Sermone vis infinita est Brittanicarum aictionum atque vetus cultus Hibernorum ut ait Cornelius Tacitus non multum differt à Brittanico Denique à Scriptoribus antiquis omnibus Insula ea Brittanica nominatur praefertius cum Romani suum imperium undique propagassent multi proculdubio ex Hispanis Gallia Brittannia se receperunt in Hiberniam ne potentiae Romanae subjicerentur quae res fecit Julium Agricolam persuadere Romanis capere Hiberniam si Britannos in officio continere vellent Attamen Hibernia licet ipso situ fuerit Imperio Romano summè necessaria ejusque aditus Portus per commercia cognita Romanis Julius Agricola quendam Hibernum Regulum seditionis expulsum retinuerit ad occasionem capiendae Insulae nunquam tamen à Romanis in ditionem accepta fuit If it be true which the Irish Writers affirm their Island may justly be called Ogygia that is very ancient for they aver Cesara to have there inhabited before the Deluge and the History of Brittany avoucheth that Hiberus and Hermio two Spaniards many ages after by the appointment of Gurguint King of Great Brittaine inhabited it with their Colonies and Planters I will neither say it nor gain-say it quoth Cambden but certainly it is very probable that Ireland was very anciently Inhabited when mankind was dispersed and spread abroad over the face of the whole earth and manifest it is the first Inhabitants to have come thither out of Brittannia for in the Irish Speech there are a multitude of Brittish words and accents and as Cornelius Tacitus tells us the mode of the Irish differs not much from the Brittains And for a Conclusion of this Discourse by the most ancient Writers that Island is called Brittanica or Brittish and evident it is that when the Roman valour and glory had conquered and spread it self almost throughout the whole known world divers as well out of Spain as France and Britttain fled thither for shelter not willing to submit their necks and shoulders under the Roman yoke which was indeed the very cause that moved Julius Agicola to perswade the Romans to get Possession of Ireland if they ever meant to keep the Brittains in s bjection And although that Iland was of great consequence and necessary to the Romans neither were their Ports and Haven by reason of the constant and dayly Commerce and Trafick to them unknown And Julius Agricola having got a certain Irish petty King into his clutches driven by sedition from his native soyl intended to make him his decoy to seize and fasten upon the Irish jurisdictions yet for all these stratagems Ireland never came under the Roman slavery or obedience Gurguint being hitherto victorious and fortunate returns home having his head enriched with Laurels of choicest honour and renown being a Prince of singular prudence and justice and having laid the Sword aside he applies himself to build Cities and Towns for the great beauty of his Kingdome The first place which he erected was as saith Howes citing J. Rouse Caierwerith that is Lancaster of which place the Learned Cambden speaking Lancaster built by Gurguim hath these words ' Vbi sub Britanniarum duce ut est in Notitia Provinciarum numerus Longovicariorum qui è loco suum nomen sunt mutuati stationem habuit Whereas we find in the notice of Provinces a company of the Longovicarians under the Lieutenant General of Brittain lay which took their name from the place that is from the River Lon which gave name also to Loncaster and Longovicum this is onely a Market town at this day the ancient Town stood where after was a Cloyster at the foot of the hill are fragments of old walls and oft-times Roman Coyns are found but above all there are the ruins of a very antique structure which is called Werywall Recentiori ut videtur hujus oppidi nomine Hoc enim oppidum saith Mr. Cambden ilii Caerwerid i. e. Vrbem viridem dixerunt à viridanti forsitan illo colle This Town the Brittains called Caerwerid that is to say the Green town perchance taking its Name from the Green hill which is there The first time this place became an Earldome was when K. Hen. 3. conferred that Title on his second Son Edm. and it was destinate to greatnesse in the first Foundation there being laid unto it at the very first besides this County the whole confiscated Estates of the Earls of Leicester and Derby and the Barony of Monmouth And into this by Marriages accrued in time the great Estates of William de Fortibus Earl of Aumerl and Lord of Holderness Beauford and other goodly Lands in France the Earldom of Lincoln and good part of that of Salisbury the Lordships of Ogncare and Kidwelly in Wales which were once the Chaworths John of Gaunt added thereunto the Castles and Honors of Hertford and Tickhill and his Son Bullingbroke a moiety of the Lands of Bohun being Earl of Hertford Essex and Northampton so that it was the greatest Patrimony as I verily think of any Subject Prince in Christendome Lancaster finally was made a County Palatine by King Ed. the 3. and hath been honoured with these Dukes and Earles of Lancaster Edmund Plantagenet 2. Son to K. Hen. 3. E. of Lan. Thomas Plantagenet Henry Plantagenet Henry Plantagenet first D. of Lan. John of Gaunt Son to K. Ed. 3. married the Lady Blanch Daughter of Henry D. of Lan. Henry of Bullinbroke Son of John of Gaunt after King of England by whom this County Palatine and all the Lands and Honors belonging and incorporate into the Dutchy of Lancaster were brought unto the Crown of England though governed as an Estate apart then by its proper Officers as it continued till the time of K. Ed. 4. who did appropriate it to the Crown and dissolved the former Government thereof to which it was restored again by K. Hen. 7. and so still remaineth under the guidance of Chancellor and other Officers of the same The next Town which Gurgunstus as Howes calls him built was Porchester in Hampshire of which place Cambden speaking of those parts saith In cujus interiori recessu olim floruit Port Peris ad quem Vespasianum appulisse nostri produnt Saxones novo Nomine Portchester dixerunt non à Porta Saxone sed à portu Ptolomaeo enim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. portus magnus vocatur castrumque sanc amplum superest quod in subjectum portum longe lateque prospectat where in times past Port Peris flourished where in succeeding Ages our Writers affirm Porchester built by Garguint Vespasian when he came into Brittain first landed the Saxons changed the Name into Portchester but not deriving it from Porta the Saxon Chieftain but from Port i. e. Haven or Harbour in which sense Ptolomy useth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the great Harbour or Port this by the ancient Brittains was called Caer Peris and was one of the eight and twenty Sees
Black Prince about 300 years ago without deductions amounted to 4681 l. 12 s. 5 d. q. is now worn and wasted to the sum of 1865 l. 8 s. 10 d. ob q. and with the ordinary deductions and reprizes taken out of it at this present in charges fees to Officers and other Reprizes is brought to the sum of 1335 l. 2 s. 3 d. ob q. Which small sum also as the Revenue was to Queen Eliz. was much lessened for that a greater sum in the whole amounting yearly to 1789 l. 13 s. 2 d. which did partly arise by reason of the allowance of the diet of the councel of the Marches being yearly 1106 l. 13 s. 4. the fees of the Barons of the Exchequer in Wales the Auditors fees Woodwarps fees Receivers fees Surveyers fees and for the portage of money was charged as well upon this Revenue of the Prince as upon other Lands or Revenues belonging to the Crown within the several Counties of Wales Prince Henry Mr. Holl. pag. 247. James King of Scotland onely son and heir of Henry Stewart King of Scotland the name of Stewart here first presenting it self as concerning the right of succession to the Crown of England I think is convenient to shew unto my Readers out of Mr. Hollenshed the descent of that Noble Antient and Regal Family which hath much of the Welsh blood in it Mackbelih after he had obtained the Crown of Scotland by indirect means fearing the posterity of Banquho a Nobleman whose children and off-spring the three women told should enjoy the Crown and sway the Regal Scepter invited the father Banquho with his son Fleance to his Palace to supper but caused certain of his wicked adherents and Ministers treacherously to murther them before they entred his Court which assascination fell too heavy upon the father for there he lost his life the son by the Divine assistance escaped the massacre and having intelligence by some private friends in the Palace that his life was sought after to avoid the further peril he fled into Wales where by reason of his carriage proportion and Court-like behaviour he found such courteous entainment that better he could not desire from the Prince the Courtiers admire his gallantry the Ladies his person his pleasing and charming behaviour the Princes daughter is so ensnared with Cupids bewitching allurements that she admits him privately into her most secret closet where what hearts content they enjoyed unseen by any but themselves appeared openly to the world in a short time by the encrease and exuberance of Her belly in revenge whereof Fleance is slain and the poor Lady kept in miserable condition for having thus suffered her self to be deflowred by a stranger at the last she was delivered of a son named Walter who within a few years proved a man greater in courage fortitude than any commonly was found although he had no better bringing up by his Grand-fathers command than amongst the baser sort of people howbeit he shewed ever from his infancy that there reigned in him a certain stoutness of stomack ready to attempt high enterprises It chancing that falling out with one of his companions after many taunting words which passed between them the other to his reproach objected that he was a Bastard and begotten out of lawful Wedlock which so incensed him that he slew him forthwith This sad accident forced him to leave Wales and betake himself to Scotland to seek some rising fortune there where he happened into the company of certain Englishmen which came thither with Queen Margaret and behaved himself so soberly in all his actions that within a while he grew into high esteem amongst them Not long after by such means raising high esteem he was sent with a great power of men into the Western Isles and other places of the Realm to free the same from the Tyranous and Injurious oppressions there Walter made Steward of Scotland exercised by divers misgoverned persons which enterprise according to his Commission he atchieved with such prudent policy and manhood that immediately upon his return to the Court he was made Lord Steward of Scotland with assignment to receive the Kings Rents and Duties out of all parts of the Realm This Walter Steward had a son named Allan Steward who went after with Godfrey of Bulloin Duke of Loraine and Robert Duke of Normandy Alan Steward son to King William Conquerour into the Holy Land at what time they with other Western Princes advanced thither An. 1099. Allan had issue Alexander Steward that founded the Abbey of Pasley of St. Benedicts Order who had issue Walter Steward Alex. Steward Walter Steward whose valour was notable in the battail of Largis This same Walter had issue two sons the one named Alexander who fought right valiantly at the foresaid battail in defence of his father Alexander and Robert brothers from whence the Earles of Iénox and Dernly John James Walter inhetor of Bonkil The Crown of Scotland comes to the family of the Stewards John Steward alias Robert Rex Duke of Albanie and the other named Robert Steward got the lands of Terbowtoun and married the heir of Cruckeistoun from whom descended the Earles of Lenox and Dernly Moreover the abovenamed Alexander that founded Pasley had divers other sons as John Iames c. howbeit they took new sirnames by the names of those lands unto the which they succeeded The abovenamed Iohn Steward after the death of his brother Iames married the heir of Bonkil a virgin of great beauty and had by her Walter Steward that inherited the lands of Bonkil Runfrew Rothsay Bute and Stewardrown after that his father Iohn was slain at Fulkyrk He married Margery Bruce daughter to K. Robert Bruse by whom he had issue K. Robert the second of that name This Robert the second took to wife one Isabel Mure a Damosel of excellent beauty she was daughter to Sr. Adam Mure Knight and brought forth issue three sons three daughters the eldest son called John Steward and by some Robert who succeded immediately after his fafathers death in the Kingdom The second called Robert was made Earle of Fyfe and Mentrith also he was created Duke of Albanie and ruled the realm of Scotland under the name of Governour by the space of XV. years The third son named Alexander was Earle of Buchquane and Lord of Bondzenot The Earle of Buckquane a Steward The eldest daughter was married to James the son and heir of William Earle of Dowglas the second daughter was maried to John Dunbar brother to George Dunbar Earle of March and was made to his more honour Earle of Murray He got on her one only daughter that was married to the Dowglas and so Dowglas came to be Earle of Murray The third daughter was married to John Lyoun that was made afterward Lord of Glammis Moreover the foresaid Robert that was the first of the Stewards The Earle of Athol and
Coelique cupidine tactus Altius egit iter rapidi vicinia Solis Mollit odoratas pennarum vincula ceras Tabuerant cerae nudos quatit ille lacertos Remigioque carens non ullas concipit auras And so destitute of help he falls headlong a just reward of his temerity and breaks his neck upon the Temple of Troynovant as some affirm having Reigned 20 years The Greeks and Latines gave Names to this place according to the nature and condition of the Waters or Baths there being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hot waters Aquae solis waters of the Sun Bath is the chief City in Somersetshire seated in a very low plain and round about environed with Hills very high and steep From whence come many Rivulets and fresh water-springs to the great commodity of the people but that which brings most wealth unto the place are not the Waters from without but those within sending up from them much thin vapours and a strong scent withall which springs are very medicinable for many diseases Three of those Springs there are in all the waters of which being received in large and fitting receptacles for the publick use they call the Kings Bath the Cross Bath and the hot Bath the Cathedral a fair Church but belonging to Moncks found the heavy hand of K. H. 8. but it is now in indifferent repair Earl it had none till the time of Hen. 7. since it hath had divers Earls of BATH 1. Philbert de Chandew of little Brittain 2. John Bourchier Lord Fitzwarren Created E. of Bath Hen. 8. July 10. 3. John Bourchier 4. William Bourchier 5. Edward Bourchier 6. Henry Bourchier Argent a Cross engrailed Gules inter 4 water bougets sable a label of 3 points Azure charged with 9 flower de luces Or. LEIR the Son of BLADUD LEIR the Son of Bladud his Father through his own Arrogancy Ambition and Vanity or rather Foolery saepe feruntur in altum ut lapsu graviore ruant having soared to too high a place and so in a hasty stooping broke his neck began his Reign in the year from the Worlds creation iiii M. CCC XXXiii This King was of a most Noble and Heroick mind as being questionlesse bred under the Discipline of those Philosophers which his Father had brought from Athens besides a natural Propension of his own to moral Vertue insomuch that his Kingdom flourished in great Peace and abundance of Wealth This King to imitate his worthy Predecessors laid the Foundation of a Famous city calling it after his own Name Caerlirion and after Leircester this is one of those 28 cities where Flamens were Mr. Cambden tells us that it was called Ligecestria Leogora Legeocester and Leicester saying it rather savoured of Antiquity then handsomenesse yet acknowledeth that it was formerly a bishoprick but that the See being removed it much decayed in renown till at last Edelfleda optima Foemina the best of Women or a very good woman in the year 913. did repair it and inclose it with new Walls insomuch that Matthew of Paris in his lesser History saith Legecestria Vrbs pulentissima munitissim a muro indissolubili qui si Fundamento roboraretur nulli Vrbium secunda fuisset Leicester a most rich city with a wall unbreakable had it had a sufficient Foundation second to no city whatsoever In the time of King Henry the 2. this Town was in great distresse and much affliction by reason that Robert Bossu i. e. bunch-backt Earl of Leicester attempting innovations and conspiracies against his Prince and Soveraign forced Henry Propter contumaciam comitis Roberti contra Regem recalcibrantit obsessa est per Regem Hen. subversa Nobilis civitas Leicestria murus qui videbatur indissolubilis funditus in circuitu dirutus Vrbs enim muris Fundamento carentibus sub fossis fulciminibus tandem combustis maenium fragmenta ceciderunt quae usque in hodiernum diem propter caementi indissolubilis tenacitatem scopulorum retinent cum integritate magnitudinem King Leir beginning now to be aged and full of years having no Heir-male he called unto him his three Daughters Gonorilla Ragan and Cordeilla intending out of the discovery of their love and filial affection and duty towards Him to settle his Kingdome upon them to the Eldest he said Daughter I shall desire you to expresse unto me how well and dearly you love and esteem me your aged Father the young Lady hearing a question of so high a nature and so much concerning proposed unto Her First that her answer may not seem forged or to have any smack or rellish of dissimulation calls the immortal Gods being then the custome amongst Pagans and all the celestial Powers to witnesse her Assertion and then replies My Princely Lord and Father I love you more then my own soul the feeble old man was much taken with this Answer resting satisfied that his Daughter did cordially and entirely love him He calls for the second propounds the same question she thinking to out-vie her Eldest sister and thereby to endear and engratiate her self into the old Mans favour spares no oaths or invocations and imprecations assuring him that her Tongue was too slender a Messenger to deliver the depth of her affection and duty and that she loved him far beyond all creatures Leir is tickled and exceedingly solaced with these two Answers and thinks no mortal Man more happy in his children then himself Cordeilla is called for the same interrogatory used she wittily perceiving the deep dissimulation and fawning of her Sisters replies My dearest Father I am much joyed to see you so well pleased with the expressive Answers of my two sisters for my own part as a Father I have ever honoured obeyed and loved you and for ever shall and if you desire further expression from me Know honoured Sir That as much as you deserve to be beloved so much I love you and no more King LEIR being nothing pleased with the integrity of his third Daughters answer Obsequium amicos veritas Odium parit bethinks himself how he may best dispose and bestow his two eldest Daughters to their most content honour and advancement the Eldest therefore he espouseth to the Duke of Cornwall the second to the Duke of Albania which is now called Scotland dividing his Kingdom betwixt them in Reversion and a Moiety for their present maintenance and livelyhood nothing being left for the poor Lady Cordeilla whose tongue was the true Embassador of her heart and whose heart hated all dissimulation and hypocrisie Fame who is never slow in reporting the transactions of eminent persons especially Kings sounds this passage of King Leir in France and with a shrill Note ecchoes forth the beauty modesty vertue and all the adorning graces which wait upon Cordeilla Aganippus an eminent personage and by some stiled King of France through a great mistake for as Policronicon Petrus Pictaniensis Robert Gagwine Antonius Episcopus and divers others affirm the name of France was not
seem to say Petrus Cluniacensis and I may add Tertullian tells us that the people of Brittain in the North where the Scots now be were the first Christians Petrus Cluniacensis calleth the Scots the more ancient Christians and hereto we may add the testimony of Tertullian who saith the places of the Brittains which were unaccessible to the Romans were subject to Christ and addeth of the Brittains the name of Christ reigned among them which our English late Authors in their Theatre confirm in this manner It is certain that the Brittains were with the first Converts and Tertullian who lived within 200 years of Christs Nativity sheweth no lesse who the more to provoke the Jewes against whom we wrote calleth to witnesse the fruitful encrease of the Gospel of salvation through many countries and nations and among them nameth the Brittains to have received the word of life The power whereof saith he hath pierced into those places whither the Romans could not come Whence Petrus Cluniacensis supposeth the Scottish men the more ancient Christians The like have other late Writers and those their cited Authors which cannot be otherwise verified but by applying this preaching of the faith of Christ unto those Northern Brittains either by this their holy Countryman St. Mansuetus the first Bishop we â—â—n find of this Kingdome or some other associate of his sent hither at or about that time 〈◊〉 the same holy Apostle St. Peter for in all other respects whether we speak of the Brittish Christians here in the time of Claudius or Nero of which these modern Antiquaries will tell us more hereafter or the coming of St. Joseph of Arimathea in his Religious companions into this Kingdome in the days of Nero or the general conversion of the Kingdome of Brittain unto the trenches of Severus in the time of King Lucius by Elutherius all these were long before the conversion of the Scots in the time of K. Donaldus either by Pope Victor or Zepherinus as Harrison rather supposeth the first time which is assigned by any being in the 203 year of Christ and if it was under Pope Zepherine it was after that time for he was not chosen Pope until the year 209. before which time or the beginning it self of the papacy of St. Victor which was in the year 198. this our Brittain on this side the division had generally and publickly received the faith of Christ And the very words of Tertullian living and dying before the conversion of Scotland within the first two hundred years writing in his book against the Jews that the places of Brittain which the Romans could never conquer or come to did acknowledge Christ and his name did reign in them do manifestly convince it to be so For Tertullian living and writing in Affrica could not possibly take notice of things done here in an Island so far off presently after they were first effected and by no means could either he or any other Writer speak of things done so long after truly to report them done so long before he had been the greatest prophet that ever was St. Claudia of whom mention is formerly made was the daughter of Brittish parents which then lived as Hostages at Rome to the Emperor for this land and Kingdome of Brittain and by that means it was their happiness and honour to give the first entertainment to that blessed Apostle St. Peter at his first coming thither as that Roman tradition of that their house after by marriage with the holy Brittish Lady Claudia Mr. Bro. f. 53.3 their daughter and heir with Pudens the Senator Floren. Wigor Hist an 38. and 60. Stow and Howes and so long after this coming of St. Peter to Rome named the house of Pudens the Senator assures us which I prove by another undoubted tradition of the Romans That St. Peter was 15 years in Rome before St. Paul came thither so writeth Florentius Wigorn with the common consent of Antiquity and Writers both ancient and modern And the Roman Martyrology tells us of this Pudens the Senator Mr. Bro. f. 56. that he was baptized by the Apostles And there calleth him plainly Pudens the Senator Father of St. Pudentiana the Virgin so that being baptized by the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul for no others were then in Rome this could not be by true account untill at the soonest fiveteen years after St. Peter was first received in that house And if the Martyrology could carry that interpretation to understand by the Apostles in the plural number one Apostle one proper constructoin yet by this Friendly and more then lawful interpretation he must needs be baptized by St. Peter and so also a most unprobable thing that divers Christians then being in Rome St. Peter would first commit himself to a Pagan or Catechumen and he and the Christians of Rome make such an house their chiefest Church and place of Assembly for Divine things Martial 11. Epig. 54. de Clau. Ruff. This Lady Claudia though born of Brittish parents yet was not born in this Isle Martiall saith Claudia caeruleis cum sit prognata Brittannis but not in Brittain only she is called of the same Poet peregrina a stranger as the children of strangers usually are termed both with us and other people And the time of her birth and age so convince And whereas we find no memory at all of any natural parents of St. Pudens dwelling at Rome we have sufficient testimony not only of the permanent dwelling both of the Father and Mother of St. Claudia there but that by divers probable Arguments they dwelled in that very House where Pudens continued with them after his marriage with their Daughter and were holy and renowned Christians although their native Country of Brittain hath hitherto been almost wholly deprived of their honour and so must needs be by the Roman Tradition the first entertainers of St. Peter in Rome for as a late Author writeth Pudens and Claudia were two young persons but faithful Christians Godwin com of Brittain p 17. c. 3. 2 Tim. 4.21 at that time unmarried when Paul writ the second Epistle unto Timothy which was in the last year of Nero as all men suppose that I have read except Baronius and that they were married in the later end of Vespasian or about the beginning of Domitian Therefore Pudens being so young in the end of Nero his Empire although we grant him then newly married yet this was by all Computations at the least 24 years after the coming of St. Peter to Rome and so it could not possibly be Pudens but the parents of Claudia our Brittains that entertained first St. Peter in their House at Rome who for certain being Brittains of Noble Order and Degree and living in Rome as Hostages by all judgement they enjoyed more freedome and liberty in matters of Religion then the Romans did at that time The Emperors of Rome then nor long after intermedling with the
chiefest City at this day in Essex wherein Lucius Helena and Constantine the first Christian King Empress and Emperour in the world were born which made Nechan to sing as he did From Colchester there sprung a star The rayes whereof gave glorious light Throughout the world in climates far Great Constantine Romes Emperour bright This City is walled about raised upon a high trench of earth though now much decaied having six gates of entrance and three posterns in the West wall besides nine watch Towers for defence and containeth in compasse 1980 paces wherein stand 8 fair Churches and two other without the walls for Gods divine Service St. Tenants the Black-fryars decayed in the suburbs St. Mary Magdelens the Nunnery St. John's and the Crochiet Fryers suppressed within towards the East is mounted an old Castle and elder ruines upon a trench containing two Acres of Ground where as yet may be seen the provident care they had against all ensuing assault This City was graced with the honour of a Viscount by K. James who Created Thomas Darcy Lord Darcy of Chich 1621. Viscount Colchester in Essex to him during his life the remainder to Sir Thomis Savage of Roch Savage in the County of Chester Knight and Baronet who had Married one of his Daughters and Coheirs Thomas Lord Darcy Argent 3 cinque foils Gules John Savage Viscount Rochester Colchester Argent 6 Lyons ramp 321 sable Now was the time come namely about one hundred and fourscore years after the Birth of our Saviour when Christian Religion which many years together had been for the most part shadowed with dark clouds of Heathenish superstition began to discover it self more openly in this Iland by the means of Lucius sirnamed Lever-Maur who by permission of the Roman Lieutenant did govern as King a great part of the Province For it appeareth by the testimony of some ancient Writers that Brittain received the Christian Faith even in the Infancy of the Church immediately after the death of our Saviour whose Apostles and Disciples according to his Commandment published and dispersed the same in divers Regions partly by themselves in their own persons partly by their Ministers among whom were sent into Brittany Simon Chananaeus that after his peregrination in Mauritania as it is reported was slain and buried in this Iland Aristobulus a Roman Brittish History fol. 108. l. 3. c. 3. of whom St. Paul in his Epistles maketh mention and Joseph of Arimathea a noble Man of Jury specially remembred of Posterity for his charitable Act in burying the Body of our Saviour This Man was appointed by St. Philip the Apostle then preaching the Christian Faith in Gallia to instruct the ancient Brittains among whom he began first as some write to institute an Eremitical life in a place then called Duellonia and afterwards Glastenbury where himself and his Companions imitating the austerity and zeal of solitude which they had observed in Mary Magdalen with whom they travelled out of Jury unto Marsilia in France sequestred themselves from all worldly Affairs that they might freely attend to the exercise of piety which they professed yea some Writers of former Ages have writ that the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul in their own persons at several times came into Brittain and that afterwards one Sueton a noble Mans Son of that Country being converted by such Christians as first planted the Faith there and called after his Baptisme Beatus was sent by them to Rome unto St. Peter to be better instructed and confirmed in Christianity and that in his return homewards through Switzerland he found in the Inhabitants there such a desire and readinesse to receive the Christian Faith as he resolved to continue in that place where he erected an Oratory to exercise a Monastical life and departed the world about the year of Grace 110. but who were the very first Teachers and at that time the Christian Faith was first of all received there it is not certainly known saith this Author Howbeit it is likely that in the Expedition of Claudius the Emperor which was about the third year of his Reign and twelve years after the Ascension of our Saviour some Christians of Rome and Scholars of the Apostles themselves became first known unto the Brittains who in processe of time were drawn by the Exhortations and Examples of their Teachers to embrace the Truth The unblamable life of those religious Men moving sometimes even their Princes though yet unbelieving to protect and regard them as is shewn in Arviragus and others as Lucius then began to doe besides that the Roman Lieutenants also as well in Brittain as in other places did sometimes tolerate the exercise of Christian Religion as not altogether disliking it howsoever for worldly respects they forbare to shew themselves openly in favour of it But Lucius declared his inclination thereunto after another manner For inwardly disliking the prophane superstition then used among the Romans by the great constancy vertue and patience of the Christians at Rome and other places suffering Persecution and Martyrdome for the Faith of Christ the number of Christians whom many men esteemed for the Miracles they wrought as contrary to common expectation daily encreased That Pertinax and Tretellius two worthy Senators of Rome had been lately converted from Paganisme to Christianity that Marcus Aurelius the Roman Emperor then reigning began to conceive a better opinion of them then himself and his Predecessors had done and so much the rather by reason that not long before he had obtained a famous victory against his enemies the prosperous Event whereof he attributed to the prayers of the Christians at Rome Upon these considerations Lucius determined to be instructed in the Religion which they professed and first of all commanded Elevanus and Meduinus two learned Men of the Brittish Nation to go to Rome where Elutherius was then Bishop to require some meet persons to be sent into Brittain to instruct him and his people for which purpose Fugatius and Damianus were specially appointed by Elutherius with all speed to repair thither where they afterwards not without some danger by tempest upon the Seas arrived and applyed themselves both by doctrine and examples to perform the charge committed unto them the successe therein proving answerable to their endeavours for the prince and his Family was by them baptized some of the Inhabitants that had formerly received the Faith were confirmed therein and others that remained as yet in their infidelity were converted to Christianity But Lucius the Prince having received instructions from the Sea of Rome for direction of himself and his people in the profession and exercise of Christian Religion not desirous also to order his temporal estate according the Roman policy and to that end sollicited Elutherius the Bishop to send unto him the Lawes of the Empire out of which he might elect and compose some certain Ordinances for the Administration of civil justice whereupon Elutherius sent Letters to the
meant by his retreat would not suffer the Saxons to follow the pursuit but in the night following Gothlois departed secretly and rested not till he was out of danger Occa then perceiving himself to have the upper hand sent an Herald unto King Vter with a certain message threatning destruction to him and his people if he refused to do that which he should appoint Vter perceiving what disloyalty rested in the hearts of his own Subjects agreed that the matter might be committed to eight grave and wise Councellours four Brittains and as many Saxons which might have full power to make an end of all controversies and variances depending between the two Nations Occa was likewise contented therewith whereupon by the award agreement and sentence of these so nominated eight persons sufficiently authorised thereto a league was concluded upon certain articles concluded and approved among the which the chiefest was that the Saxons from thenceforth should quietly enjoy all that part of Brittain which lyeth before the Almain and Germain Ocean the same to be called ever after England and all the residue should remain to the Brittains as their own rightful inheritance Thus Hector Boetius a true Scot Thus far Hect Boetius but all he writes is not absolutely truth Fabian calls this Castle Tintagel ut supra and the Lady Igwarne or Igorne but we shall find the name of England imposed upon this Kingdom otherwayes both in respect of time and circumstance But let us return saith Hollenshed to Vter Pendragon according to that which we find in the Brittish Histories To proceed therefore after our own writers when he had vanquished the Saxons and taken their two chief Commanders prisoners in processe of time he fell in love with a most beautyful Lady called Igwarne or Igerna wife to one Garolus or Garlois Duke of Cornewall the which Duke he slew at length neer his own Castle called Dinulioc or Dunilioc to the end he might enjoy the said * Lady whom afterwards he marryed and begat on her that noble Knight Arthur and a daughter named Agnis or Anna. Occa and Osca escaping also out of prison assembled fresh powers and again began to vex the Brittains whereof Vter having advertisement prepared to resists them and finally went himself in person against them and at St. Albans as some write gave them battail and slew them both in the field Polidor Virgil will have that battail fought in this Kings reign wherein St. German caused the Alleluja to be used but questionlesse he mistaketh as is before specified But now to the incidents which happened in the reign of Vter we find that one Porth a Saxon with his two Sons Megla and Beda landed at Portsmouth about the beginning of the said Vters reign Hollenshed ut sup fol. 130. and slew a noble young man of the Brittains and many others of the meaner sort with him Of this Porth the town and haven of Portsmouth took the name as some have thought Moreover about sixty years after the comming of the Saxons into this land with their leader Hengist one Nazaleod a mighty King among the Brittains assembled all the power he could make to fight with Certicus the King of the West Saxons who understanding the great power of his enemies required aid of Oska King of Kent also of Elle King of Sussex and of Porth and his Sons which were lately arrived Certicus being then furnished with a competent army divided the same into two battails reserving the one to himself and the other he appointed to his son Kenrick King Nazaleod perceiving that the wing which Certicus led was of more strength then the other which Kenrick governed he set first upon Certicus thinking that if he might distresse that part of the Enemies army he should easily overcome the other Hereupon he gave such a fierce charge that by pure force he opened the same and so overthrew the Saxons on that side making great slaughter of them as they were scattered The Brittish King Nazaleod slain The Brittains overthrown Mat. West Hen. Hunt Stuff and Whitgar arrived 514 An other overthrow of the Brittains by the Saxons The which manner of dealing when Kenrick saw he made forward with all speed to succour his Father and rushing in among the Brittains he brake their army in pieces slew their King and put his people to flight There died of the Brittains that Day five thousand the residue escaping by flight In the fixt year after this battail Stufft and Wightgar who were Nephews to Certicus came with three ships and landed at Certicestshore and overthrew a number of Brittains who came against them in order of battail and so by the coming of those his Nephews being right valiant and hardy men the part of Certicus became much stronger About the year of our Lord 519. the Brittains fought with Certicus and his son Kenrick at ‖ This place was formerly called Nazalcoy from Nazaleod King of the Brittains The Isle of Wight conquered by the Saxons with loss of the Brittains Howes ut sup Certicestford where the Brittains valiantly behaved themselves yet in the end for who can resist what the he highest hath decreed were put to flight not without great slaughter when greater would have been had not night befriended them which impeached the bloody and barbarous enemy from further execution In the thirteenth year of the reign of Cerdicus he with his son Kenrick and other of the Saxon Captains fought with the Brittains in the Isle of Wight at Witgaresbridge where they slew a great number of the Brittains and so conquered the Isle which about four years after was given by Cerdicus or Cerdicius to his two Nephewes Stuff and Wightgar This King Vter reigned eight years and was buryed at Stone-hedge Fabian saith he dyed not without suspition of poyson after he had reigned sixteen years and was buryed at Corsa Gigantum The Fable of Pendragons taking upon him the shape of Igernies Lord and Husband and so injoying the pleasures of her bed by the inchantments of Merlin I imagine to be a phantasie taken out of Plautus the comical poet where Jove took the shape of Amphitrio and so leave it King Arthur Before I enter too far into the discription of this King I shall desire my Reader to believe that as I would not willingly add or insert any thing which may be fabulous or without Historical grounds so would I not leave out any thing which may redound to the true honour of so glorious a King so heroick a souldier and so good a Christian Whereas he is commonly branded with the note of bastardy if Hollenshed and others relate his history truly that can not be for if Vter first slew the husband and then married the wife and after wedlock begot this so much as Gordon calls him decantatum illum Arthurum admired and famed Arthur Though the act was equally cupable with that of Davids yet were the children questionlesse legitimate
his own hands shall hold and enjoy the same as freely as they did before the time of the wars and shall use the same liberties and customs which they used before contrary to this Article the Lord Reginald Grey hath brought many new customs against the Form of peace aforesaid 5. All Controversies moved or to be moved betwixt the Prince and any other shall be decided after the Law of the Marches if they have their beginning in the Marches and after the Laws of Wales such as in Wales have their beginning contrary to this Article the King doth and sendeth Justices to Anglesey who presume to judge there the men and subjects of the Prince setting fines upon them contrary to the Lawes of Wales seeing neither this nor any like was ever heard of in times past imprisoning some out-lawing others when the Prince is at all times ready to do justice to all men that complain upon any of his men 6. Where it is in the peace That Gruffith Vachan should do homage for the land in Yale and to the Prince for the land in Ederneon The Kings Justices brought the Lady of Maylor into the said land of Ederneon The knowledge of which cause onely pertained to the Prince and not to the said Justices and yet for peace sake the said Prince tollerated all this being at all times ready to minister justice to the said Lady 7. And though the said Prince submitted himself unto us and our will yet we nevertheless will and grant that our will in no case go further than is contained in those Articles Contrary to this Article Gold was exacted for the Queens works at every payment made to the King which Gold was never demanded in the time of King Henry or any other King of England which Gold yet for quietness sake the Prince paid though it were not spoken of or mentioned in the peace And now further it is exacted for the old Queen the Kings mother that now is for the peace concluded with King Henry 2000 Marks and a half and unless it be paid the King threatneth to occupy the goods and lands of Lhewelyn and his people which he could find in his Realm and sell men and beasts till the sum were paid 8. When the King invited the Prince at his Feast at Worcester promising with very fair words that he would give his kinswoman to him for wife and enrich him with much honour nevertheless when he came thither the self same day they should be married before Mass the King required a Bill to be sealed by the Prince containing amongst other things That he would never keep man against the Kings will nor never maintain any whereby it might come to pass That all the Princes forces should be called from him the which Letter sealed he delivered the King by just fear which might move any constant man yet was not this contained in the peace whereas the conclusion of peace was That the King should require nothing that was not contained in the same 9. Where in the peace all Customs be confirmed to the said Prince as his ancestors of long and daily observed Custom have received to their own use all Wrecks hapning upon his own lands The Justice of Chester took a distress of the Prince for goods of Shipwrack received by him before the wars contrary to the Form of the said peace by the which all trespasses on either side were remitted and contrary to the Customs aforesaid and if in case it were forfeited yet he took such a distress 15 pounds of honey and many horses and imprisoned his men and this he took of the Princes own proper goods And further took booties of Bagiers which came to Lyrpool with Marchandize and never delivered the same until he had taken so much money for the same as it pleased him 10. When certain men of Geneurglyn had taken certain goods of some of their Neighbours of Geneurglyn when they were in the Dominion of the Prince in Meyreon the Kings men of Lhanbadarn did take away the said goods out of the said Dominion of the Prince and when the Princes men came thither and asked the cause why they took the said prey the Kings men killed one of them and wounded others and the rest they did imprison neither could the Prince get any justice for the said goods to this day 11. And where it is contained in the peace That all things committed in the Marches shall be redressed in the Marches yet the Kings men would no where hear the Princes men but put them in the Castle of Lhanbadarn which is against the peace aforesaid In these Articles and divers others the King standeth sworn to the Prince and his people And although the Prince as well by himself as by his people have often requested the King to cause the said peace to be kept yet was it in no point kept but daily the Kings Justices did more and more heap injuries and griefs upon the people of those parts So that it cannot be blamed if the Prince did assent to them that first began the wars seeing the Oath which the Lord Robert Typtoft sware unto the King was kept in no point and chiefly seeing the Prince was forewarned that he should be taken as soon as the King came to Ruthlan as he had been indeed if the King had come thither after Christmas as he purposed These Griefs following were done by the King and his Officers to the Lord David ap Gruffith 1. When the said David came to the Lord Edward then Earl of Chester and did him homage the said Lord Edw. did give by his Letters Patents to the said David two Cantrefs Dyffryn Cluyd and Crinmeyrch with all the appurtenances afterwards when he was made King he confirmed the said gift to the said David and gave him possession of them After when Gwenlhian Lacy died who held some Towns in the said Cantrefs for term of life which after her decease appertained to David by force of the aforesaid grant which Towns yet the King took from him contrary to his Letters Patents 2. Item When the said David did hold of the Lord the King the Villages of Hope and Eston in Wales of the which he ought to answer no man but according to the Laws of Wales yet the Justice of Chester caused the said David to be called to Chester at the suite of one William Venable an Englishman to answer for the Title of the said Villages and although the said David did often and instantly desire him the said justice not to proceed against him injuriously in the County of Chester where he was not bound to answer by the form of the peace yet he plainly denied him to be judged either in Wales or after the Laws of Wales 3. Item The said Justice of Chester to the injury of the said David did cut down his Wood of Lhyweny and his Woods at Hope as well by the Dwellers of Ruthlan as others and yet the
did take out of the several profits of those years and did cast them all into one summe which they again divided into three several parts equally esteeming one of the said three parts to be the just yearly value of the said Revenues Communibus annis that is one year with an other And in this account we find no other charges allowed then the Justics Fees only This survay and account made about 200 years past is here inserted to the end it might appear what the Revenues of this Principality alone was The said prince of VVales surnamed the Black prince Mr. Mills fol. 315. after many fortunate victories atchieved by him having subdued a great part of France and having taken John the French King prisoner at Poyteers in France and after that also having vanquished Henry at Naveroit in Spain and restored Peter King of Aragon dyed in June Sr. John Dodridge fol. 15. leaving behind him Richard his Son and Heir born at Burdeux and thereof sirnamed Richard of Burdeux Richard of Burdeux Richard son of Edward Prince of VVales was after the death of his father created prince of VVales at Havering at Bower the 20. day of November in the 50. year of King Edw. III. his Grandfather he was after the death of his said Grandfather K. of England by the name of K. Rich. II. This Richard saith Judge Dodridge sirnamed of Burdeux son and heir of Edward the black prince was created prince of VVales ut supra being about the age of XI years and upon Christmas day next following the said King Edward the third caused the said prince being his Nephew or Grandchild to sit at the table in high estate above all his Uncles being the Kings sons as representing the personage of the heir apparent to the Crown and gave to him the two parts of all the said principality Counties Lordships Castles and the most of the said Lands which belonged to the said black prince and the reversion of the third part thereof the possession of the third part there of then being to the mother of the said Rich. to her dowry with an 113 l. 6 s. 8 d. yearly rent payable by the Earle of March as a Fee Farm for the Lordship and Lands of Buelht and 85. marks for the fee farm of the Castle Lordship and Land of Montgomery with the vacations of Bishopricks excepting the Fees of the Baron Marchers of VVales who do alwaies hold of the Crown in Capite and excepting the avoydance of the Bishoprick of St. Davids in VVales which anciently also belonged to the Crown with the like limitation to the estate viz. To the said Richard and his heirs Kings of England It seemeth that these Lordships of Buelht and Montgomery being formerly granted to Edw. the black prince were before this time given away in Fee Farm After the death of the said K. Edw. III. which was in the 51 year of his reign the Kingdom of England descended to the said Richard being his grandchild and he was crowned King thereof by the name of Richard the second and in the 23 year of his reign he resigned his Kingdom or to speak more truly was deposed against his will and after by a violent death departed this life without issue Henry of Monmoth Henry of Bullingbrock a Town or Castle in Lincolneshire and heretofore belonging to the Lacies Earles of Lincolne and by the marriage with Alice daughter and heir of Henry Lacy Earle of Lincolne to Thomas Earle of Lancaster this with the residue of the lands of Lincolne became united and incorporated with those of Lancaster It hath been almost ever since this time one of the honours as we call them of the Crown of England but never made any honorary title unto any family untill King James conferred it on Sr. Oliver Saint John who possibly might affect to be thence denominated as fetching his descent from the Lady Margaret Beauchamp Grandmother to King Henry the seventh the heirs of the Lancastrian family by which descent likewise as well as otherwayes he is descended of the Welsh blood and beareth for his armes Argent on a chief gules two mullets Or but to our former matter this Henry of Bullingbrock by the name of Henry IV. who was formerly Duke of Lancaster and Hereford Earle of Derbie Leicester and Lincolne son and heir of John of Gaunt the fourth son to K. Edward the third by his Charter dated at Westminster 15. Octob. in the first year of his reign created Henry his eldest son prince of Wales and invested him in the said princely Ornaments viz. the chaplet gold ring verge or rod of gold To have and to hold unto him and his heirs Kings of England And by another Charter of the same date gave to him and his heirs Kings of England the said principality with the Lordships Sr. John Dodridge fol. 17. Castles and Lands before mentioned in the Charter made to the black prince together with four Comots in the county of Caernarvon viz. the comots of Ifaph Vghaph Nantconwey and Crewthin not named before and the reversion of the Lordship of Haverford with the prices of Wines there and of the Lordships of Newin and Pughby in Northwales which Thomas Percy then Earle of Worcester held for term of life of the demise of King Richard the Second together also with the reversion of the county and lordship of Anglesey in Northwales and the castle of Beaumarish and the comots lands tenements and hereditaments belonging thereunto which Henry Percy son of the Earle of Northumberland then held for terme of his life of the demise of the said K. Hen. IV. and by an act of Parliament made in the first year of K. H. IV. whereby the Dutchy of Lancaster is severed from the Crown of Engl. the stile of the said P. is declared to be this P. of Wales D. of Aquitane of Lancaster of Cornwal E. of Chester for the said K. H. IV. having been himself D. of Lancaster before his assumption to the Crown and knowing that the name of Duke being an inferiour dignity would extinguish and be surrounded in the crown as in the superior desired as by that Act of Parliament appeareth not only to separate the said Dutchy of Lancaster and the lands thereof from the Crown to the intent he might still hold the said Dutchy as his antient patrimony if he were put from the Crown it being but his new acquired dignity but also to preserve the said stile Mr. Lhoyd fol. 385. title and name of Duke of Lancaster in his posterity which as the said act affirmeth his ancestours had so worthily borne and sustained In the time of K. Rich. II. there was one Owen ap Gruffith Vachan descended of a younger son of Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield This Owen was first a Student at the Lawes of the Realme and became an utter Barrister or an apprentise of the law as they term it and served King Richard in
Stratherne Stewards which ware the crown of Scotland married Eufamia daughter to the Earle of Ross and had by her two sons Walter E. of Athol and David E. of Stratherne This Walter solicited Robert D. of Albanie to slay David Steward D. of Rothsay After that James the first was returned out of England Nec lex est justior ulla Quam necis artifices arte perire sua he did what he could to move him to put to death all the lineage of the said Duke still being in hope after the dispatch of his Kinsmen to come to the crown himself which hope moved him to procure his Nephew Robert Steward and Robert Graham his daughters son to murder K. James the I. also for the which crime the said Walter was convicted and destroyed with all his sons His brother David Earle of Buchquane died without issue and so the lands of both those brethren returned again to the crown without any memory of their blood Sir Robert Steward Duke of Albanie married the E. of Lenox daughter and had by her 3 sons Walter Alexander and James Duke Murdo himself with his first two sons were slain at Striveling by K. James I. and the third brother James in revenge thereof burnt Durbertane and was after chased into Ireland where he deceased without issue Robert the third of that name married Annabel Drommound daughter of Sir John Drommound of Stobhal Knight and had by her David and James the first dyed in Faulkland and the other attained the Crown and was called James the first and married the Lady Jane daughter to John Beauford Earle of Somerset in England he had by her two sons born at one birth Alexander and James the first died young the second reigned by the name James the second James the first had also 6 daughters James the 1. his issue the eldest whereof was given in marriage to the Dolphin in France the second to the Duke of Brittain the third to the Lord Feir the fourth to the Lord of Dalkeith the fifth to the Earle of Hantley and the sixt had no succession James the II. married Margaret daughter to the Duke of Gelderland and begot on her three sons and two daughters The first succeeded him in the Kingdom and was called James the III. the second named Alexander was Duke of Albanie and married the Earle of Orkneys daughter and had by her Alexander that was after Bishop of Murray and then parting with her went into France where he married the Countesse of Bullogne and begot on her John Steward D. of Albany who was Governour of Scotland many years in the minority of James V. The 3 son John Steward was E. of Marr whose chance was to be slain in the Cannogat in a Bath-fat The first daughter of James the second was married to the Lord Boyd who had by her a son that was slain by the Lord Montgomery and a daughter that was married to the Earle of Cassels After the death of the Lord Boyd she was married to the Lord Hamilton and by that means was the house of Hamilton decorate with the Kings blood which they have well requited in the late transactions The other sister was married to the Lord Creichton James III. married Margaret daughter to the K. of Denmark of which marriage was born James IV Alexander Bishop of St. Andrews and D. of Albanie and John Steward E. of Marr which two died without issue James the IV. married Margaret daughter to K. Henry VII of England and by her had James the fifth who marrying first the Lady Magdaline daughter of Frances the French King had no issue by her for that she dyed in the year next after her coming into Scotland and then shortly after the said James the fifth married the Lady Mary de Lorayne Dutchesse of Longuile a widdow and by her had he issue Mary Queen of Scotland that took to husband Henry Darnely alias Steward by whom she had issue Charles James after King of England only son as I said before of Henry King of Scotland and of Queen Mary his wife Dowager of France and heir of Scotland who married Anne daughter of Frederike the second King of Denmark by whom he had Issue Henry Frederike created Prince of Wales at whose creation Charles Duke of York Sir Rab. Bartu Lord Willoughby of Earesby after Earle of Lindsey and General for K. Charles at Edgehil and there slain Sir William Compton Lord Compton after Earle of Northampton Sir Grey Bridges Lord Shandos Sir Francis Norris Lord Norris of Ricot after E. of Berks. Sir Will. Cecil after Earle of Salisbury Sir Allan Percy brother to Henry Earle of Northumberland Sir Francis Mannors after Earle of Rutland Sir Thomas Somerset brother to the Earle of Worcester and Viscount Cassel after in Ireland Sir Thom. Howard second son to the E. of Suffolk after E. of Berks. Sir John Harrington son to John Lord Harrington of Exton Prince Charles Charles Duke of Albanie Marquesse of Ormond Earle of Roth and Lord of Ardmanoch the third son of James King of great Brittain was created Duke of York at Whitehal on Tueseday the sixt of January 1604. and after on the 4 of November 1616. he was likewise at Whitehal created Prince of Wales Earle of Chester c. at whose Creation these Knights of the Bath were made James Lord Matravers eldest son to Thomas Earle of Arundel Algernon Lord Percy after Earle of Northumberland James Lord Writchesly eldest son to the Earle of Southampton Kt. Theophilus Lord Clinton after Earle of Lincolne Edward Seymore L. Beauchamp grandchild to the Earle of Hertford George Lord Berckley after Lord Berckley Henry Lord Mordant after Earle of Peterborough The Earle of Mar his eldest son after Lord Fenton Sir Henry Howard after Lord Matravers c. Sir Robert Howard fift son to the Earle of Suffolk Sir Edward Sackvile after Earle of Dorset Sir William Howard sixt son to the Earle of Suffolk Sir Edward Howard seventh son to the said Earle after Lord Escricke in Yorkshire Sir VVilliam Seymor second son to the Lord Beauchampe after Earle of Hertford Sir Montague Bartu son to Robert Earle of Lindsey and after Lord VVilloughby and Earle c. Sir VVilliam Sturton son to the Lord Sturton Sir William Parker after Lord Morley and Monteagle Sir Dudley North after Lord Morth Sir Spencer Compton after Earle of Northampton Sir William Spencer after Lord Spencer Sir Rowland St. John brother to Oliver Earle of Bullingbrook Sir John Cavendish second son to William Earle of Devon Sir Thomas Nevel son to Henry Lord of Abergavenny Sir John Roper after Lord Tenham Sir John North brother to the Lord North. Sir Henry Cary Viscount Faulkland Prince Charles This Prince had the title of Prince of Wales but not the Investure and Creation as had his father and Uncle a thing formerly practised as before is shewed and is also of the Welsh blood though born in England by the line of King James from