The History of Britain

THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN, That Part especially now called England; Continu'd to the Norman Conquest. BOOK I.

THe beginning of Nations, those excepted of whom sacred Books have spok'n, is to this day unknown. Nor only the beginning, but the deeds also of many succeeding Ages, yea periods of Ages, either wholly unknown, or obscured and blemisht with Fables. Whether it were that the use of Letters came in long after, or were it the violence of barbarous inundations, or they themselves at certain revolutions of time, fatally decaying, and degenerating into Sloth and Ignorance; whereby the monuments of more ancient civility have been some destroyed, some lost. Perhaps dis-esteem and contempt of the public affairs then present, as not worth recording, might partly be in cause. Certainly ofttimes we see that wise men, and of best ability have forborne to write the Acts of thir own days, while they beheld with a just loathing and disdain, not only how unworthy, how pervers, how corrupt, but often how ignoble, how petty, how below all History the persons and thir actions were; who either by fortune, or some rude election had attained as a sore judgment, and ignominy upon the Land, to have chief sway in managing the Common-wealth. But that any law, or superstition of our old Philosophers the Druids forbad the Britain's to write thir memorable deeds, I know not why any out of Caesar should allege: he indeed saith, that thir doctrine they thought not lawful to commit to Letters; but in most matters else, both private, and public, among which well may History be reck'nd, they used the Greek Tongue: and that the British Druids who taught those in Gaule would be ignorant of any Language known and used by thir Disciples, or so frequently writing other things, and so inquisitive into highest, would for want of recording be ever Children in the Knowledge of Times and Ages, is not likely. What ever might be the reason, this we find, that of British affairs, from the first peopling of the Island to the coming of Julius Caesar, nothing certain, either by Tradition, History, or Ancient Fame hath hitherto been left us. That which we have of oldest seeming, hath by the greater part of judicious Antiquaries been long rejected for a modern Fable.

Nevertheless there being others besides the first supposed Author, men not unread, nor unlerned in Antiquity, who admit that for approved story, which the former explode for fiction, and seeing that ofttimes relations heertofore accounted fabulous have been after found to contain in them many footsteps, and relics of something true, as what we read in Poets of the Flood, and Giants little believed, till undoubted witnesses taught us, that all was not feigned; I have therefore determined to bestow the telling over even of these reputed Tales; be it for nothing else but in favor of our English Poets, and Rhetoricians, who by thir Art will know, how to use them judiciously.

I might also produce example, as Diodorus among the Greeks, Livy and others of the Latins, Polydore and Virunnius accounted among our own Writers. But I intend not with controversies and quotations to delay or interrupt the smooth course of History; much less to argue and debate long who were the first Inhabitants, with what probabilities, what authorities each opinion hath been upheld, but shall endeavor that which hitherto hath been needed most, with plain, and lightsome brevity, to relate well and orderly things worth the nothing, so as may best instruct and benefit them that read. Which, imploring divine assistance, that it may redound to his glory, and the good of the British Nation, I now begin.

That the whole Earth was inhabited before the Flood, and to the utmost point of habitable ground, from those effectual words of God in the Creation, may be more then conjectur'd. Hence that this Island also had her dwellers, her affairs, and perhaps her stories, eev'n in that old World those many hunderd years, with much reason we may infer. After the Flood, and the dispersing of Nations, as they journey'd leisurely from the East, Gomer the eldest Son of Japheth, and his offspring, as by Authorities, Arguments, and Affinitie of divers names is generally believed, were the first that people'd all these West and Northern Climes. But they of our own Writers, who thought they had don nothing, unless with all circumstance they tell us when, and who first set foot upon this Island, presume to name out of fabulous and counterfeit Authors a certain Samothes or Dis, a fowrth or sixth Son of Japheth, whom they make about 200 years after the Flood, to have planted with Colonies; first the Continent of Celtica, or Gaule, and next this Island; Thence to have named it Samothea, to have reigned here, and after him lineally four Kings, Magus, Saron, Druis, and Bardus. But the forged Berosus, whom only they have to cite, nowhere mentions that either he, or any of those whom they bring, did ever pass into Britain, or send thir people hither. So that this out-landish figment may easily excuse our not allowing it the room here so much as of a British Fable.

That which follows, perhaps as wide from truth, though seeming less impertinent, is, that these Samotheans under the Reign of Bardus were subdued by Albion a Giant, Son of Neptune: who called the Island after his own name, and ruled it 44 years. Till at length passing over into Gaul, in aid of his Brother Lestrygon, against whom Hercules was hasting out of Spain into Italy, he was there slain in fight, and Bergion also his Brother.

Sure enough we are, that Britain hath been anciently termed Albion, both by the Greeks and Romans. And Mela the Geographer makes mention of a stony shore in Languedoc, where by report such a Battle was fought. The rest, as his giving name to the I will, or ever landing here, depends altogether upon late surmises. But too absurd, and too unconscionably gross is that fond invention that wafted hither the fifty daughters of a strange Dioclesian King of Syria; brought in doubtless by some illiterat pretender to something mistaken in the Common Poetical Story of Danaus King of Argos, while his vanity, not pleased with the obscure beginning which truest Antiquity affords the Nation, labor'd to contrive us a Pedigree, as he thought, more noble. These Daughters by appointment of Danaus on the marriage-night having murdered all thir Husbands, except Linceus, whom his Wives loialty saved, were by him at the suit of his Wife thir Sister, not put to death, but turned out to Sea in a Ship unmann'd; of which whole Sex they had incur'd the hate: and as the Tale goes, were driven on this Island. Where the Inhabitants, none but Devils, as some write, or as others, a lawless crew left here by Albion without Head or Governor, both entertained them, and had issue by them a second breed of Giants, who tyranniz'd the I will, till Brutus came.

The Eldest of these Dames in thir Legend they call Albina; and from thence, for which cause the whole scene was framed, will have the name Albion derived. Incredible it may seem so sluggish a conceit should prove so ancient, as to be authorized by the Elder Ninnius, reputed to have lived above a thousand years ago. This I find not in him; but that Histion sprung of Japheth, had four Sons; Francus, Romanus, Alemannus, and Britto, of whom the Britons; as true, I believe, as that those other Nations whose names are resembl'd, came of the other three; if these Dreams give not just occasion to call in doubt the Book itself, which bears that title.

Hitherto the things themselves have given us a warrantable dispatch to run them soon over. But now of Brutus and his Line, with the whole Progeny of Kings, to the entrance of Julius Caesar, we cannot so easily be discharged; Descents of Ancestry, long continued, laws and exploits not plainly seeming to be borrowed, or devised, which on the common belief have wrought no small impression: defended by many, denied utterly by few. For what though Brutus, and the whole Trojan pretence were yielded up, seeing they who first devised to bring us from some noble Ancestor were content at first with Brutus the Consul; till better invention, although not willing to forgo the name, taught them to remove it higher into a more fabulous Age, by the same remove lighting on the Trojan Tales in affectation to make the Britain of one Original with the Roman, pitched there, yet those old and inborn names of successive Kings, never any to have been real persons, or don in thir lives at least some part of what so long hath been remember'd, cannot be thought without too strict an incredulity.

For these, and those causes above mentioned, that which hath received approbation from so many, I have chos'n not to omit. Certain or uncertain, be that upon the credit of those whom I must follow; so far as keeps alooff from impossible and absurd, attested by ancient Writers from Books more ancient I refuse not, as the due and proper subject of Story. The principal Author is well know'n to be Geoffrey of Monmouth; what he was, and whence his authority, who in his age or before him have delivered the same matter, and such like general discourses, will better stand in a Treatise by themselves. All of them agree in this, that Brutus was the Son of Silvius; he of Ascanius; whose Father was Aeneas a Trojan Prince, who at the burning of that City, with his Son Ascanius, and a collected number that escaped, after long wandering on the Sea, arrived in Italy. Where at length by the assistance of Latinus King of Latium, who had given him his Daughter Lavinia, he obtained to succeed in that Kingdom, and left it to Ascanius, whose Son Silvius (though Roman Histories deny Silvius to be Son of Ascanius) had married secretly a Niece of Lavinia.

She being with Child, the matter became known to Ascanius. Who commanding his Magicians to inquire by Art, what sex the Maid had conceived, had answer, that it was one who should be the death of both his Parents; and banished for the fact, should after all in a far Country attain to highest honor. The prediction failed not, for intravel the Mother died. And Brutus (the Child was so called) at fifteen years of Age, attending his Father to the Chace, with an arrow unfortunately killed him.

Banish'd therefore by his kindred he retires into Greece. Where meeting with the race of Helenus King Priams Son, held there in servile condition by Pandrasus then King, with them he abides. For Pirrhus in revenge of his Father slain at Troy had brought thither with him Helenus, and many others into servitude. There Brutus among his own stock so thrives in virtue and in Arms, as renders him beloved to Kings, and great Captains above all the Youth of that Land. Whereby the Trojans not only beginn to hope, but secretly to move him, that he would lead them the way to liberty. They allege their numbers, and the promised help of Assaracus a Noble Greekish Youth, by the Mothers side a Trojan; whom for that cause his Brother went about to dispossess of certain Castles bequeathed him by his Father. Brutus considering both the Forces offered him, and the strength of those Holds, not unwillingly consents.

First therefore having fortifi'd those Castles, he with Assaracus and the whole multitude betake them to the Woods and Hills; as the safest place from whence to expostulate; and in the name of all sends to Pandrasus this Message; That the Trojans holding it unworthy thir Ancestors to serv in a Foren Kingdom, had retreated to the Woods; choosing rather a Savage life then a slavish; If that displeased him, that then with his leave they might depart to some other soil.

As this may pass with good allowance, that the Trojans might be many in these parts, for Helenus was by Pirrhus made King of the Chaouians, and the Sons of Pirrhus by Andromache Hectors Wise could not but be powerful through all Epirus, so much the more it may be doubted, how these Trojans could be thus in bondage, where they had Friends and Country-men so Potent. But to examine these things with diligence, were but to confute the Fables of Britain with the Fables of Greece or Italy; for of this Age, what we have to say, as well concerning most other Countries, as this Island, is equally under Question. Beeit how it will, Pandrasus not expecting so bold a message from the Sons of Captives, gathers an Army. And marching toward the Woods, Brutus who had notice of his approach nigh to a Town called Sparatinum, (I know not what Town, but certain of no Greek name) over night planting himself there with good part of his men, suddenly sets upon him, and with slaughter of the Greeks pursues him to the passage of a River, which mine Author names Akalon, meaning perhaps Achelous, or Acheron: where at the Ford he overlaies them afresh. This victory obtained, and a sufficient strength left in Sparatinum, Brutus with Antigonus, the Kings Brother and his Freind Anacletus, whom he had taken in the fight, returns to the residue of his friends in the thick Woods. While Pandrasus with all speed recollecting, beseiges the Town. Brutus to relieve his men beseig'd, who earnestly called him, distrusting the sufficiency of his force, bethinks himself of this Policy. Calls to him Anacletus, and threatening instant death else, both to him and his friend Antigonus, enjoins him, that he should go at the second howr of night to the Greekish Leagre, and tell the Guards he had brought Antigonus by stealth out of Prison to a certain woody Vale; unable through the weight of his Fetters to move further: entreating them to come speedily and fetch him in. Anacletus to save both himself and his friend Antigonus, swears this; and at fit howr sets on alone toward the Camp: is met, examined, and at last unquestionably known. To whom, great profession of fidelity first made, he frames his Tale, as had been taught him: and they now fully assured, with a credulous rashness leaving thir Stations, far'd accordingly by the ambush that there awaited them. Forthwith Brutus dividing his men into three parts, leads on in silence to the Camp; commanding first each part at a several place to enter, and forbear Execution, till he with his Squadron posses'd of the Kings Tent, gave Signal to them by Trumpet. The sound whereof no sooner heard, but huge havoc begins upon the sleeping, and unguarded Enemy; whom the besieged also now sallying forth, on the other side assail. Brutus the while had special care to seise and secure the Kings Person; whose life still within his Custody, he knew was the surest pledge to obtain what he should demand. Day appearing, he enters the Town, there distributes the Kings Treasury, and leaving the place better fortify'd, returns with the King his Prisner to the Woods. Strait the ancient and grave men he summons to Counsel, what they should now demand of the King.

After long debate Mempricius, one of the gravest, utterly dissuading them from thought of longer stay in Greece, unless they meant to be deluded with a suttle peace, and the awaited revenge of those whose friends they had slain, advises them to demand first the Kings Eldest Daughter Innogen in marriage to thir Leader Brutus, with a rich dowry, next shipping, money, and fit provision for them all to depart the Land.

This resolution pleasing best, the King now brought in, and placed in a high Seat, is briefly told, that on these conditions granted, he might be free, not granted, he must prepare to die.

Prest with fear of death the King readily yields: especially to bestow his Daughter on whom he confessed so Noble and so Valiant: offers them also the third part of his Kingdom, if they like to stay; if not, to be thir Hostage himself, till he had made good his word.

The Marriage therefore solemniz'd, and shipping from all parts got together, the Trojans in a Fleet, no less writ'n then three hunderd four and twenty Sail, betake them to the wide Sea; where with a prosperous course two days and a night bring them on a certain Island long before dispeopl'd and left wast by Sea-Roavers; the name whereof was then Leogecia, now unknow'n. They who were sent out to discover, came at length to a ruined City; where was a Temple and Image of Diana that gave Oracles: but not meeting first or last save wild Beasts, they return with this notice to thir Ships: Wishing thir General would inquire of that Oracle what voyage to pursue.

Consultation had, Brutus taking with him Geriou his Diviner, and twely of the ancientest, with wonted Ceremonies before the inward shrine of the Goddess, in Verse, as it seems the manner was, utters his request, Diva potens nemorum, &c.

To whom sleeping before the Altar, Diana in a Vision that night thus answered, Brute sub occasum Solis, &c.

These Verses Originally Greek, were put in Latin, saith Virunnius, by Gildas a British Poet, and him to have lived under Claudius. Which granted true, adds much to the Antiquity of this Fable; and indeed the Latin Verses are much better, then for the Age of Geoffrey ap- Arthur, unless perhaps Joseph of Exeter, the only smooth Poet of those times, befreinded him; in this Diana overshot her Oracle thus ending, Ipsis totiusterrae subditus orbis erit, That to the race of Brute Kings of this Island, the whole Earth shall be subject.

But Brutus guided now, as he thought, by divine conduct, speeds him towards the West; and after some encounters on the Afric side, arrives at a place on the Tyrrhen Sea; where he happ'ns to find the Race of those Trojans who with Antenor came into Italy; and Corineus a man much famed, was thir Cheif: though by surer Authors it be reported, that those Trojans with Antenor, were seated on the other side of Italy, on the Adriatic, not the Tyrrhen shore. But these joining Company, and past the Herculean Pillars, at the mouth of Ligeris in Aquitania cast Anchor, Where after some discovery made of the place, Corineus Hunting nigh the shore with his Men, is by Messengers of the King Goffarius Pictus met, and questioned about his Errand there. Who not answering to thir mind, Imbertus, one of them, lets fly an Arrow at Corineus, which he avoiding, slays him: and the Pictavian himself heerupon levying his whole Force, is over-thrown by Brutus, and Corineus; who with the Battle Ax which he was wont to manage against the Tyrrhen Giants is said to have done marvells. But Goffarius having draw'n to his aid the whole Country of Gaul, at that time governed by twelv Kings, puts his Fortune to a second Trial, Wherein the Trojans over-born by multitude, are driven back, and beseigd in thir own Camp, which by good foresight was strongly situate. Whence Brutus unexpectedly issuing out, and Corineus in the mean while, whose device it was, assaulting them behind from a Wood, where he had convayd his men the night before: The Trojans are again Victors, but with the loss of Turon a Valiant Nefew of Brutus; whose Ashes left in that place, gave name to the City of Tours, built there by the Trojans. Brutus finding now his powers much lessn'd, and this yet not the place foretold him, leaves Aquitain, and with an easy course, arriving at Totness in Dev'nshire, quickly perceivs here to be the promised end of his labors.

The Island not yet Britain but Albion, was in a manner desert and inhospitable; kept only by a remnant of Giants; whose excessive Force and Tyranie had consumed the rest. Them Brutus destroys, and to his people divides the Land, which with some reference to his own name he thenceforth calls Britain. To Corineus, Cornwall, as now we call it, fell by Lot; the rather by him likit, for that the hugest Giants, in Rocks and Caves were said to lurk still there; which kind of Monsters to deal with was his old exercise.

And here, with leave be-spok'n to recite a grand Fable, though dignify'd by our best Poets; while Brutus on a certain Festival day solemnly kept on that shore, where he first landed, was with the people in great jollity and mirth, a crew of these Savages breaking in upon them, began on the sudden another sort of Game then at such a meeting was expected. But at length by many hands overcome, Goëmagog the hugest, in higth twelv Cubits, is reserved alive; that with him Corineus, who desired nothing more, might try his strength; Whom in a Wrestle the Giant catching aloft, with a terrible hug broke three of his Ribs: nevertheless Corineus enraged, heaving him up by main force, and on his Shoulders bearing him to the next high Rock, threw him headlong all shattered into the Sea, and left his name on the Cliff, called ever since Langoëmagog, which is to say, the Giants leap.

After this, Brutus in a chosen place builds Troia nova, changed in time to Trinovantum, now London: and began to enact Laws; Heli being then high Priest in Judea: and having governed the whole I will 24 Years, died, and was buried in his new Troy. His three Sons Locrine, Albanact, and Camber divide the Land by consent. Locrine had the middle part Loëgria; Camber possessed Cambria or Wales; Albanact Albania, now Scotland. But he in the end by Humber King of the Hunns, who with a Fleet invaded that Land, was slain in fight, and his people driven back into Loëgria. Locrine and his Brother go out against Humber; who now marching onward, was by them defeated, and in a River drowned, which to this day retains his name. Among the spoils of his Camp and Navy, were found certain young Maids, and Estrildis, above the rest, passing fair; the Daughter of a King in Germany; from whence Humber, as he went wasting the Sea-Coast, had led her Captive: whom Locrine, though before contracted to the Daughter of Corineus, resolvs to marry. But being forced and threatn'd by Corineus, whose Authority, and power he feared, Guendolen the Daughter he yields to marry, but in secret loves the other: and ofttimes retiring as to some private Sacrifice, through Vaults and passages made under ground; and seven years thus enjoying her, had by her a Daughter equally fair, whose name was Sabra. But when once his fear was off by the Death of Corineus, not content with secret enjoyment, divorcing Guendolen, he makes Estrildis now his Queen. Guendolen all in rage departs into Cornwall; where Madan, the Son she had by Locrine, was hitherto brought up by Corineus his Grandfather. And gathering an Army of her Fathers Friends and Subjects, gives Battail to her Husband by the River Sture; wherein Locrine shot with an Arrow ends his life. But not so ends the fury of Guendolen; for Estrildis and her Daughter Sabra, she throws into a River: and to leave a Monument of revenge, proclaims, that the stream be thenceforth called after the Damsels name; which by length of time is changed now to Sabrina, or Severn.

Fifteen Years she governs in behalf of her Son; then resigning to him at Age, retires to her Fathers Dominion. This saith my Author, was in the days of Samuel. Madan hath the praise to have well and peacefully ruled the space of 40 years; leaving behind him two Sons, Memprioius, and Malim. Mempricius had first to do with the ambition of his Brother, aspiring to share with him in the Kingdom; whom therefore at a meeting to compose matters, with a treachery which his cause needed not, he slew.

Nor was he better in the sole possession, whereof so ill he could endure a Partner, killing his Nobles, and those especially next to succeed him; till lastly given over to unnatural lust, in the twentieth of his Reign, hunting in a Forest, he was devowr'd by Wolves.

His Son Ebranc a man of mighty strength and stature, Reign'd 40 Years. He first after Brutus wasted Gaul; and returning rich and prosperous, built Caerebranc, now York; in Albania Alclud, Mount Agned, or the Castle of Maydens, now Edinburgh. He had 20 Sons and 30 Daughters by 20 Wives. His Daughters he sent to Silvius Alba into Italy, who bestowed them on his Peers of the Trojan Line. His Sons under the leading of Assaracus thir Brother, won them Lands and Signories in Germany; thence called, from these Brethren Germania: a derivation too hastily supposed, perhaps before the word Germannus or the Latin Tongue was in use. Som who have described Henault, as Jacobus • ergomas, and Lessabeus, are cited to affirm that Ebr •• 〈◊〉 his War there, was by Brunchildis Lord of 〈◊〉 put to the worse.

Brutus therefore surnamed Greenshield succeeding, to repair his Fathers losses, as the sam, Lessabeus reports, fought a second Battail in Henault with Brunchild at the mouth of Scaldis, and Encamp'd on the River Hania. Of which our Spencer also thus Sings.

But Henault, and Brunchild, and Greenesheild, seem newer names then for a Story pretended thus Antient.

Him succeeded Leil, a maintainer of Peace and Equity; but slackn'd in his latter end, whence arose some civil discord. He built in the North Cairleil; and in the days of Solomon.

Rudhuddibras, or Hudibras appeasing the commotions which his Father could not, fownded Caerkeynt or Canturbury, Caerguent, or Winchester, and Mount Paladur, now Septonia or Shaftsbury: but this by others is contradicted.

Bladud his Son built Caerbadus or Bathe, and those medcinable Waters he dedicated to Minerva, in whose Temple there he kept fire continually burning. He was a man of great invention, and taught Necromancie: till having made him Wings to fly, he fell down upon the Temple of Apollo in Trinovant, and so died after twenty years Reign.

Hitherto from Father to Son the direct Line hath run on: but Leir who next Reign'd, had only three Daughters, and no Male Issue: governed laudably, and built Caer-Leir, now Leicestre, on the Bank of Sora. But at last, failing through Age, he determines to bestow his Daughters, and so among them to divide his Kingdom. Yet first to try which of them loved him best (a Trial that might have made him, had he known as wisely how to try, as he seemed to know how much the trying behoov'd him) he resolves a simple resolution, to ask them solemly in order; and which of them should profess largest, her to believe. Gonorill th' Eldest apprehending too well her Fathers weakness, makes answer invoking Heaven, That she loved him above her Soul. Therefore, quoth the old man overjoy'd, since thou so honourst my declined Age, to thee and the Husband whom thou shalt choose, I give the third part of my Realm. So fair a speeding for a few words soon uttered, was to Regan the second, ample instruction what to say. She on the same demand spares no protesting, and the God's must witness, that otherwise to express her thoughts she knew not, but that she loved him above all Creatures; and so receavs an equal reward with her Sister. But Cordelia the youngest, though hitherto best beloved, and now before her Eyes the rich and present hire of a little easy soothing, the danger also, and the loss likely to betide plain dealing, yet moves not from the solid purpose of a sincere and virtuous answer. Father, saith she, my love towards you, is as my duty bids; what should a Father seek, what can a Child promise more? they who pretend beyond this, flatter. When the old man, sorry to hear this, and wishing her to recall those words, persisted asking, with a loiall sadness at her Fathers infirmity, but something on the sudden, harsh, and glancing rather at her Sisters, then speaking her own mind, Two ways only, saith she, I have to answer what you require me; the former, Your command is, I should recant; accept then this other which is lest me; look how much you have, so much is your value, and so much I love you. Then hear thou, quoth Leir now all in passion, what thy ingratitude hath gained thee; because thou hast not reverenc'd thy aged Father equal to thy Sisters, part in my Kingdom, or what else is mine reck'n to have none. And without delay gives in marriage his other Daughters, Gonorill to Maglaunus Duke of Albania, Regan to Henninus Duke of Cornwall; with them in present half his Kingdom; the rest to follow at his Death. In the mean while Fame was not sparing to divulge the wisdom, and other Graces of Cordeilla, insomuch that Aganippus a great King in Gaul (however he came by his Greek name) seeks her to Wife, and nothing altered at the loss of her Dowry, receavs her gladly in such manner as she was sent him. After this King Leir, more and more drooping with Years, became an easy prey to his Daughters and thir Husbands; who now by daily encroachment had feis'd the whole Kingdom into thir hands: and the old King is put to sojorn with his Eldest Daughter, attended only by threescore Knights. But they in a short while grudge'd at, as too numerous and disorderly for continual Guests, are reduced to thirty. Not brooking that affront, the old King betakes him to his second Daughter: but there also discord soon arising between the Servants of differing Masters in one Family, five only are suffered to attend him. Then back again he returns to the other; hoping that she his Eldest could not but have more pity on his Gray Hairs: but she now refuses to admit him, unless he be content with one only of his followers. At last the remembrance of his youngest Cordeilla comes to his thoughts; and now acknowledging how true her words had been, though with little hope from whom he had so injured, be it but to pay her the last recompense she can have from him, his confession of her wise forewarning, that so perhaps his misery, the prooff and experiment of her Wisdom, might something soft'n her, he takes his Journey into France. Now might be seen a difference between the silent, or down-right spok'n affection of some Children to thir Parents, and the talkative obsequiousness of others; while the hope of Inheritance over-acts them, and on the Tongues end enlarges thir duty. Cordeilla out of mere love, without the suspicion of expected reward, at the message only of her Father in distress, powrs forth true filial tears. And not enduring either that her own, or any other Eye should see him in such forlorn condition as his Messenger declared, discreetly appoints one of her trusted Servants, first to convey him privately toward some good Sea Town, there to array him, bathe him, cherish him, furnish him with such Attendance and State, as beseemd his Dignity. That then, as from his first Landing, he might send word of his Arrival to her Husband Aganippus. Which don with all mature, and requisite contrivance, Cordelia with the King her Husband, and all the Barony of his Realm, who then first had news of his passing the Sea, go out to meet him; and after all honorable and joyful entertainment, Aganippus, as to his Wives Father, and his Royal Guest, surrenders him, during his abode there, the power, and disposal of his whole Dominion: permitting his Wife Cordeilla to go with an Army, and set her Father upon his Throne. Wherein her piety so prospered, as that she vanquished her impious Sisters with those Dukes, and Leir again, as saith the story, three years obtained the Crown. To whom dying, Cordeilla with all regal Solemnities gave Burial in the Town of Leicestre. And then as right Heir succeeding, and her Husband dead, ruled the Land five years in Peace. Untill Marganus and Cunedagius her two Sisters Sons, not bearing that a Kingdom should be governed by a Woman, in the unseasonablest time to raise that quarrel against a Woman so worthy, make War against her, depose her, and imprison her; of which impatient, and now long unexercis'd to suffer, she there, as is related, killd herself. The Victors between them part the Land: but Marganus the Eldest Sisters Son, who held by agreement from the North-side of Humber to Cathness, incited by those about him, to invade all as his own right, wars on Cunedagius; who soon met him, overcame, and overtook him in a Town of Wales, where he left his life, and ever since his name to the place.

Cuncdagius was now sole King, and governed with much praise many years; about the time when Rome was built.

Him succeeded Rivallo his Son, wise also and fortunat; save what they tell us of three days raining blood, and swarms of stinging Flies, whereof men died. In order then Gurgustius, Jago or Lago, his Nefew; Sisillius, Kinmarcus. Then Gorbogudo, whom others name Gorbodego, and Gorbodion, who had two Sons, Ferrex, and Porrex. They in the old Age of thir Father falling to contend who should succeed, Porrex attempting by treachery his Brothers life, drives him into France; and in his return though aided with the force of that Country, defeats and slays him. But by his Mother Videna who less loved him, is himself, with the assistance of her Women, soon after slain in his Bed: With whom ended, as is thought, the Line of Brutus. Whereupon, the whole Land with civil broils was rent into five Kingdoms, long time waging Warr each on other; and some say 50 Years. At length Dunwallo Molmutius the Son of Cloten King of Cornwall, one of the foresaid five, excelling in valor, and goodliness of person, after his Fathers decease found means to reduce again the whole Island into a Monarchy: subduing the rest at opportunities. First Y •• ner King of Loegria whom he slew; then Rudaucus of Cambria, Staterius of Albania, confederate together. In which fight Dunwallo is reported, while the Victory hung doubtful, to have used this Art. He takes with him 600 Stout men, bids them put on the Armor of thir slain Enemies; and so unexpectedly approaching the Squadron, where those two Kings had placed themselves in fight, from that part which they thought securest, assaults, and dispatches them. Then displaying his own Ensigns which before he had concealed, and sending notice to the other part of his Army what was don, adds to them new courage, and gains a final Victory. This Dunwallo was the first in Britain that wore a Crown of Gold; and therefore by some reputed the first King. He established the Molmutine Laws, famous among the English to this day; writ'n long after in Latin by Gildas, and in Saxon by King Alfred: so saith Geofrey, but Gildas denies to have known aught of the Britons before Caesar; much less knew Alfred. These Laws, whoever made them, bestowed on Temples the privilege of Sanctuary; to Cities also, and the ways thither leading, yea to Plows granted a kind of like refuge: and made such riddance of Thieves and Robbers, that all passages were safe. Forty Years he Govern'd alone, and was buried nigh to the Temple of Concord; which he, to the memory of peace restored, had built in Trinovant.

His two Sons Belinus and Brennus contending about the Crown, by decision of Friends came at length to an accord; Brennus to have the North of Humber, Belinus the Sovrantie of all. But the younger not long so contented, that he, as they whisper'd to him, whose valor had so oft repel'd the invasions of Ceulphus the Morine Duke, should now be subject to his Brother, upon new Design fails into Norway; enters League and Affinitie with Elsing that King; which Belinus perceiving, in his absence disposseses him of all the North. Brennus with a Fleet of Norwegians makes toward Britain; but encounter'd by Guithlac the Danish King, who laying claim to his Bride, pursued him on the Sea, his hast was retarded, and he berest of his Spouse: who from the fight by a sudden Tempest, was by the Danish King driven on Northumberland, and brought to Belinus. Brennus nevertheless recollecting his Navy, lands in Albania, and gives Battle to his Brother in the Wood Calaterium; but loosing the day, escapes with one single Ship into Gaul. Mean while the Dane upon his own offer to become tributary, sent home with his new prize, Belinus returns his thoughts to the administering of Justice, and the perfeting of his Fathers Laws; and to explain what High-ways might enjoy the foresaid privileges, he caused to be drawn out and pav'd four main Roades to the utmost length and breadth of the Island; and two others athwart; which are since attributed to the Romans. Bren-Brennus on the other side soliciting to his aid the Kings of Gaul, happ'ns at last on Seginus Duke of the Allobreges; where his worth, and comeliness of person wan him the Dukes Daughter and Heir. In whose right he shortly succeeding, and by obtained leave passing with a great Host through the length of Gaul, gets footing once again in Britain. Nor was Belinus unprepar'd, and now the Battle ready to join, Conuvenna the Mother of them both all in a fright, throws herself between; and calling earnestly to Brennus her Son, whose absence had so long deprived her of his sight, after embracements and tears, assails him with such a motherly power, and the mention of things so dear and reverend, as irresistibly wrung from him all his enmity against Belinus.

Then are hands join'd, reconciliation made firm, and Counsel held to turn thir united preparations on Foren parts. Thence that by these two all Gaul was overrun, the story tells; and what they did in Italy, and at Rome, if these be they, and not Gauls, who took that City, the Roman Authors can best relate. So far from home I undertake not for the Monmouth Chronicle; which here against the stream of History carries up and down these Brethren, now into Germany, then again to Rome, pursuing Gabius and Porsena, two unheard of Consuls. Thus much is more generally believed, that both this Brennus, and another famous Captain, Britomarus, whom the Epitomist Florus and others mention, were not Gauls but Britons; the name of the first in that Tongue signifying a King, and of the other a Great Britain. However Belinus after a while returning home, the rest of his days ruled in Peace, Wealth, and Honor above all his Predecessors; building some Cities, of which one was Caerose upon Osca, since Caerlegion; beautifying others, as Trinovant with a Gate, a Hav'n, and a Towr, on the Thames, retaining yet his name; on the top whereof his Ashes are said to have been laid up in a Golden Urne.

After him Gurguntius Barbirus was King, mild and just, but yet inheriting his Fathers Courage, he subdued the Dacian, or Dane, who refused to pay the Tribute Covnanted to Belinus for his enlargement. In his return finding about the Orkneies 30 Ships of Spain, or Biscay, fraught with Men and Women for a Plantation, whose Captain also Bartholinus wrongfully banishit, as he pleaded, besaught him that some part of his Territory might be assigned them to dwell in, he sent with them certain of his own men to Ireland, which then lay unpeopl'd; and gave them that Island to hold of him as in Homage. He was buried in Caerlegion, a City which he had wall'd about.

Guitheline his Son, is also remember'd, as a just and good Prince, and his Wife Martia to have excel'd so much in wisdom, as to venture upon a new Institution of Laws. Which King Alfred translating called Marchen Leage, but more truly thereby is meant, the Mertian Law; not translated by Alfred, but digested or incorporated with the West-Saxon. In the minority of her Son she had the rule, and then, as may be supposed, brought forth these Laws, not herself, for Laws are Masculin Births, but by the advice of her sagest Counselors; and therein she might do virtuously, since it befell her to supply the nonage of her Son: else nothing more awry from the Law of God and Nature, then that a Woman should give Laws to Men.

Hir Son Sisilius coming to Yeares received the Rule; then in order Kimarus, then Danius or Elanius his Brother. Then Morindus, his Son by Tanguestela a Concubine, who is recorded a man of excessive Strength, Valiant, Liberal, and fair of Aspect, but immanely Cruel; not sparing in his Anger, Enemy, or Freind, if any Weapon were in his hand. A certain King of the Morines, or Picards invaded Northumberland; whose Army this King, though not wanting sufficient numbers, chiefly by his own prowess overcame: But dishonor'd his Victory by the cruel usage of his Prisners, whom his own hands, or others in his presence put all to several Deaths: well fitted to such a bestial Cruelty was his end; for hearing of a huge Monster that from the Irish Sea infested the Coast, and in the Pride of his Strength foolishly attempting to set manly valor against a Brute vastness, when his Weapons were all in vain, by that horrible mouth he was catchit up and devoured.

Gorbonian the Eldest of his five Sons, then whom a Juster man lived not in his Age, was a great builder of Temples, and gave to all what was thir due; to his God's devout Worship, to men of desert honor and preferment, to the Commons encouragement in thir Labors, and Trades, defense and protection from injuries and oppressions, so that the Land flourish'd above her Neighbors, Violence and Wrong seldom was heard of: his Death was a general loss: he was buried in Trinovant.

Archigallo the second Brother followed not his Example; but depressed the ancient Nobility, and by peeling the wealthier sort, stuff'd his Treasury, and took the right way to be deposed.

Elidure the next Brother, surnam'd the Pious, was set up in his place; a mind so noble, and so moderate, as almost is incredible to have been ever found. For having held the Scepter five Years, hunting one day in the Forest of Calater, he chanced to meet his deposed Brother, wandering in mean condition: who had been long in vain beyond the Seas, importuning Foren aides to his Restorement: and was now in a poor Habit, with only ten followers, privately returned to find subsistence among his secret friends. At the unexpected sight of him, Elidure himself also then but thinly accompanied, runs to him with open Arms; and after many dear and sincere welcomings, convaines him to the Citty Alclud; there hides him in his own Bed-Chamber. Afterwards feigning himself sick, summons all his Peers as about greatest affairs; where admitting them one by one, as if his weakness endured not the disturbance of more at once, causes them willing, or unwilling, once more to swear Allegiance to Archigallo. Whom after reconciliation made on all sides, he leads to York; and from his own Head, places the Crown on the Head of his Brother. Who thenceforth, Vice itself dissolving in him, and forgetting her firmest hold with the admiration of a deed so Heroic, became a true converted man; ruled worthily 10 Years; died, and was Buried in Caerleir. Thus was a Brother saved by a Brother, to whom love of a Crown, the thing that so often dazzles, and vitiats mortal men, for which, thousands of nearest blood have destroyed each other, was in respect of Brotherly dearness, a contemptible thing.

Elidure now in his own behalf re-assumes the Government, and did as was worthy such a man to do. When providence, that so great virtue might want no sort of trial to make it more illustrious, stirs up Vigenius, and Peredure his youngest Brethren, against him who had deserved so nobly of that relation, as lest of all by a Brother to be injured. Yet him they defeat, him they Imprison in the Towr of Trinovant, and divide his Kingdom; the North to Peredure, the South to Vigenius. After whose Death Peredure obtaining all, so much the better used his power, by how much the worse he got it. So that Elidure now is hardly missit. But yet in all right owing to his Elder the due place whereof he had deprived him, Fate would that he should die first: and Elidure after many years Imprisonment, is now the third time seated on the Throne; which at last he enjoyed long in Peace; finishing the interrupted course of his mild, and just Reign, as full of virtuous deeds, as days to his end.

After these five Sons of Morindus, succeeded also thir Sons in Order. Regin of Gorbonian, Marganus of Archigallo, both good Kings. But Enniaunus his Brother taking other courses, was after six years deposed. Then Idwallo taught by a near Example, Govern'd soberly. Then Runno, then Geruntius, He of Peredure, this last the Son of Elidure. From whose Loins (for that likely is the durable, and surviving Race that springs of just Progenitors) issu'd a long descent of Kings, whose names only for many successions without other memory stand thus register'd, Catellus, Coillus, Porrex, Cherin, and his three Sons, Fulgenius, Eldadus, and Andragius, his Son Urianus; Eliud, Eledaueus, Clotenus, Gurguntius, Merianus, Bleduno, Capis, Oënus, Sisillius, twenty Kings in a continued row, that either did nothing, or lived in Ages that wrote nothing, at least a foul pretermission in the Author of this, whether Story or Fable; himself weary, as seems, of his own tedious Tale.

But to make amends for this Silence, Blegabredus next succeeding, is recorded to have excel'd all before him in the Art of Music; oppertunely, had he but left us one Song of his 20 Predecessors doings.

Yet after him nine more succeeded in name; His Brother Archimailus, Eldol, Redion, Rederchius, Samulius, Penissel, Pir, Capoirus, but Cliguellius, with the addition of Modest, Wise, and Just.

His Son Heli Reign'd 40 Years, and had three Sons, Lud, Cassibelaun, and Nennius. This Heli seems to be the same whom Ninnius in his fragment calls Minocan; for him he writes to be the Father of Cassibelan. Lud was he that enlarged, and wall'd about Trinovant, there kept his Court, made it the prime City, and called it from his own name Caer-lud, or Luds Town, now London. Which, as is alleged out of Gildas, became matter of great dissention betwixt him, and his Brother Nennius; who took it heinously that the name of Troy thir ancient Country should be abolished for any new one. Lud was hardy, and bold in Warr, in Peace a jolly Feaster. He conquered many Islands of the Sea, saith Huntingdon, and was buried by the Gate which from thence we call Ludgate. His two Sons Androgeus, and Tenuantius, were left unto the tuition of Cassibelan; whose bounty, and high demeanor so wraught with the common people, as got him easily the Kingdom transferred upon himself. He nevertheless continuing to favor and support his Nefews, conferrs freely upon Androgeus, London with Kent, upon Tenuantius, Cornwall: reserving a superiority both over them, and all the other Princes to himself; till the Romans for a while circumscrib'd his power. Thus far, though leaning only on the cre •• t of Geoffrey Monmouth, and his assertors, I yet for the specify'd causes have thought it not beneath my purpose, to relate what I found. Wherto I neither oblige the belief of other person, nor over-hastily subscribe mine own. Nor have I stood with others computing, or collating years and Chronologies, lest I should be vainly curious about the time and circumstance of things whereof the substance is so much in doubt. By this time, like one who had set out on his way by night, and travail'd through a Region of smooth or idle Dreams, our History now arrivs on the Confines, where day-light and truth meet us with a clear dawn, representing to our view, though at a far distance, true colors and shapes. For albeit, Caesar, whose Authority we are now first to follow, wanted not who tax'd him of mis-reporting in his Commentaries, yea in his Civil Warrs against Pompey, much more, may we think, in the British affairs, of whose little skill in writing he did not easily hope to be contradicted, yet now in such variety of good Authors, we hardly can miss from one hand or other to be sufficiently informed as of things past so long ago. But this will better be refer'd to a second discourse.

THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN. The Second Book.

I Am now to write of what befell the Britons from fifty and three years before the Birth of our Savior, when first the Romans came in, till the decay and ceasing of that Empire; a story of much truth, and for the first hunderd years and somewhat more, collected without much labor. So many and so prudent were the Writers, which those two, the civilest, and the wisest of European Nations, both Italy and Greece, afforded to the actions of that Puissant Citty. For worthy deeds are not often destitute of worthy relaters: as by a certain Fate great Acts and great Eloquence have most commonly gone hand in hand, equalling and honoring each other in the same Ages. 'It is true that in obscurest times, by shallow and unskillful Writers, the indistinct noise of many Battels, and devastations, of many Kingdoms over-run and lost, hath come to our Ears. For what wonder, if in all Ages, Ambition and the love of rapine hath stir'd up greedy and violent men to bold attempts in wasting and ruining Warrs, which to posterity have left the work of Wild Beasts and Destroyers, rather then the Deeds and Monuments of men and Conquerors. But he whose just and true valor uses the necessity of Warr and Dominion, not to destroy but to prevent destruction, to bring in liberty against Tyrants, Law and Civility among barbarous Nations, knowing that when he Conquers all things else, he cannot Conquer Time, or Detraction, wisely conscious of this his want as well as of his worth not to be forgott'n or concealed, honors and hath recourse to the aid of Eloquence, his freindliest and best supply; by whose immortal Record his noble deeds, which else were transitory, becoming fixed and durable against the force of Yeares and Generations, he fails not to continue through all Posterity, over Envy, Death, and Time, also victorious. Therefore when the esteem of Science, and liberal study waxes low in the Common-wealth, we may presume that also there all civil Virtue, and worthy action is grown as low to a decline: and then Eloquence, as it were consorted in the same destiny, with the decrease and fall of virtue corrupts also and fades; at least resigns her office of relating to illiterat and frivolous Historians; such as the persons themselves both deserve, and are best pleased with; whilst they want either the understanding to choose better, or the innocence to dare invite the examining, and searching style of an intelligent, and faithful Writer to the survey of thir unsound exploits, better befreinded by obscurity then Fame. As for these, the only Authors we have of British matters, while the power of Rome reached hither, (for Gildas affirms that of the Roman times no British Writer was in his days extant, or if any ever were, either burnt by Enemies, or transported with such as fled the Pictish and Saxon invasions) these therefore only Roman Authors there be who in the English Tongue have laid together, as much, and perhaps more then was requisite to a History of Britain. So that were it not for leaving an unsightly gap so near to the beginning, I should have judged this labor, wherein so little seems to be required above transcription, almost superfluous. Notwithstanding since I must through it, if ought by diligence may be added, or omitted, or by other disposing may be more explained, or more expressed, I shall assay.

Julius Caesar (of whom, and of the Roman Free State, more then what appertains, is not here to be discoursed) having subdued most part of Gaul, which by a potent faction, he had obtained of the Senate as his Province for many years, stir'd up with a desire of adding still more glory to his name, and the whole Roman Empire to his ambition, some say, with a far meaner and ignobler, the desire of British Pearls, whose bigness he delighted to balance in his hand, determines, and that upon no unjust pretended occasion, to try his Force in the Conquest also of Britain. For he understood that the Britons in most of his Gallian Warrs had sent supplies against him, had received fugitives of the Bellovaci his Enemies, and were called over to aid the Cities of Armorica, which had the year before conspired all in a new Rebellion. Therefore Caesar, though now the Summer well nigh [Year before Christ, 53] ending, and the season unagreeable to transport a Warr, yet judged it would be great advantage, only to get entrance into the I will, knowledge of the men, the places, the ports, the accesses; which then, it seems, were eev'n to the Gauls thir Neighbors almost unknown. For except Merchants and Traders, it is not oft, saith he, that any use to Travel thither; and to those that do, besides the Sea Coast, and the Ports next to Gaul, nothing else is known. But here I must require, as Pollio did, the diligence, at least the memory of Caesar: for if it were true, as they of Reims told him, that Divitiacus, not long before, a Puissant King of the Soissons, had Britain also under his Command, besides the Belgian Colonies which he affirms to have named and people'd many Provinces there, if also the Britons had so frequently given them aid in all thir Warrs, if lastly the Druid learning honor'd so much among them, were at first taught them out of Britain, and they who soonest would attain that Discipline, sent hither to learn; it appears not how Britain at that time should be so utterly unknow'n in Gaul, or only know'n to Merchants, yea to them so little, that being called together from all parts, none could be found to inform Caesar of what bigness the I will, what Nations, how great, what use of Warr they had, what Laws, or so much as what commodious Havens for bigger Vessels. Of all which things as it were then first to make discovery, he sends Gaius Volusenus, in a long Galley, with command to return as soon as this could be effected. He in the mean time with his whole power draws nigh to the Morine Coast, whence the shortest passage was into Britain. Hether his Navy which he used against the Armoricans, and what else of Shipping can be provided, he draws together. This known in Britain, Ambassadors are sent from many of the States there, who promise Hostages, and Obedience to the Roman Empire. Them, after Audience given, Caesar as largely promising, and exhorting to continue in that mind, sends home, and with them Comius of Arras, whom he had made King of that Country, and now secretly employed to gain a Roman party among the Britons, in as many Cities as he found inclinable, and to tell them, that he himself was speeding thither. Volusenus with what discovery of the Island he could make from aboard his Ship, not daring to venture on the shore, within five days returns to Caesar. Who soon after, with two Legions, ordnarily amounting, of Romans and thir Allies, to about 25000 Foot, and 4500 Horse, the Foot in 80 Ships of burden, the Horse in 18, besides what Gallies were appointed for his chief Commanders, sets off about the third watch of night with a good Gale to Sea; leaving behind him Sulpitius Rufus to make good the Port with a sufficient strength. But the Horse whose appointed Shipping lay Wind-bound 8 mile upward in another Hav'n, had much trouble to Imbark. Caesar now within sight of Britain beholds on every Hill multitudes of armed men, ready to forbid his landing; and Cicero writes to his friend Atticus, that the accesses of the Island were wondrously fortify'd with strong works or moles. Heer from the fowrth to the ninth hour of day he awaits at Anchor the coming up of his whole Fleet. Mean while with his Legatts and Tribuns consulting, and giving order to fit all things for what might happ'n in such a various, and floating water-fight as was to be expected. This place, which was a narrow Bay-close, environ'd with Hills, appearing no way commodious, he removes to a plain and open shore 8 Mile distant; commonly supposed about Deal in Kent. Which when the Britons perceav'd, thir Horse and Chariots, as then they us'din fight, scouring before, thir main pour speeding after, some thick upon the shore, others not tarrying to be assail'd, ride in among the Waves to encounter, and assault the Romans eev'n under thir Ships; with such a bold, and free hardihood, that Caesar himself between confessing and excusing that his Soldiers were to come down from thir Ships, to stand in water heavy armed, and to fight at once, denies not but that the terror of such new and resolute opposition made them forget thir wonted valor. To succor which, he commands his Gallies, a sight unusual to the Britons, and more apt for motion, drawn from the bigger Vessels, to row against the op'n side of the Enemy, and thence with Slings, Engines, and Darts, to beat them back. But neither yet, though amazed at the strangeness of those new Sea Castles, bearing up so near, and so swiftly as almost to overwhelm them, the hurtling of Oares, the battring of fierce Engines against thir bodies barely exposed, did the Britons give much ground, or the Romans gain; till he who bore the Eagle of the Tenth Legion, yet in the Gallies, first beseeching his gods, said thus allowed, leap down Soldiers, unless ye mean to betray your Ensign; I for my part will perform what I ow to the Commonwealth and my General. This uttered, over-board he leaps, and with his Eagle feircly advanced runs upon the Enemy; the rest hartning one another not to admit the dishonor of so nigh loosing thir chief Standard, follow him resolutely. Now was fought eagerly on both sides. Ours who well knew thir own advantages, and expertly used them, now in the shallows, now on the Sand, still as the Romans went trooping to their Ensigns, received them, dispatched them, and with the help of thir Horse, put them everywhere to great disorder. But Caesar causing all his Boats and Shallops to be filled with Soldiers, commanded to ply up and down continually with relief where they saw need; Whereby at length all the Foot now dis-imbarkit, and got together in some order on firm ground, with a more steady charge put the Britons to flight: but wanting all thir Horse, whom the winds yet with held from Sailing, they were not able to make poursuit. In this confused fight Scaeva a Roman Soldier, having pressed too far among the Britons, and besett round, after incredible valor shewn, single against a multitude, swom back safe to his General; and in the place that rung with his praises, earnestly besought pardon for his rash adventure against Discipline: which modest confessing after no bad event, for such a deed wherein valor, and ingenuity so much out-weighed transgression, easily made amends and prefer'd him to be a Centurion. Caesar also is brought in by Julian, attributing to himself the honor (if it were at all an honor to that person which he sustained) of being the first that left his Ship, and took Land: but this were to make Caesar less understand what became him then Scaeva. The Britons finding themselves master'd in fight, forthwith send Ambassadors to treat of peace; promising to give Hostages, and to be at command. With them Comius of Arras also returned; whom hitherto since his first coming from Caesar, they had detained in Prison as a spy: the blame whereof they lay on the common people; for whose violence, and thir own imprudence they crave pardon. Caesar complaining they had first sought peace, and then without cause had begun War, yet content to pardon them, commands Hostages: whereof part they bring in strait, others far up in the Country to be sent for, they promise in a few days. Mean while the people disbanded and sent home, many Princes, and chief men from all parts of the I will submit themselves and thir Cities to the dispose of Caesar, who lay then encamp'd, as is thought, on Baram down. Thus had the Britons made thir peace; when suddenly an accident unlook'd for put new counsels into thir minds. Fowr days after the coming of Caesar, those 18 Ships of burden, which from the upper hav'n had taken in all the Roman Horse, born with a soft wind to the very Coast, in sight of the Roman Camp, were by a sudden tempest scattered, and driven back, some to the Port from whence they loos'd, others down into the West Country; who finding there no safety either to land, or to cast Anchor, chose rather to commit themselves again to the troubled Sea; and as Orosius reports, were most of them cast away. The same night, it being full Moon, the Gallies left upon dry Land, were unaware to the Romans, covered with a Spring-tide, and the greater Ships that lay off at Anchor, torn and beat'n with Waves, to the great perplexity of Caesar, and his whole Army; who now had neither Shipping left to convey them back, nor any provision made to stay here, intending to have winter'd in Gaul. All this the Britons well perceiving, and by the compass of his Camp, which without baggage appeared the smaller, guessing at his numbers, consult together, and one by one slily withdrawing from the Camp, where they were waiting the conclusion of a peace, resolve to stop all provisions, and to draw out the business till Winter. Caesar though ignorant of what they intended, yet from the condition wherein he was, and thir other hostages not sent, suspecting what was likely, begins to provide apace, all that might be, against what might happ'n: lays in Corn, and with materials fetched from the Continent, and what was left of those Ships which were past help, he repairs the rest. So that now by the incessant labor of his Soldiers, all but twelv were again made serviceable. While these things are doing, one of the Legions being sent out to forage, as was accustomed, and no suspicion of Warr, while some of the Britons were remaining in the Country about, others also going and coming freely to the Roman Quarters, they who were in station at the Camp Gates sent speedy word to Caesar, that from that part of the Country, to which the Legion went, a greater dust then usual was seen to rise. Caesar guessing the matter, commands the Cohorts of Guard to follow him thither, two others to succeed in thir stead, the rest all to arm and follow. They had not marched long, when Caesar discerns his Legion sore overcharg'd: for the Britons not doubting but that thir Enemies on the morrow, would be in that place which only they had left unreap'd of all thir Harvest, had placed an Ambush; and while they were dispersed and busiest at thir labor, set upon them, killed some, and routed the rest. The manner of thir fight was from a kind of Chariots; wherein riding about, and throwing Darts, with the clutter of thir Horse, and of thir Wheels, they ofttimes broke the rank of thir Enemies; then retreating among the Horse, and quitting thir Chariots, they fought on Foot. The Charioters in the mean while somewhat aside from the Battle, set themselves in such order, that thir Masters at any time oppressed with odds, might retire safely thither, having performed with one person both the nimble service of a Horse-man, and the steadfast duty of a Foot Soldier. So much they could with thir Chariots by use, and exercise, as riding on the speed down a steep Hill, to stop suddenly, and with a short rein turn swiftly, now running on the beam, now on the Yoke, then in the Seat. With this sort of new skirmishing, the Romans now overmatch'd, and terrify'd, Caesar with opportune aid appears; for then the Britons make a stand: but he considering that now was not fit time to offer Battle, while his men were scarce recovered of so late a fear, only keeps his ground, and soon after leads back his Legions to the Camp. Furder action for many days following was hindered on both sides by foul weather; in which time the Britons dispatching Messengers round about, to how few the Romans were reduced, what hope of prize and booty, and now if ever of freeing themselves from the fear of like invasions hereafter by making these an example, if they could but now uncamp thir Enemies, at this intimation multitudes of Horse and Foot coming down from all parts make towards the Romans. Caesar foreseeing that the Britons though beat'n and put to flight would easily evade his Foot, yet with no more than 30 Horse, which Comius had brought over, draws out his men to Battle, puts again the Britons to flight, poursues with slaughter, and returning burns and lays waste all about. Whereupon Ambassadors the same day being sent from the Britons to desire peace, Caesar, as his affairs at present stood, for so great a breach of Faith, only imposes on them double the former hostages, to be sent after him into Gaul: And because September was nigh half spent, a season not fit to tempt the Sea with his weather-beat'n Fleet, the same night with a fair wind he departs towards Belgium; whether two only of the Britain Cities sent Hostages, as they promised, the rest neglected. But at Rome when the news came of Caesar's acts here, whether it were esteemed a Conquest, or a fair Escape, supplication of 20 days is decreed by the Senate, as either for an exploit done, or a discovery made, wherein both Caesar and the Romans gloried not a little, though it brought no benefit either to him, or the Common-wealth.

The Winter following, Caesar, as his custom was, going into Italy, when as he saw that most of the Britons regarded not to send thir Hostages, appoints his Legates whom he left in Belgium, to provide what possible Shipping they could either build, or repair. Low built they were to be, as thereby easier both to fraught, and to hale ashoar; nor needed to be higher, because the Tide so often changing, was observed to make the Billows less in our Sea then those in the Mediterranean: broader likewise they were made, for the better transporting of Horses, and all other fraughtage, being intended chiefly to that end. These all about 600. in a readiness, with 28 Ships of burden, and what with adventurers, and other hulks above 200, Cotta one of the Legates wrote them, as Athaeneus affirms, in all 1000, Caesar from Port Iccius, a passage of some 30 mile over, leaving behind him Labienus to guard the hav'n, and for other supply at need, with five Legions, though but 2000 Horse, about sun set hoysing sails with a slack South-West, at midnight was becalm'd. And finding when it was light, that the whole Navy lying on the current, had fallen of from the I will, which now they could descry on thir left hand, by the unwearied labor of his Soldiers, who refused not to tugg the Oare, and kept course with Ships under sail, he bore up as near as might be, to the same place where he had landed the year before; where about noon arriving, [Before the Birth of Christ, 52] no Enemy could be seen. For the Britons, which in great number, as was after know'n, had been there, at sight of so huge a Fleet durst not abide. Caesar forthwith landing his Army, and encamping to his best advantage, some notice being given him by those he took, where to find the Enemy, with his whole power, save only ten cohorts, and 300 Horse, left to Quintus Atrius for the guard of his Ships, about the third watch of the same night marches up twelv mile into the Country. And at length by a River commonly thought the Stowre in Kent, espies embattail'd the British Forces. They with thir Horses and Chariots advancing to the higher Banks, oppose the Romans in thir March, and begin the fight; but repulsit by the Roman Cavalrie give back into the Woods to a place notably made strong both by Art and Nature; which, it seems, had been a Fort, or Hold of strength rays'd heertofore in time of Warrs among themselves. For entrance, and access on all sides, by the felling of huge Trees overthwart one another, was quite bar'd up; and within these the Britons did thir utmost to keep out the Enemy. But the Soldiers of the seventh Legion locking all thir Sheilds together like a rooff close over head, and others raising a Mount, without much loss of blood took the place, and drove them all to forsake the Woods. Pursuit they made not long, as being through ways unknow'n; and now ev'ning came on, which they more wisely spent, in choosing out where to pitch and fortify thir Camp that night. The next Morning Caesar had but newly sent out his men in three bodies to poursue, and the last no further gone then yet in sight, when Horsemen all in Poste from Quintus Artrius bring word to Caesar, that almost all his Ships in a Tempest that night had suffered wrack, and lay broken upon the shore. Caesar at this news recalls his Legions, himself in all hast riding back to the Sea-side, beheld with his own Eyes the ruinous prospect. About forty Vessels were sunk and lost, the residue so torn, and shak'n as not to be new rigg'd without much labor. Strait he assembles what number of Ship-wrights either in his own Legions or from beyond Sea, could be summoned; appoints Labienus on the Belgian side to build more; and with a dreadful industry of ten days, not respiting his Soldiers day or night, drew up all his Ships, and entrench'd them round within the circuit of his Camp. This don, and leaving to thir defense the same strength as before, he returns with his whole Forces to the same Wood, where he had defeated the Britons: who preventing him with greater powers then before, had now repossess'd themselves of that place, under Cassibelan thir chief Leader. Whose Territory from the States bordering on the Sea was divided by the River Thames about 80 mile inward. With him formerly other Cities had continual Warr; but now in the common danger had all made choice of him to be thir General. Heer the British Horse and Charioters meeting with the Roman Cavalrie fought stoutly; and at first, something overmatch'd they retreat to the near advantage of thir Woods and Hills, but still followed by the Romans, make head again, cut of the forwardest among them, and after some pause, while Caesar, who thought the days work had been don, was busied about the entrenching of his Camp, march out again, give fierce assault to the very Stations of his Guards and Senteries, and while the main cohorts of two Legions that were sent to the Alarm, stood within a small distance of each other terrify'd at the newness and the boldness of thir fight, charged back again through the midst, without loss of a man. Of the Romans that day was slain Quintus Laberius Durus a Tribune: the Britons having fought thir fill at the very entrance of Caesar's Camp, and sustained the resistance of his whole Army entrench'd, gave over the assault. Caesar here acknowledges that the Roman way both of arming, and of fighting, was not so well fitted against this kind of Enemy; for that the Foot in heavy Armor could not follow thir cunning flight, and durst not by ancient Discipline stir from thir Ensign; and the Horse alone, disjoin'd from the Legions, against a foe that turned suddenly upon them with a mixed encounter both of Horse and Foot, were in equal danger both following and retiring. Besides thir fashion was, not in great bodies, and close order, but in small divisions, and open distances to make thir onset; appointing others at certain spaces, now to releev and bring of the weary, now to succeed and renew the conflict; which argu'd no small experience, and use of Arms. Next day the Britons afar off upon the Hills begin to show themselves here and there, and though less boldly then before, to skirmish with the Roman Horse. But at Noon Caesar having sent out 3 Legions, and all his Horse with Trebonius the Legat, to seek fodder, suddenly on all sides they set upon the Forragers, and charge up after them to the very Legions, and thir Standards. The Romans with great courage beat them back, and in the chace, being well seconded by the Legions, not giving them time either to rally, to stand, or to descend from thir Chariots as they were wont, slew many. From this overthrow, the Britons, that dwelt farther off, betook them home; and came no more after that time with so great a power against Caesar. Whereof advertis'd he marches onward to the Frontiers of Cassibelan, which on this side were bounded by the Thames, not passable except in one place and that difficult, about Coway stakes near Oatlands, as is conjectur'd. Hither coming he descries on the other side great Forces of the Enemy, placed in good Array; the bank set all with sharp stakes, others in the bottom, covered with water; whereof the marks in Beda's time, were to be seen, as he relates. This having learnt by such as were taken, or had run to him, he first commands his Horse to pass over; then his Foot, who wadeing up to the neck went on so resolutely, and so fast, that they on the further side not enduring the violence, retreated and fled. Cassibelan no more now in hope to contend for Victory, dismissing all but 4000. of those Charioters, through Woods, and intricate ways attends thir motion; where the Romans are to pass, drives all before him; and with continual sallies upon the Horse, where they least expected, cutting off some and terrifying others, compels them soe close together, as gave them no leave to fetch in prey or bootie without ill success. Whereupon Caesar strictly commanding all not to part from the Legions, had nothing left him in his way but empty Fields and Houses, which he spoiled and burnt. Mean while the Trinobantes a State, or Kingdom, and perhaps the greatest then among the Britons, less favoring Cassibelan send Ambassadors, and yield to Caesar upon this reason. Immanuentius had been thir King: him Cassibelan had slain, and purposed the like to Mandubratius his Son, whom Orosius calls Androgorius, Beda Androgius; but the youth escaping by flight into Gaul, put himself under the protection of Caesar. These entreat that Mandubratius may be still defended; and sent home to succeed in his Fathers right. Caesar sends him, demands 40 Hostages and provision for his Army, which they immediately bring in, and have thir Confines protected from the Soldier. By their example the Cenimagni, Segontiaci, Ancalites, Bibroci, Cassi (so I write them for the modern names are but guessed) on like terms make thir peace. By them he learns that the Town of Cassibelan, supposed to be Verulam, was not far distant; fencit about with Woods and Marshes, well stuffit with men and much Cattle. For Towns then in Britain were only Wooddy places Ditchit round and with a Mud Wall encompassed against the inroads of Enemies. Thether goes Caesar with his Legions, and though a place of great strength both by art and nature, assaults it in two places. The Britons after some defense fled out all at another end of the Town; in the flight many were taken, many slain, and great store of Cattle found there. Cassibelan for all these losses yet deserts not himself; nor was yet his authority so much impaired, but that in Kent, though in a manner possessed by the Enemy, his Messengers and commands find obedience enough to raise all the people. By his direction Cingetorix, Carvilius, Taximagulus and Segonax, four Kings Reigning in those Countries which lie upon the Sea, lead them on to assault that Camp wherein the Romans had entrench'd thir Shipping: but they whom Caesar left there, issuing out slew many, and took Prisners Cingetorix a noted Leader, without loss of thir own. Cassibelan after so many defeats, moved especially by revolt of the Cities from him, thir inconstancy and falsehood one to another, uses mediation by Comius of Arras to send Ambassadors about treaty of yielding. Caesar who had determined to Winter in the Continent, by reason that Gaul was unsettl'd and not much of the Summer now behind, commands him only Hostages, and what yearly Tribute the Island should pay to Rome, forbidds him to molest the Trinobants, or Mandubratius; and with his Hostages, and great number of Captives he puts to Sea, having at twice embarkit his whole Army. At his return to Rome, as from a glorious enterprise, he offers to Venus the Patroness of his Family, a Corslet of British Pearls.

Howbeit other ancient writers have spok'n more doubtfully of Caesar's Victories here; and that in plain terms he fled from hence; for which the common verse in Lucan with divers passages here and there in Tacitus is alleg'd. Paulus Orofius, who took what he wrote from a History of Suetonius now lost, writes that Caesar in his first journey entertained with a sharp fight lost no small number of his Foot, and by tempest nigh all his Horse. Dion affirms that once in the second expedition all his Foot were routed, Orosius that another time all his Horse. The British Author, whom I use only then when others are all silent, hath many trivial discourses of Caesar's being here, which are best omitted. Nor have we more of Cassibelan, then what the same story tells, how he war'd soon after with Androgeus, about his Nefew slain by Evelinus Nefew to the other; which business at length composed, Cassibelan dies and was buried in York, if the Monmouth Book Fable not. But at Caesar's coming hither, such likeliest were the Britons, as the Writers of those times, and thir own actions represent them; in courage and warlike readiness to take advantage by ambush or sudden onset, not inferior to the Romans, nor Cassibelan to Caesar, in Weapons, Arms, and the skill of Encamping, Embattailing, Fortifying, overmatchit; thir Weapons were a short Spear and light Target, a Sword also by thir side, thir fight sometimes in Chariots phang'd at the Axle with Iron Sithes, thir bodies most part naked, only painted with woad in sundry figures to seem terrible as they thought, but poursu'd by Enemies, not nice of thir painting to run into Bogs, worse then wild Irish up to the Neck, and there to stay many days holding a certain morsel in thir mouths no bigger then a bean, to suffice hunger; but that receipt, and the temperance it taught, is long since unknown among us: thir Towns and strong holds were spaces of ground fencit about with a Ditch and great Trees fell'd overthwart each other, thir buildings within were thatchit Houses for themselves and thir Cattle: in peace the Upland Inhabitants besides hunting tended thir flocks and herds, but with little skill of Country affairs; the making of Cheese they commonly knew not, Woole or Flax they spun not, gard'ning and planting many of them knew not; clothing they had none, but what the skins of Beasts afforded them, and that not always; yet gallantrie they had, painting thir own skins with several Portratures of Beast, Bird, or Flower, a Vanity which hath not yet left us, removed only from the skin to the skirt behung now with as many color'd Ribands and gewgawes; towards the Sea side they tilled the ground and lived much after the manner of Caules thir Neighbors, or first Planters: thir money was brazen pieces or Iron Rings, thir best Merchandise Tin, the rest trifles of Glass, Ivorie and such like; yet Gemms and Pearls they had, saith Mela, in some Rivers: thir Ships of light timber wickerd with Oysier between, and coverd over with Leather, served not therefore to tranceport them far, and thir commodities were fetched away by Foren Merchants: thir dealing, saith Diodorus, plain and simple without fraud; thir civil Government under many Princes and States, not confederate or consulting in common, but mistrustful, and ofttimes warring one with the other, which gave them up one by one an easy Conquest to the Romans: thir Religion was governd by a sort of Priests or Magicians called Druids from the Greek name of an Oke, which Tree they had in great reverence, and the Missleto especially growing theron; Pliny writes them skilled in Magic no less then those of Persia: by thir abstaining from a Hen, a Hare, and a Goose, from Fish also, saith Dion, and thir opinion of the Souls passing after Death into other Bodies, they may be thought to have studied Pythagoras; yet Philosophers I cannot call them, reported men factious and ambitious, contending sometimes about the archpriesthood not without civil Warr and slaughter; nor restrein'd they the people under them from a lew'd adulterous and incestuous life, ten or twelve men absurdly against nature, possessing one woman as thir common Wife, though of nearest Kin, Mother, Daughter, or Sister; Progenitors not to be glory'd in. But the Gospel, not long after preached here, abolished such impurities, and of the Romans we have cause not to say much worse, then that they beat us into some civility; likely else to have continued longer in a barbarous and savage manner of life. After Julius (for Julius before his Death tyrannously had made himself Emperor of the Roman Common-wealth, and was slain in the Senate for so doing) he who next obtained the Empire, Octavianus Caesar Augustus, either contemning the Island, as Strabo would have us think, whose neither benefit was worth the having, nor enmity worth the fearing; or out of a wholesome state maxim, as some say, to moderate and bound the Empire from growing vast and unweildie, made no attempt against the Britons. But the truer cause was partly civil Warr among the Romans, partly other affairs more [Year before the Birth of Christ, 32] urging. For about 20 Years after, all which time the Britons had lived at thir own dispose, Augustus in imitation of his Uncle Julius, either intending or seeming to intend an expedition hither, was come into Gaul, when the news of a revolt in Pannonia diverted him: about 7 year after in the same resolution, what with the unsettl'dness of Gaul, and what with Ambassadors from Britain which met him there, he proceeded not. The next year, difference arrising about Covnants, he was again prevented by other new commotions in Spain. Nevertheless some of the British Potentates omitted not to seek his friendship by gifts offered in the Capitol, and other obsequious addresses. Insomuch that the whole Island became eev'n in those days well known to the Romans; too well perhaps for them, who from the knowledge of us were so like to prove Enemies. But as for Tribute, the Britons paid none to Augustus, except what easy customs were levied on the slight commodities wherewith they traded into Gaul.

After Cassibelan, Tenantius the younger Son of Lud, according to the Monmouth Story was made King. For Androgeus the Elder, conceiving himself generally hated, for sideing with the Romans, forsook his claim here, and followed Caesar's Fortune. This King is recorded Just and Warlike.

His Son Kymbeline or Cunobeline succeeding, was brought up, as is said, in the Court of Augustus, and with him held friendly correspondences to the end; was a warlike Prince; his chief seat Camalodunum, or Maldon, as by certain of his coins, yet to be seen, appears. Tiberius the next Emperor, adhering always to the advice of Augustus, and of himself less careing to extend the bounds of his Empire, sought not the Britons; and they as little to incite him, sent home courteously the Soldiers of Germanicus, that by Shipwrack had been cast on the Britain shore. But Caligula his Successor, a wild and dissolute Tyrant, having past the Alps with intent to rob and spoil those Provinces, and stir'd up by Adminius the Son of Cunobeline; who by his Father banished, with a small number fled thither to him, he made semblance of marching toward Britain; but being come to the Ocean, and there behaveing himself madly, and ridiculously, [An. Dom. 40] went back the same way: yet sent before him boasting letters to the Senate, as if all Britain had been yielded him. Cunobeline now dead, Adminius the Eldest by his Father banished from his Country, and by his own practice against it, from the Crown, though by an old coin seeming to have also reigned; Togodumnus, and Caractacus the two younger, uncertain whether equal or subordinate in power, were advanced into his place. But through civil discord, Bericus (what he was further, is not known) with others of his party flying to Rome, persuaded Claudius the Emperor to an invasion. Claudius now Consul the third time, and desirous to [An. Dom. 43] do something, whence he might gain the honor of a Triumph, at the persuasion of these fugitives, whom the Britons demanding, he had denied to render, and they for that cause had denied further amity with Rome, makes choice of this Island for his Province: and sends before him Aulus Plautius the Praetor, with this command, if the business grew difficult to give him notice. Plautius with much ado persuaded the Legions to move out of Gaul, murmuring that now they must be put to make Warr beyond the Worlds End; for so they counted Britain; and what welcome Julius the Dictator found there, doubtless they had heard. At last prevailed with, and hoyssing sails from three several Ports, lest thir landing should in any one place be resisted, meeting cross winds, they were cast back and disheartn'd: till in the night a meteor shooting flames from the East, and, as they fansi'd, directing thir course, they took heart again to try the Sea, and without opposition landed. For the Britons having heard of thir unwillingness to come, had been negligent to provide against them; and retireing to the Woods and Moares, intended to frustrate, and wear them out with delays, as they had served Caesar before. Plautius after much trouble to find them out, encountering first with Caractacus, then with Togodumnus, overthrew them; and receiving into conditions part of the Boduni, who then were subject to the Catuellani, and leaving there a Garrison, went on toward a River; where the Britons not imagining that Plautius without a bridge could pass, lay on the further side careless and secure. But he sending first the Germans, whose custom was, armed as they were, to swim with ease the strongest current, commands them to strike especially at the Horses, whereby the Chariots, wherein consisted thir chief art of fight, became unserviceable. To second them he sent Vespatian, who in his later days obtained the Empire, and Sabinus his Brother; who unexpectedly assailing those who were least aware, did much execution. Yet not for this were the Britons dismayed; but reuniteing the next day fought with such a courage, as made it hard to decide which way hung the Victory: till Gaius Sidius Geta, at point to have been taken, recovered himself so valiantly, as brought the day on his side; for which at Rome he received high honors. After this the Britons drew back toward the mouth of Thames, and acquainted with those places, crossed over; where the Romans following them through bogs and dangerous flats, hazarded the loss of all. Yet the Germans getting over, and others by a bridge at some place above, fell on them again with sundry Alarmes and great slaughter; but in the heat of pursuit running themselves again into Bogs and Mires, lost as many of thir own. Upon which ill success, and seeing the Britons more enraged at the Death of Togodumnus, who in one of these Battels had been slain, Plautius fearing the worst, and glad that he could hold what he held, as was enjoin'd him, sends to Claudius. He who waited ready with a huge preparation, as if not safe enough amidst the flower of all his Romans, like a great Eastern King, with armed Elephants marches through Gaul. So full of peril was this enterprise esteemed, as not without all this Equipage, and stranger terrors then Roman Armies to meet the native and the naked British valor defending their Country. Join'd with Plautius who encamping on the Bank of Thames attended him, he passes the River. The Britons, who had the courage, but not the wise conduct of old Cassibelan, laying all Stratagem aside, in down right manhood scrupl'd not to affront in op'n field almost the whole power of the Roman Empire. But overcome and vanquished, part by force, others by treaty come in and yield. Claudius therefore who took Camalodunum, the Royal Seat of Canobeline, was oft'n by his Army saluted Imperator; a Militarie Title which usually they gave thir General after any notable exploit; but to others not above once in the same Warr; as if Claudius by these acts had deservd more then the Laws of Rome had provided honor to reward. Haveing therefore disarmed the Britons, but remitted the confiscation of thir goods, for which they worshipped him with Sacrifice and Temple as a God, leaving Plautius to subdue what remained; [An. Dom. 44] he returns to Rome, from whence he had been absent only six months, and in Britain but 16 days; sending the news before him of his Victories, though in a small part of the Island. To whom the Senate, as for atchievments of highest merit, decree'd excessive honors; Arches, Triumphs, annual Solemnities, and the Sirname of Britannicus both to him and his Son.

Suetonius writes that Claudius found here no resistance, and that all was done without stroke: but this seems not probable. The Monmouth Writer names these two Sones of Cunobeline, Guiderius, and Arviragus; that Guiderius being slain in fight, Arviragus to conceal it, put on his Brothers Habillements, and in his person held up the Battle to a Victory; the rest, as of Hamo the Roman Captain, Genuissa the Emperors Daughter, and such like stuff, is too palpably untrue to be worth rehersing in the midst of Truth. Plautius after this, employing his fresh Forces to Conquer on, and quiet the rebelling Countries, found work enough to deserve at his return a kind of Tryumphant riding into the Capitol side by side with the Emperor. Vespatian also under Plautius had thirty conflicts with the Enemy; in one of which encompassed and in great danger, he was valiantly and piously rescu'd by his Son Titus: two powerful Nations he subdued here, [An. Dom. 47] above 20 Towns and the I will of Wight; for which he received at Rome Tryumphal Ornaments, and other great dignities. For that City in reward of virtue was ever magnificent: and long after when true merit was ceasit among them, lest anything resembling virtue should want honor, the same rewards were yet allowed to the very shadow and ostentation of merit. [An. Dom. 50] Ostorius in the room of Plautius Vice-praetor, met with turbulent affairs; the Britons not ceasing to vex with inroads all those Countries that, were yielded to the Romans; and now the more eagerly, supposing that the new General unacquainted with his Army, and on the edge of Winter, would not hastily oppose them. But he waighing that first events were most available to breed fear or contempt, with such cohorts as were next at hand sets out against them: whom having routed, so close he follows, as one who meant not to be every day molested with the cavils of a slight peace, or an emboldn'd Enemy. Lest they should make head again, he disarmes whom he suspects; and to surround them, places many Garrisons upon the Rivers of Antona and Sabrina. But the Icenians, a stout people untouched yet by these Warrs, as having before sought alliance with the Romans, were the first that brooked not this. By their example others rise; and in a chosen place, fencit with high Banks of Earth, and narrow Lanes to prevent the Horse, warily Encampe. Ostorius, though yet not strengthn'd with his Legions, causes the auxiliar Bands, his Troops also allighting, to assault the rampart. They within though pestered with thir own number, stood to it like men resolved, and in a narrow compass did remarkable deeds. But overpowered at last, and others by thir success quieted, who till then waverd, Ostorius next bends his Force upon the Cangians, wasting all eeven to the Sea of Ireland, without foe in his way, or them, who durst, ill handl'd; when the Brigantes attempting new matters, drew him back to settle first what was unsecure behind him. They, of whom the chief were punished, the rest forgiv'n, soon gave over, but the Silures no way tractable were not to be repress'd without a set Warr. To further this, Camalodunum was planted with a Colony of Veteran Soldiers; to be a firm and ready aid against revolts, and a means to teach the Natives Roman Law and Civility. Cogidunus also a British King, thir fast friend, had to the same intent certain Cities given him: a haughty craft, which the Romans used, to make Kings also the servile agents of enslaving others. But the Silures hardie of themselves, rely'd more on the valor of Caractacus; whom many doubtful, many prosperous successes had made eminent above all that ruled in Britain. He adding to his courage Policy, and knowing himself to be of strength inferior, in other advantages the better; makes the Seat of his Warr among the Ordovices; a Country wherein all the odds were to his own party, all the difficulties to his Enemy. The Hills and every access he fortifi'd with heaps of Stones, and guards of men; to come at whom a River of unsafe passage must be first waded. The place, as Camden conjectures, had thence the name of Caer-Caradcc on the West edge of Shropshire. He himself continually went up and down, animating his Officers and Leaders, that this was the day, this the field either to defend thir Liberty, or to die free; calling to mind the names of his glorious Ancestors, who drove Caesar the Dictator out of Britain, whose valor hitherto had preserved them from bondage, thir Wives and Children from dishonor. Inflam'd with these words, they all vow thir utmost, with such undaunted resolution as amazed the Roman General; but the Soldier less waighing, because less knowing, clamourd to be led on against any danger. Ostorius after wary circumspection bids them pass the River: the Britons no sooner had them within reach of thir Arrows, Darts, and Stones, but slew and wounded largely of the Romans. They on the other side closing thir ranks, and over head closing thir Targetts, threw down the loose rampires of the Britons, and persue them up the Hills both light armed and Legions; till what with gauling Darts and heavy strokes, the Britons who wore neither Helmet nor Cuirass to defend them, were at last overcome. This the Romans thought a famous Victory; wherein the Wife and Daughter of Caractacus were taken, his Brothers also reduced to obedience; himself escapeing to Cartismandua Queen of the Brigantes, against faith given was to the Victors delivered bound: having held out against the Romans nine year, saith Tacitus, but by truer computation, Seaven. Whereby his name was up through all the adjoining Provinces, eev'n to Italy and Rome: many desiring to see who he was, that could withstand so many years the Roman Puissance: and Caesar to extol his own Victory, extol'd the man whom he had vanquished. Being brought to Rome, the people as to a Solemn spectacle were called together, the Emperors Guard stood in Arms. In order came first the Kings Servants, bearing his Trophies won in other Warrs, next, his Brothers, Wife, and Daughter, last himself. The behavior of others through fear was low and degenerate: he only neither in countenance, word, or action, submissive standing at the Tribunal of Claudius, briefly spake to this purpose. If my mind, Caesar, had been as moderate in the highth of Fortune, as my Birth and Dignity was eminent, I might have come a friend rather then a Captive into this City. Nor couldst thou have dislik'd him for a confederate, so noble of descent, and ruling so many Nations. My present estate to me disgraceful, to thee is glorious. I had Riches, Horses, Arms, and men; no wonder then if I contended, not to loose them. But if by Fate, yours only must be Empire, then of necessity ours among the rest must be subjection. If I sooner had been brought to yield, my misfortune had been less notorious, your Conquest had been less renowned; and in your severest determining of me, both will be soon forgott'n. But if you grant that I shall live, by me will live to you forever that praise which is so near divine, the clemency of a Conqueror. Caesar moved at such a spectacle of Fortune, but especially at the nobleness of his bearing it, gave him pardon, and to all the rest. They all unbound, submissely thank him, and did like reverence to Agrippina the Emperors Wife, who sat by in State: a new and disdained sight to the manly Eyes of Romans, a Woeman sitting public in her Female pride among Ensigns and Armed Cohorts. To Ostorius Tryumph is decreed; and his acts esteemed equal to theirs, that brought in Bonds to Rome famousest Kings. But the same prosperity attended not his later actions here. For the Silures, whether to revenge thir loss of Caractacus, or that they saw Ostorius, as if now all were done, less earnest to restrain them, besett the Prefect of his Camp, left there with Legionarie Bands to appoint Garrisons: and had not speedy aid come in from the neighbouring Holds and Castles, had cut them all off; notwithstanding which, the Praefect with 8 Centurions, and many thir stoubtest men were slain: and upon the neck of this, meeting first with Roman Forragers, then with other Troops hasting to thir relief, utterly foil'd and broke them also. Ostorius sending more after, could hardly stay thir flight; till the weighty Legions coming on, at first poys'd the Battle, at length turned the Scale: to the Britons without much loss; for by that time it grew night. Then was the Warr shiverd as it were into small frayes and bickerings; not unlike sometimes to so many robberies, in Woods, at Waters, as chance or valor, advice or rashness led them on, commanded or without command. That which most exasperated the Silures, was a report of certain words cast out by the Emperor, that he would root them out to the very name. Therefore two Cohorts more of Auxiliars, by the avarice of thir Leaders too securely pillageing, they quite intercepted: and bestowing liberally the Spoils and Captives, whereof they took plenty; drew other Countries to join with them. These losses falling so thick upon the Romans, Ostorius with the thought, and anguish thereof ended his days: the Britons rejoicing, although no Battle, that yet adverse Warr had worn out so great a Soldier. Caesar in his place ordains Aulus Didius: but ere his coming, though much hastn'd, that the Province might not want a Governor; the Silures had given an over-throw to Manlius Valens with his Legion, rumor'd on both sides greater then was true, by the Silures to amate the new General; by him in a double respect, of the more praise if he queld them, or the more excuse if he failed. Mean time the Silures forgett not to infest the Roman pale with wide excursions; till Didius marching out, kept them somewhat more within bounds. Nor were they long to seek, who after Caractacus should lead them; for next to him in worth and skill of Warr, Venutius a Prince of the Brigantes merited to be thir chief. He at first faithful to the Romans, and by them protected, was the Husband of Cartismandua Q. of the Brigantes, himself perhaps reigning elsewhere. She who had betrayed Caractacus and her Country to adorn the Tryumph of Claudius, thereby grown powerful and gracious with the Romans, presuming on the hire of her treason, deserted her Husband; and marrying Vellocatus one of his Squires, conferrs on him the Kingdom also. This deed so odious and full of infamy, disturbed the whole State: Venutius with other Forces, and the help of her own Subjects, who detested the example of so foul a fact, and with all the uncomeliness of thir Subjection to the Monarchy of a Woeman, a piece of manhood not every day to be found among Britons, though she had got by suttle train his Brother with many of his kindred into her hands, brought her soon below the confidence of being able to resist longer. When imploring the Roman aid, with much ado, and after many a hard encounter she escaped the punishment which was ready to have seis'd her. Venutius thus debarred the authority of ruling his own Household, justly turns his anger against the Romans themselves; whose magnanimity not wont to undertake dishonorable causes, had arrogantly intermeddl'd in his domestic affairs, to uphold the Rebelion of an adultress against her Husband. And the Kingdom he retained against thir utmost opposition; and of Warr gave them thir fill: first in a sharp conflict of uncertain event, then against the Legion of Caesius Nasica. Insomuch that Didius growing old and mannageing the Warr by Deputies, had work enough to stand on his defense, with the gaining now and then of a small Castle. And Nero (for in that part of the I will things continued in the same plight to the Reign of Vespatian) was minded but for shame to have withdrawn the Roman Forces out of Britain: In other parts whereof, about the same time, other things befell. Verannius, whom Nero sent hither to succeed Didius, dying in his first Year, save a few inroads upon the Silures, left only a great boast behind him, that in two years, had he lived, he would have Conquerd all. But Suetonius Paulinus, who next was sent hither, esteemed a Soldier equal to the best in that age, for two years together went on prosperously; both confirming what was got, and subdueing onward. At last over-confident of his present actions, and aemulating others, of whose deeds he heard from abroad, marches up as far as Mona, the I will of Anglesey, a populous place. For they it seems had both entertained fugitives, and given good assistance to the rest that withstood him. He makes him Boates with flat bottoms, fitted to the Shallows which he expected in that narrow frith: his Foot so passed over, his Horse waded or swom. Thick upon the shore stood several gross bands of men well weapn'd many women like furies running to and fro in dismal habit with hair loose about thir shoulders, held Torches in thir hands. The Druids, those were thir Priests, of whom more in another place, with hands lift up to Heaven uttering direful prayers, astonished the Romans; who at so strange a sight stood in a-maze though wounded: at length awaked and encouraged by thir General, not to fear a barbarous and lunatic rout, fall on, and beat them down scorchit and rolling in thir own fire. Then were they yoke'd with Garrisons, and the places consecrate to thir bloody superstitions destroi'd. For whom they took in Warr they held it lawful to Sacrifice; and by the entrails of men used divination. While thus Paulinus had his thought still fixed before, to go on winning, his back lay broad op'n to occasion of loosing more behind. For the Britons urged and oppressed with many unsufferable injuries, had all banded themselves to a general revolt. The particular causes are not all writ'n by one Author; Tacitus who lived next those times of any to us extant, writes that Prasutagus King of the Icenians abounding in wealth had left Caesar Coheir with his two Daughters; thereby hopeing to have secured from all wrong both his Kingdom and his House; which fell out far otherwise. For under color to oversee and take possession of the Emperors new Inheritance, his Kingdom became a prey to Centurions, his House to rav'ning Officers, his Wife Boadicea violated with stripes, his Daughters with Rape, the wealthiest of his Subjects, as it were by the will and testament of thir King thrown out of thir Estates, his kindred made little better then slaves. The new Colony also at Camalodunum took House or Land from whom they pleased; terming them Slaves and Vassals; the Soldiers complying with the Colony, out of hope hereafter to use the same license themselves. Moreover the Temple erected to Claudius as a badge of thir eternal slavery, stood a great Eye sore; the Priests whereof under pretext of what was due to the religious service, wasted and imbezl'd each man's substance upon themselves. And Catus Decianus the Procurator endeavor'd to bring all thir goods within the compass of a new confiscation, by disavowing the remittment of Claudius. Lastly, Seneca in his Books a Philosopher, having drawn the Britons unwillingly to borrow of him vast sums upon fair promises of easy loan, and for repayment to take thir own time, on a sudden compels them to pay in all at once with great extortion. Thus provockit by heaviest sufferings, and thus invited by opportunities in the absence of Paulinus, the Icenians, and by their Example the Trinobantes, and as many else as hated servitude, rise up in Arms. Of these ensuing troubles many foregoing signs appeared: the image of Victory at Camalodunum fell down of itself with her face turned as it were to the Britons; certain women in a kind of ecstasy foretold of calamities to come; in the Counsel-House were heard by night barbarous noises, in the Theater hideous howlings, in the Creek horrid sights betok'ning the destruction of that Colony; heerto the Ocean seeming of a bloody hew, and human shapes at a low ebb, left imprinted on the sand, wrought in the Britons new courage, in the Romans unwonted fears. Camalodunum, where the Romans had seated themselves to dwell pleasantly, rather then defensively, was not fortifi'd: against that therefore the Britons make first assault. The Soldiers with in were not very many. Decianus the Procurator could send them but 200, those ill armed: and through the treachery of some among them, who secretly favor'd the insurrection, they had defer'd both to entrench, and to send out such as bore not Arms; such as did, flying to the Temple, which on the second day was forcibly taken, were put all to the Sword, the Temple made a heap, the • est rifl'd and burnt. Petilius Cerealis coming to his succor, is in his way met, and overthrown, his whole Legion cut to pieces; he with his Horse hardly escaping to the Roman Camp. Decianus, whose rapine was the cause of all this, fled into Callia. But Suetonius at these tideings not dismayed, through the midst of his Enemies Country marches to London (though not termed a Colony, yet full of Roman Inhabitants, and for the frequency of trade and other commodities, a Town eev'n then of principal note) with purpose to have made there the seat of Warr. But considering the smallness of his numbers, and the late rashness of Petilius, he chooses rather with the loss of one Town to save the rest. Nor was he flexible to any prayers or weeping of them that besought him to tarry there; but taking with him such as were willing, gave signal to depart; they who through weakness of Sex or Age, or love of the place went not along, perished by the Enemy; so did Verulam a Roman free Town. For the Britons omitting Forts and Castles, flew thither first where richest bootie, and the hope of pillageing toald them on. In this massacre, about 70 thousand Romans and thir associates in the places above-mentioned, of a certain, lost thir lives. None might be spared, none ransomed, but tasted all either a present or a lingering Death; no cruelty that either outrage or the insolence of success put into thir heads, was left unacted. The Roman Wives and Virgins hanged up all naked, had thir Breasts cut off, and sowed to thir mouths; that in the grimness of Death they might seem to eat thir own flesh; while the Britons fell to feasting and carousing in the Temple of Andate thir Goddess of Victory. Suetonius adding to his Legion other old Officers, and Soldiers thereabout, which gatherd to him, were near upon ten thousand; and purposing with those not to defer Battle, had chos'n a place narrow, and not to be overwing'd, on his rear a Wood; being well informed that his Enemies were all in Front on a plain unapt for ambush: the Legionaries stood thic in order, impal'd with light armed; the Horse on either Wing. The Britons in Companies and Squadrons were everywhere shouting and swarming, such a multitude as at other time never; no less reckoned then 200 and 30 thousand, so fierce and confident of Victory, that thir Wives also came in Waggons to sit and behold the sport, as they made full account, of killing Romans: a folly doubtless for the serious Romans to smile at, as a sure tok'n of prospering that day: a Woeman also was thir Commander in Chief. For Boadicea and her Daughters ride about in a Chariot, telling the tall Champions as a great encouragement, that with the Britons it was usual for Woemen to be thir Leaders. A deal of other fondness they put into her mouth, not worth recital; how she was lash'd, how her Daughters were handl'd, things worthier silence, retirment, and a Vail, then for a Woeman to repeat, as don to hir own person, or to hear repeated before an host of men. The Greek Historian sets her in the field on a high heap of Turves, in a loose-bodied Gown declaming, a Spear in her hand, a Hare in her bosom, which after a long circumlocution she was to let slip among them for lucks sake, then praying to Andate the British Goddess, to talk again as fondly as before. And this they do out of a vanity, hoping to embellish and set out thir History with the strangness of our manners, not careing in the mean while to brand us with the rankest note of Barbarism, as if in Britain Woemen were Men, and Men Woemen. I affect not set speeches in a History, unless known for certain to have been so spok'n in effect as they are written, nor then, unless worth rehearsal; and to invent such, though eloquently, as some Historians have done, is an abuse of posterity, raising, in them that read, other conceptions of those times and persons then were true. Much less therefore do I purpose here or elsewhere to Copy out tedious Orations without decorum, though in thir Authors composed ready to my hand. Hitherto what we have heard of Cassibelan, Togadumnus, Venusius, and Caractacus hath been full of magnanimity, soberness, and martial skill: but the truth is, that in this Battle, and whole business, the Britons never more plainly manifested themselves to be right Barbarians; no rule, no foresight, no forecast, experience or estimation, either of themselves or of thir Enemies; such confusion, such impotence, as seemed likest not to a Warr, but to the wild hurrey of a distracted Woeman, with as mad a Crew at her heels. Therefore Suetonius contemning thir unruly noises, and fierce looks, heart'ns his men but to stand close a while, and strike manfully this headless rabble that stood nearest, the rest would be a purchase, rather then a toil. And so it fell out; for the Legion, when they saw thir time, bursting out like a violent wedge, quickly broke and dissipated what opposed them; all else held only out thir necks to the slayer, for thir own Carts and Waggons were so placed by themselves, as left them but little room to escape between. The Roman slew all; men, women, and the very drawing Horses lay heaped along the Field in a gory mixture of slaughter. About fowrscore thousand Britons are said to have been slain on the place; of the Enemy scarce 400 and not many more wounded. Boadicea poisoned herself, or, as others say, sick'n'd and died. She was of Stature big and tall, of visage grim and stern, harsh of voice, her hair of bright color flowing down to her hipps; she wore a plighted Garment of divers colors, with a great gold'n Chain; button'd over all a thick robe. Gildas calls her the crafty lioness, and leaves an ill fame upon her doeings. Dion sets down otherwise the order of this fight, and that the field was not won without much difficulty, nor without intention of the Britons to give another Battle, had not the Death of Boadicea come between. Howbeit Suetonius to preserve Discipline, and to dispatch the relics of Warr, lodged with all his Army in the op'n field; which was supplied out of Germany with 1000 Horse, and 10000 Foot; thence dispersed to Winter, and with incursions to wast those Countries that stood out. But to the Britons famine was a worse affliction; having left off dureing this uproar, to till the ground, and made reck'ning to serve themselves on the provisions of thir Enemy. Nevertheless those Nations that were yet untaimd, hearing of some discord ris'n between Suetonius, and the new Procurator Classicianus, were brought but slowly to terms of peace; and the rigor used by Suetonius on them that yielded, taught them the better course to stand on thir defense. For it is certain, that Suetonius, though else a worthieman, over-proud of his Victory, gave too much way to his anger against the Britons. Classician therefore sending such word to Rome, that these severe proceedings would beget an endless Warr, Polycletus, no Roman but a Courtier, was sent by Nero to examine how things went. He admonishing Suetonius to use more mildness, awe'd the Army, and to the Britons gave matter of Laughter. Who so much eeven till then were nurs'd up in thir native liberty, as to wonder that so great a General with his whole Army should be at the rebuke and ordering of a Court Servitor. [An. Dom. 62] But Suetonius a while after having lost a few Gallies on the shore, was bid resign his command to Petronius Turpilianus, who not provoking the Britons, nor by them provoked, was thought to have pretended the love of peace to what indeed was his love of ease and sloth. Trebellius Maximus followed his steps, usurping the name of gentle Goverment to any remissness or neglect of Discipline; which brought in first license, next disobedience into his Camp; incensed against him partly for his covetousness, partly by the incitement of Roscius Caelius Legat of a Legion; with whom formerly disagreeing, now that civil Warr began in the Empire, he fell to op'n discord; charging him with disorder, and sedition, and him Caelius with peeling and defrauding the Legions of thir pay; insomuch that Trebellius hated, and deserted of the Soldiers, was content a while to govern by base entreaty, and forced at length to fly the Land. Which notwithstanding remained in good quiet, governed by Caelius and the other Legate of a Legion, both faithful to Vitellius then Emperor; who sent hither Vectius Bolanus; [An. Dom. 69] under whose lenity, though not tainted with other fault, against the Britons nothing was done, nor in thir own Discipline reformed. Petilius Cerealis by appointment of Vespasian succeeding, [An. Dom. 70] had to do with the populous Brigantes in many Battails, and some of those, not unbloodie. [An. Dom. 74] For as we heard before, it was Venusius who eeven to these times held them tack, both himself remaining to the end unvanquish'd, and some part of his Country not so much as reachit. It appears also by several passages in the Histories of Tacitus, that no small number of British Forces were commanded over Sea the year before to serve in those bloody Warrs between Otho and Vitellius, Vitellius and Vespasian contending for the Empire. To Cerealis succeeded Julius Frontinus in the Government of Britain, who by tameing the Silures, a people warlike and strongly inhabiting, augmented much his reputation. [An. Dom. 79] But Julius Agricola, whom Vespatiau in his last year sent hither, trained up from his youth in the British Warrs, extended with victories the Roman Limit beyond all his Predecessors. His coming was in the midst of Summer; and the Ordovices to welcome the new General, had hew'n in pieces a whole Squadron of Horse, which lay upon thir bounds, few escapeing. Agricola, who perceav'd that the noise of this defeat had also in the Province desirous of novelty, stir'd up new expectations, resolves to be beforehand with the danger: and drawing together the choice of his Legions with a competent number of Auxiliars, not being met by the Ordovices, who kept the Hills, himself in the head of his men hunts them up and down through difficult places, almost to the final extirpating of that whole Nation. With the same current of success, what Paulinus had left unfinish'd he Conquers in the I will of Mona: for the Ilanders altogether fearless of his approach, whom they knew to have no Shipping, when they saw themselves invaded on a sudden by the Auxiliars, whose Country use had taught them to swim over with Horse and Arms, were compelled to yield. This gained Agricola much opinion; who at his very entrance, a time which others bestowed of course in hearing complements and gratulations, had made such early progress into laborious and hardest enterprises. But by far not so famous was Agricola in bringing Warr to a speedy end, as in cutting off the causes from whence Warr arises. For he knowing that the end of Warr was not to make way for injuries in peace, began reformation from his own house; permitted not his attendants and followers to sway, or have to do at all in public affairs: lays on with equallitie the proportions of corn and tribute that were imposed; takes off exactions, and the Fees of encroaching Officers, heavier then the tribute itself. For the Countries had been compel'd before, to sit and wait the op'ning of public Granaries, and both to sell and to buy thir Corn at what rate the Publicans thought fit; the Pourveyers also commanding when they pleased to bring it in, not to the nearest, but still to the remotest places, either by the compounding of such as would be excused, or by causing a Dearth, where none was, made a particular gain. These grievances and the like, he in the time of peace removing, brought peace into some credit; which before, since the Romans coming, had as ill a name as Warr. [An. Dom. 80] The Summer following, Titus then Emperor, he so continually with inroads disquieted the Enemy over all the I will, and after terror so allured them with his gentle demeanour, that many Cities which till that time would not bend, gave Hostages, admitted Garrisons, and came in voluntarily. The Winter he spent all in worthy actions; teaching and promoting like a public Father the institutes and customs of civil life. The Inhabitants rude and scattered, and by that the proner to Warr, he so persuaded as to build Houses, Temples, and Seats of Justice; and by praising the forward, quick'ning the slow, assisting all, turned the name of necessity into an emulation. He caused moreover the Noblemen’s Sons to be bred up in liberal Arts; and by preferring the Witts of Britain, before the Studies of Gaul, brought them to affect the Latin Eloquence, who before hated the Language. Then were the Roman fashions imitated, and the Gown; after a while the incitements also and materials of Vice, and voluptuous life, proud Buildings, Baths, and the elegance of Banqueting; which the foolisher sort called civility, but was indeed a secret Art to prepare them for bondage. [An. Dom. 81] Spring appearing, he took the Field, and with a prosperous expedition wasted as far Northward as the Frith of Taus all that obeyed not; with such a terror, as he went, that the Roman Army, though much hinderd by tempestuous weather, had the leisure to build Forts and Castles where they pleased, none dareing to oppose them. Besides, Agricola had this excellence in him, so providently to choose his places where to fortify, as not another General then alive. No sconce, or fortress of his raising was ever known either to have been forced, or yielded up, or quitted. Out of these impregnable by seige, or in that case duly releev'd, with continual irruptions he so prevailed, that the Enemy, whose manner was in Winter to regain, what in Summer he had lost, was now alike in both seasons kept short, and streit'n'd. For these exploits then ex'steem'd so great, and honorable, Titus in whose Reign they were atcheev'd, was the fifteenth time saluted Imperator; and of him Agricola received triumphal honors. [An. Dom. 82] The fourth Summer, Domitian then ruleing the Empire, he spent in settling and confirming what the year before he had travail'd over with a running Conquest. And had the valor of his Soldiers been answerable, he had reached that year, as was thought, the utmost bounds of Britain. For Glota, and Bodotria, now Dunbritton, and the Frith of Edinburrow; two opposite Arms of the Sea, divided only by a neck of Land, and all the Creeks and Inlets on this side, were held by the Romans, and the Enemy driven as it were into another Island. [An. Dom. 83] In his fifth year he passed over into the Orcades, as we may probably guess, and other Scotch Isles; discovering and subdueing Nations till then unknown. He gained also with his Forces that part of Britain which faces Ireland, as aiming also to conquer that Island; where one of the Irish Kings driven out by civil Warrs, coming to him, he both gladly received, and retained him as against a fit time. [An. Dom. 84] The Summer ensuing, on mistrust that the Nations beyond Bodotria would generally rise, and forelay the passages by land, he caused his Fleet, making a great show, to bear along the Coast, and up the Friths and Harbours; joining most commonly at night on the same shore both Land and Sea Forces, with mutual shouts and loud greetings. At sight whereof the Britons, not wont to see thir Sea so rid'n, were much daunted. Howbeit the Caledonians with great preparation, and by rumor, as of things unknown much greater, taking Arms, and of thir own accord beginning Warr by the assault of sundry Castles, sent back some of thir fear to the Romans themselves: and there were of the Commanders, who cloaking thir fear under show of sage advice, counseled the General to retreat back on this side Bodotria. He in the mean while having intelligence, that the Enemy would fall on in many Bodies, divided also his Army into three parts. Which advantage the Britons quickly spying, and on a sudden uniting what before they had disjoin'd, assail by night with all thir Forces that part of the Roman Army, which they knew to be the weakest; and breaking in upon the Camp surprised between sleep and fear, had begun some Execution. When Agricola, who had learnt what way the Enemies took, and followed them with all speed, sending before him the lightest of his Horse and Foot to charge them behind, the rest as they came on to affright them with clamour, so ply'd them without respite, that by approach of day the Roman Ensigns glittering all about, had encompassed the Britons: who now after a sharp fight in the very Ports of the Camp, betook them to thir wonted refuge, the Woods and Fens, poursu'd a while by the Romans, that day else in all appearance had ended the Warr. The Legions reincourag'd by this event, they also now boasting, who but lately trembl'd, cry all to be led on as far as there was British ground. The Britons also not acknowledging the loss of that day to Roman valor, but to the policy of their Captain, abated nothing of their stoutness; but arming thir youth, conveying thir Wives and Children to places of safety, in frequent assemblies, and by solemn covnants bound themselves to mutual assistance against the common Enemy. About the same time a Cohort of Germans having slain thir Centurion with other Roman Officers in a mutiny, and for fear of punishment fled a Shipboard, launch'd forth in three light Gallies without Pilot: and by tide or weather carried round about the Coast, using Piracy where they landed, while their Ships held out, and as thir skill served them, with various fortune, were the first discoverers to the Romans that Britain was an Island. [An. Dom. 85] The following Summer, Agricola having before sent his Navy to hover on the Coast, and with sundry and uncertain landings to divert and disunite the Britons, himself with a power best appointed for expedition, wherein also were many Britons, whom he had long tried both valiant and faithful, marches onward to the Mountain Grampius, where the British, above 30 thousand, were now lodged, and still increasing: for neither would thir old men, so many as were yet vigorous and lusty, be left at home, long practice'd in Warr, and everyone adorned with some badge, or cognizance of his warlike deeds long ago. Of whom Galgacus, both by birth and merit the prime Leader, to thir courage, though of itself hot and violent, is by his rough Oratory, in detestation of servitude and the Roman yoke, said to have added much more eagerness of fight; testifi'd by thir shouts and barbarous applauses. As much did on the others side Agricola exhort his Soldiers to Victory and Glory; as much the Soldiers by his firm and well grounded Exhortations were all on a fire to the onset. But first he orders them in this sort. Of 8000 Auxiliar Foot he makes his middle ward, on the wings 3000 Horse, the Legions as a reserve, stood in array before the Camp; either to seise the Victory won without their own hazard, or to keep up the Battle if it should need. The British powers on the Hill side, as might best serve for show and terror, stood in thir Battalions; the first on eeven ground, the next rising behind, as the Hill ascended. The field between rung with the noise of Horse-men and Chariots ranging up and down. Agricola doubting to be over wing'd, stretches out his front, though somewhat with the thinest, insomuch that many advised to bring up the Legions: yet he not altering, alights from his Horse, and stands on foot before the Ensigns. The fight began aloof, and the Britons had a certain skill with their broad swashing Swords and short Bucklers either to strike aside, or to bear off the Darts of thir Enemies; and withal to send back showers of thir own. Until Agricola discerning that those little Targets and unweildie Glaves ill pointed, would soon become ridiculous against the thrust and close, commanded three Batavian Cohorts, and two of the Tungrians exercised and armed for close fight, to draw up, and come to handystrokes. The Batavians, as they were commanded, running in upon them, now with their long Tucks thrusting at the face, now with their piked Targets bearing them down, had made good riddance of them that stood below; and for hast omitting further Execution, began apace to advance up Hill, seconded now by all the other Cohorts. Mean while the Horse-men fly, the Charioters mixe themselves to fight among the Foot; where many of thir Horse also fallen in disorderly, were now more a mischief to thir own, then before a terror to thir Enemies. The Battle was a confused heap; the ground unequal; men, horses, Chariots crowded pelmel; sometimes in little room, by and by in large, fighting, rushing, felling, over-bearing, over-turning. They on the Hill, which were not yet come to blows, perceiving the fewness of thir Enemies, came down amain; and had enclosed the Romans unawares behind, but that Agricola with a strong Body of Horse, which he reserved for such a purpose, repel'd them back as fast: and others drawn off the front, were commanded to wheel about and charge them on the backs. Then were the Romans clearly Masters; they follow, they wound, they take, and to take more, kill whom they take: the Britons in whole Troops with weapons in thir hands, one while flying the pursuer, anon without weapons desperately running upon the slayer. But all of them, when once they got the Woods to thir shelter, with fresh boldness made head again, and the forwardest on a sudden they turned and slew, the rest so hamper'd, as had not Agricola, who was everywhere at hand, sent out his readiest Cohorts, with part of his Horse to alight and scowr the Woods, they had received a foil in the midst of Victory; but following with a close and orderly poursuit, the Britons fled again, and were totally scattered; till night and weariness ended the chase. And of them that day 10 thousand fell; of the Romans 340, among whom Aulus Atti • us the Leader of a Cohort; carried with heat of youth and the firceness of his Horse too far on. The Romans jocond of this Victory, and the spoil they got, spent the night; the vanquished wandering about the field, both men and women, some lamenting, some calling thir lost friends, or carrying off their wounded; others forsaking, some burning thir own Houses; and it was certain enough, that there were who with a stern compassion laid violent hands on thir Wives and Children to prevent the more violent hands of hostile injury. Next day appearing manifested more plainly the greatness of thir loss received; everywhere silence, desolation, houses burning afar off, not a man seen, all fled, and doubtful whether: such word the scouts bringing in from all parts, and the Summer now spent, no fit season to disperse a Warr, the Roman General leads his Army among the Horestians; by whom Hostages being given, he commands his Admiral with a sufficient Navy to sails round the Coast of Britain: himself with slow marches, that his delay in passing might serve to awe those new conquered Nations, bestows his Army in their Winter-quarters. The Fleet also having fetched a prosperous and speedy compass about the I will, put in at the Haven Trutulensis, now Richborrow near Sandwich, from whence it first set out: and now likeliest, if not two years before, as was mentioned, the Romans might discover and subdue the Isles of of Orkney; which others with less reason following Eusebius and Orosius, attribute to the deeds of Claudius. These perpetual exploits abroad won him wide fame; with Domitian, under whom great virtue was as punishable as op'n crime, won him hatred. For he maligning the renown of these his acts, in show decreed him honors, in secret devised his ruin. [An. Dom. 86] Agricola therefore commanded home for doing too much, of what he was sent to do, left the Province to his Successor quiet and secure. Whether he, as is conjectured, were Salustius Lucullus, or before him some other, for Suetonius only names him Legat of Britain under Domitian; but further of him, or ought else done here until the time of Hadrian, is nowhere plainly to be found. Some gather by a Preface in Tacitus to the Book of his Histories, that what Agricola won here, was soon after by Domitian either through want of valor lost, or through envy neglected. And Juvenal the Poet speaks of Arviragus in these days, and not before, King of Britain: who stood so well in his resistance, as not only to be talked of at Rome, but to be held matter of a glorious Triumph, if Domitian could take him Captive, or overcome him. Then also Claudia Rufina the Daughter of a Britain, and Wife of Pudence a Roman Senator, lived at Rome; famous by the Verse of Martial for beauty, wit, and learning. The next we hear of Britain, is that when Trajan was Emperor, it revolted, and was subdued. Under Adrian, Julius Severus, saith Dion, governed the Island, a prime Soldier of that Age, but he being called away to suppress the Jews then in tumult, left things at such pass, as caused the Emperor in person to take a journey hither; [An. Dom. 122] where many things he reformed, and, as Augustus, and Tiberius counseled to gird the Empire within moderate bounds; he raised a Wall with great stakes driven in deep, and fasten'd together, in manner of a strong mound, fourscore mile in length, to devide what was Roman from Barbarian: no ancient Author names the place, but old inscriptions, and ruin itself yet testifies where it went along between Solway Frith by Carlisle, and the mouth of Tine. Hadrian having quieted the Island, took it for honor to be titl'd on his Coine, the Restorer of Britain. In his time also Prisous Licinius, as appears by an old inscription, was Lieutenant here. Antoninus Pius reigning, the Brigantes ever least patient of Foren servitude, breaking in upon Genounia (which Camden guesses to be Guinethia or North-Wales) part of the Roman Province, were with the loss of much territory driven back by Lollius Urbious, who drew another Wall of Turves; in likelihood much beyond the former, [An. Dom. 144] and as Camden proves, between the Frith of Dunbritton, and of Edinborrow; to hedge out incursions from the North. And Seius Saturninus, as is collected from the digests, [An. Dom. 162] had charge here of the Roman Navy. With like success did Marcus Aurelius next Emperor by his Legate Calphurnius Agricola finish here a new Warr: Commodus after him obtaining the Empire. In his time, as among so many different accounts may seem most probable, Lucius a supposed King in some part of Britain, the first of any King in Europe, that we read of, received the Christian Faith, and this Nation the first by public Authority professed it: a high and singular grace from above, if sincerity and perseverance went along, otherwise an empty boast, and to be feared the verifying of that true sentence, the first shall be last. And indeed the praise of this action is more proper to King Lucius than common to the Nation; whose first professing by public Authority was no real commendation of their true faith; which had appeared more sincere and praise-worthy, whether in this or other Nation, first professed without public Authority or against it, might else have been but outward conformity. Lucius in our Monmouth Story is made the second by descent from Marius, Marius the Son of Arviragus is there said to have overthrown the Picts then first coming out of Scythia, slain Roderic their King; and in sign of Victory to have set up a monument of Stone in the Country since called Westmaria; but these things have no foundation. Coilus the Son of Marius, all his reign, which was just and peaceable, holding great amity with the Romans, left it hereditary to Lucius. He (if Beda err not, living near 500 years after, yet our ancientest Author of this report) sent to Eleutherius then Bishop of Rome, an improbable Letter, as some of the Contents discover, [An. Dom. 181] desiring that by his appointment he and his people might receive Christianity. From whom two religious Doctors, named in our Chronicles Faganus and Deruvianus, forthwith sent, are said to have converted and baptized well nigh the whole Nation: thence Lucius to have had the surname of Levermaur, that is to say, great light. Nor yet then first was the Christian Faith here known, but eev'n from the later days of Tiberius, as Gildas confidently affirms, taught and propagated, and that as some say by Simon Zealots, as others by Joseph of Arimathaea, Barnabas, Paul, Peter, and thir prime Disciples. But of these matters, variously written and believed, Ecclesiastic Historians can best determine: as the best of them do, with little credit given to the particulars of such uncertain relations. As for Lucius, they write, that after a long reign he was buried at Gloster; but dying without issue left the Kingdom in great commotion. By truer testimony we find that the greatest Warr which in those days busy'd Commodus, was in this Island. For the Nations Northward, notwithstanding the Wall raised to keep them out, breaking in upon the Roman Province, wasted wide; and both the Army and the Leader that came against them wholly routed, and destroyed; which put the Emperor in such a fear, as to dispatch hither one of his best Commanders, Ulpius Marcellus. He a man endu'd with all nobleness of mind, frugal, temperate, mild, and magnanimous, [An. Dom. 183] in Warr bold and watchful, invincible against lucre, and the assault of bribes, what with his valor, and these his other virtues, quickly ended this Warr that looked so dangerous, and had himself like to have been ended by the peace which he brought home, for presuming to be so worthy and so good under the envy of so worthless and so bad an Emperor. After whose departure the Roman Legions fell to sedition among themselves; 15 hundred of them went to Rome in name of the rest, [An. Dom. 186] and were so terrible to Commodus himself, as that to please them he put to death Perennis the Captain of his Guard. Notwithstanding which compliance they endeavor'd here to set up another Emperor against him; and Helvius Pertinax who succeeded Governor, found it a work so difficult to appease them, that once in a mutiny he was left for dead among many slain; and was fain at length to seek a dismission from his charge. After him Clodius Albinus took the Government; but he, for having to the Soldiers made an Oration against Monarchy, by the appointment of Commodus was bid resign to Junius Severus. [An. Dom. 193] But Albinus in those troublesome times ensuing under the short reign of Pertinax and Didius Julianus, found means to keep in his hands the Government of Britain; although Septimius Severus who next held the Empire, sent hither Heraclitus to displace him; but in vain, for Albinus with all the British powers and those of Gaul met Severus about Lions in France, and fought a bloody Battail with him for the Empire, though at last vanquished and slain. The Government of Britain, Severus divided between two Deputies; till then one Legat was thought sufficient; the North he committed to Virius Lupus. Where the Meatae rising in Arms, and the Caledonians, though they had promised the contrary to Lupus, preparing to defend them, so hard beset, he was compel'd to buy his peace, and a few of Pris'ners with great Sums of money. But hearing that Severus had now brought to an end his other Warrs, he writes him plainly the state of things here, that the Britons of the North made Warr upon him, broke into the Province, and harrass'd all the Countries nigh them, that there needed suddenly either more aid, or himself in person. Severus though now much weak'nd with Age and the Gout, yet desirous to leave some memorial of his warlike acheevements here, as he had don in other places, and besides to withdraw by this means his two Sons from the pleasures of Rome, and his Soldiers from idleness, with a mighty power far sooner than could be expected, arrives in Britain. [An. Dom. 208] The Northern people much daunted with the report of so great Forces brought over with him, and yet more preparing, send Ambassadors to treat of peace, and to excuse thir former doings. The Emperor now loath to return home without some memorable thing don, whereby he might assume to his other titles the addition of Britannicus, delays his answer and quick'ns his preparations; till in the end, when all things were in readiness to follow them, they are dismissit without effect. His principal care was to have many Bridges laid over Bogs and rott'n Moars, that his Soldiers might have to fight on sure footing. For it seems through lack of tillage, the Northern parts were then, as Ireland is at this day; and the inhabitants in like manner wonted to retire, and defend themselves in such watery places half naked. [An. Dom. 209] He also being past Adrian’s wall, cut down Woods, made way through Hills, fast'nd and filled up unsound and plashy Fens. Notwithstanding all this industry used, the Enemy kept himself so cunningly within his best advantages, and seldom appearing, so opportunely found his times to make irruption upon the Romans, when they were most in straits and difficulties, sometimes training them on with a few Cattle turn'dout, and drawn within ambush cruelly handling them, that many a time enclosed in the midst of sloughs and quagmires, they chose rather themselves to kill such as were faint and could not shift away, than leave them there a prey to the Caledonians. Thus lost Severus, and by sickness in those noisome places, no less than 50 thousand men: and yet desisted not, though for weakness carried in a Litter, till he had marchit through with his Army to the utmost Northern verge of the I will: and the Britons offering peace were compel'd to lose much of thir Country not before subject to the Romans. [An. Dom. 210] Severus on the Frontiers of what he had firmly conquered builds a Wall cross the Island from Sea to Sea; which one Author judges the most magnificent of all his other deeds; and that he thence received the style of Britannicus; in length 132 Miles. Orosius adds it fortify'd with a deep Trench, and between certain spaces many Towers, or Battlements. The place whereof some will have to be in Scotland, the same which Lollius Urbicus had wall'd before. Others affirm it only Hadrians work re-edifi'd; both plead Authorities and the ancient tract yet visible: but this I leave among the studious of these Antiquities to be discussit more at large. While Peace held, the Empress Julia meeting on a time certain British Ladies, and discoursing with the Wife of Argentocoxus a Caledonian, cast out a scoff against the looseness of our Island Women; whose manner then was to use promiscuously the company of divers men. Whom straight the British Woman boldly thus answered: Much better do we Britons fulfill the work of Nature than you Romans; we with the best men accustom op'nly; you with the basest commit private adulteries. Whether she thought this answer might serve to justify the practice of her Country, as when vices are compared, the greater seems to justify the less, or whether the law and custom wherein she was bred, had wiped out of her conscience the better dictate of Nature, and not convinced her of the shame; certain it is that whereas other Nations used a liberty not unnatural for one man to have many Wives, the Britons altogether as licentious, but more absurd and preposterous in thir license, had one or many Wives in common among ten or twelve Husbands; and those for the most part incestuously. But no sooner was Severus returned into the Province, then the Britons take Arms again. Against whom Severus worn out with labors and infirmity, sends Antoninus his eldest Son; expressly commanding him to spare neither Sex nor Age. But Antoninus who had his wicked thoughts taken up with the contriving of his Fathers death, a safer Enemy then a Son, did the Britons not much detriment. Whereat Severus more overcome with grief than any other malady, ended his life at York. [An. Dom. 211] After whose decease Antoninus Caracalla his impious Son concluding peace with the Britons, took Hostages and departed to Rome. The Conductor of all this Northern Warr Scottish Writers name Donaldus, he of Monmouth Fulgenius, in the rest of his relation nothing worth. From hence the Roman Empire declining apace, good Historians growing scarce, or lost, have left us little else but fragments for many years ensuing. [An. Dom. 242] Under Gordian the Emperor we find by the Inscription of an Altar stone, that Nonius Philippus governed here. Under Galienus we read there was a strong and general revolt from the Roman Legat. [An. Dom. 259] Of the 30 Tyrants which not long after took upon them the style of Emperor, [An. Dom. 267] by many Coins found among us, Lollianus, Victorinus, Posthumus, the Tetrici and Marius are conjectured to have ris'n or born great sway in this Island. Whence Porphyrius a Philosopher then living, said that Britain was a soil fruitful of Tyrants; and is noted to be the first Author that makes mention of the Scottish Nation. [An. Dom. 282] While Frobus was Emperor, Bonosus the Son of a Rhetorician, bred up a Spaniard, though by descent a Britain, and a matchless drinker, nor much to be blamed, if, as they write, he were still wisest in his cups, having attained in warfare to high honors, and lastly in his charge over the German shipping, willingly, as was thought, miscarried, trusting on his power with the Western Armies, and joined with Proculus, bore himself a while for Emperor; but after a long and bloody fight at Cullen, vanquishit by Probus he hanged himself, and gave occasion of a ready jest made on him for his much drinking; Heer hangs a Tankard, not a man. After this, Probus with much wisdom prevented a new rising here in Britain by the severe loyalty of Victorinus a Moor, at whose entreaty he had placit here that Governor which rebel'd. For the Emperor upbraiding him with the disloyalty of whom he had commended, Victorinus undertaking to set all right again, hastes hither, and finding indeed the Governor to intend sedition, by some contrivance not mentioned in the story, show him, whose name some imagine to be Cornelius Lelianus. They write also that Probus gave leave to the Spaniards, Gauls, and Britons to plant Vines, and to make Wine; and having subdued the Vandals, and Burgundians in a great Battail, sent over many of them hither to inhabit, where they did good service to the Romans when any insurrection happened in the I will. [An. Dom. 283] After whom Carus Emperor going against the Persians, left Carinus one of his Sons to govern among other Western Provinces this Island with imperial authority; but him Dioclesian saluted Emperor by the Eastern Armies overcame and slew. [An. Dom. 284] About which time Carausius a man of low parentage, born in Menapia, about the parts of Cleves and Juliers, who through all military degrees was made at length Admiral of the Belgi • ▪ and Armoric Seas, then much infested by the Franks and Saxons, [An. Dom. 285] what he took from the Pirates, neither restoring to the owners, nor accounting to the Public, but enriching himself, and yet not scouring the Seas, but conniving rather at those Sea Robbers, was grown at length too great a Delinquent to be less than an Emperor: for fear and guiltiness in those days made Emperors ofter than merit: And understanding that Maximianus Herculius, Dioclesians adopted Son, was come against him into Gaul, passed over with the Navy which he had made his own, into Britain, and possessed the Island. [An. Dom. 286] Where he built a new Fleet after the Roman fashion, got into his power the Legion that was left here in Garrison, other outlandish Cohorts detained, listed the very Merchants and Factors of Gaul, and with the allurement of spoil invited great numbers of other barbarous Nations to his part, and trained them to Sea service, wherein the Romans at that time were grown so out of skill, that Carausius with his Navy did at Sea what he listed, robbing on every Coast; whereby Maximian, able to come no nearer than the shore of Boloigne, was forced to conclude a Peace with Carausius, and yield him Britain; as one fittest to guard the Province there against inroads from the North. [An. Dom. 291] But not long after having assumed Constantius Chlorus to the dignity of Caesar, sent him against Carausius; who in the mean while had made himself strong both within the Land and without. Galfred of Monmouth writes that he made the Ticts his confederates; to whom lately come out of Scythia he gave Albany to dwell in: and it is observed that before his time the Picts are not known to have been anywhere mentioned, and then first by Eumenius a Rhetorician. He repaired and fortifi'd the Wall of Severus with 7 Castles, and a round House of smooth stone on the Bank of Carron, which River, saith Ninnius, was of his Name so called; he built also a Triumphal Arch in remembrance of some Victory there obtained. In France he held Gessoriacum, or Boloigne; and all the Franks which had by his permission seated themselves in Belgium, were at his devotion. But Constantius hasting into Gaul, besieges Boloigne, and with Stones and Timber obstructing the Port, keeps out all relief that could be sent in by Carausius. Who ere Constantius with the great Fleet which he had prepared, could arrive hither, was slain treacherously by Alectus one of his Friends, who longed to step into his place; [An. Dom. 292] when he 7 years, and worthily, as some say, as others, tyrannically, had ruled the Island. So much the more did Constantius prosecute that opportunity, before Alectus could well strengthen his Affairs: and though in ill weather, putting to Sea with all urgency from several Hav'ns to spread the terror of his landing, and the doubt where to expect him, in a Mist passing the British Fleet unseen, that lay scouting near the I will of Wight, no sooner got a shore, but fires his own Ships, to leave no hope of refuge but in Victory. Alectus also, though now much dismayed, transfers his fortune to a Battle on the shore; but encountered by Asclepiodotus Captain of the Praetorian Bands, and desperately rushing on, unmindful both of ordering his men, or bringing them all to fight, save the accessories of his Treason, and his outlandish hirelings, is overthrown, and slain with little or no loss to the Romans, but great execution on the Franks. His Body was found almost naked in the field, for his Purple Robe he had thrown aside, lest it should descry him, unwilling to be found. The rest taking flight to London, and purposing with the pillage of that City to escape by Sea, are met by another part of the Roman Army, whom the Mist at Sea disjoining had by chance brought thither, and with a new slaughter chas'd through all the Streets. The Britons, thir Wives also and Children, with great joy go out to meet Constantius, as one whom they acknowledge their deliverer from bondage and insolence. All this seems by Eumenius, who then lived, and was of Constantius household, to have been don in the course of one continued action; so also thinks Sigonius a learned Writer: though all others allow three years to the tyranny of Alectus. In these days were great store of Workmen, and excellent Builders in this Island, whom after the alteration of things here, the Aeduans in Burgundy entertained to build thir Temples and public Edifices. Dioclesian having hitherto successfully used his valor against the Enemies of his Empire, uses now his rage in a bloody persecution against his obedient and harmless Christian Subjects: from the feeling whereof neither was this Island, though most remote, far enough removed. Among them here who suffered gloriously, Aaron, and Julius of Caer leon upon Usk, but chiefly Alban of Verulam, were most renowned: The story of whose Martyrdom soil'd, and worse martyred with the fabling zeal of some idle fancies, more fond of Miracles, than apprehensive of Truth, deserves not longer digression. Constantius after Dioclesian, dividing the Empire with Galerius, had Britain among his other Provinces; where either preparing or returning with victory from an expedition against the Caledonians, he died at York. His Son Constantine, who happily came Post from Rome to Boloigne just about the time, [An. Dom. 306] saith Eumenius, that his Father was setting sail his last time hither, and not long before his death, was by him on his deathbed named, and after his Funeral, by the whole Army saluted Emperor. There goes a fame, and that seconded by most of our own Historians, though not those the ancientest, that Constantine was born in this Island, his Mother Helena the Daughter of Coilus a British Prince, not sure the Father of King Lucius, whose Sister she must then be, for that would detect her too old by an hunderd years to be the Mother of Constantine. But to salve this incoherence, another Coilus is feigned to be then Earl of Colchester. To this therefore the Roman Authors give no testimony, except a passage or two in the Panegyrics, about the sense whereof much is argu'd: others nearest to those times clear the doubt, and write him certainly born of Helena, a mean Woman at Naisus in Dardania. Howbeit, ere his departure hence he seems to have had some bickerings in the North, which by reason of more urgent affairs composed, he passes into Gaul; [An. Dom. 307] and after 4 years returns either to settle or to alter the state of things here; [An. Dom. 311] until a new Warr against Maxentius called him back, leaving Pacatianus his Vicegerent. He deceasing, Constantine his eldest Son enjoyed for his part of the Empire, with all the Provinces that lay on this side the Alps, this Island also. But falling to Civil Warr with Constance his Brother, was by him slain; who with his third Brother Constantius coming into Britain, seis'd it as Victor. [An. Dom. 340] Against him rose Magnentius, one of his chief Commanders, by some affirmed the Son of a Britain, [An. Dom. 343] he having gained on his side great Forces, contested with Constantius in many Battels for the sole Empire; but vanquishit, in the end slew himself. Somwhat before this time Gratianus Funarius, [An. Dom. 350] the Father of Valentinian, afterwards Emperor, [An. Dom. 353] had chief command of those Armies which the Romans kept here. And the Arian Doctrine which then divided Christendom, wrought also in this Island no small disturbance: a Land, saith Gildas, greedy of everything new, steadfast in nothing. [An. Dom. 359] At last Constantius appointeda Synod of more than 400 Bishops to assemble at Ariminum on the Emperors charges, which the rest all refusing, three only of the British, poverty constreining them, accepted; though the other Bishops among them offered to have born thir charges: esteeming it more honorable to live on the public, than to be obnoxious to any private Purse. Doubtless an ingenuous mind, and far above the Presbyters of our Age; who like well to sit in Assembly on the public stipend, but liked not the poverty that caused these to do so. After this Martinus was Deputy of the Province; who being offended with the cruelty which Paulus, an inquisitor sent from Constantius, exercised in his enquiry after those Military Officers who had conspired with Magnentius, was himself laid hold on as an accessory; at which enraged he runs at Paulus with his drawnSword; but failing to kill him, turns it on himself. Next to whom, as may be guessed, Alipius was made Deputy. In the mean time Julian, whom Constantius had made Caesar, having recovered much Territory about Rhine, where the German inroads before had long insulted, to relieve those Countries almost ruined, causes 800 Pinaces to be built; and with them by frequent Voyages, plenty of Corn to be fetched in from Britain; which eev'n then was the usual bounty of this Soil to those parts, as oft as French and Saxon Pirates hinderd not the transportation. [An. Dom. 360] While Constantius yet reigned, the Scots and Picts breaking in upon the Northern confines, Julian, being at Paris, sends over Lupicinus, a well tried Soldier, but a proud and covetous man; who with a power of light armed Herulians, Batavians, and Maesians, in the midst of Winter sailing from Boloigne, arrives at Rutupiae seated on the opposite shore, and comes to London, to consult there about the Warr; but soon after was recalled by Julian then chosen Emperor. Under whom we read not of ought happing here; only that Palladius one of his great Officers was hither banished. This year Valentinian being Emperor, [An. Dom. 364] the Attacots, Picts, and Scots roaving up and down, and last the Saxons with perpetual landings and invasions harryed the South Coast of Britain; slew Nectaridius who governed the Sea Borders, and Bulchobaudes with his Forces by an ambush. With which news Valentinian not a little perplexed, sends first Severus high Steward of his House, and soon recalls him, then Jovinus, who intimating the necessity of greater supplies, he sends at length Theodosius, a man of tried valor, and experience, father to the first Emperor of that Name. He with selected numbers out of the Legions, and Cohorts, [An. Dom. 367] crosses the Sea from Boloigne to Rutupiae; from whence with the Batavians, Herulians, and other Legions that arrived soon after, he marches to London; and dividing his Forces into several Bodies, sets upon the dispersed and plundering Enemy, lad'n with spoil; from whom recovering the booty which they led away, and were forced to leave there with thir lives, herestores all to the right owners, save a small portion to his wearied Soldiers, and enters London victoriously; which before in many straits and difficulties, was now revived as with a great deliverance. The numerous Enemy with whom he had to deal, was of different Nations, and the Warr scattered: which Theodosius, getting daily some intelligence from fugitives and prisoners, resolves to carry on by sudden parties and surprises rather than set Battels; nor omits he to proclaim indemnity to such as would lay down Arms, and accept of peace, which brought in many. Yet all this not ending the work, he requires that Civilis, a man of much uprightness, might be sent him, to be as Deputy of the Island, and Dulcitius a famous Captain. Thus was Theodosius busy'd, besetting with ambushes the roaving Enemy, repressing his Rodes, restoring Cities and Castles to thir former safety and defense, laying everywhere the firm foundation of a long peace, [An. Dom. 368] when Valentinus a Pannonian for some great offense banished into Britain, conspiring with certain Exiles and Soldiers against Theodosius, whose worth he dreaded as the only obstacle to his greater design of gaining the I will into his power, is discovered, and with his chief accomplices delivered over to condign punishment: against the rest, Theodosius with a wise lenity suffered not inquisition to proceed too rigorously, lest the fear thereof appertaining to so many, occasion might arise of new trouble in a time so unsettl'd. This don, he applies himself to reform things out of order, raises on the confines many strong holds; and in them appoints due and diligent watches; and so reduced all things out of danger, that the Province which but lately was under command of the Enemy, became now wholly Roman, new named Valentia of Valentinian, and the City of London Augusta. Thus Theodosius nobly acquitting himself in all Affairs, with general applause of the whole Province, accompanied to the Sea-side, returns to Valentinian. Who about 5 years after sent hither Fraomarius, [An. Dom. 373] a King of the Almans, with authority of a Tribune over his own Country Forces, which then both for number and good service were in high esteem. Against Gratian who succeeded in the Western Empire, Maximus a Spaniard, and one who had served in the British Warrs with younger Theodosius (for he also, either with his Father, or not long after him, seems to have done something in this Island) and now General of the Roman Armies here, either discontented that Theodosius was prefer'd before him to the Empire, or constrained by the Soldiers who hated Gratian, assumes the imperial Purple, and having attained Victory against the Scots and Picts, with the flower and strength of Britain, passes into France; there slays Gratian, [An. Dom. 383] and without much difficulty, the space of 5 years, obtains his part of the Empire, overthrown at length and slain by Theodosius. [An. Dom. 388] With whom perishing most of his followers, or not returning out of Armorioa, which Maximus had given them to possess, the South of Britain by this means exhausted of her youth, and what there was of Roman Soldiers on the Confines drawn off, became a prey to savage Invasions; [An. Dom. 389] of Scots from the Irish Seas, of Saxons from the German, of Picts from the North. Against them, first Chrysanthus the Son of Marcian a Bishop, made Deputy of Britain by Theodosius, demean'd himself worthily: then Stilicho a man of great power, whom Theodosius, dying, left Protector of his Son Honorius, either came in person, or sending over sufficient aid, repress'd them, and as it seems new fortifi'd the Wall against them. But that Legion being called away, when the Roman Armies from all parts hasted to relieve Honorius then besieged in Asta of Piemont, [An. Dom. 402] by Alaric the Goth, Britain was left exposed as before, to those Barbarous Robbers. Lest any wonder how the Scots came to infest Britain from the Irish Sea, it must be understood, that the Scots not many years before had been driven all out of Britain by Maximus; and thir King Eugenius slain in fight; as thir own Annals report: whereby, it seems, wandering up and down, without certain seat, they lived by scumming those Seas and shoars as Pirates. But more authentic Writers confirm us , that the Scots, whoever they be originally, came first into Ireland, and dwelt there, and named it Scotia long before the North of Britain took that name. About this time, though troublesome, Pelagius a Britain found the leisure to bring new and dangerous Opinions into the Church, [An. Dom. 405] and is largely writ against by St. Austin. But the Roman powers which were called into Italy, when once the fear of Alaric was over, made return into several Provinces: and perhaps Victorinus of Tolosa, whom Rutilius the Poet much commends, might be then Prefect of the Island: if it were not he whom Stilicho sent hither. Buchanan writes, that endeavoring to reduce the Picts into a Province, he gave the occasion of thir calling back Fergusins and the Scots, whom Maximus with thir help had quite driven out of the Island: and indeed the Verses of that Poet speak him to have been active in those parts. But the time which is assigned him later by Buchanan after Gratianus Municeps, by Camden, after Constantine the Tyrant, accords not with that which follows in the plain course of History. [An. Dom. 407] For the Vandals having broke in and wasted all Belgium, eev'n to those places from whence easiest passage is into Britain, the Roman Forces here, doubting to be suddenly invaded, were all in uproar, and in tumultuous manner set up Marcus, who it may seem was then Deputy. But him not found agreeable to thir heady courses, they as hastily kill: for the giddy favor of a mutining rout is as dangerous as thir fury. The like they do by Gratian a British Roman, in four Months advancit, adored, and destroyed. There was among them a common Soldier whose name was Constantine, with him on a sudden so taken they are, upon the conceit put in them of a luckiness in his name, as without other visible merit to create him Emperor. It fortun'd that the man had not his name for naught; so well he knew to lay hold, and make good use of an unexpected offer. He therefore with a wak'n'd spirit, to the extent of his Fortune dilating his mind, which in his mean condition before lay contracted and shrunk up, orders with good advice his military affairs: and with the whole force of the Province, and what of British was able to bear Arms, he passes into France, aspiring at least to an equal share with Honorius in the Empire. Where by the valor of Edobecus a Frank, and Gerontius a Britain, and partly by persuasion gaining all in his way, he comes to Arles. [An. Dom. 408] With like felicity by his Son Constance, whom of a Monk he had made a Caesar, and by the conduct of Gerontius he reduces all Spain to his obedience. But Constance after this displacing Gerontius, the affairs of Constantine soon went to wrack: for he by this means alienated, [An. Dom. 409] set up Miximus one of his friends against him in Spain; and passing into France, took Vienna by assault, and having slain Constance in that City, calls on the Vandals against Constantine; who by him incited, as by him before they had been repressit, breaking forward, over-run most part of France. But when Constantius Comes, the Emperors General, with a strong power came out of Italy, Gerontius deserted by his own Forces, retires into Spain; where also growing into contempt with the Soldiers, after his flight out of France, by whom his House in the night was beset, having first with a few of his Servants defended himself valiantly, and slain above 300, though when his Darts and other Weapons were spent, he might have scaped at a private door, as all his Servants did, not enduring to leave his Wife Nonnichia, whom he loved, to the violence of an enraged crew, he first cuts off the head of his friend Alanus, as was agreed; next his Wife, though loath and delaying, yet by her entreated and importuned, refusing to outlive her Husband, he dispatches: for which her resolution Sozomenus an Ecclesiastic Writer gives her high praise, both as a Wife, and as a Christian. Last of all against himself he turns his Sword; but missing the mortal place, with his poinard finishes the work. Thus far is poursu'd the story of a famous Britain, related negligently by our other Historians. As for Constantinc, his ending was not answerable to his setting out: for he with his other Son Julian beseig'd by Constantius in Arles, and mistrusting the change of his wonted success, to save his head, poorly turns Priest; but that not availing him, is carried into Italy, and there put to death; having 4 years acted the Emperor. While these things were doing, the Britons at home destitute of Roman aid, and the chief strength of their own youth, that went first with Maximus, then with Constantine, not returning home, vext, and harras'd by thir wonted Enemies, had sent messages to Honorius; but he at that time not being able to defend Rome itself, which the same year was taken by Alaric, advises them by his Letter to consult how best they might for their own safety, and acquits them of the Roman jurisdiction. They therefore thus relinquishit, and by all right the Government relapsing into thir own hands, thenceforth betook themselves to live after thir own Laws, defending thir bounds as well as they were able, and the Armoricans, who not long after were called the Britons of France, followed thir Example. Thus expired this great Empire of the Romans; first in Britain, soon after in Italy itself: having born chief sway in this Island, though never thoroughly subdued, or all at once in subjection, if we reck'n from the coming in of Julius to the taking of Rome by Alaric, in which year Honorius wrote those Letters of discharge into Britain, the space of 462 years. And with the Empire fell also what before in this Western World was chiefly Roman; Learning, Valour, Eloquence, History, Civility, and eev'n Language itself, all these together, as it were, with equal pace diminishing, and decaying. Henceforth we are to steer by another sort of Authors; near enough to the things they write, as in thir own Country, if that would serve; in time not much belated, some of equal age; in expression barbarous; and to say how judicious, I suspend a while: this we must expect; in civil matters to find them dubious Relaters, and still to the best advantage of what they term holy Church, meaning indeed themselves: in most other matters of Religion, blind, astonished, and struck with superstition as with a Planet; in one word, Monks. Yet these Guides, where can be had no better, must be followed; in gross, it may be true enough; in circumstance each man as his judgment gives him, may reserve his Faith, or bestow it. But so different a state of things requires a several relation.

THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN. The Third Book.

THis third Book having to tell of accidents as various and exemplary, as the intermission or change of Government hath anywhere brought forth, may deserve attention more than common, and repay it with like benefit to them who can judiciously read: considering especially that the late civil broils had cast us into a condition not much unlike to what the Britons then were in, when the imperial jurisdiction departing hence left them to the sway of thir own Councils; which times by comparing seriously with these later, and that confused Anarchy with this intereign, we may be able from two such remarkable turns of State, producing like events among us, to raise a knowledge of ourselves both great and weighty, by judging hence what kind of men the Britons generally are in matters of so high enterprise, how by nature, industry, or custom fitted to attempt or undergo matters of so main consequence: for if it be a high point of wisdom in every private man, much more is it in a Nation to know itself; rather than puffed up with vulgar flatteries, and encomiums, for want of self knowledge, to enterprise rashly and come off miserably in great undertakings. The Britons thus as we heard being left without protection from the Empire, and the Land in a manner emptied of all her youth, consumed in Warrs abroad, or not caring to return home, themselves through long subjection, servile in mind, slothful of body, and with the use of Arms unacquainted, sustained but ill for many years the violence of those barbarous Invaders, who now daily grew upon them. For although at first greedy of change, and to be thought the leading Nation to freedom from the Empire, they seemed a while to bestirr them with a show of diligence in thir new affairs, some secretly aspiring to rule, others adoring the name of liberty, yet so soon as they felt by proof the weight of what it was to govern well themselves, and what was wanting within them, not stomach or the love of license, but the wisdom, the virtue, the labor, to use and maintain true liberty, they soon remitted thir heat, and shrunk more wretchedly under the burden of thir own liberty, than before under a foren yoke. Insomuch that the residue of those Romans which had planted themselves here, despairing of thir ill deportment at home, and weak resistance in the field by those few who had the courage, or the strength to bear Arms, nine years after the sacking of Rome removed out of Britain into France, [An. Dom. 418] hiding for haste great part of thir treasure, which was never after found. And now again the Britons, no longer able to support themselves against the prevailing Enemy, solicit Honorius to thir aid, with mournful Letters, Embassages and vows of perpetual subjection to Rome if the Northern Foe were but repulsit. [An. Dom. 422] He at thir request spares them one Legion, which with great slaughter of the Scots and Picts drove them beyond the Borders, rescu'd the Britons, and advised them to build a Wall cross the Island, between Sea and Sea, from the place where Edinburg now stands to the Frith of Dunbritton, by the City Alcluith. But the material being only Turf, and by the rude multitude unartificially built up without better direction, avail'd them little. For no sooner was the Legion departed, but the greedy spoilers returning, land in great numbers from thir Boats and Pinaces, wasting, slaying, and treading down all before them. Then are messengers again posted to Rome in lamentable sort, beseeching that they would not suffer a whole Province to be destroyed, and the Roman name, so honorable yet among them, to become the subject of barbarian scorn and insolence. [An. Dom. 423] The Emperor, at thir sad complaint, with what speed was possible sends to thir succor. Who coming suddenly on those ravenous multitudes that minded only spoil, surprise them with a terrible slaughter. They who escaped, fled back to those Seas, from whence yearly they were wont to arrive, and return lad'n with booties. But the Romans who came not now to rule, but charitably to aid, declaring that it stood not longer with the ease of thir Affairs to make such laborious voyages in pursuit of so base and vagabond robbers, of whom neither glory was to be got, nor gain, exhorted them to manage thir own warfare; and to defend like men thir Country, thir Wives, thir Children, and what was to be dearer than life, thir liberty, against an Enemy not stronger than themselves, if thir own sloth and cowardice had not made them so; if they would but only find hands to grasp defensive Arms, rather than basely stretch them out to receive bonds. They gave them also thir help to build a new Wall, not of earth as the former, but of stone (both at the public cost, and by particular contributions) traversing the I will in direct line from East to West between certain Cities placed there as Frontiers to bear off the Enemy, where Severus had wall'd once before. They raised it 12 Foot high, 8 broad. Along the South shore, because from thence also like hostility was feared, they place Towers by the Sea side at certain distances, for safety of the Coast. Withall they instruct them in the art of Warr, leaving Patterns of thir Arms and Weapons behind them; and with animating words, and many lessons of valor to a faint-hearted audience, bid them finally farewell, without purpose to return. And these two friendly Expeditions, the last of any hither by the Romans, were performed, as may be gathered out of Beda, and Diaconus, the two last years of Honorius. Thir Leader, as some modernly write, was Gallio of Ravenna; Buchanan, who departs not much from the Fables of his Predecessor Boethius, names him Maximianus, and brings against him to this Battle Fergus first King of Scots after thir second supposed coming into Scotland, Dursius King of Picts, both there slain, and Dioneth an imaginary King of Britain, or Duke of Cornwall, who improbablie sided. with them against his own Country, hardly escaping. With no less exactness of particular circumstances, he takes upon him to relate all those tumultuarie inroads of the Scots and Picts into Britain, as if they had but yesterday happened, thir order of Battle, manner of fight, number of slain, Articles of Peace, things whereof Gildas and Beda are utterly silent, Authors to whom the Scotch Writers have none to cite comparable in Antiquity; no more therefore to be believed for bare assertions, however quaintlie dressed, than our Geofry of Monmouth when he varies most from authentic story. But either the inbred vanity of some, in that respect unworthily called Historians, or the fond zeal of praising thir Nations above truth hath so far transported them, that where they find nothing faithfully to relate, they fall confidently to invent what they think may either best set off thir History, or magnify thir Country.

The Scots and Picts in manners differing somewhat from each other, but still unanimous to rob and spoil, hearing that the Romans intended not to return, from thir Gorroghs, or Leathern Frigats pour out themselves in swarms upon the Land, more confident than ever: and from the North end of the I will to the very wall side, then first took possession as inhabitants; while the Britons with idle Weapons in thir hands stand trembling on the Battlements, till the half-naked Barbarians with thir long and formidable Iron hooks pull them down headlong. The rest not only quitting the Wall but Towns and Cities, leave them to the bloody pursuer, who follows killing, wasting, and destroying all in his way. From these confusions arose a Famin, and from thence discord and civil commotion among the Britons: each man living by what he robbed or took violently from his Neighbor. When all stores were consumed and spent where men inhabited, they betook them to the Woods, and lived by hunting, which was thir only sustainment. To the heaps of these evils from without, were added new divisions within the Church. For Agricola the Son of Severianus a Pelagian Bishop had spread his Doctrine wide among the Britons not uninfected before. The sounder part neither willing to embrace his opinion to the overthrow of divine grace, nor able to refute him, crave assistance from the Churches of France: who send them Germanus Bishop of Auxerre, [An. Dom. 429] and Lupus of Troyes. They by continual preaching in Churches, in Streets, in Fields, and not without miracles, as is writ'n, confirmed some, regain'd others, and at Verulam in a public disputation put to silence thir chief adversaries. This reformation in the Church was believed to be the cause of thir success a while after in the field. [An. Dom. 430] For the Saxons and Picts with joint force, which was no new thing before the Saxons at least had any dwelling in this Island, during the abode of Germanus here, had made a strong impression from the North. The Britons marching out against them, and mistrusting thir own power, send to Germanus and his Colleague, reposing more in the spiritual strength of those two men, than in thir own thousands armed. They came, and thir presence in the Camp was not less than if a whole Army had come to second them. It was then the time of Lent, and the people instructed by the daily Sermons of these two Pastors, came flocking to receive Baptism. There was a place in the Camp set apart as a Church, and trick'd up with boughs upon Easter-day. The Enemy understanding this, and that the Britons were taken up with Religions more than with feats of Arms, advances, after the Paschal Feast, as to a certain Victory. German who also had intelligence of thir approach, undertakes to be Captain that day; and riding out with selected Troops to discover what advantages the place might offer, lights on a Valley compassit about with Hills, by which the Enemy was to pass. And placing there his ambush, warns them that what word they heard him pronounce aloud, the same they should repeat with universal shout. The Enemy passes on securely, and German thrice aloud cries Halleluia; which answered by the Soldiers with a sudd'n burst of clamour, is from the Hills and Valleys redoubled. The Saxons and Picts on a sudden supposing it the noise of a huge Hoast, throw themselves into flight, casting down thir Arms, and great numbers of them are drowned in the River which they had newly passed. This Victory, thus won without hands, left to the Britons plenty of spoil, and to the person and the preaching of German greater authority and reverence than before. And the exploit might pass for current, if Constantius, the Writer of his life in the next age, had resolved us how the British Army came to want baptizing; for of any Paganism at that time, or long before, in the Land we read not, or that Pelagianism was re-baptized. The place of this Victory, as is reported, was in Flintshire by a Town called Guid-cruc, and the River Allen, where a field retains the name of Maes German to this day. [An. Dom. 431] But so soon as German was returned home, the Scots and Picts, though now so many of them Christians, that Palladius a Deacon was ordained and sent by Celestine the Pope to be a Bishop over them, were not so well reclaim'd, or not so many of them as to cease from doing mischief to thir Neighbors, where they found no impeachment to fall in yearly as they were wont. They therefore of the Britons who perhaps were not yet wholly ruined, in the strongest and South-west parts of the I will, send Letters to Aetius, then third time Consul of Rome, with this superscription; To Aetius thrice Consul, the groans of the Britons. And after a few words thus: [An. Dom. 446] The barbarians drive us to the Sea, the Sea drives us back to the barbarians; thus bandied up and down between two deaths we perish, either by the Sword or by the Sea. But the Empire at that time overspread with Hunns and Vandals, was not in condition to lend them aid. Thus rejected and wearied out with continual flying from place to place, but more afflicted with Famine, which then grew outrageous among them, many for hunger yielded to the Enemy, others either more resolute, or less exposed to wants, keeping within Woods, and Mountainous places, not only defended themselves, but sallying out at length gave a stop to the insulting Foe with many seasonable defeats; led by some eminent person, as may be thought, who exhorted them not to trust in thir own strength, but in Divine assistance. And perhaps no other here is meant than the foresaid deliverance by German, if computation would permit, which Gildas either not much regarded, or might mistake; but that he tarried so long here, the Writers of his life assent not. Finding therefore such opposition, the Scots or Irish Robbers, for so they are indifferently termed, without delay get them home. The Picts, as before was mentioned, then first began to settle in the utmost parts of the Island, using now and then to make inroads upon the Britons. But they in the mean while thus rid of thir Enemies, begin afresh to till the ground; which after cessation yields her fruit in such abundance, as had not formerly been known for many Ages. But wantonness and luxury, the wonted companions of plenty, grow up as fast, and with them, if Gildas deserve belief, all other vices incident to human corruption. That which he notes especially to be the chief perverting of all good in the Land, and so continued in his days, was the hatred of truth, and all such as durst appear to vindicate and maintain it. Against them, as against the only disturbers, all the malice of the Land was bent. Lies and falsities, and such as could best invent them, were only in request. Evil was embraced for good, wickedness honor'd and esteemed as virtue. And this quality thir valor had, against a foren Enemy to be ever backward and heartless; to civil broils eager and prompt. In matters of Government, and the search of truth, weak and shallow, in falsehood and wicked deeds pregnant and industrious. Pleasing to God, or not pleasing, with them weighed alike; and the worse most an end was the weightier. All things were done contrary to public welfare and safety; nor only by secular men, for the Clergy also, whose Example should have guided others, were as vicious and corrupt. Many of them besotted with continual drunkenness; or swoln with pride and willfulness, full of contention, full of envy, indiscreet, incompetent Judges to determine what in the practice of life is good or evil, what lawful or unlawful. Thus furnished with judgment, and for manners thus qualified both Priest and Lay, they agree to choose them several Kings of thir own; as near as might be, likest themselves; and the words of my Author import as much. Kings were anointed, saith he, not of God's anointing, but such as were cruellest, and soon after as inconsiderately, without examining the truth, put to death by thir anointers, to set up others more fierce and proud. As for the election of thir Kings (and that they had not all one Monarch, appears both in Ages past and by the sequel) it began, as nigh as may be guessed, either this Year or the following, [An. Dom. 447] when they saw the Romans had quite deserted thir claim. About which time also Pelagianism again prevailing by means of some few, the British Clergy too weak, it seems, at dispute, entreat the second time German to thir assistance. Who coming with Severus a Disciple of Lupus that was his former associate, stands not now to argue, for the people generally continued right; but enquiring those Authors of new disturbance, adjudges them to banishment. They therefore by consent of all were delivered to German; [An. Dom. 448] who carrying them over with him, disposed of them in such place where neither they could infect others, and were themselves under cure of better instruction. But Germanus the same year died in Italy; and the Britons not long after found themselves again in much perplexity, with no slight rumour that thir old troublers the Scots and Picts had prepared a strong invasion, purposing to kill all and dwell themselves in the Land from end to end. But ere thir coming in, as if the instruments of Divine justice had been at strife, which of them first should destroy a wicked Nation, the Pestilence forestalling the Sword left scarce alive whom to bury the dead; and for that time, as one extremity keeps off another, preserved the Land from a worse incumbrance of those barbarous dispossessors, whom the Contagion gave not leave now to enter far. And yet the Britons nothing bettered by these heavy judgments, the one threatn'd, the other felt, instead of acknowledging the hand of Heaven, run to the Palace of thir King Vortigern with complaints and cries of what they suddenly feared, from the Pictish invasion. Vortigern, who at that time was chief rather than sole King, unless the rest had perhaps left thir Dominions to the common Enemy, is said by him of Monmouth to have procured the death first of Constantine, then of Constance his Son, who of a Monk was made King, and by that means to have usurped the Crown. But they who can remember how Constantine with his Son Constance the Monk, the one made Emperor, the other Caesar, perished in France, may discern the simple fraud of this Fable. But Vortigern however coming to reign, is decipher'd by truer stories a proud unfortunate Tyrant, and yet of the people much beloved, because his vices sorted so well with theirs. For neither was he skilled in Warr, nor wise in Counsel, but covetous, lustful, luxurious, and prone to all vice; wasting the public Treasure in gluttony and riot, careless of the common danger, and through a haughty ignorance, unapprehensive of his own. Nevertheless importuned and awaked at length by unusual clamours of the people, he summons a general Council, to provide some better means than heertofore had been used against these continual annoyances from the North. Wherein by advice of all it was determined, that the Saxons be invited into Britain against the Scots and Picts; whose breaking in they either shortly expected, or already found they had not strength enough to oppose. The Saxons were a barbarous and heathen Nation, famous for nothing else but robberies and cruelties done to all thir Neighbors both by Sea and Land; in particular to this Island, witness that military force which the Roman Emperors maintained here purposely against them, under a special Commander, whose title, as is found, on good record, was Count of the Saxon shore in Britain; and the many mischiefs done by thir landing here, both alone and with the Picts, as above hath been related, witness as much. They were a people thought by good Writers, to be descended of the Sacae, a kind of Scythian in the North of Asia, thence called Sacasons, or Sons of Sacae, who with a Flood of other Northern Nations came into Europe, toward the declining of the Roman Empire; and using Pyracy from Denmark all along these Seas, possessed at length by intrusion all that Coast of Germany and the Nether-lands, which took thence the name of old Saxony, lying between the Rhene and Flve, and from thence North as far as Eidora, the River bounding Holsatia, though not so firmly, or so largely, but that thir multitude wander'd yet uncertain of habitation. Such guests as these the Britons resolve now to send for, and entreat into thir houses and possessions, at whose very name heertofore they trembl'd afar off. So much do men through impatience count ever that the heaviest which they bear at present, and to remove the evil which they suffer, care not to pull on a greater: as if variety and change in evil also were acceptable. Or whether it be that men in the despair of better, imagine fondly a kind of refuge from one misery to another.

The Britons therefore, with Vortigern, who was then accounted King over them all, resolve in full Council to send Ambassadors of thir choicest men with great gifts, and saith a Saxon Writer in these words, desiring thir aid. Worthy Saxons, hearing the fame of your prowess, the distressed Britons wearied out, and overprest by a continual invading Enemy, have sent us to beseech your aid. They have a Land fertile and spacious, which to your commands they bid us surrender. Heertofore we have lived with freedom, under the obedience and protection of the Roman Empire. Next to them we know none worthier than yourselves; and therefore become suppliants to your valor. Leave us not below our present Enemies, and to ought by you imposed, willingly we shall submit. Yet Ethelwerd writes not that they promised subjection, but only amity and league. They therefore who had chief rule among them, hearing themselves entreated by the Britons, to that which gladly they would have wishit to obtain of them by entreating, to the British Embassy return this answer. Be assured henceforth of the Saxons, as of faithful friends to the Britons, no less ready to stand by them in thir need, than in thir best of fortune. The Ambassadors return joyful, and with news as welcome to thir Country, whose sinister fate had now blinded them for destruction. The Saxons, consulting first thir God's (for they had answer, that the Land whereto they went, they should hold 300 years, half that time conquering, and half quietly possessing) furnish out three long Gallies, or Kyules, with a chos'n company of warlike youth, under the conduct of two Brothers, Hengist and Horsa, descended in the fourth degree from Woden; of whom, deify'd for the fame of his acts, most Kings of those Nations derive thir pedigree. These, and either mixed with these, or soon after by themselves, two other Tribes, or neighbouring people, Jutes and Angles, the one from Jutland, the other from Anglen by the City of Sleswich, both Provinces of Denmark, [An. Dom. 450] arrive in the first year of Martian the Greek Emperor, from the birth of Christ 450, received with much good will of the people first, then of the King, who after some assurances given and taken, bestows on them the I will of Tanet, where they first landed, hoping they might be made hereby more eager against the Picts, when they fought as for thir own Country, and more loyal to the Britons, from whom they had received a place to dwell in, which before they wanted. The British Nennius writes that these Brethren were driven into exile out of Germany, and to Vortigern who reigned in much fear, one while of the Picts, then of the Romans, and Ambrosius, came opportunely into the Hav'n. For it was the custom in old Saxony, when thir numerous offspring overflow'd the narrowness of thir bounds, to send them out by lot into new dwellings, wherever they found room, either vacant or to be forced. But whether sought, or unsought, they dwelt not here long without employment. For the Scots and Picts, were now come down, some say, as far as Stamsord in Lincoln-shire, whom, perhaps not imagining to meet new opposition, the Saxons, though not till after a sharp encounter, put to flight; and that more than once: slaying in fight, as some Scotch Writers affirm, thir King Eugenius the Son of Fergus. Hengist percaeving the Island to be rich and fruitful, but her Princes and other inhabitants given to vicious ease, sends word home, inviting others to a share of his good success. Who returning with 17 Ships, were grown up now to a sufficient Army, and entertained without suspicion on these terms, that they should bear the brunt of War against the Picts, receiving stipend and some place to inhabit. With these was brought over the Daughter of Hengist, a Virgin wondrous fair, as is reported, Rowen the British call her: she by commandment of her Father, who had invited the King to a Banquet, coming in presence with a Bowle of Wine to welcome him, and to attend on his Cup till the Feast ended, won so much upon his fancy, though already wiv'd, as to demand her in marriage upon any conditions. Hengist at first, though it fell out perhaps according to his drift, held off, excusiing his meanness; then obscurely intimating a desire and almost a necessity, by reason of his augmented numbers, to have his narrow bounds of Tanet enlarged to the Circuit of Kent, had it streit by donation: though Guorangonus till then was King of that place: and so, as it were overcome by the great munificence of Vortiger, gave his Daughter. And still encroaching on the Kings favor, got further leave to call over Octa and Ebissa, his own and his Brothers Son; pretending that they, if the North were given them, would sit there as a continual defense against the Scots, while himself guarded the East. They therefore sailing with forty Ships eev'n to the Orcades, and every way curbing the Scots and Picts, possessed that part of the I will which is now Northumberland. Notwithstanding this they complain that thir monthly pay was grown much into arrear; which when the Britons found means to satisfy, though alleging withal that they to whom promise was made of wages, were nothing so many in number, quieted with this a while, but still seeking occasion to fall off, they find fault next, that thir pay is too small for the danger they undergo, threatening op'n Warr unless it be augmented. Guortimer the Kings Son perceiving his Father and the Kingdom thus betrayed, from that time bends his utmost endeavor to drive them out. They on the other side making League with the Picts and Scots, and issuing out of Kent, wasted without resistance almost the whole Land eev'n to the Western Sea, with such a horrid devastation, that Towns and Colonies overturned, Priests and people slain; Temples, and Palaces, what with fire and Sword lay altogether heaped in one mixed ruin. Of all which multitude, so great was the sinfulness that brought this upon them, Gildas adds that few or none were likely to be other then lew'd and wicked persons. The residue of these, part overtak'n in the Mountains were slain; others subdued with hunger prefer'd slavery before instant death; some getting to Rocks, Hills, and Woods inaccessible, prefer'd the fear and danger of any Death before the shame of a secure slavery; many fled over Sea into other Countries; some into Holland, where yet remain the ruins of Brittenburgh, an old Castle on the Sea, to be seen at low water not far from Leiden; either built, as Writers of thir own affirm, or seis'd on by those Britons in thir escape from Hengist: Others into Armorica, people'd, as some think, with Britons long before; either by gift of Constantine the Great, or else of Maximus to those British Forces which had served them in Forein Wars; to whom those also that miscarried not with the latter Constantine at Arles; and lastly, these exiles driven out by Saxons, fled for refuge. But the ancient Chronicles of those Provinces attest thir coming thither to be then first when they fled the Saxons, and indeed the name of Britain in France is not read till after that time. Yet how a sort of fugitives who had quitted without stroke thir own Country, should so soon win another, appears not; unless join'd to some party of thir own settl'd there before. Vortiger nothing bettered by these calamities, grew at last so obdurate as to commit incest with his daughter, tempted or tempting him out of an ambition to the Crown. For which being censured and condemned in a great Synod of Clercs, and Laics, and partly for fear of the Saxons, according to the Counsel of his Peers he retired into Wales, and built him there a strong Castle in Radnorshire by the advice of Ambrosius a young prophet, whom others call Merlin. Nevertheless Faustus, who was the Son thus incestuously begott'n under the instructions of German, or some of his Disciples, for German was dead before, proved a religious man, and lived in devotion by the River Remnis in Clamorganshire. But the Saxons, though finding it so easy to subdue the I will, with most of thir Forces, uncertain for what cause, returned home: when as the easiness of thir Conquest might seem rather likely to have called in more. Which makes more probable that which the British write of Guortemir. For he coming to Reign, instead of his Father deposed for incest, is said to have thrice driven and beseig'd the Saxons in the I will of Taneth; and when they issu'd out with powerful supplies sent from Saxony, to have fought with them four other Battells, whereof three are named; the first on the River Darwent, the second at Episford, wherein Horsa the Brother of Hengist fell, and on the British part Catigern the other Son of Vortiger. The third in a Feild by Stonar then called Lapis tituli in Tanct, where he beat them into thir Ships that bore them home, glad to have so scaped and not venturing to land again for 5 years after. In the space whereof Guortemir dying, commanded they should bury him in the Port of Stonar; persuaded that his bones lying there would be terror enough to keep the Saxons from ever landing in that place: they, saith Ninnius, neglecting his command, buried him in Lincoln. But concerning these times, ancientest annals of the Saxons relate in this manner. [An. Dom. 455] In the year 455. Hengist and Horsa fought against Vortigern, in a place called Eglesthrip, now Ailsford in Kent; where Horsa lost his life, of whom Horsted, the place of his burial, took name.

After this first Battle and the Death of his Brother, Hengist with his Son Esca took on him Kingly Title, and people'd Kent with Jutes; who also then or not long after possessed the I will of Wight, and part of Hamshire lying opposite. [An. Dom. 457] Two years after in a fight at Creganford, or Craford, Hengist and his Son slew of the Britons four Cheif Commanders, and as many thousand men: the rest in great disorder flying to London, with the total loss of Kent. [An. Dom. 465] And 8 years passing between, he made new Warr on the Britons; of whom in a Battle at Wippeds-fleot, 12 Princes were slain, and Wipped the Saxon Earl, who left his name to that place, though not sufficient to direct us where it now stands. [An. Dom. 473] His last encounter was at a place not mentioned, where he gave them such an overthrow, that flying in great fear they left the spoil of all to thir Enemies. And these perhaps are the 4 Battells, according to Nennius, fought by Guortemir, though by these Writers far differently related; and happ'ning besides many other bickerings, in the space of 20 years, as Malmesbury reck'ns. Nevertheless it plainly appears that the Saxons, by whomsoever, were put to hard shifts, being all this while fought withal in Kent, thir own allotted dwelling, and sometimes on the very edge of the Sea, which the word Wippeds-fleot seems to intimate. But Guortemir now dead, and none of courage left to defend the Land, Vortigern either by the power of his faction, or by consent of all, reassumes the Government: and Hengist thus rid of his grand opposer, hearing gladly the restorement of his old favourer, returns again with great Forces; but to Vortigern whom he well knew how to handle without warring, as to his Son in Law, now that the only Author of dissention between them was removed by Death, offers nothing but all terms of new league and amity. The King both for his Wives sake and his own sottishness, consulting also with his Peers not unlike himself, readily yields; and the place of parly is agree'd on; to which either side was to repair without Weapons. Hengist, whose meaning was not peace, but treachery, appointed his men to be secretly armed, and acquainted them to what intent. The watch-word was Nemet eour Saxes, that is, Draw your Daggers; which they observing, when the Britons were thoroughly heated with Wine (for the Treaty it seems was not without Cups) and provoked, as was plotted, by some affront, dispatched with those Poniards everyone his next man, to the number of 300. the chief of those that could do ought against him either in Counsel or in Field. Vortigern they only bound and kept in Custody, until he granted them for his ransom three Provinces, which were called afterward Essex, Sussex, and Middlesex. Who thus dismissed, retiring again to his solitary abode in the Country of Guorthigirniaun, so called by his name, from thence to the Castle of his own building in North-Wales, by the River Tiebi; and living there obscurely among his Wives, was at length burnt in his Tower by fire from Heaven at the Prayer, as some say, of German, but that coheres not; as others, by Ambrosius Aurelian; of whom as we have heard at first, he stood in great fear, and partly for that cause invited in the Saxons. Who whether by constraint or of thir own accord after much mischief don, most of them returning back into thir own Country, left a fair opportunity to the Britons of avenging themselves the easier on those that staid behind. Repenting therefore, and with earnest supplication imploring divine help to prevent thir final rooting out, they gather from all parts, and under the leading of Ambrosius Aurelianus, a virtuous and modest man, the last here of Roman stock, advancing now onward against the late Victors, defeat them in a memorable Battle. Common opinion, but grounded chiefly on the British Fables, makes this Ambrosius to be a younger Son of that Constantine, whose eldest, as we heard, was Constance the Monk: who both lost thir lives abroad usurping the Empire. But the express words both of Gildas and Bede, assures us that the Parents of this Ambrosius having here born regal dignity, were slain in these Pictish Wars and commotions in the Island. And if the fear of Ambrose induced Vortigern to call in the Saxons, it seems Vortigern usurped his right. I perceive not that Nennius makes any difference between him and Merlin: for that Child without Father that propheci'd to Vortigern, he names not Merlin but Ambrose, makes him the Son of a Roman Consul; but concealed by his mother, as fearing that the King therefore sought his life; yet the youth no sooner had confessed his parentage, but Vortigern either in reward of his predictions, or as his right, bestowed upon him all the West of Britain; himself retiring to a solitary life. Whose ever Son he was, he was the first, according to surest Authors, that led against the Saxons, and overthrew them; but whether before this time or after, none have writ'n. This is certain, that in a time when most of the Saxon Forces were departed home, the Britons gathered strength; and either against those who were left remaining, or against thir whole powers, the second time returning obtained this Victory. Thus Ambrose as chief Monarch of the I will succeeded Vortigern; to whose third Son Pascentius he permitted the rule of two Regions in Wales, Buelth, and Guorthigirniaun. In his days, saith Nennius, the Saxons prevailed not much: against whom Arthur, as being then Cheif General for the British Kings, made great War; but more renowned in Songs and Romances, then in true stories. And the sequel itself declares as much. [An. Dom. 477] For in the year 477. Ella the Saxon, with his three Sons, Cymen, Pleting, and Cissa, at a place in Suffex called Cymenshore, arrive in three Ships, kill many of the Britons, chasing them that remained into the Wood Andreds League. [An. Dom. 485] Another Battle was fought at Mercreds-Burnamsted, wherein Ella had by far the Victory; but Huntingdon makes it so doubtful, that the Saxons were constrained to send home for supplies. [An. Dom. 489] Four year after died Hengist the first Saxon King of Kent; noted to have attained that dignity by craft, as much as valor, and giving scope to his own cruel nature, rather then proceeding by mildness or civility. His Son Oeric surnam'd Oisc, of whom the Kentish Kings were called Oiscings, succeeded him, and sat content with his Fathers winnings; more desirous to settle and defend, then to enlarge his bounds: he reigned 24 years. By this time Ella and his Son Cissa, beseiging Andredchester, [An. Dom. 492] supposed now to be Newenden in Kent, take it by force, and all within it put to the Sword.

Thus Ella 3 years after the death of Hengist, began his Kingdom of the South-Saxons; peopling it with new inhabitants, from the Country which was then old Saxony, at this day Holstein in Denmark, and had besides at his command all those Provinces which the Saxons had won on this side Humber. Animated with these good successes, as if Britain were become now the field of Fortune, Kerdic another Saxon Prince, the tenth by Linage from Woden an old and practice'd Soldier, who in many prosperous conflicts against the Enemy in those parts, [An. Dom. 495] had nurs'd up a Spirit too big to live at home with equals, coming to a certain place which from thence took the name of Kerdic-shore, with 5 Ships, and Kenric his Son, the very same day overthrew the Britons that opposed him; and so effectually, that smaller skirmishes after that day were sufficient to drive them still further off, leaving him a large territory. [An. Dom. 501] After him Porta another Saxon with his two Sons Bida and Megla, in two Ships arrive at Portsmouth thence called; and at thir landing slew a young British Nobleman, with many others who unadvisedly set upon them. [An. Dom. 508] The Britons to recover what they had lost, draw together all thir Forces led by Natanleod, or Nazaleod, a certain King in Britain, and the greatest saith one; but him with 5000 of his men Kerdic puts to rout and slays. From whence the place in Hantshire, as far as Kerdicsford, now Chardford, was called of old Nazaleod. Who this King should be, hath bred much question; some think it to be the British name of Ambrose; others to be the right name of his Brother, who for the terror of his eagerness in fight, became more known by the Sirname of Uther, which in the Welch Tongue signifies Dreadful. And if ever such a King in Britain there were as Uther Pendragon, for so also the Monmouth Book surnames him, this in all likelihood must be he. Kerdic by so great a blow given to the Britons had made large room about him; not only for the men he brought with him, but for such also of his friends, as he desired to make great; for which cause, and withal the more to strengthen himself, [An. Dom. 514] his two Nefews Stuf, and Withgar, in 3 Vessels bring him new levies to Kerdic shore. Who that they might not come sluggishly to possess what others had won for them, either by thir own seeking, or by appointment, are set in place where they could not but at thir first coming give a proof of themselves upon the Enemy: and so well they did it, that the Britons after a hard encounter left them Masters of the field. And about the same time, Ella the first South-Saxon King died; whom Cissa his youngest succeeded; the other two failing before him.

Nor can it be much more or less then about this time, for it was before the West-Saxon Kingdom, that Uffa the 8th. from Woden made himself King of the East-Angles; who by thir name testify the Country above mentioned; from whence they came in such multitudes, that thir native soil is said to have remained in the days of Beda uninhabited. Huntingdon deferrs the time of thir coming in, to the ninth year of Kerdic 's Reign: for saith he, at first many of them strove for principality, seising everyone his Province, and for some while so continued making petty Warrs among themselves; till in the end Uffa, of whom those Kings were called Uffings, overtop'd them all in the year 571, then Titilus his Son, the Father of Redwald, who became potent.

And not much after the East-Angles, began also the East-Saxons to erect a Kingdom under Sleda the tenth from Woden. But Huntingdon, as before, will have it later by 11 years, and Erchenwin to be the first King.

[An. Dom. 519] Kerdic the same in power, though not so fond of title, forbore the name 24 Years after his arrival; but then founded so firmly the Kingdom of West-Saxons, that it subjected all the rest at length, and became the sole Monarchy of England. The same year he had a Victory against the Britons at Kerdics- Ford Ford, by the River Aven: [An. Dom. 527] and after 8 years, another great fight at Kerdics Leage, but which won the day is not by any set down. Hitherto hath been collected what there is of certainty with circumstance of time and place to be found register'd, and no more then barely register'd in annals of best note; without describing after Huntingdon the manner of those Battels and Encounters, which they who compare, and can judge of Books, may be confident he never found in any current Author whom he had to follow. But this disease hath been incident to many more Historians: and the age whereof we now write, hath had the ill hap, more then any since the first fabulous times, to be surcharg'd with all the idle fancies of posterity. Yet that we may not rely altogether on Saxon relaters, Gildas, in Antiquity far before these, and every way more credible, speaks of these Wars in such a manner, though nothing conceited of the British valor, as declares the Saxons in his time and before to have been foil'd not seldomer then the Britons. For besides that first Victory of Ambrose, and the interchangeable success long after, he tells that the last overthrow which they received at Badon Hill, was not the least; which they in thir oldest annals mention not at all. And because the time of this Battle, by any who could do more then guess, is not set down, or any foundation given from whence to draw a solid compute, it cannot be much wide to insert it in this place. For such Authors as we have to follow, give the conduct and praise of this exploit to Arthur; and that this was the last of 12 great Battells which he fought victoriously against the Saxons. The several places writ'n by Nennius in thir Welch names, were many hunder'd years ago unknown, and so here omitted. But who Arthur was, and whether every any such reigned in Britain, hath been doubted heertofore, and may again with good reason. For the Monk of Malmesbury, and others whose credit hath swayed most with the learneder sort, we may well perceive to have known no more of this Arthur 500 years past, nor of his doeings, then we now living; And what they had to say, transcribed out of Nennius, a very trivial writer yet extant, which hath already been related. Or out of a British Book, the same which he of Monmouth set forth, utterly unknown to the World, till more then 600 years after the days of Arthur, of whom (as Sigebert in his Chronicle confesses) all other Histories were silent, both Foren and Domestic, except only that fabulous Book. Others of later time have sought to assert him by old legends and Cathedral regests. But he who can accept of Legends for good story, may quickly swell a volume with trash, and had need be furnished with two only necessaries, leisure, and belief, whether it be the writer, or he that shall read. As to Artur, no less is in doubt who was his Father; for if it be true as Nennius or his notist avers, that Artur was called Mab-Uther, that is to say, a cruel Son, for the fierseness that men saw in him of a Child, and the intent of his name Arturus imports as much, it might well be that some in after ages who sought to turn him into a Fable, wrested the word Uther into a proper name, and so feigned him the Son of Uther; since we read not in any certain story, that ever such person lived, till Geffry of Monmouth set him off with the surname of Pendragon. And as we doubted of his parentage, so may we also of his puissance; for whether that Victory at Badon Hill were his or no, is uncertain; Gildas not naming him, as he did Ambrose in the former. Next, if it be true as Caradoc relates, that Melvas King of that Country which is now Summerset, kept from him Gueniver his Wife a whole year in the Town of Glaston, and restored her at the entreaty of Gildas, rather then for any enforcement, that Artur with all his Chivalry could make against a small Town defended only by a moory situation; had either his knowledge in War, or the force he had to make, been answerable to the fame they bear, that petty King had neither dared such an affront, nor he been so long, and at last without effect, in revenging it. Considering lastly how the Saxons gained upon him everywhere all the time of his supposed reign, which began, as some write, in the tenth year of Kerdic, who wrung from him by long Warr the Countries of Summerset, and Hamshire; there will remain neither place nor circumstance in story, [An. Dom. 529] which may administer any likelihood of those great Acts that are ascribed him. This only is alleg'd by Nennius in Arturs behalf, that the Saxons, though vanquishit never so oft, grew still more numerous upon him by continual supplies out of Germany. And the truth is, that valor may be over-toil'd, and overcome at last with endless overcoming. But as for this Battle of Mount Badon where the Saxons were hemm'd in, or beseig'd, whether by Artur won, or whensoever, it seems indeed to have given a most undoubted and important blow to the Saxons, and to have stopped thir proceedings for a good while after. Gildas himself witnessing that the Britons having thus compelled them to sit down with peace, fell thereupon to civil discord among themselves. Which words may seem to let in some light toward the searching out when this Battle was fought. And we shall find no time since the first Saxon War, from whence a longer peace ensu'd, then from the fight at Kerdics Leage in the year 527. which all the Chronicles mention, without Victory to Kerdic; and give us argument from the custom they have of magnifying thir own deeds upon all occasions, to presume here his ill speeding. And if we look still onward, eev'n to the 44th year after, wherein Gildas wrote, if his obscureutterance be understood, we shall meet with very little War between the Britons and Saxons. This only remains difficult, that the Victory first won by Ambrose, was not so long before this at Badon Seige, but that the same men living might be eye-witnesses of both; and by this rate hardly can the latter be thought won by Artur, unless we reck'n him a grown youth at least in the days of Ambrose, and much more then a youth, if Malmesbury be heard, who affirms all the exploits of Ambrose, to have been don chiefly by Artur as his General, which will add much unbelief to the common assertion of his reigning after Ambrose and Uther, especially the fight at Badon, being the last of his twelve Battels. But to prove by that which follows, that the fight at Kerdics Leage, though it differ in name from that of Badon, may be thought the same by all effects; Kerdic 3 years after, [An. Dom. 530] not proceeding onward, as his manner was, on the continent, turns back his Forces on the I will of Wight; which with the slaying of a few only in Withgarburgh, he soon masters; and not long surviving, left it to his Nefews by the Mothers side, Stuff and Withgar; [An. Dom. 534] the rest of what he had subdued, Kenric his Son held; [An. Dom. 544] and reigned 26 years, in whose tenth year Withgar was buried in the Town of that Island which bore his name. Notwithstanding all these unlikelyhoods of Artur's Reign and great acheivments, in a narration crept in I know not how among the Laws of Edward the Confessor, Artur the famous King of Britons, is said not only to have expel'd hence the Saracens, who were not then known in Europe, but to have conquered Freesland, and all the North East Isles as far as Russia, to have made Lapland the Eastern bound of his Empire, and Norway the Chamber of Britain. When should this be done? from the Saxons, till after twelve Battells, he had no rest at home; after those, the Britons contented with the quiet they had from thir Saxon Enemies, were so far from seeking Conquests abroad, that, by report of Gildas above cited, they fell to civil Wars at home. Surely Artur much better had made War in old Saxony, to repress thir flowing hither, then to have won Kingdoms as far as Russia, scarce able here to defend his own. Buchanan our Neighbor Historian reprehends him of Monmouth and others for fabling in the deeds of Arms, yet what he writes thereof himself, as of better credit, shows not whence he had but from those Fables; which he seems content to believe in part, on condition that the Scots and Picts may be thought to have assisted Arthur in all his Wars, and atchievments; whereof appears as little ground by any credible story, as of that which he most counts Fabulous. But not further to contest about such uncertainties.

[An. Dom. 547] In the year 547. Ida the Saxon, sprung also from Woden in the tenth degree, began the Kingdom of Bernicia in Northumberland; built the Town Bebbanburg, which was after wall'd; and had 12 Sons, half by Wives, and half by Concubines. Hengist by leave of Vortigern, we may remember, had sent Octa and Ebissa to seek them seats in the North, and there by warring on the Picts, to secure the Southern parts. Which they so prudently effected, that what by force and fair proceeding, they well quioted those Countries; and though so far distant from Kent, nor without power in thir hands, yet kept themselves nigh 180 years within moderation; and as inferior Governors, they and their offspring gave obedience to the Kings of Kent, as to the elder Family. Till at length following the example of that Age; when no less then Kingdoms were the prize of every fortunat Commander, they thought it but reason, as well as others of thir Nation, to assume Royalty. Of whom Ida was the first, a man in the prime of his years, and of Parentage as we heard; but how he came to wear the Crown, aspiring or by free choice, is not said. Certain enough it is, that his virtues, made him not less noble then his birth, in War undaunted, and unfoil'd; in peace tempring the awe of Magistracy, with a natural mildness he reigned about 12 years. [An. Dom. 552] In the mean while Kenric in a fight at Searesbirig, now Salsbury, killed and put to flight many of the Britons; [An. Dom. 556] and the fourth year after at Beranvirig, now Banbury, as some think, with Keaulin his son put them again to flight. Keaulin shortly after succeeded his father in the West-Saxons. And Alla descended also of Woden, [An. Dom. 560] but by another line, set up a second Kingdom in Deira the South part of Northumberland, and held it 30 years; while Adda the son of Ida, and five more after him reigned without other memory in Bernicia: and in Kent, Ethelbert the next year began. [An. Dom. 561] For Esca the son of Hengist had left Otha, and he Emeric to rule after him; both which without adding to their bounds, kept what they had in peace 53 years. But Ethelbert in length of reign equaled both his progenitors, and as Beda counts, 3 years exceeded. Young at his first entrance, and unexperienc'd, he was the first raiser of civil War among the Saxons; claiming from the priority of time wherein Hengist took possession here, a kind of right over the later Kingdoms; and thereupon was troublesome to thir Confines: but by them twice defeated, he who but now thought to seem dreadful, became almost contemptible. For Keaulin and Cutha his Son, [An. Dom. 568] pursuing him into his own Territory, slew there in Battle, at Wibbandun 2 of his Earls, Oslac, and Cnebban. By this means the Britons, but chiefly by this Victory at Badon, for the space of 44 years ending in 571, received no great annoyance from the Saxons: but the peace they enjoyed, by ill using it, proved more destructive to them then War. For being raised on a sudden by two such eminent successes, from the lowest condition of thralldom, they whose Eyes had beheld both those deliverances, that by Ambrose, and this at Badon, were taught by the experience of either Fortune, both Kings, Magistrates, Priests, and private men, to live orderly. But when the next Age, unacquainted with past Evils, and only sensible of thir present ease and quiet, succeeded, strait followed the apparent subversion of all truth, and justice, in the minds of most men: scarce the lest footstep, or impression of goodness left remaining through all ranks and degrees in the Land; except in some so very few, as to be hardly visible in a general corruption: which grew in short space not only manifest, but odious to all the Neighbor Nations. And first thir Kings, among whom also, the Sons or Grand-Children of Ambrose, were foully degenerated to all Tyranny and vicious life. Wherof to hear some particulars out of Gildas will not be impertinent. They avenge, saith he, and they protect; not the innocent, but the guilty: they swear oft, but perjure; they wage War, but civil and unjust War. They punish rigorously them that rob by the high way; but those grand Robbers that sit with them at Table, they honor and reward. They give alms largely, but in the face of thir Alms-deeds, pile up wickedness to a far higher heap. They sit in the seat of Judgment, but go seldom by the rule of right; neglecting and proudly overlooking the modest and harmless; but countenancing the audacious, though guilty of abominablest crimes; they stuff thir Prisons, but with men committed rather by circumvention, then any just cause. Nothing better were the Clergy, but at the same pass or rather worse, then when the Saxons came first in; Unlerned, Unapprehensive, yet impudent; suttle Prowlers, Pastors in Name, but indeed Wolves; intent upon all occasions, not to feed the Flock, but to pamper and well line themselves: not called, but seising on the Ministry as a Trade, not as a Spiritual Charge: teaching the people, not by sound Doctrine, but by evil Example: usurping the Chair of Peter, but through the blindness of thir own worldly lusts, they stumble upon the Seat of Judas: deadly haters of truth, broachers of lies: looking on the poor Christian with Eyes of Pride and Contempt; but fawning on the wickedest rich men without shame: great promoters of other men's Alms with thir set exhortations; but themselves contributing ever least; slightly touching the many vices of the Age, but preaching without end thir own grievances, as don to Christ; seeking after preferments and degrees in the Church more then after Heaven; and so gained, make it thir whole study how to keep them by any Tyranny. Yet lest they should be thought things of no use in thir eminent places, they have thir niceties and trivial points to keep in awe the superstitious multitude; but in true saving knowledge leave them still as gross and stupid as themselves; bunglers at the Scripture, nay forbidding and silencing them that know; but in worldly matters, practice'd and cunning Shifters; in that only art and symony, great Clercs and Masters, bearing thir heads high, but thir thoughts abject and low. He taxes them also as gluttonous, incontinent, and daily Drunkards. And what shouldst thou expect from these, poor Laity, so he goes on, these beasts, all belly? shall these amend thee, who are themselves laborious in evil doings? shalt thou see with their Eyes, who see right forward nothing but gain? Leave them rather, as bids our Savior, lest ye fall both blind-fold into the same perdition. Are all thus? Perhaps not all, or not so grossly. But what avail'd it Eli to be himself blameless, while he conniv'd at others that were abominable? who of them hath been envi'd for his better life? who of them hath hated to consort with these, or withstood thir entering the Ministry, or endeavor'd zealously thir casting out? Yet some of these perhaps by others are legended for great Saints. This was the state of Goverment, this of Religion among the Britons, in that long calm of peace, which the fight at Badon Hill had brought forth. Whereby it came to pass, that so fair a Victory came to nothing. Towns and Cities were not reinhabited, but lay ruined and wast; nor was it long ere domestic War breaking out, wasted them more. For Britain, as at other times, had then also several Kings. Five of whom Gildas living then in Armorica, at a safe distance, boldly reproves by name; First Constantine (fabl'd the Son of Cador, Duke of Cornwall, Arturs half Brother by the Mothers side) who then reigned in Cornwall and Devon, a Tyrannical and bloody King, polluted also with many Adulteries: he got into his power, two young Princes of the Blood Royal, uncertain whether before him in right, or otherwise suspected: and after solemn Oath given of thir safety the year that Gildas wrote, slew them with thir two Governors in the Church, and in thir Mothers Arms, through the Abbots Coap, which he had thrown over them, thinking by the revernce of his vesture to have withheld the murderer. These are commonly supposed to be the Sons of Mordred, Arturs Nefew, said to have revolted from his Uncle, given him in a Battle his Deaths wound, and by him after to have been slain. Which things were they true, would much diminish the blame of cruelty in Constantine, revenging Artur on the Sons of so false a Mordred. In another part, but not expressed where, Aurelius Conanus was King: him he charges also with Adulteries, and Parricide; cruelties worse then the former; to be a hater of his Countries Peace, thirsting after civil War and Prey. His condition it seems was not very prosperous; for Gildas wishes him, being now left alone, like a Tree withering in the midst of a barren field, to remember the vanity, and arrogance of his Father, and elder Brethren, who came all to untimely Death in thir youth. The third reigning in Demetia, or South Wales, was Vortipor, the Son of a good Father; he was when Gildas wrote, grown old, not in years only, but in Adulteries, and in governing full of falsehood, and cruel Actions. In his latter dales, putting away his Wife, who died in divorce, he became, if we mistake not Gildas, incestuous with his Daughter. The fourth was Cuneglas, imbru'd in civil War; he also had divorc'd his Wife, and taken her Sister, who had vowed Widdowhood: he was a great Enemy to the Clergy, high-minded, and trusting to his wealth. The last, but greatest of all in power, was Maglocune, and greatest also in wickedness; he had driven out or slain many other Kings, or Tyrants; and was called the Island Dragon, perhaps having his seat in Anglesey; a profuse giver, a great Warrior, and of a goodly stature. While he was yet young, he over-threw his Uncle, though in the head of a complete Army, and took from him the Kingdom: then touched with remorse of his doings, not without deliberation took upon him the profession of a Monk; but soon forsook his vow, and his wife also, which for that vow he had left, making love to the wife of his Brothers Son then living. Who not refusing the offer, if she were not rather the first that entic'd, found means both to dispatch her own Husband, and the former wife of Maglocune, to make her marriage with him the more unquestionable. Neither did he this for want of better instructions, having had the learnedest and wisest man reputed of all Britain, the instituter of his youth. Thus much, the utmost that can be learnt by truer story, of what past among the Britons from the time of their useless Victory at Badon, to the time that Gildas wrote, that is to say, as may be guessit, from 527 to 571, is here set down altogether; not to be reducit under any certainty of years. But now the Saxons, who for the most part all this while had been still, unless among themselves, began afresh to assault them, and ere long to drive them out of all which they yet maintained on this side Wales. [An. Dom. 571] For Cuthulf the Brother of Reaulin, by a Victory obtained at Bedanford, now Bedford, took from them 4 good Towns, Liganburgh, Eglesburh, Besington, now Benson in Oxfordshire, and Ignesham; but outliv'd not many months his good success. And after 6 years more, Keaulin, and Cuthwin his Son, [An. Dom. 577] gave them a great overthrow at Deorrham in Glostershire, slew three of thir Kings, Comail, Condidan, and Farinmaile, and took three of thir Cheif Cities; Gloucester, Cirencester, and Badencester. [An. Dom. 584] The Britons notwithstanding, after some space of time, judging to have out-grown thir losses, gather to a head, and encounter Keaulin with Cutha his Son, at Fethanleage; whom valiantly fighting, they slew among the thickest, and as is said, forced the Saxons to retire. But Keaulin reinforcing the fight, put them to a main rout, and following his advantage, took many Towns, and returned lad'n with rich booty.

The last of those Saxons who raised thir own acheivments to a Monarchy, was Crida, much about this time, first founder of the Mercian Kingdom, drawing also his Pedigree from Woden. Of whom all to write the several Genealogies, though it might be done without long search, were, in my opinion, to encumber the story with a sort of barbarous names, to little purpose. This may suffice, that of Wodens 3 Sons, from the Eldest issu'd Hengist, and his succession; from the second, the Kings of Mercia; from the third, all that reigned in West-Saxon, and most of the Northumbers, of whom Alla was one, the first King of Deira; which, after his death, the race of Ida seis'd, and made it one Kingdom, with Bernicia, usurping on the Childhood of Edwin, Alla's Son. Whom Ethelric the Son of Ida expelled. [An. Dom. 559] Notwithstanding others write of him; that from a poor life, and beyond hope in his old Age, coming to the Crown, he could hardly by the access of a Kingdom, have overcome his former obscurity, had not the fame of his Son preserved him. [An. Dom. 588] Once more the Britons, ere they quitted all on this side the Mountains, forgot not to show some manhood; for meeting Keaulin at Wodens Beorth, [An. Dom. 592] that is to say, Wodens Mount in Wiltshire, whether it were by thir own Forces, or assisted by the Angles, whose hatred Keaulin had incur'd, they ruined his whole Army, and chas'd him out of his Kingdom, from whence flying, he died the next year in poverty; Who a little before, was the most potent and indeed sole King of all the Saxons on this side Humber. But who was chief among the Britons in this exploit, had been worth remembering, whether it were Maglocune, of whose prowess hath been spok'n, or Tendric King of Glamorgan, whom the regest of Landaff recounts to have been always victorious in fight; to have reigned about this time, and at length to have exchange'd his Crown for a Hermitage; till in the aid of his Son Mouric, whom the Saxons had reduced to extremes, taking arms again, he defeated them at Tinterne by the River Wye; but himself received a mortal wound. The same year with Keaulin, whom Keola the Son of Cuthulf, Keaulins Brother succeeded, [An. Dom. 593] Crida also the Mercian King deceased, in whose room Wibba succeeded; and in Northumberland, Ethelfrid, in the room of Ethelric; reigning 24 years. Thus omitting Fables, we have the view of what with reason can be rely'd on for truth, don in Britain, since the Romans forsook it. Wherein we have heard the many miseries and desolations, brought by divine hand on a perverse Nation; driven, when nothing else would reform them, out of a fair Country, into a Mountanous and Barren Corner, by Strangers and Pagans. So much more tolerable in the Eye of Heaven is Infidelity professit, then Christian Faith and Religion dishonored by unchristian works. Yet they also at length renounced thir Heathenism; which how it came to pass, will be the matter next related.

THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN. The Fourth Book.

THE Saxons grown up now to 7 absolute Kingdoms, and the latest of them established by succession, finding thir power arrive well nigh at the utmost of what was to be gained upon the Britons, and as little fearing to be displanted by them, had time now to survey at leisure one another's greatness. Which quickly bred among them, either envy, or mutual jealousies; till the West Kingdom at length grown over powerful, put an end to all the rest. Mean while, above others, Ethelbert of Kent, who by this time had well rip'nd his young ambition, with more ability of years and experience in War, what before he attempted to his loss, now successfully attains; and by degrees brought all the other Monarchies between Kent and Humber, to be at his devotion. To which design the Kingdom of West-Saxons, being the firmest of them all, at that time sore shak'n by thir over-throw at Wodens-beorth, and the Death of Keaulin, gave him no doubt a main advantage; the rest yielded not subjection, but as he earn'd it by continual Victories. And to win him the more regard abroad, he marries Bertha the French Kings Daughter, though a Christian, and with this condition, to have the free exercise of her Faith, under the care and instruction of Letardus a Bishop, sent by her Parents along with her; the King notwithstanding and his people retaining thir own Religion. Beda out of Gildas lays it sadly to the Britons charge, that they never would vouchsafe thir Saxon Neighbors the means of conversion: but how far to blame they were, and what hope there was of converting in the midst of so much hostility, at least falsehood from thir first arrival, is not now easy to determine. Howbeit not long after, they had the Christian Faith preached to them by a Nation more remote, and (as a report went, accounted old in Bedas time) upon this occasion.

The Northumbrians had a custom at that time, and many hunder'd years after not abolishit, to sell thir Childern for a small value into any Foren Land. Of which number, two comely youths were brought to Rome, whose fair and honest countnances invited Gregory Arch-Deacon of that Citty, among others that beheld them, pitying thir condition, to demand whence they were; it was answered by some who stood by, that they were Angli of the Province Deira, subjects to Alla King of Northumberland, and by Religion Pagans. Which last Gregory deploring, framed on a sudden this allusion to the three names he heard; that the Angli so like to Angels should be snatchit de ira, that is, from the wrath of God, to sing Haleluia: and forthwith obtaining license of Benedic the Pope, had come and preached here among them, had not the Roman people, whose love endured not the absence of so vigilant a Pastor over them, recalled him then on his journey, though but defer'd his pious intention. [An. Dom. 596] For a while after, succeeding in the Papal Seat, and now in his fourth year, admonished, saith Beda, by divine instinct, he sent Augustine whom he had designed for Bishop of the English Nation, and other zealous Monks with him, to preach to them the Gospel. Who being now on thir way, discouraged by some reports, or thir own carnal fear, sent back Austin, in the name of all, to beseech Gregory they might return home, and not be sent a journey so full of hazard, to a fierce and infidel Nation, whose tongue they understood not. Gregory with pious and Apostolic persuasions exhorts them not to shrink back frō so good a work, but cheerfully to go on in the strength of divine assistance. The Letter itself yet extant among our Writers of Ecclesiastic story, I omit here, as not professing to relate of those matters more then what mixes aptly with civil affairs. The Abbot Austin, for so he was ordained over the rest, reincourag'd by the exhortations of Gregory, and his fellows by the Letter which he brought them, came safe to the I will of Tanet, [An. Dom. 597] in number about 40, besides some of the French Nation whom they took along as Interpreters. Ethelbert the King, to whom Austin at his landing had sent a new and wondrous message, that he came from Rome to proffer Heaven and eternal happiness in the knowledge of another God then the Saxons knew, appoints them to remain where they landed, and necessaries to be provided them, consulting in the mean time what was to be done. And after certain days coming into the Island, chose a place to meet them under the open Sky, possessed with an old persuasion, that all Spells, if they should use any to deceive him, so it were not within doors, would be unavailable. They on the other side called to his presence, advancing for thir Standard, a silver cross, and the painted image of our Savior, came slowly forward singing the solemn Litanies: which wrought in Ethelbert more suspicion perhaps that they used enchantments; till sitting down as the King willed them, they there preached to him, and all in that assembly, the tidings of Salvation. Whom having heard attentively, the King thus answered. Fair indeed and ample are the promises which ye bring, and such things as have the appearance in them of much good; yet such as being new and uncertain, I cannot hastily assent to, quitting the Religion which from my Ancestors, with all the English Nation, so many years I have retained. Nevertheless because ye are strangers, and have endured so long a journey, to impart us the knowledge of things, which I persuade me you believe to be the truest and the best, ye may be sure we shall not recompense you with any molestation, but shall provide rather how we may friendliest entertain ye; nor do we forbid whom ye can by preaching gain to your belief. And accordingly thir residence he allotted them in Doroverne or Canturbury his chief Citty, and made provision for thir maintenance, with free leave to preach their doctrine where they pleased. By which, and by the example of thir holy life, spent in prayer, fasting, and continual labor in the conversion of Souls, they won many; on whose bounty and the Kings, receiving only what was necessary, they subsisted. There stood without the Citty, on the East-side, an ancient Church built in honor of St. Martin, while yet the Romans remained here: in which Bertha the Queen went out usually to pray: Heer they also began first to preach, baptize, and openly to exercise divine worship. [An. Dom. 598] But when the King himself convinced by thir good life & miracles, became Christian, and was baptized, which came to pass in the very first year of thir arrival, then multitudes daily, conforming to thir Prince, thought it honor to be reckoned among those of his faith. To whom Ethelbert indeed principally shown his favor, but compel'd none. For so he had been taught by them who were both the Instructors and the Authors of his faith, that Christian Religion ought to be voluntary, not compel'd. About this time Kelwulf the Son of Cutha Keaulins Brother reigned over the West-Saxons, after his Brother Keola or Kelric, and had continual War either with English, Welch, Picts, or Scots. [An. Dom. 601] But Austin, whom with his fellows, Ethelbert now had endowed with a better place for thir abode in the Citty, and other possessions necessary to livelihood, crossing into France, was by the Archbishop of Arles, at the appointment of Pope Gregory, ordained Archbishop of the English: and returning, sent to Rome Laurence and Peter, two of his associates, to acquaint the Pope of his good success in England, and to be resolved of certain Theological, or rather Levitical questions: with answers to which, not proper in this place, Gregory sends also to the great work of converting, that went on so happily, a supply of laborers, Mellitus, Justus, Paulinus, Rufinian, and many others; who what they were, may be guessit by the stuff which they brought with them, vessels and vestments for the Altar, Coaps, relics, and for the Archbishop Austin a Pall to say Mass in: to such a rank superstition that Age was grown, though some of them yet retaining an emulation of Apostolic zeal: lastly, to Ethelbert they brought a letter with many presents. Austin thus exalted to Archiepiscopal authority, recovered from the ruins and other profane uses, a Christian Church in Canturbury built of old by the Romans; which he dedicated by the name of Christ's Church, and joining to it built a seat for himself and his successors; a Monastery also near the Citty Eastward, where Ethelbert at his motion built St. Peters, and enrichit it with great endowments, to be a place of burial for the Archbishops and Kings of Kent: so quickly they stepit up into fellowship of pomp with Kings. While thus Ethelbert and his people had thir minds intent, Ethelfrid the Northumbrian King, was not less bufied in far different affairs: for being altogether warlike, and covetous of fame, he more wasted the Britons then any Saxon King before him; winning from them large Territories, which either he made tributary, or planted with his own Subjects. [An. Dom. 603] Whence Edan King of those Scots that dwelt in Britain, jealous of his successes, came against him with a mighty Army, to a place called Degsastan; but in the fight loosing most of his men, himself with a few escaped: only Theobald the Kings brother, and the whole wing which he commanded, unfortunately cut off, made the Victory to Ethelfrid less entire. Yet from that time no King of Scots in hostile manner durst pass into Britain for a hunderd and more years after: and what some years before, Kelwulf the West-Saxon is annal'd to have done against the Scots and Picts, passing through the Land of Ethelfrid a King so potent, unless in his aid and alliance, is not likely. Buchanan writes as if Ethelfrid, assisted by Keaulin whom he mistitles King of East-Saxons, had before this time a battle with Aidan, wherein Cutha Keaulins son was slain. But Cutha, as is above written from better authority, was slain in fight against the Welch 20 years before. [An. Dom. 604] The number of Christians began now to increase so fast, that Augustine ordaining Bishops under him, two of his assistants Mellitus and Justus, sent them out both to the work of thir ministry. And Mellitus by preaching converted the East-Saxons, over whom Sebert the son of Sleda, by permission of Ethelbert, being born of his sister Ricula, then reigned. Whose conversion Ethelbert to gratulate, built them the great Church of St. Paul in London to be their Bishops Cathedral; as Justus also had his built at Rochester, and both gifted by the same King with fair possessions. Hitherto Austin labored well among Infidels, but not with like commendation soon after among Christians. For by means of Ethelbert summoning the Britain Bishops to a place on the edge of Worcestershire, called from that time Augustine's Oke, he requires them to conform with him in the same day of celebrating Easter, and many other points wherein they differed from the rites of Rome: which when they refused to do, not prevailing by dispute, he appeals to a miracle, restoring to sight a blind man whom the Britons could not cure. At this something moved, though not minded to recede from thir own opinions without further consultation, they request a second meeting: to which came seven Britain Bishops, with many other learned men, especially from the famous Monastery of Bangor, in which were said to be so many Monks, living all by thir own labor, that being divided under seven Rectors, none had fewer then 300. One man there was who staid behind, a Hermit by the life he led, who by his wisdom effected more then all the rest who went: being demanded, for they held him as an Oracle, how they might know Austin to be a man from God, that they might follow him, he answered, that if they found him meek and humble, they should be taught by him, for it was likeliest to be the yoke of Christ, both what he bore himself, and would have them bear; but if he bore himself proudly, that they should not regard him, for he was then certainly not of God. They took his advice, and hasted to the place of meeting. Whom Austin being already there before them, neither arose to meet, nor received in any brotherly sort, but sat all the while pontifically in his Chair. Whereat the Britons, as they were counseled by the holy man, neglected him, and neither hark'n'd to his proposals of conformity, nor would acknowledge him for an Archbishop: And in name of the rest, Dinothus then Abbot of Bangor, is said, thus sagely to have answered him. As to the subjection which you require, be thus persuaded of us, that in the bond of love and charity we are all Subjects and Servants to the Church of God, yea to the Pope of Rome, and every good Christian to help them forward, both by word and deed, to be the Childern of God: other obedience then this we know not to be due to him whom you term the Pope; and this obedience we are ready to give both to him and to every Christian continually. Besides, we are governed under God by the Bishop of Caerleon, who is to oversee us in spiritual matters. To which Austin thus presaging, some say menacing, replies, since ye refuse to accept of peace with your brethren, ye shall have War from your enemies; and since ye will not with us preach the word of life, to whom ye ought, from their hands ye shall receive death. This, though Writers agree not whether Austin spake it as his prophecy, or as his plot against the Britons, fell out accordingly. For many years were not past, when Ethelfrid, whether of his own accord, [An. Dom. 607] or at the request of Ethelbert incensit by Austin, with a powerful host came to Westchester, then Caer-legion. Where being met by the British Forces, and both sides in readiness to give the onset, he discerns a company of men, not habited for War, standing together in a place of some safety; and by them a Squadron armed. Whom having lernt upon some enquiry to be Priests and Monks, assembl'd thither after three days fasting, to pray for the good success of thir Forces against him, therefore they first, faith he, shall feel our Swords; for they who pray against us, fight heaviest against us by thir prayers, and are our dangerousest enemies. And with that turns his first charge upon the Monks: Brocmail the Captain set to guard them, quickly turns his back, and leaves above 1200 Monks to a sudden massacher, whereof scarce fifty scaped, but not so easy work found Ethelfrid against another part of Britons that stood in arms, whom though at last he overthrew, yet with slaughter nigh as great to his own soldiers. To excuse Austin of this bloodshed, lest some might think it his revengeful policy, Beda writes that he was dead long before, although if the time of his sitting Archbishop be right computed sixteen years, he must survive this action. Other just ground of charging him with this imputatión appears not, save what evidently we have from Geffry Monmouth, whose weight we know. The same year Kelwulf made War on the South-Saxons, bloody, saith Huntingdon, to both sides, but most to them of the South: [An. Dom. 611] and four years after dying left the Government of West-Saxons to Kinegils and Cuichelm the sons of his brother Keola. Others, as Florent of Worster and Matthew of Westminster, will have Cuichelm son of Kinegils, but admitted to reign with his father, [An. Dom. 614] in whose third year they are recorded with joint Forces or conduct to have fought against the Britons in Beandune, now Bindon in Dorsetshire, [An. Dom. 616] and to have slain of them above two thousand. More memorable was the second year following, by the death of Ethelbert the first Christian King of Saxons, and no less a favourer of all civility in that rude age. He gave Laws and Statutes after the example of Roman Emperors, written with the advice of his sagest Counselors, but in the English tongue, and observed long after. Wherein his special care was to punish those who had stolen ought from Church or Churchman, thereby showing how gratefully he received at thir hands the Christian Faith. Which, he no sooner dead, but his son Eadbald took the course as fast to extinguish; not only falling back to Heathenism, but that which Heathenism was wont to abhor, marrying his fathers second wife. Then soon was perceived what multitudes for fear or countenance of the King had professit Christianity, returning now as eagerly to thir old Religion. Nor staid the Apostasy within one Province, but quickly spread over to the East-Saxons; occasioned there likewise, or set forward by the death of thir Christian King Sebert: whose three sons, of whom two are named Sexted and Seward, neither in his life time would be brought to baptism, and after his decease re-established the free exercise of Idolatry; nor so content, they set themselves in despite to do some op'n profanation against the other Sacrament. Coming therefore into the Church, where Mellitus the Bishop was ministering, they required him in abuse and scorn to deliver to them unbaptiz'd the consecrated bread; and him refusing, drove disgracefully out of their dominion. Who crossed forthwith into Kent, where things were in the same plight, and thence into France, with Justus Bishop of Rochester. But Divine vengeance defer'd not long the punishment of men so impious; for Eadbald, vext with an evil Spirit, fell oft'n into foul fits of distraction; and the Sons of Sebert, in a fight against the West-Saxons perished, with their whole Army. But Eadbald, within the year, by an extraordinary means became penitent. For when Laurence the Archbishop and successor of Austin was preparing to ship for France, after Justus and Mellitus, the story goes, if it be worth believing, that St. Peter, in whose Church he spent the night before in watching and praying, appeared to him, and to make the Vision more sensible, gave him many stripes for offering to desert his flock; at sight whereof the King (to whom next morning he showed the marks of what he had suffered, by whom and for what cause) relenting and in great fear dissolved his incestuous marriage, and applied himself to the Christian Faith more sincerely then before, with all his people. But the Londoners addicted still to Paganism, would not be persuaded to receive again Mellitus thir Bishop, and to compel them was not in his power. [An. Dom. 617] Thus much through all the South was troubled in Religion, as much were the North parts disquieted through Ambition. For Ethelfrid of Bernicia, as was touched before, having thrown Edwin out of Deira, and joined that Kingdom to his own, not content to have bereaved him of his right, whose known virtues and high parts gave cause of suspicion to his Enemies, sends Messengers to demand him of Redwald King of East-Angles; under whose protection, after many years wandering obscurely through all the Island, he had placed his safety. Redwald, though having promised all defense to Edwin as to his suppliant, yet tempted with continual and large offers of gold, and not contemning the puissance of Ethelfrid, yielded at length, either to dispatch him, or to give him into thir hands: but earnestly exhorted by his Wife, not to betray the Faith and inviolable Law of Hospitality and refuge given, prefers his first promise as the more Religious, nor only resuses to deliver him; but since War was thereupon denouncit, determines to be beforehand with the danger; and with a sudden Army raised, surprises Ethelfrid, little dreaming an invasion, and in a fight near to the East-side of the River Idle, on the Mercian border, now Nottinghamshire, slays him, dissipating easily those few Forces which he had got to march out over-hastily with him; who yet as a testimony of his Fortune, not his Valour to be blamed, slew first with his own hands, Reiner the Kings Son. His two Sons Oswald, and Oswi, by Acca, Edwins Sister, escaped into Scotland. By this Victory, Redwald became so far superior to the other Saxon Kings, that Beda reck'ns him the next after Ella and Ethelbert; who besides this Conquest of the North, had likewise all on the hitherside Humber at his obedience. He had formerly in Kent received Baptism, but coming home and persuaded by his Wife, who still it seems, was his Chief Counselor to good or bad alike, relapse'd into his old Religion; yet not willing to forgo his new, thought it not the worst way, lest perhaps he might err in either, for more assurance to keep them both; and in the same Temple erected one Altar to Christ, another to his Idols. But Edwin, as with more deliberation he undertook, and with more sincerity retained the Christian profession, so also in power and extent of dominion far exceeded all before him; subdueing all, saith Beda, English or British, eev'n to the Isles, then called Mevanian, Anglesey, and Man; setl'd in his Kingdom by Redwald, he sought in marriage Edelburga, whom others call Tate, the Daughter of Ethelbert. To whose Ambassadors, Eadbald her Brother made answer, that to wed thir Daughter to a Pagan, was not the Christian Law. Edwin replied, that to her Religion he would be no hindrance, which with her whole Household she might freely exercise. And moreover, that if examined it were found the better, he would embrace it. [An. Dom. 625] These ingenuous offers, op'ning so fair a way to the advancement of truth, are accepted, and Paulinus as a spiritual Guardian sent along with the Virgin. He being to that purpose made Bishop by Justus, omitted no occasion to plant the Gospel in those parts, [An. Dom. 626] but with small success, till the next year, Cuichelm, at that time one of the two West-Saxon Kings, envious of the greatness which he saw Edwin growing up to, sent privily Eumerus a hir'd Sword-man to assassin him; who under pretence of doing a message from his Master, with a poisoned Weapon, stabs at Edwin, conferring with him in his House, by the River Derwent in Yorkshire, on an Easter-day; which Lilla one of the Kings Attendants, at the instant perceiving, with a loyalty that stood not then to deliberate, abandoned his whole body to the blow; which notwithstanding made passage through to the Kings Person, with a wound not to be slighted. The murderer encompassed now with Swords, and desperate, fore-revenges his own fall with the Death of another, whom his Poinard reached home. Paulinus omitting no opportunity to win the King from misbelief, obtained at length this promise from him; that if Christ, whom he so magnifi'd, would give him to recover of his wound, and victory of his Enemies who had thus assaulted him, he would then become Christian, in pledge whereof he gave his young Daughter Eanfled to be bred up in Religion; who with 12 others of his Family, on the day of Pentecost was baptized. And by that time well recovered of his wound; to punish the Authors of so foul a fact, he went with an Army against the West-Saxons: whom having quelled by War, and of such as had conspired against him, put some to Death, others pardoned, he returned home victorious, and from that time worshipped no more his Idols, yet ventured not rashly into Baptism, but first took care to be instructed rightly, what he learnt, examining and still considering with himself and others, whom he held wisest; though Boniface the Pope, by large Letters of exhortation, both to him and his Queen, was not wanting to quicken his belief. But while he still defer'd, and his deferring might seem now to have past the maturity of wisdom to a faulty lingering, Paulinus by Revelation, as was believed, coming to the knowledge of a secret, which befell him strangely in the time of his troubles, on a certain day went in boldly to him, and laying his right hand on the head of the King, asked him if he rememberd what that sign meant; the King trembling, and in a maze rising up, strait fell at his Feet. Behold, saith Paulinus, raising him from the ground; God hath delivered you from your Enemies, and given you the Kingdom, as you desired: perform now what long since you promised him, to receive his Doctrine which I now bring you, and the Faith, which if you accept, shall to your temporal felicity, add Eternal. The promise claimed of him by Paulinus, how and wherefore made, though savouring much of Legend, is thus related. Redwald, as we heard before, dazl'd with the gold of Ethelfrid, or by his threatening over-awe'd, having promised to yield up Edwin, one of his faithful Companions, of which he had some few with him in the Court of Redwald, that never shrunk from his adversity, about the first howr of night comes in hast to his Chamber, and calling him forth for better secrecy, reveles to him his danger, offers him his aid to make escape; but that course not approved, and seeming dishonorable without more manifest cause to begin, distrust towards one who had so long been his only refuge, the friend departs. Edwin left alone without the Palace Gate, full of sadness and perplexed thoughts, discerns about the dead of night, a man neither by countnance nor by habit to him known, approaching towards him. Who after salutation, asked him why at this howr, when all others were at rest, he alone so sadly sat waking on a cold Stone? Edwin not a little misdoubting who he might be, asked him again, what his sitting within doors, or without, concerned him to know? To whom he again, think not that who thou art, or why sitting here, or what danger hangs over thee, is to me unknown: But what would you promise to that man, whoever would befriend you out of all these troubles, and persuade Redwald to the like? All that I am able answered Edwin. And he, what if the same man should promise to make you greater then any English King hath been before you? I should not doubt, quoth Edwin, to be answerably grateful. And what if to all this he would inform you, said the other, in a way to happiness, beyond what any of your Ancestors hath known? would you hark'n to his Counsel? Edwin without stopping promised he would. And the other laying his right hand on Edwins head, when this sign, saith he, shall next befall ye, remember this time of night, and this discourse, to perform what thou hast promised, and with these words disappeering, left Edwin much revived, but not less filled with wonder, who this unknown should be. When suddenly the friend who had been gone all this while to list'n further what was like to be decree'd of Edwin, comes back and joyfully bids him rise to his repose, for that the Kings mind, though for a while drawn aside, was now fully resolved not only not to betray him, but to defend him against all Enemies, as he had promised. This was said to be the cause why Edwin admonishit by the Bishop of a sign which had befallen him so strangely, and as he thought so secretly, arose to him with that reverence and amazement, as to one sent from Heaven, to claim that promise of him which he perceav'd well was due to a Divinepower, that had assisted him in his troubles. To Paulinus therefore he makes answer, that the Christian Beleef he himself ought by promise, and intended to receive; but would confer first with his Cheif Peers and Counsellers, that if they likewise could be won, all at once might be baptized. They therefore being asked in Counsel what thir opinion was concerning this new Doctrine, and well perceiving which way the King inclined, everyone thereafter shap'd his reply. The Cheif-Priest speaking first, discovered an old grudge he had against his God's, for advancing others in the Kings Favor above him thir Cheif Priest: another hiding his Court-compliance with a grave sentence, commended the choice of certain before uncertain, upon due examination; to like purpose answered all the rest of his Sages, none op'nly dissenting from what was likely to be the Kings Creed: whereas the preaching of Paulinus could work no such effect upon them, toiling till that time without success. Whereupon Edwin renouncing Heathenism, became Christian: and the Pagan Priest, offering himself freely to demolish the Altars of his former God's, made some amends for his teaching to adore them. [An. Dom. 627] With Edwin, his two Sons Osfrid and Eanfrid, born to him by Quenburga, Daughter, as saith Beda, of Kearle King of Mercia, in the time of his banishment, and with them most of the people, both Nobles and Commons, easily converted, were baptized; he with his whole Family at York, in a Church hastily built up of Wood, the multitude most part in Rivers. Northumberland thus christ'nd, Paulinus crossing Humber, converted also the Province of Lindsey, and Blecca the Governor of Lincoln, with his Household and most of that City; wherein he built a Church of Stone, curiously wrought, but of small continuance; for the Roof in Bedas time, uncertain whether by neglect or Enemies, was down; the Walls only standing. Mean while in Mercia, Kearle a Kinsman of Wibba, saith Huntingdon, not a Son, having long withheld the Kingdom from Penda Wibba 's Son, left it now at length to the fiftieth year of his Age: with whom Kinegils and Cuichelm, the West-Saxon Kings, [An. Dom. 629] two year after, having by that time it seems recovered strength, since the Inrode made upon them by Edwin, fought at Cirencester, then made Truce. But Edwin seeking every way to propagate the Faith, which with so much deliberation he had received, persuaded Eorpwald the Son of Redwald, King of East-Angles, to embrace the same belief; [An. Dom. 632] willingly or in awe, is not known, retaining under Edwin the name only of a King. But Eorpwald not long surviv'd his conversion, slain in fight by Ricbert a Pagan: whereby the people having lightly followed the Religion of thir King, as lightly fell back to thir old superstitions for above 3 years after: Edwin in the mean while, to his Faith adding virtue, by the due administration of justice wrought such peace over all his Territories, that from Sea to Sea, man or woman might have travail'd in safety. His care also was of Fountains by the way side, to make them fittest for the use of Travelers. And not unmindful of regal State, whether in War or Peace, he had a Royal Banner carried before him. But having reigned with much honor 17 years, he was at length by Kedwalla, or Cadwallon, King of the Britons, who with aid of the Mercian Penda, had rebel'd against him, slain in a Battle with his Son Osfrid, at a place called Hethseild, and his whole Army overthrown or dispersed in the year 633. and the 47th of his Age, [An. Dom. 633] in the Eye of man worthy a more peaceful end. His Head brought to York, was there buried in the Church by him begun. Sad was this overthrow, both to Church and State of the Northumbrians: for Penda being a Heathen, and the British King, though in name a Christian, yet in deeds more bloody then the Pagan, nothing was omitted of barbarous cruelty in the slaughter of Sex or Age; Kedwalla threatening to root out the whole Nation, though then newly Christian. For the Britons, and, as Beda saith, eev'n to his days, accounted Saxon Christianity no better then Paganism, and with them held as little Communion. From these calamities no refuge being left but flight, Paulinus taking with him Ethilburga the Queen and her Children, aided by Bassus, one of Edwins Captains, made escape by Sea to Eadbald King of Kent: who receiving his Sister with all kindness, made Paulinus Bishop of Rochester, where he ended his days. After Edwin, the Kingdom of Northumberland became divided as before, each rightful Heir seising his part; in Deira Osric, the Son of Elfric, Edwins Uncle, by profession a Christian, and baptized by Paulinus; in Bernicia, Eanfrid, the Son of Ethelfrid; who all the time of Edwin, with his Brother Oswald, and many of the young Nobility, lived in Scotland exiled, and had been there taught and baptized. No sooner had they got'n each a Kingdom, but both turned recreant, sliding back into their old Religion; and both were the same year slain; Osric by a sudden eruption of Kedwalla, whom he in a strong Town had unadvisedly beseig'd; Eanfrid seeking peace, and inconsiderately with a few surrendering himself. Kedwalla now rang'd at will through both those Provinces, using cruelly his Conquest; when Oswald the Brother of Eanfrid with a small but Christian Army, [An. Dom. 634] unexpectedly coming on, defeated and destroyed both him and his huge Forces, which he boasted to be invincible, by a little River running into Tine, near the ancient Roman Wall then called Denisburn, the place afterwards Heaven field, from the Cross reported miraculous for Cures, which Oswald there erected before the Battail, in tok'n of his Faith against the great number of his Enemies. Obtaining the Kingdom, he took care to instruct again the people in Christianity. Sending therefore to the Scottish Elders, Beda so terms them, among whom he had received Baptism, requested of them some faithful Teacher, who might again settle Religion in his Realm, which the late troubles had impar'd; they as readily hearkening to his request, send Aidan a Scotch Monk and Bishop, but of singular zeal and meekness, with others to assist him, whom at thir own desire he seated in Lindisfarne, as the Episcopal Seat, now Holy Island: and being the Son of Ethelfrid, by the Sister of Edwin, as right Heir, others failing, easily reduced both Kingdoms of Northumberland as before into one; nor of Edwins Dominion lost any part, but enlarged it rather; over all the four British Nations, Angles, Britons, Picts and Scots, exerciseing regal Authority. Of his Devotion, Humility, and Alms-deeds, much is spok'n; that he disdained not to be the interpreter of Aidan, preaching in Scotch or bad English, to his Nobles and Household Servants; and had the poor continually served at his Gate, after the promiscuous manner of those times: his meaning might be upright, but the manner more ancient of private or of Church contribution, is doubtless more Evangelical. About this time, the West-Saxons, [An. Dom. 635] anciently called Gevissi, by the preaching of Berinus, a Bishop, whom Pope Honorius had sent, were converted to the Faith with Kinegils thir King: him Oswald received out of the Font, [An. Dom. 636] and his Daughter in marriage. The next year Cuichelm was baptized in Dorchester, but lived not to the years end. The East-Angles also this year were reclaim'd to the Faith of Christ, which for some years past they had thrown off. But Sigbert the Brother of Eorpwald now succeeded in that Kingdom, praised for a most Christian and Learned Man: who while his Brother yet reigned, living in France an exile, for some displeasure conceav'd against him by Redwald his Father, lern'd there the Christian Faith; and reigning soon after, in the same instructed his people, by the preaching of Felix a Burgundian Bishop.

[An. Dom. 640] In the year 640. Eadbald deceasing, left to Ercombert his Son by Emma the French Kings Daughter, the Kingdom of Kent; recorded the first of English Kings, who commanded through his limits the destroying of Idols; laudably, if all Idols without exception, and the first to have established Lent among us, under strict penalty, not worth remembering, but only to inform us, that no Lent was observed here till his time by compulsion: especially being noted by some to have fraudulently usurped upon his Elder Brother Ermenred, whose right was precedent to the Crown. [An. Dom. 642] Oswald having reigned 8 years, worthy also as might seem of longer life, fell into the same fate with Edwin, and from the same hand, in a great Battle overcome and slain by Penda, at a place called Maserfeild, now Oswestre, in Shropshire, miraculous, as saith Beda, after his Death. His Brother Oswi succeeded him; reigning, though in much trouble, 28 years; opposed either by Penda, or his own Son Alfred, or his Brothers Son Ethilwald. [An. Dom. 643] Next year Kinegils the West-Saxon dying, left his Son Kenwalk in his stead, though as yet unconverted. About this time Sigebert, King of East-Angles, having lernt in France, ere his coming to Reign, the manner of thir Schools, with the assistance of some Teachers out of Kent, instituted a School here after the same Discipline, thought to be the University of Cambridge then first founded: and at length weary of his Kingly Office, betook him to a Monastical life; commending the care of Government to his Kinsman Egric, who had sustained with him part of that burden before. It happened some years after, that Penda made War on the East-Angles: they expecting a sharp encounter, besought Sigebert, whom they esteemed an expert Leader, with his presence to confirm the Soldiery: and him refusing carried by force out of the Monastery into the Camp; where acting the Monk rather then the Captain, with a single wand in his hand, he was slain with Egric, and his whole Army put to flight. Anna of the Royal Stock, as next in right, succeeded; and hath the praise of a virtuous and most Christian Prince. [An. Dom. 645] But Kenwalk the West-Saxon having married the Daughter of Penda, and divorcit her, was by him with more appearance of a just cause vanquished in fight, and deprived of his Crown: whence retiring to Anna King of the East-Angles, after three years abode in his Court, he there became Christian, [An. Dom. 648] and afterwards regain'd his Kingdom. Oswi in the former years of his Reign, had sharer with him, Oswin Nephew of Edwin, who ruled in Deira 7 years, commended much for his zeal in Religion, and for comeliness of person, with other princely qualities, beloved of all. Notwithstanding which, dissensions growing between them, it came to Arms. Oswin seeing himself much exceeded in numbers, thought it more prudence, dismissing his Army, to reserve himself for some better occasion. But committing his person with one faithful attendant to the Loyalty of Hunwald an Earl, his imagined friend, he was by him treacherously discovered, and by command of Oswi slain. [An. Dom. 651] After whom within 12 days, and for grief of him whose death he foretold, died Bishop Aidan, famous for his Charity, meekness, and labor in the Gospel. The fact of Oswi was detestable to all; which therefore to expiate, a Monastery was built in the place where it was don, and Prayers there daily offered up for the Souls of both Kings, the slain and the slayer. Kenwalk by this time reinstall'd in his Kingdom, kept it long, but with various Fortune; for Beda relates him ofttimes afflicted by his Enemies with great losses: [An. Dom. 652] and in 652. by the Annals, fought a Battle (Civil War Ethelwerd calls it) at Bradanford by the River Afene; against whom, and for what cause, or who had the Victory, they write not. Camden names the place Bradford in Wiltshire, by the River Avon, and Cuthred his near Kinsman, against whom he fought, but cites no Authority; certain it is, that Kenwalk four years before had given large possessions to his Nephew Cuthred, the more unlikely therefore now to have rebel'd. [An. Dom. 653] The next year Peada, whom his Father Penda, though a Heathen, had for his Princely Virtues made Prince of Middle-Angles, belonging to the Mercians, was with that people converted to the Faith. For coming to Oswi with request to have in marriage Alf • eda his Daughter, he was denied her but on condition, that he with all his people should receive Christianity. Heering therefore not unwillingly what was preached to him of Resurrection and Eternal life, much persuaded also by Alfrid the Kings Son, who had his Sister Kyniburg to Wife, he easily assented, for the truths sake only as he professed, whether he obtained the Virgin or no, and was baptized with all his followers. Returning, he took with him four Presbyters to teach the people of his Province; who by thir daily preaching won many. Neither did Penda, though himself no Believer, prohibit any in his Kingdom to here to believe the Gospel, but rather hated and despised those, who professing to believe, atested not thir Faith by good works; condemning them for miserable and justly to be despised, who obey not that God in whom they choose to believe. How well might Penda this Heathen rise up in judgment against many pretending Christians, both of his own and these days! yet being a man bred up to War (as no less were others then reigning, and ofttimes one against another, though both Christians) he war'd on Anna, [An. Dom. 654] King of the East-Angles, perhaps without cause, for Anna was esteemed a just man, and at length slew him. About this time the East-Saxons, who as above hath been said, had expel'd thir Bishop Mellitus, and renounced the Faith, were by the means of Oswi thus reconverted. Sigebert surnam'd the small, being the Son of Seward, without other memory of his Reign, left his Son King of that Province, after him Sigebert the Second, who coming oft'n to visit Oswi his great friend, was by him at several times fervently disuaded from Idolatry, and convinced at length to forsake it, was there baptized; on his return home taking with him Kedda a laborious Preacher, afterwards made Bishop; by whose teaching with some help of others, the people were again recoverd from misbelief. But Sigebert some years after, though standing fast in Religion, was by the Conspiracy of two Brethren in place near about him, wickedly murdered; who being asked what moved them to do a deed so heinous, gave no other then this barbarous answer; that they were angry with him for being so gentle to his Enemies, as to forgive them thir injuries whenever they besought him. Yet his Death seems to have happ'nd not without some cause by him given of Divine displeasure. For one of those Earls who slew him, living in unlawful wedlock, and therefore excommunicated so severely by the Bishop, that no man might presume to enter into his House, much less to sit at meat with him, the King not regarding this Church censure, went to feast with him at his invitation. Whom the Bishop meeting in his return, though penitent for what he had don, and fallen at his feet, touched with the rod in his hand, and angerly thus foretold: because thou hast neglected to abstain from the House of that Excommunicate, in that House thou shalt die; and so it fell out, perhaps from that prediction, God bearing witness to his Minister in the power of Church Discipline, spiritually executed, not juridically on the contemner thereof. [An. Dom. 655] This year 655. proved fortunate to Oswi, and fatal to Penda, for Oswi by the continual inroads of Penda, having long endured much devastation, to the endangering once by assault and fire Bebbanburg, his strongest City, now Bamborrow Castle, unable to resist him, with many rich presents offered to buy his Peace. Which not accepted by the Pagan, who intended nothing but destruction to that King, though more then once in affinity with him, turning gifts into vows, he implores Divine Assistance, devoting, if he were delivered from his Enemy, a Child of one year old, his Daughter to be a Nun, and 12 portions of land whereon to build Monasteries. His vows, as may be thought, found better success then his profferd gifts; for heerupon with his Son Alfrid, gathering a small power, he encounterd and discomfited the Mercians, 30 times exceeding his in number, and led on by expert Captains: at a place called Loyden, now Leeds in Yorkshire. Besides this Ethelwald, the Son of Oswald, who ruled in Deira, took part with the Mercians, but in the fight withdrew his Forces, and in a safe place expected the event: with which unseasonable retreat, the Mercians perhaps terrifi'd and misdoubting more danger, fled; thir Commanders, with Penda himself, most being slain, among whom Edilhere the Brother of Anna, who ruled after him the East-Angles, and was the Author of this War; many more flying were drowned in the River, which Beda calls Winwed, then swoln above her Banks. The Death of Penda, who had been the Death of so many good Kings, made general rejoicing, as the Song witness'd. At the River Winwed, Anna was avenged. To Edelhere succeeded Ethelwald his Brother, in the East-Angles; to Sigebert in the East-Saxons, Suidhelm the Son of Sexbald, saith Bede, the Brother of Sigebert, saith Malmesbury; he was baptized by Kedda, then residing in the East-Angles, and by Ethelwald the King, received out of the Font. But Oswi in the strength of his late Victory, [An. Dom. 658] within three years after subdued all Mercia, and of the Pictish Nation greatest part, at which time he gave to Peada his Son in Law the Kingdom of South-Mercia, divided from the Northern by Trent. [An. Dom. 659] But Peada the Spring following, as was said, by the Treason of his Wife the Daughter of Oswi, married by him for a special Christian, on the Feast of Faster, not protected by the holy time, was slain. The Mercian Nobles, Immin, Eaba, and Eadbert, throwing off the Government of Oswi, set up Wulser the other Son of Penda to be thir King, whom till then they had kept hid, and with him adherd to the Christian Faith. Kenwalk the West-Saxon, now settl'd at home, and desirous to enlarge his Dominion, prepares against the Britons, joins Battle with them at Pen in Somerset-shire, and over coming pursues them to Pedridan. Another fight he had with them before, at a place called Witgeornesburg, barely mentioned by the Monk of Malmesbury. [An. Dom. 661] Nor was it long ere he fell at variance with Wulser the Son of Penda, his old Enemy, scarce yet warm in his Throne, fought with him at Possentesburg, on the Easter Holy-days, and as Ethelwerd saith, took him Prisner; but the Saxon Annals, quite otherwise, that Wulfer winning the field, wasted the West-Saxon Country as far as Eskesdun; nor staying there, took and wasted the I will of Wight, but causing the Inhabitants to be baptized, till then unbelievers, gave the Island to Ethelwald King of South-Saxons, whom he had received out of the Font. [An. Dom. 664] The year 664. a Synod of Scottish and English Bishops, in the presence of Oswi and Alfred his Son, was held at a Monastery in those parts, to debate on what Day Easter should be kept; a controverfie which long before had disturbed the Greek and Latin Churches: wherein the Scots not agreeing with the way of Rome, nor yielding to the disputants on that side, to whom the King most inclined, such as were Bishops here, resigned, and returned home with thir Disciples. Another clerical question was there also much controverted, not so superstitious in my opinion as ridiculous, about the right shaving of crowns. The same year was seen an Eclipse of the Sun in May, followed by a sore pestilence beginning in the South, but spreading to the North, and over all Ireland with great mortality. In which time the East-Saxons after Swithelms Decease, being governed by Siger the Son of Sigebert the small, and Sebbi of Seward, though both subject to the Mercians. Siger and his people unstedie of Faith, supposing that this Plague was come upon them for renouncing thir old Religion, fell off the second time to Infidelity. Which the Mercian King Wulfer understanding, sent Jarumannus a Faithful Bishop, who with other his fellow Laborers, by sound Doctrine and gentle dealing, soon recur'd them of thir second relapse. In Kent, Ercombert expiring, was succeeded by his Son Ecbert. [An. Dom. 668] In whose fowrth year, by means of Theodore, a learned Greekish Monk of Tarsus, whom Pope Vitalian had ordained Archbishop of Canterbury, the Greek and Latin Tongue, with other liberal Arts, Arithmetic, Music, Astronomy, and the like; began first to flourish among the Saxons; as did also the whole Land, under potent and religious Kings, more then ever before, as Bede affirms, till his own days. [An. Dom. 670] Two years after, in Northumberland died Oswi, much addicted to Romish Rites, and resolved, had his Disease released him, to have ended his days at Rome: Ecfrid the eldest of his Sons begot in Wedlock, succeeded him. [An. Dom. 673] After other three years, Ecbert in Kent deceasing, left nothing memorable behind him, but the general suspicion to have slain or conniv'd at the slaughter of his Uncles two Sons, Elbert, and Egelbright. In recompense whereof, he gave to the Mother of them part of Tanet, wherein to build an Abbey; the Kingdom fell to his Brother Lothair. And much about this time, by best account it should be, however placed in Beda, that Ecfrid of Northumberland, having War with the Mercian Wulfer, won from him Lindsey, and the Country thereabout. Sebbi having reigned over the East-Saxons 30 years, not long before his Death, though long before desireing, took on him the Habit of a Monk; and drew his Wife at length, though unwilling, to the same Devotion. Kenwalk also dying, left the Government to Sexburga his Wife, who out-lived him in it but one year, driven out, saith Mat. West. by the Nobles, disdaining Female Government. [An. Dom. 674] After whom several petty Kings, as Beda calls them, for ten years space divided the West-Saxons; others name two, Escwin the Nephew of Kinigils, and Kentwin the Son, not petty by thir deeds: for Escwin fought a Battle with Wulfer, at Bedanhafde, and about year a afboth deceased; [An. Dom. 676] but Wulfer not without a stain left behind him, of selling the Bishopric of London, to Wini the first Simonist we read of in this story; Kenwalk had before expel'd him from his Chair at Winchester; Æthelred the Brother of Wulfer obtaining next the Kingdom of Mercia, not only recoverd Lindsey, and what besides in those parts Wulfer had lost to Ecfrid some years before, but found himself strong enough to extend his Arms another way, as far as Kent, wasting that Country without respect to Church or Monastery, much also endamaging the City of Rochester: Notwithstanding what resistance Lothair could make against him. [An. Dom. 678] In August 678. was seen a Morning Comet for 3 Months following, in manner of a fiery Pillar. And the South-Saxons about this time were converted to the Christian Faith, upon this occasion. Wilsrid Bishop of the Northumbrians entering into contention with Ecfrid the King, was by him deprived of his Bishopric, and long wandering up and down as far as Rome, [An. Dom. 679] returned at length into England, but not dareing to approach the North, whence he was banished, bethought him where he might to best purpose elsewhere exercise his Ministry. The South of all other Saxons remained yet Heathen; but Edilwalk thir King not long before had been baptized in Mercia, persuaded by Wulfer, and by him, as hath been said, received out of the Font. For which relations sake he had the I will of Wight, and a Province of the Meannari adjoining, given him on the Continent about Meanesborow in Hantshir, which Wulfer had a little before got'n from Kenwalk. Thether Wilfrid takes his journey, and with the help of other Spiritual Laborers about him, in short time planted there the Gospel. It had not rained, as is said, of three years before in that Country, whence many of the people daily perished by Famin; till on the first day of thir public Baptism, soft and plentiful showers descending, restored all abundance to the Summer following. [An. Dom. 681] Two years after this, Kentwin the other West-Saxon King above-named, chac'd the Welch-Britons, as is Chronicl'd without circumstance, to the very Sea shore. [An. Dom. 683] But in the year, by Beda 's reck'ning, 683, Kedwalla a West-Saxon of the Royal Line (whom the Welch will have to be Cadwallader, last King of the Britons) thrown out by faction, returned from banishment, and invaded both Kentwin, if then living, or whoever else had divided the succession of Kenwalk, slaying in fight Edelwalk the South-Saxon, who opposed him in their aid; but soon after was repuls'd by two of his Captains, Bertune, and Andune, who for a while held the province in thir power. But Kedwalla gathering new force, with the slaughter of Ber • une, [An. Dom. 684] and also of Edric the successor of Edelwalk, won the Kingdom. But reduced the people to heavy thralldom. Then addressing to Conquer the I will of Wight, till that time Pagan, saith Beda (others otherwise, as above hath been related) made a vow, though himself yet unbaptiz'd, to devote the fowrth part of that Island, and the spoils thereof, to holy uses. Conquest obtained, paying his vow as then was the belief, he gave hi • fowrth to Bishop Wilsrid, by chance there present; and he to Bertwin a Priest, his Sisters Son, with commission to baptize all the vanquished, who meant to save thir lives. But the two young Sons of Arwald, King of that Island, met with much more hostility; for they at the Enemies approach flying out of the I will, and betrayed where they were hid not far from thence, were led to Kedwalla, who lay then under Cure of some wounds received, and by his appointment, after instruction and Baptism first given them, harshly put to death, which the youths are said above thir Age to have Christianly suffered. In Kent, Lothair died this year of his wounds received in fight against the South-Saxons, led on by Edric, who descending from Ermenred, it seems challenged the Crown; and wore it, though not commendably, one year and a half: [An. Dom. 685] but coming to a violent Death, left the land exposed a prey either to home-bred usurpers, or neighbouring invaders. Among whom Kedwalla, taking advantage from thir civil distempers, and marching easily through the South-Saxons, whom he had subdued, sorely harrass'd the Country, untouched of a long time by any hostile incursion. But the Kentish men, all parties uniteing against a common Enemy, with joint power so opposed him, that he was constrained to retire back; his Brother Mollo in the flight with 12 men of his Company, seeking shelter in a House, was beset and therein burnt by the persuers: Kedwalla much troubled at so great a loss, recalling and soon rallying his disorderd Forces, returned fiercely upon the chaseing Enemy; [An. Dom. 686] nor could be got out of the Province, till both by fire and Sword, he had avenged the Death of his Brother. [An. Dom. 687] At length Victred the Son of Ecbert, attaining the Kingdom, both settl'd at home all things in peace, and secured his Borders from all outward Hostility. While thus Kedwalla disquieted both West and East, after his winning the Crown, Ecfrid the Northumbrian, and Æthelred the Mercian, fought a sore Battle by the River Trent; wherein Elswin Brother to Ecfrid, a youth of 18 years, much beloved, was slain; and the accident likely to occasion much more shedding of blood, peace was happily made by the grave exhortation of Archbishop Theodore, a pecuniary fine only paid to Ecfrid, as some satisfaction for the loss of his Brothers life. Another adversity befell Ecfrid in his Family, by means of Ethildrith his Wife, King Anna 's Daughter, who having taken him for hir Husband, and professing to love him above all other men, persisted twelve years in the obstinate refusal of his bed, thereby thinking to live the purer life. So perversely then was chastity instructed against the Apostles rule. At length obtaining of him with much importunity her departure, she veild herself a Nun, then made Abbess of Eli, died 7 years after the pestilence; and might with better warrant have kept faithfully her undertak'n Wedlock, though now canoniz'd St. Audrey of Eli. In the mean while Ecfrid had sent Bertus with a power to subdue Ireland, a harmless Nation, saith Beda, and ever friendly to the English; in both which they seem to have left a posterity much unlike them at this day: miserably wasted, without regard had to places hallow'd or profane, they betook them partly to thir Weapons, partly to implore divine aid; and, as was thought, obtained it in thir full avengement upon Ecfrid. For he the next year, against the mind and persuasion of his sagest friends, and especially of Cudbert a famous Bishop of that Age, marching unadvisedly against the Picts, who long before had been subject to Northumberland, was by them feigning flight, drawn unawares into narrow straits overtopped with Hills, and cut off with most of his Army. From which time, saith Bede, military valor began among the Saxons to decay, nor only the Picts till then peaceable, but some part of the Britons also recovered by Arms thir liberty for many years after. Yet Aldfrid elder, but base Brother to Ecfrid, a man said to be learned in the Scriptures, recalled from Ireland, to which place in his Brothers Reign he had retired, and now succeeding, upheld with much honor, though in narrower bounds, the residue of his Kingdom. Kedwalla having now with great disturbance of his Neighbors reigned over the West-Saxons two years, besides what time he spent in gaining it, wearied perhaps with his own turbulence, went to Rome, desirous there to receive Baptism, which till then his worldly affairs had defer'd, and accordingly, on Easter Day, 689. he was baptized by Sergius [An. Dom. 689] the Pope, and his name changed to Peter. All which notwithstanding, surprised with a Disease, he out-lived not the Ceremony so far sought, much above the space of 5 weeks, in the Thirtieth year of his Age, and in the Church of St. Peter was there buried, with a large Epitaph upon his Tomb. Him succeeded Ina of the Royal Family, and from the time of his coming in, for many years oppressed the Land with like grievances, as Kedwalla had done before him, insomuch that in those times there was no Bishop among them. His first expedition was into Kent, to demand satisfaction for the burning of Mollo: Victred loath to hazard all for the rash act of a few, delivered up 30 of those that could be found accessory, or as others say, pacifi'd Ina with a great sum of money. Mean while, at the incitement of Ecbert, a devout Monk, Wilbrod a Priest eminent for learning, past over Sea, having 12 others in Company, with intent to preach the Gospel in Germany. And coming to • epin Cheif Regent of the Franks, who [An. Dom. 694] a little before had conquered the hither Frisia, by his countnance and protection, promise also of many benefits to them who should believe, they found the work of conversion much the easier, and Wilbrod the first Bishopric in that Nation. But two Priests, each of them Hewald by name, and for distinction surnam'd from the color of thir Hair, the black and the white, by his example, piously affected to the Souls of thir Country-men the old Saxons, at thir coming thither to convert them met with much worse entertainment. For in the House of a Farmer who had promised to convey them, as they desired, to the Governor of that Country, discovered by thir daily Ceremonies to be Christian Priests, and the cause of thir coming suspected, they were by him and his Heathen Neighbors cruelly butcherd; yet not unaveng'd, for the Governor enraged at such violence offered to his Strangers, sending Armed Men, slew all those Inhabitants, and burnt thir Village. [An. Dom. 697] After three years in Mercia, Ostrid the Queen, Wife to Æthelred, was killed by her own Nobles, as Beda 's Epitomy records; Florence calls them Southimbrians, negligently omitting the cause of so strange a fact. [An. Dom. 698] And the year following, Bertred a Northumbrian General was slain by the Picts. [An. Dom. 704] Æthelred 7 years after the violent Death of his Queen, put on the Monk, and resigned his Kingdom to Kenred the Son of Wulfer his Brother. [An. Dom. 705] The next year, Aldfrid in Northumberland died, leaving Osred a Child of 8 years to succeed him. [An. Dom. 709] Fowr years after which, Kenred having a while with praise governed the Mercian Kingdom, went to Rome in the time of Pope Constantine, and shorn a Monk spent there the residue of his days. Kelred succeeded him, the Son of Æthelred, who had reigned the next before. With Kenred went Offa the Son of Siger, King of East-Saxons, and betook him to the same habit, leaving his Wife and Native Country; a comely Person in the prime of his youth, much desired of the people; and such his virtue by report, as might have otherwise been worthy to have reigned. [An. Dom. 710] Ina the West-Saxon one year after fought a Battle, at first doubtful, at last successful, against Gerent King of Wales. [An. Dom. 711] The next year Bertfrid, another Northumbrian Captain, fought with the Picts, and slaughterd them, saith Huntingdon, to the full avengment of Ecfrids Death. [An. Dom. 715] The fowrth year after, Ina had another doubtful and cruel Battle at Wodnesburg in Wiltshire, with Kelred the Mercian, who died the year following a lamentable Death: for as he sat one day feasting with his Nobles, [An. Dom. 716] suddenly possessed with an evil Spirit, he expired in despair, as Boniface Archbishop of Ments, an English man, who taxes him for a defiler of Nuns, writes by way of caution to Ethelbald, his next of Kin, who succeeded him. Osred also the young Northumbrian King, slain by his Kindred in the 11. of his Reign, for his vicious life and incest committed with Nuns; was by Kenred fucceeded and avenged, he reigning two years left Osric in his room. [An. Dom. 718] In whose 7th year, if Beda calculate right, Victred King of Kent deceased, having reigned 34 years, and some part of them with Suebhard, as Beda testifies, he left behind him three Sons, Ethelbert, Eadbert, and Alric his Heirs. [An. Dom. 725] Three years after which, [An. Dom. 728] appeared two Comets about the Sun, terrible to behold, the one before him in the Morning, the other after him in the Evening, for the space of two weeks in January, bending thir blaze toward the North, at which time the Saracens furiously invaded France, but were expel'd soon after with great overthrow. The same year in Northumberland, Osric dying or slain, adopted Kelwulf the Brother of Kenred his Successor, to whom Beda dedicates his story; but writes this only of him, that the beginning, and the process of his Reign met with many adverse commotions, whereof the event was then doubtfully expected. Mean while Ina7 years before, having slain Kenwuls, to whom Florent gives the addition of Clito, given usually to none but of the blood Royal, and the 4th. year after overthrown and slain Albright another Clito, driven from Taunton to the South-Saxons for aid, vanquishit also the East-Angles in more then one Battle, as Malmesbury writes, but not the year, whether to expiate so much blood, or infected with the contagious humor of those times, Malmesbury saith, at the persuasion of Ethelburga his Wife, went to Rome, and there ended his days; yet this praise left behind him, to have made good Laws, the first of Saxon that remain extant to this day, and to his Kinsman Edelard, bequeathed the Crown; No less then the whole Monarchy of England and Wales. For Ina, if we believe a digression in the Laws of Edward Confessor, was the first King Crown'd of English and British, since the Saxons entrance; of the British by means of his second Wife, some way related to Cadwallader last King of Wales, which I had not noted being unlikely, but for the place where I found it. After Ina, by a surer Author, [An. Dom. 731] Ethelbald King of Mercia commanded all the Provinces on this side Humber, with thir Kings: the Picts were in league with the English, the Scots peaceable within thir bounds, and the Britons part were in thir own Goverment, part subject to the English. In which peaceful state of the land, many in Northumberland, both Nobles and Commons, laying aside the exercise of Arms, betook them to the Cloister: and not content so to do at home, many in the days of Ina, Clerks and Laics, Men and Woemen, hasting to Rome in Herds, thought themselves nowhere sure of Eternal Life, till they were Cloisterd there. Thus representing the state of things in this Island, Beda surceas'd to write. Out of whom chiefly hath been gatherd, since the Saxons arrival, such as hath been delivered, a scatterd story picked out here and there, with some trouble and tedious work from among his many Legends of Visions and Miracles; toward the latter end so bare of civil matters, as what can be thence collected may seem a Calendar rather then a History, taken up for the most part with succession of Kings, and computation of years, yet those hard to be reconciled with the Saxon Annals. Thir actions we read of, were most commonly Wars, but for what cause wag'd, or by what Councils carried on, no care was had to let us know: whereby thir strength and violence we understand, of thir wisdom, reason, or justice, little or nothing, the rest superstition and monastical affectation; Kings one after another leaving thir Kingly Charge, to run thir heads fondly into a Monks Cowle: which leaves us uncertain, whether Beda was wanting to his matter, or his matter to him. Yet from hence to the Danish Invasion it will be worse with us, destitute of Beda. Left only to obscure and blockish Chronicles; whom Malmesbury, and Huntingdon, (for neither they then we had better Authors of those times) ambitious to adorn the History, make no scruple ofttimes, I doubt to interline with conjectures and surmises of thir own: them rather then imitate, I shall choose to represent the truth naked, though as lean as a plain Journal. Yet William of Malmesbury must be acknowledged, both for style and judgment, to be far the best Writer of them all: but what labor is to be endured, turning over Volumes of Rubbish in the rest, Florence of Worster, Huntingdon, Simeon of Durham, Howden, Matthew of Westminster, and many others of obscurer note, with all thir monachisms, is a penance to think. Yet these are our only Registers, transcribers one after another for the most part, and sometimes worthy enough for the things they register. This travail rather then not know at once what may be known of our ancient story, sifted from Fables and impertinences, I voluntarily undergo; and to save others, if they please the like unpleasing labor; except those who take pleasure to be all thir life time, rakeing in the Foundations of old Abbeys and Cathedrals; but to my task now as it befalls. [An. Dom. 733] In the year 733. on the 18th. Kalends of September, was an Eclipse of the Sun about the third howr of day, obscureing almost his whole Orb as with a black shield. Ethelbald of Mercia, beseig'd and took the Castle or Town of Somerton: [An. Dom. 735] and two years after, Beda our Historian died, some say the year before. [An. Dom. 738] Kelwulf in Northumberland three years after became Monk in Lindisfarne, yet none of the severest, for he brought those Monks from milk and water, to Wine and Ale; in which doctrine no doubt but they were soon docil, and well might, for Kelwulf brought with him good provision, great treasure and revenues of land, recited by Simeon, yet all under pretense of following (I use the Authors words) poor Christ, by voluntary poverty: no marvel then if such applause were given by Monkish Writers to Kings turning Monks, and much cunning perhaps used to allure them. To Eadbert his Uncle, he left the Kingdom, whose brother Ecbert, Archbishop of York built a Library there. [An. Dom. 740] But two years after, while Eadbert was busied in War against the Picts, Ethelbald the Mercian, by foul fraud, assaulted part of Northumberland in his absence, as the supplement of Beda 's Epitomy records. In the West-Saxons, Edelard who succeeded Ina, having been much molested in the beginning of his Reign, with the Rebellion of Oswald his Kinsman, who contended with him for the right of succession, overcoming at last those troubles, died in Peace 741, [An. Dom. 741] leaving Cuthred one of the same linage to succeed him: who at first had much War with Ethelbald the Mercian, and various success, but joining with him in League two years after, [An. Dom. 743] made War on the Welch: Huntingdon doubts not to give them a great Victory. [An. Dom. 744] And Simeon reports, another Battle fought between Britons and Picts the year ensuing. Now was the Kingdom of East-Saxons drawing to a Period, for Sigeard and Senfred the Sons of Sebbi having reigned a while, and after them young Offa, who soon quitted his Kingdom to go to Rome with Kenred, as hath been said, the Goverment was confer'd on Selred Son of Sigebert the good, who having ruled 38 years, came to a violent death; [An. Dom. 746] how or wherefore, is not set down. After whom Swithred was the last King, driven out by Ecbert the West-Saxon: but London, with the Countries adjacent, obeyed the Mercians till they also were dissolved. Cuthred had now reigned about nine years, [An. Dom. 748] when Kuiric his Son a valiant young Prince, was in a military tumult slain by his own Soldiers. The same year Eadbert dying in Kent, his Brother Edilbert reigned in his stead. [An. Dom. 750] But after two years, the other Eadbert in Northumberland, whose War with the Picts hath been above-mentioned, made now such Progress there, as to subdue Kyle, so saith the Auctarie of Bede, and other Countries thereabout, to his dominion; While Cuthred the West-Saxon had a fight with Ethelhun, one of his Nobles, a stout Warrior, envi'd by him in some matter of the Common-wealth, as far as by the Latin of Ethelward can be understood (others interpret it Sedition) and with much ado overcoming, [An. Dom. 752] took Ethelhun for his valor into favor, by whom faithfully served in the twelf or thirteenth of his Reign, he encounter'd in a set Battle with Ethelbald the Mercian at Beorford, now Burford in Oxfordshire; [An. Dom. 753] one year after against the Welch, which was the last but one of his life. Huntingdon, as his manner is to comment upon the annal Text, makes a terrible description of that fight between Cuthred and Ethelbald, and the Prowess of Ethelhun, at Beorford, but so affectedly, and therefore suspiciously, that I hold it not worth rehersal; and both in that and the latter conflict, gives Victory to Cuthred; after whom Sigebert, uncertain by what right, [An. Dom. 754] his Kinsman, saith Florent, step'd into the Throne, whom hated for his cruelty and other evil doings, Kimwulf joining with most of the Nobility, dispossess'd of all but Hamshir, that Province he lost also within a year, [An. Dom. 755] together with the love of all those who till then remained his adherents, by slaying Cumbran, one of his Cheif Captains, who for a long time had faithfully served, and now disuaded him from incensing the people by such Tyrannical practices. Thence flying for safety into Andreds Wood, forsak'n of all, he was at length slain by the Swine-heard of Cumbran in revenge of his Master, and Kinwulf who had undoubted right to the Crown, joyfully saluted King. [An. Dom. 756] The next year Eadbert the Northumbrian joining forces with Unust King of the Picts, as Simeon writes, beseig'd and took by surrender the City Alcluith, now Dunbritton in Lennox, from the Britons of Cumberland; and ten days after, the whole Army perishd about Niwanbirig, but to tell us how, he forgetts. In Mercia, Ethelbald was slain, at a place called Secandune, [An. Dom. 757] now Seckinton in Warwickshire, the year following, in a bloody fight against Cuthred, as Huntingdon surmises, but Cuthred was dead two years before; others write him murdered in the night by his own Guard, and the Treason, as some say, of Beornred, who succeeded him; but ere many Months, was defeated and slain by Offa. Yet Ethelbald seems not without cause, after a long and prosperous Reign, to have fallen by a violent Death; not shameing on the vain confidence of his many Alms, to commit uncleanness with consecrated Nuns, besides Laic Adulteries, as the Arch-Bishop of Ments in a letter taxes him and his Predecessor, and that by his example most of his Peers did the like; which adulterous doings he foretold him were likely to produce a slothful offspring, good for nothing but to be the ruin of that Kingdom, as it fell out not long after. [An. Dom. 758] The next year Osmund, according to Florence, ruleing the South-Saxons, and Swithred the East, Eadbert in Northumberland, following the steps of his Predecessor, got him into a Monks Hood; the more to be wondered, that having reigned worthily 21 years, with the love and high estimation of all, both at home and abroad, able still to govern, and much entreated by the Kings his Neighbors, not to lay down his charge; with offer on that condition to yield up to him part of thir own Dominion, he could not be moved from his resolution, but relinquish'd his Royal Office to Oswulf his Son; [An. Dom. 759] who at the years end, though without just cause, was slain by his own Servants. And the year after died Ethelbert, Son of Victred, the second of that name in Kent. [An. Dom. 762] After Oswulf, Ethelwald, otherwise called Mollo, was set up King; who in his third year had a great Battle at Eldune, by Melros, slew Oswin a great Lord, rebelling, and gained the Victory. [An. Dom. 765] But the third year after, fell by the treachery of Alcred, who assumed his place. [An. Dom. 769] The fowrth year after which, Cataracta an ancient and fair City in Yorkshire, was burnt by Arnred a certain Tyrant, who the same year came to like end. [An. Dom. 774] And after five years more, Alfred the King deposed and forsak'n of all his people, fled with a few, first to Bebba, a strong City of those parts, thence to Kinot King of the Picts. Æthelred the Son of Mollo, was crowned in his stead. Mean while Offa the Mercian, growing powerful, had subdued a Neighbouring people by Simeon, called Hestings; and fought successfully this year with Alric King of Kent, at a place called Occanford: the Annals also speak of wondrous Serpents then seen in Sussex. Nor had Kinwulf the West-Saxon given small proof of his valor in several Battels against the Welch heretofore; [An. Dom. 775] but this year 775. meeting with Offa, at a place called Besington, was put to the worse, and Offa won the Town for which they contended. [An. Dom. 778] In Northumberland, Æthelred having caused three of his Nobles, Aldwulf, Kinwulf, and Ecca, treacherously to be slain by two other Peers, was himself the next year driven into banishment, Elfwald the Son of Oswulf succeeding in his place, yet not without civil broils; [An. Dom. 780] for in his second year Osbald and Ethelheard, two Noblemen, raising Forces against him, routed Bearne his General, and persueing, burnt him at a place called Seletune. I am sensible how wearisome it may likely be to read of so many bare and reasonless Actions, so many names of Kings one after another, acting little more then mute persons in a Scene: what would it be to have inserted the long Bead-roll of Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Abbesses, and thir doeings, neither to Religion profitable, nor to morality, swelling my Authors each to a voluminous body, by me studiously omitted; and left as their propriety, who have a mind to write the Ecclesiastical matters of those Ages; neither do I care to wrinkle the smoothness of History with rugged names of places unknown, better harp'd at in Camden, and other Chorographers. [An. Dom. 786] Six years therefore passed over in silence, as wholly of such Argument, bring us to relate next the unfortunate end of Kinwulf the West-Saxon; who having laudably reigned about 31 years, yet suspecting that Kineard Brother of Sigebert the former King, intended to usurp the Crown after his Decease, or revenge his Brothers expulsion, had commanded him into banishment; but he lurking here and there on the borders with a small Company, having had intelligence that Kenwulf was in the Country thereabout, at Merantun, or Merton in Surrey, at the House of a Woeman whom he loved, went by night and beset the place. Kenwulf over-confident either of his Royal presence, or personal valor, issuing forth with the few about him, runs feirsly at Kineard, and wounds him sore, but by his followers hem'd in, is killed among them. The report of so great an accident soon running to a place not far off, where many more attendants awaited the Kings return, Osric and Wivert, two Earls hasted with a great number to the House, where Kineard and his fellows yet remained. He seeing himself surrounded, with fair words and promise of great gifts, attempted to appease them; but those rejected with disdain, fights it out to the last, and is slain with all but one or two of his retinue, which were nigh a hunderd. Kinwulf was succeeded by Birthric, being both descended of Kerdic the the Founder of that Kingdom. [An. Dom. 788] Not better was the end of Elswald in Northumberland, two years after slain miserably by the conspiracy of Siggan, one of his Nobles, others say of the whole people at Scilcester by the Roman Wall; yet undeservedly, as his Sepulcher at Hagustald, now Hexham upon Tine, and some miracles there said to be done, are alleg'd to witness; and Siggan 5 years after laid violent hands on himself. Osred Son of Alcred advancit into the room of Elfwald, and within one year driven out, left his seat vacant to Æthelred Son of Mollo, who after ten years of banishment (impris'nment, saith Alcuin) had the Scepter put again into his hand: [An. Dom. 789] The third year of Birthric King of West-Saxons, gave beginning from abroad to a new and fatal revolution of calamity on this Land. For three Danish Ships, the first that had been seen here of that Nation arriving in the West, to visit these, as was supposed, Foren Merchants, the Kings gatherer of Customs taking Horse from Dorchester, found them Spies and Enemies. For being commanded to come and give account of thir ladeing at the Kings Custom House, they slew him and all who came with him; as an earnest of the many slaughters, rapines, and hostilities, which they returned not long after to commit over all the Island. Of this Danish first arrival, and on a sudden worse then hostile Aggression, the Danish History far otherwise relates, as if thir landing had been at the mouth of Humber, and thir spoilfull march far into the Country; though soon repelld by the Inhabitants, they hasted back as fast to thir Ships: But from what cause, what reason of state, what Authority or public counsel the invasion proceeded, makes not mention, and our wonder yet the more, by telling us that Sigefrid then King in Denmark, and long after, was a man studious more of peace and quiet then of warlike matters. These therefore seem rather to have been some wanderers at Sea, who with public Commission, or without, through love of spoil, or hatred of Christianity, seeking booties on any land of Christians, came by chance or weather on this shore. [An. Dom. 790] The next year Osred in Northumberland, who driven out by his Nobles had given place to Æthelred, was taken and forcibly shav'n a Monk at York. [An. Dom. 791] And the year after, Oels, and Oelswin, Sons of Elfwald, formerly King, were drawn by fair promises from the principal Church of York, and after by command of Æthelred, cruelly put to Death at Wonwaldremere, a Village by the great Pool in Lancashire, now called Winandermere. Nor was the third year less bloody; [An. Dom. 792] for Osred, who not liking a shav'n Crown, had desired banishment and obtained it, returning from the I will of Man with small Forces, at the secret but deceitful call of certain Nobles, who by Oath had promised to assist him, was also taken, and by Æthelred dealt with in the same manner; who the better to avouch his Cruelties, thereupon married Elfled the Daughter of Offa: for in Offa was found as little Faith or mercy. He the same year having drawn to his Palace Ethelbrite King of East-Angles, with fair invitations to marry his Daughter, caused him to be there inhospitably beheaded, and his Kingdom wrongfully seis'd, by the wicked counsel of his Wife, saith Mat. West. annexing thereto a long unlikely Tale. For which violence and bloodshed to make atonement, with Friars at lest, he bestows the relics of St. Alban, in a shrine of Pearl and Gold. [An. Dom. 793] Far worse it far'd the next year with the relics in Lindisfarne; where the Danes landing, pillag'd that Monastery, and of Friars killed some, carried away others Captive, sparing neither Priest nor Lay: which many strange thunders and fiery Dragons, with other impressions in the air seen frequently before, were judged to foresignifie. This year Alric third Son of Victred ended in Kent his long Reign of 34 years: with him ended the race of Hengist: thenceforth whomsoever wealth or faction advanced, took on him the name and state of a King. The Saxon Annals of 784. name Ealmund then reigning in Kent; but that consists not with the time of Alric, and I find him nowhere else mentiond. [An. Dom. 794] The year following was remarkable for the Death of Offa the Mercian, a strenuous and suttle King; he had much intercourse with Charles the Great, at first enmity, to the interdicting of commerce on either side, at length much amity and firm League, as appears by the Letter of Charles himself yet extant, procured by Alcuin a learned and prudent man, though a Monk, whom the Kings of England in those days had sent Orator into France, to maintain good correspondence between them and Charles the Great. He granted, saith Huntingdon, a perpetual tribute to the Pope out of every House in his Kingdom; for yielding perhaps to translate the Primacy of Canterbury to Lichfeild in his own Dominion. He drew a trench of wondrous length between Mercia and the British Confines, from Sea to Sea. Ecferth the Son of Offa, a Prince of great hope, who also had been Crown'd 9 years before his Fathers Decease, restoring to the Church what his Father had seis'd on: yet within four Months by a sickness ended his Reign. And to Kenulf next in right of the same Progeny bequeathed his Kingdom. Mean while the Danish Pirates who still wasted Northumberland, ventring on shore to spoil another Monastery at the mouth of the River Don, were assail'd by the English, thir Cheif Captain slain on the place; then returning to Sea, were most of them Ship-wrack'd; others driven again on shore, were put all to the Sword. Simeon attributes this thir punishment to the power of St. Cudbert, offended with them for the rifling of his Covent. [An. Dom. 796] Two years after this, died Æthelred twice King, but not exempted at last from the fate of many his predecessors, miserably slain by his people, some say deservedly as not inconscious with them who trained Osred to his ruin. Osbald a Nobleman exalted to the Throne, and in less then a month, deserted and expel'd, was forced to fly at last from Lindisfarne by Sea to the Pictish King, and died an Abbot. Eardulf whom Æthelred six years before had commanded to be put to Death at Ripun, before the Abbey-Gate, dead as was supposed, and with solemn Dirge carried into the Church, after midnight found there alive, I read not how, then banished, now recalled, was in York created King. In Kent, Ethelbert or Pren, whom the Annals call Eadbright (so different they often are one from another, both in timing and in naming) by some means having usurped regal power, after two years Reign contending with Kenulf the Mercian, was by him taken Pris'ner, and soon after, out of pious commiseration let go: but not received of his own, what became of him, Malmesbury leaves in doubt. Simeon writes, that Kenulf commanded to put out his Eyes, and lop off his hands; but whether the sentence were executed or not, is left as much in doubt by his want of expression. [An. Dom. 798] The second year after this, they in Northumberland who had conspired against Æthelred, now also raising War against Eardulf, under Wada thir Cheif Captain, after much havoc on either side at Langho, by Whaley in Lancashire, the Conspirators at last flying, Eardulf returned with Victory. The same year London, with a great multitude of her Inhabitants, by a sudden fire was consumed. [An. Dom. 800] The year 800. made way for great alteration in England, uniting her seven Kingdoms into one, by Echert the famous West-Saxon; him Birthric dying Childless left next to reign, the only surviver of that linage, descended from Inegild the Brother of King Ina. And according to his Birth liberally bred, he began early from his youth to give signal hopes of more then ordinary worth growing up in him; which Birthric fearing, and with all his juster title to the Crown, secretly sought his life, and Ecbert perceiving, fled to Offa the Mercian▪ but he having married Eadburg his Daughter to Birthric, easily gave ear to his Ambassadors; coming to require Ecbert, he again put to his shifts, escaped thence into France; but after three years banishment there, which perhaps contributed much to his education, Charles the Great then reigning, he was called over by the public voice (for Birthric was newly dead) and with general applause created King of West-Saxons. The same day Ethelmund at Kinneresford, passing over with the Worcestershire men, was met by Weolstan another Nobleman with those of Wiltshire, between whom happ'nd a great fray, wherein the Wiltshire men overcame, but both Dukes were slain, no reason of thir quarrel written; such bickerings to recount, met oft'n in these our Writers, what more worth is it then to Chronicle the Wars of Kites, or Crows, flocking and fighting in the Air? [An. Dom. 801] The year following, Eardulf the Northumbrian, leading forth an Army against Kenulf the Mercian, for harboring certain of his Enemies, by the diligent mediation of other Princes and Prelates, Arms were laid aside, and amity soon sworn between them. But Eadburga the Wife of Birthric, a woman every way wicked, in malice especially cruel, [An. Dom. 802] could not or cared not to appease the general hatred justly conceived against her; accustomed in her Husbands days to accuse any whom she spighted; and not prevailing to his ruin, her practice was by poison secretly to contrive his Death. It fortun'd that the King her Husband, lighting on a Cup which she had tempered, not for him, but for one of his great Favorites, whom she could not harm by accuseing, sip'd thereof only, and in a while after still pineing away, ended his days; the favourite drinking deeper found speedier the operation. She fearing to be questiond for these facts, with what treasure she had, passed over-sea to Charles the Great, whom with rich gifts coming to his presence, the Emperor courtly received with this pleasant proposal: Choose Eadburga, which of us two thou wilt, me or my Son (for his Son stood by him) to be thy Husband. She no dissembler of what she liked best, made easy answer. Were it in my choice, I should choose of the two your Son rather, as the younger man. To whom the Emperor between jest and earnest, hadst thou chosen me, I had bestowed on thee my Son; but since thou hast chos'n him, thou shalt have neither him nor me. Nevertheless he assigned her a rich Monastery to dwell in as Abbess; for that life it may seem, she chose next to profess; but being a while after detected of unchastity, with one of her followers, she was commanded to depart thence; from that time wandering poorly up and down with one Servant, in Pavia a City of Italy, she finished at last in beggary her shameful life. [An. Dom. 805] In the year 805. Cuthred, whom Kenuls the Mercian had, instead of Pren, made King in Kent, having obscurely reigned 8 years, deceased. [An. Dom. 806] In Northumberland, Eardulf the year following was driven out of his Realm by Alfwold, who Reign'd two years in his room; after whom Eandred Son of Eardulf 33 years; [An. Dom. 808] but I see not how this can stand with the sequel of story out of better Authors: [An. Dom. 809] Much less that which Buchanan relates, the year following, of Acaius King of Scots, who having reigned 32 years, and dying in 809, had formerly aided (but in what year of his Reign tells not) Hungus King of Picts with 10000 Scots, against Athelstan a Saxon or English-man, then wasting the Pictish Borders; that Hungus by the aid of those Scots and the help of St. Andrew thir Patron, in a Vision by night, and the appearance of his cross by day, routed the astonished English, and slew Athelstan in fight. Who this Athelstan was, I believe no man knows; Buchanan supposes him to have been some Danish Commander, on whom King Alfred, or Alfred, had bestowed Northumberland; but of this I find no footsteps in our ancient Writers; and if any such thing were done in the time of Alfred, it must be little less then 100. years after; this Athelstan therefore, and this great overthrow, seems rather to have been the fancy of some Legend then any warrantable Record. Mean while Ecbert, having with much Prudence, Justice, and Clemency, [An. Dom. 813] a work of more then one year, established his Kingdom and himself in the affections of his people, turns his first enterprise against the Britons, both them of Cornwall and those beyond Seavern, subdueing both. In Mercia, Kenulf the 6th. year after, having reigned with great praise of his religious mind and virtues both in Peace and War, deceased. [An. Dom. 819] His Son Kenelm, a Child of seven years, was committed to the care of his Elder Sister Quendrid; who with a female ambition aspiring to the Crown, hir'd one who had the charge of his nurture, to murder him, led into a woody place upon pretence of hunting. The murder, as is reported, was miraculously revealed; but to tell how, by a Dove dropping a writ'n note on the Altar at Rome, is a long story, told, though out of order, by Malmesbury; and under the year 821. by Mat. West. where I leave it to be sought by such as are more credulous then I wish my Readers. Only the note was to this purpose.

[An. Dom. 820] Keolwulf the Brother of Kenulf, after one years Reign was driven out by one Bernulf an Usurper: who in his third year, [An. Dom. 823] uncertain whether invading or invaded, was by Ecbert, though with great loss on both sides, overthrown and put to flight at Ellandune or Wilton: yet Malmesbury accounts this Battle fought in 806, a wide difference, but frequently found in thir computations. Bernulf thence retireing to the East-Angles, as part of his Dominion by the late seisure of Offa, was by them met in the field and slain: but they doubting what the Mercians might do in revenge hereof, forthwith yielded themselves both King and people to the Sovrantie of Ecbert. As for the Kings of East-Angles, our Annals mention them not since Ethelwald; him succeeded his Brothers Sons, as we find in Malmesbury, Aldulf (a good King, well acquainted with Bede) and Elwold who left the Kingdom to Beorn, he to Æthelred the Father of Ethelbrite, whom Offa perfidiously put to Death. Simeon and Howden, in the year 749. write that Elfwald King of East-Angles dying, Humbeanna and Albert shar'd the Kingdom between them; but where to insert this among the former successions is not easy, nor much material: after Ethelbrite, none is named of that Kingdom till thir submitting now to Ecbert: he from this Victory against Bernulf sent part of his Army under Ethelwulf his Son, with Alstan Bishop of Shirburn, and Wulferd a Chief Commander, into Kent. Who finding Baldred there reigning in his 18th. year, overcame and drove him over the Thames; whereupon all Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and lastly Essex, with her King Swithred, became subject to the Dominion of Ecbert. Neither were these all his exploits of this year, the first in order set down in Saxon Annals, being his fight against the Devonshire Welch, at a place called Gasulford, now Camelford in Cornwall. [An. Dom. 825] Ludiken the Mercian, after two years preparing to avenge Bernulf his Kinsman on the East-Angles, was by them with his five Consuls, as the Annals call them, surprised and put to the Sword: and Withlaf his successor first vanquished, then upon submission with all Mercia, made tributary to Ecbert. Mean while the Northumbrian Kingdom of itself was fallen to shivers; thir Kings one after another so oft'n slain by the people, no man dareing, though never so ambitious, to take up the Scepter which many had found so hot, (the only effectual cure of ambition that I have read) for the space of 33 years, after the Death of Æthelred Son of Mollo, as Malmesbury writes, there was no King: many Noblemen and Prelates were fled the Country. Which mis-rule among them, the Danes having understood, ofttimes from thir Ships entering far into the land, infested those parts with wide depopulations, wasting Towns, Churches, and Monasteries, for they were yet Heathen: The Lent before whose coming, on the North-side of St. Peters Church in York, was seen from the roof to rain blood. The causes of these calamities, and the ruin of that Kingdom, Alcuin, a learned Monk living in those days, attributes in several Epistles, and well may, to the general ignorance and decay of learning, which crept in among them after the Death of Beda, and of Ecbert the Archbishop; thir neglect of breeding up youth in the Scriptures, the spruce and gay apparel of thir Priests and Nuns, discovering thir vain and wanton minds, examples are also read, eev'n in Beda 's days, of thir wanton deeds: thence Altars defiled with perjuries, Cloisters violated with Adulteries, the Land polluted with blood of thir Princes, civil dissensions among the people, and finally all the same vices which Gildas alleged of old to have ruined the Britons. In this estate Ecbert, who had now conquerd all the South, finding them in the year 827. [An. Dom. 827] (for he was marched thither with an Army to complete his Conquest of the whole Island) no wonder if they submitted themselves to the yoke without resistance, Eandred thir King becoming Tributary. [An. Dom. 828] Thence turning his forces the year following, he subdued more thoroughly what remained of North-Wales.

THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN. The Fifth Book.

THE sum of things in this Island, or the best part thereof, reducit now under the power of one man; and him one of the worthiest, which, as far as can be found in good Authors, was by none attained at any time here before unless in Fables; men might with some reason have expected from such Union, peace and plenty, greatness, and the flourishing of all Estates and Degrees: but far the contrary fell out soon after, Invasion, Spoil, Desolation, slaughter of many, slavery of the rest, by the forcible landing of a fierce Nation; Danes commonly called, and sometimes Dacians, by others, the same with Normans; as barbarous as the Saxons themselves were at first reputed, and much more; for the Saxons first invited came hither to dwell; these unsent for, unprovok'd, came only to destroy. But if the Saxons, as is above related, came most of them from Jutland and Anglen, a part of Denmark, as Danish Writers affirm, and that Danes and Normans are the same; then in this invasion, Danes drove out Danes, thir own posterity. And Normans afterwards, none but antienter Normans. Which invasion perhaps, had the Heptarchie stood divided as it was, had either not been attempted, or not uneasily resisted; while each Prince and people, excited by thir nearest concernments, had more industriously defended thir own bounds, then depending on the neglect of a deputed Governor, sent ofttimes from the remote residence of a secure Monarch. Though as it fell out in those troubles, the lesser Kingdoms revolting from the West-Saxon yoke, and not aiding each other, too much concerned with thir own safety, it came to no better pass; while severally they sought to repel the danger nigh at hand, rather then jointly to prevent it far off. But when God hath decreed servitude on a sinful Nation, fitted by thir own vices for no condition but servile, all Estates of Government are alike unable to avoid it. God had purposed to punish our instrumental punishers, though now Christians, by other Heathen, according to his Divine retaliation; invasion for invasion, spoil for spoil, destruction for destruction. The Saxons were now full as wicked as the Britons were at their arrival, broken with luxury and sloth, either secular or superstitious; for laying aside the exercise of Arms, and the study of all virtuous knowledge, some betook them to over-worldly or vicious practice, others to religious Idleness and Solitude, which brought forth nothing but vain and delusive visions; easily perceav'd such, by thir commanding of things, either not belonging to the Gospel, or utterly forbidden, Ceremonies, Relics, Monasteries, Masses, Idols, add to these ostentation of Alms, got ofttimes by rapine and oppression, or intermixt with violent and lustful deeds, sometimes prodigally bestowed as the expiation of cruelty and bloodshed. What longer suffering could there be, when Religion itself grew so void of sincerity, and the greatest shows of purity were impur'd?

THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN. The Sixth Book.

AN INDEX Of all the Chief Persons and material passages contained in the foregoing HISTORY.

A.
• ADda succeeds his Father Ida in the Kingdom of Bernicia. p. 127.
• Adminius the Son of Cunobeline banishit his Country, flies to the Emperor Caligula, and stirs him up against it. p. 51.
• Aganippus a Gaulish King, marries Cordelia the Daughter of King Leir. p. 20.
• Agricola Son of Severianus spreads the Pelagian Doctrine in Britain. p. 104.
• Aidan a Scotch Bishop sent for by Oswald to settle Religion. p. 155. he hath his Episcopal Seat at Lindisfarne. ibid. he dies for grief of the Murder of Oswin. p. 157.
• Alaric takes Rome from the Emperor Honorius. p. 97.
• Alban of Verulam with others suffers Martyrdom under Dioclesian. p. 88.
• Albanact one of the three Sons of Brutus, hath Albania, now Scotland, for his share in the Kingdom. p. 14.
• Albion the ancient name of this Island. p. 4, 5. whence derived. ibid.
• Albina said to be the Eldest of Dioclesians 50 Daughters. p. 5. from her the name Albion derived. ibid.
• Alcled slaying Ethelwald usurps the Kingdom of the Northumbrians. p. 177.
• Aldfrid recalled from Ireland, succeeds his Brother Ecfrid in the Northumbrian Kingdom. p. 168. he leaves Osred a Child to succeed him. p. 169.
• Aldulf the Nephew of Ethelwald succeeds King of the East-Angles. p. 187.
• Alectus treacherously slays his friend Carausius to get the Dominion. p. 87. is overthrown by Asclepiodotus and slain. ibid.
• Alemannus reported one of the four Sons of Histion, descended from Japheth, and of whom the Alemanni or Germans. p. 5.
• Alfage Archbishop of Canterbury inhumanly used by the Danes. p. 256. killed outright by Thrum a Dane, in commiseration of his misery. ibid.
• Alfred the fourth Son of Ethelwolf and successor of his Brother Æthelred, encounters the Danes at Wilton. p. 204. he gives Battle to the whole Danish power at Edinton, and totally routing them brings them to terms. p. 206. 207. he is said to have bestowed the East-Angles upon Gytro a Danish King who had been lately baptis'd. p. 207. a long tedious War afterwards maintained between him and the Danes, p. 209. 210. &c. he dies in the 30th year of his Reign, and is buried at Winchester. p. 212. his noble Character. p. 213. 214.
• Alfwold driving out Eardulf usurps the Kingdom of Northumberland. p. 185.
• Algar Earl of Howland, now Holland, Morcard Lord of Brunne, and Osgot Governor of Lincoln, slaughter a great multitude of the Danes in Battail, with three of their Kings. p. 201. overpowr'd with numbers and drawn into a snare, Algar dies valiantly, fighting. ibid.
• Algar the Son of Leofric banished by King Edward, joins with Griffin Prince of South-Wales, p. 291. 292. unable to withstand Harold Earl of Kent, he submits to the King and is restored. p. 292. banished again he recovers his Earldom by force. p. 293.
• Alipius made Deputy of the British Province in the room of Martinus. p. 90.
• Alla begins the Kingdom of Deira in the South-part of Northumberland. p. 127. 133.
• Alric King of Kent after Ethelbert the II. p. 177. with him dying, ends the race of Hengist. p. 181.
• Ambrosius Aurelianus dreaded by Vortimer. p. 117. defeats the Saxons in a memorable Battle. p. 118. uncertain whether the Son of Constantine the Usurper, or the same with Merlin, and Son of a Roman Consul. p. 118. he succeeds Vortigern as Chief Monarch of the I will. ibid.
• Anacletus the friend of King Pandrasus, is taken in fight by Brutus. p. 9. he is forced by Brutus to betray his own Countrymen. ibid.
• Andragius one in the Catalogue of ancient British Kings. p. 28.
• Androgeus one of Lud 's Sons hath London assigned him and Kent, p. 29. forsakes his claim to the Kingdom, and follows Caesar's fortune. p. 51.
• Anlaf the Dane with his Army of Irish, and Constantine King of Scotland, utterly discomfited by King Athelstan. p. 225. 226. &c.
• Anna succeeds Sigebert in the Kingdom of the East-Angles. p. 157. he is slain in War by Penda the Mercian. p. 159.
• Antigonus the Brother of King Pandrasus, taken in fight by Brutus. p. 9.
• Antoninus sent against the Caledonians by his Father Severus. p. 84. after whose Death he takes hostages and departs to Rome. ibid.
• Archigallo deposed for his Tyranny. p. 26. being restored by his Brother, he becomes a new man and reigns worthily. p. 27.
• Archimailus, one in the number of ancient British Kings. p. 28.
• Armorica in France peopled by Britons that fled from the Saxons. p. 114.
• Arthur, the Victory at Badon-hill, by some ascribed to him, which by others is attributed to Ambrose. p. 122. who he was, and whether the Author of such famous Acts as are related of him. p. 122. 123. &c.
• Arviragus engaging against Claudius, keeps up the Battail to a Victory, by personating his slain Brother Guiderius. p. 54.
• Athelstan the Son of King Edward the Elder by a Concubine, solemnly Crown'd at Kingston upon Thames, p. 223. the Conspiracy of one Alfred and his accomplices against him discovered. ibid. he gives his Sister Edgith to Sitric the Dane, but drives out Anlaf and Guthferd out of their Kingdom. p. 224. the story of his dealing with his Brother Edwin questioned as improbable. ibid. he over-throws a vast Army of Scotch and Irish, under Anlaf and Constantine King of Scotland. p. 225. 226. &c. he dies at Gloucester and is buried at Malmesbury. p. 228. his Character. p. 229.
• Assaracus a Trojan Prince, joins with Brutus against Pandrasus. p. 8.
• Aulus Plautins sent against this Island by the Emperor Claudius p. 52. he overthrows Caractacus and Togodumnus, ibid. is very much put to it by the Britons. p. 53. sends to Claudius to come over, and joins with him. ibid. leaves the Country quiet, and returns triumphant to Rome. p. 54. 55.
• Aurelius Conanus a British King, one of the five that is said to have reigned toward the beginning of the Saxon Heptarchie. p. 131.
• Austin with others sent over from Rome to preach the Gospel to the Saxons. p. 138. he is received by King Ethelbert who hears him in a great Assembly. p. 139. he is ordained Archbishop of the English. p. 140. he hath his seat at Canterbury. p. 141. he summons together the British Bishops, requiring them to conform with him in points wherein they differed. p. 142. upon their refusal he stirs up Ethelfrid against them, to the slaughter of 1200 Monks. p. 144.

B.
• BArdus, one of the first race of Kings fabled to have reigned in this Island. p. 4. descended from Samothes. ibid.
• Beorn precedes Æthelred in the Kingdom of the East-Angles. p. 187.
• Bericus flying to Rome persuades the Emperor Claudius to invade this Island. p. 51.
• Bernulf usurping the Kingdom of Mercia from Keolwulf, is overthrown by Ecbert at Ellandune. p. 186. flying to the East-Angles is by them slain. ib.
• Berinus a Bishop sent by Pope Honorius converts the West-Saxons and their Kings to Christianity. p. 155.
• Birthric King of the West-Saxons after Kinwulf. p. 179. he secretly seeks the Life of Ecbert. p. 183. is poisoned by a Cup which his Wife had prepared for another. p. 184.
• Bladud the Son of Rudhuddibras builds Caerbadus or Bath. p. 17.
• Bleduno, one in the number of the ancient British Kings. p. 28.
• Blegabedus his Excellency in Music. p. 28.
• Boadicia the Wife of Prasutagus, together with her Daughters, abused by the Roman Soldiers. p. 62. commands in Chief in the British Army against the Romans. p. 65. vanquishit by Suetonius, is thought to have poisoned herself. p. 67.
• Bonosus a Britain by descent, endeavoring to make himself Emperor, but vanquished by Probus, hangs himself. p. 84. 85.
• Brennus and Belinus the Sons of Dunwallo Mulmutius contend about the Kingdom. p. 22. after various conflicts they are reconciled by their Mother Conuvenna. p. 23. they turn their united Forces into Foreign parts, but Belinus returns and reigns long in Peace. p. 23. 24.
• Britain the History of the affairs thereof altogether obscure and uncertain till the coming of Julius Caesar. p. 2. by whom first peopled. p. 4. named first Samothea from Samothes, ibid. next Albion, and from whence. p. 4. 5.
• Britons stoutly oppose Caesar at his landing in this Island. p. 36. 37. they offer him terms of Peace. p. 38. their manner of fighting. p. 39. 40. they are defeated by Caesar and brought anew to terms of Peace. p. 40. a sharp dispute between the Britons and the Romans, near the Stowr in Kent. p. 42. 43. their Nature and Customs. p. 48. 49. their cruel Massacre upon the Romans. p. 64. they are acquitted of the Roman jurisdiction by the Emperor Honorius, not able to defend them against their Enemies. p. 97. they again supplicate Honorius for aid, who spares them a Roman Legion. p. 101. and again at their renewed request a new supply. ibid. their submissive Letters to Aetius the Roman Consul. p. 106. their Luxury and wickedness, and the corruption of their Clergy. p. 107. 129. 130. their Embassy to the Saxons for their aid against the Scots and Picts, with the Saxons answer. p. 110. 111. Miserably harrassit by the Saxons whom they called in. p. 113. 114. routed by Kerdic. p. 120. by Kenric and Keaulin. p. 127. 133. by Cuthulf. p. 132. they totally vanquish Keaulin. p. 134. they are put to flight by Kenwalk. p. 161.
• Britto, named among the four Sons of Histion, sprung of Japheth, and from him the Britons said to be derived. p. 5.
• Brutus, said to be descended from Aeneas a Trojan Prince. p. 7. retiring into Greece after having unfortunately killed his Father, he delivers his Countrymen from the Bondage of Pandrasus. p. 7. 8. &c. marries Innogen the eldest Daughter of Pandrasus. p. 10. he lands upon a desert Island called Leogicia, p. 10. where he consults the Oracle of Diana. p. 11. meets with Corineus. p. 12. overcomes Goffarius Pictus. p. 12. 13. arrives in this Island. p. 13. builds Troja Nova. p. 14.
• Brutus surnamed Greenshield, succeeds Ebranc and gives Battle to Brunchildis. p. 16.
• Burhead holding of Ethelwolf the Mercian Kingdom after Bertulf, reduceth the North Welch to obedience. p. 194. he marries Ethelswida the Daughter of King Ethelwolf. p. 195. driven out of his Kingdom by the Danes, he flies to Rome, where dying he is buried in the English School. p. 104. his Kingdom let out by the Danes to Kelwulf. ibid.

C.
• CAdwallon, see Kedwalla.
• Caesar, see Julius Caesar.
• Cajus Sidius Geta behaves himself valiantly against the Britons. p. 53.
• Cajus Volusenus sent into Britain by Caesar to make discovery of the Country and people. p. 34.
• Caligula a Roman Emperor. p. 51.
• Camalodunum or Maldon the chief seat of Kymbeline. p. 51. made a Roman Colony. p. 56. 62. 63.
• Camber one of the Sons of Brutus hath allotted to him Cambria or Wales. p. 14.
• Canute the Son of Swane, chosen King after his Father's Death by the Danish Army and Fleet. p. 258. is driven back to his Ships by Æthelred. p. 259. returns with a great Navy from Denmark accompanied with Lachman King of Sweden, and Olav of Norway. p. 259. 260. after several conflicts with Edmund, he at length divides the Kingdom with him by agreement. p. 265. after Edmunds Death Reigns sole King. p. 267. he endeavors the extirpation of the Saxon line. p. 267. he settles his Kingdom, and makes peace with the Princes round about him. p. 268. he causes Edric, whose treason he had made use of, to be slain, and his body to be thrown over the City Wall, &c. ibid. he subdues Norway. p. 270. takes a Voyage to Rome, and offering there rich gifts, vows amendment of life. ibid. he dies at Shaftsbury, and is buried at Winchester. p. 271. his censure. p. 271. 272.
• Capis one in the Catalogue of the Ancient Kings. p. 28.
• Capoirus another of the same number. p. 28.
• Caractacus the youngest Son of Cunobeline, succeeds in the Kingdom. p. 51. is overthrown by Aulus Plautius. p. 53. heads the Silures against the Romans. p. 56. 57. is betrayed by Cartismandua, to whom he fled for refuge. p. 57. is sent to Rome. ibid. his Speech to the Emperor. p. 58. by the braveness of his carriage he obtains pardon for himself and all his Company. ibid.
• Carausius grown rich with Piracy possesses himself of this Island. p. 86. he fortifies the Wall of Severus. ibid. in the midst of the great preparations of Constantius Chlorus against him, he is slain by his friend Alectus. p. 87.
• Carinus sent by his Father Carus the Emperor to govern this Isle of Britain is overcome and slain by Dioclesian. p. 85.
• Cartismandua Queen of the Brigantes, delivers Caractacus bound to the Romans. p. 57. deserts her Husband Venutius, and gives both herself and Kingdom to Vellocatus one of his Squires. p. 60.
• Carvilius a petty King in Britain assaults the Roman Camp with three others. p. 46.
• Cassibelaun one of the Sons of Heli, gains the Kingdom by common consent. p. 29. his generosity to his Brothers Sons. ibid. he heads the Britons against Julius Caesar and the Romans. p. 45. he is deserted by the Trinobantes, and why. p. 46. he yields to Caesar. p. 47. is reported to have had War with Androgeus, dies, and is buried at York. ibid.
• Cataracta an ancient City in Yorkshire, burnt by Arnred a Tyrant.
• Catellus an ancient British King. p. 28.
• Cerdic a Saxon Prince lands at Cerdic shore, and overthrows the Britons. p. 120. defeats their King Natanleod in a memorable Battle, ibid. founds the Kingdom of West-Saxons. p. 121. see Kerdic.
• Cherin an ancient British King. p. 28.
• Christian Faith received in Britain by King Lucius. p. 79. said to have been preached by Faganus and Deruvianus. p. 79. others say long before by Simon Zealots, or Joseph of Arimathaea. p. 80. upon what occasion preached to the Saxons. p. 137. 138.
• Chrysanthus the Son of Marcianus a Bishop, made Deputy of Britain by Theodosius. p. 93.
• Cingetorix a petty King in Britain, assaults the Roman Camp. p. 46. is taken Prisoner by Caesar. p. 47.
• Claudius the Emperor is persuaded by Bericus, though a Britain, to invade this Island. p. 51. he sends Aulus Plautius hither with an Army. p. 52. he comes over himself and joins with Plautius. p. 53. defeats the Britons in a set Battle, and takes Camalodunum, p. 54. he returns to Rome, leaving Plautius behind. ibid. he hath excessive honors decreed him by the Senate. ibid.
• Cliguellius an ancient British King. p. 28.
• Clodius Albinus succeeds Pertinax in the Government of Britain for the Romans. p. 81. he is vanquishit and slain in a Battle against Septimius Severus. p. 81.
• Coilus the Son of Marius leaves the Kingdom to Lucius. p. 79.
• Coillus an ancient British King. p. 28.
• Comail and two other British Kings slain by Keaulin and his Son. Cuthwin. p. 133.
• Comius of Arras sent by Caesar to make a party among the Britons. p. 35.
• Constance of a Monk made a Caesar's reduce, all Spain to his Father Constantius 's Obedience. p. 95. displacing Gerontius is opposed by him, and at last slain. ibid.
• Constantine the Son of Constantius Chlorus, saluted Emperor after his Fathers Death. p. 88. 89. his Mother said to be Helena the Daughter of Coilus a British Prince. p. 89. his eldest Son of the same name, enjoys among other Provinces of the Empire this Island also. ibid. a common Soldier of the same name saluted Emperor. p. 95. by the valor of Oedebecus and Gerontius, he gains in France as far as Arles. ibid. by the conduct of his Son Constance, and of Gerontius, he reduces all Spain, ibid. Gerontius displacit by him calls in the Vandals against him. ibid. beseig'd by Constantius Comes, he turns Priest, is afterwards carried into Italy, and put to Death. p. 96.
• Constantine the Son of Cador sharply inveigh'd against by Gildas. p. 131. he is said to have murdered two young Princes of the blood Royal. ibid.
• Constantine King of Scotland joining with the Danes and Irish under Anlaf, is overthrown by Athelstan. p. 225. 226.
• Constantius Chlorus sent against Carausius. p. 86. defeats Alectus, who is slain in the Battle. p. 87. is acknowledged by the Britons as their deliverer. p. 88. divides the Empire with Galerius. ibid. dies at York. ibid.
• Constantius the Son of Constantine overcomes Magnentius, who contested with him for the sole Empire. p. 89.
• Cordeilla 's sincere answer to her Father begets his displeasure. p. 18. she is married to Aganippus a King in Gaul. ibid. she receives her Father, rejected by his other Daughters, with most dutiful affection. p. 19. restores him to his Crown, and Reigns after him. p. 20. is vanquished, deposed, and imprisoned by her two Sister's Sons. ibid.
• Corineus a Trojan Commander, joins Forces with Brutus. p. 12. slays Imbertus. ibid. arrives with Brutus in this Island. p. 13. Cornwall from him denominated falls to his Lot. p. 14. he overcomes the Giant Goemagog. p. 14.
• Crida, the first of the Mercian Kingdom. p. 133.
• Cuichelm the West-Saxon sends Eumerus a Sword-man to assassin King Edwin. p. 148. is baptis'd in Dorchester, but dies the same year. p. 155.
• Cunedagius the Son of Regan deposeth his Aunt Cordelia, p. 20. shares the Kingdom with his Cosin Marganus, is invaded by him, meets him and overcomes him. p. 20.
• Cuneglas a British King Reigns one of five a little before the Saxons were settled. p. 131.
• Cunobeline, see Kymbeline.
• Cutha helps his Father Keaulin against Ethelbert. p. 128.
• Cuthred King of West-Saxons joins with Ethelbald the Mercian, and gains a great victory over the Welsh, p. 174. he hath a fierce battle with Ethelbald the Mercian, which he not long survives, p. 175. a King of Kent of the same name. p. 185.
• Cuthulf the Brother of Keaulin vanquisheth the Britain's at Bedanford, and takes several Towns, p. 132.
• Cuthwin, see Keaulin.

D.
• DAnes first appear in the West, p. 179. they stay the Kings Gatherers of Custom, ibid. landing at Lindisfarne in York-shire, they pillage that Monastery, slay and captivate several both Friars and others, p. 181. attempting to spoil another Monastery, they are cut off by the English, p. 182. they make very great waste and havoc in Northumberland, p. 188. they waste Shepey in Kent, and engage with Ecbert, near the River Carr, p. 191. they are overthrown and put to flight by Ecbert, p. 192. their various success in the reign of Ethelwolf, p. 192, 193, &c. many great battles between them and the English in the reign of Æthelred with various fortune, p. 201, 202, &c. their whole Army being defeated, they are brought to terms by King Alfred, p. 207. in the same Kings reign several vast Fleets of Danes arrive with fresh supplies, p. 208. a vast Army of them over-thrown by King Athelstan, p. 225. a massicre committed upon them by the English in all parts of the Land in the reign of King Æthelred, p. 249.
• Danius reckoned among the Ancient British Kings. p. 25.
• Deruvianus, see Faganus.
• Dinothus Abbot of Bangor his Speech to Bishop Austin. p. 143.
• Dioclesian supposed a King of Syria, and his 50 Daughters having (all but one) murdered their Husbands, to have been driven upon this Island. p. 5.
• Dis the first peopler of this Island, as some fabulously affirm, p. 9. the same with Samothes. ibid.
• Donaldus said to have headed the Caledonians against Septimius Severus. p. 84.
• Donaldus King of Scotland brought to hard conditions by Osbert and Ella Kings of Northumberland. p. 196.
• Druids falsely alleged out of Caesar to have forbidden the Britons to write their memorable deeds. p. 2.
• Druis the third from Samothes fabulously written the ancientest King of this Island. p. 4.
• Dunstane sent the Nobles to reprove King Edw. for his luxury, p. 233. banished by the King, and his Monastery rifled, p. 234. recalled by King Edgar, ibid. his miraculous escape when the rest of the company were killed by the fall of a house. p. 242.
• Dunwallo Mulmutius Son of Cloten King of Cornwall, reduces the whole Island into a Monarchy, p. 21. establisheth the Molmutin Laws. p. 22.
• Durslus King of the Picts said to be slain by the joint Forces of the Britons and Romans. p. 102.

E.
• EAdbald after the death of his Father Ethelbert, falls back to Heathenism, p. 145. he runs distracted, but afterwards returns to his right mind and faith, p. 146. by what means it happened. ibid. he gives his Sister Edelburga in marriage to Edwin, ibid. he dies and leaves his Son Ercombert to succeed. p. 156.
• Eadbert shares with his two Brothers in the Kingdom of Kent, after Victred, p. 170. his death, p. 174. Eadbert King of Northumberland after Kelwulf wars against the Picts, p. 174. joins with Unust King of the Picts against the Britons in Cumberland, p. 175, 176. forsakes his Crown for a Monks hood. p. 176.
• Eatbright, otherwise called Ethelbert, usurping the Kingdom of Kent, and contending with Kenulph the Mercian, is taken prisoner. p. 182.
• Eadburga by chance poisons her Husband Birthric with a cup which she had prepared for another, p. 184. the choice proposed to her by Charles the Great to whom she fled, ibid. he assigns her a rich Monastery to dwell in as Abbess, ibid. detected of unchastity, she is expelled, and dies in beggary at Pavia. p. 185.
• Eandred Son of Eardulf reigns 30 years King of Northumberland after Alfwold the Usurper, p. 185. becomes tributary to Ecbert. p. 188.
• Eanfrid the Son of Ethelfrid succeeds in the Kingdom of Bernicia. p. 154.
• Eardulf supposed to have been slain by Æthelred is made King of the Northumbrians in York after Osbald, p. 182. in a War raised against him by his people he gets the victory, p. 183. is driven out of his Kingdom by Alswold. p. 185.
• East-Angle Kingdom by whom erected. p. 121.
• East-Saxon Kingdom by whom hegun, p. 121. the people converted by Mellitus, p. 142. they expel their Bishop and renounce their faith, p. 146. are reconverted by means of Edwi. p. 159.
• Ebranc succeeds his Father Mempricius in the Kingdom of Britain, p. 15. builds Caer-Ebranc now York, and other places. ibid.
• Ecbert succeeds his Father Ercombert in the Kingdom of Kent, p. 163. dying, leaves a suspicion of having slain his Uncle's Sons Elbert and Egelbright. p. 163.
• Ecbert of the West-Saxon linage, flies from Birthric 's suspicion to Offa, and thence into France, p. 183. after Birthric 's decease is recalled, and with general applause made King, ibid. he subdues the Britons of Cornwall and beyond Severn, p. 186. overthrows Bernulf the Usurper of Mercia at Ellandune or Wilton, ibid. the East-Angles having slain Bernulf, yield to his Sovereignty, ibid. drives Baldred King of Kent out of his Kingdom, and causeth both Kent and other Provinces to submit to his Scepter, p. 187. Withlaf of Mercia becomes tributary to him, ibid. he gives the Danes battle by the River Carr, p. 191. in another battle he puts to flight a great Army of them, together with the Cornish men joining with them, p. 192. he dies, and is buried at Winchester. ibid.
• Ecferth the Son of Offa the Mercian within four months ends his Reign. p. 181, 182.
• Ecfrid Oswi 's eldest Son succeeds him in the Kingdom of Northumberland, p. 163. wins Lindsey from Wulfer the Mercian, ibid. he wars against Æthelred the Brother of Wulfer, p. 166. he sends Bertus with an Army to subdue Ireland, p. 167. marching against the Picts is cut off with most of his Army, ib. his death revenged by Bertfrid a Northumbrian Captain. p. 170.
• Edan a King of the Scots in Britain put to flight by Ethelfrid. p. 141.
• Edelard King of the West-Saxons after Ina molested with the Rebellion of his Kinsman Oswald, p. 174. overcoming those troubles, dies in peace. ibid.
• Edgar the Brother and Successor of Edwi in the English Monarchy, calls home Dunstan from Banishment, p. 234. his peaceable and prosperous Reign, and his favor towards the Monks, ibid. his strict observance of justice, and his care to secure the Nation with a strong Fleet, p. 235. he is homag'd and row'd down the River Dee by eight Kings, p. 236. his expostulation with Kened King of Scotland, p. 237. he is cheated by the treacherous Duke Athelwold of Elflida, whom, avenging himself upon the said Duke, he marries, p. 237, 238. attempting on the chastity of a young Lady at Andover, he is pleasantly deceived by the mother, p. 239. dying in the height of his glory, he is buried at Glaston- Abby. p. 236.
• Edgar surnamed Atheling, his right and title to the Crown of England from his Grandfather Edmund Ironside, p. 292. excluded by Harold Son of Earl Godwin. p. 299.
• Edilhere the Brother and Successor of Anna in the Kingdom of the East-Angles, slain in a battle against Oswi. p. 161.
• Edilwalk the South-Saxon persuaded to Christianity by Wulfer. p. 164.
• Edmund crowned King of the East-Angles at Burie, p. 196. his whole Army put to flight by the Danes, he is taken, bound to a stake, and shot with arrows, p. 201.
• Edmund the Brother and Successor of Athelstane in the English Monarchy, frees Mercia, and takes several Towns from the Danes, p. 230. he drives Anlaf and Suthfrid out of Northumberland, and Dummail out of Cumberland, p. 231. the strange manner of his death. p. 231, 232.
• Edmund surnamed Ironside, the Son of Æthelred, set up by divers of the Nobles against Canute, p. 262. in several Battels against the Danes, he comes off for the most part victorious, p. 263, 264. at length consents to divide the Kingdom with him, p. 265. his death thought to have been violent, and not without Canute 's consent. p. 266.
• Edred the third Brother and Successor of Athelstane, with much ado reduceth the Northumbrians, and puts an end to that Kingdom, p. 232. dies in the flower of his age, and is buried at Winchester. p. 233.
• Edric the Son of Edelwalk King of South-Saxons slain by Kedwalla the West-Saxon. p. 165.
• Edric surnamed Streon advancit by King Æthelred, marries his Daughter Elgiva, p. 254. he secretly murders two Noblemen whom he had invited to his Lodging, p. 259. he practices against the life of Prince Edmund, and revolts to the Danes, p. 260. his cunning devices to hinder Edmund in the prosecution of his Victories against Canute, p. 263, 264. is thought by some to have been the Contriver of King Edmunds murder, p. 266. the Government of the Mercians confer'd upon him, p. 268. he is put to death by Canutus, and his head stuck upon a pole, and set upon the highest Tower in London. p. 268. Edward the Elder Son and Successor of King Alfred, hath War with Ethelwald his Kinsman, who aspiring to the Crown, stirs up the Danes against him, p. 115, 116. he proves successful and potent, divers Princes and great Commanders of the Danes submitting to him, p. 216, 217, &c. the King and whole Nation of Scotland, with divers other Frinces and people, do him homage as their Sovereign, p. 221. he dies at Farendon, and is buried at Winchester. p. 222.
• Edward surnamed the Younger, Edgar 's Son by his first Wife Egelfleda, is advancit to the Throne, p. 241. the contest in his Reign between the Monks and secular Priests, each abetted by their several parties, p. 242. great mischief done by the falling of a house where a general Council for deciding the controversy was held, ibid. Edward inhumanely murdered by the treachery of his step-mother Elfrida. p. 243.
• Edward Son of Edmund Ironside, Heir apparent to the Crown, dies at London. p. 292.
• Edward surnamed the Confessor, the Son of King Æthelred by Emma, after Hardecnute 's death is crowned at Winchester, p. 280. he seizeth on the Treasures of his mother Queen Emma, p. 281. he marries Edith Earl Godwin 's Daughter, ibid. he makes preparation against Magnus King of Norway, but next year makes peace with Harold Harvager, ibid. he advances the Normans in England, which proves of ill consequence, p. 283. he is opposed by Earl Godwin in the Cause of Eustace of Boloign, banishes the Earl, and divorces his Daughter whom he had married, p. 285, 286. entertains Duke William of Normandy, p. 287. he sends Odo and Radulf with a Fleet against Godwin, and his Sons exercising Piracy, p. 288. reconciliation at length made, he restores the Earl, his Sons and Daughter, all to their former dignities, p. 289. he is said to have designed Duke William of Normandy his Successor to the Crown, p. 296. dies and is buried at Westminster, p. 297. his Character. p. 297, 298.
• Edwi the Son and Successor of Edmund is crowned at Kingston, p. 233. he banisheth Bishop Dunstan for reproving his wantonness with Algiva, and proves an enemy to all Monks, p. 233, 234. the Mercians and Northumbrians revolt from him, and set up his Brother Edgar, p. 234. with grief thereof he ends his days, and is buried at Winchester. ibid.
• Edwin thrown out of the Kingdom of Deira by Ethelfrid, p. 133. 146. flying to Redwall the East-Angle for refuge, he is defended against Ethelfrid, p. 147. he exceeds in power and extent of Dominion all before him, p. 148. marries Edelburga the Sister of Eadbald, ibid. he is wounded by an Assassin from Cuichelm, ibid. the strange relation of his Conversion to Christianity, p. 149. 150. he persuades Eorpald the Son of Redwald to embrace the Christian Faith, p. 153. he is slain in a Battle against Kedwalla. ibid.
• Edwin Duke of the Mercians, see Morcar.
• Elanius reckoned in the number of ancient British Kings. p. 25.
• Eldadus. p. 28.
• Eldol. ibid.
• Eledancus. ibid.
• Elfled the Sister of King Edward the Elder, takes Derby from the Danes, p. 218. her Army of Mercians victorious against the Welsh, ibid. after several Martial Acts, she dies at Tamworth. p. 221.
• Elfred the Son of King Æthelred by Emma, betrayed by Earl Godwin, and cruelly made away by Harold. p. 274, 276.
• Elfwald the Son of Oswulf succeeding Æthelred in Northumberland is rebel'd against by two of his Noblemen Osbald and Ethelheard, p. 177. he is slain by the conspiracy of Siggan one of his Nobles. p. 179.
• Elfwin slain in a Battle between his Brother Ecfrid and Æthelred. p. 166.
• Elidure 's noble demeanor towards his deposed Brother, p. 26. after Archigallo's death he resumes the Government, but is driven out again and imprisoned by his two other Brethren. p. 27.
• Elind reckoned in the number of ancient British Kings. p. 28.
• Ella the Saxon lands with his three Sons, and beats the Britons in two Battels, p. 119. he and his Son Cissa take Andredschester in Kent by force, ibid. begins his Kingdom of the South-Saxons. ibid.
• Elwold Nephew of Ethelwald reigns King of the East-Angles after Aldulf. p. 187.
• Emeric succeeds Otha in the Kingdom of Kent. p. 127.
• Emma the Daughter of Richard Duke of Normandy married first to K. p. 249. afterwards to Canute, p. 268. banished by her Son-in-Law Harold, she retires to Flanders, and is entertained by Earl Baldwin, p. 274. her Treasures seized on by her Son King Edward, p. 281. she dies, and is buried at Winchester, p. 287. a Tradition concerning her questioned. ib.
• Eorpwald the Son of Redwald King of the East-Angles persuaded to Christianity by Edwin, p. 113. he is slain in fight by Ricbert a Pagan. ibid.
• Erchenwin said by Huntingdon to be the Erector of the Kingdom of the East-Saxons. p. 121.
• Ercombert succeeds Eadbald in the Kingdom of Kent. p. 156.
• Eric, see Iric.
• Ermenred thought to have had more right to the Kingdom than Ercombert. p. 156.
• Escwin and Kenswin the Nephew and Son of Kinegil, said to have succeeded Kenwalk in the Government of the West-Saxons, p. 164. Escwin joins Battle with Wulfer at Bedanhafer, and not long after deceaseth. ibid.
• Estrildis beloved by Locrine, p. 14. is with her Daughter Sabra thrown into a River. p. 15.
• Ethelbald King of Mercia, after Ina commands all the Provinces on this side Humber, p. 171. he takes the Town of Somerton, p. 173. fraudulently assaults part of Northumberland in Eadberts absence, p. 174. his encounter at Beorford with Cuthred the West-Saxon, p. 175. in another bloody fight at Secandune he is slain. p. 176.
• Ethelbald and Ethelbert share the English-Saxon Kingdom between them after their Father Ethelwolf, Ethelbald marries Judith his Father's Widow, p. 198. is buried at Shirburn. ibid.
• Ethelbert succeeds Emeric in the Kingdom of Kent, p. 127. he is defeated at Wibbandun by Keaulin and his Son Cutha, p. 128. enlarges his Dominions from Kent to Humber, p. 137. civilly receives Austin and his Fellow-preachers of the Gospel, p. 139. is himself baptized, p. 140. moved by Austin, he builds S. Peters Church in Canterbury, and endows it, p. 141. he builds and endows S. Paul 's Church in London, and the Cathedral at Rochester, p. 142. his death, p. 145.
• Ethelbert, Eadbert, and Alric succeed their Father Victred in the Kingdom of Kent, p. 170. see Eadbright.
• Ethelbert the Son of Ethelwolf after the death of his Brother Ethelbald enjoys the whole Kingdom to himself, p. 198. during his Reign the Danes waste Kent, p. 199. he is buried with his Brother at Shirburn, ibid.
• Ethelfrid succeeds Ethelric in the Kingdom of Northumberland, p. 134. he wastes the Britons, p. 141. overthrows Edan King of Scots, ibid. in a Battle at Westchester against the British Forces he slays above 1200 Monks. p. 144.
• Ethelmund and Weolstan the opposite Leaders of each party in a fight between the Worster-shire men and Wilt-shire men slain. p. 184.
• Æthelred succeeding his Brother Wulfer in the Kingdom of Mercia, recovers Lindsey and other parts, p. 164. invades the Kingdom of Kent, ibid. a sore Battle between him and Ecfrid the Northumbrian, p. 166. after the violent death of his Queen he exchanges his Crown for a Monks Cowl. p. 169.
• Æthelred the So • of Mollo, the Usurper Alcled being forsaken b • the Northumbrians, and deposed, is crowned in his stead, p. 177. having caused three of his Noblemen to be treacherously slain, he is driven into banishment, ibid. after 10 year's banishment restored again, p. 179. he cruelly and treacherously puts to death Oelf and Oelfwin, the Sons of Elfwald formerly King, p. 180. and afterwards Osred, who though shaven a Monk, attempted again upon the Kingdom, ibid. he marries Elfled the Daughter of Offa, p. 180. is miserably slain by his people. p. 182.
• Æthelred the Son of Eandred driven out in his 4. year, p. 193. is re-exalted to his Seat, but slain the 4. year after. ibid.
• Æthelred the third Son of Ethelwolf the third Monarch of the English-Saxons infested with fresh Invasions of the Danes, p. 199. he fights several great Battels with the Danes with various success, p. 202, 203, he dies in the 5. year of his Reign, and is buried at Winburn. p. 203.
• Æthelred the Son of Edgar by Elfrida crowned at Kingston, p. 243. Dunstan at his Baptism presages ill of his future slothful Reign, ibid. new Invasions of the Danes, and great spoils committed by them in his Reign, p. 244, 245, &c. being reducit to straits by the Danes, he retires into Normandy, p. 258. is recalled by his people, and joyfully received, ibid. drives Canute the Dane back to his Ships, p. 259. he dies at London. p. 262.
• Ethelric Ida's Son expels Edwin the Son of Alla out of the Kingdom of Deira. p. 133.
• Ethelwald the Son of Oswald King of Deira, taking part with the Mercians, withdraws his Forces, p. 160.
• Ethelwald the Brother of Edelhere succeeds him in the Kingdom of the East-Angles. p. 161.
• Ethelwald surnamed Mollo set up King of the Northumbrians in the room of Oswulf, p. 177. he slays in Battle Oswin a Lord that rebel'd against him, ib. is set upon by Alcled who assumes his place. ibid.
• Ethelwolf the second Monarch of the English-Saxons, of a mild nature, not warlike, or ambitious. p. 192. he with his Son Ethelbald gives the Danes a total defeat at Ak-Lea or Oak-Lea, p. 194. he dedicatea the tenth of his whole Kingdom toward the maintenance of Masses and Psalms for the prospering of him and his Captains against the Danes, p. 195. takes a journey to Rome with his Son Alfrid, and marries Judith the Daughter of Charles the Bald of France, ibid. he is driven by a Conspiracy to consign half his Kingdom to his Son Ethelbald, p. 195. dies and is buried at Winchester, p. 197.
• Ethelwolf Earl of Bark-shire obtains a Victory against the Danes at Englefield, p. 201, 202. in another Battle is slain himself. p. 202.
• Ethildrith refusing for 12 years her Husband Ecfrids Bed, at length veils herself a Nun, and is made Abbess of Eli. p. 167.
• Eustace Count of Boloign revenging the death of one of his servants, is set upon by the Citizens of Canterbury, p. 284. he complains to King Edward who takes his part against the Canterburians, and commands Earl Godwin against them, but in vain. p. 284, 285.

F.
• FAganus and Deruvianus said to have preached the Gospel here, and to have converted almost the whole Island. p. 79.
• Faustus incestuously born of Vortimer and his Daughter, lives a devout life in Glamorgan-shire. p. 115.
• Fergus King of Scots said to be slain by the joint Forces of the Britons and Romans. p. 102.
• Ferrex the Son of Gorbogudo, slays in fight his Brother Porrex, though assisted with Forces out of France, p. 21. is in revenge slain himself in bed by his Mother Videna. ibid.
• Flattery odious and contemptible to a generous Spirit. p. 273.
• Francus, named among the four Sons of Istion, sprung of Japheth, and from him the Francs said to be derived. p. 5.
• Fulgenius reckoned among the ancient British Kings, p. 28. the Commander in chief of the Caledonians against Septimius Severus, so called by Geoffrey of Monmouth. p. 84.

G.
• GAlgacus heads the Britons against Julius Agricola. p. 74.
• Germanus in a public disputation at Verulam, puts to silence the chief of the Pelagians, p. 104. he is entreated by the Britons to head them against the Picts and Saxons, p. 104. he gains the Victory by a religious Stratagem, p. 105. his death. p. 108.
• Gerontius a Britain by his valor advances the success of Constantine the Usurper in France and Spain, p. 95. displacit by him, he calls in the Van •••• against him, ibid. deserted by his Soldiers, he depands himself valiantly with the slaughter of 300 of his enemies, p. 96. he kills his Wife Nonnichia refusing to outlive him. ibid.
• Geruntius the Son of Elidure not his immediate Successor. p. 28.
• Godwin Earl of Kent, and the West-Saxons stand for Hardecnute, p. 274. he betrays Prince Elfred to Harold, p. 274. 276. being called to account by Hardecnute, he appeaseth him with a very rich Present, p. 277. he earnestly exhorts Edward to take upon him the Crown of England, p. 280. marries his Daughter to King Edward, p. 281. he raises Forces in opposition of the French whom the King favor'd, p. 285. is banished, p. 286. he and his Sons uniting in a great Fleet, grow formidable, p. 288. coming up to London with his Ships, and preparing for Battle, a Reconciliation is suddenly made between him and the King, p. 289. sitting with the King at Table, he suddenly sinks down dead in his seat. p. 290.
• Gomer the eldest Son of Japheth believed the first that peopled these West and Northern Climes. p. 4.
• Gonorill gains upon the affection of her Father King Liar by her dissimulation, p. 17. she is married with Maglaunus Duke of Albania, p. 18. her ingratitude to her Father after she had gained from him what she could. p. 19.
• Gorbogudo, or Gorbodego succeeds Kinmarcus in the Kingdom. p. 21.
• Gorbonian succeeds Morindus in the Kingdom, p. 25. his justice and piety. p. 25, 26.
• Gratianus Funarius the Father of Valentinian, Commander in chief of the Roman Armies in Britain. p. 89.
• Gregory Archdeacon of Rome, and afterward Pope, procures the sending over of Abbot Austin and others to preach the Gospel to the Saxons in this Island. p. 138.
• Griffin Prince of South-Wales joining with Algar, and committing great spoil in Hereford, is pursued by Harold Earl of Kent, p. 292. after a peace concluded, he breaks his faith, and returns to Hostility, ibid. is again reducit, ibid. Harold sent against him, brings the Welsh to submission, p. 293. lurking about the Country, he is taken and slain by Griffin Prince of North-Wales. ibid.
• Guendolen the Daughter of Corineus is married to Locrine the Son of Brutus, p. 14. being divorcit by him, gives him Battle, wherein he is slain, p. 15. causeth Estrildis whom Locrine had married, to be thrown into a River with her Daughter Sabra, p. 15. governs 15 years in behalf of her Son Madan. ibid.
• Gueniver the Wife of Melval a British King kept from King Arthur in the Town of Glaston. p. 126.
• Guiderius said to have been the Son of Cunobeline, and slain in a Battle against Claudius. p. 54.
• Guitheline succeeds his Father Gurguntius Barbirus in the Kingdom.
• Gunhildis the Sister of Swane with her Husband Earl Palingus, and her young Son cruelly murder'd. p. 150.
• Guorangonus a King of Kent before it was given to the Saxons. p. 113.
• Guortigner the Son of Vortiger bends his endeavors to drive out the Saxons, p. 113. his success against them in several Battels, p. 415. dying, he commands his bones to be buried in the Port of Stonar. ibid.
• Gurguntius Barbirus succeeds Belinus in the Kingdom, overcomes the Dane, and gives encouragement to Bartholinus a Spaniard to settle a plantation in Ireland, p. 24. another ancient British King named Gurguntius. p. 28.
• Gurgustius succeeds Rivallo in the Kingdom. p. 21.
• Gyrtha Son of Earl Godwin accompanies his Father into Flanders, together with his Brothers Tosti and Swane, p. 286. his noble advice to his Brother Harold as he was ready to give Battle to Duke William of Normandy, p. 304. he is slain in the said Battle with his Brothers Harold and Leofwin. p. 305.
• Gythro or Gothrun a Danish King baptized and received out of the Font by King Alfred, p. 207. the Kingdom of the East-Angles said to be bestowed on him to hold of the said Alfred. ibid.

H.
• HArdecnute the Son of Canute by Emma, called over from Bruges, and received King with general acclamation, p. 276. he calls Godwin and others to account about the death of Elfred, p. 277. enraged at the Citizens of Worcester for killing his Taxgatherers, he sends an Army against them, and burns the City, p. 277, 278. he kindly receives and entertains his half Brother Edward, p. 278. eating and drinking hard at a great Feast, he falls down speechless, and soon after expiring, is buried at Winchester. ibid.
• Harold surnamed Harefoot, the Son of Canute elected King by Duke Leofric and the Mercians, p. 273. he banishes his Mother-in-Law Emma, p. 274. his perfidiousness and cruelty towards Elfred the Son of Æthelred, p. 274. 276. he dies and is buried at Winchester. p. 276.
• Harold Son of Godwin, made Earl of Kent, and sent against Prince Griffin of Wales, p. 292. he reduces him at last to utmost extremity, p. 293. being cast upon the Coast of Normandy, and brought to Duke William, he promises his endeavors to make him King of England, p. 295, 296. he takes the Crown himself, p. 299. puts off Duke William demanding it with a slighting answer, p. 300, 301. is invaded by his Brother Tosti, p. 300. by Harold Harvager King of Norway, whom he utterly overthrows and slays, together with Tosti, p. 301, 302. is invaded by Duke William of Normandy, p. 303. is over-thrown at the Battle of Hastings, and slain together with his two Brothers Leofwin and Gyrtha. p. 305.
• Helvius Pertinax succeeds Ulpius Marcellus in the Government of Britain. p. 81.
• Hengist and Horsa with an Army of Saxons, Jutes and Angles, lands in the Isle of Thanet, p. 111, 112. Hengist invites over more of his Country-men, p. 112. he gains advantages of Vortimer by marrying his Daughter to him, p. 113. he takes on him Kingly Title, p. 116. his several Battels against the Britons, ibid. his treacherous slaughter of 300 British Grandees under pretence of Treaty, p. 117. his death, p. 119.
• Henninus Duke of Cornwall hath Regan the Daughter of King Leir given him in Marriage. p. 18.
• Herebert a Saxon Earl slain with most part of his Army by the Danes at a place called Mereswar. p. 193.
• Hinguar and Hubba two Danish Brethren, how they got footing by degrees in England. p. 199, 200.
• Histion said to be descended of Japheth, and to have had four Sons who peopled the greatest part of Europe. p. 5.
• Honorius the Emperor sends aid twice to the Britons against their Northern Invaders. p. 101.
• Horsa the Brother of Hengist slain in the Saxons War against the Britons, p. 115, 116. his Burial-place gave name to Horsted a Town in Kent. p. 116.
• Humbeanna and Albert said by some to have shar'd the Kingdom of East-Angles after one Elfwald. p. 187.

I.
• JAgo or Lago succeeds his Uncle Gurgustius in the Kingdom. p. 21.
• Icenians, and by their example the Trinobantes rise up in Arms against the Romans. p. 63.
• Ida the Saxon begins the Kingdom of Bernicia in Northumberland. p. 126, 127.
• Idwallo learns by his Brother's ill success to rule well. p. 27.
• Immanuentius slain by Cassibelan. p. 46.
• Immin, Eaba, and Eadbert Noblemen of Mercia throw off Oswi, and set up Wulfer. p. 161.
• Ina succeeds Kedwalla in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons, p. 168. he marches into Kent to demand satisfaction for the burning of Mollo, ibid. is pacified by Victred with a sum of money, and the delivering up of the Accessories, ibid. vanquishes Gerent King of Wales, p. 170. stays Kenwulf and Albright, and vanquishes the East-Angles, p. 171. ends his days at Rome. ibid.
• Inniaunus deposed for his ill courses. p. 27.
• Joseph of Arimathaea said to have first preached the Christian Faith in this Island. p. 80.
• Jovinus sent Deputy into this Island by the Emperor Valentinian. p. 91.
• Iric a Dane made Earl of Northumberland by Canute in place of Uthred slain, p. 261. 268. he is said by some to have made War against Malcolm King of Scots, p. 269. his greatness suspected by Canute, he is banished the Realm. ibid.
• Julius Agricola the Emperors Lieutenant in Britain, almost extirpates the Ordovices, p. 69. finishes the Conquest of the Isle of Mona, p. 69. his justice and prudence in Government, p. 70. he brings the Britons to Civility, Arts, and an Imitation of the Roman fashions, p. 71. he receives triumphal Honors from Titus, p. 71, 72. he extends his Conquests to Scotland, subdues the Orcades and other Scotch Islands, p. 72. he is hard put to it in several Conflicts, but comes off victorious, p. 74, 75, &c. he is commanded home by Domitian. p. 77.
• Julius Caesar hath Intelligence that the Britons are aiding to his Enemies the Gauls, p. 33. he sends Gaius Volusenus to make discovery of the nature of the people, and strength of the Country, p. 34. after him Comius of Arras to make a party among the Britons, p. 35. the stout resistance he meets with from them at his landing, p. 36, 37. he receives terms of peace from them, p. 38. he loses a great part of his Fleet, ibid. defeats the Britons, and brings them anew to terms of peace, and sets sail for Belgium, p. 40. the year following he lands his Army again, p. 42. he hath a very sharp dispute with the Britons near the Stowr in Kent, p. 42, 43. he receives terms of peace from the Trinobantes, p. 46. he brings Cassibelan to Terms, p. 47. he leaves the Island, ibid. offers to Venus the Patroness of his Family a Corselet of British Pearl. ibid.
• Julius Frontinus the Emperors Lieutenant in Britain, tames the Silures a warlike people. p. 69.
• Julius Severus governs Britain under Adrian the Emperor. p. 78.

K.
• KEarl surrenders the Kingdom of Mercia to his Kinsman Penda. p. 152.
• Keaulin succeeds his Father Kenric in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons, p. 127. he and his Son Cuthin slay three British Kings at Deorham, p. 133. gives the Britons a very great rout at Fethanleage, ibid. is totally routed by the Britons at Wodensbeorth, and chacit out of his Kingdom, dies in poverty, p. 134.
• Kendwalla or Kadwallon a British King joining with Penda the Mercian, slays Edwin in Battle. p. 157.
• Kedwalla a West-Saxon Prince returned from Banishment, slays in fight Edelwalk the South-Saxon, and after that Edric his Successor, p. 165. going to the Isle of Wight, he devotes the fourth part thereof to holy uses, ibid. the Sons of Arwald King of that Isle slain by his order, p. 166. he harrasses the Country of the South-Saxons, ibid. is repel'd by the Kentish men, ibid. yet revenges the death of his Brother Mollo, ibid. going to Rome to be baptized, he dies there about five weeks after his Baptism. p. 168.
• Kelred the Son of Æthelred succeeds Kenred in the Mercian Kingdom, p. 169. possessed with an evil Spirit, he dies in despair. p. 170.
• Kelwulf reigns King of the West-Saxons after Keola, p. 140. he makes War upon the South-Saxons, p. 145. dying, leaves the Kingdom to his Brothers Sons. ibid.
• Kenwulf adopted by Osric the Northumbrian to be his Successor in the Kingdom, p. 171. he becomes a Monk in Lindisfarn. p. 173.
• Kened King of the Scots does high honor to King Edgar, p. 236. receives great favors from him, ibid. is challenged by him upon some words let fall, but soon pacifies him. p. 237.
• Kenelm succeeding a Child in the Kingdom of Mercia after Kenulf, is murder'd by order of his Sister Quendrid. p. 186.
• Kenred the Son of Wulfer succeeds Æthelred in the Mercian Kingdom, p. 169. having reigned a while, he goes to Rome, and is there shorn a Monk, ibid. another Kenred succeeds in the Kingdom of Northumberland. p. 170.
• Kenric the Son of Kerdic overthrows the Britons that oppose him, p. 120. kills and puts to flight many of the Britons at Searesbirig now Salisbury, p. 127. afterwards at Beranvirig now Banbury. ibid.
• Kentwin a West-Saxon King chaces the Welsh-Britons to the Sea-shore. p. 165.
• Kenulf hath the Kingdom of Mercia bequeathed him by Ecferth, p. 182. he leaves behind him the praise of a virtuous Reign. p. 186.
• Kenwalk succeeds his Father Kinegils in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons, p. 156. his successes variously delivered, p. 158. he is said to have discomfited the Britons at Pen in Somerset-shire, p. 161. and giving Battle to Wulfer to have taken him prisoner, p. 162. dying, leaves the Government to Sexburga his Wife. p. 163.
• Kenwulf entitled Clito slain by Ina the West-Saxon, p. 171.
• Kenwulf King of the West-Saxons, see Kinwulf.
• Keola the Son of Cuthulf succeeds his Uncle Keaulin in the West-Saxon Kingdom. p. 134.
• Keolwulf the Brother of Kenulf the Mercian, after two years reign driven out by Bernulf a Usurper. p. 186.
• Keorle with the Forces of Devonshire overthrows the Danes at Wigganbeorch. p. 193.
• Kerdic a Saxon Prince lands at Kerdicshore, and over-throws the Britons, p. 120. defeats their King Natanled in a memorable Battle, ibid. founds the Kingdom of the West-Saxons, p. 121. he overthrows the Britons again twice at Kerdic's Ford, and at Kerdic's League. p. 121, 122.
• Kimarus reckoned among the ancient British Kings. p. 25.
• Kinegils and Cuichelm succeed Kelwulf in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons, p. 145. they make Truce with Penda the Mercian, p. 152, 153. they are converted to the Christian Faith, p. 155. Kinegils dying leaves his son Kenwalk to succeed. p. 156.
• Kinmarcus succeeds Sisillius in the Kingdom. p. 21.
• Kinwulf, or Kenwulf (Sigebert being thrown out, and slain by a Swineherd) is saluted King of the West-Saxons, p. 175. behaves himself valorously in several Battels against the Welsh, p. 177. put to the worst at Besington by Offa the Mercian, ibid. is routed and slain in Battels by Kineard whom he had commanded into Banishment. p. 178.
• Kymbeline or Cunobeline the Successor of Tenuantius said to be brought up in the Court of Augustus, p. 51. his chief Seat Camalodunum or Maldon. ibid.

L.
• LEarning and Arts when began to flourish among the Saxons. p. 163.
• Leil succeeds Brute Greensheild, and builds Caerleil. p. 16.
• Leofric Duke of Mercia and Siward of Northumberland sent by Hardecnute against the people of Worcester, p. 277, 278. by their Counsel King Edward seizeth on the Treasures of his Mother Queen Emma, p. 281. they raise Forces for the King against Earl Godwin, p. 285. Leofric 's death. p. 293.
• Leofwin Son of Earl Godwin, after his Father Banishment goes over with his Brother Harold into Ireland, p. 286. he and Harold assist their Father with a Fleet against King Edward, p. 288. be is slain with his Brothers Harold and Gyrtha in the Battle against William Duke of Normandy. p. 305.
• Linceus delivered in fabulous story to be the Husband of one of the feigned 50 Daughters of Dioclesian King of Syria, p. 5. the only man saved by his Wife, when all the rest of the 50 slew their Husbands. ib.
• Locrin the eldest Son of Brutus hath the middle part of this Island called Leogria for his share in the Kingdom. p. 14.
• Lollius Urbicus draws a Wall of Turfs between the frith of Dunbritton and Edinburgh. p. 78.
• London with a great multitude of her Inhabitants by a sudden fire consumed. p. 183.
• Lothair succeeds his Brother Ecbert in the Kingdom of Kent. p. 163.
• Lucius a King in some part of Britain thought the first of any King in Europe who received the Christian Faith, p. 79. is made the second by descent from Marius, ibid. after a long Reign buried at Gloucester. p. 80.
• Lud walls about Trinovant, and calls it Caer Lud or Luds Town. p. 28.
• Ludiken the Mercian going to avenge Bernulf, is surprised by the East-Angles, and put to the sword. p. 187.
• Lupicinus sent over Deputy into this Island by Julian the Emperor, but soon recalled. p. 91.
• Lupus Bishop of Troyes assistant to Germanus of Auxerre in the Reformation of the British Church. p. 104.

M.
• MAdan succeeds his Father Locrin in the Kingdom. p. 15.
• Maglaunus Duke of Albania marries Gonorill eldest Daughter of King Leir. p. 18.
• Magoclune surnamed the Island Dragon, one of the five that reigned toward the beginning of the Saxon Heptarchy. p. 132.
• Magus the Son and Successor of Samothes, whom some fable to have been the first peopler of this Island. p. 4.
• Malcolm Son of Kened King of Scots, falling into Northumberland with his whole power utterly overthrown by Uthred, p. 262. some say by Eric. p. 269.
• Malcolm Son of the Cumbrian King made King of Scotland by Siward in the room of Macbeth. p. 290, 291.
• Malcolm King of Scotland coming to visit King Edward, swears brotherhood with Tosti the Northumbrian, p. 293. afterwards in his absence harrasses Northumberland. ibid.
• Mandubratius Son of Immanuentius favor'd by the Trinobantes against Cassibelan. p. 46.
• Marganus the Son of Gonorill deposeth his Aunt Cordelia, p. 20. shares the Kingdom with his Cousin Cunedagius, invades him, but is met and overcome by him. p. 20.
• Marganus the Son of Archigallo a good King. p. 27.
• Marius the Son of Arviragus is said to have overcome the Picts, and slain their King Roderic. p. 79.
• Martia the Wife of King Guitheline said to have instituted the Law called Marchen Leage. p. 24, 25.
• Martinus made Deputy of the British Province failing to kill Paulus, falls upon his own Sword. p. 90.
• Maximianus Herculeus forced to conclude a peace with Caransius, and yield him Britain. p. 86.
• Maximus a Spaniard usurping part of the Empire, is overcome at length and slain by Theodosius, p. 93. Maximus a friend of Gerontius is by him set up in Spain against Constantine the Usurper. p. 95.
• Mempricius one of Brutus his Council persuades him to hasten out of Greece. p. 10.
• Mempricius and Malim succeed their Father Madan in the Kingdom, p. 15. Mempricius treacherously slaying his Brother, gets sole possession of the Kingdom, reigns tyrannically, and is at last devoured by Wolves. p. 15.
• Mellitus, Justus, and others sent with Austin to the Conversion of the Saxons, p. 140. he converts the East-Saxons, p. 142. S. Paul's Church in London built for his Cathedral by Æthelred, as that of Rochester for Justus. ibid.
• Mollo, the Brother of Kedwalla, pursued, beset, and burnt in a house whither he had fled for shelter, p. 166. his death revenged by his Brother. ibid.
• Morcar the Son of Algar made Earl of Northumberland in the room of Tosti, p. 294. he and Edwin Duke of the Mercians put Tosti to flight, p. 300. they give Battle to Harold Harfager, King of Norway: but are put to the worst, p. 302. they refuse to set up Edgar, and at length are brought to swear fidelity to Duke William of Normandy. p. 305.
• Mordred Arthur 's Nephew said to have given him in a Battle his deaths wound. p. 131.
• Morindus, the Son of Elanius by Tanguestela, a valiant man, but infinitely cruel. p. 25.
• Mulmutius, see Dunwallo.

O.
• OCta and Ebissa called over by Hengist their Uncle, p. 13. they possess themselves of that part of the Isle which is now Northumberland. ibid.
• Oenus, one in the Catalogue of ancient British Kings. p. 28.
• Oeric or Oisc succeeds his Father Hengist in the Kingdom of Kent, and from him the Kentish Kings called Oiscings, p. 119. he is otherwise called Esca. p. 127.
• Offa the Son of Siger quits his Kingdom of the East-Saxons to go to Rome and turn Monk with Kenred. p. 169, 170. 174.
• Offa defeating and slaying Beornred the Usurper, becomes King of Mercia after Ethelbald, p. 176. he subdues a neighbouring people called Hestings, p. 177. gets the Victory of Alric King of Kent at Occanford, ibid. inviting Ethelbright King of the East-Angles to his Palace, he there treacherously causeth him to be beheaded, and seizeth his Kingdom, p. 180. his at first enmity afterwards league with Charles the Great, p. 181. he grants a perpetual Tribute to the Pope out of every house in his Kingdom, ibid. he draws a Trench of wondrous length between Mercia and the British Confines, his death. ibid.
• Osbald a Nobleman exalted to the Throne of the Northumbrians after Æthelred. p. 182.
• Osbert reigns in Northumberland after the last of the Ethelreds in the time of the Danish Invasion. p. 193.
• Osbert and Ella helping the Picts against Donaldus King of Scotland, put the Scots to flight at Sterlinbridge with great slaughter, and take the King prisoner. p. 196.
• Osfrid and Eanfrid the Sons of Edwin converted and baptized, p. 152. Osfrid slain together with his Father in a Battle against Kedwalla. p. 153.
• Oslac and Cnebban two Saxon Earls slain by Keaulin at Wibbandun. p. 128.
• Osmund King of the South-Saxons. p. 176.
• Osred a Child succeeds Aldfrid in the Northumbrian Kingdom, p. 169. he is slain by his kindred for his vicious life. p. 170.
• Osred Son of Alcled advancit to the Kingdom of Northumberland after Elfwald, is soon driven out again, p. 179. is taken and forcibly shaven a Monk at York. p. 180.
• Osric the Son of Elfric baptized by Paulinus, succeeds in the Kingdom of Bernicia, p. 154. turns Apostate, and is slain by an Eruption of Kedwalla out of a besieged Town, ibid. another Osric succeeds Kenred the second. p. 170.
• Osric Earl of Southampton and Ethelwolf of Bark-shire beat the Danes back to their Ships. p. 199.
• Ostorius sent Vice-praetor into Britain in the room of Plautius the Praetor, p. 55. routs the Britons, and improves his Victory to the best advantage, p. 55, 56. gives the Government of several Cities to Cogidunus a British King his Allie, p. 56. defeats the Silures under the leading of Caractacus. p. 57.
• Ostrid the Wife of Æthelred killed by her own Nobles. p. 169.
• Oswald Brother of Eanfrid living exiled in Scotland, is there baptized, p. 154. with a small Army utterly overthrows Kedwalla, ibid. settles Religion, and very much enlarges his Dominions, p. 155. overcome, and slain in Battle by Penda at Maserfeild, now Oswestre, p. 156. Oswi succeeds his Brother Oswald in the Kingdom, p. 156. he persuades Sigebert to receive the Christian Faith, p. 159. he discomfits Penda 's vast Army, p. 160. he subdues all Mercia, and the greatest part of the Pictish Nation, p. 161. shaken off by the Persian Nobles, and Wulfer set up in his stead, ibid. his death. p. 163.
• Oswin the Nephew of Edwin shares with Oswi in the Kingdom of Northumberland, p. 157. coming to Arms with him, he is over-matchit, and slain by his Command. ibid.
• Oswulf hath the Crown of Northumberland relinquisht to him by Eadbert, p. 176. slain by his own Servants. p. 177.
• Otha succeeds Esca in the Kingdom of Kent. p. 127.
• Otter and Roald two Danish Leaders landing in Devonshire, their whole Forces are scattered, and Roald slain. p. 218.

P.
• PAndrasus a Grecian King keeps the Trojans in servitude, p. 7. is set upon and beaten by Brutus. p. 8, 9.
• Paulinus sent spiritual Guardian with Edelburga, endeavors to convert Northumberland to Christianity, p. 148. the manner of his winning King Edwin to embrace the Christian Religion, p. 149, 151. he converts the Province of Lindsey and Blecca the Governor of Lincoln, and builds a Church in that City. p. 152.
• Peada the Son of Penda and Prince of the Middle-Angles, is baptized with all his Followers, p. 158. he hath South-Mercia confer'd on him by Oswi, p. 161. is slain by the treachery of his Wife on Easter-day. ibid.
• Pelagius a Britain brings new opinions into the Church, p. 94. the Pelagian Doctrine refuted by Germanus, p. 104. the Pelagians are judged to banishment by Germanus. p. 108.
• Penda the Son of Wibba King of Mercia hath the Kingdom surrender'd him by Kearle, p. 152. he joins with Kedwalla against Edwin, p. 153. he slays Oswald in Battle, p. 156. in another Battle Sigebert, p 157. in another Anna King of the East-Angles, p. 159. he is slain in a Battle against Oswi. p. 161.
• Penissel reckoned in the number of ancientest British Kings. p. 28.
• Peredure and Vigenius expel their Brother Elidure, and share the Kingdom between them. p. 27.
• Perjury an example of Divine vengeance in Alfred who conspired against King Athelstane. p. 223.
• Petilius Cerealis utterly defeated by the Britons, p. 64. he commands the Roman Army in Britain. p. 68, 69.
• Petronius Turpilianus commands in chief in Britain after Suetonius Paulinus. p. 68.
• Pir one of the ancientest Race of British Kings. p. 28.
• Picts and Scots harrass the South Coasts of Britain. p. 91. &c. See Scots.
• Picts and Saxons beaten by the Britons, through the pious Conduct of Germanus. p. 104, 105.
• Porrex the Son of Gorbogudo, though assisted from France, is slain by his Brother Ferrex, p. 21. his death revenged by his Mother Videna, ibid. another of that name reckoned in the Catalogue of British Kings. p. 28.
• Portsmouth denominated from the landing of Porta a Saxon Prince with his two Sons Bida and Megla, p. 120.
• Prafutagus King of the Icenians, leaving Caesar coheir with his Daughters, causeth the Britons to revolt. p. 62, 63.
• Priscus Licinius Lieutenant in this Isle under Adrian. p. 78.
• Probus subdues the Usurper Bonosus, who falls in the Battle, p. 85. prevents by his wisdom new risings in Britain. ibid.

R.
• REadwulf succeeding Æthelred in Northumbria, soon after his Coronation, cut off with his whole Army by the Danes at Alvetheli. p. 193.
• Rederchius reckoned among the ancient British Kings. p. 28.
• Redion, another British King. ibid.
• Redwald King of the East-Angles wars against Ethelfrid, in defense of Edwin, and slays him in Battle. p. 147.
• Regin Son of Gorbonian, a good King. p. 27.
• Rivallo succeeds his Father Cunedagius. p. 21.
• Rollo the Dane or Norman having fought unsuccessfully here, turns his Forces into France, and conquers the Country since called Normandy. p. 212.
• Romans land in Britain under the Conduct of Julius Caesar, p. 36, 37. their sharp Conflict with the Britons near the Stoure in Kent, p. 42, 43. the cruel Massacre of the Britons upon them, p. 64. they leave the Island to succor their declining affairs in other parts, p. 104. they come and aid the Britons against the Scots and Picts, ibid. they help them to build a new Wall, p. 102. instruct them in War, and take their last farewell. ibid.
• Romanus named among the four Sons of Histion, sprung of Japheth, and from him the Romans fabled to be derived. p. 5.
• Rowen the Daughter of Hengist sent for over by her Father, p. 112. she presents King Vortigern with a bowl of wine by her Fathers Command, p. 112, 113. she is upon the King's demand given him in Marriage. p. 113.
• Rudancus King of Cambria subdued in fight, and slain by Dunwallo Mulmutius. p. 21.
• Rudhuddibras succeeds his Father Leil, and founds Caerkeint or Canterbury with several other places. p. 16.
• Runno the Son of Peredure not immediate Successor. p. 28.

S.
• SAbra thrown into the River (thence called Sabrina) with her Mother Estrildis by Guendolen. p. 15.
• Samothes the first King that History or Fable mentions to have peopled this Island. p. 4.
• Samulius recorded among the ancient British Kings. p. 28.
• Saron the second King named among the Successors of Samothes. p. 4.
• Saxons harrass the South Coast of Britain, slay Nectaridius and Bulcobandes, p. 91. Saxons and Picts, see Picts.
• Saxons invited into Britain by Vortigern, and the Britons against the Scots and Picts, p. 109, 110. their Original, p. 110. they arrive under the leading of Hergist and Horsa. p. 111. they beat the Scots and Picts near Stamford. p. 112. fresh Forces sent them over, and their bounds enlarged. p. 112. 113. they making league with the Scots and Picts, wast the land without resistance, ibid. beaten by Guortimer in four Battels, and driven into Thanet. p. 115. they return most of them into their own Country. p. 117. the rest notably defeated by Ambrosius Aurelianus and the Britons. p. 118.
• Scots, Picts, and Attacots harrass the South Coast of Britain, p. 91. overcome by Maximus, p. 93. Scots possessed Ireland first, and named it Scotia, p. 94. Scots and Picts beaten by the Romans, sent to the supply of the Britons, p. 101. they make spoil and havoc with little or no opposition. p. 103.
• Sebbi having reigned over the East-Saxons 30 years, takes on him the habit of a Monk. p. 163.
• Sebert the Son of Sleda, reigns over the East-Saxons by permission of Ethelbert. p. 142.
• Segonax, one of the four petty Kings in Britain, that assaulted Caesar 's Camp. p. 46.
• Sejus Saturninus commands the Roman Navy in Britain. p. 78.
• Selred the Son of Sigebert the Good, succeeds Ossa in the East-Saxon Kingdom, and comes to a violent end. p. 174.
• Septimius Severus the Roman Emperor, arrives in person with an Army in this Island, p. 81. 82. his ill success against the Caledonians, p. 82. nevertheless goes on and brings them to terms of peace, p. 83. builds a Wall across the Island, from Sea to Sea, ibid. they taking Arms again, he sends his Son Antoninus against them, p. 84. he dies at York, 'tis thought of grief. ibid.
• Severus sent over Deputy into this Island by the Emperor Valentinian. p. 91.
• Sexburga the Wife of Kenwalk driven out by the Nobles, disdaining female Government. p. 163.
• Sexted and Seward re-establish Heathenism in East-Saxony, after the Death of their Father Sebert, p. 145. in a fight against the Britons they perish with their whole Army. p. 146.
• Sigeard and Senfred succeed their Father Sebbi in the East-Saxon Kingdom. p. 174.
• Sigebert succeeds his Brother Eorpwald in the Kingdom of the East-Angles, p. 156. he founds a School or College, and betakes himself to a Monastical life, p. 156. being forced into the field against Penda, he is slain with his Kinsman Egric. p. 157.
• Sigebert surnamed the Small, succeeds his Father Seward King of the East-Saxons, p. 159. his successor Sigebert the 2d. is persuaded by Oswi to embrace Christianity, ibid. is murdered by the Conspiracy of two Brethren, ibid. his Death denouncit by the Bishop for eating with an excommunicate person, p. 160. Sigebert the Kinsman of Cuthred succeeds him in the West-Saxon Kingdom. p. 175.
• Siger the Son of Sigebert the Small, and Sebbi the Son of Seward succeed in the government of the East-Saxons after Swithelms decease. p. 162.
• Silures a people of Britain choose Caractacus for their Leader against the Romans, p. 56. they continue the War after Caractacus was taken, against Ostorius and others. p. 59. 60. 61.
• Simon Zealots, by some said to have preached the Christian Faith in this Island. p. 80.
• Sisillius succeeds Jago. p. 21.
• Sisilius the Son of Guitheline succeeds his Mother Martia, p. 25. another of that name reckoned in the number of the ancient British Kings. p. 28.
• Siward Earl of Northumberland sent by Hardecnute together with Leofric against the people of Worcester, p. 277. 278. he and Leofric raise Forces for King Edward against Earl Godwin, p. 285. he makes an expedition into Scotland, vanquishes Macbeth, and placeth in his stead Malcolm Son of the Cumbrian King, p. 290. 291. he dies at York in an armed posture. p. 291.
• Sleda erects the Kingdom of the East-Saxons, p. 121.
• South-Saxon Kingdom by whom erected, p. 119. South-Saxons upon what occasion converted to the Christian Faith. p. 164.
• Staterius King of Albany, is defeated and slain in fight by Dunwallo Mulmutius. p. 21.
• Stilicho represses the invading Scots and Picts. p. 93.
• Stuff and Withgar the Nephews of Kerdic bring him new levies, p. 120. they inherit what he won in the Isle of Wight. p. 125.
• Suetonius Paulinus Lieutenant in Britain, attaques the Isle of Mona or Anglesey. p. 61.
• Suidhelm succeeds Sigebert in the Kingdom of the East-Saxons, p. 61. he is baptized by Kedda. ibid.
• Swane in revenge of his Sisters Death makes great devastations in the West of England, p. 250. he carries all before him as far as London, but is there repel'd, p. 257. is stilled King of England, ibid. he sickens and dies. p. 258.
• Swane the Son of Earl Godwin treacherously murders his Kinsman Beorn, p. 282. his peace wrought with the King by Aldred Bishop of Worcester, ibid. touched in Conscience for the slaughter of Beorn, he goes barefoot to Rome, and returning home dies in Lycia. p. 289.
• Swithred the last King of the East-Saxon Kingdom, driven out by E • bert the West-Saxon. p. 174. 187.

T.
• TAximagulus a petty King anciently in Britain, one of the four Kings that assaulted Caesar 's Camp. p. 46.
• Tenuantius one of the Sons of Lud hath Cornwall allotted him, p. 28. made King after the Death of Cassibelan. p. 50.
• Tendric a Warlike King of Britain, said to have exchange'd his Crown for a Hermitage, p. 134. to have taken up Arms again in aid of his Son Mouric. ibid.
• Theobale the Brother of King Ethelfrid, slain at Degiastan. p. 141.
• Theodore a Monk of Tarsus ordained Bishop of Canterbury by P. Vitalian, p. 163. by his means the Liberal Arts, and the Greek and Latin Tongues flourish among the Saxons. ibid.
• Theodosius sent over by the Emperor Valentinian, enters London victoriously, p. 91. sends for Civilis and Dulcitius, p. 92. punishes Valentinus a Pannonian, conspiring against him, ibid. he returns with applause to Valentinian. p. 92. 93.
• Theodosius the Son of the former prefer'd to the Empire, p. 93. overcomes and slays Maximus, usurping the Empire. p. 93.
• Thurfert and dirers other Danish Lord's submit to King Edward the Elder. p. 220.
• Titulus succeeds his Father Uffa in the Kingdom of the East-Angles. p. 121.
• Togodumnus the second Son of Cunobeline succeeds in the Kingdom, p. 51. is overthrown by Aulus Plautius, p. 52. slain in Battle. p. 53.
• Tosti the Son of Godwin made Earl of Northumberland in the room of Siward, p. 291. he swears Brotherhood with Malcolm King of Scotland, p. 293. goes to Rome with Aldred Bishop of York, ibid. the Northumbrians rise against him and expel him, p. 294. 295. a story of great outrage and cruelty committed by him at Hereford, p. 295. making War against his Brother King Harold, he is driven out of the Country by Edwin and Morcar, p. 300. joining with Harold Harfager King of Norway against his Brother, he is slain together with Harfager in the Battle. p. 302.
• Trebellius Maximus sent into Britain in the room of Petronius Turpilianus. p. 68.
• Trinobantes fall off from Cassibelan, and submit to Caesar, and recommend Mandubratius to his protection. p. 45. 46.
• Turkil a Danish Earl assaults Canterbury, but is bought off, p. 253. he swears Allegiance to King Æthelred, that under that pretence he might stay and give intelligence to Swane, p. 256. he leaves the English again and joins with Canute, p. 260. his greatness suspected by Canute, he is banished the Realm. p. 269.
• Turquetill a Danish Leader, submitting to King Edward, obtains leave of him to go and try his Fortune in France. p. 219.

V.
• VAlentinian the Emperor sends over several Deputies successively into this Island. p. 91.
• Vectius Bolanus sent into Britain in the room of Trebellius Maximus. p. 68.
• Vellocatus, see Venutius and Cartismandua.
• Venutius a King of the Brigantes deserted by his Wife Cartismandua, who marries his Squire Vellocatus, p. 60. he rights himself against her by Arms, ibid. makes War successfully against those taking part with his Wife. p. 60. 61.
• Verannius succeeds A. Didius in the British Wars. p. 61.
• Virtue ever highly rewarded by the ancient Romans. p. 55.
• Vespasian valiantly fighting under Plautius against the Britons is rescued from danger by his Son Titus. p. 55. for his eminent services here he receives triumphal Ornaments at Rome. p. 55.
• Uffa erects the Kingdom of the East-Angles, p. 121. from him his successors called Uffings. p. 121.
• Victorinus a Moor, appeaseth a Commotion in Britain, by slaying a Governor of his own recommending. p. 85.
• Victorinus of Tolosa made Prefect of this Island. p. 94.
• Victred the Son of Ecbert obtaining the Kingdom of Kent, settles all things in peace, p. 166. after 34 years Reign he deceaseth. p. 170.
• Videna slays her Son Ferrex in revenge of her other Son Porrex. p. 21.
• Vigenius and Peredure, expelling their Brother Elidure, share the Kingdom between them. p. 27.
• Virius Lupus hath the North part of the Government assigned him by Severus the Emperor. p. 81.
• Ulfketel Duke of the East-Angles sets upon the Danes with great valor, p. 250. his Army defeated through the subtlety of a Danish Servant, p. 254. he is slain with several other Dukes at the fatal Battle of Assandune. p. 264.
• Ulpius Marcellus sent Lieutenant into Britain by Commodus, ends the War by his Valour and Prudence. p. 8.
• Vortipor reigns in Demetia, or South-Wales. p. 132.
• Vortigern 's Character, p. 109. he is advised by his Council to invite in the Saxons against the Scots and Picts, ibid. he bestows upon Hengist and the Saxons, the Isle of Thanet, p. 112. then all Kent, upon a marriage with Rowen Hengist 's Daughter, p. 113. condemned in a Synod for incest with his Daughter, he retires to a Castle in Radnorshire, built for the purpose, p. 115. his Son Guortimer dead heresumes the Government, p. 116. is drawn into a snare by Hengist, p. 117. retiring again is burnt in his Tower. p. 117.
• Urianus, reckoned in the number of ancient British Kings. p. 28.
• Utherpendragon thought to be the same with Natanleod. p. 120.
• Uthred submits himself with the Northumbrians to Swane, p. 257. to Canute, p. 261. his Victory over Malcolm King of Scots, p. 262. 269. he is slain by Turebrand a Danish Lord at Canutes either Command or connivence. p. 261.

W.
• WEst-Saxon Kingdom by whom erected, p. 121.
• West-Saxons, and their Kings converted to the Christian Faith by Berinus. p. 155.
• Wibba succeeds Crida in the Mercian Kingdom. p. 134.
• Wilbrod a Priest goes over with 12 others to preach the Gospel in Germany, p. 168. he is countenancit by Pepin Chief Regent of the Franks, and made first Bishop of that Nation. p. 168. 169.
• Wilfrid Bishop of the Northumbrians deprived by Ecfrid of his Bishopric, wanders as far as Rome, p. 164. returning plants the Gospel in the Isle of Wight, and other places assigned him, p. 164. 165. hath the fourth part of that Island given him by Kedwalla, he bestows it on Bertwin a Priest, his Sisters Son. ibid.
• William Duke of Normandy honourably entertained by King Edward, and richly dismissed, p. 287. he betroths his daughter to Harold, and receives his Oath to assist him to the Crown of England, p. 295. 296. sending after King Edwards Death to demand performance of his promise, is put off with a slight answer, p. 300. 301. he lands with an Army at Hastings, p. 301. over throws Harold, who with his two Brothers is slain in Battle, p. 305. he is Crown'd at Westminster by Aldred Archbishop of York. ibid.
• Wipped a Saxon Earl slain at a place called Wippeds fleot, which thence took denomination, p. 116.
• Withgar, see Stuff.
• Withgarburgh in the Isle of Wight so called from being the burial-place of Withgar. p. 125.
• Withlaf the successor of Ludiken, being vanquished by Ecbert, all Mercia becomes tributary to him. p. 187.
• Wulfer the Son of Penda set up by the Mercian Nobles in the room of his Brother Oswi, p. 161. said to have been taken Prisoner by Kenwalk the West-Saxon, p. 162. he takes and wastes the Isle of Wight, but causeth the Inhabitants to be baptized, ibid. gives the Island to Ethelwald King of South-Saxons, ibid. sends Jeruvianus to recover the East-Saxons, fallen off the second time from Christianity, ibid. Lindsey taken from him by Ecfrid of Northumberland, p. 163. his Death accompanied with the stain of Simony. p. 164.
• Wulfheard King Ethelwolf 's Chief Captain, drives back the Danes at Southampton with great slaughter, p. 192. he dies the same year, as it is thought of Age. ibid.
• Wulktul Earl of Eli put to flight with his whole Army by the Danes. p. 201.

Y.
• YMner King of Loegria, with others slain in Battle by Dunwallo Mulmutius. p. 21.

ERRATA.

PAge 2. l. 16. for Britain's read Britons, p. 6. l. 18. for by the same remove, r. and by the &c. p. 8. l. 28. for beeit r. be, p. 13. l. 24. for be-spoken r. bespoken, p. 16. l. 9. for Germannus r. Germanus, p. 23. l. 3. for Brother r. his Brother, ibid. l. 16. for Allobreges r. Allobroges, p. 25. l. 3. for Mertian r. Mercian, p. 28. l. 18. for opportunety r. opportunety, p. 29. l. 9. for unto r. to, p. 29. from the end of l. 26. to the beginning: of l. 33. should not have been in a different Character, so also a line in the next page, p. 35. l. last, for Bay- Close inviron'd, r. Bay, close inviron'd, p. 51. l. 20. before made leave out he, p. 71. l. 33. for ex'steem'd r. esteemed, p. 102. l. 33. for Durstus r. Durstus, p. 119. l. 12. for Andreds League r. Andreds Leage, p. 126. l. 18. for Arms r. Artur, p. 138. l. 5. for haleluja r. Hallelujah, ibid. l. 6. for Benedic r. Benedict, p. 139. l. 12. for the r. thir, p. 150. l. 17. for and r. as, ibid. l. 18. after begin no comma, p. 151. l. 9. for ye r. thee, p. 157. l. 13. for Daughter r. Sister, p. 160. l. 31. for Loyden r. Loydes, p. 161. l. 7. for her r. his, p. 161. l. 35. for Witgeornesburgh, r. Witgeornesburg, p. 164. l. 4. for year a af read a year after, p. 169. l. 21. for Epitomy r. Epitome, p. 170. l. 27. after testifies a period, p. 173. l. 1. before far r. by, ibid. l. last, for Uncle r. Uncle's SSon, p. 174. l. 30. for Kuiric r. Kinric, p. 176. l. 9. after two r. or three, ibid. l. last but one, for Royal r. Regal, p. 177. l. 19. for Occanford r. Ottanford, p. 183. l. 23. after Ambassadors leave out the stop, ibid. l. 24. after Ecbert two points, p. 192. l. last for Ethelhelin helam, r. Ethelhelm, p. 195. l. 13. for de did r. he did, p. 197. l. 23. for West-Saxon r. West-Saxons, p. 201. l. 14. for flight r. fight, p. 216. l. 13. for Thames, there nocomma after Thames but after there, p. 225. l. 27. for his r. this, p 235. l. 4. for on r. about, ibid. l. last but two, for the r. that, p. 246 l. 17. for Frenar. Frana, p. 260. l. 23. before spread r. he, p. 264. l. 23. for Ocford r. Oxford, p. 276. l. 29. for Bishop r. Archbishop, p. 277. l. 12. for Brother r. half Brother, p. 280. l. 4. for that prompted him r. that now as it were prompted him, ibid. after the last line leave out deed, p. 281. l. 13. for a youth r. then a youth, p. 296. l. 16. for of r. with, p. 299. l. 25. after legs no stop, after hight a period, p 308. the six last lines should have been in no different Character from the rest of the Book, and in the last line for revolutions r. revolution, besides other literal faults and wrong stops through the Book, which the Reader of himself may amend.