noted that whilst Rivallus governed Brittanny for the space of three dayes it continually rained Blood out of the corruption whereof were ingendred a multitude of those which we call animalia insecta which are Vermine divided as it were between the head and belly having no flesh blood or sinews as flies gnats pismires caterpillars and such like which â—id so swarm and grew infectious that by the contagion many people died and that again caused a great and strange mortality insomuch that the Island seemed in a manner unpeopled Thus after Rivallus had Reigned 46 years he departed this life and was buried at York In the Reign of this King Rome was builded by the two brothers Romulus and Remus 356 years after Brute came into England Et ejus speaking of this King saith Vitus Tempore Romam in Italia per Remum Romulum fratres esse conditam post adventum Bruti Prisci ad Britanniam anno plus trecentis quinquagesimo sexto Sane quidem Alexander ab Alexandris l. 2. c. 22. In Palilibus sacris inquit hoc custoditur ne qua mactetur hostia quia eum diem qui patriae natalis est à caede sanguine deceret esse parum fuit enim is dies 12. Calendas Maii quo fausto faelici omine jacta sunt primum fundamenta urbis Romae quo die mos erat ovilia purgare flammas transilire sapa milio sacrum facere geniales Dies agere caenas apparare à litibus abstinere quae singula prosperos rerum successus decernebant Sed quia Gaufridus per consequentiam literarum scribit undecimo Calendas Maii qui est 21. Aprilis conditam esse Romam fortasse mendosus est Codex Alexandri per literas numerales Scriptas ad 12. Calendas qui esset Dies 20. Aprilis Nam Plutarchus in vita Romuli scribit Romam fuisse conditam 21. die Aprilis Palilia esse celebrata prius quam urbs Roma conderetur circiter annum tertium Olympladis 6. est autem Olympias spatium 4. Annorum sic appellatum quod inter duos ludos Olympiacos haberetur eorum fiebat initium ut in Theatro suo Lycosthenes scribit anno 19. Amulii Silvii Regis Latinorum qui erat ab orbe condito super ter mille ac contum annus â—8 cui si addantur Olympiades quinque cum annis tribus Olympiadis 6. atque sic 23. anni videbitur Roma condita fuisse anno undecimo supra ter mille ducentos atque sic 26. Rivallonis In his time viz. Rivallus Rome in Italy was built by Remus and Romulus after the coming of old Brute into Britany 356. Alexander ab Alexandris lib. 2. c. 22. saith that in the Palilibus or Festival days of the Shepherds in honor of Pales their Goddess order is taken that no Hostia or Sacrifice where in blood was shed should be offered because being the Birth day of the Country as it were it ought to be pure and clean and not polluted with any slaughter or bloodshed this day hapned on the 12. of the Kalends of May in which with happy and auspicious Omens the foundation of Rome was laid in which day the Custom was to purifie and purge their Flocks skip over fires to Sacrifice in boyld or burnt wine millets or hyrse to keep Wakes or Gaudy days and to make bunquetting and delicious Suppers and to abstain from all debates all which they imagined betokened prosperous success in the succeeding affairs but because Gaufridus writes Rome to have been built it may be the book of Alexander may be faulty or mistaken in the numeral Letters concerning the xii of the Calends which is the 20. day of April for Plutarch in the life of Romulus saith that Rome was built the 21. day of April and that the Palilia or Shepherds Festivals was celebrated before the building of Rome about the 3. year of the 6. Olympiade containeth 4. years which was the space between two Olympick Games which Games as Lycosthenes in his Theater writes had their beginning in the 19. year of Amulius Sylvius King of the Latines which was in the three thousand one hundred and 88. year since the worlds Creation to which if you add five Olympiads and three years of the 6. and so 23. years it will appear that Rome was built the 26. of Rivallus others as Fabian say that Rome was built 470. years after London and in the 32. year of Rivallus GVRGVSTIVS GVrgustius the son of Rivallus whom some call Gorbodian and his father Reignald began his Reign over the Kingdom of Great Brittain 4483. the flower of Histories saith that he reigned thirty and eight years otherwise little mention is made of him in History onely Mr. Howe 's in his continuation of Stow saith that he was a common drunkard whereof followed all other vices he died after a Reign of 38. years and was buried at York leaving no issue behinde him to succeed SISILLIVS SIsillius or according to Sylvius the brother of Gurgustius as affirmeth the old Author saith Fabian was elected King of Brittain in the year of the worlds Creation 4521. he is called by the English Chronicle Seizil little is recorded of this King only some Authors say that he reigned only two years but the most common opinion is that he was King 49. years and after died and was buried at Caer Badon or Bath leaving no issue of his own body JAGO or LAGO JAgo or Lago the cozen of Gurgustius and his next heir took upon him the Government of this Iland in the year of the worlds Creation 4540. whether this Kings life as the two precedent was so foul that Learned and modest Writers were ashamed to let them come to light or that they lived in such sloth and ease that nothing was done worth recounting I cannot affirm all that is recorded of him is that he ruled 25. years and through ill and disordinate living he fell into a Lethargy whereof he died and was buried at York without issue Kymmacus or Kynimacus KYmmacus or Kynimacus the Son of Silvius or more likely as saith the old Chronicle the brother of Jago was invested in the royal dignity of this Island in the year of the worlds Creation 4595. as little is said of this King as of his three immediate predecessors only that he ruled 54. years and was buried at York leaving after him a son who as testifieth Flos Historiarum was called Gorbodug GORBODVG GOrbodug the Son of Kynimacus was made King of great Brittain in the year of the worlds Creation 4650. this King crod in the footsteps of those whom he followed leaving nothing to be recorded only that he ruled to compleat the account of Histories 63. years so that these five last Kings Rivallus Gurgustius Jago Kynimacus and Gordobug died ingloriously leaving nothing to perpetuate their memory saving that they were Kings the last whereof was buried at Troynovant and left two sons to succeed Ferrex and Porrex FERREX and
Author that he both was a Christian and Converted by St. Joseph and plainly alledgeth Nennius Authority Thus he writeth Joseph converted this King Arviragus By his Preaching to know the Law divine And baptized him as written hath Nennius The Chronicler in Brittain Tongue full fine And to Christ's Law made him incline The Antiquity of the Crosse for England And gave him then a Shield of silver white A Cross end long overthwart full perfect Thus writeth this Author but without Warrant of any thing I can find for whereas as he citeth Nennius to have written thus in the Brittish Language it is evident by all Antiquities that Nennius which wrote in that Tongue was long before the Birth of Arviragus or St. Joseph and dead 50 years before the Nativity of Christ and was Brother to King Lud and Cassibelin and was named Nennius Helius and he could not write any such thing the other Nennius called Bancharensis as all Authors agree wrote onely in Latine and consequently could not write so in the Brittish Tongue as that Author thinketh or our best modern Authors affirm they find no such thing in any copy of Nennius Codices ii quos consuluisse me Nennii antiquos contigit hnjusce rei parum sunt memores Neither is King Arviragus or St. Joseph named by him The places which he allowed to St. Joseph and his companions were propter munitiones Arundineti fluminis paludis so compassed and invironed with Reeds River and Fens that they builded a poor Oratory themselves of such base Elderwands as that Fenny wildernesse afforded which giveth sufficient testimony how far Arviragus was from being a Christian that had nothing but such abject and outcast things to allow to Christ and his servants when for the maintenance of the Pagan Idolatry which he professed both as the Brittish History Matthew of Westminster Ponticus Virunnius and as well Modern as Ancient are witnesses he was Author of stately and sumptuos buildings and so far from diminishing any honour that was then given to the false gods of the Brittains that he added more unto them namely worshipped the wicked Emperor Claudius whose Bastard-daughter he had taken as wife as god dedicated a costly Temple unto him soon after his death yet after this his acquaintance with S. Joseph for as I find in an old Manuscript-history and others do not dissent the City of Gloucester then Caer Glou Anonymus his Maps in Glocestershire the City of Claudius was built by King Arviragus in the year of Christ 66. This City was first won from the Brittains by Chenlin the first King of the West Saxons about the year of Christ 570. and afterwards under the Mercians it flourished with great honour where Offirick King of Northumberland by the sustenance of Ethelred of Mercia founded a most stately Monastery of Nuns whereof Kinelburgh Eadburgh and Eve Queens of the Mercians were Prioresses successively each after other Edelfled a most renowned Lady Sister to King Edward the Elder in this City built a fair Church wherein her self was interr'd which being overthrown by the Danes was afterwards rebuilt and made the Cathedral of that See dedicated unto the honour of St. Peter in this Church the unfortunate Prince King Ed. 2. under a Monument of Alabaster doth lie who being murdered at Berkley Castle by the cruelty of the French Isabell his wife was there intombed And not far from him an other Prince as unfortunate namely Robert Curthose the eldest Son of William the Conqueror lyeth in a painted wooden Tomb in the midst of the Quire whose eyes were pluckt out in Cardiff Castle where he was kept Prisoner twenty years with all contumelious indignities until through extreme anguish he ended his life and before any of these saith our Brittish Historian the body of Lucius our first Christian King or rather at Caerleon in Monmouthshire was Interred and before his days the Brittain Arviragus This City hath given Honourable Titles to these Dukes and Earls 1 Robert Base Son to K. Hen. 1 Earle Gules three rests Or. 2 William 3 John Sansterre Son to K. Hen. 1 who Married Isabell Daughter and Coheir of Will E. of Gloucester England a bend Azure 4 Geofry de Mandevile E. of Essex 2d Husband of Isabell Quarterly Or and Gules over all an Escurbuncle Pomet and Flory Sable 5 Almerich de Evereux Son of Mabell another Coheir of E. William some put this Almerich before Geofry but erroneously as I conceive Partly perpale endented Arg. and Gules 6 Gilbert de Clare Son of Annice another of the Coheirs 7 Rich. de Clare 8 Gilbert de Clare who Married Joan of Acres Daughter to King Edw. 1. Or 3 Cheverons Gules 9 Ralph de mont Hermen 2 d. Husband of Joan of Acres Or an Eagle displayed Vert membred and leaked Gules 10 Gilbert de Clare Son of Gilbert and Joan. Or three Cheverous Or. 11 Hugh de Audley Married Isabell sister and Coheir of Gilbert Gules Alfret Or. border argent 12 Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester and Lord Constable Quarterly France and England a border arg 13 Thomas Lord Spencer Grand-son to Elinor Coheir of Gilbert Earl Quarterly the 1. and 4. or 2. and 3. Gules there on a fret Or a bend sable 14 Rich. Plantagenet Brother to K. Edw. 4. Lord Adm. and Constable D. Quarterly France and England a Label of 3 Ermine as many Cantons Gules 15 Humphrey Plantagenet son to King Hen. 4. This Hump. place immediately before Rich. Quarterly France and England a border argent 16 Henry 3d. Son of the late King Charles declared by his Royal Father Duke of Gloucester Anno 1641. but not create And to demonstrate that he both lived and died a Pagan this King Arviragus was and that by his own order buried in that Pagan Temple in the year of our Lord Christ 73. ten years after St. Josephs coming hither Arviragus ut dies suos explevit sepultus est Claudiocestriae in quodam templo quod in honore Claudii dedicaverat ut construxerat And Scut Virunnius further addeth that he did every month offer sacrifice in that Temple after the Pagans manner so much be loved him singulis mensibus sacrificabat tanto eum amore prosequibatur And it is further evident by many Antiquities that Arviragus did many publick acts besides this which Christian Religon could not permit as that after he had been long time Married to Voada sister to Cataracus King of the Scots and had divers Children by her he disinherited the Children put away and imprisoned the Mother and Married Genuisse the supposed Bastard Daughter of Claudius and kept her the other yet living and left the Kingdome to Marius her Son and was so far from repenting this barbarous act contrary to Christian Religion that being challenged for that impiety he wrote a book in defence of this his wickednesse Mr. Bron. fol. 132. affirming therein that it was lawful for him to have plurality of Wives because
both Marius and Wigormensies say Eusebius and Bede gave three months more then 23. years because it was the custome of Historians to depute unto the Emperour that year wherein he dyed and therefore we may say say they that Antoninus Pius did not Reign full twenty three years because he lived not until the end of the year mensibus item tribus secundum Eusebium Bedam hoc est usque ad Calendas Novembris in anno 134 post passionem Domini qui autem mos erat Historicorum Imperatori disputeretur annas in quo moreretur vel regno deficeret Idio dici potest quod non plenis viginti tribus annis Antoninus Pius regnavit quum non usque in finem anni vixit Antoninus Pius was so friendly to Christians that as both Ancient and Moderne Writers witnesse he wrote unto all places for them to be free from persecution Testatur Melito referente Eusebio Antoninum Pium generaliter ad omnes civitates pro Christianis scripsisse And in his Epistle to the people of Asia recited at large by Eusebius Nicephorus and other Writers he plainly affirmeth That the Christians had been unjustly punished for worshipping the one true God ' mortem ab singularis veri dei cultum appetere and addeth further That their persecutors did not observe the worship of God and therefore did envy the Christians which worshipped him and persecuted them to death and that divers Rulers of Provinces had written to his Father before against the Christians to whom he writ again that they should not trouble such men except they could be proved to do any thing against the Roman Empire and many having written also unto him of such men to whom he answered according to his Fathers sentence whom he meant to follow If any man having an action against a Christian and accuseth him only as such a man the Christian accused shall be absolved although it be manifest he be such an one and his accuser shall be punished in Judgement And that Christians were farre more Dutifull and Faithfull to God then their Persecutors were And although divers years of this Emperours Reigne had passed before he established such publick order for the quiet of Christians and much persecutions was in the beginning of his time yet it cannot be thought to have had Warrant or Original from him And it was almost in the beginning of his Empire the third year thereof as some write that Saint Justine wrote and delivered unto him his Apology for Christians and made him friendly unto them ' Anno gratiae 141. Justinus Philosophus librum de Christiano Religione compositum Antâ—nino Tradidit eumque benignum erga Christianis Ifecit And he was sirnamed Pius Godly by some judgements for his Piety towards Christians as well as for other respects ' Antoninus Pius geuer Adriani erat erga Christianos Pius And he himself is witnesse that he proposed his adopting a Father in law Adrian so friendly to Christians to be imitated by him herein ANTONINVS PIVS being dead Marcus Aurelius sirnamed Philosophus possessed the Empire Calphurnius Agricola was made Lieutenant of the Province who at his first Entrance into Office understood of some new Tumults raised during the vacation but partly by policy in preventing occasions and partly by shew of force his very name striking the terror into the Inhabitants by reviving the Memory of Julius Agricola he in short time appeased them deserving thereby great commendation though the glory of such Exploits was for the most part attributed to the Emperors themselves the labour and peril in attempting and commonly disgrace and envy after Victory remaining only as towards their Ministers This Marcus Aurelius by the command or direction of Adrian Mr. Bro. f. 220. 2. who adopted Antoninus Pius was to succeed whom from his Infancy he had trained up in the Gentiles superstition when he was but eight years old he was put by Adrian into the Colledge of the Salii most superstitious Priests of Mars and was made a Priest a chief Prelate or Ruler a Southsayer and Master among them Octavo suae aetatis anno ab Adriano in Saliorum Collegium est relatus in Saliatu functus Sacerdotio Praesul Vates Magister nonnullos inauguravit exauguravit nemine praeeunte quod ipse carmina didicisset So that there could be little hope but this Man so superstitiously brought up and such a maker and unmaker of theirs Sacrificers and Enchanters would still continue in the same and professe himself an enemy to all Impugners of such proceedings as all Christians were which he performed when he came to be Emperor raising a general persecution against Christians which to omit but as it concerned this Kingdome and the Christians thereof the holy house of our glorious Countrywoman St. Praxedes in Rome which until then both in the time of Saint Novatus her brother her holy parents St. Pudens and St. Claudia Sabinella or Priscilla and likely as before under her parents also Christian Brittains had been a safe refuge and a sanctuary for the persecuted Christians was most cruelly ransacked Act St. Prax. per St. Pastor Martyr Rom. die 26 Maii. Beda Vsuard Ado eodem die Petr. Catal. li. 5. c. 58. Baron Tom. 2. Anna. an 164. St. Marcellus a Brittain and twenty two holy Martyrs together with the sacred Priest Simitrius most barbarously without any tryal question or judgement presently put to death of which blessed Company we may not but think divers of this Kingdome to have been and St. Timothy himself returning from hence to Rome upon the death of his brother and sister St. Novatus and St. Pudentiana was Martyred there and before the 62 year of Christ if we will allow of Matthew of Westminster his computation who saith that Justus Bishop of Vienna after long Exile was Martyred that year As for our St. Timothy St. Pius the Pope in his Epistle to St. Justus writeth of the Martyrdome of our St. Timothy and by no account he lived not above four years longer but was Martyred in this time So by some accounts our glorious Countryman St. Marcellus so diligent a procurer of the Conversion of King Lucius was Martyred in this persecution And to heap up the measures of fears for Christian Brittains this Emperor did not only thus persecute us abroad but sent Calphurnius Agricola hither into Brittany with armed Troops to keep the Brittains in subjection as Roman Pagan Writers term it but Brittains may say in slavery These and such were the worldly temptations which allured King Lucius and many noble Brittains to be more timerous and lingering to professe the Christian Faith with such constancy openly as inwardly they firmly believed and honoured untill the Emperor himself convicted by the written Apologies and Miracles wrought by Christians was enforced to yield the honour to Christ and abstain from persecution and many of his noble Pagans imbraced Christian Religion
Prince commending therein his former zealous disposition in embraceing the truth then exhorting him to read with humility and reverence the holy Scripture the divine Law which he had lately received in his Dominions and out of that by Gods grace and advice of faithful Counsellors to collect meet observations for the framing of Laws necessary for the preservation of his estate which observations so collected and Lawes so framed he did affirm to be much better then the Imperial constitutions of the Romans or any other whatsoever that to make Lawes and execute Justice was the proper office of a Prince who was upon earth the Vicar of God himself and received from him that Title and Authority to the end he should use the same to the good of the Catholick Church and of the people living under his obedience hereupon Lucius began first of all to provide for establishment of that Religion whereof he was become at the self same time both a professour and practiser Then was the worshipping of Idols forbidden the seats of the Arch-flamens at London York and Caerlegion or Caerleon upon Vsk were changed into Sees of three Arch-bishops in the same places and those of the Flamens into so many Bishopricks whereby the Temples vowed by Idolatrous Priests to prophane gods were consecrated to the service of the only true God the temporal estate he also adorned with good profitable Laws conformable to the rule of Christian Religion whereupon ensued the blessings of plenty and peace in his dayes It is reported that he was Foundet of a Church at Cornhill in London which he dedicated to St. Peter placeing therein one Thean an Archbishop to have the superintendence over other Bishops within his principality and the Metropolitan seat continued there in the succession of thirteen Archbishops about the space of 400 years until the coming of St. Aug. who translated it to Canterbury And now Christianity being thus Generally received amongst the Brittains kept on her course untainted and without opposition till the time of Dioclesian the Emperour who kindled the fire of that raging persecution the last and longest in the Primitive Church which consumed the lives of many Christian Martyrs as well in Brittain as other places but returning to the Reign of Lucius and considering the state of Brittain under his Government we may justly admire the Felicity of those times ascribing to the Brittains for their greatest glory that among all other Nations they had the happinesse to see and enjoy the first Christian Prince Thus far compendiously and succinctly the Brittish History but let us peruse a while to the great renown of the Brittish Nation the writings of that late but rare light of Antiquity the day star of his Countrey Mr. Broughton and consider what he expresseth concerning the passages and conversion of King Lucius thus he begins They who write of King Lucius his Nobles and Countries conversion do write also how he wrote for and entreated it by supplyant letters to Pope Elutherius not to Evaristus as some have imagined Gildas saith that King Lucius was baptized with all his Nobles of Brittain 164 years after the coming of Christ and Nennius saith it was three year after so that whither we will take the account of Gildas or Nennius for King Lucius his time of conversion though others make a greater difference by 20 years and more we see that King was converted 44 years after the death of Evaristus whom some will have the Instrument of his conversion and 54 from his first entrance into the Papacy seven Popes St. Alexander Sextus Telesphorus Higinus Pius Anicetus and Soter being between him and St. Elutherius in whose time by all account St Lucius was converted of which two such renowned Writers could not be ignorant much lesse may we judge without great injury and dishonour unto them and bold rashnesse in our selves that they would or could erre in so high a degree the one of them Nennius the meanest stiled by our Catalogists of such men both ancient and modern The most excellent Doctor of the Brittains Principal or Arch-abbot of the renowned Monastery of Bangor famous both for Wisdom and Religion The other St. Gildas by common consent of all Writers is stiled Gildas the Wise or sirnamed the Wise The first and principal means of the Conversion of K. Lucius is ascribed to certain learned Scholars of Cambridge Theater of Brit. l. 6. c. 9. Sect. 9. Hollins disc Brit. The Theatre of Great Brittain tells us That there were Christians at these times though some exceptions may be taken against the Monk of Burton the Reporter thereof who saith in the year 141 and Reign of Hadrian nine Masters of Grantcester were baptized themselves and preached to others the Gospel in Brittain The ancient Charter which the Antiquities of Cambridge ascribed to K. Arthur do give this honour or a great part thereof to the learned Scholars of Cambridge K. Lucius perswaded to be a Christian by the Christians of Cambridge which being converted to the Faith of Christ and divers of them now become Clergymen and Preachers moved K. Lucius by their preaching to be a Christian which is more confirmed by the ancient Bull of Pope Honorius the first of that Name to confirm the Priviledges of the University of Cambridge 1000 years since and other Testimonies there are that say that both K. Lucius did confer and confirm by his publick Charter great Priviledges and Immunities to that School and Pope Elutherius likewise Chart. Reg. Arturi 7. Apr. an 531. Bulla Honorii Acad. Cantab. concess 20. die Seb. an Dom. 624. Caius Antiq. Cant. l 1. p. 75. 76. which he did not so for any thing we find in Histories to any other School or University in the World nor any of his Successors many years after The chiefest motive of these exemtions and prerogatives to that place we cannot interpret in any better sense then that King Lucius had received much spiritual Benefit from thence which he requited with temporal honour and dignity and the holy Pope Elutherius bestowed such singular grace and favour to that School for the holy labours and fruitful effects it had wrought in the Church of Christ by their Conversion and Preaching moving King Lucius and so many men of sundry degrees in Brittain to forsake superstitious Idolatry and embrace the Christian Faith and Religion We find some Apostolick Men in this very time to have preached the faith in Brittain to King Lucius himself as well as to his Subjects and these to have been of this Nation Pet. Marsaeus Catal. Epis Tungren Archiepis Treve Among those two are chiefly commended unto us in this businesse Saint Timothy and Saint Marcellinus or Marcellus And to begin with St. Timothy We find that he so far prevailed with King Lucius that by his Learning our King was induced to the Religion of Christ and to make this Opinion clear Henricus Pantaâ—eon writeth Math. West an 159.
then all the rest adorned with Christian Religion and perfectly instructed with his holy word and doctrine He reigned as some write 21 years though others affirme but twelve Again some testify that he reigned 77. others say 54. and Harrison 43. King Lucius dyed without issue by reason whereof ensued much trouble as is said before Concerning the first inclination of K. Lucius to christian Religion in the time of Pope Higinius Mr. Broughton thus discourseth Although I do not find it expresly affirmed by any Antiquary but Harding that St. Higinius in that time Bishop of Rome did so particularly give assistance and direction in this business of our Brittains conversion yet many and very renowned Writers give such testimony therein that we must needs grant that to be most true which Harding affirmeth and that after-coming Scribes and Copiers of their Histories have done the Authors wrong by their negligence or ignorance in writing one man for another Elutherius for Higinius for among others St. Bede as he is extant saith that King Lucius of Brittain did write to the Pope of Rome in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 156. that by his order and command he might be a Christian The M. S. Antiquities of the Church of Landaff more ancient in probable judgment then St. Bede and written by a Brittain which should not be ignorant in that the greatest businesse of his Country giveth the same testimony of the same year 156. The ancient author of the Brittish History also a Brittain maketh K. Lucius a christian in and before this year 156 in direct termes So Testifyeth the old History called Brutus ancient Records belonging to Guild-hall in London the Antiquities of St. Edwards lawes Goceline in the life of St. Aug. so writeth Naucl. and divers ancient manuscript writers which I have seen saith the learned Mr. Br. This was the state of the Church in Brittain when new troubles began to the disturbance of the Province For the Northern Brittains making a breach in the wall Mr. Br. fol. 210. which Adrian the Emperour had built and finding the borders but weakly guarded entered the province and surprised the Roman General and killed many of his Souldiers then ranging the Countries they wasted and spoyled everywhere without resistance till Vlpius Marcellus being sent over by Commodus the Emperor stayed the fury and with great difficulty forced them to retire within the wall by which means the Province being quieted he applied himself to reforme abuses in his Campe reviving the ancient discipline of war which had been for a time discontinued among the Roman Souldiers whom long service and many victories had made bold to say and to do oftentimes more then became them For Marcellus indeed was a man somthing austere in reproving and punishing otherwise very temperate diligent in time of war not idle in peace his diet was the same which the common Souldier used in quantity more sparing for he would eat no bread but such as was brought from Rome which he did to the end he might avoid excesse and take no more then sufficed nature the staleness of his bread having taken away all tast that might either please the sense or provoke the appetite The day time for the most part he spent in viewing his campe and training young Souldiers and giving direction to Officers In the night he wrote letters and made dispatches into divers parts of the Province as occasion required He slept very little by reason of his thin diet and much business wherewith he was continually occupied for he thought that man who slept a whole night together was no meet man to be either a Counsellour to a Prince or a Commander of an army Every evening he used to write instructions upon twelve Tables made of Linden tree which tables he delivered to one of his servants appointing him to carry them at sundry hours of the night to certain of his Souldies who thereby supposing that their General was still waking and not gone to bed were the more careful in keeping the watch and preventing suddain attempts in the night season he was severe in execution of Justice not to be led by favour nor to be corrupted with bribe he levied monies only as necessary for the war not to enrich himself or his friends as other Governours in former times had done for he never preferred his own private before the publick nor a wealthy estate before an honorable reputation The fame of those vertues as they made him much respected both of his own Souldiers and the Brittains so they procured Envy which alwaies followeth vertue inseparably as a shadow doth the body For Commodus the Emperor understanding how Marcellus had carried himself in Brittain was much displeased therewith and thought it best to cut him off but some accidents happening in the mean time to make him change that purpose he only sent letters of discharge and so dismissed him of the Office After departure of Marcellus the army having been kept in by hard hand and finding now the reine let loose upon a suddain began to be mutinous and refused to acknowledge Commodus for their Emperor these disorders Perennius one of his favorites took upon him to redresse by displacing such persons as he suspected and committing their Offices to Men of meaner quality wherewith the Legions were much discontented disdaining that instead of Senators Men of consular degree they should now be governed by upstarts and base companions In the heat of those broyles about fifteen soldiers forsook the Army and went to Rome where they exhibited to the Emperor a bill of complaint against Perennius whom they charged as the chief Author of the dissention in the Army by bringing in new customes by exceeding his commission and doing things derogatory to the Majesty of the Roman Empire These and other things as well false as true were objected against him by the multitude who for the most part dislike such as exercise authority over them and keep no measure in their affections either in love or hatred But that which touched to the quick was an accusation of treason put up against him for conspiracy against the life of the Emperor and in seeking to advance his Son to the Empire this point was quickly apprehended by Commodus who thought that the suspicion of the fact or the report only to have intended it was a sufficient cause of condemnation howsoever the party accused was either indeed guilty or innocent Hereupon Perennius was declared Traitor and delivered to the Soldiers who stripped him of his apparel whipped him with rods and in the end cruelly murdered him Then Helvius Pertinax a Man of mean fortune by Birth as having risen from the State of a common Soldier to the dignity of a Commander was sent into Brittain to appease the tumults there He was one of them that Perennius had before discharged from bearing office and sent into Liguria where he was born At his first entrance
punishment towards their adversaries was justly interpreted to be a revenger of their wrongs and former calamities The common opinion is that he reigned between six and seven years although I find in an old Manuscript French History entreating much of the affairs of this Kingdom written above 400 years since that he was King of Brittain 29. years Bassian tenoit le Roilme d Brittanie 29. ans Jacob. Senuon Epis in Caral Sanctor in S. Amphibalo Author of the English martyrologie Joan Lydgate Monac Buriensis in ejus vita Gerard Leigh in his Accidence of Armory Verumne apud Hect. Boerius Scot. Hist l. 6. f. 102. Hollins of Scotland in Cyathlint Jacob. Genuen in vita St. Amph. Harris Manusc Hist Brit. l 3. c 35 Girald Camb. Item Camb. l. 1. c. 5. David Powell Annot. 16. in c. 4. disc Cambriae Dio in Macrino Dio in Caracalla Spartian in Caracalla Manusc Gall. Antiq. c. 14. Compilatio M. S. de gest in Carausio Fab. in Bass fol. 47. b. In this Emperours time St. Zepherine was Pope who converted our renowned countriman St. Amphibalus who won by his preaching life and death after so many thousands of this Nation to Christ of whom a late Authour citing divers antiquities thus writeth St. Amphibalus being a noble young man of Brittain and going to Rome with Bassianus son to Severus was there by Pope Zepherinus instructed secretly in the Christian faith baptised made Priest and sent back into Brittain there to preach unto others Neither may we with prudence judge that so great a concourse of our Brittish Nation and Nobility being then at Rome and St. Amphibalus thus converted a great Noble Man and termed in antiquities the son of a Prince and so not without attendance that he alone was thus converted and employed by that holy Pope at this time and not unprobable but some of those holy Apostolick men which are yet remembred in Histories to have assisted St. Amphibalus afterward in preaching Christ in these parts or received their Ordination and instruction from the same at Rome now about this time such as were Modicus Priscus Calanus Ferranus Ambianus and Carnocus there is no repugnancy in the time for these were old men when the persecution of Dioclesian raged here and St. Alban was martyred Jacobus Bishop of Genua and so to be termed of that City in Italy a Roman writer writing fourscore years or thereabouts before Matthew West who calls this Saint Clericus only not expressing his name testifies that his name was Amphibalus a Brittain of this Kingdom and son to a Prince thereof relating his History and life at large But our Monck might without blame be ignorant of that Author And this forreign bishop addeth that he went from hence to Rome with Bassianus in the time of Severus and was there Knighted amongst that noble company most part of this Nation recounted in number 1540. of which St. Alban was also one and that St. Amphibalus was there made priest by the Pope of Rome and sent home into his Country Giraldus Cambrensis saith he was borne as Caerlegeon the renowned City and School in Wales So have divers others the old manuscript History of the Church of Winchester saith he was an holy Monck and Doctour in the Church of Caermardyn in Wales And this is the last certain place of his Residency which that Antiquity giveth him before his persecution and going to the Scots and so it seemeth not unprobable but he was also Bishop of that city Caermardin or without question of some other City there for otherwise how could he be consecrated Bishop among the Scots by whose Annals he is accounted the first Bishop they had resident among them but more of him hereafter About the year of our Lord 220. or a little before Bassianus Emperour and King of Brittain was murdered between Edissa and Carras by Mardianus a Centurion he marrying with the sister of the holy christian Lady Mammea left their son Heliogabalus behind him who soon after was Emperour An old French Manuscript History saith that Bassianus was slain by Carausius who after reigned 38 years The same hath the manuscript compilation in these words Et tandem faventibus Britonnibus Carausius demicavit cum Bassiano interfecit eum sic gubernaculum regni in sese suscepit of this opinion also is Fabian Howes saith Bassianus was cruelly given to sensuality and lust insomuch that he espoused his mother-in-law Juba others call her Julia as Hollenshed Fabian Juliana who saith that Bassianus on a certain time breaking in to his brother Geta's chamber slew him even in his mothers lap and that himself was after slain at Edissa by one of his souldiers but names him not as he was about to untruss his points Now the affairs of Brittain for the space of almost fifty years together were passed over in silence as being either omitted through negligence of Writers in that age or perishing through the calamity of the times that ensued under the Emperours following namely Popilius Macrinus the successor of Bassianus Varus Heliogobalus Alexander Severus Maximinus Gordianus the first second and third Philippus Arats Decius Valerianus These are the words of the Authour of the Brittish History but we will leave him a while to try what other Authours say Fabian tells that Carausius c. Finis Libri Tertii To the Right Honourable HENRY Earle of Oxford Lord Bulbeck Samford Badlesmere Scales Knight of the Garter c. ALGERNON Earle of Northumberland and Lord Percy Lucy Poynings Fitz Pain Bryan and Latimer Knight of the Garter c. JOHN Earle of Shrewsbury Lord Talbot Furnival Verdon and Lord Strange of Blackmore The Earle of OXFORD Henry Very the Eighteenth Earl of Oxford of that name Lord Bulbeck Samford c. Descended as Mr. Brooke York Herald fol. 162. and others say from Aubrey de Vere who married Mabel Daughter of Robert Consull Earl of Glocester and natural Son to Henry the first by Nest daughter to Rees Prince of Southwales which Rees married Gladis D. and sole heir of Rees ap Kenvin Prince of Powis whose successor Robert de Vere third of that name and sixth Earl of Oxford of that family married Margaret daughter of Roger Lord Mortimer son of Edmund Lord Mortimer descended from Roger Lord Mortimer who married Gladis sister and heir of the whole blood to David son to Llewellyn Prince of Northwales and Joane daughter to K. John which Llewellyn was son to Jorworth the son of Owen Gwineth the son of Gruffith the son of Conan the son of Jago the son of Edwal the son of Meiric the son of Edwal Voel the son of Anarawd the son of Rodery Maur the son of Esylht daughter and sole heir of Conan Tyndaythwy the son of Roderike Molwynoc the son of Edwal Ywrch the son of Cadwallader last King of the Britains Mr. Powel fol. 224 NORTHUMBERLAND Llewellin ap Jorworth Prince of Northwales married Joane natural daughter to K. John Mr.
unquiet and although Heliogabalus and his brother Severinus also if Bassianus had any such son was next true King of Brittain yet neither of them enjoyed it for by all Writers one named Carausius was King of Brittain not onely after Bassianus but by divers Authours sometime also while he lived giving an overthrow to Bassianus the Emperour or rather some Lieutenant or General of his of the same or the like name here in Brittainy and so made himself King of Brittain after whom by our Brittish History and Ponticus Virunnius Asclepiodotus Duke of Cornwall was made King deposing Alectus sent hither against Carausius with three Legions and Matthew of Westminster and Harding write was King three years untill Asclepiodotus deposed him next to Asclepiodotus was King Coelus Father to the most renowned Empress St. Helena married to Constantius Emperor and Mother to great Constantine their son our most glorious King and Emperor after which time our History will not be so obscure and confused as now it is for as in the succession of these I have now remembered there is question so concerning the time of their Government and their conversation also whether it were Christian or otherwise it is not free from difficulty Antiquaries say that Carausius was next King to Bassianus Therefore when Matthew West and some others would not have Carausius to be King till about the 286. year of Christ it must needs be an error either in them their Scribes or Printers for it is evident and all the Roman writers prove that Bassianus was dead many years and divers Emperors had succeeded long before this time and Math. Westm himself saith that Bassianus making war against the Parthians was circumvented and slain of his Enemies between Edissa and Carras in the year of Christ 213. which was above 70. years before he bringeth Carausius to attempt any thing for the crown of Brittain Florentius Wigorne followeth the same account and setteth down the very place of his death there to be Osdroena and Mercinus affirmeth the same with the Roman Histories saying it was in the year of Christ 218. And both our old Brittish History and Ponticus Virunnius Hect. Boeti Scot. Hist l. 6. ol 88 89. who gave the greatest light in this matter say plainly that Carausius lived in the time of Bassianus And add further that Carausius joyning with the Picts which Fulgenius had got together against Severus Father to Bassianus sought with his army and overthrowing it Galf. virun was made King of Brittain And these Picts and Scots must needs be those of which the Scottish Historians write when they say Bassianus made peace with them and the Brittains which followed Fulgenius Hect. Boe. ut supra fol. 100. Holenshed in Grathlint and so went from hence to Rome And whereas the Brittish History and Virunnius say that Carausius did kill Bassianus this was not Bassianus our King and Emperor son of Severus and Martia but one Quintus Bassianus a Legate of the Romans Now being the common Opinion received both of the Roman and other writers Catal. Reg. Britainie Hist Galf. Mon. that Severus dyed in the year of Christ 213. The Author of the Catalogue of our Brittish Kings thus setteth down their successions and Regiments with their continuance Bassianus Ceracel six years Carausius seven years Alectus six years Asclepiodotus thirty years Coelus twenty seven years After whom Constantius his son in law by marrying his Daughter St. Helena succeeded in the crown by which accompt we have between the death of Severus and Constantius his reigning here 76. years and from Carausius his death and the begining of Constantius his reign 65. years Harding maketh the distance shorter ascribing to Bassianus seven years to Carausius 4. to Alectus 3. Asclepiodotus 10. to Coel 11. years yet by this accompt also Carausius was dead many years before that time wherein Hector Boetius and some others make him to have first advanced any title to the Crown of Brittain Yet we may make some part of attonement between these opinions if we shall say with the Brittish and other Histories Math. West an 286. that Carausius was but a young man in the time of Bassianus or Heliogabalus the true Kings of Brittain And he went to Rome to procure his Commission there of the Senate to be Admiral to keep the Brittish Seas Howe Hist Titul The Romans an 285. And after he was thus admitted Admiral long time and divers years must needs be spent before he could come to that power by Sea and Land with Brittains Picts and Scots to be King of Brittain although he was as divers hold of the Kingly race Ex regio Stemate and Unkle to that renowned Christian King of Scots Grathnitus Carausius of Kingly race though some stile him to have been of base lineage unprobable in a man obtaining such honour of the Roman Senate Hect. Boet. Scot. Hist l. 6. and renown among Princes Kings and Emperors and divers of them Christians But to go no further out of my way whether Bassianus or his Son Heliogabalus both Emperors and Brittains by parentage or Carausius was in Brittain at this time we are by this which is said assured Hâ—lenshed in Scot. in Grathlint that the Christians here were in quiet and peace for if Bassianus still continued King he had made peace with all Christians here whether Brittains Picts or Scots before his departure hence to Rome And although Heliogabalus Hoel Boet alii sup Harding c. 53. was otherwise a Man of such wicked conversation that I had rather refer any man desirous to know the manner both of his own and his Fathers life to forrain writers then fill my pen with the dishonour of their race in them yet no History maketh mention that he any way was a persecuter of Christians if Carausius was King it is not unprobable but he was a Christian advanced chosen and honoured with that Kingly dignity by the Christians confederate with and assisted by the Christian Scots and Picts their Kings or Rulers and against the Pagan Romans a professed Patron and Propugnator of the Right and Priviledges and Revenger of the wrongs and Injuries of the Christians here contending by all means he could even with the adventure of his life loosing in that quarrel to restore the Christians of this Kingdom to that quiet and honourable Estate to be free from the Thraldom of forraign Pagans which they happily enjoyed in the Government of King Lucian and the Roman Senate began now to infringe and violate This was the pretended end and scope of his designes although by some writers not with a little design of his own greatness and exaltation no strange disease amongst great Princes in any age Hollenshed saith that Alectus was sent from Rome with three Legions Hollenshed Hist of Engl. and slew him in the field Fabian tells us that in a Book which in French is called Merc de Histories
Will. of Malms de Reg. Angliae first requiting his banishment with great detriment and loss to those his Enemies wherein he was partaker by his just desert of his Uncles worthy praise for that he stayed for a great many years the destruction of his country which was now runing headlong into utter ruine and decay Hollenshed Hist of Engl. fol. 156. But Arthurs grave no were appeareth but the others tombe was in the dayes of William the Conquerour upon the Sea side and contained in length fourteen foot where he was as some say wounded by his Enemies and cast up by shipwrack but other write that he was slain at a publick feast or banquet by his own Countrimen But here you must consider that Malmesbury departed this life about the begining of the reign of King Henry 2. certain years before the bones of King Arthur were found But now to speak some things of the Queen King Arthur his consort some are of opinion that she took that name from her excellent beauty because Cuynne if truly written in the Welsh tongue signifieth fair so that she was named Guenuere or Guenllean even as you would say the fair and butifull Heonere or Helen she was brought up in the house of Cador D. or E. of Cornwall before Arthur married her and as it appeareth by writers she was evill reported of as noted of Incontinency and breech of faith to her husband but excellent beauties seldom escape the venemous blasts of detracting and envious tongues and never want the amorous courtings of lascivious wantons The Brittish history affirmeth that she did not only abuse her self by unlawfull company with Mordred but that also in Arthurs absence she consented to take him to husband It is likewise found recorded by an old writer that Arthur besieged the Marches near Glastenbury for displeasure that he bore unto a certain Lord called Melva who had ravished Guuennere and led her into those Marches and there did keep her Arthur had two wives as Girald Cam. affirmeth of which the later saith he was buried with him and her bones found in his own Sepulchre so devided yet that two parts of the Tombe towards the head were appointed to receive the bones of the man and the third part towards the feet contained the womans bones a part by themselves Hector Boetius writeth that Queen Guennere being taken by the Picts was conveyed into Scotland were finally she died and was there buried in Angus And this may be true if Arthur had three several wives each of them bearing the name of Guenhere as Sir John Price avoucheth But by reason of the disagreeing of writers touching the great acts atchieved by this Arthur and also for that some difference there is amongst them about the time in which he should reign many have doubted of the truth of the whole history which is written of him The Brittish histories as also the Scotch do agree that he reigned in the dayes of the Emperour Justinian about the fifteenth year of whose reign he died which was in the year of our Lord five hundred forty one as Harrison also confirmeth some write otherwayes The writer of the book called Aurea Historia affirmeth that in the tenth year of Cerdicus King of West Saxons Leyland Arthur the warriour arose amongst the Brittains Also Divionensis writeth that Cerdicus fighting oftimes with Arthur if he were overcame in one moneth he rose in another more strong and fierce then before At length King Arthur over toyled with hard labour and warfair after the twelfth year of the coming of Cerdicus gave unto him upon his homage done and fealty received the Shires of South-Hampton and Somerset the which Country Cerdicus named West Saxon. West Saxon. In the while that this Kingdom was thus troubled with war and destruction between the Brittains and Saxons the Christian Religion was not only abolished in places where the Saxons seated themselves but also among the Brittains the right faith was brought into danger by the reviving of the Pelagian Heresie which began to be broached saith Hollenshed by divers naughty persons and questionless they were so and all such as follow them And although in the first part of this History speaking of this most pestiferous Arch-heretick and his damnable doctrine I then expressed not his Theses yet upon better consideration that all vertuous Christians may avoid them I think it not altogether amiss to lay them open to the World and I must heartily wish that none may follow them The Heresies of Pelagius 1. First he was charged that Adam was made motral and should have died whether he had sinned or no. 2. That his sin did only hurt himself and not humane kind 3. That infants new born are in the same State wherein Adam was before his fall 4. That by the death and prevarication of Adam all Mankind doth not die nor all mankind rise again by the Resurrection of Christ 5. Children may have eternal life though they be not baptized 6. Rich men that be baptized except they renounce all their goods if they are taught to do any good thing it shall not be reputed to them neither can they have the Kingdom of God 7. That the grace and help of God is not given to every act but is from the will or in the Law or Doctrine 8. That the grace of God is given according to our own demerits 9. That Men cannot be called the Children of God except they be altogether without sin 10. And that it is not free-will if it wanteth the help of God because every one hath in his own will to do any thing or not to do it 11. That our victory is not from the help of God but from freewill 12 That to them that seek pardon pardon is not given according to the Grace and mercy of God but according to the labour and merits of them which by penance are worthy of mercy St. Augustine in divers places speaketh of this Arch-heritique and of the Articles whereof he was charged and recanted by Pelagius though dissemblingly for fear as appeared by him afterward so did divers others and add more errours which he held as that 1. Before Christ man was without sin 2. Prayer is not necessary 3. Man is able by the power of Freewill not onely not to sin but not to be tempted 4. That Women ought to sing in the Church 5. That all men ought to be cloathed like Monks St. Augustine addeth that 1. Man might not â—ear at all 2. The life of just men in this life to be altogether without sin and that the Church of Christ in this world consisteth of such 3. He denyed that the Church should offer prayers either for Infidels and such as resisted the doctrine of God that they might be converted unto him or for the faithfull that their faith might be encreased and they persevere in it For these heresies as is said before he was condemned by a
Lord Herbert of Cherbery and Castle Island unto whom it was presented by Dr. Johnson a grave and learned Physitian in Worcester who had it from a Manuscript in the Library of the right honourable Thomas Lord Windesore which here I will insert for my Readers recreation As it fell out upon a Pentecost day King Arthur at Camelot kept his Court Royal With his fair Queen Gwinever the gay And many princes sitting in hall Hold Barons Knights and Squires that day Ladies attired in purple and pall With Herehaughts in hewkes howling full high Cried Larges Larges Chaveliers treshardie A doughty Dwarf to the uppermost Desk Boldly gan prick kneeling on knee Said King Arthur God thee save and see Sr. Reimes of North Gales greeteth well thee And bids thee anon thy Beard thou him send Else from thy jawes he will it off rend For his robe of State is a rich scarlet mantle With eleven Knights beards bordred about And there is room left yet in a Kantle For thine to stand to make the twelfth out This must be done be thou never so stout This must be done I tell thee no fable Maugre the teeth of all the round table When this mortal message from his mouth past The Kings fum'd the Queens scrich't Ladies were agast Princes pufft Barons blusterd Lords began to lower Knights storm'd Squires startl'd like steeds in a Stower Pages and Yeomen yeld out in the hall With that came in Sr. Kay the Seneschal Silence my Soveraign quoth the courteous Knight And therewith all the stur began to still The Dwarfs dinner full deerly was dight Of Wine and wisely he had his fill An hundred peices of fine coyned Gold Were given the Dwarf for his message bold But say to Sr. Rayns thou Dwarf quoth the King â—hat for his bold message I him defie â—or shortly I mean with Basons him to ring â—â—t of North Gales where he and I â—ith swords and not rasors will quickly try Whether he or K. Arthur will prove the best Barbor And therewith he struck his good sword Esculabor Concerning the mantle trimd with beards of Kings or Knights Fol. 62. Mr. Draiton in his Polialbion giveth a hint but something differing from the preceding Relation his lines are these Then told how himself great Arthur did advance To meet with his Allies the puissant force of France By Lucius thither led those Armies that while ere Affrighted all the World by him struck dead with fear Th' report of his great acts that over Europe ran Is that most famous field which he with Emp'rour wan This is but a Poetical fancy for Helena was never ravished As how great Rithout self be slew in his repair Who ravisht Howels Neece young Helena the fair And for a Trophie brought the Giants coat away Made of the beards of Kings then bravely chaunted they The several twelve picht fields he with the Saxons fought The certain day and place to memory they brought Then by false Mordreds hand how last he chanc't to fall The hour of his decease the place of buriall These I have intermingled as Poets do interludes in the playes setting Horace his rules before me Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci. Constantine Howes ut sup Constantine Kinsman to Arthur and son to Cador Duke of Cornewal was ordained King of Brittain and reigned three years This man was by the two sons of Mordred grievously vexed for they claimed the land by the right of their father But after many battails they fled the one to London the other to Winchester which Cities they obtained and took them But Constantine followed and subdued them and gained the Cities And one of these young Lords he found in an Abbey at London here he slew him neer the Altar cruelly and then buried him near Vter Pendragon at Stone-hedge The other brother was found at Winchester where he was also slain flying into the Church of St. Amphibalus Aurelius Conanus a Brittain raised mortal War against Constantine the King and afer sore fight slew him in the field after three years reign he was buryed at Stone-hedge Of this Constantine that seemeth to be meant which holy Gildas writeth in his Book entituled De excidio Brittaniae where inveighing against the Rulers of the Brittains in his time he writeth thus Brittain hath Kings but they be Tyrants Judges it hath but they be wicked oft-times killing and harming the innocent people revenging and defending but whom such as be guilty persons and robbers having many wives but yet breaking wedlock oft-times swearing and yet forswearing themselves vowing and for the more part lying warring but maintaing civil and unjust war pursuing rude thieves that are abroad in the Country and yet not only cherishing those that sit even at table with them but also highly rewarding them giving almes largely but on the other part heaping up a mighty mount of sins sitting in the seat of sentence but seldome seeking the rule of righteous judgment despising the humble and innocent persons exalting so far as in them lyeth even up to the heavens the bloody and proud murderers thieves and adulterers yea the very expresse enemies of God if he would so permit keeping many in prison whom they oppresse in loading them with Irons through craft rather to serve their own purpose then for any guilt of the persons imprisoned taking solemn oathes before the Altars and shortly after despising the same Altars as vile and filthy stones of which heinous and wicked offence Constantine the tyrannical whelp of the Lioness of Devonshire is not ignorant who this year after the receiving of his dreadfull oath whereby he bound himself that in no wise he would hurt his subjects God first and then his oath with the company of Saints and his mother being there present did notwithstanding in the reverent laps of the two mothers as the Church and their carnal mother under the Coul of the holy Abbot devour with sword and spear instead of teeth the tender sides yea and the entrails of two Children of noble and Kingly race and likewise of their two Governours yea and that as said among the sacred Altars the arms of which persons so slain not stretched forth to defend themselves with weapons the which few in those dayes handled more valiantly then they but stretched forth I say to God and to his altar in the day of judgment shall set up the ensignes of their patience and faith at the gates of the City of Christ which so have covered the seat of the coelestial sacrifice as it were with the red mantle of their clottered blood And those things he did not after any good deeds done by him deserving praise For many years before overcome with the often and changeable filths of adultery forsaking his lawfull Wife contrary to the Laws of God c. he now brought forth this Crime of killing his own Kinsman and violating the Church but neither being loosed or unbound from his
And the next year after he gave the Brittains an other overthrow and then departed this life About this time died Theodor the Son of Belin a Man of great estimation among the Brittains Not long after there was a great battail fought betwixt the Brittains and the Picts at a place called Magedawc where the King of the Picts was slain About this time Rodri or Roderike Molwynoc was driven by the Saxons to forsake the West Country and to come to seek his own inheritance in Northwales where ruled at that time the Children of Bletius or Bledericus Prince of Cornwall and Devonshire who was one of them that gave Adelred and Ethelbert the overthrow at Bangor upon the River De and injoyed the Government of Northwales ever since Cadvan was chosen King of Brittain untill this time Powels Chronic fol. 16. By this history it should seem saith my Author that the Brittains continued their Government in the VVest part of Lhoegria untill this time But surely the consent in a manner of all writers is that the Brittish Kingdom ended in Cadwalader after whom the Brittains had nothing to do beyond Severne being constrained to keep themselves within the Countries of Cambria and Cornubia It is also written by divers that Ivor and Inir at their first arriving in Brittain were expelled by the Saxons and driven into Wales where Ivor ruled as Prince many years whom this Rodri the Son of Edwal the Son of Cadwalader succeeded VVhen Rodri or Roderike the King of the Brittains had reigned above 30. years he died leaving two Sons after him Conan Tindaythwy and Howel Conan Tindaythwy the Son of Roderike Conan Tindaythwy began his reign over the Brittains Anno Domini 755. About two years after there was a great battail fought at Hereford between the Brittains and the Saxons where Dyfnwal the Son of Theodor was slain Jo. Castorius In the year 776 the men of Southwales destroyed a great part of Mercia with fire sword and the summer following all the Welshmen gathered together and entered the Kingdom of Mercia and did much harm The Saxons which bordered upon the Country of Cambria or Wales did daily encroach upon the Lands of the Welshmen beyond Severn especially towards the South part of the Country Wherefore the natives put themselves in armour and set upon the Saxons and chased them over Severn again and then returned home with great prey and booty and thus they did oftentimes killing and destroying all before them and alwaies bringing home with them much Cattel which thing caused Offa to conclude a peace with other Saxon Kings and to bend his whole force against the Welshmen Whereupon Offa King of Mercia caused a great ditch to be made large and deep from Sea to Sea Powel John Castor Math. West betwixt his Kingdom and Wales whereby he might the better defend his Country from the incursions of the Welshmen And this ditch is to be seen in many places as yet and is called Clawdh Offa Viz. Offa's ditch at this day Offa's ditch Shrewsbury the ancient Court of the Welsh Princes of Powys After Offa had made this deep ditch and chased the Welshmen from the plain Countries unto the Woods and Mountains the seat of the Kings of Powys was translated from Pengweru now called Salop or Shrewsbury to Marthrual where it continued long after About the year 795 there was a battail fought at Ruthlan between the Saxons and the Welshmen where Caradoc King of Northwales was slain This Carodoc was the son of Gwin the son of Golhoyn the son of Ednowen the son of Blethin the son of Bletius or Cledericus Prince of Cornwal and Devonshire Nole In the year 800. died Arthen the son of Sitsylth the son of Clydawc King of Cardigan and Run King of Dinet and Kadelch King of Powis died in the year 808. This was a troublesome time and as yet no staid government in Wales and therefore such as were chief Lords in any country were called Kings In the year 810. the Moon was Ecclipsed on Christmas day and the same year St. Davids was burnt by the Saxons There was also a general murrain and death of Cattel throughout all Wales the next year ensuing Owen the son of Meredith the son o◠Terudos died the Castle of Degaunwy was destroyed with thunder Conan Prince of Wales and his brother Howel fell at variance in somuch that they tryed the matter by battail wherein Howel had the victory This Howel the brother of Conan King or Prince of Northwales did claim the Isle of Môn or Anglesey for part of his fathers inheritance which Conan refused to give him and thereupon they fell at variance and consequently to make war the one against the other The next year there was much hurt done by thunder in divers places many houses burnt to the earth The same year dyed Gruffith the son of Run and Griffri the son of Kyngen was slain by the treason of Elico his brother Howel gave his brother Conan another battail and slew a great number of his people whereupon Conan levied an army in the year 817 and chased his brother Howel out of Anglesey compelling him to fly into Man And a little after died Conan chief King of the Brittains or Welshmen leaving behind him a daughter called Esylht who was marryed to a Noble man called Mervin Vrich the son of Gwyriad or Vriet the son of Elidur and so forth in the right line to Belinus the brother of Brennus King of the Brittains and his mother was Nest the daughter of Cadelth King of Powis the son of Brochwel Yscithroc that fought with the Saxons at Bangor who was Prince of Powis This Brochwel is called by the Latine writers Brecinellus and Brochmaelus of whom Galfride J. Cast Math. West Mr. Powel fol. 22. saith Mr Powel I find thus written in Historia Divae Monacellae Fuit olim in Powisia quidam princeps illustrissimus nomine Brochwel Yscithroc Consul Legecestriae qui in Vrbe tunc temporis Pengwern Powis nunc vero Salopia dicta est habitabat cujus domicilium seu habitaculum ibi steterat ubi Collegium Divi Ceddae nunc situm est That is There was sometimes in Powis a Noble Prince named Brochwel Yscithroc Consul or Earl of Chester who dwelt in a town then called Pengwern Powis and now Salop whose dwelling house was in the very same place where the Colledge of St. Chad now standeth This man with Cadvan King of Brittain Morgan King of Demetia and Bledericus King of Cornwall gave an overthrow to Ethelfred King of Northumberland upon the river Dee an 617. of whom the Ancestours of divers in Wales living at this day are known by ancient books and records to have descended Mervin Vrich and Esylht the Daughter of Conan The first year of the reign of Mervin Vrich and Esylht his wife Egbert King of the Saxons entered into VVales with a great and puissant army and destroyed the whole Country unto
Snowden hills and seised into his hands the Country of Rhyvonioc in Denbighshire About this time there was a great battail fought in Anglesey called the battail of Lhanvaes In this year being the 819. ab incarnatione 819. Kenulph King of Mercia destroyed West VVales and the Summer following he overcame Powis land and did much hurt and after died and Kenelme reigned in his place About the same year also Howel King of Man died much about this time 828. a great battail was fought at a place called Gavelford betwixt the Brittains and the VVest Saxons of Devonshire and many thousands cruelly slain upon either side the victory being uncertain In or about the year 836. the Danes landed in VVest VVales and so passing through VVales into England with many of the Brittains which joyned with them against Egbert but they were all overthrown by Egbert at Hengistdown who died the year following In the year 841. died Edwalhan a noble man of Wales And two years after was the battail of Kettel betwixt Burchard King of Mercia and the Brittans where in as some do write 841. Mervin Vrich King of the Brittains was slain leaving behind him a son called Rodri Maur that is to say Roderick the great from Rodri by his son Anarawd who bore for his arms Or three Lyons passant Gules Mervin whose coate was Or a Lyon rampant Gules and Cadel who took for his armes Gules a Lyon Ramp within a border engraled Or the worshipful and flourishing families of the Morgans in Monmothshire who to this day quarter the two last coats by matches and coheirs are rightly descended of which line William Morgan of Lantarnam Esq who marryed Lady Frances daughter to the Earl of VVorcester derived his pedegree leaving issue Sr Edward Morgan first Baronet of that linage father to Sr. Edward Morgan Baronet now living Henry Morgan and Winefred Wife to Percy Enderbid Compiler of this book Roderike the Great Roderike the great began his reign over VVales the year after Christ his incarnation 843. This Prince divided all VVales into the three territories of Aberstraw Dinivour The description of Wales by Sr. John Price Kt and Hump. Lhoyd Gent. and Mathraval But before we proceed any further be pleased to read over the description of Cambria now called VVales drawn first by Sir John Price Knight and afterwards augmented and made perfect by Humphrey Lhoyd Gent. Forasmuch as it is necessary for the understanding of the VVelsh history to know the perfect description of the Country of VVales to the end the acts atchieved and done may the better be known I thought good somewhat to travail therein and so to lay down the same as it was in those daies and as it is now that the Reader may by conference of both times the better understand both what hath passed from the time of Cadwalader and what hereafter is to ensue Therefore after the three Sons of Brutus had divided the whole Isle of Brittain into three parts that part contained within the French Seas with the Rivers of Severn called in Brittish Hafern Dee and Humber fell to the eldest Son Locrinus which was after his name called Lhoyger which name it hath in the Brittish Tongue to this day but in English called England and is augmented Northward to the River Tweed The second Son or as some say the third Albanactus had all the Land Northward from Humber to the Sea Orkney called in the Brittish Tongue Norweryth and in Latine Mare Calidonium The third Son Camber or rather the second had for his part that remained undivided lying within the Spanish and Irish Seas and separated from England by the Rivers Severn Dee part was after his name called Cambria and the Inhabitants thereof Cambri and their Language Camberaec and so are at this day so that they have kept the same Countrey and Language this 2690. years and above saith this Authour when that Chronicle was printed which bears no date without commixtion with any other Nation especially in North Wales And because the name of the Country is changed or rather mistaken by the inhabitants of England and not by them called Cambry but Wales I think it necessary to declare the occasion thereof which is That whereas the Saxons a people of Germany were the first that after the Brittains inhabited and ruled the greatest part of this Island and drove the Brittains into that corner a which according to the manner of their countrey they called VVales Wales why so called and the countreymen VVelshmen and the Tongue VVelsh that is to say strange or not of them understood for at this day the Inhabitants of the Low-countreys call all their next Neighbours Language Henegaw or others that speak French VValsh as a Language to them unknown Likewise the Inhabitants of Tyroll and other the higher countryes of Germany do name the Italian their next Neighbour a VValshman and his language VValsh And this is an evident proof that they which harped upon a Queen Gwallaes Not from Queen Gwalaes Nor from Prince Wala and of a Prince VValla of whom neither Brittish Latine or English History makes mention were fouly deceived and so likewise was a great Historiographer of late daies who saith that it was called VValia quasi Italia because the rest of the Romanes which remained in the Isle were driven thither Neither is this any new invention although Polidore Virgil with an Italian brag doth glory his self to be the first that found it out Polidore Virgil his brag for divers antient Writers do alledge the same cause of the name of VVales of whom Sylvester Giraldus is one who writ in the time of Henry the Second after the Conquest before 380 passed which is an evident token that the said Polidore Virgil did either never see it or at least not read the ancient Histories of this Kingdome or else dissembleth the same to the advancement and praise of himself and his countrey which to the learned and indifferent Reader shall appear to be the only occasion he took that work in hand Polidores jugling in his History for all his book redoundeth only to the praise and honour of the Romanes as well Spiritual as Temporal and to blaze forth their Acts and Deeds within this Realm and upon the other part he doth either openly slander or else privately extenuate or shamefully deny the Martial prowess and Noble Acts as well of Saxons Danes and Normans as of the Brittains all inhabiters of this Isle which thing he that lists to prove let him read and confer Caesars Commentaries Cornelius Tacitus Herodianus and other ancient Writers as well in Latine as in Greek with his works As for the Ancient Writers of the Brittish History as the Brittish Chronicle the History of Gildas Ponticus Virunnius yea the golden work of Matthew Paris Monk of Saint Alban who writ from William the Conquerour to the last year of Henry the Third I dare say he
being there writ a description of the Country as he did also of England and Wales Some affirm he was Archdeacon of Landaff Of Brecknock and St. Davids he was for certain being elect unto this See An. 1199 he made challenge unto the title of an Archbishop at Rome which controversy how it was debated and ended ye may read at large in R. Hoveden his report of the year aforesaid He was once accused of treason but happily acquitted lived till he was 70. years of age and upward and dying was buryed in his own Church He writ many books the Catalogue whereof ye may find in Bale 50. Jorwerth or Edward was consecrated 1215. 51. Alselmus or Anselmus 52. Thomas Archdeacon of Lincolne a Welshman and a great Clerk forsaking other great preferments accepted of this Bishoprick being a miserable poor thing at that time the year 1247. 53. Richard Carren 54. Thomas Beck he founded two Colledges one at Abergwily and another at Lhan-dewybreny 55. David Martin 56. Henry Gower he built the Bishops Pallace at Saint Davids and dyed in the year 1347. 57. John Teresbie or Thorsby Translated to Worcester 1349 and thence to York 1352. 58. Riginald Brian translated to Worcester 1352. 59. Thomas Fastock died the year 1361. 60. Adam Houghton founded a colledg neer to the Cathedral Church of St. David he was Chancellour of England for a time about the year 1376. 61. John Gilbert Bishop of Bangor was translated to Hereford 1376. and thence hither 1389. 62. Guido de Mona died in the year 1407 who while he lived saith Walsingham was a cause of much mischief 63. Henry Chichley was consecrated at Sienna by the Popes own hand June the 12. 1409. sat five years and was translated to Canterbury 64. John Keterich or Catarich sometime Archdeacon of Surry was translated hence to Coventry and Lichfield the year 1415. and after to Exceter 65. Stephen Patrington a Jacobine Fryer as one saith or rather a Carmelite as another saith being at the Councel of Constance was by the Pope translated to Chichester in December 1417. as the records of St. Davids do affirm others say and I take it to be true that he refused to accept of the Popes gift 66. Benit Nicols Bishop of Bangor suceeded him 67. Thomas Rodborn a man of great learning was brought up in Oxford and became first Archdeacon of Sudbury then Bishop of St. Davids he writ divers works amongst the rest a History or Chronicle The year 1434 the King endeavoured to translate him to Ely but could not 68. William Lynwood Doctour of Law first Chancellour to the Archbishop of Canterbury then keeper of the privy seal having first been employed in Embassages to the Kings of Spain Portugal and other Princes He writ much amongst other his works he is famous for putting in order such provincial constitutions as had been made by the Archbishops of Canterbury from the time of Stephen Langton unto Henry Chichley he florished about the year 1440 but just what time he became Bishop or when he died I cannot tell He lyeth buryed at St. Stephens in Westminster 69. John Langton dyed within 15. dayes after his consecration 70. John de le Beer 71. Robert Tully a Monk of Glocester This man I take to be him that by the name of Robert Sherborne is said to have been translated to Chichester the year 1508. 72. Richard Martin 73. Thomas Langton 74. Hugh Pany he impropried to the Vicars Choral of St. Davids the Church of Lan-saint-Fred 75. John Morgan dyed in the Priory of Caermarthyn and was buried in his own Church 76. Edward Vaughan built a new chappel in his church of St. David 77. Richard Rawlin 78. William Barlow translated to VVells having sat here 10 years about the year 1548 and after to Chichester 79. Robert Ferrar of whom read Fox if ye please 80. Henry Morgan died Decemb. 23. 1559. 81. Thomas Young staying here but a very short time was translated to York February 25. 1561. 82. Richard Davis Bishop of Asaph 83. Marmaduke Midleton Bishop of Waterford in Ireland 84. Anthony Rud Doctor of Divinity born in Yorkshire brought up in Cambridge after he had been the space of nine years Dean of Glocester was consecrated June the 9. 1594. 85. Richard Milbourne translated to Carlile 86. VVilliam Laud 1621. translated to VVells 1626. from thence to London being Chancellor of Oxford lastly translated to Canterbury 1633. and lastly beheaded on Tower-hill 87. Theoph. Field 1627. translated to Hereford 1635. 88. Roger Mainwaring Bishop of St. Davids 1641. at the beginning of that Parliament so fatall to Bishops The Bishoprick of St. Davids was valued in the Exchequer at 426 l 22d ob and in the Popes books at 1500 Ducates Let us now return to our former matter in hand About the year 1149. Owen Prince of Northwales did build a castle at Yale Yale Castle Lhanrystyd castle built and his brother Cadwalader built another at Lhanrystyd and gave Cadogan his son part of Caerdigan Toward the end of this year Madoc the son of Meredyth ap Blethyn did build the castle of Oswestrie which now gives the title of a Barony to the honourable family of the Howards and gave his Nephews Owen and Meiric the sons of Gruffith ap Meredyth his part of Cynelioc Oswestrie Castle built The year after Prince Owen did imprison Conan his son for certain faults committed against his father Also Prince Owens son took his Uncle Cadwalader prisoner and brought his country and castle to his subjection At this time also Cadelh the son of Gruffith ap Rees fortified the castle of Caermarthyn and from thence conducted his army to Cydwely where he destroyed and spoyled all the country and after his return he joyned his forces with Meredyth and Rees his brothers and entering Caerdigan wan that part called Is-Aeron Not long after there fell a variance betwixt Randol Earl of Chester and Owen Prince of Northwales The Welsh still joyn with their enemies to cut their own throats which caused Randal to gather supplies and Auxilaries from all his friends in England to whom Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powis disdaining to hold his lands of Owen joyned all his power and they both together entred Prince Owens land who like a worthy Prince not suffering the spoyle of his Subjects met them at Counsylht and boldly bade them battail which they refused not but being more in number The Welsh obtained an admirable victory against the Normans and better armed and weaponed were glad of the occasion yet before the end they threw away both weapons and armour and trusted to their feet whom the Northwales men did so pursue that few escaped but were either slain or taken the chief Chieftains excepted whose nimble horses carryed them swiftly away In the year 1150. Cadelh Meredyth and Rees the sons of Gruffith ap Rees Prince of Southwales conquered all Caerdigan from Howel the son of Prince Owen except the Castle of Lhanvihengel
to this See July the 20 1595. and translated to St. Asaph September the 16 1601. 1601. 68 Francis Godwin translated to Hereford this Francis Godwin being then Subdean of Exceter was he who compiled the Catalogue of Bishops here cited year 1618 1618. 69 George Carleton translated to Chichester year 1619 1619. 70 Theophilus Field translated to St. Davids year 1628 1628. 71 John Murrey Bishop first in Ireland a Scot by Nation had his Majesty had Bishopricks sufficient to have stoptd all their mouths Episcopacy had not so been bandied against 1639. 72 Morgan Owen Bishop 1641. This Bishoprick was valued in the Exchequer at 154 l. 14 s. 1 d. and paid for first fruits 700 Ducats year 1155 In the beginning of King Henry the 2d. his reign and in the year of our Lord God 1155 Rees ap Gruffith ap Rees whom the Welsh book surnameth Lord Rees and all the Latine and English Writers of that times name King of South Wales did leavy all his Forces to defend his Countrey from Owen Gwineth whom he understood to be raising of men to conquer South Wales So that Rees came as far as Aberdyni over against North Wales and perceiving the rumour to be false built a Castle there and so returned back Caerneon Castle built At the same time Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powis did build a Castle at Caerneon besides Pymer at that time Meyric his nephew escaped out of prison where he had been long kept Eglwys Vair built then also Eglwys Vair in Myvot was built At this time King Henry banished the Flemmings whom King Stephen had brought in and sent some of them to their cozens into West VVales About this time Caradocus Lhanoarvan who is reputed and taken of all learned men to be the Authour of the Welsh History ended his Collections of the Brittish Transactions from Cadwalader to this present time of whom some studious Antiquary composed this following Distichon Historiam Britonum doctus scripsit Caradocus Post Cadwalladrum Regia scripta notans In these two Abbies the Princes of Wales were usually buried The Successions and Acts of the Princes of VVales after this time until the year 1270 were kept and recorded from time to time in the Abbeys of Conwey in North VVales and Stratflur in South VVales as witnesseth Gutryn Owen who living in the dayes of Edward the 4th wrote the best and most perfect copy of the same year 1157 The King gathered his Forces from all parts of England intending to subdue North VVales being thereunto procured and moved by Cadwalader whom the Prince his brother had banished out of the land and bereaved of his living and by Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powis who envied at the liberty of North VVales which knew no Lord but one and hereupon the King conducted his Army to VVestchester and encamped on the march called Saltney So also Owen like a valiant Prince listed all his people fit for service and came to the utter Mears of his land purposing to give the King battel and encamped himself at Basingwerk which thing when the King understood he selected out of his Army divers of the chiefest bands and sent certains Earls and Lords with them towards the Princes Camp and as they passed the Wood called Coed Zulo David and Conan the Princes sons met with them and fiercely assaulted them and what by reason of the advantage of the ground and suddenness of the action the Englishmen were put to flight and many slain the rest being pursued to the Kings Camp They being exceedingly vexed with this disaster removed alongst the Sea coast thinking to get betwixt Owen and his Countrey but Owen fore-seeing the intent retreated back to a place which is called to this day Cil Owen that is Owens retreat and the King came to Ruthlan In the first voyage of King Henry against the VVelsh he was put in great danger of his life in a strait at Counsylth not far from Flint where Henry of Essex whose office was by inheritance to bear the Standard of England cast down the same and fled which thing so encouraged the VVelsh that the King being sore distressed had much ado to save himself and as the French Chronicle saith was glad to fly on whose part Eustare Fitz John and Robert Curcie two worthy Knights with divers other Noblemen and Gentlemen were slain After this Owen encamped and entrenched himself at Brynypin and daily skermished with the Kings men whilst in the mean time the King fortified the Castle of Ruthlan his Navy which guided by Madoc ap Meredyth Prince of Powis anchored at Môn or Anglesey and landed the Souldiers who spoiled two Churches and some of the countrey thereabout but as they returned unto their ships all the strength of the Isle set upon them Sacriledge punished and slew them all so that none of those who plundered the Churches brought tidings of their fortune The Marriners beholding this liked not the harbor but weighed up anchors made for Chester in the mean time there was a peace concluded between the King and the Prince K. Hen. buildeth a house for the Templers in Wales upon condition that Cadwalader should have his lands again his brother should be friendly unto him Then the King having the Castles of Ruthlan and Basywerk well fortified and manned after he had built a house thereby for the Templers returned into England At that time also Jorwerth Goch ap Meredyth got the Castle of Yale and burnt it Yale Castle burnt The year following Morgan ap Owen was traiterously slain by the men of Jorwerth ap Meyrick with whom died the best Poet in the Brittish Tongue of his time called Gurgan ap Rees and his brother Jorwerth got the Town or City of Caerleon upon Vsk Caerlheon upon Vsk City taken and the lands of Owen Now it was that the King made peace with all the Lords and Princes of VVales except Rees ap Gruffith ap Rees Prince of South VVales which Rees fearing the Kings power caused his people to remove their cattel and goods to the Wilderness of Tywy he still making War against the King Therefore the King sent for him to come to his Court to conclude a peace before the Forces both of England and VVales should be sent for him Rees after consultation came to the King and an order was taken that Rees should enjoy the Cantref Mawr as it should please the King so that his land should be whole together and not in divers Places and Shires but the King did contrary to his promise appointing Rees divers lands in several Places and Lordships intermingled with other mens lands which deceit although he perceived well enough yet he received it piece-meal as it was and lived quietly until Roger Earl of Clare hearing this came to the King and desired his Highness to give him such lands in VVales as he could win which the King granted Then he came with a
chased to their ships and thus the King being not able to do any more Mat Paris p. 917. manned and victualled his Castles and so returned home Of this Voyage a certain Nobleman being then in the Kings Camp wrote thus to his friend about the end of Septemb. 1245. year 1245 The King with his army lyeth at Gannock fortifying of that Strong Castle and we lie in our Tents thereby Gannoc castle watching fasting praying and freezing with cold we watch for fear of the Welshmen who are wont to invade and come upon us in the night time we fast for want of meat for the half penny loaf is worth five pence The Welshmen teach the Englishmen three excellent vertues of watching fasting praying we pray to God to send us home again speedily we starve for cold wanting our winter Garments and having no more but a thin linnen cloth betwixt us and the wind there is an arme of the sea under the Castle whereunto the tide cometh and many ships come up the haven thither and bring victuals to the Camp from Ireland and Chester this arme of the sea lyeth betwixt us and Snowdon where the Welshmen abide now and is about a flight shot over when the tide is in There came to the mouth of that haven a certain ship from Ireland with victuals to be sold upon Munday before Michaelmas day which being negligently look't unto Maâ— Par. p. 924. was set on drie ground at the low ebb at the further side of the water over against the Castle which thing when the Welshmen saw they came down from the hills and assaulted the vessel being now upon drie ground whereupon we on the otherside beholding the same sent over by boats 300 Welshmen of the borders of Cheshire and Shropshire with certain Archers and armed men to the rescue of the said ship whereupon the Natives withdrew to their accustomed places in the rocks and woods whom our men followed as far as two miles being on foot by reason they could transport no horses and slew many of them Our men being over geeedy and covetous spoiled the Abbey of Aberconwey and burned all the houses of Office belonging to the same Which doing caused the Welshmen to run thither Aberâ—onwey Abbey plundered by the English who like desperate men set upon our Souldiers being loaden with spoyles and slew a great number of them following the rest to the water side of whom some got to the boats and so escaped and some cast themselves into the water and were drowned and such as they took they hanged and beheaded every one In this conflict we lost many of our men The Welsh revenge the sacriledge especially of those that were under the conduct of Richard Earle of Cornwal and Sr. Alen Buscel Sr. Adam de Maio Sr. Geffry Estuemy one Raymond a Gascoyne whom the King highly fancied and divers others besides 100. of common Soldiers In the mean time Sr. Walter Bisset worthily defended the said ship untill the tide came and then came away with the same manfully wherein there were 60 Tuns of wine besides other provision c. Many other things are contained in the said writing of the hard shifts that we made in the Kings camp for victuals and the dearth of all things that were to be eaten In the beginning of the year 1246. David Prince of Wales after he had gotten the love of his subjects and atchived many notable victories dyed and was buryed at Conwey by his father after he had ruled Wales five years leaving no issue of his body to the great discomfort of the Land Mr. Mills speaking of this David saith he was disquieted with a number of cares in his life time he wasted and destroyed his Country he did many slaughters and after perjury and killing of his brother was overwearied with sundry tribulations He left Wales most miserably desolate and disquiet so as they found this saying true Every Kingdom divided in it self shall be made desolate he caused the Nobles to swear fealty unto him and so continued Prince 6. years and died Anno 1246. Lhewelyn and Owen the sons of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn When all the Lords and Barons of Wales understood of the death of their prince they came together and called for Lhewelin and Owen Goch the sons of Gruffith son to Prince Lhewelyn brother to David as next Inheritors for they esteemed not Roger Mortimer son to Gladis Râ—g Mortimer right heir put by his right sister to David and right inheritor by order of Law and did them homage who divided the principality betwixt them two The King hearing of the death of prince David sent one Nicholas de Miles as Justice of Southwals to Caermarthin and with him in commission Meredyth ap Rees Gryc K. H. 3. makes another attempt against Wales but in vain and Meredyth ap Owen ap Gruffith to dis-inherit Maelgon ap Vachan of all his lands wherefore the said Maelgon fled to the princes into Northwales for succour with Howel ap Meredith whom the Earle of Clare had by force spoyled of all his lands in Glamorgan against whom the King came with a great army who after he had remained a while in the Country and could do no good returned home again The Prince of Northwales was a superiour prince of all Wales to whom the other princes of Southwales and Powis did pay a certain tribute yearly as appeareth by lawes of Howel Dha and in divers places of this history and was the right heir of Cadwalader as is evident by all writers whose line of the heir male from Roden Mawr endeth in this David the son of Lhewelin the son of Jorwerth the son of Owen Gwineth the son of Gruffith the son of Conan the son of Jago the son of Edwal the son of Meiric the son of Edwal Voel the son of Anarawd the son of Roderi Mawr the son of Eselht the daughter and sole heir of Conan Tindathwy the son of Roderike Molwynoc the son of Edwal Ywrich the son of Cadwalader the last King of the Brittains Lhewelin ap Jorwerth prince of Northwales father to David married two wives the first Jone Daughter of K. John by whom he had David who dyed without issue and Gladis married to Mortimer from which match the Kings of England are descended by the mothers side from Cadwalader About this time Harold King of Man came to the Court and did homage to K. Henry M. Paris p. 938 The K. of Man doth homage to the K. of England and he dubbed him Knight the Summer following Rees Vachan son to Rees Mechyl got the Castle of Carvec Cynnen which his mother of meer hatred conceived against him had delivered to the Englishmen The Abbots of Conwey and Stratflur made sute to the King for the body of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn which he granted unto them and they conveyed it unto Conwey where he was honourably buryed In the year 1254.
to him that searcheth out their Histories but I intending to finish the History during the Government of the Brittains have sought out in other Chronicles written in the Latine tongue especially in the Chronicle of Nicholas Trivet King Hen 3. dyeth who wrote from the begining of the raign of King Stephen to the Coronation of Edward the second and such other as much as I could find concerning this matter In the year 1272. dyed King Henry the third and Edward his Son coming from the holy Land two years after was crowned at Westminster King of England to which Coronation the Prince of Wales refused to come although he was sent for alledging for his excuse that he had offended many Noblemen of England and therefore would not come in danger without he had for pledges the Kings brother with the Earl of Glocester and Robert Burnell Chief Justice of England wherewith the King was highly displeased year 1274 King Edward could never brook P. Lhewelyn since the time that he was compelled to flight by him at their meeting in the Marches as before Thom. Walsh on the other side Lhewelyn liked no better of the King then the King did of him again those Noblemen who for their disobedience were dis-inherited by Lhewelyn were received and entertained by King Edward which things caused the Prince to fear some evil practice by those and other such as hated him if he should have been at the Kings Coronation to do his homage and fealty according to the writ directed unto him in that behalfe as appeareth by an instrument sent by the said Prince to Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Yorke and other Bishops sitting then at their Convocation in the new Temple at London Anno. 1275. wherein the causes of this war are contained which instrument it self as it was then sent is extant to this day written in parchment with the Princes great seal thereunto appendant which I have seen saith this Author and copied out of the Original verbatim Mr. Lhoyd being then in the custody of Thomas Yale Doctor of Law of late Dean of the Arches a great searcher and preserver of the antiquities of Wales which I thought convenient here to lay down for the fuller understanding of this History Reverendissimis in Christo Patribus Dominis Roberto Dei gratia Archiepiscopo Cant. totius Angliae Primati Archiepis Eborum ac eorum suffraganis c. To the most Reverend Fathers in Christ and Lords Robert Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of England and the Archbishop of Yorke and their Suffragans being now together at London in Councel Their devote Son Lhewelyn Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon greeting with due Obedience Reverence and Honour in all things Be it known unto your reverend Father-hoods that where heretofore contention and discord whereof war followed and long continued arose betwixt the King of Noble memory Henry King of England of the one party and us of the other party the same contentions and strife were at the last appeased by authority of the See Apostolick and means of the reverend Father Lord Otobanus Deacon and Cardinal of St. Adrian Legate into England as it appeareth in the form of Treaty and Peace betwixt the said King and Edward his first begotten Son Lord Edward now King of England and their Successors on the one party and us and our Successors on the other party by the corporal Oath of both parties assured Which form of peace was committed to writing with the said Legate with the seal of the said King and the seal of the said Lord Edward now King and with our seal also in the which peace it is contained amongst other things as you do well know as we believe that we and our Successors should hold of the King and his Successors the Principality of Wales So that all Welsh Barons should hold their Baronies and Lands of us and our Successors in Capite and should do homage and fealty to us and to our heirs one Baron excepted for the which we and our Successors should do homage and fealty to the Lord the King and his Successors It is further contained in the same peace that neither the said King nor his Successors should receive any of our Enemies or any running from us or our Successors nor should help or maintain any such against us or our Successors The which all are contained in the form of peace the Tenor whereof the Reverend Fathers of Strata Florida and Aberconwey bearers hereof can shew you But see Reverend Fathers the Lord Edward now King of England after the said peace taketh into his hands certain Barons Lands in Wales of which they and their Ancestors have been long possessed and keepeth a Barony in his hands which should be ours by the form of peace other Barons of our Land being from us fugitives runing to him he keepeth helpeth and maintaineth David ap Gruffith and Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn who purposed our death and destruction Notwithstanding that since their departure they have robbed within our Land committed slaughter and burning of houses do daily the like against the peace aforesaid and although we have often sent our griefs and complaints by solemn messengers to the said Noble Lord Edward as well before he was King as since yet unto this day he never did any redress therein also that which is more perilous he called us unto a place not to us safe amongst our deadly Enemies our fugitives and fellons and their spies and murderers to do him homage and fealty to which place we can no wayes come without danger of our body especially seeing our Enemies above said to be in that place at the Kings table and sometimes in Councel and openly brag themselves And though lawfull and reasonable excuses were alledged by our messengres before the King and his Councel why the place was not safe nor indifferent yet he refused to allow or appoint any other place indifferent for us to do homage and fealty which we were and are ready to do unto him in any safe place by him to be appointed if he will appoint any and to perform the other articles of the peace concluded and sworn And for that it pleaseth him not to come to any place where we could with safety do him homage we were suiters to him to send any from him to receive our oath and homage untill it pleased him to appoint a place where we shall do our homage to him personally the which thing he utterly denyed to do We therefore beseech your Father-hoods earnestly that it may please you to consider what danger should happen to the people both of England and of Wales by reason of the breach of Covenants of peace abovesaid if now wars and discord should follow which God forbid attending and calling to remembrance the prohibition of the Holy Father the Pope lately in the Councel at Lyons that no war should be moved amongst Christians least thereby the
affairs of the holy Land should be neglected that it would please you also to help with your Councel with the Lord and King that he would use us and order us according to the peace agreed upon the which we will no way infringe And if he will not hearken to your Counsel therein which God forbid that you will hold us excused for we will no waies as much as lieth in us procure the trouble and disquietness of the Realm And if it may please you to give credit to our messengers which we do send to the King at the day by him to us appointed to alledge our lawful excuses in those things which they by mouth shall on our part shew unto You resting to do Your will and pleasure if it please You to write again Dated at Talybont the eight Day of October Anno 1275. year 1277 Shortly after the King came to Chester Thom. Walsh fol. 6. Mar. West p. 364. willing the Prince to come thither and do him homage which when the prince detracted to do the King gathered an army to compel him thereto The year following the Countesse of Leicester wife to Simon Montfort which remained at a Nunnery in France sent her daughter to Wales to marry the prince as it was ' agreed betwixt them in her Fathers time and with her came her brother Admerike and a courtly company who fearing the coast of England bent their voyage to the Isle of Sylly whereby chance they met with four ships of Bristol which set upon and took them and brought them to the King who entertains the Lady houourably sending her brother to be kept prisoner in the castle of Corff from whence he was removed to the castle of Sherburne Then the King prepared two armies A prodigious Omen to Wales whereof the one he conducted himself to Northwales as far as Ruthlan and fortified the castle and the other he sent with Paganis de Camurtiis a worthy Souldier to Westwales they burned and destroyed a great part of the Country and this year itrained blood in divers places of Wales The year ensuing the Lords of Southwales came to the Kings peace The jangling of the Welsh among themselves their utter overthrow and did him homage and delivered the Castle of Stratywy unto the K. Lieutenant Paganus de Camurtli if his sirname be not mistaken for de Cadurcis it is the family of Chaworth in Notinghamshire This Prince understanding this and seeing that his own people had forsaken him sent to the King for peace which was agreed upon these conditions 1. First that all such as the Prince kept prisoners of the Kings and for his cause should be set at liberty 2. Item That the Prince should pay to the King for his favour and good will 50000 marks to be paid at the Kings pleasure 3 Item That four Cantreds should reman to the King and his heirs for ever which Cantreds I think were these cantref Ros where the Kings Castle of Teganny stood cantref Rynivioc where Denbigh cantref Tegengl where Ruthlan standeth and cantref Dyffryn Clwd where Ruthin is 4 Item That the Lords Merchers should quietly enjoy all the Lands that they had conquered within Wales 5. Item That the Prince should pay yearly for the Isle of Môn or Anglesey 1000 marks which payment should begin at Michaelmas then next ensuing and that also he should pay 5000 marks out of hand and if the prince dyed without issue the Isle should remain to the King and his heirs 6 Item That the Prince should come to England every Christmas to do the King homage for his lands 7. Item That all the Barons in Wales should hold their lands of the King except 5. in Snowden who should ackowledg the Prince to be their Lord. 8. Items that he should for his lifetime enjoy the name of Prime and none of his heirs after him so that after his death the foresaid five Barons should hold of the King and none other 9. Item that for the performance of the Articles the prince should deliver for hostages ten of the best in Wales without imprisonining disinheriting or time of deliverance determined and also the King to choose twenty within Northwales that should take their oathes with the prince for performance of these Articles and if the Prince should swerve from any of them and being thereof admonished would not amend and redresse the same Th. Walsh p. 7 they should forsake him and become his enemies The prince was also bound to let his brethren enjoy their lands in Wales of whom David had long served the King whom the King had made Knight contrary to the manner of Wales and had given him in marriage the daughter of the Earle of Derby whose first husband was lately deceased to whom the King gave Denbigh in Northwales and 1000l lands therewith And his other brother Roderike was lately fled to England out of prison and Owen the third was delivered at this composition This peace was concluded in the Kings absence who appointed one his Commissioners Mr. Trinet Sol p. 787. to wit the Lord Ripiost to take an oath of him and authorised the said Robert Antonio Becke and William de Southampton Prior Provincial of the Friers predicant Commissioners appointed on his behalf to receive the like oath of the said Lhewelyn for whose part Theodor or Tudor ap Ednivet and Grono ap Heilin were Commissioners At this time the King builded a Castle at Aberystwyth returned into Eng. with much honour unto whom the people granted a subsidy of the twentieth part of their goods towards his charges in this war The year following the marriage was celebrated at Worcester betwixt Elianor daughter to Simon Montfort and prince Lhewelin where the King Queen and the most part of the Nobility of England were present Also the year after Roger Mortimer set up at Killingworth a round table for a hundred Knights to be exercised in the feats of arms The Kof Scots sucâ—ouâ—eth against the Welsh and thither resorted many Knights from divers Countries At this time the King of Scots did homage to K. Edward and obtained the Kings letters that his succours in the last wars of Wales were not done by the name of service but good will The peace concluded betwixt the prince of Wales and the King of England did not long continue by reason of the severe and strict dealing of such Officers as the King appointed rulers in the Marshes and the Inland country of Wales who hunting after their own gains oppressed the Inhabitants burdening them with new exactions contrary to the custom of the country and also shewing themselves too much affectionate and partial in matters of controversy betwixt party party especially when any Englishman had to do in the matter which poling and partiality did altogether alienate the hearts of the people from the King of England so that they had rather die then live in such thraldom whereupon assembling
King Tros is called Troia which name long time after it retained This King had three Sons Ilus Assaricus and Ganimedes all which he brought up in the knowledge of Arms and Martial Discipline unto which kinde of study he himself was much addicted and had many years together maintained Wars with the King of Grete named Jupiter the fourth of that name there In which Wars his Son Ganimedes was taken prisoner even by the hands of Jupiter himself who for that in his Ensign and Colours The Antiquity of bearing of Arms and badges of honour he gave an Eagle being his arms it should seem that Poets for that cause have feigned that Ganimede as he was hunting was snatcht up to heaven by Jupiter then transformed unto an Eagle and that he is now taken for one of the 12. Signs of the Zodiack called Aquarius Some other Authors also write that one Tantalus King of High Phrygia and Paphlagonia a most miserable covetous and avaricious Prince had laid certain snares and private means to entrap Ganimede and to take him prisoner as he used to sport himself in Hunting thinking by that devise to get a mighty ransom from Tros for redeeming of him and that this Tantalus sent him to Jupiter for to secure him and to have half the ransom that should be payed for his delivery and hence it may be that the Poets feign that Tantalus is plagued and tormented in Hell standing up to the chin in water and apples hanging down to his lips and yet can neither touch the one nor taste the other Tros thus having lost his son studied upon revenge and in the mean time comforted himself with his two other sons Ilus and Assaracus and this Ilus called Troy afterward Ilion who begot a son named Laomedon the father of the renowned Priamus and of Assaracus issued and came Anchises who was father to Æneas who as we said before married Creusa a legitimate daughter of King Priamus so that we see both by the Male and Female line in this marriage our Warlike Brute derives his lineal descent from Dardanus and so from Noe. Æneas after the fatal destruction of Troy gathered together the remnant and parcel of the War-shaken and distressed Trojans with whom he embarked and hoysing sail committed himself with the lives and fortunes of all his followers and fellow Adventurers to Fate and the protection of the Supream and highest Providence three years was he tossed not only with the merciless billows of the ever-unconstant Ocean but also by such Destinies as seemed no ways to favour his designs at last smiling fortune wasted his weather beaten Navy unto the Italian Continent where no sooner arrived having scarce refreshed his over-toyled Troops but Mars puts him upon present action Latinus king of the Country endeavours to impeach his setling and denies him admittance from words they come to blows Bellona seems to take no small pleasure to hear the groans of souls departing from their bodies ready to forsake their long enjoyed habitations many are the assaults approaches conflicts and combats which daily pass betwixt the two enraged parties the one labouring to encroach the other to keep his own Venus not willing to have Mars too long kept from her charming and soft embraces contrives to set a period to those bloody broyls a match must be concluded between the unparalleld Trojan Heroe and the fair Lavinia Latinu's daughter and sole inheritrix of that vast Kingdom Lucina favours the design and from this new married Couple of Matchless Progenitors in due time is born a son from whose loyns the worlds greatest Emperours and Brittains Warlike Kings deduce their Progenies From this branch budded forth our Brutus Some Writers will have him to descend from Silvius Posthumus Policronica Guido de Columna with others affirm that Ascanius the first son of Aenaeas by his first wife had a son named Sylvius Aenaeas who was Father to Brutus It is commonly held that the mother of Brutus died in Child-bed of this son and that at his coming to the age of fifteen years casually many and secret are the designs of the Celestial Star-chamber shooting at a wild and savage beast unfortunately though not ungraciously as being an act contrary to his will or intention slew his own Father for which Act divine Providence having designed him for this our Iland by the common consent and decree of the Magistrates of Latium he was adjudged to exile and for ever to be banished from his Country Necessity compels him to shift for himself neither yet so distressed or ill beloved but that he is followed by Troops of the noblest and most Heroick Spirits of his time who partly attracted by that worth which they finde innate in him and partly pusht forward with an ardent desire to purchase honour to their never dying fames engage both lives and fortunes â—ith him being now sufficiently stored with all manner of Provisions they put to Sea shaking hands for ever with their beloved Country Friends and Parents as having Spirits not confin'd to any one place Their propitious stars bring them to a province of Greece where they find encouragement as finding there many scattered Trojans so that of this unexpected aid I may say with the Prince of Poets Quid minime veris Graia pandetur ab urbe The Prince or King of this place according to some was called Vandrasus other Writers call him Vandarus Geffery of Monmouth proceedeth further and tells us that he was lineally descended from Achilles that mortal enemy of the Trojan glory and Hectors valour but Brute gathering these dispersed or it may be captived and enthralled Trojans which he found there and old Innicie received from Vlisses Agamemnon and other Chieftains of Greece sticking in their stomacks of the firing of old Ilium and the Dardanian Towers galls the almost closed sore whets his memory to call to mind things past and those once raked out of the embers of oblivion gather new flames and set all on fire with an unquenchable desire of Revenge which is so sweet and tickles the souls of those male-contents that nothing but fire and sword will serve their turn Pandrasus is assaulted in his own Court and so hardly put to â— that he is enforced to purchase his own peace by bestowing his daughter Ignogen upon Brutus and such other conditions as the almost conquering strangers please to demand the Solemnitie of these constrained Nuptials orderly finished the Trojans mutually consent to leave that place and put themselves upon new Adventures Ships are provided and questionless Vandrasus is not backward in the business willing to be rid of such unruly Guests who will take all things upon score at their own price and rates once more to Sea goes this gallant Chieftain with his new espoused Consort and Post varios casus tot discrimina rerum the whole Fleet safely arrives at an Isle in Africa as saith Guido and others called Lergesia or Leogetia in which the Superstitious
4122. Authors write very sparingly of the Acts of this King only all agree that during the time of his Reign which continued for the space of Forty years a time too long for any Tyrant he ruled insolently with Oppression and Tyranny Vindex nocentes sequitur a tergo Deus for being at his sports of Hunting he was slain and torn to pieces by Wolves and other savage Beasts leaving two Sons Mempricius and Manlius Jac bus Gordonus Scotus Fol 9. This King being Grandchild to Brute the Trojan I think it not amiss to give my Reader some satisfaction concerning Old Troy Si 300 annis stetit Regnum Trojanum caepisse oportet ante 4 annos in Dardano 1. Rege 2520. sed Dardani regnum rectius sub finem Ducatus Moysis ab hoc anno 2524. exortum putatur Nam a Dardano ad Ilii excidium sunt anni 296. Contigit igitur Ilii casus anno nostro 2820. sic enim peritiores numerant hos reges Dardanus regnavit annis 65. Erichtanus 46. Tros 40. Ilus 49. Laomedon 44. Priamus 52. Ex quibus colliguntur anni illi 296. hunc Regum Catologum ad suas neomenias reducit Scaliger lib. 2. Can. sub finem nostris annis probe consentit As for the Destruction of Troy what Homer the Greek and Virgil the Prince of Latine Poets have written I pass by as being Poetical fictions each striving to advance the glory of his own Nation But Gordon in the same Folio tells us Circae haec tempora praesertini sub Ducatu Judicis Aod ponitur Tros Dardaniae Rex tertius quem sequuti sunt alii Hic Tros à quo Trojani belium intulit Tantalo regi Phrygiae ob raptum Ganymedem and for this Gordon cites Eusebius 99. cap. 8. and so proceeds Juxta regum Catologum anno 2524. notatum sequitur hunc annum 5. quo regnavit Tros quod recte consentet tum cum Ilii excidio tum cum chronologia inter hunc Troem Tantalum ac denique cum anno quo Pelopidae Mycenis soli regnaverunt pulsis Heraclidis à Trois autem morte usque ad Atreum Tantali ex Penelope nepotem vix sunt anni 71. juxta regum annos notatos Dardania quidem anno Orbis 2524. Mycaenarum 99. c. 8. Consurgunt quoque anni tantum 20. ab obitu Trois usque ad mortem Acrisii caesi à Perseo nepote quando caepit Mycenarum regnum nec ab his alienus est Tatianus qui Pelopei è Phrygia exitum refert ad Acrisii tempora De Trojano Excidio Si quod supra indicavi condita Troja est anno Orbis 2524. Gordon fol. 11. inquem incidit initium Ducatus Josue Cum steterit Ilium annis 296. ut probatissimi Autores magno fere consensu testantur necesse est excidium hoc incidisle in annum 2820 ab orbe condito recte sunt enim sic ab eversa Troit ad primam Olympiadem anni 407. quod intervallum doctissimi quique probarunt Scaliger lib. 5. de Emen pro hac suae ac vera sententia veteres citat Ephorum Calisthenem Damascen Sane tabula Eratosthenis quam habet cap. 18. an Appen idem perspicue refert Hanc tabulam laudat sequitur Dionysius Halic Idemque intervallum ex Diodoro colligit citatus Scaliger ab hoc autem excidio ad Palilia anni consurgunt 432. hunc numerum saepe repetit Dionysius Halicar quem Glareanus alii libenter sequuntur c. MEMPRICIVS MEmpricius the Eldest Son of Madan his Father being dead by right of Inheritance was Crowned with the Royal Diadem of Brittaine about the Year of the worlds Creation 4142. but long he enjoyed not his Soveraignty without Troubles and Opposition for Manlius his younger brother a man of an Ambitious spirit Haughty and aspiring to Royal dignity would not content himself with any Titles of Honour under the degree of a King and therefore to bring this his Designe to his wisht for Period he resolves either to subdue or to expell his brother and to this purpose he insinuates himself into the bosomes of the Nobles casts Aspersions upon his brother Detracts and Malignes all his Actions and so farre prevailes that Rebellion is rais'd and an unnatural Warre taken in hand which was eagerly prosecuted on each part and continued a long time at length both Nobles and Commons finding Bellum minime bellum and perceiving these intestine broyles to wast their Country and threaten an utter Ruine incline to peace no fitter way can be thought upon then an attonement and reconciliation between the brothers and therefore a day of meeting is appointed and great hopes conceived of a final peace and Concord but Mempricius having now got his brother under the fair pretence of becoming friends into his power to avoid all Jealousies and Fears of future deceit and Treachery becomes a Traytor himselfe and by Treason caused his own brother to be slain making that saying of the Poet good Rara est concordia fratrunt This perfidious and tragical scene performed Mempricius his brother Manlius being taken away enjoyes as he conceives a happy peace this peace makes him forgetful both of his person and Honour and now fearing nothing he contemns even the Deity and precipitates not only himself but his subjects also into Sloth Idlenesse and Treachery and when the Gate is set open and free scope given to sin though nemo repente fit pessimus yet those who forsake Grace and Abandon themselves over to unlawful lusts and pleasures fall from one sin to another till they arrive at last at the very Jawes of Hell so fares it with Mempricius his Wife or Wives give him not content the fairest and choicest beauties must be his Concubines and these as many as his own wandering fancy shall think fit in these horrid sins he wallowes with all sensuality I know some of Epicurus his Scholars or rather Atheists will excuse Mempricius for this his Platonick as it is now commonly stiled love and tell you that whatsoever is natural is no sin and out of this deduce a most damnable consequence or conclusion which chast ears abhor to hear but this natural act as it is called â—â—â—fied not Mempricius he falls to that which is most unnatural the sin of Sodomy with wild and brutish Creatures and by this means becomes hateful both to God and Man but not without just punishment from Heaven for intending to disport hemself in hunting becomes a prey to wild beasts and by them is torn to pieces after he had enjoyed the Kingdome twenty years leaving to succeed him in his Throne a son by his lawful wife called Ebrank Mempricius his Reign is observed by those who write of him to have been Tyrannical Plutarch though a Panim saith De sera numinis vindicta that God doth serve himself of wicked Tyrants as of Hangmen to execute his justice upon others no lesse or more wicked then they and that as poysons are sometimes
medicinable and necessary to purge sad humors and cure diseases even so Tyrants are necessary to purge the sins and cure the vices of wicked Subjects To which end saith he Phalaris the Tyrant was ordained by Almighty God to govern the Agrigentins and Marius the Romans As for the brutish sin of Mempricius holy Gildas brings it in as one amongst the rest for which God so severely punished the Britains De excidio Britanniae and touching briefly the lives of some of the Kings and Princes that were in his time as of Constantius Aurelius Conanus Vortiporius Cuneglasus and Maglocus taxing them with Tyranny perjury sacrilegious murders and parricides committed even before the holy Altars c. yea and two of them of Sodomy for which and other general corruptions and wickedness Gildas threatneth or rather prophesyeth the utter ruine and destruction which was to follow which also Geffrey of Monmouth acknowledgeth saying that King Cadwallader the last of the Race of the Britains used these words as he fled by the Sea into France with the reliques of the Brittish Nation Vae nobis peccatoribus ob immania scaelera nostra c. And truly so great is the sin of Lust especially in Kings and great Dukes and other Commanders in the sight of God how little soever in these our sinful times we make of it that whole Kingdomes for it have been destroyed The Kingdom of Spain when it had flourished as well in Religion as Power from the time of King Richard the first Catholick King thereof for the space of 120 years the wicked King Vitiza being a man given over to all lust and carnality infected and corrupted all Spain not onely with the bad example of his one dissolute life having many Wives at once besides Concubines but also with abominable lawes whereby he gave leave to all sorts of men to have as many Wives and Concubines as they listed yea and forced Priests and such as lived Chast to Marry by which means all Spain became within a while to be no better then a common stew or brodel and although Almighty God according to his accustomed manner expected their conversion and amendment all the time of his Reign and layed only the penalty thereof upon him whom he deprived both of his Crown and of his Eye-sight by the means of Roderick who succeeded him in the Kingdome yet when the said Roderick followed his steeps as well in his vicious life as in the maintenance of his abominable Laws it pleased God of his justice to permit him to give the occasion both of his own ruine as also of the overthrow of all Spain by the sin of the flesh wherewith the whole Kingdome was as it were overflowed For as whereas King Roderick had sent a Kinsman of his own called Count Julian Ambassador into Africk and in the mean time Ravished his Daughter or as some write his Wife the Count understanding it at his return was so incensed therewith against the King that for revenge thereof he practised with the Moores to bring them into Spain who with his assistance Conquered it so speedily and with such destruction of the people that the punishment of God was most evident therein for having first overthrown King Roderick whose body could never after the battel be found they subdued almost all Spain in Eight months or in Fourteen as some say and slew 700000. of all sorts of people besides great numbers of Captives which they sent prisoners into Barbary and from that time forwards they remained in the possession of that Kingdome or in some great part thereof for the space of 700 years This example of the Conquest and subversion of Spain for the sins of the flesh was so famous and so much observed by Godly and Wise men at the same time when it hapned that St. Bonifacius a Countryman of ours and Bishop of Mentz in Cermany who lived in the same age and converted the Saxons and Frisons from Paganisme to the Christian Faith proposed it to one called Etholbud King of the Mercians to withdraw him from his dissolute life and tells him that in old Saxony where there was no Christianity there if either Maid or Wife did commit Adultery or Fornication she was first strangled and after burnt and he that corrupted her Hanged over her or else she was stripped naked to the middle and whipped by chast Matrons from Town to Town and prickt with sharp Knives till shee dyed therewith EBRANCK EBranck after the unfortunate death of his Father by the general consent and Approbation of both Nobles and Commons is invested in the Regal Dignity Anno mundi Creationis Policronica Gaufride and others 4182. Authors affirm that he had a thing in those times not unusual one and twenty wives by whom he was enriched with a plentifull and numerous off-spring to wit twenty Sons and thirty daughters whereof the most fair and beautifull was named Guales or Gualea these daughters intending to uphold the Trojan blood he sent to Alba Silvius the eleventh King of Italy or seventh of the Latines there to be espoused unto Trojans This Ebranck was a comely man Majestical and well proportioned of incomparable valour and as desirous of Martial Attempts as his Progenitor Brutus and therefore providing all Warlike Engines and Furniture correspondent to his designs he attempts to invade France which is testified by Jacobus Bergomas in the sixth of his Chronicles and Jacobus Lessabeus in the description of Henalt affirmeth the same and that he was driven back by Brunchildis Lord of Henalt with some loss of his men Yet Fabian affirmeth this Voyage to have been prosperous and successfull insomuch that what by his own fancies judgement and policie being assisted by the Trojan-Latines or Latine-Trojans where he had espoused his daughter he over-ran and conquered a great part of Germany Some Authors ascribe this Conquest and good fortune to Assaracus the second Son of Ebranck with the rest of the younger brothers and esteem it no great service or enterprise of moment for that Europe was then scarce peopled and Colonized unless towards the Sea Coasts as Dalmatia Italy and the coasts of France of these Brethren had Germany the name à Germanis fratribus who subdued it Ebrank thus fortunate either in his own undertakings or in these of his children having setled his affairs to his hearts desire begins to take into consideration the beautifying and strengthning Britannia and as Brutus about an hundred and fourty years if he built it in the second year of his Reign before to his eternal glory had built Troynovant Ebranck with no less ambition to continue and perpetuate his name and memory layeth the foundation of a glorious City calling it being fully finished after his own nomenclation Caer Ebrank which now we call York A late learned Author saith it is a common received opinion among our Antiquaries Mr. Brough fol. 280. 2. that Ebrancus son to Mempricius a hundred years after the
Brittania as we may partly see in what is already declared of York which work finished he proceeded to a second Erection and laid the foundation of Alcuid or Alcluid in Albania now Scotland which Hector Boetius M. B. f. 336. 6. the Scotch Historian in honour of his Country imagines to be Dunbritta n but another Author to whom I give more credit saith And the old Flamens City Alcluid or Alclucht was also founded by the same King viz. Ebranck of Brittain There is a question where this City for certain was but all agree near the wall of division and so the priviledges and power thereof must probably extend on both sides of that division The City Caerlile or Lugugablia was a place of this prerogative builded by Leil the seventh in number of the Brittish Kings and out of doubt had power and prerogative in both sides of the wall both in Leogria and Albania having as our Antiquaries say and experience yet proveth in it part of that famous Wall of Separation habet haec urbs aliquam partem illius muri famosi qui transcindit Northumbriam Ranulphus Higedon and others placeth an old City Vrbs Beble Vrbs Regia a Regal City upon the River of Twyde super ripam Twydi which divideth England and Scotland and if it was a Flamen or Bishops See as the ancient glory of it perswadeth to think the jurisdiction of it must needs extend into Albania The third notable place which this Ebranck founded was the Castle of Maidens which standeth at the one end of the City of Edenbrough a Castle by the Scots thought so impregnable that the grand Seignior himself with all his numerous Armies could not be able to surprize it but the valour and courage of the English in these late wars maugre all their Scotch juglings and sanctity made them know the contrary who now have it in their possession as a curb to check that Nation This Castle of Maidens or rather Edenborough it self was also an ancient Flamins City and Residence and after Converted into an Episcopall See Ebrancus not yet content with such Edifices as he had already erected layeth a fourth Foundation and called it Bamburgh but whether this was the place which we now call Bambury Burgh and Bury in their several Languages signifying the same thing I will not decide if it were Mr. Cambden saith Hic Banburie quondam Bananbyniz primum perfundit ad quod Kinricus visisaxo Britannos pro aris focis fortiter Dimicantes memorabili praelio olim fudit superiori saeculo Ricardus Nevill comes Warwicensis dum à Lancastrensibus partibus staret Eboracenses profligavit ut statim etiam ipsum Edwardum 4. consilii innopem caeperit abduxerit Nunc autem conficiendo Caseum notissimum Here Kinricus the Visisaxon in a most memorable battle overthrew the Brittains most valiantly fighting for their lives liberties and Religion and in later times Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick being for the Lancastrian party so vanquished King Edward the Fourth that ignorant which way to turn himself he took him and carried him away the place is now famous for excellent Cheese c. To end his dayes with famous glory this heroick King laid the Foundation of that long continued and learned University now called Oxford which was first known by the name of Caer Mennix and after Bellesitum a name most fit for so pleasant a place and after Caer Bossa Rhydohen in conclusion Oxenford of a certain Ford called Isis in English Ouse Howe 's fol. 9. and so instead of Ouseford Oxenford or Oxford upon which word a Student there to prefer his own University before Cambridge for Antiquity Quibles thus the Ox went over the Ford and then Camebridge Others call it Caer Mennip Galfridus calls it Caer pen huelgoit Leland from the Antiquities of Dover writeth that it was a City before the time of K. Arviragus that builded the Castle adjoyning and nameth it a most renowned city and that King Lucius builded a Church in the said Castle Referunt idem Annales Lucium regem Britannorum c. Whosoever desireth a further and more large satisfaction concerning the erecting of the several Colledges Churches Monasteries Halls and Schools let him peruse Mr. Cambden in Oxfordshire Ebranck after he had reigned Forty years and builded so many goodly Cities departed out of this life whose Corps were buried or burned at York his Obsequies being celebrated with great solemnity and left to succeed him in his Kingdome his Son Brutus the second sirnamed Green shileld BRVTE GREEN-SHIELD BRute the Second eldest Son of Evranck succeeded in the Kingdome and for that his Father had received a repulse as some write at the hand of Brunchildis Lord of Henalt Hanolt or Hannonia which lyeth on the East of Flanders 60 miles long and 48 broad containing 950 Villages and 24 Towns besides Castles The chief are Banais supposed to stand in the same place where the ancient Belgium was built Mons Condè Valencennes c. he in revenge thereof Invaded Henalt with a great Army in the Fens and Marsh land at the mouth of the River Scaldis in old time called Stadus and encamped himself upon the River Hania where between Brutus and Brunchildis was fought a fierce and bloody battel in that place which to this day is called Estambruges of the station and Camp of Brutus as Jacobus Lessabeus writeth in his description of Henalt This Brute of his lusty courage was sirnamed Greenshield he reign'd twelve years and was buried at Caer Ebranck or York LEIL LEillus or Leill Son of Brute the second commonly called Green-shield began his Reign over the Kingdome of Great Brittaine in the year of the worlds Creation Four thousand two Hundred fifty four he was a just man and one who highly esteemed Justice and Dignity and imitating the worthiest of his Predecessors in erecting ornaments for his Kingdome he laid the foundation and in time fully built the City of Carliele The Romans and Brittains had several appellations for this place sometimes calling it Lugu-vallum and Lugu-ballium and sometimes Lugu-baliam and Caerliel The Saxons after they had possest themselves of this Island called it Luell as St. Bede affirmeth Ptolomeus as some seem to affirm called it Leucopibiam and Nennius caer Lualid the old Prophesies of the Brittains which Mr. Cambden calls ridicula Britannorum vaticinia indeed he never was Friend to the Brittains and Welsh Vrbem Duballi at this day well known it is by the name of Caerlile and by the Latines Caeliolum Lugum or Lucum priscis Celtis who spake the same language with the Brittains as Mr. Cambden imagineth and but imagineth Pomponius Mela tells us it signified a Tower or Fortification and Caerlile or Lugu vallum is as much as to say Turris or munimentum ad vallum certain it is that this City flourished and was in high esteem with the Romans as may appear by several Monuments of great Antiquity which have
Epist by the Brittish History Dinuanius was also bishop there Episcopatus Guintonia Dinvanio decernitur the same author produceth an old Manuscript which testifieth another Monasterie founded at Winchester only his error is which the Antiquity doth not say that it was the Cathedral Church confounding them as one whereas both the Brittish History and Matthew of Westminster make them two several Churches otherwise he thus truly writeth a Church in Winchester according to a report that I find in an old Manuscript was first built and erected by King Lucius who abolishing Paganisme embraced Christ about the year of our Lord 180. and placing Monks in the same allotted for their maintenance large Revenues which heretofore had belonged for the most part unto the Flamens and other Heathenish Priests and this Monasterie so continued untill the persecution of Dioclesian when it was destroyed and the Monks martyred or dispersed yet upon the ceasing of the persecution it was presently within one year and thirty days new builded and the Church hallowed and dedicated unto the honour and memory of Amphibalus who was a noble Brittain that had suffered death for Christ in the late persecution by Constans bishop of Winchester in the year 309. the 15. day of March at the request of Deodatus the Abbot The first Dedication of that Church in King Lucius time 〈◊〉 Bâ—ough â—â—l â—09 by the two Legats Faganus and Damianus bishops was by that old Antiquity October the 29. 189. The Antiquities of Winchester make it more ancient and it thus continued a famous Monasterie until the year 519. at which time Cerdick the first King of the West Saxons converted the Church into a Temple of Dagon and either slew or chased away all the Monks This was that holy Sanctuary whither to the Altar of this Church one of the Sons of Mordred did flie for succour against Constantine the younger who there cruelly slew him before the Altar Constantinus filios Morâ—redi caepit alterum juvenem Wintoniae in Ecclesiam Sancti Amphibali fugientem aute altare trucidaâ—it in the year 543. others say that it continued within 17 years of St. Augustin's coming hither others continue Christians there for longer time Winchester hath honoured both Earls and Marquesses with their Titles As first 1. Saer de Quincy E. a Fess and labell of xi points 2. Robert de Quincy Gules 7. Mascles Or 33. 1. 3. Hugh de Spencer Quarterly the first and 4. arg the 2. and 3. each charged with a fret Or a bond sable 4. Lewes de Bruges Azure 10 Mascles 4. 3. 2 and 1. Or on a Canton Gules a Lyon passant gardant of the second 5. William Pawlett E. of Wiltshire and Marquesse of Winchester 6. John Pawlett 7. William Pawlett 8. William Pawlett 9. John Pawlet Marquesse of Winchester 1657. Sable 3 swords in pile Argent hilts and pomels Or a mullet for difference The Third City which this King built was Caer Septon now called Shaftsbury and Caer Paladur ut falso vulgus putabat saith Mr Cambden for he takes and draws what he can from Brittish glory it seems the Welshmen gave him no liberal hospitality in his travels for he is no friend of theirs he will by all means ascribe the building of this place to King Alfred producing this Monument and Malmsburiensis for his Author Anno Dominicae Incarnationis Elfridus Rex fecit hanc Vrbem DCCCLXXX Regni sui VIII The Saxons called this place Scheafverbyryg it may be from the broach or spice which in their language they call Scheaf in this place one Aquila whether Man or Eagle is incertain by the report of Historians is said to have prophesied the future times of this Empire and that after the Reigns of the Saxons and Normans it should again return unto the Government of the Brittish Kings In this City was St. Edward the Martyr Son of Edgar and one and thirtieth Monarch of the English Nation interred 972. being murdered at Corf Castle by his Stepmother Aelfrith to make way for her own Son to the Crown But as concerning Mr. Cambden who would gladly take away the glory of building this place from the Brittons the Predecessors and Forefathers of the Welshmen so abusively called by their Enemies and confer it upon the Saxons Hear what a learned Writer saith and a deep Searcher into Antiquities having demonstrated where the Primates and Metropolitans of this I le have their Sees which I will shew you as occasion requires after tells you where the Suffragans or ordinary bishops had theirs taking two Rules for his direction From Antiquity the one that they were placed as the custom was in our Brittish Cities the other that they were ordained where the Pagan Flamens were before Gildas writeth that Brittain had 28 Cities besides strong Castles bis denis bisque quaternis civitatibus instructa but he names them not but Ranulphus Higeden the Monk of Chester citing Alfridus tells us thus Regio Britanniae erat quondam civitatibus nobilissimis 28 Insignita The Country of Britain was in old times adorned with 28 Cities beside innumerable number of Castles defensed with strong Walls Towers Gates and Locks The Names of the Cities were these Caer Lud i.e. London Caer Ebrane i.e. York Caer Kent Canterbury Caergorongon Worcester Caerlyrion Leicester Caer Glau Glocester Caer Golden Colchester Caerrei Chichester which the Saxons anciently called Cissancester Caer Ceri Cirencester Caer went Winchester Caergrant Cambridge Caerlile Lugubalia Caerlile Caerperis Porchester Caer drom Dorchester Caerludcoit Lincoln Caer Merthin i. e. the City of Merlin Caersegen Silcester was is seated upon Thames not far from Reading Caerthleon or Caerlegion i. e. the City of Legions which first was called Lenscester but now Chester Caer Badon Bath which sometime was called the City of Achamannus Caer Paladur now ut falso credebat vulgus good Mr. Cambden here are Authors above vulgar people Septona now called Shaftsbury there are also other names of Cities sound in Chronicles This King reigned 29 years or as Fabian saith 39. who calls Septon or Shaftsbury Mount Paladur by reason that it is seated upon a Hill BLADVD the Son of Lud Hardibras BLadud the Son of Hardibras took upon him the Crown of this Iland in the year of the Worlds creation 4318. This King was much addicted to Learning insomuch that he undertook a Journey to Athens the most famous City in the World for the knowledge of Philosophy Astrology and all other Sciences whatsoever there fully to be instructed by the grave Philosophers of that place neither was he content to become learned himself learning indeed being the greatest ornament a Prince can have but he endeavoured likewise to confer so great a Treasure upon the Nobles of his Court and Subjects of his Realm and to that end he brought from Athens with him into our Brittain four learned Philosophers to lay a platform and found an habitation for the Muses and Nursery for Learning making choice of
then known neither were there any Kings the inhabitants being called Galli and Tributaries to the Romans and so continued till the time of Valentinianus the Emperor hearing Cordeilla's beauty so highly extolled her vertue so superlatively commended deems her a fit companion for his Princely bed and fortunes if so rare a Jewel may be purchased Upon a mature resolution he sends his Agents to the court of King Leir with full instructions to demand Cordeilla in Marriage The offerd Fortune pleaseth the King yet he fears the success by reason of his own folly which had given all to the two sisters and left nothing for the third Leir returns thanks to Aganippus by his Embassadors shews a willingness to comply with their Masters request and withall lays open his unsufficiency to bestow any Dowry upon her Aganippus enformed by Letters of these passages is glad his suit and motion finds friendly acceptance and far valuing the rich endowments of his so much affected Cordeilla before all terrene riches so he enjoy the beloved treasure of his heart desires no more the espousals are with all solemnity celebrated and Cordeilla answerable to the greatness of her birth and quality conveyed to Aganippus who by the opinion of those who write that France was then governed by twelve Kings was one and so Cordeilla a Queen Leir having thus happily as might be thought disposed of his three daughters being aged betakes himself to ease and quietness and so intends to spin out the remnant of his time but his Sons in Law Monaghlanus and Henninus the Dukes of Cornwall and Albania envy the happy tranquility of the feeble old King and each daughter for all their deep and large expressions of filial love and duty Patris inquirit in annos Leir lives too long too much at ease his bones would better become a Sepulchre then a Throne and since the fatal Sisters will not of their own accord cut off his thred of life his daughters by the hands of their ambitious and covetous husbands will undertake that task nothing is now heard in Brittaine but the clashing of arms neighing of horses thundering of Trumpets and warlike Musick The impotent King is begirt on all sides with Martial Troops and not able to resist two such powerfull enemies to preserve that small span of life is forced to flie for succour being quite forlorn to his daughter Cordeilla whom formerly he had so much slighted The arrival of the Father is not long unknown to the daughter who acquaints her husband with so sad an accident Aganippus out of an heroick spirit compassionating the calamity of a distressed Prince especially his wives Father puts on a resolution to chastise and revenge so gross an injury and to reinvest him in his throne again Cordeilla is not idle in the mean time but with all obsequious behaviour like a dutifull childe cherisheth her drooping Father accomodates him with all Princely provision with pleasant speeches drives away his melancholy thoughts and leaves nothing undone or said which may add vigour and alacrity to his pierced heart Aganippus arrives in Brittain with his Father in Law gives battel to the disobedient Rebels gives them the overthrow and again establisheth Leir in his Regal dignity but the Author of so great happiness lived not long after leaving Cordeilla a sad and disconsolate widow King Leir once more holding and guiding the stern of the Brittish Monarchy passed his time with perfect quietness the space of three years after which time he left this transitory world leaving his daughter Cordeilla as well she deserved to succeed him in his Kingdom his body was buried at Leicester in a Vault under the River side John Rous apud How 's in Stow. which he himself had built and consecrated to Janus Bifrons where the workmen of the Town when the solemnity of the day came began all things which they had to do the year following Those who undervalue the Brittains call this History in question yet divers Authors relate it out of which I will produce one in the same Language in which he writ Cum in Senectutem vergere Leir coepisset Vitus ex Gaufrid fol. 173. Regnum dividere filiasque tres suas idoneis Maritis in manus cum parte regni bene gubernanda tradere cogitavit Prius tamen ex amore singularum tentare voluit quaenam illarum potiore regni parte censeretur digna Itaque Gonorilla interrogata respondit Patrem sibi chariorem esse corde atque anima suae propria qua viveret Ragana dixit ipsum super omnes creaturas se diligere Cordeilla videns his adulationibus acquiescere senem vicissim tentando quaesivit An usquam filia sit quae patrem plus quam patrem amare presumat Ego te semper ut patrem dilexi diligo siquid amplius requiris audi signum amoris in te mei Quantum enim habes quantum vales tantum te diligo Pater Iratus eam cum stomacho sic loqui putabat quasi suam senectutem sprevisset proinde dixit illam cum sororibus nullam in suo regno partem habituram consilio procerum regni duas primas nuptui dat Cornvalliae Albaniae ducibus una cum parte media Insulae donec ipse viveret alteram dimidiam post obitum ejus accipere jubebat Quo tempore Francorum Rex Aganippus fama motus pulchritudinis Cordeillae nunciis missis eam petit in matrimonium sibi dari Quibus humaniter acceptis pater ait se daturuni sed sine terra vel pecunia Aganippus qui tertiam Galliae ut Zerixaeus ait Belgicae partem possidebat virgine tam nobile sola contentus erat Polidorus Virgillius Quam Polidorus Virgilius naturâ praecocis ingenii fuissi dicit sed interogatam de amore in patrem respondisse se quidem i lum oculis ferre semperque laturam licet deinde contingeret de Marito intelligens amaret ardentius Quo responso tam etsi pleno sapientiae Leir indignatus indotatam nuptui collocat Regulo Gallo inquit Polidorus puellae forma capto Sed haud multo poste à generis ejus mortem expectare censentibus esse nimis longum spoliatus regno ad Cordeillam fugere coactus est a qua restituitur in Regnum generis interfectis triennium regnat Hanc inter novem Bellicosas hujus insulae foeminas numerat Gerardus Leighus Thus much I have added to confirm the History of our Brittish Leir and his daughters I forbear to translate it having already out of other Authors related the same in effect Robert Bossu having put his Soveraign King Hen. 2. to much trouble in repentance of these mischiefs built the Monastery of St. Marie de Pratis wherein he became a Canon Regular and for fifteen years continuance in sad lamentation served God in continual prayers with the like devotion Henry the first Duke of Lancaster built an Hospital for an hundred
all sorts of false Religion Superstition Idolatry Heresy and Schisme and such sins as do belong thereto The second is all sort of Injustice as Rapine Immoderate exactions Oppression of the poor effusion of innocent blood and calumniation or slander and such like for the which God punisheth Kingdoms and States at the Holy Ghost signifyeth in Ecclesiasticus saying Regnum de gente in gentem transferetur c. A kingdome is transferred from Nation to Nation for injustice injuries calumniations or slanders and divers deceits The third kind consisteth of Licentiousness Drunkenness and dissolutness of life and manners This Drunken King left after him three Sons Fulgenius Eldad and Androgeos who successively Reigned in this Kingdome FVLGENIVS FVLGENIVS the Eldest Son of Chirimus was Crowned King of Great Brittain but enjoyed his Kingdome only two years ELDRED or ELDREDVS ELDRED the second Son of Chirimus and brother to Fulgenius was Crowned King but enjoyed that honour but one year ANDROGEOS ANDROGEOS the third Son of Chirimus and brother to the two precedent Kings was Crowned but lived only one year after VRIANVS URIANVS the Son of Androgeos wholly gave himself to lust and the sin of the flesh homo saith Comes P. voluptati deditus more pecudum he was King only three years lust hath been the overthrow of many Countries and cause of much blood shed had not Paris seen Helena in the Isle of Cythera in the Temple of Venus whether this Lady out of curiosity to behold the Trojans under pretence of performing some vowes was come and Paris hearing of her presence and beauty entered into the Temple in all Princely bravery as they mutually beheld each other they became so enamoured with the scorching flames of unlawful love or rather lust that presently being now linked together in equal desires and haud caret effectu quod voluere duo they embark together which lustful act caused not onely a ten years siege but also the utter destruction and subvesion of Troy Hereunto I may add another notable example of the overthrow of the Lacedemonians and the losse of the Empire of Greece by the just judgement of God as both Diodorus Siculus and others affirm the story is this Two Lacedemonians passing over the plain of Leuctra were lodged and courteously entertained in the house of one Scadasus who had two handsome Women to his daughters and returning that way shortly after and finding the two young Women at home and their Father absent first ravisht one after kill'd them both their father at his return finding his daughters slain and understanding who had been the doers of it went to Lacedemon to crave justice against the Malefactors but so potent were they and their friends there that he could by no means obtain it whereupon after infinite maledictions poured forth in the sorrow of his heart against them and their state he went home and desperately kil'd himself upon the grave of his Daughters Not long after Wars growing between the Thebans and the Lacedemonians the soul of Scadasus appeared to Pelopidas one of the chief Captaines of the Thebans and encouraged him to give battel to the Lacedemonians in the plain of Leuctra where he and his daughters were buried telling him that their death should be there revenged and so afterwards it fell out for the Lacedemonians lost not only the battel but also the Empire of Greece we will omit the burning of Sodome and Gomorah for the sin of lust and also the rape which those of the town of Gabaa committed upon the wife of a Levit for which percussit eos Dominus in conspectu filiorum Israel who killed of them 25100 men that bore Armes But come a little nearer to our times concerning the punishment of the sins of the flesh we have a notable and fearful example thereof in the Kingdom of Spain conquered by the Moors and possessed by them 700 years for that offence For when the Kingdome had flourished as well in religion as power from the time of K. Recared the first Catholick King thereof the space of 120 years the wicked King Vitiza being a man like this our Vrianus given over to lust and carnality infected and corrupted all Spain not only with the bad example of his own dissolute life having divers Wives at once besides many Concubines but also with abominable Laws whereby he gave leave to all sorts of men to have as many Wives Concubines as they listed yea and forced Priests and such as would have lived chast to marry by which means all Spain became within a while to be no better then a common Stew or Brothel And although Almighty God according to his accustomed mercy expected their conversion and amendment all the time of that Kings Reign and laid onely the penalty thereof upon him whom he deprived both of his Crown and his eye-sight by the means of Roderick who succeedeed him in the Kingdome yet when the said Roderick followed his steps as well in his vicious life as in the maintenance of his abominable Laws it pleased God of his justice to permit him to give the occasion both of his own ruine and also of the overthrow of all Spain by the sin of the flesh wherewith the whole Kingdome was as it were overflowed For whereas King Roderick had sent a Kinsman of his own Count Julian Embassador into Affrick and in the mean time ravished his Daughter or as some write his wife the Count understanding it at his return was so incensed therewith against the King that in revenge thereof he practised with the Moores to bring them into Spain who with his assistance conquered it speedily and with such destruction of the people that the punishment of God was evidently seen therein For having first overthrown King Roderick whose body could never after the Battail be found they subdued almost all Spain in eight Months or in fourteen as some say and slew 700000 of all sorts of people besides great numbers of Captives which they sent Prisoners into Barbary and from that time forward remained in the possession of that Kingdome or of some part thereof for the space of 700 years ELIVD ELIVD Reigned five years he was a great Astronomer Astrologiae peritissimus Rex This vain study especially of judicial Astrology in these our dayes is much in request even amongst Troopers disbanded some of whom I know so ignorant that they cannot write true English nay scarce read The Professors of this Science especially such as would seem to be learned would make it very ancient fetching the Original from the Egyptians and Babylonians the most ancient of all Mortals Jactabant olim Astrologi Chaldaeos quadringinta septuaginta annorum millia in periclitandis experiendisque pueris quicunque nascerentur posuisse To have spent forty and seventy thousand years and yet the Chaldeans had their beginning at the destruction of the Tower of Babel And Picus Mirandulanus in his second Chapter of his 12. Book to
unknown or of little credit he only preserved the books of the Sybills making also the best choice of them and those he layed up in two guilded chests under the Base of Apollo Palatinus And was so convinced in his understanding by these means of the truth of Christ that as our moderne Writers with others write when the Romans came to him said Te volumus adorare quia deus est in te si hic non esset non tibi omnia tam prospere succederent we will adore thee because God is in thee if he were not here all things could not succeed so prosperously with thee yet he being the greatest Conquerour that ever was in the world and was never Conquered and overthrown in battel Quum ipsum pro Deo colere vellent Romani prohibuit nec se Dominum appellari permisit when the Romans would haue worshipped him for God he forbad it and would not suffer himself to be called Lord. And if we may follow our Brittish Histories Mathew of Westminster a Man as all tell us excellent for History and supputation of years Quantum ad Historiam in recta annorum supputatione singularis and our late Writers By computation of time our King Kymbeline was then in Rome Ja. Bal. l de script cent 3. fol. 143. in Math. Flor. Calf Mon. Hist l. 4. c. 11. Ponticus aerun Hist Brit. l. 4. Heath West Anno Dom. 5. for we are told Post Tenantium ad culmen regale Kimbelinus filius suus miles strenuus quem Caesar Augustus nutriverat promotus est After Tenantius Kimbeline his Sonne a Valiant Knight whom Augustus Caesar had brought up and promoted to the Kingdome of Brittain Kimbeline was but young when Augustus Caesar first brought him up and he stayed in Rome so long that as divers and also Verunnius affirmeth Augustus made him Knight quem Aug. Caesar nutrierat armis decoraverat and if we follow this exact supputator of times Mathew of Westminster he was come from Rome to be King here but five years before the birth of Christ Anno Dominicae Inacrnationis quinto Kimbelonus Rex Brittaniam decem annos tenuisset And most certain it is by all Histories of our Noble and Renowned Brittish Hostages resident in Rome all the time of Augustus Caesar and after that we had many worthy Brittains there both ear and eye witnesses to know these passages by themselves and to testifie them to their Countrymen and Friends at home This Kimbeline Sonne of Tenantius was made King of the Brittains in the year of the world 5180 of his Reign Authors write diversly some shewing no years others very few Fabian fol. 39. part 3. which agreeth not well with the Computation of other Writers The Author of the Flower of Histories affirmeth that he Reigned thirty five years after which time gloriously spent he died and was buried at Caer Lud leaving two Sons Guiderius and Arviragus The Brittish History written by a namelesse Author yet some suppose him Noble and for private reason to have conceal'd his Name maketh little mention of Tiberius concerning our Brittish Affairs but because certain passages with happened during the time of his Empire will redound to the glory of the Brittish Nation it is expedient and I hope will not offend the Reader to write some things hapning in his life time Kimbeline continued King of England till the 15 or 16 year after Christs Nativity which must needs he in this Tiberius his time Mr. Bro. fol. 12. when the true knowledge of Christ was more clearly manifested unto the world and among others to some Brittains of this Nation especially such 〈◊〉 then lived in Rome For as in the time of this Emperour our Saviour began and ended his preaching and suffered his Passion for our Redemption so those things in such order as they were accomplished in the Land of Jury they were presently and truly declared and sent to the Emperor at Rome and others there Matthew of Westminster and Ranulphus Higeden consent in this with others that Tiberius was truly informed at Rome of Christs miraculous life and preaching long before his Passion Mr. Bro. ibid. and being afflicted with a Leprosy was so confident in the heavenly power of Christ esteeming him then at the least for a great Prophet Saint and worker of Miracles that he sent with great solemnity Volusianus to Hierusalem to entreat Christ Jesus to come with him to Rome to cure him of his incurable Malady but the Jewes had caused Pilate to put him to death before The Magdeburgians with others have published to the World an Epistle of Lentulus out of the Annals of the Roman Senators to this Emperour Tiberius before the death of Christ thus beginning Apparuit his temp ribus adhuc est homo magnae virtutis nominatus Iesus Christus qui dicitur à Gentibus Propheta quem ejus Discipuli vocant filium Dei suscitans mortuos sanans omnes languores There appeared in these time and still is a man of great vertue named Christ Jesus who is called of the Gentils a Prophet whom his Disciples call the Son of God raising the dead and curing all diseases And presently upon the death of Christ as it is proved both by our own and Forraign Antiquaries ancient and later Greek and Latine Pontius Pilate wrote unto Tiberius the Emperor of Rome of the Passion of Christ in this manner De passione Dominica Pilatus Tiberio Caesari scripsit in hunc modum Episcopus Anacet de morte Christi Matth. Westm an 33. Flor. Wigorn. an 38. Tertull. Apolon c. 5 21. Eust Hist l. 1. c. 24. Oros l. 7. c. 4. Nuper accedit quod ipse probavi Judaeos per invidiam se suosque posteros crudeli damnatione peremisse nam cum promissum haberent Patres eorum quod Deus illis mitteret de coelo Sanctum suum qui eorum qui eorum merito Rex diceretur ut hunc se promiserit per Virginem missurum ad terram iste me praside Haebraeorum Deus cum venerit ut vidissent eum caecos illuminasse leprosos mundasse paralyticos curasse Daemones ab hominibus fugasse mortuos sucistasse ventis imperasse super mare siccis pedibus ambulasse multa alia mirabilia fecisse cum omnis populus Judaeorum hunc Dei Filium dicerent invidiam contra eum passi sunt Principes Sacerdotum mihique tradiderunt alia pro aliis mentientes dixerunt illum magum esse contra eorum legem agere ego autem credidi ita esse flagellatum tradidi arbitrio eorum At iâ—i crucifixerunt eum sepulto ei custodes adhibuerunt ille vero militibus meis custodientibus eum tertia die resurrexit Sed in tantum exarsit nequitia eorum ut darent eis pecuniam dicentes Dicite quia Discipuli ejus corpus ipsius rapuerunt veruntamen milites cum accepissent pecuniam quod factum fuerat tacere non
that neither the Roman nor the Brittish Pagan Laws as he avouched denyed that to Princes never speaking of or regarding the Law of Christ and in this state he lived and died Moreover all Antiquaries whatsoever of any credit tell us plainly that Arviragus was no Christian but persisted in his Pagan Religion First William of Malmsbury saith Rex qui tunc regnabat fuit Barbarus praedicationi eorum consentirie noluit nec Paternas traditiones commutare volebat The King which then reigned was a Pagan and would not consent to their preachings â—or would he change his Ancestors Traditions The Antiquities of Glasâ—eâ—â—ury Capgrave and many other Ancients write Rex Barbarus cum sua gente tam nova audiens inconsueta nec praedicationi eorum renuebâ—t The Pagan King with his people hearing such new and unaccustomed things as St. Joseph and his fellows taught would not change his Ancestors traditions for the better but refused their preaching The first Protestant Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with his followers affirmeth Quorum praedicatione Rex Arviragus cum proceribus suis ab inveterata Druidum religione abduci noluit King Arviragus with his Nobles would not by the preaching of Joseph and his companions be drawn from the inveterate Religion of the Druids Thus we see it manifestly declared that King Arviragus was in all his actions life and death far from being a Christian in profession Fabian tells us that after the departure of Claudius Arviragus progressed through his Dominions and with great cost care and expences repaired Cities and Towns which were dismantled and defaced by the Roman Souldiers and behaved himself with such gallantry that he was more beloved and also feared then any of his Praedecessors in tract of time he accumulated heaps of Treasure but wealth begot pride and that again a presumption of his own strength and power which caused him to deny payment of the Tribute but the Senate having speedy notice of his Transactions Caius Caligula is speedily dispatched with order to reduce him to his former obedience who with certain Legions a Legion consisteth of six thousand six hundred and sixty six men arrives in Brittain forceth him to pay Tribute or rather he is perswaded so to do by his Wife Genissa Caius Caligula had a meaning doubtlesse to have invaded the I le of Brittain had not his rash entrance into the Action The Brittish History c. 10. and his ill successe in the German War overthrown the Enterprize by reason whereof he brought nothing to Effect but onely made a ridiculous expedition answerable to the vanity of his humour bringing an Army into the hither parts of Belgia and there having received into protection Admimus or Adaminus whom Cunobelin his Father had banished and certain other Brittish Fugitives that came with him he Writ vaunting Letters to the Senate as though the whole Iland had yielded it self giving special charge to the Messenger that his Letters should be carried in a Chariot to the Forum and not delivered to the Consuls but in a full Senate and in the Temple of Mars afterwards drawing his Forces down to the sea coasts of Belgia where with wonder he beheld the high cliffs of the I le possessed with the Natives he placed his Souldiers in Battell-array upon the shore and himself entring into a Long-boat was rowed a little way upon the 8ea but not daring to adventure further he returned speedily to land and then commanding a charge to be sounded as though he would have began to fight he appointed his Souldiers to gather Cockels and Muskels in their Helmets terming them spoils of the Ocean and meet to be preserved as offerings due to the Capitol For this Exploit he after coming to Rome was not ashamed to demand a Triumph and divine honours to be assigned him but finding the Senators for the most part to be unwilling to give their Assent he burst out into threats and had slain some of them in the place if they had not speedily avoided his fury After this himself in open Assembly made a Declaration of his journey and what adventures he had passed in the Conquest of the Ocean as himself vainly termed it whereat the common people either for fear or flattery gave a general applause which he taking as a testimony of their desire to have him placed among their gods rewarded in this shameful manner he caused a great quantity of gold and silver to be scattered on the ground and certain caltrops poysoned of Iron to be cast among them whereby many were killed partly with those envenomed Engines and partly with the press of one another each Man being earnest in gathering and supposing another Mans gain his own losse so naturally was he inclined to all kind of wickednesse as he spared not the lives even of those whom he thought to deserve best at his hands Yet we read not among the many Vices which he had that ever he was a persecutor of Christians for those Outrages which he committed against the Jews which amongst others our own Histories do report were rather in revenge against the Jews for the death of Christ and the persecuting Christians then for any hatred to Christian Religion And it was a just punishment of God towards that incredulous people and their holy Temple that had been so long renowned for the true worship and sacrifice of God To see it now polluted with the Idolatrous sacrifices of the Gentils Matth. Westm an 40. Theat of Britt in Caius Caligul the Idol of Jupiter and the Emperor himself a vile and wicked man to be worshipped and adored there as the Lord of Heaven and Earth Caesar templum quod erat Hierosolymis jussit prophanari sacrificiis Gentilium Jovis statuam ibi collocat seque ut Dominum coeli terrae coli adorari praecepit When as concerning Christians he permitted the favourable Edict of Tiberius to remain in force He banished Pilate by whom Christ was crucified He deprived Herod of his Kingdom and together with Herodiâ— his brothers wife which he kept the occasion of the Martyrdome of St. John Baptist he drave into banishment and these and such favours and justice he extended unto Christians that although he seemed to make War against the Brittains it was not for Religion sake Though mention be made concerning several passages betwixt Claudius and Arviragus yet the Reader must know that Caligula preceded in Government Julius being first Augustus second Tiberius third Caligula fourth and Claudius fifth but to conclude with Arviragus Fabian saith That after he had nobly Ruled the Brittains thirty years he died and was buried at Caergloin Caerloon Claudiocestria or Glocester leaving after him one Son named Marius or Maurius MARIVS MARIVS the son of Arviragus was crowned King of Brittain in the year of Christs Incarnation threescore and fourteen the English Chronicle calleth this Prince Westmer-Gaufride saith that he Governed his Subjects in great Affluence Peace and Tranquillity some dispute
Mar. Scel an 163. Bar. Tom. 2. Annal. an eod That King Lucius of Brittain was the Disciple of St. Timothy for which he citeth the Magdeburgians Stumphius and the Annals of Curre in Germany And Naeuclerus with others writeth clearly That one St. Timothy came into Brittain and Lucius King of Brittain and his Kingdome did receive the Faith of Christ from him Mr. Broughton affirmeth That this our glorious Countryman St. Timothy was Son unto the Lady Claudia and Brother to St. Novatus St. Pudentiana and Praxedes Great honour it was for the first Christian King of this Nation the first Christian King in the World to be instructed in the Faith by so Noble a renowned Apostle of his own Nation What were the Impediments in temporal respects which hindred King Lucius from publick profession of Christian Religion wherein he was thus instructed until or near the Papacy of St. Elutherius shall be shewed hereafter This St. Timothy was assisted by St. Marcellus a Britain also and preached here and the Annals of the Archbishops of Trevers say of this Man That Lucius King of Brittain now England was baptized by his preaching The Historie of Tungers speaketh more plainly That this St Marcellus did by his preaching convert Lucius Prince of Brittain with all his Nation to Christ And the same Catalogue of Trevers saith That King Lucius was made a Christian and Baptized by this our Renowned Countryman St. Marcellus When the estate of Ecclesiasticall affairs had taken in Brittain so happy proceeding and effect that both our King and many principall men were thus converted to the Faith of Christ from their former errors and superstitions and so great hope and forwardnesse there was to have that faith publickly professed which they privately embraced and acknowledged for the only Truth many worldly temptations and oppositions did presently arise to hinder these new and untrained Souldiers of Christ to make so bold and open profession of their holy Religion as many holy Martyrs at that time and they themselves not long after did and the glory of that required Divers humane fears and impediments now chancing and hindring of K. Lucius from open profession of Christian Religion in Brittain for as we may probably with many Antiquities affirme that the favourable edicts of divers Emperours and among them Antoninus sirnamed Pius yet Reigning had somewhat encouraged them in temporal respects actually to be baptized in that Religion which their internal understanding and judgement was by many invincible motives and arguments convinced before to be only true so now by like contrary worldly events and letts they were for some time more slow and dull to professe it openly They did perfectly understand that not withstanding the pretended and expected favour from the present Emperour either by his command or permission two holy Popes to omit many other places St. Telesphorus and St. Higinus procurers of their conversion cruelly were put to Death for that Religion even in Rome it self under the Emperours sight within the space of four years or little more by all accounts and because present and home dangers do most terrifie they did see and taste that the present Emperour Antoninus was at this time incensed against the Brittains and had already sent Lollius Vrbicus with forces hither and he had Fought some battles against the Brittains as both our own and the Roman Historians testifie And to maintain and foster these conceived and ingendred humane fears and impressions to live and continue longer then Antoninus was like to live now being old and long time Emperour when he came first to the Empire by the Adoption of Adrian he was commanded or directed by him that Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Act. St. Praxed per St. Pastor Vsuard Ado. Peter Catal. l. 5. c. 58. Baron Tom. 2. An. 164. whom from his Infancy he had trayned up in the Gentiles Superstitions should succeed him in the Empire when he was but eight years of Age he was put by Adrian into the Colledge of the Salii most superstitious Priest of Mars and was made Priest and chief Ruler of the Southsayers So that there could be little hope but this man so superstitiously brought up and such a maker and unmaker of their sacrifices and an enchanter would still continue the same and professe himself an enemy to all Impugners of such proceedings such as all Christians were which he performed when he came to be Emperor raising a general persecution against Christians which to omit but as it concerned this Kingdome and the Christians thereof the holy house of our glorious Countreywoman St. Praxedes in Rome which until then both in the time of St. Novatus her brother her holy parents St. Pudens and St. Claudia Baron Tom. 2. an 166. Sabinella or Priscilla and likely before as under her parents also Christian Brittains had been a safe refuge and as a sanctuary for persecuted Christians was now cruelly ransacked and tweny two holy Martyrs together with the sacred Priest St. Simitrius most barbarously without tryal question judgement presently put to death of which blessed company we may not but think divers of this Country to have been and St. Timothy himself returning from hence to Rome Julius Capil Marc. Aurel. was there Martyred if we may believe Matthew of Westminster his computation Ibid. Virgil. in Hist Angl. l 2. p. 42. These and such were the worldly temptations which allured King Lucius and many Noble Brittains to be more timerous and lingering to professe the Christian faith with such constancy openly as inwardly they firmly believed and honoured until the Emperour himself convicted by the written Apologies and Miracles wrought by Christians was enforced to yield the honour to Christ and abstain from persecution and many of his noble Pagans embraced the Christian Religion Tertul. Apol. c. 6. Euseb Eccle. Hist l. 5. c. 5. Math. West an 174. and this I take to be the chiefest occasion of mistaking in some Historian or their Scribes setting down so many and several times when King Lucius received the Faith of Christ or professed it many saying it was in the year of Christ 156. others in the year 164. others 165. as William of Malmesbury with others Henry of Hartford in the year 169. and others in other and later times All which be true if we speak of the Religion of Christ which he held and believed from the very first of these assigned times but for his and his Nobles publick profession thereof and the Kingdome generally receiving it with building of Churches placing of Christian Bishops and Priests in them abandoning the superstitious rites of pagan Gentils we must expect a later date in the time of Pope Elutherius And this holy Pope had long before he was Pope the often occasion of K. Lucius others here writing sending to Rome about this publick work might occasion some error in the Titles of Letters to Elutherius when he was not yet Pope but
hold he was Bishop of Curre in Germany and Martyred there say his Martyrdome was about the year of Christ 182. whereas this our King was living nine years after besides they say that St. Emerita was his sister But it is evident by our Histories that our first Christian King Lucius had neither brother sister nor child begotten by King Coillus in his old Age having no other Child whereby it is evident that this King Lucius had neither brother nor sister and with what probability can it be affirmed that a King so holy and loving of his Countries good and quiet having no Christian Heir to suceeed him would or in conscience could forsake his Native Country and Subjects in such a case that were in justice belonging to his chiefest charge which no other could execute to preach unto Forreigners which many of his Subjects and others could and at his request most willingly would have performed We read in Histories that many descended of Regal race have in such cases been taken forth of their Monasteries and Religious Conversation to govern Kingdoms destitute of Heirs but that a King so vertuous wise loving and beloved of his Country having no such Heir to succeed him but by such course to expose and leave his Kingdom to so many certain miseries and calamities as fell upon Brittain by the death of King Lucius and probably were foreseen of all wisemen did might would or could take such a course Antiquities have no example Justice denyeth it Charity cannot allow it Seb. Munster Cosmog l. 3. c. 344. Mr Bro. f 349. Coxion Hist part f in K. Lucius Manu Hist Antiq. in Luco Sebastian Manster saith plainly that whereas there is a Vulgar report he maketh no more of any Lucius preaching there that one Lucius preached there if it were so it could not possibly be our first Christian King Lucius for he never went out of Brittain but very Godly lived and dyed here Gaspar Bruchius doth also plainly reject all that History as it is applyed by some to our Lucius and among other reasons addeth that the great difference of years will not permit it to be true An old French Manuscript joyneth in the same leaveth him living dying buried in Brittain And if we come home to our own Historians and Antiquities most likely to make the most true and certain relation of this their so renowned King they set down the year the day Antiq. Eccles St. Petri Cornhil Harding Cron. c. 51. f. 44. and particular place of his death and the very Church one of his own foundation where his body was interred the day and year they say was the 201. year of Christ the third day of October For the place our old Brittish History saith he dyed at Glocester and was with honour buried there in the Cathedral Church so likewise writeth Ponticus Virunnius Matthew of Westminster setting down the time as before saith he dyed at Glocester and was honourably buried there in the Cathedral The old Manuscript of St. Peters Church in Cornhil at London avoucheth from divers Antiquities that he was buried at Glocester where the Church of St. Francis was after builded being at the time of his death the Cathedral and Episcopal Church of the City John Harding also witnesseth of this Kings death and burial at Glocester At Caerglove buried after his dignity And not to exclude the testimony of our later writers in this relation in their Theater of Great Brittain written and composed by divers able Historians Theater of great Brittain l. 6. c. 9. sect 18. and published with common applause they make this History of King Lucius his death in Brittain a matter without question true and thus scoffingly condemn those writers which would carry him to end his dayes in Germany That this Lucius be the Apostle of the Banarians or that his sister Emerita was crowned with the flames of Martyrdom Harrison disc of Brittain Stow Howe 's Hist fifteen years after his death I leave to the credit of Aegidius Schudus and Hermanus Schedelius the Reporters Others of them plainly say Lucius was buried at Glocester yet this general consent of Antiquaries for his first burial at Glocester doth nothing hinder but as the known devotion both of the Brittains as Saxons after them towards holy Relicks did often and with great devotion and solemnity remove the bodies of holy Saints or parts of them for their greater honour So it might or did after fall out with the whole body of this renowned King or some part thereof And the Tradition of Winchester is that the whole body of King Lucius or a great part thereof being once removed before probably to Caerleon for some say he was buried there was the second time translated thither and there lyeth in the body of the great Church under a marble stone elevated about two foot from the pavement the same stone being now broaken in two places having upon it and those holy Relicks a cross of seven great brass buttons whereof 5. are set down in length the other two making the perfect figure and forme of the cross one on each side of the others making the length And this Reverend Translation of St. Lucius his body to divers places in Brittain is sufficiently insinuated by the old Author of the French Manuscript History who although he confidently affirmeth that King Lucius dyed at Glocester yet he addeth that he was afterwards buried in the chief See at Caerleon and this he saith was in the year of Christs incarnation 196. four or five years sooner then others before have set down his death except the Manuscript Compilation which hath the same computation of his death saying Sepultus est anno Incarnationis Domini 196. herede carens he was buried in the 196. year after the incarnation of our Lord wanting Issue or heir And both to assure us further of the undoubted truth of those Histories which testifie the death and burial of St. Lucius to have been in Brittain and not in any forraign Region as also to give us better notion and trial what honour peace and quiet spiritual and temporal with other happiness this Kingdom enjoyed by King Lucius life and lost them by the loss of him it is the constant agreement of Antiquities that Brittain now made by his death destitute not only of so worthy a King but also of any certain heir or successor of that Regal race fell to intestine discord and variance by which it was miserably afflicted long time upon that occasion a late Author tells us King Lucius dyed without issue by reason whereof after his decease the Brittains fell at variance which continued about the space of fifteen years as Fabian thinketh howbeit the old English Cronicle affirmeth that the contention among them remained fifty years though Harding affirmeth but four which his words of Hardings opinion that this variance among them continued but 4. years are to be amended for Harding setteth down
Debates others affirm to win honour to himself he being accounted very greedy and ambitious thereof and to reduce the Kingdom wholly to the Roman subjection not willing that any Brittain here born should reign and therefore as some write they made a decree and law among them Hector Boetius Scot. Hist l. 5. f. 86. against such Government Eo fere tempore post Lucium Regem Brittorum extinctum Romani gnari Brittannos Reges multarum in populo seditionum rebellionum in se fuisse autores ut res Romana in Brittannia soret quietior publico vetuere decreto ne quispiam Brittanici sanguinis deinceps regia insignaretur dignitate If there was any such decree of the Romans it could neither be upon this surmised motive that the Brittish Kings had been the occasion of any rebellions or seditions against the Romans for it is evident that in the time of the three last Kings Merius Coillus and Lucius peace was duely kept with the Romans and their tribute paid unto them and these Kings descended of Genuista a Roman Lady of the Emperors kindred so as well as from King Arviragus the Brittain did participate both of the Brittish and Roman blood And these were the onely Kings which were here after the composition between the Romans and Brittains in the time of Claudius and Arviragus when Arviragus marrying the daughter of the Emperour joining the Brittish and Roman Regal and Imperial lines together thereby ended all debates between them Neither did any such Decree probably pass the Roman Senate that none born of Brittish blood should afterwards be King of Brittain if we will be guided either by reason or authority herein for how could the Romans then neither having such power or possession take upon them such a definitive sentence Mr. B. 362 This had been the next way to have made a general defection from them here of all the Brittains And the Brittains Will. Harrison Disc Brit. c. 22. Harding Chr. c. 52. f. 45. alii apud Harrison Hollenshed Hist of Eng. l. 4. c. 21. except in some municipal places were governed by their own and not by the Roman Laws And for authority we want not those that write how both our next Kings here who came from Rome after this imagined Decree Severus and Basianus his son and successor here were Brittanici sanguinis born of Brittish blood and yet both of them our Kings in Brittain and Emperours also and by some Antiquaries the next heirs to the Crown of Brittain Harding in his Chronicle thus testifieth from antiquity of Severus Severus thus the worthy Senator Descended down-right heir to Androgeos The eldest son of Lud that was the Emperour Out of Brittain went with Julius Which Senator aforesaid Severus To Brittain came and was inthronisate And with a Crown of Gold was Coronate Therefore if Severus the Emperour was descended down right heir to Andro geos the eldest son of King Lud the words of the Authors so obsolutely and consequently not without good warrant affirming it he must needs be both descended of the Regal Brittish race and be also the undoubted next true heir to the Crown of this Kingdom at that time all other lines which might by any probability make claim before him being now extinct and this of it self is more then any Authour of like credit to him I have alledged doth bring to prove that Severus was not descended by lineal and lawful birth Flor. Wigorn. Chro. an 181 and 182. Matth. West an 192. Mar. Scot. Aetat 6. Mart. Polon an 213. Hen. Hunt l. 1. Hist in Severo from our Brittish Regal race but some other in which I find a silence in Antiquity onely divers write and nothing hindering his Regal Brittish Genealogy that he was born at Leptis in the Province of Tripolis in Africk and was the onely African that ever was Emperour yet none of them denieth thereby his descent from Brittish Parentage but some of them yield to that which confirmeth it and his ancestors being strangers so long out of Brittain as from Julius Caesars time no wonder if he was born in that place of Africk for I have shewed before in the time of Vespasian we had many thousands of Brittains went into those parts and without question divers of them married and continued there in their posterity So did divers Brittains at other times even with wives and children go to Rome and from thence were disposed into divers parts never returning hither Now to speak somewhat of Severus his alienation or affection from or to Christian Religion it is the common opinion and our own Antiquaries be of the same Mar. Sco. l. 2. Aetat 6. an 153. Matth. West an 195. Flor. Wigorn. in Chro. an 189. and 211. Judas Scriptor Eccl. temp Severi apud Euseb that in divers places of the Empire he was an enemy so far unto it that many term him the fifth Persecutor among the Emperours after Nero and many Christians in divers Provinces were martyred in his Empire Post Neronem Severus quintam persecutionem in Christianos excitavit Plurimique Sanctorum per diversas provincias martyrio Coronantur And it is so certain by all forreign antiquities that there was such persecution in his time that it was almost a common opinion that the coming of Antichrist was at hand as an Ecclesiastical Writer of that time hath left to posterity Propterea quod persequutionis tumultus contra nos excitatus multorum mentes tam graviter per turbaret Antichristi adventum omnium ore atque sermone jactatum jam tum appropinquare arbitratus est Yet we do not find any express Edict or Prohibition of him until about the tenth year of his Empire when as Spartanus writeth in his journey from Syria to Alexandria he made many Laws forbidding under great penalty any man to be either a Jew or Christian and as Dio and others witness Mr. B. 365. he consented men by his Imperial Letters both to the depriving of St. Philip of the Augustal Prefectship of Egypt being become a professed Christian and giving authority to Terentius his successor secretly to Martyr him But for Severus excuse we find the greatest and almost onely persecution of his time either to have been in or about Jury occasioned by the Tumults of the Jews or in Africa where Severus was born and principally in Egypt then full of Christians the Praefect himself St. Philip a Christian and so potent as the Letters of Severus unto him say he lived more like an absolute King than Praefect that Praefecture of Egypt being of so great authority and dignity Therefore Africk being the Countrey of Severus birth and so formidable an enemy in former times to the Romans as all Historians report and now so abounding with Christians slanderously accused by their Pagan enemies to be enemies to the Roman Empire Niceph l. 4. Hist Eccle. Iâ—e apud euiâ—dem adversus Hâ—ro l. 1. c. 24. Severus
Empress Martia a Brittain And by the Roman writers themselves he was at this time when he was slain at Yorke 65 years old And although he left thirty two Legions as Dio writeth to defend that his temporal Empire which had so persecuted the Church of Christ yet that temporal Empire with all those props began to stagger Tertul. adver Judaeos c. 7. and notwithstanding so great persecution in the Kingdom of Christ as Tertullian then living witnesseth was adored and ruled in all places and particularly here in Brittain And it is generally agreed upon by our both Brittish and Saxon Historians and Antiquaries that after his discomfiture by Severus he went over into Scythia interpreted to be that Country which we now call Denmark Geff. Mon. sup c. 3. Fab. Hist Polycr Harris discrip of Brit. c. 22. Hollensh Hist of Eng. l. 4. c. 23. Bede Eccl. Hist l. 1. Capg in St. Ninian Hect. Boet. Scoto Hist l. 7. Bal. l. de scrip cent 1. in Ninia and brought with him a great army of the people of that Nation which our Antiquities call Picts before he fought with Severus and they both were there slain or died at York These were none of the Christian Picts or Scots which lived in our Islands who had joyned with Fulgenius before and many of them were slain as the same Authors testify but they were Pagan Picts of whom many remained here after the death of these two Generalls and had a place given them to inhabit in the Country of Albania Thus write our Brittish Historians and our modern Antiquaries agree when they say that Carausius gave unto the Scots Picts and Scythians the Country of Cathnesse in Scotland which they afterward inhabited so these were those Pagan Picts and people which St. Ninian and others sent from Rome did long after convert to the faith of Christ as St. Bede and others testify for the Islanders which were Picts and Scots were converted in Pope Victor his time which is another argument against the Scottish writers which would have themselves seated in the Country now called Scotland so long a duration of years as they claim Bassianus being advertised of his fathers death practised with the Souldiers by bribes and fair promises that he might be declared sole Emperour whereto when he could not perswade them for the reverence they bare to his father Severus he made a league with the Northern Brittains that then assailed the Borders and returned to York to meet with Julia the Empresse his mother in law and Geta his brother There he caused the Physitians to be put to death for not ridding his father sooner out of the way as he had commanded them then he appointed secretly to the slaughter all those that for their vertue and wisdom had been esteemed and advanced by his father and all such as having been Tutors to him and his brother and advised them to mutual concord This done he entred into consultation about his fathers funerals which were solemnized by the Army with all due rights according to the ancient custome in time of war The ashes of the dead body being put into a golden Urne were afterwards by Julia the Empresse accompanied with the two Caesars carried to Rome where Severus after the usuall ceremony was consecrated a God Severus left as is related two sons Bassianus and Geta and if Fulgenius who is by divers called King though indeed he was only Dux populi had any right by descent to the Crown of Brittain seeing we read of no child or brother he left behind him that the title which he claimed must needs descend to the eldest son of Severus which was Bassianus son also to the sister of Fulgenius as some before have written now having by the death of his Father Severus and Uncle Fulgenius both their titles with the allowance of the Empress Martia his mother lawfully invested in him Therefore to decide and end all controversies in this businesse the Brittains with common assent did chuse and accept Bassianus both for their King being the next and undoubted heir whether we shall stand either upon his father or Uncles title as also for Emperor Mr. Bro. 370. 1 2. as the Eldest son and heir of Severus undoubted Emperor and for his leaving sons behind as the chiefest cause made a God among the Romans So writeth Herodian with others Herodian l. 4. Stow. Hist Roman in Severo Mos est Romanis consecrare Imperatores qui superstitibus filiis vel successoribus moriuntur And an English Antiquary though not citing authority delivereth the same in these words The Romans accustomed to consecrate with immortality such Emperors as at their death leave either Children or successors in the Empire behind them Harrison disc of Brit. c. 22. French manusc antiq c. 109. Galf. Mon. l. 5 c. 2. Pont. Virun l. 5. c. 2. Mat. West an 206. Harding Chro in Sever. Bass Hollensh Hist of Eng. l. 4. c. 22. Harris disc Brit. c. 22. Tertul. ad scapu c. 4. Spartian in Caracalla and those which are endued with that honour they Canonize among the Gods Therefore to use the speech of an other late Author Severus by birth a Roman but in blood a Brittain and the lineal heir of the body of Androgeas son of Lud and Nephew to Cassibelan was Emperor and King of Brittain Geta born of a Roman woman Julia was chosen Emperor by divers Romans but soon after slain by his halfe brother Bassianus the Brittain This Bassianus reigned alone both Emperour King of Brittain till his death besides his hereditary title to this Kingdom it seemeth that the Christian Brittains here were not a little moved to chuse and receive him for their King for the hope they had he would either become a Christan or at least a friend and no enemy to that profession of which in his youth and tender years he had given no vulgar argument for besides many other hopeful graces and gifts he was then endued with he was brought up by a Christian Nurse and with Christian Children when he did see any Christian Martyrs brought to wild beasts to be killed and devoured he would weep and turne his face away as Spartianus is an ample witnesse And being but seven years old hearing that one of his Christian Play-fellowes was grievously beaten for that his Religion as the common interpretation is he could not long after endure the Procures of his beating And in this hope of the Brittains now Christians that Bassianus would rather be a friend then persecutor of such they were not deceived For although contrary to his first education when he was with Christians being separated from them he fell to so many kinds of impieties as writers do report and put innumerable of the Pagan Roman Nobles to death and many of them which had been greatest enemies to Christians yet he died innocent from Christian blood and persecution Mr. Br. 371. and by his severe
the lawfull son of Constantius and Helen and born in Brittain and that his Father Constantius was compelled by Herculius the Emperour to be divorced from Helen his true wife to take Theodora Daughter in Law of that Emperor Eutropius plainly saith that Constantine was son of Constantius in true marriage Constantinus Manasses saith St. Helen was the wife of Constantius and a most blessed Woman Hunibaldus above 1000. years since relateth the History of the composition between Constantius and our Brittish King Coel as our writers do As soon as Coel heard that Constantius was arrived he sent Embassadours desiring peace and promised to pay the tribute so that he might enjoy his Kingdom to which Constantius agrees this thus composed Coel within 40. dayes dyed whose Daughter Helen to whom for beauty and loveliness knowledge in the liberal sciences and rare skill in musick Theoph. Ceram in Chron. Egbert Albas Ser. 3. de mere manif Catho fidei Berengosus Abbas l. de in vent laud. S. Crucis c. 1 Brittain never bred the like Constantius took to wife by whom he begat Constantine who not only succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Brittain but also prevailing against Maxentius in the Empire Victor Eutropius Eusebius and other ancient Authors are witnesses that when Dioclesian made Constantius and Galerius Cesars he compelled then to put away both their lawful wives Constantius to put away St. Helen and to take Theodore his daughter in law and Galerius Veleria his own daughter which account of theirs that St. Helen was thus put away in the year 294. invincibly proveth how according to Eusebius and many others before setting down the age of Constantine to have been about 60 years that St. Helen had been the wife of Constantius 20. years Severus Sulpitius doth not only call St. Helen the true wife of Constantius but saith she was Empresse both in her husbands and sons time which proveth her daughter and heir to Coel our Brittish King by which title only she reigned with Constantine Theophilus Cepameus an old Greek writer saith there were Arrian Hereticks and Pagans which denied Constantine to be legitimate and that the lyed therein mentiuntur Egbertus saith she was Queen and mother of Constantine Beringosus an eyewitnesse of the most things writing of her saith first she was a Queen and so the lawful wife of Constantius for a Concubine of the greatest Emperour that ever was is not thereby a queen as the Authors name her Queen to Rule to Governe nor can the lawful true wives of Kings be termed Queens by such worth Authours except they were Queens by title of Inheritance or such like as our Antiquaries write of Queen Helen that she was daughter and heir to her father King Coel this worthy author doth also though a stranger to us confirme when he proveth she was of most noble parentage and by experimental arguments because he had seen the old buildings of her stately pallace continuing to in his time the pavement whereof was marble and Touchstone the most Regal Palace in all those parts the walls were gilded with old her chamber was so sumptuous that the like was not in the World Stately building of St. Helen Q. of Brittain and to free her from all slanders the chamber of her heart and soul was far more pure in all things she was obedient to the will of God and yet externally pleasing to her husband Constantius although more pleasing to God then to her husband Thus we see how far this most blessed and noble Queen and Empresse Bernigosus ibid. was in all times from being base either by birth or conversation such sanctify of life could never agree with that foule name by which some have so wrongfully termed her such parentage Pallaces and Revenues able to entertain the greatest Princes according to their state and dignity must denominate their noble owners with better termes and attributes The Hostesse Inkeeper Stabularia except we will expound them in so large a sense that we shall so stile Abraham and Lot that lodged the Angels those that entertained Christ all receivers of Kings Princes and Emperours and all Harbourers or Exercisers of Hospitality for so both St. Helen and King Coel entertained Constantius the one a husband the other a son in law as Princes use It seemeth this Pallace and lands in and about Trevers to have descended to St. Helen by her mother or some Ancestour of that Country for both Beringosus saith St. Helen was brought up at Trevers and Otho Frigensis saith she was by some of her Ancestours come from thence And Trevers being at that time the most renowned place of those countries for Nobility Learning and Christianity and she the only child of her father King Coel and to succed him in the Kingdom of Brittain he sent her thither to have the most noble education and there it was probably where she first came to be acquainted with Constantius then living in those parts And this made the Attonement between the Romans and K. Coel to be so soon and peacebly effected without any effusion of blood as our Antiquities tell us The marriage of Constantius and Helena is by what is said so clear that it is needlesse to speak any more of that subject I will only add this for the present The old Inscription of the Church of St. Gereon at Cullen founded by her proveth her to be a Queen and an example to Kings Regibus exemplum sacroque chrismate plena Condidit hoc Templum Sancti Gereonis Helena A patterne unto Kings this heavenly light St. Helen shining with all vertue bright In honour of St. Gereon here did raise This stately Church to her eternal praise At the agreement betwixt Constantius and Coel besides paying the Tribute Galf. Mon. H. Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 6. Pont. Virun and Coel to enjoy the Kingdom during his natural Life it was further agreed that Constantius should take again his wife St. Helen daughter and her to King Coel and by her right be King after the death of her father By which covenant and article agreed upon and truly executed as it was the first marriage between Constantius and Helen was even by Roman Pagan lawes themselves proved and declared to be true and lawfull and the children therein begotten legitimate and the taking of Theodora living with her and children by her to be adulterate and utterly unallowable in any sense even by their own Pagan constitutions for although those Pagan wicked decrees did allow to the Presidents of Provinces which were unmarried without penalty to keep Concubines prophanely thinking as some new seeming Christians have done that men unmarried could not live chast yet they never permitted it to married Praefects and Presidents such as Constantius was Elius Lamprid in Alex. Sever. as their own Historians witness By which Heathenish Roman Law Helena was not only the Concubine and no wife of Constantius but a Concubine prohibited
in their own proceedings and her children in like case of reproach with her Math. West alii supra Manusc Hist Eccles Winton Caius Hist Cantabr Acâ—ademiae p. 19. Therefore Constantius being against his will by power of Maximian separated from St. Helen his true wife and a Christian from that time ever in affection could not but be ever most ready and joyfull to be so quietly and honourably reconciled unto her again which is sufficiently insinuated by our Authors testifying that Constantius in all things granted to King Coel his commands requiring nothing of him for the Romans but their old Tribute which as our Antiquaries say was 1006. pounds only in money one of our Historians saith of this matter in this manner Harding c. 60. Of which Constance was glad of his entent And here aboad at prayer of the King Whereby he did sufficiently declare the great content and joy he had of this reconciliation to his wife St. Helen and her Father his Father in Law King Coel rather chusing and preferring during his life to make his aboad here as a Subject then now being chosen and designed Emperor to continue in any other Nation with that greatest temporal glory and command He retook Helen Daughter of the King to conjugal society Thus he signified this so long and much desired attonement Helenam Coeli Regis filiam in societatem Thori recepit which word RECEPIT that Constantius did at that time receive Helen again if we had no other argument or authority used by divers our ancient Antiquaries proveth that this was the reconciliation and not the first marriage of those noble persons And impossible it is that any of these Authors which speak of this union should take it for the first union in marriage for all of them acknowledge that Constantius died soon after this Reconciliation the Monck of Westminster sayeth within three years by Merianus within two years Math. West an 302. 305. Mari. Sc. anno 305. 306. by Martinus Polonus the same year The like have others by which account and confession Constantine should be either unborn or not above two years old at the most when he was King of Brittain and Emperor also after his Fathers death Shortly after this coming of Constantius and this attonement between him and King Coel thus made King Coel dyed within five weeks saith Harding a moneth and eight dayes saith Galfridus Viruunius saith within one moneth Hard. Chron. c. 6. Galf. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 6. Pont. Virun Hist l. 5. Harding c. 61. Howe 's fol. 44. so likewise doth the Monck of Westminster Harding writeth that Constantius was Emperor before he was King of Brittain But King Constance of Rome was high Christain By the Senate first made the Emperor After King of Brittain and Governour Howe 's in his Chronicle bringeth in Peter de Jeham to was tell us that Coel Duke of Caric Glow of Glocester Holinshed saith he was Earl of Golchester but where he died or where buried no mention is made Fabian sayeth he ruled after the accord of most writers 27. years Constantius Constantius began his Empire with Galerius the Empire was devided between them so that Constantius should possess Affrica Italy France and Brittain Galerius should have Ilyrica Asia and the East parts which done they substituted under them two Caesars Constantius holding himself content with the dignity of Augustus refused to sustain the trouble which he should have endured through the administration of the affairs of Italy and Africk He sought by all means how he might enrich the people of the Empire He abolished the superstition of the Gentiles in his Dominions so that afterwards Brittain felt no persecutions The year following he prepared war against the Picts at which time his Son Constantine who then served under Galerius perceiving his destruction to be contrived posted to his Father in all hast houghing and killing all the Post horses which way so ever he passed Holinshed Hist of Eng. 45. Fab. Sozom. Hist Eccle l. 1. c. 6. Euseb l. 2. de vita Const Mr Bro. fol. 460. and came safely to his Father in Brittain Holinshed saith Constantius was the Daughters Son of one Crispus that was brother to the Emperor Claudius and that he began his reign over the Brittains 289. and so also saith Fabian Constantius was not against the law for Christians in Brittain to profess the Christian Religion in his time but preferred the most constant Christians to highest preferments and greatest trust And so consecrated his whole family to God that his Court was as a Church wherein were both Clergy men and Godly Christians truly serving God This blessing and benefit he brought to our Christians here in Brittain and publickly maintained it even in those times when the name of Christian in other places was so odious that without danger it could not be spoken of which he further Viz. Eusebius confirmeth in another place Euseb Hist Eccle. l. 8. c. 14. where speaking in the name of Christians he saith that among the Emperors of that time only Constantius did neither in any sort persecute Christians nor in any sort participate with them that did but kept all them that were under him without hurt and secure from all trouble neither pulled down Churches Idem apud Baron Spon an 304. or did any thing against them and elsewhere he teacheth again that the parts of the West Empire did generally receive quietness from persecution when Constantius reigned which although Baronius and Spondanus do not so well allow upon Eusebius his words in all places of the West because as they alledge Constantius neither presently could nor would he be against the Edicts of the Emperors still living when he himself remained in Brittain in the end of the World and Italy was then full of wars But Eusebius writteth not this singularly but Sozomen and others testifie as much that when the Churches of God were persecuted in all other parts of the World Sozomen l. 1. c. 6. only Constantius granted liberty of conscience to the Christians under him and again generally of all Christian Churches in the part of his Empire and were not only quiet under him but thus lived in great joy and did encrease being honoured and rewarded by him And relating his experiment to prove constant Christians before remembred and how he admitted such for his nearest friends and Counsellors he gathereth from hence that the Gauls Brittains and others under him were by him exempted from all penall lawes of the persecutors he taking away and making them frustrate in his Dominions And the objections which Baronius maketh do rather prove then disprove the quietness of Christians in this Nation when Constantius was here For first the inquietness of Italy rather helped then hindered our peace our persecution proceeding from thence now not able to persecute us nor take revenge of Constantius for protecting us And his being in Brittain
of the persecution during ten years and addeth that then the church of St. Alban was built to his honour within ten years of his martyrdom in the quiet of Christian times here which by that is said before must needs be in the time of Constantius Likewise we find in the antiquitie of the old Church of Winchester that being destroyed with the rest in this late persecution it was perfectly re-edified in the year of Christ 309. and so either was in building or warranted to be built in the dayes of Constantius then so or lately before by all accounts living and reigning here that it could not be done without his warrant or allowance The like we say of the Churches of St. Julius and St. Aaron and other Martyrs of that time and all both Cathedral churches and others destroyed here by Maximian the most horrible fact-man as Henry of Huntington calls him after whose leaving the Empire Christians were quiet here as he saith and restored to their former liberties and as Regino writteth not only in Brittain but generally where he ruled both Bishops were restored to their private Sees and many other things granted for the profit of Christian Religion and particularly saith that the Monastery of Trevers was begun in his time then much more in Brittain where he was both absolute Emperour and King to command and no man daring to resist him to this our late Antiquaries have given sufficient allowance when they grant that Constantius abolished the superstition of the Gentiles in this Dominions especially in Brittain where he now lived King and Emperour as also in abolishing the Pagan rights and observances for dislike of them and love to Christian Religion must needs for his short time be an extraordinary advancer thereof Stow Howes in Constant But when he had happily begun this holy work in repairing the ruines of the Church of Christ in this Kingdom and before he could bring it to due and his desired perfection he fell sick at the City of York where soon after he deceased Yet in this short time of his sicknesse his greatest care was to leave and commit this his charge both concerning his Empire and this Kingdom to his Eldest son Constantine Son of St. Helen who as he hoped for many reasons would be most ready and willing to maintain and defend true Religion and with Justice govern his Subjects And to this happy choice as both Zonoras and Pompeius Laetus do plainly testify Zonoras Annal Tom. 2. in Constant Pomp. Laetus Rom. Hist Camp in Const max. Eseb l. 1. de vita Const mag c. 18. Grin amart in cum locum and Eusebius and others sufficiently insinuate he was admonished and instructed by Gods direction and an Angell which is confimed by the effect and event it self not only of the general establishing of Christian religion in the world by Constantine in the time of his Empire but his extraordinary and miraculous preservation before he came to it and at this very time of his fathers sicknesse strangely escaping the Tyrants hands in Italy and coming safely unto his sick Father Constantius at York in our Brittain by the great providence of God as Eusebius noteth who had often preserved him to bring him thither so long and dangerous a journey at that very time to succeed his Father And this Author immediately addeth For presently when Constantine had escaped the stratagems of the deceits he came with all speed to his Father Euseb in vita Const l. 1. c. 14. and after a long space of time which he had been absent from him presented him to his sight at that moment Constantius was ready to die but when contrary to all hope he saw his sonne leaping out of bed he embraced him saying that he had now cast that out of his mind Cap. 15. which only troubled him at the point of death which was the absence of his Son and therefore did earnestly pray and give thanks for it to God affirming that now he rather desired to die then live and setting himself in the midst of his Children and in his place lying upon his Kingly bed giving over the inheritance of his Kingdom to his Eldest Son he departed this Life Thus hath Eusebius then living in that time Our Moderne Writers citing other ancient Authors not differing from Eusebius Hollenshed Hist of England l. 4 c. 28. 27. cit Euseb Sext Aurel. vict Nicep Tripart Hist thus Translate and Epitomate this History from them Whilest Constantine remained at Rome in manner as he had been a pledge with Gallerius in his Fathers time fled from hence and with all post hast returned to his Father in Brittain killing and hewing by the way all such horses as were appointed to stand at Inns ready for such as would ride in Post least being pursued he should have been overtaken and brought back again by such as might be sent on purpose after him Constantius whilest he lay on his death bed somewhat before he departed this life hearing that his son Constantine was come and escaped from the Emperors Dioclesian and Maximian with whom he remained as a pledge he received him with all joy and raising himself up in his bed in presence of his other sons and Councellours with a great number of other people and strangers that were come to visit him He set the Crown upon his sons head and adorned him with other Imperi-Robes and garments executing as it were himself the Office of an Herald and with all spake these words unto his said son and to his Councellours there about him Now is my death come unto me more welcome and my departure hence more pleasant I have here a large Epitaph and Monument of buriall to wit mine own son and one whom in earth I leave to be Emperour in my place which by Gods good help shall wipe away the tears of the Christians and revenge the cruelty exexercised by Tyrants This I reckon to chance unto me instead of most felecity Thus careful was this holy Emperour even at his death to advance the honour of Christ This he did prophesying how his son after him should advance Christian Religion now by his father declared Emperour but as Esebius writeth long before designed to that dignity by God the King of all This renowned Emperour Constantius died by divers in the year 306. by others 307 and by some 308. and by all at such time as it is already proved it must needs be he which among the Roman Emperours first gave order and warrant for the restoring and re-establishing Christian Religion here in Brittain after the desolation thereof by Dioclesian and Maximian and died happily and most blessedly And was so renowned that even by the Pagans he was accounted a God and had after his death all honour given unto him which belonged to an Emperour he was most honourably and Christian like buryed in the City of York Constantine his son the new Emperour present
an Officer entituled by him with a limitation of place and restriction of that power which the ancient Praefectus Praetorio had under the first Emperors Then Constantine intending to make war in Persia either to defend or enlarge the limits of the East Empire removed the Emperial Seat from Rome to the City of Bizantium which he re-edified and caused the same to be called of his own Name Constantinople drawing thither the Legions in Germany that guarded the Fronteers of the Western Empire which was thereby laid open to the Incursions of those barbarous People that afterwards assayed it and in the end possessed the greatest part thereof The borders also of the Province in Brittain were weakened by removing the Garrisons there into other Cities and Towns which being pestered with Soldiers for the most part unruly Guests were abandoned by the ancient Inhabitants There be Authors that write Hollin Hist of Engl. f. 92. that Constantine conveyed over Sea with him a great Army of Brittains by whose Industry obtaining Victory as he wished he placed a great number of such as were discharged out of pay and licensed to give over the War in a part of Gallia toward the West Sea coast where their posterity remain unto this day and marvellously encreased afterwards somewhat now differing from our Brittains the Welshmen in manners and language Among those Noblemen which he took with him when he departed out of this Land as our Writers do testifie were the three Uncles of his Mother Helen Hoelus Trabernus and Marius whom he made Senators in Rome After the wars betwixt Constantine and the Persians Mr. Br. fol. 532. the King of Persia sent Embassadors unto Constantine to procure peace and he writ back unto King Sapores that the Christians in his Dominions which were there in great numbers might live at liberty and freedom for their Religion And if we may believe Eusebius then living Euseb lib. 4. Sozom. lib. 2. Hist cap. 14. and best knowing the affairs and proceedings of this most noble Emperor after all these things were compassed and brought to an end he began that glorious and renowned work and Foundation of the most sumptuous Church of the twelve Apostles in Constantinople where it is evident by this then living Author and witness that he did not begin to build this Church till long after his triennial Feast And yet the glory and stateliness of that work as it is described by the same Writer was such that it could not be effected and finished under many years and yet that it was finished before his death it is certain for he there erected a Tomb for his own body to be buried in and there was interred There he erected saith Eusebius twelve Monuments to the honour and memory of the twelve Apostles and in the midst between them he placed his own Tomb with six Apostles encompassed on either side surely as I have said before considering with discreet Councel Euseb ut sup that the Tabernacle of his dead body should worthily and decently rest there when he had considered these things long time before he dedicated the Church to the Apostles thinking that their memory would bring much profit to his soul And both Baronius and Spondanus confess that Constantine did not begin this great and wonderfull work until the 336. Baronius Spond Annal. in ann 336. year of Christ and after his concluding peace with the Persians had not before so much as resolved it Therefore this Church being so costly and magnificent as these men confess and Eusebius at large proveth and yet Constantius lived to see it roofed and quite finished he must needs live a longer time than until the next year the 337. of Christ which they limit unto him to live and much more longer than Socrates their Author continueth his life for by his reckoning setting down his death the same year wherein the Persian Embassadors came to him for peace we must be forced to say this admirable Church was quite finished in the space of seven weeks or if we should adventure as Baronius doth to make Socrates our Author and yet add unto his account a whole year as he doth it must needs be yielded unto by such calculation that it was not begun or any materials prepared for it and yet quite finished within the space of one year and seven weeks for as before it was not begun at the Feast of Easter and yet ended the same year by Socrates before the Feast of Pentecost when by Eusebius Constantine died and by Socrates about the eleventh of the Calends of June the 22. day of May and by Baronius before the Feast of Pentecost and the 22. day of May the year following which is morally impossibly to be true for besides the amplitude thereof and Ornaments therein Euseb lib. 4. de Vit. Const c. 64. Socr. l. 1. c. ult Eusebius who had seen it and knew the building of it saith that Constantine erected it to an infinite altitude and made it from the ground with all variety of Stones even to the top the Roof was curiously wrought and within covered with Gold throughout and covered above with Brasse and much Gold And therefore Nicephorus also a Greek Author who had diligently examined Socrates and citeth his very words of this matter before related affirmeth plainly and constantly notwithstanding that opinion that Constantine did not die until the 342. year of Christ in the Feast of Pentecost Euseb lib. 4. de vit Const c. 64. Cap. 66. sup towards the end of it about noon time of the day to speak in Eusebius his words this Emperor was received to his God leaving his mortal part like to other mortal men to the earth but joyning his Intelligence and Divine part of his Soul unto God He dying in Bethinia his Soldiers enclosing his Body in a Golden Coffin covered it all over with Purple and conveyed it to Constantinople and placed it in the Emperial Palace adorned with Emperial Robes Purple and a Diadem Lights set upon Golden Candlesticks round about it which gave such an admirable shew unto the Beholders as was never seen All the Nobles of his Army which worshipped him whilst he lived kept their old manner and custom at certain times entring in and prostrating themselves on the ground saluted the Emperor after his death lying in his Coffin as if he had been still living The Senate and all other Magistrates worshipped his Body with like reverence All sorts of people even Women and Children in infinite number came to see the solemnity and these things were performed many daies This blessed Emperor was he alone which reigned when he was dead Euseb Ca. 66. and to him alone God himself being Author thereof all honors which were wont to be given when he lived were given after his death For he being the only Emperor which in all the actions of his life piously and religiously worshiped God the King of
Tiranidis jugo liberavi civitatem S. P. Q. R. libertatem vindicans pristinae amplitudini splendori restitui You have here viewed Illustrious Prince our first Christian Emperor and his Father fit patterns for imitation Cast your Gracious eyes upon our first Catholick King Lucius and you shall find him Christianity being now established thus Charactered Interea gloriosus ille Britonum Rex Lucius cum intra regnum suum cultum vere fidei magnificatum esse vidisset maximo gaudio fluctuans possessiones territoria quae prius templa Idolorum possidebant in meliorem usum vertens Ecclesiis fidelium permancre concessit quia majorem honorem ipsis impendere debuerat augmentavit illas amplioribus agris mansis omnique libertate sublimavit And a little after Lucius the first Christian King of this Land then called Brittain founded the first Church in London that is to say St. Peters Church upon Cornhill where he setled an Archbishops See making that Church the Metropolis of his Kingdom neither was his zeal and piety confined to that City for you shall find him erecting a goodly Cathedral at Caerlegion in that part of England abusively called Wales which now is known by the name of Monmothshire as also the famous Vniversity of Bangor in the remotest parts thereof This holy King saith my Author granted made and signed many writings Charters and donations for defence maintenance and preservation of Religion as to the Vniversity of Cambridge the School of Shaftsbury with others and when he had done all this Anno 201. Inclitus Britannorum Rex Lucius in bonis actibus assumptus ab hac vita Claudiocesbriae migravit ad Christum in Ecclesia primae sedis sepultus honorifice King Arthur sealed many grants for the advancement of Religion and Learning and by reason of his great victories thrice changed his armorial ensignes at last advancing the cross for my Author saith King Arthur that mighty conquerour and worthy had so great affection and love to this sign that he left his armes which he used before wherein were figured three Dragons another of three crownes or as some say of thirteen and depicted in his shield a cross silver in a field vert and on the first quarter thereof he figured an Image of our B. Lady with her Son in her armes and with this sign he did wonders in Arms. And to this hour we see the Knights of the Noble order of the Garter of which number your Grace the flower of chevaldry is one to bear Argent a plain cross Gules the field signifying pureness of life the cross the blood that Christ shed for this our people whom Trevisa calleth the people of God and the Realm of Gods Land the same ensign did Joseph of Aramathia give unto Arviragus King of Brittain not many years after our Saviours passion Cadwalader the last Brittish Monarch for his armes bore Azure a cross for my fitched Or whole volumes may be compiled of this Subject and the worthy and most Christian acts of your sanctly progenitors But least I should convert an Epistle Dedicatory into History or Chronology I will proceed no further humbly offering up these my weak endeavours before the shrine of your goodness with all integrity beseeching Almighty God that you may if not excel at least equal the most valiant and vertuous of your Royal Progenitors which shall be the daily prayers of Your Royal Highness Most faithful and humble servant PERCY ENDERBY The Duke of York Anarawd King of Northwales Eidwal King of the same Meurick or Meirick Eidwal II. Jago Conan Griffith King of Northwales Owen King of Northwales Jorwerth Son and Heir to Owen married Marret D. to Madoc Prince of Powis Lhewelyn Prince of Northwales Gladis sole Daughter and Heir married to Ralph Lord Mortimer who in her right should have been Prince of Northwales Roger Lord Mortimer Edmund Lord Mortimer Roger Lord Mortimer Earl of March Edmund Lord Mortimer c. Roger Lord Mortimer Edmund Earl of March married Philip D. and H. to Lyonel D. of Clarence Roger Mortimer Earl of March left one only Daughter and Heir married to Richard Earl of Cambridge Richard Duke of York King Edward the Fourth Elizabeth sole daughter and heir married to King Henry the seventh descended from Owen Tudor Margaret eldest daughter to Henry the seventh and in her Issue his Inheretrix was Grandmother to Mary Queen of Scotland France and England Mother to King James King of great Brittain France and Ireland c. Grand-Father to James Duke of York who married Anne daughter to Sir Edward Hyde Baron of Henden and Lord Chancellor of England and hath Issue Charles Duke of Cambridge YORK The City of York anciently called Eboracum is seated upon the river Vre which we call Ouse in the VVest-riding of this County and is the second City of England both for fame and greatness a pleasant large and Stately place all well fortified and beautifully adorned as well with private as publick edifices and rich and populous with all seated on the river Ouse which cutteth it as it were in twain both parts being joyned together with a fair stone-bridge consisting of high and mighty arches a City of great fame in the Roman times and of as eminent reputation in all ages since and in the several turnes and changes which have befallen this Kingdom under the Saxons Danes and Normans hath still preserved its ancient lustre adorned it was with an Archiepiscopal See in the time of the Brittains nor stooped it lower when the Saxons received the Faith Richard the second laying unto it a little Territory on the VVest side thereof made it a county of it self in which the Archbishops of York enjoyed the rights of Palatines and for a further lustre to it Henry the eighth appointed here a councel for the Government of the Northern parts consisting of a Lord President certain Councellors a Secretary and other Officers and yet in none of these hath York been more fortunate then that it adorned so many Princes of the Imperial line of Germany and blood Royal of England with stile and attribute of Dukes and Earls of YORK 1. Otho of Bavaria Earl of York 2. Edmund of Langley fift Son to Edward the third Duke of York 3. Edward Plantagenet Son of Edward of Langley Duke of York 4. Rich. Plantagenet Nephew of Ed. of Langley Duke of York 5. Rich. of Shrewsbury Son of King Edw. Duke of York 6. Henry second Son to King Henry seventh Duke of York after King of England 7. Charles second Son of James King of England 8. James second Son to King CHARLES now Duke of York The Duke of CUMBERLAND It is needless to set down at large the Brittish line of this Heroick and VVarlike Prince Rupertus being sufficient to tell you that he is Son to that Peerless and unparallel'd Princess Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia daughter to James King of great Brittain sister to Charles King of great Brittain
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
Mr. Brou fol. 124. Jo. Pitseus l. de viris Illust aetat 8. an 720 in cremit Brit. Ananimus in li. de St. Graal Jo. Capg in Catal. in S. Joseph of Ar. As concerning his descent to leave the Trojon line it is no hard matter to derive him from St. Joseph of Aramathea for a learned Antiquary speaking of that blessed Saint and his associates saith Although our universal histories of St. Joseph of Aramathea chiefly speak of the coming of him and his religious companions not above fourteen by any account yet we have Antiquities testifying that great number of other Christians came with him hither or to our Islands adjoyning at that time Among these a Brittish Eremite living when Glastenbury Abby was builded by King Inas where the Antiquities thereof were diligently sought and examined and he so conversant in them that he wrote a book of that subject doth plainly testify in his history here of named The holy Graal that there came hither in the company of St. Joseph and his religious associates which continued with him at Glastenbury in Eremitical conversation above 600 Men and Women that were Christians Fits supra and had vowed chastity or continency untill they should arrive in this Land miraculously assigned as it seemeth unto them to continue in Ant. Glast in Tab. Antiq. and because some take exception to this Author the most warranted and allowed Manuscript Antiquities of Glastenbury written in old letters in parchment upon broad tables anciently belonging to the Monastery affirm the same and how divers of them were noble personages and such as in those times in small Islands were stiled Kings and some of our Brittish Kings descended from them among these was first Helaius Nephew of St. Joseph K. Arthurs pedigree from the family of St. Jo. of Arem by his mother of whom this old Manuscript-Antiquity thus relateth Helaius Nephew to St. Joseph begat Josue Josue begat Aminadab Aminadab begat Castellors Castellors begat Manaclaniel Manaclaniel begat Lambrord Lambrord begat a Son which begat Igerna of whom Uter Pendracon begat the noble and renowned Arthur by which it appeareth that King Arthur did descend of the race of Joseph And these antiquities do thus further relate unto us Peter Kinsman of Joseph of Aramathea King of Orcany begat Erlan Erlan begat Melianus Melianus begat Arguth Antiq. Glasten Cap. in St. Joseph Arguth begat Edor Edor begat Loth who took to wife the Sister of King Arthur of whom he begat four Sons to wit Walwan Agranayans Gwerches and Gaheries Again the same Antiquities speak of St. Josephs Imprisonment presently after his coming into this Island which was in Venedocia now Northwales neer the Isle of Mona Harris M. S. Hist l. 1. c. 25. Hist Boet. Hist Sco. in Crathlinit Bald. de Script cent lib. in Amp. Theater of great Brittain l. 6. c. 9. §. 4. St. Josephs Sister married to a Brittain â—i h. Vignier Biblior Hist an 63. Theater of great Brittain l. 6. c. 9. S. 9. who was set at liberty by a noble Man whom he had converted to the faith named Mordraius whom the antiquity calleth a King A late writer thinketh this Mordraius to be the then King or Ruler of the Island Mona and that the place where he was converted named the City Saract was Soder in the Isle of Man which was the first Bishops See we read of in those parts in the time and persecution of Dioclesian And the writers of the Theater of Great Brittain tell us of some others of this company of St. Joseph that lived in the World and were not of the Religious number that setled at Glastenbury and among them they name a Sister of St. Josephs called Eurgaine who to speak in their words afterwards married to a Brittain named Siarklos and they cite George Owen Harry for the same opinion And Nicholas Vignier a French Writer in his Bibliotheke Historial in the year of Christ 63 plainly affirmeth Joseph of Aramathea arrived this year in great Brittain with a troop or great number of his companions To these I may add the testimony of Tertullian of the timely receiving of the faith of Christ by our Northern Brittains commonly confounded in Histories with the Scottish Nation by reason of their dwelling long together and how Petrus Cluniacensis writing to St. Bernard cited by the Theater which followeth him therein supposeth the Scottishmen the more ancient Christians as not being in the like subjection to the Romans as the other then were which cannot more probably be affirmed of any then those that came by those Antiquities with St. Joseph into those outward Islands where the Scots then inhabited and with whom they united themselves as also with our Northern Brittains neither can we think but among so many even hundreds which came hither at that time some of them left a posterity of Children as is exemplified in two before one the Nephew the other the Kinsman of St. Joseph and we may take notice from the names themselves of some of those that be recited as Josue Aminadab and Loth that they were Christians no others in those parts in that time taking names from Scripture but they only and for Loth one of them that is named certain it is by our Brittish and other Histories that he was a Christian so of Igerna and King Arthur which likewise by these antiquities did descend from those of the company of Joseph of Aramathea and although these three last were late in respect of that first age of Christ and lived when Brittain generally professed Christian Religion yet Helaius Nephew or Grandsonne of Joseph placed in the first of that Genealogy in this Land at the time of St. Josephs coming hether and his Son Josue being by his name a Christian did probably live until the dayes of King Lucius and Donaldus to be of those which continued a succession of Christianity here Mr. Broughton proving that nine Schollers of Cambridge were converted to the faith Cambridge the School of the Brittish Kingdomes K. Arthur a Benefactor to Schollers learning and Religion Apud Caium li. 1. de Antiq. Cant. in arce London Howes fol. 53. and became fervent labourers in the Vineyard of our blessed Saviour saith which is further confirmed by the publick Charter of priviledges and immunities of King Arthur to that renowned ancient Town School and University of Cambridge where among other memorable things he declareth that his christian predecessours Kings of Brittain had been instructed there in learning and Religion and in particular speaking there of King Lucius what immunities he granted to that University testifieth further that this our first Christian King did receive the faith of Christ by the preaching of the learned Christian Schollers of Cambridge This Charter was dated at London in the year of Christ 531 rhe 7th day of April Arthur therefore the Son of Vter born in Cornwal at the age of fifteen years was crowned
envying his prosperitie made war against him but he valiantly vanquished them with their Picts and Scots and at his pleasure appointed them a Governour named Anguisel whom the French Author of the book of the Knights of the round table printed at Lyons 1590. Le Roy Aquisant d' Escosse and sail H. portoit d' argent a un lyon de guenles The armes of Anguisel arme de sable un cordelire a l' entour he fought 12. battails against the Saxons and alwayes bare away the victory These battails saith Nennius were fought in these places following The first battail was fought in the mouth of the Well Gleyne or Gledy The Second Third Fourth and Fifth nigh unto the River Douglasie in the county of Lineux The sixt on the River Bassus The seventh in the wood Calidon or Coile Calidon The eighth beside the castle called Guinien The ninth at Caerleon in Wales The tenth by the Sea-side in a place called Trachenrith or Rithorwood The elventh upon a hill named Agule Cathegonien The twelfth at the hill or tower of Bath then named Bathenhill where many were slain by the force of Arthur for he alone saith Will. Malmes having the Image of our Lady sowed upon his armour set upon 900. of his Enemies and with an incredible slaughter put them to flight But now concerning this Bath before mentioned it is to be noted that Bath in Somerset-Shire standeth low compassed about with hills whereby it is evident that either it is removed from that place where it stood in Nennius his time or else the place which he called Mons Badonicus was not the town it self as Reyland and others conjecture but some other high place near which is not unlikely for at this day within a mile of it is a town called Bannardowne which is so called either corruptly for Bathendowne or else in memory of the banners displayed there Bannardowne as seemes to me both upon the sight of the place and report of such as have gathered caps full of mens teeth in following the plough there to be the same that Nennius or Bede meaneth though Polydore mistakes it for Blanchmere Thus much of Badon Hill now King Arthur having abated the rage of the Saxons Howe 's fol. 55. Arthurs round table he constituted the Order of the round table into which order he only entertained such of his Nobility as were most renowned for vertue and chevalry This round table he kept in severall places especially at Caerleon in Monmoth-Shire Winchester and Camilet in Somersetshire Camilet Castle one of the places of the round table This Camilet sometimes a famous Town or Castle standeth at the South end of the Church of South Gadburie The same is situate on a very high hill wonderfully strengthened by nature to the which be two enterings up by very steep wayes by North one and the other by South-VVest The very root of the hill whereon this fortress stood is more then a mile in compass In the upper part of the top of the hill above all the trenches The discription of Camilet as now is Magna Arca or Campus of twenty acres or more where in divers places men may see foundations or Rudera of walls there was much duskie blue stone that people of the village there by have carried away This Camilet within the upper wall being more then twenty Acres hath often been ploughed and born very good corn much gold silver and Copper of Roman coyne hath been found there in ploughing and likewise in the fields about the roots of the hill with many other Antick things especially by East Such another place is at Caerleon triple-trenched now called the lodge in the Park There was found in memory of Men a horse-shoe of silver at Camilet The coat of Lord of Earl Hungerford the people can tell nothing there but that they have heard say that Arthur much resorted to Camilet The old Lord Hungerford was owner of this Camilet who bore for his Coat of armes G. and V. indented per pale a cheveron Or since the right honourable the Lord Hastings Earl of Huntington from which family my wife is descended by her Grandmother Daughter to the Earl of Huntington and wife to the Earle of Worcester Elizabeth married to Edward Somerset Father and Mother to Henry Earl of Wigorne whose fourth Daughter Frances was married to William Morgan of Lantarna Esquire who left issue Sir Edward Morgan Baronet Henry Morgan and Winefred wife to Percy Enderby Gentleman Author of this book There is to be seen in Denbighshire in the parish of Lansanan in the side of a stone hill a place encompassed wherein be twenty four seats for men to sit in some less and some larger cut out of the main Rock by mans hands where children and young men coming to seek their cattel use to fit and play They commonly call it Arthurs round table The Order and Institution of the round table About the year of Christ 490. there reigned in England then called Brittain Sir William Segar King at armes a King named Arthur whose valour was so great and admirable that many men now living do hold the same rather fabulous then credible yet who so shall consider enterprises of later times atchieved by private persons may be easily induced to think that a great part of the praise written of that mighty Monarch may seasonably receive belief but omitting to speak of his prowess perhaps by others already over largely discoursed I say that this most famous King having expulsed out of England the Saxons conquered Norwey King Arthur crowned in Paris Scotland and the most part of France and was crowned in the City of Paris from whence returnd he erected a certain association a brotherhood of Knights who vowed to observe these articles following The Articles of the round table 1. First that every Knight should be well armed and furnished to undertake any enterprise wherein he was employed by Sea or Land on horse-back or a foot 2. That he should be ever prest to assail all tyrants or oppressours of the people 3. That he should protect widdowes and maids restore Children to their right repossess such persons as were without just cause exiled and with all his force maintain the Christian faith 4. That he should be a Champion for the weal publick and as a Lyon repulse the Enemies of his Country 5. That he should advance the reputation of honour and suppress all vice releive people afflicted by adverse fortune give aid to the holy Church and protect Pilgrims 6. That he should bury Souldiers that wanted Sepulture deliver prisoners ransome Captives and cure men hurt in service of their Country 7. That he should in all honourable actions adventure his person yet with respect to justice and truth and in all enterprises proceed sincerely never failing to use his uttermost force of body and labour of mind 8. That after the attaining of any enterprise he should cause
it to be recorded to the end the same of that fact might ever live to his eternal honour and renown of the noble order 9. That if any complaint were made at the Court of this mighty King of perjury or oppression then some Knight of the order whom the King should appoint ought to revenge the same 10. That if any Knight of forrain Nation did come unto the Court with desire to challenge or make shew of his prowess were he single or accompanied those Knights ought to be ready in armes to make answer 11. That if any Lady Gentlewoman or VVidow or Maid or other oppressed person did present a petition declaring that they were or had been in this or that Nation injured or offered dishonour they should be graciously heard and without delay one or more Knights should be sent to take revenge 12. That every Knight should be willing to inform young Princes Lords and Gentlemen in the orders and exercises of armes thereby not only to avoid Idleness but also to encrease the honour of Knighthood and Chevalrie Divers other Articles inciting to magnanimous actions of honour in armes those Knights were sworn to observe Sir William Segar ib. which for brevity I omit nevertheless being used to lose my labour I will adventure to say this little and the rather because this order of Knighthood is ancient I do not read of any Robe or habit prescribed unto these Knights nor with what ceremonie they were made The place of meeting and Convocation was the City of Winchester where King Arthur caused a great round table to be made and at the same the Knights at Pentecost or VVhitsunday did sit and eat the proportion thereof was such as no room could be thought of more dignity then the rest yet as some writers say one seat thereof was called the Sea Perilous reserved for that Knight that did excel the rest in vertue That place by thet consent of all the rest of the Knights was allotted to King Arthur who for his valour surpassed all other Knights and professors of armes Of Officers and Ministers belonging unto this order I do not read but of a Register whose duty was to enter and keep records of all and every action enterprised attempted or performed by any of all those Knights which records were read and sung publickly to the eternizing of their honour and fame Whether the number of these Knights was many or few I do not find but it seemeth imparted to a great many all persons of high dignitie and much prowess for unto King Arthur at Caerleon in Monmoth-Shire resorted at one time ten Kings Caerleon more honoured then any City of Brittain and thirteen Earls besides many Barons and other Knights of meaner qualitie As the conquests of the King were many so was his bounty notable for it is written that unto his chief Scheneshal or Steward called Kay he gave the province of Avion on his Butler Bedwere he bestowed Normandy and to his Cozen Berel he granted the Dutchy of Buriundy and unto many other Lords and valiant Knights he allotted other magnificent gifts according to their vertue Sir John Hayward fol. 4. in Will Conq. Some are of opinion the truth whereof I will not dispute that this most victorious King was not born in lawfull wedlock some make the like quere of Alexander others of Julius Caesar many such have been brought into the World to the great admiration and astonishment of Posterity and that bastards should inherit Kingdomes Principalities and other Seigniories it was no unusual thing Sir John Hayward writing the life of William the Conquerour who is commonly called William the bastard tells us it was a generall custome at that time in France that bastards did succeed even in dignities of highest degree and condition no otherwise then children lawfull begotten Thierry bastard of Clovis had for his partage with the dutifull Children of the said Clovis the Kingdom of Austrasie now called Lowain Sigisbert bastard to King Dagobert the first had his part in the Kingdom of France with Clovis the twelfth lawfull Son to Dagobert Loys and Carloman bastards to King Loyis le Begue succeeded after the death of their Father so likewise in England Alfride bastard Son to Oswine succeeded his Brother Egfride So Adelstane the bastard Son of Edward the Elder succeeded his Father before Edmund and Eldred his younger Brothers notwithstanding they were lawfully begotten So St. Edmund the Martyr bastard Son to King Edgar succeeded him in the state before Ethelbred his lawfull issue Afterward Harold surnamed Harefoot bastard to Canutus succeeded him in the Kingdom before Hardi Canutus his lawfull son The like custome hath been observed in Spain in Portugall and in divers other Countries And it is probable that this use was grounded upon often experience that bastards begotten in the highest heat and strength of affection have many times been men of excellent proof both in courage and understanding this was verified in Hercules Alexander the great Romulus Timotheus Brutus Themistocles Arthur in Homer Demosthenes Bion Bartholus Gracian Peter Lumbard Peter Comestor John Andreas and divers of most florishing name but this custome now concerning succession of bastards in Kingdomes Royalties and other inheritances is obsolete and quite abolished Concerning the Coronation of King Arthur some Authours have written thus the appointed time of the solemnity approaching The Coronation of King Arthur and all being ready assembled in the City of Caerleon the Archbishops of London and York and in the City of Caerleon the Archbishop Dubrick were conveyed to the place with royal solemnity to Crown King Arthur Dubritius therefore because the Court lay within his Diocesse He was crowned at Lanturnam an ancient Abbey but now the house of St. Edward Morgan Baronet furnished him accordingly to perform and solemnize this charge in his own person The King being crowned was with all pompe brought to the Cathedral Church of that Metropolitan See on either hand of him both right and left did the Archbishops support him and four Kings to wit Angusell King of Albania Cadvall King of Venedotia Cador Kings of Cornewall and Sater King of Demetia went before him carrying four golden swords The Companies also and concourse of sundry sorts of Officers played before him most melodious and heavenly harmony On the other part the Queen was brought to the Church of professed * St. Julians now the house of the Lord of Cherbery Nuns being conducted and accompanied by Archbishops and Bishops with her armes and titles royally garnished and the Queens consorts to the four Kings aforesaid carryed before her as the order and custome was four white Doves or Pigeons At a solemnity held by this renowned King upon the feast of Pentecost which was the usual day for the Knights of the Round-table to convene a challenge was brought to King Arthur from a King of Northwales the Copy whereof was given me by the right honorable Richard
thou that with Fornication of all Evills as it were the full Heap thine own Wife being put away and by her honest Death thou dost oppress thy Soul with a certain Burden that cannot be avoided of thy own un-shamefac'd Daughter consume not I pray thee the Residue of thy Daies to the Offence of God Hollenshed in Vorliporus c. Thus Hollenshed out of Gildas Fabian in Vorliporus Fabian writing of this King saith Of which is little left in any Chronicle except that Guido testifying him to be a victorious Knight shewing briefly that in sundry Battels he discomfited the Saxons and defended the Land and Brittains from the Danger of them and other their Allyes Howe 's in eodem Howes calleth him a vicious King and a Tyrant who put from him his Wife and kept her Daughter for his Concubine Harpesfield having spoken of several Saintly men and great Schollers in the Reign of former Kings continuing his History saith After whom other famous and learned Brittains are not to be forgotten I mean Thelianus Daniel Petrocius Kentegernus Sampson Cadocus with others Thelianus born of an Illustrious and Princely Off-spring yet more illustrated his Family by his own most resplendent Virtues he was first Disciple to Dubritius Bishop of Landaff and afterwards together with Saint David to Paulinus So strict was the Amity betwixt him and David that they were esteemed the most admirable Pair of Friends of that time For the wonderfull Lustre of his Virtue and Sanctity he was commonly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The Sun from whence by Corruption instead of Elios he is usually called Elive He succeeded Dubritius in the Episcopal Dignity of Landaff where after the leading of a most holy Life he rendred his blessed Soul into the hands of his Creatour in the Ides of February in the Reign of Vorliporus Anno 540. Daniel famous both for Learning and Virtue associated himself with Dubritius and David for Extirpation of the cursed Poyson of the Pelagian Heresie and founded that Renowned Colledge of Acaon in the province of North-Wales which is now the Bishopprick of Bangor where he was the first Bishop and flourished untill the year 560. under Vortiporus There is a certain Island in Wales which the Cambrians or Welshmâ—n Scots and English call Bardsey in which they say not onely the Body of this Daniel but of divers other Saints likewise are interr'd neither want Authours who affirm that for the sakes of those Saints there buried the Inhabitants of that Isle live extreamly long even to the most decrepid Age that can be imagined Who so desireth to have further Satisfaction concerning the Renowned Brittains in this Kings Reign let him read Harpsfield in the first six Ages c. 27. Malgo Conanus Malgo Pulcher Conanus of North-Wales began his Reign over the Brittains and continued his Reign five years This Malgo was in proportion of body Hower fol. 56. greater then any of the Kings or Dukes of Brittain but he delighted in the foul sin of Sodomy he slew his first Wife and then took to Wife his own Brothers Daughter This Malgo saith Hollenshed is reported to have been the comeliest Gentleman in beauty and shape of Personage Hollenshed 147. in Malgo. that was to be found in those dayes among all the Brittains and therewith of a bold and hardy courage he manfully defended the Countrey which he had in Government from the malice of the Saxons and subdued the out Isles as Orkney and others but notwithstanding the Noble Qualities with which his person was adorned yet he spotted them all with the foul sin of Sodomy so that he fell into hatred with Almighty God and being pursued of the Saxons received many Overthrows at their hands as by the Report of the English Writers is gathered more at large Finally when he had reigned five years and odd Moneths he departed this Life It seemeth that this Malgo is named by Gildas Maglocunus which Gildas before he speaketh of him inveigheth against one Cuneglasus whom he reproveth for that he warred both against God and Man against God with grievous sins as namely Adultery in forsaking the Company of his lawfull Wife and keeping to Concubine a Sister of hers that had professed chastity and against man with material Armour and Weapons which he used to the Destruction of his own countreymen with whom he kept Wars and not against the Enemies of the Common-Wealth From Cuneglasus he cometh to the foresaid Maglocune whom he nameth The Dragon of the Isles and the Expeller of many Tyrants not onely out of their Kindomes but also out of Life the last of whom he intreateth as himself saith but the first in all Mischief and Evill greater then many in Power and likewise in Malice right liberal in giving and more plentifull in sin strong and valiant in Arms but stronger in Destruction of his own Soul and so proceeding chargeth him with the sin of the Sodomites and sore blameth him for that whereas it had pleased God to make him higher then all other Chieftains of his Kindome he did not shew himself better but contrarily worse then they by far in manners and conditions He declareth also a little after that this Maglocune in his younger years slew in Battel his Uncle being King with the most valiant Souldiers in a manner that he had Also that whereas the said Maglocune took upon him the profession of a Monk he after renounced the same and became a worse Liver then ever he was before abandoning his Wife and keeping his Brothers Sons Wife whilst her Husband was yet living Thus by that which Gildas writeth of the Kings and Rulers of Brittain which lived in his daies ye may perceive that they were given to all manner of Wickedness and namely to civil Dissention Rapine Adultery and Fornication so that it may be thought that God stirred up the Saxons to be a scourge to them and to worke his just Vengeance upon them for their wicked and abominable Offences daily committed against his Divine Majesty so that we finde recorded by Writers how that the Saxons in divers conflicts against the Brittains had the better and also took from them divers Towns as hath been partly already and shall hereafter be made manifest Fabian tells us Fab. fol. 99. that Malgo in his later daies being oppressed and pursued by his Enemies lastly dyed when he had reigned thirty five years whereas other Authours allow only five Careticus Careticus took upon him the rule and Goverment of the Brittains this man loved civil War and was odible both to God and his Subjects They moved the Saxons being accompanied with Gurmundus King of Ireland to make war upon Careticus in such wise that he was faine to take the Town of Cicester where they assaulted him and fired the Town by tying fire to the wings of Sparrows that he with his men fled from thence into Wales by which means he left a great
number of Lay brethren of that house which lived by the labour of their hands This Brochwel retired over Dee hard by Bangor and defended the Saxons passage till Cadvan King of Northwales Meredith King of Southwales 1066. Saxons slain by the Brittains and Bledrus or Bletius Prince of Cornwall came to succour him and gave the Saxons a sore battail and slew of them the number of 1066. and put the rest to flight After which battail Cadvan was chosen King of Brittain and was chief ruler within the Isle after whom his son Cadwallon who was father to Cadwallador the last of the Brittish blood that bare the name of King of Brittain This was writ by a Northwales man but Southwales far exceedeth it for beauty profit and pleasure was King The third time that Northwales came to a Woman was to Esylht daughter to Conan Tindaythwy the son of Edwal Ywrch the son of Cadwalador She was wife to Mervin Vrich and Mother to Roderike the great as hereafter shall be declared By this you may understand that Northwales hath been a great while the chiefest seat of the last Kings of Brittain it was and is the strongest countrey within this Isle full of high mountains craggy rocks great Woods and deep valleyes straight and dangerous places deep and swift Rivers as Dev which springeth in the hills of Merioneth and runneth Northwest through Mouthwy and by Machinlaeth and so to the sea at Aberdini dividing North and Southwales asunder d ee called in Welsh Dourdwy springeth also in an other side of the said hills runneth East through Penlhin and the lake Tisgyd down to Corwen and Lhangolhen between Chirkland and Bromfield where it boweth Northward toward Bangor to Holt and to Chester and thence Northwest to Flint Castle and so to the sea There is also Conwel rising likewise in Merionithshire and dividing Caernarvon from Denbighshire runneth under Suowdon North-east by the Town of Aberconwey to the sea Also Clwyd which rising in Denbighland runneth down to Kuthin and plain North not far from Denbigh to St. Asaph and so by Kuthlan and to the sea there be many other fair Rivers of which some run to the sea as Mawr at Traethmawr and Avon Y Saint at Caernarvon and others that run to Severn as Murnwy in Powis and to Murny Tanat some other to d ee as Ceirioc betwixt the Lordships of Chirk and Wittington Alin through Yal and Moldes dale and Hopedale and so to Dee a little above Chester And this shal suffice for the perfect description of that which in old time was called Gwineth and Powis and at these dayes the six Shires of Northwales Now remaineth the last Kingdom of Wales called Dinevowr which although it was the greatest Dinevour yet was it not the best as Giraldus writeth chiefly because it was most molested by Flemmings and Normans and also that in divers parts thereof the Lords would not obey their Prince as in Gwent and in Morganwc which wrought their own confusion as shall hereafter appear This was divided into six parts of which Caredigion was the first and contained four Cantrefs and ten comots Caerdigion as Cantref Penwedic had in it these comots Geneurglin Perueth and Crenthin Cantref Canawl had these Mevenith Anhunoc and Pennarch Cantref Castelh had these comots Mabwinion and Caerwedros Cantref Sirwen had these Gwenionith and Iscoed and this part is at this day called in English Caerdiganshire and in Welsh Swidh Aberleini This is a champion country without much wood and hath been divers times overcome by Flemmings and Normans who builded many Castles in it and at last were beaten out of them all It hath on the East Northwales with the River Dini and part of Powis upon the South Caermarthenshire upon the West Pembrockshire with the river Teini and upon the North the Irish sea In this part is the Town of Cardigan upon Teini not far from the sea The Town of Aberystwyth upon the river Ystwith by the sea and Lhanbadern Vawr which was a great Sanctuary and a place of religious and learned men in times past and in this Shire was a great number of Castles as the Castle of Strat Meyric of Walter of Lhanristed of Dynerth of the sons of Mineaon of Aber Reidol and many more with the Towns of Tregaron Lhandhewibreni as you shall understand hereafter The second part was call Dinot and at this day Pembrockshire and had in it eight cantrefs and 23. comots which where these cantref Emlin that had these comots Vwchluch Iscutch and Lenethir Cantref Arberth had these Penrhin or Elays Esterolet and Talacaarn Cantref Dangeld had these Amgoed Pennant and Eudfre Cantref Ycoed had these Lhanhayaden and Castelh Gwis Cantref Penvro had these Coedychaf Maenorbyir and Penvro Cantref Ros had these Hulfforth Castelh Gwalhmai and Ygarne Cantref Pubidioc had these Miniw Pencaer and Pebidioc Cantref Cemas hath these Vwchnener Isnener and Trefdracth In these parts are divers towns and havens at this day as Pembroch Tenby in Welsh Denbigh Y Pis Heref. in welsh Hulforth with the fair haven of Milford called in Welsh Aberdangeldhen S. Davids or Menevia called in Welsh Miniw the chiefest see in all Wales Then Friscare called Abergwain Newport named Trefdraeth these be along the sea coast and not very far of besides these there be divers Castles as Cilgarran Arberth Gwys Lanhayaden Walwin and divers others This part was wan first by the Montgomeries Earls of Shrewsbery and after given to the Marshalls and so to Valence and from thence to the Princes of Wales most troubled with the Normans and Flemmings who do remain and inhabit about Pembrock Tenbie and in Ros to this day which can neither speak Welsh nor good English as yet Dinet for so I will call it hereafter hath on the West and the North the Irish sea upon the South the Spanish sea and upon the East Caermarthenshire and on the North-East Caerdiganshire The third part of Caermardhinshire having 4 cantrefs and 15. comots as cantref Finioc with the comots of Harfryn Dervedh and Isgeneny Cantref Eginoc with these Gwir now in Glamorganshire Cidwel and Carnwillheon Cantref Baehan with these Melhaen Caeo and Maenor Deilo Cantref Mawr with these Cethineoc comot Mab Elvyw comot Mab Vchdrid and Widigada In this Shire are the Townes and Castles of Caermadhin Dinevowr which was the Princes seat of that Country Newton Lhandeilo Lhauymdhyfry Elmin Swansey now in Glamorganshire called in welsh Abertawy upon the sea the Castle of the sons of Vchtryd of Lhanstephan and others It hath upon the West Dinet or Pembrockshire on th North Caerdigâ—â—shire upon the Southwest the sea and upon the Southeast Glamorgan and upon the East Brechnockshire This is counted the strongest part of all Southwales as that which is full of high mountains great Woods and fair rivers specially Tywy In this and in the other two parts of Southwales were the notablest acts that their History treateth of atchived and done The fourth called
Brittain was imprisoned and Edwal Voel the Son of Anarawd and Elise his Brother were slain in a battel which they fought against the Danes and Englishmen This Edwal had six sons Meiric Janaf or Jenan Jago which is James Conan Edwal Vachan and Roderick after whose death Howel Dha his Cosin German ruled all VVales during his life Elise also had Issue Conan and a Daughter named Trawst which was Mother to Conan ap Sitsylht Gruffith ap Sitsylht and Blethin ap Covyn which two last were afterwards Princes of VVales Howel Dha This Howel Dha King or Prince of Southwales and of Powis long before this time after the death of Edwal Voel his cosin took upon him the rule and government of all VVales about the year of Christ 940. who notwithstanding the sons of Edwal did something murmur against him was for his godly behaviour discreet and just rule beloved of men This Howel constituted and made Laws to be kept through his Dominions which were used in Wales till such time as the Inhabitants received the laws of England in the time of King Edward the First and in some places thereof long after These laws are to be seen at this day both in VVelsh and Latine Howel Dha perceiving the laws and customes of his country to have grown unto great abuse sent for the Arch-Bishop of Menenia and all the other Bishops and chief of the Clergy A pious example for all Princes to the number of one hundred and forty Prelates and all the Barons and Nobles of VVales and caused six men of the wisest and best esteemed in every Comote to be called before him whom he commanded to meet altogether at his house called Y Tuy Gwyn Taf that is The white house upon the River Taf. Thither he came himself and there remained with those his Nobles Prelates and Subjects all the Lent in prayer and fasting craving the Assistance and direction of Gods holy Spirit that he might reform the Laws and Customes of the Country of VVales to the honour of God and quiet government of the people About the end of Lent he chose out of that company twelve men of the wisest gravest and of the greatest experience to whom he added one Clerk or Doctour of the lawes named Blegored a singular learned and perfect wise man These had in charge to examine the old lawes and customes of Wales and to gather of such as were meet for the government of the Country which they did retaining those that were wholesome and profitable expounding those that were doubtful and ambiguous and abrogating those that were superfluous and hurtful and so ordained three sorts of Laws The first for ordering of the King or Princes Houshold and his Court. The second of the affairs of the Country and Common-wealth The third of the special customes belonging to particular places and persons Of all the which being read allowed and proclamed he caused three severall books to be written one for his dayly use to follow his Court an other to lye in his Palace at Abersfrew and the third at Dinevour that all the three Provinces of Wales might have the use of the same when need required The King and Princes of Brittain much observant of the See Apostolike And for the better observation of these lawes he procured of the Archbishop of St. Davids to denounce sentence of excommunication against such of his Subjects as refused to obey the same whithin a while after Howel because he would omit nothing that could bring countenance and authority to his said laws went to Rome taking with him the Archbishop of St. Davids the Bishop of Bangor and Asaph and thirteen other of the learnedst and wisest men in VVales where the said lavves being recited before the Pope vvere by his authority confirmed then having finished his devoted pilgrimage he returned home again vvith his company 1. By these lawes they might not morgage their lands but to one of the same family or kindred which were de eadem Parentela 2. Every tenant holding of any other then his Prince or Lord of the Fee paid a fine pro defensione Regia which was called Arian Ardhel in Latine Advocarii 3. No Legacy of goods by Will was good otherwise then those which were given to the Church to the Lord of the Fee or for payment of debts 4. Every man might destrain as well for debts as for rent of Lands any goods or Cattel saving horses which were counted to serve for a mans necessary defence and were not destrainable without the Princes licence 5. Causes of Inheritance were not heard or determined but from the ninth of November till the ninth of February or from the ninth of May until the ninth of August the rest of the year was counted a time of vacation for sowing in the spring and reaping in the harvest This also is to be observed that all matters of inheritance of Land were determined and adjudged by the King or Prince in person or his special Deputy if he were sick or impotent and that upon the view of the said Land calling unto him the Freeholders of the same place two Elders of his Councel the Chief Justice attending alwaies in the Court the ordinary Judge of the Country where the Land lay and the Priest The manner of their proceeding was thus the King or Prince sat in his Judicial seat higher then the rest with an Elder on his right hand and an other on his left and the Freeholders on both sides next unto them which for this cause as I think were called Vchelwyr Before him directly a certain distance off and a little lower sat the Chief Justice having the Priest on his right hand and the ordinary Judg of that Countrey on the left The court being set the Plaintiff came in with his Advocate Champion and Rhyngyth and stood on the right side and last of all the Witnesses on both parties came which stood directly before the Chief Justice at the lower end of the Hall untill they were called up to testify the truth of their knowledge in the matter in varitance The figure of which I thought good here to lay down as ye see Vnderneath Uchelwyr An Elder The King An Elder Uchelwyr The Priest THE Chief Justice The Judge The Defendant  The Plaintiff Rhyngyth  Rhyngyth Advocate  Advocate Champion The VVitnesses Champion After the hearing of this book read the depositions of the witnesses and full pleading of the cause in open Court upon warning given by the Rhyngyth the chief Justice the Priest and the Ordinary Judge withdrew themselves for a while to consult of the matter and then secundum Allegata probata brought their verdict the Court sitting Whereupon the King or Prince after consultation had with the Elders or Seniors which sat by him gave definitive sentence except the matter was so obscure and intricate that right and truth appeared not in the which case it was tryed by the two Champions and so
the cause ended This shall be sufficient for this time Some Authors write that Lhewelin ap Sitsylht who was after Prince of Wales assisted Edmund a Saxon King and entered Cumberland taking the two sons of Dummaille King of the Province put out their eyes and then gave that Country to Malcolme to be holden of him with condition to keep the North part of the Realm from incursion of enemies the which condition was afterwards but slenderly peformed This Malcome was the son of Donald King of Scotland and was the next King after Constantine the third being in number the 76. In the year 942. died Hubert Bishop of St. Davids and the year following Marclois Bishop of Bangor and Vssa the son of Lhavyr died the year 944. the Englishmen entered Wales with a stronge army and spoyled Strad Clwid and returned home At which time Conan the son of Elise was put in danger of death by poyson and Everus Bishop of St. Davids died In the year 948 died Howel Dha the noble and worthy King or Prince of Wales whose death was much lamented by all men for he was a Prince that loved peace and good order and that feared God he left behind him four sons Owen Run Roderike and Edwin betwixt whom and the sons of Edwal there ensued great wars for the chief rule of Wales as shall appear in the history following After the death of Howel Dha his sons did divide Southwales and Powis betwixt them And Janaf and Jago the second and third sons of Edwal Voel ruled North VVales because their elder brother Meyric was not a man worthy to rule who coming of the elder house would have had the chief rule of all Wales which the sons of Howel Dha denyed them And thereupon Jago or James and Janaf entred Southwales with a great power against whom came Owen the son of Howel and his brethren and fought together at the hills of Carno where Jago and Janaf had the victory And the year following the said brethren did twice enter into Southwales and spoyled Dinet and slew Dwnwalhon Lord thereof And within a while after dyed Roderike one of the sons of Howel Dha year 952 In the year 952. the sons of Howel gathered their strength together against Janaf and Jago and entred their land at the river of Conwy where they fought a cruel battail at a place called Gurgustu or Lhanrwst as some think where a great number were slain upon either side as Anarawd the son of Gwyriad or Vriel the son of Roderike the great and Edwin the son of Howel Dha in the which battail were overthrown the sons of Howel whom Janaf Jago pursued to Caerdigan destroyed their Country vvith fire svvord About this time Yarthyr the son of Mervyn vvas drovvned In the year 958 was a wonderful hot summer when Gwyan the son of Gwiriad the son of Roderike dyed After the which heat there followed a great plague in March ensuing In those dayes Jago and Janaf by force and strength ruled all Wales as they thought good And yet for all their power Abloic King of Ireland landed in Môn and having burnt Holyhead spoyled the country of Lhyyn year 961 In the year 961 the sons of Edwin the son of Colhoyn were slain after they had destroyed all the country to Towyn About this time Meyric the son of Cadvan Rytherch Bishop of St. Davids and Cadwalhon ap Owen departed out of this transitory life Not long after the country of Northwales was exceedingly spoyled by the army of Edgar King of England The cause of this was the not payment of the tribute that the King of Abersfraw by the lawes of Howel Dha was to pay to the Kings of London in the end there was a peace concluded Jo. Cast Holl. pag. 232. Wolves destroyed by the Prince of W. for King Edgar understanding what hurt the Countrys of England and Wales received daily by reason of the great multitude of Wolves that then abounded especially in Wales which destroyed much sheep and otherwayes did great harme released the tribute of money appointed by the said lawes of Howel Dha and bound the Princes of Northwales to pay him yearly certain Wolves for his tribute so to be released of the other tribute in mony which the said Prince performed untill he had left never a Wolf in all Wales or England year 966 In the year 966. Roderike the son of Edwal Voel was slain by the Irishmen by whom Abersfraw was destroyed The next year after fell a great debate betwixt the two sons of Edwal Jago and Janaf which had ruled joyntly together from the death of Howel Dha till that time and shortly after Jago having taken his brother Janaf by force very cruelly kept him in prison a long time about the which time Eneon the son of Owen Prince of Southwales wan seised to himself the land of Gwyr And in the year â—69 Machis the son of Haroald with an army of Danes did enter into Anglesey and â—poyled 〈◊〉 year 969 Theâ—â— â—â—â—nes were suffered by Edgar to inhabit quietly through all England till they â—â—re as strong as the Englishmen and then they fell to such ryotousness and drinking that â—â—ch mischief ensued thereof A law against immoderate drinking whereupon Edgar made a law that every man should drink by measure and caused a certain mark to be set in every pot how deep they should drink and so by these means he somewhat stayed the immoderate ingurgation Not long after that Godfryd the son of Haroald did subdue to himself the whole Isle of Anglesey which he enâ—oyed not long year 972 King Edgar likewise in the year 972 did send a great army to Gaâ—â—â—â—on upon Vsk which shortly turned back without doing any notable act Caerleon upon Vsk The next year following Howel the son of Janaf raised a great power against his Uncle Jago for the deliverance of his father out of prison and overcame his Uncle in fight whom he chased out of the land and took his eldest Unckle Meyric the son of Edwal and put out both his eyes and kept him in prison where he dyed shortly after leaving behind him two sons Edwal and Jonaval of the which Edwal came afterwards the most worthy Princes of Wales Howel notwithstanding he had set his father at liberty yet took upon himself the whole rule of the land for his lifetime He had three brethren all men of great estimation Meyrich Janaf and Cadwallon whose lines shall ensue hereafter Howel Son of Janaf After that Howel the son of Janaf had expelled his Uncle from the land Dunwalhon goes to Rome he took the rule to himself And at that time Dwnwalhon Prince of Strad Cwlyd took his journey to Rome Then dyed Edwalhon the son of Owen year 976 The year 976 Eneon the son of Owen King of Southwales destroyed the land of Gwyr the second time the year ensuing Howel the son of Janaf with a great army both of Welshmen
1038. Hernon Archbishop of Menevia or St. Davids died a man both learned and godly the next year following Howel King of Southwales gathered a great power of his friends and strangers and entered the land intending to overcome it again wherefore Gruffith like a worthy Prince came with all speed to succour his people and meeting with Howel at Pencadair after he had incouraged his Soldiers gave him battail and overthrew him and pursued him so narrowly that he took Howels wife whom he had brought to the field to see the overthrow of Gruffith which chanced otherwise whom Gruffith liked so well that he kept her for his Concubine year 1041 In the year 1041. Howel came again to Southwales and remained there a while and shortly after a number of strangers landed in Westwales and spoyled the Country against whom Howel gathered his forces and fought with them and drove them to their ships with much loss At this time Conan the son of Jago who had fled to Ireland to save his life with the power of Alfred King of Develin whose daughter Ranulph he had married entered Northwales and by treason had taken Gruffith the King and carried him towards the ships but when it was known the Country upon a suddain followed the Irishmen and overtaking them rescued their Prince requiting their foes with much slaughter forcing them to their ships who returned with Conan to Ireland The year following Howel the son of Owen Lord of Glamorgan dyed being a man full of years Then Howel ap Edwin called to his succour Danes and Englishmen with all the power he could make in Southwales whereof Gruffith being certified gathered his power together in Northwales and came couragiously to meet his enemies whom he had twice before discomfited and overcame them and chased them as far as the spring of the River Towy where after a long and dangerous battail Howel was slain and his army routed and so narrowly pursued that few escaped alive After whose death Ritherck and Rees the sons of Ritherck ap Iestyn aspiring again to the rule and government of Southwales which their father had once obtained gathered a great army as well of Strangers as out of Gwentland and Glamorgan and met with Gruffith King of Wales who after his accustomed manner detracting no time but couragiously animating his men with the remembrance of their former fortune and divers victories under his standard joyned battail with his enemies whom he found disposed to abide and to win again the honour they had lost wherefore when they met the fight was cruell and bloody and continued till night which easily departed both armies being weary with fighting and either fearing other returned to their Countreys to gather more strength This year Ioseph Bishop of Teilo or Lhandaf died at Rome The Bishop of Landaff dyeth at Rome The land being thus quieted Gruffith ruled all Wales without any trouble till about two years after the Gentlemen of Ystrad Towy did by treason kill 140 of the Prince his best Soldiers to revenge whose death the King Gruffith destroyed all Dinet and Ystrad Towy Here is also to be noted that such snow fell this year that it lay upon the earth from the Kalends of Ianuary to the fourteenth of March. In the year 1050 Conan the son of Iago did gather an army of his friends in Ireland minding to recover his inheritance again as he sailed towards Wales there arose such a tempest that it scattered his navy abroad and drowned the most part of his ships so that he was disappointed of his purpose and lost his labour This Earl Godwin that wicked Earl of Kent whose lands were swallowed up by the Sea and as this day called Godwins sands pernicious and terrible to Navigators as late experience hath taught us About this time Godwin being summoned to appear and answer before King Edward Conf. at Glocester the guilty Earl Godwin fearing the Kings displeasure who could never brook him since the death of his brother Alfred gathered an army out of Kent and other Countries where his sons ruled or had power and so came tovvards Glocester reporting abroad that all his preparation was made to resist Gruffith Prince of Wales who as they affirmed was ready with an army to invade the Marches but King Edward being certified by the Welshmen that there was no such thing in hand commanded Godwin to send back his army Matth. West writeth that about this time to wit anno 1053. Rees the brother of Gruffith King of Wales was slain in a place called Balendane which place since was called Pen Rees and lately belonged to Sir Ed. Morgan Baronet but sold from the house as he did much more to the ruin of his family though the fault be laid upon upon his son I say no more but God knows how 〈◊〉 whose head was presented to the King at Glocester the day before the Epiphany According to the computation of Authours neer these times Machbeth King of Scotland caused a noble man named Bancho to be cruelly murthered whereupon Fleance the son of the sad Bancho escaping the hands of Macebeth fled to Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales where being joyfully received and entertained courteously he grew into such favour with the said Prince that he thought nothing too good for him But in processe of time Fleance forgetting the courtesy to him shewed fell in love with the Princes daughter and got her with child which thing the Prince took in ill part that he in rage caused Fleance to be killed holding his daughter in most vile estate of servitude for so suffering her self to be de flowered by a stranger At length she was delivered of a son which was named Walter who in few years proved a man of great courage and valour in whom from his childhod appeared a certain noblenesse of mind and ready to attempt any great enterprise This Walter on a time fell out with one of his companions who in that great heat of contention objected unto him that he was but a bastard begotten in an unlawful bed which reproach so grieved Walter that he fell upon the other and slew him whereupon fearing the punishment of the law he fled into Scotland and there fell into the company of those Englishmen which were come thither with Queen Margaret the sister of Edgar Edeling amongst whom he shewed himself so discreet and sober in all his demeanour that he was highly esteemed of all men and so attaining to higher reputation and credit was afterwards imployed in the affairs of the Commonwealth at length made Lord Steward of Scotland receiving the King revenues of the whole realme Of the which Office he and his posterity retained that Sirname of Steward ever after from whom descended the most noble Kings of Scotland besides many other Dukes Marquesses Earls and Barons of great fame and honour Whosoever desireth to be more fully satisfyed in this matter let him read and peruse E. Holenshed and he
himself but was ready to make peace with the Scottish King and the Earl of Chester but for all this Owen would not trust the King until such time as his Unkle Meredyth came from the King to him and counselled him not to forsake the King of Englands offer but rather to trust to his promise and to make haste before the Prince agreed with the King who offered him all his Lands without tribute Owen hearing this came to the King who received him graciously and told him because he had trusted the Kings word and promise he would not only perform that but also exalt him above all his â—kin and give him his lands without tribute The Prince also hearing of this sent to the King to have his peace which because the King could not come by him he obtained for a great summe of mony Some Brittish copies write that the submission both of Gruffith ap Conan and also of Owen ap Cadogan was procured by subtle policy of Meredyth ap Blethyn and the Earl of Chester the one working with Gruffith and bearing him in hand that Owen had submitted himself to the King and made his peace with him before it was so indeed so that the Prince something yeilding to the Earls request if Owen had so done contrary to his oath for they were sworn each to other the one not to agree without the assent of the other seemed to encline to peace On the otherside Meredyth going himself in person to his Nephew Owen This Nation still brought to ruine by the nobles thereof affirmed for a truth that the Prince and the Earl of Chester were throughly agreed concerning peace and that the Prince was on his journey towards the King to make his submission and in the mean time all messengers between Owen and the Prince were by the procurement of Meredyth intercepted where upon Owen willingly yielded himself to the King The King having finished his businesse in Wales called Owen to him and told him that if he would go with him into Normandy and be faithful unto him he would perform all his promises with him whereupon Owen went with the King into Normandie where he was made Knight and had all promises performed by the King at his return the Year following At which time dyed Griffith Bishop of Menevia and the King made one Bernard a Norman Bishop in his place contrary to the minds of all the Clergy of Wales who were alwaies accustomed to choose their Bishop At this time there was a rumour through all Southwales of Gruffith the son of Rees ap Theodore who for fear of the King had been of a child brought up in Ireland and had come over two years since which time he had spent privately with his friends and Kinsfolk and Allies as with Girald Steward of Pembrock his brother in law and others but at last he was accused to the King that he intended the Kingdom of Southwales as his father had enjoyed it which was now in the Kings hands and that all the Country hoped for Liberty by his means therefore the King sent to secure him but Griffith ap Rees hearing of this sent to Griffith ap Conan Prince of Northwales desiring his and and that he might remain safely with him in his country which he granted and received him joyfully for his fathers sake Howel the brother of this Griffith being committed to prison Arnulph Earl of Chester in the Castle of Montgomery where he remained prisoner a long time made an escape and being sore hurt and bruised fled to Gruffith ap Conan where his brother was Which thing when the King heard he sent gentle letters to the Prince desiring him to come and speak with him which Griffith ap Conan did whom the King received honourably and gave him rich gifts and pretious Jewels after the usage of the Normans who make much of men to serve their turns afterwards he talked with him of Gruffith ap Rees promising him mountains of gold to send the said Griffith or his head unto him the which thing the Prince being deceived with the fair words of the King promised to do and so returned home joyfully But Gruffith ap Rees and Howel his brother had counsel given them to withdraw themselves out of the way awhile untill they understood what the Prince would do for their friends suspected the Kings message The Prince as soon as ever he came to his pallace at Aberfraw inquired for Griffith ap Rees and learning where he was sent certain horsemen for him to come to his Court and as they came towards his house where he was he had warning of their coming and with much ado escaped to the Church of Aberdaron and took Sanctuary there Then the Messengers returned again and declared to the Prince how all things fell out and the Prince being highly offended commanded him to be taken out by force but the Clergy of the whole Country with stood that and defended the liberties of their Church That night some who took compassion to see the young man innocent to be sought as a Lamb to the slaughter conveyed him away out of Northwales to Stratywy in Southwales where he was compelled for safeguard of his own life to rebell against the King and so gathering all the power he could to him made war against the Flemmings and Normans year 1116 The next year after to wit 1116. Gruffith ap Rees did gather his forces and laid seidg to a Castle that was over against Arberth and wan the same and utterly dismantled it laying it level with the ground which done he approached the Castle of Richard de Pwns at Lhanymdhyfry to whom the King had given the Cantref Bychan and would have burnt it but Meredyth ap Rytherck ap Caradoc Lieutenant of the same and the Garrison defended it couragiously yet Gruffith fired the outworks and slew many of the Souldiers but not without losse on his own part and then returned without any advantage From thence he went to Abertawy and beleagur'd a Castle which Henry Beaumont Earl of Warwick had built burning the outguards and destroying the Country of Stratywy Upon these transactions several haire-brain'd young men in great numbers from all parts adjoyned themselves to Gruffith So that his power began to be considerable which so elevated his thoughts that he made attempts and inroads into Ros and Dynet spoyling and plundering the Country The Normans and Flemmings seeing this mischief entered into consultation how to remedy so grand a tempest calling unto their aid and assistance all such as were the Kings friends amongst which were Owen ap Ritherck and Rytherck ap Theodore and his sons Meredyth and Owen whose mother was Heynyth the daughther of Blethin ap Convin and Owen ap Caradoo whose mother was Genlhian an other daughter of Blethin ap Convin and Meredyth ap Rytherck and asked whether they were true and faithful to the King of England who answered affirmatively If you be said they you
Bishop of Hereford and moreover complained that they had usurped on the jurisdiction of these places Gwhyr Cedwely Cantref Bychan Ystrad Yw and Ergeng upon deposition of 6 witnesses that all these were of the Diocess of Landaff they were so adjudged by the Popes definitive sentence who also writ unto the King and Archbishop to restore that right unto the Bishop of Landaff and to the Inhabitants to yield obedience to him and his successors as their Diocesan Howbeit how it cometh to pass I know not those places are now and long have been esteemed part of the Diocess of St. Davids and part of Hereford and none of them of Landaff This Bishop died beyond Sea travelling betwixt this and Rome anno 1133. Vacat sedes annos 6. 31 Vchtred that succeeded had a daugter married before he had orders to Jorworth ap Owen ap Caradoc Lord of Caerlbeon upon Vsk a great and mighty man in those parts he died an 1141. 32 Geffry died 1153. 33 Nicolas ap Gurgant died 1183. 34 William de Salso Marisco 35 Henry Prior of Burgavenni was Founder of 12 Prebends in the Church of Landaff he died 1218. 36 William Prior of Goldeliff in Monmothshire died January 28 an 1229. 37 Elis de Radnor died May the 6 1240. 38 William de Burgo Chaplain to King Henry the 3d. was consecrated the year 1244. and died June 11 1253. having lived blind 7 years before his death 39 John de la Ware Abbot of Margan died about the end of June 1253. 40 William de Radnor died January the 9 1265. 41 William de Brews died in the end of March 1287. he lyeth buried under a Marble engraven in the East end of the Church of Landaff towards the North wall Vacat sedes annos 9. 42 John de Monmoth Doctor of Divinity was consecrated Feb. 10. 1296. at Canterbury and died April 8 1323. he lyeth in the midst of the East end of the Church Celceuliere commonly called our Ladies Chappel under a flat Marble having a French inscription now somewhat defaced 43 John de Egliscliff a Fryer Preacher was consecrated at Rome and came to his Diocess of Landaff upon the eve of Trinity sunday 1223. he died at Lankadwaladar Jan. 2. 1346. and was buried at Caediff 44 Iohn Paschall Doctor of Divinity a Carmelite of Ipswich was a Gentleman born in Suffolk of a Family yet remaining there and brought up in the University of Cambridge by William Bateman Bishop of Norwich was made a titulary Bishop and his Suffragan by the name of Episcopus Scutariensis from that Imaginary See he was translated by the Pope to Landaff an 1347. died 1361. and was buried at Landaff he was a man of great learning and left divers Monuments thereof in writing behind him 45 Roger Cradoc a Fryer Minor 46 Thomas Rushook a Fryer Preacher and Doctor of Divinity was translated to Chichester 47 William de Betlesham made Bishop of Bethelem by the Pope was translated first to Landaff and after to Rochester 48 Edmund de Bromfield was a Dr. of Divinity and Monk at Burie where being known for a a man of a very pragmatical and stirring humour that he might not trouble them at home the Covent thought good to maintain him at Rome for the dispatch of their ordinary business there taking first a corporal Oath of him never to seek any office or preferment of their house without their privity and direction This Oath notwithstanding when shortly after it fell out that the Abbot died he found means that the Pope should intitle him to the Abbotship whereunto the Covent with the Kings good liking had now already elected another man far more meet called Iohn Tymworth For this bad kind of dealing as also because as those provisory Bulls had been forbidden by Parliament he was committed to the Tower and there lay prisoner a long time but in the end the Bishop of Landaff ut ante being translated to Rochester he was preferred to that See 49 Tydemannus Abbot of Beaulieu succeeded Bromfield and if I mistake not was that Tydemannus de Winchcomb that anno 1395 became Bishop of Worcester 50 Andrew Barret Doctor of Law 51 Iohn Burghyll a Frier Preacher being Bishop of Landaff and Confessour unto the King was translated to Liechfield in Sept. 1398. 52 Thomas Peverel a Carmelite and Doctor of Divinity was first Bishop of Ossery in Ireland translated thence to Landaff 1399 and thence to Worcester 1407. 53 Iohn la Zouche a Fryer Minor and Doctor of Divinity It should seem that this man built either a great part or else happily all of the house at Mathern near Chepstow The Bishops house of Matherne built the only house that is now left the Bishop if there be any such to put his head in his armes fixed in divers places of the walls and windows to my judgement import so much viz. Gules ten besants 432. and 1 a Canton Ermine encircled with a girdle of St. Francis to show his Order 54 Iohn Wellys was likewise a Minorite and Doctor of Divinity 55 Nicholas Ashbie Prior of Westminster 56 Iohn Hunden a Minorite Doctor of Divinity and Prior of Kings Langley 57 John Marshall Doctor of Divinity sometime Fellow of Merton Colledge in Oxford was consecrated 1479 and was I take it translated to London the year 1489. 58 John Ingleby sometime Prior of Sheen a Carthusian 59 John Smith Doctor of Divinity died October 16 1511. and was buried at Christ-Church in London in the Chapel of All-Saints on the North side of the Altar 60 Miles Salley sometimes Almoner to the Abbey of Abington and afterwarde Abbot of Eynsham 61 George de Attigna a Spaniard a Fryer Preacher and Doctor of Divinity was consecrated March the 8 1516. 62 Robert Holgate Doctor of Divinity was consecrated March the 25 1537. and 1544 was translated to York 63 Anthony Kitchin alias Dunstan Doctor of Divinity and sometimes Abbot of Eynsham was consecrated May 3 1545. and enduring all the tempestuous changes that hapned in the mean time continued till the fifth year of Queen Elizabeth and then died and high time having first so impoverished the Bishoprick by unreasonable demises of whatsoever was demiseable that there was no great cause he should live any longer He is called Kitchin though he might have rather been called Schullian yet indeed he made his Church a Kitchin and like a Schullian swept all away leaving poor Daff without Lan or land Sedes vacabat annos 3. 64 Hugh Jones Batchelour of Law was made Bishop May the 5 1556. 65 William Blethyn Batchelour of Law was appointed Bishop April the 17 1575. I observe few Families sprung from Bishops to prosper or continue long yet such as do in my judgement should not be so averse as to eradicate all spiritual function 66 Gervage Babington Doctor of Divinity was placed in that See Aug. 29 1591. from thence translated to Exceter and after to Worcester 67 William Morgan Doctor in Divinity was appointed
Matthaeus 1358 17 Thomas de Ringsted 1367 18 Gervasius de Castro 1370 19 Howel II. 1374 20 John Gilbert translated to Saint Davids 1376 21 John Clovensis  22 John Swaffan 1400 23 Richard Younge translated to Rochester  24 Lodovicus the II. 1408 25 Benedict Nicols translated to St. Davids 1418 26 VVillyam Barrow translated to Carlile  27 Nicolaus 1436 28 Thomas Cheriton 1448 29 John Stanbery translated to Hereford  30 Jacobus 1464 31 Thomas Edwane 1196 32 Henry Dean translated to Salisbury 1500 33 Thomas Picot 1504 34 John Penvy translated to Carlile 1505 35 Thomas Skenington 1534 36 John Capon translated to Salisbury 1539 37 John Bird translated to Chester 1541 38 Arthur Bulkeley or Bulkeby the bellseller 1555 39 VVillyam Glynn 1559 40 Rowland Meyric 1566 41 Nicholas Robinson 1585 42 Hugh Bellot translated to Chester 1595 43 Rich. Vaughan translated to Chester 1596 44 Henry Rowland 1616 45 Lewes Bayley 1632 46. David Dolvin 1633 47 Edward Gruffith 1637 48 VVillyam Roberts Sub-Almoner Bishop of Bangor 1641. About the year 1162. Howel the son of Jenaf ap Cadogan ap Athelstan Glodrydh got the Castle of VValwern in Cyvelioc and razed it which thing when it was told Owen Prince of Northwales it displeased him wonderfully at the which he was so grieved that nothing could make him merry untill such time as he had gathered his power and came to Lhanthinan in Arustly and thence sent away great spoiles which caused the People of the Country to come unto their Lord Howel ap Jenaf who followed the spoile to the Severn side where the Princes camp was the Prince apprehending now an occasion of revenge offered him was right glad and set upon his Enemies and slew the most part of them the rest with their Lord escaped to the woods and rocks The Prince being well pleased with this revenge built up his Castle again and fortified it strongly Castelh Catrec Hova The year following Owen the son of Gruffith ap Meredyth named Owen Cyvelioc and Owen ap Madoc ap Meredyth got the Castle of Carrechona by Oswestrie and wasted it year 1163 About the year 1163. King Henry the second gathered a strong army against Southwales and came himself as farr as Pencadyr beside Brecknock where Rees came to him and did homage and gave him pledges which done the King went out of Wales About this time Eneon the Son of Anarawd ap Gruffith Nephew to Prince Rees was murdered in his bed by a Man of his own named Lhywarch Also Cadogan ap Meredyth was slain in the like manner by one Walter ap Ricard The Lord Rees as he is called in Welsh or King Rees as Latin Authors call him took the Cantreff Maur which is a great Country and the Land of Dynevowr and enjoyed it And this year died Cadivor ap Daniel Archdeacon of Caerdigan and Henry ap Arthen who was the worthiest Clerk that had been in Wales many years The year ensuing the Lord Rees seeing he was not able to maintain his Estate with such Lands as the King had appointed him entered into the Territory of Roger de Clare Earl of Glocester for by that Earls means his Nephew was murdered and wan the Castles of Aberheidol and of the sons of Wywyaon and raised them And thus in short time he brought all Caerdigan under his subjection from thence he made many inroads against the Flemmings and brought away great spoiles This happy fortune caused all VVales to conspire the shaking off of the Norman yoak whose treason and cruelty they could not abide and to elect Princes of their own Nation In the year 1165. David the son of Owen Prince of Northwales did destroy all Flintshire which was the Kings K. Henry's third voyage in vain against the Welsh and carried all the people and cattel with him to the Dyffryn Cloyd now called Ruthin Land which when the King had notice of he levyed an army in haste and came to releive his Castels and people as far as Ruthlan and after he had rested there three dayes and could do no good he returned into England where he gathered another Army of selected Soldiers and chosen through all his Dominions sending for Auxiliaries from Flanders and Brittain and then returned to Northwales with resolution to destroy all that had life in the Land and coming to Croes Oswalt called Oswaldstree incamped there on the contrary side Prince Owen and his Brother Cadwalader with all the power of Northwales and the Lord Rees withall the forces of Southwales and Owen Cyvelioc and the Sons of Madoc ap Meredyth with the strength of Powis and the two sons of Madoc ap Edwerth with all the people betwixt Wye and Severne gathered themselves together and came to Cawen in Edierneon with purpose to defend their Country But the King understanding that they were so nigh being wonderous desirous of battail came to the river Ceireoc and caused the wood to be felled whereupon a number of the Welsh understanding the passage unknown to their Captains met with the Kings Ward where were placed the choyce men of all the Army where began a hot skirmish and divers worthy Men were slain on each side but in the end the King obtained the passage and came to the Mountain of Berwyn where he lay in camp certain dayes and so both the Armies stood in awe each of other the King kept the plains as being doubtfull to be entrapped in straits but the Welsh watched for the opportunity and advantage of the ground and kept the King so straightly that neither forrage nor victuall might come to his camp The Welsh united invincible against the English neither durst any Soldier stir abroad and to augment these miseries there fell such store of rain that the Kings Men could scarce stand upon their feet upon those slippery places in the end the King was compelled to return home without his purpose and that with great loss of Men and Ammunition besides his charges therefore in a great choler he charged the Pledges eyes A cruel act of K. Henry 2. whom he received long before that to be put out which were Rees and Cadwalhon sons to Owen and Cynwric and Meredyth the sons of Rees Roger Hove and other I find also saith Mr. Powel written by divers that in the assailing of a bridge the King was in no small danger of his life for one of the Welshmen shooting directly at him had pierced him through the body if Hubert de St. Clare Constable of Colchester perceiving the Arrow coming had not thrust himself betwixt the King and it Hol. page 408. whereby he saved his Master and lost his own life Then after long consultation the King came again to North Wales intending to have his Army conveyed by Sea and to Land in some convenient place of the Countrey and with his design he came to Chester and there reposed a certain time till all his Navy was gathered together as
suffered to return and received into the Kings favour he travelled homeward and died at Glocester Novemb. 17 1215. he left great possessions descended unto him by his ancestors which he left to Reginald Bruse his brother that married the daughter of Lhewelyn ap Jorwerth Prince of North Wales This man lyeth buried upon the North side of the Presbytery the Image that lyeth upon his Tombe holdeth the likeness of a Steeple in his hand whereby it should seem he built one of the Towers or Steeples thus far B. Godwyn This Giles as chief of the conspiracy sent his brother Reynold to Brecnock and all the people received him as their Lord The large possessions of that Bruse in Monmothshire and so he got all his Castles without gain-saying of any man to wit Abergwenny Penkelhy Gastelth Gwyn or White Castle Grismond and the Isle of Cynuric But when the Bishop came thither himself they delivered him the Castles of Abechodny Hay Bueltht and Blaynthyfery and he to strengthen himself in that Countrey promised Castle Payn Clune withal Eluel to Walter Vachan the son of Eneon Clyd In the mean time young Rees son to Griffith ap Rees and Maelgon his Unkle were made friends and went both to Dyneth where they recovered all the land to themselves saving Cemai and overthrew the Castle of Aberth and Maynclochoc Then Maelgon and Owen brothers to Rees went to North Wales to P. Lhewelyn and did to him homage and young Rees gathered an Army and came to Cydwely and brought withal Caruwylheon to his subjection and razed the Castle there Lhychwr Castle razed and likewise the Castle Lhychwr From thence he conducted his army to the Castle of Hugh de Miles at Talybont and having taken the same by force slew many of the garison the day after he took his journey to Senghennyth where the garison which lay there burnt the Town and departed Therefore Rees laying siege to the Castle of Ystymlhwynarth Senghennyth burnt by its own garison got the same the next day following and set both it and the Town on fire and he got the Castles of Gurland within three dayes after and then returned home with Victory and Triumph At this time Rees Vachan unkle to young Rees and son to the Lord Rees was set at liberty by the King Young Rees prosperous in Glamorgan leaving his son and two other Pledges for him This year two Abbots were made Bishops Jorwerth of St. Davids and Cadogan of whom formerly Shortly after Lhewelyn Prince of North Wales came with a great Army to Caermarthyn and laid siege to the Castle which was yielded unto him the 5th day after which he razed to the ground as he did also the Castles of Lhanstephan St. Clare and Talachern P. Lhewelyns fortune from thence he went to Caerdigan and winning the new Castle in Emlyn he subdued Cemaes and got the Castle of Trefdracth called in English Newport and razed the same to the ground Then the garison which kept the Castle of Aberteini delivered the same unto him upon St. Stephens day and the day after he had the Castle of Cilgerran from whence he returned to North Wales with great Honour and Triumph In the which voyage these Lords accompanied him viz. Howell ap Gruffith ap Conan Lhewelyn ap Meredyth Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powis Meredyth ap Rotpert Maelgon and Rees Vachan the sons of P. Rees Rees and Owen the sons of Gruffith ap Rees and the power of Madoc ap Gruffith Maylor Lord of Bromfield The year following the Prince went to Aberteini to make an agreement betwixt Maelgon and Rees Vachan sons to Prince Rees on the one side and their nephews young Rees and Owen on the other part where he divided South Wales betwixt them after this manner to Maelgon he gave three Cantrefs in Dyneth Gwarthaf Penlhwynoc Cemaes and Emlyn with the Castle of Cylgerran two in Stratywy Hiruryn and Malhaen and Maenor Bydvey with the Castle Lanymdhifri and two in Caerdigan Gwynionyth and Mabwyneon to young Rees and to Owen his brother he gave the Castle of Aberteini and the Castle of Nant yr arian or silver dale and three Cantress in Caerdigan withal and to Rees Vachan the Castle of Dynevowr the Cantref Mewr and the Cantref Bachan except Hyruryn and Mydhuey and the Comots of Cydwely and Carnwylhion This division being accomplished the Prince returned homeward to whom by the way it was signified that Gwenwynwyn contrary to his Oath and bonds in Writing had forsaken him A fickle Lord. and became the Kings subject which grieved the Prince very much and therefore he sent unto him Bishops and Abbots to move him to remember his Oath and Promise and Pledges given to the Prince and to shew him his owr hand and thereby to see if he would come again and to promise him the Princes favour but he would in no case hear of reconciliation wherefore the Prince entred into Powis with fire and sword and subdued the Countrey to himself which caused Gwenwynwyn to flye unto the Earl of Chester for relief where he stayed a while In the mean time Reynalt de Bruse who had received many favours from the Welsh did agree with the King without the knowledge or consent of P. Lhewelyn and contrary to his promise whereupon young Rees and Owen his sisters sons seeing that he in whom they trusted most deceived them rose against him and won all Buelht from him saving the castle but when the prince heard of this agreement he was much offended therewith and coming with an army to Brecknock he laid siege to the town of Aberhadny where the Burgesses of the town came to him and by means of young Rees the prince taking 100. marks and five pledges of them raised the siege and took his journey over the black mountains towards Gwyr where he lost much of his carriages And as he encamped at Lhangruc Reynalt Bruse came to him with six Knights in his company and desired of his father in Law pardon for his defence who receiving him lovingly did not only forgive him but gave him also the castle of Sengbennyth and Reynalt committed the same to the custody of Rees Vachar Lhewelin after he had set all things in good order in that country marched to Dynet and being at Cefu Cinwarchan the Flemmings sent to him to desire peace but the prince would not grant them their request Then young Rees was the first that passed the River Cledhen to fight with them of the town whereupon Jorwerth Bishop of St. Davids with all his clergy came to the prince to desire peace to the Flemmings which after long debating was thus concluded First that all the Inhabitants of Ros and the Land of Pembrock should become the Prince his Subjects Articles of peace between Lhewelin and the Flemmings and ever from thenceforth take him for their Leige Lord. Secondly that they should pay him a 1000 marks towards his charges before Michaelmas next
took from his brother Gruffith Arustly Ceri Cyvelioc Wowthwy Mochant and Caerneon and let him onely enjoy the Cantref of Lhynn This Gruffith was the elder brother and a lusty Gentleman but base born This David son to Lhewelyn did contrary to his Oath take his brother Gruffith being in in safe conduct with the Bishop of Bangor upon whose promise he was content to speak with his brother and imprisoned him in the Castle of Crickieth The year 1240 Lhewelyn ap Jorwerth the most valiant and noble Prince who brought all Wales to his subjection and had so often put his enemies to flight and defended his country enlarging the Meers thereof further than they had been many years before passed out of this transitory life and was honourably buried at the Abbey of Conwey after he had governed Wales well and worthily 56 years this Prince left behind him one son called David begot upon his wife Joane daughter of King John by whom also he had a daughter called Gladys married to Sr. Ralph Mortimer Mr. Mills fol. 307. Mr. Powell calls his other son Gruffith base but Mr. Mills saith he was lawfully begotten and that Lhewelyn ap Jorwerth married Tanglosta daughter of Lhoirth ap Brooi of Anglessa to his first wife by whom he had this Gruffith S. John Dodridge Knight late one of his Majesties Judges of the Kings Bench saith That the Dominion of Wales ever was holden in chief and in fee of the Crown of England and the Prince thereof being then of their own Nation compellable upon Summons to come and appear in the Parliaments of England and upon their rebellions and disorders the Kings of England devised their Scutagium or Escuage Les auncient Tenures fol. 116. Com. Plow as it is called in the Lawes of England that is to levy aid and assistance of their Tenants in England which held of them per ser vitium militare to suppress the disordered Welsh tanquam rebelles non hostes as rebels and not as forreign enemies And hence it is that King Henry the 3d. upon those often revolts of the Welsh endeavoured to resume the Territory of Wales as forfeit unto himself Edw. 1. took upon him the name of P. of Wales Record Turris Lond. 29. Hen. 3. conferred the same upon Edw. Longeshanks his heir apparant yet nevertheless rather in title than possession or upon any profit obtained thereby for the former Prince of Wales continued his Government notwithstanding this between whom and the said Edward wars were continued whereof when the said Edward complained the said King made this answer as recordeth Matthew Paris a Cosmographer living in that time Quid ad me terra tua Est ex dono meo Matth. Paris anno 1257. exere vires primitivas famam excita Juvenilem de caetero timeant inimici But the Charter of this gift is not now readily to be found among the records for after this time it appeareth by the records of the Tower of London that by the mediation of Othalon Deacon Cardinal of St. Andrews Patent 51. Hen. 3. pars prima a peace was then concluded betwen the then Prince of that Welsh blood and the said King Henry the 3d. which nevertheless as it seemeth continued not long for sundry battels were a fought between them viz. Edw. of England and Lhewelyn last Prince of Wales David the son of Lhewelyn David to whom all the Barons in Wales had made an Oath of Fidelity took the Government of Wales after his father who within a month after came to the King to Glocester and did him homage for the principality of Wales and also all the Barons of Wales did to the King homage for their lands But forthwith the Englishmen began to trouble the Welsh after their accustomed use for Gilbert Marshall came with an Army and fortified the Castle of Aberteini The year ensuing the King came with a great Army into Wales and many noble men yielded to him because they hated David betrayer of his brother and accursed by the Pope or as Paris saith excommunicated by the Bishop of Bangor Thus he writeth When Richard Bishop of Bangor saw that David dealt so hardly with his brother Gruffith contrary to his faithful promise made unto the said Bishop he excommunicated him and then withdrawing himself out of Wales made a grievous complaint to the King against David most instantly requesting the King to deliver Gruffith out of prison least the rumour of that fact being notified in the Court of Rome and other Countries out of the realm should be some stain of the Kings honour if he should not withstand such outragious and unlawful dealings The King therefore greatly blaming David his nephew for abusing his brother in such sort as he did requested him with most pithy perswasions to set his brother at liberty as well for the preserving of his own credit and fame as also for the avoyding of the excommunication and other eminent dangers which might ensue of that matter To the which request of the King David answered plainly that he would not deliver his brother out of prison affirming constantly that if his brother were enlarged the Countrey of Wales would be in great disquietness Whereof when Gruffith was certified he sendeth privately to the King promising that if he would forcibly deliver him out of his brothers prison he would hold his lands of him and pay him 200 marks yearly offering not only to be sworn upon this and deliver Pledges for performance thereof but also to aid the King to bring the rest of the Welshmen under his subjection Further Gruffith Lord of Bromfield did assure the King of aid if he would come to Wales with an Army to chastize David for his falshood and injury used towards his brother Moreover the Bishop of Banger procured the land of David to be interdicted Hen. 3. being allured by these promises on Gruffiths behalf levied a puisant Army to go into Wales straightly commanding by his Writs all such as ought him service in time of War to give attendance upon him ready with Sword and Armour at Glocester the first day of August following to set forward against his enemies whether the King came at the day appointed and from thence went to Salop and remained there 15 dayes During the Kings abode at Salop divers noble men were great suters unto him in the behalf of Gruffith as Ralph Lord Mortimer of Wigmore Walter Clifford Roger de Monte alto Steward of Chester Maelgon the son of Maelgon Meredyth ap Rotpert Lord of Cydewen Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield Howell and Meredyth the sons of Conan ap Owen Gwyneth and Gruffith the son of Gwenwynwyn Lord of Powis these wrought so with the King that there was a league concluded between him and Senena the wife of the said Gruffith in the behalf of her husband lying then in his brothers prison according to the Articles comprized in this Charter following
Convenit inter Dominum Hen. 3. regem Anglorum illustrem ex una parte Senenam uxorem Griffini filii Leolini quondam Principis North-walliae quem David frater ejus tenet carceri mancipation cum Owino silio sao nomine ejusdem Gruffini ex altera c. Articles of Agreement between Hen. 3. King of Eng. on the one party and Senena the wife of Gruffith the son of Lhewelyn sometimes Prince of North-wales whom David his brother detaineth in Prison with Owen his son in the name of the said Gruffith on the other party I. Inprimis The said Senena undertaketh that the said Gruffith her huâ—band will give unto the King six hundred Marks upon condition that the King do cause the said Griffith and Owen his son to be delivered from prison wherein they are kept and will stand at the Judgement of the Kings Court whether by Law he ought to be imprisoned or no. II. Item The said Gruffith and his heirs will stand to the Judgement of the Kings Court for and concerning that portion of the Inheritance of the said Lhewelyn his father which of right ought to pertain unto him III. Item The said Senena undertaketh for the said Gruffith and his heirs that the said Gruffith and his heirs shall yield and pay yearly to the King for the same lands the sum of 300 hundred Marks whereof the first third part to be paid in money the second in kine and the third in horses by the estimation of indifferent men and the same to be paid yearly at Michael-Mass and Easter by even portions by the hands of the Sheriff of the County of Salop for the time being IV. Item The said Senena undertaketh further for the said Gruffith and his heirs that they and every of them shall observe the peace against the said David and suffer him quietly to enjoy such portion of his fathers inheritance as to him shall be found to be due V. Item The said Senena doth further undertake for the said Gruffith her husband his heirs that in case any Welshmen hereafter shall happen to rebel against the King that they at their own costs and charges shall compel the said Offender to make satisfaction to the King for his disobedience VI. Item For the performance of the Premises the said Senena will deliver unto the Lord the King David and Roderike her sons for Pledges who promise that if the said Gruffith and Owen or either of them shall happen to dye before their delivery out of prison it shall be lawful for the said Senena to have one of her sons released the other remaining with the King for Pledge VII Item The said Senena hath sworn upon the holy Evangelists that the said Gruffith her husband and his heirs and every of them shall accomplish and perform all the Premises on their behalf and further undertaketh that the said Gruffith her husband upon his delivery out of prison shall take the same Oath VIII Item The said Senena in the name of the said Gruffith her husband submitteth her self concerning the observation of the Premises unto the jurisdiction of the reverend fathers the Bishops of Hereford and Liechfield so that the said Bishops or either of them at the Kings request shall compel the said Gruffith and his heirs to observe all and singular the Premises on their behalf by sentence of excommunication upon their persons and interdiction upon their lands IX and lastly The said Senena doth undertake promise bona fide to see procure the full performance of all the Premises and that the said Gruffith her husband and his heirs shall allow and perform the same and thereof shall deliver his instrument in writing to the King in form aforesaid to this Charter both parties put their Seal Gruffith and Senena to that part which remained with the King and the King to that part which remained with Senena Moreover for the sure performance of these Arricles the said Senena for and in the name of her husband put in for Pledges the aforesaid noble men to wit Ralph Mortimer Walter Clifford Roger de Monte Alto c. who bound themselves by their several writings obligatory to the King in manner and form as followeth Omnibus hoc scriptum visaris Rogerus de Monte Alto Senescallus Cestriae salutem c. To all and singular to whom this writing shall come Roger de Monte Alto Steward of Chester sendeth greeting Know ye that I have constituted myself pledge for Senena the wife of Gruffith the son of Lhewelin sometimes Prince of Northwales and have undertaken for her to our Soveraign Lord King Henry of England that the said Senena shall accomplish and perform all and singular those Covenants and Articles agreed upon between our said Soveraign Lord and the said Senena for and concerning the Deliverance of the said Gruffith her huâ—band and Owen his son out of the prison of David his brother and the portion of Inheritance due unto the said Gruffith which the said David keepeth from him by force In Witnesse whereof to this present writing I have put to my seal Dated at Salop the Munday before the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the 25 year of the Reigne of the said King The like Charters were made by every one of the other Noble men Pledges who bound themselves with the like words further such of the said Lords as favoured Gruffiths cause were out among themselves and were now made Friends as Morgan ap Howel Lord of Kery and Sr. Ralph Mortimer who before were at variance whereupon David being driven to extremities having most of the Nobility against him especially Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield favoured him not who being a man of great wisdom and power was entirely beloved of the King again the sentence of excommunication and the interdiction of his Land did not a little vex him But the Kings presence with so puissant an army did so move his spirits that he could not be quiet till he had sent to the King to desire peace with this submission following The Charter of the Articles of Davids submission to the King Omnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint David filius Leolini salutem c. To all Christian People to whom these present Letters shall come David the Son of Lhewelin sendeth greeting Know ye that I have granted and promised to deliver unto Lord Henry the Noble King of England Gruffith my Brother with his Son and Heir whom I keep in in prison and all other Prisoners who by occasion of the said Gruffith lie in durance Item I shall stand to the judgment of the Kings Court as well in that case whether the said Gruffith ought to be detained prisoner or No as also for and concerning the part of the Inheritance of the said Lhewelin my father claimed by the said Gruffith according to the custome of Wales so that the peace be maintained between me and the
being not able to retreat Great scarcity in England for want of commerce with Wales upon the suddain were almost all slain At this time there was great scarcity of Beeves and horses in England whereof they were wont to have many thousands yearly out of Wales and all the marches were made as a desolate and desert place The next spring all the Nobles of Wales came together and sware to defend their Country to death and never to forsake one another and that upon pain of cursing but shortly after Meredyth ap Rees of Southwales A subsidy demanded to conquer Wales not regarding his oath served the King Then the King called a Parliament for a subsidy to Wales when he had so many losses and of late all the Country of Pembrock burnt and spoiled where the Welshmen had found salt plentifully which they lacked in the which Parliament no Subsidy was granted Mat. Paâ—is fol. 1807. Shortly after the same Parliament by propagation was called at Oxford where the Lords of Wales offered to be tryed by the law for any offence they had committed against the King iâ—iustly To this patrick the Lordship of Cydwely was given if he could win it Easie to give l â—ge thongs out of another mans hide Trea hery revenged by the Welsh but Edward would not hear of it but sent one Patrick de Canton as Lieutenant for the King to Caermarthyn and with him Meredyth ap Rees and this Patrick desired to speak upon peace with the Princes Councel whereupon the Prince meaning good faith sent his brother whom he had set at liberty with Meredyeh ap Owen and Rees ap Rees to Emlyn to treat with them of peace but Patrick meaning to entrap them laid an ambushment of Men armed by the way and as they should have met these miscreants fell upon the Welsh and slew a great number of them but the Lords which escaped raised the Country forthwith and followed Patrick and slew him and the most part of all his men And after this the Prince desirous of peace and quietness to redeem the same and to end all troubles and to purchase the Kings good will offered the King 4000 marks and to his son 300. and to the Queen 200. to have peace but the King answered What is this to our losses and refused it It appeareth by the records in the Tower that about this time to wit An. 43. Hen. 3. there was a commission to William Bishop of Worcester John Mansel Treasurer of York the Kings Chaplain and Peter de Montfort to conclude a peace with the Welshmen but it is like there was nothing done to any effect in that behalfe for the war continued still Notwithstanding I find by Mathew Westminster that there was a certain truce agreed upon between the King and the Welshmen for a year I read also in the same Author that the Bishop of Bangor was this year about Michaelmas sent from Lhewelyn the Prince and all the Barons of Wales to the King to desire peace at his hands and to offer unto him the summe of 16000. pound for the same so that he would grant the Welsh to have all their matters heard and determined at Chester as they were wont to have and to suffer them to enjoy the lawes and customes of their own Country but what answer the Bishop brought again the said Author maketh no mention The year 1260. Prince Lhewelyn destroyed the lands of Sr. Roger Mortimer because he contrary to his oath maintained the Kings quarrel and took from him all Buelht saving the Castle which the Princes men got by night without bloodshed Aber. P. Lhewelyns Court or Palace and therein much ammunition and so after the Prince had passed through all Southwales he returned to his house at Aber betwixt Conwey and Bangor The year following died Owen ap Meredyth Lord of Cydewen and this summer certain of the Princes men surprised the Castle of Sr. Roger Mortimer in Melienyth and slew the garrison taking Howel ap Meyric the Captain thereof with his wife and children and the Princes Lieutenant came and destroyed it Then Sr. Roger Mortimer hearing this came with a great strength of Lords and Knights to Melienyth whether the Prince came also and Sr. Roger kept himself within the walls of the broken Castle and sent to the Prince for licence to depart without hurt the Prince having his Enemie within his power A most Christian and heroick act of Lhewelyn took compassion upon him because he was his cozen and suffered him to depart with his people without hurt from thence the Prince went to Brecknock at the request of the people of that Country which swore fidelity unto him and so returned to Northwales Prince Lhewelyn being confederate with the Barons against the King destroyed the Earldom of Chester and raised two of Edwards Castles Tygannwy and Deserth and thither came Edward but did nothing to speak of This year John Strange the younger being Constable of Montgomery came with a great number of Merchers by night through Ceril to Cydewen which when the Countrymen understood they gathered themselves together and slew 200. of his Men but he escaped with his men back again Shortly after the Merchers and the Welshmen met neer Clun Rara est concordia franum where the English had the victory and slew many of the Welsh At this time David the Princes brother whom he had set at liberty forsook him and succoured his foes with all his power Then Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn got the Castle of Molde and raised it At this time died Meredyth ap Owen the defender of Southwales The Year ensuing King Henry led a great army towards Wales and by the means of Olobonus the Popes Legate there was a peace concluded betwixt the King and the Prince at Montgomery Castle for the which the Prince gave unto the King 30000. marks and the King granted the Prince a Charter to receive from thenceforth homage fealty of all the Nobility and Barons of Wales saving one so that all the aforesaid Barons should ever after hold of the Prince as their Leige Lord and he to be called and written from thenceforth Prince of Wales and in witness of this the King put his seal and hand to the said Charter which was likewise confirmed by the authority of the Pope The year after this dyed Grono ap Ednyvet Vachan a Noble man and chief of the Princes Councel In the year 1270. dyed Gruffith Lord of Bromfield and was buried at Vale Crucis and here endeth the Brittish copy At this place leaveth the Brittish Copy Mr. Lhoyd and writeth no further of the end of this Prince but leaveth him at the highest and most honourable stay that any Prince of Wales was in of many years before The writer peradventure being ashamed to declare the utter fall and ruine of his Countrymen whereunto their own pride and discord did bring them as it doth evidently appear
the Altars We hope that your Fatherhood and the said Court of Rome will rather with pity lament our case than with rigor of punishment augment our sorrow Neither shall the Kingdom of England be in any wise disquieted or troubled by our means as is affirmed so that we may have the peace duely kept and observed towards us and our people Who they be that are delighted with blood-shed and war is manifestly apparent by their deeds and behaviour for we would live quietly upon our own if we might be suffered but the Englishmen coming to our Countrey did put all to the sword neither sparing sex age or sickness or any thing regarding Churches or sacred Places the like whereof the Welshmen never committed That one having paid his ransom was afterwards slain we are right sorry to hear of it neither do we maintain the offender who escaping our hands keepeth himself as an Out-law in the Woods and unknown places That some began the war in a time not meet or convenient that understood not we of till now and yet they who did the same do affirm that in case they had not done as they did at that time they had been slain or taken prisoners being not in safety in their own houses and forced continually for safeguard of their lives to keep themselves in Armour and therefore to deliver themselves from that fear they took that enterprise in hand Concerning those things which we commit against God with the assistance of his grace A true Christian resolution in Lhewelyn we will as it becometh Christians repent and turn unto him neither shall the war on our part be continued so that we be saved harmless and may live as we ought but before we be disinherited or slain we must defend our selves as well as we may Of all injuries and wrongs done by us we are most willing and ready upon the due examination and trial of the trespasses and wrong committed on both sides to make satisfaction to the utmost of our power so that the like on the Kings side be performed in like manner towards us and our people and to conclude and establish a peace we are most ready But what peace can be established when as the Kings Charter so solemnly confirmed is not kept and performed Our people are daily oppressed with new exactions We send unto you also a note in writing of the wrongs injuries which are done unto us contrary to that Form of the peace before made we have put our selves in Armour being driven thereunto by necessity for we and our people were so oppressed trodden under foot spoiled and brought to slavery by the Kings Officers contrary to the Form of peace concluded against justice none otherwise then if we were Saracens or Jewes whereof we have oftentimes complained unto the King and never could get any Redress but alwayes those Officers were afterwards more fierce and cruel against us and when those Officers through their ravine and extortion were enriched other more hungry than they were sent afresh to flea those whom the other had shorn before so that the people wished rather to dye than to live in such oppression And now it shall not be needful to leavy any Army to war upon us or move the Prelates of the Church against us so that the peace may be observed duely and truly as before is expressed Neither ought your holy fatherhood to give credit to all that our adversaries do alleadge against us for even as in their deeds they have and do oppress us so in their words they will not stick to slaunder us laying to our charge what liketh them best Therefore forasmuch as they are alwayes present with you and we absent from you they oppressing we oppressed we are to desire you even for his sake from whom nothing is hid not to credit mens words but to examine their deeds Thus we bid your Holiness farewell Dated at Garth Celyn in the Feast of Saint Martin Certain Griefs sent from Lhewelyn to the Archbishop translated word by word out of the Records of the said Archbishop Where that it is contained in the Form of Peace concluded as followeth 1. If the said Lhewelyn will claim any right in any lands occupied by any other then by the Lord the King without the said 4 Cantress the said Lord the King shall do him full justice according to the Laws and Customs of those quarters or parts where the said lands do lye Which Article was not observed in the lands of Frustly and betwixt the waters of Dyni and Dulas for that when the said Lhewelyn claimed the said lands before the Lord the King at Ruthlan and the King granted him the cause to be examined according to the Laws and Customs of Wales and the Advocates of the parties were brought in and the Judges which vulgarly they called Ynnayd before the King to judge of the said lands according to the Lawes of Wales and the Defendant appeared and answered so that the same day the cause ought to have been fully determined according to the appointment of our Lord the King who at his being at Glocester had assigned the parties the said day and though the same cause was in divers places often heard and examined before the Justice and the lands were in North Wales and never judged but by the Laws of Wales neither was it lawful for the King but according to the Laws of Wales to prorogue the cause All that notwithstanding he prorogued the day of his own motion contrary to the said Laws and at the last the said Lhewelyn was called to divers places whither he ought not to have been called neither could he obtain justice nor any judgement unless it were according to the Laws of England contrary to the said Article of peace and the same was done at Montgomery when the parties were present in judgement and a day appointed to hear the Sentence they prorogued the said day contrary to the aforesaid Laws and at the last the King himself at London denied him justice unless he would be judged according to the English Laws in the said matter 2. All Injuries Trespasses and Faults on either part done be clearly remitted unto this present day This Article was not kept for that as soon as the Lord Reginald Grey was made Justice he moved divers and innumerable accusations against the men of Tegengl and Ros for trespasses done in the time of King Henry when they bare rule in those parts whereby the said men dare not for fear keep their own houses 3. Whereas it was agreed That Rees Vachan ap Rees ap Maelgon shall enjoy his possessions with all the land which he now holdeth c. After the peace concluded he was spoiled of his lands in Geneurglyn which he then held with the men and cattel of the same 4. Also our Lord the King granteth That all Tenants holding lands in the 4 Cantrefs or in other places which the King holdeth in
Tegengl bought their Offices for 30 Marks of the King but afterward Reginald Grey spoiled them of their Offices and money contrary to the Laws and Customs of England 13. Seven Gentlemen were wrongfully killed by the Englishmen but as yet the Parents of the Gentlemen can have no amends and though the offenders were taken yet the said Constable let them go without punishment 14. The Constable of Ruthlan kept two of the Kings souldiers in prison for that they took an Englishman who had wounded a man All these things contained in these Articles are contrary to the priviledge liberty and right of the said men and contrary to the Laws and Customs of Wales neither dare the Inhabitants send their Complaints to the King for fear of Reginald Grey which fear any constant man might have because the said Reginald said openly that if he could come by any such their messengers he would cut off their heads as it is certainly told us by one of his Councel further neither tongue can tell nor pen write how cruelly the men of Tegengl have been ordered Humbly complaineth to your Lordship my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England Lhewelyn ap Gruffith ap Madoc of the Constable of Oswalds Cross the King and of the men of that Town who have spoiled the said Lhewelyn of the third part of a Town called Lhedrot and his fathers house without any Law or Right or Custom of the Countrey Further the said Constable and his Complices have against the Laws and Customs of the Countrey spoiled the said Lhewelyn of his Common and Pasture which he and his predecessors have used time out of mind and further condemned the said Lhewelyn for the said Pasture in 70 Marks And further the King of England granted certain Letters to a Bastard called Gruffith Vachan of Cynlhaeth to law with the said Lhewelyn for his whole Lordship and possessions by the occasion of the which Letters the said Lhewelyn hath spent 200 l. of good money Also the said Constable compelled the said Lhewelyn to send two Gentlemen to him whom when they came to him he caused to be hanged which Gentlemen ought not by right to have been hanged whose parents had rather have given him 300l Afterward the said Constable imprisoned 60. of the Men of the said Lhewelyn no cause alledged but that a certain Page spake a word who could not be delivered out of prison untill every one of them paid 10 s. When the Men of the said Lhewelyn came to the said Town to sell their Oxen the said Constable would cause the beast to be driven to the Castle neither would he restore the beasts nor mony for them Further the said Constable and his men took away the Cattle of the said Lhewelyn from his own ground and did their will with them Further the Kings Justices compelled the said Lhewelyn contrary to the law and custome of Wales to deliver to the Sons of Eneon ap Gruffith a certain Town which both he and his Ancestors ever had held The said Constable took the horse of Lhewelyns Baliffe when the said Baliffe owed him nothing who could never get his horse again nor any satisfaction for it Furthermore when the said Lhewelyn should have gone to a Town called Caerlheon to appear there as he was appointed the Sons of Gruffith ap Gwenwynwyn and the Soldiers of Robert Strange by the Councel of the said Roger took the said Lhewelyn and his Men and imprisoned them to their great damage which the said Lhewelyn would not for 300 l. starling who could by no means be delivered untill they had found sufficient sureties The Archbishop receiving these and other Articles came to the King and requested him to consider these wrongs and to cause amends to be made or at the least excuse the Welshmen having so just cause of grief who answered that the Welshmen were to be excused yet he said he was ever ready to do Justice to all them that complained Whereupon the Archbishop besought the King again that the Welshmen might have free access to his Grace to declare their griefs and to seek remedy the King answered they should freely come and depart if it should seem that by Justice they deserved to depart The Archbishop hearing this went and came to the Prince of Wales in Snowdon that he might move him and his Brother David and the other company to submit themselves whereby he might incline the King to admit them to which after much talke and conference with the Archbishop the Prince answered that he was ready to submit to the King reserving two things that is to say his conscience which he ought to have for the rule and safe-guard of his people and also the decency of his State and calling which answer the Archbishop brought and reported to the King At the which the King said that he would not any other treaty of peace then that the Prince and his people should simply submit themselves But the Archbishop knowing well that the Welshmen would not submit themselves but in form aforesaid or in other form to them tolerable and of them liked requested the King that he might have conference in this matter with all the Noble Englishmen then present who after much conference agreed to all these Articles following The which Articles the Archbishop did send in writing to the Prince by John Wallensis These are to be said to the Prince before his Councel 1. First that the four Cantreds and the Lands by the King given to his Nobles and the Isle of Anglesey we will have no treaty of 2 Item Of the Tenants of the four Cantreds if they will submit themselves he purposeth to do as becometh a Kings Majesty and we verily believe he will deal with them mercifully and to that end we will labour and trust to obtain 3. As touching the Lord Lhewelyn we can have none other answer but that he shall submit himself simply to the King and we believe certainly he will deal mercifully with him and to that end we travail all we can and verily believe to be heard The following are to be said to the Prince in secret 1. First that the Nobility of England have conceived this form of a favourable peace That the Lord Lhewelyn should submit himself to the King and the King should honourably provide for him 1000l starling and some honourable County in England so that the said Lhewelyn would put the King in quiet possession of Snowdon Durum telum necessitas and the King will provide honourably for the daughter of Lhewelyn according to the State and condition of his own blood and to these they hope to perswade the King 2. Item if it happen that Lhewelyn marry a wife and so have by her any heir Male they trust to intreat the King that the same heir Male and his heirs for ever shall have the same 1000l and County 3. Item to the people subject to the said Lhewelyn the
people for County nor for gains do move war invading no mans lands but defending their own Lands Lawes and Liberties and that the King and his people of inveterated hatred and for covetuousnesse to get our Lands invading the same moved war We therefore see our defence is just and lawful and herein we trust God will help us and will turne his revenge upon destroyers of Churches who have rooted up and burned Churches and taken out both all sacraments and sacred things from them killing Priests Clerks Religious Lame Dumb Deaf Younglings Sucklings at their mothers paps Weak and Impotent both man and woman and committing all other enormities as partly it appeareth to your Holinesse Wherefore God forbid that your Holinesse should fulminate sentence against any but such as have done such things we who have suffered all those things at the Kings Officers hands do hope at your hands remedy and comfort and that you will punish such Church Robbers and killers who can defend themselves no wayes least their impunity be cause and example for others to do the like Very many in our Country do much marvel that you councelled us to leave our own land and to go to another mans Lands to live among our Enemies for seeing we cannot have peace in our own Land which is our own right much lesse should we be quiet in an other mans amongst our enemies and though it be hard to live in warr and peril harder it is to be utterly destroyed and brought to nothing especially for Christians seeking nothing else but to defend our own being by necessity driven thereunto and the greedy ambition of our enemies And your Holinesse told us that you had fulminated sentence against all that for hatred or gaines do hinder the peace and it appeareth evidently who do war for those causes the fear of death the fear of imprisonment the fear of perpetual prison the fear of disinheriting no keeping of promise Covenant Grant or Charter tyrannical Dominion and many more like compell us to be in war and this we shew to God and to your Lordship desiring your godly and charitable help Furthermore if any in England have offended the King as many do offend him yet none of them be dis-inherited so if any of us have offended the King let him be punished and make satisfaction as he may without exhereditating As we trust in you we pray you holy father to labour to this end if they lay to us that we break the peace it appeareth evidently that they and not we brake the same who never kept promise nor Covenant nor Order made any amends for Trespasses nor Remedy for our Complaints When the Archbishop could not conclude a peace he denounced the Prince and his Complices accursed then the King sent his army by sea to the Isle of Môn or Anglesey which they wan and slew such as resisted them for the chiefest men served the King as their oath was so they came over against Bangor where the arm of the sea called Mênath Spaniards Scots and Gescoynes Germans Normans and English all concurr against the Welsh Quantae molis erat Britannam perdere gentem Gramercy horse The Welsh rout their enemies which divideth the Isle from the main land is narrowest and the place called Moely Donn and there made a bridge of boats and planks over the water where before Julius Agricola did the like when he subdued the Isle to the Romans and not betwixt Man and Brittain as Polidore Virgil ignorantly affirmeth This bridge was accomplished so that threescore men might well passe over in a front VVilliam Latimer with a great number of the best Souldies and Lucas Thany Steward of Gascoine with his Gascoynes and Spaniards whereof a great number were come to serve the King passed over the bridge and there saw no appearance of enemies but as soon as the sea began to flow down came the VVelshmen from the hills and set upon them fiercely and either slew or chased them to the sea to drown themselves for the water was so high that they could not attain the bridge saving VVilliam Latimer alone whose horse carried him to the bridge and so he escaped There were slain and drowned at this time many worthy Souldiers and amongst others that famous Knight Sr. Lucas Thany Robert Clifford Sr. VVilliam Lindsey and two Gentlemen of good accompt that were brethren to Robert Burnel then Bishop of Bath There perished in all thirteen Knights Hol p. 791. Tho. Walsh p. 11. Chro. Dunst The K. of Eng. hard put to it by the valiant Welsh 17. young Gentlemen and to the number of 200 footmen which happened upon St. Leonards day Thomas Walsingham writeth that the King lost in this voyage a little before this 14 ensignes at which time the Lord William de Audley and the Lord Roger Clifford the younger and many other were slain and the King himself was driven to take the castle of Hope for his safeguard In the mean time was the E. of Glocester and Sr. Edmund Mortimer with an army in Southwales where were many that served the King and there sought with the Princes friends at Lhandeilo Vawr and gave them an overthrow wherein on the Kings side young William de Valence his cosen germane four Knights more were slain All this while the Prince destroyed the country of Caerdigan and all the lands of Rees ap Meredyth who served the King in all those wars But afterward the Prince separated himself from his army with a few and came to Buelht thinking to remain their quietly for a while and by chance as he came by the water Wy there were Edmund Mortimer and John Gifford with a great number of Soldiers and either party were abashed of other Edmund Mortimers men were of that Country for his father was Lord thereof Then the Prince departed from his men and went to the valley with his Esquire alone to talk with certain Lords of the Country who had promised to meet him there Then some of his men seeing the enemy come down from the hill kept the bridge called Pont Orewyn and defended the passage manfully till one declared to the Englishmen where a ford was a little below through the which they sent a number of their men with Helias VValwyn who suddainly fell upon them that defended the bridge in their backs and put them to flight The Princes Esquire told the Prince as he stood secretly expecting the comming of such as promised to meet him in a little grove that he heard a great noise cry at the bridge P. Lhewelyn slain with him the glory of Wales And the prince asked whether his men had taken the bridge and he said Yes then said the prince I passe not if all the power of England were upon the other side But suddainly behold the horsemen about the Grove and as he would have escaped unto his men they pursued him so hard that one Adam Francton ran him through with
Lords it hath had good store and of several families but none of them a Parliamentary Peer in reverence hereunto till these later times of late it hath given title both to Lord and Earl of two several families Viz. to these year 1564 1. Robert Dudley created Baron of Denbigh and Earl of Leicester Eliz. 6. Sept. 29. 1622. Or a lyon rampant quene fourche vert incensed Cules a cressent for difference William Viscount Fielding created Earl of Denbigh 20. Jac. Sept. 14. Master of the Wardrobe c. Arg. Or a Fess B. 3. Fusils or Lozenges Or. The Lordship of Ruthin continued in the possession of the Greyes untill the Reign of Hen. 7. George Grey Earl of Kent and Lord of Ruthin passed the same upon some bargain to the King There came at the same time with King Edward divers Gentlemen who grew afterwards to be men of great possessions in the County many of whose posterity continue to this day Rees ap Meredyth served the King in all these wars who did most hurt of all men and was in good hope of great preferment at the Kings hand whom after the overthrow of the Prince the King made Knight and fed with many fair and good words After that he and all other his Countrymen and Neighbours had submitted themselves to the Government of the King of England it hapned that the Lord Pain Tiptoft Warden of the Kings castles nigh unto Rees his Country and the Lord Allen Plucknet the Kings Steward in Wales called the said Rees as they did all other of the Country to the Kings Court whether he refused to come alledging his ancient priviledges and liberties with the Kings promises but the said Officers proceeded according to the law against him whereupon a great variance arose between the said Pain Tiptoft and the said Sir Rees ap Meredyth so that sundry Skermishes were fought betwixt them and men slain on both sides to the great disturbance of the Country The King hearing of these things being then beyond Sea wrote unto Rees Meredyth requiring him to keep the peace till his return At what time he promised to reform all things in due and reasonable order but Rees would not give over the enterprise which he had begun Whereupon the King sent to the Earl of Cornwall whom he had left his Lieutenant in the Realm during his absence to send an army of Men into Wales to withstand the disordered attempts of the said Rees who went into Wales himself and overthrew Rees his Castle at Drofolan but by undermining the walls of that Castle with the fall thereof the Baron Stafford and the Lord William de Monchency with many other Knights and Esquires were oppressed and brused to death Afterwards Robert Typtoft Lord Deputy of Wales gathered an army and meeting the said Rees after the slaughter of 4000. of his people discomfited and took him who about Michaelmas following at the Kings going into Scotland was had to York and there condemned and executed Not long after the King wanting money there was a great subsidy granted towards the maintainance of the war in France about levying of which there was much a do in several places but especially the Welshmen who were never wont to be acquainted with such contribution stormed against it so that they took one of their own Captains named Roger de Puelesdon who at the Kings command gathered the said subsidy and hanged him with divers others and afterwards beheaded the said Roger. Whereupon the King being sore offended for the death of the said Roger whom he greatly favoured and hearing that the VVelshmen began to stir against him in divers places for the VVestwales Men had chosen Maelgon Vachan for their Captain and destroyed all Caerdigan and Pembrock and returned with spoiles They of Glamorgan and the Southparts took one named Morgan for their leader and driving the Earl of Glocester out of the Country they restored to the said Morgan again the possessions which the Ancestors of the said Earl by force and great wrong had taken from the said Morgans Predecessours The Northwales men had set upon Madoc being of the kindred of the last Lhewelyn who gathering a great power came to Caernarvon and slew a great number of Englishmen which were come thither to the Fair and spoiled the whole Town then I say the King called back his brother Edmund Earl of Lancaster and Henry Lacy Earl of Lincolne and John Lord Denbigh who had an army ready to pass into Gascoyne The remnant of the Welsh foyle the English These Earls came towards Northwales and as they approached neer unto the castle of Denbigh upon St. Martins day the VVelshmen with great force encountered them and giving them battail drove them back and discomfited their people Upon this ungratefull newes the King himself came into VVales and there kept his Christmas at Aberconwey where Robert VVinchesey Archbishop of Canterbury came unto him and did him homage and then returned home the King as he passed further into the country lost much of his carriages which the Welshmen took being loaden with victualls and provision for the army so that the King and his people endured great penury and were constrained to drink water mixt with hony and eat very gross and course meat where he was very like to have been distressed had not the other part of his army come to him in time While the King remained in Snowdon the Earl of Warwick hearing that a great number of Welshmen were assembled together and lodged in a vally betwixt two woods chose out a company of horsemen with certain cross-bowes and archers and coming upon the Welshmen in the night compassed them round about who pitching the ends of their spears and turning the points against their Enemies stood at defence so to keep off the horsemen But the Earl having placed his battail so that betwixt every two horsemen there stood a crossbow a great part of the Welshmen who stood at defence in manner aforesaid with their spears were overthrown and broken with the shot of the quarrells and then the Earl charged the residue with a troop of horsemen and bare them down with such slaughter as they had not sustained the like losse of people as was thought at any time before After this the King builded a strong Castle within the Isle of Anglesey and called the same Beaumarish and so setting all in quietness and punishing such as had put to death Roger de Puelesdon he returned home with his army Madoc victorious against the Lord Strange of Knooking and the Marchers but Madoc within a while after levying an army came to Oswestred where the people yielded unto him and meeting with the Lord Strange with a company of Marchers not far from Knooking overthrew him and spoiled his Country miserably and shortly after he gave the Marchers another overthrow But for all that the Lords Marchers nothing dismayd at this mischance gathered new forces and met Madoc as he
now it is called a name when Locrinus entered into Soveraignty unknown Locrinus thus invested in his Principality as much as could be in a Land not formerly or at least by savage People or Gyants inhabited made ready to his hand His Brother with such Regiments as were allotted to him to Colonize and people his Part being retired into his own Quarters or Patrimony whilst by his own Industry and Advice of such as he made use of in a matter of so great importance was endeavouring to frame a modell how to Govern and Uphold this his new Plantation an unexpected Enemy appears Humber with a Navy arrives and having with him a sufficient Army of war-like Huns sets upon Albanact whose thoughts were more busied how to settle his People and frame his Commonwealth then to oppose an Enemy distressed Albanact is put to his shifts whilst the Scythian King for so most ancient Writers onely call him takes occasion by the Foretop and making use of his opportunity fiercely assaults the Albanian Prince and with bloody slaughter and the death of Albanact makes way for himself and Followers to intrude into his Possessions who as yet had scarce time to call them his own Fame whose vigilant eyes never sleep with an exasperating Trumpet quickly blowes this unfortunate Newes into the Eares of Locrinus he to revenge the Dishonour done and the Death of his Brother and also to enjoy that which now by right was fallen unto him but above all to remove so dangerous and powerful a Neighbour or rather Enemy summons all his Nobles and gathers together all the force he possibly could make and with a mind full of Revenge Resolution and Courage Advanceth and with speedy Marches setteth forwards to Fight the Scythian before he take to Deep root in Albania Camber is not slow to second this action as a thing which he conceives deeply to concern himself and therefore unites his Forces with his Brothers that thereby the Victory may be more certaine and the losse lesse considerable Desire quickens actions and resolute souls seem rather to flye then walk The Armies meet the Brittains inflamed with revenge for the Death of Albanact who was their fellow Souldier and Traveller Son of their Deceased King brother to the present breath nothing but Death and Confusion The Scythian with like Valour and Courage thinks no danger too great to make good by the sword what he already purchast and gotten by the same Terrible is the conflict on both sides but fortune after long debate with victory Crowns the Brittaines the Scythians are put to Flight and flying are so hotly pursued that many are drowned and the King himself and as the Poet saith of Icarus Icarus Icarias nomine fecit aquas put to such a straite that he was Drowned in that Famous River which from his name hath ever since been called Humber of which Mr. Cambden saith Est certe totius Britanniae aestuarium amplissimum piscosissimum the largest and most full of Fish throughout Britannie Ex aestuantis oceani accessibus adauctum iisdem retro remeantibus suas illiusque aquas vehementissime vasto cum murmure non sine magno navigantium periculo agit unde Nichanus Fluctibus aequoreis nautis suspectior Humber Submersis nomen contulit Humbris aquae And another Poet much to the same purpose saith Dum fugit obstat ei flumen submergitur illic Deque suo tribuit nomine nomen aquae Mr. Cambden in his Britannia setteth down these two Distichons but speaks not a word of the cause or the battel and the reason is easie to be imagined for should he expresse the death of Albanack and the just revenge of Locrine and Camber in behalf of their brother he must needs grant Brute to be Progenitor of the Britains and consequently of the Welsh a Nation which are very little beholding unto him Locrinus is now a Conqueror no fear of further supplies to affront him the day is absolutely his own but unfortunate Prince what a proud Foe clad in steel and with a courage equalizing that of Mars could not effect is done by an Amorous Glance of a Female Creature Estrild Humbers Daughter casts forth such piercing darts from her Charming Eyes that maugre both steel and coat of Male Locrine is wounded to the Heart he sighs complains beggs compassion from her who is his Captive and in conclusion becoms her slave she his Mistress in these bewitching Fetters he reposeth his happiness her enriching Arms he deemes the Trophees of his Victories but fond-man Gwendolena thy abused Lady disgests not a Corrival shee will make thee know quidfoemina possit irata she complains to her Father he acquaints his deerest Friends and all enter into an Association to be revenged Locrinus awakes out of his effeminate dalliances Armes himself to oppose the storme at hand and beat back the threatned danger but too late his Enemies are too powerful the abused Gwendolena too well befriended and leaves justice not to be controuled and thus Locrinus a Conqueror after he Reigned by account of most Authors Twenty Years through his intemperate lust and wanton affection was deprived at one time both of Life and Kingdom leaving his body to be interred in Treynovant Gwendolena Queen Regent of Brittain LOcrinus for his unjust and unlawful Love being thus justly punished the States and Counsellors of the Kingdom elect and chuse Gwendolena the abused and injured Queen during the Nonage and Minority of her Son to fit at the Helm and manage the Affairs of the Kingdome this Lady was daughter to Corinaeus who joyned his navy and came along with Brute and he who Encountered with Gogwagog on the Hills by Dover as some write others say neer Plimmouth in Devon-shire which place this day is called the HAW a hill betwixt the Town and the Sea on whose brow is a spacious and pleasant down yeilding a delightful prospect in which is a Sea mark called the Compasse to direct and guide Navigators passing that way of this conflict betwixt Corineus and Gogmagog Thus writeth a certain Poet Hos avidum belli robur Corinaeus Averno Precipites misit cubitis ter quatuor altum Gogmagog Herculeo suspendit in aere luctu Antaeumque suum scopulo detrusit in aequor Potavitque dato Thetis ebria sanguine fluctus Divisumque tulit mare corpus Cerberus umbram Gwendolena to the eternal memory and glory of her Name and Sex governed this Iland for the space of Fourteen years and then her Son coming to maturity and fit age to undertake so great a burden with the general applause and acclamations of all resigned her Trust and Authority to Madan Madan Son to Locrine and Gwendolena Succeeds in the KINGDOME MAdan Son to Locrine and Gwendolena and Grandchild to Brute being now past his minority his Mother joyfully resignes her Regency and is with generall applause and acclamations seated in his Throne and with all solemnity acknowledged King about the year from the worlds Creation
Brute entered Brittain eleven hundred and thirty six After Alexander the Great near upon a eleven hundred and twenty five After the building of Rome seven hundred and twenty nine GVIDERIVS GVIDERIVS the first Son of Kimbeline was advanced to the Legal command of the Brittains who were under his Fathers subjection he was invested in the year of the world 5216. Anno Dom. 170. This King was potent and abounded in Treasure which indeed are the sinews of War and was alwaies a Prince of Haughty courage and where wealth and courage meet almost miracles may be wrought if the cause be good and guided by a celestial providence but self-Love Pride and Arrogancy often bringeth confusion Guiderius bolstered up with these supporters denies the covenanted Tribute to the Romans which if thus confirmed by Authors Expletis diebus vitae suae cessit gubernaculum Regni Guiderio Mr. Bro. fol. 23. 8. cum ergo Tributum quod appetebant Romani ipsis denegaret supervenit Claudius qui in Imperium subrogatus fuerat When Kimbeline was dead Guiderius succeeeded in the Kingdome therefore when he denied the Tribute the Roman Claudius came hither being then Emperor Mr. Br. 335. And I have read in a very good Author That in Claudius the Roman Emperors time he with his Romans brought the Orchades and after them Anglesey under the Roman subjection though this Act be commonly ascribed to Julius Agricola Fabian confirms my Authors Assertion saying Wherefore Claudius who was Uncle to Caius Caligula the Fourth Emperor of Rome arrived in Brittain with a great Army and not only as writeth Polychronican constrained the Inhabitants to pay the Tribute but also subjected to the Roman yoke the Iles of Orchades or Orkeys which are scituate beyond Scotland and at the end of six Months returned to his Imperial City In this Army as tells us the English Chronicle and Gaufride was a Captain called Hame or Hamo who to compasse his purpose against the Ilanders changed his Armour and Shield arming himself like a Brittain and in this Disguise did extreme Damage unto his Enemies and still pressing forward at length came to the very place where King Guiderius was fighting and by this unexpected Stratagem and Policy slew him which his Brother Arviragus perceiving used the like policy immediately investing himself in Princely Array that the Fall of the King was not perceived and thus personating a Soveraign in his Regal Ensignes he encouraged the Brittains and by his own Example Courage and Valour so animated them that they did Feats beyond belief insomuch that they put the Romans to flight Thus was Guiderius by the opinion of several Authors slain by Hamo after he had reigned the space of twenty eight years leaving his Brother Arviragus by reason that he had no Issue of his own to succeed him ARVIRAGVS ARviragus the youngest Son of Kimbeline and brothor to Guiderius was Crowned King of Great Brittain in the year of Christs Incarnation forty and four The English Chronicle calls him Armiger he was a Prince of a high Spirit and skilful in warlike Affairs maintaining with great resolution and prosperous successe his Wars against the invading Romans neither suffered he the death of his Brother to passe unrevenged For with his own hands he slew Hamo the Murderer of Guiderius near a Port or Haven which by reason of that Fact was called Hamons Haven and now with some alteration South-Hampton a Town populous rich and beautiful from which the whole Shire deriveth her Name most strongly walled with square stone containing in Circuit one thousand and two hundred Paces having seven Gates for entrance and twenty nine Towers for Defence two very stately Keyes for Ships arrivage and five fair Churches for God's divine Service besides an Hospital called God's House wherein the unfortunate Richard Earl of Cambridge beheaded for Treason lyeth inter'd On the West of this Town is mounted a beautiful Castle in form Circular and wall within wall the Foundation upon a hill so topped that it cannot be ascended but by stairs carrying a goodly prospect both by Land and Sea and in the East without the Walls a goodly Church sometimes stood called St Maries which was pulled down for that it gave the French direction of Course who with fire had greatly endangered the Town instead thereof is newly Erected a small and unfinisht Chappel In this place saith Learned Cambden stood the ancient Clausentium a Fort of the Romans whose Circuit on that side extended it self to the Sea this suffered many depredations by the Saxon Pirates and in Anno 980. was by the Danes almost quite overthrown In K. Ed. 3. time it was fired by the French under the conduct of the King of Sicills Son whom a Countryman encountred and struck down with his Club he crying Rancon that is Ransome but he neither understanding his Language nor the Law that arms doth allow laid on more soundly I know thee a Francon and therefore thou shalt die And in Richard the Seconds time it was somewhat removed and built in the place where now it is In this Clausentium Canute to evict his Flatterers made tryal of his Deity commanding the Seas to keep back from his Feet but being not obeyed acknowledged God to be the only supreme Governour and in a religious Devotion gave up his Crown to the rood at Winchester Earls of this Southampton have been 1067. 1 Bevis of Hampton that famous Souldier so much talked of Azure 3 Lyons passant gardant Or. 2 William Fitz-Williams Losenge arg and Gules 3 Thomas Wricthesley L. Ch. created E. by Ed. 6. and King at Arms. 4 Henry Wricthesley 5 Henry Wricthesley 6 Thomas Wricthesley 1641. Azure a Cross Or 4 fulcons closed argent Policr l. 4. c. 8. cited by Fabian fol. 41. After divers changes and alterations in War and Peace an Agreement was concluded between Claudius the Roman Emperor and Arviragus insomuch that the Emperor sent to Rome for his Daughter Genniss or Gennissa and espoused her to the Brittish King who had by her his Son and Heir Marius his Successor in the Kingdome This King Reigned in Brittain when St. Joseph came hither Mr. Bro. f. 22. who gave to him and his Followers a place of Residence in lateribus suae Regionis in the outside of K. Arviragus his Countrey in Regionis suae finibus saith the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury in the very end of his Dominion Math. Parker A late Writer speaking of King Arviragus saith Quidam Historici testantur ipse omnium Regum Brittannorum primus Joes Pitseus Rel. Hist in Arvirago Fidem Christi cum Sacramentis Christianis Christianus factus suscepit Some Historians witness that of all Brittish Kings he was the first that being made a Christian received the Faith of Christ with the Christian Sacraments Another thus plainly writeth of St. Joseph He converted to the Christian Faith Marius and Coillus Son and Nephew to Arviragus and John Harding is
all and his Son Jesus Christ he alone by right obtained this honour by the will of God to have that which was buried in death to reign among men Howe 's of the Romans f. 45. In the 20. year of this Constantine was held as saith Mr. Howes the Councel of Nice with great Solemnity wherein were condemned and suppressed the damnable Heresies of Arius Bigot the vain-glorious and dissembling Minister whereof the Arian Heresie took the Name and for a long space after much troubled Christendom And at this time the Nicene Creed was commanded to be sung and said in all Churches And the forenamed Arius pretending to make a Retract of all his Heresies took his leave of the Emperor The fearfull end of an arch Heretick as if he had great necessity to take Physick to purge his Body which Purgation never ceased working till it had purged him of all his bloud and bowels and so he died most miserably and shamefully How es ibid. About this time saith the same Author Octavius whom Constantine left Governor in Brittain rebelled against whom Constantine sent Traherne his Uncle with a Legion of Romans who after divers Conflicts was slain Old English Chronic. f. 34 p. 4. The old English Chronicle saith When Constantine went from this Land to Rome he took all his lond to keep to the Earl of Cornwall that was called Octavian And anon as this Octavian wist that his Lord dwelt at Rome incontinent be ceased all the lond into his hands and therewith did all his will among hy and low and they held him for King But other Historians both Brittish and English Domestical and Foreign affirm that Constantine at his going from Brittain to Rome committed the Government of this Countrey to the Roman Proconsuls and the named Octavian or Octavius took arms against them slew them and so obtained to be King here The Monk of Westminster saith this Octavius was a King before a Regulus or Prince of the People in and about Worcestershire Harding saith he was Duke of West Sex he must mean where the West Saxons after ruled for they came not into Brittain till a long time after this But after his day came one Octavius Duke of West sex that crowned was for King That slewgh the Werdins of Constantinus Which that he set for Brittain governing In his abscence to keep it in all thing Besides this there be other difficulties among the Historians about this Octavius and such as will discredit him for having had many great and chief and long Commands as a King in this Nation Math Westm setteth down his conquering the Roman Proconsul here in the year of Christ 314 when divers more ancient and received Historians say that S. Helen our Queen and Empress continued here long after that time Br. fol. 543. 4. And her Son Constantine Emperor now at the highest of his Glory Power and Victories and having so many Brittish Soldiers without imployment in France so near unto us cannot be immagined to have suffered any Enemy in his own native Countrey so to have prevailed or how could such a man as Octavius is supposed to be assemble such an Army in Brittain where that victorious Emperor was undoubted King and whence he had so great an Army of Brittains so lately before that by them as our Historians write he vanquished all most innumerable Companies of his most potent Enemies And as these Relators of Octavius his proceedings themselves are Witnesses the power with Constantine was so great that the Romans which came hither unto him seeing his power said No Prince in the world was comparable to him for strength Where then in Brittain could Octavius gather an Army so soon to encounter and overthrow three Legions of Roman Soldiers besides their Adherents as these men say And Eusebius saith that Constantine himself came hither again and was here longer after this pretended Revolt and at his death gave Brittain the ancient Patrimony to his Eldest Son Again these men say Octavius was King here until Maximus his time and married his only Daughter and Heir unto him when it is a common consent in Antiquities that this Maximus or Maximinianus was not King in Brittain till after the 380. year of Christ Therefore he must needs be granted to be very young of too few years at the going of Constantine hence for him to commit the Government of Brittain unto him or for himselfe to have so soon Usurped against it so rightfull and potent King and Emperour Our most ancient and best Historians S. Gildas S. Bede Marianus Florentius Wigorniensis Ethelwardus Henry of Huntington and William of Malmsbury although as diligently as they could recounting our Kings of Brittain never mention any such Octavius or Octavian but the chiefest and most ancient among them S. Gildas plainly saith that this Island was at this time and until Maximus or Maximinian a Brittain took upon him the Empire a Roman Island Insula nomen Romanum tenens And divers Historians both late and ancient do particularly set down our Kings after Constantine the Great and Roman Leivtenants here until these daies as Constantine Constantius Julian Valentinian Gratian Emperors or Kings Martinus Lupicinus Nectaridius Theodosius Fraomarius and other Roman Lievtenants and Governors here And when the Councel of Ariminum was kept about the year of Christ 360 and the 23. year of Constantius son of Constantine the Great it is certain that this Constantius was our King in Brittain and bore the charge of the poorest Bishops of this Kingdom as then under his Government which were present there and he was so far from losing Brittain or any other Countrey of his Empire then as Sozomen and others testifie that Councel thus wrote unto him Epist Arimin Conc. ad Constant Imp. apud Sozoni Hist l. 4. c. 47. at this time this Empire so encreased that all the World was under his Government this was above twenty years after the death of the great Constantine in whose time this Revolt of Brittain from him is thus supposed and above twice so long time of the imagined usurpation here by Octavius And Zonaras writeth that this Constantius in the fourteenth year of his Empire banished or rather carried with him Athanasius into Brittain at his coming hither Therefore I dare not assent that in this time of the greatest flourishing Estate of the Roman Empire and the power thereof in Brittain Harding Cron. c. 63. f. 51. Galf. Mon. Hist Reg. Bri. l. 5. cap. 9. Pont. Virun Hist l. 5. Math. West an 379. especially from whence the glory of it grew to that greatness either Octavius or any other so much prevailed here to bar the Emperors of that honour But he might towards the time of Maximus or Maximianus when the Empire had more Enemies and less power prevail in some such sort as these Historians have written of him although they differ also in Maximian as well as in Octavius one saith he
was the Son of Traherne the Uncle of St. Helen Maximian King Trahern his Son next Heir to Constantine others say he was Son of Leolinus another Uncle of St. Helen Great Uncle to Constantine and one of them Gal. Mon. l. 5. c. 12.15 Pont. Virun lib. 5. Math. West an 390 392. Manus Anti. in vit S. Nin. Capg in eod Bal. li. de Scrip. Cent. 1. in Nin. saith Octavius was King but 14 yeares ending with the beginning of Maximian his Reigne And so we may well allow such an Octavius to have the name of a King in Brittain in those troublesome daies of the Romans ruling here divers petty Kings being probably at that time in this Nation as well by the Testimony of these Authors which then make Octavian King as others So they terme Conanus a King and that Maximian took his kingdom from him So was Dionotus King in Cornwall So was his brother Carodocus before him and yet under one chief King and Emperor Maximian at that time And St. Nimen who lived Bishop here in the end of this age had Kings for his Ancestors and yet the great distance of the place of his birth from King Coel argueth he was not of their line And all these Kings or Regents here were most certainly by our Antiquaries Chatholick Christians Constantinus After the death of Constantine the great Constantinus his eldest Son injoyed Brittain as a portion of his Dominion till making some attempts upon his brother Constans for the enlarging of it Brittish Hist fol. 239. he was by him slain Then was the Empire divided between Constans and Constantius the two younger brethren Constans seised upon the Provinces which Constantinus his brother had held and made a voyage into Brittain where Gratianus a Hungarian by birth had then charge of the Army This Gratianus was surnamed Funarius for that he being a young man was able as it is written of him to hold a Rope in his hand against the force of five Souldiers assaying to pull it from him But Constans afterwards following ill counsel the ready way to Princes ruines and giving himself over to all kind of vice was slain by Magnentius Taporus the Son of a Brittain who then invaded the Empire usurping the Government of Gallià and Brittain till after three years warr with Constantius the successor of Constans his brother finding himselfe unable any longer to uphold his greatnesse Mr. Br. fol. 548. 1. he murdered himself This Constantius in processe of time was infected with the Arian heresy but neither so as to endanger Brittain or any other Nation under his command He consented to the recalling of St. Athanasius out of exile and sometime to his continuing his dignity at Alexandrea And whether it was for the love of St. Athanasius or fear of his brother Constans writing expresly unto him in favour of St. Athanasius is uncertain he also consented to the calling of the great general Councel of Sardyce 10 or 11 years after the death of his Father as Socrates and Sozomen affirm wherein St. Athanasius was proved innocent and as he then present with many others proveth the Nicon faith was confirmed and utterly forbidden to be questioned Mr. Bro. fol. 548. Socr. l. 2. c. 16. Soz. l. 3. c. 11 12. Athan. Apol. 2 cont Arianos Divers Bishops of Brittain 5 at the least present at the Councel of Sardyce Baro. Spon an 347. Sex Ruff. Brem Rev. gest po Ro. ad Valent. And at the calling of this Councel the same renowned Doctor called this said Constantins as also his brother a known Cacholick Emperour and a Religious Prince and we are sure that at this time our Kingdome of Baittain detained the former glorious estate and glory of Religion it had before in the daies of Constantine and was still free from Arianisme For the same glorious Athanasius present in that Councel faith that amongst more than 300 Bishops assembled there which freed him and professed the Nicen faith the Bishops from the Provinces of Baittain were there And as the Roman writers testifie there were from the division of the Empire by Constantine and as many suppose before five provinces here in Brittain Maxima Caesariensis Valentia Baittannia prima Brittania secunda Flavia Caesariensis So that if we should allow but one Bishop out of every of those provinces to have been at the Sardyce Councel and there to have subscribed for the rest of Brittain their Provinces or Dioceses we must grant five Brittish Bishops to have been there and supplyed this duty and Office for the rest of Brittain That this our Country of Brittain flourished after this with great numbers of worthy Bishops no City then vacant here of such a Pastor and Rider we may gather from divers Antiquities Epist Concilii Arimini ad Const apud Socr. l. 2. Hist c. 29. Soz Hist Eccl. l. 4. c. 16. Sever sulp sacra Hist l. 2. c. 21. Lib. Notitia Epis orb Chr. sive Cod. Provin Rom. as from the Epistle of the great Councel of Ariminum in Italy not long after this time written to Constantius the Emperour where our Bishops were present testifying unto him that they were assembled there forth of all Cities towards the West most properly and significantly to be applyed to this Kingdom most West from thence And the words All Bishops out of the Western Cities cannot carry any other true construction but our Episcopal Cities in Baittain were then so furnished and many or most of them present at that Councel This is confirmed by the number of Western Bishops above 400 as Sozomen and others write assembled at Ariminum besides 160 from the East at the same time gathered together at Seleucia in Isauria when it is manifest in the old Manuscript Catalogue of Bishops that Brittain and all the Western Nations present in the Councel of Ariminum had not at that time many more than 400 Bishops Therefore we must needs grant that the Bishops of all Cities as well of Brittain as other Countries of the West which had not excuseable lets and impediments were there present in such sence as the Epistle of that Councel is cited and Severus Sulpitius is sufficient witnesse that this our Brittain in particular that it had many Bishops there for relating the number to have been above 400 out of the West And the Emperour the better to incline them to the Arian heresie as it seemeth commandeth that provision should be made for them at his cost But the Bishops of France Aquitaine and Brittain refused it and rather made choice to live at their own charges than to be maintained by the Emperour and this refusal was general to all the Bishops of Brittain Aquitaine and France except three only of Brittain which received allowance from the Emperour and refused maintenance by the other Bishops themselves being poor And the same Authors prove that our Bishops were drawn or forced to come to that Councel by the Officers of Constantius