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england_n	book_n	henry_n	king_n	2,903	5	3.6901	3	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A05297	A learned and true assertion of the original, life, actes, and death of the most noble, valiant, and renoumed Prince Arthure, King of great Brittaine Who succeeding his father Vther Pendragon, and right nobly gouerning this land sixe and twentie yeares, then dyed of a mortall wounde receyued in battell, together vvith victory ouer his enemies. As appeareth cap. 9. And was buried at Glastenbury. cap. 12. an. 543. Collected and written of late yeares in lattin, by the learned English antiquarie of worthy memory Iohn Leyland. Newly translated into English by Richard Robinson citizen of London. Anno Domini. 1582.; Assertio inclytissimi Arturii Regis Britanniae. English	Leland, John, 1506?-1552.; Robinson, Richard, citizen of London.	1582 (1582)	STC 15441; ESTC S108439	67,318	92

of greate Alder trees which by a certaine nature are growing cōmodious for the ground there Moreouer agayne I thinke the inhabitants of Aualonia were not so ignorāt of natural things y ● they should beleeue y ● Oake would continue longer in somwhat a moyst ground then the watery Alder tree which is growing in the grounde They which haue writtē of Trees willingly attribute somwhat moist groūds to be apt both for Alder Elme trees to be brought forth in thē There also remaineth another doubt which if I any thing rightly iudge shall rather seeme a plaine errour then any doubt at all Gyraldus confirmeth that Arthures Tombe was founde betwene two Pyrameds in the religious place at Aualonia In which opinion as it were so confirmed with testimonie of ancient writers euen I also remaine But I am so farre frō beleeuing any thing to be engrauē in thē which thing Arthures tombe as Giraldus declareth y ● verie same should shew expresse or make famous that in deede vnto me may appeare nothing lesse like to be true If there had beene any such thing I pray you who more truly or more playnly should haue manifested y ● same thē Gulielmus Meildunēsis vnto whom alone all posteritie ought to refer both their portractures inscriptions But hee in deede speaketh not so much as one worde of Arthure whome elswhere he diligently extolleth Doubtlesse it is a coniecture probable that Giraldus was vtterly ignorāt what inscriptions those Pyrameds contayned seeing he saith the letters were worne out by antiquitie or oldnes of time But I let passe Giraldus a mā truly otherwise learned a great greedy deuourer of anciēt knowledge as I am prouoked by another care not vnprofitable for the purpose Namely that I should not onely by the testimonie of two whom I haue aboue named but also by a full number of writers confirme establish and persuade as it were ratified Arthures Tombe founde Also to the end that that thing may more commodiously be done I thinke there are causes agreeable why I may more profoundly repeate all and singuler testimonies of famous men within a certaine conuenient and euydent scope of matter In which behalfe Claudius a frēchman to the end the reader may vnderstand that the credible report of Arthures Tombe found hapned euen vnto straungers vpright and perfect shall be a greate witnesse in matter aboundant Anno 1217. The bodie of Arthure that Noble king of Brittaine which had lyen buried 600. and moe yeeres was found in the Church of S. Mary at Glastenbury Heere in computation of the yeeres either by the Authors negligence or as more sincerelie the Interpreter saith by the negligence of the booke writer did there creepe in a faule error For Henry the Secōd of that name king of England dyed about the yeere after Christes byrth a thousand one hundreth and nyntie and the Tombe was founde in the first yeare of the raigne of King Richard the 1. his sonne The Cronicles of Persor Abbey doe make relation of these thinges Anno Domini 1191. the Tombe of Arthure Kinge of Brittaine was found at Glastenbury the leaden crosse vpon his brest declaring that his name was there written Iohannes Fiberius who is also commonly called Beuer writeth these thinges most briefly and by way of running it ouer Anno Domini 1191. were founde at Glastenbury the bones of Arthure Matthew Paris Moncke of the Monastery of S. Albane at the racing and seege of that most auncient Cittie Verolamium nere vnto S. Albones in the Countie of Hartford thus mentioneth of the Tombe The bones of the most famouse King Arthure were founde at Glastenbury laide vp in a certaine most auncient Tombe there about the which stoode erected two most auncient Pirameds wherein the letters were engrauen but by reason of the too much rudnesse and deformitie they could not be reade And they were found by this occasion For as they digged there to bury a certaine Moncke which with a vehement desire in his life time had before wished for this place as to be therein buried they founde a certaine close Tombe vpon the which was put a leade crosse wherein was engrauen HIC IACET INCLITVS BRITONVM REX ARTVRIVS IN INSVLA AVALONIAE SEPVLTVS But that place beinge rounde about encompassed with Marish groundes was in times past called the Isle of Aualon for truth that is the Ile of Aples Like as by Good right I fauour verie much the authoritie of this Matthew so I am sory that a fewe wordes chaunced redounding to this declaration in the inscription Certes that which he mentioneth of the Moncke I neuer hearde of before neyther doth he so farre forth perswade mee of the truth Ranulphus Higeden of Chester also maketh mention of King Arthure his Tombe I omit to mention other Authours and that with employed diligence because I would not seeme to affectate the number of witnesses in a matter so manifestly knowne and credited CAP. XVI The Translation of King Arthures bones I Remember that in my Epistle dedicatory I haue spoken of Arthures Lyneamentes three times translated Whereof which was the first because it appeareth not euident enough by the greater Church at Glastenbury from whence they write these were first of all conueyed I will somewhat more manifestly and more lightsomely notify I learned of the Monckes at Glastenbury most diligent reseruers no doubte of the Antiquitie pertayning to their Cloyster that Arthures Lyneamentes were translated into the greate Church which worke was greatly augmented by the liberallitie of Henry Plantagenet from the religiouse place but not laide in that place at that time where they now be There is a porch towardes the South parte and a Chappell from whence they go into the Treasury In this place men affirmed that Arthures bones remayned for a certaine season after that againe that they were translated into the midle Iles of the Queare By which interchaunge of time a newe stately and magnificent Tombe out of blacke Marble such as we see the Lydian or tutch stone was both heawne and cut out at that time together framed by vnaccustomed workmanshippe and witty deuise concerning which and also the translation thereof to write at this present it were vndoubtedly a needlesse thinge seeing that in the chapter before going touching Arthures Tombe founde all those matters appeare together in their order Therefore let our history apply it selfe vnto the third translation which was made in y ● dayes of Edward sirnamed Longshanke K. of England not only the cheefest patrone of Arthures praise but also y e louer great reuerencer of his fame when as all y e Lyneamentes of them remayning in the most stately Tombe where they tooke their rest together before sauing the shinne bones of the King and of the Queene which he commaunded to be kept abroade it was no doubte a spectacle of Antiquitie very acceptable vnto

vnto credite beeing taken away to reade scanne vpon and preserue in memorie those thinges which are consonant by Authorytie For that which nowe a long time is embraced of Learned men with greate consent ought not in what soeuer moment of time barcking against it together with faith or credite thereof to be quite taken away Otherwise the History had not hetherto remained in so greate reputation Therefore because it is a worke of greater importaunce then wee presentlie are in hande with exquisitely curiously and perfectlie to displaye all the deedes of Arthure let vs for this season omitte the Romaines and let vs aduaunce with penne his famylier friendes Hoelus Gouernour of Armorica or the lesse Brittaine in this famous company of Nobles by a certaine right of his requyreth the next place from the first Concerning whose comming into Brittaine and warlike prowesse we haue formerly written in the chapter of the warres accomplished by Arthure Hetherunto ensewe Mordred and Gallouinus Brethren Germaynes vnto Arthure by bloodde and familiarity alyed Of which two this first at length like a periured persō and the same a Reuoulter neuer enough discommendable that I speake nothing of the crime of his adultery was slayne in battle One Hector Abrinus beeing thereof scarce a true witnesse and as I gather with iudgement more rightly sirnamed Alaunicus But the second being alwaies a man constant perfourmed most faithfull diligence both in all forraine warres and also specially in that conflict at Dorcester aboute the returne of Arthure out of Fraunce into Brittaine who was chiefe next vnto him against Mordred Melchinus the Brittish Poet blazseth the fame of Gallouinus The same doth Iohannes Anneuillanus in his booke intituled Architrenio a worke not vnelegant namely by these verses Et Walganus ego qui nil reminiscor auara Illoculasse manu non haec mea fulgurat auro Sed gladio dextra recipit quo spargat enses Non loculos stringit nec opes in carcere miles Degener cupide tumulato rusticus aere Et me bella vocant Et tua forsitan vrget Solicitudo vale And Walgan I with couetous hand nought distribute which haue This my right hād shines not with gold but with the sword so braue It takes that it may distribute euen swordes not bagges it bendes Nor wealth though I a Knight distrest yet not vntrue to friendes Ne yet in countrie liued I like a couetouse muck●scrape But now the warres away call me vnto my wonted state And thine affaires also Perhappes vrge the thereto Farewell ALso that History of Arthure in deede Fabulus which commonly is carried about written in the mother tongue affirmeth that Gallouinus was buried in a certaine Chappell at Dorcester In which poynt what manner booke soeuer it be it misseth not the marke altogether as the booke entituled Scalaecronicon makes manifest relation and y e inhabitantes of y e Castle do now repute his bones almost Gyanllike in stead of a miracle And that long since in the time of Lucius Magnus there was a Chappell founded in the Castle of Dorcester and dedicated vnto our Lord and Sauiour Christ what time Fugatius and Damianus Brittaines preached the Gospell as by the Annales or yearly recordes of the same Cittie hearing a reuerēt figure resemblance of Antiquitie it doth plainely appeare That it may be most acceptable and besides that most true which I haue aboue inferred touching both the death and buriall of Galouinus it shall not through me stand that the iudgement of William de Medulphi Curia as touching the death and buriall of this Gallouinus by reason of his fortitude neuer enough commended should eyther weare out of memory or vtterly perish Wherefore I esteeme it worthie the labour here to sette downe his wordes out of the third booke of the Kinges of England that herehence the discreete Reader might euen fully try as it were at a tutchstone the sincere brightnesse of true gold from that which is counterfeite Then in the Prouince of Wales which is called Rossia was founde the Sepulchre or Tombe of Gallouinus or Walwine which was the Nephewe not degenerate of Arthure by his sister He gouerned in that Coast of Brittaine which to this day is called Waluuthia as a Knight most famous in prowesse but being of his brother and the Nephew to Hengistus concerning whom I haue spoken in the first booke driuen out of his Kingdome did first to their great detriment recompēce his banishment iustly pertaking praise with his Unckle for that he put off or auoyded the downefall from his Country then ruinouse But Arthures Tombe was at no time seene whereupon Antiquitie of foolish dreames and fables did vainely surmise that he would yet come againe But the burying place of the other as before I set down in the time of William the first King of Englād was found fourtéene foote long vpon the Sea coast where as some men affirme he was wounded of his enemies and cast out of shipwrake certaine persones haue saide hee was slaine by the Citizens at publique banquet So saith the Authour Gulielmus Meildunensis as concerning Gallouinus But I if it might bee lawfull for me as a puny would make tryall of my strength w t these weapons against this authour Meildunensis so olde and most beaten Souldier to bestow beare of the blowes viz. It is not like to be true that men of Gyantlike height as I gather by y ● graue 14. foote long were then liuing in the dayes of Gallouinus Wherefore vndoubtedly in mine opinion it is more credible that it was the graue of some Gyant inhabitinge the countrie For that first such did inhabit Albion it appeareth both by auctoritie of forraine and of our owns writers The one of which two his credit I folowing namely Iosephus of Deuonshire a Brittish Poet most absolutly elegante by all meanes hauing taken out of his Antiocheides a work immortall these few verses I will vse them as testimony for breuitie sake His Brutus auito Sanguine Troianus Latijs egressus ab oris Post varios casus consedit finibus orbem Fatalem nactus debellatorque Gigantum Et terrae Victor nomen dedit A Troian Brute by auncient bloude ariued frō Romane roade After sundry hazardes and here in these coastes aboade And hauing got his destned land subdued the Gyants fell As Conquerour he left his fame vpon the earth to dwell Architrenius in his sixt booke of Gyantes inhabiting Albion recyteth these Hos auidum belli Corinei robor auerno Praecipites misit cubitis ter quatuor altum Gogmagog Herculea suspendit in aere lucta Antheumque suum scopulo detrusit in aequor These Corineus his puysant strength of eager moode to fight To hell sent headlong Gogmagog of twelue cubites height By him like Hercules wrastling into the aire was throwne His Antheus eke and from the rocke in seaes was cast adowne NEyther am I ignorant that in

times past there was on y e sea shoare a Castle called Galouine touching which the Authour M●ildunensis as aboue hath written whose footesteppes are as yet apparant But that was not the habitation of the Gyant as neyther perhappes of that Galouine of Arthures but of some latter vycegerent bearing the same name But y ● which he mētioneth of Arthures Tombe at that time is most true No one man more curiously searched forth at any time all the treasures of the library at Glastenbury This onely was here wanting in him towardes knowledge that he dying about the first yeare of the Raigne of Henry y ● second King of England knew nothing of Arthurs tombe For so much as y ● same tombe was found afterwards in y e beginning of y ● raigne of K. Richard coeurde lyon But I returne w t William Meildunensis into fau●ur out of the which as yet I haue not openly fallen By whome a man as in his age most learned in all kind of Good letters and of singuler wit diligence and care in searching forth Antiquitie I confesse and in deede that franckly must a●●irme my selfe to haue beene oftentimes helped in the knowledge of Antiquitie Undoubtedly it is a poynte of honestie to acknowledge by whom a man profiteth It liketh me well here vnto the conclusion to adde the notation which I my selfe gather of the name of Gallouinus out of the Brittish language Walle signifieth straungers or walsh Guin Album or white Like as if a man by this phrase would dedescribe a comely elegant and beawtifull personage except a man more rightly thinke that he tooke his originall from the Saxonish rude language as Walwine signifieth Gallus Amicus Leoflwyn Charus Amicus and Aldwyne Vetus Amicus Now approcheth Augusellus of whom we haue aboue spoken a fewe wordes Who was in so feruent fauour with Arthure that hee was deseruingly made a beneficiall Gouernour ouer the Scottes This man ●endered like for like Being sent for amongst many other Princes to the end he might performe him selfe a companion with Arthure in his expedition towardes Fraunce so ●arre refused hee not his enioyned charge that with greate example of valiancie there manifested and retorning home on the Coast of Richborow with much more prowesse Mordred beinge ouercome in ciuil wars and there put to flight he falling amōgst the Hoastes with bloud lyfe endaungered valiantly behaued himselfe as y ● Authour of those bookes Schalechronica one Grayius as I suppose is none euil witnesse at al thereof And because touching the chusing out or election of those Princes vnto Arthure being obedient we haue formerly made promise it auaileth here to signifie that there were many notable elections not spoken of by him But that was most notable of all which appeared in Isca or Exceter otherwise in the Cittie of Caerlegion or Chester vpon Vske What time it was proclamed vnto wars against y e French But what haue the Muses to do with Mars vndoubtedly either little or nothing And yet if there were a iust familiaritie betweene them they shoulde rather wish well vnto Mars that for his sake they might deseruingly giue Arthure greate thankes who either restored or instituted a Learned Quier of Ecclesiasticall persons in the saide cittie of Caerlegion if Geoffrey of Munmouth Iohn Burgensis and Rossus Verouicensis declare the trueth This in meane time appeareth plaine by the historie of Anonimus the writer that Amphibalus Iulius Aarona martyres did worship Christ and also had learning in estimation in the saide cittie of Caerlegion or Chester vpon Vske From whome agayne credible it is that others receiued the same letters frō hand to hande There is also if we may beleeue credible reporte in the treasuries at Cambridge at this daye a Table of the priuiledge by Arthure sometime confirmed to the furderāce of studēts But as yet haue I not searched out the credite of this deede Iderus sometime a speciall fauourer of K. Arthures court comes nowe to the number of those Cheualyers This man beeing neare alyed in blood vnto Arthure performed many valyant examples of prowesse and continually did cleaue to his Princes side And at length by what hap I knowe not hee dying left a speciall welwishing vnto Arthure who also carefully accomplished his funerall at Aualonia I haue reade at Glastenburie a little booke of the antiquitie thereof gathered very dilligently by a certaine Moncke of that place In which booke he declareth many thinges of Arthures good will towardes this man departed and of y ● liberalitie or beneficiall goodnesse for y ● same his cosens sake bestowed vpon religious persons there inhabiting Of late there did hang a Table at a pillor within y ● Church of Glastenburie which accoūted Iderus amongst the Benefactors and restorers of the Church at Glastenburie Lancelot a man most famous requireth place euen amongest y ● most excellent Cheualyers to be giuen him Unto which desire I easilie graunt as one readie to speake this in his commendation that hee was a certaine vpright and faithfull friende of Arthures His valiancy appeared largely at y ● battle which was fought betweene Mordred the traytor and Arthure He liued in deede after the battle as I reade once or twice conueyed vnto Guenhera mourning at Arthures death the bodie from Ambersburie vnto Glastenburie But Gyraldus seemeth sincerely to attribute his buriall in one place or other at Glast̄bury as in his Speculo Ecclesiastico in his worke De Institutione Principis appeareth Although it rather seemeth to me in mine opinion y ● he tooke his firste tombe at Ambersburie Caradocus a name of noble prowesse martiall followed Arthure in his expedition towardes Fraunce And returning homewarde was slaine as it seemeth on the coast of Richborowe in the ciuill battle The Cronicles of the porte of Dorcester a worke sauouring of antiquitie makes mention of Caradocus The inhabitants of the Castle there euen at this day after a sorte renewe the memorie of Caradocus affirming that they haue in their Custodie I knowe not what Lyneamentes of his And not so contented they sette foorth Arthures Courte and Guenheras lodging Nowe ruffleth in the number and traine of Arthures noble warriours But I so y ● it be done without offence to them because I haue onely taken vpon me to name the most excellentest of them and to praise them haue purposed to ouerpasse the residue yet otherwise praise worthie and last of all to adioyne that Cadorus of Cornewale Hee was of the most noble progeny of the kinges of Brittaine and gouerned the people in the Mountayny soyles of Cornewale Undoubtedly he was a stoute defender of his princes dignitie and had perpetuall familiaritie with the Brittaines At length when hee dyed hee left after him a sonne named Constantine who after the Death of Arthure was made Ruler ouer Brittaine Hee to the ende they following

be deade but thou wouldest desire to see the same such and so greate is both the antiquitie and also the maiesty of the thing At length the keeper of those secretes was there requested by me to signifie vnto me if he had learned any thing ouer and besides this as touching the seale hanging thereat For amongest very many ornaments which glittering with Gold precious stones did adorne the tombe of Edwarde the Simple King of England euen this also was worthie of memorie But he coulde say nothing to these demaundes sauing onely this that hee thought the same was by y e king laid in y e place to y e perpetuall memorie of the most high and mighty prince Arthure Surely if a man might lawefully by any coniectures gather and set downe the trueth in writing I would not thinke that such a seale had benee translated from Glastenburie vppon which monastery by misfortune of fire most filthily debased the most bountifull prince bestowed such rewardes as hee for his excellent godlines might more easily giue then those mōckes might hope for K. Henrie himselfe as I haue aboue mentioned made testimony of Arthures free gift and so farre forth as he both sawe and read the same By meanes whereof also it might come to passe that the parchment beeing eaten out with little wormes and meathes by long tract of time so famous a monument of antiquitie being founde he deliuered the same to the Monasterie of first fame there to be kept safe and to be seene for euer of the nobylitie in all posterities Certes except my coniecture faileth me the expences or charge is small in deede yea none at all This yet in the meane time pleaseth me that while we intreate of Arthure and of things done by him Glastenbury is alwaies at hand and most friendly promiseth his endeuour towardes assured knowledge of things From whence in deede all y e fruite of our labour at this presēt is to be fetcht as it were from a most plentifull running fountaine Neither surely is there any thing apparant that I doe knowe of which more euidently approueth that Arthure was liuing thē the same Seale doth Which thing if God so would some persons leaning rather to their opinion selfe will and finally rashnesse then vnto any vpright reason doubt not to deny But after this we will chuse a place wherein by full whole aboundance of argumentes wee may ouerthrowe the violent rabble of slaunderers In the meane season wee must more subtilely discusse the inscription of the Seale For this hath her misteries which when they shall receiue light shall both with greater pleasure and also apter grace fill y e eares of honest readers and being filled shal wonderfully delight thē which thing is worth the trauell that in deede largely The name PATRICIVS is taken as from the maiestie of the Romans The noble men of Rome are called by that name viz. such as are come of the firste Senatours That seemeth Tacitus to signifie by these wordes In those dayes Caesar tooke into the number of Noble men euery one most auncient of the Senate or which were of noble personage Liuius makes this mētiō Romulus created 100. Senators which were called Patres or Fathers by reasō of honor done to thē also Patricij or noble mē by reason of their progeny Therefore it is euident that Arthure receiued that same notable same of his name from his parentes and Auncesters Whereupon also it appeareth that as yet the glory of Romane Maiestie translated or applyed vnto the Brittaines in their titles waxed not cold in those dayes I haue also beleeued that the name of Arthure tooke his beginning from the Romane Arthures For Iuuenall the Poet in his thirde Satyre writeth thus Cedamus Patria Viuant Arturins istie Catulus From our countrie departe let vs There Arthure liue and Catulus ALthough Brittaine was by Claudius brought into one only countrie it was yet a thing most familier amongst y e noble men of Brittaine partly to take vnto thē y e names of the Romans to giue them most often vnto their children by this persuation as I veryly beleeue not foolish so moued that herehence they would procure honour vnto them theirs gaine thēselues fauour of the Romans Lucius whome the Brittaines sirnamed the great Constantine and he also the great Aurelius Ambrosius Arthure vnto these not inferior doe mightely ratifie this mine opiniō The same thing also is performed in y e attribution of names vnto noble women For example such were Claudia Ruffina a woman sincerelie learned as Martiall the Poet witnesseth Helena the most holy matron and Vrsula that Cynosura or glittering Starre so called And where as the inscription of y e Seale by a certaine circumstance of words calleth him Emperor of Brittaine Fraūce Germany finally of Dēmarcke This also cōmeth to passe through y e custome of the Romans their dilligēce y t together with their triūphes the titles also of natiōs conquered might accrewe or encrease vnto the cōqueror For a token hereof the Bowes were vsed in triumphes at Rome and the Coynes of Caesar with their figures were with like care stamped But the name of the Emperor as by Auncientie after the testimony of Caesar Cicero and Liuius apparant pertained vnto the gouernors of y ● legions wherupon Arthure is called Emperor by dest seruant of all vnderstood before the comming of his gracious Lord and with a full appoynted Hoast not without counsell and helpe of Pictes Scottes West Saxones most boldly meetes him returning home The Coast of Kent ratled with all manner noyse of weapons and now the Captaines stood orderly before their ensignes the troupe of Cheualliers also conquerours of the world w t chearefull assaulte tossed their weapons parte of them drew out their si●●e slashing blades and part shaked their shiuering sp●ares with strong handes They had all one voyce The battells were warrelike fightes Arthure most ●●eund with this prompt alacritie and stoute courages of his Souldiours as the miracle both of all manhood and also of ripe wisdome by experience made such a like Oration vnto them by lifting vp his eyes from the earth vnto heauen and with cherefulnesse of countenance together with a certaine maiestie mixed saying on this manner Yee Cheualiers the most noble lightes of martiall prowesse and you the other multitude of most approued valiancie do see whither our fortune and associate of so great victories hath brought vs as what we haue with most strong hand gotten abroade wee may not onely keepe vpright but also get vs more greater booties with some straunge and large increase the which thing that it may at this instant be brought to passe and more easely such occasion is now offered vs as all good happes could not in deede if they would more plentifully nor more prosperously offer themselues to fauour vs frendly Let vs

vnto sound argumentes and relation of auncient writers proueth that Arthures Tombe was in times past eyther erected betwene the two Pyrameds or in a place not far distant from them Of Giraldus we wil say more in the Tombe of Arthure found In the meane time I wil herevnto annex the discription of the Pyrameds artificially purtrayed out by the very pencilles of the same Gulielmus as it were in a plaine table to the eyes of the beholders And where as that no doubte is vnknowne vnto all men I would willingly publish it if I could possibly expresse the truth what those Pyrameds do meane which being erected in a litle space from the olde Church do after a sorte include the Churchyarde of those religiouse persons Undoubtedly the more statelyer larger and nearer Pyramed vnto the Church hath fyue storyes height or flooers boorded is in height 26. foote This although it foreshewed some decay by reason of y e too much oldnesse yet hath it a few apparant spectacles of Antiquitie which may be plainely reade although they can not fully be vnderstode For in the vpper story or floore boorde is made an image in likenesse of a Bishoppe In the second is an Image expressing a Kingly state and letters Her Sex Bliswerh In the third neuerthelesse are names Wem Creste Bantomp Winewegn In the fourth Hate Wulfredi Franflede In the fifte and which is the lowest an image and this writing Logwor Weslielas Bregdene Swellwes Huyrgendes berne But the other Pyramed hath 18. foote height and foure storyes or flooers boorded wherein these wordes are reade Hedde Episcopus Bregorred Beorwalde What these may signifie I do not rashly define but I gather by suspition that within or about the same place are laide in hollow stones the bones of them whose names are reade on the outside Surele Logwor for certaine is affirmed to be the person by reason of whose name Logweres Beorh was so called which is now called Montacute Beorwalde neuerthelesse was Abbot after Hemgiselus These saith Meildunensis vnto whom the learned ought to referre these Pyrameds as from him by all meanes borowed and most famously set forth Now y e lady Guenhera offereth her selfe to be ioyned w t A●hure her Husband CAP. XIIII What manner Person Guenhera was I Haue easely beleeued that Guenhera was descended out of the progeny of the Dukes of Cornwale both leaninge vnto other argumentes and also for this cause specially that the History of Brittaine makes mention y t she was brought vp in y e Pallas of Cadorus ●uke of Cornwale also from hence taken vnto wi●e by Arthure The coniecture is and that not altogether vncertaine this name of Guenhera soundeth in the Brittish language the same that Bella Dona doth in the Italian in frēch Belle Dame no doubt the name was giuen for some fame as Guenllean that is White or fayre Leonora or of coniecture Helena so as y e worde White may signifie faire beautifull or amiable ●ut as it is sufficiently apparant y e she was beautifull so it is a thing doubted whether she was chaste yea or no. Truly so far as I can with honestie I would spare the impayred honor and fame of noble womē But yet the truth of y e historie pluckes me by the eare willeth not onely but commandeth me to declare what the Ancients haue deemed of her To wrestle or contend with so greate authoritie were in deede vnto me a controuersie and that greate The historie of Brittaine affirmeth that she had not onely carnall knowledge of Mordred the Pict but also that she was ioyned to him in mariage O mischiefe O lewd life O filthy dayes The writer of the historie of Gildas is in deede an Auncient Author but in mine exemplar that same Anonymus declareth these things of Guenhera the adultresse Arthure in despite of M●lua the ruler beseeged the fenny countries neare vnto Glesconia which noble man had defiled Guenhera being stolne away and caried thether This testimonie as touching a Queene though hee say she was stolne away is scarce honourable Women of such beauty are now and then stolne away by their owne good will Howsoeuer it was most assured is this that she liued no long time after the Death of her Husband and the Adulterer But whether through any disease of the bodie or with vnfayned sorrowe she dyed which I doe sooner beleeue it appeareth not playnely Writers make mention that the beeing mooued with repentance did put vpō her a holy Veyle at Ambrosia and that there she dyed and was also there buried vntill both the dilligence and also Godlinesse of Sir Lancelot the most courteous and most inuincible knight had translated the bones and ashes afterwardes vnto Aualonia Heere aryseth a doubt against the suspition of this Adulterie Whether so notable a Louer or friend of Arthure and the same a reuerencer of his royaltie had cōmitted such a fact that hee woulde burie the Adultresse in the most Religiouse place so neare her husbāds graue in the earth The history of the cloister at Glastēbury which was dilligētly collected fully sheweth that Guenhera was buried in the religious place neare her husbandes Tombe and that her bones and ashes were found the same time that her husbandes were Siluester Giraldus Menenēsis cōfirmeth this in his booke De Institutione Principis speaking of Arthure in the●e wordes For hee had two wiues whereof in deede the last was buryed with him and her bones founde at one time with her husbandes bones so yet separated that the two parts of the graue towardes the head namely which should containe the bones of her husband had beene ascribed vnto him But the third part at the feete cōtained the bones of a woman vpwardes Where as also a yeallow locke of a womās haire with the former integrity coulour was foūd which as a certaine Moncke desirously caught vp in his hand lifted it vp it altogether streightway perished into dust or pouder The same Giraldus recyteth such like matters in his booke intituled Speculo Ecclesiastico Hee doubtlesse might well with some authority speake concerning this geare for so much as euen then he beeing established in the fauour of K. Kichard coeur de Lion king of England came the very same time that the Sepulchre was found at Glastenbury and as an eye witnes by cōduction of Henry de Soliaco nephew vnto K. Henry by Adela and cosen germaine of K. Richard beeing the president of Glastenburie but afterwardes Bishop of Winchester learned full and whole all thinges which vnto Arthure appertained Yet notwithstanding if it were lawfull for me heere to speake all thinges which I thinke I would surely affirme that those thinges are of farre better credite which are delyuered vs of Arthures buryall then of Guenheras And yet woulde I not doe any iniurie vnto the Authorytie of Auncyent wryters that euen