Caesar having pacified some tumults in Gallia prosecuted the enterprise of Britannie and to that end he had prepared a Fleet of new ships well appointed and commodiously built for landing his forces the want whereof he had found before to his great losse and a sufficient armie consisting of five Legions and a proportionall number of horse which he embarqued at Portus Iccius about the Sun-setting having a faire Southern wind to set them forward which failing them about midnight the tide diverted their course so as in the morning he discovered the Iland on his left hand and then following the turning of the tide he commanded his souldiers to vse their Oares that they might reach that part of the I le where they had found best landing the Summer before wherein they tooke such paines as their shipps of burden kept way with their long boats and lighter vessels About noone they landed on the shore where there appeared no man to make resistance the cause wherof was as Caesar afterwards learned by such prisoners as he tooke for that the Britans having assembled themselves togither in armes at the Sea side were so terrified with the sight of the ships which of all sorts were esteemed above eight hundred saile that they left the shore and ran to hide themselves in the vpland Country Caesar vpon intelligence by fugitives where the Brittish forces lay leaving at the Sea side ten Cohorts and three hundred horse to grade the ships then lying at Anchor whereof Quintus Atrius had the charge marched forward with the rest of his army in the night about twelve miles into the land where he espi'd a multitude of Britans flocked togither neere a river having gotten the vpper ground from whence they began to charge the Romans with their horse and Chariots but being repulsed by Caesars hors-men they fled and hid themselves in the woods in a place which being notably strengthned both by Nature and Art they had vsed as a fortresse in their civill warres among themselves For by reason there were many great trees cut downe and laid overthwart the passages round about there could hardly any entrance be found into the wood howbeit the Britans themselves would oft times sally forth vpon advantage and empeach the Romans where they attempted to enter Hereupon Caesar commanded the Souldiers of the Seventh Legion to make a Testudo and to raise a Mount against the place by which means after losse of men on both sides the Romans in the end got the Fort chased the Britans out of the wood but Caesar would not suffer his Souldiers to pursue them far in regard the place was vnknown and a great part of the day being then spent he thought it fit to bestow the rest in fortifying his Campe. The next day in the morning he sent out hors-men and foot-men three severall wayes to pursue them that fled but before they had gotten sight of the Britans certain hors-men sent from Quintus Atrius who had charge of the shipping brought newes that a great tempest the night before had distressed his ships and beaten them vpon the shore their Anchors and Cables being not able to hold them nor the mariners to guide them or to endure the force of the storme Wherupon Caesar caused the Legions and hors-men to be sent for backe againe and marched with speede towards the sea side where he found his Navy in ill plight fortie of his ships being cleane cast away and the rest with great difficultie seeming likely to be recovered For effecting wherof he tooke some Shipwrights out of the Legions and sent for others out of the continent writing to Labienus who had the charge of certaine Legions there and the gard of Portus Iccius that he should prepare as many ships as he could to be sent over vnto him with expedition And though it were a worke of great toile yet hee thought it necessarie to have all the ships haled on shore and to be brought into the campe where his land-forces lay that one place might be a safegard to them both In the accomplishment hereof he spent ten dayes the souldiers scarce intermitting their labour in the night time till all was finished CHAP. VI. Cassibelin is chosen by the Britans to be their Leader The Britans assaile the Romans but with ill successe Caesar with his armie wadeth over the river of Thames CAEsar having fortified his Campe and left there the same forces which were before appointed to keepe the harbour returned to the place whence he dislodged vpon Atrius his advertisement where he found the number of the Britans much increased by confluence of people from sundry parts within the Iland The chiefe commandement direction for the warre was by publike consent of the States of th'Ile assigned to Cassibelin the bounds of whose territorie were divided from the maritime Cities by the river Thamisis were distant from the Sea about four-score miles There had beene of long time continuall warre betweene him and some other Princes of the Countries neer adioyning but now both parts fearing to be overrun by a forrain enemie neglected private respects and joyned their forces togither appointing him to be their leader as a man of whose valor and sufficiencie in militare affaires they had good experience The Roman army being come in view of their enemies Campe the Britans pressed forward to begin the fight with their hors-men and Chariots and Caesar sent out his hors-men to encounter them so as the battaile was maintained with great resolution on both parts and the event thereof seemed doubtfull till in the end the Britans gave ground and fled through the woods to the hills many of them being slaine in the chase and some of the Romans also who adventerously pursued them too farre Not long after while the Romans suspecting no danger were occupied in fortefying their campe the Britans sallyed sodainly out of the woods and made an assault vpon the Warders that kept station before the Campe to whose aide Caesar sent out two Cohorts the chiefe of two Legions which making a lane through the midst of the British forces joyned themselves with their distressed fellowes and rescued them from the perill though Quintus Laberius Durus a Tribune of the Souldiers was slain in that enterprise But new Cohorts comming to supply the former the Britans were repulsed and sought to save themselves by flight By the maner of this skirmish which was fought in view of the Roman Campe the Romans perceived the advauntage which the Britans had of them and how ill themselves were appointed for such a kind of fight when by reason of the weight of their armor they could neither pursue such as fled nor durst leave their Ensignes nor were able without great disadvantage to encounter the British hors-men which oft times gave ground of purpose and having withdrawne themselves by litle and litle from the Legions would leap out of their chariots and fight on foot the maner
his speech they joyfully applauded it running straitwaies to their weapons and rushing furiously forward which the Roman Generall perceiving forthwith ordered his army in this manner With the Auxiliarie footemen he fortifyed the middle battell The horsemen he placed in wings on both sides The Legions he commaunded to stand behind before the trench of the Camp to the greater glory of the victory if it were obtained without Roman blood or otherwise for assistance if the foreward should be distressed The Britans were marshalled on the higher ground fitly for shew to terrifie their enemies the first troope standing on the plain the rest on the ascent of the hill rising vp as it were by degrees one over another the middle of the field was filled with Chariots and horsemen clattering and running round about Then Agricola finding them to exceed him in number and fearing lest he should be assailed on the front and flanks both at one instant thought it best to display his army in length and although by that means the battaile would become disproportionably long and many advised him to take in the Legions yet hee confidently rejected the counsell leaving his horse avanced himselfe before the Ensignes on foot In the first incounter before they joyned both sides discharged and threw their darts The Britans imploying both Art and Valour with their great swords and little targets defended themselves and wounded their enemies till Agricola espying his vantage appointed three Batavian Cohorts and two of the Tungrians to presse forward and to bring the matter to handy strokes and dint of sword which they by reason of their long service were able readily to performe to the prejudice of the other side in regard of their little bucklers and huge swords For the swords of the Britans being weighty and blunt pointed were no way fit either for the close or open fight Now as the Batavians began to strike them on the faces with the pikes of their bucklers and having over-borne such as resisted to march vp to the mountaines the rest of the Cohorts gathering courage vpon emulation violently beat downe all about them and running forward left some of the Britans halfe dead some wholly vntouched for haste and desire to have part of the glory in winning the field In the meane time both the Chariots of the Britans mingled themselves with their enemies battell of footemen and also their troupes of horsemen albeit they had lately terrifyed others yet now themselves beginning to flie were distressed by the vn-evennesse of the ground and the thicke ranks of their enemies who continued the fight till the Britans by maine weight of their owne horses and Chariots were borne downe one vpon an other the masterlesse horses affrighted running vp and downe with the Chariots and many times over-bearing their friends which either met them or thwarted their way CHAP. XVI The other part of the Brittish Army is overthrowne The Romans pursuing the Britans through the woods in danger to have beene intrapped The lamentable estate of the Britans NOw the Britans which stoode aloofe from the battell vpon the top of the hills and did at the first in a manner disdaine the small number of their enemies began to come downe by little and little and sought to fetch a compasse about the backs of the Romans which were then in traine of winning the field But Agricola suspecting as much opposed them with certaine wings of horsemen purposely retained about him for sodaine dispatches vpon all chances and repulsed them as fiercely as they ran to assaile So the counsell of the Britans turning to their owne hurt the Roman wings were commanded to forsake the battell and follow the flight Then were there pittifull spectacles to be seene pursuing wounding taking prisoners and then killing such as were taken as soone as others came in the way Then whole Regiments of the Britans though armed moe in number turnd their backs to the fewer others vnarmed sought their owne death offering themselves voluntarily to the slaughter The fields every where were imbrued with blood Every where weapons lay scattered wounded bodies mangled limbs some slaine outright some halfe dead some yeelding vp the ghost and yet even at the last gaspe seeming by their countenances to discover both anger and valour Such of the Britans as in flying recovered the woods joyned themselves together againe and intrapped vnawares some of the Roman Souldiers that vnadvisedly followed not knowing the Country And if Agricola had not by his presence and direction assisted at neede setting about them his most expert footemen as it were in forme of a Toyle and commanding some of his horsemen to leave their horses where the passage was narrow and others to enter single on horseback where the wood was thin doubtlesse the Romans had taken a blow by their over much boldnesse But after that the Britans saw them againe in good array and orderly following the chase they fled not in troupes as before when they attended each other but vtterly disbanded shunning all compapany toward the desart and farre distant places The darkenesse of the night and satiety of blood made an end of the chase Of the Britans were then slaine about ten thousand of the Romans three hundred and fortie amongst whom the chiefe man of note was Aulus Atticus the Captaine of a Cohort who vpon a youthfull heate and through the fiercenesse of his horse was carryed into the midst of his enemies That night the winners refreshed themselves taking pleasure in talking of the victorie and dividing the spoyle But the Britans being vtterly discouraged crying and howling both men and women together tooke and drew with them their wounded persons calling the not wounded forsaking their owne houses and in despite setting them on fire then seeking holes abroad to lurke in and having found them straitwaies againe forsaking them sometimes communicating Counsells together and conceiving some little hope and then by and by dejected and desperate sometimes mooved with pitty at the sight of their kinsfolks and friends and sometimes stirred with rage and envie in thinking and speaking of their enemies and which was most lamentable some of them by way of compassion and mercy killing their owne children and wives CHAP. XVII The Britans are dispersed and vnable to renew the warre Agricola commandeth the Admirall of his Fleete to saile about Britannie He planteth Garrisons vpon the Northerne Borders betweene the two armes of the Sea Domitian the Emperour being advertised of his fortunate successe in the British warre is tormented with envie and iealousie Agricola yeeldeth vp the Province to Salustius Lucullus THe day following did more plainely discover the greatnesse of the victory by the calamitie of the vanquished Desolation and silence every where the smoke of the houses fired appeared a farre off no sallies out of the woods no stirring in the mountaines no man to make resistance or to meete with the Roman spies who being sent abroad into all
Eoster they alwaies offered sacrifice in the month of Aprill which thereupon was called Eoster-month In their consultations of any weightie matter they observed sooth-saying and casting of lots Their custome of casting of lots was first to cut a branch from a fruit bearing tree into many peeces which being distinguished with severall marks they did cast vpon a white garment at a venture then if the matter concerned the Common wealth in generall the Priest if a private person onely the maister of the house having prayed the gods and looking towards heaven did take vp every of the said peeces three times and interpreted the future successe according to the forme and similitude of the marks If the lots fell out contrary to their mindes they consulted no more that day if otherwise yet they would make further tryall by observing the flying and singing of birds They had another practise also 〈…〉 the event of great and weightie battailes with their enemies For they would get some one of that Nation with which the warre should be made and then take another choice man of their owne arming them both after their country guise and so make triall of their valour conjecturing by the successe of that fight on whose side the victory should afterwards fall But of all other presages the neying of horses was of greatest credit both with the Priests and people who fondly supposed that those beasts vnderstood and were privy to their secrets And heereupon as some imagine the Dukes of Saxonie in times past gave a horse for their ensigne The names also of Hengist and Horsâ— the first men of note of the Saxon Nation that arrived in Britannie doe signifie in their owne language a Horse which denominations whether they were given in respect of their strength and courage qualities by nature proper to that beast or whether they received them vpon any other occasion or accident I cannot certainely affirme CHAP. VII Germanus the Bishop conducteth the Armie of the Christian Britans against their enemies being Pagans who by his meanes are defeated He departeth out of Britannie IN the meane time the Britans comming together from the places of their retreate and combining their dispersed forces the better to defend themselves against the power of the enemie were freshly assailed by the Scoâ—tishmâ—n Pâ—cts a great number of the Saxons also being newly entred into association with them whereupon Germanus the Bishop who came over into Britannie a little before the Saxons arrivall had remained there with Lupus to the end they might instruct confirm the Britans in the true â—aith against the Pelâ—gian heresie confident in the goodnesse of the cause to give encouragement to his new converts offered himselfe to be the Leader of the Brittish Armie which consisted for the most part of such Christians as himselfe had lately baptised The place wherein he pitched was a faire valley enclosed on both sides with high mountaines over which their enemies were to march The Bishop himselfe and certaine Priests that attended him standing in the midst of the Armie exhorted the Britans to fight couragiously as the Souldiers of Christ vnder the banner of his Crosse which badge they had received in their baptisme and commanding them all vpon the enemies approach to answer him by crying alowd with one consent in such manner as himselfe began Heereupon the Saxons and Scottishmen ascending the further side of the hill supposed to have charged the Britans on the sodaine which when Germanus and the Priests that were about him perceived they cryed out three severall times Alleluia all the Britans seconding the crie and the Eccho rebounding from the hills doubling the sound by reason whereof the Pagans imagining the number of the Christians to be much greater then it was indeede cast away their weapons and fled the Britans killing many of them in pursuit such as escaped the sword being drowned in a river which empeached them in their flying After this memorable victory Germanus perswading the Britâ—ns to vnity and constancie in the profession of Christian religion as a meanes to make their attempts against their enemies prosperous departed out of Britannie whither as some Writers report he soone after returned and by the assistance of Severus the Bishop of Trevers suppressed the Pelagian heresie which after his departure sprung vp againe and encreased among the Britans In remembrance of whose zeale and travaile in that behalfe sustained the Christians of Britannie afterwards dedicated vnto him as a protecting Saint certaine Churches and houses of religion in divers parts of the land CHAP. VIII Aurelianus Ambrosius aydeth the Britans against the Saxons The valiant acts of Arthur the Warrelike THe Saxons perceiving now that the Britans were scattered in severall troopes dis-armed and vnfurnished of all things necessarie for support of the warre prepared themselves to follow them and to empeach them from joyning their forces together any more to which end they divided themselves into severall companies with a full resolution either vtterly to destroy or to expell them out of the I le which they had almost brought to passe when Aurelianus Ambrosius comming out of Britannie in France brought hither some of the Britans that had feated themselves there who pittying their distressed countrymen in the Iland determined either to relieve them or to perish in the enterprize This Ambrosius was a Roman by birth honourably descended and as hath beene conjectured of the race of that Constantine who for the hope of his name onely which was reputed ominous had beene elected Emperour by the Roman Armie in Britannie And being now the chiefe Leader of the Britans he oft times encountred the Saxons and by the assistance of Arthur a valiant Captaine gave them many overthrowes the circumstances and particularities whereof I find no where remembred nor of any thing else concerning him save onely that he vnfortunately ended his life before he could make an end of the warre Then Arthur the Warlike the Nephew of Ambrosius according to the opinion of some Writers vndertooke the prosecution of the warre both against the Scottishmen and Picts whom he chased into the remote parts of the North also against the Saxons whom in twelve severall battailes as our Brittish stories affirme he valiantly defeated The most memorable was thaâ— which he fought on Bathon-hill where he obtained a notable and if credit in that point may be given to antient reports an admirable victorie and surely had not the inevitable power of Fate otherwise determined doubtlesse the Britans should have needed no other helpe to support and repaire their declining and torne estate For besides his good inclination to protect the Christian faith he was adorned with many heroicall vertues but chiefly renowned for the love of Chivalrie The Brittish Story reporteth that he instituted an Order of Knights who as his companions did sit with him at a round Table whereupon they were called Knights of the Round Table that forme of a Table seeming
number of them perishing in the water and the rest being made altogether vnserviceable their anchors lost and tacklings broken Wherewith the Romans were much perplexed for that they neither had any other ships to transport them backe againe nor any meanes to repaire what the tempest had ruined and Caesar had formerly resolved to winter in Gallia by reason he was vnfurnished of vittaile to maintaine his army during the winter season Which being knowne to the cheefe States of the Britans who had met together about the accomplishment of such things as Caesar had commanded them they supposed a fit opportunity was offered them to revolt while the Romans wanted horsemen shipping and all manner of provisions the number of their forces seeming also the lesse in respect of the small circuit of their Campe Caesar having transported his Legions without any carriages or such like warlike necessaries Whereupon they concluded to keepe them from vittaile and to prolong the warre till winter assuring themselves that if they could eyther vanquish the Romans or barre them from returning thence there would no forraigne Nation after them adventure to set foote againe in Britannie And heereupon they conveyed themselves by stealth out of the Roman Campe and gathered companie to them privily from diverse parts to make head against their enemies CHAP. IIII. Caesar repaireth his Navie A skirmish by land between the Britans and Romans The Britans retire and with new forces assaile the Romans but in the end are put to flight Caesar returneth into France CAEsar albeit he were ignorant of the Britans purpose yet supposing that the state of his armie and the losse of his ships were knowne to them and considering that they had broken day with him in detaining the pledges contrary to the contract he suspected that which afterwards proved true And therfore to provide remedies against all chances he caused Corne to be brought dayly out of the fields into his Campe and such ships as could not be made fit for service were vsed to repaire the rest and such other things as were wanting therto he appointed to be brought out of the continent by which meanes and the diligence of his Souldiers with the losse of twelve Ships the rest of his Navie was made able to beare saile and brooke the Seas againe While these things were in dooing the Seventh Legion according to custom was sent forth a forraging till which time the Britans revolt was not certainly knowne for that some of them remained abroad in the fields others came ordinarily into the Roman Camp The Warders in the Station before the Campe gave notice to Caesar that the same way which the Legion went there appeared a greater dust then was woont to be seene Caesar mistrusting some new practise of the Britans commanded the Companies that kept ward to march thither appointing two others to supply their roomes and the rest of his forces to arme themselves with speed and follow him When he approched neer the place discried he perceived his souldiers to be overcharged with the Britans who assailed them on all sides with their darts For the Britans having conveyed their Corne from all other parts this only excepted and suspecting that the Romans would come thither lay in the woods all night to intercept them and finding them dispersed and vnreadie they sodainly set vppon them as they were reaping killing a few of them and disordering the rest with their horses and chariots The maner of their fighting in Chariots was thus First they vsed to ride round about their enemies forces casting their darts where they saw advauntage and oftentimes with the fiercenesse of their horses whirling of their Chariot wheeles they broke their enemies ranks and being gotten in among the troopes of horsmen they would leape out of their Chariots and fight on foot The Chariot-drivers in the meane time withdrew themselves by litle and litle out of the battell and placed themselves in such sort as their maisters being over-matched by their enemies might readily recover their Chariots so that in their fighting they performed the offices both of horsmen in swiftnesse of motion and also of footmen in keeping their ground and by dayly vse and exercise they were growne so expert in managing their horses as driving them forcibly downe a steepe hill they were able to stay or turne them in the mid way yea to run along the beame to stand firme vpon the yoke and to return thence speedily into their Chariots again The Romans being much troubled with this new kind of fight Caesar came in good time to the rescue For vpon his approach the Britans gave over the skirmish yet keeping still their ground as maisters of the field and the Romans for fear retired themselves to their Generall who thought it no point of wisdome to hazard his forces in a place vnknowne but having staied there awhile conducted the Legions backe againe to his Campe and in the meane time the Britans that were in the field dispersed themselves and shrunke away After this there were for many dayes togither continual tempests which kept the Romans in their campe and hindred the Britans from making any open attempt though they sent messengers secretly into diverse parts of the I le publishing abroad what a small number of their enemies was left what great hope there was of a rich bootie what apparant likelihood of recovering their libertie if they could drive the Romans from their Campe And hereupon in short time they assembled a great number of horse and foot-men to put their purpose in execution Against which Caesar vnderstanding thereof made preparation for defence having gotten also about thirtie hors-men which Comius of Arras brought over with him whose seruice he supposed verie necessarie if the Britans according to their woonted maner should seeke to save themselves by flight The Legions were placed in battaile array before his Camp Then the Britans began the fight which had not long continued when they gave back and fled the Romans pursuing them as farre as they durst killing many whom they overtooke and burning houses and townes as they returned to their Campe. The same day the Britans sent Ambassadors to Caesar desiring peace which after long sute was granted vpon condition that the number of the pledges which was before required should be now doubled and speedily sent over into Gallia For the Aequinoctial drawing neere Caesar made haste thither doubting his crazed ships would not be well able to brooke the Seas in winter whereupon taking advauntage of the next faire wind he embarqued his forces about midnight and with the greatest part of his Fleete arrived in the continent The Roman Senat vpon relation of these his services decreed a Supplication for him for the space of twentie daies CHAP. V. Caesars second expedition into Britannie The Britans fortifie themselves in a wood from whence they are chased by the Romans Caesars Navie distressed by tempest IN the spring of the yeare following
IIII. Suetonius returneth with his armie out of Anglesey The Cities of London and Verlam are taken and spoyled by the Britans The Romans and Britans make preparation for a set battaile SVetonius vpon intelligence of the revolt returned out of Mona and led his armie with some difficultie towards London a place not knowne at that time by the name of a Colonie but famous onely for concourse of Merchants and trafficke There he staied a while as doubting what course to take the small number of his forces and the ill successe of Cerealis making him more warie and he supposed it would be a worke well worth his labor if with the losse of one Towne he could preserve the rest that were likely to revolt Wherupon furnishing his defective Companies with such able men as were then in the Towne although the Londoners with teares implored his aide and desired his aboade there for their defence yet he marched forward leaving behind him all such as either by reason of their age sex or other infirmities could not folow or else for love of the place as being bred and born there would not abandon it The towne being thus weakly garded was taken by the Britans and the people therein put all to the sword The like calamitie befell the free-towne of Verulamium by reason that diverse of the Britans finding their owne strength forsooke their forts and assailed the most notable and wealthie places enriching themselves with the spoil of their enemies whom they hanged burned and crucifyed exercising all kinds of crueltie that a mind enraged with desire of revenge could devise They tooke no prisoners either to preserve for ransome or to exchange according to the lawes of warre but slue both Citizens and Confederates to the number of about seuentie thousand Suetonius with the Fourteenth Legion seconded by the Standard-bearers of the Twentieth and some Auxiliaries made haste to encounter the Britans and resolved without further delay to trie the chance of a set battaile Then he pitched in a place that had a narrow entrance with a thicke wood for a defence behind him and a faire wide plaine before his Campe. The Legionarie Souldiers were marshalled togither in thicke ranks the light harnessed inclosing them about and the horsemen making wings on each side Poenius Posthumus the Campe-Master of the Second Legion was appoynted to leade the fore-ward but he contemptuously refused the charge In the meane time the Britans ranged abroad in great troopes triumphing for their late good successe and being encouraged by the example of Voadica their Generall were fiercely bent to assaile the Roman campe supposing now that no force was able to resist them And they had brought their wives with them and placed them in Waggons about the vtmost parts of the Plaine to be the beholders of their valiant acts and witnesses of their expected victorie CHAP. V. The Oration of Suetonius the Roman Generall vnto his Souldiers The fight betweene the Romans and Britans The Britans are overthrowne Voadica poysoneth her selfe The death of Poenius Posthumus SVetonius being now readie to joyne battaile though he perceived that his Souldiers were not much dismaied with the sight of so great numbers scattered vpon the Plaine yet he supposed it not vnnecessarie to vse some speech to them by way of exhortation and therefore began in this maner I can not now vse many words to exhort you the time permits it not and the present occasion requireth rather deeds then words Yet let not our small number discourage you considering that your ancestors with a smaller number have vndertaken greater matters and that where many Legions have beene in the field a few Souldiers have carried away the victorie What a glorie shall it be for you then if with so small a power you can purchase the praise of a whole army There is no feare of Ambush the Woods gard you behind and on the Plaine before you lieth your enemies Campe wherein you may behold more women then men and the men themselves for the most part vnarmed and not likely to endure the poynts and strokes of our weapons which they have so often felt to their smart It stands you now vpon to approove your selves the same men you are reputed to be This is the time either to recover that you have lost or to loose that which you shall never recover You fight now not for honour onely but for Honour and Life Remember that you are Romans whose glorie it is to doe and suffer great things The fortune of this battell wil either give vs peaceable possession of that our forefathers have wonne or for ever deprive vs of it What shall become of you if you be taken the woful experience of your Countrimen most miserably massacred before your eyes may sufficiently testifie Revenge therefore both their wrongs and your owne and no doubt but the gods themselves who never leave crueltie vnpunished wil assist you It is better for vs to die in this Action then by yeelding or flying to out-live the praise of our owne worthinesse But whether we live or die Britannie shall be ours for if we live and recover it our posteritie ever after shall be able to defend it and though they should not yet shall our bones keepe continuall possession of it Take courage therefore and feare not the lowd and vaine showts of a disordered multitude but boldly give the assault and keeping your selves close togither pursue the fight without thinking of the spoile till you have made a ful end For the victorie once gotten al things else will of themselves fall to your share With these or the like words the old Souldiers were pricked forward and Suetonius perceiving it gave the signall of battell The Legions kept the strait as a place of defence till the Britans had spent their Darts and then they sallyed out into the Plaine the Auxiliaries and the horsemen making way and pressed into the thickest troopes of the barbarous people who being vnable to endure the fiercenesse of the assault turned their backs thinking to save themselves by flight But by reason their waggons placed about the Plain had hedged in the passages on all sides few of them escaped The residue as well women as men were put to the sword and their dead bodies mingled with the carcases of their Horses and Chariots were heaped one vpon another The number of the Britans slaine in that battaile was reported to be about fourescore thousand and of the Romans about foure hundred onely and not many mo wounded in the conflict This dayes service was renowmed among the Romans as comparable to those of auncient times in the free Common-wealth Voadica disdaining to fall into her enemies hands ended her life by poyson and Poenius Posthumus seeing the good successe of the Fourteenth and Twentieth Legions for that by disobaying the Generall contrarie to the discipline of warre he had defrauded his owne Legion of their part of the glorie in the action for
was buried in the church of Saint Paul in London and then Sigeherd and Seofrid his two sonnes successively ruled the Province of the East-Saxons After them it was governed by Offa the sonne of Sigeherd who married Geneswede the daughter of Penda Prince of the Mercians The possessions belonging to the Church of VVestminster he greatly augmented and resigning the governement to Celred went to Rome where he ended his life in a Religious house Celred succeeded Offa maintaining the state of the Province in peace till in the end he was slaine but in what maner or by whom I find no mention Then Suthred either by right of succession or by election obtained the governement which he enioyed but a short time for Egbert the VVest-Saxon Prince invaded at one time the Provinces both of the East and Kentish Saxons and in the end brought them vnder his subjection albeit the Citie of London remained vnder obedience of the Princes of Mercia so long as that principalitie continued The succession of the Princes of the East-Angles 1 Vffa 2 Titill 3 Redwald an Apostatae 4 Carpenwald the sonne of Redwald 5 Sebert the brother of Carpenwald 6 Egrick the kinsman of Sebert 7 Ana. 8 Athelhere the brother of Ana. 9 Adelwald the sonnes of Athelhere ruled ioyntly Aldulph Elohwold Hisberna 10 Ethelbert 1. 11 Ethelbert 2. 12 Offa. 13 S. Edmund ⧠The succession of Bishops in the Principalitie of the East-Angles 636 Faelix a Burgundian Bishop of Dunwich sate twelve yeares 648 Thomas his Deacon five yeares 653 Bonifacius alias Birtgilsus seventeene yeares 670 Bisi After Bisi the bishopricke was divided into two Seas ¶ Dunwich ¶ North-Elmeham 671 Aecca twentie three yeares Beadwinus 696 Aesculfus twentie foure yeares Northbertus 720 Eadberctus sixteene yeares Heatholacus 736 Cuthwinus eleven yeares Eahelfridus 747 Aldbertus foure yeares Lamfertus 771 Eglafus eight yeares Athelwulfus 779 Eadredus six yeares Hunfertus 785 Althunus three yeares Sibba 788 Titfridus twentie yeares Alherdus CHAP. I. The Principalitie of the East-Angles erected by Vffa Faelix a Burgundian preacheth the faith to the East-Angles His Episcopall sea at Dunwich in Suffolke Sebert the first Christian Prince resigneth his government to Egrick and entreth-into a Monasterie from whence he is drawne forth by his subiects when the Mercians invade his Province He is slaine in battaile with Egrick whom Ana succeedeth in the government THe Counties of Norfolke Suffolke and Cambridge with the I le of Ely were the ancient habitations of the East-Angles among whom Vffa about the yeare of Grace 492. established a principalitie which he left vnto Tiâ—il of whom little or nothing is recorded save onely the name and title Then Redwald succeeding him entred into league with Edwin advauncing him to the government of the Northumbers after the death of Edelfrid their Prince whom Redwald had slain in battaile He was afterwards by the exhortation of Edwin the Prince converted to Christianitie from which he was within a short time withdrawne by his wiâ—es perswasion though Dorwald one of his sonnes persevering therein was cruelly murdered by Rochbert a Pagan and Carpenwald his other sonne succeeding his father in the government participated with his brother in his fortune for he was slaine by the same man and in the same maner Then Sebert his brother obtained the government During the raigne of Carpenwald he lived as a banished man in France where he was first instructed in the Christian Religion In his time Foelix the Burgundian came into Britannie and made suite to Honorius the Archbishop of Canterburie that he might be licensed to preach the Gospel to the East-Angles whereto the Archbishop approving his zealous intention willingly assented and so the Christian faith within few yeares was dispersed throughout the Province by the diligence and labor of Foelix whom the inhabitants reverenced as a man that being himselfe happie both in name and condition had power also to make others happie He was made Bishop of Dunwich in Suffolke which being then but a small town became afterwards very rich and populous and was governed according to the maner of the ancient and best Cities Many religious houses the fruits of devotion in that age were at sundry times erected in the place There was also a Mint wherein a certaine coine with the inscription of the name of the Citie was stamped But time hath worne out in a maner the remembrance of these things at this day and the sea hath devoured the greatest part of the building It continued an entire Bishops Sea but a while for Bisi the fourth Bishop in succession from Foelix divided it into two Bishopricks the one of Dunwich the other of Holinham In the meane time Sebert imitating the example of the Kentish Saxons provided meanes that the children born within his Dominions might be trained vp in learning and religion erecting Schooles and allowing stipends for the maintenance of Teachers He was also a great benefactor to Hospitals and Religious houses and in the end resigning the government to Egrick his kinsman hee entred into a Monasterie whereof himselfe had beene the founder and there remained peaceably till by the treacherous practise of Athelhere one of his nobilitie Penda the Mercian Prince with an armie of Pagans invaded his Province for then was hee forcibly drawne thence by his owne subjects who finding themselves too weake to resist their enemies brought Sebert himselfe into the field supposing perhaps that his personall presence would encourage his people to fight with more resolution but in that battaile the East-Angles were overthrowne and both Sebert and Egrick his cosin slaine The like successe in the selfe same manner befell Ana who succeeded Egrick in the Principalitie CHAP. II. Athelhere the brother of Ana ruleth the East-Angles He is slaine by Oswin Prince of the Northumbers S. Ethelbert is murdered by Offa Prince of the Mercians Offa having made a voyage into the Holy-Iland dieth in his returne homewards Edmund succeedeth Offa in the governement The Martyrdome of S. Edmund by the Pagan Danes The Monastery of S. Edmunds bury in Suffolke erected The Principalitie of the East-Angles annexed to that of the West-Saxons THen Athelhere the brother to Ana assumed the governement but preventing his time in the getting of it he lost it againe ere he was fully sâ—led for as by combining with Penda the Pagan 〈◊〉 had beene a meanes to hasten the death of his 〈◊〉 hee and kinsman so his owne blood together with Pendaes was soone after shed by Oswin Prince of the Northumbers Adelwald his brother with little better fortune succeeded him leaving the Principalitie to Aldulf Elohwold Hisberna the sonnes of his brother Athelhere who by civill discention supplanting one another made way for Ethelbert to attaine the government Ethelbert by his wife Laonorine had a sonne of his owne name that succeeded him Ethelbert the second was a Prince much renowmed for learning and piety He governed the Province with great wisedome and prosperous
short time chased them out of the land and Britric himselfe having raigned about seventeene yeares was poisoned by Eadburga his wife who fled into France transporting thither great store of treasure But not finding that good entertainement which she expected at the French Kings hands she became a Nunne and afterwards Abbesse of a religious house from whence a◠the last shee was expulsed for committing adulterie with a lay person and ended her vitious and dishonourable life in extreame povertie After the death of Britric the West-Saxons were governed by Egbert who enlarged his dominions by many and great conquests for first he brought vnder obedience the Walshmen who had beene alwaies accustomed vpon advantage to make incursions into the Province then with like successe he assailed and subdued the Mercians the Northumbers the Kentish and the East-Saxons whose Provinces he annexed to the Principalitie of the West-Saxons as by relation of that which followeth more plainely shall appeare The end of the Second Booke of the Second Part of the Historie of Great Britannie ⧠The Table of the Contents of the Chapters in the Second Part of the Historie of Great Britannie The first Booke A Repetition of the Contents of the former part A briefe relation of the condition of the Britans vnder the Picts and Scottishmen from the Romans departure thence vntill the beginning of the raigne of Vortiger the last Brittish Prince page 173 The Britans elect Vortiger to be their King They send for the Saxons to aide them The originall and manners of the Saxons 177 The Saxons vanquish the Scottishmen and Picts Hengist deviseth how he may get possession of the East part of the Iland 182 Saxons Iutes and Angles arrive in Britannie Vortiger marrieth Hengists daughter He is deposed 186 Vortimer succeedeth his father in the government Vortiger is restored The most noble of the Britans are trecherously murdered by the Saxons vpon Salisburie Plaines 190 The calamities of the Britans The professors of Christian religion in Britannie are persecuted by the Saxons whose idolatry and superstitious rites are described 193 Germanus the Bishop conducteth the Armie of the Christian Britans against their enemies being Pagans who by his meanes are defeated He departeth out of Britannie 196 Aurelianus Ambrosius aydeth the Britans against the Saxons The valiant acts of Arthur the Warlike 198 The Britans flie into Wales and Cornewall where they seate themselves The Saxons and English possesse the greatest part of the I le which is afterwards divided into several Principalities 201 The second Booke THe Principality of the Kentish-Saxons established by Hengist whom Vsk Otta and Ermeric succeede in the governement Austen the Monke is sent from Rome by Gregorie the Great to preach the Christian faith to the Saxons and English He landeth in Kent where he is curteously entertained by Ethelbert the Prince of that Countrie 209 Austen converteth divers of the Saxon and English from Paganisme to Christianitie The cause that first moved Gregorie the Great to intend their conversion Austen is consecrated chiefe Bishop of the English Nation by the Bishop of Arles in France He advertiseth the Bishop of Rome of the successe of his voyage into Britannie and requireth directions touching the Ecclesiasticall government to be there established 212 Instructions sent to Austen from the Bishop of Rome for the ordering and governement of the new Church in Britannie The primacie of the Sea of Canterbury The first English Bishops of London and Yorke 214 Austen receiveth the Pall from Rome Gregorie the Great sendeth gratulatorie letters to Ethelbert who is converted to the faith being the first Christian Prince of the English Nation The Church of Saint Paul in London is founded Melitus the first Bishop there in the Saxons time Iustus the first Bishop of Rochester Contention betweene the English and Brittish Cleargy about the celebration of the feast of Easter 217 Austen calleth a Synod to reconcile the differences betweene the Brittish and English Cleargie The Brittish Bishops aske counsell of an Anchorite whether they should conforme themselves to such things as Austen the Monks should require of them They refuse to accept him for their Arch-bishop Austen appointeth Laurentius to succeede him in the Sea of Canterburie He dieth 220 Ethelbert the Prince provideth for the maintenance of religious persons Hee ordaineth lawes for civill government publishing the same in the English tongue Edbald his sonne succeedeth him in the Principalitie of the Kentish-Saxons His Apostacie Repentance Death 222 Ercombert succeedeth Edbald in the Principalitie The institution of Lent Honorius the Arch-bishop of Canterbury divideth his Province into Parishes Deus-Dedit succeedeth Honorius in the Sea of Canterbury Egbert ruleth the Kentish-Saxons after the death of Ercombert Theodorus the Arch-bishop of Canterbury expelleth Wilfrid out of the Sea of Yorke His learning in Divinitie and Philosophie His estimation in the Court of Rome 225 Lothar by intrusion succeedeth Egbert his brother in the government The West-Saxons invade the Province of Kent Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury calleth a Synod for reformation of abuses in the Clergy The succession of the Kentish Princes from Lothar to Alrich Kent is subdued and annexed to the Principalitie of the West-Saxons 227 ¶ The Principalitie of the South-Saxons established by Ella Cissa his youngest sonne succeedeth him therein Edilwalch the first Christian Prince of the South-Saxons 233 Variance between the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke Wilfrid chiefe Bishop of the Northumbers expulsed from his owne Sea at Yorke flieth into Sussex where he converteth the inhabitants to the Christian faith Hee is curteously entertained by Edelwalch the Prince who assigneth to him the I le of Selesey for an Episcopall Sea The South-Saxons are brought vnder the obedience of the West-Saxon Princes 235 ¶ The Principalitie of the Mercians erected by Creda the Saxon Penda persecuteth the Christians in his Province Peda succeedeth Penda his father in the governement He marrieth the daughter of Oswin Prince of the Northumbers and receiveth the Christian faith 241 Oswin Prince of the Northumbers ruleth the Mercians after the death of Peda till he is deposed by Wulfere the brother of Peda. Lichfield is made a Bishops Sea for the Province of the Mercians Chadde is Bishop of that place Wulfere is christned Ethelred his brother succeedeth him in the Principalitie He foundeth a Bishops Sea at Worcester He resigneth his governement and goeth to Rome where both himselfe and Kinred his nephew take vpon them the habit of religion Celred his sonne succeedeth him 243 Ethelbald succeedeth Celred in the governement He is reproved by Bonifacius an Englishman Bishop of Vtricht in Holland for his lascivious life His repentance He erecteth the Monasterie of Crowland He is slaine in battaile 245 Offa ruleth the Mercians Hee foundeth the Monastery of Saint Albans He maketh a ditch to divide the Territories of the English and Walshmen Kenelmus the Martyr The Catalogue of the Mercian Princes from Offa vntill the West-Saxons obtained their Principality 248
◠The Principalitie of the East-Saxons erected by Erchenwin Sebert the first Christian Prince Melitus the first Bishop of the East-Saxons hath his Sea at London Saint Pauls Church there founded by Ethelbert the first Christian Prince of the Kentish-Saxons The Church at Westminster founded by Sebert Cedda afterward called St. Chadde preacheth the Gospel to the East-Saxons Sigher and Sebbi ioyntly rule the Province 252. The Devotion Chastitie and Charitie of Sebbi the Prince The manner of his death Offa resigneth the governement and goeth to Rome where he entreth into religion Egbert the West-Saxon Prince obtaineth the Principalitie of the East-Saxons 254 ¶ The Principalitie of the East-Angles erected by Vffa Faelix a Burgundian preacheth the faith to the East-Angles His Episcopall Sea at Dunwich in Suffolke Sebert the first Christian Prince resigneth his government to Egrick and entereth into a Monasterie from whence he is drawne forth by his subiects when the Mercians invade his Province He is slaine in battaile with Egrick whom Ana succeedeth in the government 259 Athelhere the brother of Ana ruleth the East-Angles He is slaine by Oswin Prince of the Northumbers S. Ethelbert is murthered by Offa Prince of the Mercians Offa having made a voyage into the Holy-Iland dieth in his returne homewards Edmund succeedeth Offa in the government The Martyrdome of S. Edmund by the pagan Danes The Monastery of S. Edmunds-bury in Suffolke erected The principality of the East-Angles annexed to that of the West-Saxons 261 ¶ The Principality of the Northumbers divided into two Provinces namly Deira and Bernitia which are vnited by Ethelrick Ethelfrid defeateth the Britans and killeth the Monks of Bangor Edwin the first Christian Prince Paulinus preacheth the faith to the Northumbers and hath a Sea a signed to him at Yorke The death of Edwin 267 Oswald ruleth the Northumbers He is slaine in battaile against Penda the Mercian Prince He is honoured with the title of a Martyr Oswin his brother succeedeth him A Bishops Sea at Lichfield Egfrid the Prince removeth Bishop Wilfrid from his Sea at Yorke Ceolnulph and Egbert successively ruling give over the government to enter into religion Venerable Bede liveth in the time of Ceolnulph The Northumbers are brought vnder the subiection of the West-Saxons 271 The principalitie of the West-Saxons established by Cerdic Berinus preacheth the Christian faith to the West-Saxons The towne of Dorchester assigned to him for a Bishops Sea Kinegles the first Christian Prince Winchester is made a Bishops Sea by Kennewalch the West-Saxon Prince Ceadwall resigning the government to Ina goeth to Rome where he dieth 277 Ina succeedeth Ceadwall in the government of the West-Saxons Peterpence first paied to Rome The Bishopricke of the West-Saxons divided into two Seas Lawes made by Ina the Prince The Church at Wells made a Bishops Sea The first arrivall of the Danes in Britannie in the time of Britric Egbert the West-Saxon Prince subdueth divers Provinces which he annexeth to his owne Principality 281 ⧠The succession of the Kings of England from Egbert the first English Monarch vntill the Norman Conquest 1 Egbert raigned thitie seven yeares 2 Ethelwulfe the sonne of Egbert twentie yeares 3 Ethelbald the eldest sonne of Ethelwulfe five yeares 4 Ethelbert the second sonne of Ethelwulfe five yeares 5 Ethelred the third sonne of Ethelwulfe five yeares 6 Alfred the yongest sonne of Ethelwulfe 29. yeares 7 Edward surnamed the Elder twentie three yeares 8 Athelstane the eldest sonne of Edward sixteene yeares 9 Edmund the second sonne of Edward six yeares 10 Edred the yongest sonne of Edward nine yeares 11 Edwin the elder sonne of Edmond foure yeares 12 Edgar surnamed the Peaceable the yonger sonne of Edmond sixteene yeares 13 Edward surnamed the Martyr the elder sonne of Edgar foure yeares 14 Ethelred surnamed the Vnreadie the yonger sonne of Edgar thirtie seven yeares 15 Edmund surnamed Ironside the sonne of Ethelred in whose time the Danes possessed the greatest part of England ⧠The succession of the Princes of Denmarke in the Kingdome of England 1 Cnute raigned nineteene yeares 2 Harold the first surnamed Hare-foote the Bastard of Cnute foure yeares 3 Hardy-Cnute the sonne of Cnute two yeares 16 Edward the Confessor raigned twentie foure yeares 17 Harold the second the vsurper 18 William Duke of Normandie surnamed the Conqueror The beginning of the reigne of Egbert the first English Monarch EGBERT I SAX MONARCH VPon report of the death of Britric Egbert with great speed returned out of France where during the time of his abode he had served with good commendation in the warres vnder Charles the Great by meanes whereof his reputation encreasing among his owne Country men he was thought worthy of the government before he obtained it Besides the Nobilitie of his blood the pusillanimitie of the late Prince his predecessor seemed to adde more sufficiencie to his owne merit At his first entrance he assayled the Cornish and Walsh-men who commonly vpon the change of Governors vsed to make incursions into the Provinces next adioyning to them continuing their claime as it were to those countries from which the Britans their ancestors had beene expelled and though formerly they had thereby sustained many and great losses yet it well appeared that they had not altogither lost their wonted courage hereditarie to that warlike Nation The Cornish-men being first subdued he employed his whole forces against the Walsh whom he earnestly pursued never desisting vntill he had pierced into the verie vtmost limits of Wales vpon the Westerne Sea This fortunate proceeding bred both enuy and iealousie in diverse Princes of the land specially in Bernulph the governour of the English-Mercians who thought it a necessarie point of policie to make opposition betimes lest the West-Saxons growing too great the Principality of Mercia might be endangered considering withall that it would be more advantageable to make an offensive warre then to rest meerely vpon defence wherein the perill and hazard was likely to be as great as in the other the gaine and glory much lesse Herevpon he entred the Province of the West-Saxons with a huge armie consisting of men for the most part vnmeete for militarie service as being by long ease and idlenesse corrupted and become faint hearted and vnwealdie so that at the first assault made by their enemies they turned their backs and being confounded by their owne numbers were over whelmed one vpon an other in their flight The fortune of this battaile did cut in sunder the verie sinewes of the Mercian government which soone after as vnable to support it self any longer fell to the principalitie of the West-Saxons And now Egbert conceaving hope of like successe in attempting the Conquest of the other provinces and knowing well that the Kentish Prince was then scarce setled in his government and hated of his subjects he supposed a fit oportunitie was offered to bring that part of the I le also vnder subjection and thereupon sent his sonne with an armie to invade it