes and receav'd fealty from all in Mercia of either Nation The next Autumn coming An. Dom. 923 with his Army into Cheshire he built and fortifi'd Thelwel and while he staid there call'd another Army out of Mercia which he sent to repair and fortifie Manchester About Midsummer following An. Dom. 924 he march'd again to Nottingham built a Town over against it on the South-side of that River and with a Bridg joyn'd them both thence journied to a place call'd Bedecanwillan in Pictland there also built and fenc'd a City on the Borders where the King of Scots did him honour as to his Sovran together with the whole Scotish Nation the like did Reginald and the Son of Eadulf Danish Princes with all the Northumbrians both English and Danes The King also of a people thereabout call'd Streatgledwalli the North Welch as Camden thinks of Strat-Cluid in Denbigh-shire perhaps rather the British of Cumberland did him homage and not undeserv'd For Buchanan himself confesses that this King Edward with a small number of men compar'd to his Enemies overthrew in a great Battel the whole united power both of Scots and Daâ—es slew most of the Scotish Nobility and forc'd Malcolmb whom Constantine the Scotch King had made General and design'd Heir of his Crown to save himself by flight sore wounded Of the English he makes Athelstan the Son of Edward Chief Leader and so far seems to confound times and actions as to make this Battel the same with that fought by Athelstan about 24 years after at Bruneford against Anlaf and Constantine wherof hereafter But here Buchanan takes occasion to inveigh against the English Writers upbraiding them with ignorance who affirm Athelstan to have bin supream King of Britain Constantine the Scotish King with others to have held of him and denies that in the Annals of Marianus Scotus any mention is to be found therof which I shall not stand much to contradict for in Marianus whether by Surname or by Nation Scotus will be found as little mention of any other Scotish affairs till the time of King Dunchad slain by Machetad or Mackbeth in the year 1040. which gives cause of suspition that the affairs of Scotland before that time were so obscure as to be unknown to thir own Countryman who liv'd and wrote his Chronicle not long after But King Edward thus nobly doing and thus honour'd the year following dy'd at Farendon An. Dom. 925 a builder and restorer eev'n in War not a destroyer of his Land He had by several Wives many Childern his eldest Daughter Edgith he gave in marriage to Charles King of France Grand-Child of Charles the Bald above-mention'd of the rest in place convenient His Laws are yet to be seen He was buried at Winchester in the Monastery by Alfred his Father And a few days after him dy'd Ethelwerd his Eldest Son the Heir of his Crown He had the whole Iland in subjection yet so as petty Kings reign'd under him In Northumberland after Ecbert whom the Danes had set up and the Northumbrians yet unruly under thir yoke at the end of 6 years had expell'd one Ricsig was set up King and bore the name 3 years then another Ecbert and Guthred the latter if we beleeve Legends of a Servant made King by command of St. Cudbert in a Vision and enjoyn'd by another Vision of the same Saint to pay well for his Royalty many Lands and privileges to his Church and Monastery But now to the story Athelstan AThelstan next in Age to Ethelward his Brother who deceas'd untimely few days before though born of a Concubine yet for the great appearance of many vertues in him and his Brethren being yet under Age was exalted to the Throne at Kingstone An. Dom. 926 upon Thames and by his Fathers last Will saith Malmsbury yet not without some opposition of one Alfred and his Accomplices who not likeing he should reign had conspir'd to seise on him after his Fathers Death and to put out his Eyes But the Conspiratours discoverd and Alfred denying the Plot was sent to Rome to assert his innocence before the Pope where taking his Oath on